The Rancher's Homecoming (14 page)

“It's a man's job to protect and care for his womenfolk,” Stuart retorted.

“I agree with you,” Rex put in. “On the other hand, my sister manages one of the major hotels in Dallas, part of a multimillion-dollar corporation. I don't doubt that Callie could run the Straight Arrow now if she had to and still keep the house, which is more than I can do.”

Callie looked at him in surprise. “What makes you say that?”

“Oh, come on. I'm not saying you could practice law, but don't try to make me believe you haven't picked up the planting and harvest schedule, the herd inspection routine, the market figures... I know you can balance the books and repair a baler. Maybe you can't ride herd or care for the horses, but that's what the hands are for, and you'd learn. It might be a struggle for a while, but you'd get a handle on it.”

“I couldn't do as good a job as you're doing,” she told him.

“With the right instruction you could,” he refuted. He looked to Stuart then and said, “What makes you think she can't manage your business concerns?”

Stuart started ticking off the businesses on his fingers. “Grocery store, café, gas station, Feed and Grain, silo, majority ownership in the bank, various real estate holdings.”

“Can Ben manage all that?” Rex demanded.

“Not yet,” Stuart admitted, “but I'm working with him.”

“Work with Callie,” Rex proposed. “I assume you've got managers.”

“More or less. Ben handles the Feed and Grain and the silo. I concentrate on the bank and real estate. Others handle the day-to-day operations at the grocery, café and station.”

“I know nothing about banking or real estate,” Callie admitted. “The retail end of things is easier.”

“Hiring the right help is the key,” Rex said. “It seems to me that what Callie has to learn to manage are the managers. Maybe Ben could take a bigger hand in things. We could draw up a reasonable, executable business plan and start educating Callie about how to run it. With Ben and others to help her, I have no doubt that she can learn to handle it. That being the case, she'll never have to depend on
any
man for her financial security.”

Stuart stared at Callie as if seeing her for the first time. “Is that something you'd consider?” he asked carefully.

“Much of it is beyond me right now,” she admitted, “but if you're willing to teach me, I'm willing to learn.” She looked down at Bodie, adding, “I have my own daughter to consider, after all.”

“Does that mean you'll come home?” Stuart asked hopefully.

“Not as long as Wes needs me,” Callie said, “but eventually, yes. I won't work for nothing, though, Dad. I'll gladly fill in wherever I'm needed and learn whatever is necessary, but I expect to be paid like anyone else.”

He nodded slowly. “That's fair.”

Callie sneaked a smile to Rex. Then she looked to Ben. “Is all this okay with you, Ben?”

He seemed surprised that she'd asked. “Oh, hey. I've got a good job, and so long as I keep it, I'm happy.”

“You don't mind not being adopted?” Rex asked.

“Well, it's not like I'm an orphan,” Ben said. “I didn't know how I was going to explain it to my folks, to tell you the truth.”

Callie bent her head, hiding her smile.

“So, we're good here now?” Rex asked.

“I'd feel better if she was going home with me,” Stuart groused.

“Oh, shut up and get out of here,” said Wes good-naturedly, hobbling into the room. “You got what you want and now you're just interfering with my afternoon nap.”

Stuart half turned on his chair and hung his arm over the back to glare at Wes, but the glare softened when he saw the condition the other man was in. Wes's clothes hung on his thin frame and his bald head and sparse eyebrows made him look gaunt. Stuart did him the kindness of not letting on how shocked he was, though.

Huffing, Stuart grumbled, “Cancer doesn't give you the right to be rude.”

“No? Well, then, there's absolutely no benefit in it.” Wes carried his coffee cup to the counter and set it down next to the coffeepot, saying to Callie, “Suppose I could have another slice of that bread?”

“Sure.” She got up to go after his plate. She started to hand Bodie to Rex, but then she thought better of it. Walking around the table, she plopped her daughter onto her father's lap and walked out of the room.

“Hiii,” Bodie said, looking up at her grandfather.

Callie heard the surprise in her father's voice when he asked, “Is she talking?”

“Sort of,” Rex answered. “We doubt she understands what she's saying, but she's starting to imitate sounds. She can say ‘Mama' now.”

“Mama,” Bodie repeated obligingly. The she suddenly called at the top of her lungs, “Ma-ma!”

“Coming,” Callie said, picking up the plate from Wes's bedside table and heading back toward the kitchen.

“She knows that word for sure,” Stuart said with a chuckle.

“Ma-ma,” Bodie said again the instant Callie entered the room.

