The Cowboy's Family (Family Ties Book 2)

by Carolyne Aarsen

  Roger told her Mason had repeated that to him many times.

  She wished Mason was here. Even though he lied to her, she wished he was here to help her and support her as he had before.

  Then the back door opened and Tricia's heart jumped.

  "Did you find them?" she asked, turning.

  And there was Mason. Hope straddled his hip, and he held Cash’s hand. The twins were laughing, eyes sparkling, not a care in the world.

  Mason, however, wouldn't look at her.

  Tricia went limp with relief, her hands pressed to her mouth, holding back her cries.

  "We hide, but Mason find us," Hope announced, as Mason set her on the ground.

  Tricia's legs gave out on her, and she sank to the floor, sobbing, pulling the children close in a tight hug.

  "Don't cry, Mommy," Hope said, patting her mother's cheeks. "Mason here."

  Cash hugged Tricia, gave her a wet kiss, and then wiggled free from her panicked embrace.

  "Oh my babies, my babies,” Tricia said, clutching Hope and pressing kiss after kiss to her cheeks.

  "Love you, Mommy," Hope announced, also pulling away from her. Clearly she was done with the happy reunion that she didn't know was a happy reunion. All part of the game for them.

  "Where did you find them?” Tricia asked, staggering to her feet, swiping her tears from her cheeks. "Where were they?"

  "They ran to their favorite hiding spot," Mason said, still avoiding her gaze.

  "But how… How did you…" She stumbled over her words, not sure what to say. "How did you know they were gone?"

  "I met Kane at the tack shed," Mason said. "I was just gathering up some of my stuff."

  The adrenaline that had been coursing through Tricia's veins receded, leaving her limp and weak. She dropped onto a nearby chair and broke into tears again. The fear and release she felt washed over her in wave after wave. She knew she should stop crying in front of the children, but she couldn't control herself.

  "It's okay," Cash said helpfully, rubbing her arm. "Mason help you." Then he and Hope skipped into the family room to play with their toys.

  Despite her emotional state, Tricia had to smile at how unaffected they were. At how easily they accepted Mason's return. She drew in a trembling breath and backhanded the rest of the tears off her face.

  Mason set a tissue box in front of her then pulled up a chair right beside her.

  "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice quiet. Tentative.

  "I am now," she sniffed. She pulled some tissues out of the box and wiped her swollen and sore eyes. Her head was pounding in earnest now. She wiped her nose and crumpled up the tissue, setting it aside. She grabbed another one and wiped her eyes again. "You have no idea how worried I was."

  "Yes, I do." Mason sighed. "I was worried too."

  She slanted him a sideways look. "But you found them."

  "I knew where to look. I knew how they thought."

  She balled the tissues in her hands, looking down at them, unable to meet his steady gaze. "And I can't thank you enough for finding them."

  "I need to let everyone else know," Mason said. "So they don't worry."

  "And I'll have to phone the police back," Tricia said.

  "I can call them too."

  Tricia nodded, glad to let him take over. She sat at the table a moment yet, not trusting her legs, as Mason pulled out his phone and started making calls. From where she sat she could see Cash and Hope playing, oblivious to the terror and panic they had just created. She heard Mason's quiet calm voice reassuring her brothers, then her father that the kids were okay. Then he phoned the police and relayed the same message.

  His deep voice, so quiet, so steady, stilled her pounding heart. Eased away her fears.

  When he was finished, he came back to her. "You want me to make you some tea, or some coffee?"

  She shook her head, not sure what else to say. The last time they had spoken she was angry, and maybe rightly so, but a few things had changed in the meantime.

  She sniffed again, then turned to him. "I think you need to know that I had a conversation with Roger. I met him in town this afternoon when my brother was supposed to be babysitting my kids."

  Mason frowned, looking anxious. "He didn't make any threats did he?" He dropped into the chair beside her, rested his hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly, as if offering his support.

  She wondered if he was even conscious he did it. But it felt so good she didn't move away or draw attention to it.

