Hope Springs (Compass Girls)

by Mari Carr

  “Oh, make them grovel.” Sterling tucked in beside Hope, sensing she didn’t relish the thought of being alone. “Maybe even insist on some wooing.”

  “What the hell does that even mean?” Hope laughed as she smacked her cousin with her pillow.

  “I don’t know. It’s something Vivi says. Like ‘courting’. Or ‘going steady’.” Sterling sighed. “It sounds kind of romantic. Old fashioned and simpler than the world we live in.”

  Hope didn’t have it in her to ask about the source of Sterling’s disgruntlement. She would save that discussion for another time, when she could lend her full attention and support. Tonight, they both seemed content to let it drop while they each dreamed about what would make them happiest.

  “Good night, Hope.”

  “Night, Sterling. I’m so glad the Compass Girls are all girls.”

  “Dumbass.” Sterling giggled, a sound rare for the more mature member of their group. “Go to sleep.”

  They both drifted off with smiles on their faces.

  Chapter Eight

  A few days later, Hope carried a chocolate raspberry cake up to the main house while her cousins trailed with balloons, a card and the present they’d gone in on together for Vivi. It was the big seven-one for their grandmother. They’d all tried to avoid mentioning how cruel it was that despite rising average life expectancies, Vivi wouldn’t see the top end of that scale. Or at least she wouldn’t remember it.

  They’d made a fuss, knowing they only had so many of these opportunities left.

  Sienna raced ahead to open the door. Her brows knitted together when she found it locked. They never were barred from the main house. “What the heck?”

  Hope glanced over her shoulder. “Her car isn’t here.”

  “Where would she have gone?” Jade didn’t usually freak about minor stuff, but her voice rose a full octave when she wondered aloud.

  “Get the key.” Sterling lifted her chin toward the hanging flowerpot that housed the spare. Everyone and their brother knew it was there and had been for decades. One reason no one ever bothered to lock the door.

  Sienna did the honors, then helped them all in. They set their goodies on the kitchen table and flipped on a light. The countertop separating the kitchen from the living room housed a gorgeous bouquet.

  “Maybe she went out to an early dinner with whoever brought her those?” Hope suggested.

  “Let’s see.” Sienna crossed the space as familiar to them as their own homes. She plucked the card from a riot of roses and wildflowers that made an eclectic centerpiece—classic, romantic and a little untamed.

  When she gasped and pressed her hand over her heart, including the card, the rest of the cousins crept closer. Hope asked, “What’s wrong, See?”

  “Who are they from?” Sterling narrowed her eyes.

  “It says, ‘Eternally in love with you, JD.’” A tear trickled down Sienna’s pretty face as she recited the heartbreaking message.

  “Who would prank her like this? And where the hell did she go?” Jade’s fists made it clear she’d like to pummel the asshole who’d done this to their grandmother. Whether they’d had good intentions or not, they’d obviously affected her. Everyone knew Vivi was as madly in love with her long-lost husband as she had been the day they’d gotten married.

  Toying with her feelings didn’t endear anyone to her grandkids. Especially not when they understood how delicate a balance Vivi was maintaining right now. She’d mostly stopped driving on her own and usually preferred to take one of the Compass Girls with her when she ventured out. Stress made her memory lapses more frequent and pronounced.

  “I wonder how long she’s been gone.” Hope checked around. The coffee pot had an inch of dark liquid in it. Stone cold, it held no warmth when she pressed her fingers to the appliance. Breakfast dishes sat in the sink.

  “Seems like a while. She didn’t even leave a light on and it’ll be dark in an hour or so.” Sienna looked from cousin to cousin.

  “I’m calling the florist.” Jade snatched the card from the counter and slipped her cell from her pocket. She waved the phone near the paper and the embedded chip plugged the number into the phone before confirming her cousin wanted to connect to the small business.

  Jade flipped the phone to speaker. All four of them held their breath until Nancy Plack picked up. “April Showers, Nancy speaking. How may I help you?”

