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Rodeo Reunion
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RAQUEL MARRIS NEEDS A MAN WHO’LL STAY PUT
And Slade Walker’s not a likely candidate. Even if the former major league pitcher just agreed to coach her son’s little league team. The single mom can’t risk everything on a bronc-riding chaplain who’s only passing through Raquel’s small Texas town.
“He shall direct thy paths.”
—Proverbs 3:6
Slade is taking a hiatus from the rodeo circuit to meet the sister he never knew he had. But the pretty widowed nurse next door is making him think twice about hitting the road again. He can’t turn his back on the cowboys who need him, but Raquel and her boy need him, too. Can Slade fulfill his calling and finally find a place to hang his hat?
“Please don’t say no.”
Slade’s heart stalled. He didn’t want to say no to her. About anything. Ever. He’d happily be her yes man.
But that wouldn’t be the best way to avoid Raquel. Or Hunter. Coaching Hunter would weave him more tightly into their lives. And then the time would come to give them up. And he wasn’t sure he’d be able to. Better to keep his distance.
“It’s only for three months.” She made it sound so easy.
“I only leased the house for three months.”
“That’s perfect.” Raquel’s eyes lit up, making him want to do whatever it took to make her happy. “Your lease goes through May and the season goes through May.”
His heart clunked back in place in his chest. If he coached Hunter, he’d automatically spend more time with Raquel. They’d grow closer. But he couldn’t let the attraction grow.
Shannon Taylor Vannatter is a stay-at-home mom/pastor’s wife/award-winning author. She lives in a rural central Arkansas community with a population of around 100, if you count a few cows. Contact her at shannonvannatter.com.
Books by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Love Inspired Heartsong Presents
Rodeo Regrets
Rodeo Queen
Rodeo Song
Rodeo Family
Rodeo Reunion
SHANNON
TAYLOR
VANNATTER
Rodeo Reunion
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
—Proverbs 3:5–6
To my parents for their unconditional love and support.
Acknowledgments
I appreciate DeeDee Barker-Wix, director of sales at the Cowtown Coliseum; former Aubrey City Hall secretary Nancy Trammel-Downes; Aubrey Main Street Committee member Deborah Goin; Aubrey librarian Kathy Ramsey; and Allison Leslie and Steve and Krys Murray, owners of Moms on Main for all their help and support. Thanks to Stephanie Pedigo, Aubrey Youth Sports communications director; school nurses Sandra Cissell-Bryant and Jennifer Davenport Olivarez; and RN Ginger Smith Harris for helping me get the details right. Any mistakes are mine.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 1
“Isn’t there anyone who makes your heart rev?”
Raquel swallowed hard. Her friend was only trying to help.
Three years since Dylan’s death and no one had made her pulse speed up since he’d been gone. She searched the familiar restaurant for something, anything, to change the subject to. But Caitlyn wouldn’t give up that easily. She might as well be honest.
“It’s been years since my heart revved over anyone other than a certain seven-year-old.”
“Uh-uh. This is your mom’s day out. No talking about Hunter.” Caitlyn wagged a finger at her and Raquel tried not to squirm on the booth seat. “And no changing the subject. You know Dylan wouldn’t want you to be alone.”
“He did make me promise to find someone else if anything ever happened to him.” Raquel shrugged.
“You’ve even got permission from the love of your life to move on. So what’s stopping you?”
“Right now—” Raquel traced the condensation on her tea glass with her fingers “—my focus is Hunter and baseball. I want him to have fun and be happy living in Aubrey. Even though I’ll admit I’m lonely and I know my son needs a father, if God has someone out there for me, I’ll trust Him to make it happen in His time.”
“You know I’m no good at waiting on God’s timing. I ask Him to forgive me daily for trying to rush things without Him.” Caitlyn’s stomach growled and she pressed a hand to her huge baby bump.
“Sounds like Juniorette is hungry.” Raquel glanced toward the door as it opened, letting in mid-February evening air. “Mitch should be here anytime and he wouldn’t want you to keep his baby girl waiting. We should order.”
“It might take a crane to unwedge me from this booth.” Caitlyn groaned.
Raquel winced. “Why did you pick a booth?”
“I wanted to prove I could still squeeze in here. May not get out. But I’m in.”
“Don’t get out. I’ll order.” Hopefully, by the time she returned, Caitlyn would have forgotten her line of questioning.
“Good idea, but only if you let me pay.” Caitlyn held out a twenty.
“You can buy next time.”
Raquel placed their orders, then moved to the register, dug her money from her wallet and waited for her change.
The man behind her in line ordered and she turned to see if he was anyone she knew. He looked familiar. Inky waves, sage-green eyes, chin cleft. Where did she know him from? Parent from school? Church?
He smiled.
And her brain kicked in. Slade Walker.
Her mouth went dry. Her wallet slipped from her fingers.
Coins danced and rolled; bills fanned around her feet; credit cards bounced, spun and slid across the hardwood floor.
