The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2)

by Carolyne Aarsen

  With Roger. And then with Tricia.

  He’d decided to tell her everything. He knew he had to. It wasn’t something he was proud of, and he hoped it would end better than he expected. “When I come back, I want to talk to your father.”

  “So I was just a dry run?” Kane said with a wry smile.

  “I guess. Maybe.” Mason stumbled through his words. “Like you said, I’m juggling two things at once here. But I wanted to run the initial idea by you first. I know it’s your dad’s ranch, but I also know you’re more involved with the day-to-day decision-making.”

  “Well, you’ve given me lots to think about,” Kane said, pushing off the post. “I think it’s a great idea, and it will give me and Dad some financial breathing space. And goodness knows I could use some of that right about now. Just in case Elliot or Lucas want to come back.”

  “Is Elliot coming back to the ranch full-time?” If that was the case, Mason doubted there would be any room for him in the operation. Not the way it was running right now.

  Kane waved his question off. “Elliot has his eyes on other prizes for now. He’s got this idea he has to prove himself somehow by getting to the Canadian Finals Rodeo competition.”

  Mason almost sagged with relief. At least part of his plans were still safe.

  “And I imagine you’ll need a place to stay.”

  “Usually a good idea,” Mason said with a careful smile, not sure where Kane was going with his comment.

  “There’s a couple of options. There’s the house Mom and Dad lived in before they built this one. It’s right on the yard which could work well if you’ll be training horses. If you don’t like the proximity, there’s also an old house down the road that used to be part of another ranch that Dad took over. It’s solid and worth fixing up.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” Mason said, feeling as if things were falling into a very good place.

  “I dunno about you, but I’m ready for some coffee.” Kane walked to the door and slid it open. He stood a moment, looking out over the ranch. “This is all I’ve ever wanted, you know,” he said, his voice quiet. “For a while I thought I might not have a chance to come back. And yet, here I am.” He glanced back at Mason. “The Tye family has run this place for four generations now. It’s quite a legacy.”

  Mason sensed the comments had a heavy subtext. He wasn’t sure what to say, so he went with the best response. Silence.

  Then Kane walked out the door, waiting for Mason to follow him. He slid the door closed with a heavy thud, and together they walked in the rain to the house.

  Just before they stepped inside the house, Kane turned to him. “I like your idea. I think it has merit. Just in case I didn’t let you know the first time.”

  His reaffirmation gave Mason hope.

  Now all he could do was pray Tricia would hear him out. His day of reckoning was here, and he prayed Tricia would understand.

  Chapter 14

  They looked so serious.

  Tricia rubbed her hands down the side of her pants as Kane and Mason walked into the house. She wondered what they had been talking about. Then Mason glanced her way and smiled, and her heart lightened.

  “Mason, Mason,” Cash called out, scrambling off his chair and running toward his hero of the day.

  Mason bent over and slung the little boy up into the air then settled him on his hip. His actions were so natural they warmed Tricia’s heart.

  He would make a good father.

  She turned away, hardly daring to let the thought settle.

  “I’ve got breakfast ready,” she said, busying herself with making a pot of tea.

  “I’ll just wash up and I’ll be right back,” Kane said.

  “You coming to church with us?” her father asked, looking up from the magazine he’d been reading.

  “Yes. I have to change yet,” Mason said. “And then pack up.”

  “That’s right,” her father said. “You’re heading down for your mother’s birthday.”

  “I thought you weren’t leaving till tomorrow?” Tricia said, feeling a stab of dismay.

  “I’m not, but I’ll be leaving early in the morning.” His smile was cautious, and she sensed that something lay behind it. Something she might not like.

  Was he not coming back after his trip?

  Was he trying to let her down gently?

  She wanted to pull him aside and ask him what was wrong, but just then Elliot bounded into the kitchen bringing the usual wave of energy that seemed to follow him wherever he went. Thankfully he hadn’t minded staying in the same cabin as Mason while he was here. His room was taken over by the kids.

  “And where are my favorite munchkins?” he called out, crouching down beside Hope and ruffling her hair.

  Hope pulled away, making a face at him. “Who you?”

  Elliot put his hand on his chest, pretending to be hurt. “Ouch. That’s painful.”

  “If you showed up once in a while you’d know your niece and nephew,” Kane announced as he returned to the kitchen.

  “Hey, they’ve only been here for a couple of months,” Elliot said, not even looking over at Kane. “You can’t fault me for that. Besides, I just found out—”

  He stopped himself there, and Tricia, again, felt the sting of shame at her lack of communication. She would explain to Elliot later. When they had a moment of privacy.

  “Well, you’re here now,” she said with forced brightness, avoiding looking at Mason and his somber expression.

  “And breakfast smells pretty good,” he said, giving her a quick hug. “I didn’t know you’d turned all domestic on me.”

  “People can change,” she said, swatting his shoulder.

  She and Elliot had always had a unique bond. She wasn’t sure what caused it. Kane was always so serious, Lucas intense, but Elliot was always good for a laugh and a good time.

  “Maybe,” he said. Tricia knew his comment was grounded in his own reality. A biological father who had always said he would change and never did.

