The Rancher's Family Wish (14 page)

“Sophie won’t be coming around to help much anymore,” Tanner assured him gloomily.

“God told you that, did He?” Moses sniffed. “Don’t matter what you think. God’s got His reasons for bringing her here. He’s got it all planned out.”

“So what am I supposed to do?” Frustration made his voice sharp. “Hang around when I’m not wanted?”

“You be there in case she needs you.” Moses glared at him. “You love this woman and her kids? Or are you scared of loving somebody like her, somebody who wants more from a man than just words? She doesn’t need some guy who won’t stick by her. She’s got two kids to raise. You up for that?”

“Yes! I love her,” Tanner almost yelled, irritated by Moses’s pushing.

“Then prove it. Be there for her. Let God work out the rest.” Moses grinned. “He brought you together. He can figure the rest out, too.”

Tanner swallowed, humbled by the old man’s faith. Moses trusted God. Tanner needed to do the same.

“Here comes Lefty. I gotta go help him.” Moses leaned over to peer into Tanner’s face. “Didn’t upset you, did I, son?”

“I’ll survive—”

“Mr. Cowboy!” Beth’s voice echoed in the warm air.

“Since you think leadership is my gift, guess I better get on with directing this show.” He couldn’t quite believe that. Not yet anyway. “Thanks, Moses.”

“You bet. Just keep your eyes on God and remember, Burt didn’t choose no dummy.” Cackling with laughter, Moses shuffled away.

Tanner forced the door of his brain to close on the thousands of questions that rippled through his head so he could deal with Beth’s escaped rabbits.

I don’t know if all Moses said was true
, he prayed as he worked.
But I know I haven’t trusted You enough. So I’m leaving Sophie and our relationship up to You. Please help her learn to trust me.

Having turned over the woman he loved to the One who loved her even more than he did, and because he couldn’t stay away, Tanner walked purposefully toward the kitchen with Beth to find out if the cook needed his help.

From now on Sophie Armstrong was going to find it hard to get rid of this cowboy.

Chapter Twelve

W
ith the Independence Day party in full swing, Sophie hated to take a midafternoon break but she couldn’t argue with the boss, especially when he was sitting on the bench right next to her.

“I meant to tell you.” Desperate to distance herself, Sophie inched away from Tanner’s big body. “Edna said to thank you for the flowers and for fixing her leaky faucet last week.” She pinned him with her severest gaze. “Apparently you also helped Davy fix our coffee table and repaste the living room wallpaper.”

“Edna and I were having coffee while she was watching your kids and Davy mentioned there were issues so...” He shrugged as if the chores were inconsequential. “No biggie.”

“Well, thank you from her and from us.” She hesitated to continue, to end things between them.

“Thanks but don’t come around anymore?” Tanner chuckled at her expression. “I know you’d prefer that, Sophie. You’ve found me wanting in the responsibility department. And you should. I made a bad mistake ten years ago.”

“Tanner—”

“But that was ten years ago,” he reminded quietly. “I’m not that dumb kid anymore. I’ve changed and I intend to prove it to you. You’re not going to get rid of me.” He leaned closer and covered her hand with his. “I love you, Sophie. I’m sorry if that isn’t what you want to hear but it’s the truth and I’ll keep saying it until you start to trust me.”

“I don’t know if that’s ever going to happen—”

“Sophie, we’re out of lemonade.” Tiffany waited for instruction.

Frustrated by her interruption at this most inopportune moment, Sophie rose, desperate to make Tanner understand that she wasn’t going to change her mind and that he couldn’t keep hanging around, waiting for that. It couldn’t happen because having Tanner near made Sophie want things she couldn’t have. She huffed a sigh of resignation and went to deal with the issue.

More kids arrived as afternoon turned to evening and each time Sophie needed something it seemed Tanner was there just in time to lend a hand, offer a suggestion or simply encourage her with generous praise. But by the time her barbecue supper was over Sophie began to lag. Somehow Tanner noticed that, too, and insisted she sit down with Davy and Beth, who’d been having a ball, Beth in the bouncy castle and Davy running errands for the hands who were kept busy with would-be riders.

“It’s a really fun party, Tanner,” Davy enthused. “I sure like making Moses’s campfire pies.”

Sophie made a face. All the food she’d prepared and her son preferred two slices of white bread with canned pie filling, cooked in a metal tin over the fire!

“I like these cookies your mother made.” Tanner deliberately bumped his shoulder against hers, smiled when she drew away and crunched on his third cookie.

His smile warmed Sophie from the top of her head to the tips of her toes and finished in a warm fuzzy glow that made her want to snuggle against his side. Why did she care for him so much? She didn’t want to, didn’t want to risk what caring could mean—risking her security to trust in a guy who’d already proved untrustworthy seemed foolish in the extreme.

And so wonderfully alluring.

“What do you like best, Beth?” Tanner asked.

“I like people to be happy.” Beth studied him. “Do you think this is what heaven is like, Mr. Cowboy?”

“Like Wranglers Ranch?” Seeing she was utterly serious, Tanner smothered his laughter. “Maybe.”

