Claiming Her Cowboy

by Tina Radcliffe

“My intentions were honorable. But yeah, I messed up. Big time. What can I do, General?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m sure you’ll think of something, because come ten days from now you won’t be the only one in a world of hurt.”

  Jack swallowed hard as Rue left the barn. He’d come to Big Heart Ranch an empty man. If he left things as they were, he’d be walking away exactly the same. Somehow he had to find a way to get Lucy to forgive him, because he wasn’t willing to turn his back on everything he loved.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “This arrived by courier, Lucy.”

  Lucy looked up from her desk at the official-looking envelope Iris held out to her.

  “By courier? We’re twenty minutes from Timber, Oklahoma. Who sends things by courier?”

  A frown crossed the admin’s face. “Is that rhetorical?”

  “Yes.” Lucy cleared a place on her desk, which she noted was significantly less messy since Iris had started last Friday. Another thing to thank Jack for.

  “Don’t you want it?”

  Lucy pointed to the spot she’d cleared, and Iris dropped the envelope on the desk.

  “Oh, and General Butterfield called and asked for a few minutes of your time. However, she didn’t wait for an answer. She’s on her way over.”

  “I always have an open door for the general.”

  Iris nodded. “Do you mind if I run some errands for Emma tomorrow morning? She’s swamped with preparations for the gala.”

  “Of course. Thank you for being so flexible, Iris.”

  “I like it here, Lucy. I don’t have any family. Big Heart Ranch sort of feels like home.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Lucy stared at the envelope. The embossed return address was from the Brisbane Foundation Legal Department. That would be attorney Jackson Harris’s department.

  He was everywhere.

  A shiver raced over her. She clenched and unclenched her hands, knowing that the future of Big Heart Ranch was inside an unremarkable white envelope delivered by courier on a Thursday in August.

  She’d been asking around, and though she hadn’t run into him since last Friday, as far as she could tell, Jack was still living at the bunkhouse. According to a little surreptitious checking, she’d learned that he continued to fulfill his promise to stay at the ranch through the end of summer and fill Leo’s shoes.

  Lucy rubbed her forehead. How had things gotten so out of control so quickly? She glanced at the red-team ball cap sitting on her bookcase and smiled, remembering Jack yelling at her to slide into home at the ball game. Jack and Dub laughing as they created monster ice cream sundaes together. That wonderful kiss at the soiree when she was naive enough to think she might be falling in love with Jack.

  Soon it would all be a memory, tucked away like a pressed flower.

  Eight more days until the gala. The gala was supposed to be a jubilant time when they celebrated the year’s blessings. Another year of mending broken hearts and providing second chances.

  What about Dub? His little heart would be broken when he and his sisters went back to the Pawhuska Children’s Orphanage.

  Though it was ridiculously too soon to expect a response, Lucy pulled up her email to verify no one had contacted her from DHS about the foster program.

  She released a dramatic sigh and held the envelope to her desk lamp.

  “Aren’t you going to open it?”

  She looked up at Rue, then put the envelope on the desk and folded her hands over the top. “I haven’t decided.”

  “Come on, Lucy, open the letter.”

  “I’m not sure I’m ready for what’s inside.”

  “Everywhere I go on this ranch, folks are dancing to the same tune.”

  “Okay, I’ll bite. What tune would that be?”

  “The chicken dance.”

  Lucy chuckled. “Does this mean you’ve stopped by to share some sage wisdom with me?”

  “Whenever I can. You don’t get to be my age without learning a thing or two. Usually the hard way.” Rue shook her head. “If I can save some folks the heartache I suffered needlessly due to my own pigheadedness, then by golly, I’m going to try.”

  “I’m sure there’s a lesson in there somewhere.”

  “Open the envelope. That’s the lesson for the day.”

  Lucy took the letter opener from her drawer, slid the point beneath the letter’s gummed flap and sliced the envelope. The check fluttered to the desk.

