Second-Chance Cowboy

by Carolyne Aarsen

  Boyce was curious but, thankfully, said nothing, only that he’d put on a television show for Nathan to watch so they could talk in peace.

  Tabitha bit her lip, glancing from the diamond ring on her finger to the concern etched on Morgan’s face.

  She would have preferred to wait and enjoy the reality of her and Morgan, finally together.

  But she also knew that, until she talked to Boyce, this would hang over their future.

  “I’m sure.”

  “Okay. Let’s do this.”

  They got out and walked hand in hand up the sidewalk to the house.

  But then Morgan’s father was at the door, holding it open, smiling as he looked from one to the other. “Come in,” he said, stepping aside, his grin growing as he caught a glimpse of Tabitha’s left hand. “I’m guessing you two have something good to tell me. Nathan is upstairs. He’s watching television in my room. He doesn’t know you’re here. If he did, he wouldn’t leave you alone, and I thought we might like some privacy.”

  That set Tabitha back. Clearly he knew exactly what they were here for.

  They stepped into the house and Boyce limped ahead of them, leading them through the narrow hallway into the kitchen at the back. “I’ll make some coffee.”

  “Don’t bother, Dad,” Morgan said. “We just want to talk with you.”

  “And talking is done best over a cup of coffee.” Boyce shot Tabitha a smile. “You should know that, Tabitha. All those old guys yapping in the corner of the café in the morning when you used to work there.”

  Tabitha’s smile felt forced as she settled into the old wooden chair at the small table. She sent up a prayer for strength, courage and hope.

  A few awkward moments later, Boyce set down mugs in front of each of them and poured the coffee. Then he sat down himself, grinning. “So? What do you need to talk about?”

  “I think you know that I’ve asked Tabitha to marry me and she’s accepted,” Morgan put in.

  Boyce grinned. “I guessed that when I saw that ring on Tabitha’s finger. Congratulations.” He got up and gave Morgan a hug, then pulled Tabitha to her feet and held her close. “I’m so happy. Welcome to the family, my dear girl. I don’t know if I should congratulate you or feel sorry for you.”

  Tabitha returned his hug, allowing herself a flicker of joy. It had been a long time since she’d received a hug from someone other than Morgan. “I’ll take the congratulations but not the sympathy. I love your son. He’s an amazing person.”

  Boyce patted Morgan on the shoulder. “I’d have to agree with you.”

  “But there’s something else I need to talk to you about,” Tabitha said, slowly sitting down, staying on the edge of her chair, her heart beginning a slow, heavy pounding. Morgan found her hand under the table and squeezed it, encouraging her. “And that’s why we’re here.”

  “You come to ask who’s paying for the wedding? Well, that would be me, of course,” Boyce said, grinning as he sat down as well. He took a sip of his coffee, looking from Morgan to Tabitha.

  “No. Not that, though it does have to do with money.” Tabitha bit her lip, hesitating, but then plunged on, needing to get this out of the way. “It has to do with the money my father stole from you.”

  Morgan’s hand tightened and she shot him a grateful look, so thankful he was here beside her.

  Boyce looked thoughtful as he turned his mug in circles, his silence making Tabitha even more on edge.

  “Now, honey,” he said slowly, drawing out his words. “I don’t think you need to worry about that—”

  “I know my father pulled a fast one when he shifted the title of my house—my former house—to me,” she amended. “But I had every intention of making it right. That’s why I was working so hard to fix it up. So that I could make it worth more money. I wanted to sell it and pay you back. Pay off the debt my father owed.”

  Boyce’s smile grew gentle and he leaned across the table. “Give me your hand, Tabitha. The one with that ring my son gave you.”

  Curious, Tabitha did as he asked. Boyce took hers in his rough, scarred and gnarled hands, his touch gentle as he touched the ring she wore. “See this ring? It means that you’re going to marry my son. In my eyes, you saying yes makes you family. And family doesn’t owe family money, so it all balances out.”

  His words almost made her cry.

  “But my father isn’t family—”

  “And he’s gone, God rest his soul. I don’t know why he did what he did, but you shouldn’t take that on,” Boyce said, his eyes narrowing and his voice growing harsher. “You aren’t your father and you aren’t responsible for his wrongdoing.”

  “But it was so much money—”

  “No. It was only money.” Boyce leveled her a stern look. “Nothing more. Money isn’t as important as people. That’s something my daddy drilled into me and, I’m hoping, I instilled into my family.” His expression grew softer and he was smiling again. “Like I said, it was only money. I got through it and so did everyone else. You’re not responsible for what your father did.”

  Tabitha could only stare at him as his words registered.

  “I know I love you and I know that God loves you,” he continued. “That makes you valuable and that’s all that matters. You also need to know that we all have bigger and more important debts that can’t be paid. None of us righteous and none of us can stand before God with what we owe Him. He covered our debt. Covered yours. And that’s a far more important debt than the one you seem to think you owe me. You are your own person, Tabitha Rennie. And you shouldn’t let other people’s mistakes or decisions determine how you see yourself. If God values you enough to send His son to save you, then you need to see your own value as well.”

