Lacie held her breath, awaiting Clay’s answer.
“I do. They’re a lot alike in some ways. Different in others.”
“Do you like Quinn?”
“As long as he’s good to you and Max, he’s got my vote.”
“He is. So this is okay with you?” She traced where her rings had been.
“It’s not really my concern.”
“We’ve been through a lot together.” She crossed her ankles. “There for a while, when we were traveling to so many Horizon Series rodeos, I spent almost as much of my waking hours with you as I did Mel.”
“Thousands of rodeos to success”—Clay adjusted his hat—“and beyond. Even though Mel got heaven out of the deal, I miss him like the dickens. Him dying hurt me almost as much as it did you.”
“I know.” She sniffled. “Maybe that’s why I feel like I need your approval. Like you’re my big brother or something.”
“Want me to walk you down the aisle or something?”
“That would insult my dad. But I do want you to be there for me.”
“Has he asked you yet?”
“No, but once he gets this stuff wrapped up with Trent, it seems to be heading in that direction.”
“I’ll be there. I’ll even wear one of them monkey suits for you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Do you think I’m making Mel sad?”
His arm came around her shoulder. “No, sweetheart. He’d want you to be happy, and he’d want a good daddy for Max. I think Quinn fits the bill on both counts, and Mel would, too.”
She leaned into him, nodding against his shoulder. “Remember that time we were in Oklahoma and Mel couldn’t find his lucky spurs?”
“I thought he was gonna forfeit his ride over them blasted things. In some ways, he was the orneriest cowboy I ever knew.”
Lacie laughed. “Tell me about it. Even though he won that night without them, he still had to wear those spurs for every rodeo after that.”
They sat there until dusk, replaying memories of the man they both loved—sharing tears, bursts of laughter, and laughing until they cried.
❧
Quinn was quick to claim the seat beside Lacie in church.
She rewarded him with a big smile. That and her perfume made him dizzy.
“Missed you.” He took her hand in his.
“Me, too.” Her shoulder pressed against his.
He probably should have given her more room, but he couldn’t bring himself to scoot over one centimeter. “Trial’s been set. Two weeks from tomorrow.”
“Thank goodness.” She closed her eyes. “Trent’s dad’s in jail?”
“So far. I’m surprised his brother didn’t bail him out. But I don’t trust him to leave Trent’s dad there for two more weeks. He’s one of the coldest men I’ve ever met.”
“But if he was going to post bail, seems like he would have done it by now.”
“I’m not taking any chances with the woman I love. As much as it pains me, I still want you to stay away. But”—he squeezed her hand, dreading what he had to do—“if everything goes according to plan, I want us to spend the Tuesday after the trial together. All day—just you and me.”
“I’d absolutely love that. But I can’t.”
His heart dipped low. “Can’t?”
“Star’s getting married that week, and I’ll be jumping in circles.”
“Please don’t make me wait another week.”
“Trust me.” Her gaze spoke volumes. “I don’t want to. But I have to help get my sister married off. Mama’s about to dissolve into conniptions.”
He drew in a deep breath. “How about this? I’ll keep Max for you, and we can do some bonding. Maybe even meet you for lunch. After the wedding, I get a day of you to myself, and then we’ll spend family time with Max.”
“That sounds like a dream. I guess stolen moments in church will have to do until then. Lunch at Moms?”
“I think we could risk that.” He winked at her. But the truth gnawed at his insides.
“After the wedding, just give me a date.” She winked back.
His heart landed in the toes of his cowboy boots. He was a goner for sure. If only he didn’t have to shatter that sparkle in her eyes.
❧
Lacie held Max’s hand as they meandered toward her SUV after lunch. Already, he was just too big for her to carry.
Quinn had already left. She wouldn’t see him again until Wednesday-night Bible study.
“How about an airplane ride, wrangler?” Clay scooped up Max and ran, sailing her son through the air.
Max giggled all the way to her truck.
“He should be doing that with Kayla.”
