by Jillian Neal
“Thanks, Mama. We’ll be there for supper unless we come up on a storm.”
“You be careful, and tell Summer we’re so happy you two found each other. We’ll get that sack of shit she married put directly in jail and then we’ll get you all settled in. I’m just so thankful … you’re both coming home.” Austin’s heart pricked over his mother’s vow. Emotion now played heavily in her voice. He could count on one hand the number of times he’d seen his mama cry. The night Brock’s mom and daddy had taken him from the ranch and moved him to North Carolina, the night Max was killed in the wreck, and the day she’d miscarried a baby, a couple of years after Holly was born.
“Me too, Mama. We’ll see you in a little while.” He ended the call from Luke’s phone and pressed the pedal just a little harder.
***
Luke glanced up again from the copy of American Cowboy he was pretending to thumb through. From his vantage point in a darkened corner of the Cheyenne Suites hotel bar, he could see from the entrance doors all the way to the elevators. Knowing what room Brant was in had proven quite helpful. He’d made up some shit excuse about being in for a stock show and needing a room on the third floor for good luck. The woman looked at him like he was crazy as a loon, but gave him a recently-available room right next to Brant’s.
Asshole himself had stormed in about an hour before, looking ready to strangle a puppy. He’d gone up to his room, and ten minutes later was back in the bar downing shots like he was getting paid. He was still on the barstool with one of his right-hand men, drowning his sorrow over Dallas Devil being out of the rodeo that night.
Luke’s ears pricked when the man beside Brant glanced around nervously. “Well, what are they doing to him exactly?”
“Checking those damn hotshot marks is all they’ll tell me,” Brant growled. Didn’t seem like Brant was worried about anything but the bull. Figuring that he probably didn’t go through his mother’s luggage too often, Luke assumed he didn’t yet know what Summer had found.
His entire body tensed when what had to have been Brant’s mama, the frosted orange queen of Dallas, flew into the bar, pouncing on Brant like a fly on the bar. She smacked the back of his head.
“What the fucking hell do you think you’re doing?” Brant bellowed.
“She. Took. Him!”
Luke sank lower in his chair.
“Who took what, Mrs. Preston?” The man that had been drinking with Brant seemed to have vastly more patience for Brant’s mother than her own son did.
“Summer took J.J. She took him back to Santa Fe. That ridiculous hillbilly bull rider she’s taken up with gave her money,” she raged. “What are we going to do now?!”
Feeling his pulse race and his jaw tighten, Luke leaned in just a little closer.
“Why the hell would I give a shit what Summer’s done? Good riddance. I’ve got bigger things to worry over than where Summer is. I didn’t give a shit when I was married to her — why would I now?”
Interesting. Very, very interesting. Luke didn’t dare even flip the page on the magazine. He tried to blend in as best as he could with the wallpaper. He glanced at his watch. Nearing 4:30. Austin and Summer should’ve been almost through Ogallala. They’d be in the Glen within the hour and on the ranch around 6:15.
“Well …” His mother huffed and puffed, but couldn’t seem to blow her son off of his bar stool. He genuinely didn’t seem to give a shit. “This is all your fault. If you hadn’t agreed to call his phone and leave that message, we’d have J.J. with us tomorrow.”
Brant rolled his eyes so hard Luke almost laughed. “Why do you care? So, she took him to Santa Fe. Only thing that tells me is maybe she ruined Camden, and he’ll be out of the competition. Beyond that, I don’t give a gnat’s ass.”
Mrs. Preston’s face turned the approximate color of her hair, rose autumn 47. She vibrated in her fury. Luke prayed she wouldn’t put two and two together and go check that folder in her suitcase. When she unhinged her jaw, she fumed, “Why aren’t you at the rodeo?”
“I ain’t got a dog in the race, and currently, I ain’t allowed down there. I told you this. What is wrong with you?”
“What do you mean you aren’t allowed down there? Did you phone your father and tell him this?”
Brant shook his head. “I’ll get it taken care of. They’ll release Dallas Devil tomorrow, and we’ll be back in the competition.”
