Mirror Image Bride (Love Inspired)

by Barbara McMahon

  “Darcy and I spent most of the morning getting it in shape. It’ll probably stay that way at least through tomorrow when we drive to church.”

  She laughed. He loved listening to her laugh. He wished he could always bring laughter to her life.

  “And did you two have fun?”

  “We ended up soaked, as I should have guessed. But I had her standing in the bed washing the top of the cab, then squirting the bed itself while I cleaned out the inside. Turned out to be fun.”

  “She’s lucky to have you as her dad,” Maddie said softly. “Think of the memories you two are making.”

  “I guess. Doesn’t seem like much.”

  “It’s a lot. If you asked me about my childhood, I’d tell you about my brothers, especially Grayson, who always felt he had to watch out for us, and Rachel. She was like a mother to us all. I still call her a couple of times a week. She’s wise as well as loving.”

  He nodded.

  “I know my dad loves us. However, I always felt there was a distance between us. Or maybe just an inability to relate. I don’t know. But I don’t have many memories of him doing things with us kids. Now that I’ve found out about our family’s split, I wonder if that had an impact on how he relates to us. And I’m not sure where Sharla comes into things, except I still think of her as my mom.”

  “Nice memories there, right?”

  “The best. I’ve been lucky to have her and Rachel, and when Belle wakes up, I’ll have another mother to talk to and get advice from.”

  “You seem sure she’s going to do that,” he said.

  “It’s in the Lord’s hands. I take all updates the doctors give with an optimistic view. I can’t believe I’d find her to lose her before we had a chance to get to know each other.”

  “I know, I feel that way about Darcy. I’m doing my best to trust in the Lord, but I can’t get over worrying about all the money her grandparents have and how little, in comparison, I have.”

  “It’s not about money,” she said. “Trust in God. He is able to take care of everything.”

  “You’re right.” He was trying to hold on to trust. He wished it came as easily to him as it seemed to with Maddie.

  He took a breath, offering up a short prayer that Darcy would remain with him. Then changed the subject. He hadn’t brought Maddie out to discuss their families. He wanted to get to know her better.

  “Tell me about your job at the magazine,” he said.

  “I loved it. I was so sorry to lose it, but as well as it’s doing, it still feels the loss of advertising money with the economy the way it is.” She told him of her responsibilities and the enjoyment she’d derived from doing a good job that was never the same two issues in a row.

  She asked Ty about his work on the ranch, and about his plans for the future.

  When it was time to leave for the movies, he was sorry to have their conversation end. For once he was almost as talkative as Maddie. She had a way of making him want to share parts of his past with her, as she was sharing with him.

  The theater was crowded and they had to stand in line for tickets.

  “Want popcorn?” he asked when they entered.

  “No, thanks. I’m full from dinner.”

  Finding two seats together near the center was almost impossible. When he found two near the aisle they nabbed them. Just in time, the lights began to dim and the coming attractions began to play.

  Ty reached for her hand, laced their fingers and rested their linked hands on his leg as he watched the movie screen. From the corner of his eye he saw her startled reaction, and then the smile she gave him, tightening her grip slightly.

  It was hard to concentrate on the action playing. Most of his attention focused on the woman beside him. Her hand was soft and smaller than his. Her gaze was fixed on the screen, so he glanced at her from time to time, enchanted by her rapt expression as the convoluted plot unfolded.

  Another moment of contentment washed through him. He settled in to follow the movie, already hoping she wanted to stop for coffee before they returned to the ranch. He didn’t want the evening to end too early.

  Maddie tried to watch the movie, but it was almost impossible with Ty holding her hand. Her entire focus was on the warmth of his skin, the calluses she could feel on his palms, and the gentle pattern his thumb traced on the back of her hand. She didn’t believe this was a thank-you for watching Darcy.

  The minutes ticked by and she wanted to say, “Let’s leave the movies and go talk. Tell me what you’re thinking. What are you doing holding hands? Do you want a more personal relationship, or am I reading too much into it?”

