The Cowboy's Little Girl

by Kat Brookes

  Tears filled her eyes. “Yes, I knew what you did. But I thought things might change once you realized you had responsibilities toward Blue. And while I adore your momma, your leaving Blue for days, even weeks on end to be cared for by her is not much different than what my momma did to us, leaving care of Summer and I to our grandma.”

  “I’m not your mother or your father,” he growled in frustration. “And I’d appreciate your not comparing me to them.” Swiping his cowboy hat from his head, Tucker dragged a hand back through his hair. What frustrated him the most was her not being able to see that unlike her parents he would do everything in his power to see to his daughter’s happiness. Even if he had to be away for short periods of time. That meant he loved Blue no less. Taking stock to the rodeos was his livelihood.

  “I think we should head back now,” Autumn said with a sniffle.

  He looked at her and even now, after her telling him she would be taking his daughter away from him, he still felt the urge to brush the trail of hot, salty tears from her cheeks. Fool he was.

  “Agreed,” Tucker replied. “I’ve got more meaningful things I could be doing right now, like spending time with my daughter before you take her away. Speaking of which, do you intend to let me tell Blue goodbye when the time comes, or will you just slip away with her like Summer did all those years ago?”

  She gasped at his harsh words, and Tucker knew immediate regret at having spoken them. “Unlike my sister,” she said, her words choked with emotion, “I would never do that to you. But I suggest you say your goodbyes to Blue tonight, because we’ll be leaving for Cheyenne first thing tomorrow morning.”

  * * *

  “Tucker,” Garrett called after him as Tucker crossed his parents’ yard to his truck.

  Stopping, he turned to find not only Garrett, but Jackson striding his way, concern written all over their faces.

  “The barn,” his oldest brother said as he moved right on past him. “Now.”

  He looked to Jackson who only shook his head as he followed Garrett.

  Tucker wasn’t up for this. Whatever “this” was going to be. Sitting there at dinner, knowing what Autumn planned to do, had filled him with hurt and anger, and a whole lot of frustration. But he fell into step behind his brothers.

  Garrett closed the barn door behind them, guaranteeing privacy. Then he turned back to Tucker. “Let’s talk.”

  Tucker’s frown deepened as his brothers stood pinning him with their stares, arms folded unbudgingly across their flannel-covered chests. Dinner at his parents’ place that evening had been strained. At least, where he and Autumn were concerned. Not that she’d made any mention of their disagreement to his family. She’d been polite to everyone, smiling when the conversation required it and acting as if she hadn’t just trampled all over his trust. More tellingly, he supposed, was the fact that Autumn had avoided meeting his gaze as they sat across the table from each other, directing her conversation to everyone but him.

  Exhaling deeply, Tucker muttered, “Autumn and I had words.”

  Jackson snorted. “I don’t think either of us would have to be professional investigators to have figured that one out.”

  Tucker shot him a warning glance. “This is no joke. It’s my daughter Autumn intends to take away from me.”

  Jackson threw up a hand. “Wait a minute. What?”

  “She’s taking Blue home,” he said, his voice breaking. “She’s going to fight me for custody.”

  Surprise registered on Garrett’s face. “Why?”

  “I thought the two of you were working everything out,” Jackson said.

  He nodded. “We were. Unfortunately, Autumn has had a change of heart where my rodeo travel time as part-owner of the Triple W comes into play.”

  “Unless I missed something,” Garrett said, “Autumn knew what you did for a living when she came here to see what kind of father you would be to Blue. Why is she having issues with it now?”

  “There’s so much more to it than my being away at times,” he said, turning to face them as he filled his brothers in on a bit more of Autumn’s background and how she had essentially lumped him right in with her parents when he’d mentioned that his mom and dad would watch over Blue on occasion when he had to travel for work.

  “That explains the weird tension between you and Autumn at dinner tonight,” Jackson said.

  “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Tucker said in his own defense.

  “We know that,” Garrett said. “And I’m pretty sure Autumn does, too. But her past feeds into her protective instincts where Blue’s concerned.”

  “I’m not Autumn’s parents,” Tucker ground out. “My leaving Blue with Mom and Dad isn’t abandoning my daughter.”

  “Maybe not,” Jackson acknowledged. “But think about it, Tucker. How would you feel if the proverbial shoe was on the other foot? What if you gave up custody to Autumn and she left Blue in someone else’s care while she went out of town for her job for extended periods of time?”

  He’d been so hurt by Autumn’s unfair condemnation of him that he hadn’t allowed himself to appreciate the true depth of her concern. Shame for the way he had handled his end of their conversation filled him. How would he feel if the roles were reversed and he was going to place his daughter in the hands of someone who wouldn’t personally be around to see to Blue’s care for days, even weeks on end?

  Tucker yanked off his hat and dragged a hand back through his hair. Then he looked up at his brothers. “I would’ve done the same thing.”

  “There you have it,” Garrett said. “So what are you willing to do to keep you daughter in your life?”

