“Okay, thanks for letting me know, Hester.” He turned his attention to his food, but his mind toyed with the identity of the caller.
After lunch, Rosa’s little ones had to take a nap,
and Zach was going to show Manuel and Paul the chores he’d lined up for them.
The boys followed him eagerly to the barn. When he told them they’d be paid for their work, they were over the top. “Zach, we’ll work for free,” Paul said earnestly.
“I know you would, buddy, but on the Lowery Ranch, everyone gets paid for his or her work. And I expect you to do a good job. I’ll be inspecting it when you’re finished.”
After showing them what to do, he went about his business, only dropping a word with a nearby cowboy to check on his new employees occasionally.
His eyes scanned the ranch house, looking to see if there had been any new arrivals, but he couldn’t see any strange vehicles. With a shrug, he went about his business.
Four hours later, sweaty and tired, he came back to check out the boys’ work. He was pleasantly surprised by their thoroughness.
“Congratulations, boys. You did a great job. We’ll go up to the house and you’ll get your pay.”
Beaming with pride, Paul straightened his shoulders. “Susan said I couldn’t take anything else from you ’cause we’re already living here free.”
“But I’m not offering you a gift, Paul,” Zach said seriously, figuring he was going to have to have yet another talk with Susan. “You and Manuel both earned your money. You worked hard.”
“Yeah, we did,” Manuel agreed.
Paul swallowed. “Okay. I’ll go ahead and take the
money, but then I’ll have to ask Susan if I can keep it.”
Now Zach knew he had to talk with Susan before Paul did.
“Good idea. Like I said this morning, we don’t want to upset Susan.”
Both boys nodded. He led the way out of the barn, only to come to an abrupt halt. Across the way, by the corral, he. saw several of his cowboys gathered, not working. That in itself was unusual enough, but the blonde in the center of the circle looked remarkably like Susan. She was back home already?
He started toward her, but Paul suddenly gave a yell and outran him. “Megan!”
The lady pushed her way through the admiring cowboys and gave all her attention to her brother. “Paul!” She ran toward him, her arms open wide.
They both hugged and then talked so fast neither could understand the other. Zach decided it was time he introduced himself to the last of Susan’s siblings.
“Hi, Megan.”
She turned from Paul and stared at him. “Are you Mr. Lowery,?”
“It’s Zach,” Paul said, grinning at the man. “He’s neat ”
“Thanks, buddy. Yeah, I’m Zach Lowery. Have you been to the house?”
“No. I—I was afraid. I didn’t think Susan would be there, and I thought maybe I’d wait until she got back. She will be coming here tonight, won’t she?”
“Yeah.” He looked at his cowboys. They were still
staring at Susan’s little sister, their tongues practically hanging out. “I’ll take care of Megan now, guys. You can go back to work.”
Reluctantly, they sauntered away after telling her goodbye. Zach laughed. “We’re going to have to look for some ugly dust around here, or I won’t get any work out of those guys.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
He took her arm, turning her toward the house. “I’m kidding, Megan. It’s just that between you and Susan, these boys have never seen such beautiful women.”
She blushed and grinned at him.
“We’ll go to the house and introduce you to Hester and my grandfather. I guess you already know Rosa.”
She stopped walking, turning to look at the two boys following them. “It was so natural to see you and Manny together, Paul, I didn’t realize he shouldn’t be here. How—”
“We live here now,” Manuel said proudly. “Me and Paul still get to be together.”
Zach offered a more coherent explanation. “Pedro lost his job and I happened to have an opening here. And Rosa is helping Hester, our housekeeper. She’s getting on in years but won’t consider retiring.”
“How wonderful. But when did you and Susan meet, and why didn’t she ask me to the wedding?”
“Everything happened pretty fast. I guess you’ll have to talk to Susan about that,” he said, hoping Megan wouldn’t ask any more questions. Though he
had one of his own. “How did you know where Susan and Paul were?”
“I got a phone message from Susan giving the number here at the ranch in case I needed her for an emergency. It worried me, so I called it, and someone told me you two were married and how to get here. So I came.”
Zach assured her she was welcome.
Inside the house, Megan met Hester and exchanged a hug with Rosa. Then Zach took her into Pete’s bedroom.
