“Didn’t say that. No offense intended. Just saying Sweetgrass isn’t for everyone—well, will you look at that?” James’s gaze focused across the courthouse lawn.
Michael’s eyes followed his, and his jaw dropped. “What’s my mother doing here?” He blinked, certain he must be seeing things.
“Seems as if she’s walking this way with Gordon. Huh.”
Michael blinked again. She was. And they looked…friendly. She was nervous, though, he could tell. People were staring, which could only increase her discomfort.
He headed for Laken and helped her rise. “Sit!” he commanded both dogs. Monroe responded instantly, Ajax more slowly, but he did comply.
“Hey,” she said, fluffing her hair and brushing her clothes, laughter still in her gaze. Then she sobered. “What’s wrong?”
“My mother is here, and she looks like she needs rescuing. Would you come with me?”
“Your mother? You didn’t know she was coming?”
He met her gaze. “Not a clue. And she’s with Ian’s dad.”
Laken’s eyes widened. “Whoa.” She rose to her toes and peered over the crowd. “They look…okay.”
“She’s terrified. I have to help her. Come with me.” He held out a hand, and to his relief, she didn’t argue. Each grabbed a leash, and they made their way through the crowd.
“We should go with them,” Scarlett said. “Your mom is scared to death, and this won’t be easy on her. People will side with you, you know that.”
Ian watched his dad walking hand in hand with his mother, his body language all about protection.
Ian shook his head. “What can he be thinking?”
Scarlett stepped up beside him and slipped her small hand in his. “You said he’d never gotten involved with another woman. Could he still be in love with her?”
Ian’s gaze whipped to hers. “In what universe would that make any sense? She left him.”
Blue eyes filled with love held his. “In Gordon’s universe. He’s told you he bears blame.” She glanced back at the couple walking away. “He’s a really good man,” she said, looking back up at him. “Like his son. That was kind, what you did out there.”
He shook his head impatiently. “It wasn’t kind. I don’t feel…kind. I feel—” He exhaled in a gust. “I don’t know what the hell I feel. She’s not what I expected. I thought she’d be…”
“What?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Snooty, maybe? One of those shiny women. All glitter and no substance.”
Scarlett squeezed his hand and leaned against his arm. “She seems so sad. I think she’s lonely.”
“She deserves to be. Dad’s sure as hell spent a lot of lonely years since she left.”
Scarlett lifted her head. “But he’s happy she’s here, can you see it? He’s also worried for you.”
“He shouldn’t be. I’m a grown man. I’m fine.”
Scarlett rose to her toes and kissed his sullen mouth softly. “You’re not fine, and of course you wouldn’t be. This is a lot to take in.” Scarlett sighed. “I wanted to hate her. To help drive the wicked witch out of town on a rail.” Her mouth twisted. “It’s really annoying that I like her.”
Her chagrin made him smile. “You were going to defend me?”
“I’ll always defend you,” she said, looking up at him with a world of love in her eyes.
“So drive her out of town.” He waited and watched her.
“If I thought that was best for you, I would.” She shook her head. “But it’s not. You need peace.” She grimaced, and her grip tightened.
“What is it? Another contraction?”
She waved it off. “I’m fine. I can’t say I’m enjoying the rehearsal, but if I wimp out at these little nothing contractions, I’ll be a poor excuse for a mother.”
He didn’t like how pain lined her face still. He was desperate to make her go to bed and stay there. “You’re going to be an awesome mother.” He bent and slipped one arm under her knees.
“Ian, don’t you dare—” As he lifted her into his arms, she smacked his shoulder. “I am not a sack of grain to be tossed around wherever you want me.”
He met her stubborn gaze head-on. “You won’t take care of yourself, so I have to do it for you. I was reading last night that stress can cause premature labor.”
“You think if I breathe I’m stressed. I rue the day Jackson made internet access so easy. You need to stop reading.”
