Kids on the Doorstep / Cop on Loan: Kids on the Doorstep / Cop on Loan

“That makes two of us,” he agreed. “You think she can change?”

Gladys shrugged. “Time will tell but I’m not holding my breath at the moment. She’s got to adjust that attitude of hers or else she’s just going to spin her wheels with Alexis.”

John glanced away, voicing his private thoughts on the subject. “There’s no excuse for leaving your family behind.”

“You’re right about that and I know you know what that’s all about. Did you ever forgive your father for leaving?”

“No.”

Gladys chuckled. “Didn’t think so. Like I said, that woman’s got a rough row to hoe but in the meantime, we’ll be there to catch the girls before they fall this time around.”

He shifted, hating how he’d somehow, unwittingly, wandered into emotional territory. Gladys was a tricky one. Always had been. Probably why she and his mom had been such tight friends. They were peas in a pod. She prodded at him and he emitted a low groan as her point went straight home. “I’d be a liar if I said I’ve never said or done anything I regret,” he admitted in a tight voice. “But I don’t understand how a mother could leave her babies. Gladys, I don’t think I’ll ever understand and if I can’t understand how is that little girl going to?”

“No one is asking you to figure things out for her. She’s a smart kid. She’ll do that on her own. But,” Gladys sighed as if hating to agree with Renee on anything, and then said, “in the meantime, she needs to be around her mother.”

“Renee suggested I hire her for help around the house with the girls. Said you were too old.”

Gladys chuckled. “That woman’s got spunk, I’ll give her that. But as much as I hate to admit it, these old bones are feeling the years piling up behind them,” she admitted grudgingly. “I could use a hand around here. Chloe is a handful even though she’s sweeter than freshly churned butter and I think she would love to have her mama around. She doesn’t remember her very well and she harbors the least amount of piss and vinegar. I think it would be smart for Renee to start rebuilding with Chloe first. I’ll be here to smooth out the rough spots but she’s right. I am a bit long in the tooth to be chasing after a toddler while the other girls are in school.”

John heaved a heavy sigh and nodded. “I guess I could fix up the guesthouse. Although I hate the idea of harboring that woman on my property,” he added with a glower. “Frankly, if it weren’t something the girls probably need to get over this mess, I’d tell her to pound sand. I don’t give a shit about her feelings in this.”

“What about the court stuff?”

“Oh, Sheriff Casey isn’t going to make a stink over anything as long as those girls are safe and happy. Besides, the order doesn’t say anything about Renee keeping her distance or anything. I suppose as long as everyone is happy, no one needs to be the wiser.”

“So it’s settled, then? Renee is moving in?” Gladys’s mouth firmed, no more happy about it than John but willing to see it through for the girls’ sake just like him.

“I suppose she is.” He walked from the kitchen, his pace brisk, but not even his quickened step could keep him from the realization that he was about to invite more complications into his life and if the warning tingle in his gut was any indication, he might’ve just changed his life forever.

RENEE WALKED WITH TAYLOR’S hand firmly in her own as Alexis practically jogged three steps ahead with John and Chloe somewhere in between.

“I don’t want you walking me to class,” Alexis declared, looking pointedly at Renee before continuing with strong purposeful steps toward the entrance.

Renee looked down at Taylor. “How about you?”

“You can walk me to class if you want to, I suppose,” Taylor answered. “You can show me where these picture books are that you were talking about.”

“Deal.”

The school was an old brick building with a bell at the top, a remnant of when the school was first built in the late 1800s, and it looked right out of an episode of Little House on the Prairie.

“Do you think that bell still works?” Taylor asked.

“I don’t know but we can ask your teacher,” Renee said, smiling.

She glanced up at John and wondered if this was where he went to school. He seemed to know his way around well enough as they went straight to the front office and a few people even nodded in surprise at seeing him there.

“Old school chums?” Renee surmised once she’d caught up to him.

“I guess you could say that,” John answered, but didn’t elaborate further. Talk about a man of little words. If he strung together more than two sentences in a row she’d fall over in shock. Grumbling to herself, she kept the rest of her annoyed thoughts silent as the principal greeted them.

