Authors: Lorraine Nelson
The screen saver greeted him, signaling that he’d
forgotten to shut down the computer, but he hadn’t really forgotten. After
sending off that email to Lacey, the computer seemed like a lifeline of sorts, a
link to her and his girls that he hadn’t wanted to sever.
With trembling hand, he moved the mouse and the
screen opened up. Yes, he had mail! He sank into his chair and pulled up the
program.
Damn. Only business replies to his earlier
inquiries. Why hadn’t she answered? Even if the bistro was super busy, she
would’ve taken a break by now. Did this mean she was cutting all ties? That
they weren’t coming?
It could be that she was considering it and
waiting until after closing to approach the girls. He smiled to himself,
relaxing back in his seat. A relieved breath stirred the air around him. That
had to be it. He’d give her a little more time to answer, even though he
desperately wanted to send another email or call and have an answer now. No way
did he want to pressure them into coming, but he hoped they would.
could see acres of pastureland and hayfield, all of it Manning land. He might
have inherited his share of the ranch, but he’d worked hard to make it the
prosperous holding it had become. A momentary pang of anxiety settled in his
chest. He loved it here, but what if they didn’t? Could he give it all up to
move to
wouldn’t come to that.
With one last, longing glance at the silent
computer, he headed downstairs to appease his still-grumbling stomach. He
filled the kettle and turned it on for tea, then made himself a sandwich with
last night’s leftover ham, adding a big dollop of mustard for good measure.
Settled at the table, he ate and decided to head over to Luke’s place. It was
past time he checked to see what kind of shape the ranch accounts were in.
Time to get back in the saddle, old boy.
His nephew was good with the books, but the boy
hated paperwork and was a born procrastinator. He’d rather be out riding,
repairing fences, or mucking out stalls than stuck in an office all day.
Chances were the work was piling up on him by now, especially with all the
trouble they’d had on the ranch while
away. Stalkers, kidnapping, murders…the thought of anything like that happening
on his home turf was scary, to say the least. Still, there had been so much
snow this year, Luke couldn’t go far, especially with those boys of his in tow.
So maybe the accounts weren’t in too bad a shape.
until he shared
his
news. Luke
thought his five-year-old twins were a surprise. What would they think when he
announced himself a daddy to twenty-three-year-old triplets? He rinsed out his
mug, grabbed his digital camera, and headed out. His family might be thousands
of miles away, but he had pictures. He’d have to run into town for some photo
paper and frames. He’d print off a few of his favorites to hang on the walls,
and maybe, once he could see their smiling faces, his house wouldn’t feel so
empty.
****
The bistro was closed and every surface cleaned
and polished, ready for morning. Lacey slipped into her office and printed the
email from
before leaving by the back door. She turned to see her daughters, all so
lovely, waiting by the car.
Lacey unlocked the doors. “Okay, ladies, pile
in. We have to make a quick stop at the bank to deposit today’s earnings then
we’ll head home. I have something important to share with you.”
Rena spoke up. “What, Mama? Can’t you tell us
now?”
Lacey quickly glanced in the rearview mirror to
smile at her daughter. “Nope. You’ll find out when we get home, but I have a
feeling you’ll be excited with what I have to share with you.” She braked to a
stop in front of the bank.
Lynne grabbed the satchel containing the
deposit. “Come on, Abby. It’s our turn.”
Lacey always insisted they went by twos to the
bank’s night deposit, even though it was only a few steps from the car to the
building. She didn’t want anything happening to her girls, and there was safety
in numbers. She watched as they dropped the satchel into the night deposit
hatch and returned to the car. Then she drove home.
As they filed through the door, they tossed
their purses onto the kitchen counter and shrugged out of their jackets before
taking a seat at the modern, glass-topped table. Lacey produced the printouts
and passed one to each girl and then sat back waiting for their reactions. She
didn’t have to wait long.
Rena literally jumped off her chair, squealing
with excitement. “Yay! We’re going to
Abby, slightly more practical than her siblings,
asked, “Mama, is this for real?”
“Yes, Abby. It’s for real. Your father would
like us to come for a visit.”
“You told him
yes
, didn’t you, Mama?” asked Rena as she resumed her seat, still
bouncing with excess energy, her every move showing Lacey how excited she was. “When
do we leave?”
“Actually, Rena, I haven’t answered him yet. If
we do go, we have to make arrangements for the restaurant. We can’t just lock
up and catch the next plane.”
Rena’s face was downcast. “Yeah, I guess so.”
“If we’re all in agreement, I’ll call your uncle
and see if and when he can oversee things here. Do you want to go?” She looked
at all three girls in turn. “Lynne, you’ve been awful quiet. What are your
thoughts?”
She twirled a lock of hair around her finger, a
nervous reaction she’d had since childhood. “I’d like to go. It would be quite
an adventure, I think. And I’d like to meet Dad’s family, but what if they don’t
like us?” Her imploring look pleaded with her mother to understand and possibly
allay her fears.
“What’s not to like? I’ve raised three
beautiful, hardworking young ladies. And
that.”
Lynne smiled. “True enough. Okay, I’ll go.”
“Me, too,” said Abby. “He talked so much about
the ranch when he was here, I’ve been wanting to experience it for myself.”
“Me, three,” said Rena. “Oh my God! I haven’t a
thing suitable to wear on a ranch.”