  Hadn’t he already done everything in his power to prove to Autumn that Blue belonged with him? Everything, apparently, except give up his part of a business he’d built from the ground up alongside his brothers. A business he took immense pride in. But that pride had never been felt as deep as the love he had for his little girl. A business didn’t greet you with open arms when you came home at the end of the day. It didn’t make you see flowers and butterflies, even family dinners in a whole new light. It didn’t love you unconditionally.

  Slapping his hat back onto his head, Tucker stepped past his brothers and pushed open the barn door.

  “Where are you going?” he heard Garrett say.

  “To set things right,” Tucker replied. He was man enough to admit he’d made a mistake. He just prayed Autumn could find it in her heart to forgive him.

  * * *

  Tucker paused in his front yard, having caught sight of Autumn through the living room window. She was seated on the sofa, book in hand as she read her nightly bedtime story to Blue, who was snuggled up against her aunt’s side. Dragging in a deep breath, he gathered up his courage and made his way inside.

  Autumn looked up when he entered the room and then stiffened, closing the book she’d been reading to Blue. “That’s enough for tonight,” she told Blue. “You need to get to bed. We’ve got a long drive ahead of us tomorrow.”

  Blue’s sleepy eyes lifted. “But I don’t wanna leave.”

  His daughter’s words touched his heart. He didn’t want her to leave, either. If Autumn would give him a chance to make amends and set things right, maybe things would work out after all.

  “I know you don’t, sweetie,” Autumn replied with a sad smile. “But we’ve got to get back to Cheyenne.”

  “Daddy!” Blue said, her tired eyes lighting up the second she saw him standing there in the doorway.

  “Hello, sweetheart.”

  Autumn stood and reached for Blue’s hand. “We were just getting ready to go to bed. Come on, sweetie. Give your daddy a good-night hug before we go to bed.”

  They crossed the room to where he stood waiting. “’Night, Daddy,” Blue said, looking up at him with a hint of a pout to her lips.

  “’Night, s
weetheart,” he said, bending to kiss the top of her head. “I’ll see you in the morning.” If he couldn’t convince Autumn to stay, he’d at least be there to see his daughter off until he could get her back through legal means.

  As they started past him, Tucker said, “Autumn...”

  She paused in the hallway to glance back at him.

  “I was hoping you might be able to spare a few minutes to talk after you settle Blue into bed.”

  “I was under the impression you’d said everything you needed to say already.”

  A frown tugged at his mouth. “I owe you an apology for the way I reacted earlier.”

  She studied him for a long moment, as if judging his sincerity. Then her gaze dropped down to his sleepy-eyed daughter. “I’ll meet you out on the porch in ten minutes.” That said, she led Blue away down the hall.

  Less than ten minutes later, Autumn sat waiting for Tucker as he returned from the barn where he’d settled the horses for the night. She was seated on the porch swing, moving back and forth in a slow glide. “That didn’t take long,” he said.

  “Blue was out the second her head hit the pillow.”

  “May I?” he asked, inclining his head toward the empty space beside her on the swing.

  With a sigh, she stopped swinging, allowing him to settle his much larger frame next to hers.

  “I’m sorry,” he said again as he extended his long legs to set the swing into motion once more.

  “No,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”

  Her apology took him by surprise. “You have nothing to apologize for,” he told her, his hand covering hers. “I can’t tell you how much I regret comparing your decision to leave tomorrow to Summer’s actions,” he went on as he settled back against the cool, wooden slats of the porch swing. “You’re nothing like your sister. I know that you would never have walked out and taken my daughter away without letting me know of your intention to do so.”

  “No,” she said softly. “I could never have done that to you. No matter what was said between us.”

  “Speaking of what was said earlier. I talked to my brothers after dinner,” he began.

  Autumn sighed, nodding knowingly. “When the three of you stepped outside for a spell.”

  “Yes.”

  “I reckon they think me an awful person for changing my mind about turning custody of Blue over to you.”

  He gave a chuckle. “Hardly. My brothers took your side if anything.”

  Her eyes widened in surprise. “They did?”

  “Let’s just say they convinced me to put the proverbial shoe on the other foot. And that’s when I realized I would’ve done the same thing if I were in your position. So I asked them if they’d consider buying me out if that’s what it took to keep Blue in our lives.”

  She looked up at him, wide blue eyes reflecting the gentle glow of the porch light. “You would walk away from your part of the business?”

  “I told you from the start that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to have my daughter in my life. If selling my share of the business can make that happen, then I’ll do it.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, a few glistening drops escaping to slide down her cheeks.

  “You would do that for Blue?” she said as if his willingness to actually do this was beyond her ability to comprehend. Then again, for Autumn, it might be. Her father hadn’t given up anything for his daughters.

  “You did,” he reminded her with a tender smile. “Selling your real estate business to help support your sister and her little girl—my little girl. Which means you know better than anyone the sacrifices some people are willing to make for those they love.”

  She nodded, looking off toward the moonlight-shrouded barn. “Yes, I do.”

  “I want my daughter here with me, Autumn,” he said in a gentle plea. “I can’t lose her again.”

  She looked his way. “If you’re willing to make that kind of sacrifice for Blue, then you deserve the chance to raise her. It’s what Summer wanted.”

  “But not you,” he stated.

