The Rancher's Family--A Clean Romance

by Barbara White Daille

  How could Wes blame the kids, when even he had to force himself to eat?

  He heard footsteps on the porch, followed by a knock on the back door. A male, he judged by the heavy tread, trying to push away his foolish rush of disappointment. Still, grateful for the distraction of an unknown caller, he went to the door.

  “Howdy,” Jed Garland said.

  “Grandpa Jed!” Mark yelled. He slid from the bench and ran to hug the older man.

  Wes smiled broadly at Jed. This week, he’d have shaken the hand of his worst enemy—if he’d had one—if that person could get this much enthusiasm out of his son.

  Mark leaned over to look past Jed. “Where’s Miss Cara? Did you bring Miss Cara with you?”

  Great. Wes clamped his hand on the doorknob. Here, he’d thought the older man would add a diversion for the kids...and for himself.

  Jed removed his Stetson and shook his head. “Nope, Miss Cara’s at the Hitching Post. I’m here all on my lonesome tonight.”

  Wincing at the man’s choice of words, Wes headed toward the counter. Halfway across the room, he nearly stumbled as Jed’s first words finally registered. Of course he knew Cara hadn’t left town. She wouldn’t abandon her job for Andi. But had Mark picked up on the fact she hadn’t gone home to Arizona yet?

  “All right if I come in and sit for a while?” Jed asked.

  “Sure!” Mark said.

  Wes opened the cupboard. “You’ll have coffee?”

  “And dessert,” Mark added as he led Jed to the table.

  Jed patted his belly. “I’ll skip the dessert, thanks. Had a slice of Sugar’s pecan pie earlier. But I’ll take you up on that cup of coffee.”

  “Sounds good.” Wes filled their mugs, then brought them to the table.

  “Can we have chocolate ice cream, Daddy?”

  “Of course.” Mark hadn’t asked for that flavor since Cara had left. Maybe he just wanted a taste of it again. Or maybe he had learned to associate both chocolate ice cream and his Grandpa Jed with Cara.

  “You’re running around late tonight,” Wes said as he dished up Mark’s dessert.

  “I am. I went into town for the council meeting and thought I’d stop by here on the way home. Though I shouldn’t stay long. I’ve got good news for Andi and Cara. Very good news. Work’s going to start on the exit in the next few weeks. That means traffic will be diverted down Canyon Road sooner than we expected.”

  “Mitch told me the other day about the new detour. Andi will be even more eager now to get that store all ready for her customers.” Then Cara would be done helping out her best friend, and there would be nothing keeping her in town. No surprise. He’d known from day one she was only visiting, hadn’t he?

  As if Jed had read his mind, he said, “We’re having an extra-special cookout tomorrow before Cara heads home.”

  She was going already? Would he even see her again before she left?

  He wouldn’t ask. If he showed Jed any interest in her at all, the man would be reserving the Hitching Post’s banquet room for their wedding.

  “Why don’t you drop in?” Jed asked.

  “B’ritos?” Mark asked, his spoon clattering into his empty bowl.

  “Plenty of ’em,” Jed confirmed. “And a lot more.”

  “Don’t count on us,” Wes said flatly.

  Mark must not have heard the response, as he grinned and pushed his bowl away. “Daddy, can I draw upstairs?”

  “Sure, as long as you don’t wake up Tracey.” After Rhea’s report on Mark’s lack of interest in his artwork, this came as a welcome burst of enthusiasm. Or it did, until the next “maybe” hit him. Maybe Mark’s sudden excitement again tied in to Cara, this time to his belief he would see her again tomorrow. “The lamp’s on upstairs. Grandpa Jed and I will be down here if you need anything.”

  You need to do something for their sake, too.

  Why couldn’t he keep the memories of those conversations with her, long over and done with, out of his head?

  Once Mark left, Wes looked at Jed and almost choked on his mouthful of hot coffee. The older man had crossed his arms and set his face in the sternest frown Wes had ever seen on him. “What’s the matter?”

