Home to Wyoming

by Rebecca Winters

  “You’re not the only one, sport, but you heard her nana.”

  “Can’t you make her stay?”

  After a burst of coughing, he said, “Could you have stopped Jenny from climbing on the beaver dam?”

  “I could have tackled her.”

  He probably could have, being a little taller and heavier than Jenny. Despite his pain, Buck laughed. “You think that’s what I ought to do? Tackle Alex?” The thought brought on a whole fantasy he needed to delete from his mind forever.

  “We’ve got to do something! Jenny loves it here! She told me she never wants to go home.”

  Johnny was as upset as Buck.

  “There’s a reason why I can’t stop her. She and Jenny came on vacation, but Jenny can’t do any sports for a while.”

  “That doesn’t matter.”

  “It does to Alex. She would rather take care of her granddaughter at home where she has all her things to keep her entertained. She doesn’t want to be a burden around here.” And there was always Frank waiting in the wings. Buck’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly, it was a miracle he didn’t break it.

  “What’s a burden?”

  “She doesn’t want us waiting on them when we have other things to do.”

  “What other things?”

  Another laugh escaped his lips. Oh, to be a child again where everything was so simple.

  “If they go, she’ll miss my birthday party. Mom’s got all this stuff planned. We’re going to the Funorama. Jenny would love it there.”

  “I’m as sorry as you are, Johnny. You have no idea.”

  On that note, he drove the rest of the way to the ranch house and pulled onto the parking area to let Johnny out. “Let your mom know you’re back before you go looking for that DVD. I’m headed for the building site.”

  “Okay.” He got out of the Jeep and started walking. There was a slump to his young shoulders. Johnny looked the way Buck felt.

  When Alex had asked him not to bring them lunch, she’d really been telling him he’d done enough for them. Other than giving them a ride to the airport in the morning, she didn’t expect to see him again. He understood she didn’t want to make things more difficult for Jenny.

  Buck got it, and he’d honor her wishes. But he didn’t have to like it.

  * * *

  AFTER TURNING ON a cartoon for Jenny to watch, Alex went into the bathroom to shed the clothes she’d slept in at the hospital and take a shower. Her body trembled beneath the water as she washed her hair.

  That speech she’d made to Buck before she could take the words back had been one of the hardest things she’d ever had to do in her life. But last night, while she’d tossed and turned on that hospital cot, she’d had an epiphany and a clear grasp of her situation.

  If she loved Frank the way she’d thought she loved him before arriving at the ranch, then meeting Buck wouldn’t have made any kind of impact. But the truth was, she was conflicted about her feelings because of Buck. For him to affect her this fast and this strongly made Alex realize she wasn’t in love with Frank the way she needed to be and couldn’t possibly marry him.

  For both their sakes, their relationship needed to end immediately so he could meet someone else. Frank had enjoyed a happy marriage and wanted to have that again. Naturally, he did.

  Alex had been alone for so long, it had felt good to have a man she cared about and trusted in her life. She’d wanted to get married and would have done so when Jenny was more amenable.

  But then she’d met Buck Summerhayes. He had had such a profound effect on her already that she was shaken to the core. Through no fault of his own, Buck had been the catalyst that reminded Alex of the girl she’d once been. The girl with stars in her eyes who’d once been passionately in love. Being with him these past few days had brought back all those intense feelings of breathlessness and excitement, the element of wonder and the anticipation of new possibilities that made you thankful to be alive.

  All of that had been missing from her life since Kyle had abandoned her, only to be resurrected by one ex-marine who was carving out a new life for himself in the Tetons with his partners. It was clear from their conversation that he wasn’t ready for marriage yet. He had girlfriends and was still enjoying his bachelor life.

  If Buck could produce these feelings in her without even trying or being aware of it, then so could another man, but she needed to put herself in a position to find him. On this trip Alex had found out she wanted to experience those feelings again.

  Last night she’d done a lot of heavy thinking. If she lived to be eighty or even ninety, then she needed to fill the next forty or fifty years with new adventures. She had no idea when or if this special man would come along, but she planned to find out.

  First of all, she was going to give her two weeks’ notice at the bank. She had enough savings for her and Jenny to live off while she looked for a new job. Something different that would challenge her and give her a new perspective.

  That was what Buck had done after returning from war. Instead of going back to the family business, he’d joined forces with Carson and Ross. Anyone could see how happy and fulfilled he was.

  Maybe it would require a move to a different city. Her parents had been retired for a few years and lived on the California side of Lake Tahoe. They came every three weeks or so for a visit. Maybe Alex would look for work there. Jenny would be so glad she wasn’t marrying Frank, and she’d love being closer to her great-grandparents.

  Once Alex had finished getting dressed and had blow-dried her hair, she walked into the living room. “Sweetheart? How’s the pain?”

  “It doesn’t hurt now. I wish I could get up.”

  “I’m glad your leg’s feeling better. If you rest today, then tomorrow you can use your crutches to get around. Do you mind if I turn off the TV? I want to talk to you before Johnny comes back.”

