Miss Leona reminded Jesse Senior to check in with his sons and his own brothers, and then she ended the call. Her voice was still a little funny when the screen went black, but she laced her arm with Evie’s like nothing had happened.
“You have to ignore Regina and Senior,” she said. Evie realized she was still staring at the screen.
“Is there something I’m missing?” Evie asked.
“Senior had it in his mind that you and Zach were somehow destined to be. He saw you two running the ranch together. He just didn’t bother to consult you or Zachariah. Meanwhile, your grandmother had other plans for you.”
“Oh.” Evie wasn’t sure what to make of that information. Suddenly a wave of sadness washed over her. She glanced back at the computer screen; the dark window of the video chat and the desert wallpaper looked back at her. The image of Zach’s parents was still vivid in her mind. A light squeeze on her arm snapped her out of the trance.
“You okay, baby?” Miss Leona asked.
“Yes, I—I just—talking to them I realized I haven’t seen a picture of my mother. Of my parents. I don’t know what they look like.”
“Oh, Amelia had pictures of them all over the house. Dozens of pictures of your mother, since she was a little girl. Wedding photos, the works. No doubt in my mind they are in the storage unit.”
“This is your office?”
“Yes indeed. These days I only use it for video calls, but yes.”
“Zach mentioned all of your awards.”
“My illustrious career.” She walked over to the cabinet and pointed to one of her Oscars. “My personal favorite.”
“‘Leona Lovell, Glory in the Night, Best Lead Actress.’”
“I played a mail-order bride who was accidentally sent to a white man in Kansas. They eventually fall in love. What did the critics say? ‘Lovell lights up the screen with her heartbreaking portrayal that shows us love is the most human emotion of them all.’”
“Who said that?” Evie asked as she continued to admire the statue.
“Don Lane at The Hollywood Observer, October 1967. I have the article around here somewhere.”
“That’s amazing,” Evie said. She looked over as Miss Leona squeezed her hand.
“We’ll find some pictures of your mom and dad. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime, baby. Come on.”
When they got back to the living room, they watched one more episode of Anita’s show, and then after Miss Leona offered it up to a vote they decided it was time for Evie’s first viewing of Glory in the Night.
* * *
Around four the sun broke through the clouds as it began to set. The forecast called for rain through the weekend and New Year’s Eve. Zach figured they’d have to cancel the fireworks display, but the square dance they had planned would keep the participating guests plenty occupied. After he swung by the stables, he headed back over to the lodge to catch up with Delfi, their head of guest services and one of Zach’s buddies since high school.
She’d been Evie’s friend too, once upon a time, but they’d also fallen out of touch. In a more natural way. It was Friday and a new wave of guests were arriving. There was already a New Year’s Eve proposal on the books, but another guest had decided he also wanted to propose at the dance. Delfi suggested they arrange something private in the couple’s room. It took some convincing, but Delfi was able to work her magic. A private proposal would be more intimate and more romantic.
“I don’t know what it is with guys and public proposals. I mean, I love this place as much as the next gal, but I’d be so pissed if Britnay proposed to me at a barn dance in front of a bunch of strangers.”
“Well, you work here.” Zach laughed. “I think you might feel a bit differently if she proposed to you at Disney World or in front of the Eiffel Tower.”
“Zach. What part of no public proposals is difficult here?”
“Okay, okay. I get it.”
“Hey, I know things ended on a weird note for you guys, but did you hear anything about Evie? Britnay follows her Instagram and she said she was in the hospital.”
Zach didn’t want to lie to Delfi so he gave her half the truth. “She’s actually resting up with Miss Leona.”
“Oh!? She’s here in Charming?”
“Yeah, but on doctor’s orders to rest.”
“Well, that’s good. It’s much more peaceful here than New York City, I imagine. We’d love to see her when she’s up for visitors.”
“I’ll let her know for sure. So you’re good for the weekend?”
“Yes. Fully prepared to tell a bunch of grown people that no, they cannot go outside to play because it’s raining. Spa appointments will triple. It’ll be fantastic.”
