Chapter 20
Chapter
Twenty
P aisley finally found her charge cord in the pocket of her backpack and plugged her phone in just before she and Kait left for the hospital.
“I can’t believe you’re not glued to your cell,” Kait commented as she angled out of the apartment parking area. “Trust me, I never lose my cord or forget to check messages.”
Paisley hadn’t forgotten, exactly. She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to see any more messages from Weston. The last ones she’d read had started to sound desperate, and she could do without being guilted… or reminded. “I’m talented. I can misplace or forget anything.”
Kait chuckled. “I remember that about you when you were a scatterbrained little kid. Some things never change?”
“I guess.” Paisley wanted to reject her sister’s oh-so-amusing reminder, but it was all too true. “Being an adult is hard. There are so many more things to juggle than I ever dreamed. ”
“Too true. So, becoming a Christian wasn’t a magic wand?”
“Why would it be? I’m still the same person.” Loved by God the way she was, right? Why was that so hard to remember? To cling to?
Kait shrugged. “I guess I’m trying to understand the whole Christian thing. Why did you do it?”
Paisley thought back. “Because I was drifting. I felt unloved, like no one cared what happened to me. Mom sure didn’t. Nobody seemed to stay.”
The woman on the plane had reminded her of that verse about Jesus being a friend who stuck closer than a brother. Or, in Paisley’s case, closer than a sister.
“Seems funny to think of you moving constantly and still frustrated that no one stuck with you.”
“I know. So hilarious.” Paisley barely managed not to snap at her sister. Were Kait’s questions genuine, or was she only looking for another chance to laugh at Paisley?
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. Maybe I should have said it seems ironic.”
“One of the other ski instructors invited me to her church’s college-and-careers group. They all seemed to have everything together, and they told me it was the love of Jesus. That He would never leave me.”
“Not in a creepy sort of way?”
“Not at all creepy. Jesus is God. He loves us. He died to provide a way for humans to have a relationship with Him.”
“Weird. How does dying to that?”
“He rose again.”
“Nobody does.”
“Jesus did. There’s all kinds of historic proof. If you’re a reader and really want to know, I can hook you up with some of that research.”
“Yeah, sure. It sounds intriguing, at least. So, you’re saying Jesus changed your life by not abandoning you?”
Meeting Earl last night had thrown Paisley into a spiral, but Kait’s questions reminded her she was more than her genetic material. God had sought her out and showered love on her. That wasn’t her overactive imagination. That was her reality, her foundation.
When she’d been a kid, she’d had one of those roly-poly toys with a weighted bottom. She’d been fascinated, trying to tip the thing over, but it popped right-side-up no matter what.
Was it sacrilegious to think of Jesus as a roly-poly toy? It seemed kind of wrong, but it fit. Paisley’s life was never going to be truly upside down so long as she stuck with Jesus. The devil could try to knock her off her balance, just like he had been doing, but he wouldn’t succeed. Not with Jesus at her core.
“Paise?”
She’d nearly forgotten where she was… and why. They were only a few minutes from the hospital now. Paisley swiveled in her seat, suddenly sure of her answer. “Yes. Jesus saved my life exactly like that. He loves me, messed-up, scatterbrained, Paisley Teele, the one who chases daydreams and the end of the rainbow and the source of light.”
“The one who is incredible. ”
“I’m not.”
“You are. I won’t deny the scatterbrained bit, but that’s because your mind was leaping across the pond from one lily pad to the next on a path only you could see, and you’ve become an incredible person that way.”
“Huh.” Paisley had to laugh at the mental picture Kait provided. “I think God gets the credit for orchestrating those jumps.”
“You think? I wish I believed in someone — anything — that made order out of my chaos.”
“You can believe in that Someone. It’s Jesus you’re looking for.”
“Hmm. Maybe. Tell me more later. Now… about Mom.”
Something solid settled in Paisley’s gut. “Have you heard from the hospital again?”
Kait shook her head. “I think Mom might have half-faked some of that to get you to come home.”
“She did look good for someone who almost died a few days ago.”
“But I don’t think she faked being back on drugs. Why would anyone do that?” Kait flicked the turn signal on as the hospital parking lot came into view.
“Because she got back with Earl,” Paisley guessed. “It reminded her she had unfinished business with me.”
“That’s probably it, because if that guy is clean, I’m a monkey’s uncle.” Kait angled into a parking spot. “I’m sorry to drag you from your perfect life for this mess.”
“My life isn’t perfect. Not even close.”
“I won’t believe you if you try to convince me you don’t have cute cowboys clamoring for your attention. You work on a ranch, after all. And you’re so stinkin’ cute yourself. ”
“I’m not cute.” Paisley huffed a laugh. “But there are some adorable cowboys. You’re not wrong about that.”
“Some?” Her sister’s eyebrows tipped up. “Or just one?”
“One. If I haven’t messed things up by dropping the ball and coming south.”
“I doubt it. If he’s meant to be, he’ll still be around.”
“It’s not just that. It’s… I have a lot of responsibilities. And I kind of left without assigning all of them to others.” Like all the Fourth of July stuff.
“I’m sorry. The timing stinks. But I sure hoped you could stay for a few days, now that you’re here.”
This was the sister asking questions about God. Weren’t eternal things more important than jobs? Even, possibly, more important than romance?
Oh, Weston. How could he possibly understand? Well, he couldn’t if she didn’t explain herself. And her phone was charging back at Kait’s, because she couldn’t do anything right.
No. She wasn’t going to talk to herself that way anymore, remember? Even if it were true… but it wasn’t. Maybe the cord was defective… or maybe the battery. She was having a lot of trouble with her cell phone, even considering her issues.