“Nonsense.” Rayna clucked her tongue. “We both love Max, and Clay likes helping you with the car seat. I can still carry Kayla. For the time being.” Rayna readjusted her daughter on her hip. “So what’s going on with you and Quinn? Y’all look like a pair of lovesick cows.”
“Thanks for the pretty picture.”
Rayna rolled her eyes. “I think I’ve spent too much time at the ranch. Rephrase—a pair of lovebirds. There, that’s better.”
“We love each other.”
“Oh, I’m so happy for you.” Rayna grabbed her arm, stopping Lacie’s progress, and hugged her. “I knew there was another great guy somewhere out there that God would deliver just for you.”
“Once this thing with Trent is over, I think we’ll be spending a lot of time together, so Max can get to know him better.”
“Max already loves him.”
“I want them to have plenty of bonding time.”
“Has he popped the question?”
“No, but I figure it’s coming.”
“Oh, I’m so excited for you.” Rayna bobbed up and down. “You deserve this, Lacie.”
“A couple of years ago, I didn’t think I could ever be really happy again.”
“God is good. All the time. While you were grieving, he was moving Quinn in your direction and timed it just right to where you’d be ready for a new chapter in your life. Just imagine, he saved Quinn all these years, just for you.”
She hadn’t really thought of it that way. God quietly working behind the scenes for her and Max. She looked up at the dazzling blue sky. Thank You, Lord.
❧
Quinn didn’t know how to act. He couldn’t let his ecstasy show. Trent’s dad was safely ensconced in jail for a year. But Trent was torn.
“You did the right thing, son.”
Trent nodded. But his gaze stayed on the sidewalk as they left the courthouse.
“Wait up, Trent,” a man called, several yards behind them.
Trent’s uncle jogged to them, his tie loosened and askew. He dug out his wallet. “I know you need more from me than money. And I’m sorry about that. I owe you more.”
“It’s okay, Uncle Rick.”
“No, it’s not.” He handed Trent a check. “Jessica comes from old money, high society. I definitely married up. And at the time, I think I was enamored with the fact that she was interested in me. I fell hard. She can be difficult—way too concerned with appearances.”
“I definitely don’t fit in with appearances.” Trent’s shoulders slumped.
“I don’t fit her appearances.” Rick clamped a hand on Trent’s shoulder. “But we have a daughter, and I can’t lose her. Everything I do is to keep Jennifer in my life. Otherwise, I’d take you in. But Jessica gave me a choice, and I—”
“It’s okay, Uncle Rick. I understand. I’m fine. Mr. Quinn’s been good to me, and I love school. I’m happy where I am.”
“I’m proud of you. Against amazing odds, you’ve grown into a fine young man.”
“Thank you, sir.” Trent stood a little straighter in his uncle’s praise.
Rick hugged his nephew then left them alone.
“Let’s get you back to school.” Quinn put his arm around Trent’s shoulder.
Trent was free. And so was Quinn.
; To tell Lacie the truth and hope their future survived it.
❧
Lacie waited on the landing outside her suite, while Max watched Daffy Duck. Her heart hammered a frantic rhythm. Trent’s dad was in jail. Everyone was safe. But she had to concentrate on Star’s wedding. After that, her life with Quinn could begin. They’d only have stolen moments for the next week, but happily-ever-after stretched before them.
Quinn bounded up the stairs and rewarded her with a toe-curling kiss. “Wow. I just kissed Lacie Maxwell.”
She giggled. “Anytime, sir.”
“I wish you could come with us.”
“Me, too. But the wedding’s on Thursday. We’ll spend Friday together. Trish is handling my riding lessons all week, so I’ll be free.”
“Until Friday then.” He kissed her again. “I’d better get Max, or we’ll stay here all day.”
“I could live with that. One more of those for the road.”
“I aim to please.” He pulled her close and dipped her backward.
She laughed as he rained sweet kisses over her face.
❧
Quinn sat in the crowded lobby of the Galleria Dallas. The food court made his stomach rumble.
