A Texas Bond

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  Instead, they were fine, back to taking turns sliding down the tube with their friends.

  “Come on, Uncle Ross, slide with us.”

  “I don’t know if I can fit.”

  “Sure you can in the big one.” Mason laughed. “I dare you.”

  “Well in that case...” With an impish grin shot in her direction, Ross climbed the ladder of the largest slide. At the top of the tube, he stood, peering down to make sure all the kids were out of the way. “Look out below.” He disappeared in the tube, then popped out the other end and landed in the water with a major splash.

  To the giggling delight of both happy twins.

  She never would have imagined it could happen, but for once as the pulsing water eased her aches, she was glad Ross was here.

  “You okay?” Lexie asked.

  Stacia opened her eyes to see her friend descend into the hot tub.

  “I’m fine. Are the twins okay?”

  “They’re fine. Rance and Clint are in the pool with them on kid patrol. And Ross watch.”

  “You’ll be stove-up tomorrow.” Larae settled in a lounge chair beside the spa. “I’m with Mr. Donovan, you should see a doctor.”

  “I’m sure it’s just bruising.”

  “You should come by our ranch every day and soak in our unused hot tub. It’s just languishing on the back porch, since the doctor deemed it off limits for me until after the baby.” A hint of longing threaded through Larae’s voice. “We can visit until you feel better.”

  “Maybe.”

  “We want to hear all about things with Ross.” Lexie perched diagonally across from her.

  “Shh, he’s right over there.”

  “There’s no way he can hear.” Larae peered at her. “But just relax for now. We’ll get it out of you sooner or later.”

  And she knew they would. Even if they had to physically drag her to Larae’s ranch.

  Chapter Six

  After Stacia’s accident yesterday, they’d ended up not playing putt-putt after all. Despite her protests, Ross had driven her straight to a clinic when they’d left, but the doctor had found only bruising. How sore would she be today? Would she end up missing church?

  He climbed the farmhouse porch steps and rang the bell. Minutes passed before it swung open. Stacia stood in the threshold. Her flowing purple dress skimmed her curves and hit just above her knees. Still barefoot.

  “How are you feeling?”

  She grimaced. “Like an overgrown twelve-year-old drop-kicked me with both feet.”

  He winced. “You going to church?”

  “Yes. And you’re driving your own rig. Remember, we’re following so I can check out your driving.”

  Anything to keep from riding with him. “Do I have to remind you that I drove you home yesterday?”

  “No. But I was in pain, so I couldn’t tell you how you drove.”

  “I got us home safely though.”

  “Oh, all right. The only vehicle we can all fit in is my SUV.”

  “Actually, my truck is four-door. I can fit three comfortably in the back seat. And I bought car seats for Mason and Madison.” He held his hands up as if to ward off a blow. “Not to do any absconding. Just so you won’t have to drive all the time and to keep from swapping safety seats back and forth.”

  “Like I said, we’ll see.” She stepped aside. “Come on in. Daddy’s wrangling the kids.”

  He followed her into the family room, where she gingerly eased into a wingback chair.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Just sore. The doctor’s X-ray didn’t show anything amiss.”

  “Might slow you down in the workshop this week.”

  “I can’t afford that.”

  “I can take up your slack. Once we got back yesterday, I hit the workshop, got two more claw foots done.” Despite worrying about her.

  She seemed surprised. “After working there late Friday night?” Sincerity softened her eyes. “Thank you. For the tubs. And for yesterday.”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure you get the B and B order completed on time.”

  “No. I mean, I appreciate that.” She paused, grimaced while slipping on her heels, as if simply lifting each foot hurt. “More than you can imagine. But I meant the pool incident. Thank you for being there. For helping to ease my panic. And making sure the kids stayed safe until I got my wits about me. I don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t been there.”

  “Not a problem. I love them too.”

  “I can tell.” She sized him up. “I’ve just had them for so long. I mean Daddy helps, but the bulk of the responsibility for raising them and making sure they’re healthy and happy has been mostly on me.” She closed her eyes. “I have to admit, it’s been nice to have someone to take up the slack. I’ve wanted to get in that hot tub for years.”

  “Are you saying you’re glad to have me here?”

  “In that instant of chaos—yes.” She pursed her lips. “But don’t get used to it.”

  He’d thought they’d made headway. “You can trust me, Stacia. Yesterday should have proven it. I could have left you to the lifeguards and fled with the kids, called my folks, and disappeared with them. But I didn’t.”

  That familiar current of suspicion widened her eyes. “Sounds like it crossed your mind with a plan in place.”

  “Come on, I came up with that scenario because it’s what you expect. I have their best interest at heart, just as you do.”

  She blew out a big breath. “The whole situation is impossible. I’m not good at sharing them. Especially when your folks live so far away. I just don’t want them constantly dragged back and forth.”

  “It’s only four hours.” He ran his hand along the fireplace mantle, one of the most exquisitely restored pieces he’d ever seen. “And I’ve been trying to come up with a solution. Maybe my folks could come visit every other weekend. And on holidays and in the summer, maybe I could come get them for a visit.”

