Читать онлайн книгу «Finding Her Home» автора Carol Steward

Finding Her Home
Carol Steward
Returning to Segundo, Colorado, was the last thing Tori Sandoval planned to do.She'd overcome the odds facing a girl from the small coal-mining town to become a big-city high school principal. But now her grandparents need her help. Still, she can't understand why widower Steve Remington would willingly move to the sticks with his children.Steve never expected that doing a favor for his elderly neighbors would introduce him to a woman as attractive as Tori. And, an even bigger surprise, she turns up again as his new boss! Working together brings them almost too close - but perhaps God intends Steve to teach Tori the meaning of home.



“You looked wary for a minute there.”
Tori gazed up at the vertical stone formation. “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 Steve. 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.

CAROL STEWARD
wrote daily to a pen pal for ten years, yet writing as a career didn’t occur to her for another two decades. “My first key chain said ‘Bloom Where You’re Planted.’ I’ve tried to follow that advice ever since.”
Carol, her husband and their three children have planted their roots in Greeley. Together, their family enjoys sports, camping and discovering Colorado’s beauty. Carol has operated her own cake-decorating business and spent fifteen years providing full-time child care to more than one hundred children before moving on to the other end of the education field. She is now an admissions advisor at a state university.
As always, Carol loves to hear from her readers. You can contact her at P.O. Box 200269, Evans, CO80620. She would also love for you to visit her Web page at www.carolsteward.com.

Finding her Home
Carol Steward


The LORD said to me, “Do not say,
‘I am only a boy’ for you shall go to all
to whom I send you, and you shall speak
whatever I command you.”
—Jeremiah 1:7
Dedicated to all teachers and educators,
but mostly to my late grandmother, Mildred Call,
my sisters, Cindy and Cynde Bohannan,
my late brother-in-law, Dan Correll, and the
Steward family of educators, Mildred, Jack, Marty,
Dave, Doug, Karen, Charles and Deb Haverfield.
Thank you for your dedication!
Dear Reader,
This generation is supposed to learn more at a younger age, and with that comes the expectation that teachers and educators wear more hats than ever before. They’re often expected to fill the shoes of social worker, friend, advocate, mediator, parent liaison, police, counselor, coach and last, but most importantly, teacher. And when administrators move from the classroom into leadership, the expectations double.
Twenty-six years ago I married into a family of educators. I first met my future father-in-law as a student anxiously sitting in the junior high principal’s office. Throughout the years he grew to appreciate the many expectations of his job. Whether it was to discipline an ornery student, intervene with disagreements between student and teacher, or rush to the school in the middle of the night because fire alarms had gone off, the job never ends.
Now my husband is a principal, and the inspiration for Finding Her Home. I’m continually reminded God is present in all schools, with administrators, teachers, staff or students, giving His children courage and patience to face what each day brings. And with quiet faith can come countless opportunities to make an impact on those in need.
Please pray for all of our schools and our educators, that all will be willing to speak up when God commands.
I love to hear from my readers. Please feel free to contact me at P.O. Box 200269, Evans, CO 80620 or at csteward37@comcast.net. Don’t forget to visit my Web site at www.carolsteward.com.



Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen

Chapter One
“It’s four-thirty in the morning. Who would be calling at this time of day?” Tori Sandoval picked up the phone, startled to hear her grandfather’s voice. “¿Abuelo? Calm down. What’s wrong?”
“Victoria, Abuela collapsed. The doctor at the clinic is having her flown to Pikes Peak Hospital. Can you meet her there?”
“Of course. What happened? How is she?” Tori choked back tears, allowing his announcement to sink in.
Tori heard Grandfather sob. “She fell…” he said, pausing to blow his nose. He rambled on, telling every detail. “I had to call the paramedics. I couldn’t do anything for her.”
“That’s their job. You shouldn’t be lifting her. Are you okay?”
“Fine. I’ll drive up after sunrise.”
Tori sat up in bed, the thought of her eighty-two-year-old grandfather making the 150-mile drive alone completed the wake-up process instantly. “No! I’ll come get you.”
“Abuela needs you. I’ll take it slow and do just fine. The nurse says my Maria will be in the hospital a while. You get to the hospital now, angel. Don’t worry about me.”
“¡Abuelo!”
Silence.
Thirty minutes later Tori Sandoval pressed the brakes of her four-wheel drive as she entered the already-busy hospital parking lot.
She parked the vehicle then punched in the number on her cell phone. “Sheriff Martinez, this is Victoria Sandoval….”
“Victoria, I’m sorry about your grandmother. I’m trying to find someone to bring Jose to Colorado Springs. He shouldn’t be driving in town, let alone on the highway.”
Relief washed over her. “Yes, I know. That’s what I’m calling about. I could come get him if you could stop him….”
“Don’t worry about coming here. I’ll make sure Jose gets a ride.” They spoke a few minutes longer and she gave Sheriff Martinez her cell phone number in case he needed to reach her.
“You holler if you need anything. We’ll keep a close watch on the house.”
“Thanks, Sheriff.” Tori disconnected the call and stuffed the phone into her briefcase. “Abuela and Abuelo need to realize it’s time for them to move here so I can help out more,” she said aloud to herself. “I can’t move to Segundo now, I’m so close to finishing my thesis, and school’s just starting….”
Tori rushed across the parking lot and through the automatic doors to the emergency room. She stepped up to the counter. “Excuse me, my grandmother was being transported here from Segundo Emergency Clinic. Is Maria Sandoval here yet?”
“Let me go check.”
The nurse returned a few minutes later, shaking her head. “Her flight was delayed. If you’ll have a seat in the waiting room, we’ll call you when she arrives.”
“Any idea how she is?”
The middle-aged woman smiled. “She’s stable. We’ll send her directly to the neurology center.”
