“Hmm,” Daisy replied. “I’m afraid that isn’t possible.”
“The two of you need to talk.” Rebecca didn’t take a seat. Instead she took a piece of pie already in a plastic container. “Colt is finishing up an order and he’ll join you. He asked me to pass the message along to you.”
“Great.” Daisy shuddered. “Just what we need, the big bad brother.”
“He isn’t,” Holly began, but saying more would be too much.
“Isn’t he?” Daisy said a quick goodbye to Rebecca, then picked up a fork and speared up a bite of chocolate chess pie. “I hardly think you should be the one to defend him. He did wrong by you.”
“You’re right. He did.” The answer came from across the room. Colt took off his apron and joined them at the table. “But he’s trying to do better.”
“Hi, brother.” Daisy gave him a cheeky grin. “Good to see you.”
His expression gentled. “I’m glad to see you.”
“Family reunions are so sweet,” she said. “As long as this is the only family I have to see. Except for Carson’s children. I adore Maggie and Adam. And obviously Dixie.”
“And Jack?” Colt asked.
“No, I don’t think so.” She tapped her bright red fingernails on the table. “Don’t push, Colt.”
Colt shrugged. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
“I’m here to spend the weekend with you all. I want to see Dixie. If that’s okay. I miss her.”
“She misses you, too,” Holly offered, because it was true.
“It’s hard,” Daisy said, digging the fork into her pie but not taking a bite. She stared at the chocolate confection and sighed. “I don’t like chocolate.”
“That’s not so hard,” Colt said. “Just give it to me.”
She slid it across the table. “That isn’t what I meant and you know it.”
“I know.” Colt took a bite and dug in for another, as if he wasn’t bothered by the situation. Holly kicked his foot.
“Ouch! What was that for?”
“Stop eating pie.” Holly reached for the plate but he was too fast and took the last bite.
“I’m not sure what Becky was thinking,” Colt said. “I know she thought she was giving us a chance to get to know our daughter. But I can’t help think she could have done things differently, in a way that wouldn’t have put this kind of pressure on Dixie.”
“Maybe we should decide for her?” Daisy suggested.
“Would you decide for her or yourself?” Colt asked.
“Unfair,” his sister shot back. “I love her but I wouldn’t make a decision that hurt her.”
“Any decision we make is going to hurt her,” Holly countered.
“True,” Colt and Daisy said simultaneously.
“What do we do?” Daisy asked, adjusting the bright red scarf at her throat.
Holly considered the question, knowing that there wouldn’t be easy answers. “Kylie,” she said. “What if Kylie helps Dixie find the best solution, and then helps us all figure out a way to do this so that Dixie has some stability and continuity in her life? None of us want to see her forced to make decisions that will hurt. But if we can find a compromise that makes Dixie feel safe?”
Daisy toyed with her cup of coffee. “Spoken like a true mother.”
“I gave birth to her, Daisy. I’m only now learning how to be her mother.”
“You’ve always been her mother. From the very beginning, making decisions that were tough but in her best interest.” Daisy reached for her hand. “I know this is hard, but I want us to work together. Becky meant well but she put us all in a difficult situation.”
“She did,” Colt said. “But if we can work together...”
“We can,” Daisy assured him.
Holly felt her heart ease. “Why don’t we pick Dixie up from school together, the three of us.”
Daisy nodded. “I’d like that.”
Holly managed a smile but inside she felt as if her life hung by a thread. She had gotten so used to Dixie in her home and in her life. She’d gotten used to their visits to see Opal, to cooking meals together, watching movies on weekends. She’d gotten used to Colt in her life again, making her feel as if she had someone on her side, someone to lean on.
She couldn’t think about what would happen in the next few weeks, when Dixie made a decision about where she wanted to live, and when Colt returned to the career he loved.
It was just too painful to contemplate.
* * *
Colt didn’t know what he’d expected when the three of them pulled up to the middle school to pick up Dixie. He guessed he’d expected jubilation from his daughter. After all, she’d been begging Daisy to come see them. He hadn’t expected tears as Dixie fell sobbing into Daisy’s arms.
From the look on Daisy’s face as she held their daughter, she hadn’t expected it, either. She looked uncomfortable with the emotions, completely taken by surprise.
“We should go,” Holly stated, taking control, herding them all toward his truck and off the main sidewalk where other children were passing by, staring.
Dixie managed to pull herself together, but she didn’t let go of Daisy. Over and over again she told his sister she’d missed her. She wanted to see Pumpkin, Daisy’s dog. She wanted to know if Daisy had her books. The dog was at a kennel for the weekend. The books were in Daisy’s car, back at Holly’s. Except Daisy referred to Holly as Dixie’s mom. Another surprise.
“You’re going to stay and go to the showdeo? I’m going to be in it.” Dixie held on to Daisy’s hand, letting go only to climb in the back seat of his truck.
“I’ll stay but I don’t think I can go to the showdeo.” Daisy looked to Colt for help. He got it. She didn’t want to see Jack.
She needed to see their father. But it wasn’t his place to tell her what to do. He’d been through that and knew that life got a little easier after confronting the past. His little sister would have to figure that out on her own.
