Once Upon a Family

by Margaret Daley

  Alexa’s excitement reminded him of the power animals could have on a person. When they left today, he would call Jacob and Noah. He needed to do more than dream about the refuge. Laura’s family had given him the jump start he needed to get moving on it.

  Chapter Three

  “How’s working in the counseling office going for you?” Peter took the chair next to Laura in the high school auditorium.

  “You didn’t hear anything?” she blurted out, tired after the first day on the job, learning all the procedures and people’s names. If it wasn’t for Sean having to be at this fund-raising auction, she would be home, getting ready for bed early.

  “Should I have?” His lips twitched as though he were fighting a smile. He couldn’t contain it. A grin spread across his features. “Oh, you mean the third-hour bell.”

  “Okay, so I didn’t have the schedule memorized and made a tiny little mistake.”

  Full-fledged laughter erupted from Peter. People around them glanced over. “The ladies in the cafeteria weren’t too happy, but the students were ecstatic they got an extra ten minutes for lunch.”

  The heat of a blush seared her cheeks. “Thankfully the bells usually don’t have to be rung manually. I brought the schedule home to memorize so that won’t happen again. I will say in my defense, you have the craziest class schedule, actually two schedules because of homeroom on Thursdays. Nothing is on the hour or half hour. Most of the times are like 9:43.”

  His mouth twitched again. “Besides the bell incident, everything else all right?”

  “I really enjoyed the work. I met some nice people. Thanks.”

  “I didn’t do a thing. You got the job on your own.” He peered toward the stage as the Future Farmers of America’s program started. “How’s Sean feel about you working at the high school?”

  “Let’s just say he didn’t cheer at the news and leave it at that.” Her son’s icy demeanor could have frozen the tropics. She still remembered his words that she just wanted to spy on him. As he had stormed away, she couldn’t deny the words totally. She did want to keep an eye on her son, but the job was actually perfect for her. The hours. The duties. The people.

  “Will he be up on the auction block tonight?”

  “Yes. He grumbled that he didn’t want to do it, but it’s a requirement since he’s an FFA member.”

  “It’s one of their big fund-raisers. I always bid on several students. Helps the program and helps me around the ranch.”

  She’d promised her son she would bid on him, but she didn’t have much money, especially after getting some supplies for Lady. They would be eating more peanut butter sandwiches the next few weeks, but in her heart she knew Sean was afraid no one would bid on him. He would never admit it, though. “He’s the third one up.”

  The first student came out on stage. The auction began for the boy’s service for an eight-hour day. Laura glanced around. The auditorium was full of parents and friends. She was glad it was a well-attended function, but she was worried, too. They were new in town, and Sean hadn’t made any friends, had even antagonized several boys because of his attitude. All she had was twenty-five dollars and the first two students had gone for a lot more than that.

  Her breath trapped in her lungs, she watched her son walk out onto the stage, his expression not exactly a frown but nothing inviting in it, either. She exhaled slowly and sat forward as the auctioneer began.

  For a few seconds no one said anything. Laura lifted her hand, but before she could say, “Five dollars,” Peter shouted out, “Thirty dollars.”

  Her son squinted, scanning the audience until he found who had bid on him. When he saw Peter next to her, his frown appeared.

  “Are you sure?” she whispered.

  “Yep. This is my roundabout way to get to know your son.”

  Someone raised his hand and said, “Thirty-five.”

  “Fifty,” Peter countered immediately.

  When the bidding war was over between Peter and a man with long dark hair pulled back with a leather strap, Sean went for eighty-five dollars and the teen’s frown lifted briefly when the amount was announced.

  “That’s an awfully expensive roundabout way to get to know Sean. I could have just brought him over.”

  Peter smiled. “I know. But as I said I always get a couple of guys to help me with the spring cleaning around the ranch.”

  “I’d better warn you Sean isn’t your most motivated worker. He’s been cleaning up Aunt Sarah’s yard and griping the whole time. I’ve learned to turn a deaf ear to it.”

