Read Online The Reluctant Cowgirl by Christine Lynxwiler - Free Book Online

so much.”
    Her mama sat on the bed and patted the spot beside her.
    Crystal sank onto the hand-pieced quilt with a sigh.
    Her mother reached over and pushed Crystal’s hair back behind her ear. “When’s the last time you said Cami’s name?”
    A few months ago, actually, when she’d told Brad right before their trip to Arkansas for the wedding. Of course that was the only time she’d spoken of her sister since the move to New York. But it wasn’t like she was around family.
    Crystal frowned. “I’m not still grieving, if that’s what you mean. How could I be? It’s been seven years.”
    “Seven years you’ve spent in a time warp.”
    “I didn’t run away to New York. You know we planned to go right after graduation.”
    Mama stared into her eyes, and Crystal squirmed under “that” look. Her face grew hot. “I just did what we planned. I’m living our dream.” Of all people, her mother knew how long they’d counted on making it big on Broadway.
    “You did what Cami planned for the two of you. You’re living her dream.”
    Crystal flinched. It was partly because of a conversation just like this with her mama seven years ago that had made her mention to Cami that maybe they shouldn’t be so quick to go to New York. That maybe it wasn’t the best thing. And because of that conversation, she hadn’t been with Cami when she died.
    “Living her dream, without her.” Her mother never took her gaze away from Crystal’s face.
    Crystal picked at the tiny stitches around the big star in the middle of the quilt.
    “I remember when your granny was making that quilt,” her mother said. “Years later, it almost killed me when she called me into her room and insisted I take it for mine and Jonathan’s bed when she was gone.”
    Crystal traced the star with her finger.
    Her mom chuckled. “Not long after she passed, I found you and Cami in here, lying on your stomachs on the quilt, telling your favorite ‘Granny’ memories. I let the chores wait while I plopped down between you and joined in.”
    A smile lifted Crystal’s lips as it always did when she thought about her granny. The woman had been strong and courageous, working beside her husband on the ranch and thanking God for every minute of it. “I remember that day. We laughed so hard. You know, we always felt sorry for the others because they never knew Granny.”
    “That was a loss, all right. But you two kept her memory alive with your stories. I guarantee you, if you ask Aaron or Luke or even the younger ones, they’ll say they felt like they knew her.”
    Crystal’s smile faded. “That’s not the same thing, Mama.” She lifted her chin and met her mother’s gaze. She was a grown professional woman, a breath away from Broadway, not a troubled teenager who needed to be tricked into healing. “I really need to go see if Aaron’s ready.”
    Her mother nodded. “You’re right.” She pushed to her feet and turned back to the suitcase. “We can talk more when I get back from our trip.”
    Crystal nodded, grateful for the reprieve. When her parents got home, she’d be gone back to New York before there was time for more talk.
    ***
    Jeremy stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind him. And almost collided with his dad. “Hey. I didn’t know you were here.”
    “Got a minute to talk?” Worry lined his dad’s face.
    Jeremy glanced at his dad’s truck, parked squarely behind his in the driveway. Why did he feel like that was no accident? He jangled his truck keys a little but nodded. “What’s going on?”
    “You know we’re going to Florida next week.”
    Jeremy nodded.
    “You sure you won’t reconsider and come with us? We’ll only be gone a couple weeks.”
    “I appreciate it, Dad. But I’d better stay around here. Keep an eye on our land.”
    “Speaking of our land, I thought you and I might go out to the sale barn at Ash Flat and check out a special Black Angus consignment sale they’re having.”
    Jeremy