by R. C. Ryan
Juliet was already shaking her head. “I’ve made it clear that I’m not a certified therapist.” She turned in a semicircle, speaking to all of the men. “If you want that kind of hands-on therapy, you’ll have to head to the nearest VA hospital.”
“Which, for me, is thousands of miles away.” Jimmy Gable checked his watch before looking up. “If we leave right now, I can still make that poker tournament.”
Sperry turned his electric scooter toward the barn. “Let’s just see how much damage that lift suffered in the storm.”
Juliet was about to stop him, but his scooter lurched forward so quickly he was inside the barn before she could say a word.
Once there, he looked around with a frown. “It doesn’t look that bad to me.”
She pressed the button that normally activated the lift, and the machine remained silent and unmoving. “Does that answer your question? It’s completely out of commission, and it won’t be operating again until the company can send new parts and a repairman to install them.”
As she started past him he caught her hand. Annoyed, she looked down at their joined hands, and then into his eyes, glinting with his own weird brand of dark humor. “All right, Heywood. You’ve had your fun for today. And you’ve satisfied your curiosity about the lift. Now it’s time to take the men back to town. Please don’t bring them back until I tell you I’m ready to help them.”
“Sure thing, Mrs. Grayson,” he said, leering at her, “especially since you said the magic word. Please.”
She pulled her hand free and stormed out of the barn, with Heywood Sperry gleefully grinning and rolling along behind her.
Once outside he rolled onto the platform and used the hydraulic lift to return to the front of the bus. One by one the other members of the Romeos followed suit.
Jimmy Gable saluted Griff and flashed the return of his good humor before rolling onto the platform. As he ascended he called, “Today’s jackpot is three hundred. Want a piece of the action?”
“No thanks, Jimmy.” Griff waved a hand. “It’s all yours. I hope you win.”
“Have no doubt about that.” He winked. “Ask anyone in Copper Creek. I’m the luckiest poker player around these parts.”
The men called and waved as the bus, with Sperry at the wheel, turned around and headed toward town.
When they were gone Juliet huffed out a breath. “Why is Heywood so annoyingly contrary? I specifically told him the lift was down, and I didn’t want him to bring the men out here today.”
“Some people thrive on being negative. I think Sperry’s one of them. You could see that he enjoyed spoiling Jimmy’s day.”
“But why? How can a person enjoy making other people miserable?”
Griff shrugged. “Maybe now that his life has been altered by war, he wants to punish everyone else. Or maybe he just wants to be the center of attention. He knows the Romeos will grumble on the way back to town about the waste of time, and all the while Sperry’s day has just gone exactly the way he wanted it, because he was the one calling the shots, whether they liked it or not. I think Sperry is all about being in control.”
Juliet pressed her hands to her temples. “I’m sick and tired of thinking about that nasty man.”
As she turned away, Griff caught her by the shoulder. Knowing her boys were close, he kept his tone soft. “Try not to think about anything. Just get through the day, and let the authorities do their job. Who knows? Maybe you’ll hear from Chief Pettigrew before the day is over, telling you they’ve found Mitch. And then things can settle down to normal.”
She let out a long, deep sigh. “I don’t even know what normal is. It’s been too long since anything in my life has gone right.”
He pointed to her two sons. “Look at them. Casey and Ethan are just fine. And that’s all because of you.”
Her frown dissolved into a smile. “They really are special, aren’t they?” She squeezed his hand before turning toward the barn. “I guess I’d better get to my chores.”
“I’ll give you a hand.”
While Casey and Ethan happily moved their cars and trucks around the floor of the barn, Griff and Juliet stayed busy, mucking stalls and hauling feed and water to the horses. But every so often Griff paused to wipe sweat from the back of his neck. And when he did, he took a moment to enjoy the vision of the small blonde in faded denims and T-shirt who, even while handling a pitchfork, never failed to take his breath away.
