Hunter’s grip was warm and firm when he shook her hand. She’d always liked a man with a good handshake.
“RaeLynn McCoy, the reporter.” She gave him a smile to hide the flip-flop in her stomach at the mention of Ricky.
Her mother had told her to be wary of Ricky. Apparently, Ricky had treated RaeLynn’s father, Cinco, badly and had not been very nice to her mother. It was probably a good thing RaeLynn had never known her father, considering her mother always said he was nothing but a drunk cowboy. RaeLynn’s stepfathers had also all been drunk cowboys, with varying levels of abusiveness.
If her mom said to be wary of Ricky, RaeLynn wanted nothing to do with him on a personal level. Hunter’s statement about Ricky tanning his hide only made her more determined not to let them know who she was. Clearly, Ricky’s bad temper hadn’t changed over the years.
RaeLynn gave Hunter another smile. “Don’t worry about not having everything perfect for my arrival. I like that. Anyone can put on a good show. I want the chance to see who everyone is. I want to see your hearts.”
The man looked slightly relieved. Then he noticed the little girl sleeping on the couch. “What’s Lynzee doing here?”
Janie sighed. “It’s a long story. Let’s just say that she and Sam were fighting again, so she hid in the closet and fell asleep.”
He sighed as well. “Maybe it’s too much to ask to have Grace watching her. She’s got her baby and your son, and I know Lynzee can be a handful. I keep hoping the day-care center will open back up, but it sounds like Jesse isn’t rebuilding after the fire.”
Janie smiled at him. “Now, stop that talk. If Grace minded, she would have said so. Things are just extra busy today, and I have a disobedient son who will be dealt with accordingly.”
Nodding slowly, Hunter said, “I just don’t want to be taking advantage of other people’s good hearts. Lynzee is my responsibility, and I don’t want anyone feeling like I’m foisting her on them.”
It was refreshing to hear someone insisting on taking responsibility for their child, especially a man. None of RaeLynn’s many stepfathers had ever stuck around for very long when they realized what being a father actually looked like. And her sisters certainly hadn’t made the best decisions when it came to men, either.
“What about her mom?” RaeLynn asked.
“She died,” Hunter said. “I don’t have any family to speak of, and her family has enough problems of their own.” He looked around the room. “Where is Sadie?”
Janie gave him a placating smile. “She wasn’t feeling well, so I gave her the day off.”
“She’s pregnant again, isn’t she?”
His face darkened, and he looked like he had other choice words to say but kept them inside.
“If she is, she hasn’t told me.” Janie sighed again. “But I have my suspicions. And it would do you well to get used to the idea so that when she does tell you, you can at least act happy.”
“She’s already got three kids she can’t take care of. You know I think babies are the greatest blessing from God, but she needs to stop having them and do something good with her life. I thought you were helping her get a grant to go to college or trade school.”
“I was,” Janie said. “And I still am. Even if she is pregnant again, there’s no reason she can’t start going to school.”
He nodded slowly. “And I suppose you’re going to ask me to help her out again.”
“Don’t think I don’t know who leaves those envelopes of cash under their mat.”
He gave a small shrug. “Even though my wife died, her sister and her kids are still family. If I don’t take care of them, who will?”
The resignation in his voice brought sympathy to RaeLynn’s heart. She knew exactly how he felt. Technically, many of her siblings weren’t really her siblings, just an assortment of stepkids her mom picked up along the way and a few half siblings. But in their family, they’d never differentiated between half or step. They were just family. And RaeLynn had also found herself sending checks, leaving cash and doing whatever else she could to make sure they were all okay.
But the family drama gave her one more reason she shouldn’t get involved with these people. Why she was never going to tell them who she was. Yes, she knew Janie was married to her half brother. And part of her was curious to know what he was like. She’d get to know him for the article, but she wasn’t going to let him know who she was. She wasn’t going to let her other brother and sister here on the ranch know, either.
The only trouble was the illusion of a happy family didn’t last in RaeLynn’s knowledge or experience, and she was already too overwhelmed with the family she had to let in any more.
All RaeLynn wanted was to get what she needed to write her story so she could save the magazine. That was her priority. Not getting mixed up with these people.
* * *
Hunter took a few deep breaths to collect his thoughts. This was more stress he didn’t need. He didn’t like the fact that he had to keep leaving Lynzee with Grace. He hated feeling like he was a burden on everyone here at the Double R. Grace had a new baby and should be focused on that, not on keeping his daughter out of trouble. But as he picked up the sleeping little girl from the couch, he didn’t know what other options he had.
Then there was the problem of Sadie skipping out on work. He’d promised to help his late wife’s sister, but she didn’t seem to want to be helped. Sadie already had child services breathing down her neck. If she were pregnant again, how was she going to handle being a mother to yet another child?
Hunter already had more than enough to deal with in his life. Janie seemed sympathetic to Sadie’s problems, but she didn’t understand that he was always the one to fix them.
He looked over at Janie. “I know Ricky asked me to do it, but would you mind getting RaeLynn settled in? I need to get Lynzee back to Grace.”
