Forever My Cowboy

by June Faver

  “Good morning, sleepyhead. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.” She had made scrambled eggs and pushed two slices of bread into the toaster.

  She helped Leo onto his booster seat and had just lifted Lissy, intending to put her in her high chair, but the doorbell sounded at that moment. “Oh, great!” she murmured.

  Lissy started fussing, but Jenn arranged her on one hip and threw the door open, startled to find Edgar Pell on her doorstep.

  He nodded curtly. “Miz LaChance, I jus’ wanted to see if you’d given any more thought to my offer.”

  By this time, Lissy was in full voice, howling, drooling, and gnawing on her first and middle fingers. “Well, no. Actually, I—”

  Pell leaned forward and held his arms out to Lissy. “Aww, poor little ’un.”

  Surprisingly, Lissy leaned toward him, and he cradled her against his chest.

  Jenn noticed he was wearing a very nice and immaculately pressed Western shirt, which was quickly christened with a large blob of drool, but he didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he was grinning.

  Edgar Pell bounced a little, patting Lissy on the back and crooning to her. In a remarkably short time, she had quit crying and laid her head on his shoulder. “That’s a good girl. Jus’ settle down and let ole Uncle Ed sing yew a li’l song.” With that, he began to croon about the itsy-bitsy spider.

  Jenn realized her mouth was hanging open. She recovered, gesturing for him to enter. “Please come inside, Mr. Pell. I was just fixing the children’s breakfast.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt yer mornin’ routine, but I didn’t have yer number.” He stepped inside, still swaying with Lissy and patting her back.

  Jenn emitted a short laugh. “Hah! We really don’t have a routine. Just feeling my way here. Do you like scrambled eggs?”

  He appeared to be startled by her question. “Uh, sure. Who don’t like scrambled eggs?”

  “Won’t you please join us for breakfast?” Jenn returned to the kitchen, confident that Pell would follow. She gestured to the table. “Please, make yourself comfortable. I didn’t have time to make coffee, but we have cold milk and orange juice.”

  “That’s jus’ fine. I’ll take a glass o’ milk, please.” His voice still held a trace of puzzlement.

  “You can put Lissy in her high chair now.” Jenn busied herself with buttering toast and dishing up eggs onto serving plates. She poured milk into sippy cups and a tall glass for Mr. Pell. “Here we go.” She brought a jar of strawberry jam to the table and seated herself.

  Pell folded his hands and bowed his head.

  “Oh!” Jenn realized she was expected to say grace. “Um…Lord, please bless us…and this food.”

  “Amen!” Pell said in a resounding voice.

  Jenn was relieved that he recognized it as a prayer. She spooned a bite of eggs into Lissy’s mouth, pleased that Leo was awake enough to feed himself.

  “This is plumb nice, Miss LaChance.” Pell waited until Jenn picked up her fork to raise his bite to his mouth. “I ain’t had no home cookin’ in…” He paused to chew, or perhaps to think. “Oh, heck. I can’t recall.”

  “I’m glad you could join us, Mr. Pell. You sure do have a way with babies.”

  He grinned again, that skin-too-tight grimace. “I was tha oldest in a big family. There was always another little ’un to tend to.”

  “That must have been nice to have so much family. It was just Jason and me against the world.” Jenn swallowed hard to keep tears from falling. “He was always my hero.”

  Pell’s face crinkled into a smile, skin taut. “That’s nice. Most o’ my family is gone…or not speakin’.”

  Jenn’s chest tightened. The man, who had been singing to a one-year-old a few moments ago, seemed to have been swallowed into a morass of sadness. She cast about to find another topic of conversation. “Why don’t you tell me about the airstrip? It was the reason that Jason came here in the first place. He was so happy following his passion.”

  Pell relaxed and proceeded to tell her about his small aircraft that resided in a shared hangar with some owned by other local veterans who were flying enthusiasts. He knew a great deal about the operation and appeared to be comfortable discussing it.

  By the time Jenn had shoveled all of Lissy’s breakfast into her mouth and mopped up both children, Pell had finished talking and seemed to be reminiscing.

