Texas Ranch Justice

He held out his arm. “There’s no better time than the present.”

“Now?” She didn’t move. “You want me to meet them right now?”

“Sure, why not?” He gave her a look plainly daring her to chicken out. “You want family, you’ve got family. My house is on the property. It’s not far at all.”

Since he hadn’t really given her a choice, she took his arm. “I’d rather freshen up first,” she said.

“No need. They won’t be expecting you and even if they were, we don’t put on airs. We’re just down-home country people.” Sort of. His mother was an avid churchgoer who loved to gossip, drink, smoke and play bingo. His sister was...he didn’t know what. A vampire wannabe? And then there was his nephew, Will. Most awesome five-year-old ever. Travis loved that kid.

He took Scarlett over to his truck, opening the passenger side door and helping her climb up before going around to the driver’s side. She seemed slightly nervous, twisting her hands over and over in her lap. She didn’t speak again as he started the truck and they drove down the bumpy dirt road toward the part of the ranch where he lived.

The foreman’s house had once been the main ranch house, sixty some-odd years ago. Hal had been born in the rectangular wood-and-stone house. He had built his own house and moved out. His parents had lived there until their deaths, at which time Hal had decided to use the place for his ranch foreman. Travis was the third foreman to take up residence there. He’d had the place to himself for a couple of years before Hal and Vivian had divorced. These days, Vivian considered the place hers.

A few minutes later, they pulled up in the short gravel drive and he killed the engine. She didn’t move, not even to unbuckle her seat belt.

“Are you okay?” he asked quietly, resisting the utterly strange urge to reach out and cup her chin in his hand.

She blinked. “Sure.” Shooting him a brilliant smile, she unclipped her seat belt and opened the door.

Shaking his head, he got out after her. She waited at the end of the sidewalk, her shoulders back and her head held high. He got the strangest sense she was putting on an act, playing a role, though he didn’t know her well enough to say for sure.

Whatever. She’d need all the help she could get once Vivian got a hold of her.

At the front door, he glanced once more at Scarlett. She flashed him an eager smile, looking as if he was about to give her the best Christmas present in the history of the world.

Inhaling, he squared his shoulders and opened the door.

Once inside, the sound of the television blaring greeted them. Judge Judy or one of those other courtroom shows his mother and sister seemed to find so fascinating. But the small living room was empty.

Travis debated calling out, but Vivian hated being called Mom or Mother, so he didn’t. “Maybe they’re in the kitchen,” he said instead. They trooped into the kitchen, where his sister, Amber, sat at the table playing games on her phone. With black lipstick and fingernails, her fondness for heavy eyeliner and mascara, and bright red lipstick, she looked as out of place on the ranch as Scarlett did, though for entirely different reasons.

“Hey,” Travis said, resisting the urge to irritate her and ruffle her hair like he used to when they’d been younger.

“Hey,” she grunted, without even looking up.

“Where’s Will?”

At the sound of his name, the five-year-old dynamo rushed into the room, throwing himself at Travis’s legs. “Unca Travis!” he squealed.

Travis picked him up and swung him around. Will giggled, his brown eyes wide and excited. They grew even rounder when he caught sight of Scarlett when Travis set him back on his feet.

“Who are you?” he demanded, tilting his head and studying her. “You’re pretty.”

“Thank you,” she replied, smiling. “My name is Scarlett.”

The sound of another female voice must have registered. Amber glanced up from her phone, frowning. “New girlfriend?”

Travis laughed. “No. She’s a friend of Hal’s.”

“A friend?” The emphasis Amber put on the word made Travis laugh again.

“Not that kind of friend.”

“Good.” Amber raked her gaze over Scarlett once more. With her heavy black eyeliner and several layers of mascara, the effect made her appear owlish rather than menacing. “She looks kind of young to be his friend.”

“She is standing right here,” Scarlett put in coolly. She held out her hand. “I’m Scarlett.”

After a second’s hesitation, Amber shook her hand. “Amber. And this is my son, Will.”

“We’ve met.” After ruffling the boy’s hair, Scarlett looked around the cluttered kitchen with interest. “I love the color scheme.”

Travis managed to suppress a snort. Right. With green cabinets, orange walls and beige countertops, the kitchen looked like it had been decorated by an insane artist on drugs. For all he knew, it had.

