Her Rancher Bodyguard

by Brenda Minton

  “No, it’s the one thing to worry about. This rodeo means a lot to Lucas. To all of you.”

  “Yeah, so does your health. And this won’t be the last rodeo.”

  “No, I guess it won’t. But if there’s a way, I want you all in it.”

  For Lucas. Boone got that. “I know.”

  Jesse reached for his wife’s hand. “Take your mom down and make her eat.”

  “I’ll try.”

  “Jesse, I’m not hungry,” Maria assured her husband, softening the words with a kiss on his cheek. “The kids went down to eat. Jase brought me back a salad.”

  Boone made eye contact with his brother. Jase shook his head.

  “I want you to take care of yourself, Maria.” Jesse patted his wife’s hand.

  Boone pulled up a chair for his mom. “Sit. I’m going to find Kayla and we’ll bring you back something to eat.”

  “I could go,” Michaela offered. He noticed she was alone.

  “Where’s Molly?”

  “With Breezy Martin. She’s fine. I’m going to head that way soon. Essie and Allie can go with me. Janie is going to stay here tonight. With Mom.”

  Boone’s gaze landed on Janie. She was sitting near the window, a book in her hand. She always had a book. Sometimes he worried that she lived her life through fiction and avoided real life.

  He didn’t know how to help her. For that matter, how did he help Michaela move on from her divorce? How did he help the twins to stay grounded, and Lucas to feel as if he wasn’t the son who had been skipped over?

  His mom was still standing. He glared at her, pointing to the chair.

  She sat down but she gave him a look that he knew well. The one that said he was trying her patience. He leaned down to kiss her cheek, softening her mood the way he’d always done. He’d been told he’d been doing it since he was a little boy. If he tried her patience, he knew it just took a hug, a kiss on the cheek and she melted.

  “I’ll be back.”

  “We’ll be fine,” she assured him.

  He left, stepping into the hall. Out of eyeshot from the others, he leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. He let it out slowly, letting the pain go with it.

  “Hey, cowboy, having problems?” Samantha had walked up, taking him by surprise. Kayla wasn’t with her.

  “Where’s your sister?”

  “You’re so charming,” she teased. “She went to get your mom something to eat. But first she came to find me because she said you’re stubborn.”

  “I’m just fine.” He took a step, pretending it didn’t hurt.

  “Yeah, she told me you’d try to deny it. And she was right. Come upstairs. We have a doctor on duty and he said he’d look at it. We want to make sure you don’t have an infection. I’ll get you crutches to use and you can give it a rest for a day or two.”

  “Sam, I don’t have time for resting.”

  She took hold of his arm and led him to the elevator. “You also don’t have time to be in pain. Come on.”

  An hour later he was on crutches and heading back down to his dad’s room. Kayla met him in the hall.

  “Samantha found you?” She smiled as she asked.

  “Yes, she found me.” He motioned her toward a waiting room. “Sit with me.”

  “Is this going to be serious? Are we breaking up?” she teased.

  “Kayla.” He didn’t know what else to say. She was joking. He knew it was her way of hiding from the pain.

  “Okay, so this is that moment. It’s been fun. We’ll see each other from time to time.”

  He kept walking and she followed, still talking about how life would be when she left. He opened the door of the waiting room and she entered ahead of him. He was relieved to see the room empty.

  She sat and he took a seat across from her.

  “So?” She looked up, her blue eyes a little misty.

  “Daron is coming to get you. If I can get Mom to leave, he said he’d drive her back to the ranch, too. He’s going to stay with you all tonight so I can stay here.”

  “I see. And then?”

  “Your dad is coming to see you tomorrow. I think he wants to take you back to Austin. They feel sure they’re going to have these guys in custody in the next few days.”

  “So it’s really over.”

  “Almost. You can go back to your life.”

  She gave him a thoughtful look. “No, I don’t think so. Not the life I’ve been living. The past year or so has been a journey and I think it’s brought me to this place, to a new understanding of myself. I’m not going back to that, I’m going forward.”

  “I’m glad, because you deserve more than you’ve allowed yourself to have.”

  “I do, don’t I?” Her smile was genuine now. “Thank you, Boone. Your family has meant a lot to me.”

  The words were all making sense. This was what they were supposed to say. It’s been nice. Things will be better. But the words weren’t right.

  Nothing about this moment felt right. Boone stood, because he didn’t know what else to say, other than goodbye.

  Chapter Thirteen

  William Stanford showed up in Martin’s Crossing Saturday morning. The limousine was black with tinted windows. His bodyguards didn’t wear cowboy boots. Kayla stood on the front porch of the Wilder home, uncertain and a little uneasy. Her dad walked up the steps and pulled her into a hug.

  “Dad.”

  “Kayla, I’m glad you’re okay.”

  The words seemed genuine. “Of course I’m fine.”

  “We should talk,” he continued. “Is there somewhere we can go?”

  “There’s a bench out by the barn, if that’s okay.”

  They walked, not talking, not touching. It had been a long time since they’d been close. Hugs were in the past, in her childhood. Shared secrets had never been a part of their relationship. He’d been busy. She’d been angry.

