At Bluebonnet Lake (Texas Crossroads Book #1): A Novel (21 page)

“I should be done in an hour,” Sally said as she climbed out of the car and headed toward Ruby’s Tresses. The small hair salon was located on one of the side streets in Dupree, less than two blocks from Lauren’s shop.

“That’s fine.” Kate turned off the ignition. She might as well leave the car here. “I’ll wander around.” It wasn’t a lie. She planned to do exactly that after she talked to Lauren. If she was
lucky, the exercise would help her brain focus. After talking to Carmen and hearing her reaction to the peanut butter, Kate had realized that flavor should be the major selling point in whatever campaign she developed. She’d sent Heather a note, suggesting the company consider free samples—not just coupons—to get consumers to try their product.

Though Kate was envisioning small tubs of peanut butter being sent to all households in a test market, she was also toying with the idea of inserting product in magazines the way perfume and face cream samples were sometimes marketed. The problem was the logistics. If the packaging broke in the mail, no one would be happy, not Aunt Ivy’s nor the magazine nor the consumers. Heather had been receptive to the idea of samples but reminded Kate of what she already knew: that wasn’t enough. Kate needed to devise a new concept and a new look for the aging peanut butter brand. But first she wanted to order Sally’s Christmas gift.

“Going my way?”

Kate turned, startled by the sound of Greg’s voice. “I didn’t know you were in town.”

He gestured toward the barbershop directly across the street from Ruby’s Tresses. “It isn’t just your grandmother who worries about her hair.”

Kate chuckled at the thought of Greg worrying about his hair.

“What’s so funny?” he demanded with false severity.

“I don’t doubt that you worry about things.” The dark circles under his eyes yesterday morning had been evidence that he did. “But I don’t think haircuts are on the list.”

Greg doffed his hat to let Kate admire his neatly trimmed hair. “Bob did a better job than the barber in Orchard Slope.”

“What was it like?”

“Orchard Slope or the barber?”

“Orchard Slope.” Kate had wondered about the town where
Greg had grown up, particularly now that she knew how unhappy he’d been there.

“Compared to Dupree, it’s huge—about 5,000—but it’s still a small town with one major employer. My parents were like most of the other residents and worked at the cannery. Basically, it’s a small town where everyone knows everyone else, and there are no secrets. I don’t imagine it was like that in Buffalo.”

Kate shook her head. “We knew our immediate neighbors, but certainly not the whole city. And now I don’t even know all the people in my apartment building.” She sighed, thinking of how she referred to her neighbors as Ms. 1-A and Mr. 3-C rather than learning their real names. “I guess we’re all too caught up in our jobs to do more than wave at each other.”

Greg was silent for a second. “Were you headed somewhere special when I so rudely interrupted?”

“You weren’t being rude.” Even though they were discussing ordinary things, Kate suspected they could be reviewing the menu at the Sit ‘n’ Sip, and she’d find the conversation fascinating, simply because she was with Greg.

“I was going to the quilt shop, but there’s no rush.” Kate realized how infrequently she said those words. At home, everything was a rush, trying to cram twenty-six hours of activities into a twenty-four-hour day. A week ago she had found Dupree’s slower pace of life irritating. Now it seemed that she was embracing it.

When they reached Lauren’s shop, Greg stopped. “Are we still on for tennis this afternoon?” He grinned as Kate nodded. “See you then.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to come in with me?”

“I’ll pass on that. I don’t know anything about quilts, anyway.”

Kate nodded. Though she suspected that Greg was trying to avoid another potentially embarrassing scene with Fiona, she wouldn’t say so.

Lauren had fewer inhibitions. As soon as the door closed behind Kate, she said, “Let me guess. Mr. Handsome was afraid Fiona might be here.”

Kate simply shrugged.

“You don’t have to tell Greg this,” Lauren continued, “but he’s off the hook. I told Fiona he couldn’t be her dad, because he was going to marry you.”

“You didn’t!” Kate felt the blood rush to her face. Surely Lauren was joking, but why would she joke about something like that?

