Chapter 8

After Big Jim dropped Leah off, she spent the rest of the day working on the files, but her mind was whirling with all she had learned over lunch. She saw a lot of Big Jim in Ty, but Ty was much sweeter. Must have gotten that from his mother’s side.

In her heart, she was certain she didn’t care about Ty’s inheritance, but she thought it was just plain mean of his father to disinherit him because he was trying to go after his dream. Well, Ty can just stay with me on the ranch…with Gracie and Gran. We can be his family.

She drove home that evening thinking over all that had happened that day. She felt both good and bad about meeting Big Jim Garrett. She wasn’t sure why he had invited her to lunch. He had obviously been surprised when Breck introduced her as a friend of Ty’s, but he seemed to have some deeper purpose. That was what she wasn’t certain about. She wasn’t sure Ty would want her talking to his father, but Big Jim hadn’t been willing to take no for an answer.

She hoped Ty would understand and not feel betrayed. As she turned onto the caliche road leading to Gran’s place, she considered her position.

Ty’s father had assumed that she meant something to Ty…that she was his girlfriend. Good thing he didn’t ask how long they had known each other.

And she recalled the look of surprise that crossed his face when she told him she had a daughter. Maybe Ty wouldn’t have wanted her to disclose that information. Maybe he would want to make that announcement himself…or maybe not. Maybe he wasn’t serious enough about her to take her home to meet dear old Daddy.

She pulled up to the house and turned off the ignition. She saw Gracie standing inside the screen, watching for her. A flood of warmth filled her chest. Yes! This is what it’s all about. This is what makes it all worthwhile.

She got out of the car and went to meet her daughter, who had been followed by the dog parade. It seemed that Ty’s dog, Lucky, was as fond of Gracie as Eddie was. At least they were sharing her affections.

That night, after dinner, she sat with her arm around Gracie, watching a situation comedy on Gran’s old television set. There was still a tall antenna affixed to the side of the house, so they had access to three major stations and a local one out of Lubbock, where they read the farm and ranch reports all day.

“Mommy,” Gracie whispered. “Do you ever think we’ll be like them?” She gestured with her cast toward the television where actors portrayed humorous family interactions.

“What do you mean, baby?” Leah asked.

“You know…a family? With a dad?”

Leah felt her throat tighten. “I don’t know. Is that what you want?”

Gracie nodded. “Yeah. I want a dad.”

Leah wasn’t sure how to answer. “You know not every family is happy together. Sometimes, people don’t get along.” She heaved a sigh. “Sometimes, being a family isn’t like it appears on TV.”

“I know, but it can be good, can’t it?”

“Yes, it can. Sometimes, everyone is happy.”

“That’s what I want. I want you to be happy too. I want Ty to be my dad.”

Leah was stunned. “Oh, honey. I don’t have any idea how that could happen. I mean, Ty is a very nice man, but I have no idea what he has in mind.”

Gracie turned to gaze up at her mom, wide brown eyes demanding answers. “Well, can you ask him? Ask him if he would like to marry us.”

Leah sat up straight. “No! Absolutely not, and I forbid you to even suggest such a thing to him. That is not open for discussion.”

“But you like him, don’t you?” Gracie’s innocent question opened a floodgate of emotion in Leah’s brain.

Yes, I think I’m in love with him. No, I don’t know if I am. Maybe it’s just that he’s been so kind to us. Maybe I’m only grateful. An image of Ty’s face gazing at her with his piercing blue eyes stirred her libido. Maybe it’s just sex.

“Yes, I like him, but that’s all there is to it right now. Let’s not push it, and see how things go. We have plenty of time for relationships to develop naturally. Ty may be gone a long time. He’s very talented, and we don’t want to do anything to keep him from making his dreams come true.”

Gracie seemed to consider this. “Mommy, do you have dreams?”

It was Leah’s turn to consider. “I think my dreams are much simpler. I want to be able to provide a good life for my daughter. That will make me happy.” She dodged the cast as Gracie threw her arms around her neck.

Later, after Gracie was asleep, Leah packed her lunch for the next day. She wasn’t planning on eating the stale remains of the sandwich she hadn’t consumed earlier today.

Her cell beeped that she had a text, and she hurried to check it.

Ty…

A huge sigh escaped her throat and brought with it a wide grin.

We worked late. You’re probably asleep, but I just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you.

