Authors: Paige Cameron
Graham had built his home toward the back of his land. It was smaller than Dirk’s. As Graham had said, it was all he needed. If he needed more, he’d add on. The comment was so like his brother. He’d been the loner from the day he was born. He had entertained himself with books, building projects, or riding his horse. He liked sports, and he was usually on the winning side. But it took a lot of encouragement from his brothers to get Graham to join them.
Rand knocked and waited. He heard Graham stirring and then saw him sauntering toward the front door.
“Well, to what do I owe this visit?” Graham grinned and unhooked the screen.
“I thought you might like to get out of here. I bought some property recently, and I’m going to check on the cabin I’m having built. Want to ride along?”
“Are you buying breakfast?”
“Is that the price of your company?”
“Yep, I don’t come cheap.”
Rand laughed. His face muscles felt stiff. He hadn’t smiled or laughed much since Marian had left.
“Sure. I guess I need to eat, too.”
“Let me grab my hat. We’re going to Millie’s place, aren’t we?”
“Best place in town. As you said, you don’t come cheap.” Rand heard Graham chuckling as he walked off. He’d often wondered what haunted Graham. Since he’d returned from his overseas travels, he’d become more of a recluse. He wouldn’t talk, not even if you asked him. Graham was a no-comment man unless he was ready.
Millie greeted them at the door. “My, my, two of my favorite cowboys done come to see me.”
“You say that to all the men,” Rand teased. Millie was short, with a round face surrounded by snow-white hair. Rand didn’t remember it any other color. She was a good cook and always cheerful. Her café did a good business, especially on the weekends.
She led them to a back booth and brought two cups of steaming black coffee. “I’ll be back for your order.”
Graham sipped his coffee. “What brought you in my direction?”
“Couldn’t I just be missing my brother?”
“Maybe. But your face looks haggard, and I’ve heard rumors your lady left town in a hurry.”
“Damn that gossip line.”
“Now I may have to hit you if you’re insinuating I’ve been listening to gossip. Mom’s worried about you.”
Millie came back before he could answer. She took their orders and hurried off.
“When have you seen Mom?”
“She visits every few days or I go by to see her.”
“I’m glad you bought the property next to the home place. One of us needed to be close to her. Not that any of us seem to stay gone. We’ve all, except Clay and Grace, come back,” Rand said and grinned.
“You surprised me the most,” Graham said. “And you broke off your engagement to a beautiful woman.”
“We weren’t suited.”
“It took you three years to see that? I could have told you after the first meeting.”
“What?”
“I’m a writer. I study people. Always have.”
Rand sat back. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Here you are, boys.” Millie sat hot, steaming plates full of sausages, eggs, grits, biscuits, and another smaller plate of pancakes in front of them. “If that don’t fill you up, you’d better see the doctor.” She walked away laughing at her own joke.
“She makes this place. When she’s gone it won’t be the same,” Rand said. He faced Graham across the table. “Tell me how you knew.”
“Eat. My food is hot. The way I like it.” Graham poured a layer of syrup on his pancakes and, ignoring Rand, started eating.
It didn’t take long to polish off the food and several cups of coffee. Graham took the bill.
“My treat,” he said. “You pulled me out of my dark hole and drove me here.”
“What dark hole?” Rand asked as they walked to the car.
“I’m stumped with my story. And I needed the company.” Graham opened the car door and got in.
When Rand got inside, he stared at Graham and glanced around them.
“What are you looking at?” Graham asked.
“I thought the world must be coming to an end for my brother to admit he needed company.”
“Very funny. Shut up and drive.”
More relaxed than he’d been in weeks, Rand headed out of town. “Mom had told me you’d bought some property,” Graham admitted.
“She did? Were you surprised?”
“Nope.”
Rand shook his head. He might as well enjoy the drive. Graham was back to his usual short, to-the-point answers.
They walked around Rand’s land and inspected the cabin. “It’s small, but it will suffice, for now.” He showed Graham where the bigger house would be built in the summer. “This cabin will be a great place for visitors.”
“You expecting a rush of people to visit?”
“Maybe, sometime in the future.”
“I like the cabin and the land. When are you getting married?”
“What? I’m not settling down yet.”
Or at least not until I talk with Marian. She haunts my dreams and my daylight hours.
“Word has it you aren’t dating at all.”
“Mom or the gossip line?”
Graham grinned. “The gossip line this time.” They both hooted with laughter.
Rand took a deep breath. “I needed that.”
“Glad to be of service. Take me home. I think I’m ready to write. And if I were a gambler, I’d bet you’ll be leaving town soon to see your lady.”
