Cowboy at the Crossroads. Linda Warren

then, either, and look how that turned out.”

      Cord ran his hands through his hair in a weary gesture. “Blanche, leave it alone. For God’s sake, just leave it alone.” He sighed deeply and hurried through the door.

      Blanche glanced at Della. “I don’t care how old they get, kids never grow up.”

      “Cord’s been grown-up most of his life,” Della remarked.

      “Don’t take that haughty tone with me, Della.”

      Della’s blue eyes became sharp. “Cord’s in pain. He’s lost his wife and now he’s fighting to save his child. Give him a break. Give us all a break.” Without a backward look, she followed Cord.

      BECCA DROVE TO HER PARENTS’ HOME in Bellaire. She parked by the garages and went in through the kitchen, where she came upon Emily and Jackson putting dishes in the dishwasher. Scotty ran through from the den, shouting, “Sissy!” and hurled himself into her arms. She hugged him tight. At eight years of age, he was getting so tall. She could hardly believe he wasn’t a baby anymore.

      “I got a new computer game. Wanna play?” Scotty asked, his green eyes shining. Like his father, Scotty loved computers, and spent as many hours as he could at a keyboard, or at least until Emily made him go outside and play.

      “In a minute, tiger,” she answered. “I want to talk to Mom and Dad first.”

      “Okay, I’ll be in my room.” He dashed out the door.

      Emily hugged her. “This is a nice surprise.”

      Every time Becca looked at Emily or heard her voice, she felt a surge of love and warmth. They had a strong bond that pain and heartache had not diminished.

      Jackson planted a big kiss on her cheek. “How’s my girl? Hope you’ve been getting some rest.”

      All this love had kept her sane during that dark time, but she sometimes wondered if Emily and Jackson saw her as an adult or only as their little girl. For a parent she was sure that feeling never changed, but Becca knew she had to be more than their daughter. And she didn’t know how to explain that. She would just try to be honest and hope they understand.

      They sat at the kitchen table. “What do you want to talk about, angel?” Jackson asked.

      Becca made an effort not to squirm in her chair. “I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be going away for a little while.”

      “Oh?” Emily raised an eyebrow. “When did this come about?”

      “Cordell Prescott called me today,” she said slowly. “His daughter, Nicki, still hasn’t adjusted to her mother’s death. I went out to the ranch to check her over, and she’s not doing well. Grief is making her physically ill.”

      “I’m so sorry to hear that,” Emily murmured.

      “Colton never mentioned a thing,” Jackson said.

      “I’ll be staying at the ranch, trying to help her.”

      Emily frowned. “Becca, angel, that’s not your field. Cord needs to get her to a psychologist.”

      “He has, and it didn’t work. If I see things aren’t improving, then I’ll suggest it again. But I feel I can help her.”

      Jackson patted her hand. “You’re very good with kids.”

      “Thanks, Dad. I’m a pediatrician. I’d better be.”

      “Becca—”

      “I know what I’m doing,” she said emphatically, before Emily could say anything else.

      “Sure you do,” Emily agreed. “I was just hoping that…”

      “I’d rest and have fun,” Becca finished for her. “Getting away to the ranch will be good for me, too, and I need that. A different environment, different kinds of activities…Please try to understand.”

      “Of course,” Jackson said.

      “And I’m very fond of Nicki and I want to help her.” She got to her feet. “Now I’ll go and let Scotty beat me at this new game, which won’t take much letting on my part.”

      EMILY AND JACKSON STARED at each other as Becca left the room. “Do you think Colton knows about this?” Emily asked.

      “I don’t think so.”

      “This is so sudden and I—”

      Jackson leaned over and kissed her. “Stop worrying.”

      “It’s so hard.”

      “I know,” he whispered. “But I think Becca’s feeling the constraints of our love. She’s not our little girl anymore. She’s our grown-up daughter who can make her own decisions.”

      “I just want to protect her.”

      “Me, too, but we’ve had her for ten wonderful years. I consider that a blessing. Now we have to support her in whatever she chooses to do.”

      Emily smiled. “You’re so wise.”

      He kissed her again. “And don’t forget it.”

      WHEN BECCA GOT BACK to the apartment, she called Colton and asked him to stop by on his way to work in the morning. He’d been in Dallas and she was glad he was back; she needed to talk to him.

      Sleep didn’t come easily. Explaining her life to everyone was starting to get on her nerves. She sensed that her parents disapproved, especially Emily, but this was her decision, and she hoped it was the right one. Minutes later, it seemed, the doorbell woke her. God, she’d overslept! She grabbed a terry-cloth robe and headed for the door.

      Colton stood on the doorstep, wearing an impeccable tailored gray suit and holding two takeout cups of coffee. “Hi, gorgeous,” he said with a smile.

      “I’m not gorgeous,” she muttered grumpily, as she ran her hands through her tangled hair. “I look like hell.”

      “That’s a matter of opinion,” he said, as she accepted one of the coffees, mumbling her thanks.

      She led the way into her living room. Colton took a seat on the sofa beside her.

      “How’s the time off going?”

      “Pretty good,” she answered, sipping her coffee. Cream, no sugar, exactly as she liked it. She told him about her visit to the ranch.

      “Damn, I feel terrible,” he said. “I haven’t talked to Cord in over two weeks. I’ve been so busy I never seem to have time for anything except work. I knew Nicki wasn’t doing well, and I told Cord weeks ago that he should consult you. I never dreamed he’d take my advice.”

      The Prescotts were not a close family, and Becca knew Blanche was the primary reason for that. She took a deep breath. “I’m planning to spend some time at the ranch, so I can try to help Nicki.”

      “You are? That’s wonderful,” Colton said. “If anyone can help her, it’s you.”

      “Thanks.” They talked about Nicki and about Colton’s business trip, but she was well aware that there was another conversation they had to have. She wasn’t quite sure how to bring it up.

      “Colton?”

      “Hmm?”

      “We’re good friends, aren’t we?”

      “The best.”

      “Have you ever wished that our relationship had turned into…more?”

      He moved uncomfortably. “Yeah, but I’ve always realized that you don’t have those feelings for me.”

      “Oh, Colton.” She felt like crying.

      “Don’t worry about it. Besides, I’m too old for you, anyway.” His