  She hadn’t forgiven him because she hadn’t wanted to give him that gift. But now she saw that forgiving was for her, to give her the ability to let go.

  “I forgive you,” she said as they sat down on the bench.

  He looked surprised.

  “You let me down and you didn’t protect me. I’ve been angry with you for a long time. I was hurt. I felt betrayed. I felt as if I had no one.”

  He adjusted his tie, something he’d always done when he wasn’t sure what to say. She waited, because the next words had to come from him. She was out of words. She needed his.

  “You’re right,” he finally said. “I fired Jim. We met last night and I told him he was no longer needed. I also asked him to leave the law firm.”

  A year ago she would have told him too little, too late. Today she took his hand and gave it a light squeeze.

  “Thank you.” She drew in a breath. “Dad, I have to go to the police. About Paul. I’m sorry. I know it will hurt your campaign. I don’t want to do that, but I can’t let him hurt anyone else.”

  There was a long silence between them. She braved a look at her dad. He was clenching his jaw. His gaze was on the field, on cattle grazing.

  “You’re right,” he finally said. “I don’t want scandal. But it isn’t scandal. It’s justice.”

  Her heart thumped hard, working through the fear. Ten years. She’d been fighting and she’d been alone for ten years. She wanted to hug her dad, to pretend those ten years hadn’t happened. It seemed that even with forgiveness, even with his apology, she still had a lot to work through.

  “I’m not going back to Austin,” she told him. “I will someday. I just can’t go back today. Or this week. I need to stay here and help the Wilders. They’ve opened their home and their lives to me. I want to give back a little of what they’ve given.”

&n
bsp; “I don’t understand.”

  “Boone’s dad...” She paused. “Mr. Wilder had a heart attack. I don’t want to leave until he’s well and back home.”

  “I understand that they’ve been good to you, Kayla. But I think it’s time for you to come home. There’s going to be a lot of damage control that needs to be done in the coming weeks before the election.”

  “I understand, but my life is about more than your political campaign, Dad. For years I haven’t really been a part of your life or your family. I get it. You didn’t expect a child from your relationship with Sylvia. You certainly didn’t expect me to be dumped on you. But I’m tired of not really being a part of your life.” Her hands trembled and she clasped them together.

  “You’re my daughter,” her dad finally said. “I’m sorry if you felt anything other than loved.”

  “Thank you.”

  He stood, tall and imposing. She got up, facing him, almost as tall and every bit as proud. He gave a curt nod. “One week.”

  “Thank you. And when I come home, I’m going to do what you need me to do. I’ll attend your campaign events. I’ll avoid trouble.”

  A hint of a smile tugged at his mouth. “I’m not sure you can do that.”

  “I’m not, either, but I’m going to try my best.”

  They walked back to the house. Not arm in arm. It was too soon for that. But they were on the mend, she thought. And maybe the healing would spread to the rest of their family. She thought of her little brother, Michael. They’d never been close. Maybe they could find a way to at least be friends.

  After her dad left, she went inside to find the twins. They were sprawled on their beds looking at fashion magazines. When she entered their room, they looked up, clearly surprised to see her.

  “Weren’t you leaving?” Essie rolled over and sat up.

  “I’m staying. Your mom is going to need help here.” She shrugged. Did she really think she could help Maria Wilder?

  “Boone is going to be surprised.” Allie was still looking at a magazine. “So what do you plan on doing?”

  “I thought we should clean the house. And maybe start dinner.”

  Essie tossed her magazine on the bed. “Seriously?”

  “Yes, seriously. We can start soup for dinner.”

  Allie put aside her magazine and sat up. “Do you know how to make soup?”

  “Allie, I have a smartphone. I can do anything.”

  Two hours later they were in the kitchen together, rummaging through cabinets, positive they had made the best gumbo in history. Allie took a taste with a spoon.

  “It’s spicy,” she said. “But a good kind of spicy. Not the kind that makes your eyeballs sweat.”

  “Sweaty eyeballs?” Daron walked into the room. “That sounds appetizing.”

  “We made gumbo,” Allie informed him. She held out the spoon. “Try it.”

  “Hey, not bad.”

  Suddenly there was a commotion at the front of the house. Voices. Footsteps.

  “They’re home,” Allie called out as she hurried from the room. Essie followed.

  Kayla remained in the kitchen. Daron had taken a seat and he shot her a look, one brow arched. She gave the look right back.

  “I thought you’d be glad to head back to the city.”

  “I will be. But I wanted to repay Maria. She’s been wonderful to me. And she’s going to need some help around here.”

  “She has four daughters.”

  “I’m aware of that, Daron. But I wanted to do something for them.”

  He held up his hands in surrender. “Gotcha.”

  She turned the flame under the soup down. “Maybe I should have left.”

  “No, you shouldn’t have left. They’ll be glad you’re here. And I’m sure if you keep cooking like that, you will make things easier for everyone.”

  The family returned to the kitchen. Essie and Allie were practically pulling Maria. Boone helped his dad to walk, holding his arm and guiding him to a chair. Michaela and Janie followed.

  Jase and Lucas had been home all day. They were moving forward with their plans for the rodeo. Jesse had insisted that his sons still participate.