“I like it when people are happy,” she said with a frown. “I don’t like arguing and fighting.”

“Did you see someone fighting, Beth?” Sophie saw Tanner’s immediate alertness. “Or arguing?” he added.

“Uh-huh.” Her daughter’s blue eyes darkened. Sophie was about to ask what troubled Beth when Tanner touched her arm and gave the slightest shake of his head. So she left it to him to probe further.

“Can you tell me about it?” His voice was so gentle.

“I didn’t hear very much,” Beth said. Sophie’s concern escalated when her daughter glanced over one shoulder worriedly.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” Tanner said in a very tender voice. “Just tell me what you did hear.”

After studying him for a moment, Beth finally whispered, “It wasn’t a nice voice.”

“Was it a man speaking?” Tanner asked. Beth nodded. “What did he say?”

“Today’s the day.” She waited, her blue gaze riveted on Tanner.

“But sweetie, that’s not fighting or arguing,” Sophie chided.

“That was the other voice.”

“What did it say?” Davy wanted to know.

Beth bit her lip. She looked to Sophie for reassurance. Sophie nodded and squeezed her hand.

“Tanner can’t help unless you tell him, Bethy.”

“He said, ‘Tanner won’t like it. You’ll have to hurt him.’” Her voice cracked. “Are you gonna get hurt, Mr. Cowboy?” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I don’t want you to be hurt. I love you.”

“I love you, too, Beth.” Tanner lifted Beth onto his knee and hugged her in his strong, capable arms.

Sophie gulped, blinking away the rush of her own tears. Seeing the big tough rancher comfort her troubled, confused daughter brought a swell of love for him that she was helpless to stop. Again the questions rolled through her brain.

What if she trusted him with her love? Tanner had stuck with her, pitching in when he didn’t have to. He’d taken care of her kids as well as any father could. Other than not telling her about his past he’d been totally up-front and a lot more than a good friend. What if she let herself accept everything he was offering her? What if she took a chance that Tanner Johns loved her enough to stick by her, no matter what?

What if she was wrong?

“You don’t have to be afraid, Bethy,” he said lovingly, brushing away her bangs to press a kiss against her forehead. “We have God caring for us, remember? Can you think of a verse that says that? How about, ‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’”

“I have one, too.” With the shadows chased away, Beth’s blue eyes shone. ‘“Therefore I will not fear.’”

“That’s a very good verse to remember, Beth.” Tanner hugged her but his eyes narrowed as they met Sophie’s. “Let’s pray and ask God to keep everyone safe and happy today.” He bowed his head and offered a short prayer that all visitors to the ranch today would learn more about God. Then he gazed at her, his green eyes filled with tenderness. “And God, help us learn to trust.”

Sophie’s face burned with shame. Why couldn’t she trust him? Everyone else seemed to. Thankfully Tanner didn’t seem to notice her embarrassment since Lefty walked over and murmured something in his ear. Sophie heard the word
security
but little else. Then Lefty, grim-faced, stepped back.

“Okay, kids. When do you think we should cut that massive red, white and blue cake your mother ma—”

“Well, well. Isn’t this a special family gathering? Hello, Tanner old buddy.”

Tige. Sophie knew it immediately and cringed. Beside her, Beth snuggled against her and whispered, “Therefore I will not fear.”

“Hey, Tige. Welcome here.” Other than a slight narrowing of his eyes, Tanner showed no visible sign that he was annoyed by the man’s arrival as he shook hands. “Glad you could come.” His voice tightened a fraction when he said, “Hello, Amy.”

Amy? As in Amy the mother of Tanner’s son?
Sophie’s stomach dropped as fear took hold.

“Tanner.” An apologetic look washed over Amy’s thin, pale face. “I didn’t want to come—”

“Why not? Everyone is invited to Wranglers Ranch’s Fourth of July party, right, Tanner?” A cunning look filled Tige’s golden eyes. “’Least that’s what
my
sons told me.”

The emphasis wasn’t lost on Sophie and she’d doubted Tanner had missed it, either.

“Your sons are right.” Tanner seemed nonchalant. “You’re welcome here, Amy.” He smiled warmly. “This is Sophie and her children, Beth and Davy.”

“Nice to meet you,” Sophie replied automatically in as friendly a tone as she could manage, taking her cue from Tanner.

“You, too,” Amy said halfheartedly, barely glancing at her.

“Lulu sends her regrets. She’s, uh, indisposed.” Tige cackled, an evil sound that made Sophie shiver.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Would you like something to eat? Sophie’s an excellent cook.” Tanner didn’t rise to the bait when Tige asked for whiskey. “Sorry. This is a ranch for kids. We don’t keep alcohol here.”

Lefty stood nearby watching so Tanner asked him to bring Tige and Amy coffee.

“The boys say this little lady makes some good pie. I could use a piece of that,” Tige muttered after he’d taken a sip of black coffee.

“We don’t have pie today but I made a big Independence Day cake,” Sophie offered. “Want some of that?”

“Sure.” Tige studied her. “So you’re Tanner’s new Amy.”

“No, I’m the cook at Wranglers Ranch,” Sophie said evenly. “Would you like to see the kitchen?” She aimed her question at Amy, who nodded eagerly.

