No Direction Home (Sweet Home Colorado) (12 page)

The ringing of a telephone pulled Grace from a deep sleep. Glancing around the room, she saw Cindy sleeping next to her with her mussed up hair sticking out of the bed covers. Jenna was snuggled in a sleeping bag on the window seat. Clothes were scattered everywhere as if her closet had exploded. The ringing sound pounded inside her head. Brushing the sleep from her eyes, she climbed out of bed, searching for the phone. Where could it be? Lord, she hoped it wasn’t Lee calling back. She couldn’t take any more of him. Throwing clothes out of the way, she found it under the infamous black dress. “Hello.”

“Good morning, Grace.
”

Seth, it was Seth
. She had been dreaming about him. She held the phone away from her ear and shook her head. Was she still dreaming? What on earth had made her kiss him the other night? Grace thought grimly as she held the phone. Sure, she’d been grateful for him listening to her story. But wouldn’t a simple thank-you have been a bit more appropriate? He probably thought she was desperate, not the impression she wanted to make. Sure for a moment it had been pure heaven but…

Grace looked at the phone for a moment, confused
. She’d been a little startled when Seth had kissed her. But after that first instant, she’d tightened her arms around him, prepared to give back as good as she got. Thank goodness Nana had called before she made a complete fool of herself.

She blinked her eyes, trying to clear her mind
. It was full of cobwebs from the wine she had consumed the night before and what she had been dreaming.     “Seth, it’s good to hear from you. How are you doing? How’s your grandfather?”  She licked her lips. Her mouth tasted like she’d swallowed a box of cotton balls. What must he think of her? She was afraid to admit to the feeling, much less say it out loud, but there was no more denying it. Physical contact with Seth had sent her emotions tumbling into areas she didn’t want to explore.

“I’m fine, but he’s not doing too well.
”  He must have heard the grogginess in her voice, for he asked, “Did I wake you?”

“Yes, but
it’s okay.”  She yawned and chose her words carefully. Have to keep this phone call casual. “Cindy and Jenna spent the night and we stayed up late.”  She didn’t need to tell him they’d been drunk on their butts and acted like teenagers trying on clothes and making pacts. It had been a long time since she had friends she could get crazy with. She looked toward the top of Cindy’s head and smiled.

“A sleep-over,
” Seth questioned.

She imagined he was smiling at the thought of three grown women having a sleep over
. “Well, Jamie and Nana went to a movie in town and got snowed in at Ida's place. Cindy and Jenna were stuck here. We had a good time just getting reacquainted.”

“I’m sure you did
. Wish I could’ve been there. How much snow did you get?”  A tremor of worry resonated in his voice.

“We really didn’t get that much
. The main reason everybody was stranded was because a truck jackknifed on Wilson Hill and it took hours to clear the road.”  She leaned over and peered out the window. “Travis is plowing the driveway. It looks like about six or eight inches.” 

A sigh of relief escaped from Seth, echoing across the phone wires as Grace pulled her robe on and sat on the edge of the bed
. “That’s good. Shouldn’t cause any problems for the cattle,” he muttered.

“Everything’s fine here
. Jamie misses you, but we're keeping her busy. She’s doing well. They should be home right after church.”

“Tell her I’ll call tonight and thanks for everything.
”

Her heart beat an unsteady rhythm while she listened to his sexy voice
. “Anytime, Seth. Helping out with Jamie is my pleasure.”

“I’d like to take you out to dinner when I get back to town.
”

“Seth Taylor,
” Grace said, trying to keep her tone light. “Are you asking me on a date?”

“A date
? Well, let’s see.”  Seth hesitated for a second. “Dinner, you and me, it’s my treat. Sure, let’s call it a date. You can tell me more about your flower garden.”

Grace took a deep breath trying to get her thoughts together
. She had to be strong. “Seth, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“You have to eat.
”

“Yes, I mean dinner’s a great idea, it’s just
the you and me part of it that bothers me.”  She realized how bitchy that sounded and sighed.

“Is it really that scary to go out with me?
”

“To be honest, yeah, it is,
” Grace said.

“Can I ask why?
”

“Let’s just say I don’t have the best track record when it comes to relationships
. I’m sorry if I gave you the wrong impression the other night. The bottom line is that I’m just not ready for dating.”

“So you’ve given up on all men?
” Seth asked.

“Yeah, there are so many reasons to why I shouldn’t be dating anyone.
”

“He must’ve been some kind of jerk to break your heart like that.
”

Grace gave a small humorless laugh
. “You might say that. How’d you know?”

“When you own heart’s been broken, it’s pretty easy to spot another one
. And listen, about dinner, it’s not a big deal. I just wanted to thank you for helping with Jamie.” 

From out of nowhere, Grace suddenly felt small and petty
. As humiliating and devastating as it was at the time, her experience with Lee was nothing compared with the very real loss suffered by Seth. He had been disowned by his family, put in prison and finally stood alone as a widower with a child. “Sure, Seth, it’s no big deal.”

“But now, I have to go see my grandfather.
”  She could feel the anguish in his voice. “Tell Jamie I’ll talk with her tonight. Have a good day with your friends.”

“Okay, Seth, take care of
yourself.”  He wanted to take her out to dinner. The butterflies in her stomach did a happy dance. She couldn’t go. She was a coward, but maybe another time once she got her act together. Was she setting herself up for a fall? Could he possibly like her after knowing her problems? Or could he be using her just to get to the ranch. So many questions and too few answers.

