The Texan's Secret Daughter Read online

  Can this rancher make up for his past?

  A Cowboys of Diamondback Ranch romance

  Turning his life around was the hardest thing Elijah De La Rosa ever had to do—until his ex-wife, Jazmine Daniels, returns with their young daughter he didn’t know existed. Now this successful rancher will do anything to be a good father. But can he forgive himself for the past...and turn their second chance into a family for always?

  “You’re Rosemarie, right?” Elijah asked.

  The little girl nodded, moving toward her mother one slow, agonizing step at a time. She eyed him as if he was a coiled rattlesnake. Her hand stayed on the railing. The wall behind her was covered with photos.

  Sweat broke out across Elijah’s body.

  His daughter was five. The family had to hate that their only surviving child had married an alcoholic. He had a lot to prove, but first he wanted to see his daughter smile. He lowered himself to a crouch so he wouldn’t tower over her.

  Finally, she made it to her mother’s side and wrapped an arm around Jazmine’s jean-clad leg.

  “Hi, Rosemarie.” He tried again, making sure to give her an easy smile. “I’m...” Your dad, father, daddy. Each word clogged his throat. None of them sounded right. “I’m so happy to meet you.”

  “You’re my daddy, right?” Her tiny, bow-shaped lips twisted to the side.

  He couldn’t breathe for a minute. “I am.”

  A seventh-generation Texan, Jolene Navarro fills her life with family, faith and life’s beautiful messiness. She knows that as much as the world changes, people stay the same: vow-keepers and heartbreakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who shows her holding hands never gets old. When not writing, Jolene teaches art to inner-city teens and hangs out with her own four almost-grown kids. Find Jolene on Facebook or her blog, jolenenavarrowriter.com.

  Books by Jolene Navarro

  Love Inspired

  Lone Star Legacy

  Texas Daddy

  The Texan’s Twins

  Lone Star Christmas

  Lone Star Holiday

  Lone Star Hero

  A Texas Christmas Wish

  The Soldier’s Surprise Family

  The Texan’s Secret Daughter

  Love Inspired Historical

  Lone Star Bride

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  THE TEXAN’S

  SECRET DAUGHTER

  Jolene Navarro

  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  —John 14:27

  To Andrea Porter. She might not be a writer, but she has created an oasis for writers in Canyon, Texas. The West Texas Writer’s Academy is one of the highlights of my year. Thank you.

  Acknowledgments

  The West Texas Bangers—

  C.S. Kjar, Jenna Neal, Kimberly Packard,

  Lana Pattinson, Linda Fry and Linda Trout,

  for helping me through the twists and turns

  of Elijah and Jazmine’s journey to

  their happy-ever-after. See you in June.

  Pam Hopkins—

  the best agent a girl could wish for.

  Emily Rodmell—

  I’ve said it before but it’s true. My stories are better because of your insight and knowledge.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Excerpt from Their Baby Blessing by Heidi McCahan

  Chapter One

  No. That couldn’t be him.

  Jazmine Daniels stood in the doorway of the food bank. The bags loaded with canned goods cut into her fingers, but she couldn’t move. She understood now why deer froze in the middle of the road.

  Walk in, turn around, run, hide.

  The options tumbled over each other in her brain, confusing her body and making it impossible to pick one.

  Elijah De La Rosa. It had been over six years since she’d seen her husband. Ex-husband.

  His hair was a little longer and there was more red tangled in the dark strands, as though he’d spent a lot of time outdoors. He looked older, his skin weathered in a good way. A small groan formed in the back of her throat. How was it possible that he was even better looking now than the day she had first seen him? Not fair.

  He laughed at something one of his companions said, and she forced herself to look away. Her mother and daughter would be following her any minute. She needed to leave before that happened.

  Her eyes scanned the large open room for a fast escape. Colorful carved starfish hung on the walls while windows flooded the dining area with friendly sunlight. About twenty-five people gathered around the long tables, eating the lunch that the local mission provided to the homeless and needy.

  Homeless? Her stomach plunged. He couldn’t be homeless, but why else would he be here? The drinking must’ve gotten worse after she left. Had his family refused to help him or had he refused to accept their help?

