Chapter Ten
L ucas stood at the massive stone mantel in the front room. Did they call it a drawing room? Kendall McKinley certainly had an eye for restoring heritage homes, if this place was any indication. He knew very little about it, himself, but he recognized that the average home didn’t have high-beamed ceilings with ornate molding. Or fountains.
“Diana will be here soon,” Kendall said. “I’ve got to grab some samples. Make yourself comfortable, okay?”
Kendall had immediately invited him to her and Brade’s new place, since Diana was already coming to discuss wedding plans. Leila was attending a school event with Piper, so she couldn’t join them, something she cleverly waited to mention until he was committed.
He was nervous again. Once more, he told himself he had no reason to feel this way. But he’d always hated meeting new people. And just because Diana Scott O’Sullivan was his half sister didn’t make it easier.
It had been different with Bayleigh, for some reason. Yeah, they’d bumped each other the wrong way at the beginning but that was like the friction necessary to make a spark. And wow, had they ever made a spark.
He wanted to extend his stay, but he’d only booked the week. What would she think if he stayed longer? Would she be happy? Mad? Would she care?
Did he want her to care?
What if, as his siblings had already suggested, he started leading excursions out of Grand? Assuming the Schneiders didn’t bankrupt him?
Wait. Was he actually thinking about that? He wasn’t changing his life for a woman he’d known for less than a week. Was he?
Why not? What was keeping him in Colorado? His parents, of course, but it wasn’t that far away, and they were so curious about this new family of his that he wouldn’t put it past them to move out here themselves, with or without him.
A young woman with sleek blonde hair came into the room carrying a tray.
“Hi,” she said, setting it down on an elaborate side table. “I’m Ashley McKinley, Kendall’s sister. You must be Lucas.”
There was a definite family resemblance.
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting you,” she said, wiping her hands on the striped apron she wore over her jeans. “I volunteer at Belle Vista, so I’ve heard about you.”
“Oh?” he said. “Good things, I hope.”
Fishing, you dolt. But he was desperate to hear about Bayleigh.
“Of . . . of course!” Ashley blushed.
Her discomfort was entertaining but he decided to put her out of her misery.
“You must be friends with Ted.”
Ashley wrinkled her pert nose. “He’s really a great guy, just very protective about his mom.”
Lucas was taken aback. Was his time with Bayleigh public knowledge? He hoped not.
“That’s a good thing in a son,” he said, neutrally. “Not sure why he has it in for me, though.”
“I know, right?” The girl clapped her hands together as if they’d just revealed a mutually sought-after mystery. “He really hates that she’s renting those cabins. I told him he better get used to it. Bayleigh can handle herself.”
“I’m sure she can,” Lucas said, relieved. Then, unable to resist, he added, “How is she? As a boss?”
“Great, but mostly I work with Sawyer.” Ashley adjusted the silver tea service on the tray and set out some small white plates. “Okay, that looks nice, doesn’t it? I’m headed out to the ranch now to help with a promo event. Good to meet you, Lucas.”
She rushed out and a moment later, Kendall walked into the room with another woman who looked around the same age, maybe a little younger. She had the clear white skin and rosy cheeks that made him think of a fairy-tale character. Snow White, maybe; very pretty with a rounded figure and a hesitant smile.
She paused at the threshold, her hand to her mouth, as if bursting with words she didn’t want to let out just yet. Then she rushed toward him, her arms outstretched.
“Lucas.” There were tears in her eyes.
She pulled him into a hug before he realized what was going on.
“Lucas, Diana; Diana, Lucas,” Kendall said with a smile. “I should have warned you.”
“Leila’s breaking me in,” Lucas said.
“I’m a mom,” Diana said, backing away. “Sometimes I forget that not everyone wants my arms around them twenty-four hours a day.”
Kendall gestured for them to take a seat, then began pouring tea. “I’m glad you got a chance to meet Ashley, Lucas. She’s been a huge help in renovating this place. She’s working on her interior design certificate.”
