Once Upon a Family (3 page)

“Do you all want to meet the puppy?” Peter strode toward her children still gathered around the two pets.

Joshua jumped to his feet. “Yes!”

Matthew and Alexa rose, too, her daughter finally putting the cat back on the ground. Molly immediately began rubbing against the girl’s legs. The three began heading toward the barn right behind Peter when Sean whispered something into the German shepherd’s ear then slowly got to his feet. His stance and expression spoke of his conflicting emotions. He wanted to see the puppy but didn’t want anyone to know.

Laura settled her arm on Sean’s shoulders. “This pet is for the whole family. I need everyone’s approval. C’mon.”

He shrugged away and plodded toward the entrance of the barn. Laura blew out a frustrated breath and followed, slowly counting to ten, then proceeding to twenty, then thirty. By the time she reached it, her tensed muscles relaxed and her resolve to enjoy this outing returned.

“Mom! She’s so cute. Look.” Matthew struggled to hold a squirming black-and-brown puppy against his chest.

“I want to hold her, too.” Joshua tried to take the animal from his twin.

Before there was a tug-of-war with the twenty-pound puppy as the rope, Laura hurried forward. “Put her down. We have plenty of time for everyone to pet and love her.”

“Hey, squirts, there are certain privileges to being the firstborn. One is I get to check her out before you guys.” Sean marched past Laura and waded into the middle of the other three kids gathered around the dog.

Peter moved to her side. “I think she’s a hit.”

“I really had little doubt. My kids love animals. If I let them, we would have a whole houseful.”

“Sorta like me.”

She laughed. “Yep. I’ll use you as an example and tell them when they grow up they can be just like you.” She glanced at him, liking what she saw. He wore blue jeans, a plaid short-sleeved shirt and boots. All he needed to complete the picture of a cowboy was the Stetson she’d imagined him wearing the other day.

He snagged her gaze, his dark eyes bright. “Do you all want the grand tour?”

“I hate to take up too much of your time.”

“I don’t get to show off my ranch nearly enough after all the hard work I’ve put in.”

“Well, in that case, yes.” She swung her gaze to her children. “What do you all think? Do you want the puppy?”

A chorus of “yes” greeted her question.

“Great. Mr. Stone wants to show us around.”

“Can we see the horses?” Alexa picked up the white cat that had followed her into the barn and held her against her chest.

“Sure. Your mom said something to me about how much you like horses. You ought to come out here and ride sometime.”

Alexa’s face split into a huge grin. “Yes! Can I today?”

“Alexa Dawn, you can’t invite—”

“Mom, he said I could.” Her daughter’s gaze skipped to Peter. “I can come whenever you want.”

The laugh lines deepened at the corner of Peter’s eyes. “Tell you what. Why don’t we have a tour then grab something to eat? After lunch you all can ride. That is, if it’s okay with your mom.”

Everyone looked at her. Laura thought about the four loads of laundry that still needed washing, the bathrooms that needed cleaning, the— But she couldn’t say no when she peered at her oldest child and his usual frown wasn’t in place. Granted he wasn’t smiling, either, but his expression actually appeared almost pleasant for a change.

“You don’t have to fix us lunch,” she finally answered.

“It’s turning out to be a gorgeous day, and for March we take every one we can get. I have some hot dogs. It would be fun to put them on the grill and eat on the patio. If it will make you feel better, you can help me throw something together.”

“If you’re sure, then I guess so—”

The shouts of joy that permeated the barn produced a laugh in Peter. “I’m sure. C’mon.” His hand slipped casually to the small of her back as he indicated a stall and started toward it. “Our first stop is the mare who just gave birth two nights ago.”

His light touch radiated warmth, reminding Laura of his effect on her. Surprise kept her by his side for a few seconds before she sidestepped away and turned back toward her oldest son.

“A foal!” Alexa rushed to keep up with Peter, Matthew and Joshua, right on their heels as they headed to the last stall in the barn.

Laura came to Sean’s side. He stroked the puppy while he remained kneeling next to the animal. “Coming, honey?”

He shook his head. “Horses are Alexa’s thing. I’m staying here with Lady.”

“Lady?”

“Yep, I’ve decided that’s her name.” He turned his face up toward her, a challenge in his expression. “Alexa named Brownie.”

“It’s still a family decision.” Laura braced herself for his anger.

He frowned. “I’m sure they’ll agree.” He averted his face and focused on the black-and-brown puppy playing at his side.

As she walked toward the others, her oldest son’s tensed shoulders eased and a look of joy entered his expression as he interacted with the dog. Lady would be good for Sean. Hope glowed inside Laura for the first time in a long while.

