Lonestar Homecoming

by Colleen Coble

  Gracie gasped when they stopped. “Wow,” she said.

  Michael glanced over at her. “A little overwhelming, huh?” he said. “Jack’s a nice guy, even if he is filthy rich.” He couldn’t remember much about Shannon, though he vaguely recalled a quiet blond girl with vivid blue eyes. He parked the truck in front of the circular driveway that swept past the grand porch columns.

  “I think I’ll wait here,” Gracie said.

  “I want you to meet them,” he said. “And Hope will want to meet the girls.”

  “They’ll be in school,” she reminded him.

  “Oh, right.Well, I still want to introduce you.”

  Before she could answer him, a woman stepped through the front door and waved. Her blond hair just touched her shoulders, and she wore a smile that welcomed them in. She came down the steps toward the truck, and Gracie ran her window down as she approached.

  “You must be Michael and Gracie,” she said. “I’m Shannon MacGowan. Come on in. I’ve got fresh coffee all ready.”

  Gracie’s smile emerged, and gazing around the grounds, she got out of the truck. “You’ve got some beautiful horses.”

  “Jack raises them. Aren’t they gorgeous?”

  Michael was looking at a particularly handsome black horse with white socks. “That’s a real beauty. I’m on my way to Rick’s to find one. I need one for my job.”

  Shannon smiled. “For Border Patrol? You don’t need to go to Rick’s.Take your pick. Jack would be glad to donate one to you.”

  Michael gaped. “We could pay you something for him. I’m not sure what the government budget is, but I can find out.”

  Shannon waved her hand. “Jack would want you to have him.That’s Fabio.”

  Gracie laughed, and Michael realized he’d never heard her giggle before. She’d never let loose with full-on mirth. He didn’t get what was so funny. “Fabio.Weird name.” Both women burst into gales of laughter. “What’s the joke?”

  “Remind me to show you on Amazon who Fabio is,” Gracie said. Her cheeks held pink now, and her blue eyes sparkled.

  “I’m not sure I want to know.”

  “He won’t answer to another name. Jack tried when he found out, uh, the truth.” Shannon laughed again. “I named him because he’s so gorgeous. He’s a spoiled thing. Be prepared with lots of carrots.”

  Michael followed the women into the house. Hope stayed out to throw Caesar’s Frisbee to the dog.Travertine tiles stretched down the hall.The place was a palace. “Nice digs,” he said.

  “No thanks to me. It was like this when I moved in a year ago.” Shannon led them to the living room, which was furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs in warm colors. “Let me get you some coffee.”

  “I’ll help.” Gracie followed her.

  Michael glanced around the room and saw pictures of two smiling girls.They were the spitting image of Shannon.

  “Cute, aren’t they?” Jack MacGowan stood in the doorway. Dressed in boots and jeans, he was the quintessential cowboy. Someone just meeting him would never suspect he controlled thousands of acres of ranch land and had more money in the bank than most people on Wall Street.

  Michael rose and shook his hand. “Hey, Jack. Looks like marriage is treating you well.”

  Jack patted his stomach. “I’m not hurting for good food, though that’s because we’ve got a great cook.” He advanced into the room. “Shannon sent me in here to tell you that you can have Fabio. But forget about changing his name. He’ll look the other way and ignore you.”

  “What’s with the name thing? The girls were giggling about it like they were still in high school.”

  Jack’s grin widened. “I’ll show you. Follow me.” He led them to the kitchen, where they found a Hispanic woman rolling out tortillas. Gracie and Shannon stood talking by the coffeepot.

  “Enrica, I’d like to show our guest who Fabio is named for,” Jack said.

  The cook sniffed. “Mr. Jack, it is not that funny.” She reached into the voluminous pocket of her apron and withdrew a paperback book. She handed it to Jack.

  He grinned and flashed the front cover toward Michael.The male model on the front had a bare chest and long, flowing hair. “That’s Fabio.”

  Michael nearly choked. “You mean I have to call that horse Fabio in front of my coworkers?”

  “Yep.You still want him?”

  “Of course. Thanks, Jack. Maybe we can get him to answer to something else.”

  “You won’t get it done. Fabio knows his own mind.”

