Zoey was about to go find her mom when the back door burst open and Tressa charged in. Linda, Tressa's mother, followed--a lot more slowly. Linda didn't take off her sunglasses and she moved as if her head hurt.
"Coffee?" she asked, making a weak wave at Joy.
"There's a new batch brewing. If you don't want to wait, you'll have to get it from the thermos in there.” Joy pointed toward the dining room. Her voice sounded even louder than usual, and Linda made a funny face before disappearing into the next room.
Tressa ran to Zoey. "Hey. We just saw Will at the mailboxes and he told us the ride was postponed. Can we go upstairs and play Barbies?"
"Not till you get some food in your tummies, girls," Joy said sternly.
Zoey liked Joy. Not only did their names sorta rhyme, but she was good at giving orders in a way that didn't make Zoey huffy. When her mom asked Zoey to do something, Zoey's first inclination was to argue. She never argued with Joy. "Got any oatmeal?"
"Yep. With raisins and cinnamon. Just the way you like it."
Before this summer, Zoey had believed that oatmeal only came in little packages that you mixed with water and heated in the microwave. Joy bought big bags of oats that kinda looked like horse food then cooked it on the stove with warm milk and plump, chewy raisins.
"Yuck," Tressa said. "I hate oatmeal. We had jelly rolls from the bakery. I'm full."
"Tressa, don't be impolite," her mother scolded, returning with a big, steaming mug. "If you don't want something that's offered to you, simply say, 'No, thank you.'"
"No, thank you," Tressa said with a heavy sigh.
Joy set a bowl in front of Zoey. The smell of cinnamon made Zoey's mouth water. "No, problem," she said with a wink in Zoey’s direction. "But I'll bet Oatmeal Girl lasts longer on her horse than Jelly Roll Girl."
Feeling smug and hungry, Zoey climbed up on the stool that Will had vacated and picked up her spoon. "Thank you, Joy," Zoey said before digging into the fragrant concoction.
Linda and Joy stood together drinking coffee and talking about the party the night before. Zoey pretty much blocked it out because Tressa sat down beside her and launched into a story about her older brother, who was a stupid toad because he stole the remote to the television and wouldn't give it back even when their mother threatened to ship him to Siberia.
Normally, Zoey would have paid close attention to anything about Logan, because despite what his sister thought, he was killer cute. But this morning, she tuned that out, too. The sound she needed to hear was her mother's footsteps.
Something was wrong with Mom. Zoey knew that for sure. She had never appeared in public without combing her hair. That was crazy.
Mom walked in just as Zoey was chasing the last two raisins around the bottom of the bowl with her spoon. Her hair was combed but her cheeks were a strange shade of pink, and she was breathing fast, like Zoey did just before an asthma attack.
To Zoey's immense surprise, Mom was dressed in jeans and a black Silver Rose T-shirt like the ones for sale in the office. Zoey wanted one real bad, but her mother said she hadn't expected such a huge response to her idea and had ordered only adult sizes.
Mom dashed to the coffee pot, elbowing Linda out of the way. "Hi, Linda. Joy, fill me up. I need caffeine."
Zoey's grip on her spoon loosened. Coffee? Her mother only drank tea.
Joy obliged. Her mother took a sip then looked around. "Zoey, how come you and Tressa aren't at the barn?"
"Uh...we're waiting till Will gets back," Tressa answered when Zoey failed to make her voice work.
"Is he running behind schedule?"
"We all are," Joy said. "Got a late arrival coming in. Will just left for the airport to pick him up." Before Zoey's mom could say anything, Joy added, "Means a shorter ride this afternoon, but nobody's complaining. A couple of the folks wanted to go to church and take part in the trail ride. Now they can do both."
Mom looked a little confused, like she didn't even know today was Sunday. "O...kay, then. I'll say hi to our guests, then be right back. If we're not packing a picnic lunch, maybe we can eat under the big tree."
As she hurried into the dining room, Zoey and Tressa exchanged a look. "Is your mom wearing boots?" Tressa asked.
