Hill Country Redemption

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “I’ll think about it and let you know.”

  “Think hard.” He opened Rance’s folder. “Y’all be careful driving back now.”

  “Thank you.” Obviously dismissed, Rance stood and followed Larae out.

  He hadn’t brought her here to receive a job offer—a job that would take her away from Medina.

  They retraced their steps and exited the building.

  He waited until they got in the truck to broach the subject. “Please tell me you’re not thinking about taking the job.”

  “If I decide I want it.”

  “But you’d either have to move here six months out of the year or spend all your time commuting.”

  “Yes. I’m a free agent.”

  “But what about Jayda? She loves it in Medina.”

  “She loved it in Dallas. She’d learn to love it here.”

  “But her schooling. She’d have to live half the year in one place and half the year in the other.”

  “You really don’t have any say in the matter.”

  “I’m her father, and I love her.” He couldn’t lose her. Or Jayda. He’d do whatever it took to keep them both. Even if it meant not playing fair. “Don’t make me use my pull on this, Larae.”

  Her gaze flew to his, fear in the blue depths. “Are you threatening to hire a lawyer?”

  “That’s not what I meant. My pull with Jayda. She loves me, loves living near me. If it was up to her, we’d all live together.” If it was up to him, they’d be married by now.

  The fear stayed in her eyes and tugged at his heart.

  “I’ll never try to take Jayda away from you, Larae. You’re her mother. I just don’t want you to move. But if you do, I’m moving, too. And not only because of Jayda. I love you, Larae. Don’t you know that by now?”

  She looked away. “I wish I could believe you. That there really is such a thing as a happy ending—well, there’s not.”

  But there could be. He needed to find a way to convince her of it. But how? He’d bared his heart and she still didn’t get it.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Rance had said he loved her last night. Larae’s heart stuttered. If only she could trust his words.

  She hurried downstairs, hoping to relieve Stella of cooking breakfast for once. But when she entered the kitchen, Stella was already in her usual spot at the stove.

  “You don’t have to cook me breakfast, you know.”

  “I don’t have many talents.” Stella scrambled eggs with her spatula. “Let me share the one I have. So how was your road trip with Rance?”

  “We got back in time for supper at his parents’ house and visited with Jayda.” Deep down, Larae had hoped Jayda might chicken out about spending the night there and want to come home. But she hadn’t. The night had been far too quiet. And lonely.

  “Any developments?”

  “I got a job offer.”

  Stella’s eyebrows raised. “I meant between you and Rance?”

  “There’s nothing to develop.”

  “You know I just want you to be happy.” Stella plopped eggs on her plate. “What kind of job offer?”

  “Marketing director in Mesquite. I’d work six months each year. I’d have to live there or do a lot of commuting during those months.”

  “What about the ranch?”

  “It could run without me.” But at the rate the rodeo was going, she still might end up selling. “I need a steady job, certain income. For Jayda’s sake.”

  “You’re far from the poorhouse.”

  “Yes, but I’d like to leave at least part of my inheritance to Jayda someday.”

  Stella pinned her with an unwavering gaze. “The rodeo will pick up. You could stay here. And open your heart.”

  “My heart is completely filled with Jayda.”

  “Someday, she’ll be all grown-up and gone. You’ll be alone. Rance loves you, and you love him.”

  “No, I don’t.” Larae managed a sarcastic laugh. “And he doesn’t, either.”

  “You can deny it all you want. But y’all remind me of how Denny and I were, so stuck on each other we couldn’t think straight. And you’re just scared.”

  “Am not.” Her response made her feel and sound childish, but it was all she could come up with.

  “Are too. Afraid of getting hurt. I don’t know what happened between y’all the first time. I didn’t even know there was a y’all. But you obviously got hurt. Y’all were too young then. Now you’re both older, wiser, more solid. You should give it another shot.” Stella pointed the spatula at her. “I try to stay out of Lexie’s and your business, but sometimes you young people need a voice of reason.”

  “I still love you, Stella. Thanks for breakfast,” Larae said, though she had eaten little of it. “I have some work to do in the office.” She nabbed a piece of toast and took her coffee with her.

  If only Stella knew the whole story. Then she’d understand why Larae couldn’t let Rance take up residence in her traitorous heart again. He’d burned her once. If she let him do it again, it was on her.

  She sat down in her father’s chair and picked up the flyer Garrett Steele and Brant McConnell’s manager had faxed over so she could email it to the radio station. At least, if she couldn’t get her outdoor arena off the ground, maybe her indoor venue would be a hit.

  She soon realized no one had ever installed the scan function of the printer into the computer. Where would her father keep his software? She opened each drawer of the desk, finding a stack of discs in the bottom one.

  When she picked up the stack, a loose disc slid out and became wedged in a crack at the base of the drawer. As she retrieved it, the wood pulled up with the disc. A false bottom. She flipped the wooden panel open to reveal a single sheet of printer paper folded like a letter.

  Was this something she wanted to find? She hesitated, her heart hammering, and jerked her hand back as if she’d been burned. What if her father had some deep, dark secret?

