Reuniting with the Cowboy

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Do you have a plan?” He followed her into the surgery/recovery room.

  “Maybe if we put a kennel up level with the cat, she’ll go in. Usually when felines are frightened, they love their crates.”

  “We’ll give it a shot.”

  Ally grabbed Cinnamon’s kennel and Samson’s leash. Cody was right behind her as she opened the break room door.

  “Hey, Samson, sweet puppy.” Ally baby-talked the sleek canine. “You don’t want to hurt that precious little kitty. Just think how sad her people would be.”

  Cody strolled past the dog to the refrigerator, took the kennel and held it up next to the cat.

  “Come on, Cinnamon. Get in your crate, girl. You’ll be safe. Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.”

  Desperate, the cat shot into the kennel as Samson let out a series of deep woofs and looked as if he’d take Cody down. But Ally snapped his leash on and held him back with all her might.

  Cody set the kennel on the counter. “Let me have the dog.” He took the leash from her. “Where do you want him?”

  “In the surgery room.” She followed him through the adjoining door and coaxed Samson into his cage. “I’d think after tangling with a copperhead, the last thing on your mind would be a cat, you brute.” Ally scolded the dog and he hung his head as she fastened the cage door back in place. Crisis averted, she let out a long exhale.

  “I’ll get Cinnamon.” Cody disappeared for a moment, then came back carrying a still-terrified cat.

  “It’s okay, sweetie.” Ally stuck a finger through a hole in the box and stroked the frightened cat. “I won’t let that mean old dog get you. And your mommy will come get you soon. Let me check you over and make sure you didn’t rip any stitches.” Gently she pulled the cat out of the cage and set her on the examining table. Ally used her body as a shield to block the cat’s view of Samson.

  “She just had surgery?”

  “I spayed her yesterday.” Ally inspected the stitches on the cat’s belly. “Everything looks okay. I’m so sorry you had such a traumatic night. I wonder how long y’all were out.”

  “Your nemesis obviously came back.”

  “I thought surely the new locks would do the trick.”

  “I’ll see if Mitch is still here.”

  “Not until the pet photography thing is over.” Her insides twisted. “Please. I don’t want everyone wondering why the Texas Rangers are here. And I’ll have patients soon.”

  “Relax.” He leaned against the counter, crossed his arms over his chest, as if reminding her how to settle down. “He’ll keep a low profile.”

  “I guess that’ll have to do.” She checked her appointments. “Thanks for helping. There’s no way I could have gotten the kennel up high enough to reach the cat.”

  “I just can’t believe someone was skulking around here last night and I didn’t hear a thing. I promise I’ve been sleeping with both ears open.”

  “I didn’t hear anything, either. It’s not your fault.”

  “No, but if anyone hurt you, I’d never forgive myself.”

  Her heart shot into triple rhythm.

  But he cared for her only as a friend. He’d be upset if she got hurt on his watch. Not because he loved her.

  The door opened and Lance strolled in. His jaw went slack when he saw her. “Morning, Ally.”

  “You missed the excitement. I’m sure Mom will tell you all about it. We better get back to the barn and make sure things run smoothly.”

  “Nice seeing you, Lance.” Cody followed her out.

  Cars lined both their drives. Though her shelter was less occupied these days, the cacophony of usual barks reached a fevered pitch with all the activity and extra pets. Hopefully, her clients wouldn’t leave before getting their pictures done just to escape the ruckus.

  “So how are things with Lance?” Cody fell in stride beside her. “After the talk.”

  “I try to act natural.” She slowed to accommodate his slight limp. “But I fake it. It doesn’t feel like anything will ever be normal again, and I’m dreading tomorrow’s dinner. I’m twenty-nine, my mother has a boyfriend I work with every day, and I feel like I’m losing her. How childish is that?”

  “I think it’s perfectly normal. You’ll never lose her. It’ll be different. But different can be good.”

  “I can’t imagine living here by myself.” Her eyes went skyward.