“Where’s...?”

“Vivian?” Amber yawned, making her disdain and boredom clear. “She’s getting ready for bingo. I’m guessing she didn’t know we were having company.”

“Oh, you’re not,” Scarlett put in. “Having company, that is. Don’t think of me as company. After all, I’m going to be staying here awhile.”

“Here?” Amber’s eyes widened in black-smudged horror. “Where are you planning on sleeping?” She cut her gaze to Travis and then back again. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t realize you two were a couple.”

Travis couldn’t help laughing again as he waited for Scarlett to deny it.

“We’re not.” Scarlett sounded calm, rather than flustered, which disappointed him. “I’m staying at Hal’s place.”

“Hal’s place?” Amber narrowed her heavily made-up eyes.

“That’s right.” Scarlett glanced at Travis. “We should probably go. I promised to help Delilah this afternoon.”

“But you just got here,” Amber said.

“And you haven’t met Vivian,” Travis put in. “You definitely need to get to know her if you plan on hanging around the ranch. She knows everything and everyone.” He raised his voice to be heard over the TV. “Vivian!”

“What?” Vivian came bouncing into the room, the movement graceful despite her recent knee replacement surgery. She stopped short the instant she caught sight of Scarlett. “Who’s this?” she asked, glancing from Travis to Scarlett and back again. “Do you have a new friend?”

Even though friend was how she referred to her gentlemen callers, Travis knew Scarlett had no idea. Even so, he shook his head. “She’s here to visit with Hal.”

“Hal?” Vivian’s perfectly arched brows rose even higher. “You can’t be serious.”

Again, Travis found himself laughing out loud. He hadn’t had so much cause to find things humorous in a long time, at least since Hal had gotten sick. “Not like that,” he began.

Scarlett, who still had no idea of the underlying meaning to Vivian of the word friend, looked perplexed. “I’m his daughter,” she said.

Travis nearly groaned aloud. Now the S was sure to hit the fan.

“His daughter?” Vivian sounded as if she was choking. She glared at Scarlett for a moment before turning her stare on Travis. “Is this your idea of a joke?”

He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Scarlett spoke again.

“What is wrong with you people? Why do you all find the idea that Hal could have a daughter—me—so threatening?”

“As if you didn’t know,” Amber drawled, barely looking up from her phone.

“I don’t.” Scarlett crossed her arms. “So please, someone enlighten me.”

“This is ridiculous,” Vivian put in. “Young lady, who do you think you are? How dare you perpetuate a scam like this on a dying man?”

“For the last time,” Scarlett said, a thread of steel hardening her voice. “I am not scamming anyone. Or joking. Hal Gardner is my father. I just learned about him after my mother died. Now if any of you want to tell me why that’s a problem, I’m all ears. If not, I need to get back to the main house.”

Despite himself, Travis admired her backbone. His mother could be intimidating to people, especially those she didn’t like.

Vivian opened and closed her mouth with a snap. Without saying another word, she spun around and strode back to her room, her huge dangling earrings swinging.

Staring after her, Amber laughed. “I think I like you, Scarlett,” she said. “You’re the first person I’ve met who can get Mama to stop talking.”

Clearly not sure how to respond to that, Scarlett nodded.

“I like you too,” Will declared, coming out from behind Travis and bestowing a quick hug. Scarlett smiled down at the little boy, her expression somewhere between enchanted and uncertain.

“Thank you,” she said, once Will had released her and stood staring expectantly up at her. “You’re very nice.”

Will beamed at the compliment. He went and grabbed one of his favorite toys, a large plastic dump truck, and brought it over to her. “Do you wanna play?”

Scarlett looked at Travis, clearly asking for help. He could venture a quick guess that she didn’t have a lot of experience around children.

Finally, Travis took pity on her. “Come on,” he said. “I’ll take you back. We’ll try introductions again later when everyone isn’t acting like they’ve lost their minds.”

“Hey,” Amber protested. “Just because Mama went off on a tear, don’t lump me in that category. Scarlett, there aren’t a lot of women our age out here in the country. I think you and I could become friends.”

