Trust Our Tomorrows

by Carrie Carr

  Teddy gave Lorrie a bashful smile. "Can we go to the barn? I like the way the hay smells."

  "Um, Momma?" Lorrie didn't seem enthused about being his tour guide.

  "Go ahead, Lorrie. But you're responsible for Teddy, remember?"

  Lorrie nodded. "Come on, Teddy. We'll make forts out of the hay bales."

  He happily followed. "Cool!"

  HARRISON TOSSED WHAT was left of his unlit cigar out of the car window. "Damn it all to hell! Cauble's not home, and his parent's house is deserted, too. Where the hell are they?"

  "Now can we go back to Austin? It's obvious everyone's together today." Veronica dabbed at her lips with a lace handkerchief. "All this cold air is really not good for my asthma."

  He flipped through the folder with a vengeance. "No! They've got to be around here, somewhere. I think I remember one other place," his voice drifted off as he read. "Damn! They wouldn't be there, would they?" His face reddened as he tossed the report on the seat between them.

  "Where, dear?"

  "That god-forsaken ranch," He muttered. "All right then. It can't be that hard to find." He made a sharp U-turn .

  "Do you think that is a very good idea, Harrison? After all--"

  "Enough!" he bellowed. "If they think they can have Frank's daughter anywhere near those, those, women, they've got another thing coming." He took out another cigar, this time lighting it.

  Veronica delicately waved her handkerchief under her nose. "But, Harrison, Amanda is part of their family. I'm sure--"

  He held up his hand to silence her. "If Cauble wants to have a perverted daughter, that's his business. But if Jeannie thinks we'll sit by idly while her sister and that other thing corrupt our son's only child, she's in for a rude awakening."

  NO LONGER EXILED, Melanie sat at the kitchen table filling in a picture from her favorite coloring book. She had tearfully apologized to her mother, and would have to do the same to her sister, once Lorrie returned from outside.

  Amanda watched as Jeannie gazed fondly at Melanie. She took in her sister's attire, which consisted of a colorful flowing top and black stretch leggings. Suddenly, something occurred to her. "Jeannie?"

  "Hmm?"

  "How are you feeling?"

  Jeannie raised her head and met Amanda's eyes. Her mouth turned up into a playful grin. "Not too bad. I'm not nauseous at all."

  Anna Leigh and Martha looked at each other, then at Jeannie. They both clapped and cheered at the same time. "Are you--" Anna Leigh asked, hopefully.

  "I am!" Jeannie stood and met the others in the middle of the kitchen, where they shared a group hug. "I wanted to wait until we were all together to make the announcement."

  "That's wonderful," Amanda gushed, holding onto Jeannie and rocking from side to side.

  Jeannie giggled. "We're so excited, Mandy. Rodney's been almost beside himself for the last few days, ever since we found out."

  "What does Teddy think of becoming a big brother?" Anna Leigh asked, once they had all calmed down.

  "He doesn't know, yet." Jeannie glanced at Melanie, who was studiously coloring, unaware of the ruckus around her. "We wanted it to be a secret, and you know how kids are."

  Amanda sighed. "All too well." Her smile returned in full force. "I can't wait to host the baby shower."

  Martha nudged Anna Leigh. "Any excuse for a party, with these girls."

  "Isn't that the truth?" Anna Leigh agreed.

  "THAT'S GOT TO be the turn, up ahead," Harrison flipped on the turn signal and took the car off the main road. The car passed beneath an ornate metal gate, proclaiming the Rocking W Ranch.

  "Harrison, please. We've been driving around for hours. Let's return to Austin and find a nice restaurant for lunch." Just the thought of the dirt from the road they were traveling on caused Veronica to cough. "This is barbaric."

  He gave her a nasty look. "I can't help that the damned woman lives out in the middle of god-damned nowhere!"

  Veronica bit off a retort as they came to a covered, wooden bridge. Her outlook changed as they drove closer, and her eyes were drawn to the seasoned structure. "Oh, how lovely. It's almost like something out of a magazine."

  "It's a wonder the blasted thing doesn't collapse," Harrison grumbled. He bumped his head on the side window when the car hit a rock. "For god's sake, this road is a mess!"