  “You’re probably getting a little ahead of yourself.”

  “I don’t think so.” She hugged herself. “He was still at the house when I went in last night. They were holding hands and the way they were looking at each other...” She closed her eyes. “If he kisses her, I’m not sure if I’ll scream, cry or laugh. Maybe all three. Yet the rational part of me knows Mom has been lonely for so long. I want her to be happy and he’s a good man.”

  “Just give yourself time to get used to the idea. And pray about it.”

  “Pray about it?” She stopped. “Like for them to suddenly get on each other’s nerves?”

  “Not exactly.” He chuckled. “Pray for God to give you peace about their relationship.”

  “I like my idea better.” But how could she begrudge her mother the love of a decent man?

  By the time they got to the barn, another family was in the middle of their photo session.

  Another happy family.

  She’d give anything for Cody to return her feelings. But if he couldn’t love her, she shouldn’t love him. Yet her traitorous heart refused to listen to reason.

  * * *

  Lance’s doorbell played some song Cody couldn’t quite put his finger on as Ally’s hand quaked in his.

  “Relax.” He squeezed her fingers. “At least you know Lance. You sat with him during church this morning. And for a lot of Sundays before that. It’s not like he’s some random man preying on lonely women.”

  “Thanks. You just gave me a whole new worry.” She shot him a grin, and despite her nerves, her eyes sparkled with something he hadn’t seen before.

  Something he liked. A lot.

  The door swung open. A pretty redhead with a toddler clinging to each leg greeted them. “Hi, you must be Ally. Come on in. I’m Erin. This is Zane and this is Zoey.”

  Ally seemed rooted to the spot. He squeezed her hand again, propelling her forward.

  “I’m Cody.”

  “I’m so glad you could come.” Erin pried the children loose and grabbed each by the hand. “Everyone’s in the living room. Follow me.”

  They made slow toddler progress to a room just off the foyer.

  “Ally, you made it.” Diane sat next to Lance on a cozy love seat.

  A blond man relaxed in a recliner.

  Cody gave her fingers another squeeze, but she pulled free of his grasp as if she’d just remembered they were holding hands.

  “This is Ally and Cody. My husband, Scott. If he’ll keep up with our two cling-ons, I’ll put ice in the glasses and we’ll be ready.”

  “Come here, rug rats.” Scott stood and wrangled the toddlers. He tickled the children, reducing them to giggles, as everyone trailed Erin to the dining room.

  Something tugged inside Cody’s gut. A pull he’d been feeling for a while now. Being home, seeing all his friends and family happily married with kids made him feel like he was missing out on something. Something with Ally.

  Diane and the men settled at the table while Erin and Ally filled the glasses with ice. Lance and Diane sat at the ends, Scott and the twins on one side, leaving Cody with Erin and Ally. Taking the middle seat would be too obvious. He chose a chair next to Diane’s end, praying Erin would leave the chair beside him for Ally.

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Forever with Ally sounded good. He could imagine spending the rest of his life with her. Her ha
ving his babies.

  But did she have any feelings for him? She certainly hadn’t resisted their long-ago kiss. And since he’d been back, there’d been a few times when she’d seemed drawn to him. Like the other day while they were working on the float. If he didn’t know any better, he’d say she’d wanted to kiss him, too.

  Finished with the ice, Erin claimed the chair by her dad, leaving Ally to sit beside Cody. Her elbow brushed his. Stole his breath.

  “Sorry.” That softness was still in her eyes.

  That thing that turned him into a puddle at her feet. Could she have feelings for him, too?

  But even if she did, Cody didn’t know how long his forever would last. He couldn’t pursue Ally. Not unless he had the surgery. And lived.

  Surgery was his only chance. And Ally was worth giving it a shot.

  * * *

  Grilled steak, roasted potatoes, green beans and yeast rolls. Yum. Ally’s mouth watered over the food. But it wasn’t enough to distract her from Cody. Since she’d come to terms with her feelings for him, since he seemed like he might stay, she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about him.

