by June Faver
“We’re your family, man. You just can’t walk away like that.” Another silence. “I miss you. Dad—”
Ty let out another scornful snort. “Please, don’t tell me Dad misses me. I’d think he would be glad I’m gone. We sure don’t seem to be seeing eye to eye lately.” Ty arranged his boot on the rickety porch railing. Another thing that needs to be fixed.
“Of course he misses you,” Beau said. “He’s not going to come out and say it, but he’s pretty upset. I figure he’s worried about you.”
Ty laughed. “Don’t lose any sleep over me. If I need bail money, I’ll call.”
There was a chuckle on the other end of the line.
“I’m going to cut a demo in Dallas and then try out for a country music show. Maybe you can catch me on television, if I’m lucky enough to make the cut. If not, I’ll figure out something. You know I have to try.”
“I know,” Beau said. “It’s just—”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Tell Dad not to fret. What’s the worst that can happen? I can become a major country-western star and ride around the good old US of A in a big tour bus.” He laughed as Beau let out a guffaw.
“Yeah right.”
“How is Colton?” The image of his older, very serious brother came to mind.
Beau let out a groan. “Don’t ask. He’s griping that he has double the work to do since you left, and he’s getting a lot of grief from Dad too.”
Ty couldn’t imagine that his father’s clone would ever do anything to displease the man. “You’re kidding me, right? Colton is the golden boy of the family.” He felt a tightness in his chest when he said the word family. He wasn’t quite sure what that meant anymore.
It was Beau’s turn to issue a derisive snort. “Nope. Colton’s getting your share. He says Dad doesn’t expect as much out of me. He’s still giving me grief for being, as he says, the beloved baby boy.” There was a pause. “We sure could use your help.”
“Colton got you to call me, right?”
Another silence.
“Look, Beau, this is my chance to do the one thing I’m really good at. I was born to be a singer, so I’ve got to try.”
“You’re pretty good at ranching,” Beau put in wistfully.
Ty sucked in a deep breath and released it slowly. “I’ve learned how to be a rancher, but I was born to sing. Just tell Colton and Dad to step back and let me try, okay?”
“Yeah. I’ll pass that word along. And from me, Ty, I wish you the best. I hope you make it to the top. For Mom.”
Ty swallowed what felt like a big tangle of barbed wire at the back of his throat. “Thanks, Little Brother.” He disconnected, his jaw tight with warring emotions. He knew he had been given so much in his lifetime, and it was time to pay it back, but there was more than one way of giving. Maybe his natural talents would take him someplace. Maybe they would lead him home. Tucking the phone in his pocket, he leaned back, gripping the wicker arms of the chair.
He stared out at the pitiful yard with rusted farm equipment off to one side like the skeletal remains of dinosaurs he had seen when his fifth-grade class went to the museum in Lubbock. The sun was setting, casting these relics into silhouette. He sat motionless, until Gracie came out looking for him.
“Ty?” she called.
“Right here, Gracie.”
She approached warily. “Gran says you should come inside to eat now. The table’s all set.”
He heaved himself out of the chair. “That’s mighty nice of you to come give me that message.” He reached out to tousle her hair, and she grabbed his hand, leading him inside the small house.
He ate, letting the women converse and only responding to direct questions.
Leah cast several sidelong glances his way but, for the most part, kept her head down and poked food into her mouth. When the meal was finished, she jumped up and started clearing the table.
Ty pushed his chair back and picked up his empty plate and utensils.
Leah was furiously scraping the plates and placing them in a sink filled with warm, sudsy water. When she turned abruptly, she ran smack into him.
“Whoa!” he murmured.
“Oh, sorry,” she gasped and took the dishes from his hands. Turning back to the water, she sucked in a breath when Ty laid his hands on her shoulders.
He leaned forward, speaking softly against her ear. “We need to talk.”
She bit her lower lip and nodded, looking so distraught his heart went out to her.
