Chapter 41
Tanner Home ~9:00am
Max and Barbara had gone over to the Wilmington's to help prepare their contributions to this afternoon's dinner at the Larabee's. Vin was still at Camp Larabee with Chris and the children were at the Wilmington's. It had been a long time since Kelli had found herself alone in the house, well almost alone, it was her, Tracker, and Buttons. She planned to take advantage of it by doing a few things she knew Vin and Max would probably object to. She did not plan anything too strenuous, but she wanted to at least mentally outline the work she wanted included when the repairs were started, and tackle a project or two.
A knock on the back door dashed her plans. She was surprised to see Linda standing there when she opened the door. "Linda…what brings you out so early?"
"I wanted to talk to you…May I come in?"
Kelli stepped back and allowed the blonde to enter. "Truthfully, you are the last person I expected to see."
Linda laughed. "I can imagine." She saw the damage to the big room and gasped. "Chris told me what happened, but I didn't realize the damage was so bad. I tell you Kel…this type of adventure is one thing I won't miss once I leave here."
"So, you're really going?" Kelli asked as she indicated a chair for Linda to sit in.
"Yeah…I suppose it won't shock you if I admit that Chris was right. I love him, but I am not in love with him. We were good for each other at the right time in our lives, but not for the long run. It took me a while to accept that, and I made a lot of people miserable in the process."
Kelli studied the blonde. She knew Linda well enough to recognize the ring of truth in her words. Although she hated to see her father's marriage fail, she was well aware that Linda was not the right woman for him to spend the rest of his life with. They would be in a constant battle against one another if they tried and the children would suffer for it. "I'm sorry you didn't find what you were lookin' for Linda."
"Me too," Linda sighed. "Most of all I'm sorry I managed to wreck our friendship while I tried to make things go my way. I know we can never be like we were, but I was hoping that…maybe…hell Kelli, we were friends too long to part on bad terms. Do you think we could call a truce, and try to salvage a few months of being friends again?"
Instead of answering her question, Kelli had a few of her own. "Are you really goin' to just walk away after Cody is born? You can live with that?"
"I have thought about it a lot, and I know me…I can not be happy here, and Chris will not change…he shouldn't anyway, but he is what our children need. I believe the only reason I am a mother now is because my role in Chris's' life was to bring these children into the world for him. Think about it Kel…I am thirty five years old and never even came close to becoming pregnant until I met Chris. I am not mother material and I know it, if I tried to stay, it would not take long for the kids to know it too. This way I can be free to pursue my dreams, and they have a loving dad, a few doting aunts and uncles, including Matt, a ton of cousins, and they will have a wonderful sister that I know will make room in her heart for them….I can live with that."
"What if you change your mind…?"
"I won't. I have already made arrangements for a trust fund for all the kids, your new ones included, and Chris promised to keep me supplied with pictures and information about the children. He even agreed that I can see them if I want, but except for a visit once or twice a year I can't see me wanting more than that. I am giving him full custody, and I am signing my rights as a parent over to him. I would also like to know that should, God forbid, anything happen to Chris that you and Vin would become their guardians. Ezra has already agreed to arrange it, if y'all agree. I don't feel that I am completely abandoning them, but making certain they have a good life with people that can love them the way they should be loved."
"You know we would Linda. We love Grace, and Cody already has a special place in our hearts; they are part of our family, too." Kelli saw the determine look in Linda's eyes. "Obviously you have thought about this and if you are certain that this is what you want…I will try my damnest to support you on it. I won't pretend that I understand it, or agree, but I can wish you well, and at least we can part on good terms."
Linda exhaled and visibly relaxed. "That's all I ask Kel. I know that you have found what you have been looking for all of your life here with Vin and the Wild Bunch. You have a Father that loves you and a family of your own to fuss over. I've always had family, now I want the freedom that you had before you met Vin." Linda laughed. "The irony is you never knew how much I wanted to be like you, strong and independent, and you wanted the family I found too restrictive. Maybe this way we can both have what we wanted."
Kelli thoughtfully nodded. She may not be able to understand a mother walking away from her children, but she did understand Linda and her never-ending quest to have more than she had. "I sincerely hope you find what you're lookin' for Linda."
"Thanks, it means a lot to me for you to say that." Linda brightened. "Now, has your doctor told you about the new birthing center at the hospital?"
"She mentioned it, but I don't know many details."
"Well, it opens May first, and that means you and I both get to use it. It is first class all the way. The labor room and delivery room are the same and the décor is restful and a helluva lot more agreeable than that bland labor room I had with Grace." Linda dug in her bag and handed Kelli some papers. "I brought you some pictures and information on it. It's a labor room with a more home-like environment. I can have music, a queen-size bed that I can stay in even after delivery and lots of room …"
Kelli took the pictures and smiled. This was the Linda she had known so well, being one of the first to use this birthing center was just what the blonde would have ordered. The redhead sat back and let Linda continue to talk, giving her all the details. Her projects could wait; she could make time for what might be one of the last opportunities to visits with her old friend.
