Being Emma (3 page)

“
Female?
That’s a low blow, Craig. Archery is archery for man or woman.
Haven’t you seen ‘
Hunger Games
’?”
She pouted and Craig smiled at her.

“You know I can draw more weight on my bow
than you can. I pull seventy pounds. What’s your draw weight?
Thirty?”

She gave him an exasperated look. “Come on,
Craig. You know men have more upper body strength than women. But
I’m lifting weights so maybe I can match you for draw weight one of
these days.” He looked at her and knew she was serious.

“I don’t doubt that you’ll try hard, Janie,
but seventy pounds is a lot to draw. You’ll be good to get fifty.”
Of course, that gave Janie a goal to shoot for, which Craig very
well knew.

After they’d both shot their round of ten
arrows, they walked together up to the targets to retrieve them.
Craig looked over at her.

“I was playing poker with a couple of guys
the other night. John Marston was there. Do you know him?” Janie
avoided looking at him.

“Nope.”

“He told me he’d asked Diane out and she
turned him down. But the conversation was strange.”

“Oh, really?” Arriving at the target, Janie
began to pull her arrows out, still not looking at him.

“Yeah… He told me that when he first called
her, she was excited to go out with him. When she called later, she
told him she couldn’t make it after all. And he couldn’t pin her
down to any other time.” He started pulling the arrows out of his
target.

“Huh…”

“It occurred to me that she called back and
turned him down about the time you’d be getting home from work.”
Janie slid her eyes over to him and away.

“So?” She picked out all her arrows and
started walking back to the shooting line. Craig put his hand on
her arm to stop her.

“Janie, did you have anything to do with
Diane refusing John?” She paused, thinking she’d deny it. Then she
decided against it – that would be lying and Janie didn’t lie.

“… What if I did?” Craig blinked and shook
his head.

“You talked her out of dating him? Why would
you do that? Why would you interfere?”

“I don’t mean to sound snobbish, but she can
do better.”

Craig glared at her.

“What are you talking about? Do you think we
live in Victorian England?”

“Ah… I mean.” Janie looked contrite for a
minute.

He blew out an exasperated breath and rubbed
his forehead like he was getting a headache. He often felt that way
lately talking to Janie.

“Janie… You have to quit being Emma.” She
looked him square in the face.

“What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean. I’ve known you
this side of forever and I know your mother has read those books to
you.”

“What books?”

“ ‘
Emma
’? A girl
named Emma who played matchmaker to her friends in that book by
Jane Austen?”

She folded her arms and glared back at
him.

“I am not being Emma.”

“You are so and you need to stop. Don’t you
remember that she wasn’t a good matchmaker – Much like you’re doing
now, I might add.”

“I’m just trying to help my friend.”

“Well, stop. There’s nothing wrong with
Marston. He’s a good guy and likes Diane a lot. She could do much
worse.”

“She could do much better…”

“Let her decide that.” She started walking
again and Craig caught up with her. They got back to the shooting
line and got their bows ready to shoot again.

He looked over and considered her.

“I bet you have Ethan in mind for her, don’t
you?”

They both had arrows placed on the bowstrings
and shot their arrows. Craig hit a bulls-eye and Janie’s arrow hit
a red circle farther down. She glanced at him.

“Maybe…” They placed new arrows in the
bowstrings, pulled their bows back and shot. Craig hit another
bulls-eye and Janie hit a blue circle farther down. Her shots were
getting worse. He looked over at her and smiled.

“
Well,
you can forget that idea… Diane’s not Ethan’s type… He has a bit of
a crush on
you
, in case you
haven’t noticed. And you probably haven’t.”

“For Pete’s sake, Craig. Where do you get
these ideas?”

“From my eyes… I can see.”

Again they placed arrows in their bowstrings
and shot the arrows. Craig hit a third bulls-eye and Janie missed
the target altogether. She looked at him angrily.

“I can see that we’re not going to agree
about this, so we’d best not discuss it anymore. And you’re
throwing off my game.” She hurriedly went down to retrieve her
arrows and then rushed back to pack up her gear. Craig followed
her.

