Rodeo Family

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  The door opened and he looked up. A man entered the restaurant.

  His future hung in the balance over hot fudge sundaes at Moms on Main. Was that a bad sign? She said her feelings turned into more than friendship over his third McDonald’s offering. His heart nosedived.

  If she planned to say yes, wouldn’t she have asked him to meet her at McDonald’s? But maybe she’d chosen Moms because it was in Aubrey. Or maybe she didn’t need comfort food when she said yes.

  Yeah, he liked that scenario.

  His phone rang and he slid it out of his pocket. An unfamiliar number. “Hello?”

  “Is this Brant McConnell?”

  “Yes.”

  “This is John Peters, senior pastor at The Message in Dallas.”

  Brant’s heart soared. The megachurch he’d applied at a year ago. “It’s good to hear from you.”

  “We’d like to interview you for our new worship leader if you’re still interested.”

  “I’m very interested.”

  “Could you meet with me next week, say Monday at noon.”

  “I’ll be there.” Brant wrote the time and date on a napkin.

  “I’ll look forward to meeting with you.”

  Could it really all work out so perfectly? He’d marry Tori, take the Dallas church and they’d live happily ever after.

  The door opened again and Tori strode in—a ray of hope in a pretty blue dress. Her gaze scanned the tables and landed on him. No smile—no yes, I’ll marry you in her eyes.

  A lump the size of her belly settled in Brant’s throat as she headed in his direction.

  “Hey. Thanks for meeting me.”

  “I ordered you a sundae—whipped cream and nuts.”

  She didn’t even look at the sundae or sit down. “I can’t marry you.”

  “Don’t say that.” Brant couldn’t hide the pleading in his tone as his dream threatened to die.

  “We don’t have a future together, Brant.”

  “How can you say that? Is this something to do with that nightmare you had? You can’t base our future on a nightmare. Russ can’t hurt you anymore.”

  “No, he can’t. He’s paralyzed from the waist down—permanently.”

  Brant’s heart did a little giddyup. “God forgive me, but that’s perfect. He can’t hurt you or anyone else now.”

  “I had the same reaction. He signed his custody rights over to me. The baby and I are both safe. You’re free to pursue your dream.” She turned and walked away.

  Leaving his heart trampled on the floor. Leaving him to watch her sundae melt. Along with all his dreams.

  But she’d admitted her feelings for him. He couldn’t just sit here.

  * * *

  “Tori! Wait!” Brant called after her.

  She closed her eyes. She’d almost made it to her car. Almost escaped.

  If she looked at him again, could she continue to resist?

  “Why?” He was right behind her now.

  No choice but to face him. Steeling all her resolve, she turned around. “We’re too different. Our dreams are different. We were never meant to be. And I can’t hold you back from Nashville.”

  “I turned Nashville down. Not because of you, but because it’s not what I want.” His hands gently settled on her upper arms.

  And some of her resolve dissolved at his touch.

  “I applied at a megachurch in Dallas last year. They called me a little while ago and I have an interview Monday. If it works out, I’ll be the worship leader there. It’s not too far of a commute. We’ll get married and live right here in Aubrey.” He fished in his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. “I’ll adopt your baby and we’ll be a family.”

  Tori couldn’t tear her eyes away as he opened the box to reveal a glittering marquis. Everything she’d ever dreamed of and thought impossible. A gentle, caring man with the perfect diamond, the perfect life, the perfect love. And with everything in her, she wanted to say yes.

  But it wasn’t perfect. She couldn’t slip into the life he’d wanted with Tiffany. She wouldn’t be a substitute. And neither would her baby.

  “I’m keeping my baby, but I’m raising him or her on my own.”

  He opened his mouth, then clamped it shut and gave her a defeated nod.

  She turned away as her eyes filled with tears. The only chance she’d ever had at happiness and she’d walked away. She got in her car and clamped her fist to her mouth to muffle the sobs.

  At least she didn’t have to drive far. And since she was an emotional mess, she might as well stop to see Natalie and break the news.

  * * *

  “You said you were coming by to talk.” Garrett urged his palomino to a trot then eased into a stride beside Brant’s bay. “But all you’ve done so far is silently brood.”

  “A month ago, I thought I was going to lose her.” Brant kept his gaze on the open pasture. Mid-September. Still in the nineties, the cracked, parched earth dotted with tufts of hardy grasses and weeds cried out for rain.

  The way his heart cried out for Tori.

  “When I saw her in that maniac’s truck.” He cleared his throat. “It put everything in perspective. I decided not to go to Nashville. It’s not what I want.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Tori. I proposed to her.”

  “Wow.”

  “She turned me down.” Just saying it out loud sent a hot knife slicing through his heart.

  “Dealing with someone like Russ could skew a person’s perspective.” Garrett scanned the cloudless horizon. “She’s had a big month. Let her adrenalin settle and maybe she’ll change her mind.”

  “I don’t think so. Maybe I should go to Nashville. Tex Conway said to call if I change my mind. Or maybe Dallas. There’s obviously nothing for me here.”

  “Dallas?”

