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She hesitated, unsettled by his nearness. “She’s making such good progress they keep moving the date up. I don’t see how we can be ready now that I know what state the house is in.” She knew what teachers’ hours involved, not to mention that she wanted to be sure the work was done right, by a professional. “I appreciate the offer, Steve, but I couldn’t take you away from your kids and job. And I refuse to take your time on a holiday weekend.”
“Maybe we could work out a compromise. I’ll see what needs to be done, and you let us take you away from here Sunday afternoon. Aunt Elaine and Uncle Bill are having their annual Labor Day picnic.” His plea was gentle, open for discussion and terribly tempting.
Tori wanted to keep her visit to Segundo as quiet as possible. “I haven’t been to the ranch since Brody and I were in high school. I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”
“It’s nothing too frightening, just the picnic and the annual hayride to end the summer.” Steve paused, “Think about it. I pick up the kids around three. Why don’t we stop by and mow the grass so you can at least water the trees tonight? You can let me know if we have a deal then.”
Tori followed him outside and glanced at the yard. “I’m not sure if I’ll be done with my appointments by three.”
“If you just leave the garage unlocked, we can get started.”
“But I don’t even know if the mower is working.”
He backed away with a laugh. “I’ll see you later. I came out to see if the school bells are working, so I’d better get back.”
Tori unlocked the garage then locked the house and slipped into the car to run her errands, surprisingly anxious to see Steve again. She returned long before two o’clock with a few groceries and a very short referral list from the health care coordinator of handy-men who had experience with handicap renovations. At the top of the list was none other than Steven Remington. She had called several of the others on the list from her cell phone, but all were busy until the end of the month. While she liked Steve, she wasn’t sure it was a good idea to hire him to do the work. He had a job and children, and who knew how much time the building would take?
Tori carried her supplies into the house and removed several containers of green growing things from the refrigerator, replacing them with her own meals for the weekend. By the time Steve and his kids arrived, she’d made room for the box of ice pops in the freezer and met them outside when she carried the trash bag to the garage.
His kids jumped out of the truck and waited for their dad.
“Kyle, Kelsey, this is Miss Sandoval.”
“Just Tori, if that’s okay with you. I’ll think I’m back at school. How are you kids today?”
Two meek voices murmured, “Fine.”
“Hasn’t school started yet?”
Kelsey shook her head, but Kyle spoke. “Not until next Tuesday. This is our last weekend of summer vacation.”
“Do you have fun plans?” Tori asked.
“We’re going on a hayride, and ride horses and maybe even swimming.” Kelsey blurted out, “Dad says maybe you could come with us. Will you?”
Tori smiled. She was flattered that his daughter didn’t feel threatened by sharing her dad’s attention. “I’d like that, but I do have a lot of work to do here.”
“Bummer.” Kyle looked up to his dad and frowned.
Seeing that the kids’ disappointment matched Steve’s surprised her. She presumed that Steve had told his kids that he had offered their help during their last weekend of the summer vacation. “I’ll see how much I get done. How about that?”
Their faces brightened.
“Sounds fair enough.” Steve clapped his hands once. “Let’s find that lawn mower and get to work.”
Tori led the way to the backyard and the kids took off when they found the rickety old swing set that her grandfather had built from discarded supplies from the mine.
The kids stood examining the structure, tugging on it before climbing aboard. “Dad, I’m going to get your tools from the truck, okay?”
“Sounds good, Kyle. It’s unlocked.” Kyle disappeared with Kelsey close behind.
“I appreciate your help, Steve, but I don’t want you to…”
Steve paused before going into the garage. “I’m not going to take anything away from my family,” he whispered. “It’s important that they learn to help others, and I make sure they are appropriately rewarded for doing so.”
Her willpower faltered. Then Steve’s mouth twitched and she caved in. “If you’re sure.”
His immediate smile told her that there wasn’t much Steve Remington wasn’t sure about—even the humbling experience of raising children by himself. “I am. Did you have any luck arranging for home health care?”
She felt the insecurity creeping back. In the city, care for the aging was a hot commodity, but here it had always been a family responsibility. That meant her. “They’re overbooked and short-staffed. They can’t offer much more than once-a-week service. I’m going to have to find someone who isn’t part of the home-health system to come and help.”
