The Renegade Cowboy Returns: The Renegade Cowboy ReturnsTexas Lullaby

by Tina Leonard

  Gage grinned. “It’s my first Fourth of July with Cat.”

  “Lucky dog. You get to experience all those firsts, just like a new dad. Heck, you are a new dad.”

  Gage followed Jonas inside, to where the kids watched through the windows, their noses pressed to the glass. Chelsea, he noticed, was taking pictures of Cat with her cell phone. He smiled to himself, warmed by her consideration of his daughter.

  He liked Chelsea, more than he would ever admit. Liked her more every day.

  But there was no way it could work out. He was an itinerant cowboy. Now he was out of a job, pretty much.

  In fact, all things considered, Gage realized, as he watched his daughter applaud with the other, much younger children, it was time to go home, just as Kendall had said.

  He had to do it for many reasons, but most of all, because he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was falling in love with a certain redheaded firecracker of a woman.

  As he’d told Chelsea when he’d met her, there were two red things a man should always stay well clear of: a redhead and dynamite.

  And she was pretty much both, all wrapped up in one amazing, heart-stealing package.

  I’m toast.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Oh, they’re crazy as bedbugs,” Blanche told Chelsea and Gage when they ran into her at the library. “Old man Taylor did exactly what he wanted to do with his money. His heirs—or non-heirs—will just have to deal with it. He was right in his mind and mean as a snake right up till the day he died, God rest his soul. Neither Jonas Callahan nor anybody else could have cheated Bud Taylor even if they’d thought about it.” She laughed and shook her head. “Sorry you’re out of work over it, though, Gage. We were kind of getting used to the sight of you in Tempest. Guess you won’t be staying?”

  Chelsea knew what Gage’s answer had to be. Though she hadn’t wanted him at Dark Diablo in the first place, now she feared she would miss him terribly when he left—and surely he had to.

  And that meant Cat would leave, too. Chelsea’s heart ached thinking about it. Yet the summer was only a break in Cat’s life, a time for her to get to know her father.

  I’ve gotten way too involved. Just when I let myself become fond of them, the story changes.

  “Cat and I will probably move on,” Gage said. “We have some other things we should attend to while Jonas works out his estate issues.”

  Cat glanced up from the books she was perusing. “Do we have to leave? I like Dark Diablo. I like Rancho Diablo. There are lots of kids around. Even though they’re younger than me, it’s fun, Dad.”

  Gage nodded. “I know, Cat. Things changed, though.”

  Blanche sighed, her dark eyes sympathetic. “It’s a shame. Those Taylor heirs were troublemakers when the old man was alive, and nothing’s changed. He didn’t hold much affection for his heirs—called them hangers-on. And on days when he’d been drinking, he called them his own personal vultures.”

  Chelsea glanced at Gage. He seemed worried about his daughter, and regretful. Cat was happy in Tempest. But she’d be happy anywhere her father went.

  “Our book group picked your last goose-pimpler to read, Chelsea,” Blanche said. “We like having an author in Tempest. Never had one of those before. Got lots of scribblers, but no real deal. You won’t go off with Gage, will you?”

  Chelsea felt herself blush. “No. Jonas pays me to house sit. I’ll be staying in Tempest for a while.”

  Blanche glanced at Cat, then Gage. “Well, guess I’ll see you around then. Bye, Cat, honey.”

  She hugged the girl, then sailed off toward the checkout. Chelsea waited, feeling awkward.

  “It’s not fair,” Cat said. “We should be able to stay. If Mr. Taylor didn’t like his family, and didn’t leave them his money, why can’t we stay?”

  “Honey, you’ll like visiting Aunt Kendall, too,” Gage soothed.

  “Come with us,” Cat said to Chelsea. “You can write on the road—you do it all the time. And you said new scenery is good for your creativity.”

  Chelsea started. “Oh, Cat, I couldn’t. But thank you.”

  “Dad would like it.”

  Chelsea glanced at Gage. “Your father has a lot to take care of, Cat. You can come back and visit us. Mum and I would love that. And who knows? Maybe the Taylor heirs will change their minds about suing Jonas.”

  Cat nodded, resigning herself to her fate. Chelsea didn’t dare look at Gage. She knew how disappointed Cat was, and she knew Gage was unhappy that his job had changed.

