"Never miss that show myself, and I'm not usually a western fan," Darla said gleefully. "Of course when I watch horses doing something incredible now, I'll actually know a person who trains them for that kind of stuff." Darla frowned. "Are you trying to change the subject so I won't ask about the kiss?"
Tiara flushed. "I thought Jayce was the subject?"
"Smart aleck," Darla said playfully. "So do you like her the same as you did as a kid?" Tiara nodded. "Okay, then you need to go talk to her."
Smirking, Tiara asked, "Before or after her date with the TV star?"
Darla glowered in annoyance, folded her arms across her belly and asked, "Who is Aunt Edna?"
"Jayce's aunt. She used to clean me up after a Jayce prank and she patched me up and comforted me with milk and cookies when I got hurt from other mishaps. I guess Edna used to feel guilty for all the harassment I endured at the hands of her niece."
"Would you consider her an ally or foe?"
"Definitely an ally ten years ago when I left, but I couldn't suppose about now. We had a couple years that were friendly. I haven't kept any contact with people from the past." Tiara wished she had, with Edna, at any rate. Maybe with the caring concern from her, dealing with Angie would have been more bearable. "All spilt milk though."
"I think you may be totally wrong about that." Darla stood and pointed to the back door. "In fact, I expect you to march yourself right over there and find out the answer."
"Yeah, but--"
"No, Tiara. You aren't going to clear any of this up until you talk to at least one of them. I gather it will be a heck of a lot easier to talk to Edna than Jayce." Darla followed a reluctant Tiara to the screen door and held it open. "And don't think you can avoid this and bamboozle me. I'll know." Darla nudged her through the opening. "Good luck, kiddo, you probably need it."
Tiara felt the color drain from her face as she swallowed hard. Darla's kind laughter followed her as she slowly made her way toward the Mansfield property. Why didn't she just toss Slim's box in the trash before opening it?
Chapter Eleven
TIARA COULDN'T CONTROL her racing heartbeat. She didn't know if the fear stemmed from possibly running into Jayce and her girlfriend, or from not knowing the type of reception she'd receive from Edna. Her nerves were so taut that Tiara thought she'd be physically sick.
Just as she gave serious consideration to turning around and running home, even though it meant disappointing Darla, a shadow passed across the inside of the screen door, her name loudly whispered in disbelief. As Tiara jumped in surprise, the door swung open, a basket of laundry flew across the porch, landing beneath the swing, and a tall, lean figure dashed down the stairs and clamped Tiara in a hug that had her feeling she'd burst apart, if she had seams.
"Oh, honey, I'm so happy to see you," Edna said, giving another squeeze before holding her at arm's length. "What a beautiful woman you are. Of course, you were always an enchanting and lovely child. I've missed you so much. When Jayce told me you were here, I wanted to fly over and see you--" Edna released her hold of Tiara, wiped tears from her eyes and took a deep breath. "I'm rambling. But when Jayce said you were mad at us, I didn't know what to do."
"If I'm mad at anyone, it's Jayce. Admittedly, I'm just as much at fault for not getting over here sooner, though."
"Please come inside and let me get you some iced tea, unless you'd prefer hot tea, maybe a snack? Cookies." Edna hooked an arm through Tiara's and tugged her toward the screen door. "You and your friends should come for supper when you have a few free moments. Or we could have an old fashioned cowboy barbeque." Edna carried on a nonstop barrage of dialogue, interspersed with questions she didn't allow Tiara to answer, until they'd reached the kitchen. Tiara figured Edna was afraid that allowing an opportunity to answer those questions would scare Tiara off. "Sit down, Tiara," she said, quickly moving to the sink and running water into a kettle, "and I'll have tea ready in just a bit."
It didn't take long for Tiara to notice that the kettle had filled a number of times over, the faucet still running, Edna seemed unaware and hadn't budged. Tiara was tempted to tease Edna, until she noticed Edna's shoulders trembled as she leaned into the sink edge with her shoulders trembling. Was she crying? Alarmed, Tiara jumped from the chair and turned the water off. Gently, she took the kettle from Edna's hand. When she looked up, Tiara experienced a jumble of her own emotions being overwhelmed and brokenhearted at seeing the steady stream of tears rushing down Edna's cheeks.
