Just as Emily and the three ladies were about to leave the bunkhouse and go to the ranch house for breakfast on Saturday morning, her phone rang. Seeing that it was her grandmother, she answered it as she stepped out onto the porch. “Hold on, Granny. I need to get something done right fast and then we’ll talk.” Emily turned to the ladies. “Y’all go on. I’ll catch up.”
“Honey, you talk to her as long as you need to,” Sarah said. “I’ll keep these two in line.”
“Hmmph!” Patsy snorted. “As if you could ever make me behave.”
“I may not be the hussy you are, girlfriend, but I’m bigger than you, and if all else fails, I’ll just knock the shit out of you,” Sarah told her and then smiled. “We’ll all be sweet little old ladies, Emily. Talk to your granny.”
“Okay, Granny, I’m here,” Emily said.
“Who was that talkin’?” Opal asked.
“Sarah and Patsy. Bess is with them. Remember I told you last week that I was bringing them to the ranch for a field trip,” Emily answered.
“I’d forgotten. So you’re still there?”
“Yes, ma’am. What’s goin’ on at the Big Sky Ranch?”
“We’re busier than ever. We could use your help. I wish you’d get over this fancy notion of yours and come home,” Opal said. “Lost a calf last night. If you’d been here, it would’ve lived. I just know it.”
“Granny, we’ve been over this a hundred times.” Emily sighed.
“We’ll go over it some more before it’s all said and done,” Opal said. “Maybe you’ll get so tired of hearing it that you will get your fanny back here.”
“Granny, I love you, but I’ve got a job to do here. Can we talk later, like tomorrow or some evening next week?” Emily asked.
“Of course, but I hate that I got to make an appointment to talk to you.” Opal sighed. “But you go on and spend your time with the other old ladies that you take care of every day. I’ll just take a number and wait.”
Your guilt trip won’t work on me. I’m happy where I am and with what I’m doing.
“I love you, Granny. Sending hugs and kisses,” Emily said.
A long, noisy sigh. “I guess I’ll take what I can get. Have a good day, honey.”
Emily tossed the phone on the sofa, grabbed her coat, and jogged all the way to the house. She took a moment to catch her breath before she followed the conversation to the kitchen. She peeked around the corner to find all of her five folks plus the rest of the family ready to sit down to breakfast.
“Hey, come on in here and meet Mavis.” Sarah motioned toward her.
She took a couple of steps inside the room. “I’m so sorry, Retta. I had a phone call from my granny and…”
“No problem. Talk to your grandparents every chance you get. I wish mine were still living so I could visit with them. I’ve had plenty of help this morning. Everyone needs to grab a chair. Emily, this is Mavis. That tall feller is Skip, and the boy over there by him is Benjy. Now let’s eat before the gravy gets cold.” Retta lowered her voice. “Don’t know if anyone has told you but Benjy is autistic.”
He was a cute kid, kind of big for his age. Emily had dealt with similar kids in her previous job so she knew that they didn’t like to be hugged or pressured into conversation. Benjy’s issue had to be minor because he was sitting beside Otis and talking a mile a minute about ranching.
“You were a rancher? Why did you quit? That’s the best job in the whole world,” Benjy asked.
“Yes, sir, I sure was.” Otis nodded. “I quit because I got too old to do the work by myself, and it was lonely on the ranch after my wife died. I agree with you, son. It is the best job in the world, and I’m mighty proud that we got to spend this week on the ranch. It was like goin’ home to us. Are you goin’ to be a rancher when you grow up?” Otis asked.
“I’m one now. I have a goat and a sheep that I’ll show in the Montague County Livestock Show in a couple of weeks. Did you know that goat meat is lower in fat and cholesterol compared to beef, pork, mutton, and poultry? Goats’ milk is easily digestible and less allergenic than cow’s milk. Goat milk is higher in calcium, vitamin A, and niacin than cows’ milk.”
“I did not know all that. I’ve never eaten goat. Have you?” Otis asked with a perfectly straight face.
Benjy shook his head. “And I’m not going to eat Dolly, either. She will be a breeder after the show. But I will try the milk if she ever gives any. Goats were domesticated by man in 10,000 BC and were the first animals to be used for milk by humans. And since it is high in all those vitamins, it will be good for me. You and I can be friends, Otis. We can talk about goats and sheep, and you can go with me to the barn to work when we get done eating. I like you.”
