by Kate Pearce
“That’s right, we—” She stopped. “I had no idea I’d meet you here in the back of beyond, but I have no intention of spoiling your engagement party talking business.”
“Matt and Jake are around here somewhere, so feel free to go and reintroduce yourself to them. I bet they’d be delighted to hear your news.”
“That’s really sweet of you, but I did come to see my baby sister, so I’ll try not to monopolize anyone’s time.”
“You go ahead,” Jenna murmured. “Fine by me.”
“Don’t be silly, darling.” Lily wrapped an arm around Jenna’s waist. “I want to talk to you. Mom’s very concerned about you, you know.”
“You should come and say hi to Uncle Ron and Aunt Amy and meet Dave,” Jenna said, which Blue recognized as a diversionary tactic.
“I’d love to. Come along, Daj.”
* * *
Later, Blue was sitting at a table with Lily to his right. Jenna had gone off to help Ruth with something, and Daj was locked in conversation with Matt and Jake, the only people he had deigned to talk to the whole night.
Lily was tapping her foot to the music and drinking bottled water, a smile playing around her beautiful mouth. Close up her skin was flawless. She looked nothing like Jenna, but that wasn’t a surprise seeing as they weren’t actually related. Blue exerted himself to be polite.
“Jenna said you went to MIT.”
“That’s correct.” She cast him a playful glance. “What else did she say?”
“Just that she was very fond of you.”
“She’s so adorable. I just wish she’d get over this desire to be totally independent, you know? Mom and Dad really miss her. She was the only one of us who stuck around near home for college and vet school, so they miss her a lot now that she’s insisted on moving away.”
“I suppose she felt she had as much right as the rest of you to get out there in the world.” Blue took a swig of beer. “I can relate to that.”
“Did you go out of California for college, then?”
“I didn’t go to college. I went into the Marines.”
“At eighteen?” She turned to face him, her gaze full of surprise. “But didn’t you find lacking a degree hindered the advancement of your career?”
“I never wanted to advance. I just wanted to do my job, survive, and get paid. I did get to see the world, but not the places most people would want to visit.”
“I don’t wish to sound rude, but you’re obviously smart if you have a brother like Chase, so—”
“I’m not like Chase. He’s a genius. I’m a grunt. I’m okay with that.”
She wrinkled her brow. “But education is the secret to everything. That’s why I’m so concerned with Jenna wasting her talents out here. She should be living in LA and back in school specializing in some aspect of her profession. Mom and Dad even offered to fund her, but she refused.” She sighed. “I’m worried about her.”
“Worried about my what?”
Blue almost jumped as Jenna sat beside him, her gaze fixed on her sister. He’d never seen her look so tense before.
“I was just telling Blue that Mom and Dad wanted to fund your doctorate and that you refused their help.”
“I’m kind of over school.”
There was a flat note to Jenna’s voice that made Blue want to give her a reassuring hug.
“But if you want to be successful, you need to get that next qualification.”
“It’s hard for me. I wasn’t enjoying it anymore.”
“Sometimes you just have to keep pushing through. You know what Dad always said, if it’s worth having it’s not usually easy.”
“And I don’t want to do it anymore. I’m not academic like you.”
Lily patted Jenna’s clenched fist. “Everyone needs a break sometimes. That’s why Dad thought a year up here would be a good idea.”
“Meaning what exactly?”
“That you’d soon realize what hard and boring work this was and want to come home.” Lily chuckled. “Come on, Jenna. This is hardly worth your talents, is it? You graduated first in your class.”
“And I love it out here.”
Lily glanced uncertainly at Blue and then back at Jenna. “It’s okay, I’m sure Blue won’t mind if you tell the truth.”
“I am. I have no intention of leaving general practice and going back to school.”
Blue set his beer down on the table. “She’s a really good vet, Lily, and we are proud to have her working with us on the ranch.”
“I’m sure you are.” Lily’s smile was warm. “I know exactly how awesome she is—she’s my sister.”
“In fact, Chase is about to offer her a permanent job here on staff.”
“Here?” Lily turned to Jenna. “You don’t want to stay out in the middle of nowhere, do you, love? We want so much more for you.”
“Lily—”
“There she is!”
The drunken shout behind him had Blue instantly on his feet facing the danger. People sitting at the nearby tables were all staring at Mark Lymond, who was weaving through the guests, his finger pointed straight at Jenna.
“She killed my mare and foal!”
Behind him Blue sensed Jenna stand up. He put his arm out to keep her exactly where he could see her.
“Go home, Mark. You’re drunk,” Blue said as quietly as he could.
Mark took another couple of stumbling steps forward. “She’s incompetent. She doesn’t know what she’s doing, and she killed my stock!”
Jenna raised her chin and spoke out clearly. “I did everything I could to save your mare, Mr. Lymond. I swear it.”
Around them the guests were beginning to murmur and point. Dave suddenly appeared at Jenna’s other shoulder.
“The mare died because you didn’t call us in soon enough, Mark. Don’t blame Jenna.”
