by Vivian Arend
The other woman lifted her eyes toward the ceiling, thinking hard. “It was just me and my mom. She was a single child, and her family was from Ontario. I never met them.”
“What about your dad?”
That earned a twisted expression. “Didn’t have one. Well, obviously there was a sperm donor, but he wasn’t in the picture.”
There had to be Coleman blood involved, because no way was she looking at someone who could double as a mirror without genetics having a say.
Julia took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “Just to assure you, while I want to figure this out, I’m not trying to shove my way in anywhere I’m not welcome. My mom wanted me. I know that, and she made it really clear. Being a mom was important to her and she loved me very much.”
Lisa waved a hand at the first part of her comment. “Honey, if we’re somehow related by blood, which I figure we have to be, it isn’t going to be a case of you trying to shove your way in. You might have to run and hide to not be overwhelmed by masses of Coleman clan who want to haul you in for assimilation.”
Julia offered an instant response. “Resistance is futile.”
A snort escaped Lisa. “Oh my God, you can quote TNG. You truly are a Coleman.”
The other woman leaned forward on her elbows. “Okay, we don’t need to sleuth this all out today and I certainly don’t want to cause any stress in your family. Because I can’t imagine having someone show up on your doorstep uninvited being anything but stressful.”
Lisa agreed, yet she didn’t. “There’s an uncle who moved away years ago. I mean, way before most of us were born. He’s been out of the picture for a long time. Maybe he’s your dad, but if he is, there’s not much I can tell you about him.”
“Then don’t worry about it. Tell me about you and your home,” Julia suggested. “I’m only in Heart Falls for six months, but I’ve been looking forward to this for years. Maybe longer, if I’m honest. I meant it earlier. My mom used to tell me I was possessed by some spirit of the foothills that was longing to go back. This just feels so much like home, even after a few days.”
“It is a pretty place,” Lisa agreed. “But I don’t live here.”
Julia’s expression slid through a range of emotions. Confusion, brightening, then right back into confusion. “Your sister lives here, and you’re here to help with the baby. And Brad said your boyfriend is one of the local veterinarians.”
“Wow, you’re pretty good, Sherlock Holmes,” Lisa said in admiration. “I came out to help Tamara in December. When she’s got her feet under her, I’m not sure what I’m doing.”
“But that was your boyfriend?”
It felt strange to be saying this. “He is, I guess.”
Julia laughed, the sound breaking over them brightly. “Sorry, but that’s the most reluctant acknowledgement I can imagine for such a good-looking guy.”
“It’s complicated,” Lisa drawled.
“Usually is,” Julia returned with a smile. “Want to walk while we talk?”
“Sounds good.”
Lisa waved goodbye to Tansy, who was still making highly inquisitive hand motions. Then she and Julia headed outside, strolling in the brisk air and talking at random about anything that came to mind.
Strangely comfortable, all things considered.
Plus, Julia was right. No matter who her father ended up being, someone in the Coleman family was about to get an enormous surprise.
Sliding into his day’s tasks took Josiah’s full concentration, since what he wanted to be doing was sticking to Lisa’s side in case she needed him.
Although “need” seemed too strong a term when it came to Lisa. The more he got to know her, the more he admired her. She was bright, and capable, and enticing, and nothing they did together seemed to turn out normal.
He had to accept that.
Somewhere in the next couple of days she would need a distraction, so as he made his rounds and dealt with animals and ranchers, he plotted as best he could.
When she did have free time, he was going to be ready.
Meanwhile, Josiah had enough going on. Not only with his regular work, but he’d been out a number of times to the newly organized animal rescue, working with Sonora.
The woman had somehow managed to get all fifty of the surviving fuzzy creatures not just penned and doctored but groomed as well. The improvement in smell alone was astonishing.
Sonora might be small, but she was a force of nature.
She planted her fists on her hips and glared at him. Josiah stiffened his spine to stop from caving instantly to her request.
