The Cowboy's Texas Family

by Margaret Daley

  When Rose turned and nudged her, Nick’s uncle laughed. “She really likes you. And she doesn’t cotton to everyone. But Nick has a knack of pairing a rider with the right horse.”

  “Where is Nick?”

  “At the feed store.”

  “We didn’t part on good terms last night.”

  “Yeah, he came home from the meeting as though he were a grizzly bear denied his sleep and yet he didn’t get much last night. Did something happen at the church?”

  “He knows that I’m going to apply to adopt Corey and, in the meantime, seek guardianship.” Darcy walked the mare into the barn and removed the saddle.

  Howard took it from her and returned it to where it belonged. “Now that’s a surprise. Are you gonna move here?”

  “No. My family and job are in Alabama.”

  “So you want to take Corey away. That explains why Nick has been so upset these past few days. Nick looks at Corey as if he is his younger brother. When Doug asked him to watch out for Corey and then was killed in the war, Nick took Doug’s place in every sense. And Corey feels the same way about Nick. It might not be as easy as wanting to adopt the child. I know single people are able to adopt, but why do you think the state would give you guardianship?”

  “Besides Nick, no one else in Haven knows this yet. That will change soon, but until I speak to Fletcher, please don’t say anything to anyone but Nick.”

  “You want Fletcher to be your lawyer for the adoption?”

  “No. I was adopted as a baby. Fletcher is my biological father, which makes Corey my cousin. When I first came to Haven, I didn’t realize I had any family members here besides Fletcher. I’m going to tell Fletcher he’s my birth parent and then use the fact that I’m Corey’s cousin to apply for guardianship of him.”

  Howard rubbed the back of his neck, grabbed the reins and started for the exit. “I need to put her in the pasture. Walk with me.” As they strolled out the door, he continued, “Now everything makes sense. Over the years Nick has been so reserved about his feelings and hasn’t let many people close to him. Corey is one of the few he has, and honestly, when I’ve seen you two together, I see his walls breaking down.”

  “Why the walls?”

  “I wish I could tell you, but it’s Nick’s story. All I can say is he didn’t have an easy life from a young age.” Howard opened the gate to a field and released Rose.

  “Because of his father?”

  Howard nodded.

  “Did he go to the feed store because I was coming here?”

  “Yes. I’m usually the one who does it. But he’ll be coming home soon to get ready for Ned’s funeral. He’s taking Corey.”

  “Bea told me this morning. I hope he’ll let me tag along. There’s a chance of snow later, and I’d rather not drive. Do you think I should ask?”

  “Yes, I see him returning from town. If you’re gonna try to adopt Corey, you need to be with him as much as you can. Nick needs to learn to accept that and decide what’s best for the child in the long term.”

  Nick parked near the opening to the barn, the back of his truck full of hay bales.

  “I’ll leave you to help him. I need to make a couple of calls.” Howard winked and ambled away.

  “Where’s my uncle going?”

  “To the house so we can talk.”

  Nick frowned and hefted the first hay bale. “We talked last night.”

  “I didn’t mean to come in and take over with Corey. Until you told me about him, I didn’t even know I had a cousin. Now that I do, it’s hard for me to ignore it. I’ve always been a champion for projects involving children, so it was natural for me to gravitate toward the boys ranch.”

  Nick took another hay bale. “The reason Corey likes being with you is because you care about him. He can feel it.”

  Can you feel that I care about you too?

  As Nick strode into the barn to put his load on a stack, Darcy grabbed one and struggled to lift it. But she did and made her way inside. “I’m telling you what I want, but if Corey is against it, I’ll definitely take that into consideration. I wouldn’t move him until he’s visited my home.” He skirted around her, and she hurried forward and stepped into his path, clasping his upper arms. “I haven’t filed yet, and I won’t until I tell Fletcher. I want Corey to realize I’m a relative and accept that first.”

