She might have had visitors. He was gone so much during the day he couldn’t know for sure.
This foray into town to pick up groceries for her was really an excuse to go see her.
He picked up ready-made stuff. From the grocery store’s small deli counter, he picked up a cooked rotisserie chicken along with a box of potato wedges.
In the meat department, he stared down entire shelves of steaks. If he picked up a couple for her and Tori, she would see it as charity.
It wasn’t. It was love.
He didn’t have experience in this new, fledgling love business, but his instincts told him it was too early to tell her how he felt.
Right, then. Subterfuge, it is.
He would just have to tell her he didn’t want chicken. He wanted steak.
He chose four filet mignons.
Lastly, he got a bag of ready-made salad and paid for it all.
Next stop...Vy’s diner.
“Hey,” he called when he walked in. “Those look good. Are they spoken for?”
Vy stood behind the counter, frosting a batch of cupcakes. She looked up and smiled. “Nope. I just felt like baking.”
“Can I buy half a dozen to take out?”
Vy’s dark brows rose to the kerchief she wore when she worked around food.
“You having a party?” She turned up a cup and poured him some coffee.
He shrugged. “Sort of. I guess.” He sat down and sipped the hot brew. “I’m taking a bunch of food over to Rachel.”
“Isn’t that baby the cutest little thing you’ve ever seen?”
“When did you see her?”
“I stopped in three days ago.”
“Do you know if she’s had other visitors?”
“Sure, the other girls came with me. We brought new baby clothes. Some really cute stuff. People have been in every day making sure she’s okay.”
“I didn’t know. I’ve been busy at the Double U. I haven’t been over.”
“I heard you delivered Beth.”
“Nah. She delivered herself with her mother’s help. I was just there to catch her.”
She covered his hand where it rested on the counter. For a fraction of a second, he wondered if she was making a pass. It wasn’t ego. It had just happened too many times in the past.
She cleared up that misconception when she said, “Thank you. Rachel means the world to us. We’re all grateful you were there for her.”
Briskly, she wiped down the counter and got out a box in which to package his cupcakes.
He listed everything he’d picked up at the grocery store to take to Rachel’s and added, “I wonder if maybe she’d like some soup.”
“Great idea. Whatever you all don’t finish tonight, she can reheat for lunch tomorrow.” She bustled into the kitchen and returned with two canning jars of soup, which she put into a big paper bag. “You can return the jars the next time you come in. I have a hearty minestrone and a lovely parsnip soup.”
Travis made a face. “Parsnip?”
“Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it. Parsnips, cream, a little fresh ginger, and a texture like silk on your tongue.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Try it. That’s an order. You’ll be back here tomorrow for more.”
“Won’t promise that much, but I will give it a taste.” He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. “You know that great meat loaf you make?”
“You want some of that, too?”
“Give me enough for the girls for tomorrow night’s dinner.”
Vy raised one perfectly shaped black eyebrow. “The girls?”
Travis blushed. “Rachel and Tori.”
“They wouldn’t by any chance be your girls, would they?”
Travis sobered. He was full to bursting with love for them, but didn’t know what to do with it other than confessing it all to Rachel and hoping for the best.
Gossip could rage through a small town like a forest fire, but Travis had a good feeling about Vy. He’d eaten in here often enough to get a handle on her. Something about the protective way she talked about Rachel inspired a trust he didn’t show a lot of people.
“You gotta promise you won’t tell anyone, not even those women helping with the fair. I do think of them as my girls. I love Rachel.”
Vy had been leaning one hand on the counter and one on her hip, in her usual cocky pose, but now her mouth fell open and she straightened to her full height. “I was joking. I didn’t know... Oooooh.”
She covered her head with her hands. “I think I’m going to explode. I’ve wanted Rachel to be happy for so long. Davey was a great guy, but... Rachel needs someone dependable.”
“I know it seems fast, but—”
“No,” Vy interrupted. “It is not too fast. It’s about time someone recognized Rachel for the gem she is.”
She leaned across the counter, grasped the lapels of his coat and hauled him toward her. She had a good grip. She laid a smackeroo on first one cheek and then the other.
“Thank you.” She wiped moisture from beneath her eyes without smudging her perfect makeup, a skill that awed Travis. “I can’t think of a better man for Rachel.”
Hard-headed Violet was a softie. She swiped her thumbs across his cheeks to get rid of her lipstick, he guessed.
“Have you told her how you feel?”
“Not yet.”
“Give her time and space. You’ll know when it’s the right moment.”
She went into the kitchen and returned with another container, placing it in the bag on top of the meat loaf.
“These are all warm, so I’m putting the cupcake box into a separate bag. Keep them apart so the icing won’t melt.”
He paid for the food and made to leave, but she stopped him.
“I’m giving you something extra for Rachel from me.” From a cold display case, she took out large bowls of rice pudding and custard. Spooning them into two plastic containers, she said, “Tell Rachel she needs the calcium in these. They’re both loaded with cream and milk.”
