Rodeo Ashes

by Vannatter, Shannon Taylor;

  Lacie’s mouth opened. And closed.

  Stunned, Quinn couldn’t help her out. Did they not know about her and Wyatt?

  “We’re not dating.” Lacie’s tone could’ve cut glass. “Besides, it’s almost midnight.”

  “I’ll help Lacie get Copper loaded, and then y’all can go on without having to stop at my place.”

  “Good idea.” Lacie nudged her mom toward the exit. “Y’all go wait in the SUV and I’ll be right there.”

  ❧

  Maybe the mid-September air outside hadn’t cooled yet. Or maybe it was only the conversation that made the rear lobby feel stuffy and Lacie’s temperature rise. “I’m sorry about my mom.”

  “Don’t apologize for her. She’s a lovely lady. I always thought so.”

  “She is.” Lacie strode toward the exit. “But sometimes, I’d like to crawl in a hole at the stuff she comes up with.”

  “She wants you to be happy. No harm in that.”

  “I wish she’d stop. . .”

  “Trying to find you a new husband?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m just glad Wyatt had already left.”

  “Why?” She frowned.

  “What she said might have bothered him. Shouldn’t she point her matchmaking radar at him?”

  “She shouldn’t point her matchmaking radar anywhere.” She stopped.

  A bubble of hope swelled in his chest. “Aren’t y’all an item?”

  Lacie laughed.

  “They don’t know about him, do they?”

  “There is no him. Wyatt recently became a Christian. He’s a friend. That’s all.”

  His mouth twitched, but he managed to squelch the smile.

  “Why would you think we were. . . ?”

  “A couple of weeks ago, here at the rodeo, y’all seemed kind of cozy. He kissed you on the cheek.”

  “He was a single father, desperate for a babysitter. He was just grateful. Kind of like when you encouraged me about barrels, and I. . .I hugged you. Because I was grateful for the encouragement.”

  So that’s what it was. His chest deflated. But at least she wasn’t seeing Wyatt.

  “I’m not interested. In anyone.” She twisted her wedding rings around her finger. “In my heart”—her voice caught—“I’m still married. I don’t know why no one can understand that.”

  Her eyes glistened.

  His arms ached to hold her. Let her cry it out on his shoulder.

  “You go on and get your folks home. I’ll take care of Copper.”

  She blinked several times. “Thanks,” she said and strode away.

  ❧

  Lacie hadn’t cried herself to sleep in a while. Until last night. She doused her swollen lids with cold water and took more time than usual with her makeup. Hopefully, her parents wouldn’t be able to tell.

  Fresh coffee aroma beckoned; she trudged to the small kitchen in her suite. Whoever invented the programmable coffee maker deserved to be a millionaire.

  Mama and Daddy entered, greeted her, and each claimed a chair at the kitchen table.

  She fixed their coffees the way they liked, set the cups in front of them, and then stirred sugar and hazelnut creamer into her own.

  “We have news,” Mama announced, her voice giddy.

  “What?”

  “We’ve decided to move to Denton.” Daddy sipped his coffee.

  “What?” Lacie squeaked.

  “With you here and Star in Denton, your mother and I are lonely in San Antonio.”

  Having her parents near would be a blessing. Her heart warmed. She’d missed them. But Mama could matchmake even better living only twenty minutes away.

  “But you’ve lived in San Antonio forever. In our house forever.”

  “It hasn’t really been home since my two favorite girls left.” Daddy’s mug clattered on the table.

  She knew exactly what he meant.

  “The house is too big for the two of us.” Mama shrugged. “We’ve been talking about downsizing anyway. We figure—why not downsize to Denton?”

  “What if Star gets married again and moves to Florida? Are y’all gonna follow?”

  Mama grinned. “Has she met someone?”

  “In Florida?” Daddy scoffed. “Where did she meet someone from Florida?”

  Lacie laughed. “She hasn’t met anyone, as far as I know. But what if?”

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

  One of Mama’s favorite sayings.

  “Families should be together.” Daddy put his arm around her shoulders.

  “We’ve missed over two years of Max’s life already.” Mama’s voice cracked. “And he’s growing so fast; we don’t want to miss any more.”

