Palomino by Danielle Steel Read Free Book Online Page B

reflect Caroline herself, and all of it was set off by the many antique pieces in rich woods. There were leather-bound books, brass fixtures everywhere, andirons in front of the fireplace, candelabra, buckets and planters, and sconces on the walls with lights like delicate candles. It was a wonderful old-fashioned room with elegance and warmth, much like Caroline herself, and it was perfectly in keeping with the fact that it was on the ranch. It was a room that would have been perfect in
Town & Country
or
House and Garden
, but which, of course, Caroline had never shown. It was her home and not a showplace, and after the very visible years she had spent in Hollywood she felt very strongly about her privacy now. In effect, for all but a few, she had virtually disappeared some twenty-five years before.
    “Do you need some more firewood, Caroline?” Bill was looking down at her from his great height, his snow-white hair revealed now that he had his big-brimmed Stetson in his hand.
    She smiled and shook her head, looking ever more youthful, the light in his eyes reflected in her own. “No,thanks, Bill. I’ve got enough for the rest of the night.”
    “Fine. Then I’ll see you ladies in the morning.” He smiled warmly at Sam, nodded respectfully to Caroline, and with his long stride rapidly left the living room and went out. They heard the door close gently behind him, and as Samantha and Barbara had decided a hundred times during the visits while they were in college, Sam decided once again that the two couldn’t be involved with each other after all. Not if they said good night to each other like that. And their greetings were never more personal than they had just been, friendly nods, casual smiles, warm greetings, serious conversations about the ranch. Nothing else was ever evident between them, and yet as one watched them one had a feeling, as though they had some secret understanding, or as Sam had once put it to Barbara, “as though they were really husband and wife.”
    But before Samantha could ponder the matter further, Caroline put a tray on a low table near the fire, poured a cup of hot chocolate, uncovered a plate of sandwiches, and waved to Sam to sit down.
    “Come on, Sam, sit down and make yourself comfortable.” And then, as she did, the older woman smiled at her again. “Welcome home.”
    For the second time that evening Sam’s eyes filled with tears and she reached a long graceful hand toward Caroline. They held hands for a moment, as Sam held the bony fingers tight.
    “Thank you for Jetting me come here.”
    “Don’t say that.” Caroline let go and handed her the hot chocolate. “I’m glad that you called me. I’ve alwaysloved you.…” She hesitated for a moment, glancing into the fire and then back at Sam, “Just as much as I loved Barb.” And then she sighed softly. “Losing her was like losing a daughter. It’s hard to believe it’s been almost ten years.” Sam nodded silently, and then Caroline smiled at her. “I’m glad to know that I didn’t lose you too. I’ve loved your letters, but for the last few years I’ve been wondering if you’d ever come back.”
    “I wanted to, but … I’ve been busy.”
    “Do you want to tell me about all that, or are you too tired?” It had been a five-hour flight, and then a three-hour drive. By California time it was only eight thirty, but by Sam’s time, in New York, it was eleven thirty at night. But she wasn’t even tired, she was just exhilarated to see her old friend.
    “I’m not too tired … I just don’t know where to start.”
    “Then start with the hot chocolate. Then the sandwiches. Then talk.” The two women exchanged another smile, and then Sam couldn’t resist reaching out to her again, and Caroline gave her a warm hug. “Do you know how good it is to have you back here?”
    “Only half as good as it is to be back.” She took a big bite out of a sandwich and then sat back against the couch with a broad grin.