  “That’s right,” Shannon said. She carried the loaded tray past them. “He knows he’s beautiful and he won’t let you forget it.”

  “Don’t smirk,”Michael told Gracie as she walked by with amusement lighting her eyes. He and Jack followed the women back to the living room. He settled in an overstuffed armchair as they passed around trays of coffee cups and cookies.

  “I’ll trailer Fabio over for you this morning,” Jack said.

  “Are you sure? I can come get him.” Michael accepted a cup of coffee from Gracie.

  “I have an errand to run, so it’s no trouble.”

  “Thanks!” He glanced at Gracie. “Have you met Jack?” he asked her.

  “In the kitchen, before you came to see the real Fabio’s picture.” She cupped her coffee in her hands and sat on the sofa beside Shannon.

  He quirked an eyebrow their way. “You were going to throw me under the bus at work and just let those guys tease me. At least now I know what to expect.”

  Gracie laughed. “I think you look a little like Fabio,” she said. “They’ll think you named the horse after yourself.”

  Shannon and Jack burst into hoots of laughter. “That’s love for you,” Jack said. “Only a wife would think you looked like a hunk.”

  Gracie’s face colored, and she stared into her coffee cup. Did she really think he was good-looking? Michael didn’t know where to look—at her flaming face or into the knowing grins of his host and hostess. If they only knew the real situation.

  “You’re just jealous Shannon didn’t compare you to Fabio,” he finally got out.

  “You’re right. I think I should be offended,” Jack said, directing a grin at his wife, who stuck her tongue out at him. “Didn’t take long for you to grab her up.”

  “When I first laid eyes on Gracie, I knew she’d make the perfect bride,” Michael said with a smirk he knew would infuriate her.

  Their gazes locked. A smile tugged at her lips and his grin widened at the bewilderment on the faces of their hosts.

  Jack’s laugh was uneasy. “You’re a lucky man.”

  “More than you know.” Michael glanced at his watch, then swallowed a gulp of coffee. “I hate to run, but I’m going to be later than I expected to work.” He drained his coffee and glanced at Gracie.“Ready?”

  “Leave her here, and we’ll run her home,” Shannon said. “I haven’t had a girlfriend in for a while, and I need to talk about something other than horses.”

  “Run for your life,” Jack advised Gracie. “She’ll talk your ear off.” He got up, kissed Shannon, then followed Michael to the door.

  Michael wondered if he should have followed that advice himself. Getting attached to his new wife might be the most dangerous thing he’d ever do.

  GRACIE SIPPED AT HER NEARLY COLD COFFEE. MAYBE SHE SHOULD ASK TO be taken home. Shannon kept glancing at her watch. They’d had a pleasant visit while Hope played with some of Shannon’s girls’ toys, but Gracie feared she might be wearing out her welcome.

  Shannon leaped to her feet. “Sounds like someone is here. Just a second.” She rushed out of the room.

  Gracie put down her empty cup.A cacophony of voices echoed in the hallway. It sounded like several women. Her visit here might get prolonged, and she had a dozen things she wanted to accomplish yet today.The voices grew nearer, and she looked expectantly toward the doorway.

  A host of women—at least ten—came smiling into the room. Allie led the pack.Th
ey carried packages and gift bags.

  “Surprise!”Allie said. “This is all for you.A little wedding shower.”

  Shannon ushered the last of the women into the room. “I could see her fidgeting and was beginning to worry she’d demand to be taken home,” Shannon said. “Allie pulled this all together last night.”

  Fighting the moisture in her eyes, Gracie stood and put her hands to her hot cheeks. “I can’t believe it.”

  “We have no idea what you need, so we just got things we’d like to have in our own homes,” one woman said. A pretty brunette, she had a toddler by the hand. She was introduced as Janet Pickens, wife of Michael’s boss, Lanny.The toddler was their grandchild.

  There were so many names, Gracie had a hard time keeping them straight. Everyone insisted she open her gifts right away. Most were kitchen gifts or decorative items.

  “The house is pretty spare,” Shannon said. “I bet you’re still trying to find enough tableware.”

