A Maverick's Heart (9 page)

“Give me a limit on flowers. I’ll use my credit card. We can settle up later.”

Lila blinked. “Thanks. Oh, one other thing. Rory’s afraid with what all I asked you to do that you might not be here this afternoon to play catch with him in the park. And, truly, I’ve imposed on you too much.”

“I said I would play catch with him this afternoon. Of course it’d be more fun if you joined us like you did yesterday.”

Doreen flashed a glance between the two. “Lila, you played catch with them? Whatever for? You’re a businesswoman. What might your other guests think if they see you out chasing after baseballs?”

“That I’m a mother first,” Lila said. “The Owl’s Nest is our home. Why wouldn’t I make time to play with my son?”

Her mother delivered Seth a dark look. “It’s unseemly to cavort around your yard with a renter. If word gets around that you’re too chummy with one, it’ll give folks a bad impression.” She continued to pin Seth with her gaze. “You’ve never said exactly how long you plan to be in Snowy Owl Crossing until you go back to rock hunting. I’m sure you’ll want to have a care to not ruin Lila’s reputation.”

Lila gasped. “Mo...th...er!”

Seth held up a hand. “I’ll leave you ladies to discuss how to handle your workload. After I see to Ghost, I think I’ll ask Myra to help me choose flowers for Tawana. Lila, tell Rory I’ll be back to go to the park no later than three.”

He still wasn’t sure what he’d done to irritate Lila’s mother, who clearly wanted to drive a wedge between them. Too bad. The more time he spent around Lila, the more he wanted to see what might develop, and he was equally determined to not let her mother spoil that.

Lila’s face softened. “Seth, I hope you know the rose you gave me says you don’t need help picking flowers for a lady.”

Lila’s comment would surely set her mom off again, but it made Seth smile as he left.

Chapter Six

Lila waited until Seth was out of earshot before she pounced on her mother. But Doreen beat her to it. “He gave you roses? If that isn’t suspect enough the man’s leading you down the garden path, I don’t know what is.”

“He bought a rosebush to set by my front door. The peach blooms say welcome to all of my guests. It was a thoughtful gift.”

Doreen harrumphed. “It’s a snow job, and you’re too smitten to see.”

“Mother, this negativity toward Seth is not like you. You’ve made the café a success because you greet everyone who walks in the same way. You make folks, whether locals or strangers, feel at home. Seth helped us out of a bind today by driving you to the doctor. You got treatment much faster than if you’d had to wait for me. Plus, his volunteering to take you allowed me to open the café on time.”

“I’m sorry.” Doreen looked contrite for the first time. “It’s you I’m worried about, honey child. You and Rory.”

“You wouldn’t worry so much had you seen Rory’s joy last night after Seth gave him only a few pointers on how to throw and catch. He actually improved and his eyes sparkled with a light I haven’t seen in...well, too long.”

“Yours, too,” Doreen said, sounding sour again.

“My eyes?” Lila rubbed at lids she thought must reflect permanent distress. Because for a long time now she’d felt she’d barely kept one step ahead of having everything fall apart in her life, and therefore her son’s, too.

“Lila, it’s impossible not to see the way you perk up any time that man’s around. He is nice and polite. And he’s helpful. But at his core even his brother says he’s a ramblin’ man. Maybe the word Zeke used was ‘nomad,’ but it means the same.”

“Ah, I see. On the basis of one comment you’re lumping him in with Clay Shafer. Mother, you have no idea if Seth has staying power.”

“Neither do you.” Doreen compressed her lips. “I’m only trying to save you heartache, but you’re not listening. Oh, do what you will. Just don’t come crying to me to help pick up the pieces.”

“You’re assuming I’ll have reason to fall to pieces. I’m a grown woman.”

“And you’re acting as if being grown up is some kind of insurance against heartbreak. I assure you it’s not. But that’s the last thing I’ll say on this subject. No man is worth splitting up a family over, Lila. We’ve weathered too much together.”

“Agreed. Look, seems like we have a lull in traffic. Want to discuss ways to run the café and my bed-and-breakfast until you’ve healed?”

“Hank Watson’s wife, Sarah Jane, is the only person I can think of who can cook for a crowd. She has no need to work, but at the last potluck she actually said to call her if I ever wanted a break from the café.”

“Awesome. Why don’t you go upstairs, give her a call and then take a little rest? I’ll clean up from breakfast and get lunch under way.”

“I am weary. What if I ask Sarah Jane to cover breakfast and overlap a bit when you come in to handle lunch? Also, after high school lets out for summer next week, Becky would like more hours.”

“She’s a hard worker. Okay, I’ll keep my fingers crossed it all works in our favor for a change.”

* * *

S
ETH
DROVE
BACK
to the Owl’s Nest, unlocked Ghost’s doggy door and filled his inside and outdoor water bowls. Delighted to be free, the dog chased a squirrel that had come into the fenced yard. Seth made sure the back gate was locked. On his return trip he locked up the house before phoning his sister-in-law. “Myra, hi. It’s Seth. Are you swamped with work or can I ask a favor?”

