* * *
Daisy opened the door and stepped into the kitchen. Her grandmother sat at the farmhouse table next to ten-month-old PJ who laughed with abandon as she slapped the tray top of her high chair with chubby little hands, causing her plastic plate to jump.
“I never get tired of her laughter,” Daisy said. She smoothed the wispy red curls and pressed a kiss to the baby’s cheek.
“Were you out there talking to your boss all that time?” Alice asked.
“No. I went for a walk around the property. It turns out we have blackberry bushes behind that shed,” Daisy said. “A pecan tree, as well.”
“Pecan pie and blackberry cobbler,” her grandmother said. “I am so loving this place.”
“And it looks like there’s what used to be a small orchard of apple and peach trees farther down. Though the entire area is so overgrown that it will take forever to clean things up.”
“We can handle weeds and grass, can’t we?”
Daisy sighed. “Yes. Perhaps I should hire someone. My to-do list is out of control.”
“Probably a good idea. No telling what else might be hiding in that long grass. Snakes and mice and such.”
“Ew.” Daisy shivered. “Good point.”
Alice placed a bit of mashed apple on PJ’s plate and then turned to Daisy. “I like your boss.”
Her boss. The reason she went for a walk. Daisy cut herself a sliver of pie and slipped into a chair. She was emotionally exhausted after talking to Mitch Rainbolt. Yes, he was her boss. That alone was a reason to be tense. The man held her future in his hands.
On a more basic level, she’d seen honest compassion and understanding in his calm brown eyes. More than she’d expected from a jaded law-enforcement officer. But there was something more. Something she couldn’t begin to define that left her flustered and tongue-tied.
Daisy wrapped her arms around herself.
“He’s quite handsome, isn’t he?” Alice asked.
“Huh?” Daisy looked up.
“You were off in another place, weren’t you?” Her grandmother grinned like she had a secret, and Daisy immediately recognized the smile.
“I was, but nowhere near the location of your line of thought.”
Alice laughed. “I wonder if there’s more where he came from?” she asked. “I’ve been widowed a very long time.” A thoughtful expression crossed her face. “Who knows? Maybe Rebel has more to offer than either you or I expected.”
“Gran, seriously?” Daisy put her hands on her hips and assumed the role of the responsible adult in the family. “I have five children. The answer to my problems lies in prayer, not in tall, dark and handsome.”
“Oh, so you did notice,” Alice said with a chuckle.
“I’d have to be blind not to,” Daisy muttered. “However, let me repeat. He’s my boss and I need my job, including the health and dental coverage.”
“The important thing is that you have peace about this move,” her grandmother said.
“I do.” Daisy nodded. “I have perfect peace about the decision.”
At least she had before talking to Mitch Rainbolt. She’d put on a confident front, but self-doubt began to creep in when she saw the concern in his brown eyes. Would everything work out?
Daisy sighed and glanced out the kitchen window toward the yard that stretched all the way to their nosy neighbor’s fence in the distance. This was what her sister’s children deserved. Green grass as far as they could see. Trees to climb. Adventures to be had. Maybe, just maybe, living in Oklahoma would help them remember the good times, ease their pain and remind them all that God had His hand on their tomorrows.
“I have peace about it as well, Daisy.” Her grandmother touched her arm. “I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t stepped in.”
Daisy blinked back emotion. The loss of her twin sister was still too raw. “Deb was more than my sister. She was my other half. There wasn’t a choice.”
“You gave up everything,” Alice continued.
“We’re family. That’s what family does.” She wrapped her fingers around her grandmother’s soft hand. “You’re in this too, so clearly, you get that.”
“No big deal for me. My place is now a vacation rental, and I’ll probably make a fortune.”
“Gran, you left all your friends in Colorado.”
“As you said, it’s what family does. It’s unfortunate that your mother doesn’t understand that. Nor your boyfriend. You could have used the help.”
“Ex-boyfriend.” As for her mother, Daisy would neither defend nor accuse her. It was pointless and wouldn’t change a thing. Besides, Gran had her own opinions of her daughter-in-law and always had, long before Daisy’s father died. It was a topic that was best left alone.
“I have you.” Daisy smiled at the woman who had all but raised her. “That’s all I need. That’s all Deb and I have ever needed.”
When PJ began to fuss, Daisy took the baby from the high chair. She kissed PJ’s soft forehead and snuggled the child in her arms. PJ smelled like all that was good in the world, mixed up with an undefinable innocence and purity.
“So, how was the pie?” Daisy asked, doing her best to lighten the mood. “I tweaked the recipe. Is it an improvement?”
Her grandmother raised a knowing brow. “Your apple pie is better than usual, and that’s saying a lot because you are the best baker I know. Hard to believe you had any room for improvement.”
“It’s better than your pies?”
“Oh, my, yes! There was never a doubt that Daisy Anderson is the best baker in the family.”
Accolades from her grandmother meant everything. Daisy broke off a tiny bit of golden crust and warm apple and popped it into her mouth, savoring the light buttery pastry. Yes, it was good. Good enough to open her own shop? Maybe. She released a small sigh.
