“I wish he’d quit.” Mason looked down at the floor. “I mean, I know he’s important and all, but surely somebody else could do his job, so he could come home.”
“Do you work with him?” Madison asked. “Is that why you’re just now coming to see us?”
“I didn’t know about y’all.” Ross closed his eyes. “Until your dad asked me to apply for his job. But his boss didn’t like me, so that’s when your dad told me why he wanted to leave his job. Because of you two.” As he added to Maverick’s story, he understood the reasoning behind it. Five-year-olds shouldn’t know their dad was into his career instead of them by choice.
“So I promised to make sure y’all were okay and to make sure you stay happy and healthy. So are you okay, happy and healthy?”
The twins nodded in unison.
“Except we can’t remember our mom,” Madison mumbled.
“Or our dad,” Mason added.
“I’m sorry about that.” Ross’s chest squeezed. This was harder than he’d expected.
“That’s why your mom left you with me.” Stacia knelt between them, hugged them to her sides. “So Grandpa and I can help you remember her. And because she knew we’d take extra good care of you.” Her gaze never left Ross.
“Aunt Stacia shows us pictures of our mom.” Mason wiggled out of the hug. “Do you have any pictures of our dad?”
Just the one. Of a pale, sickly looking Ron in character with blue hair and overdone eyeliner lying in a hospital bed. His publicist had insisted on doing his goth makeup before she’d allow any photos. Just in case the press ever got a hold of it. These two innocent bystanders, products of his brother’s wreck of a life, didn’t need to see that.
“I’m afraid not. But he looks a lot like me.” He used to anyway, before he changed into Ronny Outrageous.
“Okay, I think that’s enough questions.” Maverick clapped his hands. “How about that supper you promised this old grandpa?”
“On the table.” Stacia stood. “Just let me get ice in the glasses.”
Mason rubbed his stomach. “I’m starving.”
“Me too.” Ross’s gut growled to prove it.
“You can sit here.” Madison motioned to a chair with no plate or utensils. Obviously, Stacia had hoped he’d be a no-show.
“I’ll get the extra place setting.” Maverick hurried to a cabinet. “What do you want to drink, Ross?”
He eyed the tea pitcher as Stacia poured the amber liquid into four glasses.
“Tea sounds great.”
“It’s sweet.” Distrust glowed in Stacia’s eyes.
“Just the way I like it.” At least they were even since he didn’t trust her either. The difference was, he’d give her a chance to prove herself. Would she do the same? Or was she like his ex-girlfriend, Nora—incapable of trusting anyone?
* * *
The chicken enchilada sat untouched on Stacia’s plate. It was usually one of her favorite meals, but not tonight. Not with Ross Lyles sitting across the table from her, chatting up the twins, endearing himself as their newfound uncle.
“Well that was delicious.” Ross folded his napkin, set it beside his plate.
“Come build Legos with us, Uncle Ross.”
Stacia’s tea went down the wrong way. She grabbed a napkin, coughed into it, gasped and hacked her way back to a clear airway.
“You okay?” Ross asked. “I know the Heimlich.”
Of course he did. He was perfect, already had the twins calling him uncle.
“I’m fine. I’m afraid it’s almost bedtime for these two though.”
“But Uncle Ross is here,” Mason whined.
“We have church tomorrow. And if we get up early, we go to bed early. So go on, get your pajamas. I’ll get the showers going.”
“Can’t Uncle Ross stay, Aunt Stacia? He could even tuck us in.” Mason tried another tactic.
“Absolutely not.” Stacia’s nerve endings pinged, past keeping it together. “And remember the no whining rule.”
“What your aunt means is she doesn’t know me yet. But don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. In fact, I’m working here at the store and the ranch, so you’ll see a lot of me.”
“Yay.” Madison headed for the stairs in the foyer.
“I got this.” Daddy followed the twins. “Why don’t you come to church with us tomorrow, Ross?”
Stacia shot Daddy a withering look, but he totally missed it.
“I just might do that.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t want Ross at church. She just needed some space from him. But it was too late; her dad was giving him the church’s name and address.
“I’ll let you see our guest off, Stacia. Good night, Ross.”
“Good night, Maverick.”
“Good night, Uncle Ross.” The twins echoed each other. And their new name for him made her want to scream.
“Let me help you clean up.”
“That’s really not necessary.” She started for the door.
He didn’t follow but gathered plates from the table. “I insist.”
“I have a dishwasher.”
“Then I’ll help you load it.”
“Fine.” She rolled her eyes, opened the dishwasher.
He retrieved dishes while she raked leftovers into the disposal and loaded them in the rack.
“I think tonight went well.” He set two glasses beside her.
“As easily as you lied to them, how do I know if you’re even telling the truth about why you’re here?”
“Back to that, are we? I don’t consider it a lie when covering up the fact that their father totally doesn’t care anything about them. If anything, he feels guilt.” The sadness in his tone tugged at her. “And besides, your dad’s the one who made up his oh-so-important job.”
