Page 27 of Home to the Cowboy's Arms

“Medical usage. Partnering perhaps with the medical outlets a few days a week…a few hours a day. And any expenses for such would be under the realm of the Lockwood Foundation. We’d begin with that. If and when we felt it right, we would then consider—and note I saidconsider—about the public having limited access. But that would be in the future. So I’m willing to talk to the medical team at the hospital and get some more information before I give the committee my answer. Fair enough?”

She wanted to shout to the rafters with relief but she knew that might be a little much for this man beside her. A hug? Best keep it professional…for all concerned. She nodded, not quite trusting her voice at the moment.

“Note that this moment is probably the one and only time you remain speechless.” He was teasing her, but in a surprisingly gentle way.

“Enjoy it while you can.” She came back to herself. “It won’t last long or repeat itself.”

He threw back his head and laughed and it sounded like an incredibly pleasing sound to her ears. She couldn’t help but grin at his reaction. “That’s the Tori I know.” He stood and she joined him. “The rain has let up to a light mist so we best get you to your car while we can. I would offer you dinner but I have another meeting for this evening. We’ll do a rain check. To seal the agreement after I’ve spoken to a couple of my advisors and such. Shake?” His hand was waiting.

Tori’s was slower to make contact. When she did, his hand engulfed hers and there was that warmth from previous contacts. It could become addictive if one wasn’t careful. It was capable and safe and too short. Tori had always been the careful one. Neither seemed inclined to make it brief.

“Thank you,” she spoke into the growing silence. “This will mean so much to so many people needing help. And I can’t help thinking how pleased your grandfather would be right now…or how proud.”

They weren’t shaking hands any longer. But their hands stayed joined. “I believe he just might be all of that. And it means a lot to you also, judging by the moisture in your eyes. I take it that it has made you happy also. But not for political reasons.”

“You think you’ve gotten to know me so well?”

“I think you are a lady who lets few people inside that part of you where a human heart beats. You’ve had to be guarded for a long time, I’m guessing because you don’t share much personally. But your heart—at least part of it—is set on making life better for those here in Destiny’s River. Just like I imagine you did for years for your siblings. It wasn’t chance you came here all those years ago. And it’s much more that keeps you here. I look forward to gaining more insight into that heart of yours.”

“Best be careful,” she said without thinking. “That pretty lady you had lunch with earlier this week might have something to say about that.” And she could have bitten her tongue. Where did those words come from?

His gaze narrowed and he finally released her hand. He didn’t respond for a few moments. “True. She just might. And you reminded me that I’m going to be late for my meeting with her if I don’t say goodbye now.” He held his hand out but it was for the blanket and not her hand. They walked in silence to her car and he did not say goodbye but walked back to his house. Tori pulled away and kept from looking back in the mirror. She was kicking herself for saying what she did. She sounded like some childish, jealous female. Petty. After he had just agreed to what she wanted for so long. What must he think of her now?

*

Cade Lockwood wasa man lost in his thoughts after he reached his bedroom. He had stood on the other side of his front door until he could hear the sound of her vehicle no longer as she departed the ranch. He was trying to determine what had happened in the couple of hours since she had arrived.

He sent a quick text to his dinner partner that he was running a bit late. Then he began changing his clothing after a quick shower. He had hoped the hot water would ease the tension in his body, but it hadn’t. It was a feeling that had taken over his being the moment he kissed Tori Parker beside the pools. Just like his grandfather had kissed the love of his life. And he had wanted to shout to the man up above that he finally understood what he had meant. But he wasn’t too clear on all of it himself, so he needed to slow it down. He had learned to be cautious. That all that glittered wasn’t necessarily gold. He had been lied to before. He had been guilty of trying to put all women into the same category. And none had emerged to prove him wrong. Until there was Victoria Parker.

She challenged his preconceived notions. She met him head-on, toe to toe. Tori wasn’t one to back down if she believed in the cause. He was beginning to see that could be due to the fact she, as the oldest, had to shoulder a lot of responsibility for the well-being of her siblings growing up. And she transferred that caring to those around her, many not even related to her. But they belonged to her adopted family of Destiny’s River, and so they mattered. She championed their cause without hesitation.

There was one thing he could be sure of and that was the fact that Tori had been aware of his lunch with Selena, and it had brought a reaction from her. Why else would she have remarked upon it? Almost like she was jealous and wanted to let him know what she thought. But then she acted like she wanted to take back any and all of what she had said. As he thought over their conversation of the last couple of hours, and the kiss…and then the way they stood in the barn holding hands basically…well it made a slow smile move into place. There was something between them—he was certain of it. But what? He wasn’t placing a label on it. Not yet.

As he retraced his steps down the stairs, and picked up his hat, fitting it on his head, his gaze caught that of his grandfather from the portrait on the wall. Was that the reason he had that hint of a secret smile on his face all this time? Did he have some way of looking into the future and seeing that his stubborn grandson would learn the secret one day as he had? He moved closer to look at the portrait of the man who had basically raised him. What he wouldn’t give to have a conversation with him right in that moment.

“Victoria Parker, Granddad,” he spoke to no one but the vision on the wall. “Did you know she’d show up one day and the springs would bring her? Just like they caught the heart of your lady long ago? She’s one tough woman. She isn’t used to letting people get too close and she likes to take care of herself without help from anyone else. Sound familiar? Do you know how this will end? You probably do…probably have a hand in it as usual. Well, I would appreciate it if you’d put in a good word for me with her if you can. I’m standing on quicksand here for the first time. But I do know that I don’t want to be the next Lockwood who misses out on the love of their life. So there…I said it. Between you and me. I need you in my corner, Granddad. Because I have no idea what I’m doing next.”

Cade paused in the doorway and looked back at the portrait. He could almost swear there was a hint of a wink. But that would be impossible. He closed the door behind him and whistled a tune as he made his way down the steps. It was one he heard the man in the portrait whistle many times. Cade knew why now.

Chapter Twelve

“Cade did call,and we spoke this morning.” Maggie imparted the information to Tori as they walked up the sidewalk toward the courthouse. The morning had come in with a light frost, and people had left sweaters behind in favor of jackets. Winter in Texas kept one moving between closets each day. The calendar spoke of late winter moving toward spring, but she felt winter was reserving a secret still to come. “You did it, girlfriend. You finally got Cade Lockwood to listen to you. And this town will be the better off for it.”

“It was an effort by a lot of people, not just me. And I will be happy when all has been said and done and the springs are working for those who need their healing.”

“But you are the one that took on that stubborn cowboy. To use a metaphor here…this time it was you who stayed the course for eight seconds and brought home the gold buckle. He and the doctors are already going over what is needed to bring the pools in question into compliance. And to make them user-friendly to the patients. He isn’t letting the grass grow under his feet.”

“Well, that’s good. Keep me in the loop on what is going on.” They had reached the top step and stood at the door.

“You haven’t been talking with him?”

“Afraid I’ve been a bit busy with other things. There is always something else that needs attention on the list. And with that masquerade ball coming up that Leslie got passed by the council, I’m burning some late-night oil.”

“Stop it. You’re young and you need to be remembering that.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” They had reached the door into her office suite and stepped inside.

“It means that you’re still young and beautiful and single. So get out there and find Mr. Right and cozy up to something besides traffic charts and sewer surveys.”

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