by Judy Duarte
“Need any help?” Catherine asked.
Eva turned and smiled. “Thanks, but I’ve got it under control. How was the barbecue?”
“It was fun. The food was great, the music, too. And I really enjoyed the people I met.”
“I’m sorry we missed it, but I couldn’t take Kevin after he twisted his ankle.”
“Where is he?”
“Dan took him to the Urgent Care in town to have an X-ray. We really don’t think he fractured it, but it was still swollen and sore this morning. So we wanted to get a doctor’s opinion—and to make sure he didn’t have any serious tissue damage.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier,” Catherine said. “I could have watched the kids for you. Then you both could have taken him to the doctor.”
“No, Dan can handle it. Besides, Kaylee has a friend over today, and it was important that I stayed home for that.”
Catherine took a seat at the table. As she did so, she realized that the house was unusually quiet. “Where are the little ones?”
“Uncle Pete took them on a nature walk. Then he’s going to put on a cartoon movie at his house and feed them lunch. I wanted Kaylee and Shauna to have some time alone so they could get to know each other better.”
“Kaylee introduced me to her. She seems like a nice little girl, but I feel sorry for her.”
“You don’t know the half of it,” Eva said, her voice lowered. “Her mother died when she was just a toddler. And somehow, she ended up with the stepfather. When he went to prison, she was placed in foster care. From what I understand, her maternal grandmother finally got custody, only to be diagnosed with terminal cancer a few months later. The poor kid has really been through a lot.”
“I’m glad Kaylee is reaching out to her. How did you meet her?”
“Jane Morrison, one of the women in our church, is her new foster parent. And she asked if we could help with the transition.” Eva turned back to her work long enough to put the veggies into the Crock-Pot, then she washed her hands at the sink. “How about a cup of herbal tea? I just put on a pot of water to heat.”
“Sounds good.”
Eva carried the sugar bowl, spoons and a variety of tea bags she kept in a small wicker basket to the table. Then she filled two cups with hot water, setting one in front of Catherine. She’d no sooner taken a seat when she asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.” Catherine opened a packet of Earl Grey, then dropped the tea bag into her cup of water. “Why?”
“I don’t know. You look a little tired, I guess.”
It was, Catherine decided, a perfect opening to tell Eva why she felt so uneasy, what she and Ray had done. But she wasn’t sure if she was ready to admit to all of that—or if she’d ever be ready. So she said, “I guess I’m just a little tired. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Sometimes that happens when you sleep in an unfamiliar bed.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s it.” Catherine glanced down at the steeping tea bag, wishing the leaves were loose instead of contained, wishing she could empty the cup and read her future.
“Uh-oh,” Eva said.
Catherine glanced up at her friend, and as their gazes met, Eva cocked her head to the side as if she’d read Catherine’s mind.
“I sense that something’s either very right,” Eva said, “or very wrong.”
At first, Catherine assumed she was talking about the children, but when she caught the knowing look in Eva’s eyes, she realized the conversation had taken a personal turn.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You and Ray might be faking an engagement, but you look good together. And you’re both as nice as can be. If you lived in town, or had plans to stay, I’d probably encourage you to consider him as a romantic possibility.”
“But I don’t plan to stay in town,” Catherine said, more determined to leave now than ever.
“I know.” Eva took a sip of tea, and a smile tugged across her lips. “The two of you would make a great couple. And since you’re both nursing broken hearts, it seems natural that one or the other or both of you would find the other attractive. And that in itself might be the cause for a restless night.”
Yes, and so would the emotional aftereffects of great sex, especially when a romantic future didn’t look the least bit promising.
Before Catherine was forced to either lie or to admit more than she was willing to share, Kaylee came bounding into the kitchen. “It’s time for the show. Will you please come and watch us?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Eva picked up her cup and looked at Catherine. “Do you mind bringing your tea into the living room? They’ve been practicing all morning.”
“No, not at all.” Catherine picked up her cup and saucer, then followed Eva and Kaylee back to the living room.
“There’s going to be a talent show in our school cafeteria,” Kaylee told Catherine. “And me and Shauna are going to be in it. We’re going to sing and dance, just like you and my mommy.”
Shauna kind of scrunched up her face. “It’s Kaylee’s idea. She wants me to be the singer, and she’s going to dance.”
“There’s a talent show at the kids’ school?” Catherine asked Eva. Could it be the same one she’d heard about while attending the hospital benefit with Ray? The one Dr. Ramirez had suggested she take part in?
“The Brighton Valley Junior Women’s Club is sponsoring it,” Eva explained. “There’s been a lot of talk about building a center for the arts on the new side of town, and they’d wanted a fundraiser. They’re even encouraging the school children who sing, dance or play an instrument to participate.”
“That’s really nice.” Catherine would have loved getting involved in a community event like that when she’d been a girl.
“And Catherine,” Kaylee said, “you can be in it, too. You could sing that song about the raindrops on roses, the one you used to sing to me and Kevin.”
