Like a dutiful father. And husband. What was going on here? Who was this guy?
“Okay.”
He led them to the back, and they stepped down to the indoor patio.
“Larae Collins, is that you?” A woman seated between two children waved from a table.
“Stacia Keyes. Wow.”
“Look at us, both in domestic bliss.” Stacia wiped at something on her blouse with a napkin, then stood to hug Larae.
“It’s so good to see you.” Larae teared up as memories of Stacia’s mom and Mama visiting back and forth over the years flooded over her. Playing Barbies and giggling about boys while their moms caught up. They hadn’t seen each other since Stacia’s sister died a few years ago, when Larae had left Jayda with Lexie and come for the service in San Marcos. “How’s your dad?”
“He’s getting his tea refilled,” Stacia said.
She turned to see Maverick smile and wave from the counter.
“I was so sorry to hear about your dad.” Stacia took both her hands. “I couldn’t come to the service because the twins were sick.”
“I know, your dad told me. It’s okay.”
Stacia let go and knelt in front of Jayda. “Aren’t you a pretty little thing?” She turned to her twin niece and nephew. “This is Madison and Mason. Say hi, kids.”
“Hi,” the two echoed.
“I’m Jayda.”
“My daughter,” Larae clarified.
“I had no idea. We should get together sometime and let the kids play. And we could catch up, like our moms used to.”
“I’d love that.” With the twins probably around five now, Stacia likely assumed Jayda wasn’t much older. But Jayda had always been good with younger children.
“Hi, Rance. I didn’t mean to ignore you.” Stacia’s gaze cut back and forth between them, obviously wondering what they were doing together. “It’s just been a long time since I’ve seen Larae. And I see you at church all the time.”
“No worries.”
“I may end up staying here.” Larae rushed to derail anything Stacia might assume about them. “I’m starting a rodeo. I’ve hired Rance as my stock contractor, and since he’s my only employee so far, he’s helping me put up flyers about it around town.”
“That sounds fun. And like something this town needs. I hope it comes together for you.”
“Me, too.” Sort of. If only everything about Rance wasn’t so worrisome—that he might get tired of playing dad, take off for the rodeo circuit again, let Jayda down.
Mason giggled as he splatted his palm in a puddle of catsup, splashing his sister, who let out a squeal.
“Oh, dear.” Stacia grabbed several napkins. “The kids are getting restless. I’m afraid we’ll have to hurry. But call me at the store and we’ll set something up. I mean it.”
“I will. I promise.”
“How’s my second favorite girl?” Maverick set down his disposable cup to hug her.
“Doing well. It’s good seeing you.”
“Okay, Dad,” Stacia said. “This one needs an attitude adjustment for shooting that one with catsup, so we need to go. But Larae’s coming to see us real soon. Right?”
“Right.”
“I’m holding you to it.”
“Mama, I want a grilled cheese. Can I go look at those sunflowers?” Jayda said.
“As long as you don’t touch them. They’re not real, just for decoration, and we don’t want to mess up the pretty display.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
They placed their orders, then chose a table.
“So how do you know Stacia?” Rance asked.
“Our moms were best friends since childhood. They visited a lot, so Stacia and her sister, Callista, were always at our house or I was there.” Larae slid onto a picnic table bench. “I was always closer to Stacia than her younger sister. Their mom died of a heart attack a few years before we lost Mama.” Just saying the words put an emptiness in her stomach. “Stacia was a pillar of strength, but Callista took it really hard.”
Stacia had helped her greatly through her mother’s death. If not for her, Stella and Lexie, Larae would have pulled the covers over her head and stayed in bed. “I went to Callista’s funeral a few years ago in San Marcos, but I haven’t seen Stacia since then.”
“I remember Callista from church when we were kids. I don’t think she ever came after their mom died. I can’t imagine losing my mom, especially at a young age. It makes me want to call her, right now,” Rance said.
“Better yet, once we get home, you should go visit her.”
“Good idea.” He sighed. “To be honest, I’ve avoided them since finding out about Jayda. I can’t tell them yet, and I hate keeping things from them.”
“I’m sorry. I hadn’t thought about them in my grand scheme of taking time.”
“It’s okay. For now.” His gaze went to Jayda. “I’ll tell them I have a surprise coming for them, but I can’t tell them what it is yet. Their anniversary is coming up, so that’ll keep Mom from knowing I’m hiding something.”
Larae blew out a breath and tilted her head toward Jayda. “She likes you. That’s a start. It’ll make things easier.”
Except that there was nothing easy about this situation. Especially not for her heart. Because spending days like this with Rance made her remember why she’d fallen in love with him in the first place.
* * *
How had it come to this? Ringing the bell on door of his daughter’s home. He should be married to her mother, living in the same house. Should have seen her born, raised her up to this point. Instead, Rance rang the bell like a guest. Heaviness landed in his chest again.
The door swung open to reveal a harried Larae on the phone, her hair in a messy ponytail. She held one finger up, then hurried back to the office. He considered having a seat in the living room, then followed her.
