Felt a little like Cinderella, though, didnt it? asked Abigail.
Tomorrow, we go back to cleaning the fireplace.
Well, horse stalls, said Abigail. At least, thats your fate. Ive been getting away with a lot of office work lately.
I hate the office work.
Lucky for me.
Mandy plucked at the silky layers of her dress. Do you think the campaign is going to keep you in Lyndon a lot?
Abigail shrugged. More than usual, for sure. Why?
Its been awfully quiet at home.
Abigail grinned at her. You missed me?
I did, Mandy admitted. With Mom and Dad staying at the rehab center, and you and Seth in Denver and Lyndon, and Travis always out on the range, itll just be me at lunch and probably just me at dinner.
I think Travis likes his new role, said Abby. With no Dad and no Seth, hes going to have a lot more responsibility.
Mandy had to agree. Travis seemed very happy. Once again, she got the feeling she was the only one left behind.
Are you suffering from empty-nest syndrome? Abigail asked, compassion in her dark, hazel eyes.
Maybe I am, Mandy realized. Weird. I never thought about how much my life depended on the rest of the family being there. Its like nobody needs me anymore.
The ranch cant run without you and Travis.
Without Travis, maybe. But youre the one who does the paperwork. The foreman knows what to do day to day. The hands know what to do. Im Okay, this is depressing. I think the Terrells need me more than my own family.
Abigails eyes narrowed. The Terrells?
Getting Reed back. Mandy was surprised Abigail didnt immediately understand. Calebs off on this crazy sell the ranch tangent, and Reeds lying low. And somebody has to knock some sense into the both of them.
Abby moved her feet to the floor and sat forward in her chair. Theyre grown men, Mandy.
That doesnt mean they have a brain between them.
That doesnt make it your responsibility.
Mandy shook her head. Her sister wasnt getting this. How had nobody else noticed? The universe is out of balance, Abby. It has been for ten years. I love Reed.
We all love Reed.
There you go. I cant abandon him at a time like this, can I? Hes my third brother.
Abbys face winkled in consternation. Do you think theres any chance. She paused, watching Mandy carefully. Any chance at all that-I mean, right now-youre somehow substituting Reed for your own family.
Im not-
Abigail held up a hand. Hear me out. Were all busy. And youre feeling adrift. And along comes this very juicy family problem that you think you might be able to solve.
A juicy problem? You think Im getting some kind of emotional satisfaction out of Caleb Terrell threatening to sell his familys ranch?
I think youre like a moth to a flame. Someones hurt? Theres Mandy. Someones upset? Theres Mandy. Two people in a dispute? Theres Mandy.
You say that like its a bad thing.
Its not a bad thing. Its a great thing. And its an important role, in your own family. But when you start franchising out, its a problem.
This is Reed Terrell, not some stranger I picked up on the street.
Abigail chuckled at that. All Im saying is dont get too invested in Reed and Caleb Terrell. This may not be a problem you can solve.
Mandys hand clamped down on the padded arms of the chair. In her mind, failure was not an option. I have to solve it.
And, if you cant?
Mandy wasnt going to think about that right now. Reed gone from the Valley forever? Someone other than the Terrells living down the road? And Caleb gone, with no reason to ever return.
She hated to admit it, even to herself, but shed started hoping hed reconnect with Lyndon Valley, maybe come back once in a while. He did have his own jet. And then, they couldcould
Okay. Shelving that thought for now.
Abigail was watching her expectantly. And if you cant? she repeated.
If I cant get them to reconcile, Mandy responded breezily. Then, thats that. Reed will move and life will go on.
There was a long pause. Why dont I believe you?
Because youre naturally suspicious. You have that in common with Travis.
Ha. Im naturally fun and exciting. Abigail was obviously willing to let the argument go. Did you see all the guys who asked me to dance down there?
Mandy smiled at her sisters exuberance, forcing herself to relax again. Green is definitely your color.
Im wearing it more often. Five of them asked for my number.
Did you give it out?
Nah. Im not particularly interested in cowboys. What about you?
Nobody asked for my number.
Abigails dark eyes glowed with interest. I think Calebs already got your number.
Mandy felt her cheeks heat.
Abigail sat up straight, staring intently. So, Im not crazy. You are into him.
Hes a good guy, Mandy offered carefully.
You just told me that hes trying to sell the ranch, and youre trying to stop him. That doesnt sound like a good guy.
Mandys cheeks grew hotter still. Okay, she allowed. Aside from that particular character flaw, hes a good guy.
Caleb was misguided, that was all. She was confident hed eventually see the light. Assuming she could keep him from selling the ranch between now and then.
Hes definitely hunky, said Abigail.
