Hearts Crossing Ranch Anthology

by Tanya Hanson

  “I can’t tell you, Christy, what a fine idea I find it. Turning Posy’s Grave into a wedding gazebo. I hope we might hire your company for the final design.” The older woman shared Kenn’s bright dark eyes, and Christy’s heart lightened with a girlish tingle. If Kenn meant what he said, this woman likely would be her mother-in-law.

  “Well, the good Lord’s already done most of the design,” Christy said, meaning it. “We might bring in some fallen logs for bench seats. And perhaps formalize the ‘tombstone’ a little more into an altar. And of course, add a grapevine arbor to cover with flowers.” Excitement lurched in her breast, improving her mood. “It could also be an outdoor chapel for other occasions. But keeping it simple is my opinion on how to go.”

  “Hi, Mom. Hi, Christy.” Kelley stomped over, forehead furrowed with frown lines.

  “Don’t frown.” her mother ordered. “You’ll wrinkle up.”

  “Don’t care. What’s that disgusting she-devil doing here?” Kelley pointed to Christy’s nemesis.

  Mrs. Martin held up her hand as she sank on a bale. “Watch your tongue, girl. No name calling. Daisy’s ever a child of God. And we can’t very well order her to leave. Everybody hereabouts is welcome at our hoedowns.”

  Kelley met Christy’s gaze, flushing. “I heard she’d be in town about now. I just don’t know why.”

  “Apparently Tony left her. Is that why you tried to set me up with Kenn.”

  His little sister nodded. “It worked. We just need to get rid of Daisy.”

  It worked. Christy liked the sound of the words, but her heart wavered a little. Kenn hadn’t seemed all that eager to find her to explain. Right now, at a table made of planks over sawhorses, Daisy held court like Scarlett O’Hara at Twelve Oaks, guzzling fruit punch surrounded by ranch hands wide-eyed at her beauty. At least Kenn wasn’t enslaved by her; he wasn’t anywhere near. Relief warmed Christy.

  Then in front of everybody, Daisy got up, swayed over to Kenn, and pulled his face down to hers. He tried to wriggle away, but she clamped herself tight against him.

  The barn turned suddenly quiet. Just then the fiddlers stopped in between sets, and the cloggers caught their breaths. And Daisy took advantage. She started to yell over the clumps of folks talking together

  “I’m excited about the reunion next week. Ya’ll might remember my husband. Excuse me, soon to be ex-husband Tony? Well, he won’t be showing. Sure hope he gets his just deserts.” She hiccupped. “Ya’ll recall he coached our swim team to greatness a while back. Know how? Steroids. Anabolics. Performance enhancers. Drugs. Says Kenn knew all about it. But I never believed him. You never knew, now, did you, baby?” She started to rub Kenn’s cheeks as if he were an infant. Beneath his suntan, his face had grayed, and not far away, Bragg turned purple. Kenn moved quickly from her side, looking down at his boots.

  How on earth did Daisy expect to win Kenn back by revealing such hurtful, inflammatory information?

  “What’s got into that girl?” Mrs. Martin said, wary.

  Kelley’s eyes blazed. “I’ll go find Pike and a couple other guys. They’ll get her out of here.”

  Suddenly Christy saw a metallic glint from the back pocket of Daisy’s jeans.

  “Why, she’s drunk. That’s a flask.” To spare Kenn and reveal Daisy’s treachery, she scooted hurriedly across the floor to his side and pushed Daisy back down into a folding chair. “You need to sober up, Daisy. Get some coffee down your gullet.” Compassion mixed with her fury as Christy addressed the crowd. “This woman’s had too much to drink. Brought a flask in with her.”

  “No.” Kenn said suddenly, standing tall once again. “She might be drunk, but she’s right. I’ve got something to say. I need to get this off my chest.”

  “Kenn, no.” Christy and Bragg said at the same time as they reached for his arms.

  “I did know about the steroids. And I didn’t turn Tony in. Or try to protect the kids. My own brother, even. My silence and my lack of courage let them sneak and lie and become people they shouldn’t be.”

  “They had free will, Kenn,” Christy insisted. “It isn’t your fault.”

