The Cowboy's Texas Family

by Margaret Daley

  “I’m surprised you didn’t say anything.”

  “No reason. You knew what you were doing.” She sighed. “I don’t know if it’s really hit Corey yet that his father is gone. But the houseparents and Bea are sharp and will be quick to pick up on anything wrong.”

  “And let us know if we need to help.”

  “Yes, exactly.”

  Darcy had made Corey’s transition to the boys ranch so much easier. She’d become so important to Nick. There were times he floundered with what to do or say, but Darcy knew the perfect thing.

  Darcy moved closer to Nick, and he held his ground, enjoying her nearness. “Don’t fall asleep driving home.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Maybe you could call me and let me know you got to your ranch all right.” She ran her palm down his jawline, her eyelids closing partway.

  That was all the invitation he needed. His arms encircled her, bringing her tight against him as he dipped his head and took her mouth in a kiss.

  He wanted it to last, but the sound of a car door slamming nearby parted them as they shifted to see who was coming toward the house. Avery. And Fletcher was parked behind Nick’s truck.

  “See you tomorrow.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and headed for his pickup whistling, his gaze on Fletcher’s glare.

  * * *

  “My, my. It looks like you had an interesting date,” Avery said as she stopped next to Darcy.

  “How about you?” Darcy curled her hands at her side, trying to remember that she still wanted to get some more information from the brash woman, who was dressed in four-inch heels and a tight skirt that stopped three inches above her knees.

  Avery waved her hand in the air. “Just business.”

  Darcy entered the bed-and-breakfast with Avery right behind her. “Maybe you can help me. On Saturday, when the boys ranch will be open to the public for tours, I wanted to give background information about the Culpepper family, who so generously donated the land and house. What was your father’s name?”

  “John.”

  “Your mother’s name?”

  Avery continued toward the staircase, forcing Darcy to hurry to keep up. “Mommy is all I remember.”

  “Isn’t it on your birth certificate?”

  “I’m sure it would be if I had one. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m tired and want to go to bed.” Avery practically ran up the stairs and disappeared from view.

  Darcy sank onto a step. The woman knew her father’s name because it was in the will but didn’t know who her mother was. Avery was definitely an impostor. She really had nothing to back up her claims.

  Darcy would talk with Lana and Bea after the fund-raiser was over. Something needed to be done quickly because time was running out for fulfilling the terms of Cyrus Culpepper’s will.

  Chapter Eleven

  Nick stood at the entrance the participants were using for the boys ranch’s First Annual Rodeo for Youths. The bleachers that Pastor Andrew had borrowed for the fund-raiser lined the inside of the riding arena. Flint was at the other end of the ring, making sure everything ran smoothly, and so far it had.

  Hundreds of people from Haven and the surrounding towns had come out to watch the boys participate in barrel racing, team penning and showmanship. Corey was in the beginner group for barrel racing. He would be the last to perform.

  “Has Corey raced yet?” Darcy asked from behind Nick.

  He glanced over his shoulder and saw her holding the reins to Rose. “Nope. He’s coming up now.”

  Darcy gave Corey a thumbs-up while Nick opened the gate and patted Rose’s flank. Corey entered the arena to the cheers of the crowd. He grinned from ear to ear. Wyatt was the starter for each event, but he was also there in case there was a medical problem with one of the animals. Dr. Delgado was nearby if a boy was hurt.

  Wyatt dropped his arm, indicating the start, and Corey shot forward, racing toward the red, white and blue barrel at the far end. He slowed to round it and then picked up speed to cross the finish line near Nick.

  “He did good,” Darcy said beside Nick.

  “Yeah, but he was two seconds behind the winner.”

  “Enough for second place.”

  “Yep,” he said as the first three places were announced over the loudspeaker.

  Darcy shouted “Hurrah!” for each winner but louder for Corey. The biggest grin shone bright on the kid’s face. “Now it’s my turn. I hope I don’t mess up. The boys will never let me live that down.”

  “If they give you any grief, challenge them to do the trick. On second thought, don’t. Without training, they’d break their necks.”

  “Safety while riding is important. I should know—I’ve broken my arm and leg over the years.”

  “And that didn’t discourage you?”

  “No. It made me more determined. Both times it was because I was pushing myself beyond what I or my mount was ready to do.”

  Gabe Everett, the emcee for the rodeo, took the mic. “We wanted to end this with a special act from Darcy Hill, who has performed tricks on a horse countless times at various shows in the South. Let’s give her a big Texas welcome.”

  Thunderous clapping and feet stomping resonated through the riding arena. Darcy’s cheeks reddened as she swung up into her special saddle, which she’d had her father ship overnight, along with the hot-pink, sequined outfit she wore.

  While Rose galloped around the ring, Darcy started off swinging out of the saddle, touching the ground and then landing in front of the horn, facing backward. She did several dismounts and then performed a reverse neck and a spritz layout. The crowd roared. She ended with a hippodrome like the Romans did thousands of years ago, where she stood up and made a complete circle around the arena, waving to the audience.

