by Debra Holt
Ty didn’t say anything, but his gaze was encouraging in both warmth and determination. Calla forged onward.
“I came to McKenna Springs because I felt I had to. Because I had suffered an emotional blow in my job and my father’s dream was falling into shambles after his death. I was resistant at first.” She saw the small upward tilt of his mouth as she cast her own rueful smile across the table after the admission. “But I was lucky in that my sisters stepped in to help, and we were welcomed by some really great people in McKenna Springs who genuinely seemed to want to see us succeed. That’s not always the case these days. It took a little while for me to realize how much of a treasure that is.
“And in a lot of things, you were leading the way in all of that support and welcome. I look back and see how very ungrateful I had to have sounded on too many occasions. Professionally, I wanted to prove myself to everyone that I could handle everything without any help. That’s not the case when you’re truly part of a community effort. And I was bound and determined to keep things with you away from a personal level. And you’re right when you accused me of painting you with the same brush as Barclay.” She paused and took a breath.
“I’ve thought about those words a lot over the last few weeks. And today, when I was standing in the conference room facing Barclay, there was a part of my mind that brought you into that room, also. And the reality shocked me. I heard the words shoot through my brain as clear as what we’re saying right now… ‘Ty’s nothing like Barclay…and never could be in a million years.’ I think I might have even called myself a silly fool.” She allowed a small laugh to escape.
“I wanted to believe the worst in you and it was wrong. I found the correspondence your brother and my father had over a year ago about the offer to buy the Yellow Rose property. It was most generous, and it could have made life so much easier for my father. But he loved that old dance hall and the home where we were raised, and where he lived and loved with my mom… it was his heart… not a business. And I had to learn that lesson, too.
“I apologize more than I can say for the way I treated you. You have never been anything but kind and helpful and so very patient with such a silly fool like I’ve been. I appreciate that you came today and you’re still trying to be a supportive friend and I hope we can maintain that friendship because I don’t plan to leave McKenna Springs anytime soon. So, we’ll be bumping into each other on a regular basis. It shouldn’t be awkward.”
She had said all she thought it prudent to say. She had steered clear of anything too personal, anything too close to deeper feelings. It was up to Ty to respond or not. The wait seemed forever while she watched him take a sip of his iced tea and settle back in his chair, his gaze finally moving from the river to steady on her.
“That’s a mighty fine speech, counselor. You do alright even outside a courtroom. And there’s a lot to respond to in it. I’ll just start by saying I’m glad you see the value in the place and people of McKenna Springs. You and your sisters have always been part of our community, just as your dad and mother were for years. The Yellow Rose is in all of our history. My brother saw an investment deal. There are things he and I don’t see eye to eye on and the Yellow Rose was a big one of them. But you need have no worries about him still coveting your property. He’s moved on and realizes there are some things you have to let go.
“As for you being a silly fool. Well…” he brought out a smile that immediately picked up her heart and flipped it in her chest. “I wouldn’t call you a fool. I might use the terms stubborn or hard-headed or something along those lines at certain times of our acquaintance, but you could never be anyone’s fool. You kept me on my toes from the moment you sprayed me down with that beer in the Yellow Rose. Even when you sicced that vicious wild cat on me and drew blood or when you tried to drown me in that river that ….”
“Excuse me? All those were my fault? I made all that happen to you?”
His grin brought hers out, too. “You see it your way, and I see it mine. But through all of it, you’ve never been anything but Calla. And she’s the woman who is unforgettable and never dull. And being her friend is a high honor for anyone. How about we just enjoy our lunch and the afternoon and let a new chapter begin and lead where it may?” He raised his tea glass and she followed suit. A toast to new beginnings. Calla’s heart took flight. Her mind cautioned one day at a time.
“Can I ask why there is another bunch of sunflowers tied with a piece of twine and laying on the front porch step for me to trip over? I think we have enough flowers in our rose garden without importing more.” Jaz’s words filtered along the hall ahead of her to her two sisters busy at the table in the kitchen. She dropped her overnight bag on the floor beside the refrigerator and made a bee-line for the pitcher of sweet tea on the cabinet. Lily was ahead of her in filling a glass with some ice cubes and handing over to her. She gave a teasing grin along with it.
“That would be another mysterious delivery. One comes each day. And it’s not more roses or anything I’ve placed in the garden. These are special imports. And sometimes it’s not flowers. It’s some little meaningless thing like a tiny ceramic frog one day, there was a stuffed owl one day… not a real one that had been stuffed, but the plush toy kind. My favorite was the little hummingbird locket. The list could go on.”
Calla was quiet at the table, intent on the jigsaw puzzle she and Lily had begun a couple of weeks back.
Jaz shot her a look and gave Lily a wink. “Well, has anyone called the police to report this gift stalking or maybe made a report to the mayor’s office? I could go visit that handsome man myself today and report and…” A kernel of popcorn from the snack dish on the table went flying at her. Calla’s gaze meant business as it was levelled on Jaz.
“I would stay a hundred feet away from the mayor if I were you.”
Jaz let out a whoop and did a high-five with Lily. “Yes, we are back in business!”
Calla’s brow furrowed at the words. “Business? What business?”
