Taming His Brat

by Piper Stone

  She listened to Angie rattle off about party plans and all she could think about was Rex. She’d seen the look on his face that morning, as if he’d slid back into his shell. Finding the balled-up card with the master sergeant’s name was final proof. If Rex didn’t get some answers as well as some kind of help, he would spiral into a deep depression.

  “Are you listening to me?” Angie nudged.

  “Yes! Aren’t we getting the cart before the horse with regard to a party? We need to actually find an investor so that we have the funds to purchase livestock, equipment and we have to build some additional cabins if this is going to be a dude ranch. I mean, we’re talking several million dollars. Who? How?”

  “I gave you a list of contractors. Just toss out my name when you call them. I also have an idea about the livestock. You’ve been away from Texas for far too long. Leave that part to me. However, you’re right. First things first. Finding an investor.” Angie gave her a shit-eating grin.

  “I know that look on your face. You’re up to something. I can tell.”

  “No, girlfriend. You’re going to be up to something. You already know the perfect investor.”

  Cooper narrowed her eyes. “Who are you talking about?”

  “Oh, come on.” Angie held her gaze. “Your father, goofy. This is perfect for him.”

  She opened her mouth twice before she was able to admit the truth. “Angie, my father’s broke. I know it.”

  “Uh-huh. You’re certain of this?”

  Seeing the smile on her bestie’s face, she cocked her head. “What?”

  “I think you need to stop assuming everything in your life. Why don’t you actually talk to your father, one on one. This is a business proposition for him. See what he has to say.”

  The old fear of being just Daddy’s little princess filtered into her mind. Then the fact he’d stripped away her allowance, forcing her to get a job that she promptly lost not once but twice was a reminder of all her failures. There was no way, even if he did have any money, that he’d trust her to invest. They didn’t have a business plan or any concrete numbers as to how they could make this work. The more she thought about their ‘Operation,’ the more she realized they were in way over their heads. “We’re never going to be able to do this.”

  “Yes, we will. We can do this. We will help Rex get his life back on track. You just need to take a leap of faith or two and believe in yourself. If you can do that, then we’re already making strides. Can you do it?” Angie’s demanding tone was almost too much.

  But as usual, the girl was right. “Fine. I’ll talk to my father later today. Now, get back to work.” Hearing her cellphone, she glanced down quickly, hoping more than anything to see Rex’s number pop up. The unknown caller made her sigh. “Cooper Dawson.” She listened intently, unable to keep a smile off her face. “Yes, ma’am. That will work just fine and thank you. I’ll see you at two.”

  “Who was that?”

  Cooper shook her head. “Maybe karma is trying to tell me something.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Meaning, I have a job interview with Marshall Advertising tomorrow at two.”

  Angie slapped her hand over her mouth and squealed. “You go, girl! See, your luck is changing for the better. You’re going to get that job. You’re going to secure your father as an investor and save Whitehorse Ranch and you’re going to get the man of your dreams. I’d call that a fairytale fantasy. Well, without the white wedding of course, but my prediction is that in the future...”

  “Stop!” Laughing, she waved her friend off, even as Angie’s predictions morphed in the back of her mind. Maybe all those things could happen.

  And maybe pigs flew in winter in pink tutus.

  Groaning, she dialed the first number. “Hello, Mr. Tyler? I’m Cooper Dawson and I’m not sure if you remember me but—” She smiled as the man interrupted her. “Oh, yes. I’m so glad you remember and I’ll tell my father you said hello. I have a very special reason I’m calling. Not sure if you’ve heard about the Whitehorse Dude Ranch for Children?” She caught Angie’s thumbs-up before wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. Lying, she could do. The truth? Hmmm...

  “Well, allow me to tell you how wonderful this place is going to be and how you can help.”

