by Karen Rock
A few days ago, when they’d uncovered Leanne’s emails, his heart had split in two. He’d suspected he’d disappointed Leanne for not loving her the way she deserved. He’d never known the catalyst for destroying their marriage had been his selfishness in keeping Cassidy’s ring, though. Because of it, Leanne had meant to leave him. Understanding his role in their estrangement hurt with a near physical ache, yet Daryl’s grief had eased as the days passed and his heart opened further to Cassidy.
She’d been willing, once, to give up her career and settle down with him. Would she again? She’d had her dream career for a decade. It might not be as easy to walk away now. He’d been giving her room to think, but he needed to broach the topic and settle things between them with Thanksgiving so near and Christmas fast on its heels. Beyond stolen kisses and surreptitious hand-holding, they’d steered clear of serious talk this past week.
A loud whistle erupted, stunning everyone into temporary silence. Jewel stood on a chair. Her red hair flamed along with her freckled cheeks. She lowered her fingers from her mouth and pointed at the group. “Y’all are acting like naughty schoolkids. Pay attention to Maverick or I’ll take you behind the shed.” She tapped the leather belt holding up her Wranglers and jumped down with a wink, Heath’s hands going to her tiny waist. “It’s taken forever for all of us to square our busy schedules and meet and we have to make the most of it.”
“Thank you, Jewel.” Maverick’s deep blue eyes resembled the sea before a storm. Calm with a hint of trouble ahead. “First off, thank you, ladies, for the fine meal.”
“I didn’t do anything,” scoffed Jewel.
“Exactly why I’m including you in the thanks,” Maverick drawled with a grin. The Cade brothers guffawed loudly in approval.
Heath dropped a quick hand to Jewel’s arm, checking her before she executed one of her trademark shoulder jabs.
“So funny I forgot to laugh,” Jewel jeered, but good-naturedly.
“You’re welcome for the meal.” Joy rose slowly to her feet. “Nothing makes me happier than being surrounded by family. We should have dessert before the pies get cold.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk over a couple of things first.”
At Maverick’s request, Joy dropped back in her chair and cast a wary glance Boyd’s way.
“What do we know about this Neil fellow besides him being a conniving cheat out to steal our ranch?” Maverick produced his cell phone and tapped on its screen. “He’s nowhere online. Might as well be a ghost.”
Cole linked his fingers and cracked his knuckles. “I’d like to turn him into one.”
“Those are some fighting words,” Heath murmured near Daryl’s ear.
“It’s time we get rid of this guy before Pa’s blood pressure goes up any higher.” Daryl kept his voice low since only he and Heath knew their father’s doctor advised hypertension medication if his numbers remained high.
“Neil’s taking care of a stray dog,” Sierra volunteered, surprising them. “He brought it to my practice thinking I’m a regular vet.”
A blip of silence passed before Maverick spoke again. “He’s got a place in town? Not a hotel room?”
Sierra nodded. “Not sure where, though.”
“That means he’s here for the long haul,” Travis muttered.
“I might have an idea where he’s staying.” Cole shifted in his seat, his arms crossed. “Stopped by Aunt Suzanna’s place and spied a rental car in the driveway. Now that I think of it, I saw the same blue sedan in the country store’s parking lot when he came skulking around.”
“You think she’d take him in?” gasped Sierra. She scooped up their tabby, kissed its nose, then settled it in her lap.
“Makes no sense,” Heath mused, and Daryl nodded. Their great-great-aunt, an eccentric and former hoarder, had lived a solitary life, rarely leaving her house save for Sunday services.
“Why would she take in company, especially one intent on upending our family?” Travis propped a shoulder against the wall and stared off into space. He wore the same inward expression he assumed when mulling over clues in his cases. Lately he’d been wearing it more often as cattle rustling escalated in their sleepy community.
“Could be he’s charmed her.” Cassidy tapped a fingernail on the side of her water glass. “Made himself helpful to Aunt Suzanna in some way.”
“She wanted me to replace her screens with storm windows,” Cole said slowly. “But when I arrived, someone had already done it.”
