Picking her up into his arms, he went over to the rocking chair he’d gotten for Tia, the one that had been passed down from daughter to daughter. He gazed down at his daughter and saw dark brown eyes staring back up at him.
“Tasha loves Daddy.”
He smiled. “And Daddy loves Tasha.”
Cradling her against his chest, he began rocking her back to sleep. Having come back from such a dangerous mission, he needed peace in his life at that moment, but he knew true peace wouldn’t come until he went after Teri and found out what was going on with her. Why she’d called his parents to keep the girls so she could get away.
Other than him, his sister and his parents, Teri had no family. Her parents had died when she was young and her grandparents had raised her on their ranch in Terrell, Texas, which was a stone’s throw from Dallas. When Mac had met her, the grandparents she’d adored had died and at twenty-three Teri was trying to run the ranch alone. After their whirlwind romance she’d made the decision—one that he knew had been hard for her, even though she’d never complained about it—to sell the ranch and accept his marriage proposal. She’d turned in her spurs to become a SEAL wife.
It had been her suggestion that they go to a dude ranch for their honeymoon, which would be her last hurrah as a cowgirl. That had been two weeks he’d totally enjoyed, and he’d gotten to show her how well he could handle a horse, thanks to his mother’s family, who’d owned a horse ranch in Ocala, Florida.
The timing of their meeting had been perfect. He’d just graduated from the naval academy three years before and was enjoying being a SEAL. It had been his intention to remain a bachelor for quite a while, but all that had changed after he met Teri.
As he continued to rock his daughter back to sleep, Mac closed his eyes, recalling the day Teri Cantor walked into his life...
Ten years ago
“Damn, Lawton, will you slow down?”
Mac glanced over at the man walking beside him. Lawton was walking so fast you’d think he was rushing to put out a fire. Against his better judgment, Mac had let Lawton talk him into coming here of all places—a rodeo—just to see a woman.
“You shouldn’t walk so slow,” Lawton said, grinning, not breaking his stride.
“Whatever. Now, how did you and this woman meet again?”
“We met online three months ago and officially met last month when I flew to Atlanta for the weekend. She’s a photographer for the Bill Pickett Rodeo circuit. LaDorria mentioned they would be in the DC area, so I figured this would be my chance to see her again.”
As they neared the entrance to the arena Lawton slowed down and so did Mac. “Is there a particular spot where the two of you plan to meet once we’re inside?” Mac asked, looking around.
“Yes. She said to meet her at the booth that sells the commemorative booklets.”
Ten minutes later they were there, and Lawton introduced Mac to LaDorria Clark. Mac had to admit she was an attractive woman, and just for the hell of it, he asked if she had a single friend. She quickly replied, “It just so happens I do. Her name is Teri and she’s competing tonight.”
LaDorria grabbed one of the commemorative booklets and flipped through to a certain page, pointed and said, “This here is Teri.”
Mac figured if a man could fall in love with a photograph, then he had done so in that moment. The very beautiful woman in a cowgirl outfit was smiling for the camera and she captured his heart then and there.
“What event is she competing in?”
“Roping and barrel racing. She’s the current champ in the women’s division. She was also rodeo queen last year.”
Mac looked at the photo again. He could definitely believe that. He figured her age was around twenty-two or twenty-three and she had the most gorgeous pair of honey-brown eyes. They were perfect for her high cheekbones and full, shapely lips. Her skin was the color of rich mocha and he loved the way the mass of curly hair fell around her shoulders.
He looked over at LaDorria. “And you’ll introduce us?”
She laughed. “Yes, just as soon as the rodeo is over, and only if you cheer for Teri tonight. Like I said, she’s competing.”
As far as Mac was concerned, Teri Cantor didn’t need him cheering for her because she had her own fan section in the stands. And she was good. So good that she won both competitive events easily. He couldn’t help admiring how well she handled a horse, how skillfully she rode the animal. Nor could he fight his attraction to her—she was a beautiful woman in person and in action in the ring. And he definitely liked the way she looked in her cowgirl outfits. She had changed into a couple of different ones and each one he would claim as a favorite.
He liked the way she handled a rope and how easily her lasso fell over the cow’s head. He knew that sort of aptitude came from hours of practice. That meant she was well disciplined.
Mac had heard the comments from the men around him. Men who’d made it obvious they had the hots for Teri. Some had even admitted to hitting on her and striking out. He hoped he wouldn’t be one of those men.
He thought about other women he’d dated in the past. Most liked the idea of dating a military man, but none ever fancied marrying one. They’d all heard the life of a SEAL’s wife was too demanding. The thought of not knowing where their husband was and when he’d be returning was just something they couldn’t tolerate.
Their attitude was something he hadn’t been able to tolerate, either. Although he had no intention of acquiring a wife for years to come, it still bothered him how some women thought a relationship was all about them. They had no idea that a navy SEAL wife was, in a way, serving her country, as well.
“I just got a text from LaDorria,” Lawton said at the end of the rodeo. “They asked us to give them thirty minutes and then they’ll meet us by that souvenir table again.”
