A Texas Chance

by Jean Brashear

  “Hey, Uncle Cade.” Addie’s more serious black-haired seven-year-old brother, Jonah, greeted him. “Want to see my horse?”

  “You betcha.” Cade ruffled the boy’s hair and hitched Addie higher on his hip as they walked through the house toward the kitchen where Delilah stood, pouring a cup of coffee and then extending it toward him.

  “You are a goddess.”

  The curvaceous Delilah smiled. “Your brother thinks so.” She hugged Cade, scanning his features too carefully.

  “Tell Mom I’m fine.”

  “Was I that obvious?”

  Cade rolled his eyes then took a sip. “I came to Austin to escape my medical watchdogs. Mmm, great coffee—thanks.”

  “You had breakfast?”

  “I’m fine.”

  Fortunately for him, Delilah wasn’t one to hover. Instead, she grabbed an apple and tossed it to him. “Well, I’m home today, so you’re allowed to change your mind. Jesse’s in his studio.”

  “He working?” His brother’s paintings were much in demand.

  “No. He just finished a piece. He’s gathering what you asked for.”

  “Uncle Cade, you have to see me ride,” Addie demanded.

  “Uncle Cade has something else he needs to do right now.” Delilah reached for her daughter, but Addie clung to him like a leech.

  “It’s okay. I told Jonah I’d see his horse, too.”

  “You’re in for it now. Whistle if you need rescue.”

  Cade grinned as he left with the kids and glanced around the property.

  It never ceased to amaze and amuse him how much Jesse had gone country. His tough FBI brother had not only left law enforcement behind, he’d left the city behind, as well. This place was a return to his roots in West Texas, though certainly with style. Jesse had been a full-time artist for several years now, and given the improvements he’d made around here, the prices for his work had clearly continued to escalate.

  The two-story house with the wraparound porch looked fairly traditional from the front, but the back wall was nearly all glass to take advantage of the stunning sunsets that could be witnessed from this perch on top of the hill. Jesse and Delilah had horses and Longhorn cattle, a dog and several cats. It was all terrifyingly domestic.

  But that sort of sea change had happened to all his brothers when love had come calling. Cade was the only holdout among his brothers, and he had no plans to change that. All his life he’d been a loner, and there was plenty of family to go around when he wanted a break from solitude.

  He spent an hour with the kids, saddling Addie’s pony and watching her carefully in the round pen. She chattered endlessly and seemed to pay little attention to her riding yet somehow never bobbled on her mount. Then it was Jonah’s turn, and Cade could see the makings of the man his nephew would become as Jonah did everything but lift the heavy saddle onto his horse’s back and, once on, demonstrated that he was a natural. Jesse and Diego had been nine and eleven, respectively, when Cade was born to their mother and his dad. Their deceased father, Roberto, had not been into horses, but Cade’s father had put them both on horseback as soon as he’d come into their lives. All the brothers and Jenna were at home in the saddle.

  Diego raised horses at his home in La Paloma, and Cade thought Jonah’s mount bore the mark of Diego’s prized stallion.

  “Daddy!” Addie deserted Cade for her father as he walked up. It always tickled Cade to see his silent, serious brother transform when he was with his children.

  Watching them, for the first time in his life Cade wondered what he’d be like as a dad.

  Forget that. His parents had plenty of grandchildren. That was not his path.

  “Hey,” Jesse greeted him. And gave him a quick perusal.

  “Not you, too.”

  Jesse shrugged as he let Addie down to play with Major, the dog Delilah had had when she’d met Jesse. “Mom’s orders.”

  Of course. “I’m fine.”

  Jesse cut him a glance. “Physically, maybe.” But to Cade’s relief, Jesse didn’t pry.

  They watched Jonah ride and kept an eye on Addie—though Major, part border collie, was a good babysitter. Addie would get into little trouble with him around.

  “Diego’s stock?” Cade nodded toward the horse.

  “None better.”

  Silence fell—well, silence if you didn’t count Addie’s nonstop stream of chatter—and Cade found himself relaxing for the first time all morning.

  His brother was good at silence, and this isolated place was one of peace. He’d missed this. One of the things Cade appreciated most about his calling was its solitude. Room to think, to breathe. He was not a city person.

  And Sophie very much was. Just one more reason for keeping his heart carefully guarded when he finally returned to her.

  But he should have left her a note. Or called.

  Damn it.

  He stirred beside his brother. “Okay if I get started?”

  “You know the way.”

  Cade knew Jesse could tell something was amiss with him. But he thanked his lucky stars that this brother would never push him to explain. He waved to the kids and retrieved his bundle, then made his way to Jesse’s studio to frame the photographs.

  A FEW HOURS LATER, CADE stood back, pleased with the moldings he’d chosen.

  “They look good.” Jesse had been stretching canvases nearby for the past hour, and they’d worked in companionable silence.

  Cade was certain Jesse was curious, but he was just as certain that his brother wouldn’t ask. Which was why he would explain. He gestured toward the framed photos. “Jenna’s hidden agenda. For her friend.”

  “The one you borrowed my tool belt to work for?”

