“Okay.”
The house and driveway lights had been turned on, and he helped escort the remaining guests to their cars. Cleanup had begun—the chairs and tables, to be picked up by the rental company on Monday, the leftover food, the sound system and instruments...
Brynne brought him and Amos a beer each, and then Cord came over, asking for one, too. The three of them sat on the porch steps, dogs asleep at their feet. Eli was tempted to tell Cord about his arrangement with Carly, but it was too private to share with a colleague, even if that colleague was also a friend.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, Eli showed up at eleven sharp, to find Carly waiting for him. There was little conversation as they drove to Bailey’s; he saw immediately that Brynne wasn’t on duty. Too bad, but not unexpected, given the night she’d just put in.
He and Carly had coffee and the brunch special—scrambled eggs with pancakes. Their talk was slow to start, but once he’d made the overtures, by referring to her meetings with Cord and J.P., she launched into a point-by-point summary of everything he’d suspected and some of which he already knew. The family history, her hitchhiking journey, the YouTube channel and the money she’d made as a result. This public aspect of her recent life, and the money she’d made doing it, took him aback. But he didn’t hold it against her, recognizing that it was about survival. Different kinds of survival. Financial and emotional.
She ended with, “I assume you’d be willing to do the DNA test?”
He nodded emphatically. “All three of us are agreed on that. Might’ve taken us a while, but...” They discussed logistics for a few minutes, then moved on to last night’s party. She told him she’d helped Tina open her gifts and described some of them—books of all kinds, including a couple of celebrity cookbooks, several bottles of champagne, fancy bath products, jewelry and much more. She made a point of adding that Tina had loved his gift, a beautifully photographed history of Montana. He appreciated her telling him this.
They both seemed relieved that they’d had their discussion, that this step had been taken. “Father or honorary uncle, I’m part of your life. We’re in each other’s lives. And I’m happy about that.”
“I am, too.” And as they got up to leave, she clasped both his hands.
When he drove back to the ranch, Shallie and Cord were sitting on the porch, apparently engaged in a confidential exchange. Eli wanted to bring up the DNA test details, but this didn’t seem to be the time. He’d call later.
He simply waved and took Carly to the trailer.
* * *
WHEN CARLY LEFT Eli’s car, she discovered that Tina was waiting for her, sitting in one of the garden chairs.
“How was it?” she asked.
“Good! Nice brunch and we had The Talk. We’re all okay with DNA testing.” She grinned at Tina. “You’re probably thinking it’s about time, huh?”
“Not for me to say. Still... I’m glad it’s happening.” The older woman glanced down at her hands for a moment. “I have something else I need to discuss with you. Susan just found out she’ll need to move out of her apartment for a little while. She told me last night. The management’s doing a major overhaul of the plumbing in her building, and it’s expected to take two or three weeks, maybe longer.”
“You mean she wants to move back here?”
“If possible. She’s aware of your situation, though, and figures she could stay with a friend, maybe alternate between a couple of them, if necessary.”
“You mean couch surf? That’s not fair to her! She needs to be here, with you. Maybe I can sleep on Cord’s downstairs sofa. Or on Shallie’s floor.”
“You’ve already had so many disruptions in your life,” Tina began. “And—”
“I’m doing really well. Loretta, my therapist, says so, too. Don’t worry, okay? Let me talk to Cord and Shallie.”
She did, later that afternoon. First with Shallie, who said of course she’d share her room. Then with Cord, who told her they’d work something out.
* * *
CORD CARRIED A glass of wine up to Shallie’s suite, both dogs racing ahead of him. “Hey, don’t make me spill this,” he warned them. The door was open; he saw that she was at the small desk, working on her laptop.
“I’m drafting a possible blog,” she told him. “Emma suggested it. What’s going on?”
“Blog about?”
“The growing use of animals for therapy. Mostly horses and dogs, but others, too. She’ll put me in touch with some of her clients to interview. And I can talk to the Lewises, plus Joey and Karen. When the blog’s done, it’ll go on her site.” She paused. “It could go on yours, too, if you want.”
“Please. And you’ll let me know if I can help?”
“Oh, yes. I’ll interview you, as well. Now, what’s going on?” she asked again as he handed her the glass. “Whatever it is evidently requires liquid assistance.”
He brought up what was happening with Susan—and Carly’s possible displacement.
“She can stay here,” Shallie said in a firm voice. “No problem at all.”
“I have another—”
“Proposition?” She laughed, obviously remembering their earlier conversation.
He joined in her laughter, remembering it, too. “Kind of. Move in with me, and we’ll let Carly have the guest suite.”
“But—”
“Any clients can stay at Russ’s motel, at reduced rates. In fact, I’m going to encourage him to do more renovation, fix up the rest of the place.”
She was silent for a painfully long moment. “I know we’ve talked about this, me sharing your room...”
“More than once. Including earlier today.” He’d mentioned it as a “future possibility” as they’d sat on the porch—although he’d actually meant “near future.”
