My Stallion Heart (The Stallions Book 7) (6 page)

Natalie laughed. “And are you going to tell me your name?” she asked, her gaze meeting the other child’s.

“Irene. Irene Stallion,” she said with an air of attitude before she bounded off in the opposite direction. Gabi raced after her bestie, the two little girls spying a rubber ball to entertain themselves with.

Michelle shook her head. “That one’s her father’s child. And those two together are trouble waiting to happen.”

Marah nodded. “I’m going to hate it for us all when those two hit their teens. Both are hell on wheels already. Tweedledum and Tweedledee.”

A round of laughter rang around the table. Natalie wasn’t used to the commotion that came with toddlers and infants. She’d never been exposed to so many kids together in one room and none of her friends had started having children yet. Noah seemed the most comfortable as he rocked Travis’s infant daughter in his arms.

Natalie turned to Tierra. “I was hoping to meet your brother. Travis said he’s in the fashion business.”

Tierra nodded. “He is.”

“What does he do?”

“He’s a designer but at the moment I don’t think he knows what he wants to design. One minute it’s clothes, the next shoes. Next week he’ll want to design airbags for all we know. I love him to death but I think he’s still trying to find himself.”

Natalie nodded. “I actually met a shoe designer the other day who seemed very certain about what he wanted to do. He really impressed me. I’m sure your brother will find his way eventually. Hopefully he’ll be able to join us tomorrow. I’d love to talk to him.”

Tierra nodded. “I’m sure he will. He was nursing a headache and I think jet lag finally set in so I told him to order room service and just rest.”

The conversation was suddenly interrupted by a high-pitched wail. Everyone turned to see what had happened just as Gabi kicked Irene in the knee. Before either’s parents could get to them the girls had each other in a wrestling hold, rolling across the floor with everything in them. John reached the fray and separated one from the other, the duo hanging in midair as he held them high, his look chastising. Both girls were crying, their arms flailing as they pointed at the other, racing to tattle about who had done what to whom.

The laughter was thunderous, the Stallion men thoroughly entertained as both mothers shook their heads. Marah threw up her hands as she tossed a look at Michelle, whose own frustrations spilled out of the eye roll she gave her sister-in-law.

Natalie laughed heartily as her sister gave her a warm hug. “Now that brings back memories!”

Chapter 6

T
injin navigated his rental car to one of the most coveted addresses of downtown Salt Lake City. In the affluent Federal Heights neighborhood, homes dated back to the early 1900s. As he drove through the area he was enthralled by the mountains that sat to the north and impressed with the campus of the University of Utah, which rested to the south and east.

Cars lined the street and driveway of Noah Stallion’s Arlington Drive home, people moving into and out of the residence. The brick home offered a timeless design and modern touches. Tinjin was impressed as he made his way inside. The interior design had been well planned, the floor plan offering effortless entertaining and main floor living options. From where he stood in the front foyer he could see bold French doors that led to a shady patio area. As he moved farther into the house he took note of the marble surfaces, custom cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances. Vaulted twenty-foot ceilings gave the space an inviting openness.

Mourners mingled in close clusters, friends and acquaintances coming to support the family and offer their condolences. The mood was somber, voices echoing in hushed whispers. The repast was well attended and as Tinjin moved from room to room he was hard-pressed to recognize a familiar face. When he walked into the family room he finally found his sister and her husband seated on the leather couch, in conversation with an elderly couple.

Tierra waved him over, her face brightening at the sight of him. She politely excused herself from the conversation and jumped to her feet. She moved in his direction, throwing her arms around his neck.

“Hey, sorry I’m late,” he said, his voice low. He hugged her tightly, sensing her distress.

Tierra nodded her head against his shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Tinjin asked.

She nodded. “The funeral, it was just so sad.”

Tinjin met his sister’s gaze. “It was a funeral, Tea. Funerals are always sad.”

Tierra rolled her eyes. “Don’t be snarky, please.”

“I wasn’t trying to be snarky, Tierra. You know how much I hate funerals. This is not how I wanted to be spending my holiday.”

Tierra narrowed her gaze on her brother. “I know and I appreciate you coming. I just needed to spend some time with you. And I wanted you to spend time with your niece and nephew.”

He nodded. “Well, the baby was sound asleep when I left. And one of the nannies was entertaining Lorenzo and Gabrielle. All the kids were good.”

Tierra suddenly gestured to someone behind him. “Let me introduce you to Travis’s cousin,” she said as he turned to see where she stared.

The man approaching them was clearly a Stallion. He stood as tall as Tinjin’s brother-in-law, and his features were much like those of the Texas family. He kept pulling at the neckline of his dress shirt, looking uncomfortable in the double-breasted suit he wore. He smiled politely as he joined them, his fingers passing one more time from ear to ear across his neck.

