A County Girl's Heart

by Dena Blake

  “Come on out here and talk to me,” Virgil said quietly as he rocked. “I know you’re in there. I heard the door squeak when you came in.”

  Kat stood just inside the screen door without saying a word.

  “Why don’t you let the girl explain?”

  “I’m too angry right now, Virgil.”

  “You can’t avoid her forever.”

  “I know.” Kat pressed her forehead against the mesh of the screen door. “Can you take care of things around here for a few days?”

  “Where you goin’?”

  “Austin. I think it’s time I had a chat with my mother.”

  He looked over his shoulder at her. “You sure you wanna do that?”

  “I don’t want to, Virgil, but I have to find out what this is all about.”

  “Okay. I’ll take care of things here.”

  “Thanks.” She leaned out the door, kissed him on the cheek, and then went inside to pack.

  Kat had been propped up against the tree, captivated by the red glow of the river as the sun dipped lazily down behind the treetops. She’d always felt safe and closest to Arizona in that particular spot by the river. The two of them had spent many an afternoon fhere in the past, dreaming about their future, forgetting their past, and making love.

  Kat had been angry at Arizona for leaving her. So angry, she’d stayed away for a long time after she’d died. She’d promised to be here forever, and then suddenly Kat was left tending to the dream they shared all alone. She’d made many mistakes after Arizona died, searching endlessly for comfort, for some way to dull the pain, and hit rock bottom with Victoria Maxwell. Finding her way back to a balanced physical and emotional existence wasn’t easy. Kat had finally realized she wasn’t trying to punish Arizona. She was punishing herself for letting her go out alone that day.

  Since day one at the Jumpin’ J Ranch, checking the trails had been a daily ritual they’d always enjoyed together. The morning Arizona died, they were both angry. They’d fought about something Kat couldn’t even recall now. Arizona had gotten on her horse, leaving her behind, and Kat hadn’t followed. She couldn’t help but think Arizona would still be alive if she’d gone after her.

  The dream she’d had of Arizona today had been as real as an IMAX movie. She hadn’t had one in days, but when she’d been at the river earlier, Arizona was right there propped up next to her. A long piece of straw hung from the corner of her mouth as her lips curled into the cocky grin Kat adored.

  “I sure know how to pick ’em, don’t I?” Kat shook her head.

  She heard Arizona’s soothing voice. “You’re gonna be all right, Kat.”

  “What’s the matter with me, Arizona?” She sighed. “I’ve fallen for a woman who isn’t at all who she said she was.”

  “You’re not gonna find another woman like me, darlin’.” Arizona took the straw from her mouth and flicked it into the dirt.

  “I know.” Kat’s voice hollowed as she reached to touch Arizona’s face.

  “You’ll always love me, Kat, but you have to let me go.” Arizona stood up and walked toward the river. Turning back momentarily, she smiled. “Your heart has the right idea. Let it lead you.”

  Arizona’s message was painfully clear. It was time to move on. Whether that included DJ was yet to be seen. Her heart sure felt like it did.

  The rhythmic sound of hooves hitting the trail had slowly brought Kat out of her drowsy state. She hadn’t been able to see anyone in the distance, but the sound had continued to amplify. The horse had been coming her way, and she didn’t want to see anyone, especially DJ. Kat had mounted Minow and galloped up the hill into the trees. When DJ rotated, stared up into the trees, and shouted her name, Kat had led Minow along behind her and ducked farther into the wooded area. It seemed as though, somehow, DJ knew exactly where she was. She’d wiped the tears from her cheeks and rubbed her hand across Minow’s side as the horse stood motionless, huge brown eyes staring at her. It was time to go to Austin and settle some things. She’d patted Minow lightly before climbing into the saddle and riding to the house.

  * * *

  Kat opened the door and entered the massive foyer of the Belmont estate. The door was unlocked, so she hadn’t knocked. The heels of her rarely worn leather pumps clicked against the marble floor as she crossed the foyer. She slowed and inhaled the aroma of fresh-baked cornbread in the air. Warmth filled her body. As she stood at the foot of the winding staircase, memories rushed her as though she’d left only yesterday.

