by Debra Holt
“If that wasn’t shock enough, it seemed that Barclay and his wife were never divorcing… and it was clear she was expecting their first child. There was a scene in my office afterwards between the three of us which I am not proud of my part in it. I’m not proud of any of it. I was a stupid little fool who let my ego and ill-placed trust in a man turn me into someone I never knew I could be. I left the firm and then with everything going on with dad and this property a month later… it was time for the move. There you have the not so very pretty and most shameful event in my life to date.”
Ty didn’t speak right away. His hand simply moved a couple of inches from his thigh to cover hers as it lay between them. The warmth of it and the firm grasp spoke volumes to Calla’s brittle heart. Why did her chest feel less constricted in that moment? She could actually breathe without making a conscious effort. Something had lifted, and something had come alive in the center of her chest. Something that had needed a boost.
“The only shame would be if you let it color your whole life and never learned a lesson from any of it. You moved on and letting it go to disappear in the past only makes you stronger going forward. Thank you for sharing this part of your life with me.”
Calla met his honest gaze and somehow her hand managed to turn over, her fingers intertwining with the ones who still held hers in his grasp. It was the most natural thing in the world to watch his mouth move to hers. Her eyelids closed just as bright sparks shot off beneath them, when the warmth from him flashed through her veins and ignited the flame inside her that only he seemed to be able to find.
His lips were intent on kissing away any remaining pain or doubt from her. There wasn’t passion in it. There was comfort, tenderness, and a promise. A promise of what? She was okay with not having the answer. Somehow, she knew it would come in its own time. The only disappointment came when the kiss lessened and then released her lips and he drew his head away… but not all that far. His forehead touched hers and she was aware his breathing seemed to be in need of some moments to resume its normal rate, much the same for her heart.
“I knew the minute I laid eyes on you, Calla Rose, that you were going to stir some things up around here. I just didn’t know it would involve so much of me. That being said, I think it’s best I skip dessert tonight and hit the road home while I still have the willpower to do so.”
He didn’t expect a reply from her, and he didn’t wait for one. A swift kiss went to her forehead and then he pushed himself out of the swing. Placing his hat on his head, he gave a quick scratch behind Tiger’s ear as he passed her perch. He didn’t look back and Calla didn’t call to him … even though she experienced a sudden desire to do just that. Something had changed, and she had no idea what to do about it. Change was good… wasn’t it?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“I have arrived. Let the games begin.” The words preceded Jaz’s entrance. She came into the dance hall with a bright red spangled bag over one shoulder, huge sunglasses with pink lenses, and a rolling suitcase with bright white stars all over its sides. Straight legged jeans and a white, off-the shoulder blouse seemed understated in comparison with her accessories. The glasses were pushed to the top of her head as she breezed farther into the room.
Calla sent a brief, worried glance to the pair of young workers who came to a halt at the sight of Jaz. Their perch on top of the tall ladders as they were trying to secure the banner over the stage area was not the best location to not be paying attention to what one was doing. All thoughts of their job had evidently flown out of their minds.
“Bradley, Brandon… you two may want to finish up and get over to the arena. I told Chief Reid you’d be along in a few minutes.”
“Uh…oh, yes ma’am, Miss Rose.”
“We’re on it, ma’am.” The pair returned their attention to the matter at hand, albeit with shades of pink highlighting their cheeks at being caught out in their staring.
Calla gave her sister a long look as she crossed to give her a welcoming hug. Jaz just smiled, tossed her head and gave her one of her ‘what did I do?’ looks.
“We have just enough time to get your luggage over to the house before we have to be on our way to the diner, pick up Darcy’s pies, and then get them and the beer and soft drinks that are already loaded in the back of our truck, out to the barbeque site on time.” Calla took hold of the rolling suitcase and turned them both toward the outer door.
Jaz gave her a mock salute. “Yes, Drill Sergeant, at your command.” Calla just shot her a silent look.
“These pies look good enough to eat.” Jaz made the comment twenty minutes later as she balanced the box with two of them on her lap and kept her eye on the box on the back seat with three others inside. Darcy had made her promise to get them to the meal without any mishap. “Surely no one would miss one pie?”
Calla shot her a quick look as she headed the truck out of town. “If you have a death wish, go for it. Darcy is not someone I would mess with over her pies.”
“Okay, okay. But I’m starving. I hope we get to the eating part of this event soon. I skipped breakfast and had a sandwich for lunch in order to finish the orders for the rest of the week at the restaurant and get on the road sooner.”
“Trust me… the men have been cooking all sorts of meat for a couple of days now. I’m sure Ty and the crew have everything under control on that front.”
Jaz sent a grin in Calla’s direction. “So… speaking of the men, how is Ty doing? Guess he hasn’t had much time to miss me?”
Calla did a slow count in her brain. She knew what her sister was up to and refused to bite. “I really couldn’t speak for him on that issue.”
“Oh, for crying out loud.” Jaz gave up the indirect tactic. “How are things progressing with you two? You haven’t done a good job of keeping me updated. That’s not very nice of you.”
“There’s nothing to update.”
“And I think your nose just grew a good inch there. Try that again.”