“Did they have names of qualified people?” While they talked, she and Steve unburied the mower.
“A few. I recognized a few names from school, so I’ll start there, I guess. They also gave me a list of men who could do the renovations.”
Steve moved a cast-iron birdbath. “You won’t need that list. I’d be insulted if you don’t let me do the work for you.” Tori set aside a box of old clay pots, along with the special memories they held, choosing to overlook Steve’s comment for the moment. It was almost tradition for households to include several generations in the valley. And surprisingly, that crossed all cultures and social classes. Even the Remingtons, with all of their money, kept family on the ranch. She looked at Steve with an unusual jealousy. While he’d left the circle of his own parents, he’d still come back to family for solace. Her family broke every cultural boundary for the times.
Steve pulled the mower into the yard where they could take a better look. He yanked on the cord and nothing happened. “Sounds pretty dead.” Rubbing his chin, he stood and moved the mower closer to his toolbox.
Tori forced her unruly emotions to the back of her mind, focusing on the present. “Steve, you’re going to ruin your clothes. This doesn’t have to be done today.”
“I don’t suppose you have those scrubs around, do you?” His eyes twinkled, and she was convinced that he wanted to say something more.
“I returned those to the hospital,” she said, reading way too much into his gaze. “I’m sure I could find something, though it wouldn’t look nearly as cute on you.” Why did she suspect that they would be having a much different conversation without the kids here?
He laughed. “I think I have my basketball clothes in the truck. Probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to change. I’d hate to have you indebted to me again.”
Tori rolled her eyes. “Oh, really? Maybe I should ask for a written estimate before you start the renovations. Not sure I can afford your help.”
“It shouldn’t be a problem.”
She didn’t want charity, but she would save that argument for another time. “Help yourself to the house. I’ll see how the kids are doing.”
Steve lowered his already deep voice, imitating Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I’ll be back.”
Kelsey tossed a twig at Steve. “You’re such a dork, Dad.”
“King Dork to you, princess.” He turned and disappeared.
Tori found herself studying the closeness between Steve and his kids, pleased to discover what a good relationship he’d developed with them. She admired a parent with determination to keep in touch with their children. Not in a monthly letter way like Tori had experienced. Times were different, she tried to tell herself. In her parents’ thinking, they’d done nothing wrong. Leaving grandparents to raise the kids was perfectly acceptable in their world, yet Tori had wanted more. And she still longed for the kind of closeness Steve was creating with his son and daughter.
“Tori, which one is a crescent wrench?” Kelsey asked quietly, tugging her from her trance.
Tori dug through the toolbox. “This one,” she whispered.
Kelsey handed the wrench to her younger brother and smiled back to Tori.
“Hey, how’d you know which one I needed?” Kyle studied it a minute and smiled. “Thanks, sis.” Kyle worked on one side of the toolbox, Steve on the other. An hour later the kids were enjoying the same swing set that Tori had used as a kid, and Steve had the mower cutting grass. She went inside and cleaned until she heard the mower stop.
“Could I fix dinner for your help?”
“Thanks, but I think Aunt Elaine is expecting us for supper at six-thirty.”
“Would an ice pop ruin their appetites?” Tori raised her eyebrows and waited for Steve to protest.
He surprised her by accepting the treat. “Since it’s a half-hour drive, I think we’ll be fine. I’m sure they’ve worked up an appetite since snacks at Mrs. Niccolo’s.”
“Bette is watching kids? We were best friends growing up, but I haven’t talked to her in a few years. I thought she got a teaching degree.”
“She did. She likes child care better, and it lets her stay home with her family. She’s the only licensed provider in the valley, and the kids love her.” Steve called the kids. Kyle came dragging the toolbox back to the truck. “Here, let me put that away, Kyle.”
“Thanks for letting us play on the swing set, Tori. It’s awesome. We can swing really high on it.” Kelsey hugged Tori, surprising her once again.
“Come on in and wash.” Tori waited in the kitchen, glad that she had thought of buying refreshments for them. “I have a treat to thank you for your hard work.”
“Tori, while Dad works on the ramp tomorrow, could we paint the swing set?”
She was caught off guard. “Tomorrow?”
