Roughneck Cowboy (15 page)

As soon as Dominick glanced up from the paperwork on his desk, he sucked in a harsh breath. “Where did you get that ring?”

Travis followed his father's gaze and for the first time noticed his mother's emerald on her finger. His heart flipped upside down. Sara intended to give him a second chance.

D
ominick stared long and hard at the ring. “She kept it all those years.”

“I don't remember Mom ever taking off the ring, except when she went into the hospital for the last time,” Travis said.

“My father gave Charlotte this ring, didn't he?” Sara's voice quivered.

“Yes.” The word escaped Dominick in a choked whisper.

“My God, Sara. I didn't know Mom's ring came from your father.” Travis shook his head. “I never would have…”

“Never would have what?” Sara asked.

“Given it to you as an engagement ring. The emerald was my mother's most treasured possession. I wanted the woman I intended to spend the rest of my life with to wear it.”

Tears welled in Sara's eyes. “I never knew about their affair, but Cole recognized the ring.” She rubbed her finger over the polished jewel. “My brother overheard our parents arguing. He caught a glimpse of the ring when my mother confronted my father with it. The woman's name my father had an affair with was
never spoken out loud, but I should have guessed.” Sara shifted her attention to Dominick. “My father called out for Charlotte right before he died.”

Dominick aged ten years before Travis's eyes. His father's straight posture slumped as he left his desk chair. “When I learned about the affair, I asked Charlotte to return the ring to Jake. She refused.”

“Now I understand why you're determined to own the Bar T.” Sara didn't flinch under Dominick's sober stare. “Revenge.”

Standing in front of the office windows, Dominick's agonized expression reflected in the glass.

“My father was partly to blame for Matt and Samantha growing up without a mother,” Sara said. “And for keeping Travis from the rest of your family.”

Motioning for Sara and Travis to sit on the couch, Dominick said, “When I discovered Charlotte had been seeing Jake behind my back, I gave her an ultimatum—if she didn't end the affair, I'd divorce her and make sure she didn't get one penny of Cartwright money or custody of Matt and Sam.” He stubbed the toe of his boot against the carpet. “I also told her she'd have to leave Oklahoma.”

“That's why Mom settled in Houston,” Travis said.

Dominick nodded. “She chose Jake over me and her children and packed her bags.”

“It's difficult to accept that the man I admired and loved all my life betrayed my mother in the worst way.” Sara sniffed. “All this time I fought Cartwright Oil tooth and nail over the Bar T, because I assumed my father had been the one wronged.”

“I believe Charlotte and Jake truly loved each other—that it wasn't a simple affair,” Dominick said.
“But your father did the right thing—he sacrificed his own happiness and stayed with your mother when she discovered she was expecting you.”

Travis grasped Sara's hand. “All those years my mother held out hope that your father would come for her.”

“After my mother passed away, my father was free to track Charlotte down. Why didn't he?”

“I don't know. Maybe Jake figured Charlotte would want nothing to do with him after he chose his family over her.” Dominick rubbed his hands down his face. “I've had trouble letting go of the past.” His mouth curved at one corner. “Oil is in my blood and I don't need much of an excuse to pursue an opportunity when I see one. I wanted to take something of your father's because he took something of mine.” Dominick dropped his gaze to the floor. “We all behaved badly.”

“Sara.” Travis squeezed her hand tighter. “Please give me a chance to explain the conversation you overheard between me and my father.” He breathed a sigh of relief at her nod. “When I first arrived in Tulapoint, I was eager to prove myself to Dominick and find a way to fit in with my siblings. I saw a chance when my father suggested I try to convince you to negotiate a deal with him.”

“I don't blame you—”

“Let me finish.” He trailed a finger over the curve of her ear. “As I got to know you, I began to admire you. Pretty soon I lost track of my mission and found myself wanting to spend more and more time with you, because, you accepted me for who I was—a roughneck. I never felt that I had to prove myself to you, Sara. Before I knew it, I was falling in love with you. Not
until yesterday did I realize how far I'd strayed from my original goal.”