“I saw him break through that chute gate. He wasn’t hurt. Why do they still have him?” she demanded.
For the first time in the entire exchange, Brant turned and stared his mother down. “What the hell do you mean you saw him? Why were you down at the practice arena?”
Excellent question, Preston. Luke was darn near proud of him. Maybe he wasn’t quite as dumb as a sack of hammers.
“Well, I mean … I didn’t see it … I heard Dallas Devil wasn’t hurt.”
“No one was hurt, but that don’t mean the PBR ain’t crawling all over my ass about it.”
“I thought that other rider took him. Trey … whatever.”
“Travis Anders. They let him go without charging him. Said the marks on his hand are circumstantial, whatever that means.”
Luke rolled his eyes. Maybe the sack of hammers scenario wasn’t too far off, after all.
“I’m going to go lay down. Have a whiskey sour sent to the room, Brantley. And come check on Mommy when you’re finished with that drink. I’m feeling a little faint.”
Fuck. Luke was out of luck when it came to conversations in their room. He’d have to do his best to keep an eye on ‘em once Brant headed upstairs. To his shock, Brant watched his mother leave, downed his shot, and left the hotel, headed out into the streets of Cheyenne.
It was just after five when a broad grin spread across Austin’s face as they finally passed Merle’s, the local feed and seed, and crossed the railroad tracks into the tiny town that had raised him. He slowed on Main Street as they passed Saddlebacks, the only honkytonk around, the post office, the Cut ‘n Curl hair salon, and the Methodist Church. The library, the new coffee shop, and the CVS were on the other side.
Summer had been steadily gnawing her lip ever since they’d come out of Ogallala. “That sign back there said Pleasant Glen.”
“Yeah, baby, this is it. Welcome home.”
She attempted a smile but it came out much closer to a haunted frown. “You keep saying that. I’ve never even been here before, Austin. It’s a lot of pressure.”
Nodding, he debated what exactly to say to her. They’d shared so few words on the long trip he was worried she was regretting her decision. “Okay, I’ve told you I’m really no good at relationships. I half expected you to be pissed as hell at Brant and the whole situation and to kind of take it out on me. Then I felt stupid that I’d thought that because I realized that you’re scared to death. I know. I should’ve figured that out sooner, but would you mind just talking to me, sugar? Screaming at me. Crying. Do something besides sitting there looking like you really wish you were anywhere else.”
“I hate it when I cry. I’m not a baby.” She crossed her arms over her chest and sank down in the seat.
“No, but tears are kind of a natural reaction when life gets shitty. I’d say finding out Brant is trying to steal J.J. is about as shitty as it’s ever gonna get. Crying doesn’t make you weak, Summer. Makes you human. I’ll deny it to my grave, but trust me, when you left yesterday, that wasn’t just Wyoming dust in my eyes.”
“I’m so sorry. And why would I be mad at Brant and take it out on you?”
Unable to hide his smirk, he chuckled. “Not sure if anyone’s ever pointed this out to you, darlin’, but you got more than your fair share of temper, and you’re stubborn as hell. Perfect woman for me, like I keep saying, but I ain’t used to this quiet Summer. I’ll get used to it. I know there’s sides to you I haven’t gotten to know yet, and I know I’ll love them all or I’ll learn to, but after last night,” he shrugged, “this scares me a little.�
�
“Thought you didn’t do scared, cowboy.” She leaned over in the seat and brushed a kiss on his cheek, righting every ache he’d endured and easing the worry that had set up shop in his gut.
“I didn’t used to. Swore nothing would ever scare me again after that wreck. Being scared made me feel weak and that pissed me off. See, we have that in common, but yesterday when you ran in Ekta’s cabin, I was terrified I’d never see you again, that I couldn’t get you back. Think I’m still a little afraid this isn’t actually happening. Maybe I’m dreaming or something, and I’m gonna wake up and you’re not gonna be in my arms. I don’t ever want to wake up like that again. So, yeah, I do scared when it comes to you and J.J. Losing either of you scares the shit out of me.”