Justin almost dropped his fork, and Cade stared at the boy like he had horns sprouting out of his red hair.
“I like you too, and I’d love to be your friend. You are very smart. Maybe you can teach me a few things.” Otis passed the biscuits to him.
“And maybe you can teach me too.” Benjy put two on his plate. “I have to muck out the stables and brush Little Bit, the donkey. He looks forward to his grooming once a week. Miniature donkeys have intelligence that is superior to all other farm animals. They’re easily trained.”
“I would love to go with you,” Otis said. “Would you mind if we invite Larry to go with us?”
Benjy studied Larry for a while before he spoke. “Skip says that you draw things.”
“Yes, I do, but I’m not the artist that you are. I draw plans for houses and barns and buildings.” Larry waved to take in all the pictures on the dining room walls. “You have a very good eye. These pictures are amazing.”
“Thank you.” Benjy stared at his plate. “You can go with us, Larry. Maybe you can help me draw plans for my new sheep building. It should be big enough for Dolly and her friend, Emmy Lou. Sheep are like family. They need more than one to be happy.”
“I’d be glad to help you with plans.” Larry nodded.
Emily laid a hand on Justin’s leg under the table. He jumped like he’d been shot and raised an eyebrow.
“What’s happening here? I thought Benjy didn’t make friends,” she said.
“Be damned if I know. Must be the age thing. Only one he ever made friends with that fast was Skip,” Justin said out of the side of his mouth. “It’s a good thing. He’ll keep Otis and Larry occupied all day, and they won’t get into trouble.”
“Thank God,” Emily whispered.
“Okay, let’s talk about what all we’ve got to do today,” Gloria said from the other end of the table. “Justin and I will be spending the day in the office, getting the taxes all ready to go to the CPA.”
“I’ve already done that,” Retta said. “Took all the paperwork in the week before you arrived.”
“Well, then Justin and I have some errands to run,” she said.
“We need him on the ranch, Mama,” Cade said. “You know how busy we are right now.”
“Then he shouldn’t have taken the whole day off yesterday,” Gloria snapped.
“I didn’t,” Justin said. “I was gone all of two hours, and I picked up supplies while I was in town.”
It didn’t take a genius to know that Gloria didn’t want Justin spending so much time around the Fab Five. Especially when she pushed back her chair and said in a tone so cold that it could have turned the devil’s pitchfork from red to blue, “Then I’ll go to Wichita Falls by myself.” She laid a hand on Justin’s shoulder and sighed as she left the room. In a couple of minutes, Emily heard the noise of a truck engine.
Mavis took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “She’s not happy, and you know what that means.”
Vernon chuckled. “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
“You got it.” Mavis had the same kinky hairdo and the same twinkle in her eyes as Patsy.
“Shopping always makes her feel better,” Justin said.
“Makes all of us happy,” Mavis agreed and then leaned around Skip and asked Retta, “Hey, where’s Claire and Levi? I got so involved with meetin’ all these new folks that I just realized we’re missin’ two.”
“Levi is on his way. They had breakfast at home,” Retta said. “But she’ll be here for the pizza party tonight.”
“Good,” Sarah said. “I haven’t gotten the chance to talk to her about coming to the center and giving us a quilting lesson. I used to do a lot of that so it’d be fun if she can work it in.”
Mavis sent a platter of bacon and eggs around. “Why don’t y’all just go down to the shop on the fourth Thursday of every month? She’s lined up free quilting lessons for everyone. I’m going for sure.”
Patsy turned to Emily. “Can we do that?”
“Of course you can. I’ll drive you and me, and Larry will wait outside for you or else drive on out here to see what’s goin’ on,” Otis said.
“You’ll have to check with the supervisor. Rules state you can have a car but you have to stay in the county, and if you go another mile or two south of Sunset, you’ll be out of the county, so you’ll have to be careful,” Emily said. “If our supervisor says it’s all right for Otis to take y’all, then I’ll get out the two sewing machines in the activity center and you can work on your quilt tops from one lesson to the next.”
“And if the supervisor says no, just call me,” Mavis offered. “I’ll be glad to drive over and get the ladies for the afternoon. We can have the lesson and then maybe have some coffee or ice cream before I have to take you back.”
“That’s sweet and we’ll sure take you up on it,” Bess said. “It’d be fun to get out for a day.”
