Inside, he went into the tack room where he found Cal. With a nod, he grabbed a bridle and his saddle.
“I’m going for a ride.” He walked out into the barn.
Cal followed him. “What’s going on, Trace?”
“Nothing, I just need to get away.”
“I saw the EnRockies’ truck and Jarrett’s car. I take it the meeting didn’t go well.”
Trace lifted the saddle onto the stall railing, opened the gate and went inside. “Yeah. My brother’s trying to pull a fast one.” He went on to explain the situation to his foreman.
“I have to admit, the man doesn’t let anyone get in his way. What are you going to do about it?”
He slipped the bridal on Thunder. “No way is Jarrett getting the land back.”
“Good. So you’re talking a deal with EnRockies?”
Trace blew out a long breath. “It goes against everything Dad wanted.”
Cal hung his arms over the railing and watched Trace saddle the horse. “Your daddy isn’t here. He didn’t have the problems you’re facing, either. If you want to run a cattle operation, plus stop Jarrett, you’ll need capital.”
Trace looked at his friend. He’d earmarked most of his savings for the adoption. “What do you expect me to do?”
Cal raised a hand. “You have options, Trace. You can borrow the money from me. Or you can sell off your breeding bulls, or look over EnRockies’ proposal. It might not be that bad.”
Trace began running some of the things Rhodes had said through his head. “They want to do directional drilling onto my land.” He tightened the cinch and dropped the stirrup in place. “The drilling tower and roads go on Jarrett’s side of the property. I can’t stop that.”
“I think a lot of the reason this bothers you so much is because your brother’s involved. Right there it seems shady.” Cal was quiet for a moment, then said, “What does Kira think?”
Trace shrugged. “It doesn’t involve her.”
“It sure as hell does. She’s your wife.”
He didn’t want a lecture. “I know that.” He led his horse out of the stall. It was all a mess.
Cal went after him. “Come on, Trace, don’t get all stubborn about this and close up.”
Trace turned and glared at his friend.
The foreman backed off. “Okay, one thing at a time. At least ride over to Joe Lewis’s place. They drilled on his ranch last year. It seems to me it would be nice to have extra money coming in every month to ease your worries, even help start up those projects you’ve always wanted.”
Kira had suggested the same thing. Trace stopped outside the corral. “What, are you moonlighting for the energy company?”
“No, I’m just a friend who doesn’t want you to lose everything. I know what this place means to you, but even if you lose it all, don’t lose Kira. You two love each other.”
Three hours later, Trace still wasn’t back and Kira wasn’t sure what to do. Kira was both angry and worried. How dare Trace just walk out. What did she expect? He’d done it before.
She marched into the office. This had always been Trace’s domain, but no more. She began to go through the financial files and found the ranch account. It had a pretty hefty balance after the selling of the calves. Yet, she also knew that the land payment was coming due. She went to the accounts payable and scanning the pages discovered the last payment was due to Jarrett at the end of June.
Kira gasped, seeing the considerable amount. This would pretty much wipe them out. How would they survive if she wasn’t going back to work in the fall? And there were the adoption costs and Darcy’s medical bills.
“What are you doing?”
Kira jumped and looked toward the doorway to see Trace. Why did she feel so guilty? “Since you wouldn’t share the facts with me, I was seeing how much we owe Jarrett.” She stood. “I had no idea it was so much.”
He walked to the desk. “The payments over the years were reasonable, but the balloon is due.”
“You should have told me, Trace.”
His gaze held hers. “I was handling it.”
Kira felt the tightness in her chest as he continued to push her away.
“Besides, we haven’t exactly been on speaking terms in the past few months.”
Another dig that hit hard. “There’s money in the credit union. You can use that.”
Trace shook his head stubbornly. “At this point it wouldn’t do any good. That’s your money anyway.”
“No, it’s ours.”
There was a long silence, then Kira spoke up, “Trace, maybe we should sit down and talk with Mr. Rhodes. You didn’t get the chance to listen to the stipulations about the mineral lease.”
