The Bull Rider's Collection (32 page)

Barb sat next to her mother on the loveseat and motioned for Kati to sit in the wing chair on the other side of the small couch. “Mom, this is Kati. She’s my … ” Barb stopped. She’d almost said daughter. Even in the short time she’d known Kati, her heart had attached to this sad little girl. Barb finished her sentence with “niece.”

Lorraine frowned at the word then smiled at Kati. “It’s nice to meet you. I didn’t realize my daughter had a new niece.”

“That’s because she married my uncle who had to take me in when my parents died.” Kati’s glance dropped to the photo album.

“You got married?” Lorraine looked confused, glancing around the room. “How long have I been here?”

Barb patted her mother’s hand. “You moved in yesterday. Sorry, this wedding thing kind of happened fast. I would have told you sooner, but … ” Barb hesitated.

“But I wasn’t here again. I’d had an attack,” Lorraine finished for her.

“Yeah.”

A silence filled the room, both women mourning the time missed — past and future. Kati broke the silence, pointing to the photo album. “Did you used to ride?”

“Why yes, I did. But those photos are of Barb when she was Queen of the Snake River Stampede. It was such an honor. Barb’s riding club was so small, no one from their group had ever even placed in the bigger rodeo competitions. Not even her friend Lizzie.” Lorraine smiled at her daughter. “You were so beautiful that night with your tiara on your purple cowboy hat. Do you still have that hat?”

Barb hugged her mother. “I think you’re a little biased. But the hat, tiara, and that sparkling outfit are all in storage at your house. Although I don’t think I’ll ever get my thighs into those jeans again. Riding kept me in amazing shape. Hours on the treadmill just don’t carve the same muscles.”

“Maybe you can ride with me after my lessons. Claire has a whole riding trail out by the river.”

Lorraine looked at Kati. “You ride? Well, we have lots in common now, don’t we?” Lorraine turned the photo album back to the beginning, showing Kati all the pictures of Barb and some of Lizzie on their horses from grade school on.

Barb’s riding scrapbook. She hadn’t realized her mom had kept these photos. Riding in the Shawnee rodeo parade, year after year. The first parade photo showed her dad leading her horse, Barb perched on the pony, grinning from ear to ear. Barb must have been three or four. “I’ve never seen that picture before.”

“Your father was a handsome man.” Lorraine touched his face in the photograph. “He loved horses just as much as you did.”

“Did he die?” Kati blurted out the question.

Barb froze. Her mom never talked about her dad. When his name was brought up, Lorraine shut down. But this time, Lorraine answered Kati.

“He was killed bringing the cattle down from the summer pasture. A rattler spooked his horse and he fell on a rock. Freak accident. By the time they got him down the mountain, he’d been gone a while.”

Kati nodded, accepting the information. “My mommy and daddy died on a motorcycle.” Kati pointed at the next picture. “Is that your house in Shawnee?”

They were almost through the photo album when a voice came through the door. “Smile.”

Barb looked up and a flash blurred her eyes.

Hunter glanced down at the digital display. “Nope, gotta get another one, Barb was making a face.”

“Uncle Hunter. What are you doing here?” Kati bounced on the couch.

“Smile first, then talk.” Hunter crinkled his eyes at Barb. “You ready this time?”

Barb felt her mother’s hand reach out and squeeze her own. She turned slightly and smiled at her mom.

After a second and a third flash, Hunter pronounced the pictures good. He walked into the room. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced. Hunter Martin. I’m Kati’s uncle.”

“And Barbara’s new husband so I hear.” Lorraine shook Hunter’s hand. “You didn’t tell me he was so good looking. If only I was ten years younger.”

Hunter blushed and Barb blessed him for that. “I only have eyes for your lovely daughter.”

“Acckk.” Kati stuck her finger down her throat in an exaggerated motion. “Barf alert.”

“You have no appreciation for romance.” Hunter pulled her up into a hug. “How was school, squirt?”

“Fine. Barb’s making me cupcakes for my birthday next week.”

“We already celebrated your birthday two months ago.” Hunter frowned.

“Yeah, but most kids get to bring treats to class and I didn’t, even though I told you.” Kati smiled at Barb. “My teacher already said it was okay.”

“My first official act as a parent and you’re telling me I screwed up?” Hunter slumped into the wing back chair.

