For Keeps

by Rachel Lacey

  “You okay?” The words were barely more than a breath, warm against her cheek.

  She nodded, her hands fisted in his T-shirt, clinging to him with all her strength.

  He pressed his lips against hers with a kiss so tender, so gentle that she lost a little piece of herself there in his arms, something that would never again feel whole without him.

  Her heart.

  Then he let her go and extended a hand to Noah. “Let’s get you home now, okay, Bud?”

  Noah nodded. He stood, one hand in T.J.’s, the other in Merry’s. Amber followed, hopping on three legs. Ralph rushed forward to greet her, sniffing at his comrade’s injured leg.

  “She’s hurt.” Noah sounded anguished.

  “I think she’s just overdone it on that leg.” Merry looked down at the poor dog, wondering how in the world they’d get her all the way back to the house.

  T.J. bent and scooped her into his arms. “Come on, let’s go.”

  And so they began their halting journey home. Noah’s feet dragged. He was mentally and physically exhausted. The storm had calmed, but rain still fell steadily over them. T.J.’s arms must have tired, but he never put Amber down.

  As she watched him carry that dog out of the woods in the pouring rain, she knew for sure she’d fallen totally and completely in love with him. She could only hope she wasn’t a total fool. Because maybe she’d been wrong to confront Noah the way she did, but if T.J. had trusted her in the first place, she wouldn’t have had to. Was there any getting past that?

  When they got close to the farm, she saw the flashing red and blue lights. The house and yard were a blur of commotion. Family members rushed toward them, surrounding Noah and hugging him senseless.

  In the melee, Merry stood at the edge of the yard, watching. Her heart ached, and her eyes stung. Would T.J. forgive her for this, for unintentionally putting Noah in danger? Would his family?

  Despite her words to Noah, could she forgive herself?

  Choking back a sob, she hustled Ralph to the CR-V. She needed to get him home and rested. Or that’s what she told herself anyway. Not that she was running like a coward instead of sticking around to face the music and try to win back the man she loved.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  T.J. watched her run, feeling like he’d just taken a sucker punch to the gut. When the going got tough, Merry got going. Hadn’t she already warned him?

  Or maybe he should man up and go after her. He owed her a massive apology, after all. She’d been right about Noah all along, and maybe if he’d listened to her and backed her up, they could have avoided this fiasco. But he hadn’t. And there was no way he could leave his family right now. He followed them into the house.

  Everyone was crying. Amy held Noah as the tears slid over her cheeks. He sobbed in her arms, looking so much younger than eight. EmmyLou brushed tears from her cheeks. Even Trace looked suspiciously glossy-eyed.

  The police finished up their paperwork and headed out, leaving the family to tend to their own. T.J. examined Amber but found no evidence her leg had rebroken. Probably, with a few days’ rest, she’d be none the worse for wear. He gave her a pill to help with the pain and inflammation, toweled her off, and helped her to her dog bed.

  Most of the family had gathered in the family room, alternately crying, talking, and hugging. T.J. followed his mother into the kitchen, where she began to rummage through his cabinets.

  “A family needs to eat in times of crisis,” she said.

  “The crisis is over, Mom.”

  She laughed and patted his shoulder. “Indeed, and now we’re all starving. Where’s Merry?”

  “She went home.”

  “Oh, honey, you sent her home? Well, she must feel awful. Shame on you for not insisting she stay.” She gave him a reproachful look.

  He shoved a hand through his hair. “I wanted her to stay. She just left.”

  His mom was silent for a moment, then she nodded. “Well, that’s for you two to sort out later then, I guess.”

  She turned her back to continue with dinner preparations.

  T.J.’s stomach grumbled. He’d planned a romantic dinner with Merry tonight. How differently things had turned out. He felt her absence in the room like a gaping hole. They had things, so many things, to say to each other.

  It felt like torture to stand here making small talk with his family when he wanted—needed—to be with her. To find out if they had a chance of fixing things.