“Yes, she does know what she's saying,” Stuart exclaimed, bouncing her on his knee.

“She's a smart one, that's for sure,” Rex said proudly.

Suddenly Bodie twisted and threw herself backward in an effort to reach him. Stuart squawked and latched on to her. At the same time, Rex caught her.

“Hey, kiddo. You're going to crack your skull with that trick one of these days.”

“Callie used to do that,” Stuart revealed, letting go of her. “Scared me to death.”

“I survived, Dad,” Callie said, coming to stand at his shoulder. “She will, too.”

Stuart patted Callie's back. “Guess you're right,” he said.

It was the sweetest moment she'd had with her father in a very long time. She looked to Wes, who kept his distance, leaning against the counter by the coffeepot, and smiled.

“Believe I'll go back to bed,” Wes said on a sigh.

“Let me help you,” Callie offered, leaving her father's side to offer Wes her arm. “I'll bring your snack after you're settled. We've got to fatten you up.”

“If anyone can, you can, Callie girl,” Wes told her as she walked him back toward his room. “Stu, good to see you.”

“Take care of yourself, Wes,” Stuart said.

“That's what I got her for,” Wes returned, winking at Callie.

Behind her, she heard Rex say, “Tell you what, Stuart, you figure out what day and time works best for you, and the four of us—me, you, Callie and Ben—will sit down and get started on that business plan.”

“Sounds good,” Stuart said. “Might be best if we work here, though. I can see that Wes doesn't need to be on his own too long.”

“I appreciate that,” Rex told him.

“Well,” Stuart rumbled, “man's a friend of mine.”

“He says the same of you,” Rex said.

Callie pressed her cheek to Wes's, whispering, “Thank you.”

He patted her hand and pointed a finger skyward. Nodding, Callie closed her eyes and repeated the sentiment.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Chapter Fourteen

“G
o start the car, Ben, and cool it off, why don't you?” Stuart directed, handing over the keys. Nodding, Ben hurried off to do as told.

Rex had learned over the last week and more that Ben Dolent—while socially inept, and somewhat lacking in what might be termed
common
sense
—was book smart and well organized, with a good head for numbers. What he lacked in looks and personality, he made up for with an utter lack of ill intent. Rex could see why Stuart had decided he would do as a son-in-law, if one overlooked the fact that he was completely unsuited to a strong, bright, intelligent, beautiful woman like Callie. Pairing the two of them would be like pairing a donkey and a thoroughbred.

Stuart turned to Rex and offered his hand. “I think we've made good headway.”

Rex shook hands with the older man. “I agree.”

“You know, we've never discussed payment for your services,” Stuart said, glancing around the porch.

“Oh, you don't owe me anything.” Rex looked down at his boots, his thumbs hooked in the waistband of his jeans. “I'm an attorney by trade, not a business planner. Besides, having Callie here is payment enough.”

“You won't have her here for long,” Stuart remarked gleefully.

Rex couldn't be happy about that. He was prepared to argue that even with Meredith arriving soon, they still needed Callie at Straight Arrow Ranch, but with Ann not far behind, that wouldn't buy him much time. He'd been wondering lately what he'd done.

Suddenly, thanks to him and his bright ideas, Callie Crowsen Deviner was a bona fide heiress, at least by War Bonnet standards. With this newfound peace between her and her father, she didn't need a husband, but that wouldn't keep the single men around town from going after her. Surely even Stuart had to realize this fact.

“You do know that half the county is going to be lining up to entice Callie away from you, don't you?”

Stuart made a face. “A father's nightmare,” he grumbled. “I've known it since she was fourteen years old.” He scraped Rex with a measuring look, adding, “Frankly, I figured you'd be in the hunt.”

“Oh, I'll be at the head of the line,” Rex admitted blithely, expecting thunder or perhaps even a fist aimed in his direction. He'd almost welcome either, anything to upset the trajectory they seemed to be on.

To his surprise, Stuart huffed and stepped down off the porch, saying, “Well, I guess she could do worse. You at least know she'll be in complete control of her own inheritance.”

That sounded suspiciously like a blessing to Rex, who quipped, “I'll have to charge for prenup agreements. Unless they're my own.”

Stuart just snorted and walked off into the night, leaving Rex to wonder in astonishment if the lady would be as amenable to his suit as her father seemed to be. As if summoned by thoughts of her, she pushed through the screen door at his back and stepped out onto the porch with him.

“Oh, it's beautiful out here.”

“If you don't mind hot and sticky,” Rex said, putting his back to the nearest post.

