Had she known of this delay earlier, shed have phoned her mom and taken her to dinner. Too weary now to drive back to Lubbock, she elected to go in search of food in town before calling it a night.
Fewer than twenty minutes later, a short walk down the main street from her motel, she sat at the counter of a hole-in-the-wall café, checking her messages while awaiting delivery of her order. It was frustrating as she kept losing her signal. Purely by chance, she heard Macks name mentioned. A trio of rancher types in jeans and cowboy hats were discussing a year-long drought in the area that was of major concern, considering summer was just around the corner.
If Bannerman has to sell his herd early and take a loss, he might not be able to underwrite this years steak-fry festival, the man closest to J.J. said.
An older man bobbed his shaggy gray head. Be a shame if Mack had to cancel the event when more wounded veterans than ever need retro-fitted homes. Last year Mack raised funds to help three local veterans.
Yep, I know. But our pastures are as dry as Ive ever seen em in the spring, lamented a man J.J. couldnt see past the bulk of the others.
Uh-huh, two bad grass fires already. Hey, Jody, how about a refill on the coffee, he called to the waitress, wagging his cup in the air. And slices of that lemon pie all around? My treat, he told his companions.
J.J.s soup and sandwich came, and the men quit talking to wolf down their pie, after which they dropped money on the counter and trooped out. J.J. found herself feeling sad to think Turkey Creek Ranch might be struggling. And Mack. He was the fourth generation of Bannermans to raise cattle. His great-grandfather was one of a few old-timers whod built a Hereford herd with cows and bulls brought over from England. Mack had planned to crossbreed and produce a strain of hardier cattle more able to survive the extreme Texas weather. Shed once promised to support him in every way. Obviously he hadnt wanted her help.
She pushed aside half of her sandwich, wondering why shed recalled that or anything else about Mack. It had taken her a long time to bury her pain.
Paying at the register, J.J. walked back to her motel, determined to put Mack out of her mind for the night.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, just past 10:00 a.m., she hurried into the library. It smelled like all the libraries shed spent time in during her school years in Texas. The odor of pungent wax didnt quite hide the musty scent of old books.
The heels of her boots clacked on the weathered wood flooring. Rising late after sleeping better than shed expected to, shed hastily thrown on a citified version of cowgirl wearskinny jeans, a sleeveless black linen blouse and understated gold accessories that were a staple when she traveled. Assuming shed be driving to the ranch later, shed pulled her hair in an easy twist that looked elaborate but really wasnt. It kept her hair contained and out of her face when she shot photographs in remote locations. Slung over one shoulder she carried her ever-present worn leather bag filled with cameras, light meters and other equipment she never found time to unpack between trips.
Im supposed to meet a couple of teen girls, she told the librarian. The woman pointed her to a round table partially hidden behind a counter on which sat two computers.
Crossing over to the waiting pair, J.J. smiled and said, Sorry Im a bit late. Im J. J. Walker. Im from Her Own Woman magazine. She was surprised that she couldnt readily identify which of them was Macks daughter, given that shed known both of the girls parents. Shed forgotten Texas ranch kids tended to look younger and more scrubbed than teens she encountered on a New York subway.
For the girls part, they seemed struck mute.
Not wanting to intimidate them, J.J. slid out a chair, dumped her bag on the floor and sat. Well, I dont know whos who, but you know why Im here. It must be exciting to have your essay and photographs chosen by our staff, she said brightly.
The girl with reddish brown braids sat up straighter. Im Zoey Bannerman. This is my friend, Brandy Evers. I took the pictures, and Brandy gave me suggestions for my essay. She kept her gaze downcast, which didnt allow J.J. to see if the girls eyes were gray like Macks.
Removing a folder and business card from her bag, J.J. said, Our next step is for me to interview your father and take some professional photos. We want shots of him doing what he does every day on his ranch. Her gold bangles clinked as she spun her watch around to check the time. If we head out now, I should be able to wind things down by four oclock.
Today? The girls shared a look of consternation. Before J.J. could decipher it, the front door to the library flew open, creating a cool breeze. J.J. saw both girls stiffen as a mans deep voice called, Zoey. Zoey jumped up and almost fell over the camera bag.
Leaning down, J.J. tucked the bag farther under the table, then let her eyes track over scuffed cowboy boots, up worn blue jeans, to a shiny belt buckle. Panic set in when she completed the journey and got stuck on the tanned, lean face of none other than Mackenzie Bannerman. Thankfully, he wasnt paying any attention to her, and that gave her time to take a deep breath and pull herself together.
You shouldve let me know you girls were coming into town, Zoey. I expected you to be at Brandys house. Erma fell down our back steps. She may have broken her hip. I had to bring her into the urgent-care clinic, and I wasted precious time tracking down Brandys mom, who didnt hear her phone. Since Im here, she asked if Id drive you kids home. So grab your books and check them out. I have to swing back to the clinic to get the verdict on Erma.
The girls remained glued to their spots, Zoey standing and Brandy seated across from J.J.
Whats wrong with you two? Hop to it. Whether or not Erma broke her hip, shes going to be laid up for a while. I need to stop by the employment office and see if they can scare us up a temporary housekeeper. Only then did Mack seem to realize there was someone else at the girls table.
J.J. knew the exact moment he noticed herand recognized herbecause his breath escaped his lungs in a hiss. He reeled back on his heels and swore out loud.
Mack, she said, inclining her head ever so slightly to meet those incredible eyes. Its been a long time. J.J. prided herself on the fact that her voice wasnt shaking like her insides were.
Fury wafted off the man and surrounded them in oppressive waves. J.J. could barely breathe for the tension that crackled between them. But of the two of them, shed at least managed to be civil. Perhaps Mackthe cheaterdidnt have it in him to do the same.
Chapter Two
Mack felt as if hed gone back in time. He shut his eyes and opened them again slowly to see if hed lost his mind. His heart was beating so fast that he wondered if he was about to suffer the same fate as his fathera stroke.
Nope, he wasnt living a nightmare. There sat Jill Walker, looking more gorgeous than she had at twenty-one. Pulling himself together, Mack snarled at her out of renewed angerhow dared she waltz back into his life when shed treated him so abominably? Jilly, he said icily. What brings you to La Mesa? And why in hell are you with my daughter?
Handing him a business card, Jill stared coolly at Mack. I go by J.J. now...J. J. Walker. Believe me when I say Im not here by choice. Im on assignment. I assume youre familiar with Her Own Woman magazine, since Zoey nominated you and you were selected to be our featured man of August. She noticed then how the girls were frantically trying to signal her. She stopped talking, unsure what they were trying to convey.