“Gramp, I’d like you to meet Megan, Susan and Paul’s sister. She’s come down from the University of Nebraska to find out what her family’s up to.”
Pete was delighted. In no time, he had Megan sitting on the side of his bed, telling him all about life on campus. After they’d chatted for half an hour, he asked her if she’d consider transferring to Kansas University. After all, she’d be able to come home on weekends if she did.
Zach had no objection to Gramp’s suggestion, but after his conversation with Susan that morning, he didn’t think she would be happy with it
“I might. I’ve been lonesome, missing Susan and Paul.”
“How did you get here?” Zach asked. He was sure she didn’t have a car at school.
“I caught a ride with a guy driving to Kansas City. He offered to drop me off here.”
“A friend?”
“A friend of a friend. You know how it is at college,” she said with a shrug.
Another reason to talk to Susan. Zach knew
exactly
how it was at college. Date rape as well as other perils awaited young, naive women.
“That doesn’t sound too safe.”
“I’m fine,” she assured him, but her cheeks flushed.
“I hear a car. That’s probably Susan,” Zach warned. “You want to face her alone or with all of us around you to protect you?”
“Protect me from Susan? That’s ridiculous,” Megan exclaimed. After looking at those around her, she asked, “Isn’t it?”
Chapter Ten
S
he’d been a shrew.
All the way home, Susan prepared her apology to Zach.
After all, it wasn’t his fault that her brother preferred staying on the ranch and playing with his friend to driving an hour each way with her and being bored to tears. Or that Zach’s suggestion made him appear the hero and her the villain.
It wasn’t.
She just needed to remind him that discussing suggestions about Paul in front of the boy was not a good idea.
That wasn’t being unreasonable.
And that was her goal Everything had happened very fast, but Zach was keeping his word. He was sleeping on a miserable air mattress while she sprawled out in the luxurious huge bed. He’d been
discreet, staying downstairs for half an hour each night so she could have the bathroom to herself before he came up.
He was being a gentleman, and she was going to be a lady.
She parked the SUV where Zach had shown her Friday. When the weather got colder, he’d told her she could use one of the garages, but for now she could park it near the back door.
With a sigh, she got out and headed for the house, anxious to see how Paul had managed.
The kitchen was empty except for Hester, who indicated everyone was in Gramp’s room. With a smile, Susan turned left instead of climbing the stairs. She had to check on Paul before she could change her clothes and relax.
The room seemed full. Zach, Paul, Manuel and Gramp were all staring at her, and Megan was—
Megan!
“Megan!” she exclaimed, rushing to her sister and embracing her while her mind raced with the implications of Megan’s appearance. “What are you doing here? Is everything all right?”
“I’m fine, except I’m mad at you for not inviting me to your wedding, even if it was quick!”
Susan glared at Zach over Megan’s shoulder, forgetting about the rest of her audience. She stepped back from Megan’s embrace and searched her sister’s face. “I—I couldn’t... Didn’t Zach explain?” she asked, hoping to buy some time.
“It was my fault,” Pete said, and Susan held her breath for what he would say next.
“I thought I was dying, and I didn’t want them to wait to get married. So I begged them to do it at once in my hospital room. I suspect Susan hated to tell you about the wedding because she knew you’d be upset about missing it The poor thing’s been caught between a rock and a hard place.”
Susan stared at Gramp, grateful for his summing up of events in a way that might eliminate some questions. But something in his gaze disturbed her.
Megan hugged her again. “Oh, Susan, how horrible for you. And I’m glad it didn’t turn out that you were terminally ill, Mr. Lowery,” she added, beaming at Pete.
“You and me both. But call me Gramp. We’re all family here.” His attention switched back to Susan. “I’m trying to talk this little girl into changing schools. She could go to Kansas University and come home on weekends. She’s really missing her family.”
Susan immediately glared at Zach, but he shook his head no. “I think it’s a good idea, honey, but I didn’t come up with it and I haven’t tried to promote it”
“What? You don’t want Megan to be a part of the family?” Pete demanded, outrage in his voice.
“Of course I do. But I think decisions about Megan and Paul’s choices should be up to them and Susan.”
