Authors: Nancy Hopper
"Oh, no." She denied quickly. "No one."
He nodded his satisfaction. "All right, then. We'll see how it goes." He kissed Elaine's hand, and smiled at her. "I guess I'll say goodnight too, my dear. You sleep well." He winked at Elaine and went upstairs to his room, leaving her gaping after him.
Much to Dana's chagrin, James, Billy and Mike were scheduled to catch a flight out at eleven the next morning.
"Can't you extend your time here, somehow?" she begged desperately.
"Not really; not just now." James denied unhappily. "I still don't have a release to quit my job, and I know you want me to save some vacation for another time." He reminded her pointedly.
Dana picked at the lapels of his coat petulantly. "Don't you dare forget me." She said in a low voice. James could see tears in her eyes. "I'm coming home, real soon."
James shook his head and held her close. "You'd better, doll. And come home ready." He warned.
Elaine had taken all her measurements for the wedding party, and she was ready to run home to L.A. -- fast, and hard. She managed to get a flight, and again allowed a combined trip to the airport for her hosts.
As it turned out, Elaine had an hour to wait for her flight after the boys boarded theirs for Jackson Hole. Tasha was grateful for the little bit of extra time with her friend. Dana had wanted to stay and watch James' plane take off. They didn't expect her to join them any time soon.
They sat down at a table in a restaurant, and ordered some appetizers. Tasha grinned, and took Elaine's hand. "Is it any wonder we were drawn to one another and that we became such good friends?" she asked happily.
Elaine smiled nervously and fidgeted.
"Elaine, what's eating you?" Tim asked bluntly. "You've been like a cat on a hot tin roof, almost since you got here."
Elaine blinked back sudden tears. "Oh, dear. I just don't know what to do, anymore."
"About what?" Tim pried smoothly.
Elaine looked up at him in sheer desperation. "About Brent." She admitted tensely.
"What about him?"
Elaine gave him a look that told him exactly what she thought of his relentless badgering. "He wants me to give it another chance."
"Uh, huh. And you're scared spitless, aren't you?" Tim assessed confidently.
"Of course I am! I have every right to be!" Elaine snapped.
Tim grinned at her. "What would you think if I told you he’s scared, too?" he asked softly. "Scared he'll do something stupid, scared he'll revert; scared that you’ll refuse him? I swear to you, Elaine; he's a changed man. If you can find it in yourself to believe in him, it will do wonders to cement his new take on life. Besides, you'd have an in, with your step-daughter. The whole family loves you, so you really shouldn't have any problems." He teased.
Tasha was staring at her, in pure shock. "You mean, he wants you back? He's still in love with you?"
Elaine blushed and shrugged helplessly. "Tasha, I didn't mean for it to happen. I hid from him for years, because of Emilie, and because of you! I didn't know what to do after I met you, and figured out that he is your father. So, I came here to make peace with him – and now, he does this!"
Tim laughed, completely unconcerned. "Elaine, relax. Listen
to me, now. You go home to L.A. Run your shop and make a beautiful wedding dress for my bride. Then, come to us in Jackson, and let things work themselves out. He didn't put any pressure on you, or give you any ultimatums, did he?"
"No." Elaine admitted.
"Good for him. He's learning, then." Tim affirmed. "Just keep him on track, and make him stay at your speed, Elaine. If he can handle that, then it should be a good indicator that he really loves you – and, that he's determined to change. If he'll put your needs first, it should tell you something, lady."
Elaine sighed. "Surely you don't think he'd sit still for that, do you, Tim?" she doubted.
"I sure do. You set the pace, and he will go along. You just let me know if he pushes you at all, and I'll sit on him a bit."
"Oh, my. This is so stressful, Tim! Brent just isn't like Brent anymore, and I am so afraid that I'll blink – and then he will be the old Brent again."
Tim chuckled. "Nah. Jesus has a great, big hook in his jaw, now. He's determined to do it right. He's changing, and you'll learn to trust him, if you just give him some time; and a real chance." He predicted.
Elaine covered her eyes with a shaky hand. "Okay." She snapped. "Okay. But, Timothy, I don't feel comfortable about this. Not at all! That man has an agenda!"
