At Bluebonnet Lake (Texas Crossroads Book #1): A Novel (5 page)

“I’m glad you’re here now.” Roy smiled at Sally and then at Kate, as if including her in his statement. He didn’t look at all like Grandpa Larry, and yet there was a kindness in Roy’s expression that reminded Kate of her grandfather.

When Olivia had unloaded her second tray of dishes and returned to the kitchen, Roy looked around the table, meeting each of his companions’ gazes. “Let us give thanks,” he said when he’d completed the silent greeting. Bowing his head, he offered a brief but eloquent blessing for the food, concluding with gratitude for Sally and Kate’s safe journey and the opportunity to make new friends. “Amen.”

It was the signal the others had been waiting for. As soon as Roy pronounced the word, the two married couples began to uncover the dishes, and soon everyone was piling food onto their plates, gently rotating the Susan so that the next person could take a helping. In less time than she’d expected, Kate found her plate covered with spaghetti and meatballs, corn, green beans, a green salad, two kinds of molded salad, and golden garlic bread. It was ordinary food, what some would call comfort food, and it smelled absolutely delicious.

As dishes rattled and silverware clinked on plates, the other
guests began to converse. Kate noticed that, even though the table was communal, the two other couples were acting as if they were at tables for two, and Sally appeared to be engrossed in whatever Roy was saying. That left Kate with Greg and gave her the opportunity to make her apology.

“You don’t work here, do you?”

Greg broke off a piece of garlic bread, shaking his head as he answered. “I’m a guest like you.”

“I’m sorry. I thought—”

“There’s no need for an apology,” he said, interrupting. “I’d have made the same assumption if I’d seen you repairing my screen. It’s not something you’d expect another guest to be doing.”

“So, why did you do it?”

Greg shrugged. “The work needed to be done, and no one else was available.” His explanation confirmed Kate’s suspicion that the resort was understaffed. “I didn’t think you’d want bats in your cabin.”

Kate gave an exaggerated shudder. “Definitely not. We’d have left tomorrow.”

“I thought about doing exactly that when the roof leaked.” Greg’s green eyes sparkled. “Murphy’s Law was in effect that day. Or should I say, that night? The roof leaked right over my bed, and the power went out, so I couldn’t do much other than move the bed.”

That sounded as bad as bats. “But you stayed. How long have you been here?” Kate drizzled vinaigrette onto her salad, then forked a bite. Her impression of Greg was accurate. He was an intriguing man.

“Long enough to have the menu memorized.”

An evasive answer if she’d ever heard one. “How long is that?”

“Three weeks.”

No wonder Greg was helping repair the resort. With so few
other guests here, there wasn’t much else for him to do. Boredom must have set in quickly. Though Sally had assured her that there were many things to occupy their time, Kate wasn’t sure what they’d do for a whole month. She might wind up helping Greg repair window screens. If he was still here, that is.

“Are you leaving soon?” Very few people other than teachers had more than four weeks’ vacation, and since most schools were still in session, Kate doubted that Greg taught.

He scowled in feigned annoyance. “Are you trying to get rid of me? Be careful. I might take that modem back.”

“Oh no! You wouldn’t do that.” Kate held up her hands in the universal sign of surrender. “Seriously, I was curious because Carmen said hardly anyone stays more than a week.”

“That’s true, but like Roy, I find it easier not to cook, especially when there’s someone like Carmen providing meals. And, if you’re wondering about the repairs, I figured that as long as I was here, there was no reason not to help the Sinclairs.”

“It must be nice to have so much vacation.” Kate was fishing for information and suspected Greg knew it, so she added an unlikely alternative. “Of course, you could have a trust fund and not need to work at all.”

He twirled the long strands of spaghetti around his fork with an expertise that spoke of practice. “If I had a trust fund, do you think I’d be repairing window screens at a down-on-its-heels resort? I’d be sailing my yacht around the world or skiing on one of those slopes where you have to pay a small fortune to be helicoptered in.” Greg raised his eyebrows, as if waiting for Kate’s response. When she simply shrugged, he said, “The truth is, I’m between jobs, and this seemed like a good place to be.”