  No. Of course not. He had never kept secrets from her. Maybe legal papers. Something to do with the ranch. Or with her mother. A love letter to her mom. She smiled, picked up the paper, unfolded it.

  “I, Rance Shepherd, do solemnly swear to stay away from Larae Collins—” she frowned and kept reading “—in exchange for the sum of fifty thousand dollars.”

  Her heart dropped to her stomach.

  “I will not see, call, write, email or make any form of contact with Larae. I will not ask for more money at any time. This contract is a one-time offer, final and binding.”

  Her father’s signature was at the bottom in his usual bold scrawl. The paper fell from her fingers and fluttered to the floor. She covered her face with her hands. Dad paid Rance off. That’s why he had broken up with her. And probably why he’d quickly moved on to a string of other girls.

  For fifty thousand dollars.

  Rance had put a price on her head.

  And so had her dad.

  A knot lodged in her throat, threatening to cut off any air. She gulped as she sank back into the chair.

  How had her father even known about them? How could he have done such a thing? How could Rance agree?

  For money.

  Had he only gotten involved with her because her family had money? Who had come up with the contract, her father or Rance? Which one of them had established her worth?

  One thing was resoundingly clear, the two men she’d trusted with all her heart had sold her down the river.

  Her father might not be here to get a piece of her mind.

  But Rance was.

  She grabbed the contract up from the floor and stormed out of the office.

  * * *

  Rance was at loose ends. Without all the rodeo prep and with Jayda at his parents’, he had no reason to go to Larae’s until after school. Bu
t he wanted to anyway. He paced the floor of his kitchen. Had she picked up the sponsor signs for the indoor arena yet? If not, he could offer to do that. As good an excuse as any.

  He was heading for the front door just as someone sat on the doorbell. The constant ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong grated on his nerves. He opened the door and found Larae on his doorstep.

  Crying.

  “What’s wrong?” His heart stuttered. Had something happened to Jayda? “Is Jayda okay?”

  “She’s fine. But I’ve come to the conclusion that you need to stay out of her life.”

  “What? I can’t. I won’t.”

  “Oh, you will.” She let out an ironic laugh. “I’ll have my lawyer write up a contract. If you stay out of Jayda’s life, I’ll pay you fifty thousand dollars.”

  His breath stilled. She knew.

  “Or is that enough? Has your price gone up in the last eight years?” She jabbed a piece of paper at him.

  He knew exactly what it was.

  “I guess with inflation, maybe I should offer you seventy-five thousand.”

  “I don’t want your money. I didn’t want your dad’s, either.”

  “Then why did you take it?” Her voice cracked. “In exchange for me.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Yeah, right. I found the contract, Rance.” She shoved the paper at him.

  The contract, an object that practically reeked of hate and distrust. The contract he’d hoped had long been burned. He took it and unfolded it. There wasn’t anything he could do to save her father’s memory for her now. She knew exactly what her dad was capable of.

  “Look.” He held it to face her.

  “I read it.” She glared at him over the top of it. “Trust me, once was enough.”

  “Look at the signature lines, Larae.”

  Her gaze narrowed as she focused on the contract. Both eyebrows went up.

  “That’s right. Your dad signed it. I didn’t.”

  Fresh tears came, dripping on the contract she was never supposed to see.

  Why on earth had Ray kept it?

  “I’m sorry, Larae.” He gently placed his hands on her upper arms, and she melted into him. For the second time in a matter of days, Larae Collins soaked his shoulder.

  He drew her inside, shutting the door behind her. Comfort was all he could offer, no matter how right she felt in his arms. No matter how much her tears tore at his soul. No matter how much he wanted to make her feel better.

  Comfort and only comfort. She was entirely too vulnerable, and he would not take advantage of her emotions and steal the kiss he wanted so badly.

  Her tears eased, but then her lips touched his neck.

  High voltage shot through him. An accident.

  She did it again. Kissed his jaw.

  “Larae?”

  “Hmm?” Lips entirely too close to his.

  “Stop.” He hauled her away from him, taking a step back.

  The rejection in her eyes almost did him in.

  “It’s not that I don’t want to kiss you. Trust me, I can’t even tell you how much I want to kiss you. But you’re upset. And you might regret it later. I don’t want that.”

  She nodded, turning crimson. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”

  “Want to sit? Maybe talk about your dad?”

  “No. Maybe sometime, but that’ll just make me cry.”

  “Want to watch Duck Dynasty?”

  “Huh?” She frowned.

  “It always gives me a good laugh when I need one.”

  “Okay.” She sniffled. “I could definitely use a laugh.”

  He ushered her to the couch, then searched through his DVD collection. “Any preference? I have all the seasons.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Season five it is then.” He popped in the disc. Way too tempting to join her on the couch. Instead, he plopped into his recliner and turned on the TV. The familiar theme song started up.

  “Rance?”

  “Hmm?” He looked over at her.

  “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.” He felt like her hero and, for now, it was enough.

