At Home in Last Chance

by Cathleen Armstrong

  Elizabeth laughed. “It sounds like she’d be the perfect advisor then. I’m glad to see it. I had the idea that the two of you weren’t particularly close.”

  Kaitlyn poured the tea and set a cup where Elizabeth could reach it.

  “No, we haven’t been, and I really would like that to change. Maybe this will do it.” She looked at the little china clock hanging on Elizabeth’s wall and took a quick gulp of her tea. “Oh, I shouldn’t have poured this. I need to go get Olivia.”

  “Why don’t you just put the cozy on the pot so it will stay warm till you get back. She always likes a cup with lots of milk after school.”

  “Hey, how’re you doing?” Kaitlyn stuck her head in the door of the High Lonesome and looked around.

  “Hey, yourself.” Steven put his crowbar down and gave her a one-armed hug. “Don’t want to get too close. I’m covered in dust. What do you think?”

  “It already looks so different, so much bigger.”

  “Well, I’ve about got the demo done, and without the booths over there, and the bar over here, it does look bigger. When we get your things in here, it’ll probably look a little smaller. Rita dropped by, and I kind of filled her in on all your plans. Hope that was okay.”

  “She told me. You got the paint samples then?”

  “Yep, and a detailed map of the place showing what colors go where, and the information I need to order the light fixtures. Nothing’s left to chance, that’s for sure.”

  “Do you mind my mother getting a decorator involved? Are we stepping on your toes?”

  “Heck no. I’m good with a hammer, and I can paint. But when it comes to colors, I’m strictly a brown and blue guy. You are getting ‘Desert Bluff’ and ‘Glacier,’ among others. Did you know that?”

  “I did not. It sounds gorgeous, though.”

  “I’m sure it will be.” He slid his arms around her.

  “Mom, Miss Elizabeth is waiting for me. I have to take her for a walk so she can get her exercise.”

  “Okay, Livvy. In a minute.” Kaitlyn remained a moment longer before reluctantly pulling away. He had strong arms, and she liked the way she felt when they were around her. “I guess I do need to get back. I told your grandmother I wouldn’t be gone long, but I had to stop by and see how things were coming along.”

  Olivia, who had already headed out to the car, came back in again. “Mom, are we going, or what?”

  Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow. “You can drop the ‘or what’ when you ask me a question, Olivia. Would you like to try again?”

  Olivia heaved a sigh. “Are we going now?”

  “Yes, we are. Go get in the car and put your seat belt on.” She turned back to Steven as Olivia stomped out. “I should go.”

  “How long will you be at Gran’s?”

  “Not long. It’s a school night and we have things we have to do.”

  “Shoot. I thought I might see you if I dropped by later.” He took a quick peek through the door to see if Olivia was watching, then pulled her to him for a quick kiss. And she didn’t even mind the dust.

  Steven took Kaitlyn’s hand and walked her out to the car. Olivia was already belted into the backseat, and he stuck his head in the door when Kaitlyn opened it to get in.

  “Hey, Liv. I didn’t get a chance to say hi. How’s it going?”

  Olivia would not look at him.

  “Livvy? What’s wrong? Are you mad?”

  Olivia looked at her mother. “We have to go. Miss Elizabeth is waiting.”

  “Livvy! Don’t be rude.” Kaitlyn turned around to glare at her daughter, but Steven put his hand on her arm.

  “It’s okay.” He opened the back door and leaned in. “Okay, Livvy. What’s up? We’ve been friends for a long time and I think it’s only fair that you tell me what I’ve done. Because I really don’t know.”

  She stared straight ahead for a while, but when it began to look like Steven wasn’t going anywhere until she answered, she looked at him.

  “Do you want to be my mom’s boyfriend?”

  “What would you think if I said yes?”

  “I would hate it!” Olivia almost shouted, and Steven heard the tears threatening in her voice.

  “Why, Liv? I thought the three of us made a pretty good team.”

  “Because you don’t want to be a team. You just want to be my mom’s boyfriend. You just pretend to be my friend, but when Mom starts being your girlfriend, you won’t care about me anymore. You’ll just go off with her all the time and I’ll be alone.”