Larabee Home~ 3:00pm
It felt good to Chris to have the entire family back in his home for a casual dinner…almost like it used to be. Max was supervising in the kitchen with Linda's blessing; in fact she was making a sincere effort to make it a pleasant day for everyone. The children had bounced back from the scare Bellows had given everyone yesterday, and were in fine form this afternoon. After they finished their mission concerning Chambers, Larabee hoped there would be more family time for everyone, at least for a short while, before they had to start on a new case. The last year had been hard on all of them, and now it was time to look toward the future.
"Chris, I don't know how you convinced Linda to do this, but it is just what we all needed after yesterday." Buck stood next to his oldest friend, just outside the front door, while they could watch the kids play, and still had a good view of the crowd inside.
"I didn't have to convince her, Buck." Larabee said softly, his eyes straying onto the form of his pregnant wife as she paused in the doorway of the living room, her eyes glancing over everyone to see if there was anything that they might need until they came to rest momentarily on him. They exchanged a brief smile, before she disappeared back into the kitchen and he turned his attention back on the conversation that he was having with Buck. "It was all her idea. She wanted to do something to help us forget about yesterday."
"Then make sure to tell her how much I, for one, appreciate it." Buck replied.
"I will, in fact since we have agreed to disagree about our future, we talk a helluva a lot easier than we used to." Chris noted. "Just because we choose not to remain married doesn't mean we can't be civil to one another."
Buck watched Chris as he spoke so casually about his and Linda's impending separation, and for a moment he wished there was something he could do to hold this place in time for his friend, but he knew that was impossible. The only thing he could do was to be there for Chris and his children, and pray that someday Larabee would give love another chance. "Hey…Maria, you stop that!" He saw his daughter about to throw a snowball at her Uncle Vin as he approached the Larabee home with his family, and felt he needed to intercede
Vin easily dodged the snowball that his niece threw in his direction. "A little snow isn't goin' to kill me, Bucklin. Relax."
"In case it slipped your mind Tanner, you were injured yesterday," Buck retorted.
"Yeah and if I can take on bad guys, wrestle with Jason, and have Andi climb all over me, one little imp is not going to hurt me with a snowball." Jason and Andi ran on inside with Caleb, but Vin stopped to give Maria a hug, and as he did he whispered something in her ear. The little darling smiled, and then turned to throw another snowball at her dad.
Wilmington dodged just in time to miss the icy blow, but when he did it hit Chris instead. "Uh oh." Buck grabbed his daughter, and then hurriedly took her inside the house along with the other giggling children.
"What's your rush, Buck?" Chris called after him with a grin on his face as he wiped the snow off of him.
"You should have moved faster Dad." Kelli grinned as Vin took her arm to secure her walk up the porch steps. "You really should have seen that one coming." Larabee shot his daughter a warning glare, but it was ineffectual on the redhead, who said cheekily, "Old age must be catchin' up to you."
"Not so old that I can't extract some payback from an insolent daughter." Chris tried to look stern, but she just kissed him on the cheek and continued on inside.
"Nice try Chris, but it don't work on that one…I should know." Tanner grinned. "Face it; she has your number and mine."
Chris laughed. "That she does. Come on, you two are the last to arrive and Ezra is chomping at the bit to say something to all of us."
"I hope he says it in a language we can understand." Vin mumbled as he followed Larabee inside.
Ezra had indeed been waiting for everyone to arrive and since dinner was at least fifteen minutes away from being ready, he took the opportunity to gain their attention. "I shall try to be brief; however I do require your attention for a few minutes."
"You got it Ez. Just get on with whatever you have to say." Buck urged.
"In due time sir, Barbara and I have an announcement to make. As you know we are to be married April the eighth. We have decided that we wish to exchange our vows here on the ranch…with our family in attendance. We have also made another decision…Barbara is taking a leave of absence from her job and we hope, with your blessings, to start a new endeavor here on the Larabee 7."
"What kind of new endeavor?" JD questioned. "Are you saying you want to start a family or what?
"No…I mean eventually yes we do, but that is not what we are discussing. I have been in negotiations with our neighbor Matthew Dubois, and he has agreed to allow us to purchase, at a very reasonable price a strip of land between his property and the Larabee 7. We will be building a home on it, but also a barn, training arena and suitable bunkhouses on land that he is willing to donate."
"Are you going into the ranching business Ezra?" Chris asked.