“Don’t worry, it won’t be the last time.” Lorraine closed the photo album. “That’s what parents do, mess up their kids’ lives by just trying to do the right thing.”

Barb couldn’t believe her mom was this clear. She wanted to savor the moment, enjoy the connection, and hold the memory in her heart forever. Instead, she pulled her mother into a gentle hug. “You didn’t mess up my life, not one bit. I did all that on my own.”

“You always were a sweet child. Always wanting to fix everyone around you. Always wanting to take care of people.” Lorraine squeezed her tightly. “Sometimes it’s not your fault.”

The room was quiet. Barb wiped her eyes and saw Kati sitting on Hunter’s lap, the two watching, but not speaking. The silence was broken by an attendant coming into the room.

“Mrs. Carico? Time for dinner. Can I escort you to the dining room?” The young woman stopped just inside the doorway, respectful of the boundaries each resident needed.

“We have to go anyway.” Barb kissed her mother on the cheek and held her hand out to Kati. “I’m home this weekend so I’ll come by tomorrow too.”

Kati surprised Barb by giving Lorraine a hug as well. “And me. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

Hunter nodded at Lorraine. “I’m afraid I’ve got a previous engagement I have to take care of, but it was nice meeting you and I will come back.”

Barb wondered about that. Since they were only together for the duration of the court case, should he be visiting her mom? But then she realized, tomorrow wasn’t promised to any of them. Right now, Lorraine was happy. Barb had a nice little family and her mother was happy. Why question the moment?

The aide gently lifted Lorraine off the loveseat and they left the room. Barb, Hunter, and Kati followed. When they turned toward the door, Lorraine turned back and gave them a small wave, blowing a kiss to Barb.

Barb felt tears in her eyes as they walked toward the entry door. Hunter’s truck was parked next to Barb’s rental.

“Let’s grab some dinner over at The Galaxy.” Hunter’s voice was warm. “You know where it is or do you want to ride with me and we’ll pick up your car later?”

“I’ll follow.”

“I’m riding with Uncle Hunter,” Kati pronounced, the bookstore stop forgotten. “He has a back seat that I can ride in, just like a car.” Kati took off and climbed into the truck, leaving Barb and Hunter alone for a second.

“I hope it was okay for me to stop by.” Hunter put his hand on her arm. “I wanted to meet her.”

“She loved you. I think she likes you more than me,” Barb joked. “I’m glad you stopped by. That’s the clearest she’s been in months. Maybe this placement was a good thing. She doesn’t have to worry about the house, or dinner, or anything.”

“It’s still hard.”

Barb didn’t know if Hunter was referencing her mother’s feelings or her own. But honestly, it was hard on both of them. When she didn’t answer, Hunter pulled her into a gentle hug. And then the tears she’d been fighting all day, hell, for years, flooded out of her.

• • •

Hunter let her cry. He’d come here to gather up his niece, hot as hell that Barb had confiscated her from school. He’d been wound up from his conversation with Chase and ready to call off this charade, not convinced that Barb’s past wouldn’t hurt more than her presence helped.

But standing in the doorway of Lorraine’s room, watching the three generations laugh at a picture of Barb in her high school home economics class, he’d realized there must be more to the story of her first marriage than he’d heard. Even her relationship with Jesse, after what she’d told him about his mom leaving when the boys were kids, made more sense. If Barb was a gold digger, she’d had plenty of chances to run off with a successful rider or sponsor long before they’d met.

Now, the woman sobbed as he held her in his arms. Sobbed for a mother who was still on the earth, but slipping away. He’d been wrong. Or at least, he was willing to give her a little more rope. All he needed was a family for a couple more weeks. Once the issue of Kati’s custody was settled, they could work out an agreement.

As her sobs decreased, Hunter wondered if he wanted to work out anything.

Barb sniffed then seemed to realize where she was and pulled quickly away, wiping her eyes and some of the mascara that had bled through her tears. “Sorry to go all soap opera star on you.”

“Anytime. You ready for some dinner?”

Barb nodded, glancing toward her car like it was an escape hatch on a rocket ship destined for a planet she didn’t want to be on. “I’ll follow. It will give me some time to get this,” she waved her hand over her face, “under control. I don’t cry, ever.”