“’Fraid so, but you’re safe. Fiona knows it’s a secret.”

Kate was not reassured. After all, just minutes ago, Greg had said there were no secrets in small towns. Her blush faded, and she felt a chill creep up her spine. It would be horribly embarrassing if he heard the rumor and thought she’d started it. Unfortunately, it was too late to do anything about that.

She shrugged, trying to pretend that the thought of marrying Greg hadn’t made her heart pound. “I actually came on business.”

Fifteen minutes later, Kate had chosen a design for Sally’s pillow, and two new customers had entered the shop. Bidding Lauren good-bye, Kate checked her watch. She still had half an hour before she was to meet Sally. She might as well take advantage of the free Wi-Fi at the Sit ‘n’ Sip.

As Kate entered the small diner and approached the counter, Samantha Dexter swiveled on her stool. “Kate! I’m glad to see you,” she said with genuine enthusiasm. “Can I buy you a cup of coffee?”

Kate shook her head. “I think I’ll try tea.”

“You’ve obviously been here before.” Samantha chuckled as she said, “Let me rephrase my offer. Can I buy you a cup of tea or any other beverage of your choice?”

“Tea would be fine. Thanks.” Kate took the seat next to
Samantha and placed her order, refusing the offer of an apple muffin that was, according to the boot maker, the best in the state. “I’m surprised you’re not at work,” Kate said as she stirred a packet of sweetener into her tea.

Though there were faint circles under them, Samantha’s blue eyes were bright with excitement. “My dad’s opening this morning.” She took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “I can’t believe you’re here. I’ve been thinking about you all week, but I just never found the time to get out to Rainbow’s End to thank you.”

“For what?”

“For your help. I followed your advice and updated my web page.” Samantha pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and touched the screen. “What do you think?”

Kate stared, amazed by what Samantha had done. “Wow! That really pops.” Not only had Samantha made the font changes Kate had suggested, but the upper right corner now featured a boot with Samantha’s face on it. “You must be a whiz at Photoshop. Your picture looks like it’s part of the boot.”

Samantha’s grin widened. “It is. When I told my dad about your ideas, he made the boot as a surprise for me. I put it on my website as a test and couldn’t believe what happened.”

She took another sip of coffee, her grin telling Kate that she was delaying to increase the suspense. “I’ve never had so many clicks or so many orders. It’s been less than a week since I updated the page, but we’ve gotten a normal month’s worth of orders in five days.”

Kate felt excitement well up inside her. “That’s wonderful!” She looked down at her boots, which, contrary to her original plan, she wore almost every day.

“It’s all thanks to you. I want to pay you for your help, Kate. Without your expertise, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Kate shook her head. “I didn’t expect to be paid. You were
doing my grandmother and me a favor by rushing our boots. The advice was my favor to you.”

Uncertainty shone from Samantha’s eyes. “That’s very generous, but I still feel guilty about it. There must be something I can do for you.”

Kate grinned as she pulled a jar from her bag. “There is. Tell me what you think about this peanut butter.”

I
t was a beautiful service.”

Kate smiled at her grandmother as they made their way from the church to Kate’s car. “Yes, it was. This is the first time I’ve had a palm for Palm Sunday.” She looked down at the piece of palm tree that she and all the other congregants carried.

The pastor and his wife had gone to Corpus Christi earlier that week and had brought back fronds to share with their parishioners. “They’ll lose their color,” the minister had told them, “but not their meaning. When you look at your little bit of a palm tree, I hope you’ll remember the crowds that cheered Jesus when he entered Jerusalem and how quickly they changed. Ask yourself what you would have done if you’d been there.”

It had been a powerful message. Though Kate wanted to believe that she would never have turned against her Savior, she knew how much influence crowds could have, how pressure from only one person could convince others to do things they wouldn’t ordinarily consider. Wasn’t that how she made her living, persuading consumers they couldn’t live without things most people would consider luxuries? Her job was to create a perceived need, then find the words and images to convince tens
of thousands of people that the only way to satisfy that need and make their lives complete was to buy her clients’ products and services.

