Home on the Ranch--Tennessee Homecoming Read online

  “It’s been a while.” His voice was husky. He cleared his throat then tried again. “You wanna take those glasses off so I can say hello properly?”

  She didn’t speak. Her shaky hand curled tighter around the frame of the car door, the metallic silver polish on her nails sparkling in the sunlight. A tear rolled out from beneath the thick bottom frame of her sunglasses then trickled down her face in an erratic pattern.

  Hesitating, he reached out, touched the bridge of her glasses with a fingertip then nudged them down her nose. Her thick lashes lifted and those beautiful browns of hers focused up at him, the dark depths heavy with pain, the surrounding whites cloaked in a pink haze.

  “I was getting myself together.” She dragged the back of her hand across her cheek. “I didn’t want to upset Matthew and Emma after what they’ve already been through. I haven’t seen them in so long, and I didn’t want to make the day more difficult for you, either. I’m sorry. I know you and Frank were as close as me and...”

  Her chin wobbled and a fresh trail of tears coursed over her skin.

  “Katie.” His tongue barely moved, her name escaping his lips on a strained whisper that made his whole body ache.

  Against his better judgment, he spread his arms, palms tilted up in invitation. She released the car door, moved into his embrace and pressed her cheek to his chest. The sharp hinge of her sunglasses dug into the base of his throat but the sweet scent of her hair—strawberries—and the sun-kissed warmth of her smooth skin coaxed him into holding her closer. Her heart pounded against his chest in almost the same place Sophia’s had.

  Landon winced. Katie had never set eyes on Sophia. How would she react to the news? And how much would it hurt for her to sign away guardianship of her nieces and nephew? Not as much as it would for someone else in her position, for sure. She barely knew the kids and Patricia had been shockingly accurate in her estimation of how much time Katie had actually spent with them.

  But the last thing he wanted to do was add to her pain. Surely there’d be a better moment to tell her. To gently explain why Matthew, Emma and Sophia would be better off here with him and Patricia, and reassure her that she’d always be welcome in the kids’ lives. For now, offering comfort superseded everything.

  Landon released a heavy breath, ruffling errant strands of her silky hair against his nose. “We’re glad you came home for the funeral. Before you leave, we need to—”

  “I’m not here just for the funeral.”

  He froze. Did she already know? “What?”

  Katie raised her head from his chest, stepped back then plucked the sunglasses off her nose. The tears had stopped, determination warring with the grief still shadowing her eyes. “I’m here for the kids.”

  * * *

  Buck up, Katydid. There’s nothing you can’t handle.

  Throat tight at the memory of Jennifer’s words, Katie hung her sunglasses on her pants pocket then peered up at Landon. Sharp rays of sunlight beat down on her burning eyes, and made it difficult to discern Landon’s reaction to her announcement.

  She shifted until his towering height blocked the glare. It didn’t help. If anything, a clear view of his face—as handsome as ever—only increased her tension.

  “I came for an extended visit to help Matthew and Emma through this,” she said. “My dad, too, and—” Lord knows if she’ll accept it “—my mom. I didn’t want you to think I was just blowing in and out of here like I have before.”

  His blue eyes narrowed and a muscle ticked in his strong, stubble-lined jaw. The heat of his consoling touch still lingered on her thin blouse, seeping through to her shoulders and lower back. The delicious sensation tingled against her skin.

  He’d held her once before—years ago at Jennifer and Frank’s wedding—in much the same way. As maid of honor, she’d spent the hours before the wedding applying Jennifer’s makeup, smoothing her long hair and fluffing the train of her wedding dress. During the ceremony, she’d stood by Jennifer’s side, praying silently for a happy future for Jennifer and Frank, then smiled bravely as they’d walked arm in arm back up the aisle, down the front steps of Elk Valley Baptist Church then slid into a white limo idling by the curb.

  She’d continued smiling as Jennifer had waved from the back window. Her beaming parents and a slew of guests had followed the newlyweds for over a block, cheering and laughing. But the farther the distance, the more Katie had struggled to smile, her heart breaking, feeling as though Jennifer—her older sister, best friend and confidante—had left her behind.

