Last Chance Texas, page 25
The golden glow of the morning sun and lush green trees blended into one color. It was like viewing a kaleidoscope with the roar of the wind surrounding you.
“Oh, god. This is crazy! Wait’ll you guys do this.” By the time she’d finished the comment, drool had spilled down her mouth, making her comments nonsensical.
Once on the ground, Rachel ripped off her harness and stood aside, waiting for Meredith to begin the zip line.
When she saw the blur of blue jeans, she realized Mere had almost completed the obstacle. Looking about, Rachel made sure everyone within a fifty-mile radius could hear what she had to say. Taking a deep breath, she decided to get even with Meredith. Cupping her mouth with both hands, she shouted, “Man, Mere, your butt looks huge from this angle. Holy crap!”
As Rachel whooped it up, loving the fact she’d gotten back at Meredith for the remark she’d made about her and Jake, she noticed that Kelsey wasn’t laughing. In fact, she stood there, staring at the rope as though in a trance. It was clear that Kelsey was going to chicken out.
“Don’t think about it, Kelsey,” Rachel shouted. “Just do it. Let go.” But in spite of Rachel’s encouragement, Kelsey continued balking.
The silence was deafening. Everyone at the campsite seemed to sense her reluctance. She stood stiffly, staring down at the trees below. “I-I can’t do this. I’m not ready.”
“You’ll never feel totally ready, Kelsey. And that’s okay. But I’m begging you, “Kelsey, please at least try. The view is amazing. The trees are so green, the birds so close. If you don’t do this, you’ll always wonder what it would have been like.”
Kelsey’s lip quivered as she closed her eyes. She hesitated for half a minute. When she opened her eyes, she took several deep breaths. Finally, she agreed. “All right. You win. I’ll do it.” Reaching out, Kelsey grasped the rope tightly and closed her eyes once again.
They watched as Kelsey sailed through the air, screaming at the top of her lungs. “Oh, my gosh. This is the most amazing feeling. I feel free!”
As Meredith and Rachel met Kelsey at the bottom of the zip line, they wrapped their arms about her, hugging her fiercely. Kelsey’s hands shook as she untied her harness. “This is totally -I’ve never- its’s utterly and positively awesome. I’m so glad you guys talked me into this. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.”
“We’re supposed to walk away from all this being a better person. Robbie said every person who attended the retreat learned something.” Rachel cocked her head to one side and stared over at Kelsey. “Want to share.”
“Life’s all about taking risks. If you don’t, you’ll never know what might have been. This was the most amazing experience ever, and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Kelsey was preaching to the choir; she just didn’t know it.
Chapter 19
“It’s quite a risk you’re taking, Nathan. Putting the entire farm up for sale. Can’t you hold off for a while and wait for the housing market to come back?” Jake’s comment frustrated Nathan, but the man definitely had a point.
“Tell me something I don’t know, Jake.” Nathan slumped down onto a kitchen chair and propped his elbows on the table. Things were really closing in on him now, but he didn’t want to burden anyone with the sordid details.
It’d been over a month since he’d seen Kelsey, and as things stood, she was firming up the deal with the trucking company. She’d chosen to wheel and deal long distance. Figures. She’d probably sleep better if she didn’t see the chaos she created by her choice of buyers.
But then, she probably didn’t care. Not about him, at least. She’d made that pretty clear when he mentioned that he’d like to see her again. Damn good thing he hadn’t said more, told her that he might be falling for her. Because if he’d told her that, he’d never be able to hold his head up again.
Three men sat at the kitchen table: Jake, Nathan, and a guy who worked part-time at Jake’s Bar. His name was Adam Lightfoot, and from what Nathan had seen, the guy was just about as arrogant as they come. But then, in his other life he was a college professor, and they always seemed a little strange. Kind of pseudo-intellectuals. At least, that’s what Nathan always called them.
Adam copped an attitude that smacked of superiority. He was the type of person who got under your skin if you spent much time with him. Although, Jake seemed to like him well enough, but then, Jake liked everyone.
“It’s already May. If you don’t list your place soon, you may as well forget it.” Adam stared outside at one of the pastures as he spoke, his voice matter-of-fact as he doled out advice.
Don’t recall asking for your opinion.
“Yeah, man. Why didn’t you list it sooner?” Jake’s eyes narrowed as he looked over at Nathan.
That’s when Nathan nearly lost it. Although it wasn’t any of Jake’s damn business, or Adam’s for that matter, he decided to bite the bullet and put everything out there in the open.
“I didn’t know I’d need to unload the place so quickly. Three months ago, I never heard of Kelsey Malone, but now that I have, it’s changed everything. She’s selling Mimi’s property to some trucking company, and I plan on getting the hell out of Dodge before they turn the place upside down.”
“She must have big plans for that money.” Adam studied him critically as he spoke and Nathan suspected Jake might have spilled the beans about Kelsey’s in vitro.
Jake snorted at Adam’s remark, “Damn straight she’s got plans—”
“Watch yourself, Jake. How Kelsey spends the money is her business. Mimi left her the land, and she has every right to do whatever she pleases.”
