“I still think you should’ve let me get you that carving of the children with the sheepdog. I could see you loved it.” Matt sounded like he was scolding and looked hurt.
“I love you but you’ll never have any money if you buy me expensive gifts. I’ve got the post card with a beautiful photo of it and this will inspire me to take a class and get started on my own carvings. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“And speaking of classes. Why don’t you take one of those budgeting classes you can get through the mail or, better yet, buy one of those classes on DVD and you’ll begin to see what you have to do to be able to afford yourself.” She looked into his eyes to see if he was offended.
“You’re right. You’re absolutely right. How can I live with myself when I can’t afford me? I want to be able to buy a gift for my mother or the love of my life and I can’t even keep my bills paid. You are the love of my life, you know. I’ve been fond of women before and a couple of them even lived with me for a while but it was never like this.”
“So, they left when you wanted to get serious, I suppose. That seems to be the way it is today.”
“Actually, they left when they could afford to live on their own. I just didn’t realize it until they were gone. So, I guess they never seriously planned me into their future.” He glanced down as if he were embarrassed.
“How pathetic! I hate it when women use men. It makes us all look bad. Did you ever hear from them again?”
“Yes. The cute little blonde married a real estate tycoon and ended up in a mansion in Santa Barbara. The redhead went to work for a famous designer, ended up running the company for him, after a while, and owns the thing outright now. He was a lot older than her and he’s gone.”
“Geez, what barracudas! I’m surprised they didn’t turn you against all women.” Jade could feel a hot anger gather in her throat.
“Oh, I wasn’t angry with them, just a little hurt because they didn’t say good-bye. But they sent me the money they owed me. That’s better than some of the guys I loaned money to.”
“You have not exactly seen the best life has to offer.”
Matt smiled, parked his pickup, and took her in his arms. “I have now.”
They met the petite Sari at the Montgomery train station. While they were driving back to the apartment Sari surprised Jade with her friendliness. She had expected the dark eyed woman to be the usual polite but quiet Asian. “I am so pleased that Matt has finally found a woman who can manage money without snagging some rich man to do it.”
Matt shook his head, his laughter soft. “You know I’d never get one of those. I never have enough cash on me.”
“It isn’t funny, Matthew. You need a budget and someone who’ll help you stick to it instead of talking you into trivial purchases for them. You should have seen the necklace the last girl got. It was gold and had a ruby.”
“Mom, it wasn’t that expensive and it was my own dumb fault. She was actually a decent kid.”
Jade looked at Sari. “The blonde or the redhead?”
“The blonde.”
“Figures. The redhead sounded like she was a hard worker at least.”
“Can we change the subject?” Matt glared at both of them.
* * *
When Jade got to the house, late Sunday night, she was too tired to do anything but crash. She was up as early as ever, the next morning, but still felt her good mood from spending Saturday night with Matt. Before she joined Cedric and Tilly for breakfast she glanced at her e-mails and noticed one from Delta. She was coming for a visit the following Friday. Jade felt her heart take a little skip. She had missed Delta’s laugh and her zest for life.
The week flew by and, suddenly, Jade found herself rushing to get on the freeway to Eugene on Friday morning. Delta’s plane was due in at eleven and Jade had gotten hung up at the company.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she got to the terminal and saw that Delta’s flight was arriving late. Even while they hugged and chattered on the way to Jade’s car she could see men noticing Delta and trying to catch her eye. She really was impossible to ignore with her tall curvy body and big smile. Jade sighed to herself and admitted she felt a little dowdy next to her.
“Do you mind if we stop at an ordinary burger and salad place on the way back? It’ll save us time and McMenamin’s really does have great salads. It’s even nice enough today for us to sit outside if we want to.”
“Sound’s good to me. If I eat one more rich sauce I’m going to pop out of my clothes. I’ve been upsetting Rafael and skipping dinner but all that fancy food is too hard to resist. I just tell him I’m working and he puts up with it.”