Travis shook his head. “She’s probably not going to be here that long,” he told his sister, which earned him an angry glare from Scarlett.

“Thanks, Amber,” Scarlett said. “And despite what your brother thinks, he has no idea about any of my plans. Hal gave me an open-ended invitation, which means there are no time constraints on my visit. So yes, we should hang out. There’s no such thing as too many friends.”

Amber’s answering snort of laughter made Travis frown, which she ignored. “Good for you, Scarlett. I like that you refuse to let my big brother intimidate you.”

“Intimidate?” Travis protested. “Your choice of words wounds me. I’m just trying to help.”

“You’re just trying to control the situation,” Amber shot back, her eyes still sparkling with humor. “Lighten up, Travis. You’ve been taking care of everyone for so long, you’ve clearly forgotten how to act toward a guest.”

He shouldn’t have been surprised when Scarlett nodded. “You’re right about that. Your brother hasn’t been the slightest bit welcoming.”

“He doesn’t like change.”

Travis rolled his eyes. “Enough already. Scarlett, are you ready to go?”

When her gaze locked on his, again he felt that tingle of awareness. “I guess so,” she said, her voice full of reluctance.

“Don’t worry,” Amber interjected. “Both Mom and I are frequent visitors up at the main house. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Scarlett immediately brightened. “Okay. That sounds great.” She started for the door, glancing back over her shoulder at Travis. “Are you coming?”

He couldn’t keep from grinning as he followed her out. Best to keep his distance, because if he got too close to her, he’d do something stupid, like kiss her.

Chapter 3

As she trudged outside back to Travis’s truck, stunned and a bit shell-shocked, Scarlett had to bite the inside of her mouth to keep from demanding answers from him. She couldn’t help but feel like he’d enjoyed himself a bit too much in there.

Kind of like his mother was a piranha and Scarlett newly trapped bait he’d hung dangling above the water for Vivian to snap at.

But since he’d already made it clear he didn’t trust her, she kept her thoughts to herself.

At least his sister had been friendly.

Everyone else’s reactions were far too weird, with the exception of Delilah and Hal himself. She could understand her presence was a shock and they’d need time to adjust, but still. Why no one could even pretend to be happy that Hal had a long-lost daughter, she didn’t understand.

Whatever she had expected, it hadn’t been this. She’d entertained dreams of being welcomed into a new family; a bit naive, clearly. Truthfully, she hadn’t thought much beyond getting to know her father and, while she’d never expected to find him with a terminal illness, she saw no reason for Travis and his kin to doubt her.

Maybe she should have expected some resistance. After all, to these well-established existing members of Hal’s family, she’d just come up out of the woodwork. Clearly, Hal hadn’t even known Maggie was pregnant when she’d walked out on him. Though nothing could make up for the years without a father, knowing he hadn’t deliberately ignored her all this time felt like salve upon her wounded heart.

Still, Vivian was Hal’s ex-wife. Why would she care if Hal had a daughter from a prior relationship? Why would this bother anyone? They all acted like Hal was a multimillionaire whose fortune Scarlett had come to steal. What they didn’t seem to understand was, if she’d truly been a gold digger, she’d have taken one look at Hal’s worn and battered furnishings and turned around to beat a retreat as quickly as she could.

These people didn’t know her, but if they’d take the time to try, they’d realize money was the last thing she cared about. Her mother had left her enough to ensure her comfort. And even before Scarlett had left the art gallery where she worked to care for her mother, she’d been able to save a significant amount with the goal of eventually opening her own gallery someday.

She’d temporarily put that dream on hold. What she wanted more than anything was a relationship with the man who’d sired her.

Bittersweet now too, as his time on this earth was apparently limited. She’d be damned if she’d let anyone take that away from her.

“Wait,” Travis said, just as she reached the side of his truck.

She spun around to find him right there, mere feet away from her. Handsome as sin and sexy as hell. She reached up, cupped her hand along the side of his ruggedly chiseled cheek. Desire flared. It must have shown in her eyes or on her face because he muttered her name and then hauled her up against him, covering her mouth with his.

Too stunned to react at first, she froze, heart pounding, blood pumping. As he slanted his lips over hers, a jolt of fire shot through her. In the same way that had compelled her to touch him, he acted as if he couldn’t help himself. She could relate. Punishing and angry, true. At first. Opening her mouth to him, she kissed him back with a hunger that surged up from deep within her and surprised the hell out of her.

