Forever My Cowboy

by June Faver

  When he stepped over the threshold, he inhaled her fragrance…something sweet and naughty at the same time.

  “Leo is excited that his Uncle Cade is taking him to Sunday school.”

  At that time, a small, blue-eyed tornado hit Cade, grabbing him around the knees. “Hey, Leo! How you doin’, buddy?” He leaned down to lift the boy into his arms. A rush of warmth filled his chest.

  “And here’s Lissy. Doesn’t she look adorable?” Jenn carried the girl to where Cade was standing.

  He had to admit the children appeared to be well cared for. They were clean and dressed in fresh clothing. Leo’s hair was combed and Lissy sported two ponytails adorned with tiny bows to match her dress.

  He cleared his suddenly husky throat. “Ready?”

  She nodded and grabbed a tiny handbag with a long chain strap. It wasn’t big enough to stuff a tissue in, but she tossed it over her shoulder. Jenn was definitely color coordinated, the mini-purse the exact color of her shoes and picking up a color in the print of her dress. She preceded him to his truck, giving him an eyeful of her backfield in motion.

  Cade installed Leo in his car seat and went around to take Lissy from Jenn. He fastened Lissy’s buckles and closed the passenger side back door.

  When he turned, Jenn was standing way too close. Her skin was like satin, smooth and looked touchable, but he restrained himself. He stepped back and opened the passenger door for her, offering a hand to help her up, but she looked at the height of the step and her perfect brows drew together.

  Cade realized that she couldn’t step up with her slim dress and heels. “Let me help you.” He lifted her in his arms, hesitating when her arms circled his neck. It just felt too good.

  “Thank you, Cade.” Her wide-set eyes examined his features at extremely close quarters. “I—I didn’t bring any casual clothes… I thought I would be taking the children back to Dallas.” She gazed at him earnestly.

  He had to hold himself in check to keep from kissing those luscious lips. With intense effort, he hefted her onto the seat, although she weighed practically nothing. “Seat belt,” he said tersely. “I mean, fasten your seat belt.” He closed the door and circled back around the truck, feeling shaken but determined to keep his actions honorable.

  When they arrived at the church, he opened her door first and then set about releasing the children. Unfortunately, when she slid down to the street level, her dress hiked up and he glimpsed the entire length of her long, shapely legs.

  Damn! There was only so much a man could be expected to take. Didn’t she know what kind of effect she was having on him?

  “I’ll take Lissy.” She stood behind him when he freed the baby girl from her safety seat and reached out to take her.

  Cade got Leo and locked his truck with the remote. Together the four of them entered the church.

  It was early. Some people were seated in the pews. Most were chatting with their neighbors.

  Cade led the way through to the back of the church where a door opened to a hallway. Together they found the appropriate Sunday school for Leo and the nursery for Lissy. Leo was excited to join the other children and his Sunday school teachers greeted him by name.

  “This is so nice,” Jenn said. “I know why my brother was so happy here.” She looked up at him. “He really loved Sara. You know that?”

  Cade nodded. “Yes, I know that. She loved Jason right back.”

  She appeared to be a little sad. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be.” Her lower lip trembled a bit, but she pressed her lips together, looking more resolute.

  He realized he was growing to like this woman…the one he’d thought a bit flaky. The woman who wore high heels and smelled like heaven.

  * * *

  Together, they retraced their steps back to the nave. By this time, most of the pews were beginning to fill with church members.

  Jenn looked around, as though searching for someone or something.

  Ollie Enloe stood up, waving and gesturing for them to come to where she was sitting in the third row. “I saved your seats,” she said breathlessly.

  Jenn excused herself and stepped in front of several people in a family, to slide down the row to where Ollie stood, grinning.

  She greeted Jenn with a hug. “You look so pretty. I saw you come in with the children.”

  Cade followed behind Jenn, trying not to stomp on anyone. His countenance, that had actually appeared pleasant, was back to Mr. Grumpy Face.

