A Baby for the Rancher

by Margaret Daley

  Chloe turned to Lucy and said in a low voice, “These past weeks, it’s as if Ben and Grady are reacquainting themselves.”

  “As teens they became more adversaries than brothers. I’m glad to see them like this.”

  “Maybe it takes near-death experiences for a person to see what’s important.”

  Lucy slanted a glance at the brothers. “Who are you talking about, Ben or Grady?”

  “Both, in a way. The war changed Grady.”

  “What are y’all whispering about over there?” Ben asked in a teasing voice.

  “Our own childhood escapades. You two aren’t the only ones. Chloe and I were friends growing up.”

  Ben chuckled and looked at his twin brother. “I believe we’ve been ignoring the womenfolk.”

  “Womenfolk!” Chloe burst out laughing.

  Again Lucy responded to the humor in Ben’s expression. When they were growing up, he’d often thrown caution to the wind and dived into something he wanted to do without considering the risks. Sometimes she wished she had that ability. “Yes, you have been ignoring us. I can’t stay long. I have an early day tomorrow. This conversation is supposed to be about the wedding. I know, Chloe, you told me not to worry. Just show up at the church Friday afternoon. But surely I can do something for you and Grady.”

  Chloe shook her head. “There isn’t any time. We did it this way because we didn’t want a fuss made.”

  “How about I have a luncheon for you on Thursday at my house? A few friends. Nothing fancy, since I’ll be making it.” Lucy took a sip of her coffee.

  “Well, in that case, Grady, we should have a little gathering with a few friends,” Ben chimed in. “I can’t let Lucy outdo me in the department of maid of honor/best man.”

  “This isn’t a contest, Ben.” Lucy set her empty mug on the table nearby.

  “The dinner here after the wedding is all we want.” Grady said as he and Chloe both stood at the same time. He took Chloe’s hand. “It’s been a long day for Chloe. I’m gonna escort her to her bedroom, then check with Zed at the barn about the cattle rotation.”

  Chloe nodded. “If you want to do something, I’ll let you give me a baby shower closer to the due date. Okay, Lucy?”

  “Short of hog-tying you and kidnapping you to come to the luncheon, I have to accept your wishes.” Lucy grinned. “Mainly I want you to know I’m here if you need me. Just ask.”

  As Grady slung his arm over Chloe’s shoulder and started for the back door, his fiancée replied, “I will.”

  When they disappeared into the house, Lucy remembered the glow of love on her friend’s face. Chloe stayed at the ranch because of Cody and slept in her own room connected to the baby’s. Lucy wished she could find a love like Chloe and Grady had, but she couldn’t seem to get past Jesse’s betrayal. She wasn’t the risk taker Ben was.

  “We could always throw a surprise party for each of them. For it to work we would have to do it at the same time.” Ben slouched back in his chair, his elbows on the arms and his hands clasped in front of him.

  “And lose my best friend? No way.”

  “Yeah, Grady wouldn’t be too happy with me, either. We’re starting to work out our past differences. That might add fuel to the fire.”

  “It was nice hearing you all talk about the good times.”

  “It’s been a long while since we did.”

  “It’s time to put the past where it belongs. In the past.”

  A twinkle in his dark brown eyes followed with a half grin preceded him saying, “In your infinite wisdom, you’re correct.”

  “All I ask is for you to remember just what you said when you start to argue with me.” She rose. “I need to leave. Finding the town sign adds another task to my long list for tomorrow.”

  “Let me know when you’re going to put it back up. I think the area around it needs to be tended. That would be a good task for my three interns. Of course, I’d want your input in how to do it. Maybe you can help or supervise us.”

  “Ben Stillwater, you are a good man to have on a team. I appreciate the offer and accept. I was thinking about it when tramping through the tall grass and weeds this evening. If we let it go too long, then no one will be able to see the sign.”

