The Doctor's Texas Baby

by Deb Kastner

  “I’m not quite sure how to explain this to you, except to say that Johnny is my responsibility—my personal responsibility. I know he’s currently a resident of the boys ranch, but our connection is special. It’s more than just me being a volunteer, a teacher or even a mentor.”

  “You see a lot of yourself in him.”

  He framed her face with his hands and bent his head until their foreheads were touching. Her soft skin and unique floral scent somehow calmed his mind, and the feel of her warm breath against his cheek made his own respirations even out.

  She understood.

  More than that, she grounded him, kept him from drifting away in his anxiety.

  She recognized his need to be the one to find Johnny. If anyone else got to the boy first, he would think he was in trouble, and then he would bolt away and disappear for good—if he hadn’t already.

  His heart clenched. Why did everyone and everything he loved always leave?

  His parents, who had left him for foreign service and had never returned. His gran, whose mind no longer recognized his face. Carolina, who had vanished from his life once before, and he had no way of knowing whether or not she’d leave again—this time with the knowledge that she was taking Matty away from him as well.

  Even the young buck he’d vetted ought to be out leaping through the waist-high Texas prairie grass, but instead was on the verge of leaving this world.

  And now Johnny.

  Wyatt concentrated, not on his own breathing, but on Carolina’s. He lifted his mind and his heart in silent prayer, releasing all his pain and fear and allowing himself to be enveloped in the presence of God.

  And then, as if the sun had finally broken through the clouds surrounding him, dissipating them into mist, his thoughts became clear, coherent and united.

  Of course.

  He smiled down at Carolina, but she couldn’t see it because she had her eyes closed. Evidently she was praying, just as he had been.

  Maybe God was answering both of their prayers. He could be wrong, but—

  “Carolina, honey. I think I know where Johnny is.”

  * * *

  Carolina trusted Wyatt’s gut instinct, but she found it ironic that he suggested they return to his ranch. He’d come from there to meet with Bea and the others about Johnny’s disappearance. Obviously he’d seen no trace of the teenager this morning.

  Wyatt appeared deep in thought as they took his truck back to his ranch, and Carolina didn’t want to disturb him. He was no doubt considering how he was going to handle the situation if Johnny was, as Wyatt suspected, somewhere on his property. It wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

  Carolina was grateful it was Wyatt who had this lead and not someone else who didn’t know Johnny as well. He was already going to be in a world of trouble when he was caught. He would need all of Wyatt and Carolina’s help to run interference for him with the boys ranch.

  Like Wyatt, Carolina had no doubt in her mind that Johnny believed he had good reasons for running away. She knew him to be a responsible young man who applied himself to his studies and his vetting work with Wyatt. She had no qualms whatsoever about leaving Johnny to babysit Matty.

  She still didn’t.

  But she was worried about poor Johnny’s current state of mind, and of course the impending DFPS visit to the boys ranch, which might have inadvertently been made worse by Johnny’s sudden disappearance.

  “I didn’t get around to feeding the animals this morning,” Wyatt said grimly as he pulled the truck to a stop in front of his ranch house and cut the engine. “Bea called me away before I had the chance. I think Johnny might be in the stable. He has always drawn comfort from being around animals.”

  “Do you want me to stay here so you can talk to him alone first?”

  Wyatt’s face held genuine surprise.

  “What? No. I definitely think a little feminine compassion is called for here. Johnny really responds to you.” He let out a breath. “Besides, I’m not even certain that my theory is correct. He could be halfway across the state by now, for all I know.”

  “Or he could be in your barn.”

  “Right.” Wyatt pressed his lips into a hard line and gave a clipped nod. “Well, there’s only one way to find out.”

  He exited the cab and went around to open her door, giving her a hand out of the truck. It wasn’t that she really needed his assistance as much as emotional support. It was a nice gesture, especially when he closed his hand over hers as they set off toward the stable.

