“Trisha!” Maya looked shocked, then dissolved into quiet giggles. “Is it weird that I appreciate accident humor these days?”
“I know!” Trisha grinned at her friend. “And then I feel horrible. So guilty.” But it felt good to laugh after the tension of the last few days and nights.
“Julie loved to laugh. She would probably appreciate a joke now and then, too, if she were with us,” Maya said, sobering. “And we’ve both certainly done our share of crying about it.”
“Not to change the subject, but I have to see Liam almost every day, so we need to figure this out.” Vivian sat up straighter and put out her hand, counting off thoughts on her fingers. “We know he’s from a good family, in Texas. We know he was badly injured in a rodeo. We know he did not stick around the night he met Trisha.”
“I honestly do not like the sound of that.” Priscilla folded her arms, her eyes stern behind her blue-framed glasses. “It doesn’t seem honorable.”
“We also know he shoots coyotes,” Trisha added, the thought making her even more glum.
“But he spent today building a coyote pen,” Maya added. “I think he’s open to learning, Trisha. He’s trying to adapt to our ways here. Maybe you need to give him a break about the coyote.”
“He’s handsome.” When the whole group turned to look at her, Emily put her hands out in an exaggerated shrug. “What? I just spent the whole day with him. You think I wouldn’t notice?”
“He’s nice to the kids,” Vivian said. “He works very hard and he’s good with the animals around the farm. And he’s kind to that ridiculous lump of a dog, Ranger.” She smiled gently. “About all the ranging that dog does is from the couch to his food bowl.”
“Plus, you have to tell him,” Emily said. “We can’t keep pretending Henry is a cat.”
“What? How is Henry a cat?” Lillian asked the question, but all of the older Book Biddies were gaping at Emily in astonishment.
“Henry’s name was mentioned this morning, at the shelter, when Liam was there,” Trisha explained. “He asked who Henry was and that was the first thing that came into my mind.”
“It was actually pretty funny,” Vivian added. “Except that we were all so confused.”
“I panicked.” Trisha glanced around at the group. “I’m still panicking. Henry is my baby. It’s my job to protect him. I can’t just let some random guy into his life because he happens to be the father.”
“Overall, he sounds like a good guy.” Maya’s grandmother Lillian turned in her seat to face Trisha directly, her eyes as kind and sweet as always. “I know this is scary for you, Trisha. And it sounds like Liam isn’t perfect. He’s certainly made a couple choices you don’t like. But you have to do what’s best for Henry.”
“But what if he isn’t what’s best for Henry?” Panic brought tears along with the words. “What if Liam is mean or impatient or resents him? What if he tries to take him away from me?” Trisha buried her head in her hands for a moment, trying to get a hold of her fear.
Kathy appeared at her side, put a gentle hand on her shoulder and handed her a box of tissues.
“Thank you,” Trisha choked out.
“Let us check him out,” Vivian offered. “I can learn a lot since he’s working for us. I can talk to Jace. Do you mind if he knows the real situation?”
“Will he keep my secret? Or will he be bound to some man code and decide to tell him?”
“Hmm.” Vivian worried her lower lip. “Let me think about that. Maybe I won’t tell him.”
“How about we all keep Henry a secret for one more week,” Priscilla said. “We can use that time to find out more about Liam. Then maybe Trisha will feel better.”
“I’ll stop by the ranch,” Annie offered. “Jace borrowed a pair of hoof trimmers from me a while back. Maybe I can find a way to run into Liam under the pretense of collecting them.”
“I have a cousin who practices family law,” Eva said. “Would you like me to ask her what custody issues might come up?”
Trisha smiled gratefully and wiped her eyes again. “That would be helpful. Thank you.”
“We’ll probably be working with him this week to trap those coyote pups,” Maya reminded them all. “We just have to avoid mentioning Henry. Not even feline Henry. But we can try to get him talking about other stuff and see what he’s really like.”
