“Pfft on him, then. Your baby will be loved by five devoted aunties and a few uncles. As for the snowy refuge, if Leland won’t negotiate with us, maybe Mom can talk him around. They seem to get along, and both are mulish.”
“I hate to picture those two going head-to-head. But it’d be great if she could get him to sell the forest to us. He can’t sniff at the amount we’ve raised, and that’s not counting what we’ll make at the Thanksgiving bazaar.”
“Exactly. Let’s be positive.”
Chapter Eleven
Every client Jewell saw after the concert raved about it. Those who’d missed it asked if she thought Saxon could be talked into giving another show. She’d never dreamed how difficult it’d be to keep hearing his name, but she was thankful her pregnancy remained a secret for now.
“Saxon is looking after Leland,” she told Sarah Jane Watson, who, the morning Jewell answered a call at the Watson ranch, pressed her about Saxon possibly doing a Christmas show at the Cattlemen’s Association’s banquet. “We’ve only spoken on the phone since Labor Day, but unless his uncle’s recovery takes longer than expected, I doubt Saxon will still be here at Christmas.”
“Oh, but Royce Lambert’s dad told Hank that Saxon is joining the boys for two numbers in the high school holiday show,” Sarah said. “Our banquet is the following Saturday. We’d pay him, of course.”
After hearing Saxon would be in town for the high school program, Jewell faltered in tending the sick colt. “I truly don’t know his schedule, Sarah. Do you have Leland’s home phone number?”
“Yes, but you know Saxon better than anyone. I thought if you asked, he’d be more apt to agree. I remember you used to hunt places for him to perform.”
“A long time ago.” Frankly, she’d even put off seeing Leland since he came home, because she didn’t want to dicker over his land. The Artsy Ladies were bugging her to ask him since no one but Tawana had much to sell at this year’s bazaar.
“What if I ask Saxon to call you? I’m behind banding owl chicks. If I have a free evening, I’m trying to knit for the bazaar. It will be here before we know it.”
“Just put in a good word for me.”
Jewell left the Watson ranch feeling bad that she hadn’t been truly forthcoming with Sarah Jane. Her ultrasound was the next day and Saxon intended to go.
* * *
IN THE MORNING she was surprised when he drove in. She thought they’d agreed to meet at the clinic.
He climbed out of his SUV. “Hi. Doreen came to the ranch to fix Leland breakfast and stay with him until I get back. She thought it’d look better if you and I went together.”
Jewell frowned. “Doreen closed the café to stay with Leland?”
“No. She said the woman she hired to replace Lila is a dynamo. Doreen’s been spending quite a bit of time at the ranch teaching me to make heart-healthy meals.”
“No kidding? Okay, well, follow me to the clinic. I have to visit a ranch for a client when I leave there.”
He seemed disappointed but climbed back in his vehicle.
At the clinic they parked side by side. “Before I forget, Sarah Jane Watson wants to talk to you about singing at the Cattlemen’s Association Christmas banquet. Here, I wrote her number down. Call her if you’d like.” Jewell passed him a slip of paper that he tucked in his shirt pocket.
“No problem—I can do that.”
“Is Leland doing poorly? I thought he’d be on his own well before Christmas.”
“He’s doing great.” Saxon escorted her to the door with a hand at her waist, as was normal for him.
Jewell winced, wondering if he could feel how her waist had expanded. It was barely into October, but she’d started wearing her shirts loose and unbuttoning the top button of her jeans. Nevertheless, she still liked Saxon’s proprietary touch.
Inside, a nurse took Jewell to a room and gave her a gown. “I’ll bring your husband back when Dr. Archer is ready to do the ultrasound.”
Jewell didn’t bother explaining that Saxon wasn’t her husband, but the comment made her sad. She was nervous, too, about him seeing the ultrasound.
The jelly a technician spread on her stomach was cold. She felt overly exposed, too. Especially when the doctor came in chatting with Saxon.
The picture was jumpy and dark at first, then got clearer. Fascinated, Jewell tore her gaze away when Saxon clasped her hand and said, “Look, there’s our baby.”
