by Judy Duarte
“I’d like to make things better,” he said. “I didn’t realize how much you cared about Matt and his uncle.”
“Papa, they’re part of my family, too. George is the uncle I never had. And believe it or not, I love Matt Grimes even more today than I did nine years ago. You might have thought you were protecting me back then, by forcing me to break up with him, but it tore me up inside. Still, I went along with your demands when I should have run away from home and married him as soon as I turned eighteen.”
Her father seemed to think on that. Finally, he said, “Why didn’t you run away?”
“Maybe I just wanted to make up for the way my mom left you. But now I realize, at least in part, why she made the decision she did. Sometimes you can be a tyrant.”
Her father lowered his head. “In some ways, you might be right. She left me for someone else, a man who could give her more than I could. I got over what she did to me, but I never forgave her for leaving you. And I tried to make up for it the only way I knew how.”
“You need to put her rejection and the past behind you, like I’ve been able to do. That is, until you throw her in my face and tell me I’m just like her. But I’m not at all like her.” Miranda placed her hand on her baby bump. “I’d never give up my children and let someone else raise them.”
“I know you won’t.”
Miranda studied her father, noted his growing remorse. “I’ve always known how angry you are at my mother, and that you’ve let those bitter feelings take root inside you. So when you accuse me of being just like her, it hurts worse than you can ever imagine.”
“I never meant to lash out at you like that,” he said.
“But you did.”
Miranda glanced at the paramedics, saw them loading George onto a gurney. Thank God the dear old man was stable enough to transport to the hospital.
“We can talk more later,” she told her father. “I’m going to have to leave now. But there’s something you need to know. Like it or not, I’m selling my condo and moving to Brighton Valley. And I’m going to marry Matt Grimes, unless you chased him off for good.”
“Are you sure about that?” he asked.
“About my decisions? Absolutely.”
“I mean about Matt leaving for good.”
Her heart bent into itself, and she did her best to recover. “I guess that’s left to be seen. Either way, if you don’t seek therapy and get into some anger management classes, you won’t see me or the kids very often. I love Emily and this new little boy with all my heart and soul. And I’ll be damned if I’ll let you talk to them the way you talk to me.”
Then, while her father pondered her threat, she went into the house to get her purse and her car keys.
All the while, her heart ached and her gut clenched. Losing Matt for the second time threatened to be her undoing. But whether she and Matt reconciled or not, George would always be a part of her family, and she’d do whatever she could for him for as long as he lived.
* * *
As Matt barreled down the interstate on his way to Houston, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel and swore under his breath. He’d meant everything he’d said to Miranda back at the ranch. He’d had his fill of her father and never wanted to lay eyes on him again. And if that meant he had to sever ties with Miranda, then so be it.
Only trouble was, he’d never turn his back on Emily. That’s why he planned to see an attorney while he was in Houston. He was going to need someone to help him get a court order granting him visitation and securing his legal rights as Emily’s father.
Carlos would probably pitch a fit, and who knew what Miranda might think, but he didn’t care.
His cell phone rang, and when Miranda’s number flashed on the screen, he let it roll to voice mail. He was too raw to talk to her now, too angry.
Less than three minutes later, she called again. But he still wasn’t ready to talk to her and just let it ring.
But that didn’t stop her from calling again.
And again.
Dammit. He’d told her to back off. Maybe not in words, but he’d let her know he needed to put some distance between them. Apparently, she didn’t care about giving him the space and time he needed.
He finally answered, just so she’d stop calling, but he didn’t open with Hello or a cheery tone.
“There’s nothing to talk about,” he said. At least, not until after a process server handed her the documents from family court.
“George is headed to Brighton Valley Medical Center,” she said. “He’s in an ambulance, and I’m following behind it.”
His heart sank, his anger fizzled and his foot eased off the gas pedal. “What happened?”
“I think he had a heart attack. I won’t know for sure until I get a chance to talk to the doctors. I’ll let you know what they say.”
Did she think he was going to continue on to Houston after getting news like that? “I’m making a U-turn. I’ll meet you at the hospital.”
“Okay.”
He expected her to end the call, but she didn’t. And neither did he. For some reason, he wanted to keep the line open.
Because of his uncle, of course. Yet, as much as he hated to admit it, something else made him hang on. Because right this minute, he’d never felt so alone or so far away.
“Miranda?” he asked.
“Yes?”
“Thanks.” He waited a couple of beats before he finally disconnected the line. He could call her back if he needed to. And he knew that she’d answer.
He spotted a safe place to turn around up ahead. Once he was back on the road and headed in the right direction, he drove as fast as the law would allow.
With each passing mile, thoughts began to plague him, each one coming at him in single images and in short phrases, snapping in his mind, the cadence like that of a Vegas dealer with a deck of cards, each one flashing before him face up.
George could die...
Or end up an invalid...
I could lose the only family I’ve ever had...
