The Cowboy's Texas Family

by Margaret Daley

  In the large foaling stall, Morning Star settled down on the straw, then immediately got back up, walked in a circle and then went down again. She did that several times. Finally on her feet, she began to push while he ran his hands over her flank.

  “What’s wrong?” Darcy asked him from the stall door.

  “I think she’s ready to deliver, but something is wrong. She’s in distress. Most horses lay down to deliver.” Nick retrieved his cell phone from his pocket. “I’m calling the vet.”

  Chapter Seven

  Darcy leaned against the half door of the foaling stall as Dr. Wyatt Harrow, the veterinarian, and Nick fought to save the foal’s life. Nick calmed the mare while the vet inserted his hand to reposition the foal’s legs, hooves first, so it could move through the birth canal safely.

  Wyatt glanced at Nick. “Okay, she should be able to push the foal out now.”

  Morning Star lifted her head and immediately dropped it back to the hay, her big brown eyes sliding partially closed.

  His brow crinkled, Nick looked at the vet while continuing to soothe the mare. “She’s exhausted. I’m not sure she can.” Nick tried to coax her with a soft touch and calm words. But Morning Star didn’t move while her labored breathing resonated through the stall.

  “Can I help?” Darcy asked, feeling helpless and wanting to do something for the chestnut mare.

  “I need some rope to pull the foal out,” Wyatt said.

  “Rope?” She peered at Nick.

  “In the tack room on the wall.”

  Darcy swung around and hurried toward the front of the barn. She grabbed what the vet had requested and hoped this would work. Morning Star had been in labor to the point where she had exhausted herself. When Darcy returned, the vet quickly took the rope and began tying the foal’s front hooves.

  Darcy couldn’t stay outside the stall watching any longer. Kneeling by Nick, she ran her hand along the horse’s neck. “You’re going to be okay.”

  At the sound of Darcy’s voice close to her, Morning Star’s dilated eyes shifted to Darcy. She continued her gentle stroking. Touching and comforting the mare brought back so many memories of Beauty. “If you want to help Wyatt, I can do this.”

  Nick moved to the vet while Darcy took over the job of consoling the mare. The last time she’d done this was when her horse had an accident while jumping a fence and died from it. She’d stayed by Beauty’s side while the vet eased her death. As the memory surfaced, Darcy’s throat closed. At the age of twenty-three, she’d walked away from riding. For ten years, since the horse was born, Beauty had been hers. She didn’t want to see another horse die, but the foal had to come now.

  Darcy bent closer to the mare and whispered encouraging words over and over while Wyatt and Nick struggled to pull the foal from Morning Star.

  Finally it slipped free and landed in the straw. Wyatt hurriedly checked the newborn before cutting the cord while Nick wiped the afterbirth off the foal, putting it in a bucket.

  “It’s a filly,” Wyatt said, snatching a towel to dry her off.

  “You did it, Morning Star. You’ve got a baby girl. Way to go!” Darcy rubbed the mare that was still breathing hard.

  Slowly Morning Star calmed down as Wyatt and Nick took care of the foal. She lifted her head and glanced back at her baby.

  The next hour was devoted to cleaning up the mess and seeing to mother and child, both horses standing by the end, although the foal wobbled.

  Wyatt gathered his black bag and stood by the stall door watching the two animals. “She’s a beauty, Nick.”

  He grinned. “I think so too. I’m gonna call her Evening Star.”

  When Wyatt said beauty, a shaft of regret pierced Darcy’s heart. If only she hadn’t practiced jumping fences that day, Beauty might be alive today.

  “Nice meeting you, Darcy. I’m heading home. Call me if you need me, Nick.”

  Pulled back to the present, Darcy erased the memory of Beauty’s death and forced a grin. For years she’d loved riding horses. It was time to reclaim that love.

  Nick shook the vet’s hand. “I’m glad you got here so fast. I don’t know how long Morning Star was in labor before we arrived.”

