The Texan Takes a Wife

by Charlene Sands

  The event coordinator took the microphone at the head of the room. “Welcome everyone. It’s our hope here at TCC that all of you will enjoy our abundant Thanksgiving feast and the fantastic desserts made by member Chelsea Hunt and guest Erin Sinclair.”

  All eyes turned to their table and a round of applause broke out. Erin loved being included, although it was totally unwarranted since Chelsea did all the hard work, yet she was grateful for the acknowledgment. She flashed Chelsea a big smile which was readily returned.

  “So eat up everyone and from the staff and administration here at the Cattleman’s Club, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.”

  The room quieted after the announcement and finally Amberley looked at the baby. “Will, I think she’s warm enough, she doesn’t need the jacket anymore.”

  “Fine with me,” he said, shrugging a shoulder and giving Erin a quick glance.

  Hmm, something was up with him.

  Amberley unzipped the baby’s jacket and removed it down to the onesie the baby was wearing underneath and her eyes immediately teared up, her voice cracking. “Oh, Will.”

  Everyone turned their attention to the scene, as Amberley’s hands began to shake and Will quickly took the baby from her. As he turned the baby onto his lap, everyone was privy to the message printed on Faye’s onesie. “Amberley, will you marry my daddy please and be my new mommy?”

  Will handed Faye to her. “Watch her a second for me, Erin.”

  “Certainly,” she replied, and Faye fell into her arms and cuddled her neck. Immediately Erin began bouncing the baby on her lap.

  Will rose from his seat and then got down on one knee, now garnering the attention of many in the dining room. “Amberley, I love you with all my heart and will until the end of time. Please be my wife, and mother to Faye. We both love you.”

  He opened a box and presented Amberley with a sparkling diamond ring.

  Amberley was nodding her head, tears streaming down her face. “Yes. Yes.”

  Will placed the ring on her left hand and then rose, taking her along with him, and kissed her for all he was worth, for all the club to see.

  Erin’s eyes misted up as she rocked the baby. She gave Dan a glance, her heart so open, so ready for this kind of love.

  Dan could barely meet her eyes, his filling with regret and a stony resolve that almost sported a frown. He watched her holding Faye, bouncing her, snuggling her up tight and then he glanced away, staring off at some obscure point in the room.

  The room exploded in oohs and aahs and a big round of applause. Everyone at the table rose to give Amberley and Will their congratulations. Dan also stood and put out his hand to Will. “Congratulations to both of you,” he said. Dan always said the right thing, but Erin would never ever forget the look on his face as fear entered his eyes watching Erin’s reaction to the whole scene.

  The meal was served and joy abounded around the table for Amberley and Will. Despite Dan’s sour mood, Erin couldn’t contain her happiness. Little Faye would have a mother and father now to raise and love her, and what a wonderful thing that was. Soon talk of weddings dominated the conversation. Brandee was excited to explain the details to her own wedding plans to a very overwhelmed and thrilled Amberley. “And the reception is going to be in a converted barn on the ranch. We’re doing it all up with lights and flowers.”

  “Sounds amazing,” Erin said, finding her excitement contagious.

  A moment later, Dan excused himself to get some air and Chelsea gave her a sympathetic look and shrugged.

  Erin bit back sweeping sadness, vowing not to allow Dan to ruin her festive mood. But it clung to her anyway, like a spider’s web that couldn’t be pulled free. She had so little time left with Dan. Would she be able to go another month like this, loving him and not having it returned?

  Chelsea slid over to Dan’s seat. She gave her a smile and whispered, “Don’t give up on him.”

  Had Chelsea read her thoughts?

  “I...won’t.”

  “Good,” Chelsea said.

  “I’m thrilled for Will and Faye. They both deserve happiness.”

  “So do you, Erin.” Chelsea squeezed her hand.

  Dan returned, his face more composed, his eyes unreadable, and Chelsea slid back to her seat and he sat down just as the trays of desserts were being brought around.

