How many opportunities would she have to go on a picnic on the top of a mesa with a real, live, very handsome cowboy-slash-builder?
15
Half an hour later, they were both stuffed with fried chicken, potato salad, and banana nut cake. As Chance had hoped, she was impressed with his simple dessert.
“I’d like the recipe.” She added her paper plate and napkin into the plastic bag he held out for her. They’d already put the food away in the cooler with plenty left over if they wanted a snack later. “It’s not some old family secret that’s passed down from generation to generation with everyone sworn to secrecy, is it?”
“Nope. Even if it was, I’d share it with you.” He stuffed the garbage in a compartment in the toolbox in the back of the truck.
“That’s sweet.”
Which was what he’d hoped she’d say instead of getting on him about breaking secrets.
Emily had spread the quilt where they had a good view. She drew up her knees and wrapped her arms around them, staring off across the ranch. “It’s so peaceful here.”
“It’s like this most places on the ranch away from the houses. Except in the fall when we separate the calves from their mamas. Several hundred cows and calves all bawling at once makes a ruckus that can be heard for miles. The old-timers say that’s what makes them hard of hearing, and I halfway believe it.”
“Only halfway?”
“Enough to wear earplugs when working around the pens. Do you want to stretch your legs?”
“Sure. Though I’m not walking down off this mountain.”
Chance stood and offered her his hand, pulling her up beside him. “I’m not sure it technically qualifies as a mountain.”
“Well, it’s high enough to be a mountain in my mind, especially if I’m walking. And high enough to make me dizzy if I get too close to the edge.”
He’d hadn’t thought about that. “I didn’t know heights bothered you.”
“They don’t unless I’m staring at the bottom of a thousand-foot cliff.”
He chuckled and took her hand as they walked along. “It’s more like two hundred feet, if that. Do you ski?”
She glanced up at him. “No. Why?”
“So you haven’t been to the top of any real mountains.”
“That’s not what you asked me. I’ve been to Aspen, but I don’t ski. Neither does my mom. We spent our time in the spa and the shops.”
“Ah, so you like to be pampered.”
“I indulge occasionally.”
“Nothin’ wrong with that. Or with having some girl time with your mom.”
She drew to a halt and was quiet for a few minutes, looking at the scenery. Chance hoped she was around in the spring to see it. He loved the place, but he was honest enough to accept that it wasn’t at its best in the wintertime. Or the heat of summer. Or even fall, for that matter. But springtime was beautiful.
“Maybe that’s what I need to do,” she said softly.
“What’s that?” He stepped behind her, sliding his arms around her waist, gently drawing her back against him. When she leaned her head against his shoulder and rested her hands on his, he briefly closed his eyes, savoring the moment.
“Have some girl time with my mom. It will be a while before we could get together. She’s trotting the globe for the next month, hitting all the shows for Fashion Week.”
“If it’s a week, how come she’ll be gone for a month?”
“It’s a week in each place. New York, London, Milan, Paris.”
“Maybe you should go to Milan or Paris and surprise her.” Not that he wanted her out of his sight for more than a day, but it sounded as if she was missing her mom. That was odd, given the way she got along with her parents, but a lot of people in Callahan Crossing seemed to be reevaluating their priorities and relationships since the fire.
She laughed and shook her head. “You make me sound like a jet-setter.”
“You aren’t?” he teased.
“Not like my folks. I’ve traveled quite a bit, but I’m not one to impulsively fly off to Paris for a few days. She’d be too busy to spend any time with me anyway. It’s a business trip, and practically every minute is filled. I might call her though. I’ve been thinking about her a lot this week and about my not-so-Christian attitude toward my parents.”
“What brought this on?” He rested the side of his face against her hair, letting the subtle floral scent of her shampoo surround him. He could stay right there for an hour or two.
“It’s kind of convoluted.”
“I’ve got all afternoon.”
“When Sue and I were on our way to the Bradley-Tucker House the first time, she mentioned that Miss Sally’s daughter and granddaughter rarely came to visit her and only called her two or three times a year. That made me feel a little guilty because I often go three or four months without calling my parents.”
“Do they call you?”
“Rarely. If they do, it’s usually to see if I’ve gotten a job or to give me a bad time because I don’t have anything good or permanent. Or simply to complain about my chosen career.”
“Under those circumstances, I wouldn’t want to talk to them, either.” What a difference between his parents and hers. His folks hadn’t always liked every crazy idea he’d had as a kid, and his dad had been hard to live with sometimes. But they’d always supported his decision to be a builder, even when things were slow.
“During that same conversation with Sue, it hit me that I’ve given my mother a bad time about her career for years. Maybe if I hadn’t been so snotty about something she loves doing, she might not have been so negative about my career.”
“Sounds like the Lord’s trying to teach you something.”
She shrugged, and Chance felt the movement against his chest, momentarily distracting him. Stay focused on the conversation, Callahan.
“Yes, I think he is. And there’s more. When I met Miss Sally’s granddaughter, I instantly noted that she’d had some facelifts.”