  “Maybe not my fault entirely. But I helped. My own brother. I should have been a role model, but I ran scared. Protecting my job. Maybe…” His eyes dulled as he looked around the crowd, many of them parents of students he’d taught, or would. At least tonight, the local kids were hanging out together outside. He didn’t have to lose face in front of kids he’d be grading in a few weeks. Unless… “I reckon my lack of courage means I’m not fit to take charge of your young’uns after all.”

  The crowd buzzed, and Christy shuddered. A ruined career would devastate him. Kenn wore Hearts Crossing like a second skin, but she knew he was just as much at home in his classroom.

  “That’s not true, Mr. Martin,” yelled P.J. Blake, inside after another piece of peach cobbler. “You rock, dude.”

  “Knock it off, Kenn.” Bragg’s eyes glazed with anger and frustration. “You’re why I’m back here at Hearts Crossing.” He looked away from Kenn but not to the crowd, rather at his rigid troubled mother. “Coach O’Neal gave me a chance to stop. But I wouldn’t listen to anybody. Since then, the Lord’s forgiven me. I have peace at night.”

  “But what about the records you set?” Kenn demanded, wiping his brow. “Legitimate swimmers beneath you might well have earned your awards instead of you.”

  Bragg nodded. “I know. That’s for the NCAA to figure out. I informed them by e-mail an hour ago. But this isn’t about me. It’s about you. You did what you thought best. Don’t let it eat you up anymore. I was a big boy, and you couldn’t have stopped me anyway.” His eyes narrowed. “I thought we sorted this out last night.”

  Kenn nodded. “We did. But that was before she got here.” He pointed an angry finger at Daisy.

  “But maybe she’s here for a purpose. So that the rest of Mountain Cove knows the truth.”

  “Aw, come here, you big galumph, and give ole’ Daisy a big kiss.” Daisy shouted crudely as Pike reached her side, and Kelley ran to help.

  “You’re not fit to drive,” Pike told Daisy softly. “Let me have your keys.” Amazingly, Daisy obeyed, and with a loud burp, collapsed in Pike’s arms. “Kel, help me get her to the guest bunkhouse to sleep it off.”

  “I’ll move her car. It’ll be in the way of the airport van tomorrow morning.” Kenn grabbed the keys, his voice bitter as he left the barn.

  Christy crossed her arms and grabbed her shoulders, trying to stifle her trembling. In her heart, she knew Kenn needed her, but she wasn’t sure if she should intrude.

  “What’s going to happen now?” she asked Mrs. Martin.

  “You go find your man. And don’t you worry. Hank Scovell –the principal-- knows a good teacher when he’s got one on staff. Kenn’s got a great reputation in the district. There’s Hank going after Kenn right now.” Mrs. Martin’s strong athletic arm enfolded Christy in a short, brisk hug. “And we need to pray for that girl to find her way again. I know her folks. She was raised in a good Christian home.” She gave a tighter hug as she repeated, “Now, Christy, you go find your man.”

  ****

  “What’s going to happen now?” Kenn asked his headmaster who caught up with him next to Daisy’s red Mustang. His breath came quick with nerves, but he knew he’d said and done the right things inside just now. “It never occurred to me until now. Bragg wasn’t the only kid I should have worried about. I didn’t just wrong him. I wronged everybody else.

  “Ah, Kenn.” Hank Scovell cleared his throat. “Give me some credit. We suspected. But the kids wouldn’t talk.”

  “But I should have!”

  “Kenn, Tony’s leaving MCHS wasn’t accidental. He was strongly urged to leave. Maybe I should have been more hands-on, planned a sting operation or something. But I can’t beat myself up over decisions I made then just because I have better information now. You might have known about Tony, Kenn, but you weren’t part of his scheme. You need fee
l no guilt.”

  Kenn fought the urge to punch Daisy’s car. “But my brother…”

  “Had a conscience. What’s done is done. He’s contacted the right people, and he’s found peace. Go on with your life. Go in peace yourself.”

  “I don’t know…”

  “Then put it in the Lord’s hands.” Hank’s words didn’t surprise Kenn. They taught in a public school but had attended the same church for years. “Let Him give you comfort and guidance. All I know is, you’re part of my faculty, and you better be there on the first day of school.” Hank Scovell punched Kenn soundly in the shoulder in a masculine show of support and plodded off.

  Christy’s footfalls crunched on the gravel drive, and her shadow and lavender scent materialized in the light from the open barn doors.

