Unraveled (2 page)

“Lisa’s in bossy mode. We’d better do what she wants,” Jennifer said as she and Kelly followed their friend inside.

“My coffee’s cold, anyway. I need a warm-up.”

The warmth inside felt good, and Kelly rubbed her arms as she glanced at her friends scattered around the spacious great room with its wide glass windows and gorgeous views. The high vaulted ceiling allowed even more windows above the glass patio doors. Light poured into Jayleen’s house even when the weather was cloudy. And the views of the sky were magnificent. Kelly wanted views like that someday.

Lisa’s boyfriend, Greg, and Megan’s fiancé, Marty, began one of their favorite pastimes—vying with each other for first crack at the dessert of choice. Suddenly red-haired Marty held up both hands and started to speak.

“Hey, guys. Before Greg and I start demolishing this chocolate cake, Megan and I wanted to say thank you again to Jayleen for offering to let us have our wedding and reception here on her ranch this fall.”

Megan jumped from her chair to join Marty in the center of the room. Her face was flushed with excitement. “Thank you so much, Jayleen, for the very best wedding present ever. This is such a gorgeous setting. We can’t thank you enough.” She and Marty began to applaud, and the rest of Kelly’s friends around the room joined in.

Jayleen saluted them all with her coffee mug and a big smile as she stood beside the bookcase with Lambspun shop owner Mimi Shafer. “It was my pleasure, folks. Indeed it was. And you’d better wait till you taste Curt’s present before you start awarding prizes. It’s hard to beat prime beef steaks.”

“Whoa, I forgot about that!” Greg cried. “Sorry, Jayleen, I’m changing my vote.”

Tall, silver-haired Colorado rancher Curt Stackhouse strode to the center of the great room and beckoned to a short, balding elderly man behind him. “While we’ve got everyone’s attention, I wanted to introduce you all to my houseguest, Eustace Freemont,” Curt said in his deep voice. “Some of you have already had a chance to speak with Eustace, but I wanted to make sure the rest of you met him. It’s not every day that a famous writer comes to visit.” Curt gestured to his guest. “Eustace here has written a series of bestselling history books on the Old West. In fact, I’ve got every book he’s ever written. Let’s show Eustace a Colorado welcome.” He began applauding.

Kelly joined the rest of her friends in applause and watched the little man with the round happy face and big smile flush. Eustace held up his hands.

“Thank you so much for that warm welcome,” he said. “Curt’s introduction was a bit misleading, though. I’m certainly not famous. In fact, I’m probably only known to history teachers and lovers of American history.”

“What books have you written?” retired detective Burt Parker asked as his wife, Mimi, settled on the sofa beside him. “I love reading histories. Maybe I’ve read one of yours.”

“He’s written the two best ones about the Old West that I know of,” Curt said. “
Cowboys and Heroes of the Old West
and
Outlaws and Villains of the Old West
.”

“You’re kidding.” Burt sat up straighter. “
Cowboys and Heroes
was the first book I had a chance to sink my teeth into once I retired from the police force. It was great.”

“I told you folks he was good,” Curt said. “I’ve been a fan since his first book. I wrote Eustace a letter a few years ago, and we’ve been corresponding ever since.”

“Curt graciously extended his hospitality when I told him I was coming to Colorado to research a new book,” Eustace said with a genial smile. Kelly thought Eustace looked like a clichéd movie version of a college professor, dressed with a vest over long-sleeved shirt, gold chain dangling from a watch stuffed into his vest pocket.

“Are you a gun collector like Curt?” café owner Pete asked as he walked up beside Jennifer. “He’s got one of the best collections of Western revolvers and rifles I’ve ever seen.”

“No, I’ve never owned a gun,” Eustace replied. “But I’ve certainly admired Curt’s collection. Those are some beautiful Colt .45s.”

“What’s your new book about, Eustace?” Greg asked as he perched on the chair arm beside Lisa. The better to pounce on the cake when it was time.

“More cowboys and outlaws?” Megan teased.

“Actually, yes. But I’m not researching personages from the past for this book. This time I’m writing about the cowboys and outlaws of the New West.”

That answer sent a buzz around the room. “Well, in that case, you’ve got to include Uncle Curt,” Marty said, gesturing toward the broad-shouldered rancher.

Curt held up his hands. “Count me out, folks. You’re not pigeonholing me in some book.”

“Aw, c’mon, Curt. You’re a natural,” Lisa persuaded.

