Last Chance Texas, page 6
“That’s incredibly sweet of you, Irene, but we really must be going.” Kelsey brushed past the woman and once her back was to Irene, she shot Nathan a sarcastic glare. When she stomped on his foot, he was grateful he’d worn boots.
“Ouch.”
“Oh, Nathan. I’m sorry. I didn’t even see your foot.” Kelsey smirked up at him as she spoke. “Although those enormous feet of yours are pretty hard to miss. What size are they, anyway? Fourteen?”
“Thirteen and a half,” he shot back.
When their gazes locked, he almost forgot that Irene was even there. Kelsey’s playful demeanor intrigued him. He’d never met anyone quite like her, and truth be told, he dreaded the fact she’d be leaving in a few days and their paths would probably never cross again.
As the children raced from inside the house to say goodbye, he knelt down, scooping both kids in his arms. “See you monkeys in a few days.”
“Goodbye, Mr. Nathan.” Jessica’s tiny arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, as though she couldn’t bear to see him leave.
“Goodbye, Sweet Pea.” When Jessica blushed at Nathan’s comment, he laughed. “I’ll be back on Tuesday to deliver some hay.”
Irene Randall’s mouth widened, as though she was about to argue.
“That’s just my way of paying you back for all the free coffee.”
Just before they climbed into the truck, Jessica broke away from her grandmother and raced over to Kelsey. But once there, the little girl stood with her hands at her sides, folding her tiny hands together.
Kelsey stood in place, obviously waiting for Jessica to make the first move, but then she quickly kneeled. Once the two of them were eye level, Jess wrapped her arms about Kelsey’s neck.
The woman was an absolute mind reader. Jessica’s strong suit never had been to display affection, and Kelsey had picked up on that.
Nathan decided that among Kelsey’s list of admirable traits, he’d need to add perceptiveness to the list.
Tommy raced over and joined his sister, throwing his arms about Kelsey.
“Goodbye, Jessica and Tommy. It was so nice meeting you.”
“Bye, Ms. Kelsey.” Jess’s voice was so soft Nathan wondered if Kelsey heard her. But when Kelsey’s full lips parted into a smile, he had his answer.
He watched Kelsey interacting with the two children and found himself wondering why she hadn’t had any of her own.
“We’d better get going. Ms. Kelsey needs to meet her friends at the university. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”
Kelsey eyes suddenly pooled as she pulled away from the children.
Instinctively, Nathan draped an arm about her shoulders, but when she pulled away, he quickly released her.
“Let’s get going then.” He was all business now as he motioned her to follow.
As he opened the truck door, she jumped in quickly. He started the engine as both children waved.
His mind raced as he considered what would become of Jessica and Tommy if Warren took sick. As usual, he was trying to take care of everything, trying to figure out the backup plan for the worst-case scenario. He hated worrying like this, but he was a Wainwright. And if there was anything the Wainwrights excelled in, it was worrying.
~ ~ ~
Kelsey couldn’t be sure, but she had the distinct feeling something was troubling Nathan. He was working the muscles in his jaw, as though something was eating away at him. Had she known him better, she’d have asked him if he was okay; if there was something he wanted to talk about.
She’d grown accustomed to being the first to strike up a conversation since the two had met. Glancing up at the dream catcher hanging from the visor on Nathan’s pickup truck, she asked. “That’s a dream catcher, isn’t it?”
“Sure is.” He relaxed his grip on the steering wheel and glanced up at the beige and caramel colored feathers surrounding the white netting that the Navajo legend referred to as the spider web.
“I could use a history lesson, Nathan. I’ve forgotten parts of the legend. I’ll bet you can quote it word for word.”
He looked over at her, and his face broke into a smile. For the second time that day, she caught herself mesmerized by the fact he had a dimple on only one side of his face; the side she was looking at.
“Legend has it that a Navajo woman kept her grandson from killing a spider. To reward her, the spider promised that the web would trap all her bad dreams, allowing only good ones to enter. It’s just a legend, but I like to pretend there’s some truth to it.” Kelsey felt her jaw drop at his admission. He didn’t seem the type to believe in fairytales.
He looked over at her, and shook his head. “That was a joke, Kelsey.”
When the both laughed, she decided to ask about Nathan’s friendship with the Randalls. “The Randall children are positively adorable. Jessica is wise beyond her years, isn’t she?”
When Nathan looked over at her, his eyes suddenly narrowed. He quickly redirected his attention back to the road, and when he spoke, his voice held a hint of sadness. “I guess you could say Jess is nine, going on forty. She’s been through a lot, Kelsey. I don’t know if Irene told you this or not, but their son, Justin, was killed in a car accident when Tommy was just a baby.”
“Oh, Nathan. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”
He reached over and grabbed the gearshift, as though wanting something to hold onto something. As he stared straight ahead, Kelsey suspected sharing this with her was opening up old wounds.
“Tommy doesn’t remember their mom, but Jess does. To this day, she struggles. When she wouldn’t let you hug her . . .”
“I should’ve been more sensitive. She’s a shy little thing, and I’m afraid I probably pushed her into hugging me.”
