Graham

by Katharine E Hamilton

  “Good luck.” Alice hurried away.

  Graham eased next to Julia and placed a hand at her elbow, Betty’s eyes flashing towards the physical contact with interest. A bloom in her cheeks and eyes told him she read more into his move than he intended. “Well, I won’t keep you. I see you have more important company to be keeping. You just don’t be afraid to show up on Thursday, alright?”

  “Yes ma’am.” Julia waved in farewell and then looked up at Graham.

  “Quilting?” he asked.

  “Knitting, actually.”

  “Do you knit?”

  “Absolutely not. But apparently I need to learn, according to Betty.”

  “In a day. While you’re on vacation.”

  She giggled. “It would seem so.”

  “We’ll just have to make sure you’re busy on Thursday evening.” He hadn’t meant for his comment to sound like he intended to make plans with her, but when he heard it, he felt that gut punch of recognition. He cleared his throat. “Ready to head to Annie’s?”

  “Yes. When you are. Where’s Alice?”

  “She already left.”

  “Ah. Alright.”

  Graham placed his hat on his head as Julia draped her hand through his arm. “The service was nice,” she commented.

  “Yeah. It was.”

  “The whole ‘love one another’ message speak to you today?” she asked with a smirk. “Meaning Clint.”

  He gave a fake shudder and she laughed.

  “He’s alive and well and able to breathe another day. I think he and I are both counting our blessings this morning. He’s alive, and I am not a murderer.”

  Julia grinned. “You’ve already forgiven him.”

  “You think so?”

  “Yes. You’re too much of a family man not to.”

  “And what gives you that idea?”

  “Mr. Head of the Table.” She accepted his offer of opening her truck door and hopped inside, buckling her seat belt. When he climbed in, she continued. “The way you try to keep them all in line as best as you can. The way you try to give them work that compliments their strengths. Strengths you see in them. You love them. Deeply. It’s obvious, despite your giving them a hard time.”

  “I guess you’re right. Hopefully they see it that way as well.”

  “They’d be dumb not to.”

  He liked her perception of him. And though it was true, he wasn’t sure his brothers actually did see his actions in the same light as Julia. He turned onto a street and parked along the curb in front of a modest brick home that boasted perfectly groomed flower beds. Despite the summer heat, flowers spilled forth in vibrant colors and the yard, despite a few dry patches, held a luscious green hue.

  “Cute house.” Julia unbuckled and Graham helped her step down from the truck. Her perfume wafted towards him. She didn’t release his hand as they headed towards the house. Instead, she swung their joined hands between them as she pointed out various flowers and named them perfectly. “I like that she planted mostly wildflower combinations.”

  Graham only half listened. He was too distracted by her hand in his. Thankfully, she’d grabbed his good hand. Annie swung the door open with a wide smile. “You two are the last of them. Come on in. Graham, the men are out back. Julia, I’ve got an apron in the kitchen for ya. I just have to whip up some mashed potatoes. I’ve got Alice filling the tea glasses. I’d like for you to cart the desserts to the buffet table outside under the porch.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  “You can boss people around with such finesse, Annie,” Graham complimented.

  The older woman never broke stride as she nudged him towards the back door and away from Julia. He squeezed Julia’s hand one more time, her dark eyes meeting his with a smile that held a shyness he hadn’t seen before. Reluctantly, he released her as Annie nudged him out. The older woman wiped her hands together as if she’d dusted off the dirt and planted them on her hips. “Now, let’s see, oh yes, potatoes.” She pointed towards the desserts: a chocolate cake, two pies, and a pudding and motioned for Julia to start her way outside with them.

  Julia hefted the glass bowl with the pudding.

  “There’s a metal bowl with ice waiting for that, Julia. To keep it cool.”

  “Yes ma’am.” Julia slipped out the back door.

  “Did you see that?” Annie asked Alice.

  “I sure did.”

  “Have you talked to her about it?”

  “Yep. She denies anything other than being attracted to him.”

