I love you, too. But all she said was, “Good night,” before closing the door behind him.
* * *
Chapter 45
Monday morning, Ben left for Santa Barbara. Maggie wondered if he would stop at the stables to say good-bye, so when Harley told her he was gone, her heart ached with loneliness and hurt. She shook herself and strode out of the office, calling to Jeb and the crew. Maybe a few days apart is the best thing right now.
The week passed quickly in a flurry of work. Friday morning came and Ben had not returned. So much for being with us every step of the way. A tear snaked down Maggie’s cheek as she packed things up for the day in Tucson for Emma’s pre-op appointments.
“Mom, what’s wrong?” Emma pushed her wheelchair closer to stare at her mother, her dark brown eyes registering alarm.
“Nothing, sweetie. Just wishing I could do all this in your place.”
“Will it hurt?”
“Remember what Rose and Dr. Heavers said? You’ll just go to sleep and won’t feel anything.”
“But today? Will today hurt?”
“Well,” she began, not wanting to lie to Emma. “They will take a little blood, but except for that, there shouldn’t be anything that hurts. And you’re so brave. It’s gonna be fine.”
“Where’s Ben? I thought he was coming with us?”
She patted Emma’s head. “He got tied up in California. He’s thinking about you, though.”
“Do you love him?”
“I love you.”
She bent to kiss the top of Emma’s head, breathing in the sweet scent of her baby’s curls.
“I love Ben. I wish he was my daddy.”
“He’s a nice man.”
“I wish he was here.”
I do, too. “Well, Sweet Pea, I’m ’fraid you’re stuck with me. You ready?”
Ned helped them into the car. “Not too late. I can come along if you like.”
“Thanks, Dad. We’ll be fine.”
As she walked around the car, he patted her shoulder. “He’ll be back, Mags. Just give it time.”
She hugged him. “See you around three.”
The drive to the Heavers Clinic took them into the heart of Tucson, but they arrived with plenty of time. Emma’s pre-op appointments would take most of the day, with a short break for lunch. The most important one was with the anesthesiologist. During one of her previous surgeries, they had almost lost Emma to an adverse reaction to anesthesia. From then on, Maggie came armed with all her records so there would be no mistakes there, at least. As she pulled her backpack from the car, she suddenly regretted not bringing her dad. Her hands shook as she grabbed hold of Emma’s chair.
“Okay, Sweet Pea, here we go!”
As they rounded the car, she was still adjusting her backpack and was startled by Emma’s cry.
“Ben! Hi, Ben! I told Mom you were coming!”
Maggie paused, unsure of whether to laugh, cry, or dissolve into a puddle on the sizzling pavement. She had never been so happy to see anyone in her life. The sight of her beloved with a day-old beard, rumpled clothes, and a pack slung over his shoulder brought tears to her eyes. He gave her a soft, tired smile before turning his full attention to Emma.
“Hey, big girl, I missed you!” He swept her out of the chair for a bear hug, careful to bring her limp legs along with the rest of her. Maggie realized watching them that he had done this from the first time he’d picked her up.
Ben stepped around the chair and gave Maggie a quick hug. “How are you doing?”
“She’s nervous,” Emma said, always with wisdom and vocabulary beyond her years. “I’ve been trying to cheer her up.”
Maggie leaned against him and drew strength and comfort from his solid presence. His warmth and his familiar scent of musk and the outdoors were like a balm to her frayed nerves.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered as her arm circled his waist. For a short time, she rested her cheek on his chest.
“Me, too. Sorry about my appearance. Drove all night. Wanted to be here on time. I’ve been waiting till you arrived to go in. As soon as there’s a free minute, I’ll pop into a men’s room and clean up.”
She looked up and gave him a wan smile, then drew his face to hers for a soft, fleeting kiss. “Thank you for coming. And we couldn’t care less how you’re dressed.”
His lips grazed her forehead, then the top of Emma’s curls. “Ladies, shall we go in?”