“But I haven’t known her very long,” Rand said, reminding himself again of the short time he’d known Marian.
“Damn, man. You were always so serious, checking everything. It’s good for a doctor but not necessarily for deciding your life. I’d bet it took you over a year of dating to propose the first time.”
“It did.”
Graham opened the car door. “Do what you want. I’m not your psychiatrist.” The old Graham had returned. Rand got in and started the car.
Back on the highway, he glanced at Graham. “You never talk about the job you had when the family all thought you were just exploring Europe.”
Graham jerked his head around and frowned at Rand. “How’d you know?”
“A good guess.”
“I leave the past in the past.”
“And that’s all you’re going to say.” Rand turned into the drive to Graham’s place. “Who’s the woman standing by that blue sedan?”
Graham didn’t answer at first. He was staring at the tall, willowy brunette dressed in a rose-colored suit.
“She’s part of the past.” When Rand stopped, Graham got out. “See you. Thanks for breakfast.”
Rand knew that was his cue to leave. In his rearview mirror, he saw the woman smile and step toward Graham.
Chapter Twelve
Marian had given her two-week notice at work. She took another week to pack up and move her and her stuff home to North Carolina.
Mom welcomed her with open arms. Her father kissed her cheek and said he’d missed her. Neither asked questions. Which was a relief. She didn’t think she could talk about Rand without crying.
She puttered around the house, helped her mother paint a bedroom, worked in the flower gardens, and visited all her siblings. Her nieces and nephews ran to her, grabbed her legs, and begged for games. It was good to be cuddled inside the loving arms of her family.
Rand hadn’t responded to her letter. If he even read it. She didn’t expect to hear from him. But deep inside, a tiny flame of hope refused to go out.
Her mom called out, “The phone’s for you, Marian. Mike has an offer.”
Puzzled, Marian picked up the extension. “Hi, Mike. What’s up?”
“My receptionist is sick. Can you fill in for the day or until she returns? I’d appreciate it.”
Marian hesitated. She knew her oldest brother had a soft spot in his heart for all his siblings, especially his two sisters. She suspected he was making a place for her. “You’re sure you didn’t just give her the day off?”
“No way.”
“I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” She’d dressed to go to the store for Mom, and the outfit she had on was fine for Mike’s office.
“You knew he was going to call,” she said to her mother.
“He mentioned wanting to find a job for you in someone’s office. You told him how much you’d enjoyed helping out while you were on vacation.”
“He says his receptionist is sick.”
“You know he wouldn’t lie about one of his staff. I’m sure the opportunity just opened up. Don’t be so suspicious. See how you like it. He may be a terrible taskmaster.”
“Mike? You’ve got to be kidding. He’s more softhearted than you, Sis, and me combined.”
“Go.” Her mom handed her car keys to Marian.
When Marian walked into the medical office, memories of Rand swamped her. Ignoring them, she stiffened her shoulders, smiled at the patients, and soon was immersed in the busy cardiology office.
* * * *
Seven weeks and counting, Marian thought as she left her brother’s office. Her temporary job had lasted longer than she’d expected.
The receptionist had to have emergency surgery but was expected back in another week. The job had helped keep her busy and her mind off of Rand. At least part of the day.
A cold wind flipped her coat apart at the bottom. Thanksgiving was next week, then Christmas, and then winter would have fully arrived.
She went in the back door of her parents’ house. She’d go freshen up before helping Mom with dinner.
“Marian, is that you? You have company.”
Marian’s heart lurched.
No, don’t get excited
. He wouldn’t come. She’d see him when Chelsea’s babies were born. But a tall man stepped through the doorway of the living room.
“Hello, Marian.” Rand’s husky voice poured warmth into her cold body.
“How did you get here?”
“I flew.” His lips curled up in that lopsided smile.
“Why?”
“To take you to dinner. Will you go? We have a lot to talk about.”
She swallowed and took a breath. “Do we? You just pop in here after two months and say we have to talk?”
“Seven weeks. I’ve been counting.”
Marian blinked her eyes. She would not cry. He’d been counting just like she had, or so he said. She tried to rouse her anger at him for leaving her all this time without a call or anything.
But that’s how I left him initially.
“I have to change clothes.”
“You look great to me. But I’ll wait.”
She practically ran to her room, shut the door, and leaned against it. Her legs were putty, and her heart pounded. He was here. Seven weeks and two days later, and they’d both been counting.
She looked through her closet and finally chose a pale-yellow, multidraped, long-sleeved dress that fit snug and short. Spiked cream-colored shoes completed the outfit. She’d wear her cream-colored coat to keep her warm. Not that she needed anything. Just looking into his blue eyes and seeing that smile had her blood running hot.