Unexpected Father

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “Looks like you’re doing more than that,” Olivia teased, bending to pick up a shovel.

  She straightened, pushing her hair back from her face, leaving a streak of dirt on her cheek. “So. Tell me about this Evangeline chick. She anything special to you?”

  Denny kept tamping, avoiding his sister’s probing gaze. “Can you take the spades and rakes to that shed beside the barn?” he asked. “I’ve got to head out and check the fences on the upper pasture before I turn the cows loose there.”

  “She’s nothing like the girls you are usually attracted to.” Olivia’s voice held a serious note, completely at odds with her usual, ever-present humor.

  “Well, she’s nothing like Lila.”

  “I’m talking about some of the girls you dated in high school,” Olivia said, ignoring his comment about his previous wife. “The outdoorsy, fun-loving, casual country girls you hung around with.”

  “How is she different?” Denny brushed the dirt off his pants, fully aware of what Olivia was hinting at but waiting for her perspective on the situation.

  “I don’t know. She seems kind of fancy. Likes to dress nice. And that snazzy car of hers...”

  “She got it from her father,” Denny said defensively.

  “Daddy’s little girl,” Olivia said with a smirk. “That’s a tough one.”

  Denny wanted to defend Evangeline but at the same time Olivia’s words snaked into his thoughts and dug up his own insecurities about Evangeline. “She’s hardly Daddy’s girl,” he said, taking the shovels and rakes from Olivia. “He’s never around.”

  “But his money seems to be.”

  Denny leaned on the rake handle, holding Olivia’s eyes. “Why don’t you say what you want to say?”

  Olivia lifted her shoulder in a slow shrug. “I saw how you two looked at each other. I’m guessing there’s something going on between you two. But I love you, Denny. And you made a bad choice before. Make sure you don’t make another one.”

  “You think Evangeline would be a bad choice?” His voice took on an edge he instantly regretted. Olivia was just being a sister.

  Olivia held up her hand. “No. She seems awesome. But I look at her clothes and her car and those pearls around her neck and I’m thinking she’s out of your league.”

  “She’s not rich.”

  “No. I’m not saying that. But I think she’s used to things a certain way. I can’t see her living here and enjoying it.”

  Even as Denny’s own defense of Evangeline rose to his lips, his mind skipped back to comments Andy had made about keeping his little princess happy. He thought of the bedroom in the house, the clothes Evangeline favored.

  The car she drove.

  In spite of her reaction to her father, she seemed to have no qualms about taking the gifts he gave her.

  “At least she’s been here for me,” Denny continued in her defense. “She’s done stuff for me and Ella that no one else could or would.” Implying that his sisters were lacking in the “helping” department.

  Olivia folded her arms, her eyes steady on him. Then she released a slow breath. “I’m just saying be careful. Now Ella is your first responsibility. You can’t afford to be with the wrong person.”

  Denny looked at his little sister, trying to figure out how to respond. Coming from Olivia, who never put anyone but herself first, her comment was ironic.

  But in spite of that he knew she was speaking the truth. Then a cry from the house reinforced what she was saying. “I’ll go see what’s wrong,” Olivia said. “You go fix your fences.”

  As Denny walked back to the shed beside the barn, he experienced a beat of resentment. Olivia was right but he felt as if he was back to putting everyone else first as he had most of his life.

  No sooner did the thought form than guilt struck at him.

  “Please forgive me, Lord,” he prayed. “I love Ella. I do. It’s just she got dropped into my life right when I wanted to be on my own. I’m still learning how to take care of her.”

  That Evangeline had come into his life at the same time was either a blessed coincidence or bad timing.

  He hooked the rakes and spades on the nails he had pounded into the wall and strode to the tack shed. He needed to get on his horse and head out. Clear his head from the second thoughts and worries tangling his mind the past few weeks.

  But as he saddled his horse, and later as he rode through the valley along the fence line, his thoughts shifted back to how Evangeline had looked that afternoon she’d brought him here to the ranch. The yearning on her face as she’d looked over the property, the longing in her voice.

  She would like it here. She did like it here. She grew up here.

  And he cared for Evangeline. He wanted to spend time with her. Then an idea came to him.

  His sisters were here now and he needed to take advantage of that.

  He was going to take Evangeline on a date. Just the two of them. No Ella. No other obligations.

  He smiled at the thought, then reached down to stroke his horse’s neck. “I think it will be all right, Chester,” he said, easing out a gentle sigh. “I think it will be just fine.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Morning, Olivia,” Denny said as he walked into the kitchen Sunday morning, buttoning up the cuff of his shirt.

  His little sister sat by the table, engrossed in one of the outdoors magazines she favored. He had always figured Olivia could live outside. She hiked, camped, rafted, canoed, skied and snowshoed whenever she could. Even the jobs she took kept her outdoors.

  Olivia looked up from the article she was reading. “Hey, big brother. Are you all dressed up for church?” Olivia asked.

  As dressed up as he could get, Denny thought, looking down at his clean blue jeans and newest cotton shirt. He didn’t own a tie or suit and while that never bothered him before, today he was meeting Evangeline, who always looked like an ad for women’s perfume. However, this was the best he could do.

