by Sara Orwig
He shrugged, returning her smile while he reached over to hold her hand. “I can have them flown back to Memphis easily, and frankly, I want them to like me so they don’t worry about you being here.”
“I think you’ve succeeded beyond your wildest dreams,” she remarked with amusement. “My dad is so eager to play golf tomorrow. He’s good, but I suspect you are good, too, and you’re younger. Yet why do I think my dad will win tomorrow?”
Ryan merely grinned.
“He can’t wait. You made this course sound like the best ever. My dad really loves golf and he’s always interested in a course that’s top-notch.”
“Even though Lubbock isn’t the biggest city, this is a fine course. It’s a new country club and they really made an effort to have a world-class course. Wait until he comes back.”
She shook her head. “I still can’t believe they don’t even care to talk to me. I owe you for that.”
“Ahh, I intend to collect.”
She looked at him, realizing he was no longer restraining himself from flirting with her—a plus and a minus, depending on what she wanted. At this point she liked being with him and he could flirt if he wanted to. It surprised her how much she had already mended in the short time she had been in Texas. She was finding the quiet that she had needed and her hurts were beginning to fade.
“So just how do you expect to collect?”
“I’ll tell you when your folks have packed and gone and no one catches me doing something they think I shouldn’t. Notice I said ‘they think.’”
“I noticed. Ryan, this is good. I’m doing better in the short time I’ve been here. I’ve changed. This place is good for me.”
“That it is. It’s good for me, too. Maybe now you can see why I love it so.”
“I can and I can’t. I can’t seem to get my mind around the fact that you could sink down and never leave the ranch and still be happy. I couldn’t do that.”
“I certainly could. This is fantastic. Peaceful, quiet, yet I have friends here and I have things to do, challenges, fun. It’s beautiful. It’s relaxing. It’s quiet. No traffic. This is paradise.”
“Not for everyone,” she said. “Paradise is—”
“Tennessee,” he said before she could. “To each his own,” he added. “I’ll tell you what paradise is right now—you in my lap. But we won’t do that tonight.”
“I don’t think so,” she said, smiling at him, still aware of his hand holding hers. “Because of you, this has all turned out fine and I don’t have to worry about my parents. They haven’t said one word to me about coming home and they don’t seem to want to get me off alone to talk to me. I think you’ve wowed them.”
“That’s nice, but it’s their daughter I want to wow.”
“You’ve already done that,” she remarked, and he grinned.
They sat and talked until she realized it was two in the morning. She told him good-night and went to her suite to climb into bed and fall asleep.
* * *
Sunday evening after dinner as they moved to the patio, her dad asked if he could talk to her a few minutes and Ryan told her to take his study. Her spirits dropped because she had thought they had completely changed their feelings about both Carlton and Ryan. Her dad had returned from the golf game raving about the course and how great everything had been. He had barely beaten Ryan, but he had won and he was filled with excitement, talking all through dinner about the game and the course.
As she closed the study door, she steeled herself, then turned to face him. He had changed to tan slacks and a dark brown sport shirt. His skin was ruddy from the afternoon in the sun and he looked robust and healthy. She loved him, but she also wanted him to stop meddling in her life.
“Jessica, sit down. I think we need to talk briefly. This won’t take long.”
She sat facing him, smoothing her cream-colored slacks over her knees and waiting in silence.
“I want you to know that your mother and I feel you’re all right here. Ryan seems like a fine fellow and you seem happy working here.”
“I am. I told Ryan this job would be only for a year. Then I’ll go home, Dad.”
“The main thing is that you’re happy here. I want to tell you something. In hindsight, I should have let you handle your problems on your own, but I was less than happy with Carlton and the way he had treated you.”
Surprised, she said nothing, waiting. This was not what she had expected.
“I had a talk with Carlton right after you left him. I have a lot of influence in Memphis because we’re an old Memphis family and have roots since the earliest days.”
“Dad, what on earth...?”
“I told Carlton if he didn’t get you back and keep you happy, straighten up his act, he would have all sorts of financial difficulties at the bank. He’s got most of his loans and money in my bank. I can cause Carlton all kinds of financial woes.”
“Dad, how could you do that? Carlton could sue you.”
“Oh, no. I kept within the law.”
“I don’t want Carlton to try to get me back. I’ll never go back to him,” she said, horrified by her dad’s admission. “Go home and tell him you’ve changed your mind. No wonder he was so determined.”
“No, I think he truly wants you back. He told me you were the perfect wife for him. I don’t think I really had an influence, but I regret what I did. I was angry with him for being so damn stupid. I’m sorry, Jessica. I’m glad you’re working things out and I hope you’ll forgive me.”
She took a deep breath. “Of course I forgive you. I love you, Dad, but please just leave Carlton alone. Except tell him you won’t do anything so he’ll stop pursuing me.”
“I’ll do that the minute I get home. And I won’t let him know where you are.”
She nodded. “Dad, I never want to go back to him. I would never again trust him.”