Catherine smiled, remembering the days when she lived with the twins. “You’re talking about ‘My Favorite Things’ from The Sound of Music.”
“Yes, that’s the one,” Kaylee said. “Will you sing it at our school? And can you wear a beautiful costume like the ones you have in New York?”
Kaylee had been only five when her mother died, but she still remembered the times Jennifer and Catherine would take her backstage to see the costumes and props. One set in particular had been a pirate ship, and Kevin had loved the tour one of the stagehands had given him. But Kaylee had especially enjoyed seeing some of the gowns up close.
“It would be really nice if you participated,” Eva added, “especially since you’re ‘engaged’ to the mayor. I’m sure he’d be pleased if you did.”
Catherine wasn’t sure what would please Ray these days, although she suspected he’d like the idea. And she missed performing for an audience—no matter what the size. But she didn’t want to upstage any of the local talent—not when she was a professional.
“I don’t mind getting involved with the talent show,” Catherine said, “but I don’t think it’s a good idea if I compete with any of the local townspeople.”
“I understand,” Eva said. “It might not be fair to everyone involved. But maybe you could perform at the end of the evening. Or what if the grand prize was a voice or dance lesson from you?”
“It would have to be up to the committee heading up the event,” Catherine said, “but I’m willing to do anything I can to help out.”
“What about us?” Kaylee said. “You can give lessons to me and Shauna so we can be the winners.”
“You’ll always be a winner in my heart,” Catherine said. “And I’d love to give you two a few pointers.”
The girls clapped their hands with glee, then turned on the karaoke machine. Within minutes, they put on a darling show.
Shauna, who belted out a Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus hit, had a natural talent that nearly knocked Catherine off her chair. On the other hand, Kayl
ee, bless her heart, hadn’t inherited her mother’s dancing ability.
Then again, maybe she just needed a few pointers. Either way, the kid had heart. And their performance brought maternal tears to Catherine’s eyes.
When the “show” ended, the women broke into applause, praising both girls.
“I’ll tell you what,” Catherine said as she swiped at her watery eyes with her fingers. “I’d be happy to coach you girls for the community talent show.”
Kaylee squealed in delight, while Shauna smiled.
“And I’ll make the costumes,” Eva added as she placed her hand on the red-haired girl’s shoulder. “I’m also going to ask Shauna’s foster mom to help me. This is going to be so much fun.”
She was right. Catherine was going to enjoy helping the girls. She was also looking forward to having something to do over the next few weeks that would help to keep her mind not only off Ray, but off the mess she might have made out of their budding friendship.
* * *
After dropping Catherine off at the Walkers’ place, Ray had driven twenty minutes to his own ranch to talk to Mark Halstead, his foreman. He could have used his cell phone rather than make the trip in person, but he’d needed to get some perspective, and there was no better way to do that than to step onto the old family homestead, to breathe in the country air, to see the cattle grazing in the pastures.
The bluebonnets his mother had loved dotted the hillsides these days, and while seeing them wasn’t the same as entering her kitchen and finding her baking homemade cinnamon rolls as a treat, it was the best he could do.
He’d hoped that once Catherine had gotten out of his Escalade, he’d be able to sort through what had happened, and then decide what he wanted to do about it—if anything.
All morning long, he’d been beating himself up, although he wasn’t sure why. He wasn’t sorry they’d had sex, although it had definitely changed things between them. And he had no idea if that change had been good or not.
For one thing, he’d come pretty damn close to falling for Catherine Loza, another city girl who’d never want to be a rancher’s wife. And to make matters worse, she would be leaving soon—and taking a part of his heart with him, if he was fool enough to offer it to her.
You’d think that after all the hell his ex-wife had put him through, he’d be fighting to remain single and unattached for the rest of his life. Not that he would ever broach the idea of a commitment with Catherine.
Besides, she’d said it herself. It was just a physical act, something we both needed.
And she’d certainly been right about that. He’d needed the release more than he’d realized. Maybe he’d needed the intimacy, too. He’d come from a very small but close family who’d been both loving and supportive. But as each family member had died, one after the other, he’d slowly lost parts of his connection to someone who’d loved him unconditionally.
He’d actually hoped that Heather would have stepped up to the plate in that respect, but whatever connection they’d had began to fray the day she’d moved in with him. And that was fine with him. He’d learned to get by without those family ties.
Besides, he had good friends who’d been supportive, like Dan Walker and Shane Hollister.
Yet in just a few days, he’d begun to feel that bond and the sense of kinship again—with Catherine, as strange as that might seem. Their whole relationship, whether they were friends or lovers, had been based upon a lie. So how could he place any value on whatever feelings he might be having for her, especially when he had no idea how much—if any—of the real Catherine she’d actually revealed to him. She could be putting on one hell of a show, and he wouldn’t know the difference.
Still, he couldn’t quite bring himself to let her go. It might be foolishness on his part—or a bad case of lust—but he didn’t like the idea of ending her employment just yet. If he did, he’d have to explain their breakup to everyone in town.