“I—I’ll come to the bunkhouse when everyone has gone to bed,” she whispered.
He gave her shoulders a squeeze and released her. Stepping back, he almost collided with Gracie, who had come to stand behind him.
Gripping her plate and utensils with both hands, she gazed up at him with large, solemn eyes.
Ty tried to force a smile as he relieved her of her offering. “Thanks,” he said.
Tight-lipped, Gran stood beside the table, scraping leftovers into recycled plastic margarine tubs and snapping on lids. She looked to be as brittle as a dried mesquite bean and about as easy to break.
“Thank you for another great meal,” he said and made for the door.
Once on the porch, the darkness embraced him, like arms closing around him. Filling his lungs with the night air, he blew it out, trying consciously to relieve the tension crowding his chest. Guitar in hand, he whistled for Lucky and stood for a moment gazing up at the stars. He would go to the bunkhouse, and he would sing his songs with Lucky howling harmony. No matter where or when, at least some things were constant.
* * *
Leah dried her hands on a threadbare dish towel and wiped down the counter. Maybe she could buy Gran a couple of nice new ones once she started getting regular paychecks.
She gave herself a mental reality check.
Nice idea, but I better think about getting Gracie some clothes to wear to her new school. She’s going to need shoes and a winter coat of some kind. Maybe a heavy sweater will do for a little while.
Leah folded the towel over the edge of the chipped porcelain sink and surveyed the kitchen. Can’t get it any cleaner than this.
Gran had headed to bed straightaway, and Gracie followed close behind her.
Turning off the overhead light, Leah went into the room she now shared with Gracie and found her daughter already in bed with Eddie curled up near her feet. The bedside light was still on. Gracie’s eyes were closed but fluttered open when Leah leaned close.
“I’m sorry, Mommy. I didn’t mean to tell Ty about him.” Her brows were knit into a worried frown.
“Not a problem, sweetie. Not a problem.” When Eddie raised his head, Leah scratched the curly fur on his neck. She brushed a kiss over her daughter’s forehead. “You get some sleep, and I’ll be in shortly.” She snuggled the covers up around Gracie and turned off the light before tiptoeing out of the room.
Leah ran her fingers through her hair and located the flashlight Gran kept near the front door. Stepping quietly out onto the porch, she pulled the door closed behind her. She turned, gazing about anxiously. No. Caine isn’t lurking around in the darkness waiting to grab me. She released a pent-up breath and straightened her shoulders. The night sounds enveloped her. Crickets chirped, and the frogs they called “peepers” chimed in for counterpoint. Nice, familiar noises. Her footsteps sounded unnaturally loud on the wooden porch as she crossed and stepped off onto the soft dirt. Flicking on the flashlight, she sighed heavily and started toward the bunkhouse, reconciled to facing Ty’s wrath.
Of course he’ll be angry. He deserves to be angry. In spite of the temperature, she shivered, wondering how Ty would display his wrath. She couldn’t imagine his handsome face twisted in rage. Gut up, girl. He deserves to know.
A soft light glowed inside the bunkhouse. Leah lifted her hand to knock softly on the doo
r, then repeated the process when she received no answer. She twisted the knob and stepped inside. “Ty?” she called hesitantly.
The only light came from a small reading lamp beside the bed. Gran had made this room really cozy. The usual sleeping quarters were in a separate room, with bunk beds against the walls, but Gran had arranged an old metal bedstead in the large room that had served as the dining hall and living room of sorts. Now, it looked like an efficiency apartment with the bed, a small stool serving as a nightstand, a rudimentary kitchen in one corner, a small table and chairs nearby, and one single upholstered chair, quite worn in places but still comfortable looking.
Hearing movement in the bathroom, Leah resigned herself to her fate. She sat down in the chair to wait.
Momentarily, the door opened, and Ty stepped out. His hair was wet, and he wore only a towel slung low around his hips. He stood, still as a statue, regarding her steadily. “I had given up on you.”
She sucked in a breath. “No, I’m here.” Her voice sounded small to her own ears.
