The Cowboy Comes Home

by Roni Adams

  "Yeah? I mean, besides marrying Beth and having little Westons running all over the place."

  Tyler grinned as an image of Beth pregnant with their baby flashed through his mind. “It'll be a while before we have kids, but yeah, the plan is to definitely have a big family some day.” He set his coffee mug down and carried his plate to the sink. “For now, I'm going to work with Sara and see how that goes."

  "Why don't I see that working for you?"

  He clenched his jaw. “I'll make it work."

  Charli raised one eyebrow. “I'm going to take a shower. If I don't see you before, I'll catch up with you at dinner."

  Tyler picked up his hat and headed out the door. Charli's doubts got under his skin. This would work. It had to.

  * * * *

  Beth closed her cell phone, leaned back in her chair, pressed her hands to her eyes, and drew a deep breath. The phone calls with Tyler each night were so frustrating. She couldn't believe that he'd been back in her life only a month and already she felt the loss of him not being here like a physical ache. Somehow she thought when he left this time, it would be no big deal; after all, she'd lived without him for over a year and a half. But it wasn't the same. This time she wasn't mad at him for leaving, wasn't hurt ... she just missed him. Like a huge ache.

  She couldn't ask Tyler to come back, but he was needed there. No one else could do what Tyler was doing for Chase. Even Cord wasn't the right person this time. He didn't know the Circle S operation, the men, or the layout of the ranch the way Tyler did. When Cord had come home, the few things he'd said were nothing but praise for the way Tyler was running everything. It was more than apparent that Tyler was in his element in Abilene in a way he never had been here.

  Restless, she wandered from her office into the reception area. Since she was a little girl, she'd wanted to be a vet. When Doc handed her this practice, she'd been scared, but knew she could do it. Even though her and Tyler's dreams had once been to travel and settle somewhere other than Sweet Meadow, once Doc said she could have this business—a practice of her own just handed to her—it never occurred to her to say no.

  Now, Tyler was given an similar opportunity to do what he wanted to do. Chase was doing the same thing for him that Doc had done for her. The only difference, Tyler was going to turn the opportunity down. Because of me.

  She was spoiled, just like Charli said. She was a vet for crying out loud, she could do that anywhere. She could open a practice anywhere. Yeah ... I could.

  Chewing her bottom lip, her heart thudded at the direction of her thoughts. Was she really considering this? Leaving Sweet Meadow and following Tyler to Abilene? Love was sometimes about sacrifices. She looked around the tidy reception area, studied the pictures on the wall, and wrapped her arms around her waist. She loved this place, but did she love it more than Tyler?

  No. The answer came sharp and clear, no hesitation.

  Without stopping to think, she headed to the computer at the front desk. There were four veterinarian practices within a sixty mile radius of the Circle S. Maybe one of them would be looking for another doctor. If not, she could open her own practice. Thanks to Doc, she knew how to run one, so why not? Chase had connections in Abilene; she had no doubt he'd help her build a clientele. Beth grinned. If that didn't work, well, she'd marry Tyler, have some babies and take care of their own animals. She grinned at the thought of being a wife and mother. A long time ago, that was her real dream. Raising a family together. That was truly what she wanted. The rest was just filling time until she—until they—had the opportunity to make those dreams a reality. The core of her heart, the focus of her world was building a life with Tyler.

  Her heart lifted. Was it really that easy? She grinned as if she'd solved life's biggest mystery.

  She leaned over the keyboard and sent off a few exploratory emails to the practices she found. Drumming her fingers on the desk, she looked around again. What about this practice? She and Grant were partners, but she owned the controlling interest. She'd talk to him about that; see how he wanted to handle it. She could certainly still maintain her interest in the practice but from a distance. They could bring in two more vets and an office worker—definitely an office worker.

  There was a lot of work to do, but it'd be worth it. Excitement pulled a grin to her lips.

  From the back of the building, she heard the door open and Grant call to her. She took a deep breath. Might as well talk to him about this now.

