The Rancher's Second Chance (Martin's Crossing Book 3) (16 page)

“We’re still friends. That’s why I’m here.”

She nodded and moved her hand. He closed the truck door.

When they were almost back to Martin’s Crossing, Brody pulled into a Western store. He didn’t say anything, didn’t even invite her to go in with him. He parked, went inside and a moment later returned with a bag. Grace watched him walk down the sidewalk.

He got in, handed her the bag, started the truck and took off down the road again. She sighed, exasperated with his silence. He grinned. “Open it.”

So she did. She pulled out a tiny box and took off the lid. Inside she found a pair of the tiniest pink cowgirl boots she’d ever seen. She lifted them out of the box.

“Thank you. They’re perfect.”

He nodded and kept driving. A couple of sleepless nights caught up with Grace and she dozed, waking when the truck stopped. She opened her eyes and realized they were home. Or she was home. Lights twinkled in Oregon’s All Things and only a few cars filled the Main Street parking spaces. Her stomach growled.

“Duke’s is still open. Do you want me to bring something over?” Brody offered as he pulled the keys out of the ignition.

“I’d love something to eat.” And more time with Brody.

“Go on in and I’ll be back with dinner. Do you want the special? I think it’s chicken-fried steak.”

“That sounds really good. I didn’t eat much today.”

“No, you probably didn’t. I wish you would have called me.”

“I wish I had called you, too.” The honesty in the statement took her by surprise. It made her think about how different the past few days might have been if she’d had Brody.

But she didn’t have him.

Chapter Sixteen

B
rody knocked on the door of the apartment and heard a muffled, “Come in.” He entered, kicked off his boots and set the food on the table. The room was lit only with a lamp in the corner and a light over the sink. A candle burned, already adding the scent of cinnamon to the air.

Grace was curled up on the couch. She started to get up, but he motioned for her to stay. “I’ll bring it to you.”

“Brody, you don’t have to do that. Honestly, you don’t have to be here.”

He knew what she wanted to say—his presence complicated things. He complicated their lives by caring. He got it, most of the time. He’d thought about it from her perspective. She’d lived her life for other people. This was her time to find out what she wanted.

“I’m here, Grace.” He found a tray in the cabinet, put her food on a plate and carried it to her on the tray, along with a bottle of water.

She sat up and he placed the tray over her lap.

“I’m not sick,” she insisted, but weariness settled in her eyes.

“No, but you’re worn out and you need energy. That little girl needs you strong.” He sat down across from her. “I’m not moving into your life. I know you need space. I’m here because you need someone to take care of you today.”

“You’re a good someone, Brody.” She ate a few bites and stopped. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’m not hungry.”

She gave him a look, but she didn’t argue. He watched as she ate every bite, closing her eyes as she ate the last of the potatoes and then lifted the tray off her lap. He took it, setting it on the coffee table. “I should go. Is there anything else I can get before I leave?”

She shook her head.

“Do you want me to call someone? Your grandmother,” he offered.

“Brody, you’re the only someone I want. But I can’t, not now. I’m learning things about myself that I never knew. Like how much I love psychology. And afternoon talk shows. I don’t like contemporary music in church. I love the old hymns. I love our church and the people. I love Duke’s chocolate cream pie. I love this town with no stoplights. I don’t mind that I can’t run to the mall. All of the things I always thought were me aren’t me at all.”

“You don’t have to convince me,” he assured her. He didn’t know what else to say. Except maybe he wanted to tell her that he didn’t ever want her to leave this one-horse town or him.

“I brought you a piece of that pie. It’s on the counter,” he told her. “And now that you’ve eaten, I should go.”

A smile broke across her face, the first real smile he’d seen there in a while. “And you’re just now telling me?”

She jumped up and hurried to the kitchen. He watched as she opened the container with the biggest piece of pie Ned could fit. She grabbed two spoons and joined him in the chair, sitting on the arm and resting against his shoulder. She filled a spoon with pie and shoved it at him. He took a bite and then she handed him the spoon.

“We can share,” she offered and took a bite with her own spoon.

“Thanks.”

She took another bite, her eyes closing. “I don’t know how he does this. It’s the best pie ever.”

“He says it’s all about the type of chocolate. And he won’t tell what type that is.”

“I wouldn’t want to know. I don’t like to bake. Another thing I’ve learned living on my own. I do like to cook, but I’d rather eat pie made by someone else.”

“Any other life-changing realizations?” he asked. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to hear the answer.

She finished the last bite of pie and took the container, setting it on the table. She turned to face him. Her hands moved to his cheeks and she smiled.