  Lance prayed over the meal, and chatter filled the air as they passed dishes, filling their plates.

  Mom seemed so happy. Happier than Ally had seen her since...since Dad. What right did Ally have to let her conflicted feelings put a damper on her mother’s happiness?

  “So how long have you and Cody been together?” Erin bumped her elbow.

  “We’re not.” Ally gave a decisive shake of her head. “We’re neighbors.”

  “And friends.” Cody cleared his throat.

  “We’ve been friends since high school and now we’re neighbors.” Ally focused on cutting her steak.

  “Oops, my bad.” Erin offered an innocent shrug. “Y’all seem so close I just assumed...”

  “I think—” Scott wiped potatoes off his son’s mouth “—my lovely wife was envisioning a double wedding with y’all and Dad and Diane. Guess it’ll have to be a single affair.”

  Erin’s eyes widened.

  “Ouch.” Scott grimaced. “That was my shin.”

  Ally’s gaze pinged from Mom to Lance. Waiting for her response. “A wedding? Isn’t that rushing things a bit?”

  “Not really.” Mom giggled.

  Giggled? Mom giggled? “Y’all are talking about getting married already?”

  “Since the cat’s out of the bag—” a throb started up in Lance’s jaw “—I guess I should ask you for your mother’s hand in marriage.”

  Ally’s mouth went numb.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I think Ally’s just surprised.” Cody’s hand closed over hers under the table, gave her a gentle pat. “I mean, you’ve only been dating a few weeks.”

  “We’ve worked together for two years, ate a lot of lunches together and officially started dating six months ago.” Mom blushed.

  “Six months?” Ally almost swallowed her tongue. “You hid it from me?”

  Mom’s face went a deeper shade of red. “Um... I haven’t exactly been going to book club meetings.”

  How could she have been so naive? Book clubs didn’t meet on Saturday nights.

  “Your mother didn’t want you to be upset.” Lance’s tone was cajoling.

  “So you hide your relationship from me for six months and then spring a proposal on me out of the blue. What am I? A child?” The high-pitched panic in her voice made her sound like one. She gulped her sweet tea.

  Something beeped in the kitchen.

  “Ally, let’s go check on my pie.” Erin scooted her chair back. “I need a second opinion since I’m bad about underbaking the crust and there’s nothing worse than doughy pie.”

  Saved by the buzzer. But the last thing Ally wanted to do was talk about pie. She wanted to grab Mom by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. Instead she pushed her chair back and followed Erin to the kitchen.

  “I tried to get them to tell you. From the beginning.” Erin opened the oven and slid out the rack. Blueberries bubbled under the golden lattice crust. With mitt-covered hands, Erin pulled the pie from the oven and set it on a hot pad on the counter.

  “So you knew they were dating from the beginning?”

  “Yes. Dad told me he wanted to ask your mom out and I kind of coached him along.”

  “Why did they tell you and not me?” Ally folded her arms over her chest as something heavy sank to the pit of her stomach.

  “I guess they knew I was ready. I’d been trying to get Dad to date for at least a year.”

  “But they thought I needed to be treated with kid gloves?”

  “I’m married with a family of my own. Your mom didn’t want you to feel like she was abandoning you. But it doesn’t look like you’re alone. Are you sure you and Cody are only friends and neighbors?”

  “Yes.” Sort of.

  Her mom entered the kitchen then wearing a sheepish grin. “How’s the pie coming?”

  “I think it turned out perfect. For the first time ever.” Erin grabbed a knife and the pie and headed for the dining room. “Will you bring the ice cream, Diane? No rush—this’ll need time to cool.”

  “I’m sorry, sweetie.” Mom cupped Ally’s cheek when they were alone. “I know this must seem fast to you. And I handled it all wrong. I should have told you from the beginning. Lance tried to get me to.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “You were so crazy about your dad and I knew it would be hard on you to see me with another man.”

