The door opened. Jazmine jerked around, afraid of seeing her daughter. Instead, her mother stood there. She wasn’t sure if that was any better. “Mom, please go back inside.”
Her mother’s face made granite look soft. “No. His family doesn’t have the right to harass you.”
Belle turned back, her chest expanding as she stepped closer, her finger pointed. “You don’t have the right to keep his daughter from him.” Her eyes grew moist. “She has a whole family that wants to know her and love her.”
Azalea sniffed. “A family that can’t be trusted.”
Elijah’s sister stood taller. “He is not our uncle.” Her chin lifted. “You don’t know my daughters or...you don’t know us.”
“Mother, stop. Insults are not going to help. Belle, I’m sorry.”
Jazmine turned to her mother. “She was saying that Elijah was at the bar to stop someone from driving drunk.”
Belle nodded. “His phone was ruined in the shuffle. I can tell you that he’s never late, and he hasn’t had a drink in years.”
“Mom, you said you saw him fighting with someone and the police were there?”
Taking a deep breath, her mother closed her eyes and lowered her head. “The police were pulling up. I assumed.” She raised her head and looked at her daughter. Her skin had lost some of its color. “I... He was struggling with an older man I didn’t recognize.” She pressed the back of her fist to the bottom of her chin, her eyes darting as if she was looking for something. “Your father warned me about jumping to conclusions. If he was stopping someone from driving drunk, why didn’t he say that?”
Jazmine groaned. “I didn’t let him, and what he did say I refused to believe. I didn’t want to...”
Azalea crossed her arms. “I just don’t want to see my daughter hurt again. And Rosemarie is so innocent. As a mother, you should understand that.”
Belle’s stance softened. “I do. But I’ve seen Elijah work so hard to overcome our family’s past. He knows how personal it is to your family. He’d never allow anyone to get on the road if they’ve had anything to drink. He never has, even at his worst.”
Azalea glanced at Jazmine.
She nodded in agreement. “It’s true, Mother. He’d walk home on the nights he...” The memory clogged her throat. She swallowed. “I’d go get his car in the morning while he slept it off. He never drove.”
Belle reached out, the fire gone. “Your first instinct is to protect your baby. But you don’t have to protect her from Elijah.” She smiled. “I might have also gone a little mama bear protecting him. He asked me to stay out of it, but I told him I had to run to the store.”
Azalea stepped closer and put her arm around Jazmine. A girl was never too old for her mother’s hug. “Is it too late for Jazmine and Rosemarie to go for that ride?”
“Elijah is at the barn with my girls.”
“I’ll call him.” Jazmine’s heart picked up as she reached for her phone.
“You can’t. His phone was ruined. Believe me, it’s a complete goner.” Reaching into her back pocket, Belle pulled out her cell. “My oldest has a phone. We can call her.” She dialed, and they heard the ringing through the speaker.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“Tell Tío Eli that I ran into Jazmine and she wants to speak with him.”
They heard a gasp. “Are they coming?” Excitement colored each word.
“Hand the phone to your uncle.”
“Izabella, I told you to stay out of this.” Elijah’s voice had no give in it.
“Do you want to take your daughter for a ride today?” She looked at Jazmine with a tight smile. “Talk to her and don’t be terco.”
“I’m not being stubborn.” His sigh was heavy. “Is she there now?”
“I’m here. I’m sorry about earlier. I should have at least given you a chance to explain.” She was proud of herself for keeping her voice calm and steady.
“Oh, hi. Sorry. I thought I was still speaking to Belle.” Unease lined his voice.
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah. She handed you to me. So, she explained the situation to us. I’m sorry we jumped to conclusions. I should have known you wouldn’t have driven to the house if...well, you know.” Fire ants attacked her stomach. “Would it be okay if we followed Belle out?”
“We’re at the barn, and if you get here in the next twenty, we should have enough daylight.”
“Good. We’re on our way.” Her throat was dry. “Elijah—”
“You need to head out now if we’re going to get to ride. We’ll talk later.”
“Okay. We’ll talk later. See you in a bit.”
She handed to the phone back to Belle. “Looks like we’re going riding.”
Her mother nodded. “Let me get Rosemarie. I know she did a good job of hiding her disappointment, but this will make her very happy.”
Belle moved to her Jeep. “As soon as y’all are ready, we can head out.”
Jazmine nodded. She wasn’t sure she was ever going to be ready to have Elijah back in her life. Her emotions were too unpredictable.
* * *
He had taken a shower in the tack room. His skin scrubbed clean, Elijah smiled at Lucy and was about to answer one of her many questions when Belle’s old Jeep came into view. It was followed by a small, shiny SUV. He hadn’t allowed himself to believe they were actually coming.
After the showdown in front of her house, he’d thought it was over. That he would have to fight with a team of lawyers to see his daughter again.
But she was here. Somehow his sister had made this happen. His throat tightened. After all the years of him being a walking mess, she had fought for him. Even at his lowest, she had been there ready to kick him out of his wallowing self-pity. She had been an unabashed example of tough love.
Now she was bringing his daughter to the ranch. She was his role model for parenting, not the man who raised them.
