Page 32 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride
“We can talk more about it when I pick up Jillie,” Matt said.
“And I do have to run right now.I have to finish the pastry order over at the café for Tillie.”
“Have a good day and see you later,” Ally said.“Please give Tori my best and tell her I can’t wait to see her tomorrow,” she told Cade, who had watched the interchange between her and Matt with interest.
Ally left the hospital and began her day.Her thoughts stayed with Matt and Jillie and their happiness in welcoming a new member of their family.That’s what families did.They were blessed to have that.And Cade and Tori—now parents—had a little one to watch grow up and the circle would grow and continue.A circle she envied.Maybe someday?Someday she might be part of such a circle.She had often dreamed of such a family circle…through foster homes and even finding a home with Annie.But each time, the dream always ended.So,dream on.She thanked her brain for reminding her.
Chapter Fifteen
“The play isin just four days,” Jillie stressed.“Some people don’t know their lines—and what if I forget the words of the song?I could ruin it all.”
Matt glanced in the rearview mirror at his daughter.He shook his head.“I know that you’ll be great.And that is not just your dad talking,” he added before she could deliver her usual response when he said such things.“You know your lines because you have rehearsed them over and over.You know the stanza of the song you’re doing as a solo part, because you sing it enough around the house and at Ally’s, and you are prepared just like you have been for all the other plays and choir concerts you’ve done.”
“But something could still go wrong,” Jillie responded.
“And there is something you can remember about that.”Ally spoke up from the front passenger seat, half turning to speak with the worried child.“No one in the audience knows what the play is about.They don’t know what your lines are, and they don’t know the song.Even if anyone makes a mistake on that stage, no one in the audience will be any the wiser and they will enjoy whatever the performance is, because they know you and your classmates are doing your very best.So, if you and your classmates will continue to do that, plus try to enjoy it at the same time, your audience will do the same.”
Jillie shot her a smile.“That’s true.I never thought of it like that.”
Ally turned back to face front and caught Matt’s smile of thanks for what she had done for Jillie’s mood.She smiled back and the rest of the ride to the Lockwood Ranch was enjoyable.They passed through the gates and Ally became immersed in the fields where horses—many with foals at their sides—grazed.Tall trees followed a creek that ran a few yards from the roadway and then they climbed through the trees, and she could see surrounding hills that enclosed a field of green where a beautiful sprawling house sat in the middle.In the distance she could see barns down a side road.
“This is beautiful,” she said, as they parked in the circular driveway.“It is something out of one of those television shows about Texans and ranches.”
“But not nearly so dramatic, I hope.”Matt grinned as he opened the door for her and Jillie scrambled out of the back seat.He reached onto the floorboard and withdrew the bouquet of flowers they had brought for Tori.Ally held a wrapped package—she had managed to shop for and found a couple of cute little boy infant outfits that she thought Tori would like.
The front door opened, and Cade stood with a welcoming smile.“Come on in.Tori is in the living room with Joey, who had his dinner and is ready to receive his guests.”
For the next few minutes everyone made baby talk and smiled and laughed.Tori loved her flowers, and she fell in love with the little denim outfits that Ally had found.“Joseph will wear these when he goes to the play and the Fall Fest next Saturday.”
Cade shook his head.“If he goes—he might want to stay home a little longer.”
Tori gave a certain smile to her husband.“He will be just fine.The doctor said so.We will go to see Jillie’s play and make a quick circle through the festival and then head home.All depending of course on Joseph being in a good mood.”They all laughed.
“I hope you like the play, Aunt Tori.And the booths are really cool, and our pastry booth is the most awesome because Ally is the best baker ever and the whole town loves her cooking.”
“Really?Seems like I have heard that a time or two around town myself,” Tori responded.“My husband is particularly fond of your pecan fudge bars.”
“I do enjoy those,” Cade admitted with a grin.
“Speaking of food, Mrs.James is motioning for us.Let’s not keep her good food waiting.”
The dinner was wonderful.The conversation even better.Joey fell asleep in his mother’s arms and Cade took him from her and quietly moved toward the stairs.He glanced back and nodded to Ally to her surprise.“Would you like the fifty-cent tour of the house while I take him to the nursery?”
Ally wasn’t going to turn such an offer down.She wanted to see more of the beautiful home with its winding grand staircase lined with portraits of Lockwoods, she surmised, and overseen by a beautiful chandelier of polished wood and lanterns.The nursery was a child’s delight.Joey was going to enjoy it as he got older, but for the time being, his dad laid him gently inside the crib and then set the monitor so they could hear his slightest sound.They tiptoed out.Once in the hallway, Ally was free to look at the photos and Cade named a few of them.
They were almost to the bottom of the stairs when he hesitated in front of an oval portrait of a man in a cowboy hat and clothing.He was seated in a chair and his hands rested one on each knee.
“This is my grandfather.He raised me and my sister.She was attracted to the bright lights and I wasn’t, so I became his shadow and he taught me everything I know.”
Ally noted the resemblance in the men.And then she noted something that made her go cold down her back.She didn’t move or show surprise, but her gaze was riveted on his hand as it rested on his knee, his ring froze in her brain.It was like the one she wore, sometimes on a chain around her neck and sometimes on the middle finger of her right hand.But usually, it was on a chain as she was afraid of losing the one thing that made her feel close to Annie.Annie had never taken off the necklace as long as she had known her.And when she died, Mr.Jacobs had handed it to Ally with her love.How could it be just like the one she had?
Cade stood close and could feel him watching her.What was it all about?She pulled the ring up from beneath her sweater on the chain that secured it.Her gaze met his steady one.
“I noticed it that first night at dinner at the café.I was wondering if that has something to do with what really brought you here to our town.You seem shocked.”
“I don’t understand how they are so similar.”
“They aren’t similar.The one on his hand was given over to the woman he loved all his life.But lost.That woman was not my grandmother, the woman he married.How did you come across it, Ally Jones?”
