“Did you take a breath somewhere in there, Jillian, or did you somehow manage to spit all that out in one whoosh of air?”
“One whoosh, which I’m sure I won’t be able to do in about four or five months. But I’m not here to talk about me. What can I do to help, Claire? Besides murder the louse,” she tacked on.
“I hope he’s hurting,” Claire said between gritted teeth, setting her half-full glass of wine on the end table. “I know that’s a horrible thing to say, but right now I don’t care.” She swallowed hard. “Chris says he loves me but something’s missing in our relationship.”
Jillian all but snorted. “You two have been friends forever. What could possibly be missing?”
Claire stared at her hands. “Chemistry according to him,” she admitted in a whisper. “Plus he says all I ever do is work.”
Jillian leaned forward and reached for one of Claire’s hands. “He works as much as you do.” She studied her sister. “Not to be rude, but does Chris excite you?”
Claire frowned. “I might need to think about that.”
“Then the answer is no.” Jillian gave her a pointed look.
Claire’s defenses sprang to life. “Chris feels comfortable and safe to me. And we’re good friends. Best friends. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, but chemistry is the icing on the cake.” Jillian chuckled. “Sometimes almost all of the cake plus the icing.”
Claire stared at her sister. “I think you misunderstood me,” she said stiffly. “Sex with Chris is nice. Very nice.”
Jillian arched her eyebrows. “Nice works too, but you need more than that.”
“Don’t tell me what I need.” Claire’s throat burned almost as much as her anger, but she had to admit that she’d sometimes wondered if something was missing in her and Chris’s love- making. She’d decided a long time ago that it didn’t really matter, so why had she thought about it several times today? What she and Chris had shared was perfect in every other way. “I don’t know how to live without him, Jillian. We’ve been friends forever. How do you get over someone who’s been your best friend since middle school?” She buried her face in her hands and cried so hard she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. She was barely aware when Jillian took her hand and pulled her to her feet. “You and I are going out to dinner.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“Fine, you drink. I’ll eat.”
“I’m not going.” Claire tried to stare her sister down, but it was impossible with tears filling her eyes and making Jillian’s image sway as if she were floating on rolling waves. She grabbed a tissue from her pocket and wiped her cheeks dry. “You win. God knows I need to do something besides sit around and feel sorry for myself.”
Jillian studied her, lips pursed. “Good decision, but you might want to freshen your makeup before going out in public. I mean, despair is one thing, but pride trumps all. Right?”
Claire glared at her sister. “Yes, Mother,” she said, her shoulders slumping at the thought of her mom. “I want Mom here so much. I’ve wanted her all day.”
“I know,” Jillian said softly. “She was a wonderful mother and you need her right now. I already know that I’ll desperately want her here when my baby comes,” she added with a hitch in her voice.
Claire hugged her sister. “She was our rock. How does Daddy stand it?”
“Let me remind you, he wasn’t doing so hot until he met Dottie.”
“True.” Claire stepped back with a sniffle.
Jillian turned her around. “Go get yourself freshened up. I need to put some food in my empty tummy before I get sick.”
Claire hurried to her room. Getting out of the house might be good for her. God knows it couldn’t hurt. She’d cry tonight when she was alone. And tomorrow was Monday. Maybe going to work would help. She ran a list of things she needed to do through her foggy brain, praying work would help. She had to keep focused when she was dealing with numbers, so tomorrow had to be better. If it wasn’t, no way would she be able to keep the books straight for her boss.
Grateful that Jillian had stopped by, Claire quickly got herself presentable, pulled in a few deep breaths, then went to the living room and hurried her sister out the door, hoping she could keep her tears at bay until she was safely back home and alone.
****
Sam tightened the last screw on a pew in the chapel and then sat back and studied what he’d accomplished. Half the pew seats were bolted down. Half to go. Tedious work, but they looked great.
The front door swung open and Ethan Richardson walked in. “Lookin’ good, Sam. Thought I’d stop by and work a bit. That is if you can use some help.”
“I can always use help. Grab some tools and have at it.”