“You don’t have to clean up the dishes.” Peter came inside from the backyard. “I invited you and your family to lunch.”

“The least I can do is this.” Laura rinsed out a glass and put it on the counter above the dishwasher.

She looked so at home standing before the sink in his kitchen. The impromptu lunch had been a great idea. Her children had wolfed down his whole supply of hot
dogs and then spent most of their time playing with his various pets. One of their favorites was his ferret, Digger. “Then let me help.” He took the dishes she was stacking and started putting them in the dishwasher.

“You know my kids are gonna want a ferret next, and it will be all your fault.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised. I even saw Sean playing with him when he wasn’t with Lady.”

“I’m glad the others are going along with that name.”

“I like it. I hadn’t picked one out yet. I just got her last weekend.”

“How?” Laura finished the last glass and wiped down the sink.

“The same way as the ferret. Someone placed them at my gate. Digger was in a cardboard box with a few holes in it and Lady was tied to the post by a leash.”

“How long have you had Digger?”

“A year. He got the name when he kept digging up my houseplants.” Peter gestured toward his living area. “Now I don’t even bother with indoor plants. It was too much of a hassle.”

“So you’ve ferret-proofed your house.”

Peter laughed. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you’re right. I also had to do something about my electrical cords.”

“When can we take Lady home?”

“Today is fine by me. I doubt the kids would let you leave without her.”

“That’s great. We can stop by the pet store on the way home and get all the stuff we’ll need. I still have some of the things from our last dog so we don’t need much.” She
peered out the window over the sink. Her twins played with Digger while Sean wrestled with Lady who thumped his chest with the large paws she would eventually grow into. Alexa sat on the step, cuddling Molly in her lap. “This is just what they needed, especially Sean.”

The wistful tone in her voice underscored the vulnerability he’d glimpsed and touched a place he’d kept suppressed since his former wife had walked away from their eight-year marriage. “I’m glad to see he isn’t giving me scowls anymore even if he did stay on the other side of the yard.”

She faced him. “As I told you before, this past year has been hard on him. He didn’t take his dad’s death well at all, but he was angry even before his death.” She shook her head. “You can tell I’m really worried. I don’t usually tell strangers things like that.”

“I’d hope we are past the stranger stage. After all, we just shared an intimate lunch with four kids.”

The sound of her laughter wrapped around him and left a warm feeling in its wake. “You forgot the cat, three dogs, rabbit and ferret.”

“Oh, yeah, and them, too.” He got the feeling she hadn’t laughed much lately. He closed the dishwasher and leaned against the counter. “I’m so glad I found a good home for Lady. It probably won’t be long before I have another puppy at my front gate to replace her.”

“Aren’t you concerned that people seem to be leaving the animals purposely at your ranch?”

He raked his hand through his hair and lifted one
corner of his mouth up. “Word does seem to have gotten around that I take in strays.”

“What’s gonna happen when you run out of room?”

“Hopefully someone like you and your family will help me with that problem.” He pointed toward the chairs at the old oak table in front of a large window that afforded a view of the backyard. After she settled across from him, he continued, “I’ve been thinking lately about that. I have the land to take care of a lot of abandoned animals, but I want to do more than that.”

She tilted her head to the side, her forehead creased. “Like what?”

“When I named my ranch Stone’s Refuge recently, it got me thinking. What if I have more than a refuge for animals? What if it was a place to help kids, too? You saw how Sean responded to Lady, and even Digger.”

“Do you have the time? The means?”

“I deal with teens every day who are in trouble and left to fend for themselves. What if I gave them something to do that was worthwhile?”

Laura glanced outside at the twins playing with the ferret, Sean caring for Lady, and her daughter holding the cat. “Still, it could be time-consuming.”

“Granted I would need help, but it could be done. I have two friends who, like me, have been looking for something to do.” He thought of his foster brothers, Jacob Hartman and Noah Maxwell. Hardship and redemption had molded them into a family. “It’s just in the planning stages up here—” he tapped his temple “—and summer will be here in no time at all.”

“It’s the first of March.”

“The spring semester goes by so fast. Kids will be looking for something to do in the summer.”

“Yeah, I’ll have four to keep busy.” She slanted a glance toward the window. “Hey, I’ve got four children you could keep busy this summer.” Her eyebrows shot up. “I mean…I—”

He chuckled. “I may take you up on the offer if they’re willing. Of course, I’ve got to decide what to do first.”

“At least you’ve got a plan, of sorts.”

