“Well, yes,” she answered, “besides our needing to meet, of course.”
“Some things must be said,” Ram offered. “Better now than later.”
Gabby looked down at her hands. “Trevor and I don’t want to create a disturbance here, or make things difficult for anyone. If Wyatt has changed his mind—”
“It’s nothing like that,” Ram interjected. “I’m sorry if I scared you. Wyatt and I have talked this out—as much as he ever talks about anything—and I wholeheartedly agree with his decision. Besides, if he changes his mind, I’ll have him skinned.”
Gabby laughed, her first time in Ram’s presence. She was discovering that Ram was everything Wyatt had said he was. She finally started to relax a bit.
“So what’s on your mind?” she asked.
“Two things,” Ram answered. “First off, you and Trevor are welcome here, despite the tragedy that links us. I’ve explained the situation to the ranch hands and the house staff, and they all understand. You and Trevor will be treated graciously during your visits, or there’ll be hell to pay.”
“Thank you for that,” Gabby said. “I guessed that Wyatt was starting to accept us, but I must admit that I was concerned about how everyone else might react. In fact, Wyatt has a name for what happened between our families.”
Ram raised his eyebrows. “He does?”
Gabby nodded. “He calls it ‘the eight-hundred-pound gorilla in the room.’”
Ram smiled. “I suppose he’s right. But don’t worry about that. This is a very big house. Hopefully, no one will notice a gorilla hanging around.”
Gabby smiled again. She was starting to like this old man. “And what was the other thing you wanted to tell me?” she asked.
As Ram leaned forward, the look in his eyes softened. “There’s something I must tell you about myself.”
“What is it?” she asked.
“Two years ago I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about spilling the beans—everyone at the Flying B knows. But if I should totally ignore you one day or say something hurtful, please understand that I didn’t mean it. Luckily, my good days still outnumber my bad ones.”
Ram gave Gabby a conspiratorial wink. “When I’m sharp, I’m sharp,” he added. “But when I’m not, I don’t know a goddamned thing and I behave outrageously. In fact, some people claim that they can’t tell the difference!”
Gabby didn’t know what to say. She felt sad for him, and she wanted to express her sympathy. But from what little she knew of Ram, she doubted that he wanted it. She liked the way he poked fun at his malady rather than explaining it with a big dose of self-pity. Ram clearly regarded his Alzheimer’s as an adversary rather than a conqueror, and his Alzheimer’s was in for a fight.
“I see,” she said. “Wyatt didn’t tell me.”
Ram took another sip of tea. “He never tells people about it. Hell, most times it’s hard getting him to talk at all. But he’s a good man, Gabby. Eventually you’ll come to see that.” Ram heard boot heels striking the porch floor, and he turned to look. “And speaking of the strong, silent type…”
Gabby turned to see Wyatt approaching. He was still dressed in his jeans, wrinkled black work shirt, and worn black boots. His gait was smooth and sure, his strong arms and calloused hands swinging along easily at his sides.
This was the first time Gabby had seen Wyatt in ranch clothes, and he seemed to be in his element. Here at the Flying B there was a rugged, untamed look about him that she liked. Wyatt could be a bit of a chameleon, she decided. His casual appearance also told Gabby that although this was the first day of New Beginnings, his intention was to work rather than to impress. As he neared the table, he gave Gabby a nod.
“Hello there,” he said. “Trevor told me you had been shanghaied by this old geezer. By the way, your son seems about as happy to be here as a cat in a rocking-chair factory. But that’s normal. Most of the teens feel the same way right now.”
“Hello, Wyatt,” Gabby said. “I must say that this place is amazing. I’m starting to see why you love it so much.”
Wyatt tilted his head in Ram’s direction. “He hasn’t been harassing you, has he?”
“No more than I would allow,” Gabby answered. “I think he’s rather charming.”
Ram laughed. “Good girl! Keep that up and you’ll do well around here!”
Wyatt looked at Gabby. “I hate to break up this little tea party, but it’s time to get the introductory meeting started. You’re the only parent who isn’t inside.”
Gabby stood. “It was a pleasure to meet you,” she said to Ram.
“And you,” Ram answered.
