Rodeo Family

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “I can’t leave you in the lurch.” She rearranged a unique nature-inspired centerpiece decorated with lotus pods, dried artichokes and pomegranates on the table runner. “You’ve done so much for me.”

  “Tori, you’ve been a great employee.”

  “I have?”

  “You’ve always been reliable and the only time you weren’t, it was Russ’s fault. Not yours.” Jenna took both of her hands. “But this is my dream. Not yours. Though I hate to lose you, I could never make you stay here when your dream is out there waiting for you.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course.”

  “But if I leave, how will you ever tour with Garrett or sneak off for weekend visits with him?” Tori rolled her eyes. “Of course my being here kept you home this time.”

  “Not. Your. Fault.” Jenna patted her hand. “When I get back, I’ll move Susan up to your position and call the design school for references. Susan will train someone new and you’ll start your business.”

  “But I have no idea where to start.”

  “Me neither.” Jenna picked up the phone. “But I just happen to have a cousin with a clothing store. Caitlyn knows all the designers. With her connections, we can do this.”

  “We?”

  “Of course. I’ll help you in any way I can.”

  “Shouldn’t you be leaving for the airport?”

  “As soon as I get things rolling for you with Caitlyn.”

  A knot lodged in Tori’s throat. Okay, she had a wonderful mother, but a miserable childhood because of her dad. She’d lost her mother way too soon and her life had gone off-kilter culminating with Russ. Now she was pregnant and had to give up her baby.

  But God had surrounded her with wonderful Christian people—Aunt Loretta, Jenna, Brant. He was giving her a chance at a fresh start. A chance to live her dream.

  Thank you, Lord.

  * * *

  Tori was here—at the rodeo again. With him.

  The only problem he hadn’t considered, she was out there sitting with Natalie. Surely Natalie wouldn’t pressure her about the adoption. He still had the nagging instinct that Tori wanted to keep her baby.

  The coliseum was bursting tonight. Could be the mid-August heat sent them inside for relief. Or maybe finally, he seemed to be getting his footing and fans had gotten over no longer seeing Garrett perform.

  Brant put his heart into his final set for the evening—singing the love song to Tori—his audience of one.

  The last notes faded away, the spotlight dimmed and he strode from the arena, kicking clods of dirt as he went. He stomped as much debris off as he could and headed to his dressing room for a fresh dousing of cologne in case the manure had seeped into him. He’d never live it down if he went to sit with Tori, she got a whiff of him and had to hurl.

  “Mr. McConnell?” An unfamiliar male voice came from behind him.

  Brant turned. “Yes?”

  A gray-haired man wearing a Western-style suit and a ten-gallon hat approached him.

  “I enjoyed your show.” The man offered his hand and Brant clasped it.

  “Thanks.”

  “Tex Conway with Country Road Records. Are you with a label?”

  Brant swallowed hard. He knew all about the company. Some of the biggest stars in Country music were signed with that label.

  “No, sir.”

  Tex handed him a business card. “I’m here from Nashville on vacation with my family through next week. But I never mind mixing in a little business. I’d like to talk with you when I get back to my office. Call me and we’ll set up an appointment.”

  No if you’re interested. Tex probably couldn’t imagine him not being interested.

  The card looked legit with the company label.

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll look forward to it. You have a good evening now, ya hear.”

  “You, too. And thanks.”

  Like an automaton, Brant unlocked his dressing room door and stepped inside. It was what he’d hoped for. Just in the wrong genre. His heart had always been in Christian music.

  Garrett had taken the indirect route from Country music and almost lost his soul in booze and women. It had taken his almost losing his voice and losing Jenna again to bring him back to Christ. But in the end, he’d realized his dream, signed with a Christian label and started the new genre of Christian Country they’d both always dreamed of.

  Could Brant do country music, without the booze and women part? Could he sing and perform music without his heart being in it? Could he eventually transition to Christian Country?

  And what about Tori? His heart squeezed and he sank into a chair. Could he convince her to marry him, raise the baby together and go to Nashville with him? Could he drag her and the baby on tours with him?

  So far, he hadn’t seen any chink in her armor against musicians. She appreciated him as a friend, she’d leaned on him while adjusting to her dad’s death, and she’d cried on his shoulder more than a few times. But did she have any feelings for him? Raquel thought so, but not that he could tell.

  Which brought up the biggest question. If there was no future with Tori, could he sign with Country Road and leave her behind?

  His heart sank to the pit of his stomach.

  * * *

  Brant’s mind had spun as he’d driven Tori home. But not enough to keep him from wanting to kiss her. He’d managed to keep his lips to himself and escort her safely inside.

  And then he’d called Garrett. Thank goodness Garrett had gotten back home this weekend. If anyone could understand his dilemma, Garrett could.

  Endless miles with the tree-lined fence along each side of the drive leading to Garrett’s house testified to the trappings Garrett had earned in Country music. Beyond the fence, horses grazed in the moonlight.

  Finally, he pulled in the paved drive at the sprawling house. Even this time of night, the mid August heat was oppressive. The front door opened before he could get to the porch.

