Texas Hope: Sweetgrass Springs Stories (Texas Heroes Book 16)

by Jean Brashear

  “Such pent-up violence.” He clucked his tongue as he set down that foot and picked up the other.

  “I only need you to do that for twenty-four hours, maybe thirty-six.”

  “We could cool off these poor dogs in the stock tank at the ranch.” She tensed, and he bit back laughter.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  “I don’t know. What do you think it is?”

  “I don’t imagine it’s an enclosure full of bonds and treasury certificates.”

  He chuckled. “See, you’re practically a country girl already.”

  “So you want me to stick my feet in water where cows and horses and who knows what slobber?”

  He gave into his laughter then. “Got me.”

  “You’re a very sick man, Michael Cavanaugh. Please tell me you have a bathtub where you’re staying.”

  “I do.”

  “I suppose bath salts are too much to expect.”

  “Will shampoo work? Or maybe Samantha has bubble bath…”

  “Who is Samantha?”

  He liked the edge in her tone. “She’s a knockout blonde who’s stealing my heart piece by piece.” He paused, enjoying her frown. “The only problem is that she’s seven, so the bubbles might smell like bubble gum.”

  “You think you’re really funny, don’t you?”

  He trailed his index finger down her nose. “I think you’re cute, is what I’m thinking right now.”

  Her eyebrows flew. “No one has called me cute since…since I was seven, I think.”

  He pressed his lips to the faint line between her brows. “It’s okay. I also think you’re unbelievably hot.”

  He halted with his mouth a breath away from hers.

  “Yeah? How hot?”

  “Scorching,” he murmured, and closed the gap with a brush of his lips that quickly turned torrid when she parted hers and drew him in. “Michael…”

  “I know.” He was in pain himself.

  “Hurry.”

  “You’re hurting. Not tonight.”

  “You’ll make me all better. I won’t feel a thing.”

  “You’ll feel everything,” he warned her, then forced himself to back away and round the hood.

  He would draw her a bath and try to get himself under control while she was in there, in case she changed her mind. After a full day at the office, she’d driven two hours to get here, then spent five on her feet. She had to be wiped. They had time.

  Except they didn’t. He already had jobs assigned to him for tomorrow’s town celebration, and there was no way they could get out of going, even if he didn’t.

  He didn’t want to skip, anyway. He’d figured out pretty quickly that Ruby had set this in motion to help him woo Laken to town. He’d rather be doing a more direct sort of wooing, like keeping her in bed for twenty-four hours or so, but that wasn’t his option. The town wouldn’t hesitate to drag them out of the foreman’s cabin. Mackey would do so gleefully, and so would Rissa.

  Plus Ian needed his help. They’d spoken an hour or so ago, after Gordon got home and told Ian about Michael serving in his stead. Ian had been pleased and grateful, eager to have him fully involved tomorrow.

  Tonight Laken was tired and sore. Tomorrow, she’d be squired all over town, he was certain. Ruby had said she’d be welcome help anytime, and Ian had expressed his own gratitude for Laken pitching in to relieve Scarlett’s mind.

  That left them only tomorrow night to be alone together. He had to watch closely to be sure she didn’t wind up too exhausted for him to make love to her all night.

  But that was a whole day away. Or a year, at least it felt that way.

  Tonight he’d better sleep on the sofa to avoid temptation.

  “I could sure use someone to wash my back,” came the voice of pure seduction from the bathroom. “Anyone out there interested?”

  Just scrub her back, that’s all, he reminded himself as he strode toward the door where temptation lurked.

  “Huh. I wouldn’t have thought you’d want to get your boots wet,” she said, her beautiful breasts bobbing in the water, her long, gorgeous legs outlined beneath the surface.

  “You’re tired. I’m only going to scrub your back, that’s all.”

  “That better not be all, sailor.” She licked her lips slowly. “And you’d better be naked.”

  “You’ve had a long day, Laken.”

  She crooked a finger at him, her eyes dancing. “And I’m counting on you to give me an even longer night.”

