“My folks are here,” he told Raleigh, his voice raspy. “Be prepared for anything.”
This is it, he thought, bracing himself. The big, father-son showdown. He knew this moment was inevitable, had been dreading it all week, but it was about time he took a stand and proved to his father, once and for all, that he was his own man.
“Daniel!” his mother cried, looking properly chic in a tailored pantsuit and understated gold jewelry, her frosted hair perfectly coiffed. She scurried across the yard and threw her arms around his neck. “Oh, my poor baby, are you all right?”
“Mother, I’m fine.”
“But you’re bleeding,” she protested, her finger lightly stroking his wounded temple.
Dan stiffened and moved out of his mother’s embrace. He refused to get sucked into that baby-of-the-family role again. Holding his head high, Dan locked eyes with his father. Squaring his shoulders, he stepped forward and thrust out his hand. It was now or never.
“Hello, Dad. Welcome to my home.”
“Hello, son.”
They stood a moment like two warriors, proud and strong. Neither wanting to be the first to look away, to back down.
Dan could feel the tense undercurrent flowing between them. What did his father think? Dan steeled himself for the obligatory put-down. Whatever the old man dished out, he could take.
Turning, Dan held out his arm to Raleigh. In an instant, she plastered herself to his side, her chin jutting forward defiantly as she eyed Bill McClintock.
“Mom, Dad, I want you to meet somebody special. This is Raleigh Travers, my farrier and friend. Raleigh, these are my parents, Bill and Marcia McClintock.”
“How do you do, little lady?” Bill McClintock said.
“Nice to meet you,” Marcia murmured.
Raleigh stepped up, shook both their hands, then allowed Dan to fold her into his arm once more.
Bill McClintock sank his hands on his hips and surveyed the shambles around them. Violent wind had ripped the corral gate off its hinges, sand lay in drifting piles, equipment was overturned, litter and debris clung to the fencerow.
“So,” Bill McClintock said slowly, “this is the infamous dude ranch.”
“Yes,” Dan said proudly. “This is my ranch.”
Raleigh laced her fingers through Dan’s, giving him strength to face the man who’d controlled him all his life. Dan braced himself, prepared for a fight.
“Your ranch hand tells me you’ve misplaced a few horses,” his father said, nodding in Pete’s direction. “Tell me, son, is that standard operating procedure around here?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, sir, there was a severe sandstorm tonight.” Dan gritted his teeth and mentally counted to ten.
“You losing money on this venture?” His father shifted his weight but never dropped his gaze.
“Bill,” his mother interceded. “I don’t think this is the time. Dan needs medical attention for that gash on his forehead.”
Bill McClintock raised a palm. “If Dan had stayed in the family business where he belonged, none of this would have happened. You’d think by now the boy would have learned to obey his parents.”
“Now, Bill, Dan’s always been a dreamer,” his mother said in excuse.
Dan smiled, feeling strangely calm. This insecure bully was the man he’d feared all his life? Well, he wasn’t a boy any longer and he refused to bow down to his father’s demands.
“I gave you enough rope. Have you hung yourself yet, son? Are you ready to give up this nonsense and come back home?”
“No, Dad, I’m not. Clyde is my home now.”
“Still have your heart set on playing cowboy?” Bill McClintock stuck his thumbs through his belt loops and gave Dan his best intimidating stare.
“You’re jealous because I’m making it on my own,” Dan challenged. “Admit it.”
“You call this disaster, making it?” His father swung his arm at the mess surrounding them.
“I don’t believe this!” Raleigh shouted, springing in front of Bill McClintock, her wiry legs cocked in the stance of a gunfighter, her waitress uniform pulling tight across her thighs. “Dan could have died tonight and all you care about is getting the upper hand.”
“I beg your pardon, young lady.” His father raised an eyebrow, looked from Raleigh to Dan and back again.
Admiration for his scrappy redhead swelled in Dan’s heart. He grinned. She must love him to stand up for him like this, hanging tough with Bill McClintock.