  Jenna beckoned him inside. “Garrett’s out back waiting for you by the pool.”

  “Sorry to bother you when you just got home and it’s so late. I wasn’t thinking about it being almost midnight when I called.”

  “No worries. Since I flew out to meet him a few weeks ago, we’re both wound up, jetlagged and sleepless. But tomorrow’s Saturday.”

  The house was immaculate. Jenna’s professional decorating touch—from the tiled floor with Texas lone star accents to the carefully chosen furnishings and accessories, all with a Western flair that suited Garrett perfectly.

  Nothing like Jenna’s former house when he and Raquel had first moved in—all silks and satins in different shades of cream and gold froufrou. It must almost hurt her to live in Garrett’s house. But she didn’t seem to mind. Now that was love.

  If only he could have a self-sacrificing love like that with Tori.

  Jenna ushered him out the patio door. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, tea, water?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Hey, Garrett was supposed to invite you to his homecoming celebration lunch tomorrow. He did, didn’t he?”

  “He did and I’m coming.”

  “Great. Bring that sister of yours.”

  “I’ll try, but she hasn’t found a babysitter around here yet.”

  “I’d say bring Hunter along, but all mamas need a break sometimes. Try Durlene Warren, Clay’s mom. I’ll write down her number for you.” Jenna waved and went back inside.

  “What’s on your mind?” Garrett sprawled in a cushioned lounge chair and gestured to the one beside him.

  “Tex Conway gave me his business card tonight.” Brant relaxed into a chair. The moonlight glistened on the slightly rippling pool water.

  “Country Ro
ad Records?”

  “Yep.”

  “What are you gonna do?”

  “I don’t know. He’s on vacation through next week. But he wants me to call him.”

  “So you’re torn. Country music was never your dream, but you’re tempted because it might be your opportunity to crossover into Christian Country. But you saw what Country music did to me.”

  “I knew you’d understand.”

  “First of all, Country music didn’t do anything to me. I did it to myself.” Garrett played with his wedding band twisting it around and around on his finger. “I was heartsick over my breakup with Jenna and I fell into bed with my manager because I was weak. After that, I felt so guilty, I went into a downward spiral and tried to drown my guilt and missing Jenna in alcohol and every woman I could find.”

  “So that’s how it happened. I always wondered what got you so far off track since I knew you were a Christian.”

  “Not a very good one. Obviously.” Garrett ran a hand through his hair. “But, you don’t have to follow in my messed-up footsteps just because you sign a Country music contract. For one thing, you’re not heartsick.”

  “I wouldn’t exactly say that.”

  “Really?” Garrett waggled his eyebrows. “Tori?”

  “Guilty.”

  “How does she feel about you?”

  “She thinks I’m a great friend.” His chest squeezed.

  “Ouch.”

  “Yeah.” The high-pitched whir of cicadas made his situation seem more desperate. “But back to Country music.”

  “Okay, second point. Just because I started in Country and ended up in Christian music doesn’t mean you can make the same transition. My new label went out on a limb in launching a new genre with me.”

  “And since Christian Country is so new, there may not be room for more artists in the genre.”

  “Yet. But, you need to decide—can you put your heart and soul into Country music and be happy if the opportunity never arises for you to transition to Christian Country?”

  The only time his heart had been into singing Country music over the past several months was the two times Tori had been at the rodeo. “I don’t know.”

  “You need to know before you set up a meeting with Tex Conway. And since you shed new spotlight on the subject—you need to find out how Tori feels about you. If she has feelings for you, you need to find out if she’ll go with you on the Country music roller coaster and see where it takes you. And if she won’t, can you leave her behind?”

  “And if she has no feelings for me—” Brant winced “—can I leave her behind?”

  “Ouch again.”

  “Yeah.” Brant stood. “It’s late and you have a beautiful wife waiting for you.”

  “While you just have a beautiful friend.”

  “You don’t have to rub it in.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” Garrett walked him to the patio. “If I’d been more patient with Jenna way back when, maybe she’d have married me and gone to Nashville with me. Or maybe I’d have waited for my career until the industry was ripe for a new genre. Maybe all those horrible years and horrible decisions I made would have never happened.”

  “Trust me—there’s some do-overs I wish I could have. But what does that have to do with my beautiful friend?”

  “You need to find out how Tori feels about you. If she really thinks of you as only a friend, you need to see if you can change her mind. Love is too rare and precious to let a chance at it slip away.”

  “Wow.” Brant whistled. “You’ve gone really soft. It must have been singing all those sappy love songs.”

  “No—it’s Jenna.” Garrett chuckled. “Tell anybody and I’ll ruin your career before it ever starts.”

  “It actually looks good on you. I’m glad you and Jenna worked things out.”

  “Me, too. Now go work things out with Tori. She needs someone solid.”

  “Thanks for the advice.”

  “Any time.”

  Brant walked to his truck. What if Tori only saw him as a friend? Could he change her mind? If she didn’t have any feelings for him, could he convince her to marry him and let him raise her child anyway? Would she go to Nashville with him? Could he go without her?

