The Texas Rancher's Marriage

by Cathy Gillen Thacker

  Chase met up with Merri downstairs.

  He took one look at her face and knew the direction of her thoughts. “Paige isn’t going to say anything.”

  Merri knew her friend would never knowingly hurt them. “It’s humiliating enough that she heard.”

  Chase took her into his arms. “I think we’ll get over it.”

  Merri exhaled slowly. “That’s not the point.” She looked up at him. “What are the kids saying to everyone else, at preschool?”

  Once again, all that raw male power was focused on her. “You want me to ask their teacher?”

  Merri flushed. “No. Of course not.” She stepped away.

  He shrugged and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Then don’t worry about it.”

  His laissez-faire attitude was driving her crazy. “How can I not? We thought the talk and speculation after I was seen at the obstetrician’s office was bad. What’s it going to be like when word gets around that I’m trying to get pregnant and we’re not even sleeping in the same bed?”

  He strolled closer, his eyes intent. Even in a rumpled shirt and jeans, with a day’s growth of beard rimming his face, he looked raskishly sexy. “There’s only one way to fix this. We sleep together…in the same bed and the same room from now on.”

  Her mouth went dry. “Chase…I…”

  “I mean it, Merri.” He clapsed her shoulders with his big hands. “It’s time we stop testing the waters and got all the way into this marriage.”

  Basking in the warm familiarity of his gaze, Merri realized he made a valid point. Besides, she couldn’t risk the kids coming out with anything else.

  “This way,” Chase continued smoothly, “whatever the kids do say will only add credence to the fact that we’re serious about this marriage and have been from the first.”

  Merri swallowed, aware this still wasn’t love. Nor was it ever likely to be except in the most casual way. “All right,” she said finally. “I’ll do this for you.”

  “For us.”

  Heart pounding, Merri nodded. “But there’s something else we have to do, too,” she stipulated in return. “Go and see Liz first thing tomorrow, and talk to her about our concerns.”

  * * *

  FORTUNATELY, THEIR ATTORNEY made time to see them shortly after they dropped the twins at preschool the next morning. “So what’s up?” she asked.

  Merri wrung her hands nervously. “I’m really worried about the public perception of our marriage, and how that might impact Judge Roy’s decision.”

  Liz looked at Chase, to see how he was feeling. “I can understand where Merri is coming from.”

  Merri went on, “First, there were all the raised eyebrows when Chase’s army friends showed up without warning, just a couple days after we got married. Then our awkwardness as a couple at the Thanksgiving dinner at the community center. The scene in the grocery store with the twins…”

  Briefly, Chase jumped in to explain what had happened the first time he had taken the twins out on his own.

  “And now,” Merri continued, her misery mounting, “we just found out the twins are saying things to their preschool friends that could be misconstrued.”

  Liz squinted. “Such as…?”

  “That there have been nights, because of Chase’s schedule at the hospital, where we’ve been sleeping in different rooms.”

  Liz listened sympathetically.

  “And now, because I was seen at the obstetrician’s office yesterday, there are rumors that I’m pregnant.”

  “Are you?” the attorney asked, poker-faced.

  “Not yet.” Merri flushed.

  Chase added seriously, “For the record—we’re trying.”

  Liz shrugged and said nothing about the wisdom of that, either way. “Okay.”

  “But then I got to thinking that maybe the judge wouldn’t approve of that, either.” Unable to sit still a moment longer, Merri vaulted out of her chair. “What if Judge Roy decides that neither of us are good enough parents? And that I shouldn’t have guardianship of the twins myself? I mean, I see on the surface that none of what we’ve done here makes sense to outsiders.” She began to pace. “And yet Chase and I agree we’re not going to rectify that by making his true paternity part of the public record. Because we think that would hurt the kids....”

  Liz interjected gently, “You’re in a difficult situation.”

  “An understatement.” Chase grumbled, shoving his hands through his hair.

  The lawyer regarded them both solemnly. “I understand your concerns, but the judge doesn’t make a decision based on gossip, or even anything that happens around town. She rules by using the facts and data that have been submitted to the court—the financial records and employment history of both of you, your marriage license, Merri’s history of guardianship to date, the wishes of the late parents and, finally, Merri’s wishes to now share guardianship duties with you, Chase.”

  Liz paused to let her words sink in. “Judge Roy cannot rule based on rumors and innuendo, or even any unfortunate scenes she may have seen in the grocery store, because none of this is legally relevant to your petition.”

  That all sounded good. And yet… “But the judge is human and she’s a parent, and by all standards, a very good parent.” Practically a perfect one, Merri thought dourly.

  Liz nodded. “Which is probably going to make her more understanding because she does have children.”

  “Then why didn’t she say anything to us at the time?” Chase asked quietly, moving to stand next to Merri. “Or at least crack an understanding smile, if that was the case?”

  The lawyer rocked back in her chair. “Because she didn’t want to do anything that would taint the case and have it overturned on appeal.”