“Unless it requires a car. Mine’s in the shop. Otherwise I’m only painting one of my dollhouses for our next bazaar.”

“Here’s the deal. Jewell asked Lila to take flowers to Tawana. But then Lila’s mom slipped and wrenched her shoulder. Lila asked me to take over flower detail. Since the flowers will be from your group, I thought it’d be nice if you helped choose a bouquet.”

“Hold up. There, I put down my paintbrush. I must’ve missed something. Aren’t the flowers for Doreen? Tawana and Jewell should be preparing to go to DC.”

“Jewell has to go alone.” He reported on Tawana’s unexpected surgery. “I could buy Lila’s mom flowers, too. Except she’d think I’m trying to bribe her into liking me.”

“Okay, this is a lot to unpack. Why would Jewell ask Lila about flowers? We all know Lila is the busiest one of us.”

“I don’t know. Wait... I do. I recall Lila knew you had no car. And the other two ladies in your club have other obligations. So, can I pick you up?”

“Sure. Give me a bit to put my paint away.”

They agreed on a time. And because he had a few minutes, Seth wrote a note to leave on the door for Lila’s other guests, telling them about Doreen’s accident. He knew the two couples were checking out. He said they’d find Lila at the café.

Half an hour later when he swung by the ranch for Myra, she climbed into the car bubbling over with new details on Tawana. “She’s out of recovery, but her surgery wasn’t the simple Band-Aid kind. Silly woman ignored her symptoms so long she got gangrene.”

“That’s bad.”

“Yes, they had to flush her abdominal cavity and put in drains. She’ll be hospitalized up to a week. I’m glad you called and asked me to go see her. Zeke heard the news at the ranch where he’s helping out. He figured I could use his vehicle and run over there tonight. Of course, he didn’t know about the flowers.”

Seth listened as he drove to the nursery where he’d bought Lila’s rosebush.

The minute he and Myra walked into the store, the clerk recognized him. “Are you back for another rosebush?” she asked and included Myra in her smile.

“Cut flowers I think,” Seth said, deferring to Myra.

The woman pointed to a large, glass-fronted cooler stocked with all types and sizes of bouquets.

“You bought Doreen a rosebush?” Myra asked Seth. “Sorry, I thought you didn’t buy her anything?”

Fidgeting, Seth ran a finger inside the neck of his T-shirt. “I, uh, gave Lila a rosebush to set by the front door at the Owl’s Nest.”

Myra’s eyes widened. “Hmm. You sly dog. I feel so out of the loop. Tawana said Hunter sent her pink carnations. What all went on at my wedding that I missed?”

“We’re here for flowers,” he reminded.

“At least Tawana admitted she likes Hunter and had planned to visit him in DC. You’re just being coy.”

Seth walked to the flower case and studied the contents. “How about the vase with the multicolored flowers?”

“That vase is cut crystal. It’s more expensive than the bouquet in it,” the clerk called out.

“It’s pretty,” Myra said, “but fancier than Tawana’s apartment. Her furniture is leather and her décor is Native American. That turquoise vase with the white and yellow irises will go nicely in her place or in her office at the reservation headquarters.”

“See, that’s why I needed your help,” Seth said and gestured to the clerk with a credit card he’d removed from his wallet.

“Why are you paying?” Myra asked. “Oh, right, Jewell is keeper of the group’s funds. Make sure you give her that receipt.”

Seth stepped aside to let the clerk retrieve the bouquet. Going to the counter, he set his card atop it. “Okay. I was going to give it to Lila. Yesterday I picked up some baseball equipment for Rory on her behalf and she asked me to add the cost of flowers to the bill. We’ll settle up later.”

“Then Rory gets to join Little League?” Myra gazed expectantly at Seth as the clerk rang up the flowers.

“I assume so.” Seth put back his card, smiled at the clerk and picked up the vase. “I know Lila was worried about cost, but I hope I showed her she didn’t need to buy expensive equipment.”

“I thought she had a problem getting him to Wolf Point for some practices and League games.”

Seth opened Myra’s door and, after she’d buckled in, passed her the flowers.

“I don’t know anything about that. Can’t he ride with his friend?”

Myra shrugged. “Maybe. Let’s go back to the issue of the rosebush you so neatly sidestepped. Tawana said Hunter wants to settle here. What’s your plan? Lila is one of my best friends.”

Seth scowled. “What the hell? Do I look like a big bad wolf? Why do I get the feeling you’re ready to put up roadblocks like Lila’s mother? Wait, has Zeke indicated I’m untrustworthy or something?”

“No, nothing like that. Zeke loves you and would be delighted to have you settle here. He also told me gem hunting can be dangerous. So far as I know, he wouldn’t have shared that with anyone like Lila’s mom. I do have concerns for Lila, because she lost her dad and husband to mining. Do you mine for gems? You could get injured doing that.”

He parked at the hospital before turning to stare at Myra. “Asks a person who fell over a steep cliff. If I got this right, you fell trying to climb on your horse while holding a calf.”

