Authors: Lorraine Nelson
Cameron's Quest (9 page)
Rena shrugged her shoulders and stared out the
patio doors. “Just being in a strange place maybe. I don’t know what’s expected
of me here.”
Lacey smiled, even though Rena couldn’t see it. “That’s
easy. Be yourself. Your father loves you just the way you are.”
Rena shifted to gaze at her, and Lacey saw worry
in her daughter’s sea green eyes.
“But what if his family and friends don’t? I
mean, we’re from a different country. What if we say or do something wrong and
it offends people?”
“Then to hell with them,” boomed
have three of the most gracious and beautiful daughters a man could have. How
could they not love you as I do?”
As he talked, he walked toward Rena and now
pulled her to her feet. “No more nonsense. Ya hear?”
“Yes, Daddy,” she said, smiling as he gave her a
big bear hug.
“Feel better?” he asked.
“Yes, I do, and I’m so glad to be here. Let me
go and I’ll snag you a coffee before the other girls come down.”
“A good morning and good coffee go together,”
Lacey said.
“Did you sleep well, my dear?”
“Yes,
certainly did. I’ve never had so much room to move around and stretch out. You’ve
spoiled me for smaller beds.”
He wiggled an eyebrow in lascivious fashion. “Ah,
so my plan is working.”
Lacey giggled. “I’m not sure what your plan is,
but I did sleep comfortably.”
He lowered his voice, the husky tone heard only by
Lacey. “I was hoping you’d find it too big for one and want to share.”
She felt the heat of a blush rush into her
cheeks, and she laughed. “Not a chance! I’m enjoying the space.”
He smiled and all was right in her world.
“Darn, struck out again.” Rena set his coffee in
front of him, and he nodded his thanks.
“So what’s on the agenda for today?” Rena asked.
“The family is coming over en masse to meet my
ladies,”
until after lunch, but if I know my brother, he’ll show up sooner. They’re all
looking forward to meeting my fair Irish lassies.”
“That makes us sound like Irish setters,” said
Lacey with a smile.
but never fear, they’ll definitely know the difference.”
“Should I go wake the others?” asked Rena,
barely containing her grin.
“Nah, let ’em sleep. The day’s still young yet,”
he answered.
“Well, I’m hungry, and if I know my girls, they
will be starving. Do you mind if I start breakfast?” Lacey asked.
“Not at all, but I didn’t expect you to come
here and wait on yourselves. I’ll help.”
“You sit and relax. I’ll help, Mama,” offered
Rena.
“Okay by me. If I remember correctly, you’re all
excellent cooks. I’ll probably gain weight like crazy.”
“Don’t you have morning chores to do or
something?” asked Lacey as she stood. “This is a ranch.”
“Yes, it is, but I’ve taken a few days off to
spend with my family and show you around. Not to worry, they’ll get done
without me.”
He smiled at her and Lacey’s knees turned to
jelly where she stood. The man still had an overwhelming effect on her. This
could prove to be the most exciting vacation she’d had in years.
Well, in over twenty years anyway.
She
smiled back and joined Rena at the counter.
French toast and sausage were the order of the
day, and they had a plate piled high when Abby and Lynne graced them with their
presences. Lacey had brewed a fresh pot of coffee when she heard them stirring,
and they made a beeline for it before sitting down to eat.
Abby’s cheerful “Good morning” earned a grunt
from Lynne.
“What’s the matter, darlin’? Didn’t you sleep
well?”
expression.
“Not with Rena thrashing around above me all
night.” She speared her sister with a glare. “Tonight I’ll take the top bunk.”
“No problem. Maybe the ceiling will absorb your
raucous snores,” Rena retorted.
“Girls, that’s enough,” admonished Lacey as
“You didn’t sleep well, sweetheart?” he asked
her.
Rena shrugged. “Nightmares from being in a
strange place, I think.”
when I traveled, so I know what you’re talking about. Hope they don’t plague
you constantly.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Rena assured him.
Breakfast over, she stood and stacked the
plates.
“You cooked. Abby and I will clean up,” said
Lynne.
“Gee, sis. Thanks for volunteering my services,”
Abby commented dryly as she pushed away from the table.
“Anytime.” Lynne grinned and crossed to the sink
to rinse the dishes.
“Maybe I wanted another coffee,” she said as she
followed with the empty mugs and silverware.
“You already had two. Don’t you want to explore?”
asked Lynne.
“Explore?” Abby was the picture of excitement.
“Yeah. Dad, are you going to show us the ranch
today?”
“Sure thing. We’ll go in my truck. I’ll send
Cal, our foreman, ahead of us to clear any drifts. Even with a four-wheel
drive, a person can get stranded out there on the range.” He rubbed his chin,
seemingly deep in thought. “Unless you know how to drive a snowmobile.”
“No way! You’ve got sleds here?” asked Lynne.
“Yes,”
“No, but I’ve seen them on TV. I think they’re
awesome. How difficult can it be?”
“Not too difficult. If you’re game, we’ll take
the snowmobiles. The ranch owns six of them, and they’re kept in good repair.”
“Awesome! When do we leave?”
