Sapphires And Sagebrush (Country Brides & Cowboy Boots)

by Danni Lee Nicholls

  Shame of failure crested like a tsunami inside of Cressa. She was a doctor and should have some kind of inkling around how this sudden intrusion of dust, noise, and unfamiliar people would affect her parents. Instead, she was so concerned about their mobility and so hopeful that her parents were still in good enough health to take the stress that she had pressed forward. How could she be so stupid?

  She watched in silence as her father negotiated the food on his plate, picking out the pieces that would allow him to chew and swallow. Her mother ate with gusto, finishing her last bite.

  “That was delicious, dear,” her mother said. “Thanks so much for making dinner. I don’t know what we’d do without you. Do you, Chris?” She placed her hand over his.

  “No sirree,” her father replied. He smiled across the table at Cressa.

  Her mother beamed at her from her chair. “Let’s get this cleaned up, shall we?”

  Cressa peered at her mother. All earlier concerns seemed tucked away. “Sure, Mom.” She stood, and the two of them began clearing their dishes while her father continued to maneuver his fork around his food.

  Cressa paid attention to how much he was actually eating and wondered if he might need a little change in diet. She would give him all the necessary time to finish his meal and then assess how much was missing from the plate.

  Her mother rinsed the dishes while Cressa stacked the dishwasher, but her mind wasn’t on her task. Instead, she was thinking about all the details that came with caring for her parents and how the remodel compounded even the simplest things. Helplessness coursed through her. She couldn’t quit now. The bathroom was completely torn apart, and the work needed to be done if her parents were going to stay in the house.

  She considered cutting back her hours for a few weeks, but quickly dismissed the thought. She had only been at the clinic for three months, and just as important, she needed her paycheck to cover the remodeling expenses.

  She placed the last glass in the dishwasher. Maybe she could hire someone to come in and sit with her parents to help mitigate the toll of construction. She’d have to talk to her workmates for recommendations. Cressa didn’t like that idea. One more intrusion might do more harm than good, and in a town the size of Sunrise Creek, everyone was connected. After her last conversation with Lindsey, that was obvious.

  She thought back over the men. She didn’t like the idea of asking them to look after her parents. They didn’t sign up for that, but maybe Andrew could sit with them while Spencer worked. They already knew Andrew, and his constant presence might lessen their stress. The thought filled Cressa with a sense of unease before a brighter thought pierced her worries.

  Maybe Aunt Jillina could sit with her parents at least until she could introduce someone new. She and her mother were sisters. It would be the perfect answer.

  “Well, honey. That meal was delicious,” her father said

  Cressa looked up from the dishwasher toward her father, who was smiling at her from the table. She hurried to pull the plate from her father as he maneuvered Agnes. He moved out of his chair and toward the family room.

  Anxiously, Cressa scanned the leftover contents of the meal. Relief swept through her. Just a few stray pieces of lettuce. Her father might be slow, but he could still chew and swallow.

  Brushing the few pieces of vegetable into the garbage, she handed the plate to her mom to rinse off.

  Her mother leaned over and whispered, “I’m glad to see he’s eating. I’m worried about him.”

  Once again, tears sprang to Cressa’s eyes as she put her arm around her mother’s shoulder and gave her a squeeze. “I’m glad to see he’s eating, too,” she said.

  As Cressa finished loading the dishwasher, her father moved into his favorite chair. Her mother soon followed her father, and before too long, they were both enraptured by a new movie.

  Cressa made sure they were settled before moving to her room, where she pulled out her cell phone. Desperation piled up like a snowbank as she dialed Aunt Jillina’s number.

  “Hello?”

  “Aunt Jillina. This is Cressa.”

  “Why, Cressa. How nice to hear from you. How are things going?”

  “Well.” Cressa hesitated. “Actually, that’s why I’m calling. Did you know we’re remodeling the house?”

  “Yes. Andrew mentioned it the other day. I’m so grateful to you for letting him be a part of this. Things haven’t been easy for him since … since …”

  Cressa purposely moved her concerns away from the remodel and focused on her Aunt Jillina’s worries. “Yes, I can imagine things are hard in a small town.”

