The Texan Tries Again

by Stella Bagwell

  “And this one?” Gil asked. “I’m assuming it has some sort of clue.”

  Joseph said, “Ray seemed to think it important enough to put in his files. But it was something he never shared with our family before he died. We’ve concluded that he probably kept it to himself for Mother’s sake. And we sure as hell don’t want her finding out about it. Not unless it proves pertinent. If that’s the case, we won’t have a choice. We’ll have to tell her and our sisters.”

  He handed the paper to Gil and as the man quickly scanned the notes, Taggart noticed all four of the Hollister brothers were watching intently for his reaction.

  Finally Gil looked up and Taggart could see something like wry acceptance on his face.

  “This is—” He muttered a curse, then let out a chuckle that wasn’t anything close to an expression of humor. “It’s obviously going to come as a surprise to you guys, but Maureen already knows about the woman at the stockyards in Phoenix. She talked to me about it months ago.”

  Stunned silence followed the man’s revelation and Taggart watched the four brothers exchange bewildered glances.

  Blake was the first to speak. “Mother knows? How? None of us have breathed a word about it.”

  Gil said, “She was going through some of Joel’s old business correspondence and happened to run into a small day planner with notes about meetings he had scheduled. Several entries were things like—see her during the sale. And—she’ll be waiting outside. From the dates posted next to the notes, they’re close to the time that Joel died.”

  Incredulous, all four brothers stared at him as they tried to digest this news.

  Eventually, Blake said, “She hasn’t said a word to us about it. Why?”

  “Yeah, why?” Holt demanded. “Why did she tell you and not us?”

  Instead of taking offense at Holt’s accusing tone, Gil shook his head and quietly explained, “She didn’t want any of her children to get the idea that their father might’ve been an adulterer. That’s why she’s been so preoccupied for the past months. She’s been worried you guys might uncover the fact that Joel had been associating with a woman before he died. That’s why she kept ordering you all to leave the whole matter alone.”

  “Oh my God,” Joseph murmured.

  Chandler looked sick as he pulled off his hat and raked a hand through his hair. “We’ve been stupid,” he said flatly. “Mother is stronger than all of us put together. We should’ve known she could handle whatever we uncover. Now all this worrying and sneaking about has been wasted time.”

  “That’s hardly the point now,” Blake said, then leveled his attention on Gil. “The crux of the matter is does she think Dad was an adulterer? Furthermore, do you?”

  Gil grimaced. “Do you really have to ask that question, Blake? Neither one of us could ever believe such a thing about Joel. Maureen was everything to him. No. There had to be some other reason for him to be associating with a woman.”

  His expression calculating, Joseph nodded in agreement. “I have a feeling this woman, whoever she was, might be the key to the whole mystery.”

  “Exactly, Joe,” Gil said. “We need to try to identify and locate her.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to help us?” Holt asked his uncle. “Joe’s a damned good deputy, but I figure all of our heads put together is better than one.”

  Joseph shot Holt an appreciative grin. “Thanks, Holt, for the compliment. But you’re right. We need to work together on this.”

  With that decided, the men began to offer suggestions on how to go about identifying the mystery woman. Taggart was content to sit back and take it all in. But as soon as there was a lull in the conversation he decided to speak up.

  “I’m just a listener here,” Taggart said. “But I do have a question. Are you going to let your sisters in on this information? And are you going to tell your mother that you guys have been aware of the woman for the past few months?”

  “Those are good questions, Tag,” Blake said, then looked to his brothers for answers. “What about it, guys? Should we tell our sisters?”

  Joe was the first to answer. “I vote no. Not until we figure out whether any of this information is relevant.”

  “I agree,” Chandler said. “Camille is pregnant and running her diner. She doesn’t need the extra worry. And Vivian already has enough stress with baby twins and a teenager, plus her job as a ranger. And we know how both of them adored Dad. They considered him a saint.”

  “He wasn’t a saint, but close to it,” Gil said. “And I think all of you are not giving your sisters enough credit. They would never consider the idea that Joel had a mistress or anything close to it.”

