Chapter Six
Kyra Muraco was a small woman with dark auburn hair and light-green eyes. Lacey guessed she was around her age.
“Good morning, Lacey. It’s nice to meet you. Doreen has mentioned you. She told me how you’ve been friends for years.”
“She’s had good things to say about you and suggested I see you.”
Kyra sat behind her desk after Lacey had settled in the light-blue armchair across from her. “Did Doreen twist your arm?” Kyra’s smile was warm and welcoming.
“No, but what happened yesterday convinced me she was right and that I need help.”
“Good. The chance of resolving your problems is much better if you really want to work on them. Tell me about yourself.”
Lacey told her everything. It was like she couldn’t stop it spilling out. Not just the past year, but about her childhood and her relationship with her mother. When she sat back, she was drained.
“It seems we have plenty to work on. I suggest we meet twice a week for the first few weeks. You are moving later today and meeting more people. I believe you’ll need extra support to prevent another panic attack.”
“It frightened me, so I’ll do whatever is necessary to not experience one again.”
“Let’s meet on Friday and then next Monday. I want to hear how you do at the party on Friday night and on Monday about your first weekend in the new place. Is ten-thirty a good time for you?”
“I’m putting the time and date into my phone right now.”
Kyra walked her to the door. “Take it easy. Rest when you need to, and don’t second guess your decisions just yet.”
Lacey liked her, and her shoulders felt a bit lighter when she walked outside. It was almost noon. She’d stop at Shirley’s Place for lunch and drive out to the house afterward. Doreen planned to meet her there at one.
The tables were filling up. A waitress greeted her and they’d started to walk toward a two-person table in the back when Lacey heard Hunter call her name. She looked around and saw him and Devin in a booth by the window.
“Come join us,” Hunter said.
The waitress smiled and led Lacey over to their table. “What do you want to drink?” she asked.
“Iced tea.”
She left the menu with Lacey and went to get her tea.
Hunter stood and let her in beside him. “I’m glad you stopped by. How’s your day going?” he asked.
“I’m driving out to the house at one. Doreen is going to meet me and help me arrange whatever I want different.”
“If it’s heavy, wait for me,” Hunter said.
Devin put down his coffee cup. “Are you looking forward to meeting lots of people Friday night?”
“I am. One big meeting and then I won’t be the novelty of the month.”
“I’d hoped you hadn’t changed your mind,” Devin said. “Half the people are coming just to meet you.”
“I must have a notorious reputation.” She spoke jokingly and then saw Devin’s face. “They know about my husband and what happened.”
“Some of them looked you up on the internet, and the gossip spread. I’m sorry. If you want to change your mind I’ll understand.”
“No. I’ll face them and get it over with and done.”
“I don’t want you to panic like yesterday.” Hunter took her hand and looked at her with a worried expression.
“I’ve decided to get someone to help me. I’m seeing her on Friday before the gathering.”
“You went for counseling?” Hunter asked.
“Yes, and she’s assured me I’m not crazy. Do you know Kyra Muraco?”
“Not very well. She moved to Pleasure Valley about a year ago. Doreen was one of the first to meet and welcome her. I don’t think she gets out much.”
“Do you know if she’s married?”
“I haven’t heard of a husband.”
“It’s strange she chose this town to set up her business,” Devin said.
“Doreen told me last night Kyra came to take care of her grandfather. He died two months after she arrived.”
“Could be, we don’t keep up with much of the gossip. Mom would know.” Hunter grinned and Devin nodded his head.
The waitress returned and Lacey ordered a hamburger and fries like the men were eating. “I can’t resist. They smell good.”
She sat back and listened to Hunter and Devin talk. Devin was planning to ride in a rodeo the weekend after the party.
“It’s not too far to drive. Get Hunter to bring you to watch,” Devin said.
“He may have other plans,” Lacey reminded Devin. “I’m not his responsibility.”
“I wouldn’t mind if you were,” Hunter said, and winked.
“Boy, you sound serious, brother.”
“I may be, but the lady’s like a skittish mare. I’ll have to handle her gently and slowly.”
Her face flushed and they laughed. “I don’t like being compared to a horse.”
“But not just any horse, darlin’. A sweet, pretty mare with enough spunk to kick me if needed.”
Lacey put her hand over Hunter’s mouth. “Stop, before you get yourself into real trouble.”
“Saved by the hamburgers,” Devin said.
The waitress arrived and passed their plates to them. “Let me know if you want anything else.”
“They do have the best coconut pie. Don’t tell Mom I said this, but it even beats hers,” Devin said quietly.
“I’m going to get fat eating with you two.”
“No way, darlin’. I’ll see you get enough exercise to keep off the weight.”
“Such as?” Devin asked with a mocking look in his eyes.
“Why, horseback riding, of course. And she wants to start a garden.”
Devin shrugged his shoulders. “Bring her down to ride a bull. That’ll keep her slim.”
“You two are terrible. Eat.”
* * * *
Doreen and Lacey sat at the kitchen table enjoying a glass of iced tea. Mrs. Francis had left tea, a ham, and potato salad for her with a note to enjoy. She’d also baked a fresh apple pie.
