“But I couldn't do that, Charlie… how would I start it, how could I? I don't know anything about all that.”

“You could learn. You know about horses. You know something about being in a wheelchair. You'll have plenty of people to help you run the ranch, all you have to do is coordinate it, like a giant commercial, and hell, you're good at that.”

“Charlie, you're crazy.”

“Maybe.” He looked at her with a grin. “But tell the truth, Sam, wouldn't you enjoy being a little crazy too?”

“Maybe,” she answered honestly. She was still staring at him with a look of amazement. “What do I do now?”

“Why don't you go out there and look around again, Sam. Hell, you own it.”

“Now?”

“Whenever you have time.”

“By myself?”

“If you want.”

“I don't know.” She turned away again and sat staring into space, thinking of the ranch and Aunt Caro. It would be so painful to see it again without her this time. It would be filled with memories of people she had cared about who were no longer there. “I don't want to go out there alone, Charlie. I don't think I could handle it.”

“Then take someone with you.” He sounded matter-of-fact.

“Who do you suggest?” She looked at him skeptically. “My mother?”

“God forbid. Hell, I don't know, Sam, take Mellie.”

“What about the kids?”

“Take all of us, then. Or never mind ‘taking us,’ we'll take ourselves. The kids would love it, so would we, and I'll tell you what I think once we get there.”

“Are you serious, Charlie?”

“Totally. I think this will be the most important decision you've ever made, and I'd hate to see you screw it up.”

“So would I.” She looked at him somberly and suddenly thought about something. “What about Thanksgiving?”

“What about it?”

“It's in three weeks, what if we all go out then?”

He thought for a minute and then grinned at her. “You've got a deal. I'll call Mellie.”

“Think she'll want to go?”

“Hell yes. And if she doesn't”-he grinned-“I'll go alone.” But Mellie offered no objection when he called her, and neither did the boys when they told them, and they didn't tell anyone else. They just quietly made reservations for a four-day trip over Thanksgiving. Samantha didn't even tell Harvey. She was afraid to upset him, and she still hadn't given him an answer about the job.

31

Samantha grew strangely quiet as they drove the last miles through the rolling hills on the familiar strip of highway. But the others didn't notice. The boys were so excited, that they were jumping up and down in the rented car. Mellie had left the baby with her mother, and the trip had gone smoothly so far. It was obviously an unorthodox Thanksgiving, the grown-ups at least thought it would be worth it. They had eaten a dry little slice of turkey and some dressing on the airline, and Mellie had promised to put together a real turkey dinner the next day on the ranch.