At least Daisy had seen Jack when he was in the hospital a couple of years ago. Maybe she considered that enough.
A few minutes later he parked under the shade of an oak tree at Holly’s. Dixie dragged Daisy out of the car and over to the barn, telling her she just had to meet Cooter and Flash. She had to see the new kittens, too. Daisy went along with Dixie, allowing herself to be led to the barn. Cooter joined them, sniffing at their hands and barking when Dixie tossed a stick for him to fetch.
Holly took Colt’s hand and stopped him when he meant to follow them. “Let them go,” she said.
“But what if Daisy tries to convince her to go?”
Her hand tightened on his. “She won’t. And if she does, what can we really do about it?”
“Get a lawyer and fight her,” he said, not truly meaning it. “Years ago I let you down. If not for me, we might have been a family. You might have had her with you all these years. I don’t want you to lose her again.”
“I’m not going to lose her again. No matter what she decides, I know I’ll always be in her life, a part of her world.”
He pulled her close. He had never felt as whole as he did now, with her at his side. “I know you’re right but man, I don’t want to let her go.”
“We aren’t. We’re letting her find her own way. And Kylie can continue to help, too.” She led him to an old glider swing on the front porch and they sat together. “I’m trying very hard to find peace.”
“I’m trying very hard to fix things for you,” he laughed. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not very good at letting go.”
“I know, I’m the same way. We both like to control our situations. But true faith requires us to trust God’s plan.”
“I want you to trust me,” Colt told her as they sat together, the warm afternoon sun beating down on them. In the distance cattle
mooed and a car honked. Other than that it was a quiet spot where they could see the green of the country for miles without much more than a barn in the distance.
“Trust you?”
He chuckled a little. “Not that I’m taking away from the Good Lord. I know He has this all under control. I mean on a personal level, trust me.”
“I’m working on that,” she told him as she watched their daughter. “Don’t take it personally, it’s just... I’ve been on my own for a very long time. I’ve learned to trust God, but to only rely on myself. It isn’t easy for me, broadening the circle of trust.”
“I know. Especially when I abused your trust in the worst way. I just want you to see that I’m not the man I was.”
“I know.”
He watched as Dixie led Daisy through the field. Even from a distance he could hear bits and pieces of her excited chatter. He smiled, because how could he not?
“She’s a lot like you.” Holly spoke after a few minutes. “Full of life. She makes friends easily. I have to look a little deeper to see myself in her.”
“Always the caretaker,” Colt answered. “I don’t have to look too hard to see that side of her.”
“It’s something I never expected.” Holly watched her daughter, now on the back of her horse, bareback, as Daisy led her around the pasture. The wind whipped at the horse’s mane, and Dixie leaned down to hug the animal’s neck.
“What’s that?” Colt asked.
“I always pictured her as the infant we held. Yes, I got pictures from Becky, but those pictures were of a little girl I didn’t know. They were one-dimensional. Now that she’s here with us, I see every side of her. She loves math but doesn’t like history. She draws horses and wants to learn to knit. She laughs like you and sometimes smiles like Opal.”
“She’s all of us,” Colt agreed. “And she’s Becky, too. The side of her that is thinking through this situation and the girl who can’t leave a dirty dish on the counter.”
Holly laughed at that. “She didn’t get that from me. Or from you.”
“No, she didn’t.”
Dixie and Daisy made their way back to the barn and Colt got up, holding a hand out for Holly. She took it, surprising him.
Yes, they were friends. They could parent together. But this connection went beyond their friendship, beyond parenting Dixie.
He wanted more.
He wanted Holly in his life forever.
Chapter Thirteen
The Hope Saddle Club Arena was bright from stadium lights and buzzed with activity and conversations and music. The aroma of burgers being cooked on a grill wafted through the evening air, drawing hungry crowds to line up at the concession stand. It was the first Saturday in May and the opening of the show and rodeo season. There would be Western pleasure classes, saddle bronc riding, team roping, pole bending, barrel racing and a ranch event with teams from local ranches.
From where Holly’d been sitting on the bleachers, she headed to the back lot where horse trailers were parked in rows. Horses whinnied and people gathered in groups, talking and laughing. In an area roped off to keep cars from parking too close, a bandstand and dance floor had been set up.
She saw the two trailers with the Mercy Ranch brand emblazoned on the side and soon spotted Kylie and Carson with a group of residents from the ranch.
Smiling, Kylie waved her over. “Come join us and listen to the men argue about who is doing what on the ranch teams.”
It had been years since Holly had been to a rodeo, and she couldn’t remember if she’d ever seen a rodeo where teams from local ranches competed in events that simulated normal ranch activities.
“What are the events in the ranch rodeo portion?” Holly asked.
“I’m not completely sure, but I did hear something about milking a wild cow.” Kylie grinned as she filled her in. “And I can only imagine how that will go. I think there’s a team penning event, too. That won’t be nearly as amusing for me.”
“Should be fun,” Holly answered as she scanned the crowd for her daughter.
“That was less than enthusiastic,” Kylie noted. “How’s it going with Daisy?”