“I like cowboys. I don’t want a lawyer or a doctor or a scientist. I want a cowboy who cares about kids.”

He closed his eyes and she leaned, kissing him lightly and then whispering, “I want a cowboy.”

“Grace, you’re killing me.”

“I know and I’m sorry. Brody, I’m having a baby. I’m finishing college. I’m having your best friend’s baby. But you’re the someone I want.”

“He stopped being my best friend a long time ago,” he reminded her.

“I know that. It’s just always going to be between us, isn’t it? This baby is his. I love her and I will always love her. But I can’t undo the fact that Lincoln Carter is her father.”

“And you thought, what, Grace? That I’d hold it against you? Or against her?”

“I don’t know. I only know that I hold it against myself.”

He cupped the back of her neck with his hand and pulled her close, touching his lips to hers, melting them together for an achingly brief moment.

“I love your baby girl,” he assured her. “When I think of that baby, I think of someone I can’t wait to meet and hold. Grace, I want to be a part of her life. I want to be part of your life with her. But I’m not going to push.”

“I know you won’t. I just wish I could give you more.” She caressed his cheek, her fingers brushing along his hairline. “I know it’s selfish of me, but don’t give up on me. Please.”

“I don’t give up easily.” He closed his eyes and then shook off the web of emotions that held him captive. He stood, pulled her to her feet with him. “But I have to go.”

“I know.”

“Make me a promise, Grace.” He led her to the door with him, not wanting to let her go just yet.

“What’s that?”

“Don’t go through something like that alone. Next time, call me.”

They were at the door and she leaned, resting her head on his chest. She had to hear his heartbeat racing. It was chasing after something he didn’t know he would ever have.

“Next time I’ll call.” Her hand rested on his chest and once again she found the chain. “You’re wearing it again.”

“When I was packing up I found it on the counter of the trailer. I decided the safest place for it is around my neck.”

He’d much rather have it on her finger. But he couldn’t say that.

Not yet.

* * *

Grace pulled the chain free from his shirt and held the ring in her hand. The metal was smooth and cool; the diamond sparkled in the dim light of the room. The silver cross hanging with the ring was warm from being against his body.

Brody pulled the chain off his neck and raised it to her head. Her heart stilled as he dropped that chain over her head, settling it into place around her neck.

“Brody?”

“For safekeeping,” he leaned, touching his forehead to hers. “I’m not asking for anything, Grace. Instead, I’m giving you what you need. Time, space, a place to find yourself and someone who believes in you.”

“What can I give you, Brody? You give so much and never ask for anything in return.”

He kissed the top of her head and then held her close. “When you feel as though you have found what you’re looking for, you can put that ring on your finger and know that I will love you forever. Let me be your husband and a father to that little girl.”

“How long...?”

He shrugged. “As long as you need. Well, not too long because I don’t want to grow old alone. I want to grow old with you. And if you get to the end of this journey and realize that you don’t want a cowboy or this slow country life, just leave the ring on the chain and...”

She put a finger to his lips, stopping him. If he said another word she would cry.

“Don’t.”

He kissed her finger. “I’m leaving all of the options open. This chain doesn’t bind you to me. It’s just a promise. It’s my way of saying I’m here when you’re ready for a cowboy with baggage and more dreams than sense. If you’re ever ready.”

“I don’t know, Brody.”

“I do. I’m not going to hover over you or try to convince you to stay here. I’m not going to get in your way of finding your dreams. But I’ll be here. That ring is my promise. I’ll be here for you.”

She wrapped her fingers around the ring but she didn’t put it on. She held it tight in her hand and she stood on tiptoe to kiss the cowboy who had her heart in his hand, and she wondered if he knew that.

Brody held her close and then he let her go and walked out the door. “It’s all up to you, Grace.”

“Brody?”

He looked back, smiling as he walked backward down the sidewalk. “Yeah, Grace?”

“You might not mean to make life complicated, but you do. But I’m glad you’re in my world.”

His laughter floated back to her. “Yeah, I know.”

Chapter Seventeen

M
arch was about the best month to be alive, Brody thought. At least it was for a cowboy living in Texas Hill Country. The weather was perfect, wildflowers were blooming and other than a little morning stiffness, he felt pretty near to perfect.

If a little bit lonely.

He led a saddled gelding to the fence where a group of kids stood waiting for him. They ranged in age from seven to twelve. There were four of them and they had recently been placed in a foster home. The youngest refused to talk. The oldest had some anger, justifiably so. Their dad had randomly beaten them and sometimes made them sleep in a shed. It was one of those stories that people didn’t believe when they heard it on the news. But looking at these kids, at their eyes, it was written there for anyone to see who cared to take a closer look.