To Adam’s credit, he seemed to have picked up on how angry Nathan had become and kept his mouth shut. He jumped to his feet, motioning Jake to join him. “Jake, we’d better head out. The bar opens at one and we’ve got several cases of booze to unpack. Nice meeting you, Nathan. Thanks for the beer.”
Adam made his way to the back door, Jake straggling behind with the half empty can of beer in his hand. “Well, geez, I didn’t really finish my drink . . .”
As the two men made their way to Jake’s truck, Nathan nodded in Adam’s direction. “Thanks for taking him off my hands.”
“Listen.” Adam turned his body slightly, gazing up at the hillside. “I’ve got some friends in real estate. I know things are tough right now, but maybe they’re privy to information about the business world. Maybe before Kelsey signs a contract, she can explore some other options. Maybe there’s another company out there who wouldn’t destroy all this acreage. It’s a beautiful piece of property. I’d hate to see it ruined.”
“Kelsey’s pretty much made up her mind.” After Nathan said it, Adam’s dark eyes clouded and he stared down at the ground.
“I suppose.”
“But thanks anyway. I appreciate what you’re trying to do here.” Nathan couldn’t think of another thing to say because things appeared completely hopeless. The only thing going for him now was that he still had the kids. For that, he was grateful.
“Women can sure screw up your life, can’t they?” After Adam made the comment he didn’t wait for a reply but followed Jake to the truck.
~ ~ ~
As the three women drove home from their weekend adventure, Kelsey held up Meredith’s iPod and sifted through the pictures she’d taken of them on the ropes course. Although she’d seen most of them several times on their drive back from their weekend adventure, the one of her swinging through the air on the zip line was her favorite.
The picture, itself, was a bit blurry, but what it represented was significant. Kelsey had sailed through the air so effortlessly that it felt as if she had wings. And truth be told, it was the first time in years that she felt free. Free from her past, free from all the anger about her failed marriage, and most of all, free from the endless suspicion about who Mimi O’Leary really was.
She’d spent a great deal of time thinking about Mimi. Thinking about how she’d spent her final years with the Wainwright family, Nathan’s mother, in particular.
“What’re you going to do with that picture of Nathan you painted?” Meredith glanced over at Kelsey as she said it, and quickly turned back to focus on the highway ahead.
“I’m not sure.” Kelsey hoped Meredith and Rachel wouldn’t press her on this because painting that picture had served as part of her therapy. She’d spoken with the therapist many times about Nathan, and always, each time she returned home, she’d head into her studio and add something to his portrait she’d previously missed. There was so much to the man that it was difficult to capture it all on canvas.
“His birthday’s in June. The portrait would make one heck of a birthday present, don’t you think? Especially since he won’t be living out there much longer.” I imagine it would be bittersweet, though.” Rachel’s tone held a hint of sadness as she spoke, and Kelsey couldn’t help but notice she wasn’t making eye contact with her now.
Meredith quickly jumped to her defense. “Rachel, come on. Quit beating up on Kels. The land is hers. She can do whatever she pleases with it.”
As she stared out the car window, Kelsey felt as though things were beginning to shift. She’d initially been one hundred percent certain the trucking company was the perfect solution. They’d offered her an extremely fair price for the land. All she needed to do was sign the contract.
What she wasn’t telling the girls was that after many sleepless nights, she’d decided to give the proceeds from the sale of the land to Nathan. She wanted him to have it-he deserved it. Her parents were giving her the money for the in vitro. They said it was the least they could do in her pursuit to give them a grandchild. Nathan would be shocked.
The note from Irene had changed everything. Nathan deserved to get custody of Jessica and Tommy. He may have failed at parenthood the first time, but this time would be different. Everyone deserved a second chance.
But she made the decision to withhold the information from the girls. Rachel would probably go and blab.
For that reason, she decided to reveal just a small portion of her plan to her best friends. “I’m going to explore a few other options before I sell off the land. Ever since I found out Mimi was my mother, I feel a little sentimental about the property. Who knows where this will all lead to? I guess the ropes course brought out the adventure in me.”
When Meredith looked into the rearview mirror and stared back at Rachel in the back seat, Kelsey thought she saw her smile.
“That’s very considerate of you, Kelsey. I’m sure Nathan will appreciate that.”
She decided not to tell either of them any more about her plan to give Nathan the money from the sale. They might try and talk her out of it. She’d already made up her mind.
“You’re a very considerate person, Kelsey. I suspect Nathan will appreciate that.” Rachel barely got the words out before Kelsey responded.
“I’m not doing this for Nathan, Rach. I’m doing it for me.”
~ ~ ~
Nathan lit up the stogie he’d been saving and leaned back in the rocking chair. He normally lit the barbecue pit and had a smoke out there, but ever since Jessica and Tommy had come to live with him, he’d changed his routine. The porch was much closer to where the children slept. Besides, he needed to be closer in case Tommy had nightmares.
As he gazed up at the hillside, wondering how much longer he’d be able to call this place home, his mind raced with all he had on his plate. It was already the last week in May. Kelsey would be closing the deal on Mimi’s property. He’d dragged his feet for as long as possible, hoping she’d change her mind.
