The Cowboy's Texas Family

by Margaret Daley

  She was so glad she’d started thinking about doing a fund-raiser because the boys would need something positive to focus on and to look forward to. She’d talked to Bea about the idea and the director had encouraged her. Any money they received helped. She paused by the entrance and scanned the restaurant for Avery. Darcy spotted the young woman sitting at a table—with Fletcher. The two seemed deep in a conversation. Good time to break up the pair. She threaded her way through the crowded café and slid into a chair.

  “I’m sorry I’m late. Carol stopped me right before I left the inn.” Darcy swung her attention from Avery to Fletcher.

  “I’m Darcy Hill, visiting Haven for the month.” She held out her hand to her birth father.

  Fletcher shook it. “I’m Fletcher Phillips. I’m not staying. Avery told me she was meeting you for coffee. I understand you were at the fire yesterday at the boys ranch.”

  Darcy nodded. “It was arson.”

  “I heard that this morning at church.”

  “I told Fletcher how ragged you looked when you returned to the inn last night. I would have been hysterical if I’d been caught in a fire,” Avery said.

  “Thankfully we had plenty of time to get the animals and people out of there.”

  “I’ve been saying ever since the ranch was set up for this purpose that something bad like this would happen. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of those boys. We’re fortunate that the wind wasn’t too strong or it could have spread—possibly even caused a major wildfire affecting the whole town.”

  Darcy gritted her teeth, trying not to say anything she would regret, but she couldn’t keep quiet. “But it didn’t, and it wasn’t one of the kids.”

  “How do you know that?”

  Disappointed in her biological father, Darcy asked, “How do you know it was one of them?”

  His sharp gaze cut through her as he rose. “It’s been interesting talking to you, Ms. Hill. Avery, we’ll talk some more later.”

  She giggled. “I’d like that, Fletcher. I want to move forward.”

  Move forward doing what? Upsetting the plans for the Culpepper ranch?

  Each morning, when Avery came down for breakfast, Darcy made a point of speaking to her. Nothing Avery had said so far had sent up a red flag suggesting she wasn’t the real Avery Culpepper, but Darcy hoped she could discover something. “I’ve seen him pick you up a couple of times this week. Are you two serious?”

  For a few seconds, the woman’s pupils dilated. “Like dating?”

  “That’s what I’ve heard.”

  Avery tossed back her head and laughed. “He’s the lawyer for my grandfather’s inheritance. Haven has a nest of gossipers spreading untruths.”

  “Then why do you stay here? Aren’t you from—Dallas?”

  “To honor my grandfather’s wishes. I may not have known him, but family is important to me.”

  While the waitress took their order, Darcy clenched her fists so tightly that her fingernails dug into her palms. Talking to Avery would require all her restraint. “It is for me too. I understand you were a foster child. Do you remember your real parents?”

  “Vaguely. My mother died when I was really young and my father, John, Cyrus’s son, followed a few years later. That’s when I became part of the foster care system, but I had a nice set of foster parents.”

  “I was adopted when I was a baby. When I found out, I asked my parents if my birthday was really in April. They assured me it was. Did your foster parents know when your real one was?”

  “Of course.”

  “When’s your birthday? Anytime around mine?”

  “Mine isn’t until M—” Avery glanced down at her watch. “Look at the time. I have another appointment, and I’m gonna be late.” She pushed to her feet. “We’ll talk another time.”

  Avery scurried toward the exit, leaving Darcy with her bill when their drinks came. Whether Avery had been about to say March or May didn’t make any difference since the real Avery Culpepper was born on February 2. Darcy didn’t even get a chance to ask her what her biological mother’s name was. Maybe she’d find another time to quiz her, but today at the fund-raising meeting at the church, she would let Lana know what the fake “Avery” said. Evidence was piling up against the women who claimed she was the granddaughter of Cyrus Culpepper.

