Rodeo Reunion

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Why Aubrey?”

  “Dylan and I brought Hunter to a dude ranch here when he was three. He doesn’t remember it, but Dylan and I both fell in love with the town. Last year my brother ended up moving here because his best friend lives here and helped him get a job.” She shrugged. “There was an opening for a school nurse here and everything fell into place as if it were meant to be.”

  “Hunter seems well adjusted.”

  “He tends to be shy around other kids and so far he’s only made one friend since we moved here. It’s been worse since my brother’s job took him on the road. He was reluctant to go because of Hunter, but I convinced him we’d be fine until he gets back.”

  “What happened to Dylan?” His voice came out tight. “I mean, if you don’t mind telling me.”

  “It’s fine.” She cleared her throat. “He made it as a Texas Ranger like he always planned, but he died in an off-duty car wreck.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, me too.” Her gaze scanned the horizon. “What brings you to Aubrey?”

  “I’m taking a sabbatical from my rodeo chaplaincy. My mentor thought I needed a break and after I ran into you, I decided to move here and catch up…”

  “With Dylan. I wish you could.” She sighed. “I remember Dylan talking to you on the phone about being a rodeo chaplain. I imagine it can be frustrating, like any ministry.” She still couldn’t picture him at the rodeo.

  After watching old games with Dylan, she’d have never imagined Slade wearing any kind of hat other than a baseball cap. But his cowboy hat somehow fit.

  “It’s not exactly what I set out to do with my life.” He shrugged. “But it’s been more fulfilling than anything I’ve ever done.”

  “So, how long will you be here?” The house next door was a rental house.

  “Three months. Maybe I’m getting old, but the road’s rough and it’s not really a good place to find someone to settle down with. Most of the ladies are attached to the cowboys traveling the circuit.”

  Settling down? Slade Walker wanted to settle down. And he couldn’t find anybody single and willing? The breeze blew through his dark waves, a sharp contrast to those sage-green eyes.

  “So God gave me the opportunity to take a break. Relax in quiet little Aubrey, Texas, and hopefully get my fire back for the road.” He turned to face her. “I thought I’d catch up with an old friend and never dreamed…”

  “Yeah, me neither. If you’d have told me back when I met Dylan that I’d be a widow by the age of twenty-four, I’d have laughed.”

  “Even with him being in law enforcement?”

  “I never worried about his job.” She shrugged. “A lot of the wives and girlfriends do, but I just didn’t. And in the end…the job didn’t cause his death.”

  “How’s your friend Caitlyn?”

  “She and Michaela Natasha Warren are both fine.”

  “That’s a pretty name, but it’s a mouthful.”

  “After her father, Mitch, and her aunt Natalie.” A brown butterfly with yellow-lined wings flitted about the bluebonnets. The first she’d seen this spring. Butterflies always gave her a sense of tranquility. “I hope she’s a good speller.” Raquel laughed.

  “Did you know Caitlyn before you moved here?”

  “Mitch was Dylan’s partner.”

  “Ah. I thought y’all seemed close.”

  “Mitch was great when Dylan died. He spends as much time as he can with Hunter. And once he married Caitlyn, we became friends.”

  “I’m glad you haven’t remarried.”

  What?

  “I mean…” Slade stuttered. “I’ve known people who marry the first person to come along and end up making mistakes.”

  Oh. Not because he was interested in her. But sweet that he cared.

  “I love the sounds of the country. Listen.” Slade closed his eyes.

  Grateful for the change of subject, she relaxed. The frogs struck up a chorus as the sky darkened. Dylan would’ve loved it, too.

  From the time she and Dylan had started dating, he’d worried about dying because of his occupation. He’d worried about leaving her alone and always made her promise to find someone new to love if anything happened to him. Especially after Hunter was born. He’d made her promise to find a new love who’d be a good father to their son.

  After Dylan died, she’d made a promise to herself. She would eventually find a good father for Hunter with a nice safe occupation. She wouldn’t even think of bringing another man into Hunter’s life if his odds of dying young were high.

