The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2)

by Carolyne Aarsen

  “Okay.” Mason could understand the reasoning behind that.

  They walked along together, and Mason was surprised at the feeling of camaraderie he felt.

  Surprised at the uptick in his heartbeat at the thought of seeing Tricia again. But right behind that came Kane’s warning.

  Kane and Tricia might not be exactly close, but Mason knew that he had to be careful around Kane’s sister.

  Or Mason would have to answer to him.

  “How many bales of hay did you put up today?” Tricia asked, wiping mashed potato off Cash’s chin and pushing a half-full glass of milk away from her daughter’s elbow. She hoped she sounded a lot more relaxed than she felt.

  Dinner had been a tense affair for Tricia. Not only had it been hard to sit across from Mason, rethinking every moment they spent together, but ever since Kane and Mason had entered the kitchen at the same time she had been wondering if Mason had told Kane about Perry’s visit.

  “We got about a hundred done,” her father said as he wiped his hands on his napkin.

  “Sounds like a good day,” Tricia said.

  “The hay is still tough in the back fields, otherwise we would have had a few more,” Kane said. “Hopefully, the weather stays clear.”

  “How many do you need to put up?” Mason asked, clearly willing to go along with the safe topic.

  “Depends on how many cows we’ll be running. Still hoping to pick up more heifers or cows with calves at foot. The ranch can carry a lot more than it does right now.” Kane warmed to his subject. “I still can’t believe the bank will only look at the past couple years of income. You’re so established.”

  “Hotshot new accounts manager,” his father reminded him. “But I’m hopeful it will go through.”

  “I’d be more hopeful if you could show a better cash flow for the past couple of years.”

  “Didn’t help that I had to cut back because neither of my sons were around for the past couple of years,” his father returned.

  Tricia shot a quick glance at her father, surprised at his comment. Especially that he had said it in front of Mason.

  Kane tapped his fork on his plate, frowning. “You know why that happened.”

  Her father sighed then nodded. “Sorry, Son. I know I should be glad you’re back and that we can keep the ranch going. It’s just I still hope for—”

  “Elliot to come back.” Kane released the comment on a sigh. Then he glanced over at Mason with an apologetic look. “But I don’t want to make our guest uncomfortable by airing our troubles in front of him. No fighting in front of the company, Mom always used to say.”

  Hope pushed her plate away and once again Tricia rescued the glass of milk.

  Then Hope made a fist with her hands, pretending to punch someone, grinning at Mason. “You fight with man. Big fight.”

  Tricia’s heart leapt in her chest. One hard thump followed by a pause and then it raced, pounding at her ribs, threatening to explode.

  “What is she talking about?” her father asked.

  “Nothing,” Kane said, shooting Tricia a warning look.

  He knew, she realized with a thump of her heart. And he was protecting their father. “Maybe something she saw on television.”

  “Probably,” Tricia agreed, shame swirling through her.

  But she caught Kane’s deep frown and saw the concern in it.

  “I’ll wash the kids up and get them ready for bed,” Tricia said, pushing herself away from the table, needing to retreat.

  Not only was she avoiding the questions in Kane’s eyes, she also needed to get away from Mason.

  The entire mealtime she’d been far too aware of him sitting across from her. A few times she had glanced his way only to catch him looking at her. He created such a confusion of feelings in her, she was sure Kane or her father could feel the crackle.

  “Mason strong,” Hope muttered as Faith washed her face. She pumped her fist as if celebrating the confrontation that took place this afternoon.

  “Bad man went away,” Cash assured her as he scrubbed his face with the facecloth Tricia gave him.

  “We don’t talk about that,” Tricia warned, though she doubted Hope would listen. The more Tricia pushed her daughter on certain things the harder she fought back.

  She was surprised the children hadn’t been more frightened of Perry. Maybe because Mason was there.

  Maybe because they felt safe on the ranch?

  Once again she sent up a prayer of thanks that things hadn’t gotten worse.

  Chapter 10

  “I’ll help clean up,” Mason said, getting to his feet as Tricia left with the children.

  “Trying to make me look bad?” Kane asked with a wry grin as he stood as well.

  “What do you mean?” Mason picked up the plates from the table, scraping the ones from the kids onto his.

  “Getting up right away to do the dishes. I had figured on sitting for a few minutes.”

  “You can still sit,” Zach said as he pushed his chair back under the table. “I intend to. Just not here.”

  “You doing okay?” Kane asked, sounding worried.

  “I’ll be fine,” Zach said waving off his concerns.

  But Mason could see that Zach’s every step to the living room and the sanctuary of his recliner was an effort.

  When Kane looked back at Mason, he could see that Kane wasn’t convinced with Zach’s reply.

  “Busy day for him?” Mason asked as he brought the plates to the kitchen sink.

  “He keeps pushing too hard. And it didn’t help that Joe wasn’t around. I really gotta get rid of that guy.”

  “And then what would you do? I thought you needed his help here?”

  “I do. But I’d rather have someone around I can count on than someone who shows up whenever it works for him.”

  “When is he supposed to be back?”