“Good idea… I’m heading over to your folks’
house for dinner tonight. Need a ride?”

“No, thanks, Mr. Ferguson. I can find my own
way there.” She was pissed and he laughed.

“Suit yourself, Emma.” And he grabbed his
equipment to head out the door.

CHAPTER FOUR

Dinner at the Johnson ranch was always happy
and loud. Sandy and Lily had had six children and when several were
in residence and with their friends… the noise level tended to be
high. Tonight Sandy had grilled steaks and the long table in the
kitchen was packed with people. Craig sat next to brothers, Miles
and Joey. Miles was in town for a week from his home in London.

“So how’s London, Miles?” Craig passed the
platter of steaks to Miles. He took one and passed it on.

“God, it’s fabulous… There’s always some
great event going on and if not, I love the museums or just a walk
in Covent Gardens. And then there are the theatres. You should come
to England next time you visit your grandparents in Scotland.”

“Sounds like a good idea…. Say, didn’t you
have a girlfriend? I remember one at Meg’s wedding a few years
back.”

He looked embarrassed. “…I had one — Kate…She
was great.”

Joey laughed. “And then he screwed it
up.”

Lily looked over at Joey. “That’s not very
nice, Joey.”

“Maybe not nice, but true,” said Joey looking
at Miles.

“Yeah… Okay. I’d rather not talk about
it.”

Most everyone at the table had been talking
for a while and passing various dishes around, when Sandy looked at
his daughter, Janie. She seemed glum. He noticed Craig had been
glancing at her occasionally. Sandy wondered what that was all
about.

“Janie, how’s work going?” She looked up from
her plate and smiled.

“Really well, Dad. The Sheriff’s Department
just got some money from the town fundraiser and we’re buying new
equipment.”

“Are you buying new weapons?” asked her
mother.

“Yes, and probably a new vehicle as well. The
money’s come at a good time. We were getting pretty low in
supplies.”

“What about the archery competition?” Miles
asked her while slicing his steak.

“What about it?”

“Aren’t you and Craig preparing for the state
competition?” He looked at her and then Craig. When she didn’t
answer, Craig wiped his mouth with his napkin.

“Well, the tournament’s in two months down in
Vegas and we hope to be ready. Janie and I have been practicing
almost daily.” He looked over at her. “Haven’t we, Janie?” She
glared at him and didn’t respond.

“Janie?” asked Sandy.

“Yes… If you’ll excuse me, I really need to
get going. Early day tomorrow…”

Lily looked confused. “But you’re not done
with your dinner…”

She got up and took her plate to the kitchen
sink.

“Thanks for dinner, Mom and Dad. See you
later.” And she left.

Everyone
was stunned.
What was that about?
Then Sandy turned to Craig. He shrugged his
shoulders.

“Is she upset about something, Craig?”

“You know, you really need to ask her. I’m
never too sure when it comes to Janie.” Then he got up. “If you’ll
excuse me, I need to go too.” He put his plate in the sink and
walked over to Lily.

“Thanks so much, Lily. I’ll talk to you
soon.” And he left.

Everyone blinked in surprise. Miles was the
first to find his voice.

“Lovers’ quarrel?”

“Not a chance. Janie?” Joey laughed while
Miles raised his eyebrows.

Later after dinner when everyone had left,
Sandy sat down on the couch in the family room by Lily. He took her
hand.

“What’s going on between Janie and
Craig?”

“I don’t know, but they’re always mad at each
other it seems. It’s hard for them to say a civil word
sometimes.”

“I wonder how they’re able to practice
together.”

“It’s unusual. They’ve been friends since
childhood and have always gotten along so well. But recently all
they do is scowl.”

Sandy smiled at her. “It’s never dull at the
Johnson ranch, is it? We got Meg married to Carter three years ago
and now they have a little girl.”

Lily smiled and continued, “And before that,
Jesse married Audrey and Colt married Mandy. They have children now
too, but remember the troubles all of them had before taking the
big step.” She looked at him.

“You don’t suppose that Janie…” Sandy shook
his head.

