Catching Calhoun (8 page)

“I’m going to kill you, too, when I get through with this farce of a checkup,” Barley said, his jaw tight. “You’re all just as insane as Marvella said you were.”

Archer winked. Patting Barley’s hand, he said, “You want to make friends with Calhoun so you don’t lose your daughter, sir. Just in case I don’t see you again unless there’s a wedding, happy trails.”

He left without touching his hat.

“Whew, pity Calhoun for that outlaw being his in-
law,” Archer told Bandera on their way out. “Hello, gorgeous,” he said to the same lady doctor who’d attended all the brothers’ various bumps and bruises in Lonely Hearts Station. “Can I have a kiss this time?”

She moved past him without saying a word, going straight to her patient. The ambulance pulled up, the clown was moved to a gurney, and then he was gone.

“It’s her hair that kills me,” Bandera said. “All that long shiny stuff. I just think a man could—”

“Skip it,” Archer said. “Maybe we shouldn’t have been so rough on the old man.”

“Nah,” Bandera said. “A friend of Marvella’s is no friend of mine. Plus, it’s good to soften ’em up before we let ’em into the family. There is a possibility of that, I suppose. It’s not like Calhoun to linger over a woman without a canvas.”

Archer nodded. “True. Let’s go find Calhoun and his barrel racer. If I hadn’t seen her with my own eyes, I would never have understood what had caught his fancy.”

“Two more kids,” Bandera said with a sniff. “Think I’ll get me a vas—”

“Where’s my father?” Olivia demanded, nearly knocking them down in her haste. “Where is he?”

“He’s fine, and he’s gone, traveling by white steel horse to the hospital. My name’s Bandera Jefferson—”

But she brushed past him, running back through the breezeway.

The brothers shrugged at each other.

“Welcome to the family,” Bandera said to the air. He looked at his brother.

“Hmm,” Archer said. “Maybe we should go figure out the lay of the land, for Calhoun’s sake.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

But they didn’t have to go far, because twenty seconds later, Calhoun’s truck pulled up in front of them.

“We’re headed to the hospital,” Calhoun said. “Sorry we couldn’t stay.”

Archer looked at the barrel racer, her two kids sitting in the middle and his brother at the steering wheel. There was an unwrapped portrait of the kids poking up out of the truck bed.

For what had to be a fast work of art, it was beautiful. Calhoun had caught the kids with a stunning vision of deep understanding. The little girl had on a lovely dress, and she hugged her brother to her, who, Archer would wager, had never been so clean. But their smiles were so real, their faces so completely and truly captured on canvas, that Archer realized nipples were no longer Calhoun’s first artistic love.

Bandera pulled the portrait from the back. “Nice. Think I’ll take it home so it stays safe. It needs wrapping, but I bet the paint might still be wet. What do I know about acrylics, though? I reckon it’s acrylics. Don’t know snap about art.” He held it carefully.

Archer opened the door. “Come to Uncle Archer, kiddies,” he said to Olivia’s children. “Uncle, of course, being the friendly term, implying nothing more than I’m the brother of the ambulance chaser,” he told Olivia.

Bandera sighed. “About that surgery I was mentioning, the vasec—”

“Uncle Bandera’s gonna teach you about roping and I’m gonna teach you how to e-mail Australia,” Archer said. “Olivia, your young ’uns will be in the best of hands. We’ve had twelve in our house to raise and we all raised ourselves just fine.”

She hesitated. “I’m not sure—”

“Well, nothing in life is sure. But better with us than being scared and bored in the hospital. We’ll take them for some fun.”

“Thanks,” Calhoun said. “Kenny, Minnie, you’re in for a treat. Those brothers of mine, why they’re the closest thing to real outlaws—”

“Oh, jeez,” Bandera said. “Come on, Mickey and Minnie. Let’s go say hi to Delilah and Jerry.”

“Minnie and Kenny,” Minnie corrected helpfully.

“That’s what I said. Penny and Kenny,” Bandera stated agreeably. “Let’s move on out of Dodge. I feel like some home cooking!”

“I
DON’T KNOW
if that was such a good idea,” Olivia said, watching her kids amble off with the two tall cowboys and the painting. “I don’t even know you. I sure don’t know your brothers. And what I do know about you isn’t completely savory.”

“Ah,” Calhoun said, a grin on his face. “I suspect your kids, good as they are, will give my brothers new thoughts on avoiding fatherhood and marriage.”

“Isn’t that what all of you think already?” she asked. “From what I hear, anyway.”

“Our reputation precedes us,” Calhoun agreed happily. “And it’s not always a bad thing to live up to one’s reputation.”

