Rodeo Ashes

by Vannatter, Shannon Taylor;

  “Just know that if you date Wyatt, Hannah is part of the package.”

  “I love kids. Especially girls.”

  Lacie could imagine Hannah, usually dressed in baby-cowgirl gear or overalls, after Star played dress-up with her.

  “Does Quinn realize you’re a package deal?” Mama asked.

  “Yes, but it’s one date, Mama. Not a lifetime commitment.” Mama didn’t need to know it was anything more than casual. And she didn’t plan to include Max in the package just yet.

  ❧

  Quinn stared at Giuseppe’s menu, though he knew he’d order the same thing he always did. The two-story Victorian house with warm rust-colored walls usually relaxed him. But not tonight. Not with Lacie sitting across from him.

  “Yum, I think I’ll have this pasta-thingy I can’t pronounce, with grilled shrimp.”

  “Capellini Rustico.” The server said it with an authentic-sounding accent, saving Quinn from butchering the name for her. “And for you, sir?”

  “I’ll go with the lasagna.” He could pronounce it, and he’d never met a lasagna he didn’t love.

  “Excellent choice.” The server took the menus and hurried away.

  Lacie looked up at him. The future shone bright in her eyes.

  But could they scale the all-time relationship roadblock? He had to tell her.

  Had any man ever killed a man and ended up with his widow? King David had, but it hadn’t gone so well for him.

  Just as well it ended now, before his heart got any more attached to her.

  “Did you find a new ranch hand?”

  “Not yet.”

  Her hand covered his.

  His heart danced a jig. But he couldn’t allow it to.

  “I have to tell you something.” Their voices blended together.

  She giggled. “You first.”

  If he told her, he’d never see that smile or hear her laugh again.

  He had to tell her, but couldn’t he at least enjoy her company first? “You go ahead.”

  “This is the first date I’ve been on since I can’t remember when, and I’m terrified.”

  And it would be their last. “Nothing to be afraid of.”

  “I have to confess: I’m very attracted to you.” She blushed.

  Quinn’s heart sank.

  “Maybe I’m saying too much, but I need to let you know where things stand. I’ve been fighting my feelings for you for a while. Your walk with Christ held me back, but when you went to the altar, you took away my major qualm about you.” She squeezed his hand.

  He covered it with his. Something wasn’t right. He glanced down. Rings gone. His gaze caught hers and held.

  He couldn’t crush her. Not now, when she was trying to move on. With him.

  “What did you need to tell me?”

  “I’ve had a crush on you since high school.”

  She laughed again. A lyrical sound.

  “Did you know?”

  “No. But Mama did. She never said anything then, but she’s been trying to convince me since we reconnected.”

  “Mamas are always right.” His fingers threaded through hers. “So your major qualm about me is gone. Got any others?”

  Her eyes closed, and moisture seeped from under her lashes. “Mel. I feel like I’m betraying him.”

  Me, too.

  “I’m sorry. Here I am, bawling on our first date.” She dabbed her eyes with her napkin. “Maybe I’m not ready. I just don’t know.”

  “We can take things as slowly as you need to. I won’t even try to kiss you good night. Not until you let me know you’re ready.”

  Her posture relaxed as if a huge weight slipped off her shoulders.

  “Tell me about Mel.”

  She frowned. “Our first date and you want to talk about my husband?”

  Maybe talking about him could help remove the ghost standing between them. “If you’re okay with it.”

  “We met at a rodeo in the summer between my junior and senior years.” She shrugged. “He’d already graduated and was traveling the circuit, and I was Miss Rodeo Texas Teen. It was love at first sight.” Her expression turned dreamy.

  Quinn tried not to squirm, waiting until she came back from wherever her mind had taken her.

  “I went to his rodeos as much as I could during my senior year, and he came to my events as often as he could. Our long-distance romance got old quick, and Mel asked me to marry him.” Her fingers traced the pale indention where her rings had been. “I wanted to quit school and get married, but Daddy wouldn’t let me. Besides, I had to fulfill my Miss Rodeo Texas Teen obligations. So as soon as I graduated and passed on my crown, we got married.”