  Lucy slowly reached out and turned it over. She trembled as she read the amount.

  “This is the largest donation to the ranch that we have ever received from the Brisbane Foundation,” she whispered. “It’s more than we requested.”

  “Isn’t God good?”

  “Wait until Travis and Emma find out.” Lucy put a hand to her heart in a futile effort to slow its wild beating. “Oh, my goodness. I’m speechless.”

  “You deserve this, Lucy. You’ve worked hard for that check.”

  “Yet I’m humbled. I had moments when I doubted the Lord and even whined a bit. I definitely have time on my knees in my immediate future.”

  “Do you think you can handle more good news?” Rue’s eyes twinkled.

  “I’m not sure.” Lucy blinked and cocked her head. “What are you up to?”

  “I made a few phone calls, and your fostering paperwork has been expedited.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you’ve been selected to foster Dub, Ann and Eva, pending inspection of your domicile and, of course, approval of the children.”

  “Rue, I live in a one-bedroom apartment.”

  “It’s okay. DHS understands. The children will stay in their homes on the ranch until you locate a place suitable for all of you.”

  “How did you do this?” Moisture blurred her vision as she spoke.

  “There’s really not much point in being a general if you can’t pull in favors every now and again.” She shrugged. “It’s always good to have friends in high places.”

  Lucy stood up and came around the desk to hug her friend. “Oh, Rue. That little boy and his sisters are going to get the second chance they deserve.”

  Rue wiped her own eyes. “I promised myself I wouldn’t blubber.”

  Lucy sniffed and handed the older woman a tissue.

  “The hard part is going to be up to you,” Rue said.

  “You mean talking to the children?” Lucy paused before she sat down. “You’re right. What if they don’t want me to be their foster parent?”

  “Get real, Lucy. Those kids love you.”

  “What hard part are you referring to?”

  “You have to talk to Jack.”

  “Jack?”

  “Don’t leave him out of this. He recommended the increased funding, and he’s your biggest cheerleader. I know for a fact that he and his aunt also spoke to the DHS regarding you fostering.”

  “They did?”

  “Yes.”

  “How do you know all this?”

  Rue shrugged and glanced at the calendar. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking you have all the time in the world to make this right, Lucy. You don’t.”

  “There’s a lot of hurt between Jack and me. I don’t know if I can bridge that. Besides, he has job offers in New York City.”

  “He’s still here. It doesn’t seem to me that he’s in any rush to leave. Jack will stay in Oklahoma if you ask him. Deep down inside, he wants you to ask him. He longs to be part of something that’s forever, just like you do.”

  Lucy was silent, overwhelmed by Rue’s observations.

  “Second chances are great, Lucy, until you miss the window of opportunity.”

  “Are you suggesting I beg him to stay?”

  “No, I’m suggesting that y
ou tell him how you feel.”

  “I don’t think I can,” Lucy murmured.

  “I think you better. You can’t afford to leave things unsaid.” She smiled sadly at Lucy. “You of all people should have learned this long ago.”

  “What if he doesn’t... What if he says no?”

  “You can’t lose until you saddle up and try.”

  “Okay, Rue. When the time is right, I’ll talk to Jack.”

  “I know I can count on you,” Rue said.

  Iris appeared in the doorway. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, but Lorna has been trying to reach you on your cell, Lucy. She says it’s urgent. Dub Lewis is missing.”

  Adrenaline shot through Lucy. She grabbed her purse. “Rue, can you head over to the security office and ask them to check the cameras? I’ll phone you when I have details.”

  “Of course.”

  “Jack. I have to find Jack.” Lucy jumped into the Ute and put her phone on speaker, hitting the auto dial button over and over.

  Jack Harris wasn’t picking up.

  * * *

  “What?” Jack sat straight up in bed.

  The banging at the bunkhouse door had him scrambling for his phone.

  Six p.m. He’d fallen asleep for four hours?

