With This Promise (Windswept Bay Book 7)

by Debra Clopton

  “Great.”Lana forced a smile that did not reach farther than her lips. Should she tell Jessica what had happened? Maybe, but she couldn’t. She just couldn’t.

  Chapter Seven

  When school was over, sure enough, there sat Levi, waiting on them. Kevin was over-the-moon happy as he climbed into the backseat and Jessica climbed into the front seat.

  “I’ll take my truck and follow you,” Lana said, thinking that maybe—just maybe—it would break down on the way. It had been acting up even though they had replaced the battery. She feared she was going to have to take it to the shop.

  “If you’re sure,” Levi said. “That’s probably a good idea just in case you want to stay longer than we do.”

  Was there a hint of something in his voice? Did Levi know that she had kissed his brother? Maybe she was just being paranoid.

  Moments later, she pulled into the yard behind Levi’s truck. Sadly her vehicle had held up and she hadn’t been stranded in five o’clock traffic.

  Cam stood near the barn, talking to a tall, lean woman with thick blonde hair that was braided down the middle of her back. Instant jealousy rolled through Lana.

  Who was this?

  None of your business. The answer came back instantly. She had no claim on Cam. He could spend time with anyone he wanted to, even a beautiful blonde wearing tight jeans, a pretty lavender tank top, and boots. As Levi and Jessica got out of the truck and Kevin hopped from the backseat bubbling with excitement, Lana held back and moved a bit slower. She felt torn about being here. She would see the baby and make sure it was doing good. She would show him to Kevin and then she was out of here and going straight home.

  Cam and the woman came toward them and Lana’s pulse kicked up a storm.

  “Hey, I’m glad y’all came out,” he said, sounding every bit a born and bred Texan. “I’m glad you called me, Levi. Kevin, I’m Cam. Do you remember me from the birthday party at my mom’s house?”

  Kevin grinned and nodded.

  Lana hadn’t been at the party but she’d heard all about it from Jessica the next day.

  “I remember you but I didn’t know that you had a horse place. This is cool. Lana told me you had a baby horse.”

  Cam chuckled and his gaze met Lana’s and held before sliding away after a couple seconds later. “This is called a stable. And Lana helped with the birth of this baby last night. She did an amazing job.”

  Kevin’s eyes were huge. “Can I see? Can I see it?”The little boy jumped from foot to foot.

  Everybody laughed at the kid’s antics, so excited to see the new baby.

  Lana remembered that feeling all too well. She remembered going with her brothers and her dad the first time to the stalls to watch a baby being born. She remembered how cool it had felt. She couldn’t even count how many colts and fillies she had helped bring into this world after that. Now, despite the misgivings rolling through her about Cam, she was excited about seeing the baby again one more time before it left for his ranch.

  “She’s in that stable right there, first stall.”Cam looked at Levi and Jessica.“This is Kelsey Malone. She’s going to be running the place for me.” His gaze met Lana’s. “Kelsey, this is Lana, my friend. And this is Jessica, Levi’s fiancée, and Levi is my brother.”

  So this was the girl or woman who would be running the place.

  Jessica and Levi shook her hand and they all chitchatted as they followed Kevin toward the stables.

  Kelsey held out her hand and smiled.“It’s nice to meet you. You did a great job helping with that baby. He’s in really good shape. I’m familiar with your family’s ranch. I think I know your brother, Vance.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Yes, I met Vance at the National Rodeo Finals last year. He went out with my roommate one night after their events.”

  “Small world, especially in the world of the NFR.” To make it to the top championship took crisscrossing the country competing in rodeos and racking up points to qualify. Not everyone had the funds nor talent to manage it…her brother Vance had been on the road consistently until he got hurt last year and had to lay out for a while.

  “Yes it is,” Kelsey agreed.

  “What did you compete in?”

  “Barrels. I love them. We’re thinking of even offering lessons here.”

  Lana did not know what to think about the emotions churning inside her. Nothing—that’s what she would do. Pushing her shoulders back and putting her guard up, she knew with total conviction that she was not ready for a relationship.