  “And set up house in Aubrey.”

  “I traveled to all his rodeos with him. Mel wanted me to keep barrel racing, but we were on the road so much, I didn’t get enough practice, and it fell by the wayside.” She nibbled her lip. “But I really didn’t miss it. I was too much in love and couldn’t focus on anything other than praying him through every bull ride.

  “After a few years we settled down, and Mel pretty much rode only at the Stockyards, but then he did well, and we had to start traveling to Horizon rodeos and then the Cinch rodeos.” Her words tumbled out as if she hadn’t had anyone to talk with about Mel in a while. “But, I was tired of the road and. . .found out I was pregnant with Max. Did you know Mel was planning to retire the season he died?”

  Quinn swallowed the lump in his throat. “I think I read something about it.”

  “All those years, I was so careful not to get pregnant in case something happened to him.” She pressed her fist to her temple. “I know God’s in control. But sometimes, I wonder why, when we were about to have a baby, Mel had to die.”

  At my hands. “I reckon we’ll understand God’s timing when we get to heaven someday.”

  “And live in the meantime.” She wiped her eyes again. “Without questioning. Without looking back.”

  “Moving forward. Together.”

  Her laugh came out soggy. “I won’t hold my breath for you to call me again.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Why did Mel’s widow have to be the woman he’d loved since high school?

  “Because I spent half our date blubbering over my husband.”

  “You don’t blubber. You cry pretty, and I’d rather be your shoulder to lean on than have some other guy fit the bill.”

  He still had to tell her. But not now. Let their relationship develop. Then maybe she’d be able to forgive him. Or not.

  If not—his heart would never recover.

  At least he’d have this time he’d spent with her to console himself with.

  Selfish love-struck coward. That’s what he was.

  ❧

  Lacie hurried to the sanctuary after dropping Max in the nursery. He’d fussed this morning, and she hated disrupting services by being late. Rayna wasn’t in the nursery this week, but if she gave into Max’s fussing, she’d never get him used to his new church family.

  A teenage boy almost ran into her and then ducked his head, but not fast enough to hide his black eye. He rushed down the empty hall.

  He looked familiar. Come on, think. Trent. Danielle’s father. Stetson and Kendra’s Danielle. Only, he didn’t know, or did he?

  “Trent?”

  He stopped but didn’t turn to face her.

  “Honey, what happened?”

  Silence.

  “Do you need to talk to the youth director or the pastor?”

  “I was hoping to talk to Stetson.”

  “Church has already started, but I can go get him. Did someone hit you?”

  His shoulders slumped. “My dad.”

  “Oh honey.” She touched his arm.

  Trent jerked away.

  “I want to help you. I’m a friend of Stetson’s.”

  He faced her, fury etched in his tense features.

  He was bigger than her, and they were alone in a deserted hall.

  ten


  Inwardly, Lacie cringed. Don’t show fear. Don’t let him see you sweat. If she screamed, would they hear her in the sanctuary?

  “He kicked me out.” Trent’s voice broke, despite his rage.

  “Why?” Relax. He’s not angry with me. Just a boy, hurt by the man he should be able to trust.

  “He was drunk, and I wanted to go to church.” Trent raked his hand through his hair. “I couldn’t find the truck keys, so I woke him up to ask where they were. Guess it made him mad.”

  Lacie shuddered. “What about your mom?”

  “She left us.” Trent’s voice hardened. “A long time ago.”

  So not equipped for this. In her world, families loved each other and stayed together.

  “You go in the youth room.” She patted his arm. “I’ll go get Stetson. And we’ll find you a place to stay.”

  Trent nodded and trudged to the youth room.

  She ran down the hall. Her mother’s words echoed from childhood—no running in the church. But with her heart in her throat, her feet didn’t slow.

  ❧

  What was up with Lacie? About the time Quinn decided she was skipping church, she entered the sanctuary and whispered something to Stetson. He left and still hadn’t returned. Beside Quinn, but eons away, tension rolled off Lacie through the sermon. He ached to put his arm around her. She practically ran to the altar as soon as the closing hymn began.

