Hill Country Redemption

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “Tell you what, let Jayda finish her ride while we go inside and put together flyers. Once we get them printed, we’ll drive into town and the surrounding areas to hang flyers. The three of us.”

  “And you’ll still just be my friend from high school?”

  “Until you say different.”

  “Deal.” She offered her hand. At the fiery touch of his fingers, she wished she hadn’t. She jerked away and stood. “We better get busy then.”

  He hesitated, his gaze riveted on the arena. “Can we talk to Jayda first? Just for a minute.”

  That was the last thing she wanted, but there was no getting around it anymore. “Sure.”

  “Really?” His face lit up like a kid’s on a rare snow day in Texas.

  Had Jayda already wound herself around his heart? “As long as you don’t tell her anything or do anything weird—like hug her or cry.”

  “I don’t cry.”

  But if she didn’t know better, she’d say his green eyes were a little too shiny.

  “Let’s go.” He blinked a few times and stood.

  Had he actually changed or was he only acting like he cared, the way he had back in high school? Her legs weren’t long enough to keep up with him, and he beat her to the arena.

  “Hey, Mommy.” Jayda waved.

  “Hey, Pumpkin. You remember Rance?”

  “Mmm-hmm.” The little girl looked at him, uncertain.

  “I’m helping your mom with some work here at the ranch. Sorry I was kind of grumpy yesterday. I’m not usually like that.”

  “It’s okay. I get grumpy when I’m tired.”

  “You sure ride well. Did you have a pony in Dallas?”

  “No. But Mommy started taking me to the stables when I was three.”

  “I can tell.”

  Every nerve ending Larae owned stood on end. “Listen Sweetie, Rance and I are going to Grandpa’s office to get some work done. In an hour or so, we’ll go hang flyers in Medina, Bandera and a couple of other towns. You can go with us.”

  “Flyers for what?”

  “I’m thinking about starting a rodeo here on the ranch.”

  “Our own rodeo.” Jayda’s mouth made a small O. “That sounds like fun.”

  And a lot of work. “Denny, just send her inside when you get ready. She’ll keep you out here all day if you let her.” Larae pointed her finger at Jayda. “Just a few more minutes. Mr. Denny has work to do. And once you come inside, you can watch cartoons, or hang out with Ms. Stella, or come in the office with us.”

  “Okay, Mommy.”

  “Rance, you coming?”

  With a wave to Jayda, he regretfully turned to follow her.

  This was gonna be harder than she’d thought. She’d have to figure out a way to tell Jayda who he was. Soon.

  Chapter Five

  Rance stood at the window. He’d watched Jayda until Denny had helped her dismount. His daughter. Surreal. And yet very real. And woven into his heart in the very short time of knowing about her.

  Realizing she was in the house somewhere had him wired, wishing he could be with her instead of stuck in the office.

  “How’s this look?” Larae leaned back in her chair.

  He strolled up behind her and bent to peer over her shoulder. Her apple scent invaded his space. The same scent she’d worn in school. He never could determine if it was her hair or skin or both.

  “What do you think?”

  He focused on the screen. “I don’t know. You’re the marketing guru.”

  “Would it get your attention enough to read and see if stock contractor was listed?”

  The word Rodeo was in huge print, followed by “Do you love rodeos? Imagine a rodeo in Medina. Every weekend, year-round. Let’s make it happen.” A bullet list of job openings followed, with “call this number if interested” tabs at the bottom. Rodeo graphics bordered the flyer.

  “Yes. And if I wasn’t already hired, I’d be disappointed to see it not listed.”

  “But what if I can’t get this thing off the ground? I don’t want to false advertise or get anybody’s hopes up.”

  “It’s not something you can waffle back and forth on. You already hired workers to whip the arena into shape and break ground on the indoor facility. And you’re really good at this. With your marketing tactics, I think your rodeo can succeed.”

