Hidden Talents

consigned his entire hometown to the nether regions. “What, exactly, do you dislike about it so much?”
    “Forget it.”
    “Did something terrible happen to you here?”
    “No.”
    “Then why do you hate the place?”
    “Let it go, Serenity.” Caleb turned off the main highway onto a narrow, blacktopped road. “I shouldn't have said anything. I don't want to discuss Ventress Valley or my all-American boyhood.”
    Serenity crossed her arms and sank back into the seat. “Understood. My, this is certainly turning out to be a fun trip. I can't thank you enough for inviting me along. When did you say we could leave?”
    Caleb's hands tightened around the steering wheel. “Damn. Look, I didn't mean to snap at you. I don't know why I did that. I never lose my temper.”
    “Hah. Don't give me that bull. I've seen you lose your temper often enough.” She spotted a large, gracious, old-fashioned house in the distance and immediately forgot about the argument she was having with Caleb. “Good grief, is that your home?”
    “It's my grandfather's house. I was raised in it. I don't think of it as home.”
    “You're right. It's more like a mansion. It looks like it should be listed in a historic register.”
    The house dominated a landscape of wide green lawns and tall trees. Verandas wrapped around both the upper and lower stories. In the distance sleek horses grazed behind pristine white pasture fences.
    “You said that your grandfather breeds horses?” Serenity peered, fascinated, through the windshield.
    “Arabians.”
    “Talk about tradition.” She laughed. “Can you ride?”
    “Yes.”
    “I would have been green with envy if I'd known you when I was twelve. That was the year I wanted a pony.”
    “I take it you didn't get one?”
    “No. Julius got me a wonderful dog instead.” Serenity smiled. “Look, a genuine barn.”
    “Stables.”
    “Stables,” Serenity amended. “With hay and everything probably.”
    “When you've got horses around, you've usually got hay in the vicinity.”
    “Wow, talk about your classic rural lifestyle. This is incredible. A real slice of Americana. I'll bet everyone here still eats beef. Promise me you'll take me on a complete tour before we leave.”
    “Why do I get the feeling that this is turning into a sitcom called Serenity Visits Middle America?”
    “Don't laugh. Travel is very educational.”
    Caleb gave her an odd look as he turned the Jaguar into the tree-lined drive. “This is eastern Washington, not Outer Mongolia.”
    “Both are foreign countries to me,” Serenity said simply.
    The door of the Ventress home opened just as Caleb brought the Jaguar to a halt in the circular driveway. A woman appeared. She wore an apron over a flowerprint dress. Her hair was a froth of graying curls, and her shoes were the sturdy sort favored by people who spent a lot of time on their feet.
    “That's Dolores.” Caleb opened his door and got out. He lifted a hand in greeting as he walked around to the passenger side of the car.
    “About time you got here, young man,” Dolores called cheerfully. “Your grandfather was starting to worry.”
    “I doubt it.” Caleb opened Serenity's door. “More likely he was just getting annoyed.”
    “That, too.” Dolores smiled warmly at Serenity. “This must be Miss Makepeace.”
    “It is. Serenity, this is Dolores.”
    “How do you do?” Serenity slid quickly out of the Jaguar. “What a beautiful home.”
    “Thanks. Lord knows I work myself to the bone keeping it that way. Not that I get any thanks for it. Come on in, Miss Makepeace. I'll show you to your room so you can freshen up before you meet the rest of the family.”
    Caleb lifted his suitcase and Serenity's out of the trunk. “Everyone else is already here?”
    “Yes, indeed. Arrived about an hour ago. We've been waiting for you and Miss Makepeace.” Dolores smiled at Caleb. “You know your grandfather wouldn't dream of letting things get started until you got here.”
    “You're lucky to be part of such a close family,” Serenity whispered to Caleb as they went up the steps.
    “That's us Ventresses for you,” Caleb agreed. “Just one big happy family.”

    Fifteen minutes later, feeling reasonably refreshed and confident in her Miss Town & Country attire, Serenity walked down a long hall toward the great room at the front of the house. She was carrying the small gift that she had brought for Roland Ventress.
    After what seemed an interminable