Texas Rebels: Paxton

Was she freaking kidding? Five dollars for a diesel truck wouldn’t get them out of the driveway. But he knew better than not to take it.

“I’ll be on my way.”

She glanced toward the house and then back at him. “Just a minute. I need a favor. A big favor.”

Oh, no. But what did he say?

“I don’t have much time, Miss Bertie. I have to get back to the ranch to work.”

“Ah, don’t give me that.” She grunted again. “It’ll only take a few minutes.”

“Well...” He felt like a fish on a hook and he knew he wasn’t getting out of here without doing what she wanted. He just had a feeling it was going to be something he didn’t want to do.

“When you bring my sales receipt back, I’ll invite you into the house and I want you to meet my granddaughter.”

Oh, crap. She was playing matchmaker. The one thing he hated most in the world.

“She’s been feeling a little down lately and a nice-looking man like you could cheer her up real fast.”

“Miss Bertie...”

But the old woman wasn’t listening. “I’ll introduce you and you can say something like what a beautiful granddaughter I have. That’s it. Just a compliment to cheer her up. You can do that, can’t you, Handsome?”

“I’d rather not.” He figured honesty was the best place to start.

The butt of the shotgun rested on the ground. She lifted it into her hand. “I’d rather that you did. Do you know what I mean?”

No, he didn’t.

“Miss Bertie, I know you’re trying to help your granddaughter, but complimenting her is going to sound fake. It’s not done like that these days.”

“How’s it done, then?”

“With a look. It’s the way a guy looks at a girl or the way a girl looks at a guy to let them know they’re interested. That’s how it’s done. You can compliment someone, but they’ll probably laugh in your face.”

She shrugged. “Who knows how you young folks live these days. You just come into my kitchen and give her the look, and you better do it because if you don’t, I’ll come looking for you. Get my drift?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He climbed into his truck. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you.”

He sincerely hoped this would be their last meeting because he had no intention of returning to compliment her granddaughter. His mother could bring the sales receipt and he’d stay as far away as possible.

Chapter Two

One hour and thirty minutes later Paxton zoomed toward Horseshoe, Texas, and Rebel Ranch. He wasn’t being manipulated by Miss Bertie. But then the seeds of guilt began to play with his mind. His dad had always said once you start a job, you make sure you finish it. He could remember when he was a kid, he and his dad were fixing a fence and it began to drizzle and then it started to sleet. But his dad worked on, saying a man always finishes the job he starts.

If he gave the sales slip to his mother, so Miss Bertie could pick up her check, that meant he hadn’t finished the job. Disappointment would be in his mother’s eyes and in that moment he knew he couldn’t just run away like a little boy. What would it hurt to compliment Miss Bertie’s plain-Jane granddaughter? He’d flirted with more girls than he could remember. One more was a piece of cake.

He turned off the highway onto County Road 461 and drove across the cattle guard, the trailer clanging. The dog raced along the chain-link fence, barking his head off. Paxton stopped the truck at the back of the house and slammed the gearshift into Park. He picked up Miss Bertie’s sales receipt, which had a tag number and a description of each calf, from the console and headed for the back door.

Memphis jumped up and down, barking and wagging his tail, eager to see a person. He had a heck of a time keeping the dog from darting out the gate. A long porch adorned the back of the house with a couple of old rocking chairs. He went up the steps and knocked on the built-in-screen glass door.

“Come on in!” Miss Bertie shouted.

He opened the door and stepped into 1960, or the late 1950s. The floor was yellow-and-white linoleum and the chairs and table were an old Formica set. It reminded him of his grandmother’s old house. Miss Bertie came into the kitchen and this time she wasn’t wearing a hat. Her short gray hair stuck out in all directions. He wondered if she had a brush or a comb.

She winked at him. “Sweetie, come here. We have company.”

“Gran, I’m riding my bike.”

“We still greet company in my house. Get your butt in here.”

Paxton removed his hat, ready to get this over with as fast as he could.

A girl appeared in the doorway in jogging pants and a sweatshirt with the University of Houston on it. She was thin and frail, and her clothes hung on her. Her short light brown hair framed a pretty face. Familiar sea-green eyes stared at him.

The girl from Port Aransas.

She was as stunned as he was, grabbing the door frame for support.