  “Hi,” she said breathlessly. “Sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear.” Her dark eyebrows, as perfectly-shaped as angel wings, drew together in concern.

  “It’s all right. I sure dodged that bullet,” Kenn breathed out, harsh. “Can’t say I deserve his support.”

  “You don’t need to play martyr, Kenn,” Christy said, words as soft as her hand on his arm. “If the headmaster didn’t want you back, he had the perfect chance just now to fire you. You’ve learned since those days, right? Daddy always said a teacher who doesn’t learn more than he teaches isn’t a true teacher at all.”

  “Here, here.” He wrapped his arms around her. “You must wonder if I’m a loser, having dated that woman. I’m just sorry you had to see all of that.”

  “I’m not. If you loved her once, she must have worth. God surely thinks so. I’m going to pray that Daisy finds her way back to Him. Your mom said she was raised a Christian. You and I, well, we already figured out life is full of hills and valleys. Who knows what dark places she’s seen? We’re not to judge her.”

  Their fingers entwined, and Christy’s warmth hit him all the way to his toes. She spoke again.

  “Kenn, I intend to be hiking by your side through it all. Every single hill and valley up ahead. Every dark day. Every patch of green. That is…” she looked shyly away, light and darkness carving beautiful shadows across her cheekbones. “If you meant what you said. About me being your future wife.”

  He laughed out loud. “Aw, Christy, I love you more than words can say. Of course I meant it. If you’ll have me.”

  “I will. I love you back. I can’t imagine how I made it without you before.” Her arms pulled him close, her breath tickling his neck. Finally she pulled back, gently. “But since this is the only proposal I intend to ever have, Kennedy Martin, would you mind doing it right?”

  He promptly lowered to one knee and took her hand, melding his gaze with hers. Raising her fingers to his mouth first, he brushed his lips across her knuckles, and then said. “Jesus loves me, this I know, Christy. Because He brought you to my side. Will you marry me?”

  “I will. And I’ll be repeating those same words in front of a preacher sometime soon.”

  His heart burst with new life, and he rose up to take her in his arms. In their embrace, they fit together so perfectly that he knew once again she had been made for him. As he touched her mouth with his, her tremble ran through him, too. He deepened the kiss, and the taste was sweeter than their first. Her little moans of delight melted his bones.

  “In the meantime…” As she looked up at him, her voice slowed in such a way he felt a grimace etch his face. Of course she was going home, at least for a while. She had responsibilities. She had her mom. Of course they could call and text, but he missed her already.

  “In the meantime,” he repeated casually, “I’m going to ask your mom for permission. But it’s something I can’t do on the phone. I’ll go to California with you.”

  “No. It’s not that. I mean…of course you must. Ask her, I mean. And I’d love you to come with me if you can.” Her fingers tightened around his. “You can meet my people at Forrest for the Trees. I’ll be delegating and telecommuting, flying in to check on things. Because I’ll be staying here in the long run.”

  Her words about staying thrilled him, but he could sense something else heavy on her mind. “What is it, darlin’?”

  Christy leaned her head against his shoulder, and her long hair brushed his hands. “Mom didn’t answer her phone at home when I tried a while ago.”

  “Maybe she went to the movies with friends or something.”

  “I know. I tried not to let it get to me.” She didn’t sound convinced. “But she knew about what time I was coming back today and told me to call.”

  Kenn tried to shrug offhandedly. “I’m sure she’s fine.”

  “Well, I couldn’t reach her on her cell, either, and if she left a voice mail, well, I couldn’t access my phone. I guess I could call Aunt Ruth,” Christy mused.

  “Maybe you could text her?” Kenn wondered.

  Christy shook her head. “Mom doesn’t text. I had to have an actual tantrum to get her to start using a cell phone.” She tossed him a brave grin, but her shoulders slumped.

  Her worry touched him, and he longed to ease it. Cuddling her close to his side, he walked her to a rickety old garden bench that leaned against the barn. After they sat, tension rippled through her, and he clenched his fists, aching to comfort her. The words came easy. “She’s in the Lord’s hands. I’m sure she’s fine.”

  “Of course, you’re right.” She smiled with a sigh as he ran his fingers down her cheeks. “Mom’s been a big girl far longer than I have.”

  Guilt swamped him then. “But I am sorry, with this on your mind, you had to deal with all the drama back there. With Daisy, with Bragg.”

