Rocky Mountain Daddy

by Lois Richer

  He put Eli’s small shabby suitcase in the truck bed without saying anything more, mostly because he couldn’t think of anything appropriate. And yet, as he drove to The Haven, a million questions rolled inside his head. Why? That was the most pressing of them all. It seemed that his questions, like Eve’s letter in his pocket, would have to wait till later.

  Eve. Every nerve in Gabe’s body tensed. Anger surged and the knot in his stomach tightened. Deceiver. Cheater. Liar. She’d been all of those, so why was he surprised by this? He clenched his jaw, braking a little harder than he should have in front of the huge stone house.

  “Livvie!” Tillie and Margaret Spenser jumped up from the shaded cedar bench outside the back door. Both rushed toward them as Gabe parked and walked around to open Olivia’s door.

  “Another of our dear girls is home,” Aunt Tillie gushed.

  “Just for a week,” Olivia said as she released Gabe’s helping hand.

  He thought that sounded like a warning.

  “But—”

  “My dear aunties, Victoria, and Adele have made their lives at The Haven and I’m very happy for them and you.” Olivia interrupted Margaret as she hugged her close. “But Gemma and I are still the family’s wanderers. I’m home for a visit, then I’ll have to leave here to start my job. But having two of your four foster daughters living here permanently isn’t bad, is it?” she teased.

  “It’s wonderful. All part of our God’s glorious plan, my dear. Where’s your car?” Tillie Spenser asked as she followed her sister in hugging Olivia.

  “Bottom of the hill. Blown tire.”

  Olivia’s unconcealed chagrin made Gabe smile, until Tillie released her and included him in the hugfest. Then she bent to study Eli.

  “Hello, young man. Welcome to The Haven. It’s doughnut day, did you know that?”

  “She said,” Eli responded, shooting a small smile at Olivia. The smile disappeared when he looked at Gabe.

  “This is Eli,” Olivia explained. “He’ll be joining us,” she managed to say just before being encircled by Adele’s adopted twins, Francie and Franklyn, who’d come racing around the side of the house.

  Gabe noted how quickly Olivia drew away from them.

  “Hey, guys, you’re kinda dirty,” she said, nose wrinkling at the muddy streaks on her formerly pristine white shirt.

  “Yeah. Choc’late mud pies.” Francie grinned. “We gotta wash ’fore we c’n eat doughnuts,” she told Eli.

  “It’s a rule,” Franklyn agreed.

  Gabe had loved the twins from the moment Adele arrived with them over six months ago. He couldn’t have been happier when she’d married his boss, Mac McDowell, owner of the Double M, because it meant the cute pair now lived on the ranch. He loved kids, had always wanted some of his own, but Eve—don’t go there.

  He had a son. Gabe couldn’t make that sink into his brain. Nor could he comprehend why Eve hadn’t told him, especially after she’d become ill.

  “Come on.” Francie grabbed Eli’s hand. “Washup time. An’ don’t miss no dirt ’cause we can’t eat nothin’ till we get clean an’ the doughnuts are yummy.” She whirled to inspect the adults. “Uncle Gabe, you got dust on your cheek. You gotta wash, too.”

  “Yup, you do,” Franklyn agreed. He grabbed Eli’s other hand and drew him alongside, discussing crash-up cars. Eli went along with a confused look on his face.

  “Let’s do have some doughnuts,” Aunt Margaret said. She and her sister followed the kids inside. Only Gabe and Olivia remained.

  “I figured you wouldn’t want to explain to them about Eli until you have everything sorted out,” she said quietly.

  “Thanks.” He could feel her questions.

  “I didn’t know you’d been married, Gabe.”

  “At eighteen. For about three years.” Because she’d witnessed the debacle with Kathy, Gabe figured he owed Olivia at least a rudimentary explanation. “Eve was the new girl in town and I fell hard for her. My dad didn’t approve, though. We eloped, then she moved onto our ranch. I’d worked the ranch with Dad my whole life and I loved it, but Eve said it was boring and hated it. She started to cause problems—on the ranch and between Dad and me. I finally realized that when she looked at me, all she saw was a meal ticket.”