  His words struck a chord. The same one she’d been hearing whenever she thought of the passage that stayed with her.

  You are worth more than many sparrows.

  But before she could react, Boyce slapped his hands on the table as if ending that particular line of thought. “And now, the only other financial thing we’re going to talk about is what you were proposing to me, Morgan.”

  Tabitha struggled to wrap her head around what he was saying.

  “Proposing? Other than marriage?” Tabitha asked, confused.

  “I didn’t have a chance to tell you, what with the proposal and all and hoping you would accept and then you wanting to clear things up with my dad,” Morgan said, sounding breathless. “But I have a plan for that land of yours, if you’re willing.”

  Tabitha shot Morgan a puzzled look. “What’s that?”

  “Well, I think it would be a great place for a new veterinary clinic. Your property is close enough to town and big enough that we could set up some pens and corrals and such.”

  “Wait, what? A vet clinic? What are you talking about?” She was struggling to keep up.

  Morgan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as he spoke. “I have this vet degree and the guy I’m working for doesn’t give me enough hours and I know this amazing girl who has an equine health degree and acres of undeveloped land close to town that would be a perfect place for a clinic.”

  “A vet clinic? On my place?”

  Morgan smiled. “I know it’s all a bit much. I’ve only been here a few weeks but I can tell that things aren’t going to get better with Dr. Waters. I had someone give me a pep talk recently on taking risks and I think I’m willing to do it. If I can advertise that I have an equine specialist who also trains horses, I would do that much better.”

  Tabitha shook her head, as if to process all this information.

  “You should have waited to tell her like I told you to,” Boyce said. “Now you’re just confusing her.”

  “You’re right. I’m jumping way ahead.” Morgan brushed a light kiss over her forehead. “I’m
excited to think about a future together.” He pulled back and gave Tabitha a smile. “For now, why don’t we focus on what we’re telling Nathan.”

  “Tell him the straight-up facts,” Boyce put in. “And from what I’ve seen of the boy, I think he’ll be tickled pink.”

  Then he turned to Tabitha. “I’m so glad you and Morgan found each other again. I’m so glad you made it back here to Cedar Ridge and our family. You’re family now.”

  Tabitha looked from Boyce to Morgan, the reality of what he said settling in. She was going to be part of a family.

  She turned to Morgan. “Thank you for coming after me,” she said.

  “It took me a few years, but I can be taught.” Then he kissed her again and got up from the table. “And now I’m going to get my son.”

  He left and Tabitha, still dazed, could only stare at Boyce, still trying to absorb everything that had happened, still not sure where to put it all.

  “I’m happy for you,” Boyce said, gifting her with a wide, cheerful grin. “I’ve always liked you and was sad when Morgan and you broke it off.” He grew serious, frowning a little as he looked at his mug. “I know that my wife got between you two,” he said, his voice growing quiet. “And I’m sorry for that.”

  “No, please... I don’t want you to think—”

  “I loved my wife but I also knew about her dreams for Morgan. They were good dreams but I also think she should have given you two a chance to plan your own life. There are many times I wish I had intervened. Said something to you, but you left and I didn’t have a chance. I’m sorry for that.”

  His apology humbled her. “You have nothing to be sorry for,” she said.

  “And neither do you.”

  His words reinforced what he had said earlier and she slowly realized the truth of what he was saying.

  Then a pair of footsteps came thundering down the stairs and Nathan burst into the room.

  “Tabitha! You’re here.” He stopped in front of her, and then he frowned.

  “Why did you leave?” His voice held an accusing tone that Tabitha knew she deserved.

  “I had some things to sort out. I’m sorry,” she said, hoping, praying he would forgive her. “But I’m back now.”

  Nathan walked over to Morgan, catching him by the hand, still frowning at her. The sight of him turning to his father warmed her heart even as his frown hurt her.

  How would this little boy react to their news? Sure, he liked her, but that was as someone training his mother’s horse. He had just got used to the idea that Morgan was in his life as his father. How would he react to her being his mother?

  “Nathan, Tabitha and I have something to share with you,” Morgan said, sitting down and taking Nathan’s hand as if to prepare him. “I want you to know that I love Tabitha very much. And because we love each other, we want to get married.”

  Nathan frowned at that, glancing from Morgan to Tabitha. His confusion only increased Tabitha’s apprehension.

  “So does that mean you will be living in our house?” he asked, still sounding hesitant.

  “After your father and I get married,” Tabitha said, folding her hands on her lap, shooting Morgan a concerned look. He just smiled, then reached over, resting his hand on her shoulder.

  Nathan seemed to consider this. Then a slow smile crept over his face. “So you’ll be able to work with Stormy all the time then,” he said.

