“Can I see him?”
“Not just yet. Once he’s settled in, family can visit.”
Lisa nodded. She slid off the examining table and thanked the doctor; then went in search of her mother and father.
“I need to see Sam,” she said when she joined them in the waiting room.
“Come home and change. You’ll scare him looking like that,” her mother said firmly. “We’ll bring you back.
“No. I need to see him as soon as I can. Can you take Joey home?”
“Yes. And I will not let him out of my sight!” her mother vowed.
“I’m nailing that gate shut as soon as we get home,” her father said. “Honey, we’re so sorry.”
“It wasn’t anyone’s fault, except maybe Joey’s!” she said, giving her son a familiar mother look.
“I’m sorry Mommy. I shouldn’t have gone to the creek alone. Is Daddy mad at me?”
“You think about what happened, Joey. Next time you want to go to the creek, or anywhere else, you wait for a grownup to take you. Do you understand?” Lisa said firmly.
Joey nodded solemnly.
“Okay then.” She kissed his cheek. “No, Daddy isn’t mad at you. He’s just hurt from the fall. He’ll be fine in no time.” She fervently hoped she was right.
By the time she reached the reception desk on the second floor, Nick and Jennifer were already there Nick pacing in front of the nurses' station.
“Lisa, are you all right?” Jennifer asked, her gaze on the scrapes and bandages.
“Yes. Any word on Sam?”
Nick paused and glared at her. “No. Why are you here?”
“Nick,” Jennifer said softly.
He looked at her and then away.
“He’s worried about his brother,” Jennifer excused. “Come sit down. We can’t see him yet. What happened?”
Both listened attentively as Lisa explained. Just as she finished, a doctor came down the hall.
“Nick.” He smiled and crossed to shake hands, including the two women in his greeting.
“Jim. How’s Sam?” Nick asked as they gripped hands.
“Ornery as ever. He’s going to be fine. But he was out for quite a while. Always better to err on the side of caution though try convincing him of that. He insists he’s ready to go home.”
Lisa felt the weight of the world lift from her. He was going to be all right. Thank God. She took a breath.
“Can we see him?”
Jim turned. “One person at a time and only for a few minutes. We’ve given him something to reduce swelling and ease the pain. His head’s pounding, naturally. Took five stitches to close the gash. But barring complications, he’ll be right as rain.”
“When can he go home?” Nick asked.
“Tomorrow if everything checks out normal by morning. He does have a slight concussion. We want to monitor it tonight. Want to see him?”
Nick nodded.
Lisa started to protest, then closed her mouth. Nick had a right to see his brother first.
She regretted not arguing the point five minutes later when Nick returned and told Jennifer she could go in for a couple of minutes. He looked at Lisa when Jennifer left.
“Sam doesn’t want to see you.”
She felt as if he’d hit her. “What? Why not?”
“He asked after Joey first thing. I told him the kid was fine and that you were here. He said he didn’t want to see you. That you both had said all you had to say.”
“I want to see him.”
Nick’s expression soften fractionally. “He’s going to be fine, Lisa. He looked okay to me, except for the bandage around his head. He’s a bit pale, but otherwise he looks okay. However, his wishes do count. You can’t see him.”
She nodded and rose, feeling shaky and scared. She didn’t want to leave, but there was nothing to stay for if Sam refused to see her.
“Tell him I was concerned. And there is more to talk about.”
“I’ll tell him.”
She had forfeited all rights to demand to see him. She was no longer family.
Slowly walking down the hall, Lisa wished Sam had not said no. She really wanted to see him, make sure he was all right. Tell him she loved him.
* * *
LISA LEARNED FROM Jennifer on Tuesday that Sam had gone home from the hospital Monday morning. But she heard nothing from Sam.
Wednesday she called to see how he was. Nick answered, and told her he was asleep. She asked him to have Sam call.
By Friday she knew he wasn’t going to. Every day she’d waited, working with one ear attuned for the phone, the hope dimming each day.
But there was Joey to consider, she thought. Was Sam planning to have him come to the ranch this next week or not? How was he? Jennifer said when she’d told Lisa that Sam went home that he was doing all right.
He had told her to think about their relationship. She had and more quickly than he probably imagined.
She waited until after dinner Friday evening to call him. She didn’t want him to be outside. Or around the men on the ranch. She knew he ate in the bunkhouse, so gave him plenty of time to return to the house before she called.
Joey was in bed so there’d be no interruptions.
The phone rang a long time. She was about to give up when it was answered.
“Hello?”
She’d met her only once, but Lisa recognized Margot’s voice instantly.
“I was calling for Sam,” she said.
“He’s busy right now. Can I give him a message.”
“This is Lisa Haller. Would you ask if he wants Joey this week?”
“I’m sure he does, he’s crazy about that kid,” Margot’s tone was wry.
“Is he feeling all right?” Lisa hated having to ask Margot, didn’t like talking with the woman. All she could see was Margot and Sam in bed. And that she’d driven him there.
But she had to know about Joey.
“Yes, he’s almost back to normal. Still has a headache, but it’s getting better. You know men, so macho. He was off the pain pills by Wednesday.”
