Rodeo Daddy by Marin Thomas

Author:Marin Thomas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-10-12T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Hallie glanced at the piece of paper in her hand—directions to Aimee Rawlins’s home in Hollywood Park, nestled in the Hill Country foothills north of San Antonio.

“Are we there yet?” Nick asked.

“Almost.” They’d been in the car an hour and fifteen minutes and Hallie swore her son had repeated the question fifty times since they’d left the apartment after breakfast. She eyed the street signs as she drove down the main drag of the quaint town. “Third Street.” She flipped on the blinker.

“Is this where my grandma lives?”

“Be on the lookout for your dad’s camper.” Drew planned to meet Hallie at his mother’s before taking them to the rodeo.

“There it is!” Nick’s shout startled Hallie, but she managed not to slam on the brakes.

The camper was parked in front of a white single-story ranch house with blue shutters on the windows. A glider sat in the front yard beneath a large oak tree. A fake family of deer rested nearby. Hallie pulled into the drive.

Nick unsnapped his seat belt. “There’s Dad.” He bolted from the car, cut across the lawn and raced up the porch steps. Drew twirled him in the air, then set him on his feet. A moment later, an older woman stepped out of the home and smiled at Nick.

Drew’s mother was short and round—like Mrs. Claus. Gray hair in a bun, she wore a pink blouse with a pair of navy slacks. Whatever Nick said made the woman laugh and she ruffled his hair. Her obvious joy at meeting her grandson added to Hallie’s guilty feelings at keeping Nick all to herself.

Taking a deep breath, she left the car, waving a hello as she approached the group.

“Mom, this is Hallie Sutton. Hallie, this is my mother, Aimee Rawlins.”

“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Rawlins.”

Drew’s mother offered a cool smile. “Please call me Aimee.” She took Nick by the hand. “C’mon inside. I’ve got fresh sticky buns hot out of the oven.”

Hallie didn’t blame Aimee for the tepid reception. Like Drew, maybe with time she’d forgive Hallie for keeping her grandson a secret all these years.

“We’ve got a couple of hours before we leave for the fairgrounds,” Drew said.

“I’m not sure Nick can behave himself that long.” And I’m not up to a two-hour interrogation from your mother.

Drew grasped her hand and squeezed. “Relax. Mom’s thrilled that you and Nick are here.”

Nick, of course, but not Hallie. A short while later, after eating their fill of sticky buns, Nick and Drew went outside to toss the football around. Hallie remained in the kitchen with Aimee.

“Nick’s a precious boy.” Aimee topped off Hallie’s coffee cup.

“I don’t know what I would do without him.”

“Drew tells me your parents are deceased.”

Hallie nodded. “No sisters or brothers, either.”

“I suffered complications after Drew was born and couldn’t have any more children. You can imagine how excited I was to learn I had a grandson.” Aimee’s stare cut through Hallie.

“You’re probably wondering why I never told Drew about Nick.”

“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t interested in hearing your reasons for keeping my grandson from his family.

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