“I’m scared, too. I’m terrified that your family will hate me for bringing all of this on them. I’m scared you’re gonna wake up with me in your arms in a few years and wish I were someone else. We haven’t been doing this very long, and this is pretty rocky ground to be starting on. I’m scared I don’t know how to be your wife. That I’ll screw something up again. I’m terrified that I’m going to lose …” She shook and then finally gave in.
“Hey, okay, come here to me.” He pulled off on the five-mile dirt road that would ultimately lead to the entrance of Camden Ranch.
“I’m so scared, Austin. What if Brant takes him from me? What if …?”
“I will not let Brant take J.J. from you. I won’t. I promise you. And, baby, I kind of think marriage has to be a little like learning to ride a horse. So, we climbed on a green horse, fell in love, and got thrown a time or two. We’ll probably get thrown some more. That’s life. You climb on the beast and you ride. As long as we’re learning together, we’ll figure it out. Day in and day out, just like I told you. We decide to fight for each other and never against each other, and we’ll figure the rest out.”
Suddenly, J.J. tossed his juice cup against the back windshield of Austin’s truck and started screaming.
Summer immediately jerked away from Austin and tried to settle him.
“He’s sick of being in the truck. We never got him out. His diaper’s probably soaked,” Summer lamented.
“All right, let’s get him home, then. We’re almost there, buddy.” Austin cranked the truck again and continued down the dirt lane. The volume of J.J.’s wails increased with every passing moment. Summer tried the pacifier, a bottle of milk, and his stuffed animal horse. They all ended up smacking the windshield when J.J. hurled them away.
Austin would have found that mildly amusing had his nerves not already been fried. He’d promised the kid he was good at trials by fire. Seemed J.J. was putting him to the test. Austin’s ears were ringing when he finally drove under the Camden Ranch entrance sign. He considered driving on to his parent’s house, since it was closer, but he doubted anyone was there. They’d all be at Austin’s getting ready for them, so they were in for another ten minutes of screaming.
He’d intended to point out some of the barns, stables, and outbuildings to Summer on their way across the ranch, but she wouldn’t have been able to hear him. When he finally pulled in his open garage, they bolted out of the truck and tried to calm the baby.
His parents appeared immediately.
“What did they do to my boy?” Austin’s father lifted J.J. from Summer’s arms. They’d been wanting grandkids. Austin had never had any intention of being the one to provide them, but life had been throwing him curve balls endlessly as of late. He was learning to just go with it. He didn’t even recognize the man he’d thought he was six-months ago. The man he was currently felt far more real anyway.
J.J. abruptly stopped his protest and studied Ev. “That’s it, big man. You needed to be let out to run, didn’t ‘cha? They kept you up in that truck for too long. Little guys need to be outside running just like big guys. I’ll get on Austin about that.” Everyone chuckled as Ev settled J.J. on his feet, let him grasp his fingers, and walk out of the garage to the endless expanse of grass surrounding Austin’s log cabin.
J.J. seemed delighted with this arrangement and took off. Summer collapsed against Austin’s chest, while Holly, Brock, Grant and Jessie beamed at them.
“Long trip. Hell, this might’ve been the longest day of my life,” Austin tried to explain.
“Figured that.” Grant offered Austin his hand and then pulled him in for a hug.
“Uh, Summer, baby, this is my big brother Grant. You already know everyone else, I think.”
“It’s nice to meet you. And I’m so sorry for everything I did … and said … and all of this.” She pled to Austin’s mother.
Jessie looked startled. “Well, darlin’, you have absolutely nothing to be sorry for. Let’s see here, you tried to keep my son safe. You worried over him at your own expense. We all get a little off track every now and again, but you didn’t do anything wrong. We’ll get this whole mess taken care of. You brought my baby boy home. I know you understand what that means to me. You certainly don’t owe anyone an apology.”
“Hope really wanted to be here. She’s up at the library today. Should be home in a little while. Said she was going to bring home some legal books on the best way to handle … uh … custody issues.” Brock grimaced.
“Hope is Pleasant Glen’s one and only librarian. If you need a book, she’s your girl,” Austin explained to Summer.
