stuffed animal. A small pink bear given to her in the hospital by Layla Logan.
In the entryway, Glenis paused. “Are you working at the Old Town Hall tonight?”
“Yes. What about you?”
“Not tonight, I have a meeting of the library committee.”
Giving her mother a quick hug, Nicki said, “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m doing fine. I love my job. I love the kids I work with. I have a great life.”
Glenis returned the hug. “Worrying is a mother’s job.”
“Then at least take a vacation day. I’m not throwing myself at Clay Logan’s feet simply because he’s back for a visit.”
Glenis pulled open the door letting in a gust of cold wind. “I’m sorry if I upset you by talking about him.”
“You didn’t upset me,” Nicki answered truthfully. Clay had done that without any help.
Where was he now? Had he gone out to the ranch? How long was he staying? Would she see him again?
Nicki crossed her arms against the chill as she closed the door behind her mother. All questions and no answers, that certainly summed up her relationship with Clay in the past.
Theirs had been a friendship she valued deeply. If only they had kept things friendly and not let their teenage emotions take over. What she felt back then hadn’t been love. It had been a high school crush and nothing more.
In a way, it had been good for her to see Clay again. Perhaps now she truly could get over him the way she always claimed she had.
Chapter Three
Clay pulled his truck to a stop at the curb and checked the house numbers against the return address on his sister’s last letter. This was the place.
It had taken seven long years, but he was finally ready to face Maya. He had a lot to apologize for. He waited a minute, gathering his courage.
Maya stood on the front porch sweeping stray fallen leaves from the wooden deck. A small boy Clay took to be her foster son, Tommy, and a little girl he assumed was his niece, Layla, were watching from their seat on a dark green porch swing.
Like Nicki, Maya had changed a lot. Gone was his gangly kid sister. In her place was a lovely young woman with short dark hair and a trim figure.
Catching sight of his vehicle, she stopped her work to stare at his truck with a puzzled frown. He opened his door, stepped out and walked to the front of the vehicle.
She dropped her broom. With a squeal of delight, she launched herself down the steps and into his arms.
Clay caught her up and swung her around laughing. Years of heartache vanished like smoke. Happiness nearly choked him.
Thank You, Lord, for giving me this moment.
As he set his sister back on her feet, she cupped his face in her hands. “I can’t believe you’re here. Let me look at you. You haven’t changed a bit.”
“You have. Talk about the ugly duckling turning into a swan.”
“What?” She planted her hands on her hips. “Did you just insult me or compliment me?”
He grinned. “Go with the compliment angle.”
“I believe I will.” She threw her arms around him, and he returned her fierce hug. “It is so good to see you.”
“Its good to see you, too, sis.” She had no idea how good. Once more he saw how foolish he’d been to stay away. Oh, what his pride had cost him.
Maya released her bear hug. “Why didn’t you call me and tell me you were coming?”
“I didn’t have your number.”
“That’s right. I lost my phone in the tornado and I was using Greg’s until recently. Well, you just hand over your cell phone and I’ll add my new number for you.”
“I don’t own one, and I don’t plan to get one.”
“In this day and age you haven’t found the need for a cell phone? That’s nuts.”
“I get along fine without one.”
“That is caveman thinking.”
He thumped his chest. “Uhg.”
Giggling, she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the house. “Come and meet the kids. Greg is out of town until next Monday, but I know he’ll be excited to meet you.”
Although Greg Garrison had been raised just outside of High Plains, Clay had little memory of him. Greg was several years older, and the Logan family hadn’t traveled in the same social circles as the wealthy Garrisons.
On the front steps, Maya paused, looking at Clay intently. “You are planning to stay awhile, aren’t you?”
“Actually, I don’t have any plans at the moment.”
“Wonderful. Then you’re staying until I tell you to leave. You’ll have to sleep on the sofa, but it’s a comfortable one. We’re in the process of building a new, bigger house, but it’s far from done. Oh, I can’t believe you’re finally here. I’m never letting you leave again.”
Chuckling at her high-handedness, he said, “I’m happy to be here, too, little sis.”
She clapped her hands to her cheeks. “Thanksgiving! You have to stay until after the holiday. My whole family together, praise the Lord, that would be so wonderful. Have you been to the ranch?”
“Not yet.” He was leaving his confrontation with his older brother until last. He strongly suspected it wouldn’t go well.
Maya’s frown returned. “But you will go see Jesse, right?”
“I’m not sure if that’s a good idea.”
Eyeing Clay intently, she said, “You’d better. You know he isn’t going to make the first move.”
“Same old Jesse.”
“I don’t think that’s true. He’s had a pretty hard time of it. Oh, but you should see his girls. They’re as cute as a bug’s ears.”
“Cuter than this little honey?” he asked, winking at the doe-eyed youngster peeking at him from behind the porch railing.
“Layla, come say hello to your uncle Clay.”
She shook her head.
Laughing, Maya scooped up her daughter, her eyes sparking with maternal pride. Layla hid her face against her mother’s neck refusing to look at her new relative. “She’s a little shy, but she’ll warm up to you.”
Turning to the young boy, Maya held out her hand. “Tommy, this is my brother, Clay. He’s come all the way from Canada to visit us. Finally.”
Clay extended his hand. “Howdy.”
Tommy took it, and the two exchanged a hardy shake, then Tommy asked, “Is Canada a long way away?”
Thinking of the tedious hours he’d put in behind the wheel, Clay nodded. “It sure is.”
“Did you happen to see a black and white dog, about this big on your way here?” Tommy held his hand below his waist. “His name is Charlie. He’s wearing a red collar.”
“No, but I’d be happy to help you look for him.” Clay glanced at his sister, but she gave a tiny shake of her head.
Maya laid a hand on Tommy’s head. “Charlie disappeared during the tornado. He and Tommy were very close.”
It had been more than four months. If the dog hadn’t come home by now Clay knew it wasn’t going to, but it seemed Tommy wasn’t ready to accept that.
The