Forever My Cowboy

by June Faver

  Jenn felt a blush of pride. “I’m trying. Just want my brother’s kids to have a loving home.”

  Leah adjusted herself after removing her son from her breast. “I’m sure Jason and Sara would approve. But if there’s ever anything I can do to make your job easier, just let me know.” She gave a wink. “I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve.”

  Jenn grinned. “Feel free to share any of them because I’m fresh out.”

  “My greatest helper is my Gracie. She is always so cheerful and really loves her little brother.”

  “That’s a blessing. Don’t suppose you rent her out, do you?” Jenn thought she could use a little help.

  “Of course, she’s in school during the week, but when the bus drops her off, the first thing she wants to do is hold little J.T. He seems to know her and really perks up when she’s talking to him.”

  “How sweet,” Jenn said. “What does Gracie talk to him about?”

  “She usually just tells him about her day at school, things that her friends did, or what she’s going to do for homework.”

  “I hope they always stay close.” Jenn thought about her own big brother and how he had always been her champion. Now she envisioned him as being her guardian angel and hoped Jason would be watching over her and the children.

  * * *

  Big Jim motioned for Cade to follow him into his office, the room where he kept the ranch accounts and records. He went behind the big mahogany desk and gestured for Cade to take a seat opposite him.

  When both men had settled comfortably, Big Jim sat frowning at Cade.

  “Hey, Uncle Jim. Is there a problem? Have I done something to tick you off?”

  Big Jim waved off this idea. “Oh, hell no. Son, if I had a problem with you I wouldn’t save it up. I’d get you on the phone right off the bat.”

  Cade relaxed a little, but Big Jim’s expression kept him on alert.

  “It’s this Edgar Wayne Pell fellah. Does he actually have the funds to make an offer for the airstrip?”

  Cade swallowed hard. “I don’t really know the man, sir. I do know that he told Breck Ryan that he wanted to make an offer on the property. He and some woman outta Dallas, so far.”

  Big Jim drummed his fingers on the desk top. “So far?”

  “Well, sir…you know that neither Jennifer nor I know a damned thing about running a business, much less an airstrip. We’re just not equipped to take up the reins of Jason LaChance’s pet enterprise.”

  Big Jim heaved a sigh. “No, I suppose not.”

  “Why did you ask about Pell, sir?”

  Big Jim’s brows almost met in the middle of his face. “He came up on me when I was on my way to my truck last night.” He shook his head. “Damned idiot! Scared the hell outta me. It’s a wonder I didn’t pound the fool outta him.”

  Cade figured his uncle could pound the fool out of almost anyone if riled. “What did he want, Uncle Jim?”

  “He wanted to know if you had considered his interest in the airstrip.” His mouth tightened. “He doesn’t appear to have the resources to make a real bid on the property.”

  “I’m not sure of anything, Uncle Jim. I know Mr. Ryan has contacted some commercial real estate broker in Dallas. That person told him that the airstrip would get more interest if we listed it through him.”

  Big Jim leaned back in his chair. “Everyone wants to get something out of it. Well, just listen to Breck Ryan. I think he’s a pretty smart man, so you and Jennifer can trust what he says.”

  “Sure…but I’m not sure Jennifer really wants to sell. I mean, she knows neither of us are qualified to run the place, but she is emotionally involved because she really worshiped her big brother. It’s like she’s losing him all over again.”

  “Whoa!” Big Jim leaned forward, clasping his hands together on the desktop. “You gotta expect that she would be more emotional, I mean, her being a girl and all. But maybe Breck can help her see that selling the airstrip would be the best thing for everyone. The community needs the airstrip.”

  “Yes, we do. But we need the right people to manage it. I would prefer someone who is actually a part of the community.” Cade shrugged. “It’s hard to imagine that some outsider would have the best interests of the locals.”

  Big Jim huffed out a breath. “I can see what you’re thinkin’, boy. Nobody loves Langston like we locals do.”

  “Amen.”

