Rodeo Reunion (15 page)

“That got me thinking—there are a whole host of nonbelievers who will never step in the doors of a regular church. Because they don't feel like they belong, or a list of other excuses. But the cowboy churches are breaking down those excuses.”

“People can wear what they've got, come to a barn and get baptized in a feed trough.” Slade nodded. “Similar to my rodeo chaplain ministry.”

“There are two cowboy churches in Fort Worth and one in Denton.” Garrett ran his finger across his iPhone screen. “To tell you the truth, when Lane first came to me, I thought, Aubrey has plenty of churches and our church doesn't need any more competition. But like Lane said,
some folks will never go near a typical church. I think Aubrey is ripe for a cowboy church.”

“If we can find a building, would you be interested in pastoring?” Lane asked.

Slade's gut tensed. “You wouldn't be?”

“No.” Lane shook his head. “I prayed about it and God convicted me, I'm an associate pastor. Period. But there is a newly called preacher at our church. Our pastor talked to him and he's willing to take my place, so I could be associate for the cowboy church.”

“Would you be interested in pastoring, Slade?” Garrett sipped his coffee.

“I'd have to pray about it.” Slade folded his hands on the textured surface of the table. “I've been a rodeo chaplain for several years, but I'm currently on sabbatical because I had some family concerns to take care of.”

“Are your family concerns settled now?”

Slade looked at Tori, then Brant. “I think so.”

“Well, I've already prayed about the matter. I'm all for a cowboy church, but not in my barn.” Garrett leaned back in his chair. “Unfortunately, I have to be very careful about security and I'm very private about where I live.”

“All of our property was enclosed in one fence with access from one gate. And we had a breach.” Jenna patted Tori's hand.

Tori shivered and Brant put his arm around her.

The muscle in Slade's jaw flexed.

“For the last year,” Garrett continued, “I've had the fences redone and added a gate so that the entrance to two of the barns are separate. They'll both open soon—one will be a bull-riding school and the other a practice arena. The only other barns on the property are too close to my residence.”

“I see.” Slade's heart sank.

“But Jenna and I have talked about it. We're willing to
put up the money for a building or barn that could be used. Or even buy land and build.”

“Really?” Slade's mouth went dry. “I actually have some funds available. I'll donate whether I pastor the church or not.”

“I could make a donation,” Tori offered.

“So could I,” Natalie chimed in.

“Well, then, I'll contact Star Marshall and see what she can find.” Garrett leaned his elbows on the table. “Once we have a building, I'll contact Slade and we'll talk funds, then see what God says about a pastor. Since we're backing the ministry, I'm sure we'll want a pastor of like doctrine. Maybe the cowboy church could join our association of churches.”

Lorraine let out a whimper. Raquel took her from Brant, stood up and bounced her niece around.

“Do you plan to attend the church?” Slade directed his question to Garrett.

“No.” Garrett shook his head. “I might do a concert at the arena we'll put behind the church to jump-start the congregation, but we're happy in our church.”

“This is so exciting.” Natalie twiddled her thumbs. “Lane's done research and these churches don't seem to pull from other congregations—they truly draw people who don't go anywhere.”

“Let's hope. Thanks for setting up the meeting, Tori.” Garrett scooted his chair back and stood. “It was nice meeting you, Slade. I'll be in touch.”

“I'll look forward to hearing from you.”

Raquel danced Lorraine around in the corner. And her flowery scent ambushed him, drawing him like a bee to honey. Especially beautiful holding a baby.

If this worked out, if God was for him pastoring the cowboy church, he could stay in Aubrey and get to know Tori better. He could be near Raquel. If she'd let him get near.

But he had to keep her out of the equation. If the cowboy church came together, he needed to pray about it. And he couldn't let Raquel influence his decision.

She handed Lorraine back to Brant as everyone said their goodbyes and hurried out the exit.

Didn't seem as if she were interested in letting him near anyway.

* * *

Mid-April sun warmed Raquel as she stood at the plate. She hadn't swung a bat in a dozen years.

