Last Chance Texas, page 26
Kelsey led them into the guest room, and that’s when he noticed the oversized easel, covered by a white sheet. Both parents let out a gasp as Kelsey walked over to it. Turning to face them, she slowly began unfurling what he assumed was a painting.
“Kelsey, you’re painting again.” Eleanor dark eyes glistened as she watched their daughter’s hands unveil the piece of art. When his wife gazed over at him, he saw her eyes pool.
“Here it is.” As Kelsey stood before them, her hands at her sides, both fists in knots, it occurred to him how vulnerable his daughter no doubt felt. When you painted something, it wasn’t truly a work of art until people saw it as such.
Kelsey’s eyes darted nervously back and forth as she waited for their reactions.
“It’s magnificent!” Eleanor rushed over to her daughter, throwing her arms about Kelsey’s neck. “It looks so real. I feel as though I can touch him.”
Both moved closer to the picture, studying it thoughtfully. Brian looked at the expression on Kelsey’s face and decided that their reactions pleased her immensely.
Even though Brian already knew the answer, he asked his daughter anyway. “Do you actually know this man, or is this just some random cowboy you painted?”
“It’s Nathan, isn’t it?” Eleanor never took her eyes off Kelsey as she said it.
The smile never left Kelsey’s face. As she stood before the painting, her face glowed and when her dark eyes sparkled under the soft light of the room, Brian realized something had changed. Even though their daughter remained tight lipped about her business dealings with Nathan Wainwright, there was a deep connection between the two.
“Yes, Mom. This is Nathan.” She whispered his name so softly Brian had to strain to hear her.
Kelsey continued staring at the painting, as though unable to take her eyes off it.
“Do you intend to give the picture to him, because, well, I think he’d be pleased with your work.” That was Eleanor’s polite way of fishing.
When Kelsey didn’t balk at the comment, Brian realized his daughter might actually want to talk about Nathan. Finally.
“His birthday’s the day after tomorrow. I’m leaving in the morning to head out there.” When neither he nor Eleanor responded, Kelsey finally began opening up. “He’s a pretty amazing guy. We got off to a rough start, of course, but I think . . . well . . .”
“He drove clear out here to make sure you were all right when you found out about Mimi. In my book, that makes him a pretty amazing guy.” Eleanor’s comment shocked Brian, and that was the first indication that his wife was finally coming to terms with all that had happened.
Kelsey turned away from the picture and stared over at her mother. “Thanks, Mom. He is pretty amazing. I can’t even put into words just how amazing he is.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, and Brian couldn’t help but wonder just how all of this would play out. Was their daughter in love with the guy?
“We’d better get that kitchen cleaned up, so you can go to bed early. You have a long drive ahead of you, Pumpkin. I don’t want my little girl too tired to stay awake while she’s behind the wheel.” Brian grabbed his wife’s arm and guided her into the kitchen.
When Eleanor opened her mouth to ask another question, he squinted, just the way he always did when he wanted her to hush.
Chapter 20
Late the following afternoon, Kelsey pulled into the downtown section of Alpine. As eager as she was to see Nathan, she suspected he was still at work. So, she decided to go pay her respects to Mimi. It’d been a while.
As she drove through the gates of the Alpine Angel’s Cemetery, she thought about Nathan again, half expecting him to be there. But as she looked about, there wasn’t another soul in sight.
She studied the graveyard for several seconds, trying to remember the exact spot where Mimi’s marker was. Where was it? She’d memorized the row it’d been in and yet, as she studied all the gravesides, the wooden cross appeared to have vanished into thin air.
Walking down the row where it was supposed to be, an ivory colored headstone she didn’t recognize jumped out at her. Etched in the tombstone itself was a picture of the Mizpah with the inscription she’d memorized over the years. ‘May the Lord watch between me and thee while we are apart one from another.’ She felt a wall of emotion well up as she read the additional inscription: Beloved Aunt, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend.
Had Nathan done this? She thought back to when she’d met him in the cemetery and he’d first shown her Mimi’s simple wooden cross. Was he the one responsible for the lovely headstone? It was a stretch—considering that Mimi hadn’t given Nathan the land. Still, she was fairly confident this gesture would be something he would do. She’d ask him when she arrived at the farm.
She knelt down at the graveside, offering a prayer for a woman she’d known so little about.
After a few minutes, she got up and headed back toward her car.
It was time to drive out and see Nathan. She’d put it off long enough.
Thirty minutes later when Nathan’s truck pulled into his driveway, Kelsey felt her stomach lurch. He climbed out of the vehicle slowly, as though he’d put in another long day. He stared down at her as she sat on the steps of his porch, his face expressionless.
“Kelsey.”
“Hello, Nathan.” When he didn’t say any more, she added, “I stopped by the cemetery.”
The comment stopped him in his tracks. That’s when she noticed the rumpled shirt he wore, the crow’s feet around his eyes, and the shock of dark hair spilling from his cowboy hat. Disheveled didn’t begin to describe him.