“Your brother’s a real piece of work.” She hugged herself. “Making us both cover up for him. No offense.”
“None taken. Ron has always been selfish.”
Did he really have such a harsh opinion of his brother, or was he only trying to tear down her defenses?
“What about your sister? What was she like?”
“Heartbroken. Our mom had a heart condition.” She rinsed each dish before loading them in the dishwasher. “Mom died when I was thirteen and Calli was eleven. She took it really hard and was never the same. She went from this fun, outgoing little girl who loved church to a sullen child who refused to go and looked for trouble at every turn.” Which is when Aunt Eleanor came to stay with them and made everything even worse.
“Was she a good mother to the twins?”
“Calli’s teens and twenties were completely reckless. Until the twins. Once she had them, she settled down, even started going to church with us again and accepted Jesus as her savior. She was a very devoted mother.” Her voice broke. “They grounded her, reached the reasonable side of her when no one else could.”
“She must have been terribly young when she died.”
“Twenty-three. She had the same heart condition as our mom.” Stacia blinked tears away. Even after three years, she couldn’t talk about Calli and remain dry-eyed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. Were you and your brother ever close?”
“When we were young.” With the dishes cleared, he grabbed the soapy washcloth out of the sink and wiped down the table. “He was selfish then too, never wanted to share, always thought the world revolved around him. But I guess I did too, so we got along well. Until he started singing and people made a big deal over him. He sprouted an ego the size of Texas and we steadily grew apart.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks.” He helped her load the dishwasher. “It doesn’t seem like you get much time with the kids in the evening.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Her eyes narrowed.
“By the time you close the store, it’s time to prepare supper. Then once they eat, it’s time to get them ready for bed.”
“And you could do better?” Everything he said seemed to rub her the wrong way.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then what do you mean?”
“It was just an observation, that we live in such a busy world, I wish there was more time. Once I start at the store, I won’t see them much.” A tinge of longing echoed in his tone.
One she understood since she never seemed to have enough time with the kids now that they’d started kindergarten. Back in preschool, they’d gone only three days a week. She missed those years.
“Well before my store clerk married my ranch hand and moved to Waco, everything wasn’t so busy around here.” She jerkily scrubbed the baked-on cheese off the casserole dish. “Daddy and I took turns, spending alternating days with them, while the other worked in the shop. I’m hoping with you at the store, we can get back in that routine.”
“Well, look who’s getting along.” Daddy stepped into the room, took his seat at the table.
“Just be glad you didn’t show up a few minutes ago.” Ross grinned.
Stacia ignored him. “Are they both bathed?”
“Yep, read them a story and they’re down for the count.”
Ross slid the last plate into the rack. “I better be going.”
“Maybe not.” Daddy scratched his chin. “I have an idea.”
“What’s that?” Ross asked.
“There’s an apartment across from Stacia’s workshop in the cattle barn. Used to be where our ranch hand lived. You could move in there if you don’t mind a few moos and whinnies.”
“Daddy. No.”
But he ignored her. “It might need a deep cleaning, a little sprucing up, but it would save you some money and a commute if you’re gonna be here every day.”
“Absolutely not.”
“What’s gotten into you, Stacia?”
“What’s gotten into you, Daddy? We don’t know this guy.” She waved her hand at Ross. “For all we know he could be a serial killer. And you’re practically inviting him to move in with us.”
Maverick turned to Ross. “I apologize for my daughter’s rudeness.”
“It’s okay, I appreciate her caution when it comes to my niece and nephew.”
Her gaze pinged back and forth between them, then landed on her dad. “Stop it, Daddy. You’re supposed to take my side.”
“I am on your side. But I’m on Madison and Mason’s side too. This is their uncle. He has as much of a right to be part of their lives as we do. I’m trying to make the best of a difficult situation.”
“By inviting a man we don’t know to move in.” She did a little fake shudder.
“Nonsense, Stacia.” Daddy scoffed. “He’s not moving into the house. And I’ve still got my gun.”
“In that case—” Ross laughed “—maybe I should just go back to Bandera for the night.”
“No you won’t.” Daddy pulled a key from the hook on the wall, handed it to Ross. “The place is yours for as long as you wanna stick around.”
“I appreciate it. But I’ve already paid for my cabin, so I’ll stay there tonight.”
“After church tomorrow, if you’ll come by, we can get the apartment cleaned up and move-in ready,” Daddy suggested.
“Sounds like a plan.”
So now he’d won over the twins and her dad. But not Stacia. She had to remain on high alert, in protective mode. The twins depended on her. And she wouldn’t let this guy just waltz in, pull an Aunt Eleanor, and take them away from her. No matter how handsome he was.
* * *
Morning sunlight dappled the walls of Stacia’s bedroom as she slipped earrings in, checked her reflection, then headed for the stairs. Just as Daddy came out of his room.
“You okay?” He touched her elbow.
“Where are the twins?”