Two more games under their belt and the boys hadn't won again yet. No matter how much Raquel tried to encourage him, Hunter was starting to get down in the dumps. About half the team were decent hitters and runners. They followed the base coaches' directions well.

But playing the field killed the team every game. If one kid missed the ball, it turned into a comedy of errors while the opposing team made run after run.

So Slade had come up with a plan for practice tonight and had asked the adults who were willing to come dressed to play.

So here she stood at the plate, with a field full of seven- and eight-year-olds. And Slade pitching. “Are you sure this is okay for your shoulder?”

“I'm fine. I promise not to use my fastball on you.”

“Come on, Raquel. Bring me home,” Lacie called from second base.

“No pressure.” Raquel deadpanned. She angled the bat back above her shoulders and leaned into her stance, remembering the tips Slade had given Hunter. Feet straight, lined up with the plate, swing level.

The pitch came low and fast.

“Strike one,” Quinn announced behind her.

Raquel faced him. “It was low.”

“Don't argue with my ump, ma'am.” Slade grinned at her.

She gripped the bat harder and leaned into the plate, determined to knock it out of the park as Slade wound up for his next pitch.

Still a little low, but doable. She swung and connected with the ball, sending a solid vibration through her hands. She dropped the bat behind her and ran. Sam waved her on to second and Quinn stopped her there while Slade coached the boys on the field.

Okay, so it wasn't out of the park, but she'd gotten Lacie home.

“I'm gonna get you out, Mom.” Hunter punched his glove with his fist on third.

“We'll see about that.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

“It's not fair, coach,” Fletcher whined from the outfield. “The adults can hit the ball farther and run faster.”

“Yes,” Slade shouted. “But it's great practice for us. That was much better. You're starting to think like a team. Each player knows where he'll throw the ball before it comes to him. If that had been a kid hitting and running, y'all would have gotten him out.”

Slade turned back to the home plate. Another mom was up to bat. A solid thunk resonated on the first pitch and Raquel ran to third. Quinn waved her home. Two-thirds of the way there, Quinn dove for the ball, but it went over his head into the backstop. As Quinn scrambled after it, Slade ran in to cover home.

Mere feet away, Quinn lobbed the ball to Slade. Raquel had only one chance. She slid on her belly and touched the plate with her fingertips as Slade knelt to tag her.

“Safe,” Quinn called.

Slade helped her up and the warmth of his hand numbed her brain. Lacie ran over for a high five, breaking the contact. Heat crept up her neck and she dusted off the front of her jeans and T-shirt.

“That was great, boys.”

“But I didn't get her out.” Hunter kicked third base.

“But Max sailed that ball straight to you. Your mom's an above-average runner. Most kids wouldn't be able to run as fast and you'd have gotten them out. You'll see. Play like we just practiced on Tuesday night and we'll get some outs. Let's wrap it up for the night.”

The team scattered.

“Can Slade help us make cupcakes, Mom?”

Drat. She really needed to have a talk with Hunter about inviting Slade everywhere. “Sure.”

“Cupcakes?”

“I'm making cupcakes for the game. Everybody gets one cupcake, but if they win, they get two.”

“My kind of motivation.”

“You can help me frost 'em.” Hunter bounced up and down. “And Mom's making my favorite, chicken and dumplings.”

“If you like chicken and dumplings, we've got plenty.”

“If I like chicken and dumplings? You're making my mouth water.”

He made her mouth water.
Stop looking. Just stop looking. Stop thinking. Stop dreaming.
“Come over when we get home from school on Thursday.”

“I and my appetite will be there.”

Raquel hurried to her car. At least she didn't have to be in the same vehicle with him on the way to her house. Maybe by game day, her breathing would get back to normal.

* * *

The still-warm cupcake emitted a decadent scent as Slade smeared on the chocolate icing the way Hunter had shown him. Tempting—he'd like to pop it in his mouth.

But the cupcake wasn't as tempting as the woman in the red apron beside him. Focus on the child in their midst before he did something stupid.

