He had to give Rachel credit for being a good actress. She brushed the tears from her face, then pulled out her phone. After punching in a few things, she held it out to him.
“That’s the DNA website,” she said. “As you can see, Ricky and I are a match.”
It looked real. But one guy had even produced a fake birth certificate, so at this point, Ty couldn’t believe it.
“How do we know it’s not a fake?” Ty asked, glancing at the information and noting that the website was a reputable one that they had registered Ricky on in the early stages of the search for Cinco’s child. But they hadn’t found anything, and they’d gotten worried about privacy concerns, so Ty had deactivated the account.
Could a deactivated account still produce results? Ty didn’t know, but he would look into it first thing Monday morning.
“How can you fake something like this?” Rachel asked. “I put my information in, did the DNA test they sent me and this is the result they came up with.”
Her voice had now come to a desperate screech. He knew that desperation. He’d heard it before.
“How much will it take for you to leave quietly?” Ty asked, walking over to the desk like he was going to get a checkbook.
He wasn’t, but it was amazing how many people could come up with a number pretty quickly.
“I told you,” Rachel said. “I don’t want money. I’m just here to learn about my family.”
Another lie. He could tell by the way her voice quivered.
“What do you want to know?” Ty asked. He’d give her enough wiggle room for him to learn more about her motivations and trip her up in another lie or two.
He stole a glance at Ricky, who looked like he was barely keeping it together. How much more was this old man supposed to endure, searching for a grandchild who clearly didn’t want to be found? True, the child had had no say in the matter, but Luanne had done a good job of covering her tracks.
Rachel shrugged. “I don’t know. Anything. What other family members do I have? You’re my grandfather, but do you have brothers, sisters? What about my grandmother? Did she have any siblings? It sounds like I have a brother or sister somewhere. How close are you to finding them?”
Ricky glanced over at Ty before turning his attention to Rachel. “There aren’t any. I was an only child. My Rosie was an only child. Cinco was an only child. Luanne had him wrapped so tightly around her little finger that he would’ve never cheated on her. Never. A Ruiz might talk a good talk, flirt a little for attention, but we are one-woman men. So don’t you come in here and dishonor my boy’s memory.”
Ty knew most of this to be true. That was why he’d worked so closely with Erin Drummond in putting together a trust for the ranch. Ricky had no one to leave it to, not even a distant cousin a hundred times removed, at least not as far as they’d been able to find.
But the part about Cinco never cheating, Ty questioned. Mostly because, as he’d investigated Cinco and the life he lived before his death and during his estrangement from Ricky, he’d talked to a lot of people. By all accounts, Cinco had turned his back on the Christian upbringing he’d had at the Double R. He drank too much, partied too hard and there had been women. Lots of women.
Was it possible that Cinco had gotten one of them pregnant?
He looked again at Rachel, trying to see if she shared any of Cinco’s or Ricky’s features. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Warm brown skin. But half the planet had those features.
“Do you think it’s any easier for me, thinking that my mother had an affair with a married man?” Rachel asked, fresh tears filling her eyes.
Ricky shook his head sadly. “I know my boy.”
No, he didn’t. Ty had kept that information from the old man, not wanting him to pile more guilt upon himself for not raising him right. And now Ty deeply regretted that decision. He wouldn’t break Ricky’s heart in front of Rachel, but he knew that at some point, Ricky needed to hear the truth.
“But the DNA test,” Rachel said. “Doesn’t that mean something?” Then a weary look crossed her face as she sighed. “I suppose it doesn’t matter. If you’re the only person left in your line and you have no leads as to who my brother or sister might be, this is it. I’m out of options. I’ll just have to hope someone from my mother’s side of the family will register in the DNA database and I can get...” She hesitated, then shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I should have known that this was all too good to be true.”
She took a step toward the door. “I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I just needed to find someone I’m related to.”
Then she paused, like she was trying to think through her next words. She turned to stare at Ty. “You want to know my ulterior motive? Fine. It’s completely useless now. I went online to search for relatives because I need a new kidney. I’m so far down on the list that I probably won’t get one in time. I knew Ricky was too old to give me one, but I had hoped he could connect me with other relatives who might have compassion on a single mom who’s just trying to stay alive for her daughter.”
A kidney? That was definitely one Ty hadn’t heard before. But he didn’t have the same suspicious feeling he’d had about her all along as she spoke now.
Could Rachel be telling the truth?
Rachel squared her shoulders, then looked over at Ricky. “Your money doesn’t do me any good. I’m sorry that I’m the product of your son’s infidelity, but I wasn’t the one who made him cheat. I’ll take my daughter and go back to the cabin for the night. I’d leave now, but I don’t think I’d find my way in the dark. We’ll be gone first thing tomorrow morning, and I won’t bother you again.”
Ty glanced at Ricky, and he could tell that her words had hit every sensitive spot in his heart.
Once again he wondered: What if Rachel was telling the truth?
“You need a kidney?” Ricky asked. “Why didn’t you just say so?”
Rachel shook her head slowly. “You were all so freaked out about the money. I can’t imagine how you’d feel if I had asked you for a body part. People are more likely to part with their money than their organs.”
