He pushed pause on the movie and waited.
“Hello?”
“Riley said you were dating Ciran again. What are you thinking? Do you remember how long you cried after he left?” Renae’s voice came over the line a great deal louder than she would have liked. A quick glance at Ciran’s face told her he’d heard everything.
“I was the one who chose to stay, Renae. Stop worrying about me. It’s my job as the eldest sister to worry about you. Not the other way around.”
“Oh, I know, but I still feel like you need someone who is sane to talk to you about these things!”
“And you declared yourself sane? I think I need to see a doctor’s signature on that one.” Roxane refused to be even a little bit upset by her sister’s words.
“Fine. I insist you have a spa day soon, though. You need to work your way through Mom, me, Riley, and even Raina. I need to know you’re all right.”
“I just started a new job. I can’t exactly take time off right now so I can come and play in the spa!” Roxane was tired of everyone worrying about her. She was fine, and it wasn’t like Ciran was going to eat her for breakfast. Why did they all worry he was going to hurt her?
“You could take tomorrow off just by calling Dad, and you know it! Don’t play difficult with me, Roxane Susan!”
“Don’t middle name me, Renae! I won’t put up with it. I’m going to finish my movie now and talk to you later.”
“Movie? Ciran’s there with you, isn’t he? OMG! Dad is going to freak when he finds out.”
Roxane sighed. “That’s why Dad doesn’t need to find out. I’m old enough to have a man in my life, though. I promise.”
“Whatever you say, sister dear.” With those words, Renae ended the call, and Roxane put her phone down.
“My sister has mental issues. Serious ones.”
He grinned. “I never had a sister, but if I did, I’m sure I’d feel the same way.” He turned toward her on the couch and frowned. “Why did you cry for so long after I left? It was your choice not to go with me.”
“Just because I couldn’t find it within me to go with you didn’t mean it didn’t hurt to watch you go. I know I’m the one who changed the plans, but my heart was broken as much as if you’d changed them.” Roxane knew it wouldn’t make sense to him, and she wasn’t sure it even made sense to her, but the truth was the truth.
“Why didn’t you write? I wrote you four letters, and you never responded . . . ”
She sighed. “I thought it would just hurt more if I kept the wound open . . . hurt us both more. I thought a nice clean break would be for the best, which is what I told you when you left.” She looked down at her hands as she said the words. She’d wanted him to feel free to date someone else if he found someone and not think about her.
“Well, I disagree. It’s not like I could ever stop thinking about you, so having you write to me would have at least been something. Or email. Or text. Or call . . . or . . . we live in a very modern time! We could have Skyped every day, and then I would have felt like you really did go with me.”
“I wanted you to feel free to date someone else if you wanted to. I didn’t want you to feel like you had to be tied to me for the rest of your life.”
“You wanted to be free to date?”
“Well, no, because I knew you were going to be my only love even in high school. I just . . . well, I wanted you to have your freedom. It mattered to me.”
“It mattered to me that you knew I didn’t want anyone else. You never let me prove that to you.”
“Tell me about being a lawyer,” she said, determined to change the subject. “What was it about it you didn’t like?”
“My practice was elite. We defended some really big names. It turned my stomach to know that some of them were guilty and I’d be getting them off to go right back out on the street to do the same thing again. It really bothered me. I would have made a better prosecutor, but there wasn’t really any money in that. Finally, I decided I would rather not be in law at all. I saved every dime I made except for that silly Jaguar. I never even moved far from campus, where the apartments were dirt cheap.”
“You really saved it all?” She was shocked by that. She knew he’d wanted to go into law for the money. He didn’t want to spend the rest of his life being as poor as he’d been growing up.
“Well, I paid off student loans. I paid off my car. I did a few things like that. Spent the money I needed to survive, but most I saved. I was making really good money. And now I have a taco truck!”
