Forever a Family

Not having a ready retort, Joey turned back to stare at the familiar landscape. When Ted was still alive, they would all have been chatting about which of the wildflowers continued to bloom.

Inhaling an acrid scent, Olivia scanned the hillsides for smoke. The severe drought had wildfires popping up in the area, and although Rosewood had been lucky, the possibility added to Olivia’s stress.

Joey exhaled loudly.

“You know, you still haven’t acknowledged the seriousness of what you did. Stealing.”

He shrugged. “Just some dumb headset.”

“I don’t care if it was a marble. It’s not how much the item’s worth. It’s about what you’re worth. Stealing isn’t honorable. And without honor, where is your worth?” She slid her gaze toward him.

Joey’s chin drooped a fraction, but he didn’t reply, instead turning again to stare out the window.

The early-morning traffic on the highway consisted mostly of eighteen-wheelers and pickup trucks. She had always been glad that the road wasn’t connected to a freeway. It gave Rosewood a feeling of protection unlike what she had known most of her life, moving from fort to fort.

Her father, the Colonel, had decided to retire in the Hill Country soon after Ted had graduated from the University of Texas. Joey was just four then. Ted had been offered a good job in Austin right after graduation, so they’d decided to stay. But seven years later, the company had closed its doors.

The Colonel had still had influential contacts from his army days. One of them had suggested a business that Ted could operate from home. Without the anchor of his job, Austin hadn’t had a hold on them any longer. Ted’s parents had passed away during his college years and he sorely felt their absence. So when the Colonel suggested they relocate to Rosewood, Ted had been elated, wanting to be close to family.

Olivia had had mixed feelings about the move. She’d lived in Austin longer than anywhere else in her life. But she couldn’t deny that it would be good to be closer to her parents. Even though they’d visited back and forth, it wasn’t the same as being close enough for impromptu get-togethers, family dinners and special grandparent time.

Ted had liked his new work, but it had required some traveling. They had been in Rosewood only a couple of months when he’d made that fateful trip to Atlanta. When the police caught the suspect, he’d turned out to be a young man, barely more than a boy, who had panicked during the mugging and shot Ted unintentionally. Intentional or unintentional, the result had been the same. Ted had died alone on a strange street in a strange city.

Olivia blinked away the threat of tears, trying to push the memories away, as well. Although they had only lived in Rosewood about a year and a half, she had grown attached to the quiet, caring community. If Ted had lived, by now he would have met every neighbor, introduced himself to every clerk in every business in town. He’d been outgoing and open, and people didn’t remain strangers to him for long.

But after his death, Olivia hadn’t been able to continue his natural outreach. She had always been more reserved, accustomed to keeping a low profile in the many towns her father had been stationed in. She had learned early on as an army brat that making friends only made it that much harder when they moved.

Most of her acquaintances and friends were ones Ted had made, always trying to enlarge her circle to give her something she had never had before.

Now, having retreated from everything except her son, her parents and a part-time job as a drugstore inventory clerk, she struggled to maintain a normal life for Joey. Olivia questioned if she had failed Joey by being so reclusive. Maybe he wouldn’t have gotten into so much trouble if she had involved herself more in the community, made friends, reached out to everyone.

Olivia glanced again at the directions Dorothy had given her. The place was only about five miles outside of town, so the turnoff should be close. She spotted it and turned onto the two-lane farm road.

Cattle grazed behind split-rail fences, unperturbed by her car passing by them. She hadn’t seen another vehicle on the road since she had turned onto it. Maybe these cattle were a laid-back breed since they didn’t seem at all bothered by her car. Then again, the only breed she could actually identify was the Texas longhorn. The closest she had ever gotten to wildlife was an occasional mouse.

Slowing, she saw an old-fashioned metal sign, engraved with HVC, hanging from a post. Just as the directions had described. Turning, she passed beneath a tall wrought-iron arch.

Looked like a peaceful place for her son to rethink his actions. She looked upward, her automatic response to ask the Lord for help. But He had allowed Ted to needlessly die. Clenching the steering wheel harder, Olivia felt she could no longer turn to Him.

She wheeled their car to the front of the old ranch house. A wide wraparound porch encircled the structure. Tall double doors, which appeared to be perpetually propped open, welcomed them at the top of the broad wooden steps. Olivia led the way, Joey trailing her.