  Kat noticed the elevator that led to the floor above, a new addition since she’d lived here. She smiled, thinking of the playroom where she and her sister had spent most of their time as children. She doubted it looked anything like it had when she was young. The toys and dolls had probably been long since discarded. The rest of the floor was all bedrooms—hers and Rebecca’s at one end of the house, and each of her parents had a room at the other. Separate rooms didn’t seem odd to Kat as a child, but by the time she was twelve, she knew things were strained between her parents. All her friends had parents who ate together, laughed together, and slept together. Her parents shared locked doors, disconnected lives, and separate bedrooms. The only thing they seemed to agree on was their decision to cut her out of the family.

  She remembered the harsh words she and her father had spoken and stiffened. The warmth she’d felt vanished. She trembled as the argument still echoed clearly in her mind. The ultimatum, her defiance, and the sadness that had ripped through her as she’d left the only home she’d ever known.

  Her stomach rolled. Coming here was a mistake. She had just turned to leave when she heard a voice through the doorway behind her. “Most people ring the bell and wait to be invited in.” Kat whirled around and smiled broadly at the sound of the strong, velvet-edged voice. “Oh, my Lord. Is that you, Miss Kathryn?” Maggie asked, grabbing Kat’s hands and holding them tightly. “Look at how beautiful you’ve become.” She beamed.

  “Flattery will get you everywhere, Maggie.” Kat kissed her on the cheek, and the woman threw her arms around her, holding her as if she would never let go.

  “Now you know, I’m nothing but truthful,” Maggie said into her ear.

  The warmth returned and Kat smiled. “You’re too kind.”

  “Let me look at you.” Maggie sighed. “We have greatly missed your smile in this house.”

  “I’ve missed you too.” Kat leaned forward, reached into the pocket of Maggie’s apron, and took out a piece of hard candy. “I see you still have that sweet tooth.”

  “But no one to share with anymore.” Maggie’s voice lulled her.

  Kat unwrapped the butterscotch disc and popped it into her mouth before stepping into the living room. She took in a deep breath as she beheld the many things she remembered from her childhood. Dark cherrywood tables and authentic Tiffany lamps still accented the perfectly placed paisley cream furniture.

  “Everything is exactly as I remember.” Kat cut quickly across the room and through the doorway to the sitting area that housed the baby-grand piano she’d spent so many hours playing. Yes, exactly the same. She turned to look at the huge rock fireplace and smiled. On gloomy, wet days when she couldn’t go to the ranch, and she’d already played her fingers numb, she would sit in the oversized love seat in front of the roaring fire and read. Kat had loved this room.

  “Do you still play, Miss Kathryn?”

  She slid onto the piano bench and lifted the cover from the keys. “Not really.” A piano was a luxury she couldn’t afford at the ranch. She stroked the smooth ivory keys before spreading her fingers, dashing off a piece of Mozart’s Sonata Number 15. “It’s something you never forget.”

  “I’ve missed that beautiful music flowing through the halls. It kept this house alive.”

  She slid the cover back across the keys and let her hands drop to her lap. “Why did she keep it?” Kat said softly, the pain in her heart deepening just a bit.

  “You know your mother. She doesn’t
like change,” Maggie said under her breath.

  Kat laughed and slid off the bench. “Is she still eating oatmeal and brown sugar for breakfast?”

  “Every day.” Maggie chuckled along with her.

  Kat’s laughter faded with a tentative look through the doorway to the set of portraits of her parents hanging on the living room wall. “Is she all right? I mean, after the accident.”

  Maggie took Kat’s hand and led her out of the room, commanding her attention away from the daunting portrait of her father. She gave her a cheerful smile. “She still spends quite a lot of time in bed, but she’s moving around much better now.”

  Kat knew she was trying to lift the cloud that darkened the room. Maggie had witnessed the whole excruciatingly final event. It had been just as hard for Maggie to watch as it was for Kat to walk out that door ten years ago.

  “That’s good to hear,” Kat said, returning her smile as she held the tears threatening to drown her eyes.