  “Michael finally bought some,” Gracie said. “I love these plates you bought. Blue is my favorite color.”The blue and white Pfaltzgraff had been something she’d wanted for a long time.

  Allie’s smile was a bit wicked.“Wait until you see what I got you.” She handed Gracie a pink bag.

  It weighed practically nothing. Gracie pasted on her smile. She suspected whatever the gift was would make her blush. Removing the tissue paper, she peeked inside the bag. Something white and lacy lay at the bottom. Heat rose up her neck, but she pulled out the lingerie and held it up.A delicate teddy dangled from her fingers. “I. . . I love it,” she said.

  For just a moment she let herself imagine the expression on Michael’s face if he ever saw her in it. She needed to quit thinking about him in that way.This thing was going to go in the bottom of her dresser. She stuffed it back into the bag as the women laughed.

  “It’s okay, you’re married,” one woman said. “No need to be embarrassed.”

  “Thanks,” Gracie mumbled to Allie. “It’s really beautiful.”

  “I’m sure Michael will be knocked on his patootie when he sees you in it,”Allie said. “It’s got to be tough to find time for romance with three kids in the house.And you’re newlyweds. I wish you’d let us throw you a real wedding instead of the quick one in the judge’s chambers.”

  “We didn’t want a fuss,” Gracie said softly.

  Shannon’s smile widened. “The other part of the gift is that we’re going to watch the kids for you while you honeymoon.We’re sending you to the Chisos Mountains Lodge.You can save the teddy for that.” Her eyes twinkled.

  “A. . . a honeymoon?” How on earth would she get out of this?

  “Jack called and said he told Michael when he took the horse over. Michael was speechless!” Shannon’s smile was triumphant.

  “The lodge is so nice,” Allie said. “You’ll love it. The elevation makes it cooler, so you can have a fire in the fireplace even though it’s the middle of August. So romantic!”

  That wasn’t the word Gracie would have chosen. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s too much.”

  “Everyone needs a honeymoon,”Allie said. “A chance to bond and talk without the distractions of caring for the kids.”

  “I rather like distractions,” Gracie said. She managed a smile when the women all laughed.

  “Michael will be a better distraction,” Janet said. “Lanny says Michael is going to be a great asset to the Border Patrol.”

  “Think he’ll even be able to get off work?” Gracie asked.

  “Don’t sound so hopeful,” Shannon said, laughing. “You’ll make us think you don’t want to be alone with your new husband.”

  “I. . . I was just worried. I didn’t want to get my hopes up if it’s not going to happen.” She could feel beads of perspiration break out on her forehead.

  “I’ll make sure Lanny doesn’t throw a wrench in the works,” Janet said. “Start thinking about what you’ll take.”

  “I’m not sure about leaving the kids. Hope is still adjusting.”

  “She loves Betsy. She’ll be happy to stay with us,” Allie said.

  “And I’ll take Evan and Jordan,” Shannon said. “We’ll keep them busy with the horses. Don’t worry. It’s all going to be fine. It will be a weekend you’ll always remember.”

  In more ways than the women could even imagine. Gracie wished she could have seen Michael’s face when Jack told him what they had planned. Had he tried to wiggle out of it as hard as she was? Probably harder, she decided. Maybe she could get sick. Or maybe one of the kids would have a school function they couldn’t miss.There had to be something she could do to avoid being with Michael alone. If she had the courage, she’d tell these friendly women the truth, but she couldn’t bear to see their fallen faces. She would just have to grin and bear it.

  12

  MICHAEL HAD NEVER RIDDEN A HORSE WITH SUCH A SMOOTH GAIT. THE intelligence in the gelding’s eyes pleased him, too, and in the three hours he’d owned the horse, the two bonded. The horse seemed to anticipate Michael’s thoughts and desires. Caesar loped alongside them with his ears up and his nose down. Michael hoped the dog was on a scent that would yield something worthwhile.

  He needed all the help he could get to keep his thoughts from straying to the bombshell Jack had dropped. A honeymoon with Gracie. That news had probably filled her blue eyes with panic. If he was honest with himself, he’d admit his pulse had kicked the minute Jack mentioned it. He was way too attracted to his new wife. But was that so wrong? He’d known her long enough to see the kind of woman she was. Pursuing these emotions to see where they led might be— interesting.