Mavis buttered a biscuit and reached for the strawberry jam. “I’ll be sure you have my number before you leave. Are y’all stayin’ for church tomorrow? We’re having our Valentine’s Day potluck after services. You’d all be welcome to join us.”
“We need to go to church to atone for our sins for this week.” Patsy sighed. “The reason we got into so much trouble was because we ain’t been to church in a long time. The services they have at the center ain’t the real deal. We need to have singin’ and testifyin’ and some real preachin’ to get us back in line.”
“Well, I can certainly agree with that, so yes, we can go to church as a group tomorrow.” Emily nodded. “We’ll need to be back by mid-afternoon at the latest. If y’all would have everything packed and in the van before we leave we could go from the church to the center, and you could spend a little more time at the potluck.”
Otis saluted smartly. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Were you in the military?” Benjy asked. “A salute is the sign of respect. But if a sniper is suspected, it is forbidden, because the enemy could use that to recognize officers as targets.”
“No, son, I wasn’t in the military,” Otis answered. “But I do respect Miz Emily very much. Larry was in the army during the Vietnam era. He did two tours over there.”
“Vietnam was the second longest war in our history. Thank you for your service, Larry,” Benjy said, seriously.
Larry’s eyes misted over, but he sat up a little straighter and taller in his chair. “Thank you, son. I appreciate that.”
“How does he know so much?” Emily whispered to Justin.
“He reads all the time, and he has an eidetic memory. The doctors say that some autistic kids have it, but it’s very rare. Guess he’s one of the few,” Justin answered.
She shot a look across the table at the boy, big for his age—if she were just a few years older, he could be her son. Her grandmother was constantly telling her that her biological clock was ticking loudly, but even looking at that precious child didn’t make her regret not getting married right out of high school and starting a family. She glanced around the table. Why did she even need to think about children? She hadn’t gotten the Fab Five raised yet.
Justin picked up the tablecloth on one end, and Emily gathered up the other one. They carefully folded it so that the crumbs all fell to the inside, and then carried it out to the back porch to shake it.
“What’s on your agenda today?” he asked.
“Got to get ready for the party tonight. The ladies want me to do hair and makeup,” she answered.
He dropped the cloth on the porch and tipped her chin up with his knuckles. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all morning.”
Her lips were so soft, and every single time he kissed her, he felt a deep stirring. Call it sparks, chemistry, electricity, or whatever other word folks used when two people were drawn to each other, but Justin could feel it all.
“Since we’ve already done this several times,” he whispered softly in her ear, “are you going to leave me at the door on our first date without even a good night kiss?”
“Never know until we have that date,” she teased.
“Remember that I’m irresistible.” He grinned.
“Yep, you are.” She picked up the tablecloth and carried it inside to the utility room.
“Are you serious?” he asked right behind her.
“You said it. I believe you.”
“Now you’re joking.”
“Maybe. Maybe not.” She brushed a sweet kiss across his cheek. “Now, I’ve got to get down to the bunkhouse. I don’t have to tell you what happens when the Five are left alone, and this is their last day. What if they’re saving the worst thing of all until now?”
“Then we’ll keep them separated. Benjy can entertain the guys and you can entertain the ladies with all that hair and makeup,” he said.
“Sounds like an excellent plan to me,” Emily said.
Justin hummed all the way from the house to the barn, where he found Benjy, Larry, and Otis talking about the morning chores, and a shot of jealousy hit him. Sure, Benjy always talked to Justin and didn’t flinch if he laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder every now and then. But the kid had just flat out taken to Otis like they were long-lost relatives.
Ever think it’s because the old guy reminds him of his grandmother? A voice in his head asked. You’re also jealous of Cade because he has a baby on the way, and Levi because he’s found someone. What are you waiting for?
If settling down was what he wanted, he realized suddenly, then it was time to get on with the program and do so. And this newfound feeling he had for Emily might mean that she was the right one to do it with—but if she wasn’t, then what? One of them might get hurt really badly. His mind was still chasing itself like a dog trying to catch its tail when he reached the barn.
“Hey, Justin.” Benjy waved. “Otis and Larry are helping this morning. And then I’m goin’ to show them how to groom Little Bit. Did you know that Hopalong has made him a bed in the back of one of the stalls? Are we getting things ready in case a heifer has trouble calving?”
