Hill Country Redemption by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

Author:Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-01-10T16:03:39+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

Jayda’s breaths evened out in rhythmic slumber against Larae’s shoulder. The doorbell rang just as she’d gotten comfortable in the twin bed. Probably Rance. What had taken him so long? Didn’t he ever stop to think how late it was, that Jayda was probably asleep? If she ignored him, he’d just keep ringing and wake Jayda.

She kept an eye on Jayda, sat up without jiggling the bed, then eased off the mattress. Slipping into her robe, she tiptoed out of the room and scurried down the stairs.

The bell rang again just before she got to it. She undid the lock and flung the door open.

“Jayda’s asleep,” she snapped. “If you didn’t wake her up, that is.”

“Sorry, I just wanted to see about her.”

“It took her forever to go to sleep, and the only reason she did was because I promised to stay in her room all night. And now I’ve broken my promise because of you. So go home and let me go back to her. Besides, if you were really that worried, what took you so long?”

“For your information, the bull didn’t want to go back into his pen. Not even for food. I repaired the board that let him out, then reinforced the rest of the pens so it won’t happen again. I finally got him back in just a few minutes ago.”

“You can go now.”

“Mommy!” Jayda’s wail coursed adrenaline through Larae.

She bolted for the stairs. “It’s okay, sweetie. I’m coming.”

“Mommy!” Jayda was curled in a ball, holding Punk the pink dog.

“It’s okay, sweetie. I’m right here.” Larae gathered her up in her arms.

“I had a dream.” She hiccuped a sob. “About the bull. And you weren’t here.” She pulled away to look up at Larae with tears rolling down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry, Baby Girl. Your mama only left to let me in.”

“Daddy.” Jayda reached for him.

He settled on the bed and pulled the trembling little body into his chest. Completely out of place in the pink-and-purple room decorated with princesses and crowns.

“I dreamed the bull got you after we left.”

“I’m fine. I got it back in its pen and reinforced all the wood, so it won’t get out again. In fact, I’m calling a guy tomorrow about steel pens instead of wood so none of my bulls will ever get out again.”

“Is there gonna be bulls at our rodeo, Mommy?”

“Yes.” Larae winced. “But that’s why the arena guys were here. They made sure the railing was strong enough to hold them. And we’ll have steel pens, so there won’t be anything to worry about.”

“I don’t know if I want a rodeo anymore.”

“I thought you loved rodeos, Pumpkin. You always wanted to come to work with me.”

“They always kind of scared me. I just liked being with you.”

Larae’s eyes felt scalded. How could she not have realized that? “Well, when we get our rodeo, if you want to skip the bulls, you can.”

“I never wanna see another one. Ever.”

“You don’t have to.” Rance patted her back. “Why don’t you try to go back to sleep? It’s late.

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