“Thank you.” Tori nodded numbly and turned to find a seat. After assessing the lack of available space, she decided to wait outside. Maybe the fresh air would help to clear her mind. She walked back to her vehicle before realizing she’d left her bagel on the table next to the door at her condo. “So much for breakfast.”
She had known this time would come, when her grandparents would need more care than was available in Coal Valley. Tori closed her eyes, questions racing through her head a dozen at a time. She glanced at her watch again. Time stood still.
Stable. What did that mean exactly? Had her grandfather reached the rest of the family? Now what? Mom and Dad can’t come home for months. Aunt Juanita is still recovering from chemo treatments. I can’t take care of them in Segundo.
Tori saw the cross on the hospital sign and cringed. She hadn’t been a regular church attendee in years, but her grandparents didn’t miss a week. Surely God wouldn’t turn a deaf ear. Lord, be with Abuela and give her strength, and help the sheriff find someone to bring Abuelo here. Pacing the sidewalk to ward off the early morning chill, she twisted her watch around her wrist and noted that less than five minutes had passed.
Opening her planner, Tori checked her schedule. Orientation with the new teachers. School improvement plan with building administrators—skip. Attendance forms—format. Tori rubbed her temple, making new notes for the day.
Half an hour passed before she heard the stutter of a helicopter’s approach. A bright pink glow painted the horizon and spilled across the sky as the copter landed on the hospital roof. Tori returned to the waiting room in time to hear her name called. She was then directed to an examining room where she introduced herself to the medics. Then she turned to her grandmother. “Abuela, it’s Tori.” Her grandmother didn’t respond. The left side of her mouth drooped. Her skin looked gray despite the oxygen tube under her nose.
“Is she okay?” Tori whispered to the medics.
“She’s stable. She became agitated when we moved her into the copter. We delayed the flight until she calmed down again. She was worried about your grandfather driving here.”
Tori smiled. “That’s been taken care of. He has a ride.”
“Good. It’s not easy separating loved ones at times like this.” The paramedics rolled the gurney into the service elevator and pushed it to one side. “Come on. We’ll save you the trouble of finding us again.” Tori patted Abuela’s hand, alarmed that it didn’t move. Tori felt the tears sting her eyes. She followed in silence while they settled Abuela into a room.
The nurse introduced herself and offered to wait until Tori’s grandfather arrived to complete the check-in. Tori answered what questions she could, sure Abuelo would be worried and tired when he got to town. He’d already gone through the “check in and wait” routine at the Segundo clinic.
Staff came in and left the room, but Abuela didn’t stir. “Is it normal for her to sleep so much?” Tori asked the nurse.
“Very. The neurologist will run tests soon.” She adjusted a small clamp on Abuela’s finger and waited for the new reading. “Her oxygen is improving.”
Tori tried to think of questions to ask, but only one mattered. “Will Abuela be okay?”
The nurse finished recording the numbers flashing on the monitors then motioned for Tori to follow her out to the hallway. In a hushed tone, the nurse apologized that she couldn’t give a definite answer. “The tests will give us a better idea of the extent of the damage she’s suffered. I know this isn’t the answer you want, but I’m afraid that only time will tell. Maria appears to be a strong, active woman. That helps.”
Three hours later Tori finally gave in to the nurse’s urging and went to the cafeteria for some breakfast. She balanced a fruit yogurt cup and a frothy-topped caramel latte, struggling to keep her purse on her shoulder. She turned in to her grandmother’s room and ran into a solid male body, bathing him in caramel, cream and mixed berries.
“Whoa. That gives an all-new meaning to ‘freshly brewed coffee.’”
Tori looked at the man and dropped the cup. “Ah, ah,” Tori gasped, stumbling on the slick floor as she stepped back. “Oh, my, I’m so sorry, Doctor. I didn’t see you.”
The man with salt-and-pepper hair, a deep tan and whiskey-brown eyes caught her by the arm and steadied her. “Careful.”
She studied the mess trickling down his faded denim shirt and jeans. “I am so sorry. Did it burn you?”
“It’s…warm.” His eyes drifted to her pink polo shirt. “But I don’t think there are any serious burns. How about you?”
She hadn’t even realized her splatter was a mirror image of his. Looking up, she suddenly felt very…warm, as well. “I’ll be fine. The nurse insisted I get something to eat, that you wouldn’t be back again until Grandfather arrived.”
A smile teased his lips. “I think there’s some confusion….”
“Tori,” her grandfather said a little too loudly, “this is Steven Remington from Stonewall Ranch. But I guess you already know that since you arranged for him to bring me here.”
“¡Abuelo!” She glanced at the man she’d assumed was a doctor, then stepped over the mess, allowing Steven Remington’s hand to steady her as she walked around the bed to hug her grandfather. “When did you get here?”
“Just a bit ago, angel.” He took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. “I’ll take a rain check for a proper hug after you’ve cleaned up. Steven isn’t a doctor. He teaches math at Coal Valley High and helps his uncle at the ranch. It was right fine of him to bring me here so mi esposa has a few of her own things.” Tears filled Abuelo’s eyes. His voice softened as he spoke to his wife in their native language.
Tori looked from her grandfather to the man she was supposed to know, but didn’t. She stepped back around the bed and stared at Mr. Remington, puzzled. “I’m sorry. I thought you were another doctor. Have we met before?”
“I don’t think we’ve had that pleasure. Sheriff Martinez knew I was headed to the Springs today to pick up supplies, and asked me to give your grandfather a ride.” He turned slightly and whispered to her. “I think Jose’s pride is a little scorched this morning, not being trusted to drive himself here.”
