The Texas Cowboy's Triplets

The kids were busy attaching their Sheriff’s Star stickers to their clothing with teacher Cece Taylor’s help. Only Shoshanna—who was idly inspecting the goldfish in the tank—seemed uninvolved. “Sorry my triplets put you on the spot,” she murmured, embarrassed.

His eyes glinted with an indecipherable emotion. “Not a problem.”

But there was one. She wanted to ask him if he had come to the same conclusion she had. Aware this wasn’t the time to get into it detail, however, she said only, “About what we had talked about a few days ago. Did you notice anything?”

“I did.”

Hoping he might have some ideas about what she could do, Kelly asked, “Would it be all right if I phoned you later?”

He nodded briefly, his eyes taking in the thoughtful look Cece was giving them. “Thanks for inviting me to speak.” Hat still in hand, he strode off.

Kelly returned to the kids in the classroom. Aware it was time for outdoor play, she and her fellow teacher escorted the children to the playground. Cece’s glance followed Dan, who was getting into his squad car.

“Don’t,” the fifty-five-year-old educator said.

“What?” Kelly asked, even though she already knew.

Cece harrumphed. “Every single woman in town has a secret thing for him.” She raised a hand in frustration. “I mean, why not, the man practically took out an ad in the paper when he moved back here, saying Wife and Kids Wanted Immediately.”

She turned to look Kelly in the eye, as much substitute mother now as friend. “But he’s never going to follow through on that wish. If he were, he certainly would have chosen one of the thirty or so women he’s taken out for dinner—or should I say an interview—in the last couple of years. One of my nieces, included.”

Kelly knew Dan’s reputation with the ladies. He was both gallant to the core and a heartbreaker. “I’m not looking for a husband. Been there, done that.”

Cece studied her, accepting that. “Even as a lover, he’d be a bad bet.”

“Not looking for that, either,” Kelly said.

Even though the sinfully sexy lawman stirred her senses the way no man ever had, or likely ever would.

* * *

UNFORTUNATELY, KELLY’S ATTEMPTS to connect with Dan, once her kids were in bed asleep that evening, went to voice mail. Finally, around nine thirty, she was about to give up waiting for a return call when she heard a vehicle pull into her driveway.

She looked out to see Dan emerging from a silver pickup truck that had seen better days. He was clad in jeans, an untucked denim shirt and boots.

Her heart skittering in her chest, she stepped onto the porch of her one-and-a-half-story bungalow before he could ring the bell.

“Sorry it’s late,” he said. As he neared, she caught a whiff of soap and mint. “My shift ended a little later than I expected.”

“You didn’t have to come by.” Or shower before getting here, either.

He shrugged, affable as ever. His glance drifted over her. “Conversations like this usually go better in person, don’t you think?”

He had a point. Even if this was, oddly enough, beginning to feel a little like the beginning of that date with her that he’d been wanting.

Catching a couple coming down the block with their two dogs, she said, “Why don’t you come in?”

He followed her inside.

Aware there was less of a chance of them being overheard if they moved to the rear of the house, she led him toward the kitchen, where she had the makings of the next day’s school lunches spread out over the kitchen island.

Catching his hungry look, she asked, “Have you eaten?”

“I’ll grab something on my way home.”

It would be rude not to offer. Especially since he had just done her a pretty big favor with nothing asked in return. “I think we can do better than that.” She smiled. “If you are interested in a sandwich that is.”

“Actually, if it’s not too much trouble, a sandwich would be great.”

She layered shaved ham and provolone on wheat, added lettuce and tomato. Then brought out the Dijon and mayo. He chose both, then sat down on the other side of the island. “I’m guessing you are concerned about the thin little girl with red hair.”

So he had spotted the issue, too. “Shoshanna Johnson. She moved here a couple of months ago.”

Ever observant, he guessed, “And is still feeling a little down about being uprooted to Laramie County, I take it?”

Kelly added cherry tomatoes, carrot sticks and cucumber wedges to the divided lunch containers. She closed them with a snap and slid them into insulated lunch sacks. “That’s what the other teachers think.”

“But you don’t buy that?”