* * *
Chapter 46
Maggie, Emma, and Ben emerged from the clinic late in the afternoon. After six hours in air conditioning, they were momentarily stunned by the intense heat. Ben carried Emma, and Maggie followed with the wheelchair. The child chattered away, waving her fourth lollipop of the day.
He strapped Emma into her car seat and gave her a kiss. “Good job today, Peanut. You were a brave girl.”
Maggie closed the back hatch as he came to meet her. “Maggie, I didn’t want to ask in Emma’s hearing, but I wondered if you two would like to go on a picnic with me tonight? I can ask Carmela to make us up something.”
“I don’t know. It’s been a long day.”
“Then tomorrow? I could pick you up around four. I know a good spot.” He took her hand, his touch sending warmth and electricity through her. “Please, Maggie. I’ve missed you both.”
“Tomorrow would be fine. Thanks.” Before she knew what was happening, his arms enfolded her, the scent of spicy aftershave and soap such a comfort as she returned the embrace. In the middle of a steaming hot parking lot in downtown Tucson, they shared a deep, unexpected kiss. Ben Morgan’s arms around her always felt like home, even during their one-night stand years ago. Tears stung her eyes as she stepped back and turned away. “See you tomorrow.”
“Maggie—“
“Hey, sweetie,” she said, hopping into the car. “Ben’s taking us on a picnic tomorrow. Would you like that?”
“Yeah!” Emma clapped her hands.
Ben opened the back door. “See you later, alligator.”
“After while croc-dile!”
He watched the clunker pull out of the lot before heading to the Rover. It had been a long, difficult week, but he knew he had made the right decision.
He stopped at Gracie’s for a quick dinner with Harley. No one was a better sounding board than his oldest friend. This evening was no exception. His buddy listened to all his plans with nary a word, except to say “’Bout time,” when he finished. They said good night, with Harley sworn to secrecy, and Ben headed back to the ranch. As he stepped into the house, he was surprised to find all of his siblings in the living room with Leonora.
* * *
Chapter 47
Ben’s eyes scanned the living room as he accepted the beer Kyle offered.
“What gives? The whole gang’s here again so soon?”
“Your father’s gone to bed,” his mother said, waving him into a chair.
Kyle sat beside Sam and Ruthie on one of the room’s three soft tanned leather sofas. “Yup, bro, the original seven, minus Dad, of course.”
Ben looked from them to Beth and Robbie, seated opposite to the others on a matching sofa, and took a seat alone on the third. “So, is this a family conference?”
“Sort of,” Beth said, quietly.
“We’ve been talking about your father, dear.” Leonora’s face, always youthful and smooth, tonight showed every one of her years, her eyes etched with sadness and fatigue. “He hasn’t wanted any of you to know, but I think it’s time. You all know about Dad’s heart attack, but what we didn’t tell you was his long-term diagnosis of congestive heart failure. His condition and the damage to his heart are not something they can repair with more stents, valve replacements, pacemakers, or any of the high-tech cardiac interventions they have now. His only option would be a heart transplant, and he refuses to consider it.”
“Well, we’ll have to convince him,” Ben said, looking from one sibling to the other.
; “Not that easy, brother,” Sam said, looking at their mother.
“I was telling them before you came, dear. Dad’s a poor candidate for a transplant for many reasons. It would be a very risky procedure with a poor long-term prognosis, which is one of the reasons he’s so opposed to it.”
“Have you gotten the top cardiologists involved? I can make some calls and we can take him back east, to New York, Boston, Baltimore?”
“We’ve been everywhere, Bennie. The answers are the same. Your dad’s heart is dying, period, and his circulatory system with it. Right now he still feels good. In fact, great, most of the time. We just have to guard against him getting overtired.”
“What can we do?” Sam asked. “How can we help?”
“Dad still has lots of life left in him, and we’d like to travel. Probably cruises and trips where he can rest when need be. We’re already planning two river cruises through Europe.”
