Counterfeit Cowboy (26 page)

“Jordan, you can’t do everything for those kids, be everywhere for them.” She took his scraped hand in hers and looked into his troubled blue eyes. “They’re all nearly twenty-one. It’s time they started being responsible for their own lives.”

“Damn it, Shelby, I thought you’d understand. My father told me he explained to you about Kevin. I can’t let that happen to another kid! I was wrong to think I could quit the band, wrong to think I could have a life with you. I have to go back as soon as I can. There’s no choice.”

A pain caught Shelby in the vicinity of the heart. The determination in his blue eyes left no room for doubt. She couldn’t try to hold him against his will, against what he felt he had to do.

“Good luck, Jordan.” She stood and touched his cheek gently. “If the day ever comes when you feel free, I’ll be right here…waiting.”

“Shelby!” He called her name as she headed for the door, but she didn’t stop or turn back.

****

“Shelby? Doctor Masters?” The gruff voice on the phone sounded familiar. “Joe Farrah here. Remember me?”

“Of course, Mr. Farrah. How nice to hear from you. How are you?”

“Fine, just fine, thanks, Doc. Look here’s the thing. Jordan called me from the hospital with some garbage about his coming back here because of Paulie. I told him there’s no need, but you know how stubborn he can be. And when it comes to those kids…”

“Yes, I know.”

“Well, I have the solution. I’ve been seeing this nurse for a couple of years, and she’s retiring this week. She worked in a drug-and-alcohol rehab center for fifteen years, so with both our lifestyles, we couldn’t get married. But a few minutes ago she agreed to be Mrs. Farrah and come on tour with us. She’s tired of living in one place and is more than willing to be a gypsy with me. We couldn’t get anyone better to manage Paulie and his problem, now could we?”

“You surely couldn’t, Joe. And congratulations. But what does that have to do with Jordan and me?”

“Look, I’m going to phone the bullheaded critter and tell him the good news. Then it’s up to you to convince him he can definitely quit, secure in the fact that Paulie and the rest of the gang will be in good hands.”

“Joe, I don’t know…”

“Look, woman, I’ve done my part. Now it’s up to you. So get a move on. I’ll call the hospital, and you jump into your vehicle and be ready to catch him when he’s fresh from my news. Okay?”

“Okay, sure. I’ll give it a try. But no promises, Joe.”

****

“Jordan?” Shelby entered the solarium cautiously to find him alone and looking out into the dazzling sunlight glinting off trees and fields beyond the maze of big windows.

“Shelby.” He turned his wheelchair to face. “I was about to call you. I’ve had some interesting news.”

“Really?” She sat down opposite him, her heart pounding.
Why didn’t he say “wonderful news,” or “great news”?

“Joe called to say he’s finally convinced Lili to marry him and join my traveling circus. She’s a drug-rehab nurse he’s been courting for a couple of years. Between Travis taking over my spot with the band and Lili joining forces with Joe to keep the boys in line, he says I’m free to go. He’s even been in contact with the boys’ parole officers and gotten them to agree to let him take over full responsibility for them.” He stopped and looked down at his hands.

“So what’s the problem?” Shelby’s heart was racing like a thoroughbred’s closing in on the finish line. “Aren’t you ready to leave the limelight? Is going back to being an ordinary citizen not what you want?”

“It’s what I wanted.” He looked up to meet her confusion. “But I don’t want to give up my work with kids in trouble. I want that to still be a part of my life. I owe it to Kevin’s memory. I was off at college when he needed me. I want to be there for other young guys in his position.”

“But you can be.” She reached out to cover his hand with hers. “You said you were a teacher before all this fame-and-fortune thing. You can be again. The high school closest to the farm is looking for a guidance counselor…I saw the advertisement in the local newspaper last week. You’d be perfect for the job.”

“And you’d be good with that? With my not being able to work full time on the farm?” A glimmer of hope appeared in his expression.

“Well, of course. We have Grady now. He’s happy working the place and doesn’t show any signs of ever leaving. It’ll be perfect if only…”

“If only?”

“If only you’ll marry me, Jordan Brooks.”

He sucked in a deep breath and hesitated.

“What’s wrong?” Something that felt like a vital organ sank like a stone.

“Shelby, I’m not sure how fully I’ll recover from all this. There’s a chance I’ll walk with a limp, maybe even a cane. And there’ll be a scar over my left eye, and…”

“Other than that?”