Once inside, she took in the large room off to the left that looked like a man’s comfortable den. To the right was a reception area. Arched wooden pocket doors as tall as the high ceilings were slid partway open to the den and fully open to the business side.

Not seeing anyone sitting at the scarred wood desk, Olivia entered the reception area. A scattering of mismatched chairs looked more homey than shabby. She could see that the buttons on the telephone were flashing, perhaps on hold, perhaps going unanswered.

“What kind of dump is this?” Joey asked, staring around at the plain but comfortable room.

Olivia closed her eyes, wishing Joey could just be her Joey again. “Hush. We’re not in a big city. You know they don’t build places in Rosewood to impress people.”

“Angie? I need the file on Mitchell’s gelding,” an oddly familiar voice called out from a connected room.

The man, absorbed in the chart in his hands, walked into sight.

It couldn’t be. Could it?

He looked up, his memorable features quickly forming a smile.

And Olivia couldn’t think of a single word to say. HVC. Of course. She should have realized the acronym. Harrison Veterinary Clinic.

“Hello,” he greeted them with a warmth that she felt from across the room.

“We...” Her voice warbled. Clearing her throat, Olivia started over. “My son has been assigned to do his community service here.”

He lowered the chart, his gaze appraising. “I’ve been expecting you. Dorothy called this morning. Joey, I’m Zeke Harrison. We didn’t actually meet yesterday. And I don’t believe I’ve seen you around before.”

In typical fashion, Joey shrugged.

Olivia hurried to fill in the blanks. “We’ve only lived in Rosewood for about a year and a half.”

“And your family doesn’t have pets?” he questioned, helping the limping conversation along.

Olivia stared into his azure-blue eyes, instantly remembering how she had practically fallen into his arms. She shook her head. “No, we don’t. My husband...” Abruptly she halted.

“Your husband?” Zeke prompted, a flicker of something much like disappointment in his eyes.

“My dad was allergic to dogs and cats,” Joey jumped in, answering for her, apparently noticing her difficulty.

“Was?”

She recovered her voice. “My husband passed away.”

Zeke’s expression eased into one of understanding as he looked again at Joey. “I’m so sorry. That must be tough.”

“Yeah.”

Her son’s solitary word summed it up perfectly.

Zeke laid the chart down on the desk. “So do you like animals, Joey?”

“I guess.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

Olivia indicated the empty chairs in the reception room. “Slow time?”

“Large-animal time. I reserve two mornings a week for owners who need to bring in their domestic stock but don’t need me to come to their places. Less expensive for them that way.”

Thoughtful. Olivia glanced down at her son. “Joey hasn’t been around...” She drew her eyebrows together in concern. “Exactly what types of large animals do you treat?”

Zeke looked at her in mild amusement. “Not too many elephants and giraffes in these parts. Mostly cattle and horses, donkeys, pigs, llamas, some sheep and goats.”

Flushing, she felt as silly as she had on their first encounter.

“My mom’s never lived in the country,” Joey explained.

Great. Even her sullen child was taking pity on her.

“Of course. I wasn’t thinking. So you treat regular pets, too?”

Zeke raised his eyebrows, his amusement still present. “Depends on your definition of regular. Dogs, cats, birds, pygmy hedgehogs, ferrets, lizards, snakes...”

Olivia gasped. “Joey won’t have to handle snakes, will he?”

“Mom!”

At that precarious age of twelve, poised between childhood and puberty, Joey was utterly horrified.

Belatedly realizing that, Olivia tried to cover her mistake. “I confess, I’m the one who’s scared of snakes. Joey’s pretty tough.”

Joey rolled his eyes, which told her her recovery attempt had been lame at best.

“It’s a nice place you have here,” Olivia remarked, hoping to change the subject.

“We like it.”

“We?” The instant the question was out, Olivia wished she could snatch it back.

“My tech—Angie—the animals, me.”

Olivia tucked away the information that he wasn’t married. “That’s good.”

“Well, Joey. What do you say?” Zeke asked. “Want to start today?”

Joey shrugged. “I guess.”

“Sounds good,” Olivia agreed, looking relieved. “He’s out of school for two weeks on suspension, but the time’s counted in community-service hours. The sooner he can start and accumulate his service hours, the less school he misses.”

