A Texas Ranger's Family (11 page)

“Daniel, it's no big deal. I'll be fine with sneakers.”

“We'll see that you get whatever you need,” LaVerne assured everyone.

“The only thing I need is time to take this place in.” Erin's voice held a faraway quality as she tipped her head back to view the twenty-foot vaulted ceiling.

Daniel remembered being a small boy, watching as a crane hoisted the heavy cross beams into place. How
happy his parents had been when the four of them had moved from what was now the bunkhouse into this cavernous home.

“LaVerne, I could just sit in this kitchen or on your front porch and never want to leave.”

A snort of laughter burst from Dana.

“That's what everybody says when they first get here. Just give Grandma Verne and Uncle Jake a couple of days to figure out where you fit into the labor program. You'll be plotting your escape along with the rest of us.”

“I beg your pardon, Sleeping Beauty.” Her grandmother stood with arms akimbo, all business in a blue checked apron. “Helping with the chores never hurt anybody. And if you keep running that mouth, I'll find some toilets that need scrubbing right after you finish rummaging in the tack room and the storage barn for a spare pair of boots for your mama.” LaVerne motioned toward the back door with her thumb.

Dana's eyes sought Erin's, no doubt looking for an ally.

“An eight would be perfect, but I can live with a half size on either side if that's the best you can do.”

LaVerne turned back to the business of pantry inventory and Daniel bit his lip to keep from laughing at Dana as the screen door bounced on its hinges behind her.

“Well done.” Daniel applauded. “You handled that like a pro.”

“I've been watching some great role models the past couple of weeks.” Erin nodded toward Daniel and his mama.

“Well, thank you, but we've both been operating in ‘company mode.'” He lowered his voice and leaned in close. “You're about to see LaVerne large and in charge
of her own territory. Just do as she tells you and nobody'll get hurt.”

“I wouldn't consider doing otherwise.”

“Then you'll be the only woman on this place who feels that way. Becky's every bit as bull-headed as Mama and her four girls would just as soon eat dirt as admit their grandma knows best. But you'll see. After a few hundred folks show up next week, LaVerne's ingenuity will save the day when something unexpected crops up.”

“With so many people coming and going, I just hope I won't be in the way.”

He rolled his eyes at the thought of this quiet lady being an imposition. Now that they were home, he was truly glad she'd come.

“I'll put your things in my old room.” He pointed toward a hallway off the kitchen. “The master is two doors down so Mama's nearby if you need anything. I'll keep Dana company in the crow's nest.” He pointed to the steps that led to the second floor.

“Are you sure you don't mind giving me your room?”

“Actually, Dana and I prefer a buffer between us and Mama. Anytime you're ready to practice your climbing skills, we'll make room for you upstairs.”

LaVerne backed out of the pantry clutching her grocery list and overheard his last few words.

“Son, don't be inhospitable. Of course Erin's not climbing those steps. Put her things in your room so I can keep an eye on her.”

“That's a great idea, Mama. I should have thought of it myself.”

He gave Erin a conspiratorial wink when what he really wanted to give her was a welcome to West Texas kiss.

S
uppertime was a cross between a rodeo and a picnic.

Erin counted a dozen pair of weather-worn cowboy boots lined up in a mud rack just inside the front door of the expansive family home. Most of the stocking-footed guests were decked out in Western wear and all of them had brought covered platters or casserole dishes to contribute to the evening meal.

The Torres family arrived first. The
boys
Daniel had mentioned were much older than expected. All college-educated, the three had come back to work the Double-S after graduation. The naturalized Americans truly were the Stablers' extended family.

Jake's wife and four girls poured through the door, next. They grabbed Dana and swept her out to the bunkhouse away from the adults. Erin connected with Becky from their first hug. Even if it was just a wives' tale that men married women like their mamas, it certainly applied to Daniel's brother. He'd found a no-nonsense lady who could give as good as she got from LaVerne, deal with migrant workers in their native language and
still wrangle a houseful of kids known for bringing piglets and baby skunks inside for a visit.

Supper was a mouthwatering assortment of roasted meats, fresh vegetables and home-baked breads. Afterward Erin sipped iced tea and visited with the other women as they washed, dried and put away the many place settings of Fiesta pottery.

“LaVerne, after raising boys, was it hard for you to adjust to all these granddaughters?” Erin asked.

“I still haven't adjusted,” she grumbled. “Jake's girls would rather inoculate calves than learn to bake biscuits. And since operating the microwave is about as technical as I get, Dana and I don't have much common ground, which I'm sure you've already noticed.”

LaVerne turned an affectionate gaze to the dark-eyed Mexican woman at her side. “I'm just glad I spoke enough Spanish to be close to Elena's boys as they were comin' up. Why, Miguel is like one of my own.”