“The lottery we had started on when there might be a wedding in this family. I am…”
Lily groaned the same time Calla Rose from her chair. “Whoa! What lottery? And who is involved in it?”
“Way to go, Jaz. It’s just some fun we were having one day. Nothing serious.” Lily tried to smooth it over with a dose of nonchalance in her tone. Calla wasn’t buying into it.
“Who is involved?”
“Just us… and Darcy… Amanda… Reid...” Jaz didn’t get far.
“Reid? There are guys in this, too? You’re making sport of me and Ty… our relationship?”
“Ha!” Jaz’s hand slapped the table. “Did we name names? Thanks for confirming. So, this ‘we’re just good friends’ baloney you’ve both been spewing since you started speaking to each other again is just a smoke screen. We knew it all along. And I am here to tell you that a Fourth of July wedding… my pick by the way… would be spectacular… and really good business for the Yellow Rose, too!”
Calla swung her gaze to Lily, standing quietly innocent next to the cabinet. “And I expected better from you. What’s your pick in all of this?”
“Well, I love a spring wedding but that’s too far away again, so June brides are really lovely, too. We’d have to get busy like next week to make that happen.”
“Both of you need to get your own lives to pay attention to and leave mine alone. And this lottery business better cease and desist. I’ve got work to do.”
Jaz watched her depart. “Darcy says it’s been done before… this lottery about wedding dates. We didn’t invent it.” The words were meant to follow her from the room. She lowered her voice. “Cease and desist… there’s that lawyer side shining through. Has anyone taken December yet?” That earned her a swat on the shoulder as Lily passed her chair.
“That’s the strangest looking meat smoker I’ve ever seen,” Reid observed, rubbing his hand over his lower jaw as he studied it from another angle. “Are you sure putting ca
rpet scraps on wood is a good idea around something with flame involved? Strictly from my fire marshal’s viewpoint… not a good idea my friend.”
Jake let out a deep laugh at that comment. He had been sitting on top of a sawhorse watching his brother attach the top pad of a four-level project in the workshop at the ranch when Reid joined them. “There you have it. Your cat play toy mansion does not meet fire code.”
“Since when do you have a cat, Ty?” Reid’s question was asked with all innocence… almost.
The look he shot encompassed both his brother and friend and was meant to put an end to the jokes they were having at his expense. “You should both get your own hobbies… elsewhere.”
“So just what cat do you have in mind being the recipient of this hobby of yours?” Jake asked.
“Is it for one of those charity auctions maybe?”
Ty tossed the hammer onto the workbench and took one more examining look over his handiwork. “I don’t take offense at your poor pathetic attempts at jokes at my expense. You both know this is a gift for Calla’s cat. The one I rescued from certain death and risked my own life to save in the bargain I might add. She gave it a home so it’s the least I can do to pitch in with something to keep it occupied.”
“Isn’t it also the same cat that likes to stand guard on that porch when you drop by? Maybe this would be a nice diversion for it? Clear the way for your wooing of its mistress?”
Ty levelled a look on his brother that told him what he thought of that question. “Grab one end of this and help me load it. Give your brain a rest.”
Between the three of them, the cat play tree was loaded in the back of Ty’s truck and secured.
“You think this will do the trick?” Reid asked through the open window of the truck, shooting a grin at Ty. “This will melt the lady’s heart in your favor?”
“You’d do well to take notes. I don’t see you turning any lady’s head in your direction of late. In fact, you already let one good catch get away from you.”
“Says you,” he shot back at Ty. “Just who would that have been?”
“A certain feisty red-head with a penchant for tall boots and short skirts. You know the one.”
“Jaz Rose is not in my league. But I’ll keep in mind that should I find a woman who loves cats, I’ll be sure to build one of these instead of taking her flowers.”
Ty stepped on the gas and left his brother and Reid in his dust. Let them laugh all they wanted. But if he had to build a whole condominium of cat play houses or bird houses for the garden at the Yellow Rose or scour more of the countryside for wildflowers, he would do it. He had heard through the ‘grapevine’ in town that the front porch gifts might be working on a certain lady who was seen smiling a lot over them of late. If he played his cards right, this period of ‘friendship’ they were in might move to where he really wanted it to go. Calla Rose was the lady he intended to marry. She just had to get to the same mindset.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“What in the world? By the smell of it, would that be a picnic basket filled with fried chicken?” Ty followed his nose forward as he eyed the wicker basket sitting on top of his desk. Alice was close behind him.
“Yes, indeed. And there’s a note inside it, too. In case you’ll be wondering… I also made certain your calendar was cleared the rest of this afternoon. And also, you need to know that your brother left a little box in your top left-hand drawer of your desk a few days ago. It might come in handy today. And I’m going back to my desk now and mind my own business.” She flashed him a big grin and thumbs up as she wheeled around and left him alone.
Ty was mystified. He moved behind his desk and lifted the lid of the hamper to reveal a few containers of food that looked and smelled even better. There was a lavender-colored note folded in half and lying on top of it all. He withdrew it and his eyes caught the signature… Calla. His gaze moved swiftly to the top of the few briefs words. ‘Lunch? 12:30 at Simpkin’s dock. You bring the food.’
