Sweet Talking Rancher

by Kate Pearce

  Danny stayed where he was and watched the proceedings, aware that he was always the one sitting back, the one not participating. In a big noisy family, not everyone could be a shining star, and he wasn’t the kind of person to scream and shout to get attention. But when had it become a habit? To stand outside and not participate? When had he decided to opt out and why?

  * * *

  As soon as she heard Jenna’s truck pull up outside the house, Faith ran into the mudroom to intercept her guest before Dave saw her.

  “Hey!”

  Jenna paused in the outer doorway and dramatically clutched at her chest. “Hey yourself, you scared the crap out of me.”

  “Sorry, I just wanted to ask you something before we got into things with Dave.”

  “Okay.” Now Jenna looked wary.

  “It’s about the adoption thing. You said you’d looked for your parents?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “In California?”

  Jenna nodded. “It wasn’t that hard. I knew their names and where they’d lived when I was born. My adoptive parents never kept that from me, so it was a good place to start.”

  “You didn’t have to formally petition the courts or anything?”

  “No, because they’d agreed to share information.” Jenna paused. “Have you decided to try and find Marcus?”

  “We’re more concerned about whether he can find us when he’s eighteen,” Faith confided.

  “If you’re going through official channels, he’d have to be twenty-one to request that information in California.”

  “Which is something of a relief,” Faith said. “I don’t even know if he was adopted in California. I kind of just assumed he would’ve been.”

  “Did you sign a consent to contact form at any point?”

  Faith frowned. “I don’t think I was ever given that option. I was in a medically induced coma at the time.”

  “Well, if you didn’t consent to be found, the state won’t release those details to anyone, so you should be fine.”

  “Okay.” Faith nodded. “And if Marcus does try and find us, you’re saying he’s got to be twenty-one, which gives Danny and me a chance to get our shit together.”

  Jenna grinned. “I like the way you think.”

  “Unless his adoptive parents know who we are and tell him anyway.”

  Jenna patted Faith’s shoulder. “I think you’ll handle it. You and Danny are two of the calmest and most sensible people I know.”

  “As you’re married to BB Morgan that isn’t the greatest recommendation in the world,” Faith joked. “Keeping up with him must be an adventure in itself.”

  “It is and I love him for it,” Jenna said as they went through to the big kitchen where Dave was setting the table. “Which is just as well, seeing as we’re going to have a baby.”

  “What?” Dave looked up. “Like BB’s going to be a dad again?” He came over to Jenna and gave her a big hug. “Congratulations, kiddo. I can’t wait to be an honorary uncle.”

  Jenna turned to Faith. “I wanted to tell you both early so that we could make plans for my maternity leave and covering Morgan Ranch while I’m home with the baby at the end of the year.”

  “We can definitely do that.” Faith nodded. “Hopefully by then we’ll have a new vet on the team, and it’ll be a breeze.”

  Dave went to get some beer out of the backup refrigerator in the garage to drink to the baby’s health as Faith checked on the food. She’d left a pot roast in the slow cooker when she’d left that morning, which had been simmering all day and now smelled fantastic.

  “Anything you can’t eat now, Jenna?” Faith asked as she stirred the pot, breaking up the meat.

  “So far so good. I haven’t even had any morning sickness.” Jenna perched on one of the kitchen stools. “You okay about this, Faith?”

  “Taking over your Morgan Ranch role? I’m sure it will be fine.” Faith set the lid back on the pot and checked the potatoes baking in the oven.

  “No, I meant about the whole baby thing.” Jenna grimaced. “I just realized you might think I was totally being insensitive—especially after what we were just talking about.”

  “Not at all!” Faith hastened to reassure her cousin. “What happened to me was so long ago I can’t relate it to the here and now. I’m just so excited for you.”

  “That’s really good of you,” Jenna said in a rush. “Because the last thing I would ever want to do was make you feel bad.”

  “It’s really okay.” Faith met Jenna’s eyes. “I mean it.”