  It’d been selfish, really, and she’d never felt more ashamed. When Landon had looked at her—the two of them, best man and maid of honor, the only ones still standing on the church steps—she’d known it must’ve shown on her face. She’d expected a look of admonishment or a few words of disapproval. Instead, he’d called her name, opened his arms then held her while she’d cried.

  Katie swallowed hard, choking back a renewed sob. “I reserved a room at the Elk Valley Motel on the way through town. Paid for a week in advance.”

  Landon relaxed. One corner of his sensuous mouth curved up as he slid his big hands in his pockets. “You’re staying for one week?”

  She nodded. “A little longer if they’ll accept my help.”

  “That’s good, then.” He looked away, his thick blond hair tumbling over his tanned brow as he stared over her shoulder.

  Landon hadn’t changed much except for a brawnier build and more noticeable lines beside his mouth that deepened into grooves when he smiled. Laugh lines. He’d always been optimistic, cheerful and fun-natured, even if his high standards were a bit rigid and legalistic. His blue eyes were as sharp and wise as ever. He’d be thirty-three now. The same age as Frank and Jennifer.

  Or rather, the same age Frank and Jennifer would be if they were still here.

  “There are things we need to discuss.” He returned his attention to her. “Some loose ends need tying up, but they can wait, if you’ll set aside time for us to talk?”

  “Of course.”

  Her focus darted over him—his broad shoulders, solid chest, lean hips and muscular legs. Every bit of his masculine stature was as imposing as her parents’ sprawling estate at her back but infinitely warmer and more welcoming. It was a familiar feeling he’d always conjured up deep in her middle that she’d stifled long ago and had not expected to resurface today of all days. If anything, she’d expected him to be polite but resentful of her long-standing absence.

  A choice she resented herself for making and hoped to rectify over time.

  “Sophia’s inside,” he said. The small smile vanished. His lips firmed. “She’s six months old now.”

  And you haven’t bothered to visit her.

  Face burning, Katie closed her eyes. He did resent her. The words might not be there, but the tone was. “I know. Jennifer emailed me pictures and we videoconferenced every week. Sophia’s beautiful. Of course, she would be. I’m glad she and Emma inherited Jennifer’s curls.”

  Landon’s pensive gaze traveled over her hair, followed the length of it past her collarbone, lower, then snapped back to meet her eyes. He cleared his throat. “Yours, too.”

  “No.” She picked at a curl. “These are courtesy of hot irons and hair spray. Mine’s as straight as a stick, normally. Nothing like Jennifer’s.”

  And that wasn’t the only difference. All her life, her mother had pointed out the other ones on a routine basis and for years Katie had tried her best to mimic Jennifer’s best qualities, though none of her attempts had ever met with her mother’s approval.

  Tires crunched over gravel and the sound of approaching footfalls mingled with that of an engine.

  “Finally.”

  Katie tensed. There was no mistaking that brisk voice and cool tone. Reluctantly, she pulled her attention away from the sympathetic light in Landon’s eyes and faced the so
urce.

  Her mother hadn’t changed much, either. Clad in a pink blouse and formal pantsuit, Patricia stood beside the black limousine that had just arrived. Her brown eyes were already sizing her up and judging. And she sported the same staid demeanor along with a classy topknot, flawless makeup and high-end jewelry.

  But...her fingers, balled around a crumpled tissue, shook slightly, and the necklace resting at the base of her throat jerked as her throat moved on a hard swallow.

  Katie walked over and embraced her. “I’m sorry, Mom,” she whispered against her perfumed neck. “I’m so sorry.”

  Her shoulders shook. She patted Katie on the back twice with one hand then drew away. “Had you arrived sooner, we would’ve had time for pleasantries but as it is, we’re late.” One eyebrow lifted as she studied Katie from head to toe. She leaned close and whispered, “Leather pants to your sister’s funeral? What were you thinking, Katie?”

  “Not much of anything,” she said, clenching her teeth and blinking back tears.