Tori nodded, understanding Grandpa’s prickly mood. “I can imagine.” She picked a fresh strawberry from her shirt and dropped it into the trash, trying to hide the tears that she’d just managed to dry before she’d entered the room. “Thank you so much for your kindness—” she hesitated “—Steven.” The name fit him perfectly. Suave and sophisticated. Rugged, yet classy. “As I’m sure you guessed, I’m Tori Sandoval, Jose and Maria’s clumsy granddaughter.”
Steven knelt down to add more fruit to the trash can, and rose with a sympathetic smile. “I doubt that. Your mind was on more important matters, is all.” He turned to the sink and pulled a handful of paper towels from the rack, handing several to Tori. “I’ll see if the nurse has a mop for the floor. Be careful.”
Tori cleaned herself as much as she could, only managing to mash the berries further into the fabric. Before Steven returned, Tori picked up the chunks of fruit and globs of yogurt from the floor.
Grandmother woke and tried to talk, but gibberish was all that came out. Grandpa’s eyes watered. He took her hand in his as she struggled to get the words right. She shook her head and started over, the words garbled.
“Don’t try to talk now, honey. Just rest. I’m not going anywhere. Steven Remington brought me, so I don’t even have our own car here.” Grandpa leaned over, tenderly kissed his wife’s frail lips and she struggled to smile.
Abuela’s body relaxed and her gaze shifted to Steven as he walked back into the room.
“Housekeeping will be in shortly with a mop,” Steven said quietly as he stepped closer to Tori. “The nurse said the doctor will be right in, as well.”
“Zlevem,” Abuela said. She frowned. “Ztevem…gwashias.” The frown turned to fear. She pounded the bed with her good hand.
Tori started to interpret but stopped when Steven took Maria’s hand. “You’re welcome, Mrs. Sandoval. I’m happy to help.”
Grandpa spoke, again, so loud that the entire wing of the hospital could probably hear him. “Steven is Bill’s nephew. Remember, the one who came from out East to raise his niños?”
Steve almost blushed.
Abuela nodded, then looked at Tori and tried to lift her eyebrows. “Towee.”
Tori stepped to the bedside as Steven moved, making room for her next to him, as Grandmother wouldn’t let go of his hand.
A rap on the door caught everyone’s attention. An older man wearing a white lab coat and stethoscope entered, followed by Grandmother’s nurse.
“Good morning. I’m the neurologist—Dr. Kimball—and you may have met her nurse already.” He turned to Tori and Steven and smiled. “Leila, it looks like we have another case of hospital-food-itis. Would you get a set of scrubs for these two to change into so they’ll be a little more comfortable.” Tori felt ridiculous for mistaking Steven for a doctor once she noticed Dr. Kimball’s white coat and stethoscope.
The nurse left the room, and the housekeeper came in with the mop and bucket, cleaning while the doctor continued to fill the family in on Abuela’s condition, explaining in tedious detail what tests she would be having and why. “Right now, Maria, you seem to be doing very well. The tests will confirm the preliminary diagnosis and guide us in the best path to take in your rehabilitation.”
Nurse Leila returned with a pair of scrubs for both Tori and Steven. Steven tried to give them back, explaining that he needed to get to his errands.
“I’d really like all of you to be here for the test results. We should be done in an hour or two. While the aides take Mrs. Sandoval down for the tests, Leila will show Mr. Sandoval to the waiting room. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
“Dr. Kimball, I live a few miles away. Could we go clean up and get a bite to eat—Steven won’t need to be here for the results.”
“You go,” Grandpa interrupted, “but I’m not leaving Maria. She may need me.” He dropped into the chair next to the bed, and no amount of reasoning could change his mind. Even Maria’s feeble attempts to plead with her husband failed.
“Sure, you should have time to run home and clean up, and we’ll be sure to keep in touch with your grandfather.” The doctor left the room, followed by the nurse.
“Victoria Isabelle!” her grandfather’s deep voice rumbled.
“What?” Tori jumped and her stomach growled.
“Surely you aren’t going to make Steven run his errands in stained clothes, are you?” He paused only a second before continuing. “You’ve been here for hours. Why don’t you go on home and get both of your clothes washed before those stains set in.”
Steven shook his head. “I’ll be fine, really.”
“Nonsense,” her grandfather stated, “It looks as if the two of you took a dive into the punch bowl. Don’t worry about us. You get something to eat, clean up and take care of Steven. Can’t send a man on his way looking like that.”
Tori wanted to fade like a mirage on the desert. In addition to being sticky, she was tired, hungry and anxious to find out more about Abuela’s condition. None of which were going to get any attention sitting in a waiting room. “Yes, sir. I’ll be back soon.” She kissed her grandparents, picked up her bags and headed out the door as the staff arrived to take her grandmother for tests.
Steven followed. Halfway down the hall he broke the silence. “You don’t need to concern yourself with my clothes with all you have on your mind, Tori.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I should have suggested it earlier. Abuelo’s right. I couldn’t send you to the store looking like that.” She dug through her bag searching for her keys, rattling on about where she’d parked. “You can follow me to my condo. It’s not more than ten minutes away.”
“I can pick up another set of clothes. It’s no big deal, really. I’m not afraid of a mess…or being seen like this. You, on the other hand, know people here and have a reputation to uphold as principal of the prestigious high school.”
“Assistant principal of a middle school, and I never—”
“You didn’t have to.” A twinkle lit his almond-shaped eyes, and Tori considered why her grandpa had suddenly become so insistent about her leaving with Steven. “Your grandfather didn’t stop talking about your successful career.” Steven’s eyes shone with admiration. “Jose is very proud of you.”
What in the world had Grandpa told him?
Her grandparents hadn’t played matchmaker in nearly a decade, since she’d moved to Colorado Springs for her first teaching job. And this was a lousy day to make up for lost time. She looked as if she’d just come from the mines, with no makeup and stains darkening her clothes by the minute. “Grandfather talks when he’s upset.”