The bitterness in Rachel’s voice shamed Ty. Crazy, considering Rachel was the one who had been dishonest in all this. But it seemed wrong to turn away a sick woman, especially one with a child.
A part of him wondered if this was just one more piece of the scam—Rachel claiming she didn’t want any money from Ricky, and that it was all about a kidney. But what happened if down the road, she said she needed money to get someone to give her a kidney? People bought and sold organs on the black market all the time, so maybe this was Rachel’s way of making herself look sympathetic so she could get the money without looking greedy.
So much to process. So many lies to sort through.
How was he supposed to believe her?
But how could he turn away a potentially sick woman and her child?
When he glanced at Ricky, he could see that the older man was having the same internal debate.
“We help family when they’re sick,” Ricky said. “If there’s any chance you’re family, I don’t think I could live with myself for turning you away.”
“I’m not asking for anything,” Rachel said. “I got the answers I needed. I’ll look elsewhere for a donor. But if you do happen to find Cinco’s other child, I would appreciate you putting us in touch.”
At her words, Ricky looked like he’d been kicked in the gut. Ty felt somewhat the same, but there was still part of him that wondered if they were getting the real story.
But what if she wasn’t lying? Ty closed his eyes and sent a quick prayer heavenward that God would reveal the truth as quickly as possible.
“If you’re really Ricky’s grandchild, we’ll do what we can to help you get a donor,” Ty said, giving Ricky a reassuring look before bringing his attention back to Rachel. “You don’t need
to run off first thing in the morning. Finish spending the weekend with your daughter. We’ll do another DNA test, which I’ll have sent out first thing Monday morning. If you’re really related, we’ll want to get to know you, and you should get to know Ricky. You’re family, and family sticks together. But if that DNA comes back as proof that you’re lying, we will file charges against you.”
Every charlatan had balked at the idea of taking a DNA test supervised by Ty. A few had agreed, but when they realized just how closely Ty supervised the sample process, they all gave up on their golden dreams.
If the test came back and Rachel was Ricky’s granddaughter, Ty would be willing to eat some crow. He’d do everything he could to help Rachel get her kidney. Ricky would want it that way.
But based on the way she’d deceived them to get this far, he wasn’t ever going to trust her. If you could lie that easily about some things, you were just as likely to lie about others. And there was no room in Ty’s life for liars.
He’d do what he could for Ricky’s sake, but as far as Ty was concerned, Rachel wasn’t someone to get close to. Except to make sure her lies didn’t hurt Ricky further.
Ricky nodded slowly. “That sounds reasonable to me. I won’t turn my back on family. But I do need to know the truth. And if you’re lying, Ty will make you regret your actions.”
Rachel paled, but she nodded slowly. “I’ll do another DNA test.”
“Good,” Ricky said. “But just in case, Ty will be watching out for you. You’ll have the same privileges as any other guest, but outside your cabin, you will be escorted by Ty at all times. Too many people come here thinking I’m going to let my guard down, and they hit me where it hurts. But I promise, if you hurt me, I will destroy you.”
Though Ricky’s words spoke of power, Ty could see the devastation in the old man’s eyes. So many people came trying to hurt him, and this wound was perhaps the most painful of all.
So why, seeing the torment on Rachel’s face, did Ty want to take her in his arms and tell her that everything was going to be okay? Clearly, he needed to keep his guard up now more than ever.
What was he going to do if the DNA test came back as not a match? Worse, what would he do if it was?
Chapter Four
A criminal. That was what they were treating her like. Ty’s stern gaze reminded her of all the court proceedings she’d gone through with Chris. Even Ty’s questions made her think he was trying to trap her into confessing to something that she didn’t do.
That was the crazy thing. She hadn’t done anything. But that was how the world worked. How lawyers worked.
After they left Ricky’s office, Rachel went to find Katie. She hadn’t intended to leave her for so long, but she also hadn’t intended for her conversation with Ricky to become an inquisition. Hopefully, Leah wasn’t in a hurry to leave, and she also wasn’t going to judge Rachel for being a bad mother.
But when she stepped out onto the deck, she could see the children happily playing. Leah was on the dance floor with her husband, and it appeared that Janie, whom she’d been introduced to as the mother of one of the other boys, was keeping an eye on them while she chatted with the group.
Rachel walked over to where Janie was sitting. “I’m sorry it took so long. I hope Katie wasn’t a bother.”
If only Rachel could know whether or not Janie’s smile was genuine. “It’s no bother. Katie is a delight. The kids are having so much fun. We’d love it if you could join us tomorrow for church. Katie would be in the same class as the boys, and afterward, the youth group is having a water fight that the little ones can join in.”
Church. She could feel Ty’s gaze upon her. What was he going to do, have her burned at the stake for saying no? It was abundantly clear that these people had a strong faith, so what were they going to do when they realized that she didn’t?
Janie must’ve sensed her hesitation. “Oh, it’s safe, I promise. The teens know to watch out for the little ones, and everyone has such a great time. There is also a no-water zone, so that people who don’t want to get wet don’t have to.”