Callie smiled, wandering closer. “It's so peaceful, though, and the night sky is amazing.”

Rex canted his head to look up through the tree branches overhead. “It really is. You forget in the city just how many stars the night sky holds. The ambient light hides them.”

“That's sad.”

“It is. Neon dazzles, but it just isn't the same.”

She turned that lovely green gaze on him then. “I hope that means you're really going to stay.”

He couldn't stop his frown. “I keep telling you that I am.” Why wouldn't she believe him?

She nodded and turned away, remarking, “You know what this porch needs? A good old-fashioned swing.”

“We used to have one,” Rex told her. “It broke after Mom died, and Dad never replaced it.” An idea struck him, a way to have her to himself for a while. “I think it's time we do that. I have to drive into Ardmore to see a car dealer. Why don't you come with me and help me pick out a porch swing?”

She turned, her own frown in place. “What about Wes?”

“He's seemed stronger lately, don't you think? I'll get Mrs. Lightner to sit with him and Bodie for a few hours.”

“Him
and
Bodie?”

“Yeah,” Rex said casually. “I have to take my car. It only has two seats.”

“Oh. Uh. But how will you get the swing home?”

“Not a problem,” he said with a wave of his hand. “Trust me. Got that part all figured out. I just...” He shrugged. “Well, I've never bought a porch swing. Mom's had cushions and this little wicker table next to it for drinks and things. I thought Dad might like to sit out here sometimes.” He let that hang in the air for a moment or two. “I could just use some help choosing it all.”

She spread her hands. “After everything you've done for me,” she began.

“Everything
I've
done for
you
?”

“Hiring me when no one else would, backing down my father at every turn,” she went on, “even at great expense to yourself. Finding a way to finally make peace between Dad and me. These weeks here at the ranch have been...” She shook her head as if the words escaped her. “Thank you. Especially for your confidence in me and what you said to my dad when he brought up that adoption nonsense.”

“He wasn't serious about that,” Rex said with a wrinkle of his nose. “It was just his way of getting his foot in the door.” He tried not to be
too
happy about her praise, and then she went and ruined it for him entirely.

“But you—and Wes—you saw what neither my dad nor I did. You've ironed out a lifelong problem, and I know it's going to be better for us from here on out. I'm actually excited about working with him. I can't thank you enough.”

Rex shook his head, wishing he didn't feel as if he'd lost her already. “I'd say you're welcome, but everything I've done has been self-serving, Callie. We couldn't have made it without you here. I hope you know that.”

She shrugged. Then she fluffed her bangs in that nervous way she had and said, “I could use a cold drink. How does lemonade sound? I think I'll make some lemonade.”

“Sounds good,” Rex told her, disappointed that she seemed to be looking for a reason to get away from him.

Smiling, she turned and went into the house, saying, “I'll take some to Wes.”

Of course she would. She'd do everything she could to help while she was here. And then she'd leave him. Them. Unless he found some way to make her want to stay.

* * *

Mrs. Lightner couldn't come the next day, so Rex had to wait until Friday. It was just as well. They would only be gone a few hours, but Callie insisted on cooking as if they'd be gone for days, making sure that meals were prepared ahead of time. Only when she opened the freezer to show Mrs. Lightner where she'd stored the baby's milk did Rex realize that she'd been storing up weeks' worth of prepared meals for when she left the Straight Arrow behind. The sight of all those neatly labeled and stacked containers sent Rex's heart into a panicked gallop.

He practically dragged her outside to the waiting car, which he'd uncovered earlier.

“Wow,” she said, looking at the expensive, low-slung Porsche in which he'd taken such pride. “Are you going to put the top down?”

“Sure,” he said, holding her elbow as she slid down into the bucket seat. “Since it's the last time I'm ever going to drive it, I intend to enjoy the full experience.”

“The last time?” she echoed as he closed her door.

He walked around and dropped down behind the steering wheel before answering her. “Yep.”

He'd left his hat behind, but he slid his sunglasses into place before he started the engine. The throaty rumble made him smile. He did like a fast car. Funny, he hadn't thought much about this one in weeks.

“Please tell me you're not selling this to cover paying off the church loan.”

He chuckled as he backed the car around and shifted into first. “Nope. I'm trading it for a new truck.”

She gaped at him.

“What? It's a really nice truck. Double cab, leather seats, state-of-the-art sound system, all the bells and whistles. Tax deductible, too. You'll like it.”

She laughed. “You're really serious. You're staying.”

