His Forever Texas Rose

by Stella Bagwell

  Trey grimaced. “I have goals. You know about them. I’m saving up for a ranch of my own. It might take me a while, but I’ll get it.”

  “Who says you can’t have the ranch and the diploma? I’ll tell you one thing, Trey, you could get a heck of a lot more ranch if you made the money of a veterinarian.”

  “Well, yeah. But that’s a whole lot of schooling, and I’m not smart enough to be a vet.”

  “The hell you aren’t,” Chandler shot back at him. “You already have an associate’s degree in vet tech. All you need to do is plow forward and get the rest.”

  Trey smirked. “Sure, Doc. Two more years of undergraduate studies and then four years of veterinary school. In the meantime, I have to make a living. No, you need to find a practicing vet who’d be willing to move here. Or better yet, talk Roslyn into becoming a vet. She’s smart and loves animals. And she has a special touch with the small ones.”

  “Hmm. It’s true that Roslyn enjoys working at the clinic, but she loves being a mother to our children, thank God. That’s more than enough to keep her busy. Besides, you don’t need to be worried about making a living while you’re studying. I can take care of that problem.”

  Trey had no doubt that Chandler could take care of him financially. The Hollister family was one of the richest in Arizona. And for more than a decade now Chandler had added enormously to his wealth from the income of the clinic. Still, Trey had always paid his own way. In fact, as a teenager he’d worked to help his mother put food on the table for both of them. He wasn’t about to start taking handouts now.

  “You’re a good man, Doc. And way too generous—especially where I’m concerned.” He shook his head. “Me being a real, certified vet? Your dog is sniffing the wrong trail.”

  “We’ll see,” he said, then slanted a sly look in Trey’s direction. “I heard you went on a date last night. How did that go?”

  Trey eased off the gas as the Hollister Animal Clinic, a large brick building with a spacious parking area, finally appeared on the left-hand side of the highway. “Where did you hear that?”

  “Roslyn invited Nicci out to the ranch last night for dinner. Nicci told her she couldn’t make it because she was taking you out to dinner.” Chandler chuckled. “How did you manage that, ole pal?”

  Trey let out an uncomfortable laugh. It wasn’t often that Chandler questioned him about his social life. Mostly because Trey didn’t have one. Not the romantic kind.

  “To tell you the truth, Doc, I’m still trying to figure it out myself. I didn’t do anything. Nicci’s invitation just kinda came out of the blue. And I couldn’t turn her down and hurt her feelings. Seeing how she’s new around here and doesn’t know a lot of people yet.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure it was a real pain forcing yourself to go,” he said dryly.

  “Okay, go ahead and make jokes about it,” Trey shot back at him. “But it was nice. Really nice. And we’re going out again tomorrow. So there.”

  Chandler sat straight up in his seat. “Seriously? She agreed to another date with you?”

  Trey scowled as he flipped on the blinker and steered the work truck into the clinic parking lot. “She suggested it. And I didn’t want to disappoint her,” he said, then relented just a bit. “Actually, I’m looking forward to it. We’re going panning.”

  Chandler was clearly floored. “Panning for gold?”

  Trey parked the truck near one of the treatment barns and cut the motor. “Yeah, that yellow stuff that makes men crazy,” he joked, then added in a more serious tone, “It was her idea, but I think it might be fun. I have a friend who owns some land up near Congress. He’s always told me I could pan there anytime I like. I just never took him up on the offer.”

  Chandler tugged the brim of his hat down on his forehead. “Hmm. On second thought, you might just find yourself a fortune.”

  “Doc, now I know you’ve been working too hard. We both know that finding gold, even a tiny nugget of it, would be one chance in a million.”

  Chuckling, Chandler reached for his medical bag and opened the truck door. “I’m not talking about gold, Trey. There are other kinds of fortunes a man can find.”

  “Well, there might still be some veins of copper and silver around here, but that’s not something you can pick up and put in your pocket.” Trey pulled out the truck keys and tossed them to Chandler. “Nicci and I aren’t hunting a fortune. We’re just going on a little excursion, that’s all.”