When his cell phone vibrated, he leaned over, reaching into his pocket, and retrieved it. The text message was brief.
When you get a minute, call me. Kelsey
So she’d finalized the land deal and probably wanted to tell him. What was the point of having a conversation about it?
Get it over with. Call her.
He stared at the phone screen, wondering why he hadn’t bothered to delete her number. It wasn’t as though the two of them ever talked. He quickly hit redial and decided to get it over with.
“Nathan.”
“Hey.”
“I’m glad I caught you.”
Caught me? That would imply I actually have a life.
“The kids are sleeping. I was just sitting out here on the porch having a smoke.” After he said it he took a deep drag on the cigar and waited for Kelsey to continue.
“I’ve got a proposition to make.”
I wish.
“Oh?” was all he managed to say.
“I’ve been investigating some equestrian facilities and found one that creates camps for children with disabilities.”
“Sounds intriguing.” Nathan’s mind drifted to his nephew, Will, and he decided he liked the notion very much.
The facility I’m looking into wants to build a camp somewhere in West Texas. When I mentioned Alpine, they were very interested.” When he didn’t reply, her voice trailed. “Nathan, in order to consider this, they’d need ten of your acres as well. I’ve already drawn up some preliminary plans. You’d be looking out your kitchen window with a beautiful backdrop of the horses running across the field. It beats looking at trucks, don’t you think?”
He sat straighter in the rocker now, pleased at the sudden turn of events. Never in a million years had he considered that Kelsey might give some consideration to his wish to keep the trucking company from taking it over.
“Any chance you could drive out here and we meet with the equestrian people together?”
“I’ve been pretty busy at work, Nathan . . .”
“Of course. Just a thought.” He glanced over at the South pasture, realizing it was the perfect choice since it butted up against Mimi’s property. That’s the parcel he’d sell to come up with the ten acres.
“Tell you what, Nathan. Why don’t you send me a picture of the ten acres you’d be willing to sell? That way, the equestrian facility can have a good view of the twenty acres they’ll have to work with?”
“I’ll get that those pictures to you in the morning. Thanks again, Kelsey. I’d better be going. I hear one of the kids fussing.”
He hung up before she could say more.
As he finished off the stogie, flicking the ashes into the coffee can, Nathan tried to wrap his mind around everything that had happened. Kelsey had sounded more upbeat than usual, but he suspected with the in vitro about to take place, she was in a phenomenal mood. This baby would change her life.
Drive back to Dallas. Tell her how you really feel.
He wouldn’t, of course. What purpose would it serve? This was what people referred to as a one-sided relationship. Not only had Kelsey given him absolutely no reason to hope she felt anything but friendship between them, but she’d made it pretty clear that she wanted to raise a child alone, on her terms. On some level, he actually respected her decision.
He moved his hand up to his face, rubbing the temple of his forehead. Probably best he didn’t see her again. Better to do the land transaction long distance. Had he stood a chance with her, he’d have confessed how he felt about her, told her that while the notion of fatherhood at the age of forty-two scared the hell out of him, he loved her enough to give her what she so desperately wanted.
But as usual, the timing was off. She was definitely over him. Or more likely, she’d never really been into him.
~ ~ ~
Brian Malone sat beside his wife, Eleanor, in Kelsey’s small kitchen. Their daughter had invited them over for a scrumptious dinner of fried chicken, corn on the cob and grits. Cheese grits. Kelsey normally wasn’t a fan of Southern cooking, so the menu with enough cholesterol to send a man to an early grave had come as a complete surprise. Brian decided he hadn’t had a better meal in years.
“Did you get enough to eat, Daddy?” Kelsey was asking a rhetorical question since he’d loaded his plate several times already.
“That was quite a meal, Kelsey.” Eleanor looked at their daughter as she spoke, and quickly reached across the table, patting Kelsey’s hand. “You look so great, honey-as though a huge weight has been lifted. I suspect, in some ways, it has.”
That was Eleanor’s way of asking if their daughter intended to go ahead with the in vitro.
“We’ll help you clear the dishes, Pumpkin.” Brian got to his feet quickly, and began carrying his dish to the sink.
“Let’s clean up later. I want to show you something.” Kelsey’s face lit up as she spoke. The girl had always loved to surprise people.
He pulled out his wife’s chair and ushered Eleanor to go ahead of them as they made their way down the hall. As Kelsey walked ahead of them, he noticed a spring in her step that hadn’t been there in a while.
“Have you set up the nursery already?” God love Eleanor. She was trying so hard to open up her mind to the in vitro, to expand her horizons. His heart skipped a beat as he realized how much he loved his wife for trying so hard to put their daughter first. Initially Eleanor had pitched a hissy fit about Kelsey’s plans, but with all that had happened she’d changed her tune, to the point of almost embracing their daughter’s plans for the in vitro.
“Oh, no, Mom. It’s way too early to set up the nursery.”
Eleanor was walking behind Kelsey, so their daughter hadn’t seen her mother’s shoulders drop in relief as she said it. Suspicious by nature, Eleanor would have considered it bad luck to get the nursery in order at this stage of the game.