  “It’s not ideal. But I guess it’s better than them going to Houston.” Her voice cracked. “Permanently.”

  “Uncle Ross.” Mason scurried down the stairs with Madison and Maverick lagging behind. “Are you going to church with us?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Let’s load up.” Maverick clapped his hands.

  Ross opened the door, held it as the Keyes family members filed out. In the last week, he’d seen enough to realize the twins were happy here. Stacia and Maverick loved and nurtured them. The kids needed to stay here, the only home they’d ever known.

  But he had no idea how his parents would react when they learned they’d been robbed of grandchildren. He didn’t think they’d go to court in an effort to reclaim the years they’d lost. He’d do his level best to convince his folks to be content letting Madison and Mason stay with people who’d loved them from the beginning. But he couldn’t make any promises.

  * * *

  Stacia turned into her friend’s drive. At the end of a very long Monday in the workshop with Ross, she was due a break. Despite the grilling she’d get, her sore back longed for Larae’s hot tub. Even though the heat of the day had hit eighty-seven.

  “Can we ride the pony?” Mason leaned to the side peering between the front seats.

  “I don’t know. You’ll have to check with Denny.” Since she was banged up and hadn’t been as productive as usual today, Daddy had promised to work on coffee bars and tubs with Ross for the evening, leaving her to supervise the twins alone for a change. She parked in the drive and disengaged the child safety lock on the back doors. Both doors opened and the twins bolted toward the barn.

  Most of the time, she got out first so she could corral the twins. But here, it was just like home—they knew the rules about staying on this side of the fences unless they were with
an adult. Gingerly, she eased herself out with the muscles in her back protesting loudly.

  Denny popped out of the barn, gave her a wave to let her know the kids were supervised.

  “There she is. Granny lost her get up and go.” Larae walked across the porch with a bit of a waddle, wearing shorts and a tank top. As petite and lean as she’d always been, except for her belly.

  “You got that right.” Stacia stretched, then made her way to the house.

  “You two make me feel young and spry.” Lexie chuckled.

  “I look and feel like I swallowed a beach ball.”

  “Stop it, you’re the cutest pregnant woman I’ve ever seen.” Stacia bit her lip, forced a smile. “I always figured I’d gain all over the way Calli did.”

  “Well she did have twins, so that might have been part of it,” Lexie reasoned. “But if you’re day-dreaming about babies, you might want to find a husband.”

  “I’m not in any rush.” Conversations like this hurt the most. When she tried to keep things light, act like she was normal, that the only thing keeping her from having a family was the lack of a husband. “Are you sure your dad’s okay watching the kids?”

  “Jayda’s with him and Rance is too. They’re fine.” Larae linked arms with both of them as they made their way down the side of the wraparound porch to the well-shaded hot tub in the back. “I think Ross is a prime candidate for husband material.”

  “No way.” Stacia shook her head. “He makes my brain want to explode.”

  “Only because you’re worried about the twins. I can tell he’s fallen in love with them.” Lexie gave her a gentle elbow jab. “Men who love kids make excellent husbands. Just think about it. If he was just some guy with no ties to the twins, would you be interested?”

  “I can’t separate the two. He’s Mason and Madison’s uncle. All he makes me feel is anxiety. And aren’t we trying to relax here? Subject change in order. How are the wedding plans coming along?”

  “Making me want to pull my hair out and elope,” Lexie admitted.

  “Just stick with it.” Larae ushered them into the hot tub, then claimed a lawn chair. Three lemonade glasses lined the rim. “You’ll be glad someday when you have the pictures and memories of having your family and friends celebrate your special day. I just hope this baby gives up the nest soon so I don’t go into labor in the middle of the ceremony.”

  “If you elope, Larae and I will never speak to you again.” Stacia eased down into the tub and the warm pulsing water went to work on the tenderness in her back. “We want to wear our pretty red dresses. Finally, someone came up with bridesmaid dresses that aren’t hideous.”

  “Please. Y’all could never look hideous.” Lexie’s smile turned sappy. “I can’t believe in two weeks, I’ll be Mrs. Clint Rawlins.”

  “He’s still feeling good and not having any residual issues from his bull wreck last year?” Larae asked.

  “Doing great. No memory problems, all back to normal.”

  “I’m glad he’s fully recovered.” Stacia sipped her lemonade. “I’m sure it had something to do with having a great therapist named Lexie.”

  “We saw his neurologist last week. All his tests came back normal. The doctor said to go live his life.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Larae held her glass up. “Cheers.”

  They clinked their lemonade glasses.

  “I worry about the bull riders at my rodeo,” Larae said.

  “Trust me, if you didn’t own a rodeo, they’d just go somewhere else. I’m so glad Clint quit.” Lexie settled lower in the tub. “He’s completely content with just watching. You should bring the twins sometime, Stacia. We’re there with Cooper and Charlee just about every weekend.”

  “It would be fun and I’d love to support Larae, but I’m terrified Mason would decide he wants to be a bull rider when he grows up.” A shudder went through her despite the warm day and heated water.

