Читать книгу Their Ranch Reunion - Mindy Obenhaus - Страница 14

Chapter Three

Carly removed the meat loaf from the oven and put in the apple pie she’d tossed together at the last minute. Throw in some mashed potatoes and green beans and it was comfort food all the way. She’d need all the comfort she could get if she hoped to make it through an evening with the man who had once been able to read her every thought.

Using a pot holder, she picked up the pan of meat and headed for the island. Nope. No plans at all. She all but flung the pan on the counter, sending spatters of tomato sauce across the butcher-block top.

She grabbed a rag and wiped up the mess, knowing good and well that Andrew was simply trying to get her goat. And enjoying every minute of it, no doubt. Just like he did back in high school. Only she was no longer the timid girl who was afraid to stand up for herself.

After throwing the rag into the sink, she returned to the stove to check the potatoes. Fork in hand, she lifted the lid on the large pot.

It irked her that Andrew was planning to use Livie’s house as a rental. Why wouldn’t he just let—Wait a minute.

Steam billowed in front of her.

She was half owner. That meant she had a say in what went on next door. He couldn’t use it as a rental without her permission.

Smiling, she poked at the vegetables. Yep, they were done.

She replaced the lid and carried the pot to the sink. This whole dispute would be over if Andrew would simply agree to sell. Unfortunately, for as eager as she was to discuss purchasing his half of the house so she could move forward with her expansion plans, she wasn’t at liberty to talk business with Megan in the room. Which meant this whole evening was a waste of time.

That is, unless her idea of plying Andrew with food actually worked.

Holding the lid slightly off-center so as not to lose any of the potatoes, she drained the water from the pot. Maybe he’d be in such a state of gastronomic euphoria by the end of this evening that it would be impossible for him to say no when she again extended her offer.

Dream on, girl.

“Can I help?” Megan emerged from the adjoining family room at the back of the house, directly off the kitchen. Carly’s parents had built the addition when she was young as a private space for the family. Now Carly appreciated it more than ever, because it allowed her to keep an eye on her daughter while she worked in the kitchen.

“Of course you can. Care to set the table?”

“Okay.”

Carly opened the cupboard to grab the plates.

“Not those plates, Mommy.”

“What?” She glanced down at her daughter.

“We need the guest plates.” Meaning the china she used for the bed-and-breakfast. And this time of year, guests were predominantly limited to weekends.

“Sweetie, we don’t use those for regular meals.”

“This isn’t a regular meal. Mr. Andrew is company, so we need to eat in the dining room with the pretty dishes.”

Oh, to be a child again, when everything was so simple.

Lord, help me make it through tonight.

“Okay. Let me get them for you.”

They moved around the corner into the dining room, and Carly retrieved the dishes from atop her grandmother’s antique sideboard. Meat loaf on china. That’d be a first.

Leaving Megan in charge of the table, Carly returned to the kitchen to mash the potatoes. She pulled the butter and cream from the large stainless steel refrigerator.

“Which side do the forks go on?”

Closing the refrigerator door, Carly grinned, recalling how she used to help her mother and wondering if Megan would one day take over Granger House Inn. If so, she’d be the third generation to run the B and B. Not that she was in any hurry for her daughter to grow up. Carly was already lamenting Megan’s occasional usage of Mom instead of Mommy.

“On the left.”

A knock on the back door nearly had Carly dropping the dairy products she still held.

Megan must have heard it, too, because she raced past Carly and threw open the door.

Carly deposited the butter and cream on the counter and hurried behind her daughter. “Young lady, what have I told you about looking to see who it is before you open the door?” Not that there was much to worry about in Ouray. Still, a mother could never be too cautious in this day and age.

“Sorry.”

“Evening, ladies.” A smiling Andrew stepped inside, looking far too appealing. His hair was damp, and he smelled freshly showered.

Closing the door behind him, Carly eyed her flour-speckled jeans. Clearly he’d done more primping than she had. An observation that had her as curious as it did bothered.

“Welcome to our home.” Megan swept her arm through the air in a flourish.

“Thank you for inviting me.” He stooped to her daughter’s level. “This is for you.” He handed her a small brown paper gift bag with white tissue sticking out the top.

Megan’s eyes were wide. “For me?”

