The ride to Pocatello the next day was uneventful. Amy withstood it well, moving from truck to limo toward the end of the ride when it was nap time. Gretchen found out more about Rowdy and his family as they drove, but much of their conversation was focused on Amy's needs while in the truck. They played many games of Spot the black car and twenty questions and sang all the road songs they could think of. Amy could count to thirty, so Beer on the Wall was a shortened version about Pop on the wall. Amy also read them her favorite books from the backseat. And they ate a lot of road food.
Once the little girl was in the limo, they rode in silence for a while. Gretchen soaked up the quiet and enjoyed the warmth of Rowdy's hand on her thigh. Soon enough, Pocatello came into view and they made their way into the snowy mountain town. Although her home city of Reno got snow most winters, there was virtually no accumulation, whereas in Pocatello, there were berms and gutters with snow and ice. Not a lot, but enough to make it a bit of a winter wonderland. Christmas was on the horizon, and festive lights were strung everywhere, as well as the town's winter-themed decorations. Shop windows showed heavy coats, snow boots, and other cold weather gear along with wrapped Christmas boxes, ribbons, and colorful glass balls.
"I might have to get a parka for myself and one for Amy," Gretchen told Rowdy. "We didn't bring snow gear."
"It's not that cold," Rowdy teased.
"Maybe not for you, but this is cold for me!"
"Sissy."
"Hmph."
They came to a stop at the Pocatello Inn and Suites just north of downtown. Limos didn't come there often, judging by the fuss and bother the hoteliers made over them. Her security team checked out the place as Gretchen waited in the truck with Rowdy. Once given the all-clear, they went to the suites arranged by Melody the day before. The hotel was clean and the rooms were well cared for, but compared to their suite in Las Vegas, it was significantly downscale. Gretchen felt conspicuous in Pocatello, however, and hesitant to interact with the staff.
Rowdy got them settled and then excused himself to head up to Rexburg and see his parents. He'd be gone until he came back to pick them up the next day.
"I'll miss you," Gretchen told him as they parted.
"I'll miss you, too." He seemed reluctant to leave and yet eager to see his family.
"Well, tomorrow… We'll be together tomorrow."
He gathered her up in his arms and pressed a lingering kiss on her lips, right there in the hallway outside her suite. "Bye for now, princess."
She wished him goodbye and went back into the little suite.
Amy wanted to play with her Barbie dolls and Gretchen, so they played for a while, until a phone call came in for Gretchen. Bob answered it, as per usual. He looked a little puzzled but handed the phone over after a brief consultation with her.
"It's someone named Neil Armistead. He says he knows you from high school. Is this a crank call?"
"Neil." Oh, no. She supposed it had been inevitable he'd catch up with her eventually. She didn't know what had become of him. There had been a moment of nostalgia when she'd seen him in the Rose Bowl game years ago, but it went away moments later when Amy had turned fussy. Gretchen couldn't help but remember just how anxious Neil was to get away from her and his responsibilities once he found out she was pregnant. Gretchen knew at the time she could sue him for paternity, but she was so disgusted with him she simply wanted him gone from their lives with no claim on them. Besides, he was college bound and had no money. There was nothing to be gotten from him, even had she wanted to pursue it.
Now he was back. She was sure it was no coincidence she happened to now be wealthy.
She was tempted to turn away the call but decided to take it.
"I'll talk to him. I know him."
Taking the cellphone, she went into the bedroom and closed the door, lest Amy hear the conversation which was bound to be unpleasant.
"Neil. Hello."
"Nellie, honey! It's been a while. How have you been? How is my daughter?"
Neil shouldn't even know his child was a girl. Either he was fishing and hoping for his fifty percent chance of getting it right, or he'd been checking up on her beyond the simple columns in the various papers, from which she'd gotten agreements not to disclose her daughter. It was a security measure Bob had suggested and it was a good idea.
"What do you want?"
"Now, Nellie, don't be like that. I'm just catching up. I care about you."
What a big, fat lie! "How did you get my number?"
"A friend had it."
The only friend she still had from high school was Anne Burdock. Anne would never give out Gretchen's number.
"You mean a private investigator found it. Look Neil, I have nothing to say to you."
"Maybe Amy does. I'm sure she would like to meet her daddy."
"You stay away from my daughter. She doesn't need you. We've never needed you. You have no right to come into our lives now, after you abandoned us years ago."
His voice was a lot less friendly. "Oh, but I do have a right. I could sue you for my rights."
"Try it. I can squash you like the cockroach you are." At least she hoped she could; his rights were not something she'd ever had to think about before. When she was destitute, she had nothing he wanted.
"Maybe, maybe not. It would surely make the papers. Amy would certainly find out somehow."
"You are scum, Neil. Climb back into the fetid swamp you came from. This conversation is over."
