Ross had slept poorly and awakened at five, too restless to lie in bed. It was almost impossible to believe how much life had changed since Saturday. Thirty odd hours had passed, and already he was caught up in someone else’s trial of fire.
After showering and dressing in a polo shirt and jeans, he’d gone down to the office to put out the payroll. A couple of faxes had arrived in response to his queries about the natural gas drilling project. He planned to meet one of the men from the oil company at the site on Carson’s property later in the morning. While he was sending a fax back verifying their arrangement, the guys joined him.
He coughed as his partners filed in the room. They usually assembled in the ranch office early. This morning they sat on the chairs with their legs extended, hands behind their heads, staring at him expectantly. Carson said, “Let’s talk about the widow with the big problem.”
Ross found a spot on the end of the desk and gripped the edge with his hands. “Guys? When I joined up with you in this venture, you knew all about me and my background. Now let me tell you Kit’s story.” For the next ten minutes he held his audience captive, leaving nothing out. When he’d finished with another cough, he stood up.
“There are only two differences between her story and mine. My father isn’t a sick tyrant, just misguided. She wasn’t born a Wentworth, but she’ll always be in hell because she gave birth to one, and her father-in-law doesn’t know when to give up. I think he or one of his bodyguard types is going to fly into Jackson and make a scene here soon.
“I made the mistake of ticking him off when he phoned yesterday. Kit hasn’t exaggerated a thing. He’s dangerous because he’s abusive and won’t stop hammering her until he gets what he wants. In that regard he’s exactly like my father. Without backup, she doesn’t have a prayer.”
Carson leaned forward. “How can we help?”
Ross took a fortifying breath. “Just keep an eye out. Warn Willy about strangers who aren’t the typical tourists asking questions about the ranch. I’d like to see her and Andy enjoy the rest of their vacation.”
“And when she leaves here, then what?”
Buck always dug deeper and had just asked the sixty-four million dollar question. It was the one Ross had been asking himself all night.
“I don’t know yet.” The thought of Kit leaving didn’t sit well with him. The only thing to do right now was drive to her cabin and talk to her. He couldn’t force her to do anything such as forget her plan to go to Texas. Otherwise he’d be guilty of her father-in-law’s sin. All he could do was let her know he was there to help.
The guys exchanged glances. Carson said, “Why don’t you tell her we all want to pitch in by lightening her load. We turned this place into the daddy dude ranch for that very reason. Andy has lost his father and needs his mother. Those two should be allowed to live their lives as they see fit. That’s what our letter to her was all about, right?”
Buck coughed before he stared at Carson. “You just took the words out of my mouth and said them more eloquently than I ever could.” He turned to Ross. “No matter who might be coming to look for her, she and Andy should have no worries about staying on the ranch. You tell her that for us. If she’s still hesitant, we’ll talk to her in person. Between the three of us, we’ll keep Andy guarded and entertained.”
Ross swallowed hard as he eyed his friends. “You’re the best of the best. I knew it in the hospital and know it even more now.” He checked his watch. It was seven-thirty in the morning. “Got to run. I’ll tell you how the meeting goes with Mac Dawson. He’s the oil engineer who’ll be meeting me later.”
“Sounds good,” Carson said.
Buck stood up. “Tell Andy I’ll take him and his mom fishing with the Randall and Smoot families as soon as they eat. I’ll have them back before Alex and Tracy leave.”
“Will do. Thanks.”
He left the office, grabbed a couple of donuts from the kitchen and raced out to the truck. Much as he wanted to phone Kit, he couldn’t. Ross didn’t know her cell phone number. With her and Andy sleeping in the same room, he didn’t want to use the house phone or it could awaken them if they were still asleep. The only thing to do was go to the cabin and wait for her.
At seven-forty on the nose he pulled up in front. Instead of sitting in the truck, he climbed out and walked up to the porch, hoping to hear voices through the door. If they were up, then he’d knock. To his surprise, it opened before he had to do anything.
“Hey, Ross—” Andy was wearing his boots and hat. He looked happy. That was good.
“Hey, yourself.” They high-fived each other. Kit stood right behind her son. Their eyes met.
“Good morning, Kit. I came to drive you two to breakfast.”
* * *
“WE WERE JUST about to walk over.” Kit knew she sounded a little breathless. But for Ross to be standing there in his cowboy hat, bigger than life and smelling wonderful, her heart thudded so loud she was sure he could hear it.
