Caitlyn parked the scooter, unstrapped the bag of laundry from the seat and made her way to the front door. Thick white columns supported the big wrap-around porch where four white Shaker-style rockers sat facing the magnificent view of the Double Mountains. Before she had time to knock, Ruth was ushering her into the house.
"Change of plans, dear," she said, taking hold of Caitlyn's elbow and urging her through the living room. "I know I said we'd have a girls' night, but when I saw Tyler this afternoon, I was bound and determined to get him out of that apartment and make him socialize a little bit. I hustled him out to my truck and brought him home with me."
Ruth's eyes twinkled. "I kidnapped him, when al 's said and done. I hope you don't mind too badly. I made a big pot roast and invited the family over for a Sunday dinner. Come on in and meet everyone. Of course, not Tyler and Pete, because you already know them. I mean everyone else. Then I'l show you where the laundry room is."
In a daze, Caitlyn fol owed her hostess through the comfortably furnished living room toward the back of the house. Ruth was a sweet old woman, but she did tend to talk a lot. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but it was sometimes difficult to fol ow the threads of her conversation.
Loud voices sounded from the back of the house, and as they neared the kitchen, Caitlyn recognized Pete's voice, but none of the others. Male and female laughter made it sound like a party was going on. A baby's squeal and a young girl's voice added to the cacophony of the family get-together.
"Here we are, dear." Ruth let go of Caitlyn's elbow after urging her into the middle of the kitchen and the center of attention. Nine pairs of eyes zeroed in on her, making Caitlyn feel like she was on exhibit.
Ruth's kitchen was huge and old-fashioned, exactly how Caitlyn imagined a big old farm kitchen should look. Rectangular in shape, the wal s were knotty pine with built-in shelves at one end, lots of brown tiled counter space and custom-built cabinets, also of pine, at the other. The refrigerator looked brand new, but the gas stove had to be going on fifty or sixty years old--very retro.
A large oak table dominated the room, with bench seats on both sides and ladder-backed chairs at the ends. Tyler sat at the foot of the table with his injured leg propped up on the edge of one of the benches. A young girl, who looked to be twelve or thirteen, sat on the bench next to Tyler's booted foot.
The resemblance between Tyler, the girl and the three men--who had to be his brothers--was remarkable. The McCades were big and powerful men; their presence dominated the room. They had golden brownish hair, olive complexions and bedroom eyes. The little girl was sure to be a beauty when she grew up.
Pete and the three men quickly stood. Nice to know there were gentlemen who stil practiced good manners way out here in the wilds of West Texas.
"Here, let me introduce you." Ruth left Caitlyn's side and moved closer to the table. "You know Pete and Tyler, of course. And these three are my other sons--Austin, Dal as and Cameron. And their wives--Theresa, Gil ian and Jessie. The baby's name is Daniel, after his grandfather. My dearly departed husband."
"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs. McCade," Caitlyn said.
"Thank you. It's been a while, but I stil miss him every day. And please, I wish you'd cal me Ruth."
"Al right . . . Ruth," Caitlyn said. "I'm sorry for al of you. I know how you feel. I recently lost my own father. It's tough, I know."
Everyone murmured condolences. Ruth walked back over to her and gave her a big hug.
Austin smiled and came forward to shake her hand. "Ma'am, good to meet you. I've been meaning to get up to the airfield, but it's been one crazy month. Welcome to the Diamondback Ranch."
"Thank you, I'm glad to be here," Caitlyn said. "It's nice to final y meet you. All of you. You'l have to bear with me until I learn al of your names."
"No problem," said the woman holding the baby boy. "The family's grown quite a bit since I've joined. It won't take you long, I'm sure."
"Thanks . . . Jessie, right?" Caitlyn made a stab at the name. When Jessie nodded, Caitlyn started to relax. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Luckily, she had a knack for remembering names. "Your baby is adorable."
Jessie smiled. "Thank you. We certainly think so, don't we, Daniel?" The baby gurgled and smiled.
"Hey, Grams. What about me, huh?" The young girl waved her hand in the air. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
"Wel , sure enough, sweetheart. I was just getting to you," Ruth said with that endearing twinkle in her blue eyes. "Caitlyn, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter, Miss Kelsey McCade."
