Читать книгу The Cowboy's Christmas Courtship - Brenda Minton - Страница 10

Chapter Two

Gage rolled up the drive to Cooper Creek. He breathed in and out slowly, trying to let go of the urge to go back and beat some sense into Brandon Silver. But that would put him smack-dab in the middle of Layla’s life, and that obviously wasn’t where he wanted to be. Layla was the kind of woman a man married. He made a habit of staying away from the marrying kind.

He parked next to his brother Jackson’s truck and got out. For a minute he stood in the driveway looking up at the big old house where he’d grown up. In a week it would be hung with lights and trimmed with red bows. His mom sure loved Christmas. And she loved her family.

He took off his hat and scratched his head. He didn’t know why that love had been feeling like a noose for the past year or so. Maybe because it had felt like he couldn’t meet any of the expectations placed on him. As he walked up the steps, the front door opened. His mom stood in the doorway, her smile huge. She wasn’t a big lady but sometimes she seemed like a giant. She had a way of being strong and in control, even with a bunch of men in the family towering over her.

“It’s about time.” She smiled, and he smiled back.

“I haven’t been gone that long.”

“Since summer.” She grabbed him in a big hug. “I thought you’d be here an hour ago. I was starting to worry. I even called your cell phone.”

“I left it in my truck.”

“Weren’t you in your truck?” She pulled him inside. “Where were you?”

“Helping Layla Silver put some cattle in.”

His mom’s smile dissolved. “She’s had a rough time of it lately. Word around town is that Brandon has been pulling some capers.”

Capers. That was his mom’s way of saying the kid was in deep trouble.

“What kind of capers?”

“Stealing, setting hay on fire and vandalizing. But he hasn’t been caught, so it’s all just hearsay.”

“Well, right now he’s sitting in her kitchen drunk.”

“I’ve heard that, too. And it’s a shame. His daddy was a horrible alcoholic before that accident. They say he was drunk that night.”

“I know.” He didn’t need to hear the story again. He didn’t need to relive his own guilt again. “What’s for dinner?”

Change of subject. His mom looked up at him, her smile fading into a frown. “I thought we were discussing Layla?”

“I know what we were doing. Now we’re avoiding discussing Layla.”

He’d like to avoid reliving his past and all of his mistakes in the first few hours of returning home. There wasn’t a thing he could do about what he’d done. He couldn’t do anything about the injustices in the world, when guys like him walked through life without a bump or bruise while the good guys took the hits.

Good guys, like his brother Reese, blinded after an explosion in Afghanistan. Gage was not on good terms with God right now, and Reese was the big reason why.

The last thing he wanted to think about was Layla, and how he’d become her friend because Cheryl Gayle wouldn’t talk to him. Finally, after a few short dates with Cheryl, he’d realized his mistake. She’d been pretty—and pretty close to annoying.

And he’d missed Layla. He always thought she’d be married by now. If things had been different, she probably would have been.

“Gage, I’m glad you’re home,” Angie Cooper said, reading the look on his face.

“I’m glad I’m home, too.” He walked with her through the big living room. In a few days they’d put up a tree. Not a real one. They’d changed to fake trees the year his brother Travis met Elizabeth. Her allergies had almost done her in that first Christmas.

Now the wagon ride they used to take to cut down a tree was just a wagon ride. They would all pile in the two wagons, take a ride through the field and then come home to hot cocoa and cookies. Family traditions. The Coopers did love them.

He wasn’t crazy about them. He’d been living in Oklahoma City off and on. Had even spent some time down in Texas. Anything to avoid coming home.

“It was good to have Dad out there for the last night of the finals.” It had been even better to wake up in the hospital and see his dad sitting next to the bed.

“He was thrilled that he could be there. And so proud of you. But I would have liked for you to come home and have the surgery here instead of in Texas.” His mom touched his arm. “How is Dylan?”

Dylan was a year older than Gage, and the two brothers had always been close. Dylan had been living in Texas for about a year, avoiding the family. Mainly because he had known they wouldn’t understand what he was doing. “Mom, he’ll be home as soon as he can.”