“Have you started a new project?”
“I have two of them going and I’m really excited about the one using opals and mother of pearl with abalone shell. It’s going to be glorious.”
“Great! I look forward to seeing it. I want you to save room for dessert because Tilly bakes the greatest pies in the world. How do you feel about a tour of a working cattle ranch by a gorgeous Viking?”
“Ooh! You wicked girl. What a lovely thought. Does he have a Norwegian accent? Tell me he isn’t looking to marry an American girl so he can become a citizen. Those guys scare me.”
“Not at all. He was born in Oregon. He just looks like he should be in Viking movies or at least be a hockey player. I’ve got to warn you, though. He’s pretty shy. He loves the ladies but he’s not a big talker. He builds beautiful furniture, though. Does that help?”
“Girl, you can stop any time now. I hate those braggy guys who tell you how lucky you are that they have five minutes for you. If you want to set me up with some gorgeous blonde guy and he’s good with wood, that’s fine with me. But, why didn’t you take up with him? You saw him first.”
“I don’t know. He’s a great friend but blonde guys have never turned me on. Uncle says I have a weakness for guys with Asian eyes and I guess I do.”
“Well, Matt’s a love so I won’t try to talk you out of that one. So tell me. What’s the Viking’s name?”
“Henry, Henry Beekman. He runs cattle and horses for the rancher next door who lives in Texas, except for the summer.”
“Henry! Why do people give their kids such dopey names. Oh, well. So he’s a real cowboy, huh? Wild. This should be fun.”
While they had lunch Delta told Jade about the latest projects the other artists had created. “You should hear Clark’s latest major work. It’s called Canyons of the Heart and it is breathtaking. He’s thinking of teaming up with this photographer friend of his and making a DVD with the guy’s taped footage as background for his music.”
“It must be terribly stimulating living with such talented people all the time. Don’t you ever feel like you need a break, or is that why you decided to come here? I’m afraid you’ll find it boring.”
“I don’t bore easy, girl. If I need quiet on the estate I just settle in the observation deck with a good book and a cup of tea. You know Miss Chin. When she creeps around the place I feel like I’m deaf, she’s so silent.”
“Yes. She scared the dickens out of me a couple of times. Doesn’t she ever talk to anyone?” Jade felt a chill when she thought of the doll-like little woman.
“Not that I’ve ever noticed. Eduardo can be a terrible tease sometimes and he tries to kid her into talking to him, but he’s never succeeded as far as I know.”
“That seems so sad. I wonder if something terrible happened to her so she can’t talk.”
“I think the terrible thing was that her family was wiped out in China right after they stowed her away in a ship which was headed to England. When she got there no one could get her to talk because she was so terrified and she was only six years old. She told Rafael that her parents told her she would be killed if she talked to anyone. During the trip one of the sailors spotted her and told the captain.” Delta stopped to wave at the waitress for more coffee. “The captain ordered her brought to him and his wife saw to
it that she ate. She said she never got her to say a word. Because Rafael looks Chinese the captain asked him if he would try to talk to the girl. Rafael was there with his father who looked the ship over before buying it from the owner.”
“So she talked to him in Chinese?” Jade was fascinated and horrified by the story. She had led such a safe life as a child.
“Rafael said she just stared at him, at first. He was only ten years old himself. Then he pulled a new toy out of his pocket that his father had given him that day. He offered it to her if she would talk to him so she did. They took her home to the family and she was raised by the cook and his wife.”
“You are showing me a side of Rafael that I never suspected. I suppose he has kept her on all these years as a kindness. But, wait! He said she was going to leave to go live with her daughter.”
“Yes. She married Rafael’s first chauffeur and he kept Miss Chin on after her husband and his father died in a car crash. Rafael may have been raised in splendor but his father drilled it into him that he must take care of any servants that he left behind.”
“Isn’t it odd you still call her Miss Chin? Are you ready for your ranch tour?” Jade looked at Delta to see if she was really done eating. Some of her food was still in her plate.
