She poured herself coffee and joined them at the table.
“Well, Jack, you and I are in for quite a day!”
Jackson stopped eating, and began fiddling nervously with his food. He didn’t respond to her. Jane knew he was retreating inside.
Jane spoke for him. “What have you got in mind, Serena?”
“I am taking Jack horseback riding, of course.”
Jane didn’t care what Jackson thought about that. She didn’t want to surrender him to Serena, and it sounded at the moment as though no one else was invited.
“Just the two of you?” Jane countered.
“Yes. Why not?”
Jane drew in a deep breath and pondered what to say. She felt powerless. Of course, she was indeed powerless, she thought dryly. You’re just the nanny.
Billy stepped in. “Oh, honey, you can’t take my boy away from me the second day he’s here! Jane and I will go, too. We don’t have to ride, but we can go, and then all grab lunch together. Sound good, Partner?”
Jackson immediately brightened. Jane knew that Jackson trusted his father completely; there was no distance between them, only challenges to be faced together. For her own part, although it seemed no one else considered it, Jane craved some fresh air. She hadn’t left this flat since she arrived the day before yesterday.
The quartet piled into Billy’s car and Billy followed the directions that Serena had written down when she phoned the stables. The sun burned hot already though it was only ten o’clock. Jane was glad that she’d bought a few summer-weight clothes at the charity shop before leaving home. Her old wardrobe would have been stifling here in Texas.
Miles of white fences stretched into the flat horizon. Eventually they came to a large sign indicating the stables entrance. Billy turned right into the long sweep, lined with trees either side of the lane. Serena and Jackson were simmering with excitement. Jane doubted that Serena’s excitement had as much to do with riding as it did knowing that her expertly laid plans for the day were unfolding.
“Now, Jackie, let me tell you what I’ve been up to, okay? This is a big confession that will really blow your mind!” Serena said, adding juicy flourishes with her manicured hands. Jane’s nerves grated at the boy’s new nickname, and she felt totally disinterested in Serena’s forthcoming “confession.” Serena just couldn’t resist whipping everything up into a frenzied production. Lydia would have said she was so OTT (over the top). Jane smirked secretly at the thought.
“I’ve signed you up for a whole series of riding lessons! You’ll come here once a week, just to keep up your skills, until we can get you a horse of your own. You’ll have to talk your daddy into buying a farm around here. There are a couple for sale.”
Nice move, Serena, Jane thought. She’s been shopping for the family spread.
“And,” Serena added dramatically, “You won’t be riding a little pony here. You’re a big boy, and we’ll find you a cowboy horse. What do you think of that?”
Jackson was gobsmacked. And delighted. “A horse?” The excitement thrummed through his high-pitched exclamation. He was impressed. In the rear-view mirror Jane could see the crinkles of a smile pushing around Billy’s eyes. Poor Dudley, so quickly forgotten. She felt ridiculously offended on Dudley’s behalf.
Billy parked the car under the meager shade of a tree, and Serena and Jackson fled the vehicle as though it were full of bees. Jackson took the hand Serena stuck out to him, and Jane could hear the blonde saying something about going to the stable office to let the instructor know they’d arrived. Billy and Jane followed at a slower pace, and watched as they spoke with a man in a cowboy hat. He was pointing and Serena was smiling and charming and Jackson was staring at the man’s hat, scarred boots, and the chewing tobacco he fished from his pocket. Jackson’s first real cowboy. Jane knew Jackson should want to tell Toby, should he remember Toby’s existence.
Serena turned and smiled at Billy, gesturing that she and Jackson were to go to the big indoor arena a short walk down the lane. Billy and Jane followed a long behind, and then settled themselves on indoor bleachers by the riding area. They could see Serena and Jackson in a barn aisle off to the side, patting a small, compactly built chestnut horse. A petite woman with gray hair was speaking to them, appearing to have Jackson’s rapt attention.