  Nick didn’t realize he had been holding his breath through the last trick, but finally he inhaled deeply. To a standing ovation, Darcy came to a stop in the center, dismounted and then bowed to each side. Several boys, including Corey, ran to her, pumping their arms in the air. They encircled her, all asking questions at once.

  As more boys gathered around Darcy, Nick hurried to rescue Rose from the onslaught. His mare was gentle and used to people but not a crowd. When he reached the circle of children, he noticed how calm Rose was, even when the kids got close to check the special saddle. Darcy showed them the extra straps on it, fielding one question after another.

  “Can I learn how?” Corey asked and then more kids chimed in.

  “It takes a lot of practice to do these tricks. You have to be an accomplished rider and have the right horse.” Darcy looked at Nick over the sea of kids from the ranch and town. “But more than anything, don’t do these tricks without an adult. I had an uncle who taught me when I was ready.”

  Nick watched Darcy interacting with the children. She was patient and made sure everyone had her full attention. In that moment he knew Corey would be fine with Darcy as his guardian—even if they both lived in Alabama. But would he?

  That question took him by surprise. He loved Corey, but he was willing to let him go if it was better for him. He was struggling to make his ranch a thriving business once more. That should be where his focus was. Darcy was doing him a favor.

  Yeah, right. Then why don’t you believe that?

  As the throng of kids dissipated to get samples of the food being offered outside in the tents, Corey remained next to Darcy.

  He pointed at Rose. “Can I ride her out of the ring?”

  She smiled at Corey and gave him a leg up. As he sat tall in the saddle, Fletcher approached Darcy.

  * * *

  Darcy spied Nick coming around the other side of Rose while she kept her attention on the man who was her birth father. “I’m glad to see you at the fund-raiser.” Hope flared in her
that this would lead to Fletcher changing his mind about the boys ranch.

  “Well, yes, but I’m not going to stay. My secretary gave me your note and the ticket to this...event.” The attorney handed Darcy a ten-dollar bill. “I appreciate the gesture of free admission, but I can pay my own way.”

  “Darcy, I’ll take Rose and Corey out of here.”

  She peered at Nick, wishing he could stay but realizing she had to do this alone. “Thank you. I’ll come to the barn later to get my saddle.”

  As Nick and Corey left with the mare, Darcy turned back to Fletcher. “I understand how you may feel about the boys ranch being moved from your family’s place, where it all started. Your grandmother sounds like a forward-thinking woman who cared about the community. It was a tribute to her.”

  He opened his mouth to say something.

  Darcy hurriedly continued, “The boys ranch will always be her idea. Even though they have expanded and moved here, she will always be the founder of the Lone Star Cowboy League Boys Ranch. You must be really proud of Luella Snowden Phillips and the good she has accomplished.”

  “You’ve been in town two weeks. I’m sure by now, especially since you’re friends with Nick McGarrett, you know I’m not a fan of the boys ranch.”

  Darcy gritted her teeth as he spoke and then forced a smile on her face. “Have you had a tour of the place?”

  “No, don’t see why I should. I knew what the original one was like and I didn’t like the idea of a boys ranch even then.”

  “Before you pass judgment, don’t you think you should see it all? That way, you’ll be talking from a place of knowledge.” Her grin wavered as Fletcher scowled. She shored it up and finished with, “Let me show you what the boys ranch is about and then you can say you’re completely informed.”

  “I don’t have much time.”

  She hooked her arm through his and walked toward the exit. “Then let’s get started. We’ll begin with the house and the three wings where the boys live with a couple in each wing who are the houseparents for them.”

  As they strolled toward the ranch house, Fletcher scanned the food tents, craft tables and games for the crowd. “You’re not from around here. What made you come to Haven?”

  “A vacation.”

  His bushy eyebrows slashed downward. “Haven has never been a vacation spot. I’d think you’d go skiing in the mountains or lie on a beach somewhere.”

  “I live near a beach and I don’t ski.” Darcy wanted to tell Fletcher he was the reason that she was here, but this wasn’t the right time. Today was about the boys ranch. She entered the house through the front door. “I’ve only been here a short time, and I’ve seen what this place can do for a boy who needs help.”

  “Isn’t that what a detention center for juvenile delinquents is for?”

  “The boys ranch takes children from age six to seventeen. A young child isn’t a juvenile delinquent. So many need guidance and time to develop their social and emotional skills.” Darcy led Fletcher through one of the wings. “Take, for example, Corey, who is the most recent boy to come here. In less than two weeks, he has improved his reading, taken care of a horse and learned to ride. He’s become a valuable team player. They all have chores that they’re responsible for and those rotate, so they have a lot of experience in different areas.”

  “Isn’t that what a parent is for?” Fletcher asked as they walked to one of the other wings.

  The thought that he was her biological father and had just asked that irritated her. Where was Fletcher when she was born? “Ideally, yes, but life doesn’t work out that way all the time. Corey lost his dad recently, but before that he’d run away from his house because his father was drinking too much and not taking care of him.”

  Pressing his lips together, Fletcher glared at her. He slowed his pace.

