by Tina Leonard
“I get the sense the brothers didn’t get along, but I don’t know why I feel that way.” Santana gulped his whiskey, taking a deep breath. “It must have been hard as hell for Dad to admit he screwed up and go to his brother for a bailout.”
“I think Dad got taken advantage of.” Sierra wiped her eyes, and Romero handed her a tissue. “Surely his debts weren’t so high that he had to sign away everything. It’s all that CIA bullshit, and Marshall probably knew he had Dad beat. I feel sorry for Dad.”
Santana shook his head. “It doesn’t matter now. What we have to focus on is what we’re going to do.”
“We’re going to stick together,” Sierra said, “and that means you, too, Luke. No one is going to tear us apart. We’re a family, no matter what.”
They sat silently, considering the new world they found themselves inhabiting. Sierra was right: they had to stick together, no matter what the future held.
“I can start looking for a place tomorrow,” Santana said. “It won’t be big, and it won’t have land. We’ll have to rent, I would imagine, because none of us have the credit or funding to buy a house.”
“Unbelievable,” Cisco said. “But I’m twenty-five, healthy, and strong. I can join the military, learn a trade, see the world. Some of it, anyway.”
Luke nodded. “I’ll join you. They’ll be happy to take a twenty-three-year-old.”
Sierra gasped. “I’m twenty-two.”
They all looked at her.
“Yes, you are,” Santana said, nodding. “I’m twenty-nine, and Romero’s twenty-seven. We’ll all young enough to get over this, start over, build again. If Dad could do it with all the challenges he had, we can, too. We’ll support each other.”
Sierra looked hopeful. “Maybe we have parents somewhere who might want to—”
“No,” Santana told his sister gently. “Most likely not. If they’d wanted us to know, they would have found us. Or Dad would have told us.” He brushed his sister’s long hair over her shoulder and put her head against his chest. “Enough has been stirred up already. I vote we move forward.”
“Seconded,” Luke said. “I don’t really care to find someone who gave me up in the first place.”
“That’s harsh,” Sierra said. “We don’t know the circumstances.”
“Sorry,” Luke said, a touch of bitterness in his tone. “I just don’t care about anyone outside of this room.”
They sat quietly in front of the fire, lost in their thoughts. It wasn’t going to be easy, Santana knew—but they’d get through it.
Their father had left them a legacy, which included independence. Strength. And love.
It was enough.
• • •
There were three weeks until Christmas, the days marching swiftly toward the holidays. Star Canyon was in a festive mood. Pets who came in to see Emma wore cheerful bandanas with candy canes or trees on them. But Emma hadn’t seen Santana again. She’d heard about him only through the Star Canyon grapevine.
The grapevine had been humming.
Mary Chapman handed her two bags of leftover scraps for Gus and Bean. “There’s no reason to let these go to waste. It’s just some bones and a few bits of leftover things that your new babies might like.”
Emma smiled. “Thank you. They’ll appreciate it.”
“There might be some extra in case you have any new strays come in,” Mary said.
It happened often enough that Star Canyon stayed on the lookout for animals that had been dumped by uncaring owners. And what was in the bag wouldn’t be scraps so much as Mary’s weekly offering of chicken and other meats to try to lessen the burden on Emma’s clinic. “You have a generous heart, Mary Chapman.”
“And you do a good deed by helping out unlucky pets. Now, how about you?”
Emma glanced at the menu. “I’m starved. How about your cucumber sandwich and fruit plate?”
Mary smiled, her eyes bright and cheerful as always. “I guess you’ve heard the Darks moved out of their house.”
Emma stared at Mary, whose expression had, for once, turned quite serious. “I didn’t know.”
“Apparently Sonny left everything to a brother nobody here ever knew about. The estate was settled last week, and now some out-of-towner owns it all.”
Emma froze, stunned, her heart breaking for the Dark family. Mary’s worried eyes reflected her own inner sympathy. “I can’t believe it.”