  “Well, I better be lettin’ yew git on with your day.” He drained his glass, leaving him with a slight milk mustache.

  Jenn resisted the urge to mop up his face as well. “It’s been a pleasure visiting with you, Mr. Pell. I’m sorry I don’t have an answer for you regarding the airstrip. Cade and I are going to consult with Mr. Ryan, the lawyer. We figured his advice would help us make a decision. I think we’re both torn as to whether to sell or keep it in the family.”

  Pell stood and gave her a little two-finger salute before donning his cowboy hat. “Yes’m, I understand. Well, just keep me in mind ’cause I sure am interested.”

  Jenn followed him to the door, making certain it was secured behind him. She stood, leaning with her back to the door, considering the morning’s events. Somehow, the man she had considered scary had become so very mellow.

  * * *

  Cade dug his cell out of his shirt pocket. His caller ID told him his uncle, Big Jim Garrett, was on the line.

  “Hello, Uncle Jim!”

  “Hello, yourself.” Big Jim’s deep voice resonated. “How ya doin’, boy?”

  A grin painted itself across Cade’s face. “Mighty fine, sir. What can I do for you today?”

  Big Jim chortled. “You can make yourself available to come to the ranch for barbecue this Saturday. We’re gonna char everything that don’t move fast.”

  “Your special rub?”

  “You betcha! We’re gonna have us a feast.”

  “I’ll be there. Say, Uncle Jim, I don’t suppose I could bring a guest…or maybe three?”

  “Whatcha got in mind, son?”

  Cade drew a deep breath and huffed it out. Time to man up. “I would like to bring Miss Jennifer LaChance and my little niece and nephew.”

  There was a long silence. “So you’re gettin’ along okay?”

  “Yes, sir. We sure are.” He felt a little feathery feeling in his chest, recalling how Jennifer’s lips tasted and how her slim body felt in his arms. “It’s all about the kids, you know?” he added in a rush.

  “I see,” Big Jim said. “Please bring Miss LaChance and the children. We’re all about family, you know that…and friends are welcome.”

  “I appreciate it, sir. I’ll ask her for sure.”

  “She’s a pretty little thing.” Big Jim paused. “A mite fragile for a big strappin’ cowboy like you.”

  Cade let out a roar of laughter. “Jennifer is a lot tougher than she looks.”

  * * *

  Jennifer had wrestled both children into their car seats and driven the short distance to Cami Ryan’s office.

  “Well, looky here.” Loretta stood up to peer at the children over the top of her desk. “I haven’t seen these two for a while. Looks like you’re taking to the job of mothering these little ones.”

  Jennifer felt a rush of pride. Maybe she was doing something right.

  Reba came out of the back and squinted at Jennifer and her charges. “I don’t think either one of them are due for any vaccines yet.”

  “I—I, uh…the doctor told me to come back with my food notebook.” She flashed a nervous smile and dropped Leo’s hand to reach for the little book. “I wrote down everything.”

  Reba let out a somewhat derisive snort. “Lemme see that thing.” She held out her hand, reminding Jennifer of her second grade teacher—she who must be obeyed.

  Jennifer handed it over, taking a deep breath as the eagle-eyed Reba scanned
it, turning pages and muttering something unintelligible. “Looks much better. C’mon back here. Dr. Cami is in her office.”

  Jennifer carried Lissy and held Leo’s hand as they fell in behind Reba, walking into the hallway leading to the office. There she saw Cami Ryan working on a computer. She looked up when Reba presented the trio and tossed the food notebook on her desk.

  “Oh, this looks good. You’re actually eating three meals a day. Perfect. How are you feeling?” Cami gestured to a chair.

  Jennifer sat down, arranging Lissy on her lap and snugging an arm around Leo to keep him close. “I guess I feel better.” She pressed her lips together. “I think part of my problem was emotional. I had just lost…” She glanced at Leo. “Someone very close.”

  Cami tilted her head to one side. “You admitted you weren’t eating much. You were anemic, but your color is much better.” She reached toward Jennifer. “Let me see your hand.”