  She heard Aunt Jillina take in a breath of relief. “Yes. That’s it exactly.”

  “Andrew has been a huge help around here. Our cows would be starving to death if it weren’t for him. So I’m very grateful.”

  “I’m so pleased he can help, and so is he,” Aunt Jillina said. “He’s a good man. He just … I’m not sure how to say this.” She paused. “As hard as it’s been to see Joshua sit in jail, I have to admit that his absence has been the best thing for Andrew. It’s hard to come right out and admit that.” She paused. “I don’t know … do you sacrifice one son to save the other? After all, I’m Joshua’s mother, too.”

  “I know, Aunt Jillina. Sometimes—in fact, most of the time—there aren’t any easy solutions. But just know how grateful we are to Andrew.”

  “That helps me feel a little better. Thank you. Now, how are your mom and dad?”

  “Well, that’s the reason for my call. I didn’t realize how hard all of the noise and remodeling would be for my folks. It’s very upsetting, but we can’t stop now. The hall bath is torn apart, and they need these changes made if they’re going to stay here.”

  Aunt Jillina murmured her sympathy. “Yes. I can see the dilemma.”

  “I was wondering …” Cressa hesitated. She hated asking for help. “I was wondering if you’d be able to come and sit with them during the day. It’d just be for a little while until I could figure out something else. If they’re with someone they know, the noise and tumult of the remodel might be easier on them.” Hope fluttered somewhere near Cressa’s heart.

  “Oh, honey. I wish I could, but Uncle Jed and I are in Mexico right now. This is our first real vacation in years, and we decided to take a couple of month off. We got here yesterday.”

  Cressa’s hopes plummeted into the pit of her stomach. “Oh.”

  “Listen, though,” Aunt Jillina started. “Talk to Andrew. I know he’s had his heart set on learning carpentry, but if he’s needed to sit with your folks, he’ll understand.”

  Hesitation crept up in Cressa like a rising tide. She didn’t like the idea of disappointing Andrew, and even though she appreciated his willingness to help, part of her acceptance to his presence in the house was because he would be working with Spencer.

  Other thoughts crowded her mind. Would having Andrew off the job mean the work would take longer? How would that affect her parents?

  Aunt Jillina continued, “I know this isn’t ideal. It’ll most likely mean the work might take longer, but having him there might be a calming influence for your parents. After all, they’ve known him since he was born. There won’t be the difficulty of bringing in someone new.”

  Cressa glanced at the clock. It was already eight o’clock, and there wasn’t anybody else to call. “I agree,” she murmured. “I’ll call him tonight.”

  “Let me talk to him first,” Aunt Jillina suggested before she sighed. “I’m so sorry, dear. I know it would be best if I could sit with your mom.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m glad you’re finally getting some time away. I hope you and Uncle Jed have a wonderful time in Mexico,” she said.

  After a quick goodbye, Cressa signed off the phone and sat staring at the screen until it went black before quietly walking to the hallway, where she studied the demolition work. The vanity was missing, and the floor was nothing but old plywood. A fine layer of dust had s
ettled on everything.

  Leaning against the doorframe, she heard the television on low while her parents talked about the movie. The sound of their voices mingling together brought some small comfort to Cressa. They appeared to bounce back well from the chaotic tear-out of their hall bathroom. But this was just the first day.

  Pulling her phone from her pocket, she dialed Andrew’s number. Her cousin picked up on the second ring.

  “Hey, Cressa. How are things going? I know the hall bath is a mess, but don’t worry. We’ll get it put back together, and it’ll look really nice.”

  “I’m sure it will,” Cressa said, her heart filling with dread. It was obvious that Andrew was happy working with Spencer. “But something’s come up.”

  Andrew’s voice sounded deflated. “Yeah, I know. I just talked with Mom.”

  Cressa heard Andrew’s disappointment. “The construction is really hard on Mom and Dad. They weren’t in very good shape when I got home.”