***

Seth thought of the luscious blond in bed at the other end of the line. He could picture her soft pouting lips and long hair tousled from sleep spread across the pillow. The woman did something to him he hadn’t experienced in a long time. He realized he was gripping the phone tightly enough to turn his knuckles white. With a conscious effort, he loosened his hold and hung up banishing Grace from his mind. No luck, he could still picture her like a photograph in his mind and Seth had a feeling it was going to stay there for a long time.

Concentrate, Seth, she’s out of your league
. She turned you down. He’d stalled long enough. Turning away from the phone, he mustered his courage and walked toward the intensive care waiting room. His parents were waiting to see him, just around the corner. He took a deep breath and stood tall, getting ready for what was to come.

“Let me look at you.
”  His mother held him at arm’s length with tears shining in her blue eyes. “You look good.”

“Son, I’m glad you made it.
”  Extending his hand, his father came across the small waiting room.

“Thanks.
”  During the flight delay because of the snowstorm in the Rockies and another layover in Albuquerque, New Mexico because of engine problems it had taken him a day longer than anticipated to get to his family. All the time, he’d been thinking of what he’d say to them. It was no good. He still held a grudge at the way his so called family had treated him. Surprisingly, all that anguish went out the window when he saw them. They were his family and after all this time he still loved them. His father’s handshake was stronger than he remembered as he shook his hand and let himself be pulled into a bear hug. Although, he was a grown man, having his father's arms around him warmed his heart.

“Where’s Jamie?
”  His mom stood next to him, looking from his father to Seth.

Seth tensed
. He wasn’t quite ready to share his daughter with them until he knew where things stood. “She’s back at the Cactus Rose Ranch with friends. I didn’t think this would be a good time for her to see you all.”

“But, she’s my only grandchild
. I wanted to see her.”  His mother wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “This strain between us has gone on long enough.” 

His father stepped forward
. “Mom’s right. We let things get out of hand in the past and we’re sorry.”  He gripped Seth’s hand. “We love both of you and now that we’ve found you we want you to be a part of this family.”  He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Where had all this love been when he needed them to help keep him out of prison?
On Grandpa’s side.

His mother pushed a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear and stepped forward
. “I wish you would’ve brought her. I have a bedroom set up for her.”

The muscles tightened in Seth’s chest
. They had wanted him to bring Jamie. Why should he? Pushing his negative thoughts to the back of his mind, he put an arm around his mother. For his daughter’s sake, he had to let it go. The family fight had gone on long enough. “Maybe next time she can come with me.”  He squeezed her shoulder and let go. “How’s Grandpa?”

“Not well
. He has pneumonia and they don’t expect him to make it through the night.”  His father shook his head. “He’s been asking for you. I think he’s been holding on just to see you.” 

“I doubt that.
”  He glanced toward his mom. “Mom, I’m here for you. I don’t want to see him. I wouldn’t know what to say.”

Memories of past summer vacations spent with his grandfather on the Gulf fishing when he was a kid flashed through his mind
. He had been so filled with hate and anger with him he hadn’t taken time to think about the good times they’d had together before the falling out. A pain constricted his chest as he paced around the room.

His mother took his hand in hers
. “You have to try to remember the things you did together in the old days. Remember when he’d come to your football games when you were in high school and college?” 

His mother squeezed his hand
. “You don’t understand. He’s wanted to see you, to make amends with you for a long time. Before he got sick he was planning on coming to Colorado to track you down when you wouldn’t answer his letters.”  Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes. “You being here will mean the world to him. Please, just let him talk. He wants to make peace with you.” 

Why should I
? Peace...something that had been impossible when I really needed my family's support
. He sighed not wanting to cause his mother any more pain. “Okay, I’ll do it for you.”  She hugged him close and whispered in his ear. “Thanks, son.”

A few minutes later he walked into the intensive care room expecting the worst
. The man lying in the hospital bed with tubes coming out of him was frail and thin. Seth's heart lurched in his chest. The last time he had seen his oil baron grandpa, he’d been tan, healthy and strong, a force to be reckoned with.

The old man opened his eyes and gazed at Seth
. A gleam of recognition lit up his face. “Seth.”  He reached his gnarled hand across the bed sheet toward him.

Seth took his hand, which was cold to the touch, and gently held it
. “Yes, Grandpa. It’s me.”  Even with their differences, it hurt him deeply to see his grandfather in this condition.

A gurgling sound came from his grandfather’s chest when he tried to speak
. “You’ve come back.”

“Yes.”  Seth inhaled the hospital smells, trying to ward off the look of death on his grandfather’s face. “Yes.”

“I’m glad
. The family needs you. It was never the same after you left.”  His dark brown eyes glistened with unshed tears while he clutched Seth’s hand. “I want you to take over the family business.”  He coughed. “I’ve been getting it ready for you.” 

Seth
was shocked at what he was hearing. He didn’t know what to think. This was the man who had disowned him. “Why me, Grandpa? Why not Dad?”  Here he was on his death bed, still issuing orders.
No way in hell will I accept this offer.

“Your father never loved the business like you.
”  He struggled to cough into his other hand. “He does a good job, but he doesn't have the love in his heart for it like you have.”

“You’re going to get better
. You’ll run the business as usual.”

“Not this time.
”  His voice shook with emotion and he added firmly, “I love you. I’ve been a fool for wasting our precious time together.”  He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry for the past.”  He broke into a coughing fit as a nurse came into the private room.

She gave him a drink of water and checked his vitals
. “He needs to rest now.”

“Grandpa, I’ll be right outside.
”  Seth leaned over the bed and kissed his forehead. He watched his grandpa smile and close his eyes as he left the room.