Daring Dreamer (Quinn Valley Ranch Book 7) Read online

  “Of course. I’m not saying that you can’t ever be concerned, but . . . it’s too much right now.”

  “I’m glad you told me it was bothering you. I can’t wrap bubble wrap around you or pad your entire world, but I can be cognizant of how I react to it.”

  She leaned back and smiled. “Sounds good to me. Want to play Monopoly?”

  He sighed. “I’m not going to play Monopoly with you. I’ve heard too many stories. Maybe something you can’t cheat at. Isn’t there a Monopoly app you can play?”

  “Sure, but then I can’t steal from the bank when you’re not looking!”

  He shook his head. “Why would you even be thinking about cheating when you don’t know if you’ll be winning anyway?”

  “Hey, it’s who I am. Love me or don’t.”

  There was no question about that. He did.

  After Chad left that evening, Roxane came over for an hour or two to make sure Renae was being taken care of properly by their younger sisters. “Ciran sent tacos,” she said, walking in the door and dangling a bag in front of Renae’s face.

  “Ciran is my hero. I think I’m in love with him. You won’t mind if I kiss him, will you?”

  “Hands off.” Roxane shook her head. “You only love him for his tacos. I love him for his tacos and everything else, too!”

  Renae wrinkled her nose and grabbed the bag. “Tacos.”

  Roxane sat down across from her sister at the table. “I worry about you and your love for tacos.”

  “And you don’t make Ciran fix you tacos five nights a week? Because that’s what he said.”

  “It’s more like lunch every day and five nights a week. Baby wants tacos a lot.” Roxane patted her belly with a grin.

  “You mean Roxane wants tacos, and you’re using baby as an excuse.”

  “That might have something to do with it, too.” Roxane grinned at her. “How’s the arm? Is everything you need being taken care of?”

  “Yeah. I’m going back to Brooke on Tuesday, and I’m hoping she frees me from this sling, and I can live my life normally.” Renae sighed. “I probably will need at least one more week off work. I need the strength in my hands to zone properly.”

  “You’ll be back to it before you know what’s happening. Which is good. I’m ready for a zone.”

  “How are you feeling? Morning sickness?”

  “Pretty much all-day sickness. Tacos are the only things that help!”

  Renae rolled her eyes. “You just keep telling yourself that.”

  “Who’s coming to stay with you tonight?”

  “I think it’s Raina’s turn. I’m losing track.”

  “Is your laundry caught up? Do you need me to do anything for you while I’m here?”

  “Not really. Mom brought lasagna one night, which was really nice. Mostly it’s just been me and Chad hanging out.”

  “That’s the other thing I wanted to ask about . . . how serious are you two?”

  “You know, I’m not sure. I mean, he’s here a lot, and he keeps dropping hints about marriage, but he hasn’t actually asked me. We’re spending a lot of time together. though, and his kisses are absolutely amazing.”

  Roxie grinned. “Amazing kisses sound promising.”

  “I promise the whole world will know it if we go beyond just hanging out.”

  “How do you feel about him?”

  “I’m head over heels in love with him. I’d think that would be written all over my face.”

  Roxane got to her feet. “That’s all I needed to know.”

  “You were really here for the gossip, weren’t you?”

  “Did you expect something else?”

  Renae shook her head, laughing. “Now are you expected to go call Mom and let her know what you found out?”

  “Of course! Do you think I came here on a fact-finding mission on my own? She called me a couple of hours ago and told me I’d better get over here for some sisterly talks.”

  “Sounds like Mom.”

  Roxie headed for the door. “Do you need me to stay until Riley or Raina comes? I don’t mind, but I sure would like to spend my Saturday night at home with my sweetie.”

  “Go. I’ve got it. I’ve been spending some hours alone now.”

  After Roxane had left, Renae couldn’t help but think about her family and how badly they wanted her to be married. She didn’t know why, but it seemed like there was now a concerted effort to marry all of the grandkids off. All of the cousins were dropping like flies, engaged here and married there.

