Protecting Her Daughter (Wrangler's Corner)

by Eason, Lynette

  She studied him then shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Do you want me to get lost?”

  “No! No, not at all.”

  “Well, that’s a relief.” He smiled and she gave a low laugh. He turned serious again. “If you don’t want me to get lost, just tell me what’s in your heart.”

  She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly then nodded. “I have to say, my heart’s pretty full right now.”

  “Good to hear.”

  She plucked at the sheet with her free hand then looked him in the eye. “I had a good life back in Knoxville, some good friends I look forward to reconnecting with now that I wouldn’t be putting any of them in danger. But I think I’ve come to realize that my life there is now a part of my past. When we arrived in Wrangler’s Corner, it was a bit like coming home. And even during all the craziness, every time I thought about leaving, I would get this hollow ache in my stomach.”

  “So what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying I want to stay here. Sophia loves it. She loves you.”

  He understood how she felt when she said her heart was full. Something else they had in common. “And what about her mother?”

  *

  Zoe swallowed and pulled in a deep breath. Butterflies settled in her stomach and she wondered if she could even get the words she wanted to say through the tightness in her throat. “Her mother loves you, too, Aaron.” His hands tightened around hers. “I think I’ve loved you from the moment you carried Sophia across that river, protecting her as though she were your own.”

  “I want her to be.”

  And then she couldn’t speak anymore. He leaned over and kissed her as though the only way he could tell her he loved her was through the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

  “Does this mean you’re getting married?”

  Zoe yanked back with a gasp. “Sophia!” She held her arms open and Sophia ran across the small space to hop on the bed and snuggled down next to her. “I’ve missed you!”

  “I missed you, too, but I had fun with Aunt Nina.” She frowned and gently touched the bruises Alexander had left on Zoe’s face. “Are you okay? I was scared when Aunt Nina said we had to come to the hospital to see you. Did the bad men come back and hurt you?”

  Zoe’s eyes met Nina’s red-rimmed and puffy ones. “I’m fine, honey. Just a little accident, that’s all. All the bad men are gone, and we’re safe as we can be. My wounds will heal.” Thank you, God.

  A brilliant smile broke out on Sophia’s face, and her eyes looked lighter than they had in weeks. Zoe’s heart ached at the stress the past few weeks had brought into her child’s life. But that was over now. Sophia hugged her again. “I’m glad. Is Ginny okay, too? Her car broke down, and Grandpop came along to help. Isn’t that crazy?”

  “Hmm. Yes. Crazy.” How much had Sophia seen with the incident that had landed Ginny in the hospital with a gunshot wound?

  Aaron came to kneel in front of Sophia. He took her hand in his. “What exactly happened with Ginny’s car breaking down?”

  Sophia shrugged. “I’m not really sure. Ginny said her car broke down so she called someone to come help us. Brian and Grandpop showed up. Grandpop asked Ginny if he could help her and she said no, that was all right, she was waiting for someone else.”

  “She did?” Zoe asked.

  “Yes. She said something about changing her mind, and Grandpop got really mad. He told Brian to take me to the car while he and Ginny talked. So I went with Brian, but the car was pretty far away and I couldn’t tell if Grandpop got her car started again or not.”

  “What happened to Brian after you got in the car with Grandpop?” Just saying the man’s name made her want to gag. She looked up to see tears streaming down Nina’s face. Aaron passed the box of tissues over to Nina and she grabbed several.

  “I don’t know,” Sophia said. “Grandpop drove me to Nina’s, and then he and Brian went somewhere.”

  She shuddered as she thought of the end Brian had met. So Alexander had dropped Sophia off then killed Brian. At least Sophia had been spared seeing Ginny hurt. Which led her to believe Alexander had been serious about leaving Sophia with Nina and Gregory. He hadn’t wanted her traumatized—or a witness—to his violence. Zoe sent up a prayer of thankfulness that her child had been spared that.

  Aaron hugged Sophia. “I’m glad you’re all right, kid.”