  It wasn't long before the road ended in front of a two-story house. The lower half was covered in brick, and the first floor was surrounded by a wrap-around porch. On the second story, French doors opened out onto a balcony. Veronica tore her eyes away from the impressive sight. "It appears we may have found them," she said, indicating the multiple vehicles parked beside the house.

  "It's about damned time." Harrison parked behind the other vehicles. "Come on, Veronica. Let's see about Lorraine."

  WITH ONE EYE on the road, Lois glanced over at her husband, who had been quiet for the entire drive. "Michael, are you sure you're up to this? It's probably going to be a madhouse at the ranch today."

  Michael held back the sharp remark that was on the tip of his tongue. "Of course I am. Just because I didn't sleep very well is no reason to skip a holiday dinner. I'll be fine."

  Feeling chastised by his tone, Lois sighed and turned her attention back to the road.

  "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I shouldn't have snapped at you." Michael rubbed her back. "I hate to see you worry."

  Lois smiled at him. "Does that mean you'll go see Rodney next week? Because you know I'll keep worrying until you do."

  His laughter was a balm to her heart. "I think I've just been set up."

  "I'll make the call on Monday," Lois offered.

  LEX HANDED THE television remote to Jacob. "Don't let Rodney change the channel to some goofy documentary while I'm getting us some coffee." She stood and laughed at the indignant sound coming from her brother-in-law.

  "Hey, I like football, too. But I can't stand those morons on the pregame show." Rodney playfully reached for the remote, which Jacob held over his head.

  Charlie, who had been sitting quietly, joined in the laughter.

  "Oh no you don't," Jacob teased. He tossed it to Charlie. "Here, you take it."

  Rodney laughed. "You guys are nuts."

  "Yeah? What was your first clue?" Lex made it around the couch when there was a knock on the front door. "That must be Michael and Lois. Be right back, guys." She was still smiling when she opened the door. "What have I told you about knocking? The door was--" Her voice trailed off when she saw the vaguely familiar couple standing in front of her. "Uh, hello."

  Harrison pushed by Lex and forced himself into the house. "Is Jeannie here?"

  "Who?" Lex noticed the quiet woman still standing on the porch. "You might as well come in, ma'am."

  "Thank you. Miss Walters, isn't it?" Veronica held out her hand. "I'm not sure you remember me. I'm Veronica Rivers."

  Lex shook the older woman's hand automatically. "Rivers?" Suddenly she remembered where she had seen the couple before. "Frank's parents?"

  Veronica nodded. "That's right."

  Harrison barged into the living room. "Where's Jeannie?" he asked the men, who had all turned quiet.

  "Mr. Rivers, I don't know what you're doing here, but why don't you sit down and I'll get us all some coffee?" Lex offered.

  He turned and glared at her. "I don't want any damned coffee, I want to see my granddaughter!"

  Amanda stood in the doorway with Jeannie, Anna Leigh and Martha right behind her. "What's going on in here? We could hear you all the way in the kitchen."

  Lex turned and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm not sure."

  Footsteps could be heard coming up the front steps, as Michael and Lois arrived. Michael edged around Lex, took one look around and his face started to redden. "Harrison Rivers? What are you doing here?"

  "Looking for my granddaughter, that's what. Where is she?"

  Jeannie came into the room. "Harrison, Veronica. It's good to see you." She held out her hands, whic
h Veronica took.

  "You look wonderful, dear. The last we had heard, you were still recuperating from your illness."

  "Thank you. I've tried to contact you, but all I was able to do was leave a message with Harrison's secretary. I've been recovered for years." Jeannie nodded toward her husband. "All thanks to the great care I received from my doctor. Honey? Could you come over here?"

  Rodney stood and brushed the wrinkles off his slacks before he joined his wife. "Mr. and Mrs. Rivers? I'm Rodney Crews."

  Harrison pushed Rodney's hand away. "Whatever. We've come to see our granddaughter."

  "Why now?" Michael asked.

  "What?"

  Jeannie drew strength from her husband's arm around her waist. "You've never tried to reach me before, Harrison. Why now, after all this time?"

  With her husband's mouth moving silently, Veronica was the one who answered. "I've never stopped thinking about her, Jeannie. Neither of us have. But, it's just been in the last year, since we retired, that we thought we'd finally be able to see Lorraine and spend some quality time with her." She dabbed at her eyes. "She's the only link we have with Frank. I'm sure you've raised her well, but, we just can't help but wonder how she's turned out."

