Lacy's End (27 page)

“Are you going to eat all the rest?” Brenda asked.

Lacy looked down at the three remaining desserts then at her mother. “Is that a problem?”

Brenda shook her head. Allen laughed. She didn’t eat them all, though. She was halfway through the coconut cake when her sides began to ache. “Ugh,” she said, “I’ve pushed it too far.”

Allen reached across the table and snagged the rest for himself.

“If I have a heart attack from all the rich food, can you save me?” Lacy asked, giggling.

Allen shook his head. “I’m not a cardiac surgeon, but I can probably get you through.” He stood, put a five-dollar tip on the table, and said, “Sorry to spoil the fun, girls, but we have to get going.”

They pushed back their chairs and followed him to the door.

“We’re still going to drive down the strip, though, aren’t we?” Lacy asked when they had settled back in the car.

“Of course.”

Lacy looked from left to right as they traveled down the strip. She laughed at all the odd people running around acting like children. At one point, she saw a tall man on stilts, which made him look like he could just reach up and grab a cloud. She wondered how he managed to walk on them. She stared with mouth agape at an odd-looking woman wearing a purple miniskirt and a gauzy, white blouse that was cut low in front. She'd wrapped a white feather boa around her neck. The woman’s purple leather boots had heels that were easily four inches high. Lacy wondered how she managed to walk in them without breaking an ankle. She completed the outfit with oversized gold-hooped earrings. She held her body in a strange way, almost as if she were compensating for a physical deformity. “That’s the saddest-looking woman I’ve ever seen,” Lacy commented.

Brenda and Allen exchanged glances. Allen cleared his throat. “That’s not a woman, Lacy,” he said.

“What do you mean it’s not a woman? I can see right there. She’s wearing a mini skirt and high-heeled… Oh!” she exclaimed. “Never mind.” She blushed crimson. Allen and Brenda hid a smile.

The airport was crazy, and parking was difficult to find. They located the long-term parking area and struggled with their luggage. Finally, they came to a luggage cart and hoisted the bags upon it.

To Lacy’s surprise, the airport was huge. It was her first time in an airport, and she was overwhelmed. Twice Brenda had to look behind her and urge her daughter to keep up with them.

“Sorry,” Lacy apologized. “I’m just not used to this. Why do they have so many of those slot machines? I feel like we’re back at the casino.”

Allen chuckled. “That’s what most of the people came to Vegas for,” he said. “The airport just wants in on the profits, too.”

They boarded the plane. Lacy giggled like a child when the plane began its climb. She listened on her headphones to the pilots’ communications with the control tower, enthralled by all the technical chatter. Allen asked if she wanted to watch a movie, but she shook her head. Before long, she was fast asleep.

Brenda wasn’t fairing quite so well and Allen, seeing her death grip on her arm rests, picked up her hand and laced his fingers through hers. “We’re going to be fine.”

Brenda nodded and smiled nervously, but it didn’t alleviate the panic inside her. She couldn’t have been happier when the pilot announced their landing and directed them to bring their seats upright. She nudged Lacy. “We’re here.”

Lacy sat up, groggily. “What time is it?”

“It’s almost five o’clock.”

She looked out the window. They were still flying above 15,000 feet, but she could see the distinct signs of civilization below them. Before long, the plane glided down onto the runway and began to taxi toward the gate, where it came to a smooth stop. Everyone immediately began unsnapping seatbelts; Lacy included. She reached under the seat in front of her and retrieved her book bag. Standing, she said, “I’m ready.”

Allen led the way out of the plane and to the baggage terminal. They exited the airport lobby, and Lacy watched in horror when, from out of nowhere, a large man grabbed Allen and squeezed him tight.

“What a sight for sore eyes,” he said.

Allen grinned and flung his arms around the man. Lacy let out her breath and relaxed. The man released Allen and stepped back. A woman stepped forward. She was trim, with graying hair and bright eyes that seemed to be laughing. Lacy couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh, I can’t believe you’re finally here,” the woman said. She closed her eyes and hugged Allen. Her facial expression changed to one of someone savoring something—as if the mere act of the embrace was something she had waited for all her life.