  “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “Me, too.” He pursed his lips. Best to get it said and then forget it. As if! “Eve wanted out, so Dad agreed to sell off part of our land to pay her off. She took the money and ran, but Dad’s treasure, our ranch, was decimated. We couldn’t ranch on so little land, though he fought hard to make it work. Six months later he died from a massive coronary. I had to sell the land at rock-bottom prices.”

  “Oh, no.” Olivia sounded genuinely upset. “What did you do then?”

  “Enlisted. Did two tours, but I hated it. I worked at Wranglers Ranch in Tucson for a while. Tried to rebuild my faith in God.” He heaved a sigh. “Then I got into equine-assisted learning. Eventually I came to the Double M and—” He shrugged. “That’s my story. My stupidity in marrying Eve cost me my dad and my home.”

  “I’m so sorry. You never saw Eve again?”

  “No. And I never wanted to,” he muttered, tension building in his head. “Until today,” he grated.

  “You never fell in love again?” Olivia’s hand went up in the automatic way she had of smoothing her hair over her damaged cheek. Funny, but unless she drew attention to it, Gabe never even noticed her scar.

  “No.” Even now, memories of that youthful over-the-top love and the gut-wrenching pain of knowing it wasn’t reciprocated burned inside. “Eve ended my dreams of love and family. I grew up fast and I gave up dreaming.” The words emerged sounding bitter. But then he had a right to be bitter, even more so now.

  Why didn’t you tell me we have a son, Eve?

  “And that’s enough for you?” she asked, a frown marring her beauty.

  “I have a good job with horses, which I love. I live in a great community and I get to be part of The Haven’s ministry. Someday I’d like to have my own spread, but...” He shrugged. “Really, why do I need a house and land?”

  “I’m sorry, Gabe.” Olivia’s softly voiced words offered comfort, but he wouldn’t take it.

  “So am I. My stupidity in marrying Eve killed my dad. I’ll never forgive her for that.” Why had he told Olivia that? What good did it do? Out of the corner of his eye he saw Eli standing in the doorway. Surely the boy hadn’t overheard his snarky comment? “Let’s go enjoy those doughnuts,” he said with forced cheerfulness.

  “Wait.” She stepped forward to rub the dust from his cheek. “Now the twins will allow you to eat doughnuts,” Olivia said with a grin.

  Truth be told, Gabe wasn’t sure he could swallow anything right now. What he desperately wanted was to lose himself in the forest surrounding them and read the letter that burned a hole in his shirt pocket.

  Later, he promised himself grimly. He’d read Eve’s paltry excuses for keeping his son a secret later.

  Chapter Two

  “Is Eli staying here?” Victoria asked Olivia later that afternoon.

  Olivia sat on the deck beside her sister, basking in the warmth of the sun, shielded from any breeze by The Haven.

  “Not that he isn’t welcome,” Victoria backtracked. “Everyone’s welcome at The Haven. But the aunties have some guests arriving tomorrow...”

  “I don’t have any answers, Vic.” Olivia knew her sister’s frown meant she’d demand some explanation, so she relayed the events of Eli’s arrival.

  “Gabe’s a daddy?” Victoria grinned. “Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. He’s great with kids.”

  “Well, he sure doesn’t seem to know what to do with Eli.” Olivia remembered the devastated look on the cowboy’s face when Eli hadn’t shaken his hand. Then she remembered Eli’s pitiful sob. “There’s som
ething going on with that child, though I’m not sure what that is.”

  Victoria’s adopted son, Mikey, was playing with Francie and Franklyn on the jungle gym equipment about six feet away. Eli stood apart, watching them.

  “Probably after such a loss it will take him a while to feel his way. Most kids are like that.” Vic smiled at her daughter, Grace, who was learning to walk. “Don’t worry. Gabe will make him feel welcome. Meanwhile, your timing in coming home couldn’t be better.”

  “Why?” There was a note in her sister’s voice that worried Olivia. “What’s going on, Vic?”

  “The aunts’ lawyers and accountants are coming to check out everything at the end of the month, to make sure The Haven’s outreach program complies with all government rules.” Victoria winced. “The office is a mess, Livvie. It just isn’t my gift,” she defended herself when Olivia frowned. “I can never seem to get the paper under control. I’ve been late filing a couple of forms, too.” Her head drooped.

