“You do know the government probably won’t recognize our marriage?”
He watched me from the corner of his eye. “That’s not what Mr. Randolph says.”
I clenched my jaw. “What does Mr. Randolph say?”
“That you and Braedon exchanged vows before God, and that’s married to him.” He laughed. “Mr. Randolph says there are ways to get around a technicality.”
“Jack’s been doing a lot of talking about me when I’m not there.”
Ethan took a deep breath. “He’s been like my father since my own dad died, Mrs. Randolph. And since he found out about Braedon this time ... well, he’s started talking to me some.”
I was right. These boys were like sons to Jack. The thought made me happy. “Why do you keep calling him Mr. Randolph? And for heaven’s sake don’t call me Mrs. Randolph again. How old are you? I doubt I’m more than ten years older than you.”
“I’m eighteen ... and I have to call him that.”
“Why?”
He hesitated. “Because that’s what I’ve always called him.”
I rolled my eyes. “Try calling him Jack sometime and see what happens. It was appropriate for you to call him Mr. Randolph when you were little and he was your mother’s employer. You’re like a son to him now.”
Ethan’s faced brightened. I wondered how long these people had just plugged along doing what they had always done and never considered doing something different.
After we parked in front of the house, Ethan switched off the ignition and turned to me, his left arm flung over the steering wheel. “Are people really wanting you to tell your story on TV?”
I picked up my purse from the floor. “Yes.”
“Holy sh ... cow! Like who?”
“Olivia Howard.”
“Holy cow!” he repeated, his eyes sparkling.
I grabbed his arm. “Ethan, I don’t want the press to know I’m here.”
His face fell, and he muttered something about wanting to know someone on TV. I continued to hold him with my gaze, and he finally sighed, nodded, and stepped out to get my door.
THAT NIGHT, Jack sought me out again after the others had left for bed. He handed me a manila envelope. It contained the photo of Braedon and me on the formal night before Hawaii.
I dropped to the couch, drinking in Braedon’s smiling image and tracing his face with my finger. I had forgotten how hot he had looked in his tuxedo ....
“Aislinn sent it to me after they returned.” Jack sat beside me.
I handed him the photo. “Thank you for showing it to me. I never did see it. That’s the night he scared me off.” I laughed, but it turned into a sniff. “I wish I could have that week back.”
Jack put his arm around my shoulders and pushed the picture back in my hands. “I think this belongs to you, but maybe you’ll let me look at it sometimes.” He handed me a clean handkerchief, and I blew my nose.
THE VERY evening after our discussion in the truck, Ethan, ever so casually, called Jack by his first name when asking for something at dinner. Jack didn’t say anything, but he couldn’t hide the hint of a smile.
I soon got into a routine. I began calling Mrs. Walters by her first name, Emily. I started helping out with chores, such as cleaning the house. I didn’t know how Emily had managed the eight bedrooms alone before.
Ethan had been right that people would be curious about me after his little introduction. Folks from town began dropping by the ranch under the guise of borrowing this or returning that. Jack always introduced me as his daughter-in-law, and the visitors offered me their condolences. I relaxed when no one from the press showed up.
When we went to church on Sunday, the minister asked Jack if he planned to have a memorial service for Braedon. Jack told him to mind his own business.
I wasn’t ready to give up on Braedon either, but I wondered if a service might be nice. I tried to broach the topic, but the expression on Jack’s face made me decide it was best to take our time. Still, I felt like we were making progress. I think we were good for each other in that.
When I told Emily I wanted to do more, she insisted I needed to rest up and get my strength back first. Though she never came right out and said it, I knew she wanted to fatten me up, and it was working. I slowly gained weight again, though I had a hard time throwing off the residual food poisoning. A college roommate of mine once had battled food poising for three weeks, so I wasn’t worried about it too much. I wasn’t violently ill after all.
