The Rancher's Texas Match Page 13

  Melton hitched up the strap of his overalls that hung loose. “I guess I wasn’t sure if she’d stay in our little town. It would be a shame to take that little guy away from his home and everyone he knows.”

  Tanner nodded at the statement, but he couldn’t brush off the way it cut deep, the idea of Macy leaving. He was used to people leaving. But Macy? He guessed he wanted her to be a person who stayed.

  For Colby’s sake, of course.

  The puppies that were left crawled around his legs, sniffing and whimpering. He reached down and picked up one of the pale pups that looked a little like a golden retriever.

  “Melton, I think you’re right. I think Chloe needs a puppy.”

  By the time he got to the Silver Star, he was calling himself every kind of fool. Those puppies were all over the cab of his truck, and from the smell in the backseat, one of them had had an accident.

  He wasn’t surprised to see Macy’s car parked out in front of the main house. She was probably packing up the library or finishing up grants.

  As much as he’d thought a puppy was a good idea, now he wondered if he’d lost his mind. He reached in the backseat and grabbed up the two menaces before heading inside.

  The front foyer and parlor were deserted. Built near the same time as the Culpepper place, the Silver Star had some of the same architecture, though on a smaller scale. High ceilings, crown molding and tall, narrow windows.

  “Anyone here?” he asked as he headed through the house. Near the kitchen he heard Bea, and then she stepped out of what had been a storage closet.

  “What brings you to the Silver Star, Tanner?” She saw the puppies, and her eyes widened. “I hope you haven’t brought me a gift. The last thing I need is to potty train a puppy.”

  “No, I wouldn’t do that to you, Bea.”

  “Who would you do it to, then?” she asked.

  He held up the fawn-coated puppy. “This one is for Chloe.”

  “For accusing her fiancé of horse thieving?” Bea asked.

  “Thanks for not beating around the bush,” he told her as he held up the other puppy. “This one is for Colby Swanson.”

  “I’m sure Macy will thank you for that. She’s out at the barn. I guess Flint is teaching her to ride while she waits for visiting hours with Colby.”

  Flint was teaching her.

  Something that felt a lot like jealousy shot through him. He pushed it aside. It didn’t matter who taught her as long as she learned.

  And after last night, he ought to be glad he wasn’t involved.

  Chapter Twelve

  Macy knew her legs were shaking as she sat atop the big, rusty-red gelding named Bud. Flint had assured her that no other horse could be trusted the way he trusted Bud. The twenty-year-old horse had taught a lot of kids to ride, he’d informed her, including his own son, Logan, who was six.

  When they first started, she’d thought Bud shook harder than she did. The horse had calmed down. Macy had even managed to take a few deep breaths. Flint shook his head as she rode the horse around the arena.

  “If you want, we could call the local fair and get you a carousel horse,” Flint offered from his place leaning against the corral fence. She was glad he was the only witness. “I can ride this horse. Colby is going to be proud of me.”

  “Of course he will be,” a familiar voice said, not Flint’s.

  She turned, and the horse turned with her. And kept turning. She grabbed the reins, and the horse started moving backward.

  “Stop jerking the reins,” Tanner called out in a voice too calm, she thought, for the situation. A quick glance and she saw that he was grinning.

  Stop jerking the reins. Easy for him to say, but she didn’t know how to stop. Flint had told her, to stop the horse she had to pull back. She was pulling back. Flint moved forward as Bud started to circle again.

  “Macy. Stop. Don’t pull back. Don’t move. At all.” Tanner’s voice had a healthier dose of concern.

  She let the reins go. Bud stopped. Flint was moving back away from the horse, but he didn’t do a very good job of hiding his amusement. And then Tanner was there, taking hold of the reins.

  “Pulling back like that is a command for him to back up,” Tanner explained. “And when you jerk the reins around, you’re turning him.”

  “I didn’t jerk,” she protested. “Did I?”

