Linda Warren - [Cowboy Country 01] - Adopted Son p.03

“So how are we different?” she asked.

He thought about it for a minute. “Let me put it this way. You’re like an expensive imported bottle of champagne. Me, I’m a domestic beer made in Texas.”

Smiling, she slid onto his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. “That doesn’t mean we can’t find some common ground.”

He kissed her gently. “I think we already have.”

She rested her head in the crook of his shoulder. They sat that way for a while.

“Tomorrow I have to turn in some evidence on a case then I’m off the rest of the week. Caleb’s taking over for me. We planned this in case I got custody of Brady. And I’ll take over for him when their baby comes. When I leave the courthouse, I’m going to see an architect about remodeling the house. I’d like to add on, maybe make the master bedroom and bath larger, add a bathroom upstairs and maybe a game room with a pool table.”

“You’ve really thought about this.”

“I have to start living my own life.”

“I know what you mean.” Her voice sounded melancholy.

“Another way we’re alike,” he murmured against her face and took a moment to breathe in her scent. “Now’s a good time to start,” he added, getting to his feet and leading her into the bedroom.

For a moment he stared at the pictures on the wall then went into the other bedroom for a plastic storage box. He’d bought several to store things away so Brady could have the room. Now he had another use for the box.

He began to take the pictures down and place them in the container.

“No.” Grace grabbed a photo. “You have to save the ones with you in them.”

“Grace…”

“Humor me.”

“There are tons of other photos in albums.”

“Okay.” She handed them back, all but one. “I like this one and I think you need to keep it.”

He glanced at the photo of him and Eli with the Cochran boys. “Okay.”

She kissed his cheek. “Thanks. What are you going to do with the rest of the photos?”

“Store them for now. Tomorrow I’ll start to clean out the attic. Ma’s and Pa’s clothes are up there along with everything they’ve ever owned. I need to sort through it. And Eli’s going to help. We’ve put this off long enough.”

She rubbed his arm. “After work, I’ll help, too.”

“I’d like that.”

That night he went to sleep with Grace in his arms. He didn’t feel guilty or disloyal. He felt an incredible peace that he was getting on with his life.

All it took was one woman to open his eyes.

All it took was Grace.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
THE NEXT MORNING Grace slipped from the bed, careful not to wake Tuck. But he was a light sleeper. The moment she moved, he woke up. He scooted up against the headboard.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes.” She slipped into jeans. “I want to be in the office by eight. The day care opens today and I want to make sure everything goes smoothly. I also need to have a meeting with the partners to explain my absence.”

She fastened her bra, pulled a wrinkled T-shirt over her head and leaned over, whispering, “See you tonight.”

“Grace.”

She stopped in the doorway and looked back. Morning light was creeping into the room, bathing him in a golden light, a fairy-tale kind of light. At that moment she knew Jeremiah Tucker was her Prince Charming.

“Aren’t you going to kiss me goodbye?”

She shook her head. “If I kiss you, I won’t leave and I have to go to work. I’ll make up for it tonight.”

He winked. “You have a deal. Good luck.”

Grace found her purse in the kitchen, took a moment to pet Sam and hurried to her car.

Within the hour she was in her apartment, showered and dressed in a beige power suit with a brown silk blouse. She chose a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes, slipped her feet inside and waited for the feeling.

Nothing happened.

A smile split her face. She’d finally found something better than shoes—Tuck’s love. She twirled around and said the words aloud, “I love you, Tuck.” Then she wrapped her arms around her waist and enjoyed that all-encompassing feeling.

Now she had to make her job fit back into her life. Her time would be split, but she could make it work.

She had to.



GRACE WAS IN THE DAY CARE at eight. Doris Hayden was already checking in some kids. She looked up, saw Grace and immediately came to her side.

“Ms. Whitten, I’m so glad to see you.” There was obvious relief on her face and in her voice. Of medium height with graying dark hair, Doris had been a nurse for twenty years and had a spotless record. On the first interview, Grace knew she was going to hire her. Doris had worked on the pediatric ward of a large hospital and loved children, but she wanted her nights and weekends free.

“How are things going?”

“Wonderful. We have fourteen children registered. If this keeps up, we’ll need more help.”

“I was thinking we might need some extra people anyway. I want every child to receive the best care.”

“Yes, ma’am. I must say the decorators did a wonderful job.”

The main room was open and appealing, the walls a soft yellow and a pastel green. Balloons, a train and cartoon characters were hand painted on them. Furniture of red, green, blue and yellow made the room even brighter. A babies’ room was to the left and through the double doors at the back was a room with a large TV screen for watching movies or cartoons. There was, of course, a kitchen.

“Yes, they did,” Grace responded.

“Ms. Whitten.” Grace turned to see Nina standing behind her with her two-year-old daughter. “Am I glad to see you.”

“We’ll talk upstairs,” she said, not wanting to get into a conversation about her absence in front of everyone. Grace shook hands with several employees and made her way to her office.

Nina was a few seconds behind her. Grace took a deep breath and resumed her role as managing partner. “I’d like to see Byron in thirty minutes. Set up a meeting at ten for the partners—all partners, no excuses. I expect everyone to be there.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Nina scribbled on her pad, and then looked up. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Thank you.”

After Nina left, Grace wanted to call Tuck, just to hear his voice, but she would see him later. She would be content with that.

Opening a drawer, she pulled out a phone book and looked up the hospital where Brady was. She made an appointment to see the CEO and the hospital administrator.

Then she walked to Byron’s office. His secretary jumped to her feet. “Oh, Ms. Whitten, Mr. Coffey was coming to your office in a few minutes. I’ll let him know you’re here.”

“Since I’m early, I’ll let him know I’m here.” She opened the door and stepped inside. She wanted the upper hand with Byron and surprise was a good tactic.

Byron was on the phone and he immediately hung up. Standing, he said, “Grace, did my secretary get the time wrong?”

“No, Byron, I finished with my other appointments early.” She looked directly at him. “I’m sure you’ve already talked to my father.”

He frowned. “The last conversation we had he said we weren’t hiring Mann and that he’d be in touch, but I haven’t heard from him.”

Grace thought it was time to bring everything out into the open. “I want to get a few things straight.” She stepped farther into the room, her eyes holding his. “I’m not the ditzy blonde you think I am.”

“Grace…”

She held up a hand. “Let me talk, please.

“I’m well aware that when my father ran for judge and won, he retained fifty-one percent of this law firm in a blind trust for his daughters—until the time one of us was willing to take over as managing partner. You drew up the blind trust and my father paid you very nicely to keep his secret. The secret being that he still had control of every major decision made by this law firm.”

“It wasn’t…”

“It was just like that. And neither you nor my father thought I had—” she narrowed her eyes in thought “—what do you guys say? You didn’t think I had the balls to run this company.”

“That’s crude.”

“Yes, it is, and it’s even cruder that you and my father thought I would never notice the manipulation and under-the-table tactics.”

He stiffened visibly. “Stephen and I have known each other since law school, I’ve always been very loyal to him, even when he ran for Congress.”

“But you resented his wish to have one of his daughters running the firm.”

He stiffened even more. “I’ve been loyal to you, too, Grace.”

“Yes, you have, and I appreciate that and I also appreciate your help in adjusting to the role as managing partner.”

“You’re a natural.”

“Thank you. And I wanted to let you know that I won’t be spending as much time in the office. I will have a personal life, too.”

“I see.”

“I make all major decisions concerning this law firm and you will not report anything that goes on in this firm to my father. Are we clear on that?”

“Yes. We’re very clear.”

She felt she didn’t need to say any more. She’d made her point.

The board meeting went off without a hitch, and then she dealt with two lawyers who had complaints. Grace couldn’t wait to get away. She could almost feel that strict, stern exterior lifting from her as she made her way to the hospital.

The administrator was more than glad to accept her money for comfortable chairs for the pediatric ward. He warned her there wasn’t a lot of room and they’d do the best they could. Grace could see that just donating the money was no guarantee it would be spent how she wanted it.

After some more negotiating, he agreed to let her buy the chairs and have them delivered. Then she made a quick stop at a furniture store and bought three leather recliners. She talked the manager into delivering them that day. Tonight Barbara Wilcott would be able to rest comfortably.

On impulse, she went back to the hospital to see how Lisa, Keith and Brady were doing. On the way she picked up food for Barbara. Everything was quiet on the ward. Barbara was flipping through a magazine and Grace was surprised to see Brady in his bed. Keith and Lisa weren’t there.

“Where are the Templetons?” she asked Barbara.

“Lisa was really sick and Keith took her home.” Barbara laid down her magazine. “She’s probably coming down with something.”

“How’s Brady doing?”

“Better, but he keeps watching the door. I think he’s looking for Ranger Tucker. That’s my personal opinion.”

Grace thought she was probably right. Even at Brady’s age, he knew Tuck cared about him.

“How’s your little girl?”

“No change.”

“I’m sorry.”

“My husband and I are still praying and hoping.”

“Have you eaten today?”

Barbara nodded. “Yes. I’ve had a snack this morning. I don’t need much.”

Grace held up a bag. “How would you like a hamburger, fries and chocolate malt?”

“You’re one of a kind.” Barbara smiled and took the bag without any protest.

“The good part is you can eat it in here before anyone sees you.”

“Thank you, Grace.”

As Barbara ate, Grace walked over to Brady. He was walking around his bed, eyeing her warily.

“Hi, Brady.” She smiled at him.

He touched one eye.

She clapped her hands. “Yes. I see those long eyelashes.”

Loud noises came from the corridor and Grace knew the chairs were being delivered. She had wanted to be gone before that happened.

“Goodbye, Brady.” She waved and walked out into the hall.

Jennifer was arguing with the deliveryman.

“No one told me about any chairs,” Jennifer was saying. “We don’t have luxuries like that here. You must have the wrong hospital.”

“Lady, I’m not stupid,” the man snarled. “I can read a delivery order.”

“I’ll have to call the administrator.”

“Go ahead.”

Grace poked the elevator button, hoping to be gone before Jennifer spotted her. Her luck didn’t hold.

“Ms. Whitten,” Jennifer called.

Grace waved and stepped onto the elevator. She wasn’t waiting around for Jennifer to ask her if she knew anything about the chairs.

She didn’t want to lie.



TUCK SPENT MOST of the morning at the district attorney’s office going over details of the embezzlement case, then he stopped in to see a friend from college, an architect. Tuck told Joel what he wanted and Joel made plans to come look at the house. After that, he’d draw up plans for Tuck’s approval.

From there Tuck went by Caleb’s office to let him know that he’d only be taking a week off instead of the month they’d planned. Caleb said that was okay and wanted to make sure Tuck could handle Caleb’s office when the baby came.

Tuck razzed him about being nervous, but he assured Caleb he would be there for him. The McCains were big on togetherness and Tuck found he was, too.

He returned home to an empty house. Sam barked at him and Dee curled around his leg, as usual. Although nothing really had changed in the household, something seemed different. The scent of lilac lingered in the room and reminded him Grace wasn’t here. Suddenly she was becoming the center of his world. Glancing at his watch, he wondered how much longer she would be.

To keep from thinking, he would start cleaning out the attic. The stairs to the second floor went up from the den. The banister was made of cedar and he probably wouldn’t change that. Two bedrooms, both small, occupied the floor. He and Eli shared one for a lot of years. Tuck would like to make the rooms bigger and put in a bathroom.

When he pulled the cord in the ceiling of the small hallway, the attic ladder slid down and he began to climb. The sight took his breath away. Junk, clutter, dust and cobwebs covered the place. He coughed a couple of times to clear his lungs.

The place was a mess. He hadn’t been up here since Ma had died and he stored away some of her things. He picked up a lava lamp Ma had bought in Vegas when they had gone on one of their rare trips. Pa hated the lamp and Tuck couldn’t say he was all that crazy about it. So why was he keeping it? For the memories? He was living in the past and it was time to savor those memories and then let them go.