“
Si
, and we considered giving our oldest to you legally during his last year of high school.” Elena turned to Erin. “That boy only survives today by the grace of Senora Stabler. When Isadore was ready to lock Miguel in a horse trailer and throw away the key,
la
Senora intervened.”

LaVerne swatted away the accolade with her damp dish towel. “I merely pointed out to Miguel how fortunate he was to have a father when my sons were without one at his age.”

“
Honestamente
?” There was disbelief in Elena's voice. “All you did was encourage my Miguel to appreciate his papa?”

“Well, that and twenty dollars for each passing grade on his report card.” LaVerne rubbed her thumb and fore
finger together indicating money had changed hands. “It got the desired results.”

“
Yo lo supe
! I knew it,” Elena cried. “That boy always had more money than the other two. No wonder he could afford a car for graduation.”

“Cash didn't work with Oscar and Alano. They responded better to boots and riding tack.” LaVerne held her palms outward in defense. “Besides, it's a little late to hold spoiling your kids against me, now.”

“You may call it ‘spoiling' if you like, but I call it ‘bribery.' Either way, it worked and we are grateful to you for it,
mi
amigo.”

Erin knew of the carrot-and-stick approach, but in foster care there was mostly evidence of the stick end of the philosophy. Staying clear of punishment was the only reward.

“LaVerne, it sounds like you just need to figure out what appeals to the girls,” Erin suggested.

“That's just it. Grandma Stabler only bothers to spoon out sugar to the men folk,” Becky announced.

“Meaning?” The way LaVerne fixed her gray eyes on the serving bowl in her hands while she waited on Becky's answer told Erin this was a touchy, old subject.

“Meaning that the only approach you take with your granddaughters is to boss them around. There's never a choice for them to make. It's Grandma Verne's way or the highway so they simply stay away.”

“Well, Becky Stabler, if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black.”

Becky loaded a stack of colorful dishes into the glass-fronted cabinets then looked to Erin to explain.

“I'm their mother. They're supposed to hate me. But she's their only grandma and that's a relationship they
should enjoy. LaVerne could have our girls eating out of her hand, but she'd rather have them toeing the line every minute of the day.”

“Those girls don't need coddling,” LaVerne insisted. “They need to be strong, independent. Women have to earn their own way and make smart decisions instead of marrying for security. Erin, you have a modern woman's work ethic. What do you say?”

Erin knew a little something about cross fire. And though this was friendly fire, she was still caught in it.

She squeezed the glob of putty that was her constant companion and considered her response carefully. On the one hand, LaVerne's point was valid. Erin had observed just enough of her own mother to know the path she'd taken was not worth repeating. But on the other hand, modeling responsibility would never trump unconditional love. Just as Erin had missed so many experiences with Dana, LaVerne was losing opportunities with her granddaughters that might never come along again.

But this was neither the time nor the place to share that insight.

“Ladies, considering my track record, I feel completely unqualified to offer an opinion.”

“What a cop-out,” Becky teased.

“That's hogwash,” LaVerne agreed with her daughter-in-law and the two fell back into comfortable work.

With the clean-up complete, Becky called to the men who were involved in a noisy baseball debate.

“Gentlemen, if y'all can forget about the pennant race for a few minutes and come back to the kitchen, there's fresh gingerbread and hot coffee over here for you.”

Everyone agreeably padded toward the large plank-
style table, chairs scraping as they pulled close to enjoy being together for the fragrant dessert.

Becky drew a thick folder from her quilted tote and handed it to Jake who kissed her on the cheek, gratitude in his eyes. A pang of envy pierced Erin's heart as she watched the two.

“Thanks for remembering this, hon. Now we can nail down some assignments and get a jump on things in the morning.”

As Dana had predicted, Daniel's brother had jobs for everybody. Even the five girls who'd opted for dinner and video games in the bunkhouse had assignment sheets of their own. Until the trophies were awarded and the last aluminum can had been hauled to the recycling center, everybody would be busy.

Everybody but Erin. She was feeling about as useless as poison ivy when LaVerne plunked down a box designed to hold a pair of Tony Lama's.

“You found me some cowboy boots, already?”

“Sure did,” Becky announced. “But they're back at our place. I'll run them over to you first thing tomorrow.”

“Then what's in here?”

“I'm so glad you asked.” LaVerne smirked and removed the lid to reveal hundreds of snapshots stacked tightly inside. “There's another dozen boxes just like this in my closet.”

Erin glanced at Daniel. His elbows rested on the tabletop beside her. He grinned as he forked up his last bite of gingerbread. “Did you think she was kiddin' when she said she was gonna put you to work?”