“Neil!” Boyd’s face flushed red. “If he gets her to testify on his behalf, he might persuade the judge to exhume my father.”
“She’d never!” Sierra exclaimed, then turned to Cole, who knew Aunt Suzanna best. “Would she?” The cat’s loud purr rose as she stroked its arching back.
“She likes historical intrigue.” Cole glanced at the living room, where the TV played a Broncos game. Later tonight, they’d planned to watch the season finale of his wife Katlynn’s show, Scandalous History. Aunt Suzanna had helped Cole and Katlynn solve the century-old mystery of the events causing the Cade-Loveland feud. If not for their work, the families wouldn’t have reconciled, and Boyd and Joy’s marriage might not have occurred.
“She was the local historian for years,” Daryl reminded the group, then clamped a hand on his jiggling knee. Beneath the table, Cassidy’s soft hand slid into his and squeezed. His heart rate settled. It felt good to have someone on his side, a partner. But for how long? “She might have some insights to Grandpa’s past that we don’t.”
“I’d know if Pa had another son.” Boyd’s frown eased when Joy patted his arm.
“Could be Grandpa didn’t know.” Travis rocked back on his heels. “I’ll swing by Aunt Suzanna’s tomorrow. I’ve got another report of missing cattle at Fuller’s place, so it’s on the way.”
“Can you arrest Neil?” Jewel asked hopefully. “And can I help?”
“Likely to get yourself arrested in the process,” Heath said affectionately. He smoothed down one of Jewel’s cowlicks before pressing a brief kiss to her nose.
She glared but made no move away from her fiancé.
“Can’t bring any charges unless Aunt Suzanna says he’s trespassing...” Travis’s fingers drummed on his gun belt’s empty holster. He’d driven straight from the county sheriff’s office for the family meal and had locked his firearm in Pa’s gun safe.
“Cassidy and I will pay Aunt Suzanna a visit,” Daryl offered. “She always liked Cassidy. Plus, Cassidy’s an investigative journalist. She’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on.”
His mouth curled at Cassidy’s pleased smile. Maverick arched a brow, Sierra pursed her lips and the family shot Daryl and Cassidy assessing looks.
Would they approve of his pursuing Cassidy so soon after losing Leanne? Would they expect him to wait? But he’d already waited too long for Cassidy and let her go without a fight—a mistake he would not repeat.
“Sounds like a plan, and if we’re all agreed...” Maverick’s gaze circled the table. “I’d like to hire a private investigator to look into Neil and his mother.”
“Can’t ask you to put out that much cash,” Boyd protested. While he appreciated his children’s physical help, he refused their monetary aid.
“You’re not,” Maverick countered, firm. His cleft chin jutted. “I’m offering. In fact, I’m insisting unless anyone has an objection. The more dirt we can get on this guy before the trial, the better. Agreed?”
A rousing chorus of “yes” filled the room.
“Now that’s settled, let’s get dessert.” Joy bustled to the counter, retrieved a stack of dessert plates and turned. Without warning, the color in her face faded and the dishes crashed to the tiled floor.
They all leaped to their feet, overturning chairs in their hurry to help. Boyd rushed around the table and led Joy back to her sea
t while Jewel pushed a glass of water into her mother’s trembling hand. Within minutes, they’d disposed of the broken pottery and wiped down the floor.
“How about paper plates?” Joy laughed shakily. “Guess we don’t need to be fancy since it’s just family.”
“Ma. Enough.” James Cade, Joy’s second-oldest son, squatted beside his mother’s chair. “Maverick and I’ve been talking.”
“That sounds bad,” Jewel wisecracked, then sobered when she spied James’s subtle head shake.
Silently, Daryl agreed with Jewel. James’s siblings complained about his controlling ways and Maverick prided himself on sticking his nose into others’ problems, whether he was asked or not. Growing up, each of his siblings turned to him with their troubles, to keep from adding on to their overworked Pa’s worries. However, once the family returned to stable ground, Maverick never relinquished his role as “fixer” or understood they didn’t need or want his help anymore.