Janie held her arms out for Lynzee. “I’m headed back there anyway. You take care of our guest.”
Lynzee started slightly as he transferred her into Janie’s arms. But then she sighed contentedly.
That was the one thing Hunter knew he was doing right. His little girl never wanted for love. When his dad had died, Hunter’s mom had moved to the warmer climates of Arizona, promptly remarrying, and starting a new life there. The folks at the Double R were the closest to a family Hunter had. And lately, he felt like he’d been letting them down.
Ricky had given him one job. Told him his top priority was to make RaeLynn McCoy, this reporter, feel welcome and have the full Double R experience so she would write a good article about the ranch and the surrounding community.
Though people understood the Double R had to cancel reservations after the fire to help the community, now that the community was in the process of rebuilding, the guests hadn’t come back. They’d found other ranches to visit, other places that hadn’t let them down.
Ricky always said that a man’s word was his bond, and he felt like their reputation had been tarnished as a result of the cancellations. In Hunter’s mind, it was admirable that Ricky had put taking care of his community ahead of profits. Hunter hoped having this reporter out here would show not just how good the Double R was but also show the true spirit of Columbine Springs.
He looked over at RaeLynn. “Let me show you around the place. I apologize for not being here to greet you. We should have been more prepared. But it’s fine that you’re here now.”
To his relief, RaeLynn smiled. “I’ll admit, I was a little eager to get here. Please don’t worry about any of this. I think it’s refreshing that small businesses care about their people and are like a family.”
He probably cared a little too much. Everyone knew his threats to fire Sadie weren’t serious. “She’s my late wife’s sister. Felicia might be gone, but the family needs a lot of help. I still feel an obligation to help them.”
/> RaeLynn gave him a sympathetic look. “I understand better than you think,” she said. “My family is a little chaotic as well. I do my best to take care of them, but I’ve also learned that I need to live my own life. It sounds like you need to find a balance.”
Hunter laughed. “A balance? That’s a good one. I don’t know how you do that with kids.”
When RaeLynn laughed in response, the comforting sound brought a warmth to his heart he hadn’t known he’d been missing. She had a nice smile, a compassionate expression, and although he’d not known her very long, he could tell they were going to be friends.
“That’s why I am never having kids,” she said.
He stared at her for a minute. “Never? That seems a little harsh.”
RaeLynn shrugged. “I spent most of my childhood helping raise my siblings, as well as their children later. I know some people have that maternal longing, but I think I got my fill.”
He nodded. “I can understand that. Maybe that’s why I always thought I’d have about a dozen of them. I was an only child, and I always hated that it was just me.”
Even though he saw where she was coming from, to some extent, Hunter felt a little sorry for RaeLynn. Sure, his wife’s family got on his nerves from time to time, but it felt good being part of something bigger than himself. And it felt good knowing Lynzee would grow up surrounded by friends and loved ones who cared about her.
As they started out the door, his phone rang. Usually, he’d ignore an unknown caller when he was with a guest, but with Sadie gone and not answering the ranch phone, it could be something important.
He looked over at RaeLynn. “I’m sorry, give me one second.”
Turning, he answered the phone. “Hello?”
“It’s Sadie. I’m in jail.”
Not what he’d been expecting. As she started to explain, he felt sick. Another drunk-driving arrest. Before she could go into her usual excuses, he cut her off.
“I’m sorry, not bailing you out again this time. I did that the last time, and you promised to get help and quit drinking. Your sister died drinking and driving, and I would think that you of all people could understand that.”
He was about to say goodbye when she said, “Wait, please.”
“I can’t bail you out,” he said. “Even if I wanted to, I don’t have the money.”
“My kids are home with Jennifer. Can you get them?”
Jennifer. The thirteen-year-old neighbor kid who babysat for her when she went out. Meaning all those kids had been left alone all night with Jennifer. Hopefully, Jennifer’s parents had probably come by and helped, but he couldn’t be sure. Worse, though, was the fact that if social services found out, it could jeopardize Sadie’s chances of keeping her kids.
While Hunter firmly believed that Sadie should suffer the consequences of her actions, he also didn’t want the kids to suffer. There weren’t a lot of foster-care options in their small town, which meant the kids might be sent to parts unknown and potentially separated. These were Lynzee’s cousins. Their family. Hunter had to keep them together.
“Did you call Jennifer’s mom and dad?”
“I only get one phone call. I called you.”
Which meant, once again, it was up to Hunter to fix things. “All right,” he said. “Let me see what I can do.”
He looked over at RaeLynn. “I’m really sorry. Sadie’s in jail, and her kids have been left with a thirteen-year-old. I’m sure everything’s fine, because Jennifer’s parents are good people, but I need to figure out what to do about the kids. There’s already an active social-services investigation going on, and I need to keep the kids safe.”
He looked down at his phone. “I’ll call Ricky and see who we can get out here to show you around.”
RaeLynn reached forward and touched his arm gently. “Why don’t I come with you to help? I’m experienced with kids, and I’m sure they’re probably scared and confused. Especially if social services are involved.”
