“Yes, he did. He said, and I repeat, ‘Mom, I’m in love with her’. He told me that in the eighth grade, and he’s been telling me ever since.”
“Besides, it wouldn’t take an expert on love to see just how much he loves her,” Jamie added with a big grin.
Lydia snorted. “If this is all true, then why did he leave for the rodeo circuit?”
“That would be like my asking you why she left for college, but I’ll answer you anyway. He wants to own a horse ranch. He wants to breed and train them.”
Lydia gave her a confused look. “I don’t get the connection.”
“He has put most of his winnings in a savings account. As a matter of fact, I was worried about whether or not he was eating enough, the way he was socking it back. He was determined to save enough to start his ranch by the time he was thirty.”
“Well, I know he’s not thirty, but he’s back home. Did he make enough?”
“That’s what he says. He plans to take his time. Right now, he’s looking for the right piece of land.”
“Well, since Jamie’s the closest thing we have to a love expert, I guess I’ll have to take her word on it. And yours,” Lydia said, closing her eyes to send up a silent prayer that her little girl didn’t get hurt by whatever scheme Lena Wentworth was cooking up in that head of hers. She loved the woman like a sister, she really did. But sometimes she could prove to be just a little hair-brained, crazy. Hopefully between the two of them, Jamie and she could keep things down to a dull roar. Lucy had been in love with Tyler for so long, to get her hopes up, them snatch them away would be more than cruel. It would crush her.
She took a deep breath and plunged ahead. “Okay, what are you suggesting?”
“Nothing too crazy,” Lena shrugged. “I just thought we could try a little dinner party to start with.”
Lydia breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay, that doesn’t sound too crazy.”
“Sounds like a good place to start, to me,” Jamie added. “Give them a chance to be together in a domestic setting.”
“This dinner party would be, who? Would it just be Jerry and I, you and George, and Tyler and Lucy?”
“Well, us six of course. But Taylor is going to be home this evening. As a matter of fact, she is heading home from Saint Louis by bus, now. Tyler is going up to Springfield to pick her up in a few hours. That’s where Jamie comes in. I was hoping you would ask Zane to be my last dinner guest to round out our numbers. You could explain what we’re up to.”
“You’re not trying to get those two together, are you? Because I can assure you it…”
“No, no, no. I know Zane is crazy in love with Amanda. He and Taylor have always been like brother and sister. She torments him about Amanda as much as Tyler does.”
“Oh, well, that sounds okay then. As long as you’re sure she won’t get the wrong idea. I would hate it if she got hurt.”
“She won’t.”
“Well, what about my daughter? She could get hurt.”
“Sure, that could happen,” Lena grimaced. “Realistically, there’s always a chance of getting hurt. But Tyler and Lucy’s situation is different from Taylor and Zane. Tyler is in love with Lucy.”
“I know. I know,” Lydia shrugged. “I’m sorry. It’s just hard to resist the need to protect my child. She may be an adult, but she’s still my baby.”
“I know how you feel. Tyler’s a grown man, and I still see a little boy in nothing but a diaper and tiny cowboy boots with a cowboy hat covering his eyes because it’s his father’s. I don’t want him to get hurt either. But if Lucy’s anything like Tyler, and I believe she is, she’s already in pain.”
“Okay, I’m sorry. I guess I wasn’t looking at it from the right perspective.”
“I was planning on letting Zane and Taylor in on the plan. Zane has always been like another one of my children. I just want to borrow him for the night.”
Jamie smiled and nodded. “In that case, I’m sure he’ll be willing to help.”
“I’m sure Taylor will, too. Every time she talks to Tyler, it’s the same thing. She asks him if he’s proposed to Lucy yet.”
“I’m sure Tyler would be happy if he could just get that first date. He could work on the marriage proposal later,” Jamie grinned.
“That’s what I keep telling her. She’s convinced they’ll never date. She’s sure one day they’ll just up and get married.”
