Her Cowboy's Triplets

by Sasha Summers

  India glanced at the front desk. “Yes, it is,” she agreed, wondering why the older woman was here.

  “Cal!” Amberleigh came running at her son, all smiles.

  “Hey, Amberleigh.” He grinned. “What are ya’ll doing here?”

  “School,” Amberleigh said with a shrug. “Hi.” The little girl smiled up at India.

  “Hi, Amberleigh,” she said, crouching. “You’re coming to school here? Cal really likes it.”

  She nodded.

  “Not yet, Amberleigh,” Mrs. Wallace said, coming to stand by her granddaughter. “We’re just checking.”

  “I want school like Cal,” Marilyn said, tugging on Mrs. Wallace’s skirt.

  “I love school.” Suellen spun, singing, “School. School. School.”

  “I do, too,” India agreed.

  “You have to do more than color,” Cal said. “You have to make letters and words and numbers, too.”

  The girls stared at him, listening as he listed off all the things they’d do at school. India smiled at the older woman, unsure how to proceed. She had no desire to be embroiled in the drama between their families—but that didn’t mean Mrs. Wallace would feel the same. The only way to find out was to try. “They seem very excited about starting school.”

  Mrs. Wallace studied her before answering. “They seem more excited about your son.”

  “He’s a good boy,” India said, answering honestly. “Likes to make friends.”

  “I noticed that, the other evening.” Mrs. Wallace’s gaze was curious. “My Brody was that way when he was little. Still is. Boy never met a stranger.”

  She remembered. Brody had been a lot like Cal as a boy. Empathetic. Smart. Patient. He was friends with everyone. She’d been so drawn to his open smile, and she still was. Not that she was going to talk about Brody with his mother. “They are precious,” she said, nodding at the girls.

  Mrs. Wallace smiled at her granddaughters. “They are. And they’re wearing me out.”

  India laughed. “I can imagine. One was hard enough. Starting school soon?”

  The older woman’s voice dropped. “It’s going to be a while. They have to be four. They’re turning three.” She sighed.

  Poor girls. And poor Mrs. Wallace. “Have you checked on the Mother’s Day Out program at the church? It’s a couple of hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It might be just the thing,” she suggested. “There’s also story time at the library on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and craft time once a month. And the fort has family hikes and crafts, too—they put out a monthly calendar. It’s not exactly school, but it gives you a few options to wear them out a little bit.”

  Mrs. Wallace looked surprised. “I had no idea. It’s been some time since I’ve had to entertain little ones. This will be a real help. Thank you, India.”

  “My pleasure.” She hesitated. “The girls and Cal get along. We’ll be at the fort tomorrow around ten thirty. You’re welcome to join us. We could explore one of the trails, if you like?”

  There was a spark of excitement on Mrs. Wallace’s face. “Tomorrow? Around ten thirty? I’d hate to intrude.”

  “Not at all. I think Cal is enjoying the hero worship.” She pointed at her son, all three girls gathered around him.

  Mrs. Wallace chuckled. “If you’re sure, I think we can make that. The girls have mentioned Cal a few times.” She watched as Cal led the girls down the hall to the trophy case. The girls were paying close attention, hanging on his every word. “Is it just you and Cal?”

  India nodded.

  “Good you have family to help out. Like Brody. Family is important when you’ve got children to raise.” Mrs. Wallace frowned, her voice rising. “Amberleigh, you have to keep your shoes on to go to school.”

  “She’s right,” Cal said, pointing at his feet. “In school, you have to wear shoes.”

  Amberleigh sighed but put her shoe back on.

  Mrs. Wallace’s brows rose before she smiled. “Well, now, that was something. She won’t wear her shoes for anyone,” she whispered to India. “Let’s go, girls. Your daddy will want to hear all about your visit.”

  India smiled, imagining the girls excitedly sharing their day with Brody. And Brody, being Brody, would give them their full attention. It was plain to see he adored his girls—as it should be. Cal wandered back to them, the girls trailing behind, chattering among themselves.

  “You going home, too?” Marilyn asked him. “To your daddy?”

  “Just me and Mom,” Cal said.

