by Sherry Lewis
Jamie sank back into the cushions with a heavy sigh while Danielle launched into the story. Reagan sympathized while Danielle told her about Stefani’s lunchtime heartbreak. Baby climbed into Jamie’s lap and curled into a contented silver ball.
Reagan tried to keep up as Danielle switched from one urgent story to another, from Stefani’s tragedy to a complaint about homework, from that to yet something else. Within minutes, Jamie had stopped pouting and joined in with a few stories of her own.
Curling deeper into the couch, Reagan listened to the rise and fall of their voices. She loved that they still wanted to share their joys and frustrations with her.
She made mental notes of everything she needed to remember—Jamie’s basketball game on Thursday and practice Saturday morning. Danielle’s piano lesson rescheduled for Wednesday afternoon and a new leotard needed for her jazz class.
She nearly forgot about the envelope from Teton Extreme Sports until Danielle ran off to make a phone call, and Jamie scooped Baby from her lap and stood to leave.
“Wait a second, Jamie. I need to ask you about something.”
Jamie perched on the arm of the couch and scratched Baby between the ears. “Yeah? What?”
Reagan pulled the envelope from her purse and held it toward her daughter. “Do you know anything about this?”
Jamie’s cinnamon-colored eyes lit up as she took the envelope, and a wide smile curved her lips. “Oh, cool! It’s here.” She eagerly retrieved the letter inside.
“You were expecting it?”
Jamie’s eyes shuttered. “Kind of.”
“Do you mind telling me what it is?”
“Nothing, really. I saw an ad on TV and I called to get some information.”
Reagan had seen that look on Paul’s face too many times not to recognize it on their daughter’s. “Information about what?”
“Nothing much. Just some rock climbing lessons.”
Only Jamie and Paul would call that nothing. “Without asking me?”
“You weren’t home.” Jamie returned the letter to its envelope and buried her nose in Baby’s neck.
“You should have asked me before you called them.”
“I didn’t want to forget.”
Reagan wanted to believe her, but she had the feeling that Jamie had deliberately tried to sneak it past her. Jamie must have finally noticed the look on Reagan’s face because she let Baby jump to the floor and wrapped her arms around her thin knees. “You’re mad.”
“I’m concerned. You know how I feel about doing things that are dangerous—especially at your age.”
“But it’s not dangerous. That’s the whole point of taking lessons, so it isn’t dangerous. Besides, they make you use all sorts of safety equipment.”
Reagan hated arguing with Jamie, but this was one time when she couldn’t back down. “I don’t care how much safety equipment they use, you aren’t taking classes.”
Jamie’s eyes narrowed slightly and the fine dusting of freckles on her nose and cheeks wrinkled. “You’re going to say no before I even ask? That’s not fair.” She waved the envelope in the space between them. “I’ve always wanted to do this, and you won’t even consider it.”
“Because I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I’ll be careful, Mom. I promise.”
How many times had Paul vowed the same thing? How many times had he been wrong? Reagan had rushed him to doctors’ offices and emergency rooms too often in the early years of their marriage to forget. He’d taken his reckless nature onto the streets with him as a police officer, and it had eventually cost his life. Reagan couldn’t let Jamie begin the same pattern.
“You can’t make a promise like that, sweetheart. Some things are just too risky, and rock climbing happens to be one of them.”
Jamie stood abruptly and the letter fluttered to the floor. She scooped it up quickly. “You say that about everything I like to do, but you don’t even know.”
She looked so much like Paul, Reagan’s heart lurched. “I don’t mind you playing basketball.”
Jamie laughed angrily. “Basketball? That’s nothing. I only do that because there’s nothing else to do around here.” She paced, gesturing wildly and almost knocking one of Reagan’s favorite figurines from its place on the bookshelf. “Sometimes I think you’d like me better if I was like Danielle. But I don’t like sitting in my room listening to CDs all day. I don’t like doing makeup and talking about boys and junk. And I hate reading.”
Reagan caught one of Jamie’s flying hands and smiled sadly at the ragged nails and perpetual scratches. “Honey, I know you aren’t like Danielle. I don’t want you to be. I love you exactly as you are.”
Jamie tried to pull her hand away. “Yeah. Right.”
“Why don’t we put our heads together and see if we can find a compromise?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Something slightly less risky than climbing up the side of a mountain.”
Jamie thought for a second. “Bungee jumping?”
“Let’s keep thinking. I don’t want you leaping off a building attached to a rubber band, either. How about soccer? Would you like that?”
“Soccer?” Jamie jerked her hand away. “You have to be kidding.”
Reagan clamped her lips shut on her next suggestion. Softball wouldn’t get a better response than soccer had. “Why don’t I check at work tomorrow? Maybe the town is offering something you’d like.”
Jamie let out a sigh filled with frustration and anger. “This town? Forget it, Mom. I might as well just lock myself in my room and stay there. Maybe then you’ll be happy.” She ran from the room before Reagan could respond, and a few seconds later the bedroom door slammed behind her.
