Palomino (32 page)

Three of them. My sons.

How many you got in all? Josh raised an eyebrow.

Four. We left a baby girl at home.

Shit, he guffawed, that ain't nothin'. I got six.

God save me! Charlie looked faint and they all laughed.

Josh came in then to meet Mellie and the boys, and then they all trooped out to the barn to look at the horses, and the boys were so excited that they were jumping up and down in the straw and squealing while the others laughed. Plans were made for the next day to give them lessons, and then Sam stopped for a few moments to look at Black Beauty, sedate and splendid as ever in his stall.

He's a fine-looking horse, Sam, ain't he? Even Josh looked him over with pride, and then he glanced at Sam as though he had just remembered something. He's yours now, Sam.

No. She shook her head slowly, looking at Josh. He'll always be Caro's. But I'll ride him. This time she smiled, but he didn't.

No, you won't.

We can fight about that in the morning. He looked doubtful but they wandered back to the big house, and he left them on the porch, with a last tender look at Sam. It was then that she realized that it had been a homecoming. That even if the others were gone now, she still had Josh. And she had the beautiful ranch that Caroline had left her, and the memories of what her old friend had shared with Bill, and her own memories of Tate in their cabin none of that would ever leave her, especially if she stayed right here.

Okay now, Sam ' we got you.' Two cowboys made a seat for her and held her while two more held the horse firmly. It wasn't Black Beauty they held between them, and not even Navajo, but a new horse named Pretty Girl. But this time the name didn't annoy her. She was surprised herself at how squeamish she felt and the horse was supposed to be very docile. Suddenly she was glad. They hoisted her into the saddle quickly, and Josh tied a bunch of straps around her, and then she sat there, perched in her saddle, staring down at them in amazement.

By God, we did it. Look at that, I'm riding! She looked like an ecstatic kid.

No, you ain't. Josh grinned at her with obvious pleasure. You're just sittin'. Get her movin' a little, Sam, and see how it feels.

She looked down at him and whispered. Would you believe it, I'm scared. She just sat there with a frightened expression alternating with a nervous smile, and after a moment Josh gently took the bridle and began to walk her on the quiet horse.

You're okay, Sam. Come on, I'll walk you around the corral.

Josh, I feel like a baby.

He looked over his shoulder with a tender smile. You are. Got to learn to walk, you know, before you can trot. But a moment later he let go of the bridle and she began to trot slowly, and suddenly Sam's face broke out in a huge grin.

Hey, guys, I'm running, she was shouting, I'm running ' look! She was so excited, she could hardly stand it. For the first time in over a year, she wasn't moving along in a wheelchair, she was actually running again, and even if it wasn't under her own steam, the exhilaration of trotting along with the wind in her hair was the best feeling she'd known in years. It took Josh an hour to convince her that she'd had enough. And when they helped her down, she was so high, she was almost flying, her eyes were dancing, and her delicate face was framed by wisps of her golden hair.

You sure looked good on that horse, Sam. He smiled gently at her as they set her down in her chair.

She grinned a grin of confession. You know, at first I was scared to death.

Stands to reason. You'd have to be crazy not to be after what happened. And then he looked at her thoughtfully. How did it feel?

So good, Josh. She just closed her eyes and grinned. Like I was a normal person again. The grin faded as she looked into his wise old eyes. It's been a long time.

Yeah. He scratched his chin. But I keep thinkin', it don't have to be a long time anymore. Sam, you could come back here, and you could get back into ranchin'.' He had thought about it all night, but now she looked at him pensively, her head cocked to one side.

You want to know what I've been thinking? He nodded. Charlie and I talked about it in New York, and maybe it's totally crazy. But I wonder if, maybe, I could turn this into a special ranch, for she hesitated, not sure how to say it people like me. Kids mostly, but some grown-ups. Teach them to ride, help them get back to a normal life. Josh, I can't even begin to tell you what it just felt like. Here, in the chair, I'm different and I always will be. But up on that horse, I'm no different than I used to be. Oh, maybe a little, but I won't be once I get used to riding again. Imagine showing people that, giving them horses to ride, teaching them.' She didn't notice but there were tears in his eyes and her own as she spoke. He was nodding slowly, glancing around at the buildings.

We'd have to make some changes, but we could do it.'

Would you help me?

He nodded slowly. I don't know much about' about' He tried to be tactful, he had been about to say cripples. About people like that, but hell, I know horses, and I could teach a blind man to ride if I had to. Had my own kids ridin' by the time they was three. She knew it was true too, and he had just been as patient and as loving as any therapist she had worked with. You know, Sam, we could do it. Hell, I'd sure like to try it.