  * * *

  Rex shifted, patting Misty on the neck. “I know, baby. You love this place.” In truth, so did he. He’d ridden for two hours, simply letting go of all his thoughts. The peaceful period of time had been almost perfect, except he hadn’t been able to erase the nagging feeling he had regarding Cooper. They’d barely talked after going to bed, even rolling over on opposite sides after a few minutes. He wasn’t good at making small talk and hadn’t been able to get out of his mind what had happened to her.

  Her distance this morning had certainly made him realize that he wasn’t ready to commit to a relationship of any kind. But he did have to come to terms with the ranch and the outcome. “Come on, girl. We have some things to do.” Easing off the reins, he patted her flank and let her go, galloping through the open field. The wind was light, the golden sun beaming down and as the various pastures flashed by on the run, he tried to remember what he’d felt like as a child.

  Free.

  Dominant.

  Ready to take on the world.

  Now?

  He chuckled at the thought. He was far too empty. Even his love for Cooper wasn’t enough, but he would do everything in his power to make his father’s life better. He finished the ride, easing the mare into the corral and eyeing the dilapidated fence. This afternoon, he’d work on his handyman skills, fixing the broken posts. That would at least give him a sense of pride.

  After getting all the horses some feed, he took his time strolling toward his father’s house. Amanda was still on duty. Maybe that would mean his father was in a better mood. He stood outside the door for a full two minutes before walking inside. He hadn’t been to the house in a couple of days and was shocked seeing the difference. Light beamed in through the very clean windows, highlighting a freshly polished wooden floor. Even the musty scent that had permeated everything was gone, replaced with freshness.

  There was no sign of dust anywhere and even the pictures were straight on the walls. Amanda had outdone herself. Hearing noise in the kitchen, he had a smile on his face as he headed in that direction, stopping in the doorway to admire the sparkling clean kitchen.

  “I don’t know how to thank you,” he said, sounding almost conciliatory.

  Amanda turned around, wiping her hands then folding and positioning the kitchen towel by the sink. “For taking care of your father?”

  “For cleaning. You didn’t have to do that. I feel guilty.”

  She grinned and nodded in the direction of the back deck. “I can’t take any credit. When I came in today, the house was exactly like this. Your father even reminded me to tidy up before I left.”

  “What?”

  “Having you back in town was exactly what your father needed. He’s been excited, making phone calls about saving the ranch. I’m pleased. As a matter of fact, I’m recommending a cut in my time. He doesn’t need anyone on a full-time basis.”

  He had no idea what to say. Glancing around the kitchen, he allowed good memories when his mother was alive to filter in, crowding out the damaging ones from later. “You’re sure about this?”

  “Very much so. His vitals are almost perfect with almost no pain. He’s eating much better and has gained five pounds just this past week. I’m honestly amazed. I think you have your father back.” Amanda inched closer. “Stop worrying. Your father has a very strong resolve. I think he has a reason to live again.”

  Another round of guilt settled into his mind. “I’m glad to hear that, but between you and me, I don’t think the ranch can be saved.”

  “You know what? Given the work I do, I’d witnessed tragedies and death more times than I would have ever imagined. But I’ve also witnessed miracles. This ranch is a part of both of yo
u. If you work together, I have no doubt you can save it.”

  Shrugging, he stole another glance out the kitchen window, able to catch a glimpse of his father standing by the railing. “I wish I had your positive thinking.”

  “You have to want something, Rex. If you don’t, then you’ll never achieve your goal. That’s what you must ask yourself. Do you want to be here and help save the ranch?”

  He shuddered as he thought about her words. “You’re a wonderful nurse and I appreciate everything you’ve done.”

  “I know, stay out of your business.” Laughing, she grabbed her purse from the kitchen table. “I think I’m going to head out. I’ll call you with the new schedule.”

  “Sounds good. Thank you again.” He waited until she’d walked out before heading toward the back door, taking a deep breath. The first thing he noticed was his mother’s old flower garden, bright pink flowers peeking up from what looked like a fresh mound of mulch. Why hadn’t he noticed this before? He shook his head and flanked his father’s side, remaining a few feet away.