  Andrew became defensive. “I don’t know what we could’ve done differently. We tried to minimize the mess, and we did most of the loud stuff outside. But tearing apart a room is noisy.”

  Cressa wasn’t sure how to react to Andrew’s resistive attitude. She took a deep breath to maintain her calm. “I know. I’m not blaming anybody here. It’s just that we’re going to need to do things differently.”

  Andrew wasn’t making this easy, but a new steely resolve rose up through her belly. Her parents came first. “I wish I could get some time off, but it’s just not going to happen. I know this is a change of plans, but would you be willing to sit with my folks while Spencer works on the bathrooms?” She hurried on. “I know you want to learn carpentry skills. But my folks were a hot mess when I got home tonight.”

  Silence came over the line, and Cressa let it sit. It was up to Andrew.

  “Yeah. Sure. I can do that,” he said flatly.

  Cressa let the attitude ride. “I’ll pay you the same amount we agreed on for your ranching duties,” she said. “I’d like you to consider it a job.” She hated taking money from her parents’ account, but it wasn’t fair for Andrew to take on this added work for free.

  Andrew brightened a little. “Okay.

  “They know you, Andrew, and I believe they’ll accept you. It’s better than hiring a stranger.”

  “Yeah. I know. I was just hoping—” He let his words die off.

  “I understand, and I’m sorry.”

  Andrew shook off his disappointment. “Don’t be. It’s just one of those things, right? Life is like that. Maybe Spencer would be willing to take me on another job down the road.”

  “I hope so,” Cressa replied.

  After a quick flurry of words around the new plan, Cressa hurried off the phone and quickly punched in Spencer’s number as heat rose with a budding sense of anxiety. After their earlier conversations, she didn’t want to be calling Spencer in the evening. But this was business.

  When he answered, she swallowed the lump that grew in her throat. “Spencer.” Her voice squeaked, and she took another deep breath. “I mean, uh, Spencer?”

  “Yeah. Cressa. Are you all right?”

  “Oh, I’m fine.” The fatigue of her workday and her last two hours at home settled on her like a damp chill. “Okay. I’m not so fine,” she confessed.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  Cressa heard the same earnest sincerity she recalled from their earlier conversation, and she longed to spill her pent-up frustration, sorrow, and worry. Through Spencer’s sweet inquiry, Cressa was sure he would understand, but she kept it bottled up inside. Their experience together couldn’t go any further. She needed to concentrate on taking care of her folks, and she didn’t have time or the energy to devote to someone else. Plus, there was Owen. “It’s—It’s just been a really hard day.”

  “I’m so sorry. Was it the remodel?”

  Cressa took in a long breath. Finally, she was finding solid ground in the business she and Spencer shared. “Yes. Well, part of it. My folks didn’t handle it very well.”

  “Oh. I thought everything was fine. I checked on them several times, and they appeared all right. Your dad even came down the hall a few times, and he didn’t look the least bit flustered.”

  “It’s mostly my mom,” Cressa replied as anxiety laced her voice. “The noise and chaos were hard on her.” She paused. “I’ve asked Andrew to sit with them until further notice. He wasn’t very happy, but he agreed.”

  “You don’t sound very happy, either.” Spencer observed.

  Cressa gave a small laugh. Where to begin? Well, she could start by making sure that she didn’t spill her guts to Spencer Stewart. In spite of his thoughtful query, none of this was his concern, and she wouldn’t burden him with it.

  Spencer said, “Look, don’t worry about me losing Andrew as a worker. I think he’d work out well, and if he’s willing, I might hire him later. But I’m used to working alone.”

  Cressa sighed. She appreciated Spencer’s efforts at helping her feel better, but her concerns went deeper than the bathroom work.

  Spencer continued, his voice softening. “I know there’s more to all of this. You’re worried about being able to trust Andrew. Is that it?” Spencer asked before continuing, “I checked out the whole thing online. I can understand why you’d be troubled.”