  "I'm up front,” she hollered back.

  His footsteps were steady as he walked through the clinic to where she sat at the reception desk. His hair was mussed, his clothes a wrinkled mess, and he had his old glasses on again. He had a habit of losing his glasses, so he kept several old pair around. She grinned. What a great guy he was. She couldn't love him more if he was her own flesh and blood. Last year, when she wanted to curl up and literally die, he'd hauled her up and forced her to keep on going. He truly was the reason she'd made it through the heartbreak that Tyler's leaving had caused. It was understandable that he couldn't fathom why she'd give Tyler a second chance. But then, Grant had never been in love, not like that, not like this. He'd had some bad luck with girls in college and she knew the girl he dated back home had cheated on him, so love and romance weren't exactly something he had a lot of faith in. It made him jaded and cynical, but Beth believed that all he needed was for the right woman to come along and change all that for her friend.

  Still, this conversation wasn't going to be easy.

  He crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. “What are you up to?"

  She smiled even wider and crossed the room. “Let's take the horses out for a run."

  "You want to go horseback riding? Now?"

  "Yeah, I do. Then I want to discuss something with you, but I really need to get out of here first, get some fresh air."

  He shook his head but uncrossed his arms. “All right, let's go."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Fifteen

  "I won't pretend I agree with this decision,” Chase Boyd's voice was gruff with displeasure.

  Tyler sat in one of the old rattan chairs that Charli recently had refinished. The cushions were all recovered and re-stuffed, giving the entire wrap around porch an old-fashioned, warm, welcoming feel. It was another way in which Tyler could tell Chase's wild daughter was going out of her mind with boredom. Across from him, she lazily pushed the swing with her bare foot while gazing over the yard.

  "I didn't make this decision lightly."

  Chase turned a sharp eye on him. Tyler held his stare.

  "Turning down an opportunity like this because of a woman, even if that woman is Beth, makes no sense to me.” The older man insisted, leaning against the porch railing.

  Tyler nodded. Chase's wife had run off when Charli was a toddler. Since that time, except for the occasional date, as far as Tyler knew, Chase had devoted his life to his ranch and his daughter. He didn't trust women and he'd made that clear.

  "I love her, and her practice is there. I need to be there, too. What I'm proposing is that we put this new guy in place and see what he does on a daily basis. You'll be on hand to watch him, and I'll come out in a few weeks and check up on him. If he doesn't work out, we'll find someone else."

  Chase shook his head. “That's not what I had in mind when I turned over part of my ranch to the Double B. I thought you'd be here. That's what I wanted, expected."

  Charli stopped the swing. “Daddy, there's no reason we can't try it this way. Tyler's not that far away."

  "I'll be here if you need me. You have my word, Chase. I am taking this seriously. I won't let you down.” His chest was heavy. This wasn't what the older man wanted. Hell, it wasn't even what he wanted, either. Tyler suspected that Chase also wanted him close because he knew his daughter was growing more and more restless. He could understand that, but it put him in a worse position. Beth or Chase?

  There was no decision there.

  C
hase gave a curt nod as a car pulled into the driveway. He stood up straighter and tucked in his shirt.

  Tyler and Charli exchanged amused glances. Daisy was here.

  Chase turned his head back. “I'm willing to try it your way, but I want to look at this again in three months."

  Tyler nodded. “I understand. Trust me on this Chase. The new guy is solid. You know I wouldn't leave if he wasn't."

  The nurse who'd been taking care of Chase since his surgery shut her car door and lifted her hand to wave. Chase's gaze softened and his lips twitched. The petite woman ducked into the backseat of her car and came out carrying a plastic container. Tyler watched her smile grow wider as she glanced across to Chase.

  "You'll be back next weekend?” Chase asked him but his gaze was on Daisy as she shut the door.

  Tyler could tell Chase wanted the ‘family business’ discussion ended before the other woman reached his side. “I'll be here by Sunday night. I want to talk to Beth and check up on Sara. The baby is overdue now by almost two weeks."