“Okay, and it looks like you’re kind of serious about LaDorria,” he said to Lawton.
“I am. I just hope she’s serious about me.”
Mac hoped she was, as well, since Lawton was a pretty decent guy.
It was almost forty-five minutes later, but Mac was convinced it was worth every minute of waiting for LaDorria and Teri to arrive. When he saw Teri Cantor walking toward them, he thought she looked even better up close and in person.
She had changed out of her riding outfit into a pair of slacks and a blouse that made her look feminine as hell. Her hair was no longer tied back away from her face but hung in loose curls around her shoulders. He could tell the moment their gazes connected that there was interest between them and he didn’t intend to let that interest go to waste.
“So, what do you think?” Lawton leaned over to ask before the two women had approached them.
Mac’s response was quick and honest. “I think I’m in love.”
Lawton laughed but Mac was totally serious. That was how his father claimed it had been for him when he’d seen Mac’s mother for the first time, when the two had been attending classes together at Ohio State University.
Mac drew in a deep breath and didn’t release it until the women had reached them. Introductions were being made by LaDorria. “Teri, I’d like you to meet a friend of Lawton’s. Thurston McRoy.”
Teri offered him her hand and the moment he took it, he felt...something flow through him. From the look in her eyes, he knew she’d felt it, as well.
“Nice meeting you, Thurston.”
He smiled down at her. “My friends call me Mac.”
She nodded. “Okay. It’s nice meeting you, Mac.”
“Same here.” And he truly meant it.
That night they went to one of the bar-and-grills that stayed open late. He got to know her better but not as well as he wanted to. They exchanged phone numbers and stayed in touch, sometimes talking on the phone at night for hours.
They had their first official date a month
later, when he’d flown to Montana to watch her perform in another rodeo. That was when he was about to be stationed in Spain and he’d wanted to see her again before leaving the country.
They exchanged texts and phone calls whenever they could, and it was two months later that she’d told him she was thinking about selling her ranch and moving to New York. She felt that maybe it was time to put her college degree in business to good use. He’d known it would be a tough decision for her to make. From their talks, he knew how much she’d enjoyed living on the ranch.
Once she made the decision to sell the ranch it had sold quickly, and before she could pack up and move to New York, he had persuaded her to visit him in Barcelona. When she said she would, he’d made all the arrangements and had sent her an airline ticket within twenty-four hours. He had been there to pick her up from the airport and the moment he saw her again he’d known he wanted to make her a permanent part of his life.
Teri had spent two wonderful weeks with him in Spain and it was during that time that they’d shared a bed for the first time. Making love to her had been just like he’d known it would be.
She’d literally rocked his world.
The intensity of their sexual joining was powerful. It was as if her body was made for him and his for her.
Before leaving to return to the States, he’d asked her to marry him, and she’d accepted.
A month later they were married.
* * *
Bringing his thoughts back to the present, Mac opened his eyes and glanced down at Tasha. She had gone back to sleep. Standing, he placed his daughter back in her bed and then he walked out of the room.
It was time to go find his wife.
Two
Teri McRoy sipped her coffee as she stood at the window and looked out.
For miles all she could see were beautiful plains, valleys and mountains. The Torchlight Dude Ranch, located in Torchlight, Wyoming, was a luxury guest ranch on over a thousand acres just west of Cheyenne. Mac had first brought her here for their honeymoon ten years ago and had promised that one day he would bring her back.
He never had.
Knowing she needed time alone to deal with a few issues, this was the first place she’d thought of coming due to the wonderful and lasting memories she had of the time spent here with Mac. Now she was glad she had come. She missed her girls more than anything and appreciated her in-laws for their quick response in coming to look after them. Her daughters couldn’t ask for better grandparents. Mac’s parents were the best. She couldn’t imagine leaving the girls with anyone else right now. But still, she was compelled to check on them every day. She needed to hear their voices. As expected, they would tell her they missed her—and tell her how much fun they were having with Pop and Nana.
One of the things Teri liked most about this dude ranch was that you didn’t have to stay in the main house. If you opted for more privacy, there were several small cabins spread out over the thousand acres. It was beautiful. Part of the package was that you got your very own horse to use daily and it was delivered to you each morning. Hers was a beautiful white stallion named Amsterdam. Over the past three days, she and Amsterdam had gotten to know each other well. She wasn’t even put off by his spirited side. Being the horse expert that she was, she loved the challenge.
As she stood there thinking about just how idyllic this cabin was, she knew in her heart the one thing missing was her husband’s presence. She missed Mac and always did whenever he was gone for long periods of time, although she tried hard not to let him know it. He had a dangerous job and she’d known that when she had married him. She’d also known he could be summoned away at a moment’s notice without being able to inform her of where he was going or how long he’d be gone. The longest time he’d ever been gone was seven months. This time it had been almost nine and she was beginning to worry. What if...
Teri shook her head, refusing to go there. Mac expected her to be strong and handle things while he was gone. Unfortunately, this time around it was hard for her to do that. Things had happened that she hadn’t counted on and her heart broke more and more each day.