  Guilt jabbed her. She was a heel, an absolute heel for worrying about Mama’s matchmaking. She needed them. And Max did, too. She’d shown her independence since Mel’s death, and she was tired. “When are y’all moving?”

  “We already put our house up for sale.” Mama clapped her hands. “So as soon as we find a place in Denton, we’ll move. It’ll be a whole new adventure.”

  The very thing Mama had always said when she and Star faced changes during their growing-up years. Whether it was school transfers, not making the basketball team, or making the cheering squad—it was all a whole new adventure. Tears pricked her eyes. Yes, having Mama and Daddy near would be a blessing.

  “We were thinking you could move in with us.” Mama’s eyes sparkled.

  “Max and I are fine here.”

  “But you can’t live here forever.”

  “Exactly. We’ll get a place of our own, because I’m an adult, and Max needs to see me taking care of us.”

  Daddy covered Mama’s hand with his. “For the record, I told her not to ask you.”

  “I guess you’ll want to stay in Aubrey anyway—close to Quinn.”

  Lacie’s breath stalled. “Mama, I love you. But if you don’t quit with the Quinn stuff, I’ll toss you out on your ear.”

  “She’s got your spirit, dear.” Daddy grinned.

  “Mommy,” Max called from down the hallway.

  Saved by the toddler.

  ❧

  Quinn swung his front door open.

  Lacie stood, fist cocked in midknock, with Max, nearly half as big as she was, straddling her hip.

  “I’m so sorry, but Kayla’s sick, so Rayna can’t keep Max. And Clay’s mom and Kendra are both working today. I’m afraid I’ll have to cancel, but if you’ll give me my students’ numbers, I’ll call them.”

  Another opportunity to help her. “I can keep him.”

  She shook her head. “No. I couldn’t do that.”

  “I’m great with kids and overly cautious where they’re concerned. He’ll be in great hands.”

  “But I—”

  “I know.” Don’t let him get attached to anyone who won’t be a part of his life. “But I’m your boss and neighbor, and I’m not planning on going anywhere. Even if you move, we run in the same circles. Seems me and Max are destined to be friends.”

  Max reached for him.

  “See? We’ll be fine.”

  Lacie kept her hold on her son. “But it’s not time for lessons yet. I came early. We’ll go back home. And I’m still not sure about this.”

  “Come on in. No sense in going back home for an hour. Max and I can get acquainted and put your mind at ease. I’ll make coffee. And hot chocolate.”

  “Hot chocolate.” Max squirmed away from Lacie.

  She let go. “I guess we can stay.”

  “Good.” Quinn ushered her in and closed the door. Thank-fully, his housekeeper had come yesterday. The house was neat and orderly. His jigsaw puzzle spread over the mat on his coffee table. He rolled one edge. “I’ll get this out of the way.”

  “I love jigsaw puzzles,” Lacie squealed. “I haven’t done one since. . .since I left home. Daddy and I used to do them.”

  “My grandfather used to let me help him when I was a kid. So mu
ch of my business is done on the phone these days; I keep a puzzle going to occupy my mind and my hands.”

  She scanned the five-thousand-piece picture of wild mustangs running free. Her fingers twitched.

  “Knock yourself out.” He pointed to an empty section. “I’ve been trying to find that piece all morning.”

  Lacie studied the puzzle then tried three different pieces. The fourth piece she chose slipped into place.

  “And you found it in two minutes.”

  Max poked the horsehead clasp on Quinn’s bolo tie. “Horsey.”

  “You like that? It was my granddaddy’s.” Quinn lifted Max to sit on his shoulders. “Hold on partner, and we’ll get that hot chocolate.”

  Lacie’s mouth opened. She stood and reached for Max, looking like she might come undone at seeing him up so high.

  “Don’t worry. I’ve got him.”

  Max giggled.

  A big sigh huffed out of her, but she sat down again.

  She trusted him. With her son. “Be back in a jiff.”

  ❧

  This was a mistake. Lacie slid another piece of the puzzle into place. She should retrieve Max and go home. It was one thing for her to get attached to Quinn. But letting Max get emotionally involved was an entirely different thing.