  His eyes took on a gleam. “Then I’ll have to do that, too.” Peter peered toward the stage. “Oh, good. Brandon is another teen I want to bid on.”

  By the end of the event Peter had purchased the services of three boys and hurried up to the front of the auditorium to pay. Laura hung back as the group of FFA members came down off the stage and began to mingle with the crowd. Sean glanced around, found her and headed straight toward her. The look in his eyes made her stiffen as he stopped in front of her.

  “Mom, how could you let him buy me?”

  His raised voice drew several people’s attention. She pulled him to the side, away from the others. “First, I told you I only had twenty-five dollars. Second, I can’t control what Mr. Stone decides to do. It’s only for eight hours.”

  “An eternity if you ask me.”

  Peter weaved his way through the crowd, coming straight for her and Sean. “You’ll do it and you’ll do a good job.”

  “Hi, Sean. I just spoke to Brandon. I’d like you all to work the Saturday after spring break. Okay?”

  Her son glared at her, refusing to look toward Peter. “Yeah, fine.”

  His tone indicated there was nothing fine about the situation. Laura cringed, balling her hands at her side. “Sean, why don’t you go on out to the car? I’ll be along in a minute.” Thankfully he didn’t make a comment as he hurried away. “I’m sorry about that. As you can tell, he isn’t too happy. I probably should come with him to make sure he does what he needs to.”

  Peter shook his head. “That would only make matters worse. We’ll do okay. If I’m going to help him, I have to establish a relationship with him.”

  “I see it’s been another successful auction.” A man almost as large as Peter paused next to him. He smiled at Laura, his chocolate-brown eyes full of humor. “And I see you have captured the attention of the prettiest woman here tonight. I’m Jacob Hartman.” He held out his hand.

  Laura shook it. “I’m Laura Williams. It’s nice to meet you.”

  The ponytailed man who had also bid on Sean approached and slapped Peter on the back. “Hi, Peter.”

  “Noah Maxwell, this is Laura Williams.” Peter nodded toward her. “These two are the friends I told you about. I’m trying to persuade them to help with Stone’s Refuge.”

  Noah winked. “We’re just letting him think he has to talk us into it. We were sold the first time he mentioned it to us. Is he roping you into helping, too?”

  “I’d like to. It’s certainly needed.” Maybe Peter can reach my son since I’ve tried everything I can think of. Laura might want to do things on her own, but when it came to her children’s well-being, she would do anything she had to.

  “That’s great.” Noah flashed her a smile. “I was afraid all we would have to look at is his ugly mug.”

  Peter chuckled. “Ignore him, Laura. Noah prides himself on playing the field.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being a confirmed bachelor.” Noah scanned the crowd. “Which reminds me. I need to find my date.”

  Jacob shook his head, disbelief in his expression. “You brought a date to the FFA auction, Big Spender! Are your restaurants going under?”

  “Funny.” Noah looked at Laura. “I own a chain of restaurants that make the best pizza in the state—actually, let’s make that the Southwest, and—” he slid his gaze back to Jacob “—I don’t take kindly to the fact you think I’m cheap. I have a date
with Nancy, an English teacher at the high school who needed to come here first because she promised some of her students.”

  The laughter in the man’s eyes belied his words of accusation. The camaraderie among the three was evident in their casual air and teasing tones. Laura missed her friends in St. Louis, especially Cara Winters. She felt so alone in the midst of the crowd.

  “Why did you decide to come?” Peter asked Jacob.

  “A couple of my patients wanted me to.” Jacob lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “So I’m here. I’m painting the clinic so I decided to purchase a few teens to help me.”

  “Are you a doctor?” Laura didn’t have one for her children yet, and with her school employment she could now get insurance. It was another reason the job had been so attractive to her.

  “He’s the best pediatrician in Cimarron City,” Peter answered for his friend.

  Jacob chuckled. “I need to hire Peter. He’s the best publicist I could have.” His beeper went off. He checked it and added, “I’ve got to go. I’m on call. Nice to meet you, Laura.”