Justin made his way back to the area where they were working. “That’s right. We like to keep things ready, and Levi mentioned Hopalong had showed up again. Was he happy to see you?”
“Oh, yeah.” Benjy flashed one of his rare smiles. “We all got to pet him and now he’s sleepin’.”
“Well, don’t work Otis and Larry too hard. Emily will shoot me if they get sick over this,” Justin said.
“Never happen. Benjy here is a fine boss.” Otis chuckled. “He’s letting us pace ourselves.”
“That’s good,” Justin said.
Benjy pushed a full wheelbarrow outside to dump it. “Be right back, boys.”
Otis leaned on a shovel. “That’s a good kid, there, and he loves this kind of work. He’s already a good hand, but with his smarts, he’ll be a fantastic one in a few years. He could probably work out in his head how many rolls of barbed wire you’d need.”
Larry propped a heel on the lower board of a stall. “I ain’t never seen a kid that intelligent. He’s such a delight to be around.”
“We think so too. I’m so glad that he’s made friends with y’all,” Justin said.
“Hell, son, we’re glad he let us be friends with him.” Otis grinned.
“Got to go.” Justin removed his cowboy hat, combed his hair back with his fingers, and resettled it on his head. “See y’all at the party.”
“Lookin’ forward to it,” Larry said. “What’re you off to do today?”
“Got a field to plow,” Justin answered.
Beau followed Benjy from outside and stopped to let both Otis and Larry rub his ears before he headed toward the tractor. When Justin didn’t follow right then, he turned around and barked at him.
“I think Beau wants to plow with you today,” Benjy said.
“Looks like it.” Justin nodded.
Justin opened the big green tractor door and jumped inside. Tail thumping against the leather seat and his paws on the dash, Beau was ready to go. Justin settled into his place and turned on the radio to his favorite country music station.
Plowing a big field in a tractor while listening to country music was usually Justin’s definition of a good day. A month ago the only thing that would have been on his mind was whether or not he’d get lucky that night at the Rusty Spur. But all through the morning all he could think about was a party with seven elderly folks, a thirteen-year-old boy, and six adults. Pizza and Pictionary were on the agenda, and he couldn’t wait for time to pass so he could be in the middle of it all.
At noon he turned the engine off, got out his sack lunch and thermos, and sat down on a fallen log under a big scrub oak tree. Beau rushed out to find the nearest bush and then chased two squirrels up a pecan tree. When the dog realized Justin was eating, he sat down at his side and put a paw on his leg.
Justin pinched off a chunk of his sandwich, fed it to Beau, and then tipped up his coffee and let the dog have a sip of that. “I like Emily. There I said it. There’s just something about the way she is with those old folks, and the way she looks at Benjy, and now she’s got me thinkin’ about settling down. She’s got a good heart and damn it, Beau, she’s one sexy woman with all those curves.”
Beau whimpered and looked up at the tractor.
“You’re no help at all. You could at least wag your tail. I get more reaction out of you when a song that you like comes on the radio. Don’t you like her?”
Beau’s tail thumped against the brittle grass one time.
“Well, thank you for that tiny little vote of confidence,” Justin growled. “Let’s just get back to work.”
Beau yipped.
“I guess that means I have to figure out things for myself, right?”
One more thump of the tail and Beau made two fast runs around the tractor. By the time Justin had shoved all of his trash back into the sack, the dog was waiting at the door. Beau hopped into the passenger seat, curled up with his paw over his nose, and went to sleep.
His phone rang before he could even start the tractor back up. The ID said it was his mother, but he took a moment to get the engine going so he could turn on the A/C.
“Hello, Mama,” Justin answered.
“Where are you?” she asked, bluntly.
“In the tractor, plowing up a field so we can get it replanted,” he answered.
“Where’s Emily?”
“I have no idea, but I’d guess that she’s at the bunkhouse getting things ready for the party tonight. You’re coming to it, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
“Mama, what’s the matter with you? You’ve been acting strange ever since y’all got here,” he asked.
“It’s Emily,” she said.
“What about her?”
“What do you know about her? What if she’s just a gold digger after part of this ranch?”
“Good grief!” Justin raised his voice. “She hasn’t even agreed to go out with me yet, and besides she’s not that kind of person.”
“She’s not for you, Justin. I didn’t feel like this with Retta or with Claire, but something isn’t right about Emily. They’ll be leaving tomorrow. I want you to stay away from her.”
