The Texan's Twins

by Jolene Navarro

  * * *

  The dust and sounds of a rodeo created a familiar chaos that Danica usually loved, but tonight Reid was riding a bull. If he showed up. She scanned the grounds for Reid. He was always early to anything he went to, even back in college. Maybe he’d changed his mind and wasn’t coming. Her breath caught in her throat.

  Maybe he had finally decided to leave. He wasn’t happy when she told him about the new vet tech. The thought that he would leave for good hit her hard. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it, but it wasn’t good.

  Everyone eventually left anyway, so she didn’t know why she was so surprised. Some of the cowboys waved as they walked past her. She made sure to smile, but inside she wanted to curl up under her covers and hide. He must have left.

  She’d almost told the girls who he was, but now they didn’t have to know that their father walked out on them again. Why had she expected anything different?

  “Because you’re a pathetic dreamer who never learns your lesson.” She pulled herself up on the railing. She needed to find something to distract herself with or she was going to cry.

  “I don’t know what lesson you’re working on, but you’ve never come close to being pathetic.”

  She jumped at the sound of Reid’s voice. His hands went to her waist to steady her. She glared over her shoulder.

  He laughed. “Didn’t mean to scare you. Dani girl, you’re one of the smartest people I know. If there’s something you need to learn, I have no doubt you’ll master it.”

  “You’re late.” Danger lurked in those gray twinkling eyes, so she turned to break the line connecting them. Staring straight ahead, she really couldn’t say what she was looking at. He was just inches away.

  “Watching for me were you, baby?” He stepped up to the railing next to her and leaned over, resting his chin on his forearms. He watched the same arena she did.

  “No. They’re pulling the bulls soon. If you’re late, you’d forfeit your ride and entry fee.”

  “Yeah, I remember how it works. Looks like a great turnout.”

  “People around here are good at supporting the local nonprofits. It’s not just us, but the volunteer fire department and the youth center.”

  “The funds should help hold you over until you get the grant.”

  “I hope so, as long as we don’t suffer any more problems. I’m sick to my stomach at the idea that someone wants us to fail.”

  “It doesn’t make sense. The ranchers are more of the straightforward type. What happens to the property if the sanctuary fails?”

  “If I have to close the doors in the next couple of years, it reverts back to Linda’s estate, but the only family left is Stephanie.”

  “Really?” He turned his full attention on her. “How much is the land worth? You don’t think that would be motive enough, do you?”

  “No. She doesn’t want the ranch, so I’m hoping to work out a deal with her if it comes down to that. So don’t go there. She’s been my strongest advocate since Linda’s death. I don’t know what I would have done without her advice and support.”

  “She’s made it clear she doesn’t like—” He tucked his head. “You’re right. I don’t know her enough to make judgments. I just don’t think this is the ranchers’ style of fighting.”

  “Which takes us right back where we started. With nothing.”

  “Tonight, I want some time to talk to you. Just the two of us. No interruptions.”

  Her stomach dipped. “Is everything all right?” The announcer called the bull riders to the back gate. “You better go. We’ll talk tonight. I’ll have Jackie take the girls home.”

  He nodded as he hopped from the railing. Pausing, he stared at her. For a moment, she thought he might move in for a kiss. It seemed too natural. Swallowing, she hooked one arm over the rail. “Be safe. Don’t wrap your hand in. You don’t do that anymore, do you?”

  “No, ma’am. I’ll be ready to jump clear when I’m done.”

  “You’re getting too old for this, you know. A father has to make sure he’s whole and healthy for his children’s sake. You need to start thinking about that kind of thing.”

  His grin grew wider as if she’d given him a gift he’d always wanted.

  “Duly noted. So, let’s say this is my last ride.” He took a step closer. “I have no problem walking away from the bulls if I’m walking to you and the girls.”

  She wasn’t sure how it happened, but the world shifted, and she leaned forward to touch her lips to his. Just for a moment. Then she remembered where she was and pulled back, glancing around. What had she just done?

  Hands in his pockets, he stepped back. “Don’t panic. I don’t think anyone saw you kiss the convict.”

  The hurt in his eyes tore at her heart. “Reid.”

  “No worries. I’ve got to go. But before I forget, I have your keys. The Jeep was blocking a gate, so I moved it for the guys. You shouldn’t leave them in an unlocked car.”

  “I should lock them in the car?” She smiled at his eye roll. “I trust everyone around here. These are hometown people.”

  “You never really know what hidden agendas they might have.” He pulled the keys out of his pocket and looked at the preschool pictures she had on the chain.

  She held out her hand, but he slipped them back into his jeans.

  “I think I’ll keep them for now. After the rodeo, we can drive somewhere to talk.”

  All she could manage was a nod. Their relationship would take another turn tonight; she could feel it. For good or bad, they would have to make a decision about the future. Her stomach was in a knot. What direction were they going? She hated the unknown.

  She watched him until he was out of eyesight. Then she climbed up as high as she could on the railing, scanning the back of the gates to try and find him. What did he want to talk about?

  “I’m thinking you two have more of a past than you let on.”

  “Jake!” One hand went to her chest. “You startled me. Sorry, I mean Sheriff Torres.”

