The Loner's Thanksgiving Wish (Love Inspired)

by Rustand, Roxanne

  “I’m sorry, I just don’t think I’m up to that.” Lisette rested a firm hand on Mei’s arm. “And right now, I think I’m developing a migraine. I really do need to go home.”

  Brooke lowered her voice. “Starting a week ago, we’ve been taking turns at staying with Darlene in shifts around the clock at her apartment because she’s so weak now. I was thinking maybe—”

  Lisette shook her head. “No. Mei, you can do whatever you wish, but I have no experience with such illness. No medical training whatsoever. And I will not place that woman or anyone else at risk because of my limitations.”

  “Neither of you would have to help us with Darlene’s care, but there are other ways you could help us tend to others in need. Please? Even for a little while?” Brooke grinned. “I know I’m being a shameless beggar, but it would help so much now that we’re shorthanded.”

  During her trip here from San Francisco, Mei had been mulling over ways she could try to get her mother involved in the community before she ended up a bitter and lonely recluse, and this would be ideal.

  “We would love to help, Brooke. Sign us up.”

  “Mei!” Lisette said.

  “It’s perfect, Mom. We can even participate as a mother-daughter team, and it will be such fun.”

  “I can’t. I just—”

  “Yes, you can. It’s a small community. It won’t take a lot of effort, and I think it’s time for both of us to help out in some way. Don’t you?”

  “Jack.”

  At the sound of the gruff, familiar voice, Jack turned around slowly. Samuel may have been his temporary grandfather for the few years Jack’s mother was married to Charley, but they’d never been close. “Good morning.”

  With his bushy gray eyebrows, deeply lined face set in a permanent scowl and the burly build of someone who’d been a fierce pro wrestler in his day, he could be an intimidating man.

  But it was his shifty gaze that revealed more about him than anything else.

  “So,” Samuel growled, “you still haven’t done anything about that brother of yours.”

  Jack instantly bristled. “Excuse me?”

  “The fool kid is making a major mistake.”

  Jack might inwardly agree, but faced with Samuel’s harsh words he found himself recoiling. “There’s nothing anyone can do to prevent it,” he said evenly. “But I’m not sure what difference it will make to your family.”

  “He’s a traitor. And now that silly girl of his thinks we’re all supposed to come to some dinner at Thanksgiving and play nice. Cade told me about it yesterday. She can just go on thinking everyone is coming if she wants to, but it ain’t gonna happen.”

  “That’s certainly your choice,” Jack retorted. “Though I expect the people who attend will think you were afraid to show up.”

  “Afraid of what?”

  He shrugged. “You tell me, I guess.”

  “And what’s this I see right here in church? You’re getting awfully friendly with Lisette and that daughter of hers. Neither one of ’em are worth the time of day, far as I’m concerned—just a rich widow and her spoiled brat.”

  Jack tried to keep his temper in check. “That’s not fair at all.”

  “Fair? Vern and Lisette Clayton were the snootiest, most self-righteous people I ever met, and that girl of theirs sure followed suit. She didn’t lower herself to talk to anyone around here when she was growing up.” Samuel’s voice dripped sarcasm. “Must’ve thought she was mighty special, being the doctor’s daughter.”

  “She was shy. Painfully shy. And if people around here had been more kind and accepting, it would have helped her a great deal.”

  Samuel’s face turned an ugly red. “Just you keep thinking over your choices around here. Choose the wrong side, and life can end up a lot tougher than you can imagine.”

  Revulsion crawled through Jack. “I hope that wasn’t a threat.”

  “Threat? Just the honest truth. You got me and the boys at your back and you always did. You owe us for that—and all we done for you. So don’t forget it.”

  Chapter Eleven

  By the time Mei drove into her mother’s driveway, Lisette had leaned her head against the headrest, her eyes closed and fine lines of tension bracketing her eyes. “We’re home, Mom. Can I help you with anything, or do you just want to go in and take a nap?”