“Why is he doing this?”

“Because Casey is his friend, and she needs someone to help her while she goes through chemo. She doesn’t have family.”

“I know but it’s a big responsibility for a young man.”

“He’s twenty-eight, and you’ve taught us all to help those in need.”

“It’s one lesson you’ve all learned.” She hooked her arm through his. “Jackson is here.”

“Good. I meant to tell him about a few bulls that are going up for sale.”

“You boys and those bucking bulls.” She shook her head. He didn’t mind that she didn’t get it. She got just about everything else that mattered. Before she walked away he hugged her again.

“I’ve missed you.”

She smiled at that, “I’ve missed you, too. Sometimes I don’t know if you know how much. Which reminds me. You missed Thanksgiving last Thursday. But you did not miss serving dinner tonight at the Back Street Community Center.”

He nearly groaned. He hadn’t timed this as well as he’d thought. Each year they had a community dinner a week after Thanksgiving.

“How long do I have?”

She patted his back. “A few hours. Don’t try to leave.”

From the kitchen he heard Jackson laugh. Gage walked into the big open room that always smelled like something good was cooking, and usually was. He ignored Jackson and opened the oven door. Rolls. He inhaled the aroma and closed the door.

“Better stay out of there or Mom will have your hide.” Jackson poured himself a cup of coffee and offered one to Gage.

“No, thanks.”

“Did I hear you say something about Layla Silver?”

Gage shook his head.

Jackson took a sip of coffee and stared at him over the rim of the cup. Gage zeroed in on the pies lined up on the counter. He went for one but his mom slapped his hand away.

“Those are for the community center.”

“I had restaurant food for Thanksgiving. Don’t I rate at least a piece of pumpkin pie?”

“Not on your life, cowboy. You could have come home.”

“I couldn’t leave Dylan.”

His mom went to the fridge and opened the door. “I have a coconut cream pie I made a couple of days ago. Knock yourself out.”

“Thanks, Mom. That’s why you’re the best. Where’s Dad?”

“He took a load of cattle to Tulsa. He’s staying there tonight.”

Gage grabbed a fork and headed for the table to finish off the pie. “So, you guys have fun at the community center.”

He knew he wouldn’t get away with skating out on helping. He thought it would be fun to try. He took a bite of pie, closing his eyes just briefly to savor the taste. His mom’s pies were the best.

“You’re going with me,” his mom said from the kitchen as she opened the oven door and removed the homemade rolls. “Jackson, Madeline and Jade are helping, too.”

“You know I can’t stand for long periods of time.” He grinned as he tried out his last excuse, pointing to the knee he’d had surgery on.

“We’ll get you a chair to sit on.”

He’d lost. He knew when to let it go.

Jackson sat down next to him. “Lucky for you, Layla Silver will be there, too.”

“Thanks...that makes it all better.” Gage finished off his pie. “I’m going to get cleaned up.”

He made it upstairs to his room and collapsed on the bed that had the same bedspread he’d used as a teen. The posters on the walls were of bull riders he’d looked up to as a kid. Justin McBride, J. W. Hart and Chris Shivers. He crooked one arm behind his head and thought about how life had changed. He’d wanted to be them. Now he rode in some of the same events they’d ridden in. But he was still running from life.

Since he had time he flipped on the TV and searched for reruns of the finals. He didn’t find them so he settled for a few minutes of a popular sitcom. A guy who had made mistakes and was trying to make amends to the people he’d hurt. Gage thought about how much he had in common with the guy in that show. Since his bull wreck at the finals, he’d been thinking a lot about his list of wrongs.

How did he make amends to the people he’d hurt? Where did he start? He sighed, because he knew that he needed to start with the person he’d hurt the most. The person who liked him the least.

How did he do that without giving her the wrong idea?

* * *

The parking lot at Back Street Community Center held about fifty cars. So far there were only a dozen or so. Layla parked her old truck and reached for the green bean casserole she’d brought. In the passenger seat, Brandon looked miserable and almost as green as the casserole.

