A Cowboy at Heart Read online

  But Trudy wasn’t there now.

  Silence surrounded Lisa, and she stood still for a moment, listening, waiting. And then she heard voices. Distant voices. One male, deep, commanding. Marco. The other soft, feminine. That had to be Trudy. They were in the kitchen.

  Hurrying down the short hall, Lisa pulled open another glass door and stepped into the gleaming white kitchen area—Marco’s pride and joy. Sunshine poured in the south-facing wall of windows, glowing off the polished floor and counters.

  “But you can’t mean it, Marco. That’s so...so wrong.”

  “It’s the truth, Trudy. I’m sorry.” His voice was no longer commanding. It sounded—he sounded—defeated.

  “But what am I going to do?”

  “Pack up and start looking for another job,” he said softly. Was that a hitch in his voice?

  “Marco? Trudy?” Lisa called their names to get their attention. Both of them spun around, staring at her, as if surprised she was there.

  “I’m sorry I’m late,” Lisa said, pulling off her coat and draping it over the tall chair at the raised counter. “What’s going on?”

  “M...Marco says we’re closing.” Trudy’s voice shook as she clasped and unclasped her hands together.

  “What?” Lisa froze, her breath stuck in her chest. “What do you mean, closing? Like, for the day?” Was there some holiday she’d forgotten?

  “No. Forever.” Marco’s voice faded on the last word.

  “But...what about all the new clients? The events we’re scheduled to handle?” They’d all been so thrilled when Robert had brought the contracts in. Marco had even taken them all to lunch to celebrate. She moved closer to stop beside Trudy and look at the papers spread out on the table. She hadn’t started working on most of these jobs yet, but she was supposed to meet with Robert in the next few days to get the details.

  “All gone. All lies. A ruse to distract us while he stole everything.” Marco threw his hands in the air, and, turning away, he stalked across the big expanse of the prep area. “I’ve got some calls to make. To tell the few real clients we have that we can’t cater their events.” And with that, he disappeared into his office. The door slammed with a loud wham, and, in the quiet it left behind, she heard the lock click.

  “Trudy? What happened? We were just voted Best of Denver.” Lisa looked around, as if the appliances or counters held some answers. “Where’s Robert?” Marco’s partner was usually here well before any of them got in.

  “That’s the problem.” Trudy threw her hands up in the air, similar to Marco’s dramatic move, only more defeated. “We don’t know.” She reached behind her, to the stack of papers that sat on the counter. She tossed them dramatically into the air. “These are fake. Lies. All lies.” As the papers fell around them, Trudy’s eyes filled with tears. “He took everything. The money Marco gave him to buy the supplies, he just took it. Cleaned out every penny from the accounts. No money. No supplies. No customers.” Trudy stumbled to the door, toward her abandoned desk. “No job.” Her sob broke the silence.

  Lisa swallowed. No job? No. It wasn’t possible. She loved this job. She needed this job. Silence was Lisa’s only answer. What was she supposed to do now?

  An hour later, the meager contents of her desk packed into a couple of vegetable boxes, Lisa sat in her car staring at the beautiful brand-new building. Marco had poured everything he had into designing this place. He loved it. And when he’d hired her last fall to be the event coordinator, she’d been so happy, she’d cried in his office. His success had given her a place to build the career she’d only dreamed of before.

  Now all of it was gone? A gust of cold wind shook her little car, and she shivered. Still, she didn’t start it and drive away. She smacked the steering wheel.

  How could someone fake doing a job? What was wrong with actually doing your job? There were plenty of customers wanting Marco’s amazing food, her decorations and entertainment. They created magic together.

  Magic that was apparently no more than dollars to Robert.

  She’d been an idiot! She’d worked with him every day for months. How had she not seen that part of him? Thinking back now, she realized she didn’t really know anything about him.

  He hadn’t told her anything about himself, hadn’t shared any personal information.

  Lisa’s hands shook, from cold as much as from her anger, as she reached for her purse. She would have to—she froze, almost literally...do what?