  “Anyhow, I made breakfast, and it’s getting cold.”

  “What’s on the menu? It sure smells good.”

  “Breakfast frittata,” she said as she opened the oven door to pull out the casserole she had spent far too much time putting together. She had hoped to impress both Mason and Elliot in one fell swoop. Elliot had always been the worst tease about her lack of cooking ability.

  “Say what?” Elliot frowned.

  “Just sit down and get ready to be impressed.”

  While she and Elliot were bantering Mason had set Cash down on his chair and was now sitting beside him, looking at a book Cash had pulled off the bookshelf. This one was about tractors.

  “Can you say Massey Ferguson?” Mason said.

  “Fergson,” Cash replied.

  “Close enough. And here’s your uncle Kane and Grandpa Zach’s favorite. John Deere.”

  “Deer. Deer,” Cash responded.

  “That’s our boy,” Kane said, joining them. He clapped Elliot on the shoulder. “Glad you could be with us. You coming to church?”

  “Doubt it,” Elliot said. “I have to compete in slack this afternoon, and I want to be ready.”

  “Coming to church could help you out,” their father put in, looking up from his magazine again.

  Elliot just shrugged, flashing his foster father a grin. “Well, you can pray I do as well as I did yesterday.”

  “That was one amazing ride,” Kane said as he settled himself down at the table.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?” Mason asked as Tricia put the casserole on the table.

  She glanced his way, their eyes holding. He gave her a careful smile, and in that moment the connection between them rose, creating a surge of relief to go through her.

  “No. You keep educating Cash. I’ll be fine.”

  A few moments later they all sat around the circular table. Cash sat between Tricia and Mason and Hope between her and Elliot. Kane across fro
m them. Their father looked from child to child, his happiness evident in his smile.

  “This is wonderful,” he said. “Three of my kids around the table at once. That hasn’t happened in a long time.”

  His paternal gaze rested a moment on each of them as if transferring a silent blessing. “I am so blessed. I just wish Lucas could be here.”

  “We’ll just have to make sure we pray for him,” Kane said, his voice serious.

  “For what that’s worth,” Elliot whispered.

  Tricia shot him a warning glance, and he responded with a shrug.

  They bowed their heads and their father asked for a blessing on the food. For a blessing on their day and, as Kane had suggested, for Lucas, who was soon returning from his latest tour in Afghanistan. He prayed for Kane and Faith as they made their wedding plans. He thanked the Lord that Elliot was with them and, lastly, he prayed for Tricia and the children. That they would flourish here on the ranch.

  Tricia’s thoughts shifted to each person as her father prayed, and when he came to her, thankfulness flowed through her. She would be staying here with her children.

  And Mason?

  When her father said amen her gaze automatically went to Mason. She was surprised to see him looking at her, his smile gentle. Warm.

  She returned his smile and then got up to serve everyone their breakfast.

  Everyone seemed to enjoy the frittata, even the kids. The chatter flowed between Kane and Elliot. Mason made a comment from time to time. Tricia was busy with the kids and was more than content to listen.

  Then her father cleared his throat, wiped his mouth, and put his napkin on his plate. The signal that the meal was over and they had to get ready to leave for church soon.

  Though Tricia would have preferred riding with Mason again, they had transferred the car seats to Kane’s truck, so she went with him. But when she looked back to see if Mason was coming, his truck was still parked by his cabin.

  Guess he was staying home.

  So after she took the kids to the nursery, she sat with her father and Kane, trying not to look around to see if Mason had come after all.

  Faith was singing with the praise group, and while listening to her friend singing added a more intimate layer to the worship, Tricia couldn’t seem to muster up her enthusiasm. Nor could she dump the unease that had dogged her since Mason and Kane had come from outside this morning. Mason had looked so solemn. So serious.

  They returned to the ranch after church and Mason’s truck was gone.

  The rest of the day dragged on. Thankfully the twins were behaving. They went out with their grandfather to see the horses, but when they came back they asked where Mason was.

  A question on Tricia’s mind as well.

  She put them off with some lame excuse about him needing to do some work, but her own tension grew.

  While they were eating supper, she saw Mason’s truck return. Finally, she got the kids to bed. She sang to them, waited until they were sound asleep, then took a moment to send up a prayer.

  She prayed for patience and trust. As the minister had encouraged them in his sermon, she prayed she wouldn’t put her trust in other people. In a job. In money. But that she would trust in God fully and see Him as her solid rock and immovable foundation.

  But when she came into the kitchen, full of purpose, and saw Mason standing by the counter rinsing out a mug, her resolve wavered.

  He dried the mug and set it in the cupboard.

  “Obviously well trained,” she joked, striving for a light, casual tone.

  He spun around, and the crooked smile he gave her eased some of her misgivings.

  “Hey you,” he said, his voice quiet as he wiped his hands on the towel and hung it on the oven door. “We’ve been kind of missing each other today.”

  “I guess, though I’ve been doing the same thing I’ve done every Sunday since I’ve been here.” Hard not to keep the faintly condemning note out of her voice.

  “Yeah. That’s on me,” he admitted, resting his hands on his hips. His gaze skittered away and her misgivings grew.