  “Probably not,” Holt agreed. “But the whole issue about the woman would worry them. Just like it nags at us guys. Who was she? And why was Dad seeing her? I vote no. If we learn more, then we can let Viv and Camille in on it.”

  “I vote no, also,” Blake said firmly, then glanced at his uncle. “What about Mother, do we tell her?”

  “I think it might save some awkward feelings if I explain the situation to her,” Gil said. “She thinks she’s protecting all of you by trying to sweep the issue under the rug. She needs to understand that finding the truth will be better for the whole family.”

  Taggart wholly agreed with the man. Nothing good could ever come from hiding things. Ever since he’d left Emily-Ann’s house, five nights ago, he’d begun to realize that more and more.

  Until he explained about Becca and the baby, Emily-Ann would never be able to understand his reluctance to get involved in a serious relationship. If he ever expected to have a life that included her, he would have to find the courage to confess what losing them had done to him. Yet the scarred part of his heart kept asking why bother to pour out all those bad memories. Doing such a thing wouldn’t take away his fear of loving and losing a second time.

  Love. He’d seen the emotion here tonight with the Hollister men. Love was guiding the decisions they made concerning their family. Love caused them to put the feelings of others first, rather than their own. And as Taggart had listened to them, he’d begun to wonder if he’d ever truly loved anyone.

  He’d believed Becca was his true love and when she’d told him that she was pregnant, he’d wanted the child just as much as he’d wanted her. At that time, he’d been twenty-two and considered himself old enough and man enough to deal with the responsibility of a family. But now as he looked back on their brief marriage, he wondered if he’d been more infatuated with the idea of proving to himself he was a better man than his father, rather than truly loving Becca.

  So what were these feelings that were pushing him toward Emily-Ann? he wondered. He’d been trying to convince himself they were nothing but lust. He’d not made love to a woman in a long time. So long that he didn’t even want to think about it. And yet, something told him that going to bed with Emily-Ann wasn’t going to satisfy the hunger she’d built in him.

  “Want to go have a cup of coffee, Tag? I think the pot is still hanging over the campfire.”

  Chandler’s voice pulled Taggart out of his deep musings and he looked up to see Chandler standing in front of him. Directly behind him, the other men were filing out of the open flap of the tent.

  Quickly rising from the chair, he said, “Sorry. I—was doing some thinking. I didn’t realize the meeting had ended. I think I need that coffee in the worst kind of way.”

  Smiling, Chandler gave his shoulder a friendly pat. “I’m the one who should be apologizing. You just got started as foreman and you’ve had to jump straight into spring roundup. You have a lot on your mind and I’ve made matters worse by dragging you into this family issue about Dad.”

  “No. Don’t apologize,” Taggart told him. “I’m glad I was here and glad that I know what’s going on with your father’s investigation. I just wish I could help in some way. If Joe eve
r wants me to ride with him to look for more evidence, I’d be happy to.”

  “I’m sure he’ll take you up on the offer,” Chandler told him. “Now let’s go have the last of the coffee before it turns to black mud.”

  * * *

  Emily-Ann laughed as she watched the baby boy cuddled in Isabelle’s arms take a tiny taste of sugary frosting from his mother’s finger.

  “Look at that puckered expression on his face,” Emily-Ann exclaimed. “He thinks it’s awful.”

  Laughing with her, Isabelle glanced down at her son. “Just give him a year or two and then he’ll change his mind about the taste of sugar—unfortunately. I never knew a man who didn’t have a sweet tooth. I’m sure little Carter will have one, too.”

  The two women and baby were sitting outside the coffee shop at one of the wrought iron tables. Late afternoon sun was flickering through the limbs of the mesquite tree, while a breeze helped to cool the flimsy shade. When Isabelle and the baby had shown up, Emily-Ann had been on the verge of closing shop, but she’d gladly put the task on pause in order to visit with her friend.

  “I’m so glad you had a chance to come by,” Emily-Ann told her.