"You'll hear from my lawyer," he said faintly as Gretchen hung up the call.
Rattled, she sat there on the bed for several minutes. She had to talk to her manager, Harry. He'd know what to do. He was also her lawyer, so he'd know the law about paternity. But first, Bob and Melody had to be alerted.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then put on a good face for Amy and went back into their living room.
"Bob, I need to talk to you, please."
He moved away from his tea party with Amy. She'd gotten over her hatred of the big man about as quickly as it had come over her, so now he was welcome at her tea parties. Bob was patient about it, but it was a little silly seeing him down on the floor with Miss Daisy by his side, sipping tea from an ornate plastic teacup.
He nodded then addressed Amy. "I'm sorry, Miss Nelson, I have to go now. Thank you for the tea."
"Okay, Mr. Finlay. Thank you for coming."
He rose and made his way over to Gretchen, who led him into their tiny galley-style kitchenette. "Neil is Amy's father."
"Ah. I never heard his name before. Okay. What does he want?"
She rolled her eyes. "What does anyone want from me these days?"
Bob frowned. "Is he threatening you?"
"Only with legal measures to get to Amy." A tear dropped from one eye and she wiped it away quickly. "Bob, he's a turd. I don't want Amy to know him."
"Is that wise? Doesn't she have the right to know her father?"
Gretchen bit her lip. "Maybe someday. But not now. She's too young and impressionable. She'd have expectations Neil would not and could not fulfill. He's not really after Amy, he's somehow after money."
After a nod, Bob said, "You should talk to Harry about the legal aspects. I'll make sure Melody is on high alert and Steve is on guard at night."
"Thank you." She sniffed, and he put a hand on her shoulder. It was rare for him to be demonstrative, so his offer of comfort was well timed and welcome.
"It's going to be all right, Gretchen. Talk to Harry."
She agreed and Bob moved away leaving Gretchen in the kitchen, mulling over her problems.
The next day, after the purchase of parkas for everyone–Bob refused anything but a peacoat–Amy got to play in the little hotel playground with a few other kids. She didn't often get to play with other children since the lottery win, so this was a big treat for her. Climbing and sliding was a lot more fun with other kids.
Soon enough after lunch, however, Rowdy showed up to take them to Rexburg.
Bob insisted on having Melody and himself along for the visit, which was no surprise to Gretchen, but Rowdy was chafed. Considering her recent conversation with Neil, she knew there was wisdom in Bob's protectiveness, so she didn't argue about it.
Eventually, with Gretchen's persuasion, the pair was allowed to follow in the limo.
It was only an hour and a half from Pocatello to Rowdy's parents' ranch outside of Rexburg, so the trip was brief. Gretchen debated with herself numerous times about whether to tell Rowdy about Neil's re-emergence, but never resolved her internal argument. She needed to hear back from Harry first, and Harry was in court that day, dealing with someone else's legal matter. He only had a few clients, but they were all important people. Gretchen had to wait her turn.
They rolled down the long gravel road to the main house and came to a stop nearby. The limo was not built for gravel roads, so bumped along lamely, catching up after a minute or so.
Amy bounced out of the truck and ran to Rowdy, taking his left hand, ignoring the cast wound around it. "Come on! Hurry up!"
"Slow down, peanut. Let your mama take a breath. This is important to her, too."
As Amy waited impatiently, Gretchen touched her hair, thankful she'd had the blonde refreshed just before Las Vegas. She hoped she looked her best. Bob and Melody piled out of the limo, looking around curiously as they did. The ranch was miles away from anything threatening. Gretchen wondered if they felt foolish for insisting on coming to such an innocuous and safe place.
"Okay," she told everyone. "Let's–"
"Rowdy!" came the female shout from the front door. Then a woman came out and hurried over. She was older, middle-aged, and looked robust and healthy, slender but strong. Her shoulder-length hair was mostly dark brown, with a few gray streaks. Some of Rowdy's features were mirrored on the woman's face, and Gretchen was sure this was Rowdy's mom.
She gave her son a big embrace and a kiss on the cheek. "I heard you drive up. Introduce me to…" Her gaze fell on the pair by the limo. "Everyone."
"Ma," he said, indicating Gretchen with a smile. "This is Gretchen Nelson, and this little excited Miss is her daughter, Amy." He took Gretchen's hand and gave it a squeeze, then released it. "Gretchen, this is my ma, Wanda Jackson."
"Mrs. Jackson, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Now, now," the older woman returned. She moved in for a hug and wrapped her arms around Gretchen who returned the warm gesture. "No, 'Mrs. Jackson’. You call me Wanda." She hunkered down to Amy's level and smiled at the little girl. "Hello, Amy. I'm Wanda, Rowdy's ma. Welcome to my ranch."
"You have horses, right?"
