“My dad told me he had gone to school withyour father, Miles, but he didn’t say anything about Grandpa Joeknowing your grandfather.I didn’t realize the Cables had such deeproots in Naples.Dad never mentioned it.”
She looked at him sheepishly and continued.“I called Sam, my dad, probably when you called your mother.Interesting that we did the same thing, don’t you think?”
He nodded and gave her a look that said manythings were interesting between them, their families and where thisrelationship might be going.Perhaps she saw what she wanted tosee…
“But wait a minute.You called me exotic.What did you mean by that?You’re the one with the exotic flowername of Lily.”
“I’m not sure that a lily is an exoticflower.I think of orchids as exotic,” she began.
Sandy shrugged, waited for her to go on.
“Okay, why are you exotic?Well,” sheblushed.“Uh…I think our horses want to run again, don’t you?Let’sgo!”With that Lily flicked the reins on her horse’s flank and themare took off running.Sandy laughed and took off after her.
Jesse yelled, “Wait for me, Miss Cable!”Sothey slowed to wait for him and rode together for a while, enjoyingthe day.Walking the horses on the ride back to the ranch, Sandytold her he had invited his mother to come over for dinner.
“Actually, Mom invited herself.She’s apretty strong character and I know she wants to meet you.I’m sorryabout this, since I barely know you myself.”
“No, it’s fine.I would like to meet her andask her more about the Cable family.She seems to know more than Ido.”
With the horses back in the barn, fed andwatered, Jesse ran to the house yelling about his new computergame.Sandy walked over to his pregnant mare and started to examineher.The horse was a beautiful Appaloosa with white and graymarkings.Lily stood back to take a good look.She didn’t knowanything about horse pregnancies but Sandy began to explain a fewthings and how the procedure should go.
“My foreman is busy this weekend and my vet,Dr.Walker, is on call.He knows she could deliver anytime.”
“Doesn’t the horse pretty much give birth byherself?What do you want the doctor for?An emergency orsomething?”
“Exactly.Horses are too expensive to leaveanything to chance.And this is my horse, Anna.I’ve had her for afew years and wouldn’t like anything to go wrong.This is the onlytime I plan to breed her.She’s too valuable to me.”He had beenlooking at the horse.Glancing at Lily he shyly said, “When youfind something of value, you want to keep it.”
Oh, man… This guy really was from JaneAusten’s time.He was eloquent, sensitive, a good father and lovedhis mother.He seemed to good to be true.Maybe he’d turn into afrog if she kissed him.
“Lily?Are you there?You spaced out on me.”His eyes twinkled.“Come on.Let’s go and get an early dinnerstarted.I planned to barbecue various meats.I hope you’re not avegetarian.”
“Absolutely not.”Especially since she hadrecently pictured him as a big, juicy steak.
“You look like you’re ready to take a biteout of me,” laughed Sandy as he headed to the barbecue area.
You’ve no idea.Lily sighed as shejoined him.
* * *
CHAPTER SEVEN
Smoke from the barbecue grill rose up theoutdoor chimney and out into the sky.Flavorful aromas from thecooking meat filled everyone’s noses and made their mouths water.Sandy had cooked steaks, hot dogs, chicken, brisket and kabobs.There was enough food to feed much of the town, not just the fourpeople over for dinner.Roasted corn, salad, beans and cornbreadrounded out the meal.
Jeanne Johnson was an interesting person, allright.Lily noted that she took care of herself, kept her figuretrim and had her hair done regularly.She was perky and feisty, andher eyes shone with love every time she looked at her son andgrandson.Her eyes on Lily were questioning.
Throughout dinner, Jeanne had told Lily allabout the Johnson family, including Sandy’s brother in Reno and hissister in Winnemucca.They were married with several children eachand had ranches of their own, so visits home to Naples were alwaysfilled with fun and large dramatic family gatherings.Sandy was theeldest and had inherited the family home when his father died.Sandy was to be caretaker of the ranch and carry on the familybusiness.He had built Jeanne a nice log home a few miles away,still on Johnson property because she didn’t want to live in themain ranch house after her husband died.
Jeanne also told Lily about the Cable familywhen they had lived in Naples.She too had been in Sammy Cable’sschool class.
“It is so exciting to learn more about myheritage, Mrs.Johnson.My dad may have lived here, but my motherwas from San Francisco.I wonder why Dad never told me about theirlife here in Naples.”
“Please, my dear, call me Jeanne.I reallywould like to know why he suggested you move here and never toldyou the other half of the story.Hmm...I think a story’s in there.”Jeanne winked at Lily.
“You know, Mom,” began Sandy, “Perhaps it’snone of our business.”
Lily caught thestop meddlinglook heshot his mother.
Sandy waved a hand.“Anyone up for dessert?Mom brought one of her fabulous red velvet cakes.”
