The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2)

by Carolyne Aarsen

“Well, it’s true,” she reiterated. “And it’s easier to face someone down when you’re on equal footing. Physically. As a woman, it’s not as easy. I had the same thing with Drew.”

  This netted her a frown. “Drew? I thought you said he didn’t abuse you?”

  Once again she wished she had said nothing. More messy past to dredge up. But that was part of the reason she was still here. That was one thing she had been told again and again in Bible study. Face your past, recognize you are forgiven, and let God’s grace guide your next steps.

  “Never physically. But he…he was a bully. In fact, I didn’t want to marry him after I found out I was pregnant, but he insisted. Said we were meant for each other even though I never truly believed it.” She shook her head. “Abby warned me against him. Said she didn’t trust him. But, like I told Faith, he was always good with me. Always kind. I think he was, deep down, a good person despite the partying and drinking.” She caught herself, realizing how that sounded. “He had his good moments.”

  “More than the bad?”

  Mason’s probing question lingered, and after a few beats of silence she shook her head. “Not really.”

  “Does he have other family?”

  “Just his father. Drew always said he was pushy and mean. In fact, when Drew was dying, he begged me not to tell his father about my pregnancy. I thought it was strange, but he’d told me so many stories about his father I had to believe him.”

  “Believe him about what?” Mason asked, though he sensed exactly what she would say.

  Tricia took a sip of her tea, her face holding a faint twist of anguish.

  “Believe that if he found out about the kids that he would try to take them away from me.”

  Chapter 9

  Her quiet words were like a shaft of ice to his heart.

  Take them away.

  He forced himself not to react. To keep his expression impassive.

  He had to remind himself that there was no way Tricia could know about him. When he applied for the job here, it was through an acquaintance of Roger. Not Roger himself.

  “Why would he want to do that?” He hoped he sounded more innocent than he felt.

  “I’m not sure. Drew mentioned something about an inheritance. That Drew’s father had written up his will so that the only people who could inherit would be Drew’s kids, not Drew himself. It sounded all very convoluted to me.” She waved her hand as if erasing the words. “I can’t believe someone would want to do that.”

  Mason could.

  It was why he was here, after all. To see how the kids were being taken care of. To see if Roger had any grounds to challenge Tricia’s guardianship. But he never knew it had anything to do with an inheritance. Roger had never told him that.

  Trouble was, though he came here believing Roger, too many things had happened that he couldn’t buy into what his boss was claiming. He’d seen the support Tricia got and her struggles with trying to do her best for the children.

  Didn’t help that being around Tricia threw him off guard. Sent his emotions into a tailspin and distracted him from one of the reasons he was here.

  But you owe Roger so much. You can’t turn your back on him.

  “Maybe he just wants to make sure they’re provided for,” Mason said.

  No sooner had he spoken the words than he wished he’d kept his mouth shut. His vague defense of his boss netted him a flash of anger and a narrowing of Tricia’s eyes.

  “They are provided for,” she snapped. “I took care of them before. And once I get my feet under me, I’m going to— I’ll make sure they have everything they need.”

  Her defensive words underlined her current situation. It was thanks to her father and his ranch that her children had a roof over their heads.

  “Of course you will,” Mason said, his voice soothing.

  “And once I get the restraining order set up…” Her voice faded away, and she twisted her fingers around the handle of her cup.

  No doubt about it, Tricia’s life was more complicated than she wanted to admit.

  “I hope Perry will stay away,” she added, but Mason could tell she wasn’t one hundred percent convinced of this. And once she left the ranch, would she be vulnerable again? Would she be able to protect herself and her children?

  He dragged his hands over his face, trying to sort out his own confused and conflicted thoughts. He wished he had never taken on this job, but even as that thought rose up others negated it.

  He looked at Tricia and her eyes met his. A myriad of emotions flickered through their depths. But the one that snared his heart was the faint longing he caught behind her gaze.

  A longing that spoke to his. A longing that made him want to reach out to her, to pull her close.

  To kiss her.

  Then the door to the family room flew open, shattering the moment.

  Cash ran into the kitchen, laughing, Hope right behind him. She held a poker from the fireplace, brandishing it with glee.

  “Hope, no,” Tricia yelled, jumping to her feet just as Mason did.

  He caught the little girl before Tricia, who was gasping with pain, could make a move.

  “I don't think we should play with these,” Mason said, prying the metal stick out of her hand.

  “Is my sword,” she said, looking put out.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” he said, kneeling down to look her in the eye as he set the poker aside. “You could hurt someone.”

  She seemed to consider this then, with a shrug, turned and ran after her brother, who was now hiding on the porch.

  “I should get supper going,” Tricia said, getting to her feet. “Kane and Dad will be in soon.”

  Mason glanced at the clock as he got up.

  “I’ll head out, then.”

  “What? You’re not sticking around for supper? My cooking isn’t that bad, is it?” Was that a hurt tone in her voice?

  “I’m not…it’s not your cooking…it’s just…” He floundered, not sure exactly how to plan his thoughts, not wanting to hurt her feelings.

  He wanted to stay. Wanted to be with her. Wanted to spend time with her and her kids.

