The Cowboy's Baby Blessing

by Deb Kastner

  He wouldn’t have succeeded as a soldier if he’d quit when the going got tough.

  He was attracted to Rachel. He couldn’t help but admire her giving, caring, empathetic heart. When she committed herself to something or someone, she went all in. The way she’d stepped in to help him with Caden was the perfect example of that.

  He and Rachel got along well. They’d become good friends. And Caden and Zooey had bonded in a special way.

  So what was it about him that had caused her to balk?

  They had physical chemistry. At times, when their eyes met, electricity crackled between them.

  It couldn’t be one-sided. He knew she felt it, too.

  So, why, then?

  He still hadn’t come up with a satisfactory answer when he met with his family on the community green later that afternoon.

  Even with his thoughts heavily on Rachel, he was looking forward to attending the first Fourth of July picnic with his family since he’d returned to Serendipity. The last time he’d had the pleasure, he’d been a senior in high school.

  Man, how things had changed since then.

  Seth wasn’t the same man he’d been when he left town. The army had forced him to start the process of growing up, but it was accepting the guardianship of Caden, and the weeks that had followed as he learned how to be a father, that had really made him a man. With his newfound maturity, he could look at a celebration like this and really appreciate all that went into it—and what it meant to be part of such a terrific community. He could hardly believe that just a month ago, he’d been intent on leaving this all behind.

  Serendipity was where he belonged. Especially on a day like today, when there was so much to enjoy.

  He was particularly looking forward to partaking of his mother’s homemade country cooking. Amanda Howell was known far and wide for the bounty she served up at their bed-and-breakfast. He wasn’t much of a cook. Straight meat and vegetables, usually grilled.

  Sometimes even a fitness nut needed to cheat.

  Even more than the food, though, he was highly anticipating the opportunity to spend quality time with his parents and his older sister, Samantha. Sam had married Will Davenport, who had served in the same army unit as Seth and was now not only his brother in arms but his brother-in-law.

  And then there were his nieces and nephew—seven-year-old Genevieve and two-year-old twins Charlie and Melody. Even with the slower pace small-town living offered, everyone had busy schedules, and it was precious time when the whole family could be together.

  His mom and dad owned and ran the town’s only bed-and-breakfast, while Sam and Will took care of Sam’s Grocery, which had been passed down through the family for several generations.

  Upon arriving at the already-crowded community green, his mother immediately relieved him of Caden, while Sam and Will’s twins tackled Seth, anxious to wrestle their “fun uncle” to the ground.

  He kept his eye out for Rachel and Zooey but didn’t see them in the crowd. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do or say when and if he did see them.

  Approach them and give his invitation a second try?

  Honor Rachel’s wishes and leave her to enjoy her family day with Zooey?

  While the adults set up the food, he entertained all of the children with parkour tricks, teaching the younger ones front somersaults in the grass and crab-walking.

  Before he knew it, he had a much larger audience and over a dozen young participants. Everyone, it seemed, wanted to get in on the action. Several of the teenagers were trying different moves—handstands, banking off tree trunks or hanging off branches.

  “It looks like you’re a hit.”

  Seth’s heart skipped at the sound of Rachel’s voice. He hadn’t seen her and her daughter approach. Zooey’s attention had already been diverted by nearby friends, and she was showing them how to do a banking backflip off a bench. She’d been practicing.

  “All in good fun.”

  “Better than good. You have a gift. Look how the children and teenagers respond to you. You’ve even got a few teenagers as part of this group who are here from Redemption Ranch.” It took him a moment to make the connection, but then he remembered the ministry program he’d heard about from his family in their letters and phone calls while he was overseas. Alexis, a local rancher, brought out teens who’d committed minor criminal offenses and let them work off their court-mandated community service hours on her ranch, where she tried to help them turn their lives around with love, prayer and a good dose of hard work.

  Seth hadn’t visited the ranch himself, but he figured if there was anyone on earth who could push a bunch of surly teenagers into being better people by sheer force of will, Alexis—one of his sister’s best friends and possibly the most determined woman in the world—could do it.

  “Alexis will be thrilled to see how excited they are,” Rachel continued. “Those kids come from bad situations and need a little tough love. Parkour might be good therapy for them. You ought to think about offering them some classes.”

  “Exercise is always good therapy, especially for kids.”

  “True, although some of us don’t find quite the joy in it that you do. I like to dance as much as the next woman, but there are still many days when I have to force myself out of bed early so I can stick in my dancing workout DVD before my itty-bitties start showing up for day care.”

  “I have days like that, too,” he admitted, helping Caden somersault forward and backward on the soft grass.

  “No way. You’re going to college to major in athletic training. Working out is probably the highlight of your day.”

  “Okay, I’ll admit it doesn’t happen often. I love being outdoors and stretching my muscles while I take in the fresh air. But I don’t think college is in the works for me, at least not right now. I’ve got the ranch and Caden. That’s more than enough to keep me busy.”

  Rachel dropped onto the lawn next to Caden and he immediately crawled into her lap. Seth sat cross-legged next to her, and within a minute he had Charlie and Melody, one on each knee.