  “Oh, Livvy.” Kaitlyn’s voice came almost as a whisper, and she pressed her hands against her cheeks.

  “Is that what’s happened before?

  She nodded without looking at him.

  “Well, that’s not going to happen again, Livvy, and do you know why?” Steven waited until Olivia looked at him again. “Because that’s not how your mom and I do things. I really like being with you. I really like going to movies or out to eat or just hanging at your house playing with Meeko and playing Sorry, even if you beat me every time. I really think you’re great, and I’d think that even if I didn’t know your mom. Sometimes maybe your mom and I might go out alone, but most times it’s going to be the three of us, unless it’s just you and your mom. As for your mom, I think I can say that no one in the world is more important to her than you are. And that’s the way I like it. What do you think about that?”

  Olivia still looked at her shoes, but there was no more fury in her face.

  “Livvy? What do you think about that?” Steven could wait as long as it took.

  Finally, Olivia heaved a sigh. “I think it’s fine. Now can we go? Miss Elizabeth is waiting for me.”

  “Friends?” He held out his fist.

  She gave him a little smile and bumped it with her own. “I guess.”

  25

  Chris carried a carton from his room and set it among the others in the living room. He dusted off his hands and looked around.

  “Well, I guess that about does it.” It was hard to read his expression. There was, of course, the happiness and eager anticipation tempered by a little nervousness that you’d expect to see on the face of any bridegroom, but there was something else too—not exactly sadness, but wistfulness, maybe.

  “All packed up?” Kaitlyn had to admit she was feeling a little wistful herself.

  “Yup. Except for what I’m wearing tomorrow and the suitcase I packed for the honeymoon, everything is in these boxes.”

  “Okay, we’ll haul them over to Sarah’s while you’re gone, and when you get back everything will be waiting at your new home.”

  His nod seemed a little distracted. “Right. Just leave the ones marked ‘kitchen’ in the kitchen.”

  “Got it. And the ones marked ‘bedroom’? What do we do with those?”

  He actually looked at her for the first time then, with the blank expression of someone who was just waking up. Kaitlyn laughed and walked over to put her arms around his waist.

  “How’re you holding up?” She smiled up into his face.

  “Fine, I guess.” He ran his fingers through his short hair, causing it to stand up even more. “Where’s Livvy?”

  “Out on the driveway waiting for Mom and Dad.”

  Brooke and David Reed had wanted to host the rehearsal dinner, and much discussion had gone into where. Brooke was especially distraught that there was nothing within a hundred miles of Last Chance, including the Dip ’n’ Dine, that she would even consider gracing with one of her events. She kept saying, “If only this were in Scottsdale,” until Chris ended one lengthy phone call by saying, “Mom. It’s not. Deal with it.” Finally it was agreed that since the rehearsal was actually taking place at the ranch, the dinner would be held there as well, with Carlos’s family doing the catering. But Brooke was not happy.

  Chris looked at his watch. “Think we should go out there and wait for them too? We’re supposed to be there by 4:00.”

  “Wait. Before we go, I want to sa
y something, and I don’t know when I might get another chance.” She swallowed the lump that filled her throat as she looked up at her brother. “I just want to say thank you, that’s all. Thank you for being there for me every day of my life. Thank you for being there for Livvy when no one else was. Thank you for all you’ve done for both Livvy and me here in Last Chance. Just thank you.”

  Kaitlyn was so afraid he was going to trivialize everything and say, “Aw, shucks,” or “It was nothing,” or something like that, but he just said, “You’re welcome. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Because you have become an incredible mom, and I got to watch.”

  He stopped talking, and Kaitlyn followed his gaze out the front window to where Olivia was hopping around by the driveway, hitting at tufts of sagebrush with a stick, hoping to scare out a lizard. When he turned back to Kaitlyn, his eyes looked a little misty.

  “Right after I get back, we’ll start the process of getting Livvy’s guardianship back to you. I should have started it earlier. I all but promised Steven I would, but it was a lot harder to think about than I thought it would be. Selfish, I guess.”