  He paused just outside the door. “Let’s hope I’m right about this.”

  She squeezed his hand in response. She immediately noticed one obvious difference when they entered the shadowed building—the sound of a pair of antlers butting repeatedly against a stall door.

  “Wyatt, look!” She pressed forward, surprised to see the injured buck not only up on its feet again, but tossing its head and bleating in annoyance over being cooped up.

  Wyatt’s face was beaming as he approached the stall. “Well, now. Look at you. Easy does it, big fella.”

  “He’s better?”

  “I’d say so.” Wyatt picked off his hat and slicked back his hair with the palm of his hand. “I can’t believe my eyes. I really thought we were going to lose him.”

  As Carolina’s eyes adjusted to the dimness of the interior of the barn, she noticed a brief movement in the back of the deer’s stall, a scuttle toward the darkest corner.

  “Wyatt,” she said softly, nodding in the direction she’d seen the slight shadow of movement.

  He arched his eyebrows and replaced his hat, then settled his hands on the stall door, ignoring the startled shifting of the buck.

  “You can come out now, Johnny,” Wyatt said, his voice low, even and gentle. “It’s just Carolina and me. No one else knows you’re here.”

  There was a long moment of silence before Johnny unfolded his lanky frame from the back corner of the stall.

  Wyatt opened the stall door and Carolina distracted the buck while Johnny slipped through and Wyatt clicked the lock back into place.

  Now that Carolina could see Johnny was safe, she had to bite her lip to keep from chastising him. The relief that washed through her was quickly followed by dismay. He’d put himself in danger, not only by running away, but by crawling into the buck’s stall the way he had. He might not have been intentionally trying to hurt himself, but spending the night in an enclosed space with a wild animal was hardly a wise thing to do.

  She knew she would come off sounding critical, or worse yet, angry, so she held her tongue. Her emotions were all over the place, from the fear of not being able to find Johnny to the joy of once again seeing his unmanageable mop of curly hair. Anxiety, frustration and the realization of how much she cared for Johnny whirled together like a cyclone, creating a perfect storm she could barely contain.

  “How long have you been here?” Wyatt didn’t seem to be struggling with the same stresses she was feeling, or else he was better at hiding his emotions. But that was just as well. She’d let him deal with the fallout.

  “I c-came here in the middle of the n-night,” Johnny answered hesitantly, his stutter amplified by the direness of the situation.

  “You bunked with a wild buck?”

  Johnny nodded.

  “Why would you do that? Haven’t I taught you anything? You had to have known how dangerous that was.”

  “H-he was hurt. I thought he might be d-dying. H-he was lying on his s-side and was having trouble breathing. I p-put his head on my lap and stroked his n-neck so he would know he w-wasn’t alone.”

  Carolina’s eyes pricked with tears. Johnny had such a sensitive heart, and an enormous capacity for love. He reminded her of Wyatt in so many ways.

  She only hoped this incident
didn’t ruin his future plans. She didn’t know what doors needed to open in order for him to continue his education and training, but she hoped he would find his way. She well knew how difficult life could be for a young man in Johnny’s position.

  “I f-fell asleep. When I woke up, the buck was standing up. I think h-he’s better now.”

  Wyatt’s eyes left Johnny long enough to inspect the deer. “I agree. I’ll need your help to return him to the wild where he belongs.”

  Johnny’s enormous, thickly lashed brown eyes grew even bigger as he pushed that stubborn curl off his forehead.

  “You’re not m-mad at me?”

  Wyatt’s gaze flashed to Carolina before narrowing on the teenager. “What you did was wrong, but I think you already know that. There are a lot of people out looking for you right now, taking time out of their day to make sure you’re safe.”

  “I’m s-sorry, sir.”

  Wyatt sighed. “I know you are. Listen. Why don’t we stop by my kitchen and grab a cup of coffee before we take you back to the boys ranch? I’ll text Bea to let her know we found you safe and sound and that she can call off the search.”