By midafternoon they both looked up at the sound of a truck’s engine coming near.
As they stepped to the doorway of the barn they saw a convoy of trucks, all bearing the MacKenzie logo on their doors. Whit and Ash helped Mad out of the first truck and lifted him into his wheelchair. From a second truck Willow and Brenna stepped out, carrying an array of foil-covered pans. The third and fourth trucks held Brady and half a dozen wranglers, who busied themselves removing an assortment of tools.
Mad rolled up to the barn’s entrance. “How are you holding up, lass?”
Juliet smiled. “I’m fine, Mad. And even better now that I see all of you.” She looked beyond him to smile at everyone. “I wasn’t aware that I was throwing a party.”
“Not a party, lass.” Mad held out his arms as the two little boys came running toward him. Lifting them to his lap he hugged them before saying, “We’re here to work.” He stared around. “It doesn’t look so bad in here.”
“You should have seen it before Griff tackled the cleanup.”
She and Griff exchanged smiles. The gesture wasn’t lost on those watching.
“Well.” His tone unusually gruff, Mad turned his wheelchair toward the house. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’m about to take over your kitchen, lass.”
She gave a mock shudder. “Having seen the kitchen at your ranch, I can’t imagine how you’ll manage to get any work done here. I’m afraid it’s in sad need of repair.”
“Not to worry, lass. I could cook over a campfire or on a hot plate, if need be. I’ll be just fine.” He turned to his grandsons. “I’ll need your help getting up that porch.”
“That’s why we’re here.” Ash began pushing his wheelchair, while Whit walked alongside. As always, Casey and Ethan sat on Mad’s lap, thoroughly enjoying the ride.
At the porch the little boys stood by while the two men easily lifted their grandfather and carried him up the steps and into the mudroom. They paused while Griff hauled the wheelchair into the house.
Once Mad was settled, he again lifted the two little boys to his lap before looking around with interest. “This looks just like my ranch, before Maddy decided it needed to be updated. I believe that was back in the fifties.”
That had everyone chuckling.
“Be careful of the appliances,” Griff cautioned. “If you use too many at one time, you’ll blow a fuse. It’s something I was hoping to take care of soon.”
“You were, were you?” The old man gave him a long, appraising look before dismissing all of them. “Go on with you, now. The wee lads and I have work to do. And so do you.”
“We’re working with you, Grandpa Mad?” Casey asked.
“Indeed. The two of you will run and fetch while I…work my magic.”
As Griff stepped out the door, he turned to Whit and Ash. “What do you make of the look in Mad’s eyes?”
Ash chuckled. “The old man’s up to something.”
Whit nodded. “Either we’ll enjoy the feast of a lifetime tonight, or he’ll end up blowing up the whole house by ignoring your warning about overloading the circuits.”
Griff took a deep breath. “Let’s hope for the feast. I’ve got enough on my hands right now without having to clean up after an explosion.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
There was no time to worry about Mad’s intentions. A truck from Garvey Fuller’s mill arrived with a load of lumber. It was quickly unloaded and stacked next to the barn.
After conferring with Juliet and Jackie, Brady sent his work crews out in differen
t directions with orders to get their specific jobs done quickly and efficiently. Jackie took charge of the wranglers who would go with him to the hills to join forces with Juliet’s crew.
“No matter where you go,” Brady said sternly, “remember to keep an eye out for Mitch Cord. He could be anywhere on the property.”
A second crew was dispatched to the house, where they began tearing out the sagging porch, while others climbed to the roof to inspect the shingles. Brady and his crew crawled over the barn, repairing the holes in the roof while testing any beams for decay or rot.
An electrical crew drove up and disappeared inside the house.
A plumber and his assistant arrived, conferred with Brady, and then walked into the house. Minutes later he, too, disappeared inside.
Juliet stood in the doorway of the barn, looking slightly dazed at the sight of all the activity going on around her. She turned to Willow. “I feel so terrible that I can’t pay all these kind people.”