  “Oh posh. There’s more to it than that. Graham was holding on to her.”

  “Yep.”

  “You talk to him about it?”

  Alice grinned. “Yep.”

  “And?” Annie held the mixer over her potatoes and waited to start mixing so she could hear Alice’s response. Julia walked in and Annie waved Alice’s attention away and began mixing as if they weren’t just discussing Julia and Graham. When Julia exited again, she killed the mixer. “What’d he say?”

  “Nothing really. It’s Graham. I can tell he likes her, though. We all can. It’s just a matter of time.”

  “But she’s only here another week.” Annie looked worried as she gazed out the window above her kitchen sink and watched Julia prep the dessert table. “We can’t let her slip through our fingers.”

  “Don’t you mean his fingers?” Alice asked.

  “Right, right, right.” Annie waved away her comment.

  “Besides, I’m working on that.”

  “Well, work faster, girl. I’ve never seen my Graham like this before. Oh, if his momma could see him now. How proud she’d be of the man he is.” Sentimentality had Annie sniffing back a tear before continuing to mix her potatoes. She added a pat of butter and continued to mix.

  Julia walked back in and waited for the sound of the mixer to cease. When it did, she looked to Annie. “Anything else?”

  “Nope. Alice, how are the glasses comin’?”

  “All full.”

  “Perfect, let’s go ahead and take them outside and put them at a place setting. We’re at the picnic table today.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  Both women scurried to do her bidding.

  Annie watched as Graham followed Julia with his eyes and that ever so often Julia raised her own to meet his. Smiling, she picked up the bowl of potatoes and headed outside.

  ∾

  “Oh, come on now there, Lawrence,” Henry cut in. “You come here, you eat.” He plopped another giant spoonful of potatoes on Lawrence’s plate and passed the bowl to Seth. “Besides, nobody makes mashed potatoes like my Annie.” He winked at his wife and she flushed at his praise.

  “Alright you two, save it for the honeymoon,” Philip quipped, accepting the basket of homemade bread from Cal and passing it on to Graham.

  Graham placed two slices on his plate and waited patiently as Julia finished her conversation with Alice.

  “Oh.” She smiled and took the basket. “Thanks.” She placed a piece on the side of her plate and spanked Alice’s hand when her friend went for three pieces.

  “It’s Annie’s bread,” Alice defended her choice. “And you need to eat more than bread, Alice Wilkenson, or you’re going to keel over.”

  Annie chuckled and nodded. “She’s right, Alice. Besides, you don’t want hips like your momma.”

  The Hastings brothers all chuckled and accepted the icy stare Alice shot each of them. But she listened and only took two pieces instead of three before passing the basket on.

  “And what plans do you girls have for this upcoming week?” Annie asked.

  “Not much, really,” Alice said. “I’ve got to work, so on days Julia doesn’t want to be in Sheffield, she can float wherever she likes.”

  “We should dart over to Fort Stockton, Julia. They have some wonderful shops there,” Annie mentioned.

  “That sounds like fun.”

  “Unless the boys have something planned for you?” Annie look
ed to each of the Hastings brothers, most avoiding eye contact. Graham shot her a warning glance and Annie grinned. “We’ll pick a day.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Julia agreed, unaware of the Annie/Graham exchange.

  “I hate that Clint couldn’t make it today,” Annie continued. “But that boy needs to learn to handle his responsibilities. Y’all will take him a plate home.”

  “You spoil us, Annie.” Hayes accepted the hand squeeze Annie gave him.

  “I love to, you know that. And I’m just happy to see you off that ranch, cleaned up, and interacting with the human race again. Y’all were gettin’ too comfortable out there on that ranch by yourselves. I think Alice and Julia’s presence out there has shaken things up a bit. Which reminds me, Alice, that house of yours here in town needs to go.” Alice opened her mouth to retort, but Annie held up her hand. “Henry took a look at it, and honey, it needs a lot of work. Now, the way I see it is you can either A.) Find you a place in Sheffield, B.) Temporarily live with us, or C.) Live in Graham’s guest house. But that little house is not for a young lady anymore.” She waved her hand in finality.