“I can vouch for that,” Steven said with a chuckle. “I enjoyed his company.”
“You probably didn’t get a word in edgewise.” Tori’s hand reached for her keys and pulled them out. “Good grief, it’s almost lunchtime.” As if on cue, her stomach growled again. “While your clothes are washing, we can order lunch. It’s no bother.” Except that she needed to eat something as soon as possible.
“Much as I’d enjoy that, you have—”
She felt a wave of dizziness and hurried to the elevators.
“You okay?” He pulled her away from the door and pressed the elevator button. “Can I get you anything?”
Would this embarrassment never end? “I’ll be fine as soon as I eat something.” She reached into her bag. “I was in such a hurry this morning, I forgot the bagel I toasted. I have hypoglycemia. As my emergency granola bar will prove, I haven’t had a problem with it for a long time.” She held up the foil pouch with the label worn off, and tore it open, then took a bite.
“I think maybe I’d better drive,” he said.
“You’ve done too much already, Steven.”
“Friends call me Steve.” The elevators opened and he ushered her inside. A group of female nurses stared at them in silence. “Parking garage, please.”
She lifted her gaze to his, “I parked in the east lot.”
“We’re not taking your car,” Steve said.
She shook her head. “You don’t know where I live.”
“I’m about to find out, because you’re in no condition to drive.” As if he, too, had become aware of the attention they were drawing, he added, “With the stress of your grandmother’s stroke, you have to be sure to eat and take care of yourself.”
The elevator stopped and the nurses left, giggles erupting as the doors closed.
“Stroke? She had a stroke?” Tori collapsed against the corner of the tiny cubicle. The air seemed to be getting thicker.
He looked at her, shocked. “Isn’t that what they said?”
“I didn’t hear that specifically. I didn’t want to ask….” She took several deep breaths. “What a spectacle I’ve made today. I’m not usually like this, Steven.”
“Steve.” He lifted her chin. “Don’t do this to yourself. It’s been a lot to handle, with your parents out of the country on a mission and no one else nearby to help. It wouldn’t be easy on anyone.”
She willed back the tears she wanted desperately to shed. “I’m not ready to let her go. Abuela practically raised me.”
“The doctor sounded hopeful.”
The elevator opened and they stepped into the cool air of the parking garage. “You really think he sounded positive, that she’s going to be okay?”
“I do.” Steve led the way to his truck. “Of course, you need to be realistic at the same time. She may not make a full recovery. But your grandmother is a strong woman who will get through this.”
Tori didn’t want to hear platitudes—from the doctor, a nurse or a good-looking, smooth-talking rancher who had probably never met her grandmother before. “Abuela is strong, and she won’t give up. I won’t let her.”
Steve opened the passenger-side door and helped her inside. “I don’t doubt it for a minute.”
She poured some of the broken granola into her mouth and crunched so loud she couldn’t hear herself think. “So what do you want for lunch? There are several fast-food places to choose from between here and my place.”
“I’d just as soon get you home. We can grab a bite there. You need to get back to your grandparents.”
She gave him the once-over. “You don’t look like the yogurt-and-fruit kind of guy—” Her door closed, cutting her off. Watching his confident stride take him around the truck, she felt like a teenager ogling a new kid at school. He opened the driver’s door and stepped up. “And that’s about all that’s in my fridge at the moment.”
“You’re right about that, but I can get something to eat when I run errands.” He started the truck and backed out, then gave her a choice of right or left when he reached the exit of the parking garage.
Tori pointed to the right.
“I’m very curious just what kind of guy you think I am.”
“Haven’t met a rancher yet who would turn down any sort of beef. Besides, that fruit and yogurt just didn’t look right on you. Turn left at the next light.”
He laughed. “You don’t say. So what would a man use to figure out what sort of woman you are?” He stopped at the red arrow and turned to her. One corner of his mouth lifted in a smile.
Before she could answer, the light changed and she had to give the final directions to her condo.
He pulled into the driveway and opened his door, then reached across the seat and took her briefcase. “Come out this side so the sprinkler doesn’t soak you to the skin.” Steve offered a hand as she slid across the seat and helped her maintain her balance on the way down to the ground.
“So, what’ll it be, Tori? Give me a chance to figure out what sort of woman you are.”
Tori felt herself blush. She hurried to put the key in the lock and stepped into the cool living room.
Was he flirting with her? Tori felt an odd sense of regret. One, that it had been so long since she’d had a man in her life that she had to stop and assess their conversation to answer her own question. And two, that she hadn’t even realized until just now exactly how long it had been since she’d been out on a date.
Whatever the case, she shrugged, unable to even think of one answer to his question. “If I’m going to wash our clothes, we’re going to have to take them off first.”

Chapter Two
“I don’t believe I just said that!” Tori’s neatly manicured hand covered her face as she blushed a deeper shade of pink. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
Steve laughed. “That tells a lot about what kind of woman you are. It’s quite revealing.” He took the hospital scrubs from her clutches. Her thin face and high cheekbones glowed pink clear down to the V of her polo shirt. “And you thought you needed to eat. Looks like all you needed was someone to get your heart pounding again.”
Long, delicate fingers inched down her cheeks and those onyx eyes looked up at him. He could drown in her gaze.
Wished he could, anyway. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist giving you a bad time. Which way to the bathroom?”
“First door on the right. I think you’ll find everything you need. Towels and washcloths are in the cabinet. Help yourself. I’ll order pizza and salad, if that’s okay. I think it will arrive the quickest of anything. What kind do you like?”
“Deep-dish, supreme, everything but the kitchen sink.”
