Book Series: Caitlin: The Promise Trilogy #1
Title: Tender Promises
Publishing Date: 1986
Author: Francine Pascal
Publisher: Bantam Books, Inc.
Point of View: Third Person, omnipotent
Chapter Count: 19
Page Count: 181
Chapter 1- As the cover image implies, Caitlin Ryan is content as a cat. She has Jed. What else matters? Now that unpleasant "Ian incident" from last summer, which kept them apart until now, is over and in the past, Jed and Caitlin can start focusing on a future. Together. In four weeks, they will be taking that Montana trip Jed promised her.
But first, Grandmother is in the process of selecting a new Ryan Mining attorney. Why Caitlin even cares about this is beyond comprehension. Caitlin is really hoping Regina Ryan won't choose Colin Wollman who, for some strange reason, gives her the creeps. (maybe he's Gordon Westlake's bastard brother)
Because this is such an unpleasant subject, Jed and Caitlin make out in the stables instead.
Chapter 2- As Caitlin drives her red sports car convertible, she reflects on having a real, honest to goodness father in her life and how old her Grandmother is getting. She meets Gordon Westlake for lunch where father and daughter discuss her idea to organize a summer daycamp/preschool program for the poor children of Ryan Mining employees in Rock Ridge. Her father loves the idea and is very proud of her. He also has no objections to her using his surname so no one will connect her with the big, bad, Ryan Mining corporation. Good thing her father isn't Sam Walton.
Chapter 3- Over breakfast next morning, Regina Ryan begrudgingly gives Caitlin permission to set up her little charity project. Caitlin leaves out her plans to use her father's name knowing it might start another feud between her father and the woman who kept his child hidden from him all these years.
Grandmother is also happy to report that Mr. Wollman also approves of Caitlin's idea. She really likes him while Caitlin feels like she's going to throw up.
Mrs. Ryan and Caitlin play tennis the next day at the country club where Grandmother suffers a mild heat stroke, recovering in time to meet Colin Wollman for lunch to Caitlin's dismay.
Chapter 4- Jed, Emily and Emily's (new?) boyfriend Matt Jenks (continuity error! In book #1 LOVING, Caitlin introduced Emily to a boy named Terry; henceforth they were exclusive) arrive to pick Caitlin up for their first day as daycamp volunteers in the small mining community fifty miles away in West Virginia. During the entire drive, Caitlin is haunted by childhood images of her last visit to this place where people are so poor they live in old buses and shacks. The depression-era town's resemblance to District 12 from Hunger Games is almost uncanny. All the buildings are gray and stained with black coal dust. The threadbare-clothed people stare at Jed's four-wheel drive Bronco like it's something from the future. How fortune Caitlin and her friends are to be part of the 1% club!
Chapter 5- Caitlin finds her contacts, introduces herself as Miss Westlake, and is very discouraged at the conditions of the only structure the town could provide for her charity preschool/daycare. Save for one table, the room with hardwood floors is completely bare. Good thing they brought everything they might possibly need with them in Jed's 1986 Ford Bronco: TV, VCR, videocassette tapes and art supplies.
Taking a (well-deserved?) break from her duties, Caitlin sits outside in the sun recalling a vivid flashback of handing out Christmas presents with Grandmother as a little girl in her fur coat and trimmings to the surrounding poor, huddled, masses of children who wouldn't be having any Christmas if not for the generosity of her family. One boy reached out to touch her beautiful coat and Caitlin, repulsed by his unwashed appearance, screamed and threw a tantrum. As her Grandmother's limousine pulled away, Caitlin knew she'd never forget the way those cold, gray eyes, bore into her very soul. The Haves versus The Have Nots.
After dropping Emily and Matt off, Jed pulls over on the road leading to Ryan Acres so he and Caitlin can pat themselves on the back for today's noblesse oblige. One little girl, Kathy Stokes, was especially enraptured by Caitlin today, hanging on her every word in adoration. And why not? As Jed takes Caitlin in his arms for a long, passionate kiss, who could resist such a person? Jed realizes he's more in love with Caitlin than he's ever been. Nothing can ever come between them again.