“You can’t beat good folks like the Doc and his wife. It was sweet of her to leave all of this for you,” Doreen said.
“I know. Are you sure you won’t stay and eat?”
“No. Billy will be expecting me home.” She took the last swallow of her tea. “I’d better go.”
Lacey walked to the door with her and went out on the porch to wave good-bye. “I’ll see you Friday, if not before,” she reminded Doreen.
“Looks like you’re getting more company,” Doreen said. She nodded toward the end of the driveway at Hunter’s truck.
“He said he’d stop by and see if I needed any help.”
“Right.” Doreen grinned and got in her car.
Hunter parked as Doreen was backing out. He waved to her, and then took long strides toward the porch.
“You look happy,” he said.
“I feel happy and relaxed. Come in and help me eat all the food Mrs. Francis cooked and left for me.”
“It sounds good. I was going to stop for pizza, but home cooking beats pizza any day.”
When he walked into the small living room, the room seemed to shrink in size. He stood in the center and studied the room.
“I haven’t been here in several years. It’s a homey house. I like it. Did you change much in here?”
“No, I thought I’d leave most everything in place. If I decide to buy, I’ll bring my furniture and other personal items from Washington, but otherwise I’ll leave it as they like it. Do you want to eat in the formal dining room or the kitchen?”
“The kitchen is fine with me.” He followed her into the sunny room. Outside the window the sun was hanging low, but it wasn’t quite sunset yet. Hunter sat at one end of the table.
“You must have left work early,” Lacey said as she got out the ham and potato salad. “I didn’t notice this small plate to the back.” She pulled i
t out and took off the wrap. “I love deviled eggs.”
“Me, too.” Hunter glanced at the ham. “Shall I cut some slices for us?”
“Yes. I’ll get the plates and silverware.”
“I did leave early today. My last client had to reschedule. I was glad. I was curious as to how you were settling in your new home. Did Doc sell his cow and horses?”
“Not yet, but a friend is going to take care of them until someone buys them. I saw him drive by toward the barn just before you arrived.”
“Probably Smitty. He and Doc are good friends. Was he driving an old blue truck with a dent in the right fender?”
“Yes.”
Hunter laughed. “A neighbor swiped the side of his truck five years ago. According to Smitty it was the neighbor’s fault and the neighbor said the opposite.”
Hunter placed the plate of ham on the table. “They never agreed and Smitty refused to have it fixed on general principle. He’s quite a character.”
“I’d like to meet him.”
“If he’s still here after we eat, I’ll introduce you.”
He pulled out her chair and sat across from her. Then he lifted his tea glass. “To you and your new start in life. May it be a happy and prosperous adventure.” He tapped his glass against hers.
Lacey got Hunter to talk about his law business. “Do you enjoy the work as much as you thought you would in college?”
“Working in a smaller town, I get a variety of cases. It keeps things interesting. I even had a trial case where the woman killed her husband. He was abusive and she snapped one day.”
“But you didn’t have any experience, did you?”
“I had some in my internship. They wanted me to stay and work for them. I like that type of work, but I preferred being home. But I was good at the defense side and prosecuting.”
“Did you win your case?”
“Yes. She’s moved back to her home in the east and writes me at Christmas to tell me how she’d doing. It’s been two years.”
“Good for you.”
“Thanks. Let’s leave the dishes and walk to the barn. I haven’t seen Smitty drive by.” Hunter opened the back door and they walked down the narrow lane to the barn door. A tall, skinny man with thinning white hair came out to greet them.
“Hi, Hunter. I was coming out to leave. All the animals are doing fine. I’ll be by every evening until they sell. Doc has an ad in the county newsletter with my number.” He glanced at Lacey. “You must be the lady renting the house.”
“Smitty, this is Lacey Donelles. She lived here when she was younger.”
“I remember her mom. She was a fine-looking lady. You look a little like her when you smile, but your black hair is like your dad’s.”
“You knew my dad?”
Smitty nodded his head. “Yes, I always liked him, but he should never have married. He was what we call a rolling stone. Not really a bad man. He had trouble handling responsibility.”
“I barely remember him. He left after Renee was born. She has no recollection of having a dad before Alex, Mom’s second husband. Do you know if my father is alive?” Lacey wanted to retract her question as soon as she asked. Maybe it was best not to know what happened.
Smitty lowered his head and scuffed the toe of his boot against the ground. He gave Lacey a hard look.
“He’s alive and doing well. It took him years to grow up, but he did. He met a woman who lived a few towns over and they married ten years ago. She was in her thirties and wanted children. They had a boy who’s six years old and a four-year-old girl. He’s doing well running their ranch, plus a feed store he bought a few years ago.”
“I wonder why he never contacted my sisters and me.”
“I expect he wasn’t proud of his actions and so he stayed away.”
“That’s no excuse to ignore your children.”
Lacey’s heart hurt. As a teenager, she used to imagine her father coming to see her and telling her how much he loved her. She’d told herself he had to be sick, or he’d died, otherwise he would have come to them.
“I hesitated telling you,” Smitty said. “I was afraid you’d be hurt. Usually whatever we imagine is different than the reality in these circumstances.”