  Johnny squared his shoulders.

  “I’m not going back.”

  Wyatt’s hands briefly formed into fists. It was the first indication Carolina had seen of the frustration she knew that he had to be feeling.

  “Johnny, this isn’t up for discussion,” Wyatt said firmly.

  “You really gave us all a scare,” Carolina added gently. “There are a lot of good people out there looking for you right now.”

  Johnny strode deeper into the stable and picked up his duffel bag from behind a bale of hay, where he’d clearly hidden it the night before. The bag was overstuffed with books. Sharp corners were sticking out everywhere at odd angles.

  Johnny struggled just to sling the thing over his shoulder. He wouldn’t get very far dragging that much weight around with him.

  “Let’s at least talk about this,” Carolina suggested, holding her hands out to show she meant no harm. It was like dealing with a wild animal. There was no telling what Johnny would do if he was pressed. The teenager was every bit as likely to bolt as the young buck in the stall behind them, if given the opportunity.

  “I’m n-not going back,” Johnny repeated, lifting his chin in open defiance. Carolina had never seen him behave this way—more like a rebel than the sweet boy who went out of his way to help injured animals.

  Wyatt shoved his hands into the pockets of his fleece-lined jeans jacket and rocked back on the heels of his boots.

  “All right,” he said evenly. “Why don’t you tell us why you left, and explain why you don’t want to come back to the boys ranch with us. Are you being bullied? Is someone threatening you?”

  Johnny’s anxious gaze flitted from Wyatt to Carolina and then back to Wyatt again.

  “We’re listening,” Carolina assured him softly. “We’re not here to judge.”

  Johnny dropped his gaze and scuffed at the dirt floor with the toe of his boot.

  “I am t-turning eighteen soon,” he said miserably.

  “Right,” Wyatt agreed. “At the end of the school year in May you will age out of the program anyway. I don’t understand. Why would you want to leave now? You’re going to graduate from high school soon. You’ve worked far too hard to miss that.”

  “I d-didn’t want to say goodbye.”

  Wyatt arched his eyebrows in surprise. “Why would you have to say goodbye? Aren’t you planning to stay here in Haven? I’m sure I remember you mentioning how much you like the town.”

  “I d-don’t have a family.”

  Carolina could feel Johnny’s desolation as if it were her own. The sweet young man really was all alone in the world, and soon he would no longer be a member of the boys ranch, which was the only home he had.

  Wyatt’s head jerked as if someone had slapped him. He stepped forward and clasped the young man’s shoulders, forcing him to meet his eyes.

  “Yes, you do, Johnny,” Wyatt said without a trace of doubt in his voice. “You do have a family, and a home—if you want it.”

  Carolina’s heart clenched. Did that mean Wyatt was staying in Haven?

  Wyatt was offering Johnny everything he’d ever wanted. A home. A family. She was genuinely happy for Johnny. It looked like there were some happy times coming for the boy, and no one deserved it more than Johnny. She didn’t begrudge him any of it.

  But it made her realize all that she didn’t have, all that, until this moment, she hadn’t even realized she wanted.

  Why did it have to hurt so much?

  Chapter Ten

  Johnny’s words had hit Wyatt like a freight train. How could the boy not see how valued—how loved—he was?

  “I would be honored if you would come live with me after you age out of the boys ranch program,” Wyatt said, dipping his head so the teenager could see that his words were in earnest.

  “W-why?”

  “Well, for one thing, Haven and the boys ranch are keeping me really busy as a veterinarian. I was hoping maybe after you finished attending college and vet school that you would join my practice.”

  Johnny’s eyes lit up like fireworks at the mention of school, but the flame was just as quickly extinguished, doused by the reality of the situation.

  “I d-don’t have money for school. I thought I’d h-have to learn a trade.”

