by Kat Brookes
“No need,” she said with a grateful smile. “I’ll take her with me.”
His brows creased. “Are you sure? Some of the residents there are not in the best shape. It might be upsetting for her.”
“I’m sure,” she told him with a smile, grateful that her niece’s well-being was foremost in his mind. “Blue and I occasionally pay visits to nursing homes back in Cheyenne. Your niece loves to hand out pages she’s colored to the residents. Not as much as she loves sitting with them and spinning all sorts of tales that keep her aging audience quite entertained.” Her smile softened. “I suppose she’s a lot like her daddy in that way.”
“I suppose it’s true what they say then. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he agreed.
She hoped not. The last thing she wanted to be was anything at all like her own parents had been. Autumn turned, calling out to Blue. “Blue, sweetie, go get your boots and coat on. We’re going for a ride.” Then she looked back to Jackson. “You can give me directions to Sunny Days while I walk out with you to get Hank.”
With a nod, he followed her outside.
When they arrived at the nursing home less than ten minutes later, Autumn reached for Blue’s hand, Tucker’s guitar held securely in her other hand. The sound of masculine singing filtered through the hallway, growing louder as they neared the recreation room.
“I can hear him,” Blue said in an excited whisper, having learned that quiet voices were best for places like this.
Autumn could, as well. Tucker had a beautiful voice, not that she would ever word it that way to him. She was learning that men of his breed liked to think themselves manly men. The thought made her smile. Those three hulking, ex–rodeo riding brothers couldn’t get any manlier if they tried. She gave Blue’s hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m not so sure he even needs Hank.” They slowed, turning to step through the open doorway.
The oversized, window-lined room was filled with what were clearly Tucker Wade’s adoring fans. Seated on settees and chairs, and a few scattered wheelchairs, the residents were undeniably enthralled by Tucker’s melodic voice. Despite not having his trusty guitar to accompany him, he was singing his heart out, his grin aimed at one particular resident seated in the front row. The older man, despite his frail appearance, was clapping his hands and tapping a foot to Tucker’s deep baritone voice singing “Back in the Saddle Again.”
Standing there, watching Tucker bring joy to so many faces with his singing made Autumn’s heart melt. There had been no singing cowboy during her grandma’s final days, which had been spent in a nursing home very similar to the one she was standing in now. Her grandma would have enjoyed it so very much. Tucker Wade was turning out to be the most giving man she had ever known. She sniffed softly, her eyes misting over.
“Aunt Autumn, why are you crying?” Blue asked, forgetting to use her quiet voice, causing several heads to turn in their direction.
The shifting commotion at the back of the room drew Tucker’s gaze in her and Blue’s direction. The second he saw them standing there, his green eyes widened in surprise, the song he’d been singing coming to a jarring halt.
The abrupt end to the song had the home’s residents stirring anxiously. Pleas for him to finish his song filled the room. Tucker shifted uneasily, a hint of color deepening his tanned cheeks.
Autumn hadn’t meant to embarrass him. Truth was she wasn’t even sure why she had volunteered to bring his guitar to him instead of letting his brother see to the task. But she’d judged him so unfairly. She’d wanted to make it up to him. Leaning down, she said to Blue, “We know the song your daddy was singing. How about we sing along with him?” Having seen her fair share of old Westerns, she knew plenty of cowboy campfire songs, many of which she had taught Blue to sing.
Blue nodded eagerly at the suggestion.
Lifting her gaze to Tucker, who stood watching her from across the room, Autumn began to sing. Blue quickly joined in and the two of them made their way through the gathered residents, their smiles returning once more. As they drew closer to Tucker, she held Hank out to him with a warm smile. “We thought you might be needing this,” she whispered as Blue continued singing at the top of her precious little lungs.
With a nod of appreciation, he took the guitar and eased its strap over his head. Feeding his muscular arm through the loop, he let the weight of the instrument fall against his jean-clad hip as he began to play. Then his deep, baritone voice joined hers and Blue’s, blending perfectly, as together they finished the remainder of the song.
* * *
After playing several more well-known songs, his singing accompanied by that of his daughter and her beautiful aunt, the home’s staff began to escort the residents from the room for their evening meal. But Old Wylie was far too smitten with Autumn to concern himself with nourishment. Once introductions had been made, the older man had been more than content to chatter on, all cow eyed, with Autumn.
Tucker’s gaze was drawn to Autumn’s smiling face. She didn’t appear to mind the older man’s determination to chew her ear off. Instead, she sat grinning, laughing at Wylie’s stories even if they verged on being what Tucker would consider very tall tales.
He turned his attention to Blue, who was seated at a table by the window, putting a puzzle together with one of the home’s good-hearted volunteers. She never ceased to amaze him. At times, even humble him. When he’d first seen her standing just inside the recreation room’s open doorway with Autumn, he’d pretty much been stunned speechless. Or songless as was the case.
