Loe raamatut: «The Last Crawford Bachelor»

Chapter One

“Logan, are you sure I won’t be in the way?”

Michael Crawford looked at his older brother. Though now twenty-eight and as tall as Logan, he knew Logan still saw him as his kid brother.

“Don’t be silly, Mike. How could you get in the way on a ranch the size of the Circle K? Besides, you know that manager’s house is empty. I’ll help you clean it up, then you can come and go as you please.”

Michael looked at the small white frame house one more time. “I appreciate it. This way, I won’t miss the family so much since I’ll be in the middle of yours.”

“True. The kids have already decided you’re quite a special uncle,” Logan said with a chuckle.

They had just started back toward the main ranch house, where Logan and Abby, his wife, lived, when a car came down the long driveway.

“Guess you’ve got company,” Michael said.

Logan shrugged his big shoulders. “We’re not expecting anyone.”

The car stopped near them and a beautiful young woman got out. “Excuse me. I’m looking for Mrs. Beulah Kennedy. Is she here?”

Michael knew that Kennedy was Abby’s maiden name, but he looked at Logan to answer. After all, he was just a guest.

Logan stared at the slender blond woman. “Who’s asking?” he said politely.

“Daniele Langston. I’m a—a family connection.”

Logan extended his hand. “I’m Logan Crawford. My wife, Abby, is part of the Kennedy clan. Maybe you’d better come talk to her.”

“Would that be all right?” the woman asked.

“Yes, of course. Come with us.”

Michael followed his brother and the blonde, wondering what she wanted. Abby and her sisters had inherited the ranch and a lot of money when their elderly great-aunt Beulah Kennedy had died. He figured this Langston woman intended to stake a claim to the inheritance. No doubt she was some scam artist.

He hid the smile he felt coming on. His sister-in-law always accused him of being too cynical because he was an attorney. She could be right. But he reserved the right to wait and see.

They entered the big kitchen, where Abby was setting the table. “I was about to send one of the kids to—” She stopped when she glanced up and saw the stranger. “Oh. Hello. I’m Abby Crawford.”

Logan put his arm around his wife. “This is Daniele Langston. She says she’s a family connection to Beulah.”

Abby flipped back her long braid and looked at the young woman. “You are?”

“Yes. I…I wanted to meet Beulah, if that’s possible.”

Abby skittered a look at Logan before facing the newcomer again. “I’m sorry, but Beulah is dead. She passed away over seven years ago.”

Michael watched Ms. Langston carefully, sure she already knew that information. He was amazed to see surprise and sadness in her eyes. Boy, he thought, she was a good actress.

“I see. I’m sorry I bothered you.” She turned toward the door.

“Wait!” Abby called out. “What kind of connection did you have with Beulah? Are you a niece or—”

“She was my grandmother.”

“No, that can’t be,” Abby insisted. “Beulah had no children. You must have the wrong person.”

“Yes, of course,” the young woman agreed, and walked to the door. “I apologize for disturbing you.”

Abby moved toward her. “Don’t go! I’d like to hear why you came here. And I could introduce you to my sisters.”

“I don’t want to cause any trouble.” The woman was still edging toward the door, as if she intended to leave. Michael decided that was a nice touch. She looked the picture of reluctance.

“Nonsense,” Abby said. “You must join us for dinner.”

As if on cue their housekeeper came in. “Ellen,” Abby said at once, “I’ve invited this nice lady to join us. Her name is Daniele Langston.” She put a hand to her head. “Where are my manners? Daniele, this is Ellen, our housekeeper and the world’s best cook.” She looked to Ellen. “There’ll be plenty of food, right?”

“Yes, of course,” Ellen said, her graying blond hair bouncing as she nodded.

“And I want to invite the family over for dessert. Will we have enough?”

“I can make a cake while we’re eating,” Ellen said. “It’ll be ready in no time.”

Abby turned back to Daniele. “There, you see? It’s no trouble.” She smiled warmly. “Now, tell me. Where did you come from?”

“West Texas. I was born and raised in Amarillo.” Daniele drew a deep breath and added, “Please, call me Dani.”

Abby smiled at her. “Did my husband and brother-in-law introduce themselves?”

“I met your husband,” Dani said.

Michael stepped forward and extended his hand. “I’m Michael Crawford.”

She put her hand in his, again with reluctance, it seemed. Her smooth skin seemed to burn against his. She was an odd combination of fire and ice.

“Pleased to meet you,” she said, and stepped back, withdrawing her hand quickly. Michael made no attempt to hide he was watching her closely. Not even his sister-in-law’s obvious hospitality deterred him.

“I’m going to call my sisters,” Abby said. Then she turned to Logan. “Honey, would you corral the kids and make sure they’re washed up?” Taking her husband’s agreement for granted, she hurried out of the kitchen.

Michael realized he needed to seize the opportunity to warn Abby. Once again she was far too friendly for her own good. “Excuse me,” he said to Ellen and Dani and hurried after his brother’s wife.

Knocking on the office door, he opened it and stuck his head in. Abby was already on the phone, but she waved him in. After she finished her conversation with Melissa, she looked at him. “Is something wrong, Mike?”

