Cowboy's Heart

by Rhonda Laurel

  “OK, you ready, cowboy?” Lucas grabbed bottles of water out of the car and threw one at him.

  “Yes, sir.” Tate nodded.

  Tate wasn’t surprised that the colonel kept up a good pace; he looked like he was in pretty good shape for his age. Every time Tate tried to make polite conversation, he’d speed up. There had to be something they had in common, and he was determined to find out what it was. About a mile into the trail they stopped for a water break.

  “This must be strenuous exercise for you.” Lucas gave him a speculative sidelong glance.

  “Not really. Back on the ranch I sometimes work ten hour days.” Tate looked around at the scenery. The colonel didn’t have a snappy comeback for that. Surely, he wasn’t expecting to hear that Tate knew something about a hard day’s work.

  “Isabelle boasts about that fancy ranch. She sent me a picture of that horse you bought her.”

  “Actually, my dad bought her the horse, Concerto, for her birthday.”

  “You think you can win her heart by giving her fancy things? The horse, that outrageous engagement ring, and who knows what else you got her. I taught her better than that.”

  “I’m sorry if you think I’m trying to buy her affection, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She’s an independent woman, and she doesn’t need my gifts, but the thing is, I want her to have the best of everything.”

  Lucas didn’t respond and started moving again. They trudged on a few more miles before deciding to double back. He wondered how many family dinners he’d have to suffer through in the future. Finally, they were approaching their starting point. He could see Isabelle and her mom talking. The colonel stopped and looked at him.

  “She’s liked horses ever since she was little girl. I always promised to buy her one, but we moved around a lot. She really loves that horse,” Lucas said and walked the rest of the way alone.

  “How was the trail?” Isabelle came over and kissed him.

  “I’m happy I came back alive. For a minute I thought I was going to be victim to an unfortunate accident,” Tate said in a low voice so only she could hear.

  When they went back to the hotel, the colonel said he was taking a nap before dinner. Despite how her father was behaving, Isabelle was happy to see her mom, and it showed. With a knowing smile, Tate gave her kiss and went to the room to work on some songs so the ladies could spend time together.

  * * *

  Isabelle felt like a kid again waiting for her family in the lobby of the hotel. This week was going to be great. It was a family reunion of sorts, and she hoped the reinforcements would ease the tension between Tate and her father. A limousine pulled up, and Teri-Lyn and John Jacob got out with the boys. Rental cars carrying the rest of the Blakes pulled up behind the limo. The bellman opened the door so she could greet them.

  “Hi, Everybody!” Isabelle opened her arms and knelt down so she could hug Jake, Connor, and Colby. “I see you’re traveling in style.”

  “I thought the boys would get a kick out of riding in one of these.” John Jacob smiled.

  “I’m so glad to see you.” She gave Teri-Lyn a bear hug.

  “Is everything all right?” Teri-Lyn looked her in the eye.

  “It is now.” Isabelle gave her a tight smile. She couldn’t pull anything over on that woman’s momma-bear radar.

  “How’s my favorite cousin doing?” someone said behind her.

  “Morgan!” She embraced her cousin then looked over her shoulder. “And the man she procreates with, Seth.”

  “Hey, Isabelle. You look great. This desert air agrees with you.” Seth put an arm around her shoulder.

  “Thanks. I missed my favorite troublemakers.” She hugged the boys again. “Jake, I hear you’ll be starting school soon. Are you excited?”

  “Yes. Grandma said it’s going to be fun.” Jake smiled.

  “How’s Tate doing?” Morgan interrupted.

  “Excited. The band sounds great.” Isabelle made her round of greetings as J.J., Sam, Channing, and Bo got out of their SUVs.

  “So what’s going on?” Morgan pulled her to the side.

  “My parents arrived a day early.”

  “Did your father pull any weapons on Tate?” Morgan winced.

  “Yeah, the worst one of all—the interrogation stare.”

  “I remember that stare. He could get anyone to confess in under fifteen minutes.”

  “He’s being rude to Tate.”

  “No worries. We’re here now.” Morgan hugged her again.