“Look.” Max pointed to a little girl gliding across the ice like she was born there.
“Maybe after we eat with your mama, we can try that.” He tried to concentrate on the skaters, but waiting for his first glimpse of Lacie was like sitting on saddle burs.
In the distance, she headed his way, dressed in denim, rhinestones flashing in the mall lighting. Her sky-blue shirt made her eyes glow.
“There’s your mama.” He held Max’s hand tight, but his small feet made progress slow. Quinn scooped him up and hurried to meet her.
She flew into his arms.
“Mama, we’re gonna skate.”
“You are?” She kissed Max’s cheek and looked at Quinn like she wanted to kiss him, too. But she didn’t.
Quinn hugged her close with Max between them, like a family. Just the way he wanted them to be. Happily-ever-after was within his grasp. If they could only handle his final hurdle.
But they’d deal with that Friday. Today was a fun day. “Italian or something else?”
“Mmm, you speak my language. How about lasagna, Max? Or spaghetti?”
“Sketti.”
“I thought we might do some ice-skating after we eat.”
Lacie laughed. “If you think you’re up to holding us both up.”
Her laugh always sounded like an angel chorus. If only he could keep her laughing.
❧
Lacie couldn’t stop smiling as Quinn skated around the rink with Max in his arms. Rapt joy washed over Max’s little face with every turn. After a few rounds, Quinn set Max down, and then skated backward, holding both of her son’s little hands. His laughter echoed across the ice.
She clung to the rail, making slow progress around the rink.
“Hey. You hold Max’s hands, and I’ll hold you.” Quinn zoomed up and placed Max in front of her. His arms came around her waist from behind.
“I’ll get my feet tangled up with yours, and we’ll all fall.”
“No, I’ve got you. Just hold Max.”
They made slow, awkward progress around the rink, with Quinn skating backward, dragging her and Max along. She didn’t even try to move her feet. They stayed slightly steadier that way. Luckily, the rink wasn’t too crowded in the middle of the day on Wednesday.
“Only two more days and I get you all to myself.” Quinn’s whisper swept chill bumps over her skin.
Having him so close—hearing Max’s laughter, she could definitely spend the rest of her days like this.
“You know I plan on marrying you, Lacie Maxwell.”
Her breath caught.
“This isn’t my official proposal. Gotta get a ring. Just want you to know my intentions.” He nuzzled her ear.
She could die right here and be happy. “I love you.” She barely breathed the words, but Max was still giggling and wouldn’t have heard anyway.
“You make my days. Soon you’ll make my nights.”
“You’re driving me crazy.”
“You’ve driven me crazy for ten years.” He skated her over to the rail.
She grabbed it with one hand.
Quinn scooped up Max and sailed around the rink.
Lacie stayed put and concentrated on getting her breathing back to normal.
❧
Quinn hung around in the hall outside the classroom. Clay’s mom had agreed to keep an eye on Max, and Quinn was determined to steal a minute or two with Lacie before the wedding.
Feminine laughter led him to the right door. “Bride’s Room—Do Not Enter—Especially if You’re the Groom,” the sign read. Quinn rapped on the door.
Sudden quiet inside.
“Who is it?” Lacie called.
“Quinn. Can I see you for a second?”
Whistles echoed through the door as it opened.
Lacie’s face was crimson, her dress, a pink lace pouf. The most beautiful southern belle he’d ever seen.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her into an empty classroom. The whistles and giggles echoed behind them, and he closed the door.
“You’d better kiss me before I faint from anticipation.”
Quinn’s gaze went from her eyes to her lips. A slight smile curved them up. He kissed one corner then the other. She moaned as he took full possession. Pliant in his arms, Lacie Maxwell tasted sweet as honey. His and his alone. They’d have to get married soon.
Only one thing stood between them. The truth. He pulled away from her.
Her eyes fluttered open. “What’s wrong?”