“Excellent. I’ll see you later.”
He headed through the back of the lodge and over to his office. He’d been trying really hard to keep all his Evie-related thoughts under control all day, but Delfi had to go and mention her name. Yeah, sure, Evie had been running laps through his mind since the moment he left her room the night before, but now there was an Evie-related smile plastered to his goofy face and he wasn’t sure he wanted to get rid of it.
He had a few emails to answer before it was quitting time, and then he was driving his truck at the top legal speed back over to Miss Leona’s. Evie hadn’t sent him a text like he’d hoped, and when he’d considered sending a text of his own it was after midnight. All he could hear was his grandmother calling him thirsty, and thought better of it. But it didn’t stop him from replaying that kiss over and over in his mind. It was better than he’d imagined, and all he wanted now was a repeat performance.
He opened the door to their shared reception area and bumped right into Jesse. He watched in slow motion as Jesse’s phone slipped out of his hand and skipped across the floor, narrowly missing the black Lab sleeping under Lilah’s desk. Clementine looked up, then went right back to sleep.
“Shit! Sorry, man.”
Jesse picked up his phone and inspected his screen.
“Is it cracked?”
“No, it’s fine. What’s up with you? You haven’t been paying attention all day.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You came in here whistling, and walked right into me. Didn’t see me walking there?”
Jesse had a point. He blocked out the sun on a good day, but it was a simple accident. “I said, my bad.”
Jesse looked up from his phone and fixed Zach with a cold stare, his eyes narrowing as the air between them stood still. “You just couldn’t stop yourself.”
“What?”
“You made a move on Evie, didn’t you?”
“I did not make a move on Evie—”
“Jesus, Zach!” Jesse exploded. “What is wrong with you?”
“Whoa whoa whoa! What the fuck are you talking about? She kissed me.”
“Don’t act like you haven’t been flirting with her nonstop since we got to the hospital.”
“What the fuck—”
“You can’t do this,” Jesse said, like he was throwing down some royal decree.
Zach felt his neck snap back in shock. Jesse was the oldest, at the end of the day he called a lot of the shots at the ranch, but there was a difference between offering brotherly guidance and tossing around demands.
“Why are you acting like I’m some creep who’s going to fuck her over?” Zach asked.
“Because.”
“Because what?”
Jesse was quiet for a moment and then he turned and stormed back into his private office.
“Nah, man. We’re having this out,” Zach said, following him. He was glad Lilah and Jesse’s accounting assistant Mylene had the rest of the week off. They didn’t need to see this. “What is your problem with me talking to Evie?”
“I know you.”
“You do. And when have I ever gone around ruthlessly fucking women over?”
“I never said you fucked any
one over. You’ve been going around flashing that come here, ladies smile at every woman in the county since Sunny.”
“Nah, you don’t get to bring Sunny into this. Sunny was ready to get married and I wasn’t. And that was a peaceful-ass breakup. She’s seeing some other dude now! I’ve been staying away from relationships—just like you, might I add—because I didn’t want to get into anything serious.”
“Exactly. You knew Sunny wanted to get married.”
“What. Are you talking about. The minute she told me, I pulled back.”
“What makes you think you’re ready to be serious now. Evie needs—”
“Okay. You have got to stop speaking for Evie. I know you guys kept in touch. I know you care about her. I know you want to look out for her. And I know she’s in a really tough spot right now, but she is an adult. She’s not a child that needs you to shield her from me. We had a good talk last night. We hashed some things out and then she kissed me.”
“Bullshit.”
Zach couldn’t help but laugh. “Do you have feelings for Evie?” He had to know because Jesse was on some total bullshit right now.
“Of course not. I just know how this is going to end.”
“Please enlighten me.”
“Why, Zach?” He tossed his phone on his desk and crossed his arms over his wide chest. He looked like a fed-up grizzly bear, but Zach wasn’t backing down.
“Have you talked to Evie about me once? This whole time? Like while she was in the hospital? Since we’ve been back.”
“I—no.”