Trace didn’t hide his tension. “This is a cattle ranch, Kira. It has been for three generations.”
She started to speak, but he stopped her. “I need to handle this.”
Trace’s dismissal hurt her. If she hadn’t known before, she knew now, he didn’t want her to be a part of his life.
Over the next few days, Kira wasn’t encouraged about her relationship with her husband. Trace spent his evenings in the office. He hadn’t even made an effort to come to bed until late. Their magical nights together, their promises of a future together seemed like a fleeting memory.
She had hoped that their bedroom would be a place where they reached out for each other, to share things, to work on renewing their commitment to each other.
But Trace had turned away from her.
Breakfast time hadn’t been much better. Even Jody was uncomfortable around them. So when the teenager needed a ride to work, Kira offered eagerly to get out of the house.
Kira drove the car up to the highway toward town.
“Mrs. McKane…” Jody began.
“It’s time you called me Kira.”
The girl smiled. “Kira. Ben asked me to marry him.”
This was a shock to Kira. “Oh, my. So you two have been talking, a lot.” There had been nights she’d heard Jody crying. She’d comforted her, but knew she had to work through things herself. “Have you decided on what to do?”
“Not marry Ben for one thing. We’re too young.” Her voice lowered. “And he doesn’t love me. Besides, Ben wouldn’t be around. He’d be in the Army, and I’d be here alone.”
“So you’ve decided to raise the baby yourself?”
The girl sighed. “I don’t know yet. But I know I need a place to live.”
“You’re welcome to stay with us for as long as you like.” Crazy since Kira was beginning to wonder where her home would be, but she would take Jody with her.
The girl shook her head. “No, that’s not fair to you or Mr. McKane. So Cal is helping me find a place. My boss at the steak house has been wonderful. He says I can stay on as long as I’m able to work.”
“That’s good. It’s still going to be hard, though. So please stay at the ranch, at least until the baby is born.”
“I’m hoping not too long. Cal’s got an idea where I can live cheap. The place will need some repairs, but he’s offered to do them.”
Seemed Cal had taken Jody under his wing.
“I can help paint and Cal said there’s some furniture there,” the girl said excitedly. “And I can get my bed from my mom’s house. I paid for it anyway.”
Kira glanced away from the road to Jody. “Sounds like you’ve thought about this.”
“You and Mr. McKane have been wonderful to let me stay with you, but I can’t anymore. I should be paying you rent. And I still need to get a car, but I have some money saved. Because I’m a single mom, I can get some help with my medical bills. And Ben’s going to help out.”
Kira smiled. Jody had always been an organized student. This shouldn’t surprise her. She drove into the restaurant parking lot. “What about your mother?”
“I’ll be eighteen soon, so I don’t have to ask her anything. Besides, she’s moving away.” The girl lowered her head. “Seems I’ve embarrassed her.”
/> Kira parked the car. “If you were my daughter, I’d be so proud of you. You have a lot to handle for someone so young.”
“You were young, too, Kira, when you had your baby,” Jody said and hesitated. “Do you think you made the right decision? I mean giving your baby up?”
Kira still felt the emptiness; she always would. “I’ll always feel the loss. But yes, I gave him a chance at a better life, better than I could give him. It wasn’t easy, but it was the only way for me.”
Jody smiled. “I’m glad you’re getting a baby now.”
“So am I.”
“Thanks for bringing me to work. I’m going to spend the night with Laura, and she’ll bring me back to the ranch tomorrow.”
“Good. I’m glad you’re hanging out with your friends. Have fun and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Jody grabbed her overnight bag and got out of the car. Kira watched her go inside, then she pulled out of the parking lot. She headed across town to the teacher’s credit union. Her stubborn husband refused her help, so she was taking matters into her own hands.
An hour later, she’d finished filling out the loan application and was told she’d get an answer in a few days. With renewed resolve, she headed back to the ranch. She knew Trace would probably be upset, but she couldn’t let his pride take everything from him.