Something in her voice made him ask, “And you don’t have a plan?”

“I’ve finished putting the house in order. Now I need to find a job. I don’t want to work full-time right now with my aunt still recovering and all that’s going on with my children. I need to be at the house when they come home from school.”

“What are you looking for?”

“That’s just it. I’ve been home with the kids since I got married and have little work experience. As a teen I was a waitress and know I don’t want to do that again. I know my way around a computer. I’m good at hustling kids to and fro. I love to cook. Hate to clean house but do a good job anyway.” She gave him a small smile. “That’s the extent of my talents.”

“We’ve got a secretarial opening in the counseling office. We’re still interviewing for it. If you’re interested in it, you should apply.”

“My aunt said something to me about it a few days ago. I didn’t want to do anything until Sean went back to school.”

“Come in Monday then and put in an application. We want to fill it before spring break in two weeks. I have to warn you, April will be hectic with state mandated testing.”

“I live a hectic life. I have four kids.” She rose. “Which reminds me, I should check on them.”

“And I promised your family a chance to ride.”

When Peter walked outside behind Laura, her daughter ran up to him with anticipation in her expression. “Are we gonna see the horses now and ride?”

Alexa’s excitement reminded him of the power animals could have on a person. When they left today, he would call Jacob and Noah. He needed to do more than dream about the refuge. Laura’s family had given him the jump start he needed to get moving on it.

“H
ow’s working in the counseling office going for you?” Peter took the chair next to Laura in the high school auditorium.

“You didn’t hear anything?” she blurted out, tired after the first day on the job, learning all the procedures and people’s names. If it wasn’t for Sean having to be at this fund-raising auction, she would be home, getting ready for bed early.

“Should I have?” His lips twitched as though he were fighting a smile. He couldn’t contain it. A grin spread across his features. “Oh, you mean the third-hour bell.”

“Okay, so I didn’t have the schedule memorized and made a tiny little mistake.”

Full-fledged laughter erupted from Peter. People around them glanced over. “The ladies in the cafeteria weren’t too happy, but the students were ecstatic they got an extra ten minutes for lunch.”

The heat of a blush seared her cheeks. “Thankfully
the bells usually don’t have to be rung manually. I brought the schedule home to memorize so that won’t happen again. I will say in my defense, you have the craziest class schedule, actually two schedules because of homeroom on Thursdays. Nothing is on the hour or half hour. Most of the times are like 9:43.”

His mouth twitched again. “Besides the bell incident, everything else all right?”

“I really enjoyed the work. I met some nice people. Thanks.”

“I didn’t do a thing. You got the job on your own.” He peered toward the stage as the Future Farmers of America’s program started. “How’s Sean feel about you working at the high school?”

“Let’s just say he didn’t cheer at the news and leave it at that.” Her son’s icy demeanor could have frozen the tropics. She still remembered his words that she just wanted to spy on him. As he had stormed away, she couldn’t deny the words totally. She did want to keep an eye on her son, but the job was actually perfect for her. The hours. The duties. The people.

“Will he be up on the auction block tonight?”

“Yes. He grumbled that he didn’t want to do it, but it’s a requirement since he’s an FFA member.”

“It’s one of their big fund-raisers. I always bid on several students. Helps the program and helps me around the ranch.”

She’d promised her son she would bid on him, but she didn’t have much money, especially after getting some supplies for Lady. They would be eating more peanut butter sandwiches the next few weeks, but in her
heart she knew Sean was afraid no one would bid on him. He would never admit it, though. “He’s the third one up.”

The first student came out on stage. The auction began for the boy’s service for an eight-hour day. Laura glanced around. The auditorium was full of parents and friends. She was glad it was a well-attended function, but she was worried, too. They were new in town, and Sean hadn’t made any friends, had even antagonized several boys because of his attitude. All she had was twenty-five dollars and the first two students had gone for a lot more than that.

Her breath trapped in her lungs, she watched her son walk out onto the stage, his expression not exactly a frown but nothing inviting in it, either. She exhaled slowly and sat forward as the auctioneer began.

For a few seconds no one said anything. Laura lifted her hand, but before she could say, “Five dollars,” Peter shouted out, “Thirty dollars.”

Her son squinted, scanning the audience until he found who had bid on him. When he saw Peter next to her, his frown appeared.

“Are you sure?” she whispered.

“Yep. This is my roundabout way to get to know your son.”

Someone raised his hand and said, “Thirty-five.”

“Fifty,” Peter countered immediately.

When the bidding war was over between Peter and a man with long dark hair pulled back with a leather strap, Sean went for eighty-five dollars and the teen’s frown lifted briefly when the amount was announced.

