When she’d found out she was expecting, Tandy had written a dozen songs to sing to her baby. Mostly lullabies, meant for quiet moments. But not all of them. It had been a long time since she’d sung them, but now, smiling into Pearl’s eager eyes, she wanted to sing them.
“My baby likes pie, sweet cherries and cream. It tickles her tummy and tastes like a dream.” She rubbed her tummy, making Pearl smile. “My baby likes pie, apple tart and green. Sticky on her fingers, she licks them all clean.” She pretended to lick her fingers. This time Pearl giggled. Tandy winked, flipping the pancakes before continuing.
“My baby likes pie, berry red and black. Sugary goodness, keeps bringing her back.” She stooped and hugged Pearl, earning her a kiss. “My baby likes pie, pumpkin gold and spice. With a dollop of whipped cream it sure tastes nice.” She touched Pearl’s nose. Pearl touched Tandy’s nose. “I better get the pancakes off the griddle or they’ll burn, pretty Pearl. Okay?”
Pearl nodded.
“You sure are an agreeable little thing,” Tandy said. “Anyone ever told you that?”
Pearl nodded, her gaze fixed on Tandy’s face.
“I thought so. You make my heart smile, little cuddle bunny.” She bent down. “You know that?”
Pearl hugged her again. “Ta-dee.”
“A serenade, pancakes and the prettiest ladies in the great state of Texas,” Click said, shaking his head. “I don’t know how I ever got so lucky.”
“Hi, Dada,” Pearl said, waving her spatula at him. “Spoon. Ta-dee cook.”
Click nodded. “Yes, ma’am. You and Tandy are cooking. Smells good.”
Pearl nodded. “Yum.” She pointed at Tandy. “Ta-dee sing.”
“I like her songs, too.” Click’s gaze settled on her then. She’d never figured out how a simple look could get her so worked up. He’d always been able to do that—make her stomach flip and her heart beat a little too fast. Like now. “Not much I don’t like about her.”
“Breakfast is almost ready.” She focused on the pancakes. “You’re short some bacon or sausage. And you’re out of eggs. Pearl and I’ve been talking about going to the store. You can come, too, if you want. You don’t even have any potatoes or I’d have fried some up—”
He was behind her, his breath tickling her ear. “Looks perfect to me. Thank you.”
She shivered, smiling. “You’re welcome.”
“Sleep okay?” he asked, his hand sliding across her stomach and setting her nerves on fire.
She nodded, too breathless to say much. “You?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, dropping a soft kiss right below her ear. “You smell so good, Tandy.” He breathed her in, making her toes curl.
“Dada kiz Ta-dee?” Pearl said, tugging on Click’s jeans. “Dada kiz?”
He scooped her up and dropped kisses all over her face, making her squeal and giggle.
“Ta-dee kiz?” she asked, leaning toward Tandy.
Tandy wasn’t about to say no. She grabbed Pearl to her, pressing kisses on each soft cheek and her smiling mouth, making a big smacking sound for effect.
Pearl was laughing then, her little arms around Tandy’s neck. It felt good. It felt right. And it suddenly scared her. Tandy shifted Pearl onto her hip, swallowing back the unexpected emotion tightening her throat. “You want to flip the last pancake, Pearl?”
Pearl nodded, watching as Tandy showed her how to flip it. Pearl tried, but the pancake ended up on the floor. Her smile drooped.
“That’s Banshee’s breakfast,” she said. “Let’s call him in to eat.” She put Pearl down and let her toddle over to the back door.
“Da-gee! Ba-shee! Come,” Pearl called, clapping her hands.
Banshee came, barreling across the yard and straight for Pearl. He slammed on the brakes right before he slid into her. He sat, let the little girl hug him, then licked her right across the face.
“Damn good dog,” Click whispered.
Tandy glanced over her shoulder at him, struck once more by just how fine he was. When he smiled at her, nodding at Banshee and Pearl, she had no choice but to smile back.
“Da-gee ki,” Pearl squealed, laughing.