  “I’ll take a look.” Olivia smiled at her sister’s relief. “Why didn’t you hire an assistant?”

  “I did. She made things worse. Triple booked us at Easter. Forgot to mention she’d confirmed four military visitors were coming when we were already full. Can you say nightmare?” Victoria rolled her eyes.

  “I’ll set up some better systems, see if that— Hey, where’s he going?”

  “Who?” Victoria tracked her gaze. “Gabe? He has eyes like a hawk. Probably sees something down there. Maybe I’d better take a look.” She lifted Grace and stretched as if to hand her over, but Olivia didn’t move. She couldn’t take her niece because warning bells filled her head.

  “Leave Gabe, Vic. Eli’s aunt gave him a letter from his ex. I’m guessing the poor guy needs a few moments to read it and figure out what’s what.” Olivia couldn’t stop herself from chucking the darling little girl under the chin. “Miss Grace looks like Ben.”

  “Good. My husband is very handsome.” Vic frowned. “Still have your aversion to kids, huh, Liv?” she asked sympathetically.

  “It’s not an aversion. How could anyone have an aversion to this sweetheart?” Heart aching, Olivia smiled at Grace and then sighed, knowing she wasn’t fooling Victoria. “It’s pure fear and you know it. I’m terrified to be responsible for any kid.”

  “Because of what happened years ago when you babysat in those foster homes.” Victoria covered Olivia’s hand. “Sweetie, the kid that died in the fire—you were too young to be looking after anybody back then, and his death was an accident. The child that drowned—that didn’t happen because of anything you did, either.”

  Vic had pried the truth of Olivia’s ugly past out of her when they were fourteen.

  “But I was in charge—”

  “The point is, you shouldn’t have been, Liv. The authorities even said so. You were a strong, competent and responsible kid, yes, but you weren’t the adult in that home. Those parents were wrong to blame you. They should have been watching their kid and you and the pool. It wasn’t fair to expect you to be in charge. The fire was an accident and it was not your fault.” Vic patted her shoulder.

  “Maybe. But it doesn’t change anything inside my head, Vic. Caring for kids, being responsible for them still terrifies me.” Olivia rose, uneasy with those awful memories and unwilling to revisit them. “It’s just the way I am. Sorry.” She made a face at Grace, who only giggled.

  “But to keep avoiding children means this fear robs you... Livvie, don’t you want to have your own children someday?”

  “No!” Seeing that her sharp response had drawn frowns from the kids, Olivia smiled at them reassuringly before resuming her seat. She wasn’t going to tell Vic about Martin or that she’d given up on marriage because he’d pretended he wanted to marry her even though he was already married to and living with someone else. Betrayer. “I just want to start my new job, prove myself and earn the things I’ve never had.”

  “Things are worth more than family?” Vic sounded disapproving.

  “No, and it’s not a competition. It’s just—it’s best for me.” She shrugged, relieved to see Gabe emerge from the woods, though he wasn’t alone. “Looks like he found some stragglers,” she mused.

  “Those two again.” Victoria stood, her lips pressed tight together. “That pair has caused more than enough problems today.”

  “I doubt they’ve done anything as bad as what we did at that summer camp, before the aunties brought us here,” Olivia reminded. “We four girls terrorized everyone.”

  “True. Think this is my payback?” With Grace in her arms, Victoria straightened her shoulders before striding forward to meet the threesome. She listened to what Gabe said, shook her head at the pair and ushered them to the meadow where they were supposed to be learning to rock climb with their group.

  Olivia watched it play out, marveling at her sister’s ease in handling these troubled youth. Judging by the slump of their shoulders as they walked down the path with her, the two had been strongly chastised.

  “Vic’s good at this job, isn’t she?” Olivia murmured, her gaze now focused on Gabe. His attention seemed riveted on his son.

  “Vic’s like your aunts. A dragon lady lives under that big generous smile of hers.” Gabe glanced at her, then back to Eli. “Any trouble?”

  “With Francie and Franklyn in charge?” She rolled her eyes. “Not yet, but there will be. Did you read your letter?”