Susan smiled her apology. “That’s very sweet of you, Gramp, but Megan is on scholarship at Nebraska. If she transferred, she might not get any scholarships at KU, and I couldn’t afford—”
“Now, girl, you know we have plenty of money,” Pete began.
“Megan and I will discuss it,” Susan replied hurriedly. “In fact, if you don’t mind, I’ll take Megan upstairs and have—have a little girl chat.” Frantically, she tried to organize her experiences of the past few days to explain the situation to Megan.
“Oh, but—” Megan began.
Zach intervened, which made Susan wonder what was going on. “I think you’d better go have a chat with Mother Hen, here. She gets a little anxious about you two.”
Megan laughed. “She is a mother hen, isn’t she? But she’s the best sister. Even before Mom died, Susan’s the one who took care of us, provided for us. And since Mom died, Susan’s been our mother and big sister both. She even tried to pay off Mom’s debts, which were substantial.” She sighed. “Poor Mom was a failure as a mother
and
as a provider.”
“Megan! Don’t...never mind. Come on.” Susan marched out the door, hoping her sister would follow without any more revelations.
“Thanks for making me feel so welcome,” Megan said as she followed her sister.
Pete Lowery sent Paul and Manuel to ask Rosa if Manuel could eat with them that evening, telling the boys to help Hester with setting the table when they got back.
Zach waited until the boys were gone, knowing
Pete had sent them away on purpose. His grandfather had something to say.
“Don’t you think it’s about time you told me the truth about Susan?” Pete growled.
Zach caught his breath, then said, with as much control as he could muster, “What do you mean?”
Pete pushed another pillow behind his head. “You and that little lady have been pitching a lot of lies. If you’re not careful, you’re going to step in some of them”
“Gramp, we—”
Pete held up his hand. “I believed them at first And I’m grateful for the effort. Not only that, I think she’s the best thing to happen to you in a long time. I’m just afraid you’re going to mess things up if you don’t straighten out a few things.”
Zach gave up. With a long sigh, he pulled up a chair beside Gramp’s bed and sat down. “You’re okay? This hasn’t upset you?”
“Damn right it’s upset me. You’ve got to marry that girl before she gets away.”
“We are married,” Zach reminded him.
“Yeah, and that’s why you look at her like a hungry bear licking his chops, admiring the latest tourist. Boy, I’m not an idiot!”
“Okay, we’re technically married, but we’re not—I mean, it’s in name only.”
Pete grunted. “I knew it.”
“Hell, Gramp, what was I supposed to do? I’d lied to you about there being a woman in my life. Then, on your deathbed, you asked to see her. I couldn’t
confess my sins then. It might’ve sent you over the edge.”
“So how did you meet her?”
“Just like I told you. But it was the day I brought you to the hospital, not before.”
“She agreed, just like that?”
“I paid her.” He hated confessing that, because he didn’t want Gramp to think any less of Susan, but honesty seemed like a good idea now. In fact, it was a downright relief.
Pete’s eyes narrowed. “Has she been gouging you?”
Zach couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “No. She wanted to give me back half the money. She didn’t want any more to marry me, and she tries to reject everything I give her. The wedding ring, tennis bracelet and car are ‘loans,’ in her mind.”
“Ah. I thought she was a good girl.”
Zach smiled, a thousand pictures of Susan running through his mind. “Yeah,” he said softly.
“You’re in love with her.”
Zach jerked as if he were in the electric chair and someone had thrown the switch. “What? No! I—” He stopped and turned to stare at his grandfather, wonder gathering in his gaze. “Yes,” he said slowly. “Yes, you’re right. I’m in love with her. I want to care for her, protect her, have her beside me and—and love her till death do us part.”
He’d realized his opinion of Susan had changed. And he’d recognized his physical attraction to her.
But he hadn’t figured out what that meant until his grandfather said it. “Dear God, I’m in love with her.”
“Praise be,” Pete murmured. “I was afraid you’d grown too cynical, boy.” He cleared his throat, as if trying to hide some emotion. “Now,” he continued briskly, “what are you going to do about it?”
Zach stared at him blankly. “Do?”
“To keep her. You want to keep her, don’t you?”