She’d stared for several seconds when he quickly raked his fingers through his hair and began smoothing out his shirt. “Rough day. Got kicked by three heifers today.” When he limped slightly, she felt sorry things hadn’t gone well for him.
He didn’t appear to want to talk about the tombstone, and she wondered if he thought she disapproved of what he’d done. She decided to put his worries to rest. “The engraving is beautiful, Nathan. Mimi would have loved it-just as I do.”
“Well, good then.”
It was as though the two of them were meeting for the very first time. Considering all that had happened, it seemed ridiculous that holding down a simple conversation proved so difficult.
“Rachel told me about Warren Randall. Glad he’s on the mend. According to Rachel, Jessica talks about her granddaddy every chance she gets. Although, from what Rachel says, Jess is a born worrier.”
“Yes, she’s my sensitive one. Takes everything to heart.” The way he spoke of a child who’d only come into his life only months ago caught her by surprise.
“That she does.”
When she motioned him to sit down beside her on the porch steps, he quickly obliged her.
“It’s good to see you, Kelsey. You look amazing.”
She smiled at the compliment. “Sorry your day was so rough.”
He looked down at his disheveled appearance. “Guess I should head upstairs to clean up. Have you had dinner yet? I could take you out for something to eat.”
He sounded so tired she couldn’t imagine him having the strength to clean up and then try and spend the evening entertaining her.
“I have a better idea. How about I pick up something from the diner and bring it home while you clean up. You really look tired, Nathan.”
He reached into his pocket, fumbling around for some money.
She turned him down before he got a chance to locate his wallet. “No, I’ve got it covered.”
“Well, all right, then.” She was surprised he agreed so quickly. But he looked too tired to argue with anyone, least of all, her. “Kelsey.”
“Yes.”
“I’m really glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. I’d better get going. I’ll be back in a bit.”
“Be careful out there.” His comment reminded her of one of the characters in “Hill Street Blues” when he’d cautioned his police force to be careful.
“I will. I’ll be gone for a while. Maybe you can squeeze in a nap.”
His eyebrows narrowed when she made the comment, and she suspected he had no clue how exhausted he looked.
~ ~ ~
Nathan felt refreshed after the long, hot shower. Kelsey’s unexpected visit had lifted spirits considerably, although he dreaded what she’d no doubt come to tell him. It was about the in vitro. No doubt her swan song; the beginning of her new life.
Grateful she’d headed into town to pick up dinner, giving him time to reflect, he stared out the window. She’d texted him twice already, telling him that she’d run into some of the locals. And of course, she’d engaged in a lengthy conversation with several women. He marveled at how quickly Kelsey made friends, how much people enjoyed making conversation with her. His direct opposite.
He dressed quickly and by the time he got downstairs to fetch a beer from the fridge, she’d returned.
“I stopped at Penny’s Diner. Sheila sends her best. I think she’s sweet on you.” Kelsey laughed aloud at her own comment and began setting the food down on the table. So, she was goading him about one of the townswomen liking him, a clear indication she wasn’t at all interested in anything other than friendship.
“Smells good.” He was referring to the corn beef on rye she’d bought, but the same could be true of that lavender perfume. He’d always loved it, and today was no exception.
“Hope you like corned beef.”
“Perfect.” He unwrapped the sandwich as he spoke and waited for her to do the same.
He looked over at her, the way her dark eyes glistened, the way her auburn hair fell to her shoulders before curling softly at the ends. As of yet, she hadn’t mentioned the in vitro. The suspense was killing him.
“I’ve got some wine in the fridge. Actually, it’s from when you girls came out here that day to ride.”
He was, of course, testing her. Fishing for information.
Kelsey didn’t react to the remark, and he wondered if she ever thought of the day they’d gone riding and then ended up making love.
He pointed to the door of the fridge, “Wine’s right there if you want some.”
“I’d better not.” When he stared at her as she made the remark, she shook her head. No wine, but thank you anyway.”
So, she really was pregnant.
He closed his eyes, trying to take it all in.
“Guess we’d better sit down and eat, huh?” When she moved toward a nearby chair, he pulled it out and seated her before sitting down himself. He kept a distance from them now, afraid she’d notice the look of disappointment on his face.
As the two of them sat quietly, eating their dinner, he stared out the window. In spite of how ravenous he was, he found himself picking at the sandwich, spending most of his time nursing the beer he’d opened.
“Don’t you like it, Nathan?”
“It’s fine. I’m just a little tired.”
“Oh, of course. I was hoping we could catch up on things, but if you’re too tired, I completely understand.” She stared directly into his eyes, a look resembling pity sweeping across her face.
She probably wanted to talk about the baby.
He wanted, more than anything, to take the high road. To celebrate Kelsey’s new life. But right now, he needed time to clear his head; to sort out his thoughts.
“I’ve got some stuff to do in the barn. It may take a while. I’ve gotten behind. So, if I’m not back in an hour or so, you might just as well spend the night here. Kelsey. The guestroom is just down the hall. I hate the idea of you driving back into town.”
The last thing he needed was a pregnant woman driving around in the dark. She didn’t know her way around all that well, and he’d be damned if something would happen to her on his watch.