  "The doctor said he's letting her go until the twentieth, and then they're going to induce if she hasn't gone into labor by then,” Charli added and stood up.

  "Evening everyone.” Daisy smiled as she reached the bottom of the porch.

  Chase looked down at the petite woman and a smile lit his face. “Hey, Daisy. What did you bring today?"

  She lifted the container in her hands. “I brought some carrot bran muffins. They're good for your heart.

  "Carrot and bran? What's wrong with cinnamon or chocolate chip?” Chase's face scrunched up, reminding Tyler of an obstinate five year old.

  Daisy laughed, not sounding the least bit insulted. “You don't have to eat them. I'm sure there's some ranch hands who would be more than glad to take them off my hands."

  The older man grunted. “There's still some coffee in the kitchen."

  She inclined her head. “That sounds wonderful. Let's leave these two young folks alone, and I'll let you taste my muffins."

  Chase chortled as if choking and Charli laughed. The nurse winked at his boss. Daisy was definitely good for him.

  The two disappeared into the house and Tyler turned to Charli. “What do you think?"

  She grinned. “I think it's about time."

  Tyler paced the porch. “He's annoyed with my plan."

  "Don't worry, he'll get used to it. Once he sees it works, he'll be fine.” Charli raised her arms and stretched her body in the swing. “You're the son he never had you know."

  "I know, and I appreciate his trust. It's just that..."

  She dropped her arms down. “It doesn't keep your bed warm."

  He nodded. “That, and I want more. I want a family. I want to share dinner with Beth and talk about our day. I want a couple kids running out to meet me when I get done with work."

  Charli shuddered. “I can't think of anything worse in the world, but everyone has different dreams. Have you talked to Beth about this plan?"

  Tyler paced to the far end of the porch and watched a horse in the distance. The sun was setting and as always, there was nothing more beautiful than the ranch yard at sunset. “No. We're taking things one day at a time, no talk about the past or the future."

  "You think she'll be okay with you flying back and forth?"

  Tyler shrugged. “For a while, and until we work something else out, it's the only solution."

  "You're going to be a busy man."

  Tyler turned and leaned his back against the porch pillar. “I'm not going to let either of them down."

  Charli moved to stand in front of him. “I know you won't. But what about yourself? You're a good man, Tyler Weston, and Beth is a lucky lady to have you so devoted to her."

  He set his hands behind him on the railing and stretched his legs out. “I made a huge mistake when I left her like that. If she's willing to give me a second chance, I'm going to do everything I can to make it up to her."

  Charli touched his arm. “Don't punish yourself too hard, Ty. You did what you thought you had to do at the time. We all do that. Sometimes it's the right thing, and sometimes it's not. But you followed your gut and took a chance—something not everyone has the courage to do."

  Tyler never thought of his leaving as the courageous thing; he always thought it was the exact opposite.

  Just the thought of seeing Beth tomorrow made his entire body come alive. He couldn't wait to hold her in his arms, sink into her, and feel her welcome him home. He wanted to lose himself in her deep blue eyes, listen to her laughter, and breathe the same air that she was breathing. Corny, but the truth. He simply wanted to be with her.

  Charli rose and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for all you did, and for coming when he had the attack."

  Tyler wrapped the tall redhead in his arms. “I'll always be here for you, and for Chase. I don't want you to ever hesitate to call me."

  She pulled back. “You know I hope that everything works out with Beth, don't you?"

  He nodded and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I'll see you next week."

  As Charli stepped back and headed to the screen door, a sad cast lit her face. “I'll be here as far as I know."

  Tyler frowned as she stepped inside. She was like a beautiful caged bird, and it killed him to see her trapped like this.

  Once he got his life settled once more, he was determined to help Charli get off the Circle S again and back to her own life. Maybe Cord could talk to her. She always listened to him.

  Pushing away from the pillar, he headed inside to finish packing his things. He planned to be on the road at first light.