He could do that now.

“Tuck, where are you? I’m back.” When he heard Grace’s voice, he shimmied down the ladder in half the time it took to go up it.

“I’m coming,” he shouted. Taking the stairs two at a time he saw her in the kitchen, holding Sam with Dee curled around her leg.

“Look,” she said, staring down at Dee. “She’s finally made friends with me.”

He cupped her face. “You’re just too hard to resist.” He kissed her soft lips and Sam yelped. They laughed and Grace set Sam on the floor. Tuck sat down, pulling her into his lap. “How was your day?”

“Pretty good. Byron knows where I stand.” She played with the hair curling at his neck and lazy, languid feelings filled him. “I stopped by the hospital.”

“Why?” He was immediately alert. “Is something wrong?”

“Yes. Barbara Wilcott has no place to sleep.”

He blinked. “What?”

“I had a meeting with the CEO and the administrator of the hospital and they were very excited I wanted to donate some money. They had all sorts of causes that needed it, but I said I wanted to buy recliners for the pediatric ward. They tried to appease me with other, more urgent needs and I quickly told them what my bottom line was. Since I’m rather pushy, they eventually saw it my way. Tonight Barbara will be able to stretch out with a hand on her child and go to sleep in some measure of comfort.” She paused. “This is just between you and me. I don’t want Barbara or anyone else to know I purchased the chairs.”

Tuck stared at her and thought, She’s the one. Grace is the woman for me. So many times he’d wished he could help Barbara, but he didn’t know what to do for her. Grace, on the other hand, went out of her way to see that something was done and at her own expense.

“You’re wonderful,” he murmured, and tucked her hair behind her ear. He noticed that worried look in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“I stopped in to check on Brady and the Templetons, but Barbara said that Lisa had become ill and Keith had taken her home. Brady was all alone. I just hope everything’s okay.”

This news sobered him and he reached for the phone on the wall to call Opal.

“Hey, Opal, how are you doing?”

“Ranger Tucker, I’m doing just fine.”

“How’s Brady?”

“So that’s the reason for the call.”

“I heard Lisa Templeton is ill.”

“Twenty-four-hour bug, nothing else. She’ll be back at the hospital in the morning.”

“Good. I was just checking.”

“You have a hard time letting go, don’t you, Ranger Tucker?”

“Yes, ma’am, but I’m getting better.”

“Good for you. Take care now.”

“You bet.”

Tuck relayed the conversation to Grace.

“Good.” She seemed relieved. “What have you been doing all day?”

He told her about his day. “I just had a look at the attic and it’s a nightmare.”

“I’m here to help.” She kissed the tip of his nose.

“There are cobwebs up there.” He knew her fear of spiders and it didn’t take long to see that fear in her eyes.

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll slay your spiders.”

“Ah, my hero.”

He took her lips in a long, deep kiss.

Soon they’d have to make decisions about the future—their future. Now, he knew they had one.



EACH DAY TUCK CONTINUED his work, cleaning out the attic. Grace helped when she arrived after a full day at the office. Each day, her workday was getting longer and longer. This was minor, he told himself. Soon he’d be back at work, too.

He had a pile of things for Eli to go through and he was after him to get it done. He carried all the clothes and old furniture to a homeless shelter. Old papers and bank records he burned behind the house in a barrel. The attic was beginning to look bare.

The highlight of Tuck’s day was waiting for the sound of Grace’s car in his driveway. He couldn’t help but wonder if this was a pattern for their relationship. He knew she was having problems at work and he was trying very hard to be understanding. The plumbing had burst in the day care and it had been a big mess, and then two lawyers were at odds over a trial and Grace sat in on the proceeding to ensure harmony and a fair trial for their client. She carried an enormous load, and Tuck knew her loyalty and dedication to the firm.

But he missed her.

That night they were keeping Jesse. Caroline had called saying they had plans to go out with Caleb and Josie but didn’t have anywhere to leave Jesse. Her sitters were engaged in other activities. Grace laughed and said to bring him over. Her sitters were open for business.

Grace barely had time to kiss Tuck before Caroline and Eli arrived. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “We never have enough time.”

“I know. We’ll have to talk about that.”

Before she could respond, Eli carted in Jesse’s Pack ’n Play. Caroline was holding Jesse and Grace grabbed him immediately, soaking up the sweet smell of the baby. She’d missed him.

“About time you two came up for air,” Eli said. “And no hanky-panky stuff in front of my son.”

Caroline slapped Eli’s shoulder. “Will you stop it?”

“What?” Eli acted innocent.

“We should be home around ten,” Caroline said, and kissed Jesse. “Bye, sweetie.”

“Take your time,” Tuck said. “We’ll be here. And, Eli, you’re not getting your son back until you agree to go through some of this stuff.” Tuck glanced at the boxes stacked on the floor in a corner.

“Okay, okay. I’ll come by first thing in the morning.”

“I have your word.”

“God, you’re relentless.” Eli sighed. “You have my word.”

After they left, Tuck and Grace spent the evening playing with Jesse. Soon the baby grew drowsy and Grace gave him a bottle and put him in the Pack ’n Play for the night. Jesse went to sleep almost instantly.

She curled up in Tuck’s arms in his recliner as they watched an old movie. She sensed the tension in him. “Are you upset with me?”

“Of course not. I just miss you.”

She relaxed. “I’m thinking of hiring a personal assistant.”

“Would that help?”

“I don’t know, but I have to do something. I’m not happy being away from you, either.”

“I go back to work on Monday and our time together will be shorter.”

She raised up. “We have a problem, Jeremiah Tucker.”

He smiled and her pulse raced. “Kiss me and let’s see if we can’t make it better.”

She obliged, and it made everything better.

For now.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THE NEXT MORNING Grace hurried off to work while Tuck and Eli went through the remaining things.

“I don’t know why you’re insisting I go through this stuff,” Eli complained.

“Because it belongs to both of us, so stop whining,” Tuck told him.

“Okay.” Eli sat on the edge of the den sofa, looking around at the boxes and strewn items. “It’s a big mess in here. Where do we start?”

“Let’s start with the lava lamp.”

“You’re kidding, right? I do not want that gaudy thing.”

“Ma loved it.”

“She saw beauty in everything.”

Eli was right. Ma never saw the bad in anything or anyone. “Okay. I’ll keep it.” He pointed to a gun propped against the wall. “There’s an L.C. Smith shotgun and this knife.” He fished it out of a box. “Both were made in the twenties and have Pa’s initials on them. Which do you want?”

“You choose.”

“I’ll take the gun.”

“Good. I’ll take the knife.” Eli reached for it, opening up the blades. “Look at the pearl inlay. This is a cool knife.”

Tuck knew Eli would rather have the knife. That’s why he chose the gun.

Tuck pointed to a box. “There are all your high school and college photos and trophies.”

Eli frowned. “I don’t want them.”

“Caroline might. And Jesse might want to see them one day.”

“Sometimes you’re worse than an old woman, Tuck.”

Tuck let that pass and squatted by a box. “Here are Ma’s and Pa’s old country albums.” He sorted through them. “Some are signed by the artist—Ernest Tubbs, Porter Wagoner, Loretta Lynn, The Wilburn Brothers, The Louvin Brothers, The Carter Family and some I don’t have a clue who they are. I think I’ll keep them and the record player.”

“Fine. I don’t have any use for them.”

Tuck reached for a small box. “This is Ma’s and Pa’s wedding rings.”

“Those are yours. I already have a wedding ring.”

Tuck sat in his chair, staring at the gold bands. “I might use these.”

Eli stopped digging through a box and gaped at him. “What?”

“I might use these,” he repeated.

“The man who said he was never getting married is thinking about marriage?”

“Yes,” Tuck replied without hesitation.

“Wow. I thought I’d never see this day.”

“Me, neither, but how many times have you told me that my day was coming?”

“Too many to remember.” Eli scooted back on the sofa. “So you’re giving up your plans to take in foster kids?”

Tuck closed the velvet box. “I’m not sure. Grace understands me more than any woman ever has. All I know is that my need to be with her is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt.”

“How does Grace feel?”

“We haven’t made a commitment to each other. We’re taking it slow, finding each other, enjoying our time together.”

“But soon you have to face reality.”

“Yeah.” Tuck nodded. “Soon we have to talk.”

“And you’re scared to death.”

Tuck raised his head. “You could be right. I’ve never allowed a woman to change my way of thinking.”

“Are you afraid she doesn’t feel the same way?”

“No. I’m afraid of the obstacles standing in our way.”

“Like what?” Eli asked.

“Like her job and her father.”

“Grace has always been dominated by Stephen but lately she seems to be breaking free.”

“She’s changing, too.”

“You two need to have a good, honest talk.”

Tuck fingered the box. “Tonight I plan to do that. As long as we’re honest with each other, we can make it work. I know we can.”

“Do you realize this will make us brothers-in-law? And let me tell you something. You’re getting the Whittens fifty-fifty. There’s no need for them to be camped out at my house all the time.”

“But you have the grandson.” Tuck laughed.

“You can change that, too.”

Tuck held up a hand. “Don’t rush things. I can only take so many changes at one time.”

“It’s good to see you happy,” Eli said.

“It’s been cathartic going through Ma’s and Pa’s belongings. I can’t keep my life as a shrine to them. I finally can see that and I have peace about it. I’ll probably never let go of the kid thing, though. Helping kids is just a part of me. Grace and I will work through it.”

He returned the velvet box to the larger cardboard one and pulled out a humidor. “Remember this?”

“Damn, I’d forgotten about that thing. Is it locked? Pa always kept it locked.” Eli scooted closer to Tuck.

“Yes, but Ma taped the key to the bottom when Pa died.” Tuck flipped the dark walnut case over and found the key. Flipping it back, he unlocked it.

The pungent smell filled his nostrils and memories swirled around him. He and Eli were never allowed to open the box. Ma forbade Pa to smoke in the house or around the children. He would take the box to the porch and sometimes Tuck and Eli would slip out to watch Pa ready a cigar to smoke, unless Ma spotted them and made them come inside.

“There are cigars still inside,” Eli said, and reached for one and sniffed it. “Man, that reminds me of Pa.”

Tuck opened a drawer near the bottom. “The cigar cutter and lighter are here, too.”

Eli stuck the cigar in his mouth and leaned back. “This smells great. If I lit this thing, it would probably blow off my head. I’m not too sure about aged tobacco, but it doesn’t smell tainted or anything.”

“Pa loved his cigars, and wait—” he lifted the half-empty tray “—there’s a full tray below this one.”

Eli handed him the cigar. “Put this one back.”

Tuck looked at it. “You’ve slobbered all over it.”

“So? No one’s ever going to smoke it.”

“I guess you’re right.” Tuck slid the cigar in with the others and tried to put the tray back, but the humidor wouldn’t close. “Something’s wrong. I must have the trays in backward. Hold this one.” Eli took the tray and Tuck lifted out the other. There was a piece of yellowing paper beneath the bottom tray.

“What’s this?” Tuck asked, pulling it out.

“Who knows? Maybe something Pa didn’t want Ma to see.”

“Pa never kept secrets from Ma.”

“Tuck, he was human. Sometimes you forget that. Open the letter and let’s see what kind of secret Pa was keeping.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t,” Tuck said. “It’s been hidden all these years. Maybe we should just let it be.” Tuck didn’t know why he was hesitant, but he was.

“Give me that,” Eli snapped. “It’s probably an old receipt or a bond worth millions. Now wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants.”

Tuck held on to the paper, not letting Eli have it. Slowly he opened the old, yellowing, thin paper. There was a printed heading of an orphanage, Sisters of the Guadalupe. Tuck knew the place. He passed it many times on the outside of Austin. The letter was handwritten and still legible.

