Trace shook his head. “No need. She’s an independent sort. I guess she’s used to fending for herself.”
Ty felt a sudden sadness at that. Robbed of some of her childhood, it seemed. Maybe now she’d have a chance to get it back. Ty would certainly do his part.
Mandy brushed her hands down her jeans, dusting herself off. Watching her simple movements, it struck him like a hammer strikes a nail. She was standing in his house, the house he grew up in. And she didn’t look out of place, even though he felt like an alien after all this time.
She raised her head, her expression quizzical. He had a lot to tell her, for sure. Perhaps sensing now was not the time to ask questions, she turned toward Trace.
“Can I help in the kitchen then? Set the table or something?”
“That would be fine, Mandy,” Trace said. “Sorry to hear about your grandfather. And sorry I didn’t get a chance to say welcome to the family.”
With an acknowledging nod, Mandy followed Trace into the kitchen.
He liked that about Mandy. She was always ready to pitch in. She didn’t shirk work or responsibility or just plain helping out. And seeing her playing down on the floor with Delanie brought a whole new dimension to her many facets.
She’d make some guy a wonderful wife.
*
“I’m almost afraid to know, but what is Delanie’s story?” Mandy asked as the car sped down the road away from Ty’s boyhood home.
Ty let go a sigh. He was drained. Seeing his brother after all these years had felt more like a confrontation than a visit. And he didn’t kid himself that anything had changed between the two of them. Their issues ran deep, starting with the circumstances surrounding the death of their mother right through the loan Ty would be providing and included a few detours down Trace’s alcoholic alleys. And now there was Delaine added to the mix. He wasn’t going to allow his brother, however, to shut him out of his niece’s life. Ty had never been around kids much, but something about that little girl tugged at him.
“I don’t know the details. Neither does Trace, which is eating at him. But I’ll tell you what I do know.” Ty proceeded to fill Mandy in on the convicted drug-addict mother, Delanie’s obvious distrust of men, even Trace’s bout with alcoholism. He skipped over the part where he had found his brother passed out in a back alley after learning Trace had mortgaged the ranch to fund his recklessness, and proceeded to beat the crap out of him. As well as the fact that he had thrown his brother into rehab with the threat of turning him over to the authorities if he didn’t shape up. Ty had stepped in to cosign so the ranch wouldn’t be lost to creditors. The worst investment he’d ever made in terms of payback, but then he didn’t do it for a return on his investment. Fact was, he didn’t know quite why he had done it. Maybe Delanie would prove the real return.
“At least Trace is being honest with Delanie about her mother. He’s told the child that her mother has broken some rules and she has to go someplace to relearn them so she can do better when she gets out. I hope Delanie gives him a chance, because even if that woman gets out before her fifteen years is up, Trace isn’t going to give up his daughter to her. Not now that he knows he has one.”
“She’s a sweet child, Ty. But chatty one minute and so somber the next. Like she’s swaying between being a child and an adult. Can we help her, help them both? The ranch doesn’t seem all that prosperous.”
A quick glance at her showed tears welling in her pretty green eyes. She’d said can we help. That surprised him.
“He’s asked for help. I’m giving it. I know his asking wasn’t easy.”
“You’re not close?”
“That’s an understatement.” Ty shifted gears. His relationship with Trace wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. It was too complicated. Hell, he didn’t even understand it.
“Well, maybe we can have them over or something. Or we could give him a break and take Delanie with us to a rodeo.” Ty could see the wheels in her mind turning.
“Given her trust issues, I don’t know if taking her away would be the right thing, but we’ll stay involved.” He turned to her. “I appreciate your support in this, Mandy. Given our situation, can’t say I expected you to care much about Trace or Delanie.”
“Of course I care. Trace may be a little taciturn, like you—”
“I am nothing like my brother.” Ty was surprised at how much he rebelled against that idea.
“Oh, on the contrary. I see a lot of similarities. You both are lone wolves, for one. Neither of you exactly wears your heart on your sleeve. And despite your tough facade, you both are putty in that little girl’s hand. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how well you handled that whole ‘daddies look out for their children’ theme.”