But he kept his cool as Tricia greeted him and handed him a bag.
“It’s just sandwiches,” she said. “Kane was in such a rush to leave he forgot to pack something for you to eat or drink.”
He was thirsty, he had to admit, and the bottle of water she handed him was mighty appealing. It was damp from condensation, and cold. He took a deep drink and wiped his mouth.
“I want drink,” Cash said, launching himself at Mason, reaching for the bottle he held.
“Cash, that’s rude,” Tricia called out, trying to stop him.
But she was too late. Cash stumbled against Mason’s knees, reaching out for his water bottle.
Mason wasn’t expecting it and he stumbled, falling backwards. Luckily he fell onto a thick swath of hay that cushioned their fall.
Cash ended up sitting on his chest, giggling. “You fall down,” he crowed, patting Mason on the chest with his chubby hands, his head haloed against the sun.
“You made me fall,” Mason said, trying to sit up, still holding the water bottle in one hand and, miraculously, the bag with his lunch in the other.
Cash grabbed the bottle out of his hands and chugged it down, some of it spilling down his neck.
“I’m so sorry,” Tricia said, coming to his rescue. She tried to grab Cash, but he wiggled away from her, ending up sitting on Mason’s lunch.
“Cash. You squashed Mason’s sandwiches.”
“Not nice, Cash,” Hope reprimanded from the safety of Kane’s arms.
Cash rolled away, looking down at the mangled paper bag that had once held Mason’s lunch. Then he burst into tears.
“It’s okay, buddy,” Mason said, picking him up. “You don’t have to feel bad.”
“I hurt your lunch,” Cash wailed.
Still holding him, Mason bent over and picked up the bag. He shook it open and looked inside. Then he showed it to Cash. “See, everything is still good.”
Cash sniffed, then to Mason’s surprise, dropped his head on his shoulder. “I wike you,” he said.
And once again the mangled words settled into his soul, making a home there.
He couldn’t stop his eyes from finding Tricia’s, holding her gentle gaze, and the awareness arcing between them felt so strong and real, he was surprised Kane said nothing.
But Kane was tickling Hope and had missed the exchange.
“I also have good news,” Tricia said, looking away from Mason to Kane. “I guess our prayers got answered. Trent Siler phoned to tell me that Perry was arrested in Calgary. Apparently he was driving drunk.” She swallowed, the tips of her fingers resting against her throat protectively. “He said he was on his way here, to teach me a lesson. At least that’s what the arresting cop said.”
“We’ve got to do something about that,” Kane said, his voice harsh with anger.
“We don’t have to do anything about it,” Tricia said, her voice trembling. “There were a bunch of warrants out for his arrest. He’s being transferred to Vancouver to stand trial for a long list of crimes.” She swallowed, and Mason could see the relief trembling through her.
“I guess that is an answer to prayer,” he said quietly.
Tricia glanced at him again, smiling. “I guess it is. And I’m thankful for your prayers.”
His own relief was echoed in her smile. He wanted to come close to her, to hold her close and comfort her. To share her relief.
But this time Kane was watching them. This time Kane seemed to notice what was happening between them.
Mason held Cash a little closer, thankful for the distraction of the children.
“Well, I’ll let you guys get back to work,” Tricia said. “And I’ll get going to town. I just thought I’d bring you lunch and the good news.”
“And both are welcome,” Kane said. “Are you leaving right away?”
“Now that I know the coast is clear, I still want to take the kids to the health nurse. I’ll be home in time for supper.”
Kane set Hope down on the ground, then did what Mason wanted to do. He pulled Tricia close in a bear hug, rocking her back and forth. “I’m so glad that all got resolved.”
Mason couldn’t hear what Tricia said, but as she pulled away, he found himself jealous of the smile she gave her brother.
Cash wiggled, wanting free, and Mason set him down. He toddled over to his mother, who took his hand.