  Noah tearfully confessed everything to Amy. She held and comforted him much as Merry had, offering him the same reassurances, the same support. But nothing could top Merry’s tearful confession in the woods. She’d bared her soul for him, and her words had gotten through.

  T.J. saw the difference in Noah’s demeanor, like a great weight had been lifted.

  For a long time after his family went home, T.J. sat with Amber at his feet, looking right at home in her dog bed. He had to hand it to her; she’d stuck by Noah through thick and thin. And for that, she’d always have a place here in his home.

  Finally, feeling like a man who’d lost his course, he gave up and went to bed. He tossed and turned, too restless to sleep, filled with residual adrenaline from the frantic search for Noah and tangled up in his feelings for Merry.

  As dawn broke, he rose and went to the barn. He tacked up Tango and rode him to the stream. He couldn’t bring himself to go down to the pool, to remember what he and Merry had shared there.

  He needed to see her today. He owed her an apology, which he would have given her last night if she hadn’t run out on him after Noah was found. Maybe this time, he’d give her a chance to come back on her own.

  It would have to wait for now, at any rate, because he had appointments scheduled all morning. He checked on Tom Hairston’s injured mare, a pregnant goat, and an elderly donkey with debilitating arthritis.

  He turned into his driveway just past twelve, and his heart lurched at the sight of the silver CR-V parked by his house.

  Then he caught sight of the woman leaning against it. She wore form-fitting blue jeans and a short-sleeved pink top, but that wasn’t what caught his attention. Leather boots peeked from the ankles of her jeans, with pink stitching. Her wild mane of curly brown hair flowed from underneath an honest to God cowboy hat.

  Merry Atwater had gone and turned herself into a cowgirl.

  * * *

  “Hey there, Cowboy.” Merry tipped her hat at him with a wink, rewarded when T.J. nearly fell flat on his face as he walked toward her from his truck.

  He stopped several feet away, his expression guarded. “You disappeared mighty quick last night.”

  Her bravado crumbled, and her shoulders slumped. “Hoping I can make up for that now.”

  He stared at her just long enough to make her squirm, then nodded. “Let’s go inside.”

  Her knees shook as she followed him into the house. He stopped in the foyer and lifted the hat from her head. His eyes blazed into hers, scrambling her thoughts.

  Toenails clattered behind them as Amber limped into the room.

  “Hey, sweetie. Oh, look at you. T.J.’s been taking good care of you, hasn’t he?” Merry bent to rub her head. The dog wagged happily, then limped back into the family room. “She looks much better today.”

  “She’ll be fine.” T.J. took her hand and turned her to face him. “Before you tell me why you’re here dressed like that, I owe you an apology. I should have listened when you came to me about Noah, but I was too pigheaded to hear it.”

  Her lower lip trembled, and she clenched it between her teeth. “That’s true.”

  “I doubted your judgment, and I shouldn’t have. Amy says he’s a different kid today now that the truth is out. He’s grounded of course for stealing, but he’s been talking up a storm all morning and asking when he can come play with Amber.”

  She pressed a hand over her heart. “Oh, that is amazing. I’m so glad.”

  “I was trying so hard to help him that I lost
sight of how to do that. Forgive me?”

  She choked, her eyes gone hazy with tears. “Of course. You were just looking out for him. I shouldn’t have gone behind your back like I did either. Noah could have been hurt.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t leave you much choice. Besides, I was the one watching him when he ran away. Amy had a talk with Brendan’s mother this morning. Tough neighborhood, tough kids, but his mother seemed to take it seriously, said there would be consequences for Steven. Noah can still see Brendan, but only at Amy’s house for now.”

  “That sounds smart.”

  He took her hands and gripped them in his. “I had a pretty small view of my life before I met you. I thought I knew what I needed, what I wanted, but I had it all wrong.”

  “Okay.” Her lip was shaking again, terrified of what he might say next.

  “I need you, Merry Joy Atwater, girly shoes and all. I love you.”

  Oh, her silly heart burst right out of her chest, spilling tears over her cheeks. She flung herself into his arms, and he spun her in a circle. She clung to him, starved for him, overcome that he was hers. “I love you too. So much.”