  "No. He just wanted to make arrangements to see the kids." She thought again of what Roger had told her about Mason. And of what Mason had said about her. "Apparently he was convinced of my suitability as a mother by his former employee." She tried to keep the words light as if she was just making a joke. But while she spoke, her eyes held his.

  As if aware he was touching her, Mason snatched his hand back, taking the warmth away. He dragged his hands over his face and sighed. "I realized a few things while I was talking to Roger too," Mason said. "And I meant every word I told him about you. You are a good mother. You're an amazing mother."

  "Apparently you're a pretty good guy yourself," Tricia said. Roger had emphasized to her repeatedly that Mason was only doing what he had asked him to do. That Mason was operating out of wrong information and a sense of obligation. An obligation that Roger had no right to put on him.

  A silence rose between them, like a slow intake of breath, a waiting before the next words.

  "Before I go, I need you to know once again how sorry I am that things went the way they did." Mason rested his elbow on the table, his fingers kneading the bridge of his nose. "It seemed so reasonable at the time. And it worked out well for me. For what I had hoped to do with my life." He lowered his hand, looking directly at her. "I didn't expect to fall in love with you. I didn't expect to find out what I did about you. How amazing and gifted and talented you are. How you light up the room every time you come in. How you make my heart beat faster each time I see you, each time I hear you. I am so sorry things happened the way they did, I never set out to hurt you."

  His words rolled over her in a soothing wave, creating a gentle warmth deep in her soul. They nourished and refreshed her.

  "I'm glad I found the kids,” he continued. “And once again, I'm so sorry I betrayed your trust.”

  He stood, about to take a step away, when Tricia stood as well. "Where are you going now?"

  "Sounds kind of pathetic, but I'm going back to my mom's place. I’ll stay there for a week or so while I look for another place. Try to figure out what I want to do."

  “Roger told me you quit," Tricia said.

  "Yeah. I don't want to work for him anymore. I’ve more than repaid him for any sense of obligation I thought he had over me. Coming here, doing what he asked me to do, was a mistake. And once again, I’m so sorry I went through with it at all."

  This wasn't what she wanted to talk about, but somehow she had to keep him here. Somehow she had to find her way through all this.

  Because she didn't want him to go.

  "You're not the only one who made mistakes," Tricia said. "I’ve made my share too. I haven't been as careful with my children as I should be. I was so humiliated when I found out I had been dating a drug dealer. Bad enough that he was abusive." She stopped there, her voice breaking, then she swallowed, regaining control. She had no right to feel sorry for herself. "And I should not have kept the kids away from my dad and my family because of something my husband said. I think one of the other reasons I stayed away was shame. I told myself I was trying to get away from a bad situation moving around so much. But I think I was trying to outrun my guilt. I should've come to my dad. I should've asked for his help. But I was too proud."

  She took a step toward him, took a chance, and rested her hand on his arm. "I've made poor choices, and I've had some poor judgment, but I’d like to think I’ve learned.” She looked into his eyes, searching, wondering if she would find there what she had see
n before. "I missed you so much. I didn't want to, but I couldn't stop myself. I think after going around the block with other guys a few times, I know what love is. I know what it feels like. And that's what I feel for you. I told you to leave before, but I don't want you to. I want you to stay here."

  Mason stared at her, and for a moment she wondered if her declaration had been too little too late. Then she remembered his own declaration of love. So she took a chance, moved closer, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down. As their lips met in a warm, soft kiss, he pulled her closer, his arms wrapped around her waist. It was as if they couldn't get close enough to each other. As if the loneliness she had struggled with the past few days, in fact, the past few years, could only be assuaged by their kiss, by his touch, by the strength of his arms.

  After a long moment he drew back, his fingers tracing her features, a look of wonderment on his face, like he couldn't believe this had happened. And neither could she.

  "You have no idea how much you mean to me," Mason whispered. He traced her lips with his fingertips rediscovering their kiss. Then with a groan he pulled her close and kissed her again.

