“You’ll have to check things out.” Unexpected tenderness filled his eyes. “But I hope you’ll find everything you want and need.”
There was nothing unusual in his statement. Looking at the museum to see if it suited their needs was to be expected. But she had the distinct impression he was talking about more than the museum. Much more.
3
The next morning, Chance decided to eat breakfast at his parents’ house instead of having a bowl of cereal or nuking a frozen sausage and egg biscuit in the microwave.
As his dad poured syrup on his French toast, he glanced across the table at Chance. “It’s been a while since you dropped in this early. Good to have you here.” A twinkle lit Dub’s dark brown eyes. “I suspect Ramona’s cookin’ has something to do with it.”
“Caught me.” Chance nodded and grinned at the Calla–hans’ housekeeper and cook. She and her husband, Ace, who was the gardener and handyman, had come to the ranch when Chance was two. “When I thought about it being Wednesday morning, I could just about taste French toast. Mine isn’t nearly as good as Ramona’s.” Not to mention the crisp bacon fried just right.
“We’re on the same wavelength.” His brother, Will, two years his senior, had already devoured half the food on his plate. “I could smell bacon cooking clear over at my place.”
“You probably could.” Ramona smiled fondly at both men from her spot a couple of seats over. Her husband, Ace, sat next to her. Their brown hair was liberally sprinkled with gray these days, but they worked as hard as they ever did. “Getting the smoke and grease out of here with the exhaust fan isn’t just to keep from stinking up the house. It works magic to lure you boys over.”
Chance tipped his head, looking at his brother. “It’s a conspiracy.”
“Yep. But I’m not complaining.”
“Me either.” Chance often ate with them in the evening, unless he was waylaid at a building site. When he worked at the ranch, eating dinner with them at noon was normal. He’d missed that lately. Not only the food – Ramona was a fabulous cook – but even more so, the time with his family.
His sister, Jenna, and her two-year-old son, Zach, used to eat almost every meal with their folks, even after they moved into the guesthouse a while back. But he knew he wouldn’t see them much this week. On Saturday, Jenna had married Nate Langley, who worked on the ranch and had been Chance’s best friend since grade school. They hadn’t gone on a honeymoon because they wanted to spend time as a family in their own home, just the three of them.
Jenna was also director of the local mission and was trying to get it set up again after it burned. For years it had served as the food bank, along with providing good used clothing and other items to folks in need around Callahan Crossing. Since the fire, their church was the food and clothing distribution center, but that couldn’t last forever. They just didn’t have the space for a long-term commitment.
He glanced at the clock on the wall: 6:15. For as long as he could remember, the Callahans sat down to breakfast at 6:00, except on Sundays, when they stretched it to 7:00.
“No Emily this morning?” Chance tried to sound casual as he cut through the stack of French toast with his fork.
His mother chuckled. “I think 6:00 is a little too early for her. She usually wanders out around 7:00. We don’t mind. She is our guest, after all.”
“Is she going to stay here the whole time?” Please, Lord.
“Yes. There aren’t any available houses anywhere around to rent. And we enjoy having her here. Though she’s offered to move into the bunkhouse so she can work late and not disturb us.”
Chance didn’t like that idea. The building hadn’t been used regularly in years.
“Is it in good enough condition for someone to live there?”
“I suppose.” His mom took a bite of bacon, her expression thoughtful. “Ramona cleans it thoroughly every six months, so we only had to give it a little spit and polish before Ace set up some worktables for her. Everything works fine, including the appliances, though we’d expect Emily to eat with us. We turned on the icebox and the water heater. Some of the cleaners she’s using are flammable, so we took out a couple of electric space heaters in case it gets chilly.”
Chance was glad to hear that. If she was using anything flammable, it wasn’t safe to even light the pilot lights on the gas heaters. The water heater was electric too.
“The mattresses on the cots are awfully old.”