  When the waitress arrived with coffee to go, Darcy paid the bill and left so she wouldn’t be late for the meeting.

  Ten minutes later she entered the large classroom at the Haven Community Church. Only a few people—Nick, Flint and Lana—were there, but it was still early. She would need all the help she could get to pull off this fund-raiser in another week. She wanted to be in town for it.

  Darcy sat between Lana and Nick. “Do y’all know if anyone else is coming? Carol will be here.” Sitting next to Nick gave her the confidence she would be able to successfully make the fund-raiser work.

  “My uncle Howard is, but he may be a little late.”

  “Bea and Katie are coming and Pastor Andrew will be here after he returns a phone call. Also Heath and Josie.” Flint grinned. “They’re getting married in a few weeks and meeting with the pastor afterward.”

  “That’s great. I know this is rushed, but when I discussed this with Nick—” she paused, her glance falling on him “—my extensive background in fund-raising seemed the best way to help. If this is successful, hopefully you can have more of them.”

  “That’s what I’m hoping.” A petite, very pregnant woman with long, auburn hair and brown eyes stood at the doorway with a tall man wearing a Texas Ranger star pinned to his shirt.

  “Come in.” Darcy rose and faced the couple. “I’m Darcy Hill. You must be Josie Markham and Heath Grayson.” She shook hands with both of them.

  “Yes,” Josie said and took a chair across from Darcy.

  “I understand congratulations are in order. I really appreciate y’all helping when you’re also planning your wedding and having a baby.”

  “Well, the baby’s not due for eight more weeks unless it decides to come early. I especially want to see what you do because I’m hoping the Lone Star Cowboy League will start a ranch for girls.”

  As Lana asked Josie about the wedding, which was going to be small, Bea, Katie, Carol and the pastor came into the room. Katie slid a glance at Pastor Andrew as she sat next to him. When he looked at Katie, her cheeks reddened. Darcy had heard rumors about Katie having a crush on Pastor Andrew.

  Nick bent toward her and whispered, “We should go ahead and start. I’ll fill in my uncle on the plans.”

  The brush of air along her neck sent goose bumps down her arms. The memory of his kiss instantly flooded her mind. “Okay,” she managed to say while her heartbeat accelerated.

  “When Carol, Bea and I started talking about a fund-raiser, we thought it would be fun for the kids to show off some of their riding skills. I know that some are practicing their showmanship. We could also have competitions like barrel racing and roping. I was hoping I could leave that up to Nick, Flint and Howard since y’all work with the boys. We could have food for sale, charge an admission fee and also give tours of the new ranch.”

  “We can use the arena between the burnt barn and the storage one. But where will people sit? And, although the arena is covered, we’ll have to consider the weather for stuff like the food,” Flint said.

  Pastor Andrew waved his hand. “I have a solution for where people will sit. I know a church in Waco that has portable bleachers we can borrow. A friend is the pastor there.”

  “We can set up big tents where the food will be served. If it’s colder than predicted, we can possibly get some heaters,” Darcy said.

  Flint looked at Nick. “Didn’t you ride in the rodeo as a teen? Could you demonstrate roping and tying a calf? Maybe invite members of the audi
ence to try their hand at it?”

  “Sure. Although what the kids will do isn’t really a rodeo, we should have someone here dress up as a clown and be out in the ring keeping an eye on the activities as well as acting as an emcee.”

  As everyone offered suggestions, Darcy grew excited about the fund-raiser. Once most of the program was agreed upon and people were put in charge of different activities, she said, “This will be a great opportunity to show everyone what the boys ranch is really all about and how people can come together to support the place. When we’re through next Saturday, hopefully we’ll have convinced any naysayers about why the ranch should be here. I’m personally going to invite Fletcher Phillips to the event.”

  “He won’t come,” Bea said immediately.

  Howard walked into the room. “Challenge him. He usually can’t resist that.”