  “You’ve helped quite enough already,” she snapped. “I just need my pain medication and to be left totally alone for the rest of the day. And after that, you and I need to have a talk.”

  She eased slowly out of the SUV and moved to her front door as if she were walking on eggshells to avoid jostling the pounding drums in her head.

  Mei felt a sliver of guilt as she watched her mother slowly unlock the door and disappear inside. I shouldn’t have been so pushy, she muttered to herself as she drove the rest of the way to her cottage and let herself in.

  Once again she’d inadvertently found a way to aggravate Mom, when all she’d wanted to do was help. It had been an ongoing cycle throughout her childhood—trying to do the right thing and never quite succeeding. At the age of twenty-eight, apparently she still couldn’t get it right. When would she ever learn?

  Moose met her inside the cottage with a happy woof and his madly waving flag of a tail, and her heart lifted. “At least you love me,” she sang to him as she hugged his neck. “Let’s go for a walk.”

  Lisette appeared at Mei’s door at eight in the evening, looking drawn and haggard, her usually flawless makeup smudged and her hair mussed.

  Mei’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, Mom—I’m so sorry about your headache. Are you all right? Should you even be out of bed?”

  “I’m better. Can I come in?”

  “Of course.” Mei stepped aside to usher her in, then took her coat and hung it on the ceramic-tipped brass coat hooks by the door. “Coffee? Tea or cocoa?”

  “Nothing, thank you. I’m just here to talk.” She moved to the settee in the living area, eyeing Moose with distaste on the way. “So he’s still here.”

  “I put out flyers, but I haven’t had a single phone call about him. Isn’t he sweet? He’s been curled up in front of the fireplace all evening. And just think—now he’s all silky and clean, and he doesn’t have a single flea.”

  “I still pray that he will find a good home. Elsewhere. I don’t want animals in my cottages, and I’m not happy about you going against my wishes. But—”

  Mei couldn’t contain her smile. “You’ll let him stay? You won’t be upset?”

  “Those are two very different questions, Mei. But I don’t think you can find another decent place to rent in this town. Even if you could, no livable place would allow you to have such a dog.” Lisette sighed. “So, because I want you to be safe, he may stay.”

  “Thanks, Mom!” Mei surged forward to give her a hug, but Lisette held up a hand.

  “This is contingent on his behavior. If he proves himself to be destructive, noisy or careless in his house manners, you must promise to get rid of him, with no further questions asked.”

  “Definitely.” She went ahead and gave her a hug, though Lisette stiffened in response.

  Mei dropped back to sit on the rocking chair facing the settee. “Is something else wrong?”

  “What quality is most important in a relationship, do you think?”

  “Trust. Honesty. Caring.”

  “Let’s go with trust and honesty. Without them you have nothing to build on. No assurance of the future. They are more important than anything else.”

  “Okay, I’ll agree with that.”

  Lisette flicked a hand impatiently. “Then why would you choose to associate with someone of poor character, from the disreputable side of the family, who once spread lies about your own brother and then denied doing so? That and the fact that you have chosen to be sneaky about seeing him just breaks my heart. Trust and honesty are everything, Mei. Between husbands and wives, parents and children.”

  Mei blinked. �
�Seeing him? I’m not sure what you mean.”

  “You know how our family feels about the likes of Vincent and Jack and all the rest. And yet, you didn’t bother to tell me that Jack McCord is teaching in your classroom. Or that he now occupies the wildlife biologist’s quarters on the other side of Silver Creek—and I know you’ve been over there at least twice.” Lisette drew a sharp breath. “Worse, Maude Miller saw you meet him at the Cowboy Café and you were observed kissing the man on the street, for all the world to see.”

  Speechless, Mei flopped back in her chair.

  “Well?” Lisette’s voice turned to steel. “Tell me none of this is true.”

  “I barely knew him in high school, Mom. But he’s a nice guy no matter what you think. It’s true I asked him to help me with Moose. And I went over to check on him once to make sure he didn’t get hurt during a bear counting expedition.”

