She was, probably too tired to drive all that way, but she didnt really have a choice. She couldnt stay away any longer, relying on other people to run the ranch and look after her mother.
She scouted through the contents of the refrigerator, feeling a little odd to be helping herself. But that was what Maddie had said, and she did need something to keep her going. Maddies tastes seemed to run to fresh fruit and cheeses, judging by her fridge.
Maddie was back in minutes, carrying a suitcase.
That was fast. Violet was still eating the yogurt shed found on the top shelf. It was lemon, her favorite, making her wonder if she and Maddie had similar tastes.
I used to travel for my job, so I got pretty good at packing in a hurry. Maddie glanced toward the laptop on a corner desk. Ill email Dad, just telling him its important that he contact me right away. And I guess Id better email Landon as well. Ill take my laptop with me so I can stay in touch.
Violet waited, trying not to look interested in what Maddie was typing. It was obvious that Maddie still cared about Landon, or she wouldnt be letting him know what was going on. Probably their broken engagement would be mended eventually. Someday she might be taking a part in her sisters wedding.
Violet was unpleasantly surprised to discover that she felt an odd twinge at the thought of Landon and Maddie getting married.
* * *
Violet and Maddie drove straight through to the ranch, stopping only to eat once. Maddie wanted to go right to the hospital, but once Violet had found there was no change in her mothers condition, she knew she had to get a decent nights sleep.
Relief flooded through her when she finally drove through the imposing stone gateway to the Colby Ranch. The three entwined Cs at the top of the gates arch seemed to welcome her home.
She pulled up in front of the sprawling brick-and-stone structure that was the main house, aware of Maddies car behind her. When she still hadnt been able to reach Jack, Violet had phoned Lupita, the housekeeper, cook and second mother who kept the house running like a well-oiled machine, telling her to prepare the guest room.
Violet hadnt said whom she was bringing. The effort to explain over the phone had seemed way too much to her. Thank goodness Lupita, with her usual gentle wisdom probably sensing that questions werent welcome, hadnt asked.
This is it, she said as Maddie joined her on the wide front porch.
Its huge. Maddie glanced around. Mature trees and a wrought-iron fence surrounded the ranch house, with grasslands and rolling hills stretching out in the distance. Behind the house, outbuildings dotted the property: barns, greenhouses, storage sheds, the cottages occupied by Lupita and her husband and that of foreman Ty Garland, and the bunkhouses. Colby Ranch was a busy place, so busy that it was sometimes hard to find a moment alone.
Ill show you around tomorrow. She picked up Maddies suitcase. Right now lets get you settled and see what Lupitas fixed for supper.
I think youre the one who needs to settle. Maddie linked her arm with Violets. Youve been running at full speed since the accident, havent you?
Pretty much. Violet pushed open the heavy oak front door and led Maddie into the center hallway. The pale tiled floor gleamed in the fading light, and there were fresh flowers, as always, on the massive oak credenza against the side wall. The staircase swept upward to the second floor in front of them. Through the glass doors at the far back end of the hallway, solar lights cast a glow over the courtyard.
Im home, Violet called as she always did when she entered the house. Lupita, are you here?
Sí, sí, Im coming. Lupita emerged from the kitchen at the back of the house, wiping her hands on the apron shed wrapped around her plump waist. Its about time you were getting home. The tone was gently scolding and filled with love. You must
Another step, and she had seen Maddie. She stopped, black eyes wide and questioning, and Violet thought she murmured a prayer in Spanish.
Lupita, this is Maddie Wallace. What else could she say?
Fortunately, there seemed no need. Lupita rushed to them and wrapped her arms around Violet, enfolding her in a loving hug. So, she said softly. I was right. There was a sister.
Violet pulled back, thoughts tumbling. You knew I had a sister? Lupita, how could you keep this from me?
No, no, I didnt know. She patted Violets cheek. Dont fuss, little one. Once when your mother was sick, she rambled. She spoke of her baby girls, calling for them. So I thought there had been another. But I never thought to see her, not in this life.
You thought I had a sister that died, Violet said, suddenly understanding.
Lupita nodded, turning to Maddie. She walked to her, taking Maddies face in her hands and studying her for a long moment. You are home, she said. I am glad.
She turned, reverting to briskness probably to hide her emotion. You must be starved, both of you. Wash up and get to the table. The food will be there by the time you are. She bustled back to the kitchen, wiping her eyes with the tea towel she held.