  And now Roxane was even pregnant. It seemed like it had something to do with Grandma Gertie, but it was hard to tell. Grandma liked to be in charge of things and make sure all of the family was happy—her version of happy and not theirs.

  Oh well, she couldn’t complain, because Chad did truly make her happy. He was a good man. When she wasn’t with him, she was thinking about him.

  The door opened, and Riley came in. “Hey, you’re alone!”

  “Yeah, Chad left a little while ago, and then Roxie came over. I couldn’t remember if you or Raina were on duty tonight.”

  Riley smiled. “Just me. Are you hungry?”

  “Roxie brought me tacos.”

  “Any left?”

  “Nope. I ate every crumb.”

  Riley sighed. “I need to get hurt or sick so Ciran will bring me tacos.”

  “I wouldn’t recommend it!”

  “Are you ready for bed? Anything you need me to do?”

  “I’d like a shower, and then I’m ready for bed. This has been my biggest day in a while. I got you some crystals, but Ambrosia was out of amber. I got everything else on your list. I even got me a piece of amethyst,” Renae said, nodding to the rock sitting on her entertainment center. “Ambrosia wanted to heal me, and I wouldn’t let her. I think I hurt her feelings.”

  “You may have. But she doesn’t know what she’s doing with healing, so I’m glad you stayed away from her.”

  “Me too!”

  Riley yawned. “Let’s get you ready for bed. I need to sleep myself.”

  “Sounds good!”

  When Chad got there around noon the next day, he grinned at her. “Sam wants us to come for dinner today. You up for it?”

  Renae nodded. “What’s Sam up to?”

  He shrugged. “She just said that since you were broken anyway, she would fix us supper, and we could spend some time with her. She complains she doesn’t get enough of your time these days.”

  “That’s because she’s so busy with Ricky!” Renae protested. She was always willing to spend time with her best friend.

  Sam was waiting for them when they got there. “I made enchiladas, and before you ask, Ciran gave me the recipe for them. He said it wasn’t proprietary, since he doesn’t usually sell enchiladas from his taco truck.”

  “Sounds good to me!” Renae said. “What kind of enchiladas?”

  “I made a beef with a sour cream sauce. He said there was a restaurant that did that in Texas, and he loved it.”

  “I’ll try anything.” Renae saw that the table was set already. “How can I help?”

  Sam looked at her arm in the sling. “Why don’t you just let me serve you this time?”

  “Okay.” Renae almost laughed at her friend’s expression, but she was able to hide it. She had been joking when she offered to help.

  As they ate, Ricky asked Renae what happened to her arm, and Renae took the opportunity to come up with a good story. She didn’t want to admit she’d fallen again. “I was climbing one of the mountains near us, and there was this little girl, just sitting there on the side of the mountain. She looked scared. So I picked her up and carried her all the way down the mountain. By the time we reached the bottom, my arm was sore, so I had to get it wrapped up so I couldn’t use it for a while.”

  Ricky’s eyes were wide. “Really?”

  “Yup. I’m a hero, and I’m just a little bruised for it.”

  “Good story,” Sam said sarca
stically. “Renae fell down on the ice.”

  Ricky giggled. “I did that, too. It hurts.”

  “And I landed on my wrist wrong. But my story was better, wasn’t it?”

  “Except in the true story,” Chad said, “I saved her. I took her to the doctor, and the doctor put her arm in a sling. I was the only one there to help her.”

  “Uncle Chad is the best!” Ricky said, a big grin on his face.

  “I am. I admit it.” Chad took another bite of his enchiladas. “These really are good, Sam. Are you sure you cooked them?”

  “I happen to be a good cook. Just because I wasn’t when I was in junior high doesn’t mean I haven’t learned since.”

  He shrugged. “I just remember feeling poisoned after a few of your meals.”

  “I never poisoned you. I burned dinner a few times, but I never poisoned you.”

  “Sure . . .”

  Renae grinned. “You sound like my family. Bobling claims each of us tried to kill him with our cooking at least once.”