She laughed. “You and your taco truck. When I first heard about it, I couldn’t believe it, but now that I’ve eaten your tacos, I have just one question.”
“What’s that?”
“Where have you been all my life?”
“Right here.” Ciran pulled her to him and kissed her softly. He needed her to be a part of his life forever, and he hoped and prayed she felt the same way. She’d asked him to take it slow, so he would, but it would be hard.
Her arms crept around his neck, and she kissed him back, happy that they were no longer talking about her sister’s phone call. Happy they were together. Just happy. Ciran had always made her happy.
Finally, he rested his forehead against hers. “We’d better watch the rest of this movie, so I can get home. I have lots of tacos to make in the morning.”
“Sounds good to me. I happen to love your tacos.”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed. . . . If I were a less confident man, I’d think you spent time with me only for my tacos . . .”
She grinned, settling back against him as she took the remote from him and restarted their movie.
By the time he was ready to leave at the end of the night, he was tired. “I will see you tomorrow. What do you want to do tomorrow evening?”
She shook her head. “I have plans for tomorrow night. I’m sorry.”
“Oh?” Ciran frowned at her. If she was doing something innocent, she’d offer the information. What could she be doing that she didn’t want him to know about?
“Yeah. One of my sisters is afraid to go somewhere, but she wants to go anyway, so I get to be her babysitter. Why can’t a grown woman go into a shop in town without me there holding her hand?”
He laughed. “Will you spend the whole evening together?”
“We always do when I go with her. We’ll probably get dinner and eat it together and then maybe vegetate in front of the TV. Or sit around talking all night. My sisters are very fascinated that you’re back and that we’re seeing each other. It’s all they can talk to me about.”
“Well, at least they’re not against us seeing each other. Your father being against us is bad enough. Well, your dad and Bobling.”
“Bobling is somewhere on a secret assignment. None of us even get to know if he’s overseas or stateside. Don’t you worry about Bobling.”
“I’m surprised he’s stayed away so long. It seems like he’d feel like he needed to be around to watch over his little sisters.”
She shrugged. “I never expected him to make a career of the military, but that seems to be exactly what he’s doing. He’s a good guy, and I’m glad he’s enjoying it so much.”
“Me too. And I’m glad he’s not peeping in the windows while I’m kissing you goodnight. Speaking of which . . .” He lowered his head and kissed her softly. “Have fun doing whatever it is you’re doing with whichever sister tomorrow.”
“Oh, sure. It will be a joy. I’ll see you for tacos at lunchtime.”
“Sounds good to me. As long as I get to see your smiling face at least once a day, I can go to bed a content man.”
“You’re getting sappy, Ciran. . . .”
“Yeah, maybe. But you like it!”
Chapter Seven
Roxane looked up from her desk at five to see her sister’s smiling face. “You ready?” Riley asked.
Roxane nodded. “Yeah, just let me get my stuff. I’m not coming back until Monday!”
“L
ucky you!” Riley said with a groan. “The girl who covers for me on the weekends is out of town, so I’m taking her days. I could use the days off.”
“Couldn’t we all?” Gathering her things, Roxane got to her feet. “Let’s go to Ambrosia’s shop. I’m not sure why she scares you, but I’ll keep you safe. That’s what big sisters are for.”
Linking their arms together, the two sisters marched through the lobby and out of the hotel. “You have to drive,” Roxane announced. “If I’m acting as bodyguard, I need to have all my senses aware as I watch for danger.”
“I knew I should have asked Raina. She never acts like I’ve lost my mind!”
“Why didn’t you?” Roxane asked. Raina and Riley had always been really close.
“She had a late massage, but the woman canceled. Now she could come, but I already asked you!”
“I’m second best?” Roxane put her forearm over her eyes dramatically. “Some people like me best, you know!”
Riley rolled her eyes and opened her car, getting in behind the wheel. “I like you best. You are my very favorite eldest sister.” She waited while her sister buckled before driving out of the parking lot toward the crystal shop. “What should we do for supper after? You do still eat things other than tacos, don’t you?”