  “Thanks, Howard. I’ll do that. Now, some folks might not attend the outdoor event, but in the evening we could have a ladies’ choice dance, possibly in the arena after it is cleaned from the show.”

  “I have a better idea,” Pastor Andrew said. “How about we have it here at the church in our hall? There would be more room, and I have a group of women who would love to organize it, especially if it’s a ladies’ choice dance.”

  Heath held Josie’s hand. “I know a Texas Ranger in my office who sometimes works as a DJ. I can see if he’s free.”

  “If he isn’t available, I can do it in a pinch,” Howard said.

  Darcy wrapped up the meeting once all the members had assignments. “We’ll meet back here on Wednesday evening. Thanks, Carol, for volunteering to get the word out about the fund-raiser.”

  “I’ll do that and more. Clarence will help too.” Carol accompanied the pastor and Katie as they left the room.

  Bea hung back and pulled Darcy to the side. “We need to make sure this fund-raiser goes off without a hitch. I got a call from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. They’re concerned about safety at the ranch, especially after the fire. They are launching an investigation. I told them about the planned fund-raiser, and they stressed that nothing bad better happen to call more attention to the place.”

  “I’ll let Nick and Flint know. Perhaps a call from Heath, letting them know about what the police are doing, will ease their concerns.”

  “Good idea, Darcy. I’ll talk to Heath and the sheriff.” Bea hurried out of the room.

  Darcy shut her notebook and faced Lana, Flint and Nick. “I have my work cut out for me in the next week.”

  Lana chuckled. “She was just complaining on Friday that she wished the kids were out of school so she could help them more than she already does,” Lana told Flint and Nick. “Now you have something to do, Darcy, and I’ll join in where I can.”

  “Before I forget to tell you, I had coffee with Avery right before the meeting,” Darcy said. “The woman I talked to didn’t know when the real Avery’s birthday was. She started to say a month other than February but stopped herself and hurried out of the café. If she went into foster care, she would know when she was born. It would be in the records. She would need it for school.”

  “So she isn’t the real Avery. Now what?”

  “Let me do some more digging and then we can confront her for answers. She should be able to get a copy of her birth certificate if she’s the real Avery, so if she can’t, that’s an indication she’s an imposter. And we can call her on it.”

  “Then we should start looking for the real one. The town still has to meet Cyrus’s requirement for the boys to stay at the Culpepper ranch.”

  “I’ll start looking quietly.”

  “What are you two plotting?” Flint asked.

  “The fake Avery’s downfall and we need to do it soon. Time is running out to find the real one.” Lana linked her arm through his. “See you tomorrow, Darcy.”

  Nick put the chairs back at the tables where they belonged. “The meeting went well. I hope it generates a lot of interest in the community. The boys ranch can always use donations and volunteers.”

  “And Josie hopes someone will start a girls ranch. Now that’s something I would love to be part of.” The second she said it, she realized that it wouldn’t be possible for her, but maybe she could do something similar where she lived. It wouldn’t have the feel of a Western ranch, but a farm could work.

  “C’mon. I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “I didn’t use my car. Today was beautiful, and I enjoyed the exercise. I’m praying this will be what next Saturday is like.”

  “Then I’ll drive you to the Blue Bonnet Inn.”

  “How about taking a walk with me? Bea told me that the Lone Star Cowboy League sponsors the boys ranch. Are you a member?”

  Nick opened the door for her and then followed her outside. “Yes, although not as active as Gabe Everett, the president, or Tanner Barstow, the vice president. The Lone Star Cowboy League serves the whole county.”

  “Even Waco?”

  “Yes, the secretary of the league is Seth Jacobs. He has a prosperous ranch and lives in Waco. What I like about the meetings—” he paused, smiling “—that is, when I attend—is talking with other ranchers around McLennan County.”

  “I can understand that. What affects one rancher could impact another.” Darcy glanced at Lila’s Café and gestured toward it. “Besides having coffee with Avery there, I officially met Fletcher today.”

