lot of invitations to birthday parties if they give those kinds of gifts.”
Elizabeth laughed. “How many times does one get a new grandparent?”
“Good point.”
They went next to the electronics department to find a television. With his help she picked out the top of the line.
“Tom and Carol won’t want you to spend this much,” Jack cautioned her.
“Why won’t he worry about how much you’ve spent?”
“He knows that I’ve saved my money.”
“In order to buy his ranch.”
“But he knows it’s not for sale. He’s made that clear.”
“Maybe if I talked to him? Maybe I can convince him to sell the ranch to you, if he and Carol can continue to live there.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.”
“Why not?” She was searching for the elusive explanation that Jack failed to give.
“It doesn’t matter. He wants to save the ranch for Brady.”
“But I don’t want Brady to grow up like his daddy.”
“His daddy didn’t do much on the ranch.”
“Then maybe Brady should work on the ranch. To learn how to be a rancher, not just an owner.”
“I understand that, but I won’t be there to help him.” There was a finality in his voice that Elizabeth hated hearing.
“I know,” she said, unable to keep the sadness from her tone.
She went back to the televisions and paid for the one she chose. They had it sent to the loading dock.
“When are they delivering the furniture?”
“They promised to deliver it Friday at two.”
“How will you keep it hidden from Tom?”
“I’m sending him up to my room to get peace and quiet for his nap.”
“That’s nice. Won’t he be suspicious?”
“No. He’ll believe me.”
“Of course he will,” Elizabeth said with sorrow as she thought about how much Tom would miss having Jack around.
And so would she.
Elizabeth and Jack walked into a happy family scene. Tom and Brady were playing cards and Carol was cuddling Jenny. A fire was burning in the fireplace and there was a heavenly scent coming from the kitchen.
“Carol, you fixed dinner! It smells great,” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“Shopping always makes me tired and I thought it might have the same effect on you,” Carol said.
“Yes, it does,” Elizabeth said as she shot Jack a dirty look.
Carol looked at Elizabeth then back at Jack. “Did you two have an argument?”
Elizabeth straightened and wiped all emotion from her face. “No, of course not. We just…disagreed.”
Jack sighed before saying, “We’ll talk about it later, Elizabeth.”
“Maybe if we eat, everyone will feel better,” Tom suggested.
“I feel fine,” Brady pronounced.
“Yeah, but I think you’ll want some of that banana pudding Carol made.”
“Yeah!”
Smiling, Elizabeth ruffled her son’s hair. “How’s Jenny?”
“Oh, she’s just the sweetest thing,” Carol cooed as she talked to the baby. “She has the biggest blue eyes for such a little thing.”
“Just like her mother,” Jack pointed out.
Carol didn’t notice any disagreement then. “Yes, just like her mother,” she agreed.
Tom began stacking the cards, saying, “We’d better get these cards put away, Brady, so Grandma can serve us dinner.”
Brady looked up at Carol. “‘Grandma’? Are you going to be my grandma?”
Carol beamed at the little boy. “Yes, if you don’t mind, I’d like to be your grandma.”
“Okay.”
“Come on, Brady,” Jack said. “I’ll help you clean up. Maybe we can wash our hands together.”
“I’ll come, too,” Tom said following them.
Elizabeth stared at them wondering why all three of the “men” were going into the downstairs bathroom.
“What’s wrong with Elizabeth?”
Before Jack answered Tom he shot a look at Brady. He wasn’t sure they should be talking in front of the boy. “Um, we got into a discussion about the, uh, wedding.”
“Does Mommy not want to go?” Brady asked, reminding Jack that he was right to worry. He came up with some story to satisfy the child.
“Sure she does. But she wanted pink roses on the cake and I wanted red roses.”
“So who won?” Brady was certainly amused by the contest.
“I guess she did because we’re having pink roses,” Jack answered.
“Do they taste good?” Brady asked.
“I think so. Go ask your mom, if your hands are clean.”
After Brady scurried out, Tom asked, “What is Elizabeth really upset about?”
“What you and I discussed the other night.”
Tom frowned and shook his head. “I wish I could change my mind, Jack, but I want the ranch for Brady.”
“It’s okay, Tom. I understand. I just thought when you get back from your honeymoon I should start looking for a new ranch.”
Tom gripped Jack’s shoulder in a large rugged hand. “It seems a poor way to pay you for your loyalty.”
“You’ve paid me a good salary, Tom, and I’ve been happy here. But change is good for all of us.”
“I won’t argue that, because I wouldn’t want the kids or Elizabeth to go. I’m feeling better now and I want to help out around the ranch, but I don’t think I can run it.”
“We’ll find someone for you before I leave. Just enjoy your honeymoon.”