“Raleigh,” Dan admonished, wanting to deal with his dad on his terms. “I appreciate your concern, but this is my battle and I’ll thank you to stay out of it.”
“I just couldn’t stand by and let him cut you down like that.”
“Raleigh, please let me handle this.” Dan raised an eyebrow.
She flicked her braid over her shoulder and gave him a haughty look. “Fine. If that’s the way you want it. I’ll be in the barn, attending to Sunny.”
She stalked away, leading the mare behind her. Dan knew he’d ticked her off, but he realized he had plenty of time to make things up to her once he’d settled things with his father.
Pete mumbled something and took off after Raleigh, leaving Dan alone with his parents.
“Dad,” he said once Pete and Raleigh were out of earshot. “I had hoped you’d come here to support my efforts to forge my own life. I’d think you’d want at least one son who was self-sufficient.”
“Well, I—I,” Bill McClintock stammered. Suddenly he didn’t look so big and tough.
“I thought maybe we could bury the hatchet and face each other as equals. But if you can’t do that, then I suggest you go back to Dallas.” Dan stood as solid and steady as a hundred-year-old oak tree, no longer pliable to his father’s demanding wishes.
“Danny, you don’t mean that,” his mother said.
“Yes, he does,” Bill McClintock growled.
“And another thing,” Dan said, knowing his words might alienate him from his father forever. “I’m going to marry that feisty girl, if she’ll have me. So you better get used to the idea of people standing up to you, Dad. Raleigh doesn’t take guff off anybody, including me.”
To Dan’s amazement, his father’s face broke into a big grin. “By gum, Marcia,” he hooted. “Our Dan’s grown up at last.”
* * *
Adrenaline pumped through Dan’s body as he strode toward the barn. He felt good. Damn good. He’d faced his father and won.
And Raleigh had come home. Yes, home. He wanted to shout, to celebrate. Because both of them belonged here, on this ranch, on this land. Since she and Caleb had moved out, the place was like a morgue, cold, sterile, devoid of life.
But now Raleigh was back, with her special brand of verve. Love for her filled his very lungs as he inhaled sharp, musty air. He couldn’t wait to propose to Raleigh, to hold her in his arms, to kiss those sweet strawberry lips.
His stomach tightened at the thought. He had to make her his wife, no matter what efforts might be required, because he loved her with every ounce of his being, with every breath he took. If she needed more time, then so be it. He had a lifetime to give.
Raleigh Jean Travers needed a man like him. A man who could show her the whimsical side of life. A man patiently willing to chip past her defenses. A man to help heal her broken heart. She needed him badly and, oh, how he needed her.
Almost running, Dan banged into the barn, his pulse pounding a mad tattoo.
Pete was in a stall, holding Sunny’s head while Raleigh stooped over, her farrier’s apron strapped around her pink uniform, the mare’s hoof clenched between her legs, a rasp in her hand.
What a woman, Dan thought, his chest inflating with pride at the sight of her. She was brave, honest, hardworking. Strong, good and virtuous. She’d lived through adversity and survived victorious every time. What more could a man ask for in a helpmate, a lover?
“Raleigh,” Dan called.
Slowly she raised her head.
“We’ve got to talk.”
Pete stood, grinning like a fool. He dusted his hands on the seat of his pants. “That’s my exit cue,” he said.
“Where you going, Pete?” Raleigh asked, her heart leaping against her rib cage. “We’re shoeing Sunny.”
“It’ll keep till tomorrow,” Pete said, and slipped out the side door.
Leaving her alone with Dan.
When she’d first come back to the ranch, she’d been ready to declare her love to Dan, but now, after the storm and the episode with his parents, all her old doubts came rushing back. Did she truly dare to get involved again?
“I’m sorry if I insulted you back there in front of my parents, that wasn’t my intention,” he said.
She shrugged. “No offense taken.”
Dan stepped closer, intently studying her in the glare from the bare bulb, that sweet pixie face with the sad gray eyes. How he longed to replace that sadness with joy.
