by Susan Meier
“Hey, sleepyhead.”
She squinted, trying to open her eyes but not quite succeeding.
He laughed and grabbed the diaper bag.
Claire reached out to help him. “Let me take her.”
“No. I’ve got her.” He did. He had this baby who had been entrusted to his care. He’d never desert her. He’d do whatever needed to be done for her. He was officially a daddy.
* * *
As he walked down the plane’s stairs, he noticed a big white SUV about thirty feet away. Leaning against the back door was his sister Charlotte. Tall and lanky, with shoulder-length brown hair, she didn’t look one bit out of place wearing jeans and a Stetson...and were those cowboy boots?
He burst out laughing and nudged his head in her direction. “Would you believe that’s my rebellious little sister Charlotte?”
Claire laughed.
Charlotte shoved away from the car and opened her arms to him as he approached. “What? You’ve never seen a cowboy hat?”
“I like your boots.”
“Yeah, well, I like your baby.” She took Bella from him and glanced at Claire. “I’m Charlotte, by the way. Matt’s sister.”
Claire reached out and shook the hand she extended. “I’m Claire. I’m helping him with Bella, the baby.”
She peeked at Matt. “Where did you get a baby?”
He winced. “She’s Ginny’s little girl.”
Her face softened. “Oh, Matt. I’m so sorry.”
“So was I.” Sadness rose up in him again, but only the sadness of a man who had lost a good friend, not the sadness of a man who had lost the love of his life. For the first time since he’d heard of Ginny’s death, he felt at peace with it. “We’re more concerned with getting Bella past it.”
“Well, it looks like you’re doing a good job.” Charlotte
bounced the baby playfully. “You’re such a sweetie!”
Bella squealed happily.
Charlotte handed Bella to Matt, then opened the passenger door of the SUV with a wince. “Sorry. Since I didn’t know you had a baby, I didn’t bring a car seat. But it’s a short ride. You can hold her.”
“As long as it’s a short ride.”
“Very short.”
Claire said, “Let me hold her in the back.”
“That’s probably a good idea.” He handed the baby to Claire and stepped up into the SUV. Unexpectedly plush seats greeted him, but everything also seemed to have a longhorn motif. One of Matt’s eyebrows rose.
Charlotte laughed. “Things are a little different here in Texas. Laid-back. Lucio had a bit of a time getting adjusted when we arrived, but he’s fine now.”
“Lucio? Your husband?”
“Love of my life.”
“And where’s Maria?” Matt asked, referring to her baby.
“She’s back at the ranch, waiting to meet her uncle.”
“So where’s everybody else?”
She started the SUV and pulled away from the airstrip. “Everybody’s at the ranch house.” She peeked over at him. “Waiting to meet you.”
A shiver of apprehension ran through him. It was the first time in his life he’d so desperately wanted something—not for himself—but for someone else. And he knew his past behavior might prevent him from getting it. That he’d disappoint and deprive Bella went through him like a knife.
Still, he ignored the fears rumbling through him. He wasn’t just the Iceman on Wall Street. He’d survived getting a baby. Meeting a few half siblings would not throw him for a loop.
In only a few minutes, they were at the white clapboard ranch house. Simple and functional, it still somehow projected an air of stability and power. Corrals and outbuildings dotted the property. Horses grazed lazily behind the split-rail fence. Cattle roamed the pastures.
Everything was spit and polished, as if prepped for the big celebration the following week.
Wonder swept through him. An odd tingling. This is what he came from. These were his real roots.
After they exited the SUV, Charlotte took Bella from Matt and led him up the wood plank porch in back of the house. They entered through the door that led to a large kitchen. Men and women sat in the chairs around the cozy table. Others leaned against the cabinets. Matt’s mouth fell at the sheer number of them.
His pretty blonde twin, Ellie, laughed, rose from the table and raced over. “It’s so good to see you.” She hugged him briefly and he closed his eyes as wave upon wave of emotion pummeled him. He didn’t realize how much he’d missed his twin until this very second.