  Sophia leaned back, grasped his face between her hands and kissed his nose. “Thanks, Doctor Aaron. I’m fine.” She glanced at her mother then back to Aaron. “So are you going to marry my mom?”

  Aaron flushed, but Zoe loved that he didn’t look away from Sophia. “If she’ll have me.”

  “Oh, we will,” Sophia said.

  Zoe gave a choked laugh. “And that’s that, huh?”

  Sophia grinned at her. “Of course.”

  Nina sniffed and blew out a sigh. Her gaze danced between Zoe and Aaron. “It looks like you have some unfinished business here. Is it all right if Sophia stays with me at the hotel tonight?” At Zoe’s hesitation, Nina lifted a hand. “It’s fine, I understand why you might not want to.”

  Zoe glanced at Aaron then Sophia. “I just hate for you to have to stay at a hotel. You’re welcome to stay at the house and use my room.” Sophia’s shoulders slumped and Zoe raised a brow. “But maybe if Sophia wants to stay at the hotel, it could be arranged.” She ran a hand over her child’s soft hair. “What do you want to do?”

  Sophia slanted her eyes at her aunt. “They have an indoor pool, right?”

  Nina laughed and swiped her nose with the tissue. “Yes, they do.”

  Sophia nodded and turned to Zoe. “I think I’d like to go with Aunt Nina if that’s all right.”

  “But you don’t have a swimsuit.”

  Sophia’s cheeks turned red, and she dropped her gaze. She shuffled her feet then looked up at Zoe through her lashes. “Well, I might have overheard Aunt Nina and Uncle Gregory making plans about bringing me to see you and she might have mentioned staying at the Marriott just outside of Wrangler’s Corner and everybody knows they have an indoor pool…” She lifted her hands—the picture of innocence.

  “So you might have packed the bathing suit you usually keep at Nina’s?”

  “I might have.”

  “All right, you can go.”

  Sophia squealed and gave Zoe another hug, turned to Aaron and held up her arms. He picked her up, and she squeezed his neck. Then she scurried down and raced to her aunt’s side to grasp the woman’s hand.

  They turned to go and Nina looked back over her shoulder. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  Zoe nodded. “Thank you. For everything.”

  When the door shut behind them Aaron moved back to his spot on the bed. “Now. Where were we?”

  She felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Um—”

  “Oh, yes, I remember.” He lowered his head once more and captured her lips for yet another tender kiss. When he pulled back, he studied her. She shifted and gave a small laugh. “What?”

  “You don’t seem to have any lingering side effects from the drug.”

  She let her smile fall away. “No. Not right now.” She bit her lip. “Aaron, I want…” She stopped and twisted the sheet into a ball then smoothed it back over her legs.

  He covered her fidgeting hands with his. “What? What do you want, Zoe?”

  She met his gaze. “I want to explore what we have. I want it more than anything, but you have to understand what you’re getting into if you decide you want to be with me. I’ve been clean for over ten years—discounting today.”

  “I don’t count today.”

  His tenderness made her want to cry, but she had to make sure he understood. “There are still days I struggle, Aaron. Not as many after all this time, true, but there are days I want a hit.”

  “But you don’t get one.”

  “No. I don’t, but it can be very difficult for me—and those
around me—until it passes.”

  He cupped her cheek. “I can handle it. What do you do when the craving hits?”

  “I either eat chocolate or go running. Or both.”

  “Excellent.”

  She lifted a brow. “Why?”

  “Those are two things I can do with you.”

  “Really?” A tear slipped out. She couldn’t help it.

  He swiped it away. “Really.”

  “If you’re sure. Please be very, very sure.”

  He kissed her again then leaned his forehead against hers. “Look at me.” She did. “I love you. Not one of us is perfect or without baggage, but together we can overcome that and build a great life together. Us and Sophia. The Three Musketeers, okay?”

  She gave a relieved, watery laugh. “Okay, that sounds like a deal.”

  He kissed her again. “Definitely a deal.”

  She pulled back again. “I have a question.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Did Clay and Sabrina ever name their baby?”

  Aaron blinked then a laugh burst from him. “Yes. They named her Hannah.”

  “Oh, that’s a lovely name.”