“That’s great, Mom. Go for it. We can manage here,” Ruthie said, looking at Beth.
“We know you girls can manage the farm. Raoul and his men run the livestock operation now, and Harley and Maggie do a wonderful job running the stables. It’s the rest, my darlings. The Lodge, the overall running of the ranch, the day-to-day coordination. Your father has not been able to let go. I’ve been after him for years, even before his heart attack, to hire a manager, but he’s stubborn. Doesn’t want to relinquish control to anyone. I’ve tried to help out quietly behind the scenes, but you can imagine how well that works. Your father always finds out.”
“What about me?” Ben’s asked, his tone grave.
Leonora gazed at her eldest for several minutes, her eyes sad. “That’s a wonderful gesture, darling, but we couldn’t ask that of you. I know, I know, I’m always begging you to stay home, but we’re proud of you and happy that you’ve been so successful. Your place is in California, running your company, living in your lovely new home, enjoying the life you’ve created for yourself. ”
All of them knew the effort it had taken their mother to say those words. No one spoke as, mouths agape, they gazed at each other.
“I’ve sold my share of the company to David and Chip,” Ben said. “I’m still an investor, but I’m no longer part of the day-to-day operations. And I put the house on the market last Tuesday. The realtor assures me it will sell quickly.”
Rarely had any of them seen their mother so surprised. “But why?”
“My home is here. Dad and I already had a hypothetical discussion about this. It’s what I want to do.”
“It’s because of the Williams girl, isn’t it?”
“Emma and Maggie are part of the reason, yes. I love them both and want to be near them, but I’d be doing this even if they weren’t in the picture. This is where I belong. Of course, if Sam, Robbie, or Kyle wants in, we can work together.”
His brothers remained silent, their answers clear. All had established careers away from Morgan’s Run. The ranch was not in their blood in the way it was in Beth’s, Ruthie’s, and Ben’s.
“Are you sure, Bennie?”
He nodded. “I’d like to buy the old farmhouse from the ranch. I intend to renovate it and live there, if everyone agrees?” He referred to homestead at the ranch’s south end. It was practically falling down, but the location was spectacular, perched on a hillside overlooking a beautiful green valley, with a stream and a small pond nearby. The original rancher’s home, it had been abandoned once their grandparents built the Lodge and Leonora and Ben Senior their house.
“It’s in pretty bad shape,” Beth said. “Have you been out there lately?”
“Took a quick peek before I left for Santa Barbara. The renovations don’t scare me, especially since I’d like to hire my brother to draw up plans. That is, if everyone agrees to the sale?”
“Pish, tush, don’t be ridiculous,” Leonora said, rising to hug her eldest. “There will be no sale, or if there is, the price will be one dollar. Everyone agreed?”
They all nodded as one before clapping each other on the back and passing congratulations around the room.
Smiling broadly, Robbie rose to hug his mother. “Who’s gonna tell Dad the good news?”
“You leave him to me,” Leonora said. “He’ll be pleased as punch. Now, I think I’ll go up to bed.” She turned to Ben. “You’ve made me—all of us—so happy, my darling.”
“I hope so,” he said. “Mother, can you wait one minute? There’s something I’d like to tell you all. Please sit, just for a few more minutes.”
Leonora sat beside him, her face stricken at his serious tone. Ben gazed at Ruthie, who seemed to know what he was going to say, even if their siblings gave him quizzical looks.
“I have to ask that you all keep this to yourselves, but I wanted you to know something that I hope will make you happy. It’s about Emma, Maggie’s daughter.”
“I knew it!” Ruthie said.
Leonora looked at her youngest as if she’d sprouted horns. “Whatever are you sputtering about?”
Kyle nodded, while Robbie and Sam stared, waiting for Ben to speak.
“Emma’s my daughter.”
Leonora’s face drained of color, and she leaned back into the sofa. “What!”
“She’s my daughter, conceived before Maggie left for college. We were involved briefly, and Emma is the amazing result.”