  “Who knows? He’s like winter. You know he’s coming, you just never know when.”

  Mason chuckled at the reference as he rinsed off the dishes.

  “You seem to know what you’re doing in a kitchen,” Kane said as he brought another stack of dishes to the sink.

  “I grew up with two sisters. They taught me everything I know about proper rinsing techniques.” Mason shot Kane a grin, thankful for the chance to inject humor into the conversation. Throughout dinner he had sensed Kane watching him and Tricia’s interaction. Mason knew he was being a big brother, but it had created some tension. It didn’t help that Mason confused himself with his growing feelings for Tricia.

  “I grew up with one sister, Tricia,” Kane said with a wry note. “And to be honest, she never did much in the kitchen. Mom spoiled Tricia rotten.”

  “She seems to be doing fine now,” Mason said in her defense. “She’s so good with her kids, and she’s amazing with the horses.”

  As he spoke, he realized how defensive he sounded. Probably overstepped his bounds, judging from the frown Kane shot him.

  “What you mean?”

  “She has a natural talent. I think she should forget about going to college and focus on learning more about training horses.”

  “I hope you haven’t been putting any ideas in her head,” Kane said. “Dad and I are just so happy for her to have a focus in her life. I think going to school would be good for her.”

  “How so?” Mason knew he should stop, but he was curious why Kane thought this was the best plan for Tricia’s life.

  “If she gets a degree, she’ll get a decent job.”

  “But a degree in what?”

  “I was thinking she could be a teacher.”

  Mason dropped the dishes in the dishwasher and gave Kane a wry smile. “Like Faith?”

  Kane was quiet a moment then shrugged. “I guess that’s a little narrow.”

  “So what is Tricia interested in?”

  Kane leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “When I see her with the horses, I realize what you’re saying. She�
�s always loved horses and always had a knack with working with them.” He dragged his hands over his face then sighed. “But she’s got those kids to think about. She has to find stability in her life. And if this guy Perry is following her around…” He let the sentence trail off as if not sure how to handle that situation either.

  “And you don’t think she could find stability here? Training horses?”

  “Is there a future in that?”

  “I would hope so. I’m doing it,” Mason said adding a smile to show that there were no hard feelings.

  “I’m sorry. Just not thinking straight. Tricia has a habit of doing that to me. She’s my sister and I love her a lot, but we’ve had our differences.”

  “I know it must’ve been hard for you coming into this family, seeing all the advantages she had. But it can’t have been easy for her either.”

  “That’s probably true.” Kane shifted his weight, resting his hands on the counter behind him. “So how do you think this horse training could work for her?”

  “You’ve got everything set up here,” Mason said, closing the dishwasher and turning it on. “You could expand your facilities a little, a few more horse corrals. A few more sorting pens. Maybe another round pen. She could do clinics. There are many opportunities. You’re close enough to Calgary, you can access the huge horse-crazy market there.”

  Kane tapped his fingers on the counter as if thinking.

  “And it would be a safe place for her and the kids.”

  Mason washed his hands and dried them on the towel, buying time while the silence stretched between them. He knew he had overstepped his bounds, and his defense of Tricia sounded suspect but it bothered him to see the tension in this family. He knew how smoothly a family could function when things were going well. And he wanted the same for Tricia.

  If you were honest with yourself, you’d admit you want more than that for Tricia.

  He reined in his thoughts. He didn’t dare go there. There were too many complications, and his own reasons for being here were suspect.

  “I guess I could talk to her about it,” Kane said. “She did well in school, but it was a huge struggle for her.”

  “She told me about her dyslexia,” Mason said.

  Kane looked surprised. “She did?” He not only looked surprised, he sounded shocked. “The only people who know about that is the family,” he said. “And Faith. But that’s about it.”

  Then Kane pushed himself away from the counter. “You’ve given me lots to think about. Thanks for that.”

  His new attitude surprised Mason.

  “If you need help Monday,” Mason said, “I don’t mind setting the training aside for a day. Could give your dad a break.”

  “Thanks. If Joe doesn’t show up, I might take you up on it.”

  Mason gave him a nod, then, realizing the conversation was over, he left.

  “So, how are things with you? I haven’t heard from you in ages.”

  Mason sank on the bed, his phone clamped to his ear, the lightly accusing tone in his sister’s voice generating a mixture of guilt and concern.

  “Been kinda busy, sis,” he said. “I’ve got ten horses to train and only five more weeks to do it in.” And he was still smarting from the lesson he’d learned today.

  “I keep forgetting to ask, are you doing this one on your own or are you still working for Mr. Bouche?” Kelly asked.

  Wasn’t too hard to hear the faint note of disappointment in her voice.

  “It was thanks to Roger I got the job,” Mason said, without answering her question. He didn’t think she would appreciate the underlying reason for him taking this job on.

  Mostly because he appreciated it less and less. The more time he spent with Tricia’s family the more he realized that she had a support network Roger would have a hard time arguing against. Sooner or later he had to tell his boss that his chances of getting custody of the children were slim to none.

