“Evie, make sure Zach gives you a tour of Big Rock. He’s really done a great job with the place. You’ll see. You’ll be real proud of him. He’s helping to turn the whole town around.”
“She’ll love it, Jesse. I’m sure. You two get going.”
Evie wasn’t sure what to make of the weird tone of Miss Leona’s voice, like she was trying to stop Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant from saying more. Evie remembered then the way Zach had avoided the topic of his parents when she’d asked about them in the hospital. Clearly there was some tension he didn’t want to talk about. They seemed like perfectly nice people. She wouldn’t push, but she was dying to know what was going on.
Miss Leona reminded Jesse Senior to check in with his sons and his own brothers, and then she ended the call. Her voice was still a little funny when the screen went black, but she laced her arm with Evie’s like nothing had happened.
“You have to ignore Regina and Senior,” she said. Evie realized she was still staring at the screen.
“Is there something I’m missing?” Evie asked.
“Senior had it in his mind that you and Zach were somehow destined to be. He saw you two running the ranch together. He just didn’t bother to consult you or Zachariah. Meanwhile, your grandmother had other plans for you.”
“Oh.” Evie wasn’t sure what to make of that information. Suddenly a wave of sadness washed over her. She glanced back at the computer screen; the dark window of the video chat and the desert wallpaper looked back at her. The image of Zach’s parents was still vivid in her mind. A light squeeze on her arm snapped her out of the trance.
“You okay, baby?” Miss Leona asked.
“Yes, I—I just—talking to them I realized I haven’t seen a picture of my mother. Of my parents. I don’t know what they look like.”
“Oh, Amelia had pictures of them all over the house. Dozens of pictures of your mother, since she was a little girl. Wedding photos, the works. No doubt in my mind they are in the storage unit.”
“This is your office?”
“Yes indeed. These days I only use it for video calls, but yes.”
“Zach mentioned all of your awards.”
“My illustrious career.” She walked over to the cabinet and pointed to one of her Oscars. “My personal favorite.”
“‘Leona Lovell,Glory in the Night, Best Lead Actress.’”
“I played a mail-order bride who was accidentally sent to a white man in Kansas. They eventually fall in love. What did the critics say? ‘Lovell lights up the screen with her heartbreaking portrayal that shows us love is the most human emotion of them all.’”
“Who said that?” Evie asked as she continued to admire the statue.
“Don Lane atThe Hollywood Observer, October 1967. I have the article around here somewhere.”
“That’s amazing,” Evie said. She looked over as Miss Leona squeezed her hand.
“We’ll find some pictures of your mom and dad. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime, baby. Come on.”
When they got back to the living room, they watched one more episode of Anita’s show, and then after Miss Leona offered it up to a vote they decided it was time for Evie’s first viewing ofGlory in the Night.
* * *
Around four the sun broke through the clouds as it began to set. The forecast called for rain through the weekend and New Year’s Eve. Zach figured they’d have to cancel the fireworks display, but the square dance they had planned would keep the participating guests plenty occupied. After he swung by the stables, he headed back over to the lodge to catch up with Delfi, their head of guest services and one of Zach’s buddies since high school.
She’d been Evie’s friend too, once upon a time, but they’d also fallen out of touch. In a more natural way. It was Friday and a new wave of guests were arriving. There was already a New Year’s Eve proposal on the books, but another guest had decided he also wanted to propose at the dance. Delfi suggested they arrange something private in the couple’s room. It took some convincing, but Delfi was able to work her magic. A private proposal would be more intimate and more romantic.
“I don’t know what it is with guys and public proposals. I mean, I love this place as much as the next gal, but I’d be so pissed if Britnay proposed to me at a barn dance in front of a bunch of strangers.”
“Well, you work here.” Zach laughed. “I think you might feel a bit differently if she proposed to you at Disney World or in front of the Eiffel Tower.”
“Zach. What part of no public proposals is difficult here?”