Claiming Her Cowboy

by Tina Radcliffe

  “Anxious, too,” Lucy added.

  “Excuse me, ladies,” Jack murmured. He walked to where Dub sat clenching and unclenching his hand.

  Dub’s face lit up with obvious relief when he saw Jack. Her breath caught as the little boy gazed up at Jack with his heart in his eyes.

  “You came,” he breathed, eyes wide.

  “I said I would,” Jack said quietly.

  Lucy blinked, swallowing past the lump of emotion in her throat. She knew what it was like to be disappointed over and over again. Little Dub would never go through that again if she had her way.

  “Yeth, you did.” Dub nodded. “My sisters are here.”

  “Good. I want to meet them.”

  Two replicas of Dub came out of the restroom. They looked like girly girls, with flyaway, fine blond hair held back with headbands. One wore a white headband, the other pink. It was obviously the only way to identify the girls, as they were mirror images, down to their pink tops and patterned pink shorts. They smiled, revealing that they too were missing their front teeth like their brother.

  Jack offered an exaggerated bow. “Ladies, I’m Dub’s buddy, Mr. Jack. Pleased to meet you.”

  Both girls giggled.

  “Can you guess which one is Ann and which one is Eva?” Lucy asked from behind him.

  “I can’t. They look like identical princesses to me,” he said.

  Pleased smiles lifted the girls’ lips.

  “Ann always wears the white headband,” Dub said.

  “Ann,” Jack said. He turned to the other little girl. “Eva,” he said with a grin.

  Lucy’s heart melted as the little girls soaked in the special attention. Every little girl should have a daddy who made them feel like a princess.

  “You okay?” Jack murmured as he turned toward her. His warm breath tickled her neck.

  “Yes. Yes. Of course.”

  “Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Yes. We’re ready. Right?” Lucy asked, her glance taking in the triplets.

  All three nodded.

  “Mr. Jack is driving today.”

  A worried frown crossed Dub’s face. “Do you know how to get to the ice cream store?”

  “My car can find anything.” He took Dub’s hand. “Come on. I’ll show you. It talks.”

  “Cars can’t talk.” Dub laughed.

  “Not every car. But mine sure can.”

  Dub’s eyes rounded and he looked at his sisters, wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

  “Stooping to cheap party tricks to win them over?” Lucy whispered.

  “Absolutely. Whatever it takes,” Jack returned. “I have no shame.”

  “Finally. Something we can agree on.”

  Chapter Nine

  “This was a lot more fun than I anticipated,” Jack said. His gaze followed the triplets, whose laughter was unleashed like a kite tail as they raced around the gravel playground.

  “I’m guessing your expectations were quite low.”

  “Gloating is not an attractive trait, Lucy.”

  She chuckled as she bit into her cone, releasing melted vanilla ice cream onto her chin.

  He grinned as she struggled to catch the drips that ran leisurely over her fingers.

  “You can stop laughing and hand over the napkins.”

  He offered a stack of napkins.

  “You and the kids shoveled in a lot of ice cream and toppings in a very short amount of time. In fact, I’m pretty sure your sundae was mostly chocolate sauce.”

  He leaned back against the bench. “Shoveling in ice cream like a kid. I haven’t done that in a long time.”

  “No? You caught right on, like an old pro.”

  “Which is why I am recovering on a bench, while they run around,” Jack said. He turned to Lucy. “The park was an excellent idea.”

  “If you feed kids sugary treats, you have to let them run it off. That’s rule eighty-six.”

  “Right after ‘don’t break promises’?”

  “No. ‘Don’t break promises’ is near the top.”

  “Exactly how many rules are there?”

  She shook her head as she seemed to consider his question. “Too many to count.”

  Jack stretched his arm along the back of the bench, accidently touching Lucy’s warm shoulder. For once she didn’t move away, and he allowed himself to pretend that she welcomed his touch.