  Why was she thinking about that promise now?

  “It was nice seeing you.” She stood. “But I’d better go check on Hunter. Thanks for helping him.”

  “No problem. He can come over and play with Blizzard anytime.” He patted the dog’s head. “And I’d be happy to work on his baseball skills whenever he wants to.”

  “Thanks, but I’m sure you’re busy.”

  “Actually, I’m not.”

  “Oh, right. I’ll tell him. I’m sure he’d like that.”

  “Good night, Raquel.” He clicked his tongue. “Come on, Blizzard. Let’s go home.”

  Home? Right next door. Slade Walker was right next door. He disappeared through the line of bushes.

  The few times she’d dated since Dylan’s death, it had felt forced. As if she was just looking to fulfill her promise to Dylan. But she’d known of Slade since she’d met Dylan. Had even answered the phone a few times when he’d called in the early years of her marriage.

  Now, after meeting him in person, she was at ease with him. She stepped inside and locked the door behind her. And she’d always thought he was handsome. Yes, Slade had always been a nice guy, a Christian and a hunk. And a girl couldn’t get any more safe than a rodeo chaplain.

  But he might not stay in Aubrey. She couldn’t allow Hunter to get attached to a man who would leave in three months. And she couldn’t afford to have such silly thoughts. If only he’d keep going and stride right back into her past.

  * * *

  Dylan was dead. He wasn’t here anymore. It didn’t compute.

  But his widow lived next door.

  Slade’s heart hurt for her, but her strength appealed to him. The strength that kept her going after her husband’s death. The strength that had given her the courage to move somewhere new for her son’s sake without running home to her parents. Her determination to give him a small-town childhood, even if she had to do it alone.

  It was her strength that made him want to help her—so she could relax for once and not have to be so strong.

  Slade climbed the porch steps and unlocked the door. Blizzard bolted inside and headed for his food bowl. Chunks clattered against the stainless steel bowl as Slade filled it.

  When she’d told him Dylan was gone, it had knocked the wind out of him. Sitting on the steps together remembering a man they’d both loved seemed to bond them.

  Everything had lined up perfectly as if God was directing it all. The little town of Aubrey had drawn them both here, her son needed help with baseball, and Slade had nothing but time on his hands. He could be there for Dylan’s widow. Be there for Dylan’s son.

  * * *

  Thwack. The bat made contact, the ball sailed past second base, and Raquel and her friend Lacie jumped to their feet cheering. As his team rooted for Hunter, her heart swelled and he made it safely to first base. After his almost nightly batting practices with Slade, Hunter hadn’t struck out like last year. His grin was brighter than the afternoon sun.

  “That was awesome.” Lacie sat back down on the aluminum bleacher. “Did you teach him that?”

  “No way.” Raquel laughed. “I played basketball.”

  “Duh.” Lacie rolled her eyes.

  The tiny blonde’s petite build made Raquel feel like an Amazon woman at five-eight. Caitlyn had introduced her to Lacie back when Raquel had first moved here. Since Lacie had been widowed before she married Quinn, and her son, Max, was
in Hunter’s class, she and Raquel had bonded and Hunter had made his first true friend in Max.

  “Good job, Hunter.” The coach applauded. “Everybody’s been up to bat, so let’s wrap it up for the day. Boys, pair up and play catch while I talk to the parents.”

  The coach and his two assistants exited the field and the parents circled them.

  “Could any of you parents volunteer to coach?” The coach kept his voice low.

  “Isn’t that you?” Lacie asked.

  “I just got news that I’ll be deployed in a week.”

  Raquel’s heart sank. For the soldier and his family but also for Hunter. He’d be so disappointed.

  All of the parents shook their heads.

  “I’d like to break the news to the team after I find a replacement so they won’t worry. Anybody know anyone who might volunteer?”

  The parents shook their heads again.

  “I hate to say this—” the coach propped his foot on the bottom bleacher “—but if we don’t find someone, we won’t be able to have a team.”