  The banging didn’t let up.

  He pulled open the door, nearly knocking the ranch director off her feet. “Lucy? What’s wrong?”

  “Dub is missing.”

  “Missing?” Jack struggled to breathe. Realization hit him like a solid punch in the gut. “I missed his riding lesson. I fell asleep.”

  “What time was the lesson scheduled?”

  “Three,” he groaned.

  “Lorna went to check on him when he didn’t come down for dinner. He wasn’t in his room.”

  “What about his house brothers?”

  “Stewie and Henry don’t know anything. But his bicycle is still in the garage.”

  “Is he with his sisters?”

  “No, she already called over there.”

  “We can take my car,” Jack offered.

  “Jack, it’ll be better if we split up. You check the boys’ ranch. I’ll go to the girls’ ranch and look around. Rue is working with security.”

  He grabbed his boots and shoved his feet into them. “This should have never happened, Lucy. That kid has way too much freedom.”

  She grimaced and turned away. “Please, don’t play the blame game, Jack. Not now. I love that little boy as much as you do. I’m planning my future around him.”

  “Then why did he leave?”

  “Why do you think? Dub is smart. He knows summer is over in a week. And he knows you’re leaving. You missing that lesson today must have had him in a panic that you were already gone.”

  “It’s my fault.”

  “Stop. Focus on Dub. We’ll find him.”

  “All it takes is one moment, and your life changes forever.”

  Lucy’s face paled at his words.

  “We have to find Dub,” Jack said, fighting emotions that threatened to paralyze him.

  “You’re right, Jack. We both understand that only too well. But this isn’t about you or me. This is about a hurting child who is afraid he’s going to lose everything once again. This is the time for prayers, not accusations or self-recrimination.”

  She walked out the front door without looking back.

  Jack grabbed his keys and got in the Lexus. His thoughts flashed back to his brother, and for the first time in twenty-five years he once again felt the sinking despair of helplessness pressing down. He couldn’t lose someone he loved again. Not like this.

  “Dub, where are you?” Jack rested his head on the steering wheel and began to pray. “Lord, that boy means more to me than I realized. Help me find him. Help me make things right.”

  For several minutes, Jack stared out the windshield at the ranch where activities were winding down around him.

  The loft.

  Dub would be in the loft if he was anywhere.

  Jack started the car and headed to the stables.

  The front door stood open as children and staff finished grooming their horses for the day. Jack walked to the end of the building. Tripp’s office was dark. Outside Grace’s stall, something shiny winked at him. He crouched down and scattered the straw, uncovering a quarter.

  Grace whinnied and nodded. She shook her head toward the loft overhead. “Thanks, Grace,” Jack whispered, rubbing the mare’s ears.

  He took the back stairs and nearly stumbled over the sleeping child at the top.

  “Dub,” Jack whispered, his relief raw.

  Dub had neatly placed Grace’s pad on the ground and lay on the flannel, curled on his side, his hands tucked beneath his head, quietly sleeping. Tear tracks had dried on his dusty face.

  The five-year-old had been crying.

  Jack closed his eyes and ran a hand over his own face. “I’m sorry, Dub.”

  He eased down to the loft floor next to Dub. For minutes he simply watched the child sleep. Swiping at his eyes with the back of his hands, Jack released a silent prayer of thanks.

  “What am I going to do, Lord?” he whispered. “I can’t leave this boy.”

  Dub’s eyes fluttered open. “Mr. Jack?” A small smile crossed his face.

  “Yes, Dub.”

  “I thought you were gone. Stewie and Henry said you were going away. You didn’t come for my lesson.”

  “That was an accident, Dub. I’m so sorry. I fell asleep.”

  “You’re here now.”

  “Yes, but you’re right—I’m leaving when the summer is over. I have a few more days.”

  “I’m going back to the orphanage,” Dub said as he sat up. “My sissies, too.”

  Jack nodded.