Ethan looked up at the huge sky lights and gave an appreciative whistle. “People will love this. Ashley was right about the dude ranch being a great wedding destination.”
“Of course she was right.” Sam shot Ethan a grin as his friend moseyed down the center aisle. “She dropped by the other day. Said it was breathtaking.”
“My sister has great taste. Too bad our first client had to cancel.”
Sam froze. “Would that be Claire Coleman?”
“You know her?” Ethan asked, arching his brows.
“Not really. She came here the day her fiancé broke up with her.” He shook his head. “She was having a rough time.”
Ethan picked up a hammer. “Did you run for the hills?”
“Nah. Someone around here has to try and give our gender a better image.”
Ethan snorted and gathered up more supplies. “You’re a better man than me. I imagine Claire’s a nice gal. She comes out to ride sometimes. My mom and her dad are pretty thick. Jim’s a good solid guy.”
Sam wasn’t surprised. Claire seemed like someone who came from good stock. “Too bad about her fiancé.”
“Yeah, but things have a way of working out. By the way, Ashley’s planning a big Valentine’s barn dance and ‘man auction’ to raise money for the Crystal Springs Animal Shelter. You ought to join us, being an animal lover and all. Plus it’s all the beer you can drink.”
It sounded pretty much like misery to Sam. “We’ll see.”
Ethan chuckled. “In other words, ‘No way in hell.’”
“You got it. Your sister knows I wouldn’t go for something like that.”
“But she’s auctioning off studly men, Sam. Think of all the attention you’d get.”
“I don’t want attention. Besides, I’m not for sale.”
“Rent. You’d be for rent and the money goes to a good cause.”
“I’ll donate to the cause, but I’m not standing around like a stud for sale.”
“I’d do it in a New York minute if I weren’t married.”
“Liar.” Sam’s thoughts skipped back to Claire Coleman, and he wondered if she would come. He seriously doubted it. She didn’t strike him as someone who would bid on a man under any circumstances, but especially not now. Then again, she was practically family to the Richardsons, so she might come to support her possible stepsister. “When is it?” he asked, surprising himself.
“The Saturday before Valentine’s Day. Look at it this way, Sam. My sister needs you to help make this a success.”
“Get real. If I come, it’ll only be to watch and donate money.” Ethan started to respond, but Sam cut him off. “Are you gonna work or just stand around jawing all afternoon?”
Grinning, Ethan set off with tools in hand, and Sam headed to the back of the chapel to get a pew out of the stack he’d hauled in yesterday. Maybe he really would drop by the dance. See if Claire was there. See how she was holding up. Find out more about her, he admitted to himself. He hadn’t met a woman who had caught his eye like she had in a long time. The thought of seeing Claire again had him whistling as he carried a pew down the aisle and began installing it.
CHAPTER TWO
Claire entered the Palm Restaurant to meet her dad and Dottie Richard
son for dinner, but what she really wanted to do was go home and crawl into her pajamas, then turn on the television and sit like a zombie in front of it all evening. She’d never had so many dinner invitations in her life as she’d had these last few weeks, and while part of her appreciated everyone’s concern, mostly she wished they would all leave her alone.
She was doing okay. In fact, better than okay. She was finally mad and that sure beat the bone-deep pain that had plagued her at the beginning of her and Chris’s split. She still wasn’t sleeping well, though. A fact that was hard to hide with the raccoon eyes she sported these days. She scanned the restaurant and spotted her dad.
“Hey, Claire,” Dottie said as she approached. Her dad stood and pulled her into his arms for a quick hug. They’d always been a demonstrative family, but right now she’d just as soon everyone let up with the hugs. Every time someone pulled her close, it was all she could do not to collapse in a weepy puddle. She stepped out of her father’s embrace and sat across from him and Dottie.
Her dad scrutinized her. “You look exhausted, Claire. Are you sleeping at all?”
“I’m sleeping fine. I’ve just given up makeup.” The look on her dad’s face made her smile.
He started to say something, but Dottie cut him off. “She’s teasing, Jim. Of course she’s not sleeping well.”