  Ollie greeted Cade, and he nodded at her before taking a seat.

  Ensconced between them, Jenn felt a bit more secure. This had been the church her brother and his family had attended. Now the parents were gone. No Jason or Sara. Just Jenn and Jason’s children and Cade, his brother-in-law.

  I’m the mom now. She settled into the hard wooden pew and laced her fingers together in her lap.

  A plump woman wearing a floral tentlike dress climbed up on the dais and edged herself behind the organ. She looked over the music and finally began playing something light and lyrical.

  This felt like church should feel.

  Jenn looked around, surprised to note that quite a few people were staring at her. She leaned to whisper in Ollie’s ear. “Why are people staring?”

  Ollie grinned. “Because you look great and they’re speculating about you and Cade. Tongues will wag, you know?” Ollie’s breath was warm against Jenn’s ear.

  A rush of heat rose from her core. She knew she was blushing. Heaving a sigh, she looked down at her own hands. She just wanted to be a member of the community without anyone taking special notice.

  Since she could no longer consider herself a part of the academic community, she realized she might be able to develop a new persona as a well-educated woman living in a small rural town. She could not go back to her academic life. No more endless learning. She could not be the brilliant student she had been, but she could reinvent herself, as a woman, as a mother, as a member of this close-knit community. Yes, she could hold her head up again. And in time, she hoped she would emerge as the talented artist she was born to be.

  In a short time, the preacher took his place on the dais and led them in a prayer. He prayed for the well-being of his flock, for members now deployed in the military, for the firefighters and police officers who protected the community, for people who were sick or suffering from loss… He droned on and on. It was a wide-ranging prayer.

  Jenn stared forward but was extremely aware of the large hunk of maleness sitting next to her. He had been a little grouchy when she had taken a seat beside Ollie. It was church. Everybody had to sit beside somebody else.

  Slowly, Cade relaxed next to her. He rested his arm on the back of the pew. An embrace that was not quite an embrace.

  She turned and gave him a brief smile and found those intense blue eyes riveted to hers. She felt a rush of heat that brought a blush to her cheeks.

  Cade’s gaze deepened and his lips curved up in a brief smile. His hand rested on her shoulder momentarily, then returned to the back of the pew. It was some kind of acknowledgment that they were on an even keel.

  After the service, they gathered the children, and although Ollie wanted them to stay and visit with the churchgoers, Cade seemed anxious to leave. Jenn said goodbye and took one last look at the table filled with tasty goodies. Ollie had told her the church ladies vied to bring their best offerings to share on Sundays.

  Once he had hefted her back into his truck and secured both children, he smiled. “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  “Not at all, Cade.” Jenn fastened her seat belt. “Just the way Jason described it. He really enjoyed belonging to this church…” She pressed her lips together. “When Jason bought the airstrip and moved here, he seemed to become a different person. His value system changed.”

  He looked puzzled, but she quickly shrugged.

>   “I want to thank you for bringing the children and me to this service. You made it so much easier.”

  “I, uh…I thought we might have lunch at the steak house…if you’re hungry.”

  Yes, she’s hungry. “That would be very nice.” She suddenly realized this gesture meant more than sharing a meal. Was this Cade’s idea of a date?

  When they were all ensconced in appropriate seating at the steak house, Cade commandeered the menus and ordered for everyone. Jenn would have ordered a much smaller portion, but she figured there would be leftovers. He ordered from the kiddie menu for the younger members.

  When the food arrived, Jenn took her notebook out and jotted a quick note as to what she had been served.

  “What’s that?” Cade asked.

  She tucked it away quickly. “Um, just making a note of what I eat. Dr. Ryan wants me to show her next week.”

  “Girl! You do not need to be on some screwy diet.” His expression was intense. “I mean—you’re just about perfect.”

  A blush crept up her cheeks. “Oh, no. No diets for me.”

  Chapter 9

  Cade drove Jenn and the children to the LaChance house and reluctantly took his leave. When he arrived at his own home, he found a patrol car parked in front and the new acting sheriff waiting for him.

