Home on the Ranch 47 - Tina Radcliffe Read online

  “I said that?”

  “Maybe not verbatim, but you did say I tend to run through all the doors without stopping to see what God’s plan for me is.”

  “My words sure get a lot of mileage, not to mention coming around to bite me in the backside,” he mumbled.

  Annie smiled. “Your words were a wake-up call. I said I was letting God in, but it was only on my terms. I kept such tight control on the situation there was no way I could have heard Him.” She glanced over at Will and noted the confused expression on his face. “Uh-oh, now what are you thinking?”

  “About what you just said.”

  Annie cocked her head. This time she was the one confused.

  “You know, control and letting God in.”

  “I do know. It’s my greatest downfall.”

  “Then we’re a lot alike, you and I, Annie. Because I know I deal with the same thing on a daily basis.”

  “I supposed that’s why we’re such good friends, we’re a lot alike and we can be honest with each other.”

  “Honest, huh? I think we’re just two hardheads.”

  Annie laughed. “Maybe. But you should be flattered I’m taking your advice.”

  “My advice?”

  “Sure. Because of your advice, I’m very conscious to attempt to make this decision prayerfully, not with my head or my heart.”

  “I guess I ought to try taking my own advice.”

  She bit back a smile. “I’m not touching that.”

  This was by far one of his dumbest ideas yet. Will continued to peruse the dessert menu as the waitress took orders around the table.

  He slid his chair a bit closer to Ryan and away from Jillian, but the woman seemed to have edged toward him yet again.

  “You get any closer and people will start talking,” Ryan muttered.

  Will glared at him.

  What was he thinking when he suggested going together? Avoiding one-on-one had been the original plan. Keep anyone from thinking this was a real date.

  Instead the woman kept talking on and on as though they were an item. The whole thing was giving him a headache. Will was also pretty sure that his dentist would object to the amount of jaw-grinding he’d done so far tonight.

  He glanced over at Ryan, who’d had a perpetual smile on his face since the moment they’d left the ranch. It was downright embarrassing how the guy hung on every word Annie said.

  Will prided himself on his control and couldn’t understand why he kept having an urge to slug the guy and wipe that smile off his face. Every time he looked over and saw Ryan’s arm loped over the back of Annie’s chair, his fingers brushing against her shoulder, Will twitched.

  The waitress snapped her order book shut and stepped aside to allow the hostess and a parade of incoming patrons access to the back room of the popular eatery.

  After dinner and the concert, the women had voted for dessert and coffee. If Will had his way, he’d have headed home hours ago.

  At least they’d chosen one of the best pie places in the area. The restaurant and bakery was packed tonight, as usual. Will inhaled deeply, appreciating the aromas of fresh pastries.

  “Glad you suggested this place, Annie. They serve the best pies in town,” Ryan commented.

  “Second-best,” Will said. His words were echoed at the same exact moment by Annie. When his gaze connected with hers they laughed.

  “What’s the joke?” Jillian asked with a thin smile.

  “Rose’s pies are the best,” Annie explained with a wink to Will.

  He smiled back and looked beyond Annie to a familiar figure. Lulu Parson, with a man Will recognized as the retired Granby high school principal, Howard Reynolds, at her heels. Her fire-engine-red high heels.

  Will couldn’t help but notice that the years had not been as generous to Howard as they had been to his date.

  Lulu stopped suddenly as her gaze met Will’s. Howard nearly collided with her backside.

  “Why, Will, how nice to see you again,” Lulu smiled. “Taking your lovely wife out on the town I see.”

  Warmth crept up Will’s neck, no doubt turning him the same shade of red as Lulu’s lipstick. He didn’t dare spare a glance around the table. “Good to see you, too, Ms. Parson.”

  “And Ryan Jones. How are you? Still as handsome as ever, I see.”

  “Hi, Ms. Parson. You’re looking especially lovely tonight.”