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  But he got naked while he looked.

  Ian had been called to the barn to doctor a mare. Gordon glanced toward the stairs, wishing Scarlett wasn’t sleeping, so he could talk about Sophia’s visit.

  He stared once more at the book he wasn’t reading, reconsidering everything. How could he expect Ian to be ready to see Sophia when Gordon himself wasn’t sure how he felt?

  Footsteps on the stairs grabbed his attention. “Need something? I can get whatever it is.”

  Scarlett stood on the bottom step, her belly dwarfing her tiny frame. “Can you make this baby come early but still be perfectly formed and healthy?”

  He grinned. “Wish I could. Ian was overdue by ten days. I thought his mama was going to jump off the roof to get things going.”

  “He does like to take his own sweet time. Operates on his own schedule.” Her love for his son rang in every syllable.

  When she didn’t move, he pressed on. “Something on your mind?”

  Scarlett sighed. “I know Ian wants me to rethink opening Ruby’s Dream.”

  “You do have a lot on your plate, and a new baby requires a lot of tending.”

  “Women work in the fields, have their babies and keep working.”

  “I think that’s a rumor. Probably begun by a man who didn’t want anything interfering with his supper.”

  She laughed.

  “Come on in. Have a seat. Sure I can’t get you something?”

  She settled on the sofa beside his chair, head propped on her fist. “A great chef who doesn’t want his own place and won’t argue with me about anything.”

  “How would you assess the odds of that?”

  “Slim and none.” She shrugged. “But a girl needs a dream.”

  He waited before he spoke. “Ever think you might have a few too many dreams?”

  “All the time. And I know—truly I do—that the only ones that matter are living with Ian and raising this baby and taking care of Nana.”

  “I don’t have to tell you that Ruby took care of herself and the rest of the town for years before you came along.”

  She sighed. “No. I get that. But she’s not getting any younger. She needs to take it easy.”

  “Taking it easy is overrated. Feeling useful as you age is a whole lot better.”

  “I’m sorry. I know it grates on you to have limitations.”

  She couldn’t have a clue how true that was. He wanted to be running his place again—but it was Ian’s turn now. “It does.”

  “You’ve come so far, though. You can ride again and drive…”

  “Want to remind my boy of that?”

  She smiled. “He is a caretaker isn’t he? A protector and a coddler.” Her nose wrinkled.

  He laughed. “Yep. I don’t like it either.” He thought for a minute. “I don’t want to add to your worries, but I think I’d better ask your opinion about something.”

  “What?”

  He sat forward, hands clasped, and stared at the floor for a minute before fishing in his pocket. He held out his palm. “This is for you.”

  She took it, surprised and pleased. “Gordon, you didn’t have to—”

  “Open it. It’s not from me—well, not this time.”

  She worked at the clasp, brow furrowed. When it opened, she gasped. “Is that Ian?”

  “Yes, and a lock of his baby hair from his first haircut.”

  Her eyes swam. “Gordon, it’s b
eautiful. If not you, who—”

  He saw the second the answer registered. “Sophia sent it to me to give to you.”

  “You’ve heard from her? Was it…hard?”

  He scraped his palm over his face. “I don’t know what it was—or is.” He decided to get it over with. “I invited her here.”

  Her brows flew high. “Does Ian know—of course he doesn’t.”

  “You’d have heard the explosion.”

  “Wow. Why—” Scarlett shook her head. “Gordon, it could be a disaster.”

  “She knows that. She’s scared to death.” He cleared his throat. “But the situation needs healing. They’ll never do it from hundreds of miles away.”

  “Can it be healed?” She cocked her head. “Are you healed?”