  Derrick Shelton climbed out of the vehicle to meet him on the walkway. He huffed out a grunt in greeting, and Cade opened the front door, gesturing him inside.

  “Good to see you, Derrick. How about some iced tea?” He started toward the kitchen, stopping when Derrick remained just inside the doorway.

  The expression on the officer’s face alarmed Cade, chasing away the high he had been on after spending the morning with Jenn and the children.

  “What’s going on, Derrick?”

  “I wanted to ask you if you know of any enemies who might have had it in for Jason and Sara LaChance.” His brows were almost drawn together in a V.

  “Enemies?” Cade considered for a moment. “That’s ridiculous. Sara was the sweetest woman on the planet, and Jason was a fine man.”

  Derrick took a wide stance and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ve always thought so, but what about business? Was there anyone they had problems with at the airfield?”

  “Problems?”

  “Anyone who might want them dead?”

  A sick feeling swirled through his gut. Cade tried to speak, but there were no words he could muster.

  Derrick shook his head. “Sorry to inform you that the federal boys got through with their investigation of the crash and determined that the plane’s fuel line had been cut.”

  Cade reeled backward, grabbing for a chair. He sank down on it and Derrick took a seat on the sofa. “I can’t believe it. Who would want to hurt my baby sister? Who would hurt Jason?” He shook his head. “There must be some mistake.”

  “Sorry. The line was definitely cut. Someone wanted them to crash.”

  “I really cannot believe it. Everyone loved them.”

  Derrick heaved out a sigh. “Apparently, not everyone.”

  * * *

  Jenn spent the next few days trying to establish some sort of routine. She relied on Leo for some basic information and felt that their relationship was growing stronger. The only problem was when he would gaze at her with his soulful eyes and ask when his mommy was coming home.

  Lissy was easy. She was teething, so she was generally a little fussy and drooled all the time. Dr. Cami advised her to buy a couple of pacifiers and keep them in the freezer. Easy enough and now Lissy was chomping on the pacifiers instead of her forefinger.

  Jenn was surprised when the landline rang and she heard Cade’s deep voice greet her.

  “Jennifer? This is Cade Garrett.”

  She swallowed hard. He was the only one who called her by her full name. Somehow this made it all the more special. “Hi, Cade.” She sounded breathy, like a teenager.

  “I, uh…I was wondering if you’re busy tonight.”

  She managed to chuckle. “Of course I’m busy. There are two little creatures in this house that keep me on my toes.”

  “I was thinking I might bring dinner tonight…and get to spend some time with you and the kids…and you.”

  Jenn smiled, a flush of pleasure washing through her. “That would be very nice.”

  “I don’t suppose you would allow me to bring my cousin and his wife? They’re a great couple. You probably met them at your brother’s wedding.”

  “Your cousin?” A note of hysteria pinged off her brain as she recalled the seemingly endless stream of Garretts she had shaken hands with on that day.

  “Yeah, they wanted to visit with the kids. Is that all right?”

  She glanced around the living room strewn with toys and discarded kid garments. “Um, sure. That would be great.”

  “Don’t worry about a thing. We’re bringing dinner. I know you have your hands full with the kids and everything.”

  Jenn had been pleased when he first invited himself over, but now it was going to be a big deal. She wasn’t sure how she felt about Cade and another couple barging in on her. “Yeah, hands full and everything…”

  By the time she disconnected, a knot the size of her fist was forming in her stomach. The house wasn’t exactly set up for entertaining, and this had all been foisted on her out of the blue. She huffed out a sigh. Lissy was asleep facedown on the sofa, a big wet spot where she drooled. Minnie shared the sofa with Lissy, asleep with her paw on Lissy’s leg.

  Leo played with an electronic children’s game that looked like something between a tablet and a phone. At least he was occupied and not asking her about his parents’ whereabouts.

  I can do this.