Goose bumps popped up on his skin in chilling intensity as he read. Anger slammed into his stomach. Eli gasped over his shoulder.

The letter read:

Dear Mr. Tucker,

The baby has been born and he will be left at 6:00 a.m. as we discussed. Please pick him up immediately as we would not like him in the elements any longer than necessary. The mother’s only request is that he be called Jeremiah.

We, the sisters, know you will give this child a good home.

And, Mr. Tucker, remember you have promised before God to keep this secret forever.

May God bless you and your family.

Yours in Christ,

Sister Frances O’Rourke

The letter was dated the day Tuck was born.

Tuck and Eli were frozen in place. They couldn’t move or speak. The only sound was the grandfather clock ticking as loud as a gunshot. Tuck tried to absorb what he’d read, but anger kept blocking his thinking.

He knew. He knew. Pa knew, kept ripping through his mind like bullets at a target.

Tuck jumped to his feet, the humidor tumbling to the floor. He waved the letter at Eli. “Pa knew who my mother was. He lied to me. Pa lied to me. He said he did a thorough investigation and there were no clues. He lied! He knew exactly where I came from and he never told me even after I was grown. How could he?”

Eli walked around the chair and faced him. “Calm down and let’s think about this rationally.”

“I’m not in a rational mood.” He pushed past Eli. “I’m in a mood for some honest answers and I’m going to get them.”

“Tuck.” Eli grabbed his arm.

“Let me go,” Tuck shouted.

“Not until you calm down.”

Eli might be bigger and stronger, but Tuck was functioning on pure adrenaline. He jerked his arm away and Eli grabbed him again. Tuck shoved him and Eli went flying backward. Tuck made a dash for the back door.

As he swung open the door, Grace stood on the other side. He ran, unable to talk to her. Unable to talk to anyone.

“Tuck,” Grace called, running after him.

He jerked open his car door and got in. Grace jumped into the passenger seat before he could back out.

“What’s wrong?” She saw Eli standing at the back door and she was sure he was cursing. “Did you and Eli have a fight?”

He handed her a piece of paper he clutched in his hand. It took about five seconds before she fully understood the situation and she felt an incredible sadness for him. But she had other concerns first.

Tuck was driving fast and erratic.

“Pull over and let me drive.”

Tuck didn’t respond, just stared straight ahead at the country blacktop road. Luckily it was a farm-to-market road and there wasn’t any traffic. Trees and ranches whizzed by.

“Tuck.”

They turned a corner, swerved to miss a car and plowed through a bar ditch and came to a stop.

Grace let out a long breath, her hands gripping the dash. Glancing at Tuck, she saw him lean his forehead on the steering wheel. He was crying. Her heart twisted at the sight.

She leaned over and wrapped her arms around him. “Tuck, don’t, please.”

“Pa lied to me,” he mumbled brokenly.

“I’m so sorry. Let’s go back to the house and talk.”

“No.” He wiped at his eyes. “I have to go to the orphanage. I have to have some answers.”

“Okay.” She brushed away a tear. “I’ll go with you, but slow down, please.”

He backed out of the ditch and they headed for the main highway. She wished she could ease his pain, but all she could do was be there for him and offer him comfort when he needed it.

She was so glad she’d left work early to spend more time with Tuck. If she hadn’t, he would have been gone with this terrible pain in his heart. Being with Tuck was suddenly the most important thing to her. Not her work. Not her family.

But Tuck.

She would always be here for him.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THEY DIDN’T SPEAK as Tuck drove steadily toward the orphanage. He seemed to know where he was going and Grace didn’t bother him with questions. He was lost somewhere in the past, somewhere within himself.

He turned off the highway and pulled up to an ancient gray stone building with a traditional bell tower. Huge live oaks shaded the courtyard and a religious statue surrounded by blooming flowers adorned the center. The orphanage was in the shape of a horseshoe, with a main building and a wing on each side. The yard was neatly maintained, but there was an austere feeling about the place.

Tuck killed the engine and stared straight ahead. “I was born here.”

“So it seems.” She couldn’t stand the torment on his face. “Tuck, it was so long ago. Maybe it’s best to just…”

“No.” He cut her off. “I have to know.”

He got out and she quickly followed. They took the walk to the main building. A nun came out a door and walked briskly toward a wing.

“Sister,” Tuck called.

The nun stopped and glanced at them. She wore a habit so it was difficult to determine her age. Grace didn’t think nuns wore the traditional robes anymore, but evidently some orders still did.

“Yes, my son,” she asked, in a soft almost whisper.

“Could you tell me where the main office is, please?”

She pointed. “It’s right through that arch, first door on the left.”

“Thank you.”

“Bless you,” she replied and moved on.

They walked through the arch and approached the door.

Tuck paused for a second, and then he opened it. A musty, old smell mixed with the fragrance of incense greeted them. He removed his hat and spoke to a nun sitting at a desk. The room was very stark, equipped with just the bare essentials and a few candles and religious statues.

“May I please see the nun in charge?”

“That would be Sister Theresa.” The nun rose to her feet. “I’ll let her know someone wishes to speak with her.”

“Thank you.”

In a minute, she was back. “This way, please.”

They walked into a small room with a desk, typewriter, filing cabinets and more candles and statues. Large windows looked out onto the playground where children of all ages ran and played. A nun sat at the desk and rose to her feet. She was tall and thin, and Grace guessed she was somewhere in her sixties.

“May I help you?”

“Yes. I’m looking for Sister Frances O’Rourke,” Tuck said.

“I’m sorry. Sister Frances is in declining health and is no longer in charge of the orphanage.”

“I still would like to speak with her.”

“May I ask why?”

Tuck held out his hand. “I’m Jeremiah Tucker, Texas Ranger, and this is Grace Whitten.”

“It’s very nice to meet both of you.”

The nuns took politeness to a new level.

“I was born here,” Tuck said bluntly. “And I’d like to know who my mother is. Sister Frances knows.”

“Oh, my son, Sister Frances is very elderly and feeble. She can’t help you. Her memory is faulty.”

Tuck’s eyes didn’t waver from the nun’s. “I’m trying to be nice, Sister, but I can have a court order within an hour to search every file in this place. So what’s it going to be?”

Sister Theresa waved a hand. “Sit down. Maybe I can help you.”

They took seats in straight-back chairs across from the desk.

“Why are you so sure you were born here?”

Grace still had the letter in her hand and Tuck reached for it. He laid it in front of Sister Theresa. “I found this in my father’s things.”

The nun glanced over the letter. “Jess Tucker was your adoptive father?”

“Yes and…” Tuck paused as the door opened and Eli stepped in. “This is my foster brother, Elijah Coltrane.” He introduced Eli as if it was quite normal for him to show up. But Grace knew Eli was worried about Tuck. She was, too.

“I see. Both of you were raised by the Tuckers.”

“Yes. Did you know my father?”

“I knew Mr. Tucker well. He helped us out on many occasions. He and your mother are sorely missed.”

“He told me he didn’t know who my mother was, but he knew. He kept a secret for Sister Frances, but now I want to know.”

“Sister Frances is eighty-nine and very crippled with arthritis. We try to keep her comfortable and I’m afraid I can’t disturb her.”

“I don’t plan on disturbing her. I just want to talk to her.”

“She’s in her room in her bedclothes and it’s just not allowed.”

Tuck studied the nun. “Sister, I’m forty-two years old and I’ve waited a long time to find out about my mother. I don’t plan to do anything with the information. I just have a need to know. I’m sure you can understand that. All I’m asking for is a few minutes with Sister Frances. And I know God wouldn’t mind if I spoke with her in her room. You might have heard, He’s very forgiving.”

Sister Theresa’s lips twitched. “Yes. I’ve heard that.” She tapped her fingers on the desk in thought. “Please give me a few minutes.”

“Sure.” Tuck rose, his hat in his hand as the nun left the room. He stared at the children in the yard, the unwanted ones, and Grace’s heart broke at the anguish in his eyes.

“Tuck…”

He didn’t respond to her and fear edged its way into her chest.

Eli placed a hand on Tuck’s shoulder. “Tuck, it doesn’t matter anymore.”

Tuck clenched his jaw. “It does to me.”

“I’m sorry. I really am.”

“I know.”

The nun returned. “Sister Frances will receive visitors.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

They followed the nun down a long corridor. The hall seemed to be made of stone and their footsteps echoed eerily, sadly and with a morbid reckoning. It was a morose feeling and Grace couldn’t shake it.

As the nun unlocked a door, Grace realized they were going into the nuns’ quarters, a place where secular people weren’t allowed.

They were ushered into a sitting room with dark walls, threadbare sofas and shelves of religious books. Grace stared at the huge cross that hung on one wall, a table of candles around its base. She rubbed her arms, feeling something she couldn’t describe.


“Have a seat.” Sister Theresa motioned toward a sofa. “Sister Frances will be here shortly. Please don’t expect too much. Some days Frances is forgetful and uncooperative. I hope you get the answers you desire.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

Another nun wheeled a woman in a wheelchair into the room. She was dressed in a white robe; her long gray hair hung over one shoulder. Thin and feeble, Sister Frances’s gnarled hands shook slightly in her lap.

“Frances, this young man is here to see you,” Sister Theresa said.

“But I’m not dressed.” Her voice was raspy, weak.

Tuck pulled a wooden chair close to her and sat down, facing her. “That’s okay. I just want to ask some questions about the baby you left at the Tuckers’ mailbox many years ago.”

Sister Frances blinked at him and her gray eyes looked enormous behind the wire-rimmed glasses. Tuck wasn’t sure she’d understood what he’d said.

A gnarled hand suddenly reached for his face, shaking against his cheekbone. “Bernadette.”

“Excuse me?”

“I’d know those eyes anywhere. You’re Bernadette’s son.”

Tuck swallowed. “Bernadette who?”

Sister Frances glanced at Sister Theresa. “What was Bernie’s last name?”

“Martel, I believe,” Sister Theresa replied.

“Yes, yes, that’s it.”

“Tell me about Bernadette,” Tuck asked, his stomach feeling queasy. “Tell me why she gave me away.”

“Oh, my son, is it wise to stir the ashes of the past?”

“I’ve waited forty-two years to find out the truth. I’m old enough to take it.”

Sister Frances nodded several times. “Then you shall know.”

“Thank you.”

“Theresa, it’s cold in here.” Sister Frances wrapped her arms around her waist. The other nun placed a gray blanket over Sister Frances’s knees. “That’s better,” she mumbled, and looked at Tuck. “Who are you?”

Tuck took a hard breath. “Jeremiah. Bernadette’s…son.” The words felt strange, unreal.

“Oh.” The nun blinked as if she didn’t know where she was.

“Sister Frances, please stay focused. I want to talk about Bernadette. Tell me about Bernadette.”

“Okay.” Her head bobbed up and down, but she didn’t say anything.

“Sister Frances…”

“Yes, my son?”

“Please tell me about Bernadette.”

“I’ll do my best. Let’s see—” her dull eyes grew distant “—Bernadette lived with an aunt and uncle and their children. Her parents were killed when she was very small, I believe. The uncle was a mean drunk and beat them often.” She made a clucking sound with her tongue. “One day he was beating one of his daughters. Bernadette intervened and tried to protect her. The man broke her jaw, her arm and her leg, and then began the round of despicable foster homes for her. She was about fourteen, I think, when she was finally placed with the Tuckers. God was watching out for her. He always does.” She bobbed her head again. “Yes, He was. At the Tuckers’ Bernadette found out about family, love and faith.”

She stopped talking and Tuck drew a breath as painful as any he’d ever taken. It burned his throat, his insides, and all the way to his soul.

His mother had been one of the Tucker kids. Grace was right.