Kelly knew what it was like to be a little kid of a single mom and an only child, at that, who was sad or worried. It really cut deep. But, not wanting to divulge that, she merely said, “Well, a move is always scary and unsettling, especially at that age, but...the preschool is a cozy, safe place, and she’s been welcomed by the other kids. The staff has gone out of their way to make her feel comfortable, too.” Their hands brushed as she handed him a bottle of sparkling water.

Dan made no effort to move away. “Yet she remains isolated.”

“Yes.” Hand still tingling, Kelly slid the lunches into the fridge.

Dan surveyed Kelly thoughtfully. “Are there any learning difficulties?”

“No.” Because that would have explained a lot, too. “She’s able to pay attention, color within the lines, answer questions and follow directions when she wants to.”

“And yet...she just usually doesn’t want to?”

“That’s just it.” Kelly handed Dan a package of chips. “Some days she does. She’ll come to school with a smile on her face and participate. And other days, it’s like she’s deeply worried about something, and she remains withdrawn the entire time.”

He continued devouring his sandwich. “Any signs of abuse or neglect?”

Deciding it was silly to stand there when he was sitting, Kelly came around the island and took the stool next to him. “None that I can see.”

He swiveled so they were facing each other. “Have you talked to her parents?”

Kelly sighed. “Shoshanna’s dad died almost a year ago, rather suddenly I understand. I’ve asked her mom to come in for a parent-teacher conference, but Sharon Johnson keeps rescheduling. Work issues at the auto dealership where she works as the new financial manager, she says.”

Dan opened the bag of chips and offered her one. “Think she’s avoiding you?”

Kelly took one and munched on it. “Maybe,” she said as the salty deliciousness melted on her tongue. “But maybe she’s just settling in, too.”

He finished his sandwich, stood and carried his plate to the sink. He looked ready for action.

His brow furrowed. “What would you like me to do?” he asked gruffly.

Besides kiss me?

Flushing, Kelly said, “Be...discreet.”

* * *

HER REQUEST SUDDENLY had a slightly shady ring to it. One he had heard before. “Discreet,” Dan repeated. “As in operating outside the normal rules and regulations?”

She inclined her head. “You have connections. As well as a background as a detective.”

Also something he had heard before.

He tensed. “Which means I could do what...in your view?”

She shrugged, the ends of her silky hair brushing her shoulders. “Ask around. Maybe do a clandestine background check...”

Dan’s gut tightened.

There were times in his life when he kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. This was one of them. “That’s not allowed, Kelly.”

She met his level gaze with an indignant one of her own. “Maybe not in an official capacity as a sheriff’s deputy,” she theorized.

“In any capacity,” he corrected sternly, stepping nearer. The fragrance of her hair and skin sent his senses into overdrive. “Unless I want to file a report and go through official procedure.” He paused to let his words sink in. “In which case I’d be duty bound to report anything the least bit suspect that I found.”

Kelly’s face suddenly reflected the concern he felt. Color flushed her cheeks. “Let’s forget it,” Kelly interjected quickly, looking sorry she’d ever started down this path. And while that comforted him, he was still worried that she’d been all too willing to bypass ethics. And worse, had wanted him to do so, too.

A long silence fell.

Her worry returned.

He waited until she looked at him. “As I mentioned the other day, if you are this concerned, why don’t you just talk to a social worker?”

She scoffed. “Who, if approached, would be forced to open up an official investigation?”

He edged closer, taking in the agitated gleam in her amber eyes and the stormy set of her luscious lips. “And I wouldn’t be?”

Calmly, he corrected her mistaken view of Laramie County Department of Child and Family Services. “You can trust social services here, Kelly.”

“No.” She rubbed the toe of her sneaker across the oak floor beneath them. “You can’t.” She bit her lip and glared at him mutinously. “You can’t trust them anywhere.”

Okay, so she was ticked off at him. “How do you know?” he challenged.

She released a short, bitter laugh. “Because I spent years in and out of the system.”

He paused. “You were a foster child?”

A brief, terse nod. “Off and on, my entire childhood.”

She stalked out of the kitchen. He followed, keeping a respectful distance. “What happened?”

She spun around, shoving her hands into the pockets of her knee-length shorts. “It’s a long story.”

And obviously a very painful one.

