She was getting testy, which annoyed him. He’d done nothing wrong. Even if he’d made a few unkind remarks, his reaction was expected. She’d dropped a hell of a bombshell and done him a terrible injustice.
“Why now?” he repeated. “Is me coming back the reason?”
“Yes. I figured sooner or later you’d hear, and I wanted to be the one to tell you.”
Her honesty surprised him even as it disappointed him. He’d hoped she felt compelled to tell him because it was the right thing to do. Apparently not.
“I heard a couple remarks. I just didn’t put two and two together. I was too focused on you and picking up where we left off.”
“Oh.”
Her clipped response told him she considered that objective off the table. Well, maybe it was.
“Say I hadn’t come back. Were you ever going to say something? Seriously?”
“Yes. Absolutely. I’ve been thinking about it a lot recently.” Her demeanor changed. Softened. “Did my sisters mention how we met Sam?”
“She showed up a couple months ago at your dad’s birthday party. Until then, none of you knew she existed.”
“Dad had a relationship with a woman after Mom died and never told us. In his defense, we were young and hadn’t gotten over losing Mom. He waived his parental rights, and Sam’s stepdad adopted her when she was a baby. It wasn’t until she was sixteen that she learned the truth.”
Spence found himself relating to Sam. She, too, had been lied to, in this case about her father. “Poor kid. That must have been hard on her.”
“Which is why I opened my home and my heart to her. But it also got me thinking. Sam missed out on having a relationship with her biological father for almost her entire life. I didn’t want the same thing to happen to Paige and Sienna.”
“What about my parents. Did it occur to you they’ve been denied knowing their grandchildren?”
“Yes.” Frankie’s shoulders sagged, and she looked suddenly tired.
“They’re going to be hurt when they find out. Which might have been years from now.”
“I’m not certain when I would have told you. But soon,” Frankie insisted.
He wasn’t convinced. Nonetheless, he let her remark slide. “I don’t want to fight.”
“Me either.”
“I need some time to sort through...everything.” He rubbed his temples. His head didn’t exactly hurt. More like it felt stretched to its limit, having been overfilled with information.
“I understand.”
“Just so you know, things will be different. I’m going to be a part of Paige and Sienna’s lives.”
It was, he realized, the first time he’d spoken their names.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
She didn’t sound glad. Pretty much the opposite.
He shoved his cowboy hat down onto his head. “I’ll call you tomorrow. When’s a good time?”
“I’m off work. The girls’ preschool is closed for Columbus Day. We’d planned on staying home.”
“How’s ten?”
“Fine.”
Spence had his own list of tasks to accomplish. In between, he’d contemplate his next step and make some calls. His boss at Cottonwood Farms was smarter than most and had dealt with his share of family problems. He might prove to be a good sounding board.
Before turning toward the door, Spence paused. “I want to tell the girls I’m their father. As soon as possible.”
Panic bloomed on Frankie’s face. “I’d like to wait a little while.”
“Why? To see if I’m going to stick around?”
“To prepare them first. I’m not being unreasonable.”
“Neither am I.”
“I refuse to let you break their hearts, Spence. They’re innocent and don’t deserve to be hurt and disappointed.”
Like you hurt and disappointed me. He could hear what she’d left unspoken.
“You owe me, Frankie.”
She stiffened. “I’m just asking.”
“Me, too.”
“We’ll talk more tomorrow.”
He’d been dismissed. Much like four years ago, when he’d told her he was hitting the road again for a wrangler job in Colorado. He ground his teeth together.
“Mommy?”
They both spun to see the taller girl—Sienna?—standing in the doorway.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?” Frankie rushed over to her.
“I can’t sleep.”
“Let’s get you back to bed.” She peered over her shoulder at Spence. “Can you see yourself out?”
Definitely being dismissed. He walked out the door, closing it behind him. In the truck, he fumbled with the keys, which didn’t seem to fit into the ignition.
Rather than go straight to Eddie’s double-wide, Spence stopped at the local market for a six-pack of beer. This was a special occasion; he’d just learned he was a father. Of twins. That certainly entitled him to a beer. Eddie would definitely join him.
Dropping the six-pack on the counter, he reached into his back pocket for his wallet.
“Stocking up for the road?” the clerk asked. She was the same one who’d made a remark yesterday Spence had misconstrued.
“I don’t drink and drive,” he said in a steely voice, and handed over enough money to cover the beer.
She appeared not to notice his annoyance. “Thought you might be leaving town again.”
Like he had before? Was Spence that predictable?
Reality sank in, with the force of an anvil falling from a third-story window. He was a father! Of twin girls. He had a responsibility and a duty. To them and Frankie.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He grabbed the beer and his change. “Not this time.”
* * *
FRANKIE DIDN’T LIKE relying on television to babysit Paige and Sienna. This was one of those times, however, when breaking her own rule was the lesser of two evils. Her mind was too overworked with thoughts of Spence and last night, her body too tired from lack of sleep, for her to be the ideal mother.