When Autumn’s pale blue gaze had met his, he’d not missed the sheen of unshed tears in her eyes. His first thought had been to sweep Blue out of the room, away from what was sure to upset her or at the very least, make his daughter uneasy. But Blue hadn’t balked one bit at being surrounded by a roomful of elderly patients, some of whom were hooked up to oxygen, some in wheelchairs, even those like Old Wylie, who suffered from various levels of dementia. She had fallen into song, right alongside her beautiful aunt, making Tucker forget all about wanting to sweep her from the room. Instead, he’d waited where he’d been standing for them to reach him, moved by their sweet voices.
As if sensing his gaze upon her, Blue glanced up from the puzzle she was working on, and a happy smile stretched across her tiny heart-shaped face. A face he prayed he would spend the rest of his life being able to look upon.
Wylie’s attendant returned to take him to supper, having allowed the older man extra time with Tucker and his guests. With a word of thanks to Tucker, she escorted her now much-calmer patient from the room.
When they had gone, Autumn turned to him. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming here?”
A slight frown pinched at his lips. “I didn’t want to bring up sad memories for you, your having had to care for your ailing grandmother and all.”
Her expression softened. “I wish you would have. Seeing you here...” Emotion had the words catching in her throat. “Well, it was just so kindhearted of you. If I had known—”
He cut her off, saying, “I don’t do this for the praise. God gave me the ability to play, so why not use it to make others happy?”
“You might not seek praise, but you most certainly deserve it. And I agree, the good Lord definitely blessed you with the ability to play and sing. You have a wonderful voice.”
“If we’re talking being blessed with the ability to sing, I’d have to say that He gifted you, as well.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “Thank you.”
He gave a slight nod. Truth was, Autumn had truly surprised him with her genuine ease around the home’s residents. But his daughter had surprised him even more. “I can’t get over how easily Blue adapted to things here.”
She glanced toward his daughter, her smile softening even more. “Blue is a very bighearted little girl. And this isn’t the first nursing home she’s been to.”
/> His brows drew together in confusion. “But I thought your grandmother passed away years ago.”
“She did,” she said, a hint of sadness lacing her voice. “But there are so many other elderly people spending their final days in homes like this who have no family to look in on them.” Autumn went on to explain how she and Blue paid visits to different nursing homes back in Cheyenne with the hopes of brightening the residents’ days, just as Autumn had once done for her grandmother before her passing.
“Thank you for teaching my daughter to treat others with patience and kindness.”
“Tucker...”
“Yes?”
“Do you think it would be all right if Blue and I come back with you next time you play for the patients? If we’re still here, I mean,” she added. “Just to watch.”
“I’d like that,” he said. “In fact, you and Blue can join me in entertaining the residents.”
She shook her head. “Oh, we couldn’t do that. It’s your special time with them.”
“You and Blue made it even more special. And I know the residents really enjoyed having the two of you here.” He reached out, placing his hand atop hers. “So did I.”
“I’m glad we came,” she said softly. “It gave me a chance to see yet another side of the man you are. Beyond the strong, loyal, loving brother, son and father you have shown yourself to be. You’re compassionate to others and a truly devoted friend. A very likable man. I can see why my sister was drawn to you.”
And you? he wanted to ask, but kept those words to himself. Withdrawing his hand, despite the urge to leave it exactly where it was, he said, “Well, you’re pretty likable, too.”
“Thank you.” She glanced in his daughter’s direction. “We should be going.”
“I won’t be long behind you. I just want to stop by the cafeteria and make sure Wylie is still doing okay.”
She stood and looked down at him with a tender smile. “Do what you need to do. Blue and I will see you when you get home.”
He watched as she crossed the room to collect Blue, his heart giving odd little lurches. Could he really let Autumn go back to Cheyenne without telling her how he felt? Feelings he was still trying to work out. Because he’d opened his heart to a woman once before and had ended up being left to pick up the pieces after Summer had trampled over it. Did he dare risk it a second time?
Chapter Nine
“For years, I’ve been surrounded by men,” Emma Wade said as she and Autumn peeled potatoes for that night’s family dinner. “It’s so nice to finally have another female around.” Her gaze slid over to Blue whose job was to place the peeled potatoes, once they had been rinsed, into a bowl that sat on the table in front of her and then hand them to her grandma to cut into pieces. A tender smile moved over Emma’s face as she corrected her previous statement. “Two females, counting Blue.”
“It was kind of you to include me in tonight’s dinner,” Autumn told her as she walked over to the sink to rinse off another colander full of potatoes.
“You’re family, honey,” the older woman replied as she sliced into a wedge of potato. “Of course, you’re invited to join us.”
There it was again, being told that she was part of a family that had no real familial connection with her. At least, not directly. It would have been nice to truly be a part of this family. They were everything Autumn had wished for growing up, but had never had. Loving, giving, warmhearted and unfailingly loyal.
“Aunt Autumn’s gonna come live with us.”
The colander Autumn was holding under the water’s stream clattered into the kitchen sink as it slipped from her grasp. She cast a glance back over her shoulder to find Tucker’s momma staring at her wide-eyed.
“You are?”
Autumn gave an embarrassed laugh as she retrieved the potato-laden colander, which had thankfully remained upright when it slipped from her hands. “I think Blue would like that to be true. However, I do have an open invitation to come visit anytime I like if Blue comes to live here in Bent Creek with her daddy.”