Zoey nodded. Her stomach didn't feel right and she didn't think it was from eating too much oatmeal. "They're my grandma's old pair. Mommy said they pinch her toes. She let me wear them for fun until I got my own." She kicked the heels of her very cool aqua-blue leather boots together.
"What's she got 'em on for now?"
"I don't know." An unpleasant thought struck her. Was her mother planning to join the ride because she was afraid Zoey might have an attack? Had Joy told her about what happened last night?
Tressa leaned closer and whispered, "I heard my mom tell somebody on the phone this morning that your mom and Will are in love." The way she said it told Zoey how repulsive her friend found the idea.
Zoey dropped her spoon. It clattered to the floor, launching the last two raisins airborne. Love? she mouthed in disbelief.
Tressa nodded, making a face.
"No way.” Zoey slipped off the stool. She dropped to her knees and stretched for the spoon to give herself time to think. Is it possible?
A tingle started in her chest. Instead of a scary tightening, a warm glow spread through her insides. This could be the coolest thing ever. If Will and her mom were in love, Zoey might never have to leave the Silver Rose. What could be better than that?
Chapter 10
Anne paused at the parlor window, her gaze attracted to the colorful scene unfolding beneath the giant cottonwood. Given the heat of late July, they'd decided to hold Zoey's birthday party outside, where an inflatable swimming pool had been erected. Will and two of his young ranch hands had secured the swing to the tree and were now attempting to suspend a festive, horse-shaped piñata in its place. Dappled shade cast roving shadows on the nearby picnic tables, which, as per Zoey's request, were adorned with bright pink tablecloths. Balloons and a "Happy Birthday, Zoey" banner fluttered in the arid breeze. A barbecue grill and three large coolers completed the setting.
In an hour, six children would be arriving for the kind of party her daughter had always dreamed of--games, swimming, hot dogs and cake. The kind of party Anne's demanding schedule had prevented her from throwing for her daughter. Now, thanks to Will and Joy, Zoey was going to have the best birthday of her life.
Anne wished she could claim more of the credit. But she'd been busy--avoiding Will. In the weeks since their romantic near miss, Anne had devoted herself to improving the Silver Rose, overseeing everything from an immaculate, weed-free garden to newly painted bathrooms in every cabin. The campaign had procured the physical distance she needed to convince herself she'd made the right decision. But, emotionally, Anne was still a long way from admitting she hadn't made the worst mistake of her life.
Will's outwardly benign attitude toward her would have driven Anne mad, if not for the occasional glimpse at the turmoil beneath the façade. He might act as though he'd put their sexual attraction behind him, but every so often, when he thought she wasn't looking, she'd catch a hint of longing in his eyes. That look would make her recall the all-too-vivid details of their encounter.
Anne told herself she'd made the only decision possible given their circumstances. But practicality didn't make the nights any easier to take. Or the days, either, she decided, leaning closer to the window so she could watch Will at work. Shirtless.
Her grip on the vivid pink napkins tightened as she scanned his broad shoulders. The waistband of his jeans was almost black from sweat. When he leaned over to pick up the gaily adorned papier-mâché pony, she caught a glimpse of white at his waist. Pale skin or underwear? God help her, she really wanted to know.
Throat dry, she closed her eyes and sighed. Fool.
The trill of the phone interrupted her mental castigation.
Please, let it be Barry, she prayed as she hurried toward the off
ice. She'd emailed him last week to remind him of Zoey's big day. Would he make the effort to call his daughter? Probably not. Which meant Anne would have to call him before Zoey left for Tressa's sleepover. Barry would pretend he'd been poised to call and Zoey would be thrilled to talk two him. Then a few days later a nice big check would arrive in the mail. Such was Barry's idea of fatherhood.
"I got it," Zoey cried, charging into the room past her mother.
She launched herself into A.J.'s chair. "Hello? I...I mean, Good morning, Silver Rose Ranch." Anne listened for any telltale rattle in her daughter's breathing, but all she heard was expectation in the little girl's voice.
"Grandpa," Zoey shrieked with delight. "You remembered."
Anne paused in the doorway. Tears clouded her eyes. Thank heavens for the Cavanaugh men, she thought--A.J. for remembering, Will for teaching Zoey how to ride.
