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He nodded, but there was the suspicious look. “He’s staying in D.C. now because of an important vote coming up. He’ll be home in another week. I handle ranch business and any family business. Why? Is there a reason he should come sooner?”
Jade shook her head. “No. Only that it might lift your mother’s spirits.”
“Being apart from her husband is something my mother has had to deal with during their entire marriage.” He took a drink of coffee. “Merricks have been in public service for years. We should have all moved to D.C. years ago.
“Why didn’t you?”
He glared, then finally answered, “Because our mother didn’t want to take me and my sister from a normal life with our friends and school.”
She studied him for a moment. If anyone belonged here on the ranch, it was Sloan. “I can’t see you living in Washington, either. You seem to love this place too much.”
He smiled and she felt a warm rush. It quickly died. “Not everyone feels that way.”
Jade put down her fork. She wasn’t hungry any longer. She was itching to dig for more information. To get insight into her father. Instead she decided to only let Sloan talk if he wanted. “Isn’t your father happy that you’re running the ranch?”
He shook his head. “What made you think it’s my father?”
She opened her mouth to deny it, but couldn’t come out with the words.
“You’re somewhat right. Dad hasn’t taken much interest in ranching in a long time. Since I inherited my section of land on the ranch, I’m raising my own free-range cattle. I’m also experimenting with a drought-tolerant grass, which can stand up to our brutal Texas summers.”
She raised an eyebrow. So he wasn’t just a good-looking cowboy. “I’m impressed.”
He shrugged, then seemed to realize that he’d opened up to her. “Just testing right now.”
“Would I get fired if I said I don’t eat beef?”
His eyes narrowed. “It’s a free world.”
“I thought that would be a capital offense around here.” She tried to joke, but he didn’t seem to think it was humorous.
She stood and carried her plate into the kitchen, came back with the coffeepot and filled his mug and hers. “Sloan, you can be assured of one thing, I will always put your mother’s needs first.”
Jade sat back down. “Her stroke has been a big hit to her pride. She’s lucky. She should recover fully and lead a normal life.”
He shook his head. “Oh, Jade, why would she start now? Louisa Cruz Sloan Merrick never has before.”
Two hours later while Louisa was having her hair done at Sissy’s Scissor Salon in town, Jade took off to the drugstore to buy some personal items. Then to the general store where she purchased two pairs of jeans, some cotton blouses and T-shirts.
Since she’d been hired on the spot yesterday, she hadn’t had time to prepare for anything. Not for moving into the Merrick home, or having Louisa take her in as if they were long lost friends. At this point, she wasn’t sure how things would turn out. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Honestly, she was a little afraid to know the outcome.
Thirty minutes later, she’d taken the shopping bag back to the black town car that Sloan insisted they take for their outing. The driver was Marta’s husband, Miguel, who was sitting on a bench in the shade.
With a smile, the middle-aged man took her purchases and placed them in the trunk. It amazed her how the Merrick family lived. It was so different from how she grew up in the small rental house in Dallas.
She couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been altered if Clay knew about her? Whoa, was she even his daughter? Yet, even though she didn’t have any proof, everything led her to believe she was a Merrick.
So would the state’s favorite son be forgiven for his past indiscretions? As far as she could tell, no one had a bad word to say about Clay or the family. Over the years, he’d helped pass legislation that had been beneficial for the state, especially the ranchers.
Was the man still a womanizer? Her own research hadn’t brought up a single story of him being unfaithful, or doing anything unethical. Of course, she knew otherwise.
Jade walked back to the salon and found Louisa sporting a new short haircut, her face glowing with a subtle amount of makeup.
“You look amazing,” Jade said.
The thirty-something hairdresser and owner, Sissy Henderson added, “I’ve been trying to talk Miss Louisa into this cut forever. Doesn’t she look years younger?”
Louisa made a groaning sound. “The cane kind of gives away my age.”
“That’ll be gone soon,” Jade told her.
She’d talked Louisa into leaving the walker at home and using the cane today. She’d handled it right off. “With the way you’re attacking your exercises, I’ll give it a few weeks.”
That brought a smile. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
They started for the door. “I bet the senator is going to flip over your new look. If so, you owe me a big tip.” Sissy winked and gave a wave as they walked out.
Sadness showed on Louisa’s face as they headed for the sidewalk. “It would be a first in a long time,” she murmured.
Jade caught the words and didn’t react to them. “Where to next? The Blind Stitch.”
Louisa hesitated. “Maybe that isn’t a good idea today.”
Jade was concerned about her change of heart. “Are you feeling okay?”
“A little tired.”
“They’re your friends, Louisa. They love you and miss you. And I think you miss them, too.”
“I do.” They made their way down the street and ended up at the quilt shop’s storefront. “It’s just that things have changed. I’ve changed.”
“Not inside. You’re still the same in your heart. That’s what they love about you.”
Suddenly the shop door opened and Jenny appeared. “Louisa Merrick, don’t you dare walk by without stopping in.”
Louisa’s face lit up. “Well, Jenny Rafferty, I guess you weren’t going to let me even if I tried.”
“You got that right.” The young woman hugged Louisa. “You look wonderful. Oh, my, I love the new do.” She nodded toward her hair. “So youthful.”
Louisa laughed. “I must have looked like an old hag.”
“Oh, you couldn’t if you tried.” She turned to Jade. “Hi, Jade. Thank you for bringing her by.”
