by R. C. Ryan
He picked up his cup and drained it. “I’m really sorry to cause you folks all this pain a second time around, but you deserved to know the full story. And at least now”—he stared pointedly at Great One—“your long-held theory has been proven true. Their deaths all those years ago on a snowy road weren’t caused by alcohol or because of driving an unfamiliar vehicle.”
He jammed his hat on his head. “I’ll say good night now.”
“Thank you, Eugene.” Grace’s good manners forced her to speak over the lump in her throat.
The family sat listening to the sound of his footsteps as he crossed through the kitchen. The back door opened and closed.
In the silence that followed, Ally got slowly to her feet. “I’m sorry. I’m so very, very sorry for what my uncle did to your family.”
Reed lumbered to his feet. “Ally, this isn’t about you…”
She backed away. “Archer was my uncle. And what he did to all of you is unforgivable.”
“Ally…”
When Reed started toward her, she held out a hand. “Please. Don’t say a thing.” She looked around wildly. “I’ll…I’ll leave you all now. You deserve some privacy as you grieve.”
She hurried up the stairs. Moments later they heard the closing of her door.
Grace gathered her family close and hugged each of them in turn, though they exchanged few words before going off to their separate rooms to process in private all they’d heard.
When Reed passed Ally’s room a short time later, he could hear the sound of crying. But when he tried her door, it was locked.
“Ally. Let me in. Please.”
Though he knocked several times and called softly to her, his pleas went unanswered.
He moved stiffly on to his own room, where he lay fully dressed on his bed, too weary to bother undressing.
The wounds to his heart felt deeper than any inflicted by Archer.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kyle and Lily bounded into the kitchen, their faces wreathed in smiles.
“We’ve named all the puppies,” Lily announced.
“All of them?” Yancy turned from the stove. “Do you think that’s fair? What about the people who might want to adopt them?”
The two children seemed stunned by his question.
“Can people ’dopt them if they’re ours?” Kyle asked.
Lily shook her head and turned to Frank. “They can’t, can they, Grandpop Frank? Aren’t they our puppies?”
He shared a grin with Grace. “Well, technically, Molly is Luke’s dog, so I guess they’re yours, too. But I’m not sure Luke and Ingrid want that many dogs. Usually, when neighbors hear about a new batch of pups, they drop by to see if they may want to adopt one or two.”
The two children looked stricken.
The rest of the family struggled to hold back their smiles.
Reed, freshly showered, put an arm around Kyle’s shoulders. “How many do you want?”
The little boy’s eyes grew round. “Can I have more than one?”
Reed glanced at his brother, who was grinning like a fool. “It’ll be up to Luke. But I might put in a good word for you, little buddy.”
“Oh, boy. Come on, Lily.” He caught her hand and the two of them headed for the stairs. “Let’s go tell my mama.”
When they were gone, Grace turned to Reed. “Did you get a chance to talk to Ally last night?”
He shook his head. “She was asleep.” He thought it best not to mention what he’d heard or the fact that her door had been locked against him.
Colin poured himself a cup of coffee. “I was worried about her reaction to Eugene’s report, so I phoned Anita. She said she’s not surprised that a sensitive woman like Ally bears the burden of guilt for what her uncle did.”
Reed was instantly alert. “What’s Anita’s advice?”
Colin frowned. “She didn’t have much. Just that the two of you need to open up and be completely honest. If there’s any lingering anger on your part, you need to deal with it.”
Reed’s tone hardened. “I’ve got plenty of anger. But not toward Ally. All my anger is directed toward that lowlife uncle of hers.”
Before he could say more, Kyle and Lily came running into the kitchen. Kyle’s eyes were red with tears.
“Hey, now.” Reed dropped to his knees. “What’s wrong?”
The little boy removed his glasses and rubbed the back of his hands over his eyes. “Mama’s packing our things. She said we’re leaving.”
“She has a business to run in town.”
Kyle shook his head. “No. She said we’re leaving Montana and going back to the city.”
Reed stood up and looked at his family, who had gone ominously quiet.
He held out his hands. “Come on, Kyle. Lily.”
“Where are we going?”
“To the barn.” Over his shoulder he called, in a tone that left no doubt of his pain, “When Ally comes downstairs, tell her where she can find us.”
Ally carried her overnight bag and Kyle’s backpack down the stairs. Before stepping into the kitchen, she paused and dragged in a quiet breath, prepared to face the Malloy family. From the chorus of voices, it seemed all of them were present.
“Morning, Ally.” Frank was the first to greet her.
“Good morning.” She set the baggage in the corner of the room before straightening.
Ingrid and Nessa walked up to stand on either side of her, forming a wall of support.
“How are you feeling today?” Ingrid touched a hand to her arm.
“Fine.” Ally jerked back. “My injuries were nothing compared to Reed’s.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Great One set aside his cranberry juice, which, at his request, Yancy had spiked with a splash of vodka. “Sometimes the wounds you can’t see are the deepest.”
Ally blinked at the tone of his voice.