  "Mommy, you kiss Mason?"

  Hope’s surprised question made them jump apart. Tricia pressed a hand to her flaming cheeks, turning to her daughter. She was about to apologize, then stopped herself. She had nothing to be ashamed of.

  She slipped her arm around Mason, laying her head on his shoulder. "Yes, honey," she said with a note of confidence in her voice. "Mommy and Mason were kissing each other."

  "Okay." Hope's tone was matter-of-fact, and she ran back to the family room announcing to Cash what she had just seen.

  Mason cupped Tricia's face in his hands, his smile gentle as his eyes travelled over her features. "Well, I guess we just got their seal of approval."

  "That means everything to me," Tricia said.

  "It means even more to me," Mason said. He traced her cheekbones with his thumb, smiling down at her. "I do love you, Tricia. I love you with all my heart. I never want to be apart from you again."

  His words thrilled and exhilarated her. She had heard them before, but they never meant as much as they did coming from this man. This man, who despite how they had met, she knew was a man of principle. A man who cared for her children and who cared for her. A man she could trust with her heart, her soul, and her family.

  "I love you so much," was all she could say.

  They kissed again as if to seal their words.

  "I guess our next hurdle is my brothers and my dad." Tricia bit her lip at the thought.

  "At least we’re doing this together," Mason said. "I hope they'll understand, I hope they'll realize how important you are to me."

  "If they don't, I'll convince them," Tricia said. "After all, I always was the spoiled one."

  Epilogue

  "So you're heading out?" Tricia held her flowers close as she stood by her brother’s truck. Elliot tossed his gear bag into the cab followed by his suitcase. He slammed the door then turned to his sister.

  "Yeah. I’m going to stop in and say bye to Trent then I’m on my way. I stayed here long enough. At least long enough to see my sister settled. I only missed one rodeo, so that's not too bad. Good thing I'm high up enough in the ranking. Besides if I have to share the cabin one more night with Mason, I might go batty."

  Tricia recognized his chitchat for what it was. A way of putting off the inevitable leaving. Her heart ached for him and the burdens she knew he dragged around, but she also knew there was nothing she could do. Elliot was on his own journey. While she was thankful hers had come to this point, she felt bad for her brother.

  "Be careful out there," she said, remembering too well a couple of Elliot's wrecks.

  Elliot grinned at her then gave her a quick hug. "You worry too much. I'll be fine."

  Tricia accepted his hug, careful not to squash the flowers she held.

  "And what are those for?" Elliot asked, touching one rose.

  “Mason and I are headed to the graveyard. You want to come?"

  A flash of pain crossed Elliot's face, and he gave a tight shake of his head.

  Tricia knew how hard their mother's death had been on him. Elliot had never known a mother’s love until he came to the Tye household. Their mom’s death had been devastating for him.

  "Maybe another time," he said with a rueful note in his voice. “When I come back for Kane and Faith’s wedding.” He made a face. “Trust my brother to ask me to help plan his wedding on the last run up to the National Finals.”

  “There’s only one pro tour final in September,” Tricia chided him. "You'll be fine."

  Elliot shrugged. Though he’d been around for about a week, Tricia could tell that he still felt uncomfortable being here.

  "I sure hope Lucas can come back too," he said. “I hope we hear from him soon.”

  "I hope so too," Tricia said softly. She stepped back as Elliot got into his truck. With a quick wave he backed out, turned around, and left.

  She watched him leave, an ache in her heart for him. But as she had told herself before, Elliot had his own road to follow.

  "So he's gone?"

  Tricia turned and smiled as Mason came toward her, holding Cash’s and Hope’s hands.

  "Yeah. He's off to another rodeo. Chasing his own dreams.”

  And fighting his own demons.

  Cash and Hope were hopping up and down, excited about the outing. For a moment guilt and regret twisted through Tricia. They were on their way to visit her mother's grave, and seeing her children so alive so happy, on this day, made the visit harder. All she could think about was how much her mother would have loved the kids.