She could sense from his demeanor he had a special reason for showing up unannounced. Maybe he’d heard from her father-in-law again. Her stomach clenched because it was too soon after her own conversation with Charles. It would probably take years before Kit stopped reacting like that when she thought of him.
“I’d say this was perfect timing,” he murmured. “After you eat, Buck is going to take you fly fishing while the trout are biting. He’ll have you back in time to go to town with everyone if that’s what you want to do.”
“What are you going to do this morning?” Andy wanted to know.
“I have a business meeting scheduled out on the property.”
“Oh.”
Kit shut the door of the cabin, concerned that her son would become a nuisance if he kept this up. But she had to admit she was curious, too. Everything about Ross fascinated her.
She watched Andy run to the truck and climb over the tailgate as if he’d been doing it all his life. Ross helped her into the cab. Every accidental touch sent delicious sensations through her body. She was pathetic.
“We need to talk,” he said after he got behind the wheel.
Kit was bursting with her own news about her talk with Andy. “He can start breakfast without me. Hopefully one of the kids will be there. Have you had another phone call from Charles?” She thought it best to get straight to the point.
His dark brown gaze searched her eyes intently. “No. I came to find out if you had that talk with your son.”
Her eyelids smarted. “Yes. He doesn’t want to live with them anymore. Andy getting that off his chest was liberating for both of us.”
“Thank God for that.” He started the engine and they took off.
“You’ll never know how happy it has made me. Andy was so sweet. He’s carried a terrible burden. The fear of going away to that school must have been torturing him all year. I should have done something about this sooner.”
“The important thing is that you’re doing it now.”
“I know. But right after our talk, my in-laws phoned.”
“And?”
“I—I had it out with them.” Her voice caught. “It wasn’t pretty, but I told them we wouldn’t be flying back to Maine after we left the ranch. I didn’t tell them where we’d be going, but I promised them I’d keep in touch. And after we were settled, I explained we could all visit each other the way other families do who live apart.”
“What happened?”
“Charles hung up on me and Florence broke down sobbing, too incoherent to keep talking.”
Ross reached out and grasped her hand. His warmth traveled up her arm to fill her body. “That took a lot of courage, Kit. I want you to know my partners and I are here to support you every way we can.”
By now they’d reached the parking area, and Ross pulled into a free space, forcing him to relinquish her hand.
He didn’t do it any too soon because Andy had jumped down and come around to her side. The window was already open.
“Honey? I need to talk to Ross. Do you mind going in first? I think you’ll find Jenny in there with her dad. We’ll join you in a few minutes.”
“Okay.”
Once he’d disappeared around the corner of the ranch house, she turned to Ross. “I was about to say that your offer of support is very generous, but as I told you last night, my problems aren’t your concern.”
“They are if your father-in-law decides to fly here and confront you.”
“He probably will come, but I’ll handle him. I’ve been doing it for years.”
He grimaced. “Except that you’ve never threatened to move away before. I happen to know Charles Wentworth can be a formidable man when provoked.”
She frowned. “How do you know so much about him?”
His sudden smile turned him into the most attractive male she’d ever met in her life. “Allow me to introduce myself fully, ma’am.” Suddenly he was speaking with a heavy Texas accent.
“My legal name is Rutherford Livingston V, son of Chauncey Livingston IV, son of Ramsey Livingston III, son of Homer Livingston II, son of Eli Livingston, of Livingston Oil of Texas.”
Kit blinked in disbelief. Ross was that Livingston? The fabulously wealthy U.S. senator she’d heard her husband and father-in-law talk about with envy was Ross’s father?
“I can tell by the look on your face you’ve heard of us,” Ross said quietly, leaving off the accent. “The East Coast might have its blue bloods, but so does Houston, the province of the billionaire Livingston oil barons dating from 1900 with their mansions built in River Oaks and Galveston’s Historic District. It would seem the divine right of kings is still alive and doing well in both Maine and Texas.”
Shocked by the revelation, she was trying to take it all in. “But you’re a rancher!”
“I’m working on it. After I was discharged from the service, I couldn’t get away from that old life fast enough.”
“Ross...”
“Through my mother, who does her share of philanthropy, I’ve heard of the Wentworth charities run by the women in that family. But I had no idea Kathryn Wentworth was such a beautiful woman until we met at the airport.”
“That explains your behavior when I asked you your name. You expected to meet a spoiled, filthy rich society snob without a brain in my head.”
His eyes traveled over her. “But we know you’re not anything like that!”
