Ill make some calls, she said. Try and find somebody who has them ripening now.
Just do it when you have time. Harriet patted her arm. I know its rough, running back and forth to Amarillo every day. At least you have Jack to help you.
Violet managed a noncommittal smile at the reference to her brother. If he had any sense, Jack would get himself back here before folks noticed he was gone.
She was saved the task of responding by the approach of Jeb Miller. Despite Jebs youth, hed won the hearts of most of Grasslands in the five years hed been pastor at Grasslands Christian Church.
Violet. He grasped her hands in both of his. Im so glad to see you. I must have missed you when I went to the hospital yesterday.
Yes, II had some things I had to take care of. Thankfully, Harriet had retired from earshot, probably thinking to give Violet some private time with her pastor, or shed have been asking where Violet had been.
I was sorry to see there was no change. With his red hair, freckles and youthful grin Jeb might not be the classic image of a minister, but he had a warm voice that matched his warm heart. I prayed with Belle, and I trust she was able to hear and be comforted.
Thanks, Jeb. I dont know what wed do without you.
He shrugged, as if to dismiss the need for thanks. Folks have been wanting to bring food out to the house, but Lupita keeps saying thats not needed. I hope you know your whole church family stands ready to do anything that will help. The prayer chain is going strong.
Ill let you know if anything else comes up. It was on the tip of her tongue to confide in Jeb about Maddie, but she restrained herself. That was a conversation better held in the privacy of the reverends office.
Now, Im sure you havent had a minute to think about Teen Scene staffing for this weekend
Oh, my goodness. She stared at Jeb in consternation. Im afraid it went clear out of my mind.
Surprising, since the Teen Scene program was her baby. An effort to provide Grasslands teens with a wholesome alternative for entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, it made use of the church gym and adjoining lounges for activities. One of her challenges was to keep it staffed with adults she could count on.
Im sorry I forgot about it. Ill get right on it
No need for that. Jeb grinned, shoving his horn-rimmed glasses up on his nose. Its already done. And dont you think about coming back until life settles down a bit. Well muddle along, I promise.
Im so grateful. There were the tears again, threatening to break loose. It wont be long.
Well, dont worry about it. He glanced over her shoulder toward the racks. I need to pick up a few things, and then Id best drop in the office again and catch up on paperwork. Ill be interviewing people for the secretarys position tomorrow, and it scares me half to death.
Youll do fine. Anyway, you know what youd tell anybody else, God has the right person picked out already. You just have to identify her.
As Jeb grinned and moved away, Violet took another look around. Everything seemed to be going all right, other than the stocking problem. And she could make those calls from home, or in person, when it came to Tom Sandy. Waving to Harriet, she headed toward the door.
Outside, she paused for a moment to adjust her hat to shield her eyes from the sun, whose rays still shimmered from the concrete. She took a step toward her car and stopped.
She must have started to hallucinate. Either that or it really was Landon Derringer, Maddies almost-fiancé, walking down Grasslands main street, coming straight toward her.
Chapter Four
Violet stiffened, remembering Maddies short description of her relationship with Landon. What was Maddie going to think when she realized the determined CEO had followed her here? There surely couldnt be another reason why a man like Landon was in a place like Grasslands.
Violet. He touched his hat brim in greeting. We seem to make a habit of running into each other.
In very unlikely places. She managed a smile. You dont seem to have any difficulty today in telling us apart.
A faint smile touched his wintry green eyes. I should have realized you werent Maddie at first sight yesterday. The hair is different, of course, and the clothes.
Of course. She was a country bumpkin, in other words, in comparison to her glamorous twin.
He lifted an eyebrow. That wasnt an insult, Violet. He seemed to have no trouble in divining her thoughts. I like the way you looksort of casual and windblown.
More like hot and dusty at the moment, she said briskly. What did she care what Landon thought of her appearance? What brings you to Grasslands?
Id think that would be fairly obvious, he said.
Clearly the man enjoyed sparring with her, but she wasnt falling for it. Especially since she had much more important things on her mind. Odd, how much more confident she felt facing him today than she had yesterday. She was on her own turf now, and he was the outsider here.
Does Maddie know youre coming?
A faint frown line creased his forehead. Not exactly. I was going to call her, but then I decided it was better just to come. He nodded toward the store. When I saw the sign with the Colby name, I figured this was a good place to ask for directions. Does your family run this place?
