Peace in the Valley

by Ruth Logan Herne

“The cowboys?” she asked, glancing up the hill.

  “The kids,” Hobbs told her as he snagged cookies. “That mess of youngsters can eat a body out of house and home, and it’s a whole lot of fun listening to Isabo chase them out of the kitchen.”

  “They’re always hungry, and that reminded me of the boys growing up, and their friends coming by and how much they could pack away in a day. Raising kids is a mighty expensive prospect these days.”

  “It is.”

  “Well, that got me to thinking.” Sam finished his cookie, licked the crumbs off his fingers, and looked happy to do it. “Now when I’m done you can tell me to mind my own business or just say yes, your choice, of course.”

  Lucy settled back into the chair. “Go on.”

  “Trey was explaining your business down there.”

  “The Christmas trees.”

  “That and the other, flowers and baskets and things like that. He said you’ve got a real knack for growing things.”

  “Ye…e…s.” She drew the word out, wondering where he was going with this line of questions. “I enjoy it and most of it survives, always a plus.”

  “No one in Gray’s Glen grows things like that for resale.”

  They didn’t, so she nodded again.

  “And he said you’ve been taking your things up to the Ellensburg market.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, here’s what I’m thinking.” Sam indicated the broad vista of the wide Central Washington valley. “We’ve got plenty of folks here who’d most likely buy your stuff. And we’ve got those new buildings going up in town, making it an easy spot for folks to shop, don’t you think?”

  A town location would be a wonderful thing for sales. “Well, sure, just the traffic getting off I-90 would be wonderful. Gray’s Glen is minutes from the expressway. It takes more time and effort to get around the town and find me up here on this hill.”

  “Just what Sam was saying,” Hobbs declared and grabbed another cookie. “Make it easy for folks to buy, and they’ll do it!”

  “But I don’t—” Lucy was about to explain that she didn’t have enough greenhouse room when Sam interrupted.

  “You’d need more greenhouse room.”

  He had, perhaps, read her mind.

  “And that can be accomplished before winter sets in so you’re all set for spring. And with that extra acreage behind the new street of shops and apartments Colt’s arranging, we could put a couple of greenhouses right there too. That way you can restock from the farm as needed and run three seasons of business in town. Folks could grab precut trees there, and if they want to cut their own, they drive out to the farm.”

  “You’re saying you’d like to lease me a shop front in the new building?”

  “We’ll talk leasing after you’re on your feet. A new business is nothing to take lightly, and it’s hard work, easily messed up. So if you’d like to give it a try, Lucy, I’d like to see that northernmost shop become a farm market store.”

  A farm market store.

  A place to sell everything she could grow.

  A respectable business for a single mother whose life had been tattered and torn.

  She studied Sam.

  Could she trust him?

  Sure, he’d had a change of heart, but was it long lasting and sincere, or would he turn back to the same old land baron mentality once he was back on his feet?

  “I think it would be good for the town and for you.” Sam sat back and ate another cookie. “You’d be stocking things no one else has, so you wouldn’t be stepping on Hammerstein’s toes, or hurting someone else’s business.”

  Lucy was glad she wasn’t eating a cookie, because she’d have choked. Sam Stafford was aiming not to step on toes. That had to be a first for a man who generally plowed full steam ahead, regardless.

  “You think on it, but if you decide to do it, I want to add an outdoor covered area to the end of the building, and it would be good for the project engineer to know that now. A farm market should have an open-air feel to it, don’t you think? And you could market local fruits and vegetables in season, and outdoor things like that.” He pointed to the wind chimes hanging from the porch beams.

  She didn’t know what to say.

  She wanted to jump up, hug him, and shout yes, because wasn’t this a dream come true?

  She didn’t dare. Not without thought and prayer, because owing Sam Stafford could spell destruction. Yes, she wanted to forgive his past trespasses, like the Good Lord said.

