Stroke of Fortune

by Christine Rimmer

  Flynt laughed at that. “‘Charmer’ is not the word most would use.”

  “Well, then, they probably don’t know the real you.”

  They left Alva’s around four. Josie lingered for a moment at the door, while Flynt, carrying Lena, went on ahead to his pickup, which was parked at the curb in front of the house.

  “He’s a keeper,” her mother whispered. “Nothing like what everyone says.”

  Josie put on a disapproving expression. “Mama, have you been listening to gossip?”

  “Well, now, honey, gossip is the thing we should all be above—and also the thing that not many can resist.”

  The two women fell silent. Flynt had reached the pickup. The afternoon sun brought out the streaks of gold in his hair. He opened the rear door and began hooking Lena into her seat.

  Alva leaned close to Josie. “Now that I’ve had a little time with him, I can see what you love in him. He’s a good man.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “You’re gonna be happy.”

  “I do hope so, Mama.” She couldn’t help remembering that morning, the way he had pulled the covers back as she slept and studied her body, looking for proof that she’d left her own baby on a golf course for him to find, that she’d lied to him and that she continued to lie.

  No, things weren’t settled yet. And there was no guarantee, when they were settled, that the outcome would be a happy one.

  “I see those shadows in your eyes.” Alva moved closer. Her lips brushed Josie’s cheek. “Remember. Follow your heart.”

  “I’m trying, Mama. I truly am.”

  They had their dinner in Lena’s room. Then, as evening came on, they went outside and took a walk in the gardens at the back of the house, pushing Lena along the paths in a stroller.

  Like the gardens at the club, the lush trees and flowers and the big expanses of lawn seemed almost too lovely to be real. South Texas, after all, was not naturally the greenest place on earth. Except near the rivers and along the coast, it was true brush country, the land as a rule rocky and dry, the vegetation heavy on cactus and bunch grass, good for raising cattle, and not much else.

  It took a lot of water, doubtless out of nearby Lake Maria, to keep gardens like the ones around the Carson house green and beautiful. To Josie, it seemed just a tad wasteful. But it sure was a treat to stroll along in the inviting shade of the trees, enjoying the vivid beauty of a bougainvillea spilling down a trellis, admiring the roses that bloomed everywhere.

  Beyond the gardens, she could see the roofs of all the buildings that made this a working ranch, barns and stables and housing for the hands. And beyond the outbuildings lay acres and acres of open country where the Carson cattle grazed.

  Grace was waiting in Lena’s room when they got back upstairs.

  “The gardens are lovely,” Flynt’s mother said, the sweetest, warmest smile on her face. “I hope you’ve been enjoying them.”

  Both Josie and Flynt agreed that they had.

  “Let me hold that little sweetheart.” Grace scooped Lena into her arms. “I swear, if this is what it’s like being a grandma, the job is for me. I want more grandchildren. And soon.”

  More, Grace had said. I want more grandchildren. Flynt’s mother seemed so sure that Lena was his child.

  Flynt didn’t appear the least bothered by what his mother had just implied. He laughed. “You’ve got two daughters and two sons—and all of them are single as of today. It’s not a promising start, Ma.”

  Grace said, “Well, we are working on the problem, now, aren’t we?” She sounded very pleased.

  And that did Josie’s heart good. Cara really had gotten it right. She’d said Grace would come around.

  “Now,” Grace said, “I want you two to take the evening for yourselves. I’ll watch Lena, practice my grandmothering skills.” Josie and Flynt exchanged glances. Grace made a shooing motion with her hand. “Go on, now. I mean it. Have a lovely time.”

  “Well, Grace,” Josie said, “if you’re sure…”

  “I’m positive.”

  Flynt took Josie’s arm. “Let’s get out of here before she has second thoughts.”

  “Good idea.” They turned for the door.

  Grace warned gently, “Don’t stay out too late now.”

  Flynt promised, “We won’t.”

  “And one more thing…”

  They paused in the doorway. “Okay, Ma. What’s the catch?”

