So why was she so upset at the thought of never knowing what it would be like to be his?
They had corresponded through email since the court hearing, but she still wasn’t sure that the plan he’d mapped out would work or why he was doing this.
“I’m glad you decided to bring the kids. You’ll have fun.” She turned from him as the kids surrounded them, chatty and laughing as they handed off the rainbow of craft paper that had littered the front yard.
See, Belle, you can be normal around him. Or at least act like her heart wasn’t pounding in her ears.
“I’m not staying. I promised the kids they could come, and Gina wanted to visit with Buelita, but I have work to do. I’ll be home in a few hours.”
All six kids ran to the porch and surrounded Buelita and Gina. They were all calling Gina “Baba” now, just like they all called Selena’s great-grandmother by her “Buelita” title.
Buelita was the closest her girls had to a grandmother, and now they had adopted Gina, too.
The two older women laughed at something. Jonah, the only boy in the group, had climbed into his grandmother’s lap.
Keeping her gaze on the happy generations on the porch, Belle avoided looking at Quinn again. “You have to work on a Saturday?” she asked. “Does it have to do with the Diamondback?”
“No. It’s our project in South America. It’s the next place we’ll be going, and we’re lining up our contacts and scoping out locations to stay.”
She knew he was leaving. She knew. “You move a lot. What’s the longest you’ve stayed anywhere?”
“Most stays are six to seven months. A few are shorter, only a month or so. The longest has been nine months. Our base is in Houston, so I have a town house there.” They fell silent. “I’ve got to go. I’ll be back later.” He waved to his kids, then carefully covered his eyes with dark shades before going toward his car.
Taking a moment, Belle watched him walk across the lawn. His confident stride owned the ground he walked on. It was good that he was leaving. She made herself turn away from him. She needed time on her own to learn to breathe again. Heading to the side gate for the second time, she made a list of all the reasons she should not be in a relationship.
Balancing the box on one hip, she struggled to open the gate without losing any of the tissue this time. It couldn’t be done, so she had to set them down.
“Belle.” His smooth, deep voice interrupted her thoughts and caused her to jump.
He moved closer to her. With both hands he removed his sunglasses. “There’s something that’s been bothering me, and we need to talk. You’ve been avoiding me. With everything that’s happened, I know it’s difficult to trust me. I want you to know that it’s okay if you question everything I do—but give me a chance to prove to you that I want the best for you and your family.”
She bit her lip. “I’m sorry, but I can’t trust anyone with my family. It’s not personal.” A yearning to step into his arms and give him everything was dangerously close to the surface, but she knew better. “I’ll listen when it comes to the plan you have for the coastline, but I can’t let you in my life. You’ll be gone soon. Your kids might be used to leaving friends, but that’s not easy for my girls or for me.”
Sadness clouded his clear eyes. “I wish it could be different, but I understand. I miss your friendship.”
“You’re leaving soon, so it doesn’t make much of a difference.”
His gaze searched her face. She wanted to hide, but she kept her chin high. Then he nodded. “I get it. I’ll see you later.” With his hands in his pockets and his shoulders down, he went to his car again.
The sheriff pulled up. He walked straight to her, waving for Quinn to join them. Buelita disappeared into the house and, a few minutes later, returned with Xavier and Elijah, who stepped off the porch to join them.
Cantu shook hands with everyone. “I came to speak with Xavier, but I’m glad you’re all here.”
Elijah crossed his arms. “What’s up? Is it our mother or the rustlers?”
Belle prayed it wasn’t something new.
“Both. We finally got two of your cattle thieves to admit who sent them. It was Randy Anderson and your mother.”
Okay. That was not what she had been expecting. “Our mother was stealing our cattle?”
Elijah swung around and looked to the sky. “That’s a new low.”
“They said she told them you owed her, and she was just taking what you had denied her.”
“You don’t believe her, do you? She doesn’t have a right to those cattle.” She turned to Elijah. “She had set this up before she even talked to us. Where is she now?”
“We picked her up. She’s saying that it’s a misunderstanding and that she is part owner of the ranch. Are you pressing charges, or is this a family matter?”
Xavier scowled. “We’re pressing charges. She doesn’t have any—”
Quinn held up a hand. “You might be able to use this in your favor.”
They all looked at him.
“How much time do we have?” Quinn asked Cantu.
“We could release her but tell her to stay in town.”
They discussed options for a few more minutes. Then the sheriff left.
Xavier grunted. “That woman is unbelievable. I’m going to make some phone calls to some buddies of mine that can help. Thanks, Quinn.” He left with Elijah.
Quinn moved closer to Belle as if to hold her, but his arms dropped, and he shrugged. “I know it hurts that she did this, but it might work in our favor.”
“Thanks. I’ve got to get these to the party.” She didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“I’ll see you later.” He put his sunglasses back on and walked away from her again.
“Míjo!” Buelita called to him from the porch, before he could reach the sidewalk.
Belle escaped to the backyard. They had a party to prepare. That was what her mind needed to be focused on today. Not on all the what-could-have-beens if life had been different. It wasn’t, and it wasn’t going to be.