After that she didn’t hear much of what Dr. Archer said until she instructed the tech to print them each a copy of the screen.
Saxon continued looking awestruck. Maybe she did, too.
They sent him out to wait while she dressed.
Dr. Archer asked if Jewell had questions or was experiencing any problems. She shook her head. “Oh, wait. Do I need a prescription to buy a maternity belt?”
“No. Buy one at any pharmacy. If there’s nothing else, I’ll see you in a month. I must say, your baby’s father handled that well. You’d be surprised how many faint dead away.” Smiling, she departed. Shortly thereafter, Jewell met Saxon in the waiting room.
“You don’t need to hang around. I have to book my next appointment.”
“I’ll wait. I have something for you in my car. I can’t believe it slipped my mind. I know you’ll be pleased.”
Her curiosity piqued, Jewell made her appointment and followed him to where they’d parked.
Saxon opened his car door and brought out a sheaf of papers. “Uncle Leland had Jim Weiss drop by the ranch. This is your copy of a notarized deed to the timber. He’s giving you the land for a refuge, Jewell.”
A tremor ran through her. “Why? What’s made him change his mind?” She almost dropped the bundle. “We can pay,” she said, feeling tears trickle over her lower eyelids as she read her name on the deed. “This is too much. He’s okay, isn’t he?”
“He’s fine, but he won’t take your money.” Saxon brushed aside a lock of her hair that the wind had whipped loose from an untidy knot she’d hastily pinned up before the ultrasound.
“Feel that? It’s snowing. Let’s go to the café. I’m sure you’ll want to tell your friends the news.”
“I have a date with cattle, Saxon. Relay my gratitude. Tell Leland I’ll come by soon to hug him.” She rubbed at snowflakes and tears. “I’m totally blown away. Would he hate it or be pleased if we dedicate the site to him and post it as the Conrad Snowy Owl Refuge?”
“He’ll probably like that. He’s mellowed, Jewell. We’ve had some heart-to-heart talks both before and after he got out of the hospital. He’s a man with a new lease on life.”
“That’s wonderful. Then...you’ll be able to leave soon.”
The flakes fell faster. Saxon slipped an arm around her, hustled her to her pickup and boosted her in out of the weather. “What do I need to do to convince you I’m not going anywhere?”
“Until after Christmas? I heard a rumor to that effect.” She set the deed on the console and touched her cold fingers to his equally cold cheeks. “Where’s your cowboy hat? You have snowflakes in your hair and eyelashes.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so anxious to have me gone. It’s taken a while, but I finally see there’s more I want here than anywhere else,” he said seriously.
“Oh, Saxon. I know you were terrifically moved by the ultrasound. I’m happy that you and Leland have made peace. Still, you’re bound to grow restless in our small town or when your career tugs at you. It’s okay, Saxon. Honestly.”
“I discovered I like writing songs. I’ve sold two to a top country artist. Love songs, Jewell. Your name isn’t in them, but I wrote them for you. For you and our baby.”
“Please stop! It’s too much, Saxon. If this is about wanting shared custody, we can work something out.”
�
��I want more than shared custody. Hey, it’s snowing harder. Are you sure you have to go out to a cattle ranch?”
She nodded.
“Drive carefully. Call me when you get home.” He closed her door gently, ducked his head and sprinted to his SUV.
Jewell started her pickup, all the while wrestling with what he’d said. What did he mean—he wanted more than shared custody? Should she believe he meant to stay? Maybe it wasn’t only Leland who’d changed. But sometimes changes weren’t permanent. Much as she’d love for this change to last, Saxon was a star. She’d witnessed him with his fans. He’d been in his element.
Heavens, how she wished she could gather the Artsy Ladies to share the fantastic news about the refuge, but they all led busy lives. At this rate it’d be time for the bazaar before they could all meet. But this news was too good not to share.
She stopped at the lane to her client’s ranch and gathered everyone on a conference call. Jewell heard each friend pop on. Lila, sounding the most out of breath, asked, “What’s up? Don’t tell me Leland’s taken a turn for the worse.”
“No. You’ll never in a million years guess. He deeded me the forest for our refuge. Saxon says he won’t let us pay anything.”