  * * * *

  Beth rolled over, glanced at the clock radio and groaned. Even on her day off, she was wide awake before dawn. Giving up on falling back to sleep, she padded to the bathroom. She lifted her hair off her neck; it was getting long again. A few months ago, she would have made an appointment and got it cut immediately. Her cheeks flushed as she remembered how much Tyler liked it longer. She had no intention of growing it down to her waist again, but she could compromise and let it fall to her shoulders; maybe long enough to pull it back from her face when she worked, or wear it down without it being in the way. He'd like that.

  Downstairs, the house was quiet except for the rain beating against the large picture window. She turned on the coffee and stared outside, or tried to. A trickle of dread ran up her spine. With the ground as hard as it was, the rain would bounce off, and that's when the real trouble always began. Flooding. The water couldn't soak in and seep away fast enough and ended up laying atop the hard earth in heaping pools. Tyler was supposed to drive home today. If the roads became impassable, he wouldn't be able to make it. Maybe she should call him and see how the weather was there.

  Sipping her fresh coffee, she noticed a light on at the Weston house. Cord had probably been up for hours. The phone rang and she reached for it, knowing already it was probably Flo. She hoped she could talk the older woman into not coming out in this weather, even if it was only across the ranch yard.

  "Hello."

  "Hey, baby girl."

  "Morning, Flo.” Beth sipped her coffee. “I hope you aren't going to try to come over here today. Stay dry in the house."

  "Actually, I was going to start down to Sara's. I've got a feeling she needs me."

  Beth's heart skipped a beat. Flo's ‘feelings’ weren't to be ignored. “Did she call you?"

  "Nope. She wouldn't tell me anything on the phone, anyway. I need to check on her in person."

  "You stay put. I'll go."

  "Well..."

  "I'll go,” Beth interjected with a bit more force.

  "Okay but don't just call her,” Flo warned.

  "I won't, I promise. I'll even go there right now."

  Hanging up the phone, Beth grabbed a long rain slicker and sat down to yank on oversized rubber boots.

  Driving the five miles to her sister's house had never seemed so long. If she hadn't known the road as well as she did, s
he would have gone off the side several times. As it was, she had to guide her truck up and around several large puddles. Without knowing how much water was in the road, she wasn't about to risk going through them.

  Damn. It was bad. The rain made it all but impossible to see the start of Buck and Sara's driveway, but she managed to swing the truck in, and was soon racing up the front porch of her sister's house. She pushed the hood of her slicker down and pushed open the front door.

  "Sara!” she yelled. No response. Maybe she was in the back of the house.

  Walking through the kitchen, it didn't look as if anyone had been up yet. She frowned and glanced out the back door, trying to see if the vehicles were parked, but the dark and rain made it impossible to see. Her heart raced thinking that Sara might have gone out in this weather either on foot or in the truck. Either way, it wasn't good.

  "Sara!” She raced back to the front of the house and flew up the staircase, hoping her sister was lying in bed. Her boots left a wet trail on the hard wood floors, but that was the least of her concerns right now as a cold chill set her spine trembling. The bedroom door was half closed and she knocked on it briefly before shoving it open. “Sara?"

  Hunched over, her sister sat on the edge of the bed, her hands cradling her enormous stomach. Beth's own stomach clenched and her heart flew into her throat. Sara's face was white, her eyes closed.

  "Oh my God, you're in labor!"

  Sara breathed through another contraction and then opened her eyes. She half-smiled. “I'm fine. It's early labor that's all. Maybe even false pains."

  Her feet were frozen in place and her mind raced. “Where's Buck?"

  Sara winced and pushed herself upright. “He's—oh, oh."

  Beth's gaze fell to Sara's front. A dark, wet spot streaked across her short nightgown and down her thighs. Awkwardly, her sister pushed herself up and wobbled across the carpet to the ensuite bathroom.

  Staying close to the door in case Sarah needed her, Beth closed her eyes and listened to the water running in the bathroom. Breathe, breathe, she chanted to herself. In and out, focus on taking one breath after another. The panic attack began to subside.