Lucinda was positive something was going on. She and Angel had been about to leave their RV to join the men for breakfast, when Angel got a call that drained the blood from her face. She'd quickly tried to cover her distress by saying the men had cancelled breakfast because of a phone call about an injured horse, and the owner needing assistance, but Lucinda silently questioned the truth of that. However, she'd gone along with the act and pretended nothing was amiss. She'd even offered to cook breakfast for the two of them. Angel had declined and disappeared into her bedroom, but returned not long after, saying she wanted to check on the horse with the guys.
After she left Lucinda rushed to her own bedroom and opened the blinds that overlooked the grounds. She settled her gaze on the RV two rows over and wished she had more than a partial view of the side door. However, leaning back against her bed pillows she grabbed her iPad, tapped an icon to go to her company's website, but also kept a vigilant watch out her window. Not long after Angel had knocked on the door and entered, Harris left and returned a few minutes later with Larry.
After an hour, no one had left the RV and Lucinda's stomach growled, so she went in search of an energy bar. After munching a bite she decided to try a different approach to discover what the heck was going on. With her bar in hand, she slipped from the RV and headed toward the laundry facility. She entered the building and moved past the washers and dryers to spy out the only window. There was still no activity at the RV. She was distracted when a young woman approached the laundry room carrying a basket of clothes. The pretty cowgirl greeted her and the two of them commented on the weather. While the newcomer loaded clothes into a washer, Lucinda pretended interest in the bulletin board. Surreptitious glances out the window showed Larry stepping back outside. He paused, swiped his eyes, reached into his pocket for a handkerchief, blew his nose, and moved away from the RV. Is Larry crying?
Lucinda was about to leave the security of the laundry facility and return to her bedroom, when the door to the motorhome opened again and a middle-aged woman exited, followed by Harris, Angel, and Eli. The woman walked to an expensive Mercedes-Benz and paused beside it. Harris drew her into an embrace and when they parted, she cupped his cheeks. He bent and kissed her forehead before opening the passenger door for her to enter. Eli slipped into the driver's seat, started the car, and drove away. Angel walked to Harris' truck and followed the car Eli was driving. Harris stayed watching them and wiped his eyes.
He's crying, too.
The cowgirl washing clothes was putting coins in the washers when the sudden cry of a child sent her rushing from the room. Releasing a shuddering breath, Lucinda rested her back against the wall. She thought she knew what she had just witnessed. Returning to her bedroom, she used her iPad to search the internet for the most recent picture of Tooty Brightman. After she found it, she whispered, "Tooty, I believe you just encountered Lucky Larry, the cowboy who fathered Harris, and I'll bet it's been years since you last saw him." Reaching for her notebook she documented what she had just witnessed.
It was mid afternoon when there was a knock on the front door and Lucinda closed her laptop. Rising from the table, she opened the door to Harris. He was holding two carry-out bags and said, "I took a chance and ordered enough Chinese for an army. I hope you're hungry."
"Starving." She glanced at Larry beside him. He appeared subdued and lost in thought.
Lucinda said, "I'll get the plates while you lay out the feast." She chanced a question, "How's the horse?"
"What?"
"The horse that was injured?"
"Oh, he's doing fine."
"Will Eli and Angel be joining us?"
Harris said in an offhand manner, "No. Something came up and they drove my truck to Paxtonville to take care of personal business."
"Goodness, I hope everything's okay. Isn't that a couple hundred miles away?"
Harris quickly assured her, "Everything's fine," and changed the subject by naming the food selections in the bag.
Lucinda continued setting the table. Hmm. Was Mrs. Brightman so upset she had to be driven home?