He had to clear his throat before he could say, “It’s good to see you, too.”
“And who’s this?” Ellie said with a laugh as she reached for Bella.
Charlotte said, “Matt’s baby.” She pointed at Claire. “And that’s Claire.”
Everybody glanced at Matt expectantly.
He smiled. “Claire’s helping me with Bella. Ginny and Oswald left custody of Bella to me.”
A hush fell over the room, then everyone began to volunteer to help him with the baby. Bella was passed from hand to hand.
Charlotte continued with introductions. Ellie was with the town sheriff, Jed Jackson. Alex was there with a tall Australian named Jack. Megan Calhoun, one of Matt’s half sisters, was “promised” to Adam somebody-or-another. There was a Nate and Sarah. A Jess and John. And Lucio holding Charlotte’s new baby, Maria.
For the first time in his life, Matt wasn’t afraid to take a newborn, examine her, pronounce her beautiful.
Everybody laughed.
Then a tall, dark-haired cowboy entered the kitchen. All talking stopped. A pretty blonde stepped up beside him, and Matt realized she hadn’t been introduced when Charlotte was reciting couples.
Charlotte carefully said, “And that’s Holt and Kathryn.”
Matt’s eyes met Holt’s. The guy looked like he wrestled cattle for a living and given that he was the operator of this ranch Matt supposed he did.
“So you’re the great Iceman.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
LOOKING at Holt Calhoun, Matt swallowed. He had a choice. Assert his rights as oldest or simply say hello, extend his hand, create the bridge that would make all these people family.
He held out his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you.”
Holt stepped away from Kathryn. Took the hand Matt had extended. Shook once.
“Maybe we should reserve judgment on that.” He pointed at the door. “How about a tour of the town?”
Matt glanced at Claire. She gave him a brief smile. They both knew this was Holt’s way of getting Matt away for the discussion everybody knew they needed to have.
Yet it didn’t feel right to leave Claire behind with so many strangers. “I’d love a tour of the town, if Claire and Bella can come.”
“Oh, no!” Ellie said, taking Bella. “This little cutie stays. She’s got cousins to meet and aunts to play with.”
Holt glanced at Claire. “How about you, Claire? Do you want to stay?”
“Actually, I wouldn’t mind a trip to town to get something a little lighter to wear.” She tugged at the collar of her shirt. “It’s hot down here.”
Holt laughed. “Texas is probably hotter than Boston in October.”
“So you guys go,” Charlotte said. “We’ll take care of Bella. Claire can shop for some cooler clothes.” She smiled craftily. “And Holt can have his talk with Matt.”
They piled into Holt’s truck, which, luckily, had a backseat for Claire. As much as she wanted some shorts and lightweight T-shirts, Charlotte’s comment sort of frightened her about the upcoming conversation. She didn’t really want to be part of a fight between the two oldest Calhoun sons...even if one was named Patterson.
She settled back on her seat as Holt said, “So what do you think?”
Matt said, “About what?”
Holt pointed out the windshield. “Everything you see is Calhoun land.”
Claire couldn’t stop
her eyebrows from rising. That was a lot of land.
“I think our dad was a hell of an entrepreneur.”
“And a good guy, too.” Holt shifted on his seat. “At the banquet you’ll hear stories of how he helped people.” He glanced at Matt. “When I stepped into his shoes on the ranch the ‘helping people’ thing just sort of seemed to come with the territory.”
Matt said nothing. Claire held her breath.
“I wanted to get you away from the rest of the family because I wanted to tell you that I recognize you are oldest. There’s nothing in the will that gives me the ranch. Nothing that puts me in charge. I just did what needed to be done.”
Matt glanced back at Claire and her heart stumbled in her chest. It was almost as if he was acknowledging her part in what he was about to say.
He looked at Holt again. “And you’ll keep doing it. I might be the oldest, but you’re the best person to run things here in Texas.” He grinned. “Now, if you’d like a little investment advice for profits and reserves, that might be something we could talk about.”
