“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“You don’t think it hurt when you broke up with me?”
“I couldn’t ruin your relationship with your dad. He was the only family you had. You had him on a pedestal, and I wanted him to stay there. For your sake.” His gaze held her prisoner. “And if I had told you, it probably would have tainted our relationship. You’d have grown to resent me for ratting out your dad.”
He’d thought of her more than her dad had. “How did he even find out about us?”
“He followed you to the river when you snuck out. That night, we heard him hollering your name, and you ran back home.”
She’d pretended to be looking for her cat and thought her father had believed her. “He never said a word.”
“Not to you. He caught me by myself in the barn the next day. He fired me and tried to get me to sign the contract.”
“I waited for you that night, but you never came.” Her heart clenched, just as it had by the river all those years ago.
“The next day, I told you I’d quit the ranch. And—” He closed his eyes.
“That you wanted to see other girls.” She swallowed the knot in her throat. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth when I came back here? Especially after you realized Jayda was yours?”
“I didn’t want to sully your memories of your dad.”
“So you let me think the worst of you, for all these years?”
“I knew you’d be okay as long as you had your dad.” He shook his head. “Of course, I didn’t know about Jayda back then. If I had, I don’t think I could have stayed away.”
“I still can’t believe Dad did such a thing.” She covered her face with both hands.
“He thought he was doing the right thing. And look at his history. He’d fallen for Delia who only wanted his bank account. That had to hurt him. He just didn’t want you to go through the same thing.”
“I can’t believe you have sympathy for him, after what he put you through. Put us through.”
“I know that someday Jayda will grow up, and there’ll be boys sniffing around. And if I think one of them is no good and snowing her over, I’m sure I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her protected. That’s all your daddy was doing.”
“I guess you’re right.” She shrugged. “He went about everything all wrong, but his heart was in the right place.”
“You okay?”
She nodded. “Thanks for being honest with me.”
“It’s about time. We’ve had too many secrets from each other. Let’s be honest from now on.”
“Sounds good.”
“So we’re good.”
“We’re good.” She laughed. “We better be. Since we’re going to an anniversary party together tomorrow.”
“Don’t remind me.” He massaged the back of his neck, then stood. “I better see if my tux still fits. It’s been a while.”
“You own a tux?”
“I do. It comes in handy when schmoozing with investors and stock breeders.”
“Hmm, not the image I have of you at all.”
“Well, I’m hoping, since you know the truth now, that your image of me will change. For the better.”
“It already has,” she admitted.
“See you after school.” He stopped by her chair. “We on for church tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
He took her hand gently in his and kissed the back of it, sending a shiver through her. Then he walked away.
In the last twenty-four hours, everything had turned upside down. Her dad had turned out to be the bad guy. The one who’d let her down. The one who’d messed things up between her and Rance. While Rance made hard choices and bore the consequences of those choices all for her.
Could it be that he was the man she needed him to be? That he always had been?
Chapter Twenty-Two
The door opened to reveal Larae in a shimmering, flowy pale pink floor-length gown.
“Wowza.”
She checked out his black tux with tails. “You clean up pretty good yourself. I can’t believe your grandparents are having such a fancy party midday. Don’t they know social rules? Formal wear is for evening.”
“They think themselves trendsetters.”
“We better get going.” She took his arm. “How long’s it been since you’ve seen them?”
“I honestly can’t remember. I’ve never been enough for them. The whole pickup-truck-and-cowboy-boots thing is so beneath them.”
“I’m sorry they treated you that way.”
“Me, too.”
She locked the door and he escorted her toward his truck.
“Would it be easier to get into my truck or your SUV in that dress?”
“Your truck is a chore to climb into in jeans.”
“We’ll take yours then. I’ve been thinking about either getting a running board with two steps or taking my lift kit out since you and Baby Girl came into my picture. Speaking of Jayda, Stella’s all lined up to pick her up from school. Right?”
“Right. I never imagined you’d turn into a family man.”
Was it his imagination or had her eyes just gone teary? “The grandparents will probably approve of your SUV more anyway.”
“I don’t know, it’s just a GMC. We’re not talking Lexus here.”
“Anything’s better than a pickup in their minds.”
“It’s ridiculous how many problems money and class have caused in both of our families.”
“And sad.” He opened the door for her, helped lift all of her dress in. “Mr. Vega called last night. I got the Mesquite contract.”
“I knew you would. You’ve got great stock and could’ve gotten the deal without me.”
For once, he was on equal footing with Larae. He officially didn’t need her money, and no one could accuse him of using her ever again.
But more than that, he’d realized it really didn’t matter what other people thought as long as Larae knew he loved her. Not her money. And since she knew about the contract and how he’d turned down her dad’s offer, she knew money didn’t matter to him.
* * *
The miles to San Antonio were filled with easy conversation. The difference in their relationship was like day and night. He liked this new ease between them. Maybe it could lead to something more. And maybe, just maybe they could start all over.