Chapter 6- The next time Caitlin is taking a break from the school, outside, she overhears two wives complaining about the unsafe conditions their husbands are exposed to every day in the coal mines. Kathy Stokes' daddy is already suffering from black lung disease. But that don't mean squat-diddly to them Ryan Mining corporation people, that coldhearted Regina Ryan especially. Caitlin is appalled. She had no idea her Grandmother's business was the cause of so much suffering among the common workers. Caitlin talks to Jed. Together they will gather more evidence to make Regina Ryan aware of the conditions here. Open the gates and seize the day! (Newsies, 1992)
Chapter 7- Caitlin admires herself in the mirror, jeweled and gowned, with her hair piled on top of her head, dripping elegance, before descending to her Grandmother's party below where Jed and her father are waiting to greet her. Grandmother stops her, insisting she first come help receive guests. Two of them are Colin Wollman and his equally unpleasant sister, Nicole. Knowing the man isn't married and noting how unalike they are in appearance, Caitlin doubts they're related. She's not happy when Jed comes over to be introduced and Nicole starts making eyes at him. She's twice his age! Pulling Jed away, Catilin can't believe it when she notices her father talking intimately with Nicole. Her instincts are screaming at her not to trust those two impostors. Jed tells her she's overreacting.
Chapter 8- Jed is starting to have second thoughts about their unofficial union movement to improve conditions in the mines. Perhaps everyone was just exaggerating how bad it is, they must've known what they were signing up for; hazardous working conditions, lousy pay. The workers are just lazy and like to complain. Caitlin can't believe what she's hearing. They will talk to her grandmother the next opportunity they have. They are going to help these people and make a difference in this community, even if it kills them! Jed reluctantly gets back on board.
One afternoon, after all the other children have been picked up by their parents, little Kathy Stokes is excited to introduce Caitlin to her big brother, the best brother in the whole world who knows everything and can fix anything. Jake Stokes enters, sees Caitlin, and his gray eyes narrow in recognition. He has hated Caitlin Ryan for eleven years ever since that Christmas when she humiliated him. Knowing this is not the time or place to get his revenge, Jake calls from the doorway to his sister then turns and walks away before Caitlin has a chance to recognize him.
Chapter 9- Though it doesn't seem to make any difference, Caitlin takes the opportunity one day after school to gather all the mothers and reveal her true identity; saying nothing about her intentions to help improve conditions. The women mumble a few patronizing words, shake her hand and leave. Jed congratulates Caitlin on her success in making herself a trusted member of the community but Caitlin is still troubled. Kathy Stokes has been absent since the day her brother came to pick her up.
Because the Stokes' farm is so far out of town, and the rest of the community pretty much lets them be, Jed volunteers to drive out there and check on them. Caitlin gives Jed her favorite porcelain doll from her childhood as a special present to Kathy from her favorite teacher. She is sorry Kathy wasn't here for the last day of school. Jed is touched at Caitlin's kindness and promises to deliver the message.
The shack looks deserted when Jed pulls up. He knocks but no one answers at first until the door flies open. Jed recoils at the sight of two evil gray eyes that seem to bore into his very soul. Jake grabs the doll, smashes it and literally runs Jed off the property warning him to never come back, with a blow on the jaw to emphasize his words. Jed fights back until the sobs from Mother Stokes and Kathy stop them both. Jed climbs back into his car and as he drives away can hear Jake yelling threats of revenge on both him and Caitlin Ryan. He'll get them both if it's the last thing he ever does! What a psycho family.
Chapter 10- Their work done, the school closed until next summer when the next group of Highgate students will carry on this new tradition started by Caitlin, Jed keeps the truth of his unwelcome reception the Stokes family gave him from Caitlin, letting her believe Kathy loved the doll and continues to play with it today.
Jed is here to spend the weekend at Ryan Acres where they spring their information on Grandmother after dinner. They've just handed her the paperwork when Colin Wollman enters, unannounced, to ruin everything. He is quick to dismiss their information, insisting there's really nothing to worry about and since Regina is under his spell, she also believes him over her own granddaughter. Caitlin and Jed take their leave but Caitlin isn't giving up without a fight.
Chapter 11- In preparation for her upcoming trip to Montana, Caitlin goes on a shopping spree in the nearby town with plans to meet her father and his date for lunch. The lunch date is Nicole Wollman. (Like none of us saw that coming) Caitlin spotted both her and her "brother" on a side street, committing incest, before parking her car and entering the restaurant.