“John Murphy? I haven’t seen you in awhile but I do know you don’t have kids. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?”

Before John could answer, Renee piped in, saying, “They’re mine. We’re just staying with John at the ranch for now. Renee Dolling, pleased to meet you, Mr.…”

“Curtis Meany,” he answered with a broad smile, coming forward to envelope her hand in a firm handshake. “Don’t let the name fool you, I’m really a softie at heart. If I’m not careful these students run all over me. Are you from around here? I don’t recall the name.”

“No, we’re new.” Renee smiled and left it at that. She didn’t want to go into details and ruin this nice man’s impression of her. It was hard enough dealing with John much less another judgmental local. “My girls, Alexis and Taylor, are starting classes today.”

“Yes, here are their teachers’ names and classroom numbers. If you have any questions or concerns, my door is always open. Good to see you again, John.”

“Curt.” John inclined his head and then gesturing for the paper in Renee’s hand, said, “Let’s get this show on the road. I have a horse coming in an hour.”

“You can go if you like,” Renee offered and was mildly surprised when he frowned in response. “If you’re in a hurry…”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You implied.”

He started to say something but then thought better of it and snapped his mouth shut. “Perhaps I did.”

Renee smiled down at Taylor. “Let’s go find your teacher, shall we?”

She didn’t wait for John nor did she try to convince Alexis to let her walk her to class, as well. She knew her daughter well enough to know any attempt at this point would be rudely rebuffed. She’d have to let Alexis come to her. She fought back a well of fear when she considered the very real possibility that that day might never come and instead focused on the happy start she was being granted with her middle daughter.

JOHN WATCHED AS RENEE LED Taylor to her new classroom. To look at them one would never guess their circumstances. Renee looked every part the doting mother, her eyes fairly shone with love and adoration that John was almost apt to believe, if not for the reminder of Renee’s defection standing beside him wearing a fierce scowl.

“She seems to be trying,” John noted, almost to himself but it was really directed toward Alexis. She took the bait quite readily.

Alexis snorted. “My mom used to want to be an actress. You shouldn’t believe a word she says. She’s a good liar.” And then she adjusted her pack and stomped in the direction of her new classroom.

An actress? It shocked him but then again…it didn’t. She was sure pretty enough to fill a big screen. That blond-hair-blue-eye combination was a killer. Not to mention those curves…John shifted on the balls of his feet wondering where his mind was going and who gave it permission to wander like that.

Renee returned a short time later, a warm glow suffusing her expression that was nearly contagious.

“She settled in all right?” he asked.

“Yeah. I think she’s going to have fun. Taylor has an adventurous spirit. She’s game for anything that can hook her interest. But then you’ve probably already figured that out about her.”

He had. It was one of Taylor’s more endearing qualities. “She’s got a sharp mind. I think school will be a good challenge for her.”

Renee nodded and they walked out the front doors. The children quickly dispersed as they ran to their individual classes when the bell rang. Once at their vehicles, John climbed into his truck and then stopped to call out to Renee.

“Yeah?” she asked, her brow furrowing subtly as she regarded him warily.

“If you’re still interested in the job, I suppose it’s available.”

“You’re saying that you’re willing to hire me to help out with my kids?” There was a sparkle in her eyes that he couldn’t help but catch and it made him bite back what he might’ve said to her clever comment. She didn’t give him a chance to rescind the offer and quickly jumped. “Sounds perfect. When can I move in?”

John startled at the gooseflesh that rioted up and down his arm. He swallowed. Moving in. It created a wealth of imagery that made his heartbeat thud painfully. Scowling, he said, “Since you’re in an all-fired hurry, I suppose Friday is fine.”

“Friday?” Her expression fell. “But it’s only Monday. I was hoping—”

“I know what you were hoping but the guesthouse won’t be ready for anyone until then. It’s the soonest I can accommodate you into my schedule. It should go without saying that I still have a job to do and it doesn’t include making room for yet another Dolling. You get me? Take it or leave it.”