  He moved his hand over hers. “A light rein against his neck, and he’s going to move. Steady back and he’ll stop. And use your knees. You’ll get it.”

  The bundle of black, white and tan in his arms whimpered.

  “You have a puppy.” On closer inspection, she noticed he had two. “Two puppies.”

  “Chloe is coming out here later. I wanted to surprise her.”

  She leaned closer, running a hand over the soft coat of the puppies. “Ah, how sweet, bribing her to forgive you for being an overbearing older brother. I had one. He didn’t approve of my relationships, either. And in the end, he was right. Amazingly enough, it worked itself out.”

  “I know that she’ll make the right decision.”

  “Bravo, you can say it, even if you don’t believe it.” She unhooked her foot from the stirrup and moved her toes inside the boots that were a size too big. “I’m going to admit something, and you’ll enjoy knowing that I was wrong.”

  “What’s that?” he asked, handing the puppies off to Flint.

  “I’m sure I can’t get off this horse, and I know that when I do my foot is going to hurt.”

  “I happen to own a castle and have my own kingdom, so rescuing is second nature.”

  “Corny, but useful.” She eased her right leg over the saddle and held out her arms. Tanner reached for her, put his hands on her waist and lifted her off the horse.

  “So who is the other puppy for?”

  He took the tri-colored puppy back from Flint and handed it to her. The ball of fur wiggled in her hands, and when she lifted it close to her face, it gave her chin a bath.

  “It’s adorable.”

  “It’s for Colby,” he told her, sounding very confident about that fact.

  “No!” But she was still holding the puppy, and it was now licking her hand. “We can’t have a puppy. I don’t know anything about dogs. Or cats. Or—” she looked at the horse that had moved to nuzzle her arm “—horses. I know nothing about horses.”

  “There’s only one way to learn, Macy. Sink or swim.”

  “Puppies are a big commitment. They take a lot of time.” She held on to the wiggling mass of fur with its cold, damp nose and tongue that seemed intent on licking her entire hand and arm. “Even I know they take a lot of time.”

  “Yes, they do. But it seems that this one likes you.”

  Yes, the puppy liked her. And she was sure she liked it. She knew Colby would love it.

  “What do I do with it?” She cuddled it close. “Does it stay inside or out? What about food? And do I house-train it?”

  “It can be inside or out. It eats Puppy Chow. And, yes, it can be house-trained.”

  She rubbed a cheek against the puppy’s head and fought the wave of pain that rolled over her heart. “Tanner, I’m not even sure if I can raise a little boy.”

  “You are raising him, Macy. You’re making the hard choices even when it hurts. I think that’s parenting.”

  “I’m not so sure.”

  “Trust me.”

  She did. And now it was time to change direction before her heart got tugged any closer.

  “And you’re going to help me with this puppy?” She looked up at him, the puppy wiggling to get down and the horse pushing against her arm, begging for attention.

  “I’ll help you.”

  “Thank you. Then I guess I should go introduce Colby to his new pup
py.”

  Flint took the reins of the horse. “I’ll put this guy out to pasture.”

  “Thanks, Flint.” She gave Bud a final pat on the neck because it hadn’t been his fault she didn’t know what she was doing.

  “For what it’s worth, there’s nothing like a dog for a young boy,” Flint said. “My son, Logan, and his dog, Cowboy, are best friends.”

  She smiled and said, “Thanks. I think.” And then she shifted her attention back to Tanner. “What are you doing out here?”

  “I’m out here to help look for the gelding that wandered off from the Lawrence ranch.”

  “And here I thought small towns were quiet and maybe a little boring.”

  “Not lately, it seems.” He took her arm and guided her from the arena. “What was it that doctor at the urgent care told you?”

  “It seems I can’t remember. I’m fine, really. A little sore, but nothing I can’t handle.

  They exited through the gate, and he turned to latch it. And then they stood there for a moment. In the distance kids played. The puppy squirmed and whimpered in her arms. A soft breeze blew, rustling the drying leaves in the trees. He did love Texas Hill Country.