  “Ryan, you never change.” Lulu brushed a hand over her dress pleased at the compliment. She turned to the man at her side. “Howard, you remember Will Sullivan and Ryan Jones, don’t you? I don’t believe either of them spent any time in your office. They were such nice boys.”

  Annie’s laughing eyes met Will’s across the table; her expression told him she knew better.

  “Aren’t you going to introduce me to the young lady?” Lulu asked Ryan.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Ryan said. “This is Annie.”

  Lulu waved a white-gloved hand at Ryan. “I’ve already met Mrs. Sullivan. Howie, this is Annie. You remember I told you about her? She’s the nurse.”

  A confused Ryan gave Will a look, begging his intervention. Dry-mouthed, Will picked up his water glass, only to be elbowed by Ryan midswig. Will gulped and nearly choked on his water, quickly setting the glass down. “Ms. Parson,” Will said, “This is my friend Jillian.”

  Lulu offered Jillian a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Julie. You may call me Lulu.”

  Will cleared his throat. “It’s uh, Jillian.”

  “Will’s wife has enrolled in my yoga class at the Y. You’re more than welcome to join us, Julie,” Lulu continued without pause.

  An amused Jillian took Lulu’s proffered hand.

  “Ms. Parson, would you and Mr. Reynolds care to join us?” Will asked. The courtesy smacked of disaster but was required etiquette nevertheless. “Maybe we could all move to a larger table.”

  “Oh, no, wouldn’t dream of intruding. Besides, Howie and I want to be alone tonight. We’re celebrating our engagement.” In a loving gesture, she placed a hand on Howard Reynolds’s arm.

  “Engagement?” Annie spoke up. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations.”

  Howard straightened and gazed adoringly at Lulu. He had a pronounced rhythmic tremor to his head and upper extremities.

  “Yes, we were sweethearts when we were young, and drifted apart. But we were meant to be. Fifty years later and we still have that old spark,” Lulu said proudly.

  “I’m a l-l-lucky man,” Howard stated, a heavy stutter evident, but overshadowed by the gleam in his eyes.

  “Oh, that’s so romantic, Ms. Parson,” Annie said, her eyes dreamy as they focused on the couple.

  “Isn’t it?” Lulu agreed. “Fifty years is a long time to wait for true love. But Howard was worth the wait.”

  “Come along, Lulu, love, we’ll leave these young people alone.” Again the stutter was evident in Howard’s speech.

  “Congratulations, again,” Will said, as the couple de parted.

  “Thank you. We’ll send you all invitations to the wedding,” Lulu said, as she left them.

  “Oh, my goodness. What was wrong with that man?” Jillian asked Annie in a low voice.

  Will’s gut clenched at Jillian’s repulsed tone.

  “Parkinson’s disease, I imagine,” Annie replied quietly.

  “How tragic to marry a man with a disease like that. Did you see how he shook, and his speech?”

  “Tragic? For who? Lulu doesn’t seem to notice anything but Howard’s heart,” Annie said with a thoughtful smile. “Isn’t that what love is all about? What’s inside. Not what’s outside.”

  Jillian contemplated Annie’s comment. “You’re a nurse, so I suppose it’s easier for you.” She sipped her water and turned to Will. “Lulu seems to be a little confused. What was all that nonsense about Annie being your wife?”

  “We’re all out of lemon meringue,” the waitress announced, a tray filled of desserts and a carafe of coffee in her arms.

/>   Saved by the pie, Will realized.

  Ryan leaned over to Will and spoke in a whisper, “Speaking of pie. If I were a betting man, I’d bet you’re in deep cow pie. Hope you’re wearing your old boots.”

  Will glanced down at the floor with regret. “I seem to be a cow pie magnet these days.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “You’re awfully quiet,” Ryan commented.

  She turned from the railing to face him. His lanky form was draped on the porch swing, where he sat balancing a coffee mug on his knee. “More coffee?”

  “I’m good, thanks.”

  “What are you thinking so hard about?” he asked.

  “Mexico.”

  “Mexico. Now that’s random.”

  Annie gave a short laugh. “I heard you went there on a mission trip.”