When Sara didn't speak, fear gripped Travis and he turned to his father. “Sara's the best thing that's ever happened to me. You weren't there for me all those years when I was growing up. But you're here for me now, Dad. I need Sara. She makes me happy. She makes Charlie happy. Give us your blessing.”

“Travis, that's not fair to ask your father—”

“Don't speak for me, young lady,” Dominick cut in. “I admit I made mistakes in the past, Travis. I should have gone after your mother. If I had tried to work things out with her, your life would have been different—but maybe not better.”

“What do you mean?” Travis asked.

“I doubt you would have become the man you are today had you been raised at the Lazy River. You've had a rougher upbringing than your brother or sister, but you've become a man any father would be proud to claim as his son. Because of you, I've finally realized that family—not oil—should always come first.” Dominick spoke to Sara next.

“Travis loves you. Charlie loves you. The three of you deserve to be a family. You and Travis shouldn't have to pay a price for your parents' mistakes. I'm getting old, young lady. I want my family together and at peace during my remaining years. If you don't marry my son, he'll take my granddaughter and leave.”

Sara wiped a tear that leaked from her eye.

“You do love my son, don't you?” Dominick asked.

“I love Travis very much and Charlie, too.”

“Good. Your marriage will be a new beginning for
both families. The past will finally be laid to rest and I, for one, will be glad to let go of it.”

“I want you to wear this ring.” Dominick grasped Sara's hand. “Let it remind all of us that forgiveness is the greatest gift of all.”

“If you can find it in your heart to forgive me for being a bully all these years, I'd be honored to have you join our family.” Dominick's eyes became overly bright.

A warm rush of affection filled Sara. Life with the oil baron as a father-in-law wouldn't be easy, but deep down he possessed a good soul and a loving heart.

“I'll let you close the deal, son.” Dominick left the office, shutting the door behind him.

Travis dropped to one knee on the floor and grasped Sara's hand. “I love you with all my heart. Charlie and I want a future with you. Will you marry us, Sara?”

Sara's heart somersaulted in her chest. If ever she had a doubt about this man's love for her, he'd put it to rest with his next words.

“I can live my life without a mother. Without a father or siblings or a drop of oil money, but I can't live without you, Sara. You make me want to be a better man and a better father to Charlie. Take a chance on me and I'll spend the rest of my days making you happy.”

Tears dripped down her cheeks. “Yes,” she whispered. “I'll take a chance on you, Travis Cartwright.”

He pulled Sara into his arms and kissed her…would have continued kissing her if not for the loud knock on the door.

Amy poked her head into the room. “Is Sara staying for supper?”

“Yes,” Travis said, keeping Sara tucked against his side. “We have an announcement to make.”

Amy's eyes lit up. “Oh, I love announcements.” She hurried away, calling out to Renée to add another place setting at the dining-room table.

 

S
UPPER WAS A LIVELY
affair at the Cartwright household and Sara enjoyed every minute. A quilt had been laid out at the end of the dining room for the children to picnic on the floor. Refusing help from the women, Juanita placed several platters of food on the table. Amy put herself in charge of fixing plates for the children while the adults took their seats at the table. Everything seemed perfect—the food, the jokes between siblings, the children's laughter—the heated looks Travis cast her way between bites. When the dishes from the main meal were whisked away, Travis stood and clanked his fork against the side of his water glass.

After the room quieted, Travis winked at Sara and she knew this was the big moment. “I have an announcement to make.”

Matt grinned. Duke's eyebrows shot up to his hairline. Renée and Amy exchanged smiles. Dominick looked smug. The kids ignored the adults until Charlie noticed her father and shushed her cousins.

“Before I share the good news, I want all of you to know how lucky I feel right at this moment. I thought I knew what family was…until my mother—” Travis sent his daughter a sad smile “—and Charlie's grandmother died. Then I discovered Charlie and I were part of a larger family.” Travis made eye contact with Samantha, Matt and Duke. “I expected to be the outsider…the
sibling that didn't fit in. The brother who brought back memories better left forgotten.”

Sara's eyes stung at the heartfelt emotion in Travis's voice.

“That's not what happened. You've all shown me the true meaning of family. So tonight, I thank you for allowing me and Charlie to be a part of your lives.”