“Remi, sweetie, this is Paxton Rebel. And this is my granddaughter—”

“What are you doing letting a Rebel into your house?” The girl turned on her grandmother.

Miss Bertie shrugged. “I have nothing against the Rebels.”

“John Rebel killed my father. Have you forgotten that?”

Oh, crap. It dawned on Paxton for the first time. This had to be Ezra McCray’s daughter. He’d been younger then and had forgotten a lot of the details. But Miss Bertie’s daughter, Ava, had married Ezra McCray. Paxton knew they had a son, Ruger, but he had no idea they had a daughter.

“Okay, missy, I’m not standing here and letting you paint your father as a saint. He was an evil man and I would have killed him myself, but your grandfather always stopped me. He beat your mother so many times and I begged her to leave, but she was scared to death of him. Everyone in this town was scared of him. And in case you’ve forgotten he tried to kill two of the Rebel boys.”

“I’d rather not talk about this and I’d rather not talk to him.” She nodded toward Paxton.

“Do you know what he’s doing here?” Miss Bertie asked.

“No.”

“He hauled my calves to the auction barn because Ruger wouldn’t. Your brother is under Ira McCray’s thumb and he won’t let him do anything for me. These are the people you’re protecting. People you don’t even know. You were less than two years old when your mother took you to Houston. Later, your mother remarried and Nathan adopted you. Nathan is your father and Ezra is nothing to you.”

“Gran—”

Paxton had had enough. He wasn’t stepping into this land mine. He handed Miss Bertie the papers. “You can pick up your check tomorrow afternoon.” He tipped his hat. “It’s been a pleasure.”

“Wait a minute. I want to look at this,” Miss Bertie called, and he forced himself to stop and turn around. “I have to find my glasses.” She disappeared down a hallway.

Remi stepped farther into the room. “What are you doing here?”

“Your grandmother just told you. I hauled her calves to the auction.”

“There was no need.”

“Oh, and who was going to do it? You?”

“I could have.”

“I don’t think so. You have a hard time standing and you’re pale and thin.” The moment the words left his mouth he knew they were not something you’d say to a woman. And he was right. Her sea-green eyes simmered with anger.

She moved closer to him. “I’m fine. Do you hear me? I’m fine.” She wagged one long finger in his face. “I’m fine.”

He did the only thing a red-blooded cowboy could do. He bit her finger.

She jumped back, holding her finger. “You bit me!”

“I’m going to keep biting you until you admit the truth.”

“You...you...stay away from my grandmother.” She turned and hurried into the living room.

“A thank-you would have been nice!” he shouted to her back.

Miss Bertie walked in and glanced at him, then to the empty doorway. “Is that part of the look?”

Paxton swung toward the door. “No. It’s goodbye.”

He shoved the shift into gear, backed up and left the crazy ladies behind. He was sticking his nose into something that didn’t concern him and he had no desire to get to know Ezra McCray’s daughter.

* * *

REMI SANK ONTO the sofa, fuming. How dare he stick his nose into her business? She curled her hand into a fist, still feeling the warmth of his lips and his teeth against her skin. That strange gesture had awakened something in her that had been dormant for a long time—the need for male companionship. But not him. He was arrogant and rude and...

Gran sat beside her. “What’s the matter, sweetie?”

“Nothing.” She tried to hide what she was feeling, but feared she failed.

“What did he mean about a thank-you?”

“Nothing, Gran. He’s just an arrogant jerk.”

“Oh, I thought he was a very handsome young man. If I were your age, I’d be batting my eyes at him and smiling as sweetly as I could.”

“You would not. Things were very proper back then.”

Gran let out a big laugh and slapped her leg with her hand. “Oh, sweetie, men and women are men and women at any age. Now your grandpa, he was quiet and shy. I had my work cut out for me because I had him picked out for a long time. We were at a school dance, and when it was time for the girls to choose their partners, I chose him. When they shouted to change partners, I didn’t let go and said, ‘I’d rather dance with you.’ He said, ‘I would, too.’ And from that day on we were a couple.”

“That’s so sweet, Gran.” How she wished it could be that simple today. But she had too much on her mind to even think about getting involved with someone. Not that he was interested in her. He’d said she was pale and thin. Pale and thin? As much as the words made her angry, she knew they were true. Would she ever be strong enough to be able to adopt Annie?

