Page 64 of A Cowboy's Trust
“We need days like this,” Jake offered as he stopped beside Zach.
“Definitely. Although I would enjoy it better if my wife wasn’t a million years pregnant.”
Which is when Jake noticed Zach had strategically placed himself so he could see the arena and keep an eye on Julia. “Any reason to worry?”
Zach made a face. “Doctor says no, but I keep thinking back to Kelli, who ended up with an emergency C-section. I hate not knowing when and what’s about to happen.”
“I hear you.” Although Jake had to admit he’d never had this situation to worry about.
Plus, he had gotten a little bit better at not freaking out over changed plans. It seemed his goal of learning to be more spontaneous was being beaten into him one day at a time, with Tansy’s willing encouragement.
“Screw it. I can’t even pretend I’m not hovering.” Zach strode back to the chair at Julia’s side. He dropped beside her so he could rub her back gently.
His friend occupied, Jake settled in the chair on the other side of Logan. He closed his eyes to soak in the sun, and shockingly, must have fallen asleep, because the next thing he knew he was waking to the sound of a low conversation to his left.
“You are getting stronger,” Tansy said.
“I guess,” Logan muttered. “Physically, maybe. It’s not enough.”
Jake stayed motionless, debating if he should move to show he was listening. But before he could decide, Tansy responded. “What do you mean?”
Logan sighed heavily. “I’ve had a lot of bad luck. One thing after another, it feels like. I’ve pretty much been on my own forever. I don’t think my life’s worth much.”
The words hit like a punch to the gut. That was it. Jake slid his eyes open, and rolled, finding a seat.
Logan glanced at him but turned back to Tansy, who was nodding slowly. Julia and Zach were far enough away that it was just the three of them in this small quiet space, and Jake vowed to keep his mouth shut.
Because while he’d had moments like that—feeling as if the world had given him nothing but hardships—he’d always had his brothers. He’d had Jeff.
“I used to feel that way,” Tansy admitted, her voice quieter now. She met Jake’s eyes straight on, paused as if considering. She lifted her chin and focused back on Logan. “Before I was adopted, I didn’t think I was worth much either.”
Interest caught, Logan sat up a little straighter even as Jake wrapped his brain around the clear message Tansy had sent.
She wanted him to hear this. Wanted him near.
“I was adopted when I was twelve,” Tansy continued. “The earliest memory I have as a child is being in a bad situation with people who should have cared for me but didn’t. Even when I got pulled out of that trouble at age nine, I ended up shuffled from foster home to foster home. I never stayed anywhere long enough to feel as if I belonged. By the time I came to Heart Falls, I wasn’t sure I could trust anyone. I didn’t think I’d ever find a real family.”
Something like hope flared in Logan’s eyes as he listened. “But you did?”
Tansy nodded. “The Fields took me in, and suddenly I had not only a home, but people who stubbornly loved me until I believed it was real. That changed everything.”
She paused, and Jake wanted to wrap his arms around her and hug her tight. Brave, giving woman. Sharing bits about her past to help Logan—it meant something powerful.
“Point is,” she continued, focusing back on Logan, “You might have had a ton of bad luck, but you’ve got a chance to start over here, with us. You have a home now for as long as you need it. It’ll take time, but things can get better. You need to decide if you’re willing to do the work.”
Logan considered her words, his expression guarded but a little softer. “Yeah.” He levered himself to vertical. “I’m gonna walk a little. Thanks for telling me your stuff.”
As Logan headed to the railing, Jake felt Tansy’s eyes on him. He slid onto the chair next to her, catching her hand in his.
“You were brave,” he said softly.
Tansy shrugged, trying to play it off. “He needed to hear it.”
“I needed to hear it.” Jake rubbed his thumb gently over her knuckles. “We’re all looking forward, though, right?”
“Working on it. Sometimes it feels as if I’m not fast enough, and I’m sorry,” she said with quiet regret.
“Don’t be. I think you’re incredible. And sexy,” he tossed out, just to lighten the moment. “Likemake me want to ravish you against the barnsexy.”
