A Cowgirl at Heart

by Christine Lynxwiler

  She cast, and they stood in silence for a few minutes.

  “Bottom line,” Chance growled, as if he’d been stewing about this, “if a man doesn’t like you for who you are, then he’s not worth wasting your time on.”

  Time to lighten up a little. Kaleigh looked over her shoulder at her brother. “I guess this means you don’t think I should invite Carlton to go home with me for Thanksgiving.”

  That familiar mischievous grin tilted Chance’s lips. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that. Y’all are having that surprise girls-only shower for Crystal. We guys could use a little entertainment.”

  Kaleigh reeled her line in to recast. “Like I said, no to Thanksgiving, but who knows? Maybe yes to the wedding. You’ll all be too distracted then to scare him off.” And she’d be too distracted to worry about whether he approved of her or not.

  ***

  Andrew laid his paintbrush down for a minute and stretched his shoulders. It was hard to believe it had been almost a week since he kissed Elyse. But it was even harder to believe that she was so good at avoiding him. His calls to her—and he was embarrassed to admit there’d been several—had gone unanswered. He never saw her outside anymore. Daily, clients brought their dogs up the back path and came back to pick them up, so he knew she hadn’t left the country.

  After the chilly reception he’d gotten last time, he drew the line at going to her house. But if he didn’t see her soon, he might be forced to cross that imaginary line and ring her doorbell.

  The upside of her self-imposed quarantine was that he hadn’t had to worry about her being a target for Zeke. He used the extra time getting the outside of the barn mostly painted. Another week and he’d be ready to move to the inside. Then a few weeks after that, he’d be ready to move on. He glanced over at Elyse’s house. As far as work was concerned anyway.

  His cell phone vibrated against his side. He plucked it out of the leather holder and flipped it open. Jack Westwood’s voice boomed through the line. “Zeke’s been spotted up in central Missouri.”

  “They didn’t catch him?”

  “No. But they will. I just wanted you to know that he’s apparently left our area.”

  “For now, anyway.”

  “Yep. My contact thought he was going north, but for now this info only places him a few hours away. A half day’s drive could change that. So keep an eye on Elyse.”

  “I will. Thanks for calling.” Not only did the news give him relief, but it provided him with the perfect opportunity to go see Elyse.

  “No problem. I already called Elyse.” Jack cleared his throat. “I thought she might just tell you. But she said if I wanted you to know, I needed to call you and tell you.”

  Ouch. “Well, I’m glad you did. Thanks.” He hung up and went back to painting with a vengeance. Yet again he chased the question in his mind. Was she mad because he’d apologized? Or mad because he’d kissed her?

  ***

  What would Victoria say if she skipped the 4-H meeting this week? She glanced in the mirror. Silly thought, considering she was completely ready. But she dreaded walking out the door. What if Andrew was waiting for her?

  She brushed her hair back from her face and looked at her eyes. She could at least be honest with herself and admit that the big question was—What if he wasn’t waiting? She felt like a sulky child. But she’d needed this time to process—the information about Luis and, also, the kiss.

  She pushed to her feet and went to tell the dogs good-bye. After the others ran off to play, Majesty stayed, sitting regally by her side. Elyse stroked her soft fur for a few more minutes then bent down and dropped a kiss on her head. “Thanks, baby.”

  She grabbed her keys from the table and hurried outside. Andrew’s truck was gone. Maybe he’d already forgotten her. She drove slowly into town and parked at Coffee Central, away from any shrubs this time. Instinctively, she glanced toward the far end of the parking lot. A familiar four-door red truck sat in about the same place that Luis’s truck had sat last week. Even from here, she could see someone in the driver’s seat. Her heart leaped and she smiled. Maybe Andrew hadn’t forgotten her after all.

  ***

  Crystal stared at the calendar and shook her head. Her wedding was in a month, and she and Jeremy were barely speaking. She blinked against hot tears. It was crazy. Crazy to continue to plan to marry someone who didn’t trust her enough to explain. Someone who could just cut her off on a whim. Anger burned in her chest, but confusion and despair snuffed it out as quickly as it came.

  A tap on the bedroom door made her quickly wipe her eyes. “Come in.”

  Mama walked in, a white bag in her hand. “Delivery for you.”

  “For me? Who from?”

  “Jeremy brought it by.”

  Crystal’s eyes widened. “He was here?”

  “Yes.”

  “But he didn’t want to see me?”

  “He just asked me to make sure you got this.”

  Crystal took the bag. “Thanks.” She bit her lip to keep from crying.

  “You want to talk?”

  She shook her head, letting her hair shield her face from her mama.

  “Okay. I’ll be downstairs if you need me.” Mama slipped out of the room and shut the door behind her.

