“I know you’re right. But what about Natalie? Did he love her? What if she comes back?”
“After they’d ended their relationship and she’d learned she was pregnant, he accepted Christ.” Her shoulder throbbed again, and she repositioned it. “Kendra got the impression he’d seen the error of his ways and wanted to love Natalie. To marry her and make things right with God. But Kendra said he’s never mentioned missing her. And if you love someone, you miss them when they’re not around.”
“I’ll tell Mama and Daddy this weekend.”
Wyatt ambled into view, and Star ran to meet him. They flew into each other’s arms. Wyatt swung Star around in the air, and then they melted into a toe-curling kiss.
“Y’all need to get a room or get married,” Lacie called. Might as well take the opportunity to test Wyatt.
Wyatt waved. “I’ll take the married option.”
“Good. That’s my sister, you know.”
Star giggled as they climbed into Wyatt’s truck.
It was nice to see her sister so happy. In fact, she’d never been that happy with Michael, not even when they first started dating.
A familiar truck pulled into the drive. Lacie’s heart revved. Like she was sixteen again—but with a really sore shoulder and stretch marks.
Quinn sauntered toward her.
She ran to meet him. But it jarred her shoulder, so she slowed to a walk.
“Hey, beautiful.” He greeted her with a tender kiss.
“Take me for a walk. I’m dying, and Rayna won’t let me out of her sight.”
His eyes were serious. Something was up. Something that quieted the clatter of her heart right down.
“Rayna’s got Max?”
“Yep.” She almost didn’t want to go now. Had she gotten him fired? “Stetson said you had a meeting with management at Cowtown.”
“He called me down for leaving the night you got hurt.”
“And?”
“I told him I was in love with you. He’s a family man, so he let me slide.”
Her shoulders relaxed. His meeting had gone well, so what was bothering him? “Want to sit on the porch instead of walking?”
“No. I’m up for a walk if you’re sure you are.” His arm encircled her waist; his thumb hooked in her belt loop.
But tension crashed off him.
“Are you okay?”
“I have to tell you something, Lacie. I’ve needed to for a long time. I want to start this new year right with you.”
fifteen
Lacie’s throat closed up. She swallowed hard. “What is it?”
Music began to play. “Desperado.” Quinn’s cell.
“That’s Trent.” He dug the phone from his pocket. “I got rid of that tone—since I’m not lonely anymore—except for his calls. I need to take this.”
“Of course.”
“Trent. What’s wrong? Slow down, son. I can’t understand you.” Concern etched Quinn’s rugged features.
Lacie’s stomach twisted.
“I’ll call an ambulance and be right there.”
Lacie’s heart leapt to her throat. “What?”
“He went to see his dad.” Quinn punched in 911. “And his dad beat him to within an inch of his life. I have to go now. Get back to the house. Call Stetson and Brother Timothy.”
She charged for his truck, gritting her teeth against the pain in her shoulder. “I’m going with you.”
“No.” Quinn ran alongside her, talking to the operator as he went. “My friend has been beaten up badly. He’s in an alley behind—” Quinn’s truck door shut.
She jerked the passenger side open and dove in.
Still talking to the operator, he pointed and waved her out of his truck.
She shook her head.
His engine revved to life, and he tore out of the drive.
Lacie fished her cell from her pocket and dialed Kendra’s number.
❧
Quinn jumped out of his truck almost before it stopped rolling, opened Lacie’s door, and helped her out. Stubborn woman would reinjure her shoulder before the day was over.
“Didn’t I order you out of my truck back at the ranch?”
“You go ahead, I’ll catch up.”
“You sure?”
She nodded, and he bolted to the hospital entrance.
The emergency lobby was empty. Quinn hurried to the window.
“Quinn Remington. I’m Trent Stevens’ friend.”
“He’s been asking for you.” The nurse pushed a button and gestured him to the door. “First room on the right.”
The antiseptic smell of the hospital jabbed him in the gut.