  Simultaneously, Brooke and David Reed’s car turned off the road into the long driveway, Olivia made a break for the front door, and Kaitlyn burst into tears. She grabbed the tissue box as Olivia erupted through the front door. This was going to be a multi-tissue evening. She could tell that already.

  “They’re here!” Olivia stopped when she saw Kaitlyn. “What’s wrong, Mom?”

  “Happy tears, Livvy. These are happy tears.”

  Olivia took a close look at her mother’s face and must have been satisfied by the size of her smile that all was indeed well, because she threw her arms around Kaitlyn’s waist for a quick hug and then dashed back outside to greet her grandparents.

  Brooke and David had, of course, called Sarah’s parents when the engagement was announced, and Brooke had spent so much time on the phone going over every detail of the rehearsal dinner that Sarah confided to Kaitlyn that her mother wondered if Brooke might in some way be related to Rita. But they had never met in person, and Brooke and David had never been on the ranch.

  “All of this belongs to Sarah’s family?” Brooke kept exclaiming the same thing over and over as the Jeep bounced along the dirt road leading to the ranch house. “How much land do they have?”

  “Don’t know, Mom.” Chris kept his eyes on the road. “But when we get there, I’ll tell Sarah’s dad you’re curious. I’m sure he can tell you.”

  “Don’t you dare. It’s not at all important. But my goodness, how much land do they have?”

  Nancy Jo waited on the front porch, as she always did, but today she wasn’t wearing an apron over slacks. She had on a softly swirling broomstick skirt and blouse of deep purple with heavy turquoise and silver jewelry around her neck and encircling her wrist.

  “My word, she’s wearing a fortune in Navajo jewelry, and if I’m not mistaken, it’s nineteenth century,” Brooke muttered under her breath as the Jeep came to a stop.

  Sarah ran past her mother down the steps and opened the door so Brooke could emerge.

  “Hello, Sarah, dear.” Brooke offered her cheek for a kiss. “It’s lovely to see you again. This must be your mother?”

  Nancy Jo came down the porch steps, smiling and holding both hands out to Brooke. “Come in this house. We have been waiting so long to meet you.”

  Kaitlyn stood back as the rest of the introductions were made and the wedding party disappeared into the house. She took another tissue and blew her nose. Interesting that her mother hadn’t asked about her red eyes and blotchy face, or even the box of tissues that she carried. But that was Brooke. She was probably consumed with what kind of impression she would make on Sarah’s family.

  “Here you are.” Steven came out of the front door. “I wondered where you were.”

  “Did you meet my folks?”

  “Nope. Just saw them in the distance. They’re all in the back now getting to know each other. Last I saw, Chris was trying to pry Carlos away from the smoker to come take part in the rehearsal.”

  Kaitlyn laughed. “That’s Carlos, and Chris knew that when he asked him to be best man.”

  “I can’t think of a better choice, though.”

  “No, not for Chris. He and Carlos have been quite a team since Chris first took over the Dip ’n’ Dine. Did Carlos tell you what he’s giving Chris as a wedding present?”

  “No, what?”

  “He’s making Chris’s chicken mole verde the Monday special.”

  Steven threw back his head and laughed. “You’re kidding. He’s actually letting Chris put something new on the menu?”

  “Yep, he’s going to surprise him. When Chris comes back to work after his honeymoon, there it will be on the whiteboard: Monday—Chicken Mole Verde.”

  “Outstanding.” Steven grinned. “But what about the green chile stew? He’s not taking that off the menu? There’d be rioting in the streets.”

  “No, he’s going to make it an every day dish. People ask for it every day, anyway.”

  “That’s just great. I’m going to make it a point to be there. I want to see Chris’s face.”

  “You know the great whiteboard unveiling is going to take place at 5:00 a.m., right?”

  “I’m going to make it a point to ask Chris all about it. Later.” He held out his hand and Kaitlyn took it. “Shall we go watch the rehearsal?”

  Before they left the portico in front of the house, Steven took his thumb and brushed it under Kaitlyn’s eye. “You’ve been crying. Do you always cry at weddings?”

