“Jeremy.” Jase acknowledge him with a terse nod.
Choosing to remain silent, Jeremy returned the greeting with a nod of his own, then stared at Lanie, trying to read her thoughts. She walked to him, taking his hand and weaving their fingers. He shot her a surprised glance, waiting to hear what she had to say.
“We have something to tell you,” she said, looking her brother straight in the eye. “I love Jeremy. We’ve forgiven the past and are giving ourselves a second chance. We want our family whole again.” She cut right to the point and didn’t mince words.
Jase’s mouth clenched shut tightly, his jaw twitching from the force.
Jeremy tightened his hold on Lanie’s hand, stepping into the, so far, one-sided conversation. “I love your sister. I’m humbled that she can put her faith in me again, and I won’t abuse that. Hitting rock bottom changed me, showed me what’s important.”
Sitting down, Jase darted his gaze between him and Lanie.
“We were going to tell everyone this weekend; but, since you’re here, we’re telling you now. I need your support, Jase,” Lanie pleaded.
For a long time, Jase sat with his head down, his arms extended out with his fists together. After a very tense period, he slowly looked up. Fighting for control of his words, he spoke. “If this is what you want, you have my support.”
A breath Jeremy hadn’t realized he was holding, escaped in a sigh of relief. There’d be no scene from Jase tonight.
“I think I’ll leave now,” Jase announced, pushing his chair from the table.
“I’ll walk you out.” Lanie released his hand and followed her brother.
Moving to the living room, Jeremy tried not to look out at them, but he needed to know Jase wasn’t going to run his mouth and say something to hurt Lanie. From his vantage point, he watched Lanie whisper something into Jase’s ear, and he returned the words with a brief hug before stepping into his truck and driving away. Another relieved sigh.
Lanie came back, closing the door behind her then leaned against the wall.
“Are you okay?” he asked, crossing the room and taking her in his arms.
“Yes.”
“What made you do it tonight?” He asked the pressing question he’d been wondering for the last half hour.
“I love you. I don’t want to give anyone reason to doubt that. When Jase showed up right after our conversation, it seemed like the universe was screaming loud and clear that it was time.” She leaned her head against him.
“He took it better than I thought.”
“He’ll come around. Despite the tough exterior, at his core, he believes in true love.”
Two weeks before Thanksgiving, Lanie sat in Allie’s office working on marketing strategies for next year’s peak season and discussing which magazines they wanted to reach out to for advertising. They’d just narrowed the list down to the top five they believed would be the most effective while still staying within their budget.
Vera Tyndale walked in, dark circles shadowing her eyes. “We’re having an emergency family meeting. Be in the conference room in ten minutes.” She walked back out with no further ado, her shoulders slumped.
“What was that about?” Lanie asked, concerned. “I’ve never seen your mom like that.”
“I don’t know,” Allie said, her eyebrows wrinkling with worry.
They set aside their papers and walked over to the meeting room, where Jase and Jeremy already waited. Despite her worry, she was glad to see Jeremy included. Much to her surprise, no one had voiced much opposition to the resumed relationship, although she suspected her mom had told her dad, and Jase, Allie, so everyone already knew anyway. Whether the lack of opposition was due to knowing in advance or a testament to Jeremy’s change in character, she was just happy to have him back.
Jeremy strode to her while Allie went to Jase’s side. No one spoke, but shifted anxious gazes at each other.
Her parents came in with the Tyndales, all of whom wore deeply grim expressions. Frank Tyndale stepped forward, clearing his throat.
“Something has come to our attention that threatens the future of Whispering Winds,” he stated.
Lanie’s heart tightened. This was her home, where she’d spent most of her life.
Frank continued. “Last week, we got a notice from the county that the property taxes have been improperly calculated for the past ten years, leaving us with a substantial tax bill.”
“How much are we talking?” Jase asked.
Frank gave a number, sending a collective gasp though the younger generation.
“Isn’t there some sort of statute of limitations?” Jeremy asked.
“We’ve met with our attorney and accountant. They say we’re legally obligated to pay it, and while the timing couldn’t be worse, since we rightfully owe that money, we’ll find a way to pay it.”
“When does it have to be paid?” Maybe, paid over time, the total wouldn’t seem so high, Lanie thought.
“Half is due by the end of the year, and the remaining by the end of first quarter next year.”
“That’s impossible.” Jase exclaimed. “Especially when money’s already tight.”
Lanie’s dad stepped forward. “We’ve decide the best option is to start selling off a few parcels of land. That’s the only way we can bring in that kind of cash in the needed timeframe, but we wanted to talk with you kids first.”
Tears pricked behind Lanie’s eyes. It didn’t seem fair that her parents and the Tyndales had worked so hard over the years, only to lose part of their land because of a clerical error. “There are no other options?” she asked.
“Not that we can think of in the timeframe that we need.”
Vera Tyndale stepped forward. “The important thing to remember is we’ll still have our homes and each other. We’ve talked to a realtor, and he believes that we can get the money quickly by selling only a few prime lots and we’ll still maintain the bulk of our land.”
“Which ones?” Jase queried tensely.
The parents looked at each other apprehensively, until Everett Callahan answered. “The ones behind your house.”