He’d confirmed what she thought. Greg was unemployed. As for staying here, it made sense. The rates weren’t exorbitant, and he probably got a discount because of the work he was doing,
perhaps another one for staying so long. Still, it was a shame that Greg was unemployed. He was obviously intelligent, well educated, and willing to work. He could be doing so much more than odd jobs at Rainbow’s End. “I hope you find a new job soon.”

“Me too.”

S
ally took a bite of a meatball, chewing slowly, savoring the delicious blend of herbs and at least two kinds of meat. Being at Rainbow’s End was even better than she’d expected. She had wanted more time with Kate than their normal one weekend a month. Even if Kate didn’t realize it, Sally sensed that her granddaughter was at a crossroads in her life. Kate needed to step back, gain perspective, and reflect on what she wanted her future to be. That was why Sally had practically dragged her here, playing the trump card of her own health. She’d believed, and she still believed, that time away would be good for Kate. What Sally hadn’t expected was finding herself next to a man like Roy Gordon.

He wasn’t handsome by any definition of the word. With his gray hair and gray eyes, the predominantly gray plaid of his shirt was a poor choice, and yet it didn’t matter. Even those old-fashioned glasses couldn’t hide the twinkle in Roy’s eyes, and when he smiled, he made Sally feel as if she was the only woman in the world. It was an unexpectedly heady feeling.

“So tell me, beautiful lady, how long am I going to have the pleasure of your company?” Roy’s voice was low, his Texas
drawl more pronounced as he gave her a smile that was almost roguish.

Sally felt the blood rush to her face. Mercy alive! She couldn’t remember the last time she’d blushed. Of course, she also couldn’t recall the last time a man had flirted with her. “Kate and I have reservations for a month.” Thank goodness her voice sounded normal, not betraying the fact that her pulse was racing. Sally picked up her glass and took a sip of tea, hoping the cool liquid would chase the blood from her cheeks.

Reaching for the pitcher to replenish her glass, Roy grinned. “Be forewarned. I’m going to try to keep you here longer than that. It’s been five years since the Lord took Barb. I’ve been looking for a woman to laugh with since then.”

Uneasiness welled up inside Sally, and she looked down at her napkin, trying to calm her nerves. A little flirtation was one thing, but Roy was moving too fast. Still, there was no denying that the admiration she saw in his eyes was flattering. It had been ten years since Larry’s death. Though she hadn’t been looking for another man, Sally had to admit that the years had been lonely, especially once Kate finished college and moved to the Big Apple.

“What makes you think that I laugh?” she asked, determined to keep the conversation light. The truth was, she used to laugh a lot, but for the past few years, reasons for laughter had been harder to find.

Roy laid down his fork and knife and stared at her for a second. “Those lines by your eyes tell the story.”

“They’re crow’s feet.”

He shook his head and frowned at her as if she were a contestant in a game show who’d just made a colossal mistake. “Laugh lines.”

She couldn’t help it. Sally chuckled. “You don’t give up, do you?”

A shrug was his first answer. “I got you laughing, didn’t I?”

“That you did, and I’m glad.” It felt good. When she’d planned this trip, Sally had envisioned getting to know the other guests. Though she and Larry had been newlyweds, unlike Alexa and Jared Tibbits, they’d conversed with the others at their table. Sally had hoped that she and Kate would meet some interesting people here. The change of scenery and the stimulation of new acquaintances would be good for both of them. Unfortunately, there were far fewer guests than she’d expected, and though she tried not to dwell on it, Rainbow’s End was not the beautiful Christian resort she remembered. But neither of those was Roy’s fault.

Sally smiled at him as she added, “I’m hoping I can get my granddaughter to laugh more too.”

Roy’s gray eyes turned serious. “What do her parents think about you bringing her to Texas for a month?”

Sally busied herself by cutting another meatball into pieces. This was one disadvantage of meeting new people. They didn’t know her history. While it would be easy to slough off Roy’s question with an innocuous reply like “They don’t mind,” Sally wouldn’t do that. Roy deserved the truth.