Roxane shrugged. “Not if I can help it.”
“I don’t blame you. I had Ciran’s tacos for lunch today, and I almost asked him to marry me just so I could have them again.”
“You can always buy them from him. You may not marry my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Riley said, her eyes wide. “Are you guys getting that serious?”
“I don’t know! For me the feelings are still there. The years he was away were pure agony. I wasn’t sure if I wanted him to come back, but now that he’s here, I can’t imagine doing anything without him.”
“Did he want to see you tonight?”
Roxane shrugged. “He thought we would go out again, but you asked first. I told him my whole evening was yours. We’re going four-wheeling in the mountains tomorrow, though, so no big deal.”
“I bet he packs a lunch. You should tell him your kid sister needs to go, too.”
“I babysat you with him around enough when you really did need a babysitter!” Roxane protested. “Nope, you’re not eating my share of the tacos. Besides, you told me you have to work.”
“I’ll have Ambrosia fill in for me,” Riley said her voice deadpan, and then both sisters dissolved into laughter.
“We shouldn’t make fun of her,” Roxane said as they parked in front of the shop on the street. The biggest problem in Quinn Valley was the lack of parking. Every available spot was used for something, which was why Ciran had been so excited to get a prime spot for his taco truck.
“No, we shouldn’t. She’s a nice lady, and I’m glad I don’t have to drive to Portland or Boise for my crystals. It’s good to have something so close.”
“It is!” Roxane got out of the car. “What are we looking for today?” She liked to dig through all the crystals and other “magical” things in Ambrosia’s shop. She always protested, but secretly, it was fun for her.
“I need some tiger’s eye, amazonite, and she just got in a shipment of rose quartz wands. I could use four or five of those.” Riley grabbed her purse and got out of the car. “Ready?”
“Sure.” Roxane was always ready for adventure with her sisters. “Let’s go see what she has!” As usual as soon as they stepped in the door, their noses were assaulted by the strong incense always burning in the store. Roxane did her best to ignore it, but she knew if she stayed for too long, she would have a headache to end all headaches.
“Welcome!” Ambrosia said. “I have a new class on crystal healing I’ll be teaching tomorrow morning if either of you ladies would be interested in learning more. The fairies have told me some interesting new secrets about crystals, and I can’t wait to share them with everyone!”
Riley got a deer in the headlights look. “I’m so sorry. I have to work tomorrow.”
Roxane hid a grin, walking past a huge caldron to look at a basket of three-inch rose quartz wands. “Is this what you’re looking for, Riley?” she called.
Riley was obviously thrilled for the distraction. “Exactly! I want several, but I’d like to hold them first and feel their energy.”
Roxane wasn’t sure why her sister was so convinced that what Ambrosia said and did was hooey when she did a lot of the same things herself. Riley had explained it, but it still all sounded mostly the same to her. She held out one of the wands to her sister, who held it for a moment with her eyes closed before shaking her head. “Not that one.” Then she was rummaging through the basket finding wands to suit her better.
Seeing that Riley was distracted well, Roxane moved on to something else. There were some fun-looking necklaces and bracelets. She didn’t completely discount the helpfulness of bracelets and all that, but she didn’t think crystals could heal all that ailed her either.
Riley came up beside her and chose a rose quartz which had been carved into a heart, hanging from a black thread. “Wear this. It’ll help you with Ciran. Help your heart find clarity, and help him to be drawn to you.”
Roxane frowned at the crystal her sister had given her. How could a rock on a string do all that? She sighed. If it could help, then she was definitely going to do it. She wasn’t going to risk losing him again. She wasn’t sure her heart would be able to mend this time. She kept it in her hand as she continued to shop, looking for other treasures among the huge number of items the store always contained.
