“Come on over here, Bryce. I’ve had a hard day and feel like going for some ice cream.”
Bryce’s whole face lit up. “At the drugstore? When Mom worked there, she would give me a strawberry shake if I was quiet and didn’t bother the customers.”
Tyler opened the back door for her son and casually helped him up. “Then the drugstore it is. How was your day?”
“Julie and Corina made fun of me because I wear Velcro shoes. Mom, if we tie the laces real tight can I wear regular shoes? Or what about boots? Can I get a pair of cowboy boots?”
With everyone buckled in, Tyler started the truck. He checked the rearview mirror and made eye contact with Bryce. “You’re a cowboy. I know we have extra boots your size around the ranch somewhere. How’s that sound?”
“Really? Great.”
“And about the girls. They probably tease everyone. I went to school with people like that. For some reason they get a kick out of putting others down. If it’s not about your arm, it’s big ears or crooked teeth. I imagine you’re not the only one in Velcro shoes anyway.”
He nodded. “They laughed at Cooper ’cause he has funny hair. They also said I couldn’t be in the Christmas pageant. The rule is to carry the candle with both hands. They said I couldn’t do it.” He looked as if he was going to cry.
Her heart twisted in a tight knot. “Maybe they have to use both hands, but you have a lifetime of using one hand. We’ll talk to Pastor John.”
“Mom, you always say nice stuff about me. They might not let me in the pageant. Maybe if I use the arm you got me, they’ll let me.”
Tyler winked at her. “Hey, I was talking to John, Pastor John, and he asked me if I thought you could lead the angels this year. I said without a doubt, no one would be better.”
The truck came to a stop in front of the old drugstore. “Hey, Cowboy, I figure if the Statue of Liberty can hold up a torch with one hand, so can you. Ready for a giant strawberry shake?”
“Yeah!” With his precious smile back, Bryce bounced out of the backseat.
Tyler turned to her at the base of the steps. “Hope you don’t mind that I offered ice cream. I should have asked first. I’m not used to requesting permission.” He held out his hand and helped her up the old lopsided cement steps. On the sidewalk, he picked Bryce up and tossed him in the air.
Her son’s laugh melted all the knots right out of her heart. “Higher! Higher!”
“Your mom is giving us that look to behave in public. I think she needs two scoops of ice cream.”
“Chocolate! Her favorite is chocolate.”
“Then chocolate it is for the best mom.” With another wink he opened the glass door to the vintage black-checkered floor and red vinyl stools at the long counter.
“Come on, Momma. You are the best, and Tyler says it, so it’s true.”
Why did he have to do that? Make her sure he was like all the other selfish jerks, then treat Bryce with such thoughtfulness and respect. And to cap it off, he’d put the idea of kissing him in her mind. Please, God, if this is a test, show me the right answers.
Chapter Nine
That night at the dinner table with his dad, Tyler tried to focus on the positive, but when Dub started in on how one careless act could ruin a whole life, he couldn’t take it anymore. Why did Dub still treat him like a stupid kid? Pushing away from the table, he stood. Without another word he stomped out of the kitchen. Okay, so he was now acting like a hotheaded eighteen-year-old again.
He stopped on the edge of the concrete patio and looked across the land that had been in his family for generations. Running his hands through his hair, he locked his fingers behind his head. Why did he do this? Why did he let his dad get to him?
Early on, Dub had fought Granddad to add the barns and refocus the ranch from cattle to his renowned cutting horses. Granddad wanted to stay with cattle and goats. At one time Tyler had shared his father’s dream, too, until he’d turned it into a nightmare.
The sun was setting; colors of red, orange and yellow streaked over the hills and burned through the trees. How could the place that brought him so much peace also be the greatest source of torment?
He didn’t want to be here. Not without his sister and mother. Not after the one stupid act that had destroyed his dream and the legs of his favorite horse.
Moving across the yard, he walked to the caliche road that led to the barns. Twisting the leather cords and horsehair bracelets around his wrist, he let his mind drift to places he usually avoided. His top-of-the-line quarter horse, Jet-Set Lena. She had been part of that dream. A mare that he had bred and raised. At the age of three she had already collected trophies and purses.
They had been an unbeatable team on the circuit, until his senior year when he’d allowed Gwyn to convince him to take out his father’s plane at night for a stupid death-defying stunt just because she was bored. Alcohol had been involved, too, the reason he never drank these days. He had been seventeen, and that had been the beginning of his life spiraling out of control.
The next day he’d broken it off with her. In pure high school drama, she’d retaliated by spreading lies about him.
The barn door stood before him. Horses moved in their stalls, some munching on their hay. Eyes down, he looked at his boots. They toed the threshold. One step and he would be back in the world he didn’t deserve to be part of anymore.
He gazed into the dark corridor. Was she there? His sister had told him they’d saved Lena, but there was permanent damage to her legs. He closed his eyes and took in the smells and sounds of the barn as the horses settled in for the night. Crickets mixed with the soft sounds of the stables. Leather, hay and horses filled his senses.
Jet-Set Lena, his horse. He remembered picking her name and filling out the paperwork to get her registered. He was so proud of her. Then the stupid move with the airplane that ended her run to nationals. She had been one of the best cutting horses people had seen in decades.
