Whispers of Forever: Mending Christmas (Canyon Junction: Hearts In Love #1)

by Mary J. McCoy-Dressel

  “That’s kind of you, Judy. We all appreciate the help.”

  Wade Emory, his ranch foreman, knocked on the door as Jake went toward the porch with Judy and Tristan. “Hey, Jake, can I talk to you a minute?” Wade nodded to Tristan and Judy.

  “Yeah, Wade.” Jake took the cup of coffee his mom brought him, continuing with Wade. “What do you need?”

  “Ah, the phone won’t stop ringing. Everybody wants to know if it’s true, and if we’re staying open. Others are sending their condolences.”

  “Yeah. I need to go into Phoenix to talk to the authorities to find out exactly what happened. We’re staying open, so if you can stick around to help run this place, I’ll need you and the other guys.” Hold it together.

  “Sure, boss. We’re here, and we’ll take care of things.” Wade put his hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Man, we’re all so damn sorry. Whatever else we can do, just ask.”

  “All right. I have to get in to my son.” He nodded to Tristan and Judy as they pulled out in Tristan’s truck. Inside, he went into the family room. “Mom, will you call his school?”

  “I’m not going to school?”

  “No, T.J. Not for a few days. Dad has to get over to that small airport in Phoenix. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “Uh uh.” He rushed off the couch to wrap his arms around Jake. “No! I’m not letting you go.”

  Jake dropped his head back, closing his eyes. “Trace.” He led him back to the couch and sat beside him with his hand on his son’s knee. “Listen, I know you’re scared, but I’ll be back soon. I’m coming back to you.” It killed him to say it, but he had to. “I have to go make sure they’re bringing your mom home. Can you understand that? We have to have a funeral. You know what that is because you went to great-grandmas. I have to get your mom.”

  Trace cried but seemed content with Jake’s words. He didn’t know if Trace understood what he meant, but he hugged him, and dreaded leaving him at such a devastating time in his life.

  T.J. peered at his hands in his lap as he picked at a fingernail. “Did it hurt my mom?”

  God, give me strength to help my boy. He choked back the ache for his son. “I bet Jesus took her to Heaven before she felt anything.” Jake turned to his mom, mainly to hide the lie from his son because surely Paige had felt pain. The fact cut at his heart. “Can you take care of him? The faster I get there the faster I can get back.”

  “To get my mom.”

  “Yeah.” There was another knock on the door. His mom got up, but he halted her on the way to the shower. “I’ll get it.” When he opened it, Beth stood there. He went out onto the porch.

  “Jake. I just heard.” Her words came out shaky, and her eyes were filled with tears that soon fell over her cheeks. “I had to come. I’m so sorry.” She reached out and pulled him into a tight hug.

  Closing his eyes, he put his arms around her shoulders. “Thank you. I-I need to make arrangements to get Paige back to town, or to Superior where her parents live. They’ll meet me at the airport.”

  “I wanted to come by, and… Well, my mom sends her condolences, too.” She hugged him again. “That’s all. I’m thinking of you and Trace. Again, I’m so sorry.”

  Her sobs broke his heart. “Do you wanna come inside? My folks are here.”

  “Not now. You go be with your family.”

  He nodded and held her tighter, both lingering in the embrace. “I’ll catch up with you when I come back if that’s okay. I have to do a funeral, take care of my son, and, well, you know.”

  She patted his back with both hands. “Yes. I’ll talk to you another time. If you need anything please ask. My mom wants to help with food.” Beth sniffled and brushed tears from her cheeks. Then she gave a warm smile.

  There she goes, again. “Beth? I’ll call you tonight after I do what I have to do if that’s all right.”

  She stood with one foot on the top step. “Absolutely. I’ll look forward to it. See you.” Their gazes held until she turned away and stepped off the bottom step.

  Jake watched her walk away from the same porch she had years ago. How life had changed.

  Chapter 5

  Seven Weeks Later

  Jake woke for the second time after hearing the ranch hands come to work early. He lay in bed waiting for the coffee pot to finish. Would life ever be the same again? Obviously, it wouldn’t have been either way. The funeral had gone well—if a funeral could. The whole town came together to make the ordeal run smoothly.