  * * *

  Leah and Jenn joined the others when Leo and Lissy were fully awake. Jenn was so happy to have someone to talk to who could actually give her some levelheaded advice. She was grateful to have a friendship with a young woman close to her own age who had gone through the same things Jenn was going through with her niece and nephew.

  When they joined the menfolk, Cade came forward to take Lissy off her hands. “Thanks,” she whispered.

  The loving expression on his face was as good as an embrace. How could he convey such caring with a single glance?

  Leo spotted Big Jim and took off at a run, aiming straight for his arms. Big Jim bent down and lifted Leo high in the air, making appropriate noises as though Leo were a plane.

  Jenn bit her lower lip. She had forgotten what it felt like to be a part of a family.

  The evening was filled with laughter and friendly chatter. The casual meal involved fat, juicy hamburgers with hot dogs as well. Lots of sides, including Leah’s potato salad, which she made with tiny red-skinned potatoes.

  Jenn was embarrassed to ask for a second helping, but Cade plopped a big serving spoonful on her plate when he caught her scraping up the last of it.

  Leah caught her eye and grinned.

  Yes, I love this potato salad. She gave Leah a wink.

  After the dinner, Misty and Colt volunteered to clear the table, and Big Jim moved over to sit next to Jenn.

  Cade took Leo to the bathroom, which she found a little convenient. Conspiracy?

  “Look here, Jennifer. I don’t want to get in your business, but I was wondering what your plans are for the airstrip.”

  Then stay out of my business. Jenn couldn’t think of a way to evade the question without being rude, and she didn’t want to be rude to this man.

  “I don’t have an answer for you right now,” she said. “I don’t know enough to be able to make a decision this important.”

  Big Jim’s brows knit together in a fierce frown, but she sensed he was genuinely concerned.

  “I understand you were pretty close to your brother, Jason.”

  Jenn felt her throat tighten up. She blinked, hoping to avert tears over just the mention of Jason’s name. “My brother was always good to me.”

  “I’m sure he was. My older son always looked after his younger brothers.”

  She nodded, unable to speak.

  “I know your brother would want you to make the best decision about the airstrip, but he’s not here to advise you.”

  “I just don’t know what to do,” she said, clasping her hands together.

  Big Jim reached to place his big hand on top of hers. He gave them a couple of pats. “I’m sure you’ll make the best decision when the time comes. Just take your time and learn everything you can.”

  “Thank you, Big Jim,” she said. “Cade and I are supposed to go see Mr. Ryan tomorrow. He’s doing some research for us.”

  “That’s all well and good, but you and Cade gotta come up with a decision you can live with.”

  “Oh, yes. I’m really glad you understand.” She was so relieved, she felt like hugging the man.

  “I do. I understand loyalty to family. I just have to ask you to consider the well-being of the community. We need the airstrip to stay open and be run by people who give a damn about their neighbors.” He gave her hands a squeeze. “I don’t mean to put any more pressure on you, but there’s more at stake than you can pos
sibly know at this point.” He pushed back from the table and took his dishes to the kitchen to be rinsed.

  * * *

  “He’s ready for you.” Misty Garrett swung out from behind her desk and gave a quick knock on Breckenridge T. Ryan’s private office door, then opened it wide. “Go right in.”

  Breck was ensconced behind his wide desk, but he gestured to the two chairs across from him. “Make yourselves comfortable,” he invited. “I’ve got some great news for you.”

  Cade held the chair for Jenn and then seated himself. “That’s good to hear.”

  Breck tapped a file that was open in front of him. “The commercial real estate broker I’ve been in touch with has come back with some very impressive offers from his contacts. I think we need to seriously consider them.”

  Cade slipped his arm around Jennifer’s shoulders and gave her a little squeeze. “Sounds good to us, right, Jennifer?”

  She pressed her lips together and nodded.

  Perplexed, Cade looked at Breck for some kind of clarification. From what Breck had said, he thought Jennifer should be thrilled—ecstatic, in fact—but no… She looked all closed up and pinched, as though bracing for bad news.

