by Roth, Ann
He’d trusted Gina to do her job and she’d let him down.
“If we lose the account because of your mistakes...” Kevin let the incomplete threat hang in the air.
Knowing she was in trouble, Gina winced. “You have my word that I’ll make this up to you and Evelyn Grant.”
“You’d damn well better.”
“I’ll be in the office bright and early Monday morning, and everything will be fine,” she assured him.
“It had better be.”
In other words, her job was on the line. Kevin wasn’t the most understanding boss. She’d seen people fired for less.
He hung up, the click of his phone sounding ominous—exactly like Evelyn Grant’s.
* * *
EARLY ON THANKSGIVING DAY Zach turned up the Lucky A driveway, the twenty-pound tom turkey he’d picked up from a rancher in another town tucked safely on the passenger seat of the truck. He looked forward to the great meal and the relaxing day ahead, but first there were chores that needed doing. He also needed to change clothes. Which was why he planned to drop off the bird at the house and come back later.
He was near the parking area by the back door when his cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen. It was his brother, Jim. Zach hadn’t spoken to him since May, when he’d called to wish Zach a happy birthday.
He braked to a stop. “Hey, Jim.”
“Hey,” his brother said. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Back at ya. When are you and Susan taking the kids to Dad and Ava’s for Thanksgiving dinner?”
“Four. I’ll bet you’re eating with the Arnetts again, watching a bowl game and enjoying the good company.”
Jim sounded envious. “That’s right.” Zach wasn’t going to say anything, but the words slipped out. “It won’t be like last year, though. Lucky had a heart attack last week. He didn’t make it.”
“That was unexpected.”
Zach cleared his throat. “Yeah.”
“I’m sorry. So your Thanksgiving will be as dismal as mine.”
Zach snorted. “I seriously doubt that.”
“You’re probably right. What are you going to do now that Lucky is gone?”
He wasn’t about to explain about his promise to Lucky or about Gina. “I’ll be here at the ranch for a while, tying up loose ends.”
“Are you coming home, then?”
“I’m already here. Saddlers Prairie is my home now.”
“Compared to Houston, that little burg has nothing to offer. Come back, Zach. It’s time to stop punishing yourself for something that wasn’t your fault.”
“I’m not punishing myself.” Anymore. “A man can change, and I did. I’m a rancher now. Why can’t you and the rest of the family accept that?”
“Because you have an MBA from Harvard, and you built and ran a successful commercial real-estate business. That’s why.”
“A business I sold.”
“For a hefty profit, and I respect that. People buy and sell businesses all the time. Start a new enterprise. Hell, ranches are businesses, too. If you bought one and ran it, I might understand. But you’re working for someone else, and all your smarts and know-how are going to waste.”
They’d hashed through this umpteen times. Zach was in no mood to do it again. He snorted. “You sound more like Dad every day.”
“Don’t play the Dad card on me. You know I want you to be happy.”
Zach thought about his life on the ranch, the hard physical labor and the feeling of accomplishment at the end of the day. “I am,” he said. “Send my love to Susan and the kids.”
“Conversation over—I get the message. Susan and the kids send their love back. You going to call Dad and Ava and wish them a happy Thanksgiving?”
Zach glanced at the lit kitchen window, which was all steamed up from whatever the family was cooking. He wanted to get in there, drop off the turkey, do his chores and hurry back. “Maybe later.”
In a far darker mood now, he pocketed the phone, plucked the turkey off the seat and stepped onto the back stoop. He wiped his feet and knocked before opening the door and stepping into the kitchen. “I’m here to drop off the turkey. Where do you want it?”
“You’re just in time,” Gina said. She was standing at the stove, stirring something. “My cousins are making the stuffing now.”
In a plaid bib apron, she looked like a glamorous cooking show host—if you didn’t count the forced smile and circles under her eyes. Looked as if she still wasn’t sleeping well. Probably worried about something job related.
She wasn’t the only one. Sunday morning she was leaving, and Zach still hadn’t managed to change her mind about the ranch. He needed a plan, but hadn’t come up with one.
“Ladies.” He nodded at Sophie and Gloria, who sat at the table, each chopping vegetables on portable cutting boards.
Sophie patted her hair and smoothed the bib of her own apron, as if wanting to look her best for him, and Gloria offered a flirtatious smile that would probably knock a seventy-something guy off his feet. Behind them, Gina shook her head, as in, what can you do with these two?
Zach couldn’t stop a grin.
“Before you give that bird to Gina, show him to us,” Gloria said.
Zach held the turkey up for her inspection.
Sophie nodded approvingly. “You picked out a nice fat one. What does he weigh, twenty pounds?”
“A little over.”
“You did good, honey.” Gloria smacked her lips. “We’ll be eating leftovers for days.”
“If that’s a problem for you, I’m happy to help out,” Zach teased, feeling better by the moment.
“You know you’re invited back for leftovers, just like always,” Sophie said.
The Arnetts were so different from his own family, who left their chef to cook and never shared the leftovers. “I’m counting on it. It already smells good in here.”