  A luncheon had been set up at the church here in town. Paige’s parents had offered to take over much of the planning, which left him more time to be there for Trace. Since she had lived here for ten years, her mom and dad agreed with him, that it’d be best to have the funeral in Canyon Junction, which was better for Trace’s sake. Some of his friends’ families came to comfort him, as well as his teachers and the principal. Even in their own pain, her parents had understood his situation, and never condoned what Paige had done. None of it mattered now.

  His lawyer had called him a week ago to report some news. He had overheard the judge talking in the courthouse about losing his nephew. His nephew, Austin Nettles, an upcoming lawyer, who died in a plane crash. Sonofabitch, but that angered Jake. After it sank in, it had hurt deeply.

  Trace was clingier than he had ever been. The two of them had talked to a counselor after Trace’s school work slipped even more than previously. Even Jake had talked to a professional on his own. It helped, he supposed, but the fact remained—she ended their marriage to be with someone else. It didn’t take long for that to kill any glimmer of leftover love. Maybe. That fact was hard to get over, and the infidelity still brought a punch to the gut. He’d rather her be in Baltimore than in the ground.

  Jake had no idea who knew about the pregnancy besides her parents. They had lost a daughter and a grandchild when she had the miscarriage. He went through his own mourning period, but he might’ve even if she lived in Baltimore, and it was true—he had missed her.

  Five weeks ago, Beth’s father had passed away, but Jake couldn’t attend the funeral, although he stopped by her house with condolences—as she had done for him, and had a cup of coffee with her and her mom. Isabella spoke kindly to him. She’d never mentioned the negatives of his and Beth’s past.

  Having a job in Phoenix now, Beth had moved her belongings back to Canyon Junction. Jake appreciated her being close after so many years apart. They’d met for coffee and lunch a few times in between. Phone calls and text messages lasted late into the night over the last seven weeks. Jake closed his eyes and sighed internally. Admittedly, he looked forward to them.

  Each meeting with her drew him more toward wanting to strike up…well, he wasn’t sure what. When the strong brew finished, he got out of bed, pulled his jeans on, and went to the kitchen, surprised no ranch hands had called with a problem yet.

  Jake came into the living room and sat in the ugly, white upholstered chair with a cup of coffee. Trace watched TV from the floor in front of the sofa, the dog at his side. “What are you watching?”

  “Your hair’s messy.” Trace gave a subtle laugh. “Cartoons are funny.”

  “Yeah, they sure are. I like to watch them, too. Did I miss anything good?” He brushed his hand over his hair but had a feeling it didn’t help. It might’ve been time for a real haircut if his kid noticed.

  “Nope. You didn’t miss nothing, Dad.”

  “Good.” As time went on, and like in the past, memories of Beth filled the void in his brain. His gut told him it was time to move forward. The time had come to see Beth. To have a real talk with her in person. Most of the town knew Paige had left him with a guy named Austin. He didn’t get the turned up noses the few times he had been with Beth in town. In fact, many commented on how nice it was to see him move on. Albeit, he told them they were friends. “Hey, Trace, remember when we had lunch with Beth at the fast food place outside of town? You told her she was pretty right to her face?”

  �
��Uh huh.” He paid little attention as he slid his hand over Kasha’s thick fur, his gaze on the TV.

  “Well, she sure is pretty. What if I had dinner with her alone?” His breath caught as he said it. With Trace at least able to get through his days now, he didn’t want to push. On the other hand, his mother had a boyfriend while still married. That must’ve been all right in Trace’s mind, though confusing in Jake’s.

  Trace set the remote control on the floor, propped himself up on his elbow, and glanced over his shoulder. “You mean like a date?”

  Jake snickered. “I guess they still call it dating. It’s been a while.”

  He tossed a sofa pillow to the floor then stretched out with his head on the pillow, and picked up the remote, switching the channel to an animal show.

  “Watch Kasha with an animal show on.” The animals on the show got Kasha’s attention right away, and she lifted her head from her paws, ears perked up. It must’ve been the herder breed in her, but she liked to go after animals on TV.