  She’d already allowed him to love Clay. And since Kayla’s birth, Clay needed to spend time with his own child, not hers.

  Though Rayna and Clay were happy to include them in family gatherings, they weren’t part of the family. And the Warrens should be able to focus on their own family without feeling torn.

  Another piece of the puzzle slid into place. She stood, intent on reclaiming her child, going home, and rescheduling her students. Movement outside the window caught her attention.

  David Morris, her fifteen-year-old student. The one who’d been afraid to ride two lessons ago. Extremely early. She hurried outside.

  Mr. Morris approached the porch. “Hello, Miss Gentry. David was so eager for his lesson, he wanted to come hang out until then. I told him I didn’t think it was a good idea. We don’t want to disturb your other students.”

  Enthusiasm shone in the boy’s eyes. She couldn’t cancel on him. She’d just have to be extra vigilant in the future with a backup babysitter. When Mama and Daddy relocated to Denton, it would give Lacie another option.

  “That’s fine, Mr. Morris. In fact, it might help David to watch my more experienced riders. If he can be very quiet, he can stay.” She checked her watch. “And since I still owe y’all twenty minutes, we could get in a quick lesson before my first student arrives. Let me get things settled. Y’all go on out to the arena.”

  “I certainly don’t want to inconvenience you, Miss Gentry.”

  “Please, call me Lacie. And it’s not a problem. In fact, once I get out to the arena, you can go run errands if you want. I’ll be right out.” She stepped back inside.

  “Yee-haw.” Quinn came back into the living room with Max clinging to one of his legs, and both feet on Quinn’s cowboy boot. “We’re getting along famously. Here’s your coffee.”

  She grabbed the cup. “Max, let go. You’ll scuff Mr. Quinn’s boots.”

  “He’s not hurting nothing. It was my idea.”

  “One of my students arrived early, so we’re going to get in some extra time.” She downed a gulp of coffee, scalding her throat. Her eyes watered.

  “Don’t you worry your pretty little head. We’ll be just fine. Won’t we, partner?” Quinn scooped up Max and held him above his head.

  Max giggled. The way he would have if Mel had gotten the chance to play baby airplane with him.

  Her teeth sank into her lip until she tasted blood.

  “Do you go to church?” Max asked.

  Quinn cleared his throat. “Probably should.”

  “I want a prize.”

  “Now Max, that’s not what church is about.” She wagged a finger at him and reluctantly turned to Quinn. “His Sunday school teacher gives prizes when they bring a friend.”

  “Wanna come?” Max turned puppy-dog eyes on Quinn.

  “We’ll see, partner.”

  In adult speak, that meant probably not—another reason this was wrong. Allowing her son to become attached to a man who wouldn’t even go to church. This had to be the last time Max spent time with Quinn. Especially alone. But right now, she didn’t have an option.

  ❧

  Fresh from the shower, Quinn settled in his recliner. The sale barn always made it a long day, yet he loved it. Handpicking horses to buy and transporting them home made him feel alive. He did so much of his business on the phone, he often felt ranch bound.

  The phone pealed next to him. He jumped and grabbed it.

  “Mr. Quinn Remington?” asked an unfamiliar male voice.

  “Yes.”

  “This is State Trooper William Ford.”

  Quinn’s heart lodged in his throat. Lacie?

  eight

  “I’m sorry to report that Hank Andrews has been in a serious one-vehicle accident.” Sympathy echoed in the officer’s voice.

  “Hank?” Quinn closed his eyes. Probably been drinking.

  “We found one of your payroll stubs in the truck. We’re trying to locate his next of kin.”

  “How is he?” He leapt from the recliner and vaulted to the bedroom to tug on fresh jeans and a T-shirt.

  “He’s at Texas Presbyterian in Denton. I’m afraid it doesn’t look good, sir.”

  Think. What was Hank’s dad’s name? “His family lives in Denton. I know his dad’s name, but I’m drawing a blank.”

  “No wife or girlfriend?”

  “They’re separated. I don’t know where she is.” Hank’s wife left him six months ago. He’d promised to clean up his act and win her back. But now, he might never get the chance.

