Cathy McDavid - The Bull Rider's Valentine

“I-Hart-Catering. H-A-R-T. Like our last name.”

“Clever. And congratulations on your new business. Sam raved about it on the drive over here. Said you’re really picking up steam.”

He’d expected the teenager to join them for dinner, only to learn she’d made plans with a friend. Spence, Frankie’s fiancé, and the father of her daughters, was working late at the horse racing farm where he was head trainer. That left just her, the twins and Nate.

The slight discomfort he’d initially felt at being alone with them—not to mention his anxiety about the questions Frankie might pose—had been vanquished by the hospitality she’d shown. Hospitality that included feeding him an incredible home-cooked meal.

“Thanks.” She stopped to reprimand the girls for sneaking their vegetables to the dogs beneath the table. “I only just got I-Hart-Catering off the ground. Time will tell if I can make a go of it.”

He savored a mouthful of superbly seasoned green beans. “With food this good, I don’t see how you can fail.”

“It’s not easy. I’m still working full-time at the café and catering mostly on weekends. That may change if things keep going like they are.”

“Well, good luck to you.”

She gave her head an incredulous shake. “I still can’t believe your mom and Sam’s mom are such good friends. What are the odds?”

“Beyond my limited math skills.”

“I wonder why Ronnie didn’t make the connection when Sam first arrived.”

“Well, they never met. And while I’m sure I mentioned Sam’s mom, I doubt her last name ever came up.”

“Did Sam tell you how she found us?”

“She said your dad won the state lottery earlier this year and she tracked him down online.”

The story was an interesting one, and Frankie recounted it while they ate.

“He split the winnings four ways. It wasn’t a fortune but enough to better all of our lives. I bought this house with my share. Mel acquired her veterinary practice. Dad paid for his wedding to Dolores and for their honeymoon. And Ronnie started her barrel racing school. Before that she worked for the Powells, teaching classes and training horses. Because the money was spent before Sam got here, we all pitch in to help cover her rodeo expenses. She, in turn, helps us out as much as she can in exchange for room and board and Big John’s medical costs.”

“Must have been a shock, learning you had a half sister.”

“Quite a shock. But we adapted quickly.” Frankie set her fork down. “All right, not that quickly. But that’s to be expected.”

“Have she and Ronnie always squabbled like they do?”

“Funny you should mention that. No, they haven’t. Just lately. Sam’s really worried she won’t qualify for Nationals, and Ronnie’s trying hard to get her there. That’s probably putting a strain on their relationship.”

Nate thought back on his own rodeo career. In hindsight, he’d never worried much about qualifying. If it happened, great, if not, no big deal. He’d competed strictly for fun. That he’d earned a long list of titles and made decent money by anyone’s standards had often amazed him.

He had his late brother, Allan, to thank. Knowing his life would end prematurely, Allan had instilled Nate with a seize-the-moment attitude, and for many years Nate embraced the philosophy. He’d also reaped the rewards.

But Allan hadn’t lived long enough to learn the higher one flew, the farther they fell, and the more difficult it was for them to recover.

“Maybe the reason Ronnie and Sam bicker is because they’re a lot alike.”

Frankie stared at him as if he’d just solved a difficult scientific equation. “You’re absolutely right. Can’t imagine why that didn’t occur to me before. Those two are peas in a pod.”

The taller twin spoke for the first time. “What’s a pod, Mommy?”

While Frankie explained, the four of them finished their dinner. Afterward, she dispatched the girls to the family room to play.

“Can I help with cleanup?” Nate asked.

“An offer I never turn down.”

Their friendly conversation continued, centering on Ronnie and Nate’s rodeo days and the good memories, of which there were many. During a break, Nate asked Frankie the question that had been bothering him from the moment his mom called and requested he stop in Mustang Valley.

“Do you have any idea why Ronnie took off without even leaving a goodbye note?”

Frankie stopped loading the dishwasher. “You really should talk to her.”

“I tried, believe me. Kind of hard when she wouldn’t return my phone calls. I’m hoping to ask her when the moment’s right.”

“If it makes you feel better, she hardly spoke to any of us after she came back.” Frankie’s expression turned sad. “She took the miscarriage really hard.”

“She wasn’t the only one.”

“Oh, Nate. I’m so sorry. Shame on us for thinking just of Ronnie and not you.”

He’d been surprised by his excitement at the prospect of becoming a father, considering how young he and Ronnie both were and the pregnancy being completely unplanned. He’d figured on having kids in the distant future, not at twenty-four and when his career was just beginning to peak.

“Ronnie really wanted the baby,” Frankie said. “I know that for a fact.”

“Then why did she insist on competing?” It made no sense to him, then or now.

“I can only guess. I know the decision wasn’t easy for her and when things went...wrong, she was devastated.”

Nate had been watching from the arena fence as Ronnie executed her run, his muscles clenching at every tight turn she made around the barrels. He’d gone weak as a pup when, after completing the run, she reined her horse to a stop and climbed off safely.

Then, the unthinkable happened. While she stood watching the remaining competitors and chatting with friends, a runaway horse appeared from out of nowhere and nearly ran her over, causing her to trip and fall.

They’d seen the on-site medic and thought she was fine. But a few hours later, he’d rushed Ronnie to the hospital where she lost the baby.

“I did everything I could to support her,” Nate said, using a trip to the table for dirty dishes to gain control of his emotions.

“I have no doubt.” Frankie finished loading the dishwasher. Closing the door, she leaned her hip against the counter. “She did say your mother was...harsh when expressing her opinion.”

His parents had arrived at the hospital the next morning just before Ronnie was to be released. His mother had been thrilled about the baby and couldn’t wait for the arrival of her first grandchild. But rather than comfort Ronnie, she’d made callous remarks about Ronnie not being ready for motherhood and selfishly putting her needs ahead of those of her child. Nate had walked in a short time later to find Ronnie sobbing.

“My mom did treat Ronnie badly,” he conceded. “But that doesn’t excuse her shutting me out or leaving without a word.”

“Ronnie needed to work things out on her own. She’s been like that since our mom died.”

“Except we both know she hasn’t worked things out.” And, to be honest, neither had Nate. “She’s angry at me for showing up without calling ahead.”

“Is that the real reason you came here? To get an answer for why she broke up with you?”

“I came to check on Samantha.”

“And for closure.”

“I’m over Ronnie,” he insisted.

Frankie pushed off the counter. “Okay. If that’s what you say.”

She didn’t believe him. Then again, she was hardly the only one.

Together they made quick work of the remaining dishes, both of them giving the subject of Ronnie a rest.

When they were done, Nate asked, “Are any ranches in the area hiring? Short-term, if possible. And with weekends off. This weekend, anyway. I’m going to the rodeo with Sam and Ronnie.”