“I want to know how to take care of you. Damn it, Scarlett, can’t you see how exhausted you are? What are you going to do when the baby gets here and you’re getting even less sleep? You know I’ll do every bit of what’s needed that I possibly can, but only you can nurse the baby. Stress can restrict your milk supply, too, did you know that? What does it take to get through your thick head that you don’t have to be Superwoman? Dreams isn’t going to open anytime soon—I’ve made up my mind. And you’re going to hire help at Ruby’s.”
“Of all the nerve—Ian, it’s my life. I have responsibilities. I’ve made promises, and I can’t just—”
“I’m not arguing about this anymore, Scarlett. Either you slow down, or I swear I’ll tie you to the bed.”
Her jaw dropped. “You can’t—”
“I can, and I will. And everyone in this town will back me up. Now are you going to see reason and do what you should or are you going force me to do it for you?” He met her furious expression with his own. “You know I will.”
She looked ready to snap.
Great job, dude. Make her even more tense.
He let out a breath. Looked at her with every bit of love in his heart. “Damn it, Scarlett. If anything happens to you…” Fear for her was a constant pain in his chest. “My love, don’t you know what you mean to me? I don’t know how to get through to you, and…I’m scared, sweetheart. Bone-deep scared. Please…”
Her eyes softened, grew bright with tears. She cupped his jaw. “Oh, Ian…I’m not trying to worry you, I just—”
He drew her into his chest. Hugged her hard. Wondered if she could feel him shaking as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed tightly against him.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’m trying to do the right thing, and so are you. I’m really disappointed not to have opened Dreams by now, and I so don’t want to let down Nana or the town.”
“She’s worried about you, too. Everyone is.”
Scarlett nestled into his embrace. “They shouldn’t be.”
“It’s not forever, sweetheart. You’ll still open Ruby’s Dream and knock the socks off everyone who comes there to eat. But please…give yourself a break, all right? And give my heart a rest.”
She smiled up at him. “You poor man. You took on a lot when you decided to love me.”
He snorted. “Like I had a choice. You’re an inconvenient woman to love, Scarlett McLaren.”
“But I’m worth it?”
“You know you are.” He lowered his mouth to hers and lost himself in a kiss that was an acceptance and a vow. “I wouldn’t change a hair on your head.”
She snorted softly. “Sure you would. But you love me anyway.”
“I do indeed.” He grinned. “I’ll love you more if you’ll let me take you home and put you to bed.”
“Now that is just dirty pool, Ian McLaren. You should be ashamed.”
“Not even a little.”
“It’s all about compromise, right?”
He nodded slowly, distrusting the satisfaction in her smile. “Yes, but—”
“Nuh-uh. No buts. I’ll let you take me home—” Her smile was far too complacent. “After we spend a few minutes showing everyone that we’re glad your mother is in town.”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Only if you let me carry you over there, Little Miss Ruthless.”
She frowned and started to protest but snapped her mouth shut and sighed. “You know I hate it when you win.”
“You call this winning?”
/>
“That’s the measure of a good deal, right? When everyone feels a little cheated?”
He looked at her askance. “Good gravy, New York, is that what they taught you? A good deal is when everyone’s happy.”
“I’m not happy—are you?” She pouted prettily and crossed her arms over her chest.
He couldn’t help it. He had to laugh. “You are absolutely incorrigible. But damn, how I adore you.”
Her smile was all sunshine as she gave him a big, smacking kiss.
He shouldered his way out the door with his precious burden.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Michael asked as he and Laken approached. He hugged her. “Are you okay?”
Laken watched as his mother held him close for a minute.
“I’m fine, honey. How are you? Gordon says everyone here thinks you’re great.”
“Hi, Gordon,” Michael greeted, then turned to his mother. “Well, I don’t know about everyone, but I like them, too.” He glanced back and reached for her. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Laken Foster.”
He and Ian both had her eyes.