She rested her head on her grandmother’s shoulder. “I wish I had lived in your time.”

“No, you don’t. You’re struggling right now, but life will turn around for you. Have you called your parents?”

“Yes. I think they were camped out in my apartment waiting for me to come home.”

Gran stroked Remi’s hair. “They just worry about you.”

“I know, but the accident happened in October and I’m strong enough to live in my apartment again. I wish they would understand that.”

“When you’re a mother, you’ll understand those feelings.”

Remi sat up. “I was so devastated when my lawyer called and told me not to go to the hospital anymore to see Annie. The adoption process is in full swing and other couples will be ‘visiting’ with her, as CPS puts it. When I heard that, I ran like I always do, as if I can outrun my fears. But I have to face that I might not get Annie because of my health. That’s so unfair.”

“Yes. But you said your interview and the visit to your apartment went well, so don’t lose hope.”

Remi scooted to face her grandmother. “Dad and Mom moved my bed over and we were able to get Annie’s baby bed that Holly and I had bought into the room, and the changing table. A small chest for her clothes fit in there, too. It looks really nice and I was happy the room was big enough. I wish I had had time to get a bigger apartment or maybe a house.”

Gran patted Remi’s leg. “Love is all that counts.”

Remi prayed that was true. “In the fall I go back to teaching and I have to find a really good day care for Annie.”

“Now don’t go putting the cart before the horse. Let’s get over this hurdle first.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Remi lay back on the couch and raised her left leg. “Time for stretches. Push my leg as far back as you can.”

Gran got to her feet. “Oh, Lordy, I hate doing this. I’m afraid I might hurt you and that’s...”

Gran’s voice faded away as Remi’s thoughts turned to Paxton. How odd it was that they’d met on a deserted beach. She’d been running away from her fears. She wondered if he had been, too.

* * *

PAXTON DROVE STRAIGHT to the equipment shed to park the trailer. His mother’s truck was still at the office so he jumped back into his truck and headed there.

He took one of the leather chairs in front of her desk. She glanced up from the ledger she was writing in. There were several computers in the office, but his mother liked to do things the old way. She wrote things down in the ledger to keep track of cattle and horses and sales and payments.

“How did it go?”

He removed his hat and laid it on the desk. “I didn’t know Miss Bertie had a granddaughter—a granddaughter who is Ezra McCray’s daughter.”

His mother’s eyes opened wide. “Remington is here? Bertie must be pleased.”

“Remington is her name?” For some reason he found that a little strange. The name didn’t fit the feminine woman he’d met.

“Yes, but I think she’s called Remi. Ezra named his children Ruger and Remington, after guns. He was one crazy man.”

He didn’t want to push his privileges as her son, but he had to know. He leaned forward, his hands clasped between his knees. “I don’t understand this relationship you have with Miss Bertie. Her daughter was Ezra McCray’s wife. And Miss Bertie’s much older than you.”

She slowly closed the ledger and then glanced at him, her brown eyes dark and serious. “You see, son, Bertie and I have something in common. We both hate the McCrays.”

“Yeah. She made that clear.”

“To be honest I never thought I’d be friends with Bertie. I met her at one of the Elvis get-togethers some ladies have in town. We found we had a lot to talk about. Bertie and Edgar were devastated when Ava married Ezra. They eloped and they both were of age so there was nothing Bertie or Edgar could do but watch their daughter be brutalized by that horrible man. Time after time Bertie reported Ezra to the sheriff, but Ava would never testify against him.”

Paxton listened, and even though it was something he didn’t know, what caught his attention were the Elvis get-togethers. “You go to Elvis parties?”

His mother lifted an eyebrow. “Yes, with the sheriff’s mother, Mrs. Peabody and several other ladies. We have a good time. We play poker, listen to music, eat, drink a few beers and talk about the latest gossip in Horseshoe.”

“You drink beer?” All his life he’d never seen his mother drink any type of liquor, especially after what had happened to their father. She was against drinking, but she never told any of her sons to stop. They were grown men and she mostly tried to stay out of their lives.

“Is that against the law?”

“No. I’m just surprised.”