“Could I interest you ladies in a drive this afternoon?”

Kate turned at the sound of Greg’s question, grateful not simply for the invitation but also for the diversion. She didn’t want to think about her job today. It was Sunday. More than that, it was a beautiful Sunday morning, and she was on vacation.

She smiled at Greg, admiring the way the green in his tie complemented his eyes. Like most of the other men in the congregation, he wore no jacket, but he’d paired a dress shirt and tie with dark slacks.

“Sunday afternoon drives were a tradition in my family,” Greg continued, “but I haven’t taken one in years.”

Kate noticed that the tension that often accompanied any reference to Greg’s family was absent. Apparently Sunday drives—a tradition she and her grandparents had never established—had been enjoyable times in the Vange family. She was glad. While most people would envy Greg his lifestyle or at least his bank account, she realized that he was proof of the adage that money could not buy happiness. Greg had accomplished so much, and yet there were still holes in his life. Unlike Kate, he did not know what he wanted to be doing a year from now.

Kate looked at her grandmother, waiting for her response. Though Kate’s pulse had accelerated at the thought of spending more time with Greg and possibly learning more about what made this fascinating man the way he was, she would not go without Sally. After all, the reason for coming to Rainbow’s End had been for them to spend time together.

Sally smiled brightly as she shook her head. “I’m afraid I’m going to have to decline. Roy seems to think he will have a better chance of winning at backgammon than he does at chess, so I promised him a game today.” She laid her hand on Kate’s
arm. “Don’t let that stop you. You’ll have more fun with Greg than you would watching two old people try to outplay each other.”

As much as she knew she’d enjoy the time alone with Greg, Kate felt a twinge of jealousy. It was wrong. She knew that, and yet she couldn’t seem to stop herself.

“Roy’s welcome to come too,” Greg said. “In fact, I pretty much assumed he would.”

As if on cue, Roy appeared at Sally’s side. “Did I hear my name?”

Sally nodded. “I was simply explaining that I was going to show you I was a backgammon champion and that nothing, not even a drive in the country with Kate and Greg, was more important than that.” The look she gave Roy left no doubt that he was supposed to agree. Kate revised her opinion. Perhaps Sally’s reason for remaining at Rainbow’s End wasn’t simply Roy. It appeared that matchmaker Sally was at work again.

Roy raised an eyebrow. “I thought you’d never played backgammon.”

“So?” Smiling sweetly, Sally batted her eyes. “Some folks are born champs.” She nodded at Kate and Greg. “You two will have a nice drive without us.”

Greg gave Sally an appraising look, as if he also suspected she was matchmaking. Fortunately, he appeared amused rather than annoyed. “We’ll probably be late. I thought we’d stop somewhere for supper.”

“I’m sure Roy and I can take care of ourselves.” Sally turned to him. “Can’t we, Roy?”

The older man’s smile left no doubt that he was grateful for the opportunity to spend more time with Sally. “It’ll give me a chance to take my best gal out for an elegant dinner.”

His best gal. Kate looked at her grandmother, whose attention was focused on Roy. Though Sally grinned, probably at the way
he’d referred to her, her voice held more than a little skepticism. “An elegant dinner in Dupree?”

“Sure.” Roy gave a self-deprecating shrug. “As long as you consider burgers and a shake elegant fare.”

Though Greg chuckled, Sally did not. She nodded vigorously. “That works for me, unless Kate’s going to be so rude as to refuse Greg’s offer.”

Kate had no intention of refusing. Besides the appeal of an afternoon with Greg, there was Sally’s obvious desire to spend more time with Roy. Kate wouldn’t disappoint her. How could she when she suspected that her grandmother would relish a meal of melba toast and water if Roy suggested it? There was no doubt about it. Sally was happier and looked younger when she was with Roy. If thoughts of where that might lead bothered Kate, it was Kate’s problem. She’d have to learn to deal with it.