“That’s the best I can do,” he said as kindly as possible but in a tone that brooked no argument. “Not because I don’t want to help, but it’s one of the things they gave us a special class on in school. Donating our time to a good cause—that’s up to us. Donating supplies, though, is the quickest way to kill a business. No business means none of the animals in the area get the care they deserve. I can’t lower the price of the medical supplies any farther.”
She rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t asking you to bankrupt your business for the sake of the animals. I do understand—I’ve worked the land for many years, and robbing Peter to pay Paul never ends well.”
Josiah shook his head. “Then I don’t understand.”
“I need help figuring out how to afford to run this place, and don’t you dare repeat that to Ashton.” She glanced over his shoulder as if the older man was going to pop out of the woodwork. “I have money, but the truth is if I want this to work properly, even as these animals get adopted, I’m going to end up with more. At some point my family is going to protest. Even though it’s my savings I’m digging into, I want to do this the smart way.”
That made a whole lot of sense. Josiah nodded. “I don’t have any answers for you right now, but let me do some brainstorming, and we’ll see what we come up with.”
“I’d appreciate that.” Sonora stooped to offer Ollie a scratch behind her ears. “This one seems to be doing well.”
“Other than she’s pouty whenever she’s not near Lisa,” Josiah said with a tolerant grin. “I posted her information on all the boards I know, but I haven’t heard back from anyone yet.”
“You needed a dog,” Sonora said easily.
He chuckled, but there wasn’t much to say to that.
They headed home, Josiah’s head filled with half-baked plans to help Sonora, but nothing that was brilliant or long-term. Ollie jumped into the cab with him as if the height was nothing, running from board to floor to seat. She stood on the passenger side, peering with interest out the windows.
Back at home, Finn was in the living room, feet on the coffee table, fingers moving rapidly over a laptop.
“How goes the war?” he asked without looking away from the screen.
“Won another battle.” Josiah settled into his easy chair and flipped up the foot rest. “If you consider it a battle when you have to convince a sow you’re not actually taking her piglets away forever.”
Finn nodded. “Protective.”
“I’m thankful they don’t have horns like bulls.”
The other man grinned, then pressed his laptop closed. “What’s on your mind?”
“Am I that transparent?”
Finn shrugged. “I’ve been here for a month. You’re not that hard to read.”
Josiah folded his hands behind his head. “Zach said you’re the money man. That you front other people’s ideas with cash.”
“He’s not lying.” Finn examined Josiah. “Looking to expand your clinic?”
Josiah waved off the suggestion. “Not me. Thinking about the new animal rescue Sonora Fallen wants to set up. She’s in a good location, and she can probably get some grants, but it’s not going to be enough. Not at the beginning.”
“Most startups fail within the first year,” Finn agreed. “What makes this one different?”
It was an honest question. “Not sure. Might be one of a hundred places out there trying to
do the right thing. Picking up the animals that have been abused or abandoned, hoping to give them a chance to enjoy life.”
“Ahh, so you’re appealing to the kindhearted animal lover in me,” Finn said.
Josiah eyed the other man. “Is there one?”
“Hell, yes. I have ranching in my bones. I love the land, and I love the creatures that live in the country, the four-legged ones a lot more than most two-legged to be honest.” He put his computer aside and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Again. What makes this shelter different?”
Josiah went a little deeper. “Community involvement? Training programs in conjunction with the schools? Integrated programs?”
Finn nodded. “You’re getting the idea. Those things mean being able to run the shelter year-to-year for a long time.”
“If it can last long enough to get any of them into place,” Josiah pointed out.
The other man tapped his finger against his lips. “I’m working on a couple of things myself that might tie in nicely with this. Tell you what. Let me ask a couple of questions before I commit to anything. It should only take a few days.”
An answer in the future was better than no ideas at all. “Appreciate that.”
“Have you seen Lisa lately?” Finn asked.