  “Stop that. You’ve known me too long to not call me Jake. Are the girls running tonight?”

  “No, I don’t think they’re old enough yet for the type of speed that will be needed for this event.”

  He nodded and adjusted his tan cowboy hat. “So, I’ve been digging around and found your latest volunteer was in the same program at A&M the exact same time you were. On the rodeo team, too. He went to prison about the time you came home pregnant.”

  “What does this have to do with the investigation?”

  “I need all the facts to make sure I have everything I need to put the puzzle together. Everyone always comments on the unusual eye color of the twins.” He stopped talking and just stared at her.

  Scanning the arena, she found the girls with Jackie and her dad in the stands. “It’s a personal issue that we’re working out. I’d rather do it without any drama. He has nothing to do with the accidents.”

  “A couple of the board members disagree. They think the problems started when he showed up, and your judgment is impaired when it comes to him.”

  “What? That’s ridiculous. He stayed so we could get the certification.” She took a deep breath. “He has nothing to do with the problems.”

  “There’s also some concern that you’re desperate and willing to make some questionable decisions.”

  “I’m sorry, Sheriff Torres, but this is sounding like you’re questioning me in the investigation.”

  “Just a friendly chat, trying to get the whole picture.”

  “If you have any more questions, please make it official. Maybe I should talk to my lawyer.”

  “If that’s what you feel you need to do.”

  “Thank you for being here tonight. I’m going to find my girls to watch the rest of the rodeo. Good night.”

  “’Night
, Danica.”

  She was well aware that he was watching her walk away. She wanted to run and find Reid. People were talking about them. Already questioning his relationship with the girls. She should have been better prepared.

  But what was she doing? Kissing him. Ugh. She hit the side of her head. Stupid.

  “Momma! Did you see Mia’s run!” Lizzy jumped with excitement.

  “It was awesome. Please let me ride next year!” Suzie wasn’t going to give up her desire to ride at a higher level.

  “Look what Aunt Jackie did.” Glad Lizzy was changing the subject, Danica let her girls pull her forward to Jackie and her father. They were her world and everything she did would affect them.

  “She has the camera Mr. Reid put on the baby bats!”

  “Look!” Suzie held Jackie’s phone up.

  Right now, she needed to be with the girls. They deserved all her attention. Jackie looked at her with a question in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she smiled, shook her head and looked at the phone screen. The time with her family was the most important.

  “I see Mr. Reid!” Suzie stood and waved. “Mr. Reid!”

  Not to be outdone Lizzy joined her sister and yelled his name, too.

  “Girls, sit down.” Leaning in, she kept her voice low. Glancing up, she saw Reid waving back, a big grin on his face. Her heart skipped a beat. He walked along the catwalk behind the chutes. Lean muscles moved over his frame as fluidly as the river moved over the rocks, smooth and easy. Back in college, she’d had a hard time keeping her gaze away from him. Now he was even more interesting. Not the boy anymore, but a man.

  Jackie looped her arm around Danica’s. “One thing I can say for sure, you picked one good-looking man.”

  “He has a good heart, too. If you take the time to get to know him. He had a hard life.”

  “Don’t blame me. He’s the one that left you. Got stuck in prison. And he didn’t even bother to tell you.” She pressed her head to Danica’s. “Don’t get blinded by those beautiful eyes of his. You deserve someone that will be by your side and stay there no matter what. No one is going to hurt my little sister again.”

  “You’re only older by five minutes,” Danica said out of habit. Reid was good-looking, but it was so much more than his charm that captured her heart. “What if he’s changed? Do you believe in redemption and second chances?”

  “Not if my sister and nieces are the ones who were hurt.”

  “Hey, guys. Sammi’s running next.” Nikki slid into the bench seat behind them. Adrian was holding her hand.

  Her father patted Adrian on the back. “Mia had a good run.”

  With a father’s pride, he nodded. “Yeah, it was her best time. Don’t think it will keep her in the top five, but each run has gotten faster.”

  “Did you hear which bull Reid pulled?” Danica couldn’t even pretend not to care. Adrian laughed. “He pulled Mr. Darcy.”

  Her forehead wrinkled. “The bull’s name is Mr. Darcy? That doesn’t sound very tough.”

  “No, and the bull must be mad about it. He wants to charge every cowboy he sees. I don’t think anyone has stayed on him for a full eight yet. He’s a tough one.”

  All the color must have left her face, because Nikki elbowed her husband.

  “Oh, sorry. Reid seems to be the type to handle himself well.”

  When they were younger, she loved watching him ride. The adrenaline was a rush, and to think he was hers was exciting. Now all she saw were the ways he could get hurt or killed. Those bulls were two thousand pounds of muscles, hooves and horns.

  “He’ll be fine.” Adrian smiled and tried to reassure her again.

  Her father pointed to the gate. “Samantha’s about to run.”

  The girls started cheering. “Go, Aunt Sammi!”

  Sammi and her roan mare charged into the arena, cutting so close to the first barrel it wobbled, but it ultimately stayed in place. Finishing all three barrels, she lay over her horse’s neck and sprinted home. The announcer called her time. It was the best of the night. They all stood and cheered.