  As quietly as possible, Jenn circled the room picking up toys and clothing and anything else that was out of place. She really didn’t have time to find the right home for each of the items, so she rushed into the laundry room, her arms full. There was a small broom closet with shelves, so she shoved her armload onto a shelf and closed the door. A few more trips through the house and she had stuffed the closet full.

  Jenn thought about running the vacuum but didn’t want to wake Lissy, and she did want a little time to primp. She didn’t intend to overdress, but she didn’t have that many clothes to select from, so she chose a dark-green dress and plain black pumps. That should say entertaining at home…except they would be entertaining her by bringing the food.

  She dusted and made sure the clutter was at a minimum. When she turned around, Leo was regarding her, his expression mournful. She dropped down to his level, gazing into his beautiful eyes the color of polished turquoise. “Hey, sweetheart. Is there something I can get for you?”

  His hands were gripped together tight. “My mommy an’ daddy?” He made a little whimpering sound. “Are my mommy an’ daddy coming home?”

  Jenn sat down on the carpet and regarded him solemnly. No way to dodge this direct little man. “No, Leo. Your mommy and daddy have gone home to heaven.”

  His face puckered, but he pressed his lips together.

  “I know they didn’t want to leave you, but they had to go…and they made sure you would be taken care of.” She brushed his thick, light-brown hair back from his face. Except for those Garrett eyes, Leo was the spitting image of Jason. “Your daddy was my brother. I grew up with my big brother helping take care of me, just like you help Lissy.”

  The large blue eyes searched hers.

  “And now I’m going to take care of you and Lissy. I’ll never leave you.”

  The eyes became liquid. “But what if you go to heaven?” Tears rolled down his cheeks.

  Jenn clasped him in a fierce hug. “Well, I hope I go to heaven someday, but I’m going to try to hang out here with you and Lissy for a long, long time.” She felt Leo’s tearful shudders as he wept, but she
kept patting him and whispering against his hair, “It’s okay. We’ll be okay.”

  She sat holding Leo for some time. Eventually his shaking and sniffles abated, but still she held him tight, cooing comforting words against his hair. “We’ll be fine. I love you and your sister. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”

  Leo pulled away, looking back over Jenn’s shoulder. “Unca Cade.”

  Jenn turned to see a crowd of people standing in the open doorway. Cade’s large form was flanked by two males who were as tall and broad-shouldered as he. One of the men held a blond woman in one arm and a baby in a carrier looped over the other. The blond woman had one arm around a tiny elderly woman and the other around a blond girl of school age.

  Jenn sat, as if struck dumb, staring at the odd assemblage.

  Then Leo wriggled out of Jenn’s embrace and ran to throw his arms around Cade’s leg.

  Cade lifted Leo, a wide grin on his face. “Hey, boy. How you doin’?”

  “Oh!” Jenn struggled to her feet with a minimum of grace. She could feel her face burning with embarrassment. The bodice of her dress was damp with Leo’s tears and she was pretty sure there were smears of snot.

  “Unca Cade, my mommy an’ daddy has gone to heaven.”

  It was as though the room had been instantly frozen. No one moved. No one spoke.

  There was silence as the newcomers stared at Jenn.

  Then everyone began speaking at once.

  “Um, Leo and I were just talking about…”

  The older man stepped forward. “Good for you. Leo needed to know.” He extended his hand to give hers a shake.

  It felt as though her hand had been wrapped in a giant baseball glove, warm and rough in places. “Thank you. I had to be honest with him, but it was so hard.” Her voice wavered.

  Cade stepped forward, Leo in his arms. “Jennifer, this is my uncle Big Jim Garrett.”

  “Howdy, young lady.” The mountain of a man pumped her hand with enthusiasm.

  Jenn swallowed hard, staring up into the blue eyes that were a Garrett characteristic. This man had the same tall, broad-shouldered physique as Cade Garrett, same strong chin and handsome features, but this face had been weathered by time and the elements, and his thick head of dark hair had turned silver.