  “The doctor insists that she stand up and walk the hallway at least twice a day. He told her if she didn’t, she might as well just resign herself to using a wheelchair for the rest of her days. And you know she’s too stubborn for that.”

  Kat rolled her eyes. “I do know that.” She straightened her skirt. “Well, I guess I can’t put this off any longer.” She took in a deep breath and headed to the staircase.

  Maggie gave her an encouraging smile. “It’ll make her happy to see you, Miss Kathryn.”

  Kat turned briefly before starting up. “I’m not so sure about that, Maggie.”

  After reaching the top of the stairs, Kat continued down the corridor to the last door on the right. Her mother’s bedroom. She hesitated for a moment before opening the door and poking her head inside, detecting the same sweet-scented perfume she remembered as a child. After she crept quietly into the room and slid her handbag onto the dresser next to a few framed pictures, she picked up one and was surprised to find it was her college graduation picture. She picked up the other. It was her sister, Rebecca. She’d grown into a beautiful woman. She returned it to its place and crossed the room to sit in the chair next to her sleeping mother.

  Elizabeth’s face was stripped of all makeup, and her fingers were devoid of nail polish. Her mother had aged so much since she’d seen her last. Kat watched her chest rise and fall. Elizabeth had become small and frail. She’d always been a delicate woman, and now she looked as though she’d lost quite a bit of weight. Probably due to the accident. Kat had seen her picture in the society pages a few times in recent years, but touched-up black-and-white photos didn’t represent anything close to reality.

  “Maggie,” Elizabeth mumbled, rolling over and pushing the button on the intercom. Apparently, when she woke, she hadn’t seen Kat sitting in the chair.

  Maggie’s voice rang through the speaker. “Yes, Mrs. Belmont.”

  “Coffee, please.” Her hand swept the mattress until she found the remote and raised the top of the bed into a sitting position. “Did I hear someone playing the piano?”

  “Even flat on your back, you’re still in command,” Kat said with a twinge of laughter in her voice.

  Elizabeth’s eyes lit with a smile. “Oh. I didn’t see you there, Kathryn.”

  Kat hadn’t anticipated her mother’s warm welcome, and emotion stilled her as she searched for words. “I’m sure I’m the last person you expected to see.” Kat folded her hands neatly in her lap.

  “You’re looking well,” Elizabeth said, politely surveying her. “Country life seems to agree with you.”

  “Yes, it does.”

  Maggie came through the door with a tray of coffee. After setting it on the table, she poured Elizabeth a cup and handed it to her.

  “Thank you, dear.”

  “You’re welcome.” She returned to the pot. “Would you like a cup, Miss Kathryn?”

  “Thanks, Maggie. I’ll get it in a minute.”

  “Isn’t it wonderful to see Miss Kathryn again?” Maggie said, giving Elizabeth a pressing look.

  “Yes. It certainly is,” she said, with what seemed like a genuine smile.

  “Let me know when you’re ready for breakfast,” Maggie said as she moved across the room.

  “I’ll have oatmeal and brown sugar today.”

  Kat laughed at her mother’s unvaried breakfast choice as she went to the silver decanter and poured herself a cup of coffee. She doused it with cream and took a sip before sitting down.

  “Let’s cut to the chase, Mother. What do you want?”

  Elizabeth raised her cup to her lips, let a small amount of the steaming liquid flow into her mouth, and then set it on the table next to the bed before responding. “I want you to be part of the family again.”

  Kat couldn’t believe her mother’s audacity. “It’s a little late for that, isn’t it?”

  “I know it’s been a long time since we’ve spoken, Kathryn, but I want you to know, I’ve missed you.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft and loving.

  Kat stirred at her mother’s sweet, subtle tone, remembering the many times she’d used it to soothe her as a child. She fought to ignore the emotions it provoked. “Mother, let’s be honest, shall we?” The delicate china cup clanged against the saucer as Kat slid it onto the table. “If you’d really missed me, you could’ve come out to the ranch any time.”

  Elizabeth peered through thinning lashes, and her pale-blue eyes looked uncharacteristically timid. “I thought about it many times, but I wasn’t sure how I’d be received.”

