Bighearted Cowboy (Tarnation, Texas Book 5)

by Rhonda Lee Carver

  He wasted no time in hurrying through the corridor.

  Charlotte came back to sit with Brennan. “He’s very concerned.”

  “Understandably.” Brennan leaned his elbows on his knees.

  “Can I get either of you coffee?” Charlotte offered to the distraught couple across from them.

  “No, thank you, but we’re fine,” the man answered.

  The wife brought her splotchy, tear stained face up. “Thank you for being kind. Our son…he was in an ATV accident. We’re waiting to hear from the doctor. He was unconscious when he was brought in. Do you have a child here too?”

  “No. I’m a nurse.”

  The man stood. “Can you find out any news on our boy, miss? It’s been so long.”

  “I can try.”

  Brennan watched as Charlotte went to the nurse’s station. She and the nurse at the computer had a quiet conversation then the woman rounded the counter and came over to the couple. “Mr. and Mrs. Tarleton. I’m Denise. I’ll go back and see what I can find out for you.”

  “Thank you,” the couple said in unison.

  Charlotte smiled at the nurse then sat down next to Brennan.

  “That hospital you worked at back in Ohio, I bet they hated to see you leave.”

  She smiled which made his day a little better. “They asked me to stay, but I needed a change. I needed to branch out. Working in the ER you get so busy and the focus must be on helping a patient survive that we forget they are scared and need TLC too. You know, truth is, I like being in Tarnation. I feel like I’ve been useful.”

  “If you ask me, I’m going to say that I’m glad you came.” He couldn’t imagine not meeting her. “So, you’re staying in Tarnation?”

  “I’m leaning in that direction. Of course, there are many things I need to figure out first. For instance, I need a place of my own.”

  “You don’t like living with Betty Sue?”

  “She’s great, but I have a feeling she needs privacy. Things are heating up fast between her and Benny.”

  “I could see that.”

  “I’ve cautioned her to slow down, but she won’t listen.”

  He shifted in the chair. “About last night—”

  “Yes.” Her bottom lip fluttered.

  “I was hoping you didn’t regret anything.”

  “I don’t. And I wouldn’t.”

  “I wanted to ask you something—” He wanted to ask why she didn’t want to take the shirt off. He didn’t think she lacked self-confidence. It seemed more like she was wanting to hide something from him.

  “Charlotte?”

  “Oh, Dr. Healey.” She stood. “How is Lacey?”

  “They’re still working on her, but her vitals are better. I wanted to let you know before I head to the clinic. Do you need a ride back?”

  “Sure.”

  Brennan stood and went to join Charlotte and Dr. Healey.

  “I wanted to tell you thank you for driving Lacey and her mother here.” Dr. Healey stuck out his hand.

  Brennan shook the man’s hand. “I’m afraid I didn’t do much. Charlotte was the true hero. You have a great nurse.”

  “Yeah, I’ve realized that.” He offered Charlotte a smile of appreciation. “I’ll meet you by the doors.” He patted her shoulder and stepped over to speak to the nurse.

  “You had something you wanted to ask me?”

  Not with Dr. Healey a few feet away. “It’s nothing. We can talk later.”

  “See you soon.” Charlotte met Dr. Healey and they walked out together.

  Brennan felt a heaviness in his chest. He was no longer jealous over the doctor, but Brennan also believed Dr. Healey wanted more with Charlotte. Brennan didn’t blame the other man. She was beautiful, smart, successful, and had a kind heart. Those were great qualities that didn’t always come in one woman.

  But the plan was, Brennan wanted her as his own. Not in a possessive way, but he wanted her heart. He had been a skeptic, not believing it possible to fall for someone so quickly, but it could happen—and it had for him. He’d fallen for her.

  Problem was, could he tell her his feelings, and would she believe him? Or would she think he wanted a wife to meet the stipulations of the will?

  Out in his truck, he picked up the bag that had fallen off the passenger seat, putting it inside the glove box for safe keeping. He had no clue when the time would be right to ask, but he knew he would.