  “So you busting out on your own after this?” his sister continued.

  Mason toed his boots off, swung his feet on the bed, and leaned back against the headboard. “I might. I’m just not ready.”

  “You’ve been saying that for the last couple years. I don’t know why you keep sticking with Mr. Bouche. You don’t owe him anything anymore.”

  Mason was quiet a moment, hoping his sister would change the topic. This was a subject they had repeatedly discussed.

  Kelly, the youngest of the family, was only sixteen when the bank told their father his loan was getting called in. Mason had been the one working alongside his father, trying to figure out how to reverse years of mismanagement and trying to find a way for his father to at least keep the family home, even if they couldn’t keep the ranch. It was only because Roger came in and bought them out that they could pay down the debt. Which meant that when their father died the insurance money went directly to the family and not to his father’s creditors. Mason was the only one who knew everything Roger had done for them.

  “But I didn’t call you to lecture you,” his sister continued. “Just thought I would connect.”

  “Appreciate that,” Mason said, thankful for the call and the connection. Despite their disagreement over Roger, of his two sisters, he had always been closest to Kelly.

  “I’m just making plans for Mom’s birthday,” his sister said. “We were wondering if you can come.”

  Mason’s heart skipped as his brain scrambled to remember which day was his mother’s birthday.

  “And you don’t remember,” his sister said, her exasperation clear in her voice.

  “It’s not my job,” Mason said, inserting a joking note into his voice. “I’m the brother. I’m supposed to be useless when it comes to birthdays and anniversaries.”

  “But are you willing to open your very tight wallet and drag some money out of it for a present for Mom?”

  “’Course I am,” Mason said. “I’m not a miser.”

  “You can be generous when you want to,” his sister agreed. “But I’m sure you haven’t bought any new clothes since I saw you last.”

  Mason made a face at the hole in the toe of his socks, not willing to admit to his sister that she was right. His blue jeans were about to bust through the knee and he kept the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to hide the holes in the elbows. “I like being comfortable.”

  “You won’t knock the ladies dead if you don’t replace your wardrobe,” she said.

  “Not really looking,” he returned, deflecting. But Kelly’s words made him wonder what Tricia thought when she saw his frayed jean jacket, shabby cowboy hat, and the scuffed boots that now lay sideways on the floor.

  “You haven’t been looking since Beth died.”

  Mason waited, surprised that the mention of his fiancée didn’t create the usual crimp in his heart. The usual flare of pain.

  Was he finally getting over losing her?

  Or had someone else taken her place?

  “I’ve been busy,” was his terse response. He was afraid if he said too much that his sister, who seemed to have a sixth sense about his relationships, would catch a hint of his interest in Tricia.

  Besides, it was all too new and unformed and he still didn’t know where to put it all. Yes, he was attracted to her. Yes, he wanted to spend more time with her.

  But she had two children. She had her own plans.

  “You know we’ve been praying for you,” Kelly said.

  “Thanks. I do appreciate it.”

  “And otherwise, things are going okay? Investments doing well?” she teased.

  “Well, helium is up, lead is down, and diapers remain unchanged.”

  This elicited a loud groan. “Oh, please. No more.”

  “Elevators rose while escalators continue their slow decline.”

  “I’m hanging up now.”

  “I have more.”

  “No thanks. I just wanted to say hi and remind you of Mom’s birthday."

  “I’ll be there,” he sa
id.

  “You take care of you. Love you.”

  “Love you too,” he said smiling at her usual goodbye. He ended the call and tossed his phone aside. He got up from the bed, strolled into the open area of the cabin, and settled on the couch. As he did, he looked around the room, chuckling at the idea that the Tye family called this “the cabin.” He guessed that, compared to their fairly large home, this might seem rustic.

  It surprised him then, to think that they, of all people, would have difficulty getting funding from the bank to expand operations.

  He wondered if the proposal he had floated past Kane concerning Tricia was even a possibility.

  You could put your money in.

  The thought jumped into his mind, shocking him. Where had that come from?

  But he leaned back on the couch and let the thought settle as he tested the idea. His share of the money they’d gotten from his father’s life insurance policy had been growing quite nicely thanks to wise investing. He had meant to stick it into a place of his own. It was his seed money for his own training facility, his own future.

  But could that future be here?

  You’re rushing ahead. Pushing too hard.

  His phone rang again, and as he glanced at the call display, the reality of why he was here came rushing back over him like an icy wave.

  It was his boss.

  “So I found out more about Tricia’s boyfriend, Perry,” Roger growled, getting directly to the point.

  And hello to you too, Mason thought with a buzz of annoyance. He stifled it and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees.

  “What do you have to tell me?” Mason asked.

  “He’s a shady character, and he’s done some drug dealing. Nothing that he’s been able to be charged for, but the guy I sent checking it out is sure his info is legit.”

  Mason’s spirits dropped at the information. The scenario with Tricia’s old boyfriend was growing worse and worse.

  “Are you passing that on to the police?” Mason asked.

  “Of course. Especially if he’s still hanging around Rockyview, but I don’t know what they’ll do with it.”