“What do you think of”—her voice caught—“Quinn Remington?”
“Seems like an all right guy.”
“He was always nice in high school. But he’s different.” She shoved her hands in her pockets. “It’s like he’s got the weight of the world and a few extra galaxies on him.”
“I think something happened that knocked the stuffing out of him, and he’s in that ‘not worthy to be a Christian’ mode folks fall into. I’ve been inviting him to church though.” Clay raised an is-there-something-going-on brow. “Why?”
“Nothing like you’re thinking. He wants me to teach kids to ride at his ranch.”
“You should do it. I bet Rayna could help you with this little guy.”
“I don’t know.”
“Even moms need some me time. And you don’t take enough.”
“It’s just—” She sighed.
“What’s going on, Lace?”
“I think. . .” She lowered her voice, not wanting to admit the words. But needing to confess. To herself. And Mel. “I’m attracted to him. I can’t believe I said that out loud.” Her eyes squeezed shut.
Clay grinned. “That’s good, sweetheart. That means you’re coming to life again.”
“But—” A tidal wave in her chest cut her words off. Oh Mel. How could she betray him by thinking about another man? She twisted the wedding rings, still on her finger.
“It’s been two and a half years. You’re young, and Mel would want you to be happy.”
“Maybe I’m just lonely.”
“Mel wouldn’t want you to be lonely. And maybe nothing’ll happen with Quinn. But it’s time to start entertaining the possibility.”
Lacie wagged her finger at him. “If you tell Rayna, I’ll personally tan your hide. She’s already having matchmaking ideas.”
“Not a word. I’ll even try to rein her in for you.”
“Try is right.” She rolled her eyes. “Since you finally convinced her happily ever after really happens, she wants to make sure everybody gets one.”
Max sagged against Clay, his eyelids heavy.
“Come on, snookums.” Lacie reached for him. “It’s time for your nap.”
“Me no need nap.” He strained away from her with every inch of his two-year-old body.
“You always do what your mama says. Makes life easier, trust me.” Clay scooped Max down to her. “Snookums? I think this little guy needs some male influence in his life.”
She laughed. “I think he gets plenty of man vibes with you, your dad, and the ranch hands. Way more than enough.”
“You may be right, but no more snookums. Cowpoke, partner, wrangler—stuff like that.”
He dropped a kiss on the top of her head and gave her a quick squeeze.
She turned toward the ranch house. Clay loved Mel as much as she did. If Clay didn’t think her horrible for being attracted to Quinn, maybe Mel wouldn’t either. What if there were windows in heaven? Would her tentative steps toward a future without him make him sad, or would he cheer her on?
❧
Quinn stared at the pink and lavender streaks the sunset painted above the trees. Numerous horses grazed, tied to hitching posts surrounding a large clearing in the woods. Permanent wooden benches provided seating, and a sun-bleached table held the food.
Lacie seemed surprised when he arrived. Reckon Rayna hadn’t told her she’d invited him to their picnic. Would she have come if she’d known? Maybe. At least she was considering the job offer.
“Sorry for the heat, everyone.” Rayna handed her empty plate to Clay. “We probably should’ve held this inside, but I’m so sick of being stuck in the house.”
“Rayna’s got cabin fever, literally.” Clay circled the gathering with a trash bag. “She wanted some fresh air—make that hot air. Maybe I’ll build a pavilion.”
“It’s not too bad with the shade. And the sun’s going down.” Lacie shielded her eyes and checked the horizon.
Quinn forced his gaze away from her. Especially from her tanned legs topped by cutoff blue jeans. Come on sun, go on down. Quick. Why had he chosen the bench directly across from her with a mere five feet separating them?
Heat seared his heart and his lungs. He sure could use a fan.
Two baby girls and a toddler boy captivated the adults sitting around in canvas folding chairs. The redhead girl obviously belonged to Clay and Rayna. What was her name? Kayla—yeah that’s it. Danielle was Kendra and Stetson’s. If he hadn’t known she was adopted, he sure couldn’t have told by the love they lavished on her.