“Could be. I’d be careful about taking in strangers who might try to claim some of your inheritance.”

Abby laughed. “Cynical Mike! Surely you don’t think she’s running a scam.”

“Why not? She’s claiming to be the granddaughter of a woman who never had children. While she couldn’t take all of your inheritance, she could be awarded a hefty sum if she can prove anything.”

“But, Mike, if she is Beulah’s granddaughter, she deserves some of the money.”

“Abby! Bite your tongue. Don’t give her ammunition.”

Abby smiled and shook her head. “I’ll be careful, but I don’t believe she’s a scam artist, Mike.”

He held up his hands. “I’m just warning you.”

“I appreciate it, but I think everything will be okay. I’ve got to call Beth now.”

Michael withdrew and returned to the kitchen. Ellen was busy mixing up the cake, and Dani was standing at the back door, looking out at the land.

Probably figuring out how much she could inherit, he thought. He stepped closer to her. “Dani, did you drive down from Amarillo?”

“Yes, I did.”

“You must be tired. That’s a four- or five-hour drive.” The Circle K spread was a half hour southwest of Wichita Falls.

“It’s not too bad.”

“Are you heading back after dinner?”

“No,” she said, but added nothing about her plans.

He decided to ask a few more questions, but Logan and his two children entered the kitchen. His daughter, who was a smaller version of her mother, rushed to Michael, holding out her arms. He swung her up into his arms with a laugh. “Well hello there. What have you been up to?”

Mirabelle was four years of age and always in constant motion. “I been painting my wall. Daddy got mad at me.”

Michael looked at Logan. He spoiled his daughter rotten, so Michael didn’t think Logan had lost his temper with her.

“I didn’t yell at you, but Mom’s going to be upset with you. She painted your room last year, remember?”

“Yes, but now it’s this year,” Mirabelle explained patiently.

Michael grinned. He was pretty sure the little girl didn’t comprehend a year, but she was smart enough to use it in her argument.

Logan put his toddler son in his high chair and tied a bib around his neck. “Dani, this is our daughter, Mirabelle—or should I say Michaelangelo—and our son, Scotty.”

Dani greeted the children with a warm smile, one that startled Michael.

“Hello,” Mirabelle said. “Who are you?”

“This is Dani. She’s having dinner with us,” Logan explained.

Mirabelle turned back to Michael. “But, Uncle Michael, you said I was your girlfriend!”

“Of course you are,” he assured her, not making the connection for a moment. Then he hurriedly added, “I just met Dani when she came to the ranch looking for someone.”

“Oh. Then it’s okay,” she said to Dani with a nod. “You can stay for dinner.”

“Mirabelle!” her father warned. “Mind your manners.”

“I said she could stay, Daddy.”

“It is not your decision, young lady, and you know it.”

With all the grace of a French dancer, Mirabelle shrugged her shoulders and hugged Michael’s neck.

“Mirabelle, you need to get in your chair.” Logan turned to Ellen. “Where’s your husband?”

“He’s upstairs. Could you call him?”

“Sure. And I’ll find Abby, too. Then we can eat.”

The table was set for eight. Michael carried Mirabelle to her seat next to the end of the table where her mother always sat. He assumed the seat next to the little girl and motioned to Dani to take the seat beside him. “Floyd and Ellen like to sit together on the other side of the table by Scotty.”

“I see. Thank you,” Dani said, and sank gracefully into the chair beside him.

Suddenly the room seemed full as Floyd came in followed by Logan and Abby. They all took their places, and Logan said the prayer before they ate.

After the blessing, Logan introduced Dani to Floyd. He worked the ranch, having met Ellen here when Logan hired him years ago. In time, the platters of food began to be passed around the table. Michael noticed Dani didn’t take much of anything. He kept watching her, frowning. Finally he said, “Are you on a diet? Because from where I sit, you don’t need to lose weight.” He eyed her slender figure.

She looked up, startled, her blue eyes wide. “No, I’m not on a diet.”

“She’s probably saving herself for the dessert,” Abby said, smiling at the woman. “Never mind Michael. There are lots of men in his family. He’s the only one unmarried these days, so he’s still uncivilized.”

“Hey!” Michael complained. “Logan, are you going to let your wife say that about me?”

Logan grinned. “You can’t fight the truth. You know our brothers would agree with her.”

All four of Michael’s brothers had married good women. He’d never argue about that. But just because he wasn’t married didn’t mean he couldn’t handle women. He’d learned from his one sister. In fact, he was used to being on his best behavior around women.

Abby changed the subject. “Dani, have you lived in Amarillo all your life?”

“Except when I went to school. I moved to Lubbock for my education.”

“Texas Tech?” Abby asked, naming the large university located in Lubbock.

“Yes.”

“That’s a good school,” Logan said. He added with a grin, “My family all went to OU, but we try to keep that quiet around here.” OU was Oklahoma University, a fierce rival of the University of Texas on the football field.

That remark even drew a smile from Dani. But still she said nothing.

They continued with casual conversation throughout the meal. Dani answered any questions addressed to her, but she volunteered nothing about her life.

Michael realized all they knew about her was where she lived and where she went to school. He wanted to know a lot more.

