Rodeo Regrets Read online

  “As long as it’s not too feminine.”

  “It can’t stay a bachelor pad. Not if I’m going to live there.”

  “We’ll work it out. I’ve got two spare bedrooms. But if we want more than one child, we’ll need more, so Hannah can have her own room when she visits. And if you want a newer house, we can look into that, too. Whatever makes you happy.”

  “You make me happy.” But the light was missing from her eyes.

  “Something’s bothering you.”

  “Do you think your mom liked me?” Her tone sounded unsure.

  “She’s been that way since my dad left when I was fifteen. Won’t let anybody near. Not even me, but I wanted you to meet her. To do things right.”

  “She seems so sad.”

  “She is. She’s mad at God for my dad leaving. I’ve been praying for her and inviting her to church.”

  “I’ll pray for her, too.”

  As they stepped up on the porch, he pulled her into his arms, unable to resist those lips a second longer. Sparks flew and his brain stalled.

  “Ahem.”

  Natalie jerked away from him.

  Her dad glowered at Lane. “Hello again.”

  “Hi, Daddy. You remember Lane.” Natalie’s voice quivered.

  “Nice to see you again, sir.” Lane offered his hand.

  Daniel ignored it. “Come on in. Dinner’s almost ready. Don’t want it to get cold while you stand on my porch kissing my daughter.”

  Lane’s heart sank. The evening hadn’t started off well. He’d have to spend the rest of the night on his best behavior and win her dad over. His future depended on it. He trailed behind Natalie as they entered the house, which was decorated in shimmering fabrics with creamy tones similar to Natalie’s living room.

  “Tell me, Lane, any fans of Zane Grey in your family?”

  “Actually, my dad was a big Lane Frost fan, from his high school career on.”

  “You can’t be all bad, then.”

  “Daddy!”

  “Are you a hunting man, Lane?”

  “I used to go hunting with my dad. But not since I was a teenager. My parents divorced and...” He hadn’t seen his dad much since.

  Daniel’s scowl grew deeper. Apparently divorce was a bad word in the Wentworth household. Two strikes against him—couldn’t keep his lips to himself and a long line of divorce ran in his family.

  “Ever been on a wild boar hunt?”

  “No, sir.”

  “I’m leaving for a hunt Wednesday after evening Bible study. Just a few hours away over in Centerville. Staying until Friday afternoon. Why don’t you come with me? From what I gather, you only work on weekends. We can get to know each other. Male bonding time.”

  Daniel had checked him out. Enough to know what he did for a living. Hmm.

  “I don’t know, Daddy. Lane may not want to.”

  “It sounds like fun.” Lane tried to sound convincing. Wild boars on the loose and a man who didn’t like him with a loaded gun. What could be more fun than that? The perfect place to ask the man with the gun if Lane could marry his daughter.

  Natalie shot him a worried look. She was worth it.

  * * *

  Lane’s back ached from leaning against nothing, perched on a tiny platform high in a tree just after daylight. Daniel Wentworth sat beside him, relaxed, reclining against the tree trunk.

  The boars ran loose and wild. They’d already seen a whole herd, but the animals never stopped as they ran past and down the other side of a knoll out of range.

  At least he was in a tree. Now all Lane had to worry about was the man with the rifle.

  “Tell me about yourself, Lane,” Daniel whispered. “How long have you known Natalie?”

  “Since middle school, sir.”

  “I see. What about your family?”

  Lane sucked in a deep breath. Would the specter of his parents’ divorce keep him from Natalie? “My mom lives in Denton. We used to have a farm in Aubrey, but after my parents divorced, my mom got an apartment. She still lives there. My dad moved to Oklahoma.”

  “See him much?”

  “No, sir.” Lane sighed. “He remarried. Had more kids. They’re a lot younger than me. I used to go visit. But his wife didn’t like me and the other kids were jealous of me. Just seemed easier not to.”

  “Divorce is a tough thing.”

  “Yes, sir. I promised myself—a long time ago—it would never happen to me.”

  “So you’ve never been married?”

  “No, sir.” Avoided divorce for a long time by not letting himself love. But Natalie had broken his rules. “When I marry, it’ll be for keeps.”

  “Claire and I have thirty years in.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Hasn’t been easy.” Daniel closed his eyes for a second. “Especially the early years. We never had financial concerns, but money doesn’t buy happiness. Claire had issues. I had issues. Humans have issues. It’s learning to deal with your issues together. That’s the key.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Has Natalie told you about her missing aunt?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Claire and I had only been married a few months when her younger sister, Millie, disappeared. Only sixteen years old—vanished.”

  “Did they find her?”

  “Not a trace. The police treated it like a kidnapping, but got reports she ran off with her boyfriend. But thirty years later, you’d think she’d have come back by now if that was the case.”

  “I can’t imagine how your wife must feel.”

  “It made her real overprotective of the girls. Caitlyn was always the easy one. Did what we told her. Never caused any problems. Our rule follower.”

  He shook his head. “But Natalie—she was always stubborn. Wanted to make her own rules and break everyone else’s.”