  His pride had always been bigger than his common sense. Not that she had blamed him. Her heart had wanted to fix all his hurts, but she hadn’t been enough.

  She shook her head and bit hard against the remorse. No. Her actions kept her and her daughter safe. That had to stay at the forefront of her brain.

  The good times wanted to sneak in and melt her heart for the boy she had loved with every fiber of her being. That boy was long gone.

  This was the reason her mother had told her to stay away from their beach home. Both of her parents had agreed that any kind of contact was dangerous for her. They had handled everything needed for the divorce.

  She hadn’t seen him again, only his signature on the papers that broke the vows they had made to each other.

  No, he had broken those vows. She glanced down at the ugly white scar running from her palm to the underside of her wrist. It had been caused by her own careless mistake, but it was a was a tangible reminder of that night.

  The night she had come face-to-face with the ugly truth of his self-destruction.

  He had never hurt her, physically or emotionally, but his hatred of the world leaked into all his actions.

  When her heart’s memory failed her, one glance at the mark reinforced why she had left. He had refused her help and closed her out.

  Her daughter’s safety had been her priority. So, she had run from him without saying a word about the pregnancy.

  Guilt was hard to live with. This last year, she had almost called him several times. Rosemarie had asked about her father. With first grade starting in the fall, it was time to let Elijah know about their daughter.

  But only if he was sober. She refused to put Rosemarie in danger.

  Eyes burning, she took a step back. This was not how she had imagined their first meeti
ng. In a homeless shelter. Beautiful, proud Elijah with the quick and easy smile was eating a free lunch at a homeless shelter.

  She glanced at the door. It wasn’t that far. She looked back at him, then groaned. Too late. They had made eye contact. Her lack of decision had taken the choice out of her hand.

  His eyes lifted, and the smile that used to make her heart flutter slipped into a frown. He tilted his head, as if he couldn’t figure out what he was looking at.

  The exit was just a few feet away. Maybe she could rewind, go right out the front and pretend she hadn’t seen him. Her breathing came faster. Her feet were cemented to the cold floor.

  “Jazz?” It sounded as though his throat was full of sand.

  He stood. A worn T-shirt with the words Saltwater Cowboys stretched across his broad chest. There was a rip at the neckline.

  One, two, three slow steps and he was around the table. Then he stopped, like he was afraid of getting too close.

  His faded jeans were low on his hips and fit him perfectly, but they were threadbare and ripped at the knees. Small flecks of paint decorated the denim. Was he painting houses now, or were they secondhand clothes?

  After growing up in hand-me-downs from church donations, Elijah had refused to wear anything someone else had thrown away. He’d started working at thirteen. Once he had a job, he had dressed immaculately every day, his boots constantly polished.

  Even on his worst days, he’d still looked put together. Until he stumbled through the door late at night, drunk.

  She lowered her eyes. Those boots looked worse for wear.

  “Jazmine? What are you doing here?” Two more steps brought him close enough for her to see the unusual blend of color in his eyes. The color of Spanish moss, somewhere between gray and green. The exact shade of her daughter’s.

  Unable to talk, she lifted the bags of food she, her mother and daughter had brought in to donate. To her horror, her arms started shaking.

  “Here, let me get those for you.” He reached over and took the bags, his callused hands brushing her wrist. His fingers touched her scar and she jumped back, ripping one of the bags and sending cans rolling over the floor.

  The men who had been sitting with him rushed to help pick up the canned vegetables and junk food her mother had cleaned out of the beach house’s pantry.

  After a bit of fumbling and laughing, one of the older men brought a new bag, and they collected her donations.

  “So, who’s this lovely lady, Elijah?” The shortest one said with a grin. It was hard to judge their ages, due to the rough life that was written in every wrinkle and crease.

  Elijah cleared his throat. “Guys, this is Jazmine...” He looked at her with a question in his eyes.

  “Daniels. Jazmine Daniels.” She couldn’t look him in the eyes, afraid to see his reaction when he learned that she’d dropped his name. Holding out her now free hand, she made sure to smile. So, what if pieces of her world were crumbling around her? There was no need for them to know. “Pleasure to meet you. Thank you for the help.”