* * *
“Míjo, come sit.” The older woman who had fast become Gina’s friend patted the empty spot next to her on the large porch swing. “Where are you running off to? Your family is here. You need to relax. I’m old and can see those lines on your face. Stay and play. Take it from me, those babies will grow up mucho fast.”
There was no way he was going to tell her that the real problem was being so close to Belle. That she made him forget who he was and his goals. He sighed, not sure how to explain.
His mother-in-law lowered her chin and looked at him over the top of her glasses. “Stop hiding. Your children need you to be fully present in your life.”
Both women stared him down and there was nothing to say. The only options left to him were to nod and go to the gate Belle had gone through.
When he stopped at the corner of the Victorian, a backyard full of family, music and laughter—and a huge mess of color scattered over several tables—greeted him.
His attention went straight to the middle table. Belle was smiling with a brightness he hadn’t seen lately. She was surrounded by all the kids as they made the confetti eggs that would end up being smashed over people’s heads.
Her eyes met his, and she froze. The beautiful smile fell, and she straightened.
His children squealed and ran over to him, throwing their arms around him. “You stayed.” Hannah took his hand and led him to the table where Belle sat. Selena announced that she had the frame ready to make the piñata at the last table.
Meg patted the bench. “Sit here, Daddy, and help them finish. We told Ms. Selena we’d help make the piñata. It’s a giant Easter egg and it’ll be full of candy and prizes.” The twins took off, but Jonah climbed up next to Lucy.
Quinn studied Belle from behind the saf
ety of his dark sunglasses. Tension held her shoulders tight. She had been having fun until he stepped into the backyard. “Sorry to crash your party, but when I get double-teamed by the grandmothers, there’s no saying no.”
She had to grin at that. “This is for the kids, anyway, right?”
“Right.” He surveyed the backyard and found pockets of chaos as everyone got involved in a variety of activities. “My kids have never done anything like this. We’ve participated in local church Easter egg hunts. When the girls were small, they dyed eggs with their mom. Thank you for including them.”
“It was Selena’s idea. Her dad, Riff, was a musician.” She nodded to the group playing various sorts of instruments. “She traveled a great deal as a kid, and she’s sensitive to children needing traditions. Your kids are great. Mine would never have let me hear the end of it if we didn’t invite them.”
On the table where his twins were seated, Selena had placed a bamboo structure in the shape of an egg. The girls were already covered in runny glue as they layered strips of newspaper over it.
The back door opened, and the grandmothers went straight to the table piled high with flowers and more tissue paper of every imaginable color.
“Y’all must go through a ton of tissue paper.”
“We stockpile it.” The corner of her mouth flicked up. “Have you made cascarones before?”
Swinging his leg over the bench, he shook his head.
“It’s fun, Daddy.” Pieces of pink and yellow paper stuck to his son’s hair. Bath time was going to be interesting tonight. Jonah put drops of glue on top of an egg, then pressed a precut square over the hole. He lifted it and smiled at him.
One of his front teeth didn’t look right. Quinn leaned closer. Was his son about to lose his first baby tooth?
Lucy held her egg up, too. “I have one, too. I showed him how to put the glue on. Just a dot...” Her small hand lifted the cotton swab with glue and gently touched another spot. “A hop and a dot. I’ve been helping since I was little. Right, Mama?”
“Yes, you have, and you did a great job of showing Jonah and his sisters how to make them.”
“Jonah, let’s go make flowers. Mama, can we?” With a nod from Belle, they scrambled off the bench and ran to the grandmothers.
“Quinn, if you want, I’ll show you how it’s done.” She looked over her shoulder. “Or you can join the men at the pit.”
Elijah and Xavier were standing next to a brick firepit. A delicious aroma wafted through the air. There were a few people he recognized at other tables. “Wow. This is just the prep party? I can’t imagine what the actual day will look like. Y’all take this seriously.” This was the kind of family tradition his kids were missing.
“This is nothing compared to Christmas. Wait until you see us in action for that. The whole town turns into a winter wonderland. The kids are going to—” She clamped her mouth shut and looked away. “Sorry. Y’all won’t be here.”
Silence fell hard between them.
She sighed. “Do you know when you’ll be leaving?”
“I’d planned to leave at the end of the month, but with the change of plans, we’re reworking all the strategies and reports, so it looks like it’s going to take a few months. Grants take time, and there are several we’ll need to get this started.”
“I’m not so sure that’s even possible.”
“I promise, I won’t leave until we’re all happy with the results. This new development with your mother might prove to be the leverage we need to take her out of the equation. The girls asked if they could stay through the summer, and we’ll need the time. It’ll work out.”
“If they’re going to be here, that’ll be great. We have a horse-judging event next month in Austin. I hope they can go. Both of your girls bring so much to the team. Not only do they know the anatomy and conformation of a horse, they’re articulate beyond their years when it comes to explaining their answers. They’re impressive. Which makes sense with both parents being scientists.”
