Rebecca Winters - Home To Copper Mountain

Formula One race-car driving would have provided another fascinating topic for a technology report. It was a business so far removed from their insular world of horses and ranching, the boys would fall out of their chairs if they knew what Rick did for a living.

But now was not the time to enlighten them. This was Clint Hawkins’s moment.

“Would you be willing to help me, Clint?” Bobby asked.

Pam’s husband nodded. “There’s nothing I’d like more. We can go in the living room after dinner and I’ll give you some ideas to work on.”

“There won’t be time,” Tom muttered.

But their uncle said, “Make the time!”

To Audra’s delight, Clint went right on talking as if Tom hadn’t said anything. “Do you have access to the Internet, Bobby?”

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll supply you with some names of several ski manufacturers that explain their engineering innovations with graphics you can print out.”

“Thanks!”

“I want to read that report when you’re finished, young man.”

“Sure, Uncle David.”

“Don’t clear the dishes yet,” he warned Pam, who’d started to push herself away from the table. “I have something to say and want everyone to hear it.”

Stillness spread throughout the room.

Those ominous words had the effect of a giant hand squeezing Audra’s heart. If her instincts were right, the moment she’d been dreading for months had come. For her uncle to bring up private matters in front of Clint and his son proved how completely he’d accepted Pam’s husband into the family.

No longer interested in her meal, Audra put down her fork.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat this. Our ranch has been losing money steadily ever since the tornado destroyed lives and livelihoods twenty-three years ago. It’s left me with no option but to sell the property and the plane.”

The muscles in Audra’s stomach clenched.

“You all knew it was coming. That’s why years ago I insisted all of you get college educations and make livings for yourselves while you helped me on the side with the ranching.”

“You’ve already signed papers?” Tom asked.

“Let me finish.” He glanced at each of them. “You don’t have to wait for me to die to know what’s coming to you. Everything’s been sold except the hundred and twenty acres of fenced land with the bungalow I’ve left to Audra and you boys.”

“A hundred and twenty acres,” Tom blurted in anger.

Audra swallowed hard. She’d thought her uncle had already given Pam the bungalow.

Had he left her out of the will because she’d married Clint? Her cousin had entertained so many plans how she’d use her property. Audra couldn’t bear it. That didn’t sound like her fair-minded uncle. It had to mean he had less money than she’d thought.

Jim’s face had gone as dark red as his hair. “You can’t do anything with that small amount of land!”

Greg looked equally outraged.

“How much land did you want, Tom?” their uncle asked in his unflappable manner. “Did you have the money to buy it in order to help pay off our debts? Did any of you have the funds to save us?”

Tom ground his teeth. “You know damn well we didn’t!”

Audra flinched.

“Then be thankful you’re being given anything at all, and I won’t have you swearing in front of me or this family or our guest.”

Things were falling apart fast.

“My advice to you boys and Audra is to use the land and the bungalow for a place to come when you want a change from Austin. With fifty-two weeks in a year, that gives each of your families thirteen weeks to enjoy vacations, provided you can work out the arrangements without rancor.”

Rancor was the operative word all right. Audra took a shuddering breath.

“My Realtor has found me a condo at a retirement center in Austin. I plan to be moved out of here by the end of next week. Audra can live there with me until she decides what she wants to do.”

“Who’s the new owner?” Tom demanded. His surly tone wounded her.

“A wealthy businessman from Cleveland, Ohio, named Edwin Torney. It won’t be long before he starts building a showplace out on the south thirty.

“You’ll see workmen coming and going. They’ll be using the road at the side of the bungalow for access. Another mailbox will be put up out by the road.”

Tom was livid. “Why would he build anything when he’s already stolen this house from us?”

“Nobody stole anything, Tom. That was going to be my next announcement.” Their uncle looked around at each of them. “I’ve sold the house to Clint. He and Pam are going to live here.”

One look at Pam, and Audra thought her cousin was going to collapse from shock. Apparently she hadn’t known anything about the transaction. Clint put a loving arm around his wife.

Thank God, Audra’s heart cried. Bless you, Clint. Bless you, Uncle David.

“Pam was always your favorite,” Greg muttered. “Why don’t you just admit you gave it to her!”

Their uncle rose to his feet. “Clint Hawkins sold his business back in Colorado. He was able to pay my asking price. With that money I’ve been able to pay off the loans stacking up at the bank.

“If any one of you could have done the same, the house would be yours. I gave you the opportunity long before he came into Pam’s life. Let’s all be thankful it’ll continue to stay in the Jarrett family.

“But let me say this—if anyone deserved to have it given to them outright, it would be Pam. As a teenager she single-handedly took on the responsibilities of mother and sister to the rest of us at great cost to her own dreams.

“No one ever had a better friend, cook, housekeeper or ranching-accounts expert,” his voice trembled. “No one was ever kinder or more loving and unselfish. I don’t know what we would have done without her. Especially sweet little Audra, who was only five at the time and needed a woman’s comfort.”

Everyone looked in Audra’s direction. Three pairs of eyes glared at her, but it was Rick’s solemn gaze that shook her. At this point she couldn’t stay seated. After a struggle, she got to her feet.

With tears in her voice, she said, “No one could have been a better father to us than you, Uncle David. If you’re willing to put up with me, I’d consider it a privilege to live with you in Austin.”

He smiled and nodded to her.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to dish up that chocolate dessert.”

Afraid she’d break down in front of everyone, Audra tucked her crutches under her arms and moved toward the door. Footsteps followed her into the kitchen.

When she turned around, she discovered Rick Hawkins in pursuit.

“Let me help you.”

Before she could order him back to the table, he’d pulled the pan of rocky road from the fridge. Pam had already put the plates and forks on the counter.

Audra rummaged in the drawer for a spatula. With one crutch steadying her, she started cutting the dessert into squares. Darn if her hand wasn’t trembling. Rick couldn’t help but see. He stood too close. She felt suffocated by his nearness.

“Tell me about the tornado,” he urged.

“You heard Uncle David.”

“I was filled with dread by all he didn’t say. Is it still too difficult to talk about?”

“No.” She started putting the squares on plates.

“How many years ago did your uncle say it happened?”

“Twenty-three.”

“That puts you at twenty-eight now.”

Yup. Twenty-eight big ones and still single. No doubt the pit babes who swarm around you aren’t a day over twenty-two.

“How come the tornado didn’t destroy this house?”

Afraid he wouldn’t go away until he had answers, she decided to tell him everything and be done with it.