  They handed her the bags.

  Her ex-husband started introducing the three men, but they all went wide-eyed. “This is Jazmine? Your Jazz girl?”

  His? Had he been talking about her to these men? Her forehead wrinkled as she glared at him.

  He closed his eyes and grimaced.

  When he reached for the bags this time, she was ready. She held her ground without acting like a middle-school girl at her first dance.

  “The food donations go in the pantry area. Through the door over there.” He pointed his chin to the left, then walked in that direction.

  She followed without thinking but stopped midway. No way was she going anywhere with him. She glanced over her shoulder. Then again, he was leaving the dining area where her mother and daughter could appear any minute.

  With a deep breath, she went through the swinging door. She’d get his number and get out before anyone was the wiser. Three women were working behind the counter. Jazmine recognized two of them from the summers she’d spent at the beach. Their eyes went wide when they saw her.

  “Well, I’ll be. Jazmine Daniels De La Rosa, it’s been ages.” Kate glanced at Elijah, then back to Jazmine. “This is quite the surprise. So, what are you doing in Foster?”

  “I’m at Port Del Mar with my parents. We’re staying at the beach house, so my father can recover.”

  The other woman, Martha, nodded. “Sorry to hear about what happened. Y’all brought him to the right place to recover. The beach is so much better than that city. The salt air at Port D has healing powers. We’ll keep him in our prayers. You should take him over—”

  “Martha.” Kate shook her head. “She’s not here to jibber jabber.” Smiling at Jazmine, she took the bags. “Interesting that you and Elijah brought these donations in together. We haven’t seen you in what? Over six years? Your parents don’t come as often, either.” The women glanced between her and Elijah, waiting for an explanation.

  Obviously, Kate wanted to talk as much as Martha. The news of her being in Port Del Mar with Elijah would be flying as if a town crier was dashing up and down the boardwalk. Another reason she should get out of here.

  The way Elijah found out about Rosemarie needed to be well planned. The gossip mill was not how a man should discover he was the father of a five-year-old girl.

  Elijah gave in to the silent pressure first. “I was as surprised as you when she walked in the door. I was just helping with the bags. Nothing interesting here.”

  “That’s sweet of you.” Martha looked as if she was about to ask more questions, but Kate interrupted her.

  “Well, we need to take these to the back and start the dishes. Y’all have a good one. Tell your parents hi and that they’re in our prayers.”

  They all smiled at Elijah as if he was a favorite son. Then they disappeared through the back door.

  It shouldn’t have surprised her that they still adored him, even if he had fallen on hard times. Despite his uncle’s reputation in town as a mean drunk and cheat, Elijah had charmed everyone. Except for his uncle and Jazmine’s parents.

  She blamed his uncle for teaching him the family tradition of drinking. But then her parents had made his life even harder. They had all had a hand in destroying their marriage.

  Shaking her head, she cleared her thoughts. They might have made his life difficult, but she had promised to quit making excuses for him. He made his choices, and she was not going to feel guilty. She wasn’t.

  And if she said that enough maybe she’d believe it.

  His decision to turn to the bottle instead of to her and God had been his alone. Elijah had put an end to their happily-ever-after. There was no going back once trust was lost.

  He turned to her and ran his long fingers through his hair. He focused on the counter, not making eye contact.

  “Well, by dinnertime everyone in Port Del Mar will know you’re back and that we were seen together.” Finally, he looked at her. The corner of his mouth twitched.

  Her stupid heart fluttered and skipped a beat.

  He took a step closer. “It’s amazing that you’re here. I was going to try to contact your parents again. I really have to talk to you.”

  Her heart hit her ribs in double time. Had he found out about Rosemarie?

  He stared at her for a long, silent moment, then gave her that old half smile he used whenever he thought he was in trouble. Unfortunately, it had worked way too many times.

  She had a long track record of giving in to his promises, promises that never survived forty-eight hours.

  She was stronger now. Straightening her spine, she made sure to look him right in the eyes. “What is it, Elijah?”

  Something on his fingernail became the center of his world.

  “Elijah, I