  Everyone in the room was silent.

  "Well? Where is your daughter, Lorraine?" Harrison asked Jeannie.

  "Mommy?" Melanie peeked around the corner of the living room doorway. "Momma?"

  Amanda and Lex both turned at the sound of their daughter's voice. Lex was the first to get her wits about her. "Hey, kiddo. Come here." She held out her arms and Melanie quickly jumped into them. "Where have you been?"

  "In the kitchen. But nobody was there no more, so I got lonely." Melanie snuggled against Lex's shoulder.

  "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'll go back there with you, how's that?" Lex kissed her cheek.

  Harrison had heard enough. "For god's sake, who gives a damn? I want to see our granddaughter, Lorraine!"

  Melanie turned toward the loud man. "My sister's named Lorraine, too. Where's your granddaughter? Can she come play with us?"

  Before Harrison could say anything else, Michael stepped forward and pointed a warning finger at him. "Not another word."

  "What? Why not?" Harrison softened his voice and grabbed Lex's arm to keep her from leaving the room. "Are you Jeannie's daughter, too?"

  "That's enough." Amanda got between Lex and Harrison. "Everyone sit down, please, while we try to sort this out." She gently pushed her wife toward the door. "Please take her to the kitchen, Lex."

  "Sure. But holler if you need me, okay?"

  Melanie's eyes were wide as she peered over Lex's shoulder, on their way out of the room.

  Once her daughter was safely away, Amanda joined the group on the other side of the living room. She sat on the arm of the sofa, next to Jeannie. "Mr. and Mrs. Rivers, things are a little complicated."

  "Is our granddaughter here, or not?" Harrison bellowed, then paused. "Wait." He turned to Jeannie. "Was that little girl yours, too? What did she call that woman?"

  "That woman," Amanda hissed, on the verge of standing and tearing into Harrison, "is my wife. And Melanie is our daughter." Only Jeannie's hand on her leg held in her place.

  Harrison frowned. "Yours? But, she said--"

  Jeannie jumped in. "Harrison, please. As you recall, I was not fit to raise a child after Lorrie, um, Lorraine, was born. Amanda and Lex were here for me, and for her, when we needed them."

  "That still doesn't explain," Harrison argued.

  "For god's sake, Harrison, would you please shut up and let my daughter finish?" Michael yelled, his face almost purple. He jumped to his feet. "You couldn't be bothered at the time, so our family took care of Jeannie and Lorrie."

  Veronica held up her hand. "Excuse me, Michael, but I don't understand what you're trying to say. Your family took them away. We never got a chance to help."

  Michael looked at Harrison. "You didn't tell her?"

  "Tell me what?" Veronica touched Harrison's arm. "Dear? What is he talking about?"

  "I personally asked Harrison if he'd like to help us decide on Jeannie and the baby's care. But he made some excuse about a business venture he was working on." Michael used a shaky hand to wipe the sweat out of his eyes. "I believe his exact words were, 'she's your problem, not ours .' Wasn't it, Harrison?"

  "Well, I may have," Harrison stammered. He faced Veronica, whose disappointment was evident. "Veronica, you remember. It was that deal in Sidney. We left the country almost immediately after Lorraine was born."

  She turned away from him. "And you kept us there, and all over the world, for almost nine years, Harrison. Yes, I remember quite well." She shook her head. "So much time, wasted. Please continue, Jeannie."

  Jeannie exchanged looks with Amanda, who nodded. "It took me almost three years to recuperate from the stroke. By that time, Amanda and Lex were the only family Lorrie had known. As much as I loved her, I knew that she was happy, here with them." She held out her hand to Rodney, who took it automatically. "I signed over all my parental rights to them, close to her third birthday. As far as she knows, they are her parents."

  "You gave up our granddaughter to them? But they're..." Harrison fished for a word that he could use, and not get pummeled over. "...Queer," he finished in a whisper.

  Lex returned to the room, alone. "Don't worry, we're not contagious."

  "Where's Melanie?" Amanda asked.

  "She's gone out to play with the other kids." Lex purposely avoided the children's names. She put her arm around Amanda, much to Harrison's dismay. "Mr. Rivers, Lorrie knows all about her father. We told her years ago about the great man Frank was."