Will reached for the coffee carafe. “They were lumpy when we were kids and camped out in there.”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t expect her to sleep on a cot.” Sue frowned at her sons. “We’d move one of the guest beds out there.”
“No.” Chance’s father shook his head. “I don’t want her sleeping in the bunkhouse. It’s a good place for her to clean things up, and even organize the pictures if she wants to. But sleeping in the same room with smoky things or where she’s been using cleaners isn’t a good idea.”
“That’s exactly what I told her when she suggested it.” Sue beamed at her husband. “How come you’re so smart?”
Dub raised one eyebrow, his eyes dancing mischievously. “So am I smart because you agree with me or because I figured that out all by myself?”
She shot him a saucy smile. “Both.”
Chance glanced at Will and grinned. It was nice to know that couples could still tease and laugh with each other after thirty-four years of marriage. That’s what I want, Lord.
“She’s got a key, so she can come and go whenever she wants. It won’t bother us a bit.”
“Now that that’s settled . . .” Chance’s mom leaned toward him across the table, lowering her voice to slightly above a whisper. Her turquoise eyes were filled with curiosity. “So do I detect more than a passing interest in our pretty museum curator?”
He sensed Will stiffen slightly. Uh-oh. Was his brother interested in her too? Of course, he was. Along with every single man in the county who’d laid eyes on her. He and Will had only competed for a female’s attention once. They’d been in high school, and while they were trying to outdo each other to impress her, another guy slipped in and got the girl. Chance didn’t plan to make that mistake again.
“Yes, ma’am, you do.” Chance took a sip of coffee, setting the cup down carefully because suddenly his hand didn’t feel quite steady. He glanced at his mother before focusing directly on Will. Might as well stake his claim then and there. “She’s the one.” His brother’s dark brown eyes widened, and his mom gasped. Chance smiled wryly. “Though she doesn’t know it yet.”
Disappointment flickered across Will’s face, but amusement quickly replaced it. “You goin’ to just blurt it out to her? Or take things slow and easy?”
“No blurtin’ unless I have to. But I can’t go too slow, either. Not if she’ll be heading back to San Ann-tone in two or three months.” He turned to his mom. “I’m going to need your help.”
“What do you want me to do?” She wiggled with excitement.
“Drag out this museum start-up thing. Not enough so she gets frustrated and leaves, but enough to give me a little more time.”
“I’ll have to think about how to do that. Anything else?”
“Make her fall in love with me.”
His mom got all misty-eyed. “Honey, that’s between you and her. The good Lord sets the stage, but it’s up to y’all to do your part so the play has a happy ending. I know one thing. Sparks flew between you two last night, and I’m not the only one who saw it.”
Chance groaned softly. When he’d left – after two helpings of chocolate cake – most of the group had still been there. “Did anybody say anything?”
“Not to Emily. Not where she could hear them. But a few people commented to me about it, wondering if you two were an item.”
Will slapped him on the back. “You might as well make your move pronto. Before noon, everybody in town will have you dating if not walkin’ down the aisle.”
“No time like the present. Or at least after she gets up.” Chance had planned to try to spend some time with her today anyway. “I have a meeting at 10:00. Thought I might show her the building before that if it suits her schedule.”
“I’m sure she’ll want to see it. She’s as excited about it as the rest of us.” His mom leaned back and picked up her coffee cup. “I haven’t been by there since you were putting in the new heating system.”
“I didn’t realize it had been that long. I basically have everything finished.”
“When do you plan to show it to everybody else? I assume tagging along this morning is out of the question.”
“Yes, ma’am, it is. But you set up a time when you can get everyone together who needs to okay it, and I’ll meet you there.”
“I’ll arrange it.”
Will scooted back his chair and stood. “Thank you for a great breakfast, Ramona.”
“You’re welcome. Come again, now that you know the way.”
Will chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. Right at dinnertime.” He lightly tapped Chance on the shoulder with his fist. “You gonna help me load hay on the truck while you’re waiting on Emily?”
