He laughed that same deep throaty sound she remembered. “I’m glad she gave us a minute.” He turned on the water hose, lathered and washed his hands, drying them on the roll of paper towels on the shelf.
“You are?”
“Yeah. Aren’t you?” In long strides, he crossed the short distance between them. “You’re as beautiful as ever.”
Carol choked at the heat rolling off his body. “So are you.”
He chuckled at that one. “How long are you staying?”
“Don’t tell Sue Ellen, but I have a job interview in Houston. I have to leave when we finish up at the title office. But I’m planning on coming back for our last Christmas at the ranch.”
Had a flicker of disappointment clouded his sexy brown eyes? “That’s too bad. Sue Ellen has been depressed after she found out the company buying this property lied to her.”
“What lie? She hasn’t mentioned any problems to me.”
“She probably didn’t want to worry you. I spoke when I should have kept my mouth shut.”
“Not at all.” Carol’s heart rate spiked. “What did they lie about?”
“She should be the one to tell you. It would be good for her if you stuck around until she moved after Christmas.”
“I can’t.” She paused not wanting to tell him she’d been fired. “Sue had the contract written so she could stay until after New Year. After the interview, I’ll to try to come back.”
“It was good to see you.” This time the disappointment was in his tone of voice. Clay stuffed his stethoscope into a bag and snapped it shut.
“Wait.” She panicked at the idea of never seeing him again. “Have coffee with us, please. And please tell me about this lie.” He hesitated, his gaze shifted away from her for a second/
“It’s pretty simple. They’re going to use the property for gas wells and equipment storage.”
“No, they aren’t. They were very specific when they promised the ranch would be kept up and running.”
He cocked his head, lifted an eyebrow, and remained silent.
“I get it,” she said. “If it sounds too good to be true, etc. etc.”
“Yeah. If that’s in writing you can stop the sale.”
Carol nodded. “I’ll read over every piece of paper Sue Ellen has. But I also want to know why putting gas wells on this property is so important this company would lie.”
“I’d say greed if the land behind your property wasn’t for sale. If you’re serious, I know an old Navy buddy who might help us.”
“During the holiday season? He would do that?”
“I think so.”
“Will you call them for me?”
“First thing in the morning.”
The words hadn’t left Clay’s mouth before it hit her. “Wait, I can’t do that to Sue Ellen. She’s expected in Waco right after the holidays.”
“You can manage the ranch until you find the right buyer.” Clay started walking to the house.
“What? Are you crazy?”
He looked over his shoulder. “Not even a little bit.”
Carol followed Clay down the path past the feed and equipment barn to the main house. His walk was that of a man who know his goal and purpose. She was grateful that he hadn’t asked why she was interviewing for a new position. The scene with the news director had gotten ugly when she’d refused to deliver a story that in her eyes was insulting to a particular political figure. Sure rating had been off, but that was not the way to spark the public’s interest. He’d explained her opinion meant nothing and had fired her on the spot.
Coming home with her tail tucked between her legs like a cowed dog was not in her plans. There had to be another way to stop the sale and find another buyer, one who wanted a working ranch.
Clay wiped his boots on the mat and then held open the back door for her. “Let Sue Ellen tell you herself.”
Carol nodded and stepped into the kitchen/dining room. Instantly, she was surrounded by warmth. From the soft beige walls to the bright curtains to the oversized table that would seat eight. As if there had ever been eight in their tiny family. The original plan had been to have an even half-dozen kids in the Penny family, which of course never happened.
The aroma of coffee and something baking wafted around the room like a welcoming hugs. She swallow back a tear, realizing just how much she’d missed this place.
“Blueberry muffins will be ready in ten minutes. You two get a cup of coffee, sit, and catch up.” Sue Ellen looked so much like their mother that Carol again blinked away a tear.
Clay filled his cup and blew across the top of the hot liquid. “I’m going to make one last stop to check on Rosie and the filly before I head home. You two are the ones who need to talk. I’ll drop this cup off tomorrow.”
Sue Ellen nodded as she bent down to check on her muffins. “Thanks for coming.”
“You bet.” His gaze paused on Carol.
“I’ll walk you out.” Wanted just a few more minutes near him, she followed him out on the porch.
He stopped on the bottom step, turned around. It put them at eye level.
“I am glad I got to see you.”
“Are you?”
“You know I am.”
“Then you should go back inside.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I’m going to kiss you if you don’t.”
Was he joking? After all, they hadn’t seen each other for ten years. “Really?”
He moved up a step. “Really.”
“Drive safely.” She turned and almost ran back inside. This time she closed the door behind her.
“What’s he laughing about?” Sue Ellen asked.
“I have no idea,” Carol lied, hoping the heat in her face wasn’t noticeable. She got the butter from the fridge, pulled two small plates from the cabinet, and joined her sister at the breakfast bar. “We need to talk.”
Till The Dead Speak (Killer Affections Book 2) Page 27