Clay turned back to face them. You two coming?
I cant, Quinn said as he glanced at his watch. Ive got an appointment in about fifteen minutes. Ive got to get going. Once again he turned his gaze to Jewel. It was nice seeing you again.
She nodded, those crazy butterflies taking wing in her stomach once again. You, too.
She and Clay watched as he got into his pickup truck. She was grateful Quinn hadnt mentioned their midnight meeting. She didnt really want Clay to know that she often walked the woods between their places because she suffered nightmares. Her job was healing. She didnt want anyone to find out that she couldnt heal herself.
Hes such a nice guy, Clay said as Quinns pickup headed down the gravel lane. And such a talented vet.
Speaking of vets, I heard you had a horse down last night, she said.
He frowned at her. A horse down last night? I dont know where you heard that, but its not true. My stock is all healthy.
Hed lied. Quinn had lied to her the night before. The warmth of the sun on her shoulders couldnt quite warm the chill that suddenly gripped her.
What had Quinn been doing in those woods the night before, and why had he lied?
Chapter 2
The family room held two leather couches that faced each other in front of a massive stone fireplace. Western antiques dotted the room, a wagon-wheel coffee table, two lanterns from the 1800s and a framed torn Texas flag that was reported to have flown at the Alamo. The end result was a feeling of old and new, of warmth and permanence.
They didnt go into the family room but instead stopped in the kitchen, where Tamara had already poured lemonade for them.
Wheres Quinn? she asked as Clay and Tamara sat at the round oak table.
He left. He said he had an appointment, Clay explained.
Tamara served their drinks, then joined them at the table. Did I see a new little face out there this morning?
Jewel nodded. Kelsey Cameron. She arrived yesterday from Chicago. Mother a drug addict, father unknown, poor thing has been shuffled from relative to relative for the last four years.
Youll work your magic, and when she leaves here, shell have a new sense of self-worth and be wonderfully well-adjusted, Clay said.
Jewel smiled. You make it sound so easy.
Thats because you make it look easy, Tamara exclaimed. Your rapport with those kids amazes me.
Jewel waved a hand to dismiss the topic, embarrassed by their praise. Have you heard that Joe and Meredith are planning a visit?
Clay leaned back in his chair and nodded. One of the last stops on the campaign trail.
I have a feeling the Coltons will be spending Christmases at the White House, Tamara said.
Uncle President, Clay mused. Has a nice ring to it.
Jewel laughed. Hes still a few months from winning the presidential election.
Shouldnt be a problem, especially now that Allan Daniels is out of the running, Clay replied.
Allan Daniels was the current governor of Texas and had been Joe Coltons hottest competition for their partys nomination until his true character had been exposed. Dirty dealing and bribery had effectively neutralized Danielss threat to Joes candidacy.
For the next fifteen minutes they talked about the election and how well Joe Colton was doing in the polls. That led to a discussion of politics in general and then the talk turned to more family news.
The Colton family tree was a complicated one. Joe and Meredith had five children of their own and had fostered seven. Jewels mother, Patsy, who was Merediths twin sister, had kidnapped Meredith and pretended to be Joes wife for ten years,
giving him three more children. Graham, Joes brother had two children with his wife, Cynthia, then had indulged in an affair with Mary Lynn Grady and theyd had three children.
Sometimes when Jewel thought about the history of the Colton clan her head hurt, especially when she thought of her own mother, Patsy, who had done horrible things and eventually died in a mental hospital.
Jewel tried not to think of her mother too often. She preferred to think about Charlie and Ruth Baylor, the couple who had adopted her and given her a wonderfully normal Midwestern upbringing. Unfortunately, the couple had since passed away.
Hello! Anybody home? The familiar female voice was followed by the sound of boots against the tile entry floor.
In the kitchen, Tamara yelled.
Clays younger sister, Georgie, strode into the kitchen, bringing with her the high energy that was as much a part of her as the waist-length red braid that bobbed down her back. Following at her heels was her husband, Nick Sheffield.
Georgie, Nick. Clay motioned them toward the table. Have a seat, were just enjoying some lemonade and local gossip.
Hi, Jewel. Saw your kids outside in the corral. Got any future champion riders in the bunch? Georgie asked. Georgie had spent most of her life on the rodeo circuit as a champion barrel racer. Even the birth of Emmie, her daughter, five years ago hadnt stopped her from competing.
I dont think so. She laughed. From what Ive seen of them, most are just hanging on to the saddle horn for dear life.