  Grace grinned. “Church. Tomorrow. Both of you. Be ready at ten. We’ll all go together, as a family. I’ve already told your father and Cara. I’ll make a point to speak with Matt and Fiona, as well.”

  “I’m on the golf course Sunday mornings. You know that.”

  “Not this Sunday, you’re not.”

  “Where shall we go?” Flynt asked once they’d climbed into his fancy pickup and headed down the curving driveway that led to the road.

  “How about the Saddlebag? I liked it there. It’s cozy and quiet.”

  “Saddlebag it is.”

  They took the same table they’d had the night before and they held hands and leaned close and whispered to each other like the lovers they were.

  “Your mother sure has changed her tune,” Josie said.

  “You noticed.”

  “I still can hardly believe that she wants me to go to church with you all. And I’ll bet it’s First Church, too, isn’t it?”

  “Right on both counts.”

  All the rich folks went to First Church. “Oh, I knew it. She’s making a statement, isn’t she? Letting the world know that she and your father have decided to accept me in your life.”

  “That’s about the size of it. Does it bother you?”

  “Aside from the jittery feeling in my stomach, I think it’s just dandy. But it’s too bad about your golf game.”

  “Yeah. That’s a sacrifice, all right. But I suppose I’ll bear up somehow.”

  “I’m so relieved to hear that.”

  “And as for your jittery stomach…”

  “Yes?”

  “Relax.”

  “That’s real easy for you to say.”

  “I’m serious. Your biggest challenge will be staying awake during the sermon. Pastor Williams has one of those droning voices. Way too soothing. He needs a little more hellfire and brimstone in his delivery, to keep the sinners on their toes.”

  Josie couldn’t hold back a giggle. “And you know we need it—with all the sinning we’ve been doing. And probably will be doing later tonight.”

  “No ‘probably’ about it.”

  Josie felt the blush creeping into her cheeks. “Your mother wouldn’t approve.”

  “My mother will mind her own business now that she sees what direction we’re headed in.”

  She wanted to ask him, “And what direction is that?” But she didn’t quite dare. Not yet. In a way, everything seemed to hinge on those test results they were waiting for.

  Once they came through and Flynt had accepted the truth, they could move on. They could talk about things like where they were going as a couple. They could make plans.

  It was okay with Josie, really, that they weren’t making plans right this minute. What they were doing was lovely, to be treasured for just what it was: two people holding hands across a table, talking and laughing and so glad to be together.

  “Is that a slow song I hear?” He stood and pulled her up with him.

  She went into his arms and they danced.

  The hours went by so swiftly. It seemed as if hardly any time had passed, but according to the big heavily varnished wooden clock over the bar—the one carved in the shape of Texas—it was midnight. They agreed they should probably head back to the ranch to relieve Grace.

  They found Flynt’s mother in the same place as the night before—asleep in the rocker. They woke her gently. She said good-night.

  Once she had left them, they went straight to Flynt’s big bedroom and shut the door and did all the things that lovers do when
they’re finally alone together in the dark.

  It was after three when they dropped off to sleep. Josie woke around seven, feeling marvelously well rested—and also as if she could eat a dozen eggs, a side of beef and maybe a loaf or two of Texas toast.

  Flynt got a call on the house line from Matt about some ranch business that needed tending, so he left her to take care of Lena and eat her big breakfast on her own. He didn’t return until nine-thirty. He jumped in the shower to wash off the trail dust and was ready just in time to head into town for the Carson family visit to First Church.

  They went in separate vehicles, Ford and Grace in one of the Cadillacs, Josie, Lena and Flynt in his big pickup, Matt in his pickup and Fiona and Cara each in cars of their own.

  “No such thing as carpooling in the Carson family,” Josie teased as they drove into town.

  Flynt grunted. “No way. We all need to know we’ve got a means of escape, if it comes to that.”

  Josie made a scoffing sound. “Oh, come on. Going to church together can’t be that bad.”

  “You’re right. It’s not. Truth is, we Carsons are all independent types. We like to get places on our own steam.”

  She sent him a musing look.

  He glanced over and frowned. “What?”

  “Well, and yet you all still live out at the ranch.”

