Cowboy Lullaby

Scarlett’s father, Uncle Woodrow, tended to keep a ridiculously tight rein on his kids—on all of them—even if they were all grown. Unlike her beloved uncle Teddy, Woodrow Boone had always been an overbearing pain in the rear, and some things never changed.

Tandy was willing to overlook his control issues since he’d helped her get this job. A good-paying job, doing something she loved to do, in a place she had some of her very best memories in. Fort Kyle held a special place in her heart. Moving here to help Uncle Woodrow’s buddy out at the local vet clinic was the best offer she’d received in a long time. And since Tandy had received her second thanks-but-no-thanks letter from the veterinary school in Stonewall Crossing, she took Uncle Woodrow’s offer as a sign.

Until today. Today had made everything topsy-turvy in her head.

“Guess the drinking didn’t help?” Scarlett asked, studying her.

Tandy sighed, smiling. “Sorry.” Relaxing just wasn’t in the cards for tonight.

Renata sniffed. “Maybe one more?”

Tandy shook her head. One more drink would give her a hangover—one more thing to deal with. Her sadness wasn’t going anywhere. It pressed, cold and heavy, into her bones. Lynnie Hale was gone. Even though it had been years since she’d sat in the dear woman’s kitchen, she was devastated. Lynnie had been more of a mother to her than the woman who had birthed her.

“It’s getting late. Lynnie wouldn’t approve of you being hungover because of her passing.” Scarlett’s attempt to guilt Renata into action failed.

They all knew the older woman would find it hilarious. Lynnie had had a wonderful sense of humor and a laugh that rolled over you like warm sunshine.

“You’d rather, what, go to bed? We’re young...attractive... Let’s live a little.” Renata hiccuped, all rosy cheeked and adorable.

Tandy wasn’t the only one hurting, but she didn’t know how to make it better. Aside from Lynnie’s passing, Renata was nursing a broken heart. Well, maybe not broken, but sore. She’d been dating rodeo emcee Mitchell Lee on and off for a few months now. He’d called the night before to tell her he wasn’t going to be in town for a while so she was free to date whomever she wanted. Renata wasn’t taking it well. Her six shots of tequila were proof of that.

“Fort Kyle isn’t exactly a late-night hot spot.” Tandy pointed around the dwindling crowd at the one and only bar in forty miles. The Tumbleweed sat right outside Fort Kyle’s city limits. It wasn’t officially a dry county, but the locals didn’t approve of excessive social drinking. If you were out drinking late, everyone in town knew about it the next day.

Another reason Scarlett was probably getting nervous. “And we still have to drive back.”

“Sing with me,” Renata pleaded. “One song and we’ll go.” But her attempt to slide off the bar stool had her gripping the counter and swaying where she stood. “Or you two sing.”

Scarlett said, watching Renata closely, “You need bed. And water. And probably some Tylenol.”

“Tandy?” Renata asked. “Please?”

She was tired and her head was starting to hurt, but she considered it. “By myself?” The Tumbleweed’s karaoke night had consisted of five singers, all of whom sang loudly and off-key. She couldn’t do much worse.

“Sing ‘Cowboy Take Me Away’? It’s our song, remember?” Renata’s smile wobbled.

Tandy and Scarlett exchanged a look. How could she forget?

“Then we can go?” Tandy asked.

“Then we can go.” Renata nodded, a little too quickly—her hands gripping the bar to steady herself.

“I’m going to get you some water.” Scarlett marched down the bar to the bartender.

“She’s a little uptight,” Renata mumbled. “You’ll have to help with that.”

Tandy winked at her, patting Renata’s arm. Scarlett could use a little more fun in her life. Maybe not six-shots-of-tequila fun, but fun. Hell, so could Tandy. Now that her late nights of studying and babysitting the newest crop of Boone nieces and nephews and cousins were behind her, she had a pretty clear social calendar.

“The room is spinning,” Renata muttered, swaying where she stood.

“No, that would be the shots.” Tandy steadied her. “I’m really sorry about Mitchell.”

“His loss,” Scarlett said, pressing a water glass into Renata’s hand. “Drink.”

Renata’s nose wrinkled, but she took a long swallow.

“He’s an idiot. You don’t want to be saddled with an idiot for the rest of your life.” Tandy grinned. “You have brothers for that.”

Renata burst out laughing. “So many brothers.”

Tandy nodded. She thought her twin brother, Toben, was a handful. Renata had a twin brother and three more to boot.