“That’s an awfully expensive roundabout way to get to know Sean. I could have just brought him over.”

Peter smiled. “I know. But as I said I always get a couple of guys to help me with the spring cleaning around the ranch.”

“I’d better warn you Sean isn’t your most motivated worker. He’s been cleaning up Aunt Sarah’s yard and griping the whole time. I’ve learned to turn a deaf ear to it.”

His eyes took on a gleam. “Then I’ll have to do that, too.” Peter peered toward the stage. “Oh, good. Brandon is another teen I want to bid on.”

By the end of the event Peter had purchased the services of three boys and hurried up to the front of the auditorium to pay. Laura hung back as the group of FFA members came down off the stage and began to mingle with the crowd. Sean glanced around, found her and headed straight toward her. The look in his eyes made her stiffen as he stopped in front of her.

“Mom, how could you let
him
buy me?”

His raised voice drew several people’s attention. She pulled him to the side, away from the others. “First, I told you I only had twenty-five dollars. Second, I can’t control what Mr. Stone decides to do. It’s only for eight hours.”

“An eternity if you ask me.”

Peter weaved his way through the crowd, coming straight for her and Sean. “You’ll do it and you’ll do a good job.”

“Hi, Sean. I just spoke to Brandon. I’d like you all to work the Saturday after spring break. Okay?”

Her son glared at her, refusing to look toward Peter. “Yeah, fine.”

His tone indicated there was nothing fine about the situation. Laura cringed, balling her hands at her side. “Sean, why don’t you go on out to the car? I’ll be along in a minute.” Thankfully he didn’t make a comment as he hurried away. “I’m sorry about that. As you can tell, he isn’t too happy. I probably should come with him to make sure he does what he needs to.”

Peter shook his head. “That would only make matters worse. We’ll do okay. If I’m going to help him, I have to establish a relationship with him.”

“I see it’s been another successful auction.” A man almost as large as Peter paused next to him. He smiled at Laura, his chocolate-brown eyes full of humor. “And I see you have captured the attention of the prettiest woman here tonight. I’m Jacob Hartman.” He held out his hand.

Laura shook it. “I’m Laura Williams. It’s nice to meet you.”

The ponytailed man who had also bid on Sean approached and slapped Peter on the back. “Hi, Peter.”

“Noah Maxwell, this is Laura Williams.” Peter nodded toward her. “These two are the friends I told you about. I’m trying to persuade them to help with Stone’s Refuge.”

Noah winked. “We’re just letting him think he has to talk us into it. We were sold the first time he mentioned it to us. Is he roping you into helping, too?”

“I’d like to. It’s certainly needed.”
Maybe Peter can reach my son since I’ve tried everything I can think of.
Laura might want to do things on her own, but when it came to her children’s well-being, she would do anything she had to.

“That’s great.” Noah flashed her a smile. “I was afraid all we would have to look at is his ugly mug.”

Peter chuckled. “Ignore him, Laura. Noah prides himself on playing the field.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being a confirmed bachelor.” Noah scanned the crowd. “Which reminds me. I need to find my date.”

Jacob shook his head, disbelief in his expression. “You brought a date to the FFA auction, Big Spender! Are your restaurants going under?”

“Funny.” Noah looked at Laura. “I own a chain of restaurants that make the best pizza in the state—actually, let’s make that the Southwest, and—” he slid his gaze back to Jacob “—I don’t take kindly to the fact you think I’m cheap. I have a date with Nancy, an English teacher at the high school who needed to come here first because she promised some of her students.”

The laughter in the man’s eyes belied his words of accusation. The camaraderie among the three was evident in their casual air and teasing tones. Laura missed her friends in St. Louis, especially Cara Winters. She felt so alone in the midst of the crowd.

“Why did you decide to come?” Peter asked Jacob.

“A couple of my patients wanted me to.” Jacob lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “So I’m here. I’m painting the clinic so I decided to purchase a few teens to help me.”

“Are you a doctor?” Laura didn’t have one for her
children yet, and with her school employment she could now get insurance. It was another reason the job had been so attractive to her.

“He’s the best pediatrician in Cimarron City,” Peter answered for his friend.

Jacob chuckled. “I need to hire Peter. He’s the best publicist I could have.” His beeper went off. He checked it and added, “I’ve got to go. I’m on call. Nice to meet you, Laura.”

“Ah, I see Nancy. She’s finished paying for her student. See you both later.” Noah made his way toward the front of the auditorium.

