Page 9 of The Cowgirl's Forever Love
“You ready yet?” Tamara asked, gesturing to the seat beside her. “Karen can chat if you’ve got the time.”
“Of course, I’ve got the time.” Lisa had too much time. That was part of the problem.
She slid into position and leaned forward, adjusting the laptop to get both of them into the picture before she hit the call button.
Karen Coleman appeared a moment later, her dark hair pulled back, a cup of coffee on the table in front of her. “Look at you two slackers. I guess this is how the lady rancher organizes her day.”
Tamara made a rude noise. “If you expect me to apologize for sleeping in, nice try. I’m stocking up for down the road when I’ve got a newborn.”
“Were you out already this morning?” Lisa asked Karen. “I feel like I’ve been gone for half of forever. I’m totally out of touch with what’s going on at the ranch.”
“Uncle Randy asked me to come check their horses and the best time was first thing before they needed them.” Karen glanced at Tamara, concern forming a crease between her eyes. “Lisa is supposed to be making your life easier. You look tired, T.”
“I’d be tipping over into a hole in the ground if it weren’t for Lisa,” Tamara insisted. “Women who glow during pregnancy must have made a deal with the devil.”
Lisa tilted her head to the side as if cutting Tamara out of the conversation. She lowered her voice in a mock whisper. “You should’ve seen her last week. She looks way better today.Ouch—”
She rubbed her shoulder, grinning good-naturedly at her very pregnant sister.
“Enough smart-ass comments. Karen and I have something serious to talk to you about.” Tamara glanced toward the computer and then back at Lisa. “And we have something for you.”
Lisa straightened in surprise. “I didn’t do it. It wasn’t me. I swear those chickens were born pink. I have no idea how the snowballs ended up balanced on the top of that doorframe.”
On the monitor before them, Karen’s jaw dropped. “Lisa Marjorie Coleman. Youdiddo something to those poor baby chicks.”
Oops. She hadn’t meant to confess to something she was actually responsible for. “You said you had something serious to discuss?”
Beside her, Tamara rocked softly with laughter. “You’re lucky we love you. Dad was so pissed when he found that entire clutch was dyed red. He was ready to ground us for an eternity.”
“In my defence, I did use a natural dye. It was just beet juice.” Lisa tapped her hand on the countertop and tried to get back on track. “What’s happening, ladies? Get to it before I end up confessing all my childhood sins.”
Karen leaned on her elbows. “When you first announced you weren’t coming back to Whiskey Creek after staying with Tamara, I was upset. Now that I’ve had a chance to think about it, you’re right. It’s time to do the next thing, and for you that doesn’t mean returning north. I’m sad you won’t be here, but I’m glad you’re taking the next step. I hope you figure out something that will make you happy.”
“But I’m grateful you’re willing to hold off until the baby arrives,” Tamara added. “I never thought I’d be the type of person who needed this much help. It’s humbling to have to ask for it, but it’s a lot easier because it’s you. So, thanks.”
Lisa offered Tamara a smile. “Glad to do it. I’m not putting my plans aside, just delaying them. And who knows, Karen? Maybe someday I’ll come back to Whiskey Creek.”
“Still, we both appreciate it. So while you’re having to wait another couple of months before you can take off, we figured we’d do something to help you plan that shiny future.” Karen gestured to Tamara.
At her side, Tamara reached under a stack of books and pulled out a slim package that had been wrapped in a world map.
“Love it,” Lisa slid her nail under the masking tape and undid the wrapping, putting the map aside and lifting a hardcover journal.
Inside the first page, Tamara had attached a picture of Lisa as a young girl. She’d dressed up like an adventurer that day, with a rope hanging at her hip and one of their dad’s old hats on her head, making her into a miniature Indiana Jones.
“Get out.” She turned and wrapped her arms around Tamara, hugging her carefully. She turned to the computer screen to blow Karen a kiss. “It’s perfect. I’ll make notes about all the places I’d like to travel to and all the interesting jobs I might want to try. And if I go away, I can use it as a diary. I’ll write down stories to tell you when I get back.”
“Glad you like it,” Karen said. “And I’m taking that as a promise—that you’ll come back.”
“To Rocky Mountain House or Heart Falls,” Tamara added.
“Right.” Karen nodded. She looked as if she was going to say something else, then forced her smile to widen. “Sorry to keep this short, but I’ve gotta run. A certain person will assume I’m slow because I’m female if I don’t get the cattle moved before dinner.”
All three of them sighed massively. A synchronized, wordless complaint about their father.
“Take care,” Tamara offered, pushing her glasses into place before waving at the monitor. “I have to run as well.”
“Well, notliterally.” Lisa said it loud enough to be overheard even as she winked at Karen then said goodbye, shutting down the call.