Sister Theresa handed Sister Frances a glass of water with a straw in it. She took a sip.

“What happened to her after that?” He pushed the words past his scorched throat.

“She was very happy with the Tuckers, but at sixteen she made a life-affirming decision. Jess and Amalie tried to talk her out of it, but she was adamant.”

“What was it?

“She joined the convent.”

“What!” Shock ran through his system.

“She was Sister Bernadette, but we called her Bernie.”

“My mother was a nun?” He had a hard time processing that.

“Yes. She enjoyed teaching the children. The outside world had been so cruel to her, but she found peace in our structured, secure environment.”

“But something changed?”

“Yes.”

Tuck waited, but she didn’t say anything else.

“Sister,” he prompted.

Sister Frances looked around. “Where are we?”

“We’re in the sitting room,” Sister Theresa replied. “Are you getting tired?”

“Yes.”

Sister Theresa glanced at Tuck. “We’d better take her back to her room.”

“Sister, please, just a few more minutes,” Tuck pleaded. This was his only chance to hear about his mother.

Sister Theresa nodded. Tuck scooted close to Sister Frances. “Sister, please tell me how Bernadette became pregnant.”

“My son, some things are best unknown.” She leaned forward and whispered, “We shouldn’t be talking about this.”

“Please, Sister, whatever you tell me stays here in this room. I just have to know.”

“Well.” She kept her voice low. “We had a man who helped out with the maintenance of the orphanage. He was a nice fellow and did things for free. Sometimes Bernie would help him when he needed someone to hold a ladder or hand him something. She was very friendly and he mistook her friendship for something more.”

“He fell in love with her?”

“Yes.”

“But she didn’t love him?”

“No. She had given her heart to God.”

That queasy feeling became intense and he shoved it down, taking several deep breaths. He’d wanted the truth so now he had to face it. “What happened?” he asked in a voice that came from deep within him.

Sister Frances took another sip of water. “My son, I can’t tell you these things.”

Tuck swallowed hard and forced out the words. “He raped her?”

“Don’t use that word,” she ordered in a loud voice, her body shaking.

“Please don’t get upset.” Tuck tried to calm her, but inside he was shaking like a leaf in a windstorm. He couldn’t allow himself to think. Not now. He rubbed his hands together, preparing himself for the next question. “Was this man arrested?”

“No. The next day he came and asked for her forgiveness and Bernadette forgave him.”

“Why?”

“In some way she felt she had tempted him and it wasn’t in her nature to be vindictive or to judge him. The man was truly sorry for his sin and we are taught to forgive, my son.”

“But…” Tuck stopped, swallowing the bile in his throat. “What happened to him?”

“He was very distraught afterward and at work he wasn’t paying attention and slipped and fell from a scaffold on a construction job. They say he died instantly.”

Tuck linked his fingers together, feeling his sweaty palms. But he had to keep going. “Where is my mother now?”

“Don’t you know?”

“No, Sister. I don’t.”

“She died a month or so after you were born. I can’t remember exactly. The guilt, the shame and the dishonor got to her spirit. She died quietly in her sleep.”

His mother was dead. Tuck was trying to assimilate everything, but he just had a huge burning knot in his gut. He had to keep going, though.

“Why did she want me named Jeremiah?”

“It was her father’s name.”

He’d had a grandfather. The word sounded surreal in the extreme in connection to him. He’d never had grandparents. He was just Jess Tucker’s son and in that instant he knew that’s the way he wanted it to stay. Forever. Exposed secrets were tearing him apart and accepting them would take time.

“What is that?” Sister Frances spoke sharply to Grace, who held the yellowing letter.

“It’s the letter you wrote to Jess Tucker,” Tuck explained.

“Jess was supposed to destroy that. He promised before God—no evidence.” She grew agitated.

“It’s all right, Sister. No one ever knew. Jess Tucker kept his word.”

“Good.” Sister Frances seemed to relax. “Jess Tucker was an honorable man.”

“Yes, he was,” Tuck agreed. His father had kept the secret he’d sworn to keep. Even though he’d probably wanted to tell Tuck, he would never break his word. So he hid the letter away in a place Tuck would only look after his death. That’s why he was adamant that Tuck and Eli never touch the box. Tuck could only know after his death. Suddenly things were beginning to become clearer, but something still bothered him.

“Did Amalie know who my mother was?”

“That was the one thing Jess was insistent about. He had to tell Amalie. Bernadette agreed.”

They both knew. That’s why they’d told him repeatedly that he was a gift from God.

“Thank you, Sister. I appreciate your talking to me.”

Sister Frances frowned. “Who are you?”

“Jeremiah Tucker—Bernadette’s son.” This time he said it without pausing.

“Yes, yes.” She nodded. “Go in peace, my son.”

Sister Theresa motioned to the other nun and she wheeled Frances away. Sister Theresa slipped her hands into the pockets of her habit. “She fades in and out, but I believe it’s close to the truth.”

“I do, too,” Tuck replied, feeling numb.

Sister Theresa looked him straight in the eye. “Remember your promise to never use this information.”

“I would never do anything to tarnish my mother’s memory. Her secret will always be safe.”

“Bless you, Mr. Tucker, and may you find some peace.”

“Thank you, Sister.”

A nun guided Tuck, Grace and Eli down the long corridor, their footsteps echoing on the cold, hard stone. The gates of hell. The wages of sin drummed through his mind, mimicking the echoes. They stepped out into the warm April sunshine, but Tuck didn’t feel it. All he could feel was the pain. He blinked, his eyes adjusting after the dimness of the orphanage.

“Are you okay?” Eli asked.

Tuck placed his hat on his head. “I’ll be fine. I just need some time alone.”

“Tuck.”

“Eli, please. Just give me some time.”

“Okay.” Eli nodded. “If you want to talk, you know where to find me.”

“Thanks.”

Eli strolled away and Tuck walked briskly to his car. Grace broke into a run to catch up. Tuck didn’t speak on the drive home. He couldn’t and he could feel himself shutting down and shutting everyone out—even Grace. He needed time. Time to understand what he’d just heard. Time to learn to live with one of life’s hard truths.

He was the son of a rapist.



LIKE ELI, GRACE WANTED Tuck to talk, but she knew Tuck wasn’t ready. He’d heard so many truths today and she wondered how long it would be before he fully accepted them—both the circumstances of his birth and his adoption.

When they reached the house, Tuck hurried inside and studied the names on the table.

She picked up Sam. “What are you doing?”

“Her name should be here.”

“You mean your mother’s name?”

“Yes.” He jabbed at the table. “There it is. Bernadette.”

Grace glanced down. To the right of Bernadette was Tuck.

Tuck noticed it, too. “We’re together. I wonder if Ma and Pa planned it that way.”

“They…” But Tuck wasn’t listening to her. He tore toward the hall. She placed Sam on the floor and quickly followed.

She found him in the spare bedroom, going through the photos they’d stored in the plastic container. Kneeling, he hurriedly removed the frames, exposing the back of the photos.

“Tuck…”

“Ma wrote names on the back of all the photos. Her photo is here. I know it.”

Grace didn’t try to stop him. He somehow had to do this—to keep searching until he had all the pieces to the puzzle of the past. Of his life. Suddenly he sank to the floor, leaning against the wall, holding a photo.

Easing down by him, she read the names on the back: Carol, Bernadette and Nancy. “All dressed up for Easter services” the caption read.

Tuck turned the photo over, staring at the girls. “The middle girl is my mother.” The words came out in a hoarse whisper.

Grace looked at the smiling young girl. “She has dark hair and eyes.”

“Like me.”

Grace touched his face. “Yes, like you.”

He pulled away and her heart sank. “Tuck.”

“Go home, Grace. I need time—alone.”

“I’m not leaving you like this.”

“Will you for once not argue with me and respect my wishes?”

He sounded like the old Tuck who was always snapping at her. She waited for an apology, but she didn’t get one. Instead, he said, “We made a mistake. We should never have gotten involved.”

She bit down on her tongue to keep from crying out. “You don’t mean that,” was all she could manage.

“I do. I’m sorry if that hurts you.”

“Yes. It hurts me, but it hurts me more to see you like this.” She took a deep breath. “None of what we found out today matters to me. You’re still the man I’ve fallen in love with. I don’t care who your parents are. They’re not who you are.”

“Save your love for a man who deserves it and who can give you all you need. I’m not that man.”

“Why not?”

“Leave it alone.”

The tone of his voice should have deterred her, but it didn’t. “Why not?” she persisted, fighting for their relationship. Fighting for their love.

He scrambled to his feet in an angry movement. “Because I’ve always had control of that empty place inside me, a place that belonged to the unknown—my mother. It was protected, secure, but now it’s wide-open and the pain and the heartache is pouring in. I can’t stop it. I can’t do anything but feel that pain. The pain of knowing that I’m the son of a rapist. I’m no good to you or myself or to anyone. I’m completely spent, completely empty.” He turned toward his bedroom.

“You don’t need control. All you need is love.”

He didn’t respond. His back was rigid, straight and unyielding, telling her more than she wanted to accept.

“You’re an incredibly good man. I know that. Everyone knows that. What happened between your biological parents doesn’t change that. It doesn’t change you. You’ve spent your life giving to others. It’s all right to take some of that back. It’s all right to have a life. It’s all right to fall in love.”

“I don’t love you, Grace,” he said clearly and effectively. It crushed whatever hope she had and the fight left her. She knew when to give up.

But she would never give up on their love.

She ran from the room, tears streaming down her face. She made it to her car and called Eli. Tuck was hurting and alone and she couldn’t stand that. Eli said that Tuck needed time and they should respect his wishes, but he would check on him first thing in the morning.

She drove home feeling as if her world had suddenly come to end.



WHEN TUCK HEARD the door close, he made his way into the den. He laid his mother’s photo on the table and picked up the humidor from the floor. Pulling the letter from his pocket, he placed it on the bottom as it had lain for so many years. After putting the box back together, he sat in his recliner letting his mind take him places he didn’t want to go.

He’d had horrible feelings when he’d learned Pa had lied to him, but now he knew he had his reasons. Pa would never break his word. He was that type of man.

Thoughts followed about his biological father. What type of man forces himself on a nun? The lowest kind. But this man had also given Tuck life. That was harder to accept. He honestly didn’t know if he ever would.

Unable to stop them, tears rolled from his eyes. He hadn’t cried since Ma had died, but now he cried for a mother and the pain she must have endured. He cried for his adoptive parents and the torment they must have suffered at keeping their secret from him. And he cried for himself and the agony he couldn’t get through.

Lastly, he cried for Grace and all that could have been. He prayed one day she would forgive him.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THE RINGING OF THE PHONE woke Tuck. It took a moment for him to realize what it was. The sound stopped and he instinctively reached for Grace, then everything came flooding back with painful clarity.

Grace wasn’t here. She wasn’t ever going to be here again.

He sat up, realizing he was still in the recliner. He ran his hands over his face, feeling as if he’d been slam-dunked through a net of barbed wire. Each scar ran deep and wide inside him and he couldn’t get past the truth.

His father…

He swallowed hard, unable to complete the thought. Did the truth somehow change him?

Tuck didn’t have any answers. All he knew was that he had started to believe that he could have a life, a family—with Grace. But now…

Feeling the weight of despair, he slowly stood and a deep, tortured sigh escaped him. He had hurt her in a way no man should hurt a woman, but he was powerless to change that. She deserved someone better than him. She deserved love, happiness and everything that entailed.

He couldn’t give her that.

Not now.



TUCK’S CELL RANG and he reached for the phone on his waist.

“Tuck, this is Sheriff Wheeler.”

“Morning, Sheriff.”

“Remember that hit-and-run case you investigated about a year ago?”

Tuck headed for his bedroom as he talked, Sam trailing behind him. “Sure. Luis Rodriquez is well hidden in Mexico.”