“Yep. And this one—” straightening, he turned his attention to Carly “—is for your mother.”

Carly’s heart tripped as she accepted the package. A hostess gift had been unexpected, but the fact that he’d thought of both of them had her reevaluating their guest. At least momentarily.

“Th-thank you.”

“Can I open it?” Megan looked as if she was about to explode with anticipation.

“Of course. What are you waiting for?” Andrew looked like a kid himself as he watched Megan pull out the tissue, followed by a small rectangular box. “My own cards!”

“Did my grandmother ever teach you how to play Hearts?”

“I don’t think so.” Megan eyed him seriously.

“Looks like I’ll have to carry on the tradition, then. Perhaps we can play a game after dinner.”

“Okay.” Megan excitedly removed the plastic wrapping. “I can practice shuffling now, though, can’t I?”

“You sure can.” Andrew looked at Carly again. “You can open yours, too.”

Her stomach did a little flip-flop as she removed the tissue and pulled out a small box from Mouse’s Chocolates. “Ooo...”

“I hope you like truffles.”

She lifted a shoulder. “No, not really.”

His smile evaporated and, for just a moment, she felt bad for messing with him. Then again, after the way he’d coerced her into this dinner invitation, why should she care?

“Oh, I’m sorry. I thought most women—”

“I love them.”

The corners of his mouth slowly lifted as he wagged a finger her way. “You had me going for a second.”

Looking up, she sent him a mischievous grin. “Good.”

She moved back toward the island, glad she had potatoes to keep her busy for a few minutes. Was it her imagination or did Andrew’s brown eyes seem a touch lighter tonight? Like coffee with a splash of cream. Maybe it was the blue-gray mix in his flannel shirt. Whatever the case, it might be best if Megan kept him occupied for a while.

When they sat down to dinner a short time later, Andrew surveyed the table. “This is quite the spread.” His gaze settled on Carly. “I wasn’t expecting you to go to all this trouble.”

Again, her insides betrayed her, quivering at his praise. “No trouble.”

“Yeah. My mommy cooks like this all the time.”

Suspecting her daughter was attempting a little matchmaking, Carly added, “Not all the time. And we rarely eat in the dining room.”

He glanced about. “That’s a shame. This is a nice room.”

“Oh, it gets plenty of use with the bed-and-breakfast.” She eyed her daughter across the table. “Shall we pray?”

After dinner, Andrew followed through with his promise and taught Megan Livie’s favorite card game while Carly cleaned up the kitchen. Not only was she surprised by his patience with Megan and the gentle way he encouraged her, she greatly appreciated it. While Dennis had been a good father, he always seemed to have more time for his work than he did for his family. A fact that had Carly practicing the art of overcompensation long before his death.

With the dishes done, Carly joined them in the dining room.

She smoothed a hand across her daughter’s back. “I hate to put the kibosh on your fun, but tomorrow is a school day.”

“But I’m beating him. Please, can we finish this game?”

As much as Carly wanted to resist, to tell Megan it was time for Andrew to leave, she didn’t have the heart. “Go ahead.”

Fifteen minutes later, with her first win under her belt and promises of a rematch, a happy Megan scurried off to get ready for bed.

Andrew pushed his chair in as he stood. “Think we could talk for a minute?”

“Um...” Carly’s body tensed. While she had planned to reissue her offer to purchase his half of Livie’s house, she wasn’t sure she had the energy tonight. Then again, maybe he’d had a change of heart and was willing to accept her offer. “Okay. Let’s go out front.”

He followed her through the living room, past the carved wooden staircase and Victorian-era parlor chairs. “You’ve got a bright kid there. She’s a fast learner.”

Carly tugged open the heavy oak and leaded glass door. “I’ve always thought so.”

Outside, the chilly evening air had her drawing her bulky beige cardigan around her. Moving to the porch swing, she sat down and stared out over the street. Once upon a time, she used to dream of finding someone who would sit with her and hold her hand while they talked about their day, the way her parents always had. Like she and Andrew used to do. And Dennis was too busy to do.

Now she knew better than to dream.

To her surprise, though, Andrew joined her on the swing. Close enough that she could feel the warmth emanating from his body.

“This has been a full day,” he said.