“Sorry we’re late,” Brody said. “My dad’s nurse called, almost quit—again—so had to do an emergency intervention there. That woman is the only person he’ll listen to. I’ll bankrupt the ranch to keep her with us.” He broke off, smiling. “What did we miss?”

Tandy was trying not to acknowledge that we included Click. Had he somehow misinterpreted her quick exit? Did he think seeing a woman sprinting away was some sort of hard-to-get routine? Her anger was back and warming her belly, mixing well with the two shots she’d knocked back sometime before.

Yes, her mad dash from Lynnie’s wasn’t the most mature way to handle things, but Click’s daughter had been a surprise. Tandy had known he’d be here. As soon as Scarlett told them about Lynnie, she’d known he’d be here and she’d be forced to see him. It had been enough to make her consider driving back to Stonewall Crossing. But how the hell could she do that without stirring up suspicion? She couldn’t. And besides, she wouldn’t do that to Lynnie.

But now... Now, here he was, again, raining on their girls’ night out. It might not have been all that good to start with, but he had no right to be here.

“I wasn’t sure you’d make it,” Scarlett said to Brody, casting a nervous glance between her and Click.

Tandy forced herself to keep breathing. She wouldn’t think about today, his beautiful fourteen-month-old baby girl, or the urge to scream bubbling up in her throat. She’d try not to look at him, try not to hear the deep rumble of his voice.

“How’s life, Scarlett?” There was that rumble.

Her hands clenched at her side.

“You know, nothing new ever happens around here. Not really. Family drama gets old after a while.” Scarlett smiled, shrugged.

Tandy agreed. Uncle Woodrow and Aunt Evelyn had always been good at dramatics. She’d started visiting summer break after kindergarten. How many nights had she and her cousins sat on the stairs, listening to Woodrow and Evelyn carry on about who’d done them wrong this time. She’d been mesmerized at first. Evelyn was so pretty and Woodrow this big bear of a man. Their rants had lost their appeal when they’d started to nitpick and criticize her and her brother. Even then, Tandy admired how devoted the two were to one another. While the world might be against them—or so they claimed—they never turned on one another. Her mother had no one to vent to. Maybe that’s why she’d ended up the way she was.

Click’s soft chuckle made her stomach ache. Being here, in a bar, with Click—and her cousins—felt wrong. And right—familiar. She needed a way out. The only immediate exit plan was to sing.

Scarlett was talking. “I’ve missed you two so much. It’s nice to all be together again, even heartsick as we all are. Lynnie would like that... Her little misses together.”

“Stirring up trouble,” Renata added.

“She would,” Brody agreed.

Tandy did her best to act calm, all the while aware of every move Click made. It was infuriating—to be so damn responsive to the man. And not all the responses were bad. She knew better. Why had he come? From the corner of her eye, she saw his bright blue-green eyes sweep over her, saw his jaw clench before his gaze darted away.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

“Click? You there?” Renata asked, narrowing her eyes and peering at him. “Um, ’s that you, Click?”

“It’s me, Renata.” One dark brow shot up. “How much have you had to drink?”

“Six shots.” Scarlett wrinkled up her nose.

“Gonna feel that in the morning.” Click took the hand Renata held out, steadying her when she would have slid to the floor. “Need a hand out to the truck?” His gaze caught Tandy’s then bounced away, his jaw tight.

“No, no, no.” Renata shook her head. “Can’t yet. Tandy’s gonna sing. She promised.”

She’d do it, if she had to. But she was open to other alternatives. “Renata—”

“You promised, Tandy.” Renata frowned at them both. “Stop being so...weird. It makes me sad, to see you two like this.” Renata’s blue eyes were full of tears. “Ya’ll had to go and screw it up...when me and Scarlett had the perfect wedding planned.”

Tandy had two options: anger or humor. Her anger was a little too unhinged, so that probably wasn’t the best move. Once she started yelling, she might never be able to stop. Humor was the kinder choice, especially considering what they’d all been through today. So she took a long swig off her beer and laughed, letting her frustration bubble up and out. It helped—a little. “I’m sorry. I’m sure he is sorry, too.” She glanced at him, regretting it the instant his gaze met hers.

“I might get married again,” Brody offered. “Someday. You can plan my wedding.”

Renata was all smiles then. “You mean that, Brody? You’re the sweetest.”

Tandy shot Brody a grateful look. “Time to get this over with.” She shook her head and planted a kiss on Renata’s cheek. “If you remember this tomorrow, you’d better be prepared to apologize,” she whispered in Renata’s ear.