“It was a personal thing between me and my father.”
“I understand.”
“I also want to thank you for saving my life tonight.”
“You’re welcome.” She rocked back on her heels and stared at her toes. She pulled a shy, wry smile.
Dan’s heart overflowed with hope. “Was there a reason you came back tonight?” His gaze never left her face. He wanted to absorb every nuance, decipher every emotion she experienced.
“I...”
“Look at me, Raleigh.”
She raised her chin. “I came to tell you I lied.”
“About what?” He inched closer until he stood a mere breath away.
“When I said I didn’t love you. I tried not to love you, I really did, but it just didn’t work.”
“I’m so glad,” he whispered.
“Fay told me how my pa broke her heart because he couldn’t get over my mother, and I realized I was doing the very same thing to you. I’ve been hiding from life, denying your love because I didn’t have the courage to risk losing you.”
“Life’s full of risk, Raleigh, but true love is worth any gamble.”
“How can you be sure?”
A glint of metal caught Dan’s eye. The horseshoe glistened.
He plucked it from the wooden frame. “I always heard these things were lucky. Do you suppose that’s true?”
Raleigh shrugged.
“Well, I know they’re lucky, because horseshoes are what brought you to me. You have faith in horseshoes, Raleigh, don’t you?”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“Then as long as we’ve got horseshoes, we’ve got good luck.”
“Can I count on that?” she asked.
“You can count on me, darling,” he said, and held his arms open wide.
“Oh, Dan.” She dropped the rasp on the floor and, standing on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck. She buried her face in his chest, relishing the pleasure of his embrace. It felt as if she’d just stepped from the deepest Arctic cold to a warm welcoming fire.
Dan tilted her chin up and stared down into her eyes. Then he angled his head and kissed her rich, strawberry-colored lips, slow, sweet and generous. With rising need, he placed kisses on her eyelids, cheeks, nose, only to return to her mouth again and again, and drink her sweet nectar.
Raleigh kissed him back hard and passionate, marveling at the intense sparking their coming together generated.
“Ah, sweetheart,” he moaned, lifting her off the floor and pressing her to him. “I don’t know how I’ve lived so long without you.”
He curved one hand under her bottom, the other clutched her waist. She felt his body trembling with need, a need that matched her own.
What had she been missing all these long lonely years? Raleigh wondered with a sigh. Now she would find out—with her sexy dude ranch owner to heat up the empty nights.
“I’ve got a confession to make,” he said, tugging his lips from hers.
“Oh?” She arched an eyebrow.
“I invited my parents to our wedding.”
“What?”
“That means you’re going to have to agree to marry me so I can save face.”
“And if I say no?” She smiled.
“Then I’ll just have to kiss you until you change your mind.” His mouth captured hers one more time before he set her on the floor. Her giggle of pleasure touched him as nothing else could have.
“Say yes,” he prodded, leaning over to nibble at her ear.
“Hmm,” she said. “What about Caleb?”
“I love you. I love Caleb. I want us to be a real family.” His lips seared the hollow of her neck. Raleigh arched her neck and moaned.
“Say yes,” he teased.
“You sure about this?”
“Of course, I’m sure.” His mouth traced her chin. “I love you, Raleigh.”
“I love you, too,” she admitted, unbridled happiness flooding her body.
“And you’ll marry me?”
Love. Marriage. Commitment. Suddenly everything she thought lost was within her grasp if only she had the guts to reach out and take it.
“Marrying you would be a great honor, Daniel J. McClintock.”
“Oh, honey, the future’s gonna be great. We’re an unbeatable team, you and I,” Dan whispered, his lips brushing her ears. “Together we’re going to create the best dude ranch in West Texas.”
“I thought you liked to dream big,” Raleigh teased. “How about the best dude ranch in the whole U.S.A.?”
“Raleigh Jean Travers,” he said. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”
Epilogue
Dan looked out over his ranch and smiled. His beloved dream had finally come true. And here he was, sitting with his father on the patio, assessing the scene before them in an easy camaraderie they’d never before shared.
