Keeping her expression as neutral as possible, she turned to Rafe. There are a lot of single women in Fools Gold. Would you like me to ask my friends if they know anyone who would go out with you?
No. Thank you, but no.
She had to press her lips together to keep from grinning. Youre sure?
Very.
May took another piece of cheese. Its all so beautiful here. My children grew up on this ranch.
Id heard, Heidi said.
Glen went over to the coffeemaker and started a pot. One of these days Im hoping Heidi gives me a great-grandchild. Im still waiting.
Now it was Heidis turn to squirm.
You have three children? Glen asked.
Four, May told him, wandering across the kitchen, toward him. Three boys and a girl. Shane breeds horses, and Evangeline is a dancer. Clay
Tell me about the goat manure, Rafe said, interrupting.
Heidi blinked at him. Excuse me?
You sell it?
Yes. It makes a great fertilizer. Do you need some?
No.
It took her a second to realize he wasnt interested in talking about the goats as much as hed wanted to change the subject. Talk about subtle avoidance. She replayed in her mind what May had been saying and realized hed been keeping his mother from talking about Clay.
If you change your mind she murmured, wondering if there was bad blood in the family.
Glen collected clean mugs from the cupboard.
May smiled at him. You know your way around the kitchen.
Ive been on my own for a long time. A man does what he has to. This one he pointed to Heidi
showed up in my life when she was three. Cutest little thing ever, but her daddy was long grown, and Id forgotten everything Id known about raising kids. Not that Id been around much for mine. I was the kind of man whod taken off first chance he could. Not proud of that. Still, I muddled along with Heidi, and we became a family.
May sighed. What a wonderful story. So many men wouldnt have bothered.
Heidi held in a groan. While Glen had taken her in and raised her, she knew the story was more about impressing May than recounting the past. Her grandfather had always had a way with the ladies. Unfortunately, he didnt exactly have much of a track record when it came to long-term romantic relationships. She was going to have to remind him that hed already stolen two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from May. Breaking her heart on top of that wouldnt be helpful.
He poured coffee. Heidi collected milk from the refrigerator and asked if anyone wanted sugar. Rafe, of course, drank his coffee black.
Is it goat milk? May asked, picking up the small pitcher and pouring.
Yes.
I cant wait to try it. She took a sip and smiled. Perfect. In fact, everything is perfect. From what I can tell, theres no reason why we cant work out some kind of compromise.
Mom, Rafe began.
His mother waved him into silence. I want this, Rafe. I want to be a part of the ranch, and I dont think theres any reason Heidi and Glen cant be a part of it, too. Theres room for all of us.
Heidi liked the sound of a compromise, but she would reserve judgment until she heard all the terms. Or had the money to pay May back. Although she had a feeling that the latter was going to take a little longer.
What did you have in mind? Heidi asked.
I want to make a few improvements, May said. The barn needs to be fixed and the fence lines. This house She glanced at the aging appliances. Those were old when I lived here. I hated that oven.
Me, too, Heidi admitted. One side doesnt heat.
So you have to keep turning everything. I remember. Theres painting to be done and maybe new floors.
Slow down, Rafe told her. Lets take things one at a time.
May set her mouth. Im sorry, Rafe, but Ive been waiting to get back to this ranch for twenty years. Im here now. At my age, I cant afford to slow down.
At your age. Glen shook his head. Youre barely out of your teens and too young for me. Mores the pity.
May ducked her head. I have four grown children.
Even looking at Rafe here, I can barely believe it.
Rafes jaw twitched. Maybe if you made a list.
Everyone stared at him.
Of what youd like to do at the ranch, he clarified.
Good idea, his mother said.
Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn from time to time, he muttered.
Heidi hid her grin behind her mug and thought maybe shed been a bit hasty in judging Rafes sense of humor. As much as she liked May, she could see that the older woman wouldnt be all that easy to deal with. The combination of sweetness and determination could be daunting. Not that Glen was any less complicated.
May put down her mug. Rafe and I should be going. I want to get right on making that list. You know where were staying, right? At Ronans Lodge? Oh, let me give you my cell number, and Ill take yours.
May put down her mug. Rafe and I should be going. I want to get right on making that list. You know where were staying, right? At Ronans Lodge? Oh, let me give you my cell number, and Ill take yours.
Youre staying in town, then? Heidi asked.
Rafe answered. Yes. Until this is settled, were not going anywhere.
More threat than promise.
Lucky us. Glen took Mays hand in his. I look forward to seeing you again, very soon.