Judy Christenberry - The Last Crawford Bachelor

“Wait!” Abby called out. “What kind of connection did you have with Beulah? Are you a niece or—”

“She was my grandmother.”

“No, that can’t be,” Abby insisted. “Beulah had no children. You must have the wrong person.”

“Yes, of course,” the young woman agreed, and walked to the door. “I apologize for disturbing you.”

Abby moved toward her. “Don’t go! I’d like to hear why you came here. And I could introduce you to my sisters.”

“I don’t want to cause any trouble.” The woman was still edging toward the door, as if she intended to leave. Michael decided that was a nice touch. She looked the picture of reluctance.

“Nonsense,” Abby said. “You must join us for dinner.”

As if on cue their housekeeper came in. “Ellen,” Abby said at once, “I’ve invited this nice lady to join us. Her name is Daniele Langston.” She put a hand to her head. “Where are my manners? Daniele, this is Ellen, our housekeeper and the world’s best cook.” She looked to Ellen. “There’ll be plenty of food, right?”

“Yes, of course,” Ellen said, her graying blond hair bouncing as she nodded.

“And I want to invite the family over for dessert. Will we have enough?”

“I can make a cake while we’re eating,” Ellen said. “It’ll be ready in no time.”

Abby turned back to Daniele. “There, you see? It’s no trouble.” She smiled warmly. “Now, tell me. Where did you come from?”

“West Texas. I was born and raised in Amarillo.” Daniele drew a deep breath and added, “Please, call me Dani.”

Abby smiled at her. “Did my husband and brother-in-law introduce themselves?”

“I met your husband,” Dani said.

Michael stepped forward and extended his hand. “I’m Michael Crawford.”

She put her hand in his, again with reluctance, it seemed. Her smooth skin seemed to burn against his. She was an odd combination of fire and ice.

“Pleased to meet you,” she said, and stepped back, withdrawing her hand quickly. Michael made no attempt to hide he was watching her closely. Not even his sister-in-law’s obvious hospitality deterred him.

“I’m going to call my sisters,” Abby said. Then she turned to Logan. “Honey, would you corral the kids and make sure they’re washed up?” Taking her husband’s agreement for granted, she hurried out of the kitchen.

Michael realized he needed to seize the opportunity to warn Abby. Once again she was far too friendly for her own good. “Excuse me,” he said to Ellen and Dani and hurried after his brother’s wife.

Knocking on the office door, he opened it and stuck his head in. Abby was already on the phone, but she waved him in. After she finished her conversation with Melissa, she looked at him. “Is something wrong, Mike?”

“Could be. I’d be careful about taking in strangers who might try to claim some of your inheritance.”

Abby laughed. “Cynical Mike! Surely you don’t think she’s running a scam.”

“Why not? She’s claiming to be the granddaughter of a woman who never had children. While she couldn’t take all of your inheritance, she could be awarded a hefty sum if she can prove anything.”

“But, Mike, if she is Beulah’s granddaughter, she deserves some of the money.”

“Abby! Bite your tongue. Don’t give her ammunition.”

Abby smiled and shook her head. “I’ll be careful, but I don’t believe she’s a scam artist, Mike.”

He held up his hands. “I’m just warning you.”

“I appreciate it, but I think everything will be okay. I’ve got to call Beth now.”

Michael withdrew and returned to the kitchen. Ellen was busy mixing up the cake, and Dani was standing at the back door, looking out at the land.

Probably figuring out how much she could inherit, he thought. He stepped closer to her. “Dani, did you drive down from Amarillo?”

“Yes, I did.”

“You must be tired. That’s a four- or five-hour drive.” The Circle K spread was a half hour southwest of Wichita Falls.

“It’s not too bad.”

“Are you heading back after dinner?”

“No,” she said, but added nothing about her plans.

He decided to ask a few more questions, but Logan and his two children entered the kitchen. His daughter, who was a smaller version of her mother, rushed to Michael, holding out her arms. He swung her up into his arms with a laugh. “Well hello there. What have you been up to?”

Mirabelle was four years of age and always in constant motion. “I been painting my wall. Daddy got mad at me.”

Michael looked at Logan. He spoiled his daughter rotten, so Michael didn’t think Logan had lost his temper with her.

“I didn’t yell at you, but Mom’s going to be upset with you. She painted your room last year, remember?”

“Yes, but now it’s this year,” Mirabelle explained patiently.

Michael grinned. He was pretty sure the little girl didn’t comprehend a year, but she was smart enough to use it in her argument.

Logan put his toddler son in his high chair and tied a bib around his neck. “Dani, this is our daughter, Mirabelle—or should I say Michaelangelo—and our son, Scotty.”

Dani greeted the children with a warm smile, one that startled Michael.

“Hello,” Mirabelle said. “Who are you?”

“This is Dani. She’s having dinner with us,” Logan explained.

Mirabelle turned back to Michael. “But, Uncle Michael, you said I was your girlfriend!”

“Of course you are,” he assured her, not making the connection for a moment. Then he hurriedly added, “I just met Dani when she came to the ranch looking for someone.”

“Oh. Then it’s okay,” she said to Dani with a nod. “You can stay for dinner.”

“Mirabelle!” her father warned. “Mind your manners.”

“I said she could stay, Daddy.”

“It is not your decision, young lady, and you know it.”

With all the grace of a French dancer, Mirabelle shrugged her shoulders and hugged Michael’s neck.

“Mirabelle, you need to get in your chair.” Logan turned to Ellen. “Where’s your husband?”

“He’s upstairs. Could you call him?”

“Sure. And I’ll find Abby, too. Then we can eat.”

The table was set for eight. Michael carried Mirabelle to her seat next to the end of the table where her mother always sat. He assumed the seat next to the little girl and motioned to Dani to take the seat beside him. “Floyd and Ellen like to sit together on the other side of the table by Scotty.”

“I see. Thank you,” Dani said, and sank gracefully into the chair beside him.

Suddenly the room seemed full as Floyd came in followed by Logan and Abby. They all took their places, and Logan said the prayer before they ate.

After the blessing, Logan introduced Dani to Floyd. He worked the ranch, having met Ellen here when Logan hired him years ago. In time, the platters of food began to be passed around the table. Michael noticed Dani didn’t take much of anything. He kept watching her, frowning. Finally he said, “Are you on a diet? Because from where I sit, you don’t need to lose weight.” He eyed her slender figure.

She looked up, startled, her blue eyes wide. “No, I’m not on a diet.”

“She’s probably saving herself for the dessert,” Abby said, smiling at the woman. “Never mind Michael. There are lots of men in his family. He’s the only one unmarried these days, so he’s still uncivilized.”

“Hey!” Michael complained. “Logan, are you going to let your wife say that about me?”

Logan grinned. “You can’t fight the truth. You know our brothers would agree with her.”

All four of Michael’s brothers had married good women. He’d never argue about that. But just because he wasn’t married didn’t mean he couldn’t handle women. He’d learned from his one sister. In fact, he was used to being on his best behavior around women.