He thanked her and left, breathing out a sigh. He hadn’t realized until now just how nervous he’d been about the town’s reaction to a newcomer, a relative stranger, laying claim to one of its loveliest women.
Vy’s approval warmed him through and through.
Now to see if Rachel would accept all of this food.
Instead of turning into his own driveway, he drove into hers.
He took the bags from the diner and carried them to the door. While he waited for her to answer, a crowd of nerves took to line dancing in his stomach.
The door opened. Rachel looked surprised to see him. He drank in the sight of her. She looked tired, but not that beat-down exhaustion he’d seen while she’d been working in the bar.
Her hair was mussed, and she looked both womanly and sleepy. What would she do if he slipped his arms around her and held her?
Man, he yearned. He wanted all of the things that had been missing all of his life, and he wanted them now. This moment.
She yawned.
Covering her mouth, she said, “Sorry, you caught me napping.”
Damn. He hadn’t thought about that. “Sorry! You want me to come back later?”
Tori squeezed between the door and her mother’s legs. “Travis! What’s in the bags?”
Direct as always. He laughed. He’d missed her. He glanced back at Rachel. He’d really missed her.
A gust of wind kicked up, and Rachel shivered. “Come in out of the cold.”
And didn’t that sum up his entire life? He’d been on the outside looking in for too long time.
He stepped into her trailer. It might as well have been the grandest home in t
own. He was happy to stand and stare at Rachel all day.
Again, Tori piped up, “But, Travis, you didn’t say what’s in the bags?”
He walked to the minuscule table they ate their meals on and set the bags down.
“First, I have to ask your mother something before I open the bags.”
Tori hopped from foot to foot, staring at the bags he knew she recognized from Vy’s place.
“Ask her quick, Travis.”
He crossed his fingers with a smile and said, “Rachel, I know this is sudden, but I’m hoping you don’t have plans. Can I stay for dinner?”
“Yes!” That was Tori. Her fingers rested on the edge of the table, clearly itching to open the bags. “Say yes, Mommy.”
Smiling ruefully, Rachel answered, “I can’t very well say no, can I?”
She was right. She couldn’t disappoint her daughter.
Yep, craftiness paid off.
He opened the bag with the meat loaf and jars of soup. Next, he took out the rice pudding and the custard. “These two are from Vy. She says you need the calcium.”
“That’s so sweet of her.”
“What’s in that bag?” Tori asked, pointing to the one he hadn’t opened.
He knew from his nephews not to bring out dessert until dinner was finished. “That’s for later. Let’s put it in the kitchen.”
“Travis, this is so nice of you. It’s kind of early, but I wouldn’t mind digging in right away, if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, but there’s more.”
Her voice took on the hard edge he recognized as her streak of independence. “More?”
He pointed to the food on the table. “Rachel, how far do you think soup’s going to take me?”
After a swift glance down his body, she said, “Okay.”
“I have a favor to ask before I get the rest of the food from the truck.”
“What do you need?”
“Can you dress the little one to play outside? You can eat the calcium-filled food while we play for a while. Okay?”
“You’re a gem. She’s been going stir-crazy with me.”
“Good. It’s cold out. Dress her warmly.”
He retrieved the rest of the bags from his truck and came back. Rachel gaped.
“Now, don’t get your dander up,” he warned. “Once I decided I was coming for dinner, I got excited and picked up some of my favorite foods.”
He unloaded the bags onto her kitchen counter.
“Can you put the hot food into the oven? Tori and I are going to grill some steaks.”
“On the barbecue? Outside?” Rachel peered through the window. “It’s freezing out there.”
“Yep. We won’t be long. Tori won’t get cold.”
“I’m not cold! I’m hot!” The child stood like an overstuffed beach ball in her winter coat and scarf and big mittens and hat.
“Let’s go.” He picked up the steaks and left before Rachel could complain that he’d bought too much food.
Across the road at his house, he made Tori stand inside the front door while he got his grilling implements, spices and a clean plate from the kitchen.
Outside, Tori started rolling a couple of large snowballs to build a snowman while he pulled the grill out of the garage and turned it on. He seasoned the steaks and threw them on once it had heated up.
“Travis, this is heavy.” Tori struggled to put one ball on top of the other. She’d made them too big to handle all by herself. He helped her, but realized he didn’t have anything to use to dress it.
He did the next best thing. He picked up the child and tossed her into a pile of snow he’d created when he’d cleared his driveway.
She shrieked. Her laughter floated on the air and filled his heart.
“Again!” She scrambled off the top and launched herself into his arms. He caught her and tossed her back up to the top.
This, this, was joy, and fun, affection and love. Playing in the snow. Grilling food for the girls he loved.
He flipped the steaks and continued to toss Tori around in the snow. The kid really had been stir-crazy. She had a lot of energy to expend.
