Forbidden Entry by Sylvia Nobel Page B

still twinkled with mirth. If there was to be a truce, I feared it would be only temporary.
    While waiting for our food, we chatted about safe subjects like the weather, scenery, the engagement party and how my dad wanted to handle the tour of the ranch. When breakfast arrived everyone dug in with gusto, myself included. The western omelet stuffed with ham, cheese and green peppers, topped with a generous portion of spicy salsa went perfectly with three homemade biscuits slathered with butter and jelly. Sheer heaven.
    Not wishing to give her the opportunity to flash my brother several more times, I had my credit card ready when Lucinda dropped the bill on the table. She scooped it up and when she returned moments later I could have gladly choked her when she airily informed us, “See you all later at the Starfire.”
    What? Who the hell invited her? Dumbfounded, I said, “I…uh…wasn’t aware that you were coming.”
    Her cheesy grin was nothing short of sanctimonious. “Well, of course I’m going to be there! You and your intended need to work on communication skills, girl! My goodness, doesn’t he tell you anything?” Her expression switched from patronizing to dreamy. “What was I supposed to do when Tally called and begged for my help? I couldn’t very well say no, now could I?”
    Really? Begged? If that actually happened, why would he not tell me? Smug bitch! Her deliberate attempt to belittle me in front of my family sent my blood pressure rocketing to the boiling point as I struggled to keep the impressive list of expletives whirling in my head from exiting my mouth.
    Defusing what could have escalated into an ugly scene, my easygoing dad flicked me an insightful look and quickly interjected with a benign, “We’re all looking forward to the barbeque.”
    â€œYou have yourselves a real fun day now!” Throwing me one last spiteful glance, she beamed an angelic smile at Sean and my dad before she disappeared through the swinging kitchen door.
    Her voice filled with wonder, my mom shook her head slowly. “My goodness! You were spot-on, Kendall. That is one obnoxious young woman.”
    I hadn’t realized how tense my shoulders were until that moment. “Obnoxious isn’t a strong enough word.”
    â€œGotta give you credit for holding your temper, Pumpkin,” my dad said with a chuckle, grabbing for his crutches. “I don’t know which is redder, your face or this tablecloth.”
    â€œIf I had to bet, I’m going to go with her face,” Sean teased as we all rose and moved towards the door.
    The remainder of the morning went smoothly—a vast improvement over the rocky beginning. It was a kick chauffeuring them around Castle Valley, showing them the various points of interest and stopping often for photo opportunities. And it was enlightening to view the town through the prism of new eyes, remembering how foreign the desert had looked to me and how difficult it had been adjusting to the harsh environment. At the same time, however, I was bothered by the notion that Tally had invited Lucinda to the barbeque and neglected to tell me. I consoled myself with the thought that there had to be a good explanation, or she was lying through her teeth just to get a rise out of me. Either way, it was irritating.
    It was close to one o’clock when we finally headed out into the open desert—a spectacular sight all dressed out in cheerful afternoon sunlight, complemented by an unblemished sky of pure sapphire. Windows down, brisk air blowing my hair, I pointed out the names of more desert foliage and several nearby mountains as we bounced along Lost Canyon Road, finally pulling up in front of the rustic ranch house. “This is it!” We all got out and I helped my dad with his crutches.
    â€œAwesome,” breathed Sean, staring up at the mammoth sandstone pillar of Castle Rock towering above the desert