Mary sat down, straightening her blue shirtwaist dress with a sigh. “It’s tragic. And I’ve heard that Luke and Cisco might enlist. Maybe Romero, too. Obviously everything has changed for them.”
“What about the fire department?”
“We’ll be short-handed in Star Canyon, but that’s the way things go. They have to earn a living now. A small-town fire department can’t pay them what they’d need to have homes of their own. Of course, they weren’t paying anything for their living situation before.”
“Why would Sonny do such a thing?” Emma asked.
“Rumor has it he had made poor financial decisions and had no choice. He’d always focused his kids on community service and taking care of Star Canyon. But we’re a poor town, really. Artists like to live here because it’s inexpensive. Obviously, the Darks will have to find another way to survive.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“No one does. No one had a clue Sonny was in trouble.”
“What is Santana planning to do?” Emma’s heart practically stood still. The last thing she wanted to hear Mary say was that Santana would go back into the military—but it made sense that he would.
“Santana found a house to lease. Captain Martin had a small place outside of town.” She got up to greet some customers, came back a moment later with two glasses of tea for them. “The Captain has a few rental properties, so he offered one to the Darks.”
The captain of the fire department, Phil Martin, and his wife, Honey, lived in separate houses, and they had for years. No one ever spoke of their odd living arrangement because both Honey and Phil were loved in the town. Honey worked across the street at the small Star Canyon library. Phil kept a few head of cattle, but made extra income by keeping up old houses and renting them out. “It was nice of Phil to help them.”
Mary was always happy to talk—discreetly—about the Captain. “Anyway, it’s a place for them to start over. They’ve been moving their clothes out. That’s all they have. Furniture, dishes, everything else, stays with the ranch.”
“You mean they literally have to leave every single thing behind?”
“Personal items and clothes go with them. Everything else was needed to pay back the debts.”
Emma shook her head. The Darks had always been very generous with their time in Star Canyon. It seemed too cruel that along with suffering the death of their beloved father, they should be homeless.
“They’ll rebuild,” Mary said. “They’re strong, tough. True Star Canyon tough.” She put a hand on Emma’s briefly. “Anyway, he’ll be by to see you once he gets things settled, I’m sure.”
Emma felt herself blush. “Mary—”
“I know how you feel about that big bear of a man. Your secret’s safe with me. I’ll get you those cucumber sandwiches now. And you’re going to love the fruit I got from the roadside vendors. Beautiful.”
She went off, back to being her happy self. Emma didn’t think Mary had many bad days—even if the love of her life, Captain Martin, would never be hers.
Emma glanced at her watch. She really needed to get back to the clinic; her lunch hour was half gone. But she was dying to find Sierra. They were close to being the same size, in case she needed to borrow any clothes. And Emma had some extra furniture that was too girly for the men, but might suit Sierra until she got back on her feet.
She’d forgotten to ask where the Darks were renting their new place. She knew where a few of Phil’s properties were, and none were far. It would be easy to get furniture over there if she borrowed a truck.
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br /> But thinking about furniture didn’t keep her mind off of Santana and his family.
As if she’d conjured them, Sierra and Santana walked in, heading straight to her table when they saw her.
“Can we join you?” Sierra asked, sliding in instantly when Emma nodded.
Santana didn’t quite meet her gaze the way he had before. She sensed a new reserve in his manner, and her heart cracked a little.
“I’m sure you’ve heard things have been a little crazy around our place.” Sierra smiled, determined to be positive about everything. “We have a new home.”
“I just heard.” Across the table, Santana’s demeanor was foreboding and maybe a little aloof. “I’m so sorry,” she said, barreling ahead with her true feelings.
“It’s all right. We’ll be fine. It was just a shock, that’s all.” Sierra took a deep breath. “What are you eating?”
“Cucumber sandwiches,” Emma said miserably. “What can I do to help you guys?”
Mary came over to the table with two glasses of tea. “Hello, friends and neighbors.”
“Hi, Mary,” Sierra said. “What’s good today?”
“Whatever you want is on the house,” Mary said.
“We don’t need anything on the house,” Santana said. “We can pay, Mary.”