  Teary eyed, she came back and stood beside him.

  The altar call closed, and a deacon dismissed them with prayer. The crowd began to disperse.

  “Are you okay?” Quinn whispered.

  “It’s one of the boys from the youth group.” Lacie’s voice caught. “His dad hit him and kicked him out.”

  Quinn shook his head. “What would possess a man to do such a thing?”

  “Alcohol.”

  “How old is this boy?”

  “I think he’s eighteen.”

  “Wonder if he’s ever done any ranch work?”

  One corner of her mouth lifted. “You still need a hand? I don’t know if he has any experience.”

  “I could train him.”

  “That would be awesome. Now he just needs a place to stay.”

  “I can take care of that, too. Hank lived in a cabin on my property.”

  She grabbed his arm. “You’d really do that?”

  “Sure, why not?”

  “You don’t even know him.”

  “No, but he needs help, and I’m in a position to help.”

  She hugged him.

  Right there in church.

  He could get used to it.

  ❧

  An elbow jabbed Lacie in the ribs as she stepped inside Moms. She adjusted Max on her hip and turned around.

  “I take it things went well on your date?” Kendra whispered. “Y’all were awful cozy in church this morning. I saw that hug.”

  Lacie smiled, and warmth spread through her. “Good. Really good.”

  “I’m so glad. Did he ask you out again?”

  “We’re having dinner before the rodeo Friday night.”

  “Are you still torn?”

  “Not as bad.” The character she’d seen him show this morning—helping a boy he didn’t even know—made her like him even more. “Did you hear about what’s going on with Trent?”

  “Stetson told me about his dad. The jerk.”

  “Quinn’s gonna let him stay at his ranch and hire him as a hand.”

  Kendra blew out a deep breath. “Oh, I’m so relieved. I mean, Trent’s really come a long way, and I’d love to help him, but I was so afraid Stetson would invite him to live with us. And since Danielle. . . Oh, I’m a terrible youth director’s wife.”

  “No.” Lacie squeezed her arm. “You’re a loving, concerned mom.”

  “Where is Trent now? Is he coming to lunch with us?”

  “Brother Timothy wanted to talk to him. Quinn’s supposed to pick him up after lunch.”

  “Want us to give y’all some space?”

  “No, we’ll sit with our friends.”

  “There you are.” Quinn reached toward Max. “Let me have this little guy. Ready to order?”

  Max shifted to Quinn, his little arms reaching out.

  A chasm roiled in her stomach; Lacie handed him over. “Starving.”

  They placed their orders and hurried to the party room next door. A new antique pay phone graced the wall near their usual large table. Soon Rayna and Clay joined them. Quinn claimed the seat beside Lacie, and Stetson blessed the food.

  “Christmas on Main’s coming up soon.” Clay scanned the faces at the table. “I’m signing up volunteers for the church’s booth. It’s the Saturday before Thanksgiving from ten to three. Any takers?”

  Quinn wiped mashed potatoes from Max’s cheek. “Another festival?”

  “The owners of Moms handle it. And again, the proceeds go to the library.”

  “I’m sure Lacie and I can help.” Quinn said it as if they were a couple. Couldn’t get one without the other.

  Her face warmed, but it was a happy blush.

  ❧

  Quinn had the definite feeling he and Wyatt were being tested. Especially when the women went shopping, leaving Wyatt and him with Lacie’s dad, Gerald. Quinn still couldn’t get used to calling him that.

  They browsed through the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop, Finish Line, and Champs, then agreed none of them were big shoppers and found a bench in the middle of the mall.

  Gerald grilled them both about their lives, their ambitions, and laid down the law on how his daughters were to be treated. Then the conversation relaxed.

  They discussed everything from the Maxwells’ upcoming move to livestock, politics, and church. At least there weren’t any uncomfortable silences, and they agreed on most topics.

  Quinn’s heart sped when he saw the women heading in their direction. One woman in particular. Lacie, a puff of white in her coat with a fur collar and cuffs. Beautiful with a light shining in her eyes. Because of him?