  But she couldn’t forget how fast he’d pulled the rug out from under others. Old stories now, but true enough because Sam had always looked after himself first and foremost. “I have to think on it, Mr. Stafford. That’s a very generous offer, but a lot to consider.”

  “I respect that.”

  Once again she was surprised because Sam hadn’t respected much of anyone besides himself and managed to anger a good share of the town because of it.

  “You let me know as quick as you can because I want to take advantage of the good weather. We’ve had Josh’s crews working on multiple projects, and I’ve never built a greenhouse. I expect this upcoming surgery will keep me down awhile, but not forever, and I’d like to see this done over the fall. The Town Center plaza is slated for a May first opening if all goes well, and that would be just in time for your spring arrangements.”

  “Perfect timing, actually.”

  “You think on it. My hurry is not knowing when California’s going to call and say come on down, we’ve got room to do your surgery. We’re scheduled in four weeks, but if they get an opening, they could call any time. Knowing that pushes me to hurry, but I don’t mean to rush you. If I’m down and out, Colt can see that things get done.”

  “I will. And thank you for the offer, Sam. I’m a little overwhelmed.”

  “Me too.” He leaned back in the chair. Pride brightened his profile as noisy kids streamed their way. “But in a good way now.”

  Hobbs laughed and grabbed two more cookies before the kids reached them.

  Joyous and loud voices surrounded them. Noah, climbing onto the rail, with Belle following right along. Dakota retelling the story of the fish that got away, while Cheyenne showed off a turtle. Cade and Cody joining right in, as if they belonged.

  Neighbors. Friends.

  She’d never had that luxury. Not as a kid and not as a teen, nor as an adult living next to the Staffords.

  She’d wisped through life alone in a crowd, letting few in.

  Just because you’ve been that way, doesn’t mean you have to stay that way.

  The little voice made perfect sense. Maybe she needed to change as much as Sam Stafford did, in a different way.

  By the time she got the kids in the car and back home, it was past suppertime.

  Trey’s truck was gone. Quiet prevailed. She had money tucked away, enough to get through the next few weeks. And she had an offer from Sam, a proposition that sounded too good to be true.

  Maybe that meant it was too good to be true. Could she risk being under Sam’s thumb, developing a business in one of his sites? What if it all went bad?

  “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; Do not fret—it leads only to evil.”

  The old psalm held good advice.

  Sam seemed sincere. But a smart woman learned to put everything in writing, which meant she wanted a contract before getting into any kind of deal with her wealthy neighbor. She might not have much, but what she had needed protection. A contract of terms could give her that.

  She’d talk to Sam after church the next morning. He’d either agree or end the discussion. In any case, she’d know right off, and Lucy was more comfortable having things nailed down than left in the air.

  Trey waited at the edge of the Catholic church parking lot, watching for Lucy’s van while minutes ticked by. She’d told him she was singing today, but maybe he’d misunderstood. Maybe he’d messed up the dates. Perhaps—

  Her van turned into the small lot
with scant minutes to spare. She had to go all the way to the back to find a parking spot, which meant a long hike back up to the church.

  He jogged the length of the parking lot and got to her van just as she was stepping out. “Guys, come on, I am ridiculously late. Ashley, can you get Belle? Cody, Cade, I—”

  “Go.” Trey put a hand on her arm and pointed toward the church. “Head up there. Ashley and I’ve got this.”

  She hesitated, then nodded, but didn’t look any too happy about doing it. “Thank you.” She hurried across the broad parking lot while he corralled the boys.

  “Trey, can we come to your house today?”

  “Can I ride Pegasus again?”

  “Is Isabo making a big supper?”

  “With corn on the cob?”

  “You’re being rude,” Ashley scolded. “It isn’t polite to invite ourselves places, and your mom would be embarrassed to hear you guys begging like that.”

  “Ashley’s right.” He took each boy by the hand. “You wait for an invitation to be given, and the first person to talk to is your mother, which means you better behave in church. She’s more likely to say yes if you’re good.”