“Oh?”
Margot drew in her breath. “Oops. You probably didn’t want to know I was staying here, did you? Someone needed to watch him. Nick had to go somewhere on business, and Jennifer's still teaching, so I was drafted. It’s the least I can do, according to Nick. I’m not his favorite person.”
Lisa was surprised, she thought she had that honor.
“I’ll tell Sam you called. He’ll probably send someone into town to get Joey since he’s still not driving.”
Lisa hung up feeling hurt anew. Sam had needed help and not called upon her.
Had he changed his mind about wanting to marry her? Nick had asked Margot to come help out. Sam had obviously not rejected her. She’d been there all week. A week of Margot’s taking care of Sam, cooking for him. Maybe a week in which they came to view things differently.
Her first instinct was to pack up and move away from Tumbleweed again.
She shook her head. Hadn’t she learned anything? If Sam didn’t want her, then so be it. She’d learn to live with that. But Joey deserved to know his father, to grow up on the ranch that would one day be partially his. To know his uncle Nick and his grandparents.
She would stay, continue to work for Bill Taylor and make a home for her son.
If it was hard, she’d learn to do hard things.
* * *
LISA WAS LONELIER than ever the next week. Joey had gone off with Jose Saturday morning. He’d called on Tuesday night, and again Friday. But neither time had Sam asked to talk to her.
She listened with mingled emotions as Joey joyfully related how he helped his father and where they’d gone. No mention of the creek. She could see the two of them together in her mind, and longed to be a part of that fantasy.
Jennifer asked if Joey could accompany them to another horse show and Lisa had agreed. But when Saturday dawned she regretted it. She missed her son. Wished he’d be
home soon.
When her mother called, Lisa jumped at the chance to have lunch with them.
“We don’t get to do this nearly often enough, now that you’re back in Tumbleweed,” her mother said as she placed the chicken salad and rolls on the table on the patio. Shaded from the hot sun, the table was placed to give a view of the garden. Looking over her shoulder, Lisa noticed the gate had been boarded over.
Her mother caught her look.
“Your father did that immediately after we got home from the hospital that day. I was so worried about all of you. If anything had happened...”
“Don’t worry, Mom, everything is fine.”
Her mother sat at the table and took one of Lisa’s hands. “Is it, honey? Is everything fine?”
Lisa opened her mouth to reassure her mother, then abruptly closed it and shook her head.
“No, everything is horribly wrong. And it’s my fault and I don’t know how to correct it.” She eyed her mother speculatively for a moment. “Do you know Margot Pendarvis?”
Margaret nodded, her gaze steady.
Lisa took a deep breath. “She’s pregnant with Sam’s baby.”
Margaret nodded. “It was a nine-day wonder last Christmas when it came out.”
“You never told me.”
Margaret shrugged, releasing her hand and reaching for a serving spoon. She heaped salad on Lisa’s plate and nudged the basket of rolls closer. “I wasn’t sure you wanted to hear that. At first I thought Sam had moved on. But then it looked like Margot didn’t want marriage. The boy looked so unhappy for a long time.”
“The boy is thirty-two years old--old enough to know better,” Lisa said with asperity.
“Maybe, but mistakes do happen. What did you want him to do, Lisa, remain a monk the rest of his life?”
“What I really want is for him to marry me again.”
Margaret looked amazed. “You’re kidding.”
Lisa shook her head, glad to have it out in the open.
“I should never have left in the first place.”
“You were very sure of yourself two years ago.”
“I know. I thought I was. But two years on my own taught me a lot, Mom. A lot about life and a lot about myself. I was too young when we got married. You and Dad told me that, but I wouldn’t listen. But I’ve grown up and understand a lot of things I didn’t before.”
“Sam doesn’t come unencumbered this time around,” Margaret said gently.
“I know. That’s a stumbling block, but only that. I’ll have to deal with it if I want him.” She picked up her fork and leaned forward a bit. “And I do want him in every way and forever.”
“Well, then.” Margaret began to eat as if she couldn’t think of anything else to say.
“Only, I’m not sure he still wants me,” Lisa said a moment later.
“One way to find out go ask him,” her mother suggested.
“I’ve been thinking about it. I sort of wanted some sign from him that he’s still interested. Before we came home that Sunday, he said he was still interested. But he didn’t want to see me at the hospital, so I don’t know what to think. And since then, he’s not called, or even answered the phone when I call the ranch.”
“You have to be careful with people’s hearts, Lisa. I suspect you hurt Sam more than you know when you left. He’s not an easy man to know. He's not open and trusting like Nick. Remember some of the things Nick would say when he’d hang around you in high school? Sam had a difficult row to hoe with their father.”
“It would serve me right if he doesn’t want anything to do with me again. But I’ve got to find out.”
“So eat up and head for the ranch.”
“They’re all at Jennifer’s show. I’d like to go see her perform sometime.”
“I understand she’s quite good, and quite crazy about horses.”
“And Nick.”
Margaret nodded. “The wedding is in just a few weeks. Nick sent an invitation to your father and me.”
“Not me.”