Just look at her, Anne thought, observing Zoey with as impartial an eye as possible. She'd grown two inches, at least. Her lanky legs were as brown as walnuts. Her hair had grown, too. It brushed her mid back and was almost ash blond from the sun. The wavy locks looked full and lustrous thanks to Joy's mysterious mayonnaise beauty treatments.
Zoey had blossomed in other ways, too. No longer shy and tentative, she'd become the Silver Rose mascot--adored by guests, confident in social settings.
What Anne found even more thrilling was that despite the ranch's abundant supply of dust, pollen and animals, Zoey hadn't experienced another critical respiratory episode.
She's happy here and healthy. What would happen when they returned to New York was anybody's guess.
"Mommy," Zoey shrieked, motioning Anne to come closer. "You'll never guess what Grandpa bought me." Into the phone, she cried, "Oh, Grandpa, thank you so much. I love you. I love you."
Hearing her daughter's effortless declaration of love touched Anne deeply. Why couldn't love be that simple? Why, when Anne knew she was in love with Will, couldn't she come out and tell him? Why did she have to make everything so complicated?
Anne had agonized over the matter enough in the past five weeks to know there was no simple answer. Was she a spineless coward who hid behind her job and her daughter to avoid involvement with a man who made her want things she couldn't have? Or was she a woman with defined goals and dreams that could only be met in a larger arena than the Silver Rose could provide?
"Mommy," Zoey cried. "Grandpa bought me a car."
"A what?" The napkins slipped from Anne's hand to spill across the floor.
"A car. It's my size. Runs on a batt'ry. And it's pink. My favorite color," she added on a last whisper of breath.
"Do you have your inha...?"
Before Anne could finish the word, Zoey pulled the plastic medicine dispenser out of the pocket of her shorts. She took a measured dose and inhaled deeply. Within moments, she was breathing freely, but the dark look she gave Anne said Zoey hadn't appreciated her mother's interference.
"Grandpa wants to tell you about it."
Anne's step faltered as she walked to the desk. To think she'd been afraid A.J. or Will would try to give Zoey a horse.
Zoey started to pass Anne the receiver then jerked it back. "Come home soon, Grandpa. So I can kiss you. And drive my car."
Anne took the phone and stepped out of the way so Zoey could race past. Her joyous cry filled the house. "Grandpa bought me a car."
Muffled applause came from the kitchen, where Joy was holding her weekly cooking class.
"What have you done, A.J. Cavanaugh?" Anne said, her voice not nearly as stern as she wanted it to be.
"Don't fret, Annie. It's harmless. A miniature pink convertible. Cutest thing you ever saw. I spotted it in some farmer's yard. His granddaughter was grown up and he was getting rid of the thing. Only cost twenty bucks. He wanted forty, but when it wouldn't start, he came down."
"A car that doesn't run. Okay. I like that."
He chuckled. "I figure it needs a new battery. Heck, that'll probably cost more than the car."
All sorts of practical responses chased through her head. Zoey was too young to operate a motorize vehicle. Too reckless. What if she drove it through a fence or flipped over or got in the way of a truck? And they couldn't take it home with them. What would happen when they left?
Instead, Anne said, "I'm sure she'll be over the moon when she sees it. How were you able to fit it in the motor home?"
His laugh almost sounded like the A.J. she remembered from years past. "Strapped it to the back of the RV. You should see the looks I get."
Anne wondered if the idea of seeing Zoey behind the wheel had lifted his spirits--given him something to look forward to. Only an ogre would ruin that. "Well, you shouldn't have, but if you could see the bright smile on my little girl's face, you'd be glad you did."
"Got enough regrets without passing up a chance to please my only granddaughter." He cleared his throat. "Speaking of regrets, what's going on with that grandson of mine?"
Anne put her hand to her chest. Only years of working with the public kept her voice steady. "What do you mean?"
"The last time I talked to him, he was surly as a bobcat with a sore foot. I got thinking he might be getting antsy. Will's never been one to stick in one place too long." The truth of that statement hit Anne harder than the impact of a pink convertible. "His daddy was like that, too. I offered to set Johnny up with a hundred-acre parcel. Help him build a place. But he said he wasn't going to put down roots till he was too old to follow his dream."
