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Prologue
“Hush crying, Cassie. Things will get better. We’re going to find a home. We’ll have a family. If we can’t find one that wants us…then we’ll make one for ourselves. All of us.” The house was quiet in the late hour. Others had gone to bed, but the two sisters huddled on the back porch steps, cloaked in the silence of the yard lit by the silver glow of the full moon overhead.
“What do we know about making a home? None of us have had one of those…not really. And where? Where is this home?”
“It’s where your heart is,” Tori whispered. “That’s what Granny said when she had her right mind. She was smart and kind…she just got too old. So, I figure she knew better than most. Lots of people say that—I read it before and heard it on television once. So, we’ll use that to find our place and make it that way.”
“Promise?”
“I promise. I’ve always looked out for all of us and that will never stop.”
And Tori had kept that promise. She aged out of the foster system first. The money saved working after school and on weekends had been used in part to buy a seat on a bus leaving Baton Rouge, and she headed out with an old, donated suitcase and a mound of determination. Failure would not be an option. She was the first to set foot into the realm known as freedom—her sister and two brothers would be right behind her. They needed to know where home was. Her gaze locked on the vista outside the bus’s window. Her first decision was which way to go.
No reason to go but in one direction: west. That choice was made for no other reason than she loved sunsets and figured there would be more spaces to find a place to have a good view of one and find a likely home in places that weren’t so crowded already. And when she had stepped off the bus at the next-to-last stop on her ticket, she heard that voice inside her say she just might have found the place.
Something had made her take note of her surroundings as she nibbled her food on the park bench. And there was an omen—two as a matter of fact. One was that the light had changed to a warm glowing orange. The clouds in the sky seemed to reflect it and created a patchwork quilt of warmth and welcoming, slowing the approach of dusk. And to seal the deal, while she sat on the bench contemplating the amazing beauty, a small mewing sound had come from the bank of bushes beside her. Upon careful inspection, there was a tiny face, one that seemed too big for the rest of its body, which didn’t amount to much at all. Huge gold eyes watched her with wariness, yet hunger was the predominant interest. In fact, when she had picked up the little creature, it was light as a feather on the breeze. Clearly, it had smelled the half of a bologna sandwich she had saved from her lunch to have as dinner, being economical with her funds.
“Okay, little one, you just might need this last bit of food more than me.” She handed it over and sat both on the bench beside her. The cat gobbled the bit of food down in nothing flat and looked for more.
“We’ll get more soon enough,” she said and scooped him up, where he seemed to settle into her palm against her chest with relief. She wasn’t alone. Neither did it seem either was the kitten. The sign above the bus station creaked in the breeze.
“Destiny’s River,” she read, the words rolling off her tongue for the first time. Tori stood and looked around once more. It seemed to be a quiet place. Lights blinked red and then green along the street she could see from her position. A few ranch vehicles had passed during her time sitting there. And a couple of passersby had even smiled at her. That didn’t often happen…if at all…where she had come from. People kept their heads down and their smiles hidden from view. They hurried. Here, looked like people just walked, maybe even strolled.
After Tori and her siblings had been given over to their grandmother to raise when they were just a little more than toddlers, they had been moved to Alabama. She had heard stories of when her parents had met in Texas and married. Her father had been an oilfield worker. Her mother had worked days as a waitress and nights as a cleaning lady in offices. A neighbor had been their surrogate parent/babysitter. Then fate had sent them all from Texas to Alabama after their dad took off to parts unknown and their grandmother was taken by cancer.
She took a few moments to breathe in the approaching early evening and memorize her first sunset in Texas and possible new hometown. The sidewalks were clean and there were even planter boxes every few feet and she could imagine them filled with flowers in the spring. Oak trees were in abundance on the green spaces. It was a place that seemed to invite one to stay a while and search out hidden treasures in the shops she had seen coming into the town. It could be a postcard that one might expect of a place one called home. Home.
