Her Oklahoma Rancher (Mercy Ranch Book 3)

by Brenda Minton

  He had really messed things up. Because he didn’t pity her but she probably thought that he saw her as someone who needed to be taken care of. He probably had treated her like someone who needed to be taken care of. What he hadn’t shown her was that he knew she was strong and independent. She could and had been taking care of herself without his help.

  “Ethan, we need to get back on track.” Guy spoke, drawing him back. “Any chance of reconciliation?”

  “Probably not. If there was, I messed it up.”

  “Couldn’t you unmess it up?”

  Ethan laughed at that. “I’m not sure how.”

  The implication was to fix things for Tori. Ethan wanted more than a relationship based on guardianship. He wanted Eve in his life because she was the woman he loved.

  But the truth was, she was in his life only because of Tori. If he hadn’t gone looking for Eve, she never would have come back to Texas or back to him.

  “I think we go with single-parent custody, but you have family support and you have the financial ability to hire a nanny or even a live-in housekeeper if necessary. Tori will not only be provided for financially but she will be loved and cared for. And that is what her parents wanted, and it is why they named you and Eve as guardians.”

  “That sounds good to me,” Ethan agreed.

  “I’ll type this up. If you hear from Miss Vincent, please let me know. I can add to this if needed.”

  “If I hear from her, I’ll let you know.”

  The lawyer stood. “Ethan, there is always hope.”

  Ethan agreed, there was always hope. All things work together for good for those who trust God.

  As he walked out the front door of the building, he scanned the street, the parking lot. No sign of Eve. He was going to have to do a whole lot of trusting.

  * * *

  Eve was sitting on the side of the road with a car that had overheated, with no phone signal because they were in Nowhere, Texas, with nothing but fields for miles and miles. She glanced at her watch and groaned, because she’d missed the meeting. And she couldn’t even call Ethan to tell him how sorry she was that she didn’t make it.

  Instead she found herself sitting on the shoulder of the road with Glory standing beside her. They waved as a car came over the horizon.

  “Are you sure we should do this, Eve?” Glory asked for the fifth, maybe sixth time.

  “Glory, do you have a better plan? We have to get help. I can’t fix a leaking radiator. You’ve agreed that you have no hidden auto mechanic skills. We obviously can’t walk all the way to town.”

  “Bluebonnet isn’t too far, is it?”

  “It’s far enough that I don’t feel like getting there on my own power.” Eve drew in a breath, waiting, hoping. The car slowed when it saw them, then pulled to the shoulder of the road.

  The driver got out, and Eve felt a silly grin break across her face.

  “Eve Vincent? What in the world brings you back to these parts?” It was Mrs. Carlson, Eve’s freshman math teacher.

  Small-town life did have its benefits. Knowing everyone in town could be a blessing when a person was stranded on the side of the road.

  “Mrs. Carlson, I am so glad to see you.”

  The teacher laughed. “I bet you are. It’s hot as blazes out here and you’re a good distance from town.”

  “And there’s no cell signal out here,” Glory piped up. “Hi there, I’m Glory Blackwell.”

  “Glory, it is very nice to meet you. Where are you two headed?”

  “To Bluebonnet,” Eve acknowledged. “I have to meet with Guy Channing. I guess he recently moved his office from the capital.”

  “He certainly did. He was a state representative and decided he’d rather just do small-town law. He’s a decent guy. How’re your parents?” Mrs. Carlson asked as they headed back to her car.

  “They’re well. I’m staying with them for a week or two before returning to Oklahoma.” Eve smiled at Glory, who opened the passenger door for her. After making the transfer, she quickly removed the wheels from her chair and Glory scooped it all up and stowed it in the trunk.

  Mrs. Carlson got behind the wheel of the car and waited for Glory to climb in the backseat.

  “Is that where you are now? Oklahoma? I’ve wondered.”

  “Yes, I’ve been living on Mercy Ranch.”

  “Oh, I’ve heard of it.” Mrs. Carlson eased back onto the road. “It seems as if you’re doing well.”

  It was a normal question and not the one she always feared. What had happened to her? Would she recover? She dreaded those questions.

  “I am doing well, thank you.” She smiled at her former teacher, a sweet woman with silver hair that hung straight to her shoulders and the kindest smile. That smile always made a kid, even a grown kid, feel accepted.

  It didn’t take long to reach Bluebonnet. On the drive, cell phone service returned, so Eve called her father and he told her he would pick her up in town and arrange a wrecker to take her car to the garage. She tried to call Ethan but he didn’t answer.

  “Here we are.” Mrs. Carlson pulled into the parking lot next to the law office.

  Home. Eve looked around the small town she’d grown up in. She’d forgotten how much she loved this place.

  “Thank you for the ride. There isn’t much traffic on that stretch of road. I’m not sure how long we would have waited.” Eve remained in the seat as Glory got out to get her chair.

  Moments like this were the ones that took adjusting to. She wanted to get out and take care of things herself. She didn’t want to depend on someone else. As she sat there, Glory was getting her chair out of the trunk, putting the wheels back on. Eve laced her fingers together and forced herself to let it go.

