Reunited in the Rockies

by Mindy Obenhaus

  By the time he returned to the ranch last night, he’d decided that he wanted to make her a crib. Not only would it save her from having to purchase one, a handcrafted crib would be an heirloom. And he could make it whatever style she liked. Besides, he wanted to do something special for her. After all she’d been through, she deserved it. And so much more.

  He rounded the corner as his father and a couple of neighboring ranchers finished driving the cattle into the large pen at the back of the barn. Normally, Noah would have helped them, too, but since he was on his honeymoon...

  Over the next few hours, they saw to the needs of each and every cow. Some were released back into the main pasture while others were loaded into a trailer so they could be moved to a separate pasture.

  “Appreciate the help, fellas.” A favor Dad would repay, because that was just the way ranchers did things. Dad closed the gate on the trailer after the last cow had been loaded.

  “Our pleasure.” While his son loaded their horses, Jim Osborn nudged his cowboy hat with a gloved hand. “After you and Noah helped us with that fence, it’s the least we can do.” A speeding driver had taken out a good portion of Jim’s fence line along the highway a few months back, and Dad and Noah had helped him put up a temporary barrier.

  As Jim and his son pulled away, Dad and Jude piled into the pickup and drove the remaining cattle to a smaller pasture. Once the cows were off-loaded, they headed back to the house for some lunch.

  “It’s been a while since we’ve discussed you taking over the cattle business.” Dad eased the truck and empty trailer alongside the barn. “’Course things haven’t been what I would call normal around here either.”

  “No, they haven’t.” Jude exited the vehicle and followed his father across the drive, up the steps of the deck and into the house. After pausing in the mudroom to remove their boots and hats—a rule his mother had drummed into all of their heads from the moment they were old enough to wear boots—they washed their hands before continuing through the living room and into the adjoining kitchen.

  Dad swung open the door to the fridge. “Roast beef sandwich?”

  “Sounds good to me.” Jude grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it at the tap. He took a long swig, then moved to the pantry for a bag of potato chips.

  “I assume you’ve been mulling over my offer.” Knife in hand, the old man cut the roast into thin slices.

  Maybe not the offer, per se. Simply how to tell the man no. He sucked in a breath. “I have.”

  Dad looked at him over his shoulder, a smile lifting one corner of his mouth. “And?”

  “Well, it’s like this.”

  His father’s phone rang. He set the knife on the counter and pulled the device from his shirt pocket to look at the screen. “Hillary. I’d better take this.” He tapped the screen and placed the phone to his ear. “Hello.”

  Jude opened the bag and grabbed a handful of chips. He was starving.

  “No, you do not need to call a tow truck. At least, not yet.”

  That didn’t sound good.

  The old man continued to listen as he moved into the living room. “I know, but we’re finished now.” He again fell quiet. Then, “Don’t you worry, darlin’.” There was a tenderness in the old man’s voice that Jude hadn’t heard since his mother passed. “I’ll be there quick as I can.” He ended the call and shoved the phone back in his pocket.

  “Problem?”

  Dad was already on his way into the mudroom. “Hillary’s car quit on her up near Colona. I’m gonna go see if I can figure out what’s wrong.”

  Jude followed him. “Her vehicle isn’t that old, is it?”

  “Couple years. Let’s just hope it’s somethin’ simple.” He shoved his feet into his well-worn boots, donned his cowboy hat and headed for the door. “Don’t know when I’ll be back. If we have to tow it, it may be a while.”

  Jude wasn’t sure if he should be relieved or disappointed. Just when he’d finally mustered up the courage... “No problem. You just do what you gotta do.”

  * * *

  Saturday morning, Kayla stared into the smaller of two upstairs bedrooms inside of Livie’s House. This was it. The start of her new life.

  A plethora of emotions ricocheted through her, most of them good. She’d wanted a do-over. She just never imagined her life would change so dramatically. A new town, new job, new place to live... And, of course, a baby.

  “This space would be perfect for a nursery.” Lily paced the room, hands clasped against her chest, her excitement almost palpable. “All this natural light.” She gestured to the two windows. “And this greige color—” smoothing a hand across one wall, she faced Kayla “—is the perfect backdrop for just about anything. No matter what color bedding and accents you choose, whether feminine or masculine, everything will look great.”

  Funny, this tour of her new abode with Lily was much different from the one Jude had given her last night. Then again, a tour was simply an excuse so they could be alone. He’d come by after work, disheartened that he hadn’t been able to break the news to his father about the cattle business, after all. And since the recently renovated home used to belong to his grandmother...

  Yet while Jude had given her a basic walk-through of the house, Lily shared ideas on how to make it a home.

  “I’m not sure how I feel about having the baby’s room upstairs while my bedroom is downstairs. What if I don’t hear him or her?”

  “That’s what baby monitors are for. And they even have video monitors now, so you can actually see the baby.” Lily crossed to stand beside Kayla. “Another option would be for you to take the other bedroom up here and use the bedroom downstairs for a guest room or office.” She shrugged. “Only difference is that the bathroom up here is down the hall, whereas the one downstairs is adjoining.”