  “What about?”

  Alex shut the television off with the remote and sat in a chair next to her. “I’ve got a plan, but you need to listen until I’m through talking. Will you do that for me?”

  A worried look crossed over her granddaughter’s face before she nodded.

  “First of all, you need to know we’re flying back to Sacramento tomorrow.” Instantly, tears sprang from the girl’s eyes. “Here’s the reason why.”

  Without discussing Buck, Alex laid it out that she wasn’t going to marry Frank after all. “And I’m going to make you a promise. As soon as your splint comes off, we’ll fly back here and finish the rest of our vacation. I bet it can come off in a month. We’ll bring some presents for Johnny and throw him a surprise birthday party. But it will be our secret for now. Okay?”

  That brought a glimmer to her eyes. After a long silence, she said, “You really promise?” Her question told her that Jenny was overjoyed Frank wouldn’t be in their lives anymore. It also meant she’d accepted the change in plans to leave tomorrow instead of Saturday.

  “I’ve never lied to you, have I?”

  “No.” Her answer coincided with a knock on the door.

  “That’ll be Johnny. I’ll get it.” Alex hurried to open it and discovered Tracy had come with her son. She was carrying a sack.

  “Hi! I came to see how our famous patient is doing.”

  “She’s fine. Please, come in.”

  “Johnny and I decided to bring Popsicles and potato chips. We also brought a couple of his board games and some DVDs.”

  “Fantastic. I’ll put the Popsicles in the freezer for now.”

  Tracy walked over to the couch. “How are you feeling, honey?”

  “Good. My leg doesn’t hurt.”

  “That’s the best news we’ve heard.”

  “Do you want to watch Hopalong?” Johnny asked.

  “Yes.”


  “Well, have fun, everyone. I’ll come back in a while and see how you’re all doing.”

  Alex walked her to the door. When they were out of earshot of the children, Tracy turned to her. “Is it true you’re leaving tomorrow?”

  “Yes. I need to get her home and check in with the doctor there. Her friend Mandy will be happy to see her.”

  “I understand there’s a man in your life. No doubt he’ll be anxious to have you back, too.”

  Alex nodded, not wanting to get into it. She had to end it with Frank before she told anyone else, except Jenny of course. “I talked to my parents early this morning. They’re going to come and stay at the house with us for a week.”

  “I’m happy for you, but sorry for Johnny. He’s taken such a liking to Jenny. We’ve got a whole month before he’s back in school and able to make new friends.”

  “I know how that goes, and the feeling’s mutual, believe me, but under the circumstances it’s for the best we get back home. You have to know we’ve had the time of our lives here. What your husband and the others are doing for children like Jenny is so noble, I tear up thinking about it.”

  “I felt the same way when I got the letter. It was overwhelming.”

  Alex nodded. “And look what happened when you brought your Johnny to the ranch.” She smiled at Tracy, who blushed.

  “From anguish to pure joy. That was how it felt after I met Carson.”

  “They’re remarkable men. Buck was positively heroic yesterday. This grandma will never forget what he did.” Alex emphasized the word grandma to help keep her mental distance from the man who’d lit up her life over the past few days.

  Tracy shook her head. “No one would believe you’re a grandmother. My husband says you’re way too young and beautiful.”

  “He doesn’t see me when I first wake up in the morning.” They both chuckled.

  “Jenny and I will never be able to thank him or the rest of you enough.”

  “It’s been our pleasure. Send Johnny home when he’s worn out his welcome. He can talk your ear off,” Tracy said with a laugh before she left.

  Alex leaned against the closed door. Johnny usually had a lot to say, but not right now. Both children watched the cowboy video without saying a word. It was Alex’s fault, and yet the strongest emotion she felt at the moment was relief that she’d set their plans in motion and Jenny wasn’t fighting her.

  * * *

  AFTER A SLEEPLESS night, Buck needed coffee. He leaped down the stairs three at a time and headed for the kitchen. Pouring himself a cup, he strode through the hall to the office. He didn’t know if Alex had asked for a wheelchair, but in case she hadn’t, he’d called the airport to reserve one for her ahead of time.

  “Morning.”

  He reared his head when he discovered he wasn’t alone. “Hey, guys.” Carson and Ross were both drinking coffee, too.

  Carson flashed him a curious glance. “You weren’t at dinner last night and we didn’t hear you come in.”

  “I searched along the river for Jenny’s cowboy hat. I thought if I found it downstream, I’d give it to her for a souvenir, but I didn’t have any luck.”

  “Some guest from the ranch will probably fish it out next spring,” Ross murmured.

  By then it would be too late. Far too late.

  “How soon will you be taking our guests to the airport?”

  He eyed Carson. “Their plane leaves at ten. I’ll call her at seven-thirty to alert her.” It was almost that time now. “We’ll leave at eight.”

  “With Johnny’s birthday coming up, it’s a shame to see them go so soon. Tracy has already put plan B into action by arranging for Cory, his favorite cousin in Cleveland, to fly out and stay for a week. Hopefully the surprise will offset his disappointment.”

