Chapter 12
Ariel scurried to the door, with Kristy right behind her, and flung it open.
Standing before them were both their mothers, smiles broad on their faces as the Kristy and Ariel yelled surprise.
“Mom?” Kristy and Ariel gasped the word in unison.
“What are you doing here?” Kristy asked when she found her voice.
“Visiting, of course. Aren’t you going to ask us in?” Her mom shook her head.
“Oh, Button, it’s so good to see you.” Kristy’s aunt Betty held out her arms to Ariel. Aunt Betty was the epitome of casual domesticity, in contrast to Kristy’s mother’s more formal client-centric style. Though sisters, they didn’t look like each other, except around the eyes. Her mother took after Kristy’s grandfather, her aunt after her grandmother. Aunt Betty, with her round face and petite body, wore a gingham pink skort and pink polo shirt, with her hair tied back in a ponytail and her feet clad in walking shoes. She looked ready to play a round of golf.
Kristy’s mother, on the other hand, wore a white sleeveless sheath accented with heeled sandals and costume jewelry.
Kristy gave Ariel a nudge and then embraced her own mother. “Of course. We just weren’t expecting you.” Per usual, her mother’s floral perfume overwhelmed the senses.
“Well, you were saying how you aren’t going out much, and clearly you both are working too hard, so your aunt Betty and I just decided we’d jump in the car and come for a visit.”
“It’s a four-hour drive.” Kristy moved out of the doorway so the two mothers could enter. Her mom swept in, dragging a suitcase, and Aunt Betty followed. The apartment instantly felt cramped.
“That’s why we’re staying for a few days. I figured I could sleep with you and Betty can sleep with Ariel and we’re good.” Her mother’s gaze floated around the apartment.
Kristy could only imagine what she was thinking. Small, cluttered, dark with the blinds shut, and no curtains on the windows yet. Neither she nor Ariel had taken time to do more than make the place functional.
Her mother placed her purse on the counter, cluttered with dirty dishes. “I see we arrived just in time. We’ll have this place looking like home in no time.” Then her mother’s gaze fell on her. “You’re all dressed up. Are you going out? You told me you haven’t been doing anything since you got here.”
Kristy sighed. How much to tell her mother? She wanted to say nothing, but Rusty and Mel would be showing up at any moment. There was no getting around it. “I actually have a date. The first one since I’ve been here.”
Her mother beamed. “I knew it. But have we ruined everything with our arrival?”
“Do you have a date too, Ariel?” Aunt Betty said, her tone hopeful.
“I do. But I’ve been out with him a few times already.”
“Serious, dear?”
Ariel laughed. “No. But fun.”
“Well, now what do we do, sister? I told you we should have given them a heads-up,” Aunt Betty said
“And I told you they’d probably say no, that they’re too busy with this gala they have going on.” Her mom put her hands on her hips. “So I figured this was the best way to get to see how you two are really doing.”
“Well, you can see”—Kristy swept her arm in the air—“we’re surviving.”
“Yes, doing the minimal to get by. But at least you’re dating. So who is it? The guy who helped you move in?”
No sense denying it, though Kristy knew what was coming next. “Yes. Rusty Russell.”
“An alliterative name.” Her mother parked herself on a counter stool. “So what’s he like?”
“You’ll meet him in a minute. Just please be nice and don’t interrogate him. This really is our first date.”
“I’ll behave. Aunt Betty and I can stay here, and you two go out on your dates and have a great time. We’ll clean up.”
Leaving her mother alone in the apartment to rustle through everything was not a good idea. Taking her on their date wasn’t either, but at least she would know what her mother was up to. “You can come with us. I don’t know what Rusty has planned, but Mel and Ariel are going country dancing. I don’t think Rusty will mind us joining you guys, if that’s okay, Ariel.”
“Fine with me. I’m happy to see you, Mom. And coming with Aunt Sylvia was a great idea. It’s such a long trip.”
“Um, speaking of, where’s the bathroom?” Aunt Betty asked.
Ariel motioned her to follow.
“Then it’s settled,” Kristy’s mom said. “I can’t wait to meet Rusty.”
Kristy had been looking forward to spending more time with Rusty. Now she wondered how quickly they could make it through the evening.
***
As the music started, Rusty set down the drinks he’d retrieved from the bar for Kristy and her mother. The smell of cooking hamburger meat and French fries filled the air. Two-Step, as the honky-tonk was called, was hopping, and the dancing was in full swing. It was two deep at the bar, and every table within eyesight had been claimed. Dance floor was full, and the DJ was calling the steps. It would be hard to talk over the din.