"I'm sorry my presence is making this into a bad time for you. Do you want me to leave?" Tiara asked, realizing she'd created the emotional turmoil, not wanting to hurt the dear woman any further.
Edna wiped ineffectively at the tears, shaking her head furiously. "No, heavens no, I never wanted you to leave in the first place." Her voice caught on a sob, which took a couple of deep breaths to settle somewhat. "Not that my opinion mattered then."
Tiara rubbed Edna's arm reassuringly. "It wouldn't have changed circumstances any, but your opinion has always mattered to me."
"Oh, honey," Edna said clasping Tiara in a bear hug before releasing the hold. Edna put the kettle on the burner but didn't start the heat. "I wish I had been stronger for you. That wretched woman--" Edna clamped her lips firmly together. "I'm so sorry. She was your mother and I have no right to speak ill of the dead."
Tiara shrugged and said, "I've had a few choice words of my own where Angie was concerned. Relax on that account." Tiara sat down again. "Tell me how you've been. It can't have been easy living with Jayce." Tiara remembered Edna's brother and wife, Jayce's parents, had been killed in an automobile accident just a couple of years after she had left for Colorado Springs. "I'm sorry about Dexter and Jeannie."
"They had a good life. Still miss him, my little Dex. Sometimes I'll be doing the most inconsequential thing and remember those precious moments with us as kids, or some funny thing he did while he was dating Jeannie." Edna smiled wistfully. "I know it's the same for Jayce, too."
"They--you--all of you were very close. I miss how everyone made me a part of this family when I was around." Tiara could feel the tears building at the truth the words invoked in her memory. "The Mansfields were truly a godsend for almost three years of my life."
"Even with Jayce at her demonic best?" Edna smiled with a watery laugh, wiping away fresh tears. "No, Jayce being a beast, wasn't it?"
She knew Edna was teasing, but couldn't stop the flush of embarrassment at hearing her own words repeated. "Yeah." Tiara gave a weary exhale of breath. "I just wish she wasn't always getting me so riled. I don't know what's wrong with me."
"Jayce can certainly have that effect on a person," Edna said, then laughed.
Tiara joined in until she felt the tears dampen her cheeks. "And Lord help me, I actually missed Jayce so--" She swallowed to stop the rush of words her useless brain wanted to spout. Shrugging, Tiara decided to speak her mind, as she used to do when she was younger. It seemed the natural thing to do. "I didn't realize just how much until she started pestering me the moment I stepped foot on Dad's property. Not that I didn't truly miss you, too, since you were more my mother than Angie ever was. But--"
"Oh, thank you for that." Edna bit her bottom lip and took a deep breath. "And you don't have to explain anything to me. I know how ornery Jayce can be. Also, how strong and supportive when truly needed." Edna got up and walked to the refrigerator, removed a large glass pitcher of iced tea and a tray of ice, and brought them to the counter. "She explained about your visitor earlier today," she said, taking two glasses from the cupboard, filling them with ice and pouring the tea into them. "Some of the information got a bit confusing, but the general idea was easy enough to figure out." Edna handed a glass of iced tea to Tiara. "I have to agree with her on one point, honey. No matter what you remember from your childhood, Slim would never involve you in anything illegal. I can't believe he had any idea those men would show up at the house."
"I don't know what to think anymore
," Tiara said, as she placed a hand on the table beside her tea glass. "I just wish he'd come home so we can work this out."
"We'll get him home before long." Edna squeezed Tiara's hand. "He'll be so happy to see you again. He's missed you. We've all missed you."
"Thank you." Shaking her head, Tiara said, "I shouldn't take up any more of your time. I need to get back before Darla sends a search party for me. With the baby coming, I don't want her stressed more than she needs to be."
Edna raised an eyebrow. "Ah, no wonder Jayce has been acting strange. You're attached."
For a moment, Tiara didn't understand what she meant. Then it dawned on her what Edna probably thought. "No, Edna. Darla is the wife of one of my employees. Jayce is under the impression I'm dating Craig, another of my employees."
