Ann Roth - A Rancher's Redemption

The very thought of that conversation gave her hives.

Then there was Fluff, who expected his breakfast no later than five-thirty. Sitting on her chest, all twenty pounds of him, he batted her chin with his paw and meowed. Loudly and plaintively. “Oh, all right, Mr. Alarm Clock,” she muttered, moving him aside so that she could flip on the reading lamp on the beside table. Yawning and stretching, she fell back against the pillow again.

She’d spent a long, restless night, and not just because she was stressing over the upcoming conversation with Big Mama. Nick Kelly had played a big roll in the tossing and turning.

They didn’t get together all that often, but they touched base frequently, either by phone, text or email. But since Saturday night, Nick hadn’t called or texted her once. Dani hadn’t contacted him, either. Their friendship was hugely important to her, and she hoped those unforgettable kisses hadn’t made things between them all wonky.

Key word: unforgettable. A man didn’t kiss a woman as thoroughly as Nick had kissed her without making a huge impact. And what an impact it had been. Dani wanted more of the same. A lot more.

Which was just too bad, because she wasn’t about to kiss Nick like that again. Ever. The smartest thing to do was to forget the other night had ever happened.

Fluff amped up his cries to earsplitting level. “Will you stop?” she snapped in a sharp tone that caused the cat to grow quiet.

He fixed her with an accusing look that caused an instant case of the guilts. None of this was his fault.

Gentling her voice, she rubbed behind his head. He promptly forgave her and began to purr. What a pushover. “You’re such a sweet boy,” she crooned. “Let me stop in the bathroom on my way to the kitchen. Then I’ll feed you.”

By the time she threw on a robe and padded into the kitchen a few minutes later, the cat was pacing anxiously in front of his food dish. Her heart went out to him. Roughly two years ago she’d adopted him from a cat shelter, not long after he’d been found abandoned and starving. He still worried about his food, and if she didn’t feed him first thing in the morning, he tended to get upset.

Dani needed coffee, but it would have to wait. “You know how I am before my morning dose of caffeine,” she said. “But just this once, I’ll give you breakfast before I put the coffee on.” She filled his bowl. “There you go. This just proves how much I care about you.”

Busy scarfing down his meal, Fluff ignored her. Wasn’t that just like a male? Once you gave him what he wanted, he didn’t spare you a second thought.

“Story of my life,” she murmured.

Twenty minutes later she felt human again. Sipping her second cup of coffee, she read most of the Prosperity Daily News instead of skimming it, an indulgence she had time for only on Mondays.

After a leisurely shower she dressed in jeans and a pullover sweater, then grabbed her purse and a coat, and blew the cat a kiss. “Bye, handsome. Behave yourself while I’m gone.”

When she pulled out of her parking space in the apartment complex, ominous clouds filled the sky. Dani groaned. Not more rain.

Big Mama lived in the same two-story bungalow where Dani had grown up. When she arrived at the house some ten minutes later, rain was coming down hard and the wipers were working overtime.

Jewel Sellers’s old Lincoln Continental was parked behind Big Mama’s SUV, which was in the carport. Jewel was her mother’s best friend and they often palled around. Dani hoped the woman wasn’t planning on staying. She and her mom were supposed to talk about the restaurant.

She parked beside the Lincoln. At the Pattersons’ house next door, Gumbo, a ten-year-old mixed chow female, dashed down the steps from the covered porch, barking a hello. The Pattersons were both at work, and Gumbo was obviously lonesome.

Dani pulled the hood on her coat over her head and stopped at the chain-link fence. Hunkering down, she stuck her fingers through to pat the wet dog, who she swore grinned at her despite the driving rain. “Hey there, Gumbo. You should stay up on the porch, where it’s dry.”

Ignoring her advice, the dog licked her fingers. “Aw, I love you, too,” Dani said. “I wish I could stay and visit with you, but it’s too wet and cold. Besides, Big Mama’s expecting me. When Jewel leaves, we’re having a ‘meeting.’” She pantomimed sticking her thumb down her throat, then lowered her voice. “If you can figure out a way to make Big Mama accept even some of my ideas and trust me enough to quit micromanaging me on weekends, I’d love to hear them. There’ll be a doggie treat in it for you. Gotta run now.”

She raced up the steps of the covered porch. The front door was unlocked, and once she removed her wet shoes and shook the rain water from her coat, she let herself in. After the damp cold outside, the house felt snug and dry. The familiar aromas of lemon oil furniture polish and freshly baked treats that smelled out of this world flooded her nostrils. Salivating, she hung her coat in the closet.

“Hey, it’s me,” she called out, just as she always had.

Her mother bustled in from the kitchen, her gait a little slower than it once had been, but still brisk. Dressed in her trademark off-white blouse and dark pants, bifocals propped on her head, she greeted Dani with a warm smile.

Jewel followed, as petite and trim as Big Mama was large.

“I was hoping to see you before I left.” Jewel tsked in sympathy. “I’m sorry about your breakup.”

“Thanks.” It was no surprise that she’d heard about that. Big Mama kept her well-informed. Still, Dani wasn’t about to discuss the details. “It’s nasty out there, so be careful,” she said.

Her mother peered out the little window in the door. “What a storm we’re having. The weather people are warning about a three-dayer. Lordy, I hope they’re wrong. Be safe, Jewel. I’ll see you Friday night.”

The woman nodded. “Six o’clock, dinner out and cards here.” She patted her large handbag. “Thanks for the cinnamon roll. It will go well with my afternoon coffee. You’re in for a yummy snack, Dani.”

When the door closed behind her, Dani’s mother opened her arms. “How about a hug for your Big Mama?”

Dani stepped into the familiar embrace. Instantly she was enveloped in Big Mama’s warmth and lilac cologne, and for a few seconds all her cares faded. For all their disagreements, Dani loved her dearly.

“What was Jewel doing here?” she asked when they let go of each other.

“You know what early birds we both are. She’s going to knit me a cardigan and wanted to show me possible yarns and colors.”

“That’s nice,” Dani said. “I hope you picked something with a little color.” Not that her mother wore colors much. Everything she owned was either black, brown or navy.

“I did—a soft gray. You hungry?”

Having skipped breakfast, Dani nodded. “Those cinnamon rolls smell wonderful.”

“Of course they do.” Big Mama grinned. “I took a batch out of the oven just before you got here. I left the nuts out, the way you prefer them. There’s a pot of hot coffee, too.”

Eager to eat something, and always up for another cup of coffee, Dani rubbed her hands together. Then she frowned. “Didn’t Dr. Adelson tell you to cut down on fats and sweets?”

Her mother made a face. “I don’t smoke and I don’t drink. Isn’t that enough? Besides, what’s the point of living if I can’t indulge in a few of the things I love?” With a defiant gleam in her eye, she raised her chin. “A treat now and then won’t hurt.”

Before Dani could argue, Big Mama changed the subject. “You have circles under your eyes.” She scrutinized Dani critically and pursed her lips. “You’re not sleeping well. It’s because of Jeter, isn’t it? I didn’t want to ask and bother you while you were at work this weekend, but how are you doing?”