“Oh, yeah. I have to cut back on the eating while I have the chance. I’m glad we ate in here and not out on the deck. Don’t you guys even use umbrellas? You really are immune to the rain.”
Jade laughed and nodded. “You’re right. We never pay attention to it unless it comes down in sheets. I have an umbrella in my car for out-of-towners. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER SIX
When Jade drove into Winks’ ranch she cringed and then scolded herself. There was nothing to fear with Winks back in Texas where she wished he would stay. I would give a year’s profits to have Rafael buy this place and get that man out of my hair. She glanced at Delta to make sure she hadn’t said anything aloud. She didn’t want her to feel used.
Henry walked up to the car and opened Jade’s door as soon as she had parked. Under a clear rain jacket he was in his usual spotless blue shirt and black jeans, his grin shy. He tipped his fawn colored Stetson at each woman. “I’m afraid you ladies are arriving after our rains started. Do you want to postpone the tour?”
“Not at all. Delta says she’s game as long as she gets the umbrella.” Jade led him over to Delta’s side of the car. “Henry Beekman, meet Delta Spencer, a fine sculptor who uses gems in her work.”
Henry’s eyes lit up like fireworks while they visibly appreciated Delta’s curves. “I’m honored. Would you like to warm up in my little shop first? I’ve got a fire going and there’s fresh coffee?”
Delta smiled her own appreciation as she took in the blond giant. “Lead the way. I’ve never seen a working cattle ranch before. I find this all fascinating.”
By the time Henry showed Delta all his latest projects and the new one he had started, Jade felt like an unnecessary chaperone. They were headed to the horse corral when her cell phone rang. It was Velma with an ordinary question. Jade was delighted with the interruption. “Tell you what, Velma. I can be there in fifteen minutes. Don’t worry about it.”
“What are you smoking, boss? I can handle this and you know it.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ll see you then.” Jade clicked off and dropped the phone into her purse. “Would you guys think I was a rat if I run to the company to take care of a little emergency? I thought maybe you could drop Delta by the company if you finish talking before five. Otherwise, we can meet at the house for some of Tilly’s fresh apple pie.” She gave them her best smile.
“It’s fine with me if Delta doesn’t mind. I haven’t had time to show her very much yet.”
“We’ll meet you at the house. Relax. I’m in good hands.” Delta winked at Jade and turned to give Henry the full effect of her gorgeous smile.
“Thanks. I really appreciate this.” Jade dashed for her car and found herself laughing and singing on the way to the company.
When she got to the office Velma gave her a strange look. “What was all that about? I told you I can handle Kenyon. I just needed to know what you decided about the contract?”
“I needed to get back here to do some other work and I didn’t want to hurt our host’s feelings. Everything is working out perfectly. I’ll be in my office.” She settled into her office chair with her feet up and stared at her favorite photo. It showed Mount Shasta from the second floor of the McCloud Hotel near the bottom of the mountain. She punched a few buttons on her desk phone.
Tilly answered on the second ring.
“Tilly, I wanted to warn you that my guest, Delta, may arrive at the house with Henry. He’s still giving her a tour of the ranch while I finish up some things here at the company. Okay. See you then.”
After finishing her paperwork and phone calls, she glanced at her watch and realized she had just enough time to get home and help Tilly.
When she got to Agate Farm she saw Delta and Henry sitting in his pickup and talking to each other like long lost friends.
“Ah, life is good.” Jade waved at them while she hurried into the house and then laughed when she realized they hadn’t noticed her at all.
Cedric was in his favorite corner of the generous kitchen, hidden behind the newspaper he was reading.
“Hello, lady and gentleman. Oh, that smells marvelous, Tilly. Let me guess, my favorite veggie soup and your homemade whole wheat rolls.”
“It looks like old Henry stole your friend before you even got her home for a visit. Nice way to treat you.”