  Crystal held the small bag out away from her, not sure she wanted to know what was in it. Was he giving her back something she’d given him? Her heart, maybe? Her legs gave way, and she sank to the bed. Had he finally gathered the courage to end it once and for all, even if he couldn’t do it in person? She’d known for a while that was the direction this was going. But knowing didn’t make it any easier to bear.

  Finally, she gingerly opened the bag.

  CHAPTER 25

  Crystal stared at the folded-up papers, almost afraid to pull them out. Curiosity got the best of her, and she slid the legal-looking documents into her hand and skimmed the information. She could tell they were land papers, but what did they mean? And why had he brought them to her? When she flipped to the last page and saw the signatures at the bottom and a blank spot for Jeremy’s signature, it hit her. He was selling his ranch.

  For the first time, she considered that maybe he had a brain tumor or some kind of mind-changing illness. He loved that ranch. It had been his dream all the years he’d worked in a factory in south Arkansas. And now he was going to sell it? He really had lost his mind.

  She folded the document up and was about to put it back when a small square of paper in the bottom of the bag caught her eye. Her hand shook while she read it aloud to the empty room.

  Dear Crystal,

  It seems like just yesterday that I found you sitting on the riverbank. I’m so sorry for how I’ve acted lately. But I need to make you understand. Please meet me at the river. I’ll be waiting.

  A simple J was scrawled beneath the words.

  Crystal glanced down at her faded jeans and turquoise T-shirt. Good enough. She grabbed a fur-lined denim jacket from the closet, slipped on her boots, and, clutching the white bag, ran down the stairs. “I’m going down to the river,” she called toward the kitchen as she went out the door. She prayed as she drove her little car down the bumpy path.

  She saw Jeremy’s paint horse, Nacho, first. Then she saw him. Standing with his back to her, looking out at the river. She parked the car and jumped out. When he didn’t turn to look at her, she froze. Why was she hurrying? So she could get her heart broken faster? She walked slowly toward him, her feet growing heavier with each step.

  When she reached him, he turned and looked at her. His face lit up in the biggest smile she’d seen him have in a while. “Crystal, you came.”

  “Was there any doubt?”

  He ducked his head and kicked at the ground. “After the way I’ve acted? Yes. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you hadn’t.”

  “Jeremy, what’s wrong?” She wanted to scream, “Have you lost your mind?”

  “Nothing is wrong now. I’m selling the ranch.” He smiled again
.

  “I don’t understand. Why?”

  “Because I love you more than I love the ranch. There’s no comparison, actually. And Beka has done so well adapting since she’s been back with me. She’ll do fine in New York. She can spend time every summer with her grandparents here.”

  Crystal could feel her legs start to shake. She sank down on the cold ground.

  Jeremy came over and sat down beside her. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him.

  Tears pricked her eyes again. She’d missed him so much. More than she’d ever dreamed possible.

  He kissed her hair. “I love you, honey. Please forgive me for how I’ve acted.” He took her hand in his and rubbed it gently. “I didn’t understand before.” He ran his finger down each of her fingers as if reassuring himself she was really here. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I knew that you’d worked hard and that you had a lot of talent. But until I saw...” His voice drifted off, and he tugged her tighter against him.

  “Until you saw what?” Her voice was shaky.

  “Until I saw all the different parts you played. All the bit parts, then the bigger ones. In plays where you obviously outclassed the others talent-wise, but you kept at it.”

  She frowned. He saw her?

  “You kept at it because you were determined to get to Broadway.” She could hear pride in his voice. “And then you did. You made it.” He hesitated. “I took it away from you.” He tilted her face to look at him, and the pain in his eyes was unmistakable. “I’m so sorry.”

  “What do you mean you ‘saw’ me in those parts?”

  “On DVD. Mia sent me a packet filled with DVDs. A chronicle of your career, she called it in the note. She said they wanted you to come back. And I’m the only thing standing between you and your dream.”

  Crystal leaped to her feet. “And you believed her?” She grabbed the white bag and yanked out the land contract. Tears poured down her face. She ripped the pages in half and ripped them again, sobs shaking her shoulders as she thought of how miserable she’d been for the last month.

  Jeremy stood and watched her, his mouth slightly open.

  When she’d finally spent her anger and frustration, she stuffed all the tiny pieces into the bag and shoved it at him. “Here’s what I think about your plan.” She pushed her hair back away from her face. “Why didn’t you tell me about Mia sending you that?”

  Jeremy looked down at the bag then back at her. “She said if I told you, you’d say she was wrong. But that she knew you were sorry you’d given it up.”

  Crystal didn’t speak until her breathing evened out some. “She’s an agent, Jeremy. She gets a percentage of what I make as an actress. She desperately wants to believe I’m sorry for my decision.” She stepped closer to him. “But the truth is ... I’m not ... not even a little. Broadway was never really my dream. It was Cami’s. I did it...” A realization struck her and a chuckle escaped her lips, still parched from crying. “I did it like you did this land contract. From some misguided attempt to fix things after she died. I love you. I love Beka. But I also love this place.” She waved her arm to the river. “And our ranch.” She nodded to the bag. “The one you were going to sell so you could make me happy.”