  But…

  Too complicated. Too many things going on.

  “I’d like it if you stayed.” Her voice grew quiet.

  Her shy smile was his undoing. That and the thought of either going to town to eat again or sitting by himself in his cabin. Neither appealed compared to spending time with Tricia and the kids.

  “If I stay, I should help,” he said. “Let me know what I can do.”

  “You can start with finding out what the twins are doing on the porch,” she said, adding a shake of her head and a sigh.

  Mason flashed her a grin then sauntered off to check on the twins. They were sitting on the deacon’s bench in the entrance, kicking their feet against the box.

  “What are you doing?” Mason asked with a mock frown.

  Hope squealed, sensing his humor, and Cash jumped off the box. “Catch me,” he called out, jumping up and down.

  “Let’s first get shoes on,” Mason said, hooking Cash around his waist. Hope, sensing this was a game, scooted off. Mason ignored her, figuring she would come back if he didn’t play along. Sure enough, a few moments later she returned. He got her ready to go, then opened the door.

  “Run to the slide,” he called out.

  The twins needed no more encouragement. They flew out the door, their feet hammering on the wooden deck and down the stairs.

  He followed, smiling at their exuberance, figuring he was helping by keeping the kids out of Tricia’s hair.

  He caught up to them as they clambered up the steps to the slide, clapping his hands as if he was trying to catch them, which elicited more squeals and laughter.

  The next half an hour they swung on the swings, ran up and down the slide, ran around, and burned off a ton of energy. He laughed at their antics, playing along with them. They were cute and fun. Once again he imagined what l
ife would be like with kids.

  Then Hope, who he was twisting around on the swings, got her hair tangled in the rope. She screamed, and as he struggled to get her free, Cash took off toward the horse corrals.

  “Come back here right now,” he called to the little boy, still struggling to get Hope free.

  But Cash just laughed over his shoulder, his little arms and legs pumping as he ran.

  Mason’s panicked glance flicked from one child to the other. Should he leave Hope caught in the swings and run after Cash? Or stay and hope the little guy didn’t get into any trouble?

  “I’ll take care of her, go get Cash.” Tricia magically appeared at his side.

  “Be right back,” he promised, taking off, running to catch up to the little boy. He caught Cash just as he was about to climb up and over a fence. Mason caught him then turned him around to settle him on his hip.

  “You’re supposed to listen.” Mason touched the boy on the nose as if to underline his statement.

  Cash just grinned at him, his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright. His chubby hands bracketed Mason’s face, and to his surprise, Cash planted a sloppy kiss on his cheek.

  “I wike you,” he said.

  The simple words dove into his heart and settled there. He stopped, looking at the little boy, a mixture of emotions roiling through him. Happiness, contentment, and, to his surprise, a feeling of belonging. “I wike you too,” he returned, squeezing him a little harder, smiling at him a little wider.

  Cash wrapped his arms around Mason’s neck, sending another tiny hook into his heart.

  He walked back feeling confused and bemused.

  “Not as easy as it looks, is it?” Tricia teased him when he returned.

  She was sitting on the swing, Hope on her lap, quiet now as Tricia finger-combed the tangles out of her hair.

  “No. It certainly isn’t.” He remembered his condemnation of her when she had come with the kids to the horse corrals, and shame enveloped him. So easy to judge when you’re on the outside.

  Cash wiggled his way out of his arms to join Hope, who had jumped off Tricia’s lap. Together they ran to the slide, clambering up the ladder.

  Tricia was smiling at the kids then turned to him, her smile deepening as their eyes met. Mason’s breath caught in his throat. He took a step closer to her, the emotions that had been simmering between them for the last few days bubbling up.

  Again their eyes held, again feelings arced between them. It seemed the most natural thing in the world to set his hand on her shoulder, his thumb caressing her collarbone. He saw her swallow and move ever so slightly toward him.

  The kiss they had shared the other day rose like a live thing. And before he could stop himself, his eyes drifted shut and he brushed his lips over her forehead. She smelled like peaches and outside. Like home.

  “You kiss Mommy?”

  Hope’s voice made him jump back, reality landing with a thud. How could he have been so stupid? And right in front of the children?

  “I-I better go check on supper.” Tricia ducked her head, reaching down for her children’s hands, and led them away.

  Mason rubbed the back of his neck, watching her leave. He wanted to run after her and ask her forgiveness, but more than that he wanted to run after her and kiss her again.

  How was he supposed to sit at the table with her and eat supper and act like nothing had happened?

  He spun around, striding back to the corrals. He had planned on leaving Rango tied up until after supper, but right now Mason needed a reason to leave.

  Rango was still standing quietly by the fence when Mason entered the pen. At least the horse seemed to have learned.

  “You going to behave next time?” Mason asked as he untied the rope and made the horse follow him around the pen to underline the lesson.

  Rango whickered at him as Mason stopped, letting the rope go slack between them. He stood facing the horse straight on then tugged on the rope. Rango gave in immediately, and Mason smiled as he came nearer. He stroked his nose, patted his neck, then turned and led him out of the corral. Small steps, he reminded himself.