So would I. But I have to think it over. It would take some money, and I'd have to have therapists and nurses and doctors, people would have to be willing to trust me with their children, and why should they? But she was talking more to herself than to Josh, and a moment later Charlie and Mellie interrupted them to ask Josh more questions about the ranch.

Sunday morning came too quickly, and they all looked regretful as they said good-bye. Josh was almost heartbroken as he took Sam's hand before they left for the airport and squeezed it with a thousand questions written on his face. Well? You goin' to keep it? If not, he knew that he might never see her again. And he couldn't let that happen. He wanted to help her to find herself, and to build the ranch for special kids. He had sensed in the past few days how lonely and hurt she was.

I don't know yet, Josh. She answered him honestly. I have to do some research, and to think it over. I promise I'll let you know as soon as I make up my mind.

How soon do you think that will be?

Has another job come up for you? She looked worried.

If I said yes, he said, grinning softly, would that make you jealous enough to keep it?

She laughed in answer. You're a sly one.

His face sobered. I just don't want to see you give up this ranch.

I don't want to either, Josh. But I just don't know enough about ranching to make it worth it. The only thing that makes sense is if we do what we said.

Well, why don't we?

Give me a chance to think it over.

You do that. And then he leaned down and gave her a bear hug and turned to say good-bye to Charlie and Melinda and the three boys.

They waved good-bye to him for as long as they could see him, and in comparison to the trip out, it was a very quiet trip back. The boys were exhausted and disappointed that they were going back to New York. Charlie and Mellie alternated sleeping on part of the trip, and Sam was pensive all the way to New York. She had a lot to think about, about whether she herself could make it, about whether selling the livestock on the ranch would give her enough money to make the improvements, about whether or not it was what she wanted. Was she really ready to leave the safety of her life in New York? She had been so engrossed in the makings of her decision that all the way home she had barely thought of Tate.

She left Charlie and Mellie in the lobby of their building and disappeared into her apartment to make some notes, and she still looked preoccupied the next morning at the office when Charlie knocked on her door.

Well, cowgirl, made up your mind yet?

Shhh! She put a finger to her lips and beckoned him in. No one else knew in the office and she particularly didn't want Harvey to know yet. Not until she was sure.

What are you going to do, Sam? He threw himself down on the couch and grinned at her. Want to know what I would do if I were you?

No. She tried to look forbidding, but he always made her laugh. I want to make up my own mind.

That's smart. Just don't make any mistakes and tell your mother what you're considering. She'd probably have you locked up in the nut house.

Maybe she'd be right.

Hardly. Or at least not for those reasons. He smiled at Sam and sat up just as Harvey's secretary appeared in the doorway.

Miss Taylor?

Yes? Sam turned to face her.

Mr. Maxwell would like to see you.

God himself? Charlie looked impressed and went back to his office as Sam followed Harvey's secretary down the hall.

And when she reached his office, she found him looking tired and pensive. There was a mountain of papers on his desk and he only glanced at Samantha as he finished some notes. Hi, Sam.

Hi, Harvey, what's up? It was another minute before he turned his attention to her, and he went over the amenities before getting down to the reason she had been called.

How was Thanksgiving?

Very nice. Yours?

Fine. How did you spend it? It was a loaded question and Sam felt suddenly nervous.

With the Petersons.

That's nice. At their place or yours?

Mine. But it was truthful, she reassured herself. The ranch was hers now after all.

That's terrific, Sam. He smiled at her. You're really doing amazingly well.

Thank you. It was a compliment that meant a lot to her, and for a moment they exchanged a smile.

Which brings me to why I called you into the office this morning. You haven't given me your answer. He looked expectant and Samantha sighed and slumped back in her chair.

I know I haven't, Harvey ' I feel awful about that, but I just needed time to think.

Is it really a choice? He looked surprised. What choice did she have after all? If you're still worried about the travel, all you really have to do is hire a competent assistant he grinned at her like I did, and you'll be all set. The rest you can certainly handle. Hell, Sam, you've been doing my job and your own for years now! He was teasing but she wagged a finger at him.

Now you admit it! I should ask you to sign a statement to that effect.

Not on your life. Come on, Sam, get me off the hook. Give me an answer. He sat back and smiled at her. I want to go home.

The bitch of it is, Harvey, she said, looking at him sadly, so do I.

But it was obvious that he didn't understand her. But this is your home, Sam.

She shook her head slowly. No, Harvey, I just realized something this weekend. It's not.

You're unhappy at CHL? He looked shocked. That possibility hadn't even occurred to him. Did she mean that she wanted to quit?

But she quickly shook her head. No, I'm not unhappy. Not here ' but' well' I don't know if I can explain it, but it has to do with New York.

