Promise Them (The Callahan Series Book 6) (6 page)

Perhaps it was time to spruce up the old homestead and move, let the kids have the big house to themselves.

She looked out the window. Her roses were in full bloom. She sank into a chair at the table and put her head in her hands.

She’d been feeling out of sorts before the episode in the pond. Now, that restless feeling came over her more and more often. What was wrong with her anyway? She’d made it through menopause with less trouble than this.

Susie pulled on her arm. “Gran? Are you okay?”

Nellie pulled her blond-haired granddaughter into her lap and kissed her cheek. “Gran’s fine.”

“You don’t have a boo-boo?”

“No boo-boos.” How could she worry her granddaughter?

Yet, she’d worried her son and his family the day she’d come back from the pond. She couldn’t do that again. They shouldn’t have to worry about her. They had their own worries.

But try as she might, Nellie couldn’t shake the negative feelings creeping over her. Deliberately turning to happier thoughts, she remembered the day she saw Duncan Callahan for the first time. She was in her second year of college, he a senior. In his Stetson and cowboy boots, he cut quite a figure. Admiring him from afar, she wished she were like the other girls—self-confident, worthy. Instead, she was timid and introverted, fearful of saying or doing the wrong thing. Awkward.

Still, whenever the good-looking cowboy was around, her eyes feasted. One day, he came over to talk to her. “Hi,” he said.

She’d smiled, her tongue stuck to the top of her mouth.

“Would you like a soda?”

She wanted to say yes. Instead, she shook her head. He tipped his hat and smiled. “Next time, then.”

Nellie thought she’d died and gone to heaven. But how could she go out with someone who looked so wonderful and seemed so nice? Nellie had no idea how to handle nice.

He asked her three more times before she agreed.

She’d pretended a confidence she didn’t feel and a self-esteem that was a lie.

Even now, she couldn’t believe he’d fallen in love with her and asked her to marry him. She’d thought he would see through her act, see who she really was, and for the longest time was afraid of the day he would discover her secret.

Duncan had told her many times, “I was pulled in by those green eyes and your glorious red hair. Thought I’d die if you didn’t say you’d go out with me. Knew I would if you refused to marry me.”

How could she say no to such a man?

She’d pushed her conflict aside and accepted his proposal, and vowed to love him as he should be loved and more. Later, when evil reared its ugly head, she knew he deserved better and had called off the engagement. Only Duncan wouldn’t hear of it. In the end, she’d acquiesced. She’d never been sorry for her decision.

It had been easier than she’d thought to keep her promise. She had fallen in love with him the moment she laid eyes on him and had loved him every day since.

Susie tugged on her arm again. “I’m hungry, Gran.”

Nellie jumped up. Where had the morning gone? Quickly, she put together Susie’s favorite peanut butter and jelly sandwich and set it on the table with a glass of milk.

Susie sent her a grateful grin.

“After your nap we’ll practice your numbers.” Susie would start kindergarten in late August, and Phyl wanted to give her a head start. She was a fast learner. Smart.

“Can we practice letters instead?”

Nellie chuckled. “This time. But you’ll have to tackle those numbers later.”

She was through eating and in bed within fifteen minutes.

Was there anything more enjoyable than a grandchild? A flash of Beau in the pond, his face close to hers, his lips coming closer made her stumble.

Shaking off the memory, she started for the kitchen. A knock on the front door stopped her. She opened the door and, seeing who stood there, took a step back. “Dani?”

“Hi!”

When had Beau’s children returned? “Come in. Please.” She held the door open a little wider. “Is everything all right at home?”

“Yes. Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Since the family preferred the kitchen, Nellie led the way and motioned for Dani to sit. “Can I get you something to drink? Tea? Soda?”

“Tea would be nice.”

Nellie fixed two glasses, set one in front of Dani, and took a chair across from her. The young woman was obviously nervous. She twisted the handle on her bag, dropped it to grab her glass of tea. Everything might be all right at home, but something was wrong.

Dani had on a pair of jeans, T-shirt, and Nikes. Her dark hair was a tumble of curls, her blue eyes worried.

Dani took a sip of tea, then set the glass down.

Nellie gave the girl a moment to compose herself. “What can I do for you?”