Zeke glanced into her memorable violet eyes, recognizing her anxiety. But anxious or not, pretty or not, he had a practice to run and couldn’t ease her mind by overloading his own schedule. “Let’s just see how the morning goes.”

A quick flash of disappointment crossed her face. Then she smiled, her delicate features aligning to match.

“We appreciate you giving Joey an opportunity to do his community-service work here. I’m sure it’ll be good for him to interact with the animals.” Olivia squeezed her son’s shoulder in encouragement. “Well, I should go and let you get to it. Um, what time should I pick him up?”

“How about Joey calls you when he’s ready to leave?”

“Sure.” She bit down on her lip. “I’ll be at work some of the day. I’m an inventory clerk. It’s just a small part-time job at the pharmacy, about ten hours a week. But I’ll have my cell phone with me. Do you need any emergency contact numbers or—”

“The school gave them to me.”

“Oh, of course.” For a moment Olivia looked uncertain. “See you later, then.”

She turned and he let his gaze stray over her as she left. Being a widowed mother, Olivia probably wouldn’t be interested in casual dating, which was all he allowed himself. Belinda had about cured him of any wish for a more serious relationship. Then his previous relationship with Penny had convinced him he wasn’t capable of making good decisions when it came to women. Not that Olivia seemed anything like Belinda. At least on the surface.

Joey wandered over to the large aquarium and thumped on the glass, recapturing his attention.

“No tapping on the glass.”

The boy furrowed his brow, looking puzzled. “How come?”

“They don’t like it.”

“Oh.”

Could the kid really not know that? “Have you ever had any pets?”

Joey’s expression remained sullen. “Just a turtle. He mostly sits in his box and eats. My mom didn’t ever have any real pets and my dad...”

Zeke didn’t make him discuss the painful subject. “It would be like having a tree fall on your garage for the fish when you hit the tank. Pretty jarring.”

Joey looked again at the tank with an instant spark of understanding but didn’t reply.

“Is your mom allergic to cats and dogs?” Zeke questioned casually.

“No.”

“Just doesn’t want a pet?”

“Grandpa was in the army, so they couldn’t take a pet when he got transferred, so she never had any.”

“Your grandfather must have been in the army a long time.”

“Forever, until he retired here.”

A new picture was emerging. So the violet-eyed beauty was an army brat. He would never have guessed it. But then, his insight into women hovered between zero and none.

His tech, Angie, rushed through the open door, her dark brown hair messy from the breeze. Despite being four months pregnant, the spring in her step hadn’t diminished. “Morning!”

“You sound extra chipper today.”

She laughed and patted her stomach. “Probably because there’s extra me.” She turned toward the boy. “I’m guessing you’re Joey. I’m Angie.”

“Hey.”

The unenthusiastic greeting didn’t faze her. Angie’s glass wasn’t just half-full; it was always overflowing. “Welcome. Later I’ll show you where we stash the snacks and soda.”

Joey still didn’t show any interest. Swallowing, Zeke remembered how he had felt at that age. It was a tough place to travel even in his thoughts.

* * *

Exhausted, Olivia closed the front door and tossed her purse on the small table close by. Pressing fingers to her temples, she wandered first to the window, then over to the bookcase. She picked up a picture of her late husband. “Oh, Ted. It isn’t getting any easier.” Holding the picture close, she remembered how he had been there one day, gone the next. “Joey’s gotten into even more trouble. A lot worse than talking back to his teachers, and the fights.”

Olivia stared into Ted’s steady brown eyes. Joey looked so much like him, down to what had once been a wide, frequent smile.

The empty house echoed in the silence.

“Now Joey’s actually stolen. A headset, of all things.” Shrugging, she traced Ted’s smile. “And he acts like it’s nothing.”

The doorbell rang, startling her. Fumbling, she replaced Ted’s picture. She pulled open the door and was surprised to see Kate... She couldn’t place her last name. “Hi.” Trying to compose herself, Olivia opened the door wider. “Please, come in.”

“I hope I haven’t come at a bad time,” Kate replied, surreptitiously looking into the living room.

Olivia shook her head. “It’s...it’s fine.”

“You don’t have company?”