Tori grabbed half of a toasted bagel, which lay on a paper towel on the ceramic tile table near the door, and held it up. “See this—I had breakfast made.” She spread a little peanut butter on it, then took a small bite and reached for the phone, her pointer finger scanning a list nearby. “Drinks?” Tori punched in the numbers, said yes into the receiver and waited.
“Not when I’m driving.”
She tipped her head and gave him a stern look that he was certain had been perfected at school.
“Whatever cola they offer is fine. Do you need help getting up the stairs?” He couldn’t remember the last time he had felt so young, so intrigued by a perfect stranger.
Now she was laughing, too. “Positive.”
His heart stopped and she recited her name into the phone, as if none of this mattered to her at all. It probably didn’t, he realized.
Even though they were both educators, it didn’t mean they shared the same interests outside of the classroom. He glanced around the room again, hoping he’d find some clue that they had something else in common. The room wasn’t simply neat, it was immaculate. One strike against him. It was more than he could manage to keep up with laundry. The furniture looked as if she’d just taken the plastic wrap off yesterday. There were no dishes in the drainer. None in the sink. Did she really live here?
Steve’s gaze roamed to Tori, suddenly aware that she was ordering their lunch. She looked to be at least a decade his junior. Surely such an intelligent and beautiful woman had the pick of the crop when it came to men.
Her cell phone rang, and she reached into her briefcase for it while completing her phone call with the pizza parlor.
Their age difference was like a thorn in his side, reminding him that he was no youngster. He had commitments, and his children’s needs were his first priority. He let himself dream, just for a minute, that there could be something between them. Lately it seemed like all the available women were fresh out of high school or looking for someone to take responsibility for her and a few kids. Just because his hair was graying didn’t mean he was over the hill. Close, but not quite. He disappeared before the thorn began to fester.
From down the hall he heard her voice and paused. Was she talking to him? “Sorry to bother you at work, Chase. How’re you today?”
He shook his head. Steve knew better than to think she had no ties. He closed the door a bit, unable to tune out her wonderful, low voice. “I’m sorry. I need to cancel dinner.”
There was a pause, then “I know it’s been months since we’ve met, but Abuela Sandoval had a stroke….” She paused, as if Chase had interrupted her. “Oh, sorry. Abuela is Spanish for grandma.”
Steve closed the door and stripped off his clothes. It had been a long morning, till he’d met her. And in little more than an hour, this would all be a memory. A very nice memory. Surely she visited her grandparents. Maybe he could casually suggest they get together next time she came to Segundo. Casual? Right. Thus far, you’ve been about as subtle as the 4:00 a.m. coal train rumbling through the valley.
After cleaning himself up, he waited in the living room, admiring her decorating taste, even if it was a bit too perfect. Southwest decor had been the rage a few years back. His wife had tried it, but Southwest just didn’t fit in their Baltimore suburb home. Here, the subdued colors were natural, blending well with the arched doorways and plastered walls. Out the living room window Tori had a view of the Rocky Mountains—Cheyenne Mountain, to be exact. Off the dining room, a view of desolate and flat plains.
Delicate footsteps sneaked up behind him. “The laundry room is downstairs, Dr. Remington.” She pinched the shoulder of the green cotton fabric and tugged lightly. “Scrubs don’t flatter many people, but on you the look fits.”
“Very funny.” He followed her with his bundle of laundry. She wouldn’t be teasing him if she knew the drastic measures he had taken to avoid following in his father’s medical footsteps.
Tori started the washer, added detergent and stain lifter, then sprayed her clothing and handed the bottle to him.
Steve sprayed a meager amount of treatment then shoved them in the washer and closed the lid. “Is this anything like meeting at the Laundromat over mismatched socks?”
She laughed. “We’re a little old for stale excuses for meeting someone, aren’t we?”
“Personally, I’m too old to be playing the field at all. But since you asked…your technique could use some work,” he teased.
“It might have helped if you hadn’t been standing in the doorway.” Her tone was different than when she’d broken her date with Chase.
Velvetier.
She stepped away and smiled.
He stared back in amused silence, wondering if they were really flirting. It had been, what, fifteen years since he’d flirted with anyone. The few arranged dinner dates he’d had recently had been about as personable as having dental work done.
Tori broke away from his gaze. “I need to call the school. It’s such a crazy time of year.” She lifted the phone that was now clipped to her slim waist and apologized yet again.
“I understand.” He followed her up the stairs.
Her conversation was short and to the point, reminding the secretary of another project deadline looming.
The doorbell rang a few minutes after they’d settled into the overstuffed furniture. “I’ll take care of this,” he said as she pulled a twenty from her purse.
“This is my treat.” She handed him the money, walked into the kitchen and pulled plates from the cabinet. From the refrigerator she pulled an overwhelming selection of salad dressings while he paid and carried the pizza to the table.
“So, how do you like Colorado?”
“What’s not to like? It was an adjustment from Maryland at first, but it was just what we needed. After my wife passed away, I needed to slow down and take time to bond with my kids.”
“I’m so sorry. How did you end up in Coal Valley?”
“My uncle said he needed help keeping up with the work on the ranch, which turned out to be an excuse to give the kids and I a place to escape from wellmeaning grandparents. It’s been a good move overall.”
“Oh, you’re Bill Remington’s nephew. It just dawned on me. So you’re Brody’s cousin….”
She sounded as if that changed everything. She looked much younger than Brody, but maybe…“Did you go to school with him?”
Tori had just taken a bite of pizza, so simply nodded. When she finished her bite, she didn’t expand on her answer. Had there been something between them?
“That’s convenient. Brody’s on the school board, and you’re teaching there.”
A string of cheese snapped, plastering itself to his chin. Tori smiled as he twirled the end around his finger and put it into his mouth. He swiped the oil spot with the back of his hand a second before she produced a napkin.
“It has its good and bad points. I always wanted to teach, but my parents somehow convinced me that I could never support a wife and family on a teacher’s income.”