“It’s clear.” Larae looked out her passenger window as he took the exit. “I never asked where the party’s being held.”
“Why the Rose Hill Private Club of course, dahling.” He did his best snooty voice. “Anybody who’s anybody has a membership there.”
She laughed. “Well I guess I’m not anybody then.”
“I don’t want to be anybody.”
Several turns later, he pulled into the circle drive, then into the arched drive-through, where a valet scurried to open his door.
“Name please, sir.”
“Terrance Shepherd.” He held out his keys. “For the Remington anniversary party.”
The attendant didn’t take them until he had confirmed that Rance was on the list. Once approved, Rance opened the door for Larae, and the valet drove away.
“I had no idea your name was Terrance.”
“Seems like there’s a lot you don’t know about me. But I’d like to be an open book for you.”
She bit her lip. “How do they keep up with whose car is whose?”
“No idea. Maybe we can leave in a Lamborghini.”
“You’re so bad.” She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.
It fit just right, and warmth threaded through him.
Inside, the hum of rich and powerful small talk greeted them. His parents were already there, held pri
soner by his grandparents at the head table. His mother waved them over.
“Oh my, Hayes, look at our handsome grandson.” Nonna patted his cheek. Still as stiff and powdered as ever, with her hair in her usual tight French twist, she dared not smile for fear of wrinkles.
“And who do we have here?” His grandfather was a little less uptight, but not much. Tanned and toned, he played golf every day with the movers and shakers in real estate.
“This is Larae Collins.”
“Of the Austin Collins?” Nonna’s interest was piqued.
“No. Just a Medina Collins,” Larae clarified.
“Oh.” Nonna looked like she’d sucked on a lemon. “Well, what a lovely dress, dear. Too bad rose gold is so last year. I adore the color.”
Rance’s hands tightened into fists. “Let’s sit down.” He ushered Larae to a seat beside his mom, and whispered in her ear, “You’re gorgeous in the dress. Nonna wouldn’t know good taste if it stung her on her Botoxed cheek.”
“It’s okay. I used to go toe-to-toe with Delia Rhinehart and Evangeline Chadwick. And look at them now.”
“I just don’t understand why my grandparents have to be so condescending.”
“Maybe their parents were the same way, and they don’t know any better.”
“They know better. They just don’t care.”
“Calm down and smile. For your mom.” She clasped his hand.
Being here was worth it if he could hold Larae’s hand all evening.
“Wait. A. Minute. Remington.” She whispered, “As in Hayes and Cecelia Remington.”
“That’s them.”
“They own half of—”
“Texas.”
“I had no idea.”
“How do you know who they are? You’re not exactly a follower of the rich and famous.”
“I get all the society papers and magazines so I knew who to hit up for funding whenever the rodeo in Fort Worth needed upkeep or repairs or sponsors. It was part of my job. I’ve probably hit them up at some point.”
“I doubt you got anything out of them. Rodeo is so beneath them.”
“I honestly don’t remember, but you’re probably right.” She scanned the crowd. “I don’t know a face here. But if I knew their names, I’ve probably heard of some of them. Do you?”
“Nope. Feeling like a fish out of water.”
“So Davis, what is it you’re doing these days?” his grandfather asked.
“I started my own real estate company. Remember?”
“Oh, yes. Small potatoes. What about you, Terrance?”
“Nobody really calls me that anymore. It’s just Rance.” He gritted his teeth. “And Dad’s company is doing quite well.”
“Are you working, Terrance?”
Completely ignored. As usual. “I just started my own stock contracting business.”
“What in heavens is that?”
“I raise stock—bulls, broncs and steers for the rodeo.”
“Still with the rodeo.” His grandmother waved a dismissive hand through the air. “I thought surely you’d outgrow that nonsense someday.”
“He’s actually very good at what he does.” Larae squeezed his hand. “I just started my own rodeo, and Rance provides excellent stock with great bloodlines.”
“Bloodlines? Of bulls? Preposterous,” his grandfather scoffed.
“Oh, but it’s not.” Larae’s words came out pinched. She was obviously stewing over the way his grandparents belittled everyone they came in contact with. “It’s not like it used to be when contractors bought bulls and hoped they’d buck. Now they’re specially bred. A good bucking bull can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and merely breeding one is even more profitable. Rance gets paid every time one of his bulls, broncs or steers leaves the chute. He has the beginnings of a multimillion-dollar company.”
“Really?” Sarcasm dripped from Rance’s grandmother’s voice. “Breeding bulls?”
“And he just got the stock contract for the Mesquite Championship Rodeo. You might want to invest in Shepherd Stock Contracting. Or expand your own business interests.”
“I think we’re doing quite well.” Rance’s grandmother scanned the room. “Not just anyone gets to have their anniversary party here. They’re booked for at least a year. But if you know the right people, strings can be pulled.”
