“No, I thought since I had a few minutes before my shift starts, I’d run Ryan to school so Shelby didn’t have to stop what she was doing.”
The child ran to him. “Cullen.”
Shelby wiped her hands on a towel, to distract herself from drooling over the man in his uniform. “You really don’t have to keep taking him, Cullen.”
“I know.” He arched an eyebrow as Bess wandered off to the other side of the kitchen. “Unless you have a problem with me taking him.”
“Of course not.” She glanced at Ryan. “I just didn’t want you to go to any trouble.”
“No trouble. Trouble is my father moving into my house.”
She smiled. “We saw Neal this morning. I see you put him to work.”
“Yeah, he might as well stay busy. Says he’s retired now.” He sighed. “That surprised me the most. I thought the man wouldn’t leave until they threw him out the door.”
She smiled. “Maybe it’s good for you to spend some time together and get things straightened out between you.”
Cullen sighed. “I’m not so sure. Hey, would you like to come to supper tonight?”
She could tell he was asking for her help. “I think you mean, would you cook supper tonight?”
“You’d really help a lot if you and Ryan could be there so we’re not just staring at each other.”
“What would you like me to cook?”
“Anything simple. Text me a list of groceries you’ll need and I’ll buy them.”
“Good idea.” She kissed Ryan goodbye and grabbed his backpack. She waved as they drove off.
When she came back inside, Bess said, “I’d say you got yourself a nice man there.”
“I can’t get involved with him, Bess.”
“Honey, don’t look now, but you’re already involved. So start enjoying it.”
* * *
CULLEN LEANED AGAINST the railing and watched his father lead Ryan around the corral on Cloud. Tightness banded his chest as he remembered how the man used to do the same with him and Austin. They couldn’t have been more than Ryan’s age when they’d learned to ride.
Then his father’s first wife, Cullen and Austin’s mother, Mary, died. His dad never recovered from the loss. A widower for three years, he met and married Leslie Landry, but he still wasn’t the man he once was. Detective Neal Brannigan worked more on criminal cases and stayed at the office and away from home.
Cullen never understood how Leslie had been able to put up with a marriage where she was alone all the time. He smiled recalling his loving stepmother. How she’d always show up to all his and Austin’s ball games and school events. Dad always had an excuse not to be there, always had something to do with work.
Maybe that had been why Cullen had gone into police work. To impress his father. To get his attention. Yet, years later all his commendations and successes with the force had never earned him any praise. Then the indictment came down, and he’d hoped his father would at least stand up for him. It didn’t happen, either. He had to deal with the fact that nothing he did would please the man.
“They both seem to be having fun.”
He tensed, then realized Shelby had come up behind him. He climbed off the railing. “Yeah, it’s hard to tell who’s having the most fun.”
Shelby looked through the fence slats and waved at Ryan. “How long is your father staying?”
He shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
She nodded. “With the recent death of his wife, he probably needs you and your brother.”
“Well, he had a lot of years to spend time with us, and he never seemed to want to. So I doubt this visit will be a long one.”
Shelby was quiet for a moment, then said, “As a person who’s had little family, take the time to be with him.” She turned back toward the action in the corral. “I can’t even remember my parents. Well, I never did meet my father, and my mother died in a car accident when I was six. Grandma Ivy was my and Georgia’s lifeline. I have wonderful memories of her,” she said, her voice husky with emotion. “Sometimes that just isn’t enough, and you get so lonely your insides ache.”
Cullen found himself reaching out and wrapping his arms around her. “Hey, Shelby, don’t. I’m sorry you lost them.” He cradled her close, feeling her tremble. “You are so lucky to have Ryan.” He pulled back and looked into her eyes. “The boy adores you. I’d say you’re doing a wonderful job with him.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
“Hey, you two!”
Cullen heard the familiar voice and turned around to see Trent. He immediately stepped back from Shelby. “Hey there, bro. What brings you out here?” He glanced toward the truck. “Another horse?”