Reagan sank back into the cushions of the couch and aimed the remote at her stereo. Her favorite Colin Raye CD began to play and she tried to relax. Jamie would get over it, she told herself. She was too good-natured to stay upset for long. Meanwhile, she’d keep trying to find a solution they could both live with.
THE NEXT MORNING, Reagan tossed the single-page flyer onto her desk and leaned back in her office chair. “One tennis lesson a week, swimming Mondays and Thursdays, jazz dance every Wednesday afternoon? These can’t be the only activities the town offers.”
Her friend, Andie Montgomery, looked up from the potted flowers she was positioning along the window ledge of the office they shared. A lock of her straight blond hair had escaped from the barrette at her nape and she had a smudge of dirt on her cheek. She plucked a yellow leaf from a tulip and moved the vase a few inches on the ledge. “I haven’t looked at the list for a while, but I’d guess that’s all we have. Serenity’s never had a very active youth program.”
“It’s pathetic.” Reagan could just imagine Jamie’s reaction when she showed her the list. “Why don’t we offer more?”
Andie switched a tulip and daffodil and stood back to admire her handiwork. “What would you suggest?”
“I don’t know. Something the kids might actually find interesting.” Reagan tapped her fingers on her desk. “Jamie will never be satisfied with this.”
“She may have to be.”
“There’s no way,” Reagan said as she scoured the list again. “She has a point to make. Who created this list, anyway?”
“That’s Wilson Brandt’s department.” Andie crossed to her desk and pulled out the white bakery bag holding the Danish pastries she brought every morning. “Cheese or apple?”
“Cheese.”
“We’re lucky to have as many classes as we do,” Andie said as she handed Reagan her pastry. “I’m sure Wilson would be happy if we cut the program completely.”
“But that’s ridiculous. Serenity might be small, but we still have kids. I can’t be the only parent in town who’d like to see this changed.”
“I’m sure you’re not. But you know how Wilson is. He’s been in charge of Parks and Recreation so long, he pretty much does whatever he wants.”
“Because nobody dares to take anything away from him until he’s ready to give it up—not even the mayor.”
“Well, somebody needs to do something.”
“You’re right. Somebody does. Any ideas?”
Reagan looked at her in horror. “Not me, if that’s what you’re suggesting. I don’t have time to take on anything else.” She gathered their mugs and headed toward the small coffeepot they kept on the filing cabinet. “What about your boys? How do you keep them occupied?”
“It’s different for us. We have the ranch, so they have chores and lots of space, and they also have their horses.” She took the cup Reagan handed her. “I have another advantage, too. Bart’s there all the time and he’s always finding projects to keep the boys busy.”
“It’s not so easy when kids are home alone.” Reagan rolled her chair back into place at her desk. “But I can’t be the only single working mother in Serenity.” She turned the flyer over in her hand, but nothing had magically appeared on the back of the page. “You know Mayor Davidson pretty well, don’t you? Why don’t you talk to him?”
Andie held up a hand to ward off the suggestion. “Not a good idea. Davie Davidson and I have butted heads too many times over the years. He still hasn’t forgiven me for hitting him over the head when we were twelve.” Her phone whirred softly and she set aside her pastry to answer. As she listened to the voice on the other end, her gaze shot to the wall clock and she pointed frantically to call Reagan’s attention to the time.
It took Reagan about half a heartbeat to realize that she’d forgotten the budget meeting she’d agreed to cover in the mayor’s office. Another half a beat to feel her stomach turn over. Bolting to her feet, she grabbed a notepad and a handful of pens and raced toward the door.
“She’s on her way,” Andie said as Reagan sprinted into the hall. “I’m sure she’ll be there any second.”
Reagan chided herself as she raced along the hall and down the stairs. How could she have forgotten the meeting? She’d promised faithfully to take minutes for the mayor’s secretary, who was away at a family wedding.
When she hit the ground floor, she slowed to a quick walk. The city office in Serenity might be informal, but she didn’t think the mayor and department heads would be impressed if she burst into the meeting at a dead run. In the glassed-in office straight ahead, she could see people milling around as they waited for her.
Her attention was so focused on the opposite end of the hallway, she didn’t notice the man coming in through the outside doors until she was almost upon him. Veering sharply, she barely managed to avoid plowing into him and nearly lost her balance.
He caught her arm to steady her. “Whoa. Where’s the fire?”
Maybe it was his height that caught her eye. She’d always found tall men attractive. Or it might have been his expensive leather jacket, polished loafers and sharply creased khakis in the heart of cowboy country that made her look twice. Whatever it was, she had trouble looking away.
He pulled off his sunglasses, and she found herself staring at a disconcerting pair of gray eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she choked out. “I’m late for a meeting and I wasn’t paying attention.”
“No harm done. I’m looking for the police department. Am I in the right place?”
His voice was deep and rich, and Reagan felt it all the way to her fingertips. “You are. It’s at the end of the hall and down the stairs. You’ll see the signs.”
The man hooked his sunglasses onto the neckband of his T-shirt and ran his hand along the back of his thick, dark hair, but he didn’t take his eyes from hers. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” She was still gazing at him when she heard someone behind her clear his throat and she realized the mayor must be watching. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m really late.”