  Rummaging around in her purse, she pulled out her phone. She needed someone to talk to. Someone to spill her hurt all over, who’d listen and not chastise her for trusting so blindly.

  Jack’s face came to mind. But her ex-none-too-supportive-idiot boyfriend had told her not to leave her other job. Thank goodness, he was her ex and she wouldn’t have to tell him anything.

  A weird sense of déjà vu made her cringe. She’d thought she’d known Jack, too. But just like Robert, Jack had been a liar.

  No, she couldn’t go back to that. Back to where Jack had left her. Back to... No!

  As if on cue, her phone rang. Not Jack, thankfully. Her mother. Lisa gulped.

  “Hello.” She might as well break it to her now and get it over with. She’d have to talk to her mother about this at some point anyway.

  “Hello, dear.” Mom’s familiar voice was a welcome long-distance hug. “How are you? I haven’t heard from you for a while.”

  “Oh, uh—” How did you tell your mother that the job you’d been raving about for months was no more? That it was all over.

  “Oh, Mom!” Her carefully planned conversation turned into a whimper. “I lost my job.” And a wail.

  “Oh, hon. What happened?”

  The words stuck in her throat for a moment, then came rushing out. “The boss is closing the business.” She tried to regain control of her emotions, with little success. “One of my coworkers was a dirty rotten crook and took all the money. Marco can’t keep the business open.”

  “I’m so sorry, dear. That’s awful. I know you really liked that job.”

  “I did.” Sadness swept through her. “I don’t know what I’ll do now.”

  “Everything will be fine. You’ll get another job quick. I’m sure of it. You can always go back to Dusty’s.”

  No way. No way was she returning to her old job. Not just because Jack was there, though that was part of it. It would mean admitting defeat. She might be down, but she wasn’t out.

  “I’ll find something,” she declared.

  “That’s my girl. I’m sure you’ll land something better.”

  “I hope so. Thanks, Mom.” Her mother always had a way of making things seem much better than they really were.

  “Lisa, the reason I called...” Her mother took a deep breath. “Have you talked to your grandfather lately?”

  “Uh, no.” That was a bit out of left field. “Should I have?”

  “No. But I haven’t heard from him and I’m a bit worried. I usually call him every Tuesday, but this week he didn’t answer, and he hasn’t phoned me back.”

  “Do you think there’s something wrong?”

  “I hope not. I’m sure Hap or the sheriff would get in touch with me if something had happened. No, I’m afraid he’s up to something and you know how that goes.”

  She did. Everyone did. Grandpa was the king of schemes. He’d always been a dreamer. He’d been one of her biggest champions, encouraging her to follow her own dreams. Her mother and grandmother had talked of all the ideas he’d had over the years, few of which Grandma had ever let come to fruition.

  “Maybe—”

  “Maybe what?” Somehow, Lisa didn’t think this was a good maybe.

  “Now that you’re unemployed for a bit, maybe you could take a trip up to Telluride and check on him.”

  “Mom, I don’t have the time—”

  “For your family?” There was an edge to Mom’s voice that made Lisa remember “the look” her mother had given her whenever she’d done something naughty. “I’d go, but you know your father and I are leaving for the cruise this week. Your sister can’t go because the kids have school, and your brother is working.”

  Lisa sighed. Remind me to get a family and a job soon. “I’ll check on Grandpa,” she agreed, but not without a heavy sigh. The nagging bit of worry was only part of the reason she agreed.

  “Oh, thank you, dear. You know I’d do it myself if I really thought it was a serious problem.” And she would. Mom was a great mother and a good daughter. Family was important to her.

  As long as the dreams weren’t too big.

  CHAPTER TWO

  LISA SLIPPED HER phone back into her purse just as Trudy came out the front door. As Lisa had, she carried a battered box of belongings—the contents of her desk crammed into a single square foot of space. Her purse, the suitcase version, hung off her shoulder. Where was her coat? Did she even have one?

  The older woman looked as lost as Lisa felt. Lisa couldn’t let her leave without a decent goodbye.

