Читать книгу My Montana Home - Ellen James - Страница 9

CASSIE EASED OFF the gas. The road she was traveling happened to be well maintained, and she could have safely gone ten miles faster. But she always slowed down at this point. She always dreaded returning home.

Young Zak seemed to feel no such reluctance. He strained against his seat belt, sticking his face out the window as if to smell the ranch air. Cassie had known that smell for as long as she could remember—a potent aroma of cattle and rich red earth, prairie grass and wildflowers. She considered turning the car around and heading straight back to Billings. But she had come here for Zak. Despite all his efforts to hide his emotions, she knew that he loved Walking Stones Ranch.

Cassie slowed her Toyota a bit more, prolonging the moments before she would need to confront her family. But just then a figure appeared on the horizon—a large, broad-shouldered man astride a powerfully built horse. The image of man and steed seemed to shimmer in the bright morning light. Cassie heard Zak draw in his breath. And, as she pulled over and got out of the car, Zak scrambled out to stand beside her.

The figure drew nearer, Stetson shading his weathered face. He was, of course, none other than the boss himself—Robert Maxwell Sr., owner of Walking Stones. Cassie’s stomach tightened, and she felt all the old familiar emotions roiling inside. Defiance, anger, fear…love and worry. Her father’s bay mare came to a halt on the verge of the road. Robert Maxwell remained in the saddle, callused hands resting on the horn, hazel eyes surveying Cassie with neither welcome nor approval. She tried to think of something diplomatic to say.

“Dammit, Dad, you’re not supposed to be galloping around on a horse! You want your heart to give out right here and now?”

Robert Maxwell stared at her for a long moment. And then the grim lines of his face rearranged themselves into the semblance of a smile. A sardonic smile.

“Glad to see you, too, Cassandra.”

No one else called her that. She might as well have been ten years old again, a scrawny insecure kid wearing a too-big name. Now she tried again.

“Seriously, Dad. What does Jolie have to say about you disobeying doctor’s orders?”

“Your sister has plenty of patients without me,” he said dismissively. And then he focused on his grandson. “Hello there, Zachary.”

“Hello,” Zak answered in a small voice, gazing awestruck at the old man. Hero worship…that was probably the best term for what Zak experienced whenever he was around his granddad. Robert Maxwell was one of the few people Zak had responded to since the divorce—and that was why Cassie made the drive from Billings every three or four weeks. She would do anything for her son, even come home to Walking Stones.

Robert Maxwell Sr. fished in a pocket of his weather-beaten dungarees, producing an apple. He leaned down to hand it to Zak. “Here. Snowdrop’s been waiting for you.”

Zak took the apple and held it out cautiously to Snowdrop—so named for the pure white triangle on her forehead. The mare observed perfect manners, snuffling the fruit from Zak’s open palm. The little boy grinned for the briefest instant, and Cassie felt a brief surge of gratitude toward her father. She knew he’d pocketed that apple especially for Zak, especially for this moment.

“Zachary,” said Robert, “by now your aunt Thea’s figured out I made my escape, and she’s about to come chasing me down. You want to head her off?”

Zak nodded, and went racing off in the direction of the ranch house. Cassie watched him go, then turned back to her father.

“Dad—”

“Hold on. Before you start lecturing me about my heart, I’ve got something to say to you.” He swung down from the horse almost as nimbly as he had twenty years ago, when Cassie was a child. He took off his hat, revealing hair still thick, still reddish despite the streaks of white at his temples. Cassie studied his face, looking for signs of improved health. His complexion didn’t seem too bad today…

“Stop looking at me like I’m about to keel over,” he grumbled. “And just listen. You and Zak are going to move here and live with me. No more arguments.”

Her feelings of warmth and sympathy vanished. “I can’t believe you’re starting this again—”

“You won’t take money from me. You won’t take help. You keep talking about your damn independence. But all you’re doing is hurting your own son.”

Cassie struggled not to lash back at him, not to say anything at all. But he always knew exactly what to say. He knew where her vulnerabilities were. With Zak.