It would be nice to dish a bit with her sister. She missed having that opportunity more than she thought she would… especially now that things did seem to be changing with the cowboy mayor. “We’ve had lunch and a dinner or two together. Maybe he’s not as opinionated or obnoxious as I first thought. He does have moments where he’s really… nice.”
“Nice.” Jaz shook her head. “Let me make this easier. Has he kissed you? And I don’t mean just a little goodnight peck on the cheek. Has he made your toes curl and your insides quake and your…”
“And that’s far enough.” Calla put an end to where Jaz might be heading next. “There has been a kiss or two. That’s all I’m saying. Don’t go reading anything into it… I am no way ready to have any relationship with any guy.”
“Ah…but Ty is not just any guy. You and I both know that. Even Lily has him pegged as the one to break down that wall of yours.”
Calla wasn’t about to get drawn any further into such a conversation. Thankfully, they were just about at their destination. “Just try to behave and not embarrass either of us tonight?”
“No promises.” Jaz flashed a sweet smile and licked her lips as she spied the group already gathering at Ty’s ranch. “I think this will be a fun evening.”
Jaz wasted little time in making her presence known with the group that had already gathered and was setting up tables and chairs on the patio under the trees. Evidently Ty had put up strings of white lights along the branches of the big trees and it was looking quite festive. The smell of the pits was filling the air with great aromas.
“We’re here to help unload,” Reid spoke up as he and a couple of other men strode up to join Calla at the back of the truck.
“Thanks guys.” She smiled at them, opening the tailgate of the truck and stepping back. “I appreciate your help. If you’ll get these drinks, then I’ll grab the pies from the back seat.”
Calla concentrated on not dropping the box of pies, while darting a quick glance around the yard and patio
area for a certain tall figure. She came up empty. She joined Jaz at the dessert table and placed the pies on the long table, along with the other cookie plates and a carrot cake.
“We need some more napkins and dessert forks, I think.” Jaz looked around.
“They’re probably more in the kitchen. I’ll get them.”
Calla entered the kitchen and saw a stack of paper goods on the credenza. She gathered up a couple of packs of plates and looked around for the forks.
“Well, this is a nice surprise in my kitchen.”
She swung in the direction of the voice to find Ty had come in through the hallway door and was buttoning the last button on the sleeve of his shirt.
“I spilled barbeque sauce on the front of my last shirt, so I had to come in and change. Looks like we’re almost done with everything and the party can begin.” His smile grew warmer as his gaze swept over her. “And you certainly will be the prettiest lady here… nice country girl duds.”
Calla swept her gaze from his and smoothed her palms over the sides of the short denim skirt. The bright red and blue checked halter top was chosen to help keep her cool in the summer night air, but the temperature was definitely heating upward in the kitchen. “Thanks. My three-piece suits have definitely been ‘retired’ to the attic.”
“Well, you look amazing no matter what you wear.”
Oh geez. Cheeks heating up. “I think starving people are waiting outside. What do we need to do to get the party started?”
“We can start with this.” Ty stepped forward and his hands on her shoulders drew her into his chest as his head dipped to hers. His kiss tasted minty and warm and so very nice. Not to mention that the heart rate kicked up and her pulses zoomed around her body in their usual response to the man. Her fingers splayed across the broad chest and they ached to get beneath the cloth to the flesh beneath.
“Oops, isn’t this awkward, but I was sent to grab another pan for the ribs.” Davis McKenna had entered the kitchen and then stopped when he saw the pair. Calla stepped back in a quick move and Ty seemed to be the only one at ease in the moment. He smiled and moved toward the island, opening a drawer and taking out a long pan. He handed it over to the man.
“I’ll bring the rolls out and the sliced watermelon trays. Calla, can you grab the extra utensils and plates? Let’s get these people fed.” An awkward moment was soon smoothed over by the host.
If there was any worry on Calla’s part that there would be any awkward moments to come, she shouldn’t have had any. Everyone seemed to be in a festive mood and the talk and laughter never faltered, except when people were eating.
“If you ever get tired of McKenna Springs, you can move to the city, cook your barbeque and sell it out of a food truck,” Jaz commented across the table to Ty, accepting the plate of brisket making the rounds along her side of the table. She helped herself to another slice before passing it onward.
“Well, thank you for that, Jaz. But I shared chef duties with Reid down there,” he responded, his head nodding to his left where Reid sat next to Darcy and the police chief.
Jaz didn’t say anything but did send a smile in the fire chief’s direction. Reid nodded his head in response and turned back to catch whatever Darcy was saying. Others might not have noticed, but Calla did note how quickly the smile left her sister’s face as she downed her head a bit and kept her attention on her plate. So, what’s that about?
“Calla, we are so excited about being able to have such a celebration here in McKenna,” Mel Crawford spoke beside her. “It’s so incredible to think the Yellow Rose has been in operation for ninety years. Your family can be very proud of carrying on that tradition. I also saw the gardens around your home are looking lovely once again. With all you do, you have a green thumb also?”
“Oh no,” Calla shook her head. “I am strictly involved with the running of the dance hall. The gardening is all done by our youngest sister, Lily. She inherited that talent from our mom. Jaz and I did not.”
