The Sheik's Ruby (8 page)

Her dad drove straight down Main and turned west on Center. They still had another ten miles to go, and Shelby braced herself for the bumpy ride as Center became a dirt road. As the pick-up bumped over the road, the sun went down. Burke turned onto the gravel drive and the truck’s headlights illuminated the ranch house where Shelby had grown up.

The Walkers lived in a white, two-story Victorian with pointed gables and a wrap-around porch. During the day, a large oak tree shaded the porch. A wreath of painted wooden snowflakes hung on the front door. Shelby let out a slow breath. The familiar sight of her childhood home thickened her throat. Even though six years had passed since she’d moved to Denver, every time she visited, the happy memories of this place soothed her. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to enjoy feeling warm and comforted before the inevitable smothering by her mother began.

Burke parked the pick-up and carried Shelby across the porch and straight upstairs to her room.

Her mom rushed ahead to pull down the sheets while her dad settled Shelby on the bed and then left to check the animals.

Debbie tucked blankets around Shelby. “Do you need anything, dear?”

“No. Thanks, Mom. I’m fine.”

“Honey, you are far from fine.” Her mom fussed over the pillows.

Aside from a few streaks of gray, Debbie Walker’s hair was the same strawberry-blonde as Shelby’s, but her style was a bob, instead of long like her daughter’s. They had the same bright blue eyes, but Shelby’s infectious smile came from her dad. “I’m running downstairs and get a little broth and crackers. I’ll put your cellphone on the night stand. Call me if you need anything.”

Shelby sighed. Her mother was a natural care-giver. She always managed to find someone to nurture, ever since Shelby could remember. Debbie cooked dinner for new mothers and delivered fresh homemade bread to anybody who was sick. She volunteered at the hospital and served on the library board. Burke often said that half of Culver Springs depended on Debbie.

This had frequently been a source of contention between Shelby and her mom. Debbie wanted to take care of Shelby, almost to the point of running her life. Shelby had struggled to be independent. Maybe that was why she had been such a rebellious kid, always getting into mischief, just as a way of showing she was going to making her own choices.

****

Shelby woke to the familiar sights and smells of her childhood bedroom. The sun shone through the sheer lace curtains Debbie made when Shelby was a little girl. With slow moves, she sat upright. Her room had remained untouched while she was gone. Stuffed animals sat on a shelf above her bed. Posters of country western singers and high school dance pictures covered the walls. The dream catcher Lacey’s mom made to keep away Shelby’s nightmares still hung from the headboard. She fingered the faded flower bedspread she’d slept under since she was twelve and wrinkled her nose.
The décor could use a little updating
. Especially when she saw her old boyfriend, Jake, grinning from so many different photographs. She wanted to wipe that cocky smirk right off his face. Why had she thought that guy with his blond hair flopping into his eyes was so handsome?

“You awake, honey?” Debbie entered, bringing soft-boiled eggs with butter—her classic cure for all ailments. “There’s someone here to see you.”

“Hey, Shels!” Shelby’s younger brother, Chet, bounded into the room. “Dude, can you believe you were totally in an avalanche? I mean, what the…? My own sister: Back Country Disaster Survivor. You know, you could get a reality show.” He plopped down on the bed.

“Chet! Shelby is in no condition to be bounced around!”

“You think sitting on the bed bounces her more than an
avalanche
?” Chet turned toward his sister, tipping his head and widening his eyes.

Shelby recognized his look as a you-know-how-mom-is expression

He moved to her desk, lowering his lanky frame into the chair. He grinned, and dimples appeared in his round cheeks. “So, tell me all the deets, sis. What was it like?”

In spite of the bouncing and the jolts of pain in her leg and head, Shelby grinned. Chet’s enthusiasm was contagious. “I’ll tell you about it another time, Chet.” Her gaze slid sideways toward their mom then back to his. Understanding registered in his face. They both knew how sensitive Debbie was, and hearing how her daughter nearly died was something she wouldn’t handle very well.

“No prob, Shels. Great to have you home. Hurry and get better so you can come open the chutes while I practice my roping. Rodeo season is just a few months away. Catch ya later.” Chet hurdled out of the room, riding the same wave of energy he had arrived on.

“See ya,” Shelby called after him.

