The Cowboy's Summer Love (29 page)

Cady picked up his breakfast tray and the rest of them exited the room. Tess went back to bed, knowing there was nothing she could do to help Travis at the moment and decided to leave him alone with his sour mood for a while.

Travis took off his milk-soaked T-shirt and threw it at his clothes hamper, annoyed that he couldn’t even do something as simple as get himself a clean shirt.

With Cass outside playing and Lindsay running some wedding errands, Cady finished up the breakfast dishes while Trey and Trent discussed Travis.

Their discussion soon turned into an argument that had Trent slamming out of the house and storming off to the hayfield. Not done venting his anger, Trey turned to Cady and unleashed his frustration on her.

Travis couldn’t hear what was being said, but he could hear the raised voices, feel the anger in the house. He’d never seen or heard Trey and Cady fight. They were the perpetual honeymooners. Whatever had caused the disagreement was somehow tied to him and he was disturbed to know he was not only grieving his brother, but putting a strain on his relationship with his beloved wife.

Closing his eyes, he released a sigh, wishing he had never come home. He should have stayed in the service and let them kill him off in a war zone.

Ready to settle into a pity party, he was surprised when he felt something flop on the bed and heard crying. Opening his eyes, he looked down to see Cass sobbing into the sheet by his chest.

“Hey, kiddo, what’s wrong?” Travis said, scooting back so he was more in a sitting position before picking up Cass and holding her so her cheek rested against his. “What’s wrong, Cass?”

“Mama and Daddy were yelling and then Daddy got really mad. That thing in his neck is hopping,” Cass sobbed. Travis knew she meant the vein in Trey’s neck that throbbed when he was about ready to blow his fuse. Trent and Travis had the same tell-tale affliction when they were angry.

She lifted her head and sniffled.  “Daddy told Mama to mind her own busyness, and she ran to their bedroom and slammed the door. They thought I was outside with Tommy, but I saw Uncle Trent leave with his face all red and thought he might be sick, so I ran in to tell Mama. She and Daddy were fighting. I got scared and hid behind the counter.”

“It’s okay, Cass. Everything will be okay,” Travis said, trying to soothe the little girl. He didn’t know if he could feel any lower than he did at that moment. Because of him and his thoughtless actions, his refusal to get the help he needed, he threw everyone into a tail-spin, including the innocent child crying in his arms. Travis was filled with self-loathing and regret.

“Daddy said Uncle Trent is going to call off the wedding until you get better. But then I won’t get to wear my pretty dress and Aunt Lindsay won’t get to be a princess and everyone will be so sad. Won’t they be sad, Uncle Travis?”

“Yes, they would be very, very sad, sweetheart,” Travis said, rubbing Cass’s back and kissing her cheek.

“Daddy asked Mama if she was going to cancel the party. Do you know what party, Uncle Travis? She said maybe they should and then he said that she and Uncle Trent were being stupid and then Mama called Daddy a bull-headed horses’…”

“I think I get the idea, kiddo,” Travis said, interrupting. He held Cass away from him far enough so she could look in his face and forced a smile. “Tell you what, I promise to talk to both your Daddy and Uncle Trent. I’ll get this all straightened out so you can wear your pretty dress and Aunt Lindsay can be the princess. Okay?”

“Are you sure? Mama said you can’t do anything until you get better and I’m not sposed to bother you,” Cass said, dropping her eyes as she remembered being warned to stay out of Uncle Travis’ room.

“I think I can handle it,” Travis said, finding a grin working the corners of his mouth. It was probably killing Cass to be told she couldn’t go somewhere. He knew at her age the first place he would have been was right in the middle of somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be.

“Why don’t you leave your folks alone for a while? If you go get one of your books, maybe you could read it to me and help me feel better,” Travis said, not looking forward to another fairy story, but wanting to make the little girl forget her worries.

“Okay,” Cass said, jumping off the bed and running out the door. He could hear her little feet pounding down the tiled floor of the hallway both coming and going, and the sound made him smile. When she returned, she was going to jump on the bed but stopped at the last second and carefully climbed up beside him.

“Daddy said your legs got hurted and you can’t walk for a while. Does it hurt lots?”Cass asked looking at the compression bands around his thighs.

“Yeah, it does hurt,” Travis said, settling her against his side as he helped her hold the storybook. “But not as much today as it did yesterday.”

“Oh, that’s great!” Cass said with her usual enthusiasm.

Patiently listening while she tried to sound out the words at the beginning of the story, Cass soon got tired of the verbal and mental workout and decided Travis should read it to her. It was her favorite book about a fairy and her friends in a magical garden.

Travis tried to interject some fun into the story, creating a different voice for each character. He was getting tired by the time they neared the end of the book and realized Cass was unusually quiet. He smiled to see her curled against his side sleeping. He scooted down and pulled her closer, joining her for some much needed rest.

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Tess woke from a nap feeling better than she had for the last few days. She’d put in ear plugs and a mask over her eyes so she could get a good rest and managed to sleep for almost three hours. Taking a quick shower, she dressed in denim shorts and a soft blouse, leaving her wet hair loose to air dry. Putting on mascara, a swipe of lip gloss and a dab of perfume, she felt ready to take on the rest of the day and Travis.

If she had to baby and tease him into a better mood, then so be it. He would eventually quit wallowing in his mire of self-pity and see what he needed to do to return to normal. Even in his current frame of mind, Tess couldn’t wait to see him again, inhale the scent that was uniquely him, hold his calloused hand, and look into his warm blue eyes.

