Chapter Seventeen
When they arrived at the bakery on Friday afternoon, Travis was happy to see so many of his friends there. He’d looked forward to coming home for a long time, but he hadn’t realized how much he’d enjoy life back in the valley.
He’d missed Ace, Deacon, and Emmett – and Trip, most of all. But he hadn’t realized how much he’d love spending time with the younger MacFarlands as well. He’d known them all their lives, but they were just kids when he left. They’d grown into a great bunch of people who he was proud to call friends in their own right.
Tanner greeted him with a smile when they reached the booth. “Hey, Trav. Hi, Retta. How’s the leg? Are you going to be okay in your wheelchair or do we need to do some rearranging?”
Travis was glad when she shook her head and said, “I’m fine to stay in my chair, thanks.”
For one thing, there were far too many of them for he and Retta to take up too much space by sitting with her on his lap with her leg up on the seat again. For another, he didn’t think it’d be wise to sit with her like that while they were with company. It’d been getting harder and harder for him to stop his mind from straying to the day when he’d finally get to make love to her. He didn’t like the idea of having to hide a hard on while he chatted with their friends.
He positioned her wheelchair at the head of the table and grabbed a chair from a nearby table so that he could sit next to her. Ace grinned at him when he took her hand.
“It’s good to see you,” Ari said to Retta. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing great, thanks. I’ve been keeping myself busy working on the cabins.”
“You’ve been more than busy,” said Ty. “You’re working wonders. I was shocked when I saw the place this morning.”
Retta smiled happily. “Thanks. I just hope I’m creating the right kind of feeling.”
“You are,” Ty assured her. “Like I told you this morning, I was a bit worried at first when Trav told me that you were going to work on making the cabins feel cozy. I thought whatever you did might be a bit … much, but you found the perfect balance.”
Travis grinned. He had no right to – the magic that Retta was working on the cabins was no reflection on him – but he felt incredibly proud of her.
Deacon grinned back at him. “So, you got yourself an interior designer, huh?”
“I wouldn’t say that,” said Retta. “I just …” She shrugged.
“It’s all right, darlin’,” Travis told her. “He’s just having a dig at me. We all know that I don’t exactly have the domestic touch.”
Ace laughed. “Trav was always more the bare bones kind of guy. The rest of us all had at least a photo or something personal in our space. Wherever he stayed, it looked the same while he was living there as it did on the day he arrived and the day he left.”
Retta gave him a puzzled look, and he shrugged. “It’s true.”
“But the house is lovely.”
He chuckled. “It is, and I’m grateful to the previous owners that they were happy to sell it furnished.”
“Oh! I didn’t know that.”
Ty patted Travis’s shoulder. “You just have different priorities, right?”
“Yeah, I do.” He smiled at Retta. “And I might not know how to make a place feel like a home, but I know that having you in it does.”
“Aww.” Her hand came up to cover her heart.
Trip laughed. “You want to watch yourself, Retta. He’s a charmer.”
“I’m aware. But you can’t tell me that you don’t love him for it.”
Trip met his gaze. “I can’t. I love him to pieces, and we all know it – even when I should be mad at him.”
Travis raised his eyebrows. He and Trip had played telephone tag since Sunday, but they hadn’t managed to talk yet. He didn’t want to ask what Trip was mad about – didn’t want to bring up the subject of Shelly if Trip didn’t want to go there.
“What did you do, Trav?” asked Ace.
He shrugged. “I dunno.”
“Oh, I think you do,” said Trip. He didn’t look too upset.
Retta gave him a worried look. “Are you mad at me, too?”
Trip smiled at her. “Of course not, sweetheart. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m only playing with him. He put me in an awkward position was all.”
“And you weren’t happy about it?” Travis asked.
“Can you stop talking in riddles and explain what’s going on?” asked Deacon.
Trip laughed. “No, we can leave the conversation here and move on instead. Or better yet, who still needs to order? We might as well have our coffee and pastries.”
Ace and Ari, and Ty and Shayna already had their coffee. Libby arrived, and a few moments after her, Kolby and Callie showed up. Travis loved seeing the way Retta and her daughter greeted each other. The love between them was unmistakable.
After much shuffling and debating, everyone was finally seated, and Tanner went to the counter to put in their order. When he came back, Candy was with him, and Spider came, bearing a second tray.