  A truck drove out into the arena and hauled the barrels away, clearing the deep sand for the last event. The bull riding. Danica’s stomach clinched. She wasn’t sure she could even watch.

  Her family kept up a constant stream of conversation, and she let them distract her. She loved them for it. Then it was Reid’s turn. The girls got excited seeing him climb into the chute as they got the bull ready.

  Eight seconds. That was all, then it would be over. Knots pulled her insides tight, twisting beyond her stomach and squeezing her heart. It was easier to look elsewhere. That’s when she noticed a couple of unfamiliar cars pull into the area behind the gates.

  Men in suits got out, and Sheriff Torres walked over to them. Shaking hands, they talked.

  A whole new fear took all the energy out of her muscles, and a nauseating numbness took over. Was Reid in trouble? It couldn’t be him. He hadn’t done anything.

  James joined them. A sweat broke out over her entire body, despite the breeze. His parole officer was involved?

  James had other jobs in the county so it might have nothing to do with Reid. It was just a coincidence they were all together where Reid was about to ride.

  She glanced over at him. He nodded with his arm high in the air. She wanted to yell at him. To warn him. About what, she wasn’t sure.

  The gate swung open. The bull came out spinning. The crowd went crazy as the big animal changed directions, but Reid moved with him. Leaning back, then coming forward, his movements rolled with the bull. The horns thrust at the air as the bull kicked and twisted. Eight seconds had never lasted so long.

  At one point, she stood but didn’t remember moving. The twins were jumping up and down. Finally, the buzzer went off, but the ride wasn’t over. He still had to dismount and clear the arena without getting gored or stepped on. The rodeo clowns moved in to distract the dangerous animal as Reid jumped from his back. He was thrown with such force that he landed on his knees in the deep sand.

  Danica gripped Adrian’s arm as Mr. Darcy lowered his head and ran at Reid.

  The shorter clown darted between them and waved a flag. Another came up behind to get the bull’s attention. Reid was on his feet and ran for the railing closest to him. Which was where she and her family sat. With a jump, he climbed up and waved his hat to let the crowd know he was good. Just a few feet from them, he tossed the girls his hat, a huge grin on his face.

  Adrian whistled. “That was a great ride. It has to be in the nineties.”

  Reid jumped from the rail and thanked the cowboys as the bull now went calmly into the back gate. The girls fought over who got to wear the hat. All Danica wanted to do was grab him and make sure he was whole and healthy. She didn’t trust that smile. He was good at hiding bruises. Once he even walked off with a smile with a busted rib.

  She leaned in to tell Jackie she was going to check on him. With a small eye roll, her sister nodded. At least they had gotten past lecturing. Halfway down the steps, law officers met her. Jake and James looked grim.

  She didn’t recognize the other men with them. This couldn’t be good. “James. Jake.” She nodded at them, then glanced at the men with them. “Is there a problem?”

  One of the men handed her a sheet of paper. “Do you recognize the narcotics listed here?”

  Nodding, she looked up at the men. “Sure. These are some of the drugs we keep on the sanctuary.”

  “Do you currently have any in your possession, or do you know of any missing in your inventory?”

  “No. Why would I—”

  James moved closer to her. “There’s been an anonymous report—”

  The tall stranger with dark aviators stepped forward. “Officer, we’ll take care of this. Mrs. Bergmann, we need to check a Jeep that belongs to the Hill Country Wildl
ife Rescue.”

  “The Jeep is here, but I don’t understand.” She looked at Torres. “Is this about our conversation earlier?”

  “What’s going on?” Reid came up behind her. His hand rested on her lower back.

  The simple touch calmed her. “They want to check the Jeep.”

  He looked at the sheriff. “Do you have a warrant?”

  “We were hoping she would make this easy and work with us.”

  Reid started to say something else, but she placed a hand on his arm. “It’s fine.” She moved around the men and marched in the direction of her car. They all turned and followed her. She stopped when she realized it wasn’t where she’d left it.

  Her heart froze. Reid had moved the Jeep. She didn’t know where it was parked now. She looked at him. A nasty feeling paralyzed her. The last thing he needed was to be involved in any type of investigation with drugs.

  Jake walked up next to her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Um. Forgot where I parked.” Not wanting to say anything else, she glanced at Reid.

  “Oh, I moved it.” He dug into his pocket. “Here are the keys.”

  “Do you have access to all company vehicles?” one of the suits asked.

  James cleared his throat. “Let’s just go to the car. We’ll ask the questions that need to be answered then.”

  The small group followed Reid to the back of the dirt parking lot, weaving through the maze of trucks and trailers. When they reached the Jeep, one of the unknown law officers asked them to unlock the car. As soon as the click was heard, they started searching. Even though she knew there was nothing for them to find, fear gripped her.

  “Mr. Reid!” Suzie yelled as she and Lizzy ran toward them, followed by the rest of Danica’s family.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Reid was having a hard time breathing. He was surrounded by law officers searching Danica’s car, and now her family ran to them. Suzie had his black cowboy hat on. The smile on her face became his whole world for a moment.