Shelby hated to admit her mother’s care was just what she needed to heal.

Debbie carefully removed the wrappings from her head and clipped the hair around Shelby’s forehead to give her bangs.

The stitches were close enough to her hairline that the new style hid the wound. Shelby contemplated the new look in her bedroom mirror.
Not bad.

In the reflection, Shelby saw Debbie studying her high school pictures. Her mother turned toward her with an innocent expression that Shelby knew all too well.

“You know, I ran into Jake’s mom at the grocery store a few days ago. She told me he really misses you. Maybe now that you’re back, you could give him a call. He’d probably love to come over to watch a movie or something.” Her mother lifted a hand, palm up, and tipped her head to the side.

Shelby pursed her lips in frustration. “Mom, I’ve told you. I don’t want to call Jake.”

A week later, Shelby started to use her crutches to make her way downstairs in the mornings and sit on the couch for most of the day, watching TV or folding laundry. After two weeks cooped up inside the house, she thought she would go insane and decided she felt well enough for a walk. She seriously needed fresh air. With her mom’s help, she bundled up against the early spring cold, grabbed her crutches, and started down the lane toward the barn.

“I didn’t mean to be nosy, but your cellphone was down on the coffee table, and I answered it last night without thinking.” Debbie matched her steps to Shelby’s slow pace.

Shelby took a calming breath.
Here we go
. She kept her voice light to hide her irritation. “Oh? Who was it? Lace?” Shelby’s best friend, Lacey, and her husband lived just south of town.

“No, it was your friend, Xander.” Debbie focused on Shelby’s face.

“Did he say what he needed?” Shelby was careful to keep her expression neutral. She knew her mom was digging.

“No. He was just checking on you. What a nice young man he is. Your father and I are so grateful he called us when you had your accident. I was surprised the two of you were together up at the resort. Does he usually go along on assignments?” She tipped her head and smiled, blinking.

“Mom, are you asking if Xan and I are in a relationship?”

“I don’t mean to pry, honey, but he seems to care a lot about you.” Debbie shrugged and continued to smile.

“I think you’re right, Mom, but the problem is I don’t feel the same. He’s a super friend, but since you asked—in your crazy roundabout way—there is someone else. Actually, I guess there
was
someone else.” Shelby turned her gaze to the gravel road in front of her.

Debbie inhaled a breath.

Shelby braced herself for the volley of questions she knew would follow.

“Who is he? Someone you met at work? What happened between the two of you?”

“Mom, I don’t really want to talk about it.” Shelby knew her evasive answer frustrated Debbie, but would her mother ever give her space?

Debbie smiled and brushed the hair off Shelby’s shoulder. “If you change your mind, honey…”

“I know.” Shelby balanced on one foot while she rubbed her sore palms, before swinging around her crutches and tottering toward the house.

****

Three days later, Shelby leaned back, exhausted. She had just spent the last hour unloading the whole story to Lacey while the two sat on Shelby’s bed sipping sodas.

Lacey hung on every word. The only interruption came when she said that this story was too juicy to listen to without chocolate. Then she rummaged through her perpetually stocked purse, until she found a small package of chocolates and ripped them open on the bed between them. “Okay, I’m ready now.”

That had been twenty minutes ago.

“Wow, Shel,” Lacey gushed as she swung her straight, chestnut brown hair over her shoulder with the back of her hand.

Shelby recognized the familiar gesture from the all the years the girls were inseparable. They still kept in touch, but Shelby thought nothing compared to actually being with your best friend.

“It’s like you’re living in a movie or something,” Lacey continued. “A tall dark stranger rides into town, sweeps you off your feet, saves your life, and then leaves as mysteriously as he came.” She held the back of her hand against her forehead in a dramatic pose, pretending to swoon.

“Oh, brother.” Shelby sighed, and they both giggled.

“And the flowers,” Lacey said, between breaths. “Xan’s face when he saw the flowers. Priceless.”

Again, they erupted in laughter.

“What in the holy heck’s going on in here?” Chet stormed through the door and grabbed the chair from Shelby’s desk. Swinging it around, he straddled it, resting his arms on the back. “What did I miss?”

“Oh, just a little girl talk.” Lacey winked.