  “Excuse me?” a voice said from behind the bench.

  Jack and Lucy both turned to see an elderly couple standing behind them, with a beagle on a leash. Jack stood, as did Lucy. “Yes, ma’am?” he asked.

  “Your children are simply adorable. And so well behaved.”

  “They—” Lucy began.

  Jack interrupted. He put an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Thank you so much.”

  “You certainly are blessed,” the woman added.

  “That we are,” Jack said.

  “Would it be all right if our little pup said hello to them? He so loves children, and he never bites.”

  “Of course.” He took Lucy’s hand and they followed the couple to the triplets. Once again, Lucy didn’t resist.

  “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “Let’s not disappoint them.”

  Dub, Ann and Eva petted the little dog for several minutes. As the couple walked away, Dub raced to Jack.

  “Jack! Jack! That man thinks you’re my dad.”

  “He does?”

  A small wistful smile settled on Dub’s lips. He looked up at Jack. “I wish you were my dad, Jack. I do.”

  “Thank you, Dub. That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”

  Dub raced back to his sister, and Jack’s gaze followed. Worrisome thoughts nipped at him. He turned to Lucy and reluctantly released her hand.

  “What will happen to Dub and his sisters at the end of summer?” he asked.

  “They’ll go back into foster care.” She glanced away, her expression solemn.

  “Separate homes?” A knot twisted his gut.

  “Once they leave the ranch, it’s out of my hands. Of course, the ideal scenario is one home, but the likelihood of that is slim.”

  “Have you ever thought about taking them in permanently?”

  “Me?” Stunned surprise crossed Lucy’s face as her eyes connected with his. “You mean fostering them?” Her eyes widened with alarm.

  “Or adopting. You’ve obviously got what it takes.”

  “I do?”

  “Hold that thought,” he said, while pulling a ringing cell from his pocket. His aunt.

  “Sure, Aunt Meri. Not a problem.”

  “Everything okay?” Lucy asked when he ended the call.

  “She asked me to swing by,” Jack said.

  “I can call Travis to pick us up.”

  “No. This won’t take long. She’d love to see Dub. I’ve told her about him.”

  “You told your aunt about Dub Lewis?”

  “Sure. Why not? He’s my buddy.”

  “I thought you were allergic to kids, Jack.”

  He shrugged, unable to explain what he didn’t understand himself, that Dub had wormed his way into his heart and even cured him of kid-itis.

  The time spent with Dub had begun to ease the crushing pain of Daniel’s death, as well.

  Lucy slowly shook her head. “Jack, you never cease to amaze me. Whenever I think I have you pigeonholed, I’m either pleasantly surprised or totally annoyed.”

  “I like to keep you on your toes.” He winked. “You might want to wipe that ice cream off your nose before we leave.”

  She groaned. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I just did.”

  She ineffectively swiped at her nose and looked t
o him for approval.

  “Missed it by a mile.” Jack leaned forward, the pad of his finger touching the tip of her nose. His gaze rested on her lips, and for a moment he silently debated eliminating the space between them. He took a deep breath and moved away.

  “Am I okay?” she asked.

  “Lucy, you are more than okay,” he said softly. “In fact, once I convince you to repurpose the lodge, you’ll be perfect.”

  “Things are going so nicely today. Don’t start.” Lucy stood. “I’ll get the kids into the car.”

  When they pulled up to the large, circular drive outside the Brisbane estate, Jack parked beneath the shade of a big magnolia near a small fountain.

  Dub and his sisters unbuckled their seat belts and scrambled out of the car to stare at the water bubbling over a mermaid sculpture perched on the edge of the fountain.

  “Are you sure your aunt is okay with this?” Lucy asked quietly as they approached the front door. She nodded toward the children.

  Jack shot her a curious glance. “Why wouldn’t she be?”

  “There’s five of us. We’re like a...”

  “A family?”

  Her eyes rounded. “I was going to say a troupe.”