“So you’re just talking out of your ass because you think I’m incapable of holding down a serious relationship with someone, but you have no idea what she wants from me or how she feels about the situation.”
“I—”
“You’re talking out of your ass. Grab your shit and let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To our grandmother’s house. You’re gonna talk to Evie once and for all.”
“No.”
“No, fuck you. Let’s go. I’m your damn brother and you’re trying to paint me like some silent-movie villain.”
Jesse looked at him for a moment then snatched up his phone. “Fine. But I’m taking my own truck. Lock up before you leave.” Jesse slipped on his jacket, then grabbed his Stetson off its hook. “Come on, Clem.” The dog glanced between them, then followed Jesse out the door. The wall of the office shook as he slammed the door behind him.
Zach let out a deep breath and collapsed into a chair. What the fuck had just happened?
He knew everyone was touchy about Evie and her current state of health, but he never really knew how little his brother trusted him, when it came to her. He understood. Shit with women made Jesse uncomfortable. He’d pretty much given up trying to find a girlfriend of his own. And it wasn’t for lack of interest. Women all over Charming had taken a crack at Jess, but nothing had worked out. Zach also understood how much Jesse cared for Evie. They’d been tight as kids and—
It dawned on him then. Jesse wasn’t just trying to protect an injured woman from a situation that had potential to go left. He was trying to protect his friend. Sometimes Zach forgot how close Evie and Jesse had been as kids. They were all together so much he’d forgotten all the time he and Sam had spent riding, leaving Jesse and Evie alone. Jesse didn’t have romantic feelings for Evie, but he loved her just the same. Zach knew he had to do right by Evie, but maybe it was time to have a serious conversation with his brother.
Zach took his time shutting down the office. He and Jesse both needed some time to cool off, and maybe it would be better for everyone involved if they didn’t come barging in to Miss Leona’s house like two cavemen who’d lost their minds. He turned off the lights and grabbed his laptop bag, then locked up before he drove back to Pleasant Lane.
“Hello?” he called out as he walked into the kitchen. He found Vega, Lilah, and Corie watching TV. “Jesse been by here?” Zach asked.
“Yeah, he came in here all puffed up. Miss Leona deflated him a little, then sent him over to Super-Storage with Evie.”
Zach thought about joining Vega and his cousins on the couch, but he was still a little on edge. “Li, can you text me when they get back?”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.” He thought about going to check in on his grandmother, but he knew she’d have another lecture waiting for him too. He slipped on his Stetson and went back to his place to wait.
Chapter 12
Evie wasn’t sure what to say. Everything happened so fast. Jesse came storming into the house and before he could say a word, Miss Leona seemed to shut down whatever had him fired up with one look. Jesse stopped in his tracks and removed his cowboy hat, then took a deep breath. Miss Leona asked him if he still had the keys to Evie’s storage unit. When the answer turned out to be a yes, she sent them off, but not before Lilah handed Evie a beautiful floral silk scarf.
With Vega’s help they covered her butchered hair and tied the silk scarf in a beautiful twist at the top of her head. Evie checked herself in the powder room mirror and for the first time since she woke up in the hospital she felt kinda pretty. That glowy feeling lasted exactly as long as it took them to walk to Jesse’s black pickup truck. Euca and the shiny black Lab whose name she couldn’t remember followed them, but only the black dog jumped in the back of the extended cab behind the driver’s seat.
Evie buckled her seat belt and tried to make herself comfortable, but five or so minutes later this awkward silence had built between them. Evie wondered if he was going to say a word to her at all. She didn’t know how long it would take to get to the storage place, but the silence was not working for her. She glanced in the back seat. The dog was sitting, happily looking out the window at the quickly darkening sky.
“Is this your dog?” Evie asked.
“Yeah, that’s Clementine. Got her from the shelter last year.”
“She’s very beautiful.”
“Thank you. She’s a good dog.”
“Do the other dogs belong to you too?”