  Starting the engine, he pulled away from the hospital.

  He had a few more stops to make before he headed back to Grinning Spurs.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  “What do you think?”

  Charlotte looked through the vanity mirror. Turning on the stool, she said to Betty Sue, “You’re beautiful.” Her cousin wore a red dress with short, scalloped sleeves and the lace hem landed at her knees. “You’re going to have everyone’s attention.”

  “I think you’ll be the highlight of the benefit.” Betty Sue sashayed her way into the room. “Need any help?”

  “I haven’t worn makeup in so long I forget how to apply it to accentuate my features. I Googled some tutorials but it’s not working for me.” Charlotte used a makeup wipe to remove her mistake.

  Betty Sue laughed. “Here. Let me take over.”

  Charlotte faced her and handed over a sponge. “Good luck.”

  “You don’t need much. You have beautiful, flawless skin and your eyes are amazing.”

  “Is Benny meeting you at the benefit?”

  “Yes. I told him I’d meet him there because you and I would drive together.”

  “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I wanted to, unless that hunky cowboy is picking you up.” Betty Sue applied foundation to Charlotte’s skin.

  “I told him the same thing. I’d meet him there.”

  “I appreciate you and Brennan taking over the last donations for me.”

  “Come on, don’t pretend it wasn’t a matchmaking scheme.”

  She blinked, looking offended. “Me? A matchmaker?” She clicked her tongue. “But did it work?”

  Charlotte hesitated. “I’ll just say that I’ve enjoyed spending time with him. Although…”

  “Although what?”

  “The stipulation in the will. It’s like a hovering black cloud.”

  “Buzz had always been a stinker but what a terrible thing to do to his sons. Yet still, he was a smart man. I’m sure he had his reasons.”

  “This complicates things.” She pulled the tie tighter to her robe.

  “Close your eyes so I can do your eyeshadow. And tell me how this complicates things outside of the obvious.”

  “I’ve grown to have feelings for Brennan.” When she felt Betty Sue pause, she opened one eye. “What?”

  A smile erupted over her face. “I had a feeling you liked him more than you would admit.”

  “Not so fast. Let’s say he says he has feelings for me. How do I know they’re real?”

  “Come on, Charlotte. You’re allowing your logical side to overrule your heart. Brennan’s a good guy. It’s not his fault that he’s put in this situation. Would you rather he marry you or find someone else and you’ll never know what could have been?”

  “How can I answer that?”

  “Easily. With your heart and not your head.”

  As ridiculous as it sounded, Charlotte could see her cousin’s point. But marriage? How could Charlotte commit to something like that?

  “Now take a look,” Betty Sue said.

  Charlotte turned on the stool and stared at her reflection. Betty Sue had done a great job. “I look different.”

  “No, you’re features are just accentuated. You, my dear, are beautiful. Brennan would be crazy to not whisk you off your feet.”

  “I’m so glad you invited me to come stay here.”

  “Me too. Now, get that dress on and let’s get out of here. We don’t want to be late, do we?”

  The three-man band were setting up when Charl
otte and Betty Sue walked into the benefit hall. Caterers had just finished laying out a buffet on a long table covered in a white tablecloth and a bartender was setting up the mini bar. The items that were being auctioned off were set up on other tables.

  At the punch table, Charlotte and Betty Sue were greeted by Patty Wilson, a beautician who had a fondness for changing up the color of her hair every few weeks. Her hair was a bright pink now, and probably why it took Charlotte a few extra seconds before she recognized the forty-something woman.

  Patty poured each of them a glass of punch. “I just wanted to say thank you for saving my little niece’s life, Charlotte. Lacey is my brother’s daughter.”

  “She’s a sweet girl. Is she doing okay?”

  “Released from the hospital the next day. Good as golden.” Patty winked.

  “I’m glad to hear.” She turned to Betty Sue. “I’m going to step into the restroom. Will you hold my cup for me?”

  “Sure. I’ll grab us a table.”