Before she could say a word, Yancy handed her a glass of orange juice. “How about some eggs, Ally?”
“No thanks.”
“You need protein to start the day.”
She shook her head and touched a hand to her midsection. “I couldn’t eat a thing. Really.” She looked around. “Where is Kyle?”
“Out in the barn with Reed.”
“Well, then.” She swallowed and began speaking quickly, so she wouldn’t lose her nerve. She’d spent half the night rehearsing what she would say. “I want to thank all of you for what you’ve given Kyle and me. We were homeless, and you took us in and made us feel so welcome. I can’t tell you what it has meant to me to see Kyle belonging to a family like yours, if only for a little while. And again, I realize I can never atone for the horrible crime my uncle committed against your family. I’m sure you understand why we have to leave.”
“Oh, Ally.” Grace was crying softly.
“All I ask is that one day you can forgive me.”
“Now, Ally girl…” Frank cleared his throat, struggling to find the words.
The others began offering protests.
“I quite agree.” At Great One’s booming voice, the room fell silent.
Ally’s head lowered and she stared hard at the floor.
“Dad…”
Great One hushed Grace’s words with a withering look before turning the full force of his formidable energy on Ally. “Do you recall a conversation we had one late night?”
Her head came up. She nodded.
“I told you about two impossible love matches. Two completely unsuitable couples who, beyond all rhyme and reason, meshed their lives, their ambitions, their hearts, into happily-ever-afters. Do you want that, Ally?”
“I don’t deserve…”
“That’s not what I asked. Is that what you want?”
Her voice was a whisper. “You know it is.”
“Then go get it.”
“But Reed…”
“Is a mere man, hopelessly in love with a woman who holds all the power.” He pointed to Luke and Matt. �
�Ask his brothers.”
As the old man’s tough-love strategy dawned, the two were suddenly grinning like fools.
“He’s right,” Luke said. “I’m putty in Ingrid’s hands.”
Matt followed suit. “I’d walk through fire for Nessa. And she knows it.”
Like the iconic director he was, Great One lifted an arm and pointed his fingers in imitation of the character Moses he’d directed in one of his finest films. “If that is what you want, Allison Shaw, go. And seize your impossible dream.”
The entire room went silent as Ally strode out the door.
Ally stood in the darkened entrance to the barn, not quite certain how she got here. Great One’s words had propelled her, despite all the guilt and fear that had taken over her senses. And now here she stood, watching Reed, who was kneeling beside Molly’s pen with Lily and Kyle. A half dozen balls of fluff wriggled and danced around them.
Kyle’s voice rose in a plaintive wail. “Who’s going to ’dopt Toughie when I’m gone?”
“I’ll take care of him.” Lily had her arm around the little boy, trying to soothe. “And when you come back—”
“Mama says we’re going away for good. Even if I come back when I’m old enough to leave my mama, Toughie won’t even know me.”
“He’ll know you.” Lily turned to Reed. “Won’t he?”
Reed gathered them both close. “Toughie will never forget you, little buddy. A dog’s heart is a special thing. Once he loves, that person is imprinted on his heart forever. No matter what you do, or where you go, he will know you and love you. You’re his special person. Don’t you forget that. Just the way you’re special to me.”
“You’re my special person, Reed.” Kyle started to cry. “I can’t leave you and Lily and Grandpop Frankie and Gram Gracie, and…and… everybody else. You haven’t teached me to ride a horse yet. Or how to be a cowboy. Please don’t let my mama take me away.”
“Hey, now.” Reed got to his feet and picked up the little boy, wrapping him tightly in his arms.
For a moment Kyle’s eyes were too filled with tears to see. As he slipped off his glasses and wiped them with his fists, he caught sight of a figure in the doorway. He quickly slid on his glasses, and the figure came into focus.
“Mama.”
Reed turned.
Ally had to blink several times before her own eyes were clear.
Reed stayed where he was. “Did you come to say good-bye?”
“That was my intention. But then Great One told me that was wrong. What I should be doing is seizing the impossible dream.”
Reed set Kyle on his feet. At once the little boy ran over to Lily and clutched her hand in his.
While the two watched, Reed took several steps closer to Ally, until they were inches apart.
“What’s your impossible dream, Red?”
“A year ago, I would have said I wanted a clean slate. A chance to start over. But your great-grandfather pointed out that it would mean not having my most precious gift, my son. So now this is my impossible dream.” She swept her hand. “This. Land so big and grand, it takes my breath away. Horses and puppies for my son. His best friend, Lily. A family like yours, that loves unconditionally. But most of all…you, Reed. A man so good I don’t deserve you.”
“And all along I was the one feeling unworthy.” He touched a big, rough palm to her cheek. “From the time I was a kid, all I’ve ever cared about was this ranch. And the herds. I’ve been obsessed with making it all bigger, better, more important. Since meeting you, I realize my focus is too narrow. I’ve fallen head over tin cups for a freckle-faced kid and his mother, and if you ever leave me…” He shook his head. “Please don’t go, Ally. I need you in my life. You and that little cowboy.” He turned to beckon to Kyle.