“Come on. You can help serve.” She handed him the dish. “Don’t drop it.”

“I think I can manage to carry a pan.” He had that sullen, teen look on his face. She ignored it because she knew he wanted to get a rise out of her.

“Let’s go, then.”

“Why can’t I help the guys put together the buildings for the nativity?” He nodded in the direction of Bethlehem, or at least the Dawson version.

As they walked by, the star over the manger lit up briefly, flickered and went out again. Someone yelled that they’d found the short in the cord.

Brandon slowed, probably hoping she’d tell him to do what he wanted. She shook her head.

“You’re going inside.”

He groaned. “I thought helping out was a good thing, and you’re telling me I can’t.”

“You’re helping, just not where you want to help.”

They walked through the light mist to the front of the church that Jeremy and Beth Hightree had turned into a community center. Brandon lagged, his face one of absolute misery. For a second she almost caved, nearly told him he could help with the nativity buildings. But then she remembered why she’d dragged him along.

Days like this made her wish for someone to lean on. An aunt or uncle, anyone. But the one uncle they had was just as bad an alcoholic as their father had been. An aunt who was married lived in Africa. She and her husband were missionaries and rarely came home.

She walked through the doors of the old church and paused for a moment, feeling a wonderful sense of calm. The sanctuary of the church had been turned into a dining room. Tables were spread with white cloths. Pretty centerpieces added color. Layla could smell the aroma seeping up the steps. Turkey, ham, all of the typical Thanksgiving foods for this community dinner.

Peace. She looked to the front of the church where the wooden cross still hung on the wall. For a brief moment she closed her eyes and drew on a strength that came from within. She didn’t have family to turn to but she had God. She had a community that loved her.

“Are you going to stand here all night?” Brandon sulked behind her.

“No.” She moved on, walking through the sanctuary to the stairs.

“I’m going to stay the night with Lance,” Brandon informed her as they headed down the stairs.

“No, you’re not.” She took the dish from his hands. The friend he’d mentioned was off-limits. “You’re going to help me and then we’re going home. And you’re going to stay home. You’re grounded.”

“Layla, you’re five feet tall. How are you gonna make me?” He towered over her. She knew he had a point. And it made her mad. In the past year he’d started challenging her, making things difficult. It had been easy when he was little. Now he needed a dad.

Standing in the kitchen of the community center, they had an audience. He did that on purpose. He picked public places to argue because he thought she would give in.

“Brandon, you’re staying home.”

“Who’s going to stop me if I decide to leave?”

“I guess I’ll make you.” She knew that voice.

Gage stepped out of the shadows. He’d shaved and changed into new jeans and a button-up shirt. He’d left behind the shadow of growth on his chin. The dark stubble distracted her. He was talking again and Brandon looked a little cornered.

“Brandon, if I have to, I’ll drive you home and I’ll make sure you stay there.”

Brandon smirked. “Who gave you a suit of armor and a white horse?”

Layla’s thoughts exactly. Brandon had probably heard her say that at some point. She’d repeated more than once that she didn’t need help. She could handle things. But lately it had been getting a lot harder. Losing her job had been the last straw.

“I don’t need a suit of armor, jack...” Gage closed his mouth and then smiled across the kitchen at his mother, who had cleared her throat to stop him from going too far.

“Well, I don’t need you to play daddy to me. I’m doing just fine.”

Gage got close to her brother. “You’re going to serve turkey, smile and be polite to your sister. If not, we’ll call the police and have a talk with them about you coming home drunk.”

Layla wanted to scream. Gage Cooper had been home for one day and suddenly he thought he had to ride to her rescue. She could do this. She’d been doing this for a long time. Her eyes filled with tears as she thought about how to take control of the situation.

Angie Cooper appeared at her side, always warm and smiling, always generous. Layla wanted to sink into her arms, but she couldn’t let herself be comforted right now. It was too risky because she was too close to falling apart.

“Let Gage do this.” Angie slipped an arm around Layla. “You need to take a deep breath and let people help.”