  “No,” she said sadly. “For purely selfish reasons,” she added. “But it’s Blue’s needs that matter most to me. If you’re prepared to begin seeing to your daughter’s needs, and if it’s okay with Blue, she can stay here with you when I go back to Cheyenne tomorrow.”

  He blinked hard, unsure if he’d heard her right or not. “You’d leave her here?”

  “It’s not like you’re a stranger,” she replied. “You’re her father.”

  He was that.

  “Look, Tucker, I’d keep Blue with me forever if I could. But she belongs here. Shuffling her back and forth while custody legalities are being seen to would be too hard on her. I love her enough not to put her through that.” She looked up, searching his gaze before adding, “Unless, you’d rather wait.”

  “No,” he said, shaking his head determinedly. “I’ve waited long enough.”

  “Yes,” she said with a tender smile. “You have.” She folded her arms in front of her as if warding off the night’s chill.

  Slipping his arm around her shoulders, Tucker drew Autumn closer to his side. An act that felt as natural as breathing. He looked down at her, searching her face. “Will you be okay? I know how big a part of your life Blue has been.”

  She teared up again. “God has a plan for us all. His bringing you into Blue’s life means He has other plans for me. Maybe returning to the life I once had back in Texas is the path He’s guiding me toward.”

  “Texas?” he repeated. “Why would you think that?”

  “Hope called when you were out in the barn, to tell me that she’d heard my real estate business was back up for sale. The woman who bought it from me has decided to retire and move back to Virginia. I think I might put in an offer.”

  “And leave Blue?” he said in disbelief.

  “She won’t be with me,” she reminded him. “She’ll be here with you. And I would visit her often. Just as I used to do before I moved in with her and her momma.”

  “But Texas is so far away,” he complained, his mouth tightening with a frown.

  She closed her eyes, her expression pained. “I don’t think I can stay in Cheyenne without Blue. Or Summer,” she said, her voice catching. “At least in Texas I won’t feel quite so alone.”

  He didn’t want her to feel alone. Ever. But the thought of her being more than a thousand miles away... Tucker tried to suppress the unexpected feelings that brought about. He’d never thought he’d ever allow another woman close to his heart, but Autumn hadn’t just gotten close, she’d latched on to it. “Don’t go.”

  “What?”

  “Stay here,” he told her. “Take time to really think this out.” He searched her beautiful face, wanting to burn it into his memory as he felt what could have been slipping away. “Do it for Blue. Do it for us.”

  Opening her eyes, Autumn looked up at him with a frown. “I’m not, but taking my time isn’t gonna change the way I’ll feel when I leave here.”

  Tucker dragged a hand down his lightly whiskered jaw. “I hate this. I don’t want to be the cause of your sadness.”

  “You’re not responsible for this situation we find ourselves in. My sister is,” she told him, forcing a soft smile. “And as much as I have loved helping to care for Blue, it never should have been my place to do so. It should have been yours. And now you’re gonna have the chance to be the father Blue has always needed in her life.”

  “I will do right by her,” he said, his words tight with emotion.

  “I know you will,” Autumn said, looking out over the ranch. “She’ll be happy here. I know it in my heart.”

  Tucker found himself wishing for things he had no right to. Because Autumn was Summer’s sister. He shouldn’t feel anything for her. But he wasn’t ready to see her go, not yet. “Are you dead
set on leaving tomorrow?”

  Worry creased her slender brows. “Are you having second thoughts?”

  “Not at all,” he replied. “I was just hoping you might consider joining us for the town’s annual fall barbecue. It’s only a few days away. You’d get to meet more of the people Blue will be growing up around. And, while it’s not an actual outdoor barbecue, there is an abundance of picnic dishes to choose from. Did I mention there’s an entire table devoted to desserts?”

  “An entire table, huh?” she teased.

  “Two if that’s what it takes to sway you,” he said with a grin.

  She smiled up at him. “It’s working.”

  If he had his way, desserts wouldn’t be the only thing he’d be swaying her over to his way of thinking on. Because the feelings he had developed for Autumn ran too deep for him to just sit back and watch her walk away.

  Chapter Ten

  Autumn knew that delaying her departure, even a few days, was dangerous to her heart—but she’d agreed to stay anyway. Not that Tucker would ever know how foolish she had been in allowing herself to fall for him. A man she had no right to feel anything for. She’d agreed because she was nowhere near ready to leave Blue, or Tucker for that matter, and her attending the barbecue with them gave her the reason she needed to stay on just a little while longer.

  Her gaze shifted to Blue, who was doing pirouettes around the bedroom to make the floral chiffon dress she wore flare out around her. She was so excited to be going to the barbecue and had insisted on dressing up even though the event, according to Tucker, was casual dress.

  Her heart pinched as she watched her niece. Tomorrow they would be separated for the first time since Autumn had gone to live with Summer. She and Tucker had sat down with Blue and explained things to her as best they could. Blue had accepted the news that she would be living with her daddy from there on out exceedingly well, which, for Autumn, might have hurt her feelings if not for the fact that her niece had told him that she wanted Autumn to stay, too. In a perfect world, Autumn thought with a touch of melancholy.