The Texas ranger's twins

by Leonard, Tina

  "Sorry," he said, looking apologetic. "I didn't really think you would, but I just expected more of a reaction from Pop."

  "You don't show a lot of emotion yourself," Suzy pointed out. "Maybe it runs in the family."

  "1 never gave it much thought/*

  'Jack strikes me as the most emotional of all of you," Suzy said. "He gets his feelings hurt easily."

  "Tell me about it." He shook his head. "Well, just thought Td tell you I spoke with Pop. He didn't seem particularly happy. He didn't seem much of anything. So if you're doing this for the old man's sake, he may not care one way or the other. I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't marry me out of a sense of obligation to Pop."

  She considered his suggestion. "If you're not planning to accept your money, and your father's not thrilled you're here, why are you still marrying me? Perhaps you're the one who's acting out of obligation."

  He stared at her. With a sinking heart, she realized he didn't have any reason to marry her; he was, in fact, acting out of duty and responsibility—to her. Probably more specifically, to her daughters, because Josiah had wanted him to look after Suzy and her girls. Whether Dane realized it or not, he was seeking his father's approval.

  "I see." Suzy said softly. "You thought your father would be proud of you. When you called him and told him the good news, you thought you were doing what would make him happy. Being a good son. Giving him grandchildren, and a reason to believe you were home to stay."

  "I don't think that was what my motives were," Dane said.

  "Every man wants to know his father loves him and thinks well of him."

  "It matters more than I thought it would," Dane admitted, "but I'm not backing out now."

  "Obligation?" Suzy asked.

  "I don't feel sorry for you," Dane murmured. "You're too independent. But you and your girls represent something good in my life, and I don't feel like giving it up now. Not this soon."

  She held her breath for a moment. Her ex had never said anything like that to her. Coming from Dane, the words sounded more romantic than obliged. She wanted to believe him. It was so hard, given what she knew about men, and though she tried to judge Dane on his own merits, what she knew about him was that he liked his freedom. "So now what?"

  "I'm sticking it out here, without taking Pop's money, if for no other reason than to prove to him that I'm choosing how to live my life of my own free will. I'll always know that I did my part to put away the past."

  She nodded slowly, understanding.

  "Now the decision is up to you," he said, his tone steady. "We can live here, or we can live at your house, your choice. But I'd like to change the business proposition. Instead of getting married because Pop's pulling the strings, I'd like the next three hundred sixty-two days of marriage to answer a different question."

  "What would that be?" she asked, her heart beginning to beat faster. Dane's ga/e on her was so purposeful that Suzy knew that the phone call to his father had changed Dane.

  "If we still want to stay married after a year,' he said, drawing her to him for a long, sweet kiss, "I hope you'll let me adopt your girls."

  Chapter Fourteen

  "He's romancing you," Cricket said when Suzy told her about Dane's new proposal. "Something's changed him."

  They looked out the window while Dane worked down by the barn. Chips of wood flew, and smoke and sawdust swirled around the electric saw. Suzy could almost smell the fresh-cut wood as he worked on the children's table he'd promised Sandra and Nicole.

  Priscilla nodded. "It's an astonishing transformation. Maybe he's falling in love with you."

  Suzy didn't know what to think. "Or maybe he's falling in love with being a father."

  Cricket smiled. "People do change. Their priorities change. Maybe Dane wants different things out of life than he thought he did before."

  "I don't know," Suzy said. "Maybe this is just family responsibility he's shouldering without realizing it." She watched Dane, his muscles bunched under his T-shirl as he worked. He wore plastic protective glasses, and his

  cow hoy hat. The two didn't necessarily go together, but Su/y still thought he made an attractive sight.

  "I suppose Josiah could have made the water so muddy Dane doesn't really know why he wants to marry you." Cricket said. "Not to be mean or anything, but it does seem like what Josiah can't give emotionally, he gies monetarily. Or at least people certainly seem to respect his generous donations to the town. I've had Bvc phone calls this morning from ladies in Union Junction w anting to know what they can do to help with the wedding.''