  “Oh,” Merri said, catching Chase’s eye. He put his hand in hers and clasped it firmly.

  “The facts are,” Liz continued, “you are both upstanding citizens. You’ve done a good job as guardian to the twins for the last four-plus years, Merri. You’ve managed the estate well, and the children are thriving. Everyone can see Chase is trying, and that things are getting better as time goes on. Right?”

  Merri and Chase both nodded. The twins weren’t calling him Daddy yet, Merri reflected silently, but they were growing more emotionally attached to him, more so every day. That much was clear.

  “You’re both family to these twins. You’re married. And this isn’t about the ranch.”

  “Not at all,” Chase and Merri confirmed in unison.

  Silence fell for several moments.

  “So does this mean you think Judge Roy will rule in our favor?” Merri asked at last.

  Liz leaned forward. “I can’t promise you that you are going to have a good outcome.”

  No lawyer could, Merri knew. That would equate to having a crystal ball.

  “Judge Roy has the information she requested, and I guarantee she will look it over very carefully. Meanwhile, the two of you are going to continue to do everything you can, between now and the hearing on January 3, to demonstrate that you are serious in your intent, and devoted to each other and the kids.”

  “Beyond that?” Chase asked, with furrowed brow.

  Liz shrugged. “We all wait it out and hope for the best.”

  That suddenly seemed like too little, too late in the offense department. “What happens if Judge Roy denies the request?” Merri asked, needing to know—and prepare for—the worst-case scenario for her own peace of mind
.

  “You can appeal,” Liz stated bluntly, lifting her hand. “But let’s not go there, Merri. We’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it.”

  “What else can we do?” Chase asked, squeezing Merri’s hand.

  “Nothing. You have to be patient.” Liz smiled gently. “I know it’s hard. But it’s the only thing you can do. Just keep doing the best you can by the kids, and see what happens.”

  * * *

  MERRI LEFT THEIR ATTORNEY’S office more distraught than when she’d entered. “Well, that didn’t help!”

  Chase put his hands on her shoulders. “It’s going to be okay.”

  She ignored the comforting warmth radiating from his palms. “I don’t know how you can say that.”

  He tightened his grip protectively and leaned in close. “I say it because I believe in us.” Before she could do more than haul in a breath, he lowered his head and kissed her full on the mouth, not caring that they were standing in the middle of Main Street. Merri had never been one for public displays of affection, but there was no denying that the steamy embrace was working its magic and making her feel so alive.

  Finally, he lifted his head. She looked up at him, dazed and aroused. And comforted, too.

  “Better?” he murmured softly.

  He didn’t know the half of it. But she was not about to encourage him, lest he think it was okay to do this on a regular basis, especially when they had a court case coming up.

  Merri cleared her throat. “You make me want to believe in dreams coming true…” And a marriage that had started out all wrong, but was beginning to feel, despite the odds, all right....

  He looked deep into her eyes. “And Christmas cheer?”

  Merri sighed, meeting his compelling gaze. “Definitely Christmas cheer,” she murmured back.

  So far this had been her best holiday season ever, despite the difficulties.

  “And speaking of holiday spirit, I think we should attend the hospital staff Christmas party tomorrow evening, as a family.”

  Merri pulled up the calendar on her phone. “Don’t you have to work?”

  He nodded. “I get off at six. I’ll meet you and the kids in my office. We’ll go to the party together.”

  “Sounds good.”

  * * *

  UNFORTUNATELY, THINGS DIDN’T work out as they had planned.

  When Merri and the twins got to the hospital Saturday evening, Chase was not in his office. Kate Marten, the head of grief counseling, was. Merri took one look at the mixture of apology and regret on her face and said, “Let me guess…Chase isn’t coming.” So much for their plans to present a united front to the community at large.

  “He’s with a patient. It will be a while. I told him I’d escort you and the twins to the party in the meantime.”

  This was all part of being a surgeon’s wife, Merri told herself sternly. She pushed her disappointment aside and smiled with all the graciousness she could muster. “Sounds good. Thank you.” She gathered the twins, who had been looking around curiously, close to her side.

  The four of them went back out into the hall that led from the annex of doctor’s offices to the main hospital. Merri couldn’t help but think about the last time she had seen Kate there. It had been shortly after she and Chase had said their vows, in the LCH chapel. The psychologist had offered her services, on behalf of the hospital, in any way they needed. Neither of them had taken her up on her offer.

  “So how have you been?” Kate asked casually.

  “Very busy.” Falling hard for my handsome husband. Merri slanted the older woman a look. “You?”

  “The holidays are always busy for our department.”

  “I imagine so,” Merri murmured. “Grief can hit you pretty hard around the Christmas season. It did me for several years after—” mindful of the twins, she chose her words carefully “—our loss.”

  “But it’s better now?” the counselor asked gently.