“This is Earl Grey.” He introduced the gelding. “He loves kids.”

“I don’t like horses,” Miss Twelve and Angry said.

Brody shrugged it off. “That’s okay, Angie. He likes you and, after you get to know him, you might change your mind.”

“Doubtful,” she muttered.

The littlest, a girl of seven, reached to pet the horse. The nine-year-old twins did the same. Miss Twelve and Angry crossed her arms in front of her and refused to look at her young siblings having fun. He guessed if she looked, she’d be tempted to join in, and she didn’t want to give an inch.

He handed out carrots to the younger kids and tossed one Angie’s way. She caught it, shooting him a glare in the process. If looks could kill...

A car came up the drive. He hadn’t seen that car in more than a month. Not since she’d given birth to Bria. He watched her park, watched her get out. And then he put his focus back on the kids. They had first dibs after all.

Grace had left just days after having her baby girl. Her parents had come home from South America to be with her.

“Hey, he took my carrot.” Angie reached to stroke Earl’s jaw. “He isn’t too bad.”

“No, he isn’t,” Brody agreed. “Maybe next week you’ll spend some time brushing him.”

“When do we get to ride?” she asked, still petting the horse and actually warming up to the animal. Earl leaned in to the attention, soaking it up.

“You have to learn to take care of him first.”

“Can he be the horse I ride?” she pushed. He let her because at least it was a response.

He had a dozen horses now. For the first couple of weeks, he’d just use Earl with these kids, letting them get used to this one horse. Soon he’d introduce them to the other animals. But Earl seemed to be a genius when it came to working with troubled kids.

Brody enjoyed working with them, too. It wasn’t too many years back that he had been one of them.

“Well?” the girl asked again.

“I think I can arrange for you to ride him if you start participating.”

She wrinkled her nose at him. “Fine.”

“But you won’t like it?” he teased.

She nearly laughed, but not quite.

The kids hugged him before they left, hurrying to the car where their foster mom waited. She waved as she got out to make sure they all got in and buckled.

And then Grace was there, standing in front of him. Bria was curled up warm and soft against her neck, a light blanket thrown over her. Brody reached and Grace shifted her daughter and placed her in his arms. He held the baby close, taking in her perfect face, her tiny nose and her dark eyes as she blinked awake, yawning and almost giving him a smile.

He fell in love. He’d probably walk on coals for that little girl. He’d definitely hurt anyone who tried to hurt her. Or her mother.

He shifted his gaze to Grace. He took in her smile, the way her brown eyes flickered with warmth and humor, the way just being near her righted his pretty crazy world.

“It’s been a while.” He spoke softly because Bria’s eyes had closed again.

“I should have called.” She bit down on her bottom lip and looked up at him. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to be. I’ve been busy here, getting the riding camp off the ground. I have a dozen kids enrolled.”

“That’s amazing. I’m so proud of you, and so happy for the kids who will get to come here.”

He shrugged off the compliment. Right now he didn’t want to talk about him. He wanted to talk about her, about the baby and how they were doing.

“Let’s go inside and have something cold to drink.” He shifted the baby to his shoulder and headed toward the house. “Unless you have to go?”

“No, I don’t have anywhere I have to be.”

They walked side by side toward the house. He’d managed to make it feel like his home, this house of Lawton and Elizabeth’s. He led Grace through the back door and down a hall to the kitchen.

“This is a little bigger than your trailer,” she observed. Rather than taking the baby, she poured them both a glass of tea.

“Yeah, just a little. I’m getting used to it.”

“I’m sure it took time.”

Sally barked from the utility room. “I need to let her out.”

Grace down set her glass. “Let me get her.”

She returned, holding his dog. The Maltese licked her face, tail wagging.

“I guess my dog missed you, too.”

She put Sally down. “I’m here to talk about that.”

“About my dog missing you?” Brody sat at the island, still holding the baby, who didn’t weigh much more than a bag of flour. She stretched and curled into his chest.

“Yes, I missed your dog,” Grace said, taking him by surprise.

He chuckled, but then quieted, rubbing Bria’s back when the baby grew restless. Grace stepped close and he fought the urge to wrap his free arm around her and pull her to him. It wouldn’t be difficult, to hold them both. But he was still waiting, still wondering what had brought her here today.

“Really?” He spoke softly. “You leave town for a month and you missed a dog?”

“Yeah, I missed your dog,” she teased. “And I missed Duke’s chocolate cream pie. And my apartment at Oregon’s. Among other things. But I managed to tie up some loose ends in my life while I was gone.”

“I can’t believe I’m jealous of chocolate cream pie.” He leaned toward her. Man, she smelled good. “I’ve missed a few things, too.”