“Thanks for inviting me over, Hunter. I think that was the best chicken and dumplings I've ever eaten.” Slade caught Raquel's gaze.

“I'm glad you liked it.” Raquel turned a cupcake with one hand and slathered icing with the other.

“
Like
is a weak word when it comes to chicken and dumplings. Try
love
.”

Her gaze flitted to his, then darted away.

“Wish I could have had more.” Hunter's cupcake had more icing on it than it could hold.

“Not so much icing.” Raquel spooned some off and started a new cupcake. “You get a cupcake after your meal at Moms. And there are plenty of leftovers for tomorrow night. If you eat too much before the game, it might get messy.”

“Hey, sport, shouldn't you get your uniform on?”

“Aww, I wanna finish the cupcakes.”

“Slade's right.” Raquel checked the clock. “I didn't realize what time it was.”

“Okay.” Hunter set down the cupcake he'd just finished in the cake pan and scurried down the hall.

Finally alone. Slade stepped closer to Raquel. Side by side, they frosted their cupcakes. His arm grazed hers and heat went straight to his heart. Her perfume teased his senses.

“This is fun. I don't know how you had time to cook that meal and bake these when you just got home a few hours ago.”

“The Crock-Pot is a lifesaver.”

“But you had the cupcakes in the oven by the time I got here. You're amazing.” He could spend the rest of his years making cupcakes with her.

“Not really. I love cooking and baking. I hope the other boys on the team get a light supper before the game.”

“I'm pretty sure a few don't eat until after the game at Moms. You're a great mom, Raquel.”

“Thanks.” She looked up at him, her eyes misty. “I try, but I worry about Hunter not having a male influence.”

“I could help you with that.”

Panic filled her eyes and she took a step back. She wiped at her eyes, smearing icing on her nose.

Great, he'd scared her off, just when more than anything he wanted to kiss the icing away and then stray to her lips. “You've got icing on your nose.”

She swiped at the smear and made it worse.

And for some reason, he wanted to remember this moment.

“Wait, hold it right there. I'll show you.” He pretended to get her a napkin while he dug his cell from his pocket, then snapped her picture.

“What was that for?”

“To show you how funny you look.” Actually tantalizing. He held his phone for her to see.

She leaned her head close to his.

“This is going on Facebook.”

“No.” She grabbed at his phone.

“Oh, yeah.” He held it up out of her reach.

Laughing, she stepped closer and reached for the phone.

Only a breath away. Phone forgotten, his hands settled on her waist.

She stilled and her laughter died.

His gaze fell to her lips. Did he dare follow his heart and kiss her? No, she'd bolt. Better to take this slow.

“Here, I'll get it.” He wiped the frosting away with his thumb.

A tiny gasp escaped her and she pushed away from him.

“And I won't put the picture on Facebook. I'm not even on Facebook. I was kidding.”

“Good.” She turned to the counter and began frosting the final cupcake but her hand shook.

“I've missed our dinners together. We kind of had a routine going there for a while of eating and riding together. I miss that. Maybe we could start riding to the ball field together again. And eating together.”

“Well, you know where the ball field is now and your concussion is healed, so you don't need me to get you there. And we'll eat together at Moms on Main after the rest of the games, win or lose.”

“I know, but I was thinking maybe we could eat together after practices too. You don't have to cook. We can go to Moms. And since we're both going to the ball field four times a week, why not ride together and save gas.”

“We'll see.” She set the cupcakes in the deep cake pan.

“Maybe we could have dinner on Saturday night. Alone.”

Her hand stopped in mid-lid-snapping. “You mean…like a…date,” she squeaked.

“Yeah, like a date. Actually, not like a date. But a date.” Did that even make any sense?

“No.” She shook her head and pressed the plastic lid onto the cake pan.

“No?” Slade's voice cracked.

“Do you want some chicken and dumplings to take home?” Raquel wouldn't look at him. “It's easy to warm up in the microwave.”

Huh? Her chicken and dumplings were to die for. But she'd just turned him down and she was talking leftovers?