The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2)

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “You okay?” Faith asked, leaning close, her hand on Tricia’s arm.

  Tricia gave her a quick nod. “Yeah. Just revisiting places I should never go back to.”

  “Look ahead, remember. Like we learned in Bible study.”

  “You’re right.”

  “And I’m also right about taking the kids for a few days. You’ve been through a lot, and we want to be here to help you when we can. I have a few free days and I’d like to help you out.”

  She sounded so reasonable that Tricia wavered. If she accepted, was she letting them enable her? Shouldn’t she want to spend every moment with her children after what she’d put them through?

  “You’re thinking too much,” Faith teased.

  “Well that’s not something anyone has ever accused me of before.” Tricia released a light laugh.

  “Let me take them. I’d love to have them, and it will give your dad a break.”

  And there was where Faith had her. While her dad had never complained about the kids, she could tell that, from time to time, he was tired of the noise and busyness they could create. He had said he gladly babysat them every afternoon, but maybe he needed some respite from them too.

  “Okay. But just one night, okay?”

  “Of course.” Faith smiled then jumped up, jogging over to the kids to tell them. They ran to her, throwing their arms around her. Tricia felt a small pang at the sight and felt a niggle of second thoughts. Maybe she shouldn’t do this. She was their mother after all.

  Was she doing what her brothers had always accused her of? Taking the easy road?

  “You guys get to come to Aunty Faith’s for a sleepover,” Faith was saying.

  Cash was jumping up and down and Hope was swinging herself on Faith’s arm, laughing her excitement.

  Then she pulled in a deep breath, and a dull pain wrapped its insistent hands around her chest and she knew it was for the best.

  Half an hour later Tricia was waving to the kids as Faith drove away, her feelings a mixture of the old guilt she felt whenever she sent her kids away, combined with an even larger dose of guilt that she was looking forward to working with the horses.

  And Mason? You looking forward to working with him too?

  Tricia abruptly dismissed the thought.

  But as she cleaned up the house, hurrying as quickly as the pain would let her, the thought of his dark eyes and quiet manner, the memory of his gentle touch, drew her like a moth to light.

  “You catch on quick,” Mason said, watching as Tricia ran her hands over Abby’s legs, holding onto her foot. The horse quickly gave in and lifted it, earning another round of praise.

  “It helps to have a smart horse to work with,” Tricia said, flashing him another of her signature smiles.

  When she’d showed up yesterday, announcing that she had the next couple of days away from the kids, he wasn’t sure what to think. On the one hand, it reinforced his boss’s concerns about her priorities as a mother. But as soon as they were done yesterday she ran to the house to check on the kids. Same thing this morning just before she left for the corral.

  “Try her back legs and then we’ll call it a day.”

  “Already? It’s only noon.”

  “I mean with her. Besides, I’m hungry. I didn’t have breakfast.”

  “I noticed,” Tricia said. “You clearly haven’t been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day like my mother always told me.”

  “My mom said exactly the same thing, but I’ve always liked sleeping more than eating.”

  Her answering smile made him feel like he had said something funny, which made him feel pretty good.

  She moved to Abby’s back leg and ran her hand down it as well. She gave a small tug and Abby immediately lifted her leg, not showing the least sign of distress.

  “That is one amazing horse,” he said, climbing over the gate and joining Tricia. Abby just flicked her ear at him and allowed him to pet her. “You will have a hard time parting with her when the time comes.”

  Tricia’s smile drifted downward as she walked to Abby’s head and clipped on the lead rope. “I know. I probably should have given her a different name. Maybe I wouldn’t be as attached.”

  “You always connect with any horse you work with,” Mason said.

  “Did you?”

  Mason opened the gate for her and stood aside as Tricia led Abby through. As she did, he caught the faintest whiff of her perfume, the way the sun glinted off her hair, the faint dusting of freckles on her cheeks.

  Stop it. Don’t go there.