  “You’re leaving at the end of the month. That’s a lot to get done in a couple of weeks. So why haven’t you spoken to Fletcher?”

  “Frankly, I’m not sure I even like the man, but then I don’t know him well. I’ve only been around him a couple of times. And listening to you talk about him hasn’t been encouraging that he would even acknowledge me.”

  “There’s only one way to find out.”

  “I know. I thought after the fund-raiser was over I’d pay him a visit. Between looking for information about Avery Culpepper, volunteering at the boys ranch, spending time online working on a few ongoing cases and then organizing a fund-raiser in a short time, I didn’t realize how stretched I was until I fell into bed last night, dead tired but unable to sleep. Too much was swirling around in my mind.”

  “Me too. I’m sorry about what I said yesterday. I know you have Corey’s best interests at heart, and if you adopting him is good for him, then I won’t stand in your way.”

  She held out her hand. “Still friends then?” Although, as she said friends, she realized she wanted more.

  He took her hand, tugged her close and kissed her forehead. “I can’t stay mad at you. Would you like to go with Corey and me to Ned’s funeral?”

  “Yes. When?”

  “I’m picking him up at school around twelve so we can be in Dry Gulch in time. We’ll pick you up at 12:10 p.m. at the Blue Bonnet.”

  She gave him a grin. “See you then.”

  * * *

  After the funeral in Dry Gulch, Nick drove his truck toward Haven with Corey sitting between Darcy and him. Snow fell, blanketing the landscape. He reduced his speed, but a lot of the snow wasn’t sticking on the road, only on the grass.

  Remembering how Darcy felt about driving in this kind of weather, Nick slanted a look at her. As Corey stared silently at the dashboard, lost in thought, she had her arm around the boy, giving him her quiet support as she had done throughout the funeral.

  In that moment he knew that Darcy would be a great mother for Corey, and he couldn’t stand in her way if the boy wanted her to adopt him. Nick realized he could help them bond. Maybe it was better that she became Corey’s guardian. He’d said for years he didn’t want to be responsible for a family. He’d seen and been in the middle of one that fell apart.

  If only she would stay so he could see Corey grow up.

  Darcy glanced at Nick. “I should be panicking now because the fund-raiser is in two days, but the weatherman said it will be well above freezing tomorrow and Saturday will be even warmer. Do you think the snow will melt by then?”

  “Yes. This isn’t going to stay around long. I predict by midmorning it’ll start melting.” Nick sent her a reassuring smile.

  Blinking, Corey perked up and looked out the windshield. “I love snow.”

  “Where I live in south Alabama we don’t get much at all, but this is the second snowfall I’ve seen since I came here.”

  “I like playing outside and making things in the snow. Snow sngels. Forts. Snowmen.” Corey’s voice became more excited as he talked.

  “How about a snowwoman? I’ve never done either one.”

  Corey and Nick exchanged glances and then Corey whispered into his ear, “Can we make one with Darcy?”

  Nick nodded. He would have to content himself with being a friend long-distance, but right now he would cherish every moment he could with Corey.

  Corey twisted back to Darcy. �
��We’ll show you how to build a snowman.”

  “And a snowwoman?” Darcy asked with a chuckle.

  “Yup. And I’ve got a good idea,” Nick added. “I’ll call Miss Bea and tell her you’re gonna stay for dinner at my place and then I’ll bring you back to the boys ranch. Before we eat, we can make them in my front yard.”

  “What if it doesn’t stop snowing?” Darcy asked.

  “We can do it while it’s snowing. You won’t melt.” Nick winked at her, feeling his cold heart beginning to thaw.

  * * *

  After drinking a cup of the hot chocolate that Howard had fixed for them, Darcy traipsed outside behind Nick and Corey, ready to build her snowwoman. “Okay, all I have to do is make a snowball and then roll it on the ground until it gets as big as I want?”

  “Corey, I think she’s got it. You did good explaining it to her.” Nick held his hand up, and the boy high-fived him. “Now, are you sure you don’t want me to help you make your snowman?”

