The woman knew him so well, it made him laugh. “Are you sure you’re not psychic?”
She smiled. “No, not a speck of that, son.” Sapphire squeezed his hand and released it. “But I do know what a responsible person you have always been. You wouldn’t even consider letting any of your obligations slide, and would never turn away from a hard day’s work.”
“But I ran away from you a decade ago, and have been playing rodeo cowboy ever since.” The words gave him shocking insight into how he viewed his own character. And it was not a pretty sight.
“You’ve worked harder at rodeo than you have at anything else you’ve tackled. You’ve made a success out of that career, honey. Look at what you’ve accomplished.”
He did have a room full of prizes—everything from belt buckles to saddles—filling up the extra bedroom at their house in Bandon.
She tipped her head forward to catch his eye. “Now that you’ve become a hot commodity in the rodeo world, maybe it’s time to ease away while you’re on top, and mostly unbroken.” With a smile she tapped his elbow, the one he’d dislocated a year ago. “Maybe it’s time to focus on new ventures?”
Damn if that didn’t hit home, too. How did she drill right to the core of his problems? “By new, you mean more adult-type work.”
She tsked. “No, I—”
“It’s okay, Mom. I agree with you.” He’d been using the rodeo as a way of escaping. But what was he running from? And why?
They pulled up in front of Cyber Wise, so he tabled the conversation.
“Ah, I see the lovely Rori.” His mom opened her door and slid out of the truck as he walked around the front of the vehicle.
Rori came out of the shop and walked toward them. She held out her hand, but Sapphire pulled her in for a long hug. Rori’s smile lit her face. She moved back but kept her hands on his mom’s forearms. “It’s so nice to meet you. You’ve raised an amazing son.”
Jackson’s brows shot up. That was a very nice thing to say. He wished he’d thought of saying something like that to her parents. But did Rori mean it?
A group of four people milled around inside her store. Jackson gestured. “You have customers?”
“Yes, I’m sorry.” Rori’s words held real regret. “They had a lightning strike and need a system right away.”
Sapphire looked at Rori and went silent for a long while.
“Mom?”
She glanced at Jackson, her eyes narrowed, then back at Rori. “We’ll have time to talk. Just the two of us.”
Jackson wasn’t sure he liked the sound of that. “Ah, Mom, Rori’s not going—”
“I’d love that.” Rori smiled at him, but no happiness showed in her eyes. “I’ll be out to the trailer by six, as we talked about.” She held up a hand. “Promise.”
They had discussed it, but that was before the breakup. The time out? Their days apart? What the heck was this separation? “I’ll come and get you, if you’d like.” That way, he’d be able to talk to Rori, both trips.
“No, thank you. I really need to get back here early and put in some long hours.” She walked toward the door to Cyber Wise. “Besides, you two have a lot to catch up on. I’ll see you tonight.” She waved and stepped into her store.
Sapphire turned toward him, then looked down the street. “Well, it looks like you and I do have a lot to talk about, honey.”
He cleared his throat. “We do?” She’d noticed the tension between him and Rori?
“For now, do you want to show me where you work?”
“You want to see the office?” Jackson hadn’t imagined she would want to see anything of Dusty’s.
“I do. I want to see his office, his house, meet his other sons, and if it’s okay…visit his grave.”
That made him blink a few times. “Really?”
“You haven’t been there, have you.”
He shook his head as he opened her truck door. “No. I just haven’t…” He hadn’t needed another reminder that he’d lost his dad. Or was it that he was afraid he’d start yelling at the remains of the man who’d played such a bizarre trick on four innocent women and their sons?
“We’ll take it one step at a time, okay?” She squeezed his hand and slid into the truck.
****
That evening at the cute double-wide mobile home on the perfect piece of land on Osprey Lake, Rori and Sapphire sat on furniture on the temporary brick patio Jackson had commissioned and watched him standing on the shore, casting into the weeds.
