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Suddenly feeling warm and jittery, she jumped up and walked over to the huge windows lining the three walls. She could see the corral and the barn and the setting sun, which was just about to disappear in a blaze of orange and yellow behind the craggy mountain that seemed close enough to touch.
She noticed Caitlin pressed against the barn, covertly watching her father brush Bandit. Buck must have spotted the girl because he set the horse’s brush on a post, and walked over toward Caitlin, smiling. But instead of staying to talk to him, she ran away.
Through the open window, she could hear him call to her. “Caitlin. Cait.” She could hear the anguish in his voice, see him shake his head and kick the dirt with a booted foot.
The girl was running fast, down past the barn, until she vanished behind another outbuilding.
He turned back to Bandit. As he petted the horse’s neck, she heard the deep rich tones of Buck’s voice. Although she couldn’t make out his words, Bandit nodded as if he understood what Buck was saying to him.
She’d always heard that a cowboy’s horse was his best friend. Now she believed it.
As she was about to get ready, she saw Karen blazing a quick trail to Buck. Angry words floated on the air, and Merry wondered what they were fighting about, not that it was any of her business. She knew that Karen was close to all her siblings, and they shared exactly what was on their minds. That was one of the things that Merry had always envied, the fact that Karen had a large, close family and they all cared for one another.
An only child, Merry had been nothing but lonely.
As if Buck and Karen sensed her presence, they both turned and stared. Startled, she backed away from the window, but not before she saw Buck shake his head and Karen cover her mouth with her hand as they noticed her watching them.
With a sinking feeling, she turned away, opened her suitcase and changed into a pair of expensive new jeans she’d just bought, and a peach blouse that felt silky against her skin.
Karen would tease her unmercifully when she saw her in designer ranch clothes. Merry smiled. She hadn’t been teased in a long time, and she needed it.
A gray cloud intruded on her light mood as she thought of the scene she’d just witnessed between brother and sister. She already knew that Buck didn’t particularly want her here, but why? Surely, he wanted the Rattlesnake Ranch to generate a big profit. Didn’t he?
Well, that was the reason she was here. It would be an added bonus if she could get a little rest and relaxation. She needed it desperately. And maybe she could think about how to get a handle on her own business. It was getting too hard to manage with all the culinary products she’d been venturing into—pots and pan, a line of spices, stainless steel utensils, synthetic bakeware and heaven knows what else.
It seemed that lately everyone wanted a piece of her.
Merry let her hand glide over the exquisite bureau one more time and glanced over her shoulder at the incredible tree bed. Then she closed the door behind her and went to find Karen.
She needed to know what was going on before she decided whether or not to unpack.
Chapter Three
Merry leaned against the rounded archway to the kitchen and studied her friend. “So tell me what progress you’ve made on the dude ranch idea, and tell me what’s going on with your brother, not necessarily in that order.”
“I never could keep anything from you.” Karen smiled as she set plates, mugs and bowls on a thick pine table.
Merry walked over to the table, picked up a plate and studied the artwork. A sketch of a cowboy galloping his horse and roping a calf was centered in the middle. Under the drawing were two Rs back-to-back with a wavy line under them.
“That’s our brand,” Karen said. “And that’s my father roping that steer. My mother drew it and had the plates made years ago.”
Merry thought about the time and trouble Karen’s mother had expended to make such a personal gift that meant something to the whole family. It was in stark contrast to the very expensive, very bland, English bone china with the gold-leaf border of the Turner family.
“You know, Karen, I think that if you get mugs made up in this pattern, your guests would buy them for souvenirs. Have you thought of a gift shop? It would be perfect in a corner of the lobby—I mean the living room.”
Karen ladled clam chowder into bowls and the steamy soup scented the air. “Before we discuss the dude ranch, I have something to tell you.”
Merry noticed that her friend’s face was somber. Whatever she was going to say wasn’t good news. Merry put the plate down, pulled out a chair and sat down.
“I just took a call from my doctor. I have to have my gallbladder out in three days.”
Merry reached for her friend’s hand and squeezed it. “I didn’t know you were having trouble. You never said anything.”
