Lone Star Heartbreaker by Anne Marie Novark Read Free Book Online Page A

chair opposite her guest.
    "Bless you, child." Ruth took a long refreshing sip and sighed in appreciation. "Good and strong, and not too sweet--just the way I like it."
    "I'm glad you approve," Caitlyn said, lifting her glass in salute.
    Ruth's blue eyes sparkled with humor. Tyler had clearly inherited his mother's eyes. Every time Caitlyn had seen him at the air shows, his eyes had sparkled in just the same way. Now the spark wasn't nearly as bright.
    Ruth set her glass on the table. "I can't stay but a minute. I wanted to introduce myself, since no one's thought to do so. If there's anything you might need, don't be afraid to ask." She looked around the campsite and eyed Caitlyn's meager col ection of clothes drying on the line. "Land's sake.
    Looks like you're having to hand wash your clothes. Now there's no cal for that. You're welcome to use my washer and dryer up at the ranch house anytime you'd like."
    "Oh, I couldn't impose like that."
    Ruth sat straighter, looking like she meant business. "I won't take no for an answer, young lady. Besides, I'd enjoy a little company. With three of my boys married, Tyler living here at the airstrip now and Tori--she's my baby girl, away at col ege--the big house gets mighty lonesome at times."
    She took another sip of sweet tea. "Now don't you go picturing me sitting home al alone just moping about. I stil help my boys manage this ranch and the farmland and that keeps me plenty busy. Plus I work with the ladies at the church over in Salt Fork. But sometimes, I wouldn't mind a little company, like I said. So you gather your dirty clothes and come on over to the house. This evening's good for me. How about you? I'l even throw in dinner."
    "I don't know what to say." Caitlyn eyed the older woman for a moment. She felt drawn to her. "It would be nice to spend an evening with someone other than Reba. And I do have a pile of dirty clothes. In fact, I was just thinking I needed to find a washateria--"
    Ruth chuckled. "Honey, the closest washateria around here is fifty miles away."
    "You're kidding."
    Ruth shook her head, her eyes twinkling again.
    "Wow, it's going to take me a while to get used to living in the middle of nowhere and not having things close by."
    "Out here in West Texas, we have to plan ahead," Ruth said. "We make every trip to Abilene and Lubbock count. That means we stock up on groceries and paper goods, schedule doctor and dentist appointments, run errands, things like that. We make a day of it. Saves time and gas."
    Ruth finished her tea and stood. "I need to get on over to see about Tyler. I made a meatloaf last night, and I'm taking him a helping or two. Nice to meet you, Caitlyn Ross. Now I'l be looking for you later this evening. We'l make a girls' night out of it. How about five o'clock? That okay with you?"
    Caitlyn smiled. "Sounds like a plan."
    Ruth stepped closer and hugged her. "I think we're going to get along mighty fine. I'l see you later on."
    Caitlyn watched Ruth climb into her truck and drive the short distance to Tyler's place. Meeting the man's mother made her think of her own mom and how much she missed her. For some reason, it brought home the point that she was alone, real y alone, with no family or friends to speak of.
    As Caitlyn watered the freshly-potted fern and ivy, a tiny flame of hope flickered in her heart. She'd literal y left everything behind in San Antonio when she'd packed up to take this job at Lone Star Wings. A new chapter of her life stood open before her, a new beginning. Caitlyn made a solemn vow to make the most of it.

    ****
    That same evening, Caitlyn loaded her dirty clothes in a large plastic garbage bag, secured it behind her on the scooter and drove down the meandering dirt road toward Ruth's house. The road cut through vast acres of pastureland. Huge ancient mesquite trees lined the way on both sides, their feathery branches sweeping low across the barbed wire fences. Throughout the pasture, great stands of prickly pear