Authors: Adelle Laudan
He knew Jenna had sent a message to Twyla through Edna, and Charles could hardly wait to find out what she’d been scheming behind closed doors.
Until then, apparently they were having guests for dinner in the solarium at six o’clock sharp. At least she’d dropped the notion of leaving for a couple of days. She was too damn inquisitive for her own good, which is why he needed to keep her close. So far, he’d managed to keep the secret surprise from her—mostly by sheer luck and a little quick thinking.
Edna had set a table for four, and a bottle of ice wine chilled in a bucket next to the table. He cocked his head to the side as the chatter of women grew closer. Someone laughed, and he straightened his stance.
I’d recognize that laugh anywhere.
As suspected, Jenna walked through the doorway first, closely followed by Twyla…and then
Buffy?
Twyla walked straight to him. “We meet again.” Her eyes sparkled as she reached up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek.
Boldly, he wrapped his arms around her in a hug. “It’s good to see you, too.”
Jenna coughed. “Let’s pour a drink and take a seat. We have lots to discuss.”
He released Twyla and grabbed the bottle of wine. “Can I pour you a glass?” he asked her, to which she nodded. “How about you, Buffy? You’re looking pretty as ever. It’s good to see you.”
“Oh stop. You’re going to make me blush,” she tittered.
Jenna’s childhood friend was dressed to the nines as always. A fitted, black cocktail dress hugged her curves. Her hair was worn up in a twisted bun to showcase the diamond chandeliers in her ears. As beautiful as she was, she didn’t hold a candle to Twyla. Maybe his Italian beauty didn’t have a designer dress or thousands of dollars in diamonds, but she didn’t need any of it. The glint in her eyes far outshone any gem.
Jenna snapped her fingers only inches from his face. “Earth to Charles? Do you care to join us?”
He cursed the heat flooding his face and mumbled under his breath as he took a seat.
“Before I came here, I talk
ed to Diane like you ask me to, Jenna. You can trust her and she will help
if you can make up her paycheck. She will make up a family problem, and take Buffy to Daniel so she can work until she comes back.” Twyla smiled.
“Why are you all so certain Daniel will agree to any of this?”
All three women looked at him in surprise.
Obviously I’ve missed something
.
Buffy stood and swayed her hips. “Hello? How can he resist all this?”
Charles tilted back his head and laughed. “Of course, what was I thinking? You might want to leave all the bobbles at home, though.”
“Don’t worry about a thing. This role was made for me.” She spun an imaginary hula-hoop with her hips.
He frowned. “I don’t know. I’m not crazy about Buffy and Twyla out there alone with him. Besides, do you know how to make a bed or even cook for that matter?
Buffy winked playfully. “How hard can it be?”
Charles shook his head; definitely not as convinced she could pull it off as all three of them seemed to be.
“Hey, if you can think of a better idea, I’m all ears,” Jenna countered pointedly.
Just then, Edna breezed into the solarium pushing a cart laden with covered dishes. Charles silently thanked her for perfect timing. He looked out the corner of his eye to find Twyla staring at him, an inquisitive glint to her eyes.
“Would you like a refill?” He reached across the table for the chilling wine.
Her hand covered his and guided it back to rest on the table between them. “Don’t worry for me
.
I am good to take care of myself.”
He smiled with a slight nod and gently squeezed her fingers. “I didn’t mean to imply you couldn’t. It’s just the thought of Daniel anywhere near you makes me so...”
“Jealous?” She gazed at him through lowered lashes.
He shifted in his chair to accommodate his body’s reaction to her sultry response.
“Ahem. In case you two have forgotten, we can hear and see everything going on between the two of you.” Jenna waggled her eyebrows, mischief in her tone.
“We’ll finish this conversation after dinner.” He shot Jenna a warning look, ending the subject.
The scent of prime rib and roasted potatoes set his belly grumbling as Edna set a plate in front of each of them.
“Would anyone like a little gravy?”
Jenna took the gravy boat from her. “We can take it from here. Please thank Grace for this amazing meal.”
“Okay. Here’s some fresh-baked rolls and whipped butter. If you need anything...”
Charles slathered a roll with butter, and dipped it in gravy. “We know where to find you.”
Angel quietly flipped the pages of an album Jenna put together for her. Every now and then she’d ask a question or cast an inquisitive glance her way
.
She isn’t all freaked out like she was after seeing the photo from my purse. Dare I be hopeful?
“Maybe one day you can come to my home to see some of our mother’s things?”
Her sister stared at her for a few moments. “I think I’d like that, one day.”
“Of course, whenever you feel up to it.”
The doctor sat back and said nothing for most of the session. Jenna smiled. His look of approval reaffirmed the session had gone as well as she thought it had.
“You know, I’ve been here a few times now, and I’ve yet to go on a tour of the ranch.”
Angelina brightened. “I can show you.” She looked at the doctor. “That is if it’s okay with you?”
“I think that’s an excellent idea. Do you want me to come along?”
Her sister shook her head. “I can do it by myself.” She smiled broadly. “I’ll show you our craft room first.”
Jenna eagerly followed her sister’s lead out of the office, and was thrilled beyond measure to have Angel reach for her hand to hold as they went on their way.
Angel came to a full stop, however, when Daniel’s office door opened. He stepped into the hallway, closely followed by Buffy and a woman she assumed to be Diane from the kitchen.
True to her word, her friend had toned it down considerably. Jenna never thought she’d see the day Buffy would leave the house with minimal make-up and her hair in a ponytail. Even without all the extras, she was a natural beauty—and judging by the way Daniel ogled her, their plan was going well.