He handed Kristy her drink. She had on a short and strappy pink dress. Paired with black cowgirl boots, she looked sexy as all get out. He looked over at Kristy’s stylish mother in her black pants, white top, and cowgirl boots, with every blond hair on her head in place. Pretty ironic that on the same day Kristy had met his mother, he had met hers. What were the odds?
Mel was at the table directly behind them and looking after Kristy’s aunt and Ariel.
“Here you go, Mrs. Winslow.” He lifted up the wineglass, filled with red wine, from the tray he’d used and set it before her.
Dinners were on order, though it was just burgers for him and Kristy, and a salad for Kristy’s mom. Two-Step was not known for its food.
Hopefully, Sylvia would warm to him more than his mother had warmed to Kristy. His mother meant well, but whom he dated was his decision. He knew the consequences. His philosophy where women were concerned could be summed up in the old adage “nothing ventured, nothing gained.” He wasn’t going to live on the sidelines of life for fear of getting hurt, no matter if it was physical or emotional pain.
“Thank you, Rusty. And call me Sylvia.” She took a sip and set it on the table as he settled next to Kristy. This wasn’t exactly the evening he’d planned for their first official date, but at least they were on a date, even if chaperoned.
“Kristy tells me that you’re waiting to hear from the township police about a position and that you recently left the air force.”
Apparently Sylvia was going to do the mama interview. It’d been some time since he been through one but he had nothing to hide. “That’s right.”
“Admirable field. Any particular reason?” She leaned in like she really wanted to know.
“I like the idea of being the good guy.” That sounded lame even to him. He’d try again. “A lot of guys go into the police force after getting discharged. Seems like the logical move.” Was that all it was, a logical move?
“Well, it’s also dangerous, but from what Kristy told me, you’re no stranger to danger.”
“I’ve seen my share.” And not something he wanted to talk about.
Sylvia tapped her toe when “Suds in the Bucket” started up.
“Should we give it a go? The caller is pretty good here.” He reached out a hand to Sylvia.
Kristy was up in a flash. “Come on, Mom. You love to dance.”
Sylvia didn’t have to be asked twice. She was up and found a spot in line. He moved in front of her, with Kristy by his side.
“Just follow us, Mom,” Kristy called back over her shoulder.
He was pleased to see that Kristy didn’t miss a beat as the caller yelled out the various dance steps, from rocking horse to grapevine. He loved to dance regardless of being a big guy who took up more than his share of the floor. As the line turned, Sylvia was in front of him and was keeping up, if looking a bit rusty. There was a big smile on her face though, bearing witness that she was enjoying herself.
She seemed to be pleasant enough, and he’d try his best to make a good impression.
As the song ended, “Blue Rose” began, a couples dance. Kristy leaned over. “Would you mind asking my mother to dance? She loves this one. If you know it, that is.”
“I’m a country boy, so of course I know it.” He glanced at Sylvia, who was walking toward the table. “Sylvia, would you do me the honor.”
Her face lit up like a Halloween pumpkin. “I’d love to. But shouldn’t you be asking Kristy?” She nodded toward her daughter.
“You go, Mom. I’ll get the next one, and it will give me a chance to catch my breath. It’s been a while.”
He reached out his hand, and Sylvia clasped it. “Well, it’s been a while for me too, but I’ll give it a go.”
He swung her around, and they went right into the jazz box. While he would have preferred Kristy’s company, Sylvia was light on her feet and only made a mistake or two through the whole dance. When it was over, she squeezed his hand. “Thank you for taking pity on me and giving me the best time I’ve had in a long while.”
“My pleasure, truly.” And he meant it. “My mom loves to dance too.”
As she sat down across from her daughter and he squeezed in next to Kristy, she took a swig of water. “Tell me about your mother.”
“Not much to tell. She’s a rancher through and through and a really good businesswoman. We like to say my dad has cow sense, my mom has money sense. And both are all right with that.”
“My sorority big sister married a Russell halfway through college. I never saw her again. Wonder if you’d be related. He was a rodeo rider. Her name was Jewel.”
You could have wiped him off the floor. “I think you’re talking about my mother.”
Sylvia’s smile couldn’t be any bigger. “Small world. What is it they say, six degrees of separation? In Wyoming it’s more like two.” She chuckled. “I guess it all worked out for her.”