Curt shook his head. “Nope. I value my privacy too much, folks.”

Kelly recognized the familiar sign that her mentor and advisor on all things ranching had made up his mind. Even so, she couldn’t resist cajoling. “Just think how excited your grandchildren would be to see your name in a history book, Curt.”

That comment brought a general buzz of agreement from the group, but Curt simply continued to shake his head.

Eustace stepped up then. “Believe me, everyone, I tried my best to convince Curt to change his mind, but he’s resolute.”

“Can you convince him, Jayleen?” Jennifer suggested.

Jayleen shook her head, glancing toward her close friend. “Nope. I’m not one to argue with someone when his mind is made up. It’s a waste of time.”

Knitting shop owner Mimi asked, “I’m curious, Eustace. Who do you think are the cowboys and the outlaws today?”

“Actually, I’ve already started interviewing some real estate developers and energy developers who’ve become successful and managed to stay successful during this recession. That takes talent, hard work, and luck,” Eustace replied, hands behind his back in teacher position. “They’ve had to use a cowboy’s courage and sometimes, an outlaw’s cunning.”

Greg shook his head. “Well, Eustace, we used to have a whole lot more in that category. But several good people saw their businesses collapse last year.”

Kelly noticed a subdued quiet momentarily fall over the group, and she knew the reason why. Everyone was thinking of Steve. Her former boyfriend Steve. Driven out of Fort Connor and out of business by the collapse of housing construction and development when the real estate bubble burst around the country. Even honest, hardworking, smart builders and architects like Steve Townsend went out of business. “Belly-up,” as Curt called it.

Kelly also felt the surreptitious glances cast her way. She understood. It was impossible to separate Steve’s business collapse and the breakup of their relationship. Steve had moved to Denver permanently six months ago. Right after he walked out on her.

Kelly decided she had to break the subdued mood herself. “If you’re looking for successful real estate investors and developers, then you should interview both of my clients. Arthur Housemann and Don Warner. Housemann’s in Fort Connor, and Warner’s based in north Denver. They’ve both weathered this recession and prospered. So far.” She held up crossed fingers.

Eustace’s round face spread even more with his grin. “Why, thank you, young lady. You’ll have to tell me how to contact these gentlemen.”

Greg walked over beside Curt and Eustace. “I say this sounds like a perfect time for a dessert break. Eustace and Kelly can confer on business, while our fantastic baker Megan cuts the cake.”

“Please do,” Pete added with a grin. “I can’t wait to try that. If it tastes as good as it looks, I may add Megan’s cake to the café menu.”

“I call first piece,” Marty said, jumping from his chair.

“No way, dude. I’m closer to the table. You have to get past me.”

“But the cook is my fiancée,” Marty complained.

“Too bad. You get this stuff all the time.”

“Eustace, it’s time for us to get out of the way of these two. They’ll knock us down getting to the cake.” Curt beckoned Eustace in Kelly’s direction. “Kelly, I’d already suggested Eustace talk with you. Thanks to Warner, you’re down in Denver so much you’ve probably met most of the guys he’s planning to interview.”

Kelly extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Freemont. You sound like you have a heckuva more interesting job than most of us. Believe me, all those numbers start jumping around on the spreadsheet sometimes.”

“Kelly here is a CPA and has become an integral part of both Housemann’s and Warner’s businesses,” Curt said, smiling at Kelly with fatherly pride.

“So glad to meet you, Ms. Flynn,” Eustace said, shaking Kelly’s hand enthusiastically. “Curt has told me about your own success. I commend you. And I would definitely appreciate your giving my card to Mr. Housemann and Mr. Warner. They sound like excellent interview subjects.”

“I’d be happy to,” she said, spotting Lisa approach with two tempting slices of chocolate cake.

“I see cake, and that calls for coffee,” Jennifer said, moving away. “Would you like some, Mr. Freemont?”

“Yes, thank you, and please call me Eustace.”

“I’ll help, Jen,” Pete said, following after.

“This smells as delicious as it looks, so enjoy,” Lisa said, offering plates to Kelly and Eustace.

The aroma of rich chocolate wafted up to Kelly’s nostrils, and she inhaled the delectable scent. She took a bite and savored.
Heavenly
. Dark chocolate cake and rich, creamy chocolate frosting, all mixed together. Yum! “Ohhhh, this is scrumptious,” she said before tasting another morsel.