“The Mexican authorities just called. Luis is tired of running and he’s ready to turn himself in and face charges here in Texas. They’ll bring him to the bridge in Laredo. Since the Rangers have jurisdiction, I thought you might like to be the one to walk across the bridge and arrest him.”

“You bet.” Tuck had spent a lot of hours on the case, trying to find Rodriquez after he’d run from a car crash. The young girl he’d hit died instantly. Rodriquez was drunk and fled the scene before police had arrived. His family quickly got him to Mexico. The girl’s family had been waiting a long time for this day.

“How soon can you be in my office?”

“In about forty-five minutes.” This was what he needed—to throw himself into work. It would keep him busy and his mind on other things.

He hung up, took a shower and dressed. Carrying his boots and gun into the den, he sat down to put them on.

His back door opened and Eli walked in. “Morning,” he said, sinking into a chair.

“I’m not in a mood to talk, so go home.”

“I’m just checking to see if you’re okay.”

“I’m fine.” He slipped a foot into a boot. “I’m going to Mexico to pick up Luis Rodriquez. He’s turning himself in. I won’t be gone long, but would you check on Sam and Dee?”

“Sure. No problem.” Eli picked up the photo of Tuck’s biological mother from the coffee table. He flipped it over and read the back side. “You found a picture of your mother.”

“Yeah.”

“You have her coloring.”

“I know.” He slipped his other foot into a boot. “I wonder what I inherited from my father.”

Eli looked straight at him. “All his good qualities.”

He clenched his jaw. “I don’t feel like going over this.”

Eli fingered the photo. “You’ve been through a lot lately. Just take some time and think this through. You’re the most caring, giving man I know. There isn’t a part of you that’s bad.”

Tuck attached his gun to his belt, trying to block out Eli’s words, trying not to think, but somewhere in the corner of his soul he could feel that soiled part of him, like a scarlet letter. He would never be able to change that. He gulped in a breath.

He looked at his brother. “Then why do I feel so tainted?”

“Tuck, give this time. Whoever your biological father is doesn’t mean a thing. It’s the man you’ve become that matters. The man we all love. Ask any kid you’ve mentored. Ask Grace.”

“Leave Grace out of this.”

“Tuck, for heaven’s sake, don’t throw away what you have.”

Tuck sucked in a painful breath. “It’s over. I know that.”

“Tuck—” Eli stopped for a second. “Okay, think about your biological father. He helped out at the orphanage for free. A bad person doesn’t do that. He’s human and fell in love with a nun. I’m not saying that what he did was right by any means, but your mother forgave him. And you have to, too.”

Without a word Tuck attached his badge to his shirt.

“You’re not the spawn of the devil,” Eli said firmly. “Even if you were I’ll still love you. Caroline and Jesse will, too, so will the McCains. Even Grace will. Do you know why?”

“No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“Because we know you. And soon you’ll realize that, too. Just don’t throw away everything that’s good in your life.”

Tuck didn’t reply. He had nothing to say.

Eli stood with an aggravated sigh, glancing at the boxes. “What are you going to do with those?”

“Put them back in the attic for now.”

Eli settled his hat on his head. “Tuck.”

“Go home, Eli. And tell the McCains I don’t want to talk to anyone.”

Eli shrugged. “Sure. But you know Beau. He’s going to want to help, as all of us do.”

“Eli…” Tuck couldn’t take much more. He had to get away from everyone.

“I’ll get the point across,” Eli added quickly.

“Thanks.”

“Are you okay?”

Tuck saw the worry in his brother’s eyes. “No.” He didn’t lie. “But I will be.”



GRACE CURLED UP on her sofa, clutching the peignoir she planned to wear for Tuck, her tears soaking it. Everything had been so wonderful and now it just seemed lost. What hurt the most was that she couldn’t reach him. Her love wasn’t enough.

Her doorbell rang and she ignored it, then she heard the key in the lock. Caroline. Why did she ever give her sister a key?

“Grace, where are you?” Caroline called.

“Go home, Caroline.”

Caroline flopped down beside her and Grace rose to a sitting position. Caroline brushed away Grace’s tears. “Oh, Gracie, I’m so sorry.”

“I love him, Caro, but…” She hiccuped. “But he doesn’t love me.”

“Tuck’s hurting. Just give him some time.”

“I’m so afraid that I’ll never be able to reach him.”

“Then fight for what you want. You do that better than anyone I know. Make a decision, fight for it with all your heart and the fear will go away.”

“I’d like to be alone,” Grace mumbled.

Caroline hugged her. “Sisters first—sisters always.”

“That’s not true anymore. You have a husband and a baby. Our lives are changing.”

“But we will always be sisters. Nothing will ever change that.”

“No.” Grace wiped at her eyes. “I never dreamed love could hurt this bad.”

“Gracie…”

“But I’ll survive. I was taught to be strong.”

“You have to be strong to survive in a man’s world.” Caroline dropped her voice to sound like their father.

Grace wanted to smile, but she couldn’t.

“How about I get us some chocolate?”

“No.” Grace shook her head. “I really want to be alone to wallow in my heartache. Then I’ll pick myself up and decide what I’m going to do.”

“Okay.” Caroline pulled the peignoir out of her hands. “You’re ruining this beautiful garment.”

Grace snatched it back. “I was going to wear it for Tuck, but now…”

“This isn’t like you to indulge in self-pity.”

“Sometimes a woman has to cry.”

“I’ll give you that, but not for long. Tuck needs you.”

“Goodbye, Caroline.”

“I’ll call you in a couple of hours.”

“No. Don’t.”

“I’m not leaving you alone like this. Eli has Jesse and I have to go, but I’ll check on you later.”

“Whatever.” Grace curled into a ball. When the door closed, she burst into tears. She let the tears flow freely, cleansing, washing away, holding on to the peignoir and her dreams.

After that, she got up, dressed and went in to work. She sat in her big office unable to concentrate. The law firm used to be her life, but it wasn’t anymore. She wasn’t happy here. She’d once told Caroline that she wanted to be happy with herself and her life. For a short period of time she had been, and then she’d come back to the firm and gotten bogged down with the daily problems of being head of The Whitten Law Firm.

She walked to the window and stared out at the city of Austin, but she didn’t really see it. Her gaze focused on the oaks in the distance. Several miles behind them was the hospital. She wondered how Brady was, if he’d gone home. She wondered about Barbara, Molly and the other baby.

They’d touched her in a way she hadn’t expected. They’d touched her heart and awakened a part of her she hadn’t even known was there.

Just the way Tuck had awakened her heart.

Caroline had told her to make a decision and fight for it. She wanted a life with Tuck and she was going to fight for it with all her heart. First, she had to make changes.

She turned toward her desk and froze. A spider inched his way across the hardwood floor. Fear jumped into her throat and her natural response was to shout for Nina. But not today. She drew a deep breath, walked over and stepped on the spider with her Manolo high heel. She flinched, but she crushed that sucker.

Raising her arms in the air, she did a victory dance. “Yes. Yes. Yes.”

This was a big step. The last step.

Dancing on the dead spider, she now knew who the real Grace was—a woman who wanted it all with a man named Tuck. And she wasn’t afraid to fight for that.

She opened a drawer for a Kleenex to remove the spider from the sole of her shoe and then threw it into the trash can. After straightening her suit, she reached for a button on her phone. “Nina, please tell Byron I’d like to see him as soon as possible.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She took her seat and readied herself for this meeting and the changes that would follow.

Within minutes Byron walked into her office.

“Please have a seat,” she said.

Byron sat down and crossed his legs, his eyes watching her. “Is there a problem?” he asked.

She leaned back. “I’m offering you your heart’s desire.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I spend too much of my time at this firm and I don’t plan to do that anymore.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I thought you cut back on your hours.”

“I tried, but this is a very time-consuming job.” She took a moment. “I’ve found something that’s more important to me, so I’m offering you a comanaging partner deal. I will maintain my fifty-one percent and control, but I will leave the daily operations to you, except I will have approval of everyone who is hired.”

Byron wiped a speck from his immaculate slacks. “Have you spoken to your father?”

“No. My father has nothing to do with this firm anymore. The decision is mine and it’s final. As a courtesy, I will inform him after we come to an agreement.”

It took thirty minutes to iron out the details. Byron was in agreement on almost every issue. He’d been waiting a long time for this.

“So, Grace, what are you going to do?”

“I plan to take on a lot of charitable causes, helping people who can’t afford an attorney. And I’m getting involved with child advocacy, offering my services to help protect children.”

“That doesn’t sound like you.”

“It is, Byron. Trust me.”

Byron stood and shook her hand. “Thank you, Grace. I won’t let you down.”

The decision made, she picked up the phone and called her father. After the initial shock, the conversation went well. He spent five minutes trying to talk her out of it, but she stuck to her decision. In the end he told her he just wanted her to be happy. She told him she planned to be.

And she meant it.

Tuck wanted time and she would give it to him. But not for long. Happiness to her was being with Tuck, sharing his life.

Now she had to convince him of that.

CHAPTER NINETEEN
TUCK AND A DEPUTY made the long, tiring drive to Laredo. They met with the sheriff in that county who was talking to the Mexican authorities. After everything was in order, they drove to the bridge. At the signal Tuck walked across the bridge to meet Luis Rodriquez. He snapped handcuffs on him and escorted him to their waiting vehicle.

Within minutes, they were on the road back to Austin. Tuck drove and there was very little conversation. He preferred it that way. He wasn’t in a mood to talk.

It was late when they checked Rodriquez into the jail. Tuck told the deputy to go home to his family and he’d fill out the necessary paperwork. There was no one waiting for Tuck. And that’s the way it had to be.

He was dead tired when he crawled into his car to go home. When he reached his house, he fell across his bed. The scent of lilac filled his senses. It was everywhere—on the pillow, the sheets, his skin and in his heart. Grace’s face swam before him and a ragged moan escaped him as he was claimed by sleep.



THE DAYS MOVED SLOWLY. Tuck was never far from Grace’s thoughts but she restrained herself from calling him. She was giving him the time he wanted and it wasn’t easy. She stayed busy, though, waiting for his call, or some response from him.

April turned into May and Grace was working on a plan to have meals provided to all the parents who stayed by their children in the pediatric ward. She had another meeting with the CEO and he told her Brady was still a patient, so afterward she took a moment to check on Brady, Lisa and Keith.

She walked into the room and stopped dead. Barbara was gone and Molly’s crib was empty. Her heart fell to the pit of her stomach. Oh, no. Tears gathered in her eyes and she pushed them away. They’d probably gone home, that’s all.

As she tried to convince herself of that, the door opened and a bed was pushed inside with Molly in it—sitting up and looking around. Molly was awake! Barbara followed with a smile on her face.

Unable to stop herself, Grace grabbed Barbara and hugged her. “Molly’s awake. I’m so happy.”

Barbara’s arms tightened around Grace. “Thank you, Grace. It’s so good to see you. My baby’s going to be okay.”

Grace drew back and brushed away a tear. “I was so worried when I saw the empty bed.”

“We went for some tests.”

The nurse lifted Molly from the bed and the baby held out her arms for Barbara. “Mama,” she cried.

Barbara quickly took her child, holding her close. Molly’s head was still bandaged, but she looked fine and healthy.

“So everything is going to be okay?”

“The doctors think so. They’re running a battery of tests, but she’s talking and she knows her family. All good signs, the doctor said.”

“I’m so happy for you and Molly and your family.”

“Thank you.” Barbara sat in the recliner. “I’ve been getting a lot more rest since we got these wonderful chairs.” She gently rocked Molly, sparing Grace a glance. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

Another nurse entered the room preventing Grace from answering. She was grateful for that.

She turned to the nurse. “I came to see Brady and he’s not in his bed. Have the Templetons taken him home?”

