Chapter Two #2
“Just for the day.” There was a note of frustration in his tone.
Before Eve could reply, Irene Bennett, Hayden’s grandmother, entered the coffee shop.
She hadn’t changed much over the years. She still dressed like a working ranch hand in faded chambray, frayed blue jeans, a dingy straw cowboy hat, and scuffed cowboy boots.
Instead of the lustrous brown hair Eve remembered, Irene’s short hair was nearly white.
She lingered at the door, scanning the coffee shop as if looking for someone.
Assuming that someone was Hayden, Eve waved her over.
“Howdy, I’m Irene,” the elderly cowgirl said, as if they hadn’t met before, memory loss being a side effect of her stroke. She continued to glance about. “I’m looking for—”
“Me,” Hayden finished for his grandmother, giving her a once-over as if checking for injuries. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at Oak Hill.” At her blank look, he added, “The old folks’ home?”
“Retirement community,” Eve corrected softly, not that the two Bennetts paid attention.
“Doc Merritt said I could leave. Maxine gave me a lift to the ranch.” Irene rested her hands on the picnic table. “I drove the truck into town. I can still drive, you know.”
“That’s not what the doctor said.” Hayden got to his feet, bringing himself to his full and considerable height while settling his black cowboy hat more firmly on his head, an imposing sight that inexplicably made Eve’s mouth dry.
“Come on, Gran. We’ll call Doc to make sure you didn’t break out of Oak Hill. ”
“But…” Irene stared at Eve before continuing in a slow voice, “It doesn’t look as if you’re through here. Did I interrupt a date?”
“What? No. You know I’ve sworn off relationships, Gran.” Hayden took his grandmother gently by the arm, then he gave Eve a brusque glance. “Nice talking to you.”
“Same,” she said, watching the pair head toward the door.
“Mama.” Katie appeared next to her and leaned against Eve’s shoulder. “I like that cowboy. Did he buy me another cake pop before he left?”
“No, sweetie.” But he’d lessened the hemmed-in feeling Eve had been wrestling with by telling her she’d figure things out. That was cause for celebration.
Eve splurged and bought two cake pops—one for Katie and one for herself.
And then they both nibbled off the kitty cat’s cake ears and laughed about it all the way home.
Chomp, chomp.
*
“I can drive myself back.” Outside the Coffee Corner, Gran turned in the opposite direction from where Hayden had parked.
The cloud cover was still gray and low, defying the calendar that proclaimed spring had come to the high-elevation valley.
“Not so fast.” Hayden finished dialing Doc Merritt’s number, put the phone to his ear with one hand, and grabbed hold of his grandmother’s arm with the other.
“I’m driving you home. And whether that’s Oak Hill or the ranch is up to Doc Merritt.
” He much preferred Gran to return to Oak Hill where Evie worked.
He led Gran in the direction of his parked truck.
After several minutes on hold, during which time Hayden thought about Evie’s unusual proposal—sometimes with a smile, sometimes not—Hayden was finally put through to Doc Merritt.
The old man got right down to business. “I was just told your grandmother went out for an unsanctioned walk.”
Hayden sighed, turning down a side street. “Gran seems to think you released her.”
“He said I was doing well enough to go home,” Gran grumbled, surprising Hayden. Since her stroke, there was no way to predict what she’d remember and what she’d forget.
“I did say that to Irene,” Doc replied with more than a hint of frustration.
“But she left off the word soon. I told her she’s doing well enough to go home soon.
I submitted the paperwork to her insurance today to extend her stay at Oak Hill.
My main concern is Irene’s safety. Her stroke was caused by swelling in the brain.
It takes a long time for all that blood to be reabsorbed.
If she hits her head, it could be game over. ”
Death?
Hayden went cold. He wasn’t ready for that.
“So, it’s back to Oak Hill.” Hayden was relieved to hear that. His ranch duties often took him far afield, and she shouldn’t be left alone.
“I’m not going back there.” Gran jerked her arm, trying to get away. “I belong at home with your grandfather.” Whose ashes were scattered at the ranch.