  It had hurt too much to think about what had happened to Jennifer and Frank. She’d been too afraid to imagine what their final moments had been like, how Matthew and Emma had felt after hearing the news or what a future without parents held for them. Instead, she’d gotten off the phone with her mother, bought a plane ticket, rented a car and called her boss to let her know she’d return in a week or two. She’d concentrated on the rugged peaks of the Smoky Mountains as the plane had descended then followed the curving yellow and white lines on the pavement as she’d driven the rest of the way to Elk Valley. Nothing had mattered other than getting to Matthew, Emma and Sophia as soon as possible.

  It was only after she’d arrived, her composure finally breaking down in the car and her palms rubbing repetitively across the material covering her thighs, that she’d realized she had put on the same pants Jennifer had mailed to her for Christmas three years ago.

  For the Sunset Strip, Jennifer had said over the phone, laughing. I ordered them online. Wear them to The Viper Room and send me pics. Mom will have a hissy!

  “I like your pants, Aunt Katie.”

  A small hand patted her knee and she looked down. Emma, eyes sad and cheeks wet, blinked up at her.

  “Oh, Emma.” Katie sat on her haunches and wiped away one of Emma’s tears with her thumb. She had Jennifer’s creamy complexion and long lashes and had grown at least two inches in the months since she last saw her. “Thank you.”

  At a loss for more words, she tugged Emma forward and hugged her tight. The little girl’s warm palms curled around her nape and the scent of fabric softener—Jennifer’s favorite—wafted up from her black dress. It was like hugging a little piece of Jennifer even after her sister had well and truly left her behind for good.

  Katie squeezed Emma closer, imagining all the big moments in Emma’s life Jennifer would miss and how painful life would be at times for Emma without her mother’s support. Her heart broke all over again.

  Emma shifted against her chest, her lips brushing Katie’s ear. “You want me to hold your hand? Uncle Landon said it won’t hurt as much if I do.”

  Uncle Landon? Katie glanced up at him. Jennifer had told her the kids spent a lot of time at Landon’s ranch. That he was as good with them as Frank. Obviously, he was as much a fixture in the kids’ lives as he’d been in hers and Jennifer’s.

  Landon smiled stiffly, dragged a hand over his face and walked toward the limo.

  “I’d love that.” Katie kissed Emma’s cheek then stood.

  Immediately, Emma slipped her hands in hers. Katie summoned up a smile as her dad walked over, Sophia cradled against his side.

  “I’m glad you came home, Katydid.” He kissed her forehead, hugging her close with his free arm.

  Chest aching at the sorrow in his voice, Katie forced a laugh. “I’m too old for that nickname, but it’s great to see you, too.”

  “You’ll never be too old for it.” His green eyes clouded with pain. “You’ll always be my little girl no matter how old you get.”

  Katie smoothed a hand over Sophia’s back. She was sound asleep and as precious in person as she’d been in her pictures. “Hi, beautiful.”

  A fresh wave of guilt rolled through her at having missed Sophia’s birth. She should’ve come home long before now despite family tensions.

  Frowning, Katie glanced around. “Where’s Matthew?”

  “Over here,” Landon called.

  Katie looked back at the limo. Matthew stood by Landon’s side, mouth tightly set and eyes glaring. His lanky ten-year-old frame was stiff, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

  “Hi, Matthew.” Katie took a hesitant step forward. “I’ve missed you.”

  His dark eyes flashed—grief, anger and pain warring within—then he turned and slid inside the limo without saying a word.

  Landon leaned inside, his voice muffled as he spoke to Matthew, then straightened and shook his head at Katie. “We’d better get on the road. The sooner we get this over with, the better.”

  Katie nodded, straining for another glimpse of Matthew. She curled her fingers tighter around Emma’s hand, wondering how many pieces the kids’ hearts would be in at the end of the day. Would it even be possible to put them back together again?

  Two hours later, Katie stood by two coffins in Elk Valley Cemetery, holding back tears as mourners lined up, gave their condolences then returned to their cars. Some people she remembered, some she didn’t. She stared at the roses adorning the caskets, their blooms full and bright beneath the late-afternoon sun, then looked at Matthew and Emma who stood nearby, staring silently at the ground.

