His Texas Runaway (Men 0f The West Book 41), page 19
part #41 of Men 0f The West Series
“Take a guess. On the side of the road. Somebody didn’t want him,” Joseph said. “I told Connor you’d take him. You couldn’t turn down a stray if your life depended on it.”
Joseph handed the dog over to Chandler, who immediately turned around and handed the animal to Trey.
“You know what to do to take care of him,” he told Trey. “The end kennel is empty. Put him in it.”
“Right, Doc. I’ll fix the little guy.”
Trey left with the pup and Joseph shut the back door on the truck, then opened the driver’s door and climbed into the vehicle.
Before he had had a chance to back away, Chandler asked, “How’s Little Joe and Tessa?”
“Little Joe is just like his uncle Holt—he’s turning into a mischievous rascal and he never shuts up.” The grin on Joseph’s face deepened. “Tessa’s been throwing up. Don’t tell anybody yet, but we think she’s pregnant.”
Pregnant. Another Hollister baby. For those few brief minutes Roslyn had worn his engagement ring, he’d believed Evelyn would be his child. Now some other man would eventually become her father. The idea left a sick, heavy feeling in his heart.
“Lucky you,” he said with as much enthusiasm as he could summon.
“Yeah. Lucky me.” His expression suddenly wistful, he looked at Chandler. “Tessa and I are truly blessed to have Little Joe and a baby on the way. But there’s a bittersweetness about it, too. We can’t help but wish our fathers, and Tessa’s mother, were around to enjoy their grandkids. Mom is the only grandparent our children will have.”
Chandler forced a smile. “Thank God for Mom. She’ll be happy when you give her the news.”
Joseph shut the door and put the truck into Reverse. Leaning his head out the open window, he said, “Gotta go, brother. Take care of that pup. I figure by the time Evelyn starts crawling, she’ll need a furry playmate.”
Lifting a hand in farewell, Joseph drove away. Chandler thoughtfully watched his brother’s truck disappear into the darkness.
Their father, Joel, was gone. Tessa’s father, Ray Maddox, had also died a few short months before she’d come to Arizona. And Katherine’s father, Avery, passed away before he’d had a chance to see his daughter marry Blake and give birth to the twins.
It was too late for those men, Chandler thought. But Roslyn and her father could still have a worthwhile relationship, if they were willing to work at it. Still, that was something Roslyn needed to decide for herself, not because Chandler pushed her into it.
He’d been wrong to insist she contact her father. These past hellish weeks without her and Evelyn had taught him just how wrong. Instead of urging her to mend the broken bridges behind her, he should’ve been vowing his love and support. He should have been convincing her that she and the baby were the most important things in his life. Not her relationship with Martin DuBose.
But if Chandler went to her and admitted that he’d been stupid and wrong, would she be willing to forgive him? Would she give him another chance? He didn’t know. He only knew he had to try. Otherwise, his chance at real happiness was going to be forever and truly over.
Chapter Thirteen
Early the next morning, after Chandler and Trey finished treating the goats and returned to the clinic, he changed into clean clothes and headed straight to Roslyn’s apartment.
The sight of her Jaguar parked beneath the covered carport was a relief. At least she hadn’t run away for a second time, he thought. But who was driving the black sedan parked directly behind Roslyn’s Jag? The bar code on the license plate suggested it was a rental.
Had a friend come all the way from Fort Worth to visit? Or had Roslyn’s father finally tracked her down?
He didn’t care if he was interrupting. Roslyn was the woman he loved. He wasn’t leaving until he’d talked with her and she understood how much he still wanted them to make a life together.
After parking the truck behind the sedan, Chandler hurried to the front porch and was about to punch the doorbell when he noticed the door was slightly ajar. What the hell was going on? Roslyn didn’t leave her doors open.
He knocked on the doorjamb in hopes the sound would draw Roslyn’s attention. After a few moments passed and she didn’t appear, he decided to forgo manners. He entered the house and started down the short foyer toward the living room. Halfway there, he picked up on a man’s voice. Low and gruff, it was as cold as a snow-capped mountain, and the sound caused Chandler to stop in his tracks.
“Do you have any idea of the embarrassment you’ve caused me, Roslyn? The shame you have brought on the DuBose name by your irresponsible behavior?”
As Chandler listened to the man’s questions it was all he could do to keep from running into the room and knocking him flat on the floor. But he understood that Roslyn needed a chance to fight her battle with the man, before he stepped in to back her up.
She said, “I’m sorry that’s how you see things, Dad. I called you, hoping the time I’ve been away might’ve softened your feelings. That you’d want to see me and your grandchild. But obviously I was hoping for too much.”
“Soft. You can’t get ahead in the world by being soft, Roslyn. And you would try to twist things around and make me look like the villain in all of this.” The coldness in his voice turned to sarcasm. “Now I’ve got to try to explain to my friends and colleagues why my own daughter ran away from home. It’s indecent. And I’m telling you one thing, when we get back to Fort Worth, you will do exactly as I say. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
Chandler took a step forward with the intention of revealing his presence, but Roslyn began to speak and he forced himself to pause.