  Isabelle offered the baby his pacifier. “I know I’m keeping you from closing up, but I wanted to stop and chat with you for a few minutes.”

  “I’m glad you did. I rarely get to see you and Carter. He’s growing so fast. And he looks just like Holt. But I’m sure you hear that all the time.”

  The pretty blonde grinned as she shifted the baby’s weight against her arm. “All the time. But that’s okay. His daddy is a handsome devil.”

  Both women laughed at that and then Emily-Ann sighed as she continued to study the baby’s sweet face. “Gosh, it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long ago when you first met Holt. You came by here hopping mad because he wouldn’t give you the time of day.”

  Chuckling, Isabelle rolled her eyes. “You kept telling me Holt was a dreamy hunk. I thought you were crazy. He was so infuriating I wanted to slap his face.”

  “Now look. You two are happily married and you have little Carter Edmond.”

  “I have to admit you were right, Emily-Ann. Holt has made me so happy.”

  Emily-Ann smiled gently at her friend. “You know, you’re the first and only woman who’s ever asked me to be their maid of honor. You can’t imagine how special that made me feel.”

  Isabelle reached across the table and squeezed Emily-Ann’s hand. “I moved here to Arizona not knowing a single soul and you were so kind to me. You were the first person to befriend me and I’ll never forget that.”

  Emily-Ann waved a dismissive hand through the air. “Being your friend was and is my pleasure.”

  After a long sip of iced coffee, Isabelle asked, “Have you seen Camille lately?”

  “Last week. With roundup going on, I think she was going to drive up to the reservation and spend a day with Vivian and the kids. Otherwise, I guess she’s been hanging close to Three Rivers. Normally she would go out to camp and stay the night, but with the baby coming she says she needs a soft bed to sleep in.”

  “Amen to that,” Isabelle agreed, then added, “Actually, Holt texted me earlier in the day and said that roundup was wrapping up and that everyone would be heading back to the ranch this evening. So our men will finally be home.”

  That meant Taggart would be home, too. Since roundup started six days ago, he’d actually sent her three text messages. All had been short and simple. More or less to let her know things were going well and that he was thinking of her. But did that mean he would be anxious to see her again? Several days had passed since he’d stopped by her house and they’d wound up having that heated kiss in the kitchen. Considering the fickle way his mind worked, she could only guess how Taggart might be feeling about her now.

  Isabelle’s expression took a shrewd turn. “I heard in a roundabout way that Tag took you out to dinner. How did that go?”

  Emily-Ann felt her cheeks turn a hot pink. “How did you hear that? I haven’t told anyone about our date. Not even Camille.”

  “Blake mentioned it to Holt. I think they were surprised, because the foreman is such a quiet kind of guy when he’s around them. He never talks about going out or doing much socially. But you know how the old saying goes. It’s those quiet ones that are real tigers underneath.”

  Emily-Ann was suddenly remembering their heated embrace. At that moment she wouldn’t have hesitated to make love to him. And since then, she’d thought of little else. “I don’t think he’s actually the dating sort. He more or less told me that he asked me out because he was lonely.”

  “Aww. That’s awful. Uh—not that he asked you for a date, but that he was lonely. It’s terrible to feel that way. I remember how it felt after my divorce and I moved here to Yavapai County. I lived out there on Blue Stallion Ranch all alone, with no one to talk to but the horses and the wind. And then Ollie and Sol came. Those two old men were a lifesaver.”

  Not wanting to dwell on the idea of Taggart being lonely, Emily-Ann changed the subject. “How are Ollie and Sol, by the way? Remind me before you leave and I’ll sack up some leftover pastries for them.”

  “Thanks. Both men are doing great. They’ll love getting the pastries.”

  “And your mother? She didn’t want to come to town with you today?”

  Isabelle let out a wry laugh. “Are you joking? And be away from Sam for that long? Mom met him over at the Bar X early this morning and they’ve been out riding horses all day. She’s going to be too stiff to walk tomorrow.”