The warm day had turned into a perfect evening as the sun slid close to the horizon across the lake. Jackson told them he’d had only mentioned to Marliss and Lou that his mother was coming to town, and they’d gone all out, preparing and delivering a meal that Sapphire had declared the best salmon she’d ever eaten, washed down with pitchers of Marliss’s famous drink concoctions.
Sapphire held a glass of mint mojito, and Rori sipped from her margarita. “He loves fishing.” Rori watched as he cast for the hundredth time into the lake.
“He always has. His father taught him.” Jackson’s mother sighed. “Dusty taught him a lot of things, and not all of them good.”
Rori set down her glass. “I wondered about that. Jackson mentioned that he worries he’ll turn out like his father in the…um…romance department.”
Sapphire shook her head. “That’s not possible.” She took Rori’s hand. The woman liked to touch, and it had been strange at first, but now Rori sort of liked the connection. “My son has so much to give, so much heart, that it would be impossible for him to hurt anyone. For any reason.”
She loved hearing that, but the woman’s words held an edge, as if there was more to the story. “To be honest, Sapphire, I’m worried that he found me at a time in his life when he needed someone. Anyone. With so much going on, was it just convenience that had him connecting with me?”
The woman slid her hand off Rori’s. “You’re very perceptive.” She stared out across the lake. “I’ve wondered that, too. You know Jackson’s story. His fear of turning out like his father has had him running with the rodeo, still living at home with me, never seeking any connection that would last longer than a night or two.”
Rori knew all that, but hearing it from his mother made it seem far too real. And insurmountable.
“I worried that my boy had used you as a crutch to get through all this. But Rori?” She turned her sapphire gaze toward her. “I’ve never seen him so intent on anything before. He truly adores you. I know that because of the way he talks about you, and is genuinely content with what he has with you.”
Rori shook her head. He’d just admitted, the night before, that he was having doubts. “But what about the nightmares? And this temporary house?” She swallowed back her fear. “Don’t those things mean he’s having second thoughts?”
“This is all uncharted waters for him. I don’t know what will come next.” Sapphire closed her eyes for a few seconds. “I’d hoped he would be ready for life in one place before he had to quit rodeo. I’ve prayed that he’d settle down and stop risking his life every weekend.”
Rori stared at Jackson, who turned and waved as if he knew he was the sole topic of conversation. “He’s at a crossroads.”
“He is. He’s running in both worlds full-time. Can he continue to do that without sacrificing one or the other?”
The breath left Rori, and she had a hard time sucking in a new one. He was at a crossroads, he didn’t know where to turn, and if he wasn’t careful, things could fall apart for him. With her, and with his rodeoing, maybe even with the company and his brothers.
“Sapphire, I…” Tears formed behind her eyes. “I want to help him adjust, but I don’t know how to do that without making him too dependent on me. Artificially dependent.”
She leaned forward and took Rori into a sideways hug. “You’re so sharp, hon. Be patient. Trust your heart. And give him some room to think. He may not be technically brilliant like you, but he’s a smart man.” She
sat back, holding Rori’s hand. “He’ll choose which life he needs to live, and you’ll know which one that is by the look in his eyes.”
Brushing a tear off her cheek, Rori nodded. “But I don’t want to lose him.” She’d be lost without Jackson. The thought scared her to the point of chest pains.
“He’s been an aimless soul since he was fifteen. Rodeo is his passion, and he’s committed all his energies to it. All this…” She gestured around the lake. “It could become home to him.” Sapphire squeezed her hand. “Or he could wake up one morning and realize this dream of living in Red Creek was all an overblown reaction to the repercussions of his father’s death.”
Rori knew Sapphire was only being honest, and no one knew Jackson like his mother did, but it was difficult to hear the truth. “Just tell me I have nothing to worry about? Please?”
Sapphire picked up her glass and tapped it to Rori’s. “We’ll send out positive energy to the universe that you’ll have nothing to worry about, and the two of you will have your happily ever after.”