  After Wyatt left, Nick looked at her for a long moment before asking, “Okay?”

  “Yes, this ended happily.”

  “Are you still hungry? I am. That was a lot of work.”

  “And you weren’t even the mare in labor.”

  He chuckled. “Uncle Howard said he would dish up plates of food for both of us and we could warm them in the microwave.”

  “I’m surprised he isn’t down here.”

  “I told him one of us needed to sleep since we’re expecting a bull delivered early this morning in—” Nick checked his watch “—three hours. Besides, you were here to help if I needed it.”

  “Three hours?” She’d been so engrossed with the mare she’d lost track of how long she’d been here. “What time is it?”

  “Four thirty in the morning.”

  “Really? That went by fast.”

  “So are you hungry for a late dinner or early breakfast, whichever you want to call it?”

  “Now that I think about it, yes, but I’ll just grab a quick bite and some coffee, and then I’ll head back to the Blue Bonnet Inn. Thankfully I have the luxury of sleeping in all morning.”

  “I’m glad one of us does.” Nick strolled from the barn with Darcy beside him. As they covered the distance to the house, he took her hand.

  The warmth of his palm against hers in the chill of night made her realize how much she cherished being here to help him and Morning Star.

  The porch light shined, beckoning them inside where it was toasty. In the kitchen Nick microwaved each plate of baked chicken, wild rice and green beans while Darcy switched on the coffeepot.

  She hoped the caffeine would keep her awake long enough to drive back to the inn. Now that the excitement of the birth was over, exhaustion was slowly weaving through her. She yawned. “Maybe I’ll just take a cup with me and go before I fall asleep.”

  “Drink and eat some. If you don’t feel awake enough to drive, I have a spare bedroom you can use.”

  “I appreciate the invitation, but I’ll be fine after a cup of coffee.”

  Twenty minutes later, after eating every bite of her tasty meal, she relaxed back in the chair. “That was delicious. Thank Howard for me.” With a sigh, she rose, took her dishes to the sink and then held up the mug. “Can I top this off and take it with me? I’ll bring it back to you later today.”

  “Yes. I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “It’s only a hundred yards away. There’s no reason for both of us getting cold.”

  “True, but besides escorting you to your car, I’m going to check on Morning Star and her foal before I catch some shut-eye.”

  “Well, in that case, you can.”

  After putting on her overcoat, she hooked her arm through Nick’s and proceeded out the back door. When she left to come to Haven, she’d never imagined that she’d be volunteering at a boys ranch because she’d discovered a cousin needed her help. Nor had she imagined someone like Nick.

  At her car, she turned around to face the cowboy. “Thank you for an...interesting day.”

  “That’s an...interesting word to describe today.” He inched closer, cupping her face, and dipped his head toward hers.

  She should pull away; she was here only for a short time. But she stood her ground and met his lips with hers. He slid one hand behind her neck and held her as he deepened the kiss. A flutter in her stomach spread outward and encompassed her whole body.

  When he leaned back, he smiled and then stepped away. As she drove away, he waited outside the barn, watching her leave. After going through the gate to the r
anch, she stopped and looked both ways on the road into town.

  The memory of his kiss swept through her as if it were happening again. Against her better judgment, she wished it could.

  * * *

  As she climbed out of the Corvette at the Blue Bonnet Inn, it was still dark but almost six in the morning. She used the key she’d been given to enter the large Victorian house after ten at night and came face-to-face with Carol, descending the staircase.

  “I wondered where you were, but Bea told me about the problem with Corey’s dad and I figured you were helping Nick out. Although there’s little crime in Haven, I worry about my guests. Avery is still out, but she usually is several times a week.”

  “I’m sorry, Carol. I should have called to let you know. Actually Ned passed out, and we left him on his couch. I got caught up with a mare giving birth in the middle of the night.”

  “I’m gonna make coffee. Would you like some to take up to your room?”

  “I’d love a cup. You make the best coffee I’ve had in a long time.”