Tim narrowed his eyes, and his smile teased her. "Don't we all?" He said in a low voice. "He’s figured out the woman that God intends as his wife. He wants his wife in his bed. I don't see a thing wrong with that." He challenged her. “I've been bit by the very same bug, and it hasn't turned out all that bad.”
Elaine blushed, and looked at her hands. Tasha blushed and looked at Tim. He met her eyes, and gave her a slow wink. There was a promise burning in the depths of his eyes that made her tummy flutter convulsively.
"Well, we should probably get to the gate." Elaine said briskly. She missed entirely what had transpired between Tim and Tasha.
"We'll go with you." Tasha agreed quickly. She started to walk after Elaine, but Tim caught her arm and swung her around firmly. She found herself in his arms, with his predatory eyes burning down into hers.
"Does that kind of talk make you nervous?" he asked in a low voice.
Tasha's eyelashes fanned over her cheeks shyly. "I suppose it does, a little bit." She admitted. She forced herself to look up at him.
He smiled down at her. "Don't be nervous." He begged her gently. "You're not making a mistake."
"Oh, I know." She assured him. "I just ...”
"What?" he prodded teasingly.
"Can't help thinking about what it will be like. Wondering. Wishing I already knew. I mean, I do know, but … yet, I don't." she said softly.
He raised his eyebrows. "Well, sweet thing, I'll admit I give it a bit of thought, myself." He said slowly, as they followed along behind Elaine at a leisurely pace. "I can guarantee you that I wish I could satisfy your curiosity right now." He assured her with a lazy grin.
Tasha blushed and rolled her eyes. "Don't tease me." She protested.
He laughed. "Fancy you saying that to me, after all you've put me through!" he objected lightly.
Elaine had her boarding pass out, and she was ready to go when they caught up to her. They said their good-byes, and Elaine dashed down to the plane as soon as they began to allow boarding.
Tim looked down at Tasha affectionately. "Don't worry, honey. Everything is going to be fine. But you'd better get used to the idea of having a step-mother. Brent is determined to win her back again."
"Really?" she asked in amazement. She still couldn't absorb it.
Tim gave her a sardonic look. "Really. He means business."
"He must have taken lessons from you." She accused lightly, fanning her lashes playfully.
Tim shook his head, and gave her a crooked smile. "Uh, huh." He agreed facetiously. "Come on, I'll buy you some ice cream." He promised.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The following week, Brent was taking Tim, Tasha and Dana to the airport. Naomi and Lucas insisted on coming along. The children were a bit worried about their mother going on a plane without them; but strangely enough, it was Tim who was able to put their minds at ease.
He knelt down beside them, and put a gentle arm around each of them. "Listen, you guys. I know you want to come with us, but your mom and I have a whole lot of work to do. We have to get your bedrooms ready, and buy furniture, and toys, and get the house all ready for you. There's no place yet for you to sleep. Really, that's all that's keeping us from bringing you with us, this time. Besides, your grandpa is going to need some watching over. You'll be company for him when you fly down together, and meet us at my house.”
He grinned. “And then, we're gonna meet them pigs and cows and buffalo and horses, chickens, sheep and kittens. And I'll get you some cowboy boots, and you can ride your very own ponies. So be patient with us for just a little while, all right?"
"Are you going away on a honeymoon?" Naomi asked suspiciously.
Tim softened and smiled. "After the wedding, yes. But you are going to stay at my house with your grandpa and Lucinda, until we come back. That way, you can be getting used to everything. It's going to be all right, I promise."
"Tim, do we really get our own ponies?" she asked suspiciously.
"Yeah. And I'm going to teach you how to ride. So hang in there, and get ready. We're going to have a great time together. Okay?" he asked hopefully.
Naomi looked into his pleading eyes, and nodded. "Okay, Tim." She agreed.
"Okay, Tim." Lucas parroted his sister seriously.
Tim laughed, and hugged them both. "Thanks. Now kiss your mama, and don't worry. She'll be calling you just about every day." He promised.
They boarded their flight with brave smiles for the kids and Brent, but they were both blinking back tears. They held hands and didn't say much until they were well into the flight. Dana kept quiet, knowing they needed a chance to recuperate.
Tim set Tasha laughing with a few quiet words in her ear, a few wicked promises that she knew he'd enjoy fulfilling. But, it surely helped take her mind off the parting image of her children's big eyes.
