Page 44 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

“I have no idea why.”

“Think about it, Tori. Stop being mad and on your high horse long enough to consider that question. You aren’t easy, Tori. But I’m still here. Give my regrets to Maggie. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again.” He stood up and left her sitting there with a table full of food and no one to eat it. She didn’t know whether to throw something or scream. How dare he make it out to be her fault? And talk about her sharp tongue? Who rejected who? And she was running out of steam trying to stay angry. She was hurt. And she missed him. And he still looked too damn good and made her remember so many things she wanted to forget. She thought she was on her way to doing just that and then he had to come along and burst that bubble.

He missed her.Those words wouldn’t go away. They were on an endless loop in her brain. They needed to stop. He was miserable? And he had seen her having lunch with an unknown male and it had made him mad?Jealous.And that thought gave her pause. It was good that he could know how it felt. She had felt that before him…in much the same way as she watched him and that woman that day. Who had turned out to be his half-sister. It wasn’t pleasant he had said. That would be putting it mildly. Seeing him today and talking to him…it all came flooding back again and she felt miserable. They both had been hurting. But if he felt anything for anyone else…surely he wouldn’t be that miserable?

She should have held her temper. They should have had a sensible discussion. But they couldn’t. Because it was their hearts talking and not their brains. He said they would see each other again. Was that a warning? Or a promise? Why did she have a hope that it was the latter?

Tillie came over with a stack of to-go boxes. “Maggie said to give you these as she couldn’t make it back. So you just heat it all up and enjoy later.”

She smiled her thanks. And why did that surprise her? Maggie wasn’t coming back. She was beginning to think she might have been set up. Interesting scenario. Well, she would be prepared next time.

Chapter Seventeen

The next timeturned out to be the day that the springs were to be officially opened with a ribbon-cutting and a plaque-laying ceremony. It had been almost three weeks since the disaster at the café. Today there would be no ignoring. She would have to talk to him, pose for photos with him and generally make nice with him. She arrived with Maggie. And Matt was there and so was Jillie. Jillie had informed her that Cade had personally invited them. Well, she was glad. That meant she would have some supporters there and safety nets. The sooner it was all done the better.

“It’s perfect weather today. Bright cloudless blue sky as only can be so glorious in Texas,” Maggie proclaimed. “We are going to have your opening remarks, welcome et cetera. Then you will introduce me and I will introduce the hospital board and of course the Lockwood Foundation and Cade. Then you and he will step to the ribbon take the scissors…sort of like cutting a wedding cake.” She laughed but neither Tori nor Cade did so. He had been on his best behavior welcoming guests to his ranch home, seeing that they had drinks and were made comfortable.

She had chosen to wear one of her ‘power’ suits as Cassie had called it. Her brilliant blue blazer with black turtleneck sweater and black slacks. She had swept her hair back into a French braid. Cade was in a black western-cut suit looking every inch the wealthy rancher benefactor.

She was looking over her remarks once again in a quiet corner of the library. Cade found her there and shut the door behind him.

“You aren’t nervous are you?” he asked by way of a conversation starter. “No need to be. You’ve got this. All the people really care about is being able to see the springs and eat the dinner we’re providing. And all you really need to do is just smile and look beautiful, which you already do.”

“I like to be prepared. You can wing it all you like.”

“Well, after it is all said and done today, we need to find a moment to talk. And I already checked with Wallace. Your schedule is open the rest of the day.”

“It’s time,” she said. “We don’t want to keep people waiting.”

He held the door open for her.

There was quite a crowd that had gathered for the ribbon cutting. And the press was there to record it all. Maggie nodded and Tori began the ceremony with a welcome to all and then a brief history of how the project came to be…a concerted effort by a small group of people wanting to help those who could benefit from the thermal pools in their therapy. Then she introduced Maggie who took it from there. When Cade went before the microphones he began very simply. “We are here today because of the vision of one person whose tenacious spirit and unflagging energy managed to prevail when others failed, one person who never gave up. We all owe a great deal of thanks to Mayor Victoria Parker for bringing us all here today.” The applause was spontaneous and totally unexpected. She had no idea Cade was going to say such a thing. Moisture threatened and thankfully Maggie went on with introductions and gave her time to compose herself.

“Now, it’s time to ask Mr. Lockwood and Mayor Parker to cut the ribbon to open the springs officially.” Tori and Cade moved forward, the scissors were handed over and they both grasped the handles of the oversized implement. He looked at her and she at him and it would turn out to be a photo to embody that day. “This is because of you, Tori,” he whispered. “Thanks for making me change my mind.” Then they cut the ribbon and it fluttered to the ground to more applause.

People lined up to have a tour up to where the pools were ready to receive patients. Tori stepped back. She preferred to see the changes to the place after others had seen and left the area. She found Matt and Jillie and they moved to the large tent that had been set up with tables and food. She really couldn’t eat very much as people kept stopping by their table to shake her hand and congratulate her on the hard work.

In a lull, she managed a sip of tea. Matt leaned closer and whispered some words. “You realize that the talk is that you are already to be elected mayor next summer again. The people like your style of getting things done, sis. Way to go.”

That should have made her happy to know but it was hard to summon such a feeling. She was dreading what Cade wanted to talk about. As though her thoughts conjured him, he appeared moving in her direction. But he wasn’t alone. The woman she had seen with him at the café, the one who parted from him with an embrace—the one he said was his family member—was walking straight for her. She stood. She thought better on her feet. Suddenly, she wished Matt and Jillie and Maggie and the others weren’t at the table. But it was too late. Cade and the woman stopped beside her.

It wasn’t Cade who spoke first.

“I’ve been wanting to meet you, Mayor Parker. I am a big fan of yours. I’m Selena Lockwood.”

“How do you do?” Was that her pathetic-sounding voice? Tori wanted the floor to open and suck her to the other side of the world.

“Selena is indeed a fan of yours, Tori. She is also part of our legal team for the Lockwood Foundation. She lives not far from Austin, which is why most of you have never met her. But I felt she needed to be here today. And to meet Tori.” Cade’s gaze never left Tori’s. “And if you would all keep her company, Tori and I have a meeting. We will rejoin you afterwards.”

Cade’s hand on her back guided her through the guests and then outside where she was able to take in some fresh air at last. His hand fell to her hand, and she didn’t have the energy to disagree.

“Where are we going?”

“You need to see the changes we made. You haven’t approved them.”

“It’s a little late for that isn’t it?”

“If you don’t approve, we will change it. That simple.”

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