Without waiting for her response, he jumped to his feet and hurried over to the kitchen door.
“Nathan, you forgot your sandwich.” Kelsey got up and delivered the corned beef on rye to him.
“Thanks.” As an afterthought, he grabbed a second beer and raced out the door.
~ ~ ~
Kelsey stood at the window of Nathan’s guest bedroom, staring out at the full moon. She hadn’t slept a wink. Nathan had never come back in, and when she saw the soft glow of the barbecue pit, she suspected he was out there having a smoke. He appeared to be avoiding her.
Her stomach twisted into knots as she thought back to how he’d rushed out of the farmhouse. The man seemed uncomfortable being in the same room with her. Funny how being apart for just a few months hadn’t changed anything.
She was grateful she’d said little to her parents about wanting to give their relationship another shot because, clearly, Nathan had moved on. She’d initially offered him nothing more than friendship, and apparently, he was taking her up on the offer.
Was the man totally clueless? Hadn’t he figured out why she came clear out to Alpine to help him celebrate his birthday? She continued staring out the window, watching the movement of his silhouette as he stood beside the warm glow of the fire.
Grabbing her robe, she walked down the steps. She’d give it to him straight. Just come right out and tell him how she felt. Between the nine-hour drive to Alpine and the fact she was utterly exhausted, she felt more than ready to speak her mind.
The screen door groaned behind her as she exited the farmhouse.
The light from the pit flickered and she walked over to where he was standing. He was humming a tune. It sounded like Home on the Range, but she couldn’t be sure. He didn’t exactly have perfect pitch. She smiled to herself remembering the way he’d looked at her when she sang at the karaoke bar. She watched him for a minute, gathering her nerve.
“Nathan?”
“Hey.” His tone was almost monotone, and she wondered if coming out here was a mistake.
“Nathan, are you upset with me?”
When he didn’t respond, she decided he was. He walked away from her and stood with his arms crossed. He didn’t say anything for nearly a minute, and when he finally did, he sounded frustrated. “No, Kelsey. I’m upset with myself.”
She waited for him to continue, but he’d turned completely away from her now, his back to her.
“Why in the world would you be upset with yourself?”
When she sat down at a nearby picnic table, he suddenly whirled around to face her. Removing the blanket he’d placed about his shoulders, he walked over to where she sat and covered her up, plopping down beside her. As he wrapped it about her, his deep voice rumbled, “Pretty cold out here, Kelsey. You probably shouldn’t be sitting out here like this. And aren’t you supposed to be getting a lot of sleep?”
The man sounded like a mother hen, and for the life of her, Kelsey couldn’t figure him out.
“I’m fine, Nathan. And it’s not that cold out here.”
“Just looking after you, that’s all.”
She ignored the remark and decided to tell him how she really felt about him. But when she looked up at him, he’d jumped to his feet and rambled over to another area.
The guy was a regular jack in the box. It was as though he didn’t know quite what to do with himself.
“Nathan, what’s gotten into you?”
He stopped suddenly and looked over at her. Grabbing a lawn chair, he hoisted it into the air before plopping it down beside her. At this point, he was so close to her she could feel the heat of his breath. “I’ll tell you what’s gotten into me, Kelsey. You!”
“Nathan–”
“Just listen for a minute, will you? Before I lose my nerve, I’m just going to come right out and say it. I love you, damn it. Now I know you want this baby and you want to raise it on your own, but I can’t help the way I feel about you. I want to be a part of your life, Kelsey. And a part of this baby’s as well. I’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen. I’ll help you raise this child if you’ll me, or I’ll just step back and honor your wish to raise it alone. Whatever you want, Kelsey, I’m here for you.”
The man was repeating himself now, stumbling over his words. But the fact that he was putting himself out here like this moved her to tears.
She sat stone-faced for nearly a minute, digesting all he’d said. And then she realized why he’d been so distant.
“Do you think I’m pregnant?”
“Well, yeah.” His voice rose at the end of the comment, and she realized he might be putting everything together now.
When she laughed aloud at the misunderstanding, he quickly began defending himself. “The wine. You wouldn’t drink the wine. I just assumed . . .”
“Oh, Nathan. I didn’t drink the wine because if I drink when I’m overtired, I can’t sleep. That’s why I didn’t drink.”
“So you’re not pregnant?”
“I was scheduled for the procedure, but I’d spent quite a few restless nights thinking about the fact that this baby wouldn’t know his father. I’ve been tracing my own family history, and Mimi didn’t list a father on my birth certificate. That got me to thinking that it would be upsetting to me if my own child never knew who his father was. In vitro is a marvelous option, I’m just not sure it’s for me.”
She assumed her admission would lift Nathan’s spirits. To her surprise, it seemed to have the opposite effect. With the glow from the fire in the barbecue, she noticed he’d crossed his arms again.
When he moved further away, it confused her. “I had my reasons for not wanting you to undergo the in vitro, Kelsey. And I was wrong. The real reason I didn’t want you to go through with it was because my sister, Sarah had the procedure and, as you discovered when you met her, the baby she had has serious health issues.”