“Just Clementine. Euca is Sam’s dog and Sugar Plum and Poppy belong to my mother, but they’ll follow pretty much anyone around,” he explained. His voice was still tight. Still, Evie could tell he was trying to be polite.
“I spent some time with Euca and Sugar Plum today. They are very sweet.” Jesse just nodded. When the silence dragged on, Evie finally asked,” Are you okay?”
“Not really, but I’d like it if we could talk about it a little later.”
“Okay,” Evie said, and then she hesitantly asked, “Are you upset with me?”
“No. I’m upset with Zach. I’ll be ready to talk about it in a few minutes. I just don’t want—just give me a few minutes. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay. I talked to your parents today. They seem nice. Though I’m not sure your dad—” Evie stopped herself before she brought up Jesse’s father’s comments about her and Zach.
“Our dad what?”
“Oh, nothing. He just wanted me to check out the ranch. He said you guys have done a great job with it. Do you want me to stop talking?”
“No,” Jesse said. Evie got a sense he wanted to say something else. “You usually did most of the talking before. I don’t mind it.”
That explained a lot. “Well, I made a frittata today and then I got an intense lesson from Miss Leona on how to make the perfect BLT. I can see why I became a chef. Cooking is fun.”
“Yeah, Miss Leona taught you and me both how to cook a bunch of stuff when Zach and Sam were out competing.”
“I bet we had a good time.”
“We did.”
Evie realized that while she’d seen a few articles and photos of Jesse, she’d only seen proof of his former football career. Nothing that suggested he’d been involved in the rodeo.
“Do you ride horses?”
“Not usually. I got bit by my dad’s horse when I was a kid and thought it was best if I admired them from afar.”
“Make sense.”
“Hmm,” was all he said. Evie was quiet again, but luckily the storage facility wasn’t too far from their house. They parked and Jesse rolled down his window a little bit before he hopped out. Evie followed him to a side entrance, glancing back at Clementine’s face in the back seat.
“Will she be okay?”
“She’ll be fine,” Jesse said.
They stopped at a sliding glass door, where Jesse took out his phone and apparently pulled up a code that he entered into a keypad on the wall. There was a beeping sound and the doors opened and they walked into a large lobby area with dollies and hand trucks lining one wall. There was an elevator with a keypad and a door marked STAIRS with an identical keypad, but Jesse pointed to the right, down a long, dark hall.
“You got a first-floor unit.”
Evie followed, relieved when Jesse found a light switch. She felt only slightly less terrified now that she could see down the corridor. About halfway down they stopped at unit 110. Jesse pulled a smaller key ring out of his pocket and opened the padlock on the door. It made a loud grinding noise when it opened. Evie was surprised to see that everything inside was in order. Jesse found the light switch inside and Evie could see how all the stacked boxes were neatly labelled.
Evie remembered then that these things had been sitting there packed away, for almost ten years.
“Jesse, who pays for this?”
“I do. We do. You had our Realtor sell Nana Buck’s house, and then Miss Leona hired a crew to go through everything. You decided what you wanted to keep and what you wanted to sell.”
“That’s—your family is too kind to me.”
“No such thing. You’re family to us. The bed of my truck is still wet. We can fit at least two of these boxes in the back seat with Clementine.”
“Okay. I’ll pick two and then we’ll come back.”
“Good plan. Take your time.” Jesse stepped back out into the hallway. Evie thought he was going to leave her alone and go back out to the truck, but he just pulled out his phone again and leaned against the wall.
She turned back around and surveyed the storage unit again. There were dozens of boxes stacked on shelves all the way to the ceiling. In one corner, by the door, there were a few pieces of furniture: a couple rocking chairs and a sideboard. Obviously those would stay put. She walked over to the wall of boxes and was suddenly overwhelmed as she read the labels. They were typed up, laminated, and taped to each box. They made this a lot easier than having to open each box to figure out what was inside, but she realized the labels didn’t really mean anything to her. She wouldn’t have any memories of AMELIA’S PERSONALS or EVIE’S STUFFED ANIMALS, but maybe they could trigger something. She had no idea where to start.
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