  “We think so.”

  “Okay, that’s all I wanted to know. You can kiss me again.”

  So he did.

  EPILOGUE

  Thanksgiving

  Zoe stared at the huge family around the monster table. Mrs. Starke was in her element, and she beamed as she presided over the organized chaos. There were people everywhere, spilling in and out of every room, upstairs and down. Zoe had given up trying to remember names. Sophia played with two other little girls about her age and was giddy with excitement. She’d never had a holiday such as the one playing out now.

  And neither had Zoe. Arms slipped around her waist from behind, and Zoe tilted her head to smile up at her fiancé. “Are you overwhelmed?” he asked.

  “Completely, but it’s lovely. Fascinating. This is how you grew up?”

  “Every year at every holiday. Of course it’s a lot bigger now, but yes, it was just as nuts back when I was a kid, too.” He chuckled. “Dad had to clean out the barn and set up tables in front of all the stalls. He’s got the heaters running, and the kids will eat out there with a few adult chaperones.”

  “All your cousins are here. Aunts, uncles.” A familiar face stepped into the foyer. “And Lance, too.”

  “Lance has become part of the family. He doesn’t have a lot of his own so we’ve sort of adopted him.”

  “You’re good people, you Starkes,” she said.

  “Thanks.” He looked up and froze.

  Zoe slipped out of his arms and followed his gaze. “What is it?” Before he could answer, she saw the reason for his stillness. “Amber!” She waded through the mass of humanity and reached her longtime friend. Amber grinned and held out her arms. Zoe grabbed her in a big hug. “I’m so glad you’re here. I can’t tell you how grateful I am you sent me out here.”

  She shot a subtle glance at her brother. “I’d say Aaron owes me.”

  Zoe giggled. “Big time.”

  Amber gave another laugh, this one a bit more subdued. “I have a question for you, Zoe.”

  Zoe stilled. “What’s that?”

  “Will you step outside with me for a minute?”

  “What’s going on?” Aaron asked. He slid an arm across Zoe’s shoulder and she leaned into him.

  But curiosity had her eyeing Amber. “Sure, I’ll step outside with you.”

  “I’m coming, too,” Aaron said.

  Amber nodded and the three of them slipped out the front door onto the big wraparound porch. People still mingled in the chilly afternoon air, but at least it was quieter than the house. “What is it?”

  “If I told you that I found your brother, would you want to see him?”

  The words hung in the air while Zoe fought for breath. “Yes,” she was finally able to gasp. “Yes, I’d love to see him.”

  Amber seemed to lose some of her tension. “Good.” She looked at the far end of the porch. “See that guy sitting down there?”

  Zoe turned to look and caught her breath when her eyes landed on the man Amber indicated. She’d know him anywhere. He was older, but it was him. “Toby?” He stood and faced her. Her older brother, her friend, and at one point in her life, her protector. She walked up and stood in front of him. Tears threatened, but she held them back. “I’ve missed you.”

  Tears gathered in his own eyes and he stepped forward to wrap her in his arms and bury his nose in her hair. “Oh, man, Zoe, I’ve missed you, too.”

  “Where have you been?”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “I’ve got time if you do.”

  “All I can say is I didn’t mean to desert you. Abandon you all those years ago. But Dad was so awful, he told me that you hated me and never wanted to see me again.”

  Zoe gaped. “That’s not true!”

  “I know that now thanks to Amber, but at the time, after that fight, I believed him. You were so mad at me for leaving and going to college.”

  “I tried to tell you I was sorry, that I didn’t mean it, but I couldn’t find you,” she whispered.

  He closed his eyes. “It’s not your fault. I did a little disappearing act. I joined the Marines about a month after I left. And then from there, I went to work for the government.”

  “In what capacity?”

  He hesitated. “I can’t tell you.”

  She blinked. “You have one of those jobs.”

  He gave a self-conscious smile. “Yes. I shouldn’t have even told you that much, but I’m going to have to disappear again, and I don’t want you feeling abandoned yet again.”

  “But I’ve just found you. I don’t want you to leave.” She sounded like a five-year-old and didn’t care.