  The only response Nick gave her was a frown.

  “He won’t be too happy when I uncover that Avery’s a fraud.”

  “I heard you talking to Lana. So you’re sure?”

  “Ninety-nine percent, but I’ll do some double-checking before I say anything.”

  “I’d love to see Fletcher’s face when that happens.”

  “Maybe the man really feels the boys ranch isn’t good for Haven.”

  Nick started to reply, but Darcy stopped, faced him and touched his mouth. “We know it is. Next Saturday I intend to show Fletcher it is.”

  “You really think he’ll come?”

  “I’m gonna make it impossible for him to say no. Once he sees how much the ranch is helping the children, I refuse to believe the man will continue his legal battle to shut it down.” Because half of her genes were his and she wanted him to be more like her adopted father.

  “You’ll be disappointed, Darcy.” He stepped closer. “But what I like about you is your fighting spirit to the end. You don’t give up easily.”

  His nearness sent her pulse racing. “I have a feeling you don’t either.” Her breaths shortened.

  “No. If I did I would have walked away from my family ranch when I came home from serving in the army.”

  “Why? What I saw of your place was nice.”

  He lowered his head closer to her. “It was neglected for years, but my uncle and I have been slowly turning it around.”

  His scent swirled around her, mingling with the smells carried on the breeze. She wanted him to kiss her again. But then a car on Main turned onto Third Street, honking as it went by.

  Nick backed away, his cheeks red.

  “Who was that?” Darcy brushed her hair away from her face, her hand trembling slightly.

  “Gabe Everett. Probably going to the boys ranch, which is where I need to be.”

  “Yeah, I have some investigating to do. I can walk the rest of the way by myself. Haven isn’t big enough to get lost in.” She looked both ways on Main and then crossed the street.

  She should thank Gabe for honking. Kissing Nick in the middle of the town wasn’t what she’d come to Haven for. Her days here were ticking down, and she needed to find a time to tell Fletcher he was her biological father, because she still wanted to know about her biological family.

  * * *

  Late Monday a
fternoon, Nick left the stall in the old barn where Bessie was staying, expecting Corey and several others to visit after Darcy tutored them. Between his chores at the Flying Eagle, working with Flint on the animals that would be in the rodeo and instructing Corey and the other boys participating in a beginner version of barrel racing, he probably wouldn’t see much of Darcy until the meeting on Wednesday.

  That was a good thing. At least he was trying to convince himself it was. But for the past twenty-four hours, since he had almost kissed her again, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. She lived hundreds of miles away. On several occasions she had talked about her stay in Haven ending at the end of January. He had to get through the next few weeks, and then life would get back to normal.

  He headed to the entrance to wait for the younger barrel racers. Flint was working with the older group. He spied four boys walking toward him, but Corey wasn’t one of them. His cell phone rang. Quickly he answered Bea’s call. “Nick, I need you up at my office.”

  “Is something wrong? Is Corey all right?”

  “Corey is fine and still with Darcy.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  After letting Flint know he was going to Bea’s office, Nick hastened to the main house. He knocked on Bea’s door, heard her tell him to come in and then he entered, surprised to find Darcy sitting in one of two chairs in front of the director’s desk. It must be about the fund-raiser. Had Fletcher caused some kind of ruckus concerning it? He took a seat, sharing a puzzled look with Darcy.

  “Darcy, is Corey with Katie?”

  She nodded.

  “He is new here, and I don’t know him well enough to tell him that his father was in a car wreck half an hour ago. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the one-car accident. I was hoping one of you would break the news to Corey.”

  “I will,” both Nick and Darcy said at the same time.

  He slanted a glance at Darcy, pleased she wanted to help. “We’ll do it together.”

  Bea heaved a sigh. “Good. He needs people around him who he’s familiar with. While you talk with him, I’m going to let his houseparents know. Abby and John will inform the other boys in Corey’s wing.”