“I’m relieved you’ve revised your opinion of me.”
“Forgive me if you sensed any reaction from me. Whatever you assumed I was thinking, I promise it wasn’t aimed at you personally. Just so you know, I approve wholeheartedly of giving to charity. If it were up to me, I’d give it all away. But I’m afraid I grew up in the same lifestyle as your husband, and the pall it leaves on the family still sickens me to think about.”
Ross was such an extraordinary man, Kit could scarcely comprehend it. She took a deep breath. “Does that mean this ranch is one of your investments?”
“On the contrary,” he drawled. “This is Lundgren land since Carson’s great great grandfather purchased it in 1908. I’m just lucky enough to be working here.”
Kit stared out the window, waiting for the world she’d been living in a minute ago to orbit back to its normal place in the universe. “But you don’t have to be here.”
“No. I want to live and work here. If all goes well, we hope to bring more war widows with their children out here next summer and the summer after that.”
“You and your partners have been doing a wonderful thing for three children I know of, Andy in particular.”
“I’m glad he’s enjoying it, since I’m the one person who probably understands better than anyone else what your life has been like living with Charles Wentworth. Let me tell you a story about the time I ran away from my family dynasty for good and never looked back.”
“You ran away?” she blurted. “But your family is worth billions. Wouldn’t they have prevented you from leaving?”
“If my father could have done it, he would have, but there was someone even richer and more powerful to stop him.”
“I can’t imagine who that would be.”
“Uncle Sam.”
Kit gasped in surprise. With anyone else, she would have thought this was a huge joke, but that wasn’t the case with this unbelievable man. “You joined the marines to get away?”
He shot her a dark sideward glance. “Yup. Can you think of a better place to be where my father was powerless to order me back to the Livingston empire? Where his minions couldn’t lay a finger on me?”
She let out a sigh. “As a plan, I have to concede it was brilliant.” She was beginning to wonder if Winn might have done the same thing to get away from his autocratic father for long periods of time. Andy’s comment that his father was afraid of Charles could account for Winn’s decision to join the military. Marrying her had been out of character for Winn, yet he’d done it. And they’d all paid a huge price for it.
To her despair, that choice had deprived Andy of a father’s love for those same barren periods when Charles had ruled her and his grandson with an iron hand.
“One day during my second year at Harvard Law School, I was sitting in a lecture when I realized I had no idea who I was or what I wanted from life. Like Andy, I’d been told what, where, when and how to live from the day I was born. I was a robot.”
“That’s exactly what Charles is turning my son into,” she whispered.
“No one can relate better than I can. I had to go to one of those elite, astronomically expensive, pre-adolescent prep schools in Houston when I was nine years old, too. It was called St. Luke’s.”
Kit sat spellbound as she listened to him tell her the story of his life. The parallel between his and Andy’s experiences was uncannily similar.
“Before the end of the lecture one day in class, I had an epiphany. The professor had been discussing a law case that involved a military man. That word military lit up my brain like a neon sign.
“I figured out how to turn my back on my birthright for a nobler cause than helping my family get richer and richer. I would join the marines, not as officer Rutherford Livingston V with all the accompanying perks, but as Ross Livingston, an enlisted man, the same as every other enlisted guy. I wanted no perks.
“That very day I left class and went to the recruiting station to sign up. Once I put my signature on the dotted line, I was untouchable.”
She shook her head. “What a shock that must have been to your parents.”
“I’m sure it was. Probably no more of a shock than the one you delivered to your in-laws this morning. But when they received my letter, I wasn’t there to see it. For the first time in twenty-three years I was free to find out who I was, and my father couldn’t do a damn thing about it.
“Being a politician and one of Houston’s leading oil tycoons, my father couldn’t say anything negative about my choice. Otherwise it would get leaked to the press and possibly ruin his career with all the military voters in his constituency.”
“I’m imagining he wanted you to go into politics, too.”
“Oh, yes. His aspirations were for me to become President of the United States. He had an agenda all mapped out for me, but of course those were all his dreams, and mother was right there with him.”
“How awful, Ross. Were you an only child?”
“No. Like your husband, I have two siblings, an elder brother and a younger sister who march to my father’s drum and breathe when he breathes. The only real difference between me and Andy is that he’s a grandson, not a son. Charles Wentworth got his chance to run your husband’s life. That ought to be enough for any man.”
She gripped the side of the seat. “I agree.”
