The Rancher's Reunion

“Your mother and I were neighbors when we were children. We grew up together. She spent a lot of time at my house,” Rose explained.

“But what about my grandparents?” Annie asked.

“Leanne always told me her papa was in the navy and her momma was restless.”

“Restless.” Annie said the words aloud to the empty room. Was that her legacy? Restless.

As promised, Leanne returned six months later, once she and her husband were settled. When her new stepfather began to take notice of Annie, Leanne was quick to return her daughter to the ranch with the necessary papers for Rose to share guardianship.

Annie wondered if Rose had heard from her mother recently. While Leanne sent the occasional birthday card, the last real contact had been a quick, unexpected phone call when Annie turned seventeen, to let her know her mother was again divorced. At the time Annie feared Leanne would come and take her away. But no, she was headed to California to follow a “get rich quick” scheme.

Wiggling her toes and stretching her arms, Annie reached for the flannel robe she’d tossed on the end of the four-poster bed. Frustrating as it was, she would have to use the cane until her leg limbered up.

Her stomach growled, and she was both surprised and thankful. It seemed her appetite was back with a vengeance. Coffee and more pie sounded like a wonderful way to start the day. With any luck, Will hadn’t already finished off both.

She fished in her tapestry bags for her hairbrush then headed for the private bathroom, throwing water on her face and brushing her teeth, before grabbing the cane. Voices reached her as she hobbled carefully down the oak floor of the hallway.

Annie paused in the kitchen entry and discovered there was a guest at the table. Will sat across from a sophisticated blonde in a cream linen suit who gestured in conversation.

She inched back out of the room.

“About time you got up. We were debating whether or not to wake you for dinner,” Will called. A hint of a smile played on his strong mouth.

“Dinner? What are you talking about?” She glanced at the black, wrought-iron rooster clock on the wall. Three o’clock? “I slept over twelve hours.”

“You needed that sleep,” he said.

“Apparently,” Annie admitted. “I missed church.”

“Are you kidding me?” Will laughed.

Rose pulled out a chair. “Come sit down, honey.”

“Oh, no, no.” Annie shook her head. “You have a guest. I don’t want to interrupt. Besides, I’m not dressed.”

“Don’t be silly. This is just Mrs. Reilly,” Rose said, dismissing Annie’s concerns with a wave of her hand. “Now sit yourself down.” She pulled out a chair. “I’ve got a fresh pot of coffee brewing.”

The woman seated at the table raised a perfectly arched brow at Rose’s remark.

“That sounds wonderful,” Annie admitted. She carefully lowered herself into a ladder-backed chair.

“Annie, this is Margaret Reilly,” Will said. “She and her husband, Ed, are involved in a joint venture with Sullivan Ranch.”

Annie offered the woman her hand. The blonde’s grip was strong and businesslike as her assessing gaze met Annie’s head-on. A second glance at the woman’s polished features and Annie realized Margaret was her own mother’s age.

“Call me Margaret. I’m delighted to finally meet Will’s little sister.”

Little sister? Her glance darted to Will, who had suddenly become preoccupied with the floor tile.

Well, why was she surprised? The words only verified what she knew all along.

“I understand you’re a nurse,” Margaret said. “I don’t know how you do it. That sort of work definitely has to be a calling.”

“Annie is called. Did you know she had a full-ride academic scholarship to the University of Tulsa?” Rose spoke with pride. As she talked, she filled a mug with steaming coffee and set it on the table in front of Annie.

“TU? I’m impressed. So, what are your plans now that you’re back? How long are you visiting?”

“Visiting?” Rose interrupted, her voice taking on an edge. “Why, Annie is family.”

Margaret gave a small, tight smile. “So you’ll probably be looking for a job, and I know they’re desperate for nurses in Oklahoma City. I have a colleague who is on the board of several hospitals. I’d be happy to give her your name.”

“OK City is too far,” Rose said. “They’re hiring right here in T-town.”

“I’m not really sure what I’ll do once the doctor releases me,” Annie answered. “But thank you for thinking of me.”

“Oh, yes. Will mentioned your accident. You were overseas.”

“But she’s not going back. Right, Annie?” Rose asked with concern.

Annie reached out to put her hand over Rose’s. The conversation was spiraling out of control.

Will cleared his throat.

Annie recognized the pained expression on his face as a desperate plea to change the subject.

“Have we got any fruit in the house?” he asked, with a quick glance around.

“Fruit?” Rose asked, distracted. “What on earth are you talking about? There’s fruit in the basket, where it always is.” She grabbed the willow basket off the counter and dropped it squarely in front of Will.

Margaret stood. “I must get back to the house. We’re hosting that big charity buffet tonight.” She paused to give Will her complete attention. “I can still count on you to be there, right?”

Will frowned slightly, confusion evident his face. “Tonight?” He scratched his head. “Did I know about this?”

Margaret gathered her leather clutch. “You certainly did. Ed and I both told you there will be several very important contacts for the ranch attending this party, including several well-connected young ladies that you certainly must meet.”

Margaret Reilly was pointed in her plan for matchmaking. No doubt she’d find the perfect wife.

The perfect wife for Will Sullivan.

The sharp pain of realization made Annie wince. She blinked and mindlessly lifted the coffee mug to her lips, taking a swig of the hot beverage. The immediate result burned her mouth and brought tears to her eyes. With a noise of pain she swallowed.

“You okay?” Will asked, jumping to his feet.

“Hot. Hot,” Annie sputtered.

He moved quickly to the sink, filling a glass with tap water. “Here, drink.”

She did, swishing the cool and soothing water over the inside of her scalded mouth before swallowing.