  His father didn’t move.

  “Your mother loved her flowers. Do you remember she used to send me to every garden shop in town for the perfect ones? Used to drive me nuts. Had to be the perfect shade of fuchsia. Not pink. Not pastel anything. No, your mother required bold colors.”

  Rex chuckled. “So you just had to find fuchsia flowers this year?”

  “Yup. Figured I owed her since I haven’t tended to the damn thing in years. Doesn’t look bad, even though I hate pink.” Garland leaned further over the railing. “You didn’t bring a beer with you.”

  “Little early.”

  “Oh, hell, boy. It’s never too early for one beer.”

  Rex fought off a smile. “All right. Think I’ll have one with you.” He shook his head several times as he grabbed two beers from the fridge, popping the tops before returning. Even in the bright sun, he was able to tell his father did look a lot better than when he’d arrived. “Here you go.”

  “Thank you, son. I mean, if you don’t mind me calling you that.” Garland shot him a look as he accepted the beer.

  “Course I don’t mind.”

  He chuckled. “When you were ten years old, you came downstairs one morning stating in no uncertain terms that you were to be called by your first name. Not son, not sweetie or whatever other endearing name your mama liked to call you. You were insistent. That lasted for two solid years.”

  “I remember that.” Laughing, Rex would never forget the look on his mother’s face with his proclamation. But he’d stuck to his guns.

  “I knew you were growing into a man from that day forward. I was very proud of you too.”

  “You never told me that.”

  Garland took a long pull on his beer before answering. “There’s a lot of things I haven’t done very well, son, including being a real father to you. Oh, sure, I was working on the ranch from sunup to sundown, but I could have hired some folks to help out. I just wanted the place to work so badly that I thought I was doing the right thing. Turns out I wasn’t. Your mama just wanted her family and I was selfish.”

  “Don’t say that, Dad. You provided a good life for Mama and me. We didn’t want for anything.”

  He turned his head in Rex’s direction, squinting because of the sun. “Except love. I grew into a cold man, a bastard. That’s what killed your mama. That’s what drove you away. After that, all the hard work on this ranch obviously didn’t matter. I just stopped caring. I could have saved Whitehorse, but I just didn’t give a shit. When I got cancer, I knew that was God’s way of telling me that I was right.”

  Rex was startled by his father’s words, the gut-wrenching statement like a knife to his heart. “You didn’t drive me away. I was stubborn and never cared about this place. I never had the same work ethic you did. I didn’t take pride in what I was doing. I ran. Oh, sure, the military was a convenient excuse and I thought I could conquer the world, but I learned very quickly just how useless I was.”

  “Useless? Boy, you’re the strongest and most hardworking man I’ve ever known. I was so proud to call you my son. You kept your grades, you played football, and you worked like a dog alongside me. I’m ashamed how I treated you. I really am.”

  “You did your best. I never respected the ranch like I do now. I love this place.” He had difficulty breathing, his legs trembling.

  Garland exhaled and lifted his beer. “I guess we’re both stubborn as it gets. Huh?”

  Allowing their bottles to clink, he had no idea how to start the conversation. “Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.”

  “I already know, son. George called me from the bank. He said he wasn’t certain you were going to talk to me.”

  “Damn it!”

  “Don’t blame old George. We’ve been around this block more than a time or two. I made a few calls, but I’m no longer certain I have any friends in this town. There’s no one to help and what if they did? Not sure I can handle being a rancher any longer, even if I do feel a hell of a lot better.”

  Rex blinked away tears, gathering another look at the flower garden. “We’ll think of something.”

  “Yeah, well, you’re not going to be staying around and before you go spouting off your mouth, that’s okay. You have a life to live, even if you have been spending time with that fine-looking young woman.” Garland grinned. “Don’t look so shocked, son. I’m old but I’m not dead. I can look at the merchandise.”

  He broke into laughter, choking on his beer. “You are... something... else.”