“Since I made my choice to go into the military, I’ve been able to love my family much better from a distance.” He flashed her a piercing regard. “I applaud you for helping Andy get away before it’s too late.”
“The thought of my son being sent to a school like yours tears me apart.” She bit her lip. “How many years did you have to go to St. Luke’s?”
“Four. I hated being away from home. Then I was shipped off to the poshest prep school in the state. By the time I was sixteen, I’d learned to despise the name of Rutherford Livingston V. It was so pretentious I told everyone my name was Ross, after my grandmother Ross.”
“Was she a favorite of yours?”
“Yes. When she died, I lost a real friend.”
“I know how that feels. I lost mine. It took me years to get over it.”
“Some things you don’t get over. It didn’t take long for me to understand we were one of the wealthiest oil families in Texas. After the Spindletop oil discovery in Beaumont, our great great grandfather joined with other men to form Texas Oil and everything took off. Just belonging to our family made me different from all the other guys I wanted to be my friends.
“I was sent to the best schools, associated with the best people, had the best education in mining engineering at Stanford, vacationed at the best places around the world. All of that to ensure I’d graduate from Harvard Law School before I worked for the family ensuring we amassed more oil. But after two years in, I couldn’t do it anymore.
“Like you, I did a lot of reading on my own. By then I’d developed a social conscience.
“Though I’d done everything the folks had wanted for me, it wasn’t what I wanted. Because I didn’t earn any of it, I felt ashamed of all the money we have when millions of people around the world are starving.
“Money opens doors that are closed to people with ordinary incomes or no incomes at all. It made me doubt if the friends and girlfriends I did make were sincere or did they just want something from me. There was a woman my father wanted me to marry named Amanda Hopkins. I liked her, but at the age of twenty-three, I had no clue who I really was.
“Don’t get me wrong. I can see the pained look on your face. I’m not attacking my parents or my lineage that made us who we are. I love them and my brother and sister and always will, but I don’t like the trappings.”
“Trappings don’t bring happiness,” she whispered.
“No, just as Andy has found out.” He coughed. “By law school I wanted to find out who I really was. I yearned to be an ordinary guy. I wanted to fall in love with an ordinary girl who would fall in love with me. That’s why I left school and joined the marines. They call it the great equalizer.”
She couldn’t take her eyes off him. “Have you found out who you are yet?”
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m getting there. Buck and Carson are my real friends. There’s nothing fake about them. They’ve never tried to use me and never would. As I’ve told you, my father is a political animal.
“Naturally I want Dad to win re-election in November because he’s a decent man with a lot of great plans, but I don’t want to be a part of them. For me to feel good about myself, I’ve got to make it on my own.
“When I left school, I told him I wanted to serve our country, and nothing could persuade me otherwise. He couldn’t argue with that because it was for a good cause.” He coughed again.
“But the truth is, I’ve found my life’s work here on the ranch. One day I’ll invite the folks here. Seeing how I live will say everything better than words ever could.
“After telling you all this, perhaps now you’ll understand why the guys and I want to help you get on with your life. We talked over your problem this morning and are here for you should you run into any real trouble with your father-in-law.”
She tried to breathe normally but couldn’t. Kit couldn’t stand for these wonderful men to be involved in her troubles. She shouldn’t have come to the ranch. But if she hadn’t, she might never have found the resolve to make the break.
“I feel honored that you would confide in me this way. Thank you for helping me find the strength to do this. And, please, thank your partners for their concern, but I’m sure it won’t come to that.”
“For yours and Andy’s sake, I hope not.”
His comment haunted her as she got out of the cab and hurried inside the ranch house dining room to join her son. When she couldn’t find him she went into the games room and discovered him playing Ping-Pong with a boy who looked about twelve.
“Hi, Mom. This is Jayce.”
“Hello, Jayce.”
“Hi.”
“He’s staying in one of the cabins with his parents.”
“That’s great. Have you eaten, honey?”
“Yeah.”
“Ross and I took a little longer than I thought we would. I’m sorry.”
“That’s okay.”
“I’ll be in the dining room when you’re through playing.”
“Okay.”
She retraced her steps and found Ross waiting for her at one of the empty tables.
“Everything all right?”
“Yes. He’s already eaten and found a new friend named Jayce. There were quite a few kids on the cruise in Norway, but Andy never played with them. He’s so different here, I hardly recognize him.”
The waitress brought coffee and took their orders. After she went off Ross said, “That’s because the source of his tension is gone. Now that he knows he doesn’t have to go back to the mansion to live, you’re going to see a new boy.
