His body tight with anger, Rance turned toward Desiree. “If that’s his issue, and I don’t doubt it, why even let him come? Call him back. Say he’s not welcome.”
She set her mug carefully on the coffee table and held her son’s gaze. “He was crying on the phone.”
“Who cares?”
“Two months ago he had a heart attack that almost killed him.”
“Oh, so now he’s afraid he’ll go to hell if he dies before making peace with the son he abandoned for almost thirty years?” His voice shook. “And I’m supposed to welcome him with open arms? Forget it, Mom.”
Lani fought an instinctive urge to squeeze his arm and communicate her support. But doing that might reveal… too much. Gripping her mug in both hands, she stared at the bits of whipped cream floating on top of the chocolate.
“I’m not saying I believe he’s changed, son. I’m not welcoming him with open arms and I haven’t even begun to forgive him for his behavior.”
“Then call him. Please, Mom. Tell him you’ve reconsidered.”
“But you see, I haven’t. This isn’t about him. I don’t give a damn about him. It’s about you.”
“And I don’t want him here! Please call him and tell him?—”
“This is a chance for you to be a bigger man, a better man than he is or ever will be. You don’t have to love him. You don’t even have to like him. But summoning the courage to meet him face-to-face with civility will give you so much power.”
He sucked in a breath and slowly let it out. “What if all I want to do is punch him?”
“You’ll just shove your hands in your pockets. You’re a McLintock.”
“Hey,” Andy said, “I’m not a McLintock. Can I punch him?”
Lani chuckled and glanced at Andy. “I’ll be glad to hold your drink while you beat the crap out of him.”
He winked at her. “Deal.”
But she and Andy were only bystanders, not the main players in this drama. Locked in a silent battle of wills, Rance and Desiree stared at each other.
Rance caved first. “Okay.” He blew out a breath. “I guess there could be some satisfaction in letting him know I’ve survived just fine without him.”
“Exactly. Survived and thrived.”
“Having him show up now is funny, in a way. I can’t say whether the timing is the worst in the world or it’s perfectly appropriate considering why I’m here this morning.”
Lani tensed. The news about Irving Quick’s arrival had made her temporarily forget their reason for coming. Granny had mentioned that Desiree’s feelings might be hurt because she hadn’t been the first to know. Her emotions were already running high. How would she react?
She regarded Rance with outward calm. “They say surprises come in threes. I’m ready for the second one.”
Rance took a deep breath. “I’ve written a book.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Oh, my God! That’s fabulous!”
Instantly Rance regretted not giving the manuscript to his mom. He could have given one to her and one to Lani. Hadn’t figured that out until now.
His mom scooted forward in the chair as if ready to launch herself at him and Sam dashed over to see what was going on. “I’ve always hoped you’d decide to write.”
“Fiction? Is it fiction?” Andy beamed at him. “I hope so because?—”
“It is.” He stroked Sam’s silky head and fought a queasy sensation in his stomach. “A Western.” What was done was done. It had made sense when he was planning this, but?—
“A Western! Even better! I can’t wait to?—”