Jack had a gym in the basement, put in by Braedon. I took advantage of it to slowly start working my forms again. It was bittersweet to go through the katas, since the last time I had done them had been on the island with Braedon. He would have been ready to test for his brown belt by now.
One night, as I cuddled against Braedon’s old sweater, it struck me how much this place had come to feel like home, like I belonged here. Could these people fill the hole created by the loss of Braedon and my family?
WHEN I had been there about two weeks, Jack invited me to go with them to feed the cattle and horses. He said it was a good time for me to go because things were going to get a little crazy in a few weeks when the calving started.
Jack and I sat on the slow-moving tractor, dispensing hay to the animals, while Ethan and Owen followed us on snowmobiles checking if the fence needed repairs. When they found a section, I went over to ask if I could help. Ethan laughed at me.
With tight lips, I swept him. Ethan went over on his back, his eyes widening as he hit the packed snow. Owen stared at us, his jaw hanging loose.
Ethan leapt to his feet, his eyes blazing. “Why’d you do that?”
I advanced on him, and he stepped back like a well-mannered cowboy would. “Don’t act like I’m helpless.” I tried to glare at him but spoiled it by giggling.
Even though I had insulted his dignity, his good nature won out. He laughed.
I slapped him on the arm. “Give me a chance. Heck, I’ve hunted boar.”
He gave me a light shove before showing me how to work the wire to reinforce the fence.
As we walked back from the barn, I scooped up a huge handful of snow and chucked it at Ethan. I’m a terrible shot and hit Jack instead. With a shriek, I backed away. “It was an accident! I meant to hit Ethan!”
That guaranteed Jack and Ethan would team up against me. They each grabbed a handful of snow. I dashed behind Owen, who threw one snowball that caught Ethan in the face, seized my arm, and pulled me with him behind Jack’s truck.
“Owen, I’ll make them, and you throw.”
With a wicked grin, he started launching lethal ice missiles at the others, who had taken cover behind a corner of the house. The game ended when I hit the front window and brought Emily out.
Covered in snow, we laughed as we entered the house under Emily’s watchful gaze. While we went to our rooms to change, she set food and hot drinks on the table. I had my first hearty appetite in months.
After dinner, while I carried in the ice cream that went with her chocolate cake, Emily said, “Don’t forget the Chamber dance is next Saturday.”
Jack tipped his chair back, chewing on a toothpick. He eyed me. “You interested in going to the dance with us?”
I hesitated. I had just had my most normal day yet, and I didn’t want to stir up memories.
Emily gave me a sympathetic nod. “You and Braedon used to go dancing on the ship, didn’t you?”
I sighed. “Yes.”
She looked to Jack and the boys for support and said, “They have a disco theme this year. I don’t think there’ll be much about one of the Chamber shindigs that’ll remind you of dancing with Braedon. You’ll be too busy keeping your feet out from under cowboy boots.”
That might be okay. I agreed to go.
CHAPTER 31
THE NIGHT of the dance, everyone quit work a little early and Jack took us to a fun little place called Bon Tons Soda Fountain. Familiar faces greeted us in the small, narrow restaurant
with its old-fashioned black and white checkerboard floor tiles and red vinyl covered seats.
When we finished eating, I wanted to look at the displays at the Lewistown Art Center. I had noticed it when I first arrived but hadn’t had an opportunity yet to go inside.
Jack and Emily needed something at the Paint and Glass store down the street, and Ethan wanted to check out a rifle at the Sport Center, but Owen came with me.
The Art Center wasn’t a large building, but there were several artists featured. I was drawn to a large section dedicated to someone named Virtanen. Owen said he was a local artist and even taught a few special classes at the high school when he was in the area. As I stood trying to decide which piece to buy, Jack stuck his head in the door and told us to hurry. I promised myself to come back when I had more time.
The large Trade Center building by the fairgrounds was already full of people when we arrived. While a number of people had honored the disco theme and had dressed in leisure suits, bell-bottom pants, and platform shoes, many, like us, were dressed in nice but normal clothing.