“Oh…oh…” Suddenly, her fatigue was gone, and her heart was aflutter. She thought about calling him back, but in her lonely state, she knew it wasn’t a good idea. She had given his father grief for not supporting Ty. She couldn’t very well say or do anything to undermine his efforts.

She concentrated on taking deep breaths, satisfied that he was thinking of her. Satisfied that she would compose an appropriate response tomorrow. As for now, she headed for bed with a smile on her face.

* * *

The next day was a Friday. Leah drove to her job with some sense of anticipation. Knowing she would be off work for two whole days, she wasn’t sure what plans to make.

When Leah unlocked the door and entered the office, there was a sealed envelope on her desk with her name scrawled in Breck’s handwriting. Her stomach tightened, and she couldn’t seem to catch her breath. Her first thought was that he was firing her. She tried to push that idea aside as she reached for the envelope. Inside, she found a check, made out to her and paying her through that day. It was good to know her new boss would pay her on time, even though he seemed to be absent more than he was in his office.

At noon, she took a full hour for her lunch. First, she went to the bank to cash her check and, feeling rich, stuffed the envelope of cash inside her small purse. She gathered her lunch bag and walked to Sara Beth’s store but spied her boyfriend’s truck parked outside.

She halted and peeked inside, seeing Sara Beth in animated conversation with a tall man who was holding the baby. Her friend looked so very happy. This was the kind of family Gracie wanted. A family with a man included.

Leah turned quickly and walked back the way she had come. She was too wired to go back inside the office just yet. Continuing her walk in the opposite direction from Sara Beth’s store, she passed a pharmacy and a liquor store and then a hardware store. She rounded the corner and in the next block saw a church and, just beyond it, a small park with a children’s play area. Picnic tables and a couple of benches nestled under trees. She headed to one of the benches and seated herself.

Heaving a sigh, she inhaled the scent of something floral, heard the drone of bees. A beautiful late-summer day, and she was free to enjoy it.

She unwrapped her sandwich and ate it, drinking the tepid sweet tea she had brought to wash it down. Now was the time to compose a text to Ty. To tell him how crazy she was about him. How much she wanted to be a part of a family with him… No, that would never do.

I’m thinking of you too.

She stared at the simple message a long time before hitting send.

“Well, looky here.” A gravelly voice interrupted her reverie.

Leah jerked her head up to see an old, faded blue truck idling nearby. The windows were rolled down, and two men stared at her from inside. They were older than her, and they looked rough.

“Come here, you pretty little thing.” The one in the passenger seat leaned out, reaching toward her. He made kissing noises and called out to her. “Come show us what you got.”

Fear coiled around her like a giant snake, constricting her airway and her ability to move. She stared back at the two, then glanced around. There was no one within sight except the two in the truck. She realized this was the truck that had pulled up behind her when her car had stalled…before Ty stopped to offer assistance.

The driver leaned out the open window. “Come on, pretty baby. We can show you a real good time.”

Leah stood and began walking rapidly back the way she had come.

The driver threw the truck in reverse and backed up to the corner to block her passage. “You don’t wanna be that way, do you? We just wanna get to know you.”

The other one let out a loud guffaw. “Yeah. Real well.”

Leah’s heart pounded a rapid tattoo in her chest. No, not again. She would fight back. She would…

The one on the passenger side opened his door and stepped out.

Leah ran around the back of the truck and onto the sidewalk, sprinting for the main street. She heard the sound of footsteps pounding behind her, then the screech of tires and the rumble of a big diesel motor.

Suddenly, Breck was out of his truck and standing between her and her pursuer. “Ray Carter, you better stop right there.” Breck had his fists cocked and a look on his face that said he meant business.

Leah collapsed against the brick wall of the building, gasping for breath.

The aforementioned Ray Carter stepped back. He glanced at Leah and then back at Breck. “Aw, we was just havin’ a little fun, Mr. Ryan. We didn’t mean nothin’ by it.” He continued to back up a few steps and then made a break for the truck that idled a short distance away. When he slammed the door, the driver took off with a skid of gravel.

Breck stepped back, relaxed his fists, and turned to look at Leah. “Are you all right?”

She nodded, unable to form a complete sentence.

“You need to stay away from the Carter boys. They’re meaner than rattlesnakes. Get in, and I’ll drive you back to the office.”

Shakily, Leah climbed into Breck’s truck and rode the short distance to the office. “Thank you so much for stepping in. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t driven by.”

