Having no idea how to respond, Jewell dipped her head and slid into a chair across the table from him. Opening her food carton, she sniffed the pungent garlic scent. This looks and smells fantastic. Can we eat first and talk after I appease my empty stomach?
Chuckling, Saxon scooped lasagna onto his plate, along with asparagus and two slices of toasted garlic bread. I cant say Im sorry the only restaurant open was Italian. Remember that little hole-in-the-wall place near campus that served the worlds best spaghetti and meatballs? I recall it every time I eat Italian food.
Jewell smiled and felt the knot in her stomach ease. Rossianos. Good food and cheap. I wonder if its still there. I have to admit I rarely get out of Snowy Owl Crossing these days.
Yet here you are. Saxon picked up his wineglass and took a drink. Setting it down, he said, You mentioned asking a committee to buy some of Uncle Lelands land. Is he selling out? If so, I suppose he wants a fortune.
His Realtor advised him not to break up the ranch, which includes the area where owls nest. After blotting red sauce off her lips, Jewell set her napkin back on her lap. My meeting with the federal committee didnt go as Id hoped. Between bites, she launched into an explanation of the efforts already put forth by the Artsy Ladies. One member of the national committee said maybe we can partner with a birder group to buy the land.
Who are the Artsy Ladies?
Jewell named them. We all make and sell crafts. We hope the money will one day buy land for a snowy owl refuge.
Okay, I know most everyone. Im drawing a blank on Myra Maxwell.
Until this past spring she was Myra Odell. Remember she only spent summers with her grandparents? Her grandmother passed and Myra moved to Snowy Owl Crossing to run the ranch the last three years. Then her grandfather died.
Now I can place her. Im sorry to hear about the Odells. You say Myra married someone named Maxwell? That name doesnt ring any bells.
Its quite a story. Myras dad gave the ranch to Zeke Maxwell, an ex-military guy who saved her brothers life. Myra and Zeke fell in love and married. They run the Flying Owl now. Zeke has a twin, Seth. Before I left home, I sensed he and Lila Jenkins will be the next in our group to walk down the aisle.
Lila? Did she and Keith divorce? Saxon paused in eating and frowned. Rafe didnt mention anyone but you when we talked. He travels a lot selling farm equipment. Sometime after college he left Montana for Tulsa.
You really are behind times. She glossed over the horrific mine accident in which Keith and other miners died.
Gosh, Im sorry to hear it. I remember they got married right out of high school. And didnt they have a son about the time we graduated from college?
Yes. Rory is nine. Hes nuts about playing baseball, something Seth Maxwells been helping with. Actually, another of Zekes groomsmen, a guy who lost a leg in Afghanistan, kinda fell for Tawana. We expect hell move back when hes done with rehab at the VA. They all fit well into the community. She ate a few bites to let Saxon absorb all shed said.
In my mind things in Snowy Owl Crossing remain as they were when I left. Obviously not.
You couldve caught up if youd bothered to touch base with anyone, Jewell said pointedly.
He idly broke apart a slice of garlic bread. I had a tough time believing we were through, Jewell. You were my rock. The constant in my life.
Your only living relative is still in town, Saxon. Leland is aging, she chided softly. He looks poorly but doesnt complain. At least, not to me. What did he have to say in the letter I brought?
You didnt give me a letter.
Donovan took it. I planned to leave when the show ended. Your uncle didnt share what he wrote, but he was anxious enough to bribe me to hand-deliver it. He paid for my ticket to your show. She finished off her wine.
Filling their glasses again, Saxon paused, his eyebrows diving together. Donovan will give me the letter next time I see him. But I dont want to talk about my uncle. You, of all people, know hes why I had to leave Snowy Owl Crossing.
Jewell moved her plate so she could set her elbows on the table. I know he seemed detached and hard on you as a kid. People can change, Saxon, she said, propping her chin on folded hands. Its not healthy to hold a grudge so long.
You havent held one against me?
What? No. Do you not know how shocked I was to learn we had such conflicting goals? I assumed we would... She lowered her eyes. Plainly, back then we were both naive. Ive often wondered how youre doing, she murmured, picking up her wine.
Yeah. You probably hoped Id fail and have to return to Montana. He took a long drink from his glass.
What a horrible thing to say. With your talent, I knew youd succeed.
I almost didnt. My first five years in Nashville were a hand-to-mouth struggle to get anyone to hear a demo. All I wanted was to live up to your expectations. I owe you so much but have no idea how to repay you.
I dont want to be repaid for anything, Saxon. I wanted us both to have our careers. Im sorry we lost touch.
Really? I phoned your mom during one of my lowest periods. You were off at veterinary school in Washington State.
You talked to Mom? She never told me.
Yes, well, she never came right out and said it was best I forget you, but it was implied. And once I got my head screwed on straight enough to admit you deserved to be the hometown vet, I focused all my energy on making my music work. I stuck it out even when I lived in a dive of an apartment and couldnt afford to feed myself.
Jewell bit her lip. Im sorry. I didnt have any idea your life was so hard. She indicated the room with a wave of one hand. Id say things have picked up.
I suppose I should thank you for dumping me. Had you gone with me to Nashville, theres no way I couldve made a go of my music and paid for you to attend vet school like I promised.
She took a drink, then swirled the wine. Id like to say I was smart enough to see that. Closer to the truth, I was crushed when you made clear you could never live in Snowy Owl Crossing. Not even for me. She finished the wine and set down her empty glass.
If it means anything, I never got you out of my system. I hung on to the fact that your mother said you were happy. Leaning forward, Saxon took her hands, which forced her to stare straight into his somber gray eyes.
As if stuck in a dream, she squeezed his warm hands. But eventually she pulled hers free. Thats bullshit, Saxon. Remote as we are, we have cell towers. Once when I was surfing the web, I ran across photos of you with a cute little blonde singer. There was speculation that you two planned to marry.
Marry? Ive dated, but never got engaged like you apparently did. But I cant think... Ah, you must mean Toni French. We had the same agent and recording label for a while. They splash all that hype around because fans love what they believe is access into recording artists private lives. Toni and I were never romantically involved. In fact, she moved to a different label. Are you saying you cared?
Jewell shrugged. I figured youd gotten married and maybe even divorced like so many performers.