Jase’s Adam’s apple bobbled as he swallowed hard, the news hitting him in the gut. Lanie knew how much he loved the land surrounding the original homestead.
Allie stood, displaying a stoic front. “If that’s what will save Whispering Winds, then we should proceed.”
“Let’s spend the next two weeks focusing on Thanksgiving,” Lanie’s mom recommended.
“Diana’s right. We have many things to be thankful for. This is a curveball we’ll find a way through, but let’s focus on the blessings we’ve been given. Take this time and think about it, maybe between all of us, we can find another solution. We’ll reconvene the Monday after Thanksgiving, after the staff meeting.” Frank Tyndale took his wife’s hand and left with her from the room, followed by Everett and Diana Callahan.
Jase, Allie, Jeremy and Lanie remained.
“There has to be a better choice. I can’t believe the county would do something like this.” Jase stood, pacing the length of the room.
“The economy’s hard on everyone right now. We’re all just trying to get by, even the county,” Allie tried propitiating.
Lanie looked at Jeremy, who’d been quiet the whole time. An idea came together in her mind, but would it even be fair to ask? He was the only person she knew who’d have that much money.
“What if we could get a loan?” she suggested.
Jase shook his head. “That’s a lot of money. Even if we could get the loan, we’d still have to repay it. In the long run, it would cause more problems.”
“What if it was a loan with flexible repayment options?” She pressed forward, looking at Jeremy.
“No, Lanie,” Jase asserted firmly.
“You have the money, Jeremy. Can’t you loan Whispering Winds the money?” To her, it seemed the perfect solution.
Jeremy looked at her, regret crinkling the corner of his eye
s. “I don’t have that kind of cash.”
“Where did it go?” she demanded. “You earned a pretty penny the last few years on the circuit.”
“It’s not available, Lanie. I’m sorry.”
Frustration and desperation about the ranch took over common sense. “You’re just as irresponsible as your father,” she shouted, echoing Jase’s words from several months prior.
A dangerous glint shone from Jeremy. “You don’t know what you’re saying. Can we talk about this privately?’ He jerked his head toward Allie and Jase, both of whom had widened eyes, reminding her they weren’t alone.
Lanie felt sick to her stomach, immediately regretting her words. The sudden news about the tax bill had her not thinking straight. What Jeremy had done with his money was none of her business, especially if it was spent prior to them reconnecting. He’s always paid his child support on time, always made sure Cody had anything he wanted that money could buy. That’s as far as his financial business extended to her.
She noticed Allie nudge Jase, and they exited the room, leaving her alone with Jeremy. He hadn’t moved, a frown marred his face.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
“It’s not my business where your money went, as long as Cody was receiving his support.”
“That’s the problem, Lanie. You’re saying it’s not your business, like you believe I was irresponsible. There’s still a part of you that doesn’t trust me.”
“I do.”
“Then you’d have a little faith in me.” His hurt was evident.
For several minutes she thought about what had just happened. “Didn’t we say it wasn’t going to be easy? I trust you. Completely. My words were spoken out of frustration of the situation, and it was easier to put blame on you, because of the past, than to accept we might have to lose part of Whispering Winds. It doesn’t make it right, but I’m sorry.”
“Can someone watch Cody after school?” he asked.
“I’m sure someone can. Why?”
“There’s somewhere I want to take you.”
“Let me go talk to Allie.”
“I’ll meet you at my truck in a half hour. Bring a coat; we’ll be out late.” His voice was strained, but he gave her arm a gentle squeeze as he passed by on his way out of the room.
She found Allie and Jase in the game room, halfheartedly playing a game of pool. They both stopped and looked at her with inquiring eyes.
“Are you okay?” Allie asked with a note of sympathy
“Not really. Do you think we’ll lose part of Whispering Winds?”
“Not if I can help it,” Jase spoke up adamantly. “My son is going to be free to explore the woods, go fishing anywhere he wants along the stream behind our house.”
“Or daughter,” Allie corrected him, sharing a secret smile with her husband.
Lanie’s gaze darted back and forth between Jase and Allie. “You’re pregnant?”
“We’re having a baby,” Allie announced, beaming.
“Wow, congratulations! When are you due?”
“I go for my first ultrasound next week, but by my guess, early June.”
“I can’t believe I’m finally going to be an Aunt. It’s about time, little brother,” she teased, giving Jase a friendly punch.
“Maybe it’s about time to give me some more nieces and nephews,” he joked back, then stopped realizing what he said. “Oh screw it. It kills me to admit it, but Jeremy has changed. You’re good for each other. Go apologize and make up with him, but don’t you dare ask him for money again, on Whispering Winds’ behalf.”
Lanie looked at her brother like he’d just sprouted a horn. “After all the hell you raised, you change your mind like that,” she said, snapping her fingers.
He shrugged. “I was cautiously and justifiably wrong.”
“He’s actually the reason I came searching for you. Allie, would you be able to get Cody from the bus and watch him this evening? Jeremy and I need some time to talk and he’s taking me somewhere.”
“Of course.”
“Thanks a lot.” She gave Allie a quick hug. “Congratulations again. I’ll call when I know better what time I’ll be home.”