"No, Chris..." Barbara spoke up. "A friend of mine is looking for a partner to help run a camp for emotionally and physically challenged underprivileged children. Therapeutic riding uses equine-orientated activities for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well being of people with disabilities. It also provides benefits in the area of therapy, education, sport, recreation and leisure. My friend works with children, and her dream has always been to set up a place that is conducive to helping kids that are either physically or emotionally scarred. I have agreed to help her."
"With the land that Matt has agreed to donate and hopefully that we will match from the Larabee 7, we can make that dream a reality, and help a lot of children as well as young adults in the process." Ezra added.
Josiah spoke up. "I am familiar with that type of therapy and I think it is an excellent idea. What do you need from us?"
"We need a donation of land, which is of course a tax write off for the ranch, permission to allow the building of such a facility this close to your homes, and your help." Standish outlined.
Chris looked at his brothers and saw all of them nod yes. "We just took a vote. I think we have enough space to go around, and if you think this is doable, then we'll help any way we can."
"I will have a written proposal for y'all to look at before the end of the week." Standish accepted their vote. "Just one more thing… We...Barbara and I ask that in lieu of any wedding presents that you donate some of your time and vast array of skills to help put this together."
"Hell Ez, we'd do that anyway." Vin answered. "Startin' somethin' like this here on the ranch is great. We've heard some fantastic reports through the foster parent program about how kids respond to animals when they won't respond to doctors or therapist. This will be good for all of us, and even our children can get involved."
"I would love to help, in fact JD and I have been discussing the possibility of me going back to school, and this is exactly the type of work I wanted to do." Casey said excitedly. "Working with kids is rewarding, but to help them through animal therapy is a challenge I can't wait to get started on."
"You can count on me and Rain for whatever you need us to do." Nathan responded for both of them.
"Mallory and I would love the chance to be involved." Josiah stated.
"You know me and Inez will do what we can to help." Buck nodded in agreement.
Matt grinned. "It looks as if we found something else to agree on Larabee."
Chris laughed. "Keep this up Dubois, and we might just get to be friends."
Max came out of the kitchen and made her announcement. "Dinner is buffet style and on the table. The kids are already seated, and eating, so come and get it while it's hot."
Tanner looked over to his wife, the sight of Kelli holding Tannis almost took his breath away. She had always had the ability to affect him, but since she had become pregnant he found her even more incredibly beautiful and desirable. Kelli knew he loved her, but she had no idea how much her presence in his life meant to him, and probably wouldn't believe him if he told her. "I'll check on Jason and Andi before I round us up some food." Vin stopped her from getting up. "Besides, you and Tannis look too damn comfortable."
"I'm not helpless you know," she smiled, "but this time I'll let you." She was enjoying spending some time with the newest member of the Wild Bunch.
Barbara sat down next to the redhead while Ezra made his way over to the table to get their food. "Kel, there is something I've been meaning to ask you." She hesitated briefly. "I want you to be my Matron of Honor, if you're willing."
"I would love to, but Barbara by the time of your weddin' I'll probably be as big as a house, and you may not want me in the wedding party."
"Kel, you are the closest friend I've had in a long time, I really would be honored if you accepted. We don't want a big pretentious affair, our wedding is all about family, and having you and your babies stand up with me would make me happy."
"If you're certain, then I accept, but I have to insist that you let me do my duty as Matron of Honor, and help you with the plannin'."
"Deal," Barbara grinned as Ezra and Vin returned with their food.
Vin set their plates down and took Tannis from Kelli. "I think her mama is ready for her." He left long enough to hand the baby over to Inez and then returned to sit next to his wife. "So, what kind of deal are you two cookin' up?"
Kelli has agreed to help me plan the wedding here on the ranch." Barbara informed him. She also has agreed to be my Matron of Honor."
Ezra grinned. "Great minds think alike love. I just asked Vin to be my best man and he agreed."
"You two are welcome to base out of our house while you build your home, and work on setting up the new facilities. We have plenty of room, and that way I can count on you, Ezra, to be my baby-sitter, and keep the prosecutors happy." Vin offered.
"We'll help however we can, I think what you have decided to take on is absolutely fantastic for all of us. Vin and I are suspendin' ourselves as foster parents, for a while because of the current situation, but this way we can still be involved with helpin' kids." Kelli added.
Ezra looked to Barbara and she nodded. "Thank you, we will take you up on your offer, and don't worry there will be plenty for everyone to do."
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly and Chris decided to herd his brothers toward their homes. Tomorrow would be a long day for them, and he wanted them well-rested before they took Chambers on. "I'll see all of you at 0500hrs, get plenty of sleep. Eat a good breakfast and be prepared for anything."
"Yes dad," Tanner stood up and grinned. "We'll behave, see ya'll in the mornin'."
"Young upstart," Chris muttered. "You make certain Nathan checks out that injury and he gives his approval for you to go Tanner."
Nathan laughed; he knew that Texan would go if he was on his last leg. "I'll stop on my way home to look at it Vin."