  “What about your assistants?” Raquel gestured toward the two men flanking the coach.

  “I’ve never coached before.” Lacie’s husband, Quinn, kicked at the dirt. “I played hockey in school and only signed up to help out since Max is playing. I’m totally not qualified to coach. In fact, I’m still learning the rules.”

  “I might be willing.” The man with the potbelly scanned the parents. “But I don’t have any experience.”

  “I appreciate that, Sam.” The coach studied the parents as if hoping for a better solution. “I’m really sorry about this. If I’d known I would be deployed, I’d have never signed up to coach.”

  “It can’t be helped.” Raquel tried not to let the disappointment show in her tone. “We appreciate your willingness and your service to our country.”

  “Ask around and see if you can come up with anyone. I’ll do the same. Sam, you think about it and we’ll see what happens.”

  The move had been harder on Hunter than she’d expected. Especially since her brother, Brant, was gone so much. Hunter had looked forward to the move because of his uncle. But Brant’s frequent touring was wearing thin. If his baseball team lost all season, Hunter would miss his old friends and teammates even more.

  She cleared her throat. “I might know someone.”

  All eyes turned to her as if she’d saved the day.

  And she had. If she could convince Slade.

  * * *

  Lunch at Moms on Main had gotten Slade out of the house. Made him stop watching the clock. Made him stop waiting for Raquel to come home. And the meal had been much better than anything he could have come up with in his rental-house kitchen.

  Saturday was usually the busiest day of his week, as he prepared for the rodeo and his sermon. Now the weekend stretched before him.

  “Slade Walker?” A man met him on the sidewalk pushing a baby stroller with a petite redhead on his arm.

  Slade’s eyes widened. His chest constricted. The fair-complexioned woman from the clipping in his pocket. His sister. And her husband.

  How does he know me? Had the lawyer let it slip?

  “Have we met?” Slade cleared his throat.

  “No. I followed your career with the Rangers. I’m Brant McConnell.”

  “Oh.” Slade’s relief poured out in a trickle of sweat down his back. Despite the early-March chill.

  “You just passing through?”

  “Actually—” his gaze strayed to Tori…his sister “—I’m here for a few months.”

  “I’m Tori.” She stuck her hand toward him.

  He clasped her delicate hand. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Who’d have ever thought he’d have a redheaded sister?

  “My wife.” Brant stated his dibs out loud.

  And Slade realized he was still holding her hand.

  Chapter 3

  Slade dropped Tori’s hand as if burned by fire.

  Great. It looked as if he was hitting on this guy’s wife. Hitting on his sister. Ugh. Come on, brain—kick into gear.

  “Congratulations.” His gaze settled on the baby dressed in pink. Probably six months old or so. His niece.

  But his brain did the math. He knew from the clipping in his wallet that Tori and Brant had gotten married on Thanksgiving Day. Which meant she’d been hugely pregnant or had already had the baby by the time their wedding came around.

  “Thanks.” Tori’s smile trembled. He’d made her uncomfortable hanging on to her hand because she had no idea who he was. Great.

  “It was nice to meet you.” He tipped his hat at Tori and kept walking. Before he did something stupid. Like punching her husband for taking advantage of her. Before telling her right then and there who he was.

  * * *

  She’d been gone most of the day and set Slade’s imagination on edge. Where had Raquel been? On a date? Had she dropped Hunter at a sitter’s and gone to dinner with someone?

  He needed something to do other than sit around and think about Raquel’s social life. What she did with her Saturday was none of his business. He clicked the TV on, then off again and let Blizzard out.

  A knock sounded at the front door. He hadn’t heard a vehicle. Maybe it was Hunter wanting to play with Blizzard or practice batting. Hunter had been over almost every day, but he’d only seen Raquel supervising from her yard.

  He hurried to the front of the house and swung the door open. Raquel stood on his porch, kicking his pulse into overdrive.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey.” He managed to speak around his heart lodged in his throat.