Sam. He held up a hand to stop her. I'm warning you, if you've come in here to tell me that you're moving to Atlanta with your mother, I will go into shock. Call my doctor now if that's what you're going to tell me. She could only laugh in answer and shake her head again.

No, it is most certainly not that.

Then what is it?

I've been holding out on you, Harvey. She looked guiltily at her boss of ten years. My friend Caroline left me her ranch.

Left it to you? He looked startled. Are you going to sell it?

Samantha shook her head slowly. I don't think so. That's just it.

You're not going to keep it, Sam, are you? What could you possibly do with it?

A lot of things. And then, as she looked at him, she knew her answer. It's just something I have to do. Maybe I won't be able to do it, maybe it'll be too much for me, maybe it'll be a terrible fiasco, but I just want to give it a try. I want to set it up as a place to teach handicapped kids to ride, teach them how to be independent, to cover ground in something other than a wheelchair on a horse. Harvey was looking thoughtfully at her. You think I'm crazy, don't you?

He smiled sadly. No, I was wishing that you were my daughter. Because I would wish you luck, and give you all the money I have and tell you to do it. I wish I could tell you that I think you're crazy, Sam, but I don't. It's a long way from being a creative director on Madison Avenue though. Are you sure that's what you want?

The funny thing is that I wasn't sure. Until right now when I told you, but now I know. I am sure. And then with a small sigh, What are you going to do about the job? Give it to Charlie? He thought for a minute and nodded.

I guess so. He'll do a good job.

Are you sure you want to retire, Harvey? But she had to admit that he looked ready and that she would do the same thing in his place.

He nodded, looking at her. Yes, Sam, I'm sure. As sure as you are about your ranch, which is to say that I want to retire and it's always a little scary to deal with the unknown. You never know for sure that you're doing the right thing.

I guess not.

Think Charlie will want the job?

He'll be thrilled.

Then it's his. Because it has to be like that. You have to want to work fifteen hours a day, take it home on the weekends, louse up your vacations, eat, sleep, and drink commercials. I just don't want that anymore.

Neither do I. But Charlie does.

Then go tell him he has a new job, or should I?

Would you let me do it? It was the last thing she would do at CHL that would mean something to her.

Why not? You're his closest friend. And then he looked at Sam sadly. How soon are you leaving us?

What would be reasonable?

Why don't I leave that up to you.

First of the year? It was in five weeks. That was a reasonable notice, and Harvey seemed to think so too.

We'll retire together then. Maggie and I may even come to visit you on the ranch. My advanced age should be a sufficient handicap for us to qualify as guests.

Bull. She moved her wheelchair around his desk and came over to kiss his cheek. You'll never be that old, Harvey, not until you're a hundred and three.

That happens to be next week. He put an arm around her shoulders and kissed her. I'm proud of you, Sam. You're quite a girl. And then he coughed in embarrassment, fumbled on his desk, and waved her out. Now go tell Charlie he has a new job.

Without saying anything further, she left his office and rolled her way down the hall, wearing a broad smile. She stopped in the doorway of Charlie's office, which was in its usual state of chaos, and she barged in on him as he attempted to find his tennis racket under the couch. He had a date to play at lunchtime, and all he could find were the balls.

What are you looking for, slobbo? I don't know how you find anything in this mess.

Huh? He emerged, but only briefly. Oh, it's you. I don't. You don't happen to have a spare tennis racket, do you? Only from Charlie could she take jokes like that.

Sure. I play twice a week. Ice skating too. And cha-cha lessons.

Oh, shut up. You're disgusting. What's the matter? Don't you have any decency, any taste? He eyed her with mock outrage and she started laughing.

Speaking of which, you'd better buy some of both, you're going to need them.

What? He looked blank.

Taste.

Why? I've never needed taste before.

You were never creative director of a large ad agency before. He stared at her, not comprehending.

What are you saying? His heart pounded for a moment. But it couldn't be. Harvey was offering the job to Samantha ' unless ' Sam?

You heard me, Mr. Creative Director. She beamed at him.

Sam ' ? Sam! He jumped to his feet. Did he am I ?

He did. And you are.

But what about you? He looked shocked. Had they passed her over for the job? If that was the case, he wouldn't take it. They would both quit, they could open up shop together, they could '

She could see his mind racing and held up a hand. Relax. The job is yours. Me, I'm going to California, Charlie, to run a ranch for handicapped children. And if you're real nice to me, maybe I'll let you and the kids come and visit me in the summers and He didn't let her finish. Instead he ran to her and hugged her tight. Oh, Sam, you did it! You did it! When did you decide? He was as thrilled for her as he was for himself. He was almost jumping up and down like a kid.

I don't know. She was laughing as he held her. I think just now in Harvey's office ' or last night on the plane' or yesterday morning when I talked to Josh ' I don't know when it happened, Charlie. But I did it.