  “Hi, this is Jade Compton. I’m calling because I’m wondering who paid to send flowers to my grandmother this morning? I realize they probably thought they were doing a good deed, but Vivi is still grieving—”

  “Jade, hang on.” The woman they’d gone to school with had started training to take over her parents’ business. A friend, she wouldn’t lie to them. “I know it’s kind of odd… But your grandfather sent those flowers. My dad told me that when JD first found out he had cancer, he came in the store and arranged for a prime bouquet to be sent to Mrs. Compton every year on her birthday. He tried to pay an arm and a leg. My parents were so touched, they donated his money to the memorial scholarship fund set up in his name at the college.”

  “Oh.” Even Jade had nothing to say to that.

  Hope wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her hands as Sienna and Sterling sniffed openly. What would it be like to find a man to love her like that? Endlessly. Stumbling on a true soul mate seemed like a one in a million chance. Never mind discovering two in a lifetime.

  Her family had been lucky in love. Even Sienna had Daniel now. Maybe she’d taken their streak for granted. What if she broke the trend?

  “Besides, no offense, but my mom says JD’s funeral singlehandedly kept our business thriving for a decade. We owe your family a lot. The flowers are the least we could do. Did she enjoy them?” Nancy sounded so pleased with her work, which was admittedly gorgeous, that none of the Compass Girls had the heart to tell the woman what they suspected.

  “They’re lovely, Nancy. Thank you.” Jade cleared her throat.

  “You’re welcome. Sorry, Jade, but there’s a line forming in here…”

  “Go on, make people happy.” She swallowed hard, all of them knowing somehow JD’s surprise hadn’t worked this year. “We’ll see you soon, maybe have a girl’s night out.”

  “Sounds like fun. Tell your grandmother happy birthday from us.”

  “You got it. Bye.” Jade somehow managed to hang up before a sob caught in her throat.

  The Compass Girls rushed together, linking arms in a group hug.

  “Damn men,” Sterling growled. “They’re always causing problems.”

  “Only because we love them too much.” Sienna sighed, no doubt thinking of her wounded cowboy. Daniel had well and truly lassoed her heart.

  Hope didn’t speak, but she thought back to Wyatt’s face last night when he’d realized she was a virgin. His tenderness when he’d refused to give her less than she deserved made it impossible to stay angry at him for leaving her hanging. And he hadn’t, really.

  Same for Clay, who’d given her more pleasure with his mouth and hands alone than she’d imagined could come from full penetration. In reality, the connection between them had shaded everything they’d done together. The individual acts mattered less than the general emotion they inspired.

  She couldn’t imagine the mortal wound it would cause to have that bond grow and strengthen for years, through most of a lifetime, only to have it yanked away. How had Vivi survived? Sure, she had her family, but maybe there were days—like today—where that just wasn’t enough.

  “We have to find her.” Jade came to her senses first. “The sun is setting and the nights are still chilly. You know how she gets cold quickly these days. Why the hell didn’t we buy her a matching cell phone before now?”

  They all glared at their brightly wrapped gift. It had been a precaution they agreed Vivi needed these days. If they’d thought of it sooner, they could simply call their grandmother. Assuming she wouldn’t have forgotten the damn thing in the ho
use.

  “We need to do some damage control, girls.” Sterling took the reins. “I’ll call the Mothers and tell them we’re going to take Vivi to a birthday dinner. Hope and See, you guys go round up Daniel and whoever else will keep their mouth shut from the barn. Jade, head over to Liam’s spread. Maybe he’s seen her and, if not, he can help us look.”

  She stared at Hope.

  As much as she hated begging for favors, especially from Wyatt and Clayton, she knew the guys would pitch in if she asked.

  “We’ll divide and conquer. Thank God Compton Pass isn’t very big.” Sterling already had her phone to her ear and spoke the voice command to dial her mom.

  “Come on.” Sienna snagged Hope’s elbow and dragged her toward the barn. “Put on your big girl panties. It’s for Vivi.”

  Hope didn’t answer. She was too busy thinking of how to ask for help when she’d wanted nothing more than to put some distance between her and the guys who’d set her on fire, to see if they’d felt the heat too. Playing games wasn’t usually her style. Pride dictated her ultimatum this time though. Tired of fishing, she prepared to don a stony mask. Again.