A family that almost included Miranda and the kids.
That is, until Matt had tossed her aside like a bad hand of cards, losing her all over again. And losing her for good.
Or had he? He’d just gotten off the phone with her. And she’d called him several times, pursuing him.
Of course, she’d only done that so she could tell him about George. She, more than anyone, knew how he felt about his uncle, and as a courtesy...
No, it was more than that.
Matt, wait up.
I don’t care what my father says or what he thinks. We’re a family now.
She was right. It’d begun years ago, when a lonely old rancher, a rebellious throwaway kid and the young girl who’d loved them all turned to each other, becoming a family of sorts.
They still were, he supposed. Some ties weren’t easily severed, although Matt had taken a pretty good slice at them today.
And somehow, he had to make things right.
It wouldn’t be easy, though. Not the way he’d gotten used to handling life’s ups and downs. In the past, whenever faced with an awkward or trying situation, he’d just shake it off and go to the next rodeo. Bull riding and the cheer of the crowd had been his fix. And for the past eight or nine years, that fix had been the only thing that mattered to him.
However, that wasn’t the case anymore. Making love with Miranda had changed things. And as a result, it had changed him.
But had it changed him enough to challenge Miranda’s father, to claim the family he wanted, the family that always should have been his?
All Matt knew was that he had to get to the hospital before it was too late.
* * *
Nearly twenty minutes later, Matt arrived at the Brighton Valley Medical Center. After parking his truck, he hu
rried to the Emergency Department entrance. Once inside the waiting room, he scanned the sea of people seated in chairs—a woman holding a bloodied towel to a child’s head, a red-eyed man coughing into his sleeve.
This was no place for a pregnant woman to be waiting, but he figured Miranda would be here. The minute he spotted her, he let out a sigh of relief and headed toward the registration desk, where she stood, haggard with worry and grief. She was a welcome sight—and still the prettiest woman he’d ever seen.
His heart cramped, and as much as he’d have liked to hang onto his anger, his resentment, it all seemed to pale when compared to the things that really mattered.
“How’s he doing?” Matt asked.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m not sure. The doctor said he was conscious, but we can’t see him yet. He told me where I could find the family waiting room. It’s located near the cardiac unit, but I thought I should stay put until you got here. And now that you are, we can go together.”
The hard facts began to snap like cards again.
Family...
Together.
He was tempted to reach for her hand, to bind them together, but he kept his arms at his sides and said, “Let’s go.”
As he limped down the corridor with her, following the signs and arrows pointing to the cardiac unit, he asked, “Where’s Emily?”
“I left her with my dad.”
Matt stiffened, and his fists began to clench, but he shook off the negative reaction that would undoubtedly set the clock back an hour earlier, to the time he’d confronted the old man. Besides, under the circumstances, that was Miranda’s only option—other than staying at the ranch with their daughter or bringing Emily here.
Hospitals could be a scary place. And on top of that, if George didn’t make it—God, please don’t take him yet—Emily would be devastated.
No, she was better off at home.
“Just so you know,” Miranda said, “my dad was pretty remorseful when I left.”
Matt held back the retort that formed on the tip of his tongue.
“After you drove away, I told him that I was moving to Brighton Valley no matter what. And that you were going to be a big part of Emily’s life.” She paused, then added, “Mine, too—assuming that’s okay with you.”
A flood of emotions, relief only one of them, settled over him. He hadn’t chased her away. And while she hadn’t mentioned living together or anything legally binding, it’d be pretty darn hard to be a big part of her life if they didn’t make some kind of commitment.
“It’s more than okay,” he said, as they continued down the corridor, “but if it’s all the same to you, I’ll make sure I’m gone whenever your dad comes to visit.” He hoped she wouldn’t object to his comment, but he wasn’t about to roll over and accept her father’s words and opinions as gospel.
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary. I also told my dad that he needed to get his anger under control because if he didn’t get professional help, he wasn’t going to be a very big part of our lives.”
Matt blew out a sigh, glad she’d finally taken a stand. “How’d he take it?”
“Like I said, he was pretty contrite and quiet when I left.”
As happy as Matt was to hear that, her father wasn’t the only one who had to deal with his anger and hard feelings. “I’m sorry for blowing up and running off like I did. I wasn’t up for a fight with your dad, especially since I was afraid Emily might come outside and witness a lot of yelling and harsh words. But I should have kept my cool, even if he didn’t.”
Miranda reached for his arm and pulled him to a halt in the middle of the hospital corridor. “And just for the record, I wrapped up my speech by letting my dad know that I choose you, Matt. I’ll always put you first.”
As their gazes met and locked, the love shining in her eyes chased away any lingering anger he might have been harboring and every painful memory he’d ever had.
“I choose you, too,” he said. “I have no idea how things will work out—with George, my knee, the rodeo or your dad—but I love you, Miranda. I always have and always will. We’ve spent so many damned years apart, and now that we finally have a chance to be together, I’m not letting you go. Marry me, Miranda.”