Olivia flushed, realizing Kate must have seen her talking to Ted’s photo while standing in front of the picture window. “No one alive.”

Since Kate’s husband, Tucker Grey, was Rosewood’s sheriff, she had been one of the first to learn about Ted’s death. She had made efforts to reach out, but Olivia’s parents had circled the wagons. And Kate had tactfully withdrawn. Until today.

Olivia pulled herself together. “Don’t mind me. One of those days. Please, sit down. Can I offer you some iced tea?”

“You read my mind. Need any help?”

More than she could voice. “No, it’s all made. Do you take yours sweet?”

“Just plain. I save my calories for cookies and candy.” Barely having landed on a chair, Kate stood up. Trailing Olivia, her sandals clicked on the wooden floor. “When I’m antsy, I eat extra goodies, so it’s good I like my tea without sugar.”

Olivia reached into the cabinet for glasses.

“Did you say the tea’s already made?” Kate asked, pausing at the refrigerator door.

“The pitcher’s in the middle on the right.”

“Lemons in the fruit drawer?”

Amused, Olivia hid her smile. If this was Kate not helping, she could only imagine when she pitched in wholeheartedly. “So is something making you antsy?”

“Afraid so. Do you want to sit at the table?” Kate gestured to the round table. “Kitchens always seem friendlier to me.”

“Cozy.” The word popped out. Funny—she hadn’t thought anything had been cozy for so long. She reached into a cabinet and pulled out a box of coconut macaroons.

After they’d settled at the table, it didn’t take long to pour the tea, squeeze a few slices of lemon.

“You’re probably wondering why I showed up without calling,” Kate began. “But I’m desperate.”

Olivia raised her eyebrows.

Kate immediately scrunched hers together. “I don’t mean for company. That came out all wrong. I get this way when I’m frazzled. Did I ever tell you how I met Tucker?”

Olivia shook her head.

“I won’t go into detail, but I was frazzled to the max. Still amazes me that he ever proposed.” Kate’s green eyes softened. “Sorry, I also go in about a hundred different directions when I feel like this.”

“Like what?” Olivia prompted gently.

“Sorry, it’s about a project I’m working on. Or not working on, I should say. I’ve been commissioned to do a new painting.”

“You’re an artist?”

“You didn’t know?” Kate’s surprise glided into a smile. “I trained first as an artist, then in restoration. I primarily worked on museum pieces. Now they give me referrals for different types of work. That’s how this family found me.” Kate stopped abruptly. “I don’t know why I assumed you would know I’m an artist. We haven’t really talked a lot. I know—” her chipper voice changed notes “—that it hasn’t been easy for you.” She met Olivia’s eyes. “I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost Tucker.” Amazingly, she wiped away a tear.

And Olivia reached out. “It’s all right.”

“No, it’s not. But I suppose you can’t say that, that it’s awful, I mean. You always have to be brave for your son.”

“You know Joey?”

Kate’s eyes darkened and her expression dimmed. “Not really. Not firsthand.”

The school theft. Of course the sheriff had been informed. Olivia felt the heat that suddenly colored her face.

“Please don’t be embarrassed. If Alyssa lost her dad... She already lost her first mother. Her world would just about end.”

Confused, Olivia tried to remember what she could about Kate’s family and came up blank. “You’re not Alyssa’s mother?”

“Her mother died when she was ten. I met Tucker about two years later. Since then, I’ve been her mom.”

Olivia instinctively sensed that theirs was a true mother/daughter relationship. “That’s lovely. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen that happen before. Becoming a child’s real parent after a death, I mean.”

“I was...I am very fortunate. It’s hard to imagine that anyone else can take on that role once you’ve lost your spouse.” Absently, Kate circled the top of her tea glass with one finger. “That’s how Tucker felt. It’s how I imagine anyone would feel when they really love the person they’ve lost.”

Olivia’s throat tightened.

“I’m sorry. I’ve made you think even more about your late husband.” Kate’s sunny exterior now wilted in remorse.

“No. I was talking to his picture when you arrived.” Olivia again imagined how foolish she must have looked, yet she sensed Kate wouldn’t laugh, wouldn’t judge. “So he was already on my mind.”

Kate reached out a friendly hand. “Is it loneliness or something else?”