“Oh.” He caught the meaning in her twinkling green eyes. “Other than that, I’ll be fine…in a few weeks.”

“Good. Because your mother would love to have more grandchildren, and I’ve already sort of promised her…”

“You did what?” He was grinning now. “Now that, missy, I call downright presumptuous…and away too titillating for a man in my condition.”

“Sorry. Can you untitillate yourself enough to give me a straight answer? Jordan Brooks, will you marry me?”

“Do I have a choice?” he chuckled. “With my mother involved, I wouldn’t dare refuse. Furthermore,” he covered her hand with his. “Nothing on earth could make me. Shelby Masters, I love you and I’ll try my very best to make you happy every day of my life.”

“I know you will.” She leaned forward to plant a kiss on his lips. “Now I have to go. I have patients. Hurry and get well. If you make me wait too long, I can very easily turn into a bridezilla.”

****

Joy rushed through Shelby as she looked out the kitchen window to see Travis pull up in a shiny red king-cab pickup.
Home, they’re home
.

She kicked off her shoes, stuck her feet into a pair of boots on the tray by the door, and grabbed a jacket. In seconds she was on the verandah, watching as Travis opened the passenger door.

A cane came out, and a leg, but when her brother reached in to help, he got nudged off. Shelby’s heart danced with happiness as Jordan Brooks emerged and steadied himself on the snowy driveway with his walking stick.

“Welcome back.” She dared not say home, not just yet. She skipped down the steps and rushed to throw her arms first around her brother, then to look up tentatively at Jordan. “Can I hug you, too?”

“If you’re real gentle, ma’am.” He slanted her that heart-melting grin. “Ribs are still a tad tender.”

She put her arms gently about him for a moment, then backed off to look up at him. He was thinner, his face still gaunt in recovery, but all she could think was that Jordan was back, the Jordan she loved with all her heart.

“Come into the house. Supper is almost ready. Can you have a beer, or are you on painkillers?” She started ahead of him. After seeing his refusal of Travis’s help, she knew better than to offer anything similar.

“A beer sounds fine. I kicked the painkillers yesterday. I don’t like drugs…of any kind.”

Remembering what she’d learned about the death of his younger brother, Shelby understood.

Once inside, they shed their coats and boots. Jordan seated himself gingerly at the table, and Travis followed his example.

“Man, it feels good to be back.” Jordan stretched out his injured leg and flinched. “Is that a fresh fir tree I smell?”

“In the living room, all trimmed and ready for Christmas,” Shelby said. “We’ll have an official viewing after supper.”

“Great. This place is terrific.”

“You can say that again.” Travis grinned at Shelby. “I’ve missed you and the old place, Shel.”

“I bet. Glamorous lifestyle, lots of excitement.”

“Yeah, you got that right. Still, when I get tired of it, this is the kind of place I want to settle down in.”

“Beer?” Shelby went to the fridge and turned a quizzical eye to her brother.

“Not right now. First,” he stood and reached for his boots. “I’m heading down to the barn to say hello to some of the critters. Might even take Midnight Brandy for a little spin in the arena.”

“Go for it. He’s in fine trim.”

“Oh, and by the way, Shel, that truck is yours. I wanted to put a bow on it, but the weather didn’t permit. Merry Christmas, sis.”

Before Shelby could get over her surprise, he was gone, letting the door slam behind him.

“Oh, no!” Shelby handed Jordan a beer and sank down onto a chair opposite him. “It’s too much. That truck must have cost…”

“Believe me, Doctor, your brother can afford it. He’s doing great. And it’s something he had his heart set on doing. So just say thanks and let it go.”

“Jordan, is he really doing
that
well?”

“He’s a big hit, Shelby. Everyone loves him. I couldn’t be happier. I’m glad to be out of it. Something smells great.” He sniffed. “Pot roast with those little potatoes and brown gravy?”

“You’re a connoisseur of country cuisine, sir.” Shelby laughed as she turned to the stove. “And apple pie for dessert.”

“Shelby.” His tone made her turn back to him after she’d removed a large roasting pan from the oven. “Were you serious back at the hospital when you asked me to marry you? I was a bit spaced out on painkillers at the time.”

“Sorry, sir, but I was dead serious. And I hope you were, too, when you said yes.”

