There was no one in sight. Robin's eyes scanned the horizon, across the plains to the low distant outline of mountains miles away.
Peace. That was the word that constantly came to mind as she surveyed the scene before her.
Yet, within the walls of the ranch house, there was not a trace of that peace to be found. A group of individuals, each obviously under stress, was growing tenser.
And why? Because the past was being remembered.
And because of Deborah.
Chapter 12
Deborah arrived. Amid the daily bustle of the ranch the arrival of most folks would have been a slightly noticed affair. But with the interest sparked by the tension in the family and guests, Deborah's arrival could not have been more dramatic if she had been accompanied by a decorated brass band.
She arrived in the late morning, behind the wheel of a sparkling yellow Cadillac, chrome glistening in the sunlight. Almost the full population of the ranch had instantaneously appeared with the first crunch of her tires on the gravel drive.
Robin stood beside Sara watching the new arrival quietly as she unfolded herself from behind the wheel of the car. From her long, tanned legs, (supporting the envied kind of body that one would expect from such legs) to her beautiful face, she was breathtaking! Her even features were set off to even more perfection by the mass of dark shiny curls that hung invitingly to her shoulders.
Her makeup highlighted her large dark eyes, adding to the sophistication of her well-fitting and obviously expensive summer dress.
Robin, clad in a cool, embroidered peasant blouse and a practical denim skirt, felt young and ordinary by comparison.
"Deborah." Alex said in a low, steady voice. "It certainly has been a while. I'll get a few of the fellows to unload your things. I'm sure you'll want to freshen up after your trip from town in this heat."
The ranch hands were already unloading the large trunk of the spectacular vehicle, methodically but in no apparent rush, their faces barely hiding their curiosity as they watched the new arrival.
Robin glanced to where Sara and Jacob and Gregory' had been standing as the car had come to a halt, but they had quietly disappeared without a word.
"Ah, Alexander," the soft voice purred. "You have no idea what a delight it is to see you again. You are looking as marvelous as ever, darling. What would really be appealing right at this moment is a tall, cool gin and tonic to prove to me that I've returned to civilization. Driving across that amazing barren desert can be a shock to one's system. How about it? Can you join me in a thirst quencher'.'"
Her eyes rolled appealingly and Robin felt distinctly uncomfortable to be standing within earshot. The ranch hands had taken their assorted loads into the house, all matching pieces of exquisite luggage, enough for a tour abroad. Deborah was obviously planning to stay for some time.
"And a gin and tonic you will have, if that is what will refresh you." Alex's voice was calm, but somehow Robin could sense that there were tensions woven deeply in his words. Anxiety? Excitement? Was he so very unhappy to have Deborah here? Or was he in fact so delighted to see her again? Robin could not tell.
"But I'm afraid to say that I will not be able to join you. Deborah. I've really got to get back to the office for a meeting with some of the hands, and then I have a long list of duties to attend to out on the range. Even with this hot weather to make us forget what a toll the cold takes on the fences and outbuildings, winter's not far behind. It keeps me busy keeping up with this place. I'll take a raincheck on the cool drink."'
"Such dedication! And why you bother is a mystery to me." She effectively batted her long lashes and gave him a smile that put girls in toothpaste ads to shame.
"I'm sure it is. By the way," he said, giving Robin an apologetic look, "this is Robin North. She is Herman and Lisa Robinson's cousin, and has been helping out here
Peace. That was the word that constantly came to mind as she surveyed the scene before her.
Yet, within the walls of the ranch house, there was not a trace of that peace to be found. A group of individuals, each obviously under stress, was growing tenser.
And why? Because the past was being remembered.
And because of Deborah.
Chapter 12
Deborah arrived. Amid the daily bustle of the ranch the arrival of most folks would have been a slightly noticed affair. But with the interest sparked by the tension in the family and guests, Deborah's arrival could not have been more dramatic if she had been accompanied by a decorated brass band.
She arrived in the late morning, behind the wheel of a sparkling yellow Cadillac, chrome glistening in the sunlight. Almost the full population of the ranch had instantaneously appeared with the first crunch of her tires on the gravel drive.
Robin stood beside Sara watching the new arrival quietly as she unfolded herself from behind the wheel of the car. From her long, tanned legs, (supporting the envied kind of body that one would expect from such legs) to her beautiful face, she was breathtaking! Her even features were set off to even more perfection by the mass of dark shiny curls that hung invitingly to her shoulders.
Her makeup highlighted her large dark eyes, adding to the sophistication of her well-fitting and obviously expensive summer dress.
Robin, clad in a cool, embroidered peasant blouse and a practical denim skirt, felt young and ordinary by comparison.
"Deborah." Alex said in a low, steady voice. "It certainly has been a while. I'll get a few of the fellows to unload your things. I'm sure you'll want to freshen up after your trip from town in this heat."
The ranch hands were already unloading the large trunk of the spectacular vehicle, methodically but in no apparent rush, their faces barely hiding their curiosity as they watched the new arrival.
Robin glanced to where Sara and Jacob and Gregory' had been standing as the car had come to a halt, but they had quietly disappeared without a word.
"Ah, Alexander," the soft voice purred. "You have no idea what a delight it is to see you again. You are looking as marvelous as ever, darling. What would really be appealing right at this moment is a tall, cool gin and tonic to prove to me that I've returned to civilization. Driving across that amazing barren desert can be a shock to one's system. How about it? Can you join me in a thirst quencher'.'"
Her eyes rolled appealingly and Robin felt distinctly uncomfortable to be standing within earshot. The ranch hands had taken their assorted loads into the house, all matching pieces of exquisite luggage, enough for a tour abroad. Deborah was obviously planning to stay for some time.
"And a gin and tonic you will have, if that is what will refresh you." Alex's voice was calm, but somehow Robin could sense that there were tensions woven deeply in his words. Anxiety? Excitement? Was he so very unhappy to have Deborah here? Or was he in fact so delighted to see her again? Robin could not tell.
"But I'm afraid to say that I will not be able to join you. Deborah. I've really got to get back to the office for a meeting with some of the hands, and then I have a long list of duties to attend to out on the range. Even with this hot weather to make us forget what a toll the cold takes on the fences and outbuildings, winter's not far behind. It keeps me busy keeping up with this place. I'll take a raincheck on the cool drink."'
"Such dedication! And why you bother is a mystery to me." She effectively batted her long lashes and gave him a smile that put girls in toothpaste ads to shame.
"I'm sure it is. By the way," he said, giving Robin an apologetic look, "this is Robin North. She is Herman and Lisa Robinson's cousin, and has been helping out here
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