“Mama, you’ve never put up this kind of fuss about any of my girlfriends,” he said.
“There’s something different in you. If she were a one-night stand I wouldn’t say a word, but with Levi and Cade both settling down, you’ve changed. Don’t deny it. I can see it, but Emily is not the one.”
“What if she is?” Justin asked.
“Trust me, she’s not,” Gloria said and the call ended.
No good-bye or anything. She simply hung up.
“Dammit!” Justin slapped the steering wheel.
It was going to be a long afternoon. Then he remembered something that Claire’s little niece, Zaylie, had told him about time passing when they traveled. According to her, it was measured in songs. It took five songs to go from the ranch to the ice cream store in Bowie. But it took a whole bunch of songs to go from San Antonio, where she’d lived with her father, to Randlett, Oklahoma, where she stayed with her Aunt Claire when he was deployed.
It was 12:20. That meant a lot of songs before he got the field plowed and could call it quits. One song after another played, but he wasn’t listening. One minute he was trying to make heads or tails out of the way he felt about Emily; the next he wondered what basis his mother had for what she’d said. Emily hadn’t been anything but nice to her.
“I’m acting like a high school kid rather than a feller who’s almost thirty,” he muttered. “Emily probably isn’t goin’ to say yes when I do ask her out. And if she does, Mama is going to pitch a hissy fit. Why can’t she just love Emily, like she did Retta and Claire?”
The sun was settling down on the horizon when he finally finished the job and parked the tractor in front of the barn. He still hadn’t figured out a blessed thing, but at least the day was done, and he could go see Emily. Beau hopped out the minute the door opened and ran toward the house. Justin jogged along behind him and went straight to the bathroom. After a quick shower, he dressed in clean jeans and a shirt, pulled on a better pair of boots, and headed for the bunkhouse.
He didn’t realize that he needed a coat until the north wind blew through his damp hair, but he didn’t go back to get one. He just picked up the speed and hurried toward his destination.
The buzz of several conversations filled the room when he slipped inside. He searched the room, looking for Emily. Open pizza boxes covered the table, and the countertop was serving as a soft drink bar. Retta and Claire had their heads together. Mavis and the other elderly ladies were sitting around the table, talking about something that required a lot of hand movements.
No Emily anywhere.
His mother waved from across the room and made her way over to loop her arm in his. “I’ve been waiting on you to arrive. Mavis is talking quilting with the ladies. Retta and Claire are finalizing nursery plans. Your father is over there with the men and Benjy, talking about that silly donkey. I’m the only one here that doesn’t fit into a group.”
He scanned the room one more time and found Emily coming out of the bathroom. She was wearing a pretty blue dress that matched her eyes and skimmed her knees, and the sight of her took his breath away. Her hair lay in soft waves down to her shoulders, and he longed to bury his face in it like he had the night before in the tack room.
“Emily is right there. You could talk to her,” he said.
“I’d rather talk to you,” Gloria said.
Justin looked over the top of his mother’s head and his gaze locked with Emily’s. There was definitely chemistry, and it felt right.
“Hey, Justin is here now!” Patsy raised her voice. “Let’s eat and then play the game. I want Benjy on my team.”
“Oh, no!” Otis argued. “We get Benjy.”
Claire pushed her blond hair behind her ears and headed toward the table with the pizza. “I’m hungry so make way.”
Retta picked up a paper plate and began to load it with slices. “I’m right behind you, Claire. I get double tonight because I’m eating for two.”
“I’m your friendly bartender.” Justin began to fill red plastic cups with ice. “Y’all come on by here when you get your food, and I’ll fix you right up.”
“You do the ice and I’ll pour,” Gloria said.
Emily was the last in line and whispered, “Sweet tea is fine.”
“Comin’ right up. I’ll join you. Mama, you can pour your own, right?”
“Of course,” Gloria huffed.
“Want a little Jack in that?” he whispered when they were away from his mother.
“That might prove dangerous,” she said. “I’m already gettin’ daggers shot at me by your mama. Did I do something wrong?”
“No, honey. Mama is just bein’ overprotective, but gettin’ back to the idea of something being dangerous. It could be a lot of fun.”
“What could be fun?” Patsy asked.
“She’s got hearing like a bat,” Emily said.
“Watchin’ you ladies lose. We’ve got Benjy.” Justin quickly covered his comment.