“Big, wet, doggie kisses,” Tandy agreed, pulling dishes from the cabinet and setting the table. “He gives you kisses because he loves you.”
“Can I help?” Click asked.
“Any syrup?” She smiled up at him, surprised by her nervousness.
“I doubt it, but I’ll check.” He pulled open the pantry, put his hands on his hips and shook his head. “Looks like we’ll be going into town after breakfast.”
“Go go go,” Pearl said.
* * *
GROWING UP THE way he had, Click didn’t have high expectations. Experience had taught him that good things always came to a hard, sudden stop and talk was worthless. His dad made promises he never kept and his mother found ways to excuse the man every time. After a while, Click understood a promise was a lie and trust an illusion. The idea of a family—loyal and devoted, unconditional love—was a bad joke. Lynnie had been the only exception. Until Tandy.
He’d never imagined someone would love him the way Tandy had. In her eyes, he was everything. Her confidence in him was unshakeable. With her, he’d believed life could be more. Life could be good. And family, through highs and lows, was possible. They’d been through some damn-near bottomless lows, but here they were.
In a grocery store. Shopping. Together.
Watching Tandy read the ingredients on a cereal box, her hand stroking over Pearl’s silky black curls, made him happy.
“Dada?” Pearl asked, patting his hand on the shopping cart handle.
He smiled at her. “Yes, baby girl?”
She smiled. “Dada.” Her hand stayed on his.
He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I think this is the best option,” Tandy said, holding a cereal box in each hand.
“Which one?” he asked, trying not to smile as he picked up a box of brightly colored rings. “Why not this?”
She glanced at the box and frowned at him. “For Pearl? It’s nothing but sugar. You don’t want...” She stopped at his smile. “You’re teasing me?”
He chuckled. “A bit.”
She shook her head and dropped the cereal she’d picked out into the basket. “You think you’re cute.”
“You do,” he said.
She shot him a look, but the flush of her cheeks was reward enough. He pushed the cart, fully aware that the good folks of Fort Kyle were interested in their shopping trip. That, or they were all smitten with Pearl.
Tandy seemed to be on a mission, filling the cart with things he didn’t know he’d ever need. If she thought they needed it, who was he to argue?
When he pushed the cart into the checkout lane, he saw Scarlett walk in. She was on her cell phone, listening more than talking. But once she spotted them, she hung up and headed straight for them.
“Hi,” she said, hugging them. “Looks like you’re stocking up. Thanks for texting me, Click, so I didn’t worry over her.”
“Sorry,” Tandy said. “I sort of fell asleep. It was midnight when I woke up.”
Click smiled, unloading the groceries onto the conveyor belt. Tandy might not have realized what she’d just said, but there was plenty of room for interpretation. The look on their older cashier’s face told him exactly how she interpreted it—and she didn’t approve.
“Oh.” Scarlett glanced back and forth between them. “I was picking up some watermelons for the ranch and then I was heading your way. I figure you’d need a ride back to the ranch house.”
Click looked at Tandy, the same time Tandy looked at him.
“Click was going to help me at the cabin,” Tandy said. “If there’s anything worth saving.”
He nodded.
“Sure.”
“Okay. I can help,” Scarlett said. “But I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
Click agreed. He didn’t want them digging around until he was sure there was no danger. A storm like that could cause all sorts of structural and electrical problems. Not to mention the wildlife rousted up. He didn’t want Banshee getting sprayed by a skunk hiding out. Or have a run-in with the javelinas he’d seen tearing through the back fields a few times now. Best to leave them alone.
“Your father planning on sending over a tractor or truck anytime soon?” Click asked, paying for the groceries and steering the cart toward the door.
Scarlett shook her head, looking thoughtful. “He hasn’t mentioned it. To be honest, he seemed downright pleased that you didn’t come home last night, Tandy.”
Why would Woodrow Boone be happy she’d stayed with him? It didn’t make much sense.
“But he did want me to invite you and Pearl out for dinner,” Scarlett said.
“What’s he up to?” Tandy asked.
Scarlett shrugged. “I’ve given up trying to figure him out.”