Sticking her head in the door, the sight that greeted her made her hand fly to her chest and her heart melt into a warm pool at her feet.

Travis and Cass were snuggled together sleeping peacefully. The big hunk even had a smile on his face as he held a purple fairy princess storybook on his bare chest. Not wanting to wake either of them, she backed out of the room and gently closed the door.

Wandering to the kitchen she was surprised to find it empty. Usually Cady was busy cooking or cleaning or doing something. She wasn’t one to just sit still.

Looking at the clock, she thought she could probably put together lunch and started by making sweet tea. Examining the contents of the fridge and the pantry, she decided to make steak salads and got out flank steak. Pouring marinade over it, she set it aside then got the rest of the salad ready and returned it to the fridge to wait until lunch.

She was making a batch of no-bake cookies when Cady came into the kitchen red-eyed and obviously upset. Seeing Tess at the stove, she shook her head and grabbed an apron.

“I’m sorry, Tess. I didn’t realize how late it was,” Cady said, swiping at her face with the apron as more tears poured down her cheeks.

Tess finished the cookies then took Cady by the shoulders, leading her to a barstool and sitting her down. Pouring them each a glass of lemonade, she looked at her friend with concern.

“What’s wrong? I’ve never seen you like this and it would take a force of nature to keep you from having a meal ready on time,” Tess said, trying to keep her tone light.

“Trey and Trent had a huge blow up and then Trey and I had a fight. They both stormed off and I’ve been in the bedroom pouting. Trey and I have never fought like that before and I hope we don’t again,” Cady said, taking a sip of the lemonade and looking around.

“Cass! I completely forgot I sent her out to find Tommy hours ago. I’m the worst mother in the world,” Cady said jumping off the barstool and opening the kitchen door. Tess grabbed her arm with a big smile.

“You are certainly not the worst mother in the world. From what Trent says, that title belongs to Lindsay’s mother alone. Come with me,” Tess said, taking Cady’s hand in hers and leading her to Travis’ room. Cracking open the door, Tess and Cady peeked inside and Cady relaxed.

“They look so sweet,” Cady whispered as Tess shut the door and they returned to the kitchen. “Despite all his problems, Travis is always so good with her.”

“I know. I think he’ll make a great dad someday,” Tess said, then wished she could reel those words back in.

“Do you, now?” Cady said, looking at her speculatively. “Do you have anyone in mind for the mother of those children?”

“Well, I… umm… hadn’t we better get lunch ready. The guys will be ready to eat soon won’t they?” Tess asked, opening the fridge door and welcoming the cool air on her hot cheeks.

“I think he’d make you a fine husband, if he ever gets his head on straight,” Cady said, putting her arms around Tess’ shoulders. “I’d love to have you for a sister-in-law.”

“Thanks, Cady,” Tess said, turning around and giving Cady a warm hug. “I think we need to make that husband of yours a little sorry for getting you all upset this morning.”

“Oh, I think he’ll be plenty sorry after he’s had time to think about how making me mad can affect several areas of his life that he particularly enjoys,” Cady said, hoping Trey would come in for lunch in a much better frame of mind. Looking over Tess’ lunch preparations approvingly, Cady picked up the marinated steak. “Why don’t I grill the meat and you can finish up whatever you started?”

“Sure,” Tess said, reaching for a loaf of crusty bread and slicing it. “Since it’s so hot out today, I thought a nice salad with bread and some no-bake cookies sounded good. If I had time, I could have made some ice cream.”

“Thank you for stepping in and helping. This looks like a great lunch to me. Maybe we can make ice cream for dessert tonight or tomorrow,” Cady said, stepping outside to the grill Tess preheated.

Tess was setting the table when Cass came bounding into the kitchen, holding her storybook.

“Hi, Tess. Uncle Travis readed to me and we tooked a nap and it was nice. He said he’d make everything all better with Daddy and Uncle Trent so I could wear my pretty dress and Aunt Lindsay can be the princess.”

“He did?” Tess said, bending down and rubbing Cass’ nose with hers, making the little girl giggle. “I’m glad you had a good time with him. Why don’t you go put your book away and get washed up for lunch?”

“Okay,” Cass said, running down the hall toward her bedroom.

Tess didn’t think the child knew how to walk. She ran, jumped, skipped, hopped or pranced, but walk did not seem to be among her many speeds.

Smiling over the little red-head’s antics, Tess went to check on Travis and found him wide awake, staring out the window.

“Hey, from what I hear you are once again the hero of the day,” Tess said, lightly brushing her hand across Travis’ forehead. He caught her fingers and kissed her palm, making tingles race up her arm.

“I think you’ve been misinformed,” he said, pulling on her arm until she sat down beside him. “I’m the reason everyone is all upset. If I could leave, I’d walk out that door and not come back. I think life around here without me in it was better for everybody.”

“Don’t ever think that, Tee,” Tess said, grasping his hand in hers and looking into his troubled eyes. “Everyone loves you, loves having you home again. You and your brothers are like a triangle and with one of you gone, the whole thing is lopsided and out of balance.”

“Because of me everyone is mad, upset and doing and saying things they normally wouldn’t. You’re stuck here playing babysitter to me and I can’t even get myself a clean shirt,” Travis said in a voice filled with frustration as his thoughts all tumbled out.