  “Now, that makes my day, and it’s barely started.”

  Darcy followed Carol to the kitchen, anticipating the aroma that saturated the house every morning. As she made the coffee, Darcy asked, “What in the world would Avery do a couple of times a week? I can’t say Haven is teeming with nighttime activities.” Could Avery be with Fletcher?

  “Your guess is as good as mine. I suppose she could be going to Waco for more nightlife.” Carol sat across from Darcy at the table. “Lana doesn’t think she’s the real Avery. If that’s the case, we only have two months to find the real one.”

  “Why does she think Avery is an impostor?”

  “Lana has a gut feeling something isn’t right. She has observed Avery and believes she only says what she thinks we want to hear. Lana overheard that the only thing Avery worships is money. That wasn’t too long after she’d told Lana that she wondered if a church service would help her deal with all the things she missed out on because she didn’t know her grandfather. All she wanted to do was honor him.”

  “And yet she’s close to Fletcher, who doesn’t want to honor Cyrus’s wish to give his land to the boys ranch.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’ve been wondering too. What if she’s working behind the scenes to find a way to break the will? It sure would be easier if she wasn’t the real Avery. Dealing with Fletcher is one thing. Dealing with Cyrus’s closest living relative is more complicated.” Carol walked to the coffeepot and filled two mugs.

  Interesting. Maybe she could see if Lana needed any help proving whether or not Avery was the real one. “I’ve seen the good the boys ranch does. I’d hate to see that change.” And if she was the real Avery, maybe she could be persuaded to legally fight whatever Fletcher was doing to ruin the provisions of the will.

  Carol handed her a mug. “You and me both. A strip mall isn’t what Cyrus really wanted the ranch to be used for.”

  Darcy rose. “I’ll be seeing Lana this afternoon at the boys ranch. But if I don’t want to miss working with Corey, I’d better catch some z’s.”

  Darcy sipped the coffee and headed for the staircase. In the entry hall she spied Avery mounting the steps to the second floor. Had she been with Fletcher? Were they scheming to take the boys ranch away? The idea that her biological father could do something like that sickened her.

  * * *

  On Saturday Nick stood in the middle of the corral as three boys rode for the first time—Corey, Mikey and Miguel, all only a few years apart in age, relatively new to the ranch and living in the second wing. Corey on Ginger led the group.

  “Mikey, you’re holding the rein too tight.” When the blond-headed boy adjusted his grip, Nick added, “That’s right. If you all keep this up, I’ll take you on a trail ride.” He moved to the side and lounged against the fence.

  Corey pumped his arm in the air while Mikey grinned, displaying the gap where his two front teeth used to be, and Miguel cheered.

  “I hoped I’d get here before Corey started his riding lesson.” Darcy’s soft voice floated to him from behind.

  He shot her a glance over his shoulder. “I wondered if you were coming.”

  “You wouldn’t believe it. I had two flat tires when I came out of the inn.”

  “Who changed them?”

  “Me with some help from Clarence and Slim. My car hasn’t given me any trouble until this trip.” She opened the gate and entered the corral. “What I don’t understand is two at once unless someone did it deliberately.”

  Lately so many things had happened to people involved with the boys ranch. Could it be the saboteur who had messed with her tires? Why? She didn’t live here. But then, she’d been at the ranch every day this past week.

  “What did I miss?” Darcy asked.

  “About nineteen laps around the perimeter. All three are naturals, especially Corey.”

  “He’s a sharp learner. Each day I work with him reading, he’s a little better than the day before. I think all he needed was someone to listen to him and practice.”

  He was glad to see her. He’d missed her the last two days at the boys ranch and when he had spotted her before that, he’d felt awkward after the kiss they shared. He shouldn’t have kissed her. She would be leaving at the end of the month, but her presence that night had been like returning to the fortified base after a skirmish. “So what have you been up to since we last talked?”