  "You're looking pensive," Mason teased, hiking Hope onto his hip.

  "Just thinking about Mom," Tricia said.

  “Of course you are." He held her gaze a moment then bent and brushed a kiss over her mouth. "Shall we go then?"

  Tricia nodded.

  Twenty minutes later, they were parked in the church parking lot, facing the graveyard adjoining it.

  Tricia got out, laid the flowers on the seat, and helped Hope out of her car seat. She grabbed the flowers, then she and Hope followed Mason and Cash to the graveyard.

  She had to look around a moment, trying to place where her mother’s grave was in the forest of tombstones. The church had been established here for over a hundred years, so there was a century of history buried here as well.

  Finally she zeroed in on it and walked toward the grave, a heaviness dragging at her heart. Mason followed at a distance and the kids just ran between the graves, happy to be free. The living among the dead.

  The sight made Tricia smile in spite of her own melancholy.

  She stopped by the stone, clutching her flowers as she stared at the engraving.

  Grace Tye. Beloved of the Tye family. Gone too soon.

  Mourned by her beloved children:

  Beneath that were their names: Tricia, Kane, Elliot, and Lucas.

  Her father’s name was engraved beside her mother’s. His date of birth etched in followed by a dash and an empty space. A space Tricia hoped would stay blank for a long time yet.

  She gently set the flowers on her mother’s grave, rearranging them to look just perfect. She knelt down and traced her mother’s name with her fingers. The stone was warm, almost as if it were alive. Tricia knew it was the sun that had warmed it, but it made her heart glad that it wasn’t cold.

  “You would have loved your grandchildren,” Tricia whispered. “You would have been such a good grandmother.” She pressed her hand to her mouth as if to hold the threatening tears in. As if she didn’t feel she deserved to cry over her mother’s grave.

  Then Mason squatted beside her, his arm around her shoulder. He pulled her in a tight one-armed hug.

  “No matter what you may think, I believe your mother would have been proud of what you did with what you were given.”

  Mason’s words were a comfort, and Tri
cia clung to them. She leaned her head on his shoulder, so thankful for his support.

  “Thanks so much for coming with me,” she said, her voice trembling. “The hard parts of life are much easier with someone beside you.” She glanced down at the diamond sparkling on her ring finger, the ring she and Mason had chosen together. Mason told her he was too much of a guy to pick the right one.

  Tricia hadn’t cared. She didn’t want a flowery proposal. She had gotten enough flowery language from Perry, and it had all proved to be lies and dust.

  She cradled Mason’s face with her hands, stroking his cheek with her thumbs. “You know how much I love you,” she said.

  Mason covered her hand with his, squeezing lightly. “I think I’m getting the message,” he said with a smile.

  He bent over and kissed her again, then, still holding her hand, he drew her to her feet.

  “I noticed you had another bouquet?”

  Tricia picked it up and held it close. It wasn’t as large as the one for her mother, but it still held a lot of meaning for her.

  She nodded. “Yes. I’d like to visit Abby’s grave too.”

  She turned, looking around and remembering again how horrible she felt that she hadn’t come to Abby’s funeral. At the time she was still grieving the loss of her husband compounded with the loss of her mother. She didn’t think she could have faced another funeral. So she’d stayed away. However, she knew where Abby's grandparents were buried. Sometimes, after church, she and Abby would wander the graveyard, and Abby always said she wanted to be buried by them.

  She took a chance and, sure enough, there it was. Abby Forestall.

  As she had at her mother’s grave, Tricia laid the flowers down and touched the stone. The inscription said. Taken early. Loved dearly.

  “She was a good friend,” Tricia said. “I wish I had listened to her.”

  Once again Mason was beside her, supporting her.

  “If you had, you wouldn’t have Hope and Cash.”

  Tricia eased out a smile then glanced back at her children. Hope was perched on a gravestone and Cash was trying to scramble up beside her.