  Corey nodded. “Darcy will need your help.”

  She planted her fist on her waist. “I beg your pardon. I’m capable of doing this by myself.”

  Nick scanned the yard. “Tell you what. I think there’s enough snow that we each can make one and let Uncle Howard decide which is the best.”

  “Y’all shouldn’t even bother. I’m gonna beat you.” Corey scooped up a handful of snow and packed it into a ball.

  Darcy started hers. As she stooped over to roll it along the ground, a snowball struck her side. She shot straight up and whirled around. Nick bent over to make another while Corey took what he had in his hand and pelted her with it.

  “I can’t believe y’all are ganging up on me.” Darcy launched her snowball at Nick.

  Then suddenly Corey followed suit. The next ten minutes he teamed up with her. He probably felt sorry for her. But that was okay.

  Nick ducked behind his truck and popped up to toss several balls quickly one after another, all at her.

  She tried to dodge them but instead stumbled and went down. She was covered with snow, but so were Nick and Corey. Her laughter filled the air, her tears of joy streaking down her cold face. “I call a truce.”

  Nick brushed what snow he could off his coat. “I couldn’t resist the chance.”

  Corey shook his head, loosening the white flakes. “Me neither. Do we still have time to make a snowman?”

  Nick looked up at the darkening sky. “If we hurry and work together. Darcy, you make the head. I’ll do the bottom and, Corey, you make the middle.”

  Darcy trudged across the yard. “I’ll be over here away from you two. If I get any wetter, I’ll freeze into an ice statue.” She disappeared around the side of the house.

  She wouldn’t trade the past half an hour for anything. She quickly made her head ball and picked it up to carry back. But before she rounded the corner, she stopped and peeked into the front yard in case they had set up an ambush.

  Instead, Corey was helping Nick roll a huge ball to a spot near the porch where a medium one was. When Corey set his middle ball on top of the base, he stepped back and grinned from ear to ear. “This is gonna be the best snowman.”

  Darcy glanced at her pitifully small head and hurriedly added more to it, packing it down as much as possible. She was not going to be the one to ruin their masterpiece.

  “Darcy, do you need help?” Corey came around the side of the house.

  “I was just coming back to put the finishing touch on the snowperson.” She held up the head, not totally pleased with its size, but it was much better than it had been.

  When she set it on the unfinished snowman, she made a big production out of it, hoping no one would say anything about her attempt.

  Nick was barely able to keep a straight face. Finally he turned his back on them—probably so she wouldn’t see his grin.

  “I know. Not the best in the world,” she murmured and started to take it off the snowman.

  Corey stopped her. “Don’t. I think it’s fine. Dontcha, Nick?”

  Nick pivoted and, with a solemn expression, nodded, but his eyes twinkled.

  To Darcy’s relief, Howard stepped out on the porch. “I’m starving, so I decided to bring out a hat, scarf, carrot and chocolate pieces for the mouth and eyes. Corey and Nick, go get two branches while Darcy decorates the face.”

  “Thanks, Howard. I didn’t know they wanted to make a giant snowperson.”

  “That’s Texans for you. They like to do things big.” Howard plopped the black cap on top of the snowman’s head while Darcy stuck on the carrot and then the pieces of chocolate.

  When Nick and Corey returned and planted the sticks in place, Howard pulled out his cell phone. “Okay, y’all stand by your work of art and smile.”

  Instead of grinning, Nick and Corey laughed, tried not to and couldn’t stop.

  Darcy watched them feed off each other. Nick didn’t want a family. That was such a shame. She’d always wanted one.

  Finally, the guys settled down, and Howard took a photo. “I’ll make sure everyone gets a picture. Now let’s go eat.”

  As Corey entered the house with Howard, Nick hung back with Darcy. “Thanks for being a good sport. For a little while Corey was able to forget and just be a kid.”

  “I know. But he’ll have to deal with his past and his mixed feelings concerning his dad.”