  “Your sister thinks you’re trying to end her relationship with Russell.” She put the puppy down and watched as it wandered a short distance from them. “Jay called and asked her if she would help him with a horse he’s trying to break. Because someone told him she’s the best.”

  “And of course she thought it was me.” He whistled, and the puppy trotted back in their direction.

  “There, he’s already trained.”

  “I think that was more curiosity than obedience.” Tanner reached to pick up the puppy. “I didn’t tell Jay anything about her ability to train a horse.”

  “I didn’t think you did.” She took the puppy from him. “We should introduce Colby to his new friend, unless you have to leave.”

  “I’ve got a few minutes.”

  She pulled out her phone and looked at the time. “Visiting hours start in five minutes. We can head toward Cabin One.”

  “Do I need to carry you?” he asked, one corner of his mouth tugging up.

  “I think I can make it.”

  She did take the arm he offered, leaning a little on him as she clasped her fingers around his muscled forearm. She liked this rancher, she admitted to herself as they headed across the big lawn in the direction of the cabin.

  If only it was a different time and a different place.

  * * *

  Tanner stayed back as Macy climbed the steps of the cabin and knocked on the door. This was her place, not his. Colby was her nephew, and Tanner was the bystander. He needed to take more than a physical step back. He needed to take an emotional step back from her, and from Colby.

  The last couple of weeks had proved that it would be too easy to become involved. And she’d admitted it herself, she didn’t fit here in Haven, on the ranch. She didn’t know if she could be the person Colby needed.

  He couldn’t imagine a relationship with a woman who couldn’t be a part of his life. He’d seen too many of those marriages, with the man going one direction and the wife going another. Separate interests, separate lives and with kids somewhere in the middle. It rarely worked.

  Eleanor answered the knock on the door. Her mouth dropped when she saw what Macy held in her hands. A minute later Colby appeared. The little boy let out a whoop and took the puppy. Macy glanced back at Tanner, including him.

  Good intentions fell to the wayside. Her look pulled him forward, drew him in, made him a part of their moment.

  As an honest man, he could admit, he liked being in their lives. Colby held the puppy up for him to see.

  “Tanner brought the puppy, Colby.” Macy reached for Tanner’s arm and pulled him close. “Can you tell him thank you? For the puppy and for helping us housebreak it.”

  “Good one. Very good.” He shook his head as she quickly put him in the middle of the situation. “Do you like him, Colby?”

  “Yeah, I do. I’m going to name him Sir Arthur. We were reading a story about him in school.”

  “That’s a great name. Can we call him Arthur, for short?” Macy asked.

  Colby kissed the puppy’s head. “Yeah, I think so. And when I come home, he can sleep with me.”

  At the mention of home, Tanner noticed tears shimmering in Macy’s eyes. She blinked them away and nodded. “Yes, you can sleep with him.”

  Colby looked up. “I think that’s good. I’m used to Sam being in my room.”

  “I know you are.”

  Colby hugged the wriggling puppy. “Sam’s dad is really mad that he’s here. Sam said his dad said mean things.”

  “I’m sorry, Colby.” Macy got down on her knees, putting her close to her nephew. “Life is tough sometimes.”

  “Yeah, but we’re tough and getting tougher.” He grinned as he said it.

  “You are so right. I didn’t realize I was this tough. Did you?” she asked.

  Colby shook his head, and then he leaned into her shoulder.

  “I want to come home,” he whispered close to her ear.

  Tanner’s throat tightened, and suspicious moisture covered his own eyes. He blinked and looked away. He hadn’t cried in a long, long time. He should have known it would take a seven-year-old boy to reduce him to tears.

  “I think I’ll leave the two of you to get acquainted with your new family member,” he said, reaching to help Macy to her feet. “I’ll drop supplies off at your house. And I’ll see you both at church Sunday, if not sooner.”

  “Do you have to go?” Colby asked.