  This was ridiculous.

  The man had kissed her; she had no claim on him.

  “I see him,” Kevin called, his words broke into her thoughts.

  “Be easy as you go up to the gate,” Cam warned.

  “I will. I don’t want to scare it,” Kevin said, excitement written all over him.

  The colt was adorable as it nursed from its mom. When they approached, it stopped nursing and looked at them curiously.

  Kevin slowly, carefully stuck his hand through the gate and held it out to the baby, which looked at the hand with curiosity.

  “Is it okay for him to do that?” Jessica looked from Cam to Lana.

  Lana smiled and nodded and then looked at Cam, who also nodded.

  “You’re doing fine,” Cam said and she liked the kindness she heard in his voice. “He’s a little skittish, but I’ve tried to spend some time with it and it’s not too scared right now.”

  And sure enough, about that time, the cute little fellow walked over and planted his muzzle right in Kevin’s palm. Kevin giggled. “He likes me. I want to learn to ride.” He looked up at his mom and then Levi.

  “I think that’s a great idea,” Jessica said, a look of delight on her face. “Do you think it will be possible to get lessons?”

  Cam nodded. “It would be very possible. Kelsey will be giving lessons or if Lana wanted to teach him, she’s more than welcome to come out here and use the horses.” His gaze rested on her; butterflies scattered like geese inside her chest.

  “We’ll see. That would give me a chance to ride too but if you would rather Kelsey do it, that’s fine. I wouldn’t want to get in anybody’s way.”

  Kelsey stuffed her hands on her slim hips and shook her head.“Oh no, believe me, it wouldn’t step on my toes. There will be plenty of kids coming out here to have lessons, so I’m sure I’ll have my hands full. If we take this to the next level like we’ve been discussing today, then I probably will even have to hire someone to help me teach the kids, if that’s something you might be interested in. Cam told me you were a great horsewoman.”

  He’d been talking about her to Kelsey.“Thanks, but with my teaching, I couldn’t possibly take on more than Kevin and maybe Jessica if she wants a few lessons.”

  Levi wrapped an arm around Jessica’s shoulders. “That’s a great idea. Kevin will love learning but you might want to learn to ride also.”

  “I would love to try.”Jessica smiled.

  “Yes, Momma, we’ll learn together.”Kevin raced over and threw his arms around her waist.

  “It’s going to be so fun.”Jessica laughed and hugged him back. Lana and Kelsey laughed too.

  “This was a great idea that you had, buying this place. Keeping Bess’s dream going, plus it’s good for the community.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping,” Cam said. “We’re going to expand it, I think—do some different things that Bess has never done. I think we’ll do some training. Kelsey’s really good at what she does and I’m lucky to have her come on board to help me since I’ll be in Texas the majority of the time.” His gaze met Lana’s.

  Relief like a sweet breeze hit Lana—there didn’t seem to be anything between him and Kelsey. Although, who was to say something couldn’t develop? Lana reeled her imagination in. Her phone rang, giving her a much-needed distraction.

  She pulled it out of her pocket and glanced at the ID. It was her brother, Drake. “I need to take this, excus
e me.” She walked away and answered the call.

  “Hi. I was surprised to see your name on my phone.” She smiled, though he couldn’t see her. “It’s good to hear from you.”

  “Lana, it’s been too long, way too long.”He sounded strained and she stiffened, wondering what was up. “I’m ready to see you but not this way. I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news—not as bad as it could have been though—praise God.”

  Fear gripped Lana. This was so not like Drake. “What’s going on?”

  “It’s Dad. He’s had a heart attack. He’s stable, though.”

  The world swam and she sank to a feed box next to her. “How bad?” she managed as fear made it hard to breathe.

  “Right now he’s in ICU. He has great doctors and they have him stable. Thankfully he made it through without major damage. They’re about to take him in and place a stent. But they’ll do that laparoscopically—no open heart surgery.”