  “Yeah. Too bad they don’t just go away on their own.”

  “Are you talking about your own father or Ned?”

  “Both.” He slung his arm over her shoulders and headed for the entrance.

  But the fun of the past hour had evaporated. When would Nick trust her to tell her about his father?

  * * *

  Later when Nick drove toward the boys ranch to drop off Corey, he was tired. He stifled a yawn. Today had been an emotional day for the child and, for that matter, Nick too. He wanted to be part of Corey’s life. He didn’t want him to leave—or Darcy either, especially after the camaraderie they’d shared while playing in the snow. He thought he had everything worked out, but then his emotions fluctuated when reality set in and Darcy commented on Corey dealing with his father’s death.

  When they said good-night to Corey in the entry hall at the boys ranch, Corey gave him a hug and then so did Darcy, who also kissed the top of his head.

  “We’ll see you tomorrow. After school, we’ll practice your barrel racing with the others.” Nick tousled Corey’s hair. “You’re a natural at riding. If I didn’t know better, I would think you’ve been riding for a while.”

  Corey beamed. As he mounted the stairs, he turned halfway up and waved at them.

  When Nick slid into the driver’s seat, he stared at the large ranch home. “I think today went well. Corey’s gonna sleep well tonight.” He wasn’t sure he would though. If Darcy took Corey to Alabama, a part of him would go with them.

  “I hope so. I could use a good night’s sleep too. We have a lot to do in the next two days, even more if the snow remains. I love the open-house concept for the fund-raiser. My goal is to give Fletcher a tour of the ranch. I’ve sent him an invitation, and I intend to follow up on it tomorrow.”

  “Are you going to tell him who you are?” Nick started his truck.

  “No. I need him to see the value of the ranch. I don’t want to confuse the issue with that revelation.”

  “In other words, you’re putting it off.”

  She chuckled. “Am I that obvious?”

  “Yep, but I don’t blame you.”

  “My preference is to never tell him, but I need to establish that Corey is a relative.”

  Curious about her reasons, he asked, “Why wouldn’t you tell Fletcher?”

  “Because I already have a dad, and frankly Fletcher isn’t my idea of a father.”<
br />
  “What about the medical information you’re seeking?” He threw her a glance as he approached Haven.

  “After meeting him and seeing his stand on the boys ranch, I’ve been reconsidering it. I could get some of the medical information by digging deep into his family and talking to people who knew Luella Snowden Phillips. I’d love to find out all I can on her. From what I’ve learned she was quite a woman, who had a wonderful dream with the first boys ranch. Too bad Fletcher isn’t more like his grandmother.”

  “Sometimes close relatives can be as different as night and day.” His dad and Uncle Howard had been like that.

  “True. I’ve seen enough of that in my job.”

  “Do you enjoy being a lawyer?”

  “Yes. Many people need a good attorney but can’t pay for one. I feel like I’m helping people who can’t.”

  “You’re definitely different from Fletcher in that respect. Too bad you can’t stick around and maybe become a good influence on Fletcher.”

  As Nick pulled up to the Blue Bonnet Inn, she asked, “I don’t know that who I am would influence him one way or another. He seems pretty set in his ways.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I’ve been trying for sixteen months to get him to do something about Ned.” When Darcy pushed down on the handle, he added, “I’ll walk you to the porch.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “I want to.” He hurried and rounded the hood as she hopped down from the cab.

  A light illuminated the porch, highlighting her beautiful features. Her eyes, a glittering blue, weren’t really like Fletcher’s. There was a shine in them that drew Nick every time he looked at her. And her luxurious blond hair, long and wavy, framed her face and emphasized her attributes—not just outward but inward too.

  Nick turned toward Darcy. “I was dreading the funeral and how Corey would do. I’m glad we went together.”

  “So am I. If I drove, I’d probably be stuck somewhere between Dry Gulch and Haven. I felt you lose control of your truck a few times.”