The Rancher's Family Wish

by Lois Richer

  Tanner shrugged. “Love is fickle.”

  “You can say that again.” Sophie knew he didn’t understand how much she meant those words, but since she didn’t want to explain and spoil this moment of sharing, she leaned against a fence rail and allowed the dappling sun to warm her. The heat felt good after three hours spent catering in frigid air-conditioning.

  “You’re tired,” Tanner said after studying her. “Do you have time for some tea while Davy finishes his job?”

  “That’s kind of you.” It sounded strange to hear that her son had a job. Sophie debated a moment before she said, “I’d rather have coffee than tea, though.”

  “You don’t want my coffee.” Tanner gave a slight shudder.

  “I’ll make it,” she offered, unable to quash her longing for a jolt of caffeine. “It would go well with the leftover cake from my event, if you’re interested?”

  “Silly question. I’m always interested in cake.” Tanner licked his lips before telling Davy to come to the house when he was finished. Then in a much quieter aside he asked his foreman, Lefty, to watch Sophie’s son.

  “Thank you,” she said after she’d retrieved the leftover dessert from her van. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness.”

  “More like common sense.” He held the kitchen door open for her. “We don’t leave guests alone with the horses, ever.”

  “So how is the guest thing coming?” After scooping grounds from the tin he handed her, she added ice water from the fridge and turned the coffee machine on. “Anything new?”

  The freshly brewing aroma wafting through the kitchen teased Sophie’s nostrils. Apparently it had the same effect on Tanner because he closed his eyes, inhaled and smiled, his mouth stretching wide. Her insides quivered at the attractive picture he made.

  “How come I use the same machine, the same coffee, and I never get this aroma?” he demanded when he finally opened his eyes.

  “Don’t know,” she said with a shrug. He grimaced.

  “Okay, keep your secrets. Guests?” He nodded, green eyes intense. “We’re getting some calls. Not the street kids I was aiming for, but kids. We have four groups booked for next week.”

  “Our homeschoolers come on Monday so—three groups besides them? That’s good. Isn’t it?” Sophie didn’t understand why he wasn’t smiling. As soon as the coffee finished brewing she poured out two large mugs, opened the cake box in front of him and sat down.

  Once he’d fetched cream for his coffee, Tanner sat opposite her. With delicate precision he selected the largest piece of cake, laid it on a plate, then slowly sampled it.

  “Is it okay?” she asked, worried by his silence.

  “I guess it’ll do.” He winked as he took a second helping. “Can you make this again next week?”

  “I could.” She smiled. That wink got to her. Made her feel skittish. Nervous. Young. “Things must be improving if you’re feeding a group.”

  “Not for a group. I want to take it to church for potluck Sunday.” Tanner licked the icing off his fingers.

  “Better not. Everyone at church knows this recipe is mine. I’ve taken it several times.” She chuckled at his glower. “I could make you something else, though.”

  “Hard to beat this chocolate.” He eyed the two remaining pieces but left them.

  “Had enough?” Sophie couldn’t hide her surprise.

  “No way. But Davy will want some.” He savored his coffee. “About the groups—I’m getting interest from several different organizations, but I’m hesitant to accept many bookings until we’ve had your group through and figured out what to expect. I’ve considered many scenarios but reality is far different from imagining.”

  “You’ve checked into insurance and all that?” Funny, Sophie mused to herself. She didn’t feel the usual anxiety she experienced when her children weren’t under her direct control.

  Because she trusted Tanner? No! She couldn’t afford to trust anyone.

  “What if someone falls or a horse bolts or—”

  “Our lawyer says we’re covered, Sophie. Not that our horses bolt.” Tanner tossed her an abstracted smile, but his forehead furrowed.

  “But you’re still worried. Why?” Sophie felt his intense scrutiny before he spoke.

  “What if that’s all we become, Sophie, a kind of entertainment for locals?” His hesitant voice dropped. “Burt’s goal was so much bigger than that. The day he found me—” He stopped.