  “Damn it.” She kicked a rock against the barn door before heading inside.

  Sienna stared at her. “You cursed.”

  “Seems like it’s getting to be a habit with your cousin. She’s got a dirty mouth.” Of course. Wy had to be right fucking there, didn’t he? On the other side of the barn door, Daniel, Wyatt and Clayton were shooting the shit as they wrapped up their day. The bosses had all gone home early to spruce up for Vivi’s family party this evening.

  “You didn’t seem to have any complaints about my mouth yesterday.” She didn’t give a shit if Daniel’s eyes got as big as one of the horses in the stall nearby.

  Wyatt was saved from answering when Sienna threw herself against Daniel’s chest. As if a dam broke, she sobbed, clinging to his shoulders.

  “What the—?” He rubbed her back and held her close even as he looked to Hope for answers.

  “It’s Vivi. She’s missing.” A lump formed in her own throat.

  “Oh, shit.” Daniel looked to Wyatt and Clayton. Of course he knew about the disease slowly stealing their grandmother, but he’d been conditioned to keep the Compass Girls’ secret.

  “What aren’t you saying?” Clayton approached. She flinched when he reached out. His gentle touch would only reduce her to bawling that matched Sienna’s. No one needed that.

  Sterling’s directive echoed in Hope’s mind. Round up whoever will keep their mouth shut.

  “You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to share.” Hope crossed her arms to keep from reaching for one or both of the men who nodded solemnly. “My grandmother has Alzheimer’s disease. It’s getting worse. You saw it yourself last night when she called you the wrong names. She’s slipping more and more. Her doctor enrolled her in clinical trials since she has an aggressive type, but she’s not responding as well to the formula as they’d hoped. Unfortunately, they can’t hide much from me. I can sense their disappointment.”

  Sienna choked up again, burying her face in Daniel’s neck while he crooned softly to her.

  “Hell, Hope. I’m sorry.” Wyatt bundled her beneath his good arm and yanked her to his side before she could object. “Your family is keeping this damn quiet.”

  “They don’t know.” She trembled, grateful when he hugged her tighter. “Only the Compass Girls—and Daniel, and now you guys—do.”

  “That’s a heavy load to dump on you.” Clayton touched her cheek softly, mindful of the lightening bruise there.

  “Thank you,” Daniel scoffed. “I don’t think she realizes how much she’s imposing on them.”

  “We can debate that another time.” Hope ignored the dread lining her stomach at the idea of her parents finding out about her lie of omission. They’d be disappointed in her. “Right now, I was wondering…”

  “Of course we’ll search with you.” Wyatt didn’t let her finish. “Clay will have to drive, but I’m coming along.”

  “I’ll take Sienna in my truck and head to town. You three check north from here. Jade can pick up Liam, then go south, while Sterling stays here in case she returns.” Daniel directed on the move. They dashed toward their vehicles, meeting the other two Compass Girls in the yard.

  “South, got it.” Jade nodded as she hopped on the back of her motorcycle. She tore out of the lot first, flinging gravel before launching down the lane that led to the main road and Liam’s place.

  Clayton grabbed the keys Wyatt tossed him from mid-air, then followed suit. Wyatt opened the door, which squeaked on slightly rusted hinges. She grabbed the handle on top of the door then hoisted herself. With his good hand, Wyatt boosted her. His big palm cupped her ass perfectly.

  She glared at him as he joined her on the bench seat.

  “What?” His smirk tempted her to lick it. “Just trying to be helpful.”

  Clay chuckled as he started the engine with a roar and set them off behind the other two vehicles. Dust swirled around them. The resulting artificial fog lent the evening an ominous edge.

  Hope shivered.

  Wyatt slung his arm around her shoulders and tucked her against the trunk of his body again. Heat rolled off him as if he were a living furnace. She murmured, “Do you still have a fever?”

  “No.” He shook his head. “The doc cleared me for light duty today.”

  “He’s always warm.” Clay’s deepening tone made Hope shift in Wyatt’s hold. She remembered that sound from Sunday night.