  “Now you get to try some of everything,” Erin said in good cheer, trying to ignore what was happening between them, the sense of dread curling her stomach right then.

  Dan nodded, but his eyes were downcast, laden with regret. “I’m sorry, Erin.”

  She didn’t ask for what. She knew why he was sorry. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, be making any kind of commitment to her. She shouldn’t have gotten so heavily involved with him. The heartache wouldn’t be worth the memories and she’d been foolish to think she could go into this situation lightly.

  And when offered, neither one of them had the stomach to try any of the desserts.

  Nine

  Usually Dan liked being quiet. Usually he was fine being in his own head, but as he drove Erin home from the Thanksgiving meal, he was finding her silence a bit too much to bear. What he’d hoped would be a fun, enjoyable time for Erin at the Texas Cattleman’s Club Thanksgiving feast, had turned out to be nothing of the kind.

  Erin wasn’t happy. He’d disappointed her and unintentionally hurt her in the process. Dan hated that. He’d never been so damn outright conflicted about a woman. He cared for Erin, a great deal, but he couldn’t give her what she wanted. The delight he’d seen in her eyes at Will’s unique and spontaneous way of proposing to Amberley, how lovingly she’d bounced and cuddled baby Faye in her arms, how she absorbed all talk of weddings and a hope-filled future, was like a mental slap to his face, telling him to wake up.

  As he headed for her home, he gave Erin a glance just as she turned to him with those big gorgeous aqua eyes. Her smile though was sort of sad, or was he reading too much into all of this?

  He pulled up to the cottage and parked the car. Erin was already getting out and he rushed around the hood to offer his hand. “Thanks,” she said sweetly.

  Her hand slipped into his and joy instantly filled his heart. The profound feeling overwhelmed him for a moment and he inhaled sharp and deep. He wasn’t ready to let her go, they had another month together. She meant something to him. Something important and he didn’t know what to do about it. He wasn’t good with commitment and that wasn’t about to change. This time of year especially firmed up his feelings on the subject. His mother’s walking out on her family right before Christmas and all that had transpired after that, sealed the deal for him.

  Erin wasn’t a damsel in distress and he certainly wasn’t Prince Charming in any way, shape or form. He didn’t buy into the happily-ever-after scenario. He’d been scarred, for life.

  He took her arm and walked her to the door. She turned her back to him and put the key in the lock. When she spun around, something flashed in her eyes and he was struck by momentary fear. Of her leaving. Of her staying.

  Man, was he screwed up.

  “Erin,” he began.

  “Shush,” she said, her two fingers covering his lips. “Dan, don’t say anything.”

  And then on tiptoes, she replaced her fingers with her mouth. The kiss startled him, heated him and made him want.

  “Just come inside,” she whispered.

  Dan was hopeless to deny her anything, to deny himself more time with this amazing woman. “Sure thing, sweetness,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her until she was breathless. Taking her hand, he led her straight into the bedroom.

  Where neither one of them had to say anything more. Where moans and whimpers would be their only forms of communication.

  * * *

  Monday mor
ning, Erin clocked herself at jogging four and a half miles and entered her cottage somewhat exhausted and sweating. She headed for a nice warm shower, reminding herself that November was coming to a quick close. Over the weekend, Erin did some Black Friday shopping with Chelsea. What she didn’t find at the stores, she found online over the past few days and took advantage of free shipping from sites that desperately wanted her business. She’d taken long morning runs around the Flying E and spent most of her nights with Dan. He wasn’t the same man she’d met at the Dark Horse Saloon. He was more cautious in what he said, more polite and much more determined to keep them from growing closer, to keep a divide between them. The gap was growing larger every day, but the nights were flaming hot. She couldn’t quite merge the two in her mind. Obviously, Dan could. He’d showed his passion in every kiss, every touch, every way he made love to her, but then morning would roll around and he’d go back to being aloof and distant, while still being kind and generous.