Lacey laughed aloud. Leave it to Rena, her
social butterfly, to think of clothes. “Jeans, T-shirts, shorts, boots, and a
pretty dress or two, just in case. So when do we go? It’s winter there now.
Probably not much to see.”
“But wouldn’t it be great to experience real
snow? Sleigh rides and stuff?” Lynne glanced at the wall clock and frowned. “Is
it too late to call Uncle Daniel?”
“Oh, I think he’d understand. Let’s call and
share our news.” Lacey stood and crossed the kitchen to pick up the portable
phone where it rested on its base. She dialed her brother’s number and waited.
One ring…two rings… “Hello.”
“Hey, Dan! How’s my favorite brother?”
“Hey, yourself. And I’m your only brother.”
Lacey could envision his teasing grin. She
giggled nervously. Her family had always been supportive, but this was entirely
different from the norm. She knew she was asking a lot, but Dan was the only
one who could take over for her. “I know you’re my only one, but you’d still be
my favorite if I had a dozen.”
“Yeah, yeah. What’s up?”
”Well, the girls and I have some news to share
with you.”
“Good news, I hope.”
”Yes, it’s good news. Well, I guess that depends
on you.”
“Now I’m curious. How does your news depend on
me?”
Lacey chewed her bottom lip as she wondered how
best to tell him. “Give me a minute and I’ll tell you.”
“Out with it.” His stern demand was all for
show, but she went with it.
“
to visit him in Thunder Creek. He sent us tickets.”
“For all of you?”
“Yes, for all four of us.” She held the phone
away from her ear as his shrill whistle resounded through the line.
“Wooeee! That’s great, sis. I’m happy for you. I
hear it’s beautiful country.”
“We’d like to go soon, before tourist season
begins. Could you look after the restaurant for an extended period? I have no
idea how long we’ll be gone.”
“Sure. I’m working on a project right now, but I
should have it wrapped up by the end of the week. Is that all right?”
“Yes, that’s great!”
“Tell those nieces of mine to behave themselves
over there.”
“Yeah, I’ll let them know. Thanks, Dan. I’ll
call you back tomorrow with the details. Good night.”
“Good night, sis, and good luck.”
She disconnected the call and turned to see her
daughters’ expectant faces.
“Well?” asked Rena impatiently. “What did he
say?”
“Dan’s working on a project right now,” Lacey
teased, her tone sad. “But he should have it wrapped up by the end of the week,
if that suits? He also said for you girls to behave yourselves while you’re
gone.”
The three of them jumped up and ran to her,
enveloping her in an exuberant family hug.
“We’re going? We’re really going?” asked Abby,
the shyest of the three.
“Yes. I’ll call the airline tomorrow and arrange
our flight. Then I’ll contact
Lynne stepped back, giving her mother a funny
look. “He’s probably waiting on your answer, Mama. Why not let him know we’re
coming and fill him in on the details later?”
“Well, to be honest, I don’t want to appear too
eager,” Lacey said, her innate honesty not allowing her to lie to herself or
her girls.
Rena stood with hands on hips. Lacey knew that
stance. She was on the offense and ready to launch into one of her tirades. “Earth
to Ma. Geez, don’t you think he’ll figure that out for himself if we’re going to
pack and leave within a week?”
“Mama, it’s time you quit playing it safe and
let the man know you want him,” Lynne chided.
“Is that right?” Lacey replied.
For an answer, the girls combined forces and
playfully herded her into their home office, where they left her sitting alone
in front of the computer. Instead of emailing, she picked up the phone and
dialed his number.
Harrumph! No answer.
So much for him waiting anxiously for her reply. The call went through to his
answering machine, and she hung up, deciding to send an email after all.
She composed a brief reply, and when she’d
gotten it right, hit Send.
Then the excitement of it all overcame her.
herself and shut down the computer, secure in the knowledge that she hadn’t
turned him off. Cameron Manning, her first and only love, hadn’t just been
paying lip service when he was here. He really did want to be a part of their
lives and was determined to make it happen.
****
“Uncle Cam! Uncle Cam!” Luke and Zakia’s twins
greeted him at the door. As soon as he cleared the threshold, he swung them up,
one tucked securely under each muscled arm, and twirled them in a circle.
“Hey, guys. What have you been up to?” he asked
as he set the giggling boys back on their feet and bumped the door closed with
his hip.
“We’re building LEGO barns and horses,” said
Cammy.
“But we can’t get the horses to look right,”
added Casey. “Can you come help us?”
heads. “I sure can, but I need to talk to your daddy first. Do you know where
can I find him?” Cammy’s face curled up in disappointment or disapproval,
“Daddy’s in his office,” said Casey. “Can we
come with you?”
He nodded his head. “For a few minutes, but Luke
and I have some business to discuss…boring stuff.”
boys weren’t allowed in Luke’s office very often, chuckling to himself as he
recalled the story of toast in the printer…peanut butter toast at that.
“Where’s your mom today?”
“She went to visit Auntie Sam,” said Casey.
“Yeah, we wanted to go but Daddy said Mommy
needed a break,” Casey said as he scuffed along beside him.
Casey tugged on
sleeve and looked up with his eyes filling with tears. “I don’t want Mommy
broken, Uncle Cam.”
“Hey, sport,” he said as he scooped the boy up
in his arms. “It’s not that kind of break.”
more like time-out.”
“Oh! Has Mommy been bad?” asked Casey.
Cameron laughed and set Casey on the floor. “No,
she probably just needs a rest. Pregnant ladies get tired easy.”