  Su/y gasped. "We're not inviting the whole town!"

  "I don't know," Priscilla said. "A lot of people are anxious to do something for Josiah."

  She was in a dilemma. Only she knew the truth about the elder Mr. Morgan—his health was seriously failing. This wedding could be one way to bring him home, to be around his family while he still had some time.

  "Did Dane actually invite him to the wedding?'* Priscilla asked.

  "I don't know," Suzy said. "I don't think so, because he didn't mention it."

  "Well, his friends in Union Junction certainly seem to think he's coming back."

  Suzy straightened. "That's why he wasn't surprised about the wedding. Someone had already called him."

  Priscilla nodded. "I would believe that. The Union Junction grapevine runs at the speed of light. And apparently reaches all the way to France.''

  Cricket smiled. "What are you going to do about all the want-to-be-guests?'*

  "We're getting married in three nights, on Saturday," Suzy said. "We don't really know who Josiah's friends are, and we don't want to accidentally leave anyone out. Besides, we think it's best handled as a private matter, since it's a short-term agreement we're undertaking."

  Cricket shook her head. "As a deacon, I have to warn against underestimating the seriousness of marital vows. They can be potentially binding, since that's the intent."

  Priscilla's cell phone rang. Answering it, she listened intently, then said, "That would be lovely. I'll mention it to Dane and Suzy, but we certainly appreciate the help/' She hung up and looked at Suzy. "Your wedding's been hijacked by your father-in-law-to-be."

  Suzy just stared at her, suspecting the worst.

  "Josiah has already put the word out that there's a huge wedding at the Morgan ranch on Saturday night. There'll be enough barbecue and wedding cake for everyone who wants to attend. So say the ladies at the courthouse. Oh, and by the way, it's supposed to be Josiah's wedding present to you and Dane, but Celie was bursting to tell me. I wasn't supposed to ruin the surprise, but, being your friend, figured I'd better." Pris-cilla smiled at her. "Good thing they didn't call Cricket, who might have felt honored to keep a secret."

  "Oh, no," Suzy murmured. "This is not good."

  "And you said you trusted Josiah," Cricket said with a laugh. "Better pick another Morgan to trust."

  "I guess I'll go tell Dane." Suzy said. "Maybe hell decide to back out." She couldn't help thinking of her ex, who couldn't handle marriage and responsibility. Dane was a man made of stronger stuff, wasn't he?

  Of course, he'd once told her his fondest wish was to open a parasailing business in Mexico. Shivering in the January chill, she walked to the barn. She waited until Dane glanced up and saw her before approaching him. He turned off the saw and pushed his goggles up.

  "Hey. I've just about got all the wood cut," he said proudly.

  "It looks great. The girls will love having their own big-girls table."

  He nodded. "Just right for little hands and legs."

  "Your father has planned a surprise wedding for us," Suzy blurted. "The whole town is invited to the ranch to have barbecue and wedding cake."

  Dane looked at her, his mouth quirking into a wry smile. "I should be mad."

  "Yes. We both should."

  "He's an interfering old donkey."

  She nodded. "He docs seem anxious to do things his way."

  Dan
e laid the saw down. "Does that mean Pop's coming home for the wedding?"

  "I don't know. It would be nice if he could."

  He wiped off his hands on a bandana. "I apologize for my father. He's always done things his way."

  "I think he's trying to do something special for us," Suzy said, but Dane shook his head.

  "Actually, he's stepped over the line. I can call him back—"

  Suzy sighed. "It wouldn't do any good. If we told him we didn't want a big wedding, people's feelings would be hurt. Everybody in Union Junction loves your father and is looking forward to a big party."

  "I think you're right."

  "Well, we have your father who cares too much, and mine who cares not at all," Suzy said, trying to sound bright yet not feeling that way. "It balances out."

  Dane watched her silently.

  She took a deep breath. "About adopting my girls," she said, "thank you for offering. I don't know what made you do that"

  "I wouldn't normally take that as a compliment, but it sounds like you're trying to give me one."