Roxane continued to browse while Riley shopped, and as always, she was fascinated by the sheer variety the store contained. There were shirts that declared all sorts of bizarre things, few of which she understood. Lots of strange items for potions, and much else. It always overwhelmed Roxane to walk into the store, but she got sucked in quickly because there was so much to look through.
She was looking through a rack of tin signs that hadn’t been there the last time she was in when Ambrosia approached her. “I don’t think you’ve ever let me read your fortune in my crystal ball. When are we going to do that?”
Roxane frowned at the woman looking at her so intently. “I’m odd. I don’t really believe in crystal balls . . .”
“Oh, that is odd.” Ambrosia’s brows drew together as if in confusion. “How will you know who you’re supposed to marry if you don’t let me read your fortune?”
“I guess I’m just going to have to wing it,” Roxane said with a smile. “I think I can figure it out though.”
“You do? But there’s no ring on your finger.”
“No, there’s not, but I know who I think should put a ring there.” As soon as the words left her lips, Roxane knew they were true. She didn’t need to have approval from her parents or anyone else. She knew she belonged with Ciran. What else could a girl ask for in life?
“I hope you’re not making a huge mistake,” Ambrosia mumbled as she wandered off.
“Me too,” Roxane said, a grin on her face. She knew she wasn’t. Finally, she knew it was the right thing to do, but how did she let him know she knew? Now she was even thinking in circles, and her head was starting to hurt. She had to leave soon or the incense would get to her.
Riley walked over to her then. “I have everything I need. Let’s check out. I can see the incense is starting to break your brain.”
“Yes! I don’t want to have to deal with a headache tomorrow.”
Roxane checked out first, with Riley standing right beside her. “Go ahead and wait outside,” Riley said softly. “I don’t want you to hurt more than necessary.”
“Thank you!” Roxane stepped just outside the door and glanced down at her phone when she heard it chime, signaling a text message. “Ciran.” It was always Ciran. He had taken to texting her sweet little emojis and sometimes that blasted taco emoji. She felt like a Pavlovian dog, drooling every time she saw the thing.
What
she saw was not from Ciran, though. She looked up and saw her sister Riley’s eyes widening just like her own had. “Dad’s in the hospital. We have to go!” The nearest trauma hospital was an hour and a half away, but that didn’t matter. They had to be there. Roxane couldn’t remember her father ever being sick.
Riley took her credit card back from Ambrosia and rushed out of the store. “You riding with me?” Riley asked. There was no indication of where they were going, but Roxane knew she’d gotten the same text.
“It’ll be faster,” Roxane said quickly, and they both dashed to the car. “He looked fine at work this morning!” They were in the car, racing toward Lewiston before anything else was said. “I’m going to call Mom.”
Riley nodded. “Please.”
There was no answer, and Roxane frowned. “She’s not answering. What on earth could be going on?” She looked back down at her phone and called Renae.
“Roxie! Please tell me you’re on your way.”
“Of course I am. Riley and I are together. What’s going on?”
“He was having chest pains. They say it doesn’t look like a heart attack, but they can’t tell until they do an angiogram. He’ll have that in the morning.”
“How’s Mom taking it all?”
“You know Mom. She’s strong. She’s beside him, holding his hand and telling him to quit his moaning and groaning.”
Roxane grinned at that. If Mom was scolding Dad, then things couldn’t be terrible. “All right. We’re driving through Riston now, so we’ll be there in about an hour.”
“Hurry!” Renae said. “Raina looks like she’s going to faint any minute, and I can’t deal with her melodrama. You’re better with her than I am.” And the line was dead.
“Mom is scolding Dad, so it can’t be terrible. Renae says that Raina is ready to faint, and we need to get there so someone can deal with her. Dad went in with chest pains, but they don’t think it was a heart attack. There will be an angiogram done tomorrow,” Roxane said everything she remembered of the call.
Taco-Truck Tryst (Quinn Valley Ranch Book 1) Page 6