“Da da,” Pearl said, yawning.
“Nap time?” Scarlett asked.
He nodded. “I’d feel better if we hold off rooting through the cabin, until I can make sure it’s safe. If that’s okay?”
Tandy frowned.
“Better safe than sorry,” he murmured.
She nodded. “I’ll just wash these again.” She glanced at her clothing.
“My washing machine works just fine,” he said.
“Then I’ll see ya’ll for dinner?” Scarlett asked. “Unless you want to come with me now?” She glanced back and forth between them.
Tandy glanced at him, her cheeks going red. “Do you mind taking me later?” she asked.
He grinned, shaking his head.
“I can sing to Pearl,” Tandy said. “She likes it when I sing to her. Don’t you, Pearl?”
“Ta-dee sing.” Pearl nodded, reaching for her. “Sing sing.”
Scarlett smiled. “Well, then. I’ll see you later. Watermelon for dessert.” She winked and left them.
Tandy stared after her cousin. “I should probably go with her.”
“Is that what you want?” he asked, unloading the groceries into the back of the truck.
Her eyes were light mossy green in the afternoon Texas sun, boring into his and holding him captive. She drew in an unsteady breath. “You ready to go, Pearl?” she asked. Her gaze falling from his.
He could breathe then. She wanted to stay with them. And damn if he wasn’t smiling from ear to ear.
“Go go,” Pearl said, reaching for Tandy. “Bashee?”
“He’s waiting at home,” Tandy said, opening the back door and buckling Pearl into the truck. “We’ll go see Banshee now. Then go night-night.” She yawned.
“You holding up okay?” he asked. “When do you go back to the doctor to have your stitches checked out?”
She shrugged. “Next week.” Her eyes searched his as she climbed into the passenger seat. “Stop worrying about me.”
He shook his head, closing the passenger door behind her.
Tandy and Pearl sang most of the way home. When they weren’t singing, they carried on a sort of one-sided conversation that Tandy managed to understand—sort of. He had no idea what his daughter was saying, but they were giggling and it was hard to ask too many questions. When they got there, Pearl wanted Tandy.
“I know, I know,” he said. “Tandy sing.”
Pearl smiled, so did Tandy.
“Go on,” he said, unloading the groceries.
He put the groceries away, the sound of Tandy’s sweet voice floating down the hallway. He poured himself a glass of the tea she’d made earlier and stared out the kitchen window. In the distance, he saw Lynnie’s goats. Correction, his goats were lazily eating their way across the tall grass.
He needed to put in some sheep and goat wire before the herd wandered onto the Boone property. He knew Tandy wouldn’t have minded a little goat-powered lawn-mowing service. Woodrow Boone was another matter altogether.
He paused, mulling over the motivation for tonight’s dinner invitation. What would his neighbor do if he knew Click wasn’t ready to sell? Not now. Maybe never.
If he let his dream take root, followed it through to the end, he might never leave this place. Sitting in a rocker on the porch, he’d sketched out some rough plans—laid it out until he could see every pen and stall, chute and walker wheel.
He’d need to build a bunkhouse and hire on a few hands, no more than five, to keep the place running smoothly. He’d want good people, hardworking and horse-loving. When he trained, he spared the whip and the spur. It had never been about dominating an animal. It was learning the best way to communicate with them. Respect was key—
“Click?” Tandy stood at his side. “You’re lost in thought. Making big plans for the place?”
He smiled down at her. “Just thinking.”
She shook her head. “Thinking? What’s stopping you, Click?” She rested a hip on the counter. “As Lynnie would say, time’s a’wastin’.” She paused. “Or how about, ‘You’re not getting any younger’?”
“You trying to tell me something?” he asked, running a long strand of her hair between his thumb and forefinger. So soft.
“Yes,” she murmured. “Do it. She wanted you to.”
He turned, focusing 100 percent of his attention on her. He cupped her cheek in his hand, his thumb smoothing her brow and running the ridge of her nose. The curve of her cheek was smooth. The swell of her lip, inviting.