Tori tucked the kitten closer inside the denim jacket she had on and went inside the station. The ticket agent looked up and gave her a kind smile and a nod. She asked for the refund for the rest of the ticket and got it, along with another smile.
“You visiting here, miss? Have relations meeting you?” It didn’t seem intrusive, so Tori returned the smile.
“I don’t really know about staying yet. I might take a look around. Do you know if any of those stores I saw as the bus came into town might be looking for help?”
“I see. Well, you won’t find a better place to stay for a while. Folks round these parts are pretty welcoming.” She paused. “I’m thinking there might be two or three places that could do with more help. And if you’re in need of a place to stay, you give a stop at this address,” and she was jotting down something on the slip of bright pink paper. Then she handed it over. “That’s my cousin Addie’s boarding house. I’m Birdie McGraw, by the way. You go three blocks past the courthouse on the square. Turn left at the gazebo at the edge of the big lawn and go one block and it’s a cute older house with bright green shutters. She might have a little space open. And she’ll know I sent you, so she’ll give you a good deal. Her prices are the best in town.”
“Thank you, I will certainly check with her.” Tori thought of something else before she turned away. “Do you know if anyone might be looking for this little kitten?” She pushed the cloth back a bit and the kitten landed its wide-eyed stare on the older woman.
“That little one showed up here with a couple of others—probably litter mates—about four…five days ago. Made themselves a place in the bushes. I might have left a few nibbles for them here and there, but this isn’t a place for little ones like that…too busy with traffic during the day. And I think the other two might have found homes. Haven’t seen them around for the last couple of days. This little one is on his own.”
That was all she needed to verify. Tori nodded. “Guess the next thing is to find a place that not only takes in humans but a straggly kitten, too.”
The woman named Birdie grinned. “Well, you won’t get any grief from Addie. She has had a neon sign out for all sorts of critters most of her life. Seems you two are partners now. Good luck to you both. Don’t be a stranger. I’m here most days.”
The woman’s kindness enhanced the warmth of the early evening’s glow inside her. And when she located the house with the green shutters, a strange yet peaceful feeling settled over her. She stood outside the garden gate for a couple minutes.
“Well, have you made up your mind?” came the voice from one of the rockers on the deep front porch. A woman, white haired, with round-rimmed glasses sat forward a bit and settled her gaze upon her.
“Pardon me?”
“That gate opens up nicely. Best come up and sit a spell. View of that Texas sunset only gets better from one of these rockers.”
Chapter One
Tori pushed herself up from the comfy cushion seat of the high-back rocker. It was her latest purchase and one she kept patting herself on the back for buying the moment she saw it at a recent arts and crafts festival she’d visited in a neighboring town. The wood was smooth and a golden brown in color, carved by an artisan’s hand with skill and love. At least that’s what she told herself. The artisan had offered it for sale but left no personal information about him or herself. The shop seller was just as reticent when it came to passing anything along to her as they loaded up her purchase. Once home, she had added the colorful cushion to the seat and it became her favorite spot for the early morning coffee she enjoyed as she began her day with the rising of the sun.
“Well, Peanut,” she said to the large orange tabby cat that lounged in its usual place on the cushioned bench that sat in the corner of the porch, not far from Tori’s usual rocking chair. The pair of them had their morning routine and their evening routine, as established over the years together. “You’re in charge. I must get moving early this morning if I want to catch that worm,” she said with a grin and a quick scratch behind a furry ear.
Driving along the tree-lined street that would wind its way toward the outskirts of the town toward Lockwood Ranch, she pushed a button and allowed the sunroof to slide open, the morning air fresh and welcoming to her spirit. Drawing in a deep breath, she felt it was going to be a good day. She would explain to Caden Lockwood her vision for the warm springs on his ranch and how it would benefit so many of the townspeople, he would see the logic, and all would be fine. And he would understand why she hadn’t simply waited until one of his assistants got back with a suitable time for an appointment with him. They had put her off one too many times already. Take the bull by the horns. That had become her motto, handed down from her grandmother, and she couldn’t agree more. Caleb had to be a reasonable man, a smart man, to be in control of such an empire. They would have a business discussion. She had a positive feeling about it.