“Stay away from the horses.” Lacie cautioned as Max wandered out of her range.
“Big.” The boy traveled a large circle, well away from the horses.
Blond hair, dark eyes. A real rounder, wearing shorts that stopped just above a tiny pair of cowboy boots. He stared at Quinn’s boots then took sure-footed steps right up to him.
“Howdy, partner. Not shy, are you?” Quinn reached for the tyke.
Lacie swooped in from nowhere and scooped up the boy. “Let’s get you a drink.”
“He wasn’t bothering me. I love kids.”
“He loves men,” she whispered. “I try not to let him get attached to anyone who won’t be a part of his life.” She scurried away from him and over to the table.
Firmly put in his place.
Exactly why had he come?
The hair along the back of his neck prickled. He caught Stetson’s glare.
Stetson’s gaze darted away.
No, Quinn didn’t belong in this gathering. Lacie didn’t want him here. Stetson didn’t want him here. Kendra didn’t want him here. If only they’d clue Rayna in, so she’d stop inviting him.
Why hadn’t he mustered up the backbone to refuse and stay away from Lacie? If only he’d known Mel Gentry’s widow was the woman he’d fallen for back in high school. The woman he’d never forgotten.
Rayna repositioned Kayla in her lap. “So, Lacie, since we got our babysitting details worked out, are you going to take the job Quinn offered you?”
Quinn’s ears perked up.
“I think so.”
“Good. I know you loved your job at the ranch, and I wish we could hire you back. But I guess we’ll have to let Quinn have you.”
Lacie’s hand flew to her heart.
His gaze held hers. If only he could have her. He’d spend the rest of his days making up for the hurt he’d caused her. “When you coming to work?”
“Whenever you get me some riders to teach. Afternoons are best. Maybe three days a week.”
“I’ll get on it and let you know.” No turning back now. Three days a week with Lacie working at his ranch. So close. But they could never span the gulf of Mel Gentry’s death standing between them.
A text message alert sounded on someone’s cell. Rayna dug in her pocket. “Gabby’s in labor.”
“Sorry to be bad hosts, but sounds like we’d better get to the hospital.” Clay unhitched his and Rayna’s horses.
“I wanna go.” Kendra stood and scooped up her daughter.
Anticipation glowed in Lacie’s eyes. “Me, too.”
If only he could see her eyes light up over him. “Y’all go on. I’ll pack what’s left and take it back to the ranch house fridge before I leave.”
❧
First day, last student. Lacie led the white-and-brown-splotched Pinto around the arena. “There, that’s it. You’re getting it. Sit up tall.”
Six-year-old Tawny gradually relaxed astride the horse. “Look Daddy, look.”
“You did great. That’s it for today.” Lacie stopped the horse and held her steady near the child’s father while Tawny climbed down.
“You looked like a natural up there,” Mr. Masters said.
“Can I come back, Daddy? Please.”
“Sounds like we’re setting up a weekly lesson.”
“Great.” Lacie smiled. “I’ll put her on the schedule. Same time?”
“Please.” He took his daughte
r’s hand.
The little girl chattered all the way to the parking lot.
Lacie undid the girth, folded the right stirrup and straps up onto the seat so they wouldn’t hit the horse, and swung the saddle down from her back.
“I planned to take care of that.” Quinn’s voice came from behind her. “This thing’s as big as you are.”
“I’ve been saddling and unsaddling horses since I was twelve. I can handle it.”
“Well around here, you don’t have to.” He grabbed the saddle from her. “How’d your first day go?”
“I had fun.” Her insides did a little somersault. “The Masters girl wants weekly lessons. Same time.”
“Great. That’s three students for each day you teach. I watched you from the kitchen window. You’re really good. With the kids and with the horse.”
“Patience.” She smiled. “It’s the secret to both.”
Music played, and Quinn dug a cell phone from his pocket. “Desperado.” A hauntingly lonely song to choose for a ringtone.
“Hello?” He stared in the distance, listening to the caller.