  “You know,” he said, “I wasn’t going to mention it, but Kendall did say I should bring you along.”

  Chelsea blinked. “Me?”

  He nodded. “Yeah. Her specific words were ‘When you come, bring Chelsea. If she’s going to see the U.S., she wouldn’t want to miss the dusty, one-horse town of Hell’s Colony.”

  “I can’t,” Chelsea said. “It’s your family time.”

  “I wouldn’t necessarily call it that. I’m just going to sign some papers.”

  “Then what will you do?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure yet.” He shrugged. “I have only another month and a half with Cat. I’m wondering if Hell’s Colony is the best place for her to be.” He glanced toward his daughter, who was reading a thick book she’d pulled from a low shelf. She sat cross-legged on the floor, engrossed. “It will be a home-away-from-home for her, but I want to be cautious about all this.”

  Chelsea nodded. “She’s such a good girl. But she’s in a pretty fragile place. Mum says she thinks Cat’s got a really high IQ. That that’s why she gets easily bored, and why she does best with lots of intellectual stimulation. It’s important for her to be around positive influences.”

  Gage shook his head. “I don’t know about positive influences in my family. We’re a pretty remote group. It’s our survival skill.” He shrugged, and she could tell he dreaded the whole idea of going home, especially with Cat.

  His daughter was making so many good changes in her life. It was like watching a small white dove carefully sneak out of her nest, hoping there were no hard winds to blow her away.

  “I’ll come for a day,” Chelsea decided.

  “You will?” Cat rose to her feet, her book selections in her arms.

  “Sure.” Chelsea smiled. “I like to travel.”

  “That’s cool. Now you don’t have to be so stressed out, Dad.” She looked at Chelsea. “He thinks I’m not going to be happy with his family. He’ll feel more comfortable with you there.”

  Chelsea hesitated. “I don’t know what good I can do.”

  “Dad hates his house,” Cat said. “He wouldn’t take me there except Aunt Kendall says he has to. And now he’s lost his job, so he says he might as well do this.” She smiled at him, taking his hand. “It’s going to be fine, Dad.”

  “Sure,” Gage said. “I know that. Let’s not scare Chelsea away, all right? There’s nothing sinister there. It’s just a house that doesn’t have much soul, because any soul that ever walked into it died from lack of…”

  “Affection,” Cat supplied. “It’s okay, Dad. We’ve got each other.”

  Chelsea followed father and daughter into the sunshine. “Maybe it won’t be that bad.”

  Gage nodded. “I haven’t been there in years. My misgivings are ancient history. I’m sure everything has changed.”

  “He hasn’t been home since his father died,” Cat explained, sounding like the adult. “Dad says he’s happier on the road.”

  “I know,” Chelsea said, thinking, But sometimes, home is good, too.

  * * *

  THE PHILLIPS PLACE WAS like nothing Chelsea had ever seen. More office building than house, it was a hard-edged, sophisticated structure that spoke little of “home.” To Chelsea, used to the green and misty landscapes of Ireland, the contemporary white, travertine exterior was blinding in the hot July sun.

  “Wow,” Cat said from the backseat. “It’s huge.”

  The property was
huge. Chelsea could easily understand Gage’s discomfort here. She suspected he’d never felt right in this place, and had probably suffered under his father’s expectations—and then disappointment—in his choices. Gage was a workingman, more blue collar than wheeler-dealer. He called the shots in his life, even if it meant living from job to job.

  Kendall met them in the wide circle drive. “Gage! Welcome home!”

  Gage shook his head at the uniformed driver who came to park his truck, and the uniformed attendant who reached to lift out their bags after he’d opened the doors for Cat and Chelsea. “We don’t need help. Thanks. Cat, grab your backpack and bag.”

  She speedily complied, as did Chelsea. Gage looked at his sister. “Where do you want me to park my truck?”

  “In the garage, as always, which you’d know if you ever came home to find out,” Kendall said, amused. “Gage, let him park your truck so you can walk Cat and Chelsea inside.”

  Gage sighed and surrendered his keys. “Kendall, I don’t know how you live like this.”