He took a step into the barn. Curiosity and bids for attention brought several heads out over the half doors. Tossing forelocks along with low nickers pleaded for him to come to their doors. Scanning the line of stalls, he found her. The big bay pushed at her door. The perfect white diamond on her forehead was partially covered as she threw her muzzle in the air and whispered to him. She seemed to remember him, too.
“Are you still talking to me?” He gently touched her muzzle with the back of his hand. She had always been a bit bossy. Standing in front of her, he could barely breathe. She looked bigger, and her red seemed a little lighter, but her eyes still held keen intelligence and warm understanding. He didn’t see any trace of blame or resentment. With her neck stretched, she tried to nip at the pocket on his shirt. She remembered where he would hide her treat. He laughed and took a step closer, running his hand under the curved jaw. “Hey, girl. How’ve you been?”
He needed to tell her he was sorry, but the words got lodged in his throat. Leaning his forehead on the crest of her neck, he patted her shoulder. “If I could go back and undo that night, I would.” He closed his eyes.
A force of warm air came from her nostrils as she bumped her forehead against his chest. Laughing, he rubbed behind her ears. “I promise I’ll bring it tomorrow. Tonight I’m hiding from dad. You know how he is.” From the time she was a few weeks old, she would push at him until he did her bidding. She’d trained him as much as he’d trained her. “Lena, girl, I’m so—”
“Is that your horse?” Bryce’s voice caused Tyler to jump back.
Why did he feel guilty? He looked past the boy to the door. “Hey, where is your mom? Does she know you’re out here?”
He crossed his full arm over his short arm and glared up at Tyler. “My mom is helping your dad to his bedroom. You and Mr. Adrian said I could ride, but everyone keeps forgetting.”
&
nbsp; He dropped his arms and walked to the horse. The mare stretched her neck and lowered her muzzle. Bryce touched the velvet nose. “Is she yours?”
“She used to be.”
“What’s her name?” The small hand reached up to rub her forelock.
“Jet-Set Lena, but we call her Lena. You didn’t answer my question. Does your mother know you’re out here? More than once she told you to stay away from the barns.”
Bryce groaned and rolled his eyes. Tyler made sure not to laugh, though it was hard. This little boy had his own ideas of what he wanted, no matter what his parent thought. Tyler could identify.
“Rolling your eyes won’t help,” Tyler said. “We need to get you back to the house.”
Bryce stepped closer to the horse. “Lena? That’s a pretty name. Why is she not yours anymore?”
“I messed up and she got hurt.” He held his hand out to the little boy. “Come on. We can talk to your mom and set a date for a ride.”
Bryce paused. “Why do you get so mad at your dad? Your dad is the best.”
“Yeah, well, we bring out the worst in each other sometimes. Sometimes dads and sons just don’t get along.”
“I wish I had a dad. I’d make sure not to fight with him.” Big dark eyes looked up at Tyler, completely innocent.
That drove a stake straight to his gut. What did he say to that? He waved his fingers. “Come on, let’s go before your mom discovers you’re—”
“Tyler?” Karly’s voice had an edge. “Bryce?”
“We’re here.” Tyler tossed his head toward the door. “Come on, Cowboy.”
“Oh, I couldn’t find you. What are you doing in the barn? I told you to never come out here alone.”
“I’m not alone, Momma. I was petting Tyler’s horse.”
Heated eyes and a stern frown stared Tyler down. This wasn’t good. “We were just coming back to the house. Is Dad okay?”
She shook her head as if he was an idiot for even asking. Marching forward, she reached for Bryce’s hand. “It’s time for your bath.”
“Momma, Tyler said we could go riding. Please?”
“It’s dark outside and time for bed.”
“Not now. In the morning. I don’t have school. It’s Saturday.” Short legs hopped to keep up with his mother.
Tyler followed, wanting to make sure they got in the house without a problem. “We could go in the morning, Karly. John will be over to do the weekly Bible study with Dad. I could take you out to see the ranch on horseback. It’s the best way to see it.”
“Those animals are big, and we’ve never ridden before.”
“We have some gentle rides. I can ask Jefferson. He used to keep a couple of babysitters on the ranch.”
She stopped at the edge of the porch and looked up at him. He lost his breath for a moment. The last rays of sun filtered through the tree and highlighted her face. In her natural beauty she took the image of all other women right out of his mind. Maybe it was because she didn’t try. She didn’t even seem to know the power she possessed with those eyes and lips. He’d seen others wield them like weapons. She was more than he expected.
He took a step back. Get a grip, Tyler.
He was just going crazy from being on the ranch for so long. Karly blinked and frowned at him. Women didn’t frown at him. Maybe that was it. He was caught up in the age-old game of chase. She ran; he followed. The pursuit had him intrigued. Yeah, he needed to stop.
“Momma, please.”
“What’s a babysitter?”
It was his turn to blink. “Babysitter? Oh, they’re horses that you can put the youngest kid on and they’ll just stand there until you lead them. They’ll follow another horse at a slow pace. They are also called bulletproof. Completely safe for a new rider.”