  With joy welling up inside her, Merri admitted, “I have a lot to look forward to these days. A lot to be thankful for, too.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Kate paused at the door of the staff lounge, which had been converted into a winter wonderland. Snowflakes hung from the ceiling. Garlands of white decorated the walls. A thronelike chair sat next to the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Festively dressed children and adults were already enjoying the sumptuous holiday buffet that had been set out.

  Merri’s friend Emily came over to say hello, and Kate eased away into the crowd of partygoers.

  “I didn’t realize you were going to be here tonight,” Merri said.

  “My café is catering the event. Dylan was tapped to play a very important role, too. You know. Lots of ho, ho, ho and Christmas cheer and all that.” Emily inclined her head slightly toward the Saint Nicholas throne.

  “Oh.” Merri grinned.

  “He’s a little nervous.” Emily chuckled and continued speaking in code. “He’s never done it before. But the staff thought it would be better to have someone largely unrecognizable to the tiny folk.”

  Merri chuckled, too. “Good thinking.”

  Jessalyn tugged on her hand. “Mommy, where’s our daddy?”

  “Yeah,” Jeffrey said, pulling on her other hand. “You told us Chase was going to be here tonight!”

  “I know,” Merri commiserated gently, wishing she did not have to be the bearer of bad news on such a happy occassion. “But—”

  “Hey! There he is!” Jessalyn bounced up and down. “There’s our daddy!”

  She pulled free of Merri at the same time her brother did. The two raced for Chase, who was still clad in blue surgical scrubs and a white coat. “Chase! Chase!” they both shouted, as a few eyebrows rose.

  Merri knew what the adults were thinking.

  Shouldn’t the twins be addressing Chase as “Daddy” now, instead of by his given name?

  He hoisted a child in each arm and lifted them up against his broad chest. “Jessalyn! Jeffrey!” he teased, in the same excited tone.

  The kids beamed up at him just as bells jingled in the hallway. Seconds later, a bearded Santa Claus strode in, clad in the traditional red velvet garb. “Ho, ho, ho!” Dylan Reeves boomed, eyes twinkling behind the wire-rimmed glasses. “And Merry Christmas!” He set down his pack and stood, hands on his hips, gazing at all the wide-eyed children gathered around him. “Who wants to be first to tell Santa Claus what you want more than anything in this world?”

  Dylan pointed at Jessalyn and Jeffrey. “How about you?” He sat down and held out his arms.

  For a moment, Merri didn’t think the children were going to approach him. Then Chase bent his head and whispered something in their ears. They grinned, and wriggled to be let down. When Chase set them on the floor they marched over to Santa Claus, one by one whispering something in his ear.

  Dylan looked surprised. “That’s what you want?” he asked.

  Jessalyn and Jeffrey glanced at each other and nodded vigorously.

  “Well, that’s a mighty fine wish,” Dylan boomed, with a wink and a nod. “I’ll see what I can do to make it happen.”

  * * *

  “DYLAN WOULDN’T TELL YOU, either?” Merri asked Chase hours later, as they got ready for bed.

  “He said, and I quote, ‘I think that’s the kind of thing you want to hear straight from them.’”

  “But the twins wouldn’t tell us what they told ‘Santa’!” Merri protested, hand over her he
art.

  Clad in a pair of low-slung pajama pants, Chase picked up his toothbrush. “Dylan is sure it will come out eventually, when the time is right. Say, on Christmas morning.”

  Merri tore her eyes from the sculpted contours of his bare chest. “Then it will be too late. We won’t have gotten them whatever it is that their little hearts desire more than anything in this world.”

  He handed her the toothpaste tube. “Dylan said it’s not the kind of thing you can buy.”

  Together, they brushed and rinsed. Merri straightened, wiping her mouth on a towel. “Then how are we going to get it for them?”

  “Good question.” Chase dabbed a bit of paste from the corner of her lip with his fingertip. Silence fell and then he shook his head. “I thought parenting was supposed to be easy.”

  Merri switched off the light and followed him out of the bathroom. “According to what book?”

  Together, they walked over to the bed. Chase shrugged. “The good parents make it look easy.”

  Merri climbed beneath the covers. “Don’t sell yourself short, Chase. You’ve been an amazing dad to the twins.”

  He shrugged and joined her, leaning against the pillows. “You think so?”

  “I know so.” She snuggled closer, insinuating her leg between his. “They love having you around. They were really disappointed when they thought you weren’t going to make it to the party tonight.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and sighed deeply.

  “I was disappointed, too. But I got there.”

  “You sure did.”

  Silence fell again. He continued stroking her hair, then pressed a kiss on top of her head. Much lower, she felt him stirring.

  “You know, chances are you’re still ovulating,” he murmured.

  Merri’s pulse picked up. They’d made love every day since she’d visited the doctor. And though she had heard that sometimes men grew weary of the baby-making routine, Chase seemed no more tired of her than she was of him. In fact…

  She let her fingers caress the flat, silky expanse of his abdomen. “You really want to…?”