Her mind was not on the children that afternoon, though. How could it be? Her brain was full of Michael Muir and only Michael Muir.
Michael met with Jonathan McClain, following the man into the fields. “Are you any relation to Heather?” he asked, knowing it was probably a mistake. He was there to buy cattle from Jonathan, not to pick up women.
“She’s my niece. Best dancer in the area. She was a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader for a few years, but she didn’t like how the women were treated as sex symbols. Said she was above that. Why?”
Michael smiled. He could just picture Heather in a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader uniform, and he liked that picture. A lot. Maybe he could get ahold of one of the old posters she would have been on. “I met her in line for tacos a little while ago.”
“Ahh. She must have taken a quick lunch. She usually eats in the studio.”
“She said she was in a hurry.” Michael tried to concentrate on the cattle he was there to buy, but he could only think of the beautiful niece of the man he was talking to.
Jonathan pointed out the bull he thought the other man would be interested in. “This guy is pure angus. He’d be perfect for the cross-breeding program you told me about.”
Michael looked at the bull, which had been taken to a small corral on his own. There were two other bulls trapped similarly for his inspection. “Clean bills of health on all three of them?”
“Yup. These are the best I have. There are a couple of younger ones I’ll use for my herd, but these are ready to go out and multiply other people’s herds.”
Michael looked around him. “You sure do have a whole lot of houses on your ranch.” He wondered if this was the place Heather had told him about. The McClain Boys’ Ranch. He knew he was dealing with a McClain, but how many McClains were there in the area?
“Yeah, those are the houses for the boys. I have seven sons, and those houses are for the foster sons on the ranch here. We keep about thirty at all times.”
“That’s really cool. I’ve never heard of a boys’ ranch.”
“We were certainly the first in the area. My grandfather started the boys’ ranch part of the operation with his wife back in the early part of the twentieth century. Before World War I. There was a boys’ orphanage in town, and when it burned down, my grandmother said she was taking all the boys in. So they set themselves up to raise them. Here we are seventy some years later, and the ranch is still raising boys at the same rate it raises cattle.” Jonathan sounded blasé about the whole situation, but it was obvious he was proud of his heritage.
“That’s interesting.” And it made Michael certain he was buying his cattle from the right place. He wanted to help these people with their boys’ ranch if it was at all possible. “Do the boys help with the cattle?”
“The boys help with everything. They have the same types of chores my own boys did as they were growing up. I have seven boys.”
“Seven? That’s a lot of boys.”
“The seventh son in my family always has seven sons. Not a girl in sight. My brothers had lots of girls, but not me. Just boys. My brother Bob tried to one up me by having seven girls, but I had my seven boys, so it didn’t work.”
“I see.” Michael found himself fascinated by the family. “I’m looking forward to getting to know you all better this weekend at the fundraiser.”
“Are you coming?” Jonathan asked, seeming surprised.
“I’m going to escort Heather.”
Jonathan raised an eyebrow before nodding. “Just know she has a lot of people who love her around here. Don’t hurt her.”
Chapter Two
Heather waited nervously in front of the dance studio on Saturday. She had taught her morning aerobics class, showered and changed, and was now ready. She’d insisted on a shower when she’d remodeled the old building to be a dance studio because she’d known she would want to shower between classes at times. Now she was thankful she’d done it.
When Michael walked up to her just before the time they’d set, his hue looked as pure as it had the first day. She’d been sure she’d imagined it. “Hi,” she said softly. She wanted to hug him. Heck, she wanted to kiss him and see if what she was feeling was all in her mind.
“Hey there. Are you ready?” He looked her up and down, surprised at how good she looked in her jeans. She had looked pretty fabulous in her leotard and tights as well. She was wearing an old pair of jeans, a purple and pink plaid shirt, and a pair of cowboy boots.
She nodded. “This is a fundraiser my uncle does for the ranch every year. It keeps the boys in clothes and food.” She couldn’t tell him the full truth about the fundraiser, of course, because no one outside her family would really understand. There were strange things that happened within her family.
“Yeah, I bought a bull from your uncle Jonathan the day I met you, so I know a bit about the fundraiser.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m in town. I was looking for a purebred Angus bull to help my herd. I’m trying to go lower fat and cholesterol to make my herd more marketable.”
“I see.” Heather frowned. “Where do you live?”
“Idaho. A small little town called Muir. It was named after my ancestors there.”
“Idaho?” She’d had no idea people really lived in Idaho. Well, in theory, she’d known of course, but she’d never met anyone from there. “It’s cold there.”
He laughed. “That’s an understatement. We already have snow on the ground, and you’re running around with no coat.”
“I wore one the other day,” she said. Of course, that had just been to cover up her leotard and tights. She didn’t like running around town showing off so much of her body, which explained why she had only lasted a couple of years as a cheerleader for the professional football team.
“You did. I liked the leg sweaters.”
She laughed, the sound tinkling through the air on their way to his truck. “Most people just call them leg warmers.”
“Yeah, those things.” He stopped in front of a big Dodge Ram with Idaho license plates. “Here we go. I hope you don’t mind riding in a truck.”