  “So then you had to ask him to teach in your classroom? Was that really necessary?”

  “The previous science teacher scheduled him as a speaker, and the kids are fortunate. He’s a real asset in the class.”

  “She certainly didn’t schedule your behavior on one of the busiest streets in town.”

  “That?” Mei reined in a crazy urge to laugh. “I stopped at the café when I saw Zach’s patrol car and went in to ask him about the search for Lucas. He and Zach were together, and Jack expressed his sympathies afterward. He was offering comfort, not taking me on a hot date. You’ve got to trust me more than this, Mom.”

  Lisette glared at her. “Trust. Hard won and easily lost. You’d better remember that because I’m afraid you’re going down the wrong path.”

  “Jack has no romantic interest in me. And don’t worry…because even if there were a possibility between the two of us, there’d be no point. I’m heading back to San Francisco when my year is up—and nothing is going to change my mind.”

  Mei stood outside the environmental science classroom on Monday afternoon as the students filed into the room and she watched for Jack to arrive.

  He’d been kind, he’d been thoughtful—willing to help with Moose at a moment’s notice. He’d certainly shown his compassion for her that evening outside the Cowboy Café.

  But luckily, she hadn’t seen him since church.

  It was fortunate because now she knew that even the most innocuous meetings could spark gossip in this town, and setting off her mother’s fragile nerves again was something she really wanted to avoid. She just hoped Jack would understand, though this wasn’t the time nor the place to discuss it.

  Sure enough, he showed up on time, wearing a heavy backpack and carrying several different coils of climbing rope on his shoulder. He also held a canvas bag with a screened window at one end.

  “Thank you for coming,” she said politely, holding the door open so he could walk in. She avoided meeting his gaze, but her pulse still fluttered when he walked up to her. “The kids are really looking forward to this.”

  He paused, waiting until she looked up at him, and gently closed the door instead. “Is something wrong?”

  She glanced both ways down the empty hallway. “Nothing. Nothing at all. Are you all set for your lecture?”

  “Definitely.” He grinned and held up the bag. “I plan to discuss search and rescue and the world of wildlife biology. I even brought a friend. If it’s one that slithers, will you mind?” He had to be joking. “You brought a snake?”

  His eyes twinkled. “A very gentle, quiet snake. Promise.”

  “Um…okay.” But the contents of the bag seemed to be moving. She suppressed a shiver, remembering the day when Vincent dropped a large, writhing snake in her lap and laughed at her screams.

  She forced a smile. “We need to get in there and get started before those kids go crazy.”

  “You seem upset. I can take Sid back out to my truck.”

  “No. Really, it’s fine.”

  He eyed her thoughtfully. “If you’re on edge because of that dinner invitation, I promise not to put you on the spot again. I know it must have been a frightening prospect.”

  “Not really. It’s just…awkward.”

  “Maybe you could agree to dinner sometime and get it over with. It couldn’t be as bad as, say, a root canal. At least from what I’ve heard.”

  She tried to hold her mouth in a stern line, but it twitched, and that gave him a glimmer of hope. “It isn’t as simple as you think, Jack.”

  “I know that. I got a lecture from Samuel after church.”

  “You did?” Her eyes widened, and then she laughed. “We should compare notes because I got one from my mother, too. Isn’t it ridiculous? I’m twenty-eight and you’re a year older, but we’re still getting advice.”

  Samuel’s “advice” had been couched in a veiled threat, but Jack just nodded. “Maybe it’s time we ignore them all.”

  “I’m serious. Please, let’s go in before my class takes the room apart.”

  He wasn’t backing down. “Then we can talk afterward?”

  “Yes…no…” She threw up her hands in frustration. “We’ll see. A few minutes maybe.”

  He walked into class and set his canvas bag on the desk in front. “How many of you have started your research on endangered species in Colorado?”

  Just a few students raised their hands.

  “You need to choose the species that you want to research on our field trip. I believe Ms. Clayton will post the sign-up sheet tomorrow.”