That dream was on hold for now. The kids needed her steady paycheck, health benefits and the five-bedroom house that Rebel’s lower cost of living afforded them. Someday, she’d chase her dreams again.
Someday.
The squeak of sneakers on the kitchen’s ancient, cracked linoleum floor heralded eight-year-old Grace’s entrance into the room. As usual, her dark hair was a tangle, the barrettes that Daisy put in this morning, long since discarded. “Aunt D, we’re bored. May we watch television?” Her twin brother Seth stood behind her, eyes expectant.
“Television is for kids who don’t have all of this,” Daisy said, with a nod toward the endless yard outside the window. “There’s a bucket in the back of the van and a couple of pairs of gardening gloves. You two can go behind the shed and check out the blackberry bush I found.”
“Aunt D? Really?” Seth interjected. “We’re missing our favorite show.”
“Television shows are not going anywhere.” She smiled at the duo, so much like their father. Tall and slim with hair straight as a stick.
Grace, always the drama queen, groaned as if in pain.
“Tell you what. If you fill the bucket, we can go into town for pizza tonight, and then we’ll all watch a movie and make kettle corn.”
“Pizza?” The twins echoed the revered word at the same time.
Daisy nodded.
The two headed outside, jabbering away and finishing each other’s sentences. Daisy and her sister had been like that. Even more so as identical twins.
“Do you think it helps that I’m the mirror image of their mother?” Daisy asked her grandmother. “Or maybe I’m causing them to rip off the Band-Aid again every single day?”
“I have no idea. Sometimes life just plain stinks, and yet kids are much more adaptable than we give them credit for. They need the love, security and consistency that you are providing. So stop overanalyzing.”
“Sam woke up last night with another nightmare,” Daisy said. She glanced i
nto the living room where the four-year-old and his six-year-old brother, Christian, stacked blocks on the oak floor.
“Daisy, give them time. It’s only been six months. Sam is four. He’s in that stage between being a little boy and still being a baby. For him, I think it may be a blessing that you look so much like his mother.”
“Was it the right thing to move them from Denver? Away from everything they know.”
“Away from the pain.” Alice sighed. “You needed to move as much as they did. It does no good to keep rehashing this every five minutes. Stop thinking about the past.”
Daisy traced her finger along the battered farmhouse table she’d picked up at a thrift shop. “What should I think about? How much work this house needs?” Daisy waved a hand around, taking in everything from the peeling wallpaper to the lopsided light fixture, and the olive green dishwasher that didn’t work.
“That’s all fun stuff,” Alice said.
“Fun.” Daisy stretched. “Tell that to my back. We’ve spent the last few days unloading that truck, unpacking boxes and getting this old house in shape. Yet, there’s still so much to do.”
“That’s part and parcel of being a homeowner, Daisy. Besides, there’s no rush. This is your home now. The good Lord got us here. He’s not going to abandon us.”
“Yes. You’re right. I’m letting my tired muscles get the better of me.”
“I’ll put on a fresh pot of coffee.”
“Wait. Did you hear that?” Daisy straightened, ears perking at the sound of tires crunching on the gravel drive.
“Aunt D, that policeman is here again,” Seth called.
Mitch Rainbolt was back?
“Uh-oh. This can’t be good,” Daisy murmured. She handed PJ off to her grandmother and hurried to her feet and out the door. When the screen door slammed against the house behind her, Daisy cringed.
Relax, she told herself and slowed her gait to a casual stroll as she moved across the yard, while pushing her wild mane away from her face.
Again, she was struck by how he seemed to command the surrounding space. And from what she recalled about the embarrassing moments in his arms, the man was 100 percent muscle. Hair the color of warm chocolate peeked out from beneath his gray Stetson. As he approached, she could see that he held an animal carrier.
“Chief, did you forget something?”
“No, I brought you something.”
“Is that a...cat?” she asked.
He held up two fingers. “Two.”
Daisy stared at him for a moment, touched speechless by the kind gesture.
“Turns out Rebel Vet and Rescue has an overflow of kittens this time of year,” he continued. “These are from the same litter. Eight months old. They’ve been spayed, neutered and vaccinated courtesy of my third brother, the vet.”
“Just how many Rainbolt brothers are there?”
“Several. Plus a sister.” He nodded toward the departmental SUV. “I’ve got supplies in the vehicle.”
“Supplies too? That’s awfully generous.”
“Is it?” He raised a brow. “Or maybe it’s the vet’s way of ensuring that you become a loyal customer.”
Daisy chuckled. “In that case, I’d say he’s a savvy businessman.”
Mitch set the carrier on the grass and opened the top. With the first sounds of mewing, Daisy’s nieces and nephews and her grandmother appeared, eager to see what was going on.
“Kittens,” Seth said, peering into the carrier. Both had white and black patches with white boots and predominantly black faces. “Are they twins, like me and Grace?” He smiled, his face more animated than she’d seen since they had arrived in their new home.
“You’re right. These two are brother and sister,” Mitch said. “One has a white nose and the other a black nose.”