  “Ah, I see Nancy. She’s finished paying for her student. See you both later.” Noah made his way toward the front of the auditorium.

  “How far along are you with your plans for Stone’s Refuge?” Laura turned her attention to Peter, suddenly aware they were alone in the back, off to the side.

  “Other than roping those two into helping, not far. Did you mean it when you said you wanted to help? I could use a woman’s perspective since I want to reach both male and female students at risk. Our first meeting is this Saturday. Can you come?”

  “When?”

  “One.”

  “Sean’ll be at school. He’s working on a project for the FFA. I’ll have to check and see if Alexa can stay with the twins.”

  “Tell you what. Bring them. Alexa can have her second riding lesson.” Peter grinned. “Actually, why don’t we all ride after the planning meeting? My horses need to be ridden, and I could tell Joshua and Matthew were interested when you came to get the puppy.”

  “You make it hard to say no.”

  “That’s the point. I need help so I’m using everything at my disposal to persuade you. Is it working?”

  His teasing produced a lightness in her that she’d missed the past few years. For a brief moment she had forgotten all her worries. “Yes.”

  “So the lady you were with the other night at the auction is coming out here today to help us plan. Interesting. Do you have something to tell us?” Jacob took his seat at the dining room table in Peter’s house.

  Peter grinned. “I thought it was nice of her to want to help.”

  “I’m sure you did.” Noah came in from the kitchen and placed his mug on a notepad.

  Peter’s grip around his cup tightened. “Let’s get one thing straight before Laura comes. We are only friends. And we haven’t even been friends for long. So quit trying to make something out of nothing.”

  “I do believe you’re protesting too much. How many kids did you say she had?” Jacob asked with a chuckle.

  “Four.”

  “Ah.” Jacob lifted his mug to his lips to hide his smirk, but he wasn’t successful in masking his amusement.

  Peter narrowed his gaze on his so-called friend. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “I just find it interesting.”

  “Quit saying that word.” Peter wanted to chalk up his irritable mood to the fact he hadn’t slept for the past few nights. Plans for the refuge swirled around in his mind—along with images of Laura. But he knew what his foster brother was getting at. “I’m the oldest. I should get some respect for that.” He glanced at his watch. She’s late.

  Noah slipped into a chair. “Sure, you’re nine months older than me and six with Jacob. That’s probably given you tons more wisdom.”

  “Have you met all her children?” Jacob finally drank some of his coffee.

  “Yes.”

  “And her oldest son is in trouble?”

  Jacob’s persistence reminded Peter of a pit bull he’d once taken in until he’d found it a home. “I don’t think Sean’s adjusting well to his father’s death or the move to Cimarron City.”

  “Interesting.”

  Peter brought the flat of his hand down on the table. “Stop right now. Yes, she has children. Yes, I always wanted to be a father. But there’s no correlation between those two facts.”

  “I think she sure is pretty.” Noah relaxed back in his chair.

  Peter frowned. “And don’t forget you’re dating Nancy right now. Or is that over already?”

  “Ouch!” Noah thumped his chest. “You wound me. I know better than to date a woman with a child, let alone children. I’m not like you. I don’t want to be a father. Don’t forget I’ve seen the bad side of fatherhood.”

  Jacob nodded. “I did, too, but that won’t stop me when I meet the right woman. I want to have children. But this discussion isn’t about us. It’s about Peter and the new lady in town.”

  “We have better things to do than plan my love life.” Peter reached for a pad, needing to steer the conversation in another direction before he said something he would regret. He would love to be a father, but he couldn’t see himself marrying again. Not after Diana.

  “What love life? When Diana walked out on your marriage, she took your love life with her.”

  “That’s an interesting way to phrase what Diana did.” Anger toward his ex-wife still festered in Peter’s heart, especially when he remembered, which he made a point of not doing. So why now?