  “Yeah. She’s…” How did he explain Sophie? “I thought at first that she might be taking advantage of Jenna.”

  “And now?”

  Cade rubbed the back of his neck. “No. I’m sure she’s not, but…”

  Jesse only nodded.

  Which made Cade try again. “She’s… Her life has been rough, and she’s got a lot on her shoulders, trying to get her hotel ready to open. She’s got every cent she has invested in it, and she’s working herself half to death—”

  He halted before he could spill his guts about what he felt for her.

  Which he couldn’t even explain to himself, really.

  “She need another set of hands?” Jesse asked.

  This was exactly what Cade had tried to explain to Sophie last night, that his family really was one for all and all for one. He was a lucky man. If Cade thought it was important to help Sophie, Jesse would pitch in without ever having met her.

  “Thanks, but I don’t think that’s a good idea. She’s running on pride and nerves right now, and I’m not sure how she would take it.”

  Jesse only shrugged. “Well, just say the word.”

  “Thanks. I will.” He picked up the two bundles he’d wrapped in brown paper and turned for the door, then stopped in front of Jesse’s latest. It was an explosion of color, a garden scene in his grandmother’s garden in La Paloma, if he was not mistaken. “Mama Lalita’s?”

  Jesse nodded.

  It would look amazing in Sophie’s gathering room, as she called it, the place where dining room and living area met. “What kind of price tag will you put on that?”

  “It’s yours if you want it.” Just that simple, when Cade knew Jesse could command a price in the tens of thousands for it.

  “No, I want to buy it.”

  Jesse slapped the back of Cade’s head. “Don’t be an idiot. We’ve got your stuff all over our house and we never paid you for it.”

  “I know, but…”

  “It’ll be rea
dy in another day or two. Want to pick the framing or wait until you have a place to put it? I can store it here for you.”

  “It’s for Sophie.”

  Jesse only lifted an eyebrow.

  “And I— She’s… I’m probably pushing my luck by not asking her first, except that damned pride of hers would get in the way. But she can’t possibly afford it.”

  Jesse’s mouth curved. “Woman trouble, little brother?”

  “In spades.” Cade sighed.

  “Want to talk about it?”

  Cade knew Jesse would listen without recrimination or even advice unless he asked for it, but Cade didn’t have a clue how to explain what he didn’t understand himself. “I appreciate the offer, but I…” His hand rubbed over his heart. He yanked it away when he realized what he was doing. “Hell if I know what to say.”

  Jesse rose and clapped him on the shoulder in sympathy. “Yep, only a woman can tangle a man up like that.” He smiled like someone who understood the predicament, and Cade was reminded of the hell he and Delilah had gone through before Jesse had given up his guilt over their past and accepted how much he wanted her. “I’ll store the painting until you decide.”

  “She’ll go nuts over it…once I figure out the right way to talk to her about it, anyway.”

  “Uh-huh. Good luck with that.” They walked outside.

  Delilah hailed them from the porch with an invitation to stay for supper, and Cade was happy to change his plans.

  The meal was a lively affair filled with much laughter and love. After a bit, Jonah asked Cade a question about his travels and for a second he hesitated, waiting for the pain to strike as it had every time he thought about Jaime and his former life. Delilah gently turned the topic to a story about Zane, but Jonah wouldn’t be diverted for long. Cade found himself telling stories of other cultures, of pristine places few men had seen, warming to the topic as he saw how excited Jonah was by it. Even the mention of Jaime didn’t hurt as badly as he’d feared. Cade realized that by making Jaime a forbidden topic, he’d remained mired in his guilt and had robbed himself of the joy that had been such an essential part of his friend.

  For an instant, the face of Jaime’s oldest son overlaid Jonah’s, and it dawned on Cade that he had the power to give those children back their father. At least the parts of him that Cade had known. All he had to do was make himself face his photograph collection…and his memories.

  An idea stirred. His publishers wanted a book, he could give them one—only not what they’d asked for.

  The book would be a tribute to Jaime. And Cade’s proceeds would go to a fund for his friend’s children.

  “Uncle Cade?”

  His head snapped up. He realized from their expressions that he’d been asked a question while he’d been woolgathering.

  Jesse’s expression spoke of concern, as did Delilah’s, but neither said anything. Delilah repeated Jonah’s question, and soon conversation was flowing again. Somehow he made it through the rest of the dinner and then made a round of goodbyes, promising to come back soon. It was an easy promise to make. Being with family again felt good.

  Outside, Cade rounded the hood of his rented SUV and got in, while Jesse leaned on the open passenger window. Cade saw him glance at the camera on the seat, but true to form, Jesse didn’t ask.

  Gratitude washed over Cade. He might not know what the hell he was doing with his life right now, might never be the gifted photographer he’d been, but he was graced with the blessing of a family that was fierce in its love, that would always be there for him—and no one more than this brother, who always stepped up when the others needed him but never intruded.

  “You know I love you, right?”

  Jesse’s gaze flew to his. The words were seldom said aloud among the males of the family, and Cade was a little shocked to be saying them now. But Jesse should hear how much he was appreciated.