“You know, son, I’m entitled to get out every once in a while. I enjoy spending time with women with similar interests. We’re talking about visiting Graceland in the summer and I’m thinking of going. We need a driver, though. Are you available?” There was a smile in her voice, and he knew she was teasing him.

He shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to say no, but he would rather have his teeth pulled than drive several old ladies to Graceland. Being a dutiful son, he replied, “If you need me to.”

His mother laughed, and he realized he hadn’t heard her laugh in a long time. She spent all of her time worrying about the ranch and her sons. If she wanted to drink beer and visit Graceland, who was he to judge?

“Don’t worry, son. I’m the youngest in the group and I can drive us.”

“Are you sure?” He’d try to work it into his schedule if his mother needed him.

“I’ve hauled cattle all over this country and I think I can get us to Graceland.”

“Okay.” He stood and pulled five dollars out of his pocket and laid it on the desk. “From Miss Bertie for gas.”

“I forgot to tell you about that. I’m so glad you didn’t refuse it.”

“Mom, the woman was standing there with a shotgun in her hand. I wasn’t going to refuse too much.”

“I’m proud of you, son. You’re turning into a nice young man. I’m glad you put all that Lisa business behind you.”

Lisa? He still hadn’t called her, and that was the old Pax, avoiding a confrontation. To be the man he wanted to be, he had to call her and break it off—for good.

He turned to leave the room, but something in him needed to know. “What happened to Miss Bertie’s granddaughter? She looks ill.”

“I believe she was in a motorcycle accident.”

“Motorcycle? I don’t see her as a motorcycle chick.”

His mother lifted an eyebrow again, which all of her sons knew well. It meant she was either disappointed in what they’d done or what they’d said.

He tried hard not to fidget. “You know what I mean. Piercings, tattoos and leather. This girl is very slight and I can’t see her riding a motorcycle.”

“It was the boyfriend’s, I believe.” His mother studied his face and he wanted to squirm again. “Why are you so interested in Remington?”

“I’m not.” That was the truth. He was just...curious.

“We just went through this with Phoenix and Rosemary’s relationship. Even though I have accepted Rosie, I wouldn’t like to see another of my sons getting involved with a McCray.”

“Whoa.” He held up a hand. “There’s nothing like that going on. She’s not my type. When she found out I was a Rebel, it was like opening a freezer. Rest assured there’s nothing going on. I was just asking.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mom.”

She got up and walked around her desk to stand in front of him. She lightly touched his face. “I don’t think you realize just how handsome you are. This girl is very vulnerable right now and I wouldn’t like to see you hurt her in any way. Not that you would intentionally because I know you, and you have a big heart when it counts.”

He couldn’t believe he was having this conversation with his mother. Avoiding a deep emotional conversation was his top priority when talking to his mother. He didn’t know what else to say, except the truth.

“Okay. I promise I won’t hurt her. I don’t see how that can happen since I’ve only had one conversation with her. And believe me, I’ll never forget that she’s Ezra McCray’s daughter.”

Chapter Three

For the next couple of days Paxton helped on the ranch and worked on his rodeo schedule. He and his friends had ridden in a rodeo in Louisiana and at the Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo. It was now February and he decided not to ride in as many rodeos as he had before. He was getting older and it had taken a toll on his body, so he would ride the big rodeos for the money and for a chance to make it to Las Vegas.

After a hard day of working cattle, he showered and sat on the sofa still going over his schedule. He lived with Jericho in the bunkhouse and they got along well. Jericho never caused trouble and was a good friend to the Rebels.

His brother Egan had met him in prison when Egan had been unjustly accused of a crime. He saved Egan’s life and they’d become fast friends. For saving her son’s life, their mother had offered him a job on the ranch and he had gladly taken it. He’d grown up on the streets in Houston and had been involved with gangs. But today he was a changed man and the Rebels trusted him completely.

They took turns doing chores around the house. Tonight Rico had kitchen duty. Since they used paper plates for convenience, it was mainly pots, pans and utensils. Pax looked up from his phone and thought he’d talk about something that had been on his mind. He could trust Rico not to say anything.

“I had this strange encounter with a woman.”