  As he did, he heard the growl of a tractor approaching. He glanced over to see Kane pulling the baler toward the machine shed. Thankfully Rango didn’t react, and a few moments later the horse was in the pasture with the other horses and Kane was walking toward him.

  “You think you’ll catch him again?” Kane asked as he approached.

  “I’m not working with him for a few days,” Mason said, closing the pasture gate behind him. “We need a break from each other.”

  “Didn’t go too well today?” Kane stood by the fence, his arms resting on the top rail, watching the horses as they joined up again, heads tossing as they whinnied.

  “Not with him,” Mason replied. “But overall it’s going well. Once Tricia and I are done, she’ll have a nice string of horses to work with.”

  “Good to know. I hope she gets a good price for them. Then she can move on with her life though I hope the kids will be okay.”

  “You don’t feel she can take care of them on her own?”

  “I didn’t say that,” Kane replied, sounding testy. Then he sighed, rubbing his temple with his thumb. “I know I haven’t been the kindest brother, but it’s been hard to watch her in pain, knowing some idiot did that to her. Knowing she was the one who dated said idiot.”

  Mason thought of Perry’s visit, knowing he should tell Kane.

  “He stopped by the ranch today.”

  “Who?”

  “Perry.”

  “What? When?”

  “Just this afternoon.”

  “What happened?” Kane’s voice held an edge that made Mason glad he wasn’t Perry.

  “He threatened Tricia, and I got him to leave.”

  “Will he come back?”

  “I doubt it.” Mason wished he could be more sure.

  “What did she get herself tangled in?” Kane heaved the words out on a heavy sigh.

  “She didn’t know what he was like when she was dating him.”

  “How do you know that?” Kane asked.

  “She told me. In fact, she dated him because she thought he could provide for her and the kids.”

  “Overly optimistic. That’s our girl.”

  Mason knew he shouldn’t stick his nose into the family problems, but whenever Kane spoke of Tricia, his voice held an uncomfortable underlying tone that bothered him.

  “What do you mean by that?” Mason asked, trying to keep his own voice even. As if he was simply asking for information, not trying to delve into the relationship between Kane and Tricia.

  Kane said nothing for a few long seconds and Mason thought he might have overstepped. But then Tricia’s brother turned his head, staring directly at Mason.

  “I’m sure you’ve talked to Tricia. Heard her version of what life was like for her here.”

  “I have.”

  Kane waited as if hoping Mason would say more, but when Mason kept silent Kane carried on.

  “She had everything she could want, but it wasn’t enough. I don’t know how often she would make demands and act out just to get attention.”

  “Sounds like you two had your own tension,” Mason ventured.

  “We did.” Kane tapped his fingers on the fence rail. “We fought, but we had good times too. But then Elliot came, and she got worse. Hard to live with. Threw tantrums. Made it hard for me, who had so little to feel sorry for her, who had so much.”

  Mason let Kane’s words settle between them, giving them the respect and weight they deserved.

  After a few beats of quiet he spoke again.

  “Why do you think she did that?”

  “I know she was jealous, which was also frustrating. I know I wasn’t the easiest to be around, but I was really trying.”

  “Did you ever think she was too?”

  Kane said nothing to that.

  “I know it might be hard to believe, but I’m sure she had her
struggles too. Maybe she felt like she was ignored because she was supposed to be the one who had it all compared to you boys who had so little. Maybe she felt like there was a different level of expectations for her than for you.”

  Kane bit his lip as if considering this. Then he looked over at Mason, his eyes piercing. “Sounds like you’ve learned quite a lot about my sister,” he said, his voice holding a vaguely threatening tone.

  Mason, however, refused to back down. “I have. We’ve been spending a lot of time together.”

  “Be careful with her,” Kane said. “Despite what she may think of me, I really care about her. I don’t want her hurt. I know you’re not sticking around, you’ve got other things to do. You’re only here temporarily.”

  “You’re not telling me anything I don’t already know,” Mason said, straightening, as if ready to defend himself. “It doesn’t negate the fact that Tricia has told me some things I’m sure she hasn’t told too many other people.” Or the fact that he had been here to help her when no one else was.

  “I can respect and understand that. And regardless of what you may think of me and my relationship with Tricia, I am trying to understand where she’s coming from. I’m trying to understand why she made the decisions she did. And the one I have the hardest time getting around is the fact that she kept her children from Dad.”

  Mason’s thoughts skipped back to what Tricia had told him about Drew’s father. His boss. “Have you asked her why?”

  Kane released another sigh, rubbing his temple again. “I haven’t sat down and talked to her properly since she’s come back. It’s been one thing then another.” He gave Mason a sheepish look. “Getting engaged to Faith has been a distraction. But I think you’re right, I need to sit down and have a brother-to-sister talk with her. Really listen to her.”

  Mason smiled at the admission. In that moment he saw another part of Kane that made him seem softer, more caring.

  “I think she would appreciate that.”

  Kane pushed himself away from the fence and brushed hay dust off his shirt. “I think I heard my dad pull up. So we should probably go and have some supper.” He bit his lip, then tossed Mason a sidelong glance. “Maybe don’t tell Dad about Perry. I don’t think he needs to know.”