“What if some poor bride had to find another venue for her bridal shower?”
His grandmother’s nose went higher in the air. “If she was having it here, she certainly isn’t poor.”
Larae gave a slight shake of her head. She’d gone toe-to-toe with Nonna longer than most. But obviously throwing in the towel, she turned to his mother.
“So how long have you and Davis been married, Maggie?”
“Going on thirty years.”
“Wow. That’s a long time. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“So why can’t y’all just admit that Davis is a fine man who married your daughter for love and be proud of your wonderful grandson?”
Everyone at the table went still, silent. Jaws dropped—including Rance’s.
“I’m sorry.” Larae pushed her chair back from the table. “I had no right to speak to y’all that way. I’ll just be going now.” She stood. “I’m so sorry, Maggie.”
“Sit down, young lady.” Rance’s grandfather pinned Larae with flinty eyes.
“No. We’re leaving.” Rance stood and tugged on Larae’s hand.
“Just hear me out.”
Larae capitulated and reclaimed her seat, but Rance kept standing.
“I like her,” his grandfather quipped. “I like a girl who speaks her mind. Especially since she’s right.”
Jaws dropped again. Including Rance’s. And Larae’s. He sank into his chair.
“Hayes, what are you saying?” His grandmother folded her napkin and set it aside. “This girl was utterly rude to us.”
“Because we were rude to her. Pride has kept us from having a relationship with our Magdalena. And our grandson.” He paused as he pursed his lips. “And our son-in-law. It’s high time this nonsense ended, Cecelia.”
His grandmother’s face went purple all the way to the roots of her perfectly coifed silver hair.
“I’m sorry Magdalena—Maggie.” His grandfather squeezed his mother’s hand. She couldn’t respond for her tears.
“Welcome to the family, Davis. Terrance—Rance. It’s time we started acting like one.”
“Hear, hear.” His father raised his sweet tea glass.
They clinked their sweet tea glasses with his grandparents’ champagne. Rance’s grandfather stood and gave his daughter a hug, then Rance’s father, and then Rance. “I’m glad you came tonight, Miss Collins.”
“Thank you.”
Rance’s grandmother stayed seated. Obviously none of this was her idea, right down to the invitation. But maybe she’d eventually soften and come around. In the meantime, his mother had her father back.
And all because of Larae. In one evening, she’d single-handedly dispersed over thirty years of tension.
His family needed her. He needed her. Now how to go about winning her for good? That was the challenge.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After the opening ride finished, Larae paused for Denny’s heartfelt prayer of protection, then changed out of her rodeo queen clothes and stepped inside the concession stand. Stella flipped burgers, Jayda dispensed pickles, and Rance manned the buns and condiments.
“Great news.” He squirted a hearty glob of mayo. “Clay Warren is here. With his dad, Ty. And remember, Ty’s a bull-riding legend, too. He won the championship four times.”
“Really?” Her nerves went on high alert. From the good news or being near Rance? “Where?”
“Middle se
ction, halfway up. His teenage daughter and wife are here, too.” He pointed out the front window.
“I need to see if they’ll do a radio interview. Maybe I could get the local station to come over.”
“Or just a selfie with them on social media would probably do the trick.”
“I’m going for both. Can you handle things here?”
“Sure.”
“Is that the guy you went all silly about at O.S.T., Daddy?”
“Your daddy doesn’t go silly over anyone but you.” He tickled Jayda’s ribs, sending her into a fit of giggles.
Larae grinned and headed for the door.
“Hey.” Rance caught her wrist. “You were really great yesterday.”
“What did you do yesterday, Mommy?”
“She set a couple of arrogant, condescending snobs straight.”
“I don’t know what all those big words mean.”
“It means people who are rude and think they’re better than everybody else.”
“They don’t sound very nice.”
“They weren’t, but they’re nicer now. For the most part.”
“And Mommy did that?”
“She sure did.” He caught her gaze. “Your mama is amazing.”
She could drown in his eyes, in his praise.
But she was on a mission. “Y’all hold down the fort. I’ll be back.”
“We’ll be here.” He shot her a wink.
And her heart fluttered.
She had to pull it together. Focus. She stepped out of the concession stand and headed for the bleachers. Several people had spotted Clay. By the time she reached his seat, he was posing for selfies and signing autographs. She hurried up the steps, maneuvering through his fans.
“Hi, Mr. Warren. I’m Larae Collins.”
“I remember.” He clasped her hand. “We met at the O.S.T. This is my wife, Rayna, our daughter, Kayla, and my dad, Ty.”
“Nice to meet y’all. Thank you so much for coming to our rodeo.”
“Was that you with the flag?” Kayla asked.
“It was. I hired someone for the position, but she had to bow out at the last minute, so I had to step in. Thankfully, I had a job as a rodeo queen in my teens, so I knew the ropes.”
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