  “I wasn’t sure I was going to see you today,” he confessed, deciding not to beat around the bush. Rachel was a straight shooter and didn’t care to play games, unless they were the fun kind and involved children.

  She looked him right in the eye and nodded. “To be honest, I wasn’t, either.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “In part, at least, a conversation I had with Zooey. She made me see I was hiding behind her, using her as an excuse for not living my own life.”

  Seth’s heart welled. “She’s a smart young lady.”

  “Yes, she is. And she’s right. I don’t want to get to the end of my life and realize I missed out because I was afraid to put myself out there.” She shrugged and flashed him a rueful grin. “I don’t want to end up a cat lady.”

  He tried to chuckle and choked instead, then swallowed around the lump that formed in his throat. She still thought he’d asked her out on a date, and yet here she was.

  Maybe he ought to leave well enough alone and make the most of this evening, but somehow that didn’t feel right.

  For one thing, he really did want his family to have the opportunity to spend time with Rachel and see what he saw in her. And then there was Zooey. He wanted her to join in the family gathering, as well.

  “The other day, when I asked you to the picnic—”

  He paused, trying to choose his words carefully so he didn’t screw this up.

  “And like an idiot, I turned you down,” she said before he could finish.

  He grinned. “You’re not an idiot. You were protecting yourself, which I respect. That’s always a smart thing to do.” He cleared his throat. “That said, in full disclosure, I wasn’t actually asking you out on a date.”


  Her gaze widened to epic proportions and she practically gaped at him. He’d definitely caught her off guard with that statement.

  “You weren’t?”

  “What I was trying to do—badly, apparently—was to suggest our families celebrate together. My parents have a very high opinion of you, and I thought you might enjoy spending time with my family. I know they’d like to spend time with you. Then again,” he said, lifting up his arms so the twins could crawl over him like a jungle gym, “maybe you’d rather have a quiet celebration with your daughter.”

  “As you can see,” she said, gesturing toward Zooey, who was still trying parkour moves with her friends, “my daughter has her own idea of what a fun Fourth of July celebration looks like.”

  “So you’ll stay?”

  “Yes. But—I want to be clear about this—it was never a date?”

  “Well, no, but—That is, I—” he stammered.

  How in the world was he going to explain that while his first thought had been for a family gathering, he now thought the idea of a date between them was spot-on?

  Maybe he should have left well enough alone.

  “Yes?”

  He shook his head. “No. Never mind. I’m glad you and Zooey showed up.”

  Who was the idiot now?

  “Shall I add the food I brought to your family’s goodies? I don’t cook as well as your mother.”

  “I’m sure your dishes are just fine. My motto is, the more food, the merrier.” He patted his stomach and licked his lips to accentuate his point.

  Rachel handed Caden off to Zooey and went to lay her offerings down with the Howells’ already-tasty smorgasbord.

  Meanwhile, Seth was furiously considering how to get some time alone with Rachel. He didn’t know how it was going to happen, or when, but he was determined he’d create some kind of dating atmosphere at some point tonight, and he’d be watching for his moment.

  “Soup’s on,” Rachel called in an animated tone, and everyone gathered to eat and share fellowship.

  The picnic dinner was the most enjoyable he’d ever had, surrounded by family and friends and with Rachel by his side and Caden in his lap.

  He thought he might get a little ribbing for having invited Rachel to celebrate with them. He was the baby of the family and they liked to give him a hard time.

  He was taken aback, however, by how warmly they welcomed Rachel to their meal, as if she’d belonged there all of her life, as if she were already part of the family and not an invited guest.

  Even Zooey fit in, dividing her time between conversing with the adults over what her plans were after high school and playing with the children. She had Rachel’s nurturing gift with the kids, taking seven-year-old Genevieve under her wing and making her feel special by engaging her in girl talk and getting into a serious, animated discussion about her favorite books.

  It wasn’t long after everyone had cleaned their plates and what was left of the food had been put away that Seth noticed a couple of teenagers he didn’t recognize had joined Zooey.

  Rachel, who’d been deep in conversation with Samantha, had noticed, too, and quickly excused herself to head in Zooey’s direction.

  Seth, who was playing with Caden, followed her.

  “Hi, Abigail,” Rachel said to a tall, thin auburn-haired girl. “My, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I remember when you were just a little tyke. Now you’ve grown up into a pretty young woman.”

  The girl blushed, her pinkened cheeks clashing with the color of her hair.

  Rachel’s gaze shifted to the teenage boy standing with them. He was a clean-cut kid, dressed in khaki Bermuda shorts and a bright green polo shirt, with well-trimmed blond hair combed back off his forehead.

  Before Rachel could say a word, the young man reached out to shake her hand.

  “Hello, Ms. Perez. My name is Dawson McAllister, ma’am. My mom and I just moved into town.”

  “Glad to meet you, Dawson.”

  Rachel had told Seth about the questionable friends Zooey had made during summer school, teenagers she’d been afraid might influence Zooey into dangerous behavior.