“Why would I? I’m a Texas girl. I just traded my truck in.”
“You drove a truck?” He was surprised. Heather seemed so delicate to him, he couldn’t imagine her driving a truck.
She laughed. “I drove a Chevy Silverado until a few months ago. Four-wheel drive and four on the floor.”
He grinned. “Not many girls can drive a stick these days. I feel like it’s a lost skill.”
“My daddy made me learn to drive with a stick. He said there was no point in doing things halfway.” She vaulted into the truck with no problem, and he was surprised by her ease. Sure, she was obviously athletic, but she was so petite he felt like he should tuck her in his pocket and carry her everywhere.
“Your daddy has a point.” He got in beside her and started the truck, shifting into first gear. “Tell me about this thing we’re doing.”
“Oh, you’ll love it. It’s like an old town carnival. There’s always a tilt-o-whirl and Ferris wheel. We can get hot dogs and cotton candy. It’s just fun. The boys love to do it, and my aunt just loves to help organize the thing. They’ve been doing it since before I was born.”
When they got to the ranch, he was surprised at the sheer number of people who knew her. “How do you know so many people?”
“Well, I’ve lived in Bagley most of my life. I left for a few years so I could try to do some professional dancing in Dallas, and I was a cheerleader there for a bit.” She brushed her long blond hair out of her face. “But half the town is my family. It’s ridiculous how many McClains are here, but the family tends to have lots of kids. I’m the oldest of seven girls.”
“I come from a big family myself. Super tight-knit.”
“Us too.” She just wished he didn’t live in Idaho. A rancher would never dream of relocating. She glanced at him again, surprised again at the pureness o
f his hue. She wanted to sink into him and watch their hues mix in a mirror, but her daddy would have a fit. She took his hand and led him over to where her mother was painting faces.
“Mom, this is Michael. He’s visiting here from Idaho.”
“Hello, Michael. Do you want me to paint a fairy on your cheek?” her mother asked, a twinkle in her eye.
“You know, I think I’m good! Thank you, Mrs. McClain.”
Heather noticed her dad walking toward them, and for a moment, she looked for a place to hide, but then she realized that Michael could handle her father. If not, there was no point in even seeing him for the short time he was in Texas. “How long are you in Texas?” she asked, surprised she didn’t already know. She wanted the answer to be forever, but she knew it wasn’t.
He shrugged. “I was planning to leave yesterday, but I think I need to stay a little longer now.”
“Who’s taking care of your ranch?” she asked, surprised.
“My brothers are taking turns giving my hands their orders. They’ll hold things together until I make it home.”
Heather looked up as her father descended on them, his hand out to shake Michael’s. “My brother told me you were in town. I’m Bob McClain.”
Michael smiled. “I’m Michael Muir. It’s good to meet you.”
Bob looked into his eyes for a moment, studying the man in front of him. “I hear you’re a rancher.”
“I am. I have a modest ranch up in Idaho.”
“Idaho? You’re not thinking of trying to lure my baby out of Texas, are you?”
Heather laughed. “This is our first date, Dad. No luring is happening. Besides, I’m a Texas girl through and through. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else, let alone Idaho.” The way she said the state name made it sound like it was a foreign country where people were known to torture their children and kick puppies.
“Idaho’s not such a bad place,” Michael protested. Already he couldn’t imagine leaving Heather in Texas, but there was no way he could move there. He loved his home in a small valley in Idaho, where the mountains completely surrounded them. It might be over an hour to the nearest Walmart, but it was home.
“I’m not saying it is. I’m just saying it’s not a place I’ve ever been . . . or ever thought about going really. Do people visit Idaho? By choice?”
He made a face at her. “I think it’s a pretty wonderful place. I live in a beautiful valley there . . .”
“So does that make your sisters Valley Girls?”
“Not in the way you mean . . .” He shook his head. “Texans sure think their state is better than every other state, don’t they?”
She giggled softly. “We don’t think . . . we know!” Glancing over her shoulder, she saw her cousin Peter headed toward her with his fiancé, Lillian. They were about to get married and have seven more boys. Peter was the youngest, and everyone knew his fate. “Hey, Peter. This is Michael.”
“Hi, Michael. I heard you just bought one of our bulls.” Peter was in his mid-twenties, and there was a twinkle in his eye that made Michael wonder what the other man was up to.
“I did. I’m taking him back to Idaho with me even though Heather thinks Idaho is funny.”
Peter grinned. “That’s Heather for you. Her sense of humor has always been a little bit off. I have to say, I’ve never met anyone from Idaho. What’s life like up there?”
Michael shrugged. He didn’t feel intimidated by the man because he was holding the hand of a young woman. The man obviously didn’t have feelings for Heather. “I like it. It’s the most beautiful place on earth.”
“You think? Have you seen a hill country sunrise yet?”
“I have. Just this morning. It was pretty, but not as pretty as the sun setting over one of the mountains in my valley.”
Heather leaned toward Peter and Lillian. “His sisters are Valley Girls.”
Lillian giggled. “I don’t know if you should make fun of his home, Heather.”