Something in Trisha’s chest that had been tangled in knots ever since she’d first realized that Liam was in Shelter Creek unraveled a bit. Just enough easing of tension that she could breathe a little more deeply. It was a good thing she’d told her friends. She needed their common sense. She didn’t have family. She was an only child and her parents lived in Italy now. But this group of women felt more like her family every day.
“I say we meet in a week and share what we’ve learned,” Kathy said. “You all are welcome to come here again.”
“Next weekend is the Spring Art Fair,” Eva reminded them. “I’ll be displaying a bunch of art from my gallery there. Can we meet at my booth? I’ll provide wine. How about at five o’clock?”
“That sounds fun. After we’ve gossiped about Liam, we can walk around,” Emily said. “Maybe I can find some nice animal art for the clinic waiting room.”
Priscilla clapped her hands together. “I love the Spring Art Fair. Several of my former students will be exhibiting. I’ve been looking forward to seeing their work.”
“This is really nice of you all,” Trisha said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help.”
“We will always be here for you.” A mischievous smile lit Annie’s face. “And it will be fun to play detective.”
“I just wish I had a reason to run into him.” Lillian sighed.
“Me, too.” Kathy looked at Lillian, her expression brightening. “We could deliver cookies.”
“Ooh, good idea.” Lillian looked at Vivian. “Can we bring you and the kids some cookies? And perhaps drop some by the barn while we’re at it?”
Vivian giggled. “This is getting ridiculous. But yes, you are always welcome. Especially when you bring cookies.”
“I’ve been knitting that shawl for you, Vivian,” Priscilla said. “And I’m almost finished.”
“Well, I guess you’ll have to deliver it,” Vivian replied, her dark eyes sparkling. “Perhaps Wednesday? I believe the cowboy in question is going to dine with us that evening. If you arrived at six o’clock, you could stay for the meal.”
“Perfect.” Priscilla sat back in her chair, a satisfied smile deepening the lines of her face. “As a former teacher, I’ll ask all about his education.”
Her friends were amazing, finding fun in what had felt so heavy and impossible until now. And surely Trisha could keep Henry away from Liam for one more week. She’d just have to be careful doing errands around town. Especially at the grocery store.
For a moment she pictured herself handing Henry off to Liam in some awful custody agreement, and stress shot through her veins. Don’t think about that. One thing at a time. Find out if Liam is a decent person. Find out what my legal situation is. Then I can make some decisions about what to do next.
As if sensing her worries, Henry woke up from his snooze on Maya and immediately started crying. Trisha went to collect him, cuddling him close, kissing his sweet head, inhaling his lovely baby smell. Just holding her son calmed her down.
“He’s tired. I’m going to take him home.” Trisha looked around the room, taking in the comforting sight of her fellow Book Biddies. “Thank you all so much for helping me.”
“We’re so happy, too.” Kathy picked up Henry’s diaper bag, brought it to Trisha and planted a kiss on her cheek. “That’s what we’re here for. To support each other.”
Trisha blinked tears and kissed her friend back. “I’m so lucky to have you.” She waved to everyone else, not trusting that she could
say more without crying. Gratitude...relief...worry... It was a potent emotional cocktail.
The drive home through the quiet streets of Shelter Creek made Henry sleepy again. But it also gave Trisha’s thoughts room to grow into bigger and scarier worries.
At a dark and deserted intersection, Trisha stopped at the stop sign and rolled down her window. She peeked up at the stars, needing to see some light, however distant. Hopefully, The Book Biddies would discover that Liam was a good person. Hopefully they’d learn that the custody laws were on Trisha’s side. Right now she had to try to stay calm and believe that maybe, somehow, everything would be okay.
CHAPTER SEVEN
LIAM GAVE WILD BILL a pat on the neck and tied the bay quarter horse to a wooden post. “You’re a good guy, Bill. Thanks for the ride.”
Vivian jumped lightly down from the palomino she was riding. “I think W.B. likes you. Maybe he should be your horse while you’re staying here.”