  He just stared at her as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “I’m about to open my own studio for the arts in the barn. And if you move to New York, you’re going to have to do it without me.”

  He stepped toward her and took her hand. She watched him slide her engagement ring off her finger. Her breath caught in her throat, but before she could react, he slipped to the ground on one knee.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “Starting over.” He looked up at her, still holding her hand. “Crys, I’ve been a fool. And it probably won’t be the last time. But I love you more than life. Beka would love to have you as a mother, and having you as my wife is all I need, no matter where I live.” He pressed his lips to her hand then met her gaze again, his blue eyes shining. “Crystal McCord, will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” Tears blurred her vision as he slipped the ring on her finger. He pulled her to her feet and into his arms. She was finally right where she belonged.

  ***

  Elyse took the coffee Victoria handed her and sat down at the table. They watched across the room as Allie’s daughter, Katie, and Dylan had their heads bent together over a book.

  “I’ve started something now, letting him do homework with Katie last week.”

  Elyse nodded. “Which is he more interested in? Homework or Katie?”

  Victoria laughed. “It’s funny how long they’ve been friends, but now suddenly he sees her through different eyes.” She looked down at the table. “We need more creamer. Be right back.”

  Elyse watched her cross the room. The first thing she’d noticed when she’d gotten to the 4-H meeting was that Victoria was wearing a different perfume. In all of the years she’d known Vic, she’d worn only one perfume—Obsession. But tonight she had on something else. Something light and flirty.

  And after the meeting, she’d almost insisted that Elyse drink a cup of coffee with her. She seemed nervous. Hands laden with creamer, Victoria wove between the tables and slid gracefully into the chair across from her.

  “So what’s up?” Elyse asked.

  “Nothing.” Victoria pulled the tab of a creamer and dumped it into her coffee. “Everything.”

  Elyse raised her eyebrow. “Which is it?”

  “I can’t quit thinking about you telling me about your childhood last week.”

  Uh-oh. And what? She’d decided that she couldn’t be friends with a convict’s daughter, after all? “And?”

  Vic stirred her coffee. “And that took a lot of courage for you to tell me that. So I’ve been wishing I had that kind of courage.”

  Elyse blushed. “You run a large corporation, and I can’t talk to strangers. I’m the least courageous person I know. What do you mean?”

  Victoria laid her spoon down on the table and met Elyse’s gaze. “I’m in love with Adam.”

  Elyse raised both eyebrows. “Okay. That was blunt.”

  Victoria choked out a little laugh. “Sorry. I’ve never told anyone before.”

  “No one? Not even him?”

  Victoria shook her head. “Especially not him.”

  Elyse looked toward the front where Allie’s husband, Daniel, was working the counter. “What about Allie?”

  “Oh, yeah. I totally told her, ‘By the way, I’m madly in love with your little brother. Yep. The one who was in kindergarten when we hit adolescence.’” She shook her head. “No, I haven’t told her.”

  Elyse laughed. “Okay, I can see why you haven’t, I guess. But don’t you think she knows?”

  Victoria looked panic-stricken. “Did you?”

  Elyse shrugged. “Well, I kind of suspected at least. Do you remember that old show Moonlighting?”

  Victoria nodded.

  “I watched the first season of that on DVD not too long ago. And it reminded me of you and Adam.”

  “Really?”

  Elyse nodded. “Y’all have a Bruce Willis and Cybil Shepherd kind of chemistry going on. You have ever since I’ve known you.”

  “So as long as none of my other friends have watched Moonlighting, my secret’s safe.” Victoria moaned and put her head in her hands. In a few seconds, Vic raised her head and peeked through her fingers at Elyse. “What should I do?”

  “Do you know how Adam feels about you?”

  A slight blush crept up Victoria’s high cheekbones. “Yes. Actually I do. A year ago, he told me he was in love with me and had been as long as he could remember. I didn’t say anything. So then he said that if I ever decided I returned his feelings to let him know.”

  “Then what?” Elyse was fascinated by a man who would make himself so vulnerable to the woman he loved.

  Victoria shrugged. “Then I didn’t say anything, and we went back to be
ing friends like always.”

  “Are you happy?”

  “Maybe.” She gave Elyse a weak smile. “In a completely miserable way.”

  Elyse chuckled. “I don’t think that counts.”

  “Yeah. Me either. But here’s the thing. I can’t tell Allie.”

  “Why? What’s the worst thing that could happen?” Elyse knew she was echoing Andrew’s words to her, but they were wise words.

  “She could hate me. And call me a cradle robber.”

  “When one of you is thirty-two and the other one is thirty-nine, that’s not nearly as big of a deal as it is when one of you is twelve and the other one nineteen.”