“We’re worried about you.” Maverick paced the length of the kitchen with enormous strides. “And want you to see the doctor and get tested now versus after the holidays.”
Joy’s mouth dropped open. Her silver bob swished when she snapped her head to face Boyd. “Did you know about this?”
Pa shook his head. The dark pouches beneath his eyes and the extra groove in his forehead showed he was as concerned as their combined offspring. “Not opposed to the intention, though Joy has the final say. And I would have appreciated a heads-up.” His dark blue eyes pinned each of his children in turn.
“Every time I’ve scheduled a family meeting, it’s gotten postponed.” Maverick shoved a large hand through his clipped hair, making it stand at odd angles.
Boyd’s face scrunched. “No one’s mentioned them.”
“I kept them from you,” Joy admitted, stunning the group. No one took so much as a breath. “I guessed Maverick’s intention and didn’t want to hear what the group had to say. Not before the holidays.”
“What good’s saving this holiday if we end up not having you at the next one?” growled Justin Cade, the reformed black sheep of the Cade clan.
“Don’t be harsh with Ma.” Jared Cade’s chair scraped the floor when he stood and strode to his mother. He dropped a protective hand to her shoulder.
“I love you, Ma, but your head’s in the sand.” Jewel banged the side of her balled hand on the table. “Talking loud’s the only way you’ll hear us.” The prickly cowgirl jerked her arm free of Heath’s hold and dashed the shine from her eyes.
“Children, please,” protested Joy. “Don’t argue. The whole point of waiting was to give us peace during the season.”
“It ain’t peaceful not knowing where things stand.” Boyd caressed the side of Joy’s face. “If the cancer’s back, the sooner we treat it, the better.”
“But if it’s back, then...” Joy’s mouth trembled.
Sierra reached across the table and grabbed Joy’s hand. “Then you’ll get the right medical treatment and beat it. With all of us by your side.”
Murmurs of agreement circled the table and Jewel added her hand atop Sierra’s and Joy’s.
Joy’s lips lifted in a tremulous smile. “I don’t want to ruin Christmas. Thanksgiving.”
“You think that means anything to us compared to you?” Boyd exclaimed. He blinked hard up at the ceiling, his jaw clenched.
“We love you more than Santa, Grandma!” Javi flung himself across the room and landed heavily on Joy’s and Boyd’s laps.
Joy’s face fell when she observed Emma’s and Noah’s stricken faces. Daryl’s heart dropped with it. They’d been so intent on the conversation they’d missed the children’s entry.
Noah covered his face with his hands and asked through his fingers, “Grandma Joy? Are you going to die?”
“Honey.” Joy lowered his hands to give him a reassuring look. “I’m going to be just fine. I already beat cancer. This little tiredness is nothing to worry about.”
“Will you go to the doctor so he makes you better?” Noah’s lower lip trembled.
“I promise.”
The group breathed a collective sigh of relief.
“Pa didn’t say anything about cancer! He never tells us what’s going on!” Emma yelled, then dashed back outside.
With a muttered oath, Daryl tore after her, Cassidy hot on his heels. He caught up to Emma on the steps of the gazebo, where dried mums wilted in box planters.
Daryl sat beside his tense daughter and gathered her close. When she pushed him away, he tightened his grip until her body eased against his and she released sob after sob. “Why do I always lose people I love?” she cried.
Daryl’s chest tightened. He’d grown up worrying about the same thing. Still agonized over it. Leanne was gone and, if he didn’t move fast, possibly Cassidy, too.
“You haven’t lost Grandma Joy.” Cassidy brushed a hand over Emma’s hair and her concerned eyes met Daryl’s. The depth of her feelings for his children touched him. How would Noah and Emma handle it if she left them? Another loved one gone. His jaw clamped. He couldn’t let that happen.
“She has cancer!” Emma lifted a tearstained face. “Everybody knew but me and Noah.”
“I thought you had enough to handle after losing your ma.”
“I could have made her a card,” Noah spoke up behind them. Cassidy opened her arms and he crept onto her lap and buried his head on her shoulder. “Grandma Joy needed us.”