  Despite the cold wind, Lisa climbed out of her finally warm car and hurried over to where Trudy struggled to heft the box into her trunk. A faded brown coat nestled on the floor of the trunk.

  “Let me help.” The wind tried to rip her words away, but Trudy’s nod told Lisa she’d heard. Together, they managed to get the box settled in the trunk.

  The older woman forced a smile through her slowly freezing tears. “Thanks, hon. I’m just so—”

  “I know.” She got Trudy’s arms into her coat and helped her zip it up. “Where are you going now?”

  Trudy s
hrugged and looked out over the nearly empty parking lot. Marco’s car was the only other one left. “I guess...home.”

  “So, you do have one.” Lisa joked, trying to make the woman smile. It almost worked. “How about I buy you a coffee?” She pulled her own coat closer around her. “I’m—I’m not ready to be alone yet.”

  Trudy appeared relieved. “Me, either. But I’ll buy my own. We’re both going to be without a paycheck soon.”

  “Come on.” Lisa headed to her car. “I’ll drive.”

  Trudy shook her head. “I’ll take my car.” She looked back over her shoulder. “I don’t want to come back here to get it.”

  “I understand.” Lisa headed to her car and they each drove to the coffee shop down the street. Lisa pulled into her usual spot, her eyes taking in the familiar facade. How many times had she come here on break or for lunch? This might be her last visit. Lisa blinked her eyes. It wouldn’t do any good to sob in her coffee.

  Trudy pulled up beside her, and they braved the weather again to step into the warm, coffee-scented café. It was busy—the whirr of the coffee machines, the soft conversations and the piped-in music filled the air around them. So familiar.

  Trudy squared her shoulders and shoved the gigantic purse up more firmly on her shoulder. “I don’t know about you,” she looked sideways at Lisa, “but I’m going to just pretend this is my lunch break.”

  “Denial sounds like a lovely plan.” Lisa nodded and followed Trudy to one of the back booths. It might be a long lunch break today.

  “Hey, ladies.” Mindy, the young waitress who worked here most days, carried the coffee carafe to the table with a smile. “The usual?” she asked Trudy.

  “I—I’m not sure yet.”

  Mindy’s smile faded. “Are you okay?”

  Trudy’s eyes filled with tears, and Lisa put her hand over Trudy’s. She looked up at Mindy. “Yes, the usual for Trudy. And I’ll take...” She glanced at the menu in front of her. “I’ll take a number three.” It was a big meal but why not? She had to eat today. They both did.

  “Sure.” Mindy nodded. “I’ll get those started.” She left and headed to the kitchen.

  “I’m sorry,” Trudy whispered. “I’m being silly. It’s not as if I can’t afford to retire or take some time off.”

  That didn’t surprise Lisa. Trudy worked constantly. When did she have time to spend any of the money Marco had paid her? And he’d paid her well.

  “But?” she prompted.

  “I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.” She shrugged. “Work is all I have. My kids have scattered around the country. My husband is gone. I’m—” Trudy picked up her napkin and wiped her eyes. “I’m all alone.”

  That explained why Trudy was always at work. “No, you’re not. You’ve got me.”

  “Thank you, dear, you’re sweet, but you have your own life. You have things to do. I’m sure you’ll get another job soon.”

  Mindy appeared just then, setting tall ice waters in front of them. Once she left again, Trudy tried to smile at Lisa.

  “You’ll be busy job hunting yourself,” Lisa pointed out.

  “I doubt I’ll have much luck. Few companies want to hire someone over fifty, much less over sixty.”

  “There’s a lot to be said for experience.”

  “I agree. But they don’t always think like we do.”

  Trudy’s sadness gave Lisa something to focus on, to work on. So, for the next hour as they ate, she tried to cheer the other woman up.

  Finally, when Mindy had brought their checks and cleared away most of the dishes, they couldn’t stall any longer. Trudy sighed and glanced out the window. “I guess I should be getting home to Fred and Ethel.”

