Losing Ladd (36 page)

“
Ashley’s been waiting to
see you,” Delaney said, nudging her forward. “Why don’t you go on
ahead and we’ll get some drinks and join you.”

Peering into brown eyes that shone
with affection, Felicity hesitated. Her mom’s blonde hair was
shorter now, cut shoulder-length after her hospital ordeal. With an
abundance of long, thick hair, she could have camouflaged the
missing section but opted against it. Hair would grow back, she
said. She was ready for a change. Not only shorter, there were
wisps of long bangs framing her face and Felicity thought the style
made her look younger. Nick approved as well, but that was nothing
new. He approved of most things her mother did.

Glancing up at him, he looked ever the
outdoorsman in his plaid shirt, jeans and boots. Broad shoulders,
gentle smile, Felicity felt a pinprick of longing. Nick had been
her mother’s rock. He never left her side, made sure she followed
doctor’s orders, didn’t return to work too soon. He also rebuilt
her stables in less than six months to ensure she had somewhere to
go when she was healthy enough. She did, and according to all
sources, business was back to normal.

But they were set to travel at the end
of the summer, scouting a location for the next Harris Hotel and
Felicity would miss her. She was happy for her mom but knowing she
wasn’t an hour’s drive away would be hard. Exhaling heavily, she
released the clutch of tension. Felicity understood it was time to
let go. She was an adult and needed to grow into her own life.
Trouble was, she liked the one she had now.

“
C’mon, Felicity,” Travis
said, placing a hand to the small of her back. “Let’s go say hi to
Ashley.”

Heartbeats peppered her breast.
Transported back to high school when Travis’ every touch
electrified, Felicity shook the gray clouds from her reverie.
Strong and steadfast, he was her future—a gorgeous one at that in
his red T-shirt, his silky brown hair combed slightly off to the
side of his face, dark eyes simmering as they held her close. He’d
only arrived home from college yesterday and Felicity was still
getting used to having him close. After everything they’d been
through together, it felt good to be back together. Really good and
she was eager to spend the afternoon by his side. “Let’s,” she
agreed excitedly.

Clasping hands, Travis and Felicity
headed for Ashley.

“
They’ve come a long way,”
Malcolm said, watching them go.

Delaney nodded, overwhelmed with pride
and love as a deep ache wound through her heart. Felicity shouldn’t
have had to overcome anything, yet she had. Strong and bright, she
had come through with amazing brilliance. Travis had faced a
tougher road, battling a wound infection that nearly took his life,
but he overcame the odds and stood firmly entrenched by her
daughter’s side as though nothing had ever happened. “They
certainly have.”

Catching Emma Jane’s flying hand,
Malcolm cupped it within his, wiggling it playfully. “No,
hitting.”

The chubby baby squealed in delight.
“No, Daddy!”

The group laughed as Lacy tapped a
finger to the little girl’s nose. “Listen to your Daddy,” she said,
then to the adults, “I think putting the bad guys behind bars
helped.”

“
I think you’re right,”
Delaney agreed. “It gave Felicity the peace of mind she needed to
let go.” A feat accomplished in no small part because of Lacy.
After her initial recognition of the Ladd boys in the cell phone
photo, the police were able to track them down and hold them on
suspicion of robbery. Once Travis was physically able, he gave a
complete statement to the police, and combined with Felicity’s
account of events, Jeremiah was easily convicted. He was currently
trying to appeal the verdict, but his case would go nowhere. He had
no grounds. Robby and Billy were in jail too, thanks to the
eyewitness testimony of the hotel staff.

“
Can’t say as I blame
her,” Nick said. “Knowing Jillian is finally behind bars where she
belongs is a nice feeling and all too ironic that it was her
penchant for expensive handbags that sealed her fate.” He hugged
Delaney to his side. “Sure makes traveling a whole lot easier
knowing she won’t be able to create trouble while we’re
away.”

“
Where are ya’ll going?”
Lacy asked, her big blue eyes latching onto Delaney. “Have you
decided, yet?”

Touching her gaze briefly to Lacy’s
growing midsection, Delaney smiled. “He won’t tell me. Only that
it’s warm and I won’t need much in the way of clothing.”