“I want to apologize for being so rude the night I saw you at Dad’s. I didn’t mean to be, but both my brother and I were upset.”

“I understand.”

“We didn’t get formally introduced. I’m Danielle Chandler. Everyone calls me Dani.” She laughed. “But you know that. I guess Dad has told you what a couple of losers his children are?”

“I’m Nellie Callahan,” Nellie said. “You can call me, Nellie. And no. Your dad would never do anything of the sort. I can tell by the way he speaks of you how much he loves you.”

“Right.”

“He does, you know. What you have is a misunderstanding. It will get straightened out. You’ll see.”

Dani cleared her throat. “My brother and I came back a couple of days ago. Rey is working for Dad. Though he knows nothing about ranching, he plans to earn enough money so he can afford to leave and do whatever he’s going to do with his life.”

So that was it. They hadn’t made it in San Antonio and were back home. It was good of Beau to give his son a chance. “And you?”

Dani let out a breath, gave Nellie a small smile. “I don’t think I would make it as a ranch hand.”

Nellie laughed. “You’re probably right.”

Dani leaned across the table. “It’s a real imposition on my part to pop over here like this, but Lela told me you might be able to help me find a job?”

So that was what this was about? She wondered if she’d spoken out of turn. Still, it was worth checking into. Emma Wells really did need help. She studied the young girl sipping tea. Could she do the job Nellie had in mind? She seemed inexperienced and maybe a bit spoiled. But there was something in the girl’s expression that told Nellie there was some steel there too.

It was worth a try. “Let me make a call.”

She went to the phone, spoke for a few minutes and came back to the table. “Can you meet me back here after dinner? Or, better still, why don’t you come for dinner? After we eat, we’ll go to town. There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Dani swallowed hard. “What sort of work is it? I’m not experienced at anything.”

“You’ll see. Are you game?”

“Of course I am. If I don’t find work, Dad will kick me out of the house, and I’ll be homeless. If you don’t mind, I’ll come for dinner. I want to get this settled as quickly as possible.”

“You want to prove yourself in your dad’s eyes, right?”

“How did you know?”

Nellie shrugged. She’d spent the biggest part of her life trying to prove she could be a different person than her foster parents thought. Of course she understood. She knew exactly where Dani was coming from. “You’re wrong about your dad. He wouldn’t push you out. Not without a parachute, anyway.”

Dani rolled her eyes. “Some parachute.”

“We eat at six,” Nellie said as she escorted Dani out.

“I’ll be here. And thanks.”

Nellie watched the girl almost skip to her car, a Nissan 350Z. She wondered if Dani would be so excited if she knew what the job entailed.

****

When the doorbell rang, Nellie looked at the clock. Right on time.

“I’ll get it,” Mark yelled.

She chuckled as he raced to the door, but just in case he was too animated, she followed him.

“You must be Dani. Gran said you were coming for dinner.”

He took her arm and pulled her inside. “My name is Mark.”

Nellie watched and listened.

“Hi, Mark.”

“Gran fixed a great dessert tonight.”

“Oh?”

“Do you like chocolate cake?”

“You bet I do.”

“She’s here, Gran!” Mark exclaimed.

“So I see, and I see you’ve introduced yourselves.”

“Something smells wonderful.”

“We don’t eat fancy, but there’s always plenty.”

“Lela’s kitchen always smells good, too.”

Donovan and Phyl walked in and were introduced.

“You’re the man Dad is always bragging about,” Dani said. “He thinks you know everything about ranching.”

Donovan chuckled. “Learn something new every day.”

Once seated, Donovan said the blessing. Nellie watched Dani closely. It didn’t take her long to become comfortable with them. How could she not with Mark chattering away a mile a minute?

Already, Nellie could tell she was a personable young lady with a lovely smile and hoped she was willing to work at a job she might consider menial.

After dessert was served and eaten, Phyl insisted she and Mark would do the dishes so Nellie would be free to take Dani to town.

“You have a nice car,” Nellie said as Dani drove away from the ranch.

“Dad gave it to me when I graduated high school.”

“Did you pick it out?”

Dani shook her head. “But he knew what I wanted. I dropped enough hints.”

“That always helps.”

