McKettricks of Texas: Garrett by Linda Lael Miller Page B

Calvin loves him so much that he doesn’t want to live even part-time with his mom anymore.
    And those were the cheerier ones.
    â€œAll right, I admit it,” Julie all but whimpered. “I’m scared to death.”
    â€œI know,” Paige said, gentling down a little. “Listen, Jules, you’re the best mother in the universe,” she went on softly. “But be that as it may, Calvin still needs a father.”
    Julie had reached the school by then, and she maneuvered into her parking spot. “You’re right.”
    Paige laughed. “Of course I am.” A pause. “Did Libby mention our getting together, the three of us, on Saturday? She wants to start shopping for her wedding dress.”
    The thought of Libby and her happiness made Julie feel better instantly. “We talked about it a little this morning, when I dropped Calvin off at her and Tate’s house.”
    â€œDo you not think it just a little strange that they want to live there instead of the mansion?”
    â€œIt’s not strange, Paige. I’m sure the small house is cozier, better suited to family life. Anyway, you know Tate’s never been much for high living, and neither has Libby.”
    â€œYou’re staying in the main house,” Paige pressed. “What’s it like?”
    â€œYou’ve been in the ranch house, Paige. At least as far as Austin’s bedroom, not to put too fine a point on things.”
    â€œHa,” Paige said. “So funny. It was dark, we were young, and I wasn’t exactly thinking about architectural detail.”
    â€œI don’t suppose you were,” Julie drawled back. “Gotta get back to work now. Thanks for listening.”
    â€œKeep me in the loop,” Paige chimed in reply.
    Goodbyes were said, and the call ended.
    Julie dropped her phone into her tote bag and wove her way through a river of teenagers flowing along the hallway.
    Their energy exhilarated Julie, made her smile. Parents and administrators could wear her down, but the kids themselves always energized her. Many nights, after a theater group rehearsal or a performance, she was high for hours, too excited to sleep.
    The afternoon sped by.
    The meeting with Arthur Dulles and two school board members went exactly as Julie had expected it to—the showcase was out, unless she wanted to stage the three one-act plays in addition to the musical.
    That would be impossible, of course.
    Which was exactly why she was going to do it.

CHAPTER FIVE
    C ALVIN .
    On a midnight-black horse.
    As Julie drove into the yard at Tate and Libby’s place late that afternoon, the sight of her child made her heart catch. Calvin looked not just happy, but transported, perched in that saddle with Garrett McKettrick behind him.
    The reins rested easily in Garrett’s leather-gloved hand, and his hat threw his face into shadow, but Julie felt his eyes on her as she stopped the Cadillac, shut off the motor and got out.
    Man, boy and horse.
    The image, Julie thought, with a sort of exhilarated terror, would remain in her mind forever, etched in sunlight, with the creek dancing behind and the sky a shade of lavender-blue that scalded her eyes.
    â€œLook, Mom, I’m riding a horse!” Calvin crowed.
    Her boy, her baby, was safe within the steely circle of Garrett’s arms, she could see that plainly. And yet Julie’s heart scrambled up into the back of her throat and flailed there as she thought of all the terrible things that could have happened.
    A snake might have spooked the horse, causing him to be thrown. Badly hurt, or even killed.
    Or something—some dirt mote or bit of pollen—could have brought on one of Calvin’s rare but horrifying asthma attacks.
    Did he have his inhaler handy, or was it still stashed in the bottom of his backpack, as usual?
    She looked around, saw Tate on another horse nearby, Audrey riding in front of him, Ava holding on from behind. Libby