“Mama,” Allen said. “It’s good to be home.”

The woman let go and dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief the man handed to her.

Allen held Brenda’s hand and urged her forward. “This is Brenda,” he said. “Brenda, this is my mother, Alice Petoro.”

Brenda smiled and held out a hand. The woman laughed, reached out and pulled Brenda to her her for a hug. “It’s so good to meet you.” She stepped back, holding Brenda at arm’s length. “Just as pretty as Allen said you were.”

Brenda blushed. “Thank you.”

Next, Allen urged Lacy forward. She didn’t even attempt to shake hands but stepped into the woman’s embrace. Lacy’s heart skipped a beat. She’d never had a hug that felt so good. It was like a hug from the grandmother she’d never had. She smiled. “Thank you for inviting us.”

The woman’s warm eyes glistened with happiness. “It is my pleasure, Lacy. I’ve been waiting anxiously to meet the two women who stole my son’s heart.”

“Dad,” Allen said. “This is Brenda and Lacy.” He turned to them. “This is my father, Brett Petoro.”

He doffed his cowboy hat in a courtly sweep and said, “My pleasure, ladies. Now, let’s get out of here and home to some sweet coconut pecan cake.”

Alice shot him a scolding glance. “Dinner first,” she said, sounding like she was talking to a child. “Pammy has a roast on slow cook. It should be ready just about the time we arrive home.”

Brett led the way to a four-door pickup truck. He opened all the doors and assisted his wife into the backseat. Then he helped Lacy while Allen saw to Brenda. Allen climbed into the front passenger seat next to his father.

The adults chatted while Lacy watched the countryside slip by her window. She felt at peace here, as though nothing in her disturbed world could get to her in this wide-open space of Iowa farmland. She knew that wasn’t true, though. She was no safer from her father’s fists here than she would be at home. It did her good to think it, though and, even if for only a day or two, she could allow herself a smidgen of a happy family life, it was worth it.

She hadn’t seen Jake in two days. She worried that he wouldn’t come back. She wondered where he could be, and when she would see him again. She didn’t like the fact that his visits were becoming more sporadic.

They turned down a narrow road, and the sudden change in speed and direction of the car brought her back to the present. “Are we here?”

Allen turned and looked at them. “About another quarter mile, you’ll see a large red barn on our right. That’s the beginning of Dad’s ranch.”

Lacy leaned forward, trying to get a better look. In just the span of a few minutes, she saw the barn. Spreading out before them was a massive area of flat land abundant with tall trees. Cattle, restrained by tall, white, slat-board fences, roamed in pastures on both sides of the road. Horses gathered near a stream. She watched as a young colt galloped beside his mother, his legs pumping with all their might to keep up with her. The young guy frolicked in the water, sending high sprays that splashed onto his mother’s back. In what appeared to be a gesture of displeasure, the mother swished her tail, and the baby fell in line beside her.

Brett laughed. “That’s Storm. He’s only eleven weeks old and as feisty as a hot tamale. Jackson is counting the days before he goes to auction.”

“Jackson’s our foreman,” Alice said, observing the questioning look on Brenda’s face.

Brenda remembered Allen telling her that his father had hired someone to take charge of the ranch.

“Are you still riding every morning?” Allen asked his father.

“Noooo,” his father said, drawing out the word. “Arthritis in my knees keeps me off the horses.”

Alice frowned. “Most of the time, anyway,” she said. She reached out and patted her husband’s shoulder. He instinctively put his hand over hers, a touching gesture that made Brenda smile.

Brett brought the truck to a stop. A man appeared from the house and stood in the driveway, waiting to assist them.

Allen and Brett exited the car at the same time, opened the back doors, and assisted the women out.

Allen greeted the man with a handshake. “Hey there, Jackson, how are things?”