  “I did get too attached at times when I was working for…for my boss. He’s a horse trader and loved buying horses and training them, then turning around and selling them again.”

  “Sounds like Drew’s father,” Tricia said, a frown creasing her brow as she waited for Mason to open the gate to the pasture. “According to Drew he was always wheeling and dealing with horses and land and whatever he could do to turn a dollar.”

  The mention of his boss sent Mason’s heart into overdrive. He shot her a worried look. Did she know? How could she? But thankfully, she didn’t catch his worried look. Her attention was on Abby.

  “Did you ever meet Drew’s father?” he asked, trying to sound casual. “He’s not from around here, is he?”

  Tricia shook her head as she released Abby into the pasture with the other horses. “Never did. He lives in Sweet Creek, British Columbia. That's about a five-hour drive from here through the pass. He owns some big, fancy dude ranch he bought on the cheap and another ranch he also got for a good deal. At least according to Drew.” She gave the horse another stroke on her neck then walked back to where Mason stood struggling to keep his expression neutral. “Drew and he hated each other,” she said as she walked through the gate. “His father always said Drew wasn’t a good son. In fact, Drew told me that his dad had threatened to skip over Drew and pass his inheritance straight to any children Drew might have.”

  This netted Mason another glimmer of concern. “That’s pretty harsh.”

  “He’s a pretty harsh man. He had such high expectations of Drew. Always said Drew fell short of his expectations…” She let the sentence drift off.

  Mason wanted to ask more about Drew and his relationship with his father as well as Drew’s with Tricia, but to belabor the point would draw her suspicions.

  “Has Drew’s father met his grandkids?” Mason asked, figuring it was a reasonable question.

  Tricia eased out a sigh and turned away from the pasture. “No. He hasn’t.” She kept her gaze ahead, her mouth tightening as they followed the worn path around the corrals. “But then, neither had my dad until a few months ago.”

  “Really? Why not?” Too late he realized his mistake. His surprise came out as judgment, and Tricia’s frown deepened, her shoulders hunched defensively, her arms wrapped around herself, her body language defensive and retreating.

  He doubted she would say anything to him, so he just strode alongside her, matching his pace to hers. They walked in silence past the pasture, through the grove of trees, and up to the house. But then, just before she stepped inside she turned to him, her hand on the door.

  “You need to know, keeping the twins from my father wasn’t something I wanted. But Drew demanded…” Her voice faltered and broke and she looked away from him, pressing her lips together.

  He gave her a few beats to pull herself together.

  “Drew demanded what?” he asked, keeping his voice quiet and non-judgmental. He took a small step closer as if to create a moment of intimacy. But not too close. He didn’t want to spook her.

  Tricia swallowed, lifting her face to the sky as if looking for answers there. A lone tear slid down her cheek as she blinked. She looked so distressed that Mason had to fight the urge to pull her close. To comfort her.

  “I didn’t want to marry Drew, but I was pregnant and ashamed and…” Her voice faded and she lifted her hand as if to keep from saying more, holdin
g his gaze. “I have to stop confiding in you. Seriously. I don’t know why I keep doing it.”

  “I guess it’s easy, because I’m not family.” He slipped his hands in his back pockets, resting his shoulder against the wooden siding of the house still warm from the sun. He chose this pose deliberately. Open, welcoming, waiting.

  She’s not a horse you’re training.

  Maybe not, but she was one reason he was here. And, once he was done, he’d be gone anyhow. It wouldn’t matter what she thought of him then.

  Do you really believe that?

  Mason shook off the pesky voice, tilting his head toward Tricia. “I’m not on one side or another.”

  Tricia blinked furiously as if to prevent any other tears from escaping. She drew in a slow breath, steadying herself. “I wouldn’t say my family has taken sides, though…my dad accused me of dating Drew just to get attention.”

  “Attention from…?”