  “Not all weddings, but I’ll probably blubber through this one. What got me started, though, was Chris telling me that we’re going to transfer Livvy’s guardianship back to me when he gets back. It took me completely by surprise.” Kaitlyn found her eyes welling up again, and she swiped at her nose with the tissue balled up in her hand.

  “I’m glad.” Steven brushed away another tear. “It’s time.”

  “He said something about you making him promise?”

  “Did he? He shouldn’t have done that. Because I didn’t make him promise. I didn’t have that right. But I did ask him to consider what a terrific mother you actually are, and to think about it.”

  Kaitlyn nodded. “I guess he did.”

  Steven let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her shoulders. “So what’s the sister of the groom’s part in all these festivities?”

  “Strictly behind the scenes. I’m bringing my bag of tricks and turning up at some unearthly hour tomorrow to do hair and makeup for Sarah, Nancy Jo, Elizabeth, and Sarah’s sister, Kim. Oh, and I’m doing Livvy’s hair too.”

  “What about your own mom?”

  “Oh, no. Mom has had the same stylist for twenty years. She goes in every four weeks to have her hair cut and highlighted, and other than that, no one touches it but her. Same for her makeup. Truthfully, I’m glad I’m not doing her—too much pressure, not enough time. What about you?”

  “Strictly front and center.” He pretended to preen. “I’m escorting Gran to her seat. She said there’s no way she’s pushing a walker down the aisle at her granddaughter’s wedding, so she’s taking her cane and leaning on me.”

  Kaitlyn smiled. “I’ll bet you’re a good one to lean on.”

  Steven flexed a bicep. “Haven’t dropped anyone yet.”

  The wedding rehearsal had already begun when they rounded the house. Chris and Sarah stood laughing in front of Brother Parker, flanked by Olivia and Sarah’s sister, Kim, on one side and Carlos on the other. By the time they reached the big tiled patio where tables were set for the dinner to follow, it was over.

  “Well, that didn’t take long.” Steven held his hand out to Brother Parker. “Nice to see you.”

  “When you have five people in the wedding party and everybody gives you their attention, it doesn’t take long. We just need to figure out who stands where and we’re done.” Brother Parker shook Steven’s
hand and smiled. “I’ve been meaning to tell you how nice it’s been to see you in church lately. I think it pleases your grandmother too.”

  “Well, we’ve always said it’s real easy to please Gran. Just do everything she wants you to.”

  “If that’s what it takes, then good for her.”

  “Mom, here are some people I’d like you to meet.” Kaitlyn brought Brooke over. “This is our pastor, Brother Parker.”

  “We met briefly before the rehearsal. How do you do, Reverend Parker?” Brooke held out a slim hand.

  “I’m glad I finally got to meet you, Mrs. Reed. I have really enjoyed getting to know Chris and Kaitlyn. You must be proud of both of them.” Brother Parker took her hand in both of his.

  “Indeed I am.” She withdrew her hand with a small smile.

  “And this is Steven, Mom. I’ve told you about him.”

  “Oh, yes. Steven. You’re the one who renovated Kaitlyn’s salon. She took me over for a peek this afternoon, and I am so impressed. I’m not the only one either. Sheila, the designer you worked with, said she was expecting to be working with a handyman and wound up dealing with a master craftsman. She’d love to work with you again, if you’d ever consider coming to Scottsdale for a project.”

  “Mother, Steven’s going into law enforcement. He begins his training in two weeks. I told you that.”

  “Did you? I suppose I must have forgotten.” She smiled and put her hand on Steven’s arm. “I think it’s a waste of talent, anyway. We have hundreds, if not thousands, of police officers, and so few people who can turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse the way you did with that old bar. I saw it the first time we ever came to Last Chance, and it looked like it would collapse if anyone even leaned on it.”

  “Mother!” Kaitlyn looked aghast.

  Steven really did not know where to begin to answer Brooke, so he took a deep breath and plunged in. “Thank you. I like a good project, and fixing up my dad’s old bar for Kaitlyn’s new business was something I really enjoyed doing, but I can’t see making that my life’s work. As Kaitlyn said, I’m going into law enforcement, and I have to say, I am truly honored and humbled by the opportunity to join those hundreds, if not thousands, who are already out there putting their lives on the line.”