He put a consoling arm about her shoulders. When she didn’t continue, he prodded gently, “If you want me to understand where you’re coming from, never mind help you, you’re going to have to tell me a little more.”

She stepped back slightly, so they were no longer touching, and ran her hands through her hair. “My mom was a registered nurse who suffered from cyclical depression. She also developed an addiction to prescription medicines.”

Regret pinched the corners of her mouth.

Swallowing, she shook her head, recalling, “So, whenever things spiraled out of control, she would end up in the hospital, or rehab, and I would end up in the system.”

No wonder she mistrusted DCFS. “That must have been really tough on you.”

“It was.” Moisture glimmered in her eyes. “My mom always got better when she underwent treatment, but then she would have to prove that she could take care of me again. And that would take weeks and months of both of us living under the microscope.” Kelly sighed. “And then by the time I was finally allowed to be back with her, the stress of maintaining her sobriety would send her spiraling again.” Kelly compressed her lips miserably. “I’d have to hide it and pretend nothing was wrong. I knew if I didn’t I’d be taken away from her again. And it was awful.”

Dan pushed aside the need to pull her into his arms and asked gently instead, “Where is she now?”

“She died of an accidental overdose five years ago.”

This time he did reach for her. “I’m sorry, Kelly.”

Standing stiff as a board in his arms, Kelly nodded.

He let her go, stepped back. “Do any of your coworkers know this?”

“No.” She met his gaze and didn’t look away. “The only reason I’m telling you is so you’ll help me make sure that Shoshanna isn’t grappling with a similar heartache.”

He took her hand in his and turned it palm up. “You really believe something is going on with that little girl?”

Compassion lit her pretty amber eyes. “I really do, or I wouldn’t have come to you.”

“Then,” Dan decided, just as seriously, “there is only one thing we can do.”

Chapter Three

When Dan arrived at Kelly’s home Saturday morning, she’d had plenty of time to reconsider their hastily made plan.

“You’re sure this is a good idea?” she asked, stepping onto the front porch. Luckily, they had a few moments to talk since the triplets were inside, putting on their socks and shoes. A task that always, no matter how much of a hurry they were in, seemed to take at least ten minutes.

Dan stood with one brawny shoulder braced against a post. In a short-sleeved polo that brought out the azure blue of his eyes, jeans and boots, his short hair neatly brushed, and the barest hint of stubble on his handsome face, he looked like any dad out to do weekend errands with his family.

Except he wasn’t her husband or the triplets’ daddy... He gave her an appreciative once-over, too, and flashed a reassuring smile. “Think of it as an unofficial welfare check on a neighbor we may or may not have good reason to be concerned about. Besides,” he said as he pushed away from the post and came to stand next to her, “it will be fun for your kids. The county auto mall is having a huge Father’s Day sale the entire month of June, and every dealership is participating. The open house today is supposed to feature some great deals. The showroom is air-conditioned. Most kids really like looking at all the different types of cars on display.”

Kelly frowned and ventured a look inside, to see her kids still dawdling over their task. Knowing that asking them to hurry would only slow things down considerably, she sighed and swung back to him. Why did he have to be so handsome? And inherently helpful?

Using her nerves as a shield against her attraction, she frowned. “There will also likely be salespeople bent on making a sale to me.”

His eyes tracked the downward curve of her lips. “So?”

Aware it was that kind of interest that had her heart racing, she pointed out, “I’m not in the market for a new vehicle. My SUV is only three years old.”

He stepped up to the storm door, peering into the house, too. Seeing the kids sitting on the floor, making little progress, he grinned cheerfully, waved and called in, “Hey, buckaroos, hurry up!”

Miraculously, the triplets began to move faster.

“Luckily, I am looking.”

For what? Love? She tabled the ridiculous thought.

“Are you serious?”

He braced his hands on his waist. “Yes. I’ve just been waiting for this sale since it sports the best prices of the year, across all makes and models.”

Kelly surveyed the vehicle at the curb. His truck did look like it was on its last set of tires.

“Then why aren’t you going alone? Since you have a valid reason.”

He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Because I don’t know Sharon Johnson and wouldn’t have a reason to talk to her. Since her daughter Shoshanna is in her class, you do.”