Her father nodded. “Sorry, Jessica.”
She stood. “Let’s join Mom and Ryan. You forget it except for talking to Carlton when you get home. I know you meant well because you love me.”
“I was angry with him.”
She shook her head. “C’mon. It’s over. It’s passed and let’s forget it,” she said, thinking about Ryan giving her the same advice.
Her father walked up to hug her lightly. “You’re being good about this, honey.”
“I love you.”
He brushed a kiss on her cheek. “You’re a great daughter, Jessica. You’re our baby. And you selected the right place to settle,” he said, looking at his surroundings. “Ryan is a great guy.”
She didn’t want to remind him that not too long ago he would have said the same thing about Carlton.
“Did Mom know about your...talk with Carlton?”
“Eventually. She was a little upset with me, but on the other hand, she was as angry with Carlton as I was. I don’t think she would have objected if I had started carrying out my threats.”
“Oh, my. I suppose she knows why you’re talking to me now.”
“Of course. We just thought if Carlton straightened up and did what he should, you would have a happy marriage again.”
“No. That is definitely over forever.”
“Then this is a good place to be. Ryan has invited us back whenever we can come, so we’ll come back in a month or so.”
“Ryan is friendly. I’m sure he’ll welcome both of you anytime you want to come visit.”
They walked outside and Ryan gazed at her briefly. Her dad sat by Ryan and instantly started talking about the golf game.
Her mother turned to her. “Your dad told you about what he said to Carlton? Are you okay with your father?”
“Oh, yes. I wish he hadn’t done that, but it’s over and doesn’t matter now. Don’t worry about it.”
“Good. He’s had a wonderful time, so now neither of us is so worried about you. We miss you, but we know you found a good place and good people to be with, so we feel better.”
“I’m glad. Tell Lydia. Actually, tell the rest of the family in case my brothers treat Carlton the way Dad did.”
“We will, but your brothers are pretty close friends with Carlton. Jason, not so much, but Dillon and your brother-in-law have always been close with Carlton. Derek has been close the past few years. Dad will talk to all of them and tell them you’re doing well here.”
“Fine.”
Her mother sat back in her padded chair and looked around. “I’m surprised you can take this quiet. I’m glad I brought a book.”
Jessica smiled. “I think I needed this quiet.”
“It’s nice of Ryan to fly us home.”
“He’s a nice guy, Mom,” she said, glancing at Ryan and meeting his gaze, looking into his brown eyes for seconds before she turned back to her mother.
If her mother saw the look that passed between them, she never commented. But Jessica had her suspicions.
* * *
Midmorning Monday she stood on the tarmac and watched Ryan’s jet lift into the sky.
“Thanks to you, they went home happy and there is no danger of them telling Carlton where I am,” Jessica said with a smile to Ryan. “And thanks to you, they’ve decided everything is fine for me to stay here. They’ll do what I want now. They said very little to me about coming home. Thank you very much.”
“I think you said you owe me one.”
“So I did.”
“I’ll collect tonight at home,” he said, gazing at her and letting his eyes convey what he wanted.
They climbed into his car for the drive back to the ranch. She turned in the seat to watch him drive and talk to him. She told him briefly what her father admitted he had done.
“I’m sure Daddy would have stayed within the law, but he is influential and he’s wealthier than Carlton, plus he has a lot of older friends who could cause Carlton financial difficulties. I just can’t imagine my dad doing that, but I suppose he was really angry with Carlton. Anyway, he said he would tell Carlton that I’m happy and I’m not coming back, so that’s the end of that. I can see why Carlton has been so persistent. Maybe this will be the end of his interest in getting back together.”
“I can understand why he would be angry. Your folks are nice, Jessica. But that’s no surprise.”
“Ryan, have you ever met anyone you didn’t like?” she asked, thinking he had to be the friendliest person she had ever known.
“Oh, yes,” he said. “Indeed I have, but rarely. People are nice. And Texans are friendly.”
“So are Tennesseans,” she said.
“I know they are. I’ve been there and they’re very friendly.”
As he drove down the wide stretch of asphalt that was the county road, he glanced at her and back to the road. “Thanks to Jeb, word has gotten around to my family about your cooking. They are asking pointed questions and I think every one of them wants to try your cooking and especially your rolls.”
“Invite them over and I’ll cook. I don’t mind cooking for them.”
“We’ll pick a date. Trouble ahead,” he said as they approached a faded, dented car pulled off to one side of the empty stretch of road. A young couple stood by the car.
Ryan pulled to a stop thirty yards behind them. “You stay here. Just being on the safe side. You don’t know what they want.”
“They look like two kids with car trouble,” she said, her hand on the door handle.
“Yes, they do, but there have been some very hurt people who thought they would stop to help a stranger.” Ryan jotted a number on a small sticky note to hand to her. “Now, stay here and if you need help, call the Bywater sheriff. His name is Sam and this is his number.”
