Page 39 of The Cowboy's Miracle Baby

“Good.”

They drove for a few minutes outside of town to a restaurant on the river called Beck’s Place where a valet parked his truck, and the waiters wore long white aprons tied over their crisp black trousers and beneath starched white shirts. It was above and beyond anything she’d expected, certainly, in exchange for their little family Christmas gathering. But sitting beside him at the table in the corner near the big, blazing fireplace made her feel sparkly and special.

In the lobby, overlooking the diners, were large driftwood sculptures of running horses beneath a collection of crystal chandeliers. And soft music played in the background, adding to the ambiance. She recognized a few of the patrons in the dining room as local ranchers, shop owners, and even some local politicians. Marietta also attracted lots of tourists during the Christmas season with its quaint shopping, lovely celebrations like the tree lighting and the Stroll that helped support restaurants like this one and grow the business into what it was today. She’d only been here once before to celebrate her mom’s sixtieth birthday with the family.

“Do you like wine?” he asked, perusing the drink menu.

“Do ranchers ranch?”

He smiled. “Red or white?”

“You pick. I’m good with either.”

He ordered red—a good red—and they sipped it casually after ordering some delicious-sounding food.

“This is definitely more than I was expecting,” she said, leaning back in her chair.

“I like to exceed expectations.”

“Mission accomplished. I bet you were labeled an overachiever in school. Becoming a vet, amazing dad, all the things…”

He winced. “That’s kind of you. Although my brother, Luke, wouldn’t necessarily count that label as a plus.”

“Why’s that?”

“A little healthy brotherly competition? I think… because he’s still trying to find his way. He’s a talented musician, but he keeps that to himself. He’s been a hundred percent there for me and Ella since we lost Ella’s mom. It’s time for him to worry about his own life and not be harnessed to ours.”

“Hmm,” she said. “I didn’t get the impression from Luke that he was harnessed at all. It shows how much he loves you both.”

Gus swallowed hard. “He and I were separated when we were kids. Our parents died suddenly in an accident, and I was lucky enough to land with a family member who couldn’t take on someone as young as Luke. He ended up in foster care and I lost track of him for most of our childhood.”

Cami’s heart squeezed at the thought. Foster care had circled into all of their lives in unexpected ways.

“When I found him finally and my wife died,” Gus continued, “we became all each other had. And I think he doesn’t want to lose that. Neither do I, frankly. But being eight years older than him, I have a little more perspective than he does on how this goes. I want him to do his music, go to school, get a job, or whatever makes him happy and not worry about us.”

She took a sip of wine. “Maybe worrying about you and Ella does make him happy. Maybe there’s a way he can do both.”

“Yeah. My fault, too. Dragging him around with me—with us—for jobs.”

“So, you’ve been doing this a long time? This traveling vet thing?”

The waiter brought them salads and Cami played with it with her fork, waiting for his answer.

He nodded. “I was part of a practice back East and, after my wife passed, I couldn’t… stay there. So, I left. And here we are.”

“Here you are. And, sorry, but how long ago was this?”

“This… You mean her death?” He looked confused.

“No. I mean, how long have you been… running?”

He sent her a sharp look that softened after a moment. “I-I wouldn’t exactly call it running.”

“Oh. Okay. Sorry.” She blushed, hiding behind her glass of wine.

He blinked. “I mean, I guess I’ve been looking for…”

She tilted a look at him, waiting.

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