  “I could give you the cliché line about brilliant minds thinking alike, but I won’t. I was thinking if Maddy is the reason our ranch hasn’t been hit, then having her work on the sign-beautification project might keep it safe this time.” He stood, grabbing his mug, then reaching for hers...at the same time she did.

  Their fingers touched. Their gazes embraced. All thoughts fled Lucy’s mind. A lock of his sandy-brown hair fell over one eye. The urge to brush it back inundated her and sobered her to the effect he had on her. She had to find him someone who would be a good wife and mother. Then everything would get back to normal between them. It was clearly not going to be her, a tomboyish, work-dedicated sheriff.

  She snatched the mug and brought it up to her chest as though it was a barrier between them. “I’d better go.”

  She marched toward the back door and hurried inside, needing to put some space between them. Fast. She’d promised herself as a teenager she would never fall for his charm. She’d seen him break one girl’s heart after another. Not hers.

  After putting the mug in the sink, she pivoted to head into the hallway and ran right into Ben.

  He stepped back—thankfully—and set his cup next to hers. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “You don’t need to. Remember you’re recovering from a serious accident.”

  “Please, don’t remind me. I’m trying to put that incident in my past.” One corner of his mouth quirked.

  “Good. I’m glad you’re learning how.” She sidestepped him and strode toward the hallway. Now if only she could learn to put her past behind her. She hated the idea that Jesse’s betrayal still affected her. But it did.

  He moved ahead of her and opened the front door.

  As she passed him, she said, “I’m going to have to compliment Mamie on raising such a gentleman.”

  His chuckles filled the night air and sent ripples of awareness of the man walking beside her to her car. Again he opened her driver’s-side door.

  “You know, a gal could get used to this,” she said as she slipped into her sheriff’s SUV, rolling down her window. “Good night, and thanks for coming up with ways for me to get closer to Maddy.”

  He leaned against the car, his elbows on the open window. “You’re welcome. Anything to help a friend.”

  When she started the engine, he pushed back and stayed there as she drove away. She took one last glimpse of him as she drove around the curve toward the main gates of the ranch.

  The whole way to town, her mind raced with possible women for him to date. What about Ingrid Edwards? She was husband hunting, declaring she wanted to be married by twenty-six, which wasn’t too far away. No, she was too needy. Jenna Thorn might be a possibility. Ben knew her because she was Carson’s sister. No, she didn’t have her life together.

  By the time she reached her small house in Little Horn, her thoughts swirled with eligible women in the area. She let herself in and put her purse on the counter in the kitchen, decorated in tones of green and burgundy—her mom’s touches. When her parents left to travel throughout the United States, she’d moved into her childhood home and she still hadn’t made any changes to it. One day she hoped they’d be returning to Little Horn. Then she would find her own place to live.

  Suddenly a name popped into her head for Ben: Paula Morris, the only Realtor in town. She would be a good candidate for Ben. She was pretty, sensible and nice. Perfect.

  * * *

  Lucy rode on Daisy Mae, a pinto mare, beside Ben the next day across the pasture near the barn. “I met with Paula Morris today about looking
for a place for me to live in the area, hopefully in Little Horn.”

  “Are your parents coming back to town to live?” Ben slowed his stallion to a walk.

  “They haven’t said anything, but every time I talk to Mom, it sounds as though she misses home. I’ve been saving up to buy my own place for the day they do return for longer than a visit.” Lucy slid a glance at Ben. “Paula knows this area inside and out. There isn’t anything right now, but she’ll let me know when something does come up.”

  “You’re thinking of moving to another town in the county?”

  “I might have to. Of course, if I don’t get reelected, I might have to look for another job, too.”

  Ben’s jawline hardened. “I’m not gonna let Byron get his way. You’ll be reelected.”

  “You want to be head of my reelection campaign?”

  “Me?” He stopped Thunder and looked at her. “Are you kidding?”