He winced privately at how surly he sounded. Damn, if he didn’t sound like a cantankerous old fart but she rubbed him the wrong way in the worst way. She had no business looking the way she did and coming around as if she was pretending to care when John knew full well she hadn’t cared when it mattered to those little girls. Right? Ah, great. Talking to yourself now, he mentally chastised himself. John’s lips pressed against one another and he figured that was the smartest thing he could do at this point—keep his damn mouth shut.

“Friday, 8 a.m. sharp. Don’t be late.” He slammed the truck door, eager to get the hell away from her and his confused thoughts.

Chapter Seven

RENEE RETURNED TO THE HOTEL, her mind buzzing and her heart full of hope for the future. Taylor was the key to breaching the wall Alexis had built around them. She didn’t blame Alexis for her attitude even if it hurt. Of all the kids, Alexis remembered many details that were lost to Taylor and unknown to Chloe. Renee rubbed her palm across her stinging eyes and fought back the bad memories that always threatened to surface when she wasn’t being vigilant enough.

The fights. The screaming. And the alcohol. Always a lot of that around the Dolling house. It became her way of coping with a failed life and living with a man she didn’t love any longer. She’d had such big dreams as a kid. But Jason Dolling had been persuasive and her hormones had been listening. She couldn’t regret everything that happened during their life together. Her girls were the shining example that even when everything else was going to shit, there was always something to be grateful for.

She wished she could take every bad memory from her daughter’s mind but that wasn’t an option. All she could do was be there and promise their lives would be different. And that was something she could do without reservation.

Getting sober hadn’t been the easiest thing in the world but she’d had really solid motivation. She never tried to compare her journey to that of others because they’re never the same or even comparable. Renee had definitely come to appreciate that old saying, Never judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes, because when she’d made the decision to get sober at first it was natural to assume others had it easier or harder, take your pick, but she’d learned quickly not to judge. She’d seen lawyers and doctors sitting side by side with drug addicts and no one had it easy.

She’d been no different—and no worse.

But to explain to a child the reasons why her mother left…were there words in the English language that would ever convey the reason in a way a child would understand? Renee didn’t know but she desperately wanted to find out. Alexis was her soldier, her first born. She’d bonded to that girl from the moment she came screaming into the world, her lusty squall a balm to Renee’s young heart, the calm in the storm that surrounded her and Jason.

Taylor was the let’s-try-and-save-the-marriage baby. And by the time Chloe arrived…well, the marriage had been over before she was conceived. Yet, Renee had stayed. Drinking her failure away with her two solid friends, Jack Daniels and Jim Beam and the occasional visit by Captain Morgan on holidays.

So many bad choices. A lifetime, really. Was she poised at the precipice of yet another bad Renee Dolling decision? She just wanted her kids back so they could get back to their lives.

But then what? Her chest tightened with panic and uncertainty. She’d been so focused on finding the girls she didn’t actually have a plan as to where they’d go from there. Renee’s mother had always called her flighty. So far, she hadn’t proven the woman wrong and the time was past to do so. Her mother had long since written her off as a daughter. So now she only had herself and her children to prove something to.

But it was enough. She wouldn’t let the girls down. That was a promise. Friday couldn’t come soon enough in her book.

JOHN SPENT MOST OF THE MORNING working with a skittish mare that’d been brought the day before and he was thankful for the hard work. The moment he entered the arena, she shied away, stomping the ground with her front hooves as if daring him to get closer so she could stamp a nice U-shaped mark on his forehead. He let her settle down but didn’t leave the arena. He let her know that he wasn’t going anywhere but didn’t try connecting the lead rope to her halter, either. The two eyed each other and John settled into a comfortable space inside his head. He could sense her distrust and knew this girl would take considerable work on his part to get her to the point where she didn’t try to kill anyone who came near her.