“And get all dirty? Nope. I’m going to sit right here, have another cup of coffee, and enjoy my mama’s company.” Chance picked up the coffee carafe, only to find it empty. “After I get a refill from the kitchen.”
He and Will carried their dirty dishes into the kitchen. Will rinsed his in the sink and put them in the dishwasher. Chance did the same. His brother paused at the back door, his hand on the doorknob. “How do you know she’s the one?”
“I just do. When I saw her at the shelter the night of the fire, and she looked up at me, I felt like somebody hit me with a two-by-four. Those feelings have only grown stronger since then. I’m sorry if I’m stompin’ on your toes.” Chance couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “But I did see her first.”
“Yeah, I reckon you did. I knew you were interested, but I figured she’d be like all the others. Flash in the pan.”
“Not this time,” Chance said quietly. “Unless she’s already got a boyfriend.” He hadn’t seriously considered that possibility. She wasn’t wearing a ring and hadn’t mentioned anyone in particular. “You’ve probably seen her more than I have since you’re here every day at noon. Has she said anything about anybody else?”
“No. Come to think of it, I haven’t heard her talk about much of anything personal. She’s mentioned her grandmother a few times. Seems like she cares a lot for her. Mom asked about her family once at dinner. She said her father is a plastic surgeon in Dallas, and her mother runs a modeling agency. But that’s it. I got the feeling they aren’t particularly close. Hope it works out for you.” Will turned the doorknob. “Don’t rush in so fast that you live to regret it.”
“I’m praying a lot. But I’m gettin’ real tired of being alone.”
“I hear you on that. Hey, maybe she has a sister.” Will’s expression was so honestly hopeful, Chance didn’t even smile at the cliché.
“I’ll ask. See you tonight.”
Will nodded and walked out the door.
Chance poured a cup of coffee, pausing to contemplate another piece of the cake sitting on the counter. He decided after the syrup on the French toast, cake would be sugar overload. Ramona would probably stash a piece for him to enjoy later if he asked her.
The tap of boot heels on the wooden floor prompted him to turn around as his dad walked into the kitchen.
“Want some more belly wash?” Chance reached for the pot in the coffeemaker.
“No, thanks. Had my fill.” His dad rinsed his dirty dishes and slipped them into the dishwasher too. He’d taught his sons early in life to help out in that way. Teaching his boys anything else about the kitchen had fallen to their mother or Ramona.
Chance ate at his own place fairly often because he didn’t always get home in time to join them for supper. Sometimes he cooked, but more often he picked up something in town or heated up a frozen dinner. Will usually ate with his folks in the evening. Since Will and Dub managed the ranch together, they often discussed ranch business either during the meal or afterward.
“Are you and Nate about finished with the new fence at the Ross place?” Chance leaned against the counter, lifted the dark green mug, and gently blew on the coffee to cool it.
“Should be done by noon. Then we’ll come get the horses and move his herd back. That ol’ man was smart, cutting the fence and driving his cattle and horses down the highway away from the fire.”
“I didn’t think he could ride anymore since he had his hip replaced.” The man they were talking about was eighty-nine.
“He hadn’t ridden in about five years. But when a man’s desperate, he gets creative. He used a stepstool to get on the horse. Had to find a big rock to get off.”
Chance laughed, imagining the wiry old cowboy trying to find a rock big enough in their part of the country. “I’m still amazed the fire missed his house and barn.”
“So is he. We figure the wind shifted at the last minute, but that big duck pond he put in at the spring helped too. It diverted the blaze somewhat.” His dad relaxed against the cabinet to his left and studied him, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Chance resisted the urge to fidget. But it wasn’t easy. When Dub Callahan had you in the crosshairs, it wasn’t a comfortable position. “Somethin’ on your mind, Dad?”
“You really serious about Emily?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You don’t know her very well.”
Chance grinned. “You didn’t know Mom well when you decided to marry her.”
