Chapter 5

               Carmela arrived with her heart in her throat. The whole flight to Texas was spent listening to the playlist Lance had put together for her. It contained all the songs he and she had loved together, once upon a time. Then he followed them up with songs of regret and loneliness, ending the playlist with songs of renewed love and hope for a future.

               Unsure of what she should do or feel she turned off the IPod and put it in her purse. She would not cry, not in front of Rose. As they emerged from the plane, Walker and her best friend MaryAnn where waiting for them.

               "Well how y'all doing?" Asked Walker observing the expression on her face. She was sure Maryann had brought him up to speed as to why she needed to visit.

               "Walker Codey, aren't you a sight for sore eyes." I hugged him and then my friend. I introduced little Rose to them and we headed for their ranch.

               Once there I was again in awe. Their spread was larger than the last time I came. As we passed the club house where Casey and Mike fell in love I smiled. All their children's love stories brought a tear to my eyes. But now I can add my Miranda's story to the list.

               When we arrived at their house a beautiful little girl ran out to great them. "Grandpa" she yelled as she threw herself at Walker. Lifting her up, he twirled her around and then kissed her cheek.

               "I'm sure you remember little Hope?" I smiled at her, she was so much bigger than the last time I saw her. I introduced her to Rose. Even though Hope was older by some years she still took to my Rose and led her away so she could see the horses.

               "Where are all the other fine strapping Codey men?" I asked as we made our way to the living room. They both gave me a mischievous smile. I knew what they wanted, they wanted me alone so I could bare my soul to them. Swallowing I gave a silent prayer for support and went into the whole story of how Rose invited Lance to Lunch and all that proceeded that day.

               It was all still feeling to new and I was feeling too raw and exposed. "I went to his house. The house I had been turned away from all those years ago." I went on to explain my pain and then kept talking all the way up to the point of the kiss. During my whole outpour, they said not a word. Just sat there listening, giving me the occasional nod or shoulder squeeze.

               By the end I was emotionally drained and they offered to take care of Rose while I went to take a nap.

...............

               "Walker, I know that look in your eyes. What are you planning on doing?" MaryAnn asked him, if there was one thing she knew, it was that her husband never took kindly to women being hurt.

               "You know why I went to him for financial advice years ago. I needed to know why he did our friend wrong. The man is not a bad man MaryAnn. Now you see I was proven right. He was never aware of little Miranda. I think I will give him a couple of days to freak. Then I will set him straight and invite him here." The wicked smile on his made kind of scared me.

               "Carmela will be so mad when she figures out you have been dealing with Lance for years now." Granted we did it in the start to make him pay. Yet we slowly figured out he was not as Walker stated a bad man. His problem was that leech he married. Just the thought that she had thrown herself at my man still makes my blood boil. Sensing that, Walker took me in his arms and kissed me senseless.

               We then made our way to the stable to see Hope and Rose playing. She was the only one of our grandchildren here at the moment. Everyone else had gone to Austin for the week. But little Hope stayed behind with us.

               "Do you think she should take him back?" Walker asked me. This was a mighty good question and one I myself have asked many a time.

               "We have known Lance for many years now. Granted it was more in a business sense than personal. But I would need to see him with her to truly tell you. For you see love, true love cannot be faked. It is clearly written in the face of the person. That my dear husband was why I didn't believe his bitch of a wife when she called and told me you had slept with her. You reflect what I feel back to me. You Walker Codey, are my everything."

               He truly way, I have spent all my days trying to make up for giving myself to his best friend instead of to him. But I was young and naive. He also never made a move or hinted at having any other feeling besides friendship tword me. Yet I cannot regret what happened. The actions I took as a young person resulted in me having Mike. So I have never and will never regret it.

               Placing his hands on either side of my face Walker placed a kiss on my lips. The moment was broken when we heard a carouse of "EWWWWW." There was Hope and Rose making faces at us.

               "That there my love, is why I sent everyone away for a couple of days. There was no way we would have gotten Carmela to vent with a litter of critters around." With that we herded the girls inside for supper. This was going to be a nice visit with my friend. Yet I hoped she would not be mad when she found out about us dealing with Lance.

               The rest of the evening went perfectly as did the two days that followed. They rode horses and went swimming at the waterhole. But the time had come for Walker to pay a visit to Lance.

.......................

               Walker exited O'Hair airport and took in the sight of all the hustling and bustling of the people. He loved Chicago and all the business he had here. But there is nothing like his piece of heaven back in Texas.  Smiling he made his way towards one of his business associates here in Chicago. He never had to worry about having a ride or a way of getting around when he visited.

               Once he reached the condo they kept in the city, he figured it was time to get the ball rolling. He called Lances office. But to his surprise it was Randal that answered. "Walker Codey you son of a gun. What brings you to our neck of the woods? Lance hadn't informed me you were coming. Then again his mind is elsewhere at the moment."

               "That is exactly why I'm here. I need to talk to him." I said in hopes he was missing Carmela, it would truly be a good sign. After telling me I could find Lance at home, I said my goodbyes and headed towards Lance's house.

               The sight that greeted me upon my arrival was both promising as it was disturbing. I deduce the man had not showered since Carmela's departure. If I'm also not mistaken, he has partied a night or two with our mutual friend Jack Daniels. "What do you say old man." I clap his back in greeting and the old man jib seems to have irritated him. I know exactly how he feels. Still feeling like a young man, it's hard to look in the mirror and have reality set in. Not that I look bad mind you. Ranch life really does a body good, if I do say so myself.

               "What do you want Walker." I smiled at his irritation. Once inside I leaned on the door and stared him down.

               "What I want, is to know what the fuck you were thinking. Inviting Carmela over to your house. As in, the house that your bitch of a wife turned her away from. Have you any possible idea the torment you put her through having to be here?" I saw many emotions flash through his face. I tried hard not to laugh. It was as if I was gazing upon the screen of a slot machine. I had just to stand there and wait to see what emotion it would land on.

               I was not surprised when it landed on anger. "Why the hell do you know about Carmela? Or for that matter that she came to my house?" Once again I said not a word as the mired of emotions played out again. Then it dawned on him. "I knew it, I knew it had to be you when Rose said Codey and horses."

               Smiling I nodded yes. "Oh God please take me with you. I need to see her. I need to be by her. I've been going crazy for 3 days now. I'm out of my mind. I have been without her for so many years. Walker help me get her back. I love her with all my heart and I'm not afraid to beg, you her or anyone I have to."

               "Now that was what I was counting on. For starters how attached are you to this house?"

...........................................................................................................................................................................

Wonder what Walker Codey had planned for Carmela and Lance??