  Shaking his head, Chandler climbed to the ground. “I’m not talking about the kind of fortune you put in your pocket.”

  Trey looked at him with sudden dawning. “Oh, guess you’re talking about Roslyn and the kids now.”

  A clever smile crossed Chandler’s tired face. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. And right now, I’m going home to Three Rivers. Good luck on the panning expedition.”

  “Thanks, Doc. I’ll lock everything up here. See you Monday morning.”

  The veterinarian lifted a hand in farewell and then walked across the parking area to where he’d left his personal truck beneath the shade of a mesquite tree.

  Trey was busy unloading the equipment from the bed of the work truck when he looked up to see Chandler driving away. For a moment he thoughtfully watched the vehicle until it disappeared on down the highway.

  There are other kinds of fortunes a man can find.

  Surely, Chandler hadn’t been talking about a man finding himself love, or a family. That would be crazy. Trey had known Nicole only a few short days. Besides, Trey wasn’t looking for that kind of fortune. He figured his life was already rich enough. When a man started being greedy, he was deliberately asking for trouble. And Trey didn’t need trouble. Not even the kind with strawberry-blond hair and big gray eyes.

  * * *

  Early the next morning, Nicole was hurriedly downing a light breakfast of coffee and toast when her cell phone rang. As soon as she spotted her mother’s number on the ID, she cringed with dread and guilt.

  For more than two years, she had basically been her mother’s caregiver. Now that Angela was well and supposedly happy again, Nicole needed a break. She needed time for herself. Time to deal with the changes her parents’ divorce and subsequent remarriage had brought to her life.

  Sighing, she punched the accept button and lifted the phone to her ear.

  “Good morning, darlin’,” Angela spoke cheerfully. “I thought I’d call early before you started getting ready for church.”

  “I just got home from early Mass. I’m having breakfast now.”

  “My goodness, you’re energetic this morning,” she said. “Your father is still asleep, and I’m having my first cup of coffee. You must have big plans for today.”

  Ignoring the last bite of toast on her plate, she said, “Actually, I’m going out—with a friend.”

  “Oh, I’ll bet you’re heading to Phoenix on a shopping trip. I almost wish I were there to go with you.”

  Oh Lord, spare me that, Nicole prayed. “I’m not going shopping, Mother. Or to Phoenix. We’re going out in the countryside.”

  There was a short pause before Angela’s skeptical laugh sounded in her ear. “Really, Nicci, I understand you think you like this new job at an animal hospital, but that doesn’t mean you’ve turned into the farmer’s daughter.”

  Trying to keep from grinding her teeth, Nicole rose from the little breakfast table and carried her plate over to the sink. “I don’t just like my job, Mother. I love my job. And why should it surprise you that I might do something outdoors? When Roslyn still lived in Fort Worth, she and I would picnic at the lake. And during the workweek, I often ate my lunch at the park. I’m not afraid of fresh air and sunshine.”

  “No. But you live in the desert now. It’s probably full of rattlesnakes and scorpions and all sorts of things that sting and bite.”

  “You mean like a
ll those snakes and things in Texas,” Nicole attempted to joke.

  “Yes, but we’re more civilized here in the city,” she argued. “I imagine you have to drive miles before you can find a shade tree.”

  Rolling her eyes, Nicole was thinking how to reply to that absurd comment, when her mother spoke again.

  “Are you and Roslyn doing something at the ranch today?”

  Knowing her mother was on a fishing expedition, Nicole said, “No. This is Chandler’s only day off, and Roslyn always spends it with him and their children. I’m going out with a friend at work. And time is ticking on, Mother. I need to finish getting ready or I’m going to be late. I’ll talk to you later.”

  There was a long, pregnant pause before she finally said, “Well, I get the message—all right, goodbye, Nicci.”