“That’s right,” Mark sneered. “Stick up for the pretty little girl who shouldn’t ever be allowed near a horse because she’s incompetent.” He rocked back and forth on his heels. “Or is it because you’re afraid I’ll sue your family? I bet you’d change your tune if you thought she was going to ruin you and admit she doesn’t know what she’s doing.”
“That’s enough, Mark.” Blue closed the gap between them. “I’m going to take you home, now.”
“You’re not going to do—”
With a useful trick he’d learned in the Marines, Blue unobtrusively knocked Mark out and let the man slump into his arms. Ruth came up to him, her expression concerned.
“I’ll take him back home and make sure he sobers up.” Blue slung Mark over his shoulder. “Make sure Jenna’s okay, will you?”
* * *
Jenna sat down, her knees trembling, and took several big deep breaths.
“You okay?” Dave touched her shoulder. “He was talking shit, you do know that, right?”
“Right.” Jenna nodded, still looking down.
“Dad and I are right behind you on this one.”
“Good to know.”
“Cool.” Dave wandered off toward the food.
“Jenna . . .”
That was Lily’s voice. How typical that her sister had witnessed her humiliation. She could never get a break.
“Why on earth would you want to stick around here and put up with being treated like that? You are worth so much more.”
“He’s the only person I’ve had a problem with. Everyone else is great.”
“Are you sure about that?” Lily hesitated. “Does your reluctance to return home and strive for excellence go back to you thinking you’re not good enough? I thought we’d talked that out in family therapy.”
“We did, and I know I’m good enough to do this job. I love it.”
Lily sighed. “It is a beautiful place. I can see why Chase Morgan decided to work his magic on it and make it profitable.”
“It’s his home. That’s why he loves it.”
“Well, yes, but if that was true he would’ve just left it ho
w it was and not invested all this money in upgrading it.”
Jenna met her sister’s eyes. “You don’t get it, do you? He invested in this place so that he could continue a way of life and a tradition that had existed in his family since 1850. He did it for love, not for profit.”
Lily bit her lip. “I’m not going to argue with you, Jenna. I just want you to be happy.”
A familiar sense of hopelessness crawled over Jenna. Lily was super smart, and yet in some ways she seemed so out of touch with the realities of life. But she did love Jenna, and that made it even harder to say how she felt without hurting her sister’s feelings.
After a short silence, Lily picked up her water bottle and took a dainty sip.
“Blue seems nice.”
“I like him.” Jenna realized she was getting tense again. “He’s transitioning out of the Marines and into the role of manager for the new guest ranch. We’ve been working together selecting the horses.”
“He seems to suit this place.”
“It’s his home. He grew up here.”
Lily took Jenna’s hand. “Is Blue the real reason you want to stick around?”
“He has nothing to do with it.”
“Because you can’t let a man hold you back, love. You know that.”
“He is not holding me back. I am perfectly capable of managing my career and my love life without input from him, you, or our parents.” Jenna sighed. Somehow Lily could always reduce her to her muddled confused twelve-year-old self. “Can you please just drop this? I’m really glad you came because it’s great to see you, but can we talk about you for a while?”
Lily laughed. “But you’re so much more interesting. I’m still working twenty hours a day in my lab and loving every minute of it.”
Jenna found a smile somewhere. “Maybe you should get out more. Are you really going out with Daj? He’s not exactly being very attentive to you.”
“Daj knows my priorities. I asked him to talk business with Matt and Jake while I spent time with you. It was the best division of labor.”
“Well, feel free to join him. I’ve got to go and help Ruth in a bit.”
Lily looked around. “Why didn’t they hire more staff? That poor lady must be worn out.”
“Try telling her that. We all try and pitch in around here. It’s called being part of a community.”
Lily stuck out her tongue. “Funny. But you don’t work for the Morgans, do you?”
“I might as well. I spend almost all my time up here dealing with their horses, cattle, and Roy’s pigs.”
“You aren’t going to take that job, though, are you?”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because this wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a brief helping out Uncle Ron kind of gig.” Lily hesitated. “You do know Faith is coming back and she’s going to want her job back?”
“All the more reason why I should take the job with the Morgans.”
“Or come back home. We all miss you so much.”
“Lily . . .”
Her sister grinned and stood up. “Okay, I’ll stop. I’m going to talk to Daj. I’ll come and find you before we leave and say a proper good-bye.”
“I’ll be over by the food helping Ruth pack up.”
Jenna walked across the dance floor over toward Ruth’s diminutive figure, her thoughts in turmoil. A couple of people looked at her funny and she heard the odd whisper about Mark Lymond as she passed. Great. Maybe she didn’t need to worry about getting a job here because no one would trust her to treat their animals ever again. Maybe she should go home.
Nothing Lily said was wrong, and she wasn’t trying to be mean, but she didn’t seem to understand that there were different paths to happiness and fulfillment. And now she’d made Jenna doubt herself, and Mark Lymond’s appearance hadn’t helped either.
“You all right, Jenna?” Ruth gave her a cursory glance as she handed her a large roll of aluminum foil. “Mark didn’t upset you, did he?”