  She probably shouldn’t have said that. She had let her feelings toward Fletcher get the better of her. She smiled. “In Corey’s case, like so many others, there isn’t a good alternative. Some come here because they need social skills or they have to learn to manage their behavior, but above all else, this is a safe environment for the children. There are no boys with psychotic disorders. That’s not what this facility is for.”

  “You could have fooled me. One of them is most likely responsible for burning the barn down.”

  Stopping in her tracks, she cocked her head and asked, “Do you realize that many people in town think you are behind the fire?”

  His eyes grew round. “Me! I’d never do something like that. I’ll stop this place legally, not illegally.”

  Darcy strolled through the kitchen to the back door. “Let me show you the old barn, where some of the livestock is kept. There are goats, sheep, cattle and horses.”

  “I’ve seen a barn before.” He pointed to the building nearby. “What’s that?”

  “That’s the library, where the children get help with their school work. I’ve been tutoring them after school since I arrived. I love seeing a child’s expression when he finally understands something. Not far away are the basketball and volleyball courts. Exercising in fun ways helps promote healthy growth.”

  “It looks like a country club to me.”

  Anger burst from its restraints. “And what is wrong with that? They help take care of the house and ranch. They learn responsibility and develop a good self-image that will help them become productive citizens. You were fortunate to have been born into wealth. Most are not.”

  “I’ve worked hard for what I have.”

  “So what do you think we should do with these twenty-four boys? Give them what they need to become good citizens or let them loose with no support and possibly lead them down the path of juvenile delinquents? Wasn’t your father and his behavior the reason your grandmother started the ranch?”

  Fletcher harrumphed. “That was different.”

  “How?”

  “I—I...” He tipped his Stetson and finally said, “Good day, Ms. Hill.”

  As the man stormed off, she sat down on the back steps. She’d made this worse. She’d hoped showing him the ranch and the good it did would change his mind. She’d been wrong. She prayed the boys didn’t pay for her mistake.

  * * *

  Leaving the staff and the boys to clean up after the fund-raiser, Nick strolled to his truck, intending to help set up for the ladies’ choice dance and then go home. It had been a long day. When he started to climb into the cab, he stopped in midmotion.

  He stepped back out and picked up the envelope lying on his seat. His name was scrawled across the front in blue ink. He opened the letter and pulled it out.

  The note read, Wanna go to the dance tonight with me? Pick me up at 8. Love, Darcy.

  For a few seconds, he stared at the word love and imagined them as a couple. Then his gaze slid to the first word.

  Wanna? He hadn’t seen Darcy’s handwriting, but he was sure she didn’t write this. Then he remembered what some of the others had received over the past months, and he chuckled. Someone was playing matchmaker.

  He looked up and panned the yard for anyone watching. If they were, they were hiding well.

  But, to be on the safe side, he needed to check with Darcy. She didn’t deserve to be stood up. Darcy was on the set-up committee so she would be at the church. He hopped into his truck and drove there, trying to figure out how he would ask her about the note.

  When he arrived at the reception hall where the dance would take place, he glanced around for Darcy. Her car was in the parking lot. He spied her standing on a tall ladder putting up one end of the banner while Lana tacked up the other part.

  “Is that even?” Darcy asked as she leaned back to decide.

  “It’s even,” he called out.

  The ladder wobbled. Nick hurried to her in case she fell. But she
immediately flattened herself against the ladder and grasped it. It wavered and then settled into place.

  Slowly she descended. When she turned, he glimpsed a pink tinge across her cheeks. “I’ll be the first one to tell you I know what a hammer is, but I can be lethal when I use it. This time I only hit my thumb once.”

  “You should have waited.”

  “I thought you might get stuck at the ranch dealing with the animals.”

  “Nope. Flint and some of the older boys were finishing up at the barn and suggested I come see if you need any help.”

  She pushed the hammer into his hand. “Here. Any hammering can be done by you.”

  He chuckled. “I didn’t get to ask you about the tour you gave Fletcher.”

  “A disaster.”

  “Did you tell him who you were?”

  “No, definitely not the right time.”

  Nick pulled the note from his back pocket. “I found this in my truck on the seat. Did you send it?”

  She retrieved one exactly like his, except the wording was different. “Obviously you didn’t send this.”

  “Nope. It’s a ladies’ choice dance.”

  She blushed. “Up until recently things were tense between us, and then today was so crazy. I’m glad I remembered to come here to set up. Nick, would you like to go to the dance with me tonight?”

  He grinned. “We shouldn’t encourage the matchmaker, but since it could be Corey, I wouldn’t want to disappoint him. As the note says, I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  “Which only gives us a couple of hours to decorate and get home to change.”

  “Yep, so what do you want me to do?”

  “Help me set up the tables and chairs first. I should be okay. No hammer involved.”

  As they walked to the closet where the tables were stored, his earlier exhaustion seemed to lift. There was a spring to his step. Darcy brightened his day and that scared him. What was he going to do when she left Haven?

  * * *

  “Did you hear what happened with Pastor Andrew?” Nick asked, hoping to take Darcy’s mind off dancing.