“How far along are you with your plans for Stone’s Refuge?” Laura turned her attention to Peter, suddenly aware they were alone in the back, off to the side.

“Other than roping those two into helping, not far. Did you mean it when you said you wanted to help? I could use a woman’s perspective since I want to reach both male and female students at risk. Our first meeting is this Saturday. Can you come?”

“When?”

“One.”

“Sean’ll be at school. He’s working on a project for the FFA. I’ll have to check and see if Alexa can stay with the twins.”

“Tell you what. Bring them. Alexa can have her second riding lesson.” Peter grinned. “Actually, why don’t we all ride after the planning meeting? My horses need to be ridden, and I could tell Joshua and Matthew were interested when you came to get the puppy.”

“You make it hard to say no.”

“That’s the point. I need help so I’m using everything at my disposal to persuade you. Is it working?”

His teasing produced a lightness in her that she’d missed the past few years. For a brief moment she had forgotten all her worries. “Yes.”

“So the lady you were with the other night at the auction is coming out here today to help us plan. Interesting. Do you have something to tell us?” Jacob took his seat at the dining room table in Peter’s house.

Peter grinned. “I thought it was nice of her to want to help.”

“I’m sure you did.” Noah came in from the kitchen and placed his mug on a notepad.

Peter’s grip around his cup tightened. “Let’s get one thing straight before Laura comes. We are only friends. And we haven’t even been friends for long. So quit trying to make something out of nothing.”

“I do believe you’re protesting too much. How many kids did you say she had?” Jacob asked with a chuckle.

“Four.”

“Ah.” Jacob lifted his mug to his lips to hide his smirk, but he wasn’t successful in masking his amusement.

Peter narrowed his gaze on his so-called friend. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I just find it interesting.”

“Quit saying that word.” Peter wanted to chalk up his irritable mood to the fact he hadn’t slept for the past few nights. Plans for the refuge swirled around in his mind—along with images of Laura. But he knew what
his foster brother was getting at. “I’m the oldest. I should get some respect for that.” He glanced at his watch.
She’s late.

Noah slipped into a chair. “Sure, you’re nine months older than me and six with Jacob. That’s probably given you tons more wisdom.”

“Have you met all her children?” Jacob finally drank some of his coffee.

“Yes.”

“And her oldest son is in trouble?”

Jacob’s persistence reminded Peter of a pit bull he’d once taken in until he’d found it a home. “I don’t think Sean’s adjusting well to his father’s death or the move to Cimarron City.”

“Interesting.”

Peter brought the flat of his hand down on the table. “Stop right now. Yes, she has children. Yes, I always wanted to be a father. But there’s no correlation between those two facts.”

“I think she sure is pretty.” Noah relaxed back in his chair.

Peter frowned. “And don’t forget you’re dating Nancy right now. Or is that over already?”

“Ouch!” Noah thumped his chest. “You wound me. I know better than to date a woman with a child, let alone children. I’m not like you. I don’t want to be a father. Don’t forget I’ve seen the bad side of fatherhood.”

Jacob nodded. “I did, too, but that won’t stop me when I meet the right woman. I want to have children. But this discussion isn’t about us. It’s about Peter and the new lady in town.”

“We have better things to do than plan my love life.” Peter reached for a pad, needing to steer the conversation in another direction before he said something he would regret. He would love to be a father, but he couldn’t see himself marrying again. Not after Diana.

“What love life? When Diana walked out on your marriage, she took your love life with her.”

“That’s an
interesting
way to phrase what Diana did.” Anger toward his ex-wife still festered in Peter’s heart, especially when he remembered, which he made a point of not doing. So why now?

After three years he wished he could say he was finally over Diana’s betrayal, but he wasn’t. Having another man’s child wasn’t something he could easily forget, not when he saw her from time to time with her new husband and two children. He never wanted to go down that path again, put himself in a position to be hurt like that once more.

“It’s so much easier to date a different woman every month.” Noah picked up a pencil and began doodling on the pad.

“I figure you’re doing the dating for both of us.” Peter infused lightness into his voice because he didn’t like the image of himself in a few years, alone, empty, but he didn’t see any other alternative. “Now let’s—”

The doorbell ringing cut into his words. Peter made his way to the front of his house and swung the door open. Laura and three of her children stood on the porch. The twins were punching each other in the arm, and Alexa smiled from ear to ear.

“Sorry we’re late. When I walked out of the house
to come over here, I noticed I had a flat. Sean had to change it for me.”

Laura’s fresh, clean appearance appealed to Peter, but for some reason it also reminded him of Diana, which immediately brought up his guard. “I thought he was at school.”