The nurse looked up from the paper in her hand. “No. He’s in the playroom with Cathy, a nurse’s aide.” Her eyes narrowed. “And you are?”

Grace held out her hand. “Grace Whitten. My law firm represented the Templetons.”

“Natalie Dunbar, head nurse.”

“I’m surprised that Brady is still here.”

“He had a staph infection and the doctor ordered another round of antibiotics. He thought it was best to keep him in the hospital until he was completely well. Actually, the Templetons preferred it that way.” Something in Natalie’s eyes changed and Grace got the impression she did not like Lisa and Keith.

Nurse Dunbar turned to Barbara. “How did the test go?”

“Molly did great,” Barbara replied, kissing her baby’s cheek.

“Good. Marcie will take her vitals and if everything stays the same, it looks like you’ll be able to go home in a couple of days.”

Barbara smiled. “I know. It’s wonderful.”

Natalie looked at the paper in her hand. “I just got a call from the hospital administrator. Your meals will now be sent up from the cafeteria. Every mother on the ward will get their meals free. Not sure what’s going on, but it seems we have a benevolent benefactor.”

“It seems that way.” Barbara glanced at Grace. “It’s very generous and compassionate.”

Grace winked at her, not hiding it, but not admitting it, either. That would happen soon enough. She’d set up the Stephen Whitten Meal Fund to supply meals to parents who sat with their children around the clock. The news would be revealed to the media next week, but first she had to inform her father. She had a feeling he wasn’t going to have a problem with it.

The door opened and a nurse walked in, holding Brady. He was rubbing his eyes and Grace could see that he wasn’t feeling well. Her heart contracted. Where were Lisa and Keith?

The nurse placed him in his crib and Grace walked over to her. “Is he okay?” Grace asked.

“He’s just tired and ready for a nap,” the nurse replied. “I’ll go get him some juice.”

Nurse Dunbar followed the girl out and Grace turned her attention to Brady. “Hi, Brady.” He stared at her with dark, gorgeous eyes, clutching his stuffed dog. His hair was growing out and curling against his scalp. “Are you tired? Would you like for me to rock you?” Grace held out her hands, but Brady made no move toward her. He just kept watching her. She patted the mattress. “Lie down, Brady, and I’ll sing to you.”

Brady touched his eye.

Grace felt a catch in her throat. “Yes. You remember. I love those long eyelashes.”

Suddenly Brady ran toward her, his arms outstretched. Grace lifted him out and held him against her, her heart melting from the contact. She sank into the recliner, cuddling him close. “I’ll rub your back and sing you a lullaby. Okay?”

Brady touched her face and her throat muscles locked for a second.

“Hush, little Brady, don’t you cry. Grace is gonna sing you a lullaby.” As she started to sing, Brady rested his head against her chest. She sang on, rubbing his back until Brady’s eyes closed. She stood, gently placed him in his bed and covered him.

She turned to Barbara, her heart heavy and troubled. “What’s going on?”

“Like Natalie said, he’s had a staph infection, he’s been running a low-grade fever and he’s been sluggish, not his usual fighting self.”

“When was the last time Lisa and Keith were here?”

“Yesterday morning, but Lisa became ill again and they went home.”

“But what about Brady?”

“The nurses are taking very good care of him. When he’s awake, they keep him at the nurses’ station so they can watch him closely.”

This was unacceptable. She had to do something. The aide came back with the juice. “Oh, he’s asleep.”

“Yes,” Grace replied.

“I’ll save it for later. He’s always thirsty when he wakes up.”

As she walked out, Barbara said, “I think the stress is getting to Lisa. I don’t mean to be critical, but she’s having a hard time.”

“Something has to be done. This isn’t right.” She glanced toward the empty crib in the corner where the other baby had been.

“They removed his tube at the beginning of the week,” Barbara said.

“Oh.” A deep pain pierced her for all the abused children in the world. As she stood there she realized something about herself—she cared deeply for the unwanted children. She cared about kids and people. And she was going to make sure Brady had the very best care.

Lisa and Keith had a lot of explaining to do.



TUCK ROLLED OUT OF BED with a start. He’d overslept and he never did that. He hurriedly took a shower, shaved and dressed. He had to get to his office, then he’d promised to drive Dillon and Sheila to the bus station. They were leaving today. Damn. This late start was going to put him behind.

Dillon was quiet on the way to the station and he held on tight to Tuck for an extra second before he joined his mother boarding the bus. Tuck waved until the bus was out of sight. Saying goodbye was never easy, but he knew this goodbye had a happy ending. There weren’t enough of those.

As he crawled back into his car, his cell rang. It was Gladys Upchurch.

“Ranger Tucker, I’m so worried.”

“What is it?”

“Micah left for school, but the principal just called and he’s not there. I don’t know where he could be.”

“Did anything happen?”

“Some kids in school are picking on him, calling him a killer’s son, and he has a hard time dealing with that. I’m worried, Ranger Tucker. He’s never run off before.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Upchurch. I’ll find him and bring him home.”

“Thank you. I knew I could depend on you.”

He clicked off. That’s who he was—someone who was there for these kids who had no one else. Someone they could depend on. Sitting there staring at the sunbeams reflecting off the hood of his car he knew there was nothing in his genes that would ever change that trait in him. Eli had told him that, and Grace had, too. But he couldn’t allow himself to believe them. He was still struggling.

He was still feeling the pain.



IN HER CAR GRACE CALLED her office for messages before going to Lisa and Keith’s home.

“Oh, Ms. Whitten,” Nina said. “I’m glad you checked in. Mr. Templeton has called three times. He wants to see you. He said it’s urgent.”

She wanted to see him, too. “Call him back and tell him I’ll be at his house in about twenty minutes.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

With the heavy traffic, it took Grace exactly twenty minutes to reach Lisa and Keith’s home, an English Tudor in an exclusive neighborhood. Grace hurried up the walk and rang the doorbell.

Keith opened it immediately. “Grace. I’m so glad you came. Lisa’s in the bedroom.”

Grace glanced around the tastefully decorated house and didn’t see any toys or anything to indicate a child was going to live here. She followed Keith through the foyer, formal living room, a hall and into a spacious bedroom. Lisa lay in bed propped up against pillows in a silk peignoir similar to the one Grace had bought.

“Oh, my, are you ill?”

“No, Grace,” Lisa replied. “I’m really fine. Have a seat.”

Keith brought a Queen Anne chair and Grace eased into it, not having a clue what was going on especially since they both were smiling.

“You look wonderful, as always,” Lisa said, perusing Grace’s suit and shoes.

“Thank you,” she replied. “What’s going on, Lisa? I just left the hospital and Brady really needs you.”

Lisa chewed on her lip. “I haven’t been feeling well and…and I wanted to explain to you first.”

“What?”

Lisa let out a bubbly laugh. “We’re pregnant.”

“Oh, how wonderful! Brady will have a little brother or sister.”

The joy on Lisa’s face vanished. “That’s what we wanted to talk about. To carry this baby to full term the doctor has ordered complete bed rest. I can only go to the bathroom. I’m stuck here for the duration.” She hesitated. “We won’t be able to take Brady now.”

“What!” Grace was immediately on her feet. “Why not?”

“We have to think of our own child,” Keith said.

“Brady is supposed to be your child,” Grace pointed out. “You’ve been visiting him, forming a bond, a connection. Now you’re just going to walk out on him?”

“We have no choice, Grace.” Keith’s voice rose. “Brady’s very aggressive and he could hit Lisa in the stomach and cause her to lose the baby. We have to be very careful. I’m sorry.”

“Ranger Tucker can have him now,” Lisa said.

Grace was shocked at Lisa’s sheer audacity and she wanted to slap her. She found she had to restrain herself to keep from doing so. “So just hand Brady off to the next available parent? I’m sure that will be very good for his self-esteem.”

“I’m sorry we let you down.” Lisa tied the tiny pink bow on her bed jacket.

“I am, too, Lisa. And I’m really sorry you let Brady down.” She started for the door and Keith followed.

“Should we call Ann Demott or what?”

“I’ll take care of it,” she flung over her shoulder.

“Grace.”

But Grace wasn’t listening. She walked stoically to the front door and let herself out.

Back in her car she called Tuck. He had to be the first one to know this. No answer. She left a message for him to call her as soon as possible. She drove directly to the Whitten Firm, spoke to Ann, and then called Judge Farnsworth. No way in hell was she letting anyone take Brady from Tuck now.

After that she called Beau, making sure she had all her bases covered. Everything was in place, except Tuck. Why wasn’t he calling her back?

Where was he?



ON A HUNCH TUCK DROVE over to Patterson Park. It wasn’t far from Micah’s house and the boy went there a lot to fool around. As Tuck drove up, he saw him sitting under a large oak tree, his backpack beside him.

He parked his car and walked over to him.

“My grandmother call you?” Micah asked without looking up.

“Yep.” Tuck eased down beside him. “She’s worried. I am, too. Why didn’t you go to school?”

“I’m never going back there. The kids call me names, bad names, and I can’t handle it anymore. I’m running away, but I haven’t made up my mind where to go yet.”

“I see.” Tuck drew up his knees and rested his forearms on them. “My Pa used to say that running never solved anything. Now, he was a big John Wayne fan and Mr. Wayne’s motto was to stand and fight.”

“I don’t want to fight. I hate fighting.” He buried his head on his knees.

“Fighting doesn’t have to be physical. It’s an inner strength of facing these bullies every day and letting them see that their taunts are not affecting you. Never react to them and soon they’ll tire of their little games.”

“It makes me angry when they call me a killer’s son.”

A wound opened inside Tuck. It made him angry to be a rapist’s son.

He clenched his hands, concentrating on Micah instead of himself. “It’s okay to be angry. We all are at some point in our lives, but in your case you can channel all that emotion into your fastball. For someone your age, you throw a fastball better than anyone I’ve ever seen.”

Micah raised his head. “You think so?”

“Sure. Stay in school, get good grades, keep playing sports and a college scholarship is just waiting for you. After that, the sky is the limit.”

“But everyone thinks I’m a bad person because of what my father did to…”

“I don’t.”

Micah didn’t answer, just picked at the grass.

To help Micah, Tuck knew he had to bare a part of his soul, a part that was as alien to him as anything he’d ever felt. He had to do it, though.

But could he? He suddenly saw Grace’s face and it gave him strength. Courage.

He clenched his hands tighter. “Do you think I’m a bad person?”

Micah looked at him. “No, you’re the best person I know.”

“I’m going to tell you something I’ve never told another human being.”

“What?” Micah’s eyes grew big.

Tuck’s fingers turned numb. “My biological father was a rapist.”

Micah’s eyes grew bigger, if that was possible.

“So do you think I’m a bad person because of what my father did?”

“No. No.” Micah threw himself at Tuck. “You’re the best.”

Tuck held him for a moment, then drew back looking into Micah’s tear-filled eyes. “You see, we have certain genes from our parents, but that doesn’t make us our parents. We’re each a unique individual and we know right from wrong. Our behavior, attitudes and actions determine our destiny.”

As he said the words he knew they were true. Never in his life had he committed a violent act and learning the truth about his father wasn’t going to change that.

“Yeah,” Micah echoed in barely a whisper.

“You keep practicing that fastball and one day I’ll be watching you play in the major leagues.” Tuck ruffled his hair. “Let’s go get a burger and fries and then I’ll take you to school.”

Micah jumped to his feet. “I’m going to be strong, Tuck, just like you.”

Just don’t be blind like me.

When Tuck left the school, he checked his messages. Grace had called four times. He wondered what she wanted. Without hesitation, he called her back, but didn’t get an answer. Now they’d play phone tag.

He had to testify at a murder trial in the afternoon. Afterward he had a meeting with the assistant D.A. to go over some details, and then he went home to change. He was going to see Grace. He’d been in limbo too long. A part of him was helping kids; the other part was loving Grace. He suddenly had a need to tell her that.