  “Any idea when he’s coming home?” Sam asked.

  “Yes! He said he’d be here in either September or October. He needed to check the dates to be sure. But he’s not re-enlisting. Now the hotel will have a personal trainer.”

  “I forgot he was going to do that. It makes sense, though. He was always so into working out.”

  “And he’s gotten more training while in the Army. I’m sure he’s going to be good at it. Dad is excited to have him home, and Mom is over the moon. She has been so worried while he’s been gone. She’s sure he’s going to die in Afghanistan.”

  Sam nodded. “I remember those days well. Mom was so freaked out while Chad was gone.” She grinned at her brother. “Things sure are nicer around here now that you’re home.”

  Chapter Ten

  After supper, they played a game together. It had to be one Ricky could play, so they played Candy Land. Even Renae couldn’t cheat a three-year-old, so the game was played fair and square.

  When Chad won the game, Renae leaned over and whispered, “You’ve beaten me once. It will never happen again.”

  He let out a bark of laughter, and Ricky started giggling, too, having no idea why he was laughing, but he wanted to be part of things. Ricky was put to bed, and the three adults sat around talking for a short while. “When is Joe coming back?” Renae asked.

  Sam hid a yawn behind her hand. “He left the day after Christmas for a two-week run, so should be back Wednesday. I’m ready to see him!”

  “Is there no way he can drive short hauls?” Renae couldn’t imagine Chad being gone as often or as long as Joe seemed to be.

  “He could, but he makes half the money that way. We need him to work more if we’re going to do in vitro in a few months.” Sam sighed. “I hate that we can’t conceive naturally, but I really don’t want poor Ricky to be an only child. Where would I be if Chad hadn’t tormented me every day of my life?”

  “Tormented you? What about you two and your constant sleepovers where you’d giggle all night long?” Chad shook his head.

  “Us? Giggle?” Renae exchanged a look with Sam, and the two of them laughed.

  “We were the worst!” Sam said.

  “What were you two talking about all night every time you did that?”

  “Boys,” the two of them said in chorus.

  “Why did talking about boys make you giggle so much?” he asked, really not understanding.

  Renae shrugged. “No idea, but it seems to be what you’re supposed to do when you’re twelve and thirteen. All of my other friends talked about boys and giggled, too.”

  Sam nodded. “Yup. It’s that age. I think there’s a code book somewhere that says junior high girls must giggle about boys for a minimum of five hours a week. We were always so studious at school that we saved it up for the weekends when we’d have our sleepovers.”

  Chad sighed. “I guess I’m not meant to understand.”

  “When you have daughters, I think you’ll finally get it,” Sam said. “And I’ll have nieces to spoil!”

  “What makes you think I’m having multiple daughters?” he asked, frowning at his sister.

  “Well, the way I see it is you’re going to marry Renae, so the two of us can be sisters for real, and then you have to have five children because she’s a Quinn. At least two of those have to be daughters, so the world can continue. So I’ll have nieces!”

  “Your reasoning leaves a lot to be desired,” Chad said, shaking his head. “I have a hard time believing the two of us are related sometimes.”

  “Me too. But we are, so you get to feel all happy and stuff.” Sam got to her feet. “I’m thirsty. Do either of you want anything to drink?”

  Renae shook her head, and Chad asked for a Coke. As soon as Sam was out of the room, Chad whispered, “Are you sure all Quinns have five children? What if we want four or six?”

  “Genetics cannot be overcome. There will be five. It’s how life works!”

  Sam came back into the room then with his Coke and a glass of water for herself. “I’m off caffeine as I do the drugs leading up to the IVF. I feel like some sort of alien has overtaken my body. My moods are out of control, and my stomach feels like someone has pitched a knife through it.”

  Renae frowned. “But it’s worth it to have another child?”

  “I think so. At the moment it is. I haven’t gone through the egg extraction process yet, and I’m told that’s the worst of it.”

  “Do you want me there that day?” Renae asked automatically.