“There is some truth to that. Most teachers’spouses are forced to work in today’s economy, but it’s come a long way in the past few years. Still, if one is looking for country-club status on a teacher’s salary, they’re bound for disappointment.”
“I grew up in the country club and couldn’t run far enough away from that life. So far in fact, that I joined the army, got my college degree and didn’t retire until two years ago.”
“The army?”
“Corps of Engineers.”
“So you’re teaching with an emergency license.”
Did he hear a disapproving edge in her words? He nodded. “When the upper-level math teacher quit mid-year, Brody suggested I give it a shot. I subbed last spring, passed the state licensing test and enjoyed education so much I decided to get my principal’s license. I hope to finish next spring with my master’s in Ed Leadership. Figure I can help more kids that way.”
“I’m impressed.” They discussed teaching until the bong of Grandfather’s hand-crafted mantel clock reminded her that she needed to get back to the hospital.
“Excuse me while I put your clothes in the dryer.” She wasn’t more than a minute, yet he missed their conversation.
When she returned, the subject progressed to her upcoming challenge to convince her grandparents it was time to move closer so she could help. “With my parents out of the country, my nearest aunt and uncle in California, my brother and his family in eastern Texas, that leaves me with the majority of the caregiving responsibility. Abuelo is stubborn as a mule. I just can’t see him willingly leaving his house.”
“Surely there’s a home health-care network in the area.”
“I’ll look into it, but I’d feel a lot better if they would move here. With my job, I just don’t have much time available to run back and forth. And their house isn’t set up well for handicapped living.”
Steve smiled, mostly to himself. Jose had mentioned his determination to stay in their home, but he wouldn’t tell her that. She already knew the battle ahead of her. “As I’m sure you’re aware, the Segundo school district is struggling. I’m sure they would love to have—”
She held up her hand. “I’m not moving back to Segundo. It’s out of the question.”
He took a long swig of soda, hoping to cool his temper before he spoke. “Sometimes we have to look beyond what we want to what’s best for those involved.”
Tori looked at him, astonished. “How old are your kids?”
Steve felt pride just thinking of his daring duo. “Six and ten. Kyle and Kelsey. I take it you didn’t like growing up there?”
“I didn’t say that.” She shook her head and looked at her salad.
“I believe it was your tone of voice.” He took a bite, waiting for her to say what she was really thinking. “So what is it? Why won’t you consider moving back if you’re the only one who could help your grandparents?”
“Making decisions for your children is your responsibility, Steve. How can you compare that to…?” She stood and started clearing the dishes.
“Compare to what?”
She turned her head and stared at him. “Caring for grandparents is different than caring for your own children. There’s so little for my grandparents to do in Segundo. Colorado Springs has better health care, wonderful retirement living facilities and so much more to offer them. I’ve tried to get them to move, but they won’t.”
He joined her in the kitchen. “It sounds like your grandfather isn’t the only stubborn one in the family.”
“I came by it honestly. I have very good reasons for needing them to come here.”
“I’m sure you do.”
She placed a hand on her hip. “My career can’t just be ignored. And let’s just say that my education philosophies don’t mesh with Superintendent Waterman’s.”
“You might be surprised. I think things are on the verge of some big changes in Segundo.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“What changes would you make, theoretically?”
“I don’t live there, so I should stay out of it.”
“I asked your opinion. I have a feeling you know something I should know. I’d like to hear your take on the situation.”
“Everyone in the valley should be concerned. Parents more than anyone. Teachers need to try more innovative teaching methods. With certain staff still at the school, I know change is an uphill battle. But this isn’t about what’s easy, it’s about what’s best for the kids. Surely as a teacher, you’re aware of the problems that the schools are facing with test scores.”
“I am.” Steve leaned a hip against the countertop, mesmerized by her dramatic outpouring. “That’s why I agreed to fill the part-time opening. I’d like to be part of the solution.”
Her passion to help the students succeed bubbled from deep within her and he admired her determination to do what was best for the kids. Why, then, couldn’t she be more objective with her grandparents? A smile crept across his lips.
Tori looked at him accusingly. “What?”
He snapped to attention, erasing the smile as if he’d been a guilty kid caught in the middle of a lie. “I’m just listening. I couldn’t agree more. The teachers started working with a literacy coach this summer.”
“That’s a good start.” She turned to the dishwater then pulled out a cloth and started wiping the counters.
She seemed skeptical that Coal Valley Secondary School could meet state standards without major changes. If they couldn’t, rumors were that the state would take over and start with an all-new staff.
The thought of the state running the school sent chills up his spine. Maybe he was in way over his head, thinking he could make a difference. After his administrative internship he hoped to find a principal position. If nothing came of that plan though, he would be content to be in the classroom, working with kids full-time. He would do anything to prove to his father that his dreams hadn’t been in vain. Listening to Tori renewed his determination.
“I’d like to hear more of your ideas. Since I’m new to education, I have a lot to learn. Maybe we could have lunch sometime.”
“I have no idea what my schedule will be like from here on out, but I love talking about education—too much, in some people’s opinion.” She stared at him. “I hope your year goes well. There’s always work for an enthusiastic teacher.” Tori slipped the pizza into a plastic bag and offered it to him. At the same time she called the hospital.
While she talked, Steve went downstairs to check on his clothes. They were almost dry, which would do him just fine. She needed to get back to the hospital.
A few minutes later Tori joined him in the basement.
“How are things going?”
“Abuela is sleeping again and the doctors are still reading her tests.” Tori looked understandably impatient. “How is your laundry coming along?”
“Fine. Why don’t you get ready, and I’ll change. And don’t let me forget to bring your grandfather’s suitcase in before we leave.”