Tierra rested a comforting hand against the man’s arm. “Noah, let me introduce you to my brother Tinjin,” she said softly. “Tinjin, this is Noah Stallion, Travis’s first cousin.”

Noah nodded as he extended his hand in greeting. “Thank you for coming,” he said by rote, the comment having been repeated over and over again.

Tinjin shook his hand. “I wish it were under different circumstances. I was very sorry to hear about your loss.”

Noah smiled as he took a deep breath. “Thank you. Your sister has been a godsend. I really appreciate everything she and your family have been doing for us today.”

Tinjin smiled back. “We’re all your family now, too, brother.”

Noah paused for a moment, Tinjin’s words blowing warmly through his spirit. He nodded, his smile smoothing the worry lines that had creased his forehead. He extended an arm and the two men bumped shoulders in that one-armed hug men were renowned for. “Thank you. I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.”

Tierra smiled brightly. “Noah, can I get you anything? Have you eaten?”

He shook his head. “I’m good, Tierra. I appreciate you asking. But I am worried about my baby sister. She’s been on edge and I’m afraid she might break.”

“I saw her a moment ago and tried to get her to eat something but she refused,” Tierra said. She stole a glance around the room. “There she is. Let me go check on her again,” she noted as she tossed both men a quick smile. “I’ll be back.”

Tinjin shifted his gaze to follow where his sister headed. His eyes suddenly widened with recognition. “Natalie is your sister?” he asked, his gaze snapping in Noah’s direction.

The man nodded. “Yes, my youngest. Do you know Natalie?”

Tinjin’s head bobbed against his neck. “I do,” he said. “I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection.”

Noah tapped him against his shoulder. “I’m sure she could use a good friend right now. Why don’t you go say hello. I have a few more people I need to speak to,” he said.

Before Tinjin could respond Noah moved off in the opposite direction, expressing his appreciation to other friends who had come to call on the family. Turning his attention back to the beautiful woman who stood alone against a back wall, Tinjin took a deep breath. He’d taken his first step in her direction when she suddenly looked toward him, her gaze catching his. Surprise painted her expression.

Tierra had just made it to Natalie’s side when Natalie brushed past her, moving quickly toward Tinjin instead. He crossed the distance between them and met her halfway, opening his arms to welcome her against him.

“Tinjin!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”

“Why didn’t you tell me your mother had died?” he questioned as he tightened the hold he had around her torso. “You should have told me.”

Tears suddenly seeped from her eyes. She intensified the grip she had around his waist and sobbed quietly, her tears dampening the front of his shirt. He continued to hold her, his gaze sweeping around the room. His noticed concerned stares, people eyeing them both compassionately. He didn’t miss her brother’s anxiety as Noah took a step toward them. A woman who resembled him and Natalie stalled his approach, her hand against his upper arm holding him back. Even his sister, Tierra, eyed them both with trepidation, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other clutching nervously at the pearls she wore around her neck.

When Natalie was all cried out she took a step back, moving herself out of his arms. She swiped at her eyes, then met the concerned look he was giving her. “I don’t understand. What are you doing here?”

Tinjin smiled. “My sister is Tierra Stallion. She’s married to your cousin Travis.”

Natalie nodded. “I guess if I’d have told you my full name we would have made the connection sooner.”

“We would have,” he agreed.

She took a deep breath and then a second. “So now that I’ve embarrassed myself miserably, crying like a baby, I should probably introduce you to my family.” She grabbed his hand and led the way.

Tinjin was only slightly disconcerted when they came to a quick halt in front of Noah and two other men who’d joined him.

Natalie’s introduction was abrupt at best. “Tinjin, these are my brothers. Noah, Nathaniel, Nicholas, this is Tinjin,” she said, “and this is my sister, Naomi.”

Tinjin extended his hands in greeting. The Stallion brothers were eyeing him suspiciously. “It’s very nice to meet you all,” Tinjin said, his own anxiety beginning to stir like the barest wisp of a breeze through his spirit.

Noah nodded as he gestured toward his family. “Tinjin is related to the Stallions by marriage. Travis’s wife, Tierra, is his sister.”

“How do you two know each other?” Naomi asked, one eyebrow raised curiously.

“We met on the flight in,” Tinjin said.

“So you just met?” Nicholas questioned. His stance tightened as he shifted his weight from one leg to the other, his hands clenched into tight fists at his side.

Tinjin nodded. “Yes. We were stranded at Kennedy airport together. Spent two days talking.”

“So where do you live?” the other brother asked.

Natalie shook her head vehemently. “This is not going to be an episode of twenty questions for the new boyfriend hour,” she said, cutting her gaze from one sibling to the next. “Not going to happen,” she concluded as she grabbed Tinjin’s hand and pulled him in the opposite direction.

Amusement danced in Tinjin’s eyes as he quickly glanced over his shoulder, both their families eyeing them curiously.