Two dozen cars crowded the freshly paved parking lot. A gaggle of squealing children splashed happily in the restored swimming pool. Vivid roses flourished in the flower garden Raleigh had planted.
Laughter sounded from several couples playing mixed doubles on the tennis court. A few old men tossed horseshoes on the lush green lawn. In the pasture, several city slickers struggled bravely to stay astride their spirited mounts. Next to the barn, Caleb and Pete were setting up picnic tables, preparing for the barn dance later that evening.
Dan took a deep breath and counted his many blessings.
“Well, son, I have to hand it to you. I never thought you’d accomplish this.” Bill McClintock grinned at his son and rattled the ice in his tea glass. “The ranch is splendid. Couldn’t have done a better job myself.”
His father’s words made him proud. “It takes a big man to admit when he’s wrong, Dad. Thank you.”
“I did a lot of things wrong with you boys. Wouldn’t let you cut loose and do things your own way. When you tried, I belittled you. I hurt you, and I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, Dad.” Dan placed a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Everyone makes mistakes.”
Bill McClintock winked. “Wait until you have children of your own. Then you’ll see how hard it is not to interfere in their lives.”
Raleigh and his mother emerged from the house, joining them on the patio.
“Hi,” Raleigh said, kissing Dan’s cheek. Her feet were bare and she wore cutoff blue jeans.
“Hi, yourself.” Playfully he tugged her braid.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled at him. Dan marveled at the change in his bride. During the six months they’d been married, she’d blossomed before his very eyes.
Gone was the old, insecure, quick-tempered Raleigh and in her place stood a serene, easygoing young woman. She’d learned to funnel her explosive, passionate nature into lovemaking instead of arguing.
Dan smiled. No man could have asked for a better wife. She ran the ranch like an experienced business manager, while he handled the publicity and hosting aspects. They made an unstoppable team.
Gazing down at her, pride we
lled in his chest. With the dude ranch doing a booming trade and Raleigh at his side, what more could he ask for?
“Come on, dear, let’s take a walk.” Marcia McClintock linked arms with her husband.
“What for?” Bill McClintock grumbled. “I just got comfortable.”
Marcia elbowed him. “Now, Bill, remember what we discussed.”
“Okay, I get the picture.” Dan’s father set his empty glass on the table. “Let’s go for a walk and you can tell me what I did wrong this time.”
Dan chuckled, watching his parents head off toward the stables. One good thing had come from breaking free of his family’s influence, he and his father had never been so close. The old animosity between them had dissipated completely.
“What was that all about?” Dan asked, moving over to sit on the porch swing and drawing Raleigh onto his lap.
Shyly, she ducked her head. “Your mom thinks it’s time you and I had a private talk.”
“Talk? I’d rather kiss.” Dan caught her bottom lip between his teeth.
“Dan, not here. The ranch is full of guests.” She waved a hand at the conglomeration of people enjoying themselves in the spring sun.
“They’ll never notice.”
She curled into the curve of his arm. “Well, I guess we better catch impromptu kisses where we can, ‘cause later there’ll be lots of interruptions.”
As if on cue, Chester, followed by his new mate, Miss Kitty, and their three pups, loped up the steps looking for pats and scratches.
Raleigh leaned over and rubbed Chester’s head. “Yep, handing out affection takes up lots of time.”
“Stop being cryptic,” Dan told her, lightly tickling her ribs. “What are you talking about?”
“Two a.m. feedings, Daddy.”
“What?” Dan’s eyes widened, his mouth fell open.
Raleigh giggled.
“I...we...you’re p-pregnant?” he stammered.
“We’re having a baby.”
“Oh, my gosh.” His hands trembled. “When?”
“Not until December. I’m just two and a half months along. Perfect timing. The baby will be born during the winter lull.”
Dan patted her tummy. “No wonder you look a little rounded. I thought it was my good cooking putting the weight on you.”
Raleigh And The Rancher (Wranglers & Lace #3) Page 15