  “Wish I knew,” Jed said. “All week long, whenever Cara’s not at the store she’s moping around the Hitching Post. And nobody’s seen hide nor hair of you anywhere. You know, it wasn’t that long ago you were telling me to mind my own business. Well, when it comes to my friends, their happiness is my business. And you’re not happy.” He sighed. “I know what it’s like to lose a wife. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my Mary. Son, nobody’s expecting you or the kids to forget their mama. But you’ve got to go on with your life.”

  Please promise me you won’t go backward.

  Cara meant well. So did Jed. Wes had acknowledged that to himself before. But their ideas of getting on with his life didn’t match his. “I am going on. At my own speed and in my own way.”

  “A lonely way, seems to me.” Jed eyed him thoughtfully. “Have you asked her to stay?”

  “There’s no point. Even if I had a reason to ask her, I wouldn’t. We’re not a match, Jed.”

  “You’re a stubborn one, aren’t you?”

  “Stubbornness has nothing to do with it. I’m doing what’s right for my kids. So is Cara.”

  I’m leaving because you asked me to, for their sake.

  But that’s just a small part of the solution.

  * * *

  SOON AFTER HE had laid out the truth to Jed, the older man went home.

  Wes could still see him sitting at the table, shaking his head sadly.

  Much as he’d have liked to cheer Jed up, Wes couldn’t change reality, could he? He and Cara were completely wrong for each other, and matchmaker Jed would have to live with the single failure on his record.

  So would Wes.

  Trying to ease the tension tightening every muscle, he stomped up the stairs. He walked more quietly only as he got closer to the kids’ room.

  Tracey lay curled up in the same spot he’d left her earlier, with her thumb now in its nighttime position, resting on her cheek, ready to be popped into her mouth as needed.

  Mark lay on his belly on the floor with a piece of construction paper in front of him and crayons in a heap beside him.

  “Time to clean up your mess,” Wes said.

  “Not a mess. A picture. Almost done.” When Wes took a step forward, Mark slapped his hands down on the paper. “No peeking. I have to finish, Daddy.”

  “All right. I’ll give you another couple of minutes.”

  Wes left the room and looked down the length of the hallway. Jed had never said exactly when Cara was leaving. Maybe he should have asked, after all. Maybe he ought to follow through on his idea to call her about all those boxes and bins she’d piled up in the office.

  As if a strong magnet drew him there, he paced to the end of the hall and opened the office door. He flipped the wall switch, then blinked, half from the sudden bright glare and half in surprise.

  The desk and dressers Patty used for storage were still there, but the crafts Cara had organized and inventoried were gone.

  She had taken time away from the store to finish her work here while Mark and Tracey weren’t around. Not because he’d asked her to do that but for the sake of his kids.

  He shoved his hands into his back pockets and shook his head. Everything she did showed she cared, yet after saying she didn’t want to leave, she was going anyway. And she should. She might also say she’d be happy in Cowboy Creek, but what were the chances that happiness would last? He couldn’t risk finding out she’d rather be anywhere but here.

  “Pssst.”

  At the sound of his son’s hiss, Wes turned.

  Mark stood in the hallway, holding the construction paper clasped again
st his chest.

  Wes smiled. Looked like his pardner was back. “You made a surprise for Daddy?”

  “No.” Mark flipped the paper over to show off his crayoned artwork. “For Miss Cara.”

  His stomach knotting, Wes forced a smile as he inspected the picture in the light streaming through the office doorway.

  In front of a squat, boxy house stood a row of stick figures. A man wearing a cowboy hat and boots. A little boy, the man’s pint-size twin. A baby gripping what looked like a giant green bean in one fist. And a woman with a generous smile and long red hair.

  Mark frowned. “You like my picture, Daddy?”

  “Yes.” The word came out in a croak. He cleared his throat. “Yes, I like it. It’s very nice.”

  “I have to give it to Miss Cara.”