“I never did have a normal sense of humor. Peter said so, and he’s known me since the day he was born. I wish I could say I’ve changed his diapers, because that would embarrass him, but I’m not that much older than he is.”
Lillian shrugged. “You should probably say it anyway. Torturing your cousins should be your lifelong goal!”
“Cousin?” Michael asked.
Peter grinned. “Yeah, you bought the bull from my dad.”
“Ahh. Are there any people here you’re not related to, Heather?”
“Oh, maybe a few.” Heather looked up as Jessica came toward her with their other sister, Gaylynn. “These are my sisters, Jessica and Gaylynn.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Michael said with a grin. He looked over at Heather, wondering if she was happy in the middle of her family reunion or if he should try to drag her away. “Are you hungry? I was thinking of getting a hot dog or whatever else I can find.”
“Oh, I bet we can do better than that. There’ll be some good Texas brisket around here somewhere.”
“What if it’s Idaho brisket?” he asked.
She laughed. “Like we’d import good beef. Texas is better than that.”
He shook his head. “It’s a good thing the rest of the country doesn’t feel like you Texans do. I’d starve to death because I wouldn’t be able to sell my cattle.”
“You could just butcher them and eat them yourself, and then you wouldn’t have to starve,” she pointed out with a sassy grin.
“I could . . . I guess I’d be homeless then, which is worse in Idaho because the winters are brutal.”
“That’s all right. The summers in Texas are brutal.” As they walked, Heather pointed out different people she knew. One little girl ran over and hugged her just as they were about to get to the barbecue stand. Heather hugged her back and smiled. “It’s good to see you, Emily.”
Emily didn’t say anything else as she ran back to her mother. “One of your students?” Michael asked.
She nodded. “I love teaching dance. The kids are so much fun.”
“I can see that. That one sure does like you.”
“Emily likes everyone! She just loves to dance around all the time. I think she’s the most natural dancer I have in all my classes.”
“How old is she?”
“Six. She hates school, and she loves dancing.” Heather stopped at the barbecue stand. “How about you let me choose for us? I promise, you need a Texas barbecue feast before you go back to your frozen northland.”
“All right. That works for me.”
Chapter Three
Michael enjoyed sitting at one of the picnic tables with her, eating the barbecue feast she’d insisted on. The brisket was to die for, but so were the baked beans and the potato salad. “Okay, Texas beef may not be better, but I have to admit that Texas barbecue is.”
“Texas barbecue makes my heart sing,” Heather said. She knew she should pretend that she ate very little, but she couldn’t. She was an active woman who worked out hours and hours every day as she demonstrated dances for her students.
He grinned. “I think I can understand that.” A moment later, they were joined by a group of young women.
“More of my sisters.” Heather introduced her sisters in age order because it was the easiest way to make sure she didn’t miss any. He’d already met Jessica and Gaylynn, and that left, “Rebekah, Tracy, Candice, and Marti. Marti’s the baby.”
Marti made a face. “I’m a baby who is going to school full-time. I’m not sure exactly how babyish that is. And by school, I mean the University of Texas.”
Tracy wrinkled her nose. “I can’t believe you’re a Longhorn. You should have followed in my footsteps to become an Aggie.”
“Whatever!” Heather rolled her eyes. “Growing up with six sisters is absolutely ridiculous. There’s never any hot water. Your favorite sweater is always being worn by someone else.”
Marti grinned. “I didn’t do laundry until I went away to college because I jus
t borrowed my sisters’ clothes.”
Candice sighed. “I wish she was kidding.”
Michael looked at all of the sisters, wishing the other two were there. He was a bit overwhelmed, but he wanted to compare all seven of them. “It’s nice to meet you all.”
“Are you going to try to get Heather to go back to Idaho with you?” Marti asked. She had never been one to mince words, and she loved to embarrass her siblings.
“Do you think she’d consider it?” he asked.
“Probably not. She loves Texas. Besides, what football team does Idaho have for her to cheer for?”
“I haven’t cheered in years,” Heather said with a blush. “But I can’t see myself leaving Texas.” She looked at him, sitting there with his perfect sky-blue hue. She belonged with him, and she knew it. But how could she go so far from her family?
“I want to see a picture of you in your old uniform,” Michael said, leaning toward her. “Do you still have it?”
“Yes, I still have it.” She shook her head, blushing a little. “You know I quit the team because I didn’t like being a sex symbol, right?” She wondered if he’d take the hint and change the subject. Hopefully he wasn’t one of those men who was just trying to get into her pants. He didn’t seem the type, but it was certainly possible.
“I do know, so I won’t tease you about it.” He took another bite of his barbecue, realizing that every one of her sisters were watching them. “What’s there to do for fun in the evenings?”
“There’s a dance club in town. It’s not a bar, and they don’t serve alcohol. It’s truly just a place to go to dance.” Heather grinned at him. “It’s one of my favorite places.”
“Do you want to go tonight?”
She frowned. “Tonight, there’s a dance here. It’s how we finish up the fundraiser. All of the single McClain boys and single McClain girls get to be auctioned off for dances.”
Heather (Seven Sisters Book 1) Page 2