  It was that kindness and generosity that gave her a bit of hope, but was she fooling herself? Was she seeking out something, anything to cling to so she wouldn’t have to do what her head was telling her to do? Break it off. Say goodbye. Sooner, rather than later.

  But it wasn’t only about Dan. She’d promised Will she’d stay through the holidays and she didn’t want to miss being with Faye for her first Christmas. The Everetts, who were away for a few weeks, had made sure she knew she could stay as long as she liked in the guest cottage. Besides she didn’t have anyone to go home to in Seattle. Her friends, the people she cared about were here.

  Her phone rang just as she was drying off. She wrapped herself in the towel and picked up on the fourth ring. “I was beginning to think you weren’t home,” Dan said, his deep voice making her bones melt.

  “Nope, just finishing up a shower after a long run.”

  “Need some help?”

  “I think I got this, Hunt,” she said. Dan was an expert at drying her up and then making her wet again. “What’s up?”

  “Remember when I mentioned the possibility of Brentley Jamison being Maverick?”

  “Yes,” she said, sobering up. “The guy was a congressman’s son, right?”

  “I’m sorry to say he’s not our guy.”

  “And how do you know for sure?”

  “The police contacted Congressman Jamison and found out his son, Brentley, has been in a drug rehab in California for more than six months.”

  “But couldn’t he still do some damage using a computer or something?”

  “Guess not. He’s pretty bad off. He doesn’t have use of a computer and only approved visitors can see him. He’s not our guy, Erin.”

  “Have you told Chelsea?”

  “Yeah. She’s disappointed. I guess I shouldn’t have mentioned it without something more concrete to go on.”

  “Chelsea knows you’re only trying to help her.”

  “Thanks for saying that.”

  “It’s true. Chelsea knows you have her back. She appreciates everything you’ve been trying to do to find the pervert.”

  “It’s frustrating.”

  “Yeah, life can be like that sometimes.”

  “So what are you doing tonight?”

  “Tonight? I have a hot date with a handsome guy and his two girls.”

  Dan paused for a moment. “Oh yeah, that’s right. You’re having dinner with Will.”

  “And Amberley and Faye,” she added.

  “Have a good time.”

  “It should be fun. I miss that little munchkin. And, Dan, thanks for keeping me in the loop with the investigation.”

  “Sure thing.”

  She was about to ask him to come over afterward, but held back. She didn’t want to seem needy or desperate. Not even the suggestive banter at the beginning of the conversation meant he’d subject her to a late night booty call. That was Dan, being decent and kind. And why she was so much in love with him.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow night, sweetness. I’ll bring dinner.”

  “Can you bring Lucky too? I miss him.”

  “Babies and dogs, a guy could get jealous.”

  If only.

  Just minutes later the phone rang again. Erin looked at the screen and then blinked a few times, before picking up. “Hello, Mrs. Lawrence.”

  “How are you, Erin?”

  “I’m doing well.”

  “That’s good to hear. I’m afraid there’s a situation that involves your upcoming job. I know this is very last-minute but we’re in a bit of a predicament.”

  “What is it?” Her heart began to pound. Was she going to lose her job, before she’d even been given a chance? A myriad of emotions ran through her body, the most being panic that she could face unemployment again. A terrible prospect. But if she did, she could stay on in Texas and find work here.

  “I’m afraid that the musical director you’re replacing went into labor last night, seven weeks early.”

  “Oh my goodness.” This, she didn’t expect. “How is she doing?”

  “Jody had a baby boy at four this morning. Baby and mom are fine, thankfully, although the baby will need expert care to catch him up to speed. He’s a tiny one, but he’s doing well under the circumstances as I understand.”

  “That’s a relief,” she said, glad for mother and baby. How scary that must’ve been for the family. But Erin was smart enough to know what was coming next and her stomach began to ache.