“Looking good, Allen,” he said. “Last quarter turned a heck of a profit. And next year’s stock will be even better.” He chuckled. “Especially with that spitfire of a colt running around out there. Even his own mother can’t keep up with him.”

Allen put his hands on his hips and spread his legs slightly apart, an unconscious imitation of Jackson. Brenda had to smile. She had never seen Allen stand like a cowboy. Nor, for that matter, had she ever seen a speck of the country in him. She guessed the ranch brought out his roots. She had heard it said once, that someone who spent even as little as two weeks in the presence of a different culture would begin to pick up his or her habits and mannerisms.

“We saw him on the way in,” Allen said. “He’s beautiful.”

Jackson nodded. “A late surprise,” he said. “We didn’t even know the mother had conceived.”

Just then, the front door flew open, and a young, redheaded boy came dashing out. “Uncle Allen!” he cried. “Finally.”

Allen laughed and embraced the child. Then he stood back, placed his hand on top of the boy’s head and said, “This can’t possibly be Ethan. Why, the last time I saw Ethan he’d barely stopped sucking on a bottle.”

Ethan laughed. “It’s me, Uncle Allen. I’m five now.”

Allen whistled. “A whole five?” He shook his head. “Where does time go?”

“I’m in kindergarten now.”

“Kindergarten already!”

The boy nodded emphatically.

“Where’s your mama?” Allen asked.

“Right here,” a voice called from the doorway.

They turned to see a stunning woman standing in the doorway. Her long chestnut hair hung in ringlets down her chest, ending just below her waist. She wore a simple, tailored suit, low heels, and a radiant smile. Her makeup, impeccably applied, reminded Brenda of a porcelain doll. She walked toward Brenda. When she got close, Brenda could see that her eyes were emerald green. She extended her hand. “I’m Pammy.”

Brenda took the hand. “I’m Brenda.” She put her arm around Lacy, pulling her close. “This is Lacy.”

Pammy smiled at Lacy, offering her the same hand in greeting. “Let’s go inside before we freeze. I’ve made tea.”

When they entered the house, Brenda smelled dinner cooking. Allen closed his eyes, sniffing dramatically. “Hmm, Pammy’s famous roast.”

Pammy placed her hand on Allen’s arm. “Just for you, little brother.”

They took tea in the den. It seemed as if Pammy had a million questions for Allen, firing them off one after the other: How is the job going? What have you done to Grandma’s house? How are things going at the clinic? Did they ever raise the money for the new ultrasound machine? She even referred to several of the workers by name. Turning to Brenda, she explained, “I sometimes go and work a few days—whenever they get understaffed.”

“I don’t know where she finds the time,” Allen said, “considering all she does at home and in her own community.”

“Stop,” Pammy said, giggling and blushing. “He makes me sound like a saint.”

She turned to her brother again, bombarded him with more questions. Brenda admired the patience he showed.

Finally, Pammy slowed down. “Whew, look at me.” She laughed. “I act as if we haven’t seen each other in decades.”

Allen smiled. “It’s okay. I’m glad you’re interested in my work.”

“Are there any more grandchildren?” Brenda asked.

The room fell silent. A dark silence replaced the previous light-hearted chatter. Brenda’s question hung in the air. Pammy looked down at her lap.

Brenda looked around, settling her eyes on Lacy, who shrugged. “I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”

Allen smiled, giving her a look that said he’d tell her later.

“Bradley has a son, Chase,” Pammy said. She stood, mustering a smile, and everyone followed. She linked her arm through Allen’s, led him to the dining room, indicated Brenda and Lacy should sit on either side of him. She took the seat opposite him, with her son to her left, her mother to her right at one end of the table, and her father at the other end.

Once they were all seated, a young girl came in carrying a bowl of salad. “Thanks, Jenny,” Pammy said. To their guests she said, “This is Jenny. Jenny is Jackson’s daughter. She’s helping out for the weekend.”

Jenny smiled.

“Let’s bow our heads for the blessing,” Brett said.

“Is Bradley coming for the holiday?” Allen asked after Brett blessed the food, and everyone was enjoying the meal.