As he sipped his coffee and tore a corner off his Danish, Travis watched everyone chatting and laughing. Ace and Ari were deep in conversation with Ty – Ty kept an eye on Ari’s daughter, Nessa, and it seemed that she had some new guy in her life. Ari seemed to think that Ty might know more about him than she did.
Candy and Libby had their heads together, no doubt scheming over something or other – the two of them were thick as thieves. Deacon leaned back so that they could talk over him and winked at Travis over their heads.
Trip was talking to Janey about something. Travis just hoped that it wasn’t about old man MacFarland. None of the siblings visited their father in the hospital anymore, but Janey had been the last one to give up on him. It wouldn’t surprise Travis if she still kept tabs on him through Trip.
Kolby, Ty, and Tanner were laughing together, and the sound of it made Travis chuckle with them. It reminded him of when they were just little kids. Their father had made those boys’ lives a living hell much of the time, but you’d often see the three of them laughing and joking together – they were resilient in the face of adversity, you had to give them that.
Callie was talking a mile a minute with Ty’s girl, Shayna. She was another one who’d proved to be resilient. Travis had liked her from the moment he met her. She was a good kid, and a hard worker. When she’d been taken, he’d searched the mountains for her with everyone else, his heart breaking for her and Ty the whole time. When she was found, he worried that she might not be the same after what happened to her. She’d been battered and bruised for a while, but she’d bounced right back to herself in no time.
He looked over at Retta and smiled when he saw Laney squatting on the other side of her wheelchair. He hadn’t seen much of her and Luke since he came back, but he had a soft spot for that girl. She was a fighter if ever there was one.
She grinned when she saw him watching. “What’s up, Trav?”
“Everything’s peachy in my world; how about you, Laney Lou?”
“Yeah. All’s well in my world, too. I was just telling Retta that you guys should come over and have dinner with Luke and me one night.”
“Thanks, kiddo. We’ll have to see what we can do.”
Laney made a face at Retta. “See, I told you he’d say something like that.” She looked at Travis. “I’m not expecting a return invitation. It’s not like that. We just want to hang out with you guys and catch up.”
Retta squeezed his hand. “I’d like that.”
He gave them a rueful smile. “I’m not trying to put you off.”
“I know! You’re just trying to conform to some social norm that doesn’t mean shit,” Laney told him with a grin. “No one around here does anything just because ‘it’s the way it’s done’ or because you’re ‘supposed to,’ least of all me. It seems pretty dumb to let that get in the way of catching up with someone who you’ve missed.”
“She’s right,” said Retta. “And if you think about it, I’m going to want to invite people to dinner all the time once I’m back on my feet, so why not get a head start on going out now?”
“Okay. We’ll set something up.”
“Am I invited, too?” Travis looked up when Tanner spoke – he hadn’t noticed that he was standing behind him.
Laney laughed. “Of course you are.”
Travis gave her a puzzled look, but then it hit him – Luke might be Laney’s fiancé now, but he’d always been Tanner’s best friend.
“Do you have a girlfriend?” Retta asked him.
It was an innocent enough question, but Travis and Laney laughed.
“Ignore them,” Tanner told Retta as he edged Laney out of the way so that he could squat down by the wheelchair.
Retta patted his hand. “I don’t know what the joke is, but it seems to me that if you wanted a girlfriend, you’d have one, right?”
Laney laughed. “That’s his trouble. He doesn’t want a girlfriend – he prefers to keep playing the field.”
Travis was surprised to see a look of irritation cross Tanner’s face before he smiled at Retta again.
“There’s no hurry, sweetie. If you’re enjoying sowing your oats, then good for you.”
Tanner shrugged. “I’ve enjoyed playing the game for a long time.”
Hmm. Travis decided that he’d need to have a chat with Tan at some point soon. By the looks of it, he’d guess that playing the game might be losing its appeal. Maybe seeing his brothers and sisters settle down had Tanner thinking that it was time for him to do the same.
Travis kind of hoped that was the case – finding the right woman had certainly made his own life better. The only thing was, he couldn’t imagine what kind of woman might be right for Tanner. The types he usually went for wouldn’t last five minutes around here. He couldn’t see a pretty, city girl fitting in with the rest of the family either.