Her girls clapped. “Rosemarie is here!”
He grinned. “Where should we take her? To the pasture or the beach?”
They both jumped up. “The beach. The beach.”
His sister stopped the Jeep right next to him. She hopped out of her vehicle and grinned at him like she’d brought in the winning catch.
He leaned close to her ear. “I told you to stay out of it.”
Not a hint of guilt or apology touched her face. “And if I’d stayed out of it? Your daughter wouldn’t be on the ranch. You’ve worked hard to get your life right. They can’t treat you like dirt. Not as long as I’m around.”
“Not only do I not have credit with Jazmine, I’m digging myself out of emotional bankruptcy. I owe her. She has every right to do whatever she thinks is necessary to protect her daughter.”
She reached up and tugged at his ear. “Your daughter. How long are you going to punish yourself?”
He started to reply but shut his mouth. She wouldn’t accept his answer. The sweetest sound saved him from having to think up another response.
“Daddy!” Rosemarie yelled, as she plowed into him. “We made it! Are you better?”
“Yes, and I’m so glad this worked out. Are you ready to meet my new horse I just bought?”
“She’s yours? Yes!” She screamed and clapped. “What’s her name?”
“Bueno Bueno Sonadora.”
She made a face. “Good Good something? That’s a strange name.”
He laughed. “Sonadora means dreamer. You know Spanish.” That surprised him.
“I’m learning at school. Why does she have two goods in her name?”
“Bueno is very important in the quarter horse bloodlines and she has it on top and bottom, so they put it in twice. That’s the name on her official papers. I’m thinking of giving her a new name. What do you think? The little girl who had her before called her
Dreamer.”
Her little nose wrinkled. “Top and bottom?”
Laughing, he lifted his hand above her head. “The father’s side of the family is listed on top.” Then he tickled her at her waist. “Her mother’s family is listed on the bottom of her papers.”
She flung her arms around him again, erasing all the unpleasantness of the past few hours. He forced himself to stay in the moment. No worries about the future or guilt about the past.
Jazmine joined them.
Rosemarie turned to her mother and clapped. “Momma, did you hear? Daddy has a new horse. Where is she?” She was bouncing with barely controlled energy.
Cassie and Lucy each grabbed one of her hands. “She’s in the barn.” The girls took off running.
“Slow down,” all three adults yelled at the same time. Belle rushed ahead to take the girls into the stables.
Picking up the pace, Elijah followed, but a warm touch on his arm stopped him. He looked down at the stern face of his ex-wife and gave her his best smile. “I’ve got the horse covered. It’s been a long time since I’ve had my own horse. She’s going to stay on the ranch, and I’ll share her with Rosie. Please, Jazz, let me do this.” His gaze sought out his daughter. “The only good moments growing up were with the horses.” He came back to Jazmine’s eyes. “It’s the only thing I have to offer.”
Her fingertips brushed his chin. “Not true. And that’s not the point. You said you were going to find a horse she could ride, not buy a new one. Why do I have a feeling you will never ride this horse that you didn’t buy for your daughter?” She sighed.
He took her hand and walked to the barn doors. Her hand fit into his so naturally. “Let me tell you her story. Her owners wanted to put her down, but Damian saved her.” He gave her all the details. “She’s a sweet horse, a bit shy, but with a great deal of love to give. She just needs the right little girl. They’re a perfect match.”
Stopping, she pulled him around. “Elijah, how am I supposed to say no to that?”
On impulse, he kissed her forehead. “You’re not.” What was he doing? Taking a quick step back, he released her hand, then turned to follow the girls.
The three cousins were standing at the far end of the breezeway. His heart paused. They were here as a family. He stood behind them, his hands on the tiny shoulders of his daughter.
Belle led the mare out of her stall and Rosemarie went still. She seemed to stop breathing and a strange sound came from her. Had he done something wrong?
He bent down and pulled her against him so that her back was pressed against his chest. “What’s wrong, baby?”
She shook her head. “She’s beautiful. Just like in my dreams.” Twisting, she looked up at him. Wet with tears, the gray eyes looked violet. “Is she really ours?” The small voice was filled with awe.
“What are you going to call her?”
“Dreamer.”
“That’s perfect because she knows it already.”
She sank further into his chest. “What if she doesn’t like me?”
He couldn’t imagine anyone not loving his girl. “You belong to her now. She needed a little girl just like you. She was in a bad accident and has scars, but she’s all better. I bet she’s nervous about meeting you.”
“Think so?”
“I was the first time I met you. Remember?”
And today he’d almost lost her. One mistake and he would lose everything again, but this time there was more at stake. It wasn’t about him, or even Jazmine.
He glanced up and made eye contact with Jazz. He had to be strong and make the decisions that were best for his daughter. And Jazz. No matter how much he loved them, he had to put that aside and do what was best for them.
Chapter Twelve
Jazmine hung back. This was the kind of moment a little girl would remember for the rest of her life, and Elijah was making it happen. He had always been that way. Zeroing in on a person’s dream and making it feel like it could come true.