Breck looked grim. “I have a good idea what would have happened, and it wouldn’t have been pretty. Let’s go inside, and I’m going to call the sheriff. I want this on the record.”

Once inside, Breck stomped into his office and made the call. In a short time, the sheriff himself walked through the door. He looked Leah over and then, without a word, went to Breck’s office. The two men conversed in low tones before Breck called her in.

“Leah, sit down, and tell the sheriff what happened.”

She took a seat and folded her hands in her lap, recounting the incident with the Carters.

The sheriff made a few cryptic notes in a small book and then stood. “I’ll have a talk with those boys and their pa.” He went to the door and paused, directing a stern glare at Leah. “And you, young lady…you be careful. Don’t go off somewhere by yourself.”

A shiver wracked Leah’s body as the sheriff left the building. She drew a shaky breath, and when she looked at Breck, he was frowning.

“I don’t like those Carters. I’ve represented them in a couple of scrapes when they were younger, but they’re getting out of control. You have to keep your distance.”

She nodded. “My grandmother said the Carters had been trying to get her to sell her place after Grandpa died. She thinks they cut some fence, but…but my boyfriend repaired the damage.”

“You’re speaking of Tyler Garrett?” Breck appraised her from behind his desk.

Leah nodded.

“He’s a good man from a good family. I hope things work out for you.”

She nodded and scurried back to her desk.

The rest of the afternoon passed uneventfully, with Breck staying in his office until around four, when he announced that he was closing up early and for her to go home.

He saw her out to her car and watched as she drove away.

Glancing in her rearview mirror, Leah saw him standing by his truck with his hands fisted on his hips. He looked grim. Something about his scrutiny let her know she had a lot to fear.

* * *

Ty had spent the entire day in the recording studio with Will.

Late in the afternoon, Will admitted two men and took them into the sound booth.

Ty could see them in conversation, but apparently, they had some private business with Will, although occasionally he waved a hand toward Ty, and they all turned to look at him.

Ty finally decided to take a break and maybe give Leah a call when Will spoke to him through the mic. “Hey, Ty, let’s go over that last one again.”

Ty knew he must have looked puzzled, but he nodded and put the headphones back on. He listened to the recorded soundtrack and sang the lyrics, just as he had done earlier, but this time, the two men were looking at him speculatively. He had no idea why they were there or if there was any significance to their presence, but he sang anyway.

One of the men who had joined Will in the booth folded his arms across his chest and stared at Ty through the glass, barely breathing, it seemed. The other man jammed an unlit cigar between his teeth. He also stared but rotated the cigar with some movement of jaw and tongue.

Ty made every effort to ignore them, because Will was grinning expansively. His face reminded Ty of the way he’d felt when he was a kid showing his prize bull at the livestock show in Lubbock. Whatever was going on, Will had a shit-eating grin plastered on his face.

When Ty finished the song, Will exchanged a few words with the men, and they all emerged from the booth.

Will waved him over and introduced him. The men nodded, shook hands, and departed.

“What was all that about?” Ty asked.

“Just a step in the right direction, my friend. Don’t you worry your pretty head about it. Old Will is going to make sure you get to know the right people.”

Ty frowned. “Who were those guys? They hardly spoke to me.”

Will gave him a thump on the shoulder. “Just two guys who can give your career a big boost, if they’ve a mind to. Come on upstairs. Let’s get cleaned up for a little clubbing tonight. It’s Friday, and the babes are hot.”

Ty drew back. “What? I’m really not interested in clubbing. Besides, I have a girlfriend.”

Will snorted. “Of course you do, and you want to make her proud of you. Tonight, it’s all about being seen in the right places. Tonight, you have a date with destiny.”

Reluctantly, Ty followed Will up the stairs.

* * *

When Leah was driving home, she kept looking in her rearview mirror, on alert for the faded blue pickup. But there were so many trucks on the road in this part of Texas. Her nerves were shredded by the time she turned onto the lane leading to Gran’s house. Drawing a deep breath and letting it out all in a huff, she wished for the millionth time that Ty were home.

A voice in her head reminded her this was not Ty’s home. Just a poor little farm he had chosen to visit. When she pulled to a stop in front of Gran’s little house, she got out and leaned against the car. Looking around, she noted the many improvements Ty was responsible for in the short time he’d stayed with them. Even the front of the house looked more presentable since he had hauled off the debris.