  “Thanks.” She clicked the print tab. Seconds later, the printer hummed out the first copy. “I figure we can go to Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Hondo and Vanderpool, too. We can take separate vehicles if you don’t want to go that far.”

  “We can ride together. Nothing else to do until we get this rodeo up and going. As long as we’ll be back in time for church service at six.”

  “Oh wow, it’s Wednesday, isn’t it?” She checked her watch. “It’s not quite ten. We’ll be back in plenty of time for you to go.”

  “Why don’t y’all come to church with me?”

  “No thanks.”

  “If you don’t mind me asking, what do you have against Christians? I mean, even back when we were—” he hesitated a moment “—sneaking around to see each other, you weren’t interested in church or anything to do with it.”

  “I was raised in church.” She turned to stare out the window, her gaze distant. “But I haven’t been since I was a kid when we attended in Fredericksburg.”

  “I remember you telling me that everyone there was snooty.”

  “It was my grandparents’ church, on Mama’s side. They were total snobs. Even though Dad had money too, they hated that he moved her to Medina. So to appease them, Mama agreed to go to their church and send me to private school.” She marked a check by one of the numbers she’d called and wrote a note out to the side.

  “I remember your dad was into class and status like them, but your mom was completely down-to-earth. Like you.”

  “Dad wasn’t a snob. They both taught me that nobody is better than anyone else. But Dad was always worried someone would show interest in me because of money. Before Mama, he was engaged to Delia Rhinehart. Until he found out she only wanted his portfolio. After that, he was wary of anyone who didn’t have wealth.”

  It all made so much sense now. Her dad hadn’t looked down on him. He’d feared Rance was after Larae’s money. Because he’d been there. If Rance had only come clean about his Remington family ties, maybe her dad would have treated him differently. But he’d been too proud to rely on his family name to smooth things over for him.

  “It was Delia Rhinehart who made me want nothing to do with church.”

  “There were some Rhineharts in our school, weren’t there?”

  “Her son and daughters.”

  “I think I remember her from school events. She was always with that Chadwick woman.”

  “That’s her. Delia was the biggest gossip, constantly spreading rumors or making stuff up. Back then, I decided if she was a Christian, I didn’t want to be one.” Her eyes glossy, she blew out a big breath and swallowed hard. “After Mama’s accident, Delia started a rumor that Mama was out at midnight because she was seeing someone else.”

  He touched her shoulder. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” She’d never talked about it before. He’d only known that her mom had been comatose after a drunk driver hit her. She died months later when Larae was fifteen. Right about a year before he’d met her.

  “In truth, Mama went to the overnight pharmacy to get Dad some cough medicine because he was recovering from bronchitis. I don’t think anyone believed Delia, but Dad and I never stepped foot in that church again. Or any church, for that matter. We’d run into Delia every once in a while. She never changed. It was mostly because of her that I decided to leave for Dallas. So she’d never get the chance to make my baby seem—dirty.”

  One mean-spirited woman had single-handedly c
aused Larae’s dad to assume Rance was a gold digger and helped to keep Jayda a secret from him. A deep dislike for a person he barely remembered bubbled up in him, but he couldn’t allow those feelings to take root. He was far from perfect himself. And he had to get through to Larae.

  “That’s not how all Christians are. We’re still human. Some don’t quite get their act together.”

  “I prayed—” her voice quivered “—so hard for Mama to make a complete recovery.” Her tone grew cold, hard. “Instead, she languished in a coma for six months before she died. I didn’t understand, and it drove me farther away from God.”

  Give me the right words, Lord. “Death is part of life. But He wants to help you through the hard times, if you let Him.”

  “I know. I figured that out after Jayda came. I was lonely and scared. My landlord led me to Christ and invited me to church.” Larae stiffened and swiveled her chair from his comforting hand on her shoulder. Then she stood and stepped over to the printer. “So I am a Christian, but church just isn’t my thing. I can find crude, catty, snobby people anywhere, so why bother with church? I can read my Bible and pray anywhere.”