Though Janie had completely misinterpreted Rachel’s hesitation, she was glad for it. The last thing she needed was to get into a theological discussion with any of Ricky’s friends, particularly the pastor’s daughter.
“I don’t know what we’re doing tomorrow, since we’re here as Ricky’s guests. I wouldn’t want to ruin anything they have planned.”
Ty stepped beside her. “We’re going to church, like always.”
As Rachel looked over at him, he sent Janie a grin that would’ve had most women’s hearts aflutter. Including Rachel’s. Which was why all of this was so disturbing. Why did she have to find the absolutely worst men on the planet to be attracted to?
“My team has a whole stash of super soakers ready. We have a plan for total annihilation.”
Though Rachel was sure Ty’s laugh was meant to be friendly, she heard the words total annihilation, and she couldn’t help thinking of her own situation. He was obviously a competitive man who wouldn’t take losing well. What would he do when he found out he was wrong? But worse, what if there had been some kind of mix-up with the DNA website, and she was the one in the wrong?
Katie’s laugh rang out from across the field where the kids were playing tag.
If Ty pressed charges, would Rachel go to jail? Would Katie end up in foster care sooner than she’d feared?
Janie laughed and said something in response to Ty, but Rachel didn’t hear. Her head was pounding, throbbing, and she was starting to feel dizzy. Maybe it was stress, but maybe her kidneys were getting worse.
She looked around for a place to sit, and as she did so, Janie asked, “Are you all right, Rachel? You look flushed.”
Janie scooted over and patted the bench next to her. “Sit here.”
Then Janie looked up at Ty. “Go get her some water. I’m sure that like all flatlanders, she hasn’t been drinking enough.”
Rachel wanted to argue, because she was well aware of how much water she needed with her condition. But Ty had already turned and was walking away. And when she looked up at Janie to try to protest, Janie shook her head.
“None of that. People from Denver say all the time that they are used to the elevation, but we’re at nine thousand feet, so almost four thousand feet higher, and that’s quite a difference. You don’t want to get altitude sickness and miss out on all the fun.”
It was sweet of Janie to be concerned, and arguing with her would mean sharing everything about her health situation, which would probably be frowned upon by both Ricky and Ty. Besides, telling people you’re sick—and possibly dying—was always a downer, and no one wanted to hear about it.
Ty returned with a bottle of water and handed it to her. “I saw you drink plenty earlier, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t use more.”
He sounded almost like he cared. Had it not been for their awkward conversation in Ricky’s office, she might almost believe it.
“Always the gentleman,” Janie said, smiling. Then she turned to Rachel. “But if I were you, I would steer clear of him in tomorrow’s water fight if you’re on the opposing team. The man is ruthless, despite his charm.”
Rachel smiled back at Janie. “I’ve always found that the more charming a man, the more ruthless he is.”
“Oh, burn,” Janie said, clapping her hands. “You can probably hold your own against Ty, then, but my joking about the water fight might have given you the wrong impression. He’s really a teddy bear, and I can say that with confidence, because I’ve known him my whole life. As long as you don’t make an enemy of him, he’s the best guy in the world.”
Ty glared at her. “Stop. I don’t know if I should run for president or run for the hills. But either way, this is a terrible conversation. I’m going to go see if Wanda has stuff to make s’mores.”
�
��You know she does,” Janie said, laughing. “And if anyone can charm them out of her, it’s you.”
When Ty left, Rachel looked over at Janie. “You two seem like you have a good relationship. I’d ask if he was your boyfriend, but you have Sam, and Ty said he doesn’t have kids.”
Janie shook her head. “He is definitely not my boyfriend. We grew up together and he’s always been like an older brother to me. But since you’re new here, I’m just gonna go out and say it to avoid any uncomfortable gossip. I’m not married. I never have been. Sam’s father is completely out of the picture, and we prefer it that way. Yes, I know I’m the pastor’s daughter. But even pastors’ daughters make mistakes, and while I deeply regret a certain period of my life, I will never regret my son.”
Because Rachel was such a private person, it would have never occurred to her to tell any of those things to a stranger, but she really admired Janie for it. She liked the woman’s boldness and the way she owned who she was and was proud of it.
“I wouldn’t regret him, either,” Rachel said slowly. She didn’t talk much about Katie’s father or that part of her past, but Janie’s confession gave her a little more strength than she usually felt. “Katie’s father is dead. But we were going through a messy divorce, so I have a lot of mixed feelings about it. I don’t like to talk about it much, either.”
Janie put her hand over Rachel’s and gave it a squeeze. “You don’t have to. I’m just used to all the judgmental questions from strangers, so I like to get that information out right away.”
“I don’t judge,” Rachel said. “I’ve faced too much of it in my life, and it seems to me that people’s judgments of others are often completely wrong. But thank you for telling me. I’m sorry that others have made you feel like you owe them an explanation.”
Janie squeezed her hand again, and even though she didn’t say anything, Rachel felt like she’d found a friend. Odd, considering Rachel didn’t have much experience with friends. The ones she thought she had proved to be false friends, and it hadn’t felt worth the effort to try again. And yet, she’d felt that way earlier today upon meeting Della in the café, and now here, with Janie.
The Cowboy’s Sacrifice Page 6
