Sweet Joymaker (Indigo Bay Christmas Romances #3) - Jean Oram Page 0,47

it?” she asked Levi.

He smiled.

He’d never planned to get it running again, but used it as something to keep her off the trail of their surprise.

If he only knew she would have rather had Clint with her for one more day in Indigo Bay. She watched Clint eat and laugh with her father-in-law, wondering when she’d have a chance to speak with him. The fact that he’d stayed for supper suggested she was still important to him and he hoped for a second chance.

Realizing she was off in her own world, she turned to Cole. “So, how did you know…”

“Know what?” he asked.

“That I wanted…” She shook her head. “I forgot what I was going to say.”

Clint had been watching her again. He said, loudly enough for her to hear, but not enough to interrupt the various conversations going on around the table, “It seemed important to you.” His gaze flickered to Cole.

He’d brought her son home. For her.

Brant had reached out to Cole several times over the years. But judging by his shocked, pale face and the way he kept giving his brother wary glances, she knew he hadn’t called Cole home this time. Not when he was making eyes at Cole’s ex-girlfriend and helping her regain her footing in life after divorce.

And Levi, her take-charge eldest, had tried to get hold of him back in the fall, but Cole had never picked up his calls. Myles and Ryan were a no, as well.

“You didn’t tell him I’m dying, did you?” she asked Clint, curious how he’d managed to get her son to return home.

“What? You’re dying?” Ryan turned to her, his eyes huge.

“No!” She lifted a hand, laughing. “No, I’m fine.”

Clint chuckled and shook his head.

“He said you needed me,” Cole interjected, when everyone at the table went back to their earlier conversations.

“Oh, I…” She wasn’t comfortable putting that kind of weight or pressure on her son. She wanted him to return home because he wished to, not because he’d been guilted into it or felt obligated.

“It was a good excuse,” Cole said with that mischievous smile of his. That hadn’t changed. He’d always been a bit of a brat. In the best way. Except for when it got him into trouble. Her gaze automatically tracked to April and her young son, Kurt.

Cole cracked a joke. “Come on, Mom. Everyone knows you don’t need anyone.”

That used to feel true.

“Time for dessert?” Myles asked hopefully, from farther down the table.

“You’re still hungry?” Cole asked incredulously.

“Always.”

“I would have thought you’d have outgrown that phase,” Cole said, standing to help clear the table.

“Nope. Not yet.” Myles stretched his strong body, showing his flat stomach. Hard work on the ranch followed by coaching his football team kept him trim.

“I’ve got to get the pies from the cold room,” Maria said, not expecting anyone to respond.

Clint half stood, but Cole said, “I’ll help.”

In the basement, Maria loaded two pies into Cole’s hands, then picked up two as well.

“What are you going to do about April?” she asked him. Brant was finally having his moment with her, but Maria knew that could get blown up by Cole’s arrival.

“What about her?”

“Well, you’re home and…”

“I was waiting for her to call me, but I don’t think she’ll ever be ready for my return. So… Here I am.”

“What happened between the two of you? Really happened?” Maria had plenty of assumptions and had heard the town’s own speculation, but she’d never heard the entire story straight from the horse’s mouth.

Her son exhaled, his chest expanding. “Dad thought…” He shook his head.

“Roy? What did he do?” Sudden anger roared in her ears. “Did he send you away?”

There’d been the fight before Cole had left, but she hadn’t thought Roy had actually told him to leave town.

“I’m here now.”

Her shoulder sagged. “Your dad and I have very different views on things, and I hope you can stay. You’re always welcome here on the ranch. This will always be your home.”

“Thanks.” He gave her a soft smile. “I’ve missed this place.”

“It’s missed you, too. We all have.”

“Yeah, Levi’s already asking me which chores I want to do in the morning.” He grinned and Maria shook her head at the familiar argument between her sons.

“So what’s this about you and Clint?” Cole asked. “I was surprised when he called me up.”

“He phoned you?” she said, wanting to hear more.

“Yeah, he said it was important for me to come home for Christmas.” There was a hesitation in his voice and she hurried