  Jennifer released Leo and complied.

  “See how nice and pink your nail beds are? Much better.”

  Jennifer nodded. “I’m taking the vitamins and learning to cook. My friend Ollie is teaching me. And I eat what I’m feeding them, so lots of macaroni and other high-carb foods.”

  Cami chuckled. “For you that’s a good thing. And I see you’re eating from all the food groups. Good job.”

  “Gotta feed my kiddos.” She sucked in a breath, realizing that she did indeed consider them her own children.

  “Keep up the good work.” Cami gave her a thumbs-up. “Reba, tell Loretta to make a follow-up appointment for thirty days.”

  Reba had been slouching against the doorframe, but she pushed away and sauntered down the hall.

  “Thanks.” Jennifer struggled to her feet with Lissy clinging to her neck. She adjusted the child and reached for Leo’s hand. “I’ll see you next month.”

  She left the office feeling that she was as least doing one thing right. I’ve got this.

  Chapter 16

  Big Jim tucked his phone away, thinking about the slender woman who was Jason LaChance’s baby sister.

  She brought to mind the term arm candy, although he had been informed in no uncertain terms by his daughter-in-law Misty that Jennifer was a brilliant student who had earned all kinds of awards and scholarships. Misty had done her research. Jennifer had gone on to earn several degrees.

  Big Jim didn’t know if he should address little Miss LaChance as doctor or just professor.

  But he had been immensely impressed by how she had helped Leo accept the fact that his parents were gone. He was way too young to grasp the concept of death, but gone was something he could handle.

  He walked into the kitchen and opened the door to the freezer. Plenty of meat for the barbecue. He would have two more young children, so he would ask his daughters-in-law to make a little something the kids might like.

  In the meantime, he took a couple of racks of ribs, a couple of whole chickens, and a brisket out and placed them in the bottom of the fridge to thaw gently. He thought the Saturday get-together would show him a lot more about the relationship between his nephew Cade and this lovely young woman who had come to them from the world of universities.

  And he would learn more about Jennifer. He hoped she was up to the task of raising two wild young children who were half Garrett.

  * * *

  When Cade showed up at Breckenridge T. Ryan’s office, he was relieved to see Breck’s truck already there. He climbed down from his own vehicle with the blue ledger tucked under his arm.

  He opened the glass-paneled door to the old storefront office, jangling the metal bell overhead.

  “Hey, Cade!” Misty hailed him from her desk. “You coming to the barbecue on Saturday?”

  Cade gave her a salute. “Yes’m, Miss Scarlett. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  “And I heard you might be bringing a special guest?” She gave him a wink.

  “I hope I’m bringing three of them.”

  “Hope?” She raised her brows, silently interrogating him. “What’s this hope thing?”

  “I, uh…I haven’t asked Jennifer yet,” he stammered.

  Misty heaved a very dramatic sigh and crossed her arms over her chest. “Really? What are you waiting for? She might make other plans. The girl is gorgeous, you know.”

  “I know.” Cade regarded her ruefully, wondering why he hadn’t called Jennifer immediately after his Uncle Jim asked him. “I’m planning on it.”

  She started to add something, but Breck’s office door opened and he stood in the doorway, a slight frown on his face. “I was under the impression that I had an appointment with this young man. Do you think you could break up this gabfest to let me find out why he’s coming to seek my advice?”

  Misty flushed a deep red. “Yes, sir. Cade, you can go in now,” she murmured.

  Cade figured Breck was teasing, but then again, a lawyer’s time was valuable and he had wasted some of it horsing around with his cousin’s wife. “Sorry, sir.” He crossed to where Breck stood, but when he drew even with Breck, he was enveloped in a big hug.

  “Just giving you two a hard time. Come on into the office and tell me about that blue book you’re clutching.” Breck took a seat behind his massive desk and gestured to one of the chairs on the other side.

  Cade dropped into the chair, reluctant to let go of the ledger. “I know you’re still working on the inheritance…the house and the airstrip.”