While he was distracted, Lacie looked him over. His pale eyes were a striking contrast to his sun-darkened skin and almost-black hair. Lines and contours honed his bone structure. Strong, rugged, and hard working. Handsome, yet gentle.
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t announce anymore.” He lowered the brim of his hat. “No. If I think of anyone, I’ll let you know.” He slid the phone closed but turned his back on her.
Awkward silence hung on the breeze. He led the horse toward the barn.
She should go. Instead, she trailed behind him. “I always thought announcing a rodeo would be fun.”
“I had my fill of it.” His voice was gruff.
The raw emotion in his tone put a lump in her throat. What did he have against the rodeo? Had he fallen in love with a cowgirl? Did she break his heart? Why else would a handsome man like Quinn be alone? He must be pining over some lost love.
“I love the Stockyards. At first, after Mel died, I felt closest to him at the rodeo. Somehow, it was comforting.” Why did she tell him that? She shoved her hands in her back pockets.
“And now?”
“Even with Clay retired, I still love going. I reckon I go to cheer Stetson on.” She hurried ahead of him to open the gate. “Most of Mel and Clay’s bunch have moved on or retired, so I don’t know many of the Stockyards’ cowboys anymore, but I’m there every Friday and Saturday night. I guess it’s in my blood.”
Here she was rattling on, and he wouldn’t even look at her. “I’d best be going. I told Rayna I’d be back by five.”
“Thanks for coming over today.” Finally he faced her. “You really were great with the kids.”
“I guess I’ll see you Wednesday.”
“See you then.” He led the horse to its stall.
Wow. Whatever was eating him was chowing down.
❧
Quinn harrumphed a huge sigh, punched his pillow, and closed his eyes. His mind drifted.
Dust flew as the cowboy hit the dirt—head first. The bronc stopped bucking and headed for the gate. But Mel Gentry didn’t move.
Quinn opened his eyes. Would he ever go a whole day without that vision? It always struck when he got still, when the house was quiet with no distractions. No matter how late he stayed up. No matter how tired he was.
Now that he knew Lacie had been there that night—had witnessed her husband’s death—his fully awake nightmare had a new twist—Lacie’s terror-riddled face in the crowd.
He rolled onto his side, facing the window. Moonlight washed the room with its eerie glow.
And yet Lacie was doing better than he was. Because the guilt didn’t lie at her feet. It lay squarely at Quinn’s.
How could she still go to the rodeo? He hadn’t stepped foot near an arena since Mel’s death.
But Lacie had faced her demons. She was moving on. Sadness still lurked in her eyes, but so did determination. Determination to be strong for her son.
He rolled over again.
Maybe if he went to the rodeo, the nightmare would go away. Maybe he could replace it with new images—of cowboys riding until the buzzer sounded, jumping nimbly from their mounts and exiting the arena.
He felt for the remote on his nightstand. Bright-blue digital numbers on the clock glowed 3:12 a.m. He clicked on the TV. Something lighthearted. TV Land? He clicked until he found the channel. Soft voices. A classic sitcom.
He closed his eyes.
If only life came with a laugh track.
❧
Lacie sat next to Kendra in the box seats. Countless times Mel had kissed her here before heading to the chutes.
The huge tractor parked in the middle of the arena revved to life, signaling the beginning of the rodeo. Fans claimed seats in a steady stream. Cowtown Coliseum, her second home.
“Kendra, I need a favor.” Wyatt Marshall squatted beside them, holding his infant daughter.
“Hey cutie.” Lacie’s arms ached to hold her, as they had a few weeks ago at the hospital when Gabby brought a new baby boy into the world.
“Thanks.” Wyatt grinned.
Her cheeks warmed. “I meant—”
“I know. Just joshing with you. My sister couldn’t keep Hannah tonight.”
“Can I hold her?” Lacie reached for the baby. Lavender-scented shampoo and sweet baby smell took her back to when Max was so tiny. “What a sweetie. How old is she now?”
“Eleven months.” Wyatt swung a diaper bag off his shoulder and sat it between them. “I owe you gals a million. I’m in the second round of bulls, so it’ll be a while, but I’ll come get her as soon as my ride’s over.”