“Say yes, Kate.” Greg bent his head and whispered in her ear. “I know you won’t be working on a Sunday afternoon. That’s why I picked today for our outing.”

“I’d love to go.” It would be fun, and if she was lucky, the change of scenery combined with the relaxation a Sunday afternoon afforded would spark her imagination and give her an idea of how to promote Aunt Ivy’s peanut butter. Kate knew from the past that concepts could come from anywhere at any time.

After a delicious meal of ham and scalloped potatoes, Greg helped Kate into his SUV and headed north. Though she asked more than once where they were going, he refused to answer, telling her it wouldn’t be a surprise if she knew the destination. And so she leaned back in the seat and enjoyed the countryside.

“Sally would like this,” Kate said, gesturing toward the tree-covered hills and the river that meandered next to the road. “The land is so beautiful here.”

“What’s it like where you grew up?”

“Much flatter, and of course there are no live oaks or prickly
pears or bluebonnets in Buffalo.” Kate smiled at the sight of the fields filled with expanses of the state flower in full bloom, the flowers’ blue only slightly lighter than the sky itself. Mingled with the bluebonnets were orange and yellow flowers that Greg told her were Indian paintbrush and Texas dandelions. Though spring in Western New York was beautiful, thanks to the blossoms of countless fruit trees, there was something very special about this part of Texas.

“There are hills an hour or so from Buffalo,” she told Greg, “and they’re high enough for good skiing, but the city itself is bordered by Lake Erie and the Niagara River. The land is definitely flat there.”

“With that famous lake-effect snow.”

“Indeed.” Kate nodded, remembering how much time it took to clear sidewalks and driveways. Even snowblowers were challenged by some of the storms. “New Jersey seems like the tropics compared to that. Of course, we have more hills there and freezing rain, so winter storms can disrupt commuting.” She shrugged. “I guess no place is perfect. Spring in Texas is beautiful, but I’m not sure how I’d handle summer here. I’ve heard it’s really, really, really hot.”

Greg pulled the SUV onto the shoulder to let a truck pass. “That’s the rumor. Summer in Washington was hot, but Roy tells me I haven’t experienced heat until I’ve spent July and August in Texas.” Greg drove back onto the road. “I wonder if either of us will be here to experience it.”

Kate shook her head. “I won’t. You know where I’ll be in July and August—doing my job back in Manhattan.”

“Ah yes, your job.” Greg gave her a quick look. “I hope you don’t wind up like me, asking yourself if it’s worth all that you put into it—the time, the effort, the missed opportunities.”

That was a question she had not asked. Just thinking about it made Kate uncomfortable and reminded her of her reaction
to this morning’s sermon. She shook her head again. Though the sun was still high, this section of the road was lined with trees, leaving the roadway dappled with light. Kate stared at the patterns, preferring to focus on them rather than explore the paths Greg’s question had revealed.

“How long have you been doing that?”

“Every day for the past six months.” Greg’s light grip of the steering wheel suggested that, unlike her, he was not troubled by the idea. “I suppose most people would like to be in my shoes and retire at thirty-two, but I can’t help thinking there’s more to life than a bank account. I wonder what I missed by working so hard. I think I told you that other than the few days around Christmas when I visited my family, this is the first time I’ve had off in almost fifteen years.”

He had told her, and though initially Kate had been surprised, when she’d learned that he owned the company, she had assumed that Greg, like many small business owners, worked harder than his staff.

“You must have enjoyed what you were doing, if you never needed a break.”

“I did.” The way Greg’s lips curved into a smile left no doubt that he was remembering a particularly good moment. “It’s satisfying when a program works, even more so knowing that Sys=Simpl software made people’s lives easier. It isn’t curing cancer or bringing about world peace, but there was satisfaction in what I did.” He turned to look at her again. “What about you?”

Kate thought for a second, trying to frame her reply. She wasn’t curing cancer or bringing about world peace, either. She couldn’t even say that her work simplified others’ lives. But as she thought of Samantha Dexter’s delight in the increased sales her revamped website had brought, Kate knew that she was performing a valuable function. Yet that wasn’t the only aspect of her job that brought satisfaction.