But just before she put the kids into the truck, Tricia tossed a quick look over her shoulder at Mason. Her smile dove into his heart. It would have to hold him until he could see her again. Just the two of them by themselves.
Mason opened his bag lunch, inspecting it a bit closer. Thankfully the sandwiches weren’t too squashed.
He looked up to catch Kane squinting at him. “That was good news for Tricia,” he said. “And now I am going to be a big brother and ask what’s going on between you two.”
Mason held his gaze, trying to find the exact words.
“You’re a good big brother,” was all he said.
“We could sit a minute and eat our sandwiches,” Kane said. “Things are going pretty well.”
Mason guessed the conversation wasn’t over.
Part of him dreaded it, but at the same time there was a small part of him that yearned to bring things out into the open. To talk about it. To think out loud and wonder out loud. He knew he cared for Tricia and that she was finding a place in his heart he thought would never be occupied again.
Kane sat down and opened the bag holding his own sandwiches.
“So does your horse training mean you have to travel a lot?”
“I don’t have to,” Mason said, willing to go along with the sideways approach. “But currently I don’t have my own facilities. So I go where the horses are. A really good trainer makes the horses come to him.”
“So if Tricia starts her business here, there’s a good chance she won’t have to move around,” Kane said.
“Not likely. Especially if you can enhance the facilities you’ve already got in place.”
“How much money do you think that’ll take?”
Mason considered that a moment, then gave Kane a figure.
“It’s doable,” Kane said.
“But will that leave you enough to expand your own business? I know you and your dad were talking about increasing your cow herd.”
“That was hoping my brother would come back.”
“Elliot?”
“Yeah. Him.”
“Have you been in contact with him?”
“I’m trying to see if he’s willing to help me with my upcoming wedding,” Kane said. He threw the words out casually, but Mason sensed an underlying tension.
He took a bite of his somewhat flat sandwich. “So how much would you need to expand the ranch, to bring someone else in?”
Kane considered his words with a casual shrug. “A little more than the bank is willing to lend us.”
Again Mason thought of the money sitting in his account. His heart pounded in earnest, and for a small moment he entertained the notion of mentioning it to Kane.
Was he ready for that yet?
He shook off the thought. He had other things to resolve before he could even allow himself the small dream.
Kane finished his sandwich, wiped his mouth, and crumpled the bag up. He pushed himself to his feet and arched his back, looking around the field. “I have to say, I’m mighty glad you’re helping out today. Would’ve been too stressful to rake this hay and then come back and try to bale it. Especially with showers in the forecast.”
“Oh, the joys of haying,” Mason said. “Always one eye on the weather.”
Kane nodded and without another word walked back to his tractor.
Mason was surprised that Kane hadn’t brought up Tricia again. Mason knew he was off the hook for now, but he also knew that he had only forestalled the conversation, not ended it.
Chapter 12
The rest of the week followed a comforting rhythm. Joe still hadn’t sh
own up, so Mason helped Kane the next day and the day after. Every day Tricia brought lunch out and every day she stayed a little longer.
And every day Kane seemed to be watching them even closer.
By Wednesday all the haying was done, and Tricia and Mason were back to working with the horses.
And every day they spent together, Mason acknowledged that he didn’t know if he could leave as easily as he once thought.
By Friday evening all the bales were brought home, and Tricia had gotten a saddle on Abby. She had also ridden Rango around the ring a couple times. The same horse that had bucked Mason off the week before.
“I hate to admit it, but you can read him a lot better than I did,” Mason admitted as he watched Tricia trot the horse around the pen.
“I don’t know if I can read him better, maybe I’m just more patient,” she teased.
“You’re lucky you’re on top of that horse,” Mason said. “Otherwise I’d have to teach you a lesson.”
“And how would you propose to do that?” Tricia said, bringing the horse just a little closer to him then away.
Mason wasn’t sure what to say. He just knew she was flirting with him, and he was happy to take her up on it.