She tossed him a heart-strumming smile, her eyes bright and glistening with what could only be happy tears. “I’m definitely willing.”
Before sweeping her into his arms and kissing her, he asked, “What are the chances of us pulling together a wedding before the baby comes? I want my name on his birth certificate. That way, there won’t be any doubt about who his father is.”
“I’d say the chances are excellent.” A happy tear slid down her dimpled cheek. “Our son is going to be one lucky baby.”
“And I’m one lucky guy.” Matt brushed a kiss over her lips, then he continued to hold her close, to savor the feel of her in his arms and bask in the sweet smell of sugar, vanilla and chocolate that still clung to her hair and clothes.
If he’d ever wondered what a real home and family felt like, this was it. Miranda was it.
On those long hard days, when he felt broken and tired, the only place he wanted to be was wrapped in her arms, heart to heart.
“I could really get used to coming home to you,” he said. “So much so, that I’m not sure I want to follow the rodeo circuit any more. Not if it means long absences.”
“I hate to admit it,” she said, “but I’d really miss you when you’re gone. And so would the kids But we can talk more about that later, after we find out how George is doing.”
He took her by the hand, and they continued to the family waiting room, the soles of their shoes clicking upon the tile floor.
Just as they reached the door, a doctor met them in the hallway, and Miranda introduced them.
“Dr. Kipper,” she said, “this is Matt Grimes, George’s nephew.”
As the men shook hands, Matt asked, “How’s he doing?”
“Much better. We’re still running tests, but there doesn’t seem to be any long-term damage to his heart. We’re going to keep him here for a few days, and it looks like he’ll need a stent. But it’s nothing we can’t fix.”
“When can we see him?” Miranda asked.
“Not for an hour or so. But I’m almost afraid to let him know you’re here. He’s been asking to go home, and he’s giving the nursing staff a hard time, insisting they bring him his britches.”
Matt laughed. “Sounds like he’s going to be just fine. But don’t worry. Once we get a chance to visit him, we’ll insist that he stay here until he’s on the mend.”
“That’s good to know,” the doctor said.
“In the meantime,” Miranda added, “you can tell him that Matt and I will let him help plan our wedding if he settles down and doesn’t give the nurses any more trouble.”
“Do you think that’ll work?” the doctor asked.
“Without a doubt.” Matt slipped his arm around Miranda, pulled her to his side and smiled. “He’s been waiting years to hear news like that.”
“Good,” the doctor said. “There’s nothing that makes my job easier than a happy patient.”
As Dr. Kipper walked down the hall, Matt and Miranda made their way into the family waiting room.
“This may sound weird,” he said, “but as bad as this day has been—the blowup with your dad, the news about George, the worry of it all—it’s helped me to realize something important.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s not blood ties that create a family. It’s love. And as long as I have you and the kids, nothing else matters. Not a knee injury, not the rodeo and not even your dad.”
She pulled him to another halt, threw her arms around his neck and drew his lips to hers, letting him know they were a team—friends and lovers for life.
* * *
George remained in the hospital for several days before coming home. Once he was settled in his own room, he’d told Miranda, “You don’t need to take care of me. You already have your hands full, and I don’t want to be a burden.”
“But I want to be here,” she’d told him, placing a kiss on his brow.
Since then, he’d been a real sweetheart. That is, until the opening day of the Rocking Chair Rodeo rolled around, and Miranda told him that she and Matt had hired a nurse from a home health care agency to stay with him at the ranch while she, Matt and Emily were gone.
“That was a damn fool thing to do,” George said, grimacing as he tried to get out of bed. “And a complete waste of good money when I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”
Miranda placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, carefully pressing him back down on the mattress. “I know that, but we’d all feel better if we didn’t leave you alone.”
The tough old rancher grumbled and swore under his breath. “I’m not used to folks fussin’ over me.”
“You’d better get used to it,” Miranda told him. “I’m going to need you fit as a fiddle by the time the baby comes. You’re going to have to help me with little Georgie.”
“Georgie?” he asked, his voice and his expression softening in unison.
At one time, she’d thought about naming the baby after her father, but she’d changed her mind the day Uncle George stood up to her dad.
“That’s right,” she said. “You have a namesake. We’re going to call him George Matthew Grimes.”
“No kidding?” The roughened old cowboy’s eyes watered.
She nodded, as she rested her hand on her baby bump. “Since we’d rather not get married until the doctor says that you can attend, we’d all be disappointed if there was a setback in your recovery because you pushed yourself too hard.”
George snorted. “All right. I’ll stay home and take it easy. But I still don’t need a nurse.”
He continued to scowl and complain for the next couple of hours. That is, until he laid eyes on the nurse, an attractive forty-something brunette with big blue eyes and feminine curves that could rock a pair of pale green scrubs.