Trent smiled. “No. No more horses at the moment. Hi, Shelby.”
“Hi, Trent. How are your new niece and nephew doing?”
He shook his head in disbelief. “They’re incredible. Little Jackson Rory, called ‘Jack,’ and Caitlin Diane, ‘Katy’ for short, are doing great. Better than their exhausted parents.”
Shelby couldn’t hide her excitement. “I’d love to go see them, but I know they don’t need any visitors right now. Maybe I’ll cook a meal and run it by tomorrow after work.”
“They’d appreciate that, I’m sure,” Trent said. “Brooke is over there right now to help out.”
Cullen knew Trent didn’t just come by to shoot the breeze. “So what else brings you by?”
“I got that therapy saddle.”
“Really?” Shelby said.
Trent nodded. “Alice Bradley was happy to donate it to the cause. It’s in the truck.” He looked back at Cullen. “I also got a call from Neal. Said he was in town and wanted to see me. Do you have any idea what it’s about?”
Cullen shook his head. “No. He showed up last night. Told me he retired from the force and wanted to visit a few days.”
Trent frowned. “Well, the two of us never really bonded all those years ago, or again at Mom’s funeral, so I can’t imagine why he wants to see me. If it’s to dispute her will—”
“No, I don’t think it’s that,” Cullen disagreed. “Before they got married, I overheard them discussing how to separate their finances.”
Trent nodded, then they all turned toward the corral and the man leading Ryan on the horse.
“Maybe he’s just lonely,” Shelby suggested. “He and Ryan seem to be getting along.”
The older man looked over at them and waved. “Hey, Trent.” Neal Brannigan smiled. “It’s good to see you.” He tugged on the lead rope to walk the horse closer. Trent opened the gate, and all three of them stepped inside.
“Hi, Ryan.”
The boy grinned. “Hi, Trent.”
Trent looked at his stepfather. “How have you been, Neal?”
The older man tipped his hat back. “Not too bad. I miss your mother.”
Cullen saw Trent tense. “We all do.”
Neal nodded. “I brought some of her personal things, mostly pictures. I thought you might like to have them.”
Trent nodded. “I appreciate that.”
Shelby stepped in. “Trent, since Brooke is helping Laurel with the twins, why don’t you stay for supper? It’s only meat loaf and garlic mashed potatoes, but I made pineapple cake for dessert.”
Trent smiled. “I guess I can stay.”
Ryan’s grin broadened. “Oh, boy.”
“Help me with the horses, Trent,” Cullen said.
“So I got to work for my meal?”
“Hey, I seem to remember, you were the one who brought those animals here.”
Neal smiled. “Brings back memories.”
Cullen took the gelding from his father. He hoped that tonight’s family supper was going to be filled with a few go
od memories for a change.
Chapter Thirteen
Later that evening, thunder rumbled through the big house. Shelby felt Ryan jump, but the tense mood at the supper table had nothing to do with the spring storm. She glanced around the kitchen table at the three men. They looked as awkward as if they were all strangers, not family. Even the meal she’d worked so hard on was being ignored.
The scene was painful to watch. So she tried to ease the tension. “So, Neal, do you have any plans now that you’re retired? Travel, maybe?”
He looked at her and smiled. “I might travel some. I thought I’d catch a few rodeos.”
That got Cullen’s attention. “You’re going to go see Austin?”
Neal gave a nod. “Thought I might.” He looked at Cullen. “Maybe you’d like to go along.”
Shelby held her breath, waiting to hear the answer.
“Now’s not a good time.”
“Well, I could wait until you’re finished with your job here.”
Cullen pushed his food around on his plate. “We’ll see.”
Shelby sat back, listening to the sound of the rain on the roof and the distant thunder. At least one storm was moving on.