  It was after Rance lost Larae that he went searching for something. Anything to help him move on. But he couldn’t tell her that. Not without getting into why he’d broken up with her. Not without putting a permanent smudge on her father’s memory for her. Even though he understood her father’s actions better now, the truth would still hurt Larae. And he’d hurt her enough.

  He cleared his throat. “After we broke up and you left, I realized I didn’t want to be a playboy. I went to church with my folks, which I’d done the entire time I was growing up. This time, I really listened. And it all sank in. I realized I was a sinner who needed a Savior.”

  “I’m glad. I don’t know how I made it through Mama’s death without Him.” She set several flyers in the paper cutter and began making precise slices between each number tab.

  “The people at our church are really down-to-earth and supportive. I’m confident you’d like it there.”

  “I haven’t stepped foot in Medina for almost eight years. I’m about to show up with a daughter in tow and no husband. And run around town with you hanging flyers.” She closed her eyes. “People might suspect who Jayda’s dad is. I’m not ready for that to be public knowledge. I mean—she doesn’t even know yet. I don’t need a bunch of church tongues wagging, too.”

  “My church isn’t like that, and no one in town will suspect anything. Jayda’s small for her age. I didn’t figure it out until she told me how old she was.”

  “I told her not to go around announcing her age to strangers. It’s spring break right now.” She finished slicing and set the stack of flyers on the desk. “If we stay here, I’ll have to get her into school, and then everyone will know how old she is. The guessing games will begin on who her father is. I know how small towns are.”

  “Eventually, it’s gonna be public news, Larae. You may as well prepare for it. But for now, we’re working on a rodeo together and we went to the same school. Remember, we were very discreet back in the day when we were keeping your father in the dark.” Her dad never would have known if he hadn’t followed Larae when she’d slipped out to meet him one night. “Trust me, no one at my church will concern themselves with your marital status or single mom-hood. They’ll just love you.”

  “I guess as long as you don’t make I’m-your-dad eyes at Jayda, no one will suspect.”

  “I’ll try real hard not to do that.” He grinned. “And once Jayda knows about me and we’re ready to go public with our little family, I’m certain the church will support us.”

  “Mama.” Jayda stepped through the doorway. “Are we going to church?”

  “I don’t think so, sweetie.”

  “My friend Gretchen always goes to church. She makes it sound really fun.” The wistfulness in Jayda’s tone tugged at her.

  The printer spit out the last copy. Larae scooped up the final stack and made the cuts. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Can I hang flyers?” Jayda did a little bounce, successfully distracted from the church subject.

  For now. But maybe he could use her curiosity to get Larae to try it out.

  “I’m counting on it.” Larae handed the little girl the tape dispenser.

  Rance grabbed the stack of flyers. He’d have to tread carefully. She’d been hurt by a churchwoman, who obviously hadn’t lived according to biblical values. He had to find a way to show her most Christians were loving and supportive. Her relationship with God would never fully progress if she ignored the Bible’s instructions on assembling with other believers.

  For now, though, he needed to focus on spending the day with his daughter—without letting her know he was her daddy.

  Chapter Six

  They’d ended up having to complete their task this morning in order for Rance to make church last night. And despite Jayda’s pleas, Larae had refused to go to the service with him. Her little girl hadn’t argued much. The trek had worn her out, and she’d slept soundly last night.

  Thankfully, day two of being cooped up in a truck with Rance and watching him bond with their daughter was about to end.

  “Last stop, the Apple Store,” Rance announced.

  “Are we gonna buy a computer?” Jayda sat up straighter in her car seat to peer out the windshield.

  “You’ve never been here?” Rance hung his head. “Your mama should be ashamed. Can you eat a computer?”

  “No, silly.” Jayda giggled.

  “Well, everything here is edible and made from apples. Because Medina is the Apple Capital of Texas.”