Tim happened to look across the aisle, and noticed a very nervous young man sitting there. He looked familiar to Tim. As he stared, the young man turned and looked at him, then blushed and quickly looked out the window.
Tim leaned forward. "Hey. Don't I know you?"
The young man paled, and looked at him almost fearfully. "Yes, sir, Mr. Rain. Sort of. I'm a reporter."
Tim gave him a quizzical look. "Oh." He said lightly. Then he remembered, and laughed heartily. "Oh, yeah." He recalled with a drawl. "You're the guy I sent packing one night in a Salt Lake cafe."
He looked entirely discomfited that Tim would remember. "Yes, sir. I'm honestly not here to interview you, or spy or anything, Mr. Rain. There were no vacant seats left on the plane that I could move to."
Tim nodded, and shrugged. "Well, I was kind of rough on you that night. I suppose I should apologize. I was on very thin ice with a beautiful woman, and I didn't want to blow the only chance I was going to get with her. But today, she's not about to get away." He said with a certainty.
Tasha blushed as Tim took her hand in his, and gave her a meaningful look.
"Wow. I'd really love it if you'd give me another shot at it, Mr. Rain. Thanks a million." Jim said gratefully. He quickly pulled out his tape recorder and camera, and the interview was on.
Tasha began to tense up when they were circling Jackson for landing. She realized she was really very nervous about meeting Tim's parents. Tim gave Dana a significant look, and she took the hint. She took Tasha's hand, and immediately began prattling in her ear to take her mind off what was coming when they landed.
"If you look over there, due east, you can see the mountains. And the ranch is right out there!" she said, pulling Tasha's arm to get her looking out the window.
But, nothing could quell Tasha's nervousness as they walked up the hallway to the terminal. Tasha looked up at Tim worriedly, and he put his arm around her with a grin.
"Scared?" he chastised. "Don't be. They are going to love you. You can't miss. Just be yourself."
Tasha smiled bravely, but she was sure her knees were knocking and her legs were wobbling, as she allowed Tim to pull her along by the hand. She tried to keep breathing, and keep a smile on. She felt that her face might break.
Tim hugged his mother first, and kissed her cheek. She was slender, and had immaculately styled longer, silver hair. She had gray eyes and was very elegant, though casually dressed. Tasha thought she was beautiful.
Then, he hugged his father, who had dark hair, with wings of gray at his temples, and Tim's bright blue eyes. He was tall, and though slim, he was powerfully built. Tim was very much like him.
Tim turned and took Tasha's hand with a bolstering, private smile. "Come on." He whispered.
Tasha was propelled forward, though she felt a sudden longing to hide. She suddenly wished she'd gone into the restroom to check her lipstick and hair. She had no idea how beautiful she looked, and she probably wouldn't have really believed it if she'd been told.
With her hair up in a sophisticated but soft French Roll, and in her forest green leather coat and boots, she was a very pretty package. Her emerald silk blouse and suede skirt were just the thing to make her eyes shine like diamonds. With her hair up, the lovely shape of her face was accentuated, and her soft dimples jumped to life as she smiled a little bashfully.
"This is Tasha." Tim introduced her proudly.
For a moment, they just stared. Then, Tim's mother opened her arms, and hugged Tasha warmly. "Tasha, my dear. We are so glad you have finally come." She said gently.
"Holy, Moses, Timothy. How did you pull this off?" his father said, with a low whistle. "She's even more lovely in real life." He muttered, pulling her into a bear hug. "Are you sure this lovely drink of water is going to be satisfied with you, you old farm boy?"
Tim gave a low laugh. "Well, Dad. I'll satisfy her, or I'll die trying." He assured him. His glittering eyes promised Tasha that he was looking forward to it, when she turned outraged eyes on him.
His mother rolled her eyes, and took Tasha's arm. "Pay no mind, Tasha. Honestly, Timothy, don't embarrass her right off, she's only just met us. Where is Dana?"
They turned, and all stopped short as they saw Dana crushed in the embrace of a swarthy man with long, black hair. The passion in their kiss couldn't be mistaken.
Tim shoved his hands in his pockets, and winced. "Well; she's … right here." He assured them uncomfortably. "But, as you can see, she is also a little busy at the moment, and so of course, it's up to me to … explain." he ended lamely.