  “Look, I really need to talk to you before I leave for home tonight,” he said.

  “You’re leaving tonight?” He had said he was leaving tomorrow.

  “My sister called and said they were having a special family dinner for my mom tomorrow and insisted that I be there.” His eyes flickered to hers but only connected briefly.

  “Okay. Let’s talk.” She pulled out a kitchen chair.

  “Can we go outside? On the deck?”

  “Sure. That’s fine with me.”

  “I just want to make sure no one will come wandering in.”

  She wasn’t sure whether to be nervous or afraid. Or both. She followed him outside.

  The sun was shifting toward the horizon and the air was cooling. Tricia sat down on the deck chair, her folded hands pressed between her knees. She wasn't sure what to expect, but the serious expression on Mason's face and the way he avoided eye contact made her think it wouldn't be good.

  Mason stood by the deck railing looking out over the yard. "I hope you don't mind, but I talked to Kane about your plans."

  "Kane and I have already discussed this."

  Holding her eyes with his, he moved to the deck chair beside her and sat down. "Before I say anything, you need to know in the time we've been working together, I've come to appreciate you and admire you so much. You are an amazing woman, and a very beautiful one." He smiled and brushed her hair with his fingers. "You're a loving mother, daughter, and sister. I've come to see you in many different ways. But you're also very gifted with horses. You said you talked to Kane about your future training horses, maybe doing some clinics, and I sure hope you go through with it. It would be a shame not to use your gifts."

  While his flattery warmed her heart, she sensed there was something even more important he wasn't telling her yet. The frustration of the day all piled on at once. She was tired of how he held back from her. "I know there's something else you want to tell me. Why don't you just get to it?" She couldn't keep the annoyance out of her voice, and the way his brows shot together, she guessed he heard it too. If he was ending this, she wanted it done quickly.

  He closed his eyes, dragging his hands over his face, and her annoyance shifted to fear.

  "I don't know how else to tell you this, so I may as well get to the point. I got this job because of Roger Bouche.” He stopped, glancing over at Tricia as if to catch her reaction.

  “Roger Bouche, as in Drew's father?"

  Mason simply nodded.

  "But how… Why…"

  Mason shot to his feet, as if he couldn't stand to sit beside her anymore. Leaning his hands on the railing, he looked away from her. “Roger found out you had moved to the ranch. We also found out, through the horse-training grapevine, that your family was looking for someone to train some horses. The man you had asked initially couldn't do it, but he approached me. When Roger found out, he encouraged me to go. It was a perfect storm of opportunity."

  "And why would Roger want you to come here?" Fear and frustration edged her voice. She couldn't seem to gather her thoughts together.

  Heavy silence dropped between them, which only increased Tricia's nervousness.

  Mason drew in a long, slow breath, as if gathering his strength to tell her. “Roger wanted me to keep an eye on you. He wanted to see how the twins were."

  Tricia could only stare at Mason's back. His hunched shoulders and his lowered head.

  "He sent you here to spy on me?"

  Mason spun around, his hands held out in a pleading gesture. "He just wanted to make sure the kids were okay. We had no other way of finding out. He was worried about them. Especially after he found out you ended up in the hospital. And then there was…" His voice trailed off, and Tricia knew exactly what he was talking about.

  “Perry.” Tricia sat back in her chair, her hands clutching her head. "You knew what happened there. You knew what I did."
<
br />   "I told Roger everything I knew about Perry. And I told him you had broken up with him and that you didn't know about the drugs." Mason came to sit beside her. "Yes, I came here to check on the kids. But the longer I was here, the more I realized how wrong Roger was. I learned what a wonderful mother you are. How caring. I saw the support your family gave you. And I knew I couldn’t support what he wanted to do."

  Tricia couldn't look at him, couldn't even listen to what he had to say. "Drew was right. He was absolutely right about the reasons I had to keep the twins secret."

  She jumped off her chair and strode toward the porch railing. She couldn't be here, but she couldn't leave yet. "Is he going to try to take the kids away? Is that his plan?"

  Mason's heavy silence answered her question.

  She pressed her fingers to her lips, holding back the sorrow that crawled up her throat. "And you agreed to this?"

  "All I had to go on was what Roger told me about you."

  "And I'm sure he had nothing positive to say about me." She slammed her hands against the railing, ignoring the pain. "I can't believe you did this. I can't believe I trusted you. I opened my heart and soul to you." She spun around, leaning back against the railing. She glared at him, her emotions veering between anger and sorrow. And hard, hard betrayal. "So why tell me now? Why didn't you tell me right from the beginning? Why did you let me trust you, fall in love—" She slashed the air between them, eliminating her last comment. "Never mind. I'm glad you're going. And I don't think you need to bother coming back. I never want to see you again."

  The naked pain on Mason's face was almost her undoing. "You need to know, I changed my mind. You need to know one of the reasons I'm going back early is to talk to Roger. To tell him everything I know about you. To try, face-to-face, to tell him what I’ve been trying to tell him the past week or so. That he’s wrong. That he—"

  "Just stop talking, please,” Tricia snapped, interrupting him. “And please go, right now. I don't want to hear anything else you have to say."