The Texan's Twins

by Jolene Navarro

  “Really, you brought reinforcements? You think Reid is that dangerous, or I’m that weak?”

  Without permission, Sammi hugged her. “I came for you. Jackie’s always telling me what to do, too, so I thought you’d need backup.”

  Jackie shook her head as she joined them. “She thinks you’ll do the smart thing. She didn’t know about the dark place you went to last time he left.”

  “Maybe he’s not leaving this time?” Sammi stood next to her and glared at Jackie.

  “How did you become a hopeless romantic? Where did the optimism come from? It’s unsettling.”

  Danica shook her head and started for the other side of the office. “Listen, I don’t have time for personal issues right now. Bobby found another hole in the fence. Besides, Reid took off. I don’t even know where he went.”

  Wrapping an arm around her waist, Sammi walked alongside her. “We’ll go with you.”

  Jackie followed. “Another pair of eyes couldn’t hurt. Do you know who’s doing this?”

  Danica sighed. “No, but Sheriff Torres is asking around.”

  “I hope he questions Reid. You do realize that it all started when he showed up.”

  “Ugh.” Danica rolled her eyes but refused even to look at Jackie. “He has nothing to do with this.”

  “How do you know? It’s a perfect setup for him to do an inside job.”

  Turning, she headed to the Jeep. “I don’t have time for your crazy conspiracy theories. You watch too much TV. It rots the brain.”

  Sammi laughed. “It’s been proven.”

  The bottom of Danica’s stomach dropped. All four tires on the Jeep were flat. “That’s not possible.”

  “They’ve been slashed.” Jackie moved over to the four-wheelers. “These, too, and the trailer.” Her sister looked at her. “Someone wanted to make sure you didn’t get to the fences.”

  Sammi went down to look at them. “I could change them, but I’d need tires. Do you have more than the one spare?”

  All three sisters jumped when they heard a door slam. Reid rushed around the corner. He paused when he saw them, a short knife in his hands.

  * * *

  Jackie crossed her arms and glared at Reid. “Returning to the scene of the crime?”

  That’s all he needed right now, another hostile Bergmann. Reid sighed and tucked the knife back into the holder on his belt and focused on Danica. “Someone in a black hoodie was sneaking around the offices earlier.” He glanced at the vehicles. Too late to do any good, and he didn’t even find the person he’d been hunting. He looked at Jackie. “You think I did this?”

  She shrugged. “Who else?”

  “Whoever wants to make Danica look bad.” Sammi stood next to Danica, her arm around her.

  Reid nodded. “Someone doesn’t want her to get the grant. How close are you to getting the final word?”

  The shrug was to give an I’m-not-worried vibe, but the concern in her eyes betrayed her. She was worried.

  “They said the paperwork was in order. In a couple of weeks, they’ll come for a visit.” She scanned the vandalized property. “This is not good. I don’t have the money to replace all these tires. I need to call Jake and let him know we’ve had more problems.”

  Reid checked the spare. “They didn’t hit this one.” He turned to Danica. She was on the phone with the sheriff, so he spun to face Sammi. The little sister seemed to be more welcoming at least. “Was Bobby here? Does he know about the tires? I know the ranch where I work keeps extra. Does she have some here?”

  “I don’t think so. Danica said Bobby was out checking fences, and she was going to join him. There are more holes.”

  Lifting his hat, he raked his fingers through his hair. “I don’t like this.” A few strides around the Jeep to check it all out didn’t give him any answers. There was no evidence screaming out the guilty person’s name. “They didn’t want us to get to the fences.”

  Jackie crossed her arms. “You disappear, then show up with a knife.”

  “I know I haven’t done anything to prove you can trust me, but I’m here for one reason. To make things right. This is Danica’s dream. I won’t let anyone hurt it.”

  Danica joined them. “Jake will be here soon. He said not to touch anything.”

  He wanted to hold her but now wasn’t the time. “I’ll call Philip at the ranch. Maybe they can bring a couple of horses. We can ride the fences in the old-fashioned way.”

  Not looking at him, she nodded. “Okay. Thanks. I’m going inside to contact Bobby on the radio.”

  Catching up with her, he touched her elbow. “You know I didn’t have anything to do with this, right? Jackie’s way off base.”

  “I don’t know what to think, other than someone wants me to fail.” She took one step away from him, and he let her go. There wasn’t anything else he could say.

  Danica stopped and turned. “For what it’s worth, I do believe you. I just don’t have the energy to deal with anything else right now.” She walked into the old bunkhouse, the screen door softly shutting behind her.

  Reid pulled out his phone and started sending some text messages to the guys back at the ranch. There had to be something he could do to help. Hopefully, he had cavalry in his back pocket.

  A black Mercedes pulled into the drive. Stephanie, the lawyer in high heels, got out and walked toward him. “I heard on the scanner that there’s been trouble out here again.” Even though she was much shorter, she managed to look down her nose at him. “What do you know about it?”

  Danica opened the door and stepped onto the porch. “Hi, Steph. I didn’t expect to see you out here today.”

  “I’m worried that you’ve gotten in over your head. Have you thought about looking for alternatives for the animals? You don’t want to be rushed if you have to close.”