"Yes, Timothy. Why don't you do that?" his mother asked pointedly.
Tim cringed a bit, and looked at them helplessly. "Well, you see, Dana. She, uh. Well, she came to Salt Lake, and James stopped on a layover, and they -- she," he stumbled. He sighed in frustration. "But Mom, it's really great! Listen," he pleaded. "She … it's not what you think, he's been crazy about her for a long time, he just had to wait until she was ready, and now she is, and ..."
Tasha gave him a withering look, and put a hand on his chest. "Let me try." She suggested sweetly. She gathered her courage, and turned to his parents with a glowing smile.
"Dana has fallen in love with an incredible man. He is a good friend of Tim's, one he trusts. He came to Salt Lake to visit while Dana was there, and it was magic. He's perfect for her, and they are both ecstatic. He's been praying for a relationship with Dana, for a long time. Just waiting for the time to be right, for her."
"Uh. Yeah!" Tim agreed, rather comically.
"This is rather sudden." Jerome growled suspiciously.
Tim's mother looked horrified. "But Dana ..."
"Dana is doing fine." Tim assured them gently. He seemed to have regained his composure nicely. "James loves her more than life. She's in excellent hands. It didn't take her long to realize that she didn't love Snyder as much as she thought she did. That happened before James turned up."
At last, the couple broke their embrace, and walked toward the family, with arms wrapped around one another and stars in their eyes.
"Mom! Dad!" Dana cried, and threw her arms around them both. "I want you to meet my fiance, James Burton."
Tim looked at Dana's lips, red and slightly swollen from James' kisses and rough beard, and covered his eyes, trying not to laugh.
Jerome Rain stepped forward with a grim look. "Mr. Burton." He said calmly.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Burton." Gloria Rain said, trying to be natural.
"Thank you. The pleasure is mine." James said, grinning at Dana.
Tim and Tasha exchanged a wild-eyed look and opened their mouths to try to ease the situation, but Gloria beat them to it.
"Mr. Burton, will you join us at the house, and please stay to dinner tonight?"
James looked up at her gratefully. "Thank you, Mrs. Rain. I'd like that. I couldn't help taking the afternoon off to come and meet Dana's plane. I hope you don't mind the intrusion too much."
"Not at all, we will be pleased to have you. Dana, I take it you would prefer to ride with James?"
"Yes, Mama. Thank you." Dana answered immediately.
"All right, then. We'll see you at home." She said, with a pointed look at her daughter. Then, she grabbed her husband's lapel and tugged on it doggedly.
"Let's get down and claim baggage, then. You kids must be tired. Papa and I will get the car and meet you outside, Tim."
"All right, Mom." Tim agreed with a sigh. After they were gone, he gave Tasha a haggard look. "Oh, boy. That was scary! I hadn't given the
slightest
consideration to the possibility that he’d show up. Though I should have." He admitted in bewilderment.
Tasha grinned. "They will simply love him, when they get over the shock. It was just a bit much, so soon after Rick. When they see how it is with them, who could object?"
"Wow." Tim sighed again, shaking his head. "They just about lost it." He said ominously. "I've never seen them so uptight! They must be really stressed out."
Tasha patted his arm. "Well, darling. Pretty soon, things will settle down." She assured him.
Tim grinned, and pulled their bags off the carousel. "I sure hope you're right." He chuckled.
Tim discovered on the way home, that Tasha was extremely capable of handling his parents. She had them at ease, and almost back to themselves within a matter of minutes. He could visibly see the tension leave their shoulders as she charmed them.
She explained some more about James, when she felt it was safe to do so, and she felt certain they'd be receptive to him.
"Shall I take you to our place, or yours?" Jerome asked Tim curiously, with one eye in the rear view mirror.
"Well, maybe mine, first." Tim decided. "Maybe we should give you a little time with James and Dana, and come up to your house later."
"That's a fine idea." Gloria agreed.
Jerome turned into a graveled driveway, and drove through a thicket of trees, until Tasha could see a sprawling but attractive ranch house, with a second level on the back, hinting at added bedrooms. Two large barns and a root cellar could be seen, not far away.
After they passed the house, travel became a bit more challenging. Two feet of snow lay on the ground, and a good foot had been added to the snow pack since the last time Jerome had plowed.