Layla nodded, but she couldn’t speak. Her strength was a thin cord that was unraveling. Instead of objections she mumbled something like “thank you,” and then she allowed Angie Cooper to lead her back to the kitchen, where they searched for serving spoons and talked about the weather forecast.

People were starting to file in. There were families who might not have had a Thanksgiving dinner and people from the community who wanted fellowship with neighbors, talk about the price of cattle and the drought, maybe catch up on other news.

All around her, people were talking, smiling and laughing. Layla was trying to find a way to hold her life together and keep her brother from ruining his. She served her green bean casserole and kept an eye on Brandon, who had been given the job of serving drinks.

She avoided looking at Gage. He’d found a kitchen stool to sit on while he served potatoes. From time to time he’d stand and stretch. Typical bull rider with a broken body and too much confidence.

Once, he caught her staring. He winked and she knew she turned a few shades of red. She could feel the heat crawl from her neck to her face, and probably straight to her hairline. She turned back to the next person in line and served a spoonful of green beans, smiling as if everything was perfect. Wonderful.

But Gage Cooper smiling at her was anything but perfect.

When the meal ended and the kitchen was clean, Layla went in search of her brother. She found him upstairs helping Gage carry bags of trash to the Dumpster. The night was dark and cold. The stars were hidden by clouds and the weatherman had said something about snow flurries. It was early in the season for snow in Oklahoma.

“Time to go.” She stood on the sidewalk as they tossed the bags into the receptacle.

Gage turned to Brandon. “Get in my truck.”

“Gage, I can do this.” Layla pulled her jacket tight against the wind and looked from him to her brother.

“I know that.” Gage pointed to his truck, and Brandon hurried across the parking lot like an eager puppy. Layla felt the first bits of anger coming to life.

“What in the world?” She watched Brandon climb in the passenger’s side of Gage’s truck.

“He’s going to help me at the ranch tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“To keep him out of trouble.” Gage tilted his hat back and walked toward her. “Layla, I’m trying to help. Maybe show you that I’m sorry.”

“So this is your way of making things right? You pretended to need help in chemistry.”

“I did need help in chemistry.” He grinned that Cooper grin that went straight to a girl’s heart. Not hers, though. She knew better.

“And now I’m just a charity case that makes you feel better about yourself?”

“You aren’t charity,” he started. “But you’re right. I am trying to feel better about myself.”

“Use someone else to soothe your guilty conscience.”

He smiled again, and her heart ached. “There are plenty of people that I need to make amends to. I’ll get to them.”

“As soon as you’re done with me?” She shook her head. “At least you’re honest.”

“Yeah, trying to be.” His eyes softened, hazel-green and fringed with dark lashes. “You’re too good for me, Layla.”

She thought about it for a minute. “You’re right. I am too good for you.”

“Exactly. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m about done in. I’m going to drive your brother home, and I’ll pick him up bright and early tomorrow morning.”

“I have to work at the feed store in the morning. You might have to wake him up.”

“I can do that. And I’ll bring him home when you get off work.”

She bit down on her bottom lip and stared up at him, wondering if this was another game he was playing, a game she didn’t have the rules for. He liked those games. She didn’t. At the same time, she really needed help with her brother. Hadn’t she whispered that prayer just hours earlier?

Across the way lights came on in Jeremy and Beth Hightree’s home. The tree in the front window lit up, and a spotlight hit the manger in the yard. Christmas. It was a beautiful, wonderful time of hope and promise.

“I’m not sure.” She looked from the Hightree’s decorated house back to Gage.

“Layla, let me do this. The kid’s in trouble and you need help with him.”

She didn’t want to admit it, but she did need help. She was worried about Brandon, about the guys he was hanging out with and the rumors about what they were doing. It had never been easy for her to accept help.

The first few years she’d worried that if she struggled, they’d take her brother away. It became a habit, doing things on her own.

“You can trust me.”

She nodded and walked away, Gage’s words following her to her truck. She doubted that she could trust him, but for a few minutes she had the very break she’d been praying for.

She would have to accept that it had been given to her by Gage Cooper. He was home, and she would have to face the past, and the way he’d hurt her all those years ago.