A Colorado Family. Patricia Thayer

      Suddenly a knock sounded and Austin jumped as the door swung open and his twin brother walked in, carrying a large container of food. “Delivery for Austin Brannigan.”

      Well, that sure threw cold water on his erotic thoughts. Austin started to get up. “Hey, good to see you.”

      Cullen motioned for him to stay seated. “Let me come to you, A.” He put the food on the stove, then came and sat down with him. “You’re in for a treat tonight—Shelby’s lasagna. There’s also a green salad and garlic bread.” Cullen hit the switch and turned on the kitchen light, showing off the room’s flaws. Old knotty-pine cabinets and tiled counters, though the appliances were in much better condition.

      “Are you sitting in the dark for a reason?”

      “No, just watching the sun go down over the mountains. It’s an incredible view.”

      Cullen straddled the chair across from him and gazed out the window. “It does look good. I like the repairs I put in, a lot of painting and new fencing. All in all, the place looks good.”

      “And I want to pay you for my share,” Austin insisted.

      “Let’s get you in better shape first, and I’ll have you work it off. The kids that come here to ride would get a kick out of meeting you.” Cullen held up his hand. “I know—we’ll wait until you’re better.”

      Austin had to admit he was glad to be in his new home. “Not a bad place to recuperate.”

      “I guess if you get lonely, I can bring that trailer back here. I can see how you’d miss all that sparkle. The kids were all curious about that ‘sparkly’ house.”

      They both laughed, and then Cullen turned to face his twin. “Did I tell you I’m glad you’re home?”

      Austin could feel the emotions surfacing. “Yeah, you did. You know I’m not going to be here forever?”

      “Yeah. Yeah. You’re going back to bull riding. But I’d be happy if you’d use the ranch as your home base, and come back and visit your family, brothers and nephews.” A grin appeared on his face. “And I’m hoping in the not-too-far-off future, a niece or another nephew.”

      Austin studied his brother. “A baby. You and Shelby are pregnant?”

      Cullen shook his head. “No. We’re both busy with everything else right now, especially Shelby’s catering business and bakery. And my security business.”

      In the bedroom, Erin slipped on a fresh shirt she’d found in her bag, then straightened the room and started down the hall. She had a clean uniform at the center and time enough to grab some food on the way before her shift. She stopped, hearing men’s voices. Please, don’t let it be Jay Bridges.

      She put her bag next to the sofa, then turned the corner to the kitchen as she called Austin’s name.

      “Hey, Austin. I just wanted to let you know that I’m leaving.” She stopped, seeing the two brothers together. They might not be identical, but pretty close. “Oh, hi, Cullen.”

      “Hi, Erin.” He stood and hugged her. “Hey, how’s this guy treating you?”

      “Not bad. I just have to listen to a lot of complaining.”

      “I can’t help that. He was born that way.” Cullen started out of the room. “Well, I need to get back home to the family. Enjoy the lasagna.” He looked at her. “There’s plenty for two, Erin. Stay and eat.” He waved goodbye and left them.

      She turned back to Austin. “I should really go, too.”

      “No, please, Erin, stay,” he pleaded. “I hate to eat alone. Besides, I need to talk to you.”

      She was weak and relented. “Okay, only because it smells so good. I don’t have much time, so you sit there, and I’ll get the food.” She moved around the kitchen, gathering plates and flatware. Once at the table she sat down across from him and cut a section of the casserole for each of them. She couldn’t hold back a groan as she took a bite.

      Austin stuck his fork into his mouth, but he couldn’t taste anything. Damn if Erin wasn’t distracting him again.

      “What did you want to talk to me about?” she asked.

      “Well, I was thinking about all the time it takes you running back and forth from here, then home and to work. All that trouble has to exhaust you, especially since your apartment is on the other side of town.”

      With her nod, he went on to say, “The ranch isn’t that far from the convalescent center...”

      With fork in hand, Erin paused. “What are you trying to say?”

      “Well, it only makes sense, since you’re running back and forth so much... I don’t see why you can’t just move in here.”

       Chapter Four

      Later that night, Erin walked down the hall at the convalescent center. Everyone was sleeping soundly in her ward, or so she thought until she peeked into Hattie’s room. She heard the quiet sobs and went to see if she was in distress.

      The private room was dimly lit, and even with the patient’s personal items and pictures, it still looked like a hospital. But sweet Hattie’s Alzheimer’s disease made it impossible for her to live on her own. With her husband deceased and her three children unable to care for her any longer, she needed to stay here. It was sad to see someone who once had been so vital and active be confined to a room unless medicated, or have an attendant assist her, including to the bathroom.

      She walked to the side of the bed, the railing up to keep the slight woman from wandering off. She was crying. Erin immediately spoke her name, then placed a gentle hand on her back.

      “Hattie... What’s the matter?”

      The older woman raised her head to show the tears that filled her blue eyes. Her bony veined hand reached out and gripped Erin’s. “I want my Johnny. His last letter said he was coming home. He said the war was over, so we can get married now.”

      “Sshh...it’s okay, Hattie.” Erin knew that Hattie’s husband had been gone for over five years, but in her heart and world, he was still very much alive. “He will be here soon. You know all that red tape in the army. Johnny wouldn’t miss your wedding.”

      A sweet smile appeared on her lined face. Her eyes were bright with tears. “I can’t wait to be his wife.” She sighed. “And he looks so handsome in his uniform.”

      “I can’t wait to meet him,” Erin told her. “Do you want me to read his letter to you again?”

      “Yes, please. I would like that.” Hattie shifted against the pillows. “Johnny writes me the most wonderful letters.”

      Erin reached into the bedside table and took out a letter that Hattie’s children had given her. How wonderful that in this woman’s now-confused world, she remembered the love of her life.

      Erin couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever experience that kind of love. Once she thought she’d met the man of her dreams. She found that her husband’s love hadn’t been nearly as strong as she’d hoped. Over a year after his death, and she was still turned off men. Suddenly a picture of Austin Brannigan flashed in her head. Okay, maybe not all men.

      She pushed the thought aside as she opened the yellowed paper and was transformed back over sixty years as she began to read, “‘My dearest Hattie...’”

      * * *

      THE NEXT MORNING at nearly nine o’clock, Austin began to pace back and forth, and occasionally he looked out the window. Where was Erin? The session was to begin an hour ago. Had she decided not to come anymore since he’d suggested she move in here?

      He leaned against the counter in front