A hard knock at the front entrance preceded his
brother’s yell. “
those gals of your’n?”
“We’re in the kitchen,”
Lucas Senior marched into the kitchen with his
wife, Winnie, and her son, Michael, not far behind. Before
“Ladies, you’ve stolen my heart. I’m your man.
Anything you want, come to me.” Michael stood with one hand over his heart and
an endearing smile on his face.
All three girls giggled at Michael’s antics as
Lucas gave each woman his customary bear hug,
swinging them off their feet and filling the kitchen with laughter.
Winnie placed a covered casserole dish on the
counter. Her greeting was more sedate as she gave each woman a gentle hug and the
warmest of welcomes.
Michael went forward to give all four ladies a
hug and a kiss on the cheek. “Welcome to Thunder Creek. Thank you for gracing
us with your beauty.”
“You’re not so bad yourself, cowboy,” Rena said
in a flirtatious manner.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, my son is a born
flirt,” said Winnie.
“So is Rena,” Lacey said. She nodded toward her
youngest, already in earnest conversation with Michael.
“Shall we adjourn to the living room where it’s
a little less crowded?”
“What? No offer of coffee for a thirsty man?”
asked Lucas.
Winnie gave him a look that said it all. “You’ve
already had your quota for the morning, and if it’s sweet treats you’re after,
forget it.” She turned to face Lacey. “He’s on a strict diet for his heart, but
it’s difficult to keep him in check sometimes.”
“Darned tootin’. I’m not a gall-darned rabbit. A
man needs real food.”
“Come on, dear. Let’s hop along behind the
others and find a nice, comfy seat in the living room.”
“Funny, Winnie. Real funny. Hardy-har-har.”
Lucas glanced longingly toward the coffee pot, but Winnie took his arm and steered
him out of the kitchen.
“I’ll have a cup of coffee, if you don’t mind,
“Help yourself, but better drink it in here or
that brother of mine will be livid. Ladies?”
“I’ll stay and keep Michael company,” said Rena,
earning a raised eyebrow from her mother.
“I reckon he’s harmless enough,” said
his and guided her down the hall with Abby and Lynne following.
Lucas had a million questions about the girls,
trip, and anything else he could think of. When he wound down, talk turned
toward the other members of the family. Eventually, the subject of Winnie’s
oldest son came up.
“
sentencing is next week. You comin’ with us?” Lucas asked.
this way to sit in a stuffy courtroom. Sorry, Winnie. My thoughts will be with
you and all you’re going through, but I’ll be playing tour guide.”
“That’s all right,
I understand. Wish I had good reason not to be there,” Winnie said, her
features downcast.
oldest son, Roy, was responsible for some trouble within the family last year.
He’s been tried and convicted on several charges, including murder.”
“Oh, how awful for you, Winnie.”
“Thank you, dear, but it’s his turn to pay the
piper. He got hooked up with a nasty crew and did some unthinkable things. His
stalking and kidnapping of Zakia, Luke’s wife, is what started it all.”
“
want to attend the proceedings, the girls and I can entertain ourselves,” Lacey
offered.
“Nope, I don’t intend to miss one minute of your
company,” he said, smiling at her and the girls as Rena and Michael joined
them.
“Speakin’ of company, I just heard a vehicle
pull in. Sounded like
truck,” Lucas said.
Cal and Leah stood outside, and Zakia’s sporty little Sunfire was just coming
around the turn in the driveway. He waited until everyone was inside and
divested of coats and boots before making introductions.
Luke and Zakia’s twins were suitably impressed.
“Wow! There are three of you,” said Cammy.
“Almost four,” Casey noted.
Lacey laughed. “The girls do look a lot like me,
but I suppose that’s better than looking like your Uncle Cam.”
“Way better,” Michael agreed with a wink
directed at the boys.
“We brought food to help feed this crew for
lunch. Where do you want it?” asked Zakia.
“I’ll take it to the kitchen. You and Leah sit
and take a load off,” said
dish and as Luke still held the other, they carried them out to the kitchen.
“There’s more in the car,” Luke said.
anything halfway.”
“Nope, she never does. I set the tray of sweets
in the trunk so the boys wouldn’t topple or get into them. I’ll go get it now.”
“Need a hand?”
“Yeah, I could use one. She made dinner rolls to
go with lunch too.”
“God, I love that woman, but I’d hate to see
your grocery bill. She supplies me with enough goodies as it is.”
Luke smiled. “I try to get her to take it easy,
but she likes to keep busy.”
They delivered the rest of the goodies to the
kitchen and rejoined the family. As usual, the twins had obtained center stage.
The boys sat on the floor in front of the triplets, their faces aglow with animation
as they listened to the answers to their questions. Had they ever changed
places to fool people? What kind of trouble did they get into because of it? What
was school like for them?
Cheeky little
buggers!
girls as he could possibly get, perched on the arm of the sofa next to Rena. He
might just have to keep an eye on that boy, but for now, he’d allow them to become
acquainted. A young man’s attention would certainly help his daughters feel better
about fitting in here. And if they decided to stay, he hoped Lacey would too.