  * * *

  She’d stayed at Rance’s laughing over the Robertson family until it was time for Jayda to come home. His house was stark, sparsely decorated, but clean and neat. Not the bachelor pad she’d expected at all.

  They’d met Jayda at the end of the drive and gone fishing. He and his parents had stayed for supper and he had left shortly afterward. Without discussing the contract.

  This morning though, once Jayda went to school, Larae intended to ask questions.

  “Are you about done with breakfast, Pumpkin?”

  “Uh-huh.” Jayda popped the last bite of pancake into her mouth.

  “Go get dressed and brush your teeth. Grandma and Grandpa will be here soon.”

  “Okay. Thanks for the yummy breakfast, Stella.”

  “You’re welcome, Miss Pickles.” Stella beamed.

  Jayda was bolting up the stairs as the doorbell rang.

  “I’ll get it.” Larae hurried to the front of the house and opened the door.

  Rance, with his parents, thankfully. Because yesterday she’d practically thrown herself at him. Even with Maggie and Davis here, it was still awkward. Her face warmed.

  “Talk him into it, Larae.” Maggie gave her a pointed look. “I’m counting on you.”

  “Okay. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll give it a shot. Come on in. Jayda is almost ready.”

  “I’ll tell you what it is.” Davis’s put-upon tone didn’t fit him. “Maggie’s esteemed parents invited us to their fiftieth anniversary party. Tomorrow. And why such late notice? We’re an afterthought.”

  “Don’t mind him.” Maggie rolled her eyes. “I’ll work on Davis if you’ll work on Rance for me.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Don’t waste your time.” Rance harrumphed.

  “I know they’re...difficult. But they are my parents. I wouldn’t be here if not for them, and they’re getting older. They made the gesture to invite us, and we’re going. Understood?”

  Neither man complied.

  “I’m ready.” Jayda ran down the stairs.

  “Careful, Baby Girl, you’ll fall.”

  But by then Jayda was already at the bottom. “I won’t, Daddy. I hang on to the banister real tight with my good arm.”

  Larae gave her a hug. “You have a good day at school, and if you want, you can spend an extra hour at Grandma and Grandpa’s today if they don’t have something else scheduled.”

  “We’re all hers.” Maggie mouthed a thank-you.

  Jayda hugged Rance. “See you later, Daddy.”

  “Bye, Baby Girl.”

  Jayda raced out. With a wave, Maggie and Davis followed.

  And the real awkwardness set in.

  “So tell me about the anniversary party.”

  “They called last night, and the party’s tomorrow.” He sighed. “They’re obviously hoping we won’t come.”

  “Maybe not. Maybe they’ve been wrestling with themselves for a long time because they were afraid y’all wouldn’t come.”

  He scoffed. “You obviously don’t know my grandparents.”

  “Well, it seems important to your mom.”

  “I can’t figure out for the life of me why. Dad worked for them. That’s how he and Mom met. And they’ve pretty much ignored us since Mom and Dad got married. And now they expect us to drop everything and come to their highfalutin shindig in the middle of the day?”

  He gave a frustrated shake of his head. “Who has a party at two o’clock on Thursday? I’ll tell you who, my hoity-toity grandparents who think nobody has to work—that we all just sit around twiddling our thumbs and being idly rich
like them.”

  “Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”

  He snickered. “They just rub me the wrong way. Because they hurt my mom.”

  “Well, I think if you don’t go, it will hurt your mom.”

  “I know you’re right.” He growled. “How do you women do that? Twist us around until we do what you want?” He snapped his fingers. “I know. You have to go with me.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I’m not intruding on a family party I wasn’t invited to.”

  “You can be my plus-one. That’s it.” He crossed his arms under his chest, striking a stubborn pose. “I’m not going without you.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “Just think of my mom.”

  Maggie could use the support, and she’d been so good to Larae. “Oh, all right. What should I wear?”

  “They’ll expect the most expensive, tasteful, formal dress you own. But it would be funny if you bought something really cheap and totally unfashionable from a thrift store. I’ll see if I can find a blue polyester suit from the seventies.”

  “No, you won’t. You’ll not embarrass your mom.”

  “You’re no fun.”

  Now that the issue was settled, a question burned in her gut. “Why did you break up with me if you didn’t take the money?”

  “Wow, you cut right to the punch, don’t you?” He settled on the couch.

  She chose a wingback. “I barely slept from wanting to know.”

  “To be honest, there was some pride involved. It hurt to know your dad thought I only wanted your money. I dated those other girls to convince you we were through. But after graduation, I was determined no one would ever think I was after anyone’s money again. The few girls I’ve dated since were dirt-poor.”

  His gaze caught hers. “But the main reason was because I was afraid if we stayed together and I married you like I wanted to, your dad would disown you, like my mom’s parents disowned her.”

  Her breath caught, and her brain didn’t get much past the part where he’d said he wanted to marry her.

  “I broke up with you and tormented myself by dating those other girls I didn’t want anything to do with so you and your dad would stay an intact family.”