Puzzled, the little boy kept his hand firmly tucked into Lily’s as the two walked up to Reed.
Reed knelt down and whispered something to Kyle.
The boy solemnly nodded.
“You’re sure?” Reed asked.
Kyle shoved the round glasses in place before giving a wide smile.
“All right then.” Reed stood and turned to Ally. “Now that I have your son’s permission, Ally, will you marry me?”
She was struck speechless.
“Mama.” Kyle tugged on her hand. “Pleeease say yes.”
“Yes.” She knew her eyes were filling, and she didn’t want tears to mar the moment, but there was no way to stop them. Instead of words, she wrapped her arms around Reed’s neck and hugged him fiercely.
“Was that a yes?” came a chorus of voices from the doorway.
Reed and Ally turned to find the entire family gathered around the entrance to the barn.
Kyle and Lily were dancing up and down while shouting, “She said yes.”
Reed looked happier than anyone could ever recall as he stood with his arm around Ally, while the family came rushing toward them, calling out their good wishes.
Taking up the rear was Great One, leaning on Yancy’s arm.
“Well.” He was looking smug. “Since I feel I had a hand in this, I would beg a favor.”
Ally caught his hand. “Anything.”
He winked at his great-grandson. “I believe I should like to be the one to give the bride away.”
She leaned close to press a kiss to his cheek. “Nothing would make me happier.”
As the family began making their way back to the house with visions of a grand party in their minds, Reed caught Ally’s hand, holding her back.
When they were alone, he gathered her close and kissed her, pouring all his feelings into it until they were both breathless.
When at last they came up for air, he framed her face with his hands and stared hungrily into her eyes. “I’m willing to celebrate with the others right now, as long as you promise me a private celebration after Kyle’s asleep tonight.”
“It’s a promise.”
“And one of just many, I hope.”
As they turned to join the family, he kept his arm around her waist. Glancing at the brilliant blue sky, he started to chuckle. “For the first time in my life, I’m looking forward to winter. Maybe, if we’re lucky, we’ll be socked in by a blizzard, and we’ll have to come up with all sorts of ways to pass the time.”
“I like the way you think, cowboy.”
He nuzzled her ear. “Anything to please you, Red. Pleasing you is what I want for the rest of my life.”
Epilogue
Take a deep breath, Gracie girl. You can smell the crisp air of autumn.” Frank Malloy stood on the back porch with his arm around his wife, watching the activity going on around them.
The highlands were bare of herds. Some had been shipped by cattle-haulers, others moved to lower elevations for the winter.
There was a rare sense of endings and beginnings rippling through the family as they gathered for the wedding of Reed and Ally.
Tables and chairs had been set under a huge tent in the yard. Baskets of flowers appeared mysteriously overnight. A side of beef had been cooking over a fire pit all night. The wonderful perfume of barbeque permeated the air.
Yancy, directing an army of wranglers who’d been pressed into kitchen duty, was in his element.
Grace leaned close. “Look at that sky.”
Puffy white clouds floated in a sea of blue. A gentle breeze ruffled the branches of the ponderosa pines growing in profusion all across the hills.
Frank nodded. “I think Mother Nature is smiling on us in honor of this special day.” He kissed her cheek. “And lucky for us, all our chicks are here in the nest.”
“It’s been a long road, Frankie.”
“That it has, Gracie girl. But such a happy one.”
“I wouldn’t have traded it for any other.” She patted his arm before turning away. “I’m needed upstairs.”
“And I’m heading over to the meadow.”
With a kiss, the two went their separate ways.
Reed, looking handsome
in a starched white shirt and string tie, his boots polished to a high shine, sauntered downstairs to find Yancy in the kitchen, frosting a huge cake.
When the cook spotted Reed, he shooed him away. “You can’t see your wedding cake until it’s ready.”
“Okay.” Reed looked around. “Where is everybody?”
Luke stepped into the kitchen. “The women are upstairs in Ally’s room having a hen party. Nothing like a wedding to get their juices flowing. Grandpop Frankie said to get our hides over to the gravesite for our manly ritual.”
“Speaking of manly, I’d better get our little man, Kyle.”
“He’s already there. He was the first one dressed today.”
Reed grinned. “You think he’s a tad excited?”
“He’s not the only one, bro. Where’s your brain this morning?” Luke pointed to Reed’s boots. “They’re on the wrong feet.”
With a stupid grin on his face, Reed sat on a bench in the mudroom to switch his boots to the proper feet before the two brothers walked, punching each other’s shoulders and laughing like loons.
When they reached the family burial plot, Matt produced a bottle of good Irish whiskey and a tray of tumblers. After passing them around, they solemnly turned to the simple headstone of Patrick and Bernadette.
Frank lifted his drink. “Here’s to the two lovers gone too soon, yet always with us in spirit. I know they can finally rest in peace, knowing we’ve uncovered the truth. And I believe they’re smiling down on their youngest son this day, as he adds more love to our family.”