For the first time in days he felt alive again.



WHEN TUCK PULLED INTO his driveway, Grace’s car was parked behind his truck. He drove into the carport, placed his hat on the seat and got out, wondering why she was here. But he didn’t care. He was just happy to see her.

She opened her car door and slipped out, Sam in her arms. The con artist was glad to see her, too. In a power suit and heels, dog hairs on her blouse and jacket, she looked great. The wind tossed her hair across her face and she flipped it back as she made her way to within a couple of feet of him. A sudden warmth flooded his body.

They stared at each other for a full ten seconds. His eyes feasted on her. God, he’d missed her. He’d been going through his daily routine, but it wasn’t the same. His life wasn’t the same without her. She’d said it was okay to have a life, to fall in love.

Had he ruined all hope of that?

“How are you?” she finally asked, and that concerned voice broke through the barriers he’d erected around his heart.

“I’m fine. I’m coming to grips with everything.”

“I’m glad.”

Somehow they’d reverted back to the tense conversations they used to have and that hurt—because he was the cause of it.

“I’ve been trying to reach you for most of the day,” she added.

“I returned your call and left a message.”

“I got it a little while ago and thought I’d come out here in person to tell you.”

His first thought was of Eli, Caroline and Jesse. Had something happened? Fear tugged at his insides.

“What happened?”

“The Templetons are pregnant and have withdrawn their petition for custody of Brady.”

“What!” Had he heard her correctly?

“The Templetons no longer want Brady.”

“My God.” He swiped a hand through his hair. “I have to call Beau and go…” He frowned. “Where is Brady?”

“He’s still at the hospital.”

“Why?”

“He’s had a staph infection and is running a low-grade fever. They just finished another round of antibiotics. At the time, the doctor thought it best to keep him there.”

“Didn’t the Templetons want to take him home?”

“Lisa been sick a lot lately from the pregnancy, and I don’t think she was up to caring for him.”

“Damn it. So Brady’s all alone?”

“No. The nurses are taking very good care of him and I’ve been there most of the day. I’ve also spoken with the doctor and he feels the staph infection is now under control and Brady is ready to go home.”

He reached for his cell phone. “I have to call Beau.”

“I’ve already called Beau and I’m taking over the case. It’s okay with him if it’s okay with you. I just need your approval. I’ve already spoken with Judge Farnsworth and after applying a little pressure she’s put the hearing on the docket for Monday at one o’clock. She also agreed not to accept any more petitions for Brady.”

He watched her closely. “Thanks.”

“I’m so sorry for what the Templetons have done and I have to make this right—for Brady and for you.”

“You certainly have things rolling.”

“I just need your approval to go forward.”

As he stared into her green eyes he knew without any doubts that she still loved him. She was doing everything in her power to make sure he and Brady were together. But that wasn’t enough now. He and Brady needed her. So many times he thought he could do this alone, but Brady needed a mother. His friends’ wives were right. Brady needed something that Tuck couldn’t give him, but then again, he could.

“You have it,” he replied, realizing she was waiting for his answer. Dealing with the lowest part of his life, he thought he was unworthy of love. Today proved him wrong. Spending time with his little brothers made him see that. Everyone was worthy of love, even him. As he’d told Micah, each person can control their own destiny. And he intended to do that.

She turned to go back to her car and he wanted to say so many things. But “I’m sorry” and “Please forgive me” seemed stuck in his throat.

“Grace.”

She glanced at him.

Sam was still clutched in her arms. “You have my dog.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.” She placed Sam on the ground. “Bye, Sam.”

“Grace.”

She looked up.

“I’m sorry I hurt you.” They stared at each other and he hoped she saw all the regrets in his eyes. He hoped she saw the love.

“Me, too,” she replied, and continued to her car.

Most of his adult life he’d been searching for a woman to love and accept him for who he was. He’d finally found her. Grace had told him that all he needed was their love. She’d been right. He had to tell her. And he had to do it now or he was going to lose her. “Grace.”

She stopped, but didn’t turn around and his heart stilled in his chest.

Grace took a deep breath, fighting for strength. Please, let me go. He’d asked for time and she was trying very hard to give him that, but if she looked into his eyes one more time she was going to throw herself at him.

“I love you.” The words came low and husky and sounded better than any Brahms she’d ever heard.

She whirled around, stared into his love-filled eyes and took off running, in high heels, which was something she didn’t do well. She tripped and fell into his arms and he swung her round and round until she was dizzy—dizzy with happiness. Dizzy in love.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” he whispered a moment before his lips claimed hers. The pain and the sadness faded away.

When they came up for air, she stroked his face, his hair. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He kissed her gently. “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

“I’ll never give up on you, Jeremiah Tucker.” Her tongue stroked his lower lip. “I love you.”

He groaned and kissed her deeply. After a moment, he took her hand. “Let’s go inside and talk.”

She followed. She’d follow him anywhere.

Inside Grace felt that comfort and peace she’d found here. She didn’t intend to ever let it go again.

Tuck walked to one of the boxes, knelt down and rummaged through it. Grace knelt beside him. Pulling out a small box, he looked at her.

“Grace Whitten, will you marry me? Will you be Brady’s mother? Will you be the mother of any children we decide to have?”

She bit her lip. “Are you saying…”

“I’m saying I want a life, a complete life with you. You did say I had a right to take some back and a right to fall in love.”

“Yes. Yes.” Tears filled her eyes from sheer joy.

“I’m ready to do that, so will you marry me for better or worse?” He held up the box. “These are my parents’ wedding bands. I’d like for us to use them if it’s okay with you.”

“Yes. Yes. If you don’t kiss me soon, I’m going to start blubbering like an idiot.” She threw herself at him and they tumbled onto the area rug, locked in each other’s arms.

He kissed her until there was no more sadness, no more pain. Grace lost herself in the joy of being back in his arms, in his life. Finally Tuck scooted up against his recliner and pulled Grace onto his lap.

She stroked his hair. “You said you’ve come to grips with everything.”

He turned his head and kissed her hand. “I’m sorry I hurt you, but I’ve never felt that desolate before.”

“And now?”

He told her about Micah. “He was just feeling so much pain and I knew I had to share my pain for him to understand he wasn’t a bad person because of what his father had done.”

“And it helped you to understand that you weren’t a bad person?”

“Yes. I could see it so clearly.”

“All the love you’ve given these boys saved you.”

He kissed her cheek. “In a way. To help Micah I knew I had to accept the circumstances of my birth, to accept that I was still the same man these boys depended on and was always there for them. I had to open up and share to completely accept it, to believe I was worthy of a life and all that it entailed.” He caressed her arm. “But it wasn’t Micah’s, Dillon’s or Pablo’s faces I saw at the end of that long, dark tunnel of pain. It was yours. Seeing your face in my mind gave me the strength to do it.”

She buried her face in his neck, her arms wrapped around him, and Tuck felt an indescribable peace. “Beau told me once he hoped I found an incredibly selfless woman to share my dream. I just found an incredible woman.”

“Ah. Thank you. I’m so sorry you were hurt like that,” she whispered against his skin. “But I had to give you time like you’d asked for and for a bossy, pushy woman that wasn’t easy.”

“Hey. You’re talking about the woman I love. She’s concerned and enthusiastic.”

“Mmm. I like that.” She raised her head. “Is Micah okay?”

“Yes. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him.”

“Oh.” Her eyes grew bright. “Molly woke up.”

“Is she going to be okay?”

“They think so.” She glanced at her watch. “We’d better go. I don’t want to leave Brady too long.”

They rose to their feet and Tuck slipped his arms around her, twirling her around the room. He stopped, buried his face in her hair, just holding her. “I wish we had time to…dance.”

“Me, too,” she groaned as he kissed her ear. “But later…we’ll…have plenty of time…later.”

He grinned and took her hand, walking toward the back door.

Suddenly he thought of something that had to be done. He went to the mantel for a small knife Pa used to carve the names on the table.

“Come here,” he said as he moved toward the kitchen table. “We’re going to carve your name in a place of honor.”

He wrapped his arms around her from behind and guided her hand as they etched Grace next to Tuck. “That’s forever,” he murmured, kissing her cheek.

She trembled and turned into the circle of his arms. “Forever.”



WHEN THEY REACHED the hospital, Jennifer told them Brady was in the playroom and they quickly made their way there. Brady, in a gown and socks, squatted on the floor, pushing a toy truck around.

“Hey, buddy,” Tuck said.

Brady glanced up and his eyes grew big, his mouth forming an O. Today there was no anger in those eyes, they were bright and clear. Quickly Brady stood and turned away. Tuck didn’t know what he was doing until Brady reached for a ball and rolled it his way.

Tuck swallowed the lump in his throat. Brady remembered. He picked up the ball and walked to Brady. Squatting in front of him, Tuck said, “How are you, buddy?”

Brady just stared at him.

“I’ve been gone for a while, but I promise from now on I will always come back. You can count on that. Do you understand that?”

Brady continued to stare at him.

“If you understand, nod your head,” Tuck prompted, nodding his head.

Brady moved his head up and down.

“Good, Brady.” He was responding and Tuck felt joy spiral through him. “Is it okay if I hug you?”

Brady kept nodding and Tuck lifted him into his arms, holding him tight. Brady laid his head on Tuck’s shoulder and he knew he and Brady were meant to be together.

Just as he and Grace were.

She’d filled an empty place in his life and in his soul.

Grace wrapped her arms around them.

Now they would be a family.



THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS were hectic as they took turns staying with Brady, never leaving him alone. Eli, Caroline and the McCains chipped in and helped to get the house ready for Brady. It became a family effort.

He and Grace had decided to get married before the custody hearing. They wanted to be a complete family before they brought Brady home.

On Monday, Tuck dressed in his best suit and dancing boots. He was getting married today. He was becoming a father today.

He took a moment to savor that, embrace it and to remember the wonderful gifts he’d been given in his life. Those gifts made him the man he was today. Not the least of those was Grace. He now knew why he felt a need to keep her at arm’s length when they’d first met. Because subconsciously he’d recognized she had the power to change him. And he resisted change. Now he was ready to accept the future and to live life to the fullest. With Grace. And with Brady.

He slipped his parents’ rings into his pocket and stopped for a moment in Brady’s room. Grace had made a quick trip with Caroline, picking out what she’d wanted for the room. Elise, Josie, Macy, Eli, Jake, Caleb and Beau had taken it from there.

A new three-quarter bed of maple wood, with a side rail, dresser and chest were there. One wall was brick red, the others khaki. The bed linens were red and green with horses and cowboys on them. The trim on the sheets was like a red bandana, as it was on the comforter. Horses and cowboys were also on the wide red bandana border on the ceiling. A rocking horse sat in one corner and a large toy box filled to the brim with every toy imaginable in another. Stuffed animals littered the bed. The room was perfect for Brady.

Not for the first time he realized that he had an incredible extended family. Brady was going to love them.

Just as he did.

DNA did not make a family—love did. And he was going to make sure Brady felt that from now on.

He straightened his tie, getting ready for the best day of his life.



TUCK PACED in the judge’s chambers. It was almost one. Where was Grace? He couldn’t believe how nervous he was.

The door opened and she walked in dressed in a white suit with a flower in her hair. She looked more beautiful than he’d ever seen her.

“Wow! You look great. May I kiss the bride?”

“Not yet.” Her eyes twinkled. “Later we’re going home and getting reacquainted.”

“I can hardly wait.”

“Me, neither.” She smiled, but that was all the time they had as the bailiff announced Judge Farnsworth’s arrival.

He took her hand and they walked forward.

The judge took her seat. “Ms. Whitten, this is quite an unusual twist.”

“Yes, Your Honor, it is. But a very happy one.”