  “Besides tutoring, I’ve been helping Lana track down information on Avery Culpepper. Lana told me on Wednesday that Avery doesn’t have any of the Culpepper family coloring.”

  “You don’t think the one in town is the right Avery?”

  “If she isn’t, then that might hurt the boys ranch because of the provision in the will.”

  His gaze still trained on the riders, Nick straightened. “What if Fletcher recruited a fake Avery in order to mess up the stipulations that have to be met by March?”

  “Just a sec.” Darcy came into the paddock. “I found out a few details, like the fact that Avery was born on February 2. Since she is staying at the Blue Bonnet Inn, I’m going to try to get to know her and test her on the facts I’ve discovered.”

  “And she won’t get suspicious?”

  “I’m a lawyer. I know how to interview a person to get what I want.”

  “I’ll have to remember that. Do you want to go on a trail ride with us?”

  She grinned, her blue eyes twinkling. “I would love to. I haven’t ridden in years. I need to start again.”

  “Do I need to give you a lesson?” Nick asked with a chuckle.

  “I think I’ll be okay. How are Morning Star and Evening Star doing?”

  “Great. Morning Star is a natural mother. I’m glad this foal lived.” Nick approached the circling riders. “Stop by the gate. We’re gonna go for a trail ride. I want to show Darcy the ranch. Okay?”

  Cheers rose from the boys. Corey grinned from ear to ear—its sight infectious. This past week he had lived at the barn in his spare time, doing whatever Flint or Nick would let him. Corey had even told Nick that he wanted to be a farrier like he was. For a moment Nick had thrust back his shoulders and stood up tall, as though he were a proud dad and his son had declared he wanted to follow in his footsteps. Then reality swept the thought out of his mind. His life wasn’t an example for a child to follow. He was barely making a living and he was filled with anger at his father that he’d never been able to shake.

  “Nick, are you okay?” Darcy’s soft Southern voice pulled him back to the present, where three boys were staring at him.

  “I’m fine. I’ll be right back with our horses.” Nick had already selected the horses he would use. There was a creek he wanted to show her.

  In ten minutes he returned to the paddock, leading two mares. He lov
ed seeing the grins on the boys’ faces, especially Corey’s. Each day he saw signs that Corey was fitting right in and starting to relax and enjoy himself. At least now Nick didn’t have to worry about the child. He could be near him and keep an eye on him—be the big brother Doug had been for Corey.

  After giving Darcy a leg up, he swung into the saddle. “I have a special place I want to show y’all. I’ll be in the lead. Darcy will be in the rear.”

  For January the day was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky, the temperature in the mid-fifties. Corey rode next to Nick, smiling the whole time.

  “How’s school going, partner?”

  “Okay. Aiden’s in my class, and he’s been showing me around.”

  “I’m glad you’re making friends. Any problems?”

  For a long moment Corey didn’t reply.

  “You can tell me. It’ll remain between us if that’s what you want.”

  “There’s one boy in wing three. Jasper. I saw him hide Billy’s backpack the other day right before we were supposed to get on the school bus. Billy was freaking out.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I found the backpack. I don’t think Jasper liked that.”

  “He can be the class clown at times. Usually he plays pranks, most of the time in fun. Sometimes he goes too far.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know for sure. Maybe for attention.”

  Corey sat up even straighter in the saddle. “Then I’ll make friends with him. We had a kid like that at my old school. That’s what I did there. Doug told me when I started school I should look out for the ones who need a friend.”

  “He’s younger. You’ll be a good role model for Jasper. Doug’s advice is right on.” Helping others would also give Corey something to do to take his mind off his own problems.

  “Yeah, Doug was a great big brother. I miss him.”

  “So do I, Corey.”

  Twenty minutes later, the group arrived at the stream, which was partially shaded by trees that retained their leaves in the winter.

  Nick dismounted and turned to the boys. “You saw how I got off my horse. Y’all do the same thing and then tie the reins to a bush or small tree so the animals can graze while you look around.”