When the meat was cooked, he put it on a plate, switched off the barbecue and walked back across the road with Tori.
Inside the trailer, Rachel had effected a stunning transformation.
The small table was covered with a lacy cloth and only one lamp burned. The effect was more cozy than romantic. Good thing. This was a family gathering.
He would get to the romance later.
Or maybe this was part of it.
Was romance only about flowers and wine, expensive dinners and lovemaking?
Couldn’t it also be about showing love in the smallest ways? In easing burdens and sharing responsibilities? In consideration and cooperation and just plain everyday affection?
He hoped so, because he had a lot of these simple things to give to Rachel and her girls.
There were only two folding chairs at the table. That’s all that would fit.
Rachel leaned over a bassinet on the tiny sofa. “Beth has been asleep for a while, but she should go a little longer.”
She picked up Tori’s small plush armchair.
“I’ll have Tori eat in her own little chair.”
“Uh-uh, Mommy. Want to eat with you and Travis.”
“But there’s no room.”
“She can eat on my lap.”
Rachel looked hopeful. “Are you sure?”
“Yep. We’ll make it work, won’t we, Tori?”
“Yep. We make it work.”
The food lined the counters in the kitchen. Travis added the steaks to the spread.
“Let’s dig in,” he said. “I’m starving.” He picked up Tori and settled her onto his arm and took a plate in his other hand.
“What do you want? A little bit of everything?”
“French fries!”
“That’s all?”
“Yep.”
“Nope. You’ll eat meat and salad, too.”
“’Kay.”
Beside him, Rachel hummed low. It sounded like a laugh lurked in there somewhere.
“Funny,” she murmured. “She never agrees with me that easily.”
“Must be my charm.”
The sassiness he’d encountered on his first morning in town shone through in her laugh. “No doubt.”
He liked sharing jokes with her.
While he held a plate, Rachel filled it with a bit of everything, except soup. He wasn’t a soup kind of guy. He’d bought it for her.
He sat on a chair with the little one comfortable in his lap.
Rachel placed a small mug on the table beside his plate.
“What’s that?” he asked.
“Parsnip soup.”
“Um. I’d rather not.”
“Vy said you’d say that. She said you made a face when she mentioned parsnips.”
Surprised, he asked, “You talked to her?”
“She phoned and said—and I quote—‘Make sure macho man tastes the soup.’”
He took umbrage. “Macho man?”
“I think she was joking. You’ve made a conquest there.”
“Why would you say that?”
“Vy’s not easily won over. She can have a really hard edge. When she talks about you, though, I can hear affection in her voice, especially when she called you macho man.”
Travis stopped chewing. Was that—? Did he hear jealousy in Rachel’s voice? Did she think there was something going on between him and Vy?
That could screw up everything he wanted to build.
In a rush to set her straight, he opened his mouth, but pulled up short. Nah. Thi
s felt good, too good to end so early.
Rachel McGuire had feelings for him, no doubt about it. Oh, yeah, she sure did.
She liked him. She really, really liked him.
He cut bits of chicken and steak into pieces for Tori then dug into his own meal, feeling at peace with the world, in the finest state of contentment he’d ever known.
He tasted the soup. Vy was right. It was excellent. Smooth as silk, just as she’d said. He’d have to tell her that next time he visited the diner.
They ate in silence for a while until Rachel asked, in a tone he knew was meant to be nonchalant, “Is there anything you want to share?”
“Share?” he asked, playing ignorant.
“About you and Vy?”
While he might be enjoying Rachel’s jealousy, he didn’t want her to be unhappy.
He set down his fork and laid his hand over hers. Startled, she glanced up at him. In her gold-flecked eyes, he saw both defiance and hope.
“I’m here. With you. With your girls. I’m here because I want to be.” He turned her hand over and placed a kiss on her palm. “I’m here because I want to be with you.”
She stared at him and licked her bottom lip.
He leaned forward to kiss that tiny freckle, but Tori put her little hand up to his face.
“Here! Kiss my hand, too, Travis.”
Ha! The joys and complications of having children around.
Throughout the rest of the meal, he watched Rachel. She looked flustered, but happy and that made him happy. Her cheeks were red. A good sign?
The baby fussed, and Rachel left the table to sit in an old armchair to feed her.
“Did you have enough to eat? I could bring your plate over to you.”
“I’m so full, Travis. That was a lot of food.” She sent him a shrewd glance. “I’m on to your tricks, you know. This is far, far too much food for one dinner.”
He grinned, unrepentant. “I know, and before you say it, no, I’m not taking any of it home. It’s for you and Tori.”
“Thank you.” She said it quietly, and he knew it hurt her pride, but he also heard relief.
“You had enough, Tori?”
She nodded and he set her on the floor. She ran to a box in the corner, pulled out some Legos and started building.
“I’ll put the leftovers away. Where do you keep your plastic containers?”
Rodeo Father Page 18