“Hello, Laken,” his mother said graciously. “I’m Sophia Cavanaugh. I’m so pleased to meet you at last. Michael has talked about you a lot.”
He shot her quick look of chagrin. “Yeah, clearly too much.”
Everyone laughed a little nervously. She seemed to make people feel that they were walking on eggshells around her.
“Your son is a wonderful man, Mrs. Cavanaugh. You raised him well.” It was only the truth.
“Thank you. He’s a very good son. I’m so proud of him.”
Which was not to say that his parents had welcomed his choice of profession, she knew. “He has a real gift for healing. He’s wonderful with animals.”
“He’s the same with people. He always had a lot of friends, growing up. And the girls wouldn’t leave him alone.”
“Mom…” Michael winced.
“He still has that effect,” Laken said. “When he substituted in his friend’s Austin practice, the number of pets needing attention rose dramatically.”
“Oh?” His mother frowned.
“All of them owned by women. Not all of them single.”
Gordon chuckled.
“Laken…” Michael cleared his throat. “So, Gordon, have you gotten any barbecue yet?”
Laken grinned, and he narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze promising retribution.
“No, son, but maybe I should take your mother over to have some.”
“I’m not sure I should stay, Gordon.” Sophia glanced around, and Laken realized that the crowd was giving them wide berth. Though enough of them were staring and some were whispering.
“Of course you should stay,” said a voice behind them. “And make your son put me down, first thing.”
They turned, and Ian was right behind them, Scarlett in his arms. “We had a deal, New York.” Then he nodded. “Dad.”
“Son. Got your hands full, I see.”
“Don’t I always?”
All of them laughed. Laken could see Sophia’s tense shoulders relax a little.
“Ian, Scarlett should go home,” said Ruby, approaching.
“Not you, too, Nana. The party’s just starting. I want to stay.”
Ian’s jaw clenched, but before he could say anything, Gordon spoke up. “Maybe we could get our food and take it back to the ranch. Have a little family visit, so Scarlett wouldn’t have to miss out on everything. Ruby, you and Arnie should come, too. You haven’t seen Sophia in a long time.”
Ruby smiled, and it didn’t seem forced. “I haven’t. Good to see you, Sophia.”
“Thank you, Ruby. You’re looking well.”
“Got me a fine granddaughter and now a grandson. Soon there’ll be a great-grandbaby to spoil. You should hang around and do some spoiling of your own.” She spoke a little more loudly than usual, so the others around them could hear that she was accepting Sophia.
Sophia looked up at Ian as if seeking permission. “I don’t want to be in the way.”
Gordon stepped closer to her. “You’re the child’s grandmother. Of course you’re not in the way, right, son?”
“Of course she’s not,” Scarlett avowed. “Our baby needs all the loving family possible. I’m sure Ian agrees.”
Laken thought she saw Ian stiffen a little, but he didn’t reveal his tension in his voice. “That’s right. Every child needs love.” He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “And I know Michael would like it if you’d come along. Laken, you’ll come out to the ranch, too?”
She blinked, more comfortable as an observer, but the attention had shifted to her now.
They were offering her a way to belong. Making her part of them, as they had several times before.
Was she ready?
Michael’s brown eyes caught hers, a question in them.
Oh, how she wanted to jump in her car and go. At least until she figured out how to feel.
But he didn’t deserve to be embarrassed when the fault was in her.
“I’d like that,” she said, and felt Michael’s tension ease.
“All right, then,” Michael said, smiling down at her. “How about if Laken and I gather up some food and bring it out to the ranch?”
“Sounds good. How about you set me down, Ian, and let me walk to your truck like an adult?” Scarlett asked.
“You’re not heavy.”
“I’m also not an invalid, you hardheaded cowboy.”
“Children, children,” Ruby admonished. “Scarlett, Ian will put you down if you promise to sit down and stay down as soon as you get to the ranch. I don’t like your color.”
Laken studied Scarlett more closely and realized that her skin was almost translucent and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.