When he finally lifted his head from hers, her entire body quivered.

“Let’s go,” he rasped, releasing her so quickly she stumbled backward.

What the actual hell? Yanking open the truck door, she swung up and clicked the seat belt into place without saying a word.

Travis cleared his throat, probably intending to apologize. She ignored him. He turned the key, started the engine and put the vehicle in gear. They headed back to the main house in silence.

Lost in her own thoughts, she couldn’t help but wonder if the kiss had affected him as deeply as it had her. Honestly, his behavior completely baffled her. She alternated between anger with him and annoyance at herself for enjoying the kiss far too much.

The truck had barely stopped rolling when she unhooked the belt and jumped out, striding into the house without a backward glance. Though technically, she and Travis really needed to discuss what had just happened, right now she felt way too frustrated to even attempt to deal with him.

Hal waited in the living room, his wheelchair parked in front of the television. His tired face lit up the instant she walked into the room, which instantly banished her exasperation.

“Hey there,” she murmured, crossing the room to crouch near him.

“Delilah said she thought she saw you and Travis go off in the pickup,” he said, smiling.

“We did.” Travis came inside, his gaze flicking over Scarlett before returning to Hal. “Since she says she’s staying awhile, I took her out to meet Vivian, Amber and Will.”

“Excellent.” Hal chuckled. “Well, Scarlett? What’d you think?”

“They all seemed...nice,” she said, aware she sounded lame but aware she had to be careful what she said.

Hal burst out laughing, which quickly turned to a rasping cough. Delilah bustled into the room. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” Hal managed, trying to straighten up. “My daughter is funny.”

Behind her, Scarlett swore she could hear Travis grinding his teeth.

“I’m sorry,” she ventured. “I wasn’t trying to be amusing or anything. I didn’t actually spend a lot of time with them, so can’t really form an opinion.”

For whatever reason, this comment had Hal and Travis exchanging looks.

“It’s okay,” Hal finally told her. “Vivian can be a handful, but she has a good heart. I’m not sure about her new boyfriend, Frank, but if she likes him, that’s okay with me.”

“I didn’t meet him,” Scarlett replied.

“He doesn’t live on the premises,” Travis interjected. “He just visits.”

Despite trying not to, she found she kept sneaking looks at his mouth. The raw sensuality of his kiss had taken her by surprise. Worse, she found herself wanting to kiss him again.

Which made her think she must be losing her mind.

“What’s for supper?” Hal asked, eyeing Delilah. Since she was a nurse-type aide, Scarlett wondered why everyone seemed to expect her to cook.

If cooking wasn’t supposed to be in her job description, Delilah didn’t seem to mind. She simply smiled and told them they’d have to wait and see. When she disappeared into the kitchen, Scarlett jumped up and followed her.

“Let me help,” she offered.

“What?” Delilah shook her head. “That wouldn’t be right. You’re a guest.”

“I’m family,” Scarlett insisted firmly. “And as far as I can tell, your official capacity here is something like a nurse’s aide. Am I right?”

“Sort of. I cook, clean and do whatever I can to help Hal feel comfortable. You might call me a jack-of-all-trades.” She chuckled at her own joke. “And tonight I’m just making sloppy joes and french fries. It’s a simple matter of browning the meat and baking the fries. I bake them so there won’t be as much grease. Hal’s stomach can’t handle a lot of fat.”

“Do you use ground beef or ground turkey?”

“Turkey or chicken. It’s healthier. But don’t tell Hal or Travis. Since they run a cattle ranch, they tend to frown on any meal that doesn’t include beef. Now go back in the other room and keep your father company. I’ve got this handled. I’ll let y’all know when it’s time to eat.”

Scarlett did as she was told. This time, she took a seat on the end of the couch closest to Hal’s wheelchair. Travis had lowered his big body into the recliner and both men seemed intent on watching the news.

Half an hour later, Delilah announced it was time to eat. She’d set everything out on the dining room table, along with plates and utensils. She’d also poured four tall glasses of ice water. “Dig in,” she said, standing back and beaming.

