Chapter 2

Traffic waslight as Taz headed across town. His mother's place was near the park; a quaint white bungalow, complete with a matching picket fence, swing hung from the large oak tree out back, and enough flowers in the front garden to supply the entire town. Overflowing window boxes filled with petunias in a variety of colors framed the porch, which sported two rocking chairs that moved slowly in the breeze.

He pulled his rig into the driveway and parked behind his mother's vintage jeep. He'd barely cleared the truck when two bundles of energy came flying at him.

"Daddy!" They squealed in unison, one with arms wrapped around his right leg, the other planted square in front of his left. As always, his heart melted at the sight of them, two little girls who'd come into his life because of tragedy when their parents, his sister Taylor, and her husband Matt Weaver, were killed in a car accident. They'd been six months old with no one but a brother who'd been named as guardian. A brother who still grieved the loss of his little sister.

Back then he'd been the reigning bull rider champion, a title he'd held for two years, with a career and all the money and perks that came with it. It was a good life, something any cowboy would envy. But the death of his sister changed everything. He quit the rodeo circuit and had come to Montana.

The fact the twins called him Daddy was never questioned. The day he came to Big Bend and claimed them as his own, Uncle didn't seem to fit. The girls filled up his heart and for the past two and a half years, his world.

"We thought you forgotted about us," the one on the left said. Ryan, with her blonde hair and big brown eyes, was a Weaver through and through.

"I know'd you didn't." That was from Cameron, who still clung to his right leg, her heart-shaped face wide open in a smile as she gazed up at him. She was the complete opposite of her sister with long brown ringlets and Pullman green eyes. "Gammy said you had important business."

He laughed at that and scooped both of them under his arms and headed toward the front porch. His mother stood just inside the doorway, her hair pulled up into a high ponytail, the blonde now shot through with silver highlights. An attractive lady who'd had her own share of heartbreak, she'd come to Montana with him and had never left. He dropped a kiss on her cheek and when she moved aside, set down the giggling girls.

"I thought you'd be by an hour ago," Martha Pullman said, leading the way back to the kitchen where he smelled fresh baked apple pie. He would have taken a piece for himself, but one look from his mother made him think twice.

"That's for a friend."

"Noted," he replied with a chuckle.

"Did you get everything?"

He nodded and grabbed an apple from the bowl on the kitchen table. "Sure did."

"Perfect." She smoothed a piece of hair that had come loose from her ponytail. "I'll be out to the ranch early to help set up." She looked at the twins. "Okay ladies, you two need to tidy your room." She raised both eyebrows. "All toys in the box. Grab your bags when you're done, I've already packed them up. It's time to go home."

Cameron and Ryan flew down the hall toward the room they shared when they slept at his mother's place, their giggles light and infectious.

"Hard to believe they're going to be four on Sunday." Martha's eyes were shiny when she turned to Taz. "Taylor and Matt would be so damn proud of the job you've done with them."

A knot formed in his throat, and he had to work at it to loosen. "They make it easy, and I have you."

She studied him for a few moments, mouth pursed. She looked as if she had something on her mind. He knew his mother well enough to know whatever the heck it was would come out eventually.

"Just say it," Taz said, sliding onto one of the chairs. He took a bite from his apple and waited.

"I heard something is all."

Shit. Here we go.

"Mom, you know better than anyone not to pay attention to town gossips."

She gave him a look. Not just any look, but the look. "It's not gossip. I got this from Noni Baxter and she's not one to spread rumors. You're keeping company with Nikki Salter, and everyone knows it. Your truck was in her driveway last night. Second time this month." She paused. "All night."

Irritated at the turn in conversation, Taz considered ignoring his mother altogether, but that notion lasted about as long as it took him to swallow the piece of apple in his mouth.

"Nikki's a nice girl."

"She's got three different baby daddies."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"Nothing." Martha Pullman threw her arms un in exasperation. "Everything."

"Geez, Ma, I thought you more than anyone wouldn't throw shade at a woman for something like that."

"I'm not," she responded sharply. "Nikki Salter can have babies with whoever she wants to have babies with. That's not what I'm getting at."

"Then what?"

"Why are you wasting time with women who will never be right for the girls? We both know Nikki is only your flavor of the month."

"First off, I'm not wasting time. When I head over to Nikki's we get down to business right away."

"Taz Pullman, stop that kind of talk right now."

"You brought it up," he retorted. "Look, Nikki knows the score. I'm not looking to get serious or land my butt in a relationship. We're careful. I don't go there when her kids are around. And if me paying visits to Nikki's house keeps the town gossips busy, well, I guess I'm killing two birds with one stone."

His mother tapped her toe and shook her head. "Why won't you find a nice woman to settle down with?"

"You know why." Taz got to his feet. "I'm not the settling down type. I'm happy with my life."

"You're a single man raising two little girls."

"And you don't think I can do the job?"

"That's not what I mean." She sighed. "Don't twist my words."

He tossed the rest of his apple in the garbage bin and faced his mother. "The twins are happy and so am I."

She walked over to him, stood on her tiptoes, and smoothed away a lock of hair from his forehead. Her expression softened, and as always, it pulled at him.

"Are you?" she asked.

"Mom," he groaned. Lately, this was becoming a repeat performance every time he saw her.

"Are you happy?" she repeated.