“So what have you got planned for the weekend?” she asked, taking the horse for another jog around the pen.
“Not sure. There’s not much going on in Rockyview.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” Tricia said. “The rodeo and fair are happening tomorrow.”
“That’s right, I forgot about that.”
Too busy flirting with Tricia to remember. Playing with her kids when the day was over. Taking his time over dinner because sitting in the house and talking with her, Zach, and Kane was preferable to sitting by himself in his cabin trying to figure out what to do about his feelings for Tricia. What plans he dared make.
“I can’t see how you could. It’s a big deal for our small town.”
“Wow. Big-time entertainment,” Mason returned.
“Yeah, because you’re so cosmopolitan, with your tattered jeans and worn shirt,” Tricia said.
Mason looked down at his clothes, thinking about what his sister had said. Maybe he would have to go into town soon and pick something up.
To impress Tricia.
“Besides, Kane and Dad just got the best news. Elliot will be competing.”
“Your brother?”
“Yes. I’m surprised. Rockyview isn’t a big rodeo. Either he needs the points or he can use this as an excuse for a visit.” She flashed him a wide smile. “It will be so good to see him again.”
She was excited, he could see that. And the horse seemed to pick up on it. He was cantering a little faster than Mason wanted, but it didn’t faze Tricia. She rode so smoothly. At one with the horse.
Today she wore her hair loose and it flowed over a pink T-shirt tucked into snug blue jeans. Simple clothes, but on her they looked amazing.
“What are you staring at?” she asked as she cantered by once more.
“A horse and rider in harmony, a veritable symphony of grace and movement. A mellifluousness of symmetry and grace.”
“And I’m seeing someone who has spent a lot of time thumbing through his thesaurus,” Tricia shot back. But her cheeks were flushed and her eyes sparkled.
“You do make it look easy, and effortless,” he said.
Her flush deepened, which made him want to catch her horse by the halter, stop it in its tracks, pull her off, pull her close, and kiss her.
Tricia slowed her horse to a gentle trot, again her movements graceful as she posted with the horse. Not for her the ungainly flopping up and down of a person who didn’t know what they were doing.
He guessed that if she rode every horse she wanted to sell, she could make a small fortune. She made the horse look that good.
Half an hour later Rango was let loose in the pasture again and he and Tricia did what they always did. Stood by the fence, watching and assessing.
“I think Abby will be ready for the next level in a week,” Tricia was saying.
“Well, that’s your department,” Mason said. “The way things are going though, we’ll have most of them broke to ride in a couple of weeks.”
“That’s a week earlier than you had figured,” Tricia said, giving him a tight smile.
“I guess.” He said nothing, leaning his elbow on the fence, turning toward her.
“Then what?”
He sighed, looking away from her. “Not sure.” Just then his phone dinged signaling a text message. He pulled it out of his pocket and frowned.
“Bad news?” she asked.
“No. Just my sister reminding me of my mother’s birthday, which reminds me, I forgot to tell you that I’ll be gone a couple of days next week. For said birthday.”
“Of course. I can manage on my own for a while.” She gave him a shy smile. “Though I’ll miss you.”
He grew serious, took a step closer, and gave in to an impulse. “I’ll miss you too.”
He wanted to say more. As their eyes held he felt as if his life was in limbo. As if it was holding its breath, waiting for him to make a move.
He couldn’t keep this back-and-forth dance up. Not with Tricia. It wasn’t right.
But always hovering in the back of his mind was the reason he had come here in the first place. It was what held him back from opening up to her. From letting his heart free.
Though he had told Roger what he thought, he still hadn’t made a complete break from his commitment to him.
And until he did, he didn’t feel he could make any kind of declaration to Tricia.
Next week, he promised himself. When he went to his mother’s birthday party Roger would be back by then. Mason could talk to him face-to-face.
Tell him he wasn’t working for him anymore. That he was going out on his own.