In most places, people would dive in and steal as much as they could. But this was Aubrey, Texas.
Slade knelt at her feet along with the lady behind him in line and helped her pick everything up. A man she didn’t even know handed her one of her credit cards.
“Thank you.”
In minutes the contents of her overstuffed wallet were back in place as Slade gathered stray change.
“Don’t worry about the change.”
“Is that everything?” He stood.
“You’re Slade Walker.”
“Yeah. Got all your cards and money?”
She tugged her gaze away from his long enough to flip through the bills and cards, then nodded. “Yes, thanks.”
A slow smile tugged at his lips. “I’m sorry, but have we met? I usually remember beautiful women, but I’m drawing a blank.”
Her face heated. “You were my husband’s favorite baseball player.”
“Wow.” He blew out a soft whistle and rubbed his right shoulder. “That was a long time ago and my career was short-lived. I can’t say I’ve been recognized for baseball in a long time.”
“Well, you should be. You were great. If my son was here, he’d be beside himself. Could I get your autograph for him?”
His face turned red.
“I mean, I don’t want to bother you.”
“No, it’s fine. It’s just been a long time since anybody asked. Got any paper?”
She scurried to the booth where Caitlyn waited and grabbed her purse. “Caitlyn, this is Slade Walker. The Slade Walker.” She must have sounded like an idiot.
With a confused frown, Caitlyn offered her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“What’s your son’s name?”
“Hunter Marris. I mean, you can just make it Hunter.”
“Marris? I went to elementary school with a Dylan Marris.”
Raquel nodded like a bobblehead. “My husband.”
“No wonder you know who I am. We were best friends until fifth grade when I moved. How is Dylan?”
Her heart squeezed. He didn’t know.
“Raquel!” Caitlyn’s face contorted with pain. “I hate to interrupt, but I think I might be in labor.”
“Oh, my goodness. Let’s get you to the hospital.”
“Should we wait on Mitch?” Panic dwelled in Caitlyn’s eyes. Everyone was looking at them.
Calm down, Raquel. She was a nurse. But this was her friend and treating anyone she loved in medical distress rattled her. Ever since Dylan.
“I’ll call Mitch.” Deep breaths. She could do this. “He can meet us there. Everything will be fine. Remember, I’m a nurse.”
“Let me help you up.” Slade offered his arm to Caitlyn.
She managed to unwedge herself from the booth, but as she stood, she quickly doubled over as another contraction rocked her.
More deep breaths.
“Maybe I should drive you.” Slade’s voice was calm. “That way you can sit in the back with her and keep an eye on things.”
“Good idea. Don’t worry, Caitlyn. I’ll be right there with you to monitor the baby’s progress.” Oh, Lord, please let everything be all right.
“No.” Caitlyn clenched her teeth against obvious pain. “I appreciate your help, Mr. Walker, but I don’t even know you.”
“I’ve never had a speeding ticket or been in an accident.” Slade pressed his free hand to his heart. “I promise.”
“And he’s a Christian. He led Dylan to Christ. I know who he is.” At the moment Raquel didn’t care if he was an ax murderer. She was much too shaky to drive.
“Okay.” Caitlyn moaned.
Slade helped Caitlyn with her jacket, then supported her as she hobbled to the exit. “Where’s the hospital?”
“In Denton.” Raquel held the door open.
“Do you need me to carry you, ma’am?”
“No.” Caitlyn wailed. “I’d break your back for sure. Ooooh!”
Another contraction already? Denton was only fifteen minutes away, but this was happening too fast. Would they make it?
“Caitlyn?” Raquel used her most soothing nurse voice. “Have you been having contractions for a while?”
“I thought it was false labor like last week.”
Please, Lord, let me keep it together and help Caitlyn through this.
* * *
The hospital was chilly. Slade zipped his jacket. Why was it always so cold in hospitals?
Doctors and nurses scurried past the waiting room. Families and friends dotted the chairs surrounding him. Probably some of them were here for Caitlyn. He kept expecting to see Dylan, but no sign of him yet. Caitlyn’s husband had met them en route and given them a police escort. It obviously came in handy to have a Texas Rangers husband.
Slade was out of place. Probably should leave. But since he’d been a part of this drama, he couldn’t bring himself to go.
Besides, maybe his sister would show up. What would he do if she did? He pulled the two clippings from his pocket.
First their father’s obituary. He ran his fingers over the grainy publicity image from years gone by. Back from his father’s heyday before the boozing had sabotaged his career, before the numerous comebacks, concert tours and rehab stints.
Raised by his grandparents, Slade had never known who his father was. His mother had been an inconsistent menace in his life until she finally gave his grandparents guardianship when he was seven. After that she’d just been inconsistent. Over the years, he’d often asked about his father. His grandparents had claimed not to know who he was. When his mother came around, and he asked, she never answered.