  “So are they planning a wedding yet?”

  The baby began to squirm and fuss. Isabelle placed him against her shoulder and gently patted his back. “Oh yes. At first they insisted they both wanted a quiet simple ceremony. But I think they’re realizing that won’t work. How do you do quiet and simple with all the Hollister family and Sam’s countless friends? Not to mention Mother’s longtime friends from San Diego. I told her they should elope to Vegas. Sam loves whiskey and cards. He ought to enjoy it.”

  Emily-Ann was laughing in agreement when she heard the cell phone in the pocket of her skirt announce an incoming message.

  “Excuse me, Isabelle. I’d better check this,” she said as she retrieved the phone. “I’m expecting to hear from Conchita. She wasn’t feeling well this morning and I’ve been half-afraid she’s going to have to miss cooking pastries for tomorrow.”

  Emily-Ann quickly opened her message box and then promptly felt her jaw drop.

  Isabelle quickly questioned, “What is it? Is something wrong?”

  “No. Uh—it’s not Conchita. The message is from Tag. He wants to know if I want to come over for supper. He’ll cook for me.”

  A wicked twinkle appeared in Isabelle’s brown eyes. “That’s a long drive out to Tag’s place. Do you think it would be worth it?”

  Emily-Ann’s short laugh sounded like a breathless schoolgirl and she realized she was reacting idiotically. “Well—yes. But I—” Pausing, she released a long sigh. “To be honest, Isabelle, I don’t know if seeing Tag will end up meaning anything.”

  Frowning, Isabelle asked, “Why? The whole Hollister family has been raving about him. He must be a good man. And if he’s interested in you—that’s a beginning. Or maybe you’re not attracted to the man.”

  Emily-Ann groaned. “I might get a little daffy at times, but I’m not completely crazy. Have you looked at him?” she asked, then shook her head. “No. Probably not. Because the only man you see is Holt. But Tag is—a hot hunk. How do you think I could not be attracted to him?”

  “By the hesitant tone I hear in your voice,” Isabelle reasoned. “Something about the man worries you.”

  Biting down on her bottom lip, Emily-Ann turned her gaze to the nearby street. “I’m afraid he’s going to end up being like all the rest, Isabelle. The kind that just
can’t do commitment.”

  Isabelle snorted. “Don’t you think it’s a bit too early to be pinning that sort of label on the man? Just think about all the concerns I had about Holt. Everyone in Yavapai County knew he was a womanizer—even me. But I took a chance that he could change and would change. It takes some courage, Emily-Ann, but you might find that Tag just might be worth the risk.”

  She thoughtfully studied her friend. “I can’t imagine how brave you had to be to marry Holt Hollister.”

  Her smile full of love, Isabelle turned her head and pressed a soft kiss to baby Carter’s cheek. “Right. And who knows, someday Tag might give you a little guy like this.”

  A baby? It wasn’t difficult to see herself making love to Taggart. But after that, everything about her future went gray. The only thing she could see was how her mother must have felt when she’d been abandoned by her lover, and her family, because she was pregnant. It wasn’t that Emily-Ann would ever be afraid to raise a child on her own. Anything her mother could do, she was positive she could do. But no way did she want a child to ever feel as shunned by its father as Emily-Ann had felt all these years.

  “You’re just like Camille,” Emily-Ann said teasingly, “always trying to find me a husband.”

  “Well, you did catch Camille’s bridal bouquet. That’s definitely a sign of things to come.”

  Emily-Ann let out a loud groan. “Oh, not you, too.”

  Isabelle looked confused. “What’s wrong? What did I say?”

  “Nothing. I’ll just say that the next time I touch a bridal bouquet, it’ll have to be my own. Otherwise, I’m not going near it!”

  A comical look on her face, Isabelle said, “Okay, if you say so. Right now I’ve got to get home. I’ve been training three young colts and two fillies. And I’ve not yet ridden the girls today. I need to get home and do that before daylight goes and Holt gets home.”