  Disappointment didn’t begin to cover what Buck was feeling. “Does Johnny want to come to the airport with me?”

  “That’s up to you.”

  “The more the merrier.”

  “I’ll tell him to get dressed and eat some breakfast quick. Be right back.”

  Buck felt Ross’s eyes on him after Carson walked out. “What?”

  “How come you’re letting her leave?”

  He swallowed the rest of his coffee. “What are you talking about? She’s a grown woman who came at our invitation and now she’s going home to marry her boyfriend. She wants to get Jenny back in familiar surroundings.”

  “And that’s okay with you.”

  Ross could be relentless. This time he’d struck a nerve. “Frank’s waiting for her.”

  “Frank wasn’t on her mind when I took dinner to her and Jenny. Last night she opened her door expecting to see you. If you could have seen the look of pain in her eyes...”

  “Shut up, Ross.”

  “It’s the kind I see in yours right now,” he persisted. “Why in the hell aren’t you going to do something about it?”

  “Like what?” he bit out angrily.

  “Tell her how you feel!”

  “I would if she’d given me one signal.”

  “She’s been throwing them out right and left, but for some reason I can’t understand, you’ve refused to read anything into them. What are you afraid of?”

  “The truth is, I don’t want to be the guy responsible for interfering with her relationship with Frank. I was on the receiving end of a similar situation once, remember?” The guys had shared everything when they’d been hospitalized together. There were few secrets left.

  “This is different. And Alex doesn’t have a ring on her finger yet.”

  “So that makes her fair game?”

  “You know it does!”

  Maybe, but that wasn’t all of it. Buck hadn’t had these kinds of feelings for a woman since Melanie. The idea of risking everything again only to be rejected, terrified him. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “That’s too bad. I feel for you. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” He started out the door.

  At the last second, Buck called after him. “Ross?” His friend hesitated. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  No sooner had he left than Johnny came running in. “Dad said I could go with you. Is that okay?”

  He gave Johnny a hug. “I want you to come. It’ll make it more fun for Jenny.” And save my life. “We’ll take the van so she can prop her foot on the seat. First I have to let Alex know we’re coming.”

  “Okay.”

  Buck picked up the house phone receiver and rang through to the cabin. It wasn’t long before she answered. “Hello?” He felt her voice snake through him.

  “Alex? It’s Buck. How’s Jenny this morning?”

  “She’s doing better than expected.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m fine.” Code for any number of things she wasn’t about to reveal to him.

  “That’s good. Have you eaten breakfast?”

  “We filled up on fruit and granola bars. I even stuffed some of those homemade packets of pine nuts in our pockets.”

  “Those nuts are addictive.” He couldn’t handle this unsatisfying conversation any longer. “If you’re ready, Johnny and I will come by for you.”

  “I’m glad he’s coming. I think we’re all packed.”

  “Then we’ll be there shortly.” He hung up. “Let’s go!”

  Within a few minutes, he’d started up the van and they headed for the cabin. Buck tried not to think that when they got back from the airport, another guest would take up residence and there’d be no evidence that the Forrester family had ever stayed there. At the thought, the hollow feeling inside threatened to envelop him.

  Once he pulled up in front, Johnny scrambled out of the front seat and ran up to the d
oor. Buck followed, but his legs felt like lead.

  When Alex opened the door, she was dressed in the outfit she’d worn on the plane, looking elegant and completely gorgeous. He quickly averted his eyes and walked over to Jenny who was half lying on the couch.

  “Hey, Red. Guess what? It’s beautiful weather outside. No storm anywhere. When you fly out, you’ll be able to see the mountains and the ranch. I’ll be watching from the building site when your plane takes off. Look out the window at five after ten and I’ll wave to you. When you see me, wave back.”

  She smiled. “I will.”

  “Promise?” he teased.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Put your arms around my neck and I’ll carry you out to the van. You should save using your crutches until you’re back home in Sacramento.”

  Johnny helped Alex carry out their two bags and the crutches. Buck helped settle them in the back. When everyone was strapped in, he swung the van around and they drove out to the highway. He avoided looking through the rearview mirror in case he wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off Alex.

  The kids talked about the ponies and Moppy, while Buck and Alex put in a word here and there.

  “I never got to see her.”

  “Maybe she’s been playing with some squirrels in the other trees.”

  “But I didn’t see any other squirrels.”

  As soon as Buck pulled up to the terminal, he told everyone to stay put while he went to get the wheelchair. It was such a novelty, the children were excited. After Buck had helped Jenny into it, Johnny volunteered to push her inside. Buck grabbed the bags and the four of them entered the terminal.

  “Hey, Buck!”

  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Janie Olsen smiling at him. She worked for one of the airlines. They’d had a couple of dinner dates, but he hadn’t followed up.

  “How are you doing, Janie?” he said, but he kept walking past her to the counter where he checked in Alex’s bags and the crutches. In return, he got their boarding passes. They had an hour’s wait.