“I’ve got some jobs for these guys.” Lefty beckoned to Beth and Davy. He shot a look at Tanner, who gave a barely perceptible nod. “Come on, guys.”

Clearly they’d worked this out beforehand. Sophie felt a rush of pure love for the big rancher’s forethought in protecting her kids. She wanted them far away from Tige. She led Amy into the house.

“It’s a wonderful kitchen to work in—” Sophie paused when Amy laid a hand on her arm.

“I’m sorry we butted in,” she said quietly. “I only agreed to come because I owe Tanner an apology about the baby.” She paused, frowned. “You know about that?”

Sophie nodded.

“I took off back then because I knew Tanner would have made me quit using and in those days all I wanted was my next fix,” Amy admitted shamefacedly.

“I see.”

“Tanner was always trying to help. He’s the only guy I ever knew who stood up to Tige. I’m glad he got out.” She waved a hand. “This place, this ranch, it suits him. My husband says Tanner’s place is making a big difference to the city’s youth.”

“You’re married?” Sophie said, surprised.

“To a cop. Can you believe it?” Amy laughed. “My husband suggested I agree to come with Tige. He said it was time I told Tanner the truth about the baby. But I think he already knows.” She frowned. “Anyway after Tanner left with the old man, Tige said he came back to look for me.” She frowned. “You knew that, too? Bet you didn’t know Tige beat him so badly he almost killed him. Well, he did. You see, Tige was furious. He had lost control of Tanner and he didn’t like that. Anyway I’d told Tanner I loved somebody else and that I was going away with him. And Tanner, being Tanner, gave me every dime he owned and wished me the best.”

“But he should have helped you,” Sophie protested. “He shouldn’t have just walked away and left you to manage.”

“It wasn’t Tanner who left, Sophie. It was me. And with Tige’s help I made sure he couldn’t find me when that conscience of his took over.” Amy shook her head. “To this day I don’t know how God can love somebody as mixed up as I was. For a while I didn’t believe He did. I guess I should explain.”

“You don’t have to,” Sophie murmured.

“It would help, though, wouldn’t it?” Amy nodded. “Because you’re in love with him.”

“I—”

“Tanner’s one of those guys who deserves love. I wish I’d loved him back then but I couldn’t even love myself.”

“You weren’t in love with Tanner?” Surprised, Sophie watched regret fill her face.

“I wish I had. But Tanner was only ever a safe place for me, a refuge from Tige’s and Lulu’s rages. That’s why I latched on to him. I never once thought about what Tanner needed,” she admitted. “Falling in love with my husband taught me that love isn’t about yourself. It’s all about the one you love, protecting them, trusting them. Even now I still struggle with trusting that Jack only wants what’s best for me.”

“How did you learn to trust?” Achingly aware that she craved this woman’s confidence in Tanner’s trustworthiness, Sophie paid attention.

“Ever seen that demonstration where a person closes his eyes and lets himself fall backward, trusting his loved ones to catch him?” Amy chuckled at Sophie’s dark look. “Sounds horrifying, doesn’t it? But that’s kind of what you have to do. You can’t have a relationship if you’re always waiting for the other person to fail you. Because they will. Humans fail. If you put your trust in God, though, He never fails.”

“Telling secrets, Amy?” Tige leaned in the doorway.

“Actually we were talking about her husband.” Sophie stared at the bleary-eyed man, despising the smug look in his eyes. “Sounds like he’s one of the good guys. Like Tanner.” She wanted to escape Tige. “Since you’re here at Wranglers Ranch maybe you’d like to go for a short trail ride, Amy? Or there’s a walkabout trail.”

“Trail ride sounds good. Would you show me where to go?”

Sophie was about to point until she realized the other woman had something else to say.

“I’ll show you the way.” She led Amy outside. When they were no longer visible from the house, Amy stopped her.

“This is far enough, thanks. That’s my husband over there standing by the tree. The big guy with the green shirt,” Amy said, love filling her voice. “He wouldn’t let me come without him and now he’s taking me home but I wanted to warn you first.”

“Warn me?” A tickle of breeze made Sophie shiver though the evening was warm. “About what?”

“Lulu is here somewhere, and she and Tige are planning something.” Amy’s eyes darkened. “I don’t know what but I know it isn’t good. Tige has always resented that Tanner got off the streets, that he never got hooked, that Tige couldn’t control him.” Her lips tightened. “When Tige found out that his sons have been coming here, he was furious. He thinks Tanner is trying to take them away from him. Be very careful. Tige’s dangerous and when he needs a fix he’ll do anything to get it. He needs one now.” She squeezed Sophie’s hand. “Take care of Tanner, okay? You’ll never meet a man you can trust more.”

This from the woman whom Tanner had abandoned? Or had he?

Sophie was no longer so sure.

“I have to go.”

A moment later Amy and her husband blended into the crowd, then disappeared, leaving Sophie bewildered and confused. She walked slowly, thinking about what Amy had said. After ensuring the kids were still safe with Lefty at the barn, Sophie was about to slip into the kitchen when she heard Tige’s voice.