A Cowgirl's Secret(65)
Determined to see her mission through to a satisfying conclusion, Daisy wrangled from Dallas the route Luke would be taking, as well as his final destination. Next, she packed small bags for herself and her son. She kissed her mom, explaining exactly where she was going and what she planned to do. If there was anything she’d learned from her fight with Luke, it was always to be open with the people you love. Last stop was Kolt’s school where she explained to his teacher that they were taking an educational field trip to see his father working. Armed with Kolt and enough schoolwork to keep him busy for over a week, Daisy was finally ready to go.
Would Luke be ready to accept her latest apology?
WRESTLING WITH A biting champion breeding mare in sub-zero wind cold enough to freeze spit, Luke figured he might’ve been better off staying home. On the flip side, his current company was a damned sight more logical than Daisy, whose tantrum still chapped his hide.
What had she been thinking, breaking up with him yet again? They worked together. Sure, they bickered, but half the fun of that was in making up.
His cell rang—not that he heard it over the howling wind, but he felt the vibration in his back pocket. Seeing the caller was his mom, he considered not answering but then decided to pick up. “Hey, Mom. I’m busy.”
“So am I,” she said. “But listen, I ran into Cami Vettle—the elementary school secretary—and honey, I don’t know how to say this in a way that won’t sting, but Daisy checked Kolt out of school for an indefinite amount of time and even gathered enough of his books and homework to last the rest of the year.”
The tuna sandwich Luke had eaten for lunch threatened to come up. “You sure?”
“Marty down at the gas station said Daisy not only filled her tank, but bought an atlas. Now, I ask you, why would a woman with her means do that unless she was planning a trip?”
“I don’t know,” he snapped. Where the hell was Daisy going with his son? Should he call Dallas? Alert him his sister was on the run again?
“Don’t get angry with me,” Peggy barked right back. “I’m just confirming what I knew all along. Daisy Buckhorn is no good.”
Disconnecting his mother, Luke returned the mare to her stall. In this weather, she was too agitated to listen and he was too keyed up to speak.
His camper rocked in the wind as if he’d parked in the middle of a lake. Still, he put in a call to Dallas. When it went straight to voice mail, Luke truly started to panic.
“MOM,” KOLT SAID, MUNCHING a sweet-smelling apple, “I’m pretty sure you just made a wrong turn.”
Daisy argued, “But the GPS lady said this is the way.”
Her oh-so-wise child sighed. “I’m telling you, she’s wrong. We’ve learned all about maps in school and I think we should turn.”
“Okay,” Daisy said, “but it’s cold and windy and we haven’t seen any sign of civilization for an hour. If we have to spend the night out here, I’m eating all of your pretzels.”
He laughed. “I know I’m right.”
“You excited to see your dad?”
Nodding, he said, “I’m real glad you guys are getting married. It’ll be fun having him live with us all the time. Plus, I’ve been meaning to tell you, I want an extra-big wedding cake.”
Worrying her lower lip, she said, “Slow down, sweetie. We don’t know for sure yet if Luke even wants to marry me. Last time I saw him, I made him pretty mad.”
Kolt said, “Don’t worry, Mom. I know Dad loves you.”
“How?”
“Because every time he talks about you, he gets a funny look on his face. Kind of the same way Jonah does when he’s around Nancy Meir. I think she’s gross, but Jonah’s all the time talking about her shiny hair.”
“That’s a very bad sign,” Daisy said, afraid to hope her son’s assessment of Luke might be right. After two days on the road, more than anything she wanted Luke to give her one more chance. She knew she didn’t deserve it, but she figured it never hurt to pray.
HAND TO HIS FOREHEAD, shielding his eyes from the worst of the dust the wind had kicked up, Luke eyed the car approaching the Triple C’s barn.
No way…
Sure enough, Daisy’s prissy gold Mercedes—dirty as ever, bucked over the potholed dirt lane. Seated in the front seat alongside her was Kolt.
Tears stung Luke’s eyes, but he didn’t even bother sweeping them away. His mom hadn’t just been wrong, but acting downright senile. Daisy hadn’t been running from him, but to him.