  Veronica's eyes misted over at the mention of her son. "Thank you," she whispered, lowering her eyes.

  Harrison jumped to his feet. "I want to see her."

  Michael stepped in front of him. "That's for her parents to decide. For god's sake, man. You can't just barge in here and start making demands. This is a child we're talking about." He frowned and rubbed at his chest. "I--" His knees buckled, and he would have hit the floor, if not for Lex catching him.

  LORRIE BRUSHED THE hay off of Teddy's back as they left the barn. "Hold still. You've still got some back here."

  "Ow," Teddy whined. "That's too hard." He dodged out of her way.

  "Come back here." Lorrie chased after him, laughing when Teddy jumped away from her again. "Don't go in the house with hay on you.

  My mom hates to sweep."

  They rounded the corner of the corral, when Lorrie saw Melanie climbing over the picket fence by the house. "Mel! You're gonna get in trouble for doing that," she yelled. No matter how many times she tried to show her how to operate the gate latch, Melanie would much rather climb over the fence.

  Melanie landed on her feet and ran to them, while Freckles stayed on the other side of the gate, whining. "Whatcha been doin'?"

  "Making play forts in the hay barn," Teddy said. He held his hand over his head. "Mine was this tall."

  "Cool." Melanie tugged on Lorrie's arm. "Will you push me in the swing?"

  Teddy's lower lip stuck out. "We was going to go to the tick tack room. I was going to get to sit on a real saddle."

  "Tack room," Lorrie corrected. "And you can still do that, Teddster." She took him by the hand. "Come on. I'll help you on the saddle, then I'll push Mel on the swing. Okay?"

  His face quickly brightened. "'kay."

  Melanie stomped her foot. "Me first."

  "Company first, Mel. You know the rules." Lorrie led their little band toward the main barn. "Is everybody here, yet? I'm getting hungry."

  "Uh-huh. But there was some grumpy people here, too. They were all yelling in the living room."

  Lorrie stopped at the barn door and turned around. "What kind of yelling?"

  "I dunno. Something about their granddaughter. She has your name."

  "Her name's Lorrie? Cool." Lorrie opened the door. "Remember, Teddy. Stay away from the tools, and
the horses."

  He ran ahead of her. "Okay."

  "No running in the barn," Lorrie reminded him.

  "Sorry."

  Melanie walked behind them. "No, the grumpy man said her name was Lorraine. That's your long name, right?"

  "Uh-huh." Lorrie followed a jubilant Teddy into the tack room. "That's cool, 'cause I'm the only Lorraine in our school. Do you think she's going to come here?"

  "I dunno." Melanie climbed onto her saddle, which was draped over a small barrel. "But everybody was getting mad."

  Lorrie helped Teddy onto Lex's saddle. "Hang on, cowboy."

  "Yeehaw," he yelled, rocking back and forth.

  "Will you push me now?" Melanie asked. "Please?" She slid off her saddle and hopped from one foot to the other.

  Lorrie bit her lip while she thought. "Teddy? Do you promise not to wander off?"

  "Uh-huh." Teddy continued to rock, then pointed his finger at the wall. "Pow, pow! I'm a real cowboy, Lorrie!"

  "Yep. You sure are." Lorrie started to leave the room, with Melanie following behind.

  Melanie laughed at her cousin. "He won't never be a real cowboy, 'cause he's scared of horses and cows."

  "Hush, Mel." Lorrie took her hand and led her from the room. Neither of them noticed the tears that fell from Teddy's eyes.

  AS SOON AS Michael collapsed, the living room erupted into bedlam. Rodney immediately took control and directed Lex to lay Michael on the sofa. "Everyone, please calm down." He touched Michael's neck, which caused the older man's eyes to open. "Michael? Can you hear me?"

  "Of course I can." Michael tried to sit up, but was stopped when Rodney put a hand on his chest.

  "Rest easy, Mike. Do you remember what happened?"

  Michael frowned. "Why are you asking me all these stupid questions? So, I got a little dizzy. I'm fine."

  Lois sat on the footstool next to the sofa and took her husband's hand. "Honey, tell Rodney how you've been feeling."

  On the verge of denying it, Michael was stopped by the concern not only on Lois' face, but his parents, as well. "I guess I've been a little tired, lately."