“You’re welcome.”
Louisa waved a hand. “Wait a minute. Have I been set up?”
Jenny opened the door wider. “As if we could get anything past you. Come on in, the girls are anxious to see you.”
Louisa relented and made her way inside. Jenny led them through the store and into the connecting room where at a round table in the corner there were four women. “Ladies, look who’s here.”
With a squeal, the group of women got out of their chairs and hurried toward them. After several hugs and a few tears, Louisa composed herself, then introduced the group. “Jade, this is Beth, Liz, Lisa and Caitlin. The girls from the Quilters’ Corner. Jade is my nurse.”
They exchanged greetings with her, then someone asked, “Do you quilt, Jade?”
She shook her head. “I mostly watched my mother, and that was years ago.”
Another woman walked over. “Then we’ll have to get you involved with us.” She smiled at Jade. “Hi, I’m Millie, and I work here. I could get you started on something simple. Louisa can bring you in.”
Jade shook her head. “I think I’m staying pretty busy right now.”
“Yeah, Louisa is a handful, all right.”
Everyone laughed, including Louisa who said, “I can see how much you girls missed me.”
Beth stepped up. “You can’t believe how much. Dang, woman, I’m so glad you’re back.”
“I’m not back exactly. I still have a bum hand. I can’t make a stitch worth a darn.”
Jade could see how hard that was for her to admit.
“Come anyway, and sort fabrics, stamp blocks, use the cutter,” Millie said. “We just want your company.”
Jade could see that Louisa was touched. “You do need someone to keep you all working. How are the hospital baby quilts coming?”
“We’re a little behind. And there’s two babies due at the end of November.”
Louisa turned to Jade. “We make quilts for all the newborns born in the area.”
“Oh, my, how do you keep up?”
“We aren’t a big community,” the woman named Liz admitted. “But I have a feeling that Jenny and Evan aren’t going to wait too long before they add to our town’s population.”
With that said Jenny’s face reddened. “We’ve only been married a few months.”
Beth spoke up. “I see you eyeing those babies that come in here. You want one, and when a woman wants a baby, a man doesn’t stand a chance.”
Jenny blushed so badly that Jade felt sorry for her. “Just put in your order for the color so we can get started early.”
The bell over the door sounded and Jenny let out a breath. “Thank you, I need to go back to work. Nice to see you again, Jade. Hope you’ll come back so we can visit longer.”
“I’d like that,” she said, and discovered she wanted to get to know her.
Jenny made her escape as Louisa announced, “We were going to lunch. Who wants to go? My treat.”
“We all do,” Beth joked. “And I vote for Rory’s Bar and Grill. Sean Rafferty is working today. That’s Jenny’s good-looking father-in-law.” She raised an eyebrow. “As my granddaughter would say, he’s some ‘eye candy.’”
The women laughed and Jade wondered if she could keep up with these ladies. She’d soon find out.
With a wave, Jenny called out, “Behave. And enjoy yourselves.”
They headed down the street only about a block. Jade kept a close watch on Louisa, but she seemed to be doing fine. They crossed with the streetlight and filed into the restaurant.
The inside was dim and there were several patrons seated along the long oak bar. But the women took interest in the one male behind the bar, a tall man with thick white hair, an easy smile and a twinkle in his light eyes. He waved and the women giggled.
Beth directed them to a large circular booth toward the back. After they filed in, Jade situated Louisa on the end, then got a chair and sat down at the head of the table.
“Did you see him?” Liz said.
“Of course we did,” Louisa said. “Sean’s a big man.”
Everyone turned as the man in question walked over toward them. For his age of about sixty, Sean was handsome and kept himself in shape.
“Saints preserve us, I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Sean said. “What did I do to be blessed with you lovely lassies today?”
And charming, Jade thought.
“It’s just your lucky day, Sean Rafferty,” Louisa said.
“My, oh, my. The lovely Louisa.” Concern showed on his face. “It surely is good to see you out and about, and looking so well.”
Louisa nodded. “Living a good, clean life.”
He flashed a quick wink. “I’ll have to talk to the senator about that.”
That brought a hoot from the girls.
Jade found she was enjoying this. No wonder the women liked this man.
“And who is this lovely?” The big Irishman took her hand. “I’m Sean Rafferty, at your service.”
“Jade Hamilton.”
“She’s just arrived in town,” Louisa said. “She’s staying with me out at the ranch.”
“A pretty name for a pretty woman. I believe I have someone who would be interested in meeting you.” He glanced toward the bar and motioned to a guy. As the younger man strolled toward the group. Jade saw the resemblance right away. The difference was in the younger cowboy’s coloring. He had dark hair and killer bedroom eyes. Oh, and a wicked grin.
“Jade, this is my son, Matthew. Matt, Jade Hamilton, she’s just arrived in town. And you know all the other ladies.”
Matt was polite, and greeted the older women first, then turned his attention to her. “Jade. It’s definitely a pleasure to meet you. I hope you enjoy Kerry Springs enough to stay around for a while.”
“From what I’ve seen, I do like it here.”
“That’s wonderful news. And if you need anyone to show you around, I’m definitely available.”
“Thank you, Matt.” She was nervous with everyone watching her. “I’m going to be pretty busy for the next few weeks.”
“Yes, she’ll be working,” a familiar voice answered. Everyone turned to see Sloan.