As if reality had just hit, tears wet her dark eyes. “I wonder how long they’ll be here. Not that I mind the company, but it’s a very busy time of the year. I don’t know what to do.”
Steve patted her shoulder. “Take it one day at a time. That’s all you can do.”
Tori took a deep breath, wiping the tears away, as if determined to regain control. “I suppose you’re right.” She hesitated, then headed for the stairs. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
She looked at him approvingly when he walked into the living room a few minutes later. “No stains. I’m glad Abuelo insisted we launder them right away. I can’t thank you enough for bringing him, and helping me through the day…and not holding it against me when I made an absolute fool of myself.”
“God doesn’t make fools.” He pushed a stray hair away from her eyes. He’d wanted to touch her silky black hair all day. “I hope that when you’re in the valley, you’ll give me a call. I’d be happy to reciprocate on lunch.”
“I can see it now—lunch at the diner. You must like to set the rumor mill a turnin’.” She smiled.
Steve felt a twinge in his chest. “I’m sure I can come up with something a little more promising than the diner. Maybe we could take a picnic up the hill and watch the sun set over the Spanish Peaks.”
“Hmm. That does sound promising.”

Chapter Three
Two weeks later, Tori drove up to the tiny house on Piñon Lane. Unexpected emotions wrapped themselves around her like a cobweb. She stepped out of the SUV, stunned by the dreariness of her grandparents’ home. The August heat had sucked the life out of their yard. She touched the lilac bush and the leaves crumbled like crisp tortilla chips. Chrysanthemums drooped over, their bright buds withered. Marigolds and zinnias were dried clusters on the end of gray-green sticks.
It had only been four months since her parents left for the mission in South America, and Tori had been here just weeks before Abuela’s stroke. What had happened?
She unlocked the front door and stepped inside. A sour stench permeated the air. Tori hurried from window to window, wrestling them open. Abuela had always kept a tidy house, but now clutter filled every table and chair. Dirty dishes were piled in the sink. Trash hadn’t gone out in weeks. How had everything fallen into such disarray so quickly? Why hadn’t they told her they needed help? Had she overlooked the signs?
Tori collected the odor-causing garbage, sprayed room freshener and set the trash bag outside the back door. She studied the back entrance, wondering if it might be easier to fit with a ramp than the front. She walked around the house, noticing things looked much different through the eyes of the caregiver. The three steps out front seemed like nothing until she considered how to get Abuela’s wheelchair up them and into the house. The wrought-iron handrail wobbled in the slight breeze. It, too, had fallen into a sad state of neglect. The once-neat house looked as worn-out as the owners.
School bells rang across the street and Tori turned, expecting to see the kids run anxiously out of the building, yet not a student appeared. Her alma mater, like the rest of her hometown, looked older, smaller and more withered as a result of the harsh elements and sparse budget.
“Tori!” She heard Steve holler from the school parking lot across the street. He waved, sauntering closer, speeding up with each step. She waved, recalling Steve’s occasional telephone calls to check on Grandma’s condition. “How are you?”
“Fine,” she said, stretching the truth. “I came to see about renovations. They’re sending Abuela home soon.” Tori felt an odd sense of panic. Suddenly taking care of two other people seemed overwhelming. She, who worked seventeen-hour days, was actually feeling out of her realm.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I’d have—”
“It was a last-minute decision. I dropped Abuelo off at the care center to spend the day with Grandmother. My brother will pick him up this afternoon. They tried to talk me out of coming here by insisting that it would only take a little rearranging of furniture to make it work.”
“I’m sure it won’t be too difficult.”
Tori appreciated his cheerleading efforts, but he hadn’t seen the mess inside. “I’m glad I didn’t put this off any longer.” She took a deep breath and lifted her shoulders. “I met with the physical therapist yesterday to find out what needed to be done before they could send Abuela home. She’s paralyzed on one side.” Tori shook her head, the weight of the situation winning again. “I just don’t know if this is going to work. The rooms are small, doorways narrow and the house is so cluttered.” She looked around the yard and felt tears cloud her vision. “This is so unlike my grandparents.”
“I came over last week and tried to see if he had a mower in the garage, but it’s locked. How long are you staying?”
“For the weekend. My brother and his family are on their way from Texas.” She looked at her watch. “Should be arriving any time. He’s going to stay at my condo with Abuelo….”
Steve looked puzzled. “And you’re here to work all weekend? Alone? Have you forgotten it’s supposed to be a holiday?”
She felt her eyes flutter closed, pushing the tears down her cheeks. “After two weeks of my grandfather at my house, being alone will feel like a vacation, even if I’m cleaning.” Tori closed her eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t complain. I’m just not used to having extended houseguests.”
Tori opened the hatch of her SUV and pulled out a stack of empty boxes. Steve got the other stack and followed her into the house.
“Is everything okay at work?”
“The principal suggests I take a few weeks of family leave. How can I even consider taking time off in September?”
“I’m sure they could manage.”
She looked at him suspiciously. He seemed awfully agreeable to the idea. “Better than I can, probably. I’m not accustomed to anything but a win-win situation, and this one has none. Abuela and Abuelo obviously can’t take care of each other anymore, but they insist on coming home. Run-down as it is, it’s been their home for over fifty years, and they refused to leave ‘until God moves them to the castle in the sky,’ as Abuelo always says.”
“Sounds just like your grandfather.” Steve laughed and Tori pushed her emotions aside. Now wasn’t the time to let down her guard. Especially with someone she hardly knew.
“Yes, it does.” She didn’t want to feel comforted by his sympathy, his soothing voice or his good looks. She looked nervously around, trying to find some distraction from her weakness for cowboys wearing the mythical white hats. “It was nice of you to stop by, Steve, but I need to take care of some things before everyone is closed for the holiday,” she said absently as she rubbed her forehead.