  The connection went dead, and Nicole didn’t waste time agonizing over her mother’s call. She hurried to the bedroom and reached for a pair of jeans and a yellow T-shirt. As she changed into the casual clothing, she thought about all the plans she’d made before she moved to Arizona. None of them had included a man, or giving her heart away. But all of those well-meaning intentions had flown out of her head the moment she’d kissed Trey.

  Or had he kissed her? True, she’d initiated the embrace, but he’d definitely followed through and in the most mind-bending way. Since then she’d not been able to get him, or the kiss, out of her thoughts. What did it mean? That she was starved for physical affection, or that she’d finally met the man of her dreams? One way or the other, she was determined to find the answer.

  * * *

  When Nicole arrived at Trey’s place, he met her at the yard gate, and she promptly stood on her tiptoes to press a light kiss to his cheek.

  “Good morning.” She stepped back and gave him a wide smile. “I hope you’re feeling like a prospector today.”

  Beneath the brim of his brown hat, she could see a twinkle in his green eyes. The sight of it made the morning sun behind his shoulder seem even brighter.

  “I don’t have a burro and pickax,” he said with a chuckle. “But I’m ready to try my hand at finding gold—or something.”

  Worn faded blue jeans encased his narrow hips and long, muscular legs while a khaki Western shirt covered his broad shoulders. He looked so rugged and masculine and so very endearing that she wanted to glue herself to the front of his body and kiss him until they both forgot everything but each other.

  The reckless thought warmed her cheeks and made her laugh sound a bit breathless. “I don’t have a pickax or burro, either. But I did pick up two pans and a shovel yesterday at the local hardware store. And a few things from the deli for our lunch.”

  “I hope you know that we’ll be lucky if we find one flake of gold, much less a nugget.”

  His warning was softened with a lopsided grin, and Nicole realized it wouldn’t matter to her if they found only worthless rocks.

  “No worries. I liken it to fishing. The fun is in the trying. At least, that’s what I’m told. I’ve never really fished,” she added jokingly. “But then, I’ve never panned, either. So this is a learning experience.”

  “For me, too.” He gestured toward his truck. “Let’s get everything loaded and be on our way.”

  It took only a minute or two to move the equipment from her car to his truck. Once they’d finished, Trey said, “I’d better go fetch a jacket. Just in case a cold wind blows in. You might want to come along and visit the restroom before we leave. The trip is long and bumpy.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” she said as she fell into step beside him.

  As they walked past the rocking chairs, Nicole decided she probably had been a bit forward for daring him to kiss her. But she didn’t regret it.

  From the moment she’d met Trey, she’d sensed a gentle innocence about him. Given the fact the man was thirty-one and had probably enjoyed a few girlfriends in his time, the notion seemed laughable. But the innocence she perceived in him had nothing to do with sex. It was something precious and untouched, something that came straight from his heart. And that simplicity was the very thing that drew her to him.

  “Come on in,” he invited, as he held the door open for her to enter. “Guess you can tell I haven’t cleaned anything since you were here the other night. Doc kept me working all day yesterday. But that’s not really an excuse. I hate doing housework.”

  She laughed lightly. “Most people do. Including me. One of these days I might get around to unpacking everything I brought from Fort Worth. I honestly moved too many things out here with me. And I’ve hardly had time to turn around.”

  At best, the look he gave her was skeptical. “Why? Are you thinking you might not want to stay here—in Arizona?”

  He’d intimated before that she might soon want to leave and go back to Texas. Did he see her as that flighty and unpredictable? The idea frustrated her.

  “Darn it, Trey, do you think I moved over a thousand miles just to turn around and go back?”

  He shrugged. “I guess I have been wondering if you might. People do change their minds.”

  She grimaced. “My parents wish I would change my mind. But believe me, Fort Worth isn’t on my radar. It’s totally off the map. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I won’t be long.”

  Short minutes later, she returned from the bathroom to find him waiting near the door. A faded jean jacket with a ragged collar and cuffs was thrown over one arm. The relaxed expression on his face suggested he’d already forgotten the stilted exchange they’d had moments ago.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “All ready,” she told him.