  He shrugged. “Yeah, but on our own terms. Matt has his house. So does Cara. My wing is pretty much the same as having my own place. Fiona’s the only one who lives in my parents’ part of the house. But her rooms are her rooms and both our parents respect that—for the most part, anyway.”

  Josie picked up on the operative phrase. “For the most part?”

  “Yeah. When it comes to Fiona, my father’s on the verge of— How should I put it? Interfering in her life, I guess you could say.”

  “Because?”

  “She’s so damned wild. He thinks she’ll never settle down. Both he and Ma worry she’ll get herself into some scrape she can’t get out of. In case you didn’t notice, she is spoiled. Running around from one guy to the next. And it’s kind of terrifying, the way she can spend money. My dad’s been making noises lately that he’s going to have to do something to rein her in.”

  “Flynt, come on. Fiona can wrap your father around her little finger.”

  “Right. But that doesn’t mean he’s not worried for her, that he isn’t thinking she needs to change her ways—and that if she won’t change on her own, he’ll just have to help her along.”

  “How would he do that?”

  “Hell if I know. I don’t think he knows, yet.”

  At the church, they took Lena to the nursery and then joined the rest of the family for the service. Cara, as always, was warm and friendly. Ford, in his gruff way, made sure Josie knew he welcomed her presence. Grace was a sweetheart.

  Matt was quiet and kind of brooding, as if he had something weighing on his mind. Josie had a pretty good idea of what. She couldn’t help hurting for him and for Rose.

  Fiona batted her eyelashes and patted the space next to her in the family pew. “Sit right here, Josie Lavender, and tell me all about how you’ve been. I swear, you just vanished last year, now didn’t you? Pouf. You were gone, gone, gone.”

  Grace said, “Now, Fiona…”

  But Josie only grinned. “Great to see you, too, Fiona. I’ve been doin’ fine, really. Living up near Dallas. But my mama’s not well so I had to come home.”

  “I’ll tell you this much.” Fiona cast a meaningful glance in Flynt’s direction. “Some people sure seem pleased to have you around again.”

  Flynt was sitting on Josie’s other side. She felt his hand brushing hers, then clasping it. She gave his fingers a squeeze and told Fiona softly, “Well, it is good to be home.”

  After the service Fiona and Matt made excuses and took off, as Flynt had predicted a few of the Carsons might. The rest of them hung around to shake hands with Pastor Williams out on the wide church steps beneath the already punishing late-morning sun.

  Grace introduced Josie. “Pastor Williams, this is Josie Lavender. She is a…very close friend of Flynt’s.”

  “Delighted to meet you, my dear,” said the pastor. Josie shook his hand, which was long and thin and dotted with age spots.

  “We’ll go on out to the club now,” Grace announced after Josie and Flynt had collected the baby. “For brunch in the Empire Room.”

  Cara spoke up. “You four go on. I’ll get Flynt to put the baby seat in my car and take Lena home with me.”

  “Oh, honey, are you sure?” Grace asked the question, but clearly only for the sake of form.

  “Absolutely.”

  Grace turned to Flynt and Josie. “Well, now. What do you two say to that?”

  Flynt leaned close to Josie. “Do you get the feeling we couldn’t get out of brunch if we tried?”

  Josie elbowed him in the ribs and told his mother, “Brunch in the Empire Room sounds just great.”

  At Harvey Small’s recommendation, they all had eggs Benedict. That time he didn’t steer them wrong. The sauce was smooth and tasty, the eggs poached to perfection. They had fresh-squeezed orange juice, too, and the coffee was excellent. Josie couldn’t quite finish hers, after the huge breakfast she’d eaten earlier, but she gave it her best effort, because it all tasted so good.

  Josie spotted Rose at a table halfway across the room, with a woman Josie thought she recognized as Kate Wainwright, Rose’s mother. Kate and Archy Wainwright, Rose’s father, didn’t enjoy the kind of marital contentment that Grace and Ford shared. They had divorced years ago.

  Rose caught Josie’s eye when no one was looking. The two women shared a quick nod of mutual acknowledgment. After that, Josie took care not to look Rose’s way again, lest she somehow betray the secret she had sworn to keep.