  He patted Rex on the back, his eyes twinkling. “Careful there, boy.”

  Wiping his mouth with his arm, he had forgotten how funny his father could be and he missed those times.

  “Where you and the little missus gonna run off to? Any plans?”

  “I don’t know if she’s the one.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “I... Yeah, I love her.”

  Garland snuffed then looked back toward the garden. “Took one look at your mother and knew. All the advice I have is that if you find the one, you don’t let her get away.”

  “I’ll take that under advisement.” He could tell his father was ready to shut down emotionally. “I thought I might fix the fence at the barn this afternoon.”

  Nodding, he remained quiet.

  Rex waited for another couple of minutes, sipping his beer. When his father didn’t say anything else, he walked toward the door.

  “Son, there’s one more thing I gotta say.”

  He hesitated, his hand on the door and a lump in his throat. “Sure.”

  “You weren’t responsible for that man’s death. You did what you were supposed to do. You saved the lives of thirty-two men and women who would have died had you all walked into that ambush. That soldier was proud to serve alongside you as were the other men in your unit. I’m very proud of you for what you did. You are one brave man.”

  “How did you hear this? Who told you?” He glanced over his shoulder as his father shifted in order to face him. Unable to feel his legs, he gripped the door, trying to remain standing.

  “Nobody told me, son. I have my ways and I know my son. I also love my son. Your mother would have been so damn proud of you. You are a true hero and never forget that.”

  The air was sucked out of him, the vacuum almost suffocating. A thumping in his ears matched the beating of his heart and all he could do was offer a slight smile before he fled into the safety of the house. Gasping for air, he clung to the kitchen counter, pushing the beer away. He stumbled toward the bathroom, passing his father’s bedroom. On top of the bed were pictures and newspaper clippings, an open photo album.

  He wiped tears as he walked inside, a light hum remaining in his ears. Dozens of pictures, one after the other told a story of the baby who turned into a man, from his high school football uniform to his dress blues in the Marines. Newspaper articles of his accomplishments, cards he’d sent his mother. His father
had saved it all.

  Crumpling to the floor, he broke into sobs.

  This was his home.

  * * *

  Cooper pressed down her dress before placing her hand over her eyes. The bright sun cascaded off the bank of windows, gleaming on a gorgeous afternoon. She was more nervous than she dared to admit, especially to herself. She’d actually made an appointment with her father’s assistant at his office. This was better than the kitchen table at her parents’ house anyway. She’d taken an hour to put some things on paper. It was not nearly enough for a presentation, but at least the data would help if she stumbled over her words.

  Checking her watch, she was right on time, just like Daddy preferred. William Dawson didn’t like to be kept waiting. She took the stairs to the second floor, giving the young girl a nod before heading back to her father’s office and knocking on the door.

  “Come in.”

  His voice had a gruff sound today, as if things weren’t going well. “No pain. No gain.”

  He seemed surprised when she walked in, albeit pleasantly so. “Cooper. What brings you here today?” He walked around his desk, gripping both her arms and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

  “I wanted to have a chance to talk with you. We really haven’t since I returned.”

  “This is true, but you’ve been busy. I understand you have a job interview with Marshall Advertising.”

  She resisted rolling her eyes. “Does anything go unnoticed around here?”

  “Oh, Jeb Marshall is an old friend of mine. Called to ask me a couple questions about you. Now, don’t go off half cocked. I told him whatever occurred was between you and him.” Her father laughed and sat on the edge of the desk.

  “You know me too well.”

  “I know my daughter better than anyone does, with maybe the exception of Garland Sullivan’s boy.” His grin was almost infectious.

  “I’m moving to another country.”

  He laughed and pointed to the chair. “Sit down, my dear. I can tell whatever you need to say to me is very important.”

  “Yes, it is.” She hesitated, sitting as she fingered her briefcase but was as prepared as she could ever be. “I have a proposition for you that I’d like for you to consider.”