“It should—Gina’s been working for hours, making pies, sweet potato casserole and cranberry sauce,” Sophie said. “We already told her that you’re the official mashed potatoes and gravy expert.”
Zach nodded. “That’s why they invite me back every year.”
Gina laughed, and a genuine smile lingered on her lips. Zach exhaled in relief and realized he’d been waiting for that.
“After Redd dropped us off here, he went to get the chestnuts,” Gloria said. “But he’ll be back soon. He’ll want to roast them over the fire and watch the game with you.”
“Then I better finish my chores, go home and clean up and come right back.”
* * *
“AS THANKSGIVINGS GO, this one ranks right up there with the best of them.” Uncle Redd gave Gina a fond look. “It’s great to have you here in the bosom of our family, honey.”
“It’s good to be here.” Gina meant that. Surrounded by family and Zach made it easier to set aside her worries about work. “I just wish Uncle Lucky were with us.”
“Oh, he’s here.” Gloria glanced around and smiled. “I can feel him.”
Her sister sniffed. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I do feel him. If you don’t, then I feel sorry for you.”
“Well, stop.”
“Girls, girls,” Uncle Redd said. “We’re celebrating Thanksgiving, remember?”
Gina glanced at Zach. Eyes twinkling, he shrugged.
She couldn’t help laughing. “Now it sounds like the Thanksgivings I remember so fondly.”
“Sure was a good meal.” With cheeks that matched his name, Uncle Redd patted his round middle. “You girls outdid yourselves today, and Zach, those mashed potatoes and gravy were your best yet. Only trouble is, there’s no room left in this belly for pie.”
Gina chuckled along with everyone else. Sh
e’d laughed a lot today, and she felt good.
Sophie pushed her chair back. “I’d suggest a walk, but it’s too cold and slippery out there. Let’s digest awhile before we think about dessert.”
“You all relax and I’ll clean up,” Zach offered. In a sports jacket and khakis, he looked handsome. He slipped out of the jacket and rolled up the cuffs of his oxford shirt. He’d eaten as much as Uncle Redd, but unlike her uncle, his cheeks weren’t flushed and his belly was still flat.
“I’ll help,” Gina said, rising.
Gloria frowned. “You’ve been working all day, honey. Redd, give Zach a hand. Moving around will help your stomach settle. When you two finish, Sophie and I will make the coffee and cut the pie. For now, we girls are going to enjoy the fire in the living room.” She stood and beckoned Gina and Sophie to follow her.
“That Zach is a keeper,” Gloria said when the three of them were seated around the fireplace. “If only there’d been a man like him when I was your age....”
“Harvey was a fine man, Gloria. So was my Tony.”
“I know that, Sophie—I’m just trying to make a point.” With a devilish look on her face, she gave an exaggerated nod toward Gina.
They expected a rise out of her, but the best she could manage was a shrug.
“You don’t seem your regular self, cookie,” Sophie said. “All this sorting through Lucky’s things has worn you out.”
That was partly true, but Gina was also worried sick about her job. If Evelyn Grant asked to work with someone else in the firm, or worse, decided to leave Andersen, Coats and Mueller...
But no, Gina wasn’t going to think about that now or share her uneasiness. Zach, her family and her friends in Saddlers Prairie all thought she was riding high, and she wasn’t about to tell them otherwise.
“Or maybe you’re not ready to go back to Chicago just yet?” Sophie went on. “Your visit certainly has flown by.”
“Land sakes, Sophie, don’t go sending her off early. It’s only Thursday, and she’s here until Sunday morning.”
“I know that, Gloria! All I’m saying is that I’ll hate to see her go.”
“Excuse me, but I’m right here,” Gina said. Tired of their bickering, she hastily changed the subject. “I found something interesting the other day that I want to show you—after we’ve all had our dessert and coffee.”
“I hope it isn’t another secret we supposedly kept from you,” Gloria said. “But then, I don’t think there are any more of those.”
Sophie smiled. “On that, dear sister, we agree.”
Chapter Eleven
Redd set down his pie fork and blew out a breath. “My mouth wants more, but I can’t eat another bite. What’d I tell you about Gina’s cooking, Zach?”
“She’s great.” Zach sat back, rubbed his belly and grinned. “I’m in the same boat.”
After finishing his chores this morning, he’d sucked it up and called his father. The stilted conversation had been worse than the one with Jim, but then he’d expected as much. He’d come to the house in low spirits, but his mood had quickly done a one-eighty.
“I’m glad you liked the meal.” Gina smiled. The shadows in her eyes had completely faded, and she looked as relaxed as Zach felt. “I like to cook but never get much of a chance at home.” She glanced from Zach to her uncle. “You two say you’re full, but I’ve seen the way you eat,” she teased. “In a few hours, you’ll be hungry again.”
“Watching football always makes me hungry.” Redd raised a hopeful eyebrow at Zach. “Ready for another game?”
“No way, Jose.” Gloria shook her finger at him. “One game per holiday, remember? Besides, Gina wants to share something with us—something of Lucky’s she found the other day,” she added, looking pained.
“Dear Lord above.” Redd put the back of his hand to his forehead. “Don’t tell me she’s uncovered another secret.”