Caitlin is very quiet throughout the entire meal, picking at her food, forced to listen to her father and his new girlfriend recount the previous dates they've been on. Unable to stand it any longer, Caitlin excuses herself to the ladies room. While she's gone, Nicole reassures Gordon his daughter is only acting like any normal teenager (Caitlin is seventeen) and will come around to accepting their relationship, eventually.
In the powder room, Caitlin knows manipulation when she sees it but there's nothing she can do about it until she returns from Montana. Then, watch out!
Chapter 12- Ah, the days when airlines served REAL food to travelers. Jed and Caitlin fly first class in complete luxury eating steak and chocolate mousse just like that Seinfeld episode where Jerry enjoys all the fine gourmet food, wine, and VIP service while Elaine suffers in coach with her TV dinner. A tiny bag of peanuts is all anyone gets today. Jed and Caitlin laugh as both admit they've never flown coach in their lives. The horror! They accept their free headphones and relax back in their seats for the in-flight movie.
Caitlin is impressed to learn the Michaelses' ranch is over thirteen thousand acres. As the plane lands, Caitlin realizes she doesn't really know this young man very well. Ever since they met, Jed has never shared any of his past with Caitlin because, as everyone knows, the world has always revolved around her. Caitlin is starting to think her self-absorption may have been wrong and resolves to learn all she can during her month-long visit here about Jed and his family. She'll prove they're not so different after all.
Chapter 13- Eve Towers is tall, blonde, blue-eyed, skinny and as gorgeous as a model. She was crowned rodeo queen this year. All the boys in town are in love with her. She is Jed's ex-girlfriend. Her best friend is Jed's little sister, Melanie Michaels who reminds Eve that Jed has a new girlfriend in his life now. He wasn't interested in getting back together with her last summer because he was still pining over "that snobby, society girl" but Eve refuses to listen. She is going to steal Jed back from Caitlin Ryan and rekindle their old flame.
Chapter 14- Eve and Melanie are waiting to greet Jed, and to some extent, Caitlin, at the small municipal airport. Eve throws her arms around Jed, letting her golden mane of curls cascade over her shoulders, as she plants a big kiss right on his lips. To Caitlin's relief, Jed eases away from his ex to introduce Caitlin. They pile into the pickup truck. Eve chatters away all during the drive home to Jed's family ranch where Eve's Jeep Renegade is parked. She makes a dramatic exit, gunning the engine, gravel flying, as she drives away. Caitlin is not sorry to see her go.
The house is as much a mansion as Caitlin's home at Ryan Acres. Rugged buildings, a stable, log cabins and other structures make up the station. Two wings adjoining the main house and lots of chimneys indicate many fireplaces in the two story home. Every room contains leather furniture, handmade rugs and expensive oil paintings. Caitlin is exhausted and wants nothing more than to take a hot bath and curl up in her robe for a nap. Melanie apologizes and cuts the tour of the house short. Jed catches up to them with Caitlin's luggage and gives her a big hug and kiss. He's very glad she's here.
Chapter 15- Caitlin has her bath and a short nap. After a delicious dinner, Jed's father begs Caitlin will excuse his son for the evening as they have important ranch business to discuss. Caitlin understands. She wants to retire early tonight anyway; jet lag. Jed tells her to sleep as long as she wants tomorrow morning. As Melanie walks her back to her room, she advises Caitlin to set her alarm so she can join the family for breakfast, thus making a good impression on her father. Breakfast, she tells Caitlin, is at 8 am. Caitlin thanks her and next morning is up at 7:15 precisely to shower and dress.
Meanwhile, Eve and Melanie are out riding their horses this morning. Jed is riding ahead of them, checking fence line, unaware he's being followed. Just as Eve instructed her, Melanie lied about the breakfast time which was eaten hours earlier at 5:30. Poor Caitlin. Aside from their housekeeper and servants, she'll be waking up to an empty house. Eve chortles at how easy getting rid of this tenderfoot from the East is going to be.
Caitlin is disappointed discovering Melanie lied to her. She finds her way to the stables, mounts a horse and catches up to Jed. He kisses her good morning just as Eve and Melanie come galloping up. The furious look on Eve's face makes Caitlin's day.