He gave her a little smile. “I thought maybe you chickened out.”
“Maybe I should have.” She straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin.
“I’m glad you didn’t.” He crossed to the bed and took a faded pair of jeans out of his duffel. “I’ll be right back.” He ducked into the bathroom and returned almost immediately with the denims in place, stretched over his muscular lower half, while his muscular upper half remained bare.
Undoubtedly, he had no idea how his hunky maleness affected her. She didn’t recall ever being sent into a state of drooling lust by the mere sight of a broad chest rippling with well-defined muscles and tight six-pack abs. A tracing of dark chest hair swirled over his pecs and descended in the middle of his ribs like an arrow pointing down into his denims.
She swallowed hard, trying not to think of where that arrow ended.
“Hey, don’t look so scared.” His voice cut into her thoughts. “I just need you to level with me. Tell me what’s going on.” He held out a hand.
Nodding, she stood and reached out to grasp it. Large and warm, he enfolded her, drawing her against him. Her cheek pressed against his chest, her palms flat on his stomach. “I owe you an explanation.”
“Just tell me one thing.” His voice rumbled deep in his chest. “Are you married?”
That question hit her like a slap in the face. She drew back, frowning. “No! Of course I’m not married.”
He looked relieved. The corners of his mouth turned up in a smile. “Good to know.” He lifted her off her feet and swung her around in a circle.
A rush of joy infused with passion surged through Leah’s being. Wrapping both arms around his neck, a gurgle of laughter escaped her lips. “Where did you get that crazy idea?”
He set her on her feet but didn’t release her. He gazed down into her eyes with such intensity she felt as though he was stripping her soul bare. “I was afraid this guy you’re running away from might not be an actual ex.” He planted a kiss on her nose. “I’m just glad to know you’re divorced.”
She thought her heart would stop beating right then and there. “Um, I’m not…divorced, that is.”
Ty’s dark brows knit into a perplexed frown.
Leah heaved a deep sigh, not wanting to reveal her ugly secret. Not wanting to spoil this one perfect moment. “I was never married to the man who impregnated me.” She gnawed her lower lip, trying to read the series of emotions playing out on Ty’s face.
“Whoa!” he said. “I’m not judging, Leah.”
She pressed her lips together as she looked away, not willing to let him see her dismay. “It—it wasn’t like that. He…he forced me.”
Chapter 6
Ty’s stomach clenched up, and he couldn’t breathe. He turned Leah toward him, her face an exquisite portrait of misery. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up anything that would hurt you.”
She shook her head vehemently. “Not your fault. It is what it is. I—” She covered her face with both hands. “I’m over it.”
He frowned. “I don’t think so. If you can still get upset, it’s still hurting you.”
She stood rigidly, her lips pressed together, not looking at him.
“Sit down, and I’ll get you some water.” He filled a jelly glass with cold water from the refrigerator and returned to find her sitting slumped on the side of the bed. He dropped down on one knee beside her and offered her the glass.
She moistened her lips, whispering, “Thank you.” Taking a few sips of water, she set the glass on the makeshift table.
Ty reached around her to turn off the lamp. “Just relax, Leah. Whatever happened, it’s behind you now. You have a beautiful little girl, and you’ve started over with a brand-new page. Whatever you write on it is up to you.”
He climbed onto the bed and pulled her back to rest against his chest. He held her with one arm and leaned down to place a kiss against her hair. “Everything is going to be all right.”
She snorted and then made a half-hearted stab at laughter. “There you go again, being Mr. Sunshine.”
Ty exhaled, trying to banish all the dark thoughts in his head. “I’ll be whatever you need me to be.”
His words hung in the air like a neon sign. He thought about what he’d just said, then backed it up. “I’m here for you, Leah…and for Gracie.” It suddenly became clear to him how much the two of them had come to mean to him.
She turned to face him and reached for him, and he leaned into her embrace.