  Garrett had been helpful, but Brant still had no clue what to do about Nashville. But he did know what to do with Tori.

  More than likely, she’d be at the lunch tomorrow since it seemed Jenna wanted them together as badly as Brant did.

  Whether she came or not, tomorrow he’d learn how she felt about him. Could his heart take the truth?

  His chest tightened.

  Chapter 13

  The pool begged Tori to jump in instead of merely dangling her bare feet in. The cool water lapped gently against her ankles. Natalie sat beside her, so they could talk before Jenna’s other lunch guests arrived.

  On the far end of the pool, Garrett and Lane fired up the grill.

  “We’ve made a decision.” Natalie swayed her feet back and forth in the water with her face tipped back toward the sun.

  “And?”

  “Once your baby is born, if he or she needs a home, we’ll provide one. No pressure. We’re not going to depend on it. So if you change your mind, you’re free to raise your baby.”

  “I won’t change my mind.” A hard knot formed in her throat.

  “I know you think that. But when I had Hannah, my life was a mess and I only thought of her as a complication. But after carrying her for nine months, giving birth to her and hearing her cry, everything changed.” Natalie’s voice broke. “I refused to see her because I was afraid I’d want to keep her. I’d already signed the papers to give her to Wyatt and I thought I could get on with my life.”

  “It didn’t work out that way?”

  Natalie shook her head. “I moved to Garland, but all I did was think about her. I dreamed about her. I heard her crying. I couldn’t concentrate and could barely function. She was eighteen months old when I finally gave up trying to forget her.”

  “Did you fight for custody?”

  “No. Maybe I could have, I’m not sure. But by then, I’d done some changing and wanted to do what was best for her. She knows who I am, and Wyatt and I have a loose schedule with her. But she lives with him and Star.”

  A loud buzz sounded. The buzzer at the gate. More guests.

  “Listen.” Natalie patted her arm. “I don’t want you to go into labor and give birth feeling like there’s a wolf at the end of your bed. You need to make the right decision for your baby. And for you. Just let us know what you decide once the baby is born. We’re good either way.”

  “And Lane’s okay with this agreement?”

  “Yes. We’ve both done a lot of praying about it.”

  Tension rolled off Tori’s shoulders. Her baby had somewhere to go now.

  The door opened and Jenna called. “We good out here?”

  “Yes.” Natalie pulled her feet from the water and stood.

  “The rest of our guests have arrived.”

  Tori started to stand and someone handed her a towel. Her gaze trailed up the male hand and arm. Brant. She hadn’t known he was coming.

  “Dry those feet. No pregnant women falling in the pool.”

  “Thanks.” Tori dried her feet and he offered his hand to help her up. She took the offer. The heaviness of the baby made her awkward these days. And she still had three months to go.

  Raquel, Caitlyn and Mitch joined the gathering.

  “So how’s your new clothing line coming along?” Caitlyn asked Tori.

  “I met with some of the suppliers you introduced to me and I’ve already got orders, plus I found a retail space and a factory. I guess I’m waiting on the will to see exactly what I’ve go
t to work with.”

  “You’re starting a clothing design company?” Brant frowned.

  “Yeah. I found out my dad left me some money, so I’m going for it.”

  “It’s been Tori’s dream ever since I’ve known her.” Jenna set the nearby table.

  “That’s great.” Raquel turned to Jenna. “And thanks for the scoop on the babysitter. Durlene is great—Hunter took right to her.”

  “Durlene’s been helping Aubrey raise kids as long as I can remember.” Mitch settled in one of the lounge chairs. “She’s my aunt, but she was my babysitter, too.”

  A loud buzz sounded.

  “I wonder who that is. All our guests are here.” Jenna hurried over and pressed a button by the back door. “Yes?”

  “It’s Desiree.”

  Jenna’s eyes widened.

  And Tori’s did too. Desiree as in Desiree Devine. Garrett’s long ago Nashville manager who’d shown up at his first Christian concert and caused lots of tumult for Jenna and Garrett.

  Garrett rushed to his wife’s side. “How did you find me, Desiree?” he barked.

  “A mutual friend. I know you probably hoped to never see me again. But I’d like to talk to you and Jenna.”

  “We have guests. Now’s not a good time.”

  “Please. I came to apologize for what I did.”

  “We’ll take that as an apology.” Garrett clenched his teeth. “Goodbye, Desiree.”

  “Please. I can’t rest until I apologize to both of you—face-to-face.”

  Jenna—the queen of giving second chances—put a hand on Garrett’s arm. Her eyes pleaded with him.

  “All right. But make it fast.”

  “I’m sorry, everybody.” Jenna took Garrett’s hand. “But this is important. It shouldn’t take long.”

  “Well I don’t know why you’d see her,” Natalie huffed.

  “Because where would we all be if we hadn’t gotten a second chance?”

  “We could leave and do this another time.” Lane set the metal tongs down. “I haven’t put the steaks on the grill yet.”

  “No.” Garrett growled. “She’s already ruined my day, but I won’t let her ruin our lunch.”

  Garrett and Jenna headed for the house.