  “I don’t know how you don’t,” she shot back with a smile. “Come on, Cat, Chelsea. We have tea waiting for us in the main room. Gage, relax.”

  He couldn’t. Chelsea could feel the tension radiating from him. “Smile,” she said softly. “You’re scaring Cat half to death.”

  Surprised, he glanced at his daughter, noting that his apprehension was rubbing off on her. “Sorry,” he said. “Cat, it’s all right. Don’t let my grouchiness upset you.”

  “I’m okay,” she said in a small voice.

  Chelsea went inside, following their hostess.

  “I’m so happy you could come, too, Chelsea,” Kendall said. “We’re friendlier here than Gage lets on.”

  Her voice echoed in the travertine-and-marble foyer. Chelsea smiled. “Thank you, Kendall.”

  “Your mother couldn’t come?” she asked.

  “She stayed at Rancho Diablo with Fiona. They’ve known each other for many years, and wanted to spend more time catching up. I think they had shopping in mind.”

  “Plenty of shopping in Texas,” Kendall said. “Neiman Marcus isn’t too far from Hell’s Colony.”

  Chelsea smiled politely, thinking that there was likely nothing at an upscale retailer her mother would want. “This is my first trip to Texas.”

  “Really?”

  Kendall seated herself in what she called the main room, which felt like an auditorium to Chelsea. There was even a black piano that didn’t have a fingerprint or speck of dust on it. The room was done in graphic black-and-white, with sculptures in every corner, and no plants to soften it. The bright note came from Kendall’s heels, her signature color-explosion pumps accentuating her expensive, ebony suit. Today’s pair were parrot-yellow. Chelsea felt a bit dowdy in her flat walking shoes and denim capris, though she knew it didn’t matter what she wore; she wasn’t here for an interview.

  She glanced at Gage, feeling his growing anxiety more with every passing second. She sat on a white sofa and patted the cushion beside her. Cat bounced onto it with the enthusiasm of a teen who didn’t worry about getting things dirty.

  Gage hovered on the edge, his cowboy hat and worn boots an odd contrast to the museum-like room.

  “Gage, sit,” Kendall said. “You’re making me nervous.”

  “Yeah, Dad,” Cat said. “Sit by me and Chelsea.”

  He did his daughter’s bidding, almost as if he was relieved to have her invite him. Chelsea was touched by the growing dependence the two had on each other. She smiled at Kendall and accepted the tea a butler handed her.

  “So. How was the drive?” Kendall asked.

  “Fine.” Gage looked at his sister. “We can’t stay long.”

  She stared at him. “How long is not long?”

  “Probably just this afternoon. Do you have the papers here?” Gage asked.

  “I do have. I’d have to get the lawyer out, but he’s on call, of course—”

  “You might put that call in.” Gage’s face had gone as cold as the marble floors.

  “All right.” Kendall looked at her brother, then stood. “The business documents, and the ones for your heir, as well?”

  He nodded brusquely, and Kendall left the room.

  “I’m sorry, girls,” he said. “This is not my kind of place.”

  “It’s okay, Daddy,” Cat said.

  “I’m good with whatever.” Chelsea nodded.

  Gage swallowed and gazed at her. “Listen. This is going to sound crazy. Wild, even. Like I’m half out of my mind. Chelsea, marry me.”

  “What?” She stared at him. Cat’s eyes went round as quarters.

  “Marry me.”

  Chelsea stared at his resolute face. At his eyes, which had gone flat and emotionless. “Why?”

  He glanced around the huge room, shook his head. “You need citizenship. You’ll get that with me. Cat will get a stepmom she likes.”

  Cat stared at her father. “Dad, everybody knows you have to have a ring for a proposal.”

  He blinked. “I’m offering a green card, not romance.”

  Chelsea’s breath left her. “You’re serious.”

  “Yes, I am.”

  “But—” She shook her head. “Why?” she asked again, completely flummoxed.

  “Because I need you.” Gage shrugged. “That’s why.”

  “Gage.” Chelsea glanced at Cat, who was gazing at her with huge eyes, waiting for her answer. She had such a protective, concerned expression on her face, that Chelsea suspected the girl was worried she might turn her father down.