Trent drew her attention. “Shelby, I’m not sure if you know that Rory and I own hunting and fishing cabins, and also the Q and L Guest Lodge, which we rent out for weddings and parties. We’ve always used All Occasions Catering, but Bess said we should talk with you. Have you taken over the business?”
“Not exactly, but I am handling most of the catering. Bill and Bess need some free time.” She wondered if she’d taken on too much.
Trent arched an eyebrow. “So you’re staying here?”
She’d love to if Gil stayed out of her life, and if someone else cared enough. She gave a quick glance at Cullen, who was talking to his dad. “We’ll see how things work out.”
“I hope you stay in our town,” Trent said. “I know Laurel and Brooke would love having another woman close by.”
“I wish I had more time to spend with friends. Working full time, it’s been difficult.”
“Do you feel isolated out here?”
She felt Cullen’s gaze. “Oh, no. Of course, it’s a little longer drive to town, but I love living in the country. It reminds me of my childhood on the farm.”
Trent rested his arms on the table. “The reason for asking about the catering business was because Rory and I are building more cabins on the property. It seems our weddings are so popular that the families and friends want to stay on the property. So we’re wondering if you’d be interested in doing a Sunday brunch.” He raised a hand. “Before you answer, we have a full-service kitchen in the lodge, so you could keep all the supplies on-site and not have to bring them in each week. And of course we’re only open in spring and summer.”
“Wow, you really are expanding your business.”
“These days we can’t just rely on cattle to make a living.” Trent Landry’s grin was contagious and his brown eyes were captivating. “I’ve sampled your incredible cooking skills, Shelby, but I have a feeling we’ve only tapped into your talents.”
“Thank you. It’s nice to know that I’m so popular.”
“I think you knew that when you started working for the café,” Trent said. “Just think about the brunch.”
She nodded, then felt a tug on her sleeve. “I ate all my vegetables,” Ryan said. “Can I have dessert?”
“Yes, you may,” she told him and stood. “Gentlemen, would you all like coffee with dessert?”
Cullen got up, too. “I’ll get the coffee.” He went to the cupboard and took down the mugs while she went to the cake on the counter. She cut sizable slices and placed them on dessert plates. She brought them to the table, and the men eagerly dug in.
Trent was the first one to speak. “You’ll have to give this recipe to Brooke.”
Ryan looked up and grinned, cake crumbs around his mouth. “It’s good, Aunt Shellie.”
The men laughed, and surprisingly it was Neal who reached over and wiped the boy’s mouth on the napkin. “There you go, son.”
“Thanks,” Ryan said. “Pops.”
Shelby froze. Oh, my, where had Ryan decided on that name?
Neal looked at her. “I hope you don’t mind that I told Ryan he could call me Pops. It’s a nickname I inherited from the young guys on the force.”
She shook her head. “No, not as long as you gave him permission.”
Neal nodded. “He’s been very respectful. And he’s learning to ride pretty quick, too.”
Ryan smiled. “I want to go riding again. Can Noah come, too?”
She looked at Cullen, who seemed to be ignoring her most of the meal. “We’ll have to see.”
Neal spoke up. “I could take him.”
Cullen sat back in his chair. What was his father doing? Since when had the man turned so domestic? “There’s no need, Dad.” He looked at the boy. “We can go after work tomorrow.”
That brought a big grin from Ryan, and his chest swelled a little.
Cullen turned to Trent. “I’m off about noon tomorrow, and if you have time I thought we could start on the ramp.”
Trent nodded. “Yeah, I could come for a few hours. What about you, Neal? You want to help, too?”
Cullen wasn’t sure if he needed his father critiquing his work. But what the hell. “Yeah, Dad, you want to help?”
“Sure.”
“Since you have the therapy saddle,” Shelby began, “do you want me to mention the idea to Jeanie?”
Cullen nodded. “I guess you should. If his parents don’t want their son to ride, we need to know.”