“Oh, my,” Eustace exclaimed, patting his mouth with a napkin. “That is wicked, indeed.”

“I think Megan’s outdone herself this time,” Jennifer said as she approached with a coffeepot. Kelly held out her mug and let another delectable aroma fill her nostrils. Strong black coffee.
Caffeine
.

“If you ladies will excuse us, it looks like Burt’s anxious to speak with Eustace,” Curt said, beckoning Eustace to follow as he stepped away.

“Ms. Flynn—”

“Please, call me Kelly,” she said behind a forkful of cake.

“I’ll give you my card before we leave. Thank you so much for suggesting your employers.” Eustace gave her a genial smile. “We’ll talk later.”

“Absolutely,” Kelly said, then downed the tasty mouthful.

Pete came up to them, somehow balancing four slices of cake. “Here, you go.” He expertly set all four plates on a nearby end table. “Now, either you guys dig in or I’ll be taking seconds, and I sure don’t need it.” Pete patted his stomach before sampling the cake.

Kelly took a sip of Jayleen’s strong coffee.
Ahhhh
. Just the way she liked it. She savored the last forkful of cake, then eyed the slices on the end table. “I’ll have to run even more tomorrow morning. This is waaaay too good. I might have seconds.”

Lisa glanced over her shoulder at Greg approaching, Megan and Marty not far behind. “Better claim it before those savages inhale it all.”

“Hey, Kelly, it’s good to see you,” Greg said, sinking into a nearby armchair. “Your work schedule has you down in Denver so much we don’t see you as often as we used to.”

“I know, guys, but Warner has started working on a joint project with several different developers. A renovation deal the city of Thornton put together. So, I’m having to meet with a lot of different companies and coordinate with the project manager so I can integrate all the details into Warner’s accounts.” She took a sip of coffee. “I swear, he has so many irons in the fire it’s hard to keep track. And of course, everyone has to have a meeting. There are huge meetings with all the developers. A mini mob scene.”

“Death by meetings. I remember that,” Megan said, lifting a forkful of cake. “That’s what drove me out of corporate IT. There were so many meetings, I didn’t have time to get my work done.”

“Tell me about it,” Kelly quipped behind her mug.

Greg snitched a crumb of Lisa’s cake. She swatted his hand away. “The university specializes in meetings. You can lose half your day.”

Marty settled on the arm of Megan’s chair. “Do you ever see Steve at any of those mini mobs?” he asked quietly.

“Marty . . .” Megan turned to him with a concerned look.

“It’s okay, Megan. You can talk about Steve in front of me. I know you guys see him whenever he comes into town,” Kelly said, deliberately leaning against a desk.

She’d learned how to appear relaxed whenever one of her friends mentioned Steve. Inside, however, Kelly was anything but relaxed. An old familiar knotting started in her stomach. The tears had stopped months ago when anger briefly took their place. Beneath it all, the hurt remained. She’d learned to disguise it, but her friends knew her well. And they seldom mentioned Steve in front of her, except to subtly update her on what he was doing.

“He’s started working full-time for that northern Colorado developer he was working nights for. Sam Kaufman,” Greg offered. “Apparently this Sam raised his salary to more than that Denver architect firm was paying him, so Steve jumped at it.”

Kelly let her surprise show. “That’s a smart move. Tell him congratulations for me.”

“So . . . have you ever seen Steve at these big meetings?” Lisa asked in a tentative voice.

“Yeah, maybe you could congratulate him yourself,” Marty suggested, eyeing Kelly.

“Mar
teeee
,” Megan shot him a disapproving look.

Kelly held up her hand. “Guys, I said it’s okay. As a matter of fact, I have seen Steve at some of those meetings,” she announced to her attentive friends. “But only at a distance, and he’s never seen me.” She gave them a crooked smile. “Life goes on, guys.”

“Two ships passing in the night,” Pete observed softly.

A pall of quiet dropped over the little group for a moment. Only the sound of forks clinking against plates. Kelly noticed Megan’s expression had gone from concerned to sad to annoyed. A Megan eruption was due any second, Kelly could tell.

“I wanted to strangle him,” Megan spouted, face screwed up in anger. There was no doubt as to who the “him” in that sentence was.

“Me
gaaaan
,” Marty teased, imitating her scolding tone. Too late. Megan’s hand shot out in exasperation. “You know he didn’t come to see us for a month after he left. He was afraid to.”