“Had to stop while I still could.” His voice came out gruff with all he felt for her. And all he had to tell her. “You’d better go back.”
“I’m not real sure I can walk.”
He offered his arm, careful not to get too close.
“Do you really think it’s wise for us to spend the day together tomorrow? Alone? Maybe we should take Max along.” She shot him a teasing grin. “Of course that didn’t keep you in line at the skating rink.”
“It’ll be hard, but I’ll keep myself under control. Maybe we just won’t touch.”
“That’s no fun.” She smiled up at him, and he wanted to kiss her again.
But he couldn’t. “You’ve got a wedding to get to.”
“Maybe we could crash Star’s wedding and make it a double.”
“I want our wedding day to be ours alone.” And after tomorrow, she might not want a wedding. Not with him anyway.
❧
“Lacie, you okay?” Star grinned.
“Just a little weak-kneed. Where’s Mama?”
“She decided she’d done all she could with me and went to find Daddy.”
This was Star’s day. Concentrate. Forget Quinn—and his kiss—for the moment.
Star’s ivory dress was all Old South. She looked like a kind, blue-eyed version of Scarlett O’Hara. “You’re beautiful.”
“I hope Wyatt thinks so.”
“You’re the only woman he’s noticed since he met you.”
Star hugged her. “I’m so happy.”
“I can tell. You’re positively radiant.”
“Oh Lacie, I hope you can be this happy soon.”
“I already am.”
Star’s left eyebrow shot up.
“Quinn wants me to marry him.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful.” Star clasped her hands together.
“It is.” Lacie smoothed her sister’s veil. “But today is your day. And I think it’s about time for me to find Mama and Daddy.”
She hugged her sister close and stepped out into the empty hall.
❧
Quinn spotted Clay in the fellowship hall. No one else was around. He’d been needing to do this. And he was out of time.
“Clay. Just the man I need to see.”
“They sent me down
to look for matches. Got any ideas?”
“My mama always kept ’em up high in a cabinet.”
The two men entered the kitchen and opened and closed cabinet doors.
“Pay dirt.” Clay held up a box. “What’d you need to see me about?”
Quinn leaned against the countertop. “I’m crazy about Lacie.”
“I reckon the feeling’s mutual. You really don’t need my blessing, but you’ve got it.”
“That’s a relief, but I can’t take that blessing. Not until she knows the truth.”
Clay scowled. “I was afraid you was too good to be true. What—you’re married? I told you not to hurt her.”
“It’s nothing like that. But I should have told her a long time ago. It also affects you.” Maybe if Clay could handle the news, Lacie could, too.
❧
Lacie hurried toward the sanctuary, her heart still in a flutter over Quinn’s kiss.
But she had to focus on the wedding. She’d searched everywhere for Daddy with no luck, and it was almost time to start.
Voices drifted from the direction of the fellowship hall. She stopped. A man. Maybe Daddy. Too far away to tell. She headed in that direction.
“Sounds like you better spit it out.”
That was Clay. Maybe Daddy was with him.
“It’s gonna come as a shock.” Quinn’s voice.
She should go on to the sanctuary. Find Daddy.
“Try me.”
Clay again. Whatever they were discussing was none of her business. But her feet, rooted to the spot, refused to move.
“I used to raise livestock. Does the name”—Quinn’s voice broke—“Cactus Red ring a bell?”
Lacie’s heart plummeted. No, no, no!
“The last horse Mel rode.”
“I raised him. He was my horse.”
Quinn’s admission shattered her soul.
seventeen
Lacie whirled around and ran.
Quinn’s horse killed Mel.
And he hadn’t bothered to mention that?
She had to get out of here. So she could think. So she could breathe.
She rounded a corner in the hall and ran into something solid. “Daddy.”
“You okay, sweetheart?”
Star’s day. Pull it together. You can crumble later. “I was just trying to find you and Mama.”
“Your mama’s in with Star. They sent me to look for you.” He checked his watch. “We’d better get back.”
Rodeo Ashes Page 15