  A flowery scent entered his space. Tantalizing and soft—like Raquel. Did her long blond hair feel as silky as it looked? His fingers itched to learn, so he shoved his hands in his pockets.

  “Come on in.”

  “Thanks, but I can’t. I’ve got dinner on. My brother and his family have been out of town for the last three months and just got back. They’re coming over for a celebration dinner in a bit. I thought you might like to join us.”

  “It’s real nice of you to ask, but I don’t want to impose on your family dinner.”

  “You wouldn’t be imposing. I cooked a roast with carrots, potatoes and green beans. There’s plenty.”

  His taste buds fired up. “I don’t know.”

  “Come on—it’ll be fun. And I’m a great cook.”

  “I remember Dylan saying that.”

  “Hunter would love it if you came.”

  “I don’t have a thing to contribute to the meal.”

  “You don’t need to bring anything but yourself. Supper is ready and they should arrive anytime.”

  “I’ll be over in a few minutes, then.”

  “Sounds good.” She turned away.

  Slade raked his hand through his hair. For the first time, he’d noticed her long blond hair. Hair that begged a man to run his fingers through it. Her willowy lithe figure—even after giving birth—that begged a man’s arms to hold her. Her blue eyes that twinkled when she laughed. And her laugh that sounded like music.

  Admittedly, Slade was drawn to her. And attracted to her.

  What kind of jerk would allow himself to be attracted to his friend’s widow?

  * * *

  Raquel booked it across his yard to hers while her legs would still work. Her heart was about to beat out of her chest and her mouth had gone dry when he’d opened the door. How could a man make jeans and an undershirt look so good? How could a man have that many muscles?

  Why did he have to be so stinking good-looking and nice on top of that? Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

  But she had to think of Hunter.

  And she had to refrain from staring when Slade brought his fine self to dinner. Surely he’d put a real shirt on.

  Oh. My. Goodness.

  He’d made her heart rev. Again.

  No. No. No. He was here for only three months. Her heart could not rev over him. She’d
just been nervous about asking him to coach Hunter’s team. Yeah, that’s what it was.

  Calm down. Butter him up with supper. Resist looking at him unless she had to. And everything would be fine.

  As she entered through the back door, cartoons blasted from the living room. “Hunter, turn down the TV and go wash up.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  The television faded into background noise and she checked the roast, then transferred the fork-tender beef and vegetables to a serving platter. The onions and celery added a savory aroma to the gravy and made her mouth water as she covered the dish with foil to keep it warm.

  “They’re here!” Hunter called.

  Raquel squealed as she hurried to the front of the house and followed Hunter out the door to meet Brant.

  Hunter beat her to him and hugged Brant until he knelt to scoop up his nephew.

  “I’m so glad you’re home.” Raquel hugged him around Hunter. “But you’re gonna hurt your back.”

  “Not with this squirt.”

  “I’m not a squirt. I’m one of the tallest in my class.” Hunter giggled as Brant tickled his ribs, then set him down.

  Raquel hurried to hug Tori and coo over her baby niece. “Oh, Lorraine, you get prettier and prettier, just like your mama.”

  “Nope. She’s prettier than I ever thought about being.” Tori grinned.

  “Obviously, you haven’t looked in the mirror lately, ’cause you’re one smoking-hot mama.” Brant winked at his wife.

  “Little ears,” Tori whispered.

  Brant covered his mouth in mock dismay and focused on Hunter again. “So, were you surprised?”

  “About what?”

  “That I’m here. That I’m home from my tour.”

  Hunter shook his head. “Mama told me you were coming to dinner tonight.”

  “Rock.” Brant shot her a stern scowl. “Will you never learn to keep a secret?”

  “I tried.” She winced. “It slipped out in something like ‘We’ll save this roast for Saturday when Uncle Brant comes home.’”

  “No secrets around my little sis.” Brant shook his head and scooped a pie out of his truck. “I’m starving.”

  “You were born starving.” Raquel linked arms with her brother. “Tori, you weren’t supposed to bring anything. You just got home.”