Not yet. Not until he knew she was ready. He wasn’t going to take chances with her heart. Or his.
He swallowed, dropped a kiss to her forehead and stepped back. “I’m gonna ride out, survey the fence line.” The flash of surprise on her face almost made him rethink his objections. Almost.
Chapter Fourteen
Tandy was pulling the banana muffins from the oven when the house phone started to ring. She set the tray on the counter, pushed the stove shut with her heel and answered the phone.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Who’s this?” the voice asked.
“Tandy Boone,” she answered. “And this?”
“It’s Miss Francis, dear. What a pleasant surprise, hearing your voice.” The old lady chuckled. “Click offered to drive me to Alpine, and I wanted to make sure he was still available.”
“I’m sorry, Miss Francis, he’s out working. But I’ll make sure he calls you just as soon as he comes inside.” She jotted a note on the small tablet thumbtacked to the wall. “When were you planning on going into town?”
“Tomorrow afternoon. Monday traffic isn’t too bad.” Miss Francis paused. “You can come, too, if you’d like. I heard about the cabin. Bet you’ll be needing a few things?”
She chewed on the end of the pencil. Shopping someplace other than Fort Kyle’s Ranch and Farm supplies would be nice. Sure, they had plenty of jeans to choose from. But that was about it. “I’ll have to see if I can take the afternoon off, Miss Francis. But I appreciate you including me.”
“Of course, dear, of course.” She chuckled. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear your voice.”
Tandy smiled. “You are?”
“Of course I am. That boy deserves some happiness. Seems to me, you’re that for him. You tell him to call me now, you hear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” she answered.
“Good girl. See you tomorrow.”
Tandy hung up the phone, staring at the yellow handset mounted to the wall. Banshee pushed her hand. “What?” she asked, smiling at the dog. “You can’t have a muffin, Banshee. It’ll make your stomach upset.” She ran a hand over his broad head. “But I did get you a treat.” She crossed the room, pulling the la
rge box of dog biscuits from the pantry.
The phone rang again, making her spin and trip over Banshee.
She was laughing and breathless when she answered the phone. “Miss Francis?”
“No,” a voice said. “I’m looking for Aaron Hale.”
Tandy frowned. “Click?” she asked.
“Yes, Click. Is he available?” the woman asked. “I need to speak with him.”
Tandy picked up the pencil. “He’s out working. Can I take a message for him?”
There was a long pause. “My name is Georgia Miles. I wanted to speak with him.”
Tandy’s heart thudded to a stop. Georgia. Pearl’s mom.
“Is that possible?” Georgia asked. “He can’t call me back, and I won’t be able to call again for a while.”
Tandy snapped out of it. “Let me see if I can flag him down. Can you wait a minute?”
“I’ll wait.”
Tandy hurried out the back door, shielding her eyes. No sign of him. She ran to the barn, calling for him. “Click?” She turned back when he rode into the yard. “You’ve got a phone call. Important.”
He frowned. “Important?”
“Pearl’s mom,” she managed. “I can take Domino. You should get it.”
He swung out of the saddle, his nod tight as he pressed the reins into her hand. He headed into the house, his posture growing more rigid with each step. Her heart hurt for him. And Pearl. Was there some sort of understanding between Click and the woman? What would happen to Pearl once Georgia was done with her treatment? Would Click lose her?
The pressure was sudden, compressing her chest—emptying her lungs and squeezing her heart. She watched him disappear into the house with dread seeping into her bones.
Tandy led Domino into the barn. She removed the saddle and saddle blanket, hanging them on the rack mounted to the wall. The whole time, she was thinking of Click. It wasn’t fair. He and Pearl just found the rhythm. Would Georgia take his daughter?
Click would do whatever it took to keep her. Wouldn’t he?
There was a chance she’d lose them. Click. And Pearl.
She finished brushing Domino and turned the horse into the small paddock behind the barn. She lingered, wanting to give Click some privacy. But, when he didn’t come back, she gave up and headed back to the kitchen.
Cowboy Lullaby (The Boones 0f Texas Book 6) Page 15