Olivia could swear he was laughing at her. “That’s not particularly amusing to a single mother. Lack of commitment isn’t exactly admirable.”

“Well, I’m honest. You’re honest. We’ll get along fine.” He patted her knee.

“You’re such a bad fibber. I think you want me to chase you. That lack of commitment excuse is a smoke screen. Like playground days of boys-chase-girls and girls-chase-boys. You just want to be chased.”

“But not caught,” Calhoun said. “Are we having fun yet?”

She rolled her eyes. “Thank you for the banter. It was blasé and fun, but now I want to worry about my dad.”

He nodded. “Fair enough. When you’re less annoyed and stressed, I’ll let you thank me for the portrait. It’s not perfect yet, it’s not quite what I want it to be, but it is Kenny and Minnie. Did you like it?”

She looked at him guiltily. “I’m sorry. I hardly glanced at it. I know it’s beautiful, though. It’s just that when I found out the doctor was sending Dad to the hospital as a precaution, I forgot about it.”

“Well, Minnie and Kenny loved it,” Calhoun said. “I painted Minnie the way she wanted to be painted.”

She noticed his satisfied smirk. “Let me ask you something, Calhoun.”

“Ask.”

Olivia looked at her bare ring finger, then back at the handsome cowboy. “Why do you do so much for my kids?”

“I don’t, exactly,” he said simply. “I do it for you.”

The second Calhoun made his reply, he realized he’d erred. Olivia would hightail it if she thought he was trying to get serious on her, and frankly, his ego wasn’t looking forward to the rejection. So he went for the too-cool offhand follow-up. “It’s our last night around each other. Your kids have been good to me. I like them. What’s a little paint between friends?”

Olivia glanced at him. “Paint?”

He nodded. “Paint. It’s almost like they gave me a new artistic focus.”

“That’s all it was?”

“Yes. I really enjoyed trying to bring them to life on canvas, but I’ll be sticking to women in the future.”

He could almost feel her stiffen. “I see.”

“Hmm.”

“Naked women?”

He grinned. “Are there any other kind?”

“Apparently not for you.”

“Well, threads on a women do distort her better parts. I’m all about bringing beauty to life, you see.”

She stared out the window. Silence hung over the truck. Calhoun frowned. Maybe he’d been a bit too free-n-easy on her. Olivia was, after all, a skittish girl.

Then again, it was his experience that the more skittish the mare, the faster they ran if you tried to get near them. Patience was the key.

“So, assuming your dad’s fine, where does your act head to tomorrow?”

Olivia sighed. “I’m giving up the act.”

“Why?”

“Tonight convinced me. We’ve been living on borrowed time, although I always thought Dad’s knees would be the first to go. This is not a life for a young man, much less an older man.” She looked down at her fingers, which she’d clenched in her lap. “I won’t say it hasn’t been fun. I won’t say that this hasn’t been a wonderful family experience. We’ve seen a lot of the country and met a lot of nice folks. Made good friends. But we need to settle down. The kids need to be in school, because I’ve just about run out of what I can teach them. Maybe not so much educationally as socially. They need to be around kids their own age instead of adults. Maybe once they see how other children act, they’ll realize that it’s okay not to seek attention all the time. Lots of kids don’t have fathers. When they meet other children in the same boat they’re in, I’m hoping they’ll be reassured.” She looked at Calhoun. “I want them to be happy.”

“Now wait,” Calhoun said, caught by the heavy worries she voiced. “Does your father know?”

“No,” she said softly. “But I’ve known for a while that the show couldn’t go on forever. I also know that my father’s carried us long enough. A man ought not to have to jump in and out of barrels just because his daughter can’t take care of her own family.”

Calhoun scratched the back of his neck. “I wasn’t sure he was bothered by being the patriarch of your little clan, Olivia.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He and I had a little chat last night,” Calhoun said, cutting the corners off the real subject matter that had been discussed. “He seemed real happy to be the captain of the ship.”

“Told you to stay away from me, didn’t he?” Olivia asked.

After a moment, Calhoun nodded. “As a matter of fact, he did.”

“Which only made you more determined to hang around.” Olivia nodded. “I should have seen that coming.”

“What? Seen what coming?”

“I wondered why you painted that portrait. I even wondered what you saw in me, a single mother with two kids. There are plenty of single women hanging around rodeos, hoping to strike up a conversation with a handsome cowboy. And hoping for a little more than that, even. Here you were, painting gorgeous nudes, and I deluded myself for a moment that it was really
us
you wanted.”

“I’m doing exactly what I want,” Calhoun growled.

“Defying my father. Like your brother is defying his family by running off.”