“And we’ve got Sarah,” Bess said. “She can draw real good.”
“Yes, I can,” Sarah said, which set off an argument among the Fab Five.
While they fussed about who was going to win the games, Justin brushed a strand of hair away from Emily’s face. “You sure do look pretty tonight. I want to kiss you so bad right now that it hurts. Think we could slip outside?”
“If we did, your mama would probably shoot me. So we’d better stay right here.”
Emily hadn’t had a man look at her the way Justin was in—she cocked her head to one side and tried to remember—in like ever.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty good too,” she answered.
“This has been a really great week. I hate to see it end.”
When he lowered his deep voice into a whisper, it was even sexier than usual. And his bedroom eyes, with the thick dark lashes, drew her to him like a bee to a honey pot.
“In spite of all their antics?” she asked.
“I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about us, but it’s been fun having them here. I have to admit that I had my doubts about this type of thing, but it turned out really good. I’d let them come back in the fall or next spring if they want to,” he said.
“No, thank you. I’ll develop heart failure if I try this again.” She smiled.
“I’ll give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if you pass out,” he offered.
His eyes roamed over her snug-fitting dress. Suddenly, the room was entirely too warm, and the thoughts of his lips on hers again filled her with even more heat. She took a long drink of the icy cold sweet tea in her hand, but it didn’t cool her down a bit.
“First, I don’t pass out. And second, I’m not sure you’re strong enough to handle me if I did,” she said.
“Oh, honey, you just give me a chance, and I’ll show you exactly what I can do for you.” He flirted with his eyes and body language as much as with his words.
Emily’s heart was thumping around in her chest and she could feel her pulse in her ears. “You better go get some pizza because the game is going to start soon. I’ve got a five-dollar bill that says the girls win.”
“If the boys win, you can keep your money and agree to go out with me.” He brushed past her on the way to the table.
“If the girls win, you can just give me the five bucks.” The touch of his body against hers sent visuals to her mind that were definitely X-rated.
“You’re breakin’ my heart,” he teased as he followed her across the room.
“Yeah, right. You’ll be at the Rusty Spur next weekend, and I won’t even be a blip on your memory. Eat your pizza, and get ready to fork over a bill when we win this game.”
“Will I be a blip on your memory?” He nudged her with a shoulder.
“Of course you will, darlin’. You’re irresistible, remember?” she said.
He laid a hand on his chest. “You’re a tough woman, Emily Baker.”
“You just want to go out with me because I’m probably the only woman who’s ever refused you when you asked,” she told him.
“Oh, darlin’, you give me way too much credit.” Justin chuckled.
Gloria dragged a folding chair across the room, put it at the end of the two remaining chairs left, and sat down in the middle.
Justin motioned for Emily to sit down in one, then he moved the other one over beside her. “There, now we can sit together.”
Gloria’s smile was sarcastic instead of happy. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize that I was gettin’ between y’all.”
“It’s okay,” Emily said. “I’m glad that we can sit together so I can get to know you better. We haven’t had much one-on-one time. Which side are you bettin’ on tonight?”
“The boys, of course. Benjy is a crackerjack artist and so is Justin.” Gloria’s tone was icy.
“So is Sarah. They sure have had a good time this week.”
“And you? Did you have a good time too?” Gloria’s blue eyes, so much like Cade’s, bored into Emily’s.
Emily didn’t blink. “Yes, I did. I used to spend a lot of time on my grandmother’s ranch when I was young and it has been fun to get to spend some time in the country. So thank y’all for a lovely week.”
“I’m just glad that I’ve got family so that when I get old, they’ll be around to take care of me,” Gloria said.
“That’s nice,” Emily said sweetly. There was no way she’d let Gloria get the best of her.
“And your family? Will you step up to take care of them when they’re old?”
“Of course,” Emily said. “Family is precious.”
The first game of Pictionary began, and Gloria didn’t have anything more to say. Emily let the other ladies take center stage in guessing what Benjy was drawing. The living/dining room was filled with laughter, and all she had to do was look at the Five’s expressions to see how much fun they were having. Maybe after a year, she’d be willing to bring them back to the ranch. It would give them something to look forward to.
All of the ladies were dolled up and as comfortable in their skins as Emily was—or would be if it wasn’t so hot in the bunkhouse. Otis had changed into khaki pants and a button-down shirt instead of his usual jeans and T-shirts. Larry had even donned a pair of gray slacks with a bright red polo shirt. She hadn’t seen them so dressed up since the Christmas party.