  “I do. I’ll need someone to drive me home, and Joe will probably be gone. His little swimmers will be on ice.”

  “Nice!” Renae said with a grin.

  Chad shook his head. “You two are something else.”

  “Hey . . . best friends are best friends. In kindergarten, junior high, or as adults.” Sam stuck her tongue out at her brother. “I’ll call you when we set the date for the procedure,” she told Renae. “Then you can make sure you’re off work.”

  “Yeah, just let me know as soon as you do. Shouldn’t be a problem to change my schedule even if I’m supposed to work that day. That’s what I like about having my daddy as a boss.”

  Chad took a sip of his Coke, looking at the two women there. He couldn’t believe they were still so close. “Didn’t you two ever fight?”

  “Nothing that lasted,” Renae said. “There was a boy that Sam had a crush on who asked me to a dance, and she got mad at me, but then she found out when I turned him down, I suggested he ask her. That was the longest ten minutes of my life.”

  Sam smiled. “I remember that. Who was it? Larry Jordan, maybe?”

  “Yup! And you cried and cried when he finally asked you after asking me, and you told him he was a no-good loser, and neither of us went to that dance.”

  “You never went to any dances!” Sam said. “I always wanted to double date, but you always stayed home studying.”

  “Because back then I was sure I wanted to be a doctor, and I was trying to get into the best college possible so I could go to med school.” Renae laughed. “Could you see me as a doctor?”

  “I’ll take you doing what you do now any day,” Sam said with a grin. “You need to zone me as soon as your wrists work again.”

  “Hopefully that will be soon. I’m sick of everyone taking care of me all the time. I’m ready to be able to take care of myself again.”

  “I can understand that. I hate it when I feel like an invalid.”

  “I’ll be here when you’re ready to have that new baby.” Renae knew Sam knew she’d always be there, but sometimes she liked to reiterate it.

  “Just like you were last time,” Sam said. “You and Mom kept me going.”

  “When will they be back?” Renae asked.

  “They’ll be in Florida until the end of March. They want to do the whole snowbird thing until then. Mom says the snow is too much now, and it’s our job to deal with it.”

  Chad got to h
is feet. “On that note, we’re going to leave. I need to get Renae home before Raina shows up to babysit her tonight.”

  “I’m ready to be done with the babysitters. It’s time, you know.” Renae stood up as well. “Thank you so much for having us over for supper. I’m sick of only having my sisters to talk to.”

  “I understand. I’m going to try to come into town for lunch on Wednesday. If you’re not up to driving, let me know, and I’ll pick you up at your place.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Renae hugged her friend with her one good arm. “See you then.”

  Once they were in his truck headed to town, Renae frowned at the clock. “We didn’t have to leave this early. Raina won’t be there for another couple of hours, and it’s only ten minutes into town.”

  “There’s somewhere I want to stop first.” Chad wasn’t about to tell her anything else. He’d worked too hard to plan this to her specifications.

  “Where?”

  He ignored her question, instead turning the radio up. “I love this song, don’t you?”

  She realized she wasn’t going to get any information from him, and she stared out the window instead of trying. If he was going to be difficult, then she wasn’t even going to talk to him.

  He took a drive up through the canyon that led into town, finally pulling off to the side of the road. He got out of the truck and walked around to her, opening her door. He held his hand out to her and led her to an overlook. It showed them all of Quinn Valley right below.

  “I haven’t been up here in ages,” she said softly, looking out over the area. “I see Grandma’s house!” She pointed in the direction of her grandparents’ ranch, seeing the lights on from their house. It was obviously theirs because there was one lone light set apart from the others.

  He nodded, looking at it. “And your house is over there somewhere,” he said, pointing in the general area of town. She was part of a huge clump of lights. “And my ranch is over that way.” He couldn’t exactly make out his on its own, but he pointed to the right vicinity.

  “I need to come up here more. Especially in winter. My whole world is spread there beneath me.” She sighed contentedly, leaning against his side. “Thank you for reminding me.”