  He’d been pretty adamant over the weeks she’d known him that marriage wasn’t for him. With all the changes going on in his life and hers, romance wasn’t at the top of her list, either. Yet she was fascinated by him. His slow smile made her insides turn over. His narrowed gaze when she spoke to him had her feeling like she was the only person on the planet.

  Worried he’d ask her about the movie later, Maddie did her best to concentrate on the plot, but it couldn’t hold her attention as much as Ty did.

  When the final credits rolled and the lights came up, Ty released her hand and looked at her.

  “Like it?”

  “Sure did.” She would have liked almost anything with him.

  “Want to head to Simmons coffee shop for a cup of coffee and dessert before we head back home?” he asked as they joined the rest of the moviegoers in leaving the theater.

  “I’d love to.” So he wasn’t any more anxious to end their evening than she was.

  The coffee shop was surprisingly crowded when they arrived. Others from the theater had the same idea as Ty.

  They were shown to a small table near the back. Once they ordered—both apple pie à la mode—Gwen poured coffee and left to get their desserts.

  “Does she work all the time?” Maddie asked. “Anytime I come in, she’s waiting on customers.”

  Ty glanced after the owner as she stopped to chat with other customers. He shook his head. “I’m not sure. You’re right, she’s always here when I come in.”

  “How are you holding up being away from Darcy?” she asked with a teasing grin.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’ve had friends with babies say the first night out leaving their precious child was almost torture.”

  “I told Sadie to call me if there were any complications. Since I haven’t heard anything, I’m sure they are having a good time together.” He checked his watch. “Or did. She should be in bed by now.”

  “I think Sadie was as excited about watching her as I was about coming tonight,” Maddie said. Then she asked, “Any more on the situation with your in-laws?”

  “Nothing. A lot of the preliminary work’s being done between attorneys, according to Stephen. Anyway, he said he’d let me know when we have a hearing date.” He scrubbed a hand across his face. “In a way, I wish it was over. However it goes, at least it wouldn’t be hanging over me like this.”

  “I know. It’s the uncertainty that cranks up the frustration level.”

  “Like you and your family situation—not knowing is the worst,” he concurred.

  Maddie nodded. “Tell me about riding in rodeos. I’ve never been to one, though there’s a lot of hype when the rodeo comes to Fort Worth.”

  “I liked it. I was younger then, so getting knocked off didn’t matter as much as now.”

  “Knocked off?”

  “I rode broncs and entered a few bull-riding events. I preferred the horses, but the prize money’s better on bulls. That cost me.”

  “That’s how you were injured?”

  “Violet tell you?” he asked.

  “Only that you were injured and that ended your rodeo days.”

  “And my marriage. Obviously, we weren’t the love match I thought we were. Reality has a way of changing things, I guess. At least it was a lesson well learned.”

  She wished she could sa
y something to ease the disappointment he still felt that his marriage had ended. Could he have found the reason Belle and her father didn’t stay married—reality with four children under the age of three was just too much?

  But that didn’t explain why Belle changed her name and Jack’s and Violet’s. Was the breakup so bad she wanted nothing to do with the Wallace name? Had she been hiding from her father?

  “How’s Jack doing? I rarely see him,” Maddie said once their pie had been served. The apple pie was perfectly warmed—melting the ice cream, but not too hot to eat.

  “He’s halfway killing himself working on restoring an old house they acquired a few years back. He’s still checking in with Violet about the ranch, but I think the hard work helps him sleep at night.”

  “Well, if the manual labor helps him stop wallowing in guilt over Belle, then I’m all for it.”

  “Agreed.” He glanced at her. “I saw him the other day. Asked him to be guardian to Darcy if anything happens to me. I also said it might become a moot point if I don’t get custody.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He agreed, then told me I better not let anything happen to me.”

  She laughed. “I think I’m a bit surprised he agreed. He doesn’t know anything more about children than you do, does he?”