  Rural roads flew by on their left and right. They drove faster than wise, though not too quick to keep them from examining the ditches for Vivi’s little red sedan. So far, no luck. Hope swept her gaze from side to side, not wanting to miss an inch of the landscape. Besides, keeping busy meant she didn’t focus on the pressure of Wyatt’s thigh on hers or the skill with which Clay handled the truck. Just like he’d done with her.

  On the border of Clarke, the town adjoining Compton Pass, they passed a turn off to the Wilsons’ farm. It’d been abandoned for nearly five years now. With advancements in farming, less land was needed to produce the same yield. Plus, too many people had stuck to old ways of doing things. Modern farms, or those that ran most efficiently, had survived. Others had not been so lucky.

  Hope figured Uncle Sam and Uncle Seth were smart to have proposed expanding the Compton name to horse breeding. Another egg in the basket acted as insurance. More diversity in their businesses meant they’d be less likely to go the way of some of the legacy operations. They’d been grandiose in their time.

  Heck, Vivi had told them often about the Wilsons’ parties…

  “Wait!” Hope clenched Clay’s knee so hard he slammed on the brakes, skidding to a stop on the side of the road. “Turn the truck around. I know a place she might have gone.”

  Without questioning her instincts, he three-pointed it right there and did as she asked.

  “Where am I going?” His stare tracked the winding center line as if glued to it.

  “Take the next left.” She pointed. “Slow down. This hasn’t been used for a while. Except maybe by local kids as a make-out spot.”

  “You ever come out here with a boy?” Wyatt surprised her with his curiosity.

  “Don’t worry about that.” She couldn’t get tangled in their game of want-you-but-don’t-want-you right now. It confused her heart and mind even when she wasn’t distracted.

  “Maybe we’ll bring you back another time.” Wyatt tucked her hair behind her ear.

  “He’s trying to take your mind off your grandmother.” Clayton spared her a quick smile. “It tears him up when someone he cares about is upset. Just another kind of hurt, Hope.”

  “I’ll be okay as soon as we…” Up ahead, a flash of red caught her attention through the newly budding foliage. “Vivi!”

  The instant Clay swung to a stop, the truck at an odd angle in their haste, she nearly climbed over Wyatt to launch herself from the
cab.

  “Hope, wait.” He winced as he grabbed her windbreaker with his still-healing fingers. “We’re going with you.”

  He slowed her enough that Clayton joined them. Each man took one of her hands as they sprinted for the barn. A trail of footprints squished the spring grass shoots into the slightly muddy earth. They led from Vivi’s car to the half-collapsed barn nearby.

  “Vivi,” Hope called out, not wanting to startle the woman.

  It wasn’t an answer that returned. A scratchy ballad curled through the mossy trees instead.

  Hope lurched to a stop on the perimeter of the dilapidated structure. Through a hole in the wall, she spotted her grandmother—arms up, dancing with the brisk air as she sang and laughed. Her steps were light and fluid, her eyes alive in a way Hope hadn’t realized she’d never seen from the brilliant woman before.

  “Where is she?” Clay whispered to Hope. “When is she?”

  “So long ago.” Hope whimpered. “This is where she met my grandfather, JD. At a party. She told me once that she knew the moment she met him that they were meant to be together.”

  “Ah, damn.” Wyatt bent over, bracing his hands on his knees. “She looks so happy.”

  “In love.” She swallowed hard. That starry-eyed gaze—she’d caught it creeping onto her own face lately as she stepped from the shower with thoughts of these two men front and center in her mind.

  “How can you survive without someone that’s a part of you?” He looked up at Clayton, fear rampant in his gaze. “Pretty stupid to take that chance.”

  “I bet if you asked her, she wouldn’t trade a second of what they shared. Even if it didn’t last as long as they’d planned.” Clay was quick to counter Wy’s arguments, though he didn’t point out the obvious. Whether he admitted it to himself or not, Wyatt had already made that leap of faith with Clay.

  Hope could see both sides. Watching her grandmother twirl, she knew she would be the one to return the woman to a world that didn’t include the man of her dreams.