Free Green Calder Grass by Janet Dailey Page B

to keep her lip from curling in dislike.
    “She and the twins are fine.”
    “She’s had the babies, then.” The news was like a lead weight in her stomach.
    “Last week,” Ty replied, with a hint of pride in his voice. “A boy and a girl.”
    “A boy and a girl.” Tara didn’t have to feign her surprise. Therefore, she let it work for her. “Then, you have been doubly blessed.”
    “We think so.”
    The pronoun grated at her with its reference to Jessy. “What are their names?” She tried to sound interested.
    “Laura Marie and Chase Benteen Calder III.”
    So the name continues, Tara thought, tasting bitterness. She had never gotten along with her former father-in-law despite numerous attempts to gain his favor. In his inimitable way, Chase Calder had made it clear he tolerated her only because his son had chosen her to be his wife.
    “That’s quite a mouthful for a little baby,” was the comment she made.
    “Dad has taken to calling him Trey, and the nickname’s caught on.”
    Tara leaned into his shoulder as they walked. “You sound very happy, Ty. I’m glad for you.”
    When he glanced down, Tara observed the doubt flicker in his eyes, questioning the sincerity of her words. She looked away, irritated that, in some ways, he knew her so well.
    A gust of wind buffeted both of them. Taking advantage of its cold blast, she shuddered. “It’s positively freezing. I don’t suppose you would have time to buy a girl a cup of coffee, would you?”
    “I think it could be arranged.”
    The café Ty chose was in the Stockyards District, not far from the cemetery. Personally Tara would have picked a trendier spot than this over-the-top cowboy-themed café that catered mainly to the tourists. But the abundance of empty tables suited her purposes, creating a privacy and intimacy that she might not have attained in other places where she would have been more readily recognized and their conversation possibly interrupted.
    With her usual skill, Tara made sure that she became the subject under discussion. She was well aware that Ty pitied her. If pity was the only emotion she aroused in him, then she was determined to use it.
    “I was there when Daddy died. Did you know?”
    “No.” His expression softened with deepening sympathy.
    “He was gone so quick, there wasn’t anything anyone could do. The heart attack was massive and sudden. He collapsed and I screamed. In those few seconds it took to rush to him, it was over and he was dead. I keep telling myself that I’m glad he didn’t suffer long, but—” Tara broke off the rest of the sentence, punctuating it with a vague shrug and a teary-eyed smile.
    “At least you were with him,” Ty offered.
    “Yes.” She nodded. “These last few months, Daddy looked so tired. I tried to get him to slow down, but he wouldn’t listen. It’s clear now that he knew he wasn’t well. Possibly he even knew that he didn’t have much longer. Maybe that’s why he pushed himself so hard lately. He wanted to get his affairs in order. Isn’t that a horrible phrase—‘get his affairs in order’? I despise it,” Tara declared.
    “I’m sure he did it for you.”
    “I know. And the lawyers tell me that he succeeded admirably. As far as the business side goes, I have minimum responsibilities, and absolutely no financial worries, personally. My time and money are my own now. Unfortunately I’m not sure what to do with either of them. Life looks so empty right now.”
    “That’s to be expected,” Ty assured her. “But later on, you’ll find plenty of things to do, places to go, parties to give.”
    Tara wondered if he truly believed she was that frivolous. Had he forgotten that she had never entertained anyone without a purpose? Not even now.
    “Logic tells me you’re right. But at the moment, the future looks horribly bleak—and much too depressing to talk about anymore. Tell me about the ranch. What’s going on there? Has your father acquired title to that