“Wow. Talk about a compliment. Wait. Don’t say anything for a second. I want to feel the love.” She dramatically clasped her hands together over her heart, then shrugged and dropped them to her sides. “Sorry. I know you didn’t hate me or anything. You were very generous in your tolerance. You tolerated me and you tolerated my mother. Not that I blame you for that. She was obviously in it for the money.”
Zane didn’t know what to say. Maya’s mother had been a Las Vegas showgirl when Zane’s father had met and married her.
“It wasn’t all her fault,” he told Maya. “My father never loved her. He shouldn’t have married her.”
“I don’t know. Their marriage might have been hell, but I enjoyed my time on the ranch.”
Zane remembered a gawky blonde blossoming into a beautiful young woman. Maya had been the sort of serious, responsible child flaky parents often produce. She’d ignored the neighboring young men, had concentrated on her studies and spent all her spare afternoons with Chase.
The summer after she’d graduated from high school, things had changed. She’d fallen for a local guy, then had bailed on all of them when she’d headed off to college.
He passed her the mug. She took it and held it between her hands.
“Your father expected you to run things, but he wouldn’t let you make any decisions,” she said, looking at him over the steam. “I remember a lot of teeth grinding on your part.”
Chase and Phoebe laughed about something. Maya turned to watch them. “He’s growing up.”
Zane was aware of that. “His stunts are getting worse.”
“He’ll always be a handful, but you’ve done a good job with him. He’s going to be a good man.”
Zane wasn’t sure about that—not yet. But if it was in his power, he would make sure Chase didn’t have to live with the bitterness of too many regrets.
“’Morning, folks,” Gladys said as she crossed the camp. She collected mugs for herself and her best friend, then poured coffee for both of them. There was a slight tremor in her hand, but overall, the two elderly women seemed sprightly despite the early hour and the long day yesterday.
“Fine morning,” Eddie said with a smile. “There’s nothing like sleeping in the outdoors.”
Maya stretched. “I don’t know. There’s something to be said for a feather bed and heated towels.”
The two kids raced into the clearing, with C.J. and Thad trailing after them. Andrea and Martin followed.
“Chow’s on,” Cookie yelled as he banged on the large triangle bell he’d brought with him. “Get it while it’s as hot as these two hot young things.” He winked at Eddie and Gladys.
People jostled for position. Zane stepped out of the way. He told himself he was being polite, but he was also watching to see exactly when Chase and Phoebe emerged from the close confines of her tent.
Ten seconds later, Chase popped out, shaking his head. Phoebe followed, looking defeated. Zane took that to mean that they’d been unable to find her earring. His gut churned at the thought of them looking together, heads bent close, arms touching.
He stalked over to the wagon and grabbed a plate, then took his place in line.
Andrea was up in front. Cookie held a ladle full of scrambled eggs over her plate. His dark expression warned there would be trouble if she refused. Martin—apparently smarter than his wife—nudged her elbow so that her plate shot toward the grumpy old cook.
“We love eggs,” Martin said. “I have to say that so far the food has been really delicious.”
Cookie grunted and scooped more eggs for his plate, then thrust out two platters. One was covered with bacon and sausage, the other had flaky biscuits. Andrea blanched at the sight of so much animal flesh in one place. She took a couple of biscuits and stumbled away. Martin hesitated.
“Bacon’s real good,” Cookie said with a sly wink. “It’s the real thing. Lean and tasty. Not like that store-bought crap you get in the city.”
Martin reached for the serving tongs. He’d nearly picked them up when Andrea’s voice cut through the morning. “Martin, what are you doing?”
Martin backed away as if faced by the devil himself. “Nothing. I’ll be right there.” He took three biscuits, then scurried toward the chairs.
The kids were next. They took some of everything Cookie offered. Thad took a plateful as well, but C.J. only wanted coffee. Eddie and Gladys pretended not to like Cookie’s flirting as they collected their breakfasts and walked toward the chairs. Maya moved up behind Zane.
“I want to be like them when I grow up,” she whispered.
Zane glanced at her. “A cougar?”
She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. They’re not letting age stop them from doing anything. They’re still having adventures. I wonder if they get lonely sometimes.”
Zane saw the longing in Maya’s eyes. From his observation, she had always both yearned for and feared romantic love.
“If you’re lonely, find some guy and settle down,” he said.
“Oh, right.” She stepped in front of him and held out her plate to Cookie. “Because charming, sensitive types always fall for lady shark news producers.”
“You don’t want some sensitive man,” Cookie told her. “You want a real man.”
Maya laughed. “Not you, Cookie. You’re too much man for me. You’d plain wear me out.”