  Trace answered after a long consideration. “It would be okay if you went out with her.”

  “I’m glad you think so because I’m about to ask her out for a dinner date.”

  “Can I have some ice cream?”

  “Not for breakfast.” Jake reconsidered and entered the kitchen to get them both a big bowlful. His phone rang in the distance, and he glanced toward the upstairs. He took the bowl to Trace and hurried to his bedroom. It was too late to catch it, but he checked the message on the way back downstairs.

  “Hello, I’m trying to reach Jake Lawton. This is Dale Jefferson, Paige Lawton’s attorney. Please give me a call at your earliest convenience.”

  Paige had hired a lawyer from her firm? Why call him now? He entered the living room. “Wipe your mouth. Y’all act like you never ate ice cream before.”

  “Dad, stop.” Trace took another big bite in retaliation, puckering lips full of ice cream.

  “I have to make a phone call. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.” Why hadn’t she told him about filing for divorce? This fact bugged him, but he didn’t know why. Jake shrugged. Back upstairs, he stood at the window and dialed.

  The man himself answered. “Mr. Lawton. Thanks for your prompt reply. I’ll get right to it. Before Paige left, I mean shortly before she passed away, she wanted to make sure you were notified personally if the need arose. She had left a trust for your son with you as the trustee, set up through our firm, with Mr. Barnes, her father, as the custodian.”

  Is this a scam? Someone trying to profit from Paige’s death? “Why are you calling me seven weeks after the fact?”

  “Her wishes. If you’d like to make an appointment to come in, we can get you set up with all the proper paperwork and information you’ll need. I’ll contact Paige’s father, so he’ll be here.”

  “Yeah, I’ll make an appointment.” A trillion questions went through his mind. “Ah, certainly, I can get away anytime that is convenient for you.” Still stunned, he didn’t know what else to say. Jake paced, trying to get his head wrapped around this, none of it making sense. “When did she set this up?”

  “Five months ago. I’m prepared to answer all of your questions when you arrive.”

  Jake had already received a moderate insurance policy from her work, and had set the insurance money aside for his son’s future. No one mentioned this so-called trust—not her parents, nor did she mention it herself. He sat on his bed and glanced back at the closet to where the file cabinet stood.

  All their important paperwork remained in there, and that’s where he’d find the information. Paige’s parents didn’t touch the cabinet when they’d cleaned out whatever she had left here, and he’d have to go through it one of these days. Writing the appointment date on a notepad, he hung up with Mr. Jefferson.

  He’d make sure Trace was old enough to handle the trust money before he could have it. Jake would reiterate this to the attorney. Tonight he’d talk to her father. But now, he had to call a sexy lady about a date.

  ***

  Friday evening, Jake pulled up at the Italian restaurant. Beth’s car wasn’t there. He parked in a conspicuous spot, but waited in his truck instead of going inside. A moment later, a text message arrived.

  “I’ll be late. Just leaving work.”

  With traffic, it’d be a lot later. They had no reservation so it didn’t matter. He pulled back out and headed to the western store in Mesa instead of driving back to the other side of Canyon Junction. It was time to find a saddle for his son, and he didn’t have any in stock. Christmas this year would be hard enough. At least he’d give him something he had asked for. Hell, he’d give it to Trace now instead of waiting. Christmas was nearly a month away.

  When he walked in, Pete, the owner nodded to him. “Hey, Jake, how’s it going?”

  “It’s going, Pete. All we can ask for, I guess. Take me to the kid saddles. I need one for my boy.”

  “Got some nice ones right back here,” he said, getting up. “I got what you need. Your boy will have more than one horse before he’s grown, what with your business and all.” Pete pointed out the perfect saddle.

  “I’ll take it, but I won’t pick it up until tomorrow.” Another text came in from Beth.

  “I thought you were here?”

  “Pete, I have to step outside a minute.” He went out the door to call her. “Didn’t you say you’d be late? I’m at the western store in Mesa to kill time.”

  Beth chuckled. “Where else would a rancher kill time? Well, stay there, and I’ll drive back to meet you. I know where it is.”