“Even cookies and tea are beautiful when she sets them out,” Diana said. “Thank you for doing this, Kendall. I’d have had you to my place, Lucas, but yesterday Rand—that’s my husband— decided to build a media center in our living room. Everything’s covered in sawdust. He’s pretty good at what he does, so it’ll be nice, but it might take him a week or it might take him three months. I never know.”
She picked up her cup, sipped, and set it down. The thin china rattled against the saucer, revealing her trembling hands. She was as nervous as he was, he realized.
“How many children do you and Rand have, Diana?” he asked. His hands felt too big for the tiny teacup. Pretty as the place was, all the cushions and paintings and floral upholstery were making him itch.
“Three. Marcus, Olivia and the baby, Reese.”
She brought out her phone and showed him pictures. He made what he hoped were appreciative noises.
“Not much of a kid person, are you, Lucas?” Kendall said.
He began to object but she waved him down with a laugh. “Don’t worry, I’m not either. Brade and I intend to live a life of travel and self-indulgence. The world doesn’t need us to further our genetics. There are plenty of other people who can do that for us. Close enough, anyway.”
“She’s full of bull crap,” Diana said. “She adores my munchkins.”
“Your munchkins are adorable. But I’m happy being Cool Auntie Kendall.”
Diana set down her phone and looked across at Lucas. “I really am glad to meet you. I wish we could have met earlier...”
His shoulders knotted. Was she trying to make him feel guilty? “Yeah, sorry about that.”
“Lucas has a lot going on,” Kendall said, glancing between them. “Brade and Leila thought it would be easier to get the triplet thing out of the way first, before we hit him up with the half sister.”
“Everyone has a lot going on,” Diana said, frowning. “But I get it.”
“Diana.” Kendall’s tone was gentle. “Do you remember how you felt about Brade when he first arrived in Grand?”
“Yes, yes, I wanted to kill him.” Her tone was impatient.
Lucas hadn’t spent a lot of time thinking about how the one who hadn’t been adopted might feel about the sudden discovery of siblings. Diana’d always known who her parents were and never had to share them.
“You were pregnant with Reese and so sick,” Kendall continued. “Your dad was struggling.”
“Still is,” Diana admitted.
“You were angry with him.”
“Still am.”
Kendall sent a pointed look in Lucas’s direction.
“Don’t blame your friends,” Lucas said quietly. “It’s my fault. I’m not... the easiest guy to be around right now. I didn’t want you to get a bad first impression.” He tried for a laugh. Failed. “My full sibs got that. Maybe I wanted to spare you.”
“From what?” Diana tilted her head. “Your disability? Your lawsuit? Why would I care? You’re my brother.”
“You know about that?” Why was he surprised? He’d assumed Leila and Brade knew; why wouldn’t Diana know, too?
“That you have cerebral palsy? The cane is a clue.”
“I meant,” he said, “the . . . accident.”
It wasn’t quite as difficult to say this time. Maybe talking about it was helpful.
She waved her hand. “Everyone knows about that. It’s not true, what they say. Is it?”
He started. “Of course not. But why wouldn’t you believe it? You don’t know me.”
“Kendall and Brade and Leila think you’re a good guy and I trust their judgment,” Diana said, as if surprised that she had to explain it. “Even Sawyer and Bayleigh like you and they know you the least of anyone. You’re right about the bad first impression thing, but it’s not because of who people think you are; it’s because of who you think other people think you are. Let me make my own judgment, okay? Newsflash. It’s already done. You’re my big brother so we’re going to be in each other’s lives and it’s going to be good. Whether you like it or not.”
She sat back in her chair with a thump and folded her arms across her chest. To his surprise, Lucas felt a smile lifting his lips. The tightness in his shoulders was gone.
Was it Diana’s blind, insistent loyalty?
Or was it her comment about Bayleigh?
That Bayleigh, who knew him a lot better than anyone here did, liked him?
Obviously, she liked him in her bed. But nobody here knew about that. And people could be sexually compatible without strings and isn’t that exactly what they’d agreed to?