“I guess we have our work cut out for us,” Jamie replied.
“Yeah, we sure do,” Lena sighed.
“Well, in that case, I’ll get Zane on the phone right now. Who’s house? Yours, or Lydia’s?”
“Lydia’s?” Lena said, giving her friend a hopeful smile.
“Wait. I thought you were planning to do this at your house. Your kitchen is much bigger. Your house is nicer.”
“Lydia, there’s nothing wrong with your house.”
“It’s small,” the other woman protested.
“It was plenty big enough for you, Jerry, Lucy and Crissy.”
“But that doesn’t explain why we need to have this dinner party there,” she said, eyeing her friend like she thought she’d lost her mind.
“Because I know for a fact if you send Lucy to the kitchen to, say, get dessert, Tyler will follow her to help.”
Lydia grinned, finally catching on. “Oh, now I see what you’re thinking. That just might work.”
“Okay then,” Jamie said, snapping her phone shut. “Zane said he’d be happy to help, and he’s looking forward to seeing his little sister from another mother. His words. Not mine,” Jamie said, scrunching up her face, sounding confused. “Should we feel insulted by that?”
Lena laughed and shook her head. “I don’t think so. You know how it is with the younger generations lingo. Our parents didn’t always understand us either.”
Chapter 4 – Monday, April 29
Tyler sucked in a deep breath and stepped up on the porch. While he was excited for the chance to sit down to dinner with Lucy, he was nervous about dinner with her parents. He hoped his mother knew what she was doing. At least he would have Zane, Taylor and his parents there as a buffer.
He knocked on the door, and did his best to tame the raging bull that seemed to have taken up residence in the pit of his stomach. Never mind butterflies. When he got nervous, he really got nervous. He crammed his hands in his pockets, rocked back on his heels, and done his best not to bolt at the sound of footsteps coming toward the door. He had met Lucy’s father, and spoken to him several times since, in passing. This was the first time he had ever had the chance to sit down at a table and try to get to know him while sharing a meal. All he wanted was to make a good impression, and he was terrified he wouldn’t.
His mom really hadn’t told him what she was up to. All she had said was meet at the Cranes’ residence at six for dinner. He could tell she was up to something by the look in her eyes. Loving woman that she was, she was always up to something. He just hoped her plan didn’t backfire on him. It wouldn’t surprise him if Lucy got angry enough to throw a plate of food at him. It never seemed to matter how hard he tried not to, he always ended up getting her riled.
It was only five thirty. He knew he was a little early, but he was hoping to get a chance to talk to Lucy before they sat down to eat dinner. When she swung the door open, he just grinned at her disgusted look. “Hello, Beautiful. You look amazing, as usual.”
She huffed, giving him a dirty look. “I was hoping you would refuse to come.”
He managed to hide the grimace from the stab of pain to his heart. “Come on, Baby. You know I would never pass up an opportunity to have dinner with you. Even if it is with six other people.”
“I know no such thing. And don’t call me baby. I’m not your baby.”
“Okay, Sweetheart.”
“Grr,” she growled, jamming her hands on her hips. “That’s not any better.”
“Sorry,” he said with a sheepish grin.
“Where are your parents? I thought the
y were coming and bringing your sister with them,” she huffed, crossing her arms in front of her. He got the feeling she was thinking about not letting him in.
“They are. I just told them I’d meet them here.”
“I guess you’re planning on bolting as soon as dinner is over,” she said, sounding hopeful.
“Of course not.”
“Really?”
“Yeah,” he grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of missing dessert. Did your mom make chocolate cake?”
“No.”
“Darn,” he mumbled, sticking his bottom lip out like a five-year-old.
“I made peach cobbler, and there’s vanilla ice cream to go with it.” She wasn’t sure why she was encouraging him. It was like little green aliens had taken over her head. “There’s also cherry pie with whipped cream.”
“Who made the cherry pie?”