“Relax, Uncle. I couldn’t be happier. They hit it off right away and I don’t want anyone to mess it up.” Jade started to set the table but gave him a severe glare at the same time.
“Don’t you worry. He’ll have his mouth full of my citrus chicken so he’ll mind his own business.” Tilly scowled and threw him a scolding look of her own. “You’d best let them know dinner is ready. Since you never eat meat there’s plenty here for Henry, too.”
Jade couldn’t convince Henry to come in for dinner but Delta took a piece of pie out to him before he left.
“You’re more than welcome here, Delta,” Tilly said. “I think Jade works too hard and it’s good for her to have a friend visit for a change.
“Thank you, Tilly. I’m really enjoying this. First, I get to see a cattle ranch for the first time and with a handsome guy. Then I get to eat home cooking like my mother used to make. I’d forgotten how good homemade bread tastes. I’ve been eating Asian food for too long.”
“That stuff’s too spicy for me. I like a little hot stuff in my chili but the last time I tried some of that Asian stuff at one of them restaurants it like to burn my tongue off. It took a whole lot of beer and water to wash it down and their beer was nothing to rave about.” Cedric shook his head and started on a chicken breast.
Delta chuckled to herself. “I’ve got Lin Yee trained, finally. I told him if he didn’t go easy on the red sauce and the ginger I’d feed it to his prize cat.” She turned to smile at Tilly. “This dill is so fresh. My, that’s good. I haven’t had dill in soup in forever.”
“Looked like Henry took a fierce liking to you, Delta.” Cedric returned the glare he got from Tilly.
Delta seemed to blush a little. “I think he’s terrific. I’d forgotten what it was like to be with a quiet, shy guy. I let too many charming fast talkers get to me. Henry is refreshingly honest instead of coming on like Don Juan.”
“I agree with you and I’m so pleased you like him. He’s such a decent man and there aren’t many available women around here, his age. By the way, they’re having a special art show on the university’s channel. Would you like to visit or read or watch the art show tonight?”
“Yes.” Delta laughed when she saw Jade’s puzzled expression. “I have a terrible habit of multiplexing too much when I’m not working on one of my sculptures. I want to see the show but I want to visit with you, too.
Uh, maybe I should tell you that Henry wants to take me to lunch on Sunday and then for a peek at a special furniture restorers’ conference before he puts me on the plane home. Do you mind?” She gave Jade a sheepish pleading look.
Jade chuckled and shook her head. “Don’t worry. Enjoy yourself and thank you for thinking of me first. We’ll get our visiting done tomorrow. You’ll miss meeting my father at lunch on Sunday but you’ll live. Trust me.”
The next morning Delta kept them all laughing with her stories of growing up in rural Georgia on her grandfather’s farm.
“I thought you said you’d never been in the country,” Cedric said.
“No. I said yesterday was the first time I got to see a cattle ranch. Grandpa’s farm was like the biggest garden you ever saw and some of it was shaded by apple trees and peach trees. I have to say, Tilly, you’re the first person I’ve met who makes pies as fine as my mother’s.”
“Thank you. And please don’t tell her. I wouldn’t want to hurt her feelings.”
Jade smiled at Tilly. The little woman was the diplomat of the group.
The two women enjoyed Tilly’s company while they all peeled apples and helped her to prepare five gallons of apple cider to store in a large cooler on the porch. “I haven’t done this since I used to help back home. I never realized how much I missed the country.”
“I don’t suppose you have much time to miss anything what with living on fancy estates and making beautiful statues and such.” Tilly leaned forward to see Delta’s reaction.
“It was staggering in a wonderful way at first, but, lately I’ve been restless. As hard as it is to give up a life of luxury I’m thinking about it. And I don’t think I’m the only one. Clark has been telling me the same thing. We both came from ordinary families and we miss simpler times. I think Eduardo is the most comfortable because he grew up in a rich family.”
“I’m surprised Mr. Omano got him to leave a luxurious home to work for him. He would have nothing to gain,” Tilly said.
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