“You may have a fight on your hands.” Lacie snuggled the baby close.
“Nobody’ll ever get my girl from me.” He gently cupped the back of his daughter’s head with a calloused hand then swaggered toward the bucking chutes.
“I’m so proud of him.” Kendra stuffed the diaper bag under her metal folding chair. “Who’d have ever thought he’d make such a great dad? A single dad at that?”
“Does Natalie ever have anything to do with her?”
“No. After Wyatt managed to change her mind about abortion, Natalie signed her rights over to him and left town soon after Hannah’s birth.”
“How could a mother give up her child and cut all ties? I just don’t understand it.”
Kendra’s shoulders sagged.
Oh to get those words back. Lacie closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” What else could she say? “Open mouth, insert foot. Wanna go get something to drink?”
“No. It’s starting anyway.”
“Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Cowtown Coliseum, home of the first indoor rodeo. Fasten your seatbelts; it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.”
She knew that voice. Quinn.
Kendra shielded her eyes from the spotlights and scanned the announcer’s booth.
“I didn’t know Quinn was the new announcer.”
“Me, either.” She’d distinctly heard him turn down the offer, and she hadn’t realized his offer came from Cowtown.
The music started, and Hannah jumped. Her little face grew red, and she let out a wail.
Lacie stood. “I think I’ll go get that drink. I’m not sure blaring music is so good for baby ears anyway.” She headed to the lobby, soothing the baby as she went.
And besides, Quinn had managed to invade her turf once more. She couldn’t seem to get away from him.
❧
Quinn climbed down the stairs from the announcer’s booth. When he’d arrived, one glimpse of the arena and he’d felt like his chest would explode. But the night had gone well. Broncs and bulls. Some riders made the buzzer; some fell. But no dead cowboys.
He rounded the arena and exited into the private lobby where dozens of cowboys filed out after a hard night’s ride.
Lacie. His steps faltered. Blond, delicate, and beautiful. She held the t
iny hands of a baby, walking the child between her feet. A baby too small to be Max. Her gaze met his.
Come on feet, work. He walked toward her, trying for casual. “Who we got here?”
“This is Hannah. Isn’t she a doll?”
“There’s my baby girl.” A sandy-haired man reached for the baby and smiled at Lacie. “Was she good?”
“Very good, but the music bothered her, so we stayed in the lobby and practiced walking most of the time.”
The man frowned. “I made you miss the rodeo.”
“It’s okay. This little angel was worth it.”
“I owe you one, Lacie. Don’t know what I’d have done without you.” He kissed Lacie’s cheek. “This single father stuff is tough sometimes. But well worth it.”
Something in Quinn’s chest tightened. Was this single dad on the prowl for a mommy for his little girl? Had he set his sights on Lacie?
six
Quinn’s mouth went dry.
“This is Wyatt Marshall. A friend,” Lacie added. “Wyatt, Quinn Remington. We graduated high school together.”
“The new backup announcer.” Wyatt offered his hand.
Take the baby and waylay the man. Instead, Quinn gripped Wyatt’s hand. “That’s me.”
“Glad to have you on board. You did a fine job tonight.”
Straggling competitors, surrounded by well wishers, trickled through the lobby, filling it with booming conversation and laughter.
“Thanks,” Quinn shouted over the ruckus. At least the new man in Lacie’s life was nice. What idiot would think she was unattached, as lovely and sweet as she was? Men would naturally herd around her.
Was this guy worthy of her? Or was he looking for someone to make his single fatherhood easier? Was he using Lacie to shirk his responsibilities?
He couldn’t stand around and watch her with her friend. Not for another second. “See you around.” He hurried to the exit, his heart pounding in his ears.
❧
At least September was slightly cooler. Lacie led her last student around the arena at Quinn’s. He was everywhere she went. Every time she turned around at Clay and Rayna’s ranch, at the job she didn’t even need, and now announcing rodeos at Cowtown Coliseum. She had to quit her job. Before her lonely heart got too accustomed to him.
Rodeo Ashes Page 5