She found herself agonizing all over again. Maybe she was doing the wrong thing. Maybe trying to build a home for herself and Zak was a hopeless dream. Maybe she should sacrifice all her hard-won independence and move back to Walking Stones. For Zak’s sake…

She was saved further turmoil by the appearance of a vehicle on the road. A heavy-duty, mudsplattered Land Rover with her sister Thea in the driver’s seat and Zak on the passenger side. Thea came to a stop, got out and gave Cassie a hug. Cassie hugged back somewhat awkwardly. Ever since finding the love of her life in Rafe Rafferty, the local deputy sheriff, Thea had gained a happiness that seemed to embrace the whole world. She and Rafe lived in Paradise Corners, but they were both enthralled with the house they were building on a piece of Walking Stones land. They hoped to move into their new home soon—a home they would no doubt fill to overflowing with their love, hopes and dreams. Cassie felt a stirring of envy. No wonder her younger sister was so happy these days. This new, exuberant Thea was very appealing—but also a little overwhelming at times. For years, Cassie and her youngest sister had shared a relationship of prickly politeness—and at times, outright conflict. Cassie was still trying to get used to the new openness. After all, Maxwells had never been known for their geniality.

Cassie stood back and surveyed her sister. Thea’s lustrous black hair was cropped short, as befitted a woman who’d devoted her life to ranching. Usually she wore cowboy boots, jeans and a work shirt, but today she had on her Sunday dress, the one that made her eyes look a deeper blue-green than ever.

“Stunning,” Cassie said in all sincerity. “The folks at First Methodist won’t be able to keep their eyes on their hymnbooks.”

“That’s because they’ll be staring at you,” Thea said, sounding a bit awkward herself now that the enthusiasm of her initial greeting was over. “They only get to see you once a month—our bona fide city girl, come back to Paradise Corners.”

“I’m not going to church today,” Cassie protested.

“Oh, come on, you know it reminds you of old times,” Thea said. “You and me sitting in the back of the choir, tossing spit wads at the boys.”

Cassie smiled in spite of herself. There had been a time—very long ago—when she and Thea and Jolie had been close. Before their mother had died…

Now Thea approached their father. “You know what Jolie said, Dad. Lots and lots of taking it easy. You’re going back to the house, and you’re going to sit down and rest while Beth brings you breakfast. And no, there won’t be any eggs and bacon. Just oatmeal.” Thea sounded almost as commanding as the old man himself. He gazed at her sourly, then climbed back on his horse.

“I’m riding back,” he told her. Then, with a muttered comment about how much he despised oatmeal, he loped off again.

Thea shook her head. “I don’t know what to do—and Jolie doesn’t either. He won’t listen to us. Jolie stops by whenever she can, and I’m over here working all day, but we still can’t seem to control him. Beth tries to make sure he eats right, but then she’ll find him down at Grizzly’s Diner, eating a steak.” Beth Peace was the Maxwells’ longtime housekeeper. If she couldn’t keep Robert in line, what hope was there for the rest of them?

“He drives me crazy,” Cassie said. “But…I don’t want to lose him.” The words popped out before she could stop them.

“Yeah,” said Thea. “I’m kind of fond of the old guy myself. Go figure.” The two sisters shared a glance that bespoke all the years with their father. Defying him, fearing him, longing for his approval, and now worrying about him.

Thea was the first to shake herself from the reverie. She glanced toward Zak, who’d clambered out of the Land Rover and was now squatting to poke a stick in the ground. Thea hauled Cassie a short distance away.

“Okay,” she said. “Out with it. Ever since Gwen called Jolie and told her the news, we’ve been dying to ask you about it. Who’s this new boyfriend you’ve got in Billings?”

Cassie stared at her sister. “What on earth are you talking about? Why would Gwen—”

“Oh, come on,” Thea said impatiently. “Gwen called Jolie to discuss a patient referral or some such, and your name happened to come up. Gwen told Jolie all about how you brought some devastating hunk into her office yesterday because you’d broken his finger—”

“Dislocated,” Cassie said. “Not broken. For crying out loud, at least get the details right.”

“So tell me the details,” said Thea. “Who is he? How long have you known him? When are we going to meet him?”

Cassie groaned. “I can’t believe this, I really can’t. Why did I ever choose Gwen as Zak’s pediatrician—”

“Don’t change the subject, Cassie. Who is the guy?”

Cassie moved to a place where she was sure Zak would be out of hearing range. Thea followed. Cassie knew there was no getting away from it.

“I hate to disappoint you,” she said, “but I only met Andrew Morris yesterday. He’s Hannah’s grandson from Texas, and he’s only here to settle her estate. I, well, I fell out of a tree and landed on top of him…” Cassie stopped when she saw the way Thea was laughing at her. “Okay, okay, so it’s not the best way to make an impression on a man. But I didn’t want to make an impression.”

“So, tell me,” Thea said as soon as she could control her mirth. “Is he really as much of a hunk as Gwen says?”

“Yes, he’s gorgeous. Satisfied?”