  “I got an offer from a megachurch.”

  Silence ruled for several minutes. “One question?”

  “What?”

  “Why did you move here?”

  “To be closer to Raquel and Hunter, to take the Stockyards gig and to be the song leader at church.”

  “And all of that is still here. Tori isn’t the reason you came to Aubrey. You didn’t even know her until you got here.”

  “How’d you get so smart?”

  “I guess Jenna’s rubbing off on me.” Garrett grinned. “She’s the most common sense, grounded person I’ve ever known. It’s like God created her just to keep me anchored.”

  “I want what you two have.” Brant winced. “I thought I could have it with Tori.”

  “That could still work out.” Garrett adjusted his cowboy hat as they rounded the pasture and headed back toward the house. “In the meantime, you don’t need to base your Nashville or Dallas decision on Tori. We’ve talked about what you want. But what about what God wants? With or without Tori, is Country music and touring or Dallas what God wants for you?”

  What God wanted for him?

  “And to complicate things further, you have a third choice.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I gave my record company one of your demos. They want you to tour with me. Be my opening act.”

  “That’s awesome!” All his dreams culminating except the one he really wanted—Tori.

  “This is probably a stupid question, but have you prayed about making a decision?”

  The question sucker-punched Brant in the gut. He’d prayed for a chance at a relationship with Tori. And prayed for a rodeo break to get him into a megachurch. But not once had he asked what God wanted him to do.

  The patio door opened in the distance and Jenna stepped out.

  “Let me see if she needs something.” Garrett urged the horse to a trot.


  Brant fell in beside him and the horses ate up the distance. Soon they stopped at the fence.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but Mitch just called.” Jenna cupped her hands around her mouth. “They disciplined the officer who was supposed to let Mitch know if Russ was released, and they picked Desiree up for aiding and abetting.”

  “What about her baby?” Garrett dismounted.

  “That’s what I asked. Social services took him, but Mitch called Quinn and Lacie Remington. They’ve been fostering teens the last few years, so they agreed to step in and foster the baby.”

  “Good. I’ve wondered about that poor child. Desiree is not mother material.”

  “I’ll get out of your hair.” Brant dismounted.

  “We’re not done, are we?” Garrett stroked his horse’s muzzle.

  “Actually, we are. Thanks for the advice.” He tipped his hat in Jenna’s direction. “Keep me updated on Tori?”

  “Of course.” Jenna nodded. “But she’s looking for her own place, so she may not be in the guesthouse much longer.”

  A step toward moving on with her life.

  Please Lord, let her change her mind. He didn’t even want to think about staying away from her for a lifetime.

  No. He needed to turn his relationship with Tori over to God. If they were meant to be, God would make it happen. He needed focus. And prayer time—to figure out what God wanted him to do.

  * * *

  It was really hard for Brant to lead the congregation in a song he knew by heart with the piano player doing her best to ignore him. It had been this way since his proposal, especially after she officially turned him down. For the past two months, they’d both shown up at every service and done their jobs. But it was passionless.

  And on top of that, he had the announcement to make this morning.

  Tori had worn a pinched expression throughout the service and it didn’t get any better as the altar call wound to a close.

  All the prayer warriors returned to their seats and the pastor closed the service in prayer.

  “Our song leader needs to make an announcement before we dismiss.” Brother Thomas halted the congregation as they began spilling out of the sanctuary.

  Brant strode to the podium. “When I came here—I’ll admit I didn’t plan on staying long. I only came to Aubrey to fulfill my contract at the Stockyard Championship Rodeo. I hoped I’d get a break there and end up at a megachurch.

  “But a funny thing happened.” He scanned the congregation—his family—and now he had to leave them behind. “I got attached and now that I really don’t want to go anywhere, I have three offers. A country music contract in Nashville, a chance to be worship leader at megachurch in Dallas and a chance to go on the road with Garrett as his opening act.”

  Hushed silence and then scattered applause started up. Soon the entire congregation clapped for him—fully supporting him in whatever direction he went.

  “Y’all aren’t making this easy. In the last several months, I’ve come to love each of you and I’ve rediscovered my love for hymnbooks and traditional churches.” Brant stepped down from the stage. “Nashville was easy to turn down since I never wanted to sing Country music anyway. With much prayer, God made me realize I don’t want to read words on the wall and lead a praise band. So with His approval, I accepted the offer to tour with Garrett.”

  The congregation applauded again.

  “I’m excited and sad.” Brant wanted to look back at Tori—to gauge her reaction, but he kept his focus on the pews. “During my three-month tour with Garrett, my church attendance here will be sketchy. And since you need a full-time song leader, I’m stepping down at the end of this month. I’ll miss spending every Sunday here, but Aubrey has become my home and when I’m home, you’ll find me here every time the doors are open.”

  A moan came from behind him and Brant turned to see Tori doubled over on the piano bench.

  “I’m sorry.” Her words came through clenched teeth. “But I think I’m in labor.”

  Chapter 16

  “What’s taking so long?” Brant paced the waiting room. “Isn’t she early? It’s only the middle of October. And her body’s been through so much trauma.”