  “It isn’t easy, is it?” Mrs. Carlson spoke, breaking the awkward silence.

  “No, it isn’t,” Eve answered. “I want to get out and do this myself. But if I could do that, I wouldn’t need the chair, would I? And I’m thankful for the help and the people in my life.”

  “I’m sure you are. Listen, Eve, I have to share this with you. I have MS. Multiple Sclerosis.”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  Mrs. Carlson smiled. “Of course you didn’t. I used to hide it very well. I didn’t even tell the school administration, not until I had to. The day I couldn’t feel my legs, I had to tell someone. I’ve learned to let people help me. I’ve also learned when to use whatever mobility aids I need. I see it as a way to preserve my energy for the other things I can do.”

  “You were always my favorite teacher for a reason.” Eve hugged the other woman. “Thank you. I’m glad you were the one who happened by.”

  “So am I. There are a lot of coincidences in life. And then there are God moments that are meant to be. If you need anything at all, even if it’s a sympathetic ear, you call me.” Mrs. Carlson wrote her name on a scrap piece of paper. “I’m sure everything will work out for you. And when you’re in town, give me a call and we’ll have lunch at the café.”

  “I’ll do that.” Eve moved herself from the car to her chair. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Talk to you soon. If you’re in town for a few days, please come to church and see everyone.”

  “I will.”

  Glory started to push the chair. Eve stopped her. They’d had this discussion before. Glory was learning to push only when Eve asked for help. Or if she asked if Eve needed help.

  They were at the door of the law office when it opened. The man who stepped out was on the early side of middle age with dark hair and a kind smile. He wasn’t dressed in suit or tie but in jeans and a button-down shirt. But Eve pegged him as the lawyer.

  “Mr. Channing, I’m Eve Vincent. And I’m obviously late. My car broke down and there was no cell service.”

  Mr. Channing glanced at his watch
. “I’m sorry to hear that. And I’m more than sorry that I don’t have a lot of time.”

  Eve groaned. “Great. And I’m sure Ethan thought I just didn’t show up.”

  “That is what he thought. I’m sure you can explain. I’ll give you a quick rundown. The judge is going to want to see that the two of you can give Tori a stable and loving home environment. He’s going to want the two of you to show that you can work together and that you have a relationship that will allow you to do that. I’m hopeful but not too hopeful.”

  “What would give us the best chance of making sure the judge doesn’t take her from us?”

  He smiled at the question. “I think you know. But I don’t want to see the two of you make a decision you can’t live with that would possibly be more difficult for Tori when she gets older. The last thing I want is to meet up with you in a divorce or custody case.”

  “Of course. That’s the last thing I want, too.”

  “Then I guess you’d better decide what is the first thing you want and what is the most important thing.” He glanced at his watch a second time. “I’m sorry, I really do have to go. Ballet recital.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry for keeping you.”

  “I’m glad you were able to make it. Do you have a ride?”

  “My dad is coming to get us.” A car honked. “And there he is.”

  But when she turned, it wasn’t her father. It was Ethan. She felt as if she lit up on the inside. It was a silly reaction. Just seeing a man shouldn’t make everything better. But it did. And suddenly she wondered what she’d been so afraid of.

  Communicate, Kylie had said. It sounded simple. Maybe it was simple and she’d made it difficult because she’d tried so hard to be independent. She’d been so afraid of being the person he took care of.

  He parked and got out of the car. She waited for him, noticing that Glory slipped away, pretending to window-shop at one of the few stores in this part of town.

  Ethan stepped onto the sidewalk, then he leaned against his car and looked at her. “You made it.”

  He didn’t appear to be as happy to see her as she was to see him.

  “I did. My car broke down. As a matter of fact, I see it now, on the way to the garage. Dad is coming to get me.”

  “How did you get to town?”

  “Mrs. Carlson. And I talked to Mr. Channing, too.” She breathed in, hoping for courage. “Ethan, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hurting you four years ago. I’m sorry for the way I acted at the house. I know you’re trying to do the right thing, and I keep messing things up. I realized that I’ve made my life safe. Then you came to town and made it uncomfortable. And you have this annoying habit of deciding what is best for me.”

  “I’m sorry, too. The house was a mistake. An expensive mistake.” He grinned, and for a moment Eve’s world felt right again.

  “Trying to protect the people you care about isn’t a mistake. Trying to do it without asking if they need protected, that’s the mistake. By all means, if you see an asteroid falling right at this moment, do not stop to ask me if I need protecting.”

  They both laughed, and in the distance she heard Glory laughing. The kid was such an eavesdropper. They looked at each other and both smiled.

  “Ethan, we can do this together, raising Tori. We can work on being better friends, on communicating. She needs us to be the adults she can count on.”

  “What do we tell the judge?” he asked.

  “That we will both raise this child to the best of our ability. We will love her unconditionally. We will communicate and make sure we’re both doing our best for her.”

  “I listed the house in Oklahoma. The real estate agent and I had discussed it before I left. I put it off until today. When you didn’t show up for our appointment, I assumed that meant you weren’t interested in shared custody.”

  “Oh.”

  He sighed. “We’ll work this out.”

