CHAPTER TWO

 

The wind and the rain continued to pelt the windows in the truck. From time to time, Macey glanced at Cal as he drove. If only she felt for him, the way she had for Chris.

Chris was everything she wanted. Tall, kind, strong, smart, with a brooding handsomeness that sent warm tingling flashes up her spine. Those few dates with him had her dancing on air, despite knowing that he carried a torch for his ex-fiancee. Lexie had rejected him because she wanted to experience more of the world. More than the lush meadows and snow-capped mountains of her home.

Macey had no such desire. She loved the wide expanse of the plains, and the rolling hills, and verdant forests and dark buttes. Montana, was among the most beautiful states in the U.S.A.. Winters were harsh, but nothing beat the look of the land covered in white satiny snow, the forests trembling with snow feathered conifers, and the deciduous trees, devoid of leaves, veiled in lacy icicles — a bride, awaiting the caresses and warmth of spring and summer, the fields to fill and rustle with wheat, and the smell of sweet clover and pungent sage, and Engelmann Spruce cloaking paths on which to stroll and hold hands. It had taken Lexie two years to realize what she'd given up along with Chris' love.

Fortunate for Lexie, Chris had never stopped loving her. They were married now. And word had it that she was expecting.

 

By the time they arrived at the ranch, Macey was feeling her old self enough only to need Cal to help her down from the pickup. She walked by herself to the front porch. Cal had phoned her parents again as he neared the main house, and Tanner and Linda waited by the door.

Macey noted Linda's eyes were red-rimmed. Her mother had definitely been crying. Her father's face was drawn, his expression grim. She could not bring herself to meet their gazes head on. Once again she'd caused them pain. She moved past them into the living area.

Burning logs crackled in the fireplace and filled the large room with a warm woodsy aroma that complemented the dark brown leather sofa and recliners. The room held many memories for her. As the youngest of four siblings, she had barely started her teens when her parents purchased the horse ranch. It was an exciting time, moving from their house on the Bar LB cattle ranch owned by Cal's parents, along with the Triple R Horse Ranch. Her father had worked as foreman of the Bar LB for a long time. All that time he'd saved from his earnings to make his dream of owning and operating his own horse ranch, a reality. The Driscolls were a generous family. They paid Tanner well for his work, and backed his mortgage with the bank to assure the purchase. The two families went way back.

Seth Driscoll might have been her father, and Cal and Tom, her brothers if he hadn't met Leatrice. In those early years, her mother and Leatrice had been rivals. But in the end, Linda was glad she never married Seth. It would have turned out an unhappy marriage. With Tanner, she found love to its fullest. Over the years that followed, she and Leatrice grew to be good friends.

Dryer, but still damp to the bone, Macey went toward the rear of the L-shaped ranch, to her bedroom. She showered, dried her hair and changed into her nightgown. It was nearing dawn, but physically done in and having come close to hypothermia, all she wanted to do was sleep.

The heavy knocking on her door, followed by her father's no-nonsense voice calling her name, made it clear she wasn't getting that sleep as yet, and had some serious explaining to do.

Macey swallowed hard. Tanner was a good man, capable of great tenderness, but he wasn't one to take harebrained behavior lightly. Especially behavior that caused everyone concern and grief. He had never abused his wife or his children, but his strong voice, height, and sinewy torso was enough to send his children hiding under their beds when they had been particularly mischievous. Linda could hold her own and be firm when necessary, but it wasn't easy with three well-built rambunctious boys and one pampered, common sense perverse, obstinate baby sister.

Macey was well over the age for grounding, or for a whack across her backside to keep her on the straight and narrow, but she still stiffened with alarm at the sound of her father's voice, ordering her, "Out now, in the kitchen!"

Her voice trembled as she answered, "Okay, Dad, just throwing on my robe."

When she walked through the living area and into the kitchen, both her parents and Cal were seated around the rustic rectangular table. And they all wore grim expressions. Two of her brothers were away at college, and the oldest was in the army, deployed overseas.

Macey felt as though she had entered a court of law, to await sentence. As was often the case with her, fear turned to resentment. The small hairs at the back of her neck under her silky blonde hair, bristled. Her mouth clenched. Her hands formed small fists. Risking worst, she told them, "I intend leaving home and settling on my own. I'm nearly twenty-one, and have every right to my own apartment and my own life."