Then a lawyer called his grandparents claiming Slade’s father had died and left him a sizable inheritance. He’d thought it was a scam, but the lawyer wouldn’t leave him alone until he finally agreed to a meeting. That day he learned his father was famous, a jerk who’d paid Slade’s mother to keep silent about his paternity. But he’d left Slade a fortune. A man of contradictions.
He folded the first clipping and slipped it back in his wallet. Through the obituary, he’d learned he had a sister. Though his grandparents were awesome, he’d always yearned for a real family. His throat constricted. A sibling. A younger sister. But an older sister might do in a pinch.
Months had passed before he’d gotten the nerve to search for her on Google, which had led him to her wedding announcement—and the second clipping.
Fair coloring, nothing like him. She looked happy. The dark-haired man at her side smiled at her as if she made his world go round. Slade hoped so. Hoped she was still as happy as when that picture was taken. What was she like? Would she be glad to learn she had a brother? Or angry that her father had cheated on her mother?
There was no way to know. Other than to track her down. Which he’d done. Which had brought him to Aubrey.
“Mother and daughter are both fine.” Raquel stood in the doorway, looking tired but smiling. “The baby’s in the nursery, if anyone wants to come see.”
Cheers and amens went up and the waiting room cleared out. Clearly Caitlyn had lots of friends and family. Slade folded the clipping and put his wallet away.
“You’re still here?” Raquel sank into the seat beside him.
“I wanted to make sure your friend was okay.”
“Thanks for driving us.” She shivered. “I’m really not sure I could have.”
“Why is it always so cold in hospitals?” He shrugged out of his jacket and offered it to her, even though the cool threatened to raise goose bumps over his flesh.
“So the doctors and nurses are comfortable. You can’t imagine how hot it gets in the OR rooms with all the lights. Keep your jacket—I’m fine. Just wound up.”
“I thought nurses had nerves of steel.”
“Not since…” She swallowed hard. “Let’s just say my days as an ER nurse are over.”
“You’re not a nurse anymore?”
“A school nurse now.” She shrugged. “It suits me better and I have the same hours as Hunter, including summers off.”
“I thought I’d see Dylan here.”
“How’s Caitlyn?” A dark-haired woman hurried into the room.
“Fine. The ultrasound was right. The baby’s a girl. They’re both fine.” Raquel stood. “I can take you back to see the baby.”
“Is that where the crowd rushed off to down the hall?” At Raquel’s nod, the woman settled into a chair. “Since everything’s fine, I’ll wait till things clear out a bit.”
“Thanks again for driving us, Slade. I really appreciate it, and Caitlyn did, too. She was just a bit panicked. I’m going to check on her.”
Dismissed. He should have left already. “Maybe I’ll see ya around.”
But she was already gone. Should have gotten her and Dylan’s number. He’d love to catch up with Dylan. At least he knew where they were now.
And his sister, too.
“Star Marshall.” The dark-haired woman handed him a business card. “You a friend of Raquel’s?”
“Not really.” He glanced at the card. Real estate agent. “I just ran into her in Aubrey and her friend went into labor, so I offered to drive.”
“New to the area?”
“Just visiting. But Aubrey’s a nice town.”
“Well, if you ever think of relocating, just give me a call.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He stood. “Nice meeting you.”
His old friend Dylan Marris lived in Aubrey. His sister lived in Aubrey. And a real estate agent had landed right in front of him. Was God trying to tell him something?
* * *
Maybe none of the cowboys could tell how distracted Slade was during his sermon this morning. Except Frank—his mentor.
With his Bible tucked under his arm, Slade stood at the outdoor arena exit shaking hands, smiling, making small talk as the well-wishers and preacher-duckers emptied from the arena. The sun was working overtime at warming the morning air, but they’d still had a good crowd.
A few volunteers lingered to make sure there were no coffee cups left behind, freeing his mind to stray to his visit to Aubrey earlier in the week.
After the fifth grade, he’d seen Dylan only a handful of times. But they’d always taken up right where they’d left off as if no time had passed. The last time they’d seen each other was after high school graduation.
“Good sermon.” Frank clapped him on the back.
“Not my best, but I’m glad you came. I hope my lack of focus didn’t show.”
“Not at all. Surely I don’t make you nervous.” The older man’s knowing gaze appraised him. “What’s got you so distracted?”
A couple left the arena—the cowboy’s arm around his wife’s shoulder, nestling her against his side. Their laughter blended as they shared a private joke.
A painful knot lodged in Slade’s throat. He wanted that. Someone to share life and laughter with. Someone to settle down and start a family with. For months now, the road had been wearing on him.
“The road getting long and lonely?”
“How did you know that?”
“God knew it wasn’t good for man to be alone, so He created woman to keep us out of trouble. Somehow Eve didn’t get the memo.”
Slade smiled.
“Traveling the circuit is a surefire way not to have a family or a place to call home, since most of the women hanging around are attached to the cowboys.” Frank propped his booted foot on the fence rail. “Unless you go for the buckle bunnies.”
“Trust me.” Slade chuckled. “They’re not interested in the chaplain or anything I have to say.”