Page 23 of Sweet Deal
“We won!” she shouted above the noise, her face inches from his.
Time seemed to slow. Her eyes, bright with victory and something else—something warmer—held his. For a heartbeat, maybe two, the celebrating crowd around them faded to background noise.
“That we did, Mrs. Henderson.”
Her eyes widened, she slid back down, her hands moving to rest against his chest.
“Just trying it on for size,” he reassured before taking a step back. The last thing he wanted to do was set her ill at ease again.
A twinkle reached her eyes, and a smile settled in place. “That we did, Mr. Henderson. That we did.”
Chapter Ten
Finished with her morning chores, Rachel stretched her tired muscles. The rhythm of ranch life was a familiar comfort despite the underlying uncertainty churning within her. Thoughts of soon marrying Jim Henderson sporadically sent flutters of panic tempered with something else she didn’t quite understand straight through her. From the top of her head to the tip of her toes, every nerve ending was on high alert.
What she needed to cut the edge was a good warm cup of coffee. She rounded the corner of the barn, heading toward the house, when the rumble of a large engine caught her attention. A sizable truck made its way up the long drive, kicking up dust in its wake.
“What in the world?” she murmured, changing course to intercept the unexpected visitor. As she approached the front of the house, she spotted her mother standing on the porch, practically bouncing on her toes. Alice Sweet was many things, but a bouncer wasn’t usually one of them.
One by one, her brothers and their wives appeared. Garret and Preston coming around from the other side of the house, Carson and her sisters-in-law from inside. By the time the driver had hopped out of the cab of the truck, everyone home had gathered round, her mother’s eyes alight with mischief.
“Were you expecting a delivery?” Carson addressed his mother, his gaze on the driver circling the truck.
“I am.”
The driver approached the group, clipboard in hand, and scanned left to right. “Do you want this in the house?”
“No.” Their mom shook her head, her gaze darting off into the distance just as Clint drove up the old dirt road that led past the barns to the rest of Sweet family land.
“Sorry I’m late.” Clint nodded at their mother.
“No problem.” She smiled then turned to the driver. “Let’s get a look at what’s inside then Clint here will take you to where we’ll unload.”
The driver hit a lever, and the rear rose up and the tail gate lowered. Handing her the clipboard, he said, “You’ll see it’s all here.”
Taking minced steps, Jackie approached the truck. “Is that…?” Her hands flew to her mouth. “That’s my great-grandmother’s bedroom set.”
Their mom’s head nodded so quickly, Rachel was surprised it didn’t snap off. “Your grandmother mentioned at the wedding that she had several pieces she thought you’d enjoy. To remind you of home. Of happy days.”
Jackie nodded. “I used to sit at the vanity and play famous actress. Grams said it suited me.”
Already back in his truck, his arm out the window, Clint motioned for the driver to follow.
“Where’s he going?” Preston asked.
“There’s no room for the furniture here,” the family matriarch said with a smile. “Hop into the Suburban and I’ll show you.”
The siblings looked from one to the other, no one moving.
“All of you,” their mom called from the driver’s side. “And get the lead out.”
Suddenly scrambling like ants after their mound had been kicked over, everyone climbed into the vehicle. Rachel almost didn’t get the door closed behind her before her mom hit the gas.
At her side, Sarah leaned over and softly whispered, “Do you know what’s going on?”
Rachel shook her head. It wasn’t like her mom to be so secretive, but then again, nothing around the Sweet ranch was like it used to be.
The short drive took them about a mile from the main house. Clint and the delivery truck were stopped ahead past a low rising crop of mesquite trees. As their mom drove around the truck, a small blue cottage with white trim came into view.
