Page 97 of Lost Trust

Mom turns toward Harleigh. “You have a guest ranch?”

Harleigh’s face lights up. “Not yet. We’re developing the eastern side of the property. It’s still a work in progress,” Harleigh says.

A fresh batch of chicken and dumplings is placed on the buffet table. Matty clears the paperwork and slips it into a leather portfolio, and we all head over to get a bowl.

For a few minutes, we focus on eating.

“So, where are you staying?” Harleigh asks Mom.

I look at her. “Here, right?”

She shakes her head. “No. I found a place in town. Check-in’s at four.”

“In town,” I say. “That’s silly. You can stay with us. Ryder has bunk beds in his room. The bottom is a full.”

“I don’t want to impose,” she says.

I set my spoon down and stare at her. “Since when?”

She ignores me, and Matty asks where she found a place to stay in town.

“The Chuckwagon Motel.”

Matty makes a face. “Ew. I hope you brought sanitizer.”

Mom blinks. “It’s not that bad, is it?”

“It has a smell,” Harleigh says. “A little musty. Kinda like vomit maybe.”

Mom’s eyes go wide. “Vomit?”

“Yeah, it’s cheap and walking distance from the only bar in town, so a lot of locals land there after a long night of drinking,” Harleigh says.

I shake my head.

“Well, shit,” Mom mumbles. “I stopped in the office on the way out here, and the manager was a silver fox.”

I groan. “Oh my God.”

“What?” she says. “He was. Silver hair. Nice smile. Great shoulders.”

“Mom, that’s really not a good reason to stay in a crusty motel.”

Matty laughs.

Mom looks at her. “I didn’t even mention his hands. He looked like a man who would know how to use them.”

“I’m leaving,” I say.

Harleigh laughs so hard that she nearly spills her drink. “I like you!”

Mom props her elbow on the table and studies the youngest Storm girl. “I like you too.” She gestures across to me. “We need to get this one to lighten up.”

Matty and Jovie giggle.

I point at all three of them. “You’re encouraging her,” I say. “And, Mom, I don’t care how attractive the manager’s hands are; you’re not staying at a sleazy motel. You’re staying with me and Ryder.”

“You know what would be nice?” Harleigh says. “If there was an alternative place for people to stay close by. Like maybe some guest cabins.”