“I think so. She has three grown children and a grandchild from the youngest one, Junie. I’m the oldest, and then there is my sister Lexi, who just got married to the rancher who bought out my folks. Once they sold the ranch, they decided to live the good life in New Mexico. They’re up here for the summer, staying with me, actually, in our old homestead so they can visit with their grandson.”
“That’s wonderful. Do you think…” She clasped her hands in front of her, prayerlike. “I would love to see her again. She went home for Christmas break and never came back. She wrote me a short note, since I was her sorority little sister, saying she married your father and was settling down. She didn’t include a return address, so we lost touch.”
“I can call her tonight and see if she has time tomorrow. How long are you staying?”
“Not too long. Betty and I thought we’d spruce up their place a little and head home. We just wanted to see where they were living, if it was safe and all, and how they were doing.” Sylvia reached across the table and patted Kristy’s hand. “We miss them.”
“Well, let me make a phone call and see what’s what.”
Kristy frowned. “If it’s tomorrow, I won’t be able to go with you, Mom. I have meetings with vendors all day.”
“That’s okay. If it works out, it will just be old college friends reliving the past.” Sylvia turned her attention back to Rusty. “Tell her it’s Sylvia Ford. Hopefully, she’ll remember me.”
It didn’t take but a minute to reach his mother, and by the excitement in her voice, Rusty knew he’d be chauffeuring Sylvia to meet his mother tomorrow. If somehow Kristy and he made a go of it, which was a stretch, considering neither of them were interested in chancing fate, it seemed the potential in-laws would get along… maybe.
The man was sinking in the mud. “Grab my hand. Grab it,” he yelled into the howling wind. A helicopter’s blades churned, slashing the night air against Rusty’s face, and the slimy earth pushed against his limbs as he tried to move toward the guy. The man let out a blood-curdling cry and sank under the mud. Rusty couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. “Don’t go. Don’t go.”
“Rusty. Wake up. Wake up.”
It was his mother’s voice. A dream or real? He opened his eyes, adjusted to the dark. Saw the form of a woman bending over his bed. “Mom?” He blinked.
She sat down on the edge of the bed, causing the old mattress to creak. “Were you having another nightmare?” She rubbed her hand gently up and down his arm.
His pulse pounded like a horse’s hooves running the Derby. “Yeah.”
“You sounded frantic.” She leaned toward him, and he could make out her face in the dark. Frown lines creased her brow, and her lips had flatlined.
“Sorry.” He was tired. So tired.
“Was it the same one?”
He sucked in air, trying to calm his beating heart. “Pretty much.” And he didn’t want to talk about it.
“That’s the third one you’ve had since we’ve been here. Maybe we shouldn’t have taken the primary bedroom. Maybe being in here is triggering these.”
The bed where he slept had nothing to do with the nightmares. “No. Bedroom isn’t a problem.”
“Do you know what set this off? Was it something Kristy did?”
“No.” Kristy had nothing to do with these. His mother should know that.
“What was it then?”
He sighed. She wasn’t going to let this go. He must have scared her. “Lexi and I went by the pond today.”
She patted his arm as if offering sympathy. “Why did you go there?”
“I wasn’t thinking about it, and Lexi wanted to get back because she was expecting Kristy, so she went the most direct route.” It shouldn’t still be such a problem, but it was.
“She should have realized.”
“Mom, it’s my issue. Eventually it will fade away.” He doubted it.
“It’s been twenty years. What makes you think time will take it away?”
“Eventually it will.” When he was dead. Because now the images were mixed with other situations he’d been in.
“Maybe you should see someone. Maybe we should have had you see someone when it happened. We just never thought…”
“I’m fine, Mom. I’m doing just fine. All the nightmares cost me is a little sleep. More when we have to discuss it like this.”
She patted his arm again. “Okay. If you’re sure you’re okay, I’ll get back to bed.” She still sat on the side of the bed, not moving.
“I’m fine. Go get some sleep.”
This time she rose. “Will you be able to get back to sleep?”
Maybe. Maybe not. “I can sleep anytime, anywhere. It’s over. Sorry I disturbed you.”
She bent and kissed his forehead, like she had done so many times in his life. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
He waited until he saw the door close in the deep gray light of night. Then he turned over. No more sleep tonight. Just memories.