His shoulders cinched up again. At the end of this week, Bayleigh was going to let him go without a twitch. She didn’t want him in her life permanently.
But his new siblings, apparently, did.
He exhaled. It was overwhelming but also freeing. It took a lot of energy to mistrust everyone. Trust might be more dangerous, but it sure was easier.
“Okay.” He looked between Kendall and Diana with a shrug.
Diana’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, what?”
He smiled. “We’ve had our first brother-sister spat. How about we call it a draw and move on?”
Diana bit her lower lip, assessing him. “How about you concede that I’m right and you’re wrong and we move on?”
First Leila, now Diana. Two spitfire sisters. His mom was going to love them.
Brade walked into the room, with a couple of longnecks in one hand. “Figured you might be ready for one.”
Lucas accepted the beer gratefully. “Did she give you this much grief, too?”
“Who, Diana?” Brade laughed. “Worse.”
“Hey!” Diana protested.
“Look at us all laughing together and annoyed with each other,” Kendall said, gesturing between them. “We’re like a regular family.”
Brade gave him a look of commiseration that made him want to weep with gratitude. “Want to see the grounds?”
Lucas started to his feet, then glanced at the women.
“Oh, go ahead,” Diana said. “I’m done with my rant. And we’ll have plenty of time to get acquainted because there will be many visits to Grand in your future, right?”
“We’ll see, sis.” He leaned down and brushed a quick kiss against her cheek.
Her rosy cheeks got even pinker and tears sprang to her eyes. “Great,” she said. “Now you’ve made me cry.”
But she was smiling.
Lucas fitted his cane against his leg and followed Brade outdoors, where he sucked in an immediate and deep breath of fresh waterfront air.
“How’d that go?” Brade asked.
Lucas clinked his bottle against Brade’s. “Okay, I think. She’s scary.”
“Yeah. Be glad Leila’s not here, too. The three of them are formidable. You can’t get a word in edgewise, sometimes. And right now, it’s all fabrics and flower arrangements and cake tastings. I’d warn you off getting married but—” he shrugged “—the bride is worth it.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Brade glanced at him. “Never been?”
“Nope. Not even close.”
“Yeah, that’s how I was before I met Kendall. Too busy, focused on building my career. Then, when my dad died and I discovered I wasn’t who I thought I was, I kind of went off the rails for a bit. My priorities shifted and before I knew it, I was a goner.”
They stopped at a flower garden ringed by a low stone wall. Lucas kicked at it absently with his bad leg.
“Having CP makes a difference,” he said.
“Does it?” Brade said. “Why?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Women don’t line up to dance with the guy with the cane.” He smiled. “Don’t worry, I’m not a thirty-one-year-old virgin. Then there’s the fact that I live half my life in the backwoods. I’m not really partner material.”
This conversation was getting a little serious for his liking. He remembered the dinner Bayleigh promised him and was suddenly desperate to see her and talk to her again.
“Do you know where I can buy a good bottle of wine?”
Brade’s eyebrows lifted. “Sure.” He gave Lucas directions to the liquor store. “Need a little help unwinding after all this?”
“Nah, it’s all downhill from here, right?” Lucas smiled. “It’s for Bayleigh Sutherland. She’s a great host. I wanted to thank her.”
“Bayleigh Sutherland, huh?”
“Yeah, why?” Lucas looked away, hoping his excitement wasn’t showing on his face. “Should I get her something else?”
“Not at all.” Brade shook his head innocently. “I’m sure she’ll enjoy the wine.”
*
At Belle Vista that afternoon, Bayleigh looked up from the porch as the sound of tires on gravel signaled the arrival of the school bus. Mr. Darcy began dancing around her feet.
“Yes, yes,” she murmured, bending to calm the pup with a gentle stroke. “You get to play with kiddos.”
But she was excited, too. Ashley McKinley, Kendall’s younger sister, stood near the gate with Ted, ready to welcome the children. Ted was back to his sunny self. Or maybe it was Ashley’s influence. Was something going on there? Ashley was a nice girl. Maybe if Ted had a girlfriend, he’d ease up about Lucas.