  “It’s a common theme in the family,” Tricia said, removing her hand from the door to swipe the errant tear from her face. “The spoiled daughter who resented the attention her brothers always got.”

  She waved her hand again as if erasing her petulant comment. “And forget I said that.” She glanced at the narrow watch on her wrist. “I should get us something to eat.” She pulled open the door then tossed a glance over her shoulder. “Are you joining us?”

  “No. I need to do a few things in town.” One of which was connect with Roger. He didn’t want to make that call in any place that someone might overhear him.

  “Okay, suit yourself. If you change your mind, I can offer you a fantastic lasagna.”

  “Wow, good looks and a good cook.”

  He did a mental face palm. Good looks? Really?

  Though it was true, but that sounded so much like a pick-up line he should be ashamed of himself.

  But Tricia just released a light laugh as she looked down at the stained T-shirt she was wearing. “Well, I’ll take the compliment. I’ve never felt less attractive than now.”

  Her hair was tied up in a sloppy top-knot, her face devoid of makeup, and the pink T-shirt and faded and torn blue jeans had seen better days, yet she exuded a casual beauty.

  “But I can’t take any credit for the lasagna. That came from Faith.”

  “Well, I’m sure you will heat it up amazingly.”

  Tricia gave him an arch look. “Really? That’s what passes for a compliment these days?”

  “Hey, I’m giving you some of my best stuff,” he returned.

  “Oh boy, no wonder you’re still single.”

  He pressed a hand to his chest, as if wounded, adding a smile so she knew he was teasing. “Ouch. You are deadly with the harshness.”

  “Lucas always said I was a good shot.”

  “Lucas was—”

  “One of my foster brothers. He’s in Afghanistan now. We were hoping he could come home in time for Faith and Kane’s wedding but it’s up in the air now. We haven’t heard from him for awhile. I’m trying not to worry.”

  “And your parents took them all in.”

  “My parents were…are,” she corrected, “very giving people.”

  “And how were you with all of that?”

  Tricia’s blue eyes took on a faraway look, as if going back in time. Then she blinked, returning to the present. “It was hard, but I could never complain. I was the lucky one, after all.” Then she straightened her shoulders and gave him a polite but dismissive smile. “And I should see about supper. Don’t want to keep Dad and Kane waiting.”

  Without another word she turned around and stepped into the kitchen.

  Leaving Mason with more questions.

  They would have to wait. For now, he had to report in, though his feelings about what he was doing grew more mixed the longer he spent here.

  Chapter 6

  “Well, that was a lot different experience than working with Abby has been,” Tricia said the next day as she clipped the leather line to Two-Bits’ halter.

  She made a move to stroke him but still he threw his head back. She and Mason had been working with him for most of the afternoon but he still fought them, resisting every effort to get him to connect. When he finally gave in both he and Mason were tired.

  “He’s stubborn. I didn’t think he’d ever come in.” Mason took the line from Tricia and together they walked to the pasture.

  She opened the gate, and he walked inside, slipped the halter off, and let him go, waving his arms at him, hands open to show him it was Mason’s choice that he leave, not Two-Bits’.

  “Does that happen more often?” Tricia asked as she closed the gate behind them.

  “Yeah. Horses all have personalities too. Some are more stubborn than others. I suspect he was proud cut.”

  “That would make sense. Still thinks he’s a stallion and in charge.”

  Tricia watched as Two Bits joined the other ones, re-establishing his dominance.

  “Which explains why he’s the boss and not one of the mares,” Mason added.

  They watched the horses as if they were loath to leave.

  “We’ve worked on two horses now. Do you think we’ll get through them all by the time it’s time for you to go?” Tricia asked.

  She knew they had allotted him six weeks of training, and while it had seemed like an endless stretch at the beginning, they still had eight more horses to work with.

  “Abby has taken longer because I was working you through it, but you seem to be catching on real quick. It will be easier with the other ones.” He gave her a cautious smile. “You have a way with horses. I think you’re a natural. Have you ever thought about full-time training?”