  “Oh!” Larae dropped her glass, clutched her stomach. Her glass bounced off her knee and landed in the bubbling water.

  “You okay?” Stacia grabbed the glass before it sank, set it outside the tub.

  “Just a twinge.” Larae clenched her teeth.

  “Looks like more than that from your expression.” Lexie set her glass down. “What do you say, we get out and go inside?”

  “I’m fine.” Larae waved a hand as if it was nothing. “Ow!”

  “I’m an occupational therapist, not a midwife. Let’s go inside.”

  “I’m not sure I can stand.” Larae moaned. “It’s been a few years, but I think that was a contraction.”

  “When did they start?” Lexie checked her watch.

  “I’ve had a few twinges today, but this just started.”

  “I’m calling Rance.” Stacia grabbed her phone.

  The pain seemed to subside and Lexie helped Larae stand. As they made their way toward the house, another wave hit and Larae doubled over, then crumpled to the deck.

  Rance picked up. “Hello.”

  “Hey, it’s Stacia. Can you come to the house?” She tried to sound calm.

  “Is Larae all right?”

  “Um, I think she might be in labor.”

  * * *

  “Coffee bar number fifty-seven, ready for paint.” Ross ran his hand over the joints, strong and sturdy.

  The back door of the workshop opened and Stacia ushered Madison and Mason inside.

  “I need y’all to watch the kids. Larae just went into labor, so I’m going to the hospital.” She was flustered, with pink splotches mottling her cheeks and shaking hands.

  “We got this.” Maverick winked at the twins. “I need some help anyway.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay to drive?” Ross asked.

  “I’m fine.”

  “Maybe Ross should drive you.”

  “I don’t need a driver.”

  “You look pretty shaky. That settles it, Ross you drive her.” Maverick tweaked Mason’s nose. “You can’t paint with these two here anyway. Somebody won’t keep a mask on. We’re ahead on the order and I can finish up here.”

  “You heard the man.” Ross took off his sleeved apron.

  “Just because he says it, doesn’t mean we have to do it. I can drive myself.”

  “We kind of do. He’s my boss and your dad.”

  “I like the way you think, Ross.” Daddy grinned.

  “We know Uncle Ross is a good driver now.” Madison concurred. “And Aunt Stacia is really nervous.”

  “Hold on and let me wash up a bit.” Ross hurried to the bathroom, dipped a generous dollop of Goop cleaner on his hands and scrubbed. Most of the paint came off.

  When he stepped out of the bathroom, Stacia was still there, tapping her foot in irritation. He’d half expected her to bolt.

  He hurried to the door, opened it for her. “After you.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  “You’re not supposed to roll your eyes, Aunt Stacia,” Madison admonished.

  “You’re absolutely right,” Stacia admitted with a sheepish grin. “I was being a bad example and I’m sorry.”

  “Your aunt is out of sorts because she’s worried about her friend.” Ross took up for her. “And she’s a bit of a control freak.”

  The twins giggled as she shot him a glare and hurried out the door.

  Once in the truck, silence echoed.

  Ross backed out of the drive. “Which hospital?”

  “The one in Boerne. It’s about forty-five minutes. I just put it in my phone GPS. She’s finding us.”

  “That’s toward Bandera, right?” He hesitated at the end of the driveway.

  “Yes.”

  “Sorry about the control freak remark.” He pulled onto the highway. “I was trying to lighten things up a bit.”

  More si
lence.

  Was she that mad at him? Or was it more than that? Her friend was about to have a baby. Something Stacia would never do if she followed her doctor’s advice.

  “This must be hard on you.”

  “I’m just nervous. Larae was in a lot of pain.”

  “I mean the whole baby thing.”

  “I’m very happy for Larae and Rance.”

  “But I imagine it’s still hard.”

  “They had a rocky beginning and their daughter, Jayda, is eight now. But they fought their way to happily-ever-after and the new baby puts a much deserved exclamation point on their bliss.” She let out a sigh. “But to be honest, her pregnancy has been a constant reminder that I’ll never have that joy.”

  “Does she know?”

  Stacia shook her head. “No one knows except Daddy. And you.”

  “And only because I badgered it out of you.” He winced. “Sorry about that. But you should tell your friends. Isn’t that what friends are for? To share your ups and downs.”

  “At first, it was too painful. I couldn’t talk about it. It’s still hard. But about the time I was ready to tell them, Larae broke the news about the baby. I didn’t want to discourage her excitement or have her tiptoe around me.” Her voice caught. “I just couldn’t let her know that every bout of morning sickness, every craving, every kick makes me ecstatic for her. But at the same time, it hurts my soul.” Guilt tinged her tone.

  “You shouldn’t beat yourself up for how you feel.” He reached over, found her hand on the console, and squeezed it. “And you shouldn’t suffer alone.”

  She stiffened, then relaxed for a few seconds before pulling her hand away.

  Back to silence.

  “You really should talk to someone.”

  “So now you think I need a shrink?”

  “That’s not what I meant.” He gripped the steering wheel tight. Why did she take everything he said the wrong way? “Family, a friend, or your preacher. Anyone, just so it doesn’t eat at you.”