“Little Lily! I do remember her. Such a sweet, smart little girl. Seemed she always had her head stuck in a book whenever I saw her. Will she be coming for the celebration?”
“Yes, she’ll be here tomorrow.”
“That’s wonderful. Is she married?”
The question caught Calla up short for a moment. Jaz jumped in. “Afraid not, Mrs. Crawford. We’re all going to be known as the three spinsters of Rose Hill.”
“That’ll be the day,” Darcy chimed in to the conversation. “You three might be more selective than most, but you won’t be spinsters. And why is that the men at this table, with the exception of our mayor and a couple of others here, aren’t spoken for either, but they aren’t considered spinsters… only us unmarried females? Talk about double standards.”
“And I think it’s time for you to cut those pies you brought for dessert,” Davis spoke up, saving his fellow bachelors. “The soapbox was supposed to stay in the car, remember dear sister?”
She stuck her tongue out at her brother as she went to stand. “Desserts coming up. But the subject isn’t going away… just postponed dear brother.” That brought knowing looks and laughter around the table. Darcy could give as good as she got in any argument or subject. But anyone would be hard put to find a brother and sister closer to each other in temperament and respect for each other.
Calla and Jaz went to help Darcy plate the pies and then carried them around the long tables, serving those who still had room for sweets. Coffee came next.
As people were enjoying the desserts, the mayor rose from his chair and cleared his throat a time or two and then spoke in a voice loud enough to carry down the length of the eight long tables that had been connected end to end and covered in blue and white checked cloths. “You all can keep eating and drinking, but I think it’s time that we shared some words of thanks. First of all, let’s raise our glasses and salute all the cooks who put on this feast tonight. It was outstanding.” Everyone voiced their agreement on that score.
Ty asked that the members of the coordinating committee rise from their chairs. Calla and the rest did so. “These are the hardest working group of people I have been privileged to work alongside these past few weeks. The success of our endeavor will be in large part to them. Thanks to each of you for your hard work.” Applause was immediate. They resumed their chairs. Jaz sent a huge wink in her sister’s direction.
“We have some guests with us tonight, that in case you haven’t had a chance to meet and greet them yet, I hope you get the opportunity to do so later. Without their benevolence, our rodeo would not have been possible, and we certainly would never have been able to have such an outstanding group of PRCA cowboys and cowgirls signed up to make our first annual rodeo a huge success even before the first animal has come out of the chute. Everyone has heard of the Tremayne Family Stock Contracting Company. They are the best of the best and now they are our neighbors in Farris, Texas. Tonight, we have Tucker Tremayne, Senior and Tucker Tremayne, Junior, the managing director, with us.” The elder gentleman and his son rose and accepted the plague that Ty presented on behalf of the council.
“I’ll sit down in just a second, but I have a message to deliver to everyone from a couple who have done a good deal and are donating a lot more to make the entertainment level of this event excellent. Amanda Sterling has been such a hard-working member of our community and I am pleased she happened to marry a man who she has donated his time to our project too.” This brought loud laughs and nods. Amanda had married one of country music’s hottest performers, and a local boy made good… J.D. Sterling. They had settled on a ranch just outside McKenna Springs.
“The Yellow Rose will be on fire…not literally, sorry about that Reid.” Ty looked in the direction of the fire chief who was shaking his head. “J.D. Sterling will be playing to a sell-out crowd. His message to all of you is that he promises to raise the roof.” Applause and hoots rose around the tables. “So enjoy the rest of the food, drinks, and your neighbors. T
omorrow starts early!”
“Let’s help clear tables and then we need to get home. That alarm is going to sound off very early.” Calla handed Jaz a tray of glasses to take into the house.
“Early as in?”
“You can wave to the sun as it comes up.” Calla gave her sister a wink and headed toward the back door with her own tray.
Ty met her at the porch, reaching out and taking the tray from her. His shoulder held open the door for her and then for Jaz. Darcy was putting things away in the refrigerator and freezer. Reid and Davis were sacking trash and emptying ice chests.
“You ladies don’t need to worry about the rest of this stuff. I’ve got a crew to help me and we’ll have things done in nothing flat. You both need to get on the road home.” His voice carried over to the woman at the cabinet. “That means you too, Darcy. Thanks for the extra hands you brought along for setup and tear down.”
“Sounds good to me,” Jaz said, sliding her tray onto the cabinet. “I haven’t even unpacked yet. The boss here had me on a strict schedule the moment I arrived.” She sent a look across at her sister.
Ty grinned, his eyes moving over to Calla. “Now why don’t I find that hard to believe?”
Calla shook her head, bringing her purse straps up and over her shoulder. “This is where we leave since our services aren’t needed. Thanks everyone for such a great evening.” Her smile encompassed everyone in the room. They all responded in kind.
“I’ll see you ladies to your truck.” Ty opened the back door for them.
“I’ll race you two and will win.” Jaz left them in her wake. Calla knew that it was just another of her sister’s attempts to leave her and Ty together. She had an idea he did too, after catching the slight upward tilt at the corner of his mouth.