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There wouldn’t be a lot of free time for a fling, but she was hoping the busyness wouldn’t put an end to things between them. In fact, Alana couldn’t bear the thought of it. And that was an “in her face” reminder that she’d done something she knew she shouldn’t have done.
She’d fallen hard for Egan.
Sex had broken down some of her resolve, but it was more than that. The sex had fueled both the attraction and her feelings for him, and since she didn’t like to lie to herself, Alana didn’t think these feelings were just going to vanish because there weren’t enough hours in the day.
But gossip and ill feelings toward them weren’t going to vanish, either.
Tilly, and others, weren’t simply going to forget that she was Jack’s widow. Nor would they forget that Egan had been married to her sister. That meant there would always be talk. Always be those who felt Egan and she shouldn’t be together no matter how strong their feelings were for each other.
Sighing over that, she peeked out the window again, and when she didn’t spot anyone lying in wait for her, she grabbed her purse and went outside. The papers fluttered from the now open door, and Alana sighed again when she saw what they were.
A new revised flyer for Jack’s life celebration.
Not just one copy but at least a dozen. They landed like a unit of paratroopers at her feet.
She glanced around, wondering if Tilly herself had tucked them there, but she doubted it. Tilly had been avoiding her, communicating only through group texts and emails that included Anton, Colleen, Loralee and the minister. It was more likely that Tilly’s circle of friends was distributing these flyers all over town, and that circle wanted to make certain she didn’t miss out.
Alana picked one of them up and saw the revised announcement that included the time, date and place. What Tilly had taken out were any words that had to do with death.
Memorial.Remembrance.Memories.Widow.
Alana’s name was on the flyer, but she was now listed as Jack’s loving wife, and she would apparently be giving a brief speech tomark the occasion. There was no mention of Egan, but there was this new addition.Everyone attending will be treated to the life celebration unveiling by special guest Anton Ewing.
She seriously doubted Egan would be bothered by being removed from the festivities. Just the opposite. It’d be a relief. It’d be a relief to Alana, too, when it was finally over.
Unlike the versions of the previous flyers, this one didn’t have a blank backside, and when Alana turned it over, she saw the eight-by-ten image of her own smiling face. Front and center with a smiling Jack, Tilly and Colleen.
The photo had been taken on their wedding day, a candid shot that had originally included Egan at Jack’s side, but Tilly had obviously cropped that out. Alana was surprised that Tilly hadn’t tried to do the same to her, but that would have no doubt caused questions that Tilly wouldn’t have wanted to address.
She left all the flyers on the porch, hoping the wind would scatter them to parts unknown, and Alana hurried to her car. She made it in just the nick of time since her “across the street” neighbor, Doris McGill, was heading her way. Alana smiled, waved and called out that she had to get to an appointment. It was the truth, too. She was headed to the ranch to see Derek.
And maybe Egan.
She’d dreamed about him all night, and she’d woken up aroused and with high hopes that their schedules might finally mesh so they could get together again. If the meshing didn’t happen, though, Alana just wanted to see him even if it turned out to be only for a minute or two.
As usual, there was very little traffic on the road so it didn’t take her long to reach the ranch, and despite it only being eight thirty in the morning, the place was already busy. She spotted Jesse in the corral with one of the trainers, and Blue was in the pasture on the west side of the house. He was riding a chestnut horse and in the process of herding some Angus away from the fence.
Despite the picture-postcard setting in front of her, Alana’s mood dipped a little when she didn’t see Egan or his truck. Blue waved at her and grinned as she made her way from her car to the house.
Following her usual routine, Alana went to the back and knocked on the kitchen door. Maybell followed her usual routine, too, and let her in. The woman greeted her with a quick hug.
“Food drops-offs have picked up again,” Maybell grumbled. “It’s because of Blue. He attracts cooking women like flies.”
“Anything good?” Alana asked. “The food, I mean. Not the flies or cooking women.”
“Stuff with words likesinandsexin them.” Maybell rolled her eyes.
“It’s Blue’s pretty face,” Alana said. “Women just can’t help themselves.”
She’d said that lightheartedly, but there was a lot of truth to it. Blue was just plain likeable with the infectious grin and face that had gotten a very generous DNA combo. A combo that apparently prompted some women to bake their hearts out.
“Egan’s at the base,” Maybell said when Alana glanced around.
“I figured as much, but I was looking for Derek.” Normally, he took their appointments in the breakfast nook in the kitchen.
“He should be down soon,” Maybell said, checking the time. “But I’ll text him to let him know you’re here.”
“Derek’s on his way down,” Effie said, coming into the kitchen. She gave Alana a quick hug. “His mood’s a little better now that Blue is here,” she added in a whisper.