Lacy giggled. “Good for you, Nick
Harris. It’s about time Delaney got out of this town and saw
something of the world.” Running a hand over the top of her belly,
she said, “Malcolm and I have plans to go the Caribbean in
January.”

Delaney gaped at her. “So soon? What
about the baby?”

“
Well, why not? John
Christopher will be four-months-old by then and plenty ready for
travel.”

“
You want to bring a
newborn to the islands? Emma Jane, too?”

“
I have children,” Lacy
snipped. “I’m going to the islands. Where’s the
problem?”

Malcolm laughed. “Lacy refuses to
allow motherhood to stop her from going places.” He shook his head,
adding, “And I’m not going to argue with her.” Bouncing Emma Jane
in his arms, he said, “Our trip to California with this princess
was a breeze and I have no doubt John Christopher will be just as
easy. Besides, Rosalie will be joining us.”

Delaney brushed the bangs from her
eyes, then tucked her hands into the front pockets of her jeans.
“Now it makes sense.” Rosalie was their live-in nanny. She’d handle
the babies while Malcolm and Lacy enjoyed their trip.

“
Does Rosalie have a
sister?” Nick asked, circling his arms around Delaney’s
waist.

“
Why?” Lacy asked, then
her eyes rounded, locking onto Delaney. “
Are you pregnant
?”

“
No,” Delaney
snapped.

“
Not yet,” Nick quipped,
tightening his grip against Delaney’s struggle to get free. “But
it’s wise to be prepared, don’t you think?”

Malcolm’s pale blue eyes
danced beneath the black of his brow, his tanned skin glowing as
youthfully as the ivory-pink cheeks of his daughter. Despite the
shock of gray hair, Malcolm looked much younger than his forty-plus
years. “I think it’s perfect. You and Troy will have those kids on
horseback, jumping creeks before they can
walk
.”

“
Someone call my name?”
Troy asked, strolling up behind them with Casey and Cassidy Jo in
tow. As usual, he was decked out in black T-shirt and cowboy hat,
his dark eyes twinkling mischievously. Casey wore a cute blue
sundress and boots, Cassidy Jo dressed nearly identical, plus a
matching hat to protect her fair skin. Next to one another, Cassidy
Jo and Emma Jane could be sisters, the two boasted the same black
hair and blue eyes. That Owens blood line sure was a strong one,
Delaney mused.

“
We were talking about
Delaney’s new baby.”

Troy and Casey dropped their jaws.
“You’re pregnant?” he asked.

“
No, Troy, I’m not
pregnant,” she said, breaking away from Nick’s grasp. “These men
are having fun at my expense.”

Casey poked an elbow into his side and
he said, “I’m not sayin’ it would be a bad thing...just...ya
know...” Troy gave up explanation with a sheepish smile.

“
Don’t worry. I’m not
offended. Babies are not what you expect from women my
age.”

“
There’s nothing wrong
with women your age having babies,” Nick said. “Look at Lacy. She’s
living proof.”

Delaney swiped her with a glance and
grunted.

“
Where’s Felicity?” Casey
asked, seemingly eager to change subjects.

Delaney pointed. “She and Travis went
to say hello to Ashley.”

“
Oh, good. I’m glad she’s
here. I wanted to ask her if she and Travis wanted to go riding
after the picnic.”

“
Felicity doesn’t need
much prodding when it comes to a ride with Blue,” Delaney said.
“She’d been riding every day since she arrived home last
weekend.”

Casey beamed. “C’mon, Troy. Let’s
go.”

Cassidy Jo reached her arms out for
him and with a wry smile, he tipped his hat and took his daughter
from her mother. “Yes, dear. Your wish is my command.”

Delaney chuckled. Troy had certainly
adapted to married life and did so with obvious pleasure. Because
he was happy, she deemed. Now that he had a future to look forward,
he focused on his wife and child and never looked back. Jack had
not only dropped the charges but left town under the cover of
night. Delaney suspected he left the state. Knowing she could press
charges against him, Jack would want to be as far away from
Tennessee as he could get. A good thing.

“
Let’s go get those
drinks,” Nick said.

