Henry and Brenda traded a grin. That woman was a phrase used about as often as that man came from Mrs. O’s lips.
“Brenda tell you about her idea for Scarlett?”
Henry glanced over. “No.”
“Well, it’s a good one. She can explain after we move this chest.”
“Okay.” Henry grabbed the screen door and held it for Judge Porter. He glanced back. “Wait for me?”
I would. I have. But she said neither, merely nodded.
And watched him as he went through the door, his shoulders broader than she’d ever noticed, his backside and legs a fine sight as he left.
The ride to the flower farm passed in a stilted silence. Henry cast looks at her as often as was safe, and a couple of times he caught her stealing glances of her own.
Followed by blushes. I’m not sorry, she’d insisted. You’re always saying I’m too young. Eighteen is old for your first kiss.
Try being twenty-one, nearly twenty-two, he wanted to tell her. Okay, it wasn’t his first kiss, not exactly. He’d had a few before, here and there.
But none of them mattered the way this one had.
Blast it, he could feel the heat rising on his throat, the burn on his ears.
He heard her indrawn breath and whipped his gaze to hers. She was blushing, too, as if she knew what he was thinking. Maybe she did, but could she sense how his fingers itched to clasp her waist? How he longed to bring her to her toes and seal his mouth to hers and take and take and take?
He flipped on the radio, desperate for distraction before he did something crazy like pull over and grab her and—
Harley Sykes’ voice sounded. “So, folks, LaNelda Baxter has an iron bedstead she will sell for twenty-five dollars or if you’re finding yourself a little short, she will take services in trade, as she needs someone to walk her little dog Sparkplug. Seems our new veterinarian Michael Cavanaugh says Sparky must lose five pounds to take him out of the range of the morbidly obese—what’s that, Arnie? Fireplug, you say? Well, yes, Sparky the chihuahua sadly is about the size of a big red fireplug. It might have something to do with the cookies LaNelda makes for him, you think? Oh, excuse me, folks, our other line is ringing now. Just hold on a sec, and I’ll see if I can patch in the caller. I just love getting calls here, don’t you, Arnie?”
Henry and Brenda exchanged grins in the expected silence before Arnie’s usual laconic reply.
Finally it came. “Yep.”
“Oh, dagnabit, I lost that call. Let’s try again. I coulda sworn I had that call business square, Big D. Son, if you’re listening, mayhap you should scoot on over and show me just one more time—Hey! I got it! This is KSST, the Pride of Sweetgrass Springs. How are you this lovely day?”
“I’m about spittin’ mad, Harley Sykes. How dare you call my sweet Sparky morbidly obese? That just sounds bad, you know?”
“Why hi there, LaNelda.”
“That nice Dr. Michael said no such thing.”
“He didn’t say Firepl—er, Sparky needs a little spare tire reduction?”
“Well, sure he did, but he doesn’t understand how pitiful Sparky can cry when I bake. Why, my sweetie cupcake just loves Mommy’s cooking, don’t you?” she cooed. “And that mean ole Harley is just talking through his hat, sugarbear. If you could see him, Harley, you’d be ashamed of yourself. Why he’s resting his head on my lap and looking up at me with those sweet little eyes and—”
Henry pulled up to the greenhouse and shut off the engine, then grinned over at Brenda. “Should I turn it back on?”
She smiled back, her eyes sparkling, and he thought she was the prettiest girl he’d ever laid eyes on.
“No, we can always hear about it when we get back. Unless you’re just dying to hear the end.”
He shook his head and got out, following her into the packing shed, then over to the cooler. She opened the door and studied what was there. He could almost see her brain whirring. “Okay. Let’s go grab a few things from the field.” She reached up for a pair of gloves and took down a pair for him. “Want some?”
“Nah. I’ve got mine in the truck if I need them, but my hands aren’t delicate like yours.”
“I’ll show you delicate.” She held up her palms. “I’ve got calluses just like you, I’ll have you know. Feel them.”