“I did. I did most of the cooking tonight,” she continued, then cringed, wondering why she couldn’t shut up. If she didn’t stop, he was probably going to start thinking she was trying to impress him.
“Sounds great,” he said, smiling big. “I’m looking forward to dinner. I’ve heard you’re a great cook.”
“Whatever,” she snapped, rolling her eyes. “Why are you early?”
“I was hoping to get a chance to talk to you before dinner.”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Aw, come on. Don’t be that way.”
“Fine. What do you want to talk about?” she snapped, ramming her fists on her hips again.
“Nothing specific, really. I just wanted to see you.”
“Whatever,” she said, turning to head back to the kitchen, leaving him to close the front door. She wasn’t sure she would make it through a whole meal with him, without either trying to strangle him, or pulling her own hair out. She certainly wasn’t going to stand around talking to him more than she had to.
“Lucy, stop being so rude. I know I taught you better than that,” she heard from down the hall. She cringed when she saw her mom walk into the living room. “I’m truly sorry, Tyler. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her act that way. She’s usually very polite.”
“It’s quite alright, Mrs. Cranes,” he said, giving the older woman a bright smile. “I can handle it. I’m kind of used to it.”
“What do you mean, you’re used to it?” Mrs. Cranes asked, glaring over at her daughter.
“Oh, nothing to worry about,” he said, giving the older woman a reassuring smile. “Lucy’s and my relationship has always been a might difficult. Like I said, I can handle it.”
“Okay, if you’re certain,” she said giving her daughter a stern look. “Lucy, why don’t you see if Tyler would mind helping you with things in the kitchen?”
“I’d be happy to help,” he popped in, grinning in Lucy’s direction.
“Oh, I don’t think we want that, Mom. From what I’ve heard, the man can’t cook,” she said, glaring back at him.
“No, but I can sure set a mean table, wash dishes and take out the trash.”
“Take out the trash?” she asked, raising her eyebrows at him.
“Well, you never know what you might need me for. I just wanted you to know, no job is too small. I’m here to help.”
Mrs. Cranes clapped her hands together with a big grin. “Well then, that settles it. You can help with the non-culinary endeavors.”
“That works for me,” he agreed. “Just show me the way.”
“Whatever,” Lucy huffed, turning back toward the kitchen once again.
“Lucille Ann Cranes, watch your attitude young lady. What has gotten into you?”
“Her middle name is Ann?”
“Yes, she’s named after two of her great grandmothers.”
“I think the name suits her.”
“I do too, but she’s never been crazy about it herself.”
“I think there’s an unwritten rule about a person not liking their name.”
“Do you not like your name? I wouldn’t think Tyler would be all that bad.”
“Well, Tyler’s not so bad, but I hate my middle name.”
“What is your middle name?”
“Uh-huh,” he said wagging a finger at her. “Not telling.”
“Good grief, Tyler. Come on. Quit flirting with my mother.”
“Young lady, keep it up, and I’ll hide the dessert.”
“Whatever, Mom,” she sighed and headed out of the room, not caring if he followed her, or not. Let him stay in there with her. She didn’t want him in the kitchen with her, anyway. Now, if she could only convince herself of that.
Tyler grinned, following behind Lucy. He was doing his best not to stare at her bottom, and failing miserably. So much so, he didn’t stop until it was too late.
“Are you seriously staring at my rear end?” she snapped.
He gave her a big, dopey grin, and nodded his head up and down. He looked like a puppy who didn’t have the sense of self-preservation.
“You are completely unbelievable,” she huffed, throwing her hands up in the air out of frustration.
“So are you,” he said, still grinning at her.
“I didn’t mean it as a compliment, Tyler.”
“I did.”
“Grr,” she growled. “You got me in trouble. I’m sure I won’t hear the end of it for a long while. She’ll hang on to this like a pit bull.”
“I can talk to her for you. It’s no big deal. I don’t want to cause trouble between you and your mom.”