As it was it took four men to unload her into the horse paddock and she’d shown her displeasure by kicking the shit out of the stable gate as she tried to get out of her stall. Her wild screams told him she didn’t like enclosed spaces and he soon moved her to a bigger, much roomier stall that he usually reserved for foaling mares. Luckily, at the moment he didn’t need the special sized stall. Once she didn’t feel the walls closing in on her, she settled with an uneasy whinny but none of the ranch hands wanted to go near her. John didn’t blame them. He instructed everyone to steer clear of the young mare appropriately named Vixen and so far they had. Today was the first day he’d had the chance to formerly introduce himself so to speak and by the murderous glint in her eye, the introduction wasn’t going so well.

“You and I are going to get along just fine,” he said low and soft as if the horse could understand every word. “I know you’ve had a hard time of it but no one is going to hurt you here. You have to behave, though, you hear me? No more kicking stable doors and scaring the life out of my ranch hands. I don’t pay them enough for that shit.”

Vixen tossed her head as if to say “that’s your problem” and he chuckled softly. That it was. “We’re going to get along just fine, aren’t we?” he asked, a small grin lifting the corners of his mouth. There was nothing he enjoyed more than a challenge and judging by the proud and stubborn toss of the young mare’s head, he’d found a damn good one.

Vixen reminded him of Alexis—all spit and fire—if only to draw attention away from the wound inside. He knew Alexis cried at night when she thought no one could hear her, when her sisters were fast asleep and she thought he was crashed out in front of the fire. But he heard her heartbroken sobs clear as if she were curled in his lap soaking his shoulder. And he’d be a liar if he didn’t admit it hit him hard. But what did he know about consoling a little girl’s broken heart? How was he supposed to help her heal? He was out of his league. You didn’t ask a horseman to wrestle with alligators because it wasn’t his specialty and he was likely to get his hand chomped off. That’s how he felt. Caged with an alligator with nothing but a lead rope and a prayer. By his estimation, neither one was going to do much good.

So where did that leave him? The mare stared warily, watching and waiting for his next move, and the answer came to him with the slow cumbersome gearshift of the truly reluctant. The only way Alexis was going to heal was if she had her mama back in her life, which meant, and he really didn’t like the sound of this, he was going to have to help Renee mend the fence.

And that meant playing nice with the woman.

Aww hell.

He didn’t know how to do that, either.

He glanced back at Vixen, who nickered—or maybe it was a snicker—and said with a shake of his head and a promise in his eye, “Oh, don’t look so smug. You’re next, hot hooves. You’re about the only thing I know how to handle around here. So, let’s get to work, shall we?”

RENEE GLARED AT THE SKY and cursed the snow spiraling out of the dark, ominous clouds as she wrestled another box out of her car and struggled to keep her footing on the slippery ground.

“Here, let me take that before you land face-first in a snowdrift,” John said gruffly, lifting the box from her arms before she could protest. “We could’ve waited until Monday, after the storm passed us by,” he said over his shoulder as she hurried to catch up.

“No, I’ve waited long enough to be around my girls. I’m not letting some—Oh!” She slipped a little and nearly landed on her rear but somehow caught herself before doing so. John didn’t slow nor did he glance back at her. Straightening, she took more care as she made her way toward the guesthouse. “I’m not going to let some storm get in my way. Besides, who’s to say this storm would be over by then? No way. I’m settling in and getting comfortable as soon as possible.”

He turned abruptly and she almost ran into him. “Oh! You should say something before you do that!” she admonished with a glare, her breath pluming in a misty curl between them. “The ground is hard enough to walk without you stopping for no good reason in the middle of the path. Have you ever considered putting in a nice sidewalk to the guesthouse?”

“No. That would encourage people to stay longer than they’re welcome,” he answered, shifting the box easily although Renee knew it was heavy. So there must be some muscles hidden beneath that flannel shirt she noted with a private shrug. Big deal. She’d never been one to swoon over some hunky cowboy type. Wrangler butts don’t drive her nuts. Good thing, too, because a cursory, almost defiant sweep of his butt, revealed an ass that she couldn’t help but admit was on the perfect side. He caught her unfortunate perusal and his eyebrow lifted only so slightly as he said, “Flattered but not interested. The house is the only thing available in this deal.”