“Take as long as you need, Diane.” Daniel kissed the older woman’s cheek. “We’ll miss you.”
He turned to Buffy. “Let’s go back in my office and we’ll take care of the necessary paper work.” Not once did he take his eyes off of his
new employee.
He put a hand to the small of her back and ushered her inside, closing the door behind them without so much as a glance in their direction.
Her sister scowled after them. “Who is that?”
“I heard Diane was called away for a family emergency. I’m guessing that girl is her replacement.”
“Hmph.” Angel stomped her foot. “I don’t like her.”
“You don’t even know her, Angel.”
Her gaze narrowed. “I know enough.”
Grinning, Jenna asked, “So, can you show me the craft room now?”
She shrugged. “I guess so.”
“On second thought, do you think we could go out and see the horses?”
It was like a switch flipped, and she offered Jenna a brilliant smile. “That’s a good idea. We can get a few apples from the kitchen to feed to them. Would you like that?”
Jenna linked arms with her, and they half-skipped their way to the kitchen to find Twyla alone.
“Can we have some apples for the horses?”
Twyla smiled. “Yes you can.” She gave Angel a plastic bag. “Take what you want from in the cold room.”
“I’ll be right back.” Her sister scurried out of sight.
Jenna took a quick look around her. “Are we alone?” she whispered.
“Yes, but not so long.”
“Daniel will probably bring Buffy here soon. He seems more than pleased to meet her.”
“This is good, ci?”
Angel burst into the room. “I got the apples. Come on, let’s go to the stables.”
Jenna chuckled, as did Twyla.
“You two have fun.” Her accomplice waved from the door.
Angel practically dragged Jenna across the lawn to where the horses were kept. She had visions of her toppling over on her bad arm, but there was no stopping her. Her sister seemed to go off in her own little world whenever she interacted with the horses. Her face lit up, and her otherwise uneven gait, now smooth, almost
angelic
. One by one she touched each horse as a mother would a newborn child.
Jenna remembered reading that when someone loses an ability, another will surface and compensate for the loss. Her newfound sibling may have Down syndrome, but she truly had a gift—a special connection with the horses.
Would Angel have the same bond with the dogs and other animals?
“Here.” Her sister placed an apple in Jenna’s hand. “Watch me. You put the apple in your open hand and hold it under the horse’s mouth.”
“Are you sure he won’t bite me?” She was a little nervous about her hand being so close to the animal’s large teeth.
Angel laughed. “No, the horse wants the apple, not your hand.” She guided Jenna’s arm, moving it slowly until the apple was close enough.
As promised, the horse didn’t bite her, but it left a little more slobber than she would’ve liked. She grimaced at her hand. “Ew, gross.”
Angel giggled.
“Oh, so you think that’s funny, do you?” Jenna held her hand out as if she’d wipe it on her pretty white blouse.
Her sister squealed and stepped back.
She moved toward her playfully, and Angel walked backwards, step for step.
“No don’t. I’ll give you a towel.”
She winked. “No, that’s okay, you’ll do just fine.”
Angel screeched and ran out of the stable, laughing as Jenna followed, holding her sticky hand out in front of her. Next thing she knew, they somehow tripped over each other and fell to the ground, lying on their backs in the grass, laughing until they both held their sides.
“Oh my, you didn’t hurt your arm, did you?” Jenna gasped for breath.
Unexpectedly, Angel turned on her side and stared into her eyes.
“I should have known better.” Jenna reached for her. “Does it hurt?”
“I think you must really be my sister,” she said in all seriousness, seemingly oblivious to her concern.
Jenna gazed at her through a veil of tears. “I think those are the most beautiful words I have ever heard.”
Angel got up on her knees, prompting her to do so as well. When her arms awkwardly wrapped around Jenna, it was like the huge void her mother’s death had left within her was suddenly filled with warmth.
“I love you, Angel.” Her voice cracked.
Angel pulled back a little and hiccupped, her nose red from sniffling. “I love you, too, sister.”
It warmed Charles’ heart to see Jenna so happy. Angel’s acceptance of her as a sister meant the world to her.
“She wants to come here so we can sort through some of our mother’s things.”
“That’s wonderful, Jenna. I couldn’t be happier for the two of you.” He noted the glint in her eyes. “Okay, what’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”
“You know me better than anyone.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “I’m
going to brighten things up around here. It still feels like a mausoleum the way it is now.”
Charles winced. “That bad, huh? What exactly do you have in mind?”
She jumped up from the sofa and padded across the room to the heavy brocade drapes. “Well, for starters, get rid of these.” Dust particles danced in a stream of sunlight let in when she parted the curtains.
“I’m with you on that.” He winked. “What else?”
Jenna opened her arms. “How about we take down those tapestries? They’re beautiful, and probably cost a small fortune, but they’re not for here. I think a fresh coat of paint would breathe life back into this old place.”
He held up his hands. “Okay, okay, whatever makes you happy. Design is definitely not my forte.”
She stood behind his chair and planted kisses across his baldhead. “Thank you, thank you. Did I ever tell you just how much I love you?”
Charles brushed her hands away and wiped his head as he stood. “I’m outa here before the waterworks start.”
She threw back her head and laughed. “You know you love me.”
“I never said I didn’t. Why don’t you go look at paint colors or something?” He left the house with a smile on his face and walked toward the garages that housed his newly acquired antique cars. Just as suspected, John had the Rolls out, buffing the chrome.
“She’s looking mighty purty, ol’ man.” Charles whistled long and low as he looked up and down the length of his car.