That he would never, ever support any bid he would make to take Tricia’s kids away.
It’s not a date.
Tricia tweaked her hair as she studied her reflection in the mirror, wishing she didn’t care so much how she looked. She had put on her usual blue jeans. They were going to a fair and rodeo, after all. But she had taken extra care with her shirt. This one was flowered with long sleeves. Faith had bought it for her.
“You see him every day. What’s different about today?” she said aloud to her reflection.
“You talking, Mommy?” Hope stood in the doorway, already wearing her blue jeans and little cowboy boots. Kane and Faith had bought the twins matching boots and hats on one of their trips to Calgary.
“Yes, honey, I’m talking to a very confused and mixed-up woman,” she said to her daughter, squatting down to sweep her in her arms. The past couple of days the pain in her ribs had receded, for which she was so thankful. She could finally hug her kids hard and only feel a tiny twinge. She could pick them up and carry them longer.
That part of her life was returning to normal.
And the rest?
Hope caught her face between her chubby hands, grinning. “Mixed-up, Mommy?”
Her daughter’s willing touch, her smile, warmed her mother’s heart.
“Yeah. It’s that Mason guy,” she said, twirling Hope’s hair around her finger. “He’s got me all confused. You see, I want to take the best care of you and your brother, and yet, I’m really falling for this guy.” She smiled at her daughter who was looking at her as if she understood everything she was saying.
“Falling?” Hope asked, tilting her head to one side as if to figure it out better.
Tricia chuckled, smacked a kiss on her daughter’s cheek, then set her down. “Yes. Falling. Hard. He’s good and kind and caring and normal… I think.” She released a hard laugh. “Of course, that’s what I thought about Perry.”
She wished she could trust her judgment with Mason.
He went to church. He said he’s praying for you. Kane seems to like him.
Tricia rested her hand on her errant heart.
Please, Lord, she prayed, help me make good choices for my children. Help me not to think of myself.
She took Hope’s hand. “Shall we go find your brother? Mason said he would be here at four.” Fifteen minutes away yet. Her middle fluttered at the thought. But she knew some of it was because of Elliot.
It had been too long since she’d seen him. Too many miles and too many tears since that horrible accident that shattered both their lives.
Stop. That’s the past.
She glanced at her daughter and once again felt a deep gratitude to Drew for her amazing children. Though she knew he wasn’t an ideal boyfriend, though she knew he would not have been the kind of father she wanted for her children, he had helped her make them.
And on the heels of that lurked thoughts of Drew’s father, and she wondered again why Drew was so adamant she not tell him about the grandchildren. For someone who was such a threat, she had heard nothing from him. Not even a hint he knew where they were.
“Get Cash. Go to fair.” Hope skipped alongside her, as eager, it seemed, as Tricia was. Tricia pressed her hand to her chest, as if to slow down her heart, sending her thoughts back.
She was going to the fair with a man she cared about, and she would see her brother again.
Both positives she preferred to cling to despite her lingering concerns.
Cash was, thankfully, still clean, sitting on the couch, his feet in his miniature cowboy boots stuck out in front of him as he paged through a book open on his lap. He looked up, grinning, when Tricia and Hope came into the room. “See horsey in book.” He pointed to a picture of a rodeo horse.
“And you’ll see real live horseys in action,” Tricia said, dropping onto the couch beside him. Cash and Hope hadn’t been to see the horses since their meltdown, so she knew they would be excited about the rodeo.
She glanced at her watch again, feeling like a teenager getting ready for a date. She swept in another breath and then she heard it.
Mason’s truck coming in the yard. It wasn’t as loud as her father’s and had a different roar than Kane’s. She hurried to the window, flicking aside the curtain, and her heart tumbled.
Mason stepped out of the truck and, to her surprise, took a moment to check his reflection in the side mirror of his truck. He smoothed his hair then dropped what looked like a brand-new cowboy hat on his head.
The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2) Page 16