Claire sighed. “Caught. But I am doing a little better lately.” Which wasn’t a total lie.
Dottie smiled. “It’s hard to cope when you aren’t getting much sleep. I’ve found that exercise helps me. I had knee replacement surgery a while back, and it wasn’t until I could start walking again, that I was able to get a decent night’s rest.”
“I’ve been pretty slack at the gym,” Claire admitted, wishing she was home on her comfy couch. She stared down at her menu and tried to concentrate long enough to decide what she wanted to eat. Nothing looked appealing.
“You can’t beat the salmon here,” Dottie said. Sure she could, Claire thought. A bag of chips and a glass of wine sounded a whole lot better than salmon right now. “Their Chardonnay goes well with the salmon,” Dottie added, giving her a knowing smile.
Claire closed her menu. “Then that’s what I’ll have. What are you two doing later this evening?”
“Not much. You want some company?” her dad asked.
“No.” Claire winced. “I mean no thank you. It’s been a long day. I’ll probably go to bed early.”
“I have an idea,” her dad said with a forced smile. “Ashley is putting together a Valentine’s barn dance and auctioning off men to raise money for the local SPCA. She told me the other day that she needed someone there to ‘help keep the bidding going’ so to speak.”
“I think I’d just as soon try and forget Valentine’s Day all together this year.”
Dottie reached across the table and patted her hand. “I doubt there will be couples there. After all, the women will be bidding for a date. It’s all in fun, and you’d get some laughs out of it if nothing else.”
Claire sincerely doubted that. “Thanks for the idea,” she said, infusing her voice with what she hoped sounded like genuine gratitude. “By the way, Dad, did you suggest my little brother invite me to his pub for a free meal? Justin’s been bugging me about it all week.”
“Justin did that? You suppose the baby of the family is starting to think about something other than himself?”
“I’m sure it was fleeting, so don’t get your hopes up. Besides, I promised Jillian I’d go there with her sometime soon when Stan-the-man’s out of town. Justin shouldn’t have to wait long since Stan travels most of the time.”
The waitress came by and took their order. As soon as she left, Dottie spoke. “I’d think it would be hard for Jillian to be alone so much, especially being pregnant.”
“She never complains, so I don’t know. My big sister has always been super independent.”
Her dad nodded. “True, but it’s nice you two are going to dinner.”
Claire took a sip of water. “It was sweet of her to invite me,” she said. Even if she would have to force herself to get out.
“I know it’s hard to make yourself socialize now, Claire, but your dad and siblings want so much to help you.” Dottie gave her an understanding smile. Claire couldn’t help but smile back. Dottie had lost her husband years ago, so she probably had a good clue what Claire was going through, and was trying to be supportive. “Think about the dance,” Dottie continued, “even if you only go long enough to get out of the house for a little while. And if you’re interested in baking, you could do that. They’ll be selling baskets of goodies that night, too.”
Claire held in a groan. “Where does Ashley get all her energy? It exhausts me just hearing about everything that woman does.”
Dottie laughed. “She practically ran me into the ground when she was a kid, so I guess she got that from her father.”
Claire felt a genuine smile cover her face. “From what I’ve heard about you, Dottie, your energy level could compete with your daughter’s any day.”
“You’ve heard wrong. Ashley wins, hands down. I do, however, have a bit more pep these days.” She cast a sideways glance at Claire’s dad, and Claire couldn’t help but notice her dad’s features soften as he smiled at Dottie.
“Any more pep and you’re going to run this old guy into the ground,” he teased.
Dottie sat up straighter. “I have an idea. Your father and I are going to the dude ranch this weekend. It’s not very booked this time of the year, so there’s plenty of room. How about you join us? I’d love for you to get to know my family better, and I know they would all enjoy getting to know you.”
“I’ll think about it.” Feeling put on the spot, Claire looked down at her hands and frantically tried to think of a nice way to get out of joining them. She was grateful when the waitress returned with their drinks. She grabbed her chardonnay and took a few sips.
“Come on, honey, “her dad coaxed. “Take time off work for a change. Ride horses. Hike. Let other people wait on you. That’s the best part,” he teased.