  “Oh, that was a few years back. Accompanied the youth group at church.”

  “How long was the trip?”

  “Two weeks. The church bused the kids down there, and we spent most of the time teaching them carpentry skills, then building a church. The kids launched the first services and got to preach.”

  “Sounds like you enjoyed the time.”

  “Oh, yeah. Guess I forgot how much fun I had until you mentioned it. Probably should sign up to do it again real soon.”

  “Yes, it sounds like you should.”

  “Are you thinking about going to Mexico?” he asked.

  “It is one of my options.” She took a deep breath, wrapped her arms around the porch post and stared out at the trees silhouetted against the night sky in the distance. So many decisions to be made.

  “More thinking?” he asked.

  “Yes.” She turned back again.

  Ryan nodded thoughtfully. “What about?”

  “Tonight.”

  “What was all that stuff with Ms. Parson?” he asked.

  “Lulu is so deaf. She got it into her head I’m Will’s wife, and that’s all she wrote on that topic.”

  “That Lulu Parson is quite a character, isn’t she?” he said, chuckling.

  “Yes, and I hope I’m just like her when I’m a woman of mature years.”

  Ryan grinned at her words. “Yeah, I can see a little of Lulu in you already.”

  Annie met his gaze. “I’m beginning to see that maybe real love like Lulu and Howard have is a combination of both friendship and love.”

  Ryan fingered the edge of his Stetson and unfolded his long legs, setting his mug on the ground. He stood and ambled over to the railing. Taking her hands in his big ones, he faced her, the green eyes direct as they searched her face. “I’m banging my head against my saddle here, aren’t I?” He smiled ever so sadly.

  “I don’t understand.” She tilted her head and looked up at him, confused.

  “I thought maybe you and I might have a chance.” He stopped and shrugged.

  “I’m so sorry,” Annie said, gently pulling her hands from his. She quickly remembered Rose’s warning in the kitchen. “I didn’t mean to encourage you that way. I thought you understood.” She took a deep breath as she assessed him. Ryan was a good guy, a real friend. A kind and Godly man, he would be easy to love. But she knew in her heart that there was a long line drawn in the dirt as far as their relationship was concerned.

  “Don’t be sorry,” he said. “Totally my fault. You’re right. I didn’t understand. I do now.”

  She met his gaze with a question in her eyes.

  “You’re in love with Will,” he said.

  Annie’s mouth seemed dry as a suitable response evaded her. “No. No,” she finally said with a firm tone. “I used to be. That was a long time ago.”

  “Who are you trying to convince?”

  “I—”

  “Annie. You’re still in love with Will. It isn’t something you can pick or chose.”

  She blinked back unfamiliar emotions. “No. I can’t be.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I’ve worked very hard not to be.” An almost-hysterical laugh slipped out.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “I couldn’t. It seems a betrayal. Will is my best friend. We have no secrets.” She stared down at the porch floor, her gaze taking in the scuffed toes of Ryan’s boots as she spoke. “Suddenly I have a secret. There’s something between us.”

  “Not so suddenly.”

  There was a long silence, before Annie could answer. “Maybe not.” The words were a whisper.

  “Will’s a fool if he doesn’t love you in return.”

  “Will doesn’t have any interest in love or marriage.”

  “Ha. All men say that until they fall in love.”

  “It’s different with Will.” She struggled for words. “He has a, well, a painful history.”

  “Don’t we all?”

  Annie’s gaze moved up to Ryan’s handsome face, and she saw for a brief moment the sorrow and regret that touched his expression. He spoke from experience, she realized. “What are you going to do?” he asked quietly.

  “There’s nothing to do,” Annie said.

  “You could tell him.”

  “That would only make things uncomfortable and awkward. I don’t want to ruin our friendship. It’s too valuable.”

  “I disagree. Sometimes you have to take a chance. Win or lose, you can at least move on knowing you tried.”

  Annie inhaled. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going to be here all that much longer anyhow.”

  “You don’t have to leave.”