  Mei nodded when he looked her way.

  “Good. So who can tell me about the Clayton County Search-and-Rescue Team?”

  No one responded.

  “We’re a countywide, all-volunteer nonprofit organization, with around fifty members. But that doesn’t mean just anyone can walk off the street and jump right in. Our minimum age for the rescue team is twenty-one, and each volunteer undergoes at least a year of training before he or she is allowed to take a written test and field test for participating with the team.”

  He glanced around the room. “What kind of volunteers do you think we need?”

  A husky boy in the center of the room grinned and pointed to his chubby arms. “Guys with a lot of muscle, like me…or not.” Everyone laughed.

  “We need strong, capable men and women, true. But we also need people to help with office duties and give presentations to student groups or to be on the backup crew. So keep the program in mind if you find yourself wanting to volunteer somewhere.” He dropped his climbing ropes on a table, then emptied his backpack. “I brought in some rescue equipment so you could take a look.”

  Mei let her thoughts drift as Jack talked for twenty minutes about rescue missions, search-and-rescue statistics and the cost of maintaining the program, then segued into his life as a wildlife biologist.

  Her mother’s words kept coming back to her, and something about them just didn’t seem right. What had touched such a raw nerve to upset her so much? If her anger still stemmed from Vincent’s long-ago false accusations against Lucas, then her emotional reaction now was way out of proportion. She’d always been moody, but why would she hold such a grudge for so long?

  At a collective gasp throughout the room followed by squeals of delight, she jerked her attention back to the present and found that Jack now held a golden-tan snake with a black checkerboard pattern on its back, and he was walking slowly up and down the aisles. “Anyone know what this is?”

  One of the girls cowered back in her chair as he passed. “Rattler!”

  Ricardo laughed and reached out to stroke the snake as Jack passed. “Nope, it’s a bull snake.”

  “Exactly right. The color patterns may be a bit similar, but this one isn’t poisonous. If you have one in your yard, you’re actually very, very lucky. What do you think they eat?”

  A dozen hands shot up.

  “Mice?”

  “Rats?”

  “Other snakes?”

  Jack smiled. “Good guesses. Some people kill them on sight, and that’s such
a tragedy, because these are good fellas to have around. They are harmless to people, and depending on the size of the snake, they eat vermin like rats, mice, gophers, prairie dogs and rabbits. They prefer warm-blooded prey, but some sources say they’ll eat baby rattlers and help keep the population of rattlesnakes down. I haven’t seen that myself, though.”

  Gina reached out to touch it, too. “I thought it would be slimy, but it’s cool and dry, like leather.”

  “Exactly right, Gina. How many of you think you’d like to be an actor someday?” When several girls raised their hands, he grinned. “These guys are expert actors from birth. They have no venom. They aren’t aggressive and much prefer fleeing from danger. But if cornered and seriously frightened, they will actually use their acting ability and try to scare away their enemies. They will inflate their heads into the triangular shape of a rattler’s, coil, shake the end of their tail and strike.”

  Tina, the heavyset redhead in the back row, shuddered. “I’d be scared.”

  “Which is the whole point—it’s a very successful defense mechanism. Unfortunately, that behavior convinces some people that the bull snake is a rattler, and too many of these helpful fellows are killed for no reason.” Jack settled the snake back into the canvas bag, then handed out a stack of colorful flyers. “Keep these and show them to your family and friends. The photos compare the appearance of a bull snake to the rattlers indigenous to this area, and there’s a list of all the reasons why bull snakes benefit us. Any questions?”

  He fielded questions for the last ten minutes of class. “When I come again Wednesday, we’ll talk about big predators in the Rockies and mountain safety and plan our field trip, which will be on Friday. We will be gone for half the day, in the afternoon, so let your other teachers know that you’ll be gone—and don’t forget your permission slips, or you won’t be getting on the bus. Finally, if you have any questions, Ms. Clayton will be working with you on your research, your plans for gathering data while we’re up in the mountains and your individual projects.”