  Seth briefly wondered if these might be the kids she’d meant, but he immediately decided that wasn’t the case.

  These two were far too polite to be trouble, and he could see from Rachel’s relaxed smile that she was genuinely happy to see the girl and meet the boy. Both teenagers were wholesome looking and respectful to the adults.

  “His mom is a single parent like you and Seth,” Zooey added excitedly. “But she has the flu and can’t make it to the fireworks tonight.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” said Seth. “You’ll have to introduce us later.”

  “Mom, is it okay if we hang out for a while?” Zooey asked. “I promise we’ll stay on the green.”

  “Just be sure to find us right after the fireworks display is finished,” Rachel said.

  As soon as the teenagers were out of hearing distance, Rachel turned to Seth with an amused smile. “I overheard a conversation between Zooey and Abigail the other day on the phone. Dawson is the new guy in town, and I think Zooey might be crushing on him.”

  Seth laughed. “I’m no judge of looks, but I like his character. They both look pretty respectable to me.”

  “They are good kids. I’m so thankful to God that she’s found better friends.”

  Seth was getting used to Rachel attributing all of the circumstances in her life to God’s care.

  When there was good, like Zooey’s new friends, she praised God. When she bumped up against trials and tribulations—and she’d had many—she had faith that the Lord would see her through.

  Had God brought Rachel into his life?

  The thought stunned him, shifting his view entirely.

  Rachel had always been there, in the exact right times and places, precisely when he needed her. There were too many factors involved for it to be a mere coincidence that she’d come into his life when she had.

  For the first time in a very long time he saw God’s hand at work in his life. The Lord wasn’t far off somewhere in the high heavens, too busy to care for His creations.

  He was here. Now. Watching over His people and blessing them.

  Seth had only to look around him to realize the number of blessings he had to be thankful for—his family, his friends, and most of all, Rachel and Caden, and even Zooey.

  “Who is that?” Rachel asked, nodding toward a thin woman with platinum-blond hair crossing the green. “I don’t recognize her. Maybe she’s Dawson’s mom and she decided to come out for the fireworks.”

  Seth shrugged. Whoever she was, she stuck out like a sore thumb, wobbling along in four-inch spiked heels and wearing a skirt cut well above her knees. He knew zilch about purses, but he suspected the giant one she carried in the crook of her elbow cost more than he made in the army in a month. Her short, stylish hair and heavily applied makeup completed the odd picture.

  It wasn’t that she looked unattractive; her outfit just seemed overdone and out of place in this relaxed community gathering. This woman was definitely not from the country.

  He watched as she stopped and spoke to Jo and Frank Spencer. They exchanged an animated dialogue—Jo was always animated, but this time it seemed to Seth that she was especially vivacious.

  But then Jo pointed directly at him and waved.

  His skin prickled and the hair stood up on the back of his neck as he apprehensively returned her wave.

  He didn’t know why his pulse ratcheted up and his lungs suddenly felt as if he were breathing lead.

  It was probably Dawson’s mom, he reminded himself as the woman started toward him. Who else could it be?

  “Seth?” Rachel threaded her hand in the crook of his arm. Her gaze was also o
n the woman crossing the green, and her tone was wary. He sensed she was experiencing the same disquiet he was.

  “Seth Howell?” The woman’s ice-blue eyes bore right through him, making his insides feel frosty.

  “Who’s asking?”

  Rachel squeezed his arm.

  Maybe he did sound a little short with her. He tried to smile.

  The woman didn’t answer him. Instead, she glanced around their picnic area, and suddenly her face broke out into what Seth thought was the fakest smile he’d ever seen.

  She made a beeline for Charlie but stopped short before him, leaning down and barely patting him on the head, as if she was afraid he might get dirt on her fancy outfit.

  No chance of that—Charlie hunched back and looked for his father, instinctively not trusting the woman. When he made a sudden movement and she snatched her hand back in alarm, he rushed into Will’s outstretched arms.

  The stranger definitely had everyone’s attention in their little group now.

  “How cute my little nephew is,” she crowed, awkwardly dropping her hand to her side.

  “Nephew?” Will repeated, his brow lowering.

  “Ma’am, I think you must be mistaking us for someone else. How can we help you?” Seth asked, trying to remain polite and ignoring the fact that it seemed she’d asked Jo specifically for him and the question of what that might mean.

  “No, no. That redheaded old lady over there said this is where I’d find him.”

  “Find your nephew?” Rachel clarified.

  The blonde nodded.

  “I’m afraid you’re mistaken. This is Charlie, Samantha and Will Davenport’s son.”

  “Oh, I—” she stammered, looking confused for a moment. “No, no. Not Charlie.”

  She looked around and Seth’s heart stopped beating when her gaze landed on Caden, who was playing with Genevieve and was unaware of what was going on around him.

  “Why, there he is,” she said, as if she hadn’t first accosted Charlie with the same intentions.

  Her false smile returned in spades and it was all Seth could do not to race forward and snatch his son away before she could get to him.