Tina Radcliffe - Claiming Her Cowboy

“The meeting’s for everyone,” the kid insisted.

Jack vaguely recalled a meeting listed on his schedule for today that he planned to miss.

“I don’t think I need to attend.”

“Everyone does. Miss Lucy said it’s for the trail ride.”

“You’re kind of young for a trail ride. How old are you, anyhow?”

“I’m five and I’m going.” He gave an adamant shake of his blond head. “Yeth, I am.”

“Okay. Fine.”

He grabbed the tools and closed the stall behind him before offering her the carrot. “Good girl, Grace.”

The mare snorted and accepted her treat.

“She likes carrots best.”

Jack nodded. “She sure does. So, Dub Lewis, I don’t suppose you know where this meeting is?” Jack asked.

“Uh-huh. The chow hall. Want me to show you?”

“I’ll find it.” Jack put the tools away and looked up at the little boy. “How are you going to get down?”

“Ladder.”

“Be careful, kid, would you?” he said as he finished with Grace and closed the stall gate behind him.

A moment later Dub Lewis appeared at his side. The kid seemed small for his age. But what did Jack know about kids? Nothing. And he planned to keep it that way.

“Why aren’t you wearing boots?” Jack asked. “It’s dangerous to be in the stables without boots on.”

“I wasn’t in the stall,” he lisped.

“Sure you were.”

Dub shook his head. “I was in the loft. You don’t need boots in the loft.”

Jack opened his mouth and closed it again. What was he doing? He was arguing with a five-year-old, that was what. Once again, the kid reminded him of Daniel. Same forthright attitude and stubborn streak.

“I’m watching Grace,” Dub said. “We’re friends.”

“Oh, yeah?”

Dub nodded, and his short legs did double time in an effort to keep up with Jack, who continued to put the supplies away in the tack room.

“Yeth,” he said. “Sometimes I get to ride Grace, but I gotta wear a helmet.”

“They let you run around the ranch all by yourself, too?” Jack asked.

“I’m not running around. ’Sides, I told you. I gots permission.”

“Gots, huh?” Jack resisted the urge to smile. This was serious stuff. A five-year-old had no business running around without supervision. He knew only too well what could happen. Jack swallowed hard, finding himself getting tense and annoyed all over again.

Dub tugged on Jack’s shirttail. “Come on, Mr. Jackson, or we’ll be late.”

He regarded the pint-size kid at his side. “I’m Jack. Mr. Jack.”

And what was with this “we” stuff?

“Hurry, Mr. Jack!”

“How do you know we’ll be late?” he asked Dub. “You don’t have a watch on.”

“I could see from the window up there. Everybody’s walking to the chow hall.”

“Okay, fine. Show me the way.”

Dub was right. There were a lot of kids walking toward the training building. Now that he thought of it, he recalled a cafeteria in that building.

A few adults were up ahead, but it was mostly kids. Lots of kids. Boys of different ages laughed and talked as they headed to the meeting.

Somehow the whole kids at the ranch thing had slipped Jack’s mind. He hadn’t connected the dots. Or he had, and then blocked it out. Jack swiped a hand over his face and swallowed, willing his heart rate to slow down.

It didn’t matter—he wasn’t here for kids. He was here as a ranch hand. He’d do chickens and goats, and anything else the director lady threw at him. But kids were definitely not part of his repertoire. Not now and not in the future.

He stole a glance at the boy beside him. A prickle of apprehension raced over him, and he realized that he needed to make his no-kids policy completely clear to Lucy Maxwell.

And to Dub Lewis.

* * *

Lucy blinked.

What was Jack Harris doing with Dub Lewis? At well over six feet, he had to lean over every now and again to catch what the small child was saying. Dub seemed to be talking nonstop, skipping at intervals to keep up with Jack’s long strides. Jack’s dark head was next to Dub’s blond one. Lucy’s heart gave a little swoon at the picture they made. But Jack wasn’t smiling. The attorney limped as he walked—a sure sign those fancy shoes were causing him considerable discomfort.

“Did you get all moved in?” she murmured as he approached.

“I did,” he said with a curt nod.

“You spoke with your aunt?”

“My aunt.” He chuckled. “Aunt Meri cleverly left town to spend a few days with a friend.”

Lucy smiled and glanced from Jack to the little boy at his side. “I see you met Dub.”

“Met? He seems to have permanently attached himself to my shadow. I have a few questions for you,” Jack said, his words for her ears only.

Lucy knelt down next to Dub. “Hey, Dub, why don’t you go ahead and find a seat inside?”

Dub glanced at the box of camping supplies at her side. “Don’t I need those, too?”

“Miss Lorna picked yours up for you.”

“Okay. Are we still going for ice cream?” He searched her face hopefully. “With my sissies?”

“What did I tell you?” she returned.

“You said that you’d pick us up tonight after dinner.”

“That’s correct, and I always keep my promises.”

Relief now shone in Dub’s eyes.

“Now go ahead and find a seat inside, please.”

“Okay.” He turned to Jack. “I’ll save you a seat, Mr. Jack.”

“Uh, thanks, kid.”

Lucy’s gaze followed Dub as he raced into the open door of the building.

“What’s his story?” Jack asked.

She turned to face him. “What do you mean?”

“Seems like he should be in an orphanage so he can be adopted. Your facility isn’t licensed for adoption.”

“You really did your research,” Lucy said with a grudging smile. “Once again, I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be. I’m sure I’ll annoy you again very soon.”

“Dub is here as a favor to the court.”

“Why?”

“He’s one of three.”

“Three?”

“Yes. Triplets.”

Jack’s eyes rounded. “There are three of him? Where are his brothers?”

“Sisters. Ann and Eva. They’re at the girls’ ranch.”

“How’s that work?”

“Normally different-sex siblings have visitation weekly. We provide extra family time together for the triplets.”

“So why are they here?”

“You understand this falls under the medical confidentiality agreement you signed. We expect that of all staff members.”

“I’m an attorney. I’m accustomed to keeping my mouth shut.”

Though she sorely itched to spout the hearty comeback on the tip of her tongue, Lucy recognized that she was supposed to be making nice with the man, so she bit her tongue instead.

“Finding foster parents willing to take triplets isn’t easy. Dub was in a separate foster home from his sisters and he became very depressed. In fact, Dub has been in three different foster homes already this year. He ran away from all of them.”

“Why? Why does he run away? Do they treat him poorly?”

“Not at all. Dub simply feels obligated to take care of his sisters. That’s his burden. So he leaves to find them.”

“That’s a heavy load for a five-year-old.”

“I know.” And she did, far more than anyone would ever understand. It had been her job, like Dub’s, to keep track of Emma and Travis when the three of them were in foster care.

“How far does the little man get?” Jack asked.

“Oh, you’d be surprised.” She released a sigh. “Our Dub is very resourceful.”

“Now he’s here.”

“Yes. Dub and his sisters are here for the summer at least, to keep them together.”