The Return Of David Mckay

“Everyone’s asleep,” he told Geneva as she took the other chair.

“What about Rose?”

He waved away that concern. “Rosa knows I like to make one last check of the downstairs before I go to bed. She won’t suspect a thing.”

That was crucial, because if there was one person who could put the brakes on this whole scheme, it was his wife. Sam loved Rosa dearly, but the woman had no sense of adventure and thought people ought to mind their own business. A first-class spoilsport.

A few months ago, Sam had gone to Geneva in secret with the idea of hiring her to paint his wife’s portrait. In her younger years, his friend had been Geneva St. John, a fairly well-known artist, and it seemed the perfect gift for Rosa’s upcoming birthday.

But as they’d talked, the conversation had stretched into memories of the past, when her grand-son, David, and his only daughter, Adriana, had been so close. They knew that a major argument had taken place, harsh words had been exchanged. But wasn’t it a shame that the two families hadn’t been connected through marriage after all?

Before the afternoon had gone, they’d agreed that maybe something could be done to change that. Surely enough time had passed. Both their children were unattached. Perhaps because they still cared for one another. Wouldn’t it be lovely if that spark between them could be fanned to life again?

Nothing came of that idea until Addy had dropped her bomb about checking out a sperm bank in Denver. It was then that Sam knew it was time to fly into action.

In the end, it had been much easier than they’d expected. A legitimate excuse to hire Addy. A well-timed telephone call to David. The right incentive.

And…here they were.

“How did it go at your place?” Sam asked.

“Tense,” Geneva admitted. “I felt like a referee. David was frustrated with both of us. Addy was trying to pretend she wasn’t shocked. And did you see how uncomfortable she was tonight whenever David’s name came up? You can’t tell me they don’t feel something for each other anymore.”

“I just hope what they feel is enough,” Sam said with a shake of his head. He was Italian. He believed in the power of true love. But his daughter could be a stubborn woman sometimes. If her mind was made up about artificial insemination, this could all be wasted effort.

No. He refused to believe that.

Geneva sighed, and Sam knew she agreed. “I do wish David had gotten off to a better start with her. I don’t want them to get on each other’s nerves so much that they can’t see they’re still in love. I’ll just have to ask Herbert to put a bug in his ear to behave.”

Sam rubbed his hands together. “Dio! I wish I could make this trip with you.”

“Me, too. Can it be a conspiracy if only one person’s there to do all the plotting?”

“I’m counting on you,” Sam said with a wink. “Addy said she has stops planned along the way to replenish supplies. Think you can slip away once in a while to give me an update on how it’s going?”

“I’ll certainly try. I just hope we’re doing the right thing.”

Sam pounded his fist on his thigh. “Damn it! I refuse to see my daughter continue to sit on the shelf like some Victorian spinster or run off to make a baby with a petri dish. D’Angelos are not created in chemistry labs.”

“But what if her mind’s made up?”

“Impossible! She’s confused, conflicted about what she’s doing with her life. But once she remembers what it’s like with that grandson of yours…” He stood, slipping into his metal crutches. “Well, good luck, G. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

“I suspect you’d do almost anything.”

“True,” Sam admitted. “Now I’d better get back to Rosa before she comes looking for me.”

“It wouldn’t do for her to find you in my room,” Geneva said with a light laugh.

“Ha!” Sam said. “Rosa knows the only woman who’s a threat to her is Sophia Loren.” He leaned over to hug Geneva. “Be careful out there.”

Sam made his way back to his own bedroom. The lights were off, but he didn’t need them. After all these years of sleeping beside the same woman, he knew where everything was, what obstacles to watch out for.

As he slipped quietly into bed, Rosa turned toward him. “What took you so long?” she asked in a sleepy tone.

“Just making my last check of the evening.”

“I thought you did that while I took my shower,” she said, a frown in her voice. She rubbed her hand along his chest. “It was nice spending time with Geneva tonight, wasn’t it? We should invite her to come up more often.”

“Definitely.”

“I do think the two of you were a little insensitive to Addy’s feelings about David. I suppose you just got carried away, but it was hard for her to hear so much about him and how he’s been doing.”

“Well, maybe there’s a good reason for that,” Sam said. “Maybe she ought to think about giving David another chance.”

Rosa came up on one elbow, and if there had been enough light in the room, Sam guessed he’d have seen a frown creasing her brow. “Do you know something I don’t?”

“Of course not. Go back to sleep, Rosie.” He turned back to snuggle against the only woman he had ever loved. The kind of love his daughter should have in her life. If it was a baby she wanted, why couldn’t it be made with a loving husband?

“I’m glad to see you’ve stopped badgering her about her decision to have a baby alone if she chooses. Have you accepted that it’s really none of our business?”

“No. When your child is about to take a leap off a steep cliff, as a parent, don’t you have a responsibility to at least try to grab their coattail?” Then, thinking that he’d revealed too much, he flipped on his side in an effort to halt the conversation. His wife could read him like a book sometimes. “Never mind that now,” Sam said. “I’m tired. Good night, Rosa.”

AT DAYBREAK THE NEXT morning a cab delivered David and his things to Lightning River Lodge’s front door.

The place looked just the way he remembered it. Maybe a little timeworn, but that only enhanced its rustic elegance and the way it seemed to fit in with its surroundings.

He considered going inside, since he wouldn’t have minded paying a visit to the D’Angelos. He thought of Sam and Rose as nice people with big hearts. They reminded David of his own parents.

A quick glance at his watch told him there was no time for that now. He was close to being late. That wouldn’t do for trail-boss Addy, he’d bet.

The pile of supplies at his feet had been pulled together by a miraculous feat of determination on his part. For the first time in years he’d had to hustle to make things happen, because he didn’t have his flock of well-paid flunkies traipsing after him. But he’d decided to treat it as a challenge. One of many he’d probably have to face before this trip was over.

All in all, he felt pretty pleased with himself.

Of course, given the size and selection of Broken Yoke’s shopping district, he hadn’t been able to be too particular in his choice of suitable clothing. He knew he resembled a tinhorn tourist: new designer jeans, expensive boots and a Stetson that hadn’t had the chance to shape a personality of its own yet.

As for the demands of business…well, he was still working out the kinks on that front. He hadn’t taken a real vacation in years, and when he’d told his assistant Rob just what he had planned for the next two weeks, the man had been practically speechless. It might be days before all the bases were covered back in his Los Angeles office, but he’d manage. He always did.

Quickly David strapped everything to his body so he could make the walk down to the stable. He felt like a damned pack mule and he knew he looked ridiculous.

As he approached the corral, Addy D’Angelo glanced up from her clipboard. Seeing him, she scowled. It didn’t take much imagination to guess her thoughts. She’d been hoping he wouldn’t show up.

Too bad, trail boss. You’re stuck with me.

She was dressed much as she had been yesterday, practical and trim in jeans and a thin blouse. Today her hair was captured in a ponytail, yanked low at the back of her head. Disappointing. It was one of her best assets, that hair. If he really had to go on this foolhardy outing, it wouldn’t have hurt to have something nice to look at.

“You’re late,” she remarked, then turned her attention back to her list.