“I won’t.” Renata gripped Tandy’s shoulders. “You love to sing, Tandy. Always have. Go on, sing. For me.” She swayed back, blinking. “Besides, we could all use some cheering up, couldn’t we, Click?”

Tandy hadn’t meant to look at him, but his expression caught her off guard. He looked so sad.

Click blew out a long, slow breath. “I could.”

“See?” Renata’s grin was wobbly again. “Go sing. Before I start crying again.”

Tandy bit back her rising frustration.

“Can’t stand to see a woman cry.” Click’s voice was rough, his jaw tightened again.

Tandy flinched, digging deep to lock up all the pain and anger he stirred. The guilt was harder to shut off—but she managed. She could do this. She could make it through the next few days without losing it. She’d always been an expert at burying her feelings way down deep, thanks to her mother. Losing Click, losing their baby girl, had tested that—but she’d survived. That’s what she’d been doing ever since: surviving.

* * *

CLICK STARED AT her, wishing he’d had time to prepare for this. For Tandy. Not that he was ever prepared for her. Something about her grabbed hold of him deep inside, waking him up, making him feel alive. Even when they were kids, she’d been an unexpected force—all acceptance and support, easy smiles and easier conversation. She’d been different. And important.

He remembered the morning they’d met down to the details. She’d been a little thing, a few years younger in age and spirit. Long braids, rips in the knees of both jeans, her soft voice lifted in song and four puppies trailing behind her. She’d been picking wildflowers to make necklaces for her cousins.

After one especially bad episode, his father had passed out drunk and his mother had driven all through the night to get Click to safety. She’d dumped him at the end of Lynnie’s drive and sped off. He’d slept in the bushes, too sore and too tired to make it down Lynnie’s long drive. He was black-and-blue, dirty and bleary-eyed. But Tandy had taken one look at him, smiled and offered him a puppy.

“She’ll love you forever,” Tandy had said, holding the black-and-white ball of fluff toward him. “Wanna go for a walk with me?”

From then on, Click was like those puppies, following Tandy wherever she went. He’d gladly follow her today, if she’d let him.

He slammed his beer bottle on the bar and swallowed down the old hurt choking him. He’d done this to himself, as always. He’d come here tonight expecting what? A third chance? To see something in Tandy’s gaze that gave him hope?

“You okay?” Brody asked.

He nodded. “Tired.” His gaze bounced from Scarlett to Renata, both watching Tandy as she made her way to the stage on the far side of the bar. Tandy’s voice still haunted his dreams, soft and sultry, a husky vulnerability that demanded attention. This would be torture, wonderful, horrible torture.

“She good?” Brody asked.

“She’s amazing,” Scarlett said. “I’m not just saying that because she’s my cousin either.”

Brody chuckled.

Tandy took the stage, picking up a classic wooden six-string guitar. It looked more prop than instrument, but Tandy plucked and tuned until she was smiling. She shaded her hazel-green eyes and stared at the bar, smiling at Renata. “This is for the only momma I ever knew.”

Click nodded, her words echoing his loss. Lynnie was that for him, as well.

Tandy’s fingers plucked magic from those strings, the music filling the now-silent bar. When she opened her mouth, Click sat on the bar stool. Her voice, those words, left him spellbound.

Nobody sang “Cowboy Take Me Away” like Tandy. Nobody. The rasp of her voice drew every eye her way, pulled them in and left the audience mesmerized.

“Damn.” Brody stared at him.

He nodded, swallowing back the sting in his eyes and the tightness in his throat. Tandy’s voice was unexpected, in the best sense. When the chorus came, Scarlett and Renata joined in.

He smiled, unable to look away from Tandy. She sang, tossing her long hair and closing those eyes as the song came from inside her, for Lynnie. He felt it, the grief and love and gratitude blended together into something raw and beautiful. As she plucked out the last notes of the song, Click was on his feet, whistling loudly. He wasn’t the only one. Her performance was impossible to ignore.

She bowed, placed the guitar back against the wall and crossed the stage.

“Let’s go, Renata,” Scarlett said. “Tandy sang your song. Now let’s get you home.”

“The boys just got here,” Renata argued.

“Renata.” Scarlett’s whisper wasn’t soft enough to miss. “Tandy’s barely keeping it together.”

Click’s gaze searched out Tandy then. Because of him?

“Oops.” Renata pushed off the bar then tipped forward.

Click caught her, swinging her up in his arms. “Gotcha.”

Renata blinked. “Course you do.” She frowned. “I’m not sure what you did to Tandy, Click Hale, but I’m mad at you.”