Mary’s face fell.
“Santana!” Sierra socked her brother in the arm. “I’m so sorry, Mary! My brother must be suffering from asshole-itis today!” She patted Mary’s arm. “We’ll have cucumber sandwiches like Emma.” Sierra glanced at her brother. “Maybe throw a little chicken on my brother’s sandwich. I think he’s suffering from hunger or something that brought out the rude in him.”
“No problem,” Mary murmured, hurrying off.
Emma averted her gaze, swamped in misery.
“I think I’ll get going,” Santana said.
“No, you won’t.” Sierra glared at her brother. “You’ll sit here and not insult any more of our lifelong friends.”
To Emma’s surprise, Santana sighed and did exactly as his sister demanded.
“We’re not in our best place, mentally,” Sierra said. “Forgive us.”
Santana looked at Emma. “How are the boys?”
“Growing too fast. We’re working on basic commands, now that they’ve settled in a bit.” She looked at Sierra, not able to meet Santana’s gaze any longer. “If you want a job, I always need help at the vet clinic.”
Sierra looked up. “Me? Oh, no, thank you. That’s so sweet of you.” She beamed. “I’m thinking about opening a bridal shop.”
Santana groaned. “We don’t need fairy tales right now, Sierra. We need cold, hard reality.”
“I’m done with reality.” She took a deep breath. “We don’t talk about it, but it destroyed us when Dad died. And maybe it was harder on you than the rest of us because you couldn’t be here for his memorial. You weren’t here the night Captain Martin came to tell us what happened.”
Emma wished she were anywhere but here during this private family moment. She could hear the shattered anguish in Sierra’s voice; nothing had ever torn Emma so much.
“Santana, we lost our home, and those asshole lawyers say we’re not a family. That Dad was some sort of operative who lived a high-risk lifestyle and developed problems later.” She shook her head. “I’m done with that reality. I’m either opening a bridal shop and spending my time around happy people, or I’m joining the fire department.” She pinned her brother with a steely gaze. “Frankly, I’m more suited to the fire department, but I think it would kill you if I did it.”
“No,” Santana said quietly. “No fires.”
“Then support me,” Sierra said. “You’re not the only lost soul around here.”
Emma glanced at Santana, surprised to find his gaze on her. She tried to smile, freezing when Sierra suddenly gasped. “What’s our worst nightmare doing here?”
Emma whipped around to see what a worst nightmare looked like. For one thing, he was really handsome. They weren’t the only ones gawking—strangers came through Star Canyon to visit the artists’ galleries, and for the occasional stroll through a town that time seemed to have forgotten—but they didn’t look like this man.
He was strong and tall. His hair was cut in a classic style, the brown-and-gold sun streaks natural from being outdoors. He looked like he spent a lot of time outside, though his suit said otherwise.
“What’s he doing here?” Sierra demanded again, her tone bitter.
“Coming to see his new house. Remember, he either has to take it over or sell it.” Santana rose. “If you can’t beat them, join them, right?”
“What are you doing?” Sierra hissed at her brother, but it was too late. Santana walked over to the newcomer, greeting him, if not warmly.
Emma was astonished when he brought the man to their table.
“Have a seat,” Santana said. “This is my sister, Sierra.”
“I remember.” He nodded, saying nothing else.
Sierra glared at him.
“And this is Emma Glass, our resident vet. Emma, this is Nick Marshall.”
Emma didn’t know what to do other than put out her hand for him to shake.
“Nice to make your acquaintance, Emma.” He didn’t let the lack of warmth from her or her friend daunt him as he took the seat next to Emma.
Never had a booth felt so small. Emma glanced at Sierra, distressed, but her friend’s gaze was locked on Nick, with no apparent need to hide her feelings.
“This is awkward as hell,” Nick said.
“We’re going to have to work around it.” Santana waved Mary over, and Mary came running with a menu, eager to be included. “Mary, this is Nick Marshall. He’s come out to see our old place.”