The next few days are very enjoyable as Jed takes Caitlin on several outings into the wilderness, just the two of them, with picnic lunches packed by the cook. He shows her how to mend fence and shoot a gun. He wants to take her on an overnight camp out to Glacier National Park and he's throwing a big barbecue this weekend in Caitlin's honor so she can meet all his friends.
Chapter 16- As Caitlin dresses and arranges her hair for the barbecue, she's glad she took Melanie's advice not to dress "cowboy" tonight as everyone will be wearing dressy-casual. This turns out to be false, of course. Making her entrance in a silk pants suit, seeing everyone in their western shirts, jeans and cowboy hats, Caitlin is very overdressed. Jed winces, then smiles and introduces everyone to Caitlin. Two girls immediately come over and befriend Caitlin, telling her not to pay any attention to Eve, the local mean girl. They happen to love her outfit and want Caitlin to feel very welcome to Montana.
Eve comes over to talk. Jed and some of his friends join them. A friendly horse racing competition has been developing since the first day Caitlin arrived. Eve suggests the race would be more fair if Caitlin rode Jed's horse instead. Jed and Caitlin accept the challenge.
Chapter 17- Anyone who has seen The Parent Trap (the 1961 version) knows exactly what Melanie is doing the night before the big camp out, warning Caitlin to beware the seemingly harmless little forest animals that are actually very poisonous and extremely dangerous. Like the naive fool she is, Caitlin believes her.
Very early next morning, Eve and Melanie ride in the dirty, smelly, horse trailer (with the animals) just so they can roll out their sleeping bags, slut-slam Caitlin in private, and sleep through the four hour drive which just doesn't make any sense but that's how everyone chose to travel. Up in the cab of the pickup truck, Jed and Caitlin are also free to talk in private about Jed's future plans. His father wants him to stay here in Montana, study at the state university and stay on at the ranch while Jed always wanted to get his law degree back east. Caitlin is upset because she wants to continue to date Jed while they attend their preferred Ivy League colleges.
As Jed, Eve and Melanie make camp, Caitlin takes a walk, At Melanie's insistence, she brings along a rifle. Sure enough, Caitlin surprises a cute, furry little woodland marmot, one of the creatures Melanie warned her about. Caitlin takes aim and fires. Jed comes running up. He can't believe Caitlin killed a defenseless animal. Caitlin can't believe she was stupid enough to fall for Eve and Melanie's prank.
Chapter 18- That was probably the shortest camping trip on record. As Eve and Melanie plan their next move and gossip, they reveal that Jed packed everything up and they were back on the road two hours after Caitlin's shoot-out. To her credit, Caitlin has said nothing to Jed about her treatment by the girls. Next up is the state fair and the horse race in which Eve plans to sabotage Caitlin's saddle. Caitlin's vacation will be over the following day when she and Jed fly back to Virginia.
Jed kisses her and wishes her luck. Caitlin mounts the horse and joins the other riders in the starting pens. That's when she notices her saddle is slipping. As the race begins, Caitlin jumps out of the saddle, letting it fall to the ground, remounts the horse and rides the race bareback, passing Eve to win. Eve curses Caitlin as the crowd cheers.
Jed is furious when he discovers someone tampered with Caitlin's saddle. She could've been killed. Caitlin begs him to just let it go and he storms off. Melanie approaches and bursts into a tearful apology. Caitlin forgives her and they are now officially friends. Caitlin finds Eve and informs her she was on to her the whole time, but Eve better watch herself because Caitlin won't keep silent next time. (that's telling her, Caitlin)
Chapter 19- Jed and Caitlin enjoy the rest of the fair together, riding the midway and eating greasy junk food. The night before departure, Jed watches the sunset with Caitlin and gives her the bad news. He won't be returning with her to Virginia. He's made his decision to honor his father's wishes and stay here. Caitlin is upset but makes the pact with him that they will continue to stay faithful to each other. She also isn't happy about what's waiting for her upon her return, she'll have to expose Colin Wollman all by herself.
Someone else is also looking forward to Caitlin's return. His gray eyes peer at the society page clipping announcing Caitlin Ryan's acceptance to the fictional Carlton Hill University (unless she's planning to study abroad in the UK. Wonder what happened to her plans to attend Brown?)
Reclining back in her first-class seat, Caitlin thinks about Jed and how much his love will be sustaining her this next year.