  “Oh,” Suellen said, looking confused.

  India glanced at her son, hating the glimpse of longing on his face. If she had it her way, Cal would have a father who hung on his every word. A man who would see her son as the brilliant and sweet boy he was.

  Cal shrugged. “We’re gonna watch a dinosaur movie.”

  Marilyn and Suellen looked horrified, but not Amberleigh. She looked delighted. So delighted that India wished she could invite the little girls over to play dinosaurs with Cal. But how would that work? Mrs. Wallace seemed at ease with the children’s developing friendship—but the likelihood of her father and Mr. Wallace taking it in stride was slim. Instead, she and Cal helped Mrs. Wallace herd the girls back into their Suburban. Amberleigh asked Cal questions about dinosaurs until the car door was closed. Mrs. Wallace waved her goodbyes and drove off.

  “Mom,” Cal said, watching the vehicle disappear. “Think I’ll ever get a brother or sister?”

  It was the last question she’d expected him to ask. “I thought you liked being just me and you.”

  “I do.” He took her hand. “But it might be nice to have someone to play with, too. I wouldn’t mind a little sister like Amberleigh. She likes the same things I do.”

  “Except shoes,” she teased, trying to shake off the sharp sting of tears Cal’s words stirred. Her son wasn’t the only one missing something. There was a time when all she’d wanted was a big family and a loving husband. But her husband had been anything but loving. And she couldn’t have risked bringing another child into the world—not if JT was the father.

  “She put them on for me,” Cal said, grinning up at her. “I think I’d be a good big brother.”

  “I know you would, Cal,” she agreed. “But I can’t pick up a little brother or sister at the grocery store so—”

  “I know that, Mom.” He rolled his eyes. “You have to get married. Aunt Scarlett told me. We just need to find a man we both like.”

  She laughed then. “Is that all?”

  “Seems simple enough,” he said, climbing into the ranch work truck and buckling his seat belt. “You’re pretty and nice and I’m a good kid. We’ll find someone, get married, and I can be a big brother.”

  India closed the door, scrambling for an appropriate response for her son. How could she explain that, right now, the only man she was interested in was the one she couldn’t marry?

  * * *

  BRODY NODDED AT the aging structures that made up Fort Kyle. “This place has seen a lot of history. I’d like it to be around for future generations.”

  Jan Ramirez, the channel four reporter, nodded. “So historical preservation is important to you?”

  “Yes.” He paused, his gaze drifting over the newly green vegetation. Amazing how quickly the rains had perked up the West Texas landscape. Flowers blossomed overnight, scenting the fresh air and adding bold strokes of color. There was no denying it was rugged country. But it was home. “It’s more than the fort. It’s our way of life. Places like Fort Kyle are hard to find. We know our neighbors, and we take care of each other. Working hard and taking pride in what we do—in our town—is a way of life. Families vacation here for that reason, I think. Sure, there’s plenty to do. Outdoors and festivals and such. But it’s also the heritage, and the sense that—since internet connections and cell service is patchy
at best out here—you can still escape to a simpler time.”

  Jan’s expression shifted, her smile softening. “Some people would say that not being connected is a drawback.”

  “It’s a choice, isn’t it?” He chuckled, shaking his head. “I guess it depends on how you look at it. I’d like to think that our community is more connected and present because they’re not plugged in all the time.”

  “So you’re glad you moved back home?” She had an easy conversational style that almost made him forget the cameraman following them around the fort.

  “I am. I’m glad my girls will grow up here.” He nodded. “And I’m glad to do what I can to keep Fort Kyle a place people love to call home and love to visit again and again.”

  Jan nodded. “I think that’s good for now, Marco. We’ll do some more at lunch.” She spoke to the cameraman.

  “I’ll check feed,” he said, heading back to the WQAI van.

  Jan inspected the fort, her gaze traveling over the red brick structures built with their backs against the sheer face of the equally red cliffs. As defense went, it was smart—preventing any chance of rear attack. A long flagpole stood in the middle of the yard, the American and Texas flags blowing in the breeze. “I’ve never been here before.”