“No, oh, no, Kelsey. You were amazing, really. You did all the right things. It’s just that after Justin and Amy passed, Jessica finds it difficult to get close to anyone.”
“Clearly, they adore you.” After she said it, the sullen look on Nathan’s face dissipated, replaced by a broad grin.
“I wish I could do more. After my dad passed on, Warren was there for me. I really need to make it a point to spend more time with him. I owe the guy. It must be hard as hell to be Warren and Irene’s age and try to raise two rambunctious kids.” When Nathan’s eyes narrowed and he began fidgeting with the gearshift again, Kelsey realized how frustrated he was.
Was there anything this man didn’t take on?
The theme from an old cartoon about a mouse with amazing strength popped into her head. The theme song was about saving the day. And that appeared to be what Nathan was trying to do for the Randalls.
“For what it’s worth, I think Irene and Warren are doing an amazing job with the children. And honestly, I was extremely withdrawn as a child, much like Jessica. I wouldn’t worry about her. I think she’ll do just fine. She’s wise beyond her years with a good dose of precociousness tossed in.”
When he let out a loud sigh, Kelsey chuckled.
“Jess puts me in mind of Maura when she was a young un.” His mouth tugged into a smile as he said it, and she felt a rush of relief that he was finally beginning to relax; to let himself off the hook. Whoever said Jewish mothers had a corner on guilt had never met Nathan Wainwright.
When she laughed, he continued. “My wife and I married when Maura was just six, and I don’t mind telling you that little gal was none too pleased at sharing her mom with some guy she barely knew.”
“But it all worked out.”
“Yeah, it did at that.” The pride in his voice took her breath away. She could feel him looking at her out of the corner of his eyes.
Kelsey stared out the window at the vast countryside and tried to imagine herself living out in what many would consider a wilderness. It was like a different world out here. People took the time to get to know one another; to look out for each other.
But, of course, the pace was slower. Much slower. And maybe that was what drew her aunt to this part of the country. Maybe Mimi just got tired of the rat race.
Kelsey’s mind wandered as she thought of her life in Dallas. The ER was always jam-packed with people, something she found irritating because she never got to really talk at length with patients. It was probably different here in Alpine.
She’d never last a day here, though. That’s for sure. With no symphony halls or museums, she’d be bored to death. But as she sat beside Nathan in the truck, she tried to imagine a place where everyone reached out to those around him to support those in their circle. Back home she barely knew her neighbors, but it seemed out here everyone seemed to work in tandem. Lots of community spirit.
You couldn’t put a price on that.
Chapter 5
Nathan’s mood darkened the closer they got to Sul Ross University. He’d obliged Kelsey and kept his agreement to drop her off at the college, but now that their time together was about to end, he wished she’d ditch her plans to attend the poetry gathering and spend more time with him.
But given the fact she’d barely strung three sentences together during the last five miles of the drive, he suspected that wasn’t going to happen.
The issue of the land gnawed at him. Did Kelsey realize she was heir to ten acres of West Texas property that he’d been caring for? She’d never once brought it up. That spoke volumes. Maybe she didn’t even want it. Maybe he was worrying needlessly. Still, at some point, he’d have to ask her about it.
Slowing the truck, he pulled up to the circular drive of the main auditorium. When Kelsey started to get out, he yanked open his door and walked briskly to the other side to help her out.
“You don’t have to do that.” She appeared embarrassed by the gesture, but it wasn’t his style to let her get out of the truck by herself. He placed an arm about her waist as he led her out, hanging on a bit longer than necessary.
“I had a wonderful time, Nathan.” The second she said it, he winced. Did every woman on earth say the exact same thing? Pretty hard to get a read on whether or not she’d be willing to accept a dinner invitation for this evening based on a comment that sounded rehearsed.
They stood facing each other now as she glanced over at the clock located on the ad building. As it rang out the hour, it played a Willie Nelson tune.
He clenched his fists, trying to decide if he really wanted to put himself out there like this. When the hell was the last time he asked a woman out? Pretty damn long ago when you couldn’t even recall.
“I really need to be going. Bye, Nathan, and thanks again.”
Well, there you have it. She doesn’t want to see you again.
And that’s when he did it. Did something so completely out of character he barely recognized himself.
“Kelsey. Wait.”
She’d turned to walk up the steps, but when he called out to her, she stopped.
“I had a great time too.” Taking a deep breath, he decided to ask her out before he lost his nerve. God. No wonder people dreaded dating so much. “Any chance you’re free this evening? I’d like to take you out to dinner.”
She didn’t make eye contact. A clear indication the answer was no.
If he could’ve kicked his own ass, he would have. His invitation to dinner hung between them like thick fog, and he wished he could take it all back.
When she finally back around to face him, her chocolate eyes penetrated him so deeply that he wondered if he’d somehow offended her.
“You’re a pretty amazing guy, Nathan. Really.”
But not amazing enough to go out with.
He waited a few seconds for her to continue. When she didn’t, he tried to take back the invitation. “You came here for the poetry gathering. I shouldn’t interfere. I’ve already taken up enough of your time.”