  “Afraid so, Colby. I have to get work done.”

  “I’m putting a roast in the Crock-Pot. For lunch after church on Sunday,” Macy said, and it sounded like an offer.

  “If that’s an invitation, I accept.”

  “It’s an invitation.” Her hand rested on his arm.

  “Then I’ll definitely see the two of you Sunday.”

  Her hand dropped from his arm. “Tell Chloe she’s invited, too. And don’t forget, Flint has her puppy.”

  “I’ll get him before I head out.”

  This was all starting to feel a little sticky. As he got in his truck a few minutes later, Chloe’s puppy struggling to be free from his arms, his thoughts returned to Macy and Colby. They were filling spaces in his life that he hadn’t realized were empty.

  He left the Silver Star and headed for the Everett Ranch. Gabriel was in the equipment barn working on a tractor. Tanner leaned in to see what his friend was doing.

  “Anything I can do to help?” he asked, holding tight to the puppy that he had on a makeshift leash Jay had made for him.

  “Yeah, you can tell me to stop being sentimental over a piece of metal and buy a new tractor.”

  “I can help you with that. I have another shipment coming in next week.”

  Gabriel crawled out from under the tractor. He wiped his hands on a grease rag. “So, what brings you out here today? Seems to me you’ve been spending a lot of time at the Silver Star.”

  “Is there a question in that?”

  “No, not really. More of an observation. Good thing you have about the best ranch foreman in the state.” Gabriel’s slight grin set off a warning bell. “And you have a puppy.”

  “Okay, an observation. What’s your point?”

  “You and Macy Swanson. Never thought I’d see that. I kind of thought you were looking for a woman who could drive a tractor and pull a stock trailer. Isn’t that what you told me?”

  “I’m not looking for a woman. Period. And I’m definitely not letting you fix me up again.”

  Gabriel laughed at that. “I have to apologize. Clarice was not at all what I expected when I introduced
you.”

  “Me, either. I thought I wouldn’t get out of that alive.”

  “She kind of stalked you for a while after, didn’t she?” Gabriel looked far too amused.

  “A little. Thanks for the reminder. The nightmares had almost stopped.”

  Gabriel shook his head at that. “Well, I like Macy.”

  “So, date her.” Tanner said it, but he didn’t mean it.

  “No, I don’t poach. And I’m not interested.” He led Tanner to an old cola cooler from some bygone-era gas station. “Want a bottle of water?”

  “Sure.”

  Gabriel lifted the lid of the cooler and took out two bottles.

  “I know you’re not here to sell me a tractor.” Gabriel sat down on a bench next to the cooler.

  Tanner sat next to him, holding tight to the puppy that plopped down to chew on the rope tied around her neck. “About your grandfather. I’m assuming you want updates.”

  Gabriel took a long drink of water before answering. “Yes, I do.”

  “I haven’t found him. I’m sorry about that.”

  “Me, too. But I didn’t figure you would. If he’d wanted to be found, he would have shown up a long time ago.”

  “Maybe so. What I have found is that he had a record. He did a few stints in prison, for petty stuff mostly. Short incarcerations. I haven’t found anything recent. The last mention of him is about fifteen years ago when he was released after a year in state.”

  “We have to find him, Tanner. Not for me. I stopped expecting him to come back about twenty years ago. But the ranch needs for us to find him. I can’t let the boys at the Silver Star down.”

  Tanner got that. The boys ranch had saved Gabriel Everett the same way it had saved Tanner’s brother, Travis. Gabriel had worked long and hard to keep the ranch afloat.

  “More beds means more boys having the opportunity at a new life.” Gabriel said what Tanner already knew. But he didn’t interrupt. “You’re not giving up.”

  It wasn’t a question, but Tanner felt an answer was needed. “No, I’m not giving up. We’ll find him. And I guess you’ve heard that Avery Culpepper called Macy.”

  “I heard. Macy called Bea. And it seems Macy is a little troubled by Avery’s behavior.”