  Chelsea took a deep breath, her heart accelerating. “I’ve already had a faux engagement. It’s how I got to the States, how I got my mom here. But I don’t want to do it again, not that way. Can you understand that?”

  “No,” Gage said. “I live my life practically. And the practical side of this is that your mother and you need to stay here, not return to Ireland. And I need you like I’ve never needed anyone in my life.”

  “I have to go back to Laredo in August,” Cat said. “Dad needs you, or he’ll be lonely. All alone.”

  Gage grasped his daughter’s hand in his. “Take us on, Chelsea.”

  “I—”

  “I never really wanted a stepmother,” Cat said. “They always sounded horrible, like witches, you know? I always thought if I ever had a stepmother, I’d make her life miserable so she couldn’t make mine miserable. Like Cinderella’s stepmother was mean to her.” Cat’s eyes were huge in her pale face, and Chelsea realized she’d thought long and hard about this. “I never thought I had to worry about it, though, because I didn’t know I had a father. Then I found out I did, and discovered I could end up with a stepmother, the worst thing I thought could ever happen.”

  “Oh, Cat,” Chelsea said. “Lots of stepmothers and stepfathers are very nice.”

  “I don’t like Larry,” the girl said. “But I do like you.”

  “Thank you,” Chelsea said softly.

  “So at least I’d have this,” she added. “I’d have you and Dad in the summers.”

  Chelsea’s gaze met Gage’s over the top of Cat’s head. Her heart twisted as she thought of all the worries the teen carried inside her.

  “And I love your mother,” Cat said. “She’s like my fairy godmother.”

  Gage smiled. “Cat, you don’t have to make my case for me. I have to convince Chelsea that she wants to marry me.”

  Cat didn’t say anything more, but sat quietly gazing at Chelsea, clearly worried. Chelsea looked down at her hands, then nodded. “All right. I’ll consider it.”

  “You’ll consider marrying me?” Gage asked.

  “And being my stepmom?”

  “Yes,” Chelsea said. “If your father and I get married, I would absolutely adore having you for a daughter.”

  Beaming, Cat threw her thin arms around Chelsea. Gage didn’t say anything, but his face seemed less stony.

  “Here are the documents,” Kendall said, coming
back into the room. “And the lawyer is on the way, so that the legal documents for Cat can be executed. It takes him about thirty minutes to get here by helicopter.” Kendall looked at the three of them sitting on the white sofa. “Did I miss something?”

  Gage shrugged. “The lawyer may need to draw up extra documents, so tell him to bring his legal-beagle briefcase and necessary flunkeys.”

  “Why?”

  “Daddy asked Chelsea to marry him, Aunt Kendall,” Cat said happily. “And she said she might!”

  Kendall’s gaze settled on Chelsea. “Found a way to get that green card, did you?”

  “Maybe I did,” she replied.

  “Kendall…” Gage said, his tone warning.

  Chelsea glanced at him, catching him looking at her. He wasn’t smiling, but he didn’t seem as tense anymore—even if Kendall did. Yet the funny thing was, Chelsea felt as if her whole world had suddenly changed.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Yes,” Gage said an hour later, when he and the lawyer and his sister were cloistered in the library to execute a mountain of documents. He wished he was out with Chelsea and Cat, who were getting a grand tour of the property by four-wheeler. But this had to be done, and the sooner he solved it, the faster he could leave the family compound. “Yes, I assign executorship of my estate to Chelsea Myers, who I hope will be Chelsea Phillips in the next seventy-two hours. She will direct the estate on behalf of my daughter, Cat, until Cat reaches her majority, at which time she may receive one-tenth of my estate so she can go to college, if she wishes.”

  Kendall stared at him. “Gage, I realize you’re going to marry Chelsea, but we don’t know her. I feel that as your sister and Cat’s aunt, I’m in a better position to guide her finances—”

  “Thanks, Kendall. I appreciate your offer to help Cat.” He shrugged. “Truthfully, my estate isn’t worth your time. I’ve got a truck and a few saddles, a lot of tools. I’m a builder and a dreamer and a helluva hard worker. That’s it. Chelsea can handle it.”

  Kendall glanced at the bald-headed, elderly lawyer, who stared over his glasses at Gage. “Mr. Phillips, your portion of Gil Phillips, Inc., is worth several million dollars.”