Belle stopped in front of them and smiled. “Dreamer, this is Rosemarie.” The pretty mare lowered her head, and the little girl gently touched the soft muzzle. The horse made a rumbling noise in her throat. Rosemarie giggled.
“Ready to saddle up? Girls, get your helmets.” Belle was all business.
Out back, several other horses were already saddled and waiting. Elijah went step-by-step, showing Rosemarie how to saddle a horse and take care of it. Lifting her into the saddle, he explained each action before leading her to a large round pen. Belle and her girls followed on their horses.
“Your Tía Belle is an excellent horse trainer and riding instructor. One of the best in the state. She’s going to help you before we hit the beach. I’ll take your mom to get her horse. You okay?”
She nodded, a huge grin on her face. She leaned forward on her mare and hugged her neck.
As they started through the doors from the barn to the arena, they saw Damian standing at the other end.
“Wow. I wasn’t expecting to see him,” Elijah said. “Hey, Damian. What brings you out?”
He tipped his hat. “Wanted to make sure the transition went well for Dreamer and Rosie.”
Smiling, Elijah turned to Jazz. “The only person better with horses than Belle is Damian.”
“Hey!” His sister’s voice carried across the arena. “I heard that.” Belle sidestepped her horse to open the gate and lead Dreamer into the arena. “I mean, it might be true, but you don’t have to say it in front of me and my girls.”
“It’s okay, Momma.” Lucy urged her mare into the arena. “We already know Tío Damian is the best with horses, but you’re better with people.”
Elijah laughed. “Out of the mouths of babes.”
Belle shook her head. “Whatever. Go get yours and Jazmine’s horses. I’ve got this covered.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He patted Rosemarie’s thigh. “Relax. Have fun and listen to your tía and tío. Your mom and I will be right back with our horses, and then we’ll all head to the beach.”
He turned to Jazmine. “You want to stay here with her? I’ll go get our horses.”
“No. I’ll go with you.”
“Are you sure? I know you don’t like Rosemarie out of your sight.”
She snorted. “First, I’m within shouting distance. Second, your sister is raising two girls on her own, and they seem well-adjusted and happy.” She winked. “Remember who taught me how to ride? She was one of the best back then, too.”
“True.” His sister had the trophies and ribbons to prove her skills.
“Anyway, I need to talk to you.”
He paused as he slipped the halter off the buckskin’s ears. “Talk about what?”
She took a deep breath. The comforting smell of hay and salt air soothed her. “Daddy is being an overachiever, as usual. The doctors said his recovery is ahead of schedule.”
“That’s great news, right?”
“Yes. Absolutely. But I think that means it’s time for Rosemarie and me to go home.”
He leaned on the saddle he’d just cinched and looked at her, his eyes wide. “What? I thought we had more time?”
“I want to get her home and back into a routine before school starts.” That sounded weak even to her own ears. Was she just running again?
Without a word, he picked up the other saddle and placed it on a bay’s back. His muscles bunched and moved across his shoulders. “Is this because of the bar incident? I thought we were good.”
“No. I was going to tell you today.” She waited for him to say something.
He wasn’t responding. Of all the scenarios in her head, his silence was not one of them.
“I’m missing work. I don’t want her to lose connections with her friends. Elijah? What are you thinking?” Did she really want to know? She put a hand over her stomach, trying t
o calm it down.
He had his back to her. hands were braced on the saddle. “We’re supposed to have more time together.”
“You knew we would be going back.”
He shook his head. “At the end of summer. She’s just getting comfortable around me. You’re worried about her forgetting her friends in Denver. What if she forgets me?”
“She’s not going—”
“I’ll move to Denver. I’ll get a condo.”
“Elijah, you can’t just leave here. Your dreams have always been tied to this place, and now look at you. Those dreams have become reality. You’ve worked so hard. This place is in your DNA, just like the color of your eyes. It’s a part of you.”
He finally turned. “She’s a part of me I didn’t even know was missing. Building up the business has kept me focused on something other than everything I lost. She’s bigger than all of those put together and there is so much to make up for. I don’t have to be here every day to run the business.”
Her stomach twisted. She hadn’t thought of him moving to Denver. He’d be part of their daily lives. He walked the horse over to her and handed her the reins. His hand brushed hers and she wished the moment could last.
Standing in front of her, he studied her face. There were so many unidentified emotions pinging through her head.
“You don’t trust me. I got the message loud and clear today.” He turned from her and, in one quick motion, mounted his gelding. “Or is it that you don’t want to share her? You’ve had her to yourself for almost six years. Are you running again? I understand why you don’t trust me, I get it. But how much of you leaving is to keep control of my relationship with Rosemarie?”
“What happened earlier today was not fair to you. You have been nothing but trustworthy.” To the point that she was having a hard time remembering why she needed to stay away from him. Maybe she was running. It would be too easy to give her heart to him again, but could she trust him? Could she trust herself?
Stepping into the stirrup, she swung her leg over her horse’s back and settled into the saddle. The bay shifted under her.
The truth? She had left her heart with him, and her parents knew it. That was the reason they had worked so hard to keep her away from him.
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