“You’re doing great, Tori.” He took her by the shoulders and smiled. “Don’t worry. It’ll work out. You have all day to make your calls.” He looked around. “And you don’t need to look for a contractor. I’d be happy to do any building renovations you may need done.”
“How…?”
“It stands to reason that if Mrs. Sandoval is coming home in a wheelchair that you’d need a few changes to be made. When are they looking at releasing her?”
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.
Jerry was well-known for his healthy appetite, yet the portions of roasted pork, barbecued ribs and salad he was taking indicated he wasn’t as much on the mend as he wanted people to think. “I’m sure you’ve heard about the problems at Coal Valley,” Jerry said as they served themselves from the buffet table.
She wasn’t sure if she should admit that she kept her eye on what was happening in her hometown school district or play ignorant. “Colorado Student Assessment scores are always in the news. There isn’t a school in the state that isn’t scrambling to raise scores in at least one area.”
“Oh?” Jerry lifted his bushy eyebrows. “What has your school been working on?”
Tori briefly explained her school’s implementation of a literacy program and Jerry’s eyes brightened. “How did it work? We’re starting the literacy coaching program this year.” They carried their plates to the table where Steve and his kids were seated. Steve excused himself to get drinks, and Tori felt guilty hiding behind the discussion of work.
Jerry quietly voiced his apprehension with the new program. They bounced ideas back and forth, sharing stories of successes and failures of the educational system over the years.
When Steve returned, the “chalk talk” ended abruptly. “I shouldn’t be making you talk shop when you’re on a date. What am I thinking?” Jerry exclaimed.
“We’re not—”
“No need to make excuses,” Jerry said breathlessly. “This isn’t the time to discuss business, anyway. We’ll talk later.” Soon afterward, Uncle Bill started hayrides and Jerry stood to leave. “Tori, it was good to visit, but I’m plumb tuckered out. I’ll be in touch.”
His sudden departure puzzled her, but she supposed he tired easily after his battle with the virus. “I’d be glad to offer any help I can, Dr. Waterman.” She was surprised by her desire to help and the determination to follow through with her promise. She worried about Jerry’s health.
She visited with more old friends and schoolmates while they waited for the first group to get back from the hayride. When their turn came, Steve helped her onto the wagon, but Kelsey squeezed herself between her dad and Tori, endearing herself to Tori. Tori knew Steve was a catch most women wouldn’t turn away, but there were too many marks against them. She had enough on her shoulders without adding the pressure of a romance. She simply needed to keep her distance.
Tori had enjoyed seeing old friends again, as well as the beautiful sights of the ranch. She stayed late into the evening, hoping for a chance to speak with Steve alone. After the kids had fallen asleep she realized Steve had misunderstood her reason for staying. He found a movie on cable and tempted her with a bowl of popcorn.
“Steve, we need to talk.”
“About?” Steve set two sodas on the coffee table and sat down next to her.
She backed away.
He raised an eyebrow. “I’ve had the feeling all day that something’s been bothering you. What is it?”
She nodded, deciding to keep the discussion as far from her personal feelings as possible. “I had the distinct feeling Jerry’s visit to the barbecue was carefully orchestrated.”
“And why do you think that?” he said with a hint of annoyance.
She folded her arms across her chest. “Possibly because he didn’t spend a minute with anyone else. He had one purpose, to quiz me about CSAP scores. And he seemed to know just a little too much to have led into the subject by accident.”
“And that’s my fault? It certainly wasn’t my idea to have him captivate your entire day. I’d like a chance at that myself.”
She paced the room, afraid to look him in the eye. She couldn’t explain why she was so afraid to let herself feel something for Steve, but no matter, he was off-limits. And it was time he understand exactly where she stood on the matter. “What are you trying to do?”
Steve’s bronze eyes met hers. “Why do you automatically presume I’m responsible for Jerry’s questions? When a school is doing things right, everyone hears about it. So you can’t blame me for that. Administrators do keep in touch, you know.”
She tilted her head and squared her shoulders. “Funny. He never called me up and asked any questions before you came into the valley. I think there’s a connection. What did you tell him?”
Steve closed the distance between them. “I did a little research of my own, then shared my findings with Jerry. What he’s chosen to do with the information, I have no idea.”
She was irked by his cool response. “What are you talking about?”
“Scores took a huge jump after your school worked with the literacy coaches.”
Steve hesitated and Tori quietly waited. A few minutes later, after Steve had eaten a few handfuls of popcorn, she said, “And?”
“Jerry’s going to be out of the building more than he’ll be in….”
She raised her hand to stop him. She forced her voice lower, choking the words out slowly and precisely. “Not going to happen. I don’t belong here anymore.”
He retained his affability, but there was a critical tone to his voice. “There’s a chance you’ll be spending more time here, with your grandparents’situation. You know the community, have experience we need and you offered to help.”
“From a distance,” she snapped impatiently, then shook her head. “I have a job at a school that I love and I’m finishing my doctorate so I can further my career in administration.”
“You couldn’t do that in a smaller community?”
She shook her head, trying to ignore the hurt in his whiskey-brown gaze. “Not here.”
“I didn’t say here.” He stepped closer and lowered his voice. “I think this issue has a lot deeper roots than you’re admitting.”
Tori suspected he was right. “That may be true…Abuela’s stroke has me a little uprooted, but I know better than to get myself in deeper than I can handle. The mess at the school isn’t going to go away by changing one person.”
“I didn’t mean to make matters worse, but I had to try.”
Tori glanced at temptation and turned away. “It’s getting late, and I need to leave early in the morning.”
The silence widened and the tick of the clock echoed its tormenting melody. Finally Steve caved in and spoke. “I understand about not wanting to see me again, but don’t let me chase you away from the fresh air and rest. I can wait until you’re gone to work on the renovations.”

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