“He can take painkillers every four hours, and he’s supposed to be propped up when he’s in bed.”
“I’ve been there and done that with my leg. What he needs is rest.” Audra put the paper down on the counter, trying hard not to smile too gleefully at her cousin.
Pam didn’t know it yet, but by tonight she would be alone with her husband in that wonderful old ranch house they now owned. Uncle David had pulled through, big-time.
“Clint’s second born is safe with me. So get out of here and go home. Lock yourselves in your bed room and give his daddy some of your TLC. Who knows? Maybe Rick won’t always be the baby of the Hawkins family.”
“Audra—” Pam blushed a lovely shade of pink for a brunette.
“That little room upstairs you’ve used for sewing would make a perfect nursery.”
“Maybe, but it’s not fair to be the child of older parents.”
“Tell that to Harry Moore’s son or Blanche Kendall’s daughter. Both their mothers were older than you when they conceived. You’ve barely turned forty. You’re young yet!”
“At my age the eggs aren’t al—”
“Don’t think about that,” Audra cut her off.
“But by the time we had a child in college, Clint would be Uncle David’s age.”
“Is Clint against the idea?”
She shook her head. “No, but he wants me to be very sure because he knows if anything happened to him, I’d have to raise the child by myself. Let’s face it, Audra. I’m not twenty-two anymore and haven’t been for a long time. Can you see me getting down to make mud pies with my toddler?”
“Why not?” Audra challenged. “Any limitations you place on yourself are in your mind. If Clint weren’t young at heart, he wouldn’t have married you. I’d say the child that gets you two for parents will be the luckiest person alive.
“Between your two gene pools you might raise another Olympic gold medalist or state rodeo champion. Wouldn’t it be fun to find out?” When Pam averted her brown eyes, Audra said, “Well, wouldn’t it?”
She didn’t hear her cousin’s answer because Clint walked into the kitchen. His serious gaze sought Audra’s. “He’s taken his pill and will probably fall asleep soon.”
“He’s not in the hospital with nurses keeping him awake taking his vital signs all night, so there’s no probably about it.”
Clint’s mouth widened in a smile that reminded her of Rick’s before his accident. “Thanks for looking after him, Audra.”
“My pleasure. Now that you’ve said it, you don’t have to say it again. I’ve been telling your wife to go home and take you with her.”
Who knew when Tom and the boys would show up at the main house to get their things? Audra didn’t want her uncle to be alone to face them. He needed the emotional support he’d derive from Pam and Clint.
“We’re leaving.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
After they’d closed the front door, she looked out the kitchen window to watch them drive away.
Life had to get better for them. It just had to!
As for Audra, knowing Rick was in the house made it a good day. Bring on the boys. Let them try to cause trouble. She wasn’t going to roll over and die to keep the peace. Not this time.
Reaching for her other crutch, she moved down the hall to the master bedroom and bathroom she’d readied for Rick. It was time to check on him.
His dad had helped him get into bed. Dressed in navy sweats and nothing else, his appealing physique was quite a sight. She guessed it was warm enough to sleep without covers.
The quilted spread at the foot of the queen-size bed was a small Waverly Print of cranberry and pink on white. There were accent pillows in those shades. The curtains were made of the same print.
Over the last few years Pam had used some of the money she’d made doing accounts for other ranchers to give all the rooms in the house a much-needed face-lift.
In anticipation of opening a bed-and-breakfast one day, the living room contained a couch and love seat in earth tones. She’d hung framed photographs of the ranch as it had appeared in former times. Beautifully matted in café au lait, they provided splashes of warm color.
She’d had off-white carpet laid throughout the house in order to lighten and modernize the interior. The bedroom Audra had been using was decorated in a blue-and-white French toile, which covered the queen-size bed and the windows. A huge photograph of bluebonnets in bloom hung on one wall. Pam had given it to Audra for her last birthday.
The third bedroom, where Audra kept her instruments and soundboard, contained two twin beds with quilted spreads in a cheerful yellow-and-white plaid shot with gold and brown. The curtains and lamp shade were made of the same material.
Improvements still needed to be made to the kitchen and bathrooms, yet on the whole the house had loads of charm thanks to Pam’s decorating flair.
Audra had to admit no background design or furnishings could draw her interest like the patient before her, a live male whose black body hair stood out against the white tape and sling holding his left arm in place.
She didn’t need a crystal ball to divine how many hearts he’d broken without knowing it.
“Hi.”
To her surprise he was awake.
“Hi, yourself,” she said from the doorway. “Welcome to the halfway house. Together we make one person.”
Audra was treated to a lazy smile. “Thanks. I came through the front door this time.”
“I noticed. Thank you.”
He eyed her through veiled black lashes. “So what do you think of the Racetrack Lover now?”
Rick had heard her show?
Audra was thankful for the crutches holding her up. “I’m thinking there’s got to be some woman out there who’s wondering why this pit stop is taking so long.”
“If there were a woman out there, I wouldn’t be here.”