Willow smiled. “Have they asked for payment?”
“Not a word. But look at them.” Juliet sighed. “So many people, and so many supplies.” She turned to study the mountain of lumber, and shingles, and boxes of nails and screws and mysterious fittings. “I could never even begin to afford all this.”
Willow touched a hand to her arm. “Since this is Mad’s project, why don’t you let him worry about it?”
“Mad is doing all this?” Juliet looked as though she might cry. “Why?”
“Maybe he has a soft spot for pretty young widows.” Willow caught her hand. “Come on. Let’s go for a ride.”
“In your truck?”
Willow laughed. “On your horses.”
“What about my sons?”
Willow touched a finger to her lips. “Shh. Don’t give them another thought. Mad insisted that they’ll be with him and Brenna the entire day. I believe, besides getting a few cooking lessons, Casey and Ethan will be sculpting with Brenna.”
“Oh, Willow.” Juliet reined in her mount at the top of the hill, and stared at the land spread out below. “This is the first time I’ve ever had the chance to see it all from this vantage point.”
Willow drew her mare to a halt. “Drink it in.” She waved an arm. “Now you can see why men are seduced by all this land.”
Juliet’s voice grew hushed, as though she were in some great cathedral. “This is what Buddy wanted for his sons. What he wanted for all of us.” She felt tears threaten and blinked furiously. “He should be here instead of me.”
Willow caught her hand. “I know how you feel.”
The young woman’s head came up sharply, and she met Willow’s direct gaze. “Yes, you do. You’re probably the only one here who really understands exactly what I’m going through. I’m so sorry about your loss.”
They sat for long minutes, holding hands and staring at the beauty around them.
“Let’s walk a bit.” Willow slid from the saddle and Juliet did the same.
Holding the reins, they led their horses through the tall grass, lifting their faces to the sun.
At length Willow broke the silence. “At first, I thought as you did, that Bear should have been the one to live on here. This is his land. His slice of paradise. He worked his entire life carving out this ranch, these herds, for his sons. But slowly I’m coming to terms with the fact that everything happens in its own time. You and I are here because we were fortunate to love men who loved this land. Even though they can’t be here with us any longer, we can carry on their legacy. We do it through our careful management of the things they built here. And we do it through their sons. Our sons. And because of that, this is no longer just theirs, but it’s now ours as well. Our land and our legacy.”
As her words sank in, Juliet looked around again, seeing it all in a new light. Though her lashes were still damp with tears, she could feel a lightness around her heart.
“Ever since coming here, I’ve thought of this as Buddy’s land. Buddy’s ranch. And yes, his legacy. I’ve never thought of it as mine, to do with as I please.”
“Nobody would blame you if you sold it and returned to the city.”
“That’s what people expect, isn’t it?” Juliet turned to Willow. “They think the city girl will either give up or mismanage the old Grayson place.”
“Are they right?” Willow smiled. “Or would you like to prove them wrong?”
Slowly Juliet nodded. “I want to succeed here. Not to prove anybody wrong, but because this is where I want to be. I want to raise my boys here. I want them to love this land the way the Grayson family has loved it for generations. But I also want it to be mine, and not just the old Grayson place.”
Willow gathered her close and hugged her fiercely. “Then do it. Make it yours. Take your life in your hands and make it the success you know it can be.”
Juliet stepped back and took a long, deep breath. “I have a long way to go before I become as comfortable in my role as you are.”
Willow laughed, a soft, girlish sound. “I see I have you as fooled as everyone else. Here’s the naked, painful truth. Every day now, I wake up wondering if I can live up to the MacKenzie legacy. And every night, as I fall into bed, I realize I’m another step closer to my goal. But it isn’t easy. Because every day of my life, I miss Bear with an ache around my heart that never leaves me.”
Juliet’s eyes rounded. “Thank you for your honesty.”