  Outside, he helped her into his two-seater truck and, after slipping on a pair of aviator sunglasses, steered the vehicle onto the dirt road that led to the main highway.

  Once they were traveling northwestward across the desert floor, Nicole could hardly contain her excitement. Not only was she going on an adventurous trek; she was making the trip with Trey.

  “Have you noticed my new boots?” She turned slightly around in the seat so that she was facing him.

  He glanced down at the scuffed and worn red cowboy boots on her feet. “If you bought those as new boots, Nicci, someone sure did cheat you.”

  Laughing, she said, “They’re a pair of Roslyn’s old boots. We wear the same size, and she kindly dropped them by my house yesterday. She even said I could keep them.” Nicole pulled up one leg of her jeans in order for him to see the fancy inlays on the shaft. “Look at this. Thunderbirds on the front and back. Aren’t they fabulous?”

  After casting another quick glance at the boot, he gave her an indulgent grin. “Just your style.”

  She tugged her jean leg back in place. “You’re laughing at me now.”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m serious. They’re cute and sexy. Just like you.”

  Liking the definition of his compliment, she flashed him a smile. “I’m sure Roslyn paid a small fortune for them when they were new. I tried to tell her I would just borrow them, but she says they’re on their last leg and need new soles. So my plan is to get them resoled and keep them.”

  “Roslyn is as generous as Doc.” He shrugged one shoulder. “Sure, some would argue that the couple has money to burn. But I figure they’d be just as charitable even if they were poor.”

  “That’s true,” Nicole agreed. “Roslyn’s father has always been rolling in money. When we were just little girls, I remember how he bought her anything and everything. Trouble was, she didn’t want three-fourths of the things he bought for her. The majority of the stuff, she gave to me or her other friends.”

  “Hmm. Why did she give it away? To spite him?”

  “Not spite, exactly. She considered her father’s lavish gifts as bribes. To make up for not spending time with her and her mother. Ros didn’t want to be—well, bought off by her father. You know what I’m tryi
ng to say?”

  Trey nodded. “I’ll never forget when Ros first showed up in Wickenburg. She was very pregnant and so alone. If Doc hadn’t helped her, I think she would’ve just kept on running—to get away from her father. Thank God that’s all behind them now. And her old man is actually acting like a decent human being.”

  Nicole wished she could believe the bad times she’d gone through with her family were behind her once and for all. If her mother backslid emotionally, or her father had another affair, she hated to think what would happen. Most likely, Angela would probably fly straight here to Arizona and expect her daughter to become her 24/7 caretaker all over again.

  Pushing that horrifying idea out of her mind, Nicole changed the subject to something pleasanter. “Ros is going to help me learn to ride a horse. Well, actually Maureen and Isabelle will be my teachers. Ros says they’re the experts on riding. I’m excited about it. I figure if I’m going to live around cowboys and ranchers, then I need to learn how to ride like a real cowgirl.”

  “Have you ever ridden before?” he asked.

  “Only a few times. Years ago, on a docile, stable pony,” she admitted. “But that’s not the same as what you guys ride when you’re working on ranches.”

  “No. Our mounts are a bit more spirited.” His lips took on a wry slant. “You’re not afraid to get on a big horse?”

  “Not really. I trust Chandler’s mother, Maureen, not to put me on a bucking bronc.”

  He chuckled. “I’d really like to see your first lesson.”

  She shot him a playful smirk. “You say that like you think you’re going to see a rodeo with me doing the trick riding—accidently.”

  “I’m teasing,” he said. “I think it’s good you’re going to learn how to ride. Maybe we can go riding together sometime and take our mining pans with us. Doc says there’s some old mine diggings not far from his great-great-great-grandparents’ first ranch house. Might be interesting to ride over there.”

  The idea that he was already thinking of going out with her again was enough to send her spirits soaring. “You think the Hollisters wouldn’t mind?”