"Goodnight brothers." Josiah said as he and his family walked out the door.
"Night Chris, and thanks Linda, for the dinner." Buck said his good-byes, and gathered his family to leave.
"See you guys in the morning." JD hoisted Lilah onto his shoulder as Casey picked up Daisy.
Ezra stopped in front of Larabee. Thank you for your support on our project Chris. Barbara and I will be staying at the Tanner's tonight, so he will have me as his protection detail."
Chris nodded. "Keep your ears open Standish. Things should be quiet, but you never know."
Larabee closed the door as the last of the Wild Bunch departed and he began to pick up. "Thanks Linda, it meant a lot to all of us to be together today."
"I gathered that from all the smiles. Leave this mess Chris, Louisa and Mila will be in tomorrow to clean up, while I'm at the Southern Breeze. If you're going out on assignment in the morning you should probably get to bed early." Linda had been in a thoughtful mood since she had left Kelli this morning. "By the way I did work things out with Kel, she may not agree with what I've done, but she and I did reach a tentative truce."
"I'm glad, it will be better for both of you to part on good terms." Chris sat down on the couch and propped his feet up. "Did you ask her what you wanted to about the kids?"
"Yes, and she agreed, so we can tell Standish to proceed." Linda sat down next to her husband. "She asked me if I was sure about making this decision."
That statement drew all of Chris's attention. "What did you tell her?"
"The truth," Linda sighed. "All this time I fought so hard to do things my way. I was unable to see what was right in front of me. I told her that I loved you, but that I was not in love with you, and admitting it was…it's difficult to describe, but I felt as if a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. We were good for each other Chris, but not meant for one another…does that make sense?"
Chris was already nodding his head. "Yeah…yeah it does. We did have our moments, and I have no regrets."
"I may be a terrible mother, and a bitchy wife, but you have to admit that we were good between the sheets." Linda laughed." I think that is what I am going to miss the most, Cowboy." Linda looked over to Chris. "Grace is sleeping. You think we could…at least one more time? No strings attached?"
Larabee looked at the woman that had given him his beautiful daughter and now carried his son. Their marriage may be over, but there was no reason they could not share these last few weeks before their son was born. They were still married, and still had that strong sexual attraction that had brought them together in the first place.
Chris grinned. "Anything is possible." Her desire filled voice sent shivers down his spine. Carefully he began to take off her clothes, stroking and caressing every inch he exposed. Whenever she tried to tug at his clothes, he lightly swatted her hands away. Chris looked at her, suddenly feeling a bit uncertain.
"Oh no!" Linda told him with firm determination. "Don't give me that look! Sex is perfectly alright between consenting adults and you know it!" She sat up and tugged at his shirt again.
"Linda, I want to show you a good time, I don't want to do anything you feel uncomfortable with." The lust in her eyes filled him with new fire. Standing up, he slowly took of his shirt. When he saw her pupils dilate in obvious lust, he took off his pants even slower.
"Damn, Larabee," she growled. "Get out of those boxers and show yourself!"
"Just what are you implying?"
"Oh, for the love off…!" She was already off the couch, not as fast as she used to, but still faster than he had expected. With a savage growl she pulled his drawers off and freed his straining member. He twitched away when she started kissing it.
"Damn, woman…. But, not here, come on; let's take this to a big, comfortable bed."
"Chris, yes! I… I so want to feel you inside me, it's been so long."
"Linda…."
"Oh no, you don't! I'm not going to let you get out of this one".
But he didn't need to worry; it turned out Linda had already decided what she wanted to do. With an evil grin she sat up and pushed him on his back. "Now, let's see what we have here," she mumbled. Her mouth descended on him and soon he was the one writhing under the onslaught of soft, teasing lips and nibbling teeth. "Oh yes," she whispered before taking him in her mouth, making him almost cry out. "Oh yes, this is what I want!" She let go, despite his whimpered protest and rose up, planting one knee at each side of him.
"God!" He took hold of her hips, trying to control her movements, but she grabbed his wrists and pulled his hands away.
"Oh no, I'm calling the shots here."
"Linda…."
"Shh!"
She was moving again, driving him wild, but he managed not to grasp her hips again, not even when she stopped moving, just sat on him. He opened his eyes and looked at her face, at what he could see of it with her head thrown back in ecstasy. He wriggled his hips, but still she didn't move.
"Linda, please, just… move!" He couldn't keep a moan of frustration from escaping. Deciding on another tactic his hand found her womanhood and started stroking. She grabbed his hand, but couldn't resist what he was doing to her.
Soon she was moving wildly against his rubbing hands, making him groan with pleasure. It wasn't long before they both flew over the edge. He grabbed Linda when she slumped forwards and took her in his arms. They may only have a short time left, but …they would both have time to make some good memories to replace the bad ones.