“Do you want to go?”
“Not unless things are settled between Sam and me. I’m not Nick’s favorite person these days. Blood is thicker than old ties.”
“As it should be,” her mother said. “But love is the strongest emotion and bond of them all. If you love Sam, you need to do your best to make sure he knows that.”
“I plan to do just that, Mom!”
* * *
SUNDAY MORNING, SAM fixed Joey pancakes. He wasn’t much of a cook, preferring to eat in the mess hall with the men, but he liked spending time alone with his son. And Joey loved pancakes.
“Make them look like a cat, Daddy,” Joey said. He stood on a stool near the stove, critically watching Sam’s every move. If Sam deviated from the established routine, Joey was quick to point it out.
“One cat coming up. Did I tell you about the cat I caught up on the ridge?”
Joey grinned and nodded. “A giant cat ready to spring and kill all the cattle. And you caught it!”
“That’s right,” Sam said gravely, launching into the tale once again. His son loved to hear stories about the ranch. He was glad he was here to hear them. Sam still hadn’t gotten over the fear that had swept through him when the edge of the arroyo had given way. Fear for his son’s life.
“After breakfast, we’ll get you dressed and head for town. I bet your mom misses you,” Sam said a little later as they were eating.
“Naw, she works all the time.”
“But she makes time for you.”
Joey shrugged and swished a bite around in the syrup. “I like it here better. Can’t I stay?”
“We’re taking turns, remember? You stay with your mom and then with me.”
“That’s dumb.”
“Don’t I know it,” Sam murmured beneath his breath.
He hadn’t seen or spoken to Lisa in two weeks. He wondered how he was going to go the rest of his life without her especially if she stayed in Tumbleweed. Which it looked like she planned to do.
He’d tried, but she had been adamant in refusing to even consider giving them a chance since learning about the new baby. He sighed and stared at his son. His wife should be sharing breakfast with them. She should be laughing at Joey’s comments, and admonishing him to sit up straight.
And she should look up at him and smile--the two of them sharing the moment.
Sam put down his fork. He was going into town. He was going to talk to Lisa until he was blue in the face. One way or another, he was going to convince her to give them another chance together.
Their time in Houston proved they still had strong feelings. She’d have a right to be angry about Margot. But she also had to get over it and move on. With him!
“Come on, Joey, let’s get you dressed.
* * *
LISA BUTTONED THE shirt and studied it in the mirror. It was the fourth one she’d tried on. She wanted to look just right--not too obvious, not too casual. This one would have to do.
She brushed her hair, double checked her makeup and took a deep breath. She was as ready as she would ever be.
Heading out of town, she swung into a convenience store and bought a new toy for Joey to keep him occupied while she talked with his father.
On the road again, she felt anticipation rise. She was going to flat-out ask Sam if he still wanted to marry her. There were lot of things they had to discuss, and decision to make, but being apart was not an option she wanted to explore. Been there, done that. Didn’t like it at all.
She loved Sam Haller, stumbling block and all. It would be up to her to make the first step and she was ready today.
The ranch was quiet when she arrived. She passed Nick’s place, noticing Jennifer’s car parked on the side. In another two weeks, school would be out and they would be married and setting up house together.
If she hadn’t been so focused on her quest, she would have spared a moment to envy them starting out fresh, deeply in love, with their wh
ole lives ahead of them.
Not so with her and Sam. They had a past. One that wouldn’t ever go away.
But one from which they could learn and grow and move on. And if he didn’t love her, she had enough love for the both of them. She felt almost giddy with excitement.
Stopping by the house, she killed the engine, looking for Sam’s truck. It wasn’t parked in its usual place.
Slowly she climbed out of her car and headed for the front door. She rang the bell and waited. The echoing silence was her only response.
Trying again, she waited impatiently. Where were they? Had he taken Joey on a ride before heading to town?
Slowly wandering to the barn, she saw two cowboys working on one of the stalls.
“Hi. Have you seen Sam?”
“Not today,” one replied. The other shook his head. “Try the house,” he offered.
“I did, there’s no answer. Did he take a horse to ride somewhere?”
One man shrugged. “Check the corral. There should be seventeen horses. If one is missing, maybe he did.”
“He usually takes that big black.”
Lisa nodded. She knew Sam’s favorite horse.
Checking the horses in the corral, she saw his horse. But upon counting, there were only sixteen horses. Had he taken another one this morning?
She went back to the porch and sat on the top step. She’d come this far. She wasn’t going to be turned back until she’d talked to him.
* * *
“I NEED TO go potty, Daddy,” Joey said plaintively.
“Your mother isn’t home and neither is Jennifer. Do you know anyone else in the house that would let you in?” Sam asked. They’d been waiting more than an hour for Lisa. He’d called her mother’s place earlier, but Margaret hadn’t seen Lisa, nor spoken with her that morning.
He’d drive around town once, checking at the grocery store. Her car wasn’t there either.
Where was she?
He leaned against the porch railing and looked down the street once more. “We can go to the cafe in town and get something to eat. And you can go potty,” he told Joey.
Love Me Some Cowboy Page 51