  "I am." She nodded. "I didn't know what to say to you about adopting the girls—you really touched me. And I still don't know if that would be the best decision for us, honestly." She looked into his eyes, hoping he would understand. "But it's the nicest thing anyone has ever tried to do for my girls since your father's gift of a college education. Only this is even more special, to me."

  He nodded. "The offer's there. It's not going anywhere."

  Suzy felt tears jump into her eyes. "Thank you."

  He opened his hands as if to say "no problem."

  " think." Suzy said, willing her throat to relax from the emotions sweeping her. "I think we go along with your father's wedding plans without complaint. Try to enjoy the celebration."

  "Just fall in with the old man? He may never stop running things.'*

  "It's only a wedding." Suzj said quietly, "it's not the marriage he's interfering with."

  "True." Dane nodded. "Guess we'll just roll with it. then."

  Relieved. Su/y said. "I'll see noli later."

  Nodding, he replaced his goggles and went hack to sawing wood. Su/y watched him for another moment, wondering if Dane knew how much his father loved him—and if Dane would care.

  Danf/s CONSCIENCE BUGGED him. It had been pestering

  him lor a while. He thought he understood his father. He fully comprehended why Pop was so anxious about Suzy. The woman had a vulnerable side she tried to mask but couldn't completely conceal—it made a man want to protect her. He doubted she'd appreciate the sentiment. Having made up her mind that she was a single mother and going to be a darn good one. Suzy wanted no pity or favors from anyone.

  Her strength made him admire her. Her vulnerability made him want to take care of her and the girls. Her sadness over her parents' and boyfriend's desertion o her when she needed them most broke his heart.

  Dane showered and then got in his truck to drive to Fort Wylie. There was a time in every man's life when he had to look to the past. His father was well-renowned as a stubborn man—though he seemed to be rectifying his reputation—and some of that stubbornness surely had etched itself into Dane. Despite the suddenly elaborate wedding plans, the wonderful cakes, the loads of food, Dane didn't feel that the wedding was really official.

  It came down to one simple thing: He had not yet asked Suzy's father for her hand in marriage. And because he was a stubborn man, Dane had begun to realize that he had to have this one thing done his way. He was a conservative, traditional man by nature. It didn't sit right with him that he hadn't paid the respect to Suzy's father that the occasion deserved.

  If the man booted him off his porch, it would be Mr. Winterstone's right, but at least he'd know that he'd honored the special moment a father only knew once in his life.

  If it were him—and Sandra and Nicole were his daughters—he'd want some young pup to have the fortitude to show respect to him and the occasion, no matter what the circumstances were.

  Dane intended to do that. After all, he was the son of a hardheaded man—and Suzy should probably know what she was getting herself into now while she still had time to back out.

  He finally arrived at the Winterstones' mansion. A wrought-iron gate across the driveway kept unwanted

  guests away. He wasn't certain whether or not he would be welcomed, so he buzzed the intercom and waited.

  "Yes?" a voice inquired through the intercom.

  "I'm here to see Mr. and Mrs. Winterstone," Dane said.

  "Dr. Winterstone." the voice corrected.

  "I beg your pardon. Dr. Winterstone," Dane said. "My name is Dane Morgan. I"m here on behalf of Suzy Winterstone."

  "I will ask Dr. and Mrs. Winterstone if they are receiving/' the voice said.

  "You do that," Dane muttered to himself, enjoying the chilly air circulating inside the truck. He was sweating, he realized—actually perspiring, with a case of nerves only a real bridegroom might suffer. He hadn't anticipated the size of the mansion, the heavy, protective fence, the cold-voiced housekeeper—no wonder Suzy got tense just thinking about her parents. He almost felt as if he were visiting a castle, a knight riding in to get his head lopped off by an easily irked ruler.