“Thank you for agreeing to marry us on such short notice,” Tuck said.

“Ranger Tucker, after all that’s happened I’m inclined to grant you anything within reason. And I’m a big fan of romance.”

Grace’s heart was about to soar out of her chest, then the door opened at the back of the room and Jennifer stepped in with Brady in her arms. Opal, the caseworker, was behind them.

She glanced at Tuck with a lifted eyebrow.

“Thank you, Your Honor, for allowing Brady to come here today,” he said.

Oh, she loved this man.

“Normally I wouldn’t,” Judge Farnsworth replied. “But this is a happy occasion and I’m anxious to meet this young man.”

Grace saw Eli and Caroline ease into the room followed by her parents, Jake and Elise, Caleb and Josie, Beau and Macy. All their family and friends were here to share their happiness.

Tuck looked at her. “We couldn’t get married without our family.”

She touched his loving face. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“You can show me later.” He grinned.

Brady had had enough. He wiggled in Jennifer’s arms, shouting, “No, no, no,” trying to get down. Tuck nodded at Jennifer and she set him on his feet. Brady toddled quickly to Tuck, wrapping his arms around Tuck’s legs. Tuck lifted him into his arms and they faced the judge.

Eli and Caroline strolled forward. “We’re maid of honor and best man,” Eli said.

Joanna ran forward with a white bouquet. “She has to have a bouquet,” Joanna said.

“By all means,” the judge replied.

“Do you mind if I take pictures?” Caroline asked, holding up her camera.

The judge nodded and glanced toward the back. “Congressman Whitten, are you taking part in this ceremony?”

“You bet.” Stephen walked to stand by his wife. “Normally I would give the bride away, but my daughter is a strong, independent woman and she doesn’t need me to give her away. So I’ll just give her and Tuck my blessing.”

“Thank you, Daddy.” A bubble of laughter escaped Grace’s throat and she thought she was going to burst with pure happiness. She got it right this time and she was going to love Jeremiah Tucker for the rest of her life.

Tuck reached for Grace’s hand while holding Brady in his other arm. Brady made a dive for Grace and she caught him and clutched him tightly, tears filling her eyes.

Looking into Grace’s brimming eyes he repeated vows he would keep for the rest of his life as he slipped his mother’s gold band onto her finger. He had a family and he would cherish that every moment of every day.

He’d once told Eli that he and Grace could work out their problems. He now knew with certainty they could. Whatever the future held, they would work at it together.

Like a family should.

EPILOGUE
Eight months later…

DECEMBER WAS WARM and festive in Waco. The home of Althea and Andrew Wellman reflected the cheer of the season, but the McCain family wasn’t gathered to celebrate the holidays. They’d gathered at the home of Jake’s, Beau’s and Caleb’s mom and stepfather to celebrate new life.

Brett Andrew had been born to Caleb and Josie. Faith Jane had been born to Beau and Macy. Both babies were healthy and basking in the glow of their loved ones. Today the babies had been christened and their grandparents honored them with a catered barbecue.

The whole family and the in-laws gathered. Boone Beckett, Cousin Ashley, Lencha and Gertie were there for Josie. Macy’s mother, Irene, and her father, Ted, were there with their respective spouses. The Stephen Whittens, Aunt Vin and Elise’s mom were also there. No one had been left out.

Since the weather was so nice the Wellmans had the dinner outside under the live oak trees. Later in the week, the temperature was forecasted to drop into the thirties. But today they’d been blessed with a beautiful day.

Tables with white linens dotted the backyard. White roses with baby’s breath adorned each table. More flowers decorated the covered patio where two white lacy bassinets sat. The women were “oohing” and “aahing” over the infants. The men clustered together, talking sports, mostly about upcoming Bowl games.

The kids played in the yard. Jesse, Zoe and Brady sat in a wagon and Ben pulled while Katie pushed the smaller kids around. Bandy, the Wellman’s dog, barked and played with them.

Tuck watched his son. Brady had adjusted so well over the past few months. He didn’t bite or hit anymore and he was now saying words. Once he started talking, they couldn’t seem to stop him. Nor did they want to. Daddy and Mommy were favorite words around their house. Even though Brady was a little older, he and Jesse were becoming very good friends. They would grow up as best friends, just as Tuck and Eli had.

All of Brady’s progress was due to Grace. He couldn’t have done it alone. He could admit that now. Never again would he want to do anything alone. It was so much better with Grace—a woman he loved with all his heart.

The remodel on their house was now completed and they had a larger master bedroom and an extra bedroom and bath downstairs. Upstairs they’d added a bath and a large playroom. It was now their house, made that much more special because they’d done it together.

Grace only worked half days and some days not even that. Brady stayed in the day care while she was at the office. Brady was learning that his parents would always come back.

Stephen had won the election, but after this term he planned to retire. At that time, Stephen and Grace would sit down and make a decision about the firm. Tuck and Grace had talked at length about this. He wanted her to do whatever would make her happy and he knew she would probably never completely leave the firm. That was fine with him. He didn’t want her to give up something she’d worked so hard to achieve.

He’d always thought of Grace as perfect and she was as close to perfect, in his mind, as one could get. She was now on the board at the hospital and she also volunteered her attorney services for an advocacy program for abused and battered children. She wore many hats and did every job wholeheartedly, most of the time with Brady on her hip.

Every day he loved her more, if that were possible. She kept in touch with Barbara and they had visited Molly several times at home. He now saw that Grace had a need to help others. He had never seen that in her before. Opal had called about a little girl who had been beaten by her stepfather. She had multiple injuries plus a broken leg. Opal wanted to know if they could keep her until the grandmother arrived from Tennessee.

Tuck hesitated, but Grace said to bring her. The child was nervous and frightened, but Grace made her feel at ease. She held her, hugged her, kissed her and made her feel loved. Grace had to bathe her, help her dress and take her to the bathroom. Not once did she complain. He’d watched Grace with love in his heart so big that it completed him in ways he’d never imagined. He’d found the perfect woman—for him.

At first, Brady didn’t take this new child in their lives too well, but Grace had a way of making him understand that Kayla needed them. She had him carrying Kayla’s food or getting things for her. She made him part of helping the little girl.

When Kayla’s grandmother arrived, Kayla didn’t want to leave. They all had tears in their eyes as they said goodbye.

After that, they agreed to take children who needed a place to stay for a few days. Emergency cases like Kayla. When Brady was older, they would look further into helping more children. They made decisions as a team and it was working well. At night when he held her, he knew he had everything he’d ever wanted. More than he’d ever planned.

Grace stood on the patio, peering into a bassinet with Caroline, but her eyes never strayed too far from Brady. Stephen was now pulling the wagon while Ben pushed. Katie ran to look at the babies.

Stephen stopped and squatted in the grass, talking to the kids. All three kids giggled and toppled out into Stephen’s arms. Joanna hurried to help. She picked up Brady, hugging and kissing him. Stephen and Joanna treated Jesse and Brady equally and Tuck and Grace were very grateful for that. Brady now had grandparents.

Caroline glanced at Macy. “May I hold Faith?”

“Of course,” Macy replied. “She loves to be held. Beau is spoiling her rotten.”

Caroline carefully lifted Faith out of the bassinet. “Eli, come look at this angel.”

“Oh, no, I’m not falling for that. There’s yours.” He pointed to Jesse, who was now rolling around on the grass with Brady.

“He’s getting so big. Hold Faith. Just for a minute,” Caroline pleaded.

“Hey, what’s wrong with Brett?” Caleb asked, lifting his son into his arms.

“He’s adorable,” Caroline replied. “But I have one of those.”

“You’re damn right he’s adorable,” Boone, Josie’s grandfather said. “He has Beckett blood.” He reached for a cigar in his pocket.

Gertie, a cousin of Andrew Wellman, snatched the cigar out of his mouth. “Like that’s something to be proud of.”

“Give me my damn cigar, woman,” Boone snapped.

“Act your age, Boone,” Lencha, Josie’s mother’s friend and Boone’s worst enemy, piped in. “And stop using bad language.”

“Don’t start with me, Lencha.”

“Enough.” Josie held up a hand. “This is our son’s christening and I expect good manners from everyone. And I mean everyone.” She looked directly at Boone.

“Ah, all right.” Boone slumped in his chair.

“Thank you,” Josie said.

“We all appreciate it,” Ashley piped in, kissing her grandfather’s cheek.

Caroline placed Faith in Eli’s arms. “Oh, my,” Eli said. “She’s light as a feather. I don’t think Jesse was ever this light.”

“Daddy, Daddy,” Zoe called. “Get me.” She held out her arms, waiting for Beau.

“Ah, three women always wanting my attention,” Beau joked on his way to Zoe. He swung her up in his arms and kissed her. “How’s my baby?” She wore pink ribbons in her pigtails to go with her new dress.

Jesse and Brady ran toward the house, their shirttails hanging out of their pants and grass and dirt stains on their clothes. Jesse looked up at Eli with the baby and said, “Daddy, me, me, me.”

“See, Caroline. I’ve got a problem here.”

“Let me have Faith,” Irene said, and Eli gladly handed off the baby and picked up Jesse.

Brady ran straight to Grace and held up his arms. “Mommy, Mommy.” She lifted him, kissing his flushed cheek.

“Is my baby tired?”

Brady buried his face in Grace’s neck. “I tired, Mommy.”

Tuck immediately went to her side. “Let me have him.”

She smiled at him and his heart wobbled. “I’m fine.”

Tuck held out his hands. “Come to Daddy.”

“Daddy.” Brady leaped into his arms.

Stephen and Joanna strolled leisurely to the patio. Tuck looked at his wife. “Do you want to do it now?”

She stroked his face. “You’re just dying to tell everyone, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” He kissed her fingers. “Everyone, I’d like to make a toast.”

“We need beer, then,” Jake said, and handed Tuck a glass. Elise gave Grace a glass of tea and between the two of them they made sure everyone had something.

“Can I…toast, too, Mommy?” Ben asked.

“Yes, baby,” Elise replied. “I’ll get fruit juice for you and Katie.”

When Elise had handed the kids drinks, Jake took her hand. Ben and Katie stood in front of them.

Everyone waited.

“I know what this is about,” Eli said. “You and Grace have decided to adopt another child.”

“No, that’s not it.” Tuck shook his head.

Caroline slipped an arm around her husband’s waist. “Let him talk.”

Tuck raised his glass. “Here’s to family, love and happiness. I’ve experienced all three firsthand as a husband and as a father. It’s better than I’d ever imagined.”

Everyone made to touch their drinks together. “I’m not finished,” he said in a rush.

“Tuck, I’ve never known you to be long-winded,” Beau said, holding Zoe with an arm around Macy, who now held baby Faith.

“That’s Beau’s department.” Caleb laughed, laying his son gently into his bassinet and wrapping both arms around Josie.

“Be nice,” Althea said to her sons. “Let Tuck finish.”

“Here’s to new babies, new beginnings and new lives.” He took a deep breath. “And here’s to the new baby we’re expecting in June.”

“Hot damn, now isn’t that something?” Eli said. “I told you. I told you it would happen.”

Stephen and Joanna rushed forward to hug Grace and Tuck.

“Andrew, we need champagne,” Althea said to her husband.

“Yes, dear.” Andrew disappeared into the house.

They were bombarded with well wishes, hugs and love. This was family and they had endured the good and the bad times. Their bond would sustain each of them through the future and make them stronger. Tuck was now a part of it.

Glancing toward the sky, he knew three angels were watching over him. The fourth angel was there, too. He’d come to terms with his biological father. He had an inner peace about his past. These days there were no doubts or insecurities about who he was. He was a husband, a father, a friend and a Texas Ranger.

He wrapped an arm around Grace, his fingers resting on her slightly swelling stomach. In the other arm, he held Brady.

He had it all.