Not that Lucas was her boyfriend.
Enough BS, Bayleigh Sutherland. Today is a good day. Focus on the now.
“Welcome to Belle Vista,” she said, as the first teacher stepped down and headed toward her.
She anticipated that this would be a regular event as the center became established. Once school counselors began referring children here—which she hoped would happen quickly—students and parents alike would be best served if they were familiar with the facility and what they offered. Even better, though, was that today, it was Sawyer’s daughter’s class that was visiting. Today, however, Leila and Piper would be accompanied by Piper’s biological mother, Miranda.
“Darlene Phillips,” said the woman. “Piper’s been talking the whole way about someone named Turtle? I hope this is a real animal and not an imaginary character.”
It was pure joy to see the affection between Piper and her old rescue horse, Turtle. A flock of children poured out behind the teacher, chattering and giggling.
Bayleigh smiled. “He’s a real horse and he’s a real sweetheart, very gentle. It’s incredibly empowering for children when they are brave enough to interact with such a large animal.”
“Well, she’s certainly been talking him up. She’s done so well this term. If he’s responsible for her progress, then I’m sold.”
Sawyer had mentioned some developmental delays but that Piper was making up for lost time now. There was no doubt in Bayleigh’s mind that the animal had played a role. Sawyer had been wise to bring him into his daughter’s life.
“Piper’s the best ambassador I could hope for.”
“This is my dad’s ranch,” Piper informed a group of children.
“It’s Ms. Sutherland’s ranch,” Leila corrected, with an apologetic look at Bayleigh.
“But I couldn’t run it without your dad, Piper,” Bayleigh said with a smile, “so you’re kind of right.”
The little girl was playing up her moment as crown princess, and Bayleigh was happy for her social success. School could be a tough place for children with special needs. When those needs were invisible, it was sometimes even worse.
A couple of women joined them, one tall with straight black hair and the graceful walk of a dancer, and the other with the same flashing eyes as Piper.
The taller woman immediately stuck out her hand. “Tracey McKenzie. I’m so happy to meet you. Summer, my daughter—” she pointed to the gaggle of kids surrounding Piper “—hasn’t talked of anything else all week.”
“I’m happy to hear it,” Bayleigh said, returning the greeting.
Leila tugged the other woman forward gently. “Bayleigh, this is Miranda, Piper’s mother.”
Before Miranda could say anything, Piper ran up to them. “Mom! Mom, come on, let’s go see Turtle!”
“Nice to meet you,” Bayleigh said, shaking the hand Miranda extricated from her daughter’s grasp.
“You too.” Miranda gave her a quick, tight smile, before Piper dragged her off to the horse barn.
Leila leaned closer and lowered her voice. “She gets a little nervous around Sawyer. Not surprising, I guess, with their history.”
“I think it’s remarkable,” Tracey said, “how you’ve come up with a dynamic that works for you all.”
“Tracey’s helping us navigate the legalese involved, thank goodness.” Leila gave a wry smile.
“Family law is filled with unhappiness,” Tracey said. “It’s nice to work with people who are solution oriented.”
Leila blushed. “You make it sound so simple. I think the fact that I’m adopted makes me more aware of the possibilities.” She gave a little laugh. “I didn’t realize at the time that adopting Piper kind of meant adopting Miranda, too. We’re working at it. So far, so good.”
And now she had another long-lost brother to adjust to. A good thing, but not simple at all, for any of them.
Bayleigh pushed Lucas out of her mind and focused on watching Piper bounce toward the barn. “Sawyer would do anything for her.”
“He’s a great dad,” Leila agreed. She smoothed the front of her jeans, a tiny smile at the corner of her mouth.
Tracey’s eyebrows rose. “Are you . . .?”
“Shh!” Leila said. But color rose to her cheeks and the delight on her face was unmistakable.
Tracey locked her lips with an invisible key. Bayleigh felt a twinge of envy for Leila and Sawyer. Their life was complicated, sure, but there was so much joy in store for them.