  “They’re taking him in right now?”Lana couldn’t breathe. “I’m on my way. Hurry, tell him before he goes in that I’m coming and that I love him.”

  “They’ve already taken him in. But he knows you love him. He’ll be glad to see you when he wakes up, sis.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she could only nod as emotion clogged her throat.

  “Like I said, he’s stable. He’s been having some problems that he did not tell us about. He’s too tough to die, though, you know that.” She heard the smile in Drake’s voice. He was trying to make her smile. And they’d always thought their dad was invincible.

  She’d believed that, but the truth was everybody had their moment.

  “Are you okay?” Cam asked. He’d come to stand beside her and she looked up at him. She swiped at tears and he dropped to a knee beside her. “What’s wrong?”

  Her heart ached more at his obvious concern.

  “You’re pale as a sheet.”

  “Drake, let me get started. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Sounds good.”He said good-bye and she pulled the phone away.

  “It’s my dad—he’s in ICU. He’s had a heart attack and they’re about to place a stent in his artery. I need to get to him.”

  The others gathered around and told her how sorry they were. They all tried to comfort her but it was hard to feel comfort when her dad was so far away.

  “I’ll take care of getting you a sub and letting the school know,” Jessica said. “We need to get you a plane ticket.” Jessica knelt beside her too.

  “No, I’ll drive. I’m embarrassed to tell you but, I have a horrible fear of flying. I can’t do it. If I leave now, I mean as soon as I get home and pack a bag, I can get started. If I drive all night, I can be there by tomorrow.”

  “No, I’ll drive you,” Cam said. “You’re in no condition to drive. Jessica and Levi, take her home and help her get her bags packed. I’ll get the horses loaded and ready, and we’ll head out as soon as I get there to pick her up.”

  “That’s a great idea, Cam,” Levi said. “She definitely doesn’t need to drive.”

  “I can drive.”

  “I’m driving you and that’s final.” Cam stared at her. “Your dad’s place is only about three hours from mine. I’ll take you.”

  They sounded just like her brothers and her dad, taking charge. Any other time, Lana would have argued but right now she couldn’t. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

  “Come on,” Jessica said.

  And looking solemn and older than his six years, Kevin came and put his little hand in hers.“Come on, we will help you,” he said. “It’s going to be all right.”

  “You are such a sweetheart.” She stood.

  “I’ll take care of things here,” Kelsey said. “Don’t worry about that, Cam. Is there anything I can do for you, Lana?”

  “No, but thank you.” She was nice and Lana felt bad for having been jealous. The thought seemed out of place under the circumstances but still it was there.

  Her thoughts were filled with worry as they traveled to her house. It was still sinking in that her dad really had a heart attack. It was just too hard to believe. She was in denial and she knew it.

  She was grateful to Cam, though. The thought of driving all the way back to Texas by herself, when she was feeling so shaken—it would have been a hard drive. But Cam had taken charge and in this instance she was appreciative.

  The man had readily jumped in and now she didn’t have to face the drive alone. Didn’t have to face the long, silent car ride with only her regrets and guilt to think about.

  But now she’d have Cam to talk to. To distract her. Her dad would approve. Cam was her dad’s kind of man.

  The thought made her smile. She needed to see her dad.

  Once home, she quickly threw together a suitcase full of clothes. Levi entertained Kevin in the living room. While Jessica helped her get her things together, her friend chattered up a storm, probably trying to distract her from worrying about her dad.

  “Cam will take care of you and I’m so glad you’re letting him do this. There’s no way that you need to drive right now. And I had no idea you were terrified of flying. I would’ve never ever have guessed that about you, Lana. You’re the type of person that I would think could do anything.”

  Lana took a deep breath. “Having a weakness like that drives me crazy but I haven’t been able to overcome it. Surely if my brother had said, Dad’s dying; get on a plane and get here—I would have been able to do it. Right?” The uncertainty made her sick to her stomach. Made her feel horrible.

  “Yes,” Jessica said instantly. “Stop worrying. If it was like that, you are strong enough and care enough for your dad that you would have overcome your fear and gotten on that plane. No doubt about it.”

