Fortune's Hero. Susan Crosby
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was sick of it, physically ill from the constant nightmares and loss of sleep. Even during the day she was assaulted by visions of the destruction and the surreal feel of the tornado sweeping her across the floor.
Maybe it’d been even worse this time because she’d talked to her cousin Jordana last night, who’d suffered her own traumas, and they’d agreed Victoria should go to Red Rock so they could deal with their problems together. Support each other. Be there for each other.
Victoria glanced at the clock then threw off the covers, realizing she needed to start packing for her late-morning flight. She was going to face the past and deal with her near-death experience. She also needed to thank her hero, which was long overdue.
But first she called her parents to tell them she wouldn’t be attending the requisite family Sunday brunch.
“The pew was mostly empty this morning,” her father, James Marshall Fortune, said when he answered the phone.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I overslept.”
“You party too much,” he said gruffly but softly. As the youngest child and only daughter, Victoria got away with more than her four brothers could. Occasionally she used that to her advantage.
“What constitutes ‘too much’?” Victoria asked sweetly, making an effort with her beloved father. Even he had been openly worried about her.
“Ha! We’ll wait for you. Your brothers aren’t all here yet, either. Only Shane.”
Victoria wandered onto the balcony off her bedroom. She was on the fifteenth floor. “I’m not coming at all, Daddy. I’m heading to Red Rock in a couple of hours.”
“I thought you’d decided to skip that party.”
“I did skip it. The party was last night, but Jordana and Emily are still at Wendy’s house. We’re going to have a little girl time, just us four cousins. Well, plus Wendy’s new husband and baby. Please tell Shane I’m taking a few days of vacation, all right?”
“Your brother is your boss. If you need time off, you need to square it with him yourself. And I’m sure your mother will have something to say.”
“Yes, sir.” Her father made it sound like she was a sixteen-year-old kid instead of a twenty-four-year-old college graduate who lived alone and held down a good job—if she could hold on to it. She hadn’t been pulling her own weight for a while now.
“Shane overheard and says that’s good news,” her mother said, coming onto the line. “What’s going on, honey?”
Victoria repeated what she’d said to her father.
“You’re still having bad dreams,” her mother said.
“Yes, ma’am. They’re not going away on their own.”
“What about that man—that cowboy who rescued you? Are you going to see him?”
“I need to thank him. It’s been haunting me that I haven’t. I think that’s part of my problem.”
“I can see where it could help. Are you taking the company jet?”
Victoria closed her eyes. “I’d have to land at Red Rock Airport, and I’m not ready for that. I’ll fly into San Antonio and rent a car.”
“Call me if you need me. I think it’s good you’re doing this, sugar. Important. You’ve looked so tired.”
“Thanks, Mom.” But it was more than good, Victoria thought. It was necessary. She hadn’t been able to deal with molehills lately, much less mountains.
Hours later she drove into downtown Red Rock, then pulled up in front of Marcos and Wendy Mendoza’s pretty three-bedroom house. Wendy had been working her magic on the place, transforming it from bachelor pad to family home, a fun mix of contemporary and cottage styles. She’d been gardening, too, Victoria could tell. What had been barren at the time of the wedding in December now bloomed with welcoming spring beauty.
Wendy burst onto the front porch. At twenty-two, she was two years younger than Victoria, and she sported the same long brown hair and eyes. She was more openly bubbly than Victoria, but as first cousins, they’d been as close as sisters. So were Jordana and Emily, Wendy’s sisters.
“Where’s the star of this show?” Victoria asked, hugging Wendy.
“Sleeping. Finally,” Wendy answered. “Marcos is working.”
“And your sisters?” Victoria asked as they stepped into the house.
“Emily went for a walk. Jordana left.”
Victoria stopped. “She left? When? Why? I talked to her just last night. She said she would wait for me.”
“I don’t know what happened. She took off right after lunch. Honestly, Vicki, Jordana was acting weird the whole time she was here. Em noticed it, too. We’re worried about her. Did she tell you what’s going on?”
She had, but Victoria couldn’t tell Jordana’s secrets. Victoria made a noncommittal sound as she checked her cell phone for messages, finding none from Jordana.
“You can bunk with Em instead of at the hotel now that Jordana’s gone. Would you like some tea?” Wendy asked. “We could sit on the sunporch for a while.”
“Yes, fine,” Victoria said, trying to drum up some enthusiasm for Wendy’s sake.
“Meet you on the porch in a minute.” She laid a hand on Victoria’s arm. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. Just fine. Why is everyone asking me that?” She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. “I’m sorry, Wendy. I really am. I don’t know if I’m all right. I know I haven’t been myself. I’m hoping this trip will be the vacation I need.”
Victoria carried her suitcase into the guest room. How could Jordana leave without a word to her? They needed each other.
And she needed the name of her rescuer. Needed to see him, thank him. She wasn’t in the mood for idle chitchat, but she knew good manners indicated she should spend time with her hostess first.
Victoria peeked into the baby’s room, caught a glimpse of a tiny pink bundle in the bassinet, then tiptoed out, afraid of waking six-week-old MaryAnne.
“I’m surprised that Emily is still here,” Victoria said to Wendy as they sat in the glassed-in sunporch. “She’s been staying with you for weeks. How long can she stay away from work?”
“I’ve stopped asking her that question. I figure she knows what she’s doing. She’s been a huge help since we brought MaryAnne home. She was so tiny, you know, as premature as she was, but so perfect. Emily’s a natural mom. She steadied me.” Wendy looked around. “Honestly, though, I think Marcos is looking forward to the three of us becoming a family on our own.”
Victoria sat up straight. “Of course he wants that. You must, too.” Just like all she wanted was to talk to the stranger who’d saved her. “I’ll encourage Em to go home, and I’ll move to the hotel. We’re being so—”
“Stop. Please, Vicki, I didn’t mean right this second. Marcos is glad I’ve had company since he works such long hours at the restaurant. I just meant that I think we’re both ready to establish our own routine. But not this week. Not yet.”
“Well, I only plan to stay a few days. I’ll get Em to leave with me, too.”
“It’s not necessary, Vicki. Really. I think she’s hiding out here, but I’m not sure why. And then there’s Jordana—”
“Who is the biggest mystery of all,” Emily said, coming into the room. She was tall, blonde and green-eyed, yet she also had the Fortune look about her. “Hey, Vicki.” She bent to give her cousin a hug while eyeing Wendy. “I’m not hiding out here, sister mine. I’ve been helping. I’ve also been working from here. You look like crap,