A doctor stood by the bed.
Trent’s battered face was swollen, his eyes closed. Dried blood lined his upper lip.
Quinn’s stomach bottomed out; the backs of his eyes scalded. How could a man do such a thing to his own child?
One of Trent’s eyes opened. The other wouldn’t. “Hey.”
“Hey. You okay?”
Trent tried to smile, but with his misshapen lips, it looked garish. “Dumb question. This is my uncle, Rick.”
“Trent’s told me a lot about you.” Rick pointed at Trent. “You think about college. I’ll pay for whatever you want to do with your life. Doctor, lawyer—anything that appeals to you.”
Interest stirred in Trent’s eyes. “I always kind of wanted to be a vet.”
“A fine profession. I’ll look into it and get with you.” Rick offered his hand to Quinn. “I have to make rounds, but you’ll never know how much I appreciate what you’ve done.”
“Having Trent around has been good for me, too.” Like a second chance to help Hank.
Quinn waited until they were alone. “What happened?”
“I hadn’t seen Dad in a while. I only wanted to visit. Start the new year off right.” Moisture seeped from under Trent’s swollen-shut eye.
Quinn grabbed a tissue from the box by the hospital bed and gently dabbed away the tear.
“Never mind, you can tell me later.”
“No, I’m okay.” Trent licked his lips. “He was drunk, and he got mad because I hadn’t checked on him sooner.”
Guess the loser forgot he’d kicked Trent out.
“I managed to get away from him and ran as far as I could. A couple of blocks.”
Quinn’s chest steamed. The terror Trent must have felt. “You should have gone to a neighbor’s house.”
“What if he’d come after me and beat them up, too?”
“You need to press charges.”
“Against my dad?”
“Being your dad doesn’t give him the right to hurt you.”
Trent shook his head. “No. No charges.”
The door opened, and Lacie stepped in the room. Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, Trent. You poor baby.”
“I’m trying to talk him into pressing charges.”
“He’d only come after me again.”
“Not if he’s in jail. And we’d file a restraining order. I can protect you, Trent.”
“No.”
Lacie gently touched Trent’s shoulder. “What if the mail carrier had been there and tried to help you? What if the lady next door tried to help you? What if Kendra and Stetson decided to check on your dad? If he could do this to you, he could hurt someone else.”
“But the Bible says to honor your parents.”
“Yes, but parents are supposed to behave in an honorable manner.” Quinn’s tone boiled.
Lacie shot him a cool-it glare. “The Bible also says to love your neighbor. Your father is a time bomb waiting to go off. What if he hurts some innocent passerby?”
Trent’s good eye squeezed shut. “You’re right. I’ll do it.”
❧
Lacie threaded her fingers through Quinn’s as they exited the hospital. “Poor kid. Is anything broken?”
“No, just pretty bunged up.” He took a deep breath. “You realize things could get ugly with his dad?”<
br />
“You think he’ll come after you?” Her voice quivered.
Quinn shrugged. “I’ll manage, but my ranch is on lockdown where you’re concerned until this is over.”
“What about my lessons?”
“I called Clay when you went to get coffee. We worked out a schedule for your students’ lessons at his arena, once your shoulder’s up to it.”
“That won’t work. Trish has lessons, too.”
“Several of her students completed their courses, so your students fit in between hers.”
“Don’t you think you’re taking this a little too far?” She stopped, propping her hands on her hips.
“Last I heard they haven’t found Trent’s dad yet.” Quinn put an arm around her good shoulder and walked her to his truck. “He could come after Trent and whoever happens to get in his way. When they do find him, they’ll send him to a dry-out clinic first. After that, he could make bail, and I wouldn’t put it past him to try to escape.”
“This is crazy. Surely Trent’s uncle won’t bail him out.”
“You never know. He didn’t take Trent in when he needed him.” He stopped near his truck and traced her jaw with gentle fingertips. “I’ll do what I have to—to protect Trent, you, and Max. Hopefully, it’ll be over soon, and I’ll high-tail it your way just as quick as I can.”