That was what Boris had said. Like every foolish woman in love, she’d believed him.
“Uncle David says it’s good to break a bone once in your life. While it heals, the waiting process builds character.”
“Do you believe everything he tells you?”
“Why do you think I’ve been living out here where I can’t offend anybody?”
She wished he didn’t have such an appealing chuckle.
“Sorry you got coerced into this, Rick, but I took you at your word when you told me your dad and Pam’s happiness was of the utmost importance to you.”
He rubbed one toe against the other. “Nobody had to twist my arm, Audra. The only reason I didn’t phone my friend Chip to come and get me was because of Dad. He wanted to make up for the guilt he’s been feeling. I had to let him and decided to stay with him for a few days when it was the last thing I wanted to do.
“Being invited to stay here has saved me from feeling like a total burden to them. I’m indebted to you.”
“I’m glad you’re okay with it.” Audra cocked her head. “Clint’s guilt is understandable. After losing your mother in a freak accident, the idea that you could have been killed because he took you horseback riding filled him with terror.”
“His guilt goes deeper than that.”
“You mean because you retired from racing to help him, and then found out he didn’t need any help?”
His gaze held hers. “Does Pam tell you everything?”
“Probably as much as your dad tells you.”
His lips twitched. “I guess we don’t have any secrets left.”
She rested her chin on top of one of her crutches. “Nope. That’s why I figured we’d get along here while the two lovebirds try to make a nest.”
“Try being the operative word,” he muttered. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but Tom seems capable of violence. Is he?”
“If you’re asking if he’s ever struck me, the answer is no. I don’t believe he’s ever hit anyone.”
“Not that you know of anyway,” he persisted.
“No. Losing his parents made hi
m angry. He’s been in that state ever since, and gets the other two stirred up. It’s a situation that’s gone on as long as I can remember.”
Rick grimaced. “It’s gotten worse. We both know your cousins won’t divide the time fairly so you’ll be able to enjoy this house in the future.”
“I didn’t ever say that.”
“Yes, you did.” Her head reared in reaction. “I heard you singing that ‘Windshield Rancher’ song on my way to the ranch.”
The knowledge that he’d listened to her radio broadcast Wednesday night stunned her.
“Did your father tell you I did a show over the air?”
“He only said you worked in radio. I found your program quite by accident. The song you sang was so sad, I felt it in my gut.”
Oddly enough, it was his voice just now that sounded haunted.
“You said it all, Audra. You realized your uncle had to sell, and when he did, you knew the boys would make it impossible for you to share in anything left to you. Admit you’re frightened of them.”
Rick Hawkins knew too much.
“Not for me. I want them to leave Pam and Clint alone.”
His features hardened. “My father won’t let them hurt her.”
“But don’t you see?” she cried out. “He shouldn’t have to do anything! They ought to be able to live out their lives free of trouble from three stupid men who’ve been given everything and don’t have the good sense to see it.”
“They need professional help.”
“Uncle David blames himself for not getting them therapy after the tornado struck. Like most people, he kept hoping things would get better. Now it’s too late.”
“If they were troubled before the tragedy, therapy might not have helped them,” he theorized.
“He and Pam have talked about it with me so many times. No matter how difficult the boys were as children, the trauma of losing their families was probably too much for them. We’ve all hoped marriage and children would have a softening effect on them.”
“Their wives didn’t have much to say at dinner.”
“You’re being diplomatic. Let’s be honest. They didn’t have anything to say. Sherry asked you a question and caught a glare from Jim. Later that evening she said some disturbing things to me.”
“Like what?”
Without preamble, Audra told him the gist of their conversation on the porch while she was waiting for the helicopter to arrive.
When she’d finished, Rick said, “If Dad’s attorney showed your cousins the legal documents proving he bought the ranch house at fair market value, it would only inflame them. They’re going to believe what they want to believe.”
“I know, and their wives have to go along with them if they want peace. It’s a difficult situation made worse because there are children involved. I love the kids.
“The thing is, I have every faith in Clint and Uncle David, but the boys’ resentment is so much deeper now that the property’s been sold.”
“It’s not deeper, it’s white-hot since my father bought the main house,” Rick declared. “Three angry men out of control might do some real damage. If they start to harass you or Pam, there are ways to stop them.”
“I know. I’m just praying it doesn’t come to that. Right now you’re the person I’m most worried about. Are you hungry or thirsty?”
“Not yet.”
“Tell you what. Try to sleep. I’ll bring you a tray in an hour. It’ll be the kind of food that appealed to me after I got home from the hospital.”
“Sounds good.”
“Your cell phone’s in the drawer of your nightstand. Pam gave it to me to call your brother. Would you like me to put it by your right hand?”
“No, thank you. How about playing your guitar for me?”
“Why don’t we wait until tonight. I’ll put on a little show for you after Uncle David gets here. He loves music. We’ll do it in the other bedroom where I broadcast. You can lie on the twin bed. If you fall asleep, I’ll leave you there until morning.”