“He’s thrilled!” Jane remarked to Billy. She’d been so miserable since they arrived that she couldn’t help enjoying watching Jackson’s delight. “My, but that horse is quite large, though, don’t you think? I mean, he obviously is small for a horse, but compared to Jackson’s pony, he’s quite the upgrade.”
Billy said. “I reckon. They all look big to me. Well, I suppose Dudley didn’t, but he isn’t grown yet.”
Jane laughed out loud. The strain of the last two days melted into hilarity.
“What?” Billy said, laughing with her.
“Dudley is fully grown!” Jane was wiping tears from her eyes.
“Huh? Don’t ponies grow up to be horses, or somethin?”
“No!” Jane shrieked with laughter. She was drunk on silliness. Her stomach hurt, and she rocked on the bleachers. “When … when I met you, I thought you were a cowboy! Was I ever mistaken!”
Another fit of laughter seized her. Billy smiled good-naturedly, but couldn’t figure out why it was all so funny.
“I am sorry,” Jane said, gaining control. “You poor man. I’ve shown you the whole range, haven’t I? Anger to the point of madness, running across the countryside, and now I am in fits. Oh … .” Another giggle, and she was finally done.
“It’s good to see you happy, Miss Jane. It’s been hard on you comin’ here, I know. And Serena’s kind of uh take-charge type. She surprised me, but good. I had no idea she’d be at my place when we got there. I mean, it was real nice.”
Jane didn’t say a word. She just didn’t care at the moment. She wanted to just sit, and enjoy the breeze floating in through the big barn door. She would’ve given anything to have this conversation with Billy yesterday, but, today, she just didn’t want to be bound by the huge transition they were all going through.
“Anyway, there’s somewhere I want to take you, tomorrow.”
Jane suddenly cared again. “Me?”
“Yeah. I know Jackson won’t like it as much as this, but I know you’re gonna love it.”
“Well. I shall look forward to it. Thank you,” Jane said.
• • •
The next morning brought an abundance of dazzling sunshine, and stifling heat. There was no breeze to speak of in Dallas. The four were packed into the car for Billy’s “outing for Miss Jane,” but Serena took the backseat with Jackson. Clever, Jane thought. She need only become mates with Jackson, and then she has both he and Billy on a lead.
Jane was irritated with Serena’s animated conversation, not to mention her movie star glamour. Today’s outfit was a shapely yellow cotton sateen dress. Serena wore high-heeled wedge sandals that were trimmed with silk white roses in the center, and her hair was piled smoothly upon her head. When Jane spoke to Jackson about horseback riding last evening, his speech was peppered with, “Serena this, and Serena that.” Jane was bloody sick of the woman, and they’d been in America only three days.
Billy pulled the car into the entrance of The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, and was rewarded a smile from Jane.
“There are sixty-six acres of gardens here, Jack,” Serena said. “It’s very pretty. And I’ve made reservations for us to have tea. Just like England, right?”
So, it wasn’t Billy’s idea. Serena wants to show Jackson that she can drink a cup of tea. And why would you imagine Billy had planned an outing for you, Jane?
“No horses?” Jackson said with a whine.
Jane turned and shot him a look. He pretended not to notice her discipline, and turned to look s
weetly at Serena.
“Sounds fab,” he said, beaming an angelic smile at his blonde angel. Serena impulsively smacked his forehead with a kiss.
Jane began another round of positive self-talk. Jackson may choose to behave in a spoiled fashion for a moment or two, but if he turns it on Serena, she probably won’t have it, either, Jane considered. Concentrate on enjoying the moment.
The garden was lovely. The last of the azaleas were in bloom, rising pink and resplendent against the blue Texan sky. They toured the DeGoyler mansion, a squat, white stone Spanish style house, where their tea lunch was served on a terra cotta veranda. Serena entertained them with jokes and witty observations about the oilman’s mansion. Jane relaxed and enjoyed her company. Billy affectionately kissed her hand, then tassled his son’s hair. Jackson was comfortable with his touch. Billy took his Australian-outback-styled hat from his head and plopped it onto Jackson’s. “I need one, don’t you think, Auntie?”
