“Yep, took off in that fancy sports car.” The ranch hand stuffed a wad of tobacco in his mouth. “Said she had folks to visit in town. Told me to tell Mattie good-bye. That she’d call her later.”
At least Jenna hadn’t disregarded her sister’s feelings. Gil hoped she wasn’t using Mattie and wondered if their relationship was anything like his and Frank’s had been. “What do you think about Jenna’s business here?”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “You mean about her wanting to buy the McCray land?”
Gil nodded at the keen observation.
“I’m not a property owner. Never have been. But I’ve worked your father’s ranch since you and Frank were this high.” He gestured to his hip. “I can’t imagine someone else owning this land, and I don’t want to try. Guess if that’s coming, your dad may as well scoot over so I can join him on that hospital bed.”
“Think it’d kill you both, huh?” Gil half joked.
Jake chewed on the tobacco. “You’re a smart man — all grown up with the wisdom of your parents tucked inside you. Take away a man’s dream, and you take his life from him.”
Gil didn’t respond but walked slowly to the house, Jake’s words gnawing on his conscience.
AFTER A SHORT NAP, GIL SAT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE WITH A PLATE of Mildred’s stew and two steaming biscuits slathered with butter and elderberry jelly. A packed suitcase waited at the door with clothes for him and his dad. He hoped to talk with Mattie before he left for the hospital, but so far, she hadn’t returned.
As though sensing his thoughts, Mildred stared out the kitchen window. “I wonder if Mattie’s all right. Hope she didn’t have trouble with those horses.”
Gil’s mouth twisted in concern. Mattie could handle Tulip, but Dusty might have injured himself. He sopped his biscuit in the stew for one last bite. “Maybe I better check on them.”
“No need.” Mildred smiled. “There she is, coming in from the pasture.”
He tossed his napkin on the table and stood, only to have Mildred motion him to sit.
“Finish your stew. You’ll be eating cafeteria food soon enough.” She refilled his glass of milk, then returned to her dishwashing. “You and Mattie seem mighty friendly these days. With her traveling all the way to California, it must be gettin’ serious.”
Gil scooped a carrot with his spoon. “I wouldn’t call it serious. Too many kinks in the water hose.”
The gray-haired housekeeper glanced at him. “She reminds me of your mama. Not many young women like her these days.” Her eyebrows raised an inch. “Take Mattie’s sister, for example.”
Mildred had been with Gil’s family almost as long as Jake. She’d helped his mother cook and clean this big house up until the day his mama died. They would have talked about things — shared intimate thoughts. “Did Mama like Jenna?”
Mildred dried her hands on a tea towel. “We all liked Jenna fine.”
“What if she and Frank had married?”
She shook her head. “Jenna was too flighty. It would never have lasted. She’s not like Mattie.”
No truer words had come from the woman’s lips. Images of Jenna bathed in moonlight flashed in his mind, and he blinked them away. “You think Mama would approve of Mattie?”
“Course, she would. Mattie’s sensible and caring.”
An angel compared to her sister.
“Are the two of you making plans?”
Gil’s neck grew warm at her question. “Not yet, but I’m sure if that changes, you’ll be one of the first to know.”
Mildred chuckled. “Someone has to look out for you. You might be big and tough on the outside, but your insides are as tender as a baby’s bottom.”
He stood and kissed her on the cheek.
She flicked him with her sudsy water. “Scoot out of here and go see that girl of yours.”
Gil pressed his lips together, wondering if Mattie had cooled down yet. One glance at his pocket watch confirmed they didn’t have time to finish their previous conversation. He gathered his suitcase and jacket and lumbered to the truck. As he loaded the backseat, his cell phone beeped from the dashboard. Thinking the battery low, he checked and saw a text message from his real estate broker in California.
Owners ready to sell. Name your price.
FORTY-TWO
MATTIE MET GIL AT HIS TRUCK AND WAITED WHILE HE CHECKED HIS phone, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
He tucked the phone in his shirt pocket and turned to face her. His hair drooped to his brow as he shot her a winsome smile. “Still