Anne's heart went out to A.J. It must have hurt when his son turned his back on the legacy his father had offered.
A.J. cleared his throat. "Anyways, I thought that since you have things under control guest-wise, we might be able to cut Will loose a little early." His voice faltered when he added, "I'm heading to Maine in the morning."
Anne's gaze went to the map. The density of post cards in the Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia area dramatized A.J.'s arrested forward motion. Civil War sites. Revolutionary War sites. Jamestown. Manassas. He'd been stalling for weeks.
She couldn't blame him, of course. Just thinking about him casting her mother's ashes into the ocean made her cry. "Does this mean you might come home earlier?"
"Mebbe. Once my job is done, not much sense in fooling around out here. No real family to visit, since Esther's parents have passed on."
Anne knew that her grandparents had never completely embraced A.J. as their son-in-law. For the first couple of years after Esther and A.J.'s marriage, there had been no communication with Maine whatsoever. But Anne helped open those channels while in college.
Esther and Anne had been at the hospital when Grandmother Jensen passed away. Two months later, after the neighbors found Grandfather at the foot of the stairs, Esther, A.J. and Anne had attended the funeral.
Anne consulted the calendar on the desk, then her gaze fell upon the Roger-related tower of papers on the corner of the desk. What she wouldn't give for some extra time to prepare for the big summit meeting Roger had scheduled in early September. Why was Will the one being given the break, not her?
As if hearing her complaint, A.J. said, "I know you're anxious to get back to your life, too, Annie, but I was hoping you'd stick around a bit longer so I can spend time with Zoey."
Anne immediately regretted her selfish thoughts. Zoey would be devastated if she didn't get to see her grandfather. And she'd want to drive her car, too. "I'm here for the duration, A.J. You can count on me. And I'll give Will the word, unless, you want to stay on the line. He's outside by the big tree hanging up a piñata for the party this afternoon."
"I heard you've got some kids coming."
"Yes. My friend Linda's son and daughter will be here and a couple of other children Zoey met at Linda's house. Joy is preparing a feast--hot dogs and her famous calico beans. All of the Silver Rose guests are invited, too. It should be great fun.
"You know, A.J., Will's riding clinics have been a big hit, and I've had several p
eople tell me they'd like to bring their children or grandchildren with them next year. Isn't that exciting?"
He didn't answer right away. "Somethin' to chew on, I guess."
His lack of enthusiasm made her frown. Anne knew it was unrealistic to think he'd just snap out of his grief and return to Nevada ready to resume his life. That life was forever altered. Besides, she could attest to the fact that it took two people to run this place. What would he do next summer?
Without pausing to think it over, she said, "You know, A.J., Zoey and I have really enjoyed our time here. Maybe there's a way we could come back next year, too."
A.J. was silent for so long Anne thought they'd been disconnected. But a sniffle told her he was there. "I'm mighty touched by the offer, Annie. And I'll give it some thought on my way home. Got a nice long drive with some big stretches of empty road where a man can't do nothing but think."
She squeezed the phone between her shoulder and ear and wiped her sweaty palms on her shorts. Had she really volunteered for another tour of duty? Was she out of her mind?
Before she could withdraw the offer, a shadow fell across the floor. She looked over her shoulder and nearly dropped the phone. Will stood in the doorway--shirt on, unfortunately. He stepped into the room and started picking up spilled napkins.
"Well, speak of the devil, A.J. Will's here." Her voice sounded almost as high-pitched as Zoey's. "I'll give you to him. But before I go, I want to thank you for calling. Zoey's father has been known to forget her birthday, so this call was extra special. You're a wonderful man and we...love you."
I said it. She silently congratulated herself, passing the receiver to Will. He offered her the napkins in exchange, and her smugness evaporated the instant their fingers touched. The tingle that shot through her body nearly took her breath away.
She hurried out of the room and walked briskly to the kitchen. Joy's cooking class that morning involved baking and decorating a special birthday cake. The room was too crowded, the mood too chipper to suit Anne's unsettled emotional state. She slipped outside to the garden.
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