The End
Title: Tender Promises
Publishing Date: 1986
Author: Francine Pascal
Publisher: Bantam Books, Inc.
Point of View: Third Person, omnipotent
Chapter Count: 19
Page Count: 181
Chapter 1- As the cover image implies, Caitlin Ryan is content as a cat. She has Jed. What else matters? Now that unpleasant "Ian incident" from last summer, which kept them apart until now, is over and in the past, Jed and Caitlin can start focusing on a future. Together. In four weeks, they will be taking that Montana trip Jed promised her.
But first, Grandmother is in the process of selecting a new Ryan Mining attorney. Why Caitlin even cares about this is beyond comprehension. Caitlin is really hoping Regina Ryan won't choose Colin Wollman who, for some strange reason, gives her the creeps. (maybe he's Gordon Westlake's bastard brother)
Because this is such an unpleasant subject, Jed and Caitlin make out in the stables instead.
Chapter 2- As Caitlin drives her red sports car convertible, she reflects on having a real, honest to goodness father in her life and how old her Grandmother is getting. She meets Gordon Westlake for lunch where father and daughter discuss her idea to organize a summer daycamp/preschool program for the poor children of Ryan Mining employees in Rock Ridge. Her father loves the idea and is very proud of her. He also has no objections to her using his surname so no one will connect her with the big, bad, Ryan Mining corporation. Good thing her father isn't Sam Walton.
Chapter 3- Over breakfast next morning, Regina Ryan begrudgingly gives Caitlin permission to set up her little charity project. Caitlin leaves out her plans to use her father's name knowing it might start another feud between her father and the woman who kept his child hidden from him all these years.
Grandmother is also happy to report that Mr. Wollman also approves of Caitlin's idea. She really likes him while Caitlin feels like she's going to throw up.
Mrs. Ryan and Caitlin play tennis the next day at the country club where Grandmother suffers a mild heat stroke, recovering in time to meet Colin Wollman for lunch to Caitlin's dismay.
Chapter 4- Jed, Emily and Emily's (new?) boyfriend Matt Jenks (continuity error! In book #1 LOVING, Caitlin introduced Emily to a boy named Terry; henceforth they were exclusive) arrive to pick Caitlin up for their first day as daycamp volunteers in the small mining community fifty miles away in West Virginia. During the entire drive, Caitlin is haunted by childhood images of her last visit to this place where people are so poor they live in old buses and shacks. The depression-era town's resemblance to District 12 from Hunger Games is almost uncanny. All the buildings are gray and stained with black coal dust. The threadbare-clothed people stare at Jed's four-wheel drive Bronco like it's something from the future. How fortune Caitlin and her friends are to be part of the 1% club!
Chapter 5- Caitlin finds her contacts, introduces herself as Miss Westlake, and is very discouraged at the conditions of the only structure the town could provide for her charity preschool/daycare. Save for one table, the room with hardwood floors is completely bare. Good thing they brought everything they might possibly need with them in Jed's 1986 Ford Bronco: TV, VCR, videocassette tapes and art supplies.
Taking a (well-deserved?) break from her duties, Caitlin sits outside in the sun recalling a vivid flashback of handing out Christmas presents with Grandmother as a little girl in her fur coat and trimmings to the surrounding poor, huddled, masses of children who wouldn't be having any Christmas if not for the generosity of her family. One boy reached out to touch her beautiful coat and Caitlin, repulsed by his unwashed appearance, screamed and threw a tantrum. As her Grandmother's limousine pulled away, Caitlin knew she'd never forget the way those cold, gray eyes, bore into her very soul. The Haves versus The Have Nots.
After dropping Emily and Matt off, Jed pulls over on the road leading to Ryan Acres so he and Caitlin can pat themselves on the back for today's noblesse oblige. One little girl, Kathy Stokes, was especially enraptured by Caitlin today, hanging on her every word in adoration. And why not? As Jed takes Caitlin in his arms for a long, passionate kiss, who could resist such a person? Jed realizes he's more in love with Caitlin than he's ever been. Nothing can ever come between them again.