  “She’ll love our troupe,” he said.

  “Look. Bunnies,” Dub said.

  Near the front door, the children crouched down to examine a concrete lawn ornament nestled in the grass. The figurines depicted a family of bunnies.

  Jack pressed the bell, and a shadow appeared behind the stained glass panels. A young woman opened the door.

  “Come in. Mrs. Brisbane is on her way. Hello again, Mr. Harris. Good afternoon, ma’am.” She held out a hand for Lucy. “I’m Estelle, her personal assistant.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Lucy said.

  With gentle hands on the children’s backs, Lucy led them into the house. The little faces turned upward to stare at the ornate crystal chandelier.

  The soft tap of Meredith’s cane on the marble floor preceded Jack’s aunt into the large entry hall.

  A smile lit up his aunt’s face as she eyed the children standing behind Lucy. “Who do we have here?”

  “Dub, Eva and Ann,” Jack said.

  “Triplets. They’re adorable. Please, do come in.”

  “Kids, this is my aunt, Mrs. Brisbane.”

  “Oh, please, they may call me Aunt Meri.” Her face warmed with pleasure at the trio.

  “Aunt Meri, what was it you wanted to see me about?” Jack asked. “Is everything okay?”

  “Let’s move to the solarium. The children might enjoy my fish.”

  Dub’s ears perked. “Fish?”

  “Yes. I have a giant aquarium. Follow Miss Estelle. She’ll take you right to them. I’m a little slow, but I’ll be along.”

  Once the children were busy observing the large tank, Meredith ushered Jack and Lucy to a seat on the wicker divan. Large windows with crisp off-white Roman shades provided a view of the grounds, and though it was summer, air conditioning kept the room comfortable.

  “I’m having a small soiree next weekend, Jackson, and I was hoping to persuade you to attend.”

  “You could have asked on the phone.”

  “True. However, I find my powers of persuasion function best in person.”

  “A soiree?” he asked.

  “Yes. Lucy, you are of course invited, as well. Actually, this is quite providential.” She smiled. “I had no idea that you and Jack...”

  “Oh, no. Your nephew and I are not... I’m only here because...” She paused. “Jack is Dub’s buddy for the summer. This was a promised outing.” Lucy flashed him an appeal for assistance.

  “Lucy didn’t know if I could handle three kids, much less one, all by myself. She took pity on me.”

  “Nonetheless, Lucy dear, you would do well to get to know more members of the Timber community. Your ranch could only benefit. I’ve been singing your praises for years. Jackson will escort you.”

  Lucy’s gaze skittered nervously to him and then away. “Um, thank you, Meredith. I’d love to attend.”

  “Was that all, Aunt Meri?”

  “A few more things.” She turned to her assistant, who stood near the tank talking to the children. “Estelle, dear, do you mind asking the chef to bring in lemonade?”

  “Of course not, Mrs. Brisbane.”

  Meredith turned back to Jack. “That friend of mine in New York would like to talk to you about subletting your place.”

  Jack raised a brow and scratched his head. “Really?”

  “Yes, and she mentioned a very nice price.”

  “I’m going to have to think about that.”

  “What is there to think about, Jackson? There’s nothing in New York for you anymore.”

  “What about Dad?”

  “Your father lives in hotels and is rarely in the same city long enough to call any place home. In fact, if you’re here full-time, he might be encouraged to visit.”

  “I’m still going to have to think this over.”

  “Don’t think too long.” She pulled a card from her pocket. “Here’s the phone number.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Meri.” He fingered the card and put it in his back pocket.

  “Now, about the stables.” She glanced outside in the direction of the building that used to house the horses. “It’s been empty for years. I’ve decided to lease the building and the yards.”

  “Good idea.”

  “Yes. Could you do a quick walk-through of the building? Most everything has been boxed up. Take anything in there you want before I have a local charity haul the rest away.”

  “I can do that.”