  “Good point.” She crossed the hall to the other bedroom that boasted a queen-size bed and farmhouse-style furnishings. Leaning against the doorjamb, she contemplated the inviting space. The downstairs bedroom was decorated similarly, though it was slightly larger.

  Taking a deep breath, she looked at her friend, who remained in the hallway. “What would you recommend?”

  “Downstairs. At least for the time being. Baby isn’t due for at least three months. And once it arrives, the doctor may not want you climbing stairs for a while. So, you may as well start down there where there’s plenty of room for a bassinet.”

  Kayla couldn’t help smiling. She hugged her friend. “I’m so glad you’re back.”

  Releasing her, Lily said, “No offense, but I wouldn’t have minded a few more days alone with my husband.”

  Suddenly craving another one of the cinnamon rolls Lily had brought from Granny’s Kitchen, Kayla headed for the steps. “You mean you don’t regret not jetting off to somewhere exotic?”

  Lily followed. “Been there, done that. For now, I prefer to keep things simple. As long as I’m with Noah, any place is perfect.”

  At the bottom of the stairs, Kayla faced her friend. “Aww...look at you. All mushy with love.”

  Lily playfully swatted her. “Hey, you could find yourself here one day, too.”

  Kayla continued across the beautiful hardwood floors into the bright white kitchen. Though she’d been here once or twice all those years ago, she didn’t recall things looking this good. If memory served her correctly, the kitchen had been mixture of gold countertops and green appliances.

  “I doubt that.” Using a fork, she lifted another roll from the foil pan on the peninsula. “Want one?”

  “No, thanks.” Lily eyed her from the other side of the peninsula. “And don’t be such a doubting Thomas, because I said the same thing.”

  “Yes, you did.” Setting the roll on her plate, Kayla lifted a shoulder. “Still...”

  “Kayla, not every guy is like Shane.”

 
“I know.” Picking up her plate, she moved to the oval wooden table near the window. “But then I never suspected Shane was like Shane either.”

  Lily joined her. “Alcoholics are good at hiding things. You only see what they want you to see.”

  Kayla picked up the roll. “I suppose you’re right. Even his parents never knew. You should have seen how shocked they were when the coroner told them his blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit.” She took a bite of the gooey goodness. “By the way, I told Jude about Shane.”

  “That was brave of you.”

  She waited until she’d finished chewing to respond. “I wanted—no, needed—him to know I’m different now.”

  “Why? Don’t you think he could figure it out?”

  “Maybe.” She licked her fingers. “But I always get the feeling that he still thinks of me as that girl he once knew instead of who I am now.”

  “Perhaps he sees something that you don’t. Something you only thought was gone.”

  “Perhaps.” Though highly doubtful.

  “I just want you to be open to whatever God might have in store for you. Not to mention that little one growing inside of you.”

  “Speaking of growing.” Kayla stood. “Did you notice I’m wearing maternity clothes? Courtesy of Carly.” She modeled the skinny jeans and striped shirt.

  “That is so cute.”

  Kayla felt the baby kick. She laid a hand over the spot. “I think somebody else likes cinnamon rolls, too.”

  Lily’s eyes grew wide. She jumped to her feet. “The baby’s moving?” She placed both hands on Kayla’s belly.

  “I felt it for the first time the night of the wedding. I went to the doctor this week, too, and he did a sonogram. The baby was sucking its thumb.”

  Anticipation lit Lily’s face. Finally, the baby moved again.

  “Oh...” she cooed. “That is so sweet. I can hardly wait to hold it.”

  This was the perfect time. “Lily?” She waited for her friend to look at her before she continued. “Would you be my birthing coach?”

  “Oh, sweetie.” She pooched out her bottom lip, then hugged her tight. “I would be honored.”

  Across the room, Kayla’s cell phone rang. She freed herself and hurried to the counter, unplugged it from its charger and looked at the screen. The sight of her mother-in-law’s name made her cringe.

  Not only had she not talked to her in-laws since coming to Ouray, she now had to tell them that she planned to stay here.

  “Sorry, Lily. It’s my mother-in-law.” She pressed the button and placed the phone to her ear. “Hi, Maureen.”

  “Hello, Kayla. I just wanted to check in with you, see how your trip went.”

  This was it. Time to tell them her plans had changed and then hope they’d be happy for her. After all, Joe and Maureen Bradshaw had always been kind to her. Sure, Joe was a little gruff and liked to control things, but he cared about his family. Which made it even more difficult to keep Shane’s secret hidden from them. “Very well. Actually, I’m still in Ouray.”

  “Still? But you’ve been gone for two weeks.”

  “I know. However, I was presented with a job opportunity in Ouray that I just couldn’t turn down.”

  “You...you mean you’re staying in Ouray?” She heard the quiver in Maureen’s voice.

  “I was planning to call you tomorrow to let you know.”

  “But what about the baby?”

  “I’ve already been to a doctor here who has agreed to take over my prenatal care.”

  “So, the baby will be born out there?” The disappointment in her mother-in-law’s voice was killing her.

  “Yes.”

  “But who will care for the child?”

  Her eyes closed momentarily. How could she have forgotten? Though she had yet to give the woman an answer, Maureen had made it clear that she wanted to be the baby’s caretaker as opposed to a day care.