  With a solemn look, Jesse nodded. “I do.” Then his lips curved. “You are so gone over this woman.”

  “Shut up. I am not.” Cade’s eyes narrowed. “And if you call one single member of this family…”

  Jesse slapped his door and stepped back, drawing an imaginary zipper over his lips.

  But he was grinning as Cade drove off.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  ALL THE WAY BACK TO AUSTIN, Cade’s mind was racing about his idea for a tribute book to Jaime. At last, here was something he could sink his teeth into that was meaningful, that wasn’t just killing time. When he got into town, he headed for Sophie’s, but his mind was on the book and how he would pitch it to his publishers. He would take the prints he’d framed by the hotel first, then go to Jenna’s and start culling through his photo files. Looking at the pictures of his friend would be hard as hell, but it felt right, and a bitter piece of the sorrow that had built a dam around his heart had been breached.

  When he arrived at Sophie’s, he noticed immediately that her pickup was gone and was glad she’d insisted he have a key after one day when a delivery had been expected and she’d had to be away. He’d take the photos to the rooms they were meant for and see how his choices fit while he waited for her to return. She never left the place for long.

  As he walked, he spotted the pile of mulch beside the chipper Armando had wanted, and he mentally approved. A great idea from a good man. He wondered if Sophie had thought about hiring Armando permanently to maintain the hotel grounds. The man had a gift for it, and he sure as hell worked hard.

  He glanced over at the casita, as Armando called it. He’d meant to finish the wiring today, but he’d do that tomorrow, then start on the drywall. The image he’d had of it in his mind was taking form, and he was already envisioning having Sophie there to christen it. He wasn’t half bad at a massage himself, and if having his hands on her led to other things…

  He was also beginning to see the hotel finished and with guests on the grounds. It would be Sophie’s dream, but he wasn’t ready to share her yet with those guests. He thought about what a great home this place could make, kids like Jonah and Addie racing over the grass, Sophie in a porch swing over there—

  Oh, man. This wasn’t his home, and Sophie didn’t belong to him. His life was one day at a time, one minute, one second. Hers ran like clockwork. There was no middle ground for them. Besides, Sophie was intent on a fling, and his thoughts were drifting in a dangerous direction.

  You are so gone over this woman, Jesse had said.

  No. She was making a home here, not him. He didn’t want that.

  I so rocked your world, she’d said astride him last night.

  Cade laughed aloud now. You did, Queenie. You absolutely did.

  And with his heart a little lighter about Jaime, Cade was more eager than ever for her to rock his world again.

  But an hour later, he was still waiting. He didn’t have a phone number for Sophie, but Jenna would. He tried Jenna’s cell but only got voice mail. He took the prints to Sophie’s room, and laid them against the wall. They looked perfect to him, but he’d wanted to watch Sophie’s face when she first saw them, damn it. He’d give her a little while longer, even though he was eager to get to his laptop.

  Cade realized suddenly that he was tired. He’d long ago learned to take advantage of spare moments to grab a few winks, and last night had been devoid of much rest. So he stretched out on Sophie’s bed.

  And promptly fell asleep.

  SOPHIE HAD DELIBERATELY kept herself busier than usual all day, but it hadn’t helped. Cade was still missing in action, and now she believed it must be a deliberate attempt to put distance between them. What she didn’t know was why.

  Yes, it had been intense, and yes, she’d caught herself getting more emotional than was wise for a mere fling—but she hadn’t revealed even a hint of that to him, nor would she. />
  Anyway, she didn’t have the time or the energy to worry over whatever was going on with Cade, and she wasn’t going to dwell on the mistake that last night now seemed.

  She had bigger problems.

  The landscaper was still AWOL and hadn’t returned any of her several calls. He’d insisted on half his money up front to buy materials. That wasn’t an unusual request for small contractors, so she’d agreed. Only that had been the last she’d seen of him. She hadn’t been worried at first because he hadn’t been scheduled to work at that point and the job wasn’t ready for him.

  Now it was. He should have shown up to work by now, or at least phoned her. Out of desperation, she’d gone looking for him this afternoon. She had no office address, but that, too, wasn’t unusual—the smaller contractors often operated from their homes and pickups. She did remember, though, the job he said he would be finishing before he could start on hers. It was an apartment complex on the far north end of Austin, and she’d gotten lost, winding through the hills.

  She could blame the hills, but it was really her distraction that was at fault. Cade’s unexplained disappearance was part of it, of course, but he was a grown man; they weren’t a couple and he wasn’t her employee. She had no say in how he spent his time. She’d considered calling Jenna, but she was nowhere near ready for her friend to know Sophie had spent a torrid night tearing up the sheets with Jenna’s injured brother whom Sophie was supposed to be helping.

  And then there was Kurt Barnstone. She shivered as she recalled their conversation and his threats. He’d won, he held the position she should have occupied. Why couldn’t he be satisfied with that? She just wanted him out of her life.

  She located the apartment complex at last and drove the entire property looking for the landscaper, but he was nowhere to be found.

  And then she spoke with the apartment manager who, in a matter of minutes, sent Sophie’s world spinning.

  The landscaper had left town.