What had he done when he left? How was he feeling this morning? He’d been so angry with her. And confused. Well, who wouldn’t be?
Had the morning brought any clarity to him? Waiting to hear was hard, but Frankie didn’t think she had much choice. Better she wait for him to make the next move.
She checked the kitchen clock. It read ten twenty. Hadn’t he said he’d call at ten? She supposed he could be busy.
Unless he’d chosen to leave town. He had before.
The girls clearly didn’t mind watching TV. They sat on the family room floor, alternately giggling and squabbling, whispering and tumbling, tickling and teasing each other while a Disney movie played on the TV. The dogs lay nearby, snoozing and completely disinterested even when Paige galloped her stuffed horse over the landscape of their slumbering bodies.
Frankie shoved aside her worries and returned to the task at hand. Namely, wiping down the counters with disinfectant spray. “Day off” was a misnomer. She might not be going into the café, but she’d be working, all right. Doing laundry. Vacuuming. Unclogging that slow drain in the hall bathroom. Mending torn pajamas.
There was also her catering business. Ronnie had given Frankie’s name to a friend who was throwing a giant anniversary bash in a few weeks. Then there was Mel and Aaron’s upcoming wedding reception. Frankie should start researching the best prices for meat and supplies. If she found a deal, she’d buy what she could and store everything in her dad’s giant chest freezer.
Hearing her cell phone ring, she returned the spray bottle to its place beneath the sink. Though expected, the name and number on the display still sent an electric shock through her from head to toe.
She quickly checked on the girls
before pressing the phone to her ear. “Hello, Spence.”
“Morning.” He paused. “I was wondering...”
“Yes?”
“I’d like to come over and continue our conversation from last night.”
She glanced again at the girls, who sang along with a song on the DVD they’d heard a hundred times.
“Um.” The timing wasn’t great. But if she refused him, he might accuse her of being uncooperative. “Sure. When were you thinking?”
“Now?”
She debated the many chores waiting her. Considered the toys scattered throughout the family room. Contemplated the dirty dishes she’d yet to load in the dishwasher.
Well, Spence would simply have to learn that maintaining a tidy house with two three-year-olds wasn’t always possible.
“Give me thirty minutes.” The very next second, her doorbell rang, rousing the dogs and sending them into a barking frenzy. “Hold on. Someone’s here.” She hurried to the front door, the dogs charging ahead of her. There, she peered through the peephole and groaned in frustration. “Seriously?” Disconnecting from Spence, she turned the knob, threw open the door and stared at him. “What are you doing?” she demanded. “You were supposed to call first.”
“Like I said.” He also disconnected and pocketed his phone. “We need to talk.”
“I asked for thirty minutes.”
“I was in the neighborhood.”
Only because he’d intended to ambush her. Before she could accuse him, she bit her tongue. He might well say she’d done the same thing last night.
“Can I come in?” He quirked one corner of his mouth.
In the past, that move would have melted her fiercest determination like ice on a hot stove. Apparently, she was as weak as ever, for she stepped aside.
“Be my guest.”
He wiped his boots on the welcome mat before entering and removed his hat. Recognizing someone they’d met the previous evening, the dogs immediately lost interest after a good sniffing and wandered off. Only then did Frankie notice Spence carried a paper bag.
“Bearing gifts?” she asked dubiously.
“More like a bribe.” He reached into the bag and produced a carton of ice cream. “I hope everyone likes chocolate and caramel.”
“It’s a little early for junk food.”
“Trust me, there’s nothing junky about ice cream.”
Naturally, he’d chosen her favorite flavor. “I’ll put it away for later.” She accepted the carton and led him to the kitchen, noting that his gaze went to the girls watching TV in the adjoining family room.
When they glanced up, he gave them a tentative smile. “Morning. Paige and Sienna, right?” He pointed to each one, correctly identifying them.
They nodded in unison but remained cautiously mute. Frankie started to reintroduce them, only to clamp her mouth shut. What should she say? “Girls, you remember Spence? Mr. Bohanan? Your father?” Oh, God. She should have thought this through more. Come up with a better plan. Any plan.
Did he realize how much Sienna resembled him? While Paige was a miniature version of Frankie and her sisters—a blond-haired, brown-eyed pixie—Sienna had inherited Spence’s height and darker features. Frankie saw him every time she looked at Sienna. Did he?
Paige, always the more outgoing of the two, scrambled to her feet and bounded over. “Why are you here?”
“I came to visit you.” Spence rounded the breakfast bar, pulled out a stool and patted it, inviting Paige to sit. She did, and he joined her, settling his large frame on the small stool next to hers. “Brought some ice cream, but your mom says you have to wait.”
“Ice cream!” Paige turned pleading eyes on Frankie. “Can we have some, Mommy? Please?”
“In a while.”
“But we’re hungry.” She included her sister, a tactic she employed to improve her odds of getting what she wanted.
“How about some apples and milk.”
“Chocolate milk?”
Spence drew back and stared at Paige with admiration. “You’re quite the negotiator.”
“What’s a ne-go-sur-a-tor?”
