Linda Warren - Texas Rebels - Paxton

“I forgot to tell you about that. I’m so glad you didn’t refuse it.”

“Mom, the woman was standing there with a shotgun in her hand. I wasn’t going to refuse too much.”

“I’m proud of you, son. You’re turning into a nice young man. I’m glad you put all that Lisa business behind you.”

Lisa? He still hadn’t called her, and that was the old Pax, avoiding a confrontation. To be the man he wanted to be, he had to call her and break it off—for good.

He turned to leave the room, but something in him needed to know. “What happened to Miss Bertie’s granddaughter? She looks ill.”

“I believe she was in a motorcycle accident.”

“Motorcycle? I don’t see her as a motorcycle chick.”

His mother lifted an eyebrow again, which all of her sons knew well. It meant she was either disappointed in what they’d done or what they’d said.

He tried hard not to fidget. “You know what I mean. Piercings, tattoos and leather. This girl is very slight and I can’t see her riding a motorcycle.”

“It was the boyfriend’s, I believe.” His mother studied his face and he wanted to squirm again. “Why are you so interested in Remington?”

“I’m not.” That was the truth. He was just...curious.

“We just went through this with Phoenix and Rosemary’s relationship. Even though I have accepted Rosie, I wouldn’t like to see another of my sons getting involved with a McCray.”

“Whoa.” He held up a hand. “There’s nothing like that going on. She’s not my type. When she found out I was a Rebel, it was like opening a freezer. Rest assured there’s nothing going on. I was just asking.”

“Are you sure?”

“Mom.”

She got up and walked around her desk to stand in front of him. She lightly touched his face. “I don’t think you realize just how handsome you are. This girl is very vulnerable right now and I wouldn’t like to see you hurt her in any way. Not that you would intentionally because I know you, and you have a big heart when it counts.”

He couldn’t believe he was having this conversation with his mother. Avoiding a deep emotional conversation was his top priority when talking to his mother. He didn’t know what else to say, except the truth.

“Okay. I promise I won’t hurt her. I don’t see how that can happen since I’ve only had one conversation with her. And believe me, I’ll never forget that she’s Ezra McCray’s daughter.”

Chapter Three

For the next couple of days Paxton helped on the ranch and worked on his rodeo schedule. He and his friends had ridden in a rodeo in Louisiana and at the Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo. It was now February and he decided not to ride in as many rodeos as he had before. He was getting older and it had taken a toll on his body, so he would ride the big rodeos for the money and for a chance to make it to Las Vegas.

After a hard day of working cattle, he showered and sat on the sofa still going over his schedule. He lived with Jericho in the bunkhouse and they got along well. Jericho never caused trouble and was a good friend to the Rebels.

His brother Egan had met him in prison when Egan had been unjustly accused of a crime. He saved Egan’s life and they’d become fast friends. For saving her son’s life, their mother had offered him a job on the ranch and he had gladly taken it. He’d grown up on the streets in Houston and had been involved with gangs. But today he was a changed man and the Rebels trusted him completely.

They took turns doing chores around the house. Tonight Rico had kitchen duty. Since they used paper plates for convenience, it was mainly pots, pans and utensils. Pax looked up from his phone and thought he’d talk about something that had been on his mind. He could trust Rico not to say anything.

“I had this strange encounter with a woman.”

Rico folded a dishtowel and laid it on the counter. He was well over six feet tall with long hair tied into a ponytail at his neck. A scar was slashed down the side of his face that made him a little off-putting to most. His nationality was a mystery, but Egan had said he was part white, Mexican, black and Indian. He was an intimidating figure.

“You can forget it if you’re asking for advice. I don’t know a thing about women. I don’t think any man does.”

“No, I don’t want advice. I met this woman while I was in Port Aransas. She was sitting on the beach and couldn’t get up so I helped her and that seemed to make her mad. She didn’t even say thank you. It was very clear she was ill, but she kept insisting she was fine. Then I went over to haul Miss Bertie’s calves and found out she’s Miss Bertie’s granddaughter. And Ezra McCray’s daughter.”

“Man, don’t you see the sign? Stay Away is blinking in front of you.”

“I know. I know. I’m not interested in her or anything. I’m just curious as to why she won’t admit she’s ill.”

“What does it matter?”

Paxton shrugged. “There’s just something about her.”

“Oh, man, don’t you have enough girls chasing you around the rodeo circuit instead of getting involved with someone who’s gonna upset your mother?”

“I already told Mom about her.”

“What did she say?”

He cleared his throat. “Stay away from her.”

“Exactly. Listen to your mother, that’s all I’m going to say.”

They heard a little voice they knew well—Jake, Phoenix’s almost-three-year-old son.

A light tap sounded at the door and reminded Paxton of a rat scratching in a wall. He jumped up and yanked open the door. “Boo,” he shouted. Jake stumbled backward, giggling. Then he ran into Paxton’s arms, and Paxton swung him up into the air.

“You ’cared me.”

He noticed that Jake only had underwear and boots on and it was cold outside. “Where’s your clothes, buddy?”

Phoenix and Rosie, who were standing in the doorway, came inside. “Tell him, son.”

Jake looked down at his underwear. “I got underwear like Daddy’s. I’m a big boy.”

“We’re potty training,” Rosie said. With her red hair and sweet personality, Rosie was a gorgeous woman.

“I wasn’t aware Phoenix wore SpongeBob SquarePants underwear.”

“Don’t start.” Over the years, he and Phoenix had teased each other a lot, but of the two of them Phoenix was always the big jokester.

Paxton hugged Jake again. “I’m proud of you, buddy.”

Jake hugged him back. “Me big boy now.” Jake noticed Rico and held out his arms. Rico took him. “Lookie, Rico.” Jake pointed to his underwear.

“I see, big boy.”

Jake smiled. “Gotta go show Grandma.” He wiggled down and ran to Phoenix.

“We have to put on your coat,” Phoenix said.

“He wouldn’t wear his clothes.” Rosie helped Jake with his coat. “He wants everybody to see his underwear.”

Jake waved goodbye and Phoenix closed the door.

“Do you ever think of having kids, Rico?”

“Nah. I’m content the way I am.”

“I always thought I wouldn’t want kids. They’re a lot of work, but every time I hold Jake I get this feeling that it would be great to have a kid.”

Rico sank into his recliner. “That shouldn’t be much of a problem for you.”

“I want to fall in love first.”

Rico clicked on the TV. “Now that could be a problem.”

“You don’t think I can fall in love?”

“I think this discussion has gone on long enough.” He turned up the TV, and Paxton walked into his room. His cell buzzed with a message. He looked at the name. Lisa.

It was time to cowboy-up and do the right thing—the mature thing. He touched her name and her cell rang. She answered right away.

“Oh, teddy bear, I knew you’d call. I knew you’d realize we belong together.”