  “I’ve been telling her that myself, Annie,” Cal added.

  “Well, telling her and doing something about it, Calvin Thomas Hastings, are two different things.” She pointed her hard gaze from Cal back to Alice. “You understand me?”

  “Yes. I’m actually trying to figure that out. Not sure what the plan is going to be when Dad quits the clinic. Best bet would be Sheffield. I just hate leaving Parks.”

  “Need to find you another vet who will fill your daddy’s spot and then you can dart all over the place like you want,” Henry chimed in.

  “That’s a hard search.”

  “How do you know?” Henry asked. “Have you tried?”

  Embarrassment washed over Alice’s face. “No.”

  “There ya go, then. Philip could post something at the feed store, couldn’t you, Philip? Folks come from all over to that place.”

  “I sure can,” Philip agreed. “Just let me know what you’re after, Al.”

  She nodded and forked another mouthful of roast.

  Annie glanced at the empty plates surrounding the table. “Julia, you mind helping me clear the table?”

  “Not at all.” Julia swiped her napkin over her lips and slipped out of her seat. She grabbed Graham’s plate and placed it on her own before reaching for several more. He stood as she turned with a stack in her arms and grabbed hold of Annie’s china before it slipped to the ground.

  “I’ll take these.” Graham slipped them from her grasp and walked towards the house. The other boys began to rise and offer their assistance as well, so as not to be outdone by their older brother.

  Annie sat back in her seat and waved Julia down. “And that’s how you clear the table,” she whispered and winked to the two women.

  Julia shook her head on a laugh as the boys walked back, carrying the dessert plates and all the desserts to the picnic table.

  “Why thank you, boys,” Annie praised as if she were completely unaware of her manipulative tactics. “Y’all are such gentlemen. Come on, girls, we get first dibs.” She scooped a hearty helping of banana pudding onto her plate and accepted a small piece of chocolate cake from Henry before delightfully sitting back like a pleased mother hen.

  ∾

  “I am so stuffed.” Julia held her stomach as she climbed out of Graham’s truck and walked towards the porch of the guest house. Alice had ridden back with Cal and was already standing outside, draping her freshly washed sheets on the line.

  “Annie has a way of feeding us for a week in one sitting.” Graham stood at the base of the stairs as Julia walked up. He felt himself slipping, not physically, but softening in the presence of others as he watched the swish of Julia’s dress as she walked.

  She turned and smiled, her hands resting along the porch railing. “What do you have planned for the rest of the afternoon?”

  “Nothing really, until later.” He slipped his hands into his pockets and rocked back and forth on his heels.

  “You actually have nothing to do?” Julia’s brows rose. “Zero projects?”

  “There’s always projects,” he said. “But Sundays are for rest. Why?”

  She shrugged. “I was just curious.”

  Alice tried hard not to laugh. She lifted the laundry basket and handed it to Julia on her way into the house. “Your turn. And for goodness sake, Graham, get a clue.” She walked inside and helped herself to the pitcher of tea.

  Confused, Graham looked to Julia as she eyed the laundry basket in her arms. “My sheets are in the wash.” She set the basket down on the rocking chair. “I’ve still got a while yet before they’re done.”

  Alice walked behind Julia in the house and moved her fingers like two people walking behind her friend’s back. Graham’s brow cocked before he focused back on Julia.

  “I was just going to change out of these church clothes,” he said. “Maybe go for a walk. Want to join me?”

  Julia’s emphatic head bob and smile eased the tension in his shoulders as he nodded. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He’d barely made it to the porch when he heard Julia’s sing-song voice as she bragged to Alice that Graham had asked her for a walk. He bit back a smile. Perhaps she was interested in him after all.

  She was sitting on the porch in shorts and a tank top, her hair in a ponytail, a glass of tea in her hand when he emerged from the house. Alice sat in the other rocking chair, an amused smirk on her face when he walked up. “Have her home before dinner, Graham,” Alice warned.

