Texas Hope: Sweetgrass Springs Stories (Texas Heroes Book 16) (27 page)

She looked so lonely in this crowd of people who only wanted to care for her.

She needed caring for so much, and he was so ready to be the one to do it.

Patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day, remember that
. Laken would take wooing, and in truth, the wooing was a lot of fun.

A small yip brought him out of his reverie. He glanced down at the yellow pup. “Okay, secret weapon, you ready?”

But Laken had already turned at the sound of Ajax’s voice, a smile quickly submerging the yearning on her features. “Hey!” She dropped to her heels, and Michael let the pup’s leash go. In seconds, he was jumping and licking all over Laken’s face, practically knocking her down.

And she was laughing, even as she dodged doggy kisses, a deep belly laugh she almost never let free.

He glanced down at Monroe, who regarded him with eager, imploring eyes. “You want to see her, too, huh? I don’t blame you.” He released Monroe to run to her and join in the fun.

Everyone around was watching fondly as Laken let go of her world-weary sophistication and tumbled to the ground with the dogs.

“You gonna marry that woman anytime soon?” James Gallagher, Jackson’s father, asked.

“I don’t know. It’s not up to me.”

“My daughter was the same. Wouldn’t have landed back in Sweetgrass for all the money in the world. She was too important. Too invested in her career. It took a scandal to send my Penny home, and even then, Bridger had his work cut out for him to keep her from running back to the East Coast.”

“So what did he do to win her over?”

“Well, some of it you don’t want to copy—he got hurt in a fire and got his head all messed up.”

“Yeah, I see your point. Though I guess I could let a horse kick me in the head or something.”

“Then your brains might be so scrambled you’d forget how to woo the girl.”

“Good point. Guess I’ll have to figure out my own method to convince her she needs to be here.”

“Well, I’ll be wishing you luck, son. Girl could use a good place to belong, looks like.”

“But she doesn’t see it that way.”

“Don’t give up. City girls aren’t so easy to capture, and some of them just can’t stay.”

“Like my mother, you mean?”

“Didn’t say that. No offense intended. Just saying Sweetgrass isn’t for everyone—well, will you look at that?” James’s gaze focused across the courthouse lawn.

Michael’s eyes followed his, and his jaw dropped. “What’s my mother doing here?” He blinked, certain he must be seeing things.

“Seems as if she’s walking this way with Gordon. Huh.”

Michael blinked again. She was. And they looked…friendly. She was nervous, though, he could tell. People were staring, which could only increase her discomfort.

He headed for Laken and helped her rise. “Sit!” he commanded both dogs. Monroe responded instantly, Ajax more slowly, but he did comply.

“Hey,” she said, fluffing her hair and brushing her clothes, laughter still in her gaze. Then she sobered. “What’s wrong?”

“My mother is here, and she looks like she needs rescuing. Would you come with me?”

“Your mother? You didn’t know she was coming?”

He met her gaze. “Not a clue. And she’s with Ian’s dad.”

Laken’s eyes widened. “Whoa.” She rose to her toes and peered over the crowd. “They look…okay.”

“She’s terrified. I have to help her. Come with me.” He held out a hand, and to his relief, she didn’t argue. Each grabbed a leash, and they made their way through the crowd.

“We should go with them,” Scarlett said. “Your mom is scared to death, and this won’t be easy on her. People will side with you, you know that.”

Ian watched his dad walking hand in hand with his mother, his body language all about protection.

Ian shook his head. “What can he be thinking?”

Scarlett stepped up beside him and slipped her small hand in his. “You said he’d never gotten involved with another woman. Could he still be in love with her?”

Ian’s gaze whipped to hers. “In what universe would that make any sense? She left him.”

Blue eyes filled with love held his. “In Gordon’s universe. He’s told you he bears blame.” She glanced back at the couple walking away. “He’s a really good man,” she said, looking back up at him. “Like his son. That was kind, what you did out there.”

He shook his head impatiently. “It wasn’t kind. I don’t feel…kind. I feel—” He exhaled in a gust. “I don’t know what the hell I feel. She’s not what I expected. I thought she’d be…”

“What?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “Snooty, maybe? One of those shiny women. All glitter and no substance.”

Scarlett squeezed his hand and leaned against his arm. “She seems so sad. I think she’s lonely.”

“She deserves to be. Dad’s sure as hell spent a lot of lonely years since she left.”

Scarlett lifted her head. “But he’s happy she’s here, can you see it? He’s also worried for you.”

“He shouldn’t be. I’m a grown man. I’m fine.”

Scarlett rose to her toes and kissed his sullen mouth softly. “You’re not fine, and of course you wouldn’t be. This is a lot to take in.” Scarlett sighed. “I wanted to hate her. To help drive the wicked witch out of town on a rail.” Her mouth twisted. “It’s really annoying that I like her.”

Her chagrin made him smile. “You were going to defend me?”

“I’ll always defend you,” she said, looking up at him with a world of love in her eyes.

“So drive her out of town.” He waited and watched her.

“If I thought that was best for you, I would.” She shook her head. “But it’s not. You need peace.” She grimaced, and her grip tightened.

“What is it? Another contraction?”

She waved it off. “I’m fine. I can’t say I’m enjoying the rehearsal, but if I wimp out at these little nothing contractions, I’ll be a poor excuse for a mother.”

He didn’t like how pain lined her face still. He was desperate to make her go to bed and stay there. “You’re going to be an awesome mother.” He bent and slipped one arm under her knees.

“Ian, don’t you dare—” As he lifted her into his arms, she smacked his shoulder. “I am not a sack of grain to be tossed around wherever you want me.”

