by Ciana Stone
“And Kalvin Burton?” DeLyn asked.
“I’ll advise him to do the same,” Cici said and smiled at her grandmother.
“Then we all better put on our thinking caps,” Robert said. “Right after lunch.”
“Amen to that, Gramps,” Nash agreed.
Cici smiled at the people around the table and her gaze connected with Naomie’s. Naomie smiled and gave her a quick thumbs up. Cici wasn’t sure, but that gesture made her think that maybe having Naomie on her side was what was softening her father to the idea that just maybe she and Kal weren’t such a bad match after all.
What concerned her now, along with her own family’s woes, was that someone might be gunning for Kal, trying to ruin him. She hoped that wasn’t the case but intended to call and have a long talk with him as soon as she could and to assure him she would help any way she could.
Because, just like she was ready to go to war with anyone who tried to hurt her family, she’d obliterate anyone who tried to hurt the man she loved.
Chapter Twenty-Three– April 24th, 2019
Cici threw her hands in the air, danced around and screamed “Yes!” She’d just finished speaking to the Texas Ranger’s forensic lab. The tire mold didn’t match any tires on any vehicles owned by Kal. Nor were there any prints gathered from the scene at the abandoned hunting cabin.
Additionally, of the two men shot during the cattle rustling at the Heritage feedlot outside Laredo, one man survived and said that the rustlers were all masked, on horseback and all spoke or yelled in Spanish. There was nothing connecting them to Kal.
She felt like crying with relief. Not because she’d had doubts, but because her father had and now they could move beyond that. What was more, there had been no more trouble since the cattle rustling, and everyone was starting to think that all the misfortune was behind them.
Because of the promise he’d made, and because Cici felt like she could finally let go of doubt, embrace her happiness and excitement, she called her father.
“Have you heard the news?” she asked the moment he answered.
“I have.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Come on, Dad. You said if there were no evidence linking Kal to the trouble we had, you’d stop accusing him or being suspicious of him.”
“You’re right. I don’t hold him responsible, and you can tell him I said as much.”
“And what about Kal and me?”
There was a long pause. “What is it you want from me, Cici? To tell you a pretty lie that will please you for the moment, or to be honest with you the way a father should and tell you I have concerns.”
“I don’t want you to lie, and I can understand that you have concerns, but I’d like for you to at least do me the courtesy of giving Kal and me a chance and allowing me to bring him to meet my family.”
“Is that what you want?”
“It is.”
“Then do it. We’ll have a family cookout.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Whenever you want.”
“Thank you, Dad. I’ll talk with Kal and let you know.”
“Okay.”
“Have a good day.”
“You, too. I love you.”
“I love you. Bye.”
She immediately called Kal. “Hey, sorry to bother but could you check your calendar and let me know a weekend you’re free to go with me to officially meet my family?”
“Are you serious?”
“I am. I just got off the phone with my dad.”
“Then whenever you want.”
“This weekend?”
“If that makes you happy, yes.”
“Thank you! I’m going to set it in motion. See you for dinner?”
“Absolutely. Want to eat in or shall I make reservations.”
“Let’s eat in. I can order something. Any preferences?”
“Thai?”
“Sounds good. What time?”
“Seven?”
“Okay, see you then. Bye.”
Cici placed another call to her father. “Twice in one day?” he asked in place of a greeting.
“Could we do that family dinner this weekend?”
“Check with your brothers and sister– and your grandparents. If it works for them, then it’s a date.”
“Saturday evening?”
“Fine.”
“Can Kal and I spend the night?”
“Yes, but he sleeps in the guest room.”
“Dad!”
“Cici, that’s the deal, take it or leave it.”
“Done. I’ll call everyone. Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re welcome. Bye.”
As soon as Russell hit end, he shoved the phone in his shirt pocket and headed out of the house. It was pushing five in the afternoon, so Naomie should be finishing up for the day. When he tapped on the door of her office, there was no answer. He backtracked and found her standing at one of the paddocks, watching a horse.
“Problems?” He asked when he stopped beside her.
“No, quite the contrary. She’s pregnant and doing great. I think we’re looking at the proud mama of our firstborn.”
“That’s good news.”
“Yes, it is. We’re doing it, sir. Look at her. She’s beautiful, strong and smart and she’s going to produce offspring that are just as fine. Isn’t it exciting? We’ve finally taken the first step.”
“Yes, we have, and I’m amazed at what you’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time.”
“Well, this is just the first step you know. A test, if you will. We’ll be refining our program for–well however long it takes, but at least we’re moving forward. Oh, I’m sorry. Did you need to talk to me about something?”
“I do.”
“Well, I’m all ears, and I’m done for the day. Want to walk over to the cottage with me and have a beer?”
“Sure.”
They started walking, and Naomie suddenly stopped. “Crap. I forgot. I told Bailey I’d babysit. She and Mace are going to town with Nash and meeting Dillon and Josie for dinner. They’ll be dropping the baby off any time. Any problem with Minnie being there?”