  “I could really use one of your pep talks. Can you come to my room before the family dinner tonight?”

  “Of course. I just need to get the boys settled.”

  * * *

  An hour later it felt good to put her head on Morgan’s shoulder and complain about her father’s behavior. Her cousin reminded her that the Reed men were insanely protective of the women in the family and that they’d gone through this type of thing their whole lives. A few hugs and a sleeve of crackers later, Morgan said she had to get back to the room. She was doing pretty well not telling Seth about the pregnancy, but he had been asking a bunch of questions on the plane. Damn those inquisitive Blake men and their powers of deduction.

  By six o’clock all the Reeds had arrived and were checked into their rooms. Isabelle’s Uncle Curtis and Aunt Sydney were already planning what tours they were going to take with the concierge as soon they walked into the hotel. Robert was able to make it after moving some things around on his schedule, but his wife, Alicia, wasn’t able to come. Isabelle did a double take when she saw Robert’s teenage daughter, Avery, who was almost unrecognizable. The teen had blossomed into a young woman since the last time Isabelle saw her. The braces had come off, she’d switched out her glasses for contacts, and she had those trademark Reed woman hips. Morgan told her that Avery and Robert had been clashing lately, and now she knew why. Robert wasn’t happy about his little girl growing up.

  As soon as her cousin Jared came into the lobby, she couldn’t help but notice a group of women staring at him. He’d had that effect on women all his life, even though he never paid much attention to it. He was six foot two, handsome, intelligent, had these deep brown bedroom eyes, a killer smile, and was one hell of an architect. She saw him often on the ranch since he’d begun working on projects with Blake Enterprises and was surprised at his natural affinity for ranch life. He wasn’t on the hunt for companionship these days; his divorce had knocked the wind out of his sails. But it was nice to know singles Jared, Channing, and Bo planned to hang out together and have some fun while in Vegas. Even though Jared was committed to bachelorhood these days, it wouldn’t be long before some lucky woman snatched him up.

  * * *

  Tate came back to the suite just in time to take a shower and get ready for the dinner party they were hosting for the family. All was going well until Cyril called and said he needed to meet with Tate. Lucinda McCann’s band had arrived in town, and Tate made a point of greeting his opening act when they arrived.

  “Go. Cyril said it would take a few minutes.” Isabelle adjusted his tie. “You look so handsome in this suit.”

  “Yeah? I look even better out of it.” He started backing her against the bed.

  “We don’t have time for seduction. Get out of here.” She maneuvered around him and pushed him toward the door. She opened it to find Cecilia and Teri-Lyn on the other side chatting.

  “I guess introductions aren’t necessary?” Tate gave them both a kiss on the cheek.

  “No, Sydney introduced us earlier. We went for coffee.” Cecilia beamed.

  “Good. I have to take care of something downstairs, but I’ll be right back.” Tate smiled and exited.

  “Your mom and I were talking about the wedding.” Teri-Lyn put her arm around Isabelle.

  “You and Tate are going to announce the date after the concert, right?” Cecilia replied.

  “That’s the plan. I’ve narrowed down a few dates that don’t conf
lict with Seth and Tyler’s schedules,” Isabelle said. It was sometimes difficult to plan things when you had a professional football player and race car driver in the family.

  “Cecelia, I’d love to get together with you and show you a few bridal books I brought with me. Let’s have lunch tomorrow. I’ll see if Sydney can make it, and we’ll make a day of it,” Teri-Lyn said.

  “That’s a great idea,” Cecelia said.

  “Let me go see what my grandbabies are up to.” Teri-Lyn walked over to her grandsons who were playing with the grand piano while Seth fed them appetizers.

  “She’s a sweetheart,” Isabelle’s mother said to her. “You got lucky in the mother-in-law department.”

  “Don’t I know it.” Isabelle sighed. “Thanks for being so nice to Tate. He’s a good guy and—”

  “You don’t have to sell me on Tate. I can see why you fell in love with that gorgeous man. I think you’re good for each other.”

  “I’m so glad to hear you say that.” Isabelle clutched her mother’s hand. “So where’s Dad?”