  “You’re okay that we get extra work while Jenna gets to sit around gestating?” Dave reentered the room and the conversation.

  Faith rolled her eyes at her cousin. “And Dave wonders why he doesn’t have a girlfriend, Jenna.”

  “Because of my sense of humor?” Dave offered them both a beer from their father’s private stash. “You’re not the first person to say that. Maybe I don’t want a girlfriend anyway.”

  “Really? How long is it since you actually went out with someone?” Faith took the beer, but Jenna declined, her concerned gaze still on Dave.

  Dave held up his beer and Faith did the same. “Congrats, Jenna.”

  “Thank you.” Jenna blushed. “I’m kind of excited myself.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Because cows didn’t care whether your sister was getting married, the night before the ceremony Danny was out in the cowshed with Evan at three in the morning supervising the birth of twins. By the time he got back to the house, everyone else was up and rushing around in a panic he wanted no part of. He excused himself to his aunt and went to take a much-needed shower. His right shoulder was aching like the devil from pulling on the ropes, but he ignored the pain and focused on the list of tasks he’d been given the night before. The main one was keeping an eye on his dad and making sure he got to the ceremony on time, and in good order.

  As Danny toweled off and shaved, he mentally reviewed the timeline and realized he’d better get cracking. On exiting the bathroom, he discovered someone had been in and laid his ironed and pressed shirt on his bed alongside his best white Stetson and khakis. Daisy hadn’t wanted a too formal look at the wedding, which suited Danny just fine. Even when he’d left the barn at eight the sky was a clear cloudless blue and it was already warming up. By eleven it was going to be heading toward ninety degrees and maybe more. In town, it would be worse.

  A knock on his door had him checking he was decent as his brother Kaiden looked in.

  “You’re on Dad duty, right?”

  “Yup. I promise I’ll get him there just in time to walk Daisy up the aisle and before he tries to insult any of the guests.”

  “Good on ya.” Kaiden nodded. “I’m going to pick up Julia and Juan. I’m also taking Ellie. I’ll see you there.”

  “Okay.”

  Evan had already disappeared down to town muttering about helping out at the hotel. Everyone else had significant others to pick up or bring with them to the church. Danny had already agreed to meet Faith at the ceremony, and they weren’t really a couple anyway. He thought about that as he got dressed and the house grew quiet around him. Evan would eventually find someone to love; he just wasn’t the kind of guy to live his life alone. Would one day it just be him and his dad staring at each other across the table? But his mom was moving back to Morgantown, so even Jeff would have someone....

  Danny threw off his depressing thoughts, buttoned his shirt, put on his best cowboy boots, and headed into the kitchen. His dad was sitting at the table drumming his fingers against the wood.

  “We’ll be late.”

  Danny checked the time. “We’re fine. Have you got everything you need?”

  “Yes, and Rae has checked me over like a schoolkid more times than I can count.” His father levered himself to his feet. “Let’s get going. I don’t want to be late walking my only daughter up the aisle.”

  * * *

  Faith checked her appearance in the mirr
or in the hotel bedroom set aside for wedding guests, glad that she’d decided on something long and floaty to combat the heat that was already building up outside. The small church was only a few yards up the street, but it would still be sweltering just walking there. Her layered chiffon dress with its blue pattern and the contrasting silk shawl arranged over her shoulders should provide just the right amount of coverage. Her dark hair wasn’t long enough to put up, so she’d compromised with a cornflower blue slide on one side.

  She was just about to put her cell into her small purse when it buzzed. With a grimace she accepted the call.

  “God, I’m so sorry, Brandon. I completely forgot to call you back.”

  “I guess you really are busy.” Her ex-husband paused. “I wouldn’t normally be bugging you like this, but we really wanted to let you know before you heard it from any other source.”

  “Okay.” Faith frowned at her reflection in the mirror. “What’s up?”

  “Two things. Callie’s pregnant and we’re separating.”

  Faith came to a dead stop. “What?”