  “I want a home of my own, and maybe if I keep moving I won’t notice I can’t have the one I really want.”

  “Don’t be so sure. Someday you’ll have that, and more.”

  “I wonder. It’s not like I have a genetic predisposition toward home and hearth anyhow.”

  He scratched his head. “You know, I try to keep up on my medical reading, but I don’t remember hearing about any test for that.”

  She tried to smile. “You know what I mean.”

  “You’re selling yourself way short. Just remember that if you know in your soul that Will is the man you love, then you ought to know that God is who put that knowledge there.”

  Annie looked at Ryan, hope warming her from the inside out. Could he be right?

  “But what about you?” The words slipped out before she could measure them.

  “Me? Who’s been talking about me?” Ryan asked, his tone light and jocular.

  Annie wasn’t fooled. “Rose mentioned your engagement,” she said softly.

  He was quiet for a moment, twirling his hat on his fingers. “Remember the talk the associate pastor gave at church tonight?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Yes.”

  “Been thinking about it all evening myself.”

  “Me, too,” she admitted. The thrust of the message had been that God wants His children to pursue His best for them and that included the context of a marriage partner. He discouraged his audience from rushing into marriage to end single life. God’s best, whatever that path might be, was out there for each and every one of them, if they’d be patient.

  “Annie, if the pastor is right, well, then all I can figure is that God’s best must be there somewhere. I thought I’d found her once. I guess I was wrong, so I keep walking, one foot in front of the other. I keep focused on the fact that the last stop…”

  He glanced down at her. “Well, that last stop is going to knock me off my feet, because that’s what it’s going to take at this point. I haven’t given up hope. God’s best. That’s what I want.”

  Annie smiled, knowing Ryan was right. Knowing she’d already found her last stop.

  Annie pushed open the screen door and poked her head inside. “Rose?”

  “Marla just found out Lance cheated on her with her best friend. The wedding is off.”

  “She’s too good for him.”

  “You got that straight. It’s her own fault, too. You don’t go looking for a stallion in a donkey corral.”


  Annie laughed. “Do you know where Will is?”

  “He’s helping Joanie and Chris exercise the horses.”

  “Do you think he’d mind if I took the Jeep down to the post office?”

  “Take the truck,” Rose said.

  “Never touch a man’s pickup.”

  “Don’t be silly. Take the truck.”

  “No way. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “Marla threw the ring at Lance,” Rose returned.

  “Serves him right.”

  Annie tossed the keys in the air and slid into the Jeep. She slipped her stack of mail into the glove box and started the engine.

  With a quick perusal left and right, she maneuvered out to the main road, then reached for the radio. The finicky dial was stripped and rewarded her with loud intermittent bursts of static. By the time she was a mile down the road she finally coaxed music out of the radio and began humming to the country tune.

  Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a black-and-white skunk crossing the road. A quick jerk on the steering wheel averted a foul collision.

  “We’ll both be happier if I don’t hit you, little guy.” The Jeep veered off to the soft grassy shoulder, bumping over dead shrubbery before it stalled.

  Annie watched the animal scurry into the trees as she shoved the clutch into Neutral. Turning the engine over again resulted in an unexpected grinding sound. The Jeep wasn’t going to start. Had she flooded the engine? Too bad she knew even less about car mechanics than she did about skunks.

  She leaned back against the worn seat cushion to wait it out. Her fingers slipped the visor down, and she curiously examined the yellowed scraps of papers tucked into the elastic band; a few receipts, a faded newspaper article covering the Tulsa State Fair. Rose’s peach pie had won first place that year. Annie smiled. Between the pages of the newspaper clipping was a folded copy of her college graduation announcement. As she pulled it out a wrinkled business card tumbled to her lap. “Neurologist?” Who’s seeing a neurologist?

  With a frown, she carefully replaced the business card and papers.

  The next time she tried the engine it merely clicked repeatedly with her efforts, removing all doubt that she was going to have to walk back to the ranch. She glanced at the tree-lined road.