“My daughter and her husband were killed in a drive-by shooting when Kate was seven. Larry and I were her only living relatives, so we did what anyone would do in those circumstances: we brought her to live with us.” Sally raised her eyes to meet Roy’s gaze. She’d expected pity. Instead she saw understanding and admiration. “I’ve never had a minute’s regret.”

“You shouldn’t. It’s obvious you did a good job.”

Though Sally appreciated the vote of confidence, she wondered what Roy had seen in the few minutes he’d spoken to Kate to make him say that. She started to ask, but before she could get the words out, he continued.

“I think you might have some help with that campaign to
get your granddaughter to laugh. Look at them.” He tipped his head to the left. As Sally followed the direction of his gaze, she saw Kate and Greg chuckling as if sharing a private joke. “This could be good for both of them,” Roy said, returning his attention to the mound of spaghetti still on his plate.

Sally forked a lettuce leaf. “What do you know about Greg?” He seemed like a nice enough young man, but she wanted a second opinion.

“He’s between jobs, and he helps out around here.” Though the story was plausible and Sally didn’t doubt that it was true, the way Roy stared at his plate made her think there was more that he wasn’t revealing. Although tempted to ask, Sally did not. Everyone was entitled to privacy.

Roy chewed a bite of spaghetti before he added, “We haven’t talked about it, but I suspect Greg feels the way I do and wants to keep Rainbow’s End alive.”

Sally blinked, startled by the direction the conversation had taken. “Is it closing?” While she regretted some of the changes she’d seen, the idea of Rainbow’s End shutting its doors saddened her.

“I don’t know.” Roy punctuated his word with a shrug as he spun the Susan around to take another piece of garlic bread. “I only know that if it goes under, life will be harder for the folks in Dupree. They get a fair amount of business from the guests, especially during peak season. People go into town for midday meals, souvenirs, and day trips. In the fall, it’s hunting excursions.”

He looked at the pitcher of extra spaghetti sauce, obviously considering whether or not to indulge in another helping, then shook his head. “Got to save room for dessert,” he told Sally. “Fact is, when the inn is full, the townspeople are happy. I’d even give up having supper here if it meant that all the tables were filled with guests.”

“Miss meals like this?” Sally forced a lilt to her voice, trying to lighten the mood. “That sounds like cruel and unusual punishment.”

As she’d hoped, Roy laughed.

“Tonight’s dessert is cannoli,” Olivia announced as she cleared the dishes. “Does everyone want one?” She giggled as she looked at Greg. “Or more? The regulars know how good they are.”

“Say yes,” Greg urged Kate. “It’s worth it.” When she nodded in response to Olivia’s question, Greg grinned. “Good choice. Carmen may not have a single drop of Italian blood, but I’d match her cannoli against any you can find in Little Italy.”

“You’ve been there?” As they’d chatted during dinner, Greg had admitted that he considered himself a Californian, having lived there since attending Stanford. He’d also said that this was the first vacation he’d taken in a decade, unless you counted annual trips to Washington State to visit his parents. Though Kate had been surprised by the infrequency of those visits, she had said nothing. Perhaps as she learned more about Greg, she’d feel more comfortable asking about his family, but tonight his expression when he’d mentioned them had discouraged further questions.

“Who hasn’t been to Little Italy?” he demanded. “Just because I’ve lived in California for almost fifteen years doesn’t mean I haven’t seen other places.”

But he hadn’t taken vacations, so either he’d been to New York more than a decade before, or he’d gone there on business. Kate was betting the second.

“Let me know the next time you’re in New York, and I’ll take you to my favorite Italian restaurant.” Where had that come from? Kate had never invited a man who was practically
a stranger to have dinner with her. But somehow Greg didn’t seem like a stranger. They’d laughed, they’d sparred, they’d shared a few personal details, but though they’d spent less than two hours together, she felt as if she knew Greg better than even Chase and Brittany, two of her co-workers who had quickly become her friends.

If she and Greg were dating—which, of course, they were not—this would have been a first date. Kate had had plenty of first dates, but never before had she felt this sense of connection to a man she’d just met. Somehow it seemed right to invite him to visit her in New York.