  As he turned into the only open slot in front of the rock building with red trim, memories flooded Larae. Of coming here with Mama. Buying fresh apple-pumpkin nut bread, sugar-coated pecans and apple-peach cobbler jam. But mostly the grip of Mama’s soft, gentle hand until Larae learned not to touch anything. The sound of her laughter. The smell of Mama’s apple shampoo and body splash. Larae wore both now, but somehow neither smelled as good as they had on Mama.

  “Are we going in, Mama?”

  Larae snapped to attention. Jayda was looking at her with rounded eyes in the rearview mirror. Rance’s hand rested on his door, and he was watching her.

  “Sorry. I used to come here with your grandma. Got lost in some good memories for a minute.”

  “I can put the flyer up here, if you’d rather not go in,” Rance offered.

  “No. I’m fine. Jayda will love it here.” She checked her watch. “And it’s past time for lunch. We could grab a bite while we’re here.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Rance opened his door.

  Larae climbed down from the ridiculously lifted pickup. At least there was a step rail, but she should have insisted on driving her SUV. She helped Jayda down, then held her hand as they walked along the sidewalk.

  Larae could feel Mama all around her. She’d shared memories with Jayda but never taken her places she’d been with Mama, since they were mostly in Medina.

  “Do they sell apples here?”

  “Even better. They grow them in the orchard. Along with several other fruits. And pumpkins. You can pick them yourself. Or at least, that’s how it used to be.”

  “I wanna pick apples, Mama. And pumpkins.”

  Larae laughed. “We’ll see if there’s anything to pick and come back another day for sure.”

  “I must admit—” Rance ducked his head “—I’ve forgotten everything I used to know about picking seasons. Actually, I think I blotted it from my memory. I picked it all growing up, and when it’s hot all day it’s not so much fun.”

  “I’ve never picked anything.” She hated to admit another glaring contrast between them as they strolled the sidewalk, lined with potted apple trees for sale. “They make their own honey, too. The honeybees used to get inside the c
afé sometimes, so if that happens and one comes near you, just be still until they move on and they won’t bother you.”

  They stepped inside. Several shoppers browsed the gift shop, but there was no line. Larae hurried to the register.

  “May I help you?” a clerk with a sweet smile asked.

  “Do you have somewhere we can hang this?”

  “Sure. Ooh, my nephew will be excited.” The woman rolled her eyes. “He rides bulls—for some reason. Let’s put it on the bulletin board.” She gestured behind them.

  Larae turned to see a completely full corkboard.

  “Oh, dear.” The clerk came out from behind the counter. “I try to keep this cleaned off, but it gets away from me sometimes.” She pulled a flyer announcing a barbecue. “See, this has already passed.”

  “Can I hang it?” Jayda asked.

  “Sure, I’ll give you a boost.”

  “Here, let me help.” Rance knelt on one knee beside Jayda. “You can use my leg as a step.”

  Jayda giggled. “Okay.”

  Rance offered his hand and helped her up.

  And seemed to promptly melt at the touch of his daughter’s small fingers. His green eyes went all soft and warm. He couldn’t put on an act like that, could he? Had he really changed?

  But even standing on Rance’s knee, Jayda couldn’t quite reach the empty spot on the board.

  “Is it okay if I lift you up?” Rance asked, but he turned to Larae for her permission, as well.

  “Yes, please.” Jayda stretched for all she was worth, with her tongue stuck out in concentration.

  Rance waited for Larae’s nod before he gently lifted the child.

  “Let me do the tack.” Larae grabbed an empty one from the board and pinned the flyer in place.

  “That’s perfect.” Rance set his daughter down. Clearly dazed to his core by the close encounter, he swallowed hard. “Let’s go eat.”

  Larae reclaimed Jayda’s hand in case he got any ideas.

  “Can we look at all the pretty things first?” Jayda tugged toward a display of wind chimes.

  “Tell you what, let’s go look at the menu.” Rance motioned toward the back of the store. “Figure out what you want, and I’ll order it while y’all shop.”