“I keep telling you.” He eased the car up onto the dry, red-clay dirt road, reminding himself that it needed oiling before winter. “Hang on,” he warned. Then he gunned the engine, popped the clutch and let that bad boy scream. It threw up a red cloud that would be visible for miles.

They were both laughing when they reached the pavement. He stopped long enough to let the cloud settle before he stowed the top. Then he turned east toward Ardmore and tried to keep the speed limit within sight. About halfway there, he offered to let Callie drive, but she declined.

“I'm doing just fine where I am, thank you.”

“Okay. It's not that you can't drive a standard, though. Right?”

“Bite your tongue.”

He grinned. “Because that's all right. The truck's an automatic, by the way.”

“I can drive a standard. Any standard.”

“This one's specially geared, but I know you could get the hang of it.”

“I'm not driving your car, Rex.”

“How about my truck?”

“We'll see.”

She drove them to lunch some three hours later in his brand-new ruby-red platinum edition Ford F-450. Every salesman, mechanic and detailer on the lot had come out to see Rex's Porsche when they'd arrived. Rex figured they'd double the mileage on it joyriding in the thing before they got it sold, if they even tried to sell it. From the way the owner of the dealership dickered over the price, Rex assumed that he would be enjoying the car himself. Made no difference to Rex. The way Callie mooned over the truck he'd ordered was enough for him to let the Porsche go without the least regret.

They wound up at an even trade, which was really in the dealership's favor as the heavily customized Boxster Spyder was the most expensive two-seater that Porsche made, but Rex couldn't have been happier to sit up there in the shotgun seat of the pickup truck while Callie drove them off the lot. All through lunch she rhapsodized about the truck.

“I can't believe that little car got you that great big, tricked-out truck. Remind me to take you with me if I ever buy a new car.”

Rex smiled. “I'll do that.”

“You know your dad's still going to want to ride around with the windows down,” she told him, and he laughed.

“Yeah, you're probably right.”

“I could just move in,” she said. “Seriously. I've lived in worse. Much worse.”

“No bathroom,” he pointed out, about to say that she could just stay right where she was.

“Really?” she quipped. “It's got everything else.”

The waitress showed up just then to see if their meal was satisfactory. Callie asked for mustard for her onion rings.

“You eat mustard on your onion rings?” Rex asked, surprised by this fact he hadn't known about her.

She nodded. “I've always heard that cooked onion and mustard are both good for stomach issues, so I eat them together. By the way, your father's dietician told me not to give him raw onions. I'm sure Meri knows, but I thought I ought to tell you.”

That reminder that Meredith would soon arrive and Callie soon go dampened the mood.

“I don't want you to leave us,” he said quietly.

For a long moment she sat in silence. Then she said, “It's best for everyone.”

Rex wanted to howl and throw things. Instead, he picked up his hamburger and stuffed it into his mouth.

They left the restaurant fifteen minutes later, and Rex drove them to the local office supply store, where he bought a nice combination printer. Then they were off to the home improvement store, where Callie quickly picked out a porch swing and all the necessary accessories. Rex paid for and loaded all the necessary supplies and accessories into the back of his brand-new truck before opening the passenger door for Callie.

Once more he held her by the elbow until she was settled. This time she climbed up rather than down. During the whole process, he fought the almost overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her until she figured out everything he couldn't seem to find the words to say. But they were in a public parking lot in broad daylight on a weekday, and he had no confidence that she would welcome his overtures any more than she'd welcomed Ben Dolent's. At least she had to know Rex wasn't after her for her money. Didn't she?

He brooded on that all the way home, and then he walked in the door to find his father sitting at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee, a smile on his face.

“You should see Rex's new truck,” Callie said, speaking her first words in almost an hour.

“Can't wait,” Wes enthused, getting to his feet, a process noticeably less laborious than only a few days ago.

“Where's Mrs. Lightner?” Callie asked.

“She went up to be sure the phone didn't wake Bodie.”

“Who called?” Rex asked, waiting for his dad to reach him so he could walk him out to see the truck.

“Meri.” Wes's smile widened. “Her leave has come through at long last. She'll be here on Monday.”

Monday. Meredith would arrive on Monday. And Callie would leave.

The world seemed to shift beneath Rex's feet. Giving no sign that she had even heard, Callie went to the counter and began to put away the lunch dishes that Mrs. Lightner had hand-washed and left drying beside the kitchen sink. Wes laid a hand on Rex's arm, recalling him to the moment.

Turning woodenly, Rex walked his father from the room, down the hall and out the back door, where he gave an energetic rundown of the truck's many features, the words spilling out of his mouth without conscious thought, while his heart silently broke.