“Nope. In case you’ve forgotten, I have six kids. I think I can handle being around a baby for a bit.”
“Great. So, what did you want to talk about?”
“First, I’d like to ask about Mace and Bailey. Are they getting serious?”
Naomie shrugged. “I think they care about one another. Mace is crazy about Minnie, and she’ll break her neck to get to him every time she sees him. He and Bailey are getting closer and they definitely like one another, but I think they’re both happy to take it slow and let the relationship unfold and mature in its own time.”
“That sounds smart.”
“And you sound surprised. Why is that? Mace is a pretty fantastic guy in case you didn’t know. He’s shy and sweet beneath all that brawn and is one of the nicest people I’ve ever known. He’s not a player, and he’s genuine with people. Because he’s not one of the love’em and leave’em guys like Riggs, he doesn’t take women or relationships for granted. Not saying that Riggs is a bad guy, he’s just not into commitment.
“Mace, on the other hand, has been dreaming of it since his twenties and I think Bailey might just be the answer to his prayers.”
“You sound like you approve.”
“I do. She’s a wonderful person. And just so you know. Minnie isn’t her child. She adopted Minnie from her brother’s girlfriend.”
“That sounds complicated.”
“Not really. Bailey had a twin brother who was deployed in Afghanistan. His girlfriend was pregnant. Her brother, Barry, was killed and the girlfriend went off the deep end, so Bailey moved the girlfriend in with her, to take care of her. When the baby was born, she brought them home with her. Two days later the girlfriend split, leaving a note saying she couldn’t do it alone.
“That’s remarkable.”
“She’s a pretty remarkable person. Well, here we are. Want to go inside for that beer or sit out here on the swing?”
“The swing is fine.”
“Works for me. Have a seat and I’ll be right back.”
He took a seat and in under a minute she was back with two opened long necked beers. She handed him one then took a seat beside him. She raised her bottle and touched it to his. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” Russell took a drink.
“So?” Naomie prompted. “What’d you want to talk about?”
“Cici wants to bring Kalvin Burton to meet the family this weekend. She wants everyone to come for a cookout.”
“Well since the evidence clears him of any involvement, there shouldn’t be a problem, right? Wasn’t that your promise to her?”
“It was, and I agreed if she can get the rest of the family on board.”
“But?”
“But I’m still not sure. About him or about them.”
“Not or don’t want to be?”
“Are you trying to start a fight?”
“No, but I obviously hit a nerve so let’s stay here for a moment. What is it about him that you’re not sure of? Before you knew he was dating your daughter, he was one of your protégées. At least that’s what your father says.”
“You’ve been talking to my father about this stuff?”
“No, your father’s been talking to me. And don’t give me that eat shit and die look. You know DeLyn, Robert and I hit it off. I have dinner with them every week. Sometimes in San Antonio and sometimes they come here and spend the night with me.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Well, it’s not been a secret but anyway, the point is, I like them, and they’ve become like family. And they talk about the family and the things that worry them and your father told me how you were the one who helped Kalvin make his first million. So, there was obviously a time you liked him.”
“Yeah, I did. He was a smart kid. Did well.”
“And all that vanished just because he likes your daughter?”
“He’s old enough–”
“Don’t you dare say it. I mean it. They’re both adults and plenty equipped to decide who is right for them. And if the age difference doesn’t matter to them then for the love of god let it go.”
“Even if I think it’s doomed to be a train wreck?”
“Yes, even if. Russell, you have to let them make their own mistakes. That’s how we learn, you know.”
“I don’t want them to go through what I did. Always choosing the wrong women. Look what happened to my kids because of my mistakes.”
“That’s the most awful thing you’ve ever said, and you should be ashamed.”
“I beg your–”
“You damn sure should beg their pardon with that nasty ass comment. Your kids are all remarkable people. They may not be perfect, they might have quirks, or hang-ups or whatever, but they’re people who love one another, you and your parents and they’re not broken or defective in any way. So, yeah, you made some bad choices and you got hurt but you also got them Russell, and I don’t know how anyone could ever –ever complain or look at life as if they’d gotten the shaft when they have such a great family.”
Naomie thought she’d finally crossed a forbidden boundary with Russell when he didn’t say a word. In fact, he didn’t speak for such a long time she was starting to feel nervous. Then he shocked her.
“You’re right. I am making my mistakes theirs, and I don’t mean to, but I don’t want them to go through any of that crap. It was ugly, and it hurt and damn it, it made me feel like the biggest dumbass alive. How could I get fooled that way? And that many times? What kind of jackass does that make me?”
“One who trusted and had his trust stepped on, I guess. Look, for whatever reason, you ended up with those women, and maybe the relationships didn’t last, but like I said, you did end up with six great kids. And yeah, I think they learned something from your mistakes, and you should be able to see that pretty easy.”
“Well since I don’t, enlighten me.”