Kelsey hopped up from the table and walked over to where Caitlyn stood. She dropped a little curtsy. "How do you do?" she said in a formal tone of voice.
"I'm fine, thank you very much." Caitlyn smiled. "Although I've never been curtsied to before."
Kelsey grinned, her eyes twinkling just like her grandmother's. "Grams taught me after we watched Pride and Prejudice the other night. Are you real y a pilot?"
"Yes, I am. Do you like to fly?"
"Oh, yes. Uncle Ty takes me up al the time, or at least, he used to. Once in a while, he'd do barrel rol s. It was awesome. I'l be glad when he gets wel . Then I can fly with him again. Hey, maybe you can take me one day. Do you do barrel rol s, too?"
"I sure do. I'd be glad to take you up if your parents give you permission. Or maybe you'd rather wait until your uncle is better." Caitlyn sneaked a peek at the man sitting silently at the end of the long kitchen table. His strong jaw clenched tightly and pain flickered in his eyes. The man had to be hurting on the inside as much, or perhaps more, than on the outside. Being grounded was weighing down his normal cheerful spirit. She'd seen him enough at the air shows to know Tyler McCade was usual y the life of the party.
Kelsey crossed the kitchen to where her uncle sat and hugged his neck. "Please hurry and get wel , Uncle Ty. But in the mean time, you don't care if Ms. Ross takes me flying, do you?"
Silence stretched across the big kitchen, and Tyler felt every pair of eyes focused his way. He hugged his niece, and she stood next to him with her arm looped around his neck and shoulder. "If Caitlyn wants to take you up with her and your dad says it's okay, then it's fine by me, Hotshot."
"Thanks, Uncle Ty. You're the best!" She kissed his cheek and turned toward her father. "What do you say, Dad? Can I please fly with Ms. Ross?"
"We'l talk about it later, Kels. Okay?"
Kelsey gave him a pained look. "O-kay."
"Wel now," Ruth said, taking the bag of dirty laundry from her guest. "Let's get Miss Caitlyn's wash going, so we can get supper on the table."
Tyler watched Caitlyn fol ow his mother out of the kitchen and into the laundry room. Kelsey tagged along behind them, chattering about the different times he'd taken her up in one of his planes. He was thankful the accident hadn't frightened her about flying. He dearly loved his niece. It was bad enough that she'd always bear that scar on her forehead resulting from the crash. It would have been doubly worse if her indomitable spirit were scarred, too.
"Al righty, then. Who's ready for supper?" Ruth asked, hurrying in from the laundry room, with Kelsey right behind her. "I hope everyone's brought their appetites."
Caitlyn fol owed Kelsey into the kitchen, bringing up the rear. Those green eyes of hers were bright and round, taking in the large gathering of the McCade family. Tyler adjusted his position in the chair to relieve the pressure in his groin. Although he'd tried to avoid her for the past month or so, he was unable to avoid the strong attraction he felt for her. His body hardened to rock solid whenever she crossed his path.
"Caitlyn, make yourself at home while I get supper on the table," Ruth said. She grabbed two potholders and opened the oven door.
Pete jumped up from his chair. "Here, Mrs. Ruth, let me get that for you." He took the potholders and careful y lifted the big roasting pan from the oven and set it on the tiled counter.
Jessie rose from her seat and handed the baby to Cameron. "Take Daniel while I help your mo
m, wil you?"
"Only if you give me a kiss." Cameron puckered his lips as he took the baby from her arms.
Jessie laughed and kissed him. "You are so bad."
"You love it. Don't deny it."
"Oh, believe me. I don't." She kissed him again and moved quickly away to help Ruth prepare for supper.
Tyler couldn't help feeling a tiny stab of envy as he witnessed the byplay between his brother and his wife. Between al three of his brothers and their wives. They certainly seemed happy and content with their marriages. He smiled and shook his head when he thought how reluctant each of them had been initial y, in one way or another, about committing themselves.
He glanced at Caitlyn. Her eyes dimmed with what looked like an almost painful yearning. As if sensing his gaze upon her, she looked his way. He had an overwhelming urge to ease the sad expression on her face, so he winked at her. To his delight, she blushed and turned away.