He knew her well enough now that he understood her loyalty and honesty, how strong and steadfast she was. There was no resemblance between her and Jenna, none at all. He also knew that, although they loved each other, her divorce—not to mention the fact that she’d lived with a history of abandonment—was something of an obstacle. He just hoped that the love she’d already shown him would allow her to take this first step toward a real—and permanent—commitment.
Her response was disappointing. She took a sip of her wine. “Can I think about it? Can I tell you tomorrow?”
“Fine.” He realized his voice sounded rather sharp and tried to soften it. “Completely up to you,” he said. “But you already know what I want.”
“I’m sorry. Are you angry? Upset?”
He shook his head. “I’d better go see to the horses.” He left, but the dogs stayed behind.
* * *
SHALLIE WONDERED WHAT to do. She tried to work, but kept returning to his question, with its potentially life-altering answer. Should she ask her best friend for advice? Emma would say “Go for it!” Should she trust her own instincts about Cord—which said “yes.” Or her doubts, which said “maybe.”
Yet her instincts had been positive about Rob, too. They’d been wrong, not at first but eventually.
This was different, though. Because her feelings for Cord had been part of her life for so long—even if they’d mostly resided in the background.
Those feeling were at least as big a reason for being here as her search for Christine and her hope of becoming Emma’s business partner.
Another sip of wine. Hard not to fantasize about doing the same kind of work for Hollister Horses but on a permanent basis. Quitting the job in Seattle, leaving the apartment and starting over. With Cord. Revisiting—and revising—the past.
Damn it, she loved the man! When had she become so scared of taking a chance?
She took one of those deep breaths that presaged an announcement. Or in her case, a decision. An answer.
And it was YES!
/> She’d tell Cord this evening, and there was one obvious way to do that.
She turned off her laptop, shooed out the dogs and left the suite, stopping in the kitchen for a refill—then headed up to his room.
* * *
CORD WAS ECSTATIC. No other word would do.
Shallie wanted to be with him, share his room. His life?
Surely this was another beginning! In so many ways... These last months were the best he’d ever spent. Shallie, Carly, reconnecting with his mother, the addition of therapy to his business. And his friends were as important as ever.
So, what didn’t he have? What was he lacking? Anything?
Certainty, he supposed, but he trusted that would come.
They spent what he could only describe as a passionate night together. They made love three times, each better than the one before.
They hadn’t repeated their proclamations of love, not yet, but he was confident that wasn’t far away. And he felt it, was sure she did, too.
Despite Reba, despite Jenna, who were part of his past. Cord’s love for Shallie, and hers for him, were about the present and the future. As she herself had said, the past was past.
* * *
SHALLIE WAS THRILLED by Cord’s reaction—and her own. It all told her she’d made the right decision.
They informed Carly the next morning. Then he, Tina and Mitch worked out the logistics, which were easy enough. They’d move Shallie’s stuff to his room that morning, help Carly move hers into the suite, and Susan would return to the trailer tomorrow. Tina and Mitch were delighted, and Shallie figured that had to do with more than just the arrangements regarding Susan.
She’d noticed Tina’s subtle encouragement of her relationship with Cord, and knew her approval was assured. Mitch’s, too.
Shallie and Cord met Russell for lunch at the center of the universe—or their universe, anyway, as the Lewises had described it. They discussed Cord’s suggestion of refurbishing the remaining rooms and making the motel the official Hollister Horse destination. Russ had a cleaner now; it turned out that in a conversation with Susan a couple of weeks earlier, he’d mentioned his need for someone to help out. She’d recommended Elaine, a part-time assistant at the library who was looking for more work. He’d interviewed her and hired her on the spot.
At lunch, Shallie also suggested renovating the office and hallways. And the outside. Cord explained that he’d be willing to invest, and he thought J.P. would, too. They’d make some basic profit-sharing arrangement. Russ told them he was more than happy with everything; this was a whole new life for him. He said he was becoming part of the community in a way he’d never been before. And he thanked Shallie for her kindness, her encouragement.
Shallie was moved, knowing that her presence in Painted Pony Creek had made a difference.
CHAPTER TWENTY
ELI TALKED TO Katie Fairfield, originally Katie Dupree, a nurse and ex-girlfriend of Cord’s, about getting DNA tests done. She recommended using blood samples, which she said she’d be willing to take and submit to the lab situated in the county hospital. As sheriff, he was familiar with that lab, which was also used for criminal cases.
Katie agreed to meet them, together with her husband, Dr. Zach Fairfield, at Cord’s place for that purpose. She warned him the results would probably take at least a month, since medical and criminal cases had priority—a fact he was already well aware of.
They met at Cord’s late Friday afternoon; Katie collected the samples, and then she and Zach settled in for a relaxed hour or so. Well, sort of relaxed. It seemed to Eli that they were all determined to avoid talking about this important next step. Including Katie, whom he’d informed of the situation.
He hoped they’d get a response by mid-October...
He reflected that this evening was typical of the Fridays they often spent at Cord’s. Except that Shallie had become a regular participant—and more than that, the two of them appeared to be a couple now. A real couple, although Cord hadn’t confided in him or J.P. about that yet.