  As on Friday night, people kept dropping by the table. Either Grace or Ford would always make a point of introducing Josie. Josie would smile and say hello. There would be a moment or two more of casual chatting, and whoever it was would move on.

  Judge Bridges, the tall, white-haired fellow who had represented Flynt and his buddies when Haley Mercado drowned, came over, too. As soon as Grace determined that he was alone, she insisted he join them. The judge didn’t have to be asked twice. A waiter brought him a chair and a place setting and he said he would try the eggs Benedict, too.

  “And how is the ‘mystery baby’ doing?” he asked as he smoothed the snowy-white monogrammed napkin across his lap.

  That set Grace off on what a darling Lena was. Such a sweet baby, a happy baby. A good eater, too. “I swear, she’s grown an inch since she’s been with us. Oh, and when that little beauty smiles, the world is a brighter place and that is no lie….”

  Judge Bridges turned his white head Josie’s way. “I think I heard that you’re the one taking care of her?”

  Josie nodded. “Grace is right. She’s a darling.”

  Grace gushed some more. “It’s just like a gift, really, to have her with us. You know how I am. I’ve been longing for grandchildren. It’s so wonderful to think I’m a grandma at last.”

  The judge blinked. “Ah. Is that right? It’s official, then?”

  Grace frowned. “Official?”

  “Ahem. Well. I understood there were some…test results pending.”

  “That’s right,” Flynt said in a patient tone.

  “And?”

  “No, Carl. The results haven’t come through yet.”

  “Ah.”

  Grace waved a plump hand. “Oh, that. I’d forgotten all about that. We expect them any time now, don’t we, Flynt?”

  “Yeah, Ma. We do.”

  “And what’s next?” the judge asked. “When you finally know for certain, either way?”

  Josie felt Flynt’s eyes on her. She turned to him, met his gaze head-on and gave him a steady smile. He said, quietly, “We’ll have to get back to you on that, Carl.”

  “Long as I’m the first to know.” />
  Monday morning, Flynt woke before Josie.

  He indulged himself for a minute or two, just lying there next to her, thinking that damned if this wasn’t just how life should be. A man should fall asleep at night exhausted from good loving with the right woman. When he woke in the morning, that woman should be there, beside him, her silvery hair all tangled on the pillow, a tiny, contented smile on her soft mouth. His sheets should smell of her, of soap and flowers and that indefinable sweetness that only her skin gave off.

  He wanted to wake her with kisses and slow caresses, but he’d been loafing too much the past couple of days. He had a pile of things to do in his study and he had to get over to the club for lunch with a couple of cattlemen from Laredo.

  Besides, for once, the monitor on the nightstand was silent. Might as well let the woman sleep until Lena woke and started making her demands.

  Carefully he pushed the covers aside and slid from the bed. He tiptoed to his walk-in closet, got what he needed and headed for his bathroom.

  Twenty minutes later he emerged, showered, shaved and fully dressed. In the bed, Josie slept on. He resisted the urge to bend down, brush a kiss on her cheek and another against her smooth throat.

  He went to his study and had his breakfast brought up to him there. He worked until noon and stopped by Lena’s room on his way out to meet with the men from Laredo.

  He held the baby. He kissed his woman. And then he headed for the club.

  He returned to the ranch at a little after four and found Cara with the baby—which he’d more or less expected. At that time of day, Josie was usually gone for her visit with her mother.

  He paused in the doorway just long enough to let Cara know he’d returned. “I’ll be in my study. Tell Josie I’m there when she gets back in?”

  “I’ll let her know you’re waiting for her.”

  “Yeah,” he said, and knew he had the grin of a ridiculously happy man on his face. “Do that.”

  In his study, he found a pile of mail to get through. Anita had left it where she always did, on the ebony tray table just inside the door. He grabbed up the stack of envelopes and circulars and carried it all to his desk to deal with in a while. The cattlemen from Laredo had given him a few ideas for improvement in the Carson breeding program. He had some figures he wanted to check right away, while it was all still fresh in his mind.