  “I am, but I need some help. Ella isn’t feeling well, so I was wondering if you or Trista could stay at home this morning and watch her.”

  Olivia pursed her lips as if considering. “Trista and I wanted to check out a hike this magazine wrote about.” She pointed to a picture of the Three Sisters, a mountain overlooking Hartley Creek. “Looks like it could be challenging and interesting.”

  Denny tried not to let his momentary annoyance show. “I thought you came to help me out.”

  “Well, yeah. I did. But...this is such an amazing place and there’s so much to do. Trista and I have been working ourselves ragged the past few months. We were hoping to have a break.”

  In spite of his aggravation with Olivia, he felt his resolve waver. He knew she’d been busy. She’d lost weight since he’d seen her last and the weariness in her usually sparkling eyes disturbed him.

  He wanted to talk to her, but he couldn’t yet.

  “I know. But so was I,” Denny said, feeling the need to stand firm. “And you came here to help me out.”

  Olivia gnawed at her fingernail, another sure sign that things were not well in his little sister’s world. “I suppose. And I said I would help but...” Her voice wavered then trailed off.

  Don’t give in, Denny thought. You need to go to church and Ella isn’t feeling well.

  So he said nothing while he waited for his sister to, for once, think about someone else besides herself.

  “I guess I could stay this morning,” Olivia said, glancing longingly at the magazine again. “But you’ll be back after church, won’t you?”

  Denny had hoped he could take Evangeline out for lunch. To spend some time with her away from Ella and away from obligations.

  Just an ordinary date. Something he hadn’t had for years.

  “I might be longer t
han that. I think you and Trista can help me out here.”

  Olivia’s slow shrug wasn’t encouraging but he persisted. “I haven’t asked much from you girls,” he said, keeping his voice quiet and reasonable. “I think I can ask this.”

  “Ask what?” Trista asked as she entered the room. Her hair stuck out in all directions, looking even more ragged than it had when they’d first showed up.

  “Denny wants us to babysit this morning,” Olivia said.

  “I thought we were going on that Three Sister’s hike,” Trista said, then yawned and stretched out her arms. She looped one around Denny and planted a kiss on his cheek. “Hey, big brother, you’re looking all shaved and polished. Is this for that Evangeline chick?”

  “That’s why he wants us to babysit. He’s going to church,” Olivia said. “He won’t be back until lunchtime.”

  “Maybe later,” Denny warned.

  “But that hike will take most of the day,” Trista said.

  “So do it another day. Or, better yet, one of you could come to church with me.”

  Trista paused a moment, then shrugged the suggestion off. Her casual attitude toward church bothered him. He and his uncle had raised both girls better than that. “Not today” was all she said.

  “We can’t go hiking tomorrow ’cause you’re working, and I thought you wanted us to take care of Ella during the week,” Olivia put in.

  Denny inhaled a long breath, his patience running out. “Here’s the deal. You girls are staying here and I’d like something in return for that. This morning I want to go to church. After church I’m taking Evangeline out for lunch. Maybe next Saturday I’ll be able to take a day off so you girls can do this hike. In the meantime, you’ll have to figure out something else to do this afternoon that won’t take as long.”

  His eyes moved from one to the other, as if to reinforce what he was saying.

  Trista shrugged and sat on a chair, pulling one leg up to her chest and looping her arm around it. “Okay. Whatever.”

  Olivia fingered the corner of her magazine then sighed. “Sure. I guess.”

  “Thanks, girls,” he said, trying to keep the thin note of sarcasm out of his voice at their less than enthusiastic agreement. “Ella is sleeping right now. She had a bad night, so let her sleep. She can have some hot cereal for breakfast, and feed her some banana. Diapers and wipes are in her bedroom. I’ve set out her clothes already.”

  “Wow. Mr. Mom,” Trista said with awe.

  “I have my moments.”

  Trista’s mouth curved in a lazy smile. “I remember you getting our clothes ready for school,” she said. “Those were good times. Fun times.”

  Though he was thankful his sister had good memories of those years, Denny had a different take on those supposed “good times.” The responsibility of three sisters, a foster brother and a ranch had been a huge weight. There hadn’t been much fun for him.

  He brushed the negative thoughts aside. That was from another time and another place in his life. Things, right now, were looking better.

  “I’ll see you girls later. I’ll send you a text when I’m coming home.”

  Olivia shrugged, obviously not happy with this, but she turned her attention back to the magazine. Trista gave him a languid wave. “Have fun,” she said. “Say a prayer for me.”

  “I always do,” he said.

  “I know,” Trista said with a melancholy smile. “You’re a good brother.”

  He returned her smile, his momentary pique with his sisters easing away.

  But he grabbed his corduroy jacket, tossed it over his shoulder, then left before either of his dear sisters could change her mind.

  * * *

  As the final notes of the song faded away Evangeline released a sigh of perfect peace. The church service had nourished, encouraged and challenged her.

  Having Denny standing beside her had added to the sense of wonder she had felt the past few days.