“Welcome to Star Canyon, Nick,” Mary said, apparently the only one of them with any real manners, Emma thought.
Nick glanced at Sierra, who was most decidedly not friendly. “Thank you.”
“What can I get you?”
“Ah—” Nick began, and Emma thought he really didn’t want to eat with them.
“You might like a chicken sandwich on fresh-baked bread,” Mary suggested.
Nick shot a careful look at Santana’s plate. “Coffee, please. Black.”
Mary looked distressed, and maybe a little embarrassed. Aware that he might look like he was too good for the locals, Nick cleared his throat. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’ll have some of those cucumber sandwiches everyone else is having.”
Everyone stared at him, but Nick seemed oblivious. “My mother made cucumber sandwiches,” he said with a smile meant to put Mary at ease. “I haven’t had one in many years, and those look delicious.”
Sunshine parting clouds couldn’t have looked brighter than the smile on Mary’s face. She hurried off to get Nick’s order.
Santana cleared his throat. “We’re not always socially awkward.”
“Yes, we are,” Sierra said, determined. “This is a small town. We do awkward very well.”
Nick smiled at Emma. “So, a vet.”
She nodded. “Yes. I took over my father’s practice last year.” She couldn’t have said why she was suddenly determined to make him feel more comfortable, except that everyone at the table was behaving like they were completely different people than they normally were. “You’ll call me for any problems you might have with your cattle.”
That fell on the table like a stack of wet newspapers no one wanted.
“Big and small animal vet?” Nick asked curiously, not seeming to notice the pointed disregard coming from Sierra.
“Yes. Until someone comes along that wants to join my practice and take one side or the other, I’m doing both.”
“I’m not going to keep the cattle,” Nick said, and Sierra stiffened. “Or the horses, I imagine.”
Sierra got up. “I’m going. Santana, you can get a ride from Nick. He won’t mind taking you to our old home, I’m sure.”
She went off, a blur of tight jeans
and a rose-printed western shirt that for some reason seemed to catch Nick’s eye. Probably didn’t see too many real, honest-to-goodness cowgirls wherever it was that he came from. “I’m going to go with your sister,” Emma said, hopping up so the two men could talk. “Nice meeting you, Nick.” She hurried out after Sierra.
“Sierra, wait! I’ll drive you.” Emma caught up to her friend.
“No, thanks. I just want to…I don’t know. Get away from this town for a while. Maybe forever.” She got into her truck and drove away. Emma stared after her, feeling sad for her, for the whole Dark family.
“You left this,” she heard behind her, and whirled to find Santana staring down at her. He handed over the doggie bag Mary was donating to her new puppies. “Gus and Bean would appreciate it if you don’t leave it behind.”
“Thank you,” Emma said, breathless suddenly in the cold bursts of icy breeze blowing up under her collar. “I’m so sorry about everything.”
“I know. So am I.”
He tipped his hat and went back inside. Emma stared after him, realizing with a sinking heart that the old Santana she’d waited so long for him to return home had changed overnight. Changed into someone who clearly wanted to forget about their kiss, and the closeness that had been developing between them since he’d come back to Star Canyon.
Without him saying a word, she could tell it was over before it had even gotten started.
Which broke her heart, that heart that had waited almost half her life for him to realize that he was the only man she could ever truly love.
• • •
Santana took a second to eyeball Nick before he returned to his seat. He had to give the man credit; he didn’t look as uncomfortable as he had to feel.
Then again, commercial real estate was the kingdom Nick’s father—Santana’s mysterious uncle-in-name-only—had built. A ranch was probably nothing to him. Just business as usual.
“Sorry about that. I didn’t tell my sister you were coming out.” He sighed. “I was going to, but I got sidetracked.” He’d chickened out, he realized, and Sierra had paid the price. And Nick.
“No problem. I understand.” Nick sipped his coffee, and Santana had to work really hard to remember that he wasn’t supposed to like this guy. There was no reason to like him. They were on opposite sides of a very messed up situation. But Nick seemed determined to let all the bad vibes wash right over him.