“Did you?”

He took a deep breath and leaned away from her, letting the moment between them evaporate. He couldn’t let her tangle up his thoughts to the point that he didn’t know what he was doing. He had to get back on firm ground.

“So what loose ends did you tie up while you were in Fort Worth?”

“Finishing college, and adding psychology to my degree.”

“I’m sure that will open up a lot of jobs.”

“It might. But I’m thinking about becoming a nurse practitioner. Dad said there are options for getting a small clinic.”

Now she had his attention. He eased the baby to his other shoulder and waited. Because he knew how to be patient.

* * *

Grace took the baby from his arms. He looked like a man who might forget he was holding an infant. “Let me go put her on the couch. Where is the couch?”

“There’s a baby bed, if you want to put her down.”

“That would be good. She might sleep a little longer in a bed.”

He led her to a bedroom fit for a princess. Or twin princesses. It obviously had been the room Rosie and Violet had shared when they were infants. The cribs were white with multicolored quilts. The walls were the palest yellow. Brody pulled a soft blanket out of a drawer, and as she placed Bria in the crib he hovered nearby.

She’d never thought of him as the hovering type, but there he was, looming, watching, looking worried. She’d noticed the same malady in her dad and granddad. The minute the baby entered their lives they hovered, worried and overprotective.

“Will she be okay here?”

She smiled up at him. “She’ll be fine. But there’s a monitor. I’ll take that with me.”

Together they walked out of the room and down the hall to the living room. She walked immediately to the big windows that overlooked the fields, now filled with wildflowers. In the distance the hills were hazy as rain swept in from the south.

“It’s beautiful here,” she observed, knowing Brody stood close behind her.

“Yes, it is beautiful.”

She turned into his embrace. With a tentative hand she brushed her fingers through his hair, She’d missed his presence, missed touching him. It came back, the fullness in her heart, the way he made her feel complete. No amount of degrees, no job, no community could do for her what he did.

“Brody, I’m here to stay.”

“I was hoping.”

He pulled her close, kissing near her temple, then tracing a path to her lips. Their mouths melded. She kissed him back, needing that moment with him. She’d missed him so much. She’d missed being in his arms. She’d missed the way he made her laugh, made her smile. She should tell him those things. Soon.

“You made a promise last winter,” she reminded him.

“Did I?” His mouth quirked and she took the opportunity to place a kiss on his dimple.

“Yes, you did. You gave me a promise, and you gave me this.” She pulled the chain off her neck and placed it in her hand, the ring with it. “You said when I’m ready.”

“Yes, that’s what I said.” He took it, held it in his clenched fist.

“Brody, I’m ready. I want to wear that ring. I want to be in your life and I want you in our lives. I needed to have my baby and figure out what came next. What comes next is us. We should have come first, but I lost myself along the way and I didn’t know who I was or what I wanted. I want us.”

“I want us, too,” he finally said, his voice raspy with emotion. “I’ve wanted us since forever.”

He worked at the clasp on the chain and she took it from him and unhooked it. With fingers that trembled she slid the ring off the chain that had been keeping it close to her heart for the past few months.

Brody took the ring from her and held it in the light.

“I remember when I bought this. It was the shiniest, prettiest thing I’d ever seen, and I couldn’t wait to put it on your finger. But you’re wrong, Grace. We shouldn’t have come first. God had to come first in this plan of ours. And neither of us got that. He will always be the center of our lives together, holding us on a firm foundation, making us the couple and the parents we need to be.”

He slid the ring on her finger, a perfect fit. It twinkled in the soft lamplight of the living room. He turned her hand over, kissed her palm, then he wrapped her in his arms.

“Marry me, Grace Thomas. Let me be the husband you deserve and a father to your daughter.”

“Yes, Brody. I’ll marry you.”

Their lips and their hearts met, and Grace knew what it meant to come home. She knew what had been missing since forever. She clung to Brody’s shoulders.

A tiny cry over the monitor interrupted the moment. Brody smiled into the kiss and pulled away. He rested his forehead against hers and she held tight until her legs found strength again. The baby cried again, just a mewling sound.

“That’s called divine intervention.” He stepped back, letting her go.

They walked down the hallway to the room where sunshine streamed in the window and a baby girl waved her tiny hand, searching for her mommy. Brody lifted Bria from that crib and Grace felt the rightness in that moment and in the gesture. It had taken them a while to get here, to each other, to this place. But hadn’t God always known?

“I love you, Bria Thomas.” Brody kissed her baby’s cheek, then he reached for Grace and she stepped into the circle of his arms. “And I sure do love your mom.”