Steve swallowed a chunk of the frozen confection. “Tomorrow, as in the day after today. You will be here, won’t you?”
She nodded blankly. “Sure. I’ll see if I can find—”
“We have some leftover paint out at the ranch. If you don’t mind multicolors, I think we’d have it taken care of and use up some scraps while we’re at it.”
She smiled, trying to recall the original color. “That sounds great.” She hadn’t planned to fix that up, but it would be nice to have the bright colors in the yard again.
The kids devoured the red, white and blue ice pop and begged their dad to let them have another.
“We need to save one for tomorrow. Let’s get going before Aunt Elaine scalps us for being late.” Steve looked into Tori’s eyes. “We’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
Steve and the kids arrived the next morning and started working without even ringing the doorbell to announce their arrival. Tori stepped over the piles of magazines she’d sorted through and went outside to greet them. “Morning.”
He studied her a moment before saying anything. “I hope we didn’t wake you.”
She must have looked as bad as she felt. “I fell asleep drawing diagrams of the rooms. I’m trying to rearrange on paper so it’s less work. Then I woke at three and couldn’t sleep anymore, so I finally just started moving things around. If you have a minute to spare I could use help moving a few pieces into the shed.”
He glanced past her into the living room. “You sure that’s all you need moved?”
She was getting comfortable with the sound of his voice, a deep baritone that seemed to ease her tension and make everything okay. “Now that you mention it, the curio would work better on the other wall.”
Tori expected his smile, almost welcomed it, realizing that, now she was thirty-four, his age mattered less to her than it would have ten years ago. The smile didn’t disappoint, but this time, he added a wink as he walked past her.
He inhaled deeply, noting a sweet and spicy scent pervaded the room. “I think you’re right,” he said. He pulled out his measuring tape and compared the numbers with the space Tori had saved for it. He shoved the chair a few inches to one side then helped her move the antique cabinet. “There you go. You can put the knickknacks back inside.”
She had washed all of the contents and polished the silver frame of her grandparents’wedding portrait. Steve picked up a smaller frame with Tori’s first grade school photo inside. “No question who this adorable little girl is.”
“Those were the days,” she mumbled.
“And not much has changed.”
Tori felt her tired expression melt into a rosy blush and took the frame from his grasp, returning it to the empty shelf. “So what do you have planned today?”
“I hoped to take measurements for the doorways and draw up the plans for the ramp. The kids can’t wait to paint the swing set. I hope you really don’t mind, and that your grandparents won’t, either.”
She set her cup of tea on the counter. “I’m sure they would love it. I think they’ve about lost hope for another generation to use it. My brother’s kids rarely come, and as you can see, it’s been in such bad condition….”
“Then maybe we’d better get it back into shape, just in case….”
She froze. Surely he didn’t mean what she thought he did. “In case?”
“Kids come into your life,” he said with a mischievous laugh.
Tori heard Kyle and Kelsey in the backyard and glanced outside. The kids were attempting to spread a canvas drop cloth beneath the swing set. She shook her head. “It’s a lost cause.”
Steve’s voice was a little awkward. “Nothing is a lost cause.”
She looked at him in disbelief.
“You shouldn’t give up on your dreams, Tori.”
“I’m not. I’m just being realistic. I left here simply because I didn’t want to end up single and pregnant, living in fear of the mine closing like so many of my friends. I was determined I wouldn’t get stuck here, just another statistic….”
“I understand. And for the record, I enjoy father-hood more than anything. If the right woman comes along, I’d have no qualms about having another child, maybe even two.”
Tori chuckled. “Thanks for clarifying. Not that it’s any of my business, but it’s…something to think about.” She didn’t dare admit that she admired him enough to actually remember the information, even though the one factor that would eliminate any hope for a relationship between them still existed. He loved Coal Valley, and she couldn’t wait to leave.
Chapter Four
Steve hadn’t been sure what to expect when the family saw his guest at the Stonewall Ranch barbecue Sunday afternoon. They knew he’d taken Tori’s grandfather to the hospital, but even he wasn’t certain what to make of his and Tori’s friendship. One thing for sure was that her presence would get tongues wagging.