  “Do you know anyone we can contact to get us in touch with his family?”

  Phillip. The name came out of nowhere. “His dad’s name is Phillip Andrews in Denton.”

  “Thank you, sir. I appreciate your help, and I’m real sorry about your employee.”

  “Friend. He’s my friend.” A sinking lodged in his gut. Hank was gone or would be soon. He could hear the unspoken words in the officer’s tone.

  The line went dead.

  Hank’s family would show up, frantic and looking to him for answers. He’d let Hank down. He should have encouraged him to go into a treatment center. If he’d been a better accountability partner, Hank would still be alive.

  Quinn glanced at the clock, 11:23 p.m. It was late, but he needed a friend. Clay? No. They didn’t really know each other well. Lacie? She’d be there for him, no matter what. And only Lacie could comfort his soul. He scanned through his cell contacts and punched in the number.

  Two rings.

  “Hello?” Lacie’s voice, thick with sleep.

  “It’s Quinn. I’m real sorry to call so late, but Hank—my friend—he’s been in a car accident. I don’t think he’s gonna pull through and I—” Can’t do this alone. But he shouldn’t be bothering her with this.

  “Hang tight. I’ll be right over.”

  ❧

  Tense, worried people swarmed the waiting room.

  Lacie blew out a big sigh and glanced at Quinn.

  He stared at the floor, eyes bloodshot and swollen. “Where’d you say Max is?”

  “With Clay and Rayna.”

  “Oh yeah.” He nodded. “The drive over was a blur.”

  “Good thing I drove.”

  Hank’s family had settled down from teary outbursts to quiet sniffles as the hours ticked past.

  “More than likely, he was drinking and driving,” Quinn whispered. “I guess we can be thankful he didn’t kill anyone. But I’m having a hard time being thankful about anything. I failed him.”

  “No. You didn’t. You tried to help him.”

  “I should’ve gotten him in a treatment center.”

  “That was a decision he had to make.” Her hand re
sted on his shoulder. “You couldn’t make it for him. And I’m betting you tried to convince him.”

  “I should’ve tried harder.”

  “You can’t blame yourself.”

  A doctor entered the room, his expression tense. “Andrews family?”

  Hank’s dad stood.

  “I’m sorry, sir.” The doctor shook his head. “We did every-thing we could.”

  Hank’s mom slumped into her chair.

  Quinn’s eyes closed. He faced the wall, leaning his forehead against it.

  She couldn’t let him blame himself. The least she could do was provide comfort. Lacie lay a tentative hand on his back.

  He turned, and their eyes locked.

  A soul-deep groan escaped him. He engulfed her in his arms. No more sound came, but his shoulders shook for a long time.

  ❧

  Quinn sank into his couch, covering his face with both hands. He’d never been so bone-tired in his whole life. “Why, Lord? Why? Hank was young. He had his whole life ahead of him.”

  He hadn’t called out to God in over two years. And He’d questioned God’s judgment then, too. Why had Mel died? Why had Hank died? Why did good men die young? Leaving him guilty in both cases.

  He tugged his boots off and lay back.

  Lacie had stayed with him until the Andrews family left and had driven him home. And she’d invited him to church in the morning. The same church Clay had invited him to ever since he moved to Aubrey.

  He hadn’t been to church since Mel died. He wasn’t worthy to enter a church. Everywhere he went, people seemed to die, leaving the blame at his feet.

  He’d actually thought if he could help Hank, it might absolve his guilt over Mel’s death. But he’d failed Hank.

  “I can’t do this alone anymore, God. I know I’m not worthy, but I need help.”

  None are worthy, My son.

  Quinn jumped up and scanned the room. No one here but him. The television and radio remained off. But he’d heard the voice. God’s voice?

  He grabbed his cell and jabbed in the number.

  “Warren Dude Ranch. Your vacation destination,” Clay drawled.

  “It’s Quinn.”

  “Sorry about your friend. Lacie told us what happened. Need me to come over?”

  “No, I’m going to bed. But I wanted to make sure she got back all right. She wouldn’t let me drive her. And—I was wondering what time church starts in the morning.”