  She chanced another look at him and felt a shiver of awareness as she caught his warm look, which was as real as a touch.

  “Do you have plans for lunch?” he asked her as they waited to exit the row.

  “I have inventory to do and books to return, but there’s no rush on either job.” She gave him a careful smile, not sure she wanted to assume he was asking her to lunch but at the same time giving herself some space to accept.

  “Great. I was thinking we could go to the restaurant by the ski lodge. They have a great Sunday brunch on today. I could drive you or we could meet there.”

  Evangeline’s smile blossomed. “Let’s meet there.”

  He grinned, then, as she walked past him, his hand lingering a moment on her shoulder, sending a shiver trickling down her neck and back.

  “Hey, friend,” Renee called. As she caught up to Evangeline her gaze slid from her to Denny. “Carter and Emma are having a barbecue. All the Beck grandkids will be there. Hailey, Dan and Natasha. Carter, Emma and Adam. Larissa and Garret and Naomi and Jess. It’ll be a great party. Zach and I are invited and Emma asked me to invite you, as well. You, too, Denny. If you’re interested?”

  A few months ago the idea of being with so many happy couples would have depressed Evangeline.

  But now the idea held an appeal. Now she had someone who would be at her side.

  She looked over at Denny, who simply shrugged, giving her the option.

  Evangeline turned back to Renee. “It sounds like fun but Denny and I have other plans.”

  Renee gave her a knowing grin. “Maybe we can catch you two another time.”

  You two.

  Those simple words created a subtle undertow of pleasure.

  “That would be nice,” Evangeline said, pleased to think there might be another time for her and Denny. “And what did you and Larissa decide about the table settings at your meeting?”

  They walked out of church together, chatting. Denny walked silently behind them, seemingly content to listen to Renee and Evangeline talk wedding plans.

  A few minutes and a few topics later, she and Renee parted ways.

  “You’re really a part of this community, aren’t you?” Denny said as he pulled his keys out of the pocket of his jeans.

  “I’ve lived here all my life,” Evangeline said, giving him a gentle smile, appreciating the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, the shine of his freshly shaved cheeks and chin. “It’s my community.”

  “Community is a real blessing.” His voice took on a poignant tone.

  “So is family,” Evangeline put in, thinking of his sisters and how easily they’d made themselves at home. How quickly they were comfortable because Denny was there.

  “I’d argue with you on that one,” Denny said. He spun his keys around his finger and, to her surprise and utter pleasure, he bent over and brushed a quick kiss over her lips. It was the merest whisper of a kiss but doing it in such a public place kindled a gentle warmth in her soul.

  Fifteen minutes later Evangeline pulled up beside Denny’s truck at the ski lodge, anticipation singing through her. This was the first time they were spending time together without Ella.

  They were seated quickly in a quiet alcove, given the menus and thankfully left alone.

  “Do you want to do the buffet brunch?” Denny asked, glancing at the menus on the table.

  Evangeline didn’t want to do anything but stay with Denny, so she shook her head. “If it’s okay with you, I’ll order.”

  “Sounds more than okay,” Denny said, taking a menu and giving her one, as well.

  Their waitress returned a few minutes later with their water and tea, then took their orders.

  “So, how is Ella?” she asked when their waitress left.

  “She wasn’t feeling well. That’s why I got Olivia to babysit. Though
that was like pulling teeth.”

  Evangeline frowned in confusion.

  “She and Trista supposedly had other plans.” He released a sigh as he took her hand in his. “Anyhow, I don’t want to talk about them or Ella. I want you to know that I’ve never been as happy as I am when I’m with you,” he said.

  His words drifted into the empty and lonely parts of her heart. “I feel the same way,” she replied.

  Denny slid his fingers down her cheek, lingering by her lips. The intimacy of his actions brought a smile to her face.

  “I know I’m not exactly the Prince Charming type,” he said with a light laugh. “My life is a mess and every time I get my feet under me something else throws me off balance.”

  “You have had a lot to deal with,” she agreed. “But you are a good man, Denny. The way you take care of Ella—the way you’ve learned to take care of her—is admirable. It makes you a hero in my eyes.” She caught herself there, aware of the sudden intensity in her voice. But she felt she needed to assure him. “I’m not that shallow. I can see who you really are. I’m not waiting for some lord or duke to sweep me off my feet, though if you were one, I wouldn’t object.”

  Denny’s smile filled her heart. “Sorry. No duke, prince or lord here. Just a truck driver slash rancher.”

  “No ‘just’ about it,” Evangeline said, laying a finger on his lips as if to stop him.

  “So you don’t mind that I ended up with a baby I didn’t know about, family members who drop in and out of my life like rain? Sometimes welcome, sometimes not?”

  Evangeline chuckled. “I think you need to see that family of yours as a blessing. Trust me, I would have loved to have someone else in my life. One is a pretty lonely number when you grow up that way.”

  “Five isn’t lonely,” he returned with a wry smile. “And now I have Ella, as well.”

  “Ella is a sweetheart.”

  “You like her, don’t you?”

  “More than like her,” Evangeline assured him. “I will miss having her around the store all day. She’s pretty special.”