  Toby hugged her then Amber. “I can stay for a day or so, then will have to take off.” His lips turned down. “I’m sorry, it’s all I’ve got.”

  Zoe nodded and swiped a few stray tears. “I’ll take it.”

  “Great. Now you want to introduce me to the guy who’s been watching you like a lovesick puppy?”

  Zoe and Amber laughed and Aaron grinned. She made the introductions and then jumped when a bell sounded. Aaron grabbed her hand. “Dinner is ready.”

  Zoe tucked her hand in his. “Let’s go eat.”

  They found their way to one of the large tables and Aaron pulled her seat out for her. He introduced her to those around her. Seth, Aaron’s brother, had a baby boy tucked into the crook of his left arm. “Seth’s riding in the National Finals Rodeo the first week in December. Again.”

  “Congratulations, that’s huge.”

  Seth grinned at her. “Thanks, and it’s nice to meet you. Didn’t think anyone would lasso this brother of mine. You caught a good one.”

  Tonya, Seth’s wife, smacked his arm—the one without the baby. “Really, Seth? Behave.”

  He ducked. “Sorry.” Zoe didn’t see any remorse in his bright blue eyes.

  “Who’s the little one?” she asked.

  “That’s Brady. He’s three months old.” Pride beamed from Seth’s face. Sabrina came and swooped little Brady right out of his daddy’s arm.

  She grinned at Zoe. “Hi. My mom has Hannah so I’m going to just love on this little doll for a few minutes.”

  Zoe nodded. “I don’t blame you a bit.”

  Aaron leaned over. “Do you think you can handle this crazy crew on a permanent basis?”

  Butterflies swarmed in her stomach as his warm breath caressed her ear. She gripped his fingers. “I think I can handle anything with you at my side,” she told him.

  His eyes brightened and he bent down to steal a kiss in front of everyone. She knew her cheeks were as red as Sabrina’s fire-engine top, but she didn’t care a bit.

  Sophia squealed and grabbed his arm to hug it to her chest. “I’m glad you’re marrying my mom.”

  “I am, too, sweetheart.”
<
br />   Sophia tilted her head and stared up at him. “So…”

  “Yes?” Aaron asked.

  “Can I call you ‘Daddy’?” The question was so faint Zoe almost didn’t hear it.

  But the craziness around them faded as she watched Aaron pick Sophia up into his strong, capable arms. He kissed her cheek and settled her on his lap. “I can’t think of anything that I would like more.” He paused and slid an arm around Zoe’s shoulders to pull her next to him. She could hardly breathe through the emotions filling her. Sophia smiled, a shy, gap-toothed smile. Then she looked at Aaron’s mother, Mrs. Starke, who’d walked around the table to stand next to them. Tears glistened in her eyes.

  “Doctor Aaron’s going to be my daddy and you’re going to be my grandma.”

  The woman nodded. “That’s the best news I’ve heard today.”

  Sophia slid off her future daddy’s lap and back into her chair. “I’m hungry.”

  Aaron still had his arm around Zoe’s shoulder. He kissed her ear. “And I’m blessed.”

  “Correction. We’re blessed.”

  “Amen to that.” He kissed her again. “Now, the kid’s hungry. Let’s eat.”

  *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from NO ONE TO TRUST by Melody Carlson

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

  Dear Reader,

  Thanks for coming along with me on Aaron and Zoe’s journey. I love this next installment in the Wrangler’s Corner series and hope you’ve enjoyed it, too! Zoe had quite the past to overcome: her parents’ troubled marriage, her daughter’s diabetes, her husband’s death, her brother’s disappearance… Wow! I really put her through it, didn’t I? But she got through it. God was right by her side the entire way. Even though Zoe had given up on God, He hadn’t given up on her. Amber sent her to the farm where Aaron and his family showed up and took her and Sophia under their wing to protect and shelter. I look at that and compare it to my own life. How God sends people at the right time and the right place for various reason—but all to help me. I hope you have someone in your life whom you know God has put there for a purpose. Just look around, I’m sure you’ll figure it out!