She continued trying to break loose.
“Gran, stop that.” Hayden wrapped his arms around her thin frame, gently but firmly hugging her. “You’ll hurt yourself. I’m trying to protect you, not jail you at Oak Hill forever.” That felt as if it needed to be said.
Gran struggled for a moment more before calming. “You’re not locking me up ’til I die?”
“No, ma’am.” Hayden left an arm around her shoulders and put the phone back to his ear. “Doc? You still there?”
“Yes.” The old man cleared his throat. “Why don’t you take Irene home with you tonight? Let’s see how she does in familiar surroundings.”
They agreed to touch base the next day.
Hayden disconnected, tucking his cell phone in his back pocket. “We’ll drop off your truck keys with Cuthbert at the garage.” The mechanic was a family friend and would have someone bring the rig to the ranch after work. “I’m taking you home. Doc’s orders.”
Gran nodded curtly. “About time someone showed some sense.”
When will Evie show some sense and throw herself at the mercy of the court?
Reminding himself Evie’s predicament was none of his business, Hayden neared his black truck, releasing Gran to retrieve his key fob and unlock the doors. “The chickens will be happy to see you.”
“Ah, my babies.” Gran chuckled, accepting his help to climb into the cab. “Clyde gets jealous of all the attention I pay them. But I know chickens lay better when they’re happy.”
Hayden didn’t bat an eye at her use of the present tense when referring to his grandfather.
Since her stroke, she seldom remembered Grandpa had died.
And she never remembered she’d had a stroke, which made convincing her to stay at Oak Hill all the more difficult.
He was surprised she’d lasted three weeks there.
Hayden got behind the wheel and buckled them both in. “Do potpies sound good for dinner? Because that’s all we’ve got in the freezer that doesn’t need thawing.”
“Store-made potpies? Your grandfather won’t be happy.” Gran tilted her head back, sinking into the passenger seat and closing her eyes. “I’m so glad you finally came home to make peace with Clyde. I’ve missed you so. You never should have got to wandering. The Bennett Ranch is your home.”
Hayden disagreed. Not that it was any use arguing. What was in the past…
“What do you mean you’ve taken a job with Purdy Patrick?” Grandpa had roared, tossing his straw cowboy hat on the front porch at Hayden’s feet. It wasn’t like him to lose his temper, but over the past few months that was all he seemed to do. “Purdy will skim your wages and sully the Bennett name!”
“I’m getting married.” Hayden’s voice rose.
“I need to think about the future and owning my own place. You refuse all my suggestions on how to run this ranch. And you’ve been complaining all spring that there are too many mouths to feed around here and we need to leave.
” Three of the five Bennett brothers still lived and worked at the ranch.
The other two were chasing rodeo dreams. “Why are you upset, Grandpa? I’m doing what you asked. ”
They’d been standing nearly toe-to-toe with only a cowboy hat between them. The day had been unseasonably warm, as if even Mother Nature was in tune with the heated mood on the Bennett Ranch.
“I forbid you to work for Purdy!” Grandpa’s face was beet red, and he was huffing and puffing like he was about to blow something down. “You’re so selfish. You never think through the implications of your actions.”
Without warning, Grandpa slapped Hayden’s cheek. The crack of his palm echoed in the humid air.
Reflexively, Hayden drew his arm back, intending to retaliate.
But he faced his grandfather, not some drunken cowboy looking for a fight. His grandfather, who’d taught Hayden to pick his battles. Grandpa, who’d never raised a hand to any of them in his life. Not until Hayden was twenty-eight.
“I… We…” Grandpa gasped, pounding his chest with his fist. Looking stricken. “We…need…you…here.” And then he crumbled into a heap on the porch.
Hayden was at his side immediately.
And so was Gran, rushing out the screen door as if she’d been listening. “What have you done?”
I gave Grandpa a heart attack.
It was shameful. And scary.
And that’s why Hayden had packed up and left. And he hadn’t returned.
He hadn’t wanted to argue and give his grandfather another one.