  Lisa nearly gave herself whiplash staring at the woman. “Who?” Trudy didn’t have any family at home—hadn’t she just said as much?

  Trudy hesitated only an instant before the words spilled from her lips. “My prize-winning cockatoos.” For the first time all day, a genuine smile formed on Trudy’s face. She reached for her phone. “Here.” She turned the screen toward Lisa.

  Two big white birds, with bright blue rims around their eyes and a plume of feathers on each of their heads, posed for the camera. “I—” Lisa was stunned. “You never even mentioned them before.”

  “Oh, dear, of course not.” Trudy’s smile faded, and she leaned closer to Lisa, lowering her voice. “The competition is fierce, and my pair are now quite valuable. I couldn’t risk anything happening to them.”

  “Oh.” Lisa frowned, too. “Why are you telling me now?”

  Trudy shrugged. “I’m so proud of them. And it is hard to stay quiet about something this exciting. I trust you. You’ve really helped me today. Thank you.”

  Trudy slid her finger over the screen. “Here we are when I won Grand Champion with them last year.”

  “That’s stunning.” And they were. But so was the fact that Trudy had never said a word about them.

  Lisa smiled. “You asked me what you should do now?” She pointed at the phone. “Focus on that.” She reached out and squeezed the woman’s hand. “Do what you enjoy. You’ve earned it.”

  Trudy nodded, and this time her smile didn’t fade. “Thank you, dear. I’m going to miss you.”

  “Oh, you’re not rid of me yet. But I need to get going, as well. My mom asked me to help her with something.”

  “What’s that, dear?”

  “My grandfather lives up in Telluride. This is a good excuse to go see what he’s up to. She hasn’t heard from him for a while and she’s a bit concerned.” That was putting it mildly.

  “Oh, my dear, I hope he’s okay.”

  Lisa smiled. “I’m sure he is. My mother worries about him, but he loves those mountains. Me, too.”

  Trudy gathered up her purse. “That sounds like a great idea.” She stood, and Lisa followed. “I’m so glad we did this.”

  After a heartfelt hug, they settled their bills and headed to their cars. Lisa watched until Trudy had left the parking lot before she started her car.

  Looking in her rearview mirror to back out of the parking spot, Lisa met her own gaze. “At least I know you,” she said aloud. Maybe she should be more like Trudy. Less open.

  She frowned. She wasn’t a liar, and wasn’t a lie of omission just as bad? Confused, she put the car into gear and got moving. Maybe a trip up to the mountains would do her good. It would help her clear her mind, and, once Grandpa came down from the hills, he’d help her focus on where to go next. He’d always been a good sounding board for her.

  Four hours later, when Lisa finally reached Telluride, she walked between the piles of snow on either side of her grandfather’s sidewalk. Someone with their trusty snowblower had come through here, clearing a path from house to house. Nice of them, since she knew her grandfather didn’t have a snowblower. The mystery scooper had even cleared the walk going up to Grandpa’s front step. Only the last dusting of snow covered the stone.

  But where the neighbors’ walks were packed down from footsteps, the walk to Granddad’s was still somewhat pristine. Her footsteps were the first ones there. Halfway up the sidewalk, she reached into her purse and pulled out the single key she kept in the inside pocket. A cowboy-boot-shaped key ring saved it from disappearing into the depths.

  She pulled the screen door open and put the key into the lock. The little pressure she used was just enough to nudge the door to creak open slowly. She stared. What the—

  Darkness was all that lay beyond.

  Stale, closed-up air wafted out, bringing warmth out against the cold afternoon. But it wasn’t the usual warm, welcoming scent of her grandparents’ house. This scent held time in it.

  “Grandpa?” she called, almost hoping she wouldn’t hear his voice. If he was in there, with the house shut up like this, so dark and sad, that would not be a good thing.

  Slowly, she angled the door just a bit more and called for him again. Still no answer. Then she heard something. Footsteps? Heavy. Quick. Distant. “Grandpa?” She took a couple of steps through the door.