For a second no one spoke. Then several squeals of delight filled her cab. “I suggested we name it the Conrad Snowy Owl Refuge. Is that okay?”
“Works for me,” Tawana said. “By the way, Hunter is doing woodworking along with leather crafts. Shall I have him make us a couple of really nice signs? Maybe we can meet at the forest to post them after the bazaar. Jewell, do we need anything from the Natural Resources Committee to make this official?”
“Maybe paperwork. I’ll check with them.”
Myra broke in. “We need commemorative photos.”
“That’s what cell phones are for,” Lila reminded.
“What’ll we do with the money we’ve saved?” Mindy asked.
Shelley, who’d been silent, broke in. “Give it to Jewell to buy GPS tracking systems for the birds. She’s paid for banding out of her pocket. But this year what we make at the bazaar, let’s each keep.”
It was agreed, and they chatted a bit about what items they had ready for the bazaar.
“Before we sign off,” Lila called, “let’s earmark some of what we earn to throw a bang-up baby shower for Myra. How about December 1?”
Her suggestion was met with enthusiasm.
“Don’t you mean a shower for me and Jewell?” Myra asked. “We could wait until January even though I’m due around December 10.”
“Don’t wait,” Jewell objected. “There’ll be plenty of time to hold a baby shower for me. I only had my first ultrasound.”
“Okay,” Tawana said. “But don’t think we’ll forget to celebrate your baby. I know you, Jewell—you like doing for others but don’t like anyone doing for you. Get over it.”
The friends all signed off and Jewell drove on through softly falling flakes, wondering if that was an accurate assessment of her. Was she too independent? Was that why she had distanced herself from Saxon, who said he wanted to coparent? She wanted to believe he would stay in town. Her heart beat faster brooding about it.
Too late to call Saxon as he’d requested when she got home, she headed to bed, where she poured her heart out to Shadow. “Saxon said everything he wants is here. Do you think he means me and our baby?”
The dog merely woofed.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING Jewell hopped out of bed feeling some of her old verve. The light dusting of snow was melting in the crystal sunlight. Humming, she fed Shadow and flew around making breakfast burritos—enough to deliver some to Leland and Saxon. She was ready to open her heart and let him in—this time for good.
Half an hour later, arriving at Leland’s ranch, she didn’t see Saxon’s SUV. Early as it was, she hoped that didn’t mean Leland had had a relapse or anything.
Leland himself answered her knock. “Jewell, what a nice surprise. Come in. Come in. What is it you have that smells so great?”
“Burritos. I hope egg and cheese is on your diet. Saxon said Doreen’s been coaching him on cooking heart-healthy meals.” She stepped inside and he closed the door. Warmth from his crackling fireplace enveloped her.
“Boring food, but I don’t want more heart surgery. Doc Hamlin says I’ve got another fifty thousand miles on this repaired ticker. Let me get plates. Will you sit a spell and join me for breakfast? Coffee’s fresh.”
“Sure. I came to thank you for your generosity in giving us the land for the owls. Did Saxon tell you we’d like to name the refuge after you?”
“He did. That’s nice but not necessary. I should’ve done it before.” Leland set out two plates and got down another mug. “I must have been too sick to think straight.”
She set the hot tray of burritos on the table and found a jar of salsa in his fridge. “Where is Saxon?” she asked, registering the table was set for two.
Leland pulled out a chair and sat. “He didn’t call you this morning? Last night we were watching The Late Show. That agent fella called Saxon. It’s something exciting but all hush-hush. Saxon couldn’t say what, so he’ll have to tell you.”
“So, where is he?” she asked again, anxiety beginning to restrict her breathing.
“I ’spect he’s in New York City by now. Somebody named Donovan arranged a red-eye out of Billings.” Leland picked up his fork and started to eat the steaming burritos.
Jewell felt as if the bottom had dropped out of her world. “He’s gone there to perform?” she asked woodenly.
“Yep, that’s part of it. I gathered it’s a big frickin’ deal.”
“Yesterday he swore he wouldn’t leave again. I took him at his word.”