Max. She hadn’t even thought of her son being in danger. But Quinn had. “I don’t want you in danger.”
“I won’t be.”
“I mean it, Quinn. Be careful. I love you. And I can’t lose—”
He stopped her words with a tender kiss. “I’ll be careful. I love you, too. Enough to keep you safe. How’s that arm?”
“A little achy.”
“You should have stayed put like I told you. You’ll definitely overdo it while I’m not around to keep an eye on you.”
“I’ll miss you.”
“Me, too.”
His arms came around her, and she wanted to stay there forever. How would she stay away?
❧
The man she loved lived only a couple of miles down the road, but it seemed like across the country.
A knock sounded on Lacie’s door. Nursemaid Rayna at her service. Truth be told, even propped in her bed on a mound of pillows, her shoulder hurt just from the weight of her arm. She loved Rayna for wanting to take care of her, but it was getting old.
“Come in.”
Mama stalked into the room. “Your sister wants to get married.”
“She’s a grown woman.”
“But she hasn’t had good judgment in the past. I never liked Michael.”
“I know.”
“Did you like him?”
“No.”
Mama crossed her arms over her chest. “I prayed from the time you girls were in my tummy for a good, godly husband for each of you. At least it worked for you—but then we lost Mel.”
Lacie’s eyes burned. “I appreciate those prayers. But free will comes in there somewhere. She made a bad choice with Michael. Maybe Wyatt is the good, godly man she needs.”
“I liked Wyatt from the moment I met him. But they’ve only known each other a matter of months.” Mama’s palms jutted upward. “What do we know about this man?”
“I know he’s a Christian and he loves Star. If there’s one thing a bull rider can’t stand, it’s forfeiting a ride. When I got hurt at the arena, Wyatt offered to leave before his scheduled ride to go with Star to the hospital. And she didn’t even ask him to.”
“Do you think Star’s ready to be a stepmom?”
“I think she loves Hannah, and Hannah loves her.”
Mama sighed and settled on the edge of Lacie’s bed. “Maybe Wyatt is the man for her. Now if we could just get you moving forward.”
“I’m in love, Mama.”
Mama gasped. “With Quinn?”
Lacie laughed. “I didn’t think it was that shocking.”
“Last I knew you were fighting it tooth and nail.”
“He won me over.”
“Well, it’s about time. He won me over ten years ago.” Mama started to hug her then stopped short. “How’s that shoulder?”
“Sore.”
“We’ve got to get you well since we’ve got a wedding to plan by Valentine’s. That’s only six weeks away. Star’s trying to give me a coronary.”
❧
Lacie grabbed the phone on her nightstand on the second ring.
“How’s the patient?”
Her insides quivered at the sound of Quinn’s voice. “Impatient. But better since you called. How’s Trent?”
A whole week had passed since she’d seen him, and his frequent calls barely kept her going.
“Sleeping peacefully in my guest room. Less pain and looking a heap better. He can open both eyes now. Police finally caught up with Trent’s dad. He’s officially in the treatment center. In fact, while he’s there, I’ve got a proposal for you.”
She stood and paced around her bed. Surely he wouldn’t propose to her over the phone. Her heart hammered a frantic rhythm. “I’m listening.”
“Trent’s uncle pulled strings to get him in Texas A&M. I’m driving him down this weekend. With his dad in the treatment center, I feel safe enough for you to ride with us.”
A tinge of disappointment weakened her knees. She sank to the bed. At least she’d get to spend some time with him. “I’d love that.”
“I was hoping you would. Think your folks could keep Max?”
“I’ll check with them. They’re reeling from the news that Star and Wyatt are getting married.”
“Wow, that was fast.”
Not as fast as she’d like to marry Quinn, though. “That’s what Mama thought. The wedding’s on Valentine’s Day. Think you’ll be able to make it?”
“Surely things will settle by then, hopefully before. I can’t imagine not seeing you for five more weeks.”
