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“Next Friday?”
NextFriday?He’d been thinking tonight, but the afternoon shadows were already lengthening, and he had to collect the kids, get home and make them supper. Impulse plans weren’t easy to make. “Sure—that’s fine.”
But Friday night seemed too far away.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
FOR THE FIRST TIMEin more years than he could count, Robert Maxwell wasn’t in church Sunday morning. He’d never come down for breakfast this late, either.
He could imagine what the other church members were saying behind his back.Did you hear about Maxwell? Bad heart. He sure isn’t going to be such a powerful force in these parts anymore—maybe they’ll even sell out so he can retire.
No one was going to be dancing on his grave just yet. But given the worried looks and hovering Beth was doing, she must be thinking that day was close.
“Just go on to town,” he urged. “You could make the second service if you want. I’ll be fine.”
“I’ve got plenty here to keep me busy. Can I get you something? I made low-fat muffins, and I can scramble up some of those eggs that don’t have any cholesterol. I’ve been reading up on recipes in a heart-healthy cookbook, and—”
“I’d like an omelet, three eggs, with ham, sausage, and cheese. Three strips of bacon. White toast, heavy on the butter. Coffee strong enough to take the paint off a Chevy. Just the usual.”
Beth glanced at the clock, then lifted two of the prescription bottles from the kitchen shelf and drew a glass of water at the kitchen sink. “For starters, here you go. Consider this your first course.”
When he didn’t take the bottle from her, she folded her arms. “You want breakfast?”
“I can go to town for breakfast.”
“Thirty miles? In that time I can have you fed and on your way.”
He started to push away from the table, but the powerful drive that had kept him going nonstop for decades didn’t seem to be there anymore.
“Please.”
“I don’t like what those meds do to me,” he grumbled.
“Keep you alive? Keep you here for your children and grandchildren? Cassie called last night and said she was bringing young Zak out early today. Ought to be here any minute. If any child ever needed a grandpa, it’s him.”
He nearly snorted at the thought of his own children truly caring if he lived another year or not. They felt duty, yes. But he couldn’t remember a time when he’d ever laughed with them or had made any of them smile.
But Zak...the thought of that boy caught him up short.
Zak had started to come around a little, during his visits to the ranch. Not much. Having his dad run off had nearly crushed him, and he was still nearly shy as a fawn. But he was a smart one—a Maxwell to the bone.
When that little guy tagged along behind him, the years rolled back and Robert could imagine the child was Bobby, all innocent eagerness and excitement over every new day. Zak was giving him a second chance to do thingsright.
“Give me the pills,” Robert growled.
Beth beamed as she watched him take the medication, then handed him a glass of water. “Now, just you relax, and I’ll have your breakfast ready in a minute.”
From outside came the sound of a car wheezing to a stop. Cassie’s old Toyota, a car she should have traded off three years ago.
When she walked in the back door, with Zak hovering at her heels, he scowled at her. “When are you getting rid of that car?”
She peeled off her trim leather jacket, then bent to help Zak with his. “Just as charming as ever, I see,” she said under her breath.
“One of these days you’re going to be stranded on the highway with that boy. I’ll give you the money for a new car.”
Her eyes flashed with the rebellion that had been as much a part of her as her red hair since she was a girl. “No. But thanks anyway. I can manage on my own.”
Beth bustled forward, wiping her hands on a towel. “If it isn’t Zak! Hi there, Tex. Are you going to ride Smoky today?”