Her knee tingled pleasantly where he bumped his against hers. Erin gulped black coffee, imagining herself
stuck inside the house sorting pictures while everybody else enjoyed the incredible scenery outdoors. She wanted to watch Daniel and Dana handle the day-to-day needs of the ranch. To catch a close-up look at the baby animals the girls talked about. To get to know everybody she'd met today. As well-traveled as she was, Erin had never been on a ranch or to a cook-off of any kind and was looking forward to the experiences. The very thought of spending her days cooped up sorting hundreds of somebody else's pictures made her heart sink. But it was the least she could do to help after these folks had welcomed her into their lives.

“So, my job will be to organize all these photos?”

“Of course not,” LaVerne dismissed the idea. She tugged the lid back on the box and moved it to the counter.

“I'm saving that for my senior years. Besides, today you couldn't tell a Southern Yankee smoker from a John Deere tractor. But you'll know the difference in no time, if you get out there in the middle of things. Just watch and photograph all the preparations and rub elbows with the contestants.” LaVerne snapped her fingers at a new thought. “Why, with you winnin' that Pulitzer Surprise thing, we might even be able to talk folks into paying to get their picture made.”

Erin felt Daniel tense beside her, he sat up taller.

“Now hold on a minute, Mama. Asking Erin to snap a bunch of random shots is one thing. Making money off her reputation is altogether another. We never agreed that would be part of the plan.”

Plan? There was a plan, and Daniel cared enough to be in on it?

Erin felt the pleasant warmth of his nearness settle
around her spirit as if he'd hugged her close. Unseen by the others, she pressed her palm over his knee beneath the table. The way his pupils dilated confirmed that his attention was all hers.

“It's okay, Daniel. In fact, it's a great idea.” Erin's gaze fixed on his and she nodded in agreement with LaVerne. “I'm not a portrait artist, but if people are willing to spend a few extra dollars for a good cause, count me in.”

“Let's talk about it privately,” he closed the subject.

“So you're willin' to use that fancy camera and rumble with the locals?” LaVerne bulldozed ahead.

The flicker of an idea ignited Erin's mental pilot light. It had been years since she'd accepted an assignment that had more local color than global impact. Where she might once have dismissed this as fund-raising fluff, today she recognized the importance of a small community's generosity. She smiled at the wistful notion of human beings enjoying life instead of struggling to survive its hardships.

“Photographs of happy people are not exactly what I'm known for but I'm willing to give it a try. Besides, it's the least I can do to repay everyone's kindness.”

“We're not being kind, Erin. We're being family.”

All heads turned toward Daniel's brother.

“You're our Dana's mama and that makes you one of us. We wouldn't have it any other way.”

Erin murmured her thanks to Jake who gave the same half wink she'd begun to treasure from Daniel.

She lowered her eyes to hide the sting of recognition. Was the charming blink only a coy family mannerism?

And was Jake in on
the plan
, too?

 

Daniel stood on the front porch and watched Jake's taillights shrink to the size of the fireflies that hovered over the small patch of lawn. He thought they'd never leave. For the past two hours, he'd been torn between his desire to quite literally kiss Erin for her cooperation and his urge to give LaVerne “what for” by dropping a carton of eggs on her clean kitchen floor. His mama had no business setting Erin up like that and he intended to let her know how he felt about it.

But first Daniel had to examine how he felt about Erin.

The qualities that had drawn him to her in their youth were slowly resurfacing in her reserved mannerisms, her quiet conversations, her willingness to work hard and her determination to be independent. Though she continued to be modest about her career, the unmistakable pride of accomplishment glimmered in her eyes.

Erin's fear that had once seemed a constant presence was now an occasional shadow. But Daniel suspected the change was more a product of mind over memory than it was the defeat of demons. Erin would have to face them down at some point, just as he would have to admit to decisions that haunted him.

How many days did he have left? Should he stick with his plan? His heart thudded as he considered what failure could mean.

Though all was well at the moment, a distant fire bell seemed to clang in the back of Daniel's mind. Erin was improving every day. So, time was running out. His intention to have her experience a loving family was a game of chance with long odds, high stakes and few possible outcomes. Any time now, Erin would realize
she was fit to go back to her job and she'd leave. Or she'd figure out the Stablers were an over-the-top, crazy clan and she'd still leave. Or she'd come to understand that being part of an over-the-top, crazy clan wasn't so bad. And after her efforts to bond with Dana, if Erin went back to her life anyway, he had no doubt Dana would fight to go, too.

The final possibility was one Daniel refused to consider. Dana was his only child and she wasn't going anywhere. Not even with Erin.

He glanced toward the screen door. It was the end of a long day. Maybe Erin was too tired to join him on the porch glider after all. He settled on the creaky old thing aware it was a snug fit for two adults. He tipped his head back and stared into the vastness. An endless canopy of stars spread overhead like the Lord had rolled it out to welcome Daniel home.