  “Only four weeks early.” Raquel patted his arm. “And the doctor said the baby’s fully developed. Tori’s so tiny, the baby probably just ran out of room and decided to make an early appearance. If you don’t sit down, people will think you’re the father,” Raquel whispered.

  He didn’t really care what anyone thought, but he settled next to his sister.

  “Jenna and her aunt are with her. Don’t worry. These things take time.”

  Since Garrett Steele was one of the visitors, the waiting room had been secured and turned into a private area with clusters of anxious church members dotting the room. Natalie and Lane were there, even though they knew Tori had decided to keep her baby. Garrett had told Brant this morning that the couple had applied to adopt Desiree’s son and then found out Natalie was pregnant. God had great timing with good news.

  “You really love her.” Raquel squeezed his arm.

  “Yes.”

  “Have you told her that?”

  “Yes.”

  “And?”

  “She turned me down when I proposed to her.”

  “You proposed?”

  “Yep.”

  “But I ran into her a few months ago. I told her how much you loved her and that at first I thought you were just remembering Tiffany.”

  Brant’s chest squeezed. “You told her about Tiffany?”

  “I assumed you had.” Raquel clamped a hand over her mouth. “Oh no. I don’t know why I can’t keep my mouth shut. You know with patient confidentiality, I have no problem. But with life, I’m constantly running off at the mouth—talking faster than I think.”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “But it does.” Raquel covered her face with her hands. “Don’t you see—she probably thinks you proposed because you felt sorry for her—like you did Tiffany. Or even worse—that she’s just a substitute for Tiffany.”

  “Why would she think either of those things?”

  “It’s how the female brain works.” Raquel rolled her eyes. “I can’t believe you finally fall in love and I go and blow it with my big mouth. I can talk to her if you want.”

  “Uh—no thanks.”

  Raquel winced. “Guess I’ve said enough, huh?”

  “Don’t worry.” He put an arm around her shoulders. “I’ve been praying about Tori. If we’re meant to be, it’ll work out. Right now, I just need to know everything’s all right in there.”

  The waiting room door opened and Jenna stepped out wearing a huge smile. “Mother and daughter are both fine.”

  Sighs of relief and prayers of thanks went up. Brant’s was the loudest.

  “Can we see them?” Raquel asked.

  “Tori’s getting freshened up, but the baby’s in the nursery if anyone wants to come see her.”

  People trailed out of the waiting room—even Garrett. But staff had been warned about the famous visitor and a couple of security guards waited in the hall of the hospital.

  Aunt Loretta met them at the long panel of windows. A nurse held a baby swaddled in pink with the card in the nearby bassinet—Baby Eaton.

  A tiny little sweetheart with perfect features and a tuft of downy copper hair. The only thing she was missing was a name. Along with his last name.

  Tori’s friends trickled back to the waiting room—probably went home. Even Garrett. But Brant stayed until only he, Jenna and Loretta remained.

  “She’s a beauty, just like her mama was.” Aunt Loretta sniffed and dabbed at her eyes.

  “I’d like to see Tori,” Brant whispered.

  “W
e’ll check and see if she’s up to a visit.” Jenna and Aunt Loretta headed for her room and Brant longed to do the same. Instead, he focused on the tiny baby.

  Finally, after what seemed like hours, the ladies returned.

  Aunt Loretta shot him a wink. “She’s tuckered out and may be asleep by the time you get there, but she said you can come in.”

  That had to be a good sign. Brant’s hopes latched on to the highest star in the night sky.

  * * *

  Weights sat on Tori’s eyelids. But she had to check on her baby. By sheer will, she opened her eyes.

  Brant sat in the chair beside her bed. Oh yeah, she’d drifted off after Aunt Loretta asked if he could come in. “Is she okay?”

  “She’s fine. Aunt Loretta and Jenna went to the nursery to fuss over her.”

  “I want her with me.”

  “You need to rest. And you were doing a fine job of it—snoring and drooling.”

  She grinned and her eyes drifted closed. But she couldn’t sleep. Not now.

  Brant was here. He’d stayed until her baby was born. If only his past couldn’t trouble them. If only her past couldn’t plague them as well. If they both had clean slates, she’d jump at the chance of a future with him.

  “Raquel told me you know about Tiffany.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Her heart couldn’t take this topic. She closed her eyes again.

  “It does matter. Tiffany was the pastor’s daughter at the church where I grew up. And she was my first crush, but she was dating my best friend. They broke up and she came to me for help. She was pregnant and she wanted me to help her get an abortion.”

  Tori opened her eyes. A glutton for punishment—she needed to see the emotions playing over his face.

  “I told her how I felt about her, that I’d marry her, and raise her baby as mine. We were supposed to tell her folks the next day, but she wound up in the hospital instead. I guess she got scared and didn’t want to disappoint her folks, so she had the abortion. But something went wrong.” He frowned.

  “She died three days later. I blamed myself for a long time, but over the last few years, I’ve finally come to terms with it. I did everything I could to help her, none of it was my fault—the abortion or her death.”