  She brought Daisy Mae to a halt and twisted around so she faced Ben. “You know this county well, and whenever you do something you go all out. I couldn’t ask for a better campaign manager.”

  He tipped his black Stetson. “Well, thank you, ma’am. I just might do it, but it’s not for another year. I try not to plan too far in the future. I’ve learned it can change in a blink of an eye.”

  “True. Speaking of Paula, you two would make a nice couple.”

  One of his eyebrows rose beneath his hat. “When were we speaking of Paula and dating? You mentioned looking for a place to live.” His mouth pinched together. “Or was that a way to bring up Paula?”

  “Yes. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought since you talked about finding a nanny or wife soon. You’ve been out of circulation for months. Paula wouldn’t be the nanny, but she isn’t dating anyone now. She’s pretty...”

  Ben urged his stallion into a gallop, leaving Lucy to watch his back. Obviously Paula didn’t fit his idea of a date. Okay. She would come up with someone else.

  She nudged her mare into a gallop and arrived at the barn a couple of minutes behind Ben.

  He’d handed his reins to Christie to take care of Thunder while he said to Maddy, “Show Lucy how to care for her mount when she comes back from a hard ride.”

  “Will do.” Maddy waited by Daisy Mae while Lucy dismounted, then the teenage girl handed Lucy the reins. “We’ll do what we did earlier in reverse.” She ran her hand over the mare’s neck. “She’s sweating, so we’ll cool her off after that.”

  “She’s a good horse for me. She seems to know what she needs to do with little prompting from me. Do you ride much, Maddy?”

  “I have since I started working here. Ben lets us ride several times a week. He said that’s part of learning ranching—becoming an extension of your horse. That’s my favorite part of the job.” Maddy removed the saddle and the blanket under it and put them on a rack.

  “I see you’re wearing the necklace your secret admirer gave you. Do you know who he is?”

  Maddy blushed. “No.”

  “Who would you like it to be?”

  Christie walked by with Thunder and said, “Gareth McKay, if she was smart.”

  “Christie!” Maddy’s cheeks reddened even more.

  “You know he has a serious crush on you. All you’d have to do is show him you’re interested and he’d ask you out.”

  Maddy took the reins from Lucy. “Ignore her. She doesn’t know anything. Gareth would never be interested in me.”

  “Why?”

  “He’s the son of the wealthiest man in the county. I know his father would never allow it. Gareth’s father wouldn’t even have anything to do with Betsy, his cousin.”

  “Ah, so you like Gareth.”

  The teenager turned away, her shoulders slumped. “I’ll take it from here. All we’re gonna do is walk the horses until they are cooled down, then I’ll turn Daisy Mae out in the pasture.”

  Lucy caught up with her walking toward the rear door. “Maddy, you have a lot to offer a person. You’re a hard worker, and according to Ben, you’re a natural with the animals.”

  “But I’m in foster care. I have no family.” Her eyes widened. “Don’t get me wrong. My foster parents are good to me, but when I become eighteen and graduate from high school, I’m on my own.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Ultimately I want to be a vet and work with big animals, but the money...” Maddy cleared her throat. “Since I can’t do that, training horses would be a good job.”

  “You’ve got another year. There are loans and scholarships out there you might be able to apply for.”

  Her eyes glistening, Maddy looked at her. “My grades are all right, As and Bs, but the competition for those scholarships is stiff.”

  Lucy gave Maddy a hug. “Keep doing the kind of work you do here, and you’ll have people to champion your cause.”

  Maddy pulled back, swiping at a tear that rolled down her cheek. “I try not to think about the future, but sometimes I do and I always get discouraged. For several years I’ve known this is what I’m supposed to do with my life.”

  “God has a plan for you. He’ll provide a way.” Lucy’s throat thickened. The young girl touched her heart. If she could help Maddy, she would.

  “I know. That’s what Pastor Mathers says. I reckon he knows what he’s talking about.”