He met her stubborn gaze head-on. “You won’t take care of yourself, so I have to do it for you. I was reading last night that stress can cause premature labor.”

“You think if I breathe I’m stressed. I rue the day Jackson made internet access so easy. You need to stop reading.”

“I want to know how to take care of you. Damn it, Scarlett, can’t you see how exhausted you are? What are you going to do when the baby gets here and you’re getting even less sleep? You know I’ll do every bit of what’s needed that I possibly can, but only you can nurse the baby. Stress can restrict your milk supply, too, did you know that? What does it take to get through your thick head that you don’t have to be Superwoman? Dreams isn’t going to open anytime soon—I’ve made up my mind. And you’re going to hire help at Ruby’s.”

“Of all the nerve—Ian, it’s my life. I have responsibilities. I’ve made promises, and I can’t just—”

“I’m not arguing about this anymore, Scarlett. Either you slow down, or I swear I’ll tie you to the bed.”

Her jaw dropped. “You can’t—”

“I can, and I will. And everyone in this town will back me up. Now are you going to see reason and do what you should or are you going force me to do it for you?” He met her furious expression with his own. “You know I will.”

She looked ready to snap.

Great job, dude. Make her even more tense.

He let out a breath. Looked at her with every bit of love in his heart. “Damn it, Scarlett. If anything happens to you…” Fear for her was a constant pain in his chest. “My love, don’t you know what you mean to me? I don’t know how to get through to you, and…I’m scared, sweetheart. Bone-deep scared. Please…”

Her eyes softened, grew bright with tears. She cupped his jaw. “Oh, Ian…I’m not trying to worry you, I just—”

He drew her into his chest. Hugged her hard. Wondered if she could feel him shaking as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed tightly against him.

“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’m trying to do the right thing, and so are you. I’m really disappointed not to have opened Dreams by now, and I so don’t want to let down Nana or the town.”

“She’s worried about you, too. Everyone is.”

Scarlett nestled into his embrace. “They shouldn’t be.”

“It’s not forever, sweetheart. You’ll still open Ruby’s Dream and knock the socks off everyone who comes there to eat. But please…give yourself a break, all right? And give my heart a rest.”

She smiled up at him. “You poor man. You took on a lot when you decided to love me.”

He snorted. “Like I had a choice. You’re an inconvenient woman to love, Scarlett McLaren.”

“But I’m worth it?”

“You know you are.” He lowered his mouth to hers and lost himself in a kiss that was an acceptance and a vow. “I wouldn’t change a hair on your head.”

She snorted softly. “Sure you would. But you love me anyway.”

“I do indeed.” He grinned. “I’ll love you more if you’ll let me take you home and put you to bed.”

“Now that is just dirty pool, Ian McLaren. You should be ashamed.”

“Not even a little.”

“It’s all about compromise, right?”

He nodded slowly, distrusting the satisfaction in her smile. “Yes, but—”

“Nuh-uh. No buts. I’ll let you take me home—” Her smile was far too complacent. “After we spend a few minutes showing everyone that we’re glad your mother is in town.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “Only if you let me carry you over there, Little Miss Ruthless.”

She frowned and started to protest but snapped her mouth shut and sighed. “You know I hate it when you win.”

“You call this winning?”

“That’s the measure of a good deal, right? When everyone feels a little cheated?”

He looked at her askance. “Good gravy, New York, is that what they taught you? A good deal is when everyone’s happy.”

“I’m not happy—are you?” She pouted prettily and crossed her arms over her chest.

He couldn’t help it. He had to laugh. “You are absolutely incorrigible. But damn, how I adore you.”

Her smile was all sunshine as she gave him a big, smacking kiss.

He shouldered his way out the door with his precious burden.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” Michael asked as he and Laken approached. He hugged her. “Are you okay?”

Laken watched as his mother held him close for a minute.

“I’m fine, honey. How are you? Gordon says everyone here thinks you’re great.”

“Hi, Gordon,” Michael greeted, then turned to his mother. “Well, I don’t know about everyone, but I like them, too.” He glanced back and reached for her. “Mom, I’d like you to meet Laken Foster.”

He and Ian both had her eyes.

“Hello, Laken,” his mother said graciously. “I’m Sophia Cavanaugh. I’m so pleased to meet you at last. Michael has talked about you a lot.”

He shot her quick look of chagrin. “Yeah, clearly too much.”

Everyone laughed a little nervously. She seemed to make people feel that they were walking on eggshells around her.

“Your son is a wonderful man, Mrs. Cavanaugh. You raised him well.” It was only the truth.

“Thank you. He’s a very good son. I’m so proud of him.”

Which was not to say that his parents had welcomed his choice of profession, she knew. “He has a real gift for healing. He’s wonderful with animals.”

“He’s the same with people. He always had a lot of friends, growing up. And the girls wouldn’t leave him alone.”

“Mom…” Michael winced.

“He still has that effect,” Laken said. “When he substituted in his friend’s Austin practice, the number of pets needing attention rose dramatically.”

“Oh?” His mother frowned.

“All of them owned by women. Not all of them single.”

Gordon chuckled.

“Laken…” Michael cleared his throat. “So, Gordon, have you gotten any barbecue yet?”

Laken grinned, and he narrowed his eyes at her, his gaze promising retribution.

“No, son, but maybe I should take your mother over to have some.”

“I’m not sure I should stay, Gordon.” Sophia glanced around, and Laken realized that the crowd was giving them wide berth. Though enough of them were staring and some were whispering.