As Wyatt escorted Gabby down the length of the porch, he looked over his shoulder and shot a caustic glance at his father for kidnapping Gabby that way. Not to be outdone, Ram pointed at Gabby’s backside then raised his bushy eyebrows up and down lasciviously.
After Wyatt and Gabby entered the big house, Ram saw Morgan’s Mercedes approaching. He nearly set the dogs loose on it before reluctantly stopping himself. With all the guests here, this was not the time.
After Morgan parked near the main barn, Ram waved him over. Having come straight from the office, Morgan was still dressed for work. When he reached Ram, he stripped off his suit coat and tie then meticulously folded them on the wicker table. He looked longingly at Ram’s iced tea.
“Is there more of that?” he asked.
“I’m sure there are buckets of it in the kitchen,” Ram answered. “But Lou and her girls are frantic, so I suggest that you fetch it for yourself.”
Morgan jerked one thumb back over his shoulder. “How’s it going in there?” he asked.
“Dunno,” Ram answered.
“Aren’t you going to go inside and listen?”
“Eventually,” Ram answered. “But first, you and I need to talk. There’s something I want to explain before you go and help your brother, and believe me, it’s something you need to know. Everybody else around here has heard about it. Now it’s your turn.”
Morgan frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“Does the name Gabrielle Powers mean anything to you?” Ram asked.
“No,” Morgan answered. “Should it?”
Ram leaned closer. “How about Jason Powers?”
Morgan’s expression darkened. “Of course I know that name. What of it?”
As Ram explained the situation, Morgan became angry and thought that Wyatt had lost his mind. But as Ram kept talking, Morgan calmed down. Only after Morgan had agreed to the same terms that Ram had imposed on Mercy did Ram relent.
With their new agreement sealed, the old man and his eldest son finally entered the house.
FOURTEEN
GABBY SMILED AT Trevor as they sat together on the swimming pool patio. All the parents, teens, and staff were also there, getting to know one another and enjoying Aunt Lou’s marvelous cooking. Gabby could sense that the other parents were as eager as she for the program to officially start.
Despite the pleasant scene, Gabby wasn’t entirely comfortable. Like Ram had promised, the ranch hands and the program staff were treating her and Trevor with respect. But nothing could quell the rather prickly sense of curiosity that some of the parents showed.
Earlier, Gabby had seen a woman pointing her and Trevor out to two other parents. A bit later, she noticed a small group of parents looking her way surreptitiously and speaking in hushed tones. Similar occurrences had followed, causing Gabby to feel isolated. Sadly, she guessed that Trevor sensed it, too.
Gabby understood why she and Trevor were the objects of attention. She couldn’t blame the others for being inquisitive, and their interest did not seem malicious. Despite hers and Trevor’s personal discomfort, this first day of Wyatt’s program had passed smoothly and the night would soon draw to a close. The next time everyone gathered here, the real business of horse therapy could start.
The welcome meeting had ended about two
hours ago. After everyone had been ushered into the big house, Wyatt introduced Morgan, Mercy, Ram, Lou and John, and the psychologists and equestrian coaches to the group as a whole. Wyatt made everyone feel at ease, and he handled the subsequent session and answer session well.
The teens would be divided into two groups, he explained. While one was taking group counseling in the house, the other would be involved with the equestrian part of the program. When their one-hour sessions were finished, they would trade places. The basic idea was for the teens to take the practical life lessons they learned working with the horses and apply them to their counseling.
After the meeting, Wyatt escorted everyone on a walking tour of the ranch. The Flying B was far more impressive than Gabby had expected, despite viewing it on her computer yesterday. And to her surprise, the ranch had awed even her ever skeptical son.
Although this was her first visit to the Flying B, Gabby understood why Wyatt loved it so. The ranch was far more than just a beautiful place to raise horses. There was a real sense of tradition here, and the longer Gabby remained, the more she sensed it. Only when she passed by the melancholy little cemetery near the main barn did she become saddened. Her mind returning to the present, Gabby took another sip of beer and gazed around the lovely scene.