When she pulled into the driveway she was surprised to find Mrs. Fletcher waiting for her. She climbed out of the car and walked over to the counselor.
The sad smile on Lucy Fletcher’s face caused Kira alarm. “Hello, Kira.”
“Mrs. Fletcher. Is something wrong?” Oh God, please, no. Her anxiety grew. “Is Darcy okay?”
“Darcy is fine and so is the baby.” She glanced around. “Is your husband here?”
“I’m not sure. Do you need to speak to him?”
Mrs. Fletcher hesitated. “Could we go inside?”
Okay, this wasn’t good. They walked up the steps together and went into the kitchen. “Please, tell me why you came all this way.”
“I have some news.” She sighed. “Darcy got a call from her boyfriend’s mother. It seems that she never knew about Darcy until she went through her son’s things.” A long pause. “She’s offered to help Darcy raise the baby.”
Kira’s heart stopped as she sank into a kitchen chair. “Is she serious?”
“Yes, I checked it out.” Mrs. Fletcher sat, too. “When Marion Clark learned about the baby she contacted Darcy and begged her to come live with her. Darcy agreed. Together they’re going to raise the baby. With her son’s death, Marion wants a part of him.”
A tear found its way down Kira’s cheek. She hated this, but deep down she understood. If there had been someone to support her, she would have kept her son, too. “I’m glad Darcy has someone to help her.”
“I’m so sorry, Kira.” Mrs. Fletcher took hold of her hands. “Darcy was adamant about finding a home for her child. She wanted you and Trace to raise her baby.” She paused. “There was always a chance the mother could change her mind.”
“I know.” She was numb.
“I assure you, you and your husband are back on the list.”
Another list. Her time had run out on her having a family with Trace. Kira stood. She couldn’t talk anymore. “Thank you for everything, Mrs. Fetcher.”
“You’re welcome, Kira. I’ll be in touch.” She walked to the door. “Goodbye.”
Kira didn’t speak, she just walked upstairs to the nursery. She ran her fingers along the new crib and the dresser that had arrived just yesterday. She looked at the wall where the name JENNA was spelled out in large ceramic letters.
There was no baby girl.
She’d never felt so alone. So lost.
CHAPTER TEN
TRACE had taken Kira’s advice and that afternoon drove over to see his neighbor, Joel Lewis. Together, they saddled two mounts and rode out to the EnRockies’ drilling tower. The energy company had built an access road across the Lewis’s pasture, but that was the most noticeable change. The high tower was partly hidden by the tall pines.
“It’s not bad,” Joel said as he leaned forward against the saddle horn. “I mean I had concerns at first, but in this day and age, farmers and ranchers need all the help they can get.” The longtime neighbor looked at him. “I’m sure my daddy and yours would have raised a stink, but it’s a different world now.”
Trace couldn’t help but think of all the money he owed, and how much easier it would be to have some extra income. “So you’re okay with this arrangement?”
He nodded. “The extra money comes in handy when you have two college-aged kids, or when the wife needs a new car. We even took a vacation last year and started a retirement fund.”
Trace thought about his parents and their struggles running the cattle operation. He looked ahead to his own future. Would it be with Kira and the baby?
The sound of Joel’s voice broke into his thoughts. “You’ve got it easy with your lease offer,” he began. “It’s Jarrett’s property that’s going to house the tower and handle the truck route. They’re only going to do directional drilling onto your property. What’s to think about?”
Trace sighed. “I guess I was just wondering what my dad would do.”
Joel nodded. “It’s your place now and you’re the one fighting to keep it.” He glanced around. “Where else could we live and enjoy this incredible backyard? Besides, I wouldn’t survive in the city, nor would have wanted to raise my sons there. Have a couple of your own kids, Trace, and you’ll change your mind quick.”
It suddenly hit Trace. He had to think about his responsibilities to Kira, and the child. No matter what the original arrangement, he was definitely committed to the roles of husband and father.