“No, don’t you dare say another thing to her about it,” she snapped, her hands starting to shake when she realized they were alone in the kitchen. “You’ll just make it worse.”
He gave her a strange look, wondering if she was going to pass out. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she snapped. “Just not another word to my mom.”
“Okay,” he agreed, throwing his hands in the air, signaling surrender and stepping back. “I won’t say another word to her about it. I’ll let you handle it.”
*******
Tyler sat across the table, staring at Lucy. The garlic potatoes and roasted chicken had tasted amazing, but he honestly hadn’t tasted anything after the first couple of bites. He had been completely focused on observing the infuriating brunet, who was sitting there glaring at him. He was starting to think he might be making her nervous. She had been extremely fidgety for the last several minutes. Maybe that was why she was always snarling at him. Nah. That was probably just wishful thinking on his part. She always made him so dopey, he didn’t know which way was up.
“Earth to Tyler,” he heard Zane say. “Anybody in there? You look like you are miles away.”
His head snapped around, so he could stare at the man beside him. “What?” he asked, not having a clue what he had obviously missed.
“Where have you been?” his mom asked, hiding a grin.
He furrowed his brow, giving her a confused look. “What kind of question is that? I’ve obviously been sitting here the whole time.”
“Maybe physically, but your mind was definitely somewhere else,” she quipped back.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, turning bright red.
“Come on, Ty,” Taylor smirked. “Don’t be having those kinds of thoughts at the dinner table. It’s gross.”
“What kind of thoughts?” he asked a second before he realized he had just walked right into a trap.
“You know, the X rated kind.” His sister smirked again. “We don’t need that kind of mess. Besides, think how embarrassed you’d be.”
“Taylor, that’s enough,” Lena Wentworth scowled at her daughter. “You behave yourself,” she added, trying to hide her own grin. She didn’t agree with her bluntness, but she could certainly appreciate her humor. “You know better than to talk like that.”
“I was not having those kind of thoughts,” he said, flushing to his roots.
“You could have fooled us,” Taylor chuckled.
“Yeah, yo
u had been spaced out for a solid five minutes, easy,” Zane added.
“Sorry, I just have something on my mind. What were we talking about?” he asked, trying to redirect the conversation.
“It’s not what we were talking about,” Zane smirked. “Mr. Cranes was trying to ask you something.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Sir,” he said, turning to face the older man. “I didn’t mean to be rude. What did you want to know?”
Lucy’s father laid his fork down and sat back in his chair. He was a big man with a full head of graying hair that made him look rather distinguished. Between that and his very intense blue eyes, he was very intimidating. If Tyler hadn’t already been feeling nervous, the stern expression the older man now had on his face would have been enough to make him shake in his boots.
“I asked if you planned on ever going back out on the rodeo circuit, or if you were done with that life,” Jerry Cranes answered. “Your mother seems to think you’re done for good.”
“Yeah,” he chuckled. “She’s definitely right. I’m done with the chaos of fame.”
The older man raised his eyebrows at him. “That bad, huh?”
“You have no idea. The only thing that could possibly be worse, would be being a Hollywood actor or a nationally known singing sensation.”
“You sure you won’t get the urge to take off again? You won’t miss the rodeo?” the older man pressed, sounding more concerned than what would seem normal, given their non-relationship. Tyler didn’t realize he was thinking about how Lucy would feel if he left her at home to go ride bulls again. He was remembering how hard his being gone all the time was for Lydia when he was still driving over the road. Now he drove for a local delivery company, and the longest he would be gone was twelve hours or so.
He nodded his head. “Yeah, the rodeo was just a means to an end for me.”
“A means to an end?”
“Yeah. I put the bulk of my winnings into a savings account.”
“I’ve followed your career,” Mr. Cranes stated with surprise. “That must be a considerably large balance.”
“It’s more than enough to accomplish my goal.”
“Yeah? Goal?”
The Rodeo Star's Return (Sapphire Springs Book 1) Page 4