“When I made the trip to Oklahoma, I never anticipated that I'd find the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.” Travis held Sara's hand. “Sara and I are getting married.”

Wade clapped, and Samantha nudged him in the side. “Shush, Travis isn't done yet.”

“Sorry,” Wade mumbled, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“I have everything I need now—a family, a strong, compassionate, feisty, beautiful woman—” Sara rolled her eyes, and everyone laughed “—to stand by my side.” Travis smiled at Charlie. “And a daughter I love very much.” Travis leaned down and kissed Sara before taking his seat.

Charlie's mouth dropped open. “Is Ms. Sanders gonna be my mom for real?”

“Yes, I am, Charlie. Is that okay with you?” Sara asked.

“Yeah, it's really okay with me!”

Matt stood and raised his wineglass. “To Sara, Travis and Charlie.”

After the toast, Samantha said, “What about a Christmas wedding?”

“Next Christmas?” Sara sipped her wine.

“No, this Christmas.”

Sara choked on the drink and wheezed, “Christmas is two days away.”

“I'll phone Reverend Ryker.” Dominick's statement caught everyone's attention. “I'll make a substantial donation to the church. He won't be able to say no.”

“A Christmas Eve wedding. We can do it, can't we, girls?” Renée clapped her hands.

“I don't have a wedding dress,” Sara protested.

“We'll call Beulah,” Samantha said. “I bet her mother had more than one wedding dress. And we'll ask her to host the reception.”

“I'll help Beulah prepare the food.” Juanita poked her head into the room and smiled.

Bewildered by the Cartwrights' easy acceptance of her marrying into the family, Sara sat dazed. Travis tipped her chin up and stared into her eyes. “Say yes to a Christmas wedding.”

“Yes.”

 

“Q
UIT PACING, SHE'LL BE
here,” Matt said to Travis in the vestibule of the church.

The groomsmen exchanged anxious looks. At least Travis didn't have to wait and worry alone. Matt, Wade and Duke had all agreed to be his groomsmen and Cole was escorting the guests to their seats before walking his sister down the aisle. Gabe should have been helping Cole, but no one had heard from him. The church was packed—everyone in Tulapoint who hadn't left town for the holidays had showed up to see the last Cartwright son married.

Travis checked his watch for the umpteenth time. The ceremony was set to begin in thirty minutes and Sara had yet to arrive at the church.

“Are you sure she's coming?” he asked his father.

Dominick ran a finger beneath his shirt collar. “She'll show.”

Travis had called Sara late yesterday and again early this morning but she'd rushed him off the phone with the excuse that she had too much to do. He'd tossed and turned in bed last night, worrying that she might change her mind about him and skip town today.

“Daddy, she's here!” Charlie poked her head into the church foyer.

Travis's heart beat so hard he swayed sideways, bumping into his father.

“My God, son, pull yourself together.” Dominick's mustache twitched. “We can't have the groom fainting at the altar.”

The groomsmen chuckled, then Wade suggested, “Travis, time to take your place next to the reverend.”

Travis entered the church through a side door near the altar. Reverend Ryker smiled. Travis fidgeted, the faces in the pews blurring as he willed the doors at the back of the church to open.

The organist began playing the wedding march. Travis held his breath but the doors didn't open. The organist began the wedding march again and the guests in the pews shifted in their seats for a better view.

Suddenly the doors opened. Wade and Samantha led the procession down the aisle. Matt and Amy followed, then Duke and Renée. Once the adults took their places at the front of the church, Charlie, Lily and Rose shuffled down the aisle, tossing rose petals in the air. Luke and Timmy trailed behind with the ring bearer's pillow.

When the children were seated in the front pew next
to Dominick, the wedding march began anew and Sara appeared in the doorway with Cole.

“Wow,” Matt whispered.

“Yeah, double wow,” Duke commented.

“Behave,” Samantha hissed.

Sara was stunning.

Travis's heart was beside itself. He wanted to see Sara's eyes but the veil attached to the headpiece hid her face. The ivory-colored satin halter gown was simple yet sexy—exactly Sara's style.