  Breck gave her a sharp glance. “You all right, Jennifer? Do you need some water?”

  She gave a stiff little nod, and Breck punched the intercom, asking Misty to bring in some water for Miss LaChance.

  In a few minutes, Misty brought a small tray with three bottles of water. She placed it on the edge of the desk close to where Cade and Jennifer were sitting.

  “Thanks,” Jennifer whispered. She uncapped one of the bottles and took a sip.

  Cade smiled at her encouragingly. He couldn’t interact as he would have liked in front of Breckenridge Ryan, but he hoped she could feel his support without words. He remembered that she’d said women need words. What to say? “Hey, Jennifer. We got this.” Dumb…dumb…dumb!

  She appeared to be confused by his statement. “Got what?”

  “I mean, we’re together in this. You and me.”

  That seemed to give her some kind of comfort. “Yes. You and me,” she said.

  “We’ll figure out the best thing to do,” Cade said. “With Mr. Ryan’s help, of course.”

  She nodded again. “Yes, of course.” Still closed up tight.

  “Miss LaChance, I’m sure this all sounds confusing right now, but if you’ll allow me to lay it all out for you?” Breck fixed her with a solemn gaze.

  “Yes, please do.” She folded her hands in her lap, appearing to be open to whatever he had to share.

  “First, the broker came up with several other prospective buyers. These are the top three offers.” Breck handed each of them a sheet of paper with the names of the individuals or corporations interested in acquiring the property.

  Cade swallowed hard. “That is a whole lot of money.”

  “It is,” Breck agreed. “There is a condensed paragraph about each one, since you may need more than the cash offer to make your decision.”

  Cade gave out a low whistle. “Big bucks, for sure…but Big Jim is urging us to make sure the buyer will be an asset to the community. He wants what’s best for Langston and the residents.” He looked at Jennifer. “That’s the way my uncle thinks. He’s all about family and community.”

  “He’s a very good man,” she said.

  Breck cleared his throat, apparently trying to direct them back to the decision at hand. “Please look over the information and let me know what you want to do. I’ll contact the broker and let him draw up a contact.”

  “Maybe we can show this list to your uncle?” Jennifer folded the paper. She was done.

  Breckenridge Ryan closed the file and spread his hands. “You folks get back to me when you have a decision.”

  Jennifer gnawed her lower lip. “What about the first two people who wanted to buy the property? Mr. Pell and that lady from Dallas?”

  Breck looked at her intently. “Their offers were nowhere near the three on the list. Is there a reason you would prefer to sell to one of them?”

  “N-no… I just think they deserve to be kept in the loop.” She shrugged. “I mean, Mr. Pell is local, and the woman has leased hangar space from my brother for years. At least they have a vested interest in the airstrip.”

  Breck smiled for the first time. “Good point.”

  Chapter 24

  “I just cannot believe your father did this.” Misty Garrett paced around her living room. “I mean, Mark is such an impressionable boy, and he idolizes Big Jim.”

  “Honey, settle down.” Colt was torn between comforting his wife and defending his father. “You know the feeling is mutual. My dad thinks the world of your little brother.”

  Misty folded her arms and glowered at Colt. “Well, he sure doesn’t think much of the Dalton name.”

  Colt heaved a sigh, not wanting to remind Misty of her drunken father and unscrupulous brother who had been murdered by his equally dishonorable running mates. “I’m sure Dad just wanted to make Mark feel like part of the family.”

  “Hmph! Mark is a part of the family. My family…and now our family.” A tear slid down her cheek. “And he is the last Dalton. The last one to carry on the name.”

  “I understand, honey. Really, I do.” Colt raised a hand to touch her, but she shrugged him away.

  “No, you don’t. Would you ever consider changing your precious Garrett name?” Misty’s dark eyes narrowed.