  Kat gave her a slight nod before shifting in the chair and crossing her legs. “I have to admit, I can’t honestly say you would’ve been welcome.”

  Her mother’s forehead creased with a sincere look of uncertainty. “It would have been your right to turn me away.”

  “Yes. It would have. But I doubt I would’ve done it.” Kat fidgeted with the material on the arm of the chair for a moment. “You are still my mother.”

  Elizabeth closed her eyes and shook her head. “You’re much more forgiving than I, Kathryn.”

  “I didn’t say anything about forgiveness, Mother. I’ve just moved on with my life.” Kat retrieved her cup from the night table and brought it to her lips again. “Now, let’s get to the reason I’m here. Why do you need me here? Isn’t Rebecca running the company?”

  “Your sister still has a lot to learn about the business world.”

  “And you think I can teach her?” Kat laughed. “I’m sure she knows more about Montco Oil than I ever will.”

  “She may have the business knowledge, but you have the maturity. Working together, the two of you would be just the right balance.” Elizabeth laced her fingers in her lap. “And with Charles gone now, she’s going to need some guidance.”

  “I’m sure Rebecca would resent any guidance I would presume to give her. If the situation were reversed, I certainly would.”

  “But the two of you used to be so close.”

  Kat lowered her eyes. “That was a long time ago.”

  Elizabeth took a deep breath. “If you don’t agree to come to Austin, I may have to take control myself.”

  Kat glanced up to meet Elizabeth’s gaze. “That would be a wise decision.” Her voice was thick with sarcasm. “I’m sure you haven’t set foot through the door of that company in at least twenty years.

  “That doesn’t mean I can’t, or won’t,” Elizabeth said coolly, sliding her cup and saucer onto the night table. “Can I count on your support?”

  Kat shook her head. “I’m not coming back, Mother.” She raised the delicate china cup to her lips and took one last drink of coffee. “Now, if that’s all you wanted, I’ll be on my way.”

  Elizabeth threw up the blanket and then fastened it tightly across her legs. “I can’t believe you have no interest in the company at all?”

  “None whatsoever.” Kat pushed out of the chair and stood briefly at Elizabeth’s bedside. “But I am glad to see you’re doing well,” she said softly, her voice
cracking. Her emotions surfacing, Kat picked up her bag and rushed to the door. As she reached for the knob, the door flew open, flattening her against the wall behind it.

  The door swung closed again, and she watched Rebecca sail into the room. Apparently, her little sister had discovered the perks of femininity while Kat was away. Blessed with long legs and a curvy body, she had the kind of shape any woman would envy. Kat was sure those assets came in handy when negotiating a business deal.

  “Good morning, Mother,” Rebecca chanted, crossing the room and dropping a pile of magazines into Elizabeth’s lap. “I think that should be everything you asked for.” She turned and dropped her purse on the nightstand before kissing her on the cheek.

  “Look who’s here, dear.” Elizabeth motioned behind Rebecca, where Kat stood against the wall motionless, still stunned from the impact of both the door and seeing her little sister all grown up.

  “Well, if it isn’t my long-lost sister.” Hard and vindictive, Rebecca’s voice didn’t even shudder.

  “Hello, Rebecca,” Kat said uneasily. “How’ve you been?”

  Rebecca’s gaze swept across her, scrutinizing Kat from head to toe. “I’ve been absolutely wonderful. As if you care.”

  Kat ignored the glare and nasty tone, yet still fumbled for something to say. Anxiety stifled any semblance of words that came to mind. Rightfully so. She didn’t know the first thing about her sister. It had been ten years since she’d seen Rebecca. Kat had no idea how to interact with her, let alone deal with this prim-and-proper ogre hurling attitude at her.

  “I was hoping you might come stay with me at the ranch sometime,” Kat finally managed as she crossed the room.

  “Why would I do that?” Rebecca flipped her hair onto her shoulders. “Herding cattle is not my idea of fun.”

  “You wouldn’t have to do any of that.” She put her hand on Rebecca’s arm, letting it drop quickly when she recoiled. “I just thought maybe we could get to know each other again.”

  “I’m not sure I want to do that either.”