  “We are not closing.”

  “I heard the big cats got out again.” She made her way up the steps and put an arm around Danica to comfort her.

  Reid wasn’t buying it. “None of the animals have gotten out. Bobby found the holes in time, and I’ve got guys coming from the ranch with horses so we can check the rest of the fences.”

  Jackie and Sammi joined them. The glare he usually received was being shot at the lawyer now. Good, Jackie wasn’t happy with her, either. “Danica has it under control. We don’t need to be talking about shutting the place down. The sheriff will find out who’s sabotaging the sanctuary, and she’ll be back in business.”

  “Oh, I’m sure she’ll be able to do it. I’m just worried about the stress and legal issues she is dealing with.”

  Reid lifted his head. “Legal issues?”

  Danica stepped back, her forehead wrinkled. “What legal issues? Why didn’t you say anything at the board meeting last night?”

  “In a way, I did. I brought up the concern of having an ex-con working here. The neighboring ranchers are unhappy. With the lack of security and high rate of accidents, there are rumors of lawsuits.” She sighed and put her hand on Danica’s shoulder. “There’s nothing concrete yet, so I didn’t bring it up at the meeting, but I’m worried about you and what might happen.”

  Reid joined them on the porch. “I think a doomsday scenario is a little premature. The grant is looking good. Next week is the fund-raiser. I’m sure that will help.” He looked at Danica. “You’ve got this.”

  He hated the doubt that clouded her eyes. Rumblings from the gate caused them all to turn. Two heavy-duty trucks were pulling in long gooseneck trailers, followed by another truck. Cowboys and horses from the Hausman ranch had arrived. More than he’d expected, and far more quickly than he’d hoped.

  Nose in the air, the lawyer crossed her arms. “Who’s that?”

  Hopping down the steps, Reid turned back and grinned. “The cavalry.”

  Samantha let out a holler
and ran up next to him. Her arm locked around his. She leaned in and whispered low. “You just might be hero material yet.”

  She ran ahead and greeted the men getting out of the trucks. The trailer came loaded with saddled horses, ready to ride. He glanced back at Danica. She smiled at him, then called out from the porch, “I’ll get a few radios for them so they can connect with Bobby.”

  He grinned and turned back to greet the crowd of cowboys here to help, just because he’d asked. His chest swelled with humble gratitude. If only he could be that for Danica. He’d give anything to be her hero again, but time was running out.

  Chapter Twelve

  The church was quiet as Reid walked into the empty worship area. A week had passed since the last incident at the ranch, and no new information had surfaced. He couldn’t help but notice some people were looking at him with suspicion. He wasn’t sure if it was just who he was or if they thought he had something to do with the recent trouble at the wildlife refuge.

  His boots didn’t make a sound on the dark red carpet as he walked to the front of the church. At the steps, he fell to his knees. From his worn denim jacket, he pulled out the beat-up leather Bible. In his rough, calloused hands, it was small, but the words had changed his life.

  During the second year of his sentence, Ray had invited him to a small group Bible study. He hadn’t been interested, but it had been something to do, so he’d gone.

  For the first time, he heard that God loved him, that he was worthy of that love. Not because of what he’d done, but because he was a child of God. Lost, but still wanted.

  Grace was his, but now he struggled with his pride again. How did he differentiate God’s plan from his desires?

  Old yellow ribbons marked the verses he tried to live by in his new life. Philippians 3:13–14: Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

  It was easier to let go of the past in prison when he couldn’t see the consequences of his choices firsthand. He’d hurt Danica, and his daughters had been raised without a father.

  He flipped to his second yellow ribbon. Revelation could be a dark and difficult book, but it had called to him. He touched the 2:10 verse. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

  Lowering his head, Reid prayed. He opened his heart and his mind to the word of God. It all seemed so murky. All he wanted was a clear path. Lifting his head, he studied the stained glass designs above the large painting behind the baptismal. The lamb lay at the base of the cross. A dove flew overhead.

  “Lord, I come to You not knowing what to do. You know my heart. I love Danica and our daughters, but is leaving them the tribulation I have to walk through? Or do I stay and fight for them? I won’t be welcomed by her family or the community. Is this my test? What is Your will?”

  In the stillness, he waited, but nothing came. Silence echoed in his head. He bent forward, pressing his forearms against the polished wood that made the upper-level floor.

  “Reid?” Pastor Levi stood behind the grand piano. “My secretary said you were looking for me. Do you still want to talk?”

  “I don’t mean to bother you.” Checking the time, he sighed. “I just needed to talk to someone to get my head on straight before I saw Danica and the whole town at the rodeo tonight.”

  “It’s no bother.” Pastor Levi sat on the edge of the piano bench and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “What can I help you with?”

  Reid licked his dry lips. How did he explain without telling him everything? “Will this be confidential, just between you and me?”

  “If that’s what you need. As long as it’s not unlawful.” He gave him a half smile like maybe he was joking, but maybe not.

  “No, I’m not planning on breaking the law. That didn’t work out so well for me last time.” He shifted so he sat on the top step and looked at the side windows with all the colored glass. It was easier than looking straight at the pastor. “Danica and I eloped in college before I was locked up. We’re married.”

