by Danni Roan
Pasting a grin to her face Marissa hurried down the stairs her mind turning over her ride that morning with the handsome cowboy and wondering how far he would be willing to go to help her. Would she be so worried if she knew she had a safety net to count on?
Stepping down into the main floor of the house Marissa smiled seeing Kade lying on the floor playing cars with his son and she couldn’t help but smile. Michelle was a lucky woman to have a man like Kade, and she wondered if she could ever have what the two of them had.
“When does Chase need me to babysit?” she asked tossing the question to Kade as she rested her hand on the banister.
“He said about six if you can manage it,” Kade called back. “Michelle’s getting dinner on now, so we can eat then you can head over there, or I can drive you.”
Marissa rolled her eyes at the big lunk that was her brother-in-law. “I can walk to the house in the field,” she said. “Unless you’re afraid I might get trampled by a herd of excited yearlings.”
Kade laughed and the sound filled the house with a deep rumbling cheer. “You do what you want Mini-mar,” he said ducking his head as his son drove a matchbox up his arm and across his shoulders before crashing it on the floor with a giggle.
***
“The bottles are in the fridge, and there are clean clothes in the drawer. Oh, and diapers are on the changing table in her room. I left you my number right?” Phil rattled off the list, making Marissa smile as Chase pulled his wife from the house.
“You already told her that three times honey,” he laughed. “Now come on, you deserve a night out and that’s what you’re going to get.”
Behind them, Megan’s soft cries grew louder but Marissa just smiled and waved until they had climbed into the old truck and started down the road.
“Now what are we going to do with you?” Marissa said bouncing the little girl gently and trying to calm her. “You might not like it, but your mama needs a little fun, so you’re just stuck with me tonight.”
The little girl looked up at her with violet eyes as she screwed up her little face and squalled.
Marissa shook her head, turning down the hall to the baby’s beautifully decorated room. The pale lavender walls, soft lighting, and plush toys making for a restful environment, and Marissa thought the color should be soothing, but the baby still cried.
Laying the little girl on the changing table, Marissa pulled out a clean diaper making the change quickly and efficiently. “You aren’t even wet,” Marissa commented looking into the tiny face and teary eyes. “Maybe you just like to hear your own voice,” she finished with a smile before taking the baby back into the open living space and settling into an old rocking chair.
An hour later, the baby was still fussy, and Marissa took a turn around the room. She had turned on soothing music, bathed the tiny girl, dressed her in the softest thing she could find and even fed her one of the bottles that Phil had put aside for her.
“I don’t understand what you want sweetheart,” Marissa finally said pacing the room with the baby girl. Chase and Phil had been gone no more than two hours, and she didn’t want to call them and spoil their dinner, but she couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Walking to the phone in the kitchen, she pulled it from the wall and began punching in her sister’s number, but stopped when someone knocked on the door.
Hurrying to unlock the door and hoping that Megan’s parents had decided to come home early, Marissa pulled the door open only to look up into Trace’s blue gaze.
“Oh,” she said lamely stepping back and patting Megan on the back. “I thought you were Phil and Chase.”
“They aren’t back yet?” Trace said. “I was just dropping in to let them know the ride went well tonight.”
“Okay,” Marissa said leaning back to look at Meg as she tried to understand why the little girl was so unhappy.
“Can I help?” Trace said.
Marissa raised a brow, wondering if she looked like her sister with the expression. “Only if you can get her to stop crying,” she finally said stepping back and letting him in.
Trace tossed his hat on a chair then reached for the baby lifting her high and looking up into her face. “What’s the matter sweetheart?” he asked his warm rich voice trickling over them both like warm honey. “You just aren’t happy tonight are you?” He shifted her onto his shoulder then strode across the room to the large couch.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had to deal with such a fussy baby,” Marissa said following him. “I now understand why Phil is so exhausted.”
Trace chuckled laying the tiny bundle on the couch and grabbing a blanket from the back cushions. Carefully spreading the blanket on the couch, Trace placed a protesting Megan in the middle of it then folded the bottom corner over her feet before wrapping the other two sides around her and tucking them in tight. Once the baby was swaddled tightly in the soft blanket, Trace cradled her in his arms and began to sing.
Marissa stood in the middle of the living room mesmerized by the cowboy as he crooned to the baby in his arms. As his soft baritone trilled the Irish Lullaby, the little girl’s cries turned to soft huffs, then sleepy coos. Instead of struggling against the tight wrappings, the baby seemed to settle, before relaxing into the cowboy's secure grip.
“That’s amazing,” Marissa whispered as Trace continued to sing the old tune. His voice was rich, warm, and soothing and even Marissa felt some of the night’s tension slipping from weary shoulders.
As Trace came to the last verse of the song and the beautiful baby drifted off to sleep, the house grew quiet.