Karen took a deep breath. “It’s all so sudden—the surgery, I mean. But I’ve been having pain for a long time now. And it’s getting worse. It was selfish of me not to call you and tell you to postpone your trip, but I wanted you here. I couldn’t leave the ranch in such a state of flux, especially when we’re hoping to have our first guests in a few months. I didn’t want to call Louise. Her bar exam is this week and—”
Merry took a deep breath. Already her brain was listing things she needed to do. Where was her notebook?
“Leave your sister where she is, and don’t worry about a thing. Meredith Bingham Turner, the Goddess of Hospitality, is on the scene,” she said with more confidence than she felt. “How long will you be in the hospital? Are you having laser surgery?” Merry knew that laser surgery had a quicker recovery time.
“No such luck. They have to take it out the old-fashioned way. They think I’ll have to stay in the hospital about four or five days.”
Merry bit back her disappointment. She’d been looking forward to spending a lot of time with Karen, just like the old days when they were living at the dorm.
Well, she could still have the long talks. Merry would just have to visit Karen in the hospital.
“There’s something else.” Karen grimaced as tears shimmered in her eyes.
Merry prayed that Karen wouldn’t tell her that she had more health problems.
“It’s nothing too serious.” Karen opened one of the boxes that contained a Boston cream pie. “I need a favor, and I know it’s an awful imposition, especially when you told me over the phone that you were burned out and needed a break after all that horrible publicity about you and…and what’s his name?”
“George Lynch, but forget about him. My good friend needs me. I can take care of things on the home front.”
“Thanks. I knew you would.” Karen smiled weakly. “But there’s Caitlin. She needs someone to watch over her. Buck is so busy with the cattle and all.”
A door opened to the mudroom off the kitchen, and Merry recognized the white duster and white hat through the glass-topped door. Buck. She heard the sound of something hitting the floor—his boots.
Karen’s eyes darted to her brother, and she stood. “How about some coffee, Buck? I was just about to make some for Merry and me.”
“Sit down, sis. I can get it.”
Suddenly, Karen gasped and doubled over. Buck hurried to her side, holding her so she wouldn’t fall.
“I can’t take it anymore.” Karen puffed out the words, grimacing in pain.
Merry rushed to her other side. “What can I do?”
Buck thrust out his chin in the direction of the phone on the wall. “Call 911 and get an ambulance here. Then get a hold of Doc Goodwater.”
She barely had time to nod before Karen gasped again. Buck swept Karen off her feet and held her. She groaned into his chest.
“The doc’s number is tacked to the bulletin board on the side of the phone,” Buck advised. “Let him know Karen’s on her way to the hospital. Tell him that her surgery has just been moved up.”
Merry hurried toward the phone. Buck left the kitchen, still with Karen in his arms. She could hear them talking in the living room.
When the 911 operator asked Merry the location, she realized that she had no idea where she was. She could only say “Rattlesnake Ranch.”
“Buck Turner’s place?” the operator replied. “What’s wrong?”
Thank goodness for small towns. “Gallbladder. Karen.”
“An ambulance is on the way.”
“Thank you.”
Merry punched in the doctor’s number and left a message with his service.
Then she poured Karen a glass of water and hurried into the living room with it.
Karen was curled up on the couch with some pillows under her head. Buck sat on the edge of the couch and held on to his sister’s hand.
“What about the ambulance?” Buck asked her.
“It’s on the way.”
“Thank you.” His deep voice was rich with emotion when he spoke those two little words. Gratitude showed in his eyes, and it was obvious that he was glad she was there to assist him. That made Merry warm right down to her toes.
“The pain is gone,” Karen said. “I’m okay now. I can last until the operation.”
No,” Buck said. “This has gone on long enough.”
Karen winked at Merry. “If I were a sick horse, he would have put me out of my misery a long time ago.”
She took a sharp breath and closed her eyes, and the slow stream of a tear traced a path to her ear. Her pain was back.
Merry turned to look for a box of tissues, but just as she did, Buck reached over and wiped his sister’s tear with his thumb.
Merry’s heart melted as she wondered yet again what it would have been like to have siblings. Would they have been as close as the Porters?