  “As you might expect, this puts us in a precarious spot. We have no one here to head our winter spectacular and the kids are so looking forward to it. Jody has had them working on the songs and the parents are making costumes. So my question to you is this, would you possibly consider moving up your hire date to first thing next week? That would give you a full week to work with the kids before the performance. I realize it might be difficult or impossible for you to get away so quickly, but we’re hoping for a miracle here.”

  A miracle? Certainly, she couldn’t produce a miracle of any kind, but the more she thought about it, the more sense it began to make. She didn’t want to disappoint the kids at her school for one. She didn’t want to let down the staff at Lincoln Elementary, either, they’d been so generous in offering her the position, basically sight unseen. And mostly, it would solve her dilemma about Dan. She would have to leave Texas eventually and going to work earlier than expected was one kind of solution. She’d be heartbroken, but it might be smarter to leave now, than after another month of seeing him. It had to be better all around to make a swift, clean break. What reason did she have to stay in Texas anyway when she was so sorely needed in Seattle?

  She didn’t have a rational reason to refuse. At least this way she’d go, knowing she was needed and wanted. She couldn’t disappoint the kids. “Miracles happen. At least this one will. I’ll come as soon as I can get a flight out. I’ll contact you when I arrive back in Seattle.”

  “Really?” Immense joy sounded in the older woman’s voice. “You’ll come to work a month early? Oh, I can’t tell you what this means to me, the school and the kids. And don’t be surprised if we roll out the red carpet for you, you’re our hero. I can’t thank you enough.”

  “No red carpet necessary. I’m only too glad to help. I had no real plans for the holiday anyway.”

  “And now you do.”

  “Yes,” she said. It was a bittersweet situation. “Now I do.”

  * * *

  The next day, Erin jogged past the guest cabins on the Flying E, the main house and the livestock that had become a regular sight to her on her morning runs. This was her last full day here, the last time she’d run these paths, the last time she’d breathe in crisp Texas air as she worked her body to the max, feeling the strain of her muscles, the pull of her limbs. She was exhausting herself deliberately, so she
’d think about the pain racking her body rather than the pain tormenting her heart.

  It was working too, and she slowed her pace to catch her breath. The sky overhead was crystal clear today, not a cloud to be found. The golden sun was shining but the air had a bite to it and she relished the cooler temps calming her revved up body.

  Last night, she said her goodbyes to Amberley, Will and Faye. They vowed to keep in touch no matter what, and made her promise to come to their wedding. She was swarmed with hugs and good wishes at her new position in Seattle, one Will had a hand in helping her attain, and she left them feeling better about her decision, feeling loved.

  By the time she got to her cabin, she was walking at a snail’s pace, feeling drained of energy. “You are ridiculous, Erin.” Running until she was ready to drop didn’t solve anything. She still had to muster up her courage and tell Dan her news when he stopped over tonight. She was not looking forward to it, not looking forward to the demise of the most wonderful month she’d ever spent in her life.

  She shed her clothes and showered. The hard beads of hot water revitalized her somewhat, and she toweled off and stepped into fresh clothes. She combed through her hair and padded to the closet to pull out her suitcases. Just the sight of them on her bed made her breath catch. Robotically, she began to fill them up, and with each garment she placed inside the darkly lined interior, memories flooded her mind. She folded her now-infamous outfit she wore for the bucking bull night at the Dark Horse Saloon and placed it inside. It was where she’d met Dan and they’d saved Lucky. She fingered the blouse she’d worn, smiling sadly.

  Next, her horseback-riding-with-Dan pants were placed on top. Beside it she put in her luncheon-with-Chelsea outfit and then added her sexy lingerie. She didn’t even want to think about those heated nights with her Texan, her heart was aching enough. Her memories would be locked inside her head for eternity. Boots and other accessories filled another small suitcase and, except for the last-minute things she’d need tomorrow morning for the flight home, she was fully packed.