  “We’ll need to see about that. Miss Cara’s...going to be back in Arizona.”

  “Okay. We can go tomorra.”

  “No, not tomorrow, son. And for now, we want your picture to stay nice and clean right?”

  Mark nodded.

  “Good. First, put the drawing on your dresser. Then grab your pajamas.”

  “Okay, Daddy.” He went down the hall.

  Wes turned and walked to the center of the office. Every last box, bin and plastic bag from the room and the closet had disappeared. Cara had cleared everything out, most likely when he’d left her here on Tuesday and then refused to come near the place.

  Jed hadn’t missed the mark about his stubbornness. That stubborn streak had saved him before. And now. He dug in his heels over issues only when he knew he was right, and he’d definitely called it right about keeping his distance from Cara.

  Why did that certainty have to come at such a high price?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CARA AND ANDI carried the last of the casserole dishes from the Hitching Post’s kitchen out into the backyard.

  “So, what did you decide?” Andi asked. “Are you packing up tonight so you’ll be ready to go in the morning?”

  Cara nodded. “I want to get an early start.” Just as Wes had explained to Mark about their trips to Rhea’s, she’d be leaving when the sun was coming up.

  “We’re going to be busy once you get back.” Andi smiled. “I’m very glad you made up your mind to become my partner.”

  “I am, too.” Cara set her foil-covered dishes onto one of the picnic tables reserved for food.

  She looked from one table to another. The dessert table where Wes had told her the tall tale about his horseshoe championships. The men’s table where Tracey had stuffed a corncob into his pocket. The table-for-two they had shared where she had wondered if Mo had been right about her being good for Wes.

  When Wes was ready, she would be here to find out.

  She looked over at yet another table. “It’s getting crowded already. We’d better go sit.”

  “No worries. Tina and Jane are saving seats for us.”

  “Good. Paz really went all out today. What’s the occasion?”

  “Grandpa’s expecting some of our favorite guests, and I think he and Paz might feel the need to make an impression.” Andi inspected the table in front of them. “Looks like everything’s out and we’re done for now. Let’s go grab those seats.”

  Cara turned to follow her. Instantly, she noted three things. First, Mark running toward her waving a sheet of construction paper, his latest creation, no doubt. Second, Tracey on the blanket reserved for the babies, happily playing pat-a-cake with Andi’s daughter, Missy. And third...

  The third person she longed to see was nowhere to be found.

  “Miss Cara!” Mark shouted. His enthusiastic hug nearly knocked her off her feet. “Look what I brought you!” He held the construction paper face out against his chest.

  With her first glance, her eyes watered so quickly she barely had time to take in the drawing before everything blurred. “Oh, Mark, that’s so nice.” Nice? Try perfect.

  “Beautiful,” Andi agreed. “And, Cara, that looks just like you. Is it, Mark?”

  “Yes!” He handed the paper to Cara. One arm wrapped around her legs for another hug, he stared down at his work of art.

  She ruffled his hair. A few extra blinks finally helped clear her vision. His drawing hadn’t changed. It showed a row of four stick figures lined up in front of a small square house.

  Wes and his kids did make the perfect picture. And now, she was part of it.

  At least, on Mark’s drawing.

  “Is this for me?” she asked.

  He nodded. “You can have it in Arizona.”

  “Oh...thank you very much.”

  Over his head, Andi’s gaze met hers.

  A moment later, Cara saw the third person she so wanted to see.

  Wes seemed deep in conversation with Jed near the back steps of the hotel, but as if he felt her gaze on him, he looked up and met her eyes.

  “Mark,” Andi said, “let’s go put Miss Cara’s picture in a safe place for her.”

  “Okay.” He took the drawing and followed Andi.

  Cara waited as Wes crossed the space between them.

  The last time she had seen him felt like a lifetime ago, yet in reality only a few days had gone by. She was shocked by how much he had changed. His face had thinned. Worry lines crossed his forehead. The dark shadows beneath his eyes belonged on a man wearing a football jersey and helmet.