“Of course, you do,” the older woman replied as she went back to dicing another potato. “I’m just sorry you’ve been put in such an emotionally draining situation. I hope Tucker’s been sensitive of the position you’re in.”
Tucker, she thought with an odd ache in her heart. He was everything she wanted in a man. But he was not the man for her. Because if she gave in to her feelings and Tucker reciprocated she would spend the rest of her life knowing she was once again another man’s second choice.
“It hasn’t been easy for him, either,” Autumn replied, “but we’re working our way through it. Tucker has been incredibly understanding about my need to make certain I do what I feel is in Blue’s best interest.”
“Glad to hear it,” his momma said. “I’d expect no less from any of my boys.”
“Your son...all of your sons,” she corrected, “are fine men who could give the gentlemen of Texas a run for their money in the manners department.”
Pride lit the older woman’s face. “Well, you be sure to tell me if any of them have a lapse of manners and I’ll set them straight.”
Autumn laughed softly. “I’ll do that.” Not that she truly believed that would ever happen. Their manners were too deeply ingrained. And although Blue was too young to fully appreciate what she had gained by this trip, Autumn knew. Her niece now had a complete family on her daddy’s side, all of whom wanted to make her a part of their lives. Family who would love and cherish her as she so deserved to be.
While she was so incredibly happy for Blue, to have been so easily accepted and loved without reservation, she had to admit, at least to herself, that a part of her envied her young niece. She immediately pushed the thought away, because envy had no place in her life, and busied herself with rinsing off the next batch of potatoes while Emma and Blue chatted away behind her.
The kitchen door swung open, and Garrett poked his head inside. “Afternoon,” he greeted, immediately sweeping the black cowboy hat from his head.
“You’re early,” his momma said in surprise.
“My last appointment canceled,” he answered as he stepped inside. “Figured I’d come over as soon as I had washed up.” His gaze swept the kitchen. “Where’s Tucker?”
“Jackson called to say an old tree uprooted between your place and his and was lying halfway across the road. Your father and Tucker went out to help him clear it away.”
“Well, I had a surprise I wanted to show Blue, but I suppose it can wait. I’d best go lend them a hand.”
Blue looked to Autumn in silent pleading. “But I like surprises.”
“Honey,” his mother said, clicking her tongue. “You can’t dangle a carrot in front of a rabbit and then take it away like that.”
Confusion lit Garrett’s face.
Autumn fought to keep her smile from widening. The Wade brothers were mostly clueless when it came to children, but adorably so.
“You have a rabbit?” Blue asked excitedly.
“I...um...”
“No, sweetie,” Autumn answered for Garrett, who appeared to be momentarily tongue-tied. “It’s just a saying.”
Relief swept over Garrett’s features. “Maybe so, but in this case I really do have a rabbit.”
Blue gasped. “You do?”
His smile widened. “I do. Its mother belongs to a customer of mine’s little boy. Her baby needed a little extra care after he was born, so I’ve been watching over him and seeing to it that he gets the care he needs until he’s ready to go back to his family.”
Blue looked worried. “Will he be okay?”
“Better than okay,” Tucker’s brother assured her. “In fact, I’m taking him back to his mother after dinner this evening, but I thought you might like to have a peek at him. Maybe even pet him if you’d like to.”
; “I’d like to!” Blue said excitedly. “Are we gonna go to your pet store to see him?”
Garrett’s husky chuckle sounded a lot like Tucker’s, maybe slightly deeper. “I don’t mean to disappoint you, honey, but I don’t have a pet store. Just a small building that sits next to my house that I sometimes use to care for animals. However, we don’t have to go anywhere.” He thumbed back over his shoulder toward the door he’d just come through. “I have Mr. Cottontail out on the back porch in a special cage that will keep him safe from other animals and warm.”
“Can I go see him?” Blue asked, turning pleading green eyes to Autumn.
“Maybe after we finish helping your grandma with the potatoes,” she told her.
“Oh, I think you and I can handle the rest of these without Blue’s help,” Tucker’s momma said. “Don’t you?”
If she didn’t mind, Autumn didn’t, either. Blue had been happier these past couple of weeks than she had been in months. “I reckon we can manage,” she agreed with a tender smile aimed in her niece’s direction.
Blue jumped down from the table and started toward the door where her uncle waited.
“Hold on, sweetie,” Autumn said. “You need your jacket.”
“I’ve got it,” Garrett said, lifting the tiny coat from the hook that held it on the rack beside where he stood at the door. Then he knelt to help her into it. “All set,” he said, rising to his feet.
Autumn hurried over to zip her niece’s weighted jacket. “It’s a little chilly out,” she told her with a loving smile.
“Okay,” Garrett said, “let’s go see that bunny.”
With a squeal, Blue was out the door in a flash. He glanced back at Autumn with a grin. “A girl right after her uncle’s heart.” Shoving his hat back onto his head, he followed Blue out onto the porch, swinging the door shut behind him.
As soon as the door closed, Emma Wade shook her head. “That boy of mine, always going over and above to help those with animals in need. He’s a large animal vet. How on God’s green earth does a rabbit fit into that category?”