He should say no. She was a guest, one they wanted to impress. However, the tender but firm look in her eyes told him it would be a waste of time to argue.
“All right,” he said. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Two
As soon as Hunter got out of his truck at Sadie’s house, Darla Olson, the babysitter’s mother, stepped out of her house next door.
“Sadie’s done a lot of things in the past, but this one takes the cake.”
Hunter nodded. “I know. If it’s any consolation, she’s in jail over in the next county. I didn’t get the call until just now.”
Darla nodded. “I was worried it was something like that. I suppose we should be grateful she’s not dead.”
A car pulled up, and as soon as Eleanor Hopkins got out, Hunter’s stomach sank.
He looked over at Darla. “You didn’t?”
“I had no choice, and you know it. She didn’t come home last night.”
“You could have called me,” Hunter said, taking a deep breath.
Darla shook her head. “They’re her responsibility. It’s time she grew up and became a mother to these poor kids.”
He didn’t disagree. But making sure the kids were taken care of was more important than teaching Sadie some life lessons.
Jennifer stepped out of the house, carrying a wailing baby. “Good,” she said. “You can have a turn. Bella hasn’t stopped crying all day.”
As Hunter reached for the baby, RaeLynn said, “I’ll take her. You’ll have your hands full with the others. And I’m good with babies.”
RaeLynn went over to Jennifer, took the screaming baby and cradled her in her arms. The sight touched Hunter deeply. RaeLynn didn’t have to come, and she certainly didn’t need to step in like this.
Eleanor approached, looking grim. “Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner,” she said. “It’s a big county, and I don’t have enough staff. You say Sadie left the kids alone again?”
Again? Hunter ran his hand over his face. Why hadn’t Darla looped him in? He looked over at the woman who’d already told him once that Sadie’s kids weren’t his responsibility. She didn’t get it. The kids were still family. Hunter would have dearly loved to grow up with some cousins, and he wasn’t going to deny Lynzee that.
“I was just coming to pick them up,” Hunter said. “I came as soon as I got the call that Sadie was in jail. She signed some papers a while back giving me rights to help out in case she was incapacitated, and I guess that fits the situation here. I’m going to take the kids back to my house with me.”
It was a long shot, and he knew it the second the words came out of his mouth. Especially when the frown didn’t leave Eleanor’s face.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Eleanor said.
“Come on, you know me,” Hunter said. “I volunteer at the Sunday school and passed all those background checks. Let them come and stay with me while you look over the paperwork and run your own checks. We both know there’s a shortage of foster homes around here.”
The look on Eleanor’s face told him he’d won. For now.
“Fine. But only because I know how seriously the church takes the background reports they run on the childcare workers,” she said. “But you’re wrong about not having a place for them. Well, for the baby, at least. I have a family looking to take in a baby.”
A baby. “And the others?” he asked.
Eleanor shrugged. “Placing three kids at the same home is nearly impossible.”
Hunter knew he had to do whatever it took to keep the kids with him until Sadie was able to take care of them.
“She’s right,” RaeLynn said, joining them. “That’s why I helped so much with my siblings and their kids. It’s hard to keep families together.”
He glanced over at her, and she shrugged. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to intrude. But I’ve had a lot of experien
ce with this kind of thing.”
She turned to look at Eleanor and held out her hand. “I’m RaeLynn McCoy. I realize you don’t know me, but I’d like to help if I can.”
The sincerity in her voice eased some of the fear in Hunter’s stomach. Having an ally made the situation seem less daunting, especially since Eleanor’s expression softened as she shook RaeLynn’s hand.
“I know you’re just trying to make things safe for the kids. I think we can all agree that the best thing for the kids is for them to be together, and they have a responsible family member who loves them. So let’s figure out how we can make it work.”
Hunter had been hesitant to bring her, but now was glad RaeLynn was here. He went to church with Eleanor and knew she was passionate about helping children, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to manage the system and its rules.
“I know your heart is in the right place, Hunter,” Eleanor admitted, “but the county has a lot of rules we’d need to follow. I’ve got a packet I can email you. Give it a read, and I’ll come by your place Monday afternoon to go over the next steps.”
Hunter nodded slowly. He hadn’t expected things to get this complicated. He’d only planned to have the kids until Sadie got out of jail, but it seemed like his life was about to get a whole lot more complicated.
RaeLynn walked with Eleanor to her vehicle, chatting about something as she worked to calm the baby. When Eleanor finally got in her car, Hunter felt himself relax. He hadn’t realized how tense he’d gotten, but the slump of his shoulders as she drove away reminded him.
The other two children came wandering out of the house. Little Phoebe, who was the same age as Lynzee, went to him.
“Uncle Hunter.”
He took her into his arms, noting that she was freshly bathed. He kissed the top of her head. “You smell like strawberries.”
Phoebe grinned. “Jennifer gave me her special shampoo.”
The little boy, Tucker, wasn’t talking much yet, but he lifted his arms for Hunter to pick him up, too. Hunter lifted him and breathed in the sweet little-boy scent. He, too, had been freshly bathed.
Her Hidden Legacy Page 2