Dropping The Hammer. Joanna Wayne

always hungry.”

      When he reached the short hallway, he heard voices and recognized Rachel’s at once. An unexpected surge of pleasure overrode some of the anxiety about dealing with his father.

      A decent meal and a visit with the Lawrence brothers would be nice, but it was the thought of seeing Rachel again that really cranked up his anticipation.

      * * *

      SYDNEY LAWRENCE LOOKED up from the fingernail she was applying a mending touch of red polish to as Rachel swept into the room. “Holy Smoly, do you look hot!”

      Rachel did a quick twirl in the full-skirted, jewel-toned dress and then struck a sexy pose. “Is it too dressy for an afternoon party?”

      “It’s perfect. I love the cutout at the neck.”

      “Not too much cleavage?”

      “Heavens, no. Barely a hint. Love those strappy heels, too.”

      “It was either this or one of the depressing navy or gray suits I wear to work. Oops. I used to wear to work.”

      “I have to say you’re taking your newly unemployed status well. I was afraid you’d be in the dumps and not even show.”

      “I’m not sure the full reality of my situation has hit me yet.”

      “Or maybe it has and that’s why you’re glowing.”

      “No. That’s the new blush I picked up at Macy’s last week. Dusty Fire. Guaranteed to set me apart from the crowd.”

      “From the way hunky Luke Dawkins was looking at you today, I’d say it’s surpassing promised expectations.”

      “He was just being nice and making conversation.”

      “Really? Because it sure seemed like there was a sizzle between you two when I met you at the door.”

      “Don’t even go there. My life is too screwed up right now to even notice a man.”

      But Sydney knew she had noticed. The rosy color creeping into her cheeks right now was proof of that. A casual flirtation might do Rachel good, but Sydney doubted she was emotionally ready for anything more.

      Rachel sat on the edge of the bed amid the wrapped packages. “Is Esther going to ride into town with us?” she asked, no doubt ready to direct the conversation away from Luke.

      “No, Pierce is going to drive Grace and Esther to the bakery and he’ll pick up Dani’s daughter, Constance, and bring her back here to play with his daughter, Jaci, while we party.”

      “Dad in charge. Everything around here really is a family affair,” Rachel said.

      “I know and I love it. Do you still want to keep the fact that you quit your job a secret from the rest of the family?”

      “For now. This is Grace’s special weekend. I don’t want it to turn into a whine party for me.”

      “I haven’t even had a chance to tell Tucker yet.”

      “When are you expecting him?”

      “He called a few minutes ago. He’s about an hour out, so he’ll be at the ranch by the time we get back from the party.”

      “And then you’ll forget the rest of us exist.”

      “True.” Which was exactly why she should tackle the bad news she had for Rachel now.

      She couldn’t bring herself to do it. This was the most relaxed she’d seen Rachel since she’d lived through hell. She couldn’t bring herself to spoil the moment. Tomorrow would be soon enough to drag her back into the Roy Sales hell.

      * * *

      ODDS WERE AGAINST Rachel feeling at home at a baby shower in Winding Creek. Everyone in town knew of her terrifying past.

      The saving grace was that since they knew the intimate details, no one ever mentioned it to her.

      There would be no endless questions the way there often were when she met someone new. No staring at her as if the experience made her less human now. No more expressions of pity that made Rachel feel worse instead of better about herself.

      She and Sydney grabbed the gifts from the back of Sydney’s car and joined the stream of chatting and laughing local women pouring into Dani’s Delights.

      Rachel set the wrapped baby carrier on the floor next to a long table that was already overflowing with presents. A squeal captured her attention just as Dani and Riley Lawrence’s eleven-year-old newly adopted daughter threw her arms around Rachel’s waist.

      “Yay. You came. You can go riding with us tomorrow. We have two new horses. And I’m learning to be a barrel rider. I can show you.”

      Words spilled out of Constance’s mouth so fast, Rachel could barely follow her train of thought. Constance’s excitement was contagious, exactly what Rachel needed to keep her in the here and now. “I’m staying all day tomorrow and I brought my riding clothes. And I definitely want a barrel riding exhibition.”

      “I’m pretty good. One day I want to be in the rodeo like Uncle Tucker.”

      “Now, that sounds exciting. When you are, I’ll be in the stands cheering for you.”

      “Yes, but my parents say I still have to study hard at school even if horses don’t care if I know about geography and math. I hate math, especially word problems.”

      Dani appeared at her daughter’s side, opened her arms and welcomed Rachel with a warm hug. “I’m so glad you could make it. By the way, you look terrific. I need to absorb some of your fashion savvy.”

      “You’re the most popular woman in town in your chocolate-and flour-smeared white apron. If I were you, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

      They laughed and then all attention turned to the front door as the guest of honor arrived, accompanied by Esther, Pierce and his daughter, Jaci.

      The baby bump was no longer just a bump. Grace was due in a matter of weeks and, with her petite frame, she looked to be all baby.

      Nonetheless, she was as beautiful as ever and Pierce helped her to the chair situated beneath a colorful balloon arch as if she was the most fragile and cherished treasure on earth.

      Someone pushed a crystal flute of sparkling champagne into Rachel’s hand. The bell around the door dinged as another group of laughing ladies entered. The party had begun and surprisingly the celebratory spirit overtook even Rachel.

      Grace sounded positively joyous and yet she’d once lived in a hellish nightmare, too. Rachel wondered if she’d ever find the kind of happiness Grace enjoyed.

      Could she let herself?

      * * *

      LUKE DAWKINS DROVE the forty-five minutes to the rehab center on the outskirts of San Antonio where his dad was receiving his care. He arrived at approximately half past two for a three o’clock appointment with the medical supervisor.

      The L-shaped building was redbrick, set in a parklike setting with several bare-branched oak trees and a few pines shading benches and small, gurgling fountains.

      Not the worst of places to be housed if you needed care, but definitely not the wide-open spaces of Arrowhead Hills.

      There was a covered drop-off area at the front door. A sign directed him to a visitor parking lot in the rear. A couple of dozen cars and trucks and two vans emblazoned with the name of the center were parked near the back entrance.

      Luke climbed out of his truck and locked it before sauntering up the narrow walk to the back door. He hesitated before opening the door, gearing himself to deal with whatever came next.

      His father had been fifty-eight when Luke cut out. A big man, over six feet tall, muscles developed from a lifetime of hard work. Rigid. Hardheaded.