“I used to be like him until I got completely away from my parents. That’s when everything changed. Given his freedom, Andy’s going to grow up a happy man.”
Their eyes met. “That’s what I want for him.”
“With a mother like you, he’s on his way.”
Ross hadn’t heard what Florence had said to her earlier. But you have no skills, no resources. Nothing. How can you possibly care for our grandson? Those words had pierced her, but the sting was gone. That was because of Ross’s faith in her.
How was it that this marvelous man had been here all this time waiting like some guardian angel assigned to watch over them the second they arrived? But she had to remember that an angel was a mortal’s friend, not a potential lover.
Kit might want him the way a woman wanted the man she was crazy about, but she was a fool to be thinking of him that way. Not only was he out of her league on every level, she didn’t want a man in her life. Winn and Charles had been enough.
Before long their food arrived, and Andy joined them. Ross offered him a piece of bacon, which he ate. Their behavior was so natural with each other. “Your mom told me you met one of our guests?”
“Yeah. Jayce is from Minnesota. He likes my cowboy hat and said he’s going to get his mom to buy him one like it.”
Ross smiled at him. “I told you it suited you.” Andy beamed. Her son was coming to life being around Ross. “Buck ought to be here by now to take you fishing. Maybe he’ll take Jayce with you.”
“No. He and his family are going on a float trip with Carson. Do you have to leave for your meeting now?”
Kit blinked in surprise at his question.
“That’s right.”
“In the truck?”
“Andy—”
“Yes. Why do you want to know?” he asked, ignoring Kit’s exclamation.
“I just wondered if I could ride in the back. I won’t bother you. I’d rather do that than go fishing.”
“You would? Well, I can tell you now I’d like the company.” Ross’s brown eyes found hers. There was a glint in them that made her feel feverish. “Do you want to come with us? I’m driving to the eastern part of the ranch. There’s beautiful scenery along the way.”
“But you’re going there on business.”
“If it’s possible, I always mix business with pleasure.”
Pleasure. That’s what it was like being with Ross. “Andy and I would love to ride out with you.” She shouldn’t have said it, but this morning she was so happy and felt so free, there was nothing she’d rather do than be with him.
“There’s only one problem, Andy. We might not get back in time for you to go into town with the kids.”
“I’d rather go with you.”
Andy had taken the words right out of Kit’s mouth. “Then I’ll ring Alex and let her know there’s been a change in plans. She’ll tell Buck. Do you two need to get anything before we leave?”
“No, but maybe we ought to take a trip to the restroom. Come on, Andy.”
“While you do that, I’ll get one of the cooks to pack us a lunch. We’ll meet at the truck in ten minutes.”
After refreshing themselves, Kit and Andy started walking out to the truck. Her son was the one who jumped when her cell phone rang. “It’s probably Grandfather.”
Kit pulled it out of her pocket and discovered it was her sister-in-law calling. That meant the whole family knew everything. “It’s your aunt Corinne.”
“I bet he’s right there and is making her call you. He always makes her do stuff.”
Andy was nobody’s fool. “I’m sure you’re right.” Charles had guilted the whole family to death for years.
“Don’t answer it.”
“I won’t.”
He gave her a hug before climbing in the back of the truck. Kit got in the front seat and shut the door. Pretty soon another call came through from Sybil. She let it ring. When everything went silent she checked the message from Corinne.
I can’t believe you’ve done this to my parents after they took you in. Winston did everything conceivable so you could live the enchanted life, and this is how you’ve repaid him?
Can’t you understand the family is worried for Andrew? If you really love him, you’ll come home.
Kit stared into space. As far as Corinne was capable of understanding, given the family she’d been born into, she meant well. Neither she nor Sybil could comprehend leaving the gilded nest to go out in the world with their children. But Kit hadn’t been born a Wentworth. She was anxious for Andy to have a taste of freedom so he could grow into whatever person he wanted to be.
Her thoughts wandered to Ross who’d said he’d left home in order to find out who he was. As far as she was concerned, it had been the making of a fabulous man who had his feet firmly planted on this ranch. She could only hope the same thing happened to Andy, that he’d find himself and fulfill his potential.
Kit looked through the rear window. He was in the back of the truck shooting off his cap gun like any happy kid. No matter how much guilt the family heaped on her, she wouldn’t trade this child for the sullen shadow of himself her boy had been since Winn’s death.