Mandy nodded. There was no point in pretending she was blind. Sexy as they come.
So? Abigail waggled her brows. Did he kiss you?
Mandy hesitated, wondering how much, if anything, she dared share with her sister.
He did, Abigail cried in triumph. When? Where? I want the details.
A few beats went by in silence.
Are you sure you want the details? Mandy asked, a warning tone in her voice.
Yeah.
Mandy screwed up her courage. Everywhere.
Abigail blinked in confusion. What do you mean?
I mean, he kissed me everywhere.
Abigails eyes went round. Were not talking geography, are we?
Mandy shook her head, a secretive grin growing on her face.
When?
Two days ago.
At the ranch?
His ranch.
You didnt?
We did.
Abby plunked back in her chair, her expression a study in shock.
Then I didnt hear from him afterward. Mandy found the words rushing out of her. And I thought, okay, thats it, hes from the big city, and it was a one-night stand, and I can handle it. But then we got here-
And he made that stupid excuse to take you down to his room.
Yes.
And?
And it was like no time had gone by. He grabbed me, kissed me, talked about going crazy for not seeing me. For Mandy, it had been both gratifying and confusing. Her emotions had done a complete one-eighty in the space of about ten seconds.
So, why didnt he call you?
Out on the range. Out of cell service. Apparently Travis was keeping him busy, and he didnt have a chance to see me. He said he tried.
And while you were dancing tonight? asked Abigail. Did he proposition you again?
Mandy nodded. That appeared to be the thing about a heat-seeking missile. They didnt leave you guessing.
Abigails brows went up. And youre sitting here with me, because?
The answer to that was pretty obvious. Because two of my brothers and my sister are in the same hotel, and I dont want to upset anyone.
You think Ill be upset because you spend the night with Caleb?
I think youll be I dont know. Mandy tried to put it into words. Disappointed?
Youre twenty-three years old. Besides, you already did it once. You think my delicate sensibilities cant stand being five rooms away while you have a sex life?
And theres Travis.
Whats Travis got to do with this?
He warned Caleb to keep his hands off me.
Abigail sputtered out a laugh. Grow up, Travis. Its none of his damn business.
I know that. And you know that. And believe me, thats Calebs opinion. But I dont want to upset Travis.
Abigail sat forward again. Mandy, honey, this familys emotional health is not your responsibility. Im not suggesting you sleep with Caleb or you dont sleep with Caleb. What I am suggesting, is that you make up your own mind. Youre allowed to do that.
It wasnt as simple as Abigail made it out to be. In families, people had a responsibility to the group, they couldnt just selfishly think of themselves alone.
You think that when I date a guy, Im worrying about your opinion? Abigail asked.
Well, Id never-
I dont. And neither does Travis when hes dating a woman. And you shouldnt, either. Now. Abigail brought her palms firmly down on her lap. If the rest of us werent here, what would you do?
Mandy pondered her sisters question. If she had it to decide all on her own, remembering their lovemaking from last time, thinking about his words and her feelings on the dance floor, taking into account that Caleb was here only temporarily?
Mandy bit down on her lower lip.
Abigail waited.
Id already be down the hall in his room, she admitted. Id be with Caleb.
Abigails grin was a mile wide.
Three minutes later, standing barefoot outside Calebs hotel-room door, Mandy was forced to tamp down a swell of butterflies battering her stomach. She was pretty sure hed be glad to see her, but there was no way to be positive. Other than to knock on his door.
Right.
She brushed her palms against the skirt of her red dress, took a deep breath, glanced both ways down the corridor and knocked.
After only a few seconds, Caleb opened the door. His expression registering surprise, but the surprise was followed quickly by a broad smile that lit the depths of his blue eyes.
He reached for her hand, tugging her quickly inside the room.
Hey, Mandy, he whispered gruffly.
As the door swung shut behind her, his lips came down on hers in a long, tender kiss.
He pulled back, grin still firmly in place as he smoothed back her hair. Youre here.
She couldnt hold back her answering smile. I am.
Can you stay?
She nodded, and he drew her into a warm, enveloping hug, wrapping his body possessively around her.
For some reason, she suddenly felt trapped. Uh, Caleb?
Hmm? he asked between kisses.
I know you probably want to jump straight into bed.
He immediately pulled back again, his hands gently, loosely cupping her bare shoulders. Hey, no.
There was genuine regret in his eyes. Im sorry about what I said earlier. That was presumptuous and disrespectful. You being here, in my room, doesnt mean anything you dont want it to mean. His words sped up. Seriously, Mandy. No pressure.
Her heart squeezed with tenderness. Im not saying we shouldnt go to bed at all. I just thought, maybe first-