  Breck nodded. “That I am.”

  Cade took a deep breath and plunged right in. “Jennifer and I went out to the airstrip, just to check things out. We looked around and found this ledger in the office. It has all the financial information in it…up to the moment when…”

  “Yeah. Up to that moment.” Breck looked grim.

  “And while we were out there, a lady and her mechanic came to the office to meet us…a Maggie Swearingen.”

  Breck nodded. “She’s been in touch with me about purchasing the airstrip. Big, big money out of Dallas. Big old money.”

  “She seemed nice.”

  “Classy lady,” Breck agreed. “I understand Edgar Pell is also interested in the property.”

  Cade grimaced. “He’s kind of a spooky dude.”

  Breck’s dark brows almost met in the middle. “He’s had a hard life, that’s for sure, but he should have the wherewithal to buy the property, if that’s what he decides to do.” He reached toward the ledger still clasped close to Cade’s chest. “I’ll take a look at that now.”

  Cade surrendered the book without further delay.

  Breck found the last entries, perusing them with the same frown. “I’ll keep this for a while to give it a more thorough examination…but it appears that the airstrip has been operating in the black. Good business. Good bottom line. Lots of area customers have their small planes stored in hangars or on the tarmac. Monthly fees are paid up.” He closed the book and rested one hand on top of it. “I’ll get back to you in a few days. If you’re leaning toward selling the property, do you have any idea what you want to ask for it?”

  “No idea what it’s worth.”

  “Then I suggest you get a knowledgeable commercial Realtor to appraise the property and give advice. If you choose to list it, the Realtor will advertise it as well, so you may get a lot more interest.”

  Cade felt a bit overwhelmed by the possibilities, and he wasn’t even certain he wanted to sell the property, but he had promised Jennifer he would support her decision…no matter what.

  * * *

  Jenn had just wrestled the children down for a nap and was sprawled on the sofa, with Minnie snuggled on top of her. She stroked the dog’s fur, realizing that since she had become a surrogate mother, she had seriously neglected Minnie’s grooming. “Poor baby. I’m such a bad doggy mom.”

  Perhaps there was a dog groomer
in Langston, someone to give Minnie’s toenails a trim. The small dog was easy to bathe and brush, but one had to take the time to perform these tasks. Plus, Lissy had a habit of decorating Minnie with whatever was on her hands at the time. But Minnie appeared to be devoted to Lissy, thriving under her ministrations.

  Jenn wiggled her bare toes. The great thing about kids was that you didn’t have to dress up for them. Earlier, she had climbed out of bed when Lissy first woke up and thrown on a T-shirt she had found that must have belonged to Jason. It was huge and had a hole on one side, showing the world her ribs, if the world had been on hand to check them out. She had kept her flannel pajama bottoms on to complete her extra-comfy outfit. Perfect for a lazy day at home.

  The doorbell chimed, causing Jenn to leap up and hurry to the door, Minnie tucked under her arm. Above all, she didn’t want someone to wake the children from their naps. When she threw the door open, Cade stood grinning down at her.

  “Oh!” She gaped up at him, realizing she had no makeup on and had barely run a brush through her hair many hours ago. “Cade! I didn’t know you were coming.” She would have brushed her hair back out of her eyes, but Minnie was wiggling in delight, her attention riveted on Cade.

  Cade reached to take the dog out of Jenn’s arms. “I’m sorry. I should have called but I was just so anxious to see you.” He flashed the boyish grin again. The grin that caused a squeezing sensation around her heart.

  She moistened her lips. “Uh, well…come on in, then.” She made a vague gesture to the interior of the house. “But please keep it down. The kids are napping…and I was…”

  Cade stepped inside, inspecting her thoroughly in the process. “I see.”

  She sucked in a breath, a whisper of heat washing over her. “Um, well, come inside.” She led the way to the sofa. “Would you like some iced tea?”

  “No, don’t go to any trouble. I just had some things to tell you and something to ask too.” He seated himself on the sofa and settled Minnie in his lap before patting the cushion beside him.