  “I don’t know how much Ian has told you—he doesn’t know much because he was so young. But her leaving is every bit as much my fault as hers, maybe more.” He looked away. “I spent time in her world. I knew how different it was. I should never have brought her here, but…I just wanted her so damn bad.” He pinned her with his gaze. “And she tried, Scarlett. Spent six years trying to make this be where she belonged. Not many would have stayed that long.” He stared at the floor again. “Truth is, I forced her to go.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I was a damned fool who didn’t know how to compromise. I gave her no choice. She was dying by the day here, and I wouldn’t budge an inch.” He made himself meet her eyes. “And I refused to let her have Ian. She loved him too much to turn it into a battle. She probably could have won because her daddy had more money than Midas—or maybe it would have been a draw because his power base is in California, not Texas. I don’t know.” He shook his head. “Point is, Ian never had a chance to understand his mama’s decision and the part I played in it—at least, not until years later when he was shying away from getting involved with you.”

  “Because I was a city girl.”

  “Yes. And by then his heart had hardened too much toward his mother. He won’t listen to reason now.”

  “When he’s normally the most reasonable man on earth. So you’re going to force him to.” She hesitated. “Do you want to see her, Gordon?”

  “I don’t know. Gonna have to, anyway.”

  “Because she’s this baby’s grandmother.”

  “She’d sure like to be, but she believes she’s not worthy of being a part of this family.” He shook his head again. “And I did that to her. A child should have all the love possible, don’t you think? No child should grow up as alone as you did.”

  Her eyes softened. “It’s easy to see why Ian is such a good man. He had the best to raise him.”

  “Michael’s a good man, too. I had nothing to do with that. And it wasn’t his father’s influence, from what little I can tell. Sophia wants to love her first son, wants to love you and your baby.” He cleared his throat again. “I’m headed for the airport to pick her up in the morning.

  Scarlett’s jaw dropped. “Tomorrow?”

  He nodded.

  “Wow. And you were going to spring her on Ian?”

  “I don’t think he’ll agree to see her otherwise, but—” He exhaled. “But I also don’t want to hurt my boy.” He looked over. “Fine little mess I’m making, huh?”

  She chuckled. “Well, you have to admit it’s not much like you.” She thought a minute. “Do you want me to tell him?”

  “Nope. My mess to fix.”

  “He should know tonight, Gordon. He’s a planner. He needs time to get used to this, and I know you don’t want to embarrass him—or Sophia, for that matter. Does Michael know?”

  “Nope. Don’t want to cause problems between the brothers when they’re just now easing toward a relationship.”

  “Plus Laken’s here.”

  “Yeah.”

  She frowned and rubbed her belly.

  “You okay?”

  “What?” She glanced down. “Yes, just those blasted Braxton Hicks fake contractions that get your hopes up.” She thought a minute longer. “Let’s tell him when he comes back in from the barn. I’ll wait with you.”

  “I don’t need a shield.”

  “I wasn’t planning to be one. But I love you both, and maybe I can help.”

  He smiled at her. “You ever gonna quit taking the world on those little shoulders?”

  “Maybe when Ian does.” She winked.

  “You two are a pair.”

  She smiled fondly. “Yes, we are.

  They heard the side door opening. Soon Ian appeared in the doorway.

  “You okay?” Ian asked.

  “Fine. Baby’s restless is all. I’ve been chatting with your dad.”

  “About?” Just then he noticed his dad’s unease. “Something wrong?”

  “Mare okay, son?”

  “Yeah. Nothing serious. I’ll get Michael to check her out tomorrow if the hoof isn’t better, but I think we’re in good shape. What’s up?”

  The look the two exchanged wasn’t reassuring.

  “Come sit, Ian.” Scarlett patted the sofa beside her.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets instead. “Dad?”

  Scarlett rose and padded over to him, her belly peeking from beneath the hem of her tank top. “Look.” Her voice was soft and tender as she handed him a locket that almost seemed familiar.

  “What is it?”

  “Open it.”

  He parted the clasp. His baby picture stared out at him, along with a lock of hair. “What the—”

  “Your mother sent it to your dad to give to me.”

  He glanced at his father. “Why?”

  “She wanted Scarlett to have it. She kept it all these years.”