She hurried toward his mom. "Ruth, is there anything I can do to help?"
Her low melodious voice washed over Tyler, and he tried not to squirm in his seat again. He was going to have to do something about his celibate lifestyle pretty damn quick. He wasn't used to going without sex for long periods of time.
His mother bustled about the kitchen, getting things ready for the meal. "You can help Gil ian get the glasses and pour the tea. Theresa, why don't you mash the potatoes, and Kelsey can set the table. Jessie, you're in charge of the corn and applesauce. "
Ten minutes later, they were seated around the table, passing dishes right and left. Tableware clinked as plates were passed and servings dished out.
Tyler took a bite of the savory roast beef. How long had it been since he'd visited the big house for one of his mom's Sunday dinners? Not only had she been out of town for the past several weeks, so there hadn't been any family dinners; before that, he'd been too injured to do much socializing.
He'd spent his time feeling sorry for himself and just wanted to be left alone to lick his wounds.
And even though he was much better, he hadn't been too thril ed when his mother had practical y ordered him to come home with her earlier this afternoon. But now, seated at the table in the kitchen where he'd grown up, surrounded by his family, he was glad he'd come.
"Could you pass the butter, please?" Caitlyn asked, jarring him out of his sentimental reverie. She sat on the bench to his left with Kelsey scrunched in the middle next to Austin and Theresa on the end.
When he handed over the butter dish, their fingers brushed. The electric current that jolted between them nearly knocked him for a loop. Caitlyn's quick intake of breath told him she'd felt it, too.
"Thanks." She buttered a rol , and continued eating, keeping her eyes on her plate. But Tyler knew she was as aware of him as he was of her.
Conversation vol eyed back and forth across the table. Austin and Pete argued about the best and most economical ways to apply pesticides on cotton crops. Dal as and Gil ian were discussing something in low voices. Ruth and Kelsey and Theresa discussed an upcoming shopping trip to Lubbock, and Jessie and Cameron were busy feeding little Daniel in the high chair.
Caitlyn listened with only half an ear. Most of her attention was centered on the silent man seated to her right and on the way her body stil tingled from the slight contact when he'd passed the butter dish. Final y, when a lul occurred in the conversation, she looked up from her plate. "Okay, I have to ask. What's with al of you being named after cities and towns in Texas?"
Everyone looked at her and then at Ruth. The older woman smiled and wiped her mouth on a napkin. "Wel now, I'l tel you, my dear. Daniel and I were married several years before the children came along. Every year, we celebrated our wedding anniversary by taking a little vacation and exploring different places in this great state of ours. It became sort of a tradition; one we kept up until he passed away."
"You must have loved him very much," Caitlyn said.
"Oh, I did. He was the love of my life. And Lord, how he loved his children." Ruth sniffed and dabbed her eyes with her napkin. "Anyway, when our first son was born, we decided to name him Dal as. And naming the children after our favorite places became a tradition, too."
"What a lovely thing to do," Caitlyn said. Her chest hurt and her stomach felt hol ow. What would she give to belong to such a close-knit family? One that had lived on the same land for generations? So different from her life as a child of a military parent. Never staying in one place long enough to put down roots or make lasting friendships.
Kelsey turned toward Caitlyn. "I was named for a town, too. Not my first name, but my middle one."
Caitlyn smiled down at the young girl. "Oh? What is it?"
"Girard. It's an itty-bitty little town not far from here. That's where my mother and dad first kissed. Isn't that cool? Not my new mom; I mean my birth mother."
"Very cool." Caitlyn looked past Kelsey to her father. He was gazing down at his daughter, a winsome smile on his face. Ruth had said his first wife had died in childbirth. The man had clearly loved her very much. But he must have gotten past his sorrow, because he'd married again and seemed to love his new wife very much, too.
What would it be like to be loved like that? Another glance at Tyler, and her stomach plunged to her toes. He was looking at her like he wanted to gobble her up.
But that was lust, not love. Stil . . .
She broke eye contact and looked at the baby in the highchair. "So what about little Daniel? What town is he named after?"