The nerve of this guy! As if she’d be interested in him. The idea bordered on ridiculous. Pulling the box from him and grunting only slightly from the effort, she said coolly, “I wasn’t inquiring. I can handle the rest, thank you. What else did you have to say when you nearly made me run into you?”

She expected him to fight her over the box but he didn’t. The jerk merely shrugged and pulled a key from his pocket, saying, “I was just going to mention that you can help yourself to the woodshed out back and I suggest you build a fire right away. It’s the only source of heat in there. Here’s the key.” And then after pushing the key into the lock since her hands were full, he walked away, not slipping even once although Renee was really hoping he would—it would serve him right—and disappeared in the direction of the barn.

Nerve, nerve, nerve! The man had it in spades. Oh, sure, he gave off that quiet, unassuming vibe but the man actually had an ego the size of…well, for lack of anything more witty or clever, Texas!

She managed to hold on to the box and open the door with a minimal amount of swearing and despite the bone-chilling cold was actually sweating from the exertion.

Dropping the box with less delicacy than she should’ve, she winced as she heard the muffled crack of something breaking and wondered which of her precious few possessions she’d just shattered. After huffing a short breath and vowing to open the box later to find out, she decided to wander the small house to see what she was looking at as far as living conditions go.

Well, it was better than her hotel room, she noted after a quick perusal of the small house. One bedroom, one bathroom, a kitchenette and a tiny living room. Not bad.

If only it weren’t wallpapered with some kind of hideous rose wallpaper that looked like it was taken straight out of the pages of a Sears, Roebuck catalog, circa 1920. She grimaced. Thank God she wasn’t planning on staying long. This wallpaper might make her lose her mind. She peered out the small front window. Nothing but more snow fluttered from the sky, threatening to bury the small house and the ranch itself if the storm didn’t let up. Flicking the living room light on, she pushed the box out of the way of traffic and readied herself for another trip to the car. She didn’t have much but at the moment, even one more trip outside wasn’t a pleasant thought. Get on with it, she chided herself, wrapping her shawl more tightly around her neck. If she didn’t want to sleep in her jeans tonight, she’d better get the rest of her stuff before the path from the driveway to the guesthouse became damn near impassable.

Trudging through the gathering snow, her toes freezing in her worn hiking boots, she couldn’t help the quick glance toward the barn as she wondered what kind of woman—if any—would turn John Murphy’s head.

Likely as not, that woman didn’t exist. She scowled at her thoughts.

Yeah, well, who cares? It’s not like she was hoping to be that woman, anyway. She just wanted her kids back. End of story.

Besides, no one in their right mind would want to live here, she thought with a surly temper as she sank to her knee in fresh powder and nearly toppled forward in a frontal snow angel dive. Pulling her foot free, she muttered with a fierce glower, “I hate snow. I really, really, really hate snow.” And I think I just might hate you, too, John Murphy.

Chapter Eight

THE STORM DIDN’T LET UP as John had thought and since there was little work he could do with the horses in the current weather, all he could do was wait it out. Normally, he’d just tinker around the house, doing odd jobs he’d put off but he couldn’t turn around without stumbling over a little girl underfoot since Alexis and Taylor had been given a snow day.

Peering toward the guesthouse, he was satisfied to see that the little chimney was pumping out smoke, which meant Renee, despite the odds he was betting to the contrary, knew how to build a fire. At least she wouldn’t freeze. Not that he was worried.

He moved to the living room and thought about reading the local paper he’d missed from the previous week but as he entered the room it was hard to avoid the long, sullen faces of three little girls who were dying from boredom.

Earlier Renee had found an old puzzle and she and Taylor had spent an hour putting it together only to discover it was missing a piece. But Taylor had just giggled and Renee’s expression of pure joy had been hard to walk by without taking notice. He could see the happiness shining from her eyes at her daughter’s carefree laughter and it jerked his foundation a little. Alexis, of course, had had nothing to do with her mother or her invitation to join them. For a split second John regretted seeing the light dimming in Renee’s eyes at her daughter’s open rejection and it had bothered him that he cared. Later, Renee had returned to her cottage and the girls had slowly slipped into terminal boredom when Gladys had taken to her bed early.