The smell of markers hung thick in the office. Large poster boards lined the wall at the end of the conference table. Larae’s careful black print listed all the positions she needed to fill for the rodeo. Penciled in were over a dozen names and numbers.
“Yes, of course, Mr. Oliver. I’ve got your number and as soon as I have a solid grand opening date, I’ll give you a call with more details and a timeline. Yes. Thank you for calling.” She ended the call. “That was a professional bullfighter. He’s been working in Houston but would like a steady year-round job closer to home. I’ve been inundated with calls about the rodeo all morning.”
“I can see that.”
“They started last night, and it’s been like this all day.”
“I think you’ve got yourself a rodeo.”
“Yes, if it keeps on like this. I’ve had someone on both lines several times, so as soon as I answer one call, there’s another on deck.”
“You have two lines here?”
She pointed to the ancient rotary phone sitting on the end of the table. “We still have the landline, so I listed it on half the flyers and my cell on the other half.”
“I can man the second phone. If I can remember how to use one of these, that is.”
“It’s okay, I can handle them both.”
The wireless she held pealed just as the rotary rang.
“Or maybe not.” He picked up the rotary. “Collins Ranch, may I help you?”
“Heard something about y’all starting a rodeo,” said the caller.
“Yes, sir. Are you interested?”
“I used to be a timer in Mesquite, but my wife’s job transferred her to San Antonio. Since then, I’ve traveled around and worked several rodeos in the area. I’d love a steady job in one place.”
“Well, we don’t have a definite grand opening date just yet.” Rance looked at the slots next to Timer on the poster board. Both empty. “If you’ll give me your name and nu
mber, I’ll let you know in a few weeks.” He almost crashed into Larae head-on as she shifted to the other side of the board to write.
He took the name and number, but before he could share the news with her, the landline rang again. They spent the next several minutes answering calls, writing names and numbers, and crossing paths back and forth.
Five calls later, he hung up and realized she wasn’t on the phone, either. But she was tangled in his phone line with the coils around one shoulder and her tiny waist.
“Oops. I forgot about the cord.”
“I can tell.” She tapped the pointy toe of her cowboy boot.
He lifted the receiver over her shoulder, then reached on each side of her waist to unwind it from behind her back. Too close. Why hadn’t he simply walked a circle around her? Too late now.
“I’ll do it.” Obviously uncomfortable with their proximity, she took a step back.
The receiver slipped from his hand and tangled even more behind her back.
“Just stay still.” He circled behind her, fiddled with clumsy fingers at the coiled knot at the back of her waist.
“Just cut it.”
Did he imagine her sharp intake of breath at the brush of his fingers? Or was it his gasp?
“It’s a perfectly good phone. Might even be an antique. And this number is on half the flyers. Just be still, I’ve almost got it.”
He got the final twist out to free her, stepped in front of her, unwound the length of cord and set the receiver in place.
“I’m investing in a wireless. Actually, I might even get rid of the landline.”
“If you’re gonna have a rodeo, you should keep it.” He should take a step back, but the softness in her pale blue eyes drew him in.
“I guess that’s true.”
His gaze dropped to her lips.
“Mommy, are we gonna hang flyers again today?”
They sprang back from each other as if they’d been caught.
Jayda stood in the doorway. “What are y’all doing?”
“Nothing, Pumpkin.” But Larae’s face went scarlet. “Just talking about the rodeo. Look at all the calls we got today from people interested in it.”
Had she wanted to kiss him, too? “I think we already hung all the flyers we needed to.” Rance held his hand up for Jayda to high-five. “Good job.”
Her tiny hand smacked his. “So since you’re not doing anything, can you come watch me ride, Mommy? You too, Rance?”
“Sure.” Their voices blended, and Larae shot him a glare, as if she’d wanted him to decline.
They were so gonna have to talk about this.
“Yay.” Jayda clapped her hands.
“But you’ll have to ride in the barnyard for the next several weeks since they’re starting to work on the arena today.”
“Come on.” She turned and skipped down the hall.
Larae started to follow, but Rance gently caught her arm. “What?” she said.
“We need to talk.”
“Right now, I’m watching my little girl ride. Everything else can wait.” She gave him a pointed look, then strode down the hall.
But she couldn’t avoid him forever. He followed her out the back door.
They paused to watch the crew busily upgrade the arena railing, and by the time they reached the barnyard Jayda was astride the pony. The pinto’s creamy mane and tale flounced as she trotted.
“See how good I ride, Rance? I’ve been riding all by myself for years.”
“You’re perfect.” Jayda absolutely mesmerized him. He could watch her all day. But he was on the outside looking in. And he wanted more—much more—with his daughter.
And maybe even with Larae.
Chapter Seven
“So how’s the rodeo coming?” Denny leaned against the porch rail, casting a long shadow over her list. “Stella said the phone’s been ringing off the hook since yesterday. Did you get enough interest?”