Rori took a sip, then choked on it. “I don’t know what I’d do without him.”
They stared at Jackson as he reeled in a nice-sized fish.
“I lost him that day when he was fifteen.” Sapphire wiped a tear off her cheek. “I pray that he will find himself, and then find a life here.” She gestured for Rori to go to Jackson. “You’re his anchor, my dear. Keep him steady.” She got up and walked into the house.
Anchor? Hadn’t Rori just thought of herself as an anchor in a bad way? Dragging him down. Maybe Sapphire was right, and Jackson needed an anchor to hold him steady long enough for him to see that what he had right here was the best of everything he could ever want. Family, a thriving company, and a woman who loved him with every beat of her heart.
Rori stood and slipped around the back of the trailer, wiping tears from her cheek. She slid into her car and started the engine, her lights hitting the trailer.
Sapphire stood looking out at her. Jackson’s mother knew something was wrong between Rori and him. The woman might be Rori’s last hope.
Chapter Seven
At noon three days later, Jackson drove Sapphire down main street Red Creek toward the airport. He hated to see her go, but she had classes to teach and pots to fire back in Bandon. “Mom, tell me honestly. What do you think of Rori?”
“Honey, you sound like a little boy again, talking about a girl in school.”
“You avoiding my question?” Didn’t she like Rori?
“No. I’m just being nostalgic. I have a right to be.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “You’ve stepped up here, taking on the responsibilities of Dusty’s company, choosing a piece of land for your own, and finding a lovely woman to share it with.”
He’d taken on a lot, while trying to keep his life in Oregon with her, and competing in the rodeo on weekends. He was stretching everything too thin, and something was bound to snap and whip back, hurting someone. Was that where the nightmares were coming from? He’d had another one last night, and Mom had knocked on his bedroom door, asking if he was okay.
“I’m just not sure of anything right now.” He was racing at full speed and hadn’t taken the time to just sit down and plan for the future. Was that intentional on his part? Was he afraid of getting it all wrong?
“Rori is a good woman. She has a big heart, most of it earmarked for you, honey. When you consider your blessings, know that she’s right on top of the list.”
“So you do like her?” Mom hadn’t spoken of Rori since the night at the trailer when she had talked with her as he was fishing, then Rori had raced out of the driveway without saying goodbye to him. Sapphire had probably—no, she’d surely noticed that, and was giving Jackson plenty of room to work it out for himself. Just like she’d done a hundred times when he was younger. She was an amazing parent that way, and had taught him to make his own decisions. But this time, this life-changing decision, had him lost and wanting advice.
“Yes, I do like her. I like the two of you together, too.” Sapphire slid her palm from his arm. “Your brothers are amazing men, too. You’re lucky.”
“They are good guys, mostly.” He chuckled. Jackson and all his brothers had supper with Sapphire two nights before in Dusty’s house, and his mom had enjoyed every minute of it, including the tour of the big place. A few times, she’d even gotten weepy, but he understood how much she loved Dusty Walker, despite his flaws.
The day before, he’d brought Sapphire with him to Kansas City, to the architect who was designing the three versions of his house for him. Mom had approved of every one of them, and had been supportive and affirming about his idea to surprise Rori with them, but she advised him to do it soon. That bothered him some. More than just some, it made him nervous that he may feel pressure to make a decision before he was ready. That he’d choose an option he’d come to regret someday.
“The cemetery visit.” He just shrugged. It had never happened. Jackson was not ready for that yet. Someday, but just not yet. Mom had understood, and had relegated it to the top of the list for her next visit.
“You should do that alone, son. It’s going to be a time when you’ll see where your life will lead you.”
“Aw, Mom. Now you’re making me all creeped out.” He tried to make the words lighten the mood, but they came out sad.
“You’ll be fine.” They reached the airport and the pilot opened the hatch and lowered the steps. “I’ll be fine.” She let tears flow. “Even though I’ll miss you.”