Chapter 6- The next time Caitlin is taking a break from the school, outside, she overhears two wives complaining about the unsafe conditions their husbands are exposed to every day in the coal mines. Kathy Stokes' daddy is already suffering from black lung disease. But that don't mean squat-diddly to them Ryan Mining corporation people, that coldhearted Regina Ryan especially. Caitlin is appalled. She had no idea her Grandmother's business was the cause of so much suffering among the common workers. Caitlin talks to Jed. Together they will gather more evidence to make Regina Ryan aware of the conditions here. Open the gates and seize the day! (Newsies, 1992)
Chapter 7- Caitlin admires herself in the mirror, jeweled and gowned, with her hair piled on top of her head, dripping elegance, before descending to her Grandmother's party below where Jed and her father are waiting to greet her. Grandmother stops her, insisting she first come help receive guests. Two of them are Colin Wollman and his equally unpleasant sister, Nicole. Knowing the man isn't married and noting how unalike they are in appearance, Caitlin doubts they're related. She's not happy when Jed comes over to be introduced and Nicole starts making eyes at him. She's twice his age! Pulling Jed away, Catilin can't believe it when she notices her father talking intimately with Nicole. Her instincts are screaming at her not to trust those two impostors. Jed tells her she's overreacting.
Chapter 8- Jed is starting to have second thoughts about their unofficial union movement to improve conditions in the mines. Perhaps everyone was just exaggerating how bad it is, they must've known what they were signing up for; hazardous working conditions, lousy pay. The workers are just lazy and like to complain. Caitlin can't believe what she's hearing. They will talk to her grandmother the next opportunity they have. They are going to help these people and make a difference in this community, even if it kills them! Jed reluctantly gets back on board.
One afternoon, after all the other children have been picked up by their parents, little Kathy Stokes is excited to introduce Caitlin to her big brother, the best brother in the whole world who knows everything and can fix anything. Jake Stokes enters, sees Caitlin, and his gray eyes narrow in recognition. He has hated Caitlin Ryan for eleven years ever since that Christmas when she humiliated him. Knowing this is not the time or place to get his revenge, Jake calls from the doorway to his sister then turns and walks away before Caitlin has a chance to recognize him.
Chapter 9- Though it doesn't seem to make any difference, Caitlin takes the opportunity one day after school to gather all the mothers and reveal her true identity; saying nothing about her intentions to help improve conditions. The women mumble a few patronizing words, shake her hand and leave. Jed congratulates Caitlin on her success in making herself a trusted member of the community but Caitlin is still troubled. Kathy Stokes has been absent since the day her brother came to pick her up.
Because the Stokes' farm is so far out of town, and the rest of the community pretty much lets them be, Jed volunteers to drive out there and check on them. Caitlin gives Jed her favorite porcelain doll from her childhood as a special present to Kathy from her favorite teacher. She is sorry Kathy wasn't here for the last day of school. Jed is touched at Caitlin's kindness and promises to deliver the message.
The shack looks deserted when Jed pulls up. He knocks but no one answers at first until the door flies open. Jed recoils at the sight of two evil gray eyes that seem to bore into his very soul. Jake grabs the doll, smashes it and literally runs Jed off the property warning him to never come back, with a blow on the jaw to emphasize his words. Jed fights back until the sobs from Mother Stokes and Kathy stop them both. Jed climbs back into his car and as he drives away can hear Jake yelling threats of revenge on both him and Caitlin Ryan. He'll get them both if it's the last thing he ever does! What a psycho family.
Chapter 10- Their work done, the school closed until next summer when the next group of Highgate students will carry on this new tradition started by Caitlin, Jed keeps the truth of his unwelcome reception the Stokes family gave him from Caitlin, letting her believe Kathy loved the doll and continues to play with it today.
Jed is here to spend the weekend at Ryan Acres where they spring their information on Grandmother after dinner. They've just handed her the paperwork when Colin Wollman enters, unannounced, to ruin everything. He is quick to dismiss their information, insisting there's really nothing to worry about and since Regina is under his spell, she also believes him over her own granddaughter. Caitlin and Jed take their leave but Caitlin isn't giving up without a fight.
Chapter 11- In preparation for her upcoming trip to Montana, Caitlin goes on a shopping spree in the nearby town with plans to meet her father and his date for lunch. The lunch date is Nicole Wollman. (Like none of us saw that coming) Caitlin spotted both her and her "brother" on a side street, committing incest, before parking her car and entering the restaurant.