This energy lease could help secure their financial future so he could continue to ranch. And so much more. Kira wouldn’t have to work. He thought back to the past few days and his avoiding her. He needed to let her know how much he wanted her to be a part of his life, to include her in this decision.
Suddenly he couldn’t wait to get home to talk to her about this.
“Thanks, Joel. You’ve helped a lot.”
“Good. And if need be, I’ll take Rocky off your hands.”
They turned their horses back toward the barn. “Afraid not, Joel, that bull is going to be too busy, but I’d be happy to sell you one of his calves.”
“Sounds like you’re in the ranching business for a long time.”
“What can I say? It’s in my blood.” He thought about the baby coming soon. “I plan to stay here to see another generation take over.” And he was going to do everything he could to convince Kira to stay by his side for a lifetime.
Thirty minutes later, he pulled his truck up beside the barn and headed toward the house to talk with Kira. If they were going to make their marriage work, he needed to listen to her. He’d made it to the back porch when he heard Cal saluting him.
The foreman caught up to him. “I was wondering if you have any plans for the old foreman’s cottage?”
Trace frowned as he looked past the new bunkhouse to the small house that had been abandoned for years. “It’s just storage for my parents’ stuff.” He looked at his friend. “Why, did you want to move into it?”
Cal shook his head. “No, Jody needs a place to live.”
Trace hadn’t figured their houseguest was staying much longer. “Isn’t she going home to her mother?”
Cal shook his head. “Her mother’s leaving town. Jody hasn’t any other place to go.”
“She’s leaving her daughter?”
“Jody will be eighteen next week. Her mother doesn’t want to be saddled with a teenager with a kid. She’s moving on with her new boyfriend.”
Trace couldn’t help but think of Kira at that age. There hadn’t been anyone for her, either. “The cottage must be in bad shape.”
“Not so bad. There’s some water damage in the bathroom, but I can fix that. And a good cleaning would hel
p a lot.”
“I don’t want Jody living out there until it’s fixed up,” Trace said. “And I’m sure there’s plenty of furniture in the attic to furnish the place.”
“Thanks,” Cal said. “Now, the biggest job will be to convince her to stay.”
“I’m sure Kira can manage that.” Trace started backing away. “Speaking of Kira, is she in the house?”
Cal nodded. “She came back about an hour ago. That Mrs. Fletcher was here, too. She didn’t stay long, though.”
Trace tried to remember if the counselor was scheduled to come by. Had he missed a visit? If so, why hadn’t Kira called him? He hurried into the house.
“Kira,” he called. The only sound was the refrigerator clicking on.
He walked through the house to the staircase. Taking the steps two at a time, he felt his pulse drumming in his ears as he reached the second floor, then down the hall. She wasn’t in the bedroom, then he heard a noise in the nursery. He pushed open the door and found Kira on the floor. With a screwdriver in hand, she was taking apart the crib he’d put together just a day before.
His heart beat erratically as he moved to his wife’s side. “Kira, what’s going on?”
Refusing to look at him, she continued her task. “We’re not getting the baby.”
His throat threatened to close up. No baby. “Why?”
She gave a shaky sigh and closed her eyes. “Darcy changed her mind.” A tear rolled down Kira’s cheek. “She wants to keep her baby.”
It felt as if a huge weight landed on his chest, making it hard to breathe. No. He was just getting used to the idea of becoming a father.
“Oh, Kira.” He reached for her but she avoided his touch.
“Don’t.” Kira climbed to her feet and moved away. “Don’t tell me it’s going to be okay because we both know it’s not. It’s never going to be okay, Trace. Not ever again.” She swiped at the flood of tears.
Trace stood and went after her, but she continued to back away, his heart clutched in pain. Losing the baby was hard, but losing Kira was harder. Suddenly he felt his world being ripped apart.
“God, Kira, I know this hurts. We were warned this could happen.” The words were so feeble. “We’re still on the list. We can still have a baby.”
The Cowboy’s Baby Page 12