“You always keep secrets,” Emma sniffled, accusing Daryl. “I’m not a baby.”
“I tell you everything I can.”
“You never said where Mama went all those nights. Or why she was in the car with Aunt Cassidy.”
“We still don’t know the answer to that last one, sweetheart.” He tucked her head into his shoulder and stroked a hand down her back.
“Will Aunt Cassidy ever get her memory back?” Noah wrapped one of Cassidy’s locks around his finger.
“I hope so, honey,” Cassidy vowed. “I’m trying very hard to remember.”
“Are you going away?” Noah said, his voice muffled against Cassidy’s neck. “I want you to stay forever and ever.”
“Me, too!” Emma straightened in Daryl’s arms. “What about you, Pa? Do you want Aunt Cassidy to stay?”
“I do,” he declared, his gaze locked on Cassidy. Seeing his father gray with fear over possibly losing Joy shook Daryl. Life was unpredictable and the time you had with the one you loved wasn’t to be squandered. Tonight’s dinner made him even more determined to convince Cassidy to remain in Carbondale, to give her enough good reasons to never leave him again.
“Forever and ever.”
* * *
“AUNT SUZANNA?” DARYL shaded his eyes against the midmorning glare and peered at his great-great-aunt’s white-sided cottage. It’d come a long way from the run-down, debris-filled house he and his brothers helped her organize a while back. In fact, it looked a tad too neat, he mused, as he assessed the meticulously raked lawn despite a copse of leafless oak trees. Was Neil helping her with yard work—a duty usually shared by the Loveland siblings? A rough wind rattled the tree bows and chilled the tips of his ears as he pulled his hat lower. A dog’s low bark sounded from inside the home.
Neil’s stray?
“Maybe she’s not home.” Cassidy huddled beside him. Wearing a red knit cap and a white parka, she looked pink-cheeked and utterly kissable with her face tipped up to his. Between comforting Emma and Noah last night, and his early-morning barn work, they hadn’t had a real moment to hash out their future. He’d wanted to give her space to make up her mind but chafed at the delay.
A humming engine grew louder and a blue sedan pulled to a stop beside the house. Neil Wharton exited the car. He wore a dressy black wool coat over gray dress slacks and black dress shoes so shiny the sun reflected off them.
Daryl ignored his outstretched hand and scowled. “Why would I come here to see you?”
“As I’m staying here, I thought, perhaps, you’d come to make amends,” Neil said smoothly. “Family shouldn’t be fighting.”
“You’re not family,” Daryl ground out. “Whatever you’ve conned my aunt into thinking.”
Neil’s smile faltered. “She’s the one who reached out to me.”
“Now, that’s a flat-out lie!”
Neil scrambled backward at Daryl’s advance.
“Boys!” Aunt Suzanna waved from the front door. “I won’t have you brawling like a pack of jackals. Inside. Now!”
“Forgot how feisty she is,” Cassidy murmured in his ear as they traipsed inside.
“She’s a firecracker.” Daryl held the door and breathed deep as Cassidy passed by him inside, leaving the tantalizing scent of exotic flowers in her wake. Inside, a hairless dog wearing a plastic cone collar wagged its way toward them. Its ribs stuck through its blotchy skin and a bandage wound around one of its back legs. Neil dropped to one knee and the dog bounded into his outstretched arms.
“How are you, Aunt Suzanna?” Daryl kissed her creased cheek.
Her scowl softened slightly. “Still kicking.”
“I can see,” he replied, dryly, then turned to Cassidy. “You remember Cassidy Fulton, Leanne’s sister?”
Aunt Suzanna’s eyes narrowed behind bifocals perched on the tip of her short nose. “Isn’t this the gal you were supposed to marry the first go-round?”
From the corner of his eye, Daryl glimpsed Neil’s shocked expression as he gave the dog a final pat and straightened. What a hypocrite. He’d come to Carbondale with false accusations and he had the audacity to look offended. Daryl shoved his clenched hands in his pockets. “We were never engaged, but yes, Cassidy and I dated.”
Cassidy stuck out her hand. “It’s nice to see you again.”