Holt barked a laugh. And, to Claire’s surprise, the conversation became cordial. Like a man proud of his heritage, Holt pointed out things of interest as they drove into town. Like a man curious about his heritage, Matt listened with rapt attention.
They passed Gracie May’s Diner, the SmartMart, Gus’s Fillin’ Station and Hal’s Drug and Photo store.
“The festival concerts will be held there,” Holt said, pointing to a stage being built in what looked to be a park as he slid his truck into a space along Main Street. He jumped out and Matt took Claire’s hand to help her out.
As he released her hand, she smiled at him and he returned her smile, as if he knew she would be proud of him. And by God, she was. This time last week, he would have grabbed his rights as oldest, just because they were his. After Bella—after her—he wanted to get along.
No. He wanted to do the right thing.
“Dad’s banquet will be held in the Cattleman’s Association Hall,” Holt said when Claire and Matt rounded the truck and met him on the sidewalk. “I can show you that as we’re driving home.” He slapped Matt’s back. “So while Claire’s shopping, big brother, you have a choice. Coffee at Gracie’s or a beer at the Saddle Up bar.”
“Think I’ll go for the beer.” He faced Claire. “Will you be okay on your own?”
She grinned. After almost a week with Matt and Bella, it felt good to be on her own. “Yeah. I think I might explore a bit.”
Holt laughed. “Not much to explore.”
She chuckled and headed off in search of shorts and some tank tops.
An hour later, arms loaded with packages, not just clothes but souvenirs for Joni, she found the guys at Saddle Up, deep in conversation. As soon as they saw her, both rose. They were so different. Holt with his jeans and work shirt and a body built by hard work and Matt in his jeans and T-shirt and a whipcord lean, sexy body. Yet, they looked the same. It was clear they shared a bloodline. Even if Matt was better looking.
Of course, she was prejudiced. And happy. As if being in Texas brought out the best in him, Matt was chatty and solicitous. Immediately upon their return to the ranch house, he asked Kathryn which rooms they could use, saying he was sure Claire was eager to get into something cooler.
Because she was. As Holt had said, Texas heat was very different from Boston heat and she was drenched in sweat.
In the shower she tried not to make too much of Matt’s behavior. But when she came downstairs, dressed in her shorts and tank top, and his eyes drank her in like a vintage wine, it was impossible not to notice that Happy Matt was here.
He sucked in a breath. “You look great.”
She laughed. “It’s only shorts and a T-shirt!”
“I know, but you have great legs. You should wear shorts all the time.”
She laughed again. Not sure how to take his sudden, unexpected interest in her. She’d always known he was attracted to her. Hell, she was attracted to him. It seemed that in Texas he couldn’t control it. Or maybe he couldn’t control it because he was relaxed, happy. Letting himself do things he was too restrained to do in Boston.
“I don’t think our climate would really support me wearing shorts all the time.”
“Too bad.” He caught her gaze. “Wanna check on Bella with me?”
“Yes, actually, I would.”
They walked upstairs to the room where Bella and Izzy, Kathryn’s daughter, had been sleeping, expecting to find two babies sitting up in the crib. But when they opened the door, they found four women, three babies—Bella, Izzy and Charlotte’s baby, Maria—and Brady.
Walking into the fray, they began to separate. Matt took her hand. “We’re looking for Bella.”
Obviously having heard his voice, she squealed. Following the sound of the squeal, Claire found Bella sitting on Alex’s lap. She walked over, taking Matt with her.
“How’s our girl?” she said, then held back a gasp, realizing she’d more or less included herself into the group of Matt and Bella.
But Matt said, “Looks like our baby is fine.”
Warmth filled her heart. He’d included her, too.
He let go of her hand and plucked Bella from Alex’s lap. “What do you say, kid? Want some time outside with the old folks.”
Bella squealed with delight. Not just because she wanted to go outside. From the way she reached for Claire, it was clear she was happy to see people she knew again.