"Yes, quite a few."
"Can I sit on one?"
"Maybe. We'll see how the day goes."
Amy thought about it for a few seconds. "Is Rowdy my daddy?"
There was utter silence as Gretchen felt like she'd melt into the cold gravel, she was so embarrassed.
"Amy!"
Wanda Jackson looked up to Rowdy from her place down by Amy. He, too, was embarrassed, Gretchen could tell. He simply shook his head at his mother.
"No, Amy, Rowdy is not your daddy. But if you want to call me Granny, it's okay. I will pretend to be your gramma."
Amy's smile went from ear to ear. "I have a grandma, but she's far away. You could pretend to be my grandma. We can be friends."
"I'd like that," Wanda told her, standing. She took a few steps back and looked over at Bob and Melody. "Come closer," she called to the pair. "Don't be shy!"
They got closer, Bob, overdressed in his fine black suit, black peacoat and sensible shoes and Melody in a navy-blue pantsuit and dark blue parka. Bob held out his hand for a shake.
"Ma, this is Gretchen's security team, Bob Finlay and Melody Williams. I told you about the need for security."
"Right." She shook Bob's hand, then Melody's. "I'm Wanda Jackson. Well, won't you all come in? It's a mite chilly out here."
"Thank you," Gretchen replied gratefully. It was cold. She wondered how Wanda was managing with only a down vest rather than a parka. She figured you got used to the weather.
They followed into the house, finding a spacious living room decorated with western paraphernalia, Christmas ornaments including a big, fluffy, brightly lit tree, and personal mementoes. Right away, Gretchen spotted pictures of a younger Rowdy, alongside pictures of a young girl she presumed was Rowdy's sister, Lucky, on the mantel. A warm fire blazed there. Gretchen felt very welcome indeed.
Lucky made her appearance just then, smiling broadly. The resemblance between the two siblings was slight, but noticeable, mostly in their smiles and dark hair. Lucky looked to be about twenty years old, younger than Rowdy's twenty-five. She was slender, like her mother, and friendly, giving everyone a hug, even Bob and Melody. She saved a special hug for Amy. "I have cookies in the kitchen," she said. "Would you like one?"
Amy looked up at her mother who nodded. Turning back to Lucky, she said, "Yes, please."
Lucky stood and offered her hand. "Come on! There's more than I can eat."
The group, except for Wanda, sat down. She stood to one side. "I'm afraid Rowdy's pa won't be here until supper. He's seeing to a sick horse. Would you like some eggnog?"
Everyone said yes though Bob and Melody asked to leave out the liquor, and Wanda moved away to get the drinks.
The late afternoon soon became evening, and Wanda excused herself several times to see to dinner. Gretchen offered to help, and after a brief pause, Wanda accepted her offer.
As she was helping make salad in the huge ranch kitchen, they chatted about things. Rowdy's father, Colt, came in through the back door into the kitchen while Gretchen was working. Amy played with biscuit dough nearby. He was a hearty man with a ready laugh. His hair was thick but totally gray, as were his beard and mustache. He gave Gretchen a warm hug and then did the same for Amy who responded with a kiss on his grizzled cheek. "Will you be my grandpa? Wanda says she'll pretend to be my gramma. I don't have another grandpa. Can you pretend with me and Wanda?"
"Absolutely!" he said, though he shot a non-verbal question at Wanda. Wanda just nodded and smiled. "I don't have any granddaughters. You can be my very first pretend one. You call me grampa and I'll come runnin'."
Grateful he was so accommodating, Gretchen went back to helping and soon they served dinner in the country style dining room where the floor was covered in a Navajo-style, thick wool rug and pretty serving dishes were housed in a large, walnut china hutch. Lucky had set the big table for all nine, including their limo driver, Jeff, who appeared to feel out of place until Wanda made sure he was included and welcome. There were pine sprigs, pinecones, red ribbons and candles in the center of the long table. The china gleamed in the candlelight.
They began their meal with a prayer, led by Colt, then they dug in. The food was a gigantic ham, potatoes, rutabagas, carrots, creamed peas, biscuits Amy was proud of, and a winter salad put together by Gretchen. They followed the meal with a slice of gingerbread topped with fresh, whipped cream. Gretchen felt like she needed to be rolled out of the room. She was going to have to run five miles on the hotel treadmill the next day to make up for the overindulgence.
Amy got tired a short time after dinner, and it was clear it was time to go. They secured her in the limo and climbed into the vehicle, including Gretchen. Rowdy would be staying another night with his parents, then come pick her up the following day for a surprise followed by a winter trail ride. He promised Amy could sit on his horse with him, where she wouldn't fall off. Amy was just about beside herself until she fell asleep, happy and exhausted.