Thea looked thoughtful. “So that’s the end of the story. You break his finger—sorry, you dislocate it—and you just walk away from the guy. Too bad.”

“I did the decent thing,” Cassie found herself saying. “I invited him to dinner to make up for all the trouble I’d caused.”

Thea perked up. “Dinner…hmm. Sounds romantic.”

“It wasn’t,” Cassie protested. “Zak refused to come down to eat, which left me alone with Andrew—”

“Like I said. Romantic.” Humor danced in her sister’s eyes again. Cassie glared.

“The food was mediocre. Growing up around Beth’s gourmet offerings, nobody in this family has ever learned to cook a decent meal. Me included—”

“Did you kiss him?” Thea interrupted.

Cassie felt her skin heating up. Silently she cursed the fair Maxwell complexion that betrayed every emotion.

Thea nodded. “Was it a hot kiss?”

“It hardly lasted at all,” Cassie muttered. “Zak showed up, and believe me—that put an end to things.”

“This is all very, very interesting,” Thea pronounced. “Jolie and I have been hoping you’d find someone.”

“I haven’t found anyone. I met a man. I dislocated his finger. I kissed him. End of story!”

Thea didn’t look convinced.

FOR THE SECOND TIME in two days, Cassie entered a doctor’s clinic. This one, however, was on Main Street in Paradise Corners, Montana. And it belonged to Cassie’s older sister, Jolie.

Cassie sat in the waiting room while Jolie attended to a Sunday emergency—a little girl who’d sprained her wrist after pretending to parachute out of a swing. Half an hour later, Cassie watched as Jolie ushered child and parent out the door with efficient care. The little girl’s tears had dried, and now she seemed proud of her exploit.

Jolie was very good at what she did. She could have stayed in California, specialized and be driving a Mercedes by now. Instead she’d come back to Montana to attend to ordinary, everyday scrapes and sprains and bruises. It should have made her seem ordinary. But it didn’t. Whenever Cassie was around Jolie, she still felt stirrings of the old half-resentful, half-admiring sense of intimidation. The sense that she could never measure up to Jolie…never be as smart or pretty or accomplished. Cassie sighed. Would she ever escape the trap of her childhood emotions?

Now Jolie sat down next to her, unbuttoning her white lab coat. She, too, wore a Sunday dress underneath. Her long hair, with its tendency to curl, was strawberry blond, her eyes a striking shade of blue.

“You know, as long as I’m at work, I could take care of a dislocated finger or two,” Jolie said in a deadpan voice. Cassie glared at her. It seemed she was doing a lot of glaring today.

“Very funny. I’m glad Gwen saw fit to share the whole humiliating episode with you.”

“Oh, I’m up on everything,” said Jolie. “Thea gave me a call this morning and told me about the kiss. So, just how serious is it with you and this Andrew?”

Cassie raised her head. “I only met him yesterday, for goodness’ sake—”

“Fast work,” Jolie said approvingly. “Maybe he’s the one…”

The problem was, Jolie as well as Thea had recently found happiness in love. Ever since Thea had married Rafe, last Valentine’s Day, and Jolie had walked down the aisle with Matt Dawson in June, the two sisters seemed to think Cassie should do the same.

Granted, Matt and Jolie’s ceremony had been a small, private affair, attended only by family and a few close friends. Their father’s ill health and their kid brother’s troubles had precluded a larger celebration. Jolie had insisted on that and for once, all three Maxwell sisters had agreed. But even so, Jolie had made a lovely, radiant bride. Thea had been equally lovely—and equally radiant at her wedding in February. Now the two of them kept hinting that Cassie needed to find a bridegroom of her own.

“Jolie,” Cassie tried again, “you forget that I’ve already been married once. I’m not looking to do it again.”

Jolie gave a dismissive wave. “Jeff doesn’t count by anybody’s calculation. You need to find the real thing.”

“I don’t believe in ‘the real thing,’” Cassie said. “Don’t forget—I married Jeff to rebel against Dad…etcetera, etcetera. I’ve never been one for romance.”

“Nonsense,” Jolie said inelegantly. “Sure, part of you wanted to thumb your nose at Dad. But you really were in love with Mr. Jeff Warren, aka His Royal Blondeness. I remember—you thought he was the most wonderful man in the world. So…you made a mistake. So…you try again. And this time you do it right. Who knows, this Andrew guy could be the one.”

“I’m not trying anything again. And I certainly didn’t come here to talk to you about Andrew…or love…or…”

“Relax,” Jolie said, propping her feet on the windowsill and settling back more comfortably in her chair. “Don’t get in a tiz. What did you want to talk about?”