Night had fallen about an hour ago; the air was warm and still. Bright stars twinkled in the cloudless Florida sky. The kidney-shaped swimming pool and the flagstone patio that surrounded it rivaled those Gabby had seen at some hotels. Umbrella tables, chairs, and loungers were plentiful, and the pool was illuminated at either end by an underwater light. Flaming tiki torches stood here and there on the surrounding lawn, adding a welcoming glow to the night. Jazz floated out of the mansion, drifting across the patio.
At the far end of the patio stood a huge slate-and-mortar barbecue pit that was a good twenty feet long if it was an inch. It seemed that the Blaines didn’t believe in grilling food with propane, and everything was being painstakingly prepared over glowing charcoal. As Gabby watched Aunt Lou, she couldn’t help but admire the Cajun woman’s work ethic.
Ram and Wyatt had been right, Gabby decided. Lou was indeed a dynamo. She seemed to be everywhere at once, keeping the three house girls nearly frantic as she barked out orders and oversaw the entire show. It was also clear that Big John enjoyed teasing Aunt Lou every chance he got.
Wyatt, Ram, Morgan, and the New Beginnings staff were dutifully milling among the guests and making small talk. From time to time, Gabby sought out Wyatt. He was always at ease, in a lanky, cowboy sort of way. Each time their eyes met, he nodded pleasantly.
WHEN WYATT AGAIN looked Gabby’s way, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her and Trevor. The two of them sat alone at a table, and Wyatt knew that it wasn’t by choice. Trevor was morose, his James Dean persona in full evidence as he slumped in his chair. The collar of his red Windbreaker remained defiantly turned up, like some personal badge of rebellion.
And who can blame him? Wyatt thought. He lost the father he so loved, and he never wanted to join New Beginnings. Right about now, Trevor probably wishes that he had been expelled after all.
Trevor and Gabby needed someone to take them aside and make them feel accepted. Wyatt supposed that Gabby could shake off the attitudes of the other guests. But most of the teens seemed sullen, especially Trevor. If Wyatt could somehow make the boy feel special, it might help. It would probably put Gabby more at ease, too.
But how to do it? Wyatt wondered as he chatted up a wealthy couple from Boca. Then it came to him, and he smiled. Politely excusing himself, he left his guests and sauntered over to the beverage table.
Wyatt walked the length of the table until he came to where the coffee was being served. After grabbing two sugar cubes and stuffing them into a front pocket of his jeans, he headed for Gabby and Trevor’s table. As he went, he saw that Aunt Lou was about to get there first.
“GABRIELLE POWERS?” a female voice asked.
Gabby turned to see Aunt Lou standing beside her. Lou’s apron was splattered with Cajun sauce, and she was perspiring heavily from working the huge barbecue pit.
Gabby stood and smiled. “Aunt Lou?” she asked.
Lou smiled back. “That’s me!” she answered. “I’m mighty pleased to meet you. Is this your boy? My, but ain’t he a handsome thing!”
For once, Trevor responded politely without being prodded. After wiping his fingers, he stood and eagerly shook Aunt Lou’s hand.
“Pleased to meet you, too,” he said enthusiastically. “I love your chicken!”
Lou laughed. “It’s an old recipe that my great-grandmother passed on to me, God rest her soul. The piece of paper that she wrote it on has long turned to dust, so I make it from memory. It’s an old N’Orleans recipe. That’s where Big John and I hail from.”
Lou pointed an index finger at one temple. “But don’t you worry none, Trevor,” she said. “The recipe’s right in here, safe and sound. Maybe I’ll teach it to your mother one day so she can fix it at home.”
After making some more small talk with Gabby and Trevor, Aunt Lou gently pulled Gabby aside.
“Are you and Trevor doing okay?” she asked. “I’m sorely busy tonight, but I ain’t blind. I’ve seen the looks that some of the other parents are sendin’ your way. Damned rude, if you ask me. Much as I’d like to, I can’t do anything about them. But if any of the ranch staff acts like that, you just let me know. I’ll read ’em the riot act, but good.”
Gabby smiled. “Thank you for that. It’s only natural, I suppose. I’m hoping that as time goes by, it’ll stop.”
“All right, then,” Lou said. “But if you have any concerns, you bring ’em to me.”
“You’re the second person to tell me that,” Gabby said.