It felt good to be needed. Mostly, it felt good to be needed by someone he was growing to need just as much. He kissed her, and then he kissed her again. He pulled her closer, and she settled with her head on his shoulder.
“Tell me,” he urged in the darkness. “Tell me what drove you here to me.”
She sighed, gnawed her lower lip. “I—I had to leave Oklahoma. I had to take Gracie and run.”
His lips grazed her temple. “That much I could gather. I’ve never seen two people look so scared.”
“We were… We still are. I hate that Gracie is afraid. No kid should have to feel that way.”
“Just tell me. Who is after you?”
“Caine Daniels.” Her voice dropped to a raspy whisper. “He—we went to school together, but he was older. He was always looking at me, and I was flattered. I was only fourteen, and he played all the sports, so everyone idolized him.” A shiver swept her entire body, but Ty pulled her closer. “Of course, my parents would never have let me go out on an actual date, but they did let me go to school events with my friends. One Friday night, my girlfriend’s parents dropped us off at a football game, and afterward, we were going to walk a couple of blocks to the Dairy Barn with some other kids. Caine came to talk to us. Another boy drove up in a car, and Caine told us to get in. He said they would drive us to meet our friends.” She broke off, looking small and vulnerable in his arms. “I didn’t want to go, but my friend was already in the front seat beside the driver. I got in, and of course, they didn’t take us to the Dairy Barn.”
The silence hung long and heavy between them.
“I tried to fight him off, but I was…” Her voice trailed off.
Ty realized his jaw was clenched like a vise. He was barely breathing. The sound of his heart, pulsing fast and furious, throbbed in his ears.
“They dumped us close to town and drove away. A sheriff’s deputy happened to be cruising the area and brought us in. We were both battered and near hysteria, so he took us to the hospital and called the sheriff. He questioned us and arrested Caine and the other boy.”
Stroking his fingertips over her cheek, he realized she’d been crying. Tears rolled silently down onto his shoulder. “Sorry that happened to you. I hope the sheriff did the right thing.”
She nodded, her hair soft against his skin. “He did the
right thing. The other boy went to a juvenile facility, but Caine was of age, so he was charged with rape as an adult.” She swallowed hard, a little mew-like sound escaping her throat. “The community was torn apart. My girlfriend and I were treated like sluts and blamed for everything from Caine being sent to prison to the losing football season. The sheriff lost his job in the next election.” She heaved a huge sigh. “And I found I was pregnant.”
Ty remained motionless but felt like he’d been body slammed. He tried to process all the jumbled thoughts and feelings raging inside him.
Leah cleared her throat. “My parents had to move, and they thought I should give up the baby once she was born and go on with my life, but I couldn’t. They—they kicked us out.”
Her tears had stopped, but Ty felt physical pain over her parent’s actions. As much strife as he had caused his parents, they had never considered throwing him out. “What did you do?” His voice came out all husky.
“They sent us to a home for unwed mothers run by some Catholic sisters. I learned a few skills. Office stuff, mostly. The nuns helped me get a job as a receptionist, and that was okay. I was able to afford a small efficiency apartment and pay for a babysitter.” She took a deep breath and went on. “I’ve had several jobs since then. I was waitressing at a truck stop when Caine found me. He got out on parole and came looking for me.” She shivered again; this time, the tremor almost shook the bed. “He was very angry. He blames me for everything that happened to him.”
Blame the victim? Ty’s heart pounded, his chest rupturing with fury. “What happened to him? He was responsible for where he wound up.” He heaved a deep breath. “So you left Oklahoma and came here?”
She nodded. “Caine must have followed me home from work, because he showed up at our apartment. The minute he saw Gracie, he knew.” She paused, drew in a deep breath, and plunged on. “There was a fight. He was choking me, and Gracie got in the middle of it. He shoved her away, and her wrist was broken. Thankfully, someone called the police, because they got there and arrested him. They threw him in jail, since he violated his parole, and he’s awaiting charges for the assault.”