The man grinned and started away; Reagan pulled herself together and hotfooted it toward the office. But she couldn’t resist sneaking one more peek behind her.
His stride was long and sure, his shoulders strong and square. When he reached the end of the hallway, he glanced back, caught her watching, and tipped his head. Grinning, Reagan pushed through the door into the mayor’s office. Running into a handsome stranger in the middle of city hall had definitely put a spin on the morning, but she’d already lost too much time thinking about Jamie. It was time to get her mind back where it belonged.
CHAPTER TWO
BY THAT EVENING, the rain had started again and the temperature had plummeted. Reagan huddled into her warm coat and squinted to see through the windshield wipers as they slapped away the rain. That morning they’d been in shirtsleeves; tonight it felt like winter. They could have snow on the ground by morning or wake to clear skies and sunshine. This was Reagan’s third spring in the Rockies, and she was beginning to learn just how unsettled and unpredictable this time of year could be.
Unsettled and unpredictable…like living with teenagers. If Jamie had snapped out of her bad mood, Reagan hadn’t been around to see it. She’d worked late, transcribing the minutes from the budget meeting, and come home tired and distracted.
She’d tried joking with Jamie to lighten her mood, but Jamie seemed determined to suffer. Finally, frustrated and confused, Reagan had suggested that they have dinner at the Burger Shack, Serenity’s only hamburger stand, rather than reheat leftovers. Danielle had jumped at the chance; Jamie pretended not to care.
Reagan pulled into the parking lot and peered through the driving rain to find an empty spot, but it seemed that everyone in town had decided to eat out tonight. Danielle shifted in her seat to see which of her friends might be inside; Jamie slouched in the back seat, giving Reagan the silent treatment.
It wasn’t like Jamie to pout for so long, but Reagan tried not to let it bother her. The girl would get over it eventually.
Reagan gave up trying to find a parking spot close to the building and settled for one at the far edge of the lot near a wide puddle. “Looks like we’re going to get wet,” she said as she pocketed her keys. “Are you ready to brave it?”
“Let’s hurry.” Danielle opened her door and bounced outside. Jamie lagged behind, making sure Reagan knew how unhappy she was about being there.
Reagan dodged puddles and hunched her shoulders against the rain as she hurried toward the building. The minute they stepped inside, Danielle spotted two friends in the seating area and ran off to catch up on everything that had happened in the three hours since school let out. Jamie stuffed her hands into her back pockets and scowled up at the menu.
Determined to put an end to their argument, Reagan moved into line beside her. “Do you know what you’d like?”
“Sure. How about rock climbing lessons?”
She was tenacious, Reagan would grant her that. “I don’t see that on the menu. You’ll have to pick something else.”
Jamie sighed heavily and swept her braid off her shoulder with one hand. “I’m not hungry.”
“Is that because I won’t agree to let you take the lessons? Or don’t you feel well?”
Jamie darted an irritated glance at her. “I’m not sick. I’m just not hungry. If you’re going to make me eat, then all I want is a milk shake.”
Reagan fought the urge to insist that Jamie order something else. It wasn’t as if the Burger Shack’s food was packed with nutrition, and Jamie could make a sandwich or soup if she got hungry enough. “A milk shake it is, then.”
She motioned Danielle back from her friends and turned toward the counter just as the door opened again and the dark-haired man she’d seen at the city offices that morning stepped inside. He paused at the door to shake off the rain, oblivious to the curious glances coming his way.
He lifted his head and looked into the connecting room where people crammed the tables, his gaze curious, alm
ost predatory, as if he expected to find something or someone.
There was something about him that fascinated Reagan. Something she couldn’t understand, much less explain. She tried to convince herself it was just normal curiosity. Judging from the stares of her neighbors, everyone found him interesting. Tourists often passed through on their way to Jackson and the nearby national parks during the summer, but strangers rarely came to Serenity this time of year.
Who was he? And what business did he have with the police?
Dimly, she became aware of Jamie watching her with narrowed eyes. Embarrassed at having been caught, Reagan turned her back on the stranger and concentrated on placing their order. She didn’t know if Jamie approved or if she was chalking up one more thing to be angry about.
While she paid for the food, the girls wandered to the sidebar to gather napkins, straws and spoons. Convinced she’d managed to shake off whatever strange emotion had come over her, she picked up the tray and turned around…and found herself looking into the stranger’s leather-clad arms folded across his crisp white T-shirt.
She lifted her gaze slowly and met those bemused gray eyes. She caught the hint of a smile as he looked down at her and, of course, felt herself blush from the roots of her hair to the tips of her toes.
His lips twitched as he backed away to give her room to maneuver. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to block you in.”
Reagan tightened her grip on the tray. “You’re fine. Don’t worry about it.” What was wrong with her? Yes, he was handsome, but she’d seen good-looking men before and she’d never acted like this. She’d always been proud of her common sense. Now she wished she knew where it had gone.
She must have been frozen there, staring, for a long time because the man nodded toward the tray. “Need some help?”
Two familiar giggles worked through her confusion, and the flush burned in her cheeks. The girls were laughing at her. What must everyone else be thinking?