Caitlin is very quiet throughout the entire meal, picking at her food, forced to listen to her father and his new girlfriend recount the previous dates they've been on. Unable to stand it any longer, Caitlin excuses herself to the ladies room. While she's gone, Nicole reassures Gordon his daughter is only acting like any normal teenager (Caitlin is seventeen) and will come around to accepting their relationship, eventually.
In the powder room, Caitlin knows manipulation when she sees it but there's nothing she can do about it until she returns from Montana. Then, watch out!
Chapter 12- Ah, the days when airlines served REAL food to travelers. Jed and Caitlin fly first class in complete luxury eating steak and chocolate mousse just like that Seinfeld episode where Jerry enjoys all the fine gourmet food, wine, and VIP service while Elaine suffers in coach with her TV dinner. A tiny bag of peanuts is all anyone gets today. Jed and Caitlin laugh as both admit they've never flown coach in their lives. The horror! They accept their free headphones and relax back in their seats for the in-flight movie.
Caitlin is impressed to learn the Michaelses' ranch is over thirteen thousand acres. As the plane lands, Caitlin realizes she doesn't really know this young man very well. Ever since they met, Jed has never shared any of his past with Caitlin because, as everyone knows, the world has always revolved around her. Caitlin is starting to think her self-absorption may have been wrong and resolves to learn all she can during her month-long visit here about Jed and his family. She'll prove they're not so different after all.
Chapter 13- Eve Towers is tall, blonde, blue-eyed, skinny and as gorgeous as a model. She was crowned rodeo queen this year. All the boys in town are in love with her. She is Jed's ex-girlfriend. Her best friend is Jed's little sister, Melanie Michaels who reminds Eve that Jed has a new girlfriend in his life now. He wasn't interested in getting back together with her last summer because he was still pining over "that snobby, society girl" but Eve refuses to listen. She is going to steal Jed back from Caitlin Ryan and rekindle their old flame.
Chapter 14- Eve and Melanie are waiting to greet Jed, and to some extent, Caitlin, at the small municipal airport. Eve throws her arms around Jed, letting her golden mane of curls cascade over her shoulders, as she plants a big kiss right on his lips. To Caitlin's relief, Jed eases away from his ex to introduce Caitlin. They pile into the pickup truck. Eve chatters away all during the drive home to Jed's family ranch where Eve's Jeep Renegade is parked. She makes a dramatic exit, gunning the engine, gravel flying, as she drives away. Caitlin is not sorry to see her go.
The house is as much a mansion as Caitlin's home at Ryan Acres. Rugged buildings, a stable, log cabins and other structures make up the station. Two wings adjoining the main house and lots of chimneys indicate many fireplaces in the two story home. Every room contains leather furniture, handmade rugs and expensive oil paintings. Caitlin is exhausted and wants nothing more than to take a hot bath and curl up in her robe for a nap. Melanie apologizes and cuts the tour of the house short. Jed catches up to them with Caitlin's luggage and gives her a big hug and kiss. He's very glad she's here.
Chapter 15- Caitlin has her bath and a short nap. After a delicious dinner, Jed's father begs Caitlin will excuse his son for the evening as they have important ranch business to discuss. Caitlin understands. She wants to retire early tonight anyway; jet lag. Jed tells her to sleep as long as she wants tomorrow morning. As Melanie walks her back to her room, she advises Caitlin to set her alarm so she can join the family for breakfast, thus making a good impression on her father. Breakfast, she tells Caitlin, is at 8 am. Caitlin thanks her and next morning is up at 7:15 precisely to shower and dress.
Meanwhile, Eve and Melanie are out riding their horses this morning. Jed is riding ahead of them, checking fence line, unaware he's being followed. Just as Eve instructed her, Melanie lied about the breakfast time which was eaten hours earlier at 5:30. Poor Caitlin. Aside from their housekeeper and servants, she'll be waking up to an empty house. Eve chortles at how easy getting rid of this tenderfoot from the East is going to be.
Caitlin is disappointed discovering Melanie lied to her. She finds her way to the stables, mounts a horse and catches up to Jed. He kisses her good morning just as Eve and Melanie come galloping up. The furious look on Eve's face makes Caitlin's day.