Tori pulled her SUV to a stop and waited for several minutes before climbing out. Despite his suspicions that no one would recognize her after all of these years, his cousin Brody did immediately. “Victoria Sandoval.” Brody’s lingering gaze fueled Steve’s suspicion that they had indeed been close friends.
She stared like a frightened kitten into the crowd. Uncertain whether she was looking for him or other familiar faces, Steve watched and waited.
“She’s still the finest-looking filly in sight,” Brody mumbled. “You didn’t tell us you’re dating someone, let alone that it’s Tori.”
Steve raised a brow. “We’re not dating.”
Brody’s smile said he didn’t believe it. “We all think it’s high time you move on with your life, Steve. Surely Anna would want the kids to have a mother. And from what you’ve told us about her, she and Tori would have been good friends.”
Steve didn’t much appreciate anyone reminding him of the similarities between his workaholic wife and Tori. “We’re not dating,” he said again, then added a test of his own theory that Brody and Tori had once dated. “And I’m not sure your date would appreciate you drooling over an old flame.”
“Once burned is enough for me, but it didn’t damage my eyesight.” Brody turned away, nodding to the redhead sitting next to the pool. “Just one word of warning, Steve. Tori’s dreams never included Coal Valley, and they never will.”
Tori had made that very clear, and he didn’t need any more reminders. Tori had pulled her silky long hair into a ponytail at the nape of her neck. The white blouse was plain and yet, on her, the simplicity looked elegant. He sauntered toward her, welcomed by a smile when she caught sight of him. “Afternoon,” Steve said softly. “You looked wary for a minute there.”
Tori gazed up at the vertical stone formation for which the ranch had been named. “Just overwhelmed by old memories.”
“You sure that’s all?”
Her smile faded to a guilt-ridden grin. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been here. I was highly tempted to head back to my grandparents’house before anyone saw me.”
Tori’s sudden insecurity intrigued him. If she didn’t want to see everyone, why had she agreed to come? He wanted more than anything to believe her reason included him, but he wouldn’t take that for granted, either. “Before you change your mind, why not say hello.” Steve touched his hand to the small of her back, encouraging her to join the festivities, offering his support the best he knew how.
Tori pulled away from him as they walked through the opening in the split-rail fence of the parking area, and it became apparent that guests were recognizing her. He eased her toward the beverage tables on the bunkhouse veranda. “Why don’t we start out with something to drink,” he suggested. “What would you like?”
“I’ll stick with some of Elaine’s famous lemonade, if it’s still on the menu.”
“Tradition lives forever here. You sure that’s all you want?”
Tori nodded. “Thanks.”
Steve poured Tori a glass while his aunt and uncle greeted Tori warmly, expressing their concern and offering a helping hand if needed.
“Thank you. I can’t believe how much Steve and the kids and I accomplished this weekend. I couldn’t have done half of it by myself. At this rate, we might be ready, after all.”
“How’s Maria doing?” Elaine asked.
The mention of her grandmother seemed to ease her tension. “She’s doing much better than expected. Therapists are hopeful she’ll be released within the week.”
“That’s wonderful!” Elaine said, reminding Tori to keep in touch.
“But you don’t have help arranged for her yet, do you?” Steve asked.
She shook her head. “I’ll bring Abuela to my condo until we’re confident she can manage at home. That will give me a little more time to find help here.”
“Tori!” Kelsey yelled as she ran across the yard. “I was watching for you.”
“From Lookout Point, right?” Tori queried.
Kelsey turned white. “How’d you know?”
“Brody and I were friends a long, long time ago. My grandmother worked here, and when I was old enough, I was a housekeeper for the guest ranch.”
Kelsey looked to her father for verification while Tori continued to talk. “It was my very first summer job. And after I finished work, Elaine let me go swimming. That was the best part.”
Steve noticed that Tori omitted mention of who had shown her Lookout Point and wondered if that was intentional.
“I love the pool, too!” Kelsey said. “Daddy takes us swimming every day. Well, almost every day. They’re draining it next week.”
Tori patted Kelsey’s shoulder sympathetically. “It’s that time of year. Summer is over, school is starting and the travelers don’t need a pool to cool off. Not only that. Who wants to clean all of the leaves out of it?” Tori scrunched her nose. “Ooh, ick.”