“Okay Mrs. Rock of Gibraltar, you don’t cry. I guess my shirt’s all wet because of a freak rain storm that just hit my shoulder.”

Barb swatted at him. “You could be a little understanding.”

“And you could realize everyone cries at some point in their lives. Even strong, independent women like you.” He touched her arm. “You okay to drive?”

“See, that’s why I don’t cry. Men assume I can’t do anything for myself anyway. Tears just confirm it.” Barb smiled, softening her words. “I’ll see you at the restaurant. You’re buying, right?”

“Of course. I can do one traditional man role. I’m great at being the source of the money.”

Barb blanched, and Hunter wished he could take his words back. Something about what he’d said had hit a nerve with her. They needed to have a long talk over a bottle of tequila one night when Kati wasn’t around. But not yet.

Barb hurried over to her car and waved as she got in. Hunter stood watching her until Kati honked the horn on the truck. “Come on, Uncle Hunter. I’m starved.”

He climbed into the truck and glanced back at Kati. “You buckled in?”

“Of course, I’m not a baby.” Kati slipped back her seat watching Barb out the window. “Barb seems sad about her mom. I wonder why she lives here with all the other old people.”

“Barb’s mom has memory problems. So she has to have people around her.” Hunter backed the truck out of the parking slot and headed back into town.

“So she doesn’t burn the house down?”

“Correct. She could forget a pot on the stove or even go for a walk and get lost.”

Kati was silent for a long while. At a stoplight, Hunter glanced at her through the rearview mirror. “You okay back there?”

“Just thinking. I bet Barb is scared her mom will forget her.”

And with that, Hunter realized Kati got it. “I think you’re right, honey.” He glanced out his side window and watched Barb’s car pull up behind his truck. “I think that’s exactly what Barb’s afraid of.”

When they reached The Galaxy, the hostess dressed in a fifties style waitress uniform, complete with beehive hairdo, seated them in a bright red stuffed booth. Music blared through the flashing jukebox announcing that rock and roll was here to stay. After the waitress took their orders and had delivered large, icy Cherry Cokes for all three, Barb and Hunter stared at each other. Hunter could see the thoughts prance over Barb’s face, discarding one topic after another. He waited to see what she could come up with to talk about. He didn’t have to wait long.

Kati filled the silence. “
Grease
is my favorite movie. Have you seen it? Danny is a bad boy and falls in love with this girl who is like the cheerleader type but he doesn’t think he’s good enough for her.”

“I’ve seen the movie a few times. I love the music.” Barb sipped her soda. “Yum, this is good.”

Kati waved the comment away. “Do you think people can just fall in love? Even when everything says they shouldn’t be together? Annie, she’s in my class, says that’s stupid. That people need to be with someone who’s like them. And that Danny and Sandy probably got divorced right after they got married.”

Hunter glanced at Barb, wondering what she’d say.

“Sometimes people get married for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with love. So they divorce.” Barb leaned back into her seat. “But if two people are really in love, like Danny and Sandy, then I think they can be as different as night and day and still stay together.”

Kati nodded. “I agree. Love conquers all.”

Hunter grinned. “And you’re basing this platitude on your seven years of experience? When were you in love?”

Kati focused on him. “I haven’t been, but my mom and dad were. They would have been together forever. You could see it when they were together. Just like you and Barb.”

Hunter froze. Kati was right, his brother had been wildly in love with his wife. Storybook kind of love. But her instincts were off on him and Barb. This was an arrangement, not a marriage. But he couldn’t say that to the kid. Not now, but maybe later.

Kati continued, not picking up on Hunter’s discomfort. “You two will be married forever and ever.”

Hunter looked at Barb. She had the same panic in her eyes as he felt. This was a bad idea. But the die was cast and they had to see it through, for Kati’s sake. Luckily, the waitress arrived with their cheeseburgers and French fries.

A love that could last a lifetime. He had to stop reading fairytales to his niece as her bedtime stories. Or letting her watch
Grease
.

“We’re having a reception tomorrow?”

Barb’s question startled Hunter. Barb sat at the kitchen table, looking hot in ropers and a tank top, her wild red hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. What was it about the woman that every time he looked at her, he remembered their one night together? He was going to have to get over this since she would be in his house day after day until after the court hearing. He couldn’t be reacting like a horny teenager every time he saw her.