The next few days are very enjoyable as Jed takes Caitlin on several outings into the wilderness, just the two of them, with picnic lunches packed by the cook. He shows her how to mend fence and shoot a gun. He wants to take her on an overnight camp out to Glacier National Park and he's throwing a big barbecue this weekend in Caitlin's honor so she can meet all his friends.
Chapter 16- As Caitlin dresses and arranges her hair for the barbecue, she's glad she took Melanie's advice not to dress "cowboy" tonight as everyone will be wearing dressy-casual. This turns out to be false, of course. Making her entrance in a silk pants suit, seeing everyone in their western shirts, jeans and cowboy hats, Caitlin is very overdressed. Jed winces, then smiles and introduces everyone to Caitlin. Two girls immediately come over and befriend Caitlin, telling her not to pay any attention to Eve, the local mean girl. They happen to love her outfit and want Caitlin to feel very welcome to Montana.
Eve comes over to talk. Jed and some of his friends join them. A friendly horse racing competition has been developing since the first day Caitlin arrived. Eve suggests the race would be more fair if Caitlin rode Jed's horse instead. Jed and Caitlin accept the challenge.
Chapter 17- Anyone who has seen The Parent Trap (the 1961 version) knows exactly what Melanie is doing the night before the big camp out, warning Caitlin to beware the seemingly harmless little forest animals that are actually very poisonous and extremely dangerous. Like the naive fool she is, Caitlin believes her.
Very early next morning, Eve and Melanie ride in the dirty, smelly, horse trailer (with the animals) just so they can roll out their sleeping bags, slut-slam Caitlin in private, and sleep through the four hour drive which just doesn't make any sense but that's how everyone chose to travel. Up in the cab of the pickup truck, Jed and Caitlin are also free to talk in private about Jed's future plans. His father wants him to stay here in Montana, study at the state university and stay on at the ranch while Jed always wanted to get his law degree back east. Caitlin is upset because she wants to continue to date Jed while they attend their preferred Ivy League colleges.
As Jed, Eve and Melanie make camp, Caitlin takes a walk, At Melanie's insistence, she brings along a rifle. Sure enough, Caitlin surprises a cute, furry little woodland marmot, one of the creatures Melanie warned her about. Caitlin takes aim and fires. Jed comes running up. He can't believe Caitlin killed a defenseless animal. Caitlin can't believe she was stupid enough to fall for Eve and Melanie's prank.
Chapter 18- That was probably the shortest camping trip on record. As Eve and Melanie plan their next move and gossip, they reveal that Jed packed everything up and they were back on the road two hours after Caitlin's shoot-out. To her credit, Caitlin has said nothing to Jed about her treatment by the girls. Next up is the state fair and the horse race in which Eve plans to sabotage Caitlin's saddle. Caitlin's vacation will be over the following day when she and Jed fly back to Virginia.
Jed kisses her and wishes her luck. Caitlin mounts the horse and joins the other riders in the starting pens. That's when she notices her saddle is slipping. As the race begins, Caitlin jumps out of the saddle, letting it fall to the ground, remounts the horse and rides the race bareback, passing Eve to win. Eve curses Caitlin as the crowd cheers.
Jed is furious when he discovers someone tampered with Caitlin's saddle. She could've been killed. Caitlin begs him to just let it go and he storms off. Melanie approaches and bursts into a tearful apology. Caitlin forgives her and they are now officially friends. Caitlin finds Eve and informs her she was on to her the whole time, but Eve better watch herself because Caitlin won't keep silent next time. (that's telling her, Caitlin)
Chapter 19- Jed and Caitlin enjoy the rest of the fair together, riding the midway and eating greasy junk food. The night before departure, Jed watches the sunset with Caitlin and gives her the bad news. He won't be returning with her to Virginia. He's made his decision to honor his father's wishes and stay here. Caitlin is upset but makes the pact with him that they will continue to stay faithful to each other. She also isn't happy about what's waiting for her upon her return, she'll have to expose Colin Wollman all by herself.
Someone else is also looking forward to Caitlin's return. His gray eyes peer at the society page clipping announcing Caitlin Ryan's acceptance to the fictional Carlton Hill University (unless she's planning to study abroad in the UK. Wonder what happened to her plans to attend Brown?)
Reclining back in her first-class seat, Caitlin thinks about Jed and how much his love will be sustaining her this next year.
The End
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