“It is a secret, of sorts.” Gina pushed to her feet. “Wait’ll you see the box I found in Uncle Lucky’s closet.”
“Box?” Gloria frowned. “That sounds intriguing.”
Zach thought so, too, but he was more fascinated by the length of leg he glimpsed as Gina climbed the stairs. He’d never seen her in a skirt until this afternoon. Her calves were every bit as shapely as he’d imagined. She was wearing hose and he wondered if she wore a garter belt or maybe thigh highs.
He itched to run his hand up her leg and find out. His body stirred, and he nearly groaned out loud.
Redd and the cousins were shooting him curious looks, and he realized he was staring at Gina as she disappeared up the steps. He tore his gaze away and stood to clear the dessert dishes.
“Leave those,” Redd said. “Let’s sit by the fire and wait to see what Gina found.”
When Gina returned, she set an open shoe box on the coffee table.
“Those are letters.” Redd squinted at the pile. “Who are they from?”
“A woman named Corinne from Red Deer. According to the letters, she and Uncle Lucky were involved for three years.”
Gloria and Sophie exchanged baffled looks, and Redd shook his head. “I never heard of any Corinne. Lucky would’ve said something.”
“I read every letter,” Gina said. “He and Corinne were definitely involved.”
Not once in the three years Zach had known Lucky had the old rancher been with a woman, but he’d enjoyed looking at and talking about them. Zach was glad that at one time his friend had done more than talk.
“I certainly never guessed,” Sophie said.
“Nor did I.” Gloria shook her head and chuckled. “And all this time, I worried that he was a closet homosexual.”
Sophie looked shocked. “Gloria!”
“Well, the man never dated or any of the other things men are prone to do. You know what I mean, Zach.”
About to sip his coffee, Zach choked. He shared a look at Gina, and they both bit back laughs.
Half an hour and another piece of pie later, Redd yawned. “I’m ready to go home and sleep off this meal. Girls?”
Sophie and Gloria looked equally sleepy. They both nodded.
“We’ll be back tomorrow night for leftovers,” Gloria said. “Of course you’ll join us again, Zach.”
He glanced at Gina, waiting for her okay. She nodded. “I’ll be here,” he said. “The roads are pretty icy tonight. Let me drive you in my truck.”
Redd frowned. “I can’t leave my car here. How would I get it in the morning?”
“No problem,” Gina said. “I’ll drive it to your house. Zach can follow me in his truck and bring me back. If that’s okay with you, Zach?”
“Sure.”
She gave him a look that warmed him from the inside out and filled his head with fantasies straight out of high school—making out in the dark truck and fooling around. It wasn’t gonna happen, but it sure was fun to think about.
* * *
AFTER ESCORTING SOPHIE and Gloria up a treacherous walkway and safely into the house, and then dropping off Redd and his car, Zach was alone with Gina.
“I’m glad they’re all home safe,” she said as he pulled away from Redd’s place. “The roads really are bad tonight. And the walkway here and at my cousins’ place...I worry that someone will slip and fall.”
Zach shared her concern. “I’ll stop at both houses in the morning and scrape and salt the walks and front steps.”
“Okay, but we both know that the snow and ice will only come back again.”
“True, but at least they’ll be able to get to the house for leftovers.”
For a few moments they rode along in silence, with only the headlights lighting the dark highway. Aware of black ice, Zach made his way cautiously toward the ranch.
“My family is something else
,” Gina said as they crept along.
He wasn’t about to risk taking his gaze off the road, but he sensed she was smiling. He shook his head and grinned. “They’re characters, all right, but good people.”
“And yet so irritating. The bickering between Sophie and Gloria drives me crazy.”
“I’ll take them over my relatives any time. My family is too stiff and formal to bicker, but they excel at sarcasm. Every holiday meal is like a competition.” Just talking about it put a bad taste in Zach’s mouth. “I used to get indigestion without taking a single bite of food.”
“That doesn’t sound fun.”
“I’d rather have a root canal.”
“But you talk to them on holidays?”
He nodded. “Some things you have to do. I don’t miss being there.”
“I don’t miss being in Chicago, either.”
She’d never said that before. Zach tore his gaze from the road to glance at her. “I thought you were anxious to get back.”
“I am, but I really enjoyed celebrating Thanksgiving with my family.”
Zach considered the Arnetts family. But they weren’t, not really. He was on his own. Driving in the darkness, he felt truly alone—or would have without Gina beside him.
“I had a great time today, too,” he said.
“I needed the break.”
“You’ve been working hard.”
“Not hard enough.”
Her bitter tone surprised him. He figured she’d talk about it, but she flipped on the radio instead.
In no time, he drove under the Lucky A sign.
“Are you hungry again?” Gina asked when he pulled to a stop at the back of the house.
“I could eat. You?”
“I hate to say this, but yes.”
She looked so pained about that that Zach chuckled.
“Why don’t you come in and have some leftovers?” Gina said. “There’ll still be plenty for tomorrow and the day after that.”
Not relishing returning to his trailer just yet, Zach readily agreed.