  “She ran into some jerk in high school. He...mistreated her and she went wild. I thought Claire would go nuts. She was terrified Natalie would wind up missing like Millie.”

  Lane’s stomach churned. If only Daniel knew he was talking to the jerk.

  “Her mother and I didn’t know what to do, so we got her in church. We all met the Lord, except Natalie. It didn’t take with her. Things got better for Claire and me, but eventually things got so bad with Natalie, I said things I didn’t mean and she left. I didn’t see her for over two years. Not until a few months ago. She’s straightening her life out now. Letting the Lord lead.”

  He’d not only caused Natalie pain, but her whole family had suffered because of him.

  “I’m glad Natalie found the Lord.”

  “You a Christian, Lane?”

  “Yes, sir. A newbie. Got saved nine months ago.”

  “That’s good.”

  Finally, he’d done something right. And Nat’s mom liked him. Maybe he could build on that.

  Lane closed his eyes. Just spit it out. “Sir, I’d like your permission to marry her.”

  “I see.” Daniel swallowed hard as if he’d choked on a bitter pill.

  “But before you answer—” Lane sucked in a deep breath “—there’s something you need to know about me.”

  “What’s that?”

  “That jerk she encountered in high school.” He sighed. “That would be me.”

  Daniel cocked the 30-30 rifle he held.

  Lane gasped.

  A blast rang through his head.

  Chapter 14

  “Got him!” Daniel whooped.

  High-pitched squeals echoed through the woods.

  Lane followed Daniel’s gaze. A huge boar wallowed in tall grass twenty feet away, then went still.

  “Sir, did you hear what I said?”

>   “I did. I heard it back when it happened.”

  “You knew? Back then?”

  “I wanted to know if you’d come clean with me. Especially while I held a loaded gun.”

  “I’m sorry, sir.”

  “You should be.”

  “My parents divorced and I went on a rampage. Natalie happened to get in my way and got burned.”

  “Yes, she did.”

  “I imagine you want me out of her life, for me to leave her alone.”

  “If I had my druthers.”

  “But I can’t do that, sir. I love her. I loved her back then. I was just too young and stupid to admit it.”

  “Seems you’ve got one option.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Marry her and spend the rest of your life treating her right.”

  “I’d love that chance, sir.”

  “Then do it.” Daniel climbed down from the stand. “Let’s go see about that hog. Think I’ll have him stuffed.”

  Lane clambered down after him. “Sir, I won’t let you down.”

  “You better not. Hurt my girl again and you’ll answer to me and my 30-30.” Daniel clapped him on the back so hard his teeth rattled. “You know, I always thought if you wanted to hide a body, out here would be a great place.”

  “Sir, I’ll treat Natalie right, but it won’t be because I’m afraid of you.”

  Daniel stopped and turned to face him. The rifle rested on his shoulder. “Is that so?”

  “I’ll treat her right because I love her. I respect her and I want to honor her. I made mistakes with her in the past. But this time, I haven’t done anything but kiss her. And I won’t, not until we’re married.”

  Daniel smiled. “Music to a dad’s ears. You might be worth knowing, after all.”

  “And one other thing, I intend to provide for her. I’m starting seminary this fall to answer the call as associate pastor, but I make good money as a rodeo pickup man and I’ve started my own fencing company.”

  “A preacher, huh?” Daniel slung his arm over Lane’s shoulder. “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you, sir. I’m also planning to turn my farm into a ranch over the next few years. I’ve already bought some cattle and I don’t want to live in Natalie’s house. I’d feel like a kept man if I moved into my wife’s house, and I fully support Nat signing it over to Hannah.”

  “Have you discussed this with Natalie?”

  “Yes, sir. The only thing I haven’t discussed with her is—I don’t know what kind of money Natalie has, but I want to sign a prenup. I’m not interested in her money, and I’d like to prove it with a legal document. She’ll fight me on it, so if we could keep that between us, life will be more peaceful.”

  “But you don’t have to prove anything to me. You already have.”

  “If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d like to make it legal.” Lane pushed a limb out of the way and held it until Daniel passed through the opening.

  The pig trail narrowed. Dead leaves from last fall crunched and twigs snapped as they made their way through the brush. At least Lane hoped it was the two of them making all the noise and not a herd of pigs on their trail.

  “Tell you what. I’ve made a mint with real estate and longhorns. Natalie has a trust she’s entitled to when she turns thirty-five. I’ll have my lawyer draw up a prenup on that.”

  “Along with whatever she inherits from you. I’d appreciate it, sir.”

  Daniel clapped him on the back again. Gentler this time. “You have my blessing.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “Let’s haul in the kill, get some lunch and then we’ll see if you can take down a boar. I always donate the meat to the children’s home and they can always use more food.”

  Lane smiled and fell in behind his future father-in-law as the trail narrowed even more. He liked this man. Terrorizing his daughter’s suitor with a rifle one minute, worrying about parentless children the next.

  * * *

  Natalie hurried to Lane’s door. He’d begged off on supper before the rodeo. Would he propose tonight? Over a nice candlelight dinner.