Click nodded.

But Renata wasn’t done. “How’re we all supposed to grow old together? With you two hating each other.”

Her words gutted him. Hate? Tandy hated him?

“Don’t you know how special she is?” Renata asked, her voice rising.

He nodded again. He knew. Damn he knew. He woke up every morning knowing—regretting.

“Renata! Stop talking,” Scarlett said, horrified. “Maybe you should let Brody carry her?”

“I can walk,” Renata argued.

“Didn’t work too well last time you tried,” Click said. “Stay put. I’ll get you to the truck.”

“This way,” Scarlett said, leading him from the bar. “Brody, can you send Tandy out? Let her know what’s...up.”

Click followed, doing his best to act like Renata hadn’t wounded him. Not that Renata meant any harm. She was drunk, not thinking clearly. Still, there was a ring of truth to her words.

“I got the door.” Scarlett held the truck door wide, stepping aside so he could deposit Renata on the back seat of the four-door truck.

As soon as he’d put her in the truck, Renata listed to the side, resting her head on a pile of suitcases.

He paused, stunned by the appearance of Banshee. He was in the truck bed, staring down at him, tail thumping. Click had given Tandy the dog when he was a puppy—their first baby she’d said. “Hey, Banshee,” he said, holding his hand out. “Grew into those paws, I see.”

Banshee groaned, leaning into Click’s strong rubdown.

Scarlett slammed the door and stared up at him. “Click, don’t listen to her. I’ve never seen her this drunk. She’ll feel terrible, hurting you.”

“I’m fine,” he assured her, giving Banshee’s head and neck a good rub.

“No, you’re not.” Scarlett shook her head. “I’m not going to chastise you but... I don’t know what happened between you and Tandy either. Drunk or not, I agree with Renata on this. Neither one of you is okay, and it makes my heart hurt—for both of you.”

Click shook his head, searching for the right thing to say. “It’ll get easier in time.” Every day he woke up hoping that would be the case.

Scarlett squeezed his upper arm. “Glad you’re back. Planning on staying for a while? Can I drop by and visit you and your new family?”

“Pearl and I would like that, Scarlett.” He grinned, giving Banshee a final pat. “Not sure what’s next, but you can stop by anytime.” He headed back to the bar. The same time Tandy was headed out.

When she saw him, she paused—her posture going rigid and stiff.

Dammit. He kept on going, his heart picking up with every step he took. He’d made a mistake tonight, coming here. He wouldn’t do it again. Should he tell her as much? Let her know he’d do his best to stay out of her way? Because seeing the effect he had on her dragged up all the self-loathing and shame he couldn’t face right now. One good thing about being Pearl’s father—it forced him to keep his shit together.

He tipped his hat as they passed, offering her some sort of greeting, and kept going. It was hard. Damn hard.

“Click.” Her voice carried on the wind, bringing him to an abrupt stop. “I—I’m sorry about Lynnie,” Tandy said. “She was a gift to us all.”

He nodded his head but didn’t turn. “You all going to be able to get home okay?”

“Yes.”

He glanced back, knowing it was a mistake, knowing he’d regret it later. Later. Not now. She took his breath away.

“We’ll be fine...thanks.” She hesitated, her gaze finding his.

Damn if he wasn’t caught, held tightly by his love for this woman. “Night, then,” he murmured.

“Night,” she repeated, heading toward the waiting truck.

He made his way inside, taking the beer Brody offered him and sitting at the bar.

“Something about the Boone women,” Brody said, shaking his head. “Once they get under your skin, you can’t get them out.”

Click grinned. “I’ll drink to that.” Loving Tandy had been the greatest gift of his life, something he’d known he didn’t deserve but couldn’t bring himself to point out. It had been his greatest secret, one he’d protected for most of his youth. Hadn’t she known she was better than him? He’d almost told her again and again. Until the summer she’d kissed him and he’d stopped caring. Seventeen and bold, fearless and desperate—that she’d felt the same had blown him away. That was the last summer Tandy had come to Fire Gorge. Uncle Woodrow had made sure of that.

“How’s India?” Click asked. All the years he’d been carrying a torch for Tandy, Brody had been pining for Scarlett’s sister, India. Not that Brody had ever acted on it. Or India Boone had the slightest idea.

Brody’s laugh was startled. “Moved back not too long ago.”

“That so?” Click stared at the man. “See her yet?”

He shook his head, taking a long swig off his beer.

“She still has no idea?” Click asked.

Brody’s narrow-eyed look said it all. “Nobody does.”