“I don’t think I’ll need help. They need help,” she said, nodding out the windshield at the couple.
“I’ll see. If you go talk to them, they’ll be living with me in my house.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “I saw you playing with one of those pups in the barn this morning.”
He shut the car door and walked to the couple. She watched him, to all appearances a tall, handsome cowboy with a purposeful walk who would jump in and do something about the situation. He had been perfect with her parents, saving her so much hassle with them. Ryan could be impressive. Sexy, quick-thinking, reliable. When she thought about how she had almost driven on and not stopped to apply for the job with him, she cringed. What a mistake that would have been. Then she thought about his kindness toward her and his leap of faith in giving her the job. But it was her thoughts about their lovemaking that made her heart race. Suddenly she wanted him to come back to the car.
Would he kiss her tonight? She felt certain he would. And she was looking forward to being kissed by the sexy, appealing, marvelous man.
Was she falling in love with him? She knew she shouldn’t be, but even as she searched her heart and her head, she couldn’t answer the question.
She looked out the windshield as Ryan joined the couple. She watched them talking and then Ryan made a phone call. Shortly, he returned to the car.
“I got help for them. Official help. They’re from a town near the state line in East Texas. They ran away and got married because she’s pregnant. Their folks are frantic and went to the police about an hour ago.”
“Can you get them to call their folks?”
“Jessica, you didn’t call your folks.”
“I didn’t do anything like this, Ryan. First of all, I’m not a kid. Second, I’m not without means. And lastly, I know what I’m doing and why. My situation is entirely different.”
“I know. I’m teasing. The police are notifying their families. By now they probably already have. Those two have forty dollars between them. I gave them a hundred dollars, called the Bywater Hotel and booked them a room for tonight. I called Willie, my mechanic in Bywater, and he’s coming in his tow truck to get their car. He will give them a ride back to Bywater and drop them off at the hotel. I told Willie I would pay for their car to be repaired and they can go back home. So now you can relax.”
“And you accuse me of being softhearted.”
“If I hadn’t done all that, you wouldn’t want to leave them.”
“You’re right there. You’re a nice guy, Ryan. Even if you did that because of me. I think you would have done it even if this had happened before you met me. I think you would have taken care of them.”
“Maybe,” he said. They drove past the couple and they all waved.
“That’s very nice,” she repeated, squeezing his wrist lightly. “I am impressed by your care for others.”
“Don’t lay it on too thickly, Jessica.”
“I mean what I say. You were nice back there.” She shot him a smile. “Maybe we can check on them tomorrow.”
“We don’t need to check on them. They have $140 now and their car will be fixed and they are going home tomorrow. They really are okay, so forget them.”
“Maybe I was hasty in my compliments.”
He gave her a look and they both laughed. Despite the levity of the moment now, she knew Ryan was a caring person. He was certainly caring in so many ways with her.
He shot her a sideways look. “You know, you’ve turned my life topsy-turvy,” he said.
“Me? I think it’s the other way around. I just came and got a job as a cook.”
“Sure, Jessica.”
* * *
When they arrived at home, Ryan left her to attend to ranch work.
As he took samples to get a well tested, he moved automatically, his thoughts on the weekend and today. Jessica was right. He probably would have helped the st
randed couple, but maybe not as much as he did. He would have called a wrecker for them and let the sheriff know about them so he could call their parents, but giving them money and putting them up in a hotel—that was Jessica’s influence. If knowing her was changing him, how big was she becoming in his life? How important to him? He couldn’t answer his own questions, but he worried because his relationship with her seemed different from any other he had ever had.
That night before dinner they sat on the patio to watch the sun go down. When darkness fell, he held her hand. “This is what it’s all about,” he whispered. “I don’t want you to worry about your folks or your ex or even me. I want you to enjoy living here and get over what you’ve been through.”
“I’m getting over it. You’ve changed my dad’s view of Texas cowboys completely.”
“I hope for the good,” he said. “Your parents were nice, Jessica. I’m surprised they’d want you to go back to a man who wasn’t honest with you.”
“He’s great in so many other ways.”
“Maybe so, but honesty is the bedrock of a relationship. Without that, you don’t have anything solid.”
“Unfortunately, Carlton didn’t see it that way. Actually, my parents seem to have a close, good relationship, so that makes their feelings for Carlton even more puzzling. I think Mom was happy with my life while I was married to him. I saw a lot of my folks because we all moved in the same circles. I don’t know. At least they went home feeling differently, thanks to you.”
They sat talking as darkness fell and the landscape lights came on.
“Ryan, this is so great. No wonder I’m doing better. At this ranch there’s all the peace you need. You feel as if you’re in another world of your own. This is one place where I can recuperate. There’s no pressure, no stress. I’ll always remember it.”
“Well, for now, this is a beautiful evening, but I can think of a few things that would make it a degree better,” he said, standing, picking her up and sitting back with her on his lap.
She had to laugh. “Not too subtle, are you? I thought we weren’t doing this.”