  Dub twisted his hands in his lap. “I thought if I prayed hard, God would hear, and me and my sissies could stay at the ranch.”

  “Oh, Dub. I know God is listening. Sometimes things don’t happen when we think they should, but He always hears our prayers.”

  “I wish He’d hurry up.”

  “Me, too.”

  “What about Grace?” Dub frowned as if in pain. “Who will take care of Grace? She needs her carrots, and her ears rubbed. She’ll be sad if you and me both go away, Mr. Jack.”

  “Mr. Tripp takes good care of all the horses. Don’t worry about Grace.”

  Dub gave a resigned nod.

  “Miss Lorna and Miss Lucy are worried about you, Dub. You missed dinner.”

  “I’m thorry.” Dub grabbed the flannel pad and stood up. He shook the straw from the fabric.

  “I’ll take care of that later. Are you hungry?”

  “No.” Dub stared at the stables stretched out before him, then finally looked up at Jack, his lower lip quivering. “I don’t want to leave the ranch. It’s like a real home.”

  “I know, Dub. I don’t want to leave, either.”

  “Maybe Miss Lucy will let us stay. We can ask her, can’t we?”

  Lucy’s words came back to him. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Jack’s lips were a thin line as he looked at his buddy without offering him the promises he desperately needed to hear.

  Dub nodded. “It’s okay. Don’t be sad, Mr. Jack. I know sometimes we gots to follow the rules.”

  Jack choked on the emotions overwhelming him. Without thinking, he scooped the little boy up in his arms. “I love you, buddy.”

  Dub Lewis tucked his head into Jack’s chest. “I love you, too, Mr. Jack.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Lucy saddled Blaze and led her out into the sunshine. She’d checked Jack’s schedule before she snuck into the stables. He’d be in the chicken coops for at least another hour. This would be as good a time as any to take the shortcut to the lodge and e
mpty that closet. She might figure out what to do about Jack Harris while she was cleaning up her life.

  As she approached the house, she was once again struck by the transformation. The place welcomed visitors. Encouraged them to sit on the porch or rest beneath the willow tree.

  Jack was right. It made sense to use the lodge to support the ranch. She’d been stubborn on principle, and he’d been high-handed. The two of them were quite a pair. Controlling to the bitter end, and where had it gotten either of them?

  Control had served her well when she was a foster child looking after Travis and Emma. She was a long way from those days. With a glance at her hands, Lucy opened the palms. “I’m finally giving it all to You, Lord.”

  Lucy had barely unlocked the front door and walked in when the doorbell rang. She turned to discover Meredith Brisbane on the porch, carrying an enormous bouquet of long-stemmed sunflowers, wrapped in green floral paper.

  “Meredith?” Lucy looked past the elegant matriarch to the limousine parked outside the lodge.

  “Hello, Lucy. Your assistant told me you’d be here.”

  Lucy opened the screen, and Meredith handed her the bouquet. “My nephew once said that sunflowers reminded him of you.”

  She did a double take at the words. Jack said that?

  “They’re lovely.” Lucy fingered the bright yellow petals. “What are they for?”

  “Your foster request was approved.”

  “Yes, it was. Thank you so much for putting in a good word for me.”

  “I adore those children. So does Jackson. We both know you’ll be a wonderful mother.”

  “A mother.” The words rolled off her tongue, and she paused to consider them, sinking down into a chair. “Things have been so incredibly busy that I hadn’t even stopped to think about that. I’ll be someone’s mom. Wow.”

  “I’d say a few wows are in order.”

  “Come on in, Meredith. Let me put these in water.” She stood and headed to the kitchen. Suddenly Lucy stopped and turned. “Where’s your cane?”

  Jack’s aunt held up her empty hands. “I’m feeling so much better. No cane needed.”

  “That’s wonderful.”

  Lucy led Meredith into the kitchen and searched the cupboards for a large vase, but came up empty. “Excuse me a moment.”