Cassie stared out the window. She knew the sights of Main Street so well she could have cataloged them in her sleep. Grizzly’s Diner across the way, with the beauty parlor right next to it. Dillon’s Feed and Tack down the way, no doubt advertising another special on bran mash. The Lone Wolf and the Silver Spur…all too familiar, all making her feel claustrophobic. She just wanted to get in her car and floor the gas pedal back to Billings. But for Zak’s sake…

“I guess I want to ask your advice,” she said grudgingly.

“Don’t overwhelm me with your enthusiasm,” remarked Jolie. “But maybe I’d better make a record of this. Cassie Warren, actually wanting her big sister’s advice. Who would’ve thought. All those years you complained I just wanted to boss you around…”

“Are you finished?” Cassie asked with exaggerated patience.

Jolie gave a conciliatory grin. “You always take things too seriously—that’s why you’re fun to tease. But I’ll stop. Just tell me the problem.”

Cassie tapped her nails on the sill in a restless rhythm. “Dad’s at it again. Wanting me and Zak to move to the ranch house, and live with him. He thinks it’s the best thing for Zak. And maybe he’s right. Maybe Zak needs more stability than I can give him on my own. I can just picture what Zak is doing right now. Tagging along after his grandfather, or having Beth make a fuss over him. It’s exactly what he needs.”

Jolie was all seriousness now. “What do you need, Cassie?”

She closed her eyes for a moment, seeking clarity. But none came to her. “I don’t know…I just don’t know! Jeff racked up so many debts before our divorce, I’m lucky I walked away with the clothes on my back. After that, I promised myself I’d give Zak a home—a real home. Living in Hannah’s guest house, I’ve been able to start saving for a down payment. I’ve done pretty well, I think—”

“I’m not the one you have to convince,” said Jolie. “You’re still trying to prove something to Dad.”

Cassie gazed out the window again. “If I move back home, he’ll just take over my life. That’s his way. Always has been.”

“You know,” said Jolie, “Thea’s the one you should be talking to about this. Before Rafe came along she spent all those years at the ranch, trying to carve out some independence for herself at the same time. Ask her how she did it. Maybe that’ll help you with the decision.”

Cassie didn’t say anything at first. Thirteen years ago, she’d eagerly left the ranch to attend college in Bozeman. Jolie, too, had left home for college. Thea, on the other hand, had stayed at Walking Stones. She’d always insisted that she loved ranching, and that she couldn’t imagine any other type of work. But staying home had put her in an unenviable position between their father and their kid brother. Thea had pitted herself against Robert Senior’s formidable will, and at the same time she’d tried to be a surrogate mother as well as sister to Robert Junior. She would’ve been totally justified for harboring any resentments against Cassie and Jolie for leaving her to deal with the two difficult Maxwell men. These days she never complained, but still…

“Talk to Thea,” Jolie repeated.

“I can’t,” Cassie burst out. “I just…I just feel guilty about all the time I’ve spent away. And I’m sure deep down she must still resent me for it.”

“So you think she won’t give you an unbiased opinion,” Jolie said astutely. “You think she’ll tell you to come back so you can put your time in with Dad, too.”

“She’d have every right to ask that,” Cassie said.

Jolie straightened. “Listen, Cassie. I’ve had my own share of guilt for leaving Thea here to be family caretaker. And maybe that’s part of the reason I came back to Montana. I wanted to make it up to her somehow. But she made a choice to stay—and it was the right choice for her. You just have to decide if it’s right for you. I can’t give you the answer, and, in the end, I suppose Thea can’t, either.”

That left Cassie right back where she’d started. Confused. Uncertain. Wanting with all her heart to do what was right for her son. But feeling that something inside her would die if she lost the independence she’d struggled so hard to attain.

Jolie glanced at her watch and stood up. “We’re gonna be late for church. We’d better get moving.”

“Oh, no. I’m not up to going to church in Paradise today—”

Jolie gave another grin. “Did you just listen to yourself?”

“Okay, okay, very funny. But you know how I feel about this. When the Maxwells show up at First Methodist, they’re on display. And right now I just don’t want to be…on display.”

“Honey,” said Jolie, “you won’t be the one giving the show this time. Our kid brother is going to try talking to Megan again, and we’re all going to be there to lend support. I think it would mean a lot to him if you were there, too.”

Cassie wasn’t so sure about that. But, like everyone else in her family, she had a major soft spot for Robert Maxwell Jr.

Church it was going to be.