She heard the distant wailing of the ambulance. Buck must have heard it, too. His blue eyes looked up at her, and he sighed in relief.
“Buck, I’d like Merry to come with me in the ambulance. Would you mind?”
“Whatever you want, sis. This is your show. I’ll follow in the pickup with Caitlin.” He looked around. “Where’s she hiding now?” His voice held a hint of frustration.
“Caitlin,” he shouted, but the little girl didn’t appear.
“Buck, why don’t you stay here at the ranch with Cait?” Karen asked with a strained smile. “You know how you get around anything medical.”
“I want to make sure that you’re okay,” he said.
Karen shook her head. “Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay put? Caitlin will probably be up too late.”
“She doesn’t have school tomorrow. Besides, Merry needs a ride back, unless you want her to stay at the hospital all night with you.”
“No. Of course not.”
“Then it’s settled. I’ll get my boots.” He walked over to the mudroom. “Caitlin,” he shouted again. “I need to talk to you.”
When Buck left the room, Merry took his place on the couch and held on to Karen’s hand.
“Cait has been doing well in her special ed class,” Karen said softly. “Her teachers are wonderful.”
Merry nodded. “That’s great.”
Karen closed her eyes and winced from more pain. “Underneath all his bluster, my brother’s a pussycat.”
“Since you’re in the middle of a gallbladder attack, I’ll excuse that misfire.”
“You’ll find out for yourself soon enough.” Karen chuckled, then grimaced in pain. “But maybe I shouldn’t leave you two here alone for five days. I could become an aunt again in nine months.”
Merry’s cheeks heated. “I don’t think there’s a snowball’s chance in the desert that anything like that is going to happen between us. We clash.”
Karen’s hand closed tight around Merry’s. “Take care of Buck and Cait while I’m gone,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. Her hand relaxed, her eyes closed, and her head sunk deeper into the pillow. “They’ve been having a real tough time.”
Two long hours later, in the waiting room of the Lizard Rock Hospital’s emergency room, a doctor dressed in aqua-colored scrubs caught Buck’s eye and motioned for Buck to follow him into a small conference room. In turn, Buck gestured for Merry and Cait to follow. Buck introduced Doctor Goodwater to Merry as Karen’s visiting friend.
“And, Doctor, I think you remember my daughter, Caitlin.”
The doctor tweaked Cait’s nose, and she quickly retreated to stand in a corner of the room, clutching her stuffed cat.
“Buck, we’re getting Karen ready for surgery,” the doctor said. “She’s scheduled for eleven in the morning.” He checked his clipboard. “She’s in room 4014—you can go see her now.”
“Thanks, Doc.” Buck pumped the doctor’s hand. “Take good care of her.”
“You know I will.”
They took the elevator to the fourth floor and found Karen’s room easily. Karen was already hooked up to IVs and seemed to be dozy, but was fighting it.
Caitlin headed for a chair and sat wedged into the seat as far as she possibly could, still clutching her stuffed cat.
Merry’s heart went out to the girl. She seemed so detached from everything and everyone. It was as if she was in her own little world and didn’t welcome intruders.
Merry went over and stood before her, not daring to touch her. “Your aunt Karen is going to be fine, Caitlin. Don’t worry.”
Cait never made eye contact. She curled up into an even tighter ball and buried her face in the stuffed cat.
Merry had an overwhelming need to somehow break through to the girl. In a way, Merry had been just as withdrawn and shy when she was Cait’s age, but Merry had been starved for someone to talk to, someone who’d pay her attention to break through her shyness. Cait didn’t seem to care.
Merry had heard the old chestnut, “Children should be seen, but not heard,” a million times from one of her parents, usually whenever a dinner guest would comment on what a well-behaved child they had. In Merry’s case, she was just trying to be perfect to please her parents. Cait had more significant problems.
What could she do to reach Caitlin that her family and the best psychiatrists couldn’t? Merry was a TV cook and a hospitality expert. What made her think that she could break through Cait’s shell?
Merry petted the stuffed cat’s head. “What’s your kitty’s name, Cait?”
Silence. Merry looked at Karen.
“Tell Merry that your kitty’s name is Princess, Cait,” Karen said.