Also, she ran a great activities program at Sweet River. Yes, she sometimes forgot a piece, but not usually. She’d created systems that worked for her. They wouldn’t make sense to anyone else — though Cindy tried hard — but that didn’t matter, so long as they worked for her.
“I’ll have to see how long I can stay. I really need to call in and see what’s up.”
“That’s fair.” Kait stared at the hospital. “Ready to face Mom?”
“Do you mind if I pray out loud before we go in?”
Kait blinked. “Sure. Have at it.”
“Hey, Tate. I hate to bother you at home about work stuff.”
Especially since his cousin stood in the doorway of his home in khaki shorts and bare feet, a casual look Weston would never have thought Tate would attempt to pull off.
Jamie ran into the room. “Hi Wes! See jumping like bunny.” He gave a series of little hops on both feet.
“Good job.”
The kid was clearly excited about his new skill. How old was he now? Two and a half? “Play cars?”
“I came to see your daddy.”
“Play cars later?”
“Maybe.” Weston glanced at Tate. At one time, Tate had tried to keep Jamie from calling him Daddy. After all, Tate was the boy’s uncle and had accepted guardianship after the boy’s parents died in a helicopter crash.
Did Jude know how dangerous aircraft could be?
“Come on in. I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t bother me on a Sunday afternoon if you didn’t think it was necessary. What’s up?”
Weston pulled his attention back to Tate. “Have you heard from Paisley?”
Tate shook his head as he led the way to his home office. “Have you?”
Not what Weston was hoping to hear. “Thanks for forwarding the emails. That helped. She’s contracted the Delgados for live music and the barn dance.”
“Right, she did say that.” Tate pointed at a comfy chair. “Have a seat. Man, I don’t know what we’re going to do if she isn’t at tomorrow morning’s staff meeting. Her weekend is her own, of course. She doesn’t have to ask permission for going off the ranch or even to Arizona, but if she’s late for work — or worse, doesn’t show at all — then my hands are tied.”
Weston let out a long breath. “Even if I can handle the celebration and Cindy and Sabrina have the activities covered?”
“I can’t pay Paisley for work she didn’t do.”
“What if she was on the ranch but missed the meeting? If you didn’t know she was away, you wouldn’t assume the worst, right?”
Tate steepled his hands and studied him.
Weston squirmed in his seat.
“It’s not that long ago when you tried everything you could to get out of going on a four-day trail ride with Paisley Teele. Something has changed.”
“True. On both counts.”
“Care to enlighten me?” Was that a glimmer of humor showing in Tate’s eyes? That had to be a good sign, right?
“I think I might be in love with her.”
“I wondered.” Tate’s grin widened. “Any idea if she feels the same? I guess what I’m asking is… is her mother actually sick, or is she running away from something? Li ke maybe you”
Weston met his cousin’s gaze steadily. “Her mother is in the hospital.”
“You’re sure she just doesn’t know what to do with you now that she’s caught you?”
“You’re kidding, right?” Weston’s patience was wearing thin. “We’re on the same page.” Paisley hadn’t really responded to his kisses the way he’d hoped, but that was from worry about her mother. He shouldn’t have pushed her that night, but he was certain she hadn’t manufactured the whole scenario to get away from him.
No, that was Rayna’s mode of operation, though money talked. Weston might not have been worth Rayna sticking around for a several years ago, but that’s when he’d been a poor cowboy without a ranch. Now that he had money, Rayna figured he might be worth her attention. Too bad she’d already shown her colors.
Rayna had nothing on Paisley. Paisley knew Weston was a Sullivan, but that wasn’t why she liked him, was it? No, that didn’t make sense.
She’d seen something in Weston that intrigued her. Why? No clue. He wasn’t usually that interesting to people, but he’d finally responded to her persistent attention.
He loved her. It didn’t depend on which way the wind blew. Weston wasn’t that kind of guy. He hadn’t dated since Rayna — she’d really done a number on his self-esteem. But Paisley was different. She was worth holding out for, even when things seemed a little uncertain.
Weston leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Tate, I’m asking this as a personal favor, cousin to cousin.” That was a chip he’d never envisioned cashing in. “For my sake, please give Paisley a few more days. I promise I’m getting the celebration sorted out. Cadence is helping.”
At that, Tate’s eyebrows rose. “She is?”
“Graham, too. He’s confirmed some of the financial stuff I needed to know since the paper trail was… slim.”
“I see.” Tate let out a long breath.
“Don’t you remember falling in love?” Stephanie’s voice came from the doorway behind Weston.
He turned to look at his cousin’s wife. He didn’t know her well. Totally his own fault because he’d been the one holding back last year during their whirlwind courtship and sudden wedding. He hadn’t felt sure of his relationship to the Sullivans, didn’t know how to cope. And Stephanie had blasted right into their midst as Jamie’s nanny and swept Tate off his feet.
Weston had figured the guy had fallen much too easily. Maybe he understood a little better now.
Tate smiled at his wife, his face softening. “I do remember, sweetheart.”
“Then cut fresh love a little slack. I think Paisley and Weston are cute together. Give them a chance to see if they’ve got what it takes.”
Did they have what it took? This was a big test, but if Paisley returned — no. When Paisley returned, they’d sort through this. She’d explain, and then he’d understand.
Weston grinned at Stephanie. “Thanks. I think we’ve got it.”
“I hope you do.” But her focus was totally on her husband.
Suddenly, Weston felt like an intruder. He stood. “I should be going. I promise I’ll be in touch the minute I know something.”
Tate rose, too, before crossing the space and sliding one arm around his wife. “Please do. And my wife… she’s very convincing, but I might let her try a little harder.”
Stephanie stretched to kiss Tate.
Enough was enough. Weston saluted and headed for the door.