There was another tangle to unwind. “This morning.”
Finn’s grin flashed for the briefest second before it vanished. “You were quiet.”
Josiah picked up the nearest pillow and casually flung it into Finn’s face.
The man laughed. “You know when Karen’s coming to town?”
“I imagine she’ll show up soon to see the new baby.” He eyed Finn, curiosity and protectiveness battling. “You plan on dropping in?”
“Nope. Not in the middle of ‘meet the nephew’ time.” Finn shook his head. “I was upfront about my plans to pursue her, but I’m not going to steamroll in. First off, because it won’t do any good.”
“I don’t think you can keep it quiet that you’re in the area,” Josiah said. “It’s not the kind of secret Lisa would stay mum on, even if you asked her to.”
“I’ll let fate decide what gets said. I’m not worried about that.” Finn stared out the window. “I need to get everything in place before I make my move. As it was pointed out, Karen doesn’t actually live here. She can avoid me for as long as she likes until I’m ready.”
Josiah looked the man over. “You get too creepy and I promise the evidence will be gone before anyone notices you’re missing.”
“First Caleb, now you?” Finn snorted, but he raised a hand. “I solemnly swear I won’t harm a hair on the woman’s head. We just need to clear up some old misunderstandings and get our feet under us so we can head down the right trail.”
Mostly satisfied, Josiah offered a final warning: “Still going to keep an eye on you.”
The other man cracked another brief grin. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
12
She must have rushed her trip, because only two days later, Karen arrived at Heart Falls. She slipped into the Silver Stone ranch house and wrapped her arms around Tamara, squeezing tight.
A second later she stepped back and glanced around. “Okay, enough of that. Where’s my nephew?”
Laughter danced through the room as she swooped down and stole Tyler straight out of Caleb’s arms.
“Hello to you, too, Karen.” It was said dryly, without any true censure. Caleb rolled to his feet and embraced her, kissing her cheek.
“What? You know you’ve slid way down the list for greetings.” But she snagged an arm around his neck and squeezed tight. “Congrats, favourite brother-in-law. You done good.”
“I’m your only brother-in-law. And Tamara did it all.” He took the few steps across the room to his wife’s side to pull her into his arms. “I’m so thankful they’re both safe.”
“Plus, no more puking my guts out,” Tamara added. “Bonus.”
Caleb kissed her before heading toward the door.
Karen caught him by the sleeve. “Dad should arrive sometime within the hour. I convinced him to stay overnight, but he wanted to bring his own truck. Said something about picking up supplies in Calgary on the way home.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for him, then.” He examined Tamara again, his gaze drifting over her. “If you need anything, call.”
“I’m fine,” Tamara insisted. “I have both my sisters with me in case I want to order them around, which I won’t need to because I feel fine.”
Caleb smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Call me.”
He slid out the door.
Tamara all but growled at him after it clicked closed. “Frustrating, stubborn, caring jackass of a man.”
Karen carried Tyler into the living room and settled on the couch, stroking a finger down his cheek as she examined him. “It’s good to see everything is well in Tamara-land. Pretty baby you made. Good job, sis.”
Lisa settled next to Karen, resisting the urge to steal her nephew away. She’d already had a couple of days to cuddle him, but it hadn’t been nearly enough. “He is pretty. Although, don’t get too sucked in. In spite of the act he’s pulling of adorable, quiet baby, he’s got a set of lungs on him that would make a fire alarm proud.”
Tamara sat next to them, tucking her legs beneath her and leaning back against the cushions. “After nine months, you’d think I’d be tired of sitting in this corner, but it’s gotten pretty comfy.” She sighed. “I’m glad you came.”
“Of course, silly. Where else would I be?” Karen was unwrapping Tyler enough to grab his fingers, sliding a pinkie into his little fist. “What’s up with Caleb?”
“You mean his hyper-paranoia?”
Lisa snorted. “Is that an official analysis?”