“Bad ones? Was she kinda bug-eyed or the skin pulled so tight it looked like it was about to snap like a rubber band?”
She laughed softly and tipped her head to look up at him. “Nothing like that. She looked good, but I’ve been around my father long enough to recognize when work has been done. He wanted me to join him in the practice, remember? So he started teaching me about plastic surgery when I was in junior high.”
“How? Did he work on you?” Chance winced the second he blurted out the question. It had hovered in the back of his mind for days, but that wasn’t the way to ask it.
She pulled forward, and he released her, holding his breath. When she turned around to face him and smiled, his breath came out in a whoosh. “Sorry, darlin’. That was a stupid question.”
“But an understandable one.” She grabbed his hand and tugged as she turned back toward the pickup.
He’d blown it. Now, she wanted to leave. “It’s none of my business one way or the other.”
“Isn’t it? You’re dying of curiosity to know what improvements I’ve had made.”
Oh, man! She might be smiling, but she was ticked. It was obvious by how tightly she was holding his hand. “If your dad did anything, he’s excellent. You’re about as close to perfection as any woman I’ve ever seen.”
Emily jerked her hand free and stepped in front of him, her eyes flashing as hot color spread across her cheeks. “What a crock! I never thought you’d lie to me, Chance Callahan.”
Frowning, he absently scratched the back of his head where his cap was pulling the hair. “I’m not lying, sweetheart. I mean it. Sometimes when I look at you, you take my breath away because you’re so beautiful.”
“I am not beautiful!” She spun around and jammed her fists against her hips. After a couple of deep breaths, she turned back to face him, crossing her arms. “My eyes are too close together, and my lips aren’t full enough. I do have nice cheekbones, but my face is too round. I should have liposuction on
my hips and thighs and will need a tummy tuck in a few years. Sooner if I keep eating Ramona’s cooking. The only perfect thing about me is my nose.”
“Which is the one thing your father worked on,” Chance said quietly.
“Yes.”
Tears glistened in her eyes, but he figured she’d rather hang glide off the mesa than give in to them. Or have him mention it. He took a step closer and carefully settled his hands at her waist. She honestly didn’t know how lovely she was.
“Is that your father’s assessment or your mother’s?”
“Dad’s, but Mom generally agrees with him. She suggested collagen for my lips.” Emily twisted those oh-so-kissable lips in disgust and stared at his chest instead of looking him in the eye. “And the liposuction. Of course, Dad thought I should include a few more areas for lipo. He also thinks he should reshape my jawline and my chin.”
“Emily, for such intelligent people, your parents are nuts.” That brought her gaze up to his. “It’s true that your nose is nice. Your daddy did a good job on it, though I suspect he had something pretty good to work with.”
She shook her head. “No, I agreed with him on the nose. I inherited my grandpa’s, and it was way too big with a funny knot on the end. Dad fixed it the summer before I started high school, and I was very grateful. I’d been self-conscious of my old one.”
“Well, they’re wrong about everything else.”
She started to protest, but he laid his finger lightly across her lips and shook his head.
“When I look at your eyes, I don’t measure how far apart they are. I see a field of bluebonnets in the spring, and it lifts my heart. I notice the way they light up when you’re watching Zach or talking about history. I’m reminded of your compassion as you helped folks out after the fire, and the sweet, gentle welcome you gave me that first night when I walked into the shelter.
“As for your face being too round or your chin needing work – hogwash.” He lightly traced his fingertips along her cheek and jaw. She uncrossed her arms, letting them fall to her sides. He leaned back and slowly ran his gaze over her. “The only reason you’d need lipo would be to become one of those skinny models who are just skin and bones. Most men, me included, like a woman with a few curves. And sweetheart, you have the right curves in the right places.”
That earned him a roll of those beautiful eyes, but she didn’t appear nearly as upset as she had a few minutes earlier.
He moved closer, tightening his hands minutely at her waist. “As for your lips . . .” He focused on them, and his heart rate kicked up a few notches. “Puffy ones are highly overrated. Yours are perfect to look at.” He glanced up to make sure she wasn’t about to hit him or something and discovered that her eyes had gone all soft and expectant. Oh yeah. “And perfect to kiss.”
Lowering his head slowly, he gently touched his lips to hers – and felt his world shift on its axis. She flattened her hands against his chest, then slid them up around his neck. Deepening the kiss, he drew her even closer, rejoicing in her touch, her eager response.
After several wonderful moments, he finally straightened. Her head might be determined to have a big city career, but her heart was saying that life with him in Callahan Crossing would bring her happiness. His challenge was to help her heart to overrule her head.
He kept his arms around her, sighing contentedly when she rested the side of her face against his chest. Remembering his promise on the way to her grandmother’s, he said, “Sorry I didn’t deliver on the moonlight.”
“It’s out there somewhere.” She sighed too, and snuggled a little closer. “Nothin’ wrong with a kiss like that any time of the day.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day to you too. This has been nice.”
He dropped a kiss on her forehead and eased away from her. “The day’s not over. This date has just begun, darlin’.” He caught her hand and gently urged her back toward their picnic spot. “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for some of your chocolates.”