Olivia sighed. “Joey. How I’m going to handle him with Ted gone. I never could have imagined him stealing. I understood when he cut classes because he couldn’t face people, but this... It’s not the way he was raised.”

“Of course it wasn’t. But how do we teach our children the way to act once they lose a parent?”

Olivia looked down. “Tucker’s job—surely that has moments of fear. Was Alyssa taught to know that?”

“He’s her hero. She’s old enough to know his job can be dangerous, but it’s not something we dwell on.” Concern filled Kate’s eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Olivia. Tucker’s told me about kids who haven’t handled the loss as well as Joey has. You have to be overwhelmed, suddenly becoming a single parent after years of being able to turn to your husband for support.”

Throat still tight, Olivia agreed. “I feel like I’m disappointing Ted, that he’d be horrified at how I’ve handled things.”

“I didn’t know Ted,” Kate replied honestly. “But as sure as I’m sitting here, I know he would understand. Men are usually more crippled by losing their wives.”

Olivia pulled herself out of her self-pity. “It’s weird. Before you came, I was just thinking that maybe if I’d reached out, made more friends, that Joey wouldn’t have gotten into trouble.”

“You can’t know one way or the other. But I’d recommend getting him involved with the youth group at the Community Church. The activities—”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but that’s not an option.”

Kate paused, then sighed. “Tucker felt the same way about his faith.”

“Besides, Joey has community-service work that takes all his time. He’s volunteering at Harrison Veterinary.”

“At Zeke’s?” Enthusiasm bounced back into Kate’s voice. “That’s great!”

“You know him?”

“Of course. He delivered my puppies.” She laughed. “Well, my dog’s puppies, I should say. Nice, nice man. Never could figure out how he’s managed to stay single.”

Olivia tried to think of a sensible reply. Not able to come up with one, she sipped her tea instead.

Kate checked her watch. “I didn’t mean to stay so long. I came to ask a favor.”

Olivia couldn’t imagine what it could be. “Oh?”

“It’s about your dad.”

“Really?”

“You sound surprised.”

“That’s because I am,” Olivia admitted. Her father had never been one to mingle into what he called “town life.” So accustomed to military forts, the Colonel would have retired on one if it had been possible.

“I’ve been commissioned by a family to paint a portrait of their late father. He was a major in the army, close to promotion when he died. The family has given me bundles of photos, but he always appears stiff, in his military posture. The candids aren’t much better. I’ve always been able to meet with the subjects of my portraits, get a sense of who they are, which of course is impossible in this case. I’d like to speak to your dad, observe him if possible, get the sense of a military man to help learn the essence of one. Most veterans in Rosewood weren’t career soldiers and are not at the same rank.”

“But not all colonels are similar in nature,” Olivia responded. “My dad’s...pretty formal.”

“If you’d rather I didn’t—”

“It’s not that. I’m afraid you won’t get much from him. He lived and breathed army.”

Kate’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s a plus. The family pretty much described their father the same way. Do you think you could get me an introduction?”

Olivia blinked. “He’s not active military anymore. You can just talk to him, no red tape to get through.”

“No, but he wasn’t responsive when I phoned. I’m hoping if you asked, he might cooperate.”

She should have known. “The Colonel’s comfort zone begins and ends with the military. But if you think it would help, I’ll ask.”

“That would be amazing.” Kate brushed back her auburn hair and smiled. “I feel terrible having come here originally to ask a favor.”

“Originally?”

“Unless you’d rather I not, I’d like to be a friend, not just someone who passes you on the sidewalk.”

Touched, Olivia smiled. “I’d like that, too.” For the first time since she had been a small child, Olivia realized she could have a friend, one she didn’t have to bid goodbye in a matter of months.

Chapter Three

Deciding that Joey was going to remain silent, Zeke headed out the door of the clinic with the boy in tow, pausing to point out the buildings. “You can see that’s the barn. The stables. And the corral’s off that way. I’ll show you the lay of the land later. Chores are waiting.”

The two-story barn was meticulously clean, fragrant with the aroma of fresh hay. Zeke never could decide which he liked better, the comfort of his home or the warm feeling of the barn. His own cow, Milkdud, which he’d raised since she’d been a sickly calf, mooed in welcome. Adjoining stalls held various recovering domestic stock that required daily care.