“It’s fine. Tell her thank you. You all didn’t need to go to any trouble on my account.” Summer looked uncomfortable with the attention.
“Natalie went to Lincoln last night. Spending the day with Gran and picking up supplies from Orscheln. She won’t be back ‘til tomorrow,” Grant explained.
“My great-grandmother is in assisted living in Lincoln. Natalie is my other sister. You can meet her tomorrow,” Austin played interpreter once again. “Is Wes on his way?” At the moment, he didn’t particularly care where Hope or Natalie were. He knew Summer wouldn’t relax until the police had those papers and assured her that they would take care of Brant.
“Said he’d be here after supper. Called someone this morning that he said could help.” Jessie explained. “So, why don’t you two get settled? Your daddy’s heading back with little man now.” She gestured out the garage door. Ev and J.J. appeared to be having a meaningful conversation as they slowly meandered back to the garage. “When you’re unpacked, head up to the house and we’ll eat. I put clean sheets on your bed and some groceries in your fridge. Cleaned everything up a little.”
“Sounds good, Mama. Thank you.”
Summer lifted J.J. up into her arms. His mood had turned for the better as soon as Ev had taken him out to toddle around the yard. Her little cowboy through and through. He needed wide open spaces and hated being cooped up, just like his mama.
“We’ll be up there in a little while.” Austin waved to his family as they headed back the direction of Ev and Jessie’s house, Summer assumed. Trying to steady her racing heart, she followed Austin inside the expansive log cabin that apparently was going to be her home. She still couldn’t wrap her head around it. How had this even happened to her? Two weeks ago she’d been sitting outside Brant’s hotel room night after night, making sure J.J. was okay, and now …
Shaking her head in disbelief, they entered through a large mudroom. He had a simple washer and dryer in there, along with a wall of shelves. Most were empty, but a few contained old deer skin gloves, loose spurs, a spare bit, old work boots, a worn pair of chaps, and empty travel coffee mugs from Wrangler, Orscheln Farm Supply, State Farm, and Carhartt.
Suddenly, Austin halted and spun at the doorway between the laundry room and the kitchen. “This is a little weird, right?”
“Yeah, more than a little.” She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to figure out what the hell she was even doing. She’d fallen in love with a rodeo cowboy without ever having been inside his house. This was insane.
“Okay, so we’ll figure it as we go. Obviously, this is the laundry room. I keep supplies
in here that I need before I get to the barns in the morning. But we can change it if you want.”
“I don’t want to change anything. Looks like it works great. I don’t want to come in and mess up your house, Austin.”
“Our house,” he corrected.
“This must be how them mail-order brides felt.”
Giving her that grin that always made her feel like things would be okay, he nodded. “My Great-Great-Great Granddaddy got himself a mail order bride back in the day. Obviously, I didn’t know them, but Dad says they were deliriously happy and died in each other’s arms when they were old. Had a great uncle that met and married my great aunt, basically so he could fuck her for two weeks before he got on a ship heading to the Sea of Japan, in WWII. Same deal. He came home. Moved her and their kid up here to the ranch. They actually got to know each other, and were married some sixty-odd years before he passed. There’s a pew up at the church house dedicated to ‘um. We can do this. Let’s just take it one step at a time, okay?”
Nodding, Summer clung tightly to those stories. People used to do this all the time. She was absolutely irrevocably in love with the man showing her his house. That was all she needed.
There was a massive great room and a small kitchen, open to the living area. Sturdy beams that must’ve been over a hundred years old held up the roof. The walls were stacked stone in some places and roughhewn log in others.
A stone fireplace took up most of one of the wall opposite the kitchen. Two bedrooms with a bathroom between were on the other side of the living room. They both grinned when they saw that one of the previously empty rooms now contained an old crib, small dresser, and a basketful of old baby toys.
“That was my dresser when I was a kid, and I’m guessing that was Holly’s crib. I’m sure she scrubbed them toys. He can play.”
J.J. was already wiggling out of Summer’s arms. She set him on the carpet and they watched him crawl frantically to the basket of toys to dump it out.
“This was so sweet of them. I’ll never be able to pay them back for helping me.”