If she thought her mind was muddled before he sat down... “Yes, it has.” And she could hardly wait for it to be over.

He stretched his arm across the back of the swing, his long legs setting them into motion as he surveyed the neighborhood without saying a word.

For a split second, she wondered what he would do if she were to lean into him and rest her head on his shoulder. Would he wrap his arm around her and hold her close, the way he used to? Or would he push her away?

Feeling the cold seep into her bones, she pushed to her feet. “What was it you wanted to talk about?”

He hesitated a moment before joining her. Took in a deep breath. “I’m willing to pay you the full value of the house for your half.”

Her jaw dropped. “Do you have any idea how much property values have risen around here?”

He shrugged. “I can afford it.”

His words sparked a fire in her belly. He hadn’t changed a bit. With Andrew, everything was about money. Making it, having it... Just like her late husband had been.

Well, he’d sorely underestimated her.

“I don’t care if you offer me a million dollars. There are some things that just can’t be bought. Including me.”

Refusing to listen to another word, she stormed into the house and slammed the door behind her.

* * *

By noon the next day, Andrew was at his wit’s end. Carly’s adamant refusal last night, coupled with his former admin assistant’s acknowledgment that a certified letter from Ouray had indeed come for him a few months back and was left on his desk, had him more confused than ever.

Tucked in a corner booth at Granny’s Kitchen, a local diner he remembered as The Miner’s Cafe, he listened to the din of the early lunch crowd and pondered what remained of his burger and fries. One would think he’d be used to Carly’s rejection by now. At least last night’s dismissal hadn’t stung as much as when she’d refused to marry him.

He sighed, dipped a french fry into some ketchup and popped it in his mouth. Seventeen years later, he still wasn’t sure what had gone wrong. But last night revealed something he hadn’t expected. Despite everything, Carly still held a very special place in his heart. Simply being near her stirred up what-ifs and could-have-beens.

Rather absurd, if you asked him. They didn’t even know each other anymore. Besides, he was headed back to Denver just as soon as he finished Grandma’s house. And he knew all too well how Carly felt about the big city.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. He wiped his hands and slid out the device, happy to see his attorney’s name on the screen.

He pressed the phone against his ear. “Hey, Ned.”

“Judging from all the missed calls I have from you, I’m guessing you’re eager to talk to me.”

“Yes.” He straightened in the wooden bench. “I was beginning to think you were avoiding me.”

Ned laughed. “Sorry, buddy. I didn’t think you’d be in need of my services so soon. Don’t tell me you’re bored with Ouray already.”

Surprisingly, Ouray had been anything but boring this time around.

“No, but I do have a problem.” He pushed his plate aside and proceeded to explain the change to his grandmother’s will. “Is there any way I can get this will revoked and the original reinstated?” He reached for another fry, awaiting his lawyer’s response.

“Was your grandmother of sound mind? Did she have dementia or anything?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” Though given her decision to split the ownership of the house, he was beginning to wonder. If it had been one of his brothers, he could understand it. But Carly wasn’t family.

“Then it’s highly unlikely you’d be able to get it overturned.”

Andrew wadded his napkin, tossed it on the high-gloss wooden tabletop and raked a hand through his hair. He’d anticipated as much. Still...

“Can I get you anything else?” Beside him, the waitress smiled down at him.

“One minute, Ned.” He eyed the unquestionably pregnant blonde. “I’m good, thank you.”

She slid him his check. “My name is Celeste if you need anything else. Otherwise, you can pay at the register on your way out.”

“Good deal. Thank you.” He again set the phone to his ear. “Sorry about that.” He grabbed the ticket as he slipped out of the booth. “So, what are my options?”

“You could—”

The town’s emergency siren shrieked to life just then, making it impossible for Andrew to hear anything. “Hold on again, Ned.” He stepped up to the register and paid his tab as the high-pitched wail of fire trucks added to the discord.

When the madness finally settled, he stepped outside and resumed his call. “Okay, let’s try this again.” The cool midday air had him zipping up his jacket.

“And here I thought Ouray was just a sleepy little town.”

Andrew looked up and down the historic Main Street. “Apparently not today.”

Ned chuckled. “As far as options, you could offer to buy out the other person’s half.”