  He stroked a hand over her cheek, wiping away her tears. “That’s mighty good to hear.”

  She laughed, and more tears fell. “It really is.”

  He cupped her chin so that she met his eyes. “We can take this as slow as you want, but no more pretending it’s not what it is, okay? Because I’d be a happy man if you’d move in here tomorrow.”

  “My dogs…”

  He flinched, and she smacked his bicep. “Okay, okay, you and all of your dogs. Bring ’em. Ralph’s pretty all right, and the others come and go.”

  “But there will always be others.” She pressed her lips to his, desperate to drink him in.

  “Your dogs are my dogs.”

  And that might be the most romantic thing a man had ever said to her.

  “Speaking of others…” She pulled back. She’d been a busy woman that morning, possessed by a newfound need to grab on to everything that had eluded her over the last eight years. To make up for all the time she’d lost wallowing in her own self-pity.

  To make herself a woman worthy of a kid like Noah to look up to.

  First, she’d called her mother and left a message. Maybe Beverly would call her back, maybe she wouldn’t. But if she did, Merry was willing to hear her out and see where things went from there.

  After that, she’d gone to the Department of Social Services and filled out some paperwork.

  “I have to tell you something.”

  “Anything.” He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close.

  “I applied to become Jayden’s foster mom, the baby at the hospital.”

  He smiled, a genuine smile that creased his eyes and warmed her heart. “That’s wonderful.”

  “Is it? He has special needs, seizures, drug withdrawals, and who knows what else as he gets older.”

  He cocked his head. “You think special needs scare me?”

  “No, I don’t suppose they do.” She went up on her toes and pressed her forehead to his. “His birth mother just got out of jail, and she wants him back. I want to help her.”

  “And I’m sure you will. It may seem like a selfless thing, you fostering a kid like that, but I have a feeling it’s as much for your own healing as his, am I right?”

  Tears flooded her eyes, and she nodded.

  “Then let’s heal him together, okay?”

  Her heart swelled until her chest hurt to contain it. “Okay.”

  She remembered that night in her house, less than two months ago, when she’d prayed for help. She’d cursed God for sending a bedraggled stray instead of a financial bailout, but she’d been wrong. She hadn’t needed money at all. Amber had led her to T.J., and now she’d found the very thing she’d sought for so many foster dogs over the years: a forever home.

  T.J. had shown her the true meaning of love. And he was hers, for keeps.

  EPILOGUE

  Merry gazed at the purple storm clouds gathering on the horizon. She squeezed her heels against Twilight’s sides, urging her faster. The horse responded with an easy lope. Merry leaned back in the saddle to center herself, her body moving in harmony with Twilight’s steady gait.

  Since she’d moved in with T.J., she’d taken to riding Twilight almost every day she didn’t have to work. Horseback riding solo had intimidated her at first, but it was fun. Really fun, especially now that the heat of summer had begun to fade. September brought cooler evenings, lower humidity, and Monday Night Football, all of which made farm living even more enjoyable.

  “Lookin’ good up there.” T.J. stood in the doorway to the barn, thumbs hooked into the front pockets of his Wranglers, effortlessly sexy in his cowboy boots and hat with a baby sling wrapped around his chest. Ralph and Amber flanked him, both fiercely protective of the newest, smallest member of their pack.

  Merry brought Twilight back to a walk and headed toward them. “Thanks. Got her to lope on the first try this time.”

  “You’re a natural.” He tipped his hat.

  She smiled at the baby strapped to his chest. “So are you.”

  Her heart swelled every time she saw him with Jayden. He’d be a kick-ass dad someday. Sometimes she pictured a baby with her curls and his dark eyes wearing itty-bitty cowboy boots.

  “The munchkin enjoys helping me out in the barn.” T.J. tousled Jayden’s silky blond hair. “How did it go with his momma today?”

  “Really well, I think.” Merry had brought Jayden for his first supervised visitation with Crystal that morning. “She’s really working hard to get him back. I think she can do it.”

  “That’s great news.”

