there might have been the slightest disagreement spoken here this morning. Seeing you is going to be shock enough for Buck without the stress of an unpleasant confrontation.”
“Cody—” Buck paused at the kitchen door and blinked several times. He removed his glasses from his shirt pocket and put them on. His expression showed his confusion and uncertainty. His voice was hesitant. “Melanie?” His expression changed as he continued to speak. “Is that you, Mel, honey?”
Cody saw the surprise settle on Buck’s face and the shaky movement of his hand as he gripped the doorjamb in an effort to steady himself, and was immediately at his side. He offered Buck a gentle smile as he discreetly cupped his elbow and assisted the older man to the kitchen table without making it appear that the help was needed. “We have an early-morning visitor, Buck. She showed up at the door just a bit ago. Quite a surprise for me. I didn’t recognize her from the picture you have.”
Buck’s face lit up with a warmth Mel had never associated with her father during the entire eighteen years she had lived in the same house with him. His eyes glistened.
“Have you come home, Melanie? Have you finally come home?”
For perhaps the first time in her adult life Melanie Winslow was at a total loss for words. She stole a glance at Cody and caught the stern look he directed toward her. She looked again at her father’s deteriorated condition and understood the wisdom of Cody’s admonition. Her once hearty and robust father had been reduced to this frail man who appeared at least ten years older than he really was.
“Yes, Father. It’s me. I…” She swallowed in an attempt to lessen the lump that had begun to form in her throat. She covered her uneasiness by picking up her cup of coffee and carrying it to the table. She sat down across from her father, forcing a smile that she did not really feel. “I just wrapped up an assignment in this area. I…I’ve been working as a photojournalist for several years now and I was shooting a story in Rocky Mountain National Park.”
Buck’s voice was soft, as if the simple task of talking required an extra effort on his part. “I know all about your work, honey. I’ve seen your magazine articles.” He paused, taking time to catch his breath. “You’ve done very well for yourself. I’m real proud of you, Mel—we all are.” He glanced over at Cody. “Isn’t that right?”
“It sure is, Buck.” Cody gave his friend a comforting smile as he placed a cup of hot coffee in front of him. “We’re all real proud.”
To all outward appearances Melanie Winslow and Cody Chandler had been engaged in amiable conversation prior to Buck’s arrival. There was nothing in Cody’s voice or his expression that would indicate anything to the contrary. Melanie tried her best to be equally diligent in perpetuating the deception, at least until she had a chance to think things through and get a better handle on what was happening.
There would be ample opportunity later for her to let Cody know exactly what she thought about all of this and determine whether she wanted to continue with the charade. First she would need to know exactly what was wrong with her father and the prognosis for his recovery. But for now, she sipped her coffee and tried to pretend that what she had just said was the truth. This was certainly far removed from what she’d had in mind when she started driving from Los Angeles. Actually, she was not sure exactly what she’d had in mind. It was a series of disjointed ideas that had not yet formed into a solid plan.
Melanie was startled out of her thoughts by the feel of a cold hand covering hers—an icy-cold hand. She looked up into the warmth emanating from her father’s face. She did not know if it was her imagination, but his color seemed much better than when he first entered the kitchen. There seemed to be a bit of sparkle in his eyes. He did not look as drawn and withered as when she had observed him in his sleep.
She tried not to jerk her hand away but did manage to tactfully withdraw it from his reach. She took another sip of her coffee, her mind frantically trying to produce some sort of basis for polite conversation. “I didn’t have an opportunity to see the ranch when I arrived. Even with the full moon it was still too dark. But, from what I could see along the entrance drive, it looks like you’ve made several changes.”
“You can credit Cody with that.” Buck glanced over at his friend and ranch foreman. The genuine affection he felt for the man was obvious. “He’s really been an asset. I’m afraid the place was getting a little run-down. Then Cody came on the scene and things really turned around. Now it’s quite a showplace in addition to being a model of efficiency. We’ve almost doubled our productivity and increased our profit margin substantially. It’s really something to be proud of.”
“Well, that’s nice.” She heard the strain in her voice and wished she had better control of it.
“You’re going to be real surprised by what you see, honey.” He continued, then stopped as if a thought had struck him. “Are you all settled in okay? Did you put your things in your old bedroom? I’ve kept it for you, honey, just the way you left it.” Again he reached across the table and covered her hand with his in a loving gesture. “I knew you’d come back home someday.”
Cody noticed the grimace that crossed her face at the mention of the ranch being her home and the way her body stiffened when Buck covered her hand. He felt his insides tighten. He did not have time for this nonsense—catering to Buck’s wayward daughter. As far as he was concerned, she could get back into her car and head west until she reached the ocean. The only thing that kept him from telling her to do just that was his very real affection for Buck and his concern for the old man’s health. She seemed to be having a positive effect on him.
“No, I haven’t unpacked yet. My things are still in the car.”
Buck twisted around in his chair until he faced Cody. “Would you bring in Mel’s things for me and put them in her room?”
“Sure thing, Buck.” Move the little ingrate into the house, as though I have nothing better to do.
“And, Cody, as soon as we finish breakfast, why don’t you take Mel and show her around the ranch? Reacquaint her with her home,” Buck suggested.
Cody glanced at the wall clock. It would be sunrise very soon now. The ranch hands would have finished breakfast and started on the day’s work. Now that the snow had disappeared from all but the highest elevations of the ranch property, there were fences to mend and outbuildings to be checked. Spring also meant roundup, which created lots of extra work. He really did not have the time to spare, but if that was what it took to keep her from upsetting Buck, then that was what he would do. “Sure thing, boss.”
Melanie could see it in Cody’s face. He was no more happy with the prospect of giving her a guided tour than she was of having him do it. It would, however, allow them the opportunity to talk in private so she could gather some information and they could get a few things settled between them. Beyond that, she had no thoughts about what she would do or any clear-cut plans for the future.
“I’ll start something for breakfast.” It was not the type of thing Mel would normally have volunteered for, but anything was better than sitting at the table trying to think of something pleasant to say. She opened the refrigerator door and stared at the contents. She may have been accomplished at many things, but cooking was not one of them. Since she was out on assignment more often than she was home she usually ate in restaurants. When she was home, opening a carton of yogurt and making coffee for breakfast or popping
