Taming A Fortune. Nancy Robards Thompson
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to your face? It’s a great big mess.”
“I know.” Angie laughed.
So did Toby. “She might be a champ at playing Ms. Pac-Man, but she’s no match for Mr. Ranch-Man.”
“Cute,” Angie said. “Very cute.”
He tossed her the dish towel closest to him. She caught it, then walked to the sink, dampened it and wiped off her face.
“Is dinner ready yet?” Kylie asked.
“Almost, honey.” Angie grabbed a slice of Kylie’s favorite American cheese. “Snack on this and I’ll call you guys in just a couple of minutes.”
“Okay.” Kylie took the cheese, then dashed out of the kitchen and back to the family room.
Deciding to get their earlier conversation back on track, Toby said, “Actually, just to set the record straight, the Horseback Hollow Fortunes aren’t rich like our cousins from Red Rock, Atlanta or the U.K. So taking on the kids did put me in a financial bind at first, but not for long. Someone apparently wanted to help out and donated money to cover those expenses and then some.”
“That’s amazing. What a generous gift.”
“It certainly was. I wish I could thank them, but it was an anonymous donor.”
“Could it have been their father or maybe one of their long-lost relatives?” she asked.
Toby snorted. “I doubt that. I’m more inclined to think that it was one of my long-lost family members.”
“Who? Or would you rather not share that with me?”
“My best guess and number one suspect is James Marshall Fortune, Sawyer’s father and my mother’s brother. I think it was his way of indirectly giving my mom some of those shares of stock she returned to him last year. But I’m not going to push too hard to find out. If the donor wants to remain anonymous, then I’ll respect that.”
“Nevertheless, I still think it’s wonderful that someone wanted to help the kids.”
“That’s how I see it, too. The money was actually given to me through an attorney in Lubbock, along with a note saying that it was to offset the costs I incurred by taking in the kids. But that I should spend it as I saw fit. That’s what made me think the donor had to be my uncle.” Toby raked his hand through his hair. “I wrestled with my pride for a while and was tempted to refuse it. But then I realized the kids really deserved it. And it would provide a better life for them. So I decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“I assume it was a substantial amount.”
“Enough to see them each through high school and to pay for their college. So I put the money into a trust fund for them. It’s invested and provides a monthly income that helps cover their expenses and pays for extra things like swim lessons and dance classes. Summer camp, too. Stuff like that.”
“Wow. That’s awesome.” She tossed him a dazzling smile, then added, “You’re awesome, Toby.”
Angie gazed at him as if he’d just been awarded the Medal of Honor. And while he found her admiration touching, it also felt undeserved. So he lobbed a playful smile at her in return. “Yep. A horrible bargain shopper, but an awesome man.”
Toby leaned toward the bag of cheap flour again and Angie threw up her arms in protection. “No, no, I give up. You are not only a good man, but a fine steward of your money. You make excellent shopping decisions. You should be on that coupon show on TV.”
“Now I know you’re full of it,” Toby said, laughing along with her.
Teasing had been a way of life in the Fortune Jones household, and he liked that Angie was the kind of woman who found it so easy to banter.
“Okay,” she said. “The ingredients are all set.”
“Do you want me to call in the kids?”
“Go right ahead. I’ll turn on the oven and get the drinks.” Angie went to the refrigerator door, paused and stared at the most recent flyer. “Speaking of saving money, it looks like they’re offering two free weeks of classes at the Y this month. Maybe I should check into that. I’ve always wanted to see what yoga is all about.”
Toby didn’t know if she was talking to him or to herself, but apparently there was yet another interest she wanted to add to what had to be a lengthy list.
She tossed him a pretty smile. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll become a yoga instructor someday.”
“Speaking of people who run around too much,” he said, returning her smile with a teasing grin, “what about you?”
“Me?” Angie tilted her head slightly and furrowed her brow. “What about me?”
“You seem to change jobs a lot. Why not find a good, full-time position and stick with it?”
“I will someday. But I want something that I can feel passionate about. Maybe, if I keep trying different things, I’ll eventually find the career I’m best suited for.”
He hoped she came across it soon—for her sake.
And maybe for his. She really was easy to talk to, and the kids adored her. If she were more settled, he’d like to see where this relationship—if he could even call it that—would go.
But he couldn’t risk allowing himself or the kids to get too close to someone who could be gone working on an oil rig or joining the military or going to cosmetology school or wherever the wind took her next month.
Unless, of course, Angie had already worked on an oil rig and had crossed that off her to-do list.
If he didn’t have the kids and didn’t need her help, he’d...
He’d what? Cut her loose?
That might be the wisest thing to do.
So why did he feel like reeling her in?
Because she was beautiful. And fun to be around. In fact, if he didn’t have the kids to think about, good ole dependable Toby might even consider doing something wild and crazy—like having a one-night stand or a weekend fling with her.
Talk about something totally out of character for a guy like him.
But yeah, if he were footloose and fancy-free, that was exactly what he’d do.
As he took another glance at Angie, saw the glimmer in her eyes, caught a whiff of her citrusy scent...
Well, heck. If he had a babysitter willing to spend the weekend at the ranch with the kids, he just might consider taking Angie for a night or two on the town in Lubbock anyway.
* * *
The pizza-making station had been a smashing success. Altogether, they’d created three medium lopsided pizzas, one supersized with only meat, and one that was perfectly formed with every single topping.
Once the homemade creations came out of the oven, the kids could hardly wait for them to cool before they scarfed them down.
“Thanks for dinner,” Toby said. “It was awesome.”
“It sure was,” Justin said. “I never made pizza before. It was fun.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” Angie turned to the boys. “Hey, guys. I don’t suppose I could get you to do me a favor. After we get the kitchen cleaned up, I was hoping you’d teach me a few tricks on your PlayStation. I need a crash course.”
“Sure!” Justin turned to his older brother, and the boys pumped their fists in the air.
“Seriously? You want a lesson from the kids?” Toby asked. “And why the big rush?”
“Mr. Murdock won his grandson’s PlayStation from him in a poker game.”
Toby lifted his eyebrow. “He