The Bloodline

Chapter 2, The Bloodline

Chapter 2

Andy was her rock. At one time, it had terrified her to depend on him so much. He had become the center of her world, which could be dangerous when she found herself alone again, stumbling to find her footing. It had been a hard road, learning to trust Andy. Although he was far from perfect, the fear of loving him so deeply had turned into a bone-deep terror at the idea of living a life without him. That was what Laura was worried about now.

She depended on him for everything and knew without a doubt that he'd kill with his bare hands any man who tried to hurt her or their children—even Gabriel, the illegitimate son she'd had when she was fifteen, who now had her husband's name. He might not have looked like Andy, but he was her husband's son in every way even though they didn't share the same blood. To Andy, their family meant the world, so much that he'd sacrificed everything, including his own family, for her.

She loved him for that, for the choice she'd never asked him to make.

She was holding the baby over her shoulder. Sarah was making soft gurgling noises and cooing as Laura rubbed her back. She loved the fresh baby scent and the light smattering of auburn hair on her daughter's head. Whose side she'd gotten that from, Laura wasn't sure, with her being blond and Andy a dark-haired Friessen. She rocked her baby as she watched Andy outside with the kids. Gabriel was riding the gelding Andy had bought for him. Now in the third grade, he looked so big, sitting in the saddle with a confidence that came from all the hours he'd spent with Andy on horseback. The twins were holding Andy's hands as they walked through the field, and he was laughing at something Gabriel had done.

It tugged at her heart, watching her big strong alpha male and the love he had for his children, so involved with them. He was so good with them, and they worshipped the ground he walked on. Her children would never know her worry. How could they, having a father like Andy?

She glanced at the clock, as it was approaching four and she still needed to finish dinner and set the table for Kim and Bruce, who were both coming for a visit. Kim was their neighbor on the next property down, and Bruce, her fiancé, was the family pediatrician, the man who'd saved Gabriel. For that, Laura would always be grateful. They had been down a long road to feel accepted in this community, and now they were. Their friends were a group of unlikely neighborly people who showed up, called, and potlucked often. It was a way of life she loved.

The oven dinged, and Laura settled Sarah into the baby swing, winding it so she could finish getting dinner ready. Tonight she thought she'd try something different. Along with two salads, there were roasted vegetables and a side of pork instead of the beef they ate almost every night. But then, this community was all about cattle ranching. The pork was from Mavis, a rancher who'd spent a lifetime raising pigs.

She pulled the roast from the oven. It was browned and fragrant and wouldn't need much longer. She popped it back in and turned off the heat, then took one last look in the dining room. The large square table, which seated eight, was set and ready. All she needed were the napkins, wineglasses, and cups for the kids. Large windows filled both sides of the room, bringing in light while overlooking the seventy-acre spread. She could see the longhorns Andy had raised in the distance. The odor was something she was still getting used to. Andy teased her often when he stomped up the back steps in his cowboy boots after being in the field for hours on end, saying all Laura needed was to spend time out there with him on her own horse, which she'd ridden only half a dozen times.

The problem was she was terrified of horses. Andy had bought her a gentle mount, hoping she'd be comfortable in time. One day, she would. When not pregnant and caring for his babies, she'd get back in that saddle and surprise him. It was a promise she'd made to herself.