Marissa gestured at Trace to follow her down the hall urging him to settle the baby into her crib in the softly lit room.
Grinning, Trace laid the baby gently onto the mattress covered in a Noah’s Ark pattern then pulled another blanket halfway over her before tiptoeing back out the door to find Marissa breathing a sigh of relief.
“How did you do that?” she whispered looking at him as if he might be from another planet.
“I’ve had loads of practice,” he said leaning in, so she could hear his words. “Some baby’s aren’t too happy being in the wide-open world, so you have to shrink it down a little for them.”
Marissa shook her head walking the length of the hall and heading for the kitchen. “Coffee or Coke?” she asked opening the fridge and handing out a red can.
“Coke sounds good,” Trace said.
A minute later, they were both sitting at the table an easy silence settling between them as they sipped their drinks and enjoyed the sound of stillness.
“Thanks,” Marissa said just as Trace spoke.
“You alright?” Trace said chuckling lightly as his voice meshed with hers.
“Go ahead,” Marissa said smiling for the first time that evening.
“No, you,” Trace insisted.
“I just wanted to say thank you again,” Marissa said. “Is she always this way?”
“From what Chase says, yes. She’s a very opinionated little girl.”
“That’s one way to say it,” I hope she sleeps a little while and lets her parents get some rest.”
“You were very patient with her,” Trace said.
“I’m used to needy kids all day,” Marissa admitted as the sound of a truck coming along the road made them both lookup.
“Either way you did good,” Trace said his soft, serious eyes touching her face.
The front door opened and Marissa hurried to the entrance shushing Phil and Chase as they walked into the house.
“Where’s Meg?” Phil hissed looking around.
“Sleeping,” Trace said, stepping up behind Marissa with a husky whisper. “And no you don’t need to check on her, she was fed, bathed, changed and is sleeping.”
Phil looked between Trace and Marissa a bewildered look on her face as she turned to Chase with a beautiful smile.
“Miss. Brighton, can I walk you home?” Trace asked. “There have been a few skunks in the area lately,” he
added with a grin grabbing his hat and stepping around Phil and Chase.
“Skunks?” Marissa asked as she moved around the amazed parents and out into the starry night.
“Afraid so. Critters are a common occurrence here,” Trace said stepping down the stairs of the old house. “I wouldn’t want Kade coming after me because I let his house guest get sprayed by a skunk.”
Marissa laughed softly as a warm breeze rushed across the prairie. “No, I don’t think I’d like having Kade tracking me down,” she agreed.
Trace’s warm chuckle drifted through the darkness making Marissa turn to study his face. “What’s so funny?”
“Did you see the look on Chase and Phil’s faces when they came in and Meg was asleep?”
Marissa grinned. “They did look rather shocked. I wonder what they’ll do now.”
“If I had to guess I’d say they’ll sleep for hours,” the cowboy said.
They walked along a while in silence letting the night sounds filter over them in a quiet symphony.
Making their way to the stairs of the Ballard house Trace stopped leaning against the railing of the entrance. “I guess this is it,” he said.
“Thanks again for your help,” Marissa said. “I really do appreciate it.”
Trace smiled, “If you ever need me just whistle,” he said touching his hat with a grin before turning on a booted heel and striding away.
Chapter 7
“Marissa,” Michelle called up the stairs, “I need you,” her voice echoed up to the second floor.
“What?” Marissa yelled back hurrying down the hall and peering to the bottom of the stairs where her sister stood with Kadence on her hip.
“I got a rush order for a promo package and need to get to the print-shop. Could you please take Kadence over to the main house and get him breakfast? I’ll owe you.”
Marissa smiled shaking her head. “Of course I can,” she agreed. “Let me grab my boots and then I’ll go.”
Michelle kissed her son on the forehead swaying slightly in that gentle motion all mothers seemed to adopt instinctively. “You be a good boy for Auntie Marissa,” she said. “Mommy has to go to work, but you can play and I’ll see you later.”
The little boy grinned up at her, his eyes bright as he blew her a kiss.
“Ready,” Marissa called skipping down the stairs. “Will you be back for lunch?” she asked taking Kadence.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to see. It’s an existing order, but the client ran out of everything and needs me to make more. The presses will be running double-time today,” she finished with a grin.
“I have my phone, so just tell me if you want me to come down and help,” Marissa said, “but for now I’m looking forward to one of Mrs. Wade’s big breakfasts. I bet you are too, aren’t you Boo?” she finished, grabbing her bag and heading out the door.
Michelle waved at her son as he peaked over Marissa’s shoulder it felt so odd heading off to work without the mite, and she couldn’t help but miss him already.
***
The big house was bustling as Marissa slipped into through the front door. Several guests were leaving the dining area while others were just arriving. The smell of bacon, eggs, biscuits, and sausage filled the big kitchen as Marissa stepped through the door, looking around at the long tables spread out to accommodate crowds.