“Doesn’t have to be. God, I love the man, and I want to simultaneously string him up in a corner and tell him to calm the fuck down.” Tamara snorted. “You should see your expressions. It’s not as if you haven’t heard me swear before.”
“Why’s he paranoid?” Karen asked.
“Because his first wife suffered from postpartum depression, twice, so he keeps wondering when Tamara’s going to tip over into gloom and doom.” Lisa glanced up to find both of them staring at her. “What? It wasn’t some huge secret. You told me your suspicions at one point, and that’s gotta be a god-awful thing to have to deal with. The fact she wasn’t a nice person doesn’t mean I can’t feel sympathetic. The woman had a legitimate chemical and emotional issue caused by a highly traumatic experience.”
“The traumatic experience being childbirth,” Tamara deadpanned to Karen. “Thank you, Dr. Lisa, for that wonderful layman’s diagnosis. But you’re right. Caleb is walking on eggshells as if one wrong move could blow the whole thing up. It would be sweet if it weren’t so annoying.”
“He’s just worried about you,” Karen said.
“Of course he is, but this is the best I’ve felt in a long time. I’m going to develop a psychosomatic illness from watching him watch me while he waits for something to go wrong.”
Tyler began to fuss, going from nose and mouth wiggling to a full-on baby shriek in under thirty seconds.
“Pass the baton,” Lisa ordered. “That’s a hungry cry.”
“Damn, you’ve already got it all figured out.” Karen lifted Tyler, passing him to Tamara who squirmed until she got him to latch on.
They all went quiet for a minute as Tyler drank noisily.
Lisa pushed down the tingling in her gut that was far too obvious for her to ignore. It seemed there were a few lines she needed to add to her journal. Items she’d like to experience sometime in the future.
Maybe the wish-list items weren’t about faraway adventures or classical architecture, but they were definitely about building into the future.
The three of them chatted quietly for a while about nothing and everything. Comfortable, the way they’d always been.
Tamara brought it up. “We didn’t get a chance
to mention this to you before, Karen. The EMT who showed up to help with Tyler’s delivery looks so much like a Coleman, it’s frightening.”
“I met her for a coffee,” Lisa offered. “Already told Tamara, but she’s nice. She’s definitely not some scary wacko. Her mom lived in Calgary when she was born. We were wondering if she might be a daughter from Uncle Mark.”
It made sense.
Six brothers had originally lived on the Coleman land. One had passed away, four had established homes in the community, the sixth had left town, and as far as Lisa knew, lived somewhere in Southern Alberta. He’d been mentioned a few times in the past couple of years, but Uncle Mark had never come around Rocky Mountain House to meet the new generation.
Karen looked confused. “There’s someone out there who looks like a Coleman, but you’re not sure if she’s related to us? How did she end up here in Heart Falls? That’s some kind of wild coincidence.”
“Yes, and no,” Lisa admitted. “She’s doing her EMT practicum, which like for teachers and nurses tends to happen in the rural areas. One of her trainers lives locally and I guess she applied to come here specifically to mentor under him.”
“Weird.” Karen rocked to her feet, pacing momentarily. “Well, if we do have some sort of long-lost cousin showing up, we’ll deal with that. In the meantime, Dad will be here in a couple of hours. He’s actually been pretty decent the last few days. Although he nearly bit my head off when you went into labour early, for some reason.”
“Yeah, because I could totally see that being your fault,” Tamara said. She took a deep breath, then sighed. “Sorry you had to put up with him.”
“Yeah, whatever. Par for the course. I’m just glad you and Tyler are okay.” Karen slipped back onto the couch as Tamara unlatched Tyler who had fallen asleep mid-meal. “He sure is tiny. They don’t think he was premature?”
“Doctor figured we had a mix-up calculating his due date. It’s possible he was a couple weeks early and perfectly within normal range.” Tamara patted him on the back gently, working out a burp. “I no longer feel as if I’m in a chemical haze.”