True, but... “You could always ask her out on a date,” Kelly pointed out, wondering what that gentle touch of his would feel like elsewhere.

He dropped his hand. “Cute. No. There’s only one woman I have my eye on right now.”

A delicious shiver of anticipation swept through her, but for all their sakes, Kelly pushed it away. “And she’s not about to date you.” She referred to herself in the third person, too.

Smug satisfaction radiated off him. “We’ll see.”

Behind them, the screen door banged open. To her relief, Michelle, Michael and Matthew came barreling out. “Deputy Dan!” they cried in unison.

“Hey, kids.” He hunkered down to greet them in turn. Giving out high fives and low fives all around. “’Bout time you buckaroos came out to say hi to me.”

“We couldn’t,” Michelle explained. “Till we had our shoes and socks on. Mommy said.”

“What are you doing here?” Michael asked a tad suspiciously.

“I’m shopping for a new pickup truck or maybe a large SUV. I’m not sure. Your mommy has agreed to advise me.”

“What’s ’vise?” Matthew asked, tucking his hand in Dan’s.

Michelle took his other.

“Advise me means to tell me which one is best,” Dan explained patiently.

Michelle rolled her eyes as she skipped down off the porch. “That’s easy, Deputy Dan! The pink one.”

Michael latched on to Kelly. She placed her hand on his shoulder. “I don’t think they make pink SUVs,” Kelly said.

Michelle harrumphed. “Well, they should.”

“No, they shouldn’t,” Michael disagreed.

And they were off.

Since Dan was going to need his pickup truck to get a trade-in price, and all the safety seats were in her SUV, they both drove to the auto mall.

As planned, they parked at the dealership where Sharon was the new financial manager.

As Dan ambled over to help the triplets onto the ground, she couldn’t help but think what a good daddy he would make one day.

Assuming he ever chose a wife, that was.

Given his recent “one or two and done” dating history, it seemed in doubt.

Inside the air-conditioned building, couples and families milled about. The triplets, who had never visited the inside of a showroom, were in awe of all the shiny new vehicles. “Wow,” they breathed in unison.

Behind them, a man approached. “Going to get Daddy a new car or truck for Father’s Day?” he said.

Dan and Kelly and the kids turned to face him. “Whoops. Didn’t recognize you from the back,” the gung-ho salesman said.

Dan extended his hand. “Hey, Pete.”

“And who is this lovely lady?” the salesman asked. “And three adorable kids?”

“Kelly Shackleford. Her triplets, Michael, Matthew and Michelle.”

“Deputy Dan is going to be my mommy’s new husband,” Michelle announced. “’Cause she needs one.”

Kelly blushed bright red.

“I see,” Pete said.

Bored, Michael looked up at Dan. “Can we climb inside one of them?”

“Check out the eight-passenger Suburban.” Pete walked over to open it up. “Perfect for the man with a big family.” He winked.

While the kids scrambled inside, Pete launched into a spiel about features. Kelly looked around. She’d only met Sharon Johnson a few times since the single mom generally used the car pool lane drop-off to leave and pick up her daughter from school.

“So what’s your time frame for buying?” Pete asked as the kids climbed into the rear row and practiced sitting and looking out the windows from that perspective.

“Most likely the end of the month,” Dan replied. “I’m in no hurry.”

They talked about competitors.

“What about financing?”

“Sharon Johnson’s in charge of that. Actually, here she comes now.” Pete waved her over.

Guilt at more or less spying on another single mom filled Kelly. Halfway there, Sharon was waylaid by the dealership’s sales manager. Kelly couldn’t make out what was said, but she could tell it wasn’t welcome news. Sharon appeared to be first taken aback, then upset.

Dan gave Kelly a look. Was this it? Work stress traveling from mom to child?

Sharon’s mouth tightened, and her face went from almost white to beet red. Kelly didn’t stop to think. Seeing another woman in need, she moved across the floor to interrupt what appeared to be a pretty thorough semipublic dressing-down. “Hey, Sharon!” she said, moving in to give the stunned woman a warm hug. “How great to see you today!” She moved back to address the white-haired sales manager. “I don’t believe we’ve met, though.”

“Walter Kline.” Abruptly turning on the charm, he shook Kelly’s hand. “Glad to have you out here today.”