He pulled her close and let his own eyes water. “I’ll be home in a couple weeks. I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, honey.” She pulled back and kissed his cheek. “Now, am I going to get that fancy crab claw appetizer on this flight, like I did on the way out here?”
He laughed through the blur in his eyes. “If not, you just have the pilot stop at a grocery store and pick up some.”
“That’ll work.” She opened her door and slid out, Jackson grabbed her bags and handed them to the pilot with his thanks.
“I will see you very soon, my wonderful son.”
“Very soon, Mom. And thank you. Your being here…I know it was difficult, but I needed you with me in this new place. I feel more grounded now. Like I have a real purpose.”
She blinked a few times. “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.” She took his wrist in her hand. “Jackson, I like Rori for you. I’ve said it a dozen times, but you two together are a little bit of magic.”
“I know.” But did Rori feel the same way after he’d been so indecisive? Would she look at him as a flight risk, both now and sometime in the future when, for instance, they had three or four kids? She might not be willing to take that risk. “I’ll remember what you said.” He kissed her cheek and helped her up the steps. “I love you.” They hugged one more time, then he trotted down the stairs and waited for the plane to take off, waving as the wheels left the ground.
A part of him went with her. He loved that woman so much. He wanted to be closer to her. But then, Rori was here, and he could barely take a breath without thinking of her. His brothers were here, his company was here.
Still, he felt the call of the rodeo. He had to make time, evenings and weekends, for Red Creek. If he chose to settle down here permanently, how did he expect to continue rodeoing and find opportunities to see his mother? She’d told him he had some choices to make. He jumped into the truck and fired up the engine. He needed to make them right now.
****
Three days later, Rori still hadn’t seen or heard from Jackson. Her days and nights were filled with work, busily trying to find a competent computer engineer to work in her new KC shop, and making constant trips to the front windows to look for her cowboy. Nothing.
She’d poured out her mistakes to Lexie, Kit, and Zoe one night over a couple bottles of wine in her living room, but all their advice didn’t give her the courage to approach him. What if he said it was over? What if there was noth
ing left in him that could let him forgive her?
While she was sitting at the worktable at the back of Cyber Wise, her phone rang. Lexie’s number.
“Hi.” Rori sounded lethargic, even to her own ears.
“It’s her. She’s back. That woman.”
Rori stood. “What? Where?”
“She just got a coffee and is walking your way.”
Running to the front windows, she pressed her face to the glass to look down the street. “What does she look like?”
“Tall and blonde. Long hair, and a cup of coffee in her hand.”
Rori nearly smiled. Nearly.
“Oh, her name is Louisa, and she’s carrying a long cardboard tube. I tried to get info out of her, but she shut me down.”
“How’d you get her name?”
“Uh…” Lexie chuckled. “I picked up a marker and a paper cup, and asked her for her name. Even though she was the only person in the shop.”
Rori laughed, then caught sight of the woman. “Got her. I’ll call you back.”
“You’d better.” Lexie hung up.
Pulling her keys from her pocket, Rori flipped the sign to Closed and stepped outside just as the woman reached the store. “Hi.” Rori locked the door. “Beautiful day.”
The woman carried a big cardboard tube with closed ends. “It is lovely.” She kept walking.
“Are you heading to Cubby’s?” Rori fell into step beside her. “I was going there, if you’d like to join me for lunch.”
The woman looked surprised. “Such a…friendly town. I’ve already eaten, but thank you.” She smiled and picked up her pace.
“Oh, are you Louisa?” Rori made it sound like an afterthought. “Jackson Walker mentioned you. I’m Rori Hughes, a contract employee with his company.” She was running on and on at the mouth in her nervousness.
Louisa stopped and stared at Rori. “Jackson mentioned me to you?” She narrowed her gaze. “He told you about our highly classified project?”
Rori and Jackson: The Sons of Dusty Walker Page 6