  Brody nodded. “It’s quite a place.”

  “Miss Francis was right, Brody, I’m impressed,” she said. “Not many men would give up the wealth and connections you’d made for yourself in the big city only to come home and take care of your parents and the family businesses.”

  “That makes it all sound so selfless.” He grinned. “Truth was, I was already done. It took some time for me to realize I’m not big-city material. This place made me who I am. I want my girls to grow up like that, in a place where people care about them. Where things, maybe, aren’t so confusing.” His gaze wandered around the property, lingering on the barracks he and his Scout troop had painted for a badge. He grinned. “Speaking of my girls.” He nodded at his mother’s Suburban, pulling into the lot next to the information center.

  “I can’t wait to meet them. Triplets. That’s a full-time job right there.” Jan turned, shielding her eyes in the morning sun. “Your girlfriend?” she asked.

  He chuckled. “My mother.”

  She glanced his way, then back at the Suburban.

  He headed toward the Suburban, the squeals and calls of “Daddy” greeting him long before he’d reached the car. He was smiling like a fool by the time Suellen came barreling his way. He hugged her against his legs. Then Marilyn. “Having a good morning?” he asked.

  “Yep,” Suellen said.

  “Yes, Daddy,” Marilyn said, tugging on his jeans. “Not Amberleigh.”

  “No?” he asked. Amberleigh had yet to emerge from the Suburban. “Shoes giving her problems?”

  “Boots,” Suellen offered.

  “Let’s go see if we can help.” He took a small hand in each of his and headed back to the Suburban.

  “No,” Amberleigh said, holding her foot up as high as her car seat would allow.

  “Amberleigh.” His mother’s tone was cajoling. “You can’t go stomping around here without boots on. There are cactuses. And scorpions. And sharp rocks.” She paused. “Cal will be here soon. He’ll be wearing boots.”

  Amberleigh stopped flailing around then. “Cal?”

  “Cal’s coming?” Brody asked, surprised on many levels.

  “They didn’t tell you?” his mother asked. “He was at the school yesterday, with his mother. The four of them got on, so his mother told us they were coming out here this morning—if we wanted to join them.”

  India was coming. Here? Now? The rain had left him buried in repairs and damage control, taking all his time and energy. He hadn’t responded to her text because he wanted whatever happened next to happen face-to-face. But he’d never considered a scenario where his children and his mother were present.

  Amberleigh was holding her boot, her big eyes staring out the Suburban door.

  “Then I bet they’ll be here soon,” Brody said, hoping to encourage his daughter. “Better get ready.”

  Amberleigh sighed but put on her boot and climbed out of her seat—at the same time a white Fire Gorge truck pulled into the parking lot. “Cal?” Amberleigh asked, tugging on Brody’s pants.

  “It is,” he agreed, his heart rate picking up enough to warn him to keep it together. Knowing that India wanted him was enough to make him happy—for now.

  Two minutes later Cal was showing his daughters the arrowhead he’d found close to his cabin.

  “Pokey?” Marilyn asked.

  “A little,” he said. “You can touch it.”

  Suellen and Marilyn shook their heads and stepped back. Amberleigh leaned close, running a single finger along the smooth flint stone in the boy’s hand.

  “That’s a good one,” Brody said, doing his best not to get distracted by India. She’d slowly made her way out of the Fire Gorge truck to stand, ten feet away, lingering by the hood.

  “What did you find?” Jan Ramirez asked, joining them—her cameraman in tow.

  “An arrowhead,” Cal said, not bothering to look up. “It’s for Miss Ada to keep here at the fort.”

  “That’s nice of you.” Jan smiled. “Are you going to be an archeologist when you grow up?”

  He looked up then. “Paleontologist, probably.”

  “Pal-e-o-what?” Suellen asked.

  “Someone who studies dinosaurs,” Brody said. “Cal is all about the dinosaurs.”

  “Cal,” India called. “Let’s go give it to Ada. Come on, Tanner.”

  Tanner jumped out of the open window of the truck and trotted up the path, following Cal.

  “You getting this?” Jan Ramirez asked, smiling back at the cameraman.