  After three years he wished he could say he was finally over Diana’s betrayal, but he wasn’t. Having another man’s child wasn’t something he could easily forget, not when he saw her from time to time with her new husband and two children. He never wanted to go down that path again, put himself in a position to be hurt like that once more.

  “It’s so much easier to date a different woman every month.” Noah picked up a pencil and began doodling on the pad.

  “I figure you’re doing the dating for both of us.” Peter infused lightness into his voice because he didn’t like the image of himself in a few years, alone, empty, but he didn’t see any other alternative. “Now let’s—”

  The doorbell ringing cut into his words. Peter made his way to the front of his house and swung the door open. Laura and three of her children stood on the porch. The twins were punching each other in the arm, and Alexa smiled from ear to ear.

  “Sorry we’re late. When I walked out of the house to come over here, I noticed I had a flat. Sean had to change it for me.”

  Laura’s fresh, clean appearance appealed to Peter, but for some reason it also reminded him of Diana, which immediately brought up his guard. “I thought he was at school.”

  “No, he got through early.” Laura shoved her car keys into her front pocket.

  “Is he with you then?” While he pushed the screen door open, Peter peered behind the four on the porch.

  “Nope. He’d rather stay home and do nothin’,” one of the twins said as he entered the house.

  Peter mouthed the word, “Who?” to Laura because he couldn’t tell the boys apart yet.

  A grin dimpled her cheek. “Matthew, hold up. Wait for us.”

  The seven-year-old stopped in the living room entrance with Joshua trailing behind. Blue T-shirt on Matthew. White on Joshua. Got it. Peter shut the door. “Jacob and Noah are in the dining room. Why don’t you all go on back?”

  Joshua scrunched up his forehead. “Who’s Jacob and Noah?”

  “Two friends.”

  “Our age?” Hope laced Matthew’s question.

  “Sorry, my age.”

  “Oh.” Matthew’s eager expression fell.

  “But I’ve got some of the animals out back for you all to play with. They like it when I have visitors.”

  Joshua cocked his head to the side. “You don’t get to play with them?”

  Peter tousled his hair. “Not nearly as muc
h as I would like. So will you help me out and play with them?”

  “Sure.” Matthew beamed, displaying a missing tooth.

  “Shaggy is one of my original dogs, and he looks just like the one in the movie. He needs brushing. I left the brush on the patio. He got into some bushes in the field and I think he brought half of them back to the house. Can one of you take care of him?”

  Joshua hopped from one foot to the other, his hand raised. “Me. Me.”

  Matthew punched his twin in the arm. “I love that movie. I want to do it.”

  “Why don’t you two take turns? He’s a big dog.” Laura’s two youngest were so full of life. They brighten my home, Peter thought.

  “Will we get to ride again?” Alexa pointed to her sneakers and jeans. “I made sure I wore the right clothes for riding.”

  “Sure, if it’s all right with your mom.”

  All three children faced Laura, the boys dancing about as though they couldn’t contain themselves much longer.

  “If we have time later. I still have to go to the grocery store on the way home from here.”

  Alexa took her mother’s hand and tugged her toward the dining room. “Then you all better get busy.”

  The twins dashed ahead. Peter heard Noah and Jacob greet the kids then the back door banged close. When Peter stepped into the room, his friends were laughing.

  “Who were those whirlwinds?” Jacob nodded toward Laura. “Nice to see you again.”

  “Those whirlwinds were my two sons, Joshua and Matthew.” Laura placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “And this is Alexa, who needs to go keep an eye on them.”

  “Right, Mom.” Alexa hurried after her brothers.

  “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s move this planning meeting to the patio.” Noah gathered up his pad and pencil and followed Alexa from the house with Jacob right behind him.

  Peter put a hand on Laura’s arm to stop her. “I haven’t had a chance to ask how Lady’s doing.”

  “Sean has decided he’s going to start teaching her tricks today. The kids adore her. She sleeps with the twins one night and Sean the next. Poor Alexa doesn’t have a chance with Lady because her brothers hog all her awake time.”