  “Doing some initiation for a gang, wasn’t it?” She was eager to hear the story behind the story so she asked, “How did you get involved in a gang?”

  “I’d been living on the street.” He shrugged. “I was a lifer.” When she frowned he explained. “Lifelong foster child.”

  “You never knew your mother?” Sophie saw sadness fill his face.

  “As I understand it, she gave me away right after I was born.” A twinge of hurt edged Tanner’s husky tone. His chin jutted out defensively. This insecure man was far different from the competent-cowboy image she usually saw.

  “Oh, Tanner.” She couldn’t help reaching out to touch his arm and press her fingers against his warm skin. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I found out when I was seven. I didn’t really understand it then but it didn’t take long to figure out that nobody really wanted me, not the way other kids’ mothers wanted them.” He tried to smile but there was no humor in his next words. “I never stayed in a house more than six months before I was moved. The last one was abusive but the social worker didn’t believe me so I ran away.”

  “And lived on the streets in Tucson,” she added.

  “Yeah.” He nodded. “It was a lot safer than that home.” He drained his cup and rose to fetch the coffeepot. When Sophie declined his offer he refilled his own cup. “But I wouldn’t do drugs and that put me up against a guy who did.”

  “You got into a fight and Burt rescued you,” Sophie finished.

  “Burt sure blabbed.” Tanner smiled. “Street life was tough but it wasn’t all bad. I made some good friends. It was just that when they got high they turned into different people.” He shrugged. “Anyway I came to Wranglers and stayed.”

  Sophie knew there was a lot more to the story, things he hadn’t said. She wondered what they were but before she could question him further, he turned the tables.

  “What about you?” Tanner said. “Why haven’t you married again?”

  “I don’t think I’m the type to be married.” Sophie strove to make her response sound carefree, airy. “Anyway I have to focus on my kids.”

  “And when they’re grown?” Tanner arched one brow in a question.

  “That’ll be ages. Beth will probably be with me for a long while.” Sophie couldn’t think of anything else to add without going into detail, which she did not want to do.

  Fortunately Davy appeared. He gobbled down the cake and a tall glass of water and filled the gaps between with nonstop enthusiasm about his work.

  “I want to hear all about it, son,” Sophie said half an hour later, delighted by the excitement she heard in his voice. “But you’ll have to tell me the rest on the way home. We need to pick up Beth in twenty minutes.”

  “Aw, Mom—” The words died midsentence when Tanner cleared his throat. Davy wiped his face on his napkin, rose and stored his dishes in the dishwasher. “I’m ready when you are,” he said moments later.

  “Great.” Blinking her surprise, Sophie glanced at Tanner, who was nodding approvingly at her son. “Could you bring that empty cake box, please?”

  Davy instantly obeyed, then stopped in front of Tanner. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. Will I be needed for work then?” he asked, his tone quiet and respectful.

  “Yes. If your mom can bring you out.” Tanner glanced at her, waited for her agreement.

  “Bringi
ng him here isn’t a problem,” she agreed as they walked to her van. “But I’m not sure about picking him up. I’m catering an anniversary tea tomorrow afternoon and I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

  “Why don’t you come when you’re finished?” Tanner invited. “We can share a pizza.”

  Something about the way he said that sent a frisson of worry tiptoeing up Sophie’s spine, sending her independence surging. A pizza might be the first step toward getting involved in a date-type of situation, and she did not want that. She rapidly postulated excuses to refuse, discarding all of them.

  “You don’t like pizza?” Tanner asked with a frown.

  “Yes, I do, but I’m not sure that will work,” she said finally.

  “Aw, Mom.” This time Davy didn’t even glance at Tanner, his disappointment in her obvious. “We never do anything special after you finish work.”

  “It so happens I’d planned pizza and games for tomorrow night,” she said quickly. Too quickly.

  “Great! Can Tanner come, too?” Davy’s brown eyes glowed with excitement.

  What could she do but graciously agree? After all, the man had singlehandedly managed to get her son started down a different path. Pizza was the least she owed him.

  “Of course you are welcome to join us, Tanner.” She hoped her genial tone masked her uncertainty.