“Damn right I was serious. And as soon as I’m better…”

“Yes, as soon as you’re better.” She rounded the table to plant a kiss on the top of his head.

But when she moved away and glanced back over her shoulder she winked.

Chapter Twenty-One

Leaning on his cane, Jordan looked out the living room window toward the road. It was snowing again, big soft fluffy flakes, just right for Christmas Eve morning. Shelby was down at the barn. She had no patients scheduled for the next few days. He was glad. It would be great to have her all to himself. Well, to himself and Travis. But Travis was often away, visiting old friends, so he and Shelby frequently had the house to themselves. Grady spent his time in the cabin and barn and preferred it that way.

He wished he were in better shape to enjoy the time.
Be patient, Buddy. You’re lucky to be alive. The day will come when you’re rid of this stick and able to enjoy that beautiful woman as she was meant to be enjoyed.

Then out on the road he saw three vehicles approaching, two trucks and a van. He felt a jolt of recognition. No, it couldn’t be! Not his father’s and his brother’s trucks…and Joe’s van. What were they doing here?

As they turned in at the gate and came toward the house, he realized he was correct. Limping as fast as he could, he headed for the kitchen and his jacket on a peg by the door. By the time they stopped at the steps, he was heading down them as fast as his gimpy leg would allow.

“Hey, folks,” he yelled. “What are you all doing here?”

“We’ve been invited for Christmas, bud.” His brother was first out of the vehicles. Opening the back door of the king cab, he took only a moment to let a bouncing six-year-old free.

“Uncle Jordan!” The child rushed forward to throw his arms around Jordan’s hips. He fought the reflex to flinch and struggled down on his good knee to return the embrace.

“Jody! Man, it’s good to see you.”

Then David’s wife, Lisa, and his parents were joining them, hugs and kisses flowing. And shortly Joe Farrah, Lili his fiancée, and the boys in his band were spilling out of Joe’s van in a flood of hearty greetings.

“This is great, so great.” Jordan finally stood back, grinning broadly. “But how…why? What about the farm, Dad?”

“Now you’re talking like a horse farmer.” Herb Brooks grinned back. “Lobsters and potatoes don’t need tending in December. And next door neighbor Frank is keeping an eye on the buildings. When Shelby invited us for Christmas, well, we jumped at the idea. How are you, son?”

Herb Brooks’ formerly happy tone became serious over the last sentence.

“Fine, getting better every day. But enough of that talk. Here’s Shelby.” He held out an arm to take her into it as she came trotting up from the barn. “Doctor, let me introduce you to anyone you haven’t previously met.”

****

“Dave, I don’t see why I have to get dressed for Christmas Eve supper down here in Grady’s cabin. I’m only wearing a pair of slacks and that new shirt Lisa and Mom bought me.”

He jerked away as David made a move to straighten his collar and caught the wink Grady slanted at his brother.

“What’s up?” Suspicion that had started an hour ago was mounting. “What’s going on up at the house?”

“Might as well tell him.” Dave drew a deep breath. “He’ll only annoy us until we do. The women are planning a special Christmas Eve surprise for you. We’re to keep you away until they call.”

Dave’s cell buzzed and he pulled it from his pocket.

“You’re ready? Okay, so are we. Come on, Grady. Let’s get this guy up to the house.”

Jordan knew something serious had to be up when they led him around to the front door and insisted on entering that way. The minute Dave opened it and urged his brother inside, he felt his breath gush from his body. He saw his family and Joe and Lili, all in their Sunday best, seated around the decorated living room. His band, in a corner, began to play “
Parle-moi d’amour
” with Travis singing the words, and suddenly his gaze was drawn to the staircase and the vision at the top.

In white dress and veil sparkling with tiny crystals not unlike the snowflakes falling softly outside, Shelby held Andy Crowell’s arm and looked down at him. Even through the veil covering her face he could see the loving smile, and his heart halted in joy.

“Gettin’ married, lad, I reckon,” Grady hissed into his ear as he eased past him and into the chair waiting for him.

“Come on, brother.” David was urging him forward. “Can’t keep that vision waiting.”

Jordan vaguely became aware of a man in black standing by the fireplace and holding a Bible. All he could adequately comprehend was the woman who’d started slowly down the stairs, so beautiful he was mesmerized.

The best Christmas ever. The words tangled around in his head. The first of many wonderful Christmases.