“We have a bit of a defiant streak, I’ll admit, but that has nothing to do—”

“I think it does.” Olivia got out of the truck as he pulled up in front of the hospital. “A man like you loves a challenge. Loves it long enough to conquer it. And then that’s it.” She stared sadly into his dark eyes. “It wouldn’t matter so much if it was just me. But it matters more because of Minnie and Kenny. You’ve got to understand. They’re not something you can just jump in your truck and drive away from.”

He grimaced at the reference to Last. But she shut the truck door before he had a chance to argue.

Actually, there wasn’t much arguing to do. What she said was true, in a sense. Barley threatening him had been quite the alluring teaser. In true Jefferson form, he’d wanted to rise to the occasion.

And Olivia was right. Whatever he’d been thinking about her was wrong.

T
WO HOURS LATER
, Calhoun dozed in his truck in the hospital drop-off zone. One of two things was going to happen, in his estimation: either Barley and Olivia were going to come walking out and they were going to need a ride, or Barley was going to stay for overnight observation, and in that case, Olivia would want to see her kids, and she would need a ride.

He refused to think the old man might have a serious condition. The little family needed Pops.

It was too scary to think Calhoun might have given Barley a stroke or something. He sure did irritate the rodeo clown, and certainly he’d done nothing to alleviate the man’s misgivings about him.

Actually, now that he thought about it, a ride was about all he had to offer Olivia and her family—if they would accept his help.

Either way, Calhoun figured a gentleman hung around long enough to offer, though Olivia had made it pretty clear she didn’t want him to come inside the hospital with her. Given his conversation with Barley, Calhoun thought he should cool his heels in his truck.

A tapping on his passenger window startled him. He sat up, surprised when Olivia opened up the passenger door and got inside.

“He’s going to be fine,” she said. “Thank you for waiting on me. I was so worried about Dad, I forgot about transportation issues and getting my kids from your brothers.”

“Oh,” Calhoun said uneasily. “Uh, you don’t need to get the kids tonight. Surely you need some rest.”

“I’m fine.” Olivia looked at him. “Can you drive me to them?”

“Sure. Would you care to get some clothes? An overnight bag?”

She stared at him. “Why?”

“Well, my brothers weren’t certain how long you’d be, and they thought the kids would be more comfortable at the ranch. After they ate a whopping big dinner at Delilah’s, complete with cake and ice
cream, my brothers took them to get some duds from your trailer, and then they headed out. Archer said the kids were pretty tired, and they fell asleep in the truck on the way to Union Junction.”

Her lips stayed parted with surprise. Calhoun mentally sighed, caught by yearning. “You’re angry,” he said. “I understand, but my brothers meant well. They thought Kenny and Minnie would enjoy the ranch. The dog, the horses, the pond, the swing in the back garden. They’re going to fix pancakes in the morning. They didn’t want them worrying about their grandpa, and as you said yourself, they’re natural worriers.”

Olivia didn’t know what to say. She was touched, she was concerned and she was annoyed. “They’ve never been away from me before,” she said, voicing her first thought. “They’ll be scared.”

“They weren’t too scared to pass out in the truck. Archer said Miss Delilah fussed over them like mad, and her boyfriend, Jerry, gave them a tour of his eighteen-wheeler. They really liked that. He’s got it pretty tricked out. Then my brothers decided, since they hadn’t heard from us, maybe they’d better get the kids in bed. Delilah said they could stay there, but we’re so shorthanded at the ranch, Archer said they’d best get on.”

She decided to shut off her worry valve for tonight. “Thank you,” Olivia said simply. “Thank you for caring so much. It’s been a very crazy day, and the kids will love being at your ranch. Your brothers are very kind.” Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes.

“Are you hungry? Thirsty? Upset?”

“No. No. A little,” she murmured. “Dad’s going to be fine. A bit more stress than a man his age needs, the doctor said.” She sighed, opening her eyes again to look at him. “Calhoun, I’m sorry I said what I said to you earlier. I’m feeling defensive right now. And upset about Dad.”

“It’s fine. I understand all about family stress. Guess I better pull out of this drop-off zone.” He switched on the engine. “I’ve used up my welcome with the valet.” He waved at the man and pulled out of the drive. “So, when are you planning on visiting your dad again?”

“In the morning. Do you mind dropping me off at the trailer?”

“Happy to do it.”

Calhoun didn’t say another word. He turned on some soft country music. Olivia felt her eyelids drift closed. It had been such an unnerving day! She was so fortunate Calhoun hadn’t minded helping out.

If the doctor let her dad out of the hospital tomorrow, she was going to get her kids from Calhoun’s ranch, and they were heading home so Barley could rest. Her father would never admit it, but he was tired. Spirit tired. She’d seen it in his eyes as she’d washed the clown makeup from his face.

