Anna’s gray head bobbed in agreement. “I know.” If the housekeeper had any idea of why, she’d never said. Not once over the years.
“Are you thinking of looking for her?” Carly asked, her eyes wide.
“I don’t know. She’s going to be a grandmother now....”
The women were all silent for a minute, pondering that idea.
“Well,” Lizzie said, a little lighter, “like I said tonight, one step at a time and there’s no rush, is there?” She wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Do you guys mind if I skip out for a bit? I wanted to show Chris the barns and the arena before we go. We didn’t have a chance earlier.”
“Go ahead. This is pretty much done anyway.”
She stopped at the den to say good-night to Brock and Julieta, and then made her way to Alex’s room. She peeked inside and saw Alex sitting up in bed, Chris perched on the side of the mattress, reading from a book. She stayed hidden, listening to Chris’s deep voice take on the character of a cowboy who kept losing his clothes when he slept and so learned to sleep with his boots on. She smiled as he got to the end and Alex asked for one more story.
“Sorry, partner, I promised your mom just one. You need your sleep.”
“Awwww!”
“Trust me, Alex. Most of the time it’s in your best interest to listen to your mom.”
“Dad says it’s good training for marriage,” Alex piped up, and Chris laughed.
“Can this cowboy stand one more kiss good-night?” Lizzie asked, stepping into the room.
“I guess. You’re too old to have girl germs.”
“Ouch!”
Alex grinned at Lizzie, well aware that he’d delivered a perfect insult. She ruffled his hair, and then tickled his ribs. “Good night, scamp.”
“’Night, Lizzie. Are you really having a baby?”
She smiled down at him with affection. Most of the time Alex seemed like a nephew rather than a brother. “Yes, I’m really having a baby.”
“Good. Now maybe Mama will quit treating me like one.”
Chris stifled a laugh as Lizzie tucked in the covers. “Sweet dreams.” She kissed his cheek.
Alex curled his fingers around his comforter and rested his head on the pillow. “Leave my night-light on, ’kay?”
Lizzie and Chris left the room, shutting the door but leaving it open a crack.
“Do you want to see the barns before we go? I meant to give you a tour earlier.”
“That’d be nice.”
“I already said my goodbyes, so we can just leave when we’re done.”
“If you’re too tired...”
She shook her head. “No, I think some fresh air and a walk is just what I need. Come on.”
They ambled through the twilight to the first of the barns. She flicked on a light and the long corridor lit up. She’d spent lots of time in here as a kid, helping clean stalls, feeding horses, polishing tack. She’d enjoyed the ranching side of the business as well as the other kids, though she’d never quite got into the rodeo scene the way they had. She’d been more into the oil side of things from the start. She’d enjoyed following her dad into the office, sitting up on a spare chair and doodling while he worked.
“Wow, this is some setup,” Chris said, stepping forward. “My dad would be in heaven.”
“Jet’s place is down the road. He likes his independence. Still, the boys are pretty active here, especially with the arena. They do a lot of their training here.”
“You keep bucking stock?”