“True. Saw her at my cousin’s wedding and knew right then and there that she was the woman I was going to marry.”
“That’s basically the way it’s been with me.”
“But I was heading off to war. That added more urgency to the situation.”
“Have you had Emily investigated?” Chance didn’t make a big deal out of it. About eight years earlier, a cousin had come for a visit and brought her new boyfriend. Their cousin adored him, and they’d all liked him. He’d been nice, friendly, and polite – until Dub caught him stealing jewelry from the office safe. A safe with a combination lock and that was never left open. Turned out that by day, the boyfriend was a friendly auto mechanic and by night a thief. He had a rap sheet a mile long and had served time in prison both as a juvenile and an adult. Their cousin had been completely fooled, and so had they.
“Yeah, but don’t tell your mother. She’d never let me hear the end of it. Don’t mention it to Emily, either. I doubt she’d appreciate it. She’s a sweet girl, a believer, and she’s done so many good things for folks around here, I almost let it go. But I just couldn’t.”
“You’ve been taken in before. Obviously, since you gave her a key, we don’t have to worry about anything.”
“Never even had a parking ticket.”
“How thorough is your PI?”
“Besides looking for a criminal record, he checked out her background a bit. Her father is a prominent plastic surgeon in Dallas. Caters to all the big money folks. He’s Doyle Denny’s son.”
“The oil man?”
“One and the same. I think you met him a few years back when you went to that producers’ meeting with me in Houston.”
“Yes, sir, I did. He seemed like a good man.” Chance had met a lot of people on that trip, but Denny stood out, partly because he was six foot five. He was a geologist and a very successful wildcatter, drilling for oil, and finding it, in unexpected places around the world. Unlike some of the powerful and rich people at that meeting, Denny had been genuinely friendly and nice.
“He is. I haven’t had many direct dealings with him, but when I did, he treated me fair and square. I’ve never heard anything bad about him. I never met Emily’s father, though Doyle commented years ago that he’d spoiled him rotten and lived to regret it.
“Emily’s mom is a former New York fashio
n model and runs her own very successful modeling agency in Big D. They’re rich, high-society types. From what my man could learn, their net worth is somewhere around ten million.”
Chance shrugged. The Callahan ranch alone was worth over five times that.
“Emily was valedictorian in high school. She had a 4.0 in college and earned a double master’s in history and museum science from Texas Tech, which we already knew.” His dad grinned and added, “But I don’t hold that against her.”
Chance smiled wryly. Dub was a big University of Texas supporter. “That’s mighty good of you.”
“Evidently getting a top job in her field is difficult due to a scarcity of positions. Her parents paid for her undergraduate degree, but Emily paid for her master’s. Doyle set up a trust fund for her when she was born, likely a large one since she doesn’t have much other income. The last couple of years, she worked part-time at a museum for a while and set up three other small town museums for a modest fee. She owns a nice three bedroom house in a good neighborhood in San Antonio.”
“So you approve of her?”
“What I’ve seen I like.” His father searched his face. “I just don’t want you hurt. Her, either, for that matter.”
“I suppose there’s always that possibility. But it’s a risk I have to take. Somebody told me a long time ago that fear of failure shouldn’t keep me from going after what I wanted.”
Smile lines appeared at the corners of his father’s eyes. “Wise man.”
“Yes, sir, you are.”
His mom hustled into the kitchen carrying the rest of the dirty dishes. “Don’t you have work to do, Dub Callahan?”
“I’ll get there directly. I’ve been talkin’ with my son.” He slid his arms around his wife’s waist and leaned down to rest his cheek against her hair. “Why are you in such a hurry to get rid of me this morning?”
Sue tipped her head, pressing lightly against his face. “Because Emily is stirring, and Ramona and I decided Chance should be the only one to talk to when she came in the kitchen.”
“So Ramona and Ace have pulled a disappearing act.” Dub released her and stepped back out of her way.
Emily's Chance (v5) Page 3