Once Daisy sat on the ground, it didn’t take the animals long to climb right out of the carrier and into the grass. The one with the star-shaped patch on its nose head-bumped Daisy’s hand, seeking attention, while the other waddled toward Mitch.
“Oh, my, they’re so friendly,” she said.
Mitch gently picked up the kitten who’d valiantly attempted to crawl up his leg and placed it back on the grass.
“Whose are they?” Grace asked.
“It looks like they’re ours. Chief Rainbolt brought them,” Daisy said.
“A housewarming gift,” he said gruffly. “They’ll keep mice out of the house.”
“Well, Mitch, that was sweet of you,” Alice said.
“I probably should have asked first,” he murmured.
“Nonsense,” Alice said. “This is exactly what the children need right now. Thank you.”
Mitch met Daisy’s eyes as he answered her grandmother. “You’re sure I didn’t jump the gun?”
“Gran’s right. This is perfect. Thank you.”
He gave a short nod.
Sam and Christian wiggled to the front of the group until they were closer to the carrier.
“What are their names?” Christian asked.
Daisy pulled little Sam to her lap before she looked up at Mitch.
“You get to name them,” Mitch said.
A cacophony of excited responses sounded at the announcement as each child spoke over the next.
“Can I hold them, Aunt D?” Seth asked.
“One at a time and very gently,” Daisy said. She turned to Mitch. “Thank you.”
“I guess that means they can stay,” he said.
“Oh, yes. Of course.”
“Then you’re welcome.” Mitch nodded toward the drive. “Want to help me grab those supplies?”
“Sure.” She put little Sam on his feet and stood.
Alice raised a brow and once again offered a mischievous grin.
“Stop that,” Daisy whispered before she followed Mitch to the police vehicle.
Mitch popped the rear of the Tahoe and pushed his Stetson to the back of his head. Reaching into the vehicle, he handed her a bag of litter.
“Not too heavy?” he asked.
“Not much heavier than a ten-month-old,” she answered. When their hands touched, Daisy jerked slightly at the brief contact and did her best to appear nonchalant. For a moment their eyes connected. Clear brown eyes with a golden hint searched hers before he looked away.
She couldn’t remember ever seeing eyes quite that color before.
“Chief, this is...well, thank you. It’s unexpected and really, your timing couldn’t be better.”
“Yeah, I figured.” He grabbed several plastic bags from the back of the vehicle and placed them inside a litter box before he closed the rear window and liftgate of the Tahoe.
“You did?” She blinked, somewhat confused.
Mitch nodded “I don’t want to get into your business, but I’ve been where you are. Not exactly, but close enough.”
“Oh?”
“Trust me, Rebel will be there for you. I can guarantee that.”
She stared at him, uncertain of what to say. While a part of her scoffed at the idea that anyone could possibly understand what she was going through, there was something about Mitch Rainbolt that said he was sincere.
“Cats aside, this town has a lot to offer kids...families.” He paused, seeming to hesitate at his next words. “The Rebel Community Church has a week of vacation Bible school coming up soon. The town has a Fourth of July parade and festival. Later in July, the Rebel Ranch has a kids’ fishing derby.”
“Sounds like a great way to get city kids involved and feeling like this is home.”
“True. The Weekly Rebel, our local paper, has a calendar of events.”
“Thank you.”
He lifted a bag in each hand. “This bag has wet food, and this one is full of supplies and a few toys.”
“Thank you, a
gain. I’m a bit overwhelmed by your generosity.”
“Don’t give me too much credit. This is all Tucker.”
“Tucker?”
“My brother the vet.” He looked at her. “You’ve got five kids here, and you keep thanking me. Are you really okay with adding two more to your bunch?”
“Don’t even think about taking them back. This is the best thing that’s happened to these kids in months.”
He was silent for a half beat before his questioning gaze met hers. “Mind my asking how they lost their parents?”
“Car accident. My brother-in-law lost control.” She took a deep breath. “Fortunately, the kids weren’t with them.”
A flash of pain crossed Mitch’s face, and he shook his head. “I’m sorry for your loss, though I’m glad you and your family found your way here. This town has a way of healing the soul. I’ll be praying for you and these kids.”
Praying? Daisy blinked back emotion. Mitch Rainbolt was nothing like she expected. The interview had not prepared her for the man in real life. She dared to glance at his left hand. No ring. Which, of course, meant nothing. And really, why was she looking? No man in his right mind would be interested in a woman with five kids.
Just the same, she knew without a doubt that her new boss was dangerous to her peace of mind, and she hadn’t even started work yet.
Chapter Two
The voices of reason were carrying on a fine discussion in Mitch’s head Monday morning regarding the fact that he’d brought Daisy Anderson mousers. What was he thinking? The simple act bordered on personal, and he didn’t do personal.
As he dumped water into the office coffeemaker, he rationalized the gesture as simply being neighborly. Mitch was the police chief. He’d have done the same for anyone new to town. Especially someone who was going to be working for him.
The internal conversation was still going on when at 6:30 a.m. the coffeemaker spit and hissed the last drops of a fresh brew into the carafe and the buzzer to the employee entrance of the station sounded. Mitch checked the peephole and let Daisy in.
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