  “Tabitha will have work to do as well,” Morgan said. “She’ll be working with me when I start the new clinic.”

  “But when she lives with us, she can help teach me to ride after supper.” Nathan’s smile grew and Tabitha’s worry shifted to a curious humor.

  “I guess I could,” she said.

  “So does that mean you’ll be my mommy?”

  “It means I’ll be helping to take care of you,” Tabitha said, gently easing him into this new idea.

  Nathan’s grin grew and, to Tabitha’s surprise, he threw his arms around her neck, giving her an awkward hug. Then he drew back and his expression grew serious. “I will still miss my other mommy,” he said.

  “Of course,” Tabitha said, her hand tightening on his. “She’ll always be your mommy. But I’m hoping that you will like having me around too.”

  “I really like you,” he said, as if amazed she even questioned this. “We’ll have fun together. We can ride horses and you can help Morgan...my dad make supper and you can tuck me in at night.” He nodded with each statement as if underlining the reality of it. “It’s all good.”

  Tabitha grinned at his succinct summary of the situation.

  “I think it is too,” she said, looking over his head at Morgan.

  He returned her smile, then pulled closer, making the circle smaller, closer.

  “I hope that we can be a blessing to each other,” he said, his gaze holding hers, his love shining out of his eyes.

  “I hope so too,” she said.

  Then, to her surprise, Morgan brushed a gentle kiss over her forehead. It was a whisper of his lips over her skin but it warmed her to her very soul.

  “Well, this has been a long time coming,” Boyce announced, getting up from his chair. “I can’t wait to tell the crew at the Brand and Grill.”

  Morgan shot him a frown. “Maybe wait until we get a chance to tell a few people ourselves,” he said.

  “I guess so,” Boyce said, pushing out a disappointed sigh. “Anyhow, you let me know when I can pass on the news.”

  “We need to talk to Ella and Cord, which is where we are going next,” Morgan said, getting up and pulling Tabitha to her feet. “Then find a way to let Amber know, wherever she is.”

  “I can’t wait to go to Uncle Cord and Aunt Ella’s place to tell Paul and Suzy,” Nathan said, pulling away from them. “They will be so jealous that Tabitha is going to be my mommy.” In his excitement he ran out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

  “I better follow that boy,” Boyce said, heading out the door of the kitchen that led outside.

  Morgan chuckled as he pulled Tabitha close. “You don’t mind telling the rest of my family right away?”

  Tabitha shook her head. “I like the sound of that.”

  “What?”

  “Family,” Tabitha said, leaning into his hug.

  “For better or worse, you’re a part of all of this now.” Morgan glanced at Tabitha, sharing a grin.

  “Here’s your last chance to change your mind,” he said.

  “Not a chance, Morgan Walsh. I let you go too easily the first time. There’s no way I’m changing my mind now.”

  “You know I love you, Tabitha Rennie.”

  “I do. And I’m so thankful. And you know I love you.”

  “No doubts there.”

  She stood on tiptoe and brushed a kiss over his lips. “That’s good. We’ve had enough of those in our past.”

  “So, let’s go and face the future.”

  Tabitha slipped her arm around his waist and together they walked out the door to do exactly that.

  * * * * *

  If you loved this story,

  check out COURTING THE COWBOY,

  the first book in bestselling author Carolyne Aarsen’s miniseries COWBOYS OF CEDAR RIDGE,

  and these other stories of love on the ranch

  from Carolyne Aarsen

  WRANGLING THE COWBOY’S HEART

  TRUSTING THE COWBOY

  THE COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS BABY

  Available now from Love Inspired!

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com

  Keep reading for an excerpt from FALLING FOR THE RANCHER by Roxanne Rustand.

  Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!

  Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewa
rds

  http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003

  Dear Reader,

  Tabitha struggled all her life with feelings of self-worth brought on by her father’s actions and her own difficulty with reading. Both come together to create a situation where she feels she has to make up for what her father did in order to hold her head up. In the process of the story, she learns that her worth is in Christ, and not in doing things to fix what her father did.

  I think there are times in each of our lives that we feel we have no value. No worth. It’s not a good place to be because, as the Bible verse I quoted at the beginning of this book tells us, in God’s eyes we are valuable and loved.

  I pray that you may feel God’s love and care and that you may place your worth in Him.

  P.S. I love to hear from my readers. Drop me a line at caarsen@xplornet.com and tell me what you liked about my book. Or you can go to my website at carolyneaarsen.com. If you sign up for my newsletter you’ll get a free book.

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

  Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

  Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!

  Harlequin.com/newsletters

  Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks

  Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks

  HarlequinBlog.com

  Join Harlequin My Rewards & Instantly earn a FREE ebook of your choice.

  Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever & whenever you shop.

  Turn your points into FREE BOOKS.

  Don’t miss out. Reward the book lover in you!

  Register Today & Earn a FREE BOOK*

  *New members who join before December 31st, 2017 will receive 2000 points redeemable for eligible titles.