  Inside the restroom, she checked herself in the mirror, splashed her neck with cool water then reapplied lipstick. She wasn’t sure why she was so nervous. Maybe because the chat she’d had with Betty Sue back at home about Brennan and marriage had left a huge question mark in Charlotte’s head.

  “So you’re the one the entire town is talking about?”

  Lifting her gaze, Charlotte saw the young woman with pin straight dark hair and large brown eyes. It wasn’t that she wore a black long-sleeved sweater and dark jeans with holes that made her out of place at the event, but the way she wrung her hands in nervous energy and shifted from one dirty tennis shoe to the other.

  Dropping the lipstick tube back into her purse, Charlotte turned and faced the woman, offering a polite smile. “Hi. I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Charlotte—”

  “Yeah, the nurse. The one that saved the girl,” she blurted.

  “What’s your name?”

  “It doesn’t matter.”

  “Are you okay? Do you need something?”

  The girl’s eyes widened, so large that they seemed to engulf half of her face. “You should go home.”

  “Pardon me?” Had Charlotte heard right?

  “Go home!”

  Taking a step toward the girl, Charlotte asked, “If you’re in trouble, or you need help, please let me know. What is your name?”

  “Take my advice. That’s what I need you to do.” She backed up a few paces.

  The door swung open and Stella swept in. “People are starting to arrive,” she said in a singsong voice.

  The girl looked terrified and ran out the door.

  “Wait!” Charlotte called out but it was too late.

  “What’s that, Charlotte?” Stella narrowed her gaze.

  “That girl that was just in here. Do you know her?”

  “Girl? What girl? I didn’t see anyone besides you.” Stella looked confused.

  “There was a young woman, long dark hair with bright eyes. I haven’t seen her before.”

  “Sorry, sweetie.” Stella left the sink and stepped into the stall.

  Leaving the restroom, Charlotte looked through the growing crowd for the suspicious girl, but she was nowhere to be found.

  Going to the table where Betty Sue sat nursing her punch, Charlotte sat down. “The strangest thing just happened.”

  “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “I saw a—”

  “Wait! Look! That’s one of my clients. I haven’t seen her in a dress in years.”

  Charlotte turned to find the object of her cousin’s interest. A pretty fifty-something blonde shyly stepped up to the punch table.

  “I’m going to go say hi. I’ll be back.” Betty Sue swished her dress hem as she left the table and made her way to the woman.

  Still curious who the girl was in the restroom, Charlotte searched the crowd again, until she heard, “Hi there, dear.”

  She looked around and saw Melba. Charlotte scurried out of the chair and wrapped her arms around the woman’s thin shoulders for a quick hug. “Melba! What a great surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “My friend, Gema, from church picked me up. I won’t stay long but I wanted to see my last quilt set up on the table.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  Melba wrapped her crooked fingers around Charlotte’s hand. “You have been on my mind, young lady. You and that man of yours. He’s a keeper.”

  “He is a good guy.” If only they’d met under different circumstances.

  “I had a dream. You were wearing a white lace dress and a ribbon in your hair.” Melba smiled. “Let it happen, my dear. Let life bring you joy.”

  “Melba, are you ready?” a woman in a wool coat with her silver hair piled high on her head asked.

  “Yes, yes!” Melba took a half turn then looked back at Charlotte. “This will be goodbye.”

  Charlotte lifted a brow. “Goodbye?” Her throat constricted.

  “Yes, dear. That cowboy of yours bought my farm. Now I can go to Ireland. I have my ticket and leave tomorrow. I’ll be staying with my sister.” Her gray eyes brightened. “I’m so excited to see her.”

  “Best of luck.” Choking back tears, Charlotte watched the sweet woman slowly make her way toward the door. Charlotte felt like she was a better person because she’d met Melba. It was bittersweet seeing her go but knowing that she’d be living out her days with her sister made Charlotte very happy. She also felt a sense of pride for what Brennan had done. He hadn’t bought the place to make a profit, but he’d wanted to help Melba.