Mac was a good man. A wonderful father and loving husband. He provided for his family, whatever their needs were. Financially, Mac’s girls didn’t want for anything. However, she was discovering that there were some things that money couldn’t buy. Peace of mind. More good days than bad. And a marriage that was more blissful than stressful.
A part of her wanted Mac to not only be on the ranch with her to share in the beauty again, but to also just hold her and tell her everything was going to be all right. She needed him to not blame her for what had gone wrong. Even if it was the news of losing the very thing he would have wanted.
A son.
When she felt her tears fall again she drew in a deep breath. Her grief counselor had talked to her, told her that miscarriages were more common than most people even knew. She’d done nothing wrong.
The counselor didn’t know the half of it.
She was not supposed to get pregnant. Mac had said that although he would have loved to have a son, when it didn’t happen with Tasha that was it. He felt four kids were enough for her to handle on her own while he worked as a SEAL.
They’d talked to her doctor about getting her tubes tied, which could be done as an outpatient procedure. They’d scheduled the surgery, but he’d gotten called away. She was to keep the appointment for the procedure regardless. Then she’d gotten the call from the doctor saying results from presurgical blood work revealed she was already pregnant. There had been no way to reach out to Mac to let him know, but she figured he would eventually be happy about the news. Everything was going fine, but then four months later she’d miscarried.
She fought back the sob rattling her chest. When she was told she was having a boy she’d started thinking of names and in private moments called him TT. Tiny Thurston. She had wanted to share the news with Mac and had worried that by the time he returned, she would have had their son without him.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she finished the rest of the coffee before forcing her mind to remember something else...namely that phone call she had received from the man who’d been her grandparents’ attorney and the news he’d given her. The couple she’d sold her ranch to, close to twelve years ago now, were putting it on the market. According to the terms of the contract, they had to give her the first opportunity to buy it back. At the time she’d made that stipulation, she didn’t think they would go for it, but the Jacobins had wanted to buy the ranch badly enough to agree with her terms. And of course, she’d thought they would never sell the ranch, but according to her grandparents’ former attorney, because of Mr. Jacobin’s failing health, they had no choice.
For her, that offer was a dream come true. She’d only been given ten days to take it and it had to be done in person. Unlike when she’d sold the ranch, she and Mac now had the means to buy it back. But the time frame meant the decision had to be made without Mac’s input. So, she had.
She had weighed the advantages against the disadvantages and, in the end, she’d decided that buying the ranch would be good for her family. A bigger house. More land for their kids to spread out and enjoy. Getting back to nature. A way to supplement their income after Mac retired, if they decided to raise cattle for market.
Remembering her days spent on the ranch while growing up, she wanted the same kind of memories for her girls. There were good schools in the area and although most of the neighbors who’d been her grandparents’ friends had passed on, their heirs were people Teri had grown up with and whom she looked forward to sharing friendships with again.
Teri had figured she wouldn’t be gone but for a day and appreciated her neighbor and friend Carla for agreeing to watch the kids while Teri flew to Terrell, Texas, to finalize the sale. The day after she returned to Virginia was when she began having stomach pains. Within t
wenty-four hours, she’d lost the baby. Although the doctor claimed her traveling had nothing to do with it, she couldn’t help wondering if it had.
She’d gained the ranch she’d thought lost to her for good, but lost the baby she’d never expected to have.
Losing the baby had been hard and she appreciated her in-laws for their love and support during a very difficult time for her. She’d tried pulling herself out of the slump she’d felt herself slowly sinking into, and when she’d been nearly at her wit’s end, she’d called her in-laws after her grief counselor suggested she get away for a while.
Had the home she’d repurchased been empty she would have gone there, but the sellers had asked to remain in the house three months before they were required to move out. She had no problem with that since Mac was gone on a mission and she didn’t want to move their family to the ranch without letting him know what she’d done. She could just imagine Mac returning home to find a for sale sign on their home in Virginia without knowing all the details of why.
So here she was trying to deal with a number of things and wishing her husband was here with her. But then, maybe it was a good thing he wasn’t. She believed he would understand how she felt about losing the baby and give her all the support and love she needed, but there was also the issue of the ranch she’d purchased. Would he understand that she’d done what she felt she had to do in the time limit she’d been given? They’d talked about getting a new house, but how would he feel about moving from Virginia to Texas? To the house that used to be her childhood home?
The other piece was that she’d paid a lot for the purchase, deciding to pay cash instead of getting a mortgage. How would Mac react when he found out she’d used their money to do so, without consulting him?
All those questions with no answers were issues that had kept her up at night.
She had endured long weeks of foreboding and her senses were filled with unease and worry about both situations. The surgery to have her tubes tied had been rescheduled and she was having apprehensions about that, and although a part of her wanted to believe that buying the ranch had been for the best, she wasn’t sure how Mac would feel about it.
His To Claim (The Westmoreland Legacy Book 4) Page 2