  “Sure, but what about Italian—”

  “I have another idea. See you soon, Jake.”

  How’d she get there so fast? On the other hand, her voice had a little playfulness attached with a bubbly happy tone. He stared at his phone on the way back inside to pay for the saddle. “I’ll pick it up about ten in the morning, Pete. Thanks.”

  He waited in the parking lot. Again, he glanced around the area. While waiting, he turned on the radio, and not to country this time, but to oldies. He didn’t even like oldies, but Beth did. Her grandmother had taught her to like them. It was a little weird, but he had accepted it some of the times when she rode with him. Living away from home in Texas for many years might’ve changed her taste.

  Not too much later, Beth drove in. He pushed the volume button on his steering wheel higher, and got out to open her door. “How’d you get to the restaurant so fast?” He did a quick glimpse over her body in heels and a short, tawny-colored dress. “You’re real pretty tonight.” Sexy!

  “Thank you.” She pinched the cloth on his shirt between her fingers. “Hey, our colors almost match! Oh, I wasn’t in Phoenix. I had a training session in Tempe today. It’s part of the job.”

  He glanced at his shirt sleeve. They didn’t match. “I would’ve waited if I had known. We’ll do Italian another night?”

  “Yes, we will, Mr. I-Hate-Oldies.”

  Jake observed her gorgeous face. When his gaze dropped to her peach glossed lips he had the urge to kiss her, which shocked him when that old yearning snuck up again. He hadn’t imagined the burst of heat crawling up his body from the first time earlier. It was still there. He took a step back. She’d get a point for remembering he didn’t like her music. “I put them on for you, to see if you still like oldies.”

  She shrugged. “I’ll love this music when I’m old and gray. You can’t make me stop,” she teased.

  Jake pulled her into a casual hug. She belonged in his arms, and he didn’t want to let her go. The love he had felt for her before, was still there, coming closer to the surface each time he saw her, or heard her voice. “What’s the idea you had for dinner?”

  She broke from their embrace. “Ahhh, my place?”

  Hovering over her five-foot-five frame, he stared down at her. “Your mom’s house?”

  “Yeah, but she’s gone to visit her sister in San Diego. It’ll only be us. Are you taller?”

/>   Shrugging, he drew back. “Hell, I don’t know.”

  Beth shied away, peering toward the western store building where only two trucks were parked up close. “Mom deserved to get away after what she’d gone through.”

  “You both went through it. Why did you want to meet here first? It’s out of the way from home.” The two of them alone at her house might not have been the best idea. If possible, he’d erase those years of being separated, but not if it meant he wouldn’t have Trace.

  “I wanted to show you something here in Mesa. I considered moving a little closer to work, you know.”

  He groaned. “No. Stay in Canyon Junction.” He cast his gaze aside. He had no right, wishing he had kept that little babbling mishap to himself.

  “Well, it is only an idea. I wanted you to check out a condo with me. Since you’ve always lived near, you’ll know better than me how to find the place.” Beth took her sunglasses off and peered into his eyes. “Why don’t you want me to move here?”

  She had to ask. “You were gone so long. Doesn’t your mom need you?”

  “That’s not why you asked, is it?” Beth gave a candid smile but had expected an answer.

  This meant she still knew how to read him. He had hated when she did that while they were going together. No I didn’t. “You’re right. What’s so bad about me wanting you there? I like you being in Canyon Junction, okay.” She brought out a part of him no one else could. No matter what it was, or what bothered him, she had found ways to dig it out. She should’ve been a damn psychologist. Well, he was about to cave again. “The first night at the restaurant when you walked out the door, I told myself you wouldn’t get away this time. Now, you’re talking about leaving.”

  A softness lingered on her face, and her lips slightly parted as she peered at him. “I’m home, Jake. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve wanted this since my divorce. San Antonio wasn’t for me if I had to be there alone. All I wanted was to have my own place here.”

  “Well, darlin’, there are a lot of condos in Canyon Junction. If you think that’s the old Jake being pushy, I guess you’re right.” When the radio went off, he put his arm around her shoulder and strolled to his truck to turn it back on. “This song and you in my arms is like old times.”