“Downstairs.”
“I feel like we’re losing them,” she whispered as moisture clouded her vision.
“We won’t. I won’t allow that to happen.”
“And it’s like you’re taking Ross’s side. When did y’all become best buds?”
“We can’t afford to make this guy mad. He’s got the upper hand, Stace.” He put his arm around her shoulders, kissed the top of her head. “He could take us to court and with Ron’s money to back him, that terrifies me. Even though your aunt lost when she tried it years ago, I’ve seen it on the news, too many kids ripped away from adoptive families because the birth family had a change of heart. I figure we play nice and try to compromise, rather than take the chance of losing everything.”
“You’re right.” She blew out a big breath. “I’ll try. But he just jerks all my nerve endings at the same time.”
“God’s got this. Let Him handle things when you can’t.”
As they descended the steps, the front door slammed.
“I told y’all to stay inside until time to leave for church,” Daddy shouted.
No response.
“They’ve escaped in their church clothes.” She hurried down the stairs and out the door after them. A squeal echoed as she stepped out on the porch.
“Make him stop, Aunt Stacia!” Madison screamed as she ran by.
Mason giggled, in hot pursuit of his twin sister, with both hands cupped around something.
“Mason, stop chasing your sister this instant or I’ll ground you from the side-by-side.”
That stopped him in his tracks.
“You’re both supposed to be inside. What have you got?” Stacia dashed down the porch steps.
“A big ugly frog.” Madison darted behind her. “He was gonna put it on me.”
“Let me see it, big guy.”
Mason headed toward her with a sly grin as Madison shot out from behind her and ran to the door. Before he even reached her, Stacia knew exactly what he planned to do. He opened his hands enough for her to see a large toad’s head, then promptly set it on her arm.
She kept still, then gingerly caught the toad and held him in one hand.
“You didn’t scream. Or run.” Mason frowned.
“Because I’m not afraid of him. Come see, Madison.”
“Nope.”
“Frogs can’t hurt you. And this is actually a toad. They like to be petted.” She ran her finger down the toad’s back.
“What’s the difference?” Madison crept closer.
“Most frogs are slimy with smoother skin and their legs are longer with sticky feet. Toads have shorter legs and rougher, drier skin.”
“Do they give you warts?” Mason ran his grubby finger down the toad’s back.
“No. That’s a myth.”
“But they tinkle on you.” Madison gagged.
“If you scare them. But not if you pick them up really gently like this.” She gripped the toad between her finger and thumb. “Right behind his front legs, where his belly sticks out on each side. Really gently, just enough to hold him. That way if he tinkles, it’s not on you. You let him get it out of his system and then set him in your hand.”
A dark pickup turned into the drive, but she couldn’t tell who was inside. The door opened and Ross climbed out. Obviously dressed for church, wearing a white shirt, black slacks and a tie.
“Uncle Ross.” The twins bolted for him.
“Stop this instant!” Stacia shouted.
Both children stopped in their tracks.
“You’ll get him dirty. Go wash your hands.”
“A little dirt never hurt anybody.” Ross beckoned them with both hands.
Mason took off, but Madison looked back at Stacia.
“Go ahead.” She sighed.
Each twin hugged
one of his legs until he knelt to their level and transferred their hugs to his neck.
“Come look at the toad I found.” Mason let go and darted back in her direction.
Ross stood and Madison clasped his hand as he strolled toward her.
“Madison’s afraid of him.” Mason snickered.
“I am not. Not anymore. Aunt Stacia showed us how to pick them up, so they don’t tinkle on you.”
“A fine skill to have.” Ross stepped close, inspected the toad. “And that’s a mighty fine toad you’ve got there.”
“I think I’ll keep him.” Mason stayed still while she passed the toad back to him.
“He might have a family and I bet they miss him,” Ross said.
Something in his eyes made her realize he wasn’t talking about the toad.
“I’ll put him back where I found him.”
“Do that, then come in to wash your hands and face.” She gently tapped his nose with her finger. “No more scaring or chasing your sister and hurry, it’s time to leave.”
“Okay.” Mason’s tone sounded as if she’d just deflated all the fun out of his young life.
She shooed Madison inside. Once the door closed, she crossed her arms under her chest. “Nice line about the toad.”
“That’s what my mom always told me and Ron when we were kids and caught some critter or another.”
“She sounds like a good mom.”
“The best.”
“So you’re headed to church?”
“I thought I’d follow y’all, if that’s okay?”
She couldn’t begrudge him church. “Sure.”
Mason returned from taking the toad to its home. “I hope his family finds him.”
“I’m sure they will.” Ross shot him a wink and Mason scurried through the door.
The door opened behind her and she turned to see Daddy.
“Ross. I can’t remember the last time someone actually showed up when I invited them to church.”
“I’ve gone my entire life, so I figure I should find a church home while I’m here.”
Madison came back out. “We’re waiting on Mason, as usual.”
A Texas Bond Page 3