  “I don’t think so.” He smiled at Davy to soften his refusal before his gaze returned to Sophie. “Thanks anyway, but you’ll be tired after working. Anyway I get the feeling Saturday nights when you’re not working are family nights. I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You won’t be,” Davy insisted. “We need four people to play the games. Otherwise Mom has to play two spots and that takes too long. We need Tanner, don’t we, Mom?”

  Need him? No, she didn’t need him. And even if she did she couldn’t afford to need anyone. Still, Davy’s plea and the obvious pleasure he found in the cowboy’s company was her undoing. Besides, if Tanner came, her son wouldn’t nag to go out with his “gang.”

  “Please join us, Tanner.” Sophie swallowed all her inhibitions and smiled. “I’m not Italian but I make a decent pizza.”

  “With onions?” Tanner kept a straight face when Davy choked off a complaint. “And anchovies?” A burst of laughter exploded from his chest when Davy couldn’t control his horrified expression.

  “I’m afraid the best I can do is cheese, ham and pineapple, maybe some pepperoni.” Sophie mentally checked her store of groceries. She had paid for the ingredients for today’s job and tomorrow’s tea, which meant her cash was low. There was always her credit card but Sophie hated using that. After Marty died she’d been mired in debt once, and now that she was free she was never going the credit route again.

  “A Hawaiian pizza sounds fantastic.” Tanner smiled at her. “Thanks. I’d like to come if you’re sure I won’t be in the way.”

  “You won’t.” Davy was all smiles as he climbed into the van. “And you can bring me home so Mom won’t have to come get me,” he added, his eyes shining with excitement.

  “Would that work?” Sophie felt self-conscious as she climbed into her van with Tanner watching.

  “Sure. What can I bring? Doughnuts?” He winked at her startled look. “Kidding. Maybe some soda. Or ice cream?”

  “You don’t have to bring anything,” Sophie said. “Just yourself. I’ve really got to go now. Beth will be waiting. See you.”

  “Yes, you will, Sophie.” Tanner’s low words sounded like a promise and that produced a warm glow inside that grew when he smiled at her. “See you tomorrow morning, Davy.”

  Sophie drove away while ordering herself not to glance in the rearview mirror. But she couldn’t help it. She gulped at the sight of Tanner standing there, watching them leave, hat tipped back on his head, hands thrust in his pockets, calm, in control.

  What she wouldn’t give to feel like she was in control of her world.

  “It’s great that Tanner can come tomorrow night, isn’t it, Mom?” Davy said. “You better make a lot of pizza and something nice for dessert.”

  “Why?” she asked curiously.

  “’Cause Tanner always seems hungry. When I got some water out of the fridge today all I saw was an apple and some juice.” Davy went silent for a moment, forehead furrowed as he thought. “Maybe when I go tomorrow I should take some extra sandwiches so I can share my lunch with Tanner.”

  Sophie sighed. Another mouth to feed. And yet she couldn’t smother the smile that lifted her lips. Tanner was so appreciative of whatever she made. It was a pleasure to cook for him.

  Watch it! It’s just a plain little family dinner, for the kids’ sake. You don’t want more than that, remember?

  No, she didn’t. But it was nice to have her cooking appreciated.

  Did that explain the kind of fuzzy afterglow that lingered for hours after Sophie had left Wranglers Ranch?

  * * *

  Tanner walked into the grocery store with purpose. Only he wasn’t exactly sure what that purpose was. What did one take for pizza dinner with a gorgeous woman and two kids?

  He should have brought Davy with him instead of dropping him at home to clean up. Now he pushed his cart up and down the aisles, puzzling over choices.

  Garlic bread? Nah, Sophie probably made her own. Soda? She probably didn’t like to give her kids so much sugar. Milk. That was an okay choice, surely? He chose two gallon jugs, then added a couple of pounds of butter. Everyone used butter, didn’t they?