She felt a pang when she realized Gracie wasn’t waiting for her at her usual post by the door. Walking rapidly to the house, she opened the screen door and stepped inside. She didn’t see Gracie or Gran. She didn’t smell anything cooking for dinner. Her throat tightened. Where are they?

Running outside, she glanced around, her heart pounding against her ribs. “Gracie!” Fear embellished her voice. “Gracie, are you here?”

Leah turned when she heard footsteps running from behind the house.

Gracie rounded the corner, two dogs loping beside her. She ran straight at Leah, a wide grin in place. “Oh, Mommy, guess what?”

Relief flooded Leah’s chest as she gathered her daughter in her arms.

“I’m helping Gran make a garden. We planted some seeds already.” She grabbed Leah’s hand and began to pull her toward the rear of the property.

When Gran came into view, she had a big straw hat on her head and what looked like a broom handle in her hand. She was intent upon poking regularly spaced holes in the soft dirt Ty had tilled. “Hey!” she called. “I think we can harvest some vegetables for fall canning before the first frost.”

Gracie stepped carefully back into the garden area and picked up a small glass jar. “We’re planting a whole row of bush beans,” she said.

By that time, Leah could swallow the boulder in her throat. “I see. That will be great.”

“I’ve got some broccoli and beet seed saved too.” Gran pointed to some other small jars she had placed along the side of the garden plot.

“I got my first paycheck today,” Leah announced. “I thought I could take Gracie to buy school clothes at the Walmart tomorrow. You might want to come along too, Gran. I’m pretty sure you can find some seedlings for sale in the garden department.”

Gran straightened, her eyes alight under the big straw hat. “Oh, that sounds like great fun. Just the three girls out for a special day. I’ll treat you both to a cone at the Dairy Queen.”

Leah went inside, intent upon starting supper for the hardworking farmers. She tried to shake off her earlier fears and focus on spending the next day with Gran and Gracie. It would be fun to shop for her daughter. Although there wasn’t a wide selection of stores to choose from, she figured she should be able to outfit her daughter for school over the next couple of weeks with a little judicious shopping.

When the sun started going down, a noisy entourage entered the house, stamping their feet at the doorstep.

“That was fun!” Gracie declared.

“We’ll see what they have for us at the store tomorrow,” Gran said. “Maybe we can stop by the feed store too.”

“Sure thing,” Leah called. “You two wash up, because I’m putting dinner on the table.” She felt good about doing her part. Although she knew she was not nearly as good a cook as Gran, at least she had put together a decent meal.

In some area of her brain, she wished Ty were there to see her in action. She would love to set a plate of food she had lovingly prepared in front of him. Would love to see him grin appreciatively. Would love to make him dinner every night.

She swallowed. Won’t do to think that way. No telling what’s going to happen when he gets back. He may just grab his dog and take off again.

She turned as Gran and Gracie took their seats at the table.

“Well, isn’t this nice?” Gran smiled her approval.

At least someone appreciated her efforts.

* * *

Ty had no idea how to get around in Dallas, so he rode along with Will in his Honda. He had to push the seat all the way back and hold his Stetson in his lap.

Will’s driving was alarming to say the least. He sped along the freeway, weaving in and out of traffic. Ty wondered briefly who would claim his body if—no, when—Will drove under a semi as he seemed determined to do.

When the Honda finally swerved across the freeway onto an off-ramp, Ty thought he might live long enough to kiss Leah’s sweet lips again. But when Will crossed four lanes of traffic on the feeder road to veer onto a side street, he had his doubts.

After a few stoplights, Will turned into a strip center with a big country-western nightclub located at one end. When he ground the car into park and turned off the motor, Ty heaved a sigh of relief.

“Whew! Scared me, Will. I wasn’t sure we were going to make it.” He unfastened his seat belt and unfolded himself from the compact vehicle.

Will made a scornful noise in the back of his throat as he rolled out of the car. “Don’t be a puss, man! It’s survival of the fittest here in the big city. Kill or be killed.”

Ty set his Stetson on his head and adjusted it to the right angle. “Thanks for the warning.”

There was a line of people waiting to be admitted to the club, but with Ty in tow, Will strode up to the doorman, who waved them through.

“So, you know that guy?” Ty asked as he followed Will into the darkened interior.

Will chortled. “No, but he knows who I am.”

A pretty cocktail waitress grinned at Will and led him to a booth near a raised stage and right beside the dance floor. A tented sign declared this table to be reserved, but the waitress swept the sign onto her tray.