“Don’t rush. He’ll be in good hands.”
She was fortunate to have family surrounding her. Stopping by the office on her way out, she grabbed her jacket and purse. Jeremy was already waiting for her outside, leaning against the truck. From the brown Stetson he wore today, down to his well-worn boots, he could have doubled as the Marlboro man, minus the absence of a cigarette. Her stomach did the little flip-flops that it did every time she stopped to really look at him.
“Ready?”
“Yes. Are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“In a bit.” He opened the passenger door and held a hand out to assist her inside the cab.
“Have I told how sorry I am?” she said again, trying to go the cutesy route to return a smile on his face.
“You’re forgiven, Lanie. I’ve said and done plenty worse.” His tone didn’t reflect the words; instead, it projected a poignant remorse. He closed the door, already walking to the driver’s side.
“Jase and Allie are pregnant,” she told him after several minutes of painful silence.
“They’ll be good parents,” he replied neutrally, not taking his eyes from the road.
“Jase finally admitted you’ve changed; said you and I are good for each other.”
Jeremy quirked an eyebrow, but didn’t respond.
“He also said he’d like more nieces or nephews.”
“He knows I’d be the father, right?” Jeremy snorted, finally glancing over.
“I just told you he’s come around. One thing about Jase is he’ll admit when he’s wrong.”
“Forgive me if I don’t believe it.”
“Don’t do this.” Torn between wanting to scream and cry, she scooted to the edge of her seat, reaching over and resting a hand on Jeremy’s thigh, needing that physical connection.
“Do what? Be realistic? Would you like me to believe in an instant happily ever after? Because that’s not how it works,” he exploded.
Running her teeth over her bottom lip, tears formed in the corners of her eyes. “Do you still want the happily ever after?
“Of course I do. I love you, Lanie, and I want to be with you. That’s never going to change, but things were going so well between us that I fooled myself into thinking the past could be erased. Today was a reminder that it will always be there lurking, waiting for a chance to attack.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered again, struck with the damage her careless accusation had caused.
“Stop saying you’re sorry, okay?” He changed hands on the steering wheel and reached over to wipe away her tear. “You and Cody are my world, the best things to happen to me. Don’t ever forget that.”
A few more minutes of silence passed. Observing Jeremy from her side of the truck, she saw the tension leaving his body. His muscles relaxed and his mouth wasn’t twisting into a frown. He wasn’t smiling yet, but it was a start.
“My dad didn’t lose the ranch because of some hidden gambling addiction that everyone seems to believe,” Jeremy confided, some thirty minutes later. “I don’t know how that rumor even started.”
“What happened?” To her shame, she’d believed the rumors.
“Alzheimer’s. He kept it to himself, too proud to tell anyone, until it was too late. Slowly, he handed over the reins of daily operations, but kept control of the finances and books. Unfortunately, as the months progressed, so did the dementia. He started making rash investments that didn’t make sense, both on new equipment for the ranch and in stocks. The worst part was, he took out a mortgage on Travers’ Ranch that he should have never needed.”
“That’s terrible,” she said, feeling even worse about what she’d said earlier in the conference room.
“It was right around the ti
me of our divorce when I was at my worst. Almost a year had passed since I’d been out to see him even though I was minutes away. Had I been a better son, I could have seen what was happening. No one knew until the ranch was foreclosed on. Dad wasn’t even the one who told me; it was his foreman.”
“Where’s you dad now?”
Jeremy gulped, having difficulty giving the answer. “A long-term care home. I had no choice,” he quickly added.
“You don’t have to defend your decision.”
“Yes, I do. Dad was the strongest, most steadfast man I ever knew. He built Travers’ Ranch from nothing, making it the most respected horse ranch in the state. All that’s gone because of a debilitating disease that’s turned him into a man I don’t know. Putting him into a care home killed me, but there was no other option. The disease was progressing too fast.”
“I can’t imagine,” Lanie uttered, her heart breaking for the secret pain Jeremy had been going through.
“During his moments of lucidity, he begs me not tell anyone. He can’t accept the fact of what’s happening to him. Other than a select few people, for necessary reasons and who I know won’t breach his trust, you’re the first person I’ve told. I try to visit him once a week, but it’s been more scattered since going to Whispering Winds.”
“That’s where you’ve disappeared the weekend we had no plans?”
“Yes.”
“And here I thought you were escaping Jase,” she teased lightly, successfully coaxing a chuckle from him.
“I’m taking you to see him. Is that okay?”
She gave his hand a squeeze, feeling a measure of relief they were talking now. “I’d love that.”
“There’s more to the story you need to know. I hated the idea of Travers’ Ranch falling to a stranger’s hands. It’s true you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.” He glanced over to her, and she knew he was referring to her also. “I bought the ranch back from the bank. Deep down, I knew that, eventually, I’d have to get my act together and I had this dream of one day, when I was done riding bulls, bringing it back to its former glory and leaving its legacy to Cody. Purchasing it back from the bank took most of the money I had. That’s why I don’t have that kind of cash.”
When the Glitter Fades (Cowboys of Whispering Winds) Page 10