“Me, neither.” Her voice came out sad, lost.
“How’s Max?”
“Sleeping, and growing like a dandelion while he does.”
“Does he miss me?”
“Asks about you every day.”
“That okay with you?”
“I’m glad he loves you as much as I do.”
“Being away from you is killing me.” His voice caught.
Music to her Quinn-starved ears. He was making her a basket case.
“All these years of loving you, Lacie Maxwell, and I finally get you to love me back, but we can’t be together.”
“Tell me about it. Will I at least see you at the rodeo?”
“No. The regular announcer has fully recovered. He starts this week. I’m backup to his backup. Monty’s covering until further notice.”
“Any word on the trial date?”
“Gotta get Trent’s dad dried out first. Listen, I gotta rustle up some grub for Trent. Dream of me.”
“Always.” Quinn had long since replaced Mel in her dreams, so seamlessly she hadn’t even realized when it happened.
❧
Quinn stood on the sidewalk surrounded by the perfectly landscaped grounds of Texas A&M. The historic academic building looked like a capitol complex, with its pillared front and domed roof.
Trent hadn’t seemed nervous during his and Lacie’s grand tour. They’d seen his dorm, the Liberty Bell replica suspended from the dome, and the huge mosaic-tiled university seal in the floor of the rotunda.
All they had left to do—was leave.
“Want us to walk you back to your dorm?” Quinn clapped Trent on the back.
“I know my way around.”
“Your uncle certainly doesn’t do small.” Lacie spun in a circle, surveying the campus, her eyes huge. “I’d get lost—so bad, nobody would ever find me.”
“It’s supposed to be the best veterinary program in Texas.” Trent smiled. “And not so overwhelming, once you get used to it.”
“Just wish it wasn’t so far from home.” Quinn’s eyes scalded. “Y
ou call, anytime.”
“I will.”
“I mean it. And any weekend you want to come home, just holler.”
“And if he can’t come get you, I will.” Lacie hugged him.
Trent returned the hug. “Thanks.”
“I’m proud of you, son.” Quinn lowered his hat.
Lacie let go of Trent.
If Quinn hugged him, he might lose the battle. He hugged the boy anyway. With bone-jarring man claps on the back, they embraced for a long time.
“Thanks for everything, Mr. Quinn. I don’t know what I’d have done without you.” Trent’s voice broke.
“You helped me out, too, boy. More than you’ll ever know. Just remember, once you make good on that degree and set up your vet practice in Aubrey, I get a cut rate.” Quinn swiped his eyes and let go of him. Like letting go of his own kin.
Lacie’s fingers threaded through his. “You’ll come to Star and Wyatt’s wedding, won’t you?”
“I don’t know them very well.”
“Work with me, Trent. It’s an excuse to get you home for a weekend.”
“Wouldn’t miss it.” Trent grinned.
Quinn clamped a hand on Trent’s shoulder, his mouth opened.
“I know”—Trent grinned—“stay in church.”
Now or never. He had to leave. Trent would be okay here. “Go on now; at least let us make sure you head in the right direction to get back to your dorm.”
Trent waved.
Quinn stood watching until he could no longer see him.
“Come on, tough guy. Need a shoulder?”
Lacie’s eyes swam.
Quinn’s did, too.
He tucked her against his side and headed to the lot where he hoped he’d parked his truck.
❧
Lacie finished with her final student of the day, and the groomer took Copper to the barn.
A few months back, she’d longed to work at Clay’s arena again. Now, all she wanted was to be at Quinn’s, near him, spending time with him, kissing him. The memory of him taking off Mel’s rings with such tenderness and love for her had played over and over in her mind.
“What’s that smile about, young lady?” Clay climbed the fence and sat on the top rail. “Have a nice weekend trip, did you?”
Careful not to strain her left arm, Lacie clambered up beside him. “Do you think Mel would like Quinn?”
sixteen
Rodeo Ashes Page 14