  “He said he had to make a call, but I think he’s just stalling.”

  “Mom, is he all right? I know dad can be a bit…abrasive, that’s his style, but I think he’s putting a little extra effort into his animosity toward Tate. He wasn’t this uptight when I married Ned.” Isabelle bit her lip.

  “That’s the thing. With everything’s that’s come to light about Ned, I think your dad feels like he didn’t do his due diligence as a father. He took Ned’s behavior toward you very hard.”

  “It wasn’t his fault.” Isabelle blinked. Would that part of her life ever be over?

  “No, it wasn’t, and it wasn’t your fault either. I’m just happy my baby doesn’t have any more broken bones or worse.”

  “I’ve moved on with a good man,” Isabelle said.

  “I know. But I’m afraid Tate’s past is working against him.”

  “He’s not like that anymore.”

  “I can tell he’s crazy about you. I think your father can too. You’re his little Peanut and that’s never going to change. Don’t worry. Things will work out.” Cecilia gave Isabelle a big hug.

  “Thanks, Mom.” She squeezed back.

  “Guess what? Your aunt Deborah called and said we may be running into Charisma and Lamont in Las Vegas.”

  Oh no. Isabelle’s stomach clinched. Having her snarky cousin and her on again, off again wide receiver boyfriend, who also played on Seth’s team, in town was not a good thing. “What? Why?”

  “She said they’d already scheduled this vacation, which I don’t believe. It’s nothing more than Charisma’s ego being bruised about not being included. And of course your aunt threw in a backhanded comment about being snubbed as well. I told Deborah that Charisma showing up uninvited won’t put her in anyone’s good graces.”

  “She crashed one of Morgan and Seth’s dinner parties. I don’t know why she wants to be around us anyway. All she does is snipe at me and Morgan.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Charisma has always been jealous of the relationship between the two of you. I remember she was a manipulative, snotty little girl who was always trying to do things to make you mad at each other. Now she’s trying to one up Morgan at every turn. And I don’t like that Lamont. He’s always making backhanded comments about Seth. If you’re not loyal to your quarterback, clearly you’re not trustworthy.”

  “And he has this weird fixation on Morgan. Seth is going to knock his lights out one of these days.” Isabelle took a prosciutto-wrapped fig off a passing waiter’s tray.

  “I don’t care what shenanigans they have planned. I’d like to see Lamont get past Luther.”

  “You’re right. Regency has all the bases covered.”

  “Look at Morgan’s boys. They are so adorable. I hope you and Tate don’t wait too long.” Cecilia beamed and went over to Seth and the boys.

  Isabelle wanted to blurt out, you’re going to be a grandma too! But she had to stick to her plan. Teri-Lyn had been giving her strange looks for the past few weeks, so she tried to stay out of her line of sight. Sydney’s presence only compounded the maternal eagle eyes in the room.

  There was a knock at the door. It was her dad.

  “Dad, you look nice.” Isabelle kissed him on the cheek.

  “Thank you, Peanut.” He looked around the room. “Where’s that cowboy?”

  “He had some things to take care of for the tour, but he’ll be back soon. In the meantime, enjoy your time with your family. I can’t remember the last time you and Uncle Curtis were in the same room.” She gave him a tight smile.

  “Isabelle.” John Jacob walked into the suite and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Dad, I’d like you to meet John Jacob Blake, Tate’s father,” Isabelle said.

  John Jacob extended his hand. “Glad to meet you. Looks like we’re going to be in-laws.”

  “That’s what they tell me,” the colonel murmured.

  The men shook hands, but Isabelle began to feel uncomfortable when after a few minutes neither man would let go. She couldn’t take it anymore, so Isabelle gently pulled their hands apart.

  John Jacob smiled. “I just want you to know how much we all love Isabelle. Tate is lucky to have her come into his life.”

  “I wish I could say I feel good about this, but I don’t. Your son has quite a reputation as a ladies’ man.”

  Isabelle swallowed hard. So much for pleasantries.

  “Past tense. He’s a one-woman man now.” John Jacob’s jaw ticked.