When are you going out?

When you get your new job. On January first.

My God, Sam, does he really mean it? Creative director? Me? But I'm only thirty-seven.

It's all right, she reassured him. You look fifty.

Gee, thanks. He was still beaming as he reached for the phone to call his wife.

So? How's it going? When do you open? Charlie called her every week, to cry on her shoulder about all the work on his desk and find out about the progress at the ranch.

We open in two weeks, Charlie.

What is that? Like a bank? You give out toasters and balloons and party hats?

She smiled into the phone. For the past five months, he had done nothing but encourage, and it had been a long haul. In the course of a lifetime five months was nothing, but her working sixteen and eighteen hours a day made it seem like ten years. They had torn down small buildings, put up new sheds, altered cottages, put in ramps, built a swimming pool, sold the livestock for the most part, except for a handful of cows to give them milk and to amuse the kids. There had been therapists to hire, nurses to see, doctors to contact, and then inevitably there had been the traveling. Sam had flown to Denver to see the doctor who had first operated on her back, to Phoenix, to Los Angeles, and to San Francisco, and then finally to Dallas and Houston, and in each city she had seen the top orthopedic men. She had hired a secretary to travel with her, which made it easier for her and made it look more businesslike. She wanted to explain her program to the doctors, so that they would refer patients to heir, children who would spend four to six weeks on the ranch, learning to enjoy life again, to ride horses, to be with other children with similar disabilities, and to be independent of their parents and able to take care of themselves.

In her presentation she showed photographs of the ranch as it had been and architectural renderings of what it was going to be. She detailed the facilities and the plans for physical therapy, gave resumes of the staff and detailed references for herself. And everywhere she went, she got a warm reception, and the doctors were impressed. All of them referred her to other doctors, most of them invited her to their homes to meet their wives and families. And in Houston she could even have had a date, but she declined graciously, and still won the doctor over. By the time she had finished her travels, she was certain that at least forty-seven doctors in six cities were going to refer patients to her ranch.

She still called it the Lord Ranch and she had kept on a handful of the old cowboys. Josh was, as promised, made the foreman, and she had even given him a bronze plaque to put on his front door, and he had been thrilled. But what she needed was a new breed of ranch hands, and she and Josh had picked them all carefully, for their attitudes about children, about handicaps, about horses. She didn't want anyone too old, or impatient, or ornery, or willing to take risks with the children or the horses. Just hiring the men had taken them almost two months. But she had a dozen ranch hands now, two of them from the old days, and the other ten all new. Her favorite among them was a broad-shouldered, handsome, redheaded, green-eyed young'un, as Josh called him, named Jeff. He was shy and closed up about his own life, but he was always willing to talk for hours about what they were going to do with the ranch. His references told her that at twenty-four he had been working on ranches since he was sixteen, and in eight years he had been on five ranches in three states. When she asked him why, he said only that he used to travel a lot with his father, but now he was on his own, and when she called the last two ranches he had worked at, they told her to do anything she had to to hang on to him, and if he didn't stay with her, send him back to them. So Jeff Pickett became assistant foreman, and Josh was pleased with his new team.

The only problem Sam had had for a while had been the money she needed, but it was amazing what could happen if you really wanted something badly enough, and she did. Caroline had left her a small sum of money, which had been absorbed by the alterations on the ranch within the first few weeks. After that the sale of the cattle had been a big help, and then Josh had come up with an idea to help her. They weren't going to need a lot of the fancier pieces of ranch equipment anymore, tools and tractors and trucks to transport the cattle, so she sold those and that paid for six new cottages and the swimming pool. After that she began to look into grants and discovered a wealth of untapped resources she hadn't considered, and once she'd gotten three of those, she applied for a loan at the bank.

Only a month before, Harvey had called her from Palm Springs, where he and Maggie were on vacation while he played golf in a tournament with some old friends, and he had asked if they could come to see her, and when they had, he had insisted that he wanted to invest fifty thousand dollars in her ranch. It was just over the final amount that she needed, and it was a godsend for her, as she told him when he wrote the check. And now she was going to be all right until they opened, and hopefully after that, within a year or two they'd be in the black and totally self-supporting. She didn't want to get rich on what she was doing. She just wanted to make enough money to be comfortable and support the ranch.

The opening date, as she now told Charlie, was June 7, and in a few days the rest of the physical therapists would be arriving, along with some new horses. The Jacuzzis were all installed, the pool looked terrific, the cabins were cozy, and she already had reservations for thirty-six kids over the next two months.

When can I come?

I don't know, love, anytime you want. Or maybe, just give me a chance to catch my breath after we get started. I think I'm going to have my hands full for a while.