  True to her word, Emma had held her hand throughout the service then released it during the final prayer to wrap her arms around Landon’s leg instead. Landon’s strong shoulders had begun to sag and his eyes were tired. He’d cradled Sophia against his chest with one brawny arm the entire service, walking to the limo once to console her when she’d woken restless and grumpy, then returned with her sleeping in his arms.

  “Landon.” Katie touched his shoulder. “Would you like me to hold Sophia for a while?”

  He turned away briefly to shake the last mourner’s hand and thank her for her well-wishes then shook his head. “We need to head home soon. It’d be best not to disturb her this close to leaving.”

  Her heart sank just a bit more. She had no right to infringe on his bond with the kids, but her arms ached to comfort them.

  “Okay,” she whispered, glancing at her parents. They were both crying, obviously exhausted, and her mother had pulled away during each of her attempts to console her. All in all, home sounded like the better place to be right about now. “I could take Emma and Matthew back to the limo while you—”

  “Katie Richards?” A man approached her, voice soft and hand outstretched. He tilted his head back to look up at her. She had a good six inches on him which, given her above-average height, was a common occurrence.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m Cecil Jenkins. Jennifer and Frank’s lawyer,” he said, extending his hand closer. “I wanted to tell you how sorry I am about your sister and brother-in-law. They were wonderful people.”

  Katie shook his hand. “Thank you.”

  “I know this must be a difficult time for you, but your sister secured my services three years ago and insisted that I give this to you in the event that...” He shrugged awkwardly. A blush stained his cheeks and spread over his bald head as he retrieved a white envelope from his jacket pocket.

  “Cecil, this isn’t the right time.” Voice hard, Landon shifted Sophia to his other side. “Can’t this wait until later?”

  “I agree.” Her mother, eyes red, moved to Landon’s side and shook her head. “You’re not to do this now.”

  Katie frowned. “What’s going on?”

  Cecil held up a hand. “Forgive me, but this
isn’t up to you, Patricia. Or any of us, for that matter. Jennifer and Frank were thorough in their wishes and this was part of their instructions. I’m legally bound to deliver this letter just as Jennifer requested.”

  Katie took the envelope, the pristine paper smooth beneath her fingertips. There were no markings other than her name. It was written in Jennifer’s hand with an elegant flourish and a small heart dotting the i.

  “It’s time we get the children home.” Patricia placed a hand on Matthew’s shoulder, steering him toward the limo. “Let’s go, Harold.”

  Her father nodded, took Emma’s hand then followed.

  Katie stared at the envelope, her fingertip tracing the curves of her name.

  “Are you coming?” Landon half turned several feet away and peered at her over his shoulder. “We’ll go back to your mom’s, get the kids settled then talk.”

  “I...” Her hand tightened around the envelope and an urgent need to see more of Jennifer’s familiar handwriting moved through her. “I’d like to read this now, if we can spare the time?”

  Brow furrowing, Landon glanced down at Sophia, who still slept in his arms. “The kids really need some rest.”

  “I’d be happy to give Katie a ride back.” Cecil smiled at her. “If you’d grant me the privilege?”

  Katie nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”

  Cecil left to wait for her in his car and Katie watched as Landon settled Sophia inside the limo, cast her one last look then got inside, too. She waited until the limo rounded the cemetery’s driveway then drove out of sight.

  Hands shaking, she eased her fingernail underneath the lip of the envelope and carefully retrieved the letter. It was handwritten, just as she’d hoped. Warmth pulsed through her chest at the sight of the familiar script.

  You’re going to laugh, Katie. I know you will.

  If I’m right, decades from now, when we’re old and gray and living next door to each other with five cats like we planned, you’ll find this letter and tease me with it and I’ll regret ever having written it. But for now, I’ll just say that Frank talked me into drawing up a will. Matthew is seven now, Emma just turned two and someday soon, we hope to have one more baby. I’m hoping for a pretty, passionate little girl that’ll give us a run for our money. Someone like you. Which brings me to the reason I’m writing.