“Thank you for listening. There’s something special about sharing the truth with someone who has experienced something so similar. And your loss isn’t quite as fresh as mine.” She pulled herself into the saddle and turned to Juliet. “Tell me. Does it get easier?”
Juliet mounted before saying softly, “I’d like to say it does, but I’m still hurting, and still trying to find my way through this maze.” She glanced shyly at Willow. “Can I ask you something personal?”
Willow nodded. “Ask away.”
“Do you think you could ever love again? Or would you feel guilty?”
Willow fell silent before finally saying, “I haven’t really thought about it. My loss is so fresh. But I do think I’d have to work through a great deal of guilt if I found myself attracted to another man.”
Juliet’s words were little more than a whisper. “Yes. That damnable guilt. As though somehow, by allowing myself to love another man, I’ll be betraying the first man I ever loved.”
“Exactly.” Tears welled up in Willow’s eyes. “And yet, I know Bear would be the first one to tell me that I had a right—in fact, I had a direct order from him—to have a future with someone I loved, if that person was deserving of my love and loved me back.”
The two women sat, silent and teary-eyed, sharing the moment.
“Come on,” Willow called at last. “I’ll race you back to the barn.”
With their hair streaming out behind them, and their laughter carried on the breeze, they urged their horses into a run.
The entire ranch was swarming with workmen. The house, the barns, and even the bunkhouse roof and walls were being patched, mended, repaired. The mountain of wood and supplies had dwindled to a small pile, while several stake trucks sat idling, heaped with debris.
Juliet and Willow turned their horses into the corral before pausing at the doorway of the barn.
Inside, Brady was walking around staring upward while men with hoses poured water over the newly repaired roof. Satisfied that they’d patched every leak, he called for them to turn off the faucets.
Seeing the two women, he walked over and tipped his hat. “The barn’s in good shape now, Juliet. We’ll be checking out the roof on your house in about an hour.”
She shook her head in wonder. “I can’t believe how much work you’ve done already.”
“It doesn’t take long with a crew this size.” He smiled at Willow, his gaze sweeping over her face with a long, lingering look. “Did you have a good ride?”
“A really good ride.” She glanced at Juliet. “And a good visit,
too.”
He stared after them as the two women linked arms and started toward the house.
The sun was sinking low on the horizon when Brady moved between the house, the barn, and bunkhouse, to call the workmen together for supper.
Ash and Griff had set long planks across wooden horses set up under a giant cottonwood tree, while Whit hauled covered roasting pans from the house to a buffet table set up next to the porch.
When everything was ready, they carried Mad down the newly made steps of the bigger, wider porch and out into the grass where his wheelchair had been parked.
Everyone lined up to fill their plates before taking seats at the makeshift tables.
“Great roast beef, Mad,” one of the wranglers shouted.
“Try the lasagna,” another called.
“The fried chicken. It’s the best,” Whit said between mouthfuls.
“Thanks, lads. I did my best.” Mad was beaming as the compliments continued to flow.
Casey and Ethan, seated on either side of him, regaled their mother with a recitation of the entire afternoon.
“First, Auntie Brenna set up our studio in the parlor,” Casey said.
“Auntie Brenna?” Juliet shot a look at Ash and his wife, seated in the shade of the tree while they tasted each other’s food.
“Uh-huh. Auntie Brenna said when she was growing up in Copper Creek, she called everybody in town auntie or uncle. It’s a sign of ’spect.”
“Do you know what that means, lad?” Mad asked.
The little boy shrugged. “I guess she held up signs whenever she saw specks of dust on them.”
Mad nearly choked on his food as he struggled to hold back the laughter.
“So, Auntie Brenna made you a studio?” Juliet asked.
The little boy nodded. “And me and Efan made so many things out of clay, Auntie Brenna said we were both genies.”
“Let me guess.” Ash winked at Juliet before turning to Casey. “Could she have called you a genius?”