I spotted the reporter for the local paper wandering around taking pictures of the event. Alarmed, I ducked behind Ethan when he headed in our direction. Ethan whispered over his shoulder, “I think it’s safe to have your picture taken here. He’s just got a small photography business on the side.” Ethan pulled me out front, and we all leaned in for a group picture.
A while later, Ethan and I finished a dance and stopped to get some punch. Jack and Emily were dancing together again, and Ethan watched them. I thought they made a nice couple. “Do they dance together a lot?”
“No,” he replied in wonder.
I followed their movement with interest. If Jack looked my way, I snapped my gaze to a couple next to them. I glanced up at Ethan, eyes dancing.
ON MONDAY morning, the guys had already gone when I came downstairs. Emily handed me a bowl of hot oatmeal. “Have you seen this?” She pointed to the local paper on the counter. The front page had an article and pictures from the dance, including a good one of us standing by the refreshment table.
The hair stood up on the back of my neck, and I coughed on a mouthful of oatmeal. My face plastered all over the Lewistown paper was like a target pointed right here. What should I do? I soon realized there was nothing I could do. It was too late. I looked at Emily, who watched me in concern. There was no point in alarming her. I cleared my throat. “Where is everyone?”
“A couple of the cattle calved last night.” She wrote something on her notepad. “It’s starting a little early this year. The next couple of months are going to be busy.”
I perked up. “Can I help?”
Emily tilted her head, considering me over her reading glasses. “Jack wants you to get stronger first ... now don’t look at me like that. You’re just now getting rid of that hollow look in your face. And I know you’re still throwing up; I heard you this morning. You can help next year.” She turned back to her list. “If you want to help, I’ve got a whole list of things for you to do.”
“All right.” I mulled over what she had just said. I could help next year? Were they thinking I might make this my permanent home?
“The first thing you can do is take Owen to school and then pick him up in the afternoon. We need the truck for errands. While you’re in town, I need you to stop at the grocery store.” Emily handed me a piece of paper. “Here’s the list.” She held the corner of the list when I tried to take it. “Are you all right with this?”
“Sure,” I replied just as Owen came dashing in.
“Sorry I’m late,” he said as his mother handed him his backpack. “Jack says both the calves should make it.”
“Good. Lyn’s taking you today.” Emily tossed him the truck keys.
“Okay.” Owen caught them. “You ready, Lyn?”
I snagged my coat, picked up my purse, and followed him out to the small truck. While he drove to the school, I asked him, “Are you and Ethan planning to become ranchers?”
“Not Ethan. He wants to become a doctor, like Braedon. He starts college in the fall.”
“And you?”
Owen huffed as he pulled into the school. “Yeah, I want to be a rancher. I wish Jack would let me do more now.” He put the truck in park, opened the door, and got out. I handed him his backpack and slid into the driver’s seat.
“I’ll be back at three.”
He grinned. “I’ll be here.”
As I entered the grocery store, the smell from the bakery told me they had been busy, and I wondered if I should get a treat to go with dinner. I recognized one of the clerks and waved to her.
I got a cart and started working through Emily’s list. Judging by its length, she must have wanted to stock up for the busy days ahead. If she planned on me taking over some of the cooking responsibilities, I hoped she had the recipes set aside. I was a solid cook if not a particularly creative one.
As I knelt on the floor to compare flour brands, I noticed what could only be described as tittering from the front of the store. One of the clerks said, “I think she’s over there.”
I turned my attention back to the list and realized I hadn’t paid any attention to the brands Emily preferred and decided I had better call her. As I reached into my pocket for my phone, I heard the clicking of shoes on the tile floor. They turned up my aisle.
I was about to press the call button when a voice behind me said, “Lyn. It is you.”
Frozen in place, I stared at the numbers on my display. I knew that voice. Standing slowly, I turned to face him. It all came back then—the smell of salt, the feel of the humid air, even the movement of the ship. Elle marching past the leering pirates. I hadn’t cried in almost a week, but suddenly I was bawling.