  “I’m an adult.” She swallowed hard. “I’m trying to pull up my big-girl boots.”

  “We shouldn’t have rushed you. Forget about Lance’s proposal.” Mom patted her arm. “We’ll wait until you’re more comfortable with everything.”

  “You really love him?”

  “I do. He makes me happy.” Mom chuckled. “He makes me laugh. Makes me feel young.”

  “You’re sure enough to marry him?”

  “I am.” Mom bit her lip. “After your dad died, I didn’t think I’d ever love again. But Lance is a very special man. He treats me like a queen.”

  “You’ve been alone a long time.” Ally drew in a big breath. “You deserve to be happy and Lance is a good man.”

  “He really is.” Mom patted her cheek. “I’m glad you’re remembering that you like him.”

  “We better get back in there with the ice cream.”

  Mom opened the freezer, fished out the bucket and linked arms with Ally.

  They stepped back in the dining room and the conversation went silent.

  “Perfect timing.” Erin tried to cover the sudden quiet. “I think the pie is cool enough to cut.”

  “I haven’t had blueberry pie in ages.” Cody rubbed his hands together.

  “It’s Mom’s favorite.” Ally took her seat beside him. “Before we start dishing up the pie, I have something to say.”

  Lance’s jaw tightened. Scott’s eyes went big. Erin sipped her tea. Cody’s hand found Ally’s under the table again.

  “I’d like to give Lance my blessing. Yes, you may marry my mother.”

  Smiles broke out around the table, followed by excited conversation as Erin served up pie and ice cream. Cody squeezed her fingers.

  Drat. She’d probably use his shoulder again on the way home. She really should keep her distance. Even if he stayed in Aubrey, he might not have any feelings for her other than friendship. And she wanted way more where Cody was concerned.

  * * *

  “I’m proud of you.” Almost home, but Cody wasn’t ready to let Ally go just yet. “I know that must have been hard.”

  “It was.” Ally turned into her drive. “But it was the right thing to do. Mom deserves to be happy. And I don’t
have any right to stand in her way.”

  “Lance is a good man. And he has no criminal record.”

  “What?”

  Cody ducked his head. “Mitch checked his background after the first break-in at your clinic. He’s clean. Derek, too. Of course, I’m not supposed to know any of that, so if you could forget it, I’d be forever in your debt.”

  “My lips are sealed.” She grinned. “Thanks for letting me know, but I already knew he was okay. You can tell a lot about a person from the way they treat animals. His daughter and her family seem nice, too. I could get real attached to those twins.”

  “You always worried about never being an aunt. Here’s your chance.” Practice for being a mom to his children someday?

  “I hadn’t thought of that. But I hope it’s a long engagement. I need time to adjust.”

  “I’ll go with you to your mom’s wedding if you’ll go with me to my grandpa’s.”

  “He’s getting remarried?” She killed her engine.

  “This Saturday.” A chorus of barks from Ally’s barn filled the silence. “He called to tell me last night.”

  “Wow, our relatives move fast, don’t they. At his ranch in Medina?”

  “It’s a six-hour drive. You up for a road trip?” Six hours in a truck with Ally. Could his heart take that much one-on-one with her?

  “I guess so. I’ll definitely need support at Mom’s.” She didn’t seem to be in any hurry to go inside.

  “If we go it alone, you’ll have to drive.” Please say yes. “Or we can ride with my mom and dad in the minivan with my niece, Michaela.”

  “You know I’m all about kids. But the farther back I sit in a vehicle, the more carsick I get. So I guess I better drive us. How long until you can get behind the wheel?”

  He’d hoped she wouldn’t ask. Hated lying, but he wasn’t ready to share his aneurysm with her. “I’m not sure. Just a precaution because of my knee.”

  “Isn’t that a bit extreme?”

  “It was a pretty extreme injury. And not my first.” At least that part was true.

  “All this time, you haven’t driven. How do you get groceries?”