“No, I don’t. Janie has always said that love
was the last thing on this planet she wanted. I’ve always taken her
at her word.”

“Yes, me too…”

They looked at each other and shrugged.
They’d find out eventually if anything was happening. Grandma
Jeanne up in Sonoma would probably learn anything first, if there
was anything to learn.

* * *

Janie had
walked over to Colt and Mandy’s house. Her brother and
sister-in-law had a house on the property about a half-mile away.
She needed the walk out in the cool air to clear her head. She was
still mad at Craig, but knew he had a point too. Maybe she
was
sticking her nose in where it
didn’t belong. But Diane was her best friend. Where was the line
between helping and interfering anyway?

Walking up the driveway, she heard a coyote
howl in the distance. Looking out at the land, the sun had set
leaving traces of orange and pink on the horizon. The fresh smell
of sagebrush filled her nose with the aromas of home. She loved
this land, like nothing else. These were her roots, her life and
her future. Future? What would that be, she wondered… Before she
could think any deeper, Colt flipped on the outside porch light and
opened the front door to her.

“We heard someone out here. Why didn’t you
let us know you were coming, sis? We could have sent the dogs out
to keep you company.”

She laughed as their two big labs came
running down the steps to greet her. They jumped up on her stomach
and demanded attention.

“Down, boys.” Looking up at Colt, she smiled.
“I was at Mom and Dad’s for dinner and just thought I’d drop by to
see you before leaving.”

“Well, come on in. The kids are still up and
will be thrilled to see their aunt.” She gave her big brother a hug
and kissed his cheek. Good-looking guy with black, wavy hair… He
looked so much like their mother and had married the love of his
life, Mandy.

Janie walked in with the dogs and Mandy waved
at her from the kitchen where she was cleaning up after dinner. She
was so lovely and nice. It was obvious they loved each other. And
the results of that love came rushing at her from all corners of
the family room.

“Auntie Janie! Auntie Janie!” She heard their
excited little voices and saw flushed faces. Sammy, their three
year old, managed to make it to her ahead of his twin sisters, Lucy
and Olivia. Sammy grabbed her around her legs and looked up at her.
She gazed at his sweet face and then lifted him up.

“You’re getting so big, Sammy…” He had a
heart-shaped face with auburn hair like his mother. Janie gave him
a kiss on the cheek and he kissed her cheek in return. The little
girls, with dark hair like their father, had grabbed her legs now
and caused her to wobble. Colt took Sammy from her, so she could
lift up the girls. They squealed delightedly.

“Have you been good girls?”

“Yes, Auntie Janie….” She gave them kisses as
well. They squirmed so much that she thought to put them down
before they fell out of her arms.

Mandy came over – She’d been trying to get
pajamas on them, but they were evading her.

“Hi Mandy. How are you?” Mandy gave her a
quick smile and then caught one of the girls.

“Janie. Great to see you… Come on in. I’m
just trying to dress them for bed. Lucy, quit moving.” Colt
laughed.

“It’s like this every night. You’d think
that, after a while, the girls would catch on that their mother is
serious about pajamas.” That got Janie laughing too.

“Here, Mandy. Let me help.” Janie caught
Olivia and put her pink, Care Bear pajamas on her.

She smiled. “Thanks. Usually Colt catches
them for me.” Olivia was squirming and not being cooperative.
“Livy, let Aunt Janie help you.”

“Noooo….” She wailed. “I don’t want to go to
bed.” That set off Lucy. With both little girls wailing, Sammy put
his hands over his ears. Little sisters were sometimes hard to
take.

Janie had thought that the noise level at
dinner had been high, but this house had the ranch house beat by
many decibels. These kids could make noise. She looked at Colt who
just shrugged. He was used to it.

Mandy finally got the twins calmed down and
they started playing with some toys. Sammy took Janie by the hand
and sat down on the sofa with her.

The dogs plopped down by the girls who would
reach out and pet them… With Mandy in the kitchen getting her a
glass of wine and Colt picking up toys off the floor, Janie looked
around at the happy household. She liked being here…