Another salesperson approached, a sheaf of papers in his hand.

Walter glared at Sharon, a look even Kelly could read. “Figure it out,” he snapped, turned on his heel and strode away.

“Everything okay?” Kelly asked.

Sharon sighed and ran her hands through her short, perfectly coiffed auburn hair. “I only have a sitter until noon. They just told me I have to be here until closing or later.”

That was definitely a problem, and one Kelly fully sympathized with. “Could I help? Maybe pick up Shoshanna, take her to my place for a playdate?”

Sharon paused. “I don’t want to impose.”

Kelly waved away her concern. “We single moms have to stick together.”

Dan ambled up to join them.

Sharon shot him a curious look. Briefly, Kelly made introductions. “So you’re the sheriff’s deputy who spoke at the preschool,” Sharon concluded.

Dan nodded.

“You made quite an impression. Shoshanna told me all about your rescue of the two kittens caught in the hole in the trunk of that tree. And, of course, your herd of miniature goats.”

Dan grinned. “It was an easy crowd to impress.”

Beginning to relax, Sharon grinned back.

From across the showroom, Walter Kline glared at them impatiently. Sharon stiffened. “Let me know if you have any questions about financing options,” she said, loud enough for others to overhear.

“I will,” Dan promised.

“Me, too,” Kelly said, though she had no intention of buying a new vehicle at this time.

Sharon headed off. “I’ll call my sitter.”

She and Dan collected the kids from the interior of the family-size SUV. “Can we get this car?” Matthew asked excitedly.

“It’s cozy.” Michelle sighed.

“I like our old one,” Michael countered. “It’s red!”

“So do I,” Kelly said.

In fact, her whole life was so cozy and complete right now, with her kids, nice home and job, she hated to rock the boat by changing anything. Never mind bring someone new into it. So what if she didn’t have a love life? In the past, romance had ultimately brought her nothing but unhappiness, so she was better off without that complication.

Much better off.

Although, she couldn’t help but admit having Dan as a very good platonic friend, spending time with him on weekends, hanging out, kids and all, held a definite appeal.

“Want to meet somewhere for lunch after you pick up Shoshanna?” he asked as they walked out to their respective vehicles.

Kelly decided a little adult company while she supervised four kids might be nice. “Why don’t you come by my place?” she asked. “I’ll whip something up.” She figured she owed him that much.

“Sounds good.”

They left the dealership. Shoshanna had already talked to her mom about the change in plans and, looking intrigued by the possibility of a playdate with her preschool classmates, went willingly with Kelly back to her home.

Which made Kelly wonder.

Was Shoshanna without friends or an opportunity to make any outside the school day because her mom was working such long hours? Could that be part of the little girl’s unhappiness, too? Guiltily, Kelly realized she hadn’t done much to welcome the child to Laramie outside the school environment.

She could do better, as well.

* * *

“SO YOU THINK that’s all it is,” Dan said. He had returned to Kelly’s house, and the four kids hit the playroom while she bustled about the kitchen, putting together a quick meal. “You think Sharon is worried about keeping her new job and Shoshanna is picking up on that?”

Although they were out of earshot, Kelly had a good view of the children. They were getting along nicely and having fun, so she began to relax. “I had the feeling Sharon’s boss might fire her if she didn’t comply.”

Dan kept an eye on the kids, too, as he moved back to watch her add chopped celery and apples to the chunks of roast chicken already in the mixing bowl. Quietly, he reflected, “Sadly, that wouldn’t surprise me. Walter Kline is not from around here. He came in when the family that owned the place for years sold it back to the automobile maker’s corporation. From what I’ve heard around town, he’s putting enormous pressure on all the salespeople.”

Kelly whipped together a mixture of plain yogurt, lemon juice and honey. “So Sharon came here for a more low-key life than she had back in Houston, and ended up in what could very well be worse straits.”

She watched Dan turn to look at Shoshanna, who was trying on some of the dress-up clothing. Big floppy hat, heels, a long strand of pearls and some clip-on earrings. Michelle had on her favorites—a pint-size princess gown and jewel-encrusted crown. Both girls were grinning and preening before the play-mirror. “Sharon’s little girl sure seems happy and engaged today.”