“I didn’t bring any chocolates.”
“No, but I did.” He grinned, happy with life. “Heart-shaped box and everything.”
She tapped him on the arm. “You aren’t supposed to tell me about it, silly. You’re supposed to surprise me when you give them to me.”
“That’s the way it works? I’ve never given a girl anything on Valentine’s Day, except for the little cards everybody in the class exchanged in grade school. Wait, I take that back. I gave Sue Ellen Nixon a special card in the seventh grade, one with hearts and stuff on it.”
“Was she impressed?”
“For about five minutes. Then Jim Pratt gave her an even bigger one – and a little box of chocolates. That sealed the deal as far as she was concerned. She never looked at another guy after that, and they got married right out of high school. He went to work for the oil company and they moved away, but when I saw them last fall at homecoming, they were still together.”
“Wow, all that from a box of candy.”
“And it was only a little four-piece sampler.”
When she looked up at him, her eyes twinkled merrily. “How big is mine?”
“Thirty pieces.”
She stopped and stared up at him. “Thirty?”
“I’m making a point.”
“I see.” She started walking again.
“I was also hoping you’d share.”
“I think I can spare a few pieces.”
“Thanks. Before we got sidetracked, you were talking about your mom and Mrs. Simpson, and maybe something else the Lord is teaching you?”
She nodded but didn’t look up. They were walking through a rough stretch of ground. “As soon as I saw Mrs. Simpson, I immediately knew who designed her outfit, that she had on Prada half boots, and how much everything cost. I was critical, wondering who she was trying to impress, and instantly disliked her. I was proud of myself for not spending that kind of money on clothes, though I can. But she’s a nice woman, despite not giving her grandmother the attention she should have. I’ve concluded that I’m a reverse snob. I’m as judgmental about rich people as my mom is about the middle class on down. And I shouldn’t do that.”
“I know some rich people who are mighty annoying and think they have rights other people don’t.” They were back on smooth ground for a short stretch, so he could watch her more than where his feet were going.
“My dad is one of them. But I also know some Joe Six-packs who have the same attitude.”
“So do I. What are you going to do?” Chance stepped down into a ravine and turned to lift her off the steep embankment. He didn’t release her the instant her feet touched the ground. She kept her hands on his shoulders a little longer than necessary, so he didn’t think she minded. Taking her hand, he helped her up the other side.
“First off, I’m going to stop being critical of her career and the way she is. She’s worked hard for what she has achieved. Sure, a lot of the money now is my father’s, but she’d made her way before she met him. Plus, she’s put up with a lot of garbage from him. At least I’ll try to be more understanding. It’s not a switch I can turn off and on, but with God’s help, I can do it.”
“Atta girl.” He’d try to do the same, especially since he hadn’t met her mother.
“I’m also going to take an interest in some of her charitable projects. She used to ask me to come to her parties or dinners, but I turned her down so much she finally quit inviting me. So I may invite myself to a charity auction and gala she’s heading up in April.” She looked up at him and hooked her arm around his. “Maybe I’ll take a handsome friend.”
“No fancy party for me if I’m just a friend. You have to promote me to beau.”
“All right. But it’s nothing serious.”
“I can live with that for now.”
They had reached the truck. She plopped down on the quilt, grabbed her water bottle, and took a long drink. Setting it beside her, she
looked up at him with a smile. “I’m ready for chocolate now.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He pulled the large box with a gold ribbon out from underneath the second quilt on the backseat. Handing it to her, he grinned. “Sweets for the sweet.”
She checked the little yellow rose-shaped sticker before untying the ribbon. “Yellow Rose Chocolates. I’ve heard of them, but I didn’t think they were around here.”
“They’re in Austin. Jenna discovered them when she was at the University of Texas. She sent a box home for Christmas one year, and we’ve been customers ever since.”
Emily opened the box and grinned. “Truffles. Yum.”
He figured she’d say more than yum when she took a bite. She offered him one, but he shook his head. “You go first.”
She picked out a dark chocolate one and handed the box to him. Biting into it, her eyes widened for a second, then drifted closed. She chewed, swallowed, and looked at him. “This is incredible. I’ve never had anything like it.”
“Told you they were good. What kind is it?” Some were solid, some had fillings or nuts. There was quite a variety in the box.
“Dark chocolate with raspberry filling. Real raspberries.” She ate the other half and licked her fingers. “What did you get?”
“Haven’t tried one yet.” He was having too much fun watching her. Finally picking one, he took a bite. “Milk chocolate with orange. One of my favorites.”
“I think they’re all going to be my favorite.” She took another one and mmm-ed softly as she ate it. “I’ll have to send some of these to Grandma Rose for her birthday.” Her face lit up. “I’ll order some for Mom’s birthday too. Chocolate is her one indulgence.”
“That’s a good way to let her know you care.”
“Yes, it is.” She smiled happily, shoving her hair out of her eyes. The wind had picked up, lowering the temperature.
“We’d better pack up and get off of here before the wind gets any higher, or our stuff will be littering the pasture below.”
Emily's Chance (v5) Page 14