Mrs. Wade looked up from her kitchen where she was directing several junior chefs under a watchful eye and smiled at Marissa.
“Let me see that little bit,” the plump woman with the fuzzy brown hair said hurrying over and taking Kadence in her arms for a hug. “Where’s Mama?” she asked not looking up at Marissa.
“She had a big order come in today and asked if I’d get Kadence some breakfast,” Marissa said.
Mrs. Wade, a one-time cafeteria cook, and overall kitchen wizard looked at the younger woman and smiled. “You go on outback and take a seat with the hands on the back porch,” she said handing Kadence back to his aunt. “I’ll send out breakfast. I know exactly what the two of you need.” Without any explanation, she turned Marissa to the back door on the far side of the kitchen giving her a little push to ensure she complied.
Marissa leaned toward Kadence with a giggle. “I rather believe that woman could run the world if she put her mind to it,” she said nuzzling the little boy’s neck and making him laugh.
“Good morning,” a rich baritone called from a bench on the other side of a long table.
Marissa looked across the table and smiled at Trace. “You’re up early?” she said.
Trace chuckled. “This is not what I would consider early,” he said making room for her on the bench. “You on baby watch again?”
“Michelle had a rush order that just came in, so she asked me if I’d take my Boo for a bit,” Marissa said slipping onto the bench next to him and settling Kadence on her lap.
“You really like kids don’t you?” Trace asked, lifting a cup of coffee.
“Oh, that smells good,” Marissa said looking at the blue enameled mug with envy.
“I’ll get you a cup,” Trace offered climbing off the bench just as a lanky teen brought an old-fashioned wooden high chair to the table for Kadence.
“Thank you,” Marissa said, getting up to set Kadence in the chair. “One sugar and extra cream please,” she called after the cowboy surprised at how she felt comfortable asking him to do something for her.
“Mrs. Wade almost has your breakfast ready,” the girl who had brought the chair, said, “I’ll bring it right out.”
“Thank you,” Marissa replied adjusting Kadence and making sure he was comfortable. It always amazed her how the Broken J family and staff used the old furniture and other antique items on a daily basis. Most of the people she knew would have tucked the items safely away, but here at the ranch items were for use, not just show.
It was one of the things she liked about the ranch. Not only was it a bustling dude ranch, but the place also made connections to the past and the legacy of the original family that started the ranch over one hundred years earlier.
“Coffee,” Trace said returning with two mugs that danced with enticing steam.
“Thanks,” Marissa said then leaned toward the cowboy as a server placed a platter of bacon, eggs, toast, grits, and gravy before her along with a bowl of creamy oatmeal for Kadence.
“I see you got a special,” Trace said nodding at Marissa’s place. “Mrs. Wade doesn’t make eggs over easy for everyone.”
“She knows what I like,” Marissa smiled, dipping a slice of toast into the perfectly dippy eggs.
Kadence banged his spoon against the wooden tray of his old highchair and Marissa checked to make sure the oatmeal was cool enough before offering him a bite.
“So what do you have going on today?” Marissa asked as she managed to get most of the oatmeal into Kadence’s mouth.
“I’m on barn duty most of the day,” Trace said. “I’ll get the horses geared up for the trail ride this morning then work with some of the younger horses, before Chase and Jackson get started.”
“They keep you busy,” Marissa said. It was odd how after Trace’s help with little Megan the night before, she didn’t feel so annoyed at him.
“Pretty much, but that’s alright. The pay isn’t half-bad, and I can pick up extra work if it’s needed. It helps Daisy with her work.”
Marissa was quiet for several minutes before turning to study the cowboy’s face. He didn’t seem to be trying to make a point with her, his statement had been a simple answer to her question.
“If I want to go down to the print-shop later I’ll help me with the pony cart?” she finally asked handing Kadence his spoon and letting him make a mess of his breakfast.
“Sure, I can even drive you if you want, but Dandy might not like the extra weight. He’s gotten used to your sister racing around with Kadence and seems to think it’s his job to get her home as fast as possible each day.”
Marissa laughed. “That sounds
like Michelle. She has always been impatient. It seems to work for her though.”
“And you?” Trace asked turning back to his breakfast. “Are you impatient as well?”
“Not usually,” Marissa admitted. “You learn to be patient when you teach children. It’s kind of a must in the job.”
“You like teaching?”
“Yes,” Marissa admitted pointing her loaded fork at him. “I love when kids finally get what you’ve been teaching. It truly is a light bulb moment every time.”
Trace finished his last bite of breakfast then downed his coffee in one swig. He’d dragged out his breakfast as long as possible, but now he needed to get to the barn and start saddling horses. He could already hear guests making their way out of the house.