  He didn’t smile. His eyes didn’t flash with warmth. She got the terrible feeling that even though they could work things out for Tori’s sake, Ethan was done with Eve.

  She really didn’t want him to be done with her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Ethan walked up the steps of the courthouse with his parents, Bethany and Tori. Eve, Glory and Eve’s parents were waiting inside for them. They’d talked again the previous day, meeting at the park to spend time together with Tori. Their plan was to present a united front.

  But Ethan had other plans.

  “You’re here.” Eve rolled forward, surprising him with an easy smile.

  “You were worried?”

  “Not at all,” she said. “You clean up nice, Mr. Forester.”

  He grinned at her. He realized she hadn’t seen him in a suit in a long time. Probably since a college dance they’d both attended. She cleaned up nice, too. She wore a dark blue dress and boots, and her hair was up in a bun. The messy kind that left tendrils of hair around her face. He thought she looked perfect for this day.

  “We should go on up,” Guy Channing said. He shook Ethan’s hand and then Eve’s. “Are the two of you ready?”

  “As ready as we’ll ever be.” Eve put a hand to her stomach. “But nervous. Really nervous. What if...”

  Guy stopped her with a raised hand. “I don’t want to deal in what-ifs. My goal today is to make the three of you a family in the eyes of that judge. That is what we have here, correct?”

  Ethan nodded. He looked to Eve. She inclined her head in response. He considered this moment but then let it go. They followed Guy to the elevator, and then down the hall to the courtroom. Their wait was minimal and soon they were called inside. The courtroom was a smaller family court. The judge sat at a desk on a dais behind a paneled wall. There were two tables. One for either side. In this case it was the state versus Ethan and Eve. An attorney for Tori, as well as a caseworker, was seated at the other table.

  Ethan watched as their families took seats on the benches behind a short wall separating the court participants from those viewing the process.

  The proceedings started and the judge studied the two of them as the lawyers for the state gave their side. Guy stood and gave their opening statement.

  The questioning started, just as Guy had warned them. The judge asked questions. They were grilled by the guardian ad litem, hired by the state to defend Tori’s rights and best interests.

  They were promising Tori would spend time with both of them. Time split between homes.

  The judge stopped speaking and glared at him.

  “Mr. Forester, did you hear my question?”

  “Yes, sir, you asked about living arrangements and Miss Vincent told you that we will each have our own place and that we will share custody of Tori. But that isn’t really what either of us want.” He looked at Eve. “Is that what you want?”

  It was now or never. He’d tried to do this and he’d messed up. But this time he knew what he needed to say. And she would hopefully agree.

  If she didn’t, he would deal with the repercussions.

  * * *

  Eve considered the fact that maybe Ethan had lost his mind. He was standing in a courtroom, not really arguing with a judge but not really complying when the judge asked him if the proceedings could continue. If this continued, not only would they not get Tori, but she’d have to bail Ethan out of jail.

  She implored him with her eyes to please sit.

  Instead he glanced up at the judge. “Your Honor, can I speak?”

  The judge sighed. “Please approach the bench.”

  Ethan went forward, smiling for all the world like a man having the time of his life. The judge leaned in and the two had a private conversation. The judge nodded and Ethan returned to the table where Eve sat with their dumbfounded attorney.

  “Eve, I love you.”

  Eve wasn’t surprised
when he knelt in front of her. He was considerate that way, making sure they were eye to eye. She didn’t know whether to be nervous or afraid, though. His expression was too serious, too thoughtful.

  “Ethan, you’re going to get arrested for disrupting a court proceeding.” She looked to their attorney. “Is that a thing? Is this contempt of court?”

  “I think we can come up with the bail money,” Guy Chapman grinned.

  She turned her attention back to Ethan. He smiled at her, and her heart took a strange leap. She considered cupping his cheeks with her hands and kissing them. Her gaze shot past him to the judge. The judge didn’t look amused.

  “Eve, let’s do this right. Let’s raise Tori as ours. Together. That’s the way we’re meant to be. I know you’re afraid. I know you think I’ll resent you or pity you. Maybe you think I deserve that dream we used to talk about when we were kids. But I want you, because life with you is my dream. I want you. We were supposed to say vows to one another, to have and to hold, better or worse, sickness or health. I want it all. I want the good times, the hard times and the blessings. With you. I can’t promise that I won’t ever do the wrong thing for the right reason. Or even the wrong reason. I can’t promise you we won’t fight. I think it’s guaranteed we will. I can guarantee you that I’ll love you forever.” He pulled a ring out of his pocket. “I had this the other day and it didn’t seem like the right time. Maybe I have a problem with timing.” He glanced back at the judge and then smiled at her.”

  “Marry me, Eve. Be my wife. Be Tori’s mom.”

  She kissed him. “I love you, too.”

  “Then please say yes,” he whispered close to her ear, “or this will be very embarrassing.”

  “I would never embarrass you.” She kissed him again, aware that around them conversation had broken out. The judge pounded his gavel on the desk. “I will definitely marry you.”

  “Mr. Channing, could you control your clients and please address the court as to the new developments?” the judge asked.

  Guy stood. “Your Honor, I believe my clients would like to get married.”