  “Who’s to say he’ll stop his wild ways just because he met my daughter? That remains to be seen. Those entertainment types lead wild lifestyles, and your son has done enough things to fill a tell-all book.” Colonel Reed folded his arms over his chest.

  “What man alive hasn’t done a few things in his past that he wished he could change?” John Jacob took an equally combative stance.

  “I don’t want my daughter to find out down the road that he hasn’t changed.”

  Isabelle didn’t know what to do. Her father wasn’t backing down and John Jacob, who was usually the pinnacle of cool, looked more than peeved. As if he were reading her mind, John Jacob smiled at her and gave her a pat on the shoulder.

  “My son would not have asked your daughter for her hand in marriage if he wasn’t serious and committed to having a life with her. I raised him better than that. I can guarantee it. How about we go over to the bar and have a drink?”

  Isabelle watched as John Jacob ushered her dad to the bar. J.J. and Sam entered the suite.

  “How’s my favorite engaged couple?” Isabelle asked, grateful for the interruption.

  “Sorry we’re late. I had some business to take care of earlier that ran late.” Sam yawned. “It’s been a long day.”

  “I thought you two had a mutual no-work deal for this vacation?” Isabelle raised an eyebrow.

  “We were fine until Channing ran into trouble.” J.J. shook his head.

  “Channing struck up a conversation with a woman by the pool today who happens to be a reality TV star. One of my colleagues figured out who she was after the fact. I had to…persuade the film crew not to use any footage they may have of him. She’d already been posting on her social media sites that she was hanging out with Seth Blake’s hot younger brother.”

  “I’m going to kill him. You’re supposed to be on vacation, not keeping him out of trouble, as usual.” J.J. looked around the room for his brother.

  “You will not. Yes, we are on vacation, but I am still in charge of security for this family.” Sam caressed his cheek.

  Isabelle bit back a smile when the simple gesture from Sam made J.J. happy again.

  “And you thought your troubles were over when Tyler settled down with Michelle.” Isabelle giggled.

  * * *

  Tate eased back into the party, hoping his absence hadn’t been noticed by Isabelle’s dad. He searched the crowd and found her sandwiched between Morgan and Michelle. H
e loved everyone one in the room, but he wanted to kick them all out and spend the rest of the night in bed.

  Seth approached him. “You ready for the big night?”

  “As ready as I’ll ever be. Misty says hello, by the way. One of these days you have to tell me what transpired between you two.” Tate laughed. His backup singer just couldn’t get Seth out of her system, even though he was married with kids.

  “I swear I didn’t do a thing.” Seth sighed.

  “I don’t believe you.” Tate raised an eyebrow.

  Bo approached, nibbling on a shrimp. “He’s broken so many hearts he can’t keep track.”

  “Not so loud. The boys don’t take too kindly to hearing I dated someone other than their mother.” Seth laughed.

  “Bo, I hear you have a wild week planned?” Tate asked.

  Tyler joined the group. “Bo, I expect to see you, Channing, and Jared tomorrow morning at ten. You have one hour of my time, then I’m back to my room.”

  “What’s going on tomorrow?” Seth asked.

  “I’m coaching the nerd brigade on how to pick up women.” Tyler laughed.

  “You can’t be serious?” Tate scratched at his beard.

  Michelle came up to him and gave him a hug. “Tate, I see you have Loulabelle out. Does this mean you’re going to sing us a song?”

  “Yes, I am, Michelle, if you and Tyler promise to stick around and listen to it.” He winked at her.

  “You’ve got forty-five minutes.” Tyler put his arm around Michelle’s waist.

  Tate strapped on his guitar. “Can I have your attention everyone? Tonight I’m going to sing for you something I’ve been working on the past few months. It’s something Lila started, and I finished it. I thought it would be nice to share with the people that mean so much to me. It’s called ‘Sharing a Breeze.’”

  Tate began to sing Lila’s words. The song chronicled the moments they’d shared on their battered porch, not saying much at all. Those were the rare moments before Joe came home yelling, which Tate remembered as happy times with his mother. She said if he listened closely, the breeze would hear his prayers and answer them.