  “You’ll learn a trade,” Wyatt agreed, clapping Johnny’s back. “But you have to go to college to become a veterinarian. I have money. And there are scholarships available for a bright young man such as yourself. I’m sure you must have heard that the Lone Star Cowboy League offers a good one. I’ll help you with the applications. Have you thought about which college you would like to attend?”

  Johnny’s mouth worked but no sound came out. He shook his head.

  “No matter. We’ll figure it out together. With your grades, I don’t think you will have any problem being accepted wherever you apply. You may have to start spring semester, but we’ll get you where you want to go.”

  Johnny’s brows lowered over his dark, contemplative eyes. He looked far too solemn for a teenager.

  Wyatt winked and smiled, trying to lighten the mood.

  “W-why me?” Johnny choked out.

  Why?

  Wyatt had thought it would be obvious. Hadn’t he already said?

  Maybe not. He wasn’t good with words. He hadn’t meant to confuse the lad. It was important that Johnny knew exactly where he stood in Wyatt’s heart.

  “Because you are like a son to me.”

  A high-pitched squeal from beside him made him wince and he turned to find Carolina dabbing at the tears in her eyes, her breath coming in uneven hiccups.

  “Don’t mind me,” she said between sobs. “I’m a sucker for happy endings.”

  Wyatt met Johnny’s gaze and rolled his eyes. They both broke into laughter.

  Women.

  Something good happened and they cried. He offered her his handkerchief, which she took gratefully.

  “D-does that mean M-Matty is my brother?”

  “Of course it does,” Wyatt affirmed. He grinned, knowing how much having a sibling—even one in name only—would mean to a young man who had, up until today, experienced a very solitary youth. After the aunt who had raised Johnny had died, he had no family to call his own.

  “I want to officially adopt you. You’ll not only be my apprentice, you’ll be my son.”

  Johnny beamed.

  “What about C-Carolina?”

  Wyatt stiffened. He’d been completely unprepared for that question.

  What about Carolina?

  How did she fit into this picture? Was he finally ready to own up to the feelings
he’d been tamping down since the moment she had returned to town with Matty in her arms?

  He was still sifting through his thoughts and emotions when Carolina spoke.

  “Oh, Johnny, honey, I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way. You know how much we both care about you, but it isn’t as easy as all that. Wyatt and I are Matty’s parents, but we are not a couple.”

  Carolina’s frank denial hit Wyatt like a punch in the gut. Every emotion that had ballooned to the surface now popped, as if she were throwing darts at them.

  They weren’t a couple.

  Of course they weren’t. He knew that. And yet...

  She’d spoken the words softly but firmly, with little emotion in her tone.

  He had to face the hard truth.

  His feelings for her were all one-sided.

  Again.

  “B-but you wore red.” Johnny stared at Carolina, his words faltering between bemusement and accusation.

  It took Wyatt a moment to piece together what Johnny was saying, but he was faster than Carolina.

  “The color of her blouse at the Valentine’s social didn’t mean anything, Johnny. It was only a coincidence.”

  “What was a—” Carolina started to ask, but Johnny interrupted her.

  “But you d-danced together. I saw you.”

  “Wait. That letter was from you?” Carolina’s expression was lined with surprise, and her voice held a note of astonishment. “You wrote that note? Not the mystery matchmakers?”

  Johnny nodded, looking unhappy.

  Wyatt felt bad for Johnny, but not as regretful as he did for himself. What a terrible time to realize that history was repeating itself.

  He hadn’t figured out how he felt about Carolina, so he’d never spoken of his feelings. And now it was too late for them. Just like last time.

  “Johnny, you know why we danced together,” Wyatt reminded him, and then quickly blew out a breath and backtracked. He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh.

  Carolina saved him from his blunder.

  “Look, sweetie. I’m well aware Wyatt only danced with me to give you the courage to dance with Cassie. It’s no big deal,” Carolina assured him softly. “But you can’t make more of it than it actually was.”