“You’ve misunderstood, Dad. I invited you out here because I thought as my father you had a right to see your granddaughter. But that’s where it ends. I have no intention of going back to Fort Worth or living in the same house with you again.”
The man let out a scoffing laugh. “And what do you think you’re going to do? Are you thinking you’ll take the money your mother left you and buy your own place? If so, I should remind you that I can find some sort of legal loophole to take every penny you have away from you.”
“I suppose that would make you feel superior to take your granddaughter’s financial security away from her,” Roslyn said stiffly. “Well, go ahead. I honestly don’t care what you do with any of the money. My life is here now. With the man I love. The man I’m going to marry. That’s all that matters to me.”
Joy flooded through Chandler, while Martin DuBose snorted loudly.
“Marry you? Who? Some blue-collar worker with a big heart and an empty bank account? I really think—”
Chandler had heard enough. He walked into the room and faced the man who was the reason Roslyn had run from Texas and straight into his arms.
Gasping with surprise, Roslyn stepped toward him. “Chandler! I...didn’t hear the doorbell. Were you—?”
He moved to Roslyn’s side and wrapped an arm around the back of her waist.
“The front door was open and no one answered so I came in, anyway,” he explained. “I’ve been standing in the foyer.”
Uncertainty pinched her features. “So you heard what was being said?”
He gazed down at her and hoped his eyes were conveying all the love he felt for her. “More than enough,” he answered softly, then turned his attention to her father.
“I’m Dr. Chandler Hollister,” he said, introducing himself to the tall, lean man with iron-gray hair. “And yes, I wear a blue collar. It’s usually denim like the one I have on now. ’Cause it’s tough as hell and hard to tear.”
Suddenly uncomfortable, Martin DuBose cleared his throat. “Am I safe to assume you are my daughter’s fiancé, Dr. Hollister?”
Roslyn reached for Chandler’s hand and the sight of the emerald cut diamond on her finger told him everything he needed to know. She’d already forgiven him.
“I am.”
“Chandler is a veterinarian,” Roslyn said proudly. “He and his family own one of the largest ranches in the state of Arizona. But that’s not why I’m marrying him. No, it’s because he’s the kindest, most hard-working and honorable man I’ve ever known. And I love him with all my heart.”
For a moment her father appeared totally stunned by his daughter’s statement. Then he straightened his shoulders and walked to the opposite side of the room. With his back to them, he stared out the picture window, but Chandler figured the man wasn’t seeing anything except the empty life he’d created for himself.
After a moment, Martin said, “I see. So I guess you think you don’t need me anymore.”
Roslyn glance incredulously at Chandler before she replied to her father’s comment. “I need a father who will love me even when I don’t do the right or perfect thing.”
Martin turned and the regret on his face proved to Chandler that Roslyn would eventually have the father she deserved. It might take months or even years for that to happen, but at least there was a chance.
Evelyn’s loud cry suddenly broke the awkward silence and Chandler looked at Roslyn and smiled. “I’ll go take care of our daughter. You and your father have plenty to talk about.”
Epilogue
Roslyn peeked into the crib, then walked across the room to where Chandler was already settled between the covers of their queen-size bed.
“Our daughter was asleep before I got her pajamas on,” she said.
Sliding next to her husband’s side, she sighed with contentment as he switched off the bedside lamp and pillowed her head on his shoulder.
“I can’t believe the ranch house is finally quiet,” Chandler murmured against the top of her head.
Roslyn chuckled. “It was a great Halloween party. Evelyn worked hard to keep up with the twins and Little Joe.”
At six months old, Evelyn had grown into a cheerful baby with big brown eyes, dimpled cheeks and a head full of light brown curls. Chandler adored their daughter and was already making noises to Roslyn about giving her a brother or sister.
He said, “Well, it won’t be long before her crawl turns into a walk and then she’ll really be able to chase after the big kids. If you ask me, Hannah and Nick had the best idea. They slipped upstairs with a bagful of candy and watched reruns of The Munsters.”
“Just seeing those two cousins together makes me smile,” Roslyn said. “It’s so wonderful that Vivian and Sawyer are finally expecting a baby this spring. And with Tessa about to give birth any day now, we’re going to have plenty to celebrate this Thanksgiving.”
He nuzzled his nose against her temple. “Yes, the holidays are going to be very special this year. Hannah is finally going to get the sibling she’s always wanted. Tessa and Joe are about to get their second child. And you and I are—”
“Happier than I ever thought possible,” she finished dreamily.
Marrying Chandler five months ago and living here at Three Rivers had given her everything Roslyn had ever wanted. A loving, devoted husband and a home filled with a tight-knit family. Chandler’s workload was still heavy, but he’d taken the step to lighten it by hiring another male assistant to help him and Trey handle the bigger jobs. And recently Roslyn had resumed working at the clinic on a part-time basis. Since the job gave her a chance to care for the animals, plus spend more time with her husband, it was a winning situation for everyone.
As for Roslyn’s father, he’d relented somewhat and attended her and Chandler’s wedding, which had been a beautiful outdoor ceremony on the front lawn of the ranch. Since then, her father had visited Three Rivers twice and though things were hardly perfect between him and Roslyn, they were slowly changing for the better.
