He collected the small leather duffel hed packed and went back to help his mother. May was staring at the hotel and smiling.
I remember this place, she told him, her eyes bright with delight. Its so beautiful. Are we really going to stay here?
Its convenient.
You need a little more romance in your soul.
Now you have a project.
She laughed and touched his cheek. Oh, Rafe, isnt it wonderful to be back? Driving through town like that, I didnt know where to look first. Dont you love everything about this town? Im sorry we had to leave. We were so happy here.
He supposed in some ways they had been, but getting out of Fools Gold had been a goal that consumed him. Which wasnt a conversation he was going to have with his mother, he reminded himself.
You can be happy again, once you have your ranch, he told her, taking her suitcase and escorting her into the hotel.
The lobby was large and three stories tall. There were carved panels on the wall and a chandelier made of imported Irish crystal. He wasnt sure where that small fact had come from or why hed remembered it, but there it was.
Even as May paused to press both hands to her chest and gaze around in wonder, Rafe walked to the reception desk and gave his last name.
There should be two rooms, he said, knowing his ever-efficient assistant would have handled things.
Yes, Mr. Stryker. Of course. We have you and your mother each in a suite on our third floor. The young woman in a blue suit gave him paperwork to sign, then told him about the restaurant hours and that room service was available around the clock.
He was more interested in getting a drink. Make that several. After glancing briefly toward the bar, he collected his mother and herded her toward the elevator.
I only need a very small room, she said as they rode to the third floor.
Uh-huh.
Im sure well be able to work something out with Glen and Heidi, and then I wont be in the hotel at all.
He stopped in front of the first door and inserted a key card. Mom, even when you own the ranch, do you really think youll want to live there? Youll be out in the middle of nowhere. While his mother was only in her fifties, he wasnt sure he was comfortable with her being alone on a ranch. The house is old and I doubt its been updated. He thought about the roof and the fading paint, and felt the beginnings of a headache.
May patted his arm. Youre sweet to worry, Rafe, but Ill be fine. Ive wanted to return to the ranch ever since we lost it nearly twenty years ago. I belong there. Seeing it was magical. I want to make it into a home. Everything is going to work out. Youll see.
He didnt doubt he would win in court. Dante would see to that. But there was a long, dusty road between winning and everything working out. His mother had a way of complicating a situation.
I want to go visit Glen in jail, she announced as he took her suitcase into the suites bedroom.
Exhibit A, he murmured, watching the first of the complications manifest.
I feel badly that hes there. Her warm gaze cooled. You didnt have to call the police.
He was breaking the law.
I know and I appreciate that you were also looking out for me, but I think we should find another way.
With luck, his room would have a minibar, he thought grimly. Then he wouldnt even have to go downstairs.
Glen is fine.
You dont know that. Im going to see him.
He recognized stubborn, mostly because hed inherited it from her. Give me a half hour to check in with the office and Ill come get you. Well go together.
The smile returned. Thank you.
Sure, now that she was getting her way she smiled. He promised to be back in thirty minutes, then escaped to his own room at the end of the hall.
He used the card key and stepped into the quiet, mother-free space. The room faced the mountains, and the drapes were parted enough for him to see the Sierra Nevada peaks aiming for the heavens.
He walked into the bedroom, tossed his duffel on the king-size bed, then returned to the living room of the suite and removed his tie. Instead of searching for the minibar, he grabbed his cell phone and called his office.
Mr. Strykers office, his businesslike assistant answered on the first ring.
Hello, Ms. Jennings.
Mr. Stryker. Youre in Fools Gold with your mother?
Yes, and it looks like Im going to be here awhile.
I gathered that when Mr. Jefferson mentioned he would be joining you. Its a lovely town.
Rafe felt his eyebrows rise. Ms. Jennings never mentioned anything personal. He wasnt sure if the woman was married, a grandmother or living with a rock band.
Youve visited?
Several times. They have wonderful festivals.
There was no accounting for taste, he thought. Ill have to check them out.
I can send you a schedule. Its on the citys website, www.FoolsGoldCA.com.
Uh, not right now, but thanks for the offer. Im going to need you to rearrange my calendar. Cancel what isnt important and reschedule everything else.
There was a pause when Rafe knew she was taking notes.
Not a problem, she told him. Im checking the next two weeks now, and its all things I can handle. Except for your meeting with Nina Blanchard.