  “No. Still—there isn’t another man I’d rather have charge of my daughter if I’m not there. Jack’s honest and a strong Christian. I want her to grow up with that. I wonder sometimes if Brittany and I would have stayed together if we’d trusted in the Lord back then.”

  “Do you wish you had?” she asked, feeling a bit disappointed. Was he still in love with Brittany?

  “I wish I had known the Lord for longer. Maybe I wouldn’t have married at all.”

  “Then you wouldn’t have Darcy.”

  “True, and I’d do anything for her,” he said vehemently.

  The drive back to the ranch was almost in total silence.

  Maddie gazed out at the dark night, thinking about how much she enjoyed the evening—yet they’d done nothing spectacular. She’d never been one for clubs and big parties, preferring evenings with friends or Saturday afternoon barbecues.

  When they reached the ranch, Ty stopped by the walkway to the Colby’s house. He escorted Maddie to the door. The porch light had been left on for her, though only one light showed from inside.

  “Thanks, Ty. I enjoyed myself,” she said at the door.

  “I did, too, Maddie.” He cupped her cheeks in his palms and stared into her eyes. “I hope you’ll go out with me again.” Then he kissed her.

  It was a brief kiss, over before Maddie could even react, except to have her heart race.

  “So is this a thank-you for watching Darcy?” she asked when he dropped his hands.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Why did you ask me out tonight, as a reward for watching your daughter?” she asked again, seeking clarity.

  “I pay you a salary to watch her. This was all for me—and you.”

  She smiled. “I’m glad. See you in the morning.”

  Maddie was still smiling as she went up to her room. When she passed Violet’s bedroom, the door was open and her twin called out, “How was it?”

  She went to the doorway, her eyes sparkling. “Fabulous. We had dinner at Sally’s Barbecue, saw some movie and then had dessert at Simmons coffee shop. It was a real date, not a thank-you for watching Darcy.”

  “Hmm,” Violet said with a teasing grin. “Maybe you’re the one to soften our lone-wolf cowboy’s heart.”

  Maddie shrugged. Her feelings were too new and tender to expose to anyone—even her sister. “I’m off to bed. Lots to do tomorrow. Good night.”

  Once in bed, however, she opened her heart in prayer, asking God what His plan for her was. Did she and Ty have a chance to become close—close enough to fall in love and marry?

  If she ever married, she wanted it to last a lifetime. He’d already had one divorce and she knew a second would wound him deeply. If they ever contemplated a next step, both of them would have to be very sure.

  “If we ask you, Father, perhaps You will be in the midst of our relationship. Let me know what You want for my life. May everything I do or say please You.”

  Maddie fell asleep thinking about living in Grasslands and sharing her life with Ty and Darcy.

  * * *

  Maddie let herself into Ty’s kitchen the next morning. As usual, the coffee was already made. She quickly gathered ingredients for an omelet and began preparing breakfast. Darcy came in before long.

  “Good morning, sunshine, how are you today?” Maddie asked her. It was the way Rachel greeted her every morning when she’d been a child.

  “I had fun with Sadie. We played checkers and I won sometimes. Sadie’s fun. She wants to make lots of friends. She’s new like me.”

  “And me. We all have something in common. Breakfast will be ready soon.”

  Ty walked in. Maddie caught her breath and smiled.

  “Good morning.” His look had her heart racing again. “I’ll be late getting back tonight,” he said as he poured his coffee. “I’m heading to a stock auction in Jack’s place. He wants one of the bulls to go on the auction block, but is tied up today and asked me to go.”

  “Can we go?” Darcy asked.

  He looked at Maddie.

  “I’ve never been. It sounds interesting.”

  “Sure. It’s a bunch of animals for sale—horses, bulls, some steers. Other critters, too—sheep, goats.”

  “Like Nanny?” Darcy asked, referring to the goat that hung around the barn.

  Ty nodded. “We need to head out soon, I want to get there before the auction begins at ten.”

  “We’ll be ready,” Maddie said, already anticipating spending an entire day with Ty.