Leland poured his coffee. “I can tell you it wasn’t an easy decision for him. In the end he said he owes the guy who gave him his first break in the music business.”
Jewell cut into her burrito. “I knew he’d never stay. He doesn’t fit in here.”
“Not so. He filled my woodshed and swabbed out this house from top to bottom. Yesterday afternoon he helped Eddie cover hay bales. I’ve gotta say I had my reservations, seeing how he opted out of ranch work as a kid. Truthfully, he’s been a godsend.”
“You raised him well.” Jewell picked up her burrito and polished it off.
“I can’t claim responsibility, since I was a grouch all the time he lived here. He’s a good man, Jewell. That’s all I’m gonna say. Well, I did consider using the forest to get you two together. Saxon made me see it was wrong. Maybe I’ll say one more thing. Yesterday he came in showing off that fuzzy picture of your little peanut. Proud, he is.” Leland paused to shovel in another bite.
“Peanut?” Jewell reached for a napkin.
“Well, he claimed it’s the baby. Looks like a peanut with skinny appendages.”
“That’s my future child you’re disparaging.”
“My nephew’s, too. Makes me related. Are you gonna give Saxon a chance?” He said it innocently enough, not looking up from cutting his next bite.
“Sorry, I have to go.” Jewell stood up. “I’ll be late checking Mark Watson’s pregnant mare. The way he frets, you’d think his horse is the only one that’s ever been artificially inseminated. Are you okay staying here alone?” she asked, rinsing off her plate and putting it in the dishwasher.
“Yep. Doreen’s checking up on me until Saxon gets back.”
“Whenever that is. If he returns, Sarah Jane wants him to sing at the Cattlemen’s Association Christmas banquet. If he hasn’t talked to her, would you remind him?” Bending, she gave the old man a quick hug and headed out.
“I appreciate breakfast,” he called. “Tell Saxon yourself when he phones you.”
“It’s better he doesn’t,” she said, hard
ening her heart. “I suppose sometime we’ll need to set rules for after I have the baby. But that’s all, Leland.”
“Aw, don’t be like me. I wasted years being a lonely, grumpy old fool. Your brass ring is within reach. Grab it, girl.”
Jewell didn’t mean to let the front door slam. It did and she felt bad. Leland had mellowed since his surgery. He probably meant well. If anyone understood what it was like living with a broken heart, it’d be him. But her heart couldn’t take any more of these roller-coaster ups and downs with Saxon.
Shivering, she climbed in her pickup. In a tiny corner of her mind she wondered if she was making a mistake writing him off. No. Losing Saxon the first time, the pain had been unbearable far too long. It was bound to be worse this time. This had to be the last time. A heart could break only so many times until it was unrepairable.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER she was leaving the Watsons’ barn when her cell rang. Pulling to the side of the road, she checked the readout and set it down as she saw it was Saxon. Then, cursing under her breath, she pulled herself together and answered.
“Jewell? I was about to hang up. Uncle Leland said you’d come by the ranch. He said you’re mad at me. I meant to call when I landed at JFK, but Donovan was in a rush to drive me to Rockefeller Center, where I’m giving two shows tonight.”
“That’s nice. Sorry, I’m stopped at the side of the highway. I need to go.”
“I can tell you’re peeved. I swear this trip was totally unplanned. But I promise it’s important to more people than me.”
“I’m sure it is. I don’t care, Saxon. I knew you wouldn’t or couldn’t give up performing. I’m going to ask Leland’s lawyer to draw up some kind of custody agreement. You can tell him where he should send it later for your approval.”
“Jewell. What the hell? I swear I’m coming back when this is over.”
“Don’t on my account. It’s better if we keep our connection about the baby legal but long-distance. Visitations can be arranged through a third party.”
“Dammit!” There was no mistaking Saxon’s frustration. “Donovan’s hollering. The band just arrived and I need to bring them up to speed on a couple of new songs. I have a week of shows, all ahead of... Well, I can’t say. Just do me a favor. Next Saturday night, find the country music event on TV. It’ll be on a major channel.”
A Montana Christmas Reunion Page 16