  Brody glanced at India, noting the concern on her face and the stiffening of her posture. He waved, but she was too preoccupied with the camera to notice. She hurried Cal into the information center, had Tanner sit on the porch and closed the door behind them.

  What was that about?

  “You don’t need me anymore, do you?” his mother asked. “I’ll go back and get your daddy’s lunch in the oven.”

  “Thanks,” he said, handing over his truck keys and taking the keys to the Suburban in exchange. “We’ll be out in a few hours. You need me to bring anything home?”

  His mother glanced at the camera, turned a bright shade of pink, shook her head and hurried to his truck.

  “These are your girls?” Jan asked.

  “Suellen. Marilyn. And Amberleigh.” Amberleigh was tugging his hand with all her might, leaning all her weight toward the information center.

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Jan said. “I’m Jan and this is Marco. Marco has lots of kids, too. Six?” she asked.

  “Seven,” he said.

  “Wow.” Brody shook his head. “You’ve got my respect.”

  Marco chuckled at the same time Suellen asked, “What’s that?” She pointed at the large camera on Marco’s shoulder.

  “It’s a camera,” Jan said. “Do you girls ever watch movies?”

  All three of them nodded.

  “We’re making a movie about your daddy,” she said. “You want to be in it?”

  Suellen and Marilyn nodded, but Amberleigh hid behind his legs. He bent and scooped her up, her little arms twining around his neck as she buried her face against his shoulder. “Feeling shy, sugar?” he whispered.

  Amberleigh nodded.

  “That’s okay.” He lifted her into his arms and patted her back.

  “We can get some wide shots of the kids running around the fort,” Marco suggested. “Give them some time to warm up to the camera?”

  Marco headed out to find the optimal spot to film, leaving him with the girls and Jan. He kept glancing at the inform
ation center, but there was no sign of Cal or India. Was she hiding from him? Or the camera?

  “Want Cal,” Amberleigh whispered.

  “You do?” Brody asked.

  “Who is Cal?” Jan asked. “A cousin?” She eyed the truck, the Fire Gorge logo hard to miss. “Someone who works for the Boones?”

  “Friend,” Marilyn said. “Likes dino—dinoroars.”

  Jan smiled. “Right, the paleontologist.”

  “He and Amberleigh both like dinosaurs. And dragons,” Brody explained.

  “His mother is awfully familiar. I’ve seen her before.” Jan glanced at the information center.

  “Probably. That’s India Boone.” Brody did his best to keep his tone neutral.

  “Boone?” The excitement in the woman’s eyes set off warning bells. “As in Woodrow Boone? Is she one of his daughters? You’re friends with a Boone? What about the Wallace-Boone feud?”

  Brody shook his head. “No feud here. The Boones are an important family in these parts. They are my neighbors. The feud is between the patriarchs, not the families.”

  Jan Ramirez nodded. “Miss Francis said you were a dreamer.”

  Brody chuckled, shifting Amberleigh to his other arm. “I guess I am, Miss Ramirez. But a person should have dreams. It gives life adventure and purpose.”

  “Daddy. Get Cal?” Amberleigh asked. “Please.”

  “We’ll check in with him later, okay? Let’s go explore the fort.” He smiled at his daughter.

  Her reaction was a complete surprise. Amberleigh’s face turned bright red, she opened her mouth and let out the most bloodcurdling scream he’d ever heard. And she kicked off her boots—sending one into a clump of flowers and the other smack-dab into Jan Ramirez’s forehead.

  Chapter Nine

  India and Cal were listening to Ada’s take on the origins of Cal’s arrowhead when a horrible shriek pierced the air. Tanner started barking, on instant alert.

  “Oh goodness, did someone get hurt?” Ada asked, hurrying toward the back. “Better get the first aid kit.”

  “Come on, Mom,” Cal called before dashing out the door, Tanner on his heels.

  India followed, the little girl’s cry too intense to ignore. She ran down the rocky path, her heart pounding. Poor sweet Amberleigh was gasping and wailing in her daddy’s arms. Marilyn and Suellen each held on to one of Brody’s legs, but neither of them was crying—yet.