  Instead of keeping him. He clicked it shut and dropped it in Scarlett’s palm. “I couldn’t care less.”

  “She’s that baby’s grandmother, Ian.” His father’s voice hardened.

  “She was my mother, too, but that didn’t matter.”

  “I told you her leaving was my fault.”

  “You didn’t throw her out.” Scarlett’s staying hand on his arm just made him angry. “Don’t—” he barked at her and jerked away.

  His dad rose. “Don’t you take it out on Scarlett. She’s not the one you’re angry with.”

  “I don’t want to talk about that woman.” He wrestled down his fury, then looked at Scarlett. “You should be in bed. I’ll walk you up.”

  “I invited her here,” his father said.

  He whirled back. “You…what?”

  His father’s jaw was clenched just as tightly as Ian’s own. “I’m picking up your mother at the airport tomorrow morning.”

  Ian swallowed hard. Shot Scarlett a glance. “Did you know about this?”

  “Not until just now. Ian, give her a chance.”

  “Why? She didn’t give me one.” He fought his fury once more. “I don’t need her now.” He glared at his dad. “And you shouldn’t have done it.”

  “We’ll have to agree to disagree on that, son.”

  “You’re seriously giving her a second chance?”

  “Ian,” Scarlett soothed. “He’s doing it for you.”

  “Then he should have asked me first, shouldn’t he? I don’t care about her anymore, and I don’t want to see her. And you don’t need the tension.”

  “Do you know what I would give to have my mother here right now?” she asked, voice stricken, eyes swimming. “Our baby deserves to have as much love as possible, and every child needs a grandmother. I’d have sold my soul to have one growing up.”

  Fury battled with sympathy. He exhaled hard and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to calm down. He rubbed two fingers between his brows.

  No one spoke.

  At last he opened his eyes. “I can’t believe you did this,” he told his father. “You can’t expect me to like it, and I am not promising to do anything more than be polite to her.”

  “That’s all I can ask, son.”

  He couldn’t help fee
ling betrayed. “Why, Dad? You know how I feel.”

  “I do. I also know how big a part I played in that. I am far more responsible for your mother leaving than she is, and I’m the one who wouldn’t let her see you. She’s the one who loved you enough not to put you in the middle of a fight. But she grieves over it, Ian. She doesn’t feel worthy of your love.”

  Because she’s not, he wanted to shout, but he didn’t let himself. “I’ll be civil, but that’s all I’m promising.” He turned away, even though he didn’t enjoy seeing the hurt in his father’s expression and knowing he put it there. “Now I’d like a shower and as much of a night’s sleep as I’m likely to get. Do you need anything from down here?” he asked Scarlett.

  Her eyes were soft and brimming with love. “Only you.” She winced.

  “What is it?”

  “Just more practice contractions. I’m fine. And don’t you dare scoop me up again.”

  “Too late,” he said grimly as he strode toward the stairs with her in his arms.

  At the bottom of the steps, he spoke over his shoulder. “Good night, Dad. I—” He halted and tried to make his way through all the confusion roiling inside him.

  But this was the best he could do for now. “Sleep well.”

  “Same to you, son. And thank you.”

  Chapter Nine

  Sophia’s nerves wouldn’t steady as she walked down the jetway. The urge to turn around and stay on the plane to go wherever it would land next was powerful.

  Would Ian ever forgive her?

  She wanted that so badly. Deserved it so little. What kind of mother leaves her child behind, no matter how safe he would be?

  She’d been a mess. She’d had so little to offer him.

  You’re a good mother, Michael had always told her, but she hadn’t walked away from Michael. She’d nearly called him last night to ask him to come pick her up at the airport, simply for courage. She would feel steadier with him there. But Laken was in town, and she knew how badly her younger son wanted the visit to go well. He didn’t need the distraction.

  She stepped on the down escalator as it moved toward the baggage area. She’d never been in this new Austin airport, and she had to smile when she saw the huge decorated guitars atop the baggage carousels.