Chandler’s fingers gently turned her face toward his and the moonlight filtering through the windows illuminated the provocative grin on his face. “I was about to say you and I are going to add to our little family, God willing.”
She whispered, “I have a feeling that our little family is going to turn into a big one.”
As his fingers traced gentle circles on her bare shoulder, he went suddenly quiet and Roslyn glanced up at his pensive expression.
“What are you thinking?” she asked. “Are you worried I can’t deal with more than one child?”
“Not at all. You’re a wonderful mother, sweetheart. You could tie one hand behind your back and easily deal with six more babies. To be honest, I was thinking about Mom and all these new grandbabies she’s getting. On the surface she acts like she’s on top of the world. But when she believes we’re not looking...well, I’m more certain than ever that she’s hiding something from us.”
His comment prompted Roslyn to lever herself up on one elbow and gaze down at him. “I haven’t mentioned this, Chandler, because I didn’t want to worry you needlessly, but the other day I went to Maureen’s office to give her a message from Reeva and found her with tears on her face.”
Frowning, he asked, “Mom was crying? Was she on the phone?”
“She wasn’t doing anything, just staring out the window. Which is totally unlike her. I asked her what was wrong and she passed it off as nothing more than a blue mood. Chandler, did Holt or Joe tell her about those items they found? The piece of shirt fabric and the belt tip?”
He shook his head. “None of us have breathed a word about it. Joe has them locked away. No, I think something else is going on with her.”
“Like what?”
A few silent seconds ticked by and then he answered, “A man. I don’t know if it’s Uncle Gil or someone else, but I think Mom has fallen in love and doesn’t want us to know that she’s finally put our father in the past.”
After a moment’s thought, Roslyn reasoned, “Well, if that’s the case, I wouldn’t worry about it, darling. After all, look what falling in love has done for us.”
Groaning, he pulled her back down and into the tight circle of his arms. “Yeah, just look. You can’t wipe the smile off my face.”
“You know, I think you deserve a Halloween treat tonight,” she murmured coyly. “And it has nothing to do with candy.”
Chuckling, he rolled her onto her back. “I couldn’t agree more.”
* * *
Look for the next Men of the West book in
September 2019 from Harlequin Special Edition!
And don’t miss out on these other great stories
by Stella Bagwell:
Guarding His Fortune
A Ranger for Christmas
The Little Maverick Matchmaker
Her Man on Three Rivers Ranch
Available now wherever Harlequin books
and ebooks are sold.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Double Duty for the Cowboy by Brenda Harlen.
Join Harlequin My Rewards today and earn a FREE ebook!
Click here to Join Harlequin My Rewards
http://www.harlequin.com/myrewards.html?mt=loyalty&cmpid=EBOOBPBPA201602010003
We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Special Edition story.
You know that romance is for life. Harlequin Special Edition stories show that every chapter in a relationship has its challenges and delights and that love can be renewed with each turn of the page.
Enjoy six new stories from Harlequin Special Edition every month!
Visit www.Harlequin.com to find your next great read.
Connect with us on Harlequin.com for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers, free online reads and much more!
Other ways to keep in touch:
Harlequin.com/newsletters
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
HarlequinBlog.com
Join Harlequin My Rewards and reward the book lover in you!
Earn points for every Harlequin print and ebook you buy, wherever and whenever you shop.
Turn your points into FREE BOOKS of your choice
OR
EXCLUSIVE GIFTS from your favorite authors or series.
Click here to join for FREE
Or visit us online to register at
www.HarlequinMyRewards.com
Harlequin My Rewards is a free program (no fees) without any commitments or obligations.
Double Duty for the Cowboy
by Brenda Harlen
Prologue
It had been a fairly quiet week in Haven, and Connor Neal was grateful that trend seemed to be continuing on this Friday night of the last long weekend of summer. Sometimes the presence of law enforcement was enough to deter trouble, so the deputy had parked his patrol car in front of Diggers’ Bar & Grill and strolled along Main Street.
There was a crowd gathered outside Mann’s Theater, moviegoers waiting for the early show to let out so they could find their seats for the late viewing. Construction workers were sawing and hammering inside The Stagecoach Inn, preparing the old building for its grand reopening early in the New Year. Half a dozen vehicles were parked by The Trading Post; several people lingered over coffee and conversation at The Daily Grind.
He waved at Glenn Davis, as the owner of the hardware store locked up, then resumed his journey. Making his way back toward Diggers’, he heard the unmistakable sound of retching. Apparently, patrol tonight was going to include chauffeur service for at least one inebriated resident, which was preferable to letting a drunk navigate the streets. He only hoped that whoever would be getting into the backseat of his car for the ride home had thoroughly emptied their stomach first.
He followed the sound around to the side of the building, where he discovered a nicely shaped derriere in a short navy skirt, beneath the hem of which stretched long, shapely legs. He felt a familiar tug low in his belly that immediately identified the owner of those sexy legs—it was the same reaction he had whenever he was in close proximity to Regan Channing.