"Yes." His answer was automatic because it was the truth. He was happy. Settled. He didn't answer to anyone but himself and he had two little girls to keep him grounded. Gone were the days of drinking and screwing around. Hell, he was fine with his visits to Nikki. She scratched his itch when it needed scratching. Besides, he was too busy for a damn relationship. An image of the Bridgestone girl flashed through his mind, but he batted it away just as quick. She might be worth getting to know, but from what little he'd seen, she was a whole bunch of trouble and would be hard for any man to handle.

And she was obviously taken.

The girls saved him from any more questions from his mother. They flew into the kitchen and made a beeline for him. "Let's go, Daddy," they shouted.

"Give Gammy a kiss goodbye."

His mother gave them each a big hug and kiss and then stepped back. He saw the love in her eyes. The concern. And the sorrow for what was lost. Taz pulled her into an embrace and whispered. "I'll see you tomorrow. Love ya."

With that he led the girls back to his truck and once he got them secured in their car seats, drove to the other side of town where the Sundowner was located.

It was midafternoon and already the parking lot was filling up. The twins held hands and skipped in front of him all the way to the door, and once inside continued their singsong until they spied Millie Sue Jenkins. Wrong. She was now a Bridgestone. His friend had up and married her soul mate on New Year's Eve.

"Auntie Millie," Ryan exclaimed, and then giggled. "Your belly."

Cameron twirled in a circle. "It's so big."

"Well," Millie said, hands on her hips, staring down at the two of them. "I'm growing a baby."

"Looks like there's two in there," Ryan said seriously.

"Just like us," Cameron joined in. "Does it hurt?"

Millie laughed, "No, it doesn't." She glanced up at Taz and smiled. "Your order will be ready in five minutes or so." She bent lower. "Why don't you two go with Jennifer and she'll let you pick out some sweets to take home."

The server appeared with a smile and the girls squealed so loud that Taz winced. He made a mental note to limit any sugar intake to the bare minimum between now and their party. They jumped up and down, and tugged on Jennifer's hand, leading the woman toward the kitchen.

"They're a going concern," Millie said, moving behind the bar as Taz sat on a stool in front of her.

"I didn't expect to see you here."

"Zach, had to head out of town and we were already down a bartender, so I came in. I don't mind. I miss it." She paused. "Do you want anything?"

"I'm fine." He smiled. "This is a good look for you." Millie blushed and his smile widened.

"Well, by the rate I'm going, I'll be as big as a house by the time this baby comes along. If only I had cravings for watermelon or green grapes instead of chocolate and cheeseburgers."

Taz chuckled. "Nothing wrong with that."

"It's not fair." Millie Sue made a face. "Cal's sister craved oranges and apples and she only gained thirty pounds when she was pregnant. I've already hit that milestone and I've got a few months to go."

"Her name Scarlett?" Taz asked.

"What?" Millie was staring down at her belly.

"Cal's sister. I think I met her today at the post office."

Millie yanked her head up and laughed. "Mary Margaret Christchurch was in to pick up her son, he's a dishwasher in the kitchen, and told me Scarlett was prancing around town in her nighty."

"I don't know about prancing, but she was wearing an interesting outfit."

"Huh. That must be why Cal was watching Hank."

"That her kid?" Taz asked, more curious than he should be.

Millie nodded. "She has a six-month-old. Sweetest little guy." She patted her belly. "I hope this one takes a cue from his cousin."

"You having a boy?" Taz grinned.

"I don't know. Feels like it?"

"Who is she married to? Anyone I know?" he asked casually, not really sure why he was asking in the first place.

Millie shook her head. "No husband. The father's not in the picture. He's not even on the same continent." Her eyes narrowed. "Why are you so interested in Scarlett?"

"I'm not. I was just…" He fiddled with the brim of his ball cap. "She seems different is all. How come I've never met her?"

Millie gave him a long look and at first, he wasn't sure she would answer. "She's been keeping to herself since she came back to Montana."

"She's not keeping to herself anymore," he replied with a chuckle. "Where was she before?"

"Touring around Europe. Then Bent had his accident last year and she came back to Big Bend. Her home base has been New York for the last couple of years. Still has a place there, upper west side I think." She grabbed up a cloth. "Look, Scarlett's story isn't mine to tell, and I don't feel right talking about her with someone she doesn't know."

Just then Jennifer and the twins were back, a large bag of barbecue and sweets in hand. Taz paid for the food, and once he had the girls pointed toward the exit, he looked back at Millie and winked.

"Why don't you guys bring Scarlett to the party tomorrow."

"Now why would I do that?"

"I'd like to meet her. Seems a shame there's a Bridgestone out there I haven't met. Not properly anyway."

Millie looked shocked at his admission. And maybe if Taz was thinking straight, he'd be more than a little shocked himself. Yet the picture of Scarlett Bridgestone standing in the post office in a see-through nightshirt, pink cowboy boots, purple hair and all, intrigued the hell out of him.

Millie finally found her tongue. "She won't come."

"Can't hurt to ask." He nudged the girls forward. "Don't tell her the party is at my place."

"Taz Pullman, what are you up to?"

He ignored the question, took another step, and paused. "You might want to pass along the dress code though."

Millie looked confused.

"It's a PG event. No nighties allowed."

With a grin he herded the girls out to his truck and pointed it toward home. Millie was right. The woman seemed pricklier than a porcupine. He doubted Scarlett Bridgestone would show up…

But damn, he thought, the party would be interesting if she did.