  Chapter Nine

  Maddie had breakfast on the table in less than five minutes. When they finished, Ty said he’d meet them at his truck in twenty minutes; he had to go over things with the men before leaving for the day.

  “Do you think we can buy a goat?” Darcy asked.

  “I thought you wanted a puppy,” Maddie said as she made short work of the dishes.

  “I do, but a goat would be something special.”

  “I tell you what—I’ll ask Violet if you can be part owner of Nanny. That way you’ll have a goat and we don’t have to bring another one on the ranch.”

  “I like Violet. She’s nice. I hope she’ll say yes,” Darcy said.

  “Run and get your hat and we’ll go meet your dad.”

  Maddie needed to run up to the house to get hers as well, but would wait until Darcy joined her.

  The phone rang. It was barely eight o’clock. She answered.

  “Ty Garland, please,” a woman’s voice requested.

  “He’s out now, can I take a message?”

  “This is Stephen Forester’s office calling. Mr. Forester wanted to speak to him, if possible.”

  “I’ll have him call back in about fifteen minutes, if that’s okay.”

  “We’ll await his call.”

  Darcy ran back into the kitchen, her hat on her head, her teddy bear in her arm. “I’m ready. Teddy wanted to come.”

  “I bet he’s never been to an auction. I need to get my hat and then we need to find your dad. He has a phone call to return before we leave.”

  Ty didn’t like the message when Maddie gave it to him. He headed inside while she and Darcy went to get her hat and wait by the truck. A small stock trailer had been hooked up to the back of his pickup. If they bought the bull, he was obviously bringing him home today.

  When he returned, his expression was hard to read. He scooped Darcy up and kissed her cheek. “Ready to go buy some stock?” he asked.

  “Yes!”

  He opened the passenger door and helped her inside, then Maddie. When they were underway, she looked at him. “News?”

  “Later,” he said, his gaze straight ahead as h
e drove down the gravel drive to the highway.

  She wanted to know what put that look on his face but, conscious of Darcy right between them, knew it wasn’t the time. Later couldn’t get here fast enough.

  The day was fascinating for Maddie. She and Darcy tagged along with Ty, standing to the side when he dealt with the men selling stock, watching the auction avidly. Maddie was getting a new perspective on Ty as she saw him interact with others. He was obviously well respected. And well-known. He must have been greeted by almost everyone they passed. When he introduced his daughter, everyone made a big fuss over her. Darcy was beaming all afternoon.

  He’d introduced Maddie as his friend, not Darcy’s nanny. She liked that as well.

  On the way back to Grasslands, the bull Jack wanted secured in the stock trailer, Maddie asked if they could possibly stop at the convalescent home. “I want to pop in and see Belle. I wouldn’t take long.”

  “If there’s parking for the rig, we could stop for a few minutes,” he said.

  “Do you want to come in?” she asked.

  “I do,” said Darcy.

  “I’ll stay with the rig,” Ty said.

  The convalescent home was cool when Maddie and Darcy entered a half hour later after Ty pulled the truck and trailer into a shady spot on the outskirts of the parking lot. They went straight to the nurses’ station and asked if they could visit Belle Colby.

  The nurse at the station recognized her. “Go right ahead. She had a restful night.”

  Maddie held Darcy’s hand. “Now, don’t be upset about the tubes and machines you see. They’re feeding her through them since she’s still asleep and can’t eat.”

  Belle looked pale and small in the hospital bed. The sides were up and several tubes went from machines on the far side. Her hair was newly washed and spread across her pillow.

  “Is she dead?” Darcy whispered.

  “No, and you can talk in your normal voice. Hi, Belle. It’s Maddie. I’ve brought Darcy to meet you. She’s the little girl I’m watching.” Maddie reached out and gently squeezed Belle’s hand. “We went to a stock auction today, my first.”

  “My first, too,” Darcy said, standing by the bed and studying the woman lying there. “Is she asleep?”