Following him, the group headed to the
food table where pitchers of lemonade and sweet tea sat in tubs of
ice. Beside them, crowded on a red and white checkered tablecloth,
bowls of collards and green beans competed for space with mashed
potatoes and coleslaw alongside platters of fried chicken and
biscuits and baskets filled with cornbread. Dessert was on a second
table and consisted of pies and cobblers, cookies and jams, just to
name a few. The grilled chicken, ribs and burgers would be found
over near Ashley’s husband, Booker. Faithfully manning the grill,
he refused to let his meat sit cold on a table, making guests come
to him for their serving.

Nick grabbed four red Solo cups and
poured a round of tea for each.

“
I’ll have water,” Lacy
said.

Malcolm reached down into a cooler and
grabbed her a bottle.

Breaking from a conversation with his
brother, Cal and Annie Foster sauntered over. “I was wondering if
ya’ll would make it,” Cal said good-naturedly.

Delaney balked. “Are you kidding? If I
missed one of Ashley’s Memorial Day picnics, she’d have my
hide.”

Cal laughed. “True.”

“
Besides, who’d want to
miss this food?” Delaney extended her hand out over the buffet.
“It’s a feast fit for kings!”

“
That it is.”

“
Casey is so happy to have
Felicity home,” Annie said, placing a hand over the breast of her
frilly white blouse. “She really misses her when she’s
away.”

Delaney nodded, admiring the white
diamond-bezel watch on Annie’s wrist. She thought it sporty yet
feminine and perfectly suited for Cal’s wife. She was a woman of
means now, and a damn good salon manager. “Has she given any more
thought to going to college?”

“
The girls have talked
about it, but I don’t think Casey is ready to leave Troy for even a
month at a time, let alone four. She’s content to finish out her
two-year degree at the community college.” Annie shrugged. “We’ll
see where she goes from there.”

“
Never too late,” Nick
pitched in with a wink.

Delaney knew full well he was dually
referring to her and motherhood, but she refused to indulge him by
acknowledging the same. The mere thought of having a baby unnerved
her. A newborn? At her age? Though watching Lacy load a plate with
food, she had to admit, the woman pulled it off rather well. Baby
number two hadn’t made a dent in her lifestyle. Delaney was only a
few years older. Would it really be that bad?

“
Malcolm tells me your
parents are renewing their vows,” Nick said, sliding an arm around
Delaney’s shoulders. “Would they like to have the ceremony at the
hotel? It’s on me, as a wedding gift.”

Cal shook his head. “Appreciate the
offer, but I think they’re set on doing so at the ranch. They want
an intimate ceremony with only family in tow.”

“
That sounds about right,”
Nick agreed. “Family is what counts.”

Delaney felt a tremor race through her
and leaned into the warmth of Nick’s body. She was happy for Gerald
and Victoria but couldn’t shake the thought of what might have
been. If Ernie hadn’t stepped between them, she had no doubt her
mom would have married Gerald. Their love was clearly evident in
the words scrawled across the pages she’d read. When Cal had shared
them with her, her first reaction had been one of gratitude. But as
she read the final word, her heart filled with regret. Delaney
couldn’t help but feel her mother’s pain. In the end, it had been a
love lost. Replaced with another, perhaps, but nothing could
diminish the emotion held in those envelopes.

Settling her gaze on Cal, Delaney
thought about his family. Did he feel it, too? Did he understand
what really happened all those years ago?

As though reading her thoughts, Cal’s
gaze lingered on hers, mellowing as if accepting things neither of
them could change. He seemed to look straight into her mind and
say, “It wasn’t meant to be.”

Life was funny that way, taking twists
and turns like a mountain trail. Follow it long enough and one can
stumble on unexpected beauty, like Zack’s Falls. Take risks,
explore unchartered territory, and get treated to a panorama vista
seen only from the mountaintop.

Inhaling deeply, Delaney took in the
people around her, the mountain ridge in the distance, the fields
of green dotted with blossoms. This was the heartland. Her home.
She’d found gold on this land, in more ways than one. Nick Harris
was a gem, more precious to her than a valley full of shimmery
metal. Casting her gaze to Felicity, Delaney believed the same held
true for her daughter. Travis was a special kid. A keeper. Hands
entwined, Felicity and Travis seemed content. Casey and Troy, Annie
and Cal, Lacy and Malcolm...they’d all found true love in these
hills. They all had bright futures to look forward. Eyes drifting
upward, Delaney closed her eyes and thanked God for her good
fortune. Life was good in “these parts.” She smiled. Better than
good.