“Quite right,” Jane answered easily. The simple prop made him look like Billy’s son in a way that was difficult for her to witness. She supposed it was another reminder that Jackson would only be hers to share for a very short time.
After lunch, they walked on through the last area of the garden. Surprisingly, there was a refreshing, shady fern garden, fizzing with water sprayers. Jane sighed deeply, listening to Jackson and Billy chatting about why football is called soccer and why the Dallas Cowboys shouldn’t be playing football, when, as Jackson astutely pointed out, they mostly carried the ball. “It ought to be armball, really,” he observed.
Suddenly, Serena was beside her and linked her arm through Jane’s.
“You’re enjoying this, huh?” Serena said. Jane didn’t mind admitting it. The gardens were beautiful, and lifted Jane’s mood tremendously.
“I was just thinking how lucky I was, working with flowers everyday. I had a florist shop,” Jane said.
“Billy told me. And about your losing it.”
“Yes, I miss it. I liked keeping a shop, and everyone popping in all day long. Loved dressing the windows, and handling all those fresh blooms. The fresh smells. It’s silly, isn’t it? But it made me happy.”
“That’s why Billy wanted me to check this place out, because he knew you loved flowers.”
So, he did have something to do with it.
“It’s been lovely. And I appreciate you minding the details. Lunch on the patio was so pleasant. Sorry, I can’t complement the weak tea, but the food was delicious,” Jane said, and the women laughed together. That was a first, Jane realized.
“Speaking of window dressing,” Serena said, drawing Jane to a stop and facing her. “We’re going shopping tomorrow. Just us.”
“But — ”
“No arguments!” Serena said, smiling and shaking a finger towards Jane. “You’re in desperate need of clothes, and I love doing make-overs. The boys are going with Mossy to meet some relatives in San Antonio, and they need some man-to-man time. So, we’ll do what girls do, and go shopping. Okay?”
“All right, Serena. So long as you know, I haven’t much money, so — ”
“That’s not a problem, honey. Billy has loads, and we’re going to help him spend it. He gave me his credit card!” Serena laughed wickedly, sending her earrings into a rocking motion. She was beautiful, and Jane felt sorry for Billy, as he probably couldn’t deny her anything.
Chapter 25
“It seems the sun would just burn itself out,” Jane commented to Serena. “It’s so constant, here.”
Serena laughed. “Yes, well, you get used to it. Where I live, in Georgia, we have lots of sun, too. I can’t imagine living anywhere dreary, like England. Didn’t you get sick of all that rain?”
“I suppose it is as you said, it comes up to what you’re used to,” Jane replied.
Soft rain, very early on a Sunday morning. She could hear the pattering of an English shower on her roof, in the flat above the store, as she snuggled deeper beneath the covers. Jane remembered such mornings fondly.
Jackson walked over to her flat. She made scones, and served them with lashings of butter and strawberry jam. They’d sat down and ate, and talked. Then they played cards for hours, read stories, and Jane walked home with him to Brambleberry.
Thinking again of Brambleberry Lane, she felt an ache. It was still hard to imagine that Eleanor had listed it with an estate agent, and it was no longer the shelter for the Membry family. Or herself. Jane wondered if Eleanor would even go and meet the new owners, but she knew she would not. Eleanor was so taken with her new life, so excited about beginning a new chapter with Harry Collins in their new cottage, and Harry’s new position at the fishery.
No matter what sort of estate Billy’s money could buy here, nothing would be as special to Jane as any home, however humble, in England. But, enough of that. She must accept her lot. She was here, and no where else to go at present. There was no such thing as home.
• • •
The shopping mall was huge.
Serena was fussing with her handbag, applying fresh lipstick. She was psyched and ready for her quest: Operation Make-Over Jane.