  “You know how I feel about kids, Faith. Callie knew, we discussed it before we got married, and she let this happen.”

  “Accidents happen, Brandon. You know that and it takes two to create a child,” Faith said evenly.

  “She obviously came off birth control and didn’t tell me.” He snatched a harried breath. “I guess she thought that if she just got pregnant it would be a sign, and that I’d come around to the idea.”

  “Have you actually talked to her about this?”

  “No, I just . . . couldn’t deal with it. I moved back into the apartment above the clinic. I’ve been there ever since. Callie’s taken a week off, so I haven’t had to see her at work, either.”

  Faith considered what to say, aware that she didn’t want to get dragged into the middle of someone else’s marriage.

  “I think you should sit down with a third party and at least talk to her.”

  Brandon groaned. “I feel so . . . trapped right now. I loved her and she did this to me, knowing all the shit you and I had been through, stuff I confided in her.”

  “I’m really sorry, Brandon.” Faith let out a breath. “I hope you can work things out together, okay?”

  “Faith—would you call her for me?”

  Faith pressed her fist against her chest. “Brandon . . . that’s—”

  “I know! But what else can I do?”

  “Goodbye, Brandon.”

  Even as he continued pleading with her, she ended the call and dropped her phone into her purse. She was only aware that she was shaking when she walked toward the door. Unaccustomed anger blossomed in her chest. How dare he call her, after everything, and ask her to make things right for him. It was totally unacceptable, and totally like him.

  “Are you okay, Faith?”

  She looked over to the bottom of the staircase where Tucker Hayes, the oldest son and assistant manager of the historic hotel, was eying her with some concern.

  “I’m fine.” She found a smile somewhere. “Am I too early to go to the church, or is there somewhere I’m supposed to wait here?”

  “You’re good to go.” Tucker smiled at her. “And if you want to avoid the worst of the heat, I’d say the sooner the better.”

  She stepped out onto the raised walkway and put her sunglasses on. She had to slow down to accommodate the height of her heels, which were very different from her usual work boots. She also needed a moment to compose herself before she stepped into the church. The whole valley was going to be there and if she looked upset, they’d all notice and probably assume the worst.

  It was a relief to walk into the shade at the rear of the church and be greeted by Silver Meadows, Ben’s movie star wife, who handed her an order of service and pinned a small white flower to the front of her dress.

  “Hi, Faith, you look lovely! Danny said to tell you he’d be along as soon as he’s gotten Jeff settled, and to save him a seat in the second row on the bride’s side.”

  “Will do,” Faith said.

  At least Danny wasn’t around to witness her current state. He still knew her well enough to be asking all the right questions, and she really didn’t want to examine exactly why she was feeling the way she was right now with anyone. She forced her attention back to the occasion at hand, taking in the beautifully arranged flowers and the almost full seats because when two Morgan Valley families married into each other, everyone had some connection with the happy couple.

  She smiled at everyone who smiled at her, and even made small talk while her mind hummed with Brandon’s news. Dave stood up to wave at her from his position beside Dr. Tio and his grandmother on Jackson’s side of the church as the sweet sound of harp music filtered through the quiet chatter. She noticed Red Ramirez at the back chatting with one of the Morgans, his dimpled smile flashing out as he nodded. There was a stir at the rear of the church as Cauy escorted his and Jackson’s mother, who now lived in Florida, to her seat at the front of the church. There was a redheaded young woman seated beside Leanne Miller whom Faith didn’t recognize, but who somehow seemed to fit right in with the rest of the family.

  A familiar face turned around from the row in front.

  “Faith? How are you?”

  “Rae, I’m doing good, how are you?” Faith asked. Danny loved his auntie Rae and she had always been kind to Faith back in the day. “Are you excited to see Daisy getting married?”

  “I absolutely am. She’s like a daughter to me,” Rae said. “And I know Leanne won’t mind me saying that.”

  “Saying what?”