  “I’ll be so good, Mr. Twey.” Belle peeked up at him from Ashley’s side. “I told my dowwies that if they were good while we were gone, I’d give them a tweat when I get back. If you want tweats, you have to be good!”

  “Suck-up.” Cade scowled.

  “Cade.” Ashley frowned right back at him. “She’s little, and you shouldn’t talk like that.”

  “I learned it from you,” he retorted. “You say mean stuff all the time. I’ve heard you on the phone, lots of times.”

  “More witnesses around when you can’t text things,” Trey reminded her softly. “Oops.”

  Ashley glared at him, then Cade. “Listen, you stinking little eavesdropper, you don’t know anything, all right? You’ve got no business listening in on private conversations. Butt out.”

  Cade started to reply, but Trey bent low. “Stop now. Mind your manners and be nice to your little sister and to Ashley.”

  Ashley’s brows shot up, probably surprised that he was taking her side.

  “But—”

  “No buts. Belle needs your protection and Ashley deserves respect. Being a cowboy isn’t fun and games and showing off rodeo moves once you know how to ride. It’s being respectful of others and trying our best, every day. Caring for people and not looking for thanks.”

  “Just being nice, right, Trey?” Cody squeezed his hand to gain his attention. “Like you told me last week. Work hard and be nice.”

  “Yup. And that starts with being polite and respectful to family. Got it?” Cade groaned out loud and stomped up the steps. He calmed down inside, sparing Lucy embarrassment up above.

  “He’s such a brat.” Ashley crossed her arms, staring after her oldest nephew. “He tries to be annoying on purpose, just to see what you’ll do.”

  “He’s eight,” Trey reminded her. “It will get better.”

  She rolled her eyes and followed Cade into the church, looking just as unhappy.

  Belle reached out and took his free hand. “I’ll twy to be extwa good, ’kay?”

  “And I’ll help her,” Cody promised. “We’ll be so good you won’t even have to notice us.”

  His words touched Trey’s heart as bells began tolling overhead.

  He’d done exactly that as a small child. He’d tried to be so good that no one would notice him. It was a hateful existence, imprinted on his brain like a brand on an Angus hide. “I’ll notice you,” he promised, bending low. “I’ll notice how hard you’re trying and how good you’re being, okay? Because we should always get noticed for being good, especially if it’s hard to do.”

  “Thanks, Trey!” Cody’s grin lightened Trey’s mood. If he’d been asked about his childhood a few months back, he’d have shrugged and said he was over it.

  He’d have been wrong.

  Being back in Gray’s Glen, among family and old friends, made him realize how blessed he was that Sam came looking for him. He didn’t have to. As an adult, Trey knew that many kids went into the county systems, overlooked by family, shrugged off by friends.

  Sam hadn’t let that happen. Being home made him grateful for the good of that decision, but it brought back that handful of Oakland memories. The smells. The voices. The derision. And being constantly hungry, while needing to be constantly quiet.

  The choir began singing, a soothing harmony of welcome and rejoicing. When Lucy’s voice took lead on the first verse, Trey’s pulse sped up.

  The notes called to him. Her voice beckoned him with a warmth and clarity most singers strove for and few achieved.

  A bank of candles flickered in the right-hand alcove, votive lights in amber glass, lit for intentions.

  Hearing Lucy’s voice, he understood his own intentions real well. He was falling for this woman, a totally surprising circumstance at the worst possible time.

  He wanted to spend more time with Lucy Carlton and her fun, crazy, grumpy crew of kids. It made little sense. He’d been purposely off the radar since losing Cathy, but if his reactions to Lucy were anything to measure with, his radar was working just fine again. He wanted to make her smile. See her relax and laugh. Give her the gift of time, ease her work burden. Was he man enough to overlook her past and do it? And could he juggle an out-of-state career that he loved and still be present enough for a family?

  Those were big questions.

  Six weeks. Plus recovery time. He’d have thought he could do anything for six weeks, but when he turned and saw Lucy coming their way after the service, his palms itched.