She still had lady hands, whatever she thought. But she was offering her hands to him, and he’d touch her wherever he was allowed. This seemed harmless enough.
Until he clasped her small hands in his, that was, and he just couldn’t let go. He looked into her pretty blue eyes and couldn’t help leaning toward her. He tried to yank himself back, but before he got far, she closed the distance and pressed her lips to his.
Then she slanted her head and sought out his mouth with her tongue.
“Brenda, we should—mmph—” She stood on her toes and slid her tongue inside, and he was lost.
Maybe they were both inexperienced, and maybe they knocked teeth once and bumped noses, too, but…it was still the best feeling he’d had in his life. When she leaned into him, he wrapped her close, and they rode the kiss together, a sigh or two from her, a groan from him. He held her tightly against him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, sliding her fingers into his hair.
The door to the greenhouse snapped shut nearby, and they jerked apart, both breathing hard. She was staring at him, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “Do you know how beautiful you are?” he asked.
“You think I’m beautiful?” Her eyes went wide.
“Only the prettiest girl I ever saw.”
“Hey guys,” said Luis, one of the new hands Jackson had hired. “You working this morning, Brenda?” His grin said he’d seen them.
Henry rushed to her defense. “We’re here for some flowers for a special bouquet.”
“Ah. Need some help?”
“Um, no,” Brenda finally managed, her face blazing. “I’ll leave Veronica a note to take it out of my wages.”
“I’ll makes sure she gets it.” He waved and went back to work.
Henry waited for Brenda to back away, but instead, her grin was pure mischief. “Oops.”
His own smile went wide. “Busted.”
“You’re really good at that, Henry.”
“So are you.”
They stared at one another, and he was sorely tempted to kiss her again, but—
They had to be at work soon. He exhaled. “Guess we’d better gather our flowers and get back to town.”
“Guess we should.” Her sigh was as deep as his own.
He turned away, tried to focus.
But he couldn’t stop smiling.
“Hi, Blue,” Brenda said as she entered, Henry right behind her. “Busy today?”
Blue barely glanced over, a departure from her usual behavior. She shrugged. “Fine.”
“You okay?”
“Me? Sure.” Blue moved away, and Brenda was left to stand there, wondering at how distant the usually friendly older woman was. She hadn’t even asked who the flowers were for.
Brenda glanced at Henry, who looked surprised, too. “Let’s go talk to Ruby,” he suggested.
Excited by their plans for Scarlett, Brenda followed him into the kitchen eagerly.
“Aw, you shouldn’t have,” Ruby said.
Brenda fell still and winced.
Henry helped her out. “Sorry, Ruby. These are for Scarlett, for tomorrow. Her first day back and all.”
The older woman beamed. “Now that’s a lovely idea. She’ll be delighted that you thought of it.”
“I should have brought you some, though, Ruby. None of us would be here without you.”
“You’re sweet, but another time, okay? Don’t you worry one bit. Do you want to store them in the big refrigerator?”
“Scarlett won’t come in today, right? I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
Ruby shook her head. “She’s not going to budge from Georgia’s side, I’d bet the farm. As much as s
he’s looking forward to being back, leaving that sweet baby is tearing her heart out, even if she’ll be right across the alley all day.”
“Mrs. O is bustling around like the Queen of England was coming,” Henry remarked.
“Having young life around gives us all energy,” Ruby responded. “You two ready to work? You’re here early.”
Henry glanced at her. “Go ahead, tell her. It’s your idea.”
Brenda shuffled her feet. “I was just thinking that maybe we could decorate the cafe some as part of welcoming Scarlett back. Put up a banner and some balloons, maybe.”
“She already gathered up balloons,” Henry told Ruby. “And she’s made a sign from butcher paper.”
Ruby’s gaze bored in on her. “Come here, sweetheart.” She opened her arms and folded Brenda in, though she was a few inches shorter. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. It will make Scarlett feel like a million bucks and maybe ease a little of the pangs of leaving Georgia.” She hugged Brenda. “Thank you for thinking of it.” Another hug, then she released Brenda. “When would you decorate?”