When the meal was over, Ellen began clearing the table. Abby jumped up to help her. Dani, too, began picking up plates and carrying them to the counter next to the dishwasher. Michael picked up his dishes and followed suit. His brother was cleaning up Scotty so he could get down from his high chair. Then he took Mirabelle to the bathroom to wash up.

“Are your sisters bringing the little ones?” Logan asked as he came back into the kitchen with his daughter.

“No, I don’t think so,” Abby said over her shoulder as she rinsed a platter.

“Okay, then, come on, Mirabelle. I’ll go put on a video, and you and Scotty can watch it while you have some ice cream.”

“Chocolate,” Mirabelle insisted.

“Sure.” Logan got out the ice cream and dished up two bowls of it. Then he grabbed a couple of towels and told the children to follow him.

Michael figured it was the ice cream, Scotty’s favorite treat, that had the little boy chasing after his dad. He followed the trio, figuring Logan might need some help. Besides, he wasn’t sure he should stay for the dessert party.

After both children were settled in front of the TV, towels tied around their necks, eating their ice cream, he asked Logan if the rest of the evening was just family.

“What if it is? You’re family.”

“Not Beulah’s family.”

“I’m not Beulah’s family, either.” Logan clapped his brother on the back. “Come on. The dessert Ellen’s making is great. You’ll love it.”

They both headed back to the kitchen.

There’d never been a Crawford brother who could resist cake.

Helping clear the table made Dani feel less awkward. She liked Abby and Ellen. In fact, everyone had been very welcoming, except perhaps Logan’s brother. Sure, he was handsome, dark and muscular. And he’d been nice, but his eyes gave him away. She glanced up at him, and yet again he was looking at her, gauging her. She knew he didn’t think she was being truthful.

It didn’t matter what he thought, she told herself. She just wanted to know something about her grandmother. That was all she wanted.

A knock on the screen door interrupted her thoughts. Abby hurried over and opened it, and a young woman looking much like Abby came in, followed by a good-looking, strapping man. Abby turned to Dani.

“This is my youngest sister, Beth, and her husband, Jed.”

Dani stepped forward and shook their hands cordially, but she said nothing. She really didn’t know if any of them would talk to her about Beulah at all, since they didn’t believe Beulah had had any children.

“Oh, here’s my other sister, Melissa, and her husband, Rob. Which means we’re all here. Come sit down, everyone.” They all took seats around the kitchen table, Dani sitting next to Abby.

“Dani told me she thinks Aunt Beulah was her grandmother,” Abby said.

Dani suspected she’d already told her sisters, because neither they nor their husbands showed any surprise.

Only the youngest sister, Beth, questioned her. “Why do you think that?”

“I found some papers that indicated she was my mother’s mother. She gave my mother up for adoption when she was born.” Dani felt awkward revealing that information.

“When was your mother born?” Beth asked.

“In 1939,” Dani said. “I was born when she was forty, sort of a late surprise, I guess.”

“So you’re twenty-five?” Michael asked.

“Yes.”

Abby gave her the family history. “Aunt Beulah married our great uncle in 1942. We thought she’d never had a child. Even though our great uncle died in 1970, Beulah took us in when our parents died in a car wreck about twenty years ago.”

“I see. Was she…nice?”

Dani was taken aback when the youngest sister laughed. The other two smiled.

“She was wonderful,” Beth said. “A tough old bird.”

“Beth!” Abby protested.

“She was, Abby, and you know it. But she loved us.”

“What Beth means is Beulah believed it was best to work for everything. She trained us to do the work on the ranch. She said it would be good for us to earn our keep.”

“Oh. So she was mean to you?”

“Never,” Abby said emphatically. “She made sure we didn’t think we were a burden to her. We got over our misery and sadness fairly quickly because we were too tired when we went to bed to lie awake and think.”

Dani closed her eyes, thinking about what Abby said. Memories of her own past assailed her, and she shook herself free. “I see.”

“I hope you do,” Abby said. “Beulah believed hard work was good for you. And we do, too.” She smiled at Dani. “Though maybe not to the extreme she did.”

“Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’ve been…curious about my family.”

“So you really think Beulah was your grandmother?” Beth prodded.

“Yes,” she said simply, and finally. Then she stood and eyed the sisters. “I appreciate your talking to me. And thank you, Abby, for inviting me to dinner. It was a delight to meet all of you. But now I should leave.”

“But you haven’t eaten your cake,” Ellen pointed out.

“It looks delicious, Ellen, but I think I’d better go.” She slipped out onto the porch before anyone could say anything.

Abby jumped up and hurried after her. “Dani? We were shocked by your appearance, but we may be wrong. If Beulah had a child before she married, it’s not surprising that she would give the baby up for adoption. Those were different times back then.”

“Of course. I don’t blame her. I just wanted to know something about her. And in spite of what you said about Beulah, I think you all loved her very much. And she loved you, obviously. I appreciate knowing that.”

“Why?”

Dani smiled and leaned over to kiss Abby’s cheek. “Never mind. Thanks for inviting me in.”

Then she hurried to her car, afraid she’d burst into tears in front of everyone.