They moved through the rear of the house, into the kitchen and outside to the backyard. Natalie didn’t stop until they reached a concrete bench that rested at the edge of the floral garden that decorated the landscape. They both sat.

“You have a sister, so I’m sure you get it, but my brothers can be really annoying when they want to be. And my sister, Naomi, can be worse!”

Tinjin laughed. “I do get it. They’re concerned about your well-being. It’s what family does. But you have just given them more reason to be concerned. I had no issues with answering their questions.”

Natalie rolled her eyes. “Well, we don’t know each other well enough for you to be getting the third degree. I haven’t decided if I like you yet.”

“So then I’m
not
your new boyfriend?”

She gave him a look, her eyes wide, her face skewed awkwardly. “No one said anything about you being my boyfriend, TJ!”

Tinjin laughed. “Yes, you did, Gnat. You said there was going to be no new-boyfriend questioning going on.”

“I did not!” she exclaimed.

He continued to laugh, his face reddening with glee. “You did! You really did!”

“I didn’t!” Her voice rose to a high pitch.

“You did,” Noah said, having moved outside to join them.

Natalie opened and closed her mouth like a guppy out of water. She finally took a deep breath, tossing both men an annoyed glare. “Maybe I did, but it was an accident. I’m not myself right now.”

“Which is why I think you need to take things slow,” Noah said, his comment directed at Tinjin. “Very slow.” He turned to stare at his sister. “You’re in mourning right now. You don’t need to be making any life-changing decisions for at least the next six months. Any decisions, Natalie. People will take advantage of you when they know you’re in turmoil.”

Tinjin bristled. He paused, locking gazes with the other man. For a brief moment he wanted to be offended but realized he would have said the same thing if the situation had been reversed. He took a deep breath before speaking. “Your brother’s right, Natalie. Not everyone is going to have your best interests at heart. I care about you and I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“So do I need to worry about you hurting me?” she asked, eyeing him intently.

Tinjin shook his head. “Never, but I wasn’t talking about me.” He looked to Noah who was still staring at him with reservation. “I like to think I’m one of the good guys. My grandmother raised me well and I would never do anything to embarrass her. I also value everything she taught me, first and foremost to be respectful of all women, particularly one I’m interested in.” He shifted his gaze toward Natalie. “To that end, it’s important to me that I have your family’s blessing, Natalie. They need to like me. Just like my sister Tierra and my grandmother will need to like you, too. Otherwise, you and I can’t even be friends.”

Natalie scowled, her head waving from side to side. She crossed her arms over her chest as she turned to stare at the flowers. She didn’t bother to respond.

Noah chuckled. He extended his hand to Tinjin. “I look forward to getting to know you, Tinjin. And good luck. She can be quite a handful!” Her brother was still laughing as he made his way across the lawn and back inside the home.

Tierra was staring out the sliding glass doors as Noah made his way through the entrance. The two locked gazes.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, concern tensing her brow.

“Yeah, I think it is,” Noah said, his grin wide and full. “And I really like your brother. I’m glad my sister has someone like him to lean on.”

* * *

The home had finally gone quiet, the last of the well-wishers pulling out of the driveway. All of the Stallions were grateful for the moment, each falling into thought as they sat together in Noah’s living room. It had been an exceptionally long day and Natalie and her siblings were grateful for it to finally be over.

John was the first to break through the silence. “I want to invite you all to come to Dallas whenever you want. Our home is always open to you, so whenever you need or want to get away, just call. The Stallion jet will always be at your disposal. We’re your family and I hope you know that you can always trust us to be here for you.”

Noah nodded. For the first time since his mother’s passing tears misted his eyes. He dropped his gaze to the floor, his hands clasped tightly together as his elbows rested against his thighs. He nodded but the words were caught in his throat. As he struggled not to cry, John moved to his side, resting a large hand against his broad shoulder. Noah cleared his throat and took a deep breath, pushing warm air past his full lips.

Natalie chimed in from her seat in the corner. “We really appreciate that, John, and we appreciate everything you all have done for us.”

Naomi nodded her concurrence. Her face lifted with a bright smile. “It feels good to have family here to support us,” she said. “This is a new experience for us.”

Nicholas chuckled. “It feels odd!”

Tierra smiled. “With this clan, you’ll get use to it.”

Noah moved onto his feet, having salvaged his composure. He extended his arms and hugged his cousin, the two men tapping each other on the back. Gratitude seeped from every pore. “Thank you,” he said, his voice a loud whisper.

Everyone in the room struggled with their emotions, the women fighting not to cry, the men holding tight to their own tears. Naomi changed the subject, shifting the conversation.

“Did you see Nolan Perry when he came into the church?” Naomi asked, looking from one brother to the other.

Nicholas and Nathaniel shook their heads.

“He was at the funeral?” Natalie questioned. She shifted forward in her seat. “I don’t think I’d even know what he looked like if I ran into him on the street.”