“I’d like that. W.B., huh? That’s what you call him?”
“We have three kids. We’re always in a hurry. A lot of stuff gets abbreviated around here.”
Liam laughed. He liked Vivian a lot. She was real and unpretentious. They’d become easier with each other on the ride across the ranch this morning. Vivian had suggested this outing yesterday, when they’d both been down at the wildlife center working on that coyote pen. At first Liam had wondered if they’d have anything to say to each other, out riding together in the early morning. But he shouldn’t have worried. Vivian was a chatterbox and somehow she’d got him talking, too. She sure asked a lot of questions. Maybe that was a California thing. People in this state certainly had a reputation for wanting to connect to the world on some deeper level.
“Too bad the kids have school today.” Vivian led her horse to the next post over. “They were sad to miss out on coyote trapping. They’ve been glued to that wildlife camera feed.”
“I bet they are.” Jace and Vivian’s kids seemed really smart and curious. “Living out here, they probably get plenty of chances to see wild animals.”
“We’ve all learned a lot.” Vivian tied her horse and turned to Liam with a smile that was full of gentle compassion. “When Jace first moved here, he saw the wildlife as one big annoyance. Not unlike you.”
“You all sure do like your wildlife. But I guess I’m starting to understand a little. I keep worrying about that coyote I shot.” He shook his head at his own growing softhearted ways. “That’s different, for sure.”
She laughed softly. “That seems to happen here in Shelter Creek.”
A noise had them both looking toward the track they’d just traveled. A black pickup was clanking up the rutted lane.
“That’s Maya and Trisha,” Vivian said. “I guess Emily couldn’t make it. She’s probably got a surgery scheduled at her clinic.”
Liam had expected to see Trisha at the wildlife center at some point yesterday, but she had never shown up. Instead, Maya, Vivian and Emily had lent a hand and given him plenty of advice. Come to think of it, all of them had asked a lot of questions then, too, about how he learned carpentry, and the way his family managed predators at home.
It had been kind of flattering having three smart, pretty women hanging on his every word, but that, combined with Vivian’s questions this morning, had him wondering. Maybe Trisha had mentioned what happened in Texas. Maybe that’s why they wanted to know so much about him. Could it be possible that she was actually interested in him, and had her friends checking him out?
He’d barely let himself imagine the possibility. Trisha had been so industrious about building walls between them ever since they’d first seen each other here in Shelter Creek. Somewhere, behind all that, could she want something more?
No, that was his own wishful thinking. Trisha was beautiful and unique, and any guy would be a fool not to want to spend more time with her. But she could barely tolerate him. Maybe her friends were just curious. They were all scientists, after all.
Maya parked the truck, and she and Trisha hopped out. Everyone looked just a little ghostly in the dim light of dawn. Liam touched the brim of his hat. “Morning, ladies.”
“Morning.” Each of them hugged Vivian hello. It was clear these gals were a lot more than colleagues—more like best friends who worked together. Liam couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off Trisha. She wore a fitted pink parka and her long blond hair was under a blue beanie. The cold air tinted her cheekbones and the tip of her nose. When she smiled at her friends, her whole face lit up with warmth that Liam suddenly wished she’d show him. But he could waste a whole lot of days wishing for something like that.
“So—” Maya gestured to all of them to make a circle around her “—we’ve got a problem. The cameras haven’t shown any sign of an adult coyote. Ideally we’d wait longer, because sometimes parents stay away for a while, but when Vivian sent a camera into the den last night, the pups seemed listless. They’re probably dehydrated and hungry.”
Liam pulled off his hat and ran a hand through his hair. This was his doing. He glanced at Trisha and she looked away quickly, like she’d been watching him.
“It’s a tough call,” Maya continued. “We can bring them to the wildlife center now that we’ve built the enclosure. We can feed them, raise them and try to keep them wild so we can release them back out here. But with no adult coyote around to teach them to hunt, their chances of survival are much lower than they would be if raised out in a pack.”