  “Of course not, but it’s not the same thing.” Colt held up both hands in supplication. “Honey, I don’t have any idea what’s going on or what caused my dad to offer to adopt your brother, but I’m sure he had good intentions. You know my dad would never want to hurt Mark, or you for that matter. Why don’t you just settle down and let them work this out?”

  Misty let out a little shriek of annoyance. “Because Mark is just a little boy!”

  Colt reached for the Stetson perched on a hook by the front door and jammed it on his head. “I’m gonna go for a little ride to clear my head.” He opened the front door, taking in a chestful of fresh Texas air. “But I will say that I think Mark has a lot of sense. He’s going to be in middle school next year, and he’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

  “So you think that earns him the right to be called a Garrett?” Misty’s lips clamped together in a straight line.

  Colt shot her a sharp glance before he stepped outside. “Yes, ma’am, I do.”

  * * *

  Jenn was silent on the ride home. Thankfully, Cade seemed to be caught up in his thoughts as well.

  When they arrived at the house, Mrs. Reynolds was reading to the children. It was such a sweet picture to see this nice, motherly woman ensconced in the recliner with both young ones, who were enraptured by the picture book.

  Cade greeted both children warmly and then escorted Mrs. Reynolds to his truck. He came back to give Jenn a quick kiss by the door. “I’ll tell you what: I can take this list to my uncle and see what he thinks, or if you want to come along and talk to him, I can pick you up.”

  Jenn shrugged, feeling deflated for some reason. “That’s okay. You go ahead and talk to him. I’m sure his opinion will matter.”

  Cade walked away looking puzzled.

  Jenn spent the afternoon caring for the children and cooking one of the recipes that Leah had shared with her. Leah said it was her favorite meatloaf recipe that she rolled into little meatballs and baked, so Gracie could pick them up with her hands. That sounded like something Leo and Lissy would enjoy.

  * * *

  “Damn!” Big Jim tried to wrap his brain around the amount of money written on the paper Cade had handed him. “That’s plenty of money, for sure.” He motioned for Cade to follow him to the rear of the ranch house. “You want some sweet tea? Just made some.”

  “You bet, Uncle J
im.” Cade slipped onto a stool in front of the counter that separated the Garrett kitchen from the cavernous dining and family room. He watched as Big Jim filled two tall glasses with ice and then poured tea from a pitcher in the refrigerator. “Thanks.”

  “You kids could do a lot with the money from the sale of the airstrip. I mean, that is a whole helluva lotta greenbacks they’re talkin’ about.”

  Cade shook his head. “Sure is. I had no idea the airstrip was worth that kind of money.” He took a long drink of the sweet, icy liquid.

  Big Jim’s eyes narrowed. “It may be about the airstrip, and it may be about the land. You know God’s not making any more prime Texas ranchland…at least not on this planet.” He scratched his chin thoughtfully. “Kinda makes you wonder what these folks really want it for.”

  Cade’s brow furrowed. “I hadn’t thought of that. You said the community needs the airstrip, so I thought that would be the purpose the buyer would want to develop it for. What else are you thinking, Uncle Jim?”

  Big Jim set his tea glass down on the counter and took the stool next to Cade. “Well, if I was some big Dallas businessman, I’d be thinking about all the land surrounding the airstrip and about how I could develop it to best advantage.”

  “Such as?” Cade thought he must have been very naive not to have questioned the motives of the prospective buyers. He had just seen the dollar amount and been ready to sell to the highest bidder.

  “How about if they used the land to build a ritzy little housing development? You know? The kind where they build large houses right one on top of another, with barely enough room to walk between. Those places make me claustrophobic. Like the walls are closin’ in on me. Places like that won’t have septic systems like the rest of us. They will change the way the town of Langston does business, needin’ more roads and utility systems, which will raise the taxes for everyone.”

  Cade tried to think how this would impact the area, but his uncle was in rare form.

  “You know that would also impact the ecology of this area.” Big Jim’s face had reddened and the vein in his forehead was bulging. “Worst of all, they might build a strip mall. That would run the local small business owners right outta their businesses. We don’t need no Wally World here in Langston.”