Rico folded a dishtowel and laid it on the counter. He was well over six feet tall with long hair tied into a ponytail at his neck. A scar was slashed down the side of his face that made him a little off-putting to most. His nationality was a mystery, but Egan had said he was part white, Mexican, black and Indian. He was an intimidating figure.

“You can forget it if you’re asking for advice. I don’t know a thing about women. I don’t think any man does.”

“No, I don’t want advice. I met this woman while I was in Port Aransas. She was sitting on the beach and couldn’t get up so I helped her and that seemed to make her mad. She didn’t even say thank you. It was very clear she was ill, but she kept insisting she was fine. Then I went over to haul Miss Bertie’s calves and found out she’s Miss Bertie’s granddaughter. And Ezra McCray’s daughter.”

“Man, don’t you see the sign? Stay Away is blinking in front of you.”

“I know. I know. I’m not interested in her or anything. I’m just curious as to why she won’t admit she’s ill.”

“What does it matter?”

Paxton shrugged. “There’s just something about her.”

“Oh, man, don’t you have enough girls chasing you around the rodeo circuit instead of getting involved with someone who’s gonna upset your mother?”

“I already told Mom about her.”

“What did she say?”

He cleared his throat. “Stay away from her.”

“Exactly. Listen to your mother, that’s all I’m going to say.”

They heard a little voice they knew well—Jake, Phoenix’s almost-three-year-old son.

A light tap sounded at the door and reminded Paxton of a rat scratching in a wall. He jumped up and yanked open the door. “Boo,” he shouted. Jake stumbled backward, giggling. Then he ran into Paxton’s arms, and Paxton swung him up into the air.

“You ’cared me.”

He noticed that Jake only had underwear and boots on and it was cold outside. “Where’s your clothes, buddy?”

Phoenix and Rosie, who were standing in the doorway, came inside. “Tell him, son.”

Jake looked down at his underwear. “I got underwear like Daddy’s. I’m a big boy.”

“We’re potty training,” Rosie said. With her red hair and sweet personality, Rosie was a gorgeous woman.

“I wasn’t aware Phoenix wore SpongeBob SquarePants underwear.”

“Don’t start.” Over the years, he and Phoenix had teased each other a lot, but of the two of them Phoenix was always the big jokester.

Paxton hugged Jake again. “I’m proud of you, buddy.”

Jake hugged him back. “Me big boy now.” Jake noticed Rico and held out his arms. Rico took him. “Lookie, Rico.” Jake pointed to his underwear.

“I see, big boy.”

Jake smiled. “Gotta go show Grandma.” He wiggled down and ran to Phoenix.

“We have to put on your coat,” Phoenix said.

“He wouldn’t wear his clothes.” Rosie helped Jake with his coat. “He wants everybody to see his underwear.”

Jake waved goodbye and Phoenix closed the door.

“Do you ever think of having kids, Rico?”

“Nah. I’m content the way I am.”

“I always thought I wouldn’t want kids. They’re a lot of work, but every time I hold Jake I get this feeling that it would be great to have a kid.”

Rico sank into his recliner. “That shouldn’t be much of a problem for you.”

“I want to fall in love first.”

Rico clicked on the TV. “Now that could be a problem.”

“You don’t think I can fall in love?”

“I think this discussion has gone on long enough.” He turned up the TV, and Paxton walked into his room. His cell buzzed with a message. He looked at the name. Lisa.

It was time to cowboy-up and do the right thing—the mature thing. He touched her name and her cell rang. She answered right away.

“Oh, teddy bear, I knew you’d call. I knew you’d realize we belong together.”

“No, that’s not why I’m calling.” He took a deep breath. “I thought you would get the message if I didn’t answer your calls, but evidently the message has eluded you. When we broke up two years ago, it was final. It’s still final for me.”

“I know I was a bitch back then, but I’ve changed and I know what I want. I want you in my life.”

“I’m sorry, Lisa. That’s not going to happen.”

“Have you found someone else?”

He started to lie and put an end to this. But again, that would be the old Paxton and he was working very hard to change his bad habits. “No. It’s just the way I feel. Please don’t call me again.”

“Paxton, baby. You don’t mean that.”

“Goodbye, Lisa. I wish you the best.” He clicked off and blocked her number from his phone. It was over and it wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it would be. Maybe he should buy some SpongeBob SquarePants underwear, too.