  Colt picked up Noah, waved to Lucy, and headed for the left-hand door.

  “Sam’s not here?” she asked.

  Trey shook his head. “He wasn’t up to it today. He’s home and Isabo is watching over him. Did you need to see him?”

  “I did, but it will wait.” She reached down and lifted Belle, and when she kissed the little girl’s soft cheek, the image of a loving wife and mother rocked him.

  That’s what he’d wanted. Maybe because of his mother, his early life, or maybe because he was a simple country boy in love with baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie.

  But the image made him yearn, then smile.

  “Bring the kids over and have dinner with us. Or supper, or whatever Isabo’s got planned. That way you can see Dad, and the kids can play. I’ve got to supervise the teens at your place, so if you’re tucked up at the ranch, I can power-wash the porch and get the primer on those posts so they’re ready when Josh and Shannon start the rails.”

  “I don’t want to impose, but I do have to talk to your dad.”

  Which most likely meant his father had talked to her about opening a town store. Sam had made it clear there wasn’t time to waste, and he’d meant it.

  She started for the door, and he fell into step alongside her. Sunshine bathed the front of the church in dappled gold as the broad old oak spread cool shade across faded grass. The boys and Ashley had gone ahead with Nick, Elsa, and the girls.

  “Lucy.”

  “Yes?” She kept a fair distance between them purposely.

  “Have you ever done much riding?”

  “On a horse?”

  He touched the brim of his hat. “Exactly that.”

  “No.”

  “Would you like to learn?”

  “To ride?”

  “Yes, again.” He paused and so did she.

  “Someday, yes. If it works out. There’s little time with the kids and all.”

  “How about this afternoon? I’ll get my chores done at your place, and we’ll leave the kids with Angelina and Elsa for a spell. We’ll take a ride up the old trail and across the ridge. I haven’t had my seat in a saddle this entire week, and I’m curious about what Colt and Nick have going up along Schuyler’s Pass.”

  “I don’t think that would be considered a beginner’s ride.”

  She was
right, so he abbreviated the plan. “We’ll just do the ridge, then. Angelina’s been learning, and she and Elsa have gone off exploring more than once. It’s a good skill to have.”

  —

  She should say no. Why put herself in an impossible situation? She was attracted to Trey, and the kids were growing fond of him. He’d even managed to break through Cade’s dig-in-your-heels nature. Cody gave affection easily. Not Cade. But he liked Trey, and that was a positive change.

  If things were different, she’d simply keep her distance, but he was slated to be at the house every day, helping with this, fixing that.

  Keep it light. Keep it simple. Or just say no.

  “No strings, Ms. Lucy. Just a chance to see the valley from up top a horse.”

  Those hazel eyes, so sincere. His hat, tipped just so. And when he winked, waiting for her answer, she couldn’t refuse. “If things are good with the kids, then that would be nice.”

  “It surely would, ma’am.”

  Oh, be still her heart. She knew he was flirting with her on purpose, but knowing it didn’t make her more immune. He gave her a leg up a few hours later, coached her around the paddock, then brought his horse around and opened the gate.

  “What if she takes off ?” Lucy eyed the gate, Trey, and then the horse.

  “It’s Betsy. You’re lucky to get her to walk, much less run.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Exceedingly. Peg will be chomping at the bit once we get through those upper gates and Betsy will plod like a plow pony, half-asleep.”

  “You’re exaggerating her gentleness to keep me calm while on top of a thirteen-hundred-pound animal that can toss me around like a tennis ball before trampling me with sharp hooves.”

  He laughed. His horse pricked an ear and nodded, almost as if he was glad to hear Trey laugh. The singing cowboy didn’t laugh often. It sounded nice.

  “If I’d wanted to give you a wake-up-call kind of ride, we’d have switched horses. Peg used to like to barter with me for the lead, but he’s mellowed.”

  “Maturity has a way of doing that to us.”

  “And responsibilities. Schedules. Pausing to smell those roses, now and again.”

  “I love roses.”