  He’d said he had a surprise for her at his house. A ring? Didn’t he know the way he made her feel? He should realize it was dangerous to propose to her anywhere near a bed.

  The door swung open before she could knock.

  “Hey, beautiful.” His smile melted her into a puddle at his feet.

  “How did the hunting trip go?”

  “Fine.” He drew her into his arms.

  “Fine?” That’s all? “You and Daddy got along okay?”

  “Fine. We each killed a boar.”

  Did you ask him if you could marry me?

  “Come on upstairs, and let me show you what I’ve been up to. Then it’s out the door for you before I’m tempted to never let you go.”

  Upstairs?

  She climbed the stairs with him following. Usually only bedrooms were upstairs. But she trusted him. Just not herself so much.

  “No peeking.” His hands clamped over her eyes as they reached the top.

  Her hands covered his. With his chest pressed against her back, he walked her forward. His nearness sent a shiver through her.

  “Ready.”

  “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not trying to pull anything.” He moved his hands. “Open your eyes.”

  It was a bedroom. Pink froufrou with ruffles and lace everywhere—the canopy, the bedspread and the curtains. Definitely not Lane’s bedroom.

  “What is this?”

  “For Hannah. Think she’ll like it?”

  Natalie gasped.

  “What? She likes pink, doesn’t she? I don’t mean for her to live with us, but when she visits, I figured she ought to have her own room. So I got Jenna’s number from your mom and had her tackle decorating while I was gone with your dad on the hunt. Is it too fancy?”

  “It’s perfect.” Her voice came out in a whisper.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You’ll never know what this means to me.” She leaned back against him. “You’re welcoming my daughter into your home.”

  “Our home. Our daughter.” He turned her into his arms. “You sure you’ll be happy moving out of your dollhouse and into this fixer-upper?”

  “I’ll be happy wherever you are.” She pressed her cheek against his chest, treasuring every heartbeat.

  “I could stay like this all night. But I’ve got a rodeo to work. We better get going.”

  No proposal. It would come. She knew it. But waiting was not her best event.

  * * *

  Nerves danced through Natalie as she neared her usual seat by Kendra at the Cowtown Coliseum. Lacie and Star sat on the other side of her friend. Apparently Kendra had gotten over her unease where Star was concerned.

  Lane hadn’t opened up any more about the hunting trip with her dad. And, apparently, she wouldn’t get her proposal tonight.

  She loved Lane. He loved her. What was he waiting for? He’d had time to get a ring and time to talk to her father.

  Her stomach took a dive. If Daddy didn’t approve, would Lane still propose to her?

  Of course he would. He’d fixed up a room for Hannah. But if Daddy was being stubborn, he could delay things.

  “Hey.” Kendra frowned at her. “You okay? You seem jumpy. You and Lane are okay now, right?”

  “We’re fine.” I think. “How are you feeling?”

  Kendra patted her protruding stomach. “Like a cow. Danielle even compared me to one. But other than that, fine.”

  Natalie laughed. “You can always depend on children to say what they think. What does Danielle think of the new baby coming?”

  “She’s exc
ited and I’m so thankful. I was afraid she’d be jealous.”

  Replaced by a biological baby. It could happen to Hannah someday.

  “Can I ask you something?” Natalie whispered.

  “Sure.”

  “What if Star and Wyatt have other kids? Do you think Star will love Hannah less than her own children?”

  “I can only speak for me.” Kendra shook her head. “I love Danielle just as much as I love this new baby. She’s mine as surely as if I’d given birth to her myself. And I imagine Star will feel the same way. It’s obvious how much she loves Hannah.”

  The engine roared to life and the huge tractor in the center of the arena signaled the beginning of the rodeo. As the tractor cleared the gate, “We Are the Champions” blared over the speakers, Quinn made a few announcements and the arena went black. The “Star-Spangled Banner” began playing and a spotlight shone on a girl singing it in the middle of the arena. As the patriotic anthem ended, she launched into a popular country song.

  Natalie’s mind went back to Lane. What had Daddy said to him? Where was her proposal?

  The song ended and the girl left the arena. It went dark again.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight before we get started, we have a special guest with an important question.” Quinn’s voice bounced around the arena. “Cowtown Coliseum’s very own pickup man extraordinaire, Lane Gray.”

  The spotlight shone on Lane in the middle of the arena. Feminine whistles and whoops echoed around her.

  What was he doing?

  He dropped to one knee.

  Her heart jolted.

  “I’ve loved Natalie Wentworth since high school, but I made some mistakes and ruined her reputation. We went our separate ways on destructive paths. But God got hold of us and we’re both Christians now. We’ve started over on a new path and embraced purity.”

  A smattering of applause echoed through the crowd.

  “So tonight, I have a very important question for the most beautiful, special woman I’ve ever known. I love you, Natalie Wentworth. Will you marry me?”

  As she clutched a hand to her heart, a second spotlight blinded her.

  The crowd began to chant. “Yes, yes, yes, yes.”

  Her vision blurred and she nodded her head.