She winced a tad. “And what’s your point?”

“Oh, I don’t know. That no aspect of life is totally risk free? Lila skidded on a slick highway and put her car in a ditch. Her mother slipped on a puddle in her walk-in cooler. She’s lucky she didn’t break something vital.”

“Those are accidents. You climb mountains rife with rock slides or rope into abandoned mines. You go looking for danger, if you ask me.”

“I go looking for gems to earn a living. Is ranching totally safe, Myra?” Seth turned off the motor and jerked out his keys. “Why don’t you take your friend her flowers before they wilt? I’m going to see if they have a cafeteria where I can grab coffee and a sandwich.”

“You don’t want to go visit Tawana?”

“I barely know her. I’m sure she can do without a stranger barging in when she’s not feeling a hundred percent.”

Myra unclipped her seat belt and shoved open the door. “You’re PO’d at me, I can tell. And Zeke will tell me to butt out of your business, too. Lila may say the same. Erase this conversation. She’s capable of deciding who to let close.”

“I’m not mad at you. It’s that your warnings and Doreen’s are premature. But they make me want to prove you both wrong. Do I admire Lila?
Yes
. Do I think I can lighten her load a bit and teach Rory a few things about baseball?
Yes
. Am I invested enough to chuck my job?
Maybe
.
Or maybe not
. By the way, I filed for a state permit to hunt for sapphires around here and gave your address. They may or may not issue a permit, but if I get mail, hang on to it, please.”

“Of course we will.”

They’d reached the main entrance to the hospital, and Seth stepped around Myra to open the door and let her pass.

“I’m glad we cleared the air,” Myra said. “I’d hate to begin married life on bad terms with Zeke’s family. Eat slowly,” she added, tossing him a smile. “I may come join you for lunch.”

Seth nodded and then followed the signs pointing downstairs to the cafeteria.

He ate a sandwich and drank his coffee, but Myra didn’t show up. After an hour Seth elected to go in search of her.

He got directions to Tawana’s room on the surgical wing, and he could hear the sounds of friends yakking away about their holiday bazaar projects even before he entered the room. Zeke had told Seth about the bazaar where the women sold crafts as a fund-raiser to band and keep track of the snowy owls.

He didn’t step fully into the room, but rather leaned in far enough to catch Myra’s attention. Seth tapped his watch. “Hey, you’re long past lunch. I need to get you back to the ranch. I promised Rory another baseball lesson at three o’clock.”

Myra stopped midsentence to gape at him. “Mercy, is it that late?” She stood. “Tawana, you remember Zeke’s twin brother?”

The woman in the bed offered a smile. “Hunter tells me you may stay in Snowy Owl Crossing.”

Seth shrugged. “The guys in the wedding party all like it here. Only Hunter committed to coming back once he gets past a couple of surgeries of his own.”

“Yes, but I was just telling Myra, he’s signed up to take a leather-working class at the VA. I do vests and belts. He’s starting with wallets, but said his instructor tools pictures on leather, paints and frames them. Hunter’s excited to learn that. Says maybe it’s something he can do to supplement his military disability pay after he moves here.”

Seth entered the room and tucked a thumb under his belt. “I can vouch for your belts. Zeke sent me one for Christmas. My friends in Australia all asked where I got it. I don’t know if there’s a market for leather artwork, but you could set up an online store and make some money selling these belts.”

“Hey, great idea. Maybe we could all do that,” Myra said. “I bet we could earn more money to save the snowy owls.”

“You ladies are sure dedicated to those birds. One dive-bombed us when we pulled Lila’s Jeep out of the ditch. Another swiped Rory’s brand-new baseball. Plucked a ball I’d thrown Lila right out of the air. I wouldn’t think you’d be so enamored of them, Myra. You and Zeke told all of us how an owl almost made off with your pet pig.”

“One really snatched a baseball?” Tawana asked.

“You made that up,” Myra accused.

“I swear it happened. If you don’t believe me, ask Lila. The only other birds I’ve seen steal stuff were two big crows in Italy that claimed my slice of sausage pizza.”

“Owls are born hunters. I’m sure the bird thought the baseball was prey.”

“Our snowy owls are revered by my people,” Tawana said earnestly. “But Jewell knows their numbers have dwindled. They need a safe habitat.”

Myra went to stand at the door with Seth. “Don’t fret, Tawana. We’ll get a sanctuary even if we have to buy land. And, Seth, I may owe the very fact that Zeke saved my life to a snowy he says convinced him to take the right fork in the trail.”

Seth threw up his hands. “I get it. Listen, we need to go. Considering what you’ve been through, you look good, Tawana. But we shouldn’t tire you. In the morning I’m taking one of Lila’s horses to scope out a mine for sapphires. But if you’re here the day after and Myra still has no car, I’ll be happy to bring her for another visit.”

“What mine?” the women said in unison.

Seth shrugged. “Opportunity. It’s been closed a long time. The state owns it now. The last gem hunters spread rumors that it’s haunted.” He glanced up and noticed both women frowning. “Don’t tell me you believe in ghosts?”