It Takes a Cowboy

“I’ve got an opportunity lined up in Argentina. Chance of a lifetime, Blair. I think this one’s really going to pay off.”

She nodded, looking as though she’d heard that many times before. “I hope it works out for you.”

“I was going to stop by and give the kid some presents, make sure he’s okay before I take off again. But with you getting married and all...well, I guess you’ll be too busy for baby-sitting. So—how would you like to go to Argentina with me, boy?”

“Argentina?” Jeffrey bit his lip.

Scott drew a deep breath, thinking that this was it. The kid had been waiting a long time for a chance to take off with his dad. There was a good possibility that he would grab it while he could—even though it would break Blair’s heart.

But Jeffrey didn’t look as delighted as Scott might have expected. “Where would we live, Dad? Where would I go to school? Who would I stay with when you’re busy with other stuff?”

Kirk looked baffled. “I’m sure we can work something out,” he said vaguely. “I can always hire someone to help us out. And you’re a pretty big boy now, right? You don’t need a baby-sitter all the time.”

Blair made a muffled sound and started forward. Scott caught her wrist, thinking they should wait and let Jeffrey make this decision. He only hoped the boy would make the right one.

Jeffrey looked at the cat cradled in his arms. “What about Belle?”

“The cat? You probably better leave it here with Aunt Blair, son. That’s a long trip for a cat. But you can visit it, if you want, whenever we get back into the area to see Blair and Aunt Wanda.”

“I have a horse, D

ad. His name is Mercury. He lives on Scott’s ranch.”

Kirk chuckled. “Definitely the horse stays here. Maybe we’ll get you a pet in Argentina, okay? I know they’ve got dogs and cats and horses there.”

Jeffrey looked at Blair and Scott, who were watching him so quietly, Blair with a rather pleading expression on her face. “Dad?” he said in a small voice. “Would you mind too much if I stay here? I’m sort of settled here, and I think I might be in your way.”

What could only be described as regretful relief crossed Kirk’s face, but he didn’t speak immediately. He looked at Blair instead. “Uh, sis?”

“I would love to have Jeffrey stay here,” she answered quickly. Sincerely. “And so would Scott.”

Scott nodded, his eyes on the boy’s somber face. “Yeah. I’d like him to stay...if he wants to.”

“He has a good life here, Kirk,” Wanda chimed in. “He and Blair have gotten along wonderfully.”

Kirk turned to Jeffrey. “Sounds like you got a good thing here, Jeffrey. I’d love to take you with me, but I’ve got to think of your best interests...and it sounds like it might be better for you here.”

Jeffrey nodded. “Maybe I’ll go with you another time, okay, Dad?”

“You bet.” Kirk reached out to ruffle the boy’s hair with easy affection. “Some other time.”

Scott could almost see Blair relax. “Before you leave this time, I’d like you to sign some papers,” she murmured, choosing her words carefully.

Kirk studied her face. “Legal guardianship?”

At least he wasn’t as stupid as he was irresponsible, Scott couldn’t help thinking.

Blair nodded. “It would make things easier for me...and for Jeffrey.”

Kirk hesitated a moment, looking at his son, then shrugged. “You’re the lawyer, Blair. You do whatever you think is best for the boy.”

Blair reached out to take Scott’s hand, and he could feel the faintest tremor in her fingers. He thought of the expensive gesture she had made at the bachelor auction—the one that had brought him and Blair together. He thought of her constant worrying about her nephew, the way she had put Jeffrey’s needs before her own desires. And he thought of how much love she had given to the boy—and to him.

“She’s always done that, Kirk,” he said. “And she always will. We’ll both take care of Jeffrey—that’s a promise.”

Blair smiled mistily at him. When he glanced at Jeffrey, the boy was smiling, too.

The absolute trust in their eyes filled a painful emptiness that had gnawed inside Scott for a very long time.