  Caesar broke into a run. Michael dug his heels into Fabio’s flank and took out across the desert after the dog. Caesar was in full hunt mode. Michael scanned the rolling blue hills and peered past soft green vegetation for any hint of movement. Moments later, the dog paused at a paloverde tree and began to paw at the sand. Michael reined in his horse and dismounted. He looped the lead over a tree branch and knelt to see what the dog had discovered.

  “What’d you find, boy?” he asked.The dog whined and continued to dig. Michael went to his saddlebag and dug out a small shovel. “Stand back,” he commanded.

  The dog fell back, and Michael thrust the shovel into the dirt. It was soft here, probably from being disturbed recently. He lifted out three shovelfuls, then the blade struck something. He scooped faster until a large metal box lay revealed. Leaving it in the hole, he called in his find to army headquarters, who promised to notify Border Patrol. They’d want to recover any forensic evidence from the area. Caesar’s reaction told him drugs were inside. He didn’t need the confirmation of seeing them.

  He put his shovel away and waited.The sun beat down hot on his head, and a trickle of perspiration ran down his face. He wiped the sweat away with his forearm. Caesar growled low in his throat, and Michael immediately hunkered down. A whine ran past his head, and he realized it was a bullet. He threw himself to the hard ground, then rolled as he pulled out his revolver. Fabio reared, and his rein loosened. Moments later he galloped away.

  A shadow moved by a pile of rocks partway up the hillside. Two men, both Mexicans. And both armed. He needed cover. He crab-crawled to the tree and lay on his stomach. Spitting the sand from his mouth, he peered toward the rocks. Caesar took off toward the men, and Michael called the dog back. They’d shoot him for sure.Taking out his phone, he called the incident in.The officer on the other end of the line told him to wait for backup, but he glanced up toward the rocks again.The men were still there, gesturing with their guns. No doubt they wanted the drugs they’d hidden, but they’d have to go through him to get them.

  “Mr.Wayne,” one called, “we want only our property.Take the box out and put it on the rock over here.We will not shoot, and you will be free to go.”

  Probably a lie, he decided. If he got that close to them, he’d be able to identify them. A shot through the head, and their worries would be over. He squint
ed at the gaping hole.Was there something more than the typical stash of marijuana or cocaine? He should have peeked inside, but he hadn’t wanted to disturb any forensic evidence.

  What really concerned him was that they’d called him by name. How did they know who he was? He stared at the figures moving around the rocks. They could be after the bounty on his head. Regardless, he wasn’t about to hand over the box. Reinforcements would be here soon. All he had to do was wait them out.

  Almost before the thought formed, a flurry of bullets flew his way.The men began scrambling down the rocks. He could return fire, but once his ammo was exhausted, he’d be helpless. The rest of his ammo was in his saddlebag.With Fabio, who was out of sight.

  They were looking away as they maneuvered on the rocks. Michael crawled from the tree to a rock. He patted his leg, and Caesar joined him. When the men reached the desert floor and began to advance toward his position, he aimed at the feet of the closest one. He squeezed off a shot, and the bullet kicked up sand where it struck by the man’s toe. Both men dived for the rocks again.While they were positioning, Michael dashed for another tree. If he could keep them off center until help arrived, he might survive this.

  He crouched in his new spot and waited. One man cursed, then Michael heard the other say in Spanish, “He’s as tough as his brother.” Did these men kill his brother? A red haze filled his vision. He started to stand and shout at them, but common sense took over. He needed to stay alive for his kids. But once reinforcements arrived, he would interrogate these men.

  The whop-whop of chopper blades overhead drew another shout from the men.They scrambled up the path through the rocks. Michael stood and shouted for them to stop, but they didn’t look back. He lunged toward the hillside. One was almost in reach.With a leap, he tackled the youngest man bringing up the rear.

  Pain encased his kneecap, then radiated in all directions, but he hung on as the man wrestled out of his grip. Michael made another grab for the guy’s ankle and missed.When Michael tried to get up, his leg buckled under him. Helpless, he watched the men disappear around the curve in the path.