Maddie looked a little dazed. She put her hand to her cheek. I didnt expect that kind of a welcome.
Lupitas been with us since we were kids. As far as shes concerned, were her kids, too.
Do you think she knows anything more about us? Maddie set her bag on the credenza. Wouldnt she have tried to find out more from your mother, if it happened as she said?
Violet shrugged. Lupita always tells the truth, but sometimes she leaves things out. For our own good, shed say. If she knows anything else about us, Ill get it out of her eventually.
* * *
By the time Lupita had stuffed them full of her special chicken enchiladas with black beans and rice, topped off with a scrumptious peach tart, Violet was feeling vaguely human again. She leaned back in her seat. Lupita always said that trouble and an empty belly were bad companions, and this time she seemed to be right. But even though she felt better, Violet was still too conscious of the empty chairs at the table.
Maddie, whod demolished her piece of peach tart, was staring at the framed portrait on the dining room wall. Who is that? Another relative?
Thats Uncle James. Violet smiled at the pictured face, the weathering and wisdom of years showing in skin like crinkled leather. Kind blue eyes seemed to smile back at her. James Crawford. He wasnt actually a relative, but thats what Jack and I always called him.
Who was he, then? Maddie eyed the portrait curiously.
He owned this place. Mom came here as housekeeper when I was three and Jack was five. He took us in and made us feel as if this was our home, too. He didnt have any family, and soon he was treating us like kin. I really dont even remember a time when he wasnt part of our lives.
So he left this place to you? Maddie sounded faintly disapproving.
Not just like that, Violet responded, sensitive to criticism on that subject. Other people had talked about that, she felt sure, but Belle had ignored them. Over the years, Uncle James needed more and more help. Mom took over the bookkeeping, and as his health failed, she took on increased responsibility for every aspect of the ranch. Eventually Uncle James insisted on making her a partner, and when he died, we found that hed left the rest to her.
Violets confidence faltered. Had Uncle James known the truth about them? Had he known about their twins? She suspected that even if hed been privy to her moms secret, he never would have told. Honor was everything to a man like Uncle James.
Violet pushed her chair back as one of Lupitas numerous nieces came in with a tray, the young womans gaze wide-eyed and curious when she looked at Maddie. Word of this event would be all over the ranch in minutes and all over the county in a day. Violet was resigned to that happening.
Lets take our tea into the living room so were out of Lupitas way. She stifled a yawn. I hope
Her voice faded as she heard boots coming from the direction of the kitchen. She rose from her chair. If only it was Jack
But it wasnt. Ty Garland, the ranch foreman, paused in the hallway, hat in his hands.
Sorry to bother you, Violet. He seemed to be making an effort not to look at Maddie, which meant hed already heard about her arrival. I was hoping you knew when Jack would be around. Theres a couple of things I need to talk to him about.
I wish I knew the answer to that, too, Ty. She glanced toward Maddie to find her looking at Ty appreciatively. Maybe Maddie was practically engaged, but she certainly noticed the tall, dark and handsome Ty.
Sighing, Violet decided shed better make introductions.
Maddie, this is Ty Garland, our foreman. Ty, this is mythis is Maddie Wallace.
Ty nodded, falling silent as he did so readily, especially with strangers. And Maddie, with her elegant looks and bearing, was definitely different from anyone around here.
Its nice to meet you, Ty. Maddie smiled up at him from where she sat. It sounds as if you have a lot of responsibility around here.
Yes, maam. Ty eyed Maddie warily, making Violet wonder what he was thinking.
Maybe shed better get this conversation back to business. What was it you needed to talk to Jack about?
Ty turned to her with something like relief in his dark eyes. Well, for starters, we had planned to go to the livestock auction on Saturday, and I was just wondering if that was still on.
She tried to think what day it was, but her brain seemed to have stopped working. Still, she could trust Ty to know what to do.
I dont know that you can count on Jack, with Mom still in the hospital. Why dont you just use your own judgment, okay?
Sure thing. Ill go and see if they have what were looking for. He let his gaze stray toward Maddie. Night, maam. Violet. He strode toward the back door, settling his Stetson squarely on his head.
Nice to have such a good-looking cowboy around, Maddie said once the door had closed. Is there anything special between you two?
Definitely not. Violet shook her head. Tys a great guy, but like everyone else around here, he treats me as if Im about twelve or so. Maybe younger. He seemed to appreciate you, though.