  “A wise man. I’ll see you at dinner.”

  Maddy continued her trek toward the rear of the barn. Lucy watched the girl, her shoulders squaring, her head held up.

  “What were y’all talking about?” Ben whispered behind her.

  She jerked, surprised by his presence. She’d been so wrapped up in Maddy she hadn’t realized he was nearby. “She wants to be a vet and doesn’t see how she’ll be able to do that.”

  “When the time comes, the Lone Star Cowboy League might be able to help her like they did for Tyler when he wanted to be a doctor. We’ve been talking about doing it on a regular basis for a youth around here who can’t afford college otherwise.”

  A smile spread through her. “Right. That’s one possibility. She certainly has the need and she’s a good kid.”

  “Did she say anything to help your case?”

  “She likes Gareth. Not sure if he returns the feelings or not, but I’m going to check around. Gareth McKay has the money to buy those gifts for Maddy, and he has a tie to Betsy.”

  “Let’s go to the house. The girls know to come up to the house a little before six.” He ambled toward the front entrance. “Are you thinking the Robin Hoods are Gareth and his twin, Winston?”

  She glanced at her watch, surprised to see it was five forty already. When she was with Ben, time seemed to race by. “They fit the body type we saw last night, they know about ranches and cattle and have access to equipment to move the cattle.”

  “You’ll need more than speculation before you confront Byron and his sons.”

  “I know, and I could be wrong. The twins are connected to Betsy, and now Gareth with Maddy. I should hear from the New Mexico State Police about the man they caught moving stolen cattle near the Texas border. And I’m still making inquiries about the music box and necklace. So far nothing in the immediate area. Did you find anything online?”

  “No, but there are tons of places on the internet that would sell something like that. I doubt I’ll find half of them.”

  “I know it’s a long shot, but that’s how some cases are solved. A lot of legwork, or in your case, finger work.”

  “How are you doing with the physical places?”

  “In this county, I’m visiting the stores and taking a picture of the items to see if they sell them.”

  “What if it’s somewhere like Austin or even San Antonio?” Ben placed his hand at the small of her back as they mounted the stairs t
o the front porch.

  “I’m going to fax the picture and inquiry. My dispatcher/receptionist is making a list of ones in the Austin area for me. I’m hoping it doesn’t go that far away, though.” The feel of his light touch zipped up her spine and reminded her of when he took her hand last night. She hadn’t expected it and had been surprised by it.

  “Then you have Fort Worth and Dallas north of us.”

  She moaned. “Don’t remind me. This is the drudgery part of being a police officer.”

  “Not stakeouts?” He opened the front door.

  “With a stakeout there’s the anticipation you’ll discover something important to crack your case.”

  In the hallway he faced her. “You really enjoy what you do.”

  Although not a question, she nodded. “Ever since I went to work with Dad one day when I was twelve, I’ve wanted to be a police officer. You never know what to expect.”

  “I can see the enthusiasm on your face when you talk about your job. That’s the way I feel about running this ranch.”

  “You used to accuse me of being an open book. I probably would never be good at undercover work.” The sounds of giggles coming from the living room drew her attention.

  “That’s Cody. In a short time I’ve learned his laughter and can tell what a few of his cries mean. Well, Grandma helped me with that one.” Ben swept his arm toward the living room.

  When he entered behind Lucy, Cody saw him and began crawling to him. Ben met him halfway, scooped up his son and swung him around. The baby’s laughter echoed through the room. “This has become our routine when I see him.” Ben stopped turning and held his son.

  Lucy looked around the pair and said, “It’s nice to see you, Mamie.” She took in a deep breath of the aroma floating from the kitchen. “Thanks for the dinner invitation. It smells wonderful.”

  The older woman rose slowly. “Now that y’all are here to watch Cody, I’m going to help Martha Rose set the table and put the food on.”

  “Can I help, too?”

  “No, you’re a guest. Enjoy Cody.”