Surprised at her own lack of temerity, she was even more surprised when no one raised their voice to object, or to recite reasons why she shouldn't move on her own. A sliver of fear made itself felt. Were her parents so distraught with her that they no longer cared what she did or where she went.

"You're right, Macey,” Tanner said. “You are old enough to be on your own. Maybe not wise enough, but old enough. Before running out into a storm and causing us all grief, and risking not only your life, but ours as well while we searched for our harebrained daughter, you might have simply told us you wanted to live on your own. True, your mother and I would have tried to dissuade you. You don't have a job, no money put aside, and, except for Cal, here, you habitually end up with the wrong crowd. Our opinion of your choice of friends this year, I believe that's what got you ticked off at us this time. My threat to go to the authorities for what went on during their last get-together."

He paused to await her reaction. But for once, Macey didn't respond. What was the use of rehashing yesterday's argument, when she had firmly decided to move on her own.

Tanner opened his mouth to say more, but Linda touched his arm, the tilt of her small chin and limpid brown eyes silently asking him to let her speak. He nodded. Across his features, resignation vied with intolerance of his daughter's lack of wisdom.

Linda gazed at her daughter with understanding. "I think you should move out. But running away, with no money, and nothing planned to sustain yourself, is not a sign of maturity. I have a suggestion I'd like you to consider, calmly, and without feeling oppressed.

Since Macey had entered the kitchen, Cal had sat there quietly, keeping his eyes downcast, his attitude that of non-interference. Now, his gaze settled on her as he listened to her mother's suggestion.

Linda said, "I understand your need to move on your own, to feel free and self-sufficient. Your Dad is against your leaving. With your disposition, he's afraid you'll self-destruct."

Macey shifted uncomfortably. Were they going to enumerate her faults again?

Her mother must have sensed her readying for a rebuttal. She added quickly, "While you were inside, Cal made us a proposition. His sister has friends in the East, New York particularly. JoAnn and Jim Nelson. They're in the legal profession. Jim is partner with his father in a well-established lawyer's firm, and they can offer you a job in the clerical field. You don't need any special education. Just a simple command of the language ... which you have. Filing and other simple clerical duties you can learn on the job."

Tanner interjected, "I'd listen to your mom. And if you're thinking, I have no money, your mother and I are willing to make you a loan ... that I expect you to pay back." He glanced at his wife. "Right?"

Linda nodded, gratitude showing in her smile.

Cal finally spoke. "The Nelsons are a good breed. Lexie assures me they'll offer you their hospitality. You can stay with them until you're settled in your own apartment. And they will be there for you, if you need their advice."

Linda asked, hopefully, "So what do you think, daughter?"

It was a lot to absorb, but it offered her the freedom she craved — New vistas and a chance to be on her own. She leaped at the opportunity.

"Yes ... yes, I like the suggestion. It's a solution I can accept."

Cal exchanged glances with her parents, then nodded his approval as well. "I'll call my sister in the morning so she can let the Nelsons know you're okay with the idea."

Macey felt a touch of resentment flare. Apparently, he and his sister Lexie had already discussed her mother's suggestion with the Nelsons in New York. But it would be foolish to let that resentment interfere with her first chance at real independence. She reined in her pride, temporarily. "Okay, sounds good."

Her father added, "I've asked Cal to accompany you on the flight to New York, and to stay nearby until you're settled and comfortable. I would have asked Lexie, but as we know, she's carrying, and near term."

Ugh, she bristled, they really had discussed her and planned everything ahead of asking her. All right, she thought, again pushing the resentment aside. She wouldn't say or do anything to risk her one chance at freedom."

Cal asked, "Are you okay with the plan so far?"

He must have guessed what she was thinking. He had a talent for that. She wanted to glare at him, but again she controlled her pride, easier now, with the outlined prospects. And also, with the sincerity she read on his face. No gloating, no we gotcha expression. Lord, she thought, feeling guilty, that man really loved her. She couldn't remember a time that he hadn't. If only he'd sparked her interest, like his brother Tom.

In looks, Cal had taken after his father — Sandy colored hair, grey-green eyes, rugged, earthy features, and a thick base voice that bordered on the gravelly. All the Driscolls were tall, but in contrast, Cal's two siblings had inherited their mother's sky blue eyes and graceful lines, wavy chestnut brown hair, and attractive, well aligned features. Tom was handsome. Lexie beautiful.

"Macey, are you okay with it?" Cal repeated.

"Yes, I'm fine with it. When can I leave?"