The boys won.
Benjy high-fived Otis and Larry.
Sarah poked Emily on the leg and whispered, “We let them win that last round to make Benjy happy.”
“I had a bet riding on this.” Emily groaned.
“Yep, and there was that too,” Patsy giggled.
Justin lingered at the door after everyone else had left. “So what night next week is good for you? And I’ll need your address.”
“I’ll have to check my calendar, cowboy,” Emily said. “And when I’ve got a free day, I’ll meet you somewhere for dinner.”
“She lives out on Belcherville Road,” Patsy yelled.
“White house with a detached garage and an apartment above it,” Sarah added.
“The lady who owns the house drives an older model white Caddy, but she can’t park it in the garage because she’s a hoarder and it’s full. She’d like to move to the retirement center but she couldn’t bring all that crap with her.” Bess put in her two cents.
“Thank you all for the clues. And I will call next week to check on that calendar of yours. See you in the morning at breakfast, and then we’ll be going to church together.” Justin grinned and then gave Emily a peck on the cheek as he left.
“That’s a date, right? So we don’t have a drinking contest on Sunday evening?” she called out.
He turned around on the porch. “No, ma’am. That’s church and a potluck. It’s only a date if I pick you up at your house, bring you back there, and hope for a good night kiss.”
“Awww, that’s so sweet,” Patsy said. “I wish I was your age. I’d damn sure give him more than a good night kiss. I’d drag him into the bedroom and do things that would put that Fifty Shades book to shame.”
Emily’s hands went to her crimson cheeks. “I’ve blushed more this week than I have in years.”
“All that blushing means you feel something for Justin.” Bess patted the sofa beside her. “Now come on over here, and sit beside me. We need to have a woman-to-woman talk.”
“About?” Emily crossed the room, kicked off her shoes, and sat down.
“Why you are so hard to catch. A girl can just run so long before it’s time to stand still and get caught.”
Emily laid a hand on Bess’s shoulder. “He’s too good-lookin’ to be serious about a girl like me. Right now I’m here, and since I’m not fallin’ at his feet like he’s probably used to, he’s intrigued. He’ll forget me when we leave.”
“What if you’re wrong? He looks at you like he could have you for breakfast, dinner, and supper,” Sarah said.
“I’m not wrong. I lost the bet, so I’ll go out with him. I honor my bets, and now it’s time for bed. We have to get up early to get our packing done before church.” Emily thought of the way his kisses turned her knees weak and hoped that the date was just the beginning of many more—but she wasn’t about to admit it—even to herself.
“And then it will be over. I could die in my sleep tonight and go out a happy woman.” Bess sighed.
“Don’t you dare!” Patsy shivered. “If I woke up to a dead woman in the bed with me, I’d probably join you.”
“We should do that,” Bess declared. “We should all three make a pact to die together on the same day so we don’t leave anyone behind to grieve.”
They piled their hands on each other’s.
“To finishing this life together,” Patsy said.
“Yes!” Sarah and Bess nodded, seriously.
A cold chill made its way down Emily’s back as she stood up and headed toward her bedroom. It was the last night she’d have to sleep on a twin-size bed. Tomorrow she could sprawl out on her California king without fear that she’d fall off onto the floor if she turned over in her sleep. She had counted down the nights she’d have to spend on the ranch, but now that it was the last night, she dreaded leaving.
“My sweet little old folks are going to be depressed.” She talked to her reflection in the mirror as she removed her makeup and took off her earrings.
What about you, Emily Renee? Are you going to be depressed? Her mother’s voice was so clear that she jerked around to see if she was actually in the room with her.
“Why are you second naming me?” Emily asked.
If she was totally honest with herself, the answer to her mother’s question would be yes, but it was a bitter pill to swallow. It had been fun visiting the ranch, reacquainting herself with everything that she’d grown up with. But all good things must come to an end—and the feeling of nostalgia—right along with this physical attraction that she had for Justin, would pass.
“One date and then it will definitely be over,” she said out loud as she crawled into bed.
She closed her eyes only to dream of Justin. In the dream they were slick with sweat after making love on a twin bed. He held her close so that she wouldn’t fall off. She awoke the next morning and reached behind her, but there was nothing there but a lumpy pillow. She threw it against the wall.