Will climbed into the round booth and gestured for Ty to be seated as he ordered a couple of longnecks.

Ty gazed around, his eyes becoming accustomed to the dim lighting. The raised dance floor had a string of low-level illumination around the edge, probably to keep people from falling on their faces when they stepped up onto it. The stage at the back, near their table, had some glow-in-the-dark lights flickering on and off in time to the beat of the music. It looked like something might happen there eventually.

Recorded music played through the sound system. A few couples were dancing already. The songs varied from two-steps to ballads to rap, and it was loud enough to make conversation difficult.

When the waitress returned with their beer, Will handed her a couple of shiny discs. “Give these to the DJ, honey. Tell him they’re from Will.” He pressed some cash into her hand.

“I know who you are.” She leaned in to accept the bills, favoring him with a flash of dimples and a display of cleavage before she walked away with a swishy, hip-rolling gait.

Will grinned as he watched her make her way to the DJ booth. “See, you’re out with the man tonight.”

Ty chuckled. “Looks like it. How did you get to be so famous?”

Will rolled his eyes. “Everybody wants to be a star. The good news is, I’m the guy who’s going to make you a star.”

“Good to know.”

Will’s assessment of his own importance was apparently accurate. As the night wore on, quite a few people came to shake his hand. An array of hot-looking females dropped by to give him a hug and a kiss. Although Will looked more like a teddy bear than a celebrity, it seemed there were many people who viewed him as someone with clout.

A man came over to the table with two women on his arms. Will introduced the man as the club owner, along with his wife and daughter. Will invited them to sit down, and they crowded in, sliding onto the curved seat beside Ty. The owner’s wife sat next to Ty, her thigh pressed against his and her breast rubbing against his arm. He attempted to give her more room, but every time he scooted over, she did too.

The club owner raised his hand, signaling to the DJ and the light technician. A baby spotlight flooded the table with bright light.

Momentarily blinded, Ty couldn’t see anything beyond their table, but the owner waved to the crowd, and so did Will. The disc jockey’s smooth voice introduced them both, and then he introduced Tyler Garrett as an up-and-coming country star.

To Ty’s amazement, people were applauding. Will nudged him, and Ty raised his hand in acknowledgment. The applause grew louder. The DJ introduced one of the songs Ty had recorded earlier, and the sound of Ty’s own voice was heard through the sound system. His throat grew tight as he realized he had really taken the first step to making his dreams a reality.

* * *

Leah cleared the table and ran a sink full of sudsy water. She began to wash the dishes, placing the rinsed plates in the draining rack. There was something satisfying about seeing the clean dishes. It made her feel as though she had accomplished something.

This was the same way she felt about getting Breck’s filing system in order. It was something else that gave her a sense of accomplishment. She was doing her job.

She dried her hands and joined Gran in the living room. Gran was reading her Bible, and Gracie was sitting on the floor in front of the television, Eddie on one side and Lucky on the other. Lucky’s long face was leaning against Gracie’s legs. Whenever Gracie spoke, Lucky’s tail flailed the floor.

This is nice. Just the way a family should be. As the word family formed in her brain, she pictured Ty’s face and smiled.

She checked the phone he’d given her. No messages or texts. She wondered if he would call tonight. She sure hoped he would, because she was missing him like crazy. Maybe I should call him. No, that’s way too pushy. I’ll wait for him to call.

“Gran, I need to talk to you about the Carters.”

Gran slammed the Bible closed. “Why?” she snapped. “What did you hear about them?”

Leah swallowed. “I sort of met the two Carter boys today…unofficially. They chased me in their truck.”

A blaze of color appeared high on Gran’s cheeks. “Those bastards!”

Gracie looked around sharply.

Gran apologized and then lowered her voice. “What happened?”

Leah shook her head. “I’m not sure what would have happened, but my boss drove up and stopped them from bothering me. He called the sheriff after we got to the office, and the sheriff said he would talk to them.”

Gran frowned so hard her brows almost met in the middle. “That entire Carter clan is the scum of the earth. You stay far away from them. Do you understand?”

Leah nodded. “I plan to.”

“Did they know who you are?” Gran persisted. “I mean, do they know you’re my granddaughter?”

“I don’t think so. We weren’t exactly introduced.”

Gran sat with her lips pursed, clutching the Bible to her bosom.