  Danny’s mother also turned around, her expression amused.

  “Hi,” Faith said. “I haven’t seen you for about twenty years, but you haven’t changed a bit.”

  “Hi, Faith.” Leanne leaned closer. “I guess I should thank you for taking some of the heat off me in the valley, but I wouldn’t wish this bunch of gossips on anyone. We should talk.” She touched the shoulder of the young woman beside her. “Have you met my youngest daughter, Ellie? She’s currently at NYU studying architecture.”

  “No, but it’s a pleasure.” Faith shook Ellie’s proffered hand.

  It also gave Faith proof that Leanne hadn’t let her divorce from Jeff stop her from getting on with her life, something she desperately needed to remember.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I must go over and say hello to Jackson’s mother.” Leanne stood up. “She’s all on her own today, and, as Cauy’s acting as best man, and Amy couldn’t get away from her job, she’d probably appreciate some company.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Ellie offered. “I’d be happy to sit with her through the ceremony.”

  “She’s such a sweetheart,” Rae said as Ellie and Leanne quickly crossed the aisle to the groom’s side. “Leanne didn’t tell her she had five half brothers and a sister until after her second husband died. That must have been quite a conversation.”

  “I bet,” Faith replied, her gaze drawn to the rear of the church where she could see a gaggle of Miller-sized men and Jackson in his full United States Air Force dress uniform. “She looks a lot like Leanne.”

  “And Ben.” Rae smiled. “I’m glad Danny invited you to be his date for the wedding.”

  “It’s no big deal.” Faith shrugged. “We’re just trying to make sure everyone in Morgan Valley knows we’re getting along just fine.”

  “Well, of course you are,” Rae said. “You were perfect together.”

  Luckily, Faith didn’t have to answer that because Jackson strode up the aisle with his brother Cauy. He was yapping about something and Cauy was definitely arguing with him, but what else was new? Whenever Faith went out to Lymond Ranch there were always major differences of opinion, but somehow everything still got done.

  Jackson paused to give his mom and Leanne a hug and then went to stand at the front of the church. He looked great in his uniform and quite unlike his normal self. He fidgeted, chatted away with Cauy,
and glanced back down the aisle every ten seconds.

  Eventually, the harpist struck a loud chord, and everyone stopped talking long enough for her to launch into a processional tune that meant the bride was just about to show up. Faith stood with everyone else and craned her neck to watch Jeff slowly walk Daisy up the aisle. She wore a knee-length cream lace dress that looked vintage and a short veil with the same lace design under a crown of fresh flowers. She’d left her long hair down and looked absolutely beautiful.

  “Hey,” Danny whispered in her ear making her jump.

  “Your sister looks amazing,” Faith whispered back.

  “Yeah, I think I might lose it any second now.”

  Faith looked up at him and realized he wasn’t joking. The expression in his eyes made her want to cry, too. Heck, she needed to cry so why not let it out?

  She swallowed hard as Daisy reached the front. Jackson finally stopped fretting, went quiet, and stared at her openmouthed. He took her hand like it was made of precious china and turned to face the pastor.

  As she listened to the familiar words of the marriage ceremony, Faith’s fingers brushed against Danny’s and he folded his hand over hers. They stayed like that until the pastor invited everyone to sit down while he gave his sermon.

  The rest of the ceremony passed in something of a daze as Faith’s mind buzzed with the ramifications of Brandon’s phone call and his expectation that she would be willing to call the woman who had replaced her, and act as her ex’s explainer-in-chief.

  “You good?” Danny asked.

  Faith jumped as she realized everyone was on the move following the newly married couple down the aisle.

  “Yes! Sure! Do you need to be somewhere else right now? Because that’s okay.”

  “Not right now.” Danny’s brows drew together. “Shall we walk back to the hotel? I might need to be in some photos but other than that I’d rather be talking to you.”

  “I have no idea why,” Faith said as she followed him out of the church where they’d just missed an honor guard of Jackson’s USAF friends.