Filled with love, Claire said, “Stay with your daddy.”
Though Bella appeared a bit perturbed, she looked into Matt’s face and cooed.
He laughed and carried Bella out of the room and downstairs, but everywhere they went a crowd of people had gathered. He caught Claire’s hand again and led them outside.
She told herself it was nothing but a necessity, a way of keeping them together. But she couldn’t stop the hopeful swelling of her heart. What if having everything straightened out with his family had been the final piece of the puzzle he’d needed to be able to accept himself and move on. And what if she was part of that moving on?
After dinner—barbecue on a big outside grill, served on picnic tables with red-and-white-checkered tablecloths—the Calhouns and Pattersons talked about the ranch, their heritage and what they would be doing with the land, ranch profits and the other family holdings. Though half the people involved were neither Calhouns nor Pattersons, in-laws weren’t just invited to sit in on the conversation, their opinions were respected and heard. Even Claire sat beside Matt, listening, participating when asked.
When the meeting was concluded, Ellie came over and sat on the bench seat next to Matt. She nudged her shoulder into his. “I have something to tell you.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Jed and I are married.”
“That’s normally what people who are engaged do.”
Claire stifled a laugh at his fun comment. Happy Matt, the man who loved to tease, was definitely here.
Ellie playfully punched his arm. “Be happy for me!”
He smiled warmly and little tingles danced up Claire’s spine. She’d never seen him like this. Warm. Open.
Ellie grinned, then she drew in a slow breath, waiting for his answer.
In reply, he laughed—really laughed—and slid his arm around Claire’s shoulders, as if drawing her into the intimate conversation. “I’m very happy for you.”
Emotion flooded Claire.
Tears pricked at her eyelids. With Matt’s arm around her shoulders and so much happy family stuff happening around her, she felt a part of things, too. And a rightness. As if this was exactly where she was supposed to be. That these people were her family, too.
Knowing that was dangerous thinking, she shifted to get out from under Matt’s hold, but he held her fast, drawing her back when she would have moved away, as if silently telling her this was where she belonged.
Her chest tightened. She’d never felt so much love in a crowd of
people before. Most of them might have only met this past year, but they were family. Solid. Dependable. There for one another.
And it seemed Matt wanted her to be part of that.
She couldn’t even describe the emotions that bubbled up in her at that. After being alone most of her life, with a few friends and lots of scars from her failed relationship, she finally had a place where she belonged.
Around nine o’clock, everyone began to gather up their plates and serving dishes and head for home. Kathryn and Claire took the babies, Izzy and Bella, upstairs to bathe them. Holt left to go to the barn to talk with the ranch foreman. When the babies were in bed, Kathryn left to take a shower and Claire went in search of Matt.
Perfect peace settled over the ranch and caught Claire in its liquid warmth. With Matt behaving as if she belonged with him, it was hard not to spin fantasies. As much as she told herself not to, pictures of them together, forever, a part of this family easily formed.
She walked through the silent downstairs and found him on the front porch.
When he saw her, he rose from a wicker chair. “Want to go for a walk? Maybe see a little bit of the ranch?”
She glanced at him with a smile. “It’s dark.” And there weren’t any streetlights as there were in Boston. Dark in Texas meant dark!
Matt shrugged. “Paths are lit.”
She glanced over at the two paths. One led to a barn and was lit by light from the barn. The other led to the corral. That one was lit by light coming from the house. Still, it wasn’t as if they had to worry about bumping into anything in the empty land. Plus, they hadn’t had two minutes by themselves. With everything that was going on, he might have put his arm around her shoulders, held her hand and even included her in things with Bella, but he hadn’t had a chance to tell her how he was feeling. The way he felt about her had changed—she could sense it in his touch—but she needed to hear.
“Sure. I’d love a walk.”
They headed down the well-worn path. Claire looked up, amazed at the number of stars in the sky. “Look at all the stars.”
“There’s no city light blocking them out,” Matt said as they walked down the trail. “What I can’t get over is the quiet.”