“We were thinking—” Brenda glanced at Henry. “That we could do it tonight, after Dreams closes. So nobody could spill the beans before Scarlett sees it.”
“Ah, to be young again and still able to zip around after working all day and half the night.” Ruby grinned. “Want us to help you? Blue, you’re not working tonight, are you?”
The other woman glanced up, startled. “No, I—” Her hesitance was clear. “No, but I—Sure, I could help.”
Brenda couldn’t help being surprised at her hesitation, but then Blue had her own life to live. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Henry and I can do it. We really don’t need anyone else. But thank you.”
A small nod, and Blue turned away, but not before Brenda noted how her gaze seemed troubled. She made a note to ask Blue later and see if she could help.
But right now it was time to get to work.
Chapter Eight
Scarlett held Georgia to her chest, rocking from side to side as her heart felt like it was breaking. “I didn’t know it would be so hard,” she whispered to her baby’s black curls. “Before you were born, when I made all these plans, I didn’t realize leaving you would tear my heart out.” She blinked back tears, but one escaped and fell into Georgia’s soft hair.
Against her, Georgia nestled so sweetly, soft and relaxed as she always was after Scarlett had nursed her, rocked her. Her blue eyes studied Scarlett as if she knew things no adult ever could.
Then her daddy’s dimple peeked out, and Georgia smiled.
“I don’t think I can do this,” Scarlett whispered.
A large warm hand splayed over her back, and Ian crouched beside her. “Scarlett, honey…”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know I would feel this way.”
His strong arms came around his two girls, as he called them. Into Scarlett’s hair, he murmured, “You don’t have to do this. You could take longer. Ruby’s managing okay.”
“Oh, Ian…” For a moment she let her head fall onto his strong shoulder. “I can’t do that to her, to any of them. Everybody’s been working extra to make up for my absence. I have to go back.”
“Maybe the diner…” He didn’t try to finish because he knew, too, that there were no easy answers.
“Nana’s fought for so many years to keep the town alive, and now it’s growing, just as she’d hoped. But she’s not young, and I can see how it wearies her to work such long hours. Everyone thinks she’s invincible, but she’s not.”
His beautiful brown eyes met hers. “We could make it on what I earn from the ranch, if you don’t want to go back. Maybe there’s someone else who’d want to buy the diner. I’ll help you talk to Ruby.”
New tears sprung. She laid her palm against his cheek. “You are the most wonderful man.” She kissed him gently. “But I can’t do that. And it’s not like I don’t love the work I do, I just…” She tried for a smile while she shook her head. “Look at me, all leaky and emotional. She’ll be right across the way at Nana’s house. I can see her whenever I want.” Except, of course, that the pace of the cafe was such that hours would pass between visits. “Your mother is an angel for agreeing to go there to care for her when it would be so much easier for her to do it at our house or at hers.”
“She loves you both, and she wants what’s best for Georgia, too.”
“What is best?” Scarlett agonized. Then she sighed. “I know I’m no different from every other mother who’s ever had to go back to work. If my job didn’t involve knives and hot grills and ovens, if I’d just been sensible and become…oh, I don’t know, a gardener or something, she could be with me while I work. But no—I have to pick a career with dangers aplenty for a child.” She cleared her throat and laughed, if not with much cheer. “And here I go on this way, when my life is as close to perfect as any woman could hope. Some women have to leave their children for most of their waking hours. Some women are married to men who are brutal to them. And here I am, living with the love of my life, the best man in the world, and we’ve been given the gift of the sweetest baby to ever draw breath. I have work I love, and a grandmother who adores me, wonderful friends…and I’m whining because I can’t be with Georgia every second.”
“It’s not whining. You’re an amazing mother with so much love inside you. She’s a lucky little girl.”
She stroked his face. “She is. She has you.”
“Would you feel better if I kept her instead of Mom?”