“But there is no real pack, right?” Vivian waved her hand to encompass all the wildland on the other side of the pasture fence. “If there were, one of them would take over parenting, right?”
“Most likely.” Maya looked at the group. “What do you think?”
“I was doing some reading last night,” Trisha said. “If we choose to take them in, and if the parent never returns to this area, we have to be prepared for raising them long-term. That means feeding them live animals when they’re older, so they can learn to hunt. Things like rats and gophers, rabbits and even quail. Are we willing to do that?”
“We can’t feed them Peanut!” Vivian looked distressed.
“It doesn’t have to be Peanut, but it has to be some animals. Raising coyotes for release into the wild isn’t for the faint of heart.”
“Let me get this straight.” Liam looked from one woman to the next in astonishment. “You’re going to kill other animals just to save coyotes? Isn’t that basically exchanging one animal for another?”
“Yep,” Maya said. “We’re making a value judgment that having wild predators like coyotes around is more important than the lives of a few gophers or rats, or even bunnies.”
Liam whistled low. “I’m not sure I’ll ever quite understand you all. It just seems like you’re exchanging one type of vermin for another.”
“Hopefully we can find their parent and release them before we have to teach them to hunt,” Trisha said. “Right now they’ll eat a stew made of meat and some vegetables and fruits, so that’s a lot easier to provide.”
“What do you all think?” Maya looked around at the group. “It’s going to be a challenge to raise them, but I don’t think they’ll make it through another day out here on their own.”
“I think we should go for it.” Trisha looked troubled. “Though I’m not looking forward to feeding them rats and things.”
“I say let’s do it.” Vivian looked at Liam. “What do you think?”
“I get a say in this? Last I checked, I’m the one who caused this problem.”
“Which is why you get a say in fixing it.” Vivian looked at Trisha. “Right?”
Trisha’s brows lowered as she shot a speaking glance at her friend that Liam didn’t understand. “I think so.”
Liam took the easy way out. “I think when two biologists and a wildlife caregiver tell me that we need to capture these pups, then
we’d better go get ’em. What can I do?”
“Carry the trap.” Maya went around to the tailgate of the truck and pointed to a rectangular wire cage. “We’re going to bait it and hope the pups are hungry enough to go right inside.”
The cage wasn’t heavy, but it was long and awkward, and Liam staggered with it as he followed Maya, Trisha and Vivian toward the pasture fence. Maya climbed through the barbed wire, then reached over to take the cage from Liam so he could follow her. He noticed that Trisha was holding a bucket. “What’s in there?”
“A couple dead gophers,” Trisha answered. “Coyote snacks.”
“Didn’t you just say they’d eat some type of stew?” Liam took the cage back from Maya.
“I’m not totally sure how old they are,” Maya said. “But from what I could see on the camera I sent down, they’re at the age where their parents would still regurgitate food for them. The pups should recognize the gophers’ smell, since it’s a big part of the coyotes’ diet out in these coastal hills. Hopefully it will lure them into the cage. And if they are ready to eat whole gophers, they can start snacking on the drive to the wildlife center.”
“And,” Vivian added with a sly wink, “I caught these little devils myself. They happened to be eating all the carrots in our garden, so it’s a win-win.”
“Who knew you were so bloodthirsty!” Trisha gaped at Vivian. “Usually you’re so sweet with everyone and everything.”
Vivian shot her an evil grin. “The California pocket gopher will make the kindest, most sane gardener hard-hearted eventually, my friend. Just wait until you start up a garden with—”
“Carrots.” Maya cut Vivian off abruptly. “When you grow carrots and other root vegetables, or anything, really. Then you’ll hate gophers as much as we do.”
“Right. That’s what I was going to say.” Vivian gave Liam a strangely troubled glance, then pointed uphill toward the den. “Let’s get going, shall we?”
Her Surprise Cowboy--A Clean Romance Page 8