  Lana felt as if she would have but even hesitating felt awful. “I don’t like having a weakness. And I don’t often show that I have them. Being raised by my dad and my brothers on the ranch, I was always trying to be as good and tough as all of them. Plus, I looked up to all my brothers and they treated me like the baby sister that I was. But that just made me try harder to be as tough as they were. But when it came to getting on a plane to fly, there was no pretending. Thank goodness when you’re traveling to and from horse shows or rodeos you’re hauling livestock of some sort, so traveling by truck was our main mode of transportation.”

  “Well, if it’s any consolation, by the time you pack your suitcase and drive to the airport, wait for two hours before the flight—like they advise these days—and then land, grab your bags and drive from the airport to the hospital, you would have used six or seven hours up, maybe eight since you said the airport is a good two-hour drive from the hospital he’s in. That could be ten hours. You may be able to make this drive in sixteen hours driving straight through…that’s not too much difference. So that’s encouraging.”

  Lana loved Jessica for trying so hard to make her feel better. But deep down, even knowing it wasn’t that much longer of a time frame didn’t help the guilt hanging over her.

  Still, for Jessica, she said, “You’re right. Thanks.” She pushed the pain deeper inside and held it off…but it was there, pushing to break through the thin layer of her emotions.

  The sound of the truck could be heard. “That must be Cam. I think I hear the rattle of the trailer.”She grabbed her bag and followed Jessica out of her bedroom and headed toward the front door. Levi and Kevin were already on the porch.

  Cam strode up the driveway. The truck and trailer were parked on the street in front of the house. As unlikely a time as this, her heart still skipped a beat and her stomach felt bottomless as she watched him approach. She told herself it was strictly because of the events that were going on but she wasn’t sure whether she was just lying to herself because it helped. But the truth was he was an amazing man—especially in the kindness that he was showing her.

  “Are you ready?”His gaze held hers with the care and strength of someone who could be counted on and leaned on.


  She nodded; he reached for her bag and he beat her to it.

  “Then let’s go. The sooner we get going, the quicker you can see your dad.”

  “Don’t worry about locking up. I’ll take care of all that. You go,” Jessica said.

  She put her arms around Jessica. “Thank you for all you’re doing.”

  Jessica frowned. “You don’t owe me anything. That’s what friends are for. Now go—and remember, your dad’s going to be okay. So enjoy the ride.” She winked.“Got a ride with a handsome cowboy. And a helpful one at that. You can’t beat that.”

  Chapter Eight

  Moments later, she and Cam were traveling down the road. Cam wanted so much to make her feel better, he smiled at her, trying to encourage her.

  “Can I get you a drink or anything before we get out of town?”

  She had her hands cupped in her lap and she sat very stiff. If she stayed like that the whole trip, she was going to be in a knot of mangled tension by the time they got where they were going and would need a massage.

  “I’m fine, really. I’m sure I’ll need to stop at some point, just not now.”

  He smiled this time. “Sounds like a plan.”

  “So your ranch in Texas, tell me about it,” she said after a few moments.

  They were on the bridge heading out of Windswept Bay and going toward the mainland. They were surrounded by the sparkly blue water as the sun began to set dappling golden flecks onto the water.

  “You love it there, don’t you?” she continued.

  “I do. It’s beautiful in a different way than here. You know what I mean, being Texan yourself. I’ve got good neighbors and Sweet River, the town I live in, is not too big and the people are really nice—it’s perfect. Grant—Cali’s husband—he has a ranch next door. It’ll be a great place for me to raise kids one day.”

  “Sounds like the town of Ransom Springs, Texas, where I’m from. There must have been a thing for water back when they named them.” She smiled. “Ransom Springs is a nice size. I love my hometown, actually.” She laughed softly and it was good to hear it. “But I came to Windswept Bay to get away. As I told you that day I came to the stable and practically told you my life story.” She still couldn’t believe she’d told him about Dave right after meeting him.