  “Okay. So the girls are yours?”

  “Yes.” Claiming them made his heart burst with pride. To get to say they were his made him choke on unfamiliar emotions. He pressed his forehead hard into his palms. It also felt like he was betraying Danica. “She didn’t want anyone to know. Even her family isn’t aware we’re married. They know the twins are mine, but that doesn’t do much to endear me to them. She’s embarrassed that she married me.”

  “That’s got to be tough. What are you struggling with tonight?”

  “She wants me to leave. I didn’t know about the girls before I got here. I just wanted to make amends, apologize and move on, but she’s still my wife. We have daughters. I want to respect her wishes, but I can’t just walk out on them again. I don’t know what to do. I want to submit to God’s will, but it’s hard to know what His will is. I keep waiting for His voice to tell me what to do, but I get nothing. Is there something wrong with me?”

  “A burning bush would be nice, but it’s not always that clear or easy. Sometimes we just don’t see it. I do know that God’s voice won’t come in anger, fear, or doubt.” He pointed to the opened Bible. “What are you reading?”

  “Revelation 2:10.”

  He nodded. “That’s a good one. I see why you’re reading it. What does it mean to you?”

  “Not living in fear. That’s what got me in trouble the first time. I feared not having enough money. I feared that she would stop loving me. I didn’t understand how she could love someone like me to begin with. So I reminded myself that choices made out of fear only lead to regret.” A peace settled over him. “I have to take the fear out of the equation.” He looked at the pastor. “That’s easier said than done.”

  “Yeah. Living in fear can be a survival technique. So, ignoring that fear seems counterintuitive.” Pastor Levi sat up and turned to face the piano. “Do you mind if I play? It helps me focus and think.”

  “No. I’ve always loved music. I tried learning to play, but I couldn’t get past a few chords.” The piano strings hummed a soft sweet tune, helping Reid relax.

  “In your verse.” The pastor kept his eyes on the keys and his fingers. The music filled the room. “It talks about prison. What do you think about that?”

  “Prison is where I found God. In a way, it was so much easier there. I had a clear path. Now that I’m free, I thought I’d be happy. But I’m in a different kind of prison now. I’m more trapped than ever.”

  “What has you trapped?”

  “This guilt. I abandoned Danica when she needed me most. How can I even ask for forgiveness? She made it clear from day one not to expect anything from her, and I don’t blame her, but I want to be a father to my girls. The Bible talks about the sins of the father. I thought I could be better, I tried. None of the men in my family ever graduated high school. I wanted to break those chains, but I panicked and tried for the easy money, not only destroying my future but letting down Danica and leaving my girls without a father. Just like my dad.”

  “One mistake doesn’t have to shape your whole future. You can make the decision that your past will not become your future. Of course, the one thing you can’t control is Danica. It’s up to her if you get to be back in her life.” He stopped playing and turned to Reid. “It takes time to rebuild trust. Once it’s been destroyed, it won’t be easily given again. What are the alternatives? What about you staying close and being part of her life indirectly?”

  “That’s what I’ve offered, but I don’t know if I can watch the girls without being their fath
er. Or maybe that’s the trial I have to walk through. Plus, I don’t know how much longer we can really keep pretending they aren’t mine. We have the same eyes, and I think the sheriff has noticed. He probably thinks I’m a deadbeat dad.”

  “Living with secrets is never healthy.” The pastor picked up the beat, then let it fade away into a slow melody. “The longer you don’t tell the truth, the harder it gets. Is there a reason she doesn’t want anyone to know?”

  “Fear? I don’t know other than she didn’t believe I would stick around long.”

  “You’ve been here for a few months now. Any plans to leave?”

  “No. I’d like to make it my home if she’d let me.”

  “Have you told her that?”

  “I figured she knew that by now.”

  “You want her to just know your intentions? It helps if we talk to people, and don’t assume they know. It creates a lot of problems. Believe me, I know that firsthand.”

  “Tonight, after the rodeo, I need to make time to have a heart-to-heart. What if she doesn’t want me here?”

  “You’re not who you used to be. You’re redeemed, and you need to let her know what your wants and fears are. If the girls are important to you, you need to let her know you are willing to do whatever it takes to be their father. She might need more than words. The past can be hard to overcome.”

  “Yes, but it’s worth fighting the fight. If this is what I have to do, then I can be a patient man. I hope she hears me.”

  The pastor stood from the bench and joined him on the steps. “You want to pray before you leave?”

  “Yeah, I’d like that. I feel like my whole life is riding on this one conversation.”

  “It’s not. Just take a deep breath, and have faith.”

  Reid laughed. “Isn’t there a warning about praying for patience?”

  Pastor Levi put his hand on Reid’s shoulder. “Yes, sir. Let’s pray.”

  They bowed their heads, and Reid let the words of the pastor’s prayer wash over him. It was cleansing.

  Now to face Danica and the whole town. Would he ever get to stand with his family in public? He couldn’t help but feel tonight his life was going to take a new direction, hopefully one that involved Danica and their daughters.