“Kari’s father was a scientist, too. It’s in their blood. Me being involved is an accident. I liked the ocean and didn’t know what else to do until I met her. What a man will do for love, right?” Which was why he had to stay focused on his goal. It was for Kari.
She looked down. “An accident? Don’t sell yourself short. You know what you’re doing, and your passion for the environment shows.” With a glance at the kids, she sighed. “You’re a good man and father. I imagine that, if she were here, she would say you were a good husband, too. In my experience, most men expect their wives to give in to what they want, no matter their own dreams. Her dreams became yours. Some husbands find it easier to destroy dreams.”
He groaned. Her husband. Okay, it’s official. Quinn, you’re an idiot around her. “He didn’t deserve you.” He kept his voice low as he leaned in close to her.
A sad smile lifted the edges of her lips. “That’s true. But I have two beautiful girls that I wouldn’t trade for the world. And lessons that will last a lifetime.” She shifted and looked over his shoulder, as if seeking an escape. “Sounds like you’ll leave in August.”
“End of July is what we’re shooting for. If we stay later, I’m afraid the girls will be asking to start school with their friends. Homeschooling is so much easier with the travel.”
“With all the places y’all go, I imagine their education is better than anything a school can offer.” Her head jerked to him. “What’ll happen to the ocelots when you leave?”
“They’re getting older, so I’ll turn them over to the local wildlife preserve. They’ll prep them for release. Hopefully, back here on the ranch if it all works out.”
She nodded. They stood, watching their families.
“Belle, I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. I know the kids will have great memories of Port Del Mar and the Diamondback Ranch.” His throat closed. He’d have his own memories and regrets.
“Childhood memories should be happy.” Hands stuffed in her pockets, she rocked on the heels of her boots. “What will—”
A cry from the flower table had them both running. Jonah was crying.
Quinn went down on his knees in front of his son. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Blood spattered Jonah’s face, hand and shirt, but he couldn’t tell where it was coming from. He glanced at Gina. The color had left her face.
She shook her head. “I don’t know. He cried out and blood was on his hands. He wouldn’t tell me what was wrong. Is he bleeding from the mouth?”
“Cassie, go get the first-aid kit.” Belle sent her daughter to the house as everyone gathered around to offer help.
Jonah had one hand over his mouth and the other in a tight fist against his stomach. Gently, Quinn tried to remove his son’s hand from his face.
“Can you tell me what’s wrong?” Hand lowered, the boy shook his head. He had his lips pressed closed. Quinn tried to pick up his other hand, and the boy cried out.
A gap was front and center. Holding Jonah’s chin, he tried to get a better look. Relief eased his muscles. “It’s your tooth.”
Cassie returned with the first-aid kit and handed it to her mother. Belle opened it and handed him a wipe to clear the blood. “He lost a tooth. Is it his first time?”
A muffled sob came from Jonah. “I didn’t lose it.” He opened his other hand to show them his tooth. “I was eating candy, and it broke in my mouth. I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to do it. It won’t go back. I tried.”
Quinn sat next to him and pulled him into his lap. “You didn’t break it. It’s a baby tooth, and you’re not a baby anymore, so your teeth will be falling out now to make room for your adult ones.” He used the washcloth Belle gave him to clean the blood.
“I’m not in trouble?” A hiccup had Jonah’s little chest heaving.
The gathering adult
s congratulated him before moving back to what they had been doing. Gina moved next to him and whispered words that soothed him. “You’re such a big boy now.”
He nodded and showed her the hole where his front tooth had been. “I don’t need my baby teeth anymore, Baba. That’s what Daddy said.” Doubt edged his words. “Will they all fall out? How will I eat?”
Belle knelt at Quinn’s knee and smoothed Jonah’s silky hair off his face. “We have some clean T-shirts inside that would fit you. Do you want one?” She gazed up at Quinn, and for a moment he was locked in her eyes. Then she blinked and went back to his son.
Jonah slipped an arm around her neck, slipping off his father’s lap into her arms. Laying his head on her shoulder, he closed his eyes. Leftover hiccups from crying disrupted his breathing. Soothing him, Belle stood and moved toward the house, Lucy close behind.
Quinn followed. He wasn’t sure what he was doing, but it was better than feeling completely useless.
Chapter Fourteen
Belle handed Jonah a mirror. With a clean shirt and washed face, he sat on the edge of the island in the middle of the huge country kitchen. The smell of fresh baked goods made Belle’s mouth water.
Selena’s kitchen always smelled so good. Buelita’s mission in life was to feed everyone, and she was good at it.
Jonah pulled his lips back and examined his new gap. “Do I sound funny?”
The girls laughed. “You haf a wisp now,” Hannah said, then giggled.
“Hannah.” Quinn glared at her. “You’re fine, Jonah. Before you know it, your new tooth will be in and it will all even out. The girls had no front teeth at all when you were born.”
“Really?” All three looked at him.
He looked a little surprised at first. Then he grinned. “I’d forgotten that.”
The window over the sink had his full attention, and he looked a little lost. Maybe it was the memories. That time in their lives had to be hard on him.
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