“And just who was the first one?” Lou asked. “That old buzzard Mr. Ram, I suppose? I heard that he kidnapped you, the second you set foot on the porch. Waylaying people like that is a favorite trick of his. That, and making sure that Butch and Sundance keep Wyatt’s ‘scratchy Jag’ all messed up.”
“‘Scratchy Jag’?” Gabby asked.
“Yep,” Lou answered. “But that’s another story. Remind me to tell you about it sometime.”
“By the way, Ram saw through your iced tea gesture,” Gabby said. She smiled and leaned a bit closer. “I think he’s got you figured out.”
Aunt Lou threw back her head and laughed. “That’s the problem with that man! He thinks he’s got everybody figured out. Trust me, child, he don’t.”
“Are you talking about me again, Aunt Lou?” another voice asked.
They turned to see Wyatt approaching. “No, Mr. Wyatt,” Aunt Lou answered. “Like usual, I was cussin’ out that rascal father of yours.”
“Do you mind if I borrow Gabby and Trevor for a while?” Wyatt asked.
“You go right ahead,” Aunt Lou answered. “Besides, I need to get back to my chickens! These guests of yours are eating up a storm.”
Wyatt looked at the mother and son. “You two are coming with me,” he said with a smile.
“Where are you taking us?” Gabby asked.
“There’s someone I want you to meet,” Wyatt answered. “You’ll like her. But be forewarned—her condition is delicate.”
Gabby and Trevor gave each other curious looks as Wyatt led them around the side of the big house and across the front yard. As might be expected, more than one pair of inquisitive eyes followed them.
On entering the well-lit barn, Wyatt turned a corner then led Gabby and Trevor down a section of a concrete corridor he had not shown the group during his tour. When they reached another row of stalls, Wyatt stopped before one of them. Gabby and Trevor looked over the top of the Dutch door.
“I’d like you to meet Sadie,” Wyatt said. “She’s formally registered as Sadie of the Flying B, but to us, she’s just Sadie. She’s pregnant, by the way. Sadie is the best quarter horse broodmare in Florida, perhaps in the entire country. I know that the therapy program does
n’t officially start until Wednesday, but I thought that Trevor might like a head start on his education.”
Everyone looked with admiration at the gray mare. She was a beautiful creature, her mane and tail a shade lighter than her coat, her strong chest and shoulder muscles bulging just beneath her skin. Although Gabby understood little about horses, she could see that Sadie was pregnant. Gabby also noticed that Sadie’s stall was larger than the others, and there was more straw on the floor.
“Would you like to go in and see her?” Wyatt asked.
Gabby recoiled a little. For her, standing on one side of the sturdy door was one thing, but actually going into the stall was quite another.
“Uh, well, like I told you at brunch, horses scare me to death,” Gabby answered.
“I know,” Wyatt said. “But it’ll be okay. Sadie’s good with strangers.”
Wyatt slid the bolt on the lower door, and the three of them walked inside. Wyatt walked up to Sadie and took hold of her bridle.
“Come on, girl,” he said softly. “You’ve got visitors.”
When Wyatt led Sadie closer, Gabby tentatively rubbed her head. Sadie’s huge dark eyes were far apart, and seemed like deep, endless pools. His own eyes wide with admiration, Trevor simply stood there, staring. He had never seen so impressive an animal, and unlike his mother, he showed no fear at all.
“When is she due?” Gabby asked.
“Three more weeks,” Wyatt answered, “perhaps four.”
“Can I touch her?” Trevor asked Wyatt.
“Sure,” Wyatt answered. “You might as well get used to it. Come Wednesday, you’ll be handling horses a lot.”
Trevor ran his hand along Sadie’s slightly curved back. When she whinnied and swished her tail, Trevor smiled. For the first time in Wyatt’s presence, Trevor’s grin was truly genuine. Save for the red Windbreaker, James Dean had temporarily vanished.
Trevor glanced at Wyatt. “Can I help take care of her on the days I’m here?” he asked suddenly.
Wyatt was taken aback by Trevor’s unexpected request. Moreover, he was unsure how to respond because Sadie needed special care that Trevor didn’t know how to give. He was impressed by Trevor’s obvious concern for the horse, and he wanted to encourage it. But if he agreed, he would have to limit Trevor’s involvement to simple tasks.
If Wishes Were Horses Page 11