  “Well, don’t be. They’re in the Lord’s hands now, too,” she said.

  Out in the distance, twin pinpoints of headlights sparked through the twilight. Some latecomer to the hoedown, Kenn surmised.

  As if on cue to greet somebody important, Ma came through the shadows and wriggled between them. “What a mighty lovely surprise.” She quickly kissed Christy’s cheek and hugged Kenn. “Welcome to the family. And there’s more surprise a’coming, Christy girl. Oh. What a grand and glorious day the Lord has made.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Mrs. Martin waved toward the incoming car.

  “Another surprise?” Kenn gave a dispirited snort. After Daisy, he expected anything.

  ****

  Although still aglow from Mrs. Martin’s warm welcome, Christy tensed. Kenn’s mother had clearly spoken her name. But it…it absolutely couldn’t be. Could it? Yet what else could make this a more grand and glorious day.

  Who else? Her skin rippled with a shiver of hope.

  ”Mrs. Martin?” She could barely mouth the words. “Not my mom?”

  “Yes indeedy.” Mrs. Martin grappled her close again. “She called this morning asking if there was room for the two of you on next week’s wagon train adventure.”

  “You’re kidding.” Stunned, Christy could barely breathe.

  “Nope. She told me she let you and your dad down by not coming along. And yep, there’s plenty of room.”

  “I just can’t believe it.” Christy finally breathed out deep and swiveled her gaze between Kenn and his mom. Their eyes shone in the floodlights illuminating the barnyard. “I just never imagined… .”

  “And we found ourselves in a good long chat. Found her easy to talk to.”

  “My mom?” Christy’s surprise was almost shock. Her mom was a private person who clammed up way too easily. “What about?”

  “I’m a few years ahead of her, Christy, in losing my husband. I remember well her pain and confusion. I felt a kinship right away, and now,” She clomped her one good foot solidly against the ground, “and now my new sister in Christ and I get to be in-laws. The Lord works in mysterious ways to perform His wonders.”

  “I don’t believe this. Kenn? This is huge!” Christy tightened her fingers around his as she squinted at the approaching car.

  “I’ll say.” He obviously co
uldn’t manage much more, and Christy understood completely. The words coming forth from his mother sure didn’t describe one bit the woman Christy had talked about the last three days.

  “She wanted to surprise you,” Mrs. Martin went on. “She wouldn’t wait at the airport hotel for tomorrow morning’s shuttle or even let us pick her up. She rented a car to drive herself here.”

  “This is more than huge.” Christy shook her head, and when her long hair rustled against Kenn’s arm, he twined his fingers in the length. “Mom renting a car. Driving into the unknown by herself. In the dark. Wow. You’re right about wonders, Mrs. Martin.” Christy caught her breath. Suddenly she grabbed Kenn’s arm and bounced on the bench seat. “Kenn. She doesn’t even know we’re getting married!”

  Kenn’s eyes glistened at her words.

  “Like I said, more surprise a’coming,” Mrs. Martin stated, her comfy face split with a grin. She placed one arm across Christy’s shoulder; the other atop Kenn’s.

  “Hey Ma, why’d you blow Mrs. Forrest’s big surprise?” He winked at Christy and bestowed a light, teasing punch on his mother’s arm.

  “Couldn’t help myself,” Mrs. Martin said, her cheek blushing like a ripe peach. “It was killing me to hold my tongue back inside the hoedown. And I didn’t want our girl here—” she ruffled Christy’s hair like she was six years old— “to worry.”

  “So that’s really her?” Christy asked at the approaching car.

  Kenn chuckled. “Must be. Everybody we know for thirty miles is in the barn.”

  Christy got to her feet and gave them both a big hug. “I’m glad you told me, Mrs. Martin. Otherwise I’d probably have gone into a coma when she showed up. Oh, Kenn!” She couldn’t contain her joy. Surely this was one of the pinnacles they’d talked about. Waving her arms, she jogged closer to the incoming car.

  As soon as the generic beige rental car pulled to a stop behind Daisy Densmore’s, Christy recognized her mom and ran up to pound on the driver side window. Within seconds, she was eagerly holding her mother close.

  “Mom, Mom.” Tears poured down her face, and her heart swelled. “I am so, so glad you’re here. It’s so beautiful. So perfect and peaceful.”