Claire wondered if they had a point. The thought of working all weekend wasn’t too enticing these days. Besides, what had hard work gotten her? Nothing.”
“When are you going?” she asked.
“Thursday evening.” Dottie beamed at her. “I promise you won’t regret it. There’s something about the dude ranch that’s healing.”
Claire hoped Dottie was right, because right now she could sure use some healing. “You talked me into it. I’ll see you there Friday, probably mid-morning.”
The wide smile on her dad’s face made her heart expand with love. If her father could start to heal after losing her mom, then it was time she at least made an effort to quit feeling sorry for herself. She’d never taken off from work for much of anything, and certainly not to lounge around and be waited on, but it was obviously time for her to make changes in her life, so she might as well go for it.
She raised her glass of wine. “Here’s to a great weekend.”
****
Sam plugged the radio into the electrical outlet and turned up the volume before taking time to admire the intricate woodwork he had been carving all week. This little chapel was turning out sweet, if he did say so himself. Grinning, he glanced outside, enjoying the bright sun sparkling off of another snowfall. Earlier, he’d seen rabbit tracks when he’d walked around outside. He’d also seen paw prints smudged with blood and wondered whose dog was roaming the pasture hurt. He hoped it wasn’t hurt too bad. He’d be sure and put out a dish of water before he left tonight, even though it’d be frozen by morning.
A few hours later, his growling stomach prompted him to turn off the saw and head for his truck, where he’d left his lunch. When he opened the door to the chapel, a German shepherd lay curled up in the corner of the porch, licking his front left paw which was bloody and mangled.
The dog raised its head when Sam stepped outside, and the look in his eyes told S
am the dog was in pain. “Hey there, big boy. I won’t hurt you.” He eased around the hurt animal and hurried to his truck for his lunch, grabbed a couple bottles of water, then headed back. The dog watched every move he made, and when Sam got too close to him, a low growl warned him to stay back. Sam slowly knelt, pulled out half his chicken sandwich and tossed it to the dog, who snatched it up. Opening a bottle of water, Sam poured water into the cap of his thermos, set it down slowly, then nudged it close to the dog. Next he pulled out his phone and called Hank, glad there was a veterinarian close by. He’d know what to do and how to do it. For now, Sam didn’t dare get any closer to this dog. He was in pain and scared. Bad combination.
“Hey Hank. I found a dog outside the chapel with a mangled paw. Looks like it got caught in some kind of trap. Thought you might be able to come take a look.”
“Sure thing. Don’t feed it anything. I’ll want to x-ray the foot and will probably need to sedate him.”
“Too late. Poor pooch was hungry.”
“I’ll be right up. Don’t give it anymore food or water.”
Sam sat on the steps talking soft and easy to the dog, who finally lowered his head back down on the porch, but kept his eyes on Sam.
“It’s gonna be okay, big boy. Help’s on the way.”
The dark, soulful eyes watched him intently, but the dog’s ears relaxed somewhat from their earlier full-alert position. When Hank pulled up and got out, the dog’s ears pricked back up and he raised his head, dark eyes glued on Hank.
“That’s what I call a good looking shepherd,” Hank said, squatting down beside Sam. “Thanks for calling me. You’re right. From the looks of that paw he got hung up in a trap. Better not be on my land, or someone’s going to hear from the law.” He eased his palm out with a piece of raw hamburger and waited.
“Thought you said not to feed it.”
“I’m giving him a sedative, so I can carry him to the truck without losing an arm. Definitely need to x-ray that paw and make sure there are no broken bones.” Hank looked up and swept his eyes over the fields that surrounded them, then glanced back at the dog and edged closer. “Where’d you get hung up, boy?” he asked, holding the meat out in the palm of his hand. The dog watched him, but showed no sign of friendliness. Hank tossed him the meat, and he snatched it up and swallowed it whole. “I’ll ride out later and take a look around,” Hank said. “The snow will make it easy to track where he’s been. Want to help me lift him?”
Going to the Chapel Page 2