She’d started to turn around with her crutches when he called to her.
“What is it?”
“Your uncle won’t be coming.”
Her eyebrows knit together. “Your father told you that?”
“No. David did.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Maybe you’d better call him.”
“I will. Tom said he was going over there today to clear out his things. If Uncle David has decided not to come tonight, Tom’s the reason. I’ll be in the living room if you need me. Just shout. I’ll hear you.”
As soon as she’d made her way through the house to the couch, she sat down to rest her leg and pulled her cell phone from her skirt pocket. It indicated ten after five. The day had flown by without her being aware of it.
Much as she hated to disturb Pam and Clint, she needed to find out if there’d been some kind of confrontation with Tom.
“Pam?”
“Hi! How’s the patient?”
“He’s fine. What I want to know is, did Tom show up?”
“Yes. He came in Greg’s truck because it’s bigger. They took everything in one load, including the grandfather clock. Now they’ve gone.”
“Were there any problems?”
“They didn’t talk to me or Clint. Before they walked out the door, they told Uncle David they’d be using his trailer to move the horses from the barn to the Circle T tomorrow.”
“I’m glad there wasn’t trouble.” Maybe everything was going to be all right. “Is Uncle David handy?”
“No. After the boys left, he drove to Austin.”
“How come?”
“Honey—you know why.”
“I do?”
“He’s going to spend the week at the Cattlemen’s Club with Harry.”
Audra gripped her cell phone tighter. “When did he decide to do that?”
“I don’t know, but I thought you knew. I assumed he’d told you about it at breakfast.”
“He didn’t say a word.”
That meant she was going to be alone with Rick. What was her uncle doing?
“Do you think there was some emergency with Harry?”
“No, otherwise he would have told us. At least I think he would have.”
“Pam, I’ve got to phone him and find out what’s going on.”
“Call me back.”
“I will.”
With a hand that had started to tremble, she punched in her uncle’s cell phone number and waited. After five rings he picked up.
“Audra?”
“Uncle David—what’s this about you staying at the Cattlemen’s Club with Harry? I called the ranch house to talk to you, and Pam told me you’d left for Austin.”
“That’s right. As soon as Tom and Greg drove off, I packed a suitcase and cleared out. After all, I’m as anxious as you for Pam and Clint to have their home to themselves.”
“But I’m at the bungalow alone with Rick!”
“I thought he made you feel protected.”
“He does, but that’s not the point.”
“Honey, if you’re uncomfortable, I’ll pack up and come home right now.”
“No! Please don’t do that! I just don’t understand why you didn’t tell me this morning.”
“Well, Harry’s been after me to come stay with him at the club. I hadn’t quite made up my mind until after I’d told Rick you were planning to take care of him and he agreed.
“I got to thinking about the situation and realized you’d end up waiting on both of us. I didn’t like that idea, so I decided to join Harry. I would have phoned you from Austin tonight.”
Her thoughts were reeling.
At first she’d thought her uncle was up to a little matchmaking, but now she wasn’t so sure.
Harry Moore was her uncle’s best friend. He’d been living at their club since his wife died last year. Maybe her uncle had wanted to live there for a long time but hadn’t felt he could
leave Audra without protection. If that was true…
On the heels of that thought came another one.
“Uncle David, did you buy the condo for my sake?” she cried. “Because if you did, and you’d prefer to live at the club around your friends, your sacrifice would kill me! I can find my own apartment and be perfectly happy.”
“I know that, honey. The truth is, I don’t want to live with a bunch of old men.”
She weighed his comment. “Honest?”
“The Realtor pointed out there were quite a few single women and widows who own condos in the complex. The place has a social center with organized activities. I’m looking forward to the experience. If I find I don’t like condo living, I might consider moving to the club.”
Audra stared into space. Was he telling her the truth?
Her uncle had given up some of the best years of his life to raise his orphan family. If Pam could meet Clint, maybe there was a wonderful woman out there for her uncle. The mere possibility filled her with excitement.
That settled it.
When the cast came off, Audra had every intention of finding her own place to live because it appeared someone else in the Jarrett family was going to need his space, too.
“Enjoy yourself, Uncle David. Forget everything and have a great time!”
“I intend to. How’s it going with Rick?”
“I haven’t had to lift a finger. So far he’s been lying on the bed resting. In a few minutes I’ll start his dinner.”
“I can remember when I was laid up. My friends used to come and see me after work. We played poker every night. It helped relieve the boredom.”
“Are you talking spit in the ocean?”
“Or five card stud. Give Rick a break and let him win a few hands to keep things friendly.”
She smiled. “That might be kind of fun. Is that what you’re going to do tonight? Play cards?”
“Harry’s getting us up a game with some of the other fellows as we speak.”
Her uncle sounded happy. “Then I’ll let you go.”
“Honey? I’m only as far away as the telephone if you need me.”
“I was just going to say the same thing to you.” She hung up the phone in a daze.
“IF IT’S ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, I’d rather be an audience to your show than play cards tonight.”
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