“I checked references and, with your input on candidates, I actually have all the staff I need. And enough competitors to get started.” The porch swing she sat on crept slowly back and forth. Kind of how she felt about the rodeo—not sure which way to go. “But should I really do this?”
“Sounds to me like this thing’s coming together. And you’ve already started construction.”
“I know. But should I really take what’s left of the ranch account and sink it into something that might fail? The cost of the outdoor arena improvements, a concession stand, bathrooms, bleachers, the indoor building, and staffing—it’s exorbitant.”
“Well, once the indoor building is complete, you could rent the outdoor arena to competitors for practice.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“The concession stand will bring in revenue.”
“I’m afraid I’ll need more than that. Especially since my rodeo won’t serve alcohol.”
“You could board horses for regular competitors.” Rance climbed the porch steps. “That way they wouldn’t have to haul them around every weekend.”
Where had he come from? She hadn’t noticed him approaching around the side of the house. Always sneaking up on her. Why couldn’t he stay out of her hair? Still, he had a point.
“That could work.” She tapped her chin with a forefinger as inspiration struck. “A horse camp with campgrounds for tents and RV hookups so the competitors can stay for the weekend. Some might even want to permanently rent space for the RVs and horse trailers with living quarters.”
“Now you’re thinking like a marketing guru.” Rance settled on the swing beside her.
Invading her space. As usual. Her pulse kicked up. As usual.
“I can see it now.” Rance pointed past the barn. “That wooded area next to the south pasture would be perfect for campgrounds and RVs.”
Exactly where she’d been thinking. She’d spent entirely too much time with him lately. Now they were thinking alike.
“How can you not be sure about the rodeo?” He tapped the list in her lap. “Looks like your staff’s taken care of, with a few spares. And there are enough competitors to get this show on the road.”
“But what if I use all the ranch capital we have left and fail?”
“You don’t sink everything you’ve got into it. You get a business loan. How do you think I started my business?”
“Go into debt?”
“He’s got a point.” Denny adjusted his hat. “If you fail, you’ve got the ranch capital to pay off the loan. Then you sell the ranch for a reduced price like you planned to do when you first came here. But you gave saving this place your best shot. And I don’t know of any rodeo failing. We’re in Texas.”
“And don’t forget sponsors.” Rance took his hat off, set it in his lap and finger combed his short-cropped hair. He still had hat ring. “Companies hang their signs in your arena—for a price. That’ll help with overhead, too.”
Why hadn’t she thought of that? She’d been in charge of rounding up sponsors at her job in Dallas. She knew all the right people. But using her own money, risking the ranch where she’d grown up, taking out a business loan—it was scary stuff. And having Rance so close froze her brain.
“Since Rance here only raises bulls, broncs and steers, we could get into raising horses for barrel racing. And Larae was quite the barrel racer not so long ago. You could charge for lessons.”
“You could raise roping horses, too.” Rance snapped his fingers. “Denny was quite the steer header if I remember right. He could teach roping.”
“My rodeo won’t have calf roping. I know they say it doesn’t hurt those poor little calves, but getting thrown down can’t feel good. Same goes for steer wrestling. Only team and breakaway roping.”
“Sounds like you’ve made up your mind, Miss Definitely My Rodeo.” Rance grinned.
; “It’s your decision.” Denny shifted his weight. “If you want to play it safe, go back to plan A, I still have that buyer’s number.”
“No.” Not only would she lose the ranch, Denny and Stella. All the hands would be without jobs. She knew what that felt like. But she had an inheritance to fall back on. “I think we should do this. It’s my only chance to save the ranch.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing the right thing.” Denny tipped his hat and loped off the porch. “Let me know what I can do to help.”
“You could be my announcer.”
“Well, now.” Denny turned back to face her. “It’s been a few moons since I’ve done that.”
“Just like riding a bike. All you have to do is get back in the saddle.”
“I’ll think on it.” He ambled toward the barn.
And suddenly she was alone with Rance.
Until the door opened and Jayda popped out.
“Hey, Mommy. Hey, Rance. Denny said I could ride Beans this morning.” She plopped into Larae’s lap.
“Just don’t ride too long. Mr. Denny has work to do, and we don’t want him to get behind.”
“I won’t, Mommy. Can we go with Rance to church tomorrow since we didn’t get to the other night?”
“Of course you can,” Rance answered before she could come up with an excuse.
Larae shot a glare at him, but his gaze was riveted on Jayda.
“Thanks, Rance.” Jayda turned to give Larae a hug, hopped off her lap and started toward the steps. But she stopped, whirled around and opened her arms toward Rance. “Mommy says we’re huggers. Do you like hugs, Rance?”
Larae’s breath smothered in her chest as Rance leaned forward and her little girl’s arms wrapped around his neck.
“I sure do. Especially from the prettiest little filly in Texas.” His words came out thick.
“Why, thank you, kind sir.” Jayda pulled away from him and curtsied. “Mommy says we always thank people for compliments and watch our manners.”
Hill Country Redemption Page 5