Nancy Robards - Taming A Fortune

“What did they say?” Toby asked.

“Nothing really. They don’t discuss things like that in front of their employees. But they said something in passing, and I connected a few dots. So I know that Chris is working for Sawyer’s dad at the Fortune Foundation. But that’s about it.”

Toby didn’t know much more than that, either, although he’d been tempted to go to Red Rock and talk to his brother face-to-face. But with him now having three kids, all of whom were in school and involved in outside activities, he wasn’t free to make a trip like that without a lot of juggling and some careful orchestrating.

“I’m assuming that your parents aren’t happy about his move,” Angie said.

Toby didn’t usually air family laundry in public, but he and Angie had become pretty close lately, so sharing his concerns came easily. “When my mom asked us to accept our roots by taking on the Fortune name, my dad was a good sport about it. But when Chris announced he was moving to Red Rock, my dad hit the roof. He felt as though my brother had completely jumped ship by leaving town and going to work for James Marshall Fortune. Things really hit the fan then.”

There’d always been issues between Chris and their dad over the years, although Toby never had thought they were all that serious. But apparently, he’d been wrong.

“Don’t worry about me saying anything at dinner tonight—or to anyone else,” Angie said. “I may have my faults, but being a gossip isn’t one of them.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Silence filled the line for a beat, then Angie said, “I’d better let you go. I’ll see you in a little while.”

As soon as they ended the call, Toby rounded up the kids and told them to wash up, change their clothes and get ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

They might not be related by blood, but his parents and siblings had accepted them into the Fortune Jones fold, just as though they were. And the kids, who’d been starved for love and affection, had been thrilled to have a family to call their own. So the last time they’d visited, his mom had suggested they not be so formal. “Why don’t y’all call us Grandma Jeanne and Grandpa Deke?” she’d said.

The kids, who’d never really had parents, let alone grandparents, had jumped at the chance to become a part of Jeanne’s brood. In fact, if you didn’t know, you’d think there’d been a long line of redheads somewhere in the Fortune Jones family tree.

Toby did, however, realize that it could all come to an end one day if Barbara made good on her threat, and his gut twisted at the possibility. But he shook off the negative thoughts and tried to focus on the fact that the kids were thriving. And that their school would back that up if need be.

“Can I pack my backpack with things me and Piper can play with?” Kylie asked.

Toby smiled. Most little girls loved dolls, but having a real baby to play with? “Absolutely. Just let Aunt Stacey check out the toys first. You know how careful she is about the things Piper puts in her mouth.”

“I will,” Kylie said, as she dashed off to her room.

Toby glanced at the clock on the mantel. While the kids were getting ready, he’d take a shower. Angie would be here before he knew it.

Chapter Eight

Nearly an hour later, Angie arrived at the Double H wearing a white sundress that was wholesome, yet strappy and sexy at the same time—especially when paired with brown cowboy boots.

“Look what I have,” she said, lifting a platter of gooey-looking brownies in one hand and a fistful of colorful hair ribbons in the other.

“Nice,” Toby said, although he was far more focused on the sweet and lovely lady who stood in front of him, her blue eyes bright, her brown hair lying soft and glossy along her almost bare shoulders.

“Where’s Kylie?” she asked.

“In her room. I’ll call her.” But before Toby could open his mouth, Kylie came dashing into the entry to greet Angie.

The two of them took off, and before long, Kylie returned, wearing a pair of cowboy boots, just like Angie, her hair in princess-perfect pigtails.

“Let’s go,” he said.

It took only ten minutes on the county road to reach his parents’ ranch. After driving through the white wooden gate, Toby followed the graveled road to the house and parked near the barn, next to the other cars and trucks.

“Looks like everyone beat us here,” he said.

“Are we late?” Angie asked.

“Not really. But I have a feeling the women in my family were eager to be here when we arrived.”

“Why?”

“Curiosity, I suppose.” Toby shut off the ignition. “They know we’ve been seeing a lot of each other, and I’m afraid their imaginations are getting the best of them.”

He could argue—and, in fact, he had argued—that he and Angie weren’t dating, that she was merely helping him out with the kids. But sexual attraction and mutual interest were definitely flaring beneath the surface, and he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to keep that a secret, especially here.

They all got out of the truck. As usual, the kids managed to pile out a lot faster than they ever climbed in.

“Don’t forget to wipe your feet at the front door,” Toby called out to them. “And don’t barge in. Hang on until Angie and I get there.”

“We won’t,” they called back in near unison.

Toby waited for Angie, as she reached into the cab and pulled out a denim jacket. Then she slipped into it, covering the white sundress that revealed a lovely set of tanned arms and shoulders. But as afternoon wore into evening, he knew there was a chance it could get chilly, so he couldn’t blame her for being prepared.

Next he watched as she reached into the cab for the platter of brownies she’d brought.

“I’m sorry,” she said, as she realized he was standing near the truck, waiting for her. “I didn’t mean to be a slug.”

“No problem.” He actually liked watching her. But if he stared at her any longer, thinking about how much he wanted to pull her close, to kiss her before entering the house, it was going to take a whole lot more than an evening breeze to cool him off.

They walked together, meeting up with the kids at the front door, which was flanked by large pots of colorful flowers.

Out of habit, Toby took care to wipe his boots, just as he’d asked the children to do.

“My mom always made a big deal about us coming inside with muddy feet.” He chuckled as he reached for the doorknob to let them all into the house. “I guess some habits are hard to break.”

Toby’s mom, with her silver hair pulled into a bun and dressed in her usual stretch-denim jeans and a pale blue sweatshirt, greeted them in the foyer. She gave Toby a warm embrace, then took the time to address each of the kids.

“Now, don’t you look pretty, Kylie. Look at those yellow ribbons in your hair. And my goodness. What in the world have you stuffed in that backpack?”

“Toys to show baby Piper. Is she here?”

Jeanne Marie placed a hand on Kylie’s head and smiled. “She certainly is. Aunt Stacey just gave her some bananas and peaches for a snack, which she’s washing off her face and hands now. Why don’t you go into the kitchen and see if she’s ready to play.”

“Oh, good,” Kylie said, as she dashed off.

“And you boys are in for a big treat,” Jeanne Marie told Brian and Justin. “Grandpa Deke fixed the rungs to the tree house and gave it a new coat of paint yesterday. And when Uncle Galen saw what he’d done, he attached a rope swing to one of those sturdy ole branches. You probably ought to go check it out.”

“Cool,” Brian said, as both boys hurried off.

Well done, Toby thought. His mother adored the kids, but it was plain to see that she had something up her sleeve. She’d sent them off happily so she could devote her full attention to Angie and to the interrogation process.