  “Yeah.” She looked down at Jayden, snuggled so cozily against T.J. The baby smiled up at her, so robust and round-cheeked it was hard to remember how sickly he’d once been. “I think they’re going to get their happily ever after.”

  “I talked to Amy this morning. Noah read a story to his class yesterday. She said he was still grinning ear to ear when he got off the bus.”

  “That’s amazing. I’m so proud of him.” Noah had really blossomed since starting third grade. His friendship with Brendan—and Amber—had made all the difference in his social skills and confidence with his peers.

  Thunder rumbled in the distance. Twilight snorted and tossed her head. Merry reached down to pat her neck. “Easy, girl.”

  “Better get her cleaned up and turned out before the storm hits,” T.J. said.

  “Good idea.”

  “I’m going to take the little dude up to the house for his bath. Holler if you need me.” T.J. sauntered off toward the house, baby on his chest and two dogs at his heels.

  She finished cooling Twilight down, then untacked her, rubbed her down, and turned her out with Tango and Peaches. A gusty breeze blew as Merry walked toward the house. The warm, earthy scent of the barn clung to her skin, as familiar now as the man who’d brought her here. His home, and hers.

  She opened the front door, greeted by three joyous dogs, Amber, Ralph, and Tank—her newest, and somewhat oversized, foster. From upstairs, she heard water running in the tub and Jayden’s giggles.

  She went into the kitchen to warm a bottle, then followed the happy sounds upstairs. She found T.J. in the guest-bedroom-turned-nursery, zipping up Jayden’s footed pajamas. When he’d finished, she lifted the baby into her arms. “Hey, sweetie.”

  Jayden rubbed his eyes and yawned, snuggling closer against her.

  “You had a busy day today.” She sat in the rocker with him to give him his bottle. “Hope it makes you sleep well tonight.”

  T.J. kissed him goodnight, then turned out the light and left the room.

  Merry sat in the semidark room, cradling Jayden as he took his bottle. She savored these last moments of the day, when he curled in her arms, all sweet and sleepy. By the time he’d finished the bottle, his eyes were drooping. She laid him in his crib an
d hummed him a lullaby as he drifted off to sleep.

  She tiptoed out of the room and found T.J. waiting for her in the hall. Gone was the fatherly figure who’d proudly carried his foster baby while doing nightly barn chores. In his place was a sexy cowboy with a hungry gleam in his eyes.

  “Thought I might help you get ready for your shower.” He yanked her up against him and kissed her hard.

  “You peeked,” she whispered breathlessly.

  “Couldn’t help but notice when I boosted you up on Twilight.” He cupped her ass, pressing her closer. “You know my feelings about pink lace.”

  She went up on her tiptoes to kiss him back. “These are new. I think you’ll like them.”

  “Better order a lifetime supply.” Then he swept her off her feet and carried her toward their bedroom.

  When animal rights activist Olivia Bennett gets in trouble with the law, Deputy Pete Sampson must oversee her community service. But can he tame Olivia, or will she convince him to take a walk on the wild side?

  See the next page for a preview of

  Ever After

  CHAPTER ONE

  Red paint dripped from Olivia Bennett’s fingers. She tightened her grip on the metal canister in her right hand and gave it a solid shake. Beneath her sneakers, the ladder wobbled. With a startled squeak, she sent a burst of spray paint onto her shoes.

  “Sorry, Liv,” Terence called from below.

  “Watch it, will you?” She pressed her palm against the cool, corrugated metal of the factory wall and took a deep breath. Then she lifted her right hand and pressed the valve on the spray-paint canister, forming a brilliantly red “S” on the side of the building.

  “Almost done,” Kristi said.

  Easy for her to say, standing safely on the ground next to Terence. At the top of the ladder, Olivia fought to keep her balance as the remnants of several margaritas sloshed in her stomach. Hell of a way to end her twenty-ninth birthday.

  The beam of Kristi’s flashlight cast Olivia’s shadow in stark silhouette over her red-painted message. She leaned right to spray another “S.” She’d have to come down and move the ladder to continue, but a muffled sound captured her attention.