“That’s an offer I won’t refuse,” Greg said with a wide smile that made her think he knew he was the first to receive such an invitation.

As Olivia set plates in front of each of the guests and a platter filled with the Italian pastries on the Susan, Greg placed one of the powdered-sugar-dusted pastries on Kate’s plate. “Taste this and tell me what you think.”

She cut a small piece of the ricotta-filled pastry and slid it into her mouth, letting the flavors rest on her tongue a little longer than she would have normally. When she’d swallowed it, she said, “It’s . . .” Kate twisted her lips into a frown as if she’d eaten rancid meat, then relented when she saw Greg’s expression. “It’s sublime. You were right, Greg. I’ve never eaten a better one. No wonder you want to stay at Rainbow’s End.”

When she finished the last bite of dessert and declined a second helping, Kate turned toward Sally. By this time if she were home, her grandmother would be sitting with her feet up, watching television or reading a book. They’d gained an hour with the time difference and had traveled for half the day. Despite the nap she’d taken, Sally must be exhausted. But far from appearing tired, her grandmother seemed energized as she spoke to Roy.

“Are you ready to go back?” Kate asked.

To her surprise, Sally shook her head. “Not yet, but I’m afraid it’s getting cold. Would you bring me my navy sweater?”

“Of course.” Knowing how Sally would protest, Kate did not mention that she also intended to bring the car. Her grandmother did not need to walk those rutted roads tonight. Kate turned to Greg as she started to rise. “If you’ll excuse me.”

He rose and pulled out her chair in a gesture of old-fashioned courtesy. “Mind if I come along? The exercise will help me walk off that big dinner.”

Delighted that she’d have more of his company, Kate wagged her finger at Greg. “You didn’t have to take second helpings of everything, you know.”

“And disappoint Carmen? She’s insulted if there are leftovers.”

“So it was your duty?”

“More or less.” Greg held the door open for Kate, letting in the cool evening breeze. Though she hadn’t thought the dining room overly warm, the breeze felt good as they started walking toward Kate’s cabin. “That meal was incredible,” she said. If Grandpa Larry had been here, he would have patted his stomach. “I can’t remember when I ate so much good food. Of course, now I have to figure out a way to work it off. Dare I ask if there’s a fitness room here?”

Greg grinned. “Dare away, but you know the answer.”

“No cable, no wireless, no exercise equipment.” It was not a surprise. “How about a gym in Dupree?”

“Same answer.”

Again, not a surprise. Though she hadn’t paid a lot of attention to the town as they’d driven through it, Kate’s impression had been of a business district no more than two blocks long.

“So, what do people do for exercise here? The pool’s not open, and I didn’t see a golf course.”

“There’s one of those in Dupree. Nine holes, but it’s not bad.” Greg pointed to the right. “Closer to home, the tennis court is open year-round. Do you play?”

“Not well.”

“Good. Neither do I. Much to my father’s chagrin, I did not inherit the sports gene.”

Kate was surprised, both at the bitterness in his voice and the admission. While she could not picture Greg on a football field, he had the lean build of a runner.

“If you really don’t play tennis, this could be a pretty pathetic game. I haven’t held a racquet in years.”

“Excellent.” This time Greg’s voice was tinged with laughter. “We’ll be well matched. What time shall we meet?” As if anticipating her refusal, he added, “There’s no dress code, although I wouldn’t suggest wearing that skirt, attractive as it is.”

Kate smiled as pleasure rushed through her. Sally had been right when she’d advised Kate to wear a skirt to dinner. At least one person had noticed. But she hesitated to agree to tennis. When she’d asked about a fitness room or gym, she’d envisioned using it before Sally woke. There was no question of playing tennis on an unlighted outdoor court before the sun rose.

“I don’t know if I should. I came here to spend time with my grandmother.”

As a winged creature fluttered by, Kate shuddered.

“That was a bird,” Greg told her. “The bats come a bit later.”

“So you weren’t joking about them?”

“No. I’m also not joking about the tennis invitation. Don’t you think your grandmother would be happy to entertain herself for half an hour?”