He saw their relationship as good news. It had made sense to him practically from the day of her arrival.
This was the first Friday in September, and so much had already changed. Obviously Carly’s arrival was a big part of that; she had a role in their lives and in their town, and now she was attending the same high school they had.
Once the DNA results were in, even more would change.
Eli knew he had to present a positive outlook. And he did. He believed his own declarations—and those of Cord and J.P. However things turned out, they’d be okay. They’d talked about it. And they’d talked with Carly, alone and as a group.
Cord’s place tonight offered the usual welcoming atmosphere; Eli enjoyed the time they spent with Katie and Zach, who stayed for a drink, then left before supper to get home to their kids.
A bit later, Lindsey came over, and so did Mitch, Tina, Susan and Russ. The barbecued ribs and veggie burgers were tasty, conversation was light, silly jokes were exchanged.
But, enjoyable though it was, the evening ended early.
* * *
CARLY WAS IN a constant, if low-level, state of anxiety about the coming DNA results, but knew there was nothing—nothing!—she could do to hurry them along.
That aside, things were going well. She was in her first full year at the county high school, and to use a favorite saying of Reba’s, so far, so good. She and Lindsey were both in the eleventh grade, same home room, and Eric Worth was in twelfth—repeating it, since he’d dropped out the previous year. Thankfully, none of his companions in crime were at the school anymore. With Shallie and Susan’s guidance, the pet support group had been officially registered as Montana Pet Support, MPS for short. Better than PMS, as Carly had said, and that became a popular joke—among the girls, anyway. In fact, she sometimes wondered if the guys even got it.
With Tina’s help and again Shallie’s, Carly had assumed the role of administrator. “Good for your résumé,” one of her new teachers said. But it provided a lot more than that.
They had several additional clients now—and clients was the term they used, although of course no money changed hands. One was a friend of Meg. Sandra had suffered a serious fall and lacked mobility. She had a beagle she adored—Holly the Second!—but this one was an older boy named Tex. Like Holly, he, too, was the sweetest little creature, and Carly fell instantly in love.
And there was Miles Carey’s elderly father-in-law, who insisted on preserving his independence by living in a small apartment above a store on Main. His dog, a midsize part-Lab rescue named Linc, needed regular walks. Surprisingly, or maybe not, Eric had taken that on. He went over every weekday morning before school, and the old man’s grandkids did the other shifts.
A third new client was a single mom, Alexa, with three-year-old twins; she needed assistance with her five (five!) cats.
Four MPS “clients” so far...
Susan Robbins was spreading the word, via a blog she’d done, posters in the small library, conversations with patrons.
And that odd but nice guy, Russ—Shallie’s cousin or whatever—had said he’d help with transportation or anything MPS needed.
The program was gaining a strong reputation. Shallie, Cord, Tina, Eli, J.P., everyone seemed to congratulate her constantly.
Early days yet—another favorite Reba saying—but her classes were going well, especially English and music. She was making new friends, and she loved having her own large room at the ranch house, loved knowing Shallie and Cord were together. Outside of her anxiety about the DNA results (but it wasn’t as though that could go badly), she’d never been happier.
And an unexpected bonus—when Susan moved in with Tina and Mitch for her temporary stay, she offered Carly some of the T-shirts she’d left at the trailer. She said Carly should take her pick, take as many as she wanted. Hard
choice, since Carly liked (and had worn) them all. She chose the cat-love T-shirt, plus the So Many Books one and then the one celebrating The GateCrashers. No need to be greedy, she told herself. In exchange, she gave Susan the Horses Help T-shirt she’d received from Emma, figuring she could easily ask for—or buy—another.
* * *
CORD AND JULIE spoke every two days, as they’d promised. She’d told him that last month’s forest fire had been devastating, but successfully vanquished. She and Chris hoped the damage to woods, farmland and a number of small towns could be repaired, recovered from, although they knew it would take years.
He’d told her about the situation with Carly and the DNA test. Julie regularly asked if he’d “heard anything yet.”
“Trust me, I’ll let you know,” he always said.
Her other regular question was when (not if) he and Shallie were getting married.
Same response.
* * *
SHALLIE’S MOST RECENT call with Emma, a day ago, had ended with what was becoming a standard question. “So, when are you two getting married?”
Standard response: “Don’t know.”
“Come on! You’re meant to be with him. You’re such a great couple!”
“Perhaps...”
“And you’re basically living together as it is. Make it official already!”
“We’ll see.”
Then their call moved on to other subjects. Emma described her new therapy clients and mentioned that many of the people Shallie had met were continuing to improve. In turn, Shallie told her about Cord’s newest clients, a couple from Chicago who were staying at Russ’s motel. She went on to say that she and Cord had talked to Russ about fixing up more rooms, making his motel the “residence of choice” for Hollister Horses’ clients. And, as Cord had surmised, J.P. was interested in getting involved, investing in the motel and its renovations.
Country Strong--A Novel Page 26