  Tanner made several trips around the produce section before he came to a decision. Fruit was good for kids. He grabbed a big watermelon, two bags of grapes and three packs of strawberries. He thought only a moment before adding a pail of ice cream. Maybe Sophie would use it for one of her yummy desserts.

  Stuff for a salad seemed a healthy idea, so Tanner added fresh vegetables. Sliced salami beckoned and he paired it with a package of sliced ham, just in case she didn’t have enough meat to put on the pizza. He selected the largest onion he could find just to tease Davy, then added his crowning achievement—three pounds of freshly ground coffee.

  Please, Lord, let her make that fantastic coffee again, Tanner prayed silently. He had to go back to get some cream, stomach growling at the thought of homemade pizza and Sophie’s delicious coffee laced with cream. It was going to be a good evening.

  Unable to think of anything else, he walked to the checkout.

  “Stocking up, huh?” The clerk raised her eyebrows as she checked him out. “No doughnuts today?”

  “Nope.” Tanner almost burst out laughing at her surprise. “But I will take this.” This was a pack of candy bars, Davy’s favorites. The boy had enthused over them for twenty minutes yesterday. “These mints.” For Beth. “And this.”

  There wasn’t anything wrong with taking some flowers to his hostess, was there?

  Tanner loaded the bags in his truck while noting the presence of the homeless man in the same place he’d seen him last time. He thought for a moment, returned to the store and purchased a container of soup from the snack bar, a thick ham sandwich and a bottle of icy lemonade. He tucked another ten-dollar bill into the sandwich bag before carrying them outside.

  “Hi. I just bought my dinner but it seems I’ve been invited out and won’t need it. Interested?” He held out the items and waited until the man stood. “I’m Tanner Johns.”

  “The doughnut guy.” The man nodded. “I’m Tom. Tom Parker.” He peeked in the bag. “I’m not a street person.”

  “Doesn’t matter to me, man. It’s just—I used to live on the streets and old habits die hard.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Wasting a fresh meal seems silly if someone else can enjoy it.” Tanner somehow felt it was best not to push for answers just yet. “Still got my card?” When Tom nodded, he sa
id, “Call me if you want. The job offer still stands.”

  “I can’t work—” Tom paused. The pain in his eyes made Tanner want to offer a way for him to avoid explaining. “Not yet anyway.”

  “I’m sorry, Tom. Listen, I want to talk to you but I can’t stick around now or I’ll be late, and trust me, there’s no way I want to make this lady wait.” How could he keep this connection going? “Maybe next time you and I meet we could go for coffee at that ice-cream place? I need an excuse to visit there.”

  After some hesitation Tom nodded. “Sure. Okay. If we meet again.”

  “We will.” The two words slipped out.

  “How do you know that?” Tom asked curiously.

  “Because I believe in God and He works all things together.” Tanner grinned. “Be seeing you, Tom.” He swung into his truck and headed for Sophie’s. “What do You want me to do about him?” he prayed aloud, but for the moment God wasn’t explaining. That was okay. Tanner was learning to wait for God’s direction, just like Burt had tried to teach him.

  It was only as Tanner pulled into the Armstrong driveway that he started wondering if he’d bought too many things. Sophie certainly seemed to think so when he handed her the flowers, then asked Davy and Beth to help him carry the rest inside.

  “Thank you but—what is all of this?” Sophie’s dark eyes stretched wide as they plunked bag after bag on the counter. She looked really pretty in a fitted red shirt, cheeks flushed from the warmth of the kitchen, long legs covered in shabby jeans and bare feet.

  “I wanted to bring a couple of things, you know, my share of the meal.” Tanner inhaled the mouthwatering scent of a robust tomato sauce, spices and freshly baking dough.

  “Uh—” Sophie cleared her throat. “A couple of things?” She waved a hand at the stockpile. “You must be planning to eat a lot.”

  Heat singed his cheeks as he muttered sheepishly, “Maybe I got carried away.”

  “You think?” She arched one perfectly shaped eyebrow. Tanner had a hunch Sophie would have liked to send some of the bags home with him, but she couldn’t because the kids were enthusing over the grapes as if they were some kind of delicacy.