Jane tagged along behind Serena, as she talked endlessly about the rules of fashion. “It’s not necessarily that you need a designer wardrobe, Jane. But the materials should be good quality. And most importantly you have to know what suits your figure, you know? You’ve got a nice body, hon, but you wear those big floppy clothes.”
“But they’re comfortable, and practical for working in the soil,” Jane objected. She loathed the idea of being transformed into Barbie. “I know it’s quite warm here, but I shan’t want to look, too — ”
“Too much like me,” Serena retorted. “Just trust me, Jane, okay? I mean, at this point we don’t even know what size you wear.”
“I do.”
“I mean in this country, Jane.” Serena had wheeled around the first department store with ease, casually picking up separates from racks with what seemed like ruthless abandon. “Okay, that ought to be a good start, let’s go to the dressing room.” Serena herded Jane into the changing area, and took a chair right inside the changing room.
“Aren’t you meant to wait outside?” Jane said, bundling the clothes modestly under her chin.
“Oh, I am sorry. I usually shop with my sister, and we don’t care if the other sees. We can talk better. Tell you what, Jane, when you get an outfit on, just step out and let me see, even if you’re not totally sold on it, okay?”
“All right.”
Serena moved outside. Jane hoisted the hangers onto a peg on the wall, and began peeling off her clothes. She slipped into a loud printed dress and immediately felt foolish. Standing there, looking at her reflection, Jane didn’t recognize whom she was meant to be.
“Jane? You must have something on by now? Come on out.”
“No.”
“Well, why not? I just want to see.”
“It’s totally unsuitable, Serena. I’ll move on to the next.”
Jane took off the ugly tropical print, and looped it hurriedly onto a hanger. Such a waste of time. She really only needed a few more pairs of cropped trousers or something.
Jane stepped into a dress and ran up the zip. She flipped her hair from beneath the thin straps and pressed the skirt across her thighs. She looked into the mirror, and felt a twinge of gratification. This one would do nicely.
Shyly, she opened the dressing room door, but didn’t step out. Serena stood from the Queen Anne chair positioned by the 3-way mirror.
“Oh, Jane! You look so good! That purple just looks wonderful with your dark brown hair and dark eyes. I couldn’t wear that color very well, it’s too inky, but I had a feeling it would sing on you!”
Buoyed by Serena’s praise, Jane stepped out and took a turn in the showcase mirror. She saw
a graceful woman, in a simply cut cotton dress. She thought how well the necklace that Nigel gave her would look with it, and that seemed almost more important than the frock itself. She wore it always, so it was one of the few beautiful things in her life that the fire hadn’t consumed.
Serena began instructing. “You see, that gentle A-line works on your curves. You have a classic hourglass figure, Jane. How do you feel?”
“I can’t believe it. I feel a million dollars!” Jane whispered.
Serena smiled like a beauty pageant contestant. “Terrific! Now get back in there and try a few more!”
Jane and Serena walked away from Marshall Fields loaded with three dresses, four casual summer outfits, four pairs of shoes, and several handbags. Not all of them were for Jane. Serena spent Billy’s money like water, and it seemed signing credit slips renewed Serena’s strength to shop on. Serena’s mission was all inclusive: she’d even made Jane get measured for a bra and supervised her while they searched for the perfect pair of knickers. Jane wanted to crawl into a hole, but she couldn’t argue with the evidence of heavy wear, and the holes that made spider webs of her old foundations. Jane wasn’t even allowed to put the old ninnies back on, and watched as Serena dumped them into the dressing room bin.
After loading their purchases into the boot of the car, Jane discovered with some despair that Serena wasn’t finished with her. She drove them to a salon, and before Jane grasped the situation, she was wet-headed, gowned and presented before a hair dresser.
“How long since you’ve cut your hair, darlin’?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe a year.”
The hair dresser and Serena exchanged a dramatic eye roll. Serena stepped back and folded her arms.
“Antoine, you can see she has thick hair, so I thought some layering, to take the weight off?”
“Oh, honey, I agree,” Antoine said with a flick of his wrist. “I think we ought to take off quite a bit of length.”
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