Face flushed, Edna said, "Oh, I'm sorry. This changes a lot. I didn't mean to imply anything to make you uncomfortable. I mean, all those years ago, I thought maybe you and Jayce--I don't know what I thought. Forgive me. I don't mean to insult you. What you must think of me, the old busybody."
"I think you're still adorable, Edna." Tiara stood up. "You didn't insult me. I did have a crush on Jayce then, still do actually. Nothing is, or ever will, go on between Craig and me, or any man for that matter. However, if the misunderstanding--"
"Keeps Jayce away, then you've created a safety zone." Edna stood and wrapped Tiara in a hug. "Are you certain that is the best course of action?" Edna asked gently as she released her.
"I have to believe it is. We have too much baggage now. Besides, even if I had the inclination to chase after Jayce, I could never compete against someone like Ms. Juarez."
Edna stared at her for so long, Tiara worried another emotionally charged breakdown was coming. Finally, with lips pursed, she patted Tiara's shoulder and said, "Maybe you're right." Tucking her arm through Tiara's, Edna tugged her toward the door. Once they were on the porch, Edna said, "Thank you for stopping by. Please don't be a stranger, sweetheart. You always were and always will be welcomed here." She let go of Tiara and began picking up the clothes she'd dropped earlier.
Tiara helped pick up the laundry and then said, "Thank you. And thanks for those wonderful cookies, by the way."
"Don't thank me. That was Jayce's doing." Edna shook her head. "Don't tell her, but I think she cooks better than I ever dreamed possible."
"Jayce? Really? Huh, who would have guessed that? Please, give her our thanks. Well, good-bye, we'll talk again later," Tiara said.
"You won't be able to keep me away." Edna flashed a smile that was a duplicate of Jayce's at her most mischievous moments. "And you're probably right. Not many women could compete with a woman like Juanita. Why even try?" Edna gave a wave, turned around and walked back into the house.
Tiara stood on the porch and stared at the screen door. What did that mean? She knew she didn't look exotic like the television star; however, she could compete against any woman if she truly wanted. Tiara could more than hold her own against Juanita, if she even remotely wanted to fight her for Jayce.
Couldn't she?
Chapter Twelve
DRIVING HOME WAS uneventful and, except for the gentle rumble of the truck's engine, quiet. Too quiet, obviously, from Sarah's heavy sigh before she said, "Okay, we need to think of a strategy. I don't think making Tiara jealous is going to work fast enough for you."
"What do you mean?" Jayce asked. "No contest, she's got a boyfriend."
"Sweetie, it's plain to see that you're lost in thought, probably about Tiara." Sarah held up a hand. "No, don't deny it. Just think about this. From what I've seen, Tiara isn't entirely opposed to your affections. I think you're wrong about that cute boy." She snorted. "Oh, wipe that scowl off your face."
Jayce continued glaring a moment before returning her attention to the road. "He kissed her, and she didn't stop it. I tried to kiss her after his arrival and she was worried he'd see us." Jayce shrugged. "I don't know, maybe she's jerking my chain. It doesn't matter, Sarah. More than five minutes in each other's company and all we do is argue about what she thinks I believe she can and cannot do, or what I did or didn't mean to say. Communication is impossible with her."
Sarah reached over and squeezed Jayce's thigh. "More proof that the situation isn't hopeless, and that we probably need try another tactic."
"Like what?"
"Maybe she needs an old fashioned wooing." They had reached the ranch and Jayce parked her truck near the Mustang, and shut down the engine. Sarah shifted in the seat and faced Jayce. "Better yet, maybe you both need a lesson in understanding the whole grass-is-greener concept. Seems to me that's what most of the bickering is about."
"So I should, what, send flowers and chocolates, take her to dinner?"
"Yeah, show her your courtly side." Sarah laughed, and then wriggled her eyebrows. "Come on, Jayce, when was the last time you showed a lady the ranch? Had a picnic lunch and just relaxed and stared at the clouds? For that matter, when was the last time Tiara saw your place? Take her horseback riding, just the two of you."