Ty leaned over and grinned at Retta. “We think he’s starting to feel left out. Since Kolby met Callie, and I found Shay, he’s wondering if there might be something to this settling down business after all.”
Tanner shrugged. “Maybe so.”
Retta patted his hand again. “You’ll know when it’s the right time for you. In fact, I take that back. It’s not so much about the right time as when the right person comes along – and she will, don’t you doubt it.”
“Thanks, Retta.” Tanner laughed. “These guys give me a hard time; they reckon I might not be able to find someone who’s right for me. I’m glad you have some faith in me even if no one else does. In fact, when I find her, I’ll tell you before I tell any of these guys.”
Laney and Ty just laughed, but Travis could tell that Retta was touched. He made a mental note to remind Tanner of what he’d said. It’d mean to the world to her if Tanner remembered to tell her when he found his girl.
~ ~ ~
Retta was still thinking about Tanner the following afternoon. They were on their way to see Callie and Kolby, and as they passed the big house at the MacFarland Ranch, Tanner came out and waved. She waved back, and Travis lifted his hand but didn’t stop.
“Does he get left out?” she asked.
Travis gave her a puzzled look. “Tanner? No, not really. They … I dunno, maybe he does these days. Like they were saying yesterday, the rest of them have settled down now. Well, there’s Ford – he’s still single. He lives in the big house with Tan, but there’s only the two of them left there.”
“Aww, I didn’t even think about him. He’s not as sociable as the rest of them, is he?”
“Yeah. He keeps to himself more. But he’s not stand-offish or anything.”
“No, I like him. He’s been warm and welcoming whenever I’ve seen him. Are they two loners left in the main house together?”
Travis chuckled. “Maybe, but I don’t see it that way. Ford and Wade used to hang out together all the time – right from when they were kids. There’s only a year difference between them. Since Wade and Sierra got together and adopted the kids, things are different obviously.”
“Of course. And the rest of them are two sets of twins, so they’re naturally paired up. I just wondered if Tanner was left by himself. Not that he seems the type who’d be lonely for long.”
“You got that right. He might not have a girlfriend, but he’s never short of female company.”
“I gathered that much, I just wondered about male company – you know, siblings or friends.”
Travis shot a smile at her. “You don’t need to worry about him.”
“I know. I’m not worried so much as curious. I don’t like to think of him being left out, but I know that’s just me, so I’m trying to fill in the blanks.”
“Right. Well, when they were kids, Luke – the one who’s engaged to Laney – was always around. He and Tan were best friends – they still are. You would have thought that the two of them were another pair of twins; they were inseparable.”
“And he’s Deacon’s younger brother?”
“That’s right.”
She shook her head. “I can’t imagine what it must be like to have known the same people all your life.”
He looked over at her. “You told me what happened with your family, but you don’t keep in touch with anyone you grew up with?”
“No.” She shrugged. “It’s a small town. I got pregnant so young, and my family disowned me when I married Callie’s father. When he walked out, his family turned their backs on me as well. I had no one, and no reason to stay there so I moved to a bigger town where I wouldn’t have to face people, and it was easier to get work. I’ve never been back.”
Travis blew out a sigh. “I hate that for you, darlin’. I’ll never understand how family can turn their backs on a kid.”
“They did me a favor. If they’d been willing to take me in, I might still be there now. And if I’d stayed, Callie wouldn’t be where she is. I’m not saying that I’m in any way responsible for even a drop of her success, but even though I couldn’t give her much of anything, I gave her the freedom to become herself. She wouldn’t have had that around my family.”
“I don’t know why you can’t see it the way she does – the way I do – you gave that girl the foundation that she built her life on.”
Retta had to swallow around the lump in her throat. “I should have been able to do more. She succeeded in spite of me, not because of me.”
Travis parked the truck in front of Callie and Kolby’s place. “You know I don’t agree with you about that, but I’m not going to argue about it right now.”
She smiled when the front door opened, and Callie came out. “Good. Let’s go and see them instead.”
Kolby came out to get the wheelchair, and Travis carried Retta inside.
“Do you want to sit on the sofa instead of in your chair, Mama?”
Retta looked around. There was plenty of room for everyone to sit even if she took up one of the sofas by herself.
“Yeah, I’d like that.”
Travis grinned at her as he turned around and sat without letting go of her. “Me too.”
Kolby laughed. “Are you still getting away with that move?”