It was time to bring the curtain down on the act.

O
LIVIA WAS SLEEPING
so hard by the time he drove the short distance to the trailer that Calhoun couldn’t
bear to awaken her. She’d wake up soon enough. Leaving the truck windows down, he parked outside the trailer and went to find Gypsy.

The horse whickered when she saw him.

“Oh, I know,” he told her. “Everything’s fine. Your master’s fine. Ornery and still spitting fire. Just not going to get as many opportunities to do it in the future. Your mama’s putting him out to pasture. And you, too, I guess.” He rubbed her neck. “You deserve the break, you ole show pony. And man, did you ever put on a show tonight. Maybe you knew it was your last one.” His hand caressed the length of her nose, making Gypsy toss her head. “I always say it’s best to go out with a bang, myself. Now, let me find your hay and fill your water. Tomorrow, you travel to your well-earned retirement.”

He filled Gypsy’s water, mucked out her stall and tossed in fresh hay. Someone had thoughtfully removed her saddle—probably his brothers. The rule at their ranch was animals first, then humans. They’d probably seen to Gypsy before they went over to Delilah’s.

Gypsy pushed at his back with her nose while he picked up one of her hooves to examine it. “What, Gypsy?” he asked, turning to see what she wanted.

Olivia stood there, watching him. “You’re up,” he said.

“Yes. What are you doing?”

“Chatting with Gypsy.” He shrugged. “You were asleep, and I don’t like to talk to myself, particularly. I will on occasion, but Gypsy’s far more interesting.”

Olivia came inside the stall. “I’m too nervous to sleep. My mind won’t stop thinking about how I’m going to break the news to Dad.”

Calhoun nodded. “News is hard to deliver sometimes. And he’s got a ton of pride. Let’s presume you don’t tell your dad right now. What if you waited awhile? Maybe he could believe he’s resting for a few months.”

She smiled. “I don’t think my dad knows how.”

“He’ll be learning soon enough one way or the other.”

“I suppose so.” She glanced over at Calhoun as he picked up another of Gypsy’s hooves. “How come you’re not married, Calhoun? I know you’re running, but it seems like some lady would have set her traps for you by now.”

He laughed. “I am an expert at springing traps.”

“Grab the bait and go,” she said.

“Exactly.” Picking up a brush, he began to stroke Gypsy’s back. “Your kids ever see their dad?”

She shook her head. “No. It’s not something he’s interested in, and they accepted that a long time ago.”

He glanced at her. “You’ve got quite a posse of admirers here. They’re quite heartbroken that they can’t get your attention.”

Olivia felt the instinctive twinge of distaste. “I really, really do not want to fall for another cowboy. I can’t see trying to fit me and my kids into that lifestyle.”

He looked her way as they both digested what she’d said.

“I understand,” he said. “Mason tried to keep us off the circuit. It didn’t work. Some of us were really good at it, and some of us stunk and one of us never rode a bull or a bronc. It’s dangerous, and it’s lonely and it’s really not conducive to family life unless you’re winning a lot. We mainly did it as a crap-shoot. We always had the ranch to keep us stable. As stable as we were going to be.” He put the brush down, and picked up a hoof pick, gently working Gypsy’s back hooves.

“What I like about you is that you homeschool your kids, Olivia. We were homeschooled a bunch. It’s good bonding. We went to regular school, too, but what we learned from our folks has lasted longer. Mainly school was a social event for us. Minnie and Kenny know they have a good life.”

“I’ll send them to school next year, once we’re settled,” she said softly. “And I’ll miss them terribly. But it’s time to let go.”

She would get a job. It was time for her to become the family caretaker. “Of course, Dad’s not going to like me trying to make him slow down.”

“You’ll have to be very cautious with him. He’s got a lot of pride.”

Olivia smiled at Calhoun.

“So, where are you from, anyway, Olivia? Where would a man find you if he wanted to, say, drop you a line?”

Her smile dimmed into a regular expression. “The Midwest.”

“Now, that was vague.” He quirked an eyebrow at her.

“Why would you want to drop me a line?” she asked, her heart feeling that a line would not be near enough from him. She also thought that it was best if he never corresponded with her. “Not that I think you’re a letter-writing kind of guy.”

“I’m an artist,” he protested. “I can express myself.”

“But not a writer,” she said. “That requires a stamp and a trip to the mailbox.”

He put down the hoof pick, took her by the hand and pulled her from the stall. Closing the door carefully behind him, he said, “Say good night, Gypsy.”

“Good night, Gypsy,” Olivia said obediently, allowing Calhoun to drag her outdoors. He pulled her to his truck and opened the door. She got in, delighted in spite of all her worries that he wanted to spend more time with her.