  How was it that Spencer could read her mind and thoughts? The earlier desire to share her fears and concerns with him grew, tightening her lungs and squeezing her heart as she resisted the crying need to share her burden. “Yes,” she choked out. “It worries me.”

  “Well, I can’t stand over him, but I’ll do my best to keep an eye out,” Spencer said. “Andrew would be stupid to ruin this chance or throw this opportunity away. If what I’ve read is true, I seriously doubt he’ll get another job around here. Working with you might be the bridge that helps reduce his sentence when he finally does go to court and pave the way to forgiveness in Sunrise Creek. And remember, he’s worked for nothing for a while now. Everything at the ranch is in really good shape.”

  The bricks of Cressa’s burden tumbled to the ground as she considered Spencer’s words. “You’re right. I hadn’t thought of it like that. Thank you.”

  “So, will I see you tomorrow?” Spencer asked.

  “Yes, but only for a minute. We both have a job to do.” Her voice held just a hint of a cool warning.

  Silence filled the line. “Yes, we do.”

  After saying goodbye, Cressa hung up the phone and stared at the screen.

  Spencer had offered her every kind of solace. Not only did he understand her apprehension; he brought a perspective to the situation that didn’t minimize her concerns, but instead helped her see things from a different angle. The change of view was enlightening and helped her breathe easier. Something Owen wouldn’t have understood.

  She thought over her last conversation with Owen. The emergency room physician in him simply identified the problem and gave the most efficient solution. When it came to her job, she needed a transfer. Her parents required her to go home. Hey! Let’s take care of two problems at once!

  Cressa smiled. Yeah. That was Owen. He had natural compassion and care, but underneath all of that was well-oiled efficiency. His approach worked well in the ER, but it wasn’t helpful in the effort to contain the ongoing clutter of life, and maybe life with Cressa had simply become too messy.

  Sitting on the edge of her bed, Cressa’s thoughts stilled with her breath as a new reflection mirrored a possible truth. Maybe Owen wasn’t meant for the long term either. He wasn’t here, wading through the problems that came with aging parents, a home remodel, cows and horses, and a new job.

  Cressa took a deep inhalation, allowing the breath of this new understanding to fill her. As she exhaled, some part of her desire around Owen broke loose, releasing its anchor to the past, leaving her free but also frightened at her unmooring.

  Twelve

  Two days later, on the following S
aturday, Spencer pulled into the Marshalls’ driveway and hopped out of the driver’s side door before going to the passenger side to help Kimber from her seat.

  “What are we doing here, Daddy?” Kimber asked, her upturned face scrunched against the new spring sunshine.

  “I need to take care of the cows for this nice family,” he said.

  “Oh. Do they have any little girls, like me?”

  “Nope. A doctor lives here with her mom and dad. They’re older, like Grandma and Grandpa.”

  “That’s very old,” Kimber replied with a serious expression.

  “Yep. C’mon now. You can be my helper.” He took her hand, and they navigated the slick mud that covered her galoshes.

  Pulling hay from the store, he placed it in the cart that was hooked up to the ATV before straddling the machine and placing Kimber on his lap. They drove the short distance to the cow shed, where he and Kimber made several trips to the ATV to dump hay out for the cows. Once they were finished, Spencer checked their troughs, then fed and watered the horses before settling on the vehicle with Kimber.

  After he put the machine away, he took Kimber’s hand and began walking back to the truck to find Cressa standing on the porch. She was wrapped in a long, knitted gray shawl over a pair of jeans and a kelly-green turtleneck sweater. In her hands, she held a mug that gave off steam. The sun illuminated her skin and hair demanding his attention. The new morning light captured her face, which was framed in rich chestnut-colored strands of hair curling at the ends just past her shoulders. Her green eyes held the sun in their warmth.

  He had never seen Cressa with her hair down, and his mind took a snapshot of the picture of her standing on the front porch while a slight morning breeze surrounded her. Uncertainty rooted him to his spot. Since their last phone call on Thursday night, he and Cressa had merely passed each other with a greeting as he’d arrived for work and she’d left.