Not exactly, she said, echoing his words. The family owns it. I run it.
You? His surprise wasnt very flattering.
She tilted her head back to look up at him. You know, Landon, Im beginning to understand why Maddie broke up with you. If youre hoping to win her back, you might want to try being a little less condescending.
She had the pleasure of seeing Landon speechless for a moment. Then he grinned appreciatively.
Score one for you. I apologize, Ms. Colby. I didnt mean to imply anything about your capabilities by my remark. Will you forgive me?
She felt herself weakening. He certainly got a lot of mileage out of that smile, and he probably knew it. Youre forgiven. Just dont make the same mistake with Maddie.
Ill try not to. He studied the sign over the door. I dont think you actually mentioned the Colby Ranch yesterday. Is it a truck farming operation?
Dont let my brother hear you say that. As far as hes concerned, its a cattle ranch, and the truck farming is just a sideline.
It must be quite a sideline to warrant a store that size. Landon nodded to the building, coming a step closer to her in the process.
We do all right. She shouldnt let herself be pleased that he sounded impressed.
She was beginning to feel a bit confused. Landon surely was here to see Maddie, wasnt he? So why was he spending all this time chatting with her? He was leaning against the building as if he had all the time in the world.
Something wrong? he asked, apparently a little uncomfortable at her scrutiny.
Not wrong, exactly. Just wondering why youre here. What do you want in Grasslands?
Did you expect me to let Maddie just wander off with her newly discovered twin and do nothing about it?
Those green eyes of his could have a dangerous glint in them, she discovered.
According to Maddie, you two are not engaged any longer. Im not sure that her actions are any of your concern.
If hed seemed relaxed a moment ago, all that was gone now. He frowned at her, and tension seemed to vibrate in the air between them.
Ive known Maddie since she was still a kid, he said. Even if we arent engaged any longer, that doesnt mean I can turn off caring what happens to her.
He sounded honest enough, and Violet found herself warming to him. Still, she owed him honesty in return, and she didnt think hed want to hear it.
If you really care about Maddie, I admire that, she said. But Im not going to do anything to upset her, either. Shes had a hard enough day, seeing her mother for the first time in a hospital bed. I wont do anything to hurt her, like showing up with you in tow if she doesnt want to see you.
Youre feeling a bond already, arent you? That twin thing people talk about.
She couldnt tell if he approved or disapproved. Were still just getting used to the idea, she said shortly. The point is that unless theres some good reason for your being here, I dont think you should pursue Maddie if she doesnt want to see you.
His eyebrows had lifted a bit at her tone. Maybe he was surprised at her quick partisanship, but Maddie was her sister, after all.
What about if I have results from the hospitals in Fort Worth? Dont you think shed want to hear about that?
Youve found something out already? She could feel the energy bubbling in her, ready to burst out. How did you do that? I thought those records would be sealed. I wasnt sure the hospital records office would even let me look.
It helps to have a good private investigator on the payroll, Landon said. I put him on the job right after we spoke yesterday.
Did heis there? She was almost afraid to ask, for fear of being disappointed. She shook her head. I shouldnt ask. You want to tell Maddie first, of course.
Landon must have been able to read her emotions pretty easily. His face gentled with sympathy, and he reached out to touch her hand. I wouldnt tease you with information like that, Violet. I dont play games.
Her skin seemed to be warming where he touched, and she found it disconcerting. She moved back slightly, putting a bit more space between them. What did you learn, then?
The investigator found out that no identical twin girls were born at any hospital in Fort Worth on your birthday.
Oh. She felt herself sag with the disappointment of it. I guess there arent going to be any easy answers, then.
Im not giving up that quickly. Determination filled Landons voice. Ive told him to check Dallas hospitals, too, and extend the search to surrounding communities. Its possible that your mother mentioned Fort Worth but its actually one of the outlying areas. And Maddie He stopped as an idea seemed to hit him. That was dumb. I never thought to ask Maddie if she knows what hospital she was born in. How stupid could I be? I guess I was so bowled over by seeing you that my brain stopped working.
I hadnt thought of that, either. She rubbed the nape of her neck, trying to ease the tension. Honestly, if were going to figure this out, were going to have to think it through. So far Ive just been reacting.
Theres a lot more emotion involved for you than there is for me, he said. But youre right. We ought to talk it over and work out the options to investigate.