“So far, Dillon is the only one who’s married. The rest of your kids are single. Even Nash. Rusty’s mom wasn’t his wife, was she?”
“No.”
“So obviously, your reluctance to be in a relationship carried over. They’re just as hesitant. But they’re not opposed to it. At least not Mace, Nash, and Delaney. And maybe not Cici. At least not anymore.”
“But does it have to be with someone that much older?”
“Apparently it does. So, what means more, sir? To acknowledge that she’s an adult and let her make this mistake, if it is, in fact, a mistake, or drive her away with your disapproval and possibly drive her headlong into the relationship that may or may not work, just to get back at you?”
He snorted and finally looked at her. “How in the hell did you get to be so smart?”
“Just born that way, boss.”
“I’m serious.”
“Okay, then if you must know, I learned all there was to know about life and love, sitting on my parent’s couch, watching reruns of Gunsmoke with my dad.”
“Gunsmoke? My father loved that show.”
“I know. I found the entire series on DVD and gave it to him. DeLyn said they watch an episode every night. I’ve watched a few with them and remembered how much I loved it and how it broke my heart when Matt and Miss Kitty never rode out into that sunset together toward their happily ever after.
“You never fail to surprise me, Naomie.”
“Well, you know, it’s like Matt and Kitty said.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. In one episode, Kitty said “Matt you can’t account for everything that happened to people who touch you. You know, I learned a long time ago, there are some things in this life that you just accept the way they are.” And Matt said, “That’s pretty deep for a redhead.” To which Miss Kitty replied. “I’m a pretty deep redhead.”
Russell smiled at her. “But you’re not a redhead.”
“No, I’m not, am I?”
Russell reached for her hand. “One day you’re going to get tired of this and high tail it to parts unknown.”
“You’d like to think that, but the truth is, we’ll be like Matt and Kitty. You’ll still be coming by for a beer, and I’ll still be hoping you stay for more. Oh look, there’s Bailey and Mace with Minnie.”
Russell watched Naomie bound down the steps to greet Mace and Bailey and take the baby in its little carrier from Mace. He stood and raised his hand in greeting.
“Hey Dad,” Mace called. “You helping Naomie babysit?”
“Thought I might.”
He saw Naomie look at him in surprise as Mace responded. “Well, have fun. We’ll be back by eleven.”
“Drive safe and have a good time.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Russell couldn’t help but see the happiness on his son’s face, and he realized at that moment how much Naomie saw that he didn’t, and how much her insight helped him and made him aware of his shortcomings with his own family and how he could be a better father.
Was it possible that after all the mistakes, the failed marriages and bad relationships, that God or the angels or just plain good luck had blessed him by putting Naomie Taylor in his life?
Moreover, he wondered if it was possible for a man his age to overcome the fears that held him back so that maybe he and Naomie could be more than a Matt and Miss Kitty and instead of just stopping by for a beer, he could one day stop for a beer and stay for more. Or for good.
Chapter Twenty-Four – April 27th, 2019
Cici looked over at Kal as he parked the car in the driveway in front of her childhood home. There were quite a few trucks and SUV’s in the driveway, indicating the rest of the family had already arrived.
“You
look like you’re about to throw up,” Kal commented.
To her shame, she pulled down the visor to look in the mirror before she even thought about it. He chuckled and reached for her hand. “It’ll be fine.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because either your family will accept that we’re dating or they won’t, but either way it won’t change how I feel about you.”
“Do you know how much that makes me want to kiss you?”
“Well, I’ll be sure to repeat it later. Ready?”
“As I’ll get.”
They had just reached the front door when it opened, revealing Nash and Rusty. Nash was holding a sizeable toy drone, and Rusty held the controller. “Hey there, Little Bit,” Nash greeted her. “We’re gonna try this out where there aren’t as many trees.”
“You’re going to fly that thing?” Cici asked Rusty.
“You better believe it.”
“Well okay, then. Nash, this is Kalvin Burton. Kal, my brother, Nash and his son, Rusty.”
“Nice to see you, Nash.”
“You, too Kal. Still betting on the Steelers?”
“Not after that trouncing you and your brother gave me two years ago,” Kal replied and shook Nash’s hand.
“Well, don’t feel bad. I lost my ass on the last Cowboy’s game.”
“Join the club.” Kal extended his hand to Rusty. “It’s an honor to meet you, Rusty. I hear you’re an upcoming rodeo champ.”
“Yes, sir!” Rusty grinned and took Kal’s hand.
“Well, maybe I should start betting on rodeo instead of football.”
Nash and Cici laughed as Rusty grinned. “Everyone’s on the back patio,” Nash informed them. “We’ll be in directly.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Cici took Kal’s hand, led him inside and through the house. They met her grandparents who were coming in the French doors from the patio.
“There’s my girl,” Robert crowed and opened his arms.
Cici hurried to give him a hug, then her grandmother. “Gramps, Gigi, this is Kalvin Burton. Kal, these are my grandparents, Robert and DeLyn Walker.”