She greeted the other teachers and parent helpers who’d joined them, and then led them to the main barn where they’d be able to pet the horses and feed them treats, under Sawyer’s supervision. Those who wanted would get the chance to ride. Even though Grand seemed chock-a-block full of wealthy cowboys, there were many more people who worked in non-ranching careers. Not all children grew up around horses. Not all children even grew up with a dog or cat.
She watched the small group with delight and gratitude so strong it nearly brought tears to her eyes. At the core of what she was trying to achieve was this: sharing the healing power of animals.
When the visit ended, the children boarded the bus, chattering happily and Piper was the hero of the day. Bayleigh had received many queries about how to arrange future visits and what kind of animal-assisted therapy would be available. A few kids asked about a petting zoo, but she demurred on that subject. She was still considering additional animals for children to interact with in a controlled therapeutic environment, but she had no interest in being associated with a zoo. It was a subtle difference but one she was determined to maintain.
Sawyer kissed his daughter as she boarded the bus, the very last kid on, and then stood back with Bayleigh to wave as the vehicle disappeared down the lane.
“That was successful, I’d say, wouldn’t you?” she said.
“Very.” He started back toward the barn to complete his tasks for the day, then turned.
“Bayleigh,” he said, hesitantly. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” He was a fairly serious man, but his tone indicated a topic he was reluctant to mention.
“You’re new to Grand,” he began.
“I’ve been here longer than you.”
“It’s a pretty conservative town.” He took his hat off and ran his hand through his hair. “My gosh, I can’t believe I’m going to say this.”
She crossed her arms. “Then maybe you shouldn’t.”
“Listen, this isn’t my opinion.” He blew out a breath. “I’m the last person to judge anyone. But this is about Belle Vista.”
“What about it?”
“You know Sue Anne Nylund?”
Bayleigh exhaled. She’d noticed one of the volunteers watching her with a somewhat sour expression, but she hadn’t had time to talk to her personally.
“Mid-sixties? Wearing an outfit more suited for Sunday service than a barnyard visit?”
“That’s the one.”
“I didn’t talk to her but I noticed her looking at me. Does she have a problem with the ranch?”
“She has a problem with a lot of things,” Sawyer said, grimacing. “She’s the school secretary. Likes to have her hand in everything. Probably has a good heart but it’s been encased in strict, moralistic values for so long, it’s hard to tell. I overheard her talking.”
“Oh? I have nothing to hide.”
What she did on her own property, on her own time, was her own business.
“She’s questioning the wisdom of having a single woman running a ranch like this, which offers services to children.”
“I hope you told her where to get off. Nicely, of course.”
Sawyer laughed. “I’m not about to insult anyone at your place of business, Bayleigh. I did defend you, of course. I told her that you were more than qualified to run this place and that you were surrounding yourself with an exceptional team, starting with me. She seemed a little mollified by that.”
“She thinks I can’t do this... because I’m a single woman? What century was she born in?”
“Ha, the last one, unfortunately. The irony is that she’s a single woman herself, but she doesn’t see it. Anyway, I just wanted you to know.”
“Well, I’m not about to go get myself a husband just to make people like her feel better. I’ve worked hard to get this place, and I’m damn good at what I do.”
“I know, Bayleigh. It won’t be long before everyone else knows it too. But since we’re not fully operational yet, it might take time before your reputation is known. I wanted you to be aware.”
“Is this someone who has a lot of pull in the community?” She was mystified. This Sue Anne character sounded like a gossip, at worst. Why should Bayleigh be threatened by gossip?
Maybe because you’re sleeping with a paying guest?
She shook off the thought. She was doing nothing wrong.
“Not really but forewarned is forearmed. This was a great afternoon. I’m glad we did it.”
“Thanks for all your help, Sawyer.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Oh, and congratulations.”
He jerked his head up. “She told you?”
“Just a hint. Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.”
She returned to her office to write a brief report of the school visit and post a few photos on the ranch’s social media platforms. This had been a great afternoon and she wasn’t going to let one old biddy ruin it.