Kyle sat up, smiling broadly. “Of course she is. Too bad the poor kid looks just like you instead of her gorgeous mom.”
Sam, Beth, and Robbie came forward to hug Ben with words of congratulations and joy.
“Who knew about this?” Leonora looked from one to the other of her children.
Ruthie waved her arm. “Dad and I guessed a few weeks ago.”
“How?”
“We’re not stupid. Kyle’s right. Emma looks more like Ben than he does any of us.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Not my place to tell.” Ruthie winked at Ben, who was as surprised as his mother.
“I’ll kill your father.”
Beth sat up straighter at the edge of the sofa. “No, you won’t, Mother. Dad was looking for the right moment to tell you, just as Ben was. Emma is your first grandchild, and you will welcome her into this family and love her as we do.”
“Hear, hear,” Sam said, rising to clap his brother’s back. “I have a niece to spoil, and now I get to design my brother’s dream house, which I predict he will not be living in alone.”
Ben smiled. “Time will tell about who lives there. Are you staying the night?” Sam nodded. “If you have time, I’d really like to ride out there with you in the morning and look things over?”
“Sure thing,” Sam said. “Isn’t every day you get to design a dream house in a location like that one.”
* * *
Chapter 48
At four on the dot, Ben pulled into Maggie’s driveway, a huge picnic hamper stowed in the back, courtesy of Carmela. It was a gorgeous afternoon, the temperature cool and comfortable as they loaded up and headed out.
“Where are we going?” she asked as they drove out of town.
“You’ll see. It’s one of my favorite spots in the world.”
“Is it a surprise?” Emma chirped from the backseat.
“Yup.”
They drove by the main house, then the Lodge, before Ben turned down a dirt road that led south along a dry creek bed. In all her years working at the ranch, Maggie had never been down this road. When they rode, they always took trails running north or east to steer clear of the boundaries to neighboring ranches. She knew what lay south and west was mostly farm and pastureland that stretched to the Dillons’ vineyards. The road became bumpier as the Rover hugged the creek. Finally, he veered right and the jeep began a slow climb away from the creek and over a rise to the fields, pastures, and mountains beyond. As they crested the hill, a beautiful, albeit dilapidated, farmhouse came into view.
“Oh, my goodness. Who lives way out here?”
&n
bsp; “No one. It’s part of the ranch, my favorite place on the ranch. My great grandparents built it and lived in it until they died. After my grandparents built the Lodge, and Mom and Dad built their house, no one seemed to remember this existed except me. When I wanted to get away from everyone, I’d ride up here. Harley and I used to spend nights here as teenagers. Could’ve been a great party house, but I never wanted to share it with anyone but my best buddy. Didn’t want it wrecked, even though animals and the weather have done a number on it.”
“Can we go in?” Emma asked as he lifted her out.
“Sure can. Just leave the food and the chair. We’ll explore, and then I’ll come back for it.”
They stepped up onto the wide porch, careful to avoid loose boards and rotting wood. Ben reached above the doorframe and retrieved a key, then ushered them into a living room that spanned the length of the house. Tattered, dust-covered chairs, tables, and couches, braided rugs, and wrought iron lamps were scattered around the room. A massive stone fireplace dominated the center. Behind it, the kitchen featured white porcelain countertops, an old cookstove, and an ice chest. There was a small bedroom and bath to the right and a mud room that led to the back of the house.
Maggie sighed as she gazed out the kitchen window toward the mountains. “It’s a magical place.”
Ben set Emma down on the counter and took her mother’s hand. “Except for Harley, you ladies are the only people I’ve ever brought up here.”
Emma pointed out the opposite window that faced north. “Hey, you can see the ranch from here.” Sure enough, the roofs of both the Lodge and the main house were just visible through the trees.
“It’s not far as the crow flies. Only a five-or ten-minute walk if you take the path, not the road.”
Emma looked wistful, and he realized his gaffe. Walking was one thing, pushing a wheelchair quite another.
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