“Of course I do, but... I made her a promise.”
“What promise?”
“That I wouldn’t take advantage—that she could decide what she wanted from the marriage.”
“In other words, no bedding her,” Pete said in disgust.
Zach gave his grandfather a half smile. “Not unless she asks me to.”
“Hellfire, boy, what kind of damn fool agreement is that?”
“I kind of felt obligated, since I was asking her to many me the day after I met her. Besides, I didn’t know I’d fall in love with her.”
“Well, we’ll figure out something to make it all come out right. We’re not letting Susan get away. She’s a Lowery now.”
“Right,” Zach agreed, but he wasn’t sure how he’d convince Susan of that.
“And we have to hurry. I want to start those babies on the way,” Pete said, rubbing his hands together.
“Oh, Susan;” Megan squealed as she followed her sister up the stairs. “It’s a dream come true. Zach is
so handsome and nice...and he’s rich!”
Susan said nothing.
“You’re the luckiest woman in the world. And no one deserves it more!”
No response. Susan opened the door to the master bedroom and Megan exclaimed on its beauty and Susan’s good fortune again.
“Megan, stop it!” Susan finally protested, close to tears.
“But it’s all so gorgeous. I could—Susan? Susan, why are you crying?” Megan asked, running to her sister’s side as she slumped down on the bed. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s not wonderful,” Susan said, sniffing. “I’m not the luckiest woman in the world.” She lay across the bed, covering her face with her arms.
“But—but Zach is handsome.”
Susan nodded but kept her face covered.
“And he’s rich.”
Susan nodded again.
“And this is a wonderful—Oh, Susan, does he hit you?” Megan demanded in dramatic tones. “Is that it? I’ll take him apart if he dares to—”
“No!” Susan protested, almost strangling on her tears as she sat up. “No, of course not. He’s been...perfect.”
“Then what’s the problem? You’ve landed in paradise!”
Susan wiped away her tears. “Paradise has a revolving door.”
“I don’t understand,” Megan said, anxiously leaning toward her big sister.
“It’s all a pretense. We started out with the best of intentions, but things have gotten out of hand.” She explained how she had met Zach and their original agreement, followed by the complication of Gramp’s improvement.
To her surprise, Megan burst out laughing.
“I’m glad you think it’s so funny!” she snapped.
“I’m sorry, Susan, but you’ll have to admit, the way you tell it, that scene must’ve been—” She stopped as Susan continued to glare at her, and tried to compose herself. “I mean, you can’t wish for something bad to happen to Mr. Lowery.”
“Of course not! That’s why we’re in this ridiculous position.”
“But it has its good side. I mean, we’ve got some extra money, and you and Paul get to live here for a school year.” Megan looked at her sister, as if trying to see if she’d cheered her up at all.
Susan tried. She moved her lips into what should’ve been a smile. She nodded her head in agreement. And she didn’t convince either herself or her sister.
“I’m-I’m going to be able to save a lot of money, so maybe we can get a better place to live and have money for room and board at college saved up for next year.” By the time she finished speaking, tears were running down her cheeks.
“Why are you crying?”
“Because I’m in trouble.” For the first time, she
admitted what she’d known for several days. “Do you remember Mom? How her life revolved around whatever man she was with at the time? How she forgot all about us if a man even offered her a compliment?” Susan bowed her head. “How sleeping with some man was more important than anything in the world?”
Megan shrugged her shoulders. “I just knew she wasn’t there, didn’t care about us. You were the one who reassured us, cared for us, loved us.”
“I don’t want to be like her!”
Megan stared at her, then burst out laughing. “Oh, Susan, that’s a ridiculous thought! You couldn’t possibly—”
“Yes, I could. When Zach touches me...” She stared into space, fighting her temptation in her mind.
Megan leaned over and cupped her sister’s cheek. “You’re in love with him.”
“No.” She knew she was lying, but it was important that Megan not know just how difficult it was for her. “No, but I’m attracted to him.”
“Have you slept with him?”
Susan stared at her, horrified. “No. I won’t be like Mom.”
“Susan, how many men have come on to you? You’re beautiful. I know you attract men the way honey attracts bears.”