“There’s no way you have time, as hard as you work. Your mother is wonderful to her, and I have complete confidence in her. You’re right, too, that between Mrs. O and the Judge and Sophia, Georgia’s back will likely never see her mattress. I just—” Her eyes burned again. “I don’t know what I wish. That it didn’t hurt, mostly. That she’ll never feel like I don’t love her because I’m working.”
“You know better,” he said. “She knows and she will know more every day just how much her mother loves her. And as she grows up, she’ll see how strong and amazing you are.’
“Oh, Ian…”
He drew her close and kissed her forehead, her cheeks…then he pressed a soft kiss to her mouth. As always she opened to him eagerly, and the love flowed strong between them, with Georgia clasped between them, bathed in that love.
They both looked down at the child watching them so solemnly. “I miss her, too, when I’m out working,” he said.
Scarlett glanced up. “I never thought about that. I was so wrapped up in caring for her, it never occurred to me—oh, Ian, I’m so sorry.”
He smiled, and that one dimple popped. “You’ll be busy. That will help. She will, too—I’m betting she doesn’t get put down all day, what with Mrs. O and Judge and my mom. Plus we’ll visit her, both of us, during the day. I’m betting Ruby will sneak over every chance she gets, too, and Dad will wind up there a lot. Baby girl will be afloat in company.”
Scarlett sighed. “And when she’s bigger, you can show her how to run a ranch, and I can teach her to cook.” A pang hit her then. “You have a busy day, and here I am, delaying you while I blubber.”
He smiled again, then kissed her forehead. “Blubber away. I might join you.” Then he bent and kissed Georgia’s nose. “Your parents are softies, Miss Georgia. Don’t take too much advantage of us being saps, okay?”
Georgia batted at his nose, her legs kicking as she reached for her daddy.
He glanced over. “Okay if I—”
It was hard to let her go, but Scarlett knew how deeply Ian adored their child. “Of course.” She brushed at her tears and drew a deep breath, then looked around her. “I think I have everything.”
Ian was busy nibbling on Georgia’s fingers as Georgia kicked and wiggled in delight. “I’m pretty sure between you and Mom, half of what Georgia owns is either already over there or packed up ready to transport.”
He glanced up. “Hey, Mom.”
“Good mo
rning.” Sophia and he had become close, after so many years of estrangement, the night Scarlett had nearly died giving birth. Scarlett knew how invaluable and tireless Sophia’s help had been in the days and weeks after the birth, when Scarlett’s strength was so slow to return. “Hi, Sophia.”
Ian’s mother looked at her with pity. “Oh, sweetheart, I promise I’ll take the best possible care of her.” She approached and drew Scarlett into her arms. “I know it’s hard. You call if you’re busy and can’t leave but just want to see her. I’ll walk her right over to you as many times as you need.”
“I feel like an idiot. I’m the one who came up with a second restaurant and insisted on being involved with Nana’s diner. I wanted to put Sweetgrass on the map for fine cuisine with Dreams. It’s just—” She bit her lip to keep from tearing up again. “I didn’t realize she would take over my heart like this.”
Sophia held her and rocked her again. “All of that can be changed if you decide not to. I have some money, and I could hire help for the restaurants.”
“I can’t do that to Nana. Or to the town. Too many people are depending on me, but I feel like I’m abandon—oh, Sophia, I’m sorry.” Instantly Scarlett willed back the words. The woman before her had abandoned Ian when he was a boy, and though his dad Gordon had claimed responsibility for driving her away, insisting that the situation was more complicated than anyone who wasn’t there could understand, Scarlett knew Sophia still suffered. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”
Sophia’s eyes were dark and haunted as she cradled Scarlett’s cheek. “It’s okay. I did what I did, and I can only thank God that my son is a big enough man to have forgiven me and tried to understand.” She looked over at Ian. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I’m so grateful for it.”
The subject was still a touchy one, and Scarlett knew this man so well that she could see the barbs that had never fully been uprooted.
But Sophia was right. Ian was a big man, a generous one with a big heart.
“It’s okay, Mom. We’re okay. And this morning, I don’t think we need any more crying.”
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