  Daron got up, giving his seat to Michaela, who held a sleeping Molly. Kayla watched from the corner of the kitchen. She had the gumbo simmering and the rolls in the oven baking. Essie began to make lemonade.

  She should leave and let the family be alone. She started to tell Allie that the soup was done and that the rolls would have to be taken out in five minutes. Boone moved to her side, preventing her from escaping.

  “You’ve been busy,” he said in a quiet voice.

  “I wanted to be here to help,” she explained. He caught her gaze, holding it, that half tilt of his mouth distracting her.

  “That’s good of you. But you should have gone back with your dad.”

  She managed an easy smile. “Trying to get rid of me, Wilder?”

  “No, just trying to keep you safe and help you find your way back to your life. What if you get stuck here in the country, making casseroles and cleaning bathrooms?”

  “There are worse things.”

  He pushed his hat back on his head and leaned against the counter. “For what it’s worth, I know my mom appreciates you being here.”

  She waited, wanting him to say more. But he didn’t. They were from different worlds and this had all been temporary. All of it. Her time with the Wilders, and her time in his life.

  * * *

  Bright lights illuminated the Martin’s Crossing Saddle Club arena. The stands were packed. The adjacent field was crowded with horse trailers and pickups. Boone backed his gelding out of the trailer. Lucas already had his horse out, saddled, and was warming up in the open area next to the arena.

  He didn’t want to be here. Not tonight. But his dad had insisted. They were doing this for Lucas. Boone, Jase, Lucas and Janie were riding for Team Wilder. Michaela was in the stands with the twins and Molly.

  Kayla was standing next to the truck. His mom had insisted she attend, even though she’d wanted to stay home with his parents. He slid his gaze her way but didn’t linger there too long. She was leaning against the truck, in jeans, pigtails and Michaela’s hand-me-down boots. He knew she could afford a pair of her own. She probably had a half dozen pairs in that fancy apartment of hers in Austin.

  But she liked those worn boots of his sister’s.

  He led his horse to the side of the trailer and tied him up. Kayla settled on the wheel well of the trailer to watch.

  “You’re still limping,” she said, her tone casual.

  “Yep.”

  “Should you be doing this?”

  He pulled a saddle out of the tack compartment of the trailer. “Yeah, I should. There are times you have to do what needs to be done, Kayla.”

  “I know.”

  He placed the blanket on his horse’s back and then the saddle. She continued to watch. He tightened the cinch, adjusted the stirrups and then gave the cinch another tug to make sure it was snug.

  “What events are you entered in?”

  “Branding,” he started.

  “For real?” she asked, her eyes widening.

  He grinned at that look. “Not for real. There will be a pen of calves. We’ll rope them by number and bring them to the branding area and mark them with chalk.”

  “Okay, and then what?”

  “Steer doctoring and team penning.”

  “And at the end of the night, if he wins, he gets to dance with the girl of his choice.”

  He turned, wishing for once that Remington Jenkins wasn’t back in the area. In a matter of weeks he would be Kayla’s brother-in-law. He and Samantha Martin were getting married.

  “I don’t th
ink there’s a dance.” Boone slid the bridle over his horse’s head. “Who do you have on the Jenkins team, Remington?”

  “Ah, but there is a dance. The Carter Brothers are playing after the event and they’ve set up a dance floor,” Kayla said.

  Boone ignored Kayla. “Your team?”

  “Myself, Sam, my brother Colt and Bryan Cooper. He’s Breezy’s... I don’t know, I guess he’s nothing to Breezy. But her biological sister is a Cooper, adopted by them years ago. Bryan is her brother by adoption?”

  “Confusing,” Boone said. “But I’ve met him. Good guy. Spent some time in South America on the mission field?”

  “That’s the one. The Coopers are a big family, from northeast Oklahoma.” Remington turned his attention to Kayla. “So, little sister, aren’t you riding?”

  “I don’t think anyone wants that,” she said with a quick laugh. “The goal here is to win, isn’t it?”

  Remington laughed and pushed back his hat. “Yes, I guess it is. Give it time. You can’t hang with this crowd for long and not be a part of things like this.”

  “Maybe someday,” she answered.

  Boone settled his gaze on her. He could see it happening. When those boots felt as if they belonged on her feet and the jeans were worn from ranch work and not by a trick of manufacturing.

  “I’d best get back to my crew.” Remington tipped his hat. “I’m sure we’ll see you at church tomorrow.”

  From the arena, the MC announced the first event. Calf branding. Boone untied his horse.

  “Walk with me?” he offered to the woman standing by his truck looking a little unsure, as if she’d suddenly realized she didn’t belong here.

  She nodded and walked alongside. His big chestnut moved in too close, nudging him. Cin, short for Cinnamon. The horse had the worst name around.

  The quiet between them didn’t feel settled or peaceful. He wasn’t sure what to do about it, how to fix it. Or even if he should. Maybe it was better this way. To everything there is a season, his mom had always told them, people came and went. There were seasons even for friendships, she’d told them as kids, when a friend moved, a breakup resulted in a broken heart, when they’d lost grandparents.