  A vision of palm trees waving in Mexico jumped into his head. Dane gripped white-knuckied fingers around the steering wheel, telling himself he wasn't bolting. If these people didn't want to meet their prospective son-in-law, then it sure wasn't anything that would keep him up at night.

  Yeah, it would. For Suzy's sake, he wanted harmony between him and her folks. He knew too well what a heavy load hard feelings could be—and the fact was. If

  her parents were holding her hostage with their disapproval of her having children out of wedlock, then they were only hurting themselves. Sandra and Nicole were awesome kids, destined to be ladies in Suzy's mold.

  The gate slowly slid back. Dane blinked in disbelief. Here we go. Taking a deep breath, he drove up the circular driveway, stopping in front of marble steps.

  A uniformed man appeared at his open window. "Good evening, sir."

  Dane nodded. "Good evening."

  "I'll park your car for you, sir."

  "I'm parked. It's good here." Dane turned off the truck, got out and patted the man on the back. "No need to stand on ceremony for me. No one can drive this truck but me. She's got two hundred thousand miles on her and has a lot of quirks."

  "Yes, sir." The man pointed to the steps. "The housekeeper will take you to the Winterstones."

  "Good man, good man." Dane jogged up the steps to the double front door. "Howdy," he said to the housekeeper. "You must have been the sexy voice on the intercom."

  The elderly woman looked at him haughtily, her gaze taking in his flannel shirt, jeans, boots and well-worn hat. "Your name, sir?"

  "Dane Morgan."

  "This way, please."

  He followed her, struck by how giant, how imposing this house was. And he'd thought Pop's ranch was over-

  whelming! The home where Suzy had grown up was palatial, aristocratic.

  Suddenly he realized why Suzy wasn't just jumping for joy to marry him and had never cared about the money. She'd always had money. She could have continued living this lifestyle had she not fallen in love with the wrong man. No wonder she was willing to marry Dane without love. She'd already had wealth and it had turned on her. She liked her independence. Suzy could count on herself and that was all she planned to rely on.

  The only reason she'd agreed to marry him was because he'd offered her his last name for her girls.

  It was the only thing he had to give her.

  He was ushered into a formal sitting area with a fireplace and pristine white sofas. Two small, middle-aged people stood as he entered the room. Behind him, the housekeeper closed the door.

  Hello, Dr. Winterstone and Mrs. Winterstone," he said. "My name is Dane Morgan." They didn't draw near him so he knew they had no intention of shaking his hand.

 
; "We know your name," Dr. Winterstone said. "You apparently have come on an errand from Suzy."

  "Not an errand," Dane said, deciding he had nothing to lose at this point by being a bit frosty himself. He was trying to throw these people a lifeline, if they would only realize it. He thought about Sandra and Nicole and their chance to know their grandparents, and told himself to play nice. He was doing this just as much for the girls as for Suzy—he didn't want to fail them. Surely somewhere

  in these stiff people resided hearts that beat warm blood. "I've come to ask you for Suzy's hand in marriage."

  "Well," Mrs. Winterstone said, "if that's all you came for, you needn't have bothered. Suzy has been on her own for some time. I'm sure she's capable of accepting you herself without our guidance, of which she thinks very little, we can assure you."

  There was a lot of hurt and anger in Mrs. Winter-stone's voice. Dane shifted, since he hadn't been invited to take a seat, deciding that he and his future in-laws would never be close so he might as well press forward with the greater goal in mind. "Your daughter doesn't know I'm here. I came out of respect to you, because no matter the circumstances of the past between you and Suzy, it's important to me to look to the future."

  "All right, Mr. Morgan," Dr. Winterstone said. "Since you claim to be trying to observe traditional niceties, tell me what you do for a living and how you propose to care for Suzy and her child."

  "Children," Dane said. "Sandra and Nicole." He noticed a flicker of surprise in Mrs. Winterstone's gaze as she glanced at her husband. "She had twins. They're adorable, I must say. Busy as beavers, and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face."

  "You were telling us what you do for a living, Mr. Morgan," Suzy's father said.

  "I'm retired from the Texas Rangers."