“I’m glad to finally know that he is alive and well, and apparently happy.” She heard the slight sound of bitterness in her voice. She forced a smile and shook Smitty’s hand. “I’m glad to meet you. Thanks for taking care of the animals.”
He started to get in his truck when she stopped him. “I want to start a vegetable and flower garden. I’d like to hire you to prepare the ground for me.”
“Sure. When do you want me to start? The weather’s getting nice. The next few weeks would be a good time. Where do you want the garden and how big?”
Smitty and Hunter walked with her to the side of the house by the kitchen. “Right along here. I want tomatoes, green peppers, sweet potatoes, lettuce and radishes. Along the side of the house here I’d like a few rose bushes and whatever else you’d suggest that grows well in Wyoming.”
“I’ll prepare the ground for a flat fee of a hundred dollars.”
“Seems fair to me. Start whenever you can.”
She and Hunter watched him drive off, and then they walked in the house. Hunter took hold of her arms and looked down at her.
“Are you all right?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You tried to hide it, but I saw the hurt in your eyes regarding your dad.”
“I’m disappointed, but that’s life.”
Hunter tipped her chin upward. “Just another man who hurt you and ended up being less than you’d hoped.” He sat on the sofa and held her on his lap. “I won’t disappoint you. All men are not like your dad or your previous husband.”
“But how can I trust you or any other man?” She slid off his lap and sat in the chair across from him. “I never felt I had a father. Alex was nice and he saw we had all the necessities. But he was also rigid in his ways. I cared for him. I didn’t love him.”
“What about your mom?”
“Mom loved the social life. She took time for us when necessary, but there was a nanny to cover times when the activities were too important or too much fun to miss. In the parent department I’ve been rudderless.”
“My brothers and I have been very fortunate. I guess that’s why we don’t like to be far from home very long.”
“Yet, you plan to go into politics and will have to live in the capital during sessions, and if you go to Washington you’ll be gone longer.”
“I know, but I’m planning a step at a time. I may not go further than the state Senate. I can’t lock myself into a promise though that I won’t want to try for a higher office.”
“I didn’t ask you to.”
Hunter knelt at her knees. He closed his hands around hers. “Whatever I do, I’d never cheat on my wife or ignore my children, and Pleasure Valley would always be my home base.”
Lacey pulled her hands away and stood. “I understand, Hunter.” He straightened and faced her. She rubbed her hand across his five o’clock shadow. “I like you a lot, but this may be an issue we can’t resolve.”
Her throat constricted as she said the words. A heavy weight grew in her chest.
His drawn face etched the lines of his cheekbones and he spoke in a monotone voice. “I’ve made you sad. Thanks for the dinner.”
She followed him to the screen door and watched as he drove off. Was this the end for them? Did she want it to be? That was the unanswered question.
Chapter Seven
Friday’s session with her counselor went all right. But Kyra challenged Lacey with some of her questions.
Doreen and Billy picked her up on their way to the party. “How do you like being on your own?” Doreen asked.
“It’s nice. Smitty came today and started preparing the ground for my garden.”
Billy glanced her way. “It appears to me like you’ve decided to stay a wh
ile.”
“I’m not sure, but Mrs. Francis said to go ahead and start the garden because someone would enjoy the fresh vegetables.”
“What else have you been doing?” Doreen asked.
“I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to do in the future. There isn’t enough going on politically in this area to keep me busy. I don’t have to work thanks to my husband’s foresight before his death. He had plenty of insurance. But I can’t sit around.”
“What about teaching? You mentioned the other day you might be interested in going back to school and getting your teaching certificate.”
“I’m considering it, if I stay.”
Billy turned down a road on the left and it wound around several groups of trees before coming to a large opening with a circle drive.
“Devin likes his privacy,” Doreen explained.
There were lots of cars, and when they got out they heard the sound of voices coming from the back of the house. Devin’s house surprised Lacey. It was made from local river rock and looked sturdy and big. There were wide concrete walkways around to the backside.
Devin came over to greet them. “The steaks and chicken are cooking. We have lots of appetizers and salads, beans, rolls, anything you could want. Grab a beer and tell Doreen to introduce you to some new people.”
Billy strode off to visit with some of the guys. Doreen and Lacey got their beer and strolled toward the nearest group of women.
“Hi, I want to introduce you all to my friend, Lacey Donelles. She’s moved here from Washington DC.”
“Why would anyone leave Washington? I visited last summer and the town hums. It’s so exciting.” The woman who spoke had light brown hair and brown eyes. She was shorter than Lacey and pleasingly plump. “My husband refuses to leave Pleasure Valley. He said if I wanted the big city I’d have to go alone.” She grinned. “I’m not about to leave him, and he knows it. He is too good looking.”
The other women laughed. “By the way, my name is Terri Butler. My husband owns the best restaurant in the area, The Mountain Refuge.”
One of the women had been staring at Lacey. She stepped forward. “I’m Cornelia. Hunter may have mentioned my name. We’re good friends, if you know what I mean.”
The Unforgettable Bride [Brides for the Garrison Brothers 1] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) Page 6