That positive feeling soon evaporated at the appearance of three cowboys on horseback standing just inside the double gates. She pushed the button and lowered her window, a smile ready on her face. Finally, one cowboy moved his horse closer to where she wouldn’t have to speak so loudly to announce herself. He was an older gentleman, skin like weathered leather, and dressed in pure cowboy: spurs, chaps, hat—a hat that looked like it might have seen better days a decade or so ago. She had to give him props for that grayed handlebar moustache. He was straight from central casting for the next western film.
He tipped a finger to the brim of his hat and said in a slow drawl, “Howdy, ma’am. Are you in need of directions? Maybe lost?”
“Thank you, but no. I am in search, however, of Mr. Cade Lockwood. I’m mayor of Destiny’s River, and if you would be so good as to point me in…” She didn’t get to finish. A second horse moved forward to rest beside the other cowboy, and the rider was younger. He didn’t have a welcoming smile. In fact, he didn’t have a smile of any kind.
The first cowboy retreated. That left Tori to face the man seated on a very large black animal who looked like his unwelcome demeanor might match that of his rider. Did they practice that imperious gaze together? Again, she attempted her smile, but that was as far as she got.
“Once again, Ms. Mayor—” and the way he said those words did not bode well for them becoming friends “—you ignored instructions to apply for an appointment before coming onto my land. That might be how you do things in town, but not out here.”
My land. The words caught and stuck in her brain. So, this was the almighty, powerful Caden Lockwood. Just great. And he had just made it abundantly clear that they were not destined to become friends anytime soon. Well, she had come too far and waited too long to let one moment go by before he threw her off his precious land.
Tori opened her door and stepped out, preferring to think better on her feet. Unfortunately, he seemed even taller than before for some reason. She raised her hand to help shield her eyes from the glare of the sun that was not in a most advantageous spot behind his shoulder. And it was a broad shoulder. And if she were not trying her best to hold her ground and patience, she might have taken in the fact that he was one of those cowboys women would enjoy staring at in awe as they passed by on the streets of town. But she was not here to ogle like a silly female. She was here on important business.
“No one invited you to step onto my ranch. In case you need it put any plainer, trespassing is an offense where we can employ force under our Texas laws. You need to get back inside your vehicle and head back to where you belong. My men and I have work to do.”
“And so do I,” she rounded back on him. “I have tried to obtain an appointment. I have been put off for almost a month now. I am just as busy in my office, I can assure you. But I represent Destiny’s River, and the matter I need to speak with you about can wait no longer. Since you are here and I am here, I see no reason why we can’t discuss the issue right now if need be. I won’t take up your time any more than necessary, and then I’ll be on my way.”
“You already have taken up too much of my time this morning.” He nodded at the third cowboy. He and his horse moved toward the panel next to the gate.
“I suggest you back your car out while you can. The gates are slow, but they can pack a punch. Nice chatting, Ms. Mayor. You have a good day.” With that, minus a smile, he turned his mount and the pair of them left her in the dust…literally. The second cowboy followed in his wake. The third sat with solemn face, but his hand reached for the buttons inside the panel he had opened. She got the message.
Once inside the vehicle, she reversed and then wished she had her own cloud of dust on the highway she could kick up to punctuate her departure. Never had she been dismissed in such a rude manner. Well, he had another think coming if he thought she was some weak-minded female easily scared off once a male had put her in her place. She shook her head. If he wanted to play the game that way, then so be it. But waving a white flag in surrender on something so important as the warm springs was not in her DNA.
She saw how much people in and around their community could benefit by having access to those springs for health and rehabilitation issues. She wasn’t asking for the keys to his kingdom. Just simple access to something that was merely sitting there and could mean so much to so many. Tori would regroup. Cade Lockwood hadn’t seen the last of her.
End of Excerpt