  “Only so I’ll cook,” Julia chuckled as she set her cup aside and hopped down the steps towards him. “Where to?”

  He motioned to behind his house and she followed along side him. He didn’t quite have a plan, but he decided taking her down by the creek might be the best option. It was close, shaded, and offered some good spots to sit should she want to. He’d never walked the ranch with a woman, so he had zero clue as to what she’d find interesting. The pasture behind his house was full of wildflowers, so that at least lent some beauty to the area. She picked a few as they walked.

  “In Santa Fe, I like to walk the downtown area on Sundays.” She bent to pluck another flower. “Tourists are out and about, but in general the streets aren’t as crowded as they typically are throughout the week and on Saturdays. There’s a peacefulness to the city on Sundays that I like.”

  “Do you live in the city?”

  “Close, but not downtown. It’s too expensive. Apartments are ridiculous in Santa Fe.”

  “I imagine so. I couldn’t imagine living in an apartment building. I’d go crazy.”

  “It has its moments,” she agreed. “When I need space, I just go visit my parents. They live just outside the city.”

  “Nice having your parents close.” A touch of longing was in his voice.

  “It is.” She smiled up at him. “Most of the time.”

  “You close with your parents?” he asked.

  Pondering his question a moment, she nodded. “I’d say so. I meet with them at least once a week for lunch or dinner. I talk to them every other day or so.”

  “Any siblings?”

  She nodded her head. “Well, I did. Now it is just me. My brother passed away about five years ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “It was hard, for sure, but he died doing what he loved: serving his country. He was in the military. Army.”

  “Well, I can certainly respect him for that.”

  “My parents had a hard time for a while. It’s one of the reasons I stayed in Santa Fe at the time. But that was five years ago, and I just sort of didn’t leave.”

  “Do you wish you had?”

  “Sometimes.” Her eyes lit up as she spotted the creek. “Oh, look at that.” She hustled towards it. “This is a nice surprise.” She sat on the grass and patted the earth next to her. She began sorting through the flowers she had picked. He
handed her a handkerchief and she grinned. “Thanks.” She dipped the stems into the water and wrapped them tightly into a small bouquet with the handkerchief to keep moisture on them. “You guys have a beautiful place. I can’t thank you enough for letting me stay here. It’s like an entirely new world for me. I see paintings and photos of cowboys and Native Americans all the time. Horses and longhorns, etc. But to see the real workings of a ranch has been interesting. Not something I could ever experience in Santa Fe. I also can’t imagine being in Alice’s house with all its issues.”

  “It’s no problem. The guest house sits empty most of the time anyway. I’m glad it’s been useful.”

  “What did you think about Annie offering it to Alice at lunch?”

  He eased to the ground beside her, stretched his legs out as she ran her fingers through the creek. “It would help her out.”

  “True. But you also like your space.”

  “There is that.” He picked a blade of grass and rubbed it between his thumb and pointer finger. “Can you keep a secret?”

  Julia leaned back on her haunches and stared at him. “Of course.”

  “I admit it’s been kind of nice having company close by.”

  “Oh really?” A slow smile crawled over her face as she nudged his shoulder. His lips curved into a smile of their own.

  “Don’t tell Alice. It will go to her head.”

  She locked her lips with an imaginary key and tossed it into the creek.

  “You’ll have more fire alarms going off if she stays.”

  “There is that.”

  Julia giggled. “Gotta love her.”

  “We all have quirks, though. Alice is helpful around the ranch. She’s pretty much like a sister, so she’ll fit in just fine.”

  “And what quirks do you have?” Julia asked.

  “I figured you’d have a long list made out by now.”

  “And why would I have that? You’ve been nothing but nice to me.”

  “I’m glad you think so.”

  “And you don’t? Have you not been?” She chuckled as he met her gaze.

  “I don’t typically…” He rubbed his chin, his five-o-clock shadow tugging against his palm. “Well, let’s just say I struggle with interacting with people. Not quite sure how I come across sometimes.”