  “Perhaps you could take Dub with you. I’d like to spend some quality time with the ladies, so we’ll enjoy some lemonade and talk about you while you are gone.”

  Jack laughed. “Fair enough. Dub, would you like to go to the stables?”

  “Yeth.” The little boy rushed to follow them.

  Meredith stood. “Let me locate those keys for you.”

  As they approached the front hall, his aunt pulled the keys from her pocket.

  “I thought you had to find the keys.”

  “I wanted a chance to talk to you.” She smiled. “I see you and Lucy are working together?”

  He frowned. “Yes. But don’t get any ideas. We’re working. That’s all.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to release the donation documentation? It’s already two weeks overdue. Lucy must be extremely stressed.”

  “I’m actually doing my best to take some pressure off Lucy.”

  “Oh? Why not approve the proposal and be done with it?”

  “If I approve the funds, I won’t have a reason to stay at the ranch.”

  “You want to stay? I’m a bit confused.”

  “Aunt Meri, it turns out you were right about the ranch.”

  “Aha! I told you so.”

  “Yes, you did. I have a few ideas to help Big Heart Ranch, and ultimately help Lucy, in a very big way. The problem is that she’s a little set in her ways. The only leverage I have is that unsigned donation proposal.”

  “Jackson, you’re playing with fire here. This cannot end well.”

  “I disagree. I’m giving my all to this project. To tell you the truth, Aunt Meri, for the first time in a very long time, I’m really enjoying myself and I’m excited about what I’m doing. I believe I’m contributing to something that will benefit Big Heart Ranch and the children and staff.”

  “I don’t understand why you’re taking the long route around instead of the direct route.”

  “Trust me, Aunt Meri, I know what I’m doing.”

  She placed a hand on his arm. “I hope so.”

  Jack kissed her cheek. “Come on, Dub, let’s go exploring.”r />
  They walked outside across the drive and around the back of the house to the large stables complex.

  “You gots horses, Mr. Jack?”

  “Not anymore. We did when I was younger.”

  “Are you fixin’ to get horses?”

  “Sort of. My aunt is going to let someone else keep their horses here.” Jack unlocked the massive wooden door and pulled it open. Warm air rushed past them, struggling to get out.

  “Wow, sure is a big stable,” Dub said. “Bigger than the one at the ranch.”

  Their voices and footsteps echoed through the empty building.

  “Hot, too.” Jack strode through to the back and opened the double doors on the far end, to get the summer air circulating. Then he hit the switch to start the blades of the large overhead fans.

  Beside him, Dub bent down and picked up something shiny on the ground. “Look. I found a quarter. Can I keep it?”

  “It’s yours.”

  Dub pointed overhead. “Is that your loft?”

  Jack glanced up. “Yeah. It’s dusty up there. You might want to wait down here.”

  “I wanna go with you.”

  “Okay, but hold that rail and be careful.” The wood creaked as they mounted the dozen steps to the loft.

  Dub sneezed. “This doesn’t look like a loft. How come you don’t have hay?”

  “Because we don’t need hay without horses.”

  “Oh, yeah.” Dub nodded.

  They both stared at the stacked and sheet-covered furniture that took up one entire wall, along with dusty boxes.

  “Furniture?” Jack murmured.

  “Lots of it,” Dub said.

  “Maybe enough to fill an empty house.” He’d have to make sure his aunt didn’t get rid of anything until he had more time to inventory what was here.

  “Look, Mr. Jack. A bicycle. It has training wheels, too.”

  Jack turned and smiled at the sight. Propped against a spindle-legged chair was a red bicycle, complete with a bell and a basket. “That’s my bicycle. See the baseball card in the spokes? I put that there.”

  “Cool. Can we take it downstairs?”

  “Sure. But let’s look around some more before we do that.”

  “I know how to ride,” Dub announced.

  “I bet you can.”

  “How old were you when you rode that bike?”