  “Didn’t get a chance before I found those two.”

  “What are you going to do about Eli?” Olivia was curious to hear his plans.

  “Ask the aunts if he can stay here, I guess.” He shrugged at her surprise. “I live in a bunkhouse, Olivia. There’s barely room to turn around let alone fit in a kid. It never mattered before, but—”

  “It does now. You need to start looking for a home.” She could see the idea surprised him. “He’s a little boy, Gabe. He’s been pulled from the only place he knew. He needs his own home. With his father.”

  “What kind of a home?” He shrugged at her confused look. “I’m clueless. I’ve been saving for my own spread for years, but—”

  “Buy it,” she interrupted.

  “Can’t. I’ve never found what I want. But even if I had, I have to consider...things.”

  “Such as?” Why did she feel he was hesitating?

  “Such as—it might be dangerous for a kid from the city to live on a ranch. Maybe a temporary place in town is better.” Gabe’s suddenly narrowed stare made Olivia uncomfortable. “You wouldn’t have time to help me look, would you?”

  “Me?” Olivia blinked. “What do I know about finding a home for a little boy?”

  “Probably more than me. It doesn’t have to be right away,” Gabe quickly added. “Eli could stay here for a while. Your aunts wouldn’t mind. In fact, it might be better if he settled in here.”

  “No, it wouldn’t.” Olivia wasn’t sure why it felt so important to get Eli into a home of his own with his father. Maybe it was because she’d sensed an inner angst in the child. Or maybe it was because at Eli’s age she’d always longed to belong to someone. Or maybe it was Gabe himself.

  Granted, she didn’t know him well, but she’d always thought him too easygoing, too laid-back, too prepared to wait for things instead of making them happen, like staying in a bunkhouse instead of getting the spread he obviously wanted.

  Kathy had said Eli was almost six. Hadn’t father and son waited long enough?

  “Why wouldn’t it be good for him to stay here long-term?” Gabe frowned at her.

  “Because though he’s welcome, Eli’s a visitor here. Kids need a place where they feel secure. Being shunted around, not having a permanent parent in his life, nothing to call his own—that’s no way to start off your life together. That boy needs a home of his own, with you, his dad. Pronto.”

  “Strong feelings m
uch?” Gabe’s blue eyes twinkled. “So, you’re offering to help?”

  She’d fallen right into that. Olivia sighed.

  “Fine. I’ll help you look for a place to live, Gabe. But that’s all. I won’t help you decorate it or buy furniture for it or any of that stuff.” As if she had any clue as to how to make a house into a home for a cowboy and a kid. Organizing systems, creating efficiency, that was her specialty. Not helping somebody belong.

  “Okay,” the big cowboy agreed easily. “I can always ask salesclerks about furniture.”

  Oh, brother.

  “This home is for you and Eli. You should make the decisions about it together. You do know I’m leaving soon, probably next week, but for sure no later than the end of June.”

  “When do you want to start looking? Tomorrow?” And she’d thought Gabe laid-back. “I’m off in the afternoon.” He looked very eager now.

  After her first glance at Eli, Olivia had wanted to help him. But she didn’t do kids. Fear of the past happening again, of being responsible and failing, kept her from interacting with her own nieces and nephews. What was so different about Eli that he made her feel he needed her?

  Olivia exhaled. She had no idea why this child tugged at her heart. All she knew was that she had to do what she could. And the sooner she helped Eli, the sooner she’d feel okay about leaving The Haven to get on with building her future. Alone. As usual.

  Helping Gabe had nothing to do with it.

  “Tomorrow afternoon is good,” she agreed.

  * * *

  Gabe,

  First, I apologize. I should have told you about Eli years ago. But you had your dad and your ranch. Eli was all I had. I guess I wanted to punish you for not making me stay with you, so I kept the two of you apart. That was stupid and selfish. All I did was cheat my son of knowing his father, someone he’s asked about since he first learned to speak. I cheated you of knowing him, too, and I’m so sorry. He’s a wonderful boy, Gabe. So curious, so generous. His heart is so tender. Now he’s hurting, worried that I’m dying, and he’ll be left all alone.