Jayce shook her head. "That won't work, I think Tiara's scared of horses."
"Even better," Sarah said. "Arabelle needs to work with the old buckboard, learn to follow behind with the dust kicking up. This way my horse is being trained, and you two have to sit side by side."
"So it will be easier to reach each other's throats," Jayce said with a smirk.
Sarah chuckled. "Try to refrain from that, will you."
"Yes, dear."
This time Sarah groaned. "You can be such a pain in the keister. Be serious, sweetie. I'm kinda thinking your gonna thank me later, when you both realize what dolts you've been by wasting time fighting. Unless, of course, it's the kiss-and-make-up kind of fight, which you two aren't doing, so what's the point."
Jayce raised an eyebrow. "Know a lot about that do you?"
"I've had my fair share, yes."
"Huh." Jayce rolled her eyes. "Okay, then what?"
"I know you know what to do next."
Chuckling, Jayce said, "That part I got. I meant what else is on the agenda with the green grass thing."
"I'm not sure, yet. Maybe while you're out sparking, and I'm changing the motor oil in my car, we'll think of something. Until then, try to avoid comments about her lack of height or ability to do manual labor. It's obvious the topics are too sensitive for her. You also have to admit that the work she's done so far is exceptional. I like Slim, wouldn't talk behind his back otherwise, but he certainly let the place go. Not that he spent much time there in the last few years."
They both got out of the truck and started up the front porch.
Jayce nodded. "Which is why I suspect Aunt Edna knows more about his whereabouts and whatever plan he's hatched than she lets on. Heck, she may have helped him arrange getting Tiara here."
Sarah grinned, opened the screen door and walked in, Jayce just steps behind her. "I agree. Let's just hope she spills the beans before something unexpected happens with that strange little Elmo."
"Strange Elmo is right," Edna said irritably from the living room's archway. She pointed behind her. "Twelve dozen roses for you, Ms. Juarez, some in colors I've never seen in a flower, too." Edna crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot in annoyance. "The smell's so strong I could hide a rotting corpse in there and no one would be the wiser. And I'm looking at a couple of candidates for the corpse."
SARAH AND JAYCE managed to get Edna calmed down about the flowers. After Sarah made a few phone calls to arrange the entire bunch be picked up for donation, Edna excused herself to make a call of her own.
"Slim's away, so Edna's gonna play?" Sarah asked.
Jayce sniffed. "My guess is she's got to update Slim."
"As it's none of your business, either of you," Edna said, pointing a finger at both Sarah and Jayce. "I don't intend to acknowledge either snotty comment."
"You hurt me, Señorita. I'm not snotty."
"Yeah, you'll give us both a fit of
the vapors." Jayce said.
Edna smirked. "Oh, I'll give you both something, all right. And vapors won't have anything to do with it." She left them in the hallway and headed for her room.
Jayce shook her head. "Do you think she's in on this charade with Slim?"
Sarah placed a hand on Jayce's arm. "I believe she knows where Slim is hiding. I don't think she knew anything about Elmo or Majestic."
"Well, if she didn't, she will." Sarah nodded her agreement. "I'm gonna watch some TV. You coming?"
"No," Sarah said. "I'm gonna get some tea and sit on the back porch for a while."
As Sarah walked out the screen door onto the back porch, she noted light coming from Slim's barn. She hoped it was Tiara, and made her way over. With all the drama surrounding Elmo, she couldn't tell if Tiara remembered her or not. A little visit might help her get a better feel for Tiara, too.
Sarah expected someone to be working in the old barn, and was surprised to see Tiara leaning against the opened barn door. She didn't want to frighten Tiara with her presence, so she called out, "Hello in the barn." Tiara straightened up. "Enjoying the beautiful night?"
"Ms. Juarez?" Tiara asked, then frowned in puzzlement as Sarah stood beside her.
She grinned. "You think I'm familiar, but the television star name is messing with your memory." She extended her hand. "Sarah Marsh. I was a friend of Jayce's in school. Since you were younger, we didn't have much interaction back then." Sarah feigned hurt. "Guess I wasn't so memorable."
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