“Well, I wish he had better timing. Being bawled out in front of my other clients and my big sister was pretty sucky.” Jenna tore off a strip of foil. “I hope January and Chase didn’t notice.”
“I don’t think they did. Your sister is very pretty, but she doesn’t look like you at all, does she?”
“We were both adopted. We’re completely different in every way.”
“Good thing, too,” Ruth snorted. “I can’t see her mucking out a stall somehow.”
“She’s a brilliant bioengineer.”
“Which is all well and good in its place, and I’m sure she does wonderful things, but I’d much rather have you.”
“That’s really sweet.”
Ruth patted her shoulder. “I saw you with her. You looked just like Blue when he and Chase brought home their report cards. I think half the reason Blue went into the Marines was to avoid having to compete academically with his brother—because he sure was smart enough.”
“Lily thinks I need more qualifications.” Jenna sighed. “I don’t.”
“It’s hard to argue with people who love you and think they have your best interests at heart when they don’t really, isn’t it? But you know your own mind, my girl, and if being here makes you happy? Then I say you should do what’s best for you.”
“Thanks.”
“And Blue would miss you if you left.”
“Now who’s using emotional blackmail?” Jenna smiled at Ruth.
“You make him happy. I appreciate that, but I’d no more tell you to stay here for his sake than I would tell him to stay for mine. People have to make up their own minds. Look at poor Annie. She felt trapped out here and ended up making some choices that hurt everyone.”
Old hurt flashed in Ruth’s eyes and was immediately blinked away. “But that’s all in the past. I just want my boys to be happy, and seeing them all come back to the ranch? That makes my heart sing.” She nudged Jenna in the ribs. “Now help me cover up this food before the flies get at it.”
* * *
Blue returned from taking care of Mark Lymond to find the party was winding down. He stopped in the parking lot to speak to some of his neighbors. He was pretty sure everyone had enjoyed themselves and were now looking forward to the wedding, which was planned for later in the year.
Lily’s white car was still there. As he looked up toward the dance floor, Jenna, Daj, and Lily were just coming down the path. He stayed where he was, aware that Jenna was looking strained and that Lily was talking her ear off—probably trying to persuade her around to her way of thinking again.
“Hey, Blue!” Lily saw him and waved. “We’re just off.”
She came toward him and surprised him by pulling him in for a hug. “Thanks for standing up for my sister against that drunk. She’s not used to being treated like that.”
“She’s tougher than you think.” Blue kept his voice low. Jenna was still talking to Daj, but she was close.
“She’s my baby sister. I can’t help but look out for her, I’m sure you understand.” Lily paused. “Can I say one thing? If you really do care for her, will you make sure she thinks carefully about coming back to LA and continuing her career?”
“She’s a grown woman. If she wants to talk things through with me that’s fine, but I don’t have the right or the need to tell her what to do.” Blue smiled. “She’ll work it out.”
“So you won’t help me.” Lily sighed. “I suppose getting an education isn’t a priority for you.”
“From what I understand, Jenna’s had enough, and if she wants to work as a regular vet, surely that’s her choice?”
Lily opened her mouth to reply and then closed it again. Blue sensed that Jenna was right behind him.
“Bye, Jen.” Lily swept past Blue and gave Jenna a big hug. “This was so much fun!”
“Thanks for coming, sis.” Jenna returned the hug. “Safe trip home. Give my love to everyone, won’t you?”
Daj nodded distantly at Blue and got in the
car with Lily. Within moments the car turned around and headed out.
Blue glanced over at Jenna, who wasn’t smiling. “Your sister is nice.”
“Yes.”
“Bossy, though.”
“You think so?” Jenna twirled the end of her hair. “She’s certainly got a one-track mind. Get an education, Jenna, no, that’s not enough, do more, Jenna, climb higher, Jenna.”
“I suppose she’s just trying to do what she thinks best.”
Jenna folded her arms across her chest. “And you agree with her?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I heard you discussing me with her, Blue.”
“Hang on a minute.” So much for calming her down. “I was defending your choices.”
“You were interfering!”
He held up his hand. “Look, just because you’re mad at her, don’t start in on me. She was trying to get me involved, and I was trying my best to keep out of it!”
“I’m not mad at her.”
“If you aren’t, then maybe you should be.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Because you’re better than that, Jenna. You let her talk and walk all over you.”
“Because she’s my sister. I can’t stop her saying what’s on her mind.”
“Sure you can. You look her in the eye and you tell her straight to stop undermining you.”
“She’s not—”
“Then why are you upset?”
“Because you were agreeing with her!”
“That’s just an excuse. If you don’t like the way she’s treating you, tell her to stop.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“It is.”
“If you don’t care who you hurt.”
He stiffened. “Is that some kind of dig at me because of what happened with my brothers?”
“You said it, Blue. The others worked it out with your father, and you didn’t because of your inflexible nature. Maybe that’s not an example I want to follow.”
He shut his mouth on what he had been about to say and contemplated her angry face.
“Ma’am.” He touched the brim of his Stetson in a formal salute. “When you work out who you’re angry with, let me know, okay? Have a great night.”