“I enjoy being with my co-workers. We’re a team that works together to meet our clients’ needs. We—” Kate broke off, startled by the sight of what appeared to be a large hairy pig lumbering through the field. “What’s that?” Kate couldn’t recall seeing one, even in a zoo.

“A javelina,” Greg said without hesitation. “It’s a kind of wild boar.” He slowed the vehicle and put it into park as the animal approached the road. About two feet high and three feet long, the javelina was solidly built with short legs, small eyes, and a brindled coat. “I’m surprised it’s out now,” Greg said. “Normally they’re nocturnal.”

As the animal opened its mouth, Kate gasped. “Those teeth look dangerous.” The canines were at least two inches long, and with their sharp points, she had no doubt that they could inflict a painful wound.

“It’s not just the teeth. Javelinas are noted for their nasty dispositions.” If Greg was trying to alarm her, he was succeeding.

The animal in question waddled across the road, apparently undisturbed by the large vehicle and its passengers.

“Javelinas sound like a couple of clients I’ve had,” Kate said as the animal made its way into the western meadow. “Nothing pleased them, and they weren’t even polite about telling me exactly how unhappy they were. The best thing I can say is that they didn’t bite.”

With the road once more clear, Greg put the SUV back in gear. “So, what did you do with your javelina-like clients?”

“I kept trying until I found something they did like.” It hadn’t been a particularly pleasant experience, but at least the final result had made both the clients and Heather and Nick happy. Nick had even complimented Kate on her handling of that client.

Greg nodded slowly. “Your story makes me glad that most of my interaction was with computers. There’s nothing personal
there. A program works or it doesn’t, and there are no nasty comments.”

“Maybe so, but you miss out on seeing the people you’ve helped. There’s a lot of satisfaction in that.” Kate smiled as she recalled her encounter with Samantha. “Just yesterday, Samantha Dexter bought me a cup of tea to thank me for helping her.”

Greg darted a glance at her. “I didn’t know Sam was one of your clients.”

“She isn’t. I just gave her some suggestions the day Sally and I ordered our boots. Samantha took the idea and ran with it. Now she’s seeing the results.”

Greg slowed down as they reached the outskirts of a small town. “You probably could have charged her a lot more than a cup of tea.”

Shrugging, Kate turned to study Greg. He looked as if he were trying to understand her motives. “There was no reason to do that. I was glad to help her, and it didn’t take much time.” The ideas had flowed quickly that day. Kate only wished that she were equally inspired by Aunt Ivy’s campaign. The few ideas she’d had were so weak that she hadn’t pursued them.

“You’re a good person, Kate.” Greg’s words and the smile that accompanied them warmed Kate as much as Samantha’s gratitude had. It had been such a simple thing, giving the boot maker a couple ideas, and yet it had brought Kate more pleasure than she’d found on any of the large accounts she’d serviced. Maybe it was because she’d helped Samantha on her own rather than being part of a team. Maybe it was something else. Kate didn’t know. All she knew was that she had been so happy when she’d left the Sit ‘n’ Sip that she’d been tempted to skip down the street toward Ruby’s Tresses.

“This is Kerrville,” Greg said a few minutes later as they approached what appeared to be a fairly large town. “We’re getting closer.”

“And the excitement continues to build.” Though Kate infused her words with irony, the simple fact was, she was excited about whatever it was Greg wanted to show her. It had been years since anyone had planned an excursion for her, even longer since she’d enjoyed an afternoon as much as she was this one.

Even though the conversation had touched on sensitive subjects, Kate felt more—she struggled to find the proper adjective—
alive
than any time she could recall. Being with Greg made her feel as if her nerve endings were on high alert, sensing things they would otherwise have ignored, enhancing even the simplest of pleasures. Kate didn’t know whether Greg was similarly affected, but she did know that she would not forget today.