Gretchen felt herself drawn into Rowdy's life like she belonged there. Once back at the hotel and settled into her bed, she said a fervent prayer nothing would go wrong to ruin what was growing between them. She had faith God would lead her down the right path if she'd just listen to Him with her heart.
Rowdy came by early the next morning, dressed finer than usual, in a red Western shirt with broad yoked shoulders and mother of pearl buttons. His jeans were nearly new and he was wearing his dress boots, black with red stitching. Over it all he had on a black down vest, and on top, his black cowboy hat with a red hat band.
Gretchen found it odd he'd dress so well for a trail ride, but then remembered he'd mentioned a surprise. She was glad she'd dressed in her best jeans and a pale pink, thick sweater under her red parka. Topping her head was a matching pink knit hat with a bright blue pompom on the top. Amy had insisted on wearing a dress, but Gretchen nixed that idea, pointing out jeans were better for riding a horse. Amy went along grudgingly, but she was so excited about riding the horse, they could have asked her to wear a red rubber nose and she'd have cooperated.
They hurried off in the truck and limo and made it to Rexburg in no time. Instead of driving to the Jackson ranch, they stopped at the corner of Main and Maple street where a high-school marching band was tuning up their instruments, and numerous horsemen- and women were waiting atop their brilliantly decorated mounts. The Idaho State University drill team was warming up, with a long line of fancy cars idling in the cool morning.
Clearly, it was a parade. A Christmas parade?
Rowdy parked his truck on a side street and everyone got out of their vehicles. Rowdy led them over to a person with a clip board.
"Rowdy Jackson, ma'am," he said to the official-looking woman.
"Of course! I recognize you. Your picture has been in the paper as often as chickens lay eggs. Are all these people going to ride with you?"
"No, just these two," he indicated Gretchen and Amy.
Gretchen was catching on. It was a parade. A parade for Rowdy. Winning the world championship was big in Rexburg, as it should be. But bringing all these people together during the winter was quite a feat.
"And the others? Is that a limousine?"
Rowdy looked a bit pained when he replied, "Yeah. Long story. Anyway, can they follow along behind us? If you want, they can wave at people like they belong there. But they have to be nearby."
She looked very skeptical but agreed. "Tell 'em to line up after the red Mustang convertible.
"Yes, ma'am." Rowdy conferred with Jeff, Bob and Melody, who agreed reluctantly to cooperate, then he came back.
Gretchen was very surprised at this turn of events. She was going to ride in a parade with Rowdy. Everyone in Rexburg would think they were an item. It was very nearly a commitment from him. She wasn't quite sure what to do with this revelation, but didn't have much time to figure it out as she, Amy and Rowdy were led over to a convertible car and asked to sit on the back where the roof tucked in. Amy had only seen a parade once, and that was the Rose Parade on TV, so she didn't really understand what was going on. But she went along, realizing something exciting was happening.
"Put the little one between you," the organizer said. "We don't want her to fall off."
They arranged themselves and waited for the parade to begin.
"Rowdy! This is amazing. And all for you?"
"Yes'm," he said, some embarrassment on his handsome face. "They insisted. I guess they think I'm some sort of hometown hero, putting Rexburg on the map."
"You are a hero," Gretchen assured him. "You accomplished something wonderful. You deserve to be congratulated." She took his hand behind Amy's back.
"Couldn't they just have sent a card?" He was being facetious, but Gretchen could tell he was proud to share this event with her.
They sat there for about ten minutes, and Gretchen was awfully glad for their parkas and snow boots. The parade began with the drill team and marching band and the convertible lurched forward amidst the long line.
People lined Main Street, cheering and clapping as the parade rolled by. When their car with Rowdy came by, they cheered louder and shouted their congratulations to him as they passed. Rowdy smiled and waved. Gretchen wasn't sure what to do, but she and Amy waved as well. Amy was having a ball. Media people took pictures and so did Gretchen. This was a lifetime milestone.
Main Street wasn't a long one, so the parade was short, but it was fun for everyone. Gretchen had spied Rowdy's parents in the parade crowd and pointed them out to Amy, who waved and called, "Granny, Grampa" which undoubtedly set the tone for the town's understanding of her relationship with Rowdy. If Rowdy noticed or cared, he said nothing about it. He just waved and tipped his hat a dozen times as the parade lumbered by.
After the event, Bob and Melody hurried out of the limo to secure Gretchen and Amy amidst the fifty or so townspeople who wanted to shake Rowdy's hand and say a few words. Gretchen waited patiently until the crowd mostly dispersed.
"Well, that was a doozy," Rowdy said as Bob gathered his chicks and put them back in Rowdy's truck, which had been retrieved by Jeff.
They hurried off to the Jackson ranch and met the family there for lunch. It had been quite a whirlwind morning, but she was so proud to be part of Rowdy's circle.