  Betty Sue tapped Charlotte on the shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

  Swallowing back emotion, Charlotte planted a smile on her face. “Nothing at all.” She caught a glimpse of Stella as she made her way through the crowd and met a short, balding man by the door. “Who’s Stella with?”

  “Now that’s the oddest couple of the century.” Betty Sue leaned in and said, “That’s Roe Robins. I heard they’re thinking of getting married.”

  “He’s an attorney, right?” Charlotte thought she’d heard Brennan mention him.

  “He was Buzz Colt’s lawyer. I wonder how much the old man gave him?” She gave a throaty sigh. “Oh well. Stella seems happy.”

  “She does.”

  “Oh my, that hunky doctor is heading this direction.”

  Charlotte looked around just as Dr. Healey joined her. He looked dashing in a black suit and red silk tie. His hair was combed back into a neat style. “Good evening, ladies.”

  “Dr. Healey, I’m glad you could make it.” She gave him a hug.

  “Of course. How could I miss the chance to give back to the community?”

  “Oh, hello there. I bet you don’t remember but we met over a fresh croissant once. At the bakery,” Betty Sue said with a not-so-subtle play of a come-hither expression.

  He narrowed his gaze as if he searched his memory.

  “Dr. Healey, this is my cousin, Betty Sue.” Charlotte introduced them.

  The two shook hands and Betty Sue gave her best, toothy smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

  “Your cousin is an amazing nurse. I’m glad you invited her to come visit,” he said.

  “Me too.”

  “Would you mind if I borrow her for a dance?”

  “You two go right ahead. I’m heading to the bar for something stronger than punch.” Betty Sue wagged her brows.

  With hesitation and a quick glance around the room for Brennan, she had hoped he’d be her first dance, but she didn’t want to be rude to the kind doctor. “Sure. Let’s have a dance.”

  On the makeshift dance floor, they took their place among the handful of other couples. They started to move to the slow tune with plenty of distance between them.

  “You’re good at this. I’m a bit rusty.” He laughed.

  “You’re just being nice, Dr. Healey. I have two left feet.” She never was much of a dancer.

  “Please, call me Dane.”

  “O
kay, Dane.”

  “How are things with the cowboy? Will he be here tonight?” He smiled. “It’s pretty obvious there’s something between you two.”

  She wasn’t sure how to explain their relationship. They’d had fun together. Made love. She had feelings for him, but it was complicated. “Dr. Healey—”

  “Dane. Remember?”

  “Dane, I guess there is something between us but sometimes there are hurdles that can keep two people apart.”

  “No hurdle is too big for love. I was married once. She passed away five years ago.”

  She pulled back to look him in the face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  He gave a small shrug. “Most people don’t, at least not in Tarnation. That’s how I ended up working here. I needed a change.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  “When I asked you out…well, I just want you to know that my intentions were good. I mean, dancing isn’t the only thing I’m rusty at. You’re the first woman I’ve asked out.”

  She squinted. “And I rejected you.”

  “It’s okay. Sometimes we have to crawl before we run. You gave me the courage to try again, with someone who isn’t crazy about a cowboy.” The song ended and he gave her a gracious smile. “Thank you for the dance.”

  “I’ll see you at work.”

  “I think I’ll go and put my bids in on some of the items.”

  Charlotte felt sorry for Dane. She could sense that he hadn’t gotten over the death of his late wife.

  “I didn’t think that song would ever end.”

  She swiveled and came face to face with Brennan. He was leaning against the end of the bar. “How long have you been here?”

  “Not long. I had an issue to take care of.”

  “Would that have anything to do with buying a certain farm?” She lifted her brow. Seeing his confusion, she said, “Melba was here. She told me you bought her place. That was very kind of you.”

  He gave a nonchalant shrug of one broad shoulder. He looked handsome in a blue checked button down and dark denims. “I wanted to make her dreams come true.”

  Charlotte’s toes curled. What she wouldn’t give to have him make her dreams come true.

  So what was holding her back?

  Dreams came in all different shapes and sizes and they weren’t always wrapped in bows. Sometimes a person had to see the beauty in a gift even when it wasn’t polished.