Okay, so that’s the excuse he was making to continue their charade—and he hadn’t even reached the family homestead yet or breathed the country air that seemed to clear his mind.
As he neared the feed lot, which was only five miles from the long, graveled driveway that led to his ranch, he began to realize that he had another reason for maintaining the phony fiancée plan, and it wasn’t nearly as practical.
Or maybe it was. He’d been yearning for something elusive, something he seemed to have temporarily found with Catherine.
Call him a fool, but after allowing them both some time to think, some time to put things into perspective, he was going to ask her to attend another function with him.
So what was next on his calendar?
The only thing he could think of was that birthday dinner at the American Legion Hall to honor Ernie Tucker.
Ernie, who’d been the first sheriff in Brighton Valley, was going to be one hundred years old on the fourteenth of the month. So the town had planned to have festivities all weekend long, beginning with the fancy dinner. There was going to be a parade down Main Street on Saturday, and finally, on Sunday morning, the Brighton Valley Community Church would have an ice cream social in his honor.
If you asked Ray, it seemed a bit much. Poor old Ernie was going to be plumb worn out from celebrating come Monday. But not many folks could claim to reach a milestone birthday like that, especially when they were still spry and sharp as a tack.
So now he had a good reason to call Catherine and set up another date—so to speak.
Why was it that he couldn’t wait to distance himself from her just moments ago, yet now he was thinking about seeing her again?
He wasn’t going to ponder the answer to that, but attending a birthday celebration with her seemed safe enough.
When he spotted the three oak trees that grew near the county road, marking the property line at the southernmost part of his ranch, he imagined being with her on the night of Ernie’s dinner party, walking down the quiet city street, feeling the heat of her touch as his hand reached for hers.
And as he let the fantasy take wing, he imagined taking her back to his apartment, this time with a game plan that included a night’s supply of condoms, a room full of candles and anything else he could think of to create the perfect romantic setting.
It was a risky thing to do, he supposed, especially since any kind of a relationship between them would last as long as an icicle in hell.
But then, tell that to his libido.
* * *
Every day that following week, after Kaylee and Shauna got out of school, Catherine worked with them on their dance steps, as well as on the song they planned to perform for the talent show. Eva had insisted that the other children stay out of the way so the girls could practice without interruption. And while there were a few complaints from the younger twins, they forgot their disappointment as soon as Eva suggested a new outdoor activity to keep them occupied.
As a result, Kaylee and Shauna worked hard. It didn’t take Catherine long to realize they stood a chance to win, especially if the competition was divided into age groups.
“Shauna,” she said, “I think it’s time you tried to sing without using the karaoke screen.”
“I don’t know about that.” The shy, gangly girl bit down on her bottom lip. “I’m not sure I can do it without the words.”
Catherine smiled. “Actually, you haven’t been relying on the screen that much anyway. Why don’t you give it a try and see how it goes?”
“O-kay.”
Before Catherine could start the music, her cell phone rang. She would have ignored the call completely, but it might be Ray. And she…
Well, they hadn’t seen each other since last Saturday, although things seemed to be okay both times they’d talked on the phone. So she was eager to…
What? Hear his voice?
She clicked her tongue as she glanced at the lighted display, and when she recognized his number, her heart stopped momentarily, then spun in a perfect pirouette.
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br /> You’d think she’d been waiting for days to hear from him. And, well…okay, she had.
“Excuse me, girls. I need to take this call.” As she prepared to answer, she walked out of the living room and onto the porch, telling herself he probably had something work-related to say and nothing that would require her to seek privacy. But she still didn’t want an audience, just in case.
Once she was out of earshot, she said, “Hello.”
“Hey, it’s me.” They were just three little words—not even three that held any real importance, yet the deep timbre of his voice shot a thrill clean through her.
“Hey, yourself,” she responded.
“Am I bothering you?”
“No, not at all.”
“Good. I called to ask if you were available to attend a few functions with me next weekend.”
Not until then? She shook off a tinge of disappointment. “Sure, what’s up?”
“There’s a birthday party at the American Legion Hall on Friday night for Ernie Tucker, one of Brighton Valley’s oldest residents. There’s also a parade in his honor on Saturday and an ice-cream social at the community church after services on Sunday. Can you attend all of them with me?”
She didn’t see any reason why not.
“You’re welcome to stay with me in town,” he added, “if you’d like to.”
Her heart thumped and bumped around in her chest like the worn-out rods and pistons in the ranch pickup she’d driven into town last week. The one that hadn’t been safe for her to drive home.
You’re welcome to stay with me in town…if you’d like to.
Oh, she’d like to all right. Her thoughts drifted to the night she and Ray had slept together, and she was sorely tempted to agree. At least her body was eager. But her heart and mind were telling her to slow down and give it some careful thought.
Was he actually suggesting that she spend three days and two nights with him in his apartment in town?
“We can always figure something else out,” he added. “I can take you home between the events—or you can drive yourself. It’s really up to you.”