Jessie wiped her son's mouth and cleaned his smal pudgy hands. "I'm afraid Cameron and I broke with tradition and started a new one since our favorite Texas town is Salt Fork. It doesn't exactly lend itself as a name for a child; so we named him after his two grandfathers: Daniel George McCade."
"And so their memories live on in little Daniel. So sweet." Ruth sighed, then scooted back her chair. "Al right now. Who wants dessert?"
The dishes were cleared and everyone settled in to eat the homemade peach cobbler and vanil a ice-cream. After a little while Kelsey broke the silence that had descended around the big table. "I have a question. What are we going to do about the Founder's Day Jubilee?"
"What do you mean?" Ruth asked. "We're going to go and enjoy the festivities just like we do every year. Although, I don't think anything wil top last year's Jubilee." She glanced at Caitlyn and explained. "That's when Jessie had the baby."
Jessie shook her head. "I can't believe he's almost a year old."
"I can't believe Gil ian and I delivered the little guy," Dal as said. "Cameron's the doctor in the family. He should have been the one. Not me. Not me, ever again."
Cameron smiled. "Hey, let's not get into that again."
Gil ian grabbed hold of Dal as' elbow and snuggled against him. "Maybe if we time it right, Cameron can deliver our baby. You know, kind of keep it in the family."
"You mean start a new tradition?" Dal as asked.
"Sure, why not?"
Dal as shuddered. "Not on your life, sweetheart. For one thing, Cameron's not your obstetrician."
"I'm not anyone's obstetrician," Cameron said. "Although I can deliver babies if I have to."
"Wel , you're not going to deliver our baby." Dal as kissed his wife's hand. "When it gets close to Gil ian's delivery date, we're going to camp out in Abilene so we'l be near her doctor and the hospital."
"Good cal ," Cameron said.
"But that's months and months away from now," Kelsey said. "What about the games? The Jubilee is next Saturday. Isn't anyone else worried about them?"
Caitlyn set her spoon down and looked around the table. "What's the Founder's Day Jubilee and what kind of games are you talking about?"
Kelsey sighed a big sigh. "The Jubilee is like a carnival or county fair that's held around the Fourth of July. There are lots of booths and food and drinks and fireworks. But the best thing is the track and field games. And the McCades have won three years in a row. But without Uncle Ty, we're going to be doom
ed."
"Why do you say that?" Caitlyn looked at Tyler, who was staring at his niece.
"Because he's the one who plans everything. He comes up with the greatest strategies. Except he can't play in the games this year. We're doomed, I tel you. Doomed."
"Now wait a dang minute," said Tyler. "Just because I've got a bum leg and I'm stil on crutches doesn't mean I can't come up with strategies.
Nothing's wrong with my brain, kiddo."
Kelsey sat up straight in her chair. "You mean you think we might stil have a chance to win?"
"Sure I do. We're McCades, aren't we? When we set our minds on something, we usual y get it done. Right?" Tyler spoke to Kelsey, but kept his eyes on Caitlyn.
She didn't flinch or look away. She held his eyes and watched him intently.
That was good. Very good.
Tyler dug into his peach cobbler with renewed vigor. Life suddenly looked a whole lot brighter.
CHAPTER FOUR
The Founder's Day Jubilee in Salt Fork, Texas, was a big attraction for many smal towns in the surrounding counties. People came from far and wide to sample the foods and sweets and to enter the contests for their animals, handmade goods, canned fruits and pickles, cakes and pies.
There were the dunking booth, cakewalks, apple bobbing and the ever-popular kissing booth. Brightly colored carnival rides thril ed kids of al ages.
Caitlyn had lived in many places during her twenty-eight years; she'd seen many county fairs and bazaars, and she never tired of the festive atmosphere and child-like joy the events engendered deep in her heart.
She spent the day walking beside Tyler, sometimes in the company of his brothers and sisters-in-law, sometimes with Ruth or Kelsey, but much of the time they were alone, just the two of them if one didn't count the crowds of people in attendance.
Al day long, she'd been hyper-aware of him walking on his crutches by her side. His big body gave off a delicious heat and his aftershave smel ed heavenly.
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