Holly shrugged a shoulder. “It seems all right.”
“But?”
“But I guess we just have to wait and see. Dixie’s thrilled to have Daisy here and I can see that they are very close.”
Suddenly, she spied them walking back from an open lot, Daisy leading Flash and Dixie next to her. They were laughing and talking; Daisy leaned her head down to catch something Dixie said.
Holly shrugged again. “I don’t want to be envious of their relationship. They’ve known each other for years. I’m really just a stranger who shares Dixie’s DNA.”
Kylie gave her a quick hug. “You’re so much more than that and you know it. In the past few weeks, the two of you have gotten to know each other. It does take time but don’t discount that DNA you share.”
“I know, and thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”
“You know I’m always here.” Kylie glanced around. “Oh, I need to find Rebecca. I left Maggie and Adam with her. Also, before I go, I love my brother-in-law dearly, but get back to the café soon. We miss you there.”
“I’m planning on returning Monday. He hasn’t said anything, but I think he’s ready to rehire me.”
Kylie gave her a thoughtful look. “I do think he’s really enjoying himself.”
“As long as he doesn’t want to take over permanently.” Then she admitted the truth. “The break has been good for me. I needed the time with Dixie but also time to rest.”
“Being a caretaker is exhausting, Holly. I wish I’d said something or offered help sooner. We all get busy with our lives and fail to see the need around us.”
“You don’t have to feel guilty, Kylie. I would have asked for help if I’d needed it.”
Kylie arched a brow at that. “Really?”
Holly paused for a moment. “Okay, maybe not.”
“Most caretakers won’t ask for help. It’s up to friends and family to step in from time to time. I just want you to know that I am here and I want to do better as a friend.”
“Thank you.” Holly choked the words out. “Now you’re making me cry.”
“I didn’t mean to. Please hurry back to the café. Colt is many things, but he’s a lousy waitress.”
Giggling as they swiped the tears from their cheeks and parted, Holly headed for the back of the arena, eager to be with Dixie.
She spotted Dixie and Daisy with a group of other young riders. It was a scene that Holly had witnessed more than once in her life. She’d never been a part of this crowd, just a spectator. Tonight she felt like a spectator once again as she watched her daughter and Daisy chatting together with the other contestants. She took a deep breath as she approached and reminded herself that Dixie needed her here.
Just then, Colt materialized. She watched as he stepped up to check Dixie’s saddle. He said something to her and they all laughed. He was her kryptonite, her weakness, this cowboy in his dark blue plaid shirt, a white cowboy hat and faded jeans. He looked rugged, handsome, confident and happy. She wanted to believe in him, to trust him, to have him in her life from now on.
The problem was, her memories were full of a man who cheated on her. Of growing up hearing lectures from her mom that men couldn’t be trusted. That they couldn’t be counted on to be there for a woman.
Opal’s Rules of Romance. But Holly knew that there were good men around.
But Colt was her weakness, and giving in to him could result in a broken heart.
“Mom, there you are!” Dixie waved from the saddle of Flash, her smile huge and contagious.
Holly smiled back as she weaved through the crowd. “Of course I’m here. Where else would I be?”
“I don’t know, but I was worried
because I haven’t seen you. I didn’t want to go on without you being here.”
Holly put a hand on her daughter’s arm. “I’m here. I wouldn’t be anywhere else. You’re going to do great,” she told her daughter, giving her arm a gentle squeeze before letting go and stepping back.
“Of course I am. Flash is the best.” Eleven-year-old confidence shone from her face. And joy. A lot of joy.
“Don’t get too sure of yourself,” Colt warned. “Confidence is good. Arrogance will trip you up. Folks who are too sure of themselves stop putting out all of the effort or they make sloppy mistakes. Also, always show good sportsmanship. Always congratulate the winner and mean it. If you’re the winner, be gracious.”
She saluted. “Got it.”
Dixie pushed her new cowboy hat down on her head and leaned to hug her dad. The hat had been a gift from her grandpa Jack, who was seated in the stands waiting to watch her first run. She toyed with the white straw hat with the pink edging around the brim. It matched her pink plaid shirt. She’d insisted on Holly buying a matching shirt, so everyone knew they were mother and daughter.
“It’s almost time for your event,” Colt told her as he took off his hat and hooked it on the saddle horn. “Let’s pray before you go.”
Dixie nodded and Colt took her hand. He reached for Holly with his free hand. Daisy took Dixie’s hand on the opposite side of the horse. They bowed their heads as Colt prayed for protection, for confidence, for humility. And for a good run. They said amen and Colt grabbed his hat and placed it back on his head.
“Go get ’em,” he told her, patting her horse’s neck.
Dixie turned Flash in the direction of the arena, joining the other young contestants who had moved forward to await their turn. Flash fidgeted as his young rider worked to hold him steady, patting his neck and leaning to talk to him.
“Be safe,” Holly called out. Not so loud as to distract, but it made her feel better to say the words.
“It’s pole bending, Holly,” Colt said as he took her by the hand and led her to the side of the arena where they could watch the competition.
The Prodigal Cowboy (Mercy Ranch Book 5) Page 14