The simple meal tasted delicious. When Travis went back for seconds, Scarlett gave in to temptation and did the same. When Delilah brought out a fresh pan of brownies for dessert, both Scarlett and Travis groaned.

Naturally, they had to sample the brownies, especially when Delilah offered vanilla ice cream to put on top.

“That was great,” Hal said, even though he’d only taken a few bites out of his food. Scarlett noticed the way both Delilah and Travis exchanged worried glances. As soon as possible, she planned to ask Hal more detailed questions and do her own research. She found it hard to believe that not a single doctor could figure out what ailed Hal. There had to be something they were overlooking. She at least had to try to find it.

After taking a nibble of his brownie, Hal wheeled himself into the living room, parking his chair in front of the television. He used the remote to turn the set on, ready to be engrossed in whichever of his favorite shows might be about to come on.

Delilah mentioned she needed to get home, so Scarlett shooed her out of the kitchen and took over washing dishes. A moment later, Delilah said goodbye and left.

When Travis appeared and grabbed a dish towel, Scarlett glanced up at him in surprise, but didn’t argue. They worked side by side in silence, she washed and he dried. The simple camaraderie of the chore almost made her think they could be friends. Almost. If she didn’t think about the kiss, that is.

The kiss. Handing him the last clean plate, she chanced a sideways glance at his profile. Rugged and masculine, he looked steadfast and strong, like someone you could count on in a storm. She’d never have guessed that firm mouth could also be tender and passionate. But why? He clearly disliked her. So why’d he kiss her like a man dying in the desert getting his first mouthful of rainwater?

He looked up and caught her staring, so she hurriedly busied herself rinsing out the sink. Should she ask? Or would that be making too big of a deal over a single kiss? While she dithered, he hung up the dish towel to dry and left the kitchen, taking the opportunity with him.

When Scarlett went back to the den, she realized Hal had fallen fast asleep in front of the TV. Chin on his chest, he looked fragile, parchment-thin skin stretched too tight over hollows and bones.

Heart aching, she sighed, catching Travis’s gaze. “I want more time with him,” she murmured.

“I do too,” Travis quietly responded as he got to his feet. For one startled second, she thought he might kiss her again. Instead, he grabbed his cowboy hat off the coatrack and dipped his chin in a goodbye nod. Then he slipped out the door to head home. He left without speaking, or even giving her a chance to ask the question that had bothered her ever since he’d kissed her.

Disappointed but not surprised, Scarlett locked the door behind him. Interesting how the instant he left, so did her restless tension. Now that he was gone, maybe she could finally relax. It had been a long day.

Kicking her heels off, she sat and swung her legs up on the couch. Massaging her aching feet, she thought maybe the time had come to invest in a pair of flats or, heaven help her, some boots. Though she adored shoes and had managed to amass quite a collection of heels, what worked in downtown Atlanta seemed foolish out here in the middle of nowhere on a cattle ranch.

Settling into the comfortable sofa cushions, she looked around the room and marveled at how quickly this place had come to feel like home. Despite the weathered furniture and a decorating style that screamed early 1980s, the ranch house gave off a genuine, rustic vibe.

Though most of that was probably due to the man dozing in his wheelchair. Her father. Words she’d never believed she’d be able to utter.

Watching Hal sleep in front of the TV, her throat felt tight. She’d gone thirty years of her life without a father. It didn’t seem fair that she’d finally found him, only to learn he was dying from a terrible, apparently incurable and completely unknown disease.

All she could do was make the most of the time he had left. Travis and his family may not want her here, but Hal did. That was what mattered.

Since Delilah had gone, Scarlett wondered if she needed to take Hal back and help get him ready to sleep. Earlier, when Hal had shown her the room that would be hers, Scarlett had seen the hospital bed that had been set up inside the master bedroom. She’d also seen the oxygen tank and IV pole. She wouldn’t have any idea what to do.

And, since everyone had gone, Hal must be used to doing it all himself.

But she wasn’t sure. As she pondered, Hal opened his eyes and blinked. “Are you still awake?” he asked. “What time is it?”

“Nearly nine,” she told him. “Travis went home and I’ve been sitting here relaxing. I’ve been wondering—do you need help getting from your chair to your bed?”