Chet pointed his finger into his mouth, pretending to gag as he grabbed a handful of chocolates. “So, Lace.” He popped a few into his mouth. “Is that husband of yours coming tomorrow?”

“Dan wouldn’t miss it,” she replied. “Next to the deer hunt, branding is his favorite time of year.”

“Excellent.” Chet grinned, showing his dimples. “Maybe he’ll bring Jake. You know Shels will be there.”

Shelby curled her lip. Jake was the last person she wanted to see.

“That’s just what she needs.” Lacey raised and lowered her brows. “Another handsome guy thrown into the mix.” She started to giggle again.

Chet’s forehead wrinkled.

Shelby’s insides clenched at the thought of running into her old boyfriend, although she told herself that she didn’t care. Jake was Dan’s best friend, and he and Shelby had dated steadily during high school. When Shelby chose to go away to college six years earlier, and then stayed in the big city to be a journalist, she’d learned Jake claimed to be just as surprised as everyone else in town. Lacey and Dan got married right after graduation, and Jake’s and Shelby’s parents had expected they would do the same.

Shelby considered his response further evidence Jake had no idea what her actual goals were. He’d expected her to fit into a mold and live her life like a typical small-town girl.

“You sure you’re okay to go branding, Shel?” Lacey asked. Her brows wrinkled as she pointed toward Shelby’s cast.

If everyone doesn’t stop treating me like I’m made of glass, they’ll make me scream.
“Yeah, I’m feeling better. I’ve been resting up for two and a half weeks. I’ll be fine.”

“Dad is under strict orders to keep her from over-doing it.” Chet hopped up and gave a mock salute as he left the room. His boots clomped down the hall.

Shelby was starting to feel tired but would never admit it. Not when the entire world seemed determined to baby her.
Overdoing it? Seriously, doesn’t anyone understand I’m an adult?

“I’d better get going. Dan will need some help getting the kids to sleep.” Lacey swung her long legs off the bed and grabbed a few more chocolates. “Are we still on for tomorrow night? I’ve got a babysitter lined up.”

“Yep.” Shelby grinned. “I can’t wait to see your new house.”

“And I can’t wait to actually go
out
to dinner.”

“I know my mom is disappointed I’m not taking Jake. I wish she realized I’m not her.”

“Shel, she knows. I think she only wants life to be easy for you. She knows you’ve outgrown Culver but isn’t ready to accept it. She really just wants you to be happy.” Lacey lingered with her hand on the door frame.

Shelby let out a breath. She knew her mom meant well, but could she just give her a little credit? “I know, but maybe she could try to understand what
makes
me happy.”

Lacey sat again on the bed and squeezed Shelby’s hand. “Moms have a funny way of showing love sometimes.”

Shelby considered Lacey, and the realization hit her for the first time that Lacey was speaking as a mother. She understood Debbie’s feelings because she had a daughter, too. Shelby felt the change in their relationship and realized things would never be the same between them. A lump grew in Shelby’s throat

Lacey leaned across the bed wrapping Shelby in a hug, then drew back until their pinkies were linked and their foreheads touched.

The action was something they used to do as kids, and the backs of Shelby’s eyes prickled.

“Don’t worry, Shel. Things change and people grow in different directions. But no matter what, you and me, we will always be besties.”

They both smiled and hugged again, and Lacey steered the conversation toward more light-hearted topics before she stood to go.

Shelby pulled her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around them, resting her cheek on her knee and smiling. Lacey was tall and long-waisted, giving her a graceful walk. Although her baby was just a few months old, she still looked like a super-model. After all the time she’d spent sitting on this same bed, listening to Lacey’s adventures in dating land, Shelby had to admit, she’d enjoyed being the one with the stories.

****

The next day, Shelby awoke to the sound of cattle lowing. She pulled on her clothes, fitting the slit in her jeans over her cast. Then she drew her hair into a ponytail and crammed on a cowboy hat. Today she felt no need to worry about her appearance. Arriving downstairs, she found her mom in the kitchen buttering toast slices.

“I’ll come down to the field in a few hours with lunch,” Debbie said. “And bandages,” she added with a wink.

After a quick breakfast, Shelby followed her dad out to his pick-up and threw her crutches into the bed. They drove about a half mile down the lane that ran through the middle of the ranch. “The field” was what her dad called the area of his property where they kept the cattle.