Crossing the street, Andrew let go a sigh. “Already did.”

“And?”

“She slammed the door in my face.” A quick glance heavenward had him noticing the plumes of thick, black smoke billowing into the air a few blocks away. Pretty significant fire, if you asked him. And fairly close to his grandmother’s house.

A wave of unease rolled through him. “Uh, Ned, I’m gonna have to call you back.”

He shoved the phone in his pocket, quickening his pace until he reached the corner. When he did, he peered to his right.

Dread pulsed through his veins as every nerve ending went on high alert. The fire trucks were in front of his grandmother’s house.

He broke into a run. One block. Adrenaline urged him forward. Two blocks.

“Oh, no.” Heart sinking, he came to a halt.

Across the street, smoke rolled from the back of Granger House Inn. Flames danced from the kitchen’s side window, lapping at the sea foam paint, threatening the historic dentil moldings and clapboard siding.

One of the firemen barked orders, orchestrating the chaos, while others flanked the corner of the house, their hoses aimed inside.

But where was Carly?

“Andrew!”

He jerked his head in the direction of his brother Jude’s voice.

A police officer for the city of Ouray, his younger brother vehemently motioned him across the street.

Andrew hurried toward him.

“We need you to move your truck out of Grandma’s drive.”

“Sure thing.” He tugged the keys from his pocket and threw himself into the vehicle, the smell of smoke nearly choking him.

As he backed into the street, he spotted Carly’s SUV in front of her house. Where was she? Was she safe? Could she have been trapped inside? Oh, God. Please, no.

He quickly parked on the next block before rushing back.

People had gathered on the opposite side of the street, watching the horror unfold.

He scanned the faces, looking for Carly. She had to be here somewhere.

He again eyed the flames, feeling helpless. Sweat beaded his brow as panic surged through his body. God, she has to be all right.

Spotting Jude in the middle of the street, Andrew jogged toward him. “Where’s Carly?”

“In the ambulance.”

Ambulance?

He ran past the cluster of onlookers to the emergency vehicle parked a few houses down.

Drawing closer, he finally saw her, standing near the rear bumper, attempting to pull off the oxygen mask while the female EMT fought to keep it over her face.

Andrew had never been so glad to see someone.

He slowed his pace as Carly ultimately ripped the mask from her face. “I don’t need this.” She coughed. “That’s my house.” More coughing. “I need to—”

Andrew stepped in front of her then. “You need to let the firemen do their job. And you need to get some good air into your lungs.” He pulled the mask from her hand, noting the resignation in her blue eyes as she looked up at him, her bottom lip quivering. “At least for a little bit.”

The fact that she didn’t resist when he slipped the respirator over her head still surprised him. But when he reached for her hand, she quickly yanked it away.

He groaned. Stupid move. Who was he to try to comfort her?

Only then did he notice the way she cradled her hand, holding it against her torso. The redness. She’d been burned.

“I think we’d better get you into the ambulance.”

She shook her head. “I want to see what’s happening.” The words were muffled through the plastic mask.

Andrew eyed the male and female EMTs. “Can she sit here while you look her over?” He gestured to the rear bumper.

They nodded.

He looked at Carly. “You promise to let them do what they need to do?”

A cough-filled moment ticked by before she finally agreed.

The female EMT checked Carly’s vital signs as the man went to work on her hand. All the while, Carly’s tearful gaze remained riveted on Granger House.

Andrew could only imagine the flurry of emotions threatening to swallow her at any moment. The uncertainty, the grief... He wished he could make it all go away.

He sat down beside her as the man wrapped her hand in gauze. “What happened there?” Andrew pointed to the injury.

“I had gone to the bank.” She coughed. “When I got back—” looking up, she blinked repeatedly “—I opened the back door and the...flames were everywhere.”

His eyes momentarily drifted closed. Thank God she was okay.

Unable to stop himself, he slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Despite wearing a jacket, her whole body shook.

Returning his attention to the house, he saw that the smoke had started to turn white, a sign that the fire was almost out. However, there was no telling what kind of damage it had left in its wake. Granger House was more than Carly’s home. It was her livelihood. Without it—

As if she’d read his thoughts, Carly lifted her head, her eyes swimming with tears. “What am I going to do?”