“Someone who’s always finagling for more,” Frankie answered.
“What’s fi-na-ga...” She gave up, uttering a very grown-up sound of disgust.
“Plain milk.” Frankie was already going to the refrigerator for apples and the carton of milk.
Paige knew she’d been bested. That didn’t stop her from shooting Spence a mischievous grin. In turn, he winked and gave her a thumbs-up.
Frankie went still, the room starting to spin. How could she not have noticed before how much alike they were? Paige may not resemble him, but she and Spence were two peas in a pod.
“You okay, Mommy?”
She blinked. Steadied herself. “Yeah, sweetie. Just thinking.” Grabbing an apple, she shut the refrigerator door. Good. Something to keep her busy. She dug in the drawer for a knife.
By now, Sienna had crept over, not wanting to be excluded from the potential fun. She climbed onto the last remaining bar stool, the one beside Paige, and peeked around her sister.
“You like ice cream, too?” Spence asked.
She nodded silently.
“What’s your favorite game?”
“Animal hospital!” Paige threw her hands up in the air.
“Yours, too?” he asked Sienna, who nodded in reply. “Do you practice on the dogs?”
“No.” Paige broke into riotous laughter. “They chew off the bandages.”
“I’ve chewed off a bandage or two myself.”
Sienna stared at him with owl-eyed wonder.
Paige was less gullible. “No, you haven’t,” she insisted.
Frankie finished slicing the apple. Setting a plate with the snack in front of the girls, she then poured two glasses of milk. How they could be hungry, she didn’t know. Her stomach felt like a cannonball sat in the middle. Then again, they had no idea who Spence really was.
Once the twins each snared an apple slice, Spence helped himself to one.
“Hey!” Paige objected, though Frankie could tell by her tone that she wasn’t really mad.
Frankie watched the three of them interacting while she loaded the dishwasher. Was he forming a genuine connection with her daughters or just being his usual fun-loving, charming self?
“Your mom says you go to preschool. You like it?” he asked.
“No.” Paige frowned while Sienna nodded enthusiastically.
“What about horses? You like them?”
“Yes!” For the first time, Sienna joined in, babbling, “I want a pony, but Mommy says no.”
She was like her father in that regard, it seemed, unable to get enough of horses and riding.
“Someday, maybe,” Frankie said.
“I have an idea,” Spence announced. “My mares are arriving this afternoon. The driver’s delivering them to Powell Ranch. Since you’re off work—” he indicated Frankie “—and the girls don’t have preschool, why don’t we all go? You can see the mares and the girls can play with the other horses.”
Naturally, Paige and Sienna responded enthusiastically, bouncing on their stools and nearly spilling their milk.
“I don’t know,” Frankie hedged. “They’re only three.”
“Almost four,” Paige corrected her.
“Come on,” Spence said. “It’ll give me a chance to get to know these two better.”
Frankie held her breath, waiting for him to say “my daughters.” Fortunately, he simply tugged on Paige’s hair and grinned at Sienna.
“Please, please, please, Mommy,” they chorused.
Frankie wanted to say no. This was hard enough. Going out in public as a family? She didn’t think she was ready.
“What time?” she asked.
Apparently, Spence and the girls all took her question as agreeing, for they cheered and whooped.
“Pick up your toys first, or no one’s going anywhere.”
Realizing she had indeed given in, she let out a long, weary sigh.
Chapter Five
Powell Ranch bustled with activity, considering it was a weekday and still rather warm outside. Riders exercised their horses in the arena, the farrier trimmed the hooves of a skittish young foal and a trio of tourists readied for a guided trail ride.
Spence strolled the grounds with Ethan Powell, head horse trainer and one of the brothers who owned and operated the ranch. The family had gained quite a reputation in recent years, the result of capturing Prince, a former wild mustang and descendent of the original herd that gave the area its name.
As a result, the family had founded a nonprofit mustang sanctuary—recently relocated to The Small Change Ranch—and made a name for themselves breeding, raising and training either rehabilitated mustangs or Prince’s offspring.
“Any chance I can see Prince?” Spence asked. They’d just come from the main horse stables, where he’d checked out the stalls for the pregnant mares.
“Sure.” Ethan flashed an easy grin. He was probably asked the question a lot. “He has his own setup behind the stables.”
Ethan was a few years older than Spence and walked with a noticeable limp. Spence had heard the story of the marine veteran, how he’d lost his leg during a tour in the Middle East. Returning home after his medical discharge, he’d refused to let his disability end his rodeo career and went on to show the world he could still bust broncs.
His instinct for instantly spotting the best and worst in a horse was well known and respected. Spence thought he could learn a thing or two from Ethan, even though they trained different kinds of horses.
“Here we are,” Ethan said with obvious pride, when they entered Prince’s domain.
“Pretty damn nice.”
Calling the two connected buildings a “setup” was a gross understatement. The facility consisted of a state-of-the-art breeding shed and spacious, fully-equipped mini stables for Prince and whatever lady friend he happened to be entertaining at the moment.
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