The Stetson went back on his head and his hand reached for the basket handles but then he stopped. In his haste to join his lunch companion, he had almost forgotten what Alice had said about his desk drawer. He turned his attention to said drawer and opened it to reveal a small, faded pink velvet box.
He recognized it immediately. It had resided for many years on the top of his mother’s dresser. While she always kept her simple gold band on her finger, the engagement ring… the single pear-shaped diamond set on a thin band of smaller diamonds handed down through three generations was kept there when she was working outside with the gardens or stock. And it had been Jake’s to give to his bride. But that hadn’t worked out too well. So now, the ring was Ty’s to give.
In that moment, Ty knew the time had come. The ring he held in his hand passed down a lot of love over the decades. When he looked upon it, he knew there was only one hand it would ever belong on and it was time to find out if the lady in question would accept the future it promised. He slid it inside the pocket of his jeans and picked up the hamper. He had a date to keep with the rest of his future.
“Now if this isn’t a sight to energize any cowboy’s heart,” Ty spoke as he walked, picnic basket in hand toward Calla. “A beautiful woman, a gorgeous day full of sunlight and blue sky and a boat ready to go out in the middle of crystal clear water. It’s good to be alive on such a day. Thank you for the invite.”
Calla could say the same thing as she had watched the slow saunter forward of the cowboy who had indeed jumpstarted her own heart anew a while back and continued to do so each time she laid eyes on him. She had decided it was her turn to surprise him and maybe push the friendship bounds to a new level? Anything was possible as she looked into those emerald eyes that she knew she would never get tired of gazing into if she lived to be a hundred.
Ty’s gaze left hers to look at the water craft she had rented for the lunch break. She noted the slight furrowing of his brow. Had she missed something?
“Is something wrong? I did ask for the best rowboat they had. And they even brought it here for me.”
“Nothing’s wrong, it’s just that it didn’t turn out too well for us last time we left dry land as I recall. But if you’re game, then I’m sure this will be a much better day for sailing the high seas. All aboard.” He took her hand and helped settle her into the bow. Then in went the basket. Calla had the quilt she had brought along, and they were off. Ty pushed them away from the dock and began maneuvering the boat toward the middle of the river. In this area, it was semi-tranquil as far as the current was concerned.
Calla stretched out her legs and enjoyed the feel of the sun on them. She had chosen a turquoise and white strapless romper that left a lot of legs and arms and shoulders bare. Her hair she pulled up on top of her head to allow the breeze to play around her neck and help keep the temperature pleasant. She kicked her sandals off and curled her legs more underneath her to delve into the basket.
“Please tell me that is fried chicken I’ve been smelling for the last half hour? From the diner?”
Calla grinned and shook her head. “Sorry. You’re going to have to endure my cooking today. And before you contemplate jumping overboard and heading back to shore to find food, yes… I can cook. I just choose to do it now and then.” She finished with a laugh. “But if it makes you feel any better, you won’t starve. I did stop by and pick up one of Darcy’s fresh baked apple pies for you.”
“You do know the way to a man’s heart.” He dropped the anchor in a peaceful spot and settled in closer to the makeshift table she was making out of the seat that ran between them. “Is that what you’re up to, Miss Calla Rose? Luring me out here with the promise of home cookin’?” There was a teasing note in his voice, but his eyes held something a whole lot more interesting in their depths.
Fortune favors the bold. Those words filtered through her mind and she knew it was time to go big or go home as the saying went.
“You found me out, Mr. Mayor. You’ll ha
ve to tell me if it’s working or not.” She handed him a paper plate and he took it but laid it to the side and claimed her wrist instead. His thumb began doing all sorts of nerve-spiking spirals across the skin there. He could rest his arm on the seat between them and that brought his tempting lips within inches of hers. Nerves got the best of her.
“Aren’t you hungry? The chicken might get cold.”
“Didn’t I tell you? I love cold chicken.”
“You probably have a busy afternoon at the office so…”
“Nope. Alice cleared my schedule. I’m all yours.”
“All mine.” The words came out in a repeated whisper. She ran a nervous tip of tongue over her bottom lip. “Aren’t I lucky?”
“I hope you think so. Because there’s something we need to discuss today.”
He wanted to talk. Get a grip on the libido, Calla. Her mind tried to switch gears, but he needed to stop looking at her in such a way. “What would that be?”
“This friendship thing we have going. It’s been great the past few weeks. And I hope you’ve not thought the little gifts and flowers and things too cheesy, but I just wanted you to know how much I think of you.”
Friendship. Great. The day was beginning to slide downhill in her estimation. They could just be ‘good buddies.’
“Well, I’ve loved each and every gift. And Tiger is ecstatic over the play house. You’ve gone above and beyond. You’ve mastered the friendship level.”
“I’m glad to hear that, because it’s time we move to the next level.” Did the water get rocky? Or was that just her heart lurching inside her body at the sudden words?
“Next level? What level would that be?”
“The one that has me doing this,” and his lips cleared the few inches in nothing flat, claiming hers in one of his mind-blowing, heart-stopping kisses. God, she had missed those!