  “Hungry yet?” Her mom—Karen—carried numerous shop-ping bags.

  “Starving.” All three men chorused.

  “But by the looks of things, we may not have enough left in our account to eat on.” Gerald’s arm slung over Quinn’s shoulders. “You buying?”

  “Sure.”

  Karen slapped Gerald’s arm. “I just bought a few things for the house, and most of it was on sale.”

  “Uh huh. What’s on the menu?”

  “Sbarro’s.” Lacie’s voice blended with her sister.

  “The girls’ favorite. You guys okay with Italian?”

  “My favorite.” His words mixed with Wyatt’s.

  It really was Quinn’s favorite. Was Wyatt just trying to impress?

  Quinn fit right in with Lacie’s family. They were so warm, and they’d taken Wyatt right in, too.

  The future looked bright. Married to Lacie, raising Max, part of this family. Did her thoughts lead in that direction? He hoped so. He prayed so. But could their future together handle the truth? Who was he kidding? Their future should be based on the truth.

  Ice skaters sailed around the rink, located in the middle of the food court. Burgers, onions, and garlic filled his senses. His stomach rumbled as they rode the escalator up to the third level.

  Lacie stared down at the skaters.

  “Do you skate?”

  “I always wanted to. You?”

  “I played hockey.”

  “You know, I’d forgotten that. I was always off to horse shows, and you played hockey.”

  “Wanna skate after we eat?”

  “Oh no, I couldn’t. I’d fall flat on my face.”

  “No, you wouldn’t.” He held his hand out to her. “I’d be there to catch you.”

  She blushed and slipped her fingers into his. “Okay. Sounds like fun.”

  ❧

  Lacie held Quinn’s hands in a death grip. Effortlessly, he skated backward and pulled her along.
<
br />   “Relax.”

  “I can’t. Every time I try, my feet slide everywhere.”

  “I’ve got you. Relax. Think about something else.”

  “How’s Trent doing?”

  “Great. He’s a hard worker. Helping him’s like getting another chance with Hank.”

  “You’re a good man, Quinn.”

  His mouth twitched, and something died in his eyes. “You’re still not relaxed. You feel like a statue.”

  She took a deep breath, and her feet slid in opposite directions, dangerously close to achieving the split she’d never been able to master in cheerleading.

  Quinn’s hands gripped her waist and lifted her slightly.

  “I won’t let you fall, Lacie. Ever.”

  Dangerously close to him, but her feet were under her again, gliding with his. Yet her feet were the last thing on her mind. His aftershave filled her senses. Rich and spicy. His green eyes locked with hers.

  He stopped in front of her.

  Lacie slammed into Quinn. She yelped.

  His arms came around her, steadying her.

  Strength. Warmth. And all male. She hadn’t been this close to a man since—

  “Might want to watch where you’re going,” Wyatt’s voice said behind Quinn, and then he skated into view, holding Star’s hands.

  “Sorry, y’all okay?” Quinn swiveled toward them, his arms still around Lacie.

  “Fine.” Star glided effortlessly by with Wyatt, her smile huge. “Isn’t he a great skater?”

  “I played hockey.” Wyatt’s voice was gruff. “A real man’s sport. Otherwise, I’d have never done this kind of thing.”

  “Don’t worry, Wyatt, you’re the macho man,” Lacie’s tone teased. “Even on ice skates.”

  Wyatt growled, and he and Star sailed away.

  “Looks like they’re getting along good.” Quinn looked down at her. “You okay?”

  She nodded, unable to find her voice.

  He pulled away, clasping her hands once more. “How come Star can skate and you can’t?”

  Minus his warmth, a chill crept through her. “Star decided to teach me once, so she took me to the top of our grandmother’s steep driveway and pushed me down. Needless to say, I rolled the whole way and I never would try again.”

  “Siblings are great for stuff like that. I was always kind of glad I didn’t have any.” Quinn glanced behind him. “I think your folks might be ready to leave.”