Dani’s mouth tightened. “With my dad, hints aren’t always enough.”

Nellie reached over and patted her arm. “Some men are like that. It just isn’t in them to take it on themselves to remember things that are important to women.” She laughed. “That’s why they have wives.”

Dani giggled.

“Turn here,” Nellie instructed. “It’s only a few houses down.”

They were in the middle of town, but in the residential section.

“I’ll bet this small town is nothing like your home in Connecticut. We don’t have a mall or a theatre. If you want to go to a really nice place to eat, you have to go to San Antonio.”

Dani cleared her throat. “It is different. Aren’t there any ranches close to a big city?”

Nellie had to suppress her laughter. “I know what you’re thinking. Why couldn’t your dad buy a ranch closer to Dallas or Houston, even San Antonio would be better than here.”

“I guess you get used to it,” Dani said weakly.

But Nellie wondered if this young lady ever would. Would she stay here long enough to get to know her dad? First she had to get a job. “Pull into that driveway.” Nellie pointed to a nice sturdy one-story house.

Though plain, it was fairly large, made of brick and trimmed in white. It could use a little yard work.

“Who lives here?” Dani asked getting out of the car.

“You’ll see,” Nellie answered as they walked up the walk and rang the doorbell.

“Do I look okay?” Dani asked.

“You look lovely, Dani. Now, don’t worry. You’ll do just fine.” In a pair of black slacks and white blouse, the girl was beautiful, but obviously nervous.

“I have butterflies in my tummy, and they’re inching their way to my throat. I really need to work, but if this is a housecleaning job, I’m not the one for it.”

The door opened.

Nellie had to look close in the dim light of the foyer to see the woman scrunched in a wheelchair. Emma wasn’t a happy camper just now, and Nellie didn’t blame her.

“Well, don’t just stand there.” She motioned them in.

“Dani, this is Emma Wells. Emma, this is Dani Chandler.”

Emma didn’t acknowledge the introduction, just pressed a button and the wheelchair turned and headed into the inner part of the house.

Dani and Nellie followed.

Looking around at the dust covered tables and knick-knacks, Nellie realized how badly Emma needed someone.

Dani gave Nellie a questioning look, but Nellie turned her head. This would either work out. Or not.

When they were in a large living area, Emma motioned for them to sit down.

Nellie asked, “How are you, Emma?”

“How does it look like I am?” she snapped.

“Emma broke her hip a little over a month ago,” Nellie explained. “She needs help.”

“I don’t need anyone.”

“Yes you do, Emma. Look at you. You’re still in your night clothes.”

“It’s almost time for bed.”

“That’s not the point.”

Emma glared.

“You want to get well, don’t you?”

“Either I will or I won’t.”

Nellie sneaked at look at Dani. She looked shell-shocked. Emma was being her cantankerous self, but deep down Nellie thought that these two lost women would be good for one another.

The question was, would they give each other a chance?

Chapter Six

The look on Dani’s face was one of denial. As if she couldn’t believe she was here, much less be expected to clean a place that was obviously dirty, plus take care of a woman who didn’t want anyone’s help. But the girl needed work. If Emma would agree, the work wouldn’t be that difficult.

But Emma’s face showed nothing but displeasure at the whole situation.

This will definitely not be easy.

“Can I talk to you privately, Dani?”

Dani shrugged. Her steps brisk, she led the way into the hall. It was as if she couldn’t wait to get away. Nellie looked around at the clutter, the dust.

In the young girl’s eyes, this place must look a disaster.

Yes, the house needed a thorough cleaning. Though Emma could afford outside help, she’d always taken care of her home on her own. Since her surgery, the house gathered dust while its owner wallowed in self-pity. Maybe it wasn’t pity, maybe depression. But if something wasn’t done soon, Emma would continue her downhill spiral. She was too young. To some, seventy was old. To others it was the new fifties.

This place had once been the pride of Oaktree, with its spacious rooms, the big oak that shaded the front yard, the bright flowers surrounding the house that made it look welcoming. The occupant’s cheerful and generous demeanor only added to the charm. Her love of gossip made her vocal and friendly.

That was another era. Today, Emma’s home was neglected, and the owner didn’t care about anything, much less the latest gossip.