“Nathan. I’m really sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. I enjoyed the time we had together. Have a safe trip home.”
She looked as though she was about to say something, but figuring she might be trying to come up with a more polite way of rejecting him, Nathan whirled around, jumped into the pickup truck and made a quick getaway.
~ ~ ~
Rachel sat beside Meredith in the auditorium of the Sul Ross University, watching a cowgirl dressed in faded blue jeans and a pale blue plaid shirt recite a poem from the book she’d written. The audience watched her intently, as though transformed to another world.
The contrast between this gray-haired woman named Mollie and the ladies back home in Dallas was striking. For starters, the woman wasn’t wearing a stich of makeup. There was a simplicity about this cowgirl poet that made Rachel envious.
The poem Mollie read was based on her life in Arizona where she and her husband raised cattle on four hundred acres of land. She made the most miniscule details of her life seem important, and as critical as Rachel often was about people who didn’t seize the opportunity to travel and see the unfamiliar, it was apparent that Miss Mollie was perfectly contented with her lot in life.
“Thank you, Mollie. Once again you’re captured our hearts as you depicted life on the ranch. Ladies and gentleman, we’ll have a brief intermission and return to the auditorium in fifteen minutes.” The cowboy on stage dipped his head after he spoke and exited.
The sea of denim attire and a steady stream of cowboy hats emptied the room, but Rachel remained glued to her seat. She leaned back against the oversized theater seat, letting her mind wander. Her thoughts turned to Jake. She sighed, thinking about the two of them riding bareback together, his strong arms wrapped about her, shielding her from harm’s way. Of course, odds were that most men preferred a twenty-something woman rather than one pushing forty.
“That woman reciting poetry was incredibly good, don’t you think? I love the part about her red-haired, freckle-nosed kids. Nice touch, don’t you think?” Meredith leaned over and smiled as she spoke.
“Oh, yeah—I guess so. Yes, she was very good.”
After she said it, Meredith rolled her eyes. “Honestly, Rach. Were you listening to any of this?”
“Sorry. I was just thinking about Jake.”
When Meredith frowned, Rachel wished she’d kept her mouth shut.
The normally cheerful, optimistic, perky Meredith Chapman had been on edge ever since last week. Up until now she’d been fairly discrete about what was going on in her life. But judging by the pinched expression on her face, Rachel suspected things were about to unravel.
“I feel like a fifth wheel, Rachel.”
“Mere, come on.”
“No, you come on. Kelsey drags us clear out to the middle of nowhere to claim some land her aunt left her, and the next thing I know she dumps us for some guy she met at the cemetery. And then you hook up with Jake, the bartender, and spend half the trip droning on and on about what a great guy he is.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call it droning.” After she made the comment, Rachel decided not to work very hard at defending herself.
Meredith was obviously upset about something and seemed intent on taking it out on everyone around her. Rachel generally depended on Kelsey to get to the bottom of things, but since she wasn’t here, Rachel decided to try and find out what had put Meredith in such a funk.
“Honey, what’s really wrong? Are the kids okay? Is everything all right between you and Blake?”
Meredith was shaking her head, licking her lips as though she was about to say something. She hesitated several times, but eventually came out with it. “I’m sorry, Rachel. I didn’t mean that the way it came out. I just feel as though my entire life is falling apart.”
Translation: My marriage sucks.
When Mere dabbed at her eyes, Rachel leaned closer and decided to hear Meredith out.
As Rachel reflected back on her own marriage, recognizing the tell-tale signs of a union about to hit the skids, she felt a great deal of empathy for what her friend was going through.
In Rachel’s case, her ex had traded her in for a trophy wife which turned out to actually be a younger version of herself. How was that for irony?
But as devastating as it’d been, Rachel had taken the high road and focused on raising their twin daughters; two daughters who’d made the Dean’s list at college their very first semester. Meredith, though, didn’t appear to have a focus. Of course, with all she had to deal with, small wonder she couldn’t seem to get a handle on anything. Her marriage to Blake would eventually end. She just hadn’t gotten around to figuring that out.
Rachel decided to test the waters, to see if Meredith had even considered divorce. Looking her friend squarely in the eye, she asked the hard question. “Maybe you and Blake should separate for a while.”
Meredith’s mouth flew open at the comment. As her entire fact twisted into a scowl, it was clear that wild horses couldn’t drag her away from what Rachel considered the marriage from hell. Mere looked away for several seconds before answering. “That’s awfully drastic, don’t you think? Seriously, separating typically leads to a divorce.”
“It’s just a thought.”
“I never finished college, Rachel. I don’t know what I’d do if we ended up divorced. And as ashamed as I am to admit this, I’m not sure I can give up all that we have. Blake makes a ton of money.”
Rachel bit her lip to avoid telling Meredith what seemed obvious to everyone. The only reason she was staying in the marriage was to acquire things. The payout for Blake was, of course, gratuitous sex. Sick at heart, Rachel realized Meredith had become little more than Blake’s whore. You could pretty it up all you like, but, in essence, that’s what she was.