“Momma, you said I could ride. Please. Please?” Her son held her hand and bounced around.
She sighed and glared at Tyler. “Okay, what time?”
He smiled back. Yeah, he’d take the heat for this one. The smile on Bryce’s face was enough. “John should be here around 9:00. That will also give time for the sun to be out and warm up a bit.”
“Yay! I’ll get to wear my new boots and hat. Thank you, Momma, thank you.” He ran inside, then popped his head back out the screen door. “Good night, Mr. Tyler, and thank you. I’m going to get my clothes ready for tomorrow.”
“Bryce, I’ll be there is a minute for your bath. Don’t go to bed yet.” Karly wrapped her arms around her waist. “Are you sure Bryce can handle one of your horses? They look huge. They have really big teeth.”
He nodded. “It’ll be good. I’ll have Adrian pick the horses for you and Bryce, since it’s been years since I’ve worked with any of them.”
“Why?”
He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Why what?” Maybe if he played dumb she’d drop it.
“You’ve been blessed with growing up in this incredible ranch, given this loving father and you seem to resent it all.” She tilted her head and gazed at him. “Why has it been years since you’ve ridden any of the horses or been in the barn or even slept in your own room? I really don’t understand.”
It was so close to what Bryce had said earlier, Tyler looked away. The sun was completely gone now, leaving stars hanging in the dark purple sky. The stars always made him think of his mom and Carol.
Where did people go when they died? Did they know what was going on back in their old lives? Did his grandparents, mother and Carol know how much he missed them? He snorted. His mother would be telling him to stop acting like a spoiled brat. Was that how Karly saw him? Spoiled and ungrateful? He grunted. If he was honest with himself, she might have a point. Being honest hurt.
“There is nothing quite like a night sky in the country, is there?” Stepping out from the porch and standing closer to him, she looked up at the same sky he had just been lost in. “I’m sorry. I don’t have a right to question or judge you. I don’t know the whole story. Thank you for taking us to the drugstore today and letting Bryce ride tomorrow. I know he is more than excited. I just get worried that he’ll get hurt, but little boys get hurt sometimes.”
He watched her eyes scan the starry night. No makeup, no manicure, no artificial highlights in her hair. The women he dated spent hundreds of dollars on their upkeep each month. He’d be surprised if she had spent a hundred dollars in her lifetime.
The more he got to know her, the farther away she seemed from a money schemer. She had access to all the accounts and she was actually more conservative than his dad. And her cooking had even gotten better. Maybe he had been wrong about her motives.
“So what are you plans once Dad gets better?”
She turned toward him, the porch light backlighting her so he couldn’t make out her expression. She shrugged. “I hope he keeps me on as a housekeeper long enough for me to go to school and get some sort of degree. Physical therapy assistant would be my dream job. I could stay in Clear Water and work here or Uvalde or even Kerrville.”
When she lifted her eyes back to the sky, he could see her profile. Her full lips definitely brought kissing to mind. He shook his head and turned back to stargazing, also.
If she was an opportunist who was here to take advantage of his dad’s trust, then he needed to get rid of her before he left. But he was starting to have a hard time believing she wasn’t everything she claimed to be—a hardworking mother who cared about the people around her.
Close enough to him that he could smell her perfume, she sighed. “I need to go and make sure Bryce gets his bath. Night, Tyler.”
“Night.”
The screen door shut softly. Then he heard the lock click. He headed to the bunkhouse. Hitting the wood step, he paused and took in the endless sky one last time. The Big Dipper was easy to make out, and tonight the Milky Wa
y looked as if someone had scattered crushed diamonds across the sky.
Loneliness had never felt so heavy. He needed to get back to flying. Traveling the world was so much easier than worrying about family.
* * *
The morning chill went right through Karly’s light crocheted wrap. Bryce didn’t seem to notice the cold. He jumped from rock to rock that lined the drive to the barns. The cowboy hat wobbled on his head. The idea of her little boy on one of the ranch’s big horses made her stomach roll. She wasn’t sure she could trust Tyler to keep him from getting him hurt.
“Bryce, stay on the path. The rocks might be loose.”
He jumped from the rock and ran to the barn door, only stopping to pick up his hat when it flew off. Shoving it on his head, he took off running again.
“Bryce! Slow down.” He ignored her. “If you get hurt you won’t be able to ride.”
“Momma, hurry up. They are waiting for us.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. God, please give me the fortitude to raise this little boy You gave me.
“Momma!”
With a sigh she opened her eyes and directed her attention to the barn. Tyler stood behind her son, a huge grin on his gorgeous face. That was the reason the women in town loved talking about him. But the perfect teeth, perfect jawline and perfect dimple on his right cheek were just a small part of his charm. His bright blue eyes made him even better looking. It just wasn’t fair. What was God thinking?
Today he looked all cowboy, from the off-white hat to the dark brown boots. His jeans were crisp and clean, a starched line down the front center. Was he for real? She had on her Goodwill hiking boots and hand-me-down jeans, soft and faded from heavy use by the person who’d owned them before her.
“I want a white hat like Tyler’s! The good guys wear white hats.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Bryce.”
A Texas Christmas Wish Page 9