Click chuckled. “Can’t decide if that’s better or worse. Having her and losing her or...” He shook his head. “Never having her.” He shrugged. “Cuts both ways I guess.” As much as he regretted the loss and hurt they’d experienced, he couldn’t regret the love they’d shared. In the short time Tandy had been his, he’d loved a lifetime. All the dreams and plans they’d shared were gone, but not forgotten.

Now he had something new to dream and plan for. He had Pearl. And his little girl deserved all the love and dreams and attention he could give her.

Chapter Four

“It’s so good to see you.” Aunt Evelyn leaned around the table to hug her awkwardly, again. “When Uncle Woodrow said you were coming, I cried.”

“She did,” Scarlett agreed.

Tandy smiled, taking a bite of her pancakes.

“I hated parting with you that way,” Aunt Evelyn sniffed. “Hated not having you girls all together for the summertime.”

Tandy kept her smile firmly in place. That summer had changed everything. She’d been sent home, embarrassed, because of her inappropriate relationship with Click Hale. If being sixteen and kissing a boy she was sweet on was inappropriate. Her mother had never let her forget how humiliated she was by Tandy’s behavior. Or how lucky she was her uncle stopped things from getting out of control.

“Let it go, Evelyn,” Uncle Woodrow snapped, patting her hand gruffly. “Tandy’s grown up. She’s got a good head on her shoulders now.”

Tandy didn’t let the now get to her. “Guess I’ll drive into town today, meet Dr. Edwards and see the clinic.”

Woodrow frowned. “It’s Saturday. Closed up.”

“Saturday and Sunday?” she asked, stunned. Weekends were emergencies only at the veterinarian hospital in Stonewall Crossing, but it was normally pretty busy.

“His nephew takes care of the boarders through the weekend. Don’t see much point in you making the drive into town.” Woodrow sat back, dropping his napkin across his plate.

“You’ll have to stay in one of the hunting cabins for now,” Woodrow continued. “They’re still updating the wiring in the Garden Cottage. Hope to have it ready in a week or two.”

“How was the funeral?” Aunt Evelyn asked.

“Good turnout,” Scarlett said. “Brody came, but his father didn’t.”

Meaning her aunt and uncle hadn’t come to the funeral because they didn’t want to run into Mr. Wallace? Tandy took a sip of her coffee, eager for breakfast to be over.

“Lynnie Hale was an amazing woman,” Aunt Evelyn said.

“She was stubborn,” Uncle Woodrow mumbled.

Tandy bit back a grin then. She remembered how frustrated Woodrow got with Lynnie the few times his cows brought down her fences or when she’d let him water his cattle at her spring—on her terms.

“She had to be.” Aunt Evelyn sipped her tea. “To hold her own with the men hereabouts.”

Tandy agreed. From Scarlett’s nod, so did she. She wished Renata was here. She made conversation seem easy. But Renata’s hangover had other plans, like staying in a dark, silent room in bed.

“Breakfast was wonderful,” Tandy said, ready to get the day started. “Guess I’ll head out to the hunting cabin and start unpacking.”

“Take her to the south field. Best shape,” Uncle Woodrow said, not looking up from his coffee.

“When he says best shape, that’s not saying much,” Scarlett whispered.

Tandy laughed. “I’m sure it will be fine.”

“Good, good.” Uncle Woodrow nodded. “Dinner is at six, around the campfire. Booked solid, so join us.”

“Thanks for the invite.” Tandy smiled.

Both of her uncles ran successful guest ranches. Most of her summer holidays and school breaks were spent at one of the two places. She knew hard work was required to keep things successful. Uncle Teddy’s Lodge was more a large-scale bed-and-breakfast. They offered low-key excursions like birding and wildlife walks, horseback rides, hayrides and the occasional campfire.

“Bring your guitar, too, Tandy. Nothing says cowboy like a serenade under a sky full of stars,” Uncle Woodrow added. “Should be a clear night.”

“Will do,” Tandy agreed. For some reason, singing to strangers was always easier.

Unlike Uncle Teddy’s Lodge, there was nothing low-key about Fire Gorge Dude Ranch. The large-scale ranch brought people from all over the world to experience the Wild West firsthand. They had over-the-top theme nights, a mock cattle drive, dances and overnight trail expeditions for those who really wanted to “rough it.” The last few years, Uncle Woodrow added upscale dining, yoga and fitness classes, and a spa for those “city folk willing to spend big money for mud baths and fancy food.” It seemed to be working—business was definitely booming.