  Tricia held that thought a moment, trying to imagine what that might look like. How she could swing that.

  Then she shook her head. “No, I have other plans.”

  “What other plans?” Mason asked.

  “I’d like to go back to school. Get a degree.”

  “In what?”

  “I’m not exactly sure. I just feel like I should get some degree of sorts.”

  “‘Degree of sorts’? That’s a pretty broad term.”

  Tricia looked away from him, his comment making her feel uncomfortable. “I’ll figure it out once I’ve sold the horses and have money to work with. I feel like a degree will get me a job that will help me take care of my kids. Myself.”

  She put extra emphasis on that last word, just so he would know she was serious about it.

  “You don’t want to stay here? With your family?”

  She let that thought sit a moment but then released a harsh laugh. “I’m kind of on the wrong side of favor with the family already. Besides, where would I stay? What would I do here? End up with some minimum-wage job in Rockyview and prove my dad and Kane right?” She pulled in a steadying breath. She knew she owed her father, Kane, and Faith more than she could ever repay. She knew she had made mistakes, but she was trying to rectify them. All she wanted was a chance.

  Suddenly she didn’t want to think about responsibility.

  “Well I’m not ready to return to the house. The kids aren’t here, and I’m free.” She gave him a quick smile. “I feel like going riding. Want to join me?”

  As soon as the invitation left her mouth, she wished she could take it back. Bad enough she spent every day with Mason. She didn’t need to spend her free time with him too.

  But Kane and her father were baling hay today and weren’t returning until late tonight. It was only four o’clock, and she had empty hours ahead of her.

  “That sounds like a great idea.”

  And that was that.

  She was surprised he agreed. Despite working together for most of the week, he seemed standoffish. While she appreciated the distance, the female part of her had a hard time not seeing it as a challenge. Her brothers always teased her that whenever she set her sights on someone, he may as well get a tattoo with her name on it. She would have him one way or the other.

/>   But she didn’t feel that Mason was a challenge. Theirs was a professional relationship.

  And yet, part of her wanted to see his natural smile. See him relaxed.

  “The riding horses are in the other pasture,” she said. “We’ll get a couple of halters and you can pick which one you want.”

  “How many riding horses do you have?”

  “Too many. And not enough.” Tricia chuckled as she turned to head toward the tack shed. “It depends on who you ask.”

  Twenty minutes later they had two horses caught, bridled, and saddled. They had worked together in silence, Tricia appreciating Mason’s smooth and easy movements. He was calm and competent, talking to the horses, soothing them with his deep, rich voice. Her brothers were okay with horses, but they seemed to spend more time disciplining them, getting them to stand still while they brushed and buckled and tightened.

  Mason didn’t have to discipline his horse at all. The horse just seemed to know exactly what he wanted and was more than willing to work with him. It was a joy to watch.

  “Ready to go?” Tricia settled herself on her saddle, shifting to make sure everything was tight.

  “I am, but you’ll have to lead me along,” Mason said. “I have no idea where to go.”

  “Don’t worry. I know every hill, valley, and tree on this place. I’ve put more miles on this ranch than all my brothers combined.”

  She turned her horse with a light shift of her reins and gave it a tiny nudge with her heels, and Ginger started walking. After the first few steps, it spun its head, as if realizing it was leaving the other horses. Tricia kept the horse’s head turned toward the trail, nudging a little harder. It whinnied and the other horses whinnied back, creating a chorus. But after she realized Tricia wasn’t giving in, Ginger settled down into a nice even walk.

  Tricia drew in a deep breath, surprised at the peace that washed over her. It had been years since she had had a horse underneath her and the trail ahead of her.

  She turned back to see if Mason was following her, and he was right behind her. He smiled as he looked around, seeming to appreciate the open spaces of the ranch. For a moment she wondered if she should have done this by herself. She hadn’t had any time on her own in who knows how long.