  “Are you okay?” she asked in concern. “Sorry, but you look...ragged.”

  “Good description. That’s about how I feel, like a worn-out rag. Losing sleep is not the best way to gain energy.”

  “Is Mark still keeping you up with his bad dreams?”

  “No. Nothing after the one he had the other night.”

  “I’m glad for that.” Then why the lost sleep? Had she been wrong when she’d seen him Tuesday morning? Since then, had he actually tossed and turned at night, thinking about her...the way she’d thought about him? “So, what made you come to the cookout today?”

  “I told you I didn’t plan to go back to being a hermit.” After a hesitation, he added, “And Jed told me you were leaving. I thought this might be the last chance I’d get to see you.”

  She knew better than to let this admission excite her. “You wanted to say goodbye?”

  “That and a few other things.”

  “Oh.” She glanced at all the hotel guests milling around them. “Maybe we should go for a walk.”

  “That might be best,” he agreed.

  When she looked across the yard at her picnic table, she found Andi and Tina and Jane looking back at her. And when she gestured toward the kids’ blanket and the younger kids’ table, the women all nodded in understanding.

  “Guess we won’t need to worry about the kids for a bit,” Wes said dryly.

  “Guess not.”

  Andi flashed her a quick familiar grin, confirming Cara’s suspicion that Wes and his family were Jed and Paz’s favored guests.

  They wandered away from the crowd, ironically in the direction of the group of small honeymoon cabins behind the hotel. At least there they would have seats, privacy and quiet.

  Too much quiet. An occasional shout or laugh from someone at the cookout made its way across the space. Otherwise, nothing but silence and the scent of pine surrounded them.

  At the first of the cabins, she settled on the top step.

  Wes stayed at the foot of the steps, resting his elbow on the end of the railing.

  “You said Jed told you I was leaving.” Which had given him the reason to come to the cookout today. “If you’re here so I can see the kids, I appreciate that more than I can say. But Jed may not have told you everything. I have to be honest. I’ll only be gone a few days.”

  “You’ll...what?”

  She nodded. “I’m coming back next
week. Andi and I agreed to go into a partnership with the store. I’m going home to get more of my clothes and personal stuff from storage.”

  “And Jed knows this?”

  “Of course.”

  Wes laughed shortly. “Wait till I get my hands on that matchmaking, interfering busybody. I just got done talking to him, and he didn’t say a word about it. He had me thinking I might never see you again.”

  Her heart tripped a beat. Maybe he had come today to tell her just what she longed to hear. But as this conversation proved, people didn’t always mean what you imagined they did. “Jed does have a way with words, doesn’t he? When he first mentioned you to me, he gave the impression you were at least double your age.”

  “You’re kidding. Why?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe he was afraid I’d refuse to go near you if I thought he was being a matchmaking, interfering busybody.”

  He laughed sheepishly. “I guess I deserve that one.”

  “And maybe he deserves more credit than we’re giving him.”

  “Yeah. Let me just get this clear. You’re staying in Cowboy Creek?”

  “Yes. I’m staying because I need a job and because I want to help Andi and because I genuinely believe the store will make a difference to so many people here.” She took a deep, shaky breath. “And mostly, I’m staying because of you and the kids. I told you, Wes, I know caring about me doesn’t guarantee you’ll ever love me. But you can at least give me a chance. Give us a chance. I’m not going anywhere. No matter how much time you need to think it over or to feel ready, I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “Cara...” He spread his hands in front of him as if groping for answers out of his reach.

  She wrapped her arms around her knees and hung on tight. Would that keep her from falling apart if he refused to give her any hope? “Now you know I’m staying, do we still need to talk about those few other things?”

  “Now more than ever. There’s been a need almost from the first time I met you. But I was too stubborn to admit it. When I get done talking, I’ll be the one waiting for an answer, and you might have changed your mind about giving me a chance.”