Jori strode over and put his arms around me, and I sobbed into his shirt. Behind him, I could hear concerned voices, but no one approached us. After a minute, he said over his shoulder, “Miss, could you get her some water?”
“No.” I lifted my head. “It’s okay. I’ve been doing so well. I don’t know where that came from.” I put away my phone and wiped at my eyes. “My makeup must be a mess ... oh, no. Look what I’ve done to your shirt!”
“Don’t worry about my shirt.” Jori produced a clean handkerchief that smelled of his distinctive cologne, one that brought back more memories. I unsuccessfully tried to wipe my face. He took the handkerchief from me and removed the smudges to my makeup. “There you are. Almost as good as new.”
I gazed at his face and reached up to touch the scar on his left cheek. While I could see why he couldn’t model anymore, I thought the imperfection actually added to his beauty. Perhaps because I knew how he had earned it. I tugged at a strand of his long, silky hair. “You’ve let your hair grow long too. I like it.”
“They’re calling you Mrs. Randolph.”
“Braedon and I exchanged vows on the island.” I was pleased my voice didn’t crack.
Jori touched my cheek. “See, I was right about you two, wasn’t I?”
I blinked against the tears. “You were especially right to call me an idiot.”
“Do you need anything else, Mr. Virtanen?” interrupted a clerk.
“Virtanen!” I grabbed his arm. “Those are your paintings at the Art Center.”
Jori smiled his beautiful smile. “Do you like them?”
“I almost bought a piece the other day. But what’s a Seattleite doing here? Owen called you a local artist.”
The clerk frowned and interrupted again. “I thought you were from Finland, Mr. Virtanen.”
He flashed her a look of irritation. “I am, but I was living in Seattle when I met Lyn.” Jori turned a sad smile to me. “I live part of the year in Finland now. My agent has a gallery in Helsinki.”
“What brought you to Montana?”
“Braedon. He told me so much about this place, I had to see it. I’ve come here the last two springs. There’s quite a market in Europe for art inspired by the American West. I
was surprised when the school asked me to do some teaching here last year, but I’ve enjoyed it.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I also went to Colorado Springs. I wanted to meet your parents, but I waited too long. I went to their funeral.”
A sharp stinging hit my eyes, and I jerked his handkerchief up again.
Jori touched my shoulder. “I’m sorry ....”
I sniffed and changed the subject. “Elle told me your work’s all the rage.”
He got that surprisingly humble expression I loved. “I was fortunate. One of my drawings caught the eye of someone influential, who in turn had connections to other influential people.”
I couldn’t remember anyone at the ranch mentioning him. “Does Jack, uh, Mr. Randolph, know about you?”
“No. I’d hoped to introduce myself last year, but when I talked with some people around town, they warned me against bringing Braedon up. So I spent my time painting and meeting the people here.” Jori picked up a can from my basket and rolled it in his hand, staring at it. “When the work I did here sold so well in Europe, it made sense to come back and give it another try.” He looked up, tossing the can back. “Especially once I heard you’d been found.”
“You have to come for dinner and meet Jack. Let me give you my number.”
“I already have it.” He chuckled. “Elle called me last night and said she thought you might be ready to see me.”
“She knew you were here and didn’t tell me?” I reached for my cell phone.
Laughing, Jori pushed my hand away from my purse. “We’re talking about Elle here. She always has the answer for what’s best for everyone.” He glanced at my cart. “I don’t have class today. Can I help you with your shopping?”
“Sure, but I’m almost done.” I picked up the list. “You have to tell me everything you’ve been up to and about your latest flirts.”
Jori drove the cart while I got the last items on the list and helped me load the groceries into the truck.
“Do you want to come out to the ranch? I’m cooking lunch today.” He hesitated, and I reached for the truck door. “That’s okay. I’m sure you have things to do.”
A Change of Plans Page 21