Travis nodded happily. “I’m making the most of it while I can. It won’t be too long before Retta’s back on her feet.”
Callie raised her eyebrows. “Do you know when that will be yet?”
“Not soon enough,” said Retta. “But enough about me. I want to hear what’s going on with you guys. Is there any news on the baby?”
A rush of warmth filled her chest when she saw the look that Callie exchanged with Kolby.
“Tandy’s due date isn’t until the end of next week, but Barb is convinced that the baby’s going to come early.”
“Don’t be too disappointed if you have to wait,” Retta told her. “First babies are late more often than early.”
“I know, right? But Barb’s convinced. So, we’ve got everything ready to go just in case.”
Travis cocked his head to the side. “What’s the plan?”
“They’re going to call us when she goes into labor, and we’re hoping that we might get there for the birth.”
“I’ve told you, we can go now, if you want to. It’s going to be a scramble to get there if we wait for the call,” said Kolby.
Callie blew out a sigh and met Retta’s gaze. “What do you think, Mama?”
Retta’s heart filled up and overflowed. She’d kept her distance from her daughter for so long. Her intention had been to let Callie get on with her life and make her own way in the world as she saw fit. It hadn’t occurred to her until she came to Montana, that while her intention had been good, it had cost both of them a lot. What she wouldn’t give to go back and have been there for her daughter to turn to when she needed it. She pulled herself together. She couldn’t change the past, but she could be grateful for the way things were now – and do her best to be there for whatever Callie needed from her in the future.
“I’m with Kolby. There’s nothing that you need to do here, is there?”
Callie and Kolby both shook their heads. “Then go. You might not have your house in Nashville anymore, but there are plenty of hotels you could stay in.”
She hesitated when she noticed Kolby’s reaction, and it dawned on her why he wouldn’t want Callie to have to stay in a hotel for too long. She might be taking a break for the time being, but Callie had made a name as a big country music star. If the news that she was back in Nashville got out, the whole thing might turn into a media circus.
“Sorry, that was stupid of me.”
“Don’t say that, Mama.”
Retta waved her off. “You know what I mean. I should have thought, before I opened my mouth. Oh, but wait, does Tori still live there? Could you stay with her?”
Kolby grinned. “She moved to Summer Lake with Xander, but I bet she hasn’t sold her place yet.”
Callie grinned. “That’s an awesome idea. Why didn’t I think of it?”
“Because you’re too close to the problem to see it.”
“I need to give her a quick call and see. Kolby, would you mind getting everyone a drink? I won’t be long.”
Kolby laughed. “I’ll get the drinks, but I’m not buying the I won’t be long part. Have you and Tori ever had a quick conversation?”
She made a face at him. “No, but Mama and Trav are here. I just want to ask if us staying at her place is a possibility, so that I can put it out of my mind if it’s not. I’ll call her back to talk later.”
She leaned down and kissed Retta’s cheek. “Thank you for thinking of it, you’re the best.”
Callie went outside to call Tori, and Retta closed her eyes and touched her cheek. When Kolby went into the kitchen to get their drinks, Travis slid his arm around her waist and held her closer.
He didn’t say anything, but she loved the way he felt so … supportive. That was the only word she could think of.
She leaned back so that she could look into his eyes and was surprised when she couldn’t read his expression.
“What’s wrong?”
“Not a damn thing. I’m just thinking that this moment feels about as right as my life ever has.”
“Aww.”
He still looked serious. “I’m not saying it to be sweet, or to make you smile. I’m saying it because I must – I have to tell you that …”
Her heart pounded as she waited for the next word. “Tell me what, Trav? What is it?”
“I love you. I’ve been waiting for the right time to say it. I wanted to find the perfect moment, but honestly, darlin’, every moment with you is perfect.”
“Aww, Travis.” She planted a kiss on his lips. “I love you, too. I didn’t want to say it first, in case you didn’t feel the same way.”
He gave her a stern look. “As if that was even a possibility.”
She shrugged. “I was hoping, but …”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Well, you know now. And now that I’ve told you, you’re going to have to get used to hearing it.”
“I’ll be more than happy to; I have a feeling that you might need to get used to hearing it as well. I like saying it – I love you.”
She didn’t think she’d ever seen him smile so big as he did when he said, “I’ll never get tired of hearing it, I promise you that.”