Part 20 (2/2)

”True. I'm thrilled she's reaching out to others here.”

”Wildcat Bluff folks have a way about them, don't they?”

”Just like you.” Lauren set her cup on the table. ”Aunt Hedy, all this talk about horses and barns has given me an idea.”

”Really?”

”I'm beginning to think I can make Wildcat Bluff work for me, as well as Hannah.”

”Well, of course it'll work for you.”

”I mean, I'm thinking about starting a business here.”

Hedy appeared puzzled, frowning as she stared at Lauren. ”But I thought now that you're back you could help me in the store. That'd just be for a start. Didn't I mention that you'll be inheriting and running Adelia's when I'm gone?”

Lauren's breath caught in her throat as she realized that she and her aunt were going in different directions for her future. ”Truthfully, I never thought about you being gone. And I still can't, or won't, go there.”

”Darlin', as much as I love you, I simply will not be here forever. Your mom and I are discussing plans for your future, and Hannah's too, but not ours anymore.”

Lauren couldn't stand the idea. It went against everything she had in mind for her aunt. She stood up, paced toward the Bluebird of Happiness display, glared at the happy-looking bluebirds, and turned back.

”I didn't mean to upset you.” Hedy gestured toward the table. ”Please come back and talk to me.”

Lauren sat down, feeling weighed down by the past and the future, then she sat up straight. She wasn't going to borrow trouble. She'd deal with the present. Everything else could take care of itself. ”Okay. You know I'll always help you in the store. Hannah will love it, too. But I'm a physical therapist. I have a pa.s.sion to help others be the best they can be no matter their circ.u.mstances or physical ability. I can make a difference in folks' lives. I have made a difference, and I want to continue doing it.”

”That's wonderful. I had no idea you were so pa.s.sionate about it. I've always felt the same way. It must run in the family, what with your mother being such a wonderful nurse.”

”Thank you. But you and Mom are the ones who've made such a big difference in the lives of others. I'm just getting started now.”

”I think it's a great idea.” Hedy leaned forward with bright interest in her dark eyes. ”We have a clinic here, but folks must travel to Sherman, Denison, or Bonham for physical therapy. Some even drive to Dallas or Fort Worth.”

”I want to do more than that.” Lauren took a deep breath, hoping against hope that her aunt would support her idea. ”We're in horse and cattle country here.”

”Right. Horse riders and rodeo folks can get pretty stove up.”

”I'd like to take my skills in that direction.”

”Sounds good.”

”You've heard of equine-a.s.sisted therapy, haven't you?”

”Yes.” Hedy looked away from Lauren and down at her legs. ”I hope you're not thinking about me.”

”I can get you up on horseback. You'll feel like you're walking again. We can build up your core strength. Hippotherapy works.”

Hedy shook her head as she glanced up at Lauren with tears filling her eyes. ”And to think I was so happy you'd come home.”

”Aunt Hedy, I didn't mean to upset you. I only want to help you and others.”

”Don't you think every day of my life I've yearned to ride again?”

”We can make this work.”

”Do you really think I haven't researched every which way but Sunday to come up with a better way of life?” Hedy backed away from the table. ”But I've never, not even for one moment, deluded myself that I could ever get on the back of a horse once more.”

Lauren felt her jaw drop in astonishment, and then quickly closed her mouth with a snap of her teeth.

”You go right ahead and teach Hannah to ride, start your equine-a.s.sisted therapy. I wish you the best of luck. I'm sure you'll help many people.”

”But I want to help you.”

Hedy backed farther away. ”I don't need help. I want peace and quiet in my final years. I want to leave my legacy to you, but if you don't want it-”

”Of course I want it.” Lauren jumped to her feet. She didn't know how this could have gone so wrong. ”Your heritage is my heritage. Hannah's, too. But we can have more many good, long years together right here in Wildcat Bluff.”

”I may be strong and I may be courageous, but there's nothing on this good, green Earth that could get me back on a horse again. I've got what I've got and I'm thankful for it. I've lived a good, long life and I'm thankful for that, too.”

”I'm thankful for you in my life.” Tears blurred Lauren's vision as she stood helplessly looking at Hedy, one of the strongest, smartest, and bravest people she'd ever known. Suddenly she was struck by the terrible realization that her aunt was terrified of change. Hedy was afraid of losing what she'd built in life. She'd rather slowly slip into the sunset than risk what could make her whole in body and spirit once more.

”Go now.” Hedy spoke in a clipped tone, as if she was barely holding her emotions together. ”We'll talk more later. You're the child of my heart, but right now you've deeply wounded me. I always thought you respected me and my choices even if I'm confined to a wheelchair. Now I wonder about that fact.”

”I do respect you. Perhaps more than you can ever realize. But I want more for you. I want to help.”

”Go to your daughter. Show her what it's like to ride like the wind. I'll never know it again. And that's okay. I had my day, and it was a good one.”

”But Aunt Hedy-”

”Please, leave me now.” Hedy turned away and zipped toward the back of her store.

Lauren simply stood there, not knowing what to do. She felt tears slip down her cheeks, then wiped them off with the back of her hand. She straightened her shoulders, picked up her handbag, slung the strap over her shoulder, and marched toward the front door. When she reached the Bluebird of Happiness display, she stopped and looked at the cat curled peacefully amongst the beautiful gla.s.s birds.

Rosie raised her face, c.o.c.ked her head, and twitched her ears.

”Take care of Aunt Hedy for me, will you?”

Rosie meowed, stood up, stretched, leaped down, and headed for the back of the store.

”Aunt Hedy,” Lauren called, putting steel in her voice. ”We're not nearly done here. Right now I'm headed to Sure-Shot to pick out a pony-and a therapy horse.”

She waited a moment, but got no reply. ”Okay. I'll see you later.”

When she opened the front door and stepped outside, she caught the scent of pine and cedar drifting on the breeze. She inhaled deeply, as if drawing in the strength of Wildcat Bluff's founders and the powerful Comanche who'd made this land their home.

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