  “I...haven’t figured that out yet.” She rubbed her forehead. She’d definitely need to start looking into that soon.

  “Kayla, are you sure you’ve thought this through?”

  Kayla eyed the large spruce in the backyard. “Yes, ma’am.” Though that didn’t stop the second guesses from niggling at her now.

  “All right. If you feel that would be best, then I guess there’s nothing else to say.”

  “I’ll send you my contact information—” She looked at her phone to see the call had been disconnected.

  On the other side of the peninsula, Lily bit her bottom lip. “How did she take it?”

  “She was definitely disappointed.” And Kayla knew the woman well enough to know that she was probably crying her eyes out right now. Something that only made her feel worse. And had her wondering if she’d truly done the right thing.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jude could hardly wait to show Kayla the crib designs he’d sketched for her. He had one that was definitively rustic, another with clean lines that could also convert into a toddler bed when the child got older and a final option, which was a little more elegant with a curved head and footboard. Now he was eager to see which one she would choose.

  So, armed with a supreme pizza with extra cheese, he made his way up the walk just before six thirty Saturday evening to what had once been his grandmother’s house. In her seemingly infinite wisdom, his mother’s mother had willed half of the house to her friend and next-door neighbor, Carly, and the other half to his brother Andrew—a move that ended up reuniting the former high school sweethearts. Something Jude suspected his grandmother had been hoping for all along.

  He rang the bell, anticipating Kayla had been far too busy unpacking and getting settled to even think about eating. After all, moving could be a monumental task. Given what had happened at the wedding, he wasn’t about to take any risks.

  A few moments later, the door opened.

  “Jude.” Wearing a long, bulky cardigan over a striped shirt and her hair pulled back in a ponytail, Kayla looked almost bewildered, tentative, and seemed to cling to the door like a lifeline. “What are you doing here?”

  Perhaps he should have called first. “I brought you some dinner.” He held out the large pizza.

  “Oh.” She stared at the box before lifting her wide-eyed gaze to his. “Um...come on in.” She held the door open, motioning for him to enter.

  Hmm. Not exactly the reaction he’d expected. Yet as he moved into what his grandmother had always referred to as the parlor, he caught the scent of something spicy and sweet. Had someone else already brought her dinner? Carly, maybe, since she lived next door and cooked all the time anyway.

  “Smells like somebody already brought you some food.”

  “No.” She pushed the door closed, worry lines creasing her brow when she looked at him. “I’ve been cooking.”

  “You?” He’d never known her to cook before. Then again, they’d both been living with their parents. Since then she’d been married, had a home of her own... “I thought you’d be busy unpacking.”

  “It’s a furnished house.” She waved a hand, bringing attention to the nicely appointed living room. “All I had to unpack were my clothes and some personal items.”

  “Ah. Good point.” One he’d obviously overlooked.

  “Besides, I like to cook. Especially when I’m stressed.”

  Concern arched his brow. “What are you stressed about?”

  Her mouth opened as though she was going to say something, then snapped shut as she turned and moved into the kitchen.

  He followed her with the pizza. “Kayla, what are you stressed about?”

  Inside the recently updated kitchen, she lifted the lid on what appeared to be a pot of chili and gave it a stir. “I’m not stressed. I simply meant that cooking is good therapy when I am.”

  “Uh-huh.” He eyed the d
ozens of cookies spread across the counter and peninsula and wondered what army she was planning to feed. “Looks like you don’t need this pizza then.”

  “Are you kidding?” She hastily replaced the lid, dropped the spoon and took the box from him. “There’s never a bad time for pizza.” She set it beside her laptop on the table and grabbed a slice. “Can I interest you in a bowl of chili?”

  “Depends. What kind of cookies are those?”

  She glanced at the counter. “Oatmeal raisin, peanut butter and chocolate chip.”

  “That’s a lot of cookies.”

  Her shoulder lifted. “I couldn’t decide which one I was hungry for so I made them all.”

  He studied her for a moment. The worry lines he’d noticed when he first came in hadn’t been there yesterday and they had yet to dissipate. “In that case, I’ll take a peanut butter cookie, then the chili.”

  While she ladled up the chili, he grabbed a cookie, nibbling on it as he took in the image on her computer screen. “What’s this?”

  Peering over her shoulder, she said, “At the moment, it’s a work in progress.” She retrieved a spoon from the drawer, added it to the bowl and continued toward him. “But eventually it will be a 3-D design of the new and improved Congress Hotel.”

  “Is this like one of those CAD programs?”

  “That’s exactly what it is.” She handed him the bowl. “I took some classes several years ago, figuring it would help whenever I presented designs to my boss. Now it’ll give me the drawings I’ll need when I submit my application for permits on the hotel.”

  “This is amazing.” Bowl in one hand, spoon in the other, he was about to take a bite when his gaze drifted to the professional-looking sketches beside the computer. “Did you draw these?”

  “Yeah.” She reached for the one on top. “I’m trying to come up with the best layout for the guest rooms. Since there was no indoor plumbing when the hotel was built, the bathrooms that were added later aren’t connected to any of the rooms.”