Kelsey giggled. “I like using the skimmer. And I learned how to dive this year.”
“Good for you.”
Kelsey hadn’t left Tori alone all weekend, yet Tori never seemed to tire of his daughter’s incessant need to talk. Steve noted Kelsey’s mood had improved greatly since she’d snagged Tori’s attention. Why was it so different than having Aunt Elaine around for that female companionship? he wondered.
“What’s your favorite thing about starting school in the fall?” Tori’s enthusiasm showed how much she loved her job, but when Kelsey didn’t answer right away, Tori added, “Are you anxious to see all of your friends again? Do you like choir, or maybe it’s the shopping for new clothes?”
Kelsey shrugged, a smile hiding her ambivalence. “Sort of, I guess. Summer was too short, but school will be fun this year. I have Miss Wilson for a teacher. She’s neat.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but where’s Kyle?” Steve asked, realizing he hadn’t seen him since they left the house.
“He and cousin Matt went to the stables to see the pony.”
“I’d better go check on them. Care to join me?” He addressed both of them, but his gaze lingered on Tori’s subtle smile.
“Sure. Kelsey, are you coming with us?”
“No, thanks, I’ll see if Aunt Elaine needs help.” She skipped away toward the commotion.
Tori glanced at Steve. “She’s quite a young lady.”
“Girl,” Steve corrected. “Don’t make her grow up, or me get older any quicker than necessary.” He laughed. “It’s probably more like she doesn’t want Kyle to know that she tattled on him.”
“Give yourself credit, Steve. She’s a special young…ster.” Tori kept a yard or two between them as they strolled to the corrals.
“Nice save.” Steve chuckled. The silence stretched awkwardly as their shoes collected dust from the tall grass. “So I guess there isn’t much of Stonewall Ranch that I could show you, is there?”
Tori’s eyes sparkled. “Probably not, but I’m sure it would look just as wonderful after…” She paused. “Almost sixteen years. Ouch. Where did time go?”
“I hate to tell you, but time disappears twice as quickly from here on.” He didn’t add that it tripled when kids entered the house.
“Now who’s painting a picture of aging?” With a smile like Tori’s, the years disappeared. Steve hated that she would be going back to the city where her life must seem so rewarding and full. He knew life in Segundo must look dull in comparison.
After saving the pony from the clutches of two young boys, she and Steve escorted the kids back to the gathering where the country band was stirring interest with their skilled fiddling.
Steve motioned for Kelsey and they stepped to the end of the food line where the young cousins attacked the platters with cowboy enthusiasm. Tori gave up with filling her own plate after greeting old acquaintances and answering incessant queries about her grandparents caused more than one delay in the moving of the line.
She had just gotten back into the line when Superintendent Waterman appeared next to her. “Tori Sandoval. It’s good to see you again.”
She offered her hand. “You, too,” she said, caught very much off guard. Jerry Waterman had looked old all those years ago, when she’d been a student at Coal Valley Secondary School, and time hadn’t been kind to him. His tan appeared dull and faded, his eyes sunken and his breathing shallow and labored.
Steve looked concerned. “How are you feeling, Jerry?”
“I can’t say in mixed company. That West Nile is a tough nut to crack.” He shook his head and caught his breath. “I’m hoping the worst is over. I’ve tried to reach you at your grandparents’home, Tori, but I keep missing you.”
“Really? I just arrived Friday.”
“Yes, I noticed your car in the driveway. How is Maria?”
Tori gave him the condensed version of Abuela’s rehabilitation and hoped his only intention in calling was to check on her grandmother.
Steve finished filling the kids’ plates and settled at the table. Did he know something she didn’t?
“Steve tells me you’re an administrator now. Of course, your grandparents told me a while back, but I’ve lost track of time. How do you like it?”
“This is my fourth year, actually. It’s quite a change from the classroom, but I enjoy the challenges.”
After an awkward mention of the state-mandated student-assessment tests, Tori suspected he’d come out of his way specifically to talk to her about local results. “Why don’t we finish serving ourselves and sit down to visit?” she said. At least with the discussion focused on education, Tori felt comfortable and in control. After the direction of the conversation with Steve yesterday, she needed all the help she could get to keep herself focused on her grandparents’ care.