“The ramp is a good idea, even if we only use it so the kids can learn to mount.” Trent pushed his chair from the table and stood. “Well, I need to go and pick up Chris and Brooke at Laurel’s. Thanks for supper, bro. Shelby, it was delicious.”
Shelby stood, too. “Tell Laurel I’ll stop by tomorrow to drop off some food.”
“I’ll let her know.” Trent surprised her when he embraced her in a hug.
“Anytime,” she said. “And give those babies a kiss for me.”
“Good night, Neal, Cullen.” He ruffled Ryan’s hair. “Night, kid.”
Trent shook Neal’s hand and picked up the box of pictures the older man had given him earlier, then he and Cullen headed for the back door. Once outside in the cool air, Cullen asked, “Do you have any idea what Dad’s up to?”
Trent shook his head. “Neal has never been one of my favorite people. Sorry, but I hated the way he treated my mother.”
“I agree. Leslie deserved more from her husband. We deserved more of him, too. That’s what surprised me when he showed up yesterday.”
“Could be the old guy is lonely. Maybe he realizes what he’s been missing with his family all these years.”
Cullen knew his dad was a hard man, and he wouldn’t make excuses for the man. He wanted to remember Neal Brannigan as he had been before Cullen’s mother died. He caught a glimpse of that man with Ryan. He just hoped it lasted.
* * *
THE NEXT AFTERNOON, work had begun on the ramp. The wood from the lumberyard had been moved off the truck, and Cullen got busy measuring and cutting the two-by-fours. He stood back as his dad ripped the tongue-and-groove boards with a power saw. Then Trent carried them over to the frame, picked up the nail gun and began placing them along the ramp’s incline.
Then Cullen began to measure for the railing. They needed at least one on the side to brace the wheelchair. After a lengthy discussion, they decided the best place for the structure was outside of the corral close to the side gate.
Engrossed in his work, Cullen hadn’t heard the approaching car. It wasn’t until Ryan appeared beside him that he realize
d the time.
“How does it look?” he asked.
A big grin appeared on the boy’s face. “Good.”
The two exchanged a high five. “So will this work for Luke?”
The boy nodded. “Can he ride now?”
Cullen quickly got distracted when he saw Shelby walking toward them. He took notice as she smiled at him, and he felt a hard tug on his body. Realizing he was staring, he turned back to Ryan as he removed his safety glasses. “We’ll see.”
Shelby smiled, her gaze traveling over their handiwork. “Wow, you guys have been busy. This looks great.”
Cullen nodded. “Yeah, Dad found dimensions for building a wheelchair ramp on the internet and Trent brought over lumber from his building site along with some power tools.”
His stepbrother stopped nailing the boards and stood. He came over to join them. “So you like our handiwork?”
“You guys amaze me by what you’ve accomplished in such a short time.”
Trent grinned. “It’s all my military training. I know how to motivate the troops.”
Cullen spoke up. “Yeah, right. You mean you boss everyone around.”
Trent surprised him by wrapping his arm around his neck in a choke hold. Years ago, Trent would do this to show his dominance. No more. Cullen quickly got out of the lock, reversed the advantage and whipped his stepbrother’s arm around his back.
Just then Neal came out of the barn. “Hey, you two, knock it off.”
Cullen quickly released Trent and they both started laughing.
Trent said, “Hey, you’ve gained some quickness over the years.” He eyed Shelby. “Maybe if Brooke was here cheering for me, I might have tried harder.”
“Right. And maybe I got the advantage because you aren’t bigger than I am any longer.”
Shelby watched the two brothers. They were nearly the same size. Trent might be an inch taller, but their muscle mass was pretty much the same. “Hey, boys.” She got their attention and nodded toward Ryan. “Some people might not know you’re just kidding around.”
Cullen’s movement was quick as he swooped Ryan up in his arms. “Do you want to play, too?” Soon her nephew was sitting on those broad shoulders and they were chasing Trent around the yard. Ryan was giggling so hard. His happiness brought tears to her eyes.
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