“Well, I don’t like everyone hovering, but does anybody care about that?”
“Take it or leave it,” Ian ordered.
An elaborate sigh. “All right,” she muttered.
Around them fond smiles and more than a few chuckles. “You don’t get the better of the girl often, Ian. Best take what you can get.”
“You should talk, Harley,” Ian shot back. “Let me know when Melba gives you back your man card.”
The crowd broke up laughing.
“Thank you,” Michael said to Laken as they turned toward the tables groaning with food. “Do you mind helping me lug this to the truck?”
“This place is like one big family, isn’t it?”
“It really is.” They made their way through the crowd.
“You don’t feel…crowded?”
He glanced down at her, his eyes seeing too much. “No. I feel welcomed. It’s a good place to be part of. But it doesn’t feel that way to you, does it?”
She thought about all the interesting people she’d met here, the good people who’d taken her into their circle. It wasn’t the spot in the road full of rednecks she’d expected, but…
“There are some nice things about it.” Faint praise, she knew—and much less than they deserved. She just wasn’t…
Abruptly she was tired of feeling out of step, and she’d felt that way since the day this man had blown into her life. Part of her still wanted to hold back while part of her longed to fit in. She was so eternally tired of never fitting in.
And the disappointment he tried to hide only made her feel worse. “I’m trying, Michael.”
His smile was a little sad, but he bent and kissed her forehead. “I know you are. I just wish it wasn’t such an effort.”
“It’s not that—” She sighed. “Maybe I should just go back to Austin tonight. I don’t want to ruin your party, and your mom doesn’t need to be worrying about you on top of everything else.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her close. “Be, Laken. Stop trying to think your way through everything. Let go and just…be.”
“You really think that advice works, don’t you?” She wanted to bas
h him on the head or something.
He chuckled. “Maybe my brother and I are more alike than I realized. A shared taste in difficult, driven women. Huh.”
She struggled in his arms, frowning up at him. “I am not difficult, you big baboon.”
He smoothed at the line between her brows, grinning. Then he kissed that spot. “There she is, that’s my girl. I was getting worried, you were being so agreeable and careful.”
“Oh, bite me.”
“Honey, I thought you’d never ask.” He bent his knees and kissed her, one final nip at her lower lip. Then he straightened and threw a companionable arm around her shoulder, steering her toward the food.
Smiling like the insufferable, beautiful, fool of an optimist he was.
Chapter Ten
Ian watched as Scarlett squirmed in the easy chair where he’d placed her and forbidden her to get up. She was visiting with Laken and seemed to be enjoying herself, but every now and again, he could see her discomfort.
He walked over to where Michael was visiting with the mother Ian still gave a wide berth. “Excuse me. Could I talk to you for a second?” He looked at her. “I won’t keep him long.”
Sophia studied him. “Is it Scarlett you’re worried about?”
He started to automatically deny it, but he felt too alone in this. Maybe another perspective would help. “Yeah.”
“I’ve been watching her. I’m not sure those are Braxton Hicks.”
His chest tightened. “She’s only at 36 weeks. It’s too soon.”
She started to touch his arm, but didn’t. “I don’t want to worry you. I’m not an expert. I’ve just noticed that she’s uncomfortable. It’s obviously been awhile for me, but Braxton Hicks didn’t happen that frequently, best I remember.”
“When was her last appointment?” Michael asked.
“She’s having them every two weeks now. Next one is Monday.”
“The doctor didn’t say anything?”
“This wasn’t happening then, and no. She was concerned that Scarlett hasn’t gained as much weight as she’d like, and she urged her to rest more—as if that does any good. I did some reading last night, and stress is a factor in premature labor.”
Michael observed her a little longer. “Obviously I’m no expert in human births, but the way she keeps shifting around does bring to mind mares who are in early stages of labor.”
Texas Hope: Sweetgrass Springs Stories (Texas Heroes Book 16) Page 19