***
“As I live and breathe, Sylvia Ford, it’s you. Welcome, welcome.” Rusty’s mom stood with her back holding open the screen door as she waved Sylvia and Rusty into the house. The scent of baked apples and cinnamon permeated the kitchen. Rusty spied the source on the counter… a pie covered with a checkered napkin, apparently fresh out of the oven.
The two women hugged, stood back, and took in each other.
“Sit, sit.” His mom motioned to the large kitchen table. “Coffee’s on and will be ready in just a minute.” She placed the open laptop, which had been sitting on the table near the head chair, on the counter and closed the lid.
Kristy’s mother slid onto one of the chairs, Rusty sat across from her, and his mom sat at the head, where his dad usually sat.
“How long has it been?” His mother’s gaze was focused on Sylvia, as if afraid if she looked away, Sylvia would disappear.
“Over thirty years. Hard to believe.”
“You look the same, Sylvia. As pretty and bright as a shiny new penny.”
Sylvia laughed. “Thank you, but I think Rusty needs to make you an appointment with the eye doctor. The years have been kind to you as well, Jewel. Seems like ranch life agrees with you.”
“It does. Rusty may have told you that we sold it recently. But kept it in the family, at least. Wyoming winters are just too harsh for Ian’s arthritis. He’s sorry he can’t be here. He promised our son-in-law that he’d go with him to the meat brokers over the border in South Dakota. They’ve got some negotiating to do.”
“I’m sorry to miss him, but I am so happy to see you again.”
The coffeemaker beeped. “Let me get the coffee and pie,” his mom said.
“I’ll get it, Mom. You sit and talk with Sylvia.” Rusty rose. Mom had everything set out and the pie cut, so all he had to do was pour, shovel, and place as he listened to their conversation.
“I always felt bad about how I left,” his mother said. “You know, in the middle of the year. I hope you forgave me.”
“Nothing to forgive. Life happens. You followed your heart, and happiness was your reward, by the look of things.”
“Very happy. It’s been a wonderful life. A wonderful place to raise our family. And Ian is the best husband I could have ever asked for. That’s why I couldn’t let him get away. I knew if he kept on that circuit, some other pretty young gal would snare him for her own. I had to strike while the iron was hot.”
Rusty slid back into his seat, coffee and a slice of pie in front of each place. Nice to hear that his mother had no regrets. He’d often wondered, especially since she’d always emphasized education for her children. “Hear tell it, Dad had to chase you.”
Jewel chuckled. “Well, I didn’t want to seem too easy to get. Let’s just say, we both jumped at the chance to be together. And since your grandparents were more than ready for help with the ranch, it worked out for everyone involved.”
“So Ian gave up rodeo for you?” Sylvia took a bite of pie and made a humming noise.
“I think he was ready to ranch. He still rodeoed on a weekend here and there, but he was a bareback rider, and it takes its toll on your joints and your spine. He’s still paying for it, not that he would have traded the experience for all the world. That’s how we met, after all. And how’s everything with you, Sylvia? I had heard you married a lawyer, but I didn’t keep up with news from our school, so I didn’t know he’d become a state senator, much less that he was Kristy’s father.”
“Well, that’s the best of my life so far, my daughter.” Sylvia pointed to the half-eaten piece of pie. “This is just yummy, Jewel. Thank you.” Sylvia took a sip of coffee before continuing. “My marriage didn’t work out quite so well as yours. I’m divorced from Kristy’s father. But the silver lining is that it forced me to put to use some of my education. I opened my own interior design business, have had it for a number of years now, and it’s doing pretty well. I’m proud of it, just as I’m proud of my daughter.”
“Must be great to build up an enterprise like that, but I imagine doing that and raising a child was not easy. You only have the one?”
“Kristy is my one and only and the joy of my life.” Sylvia shifted her gaze to Rusty, as if to emphasize the point. If her message was that he needed to treat Kristy well, message was received and consistent with his intentions.
“Seems she’s following in your entrepreneurial footsteps, and her ideas for the big charity event she’s planning are just super.”
“How weird is it that Kristy and Rusty are now dating?” Sylvia looked from Rusty to Jewel.
“It’s unbelievable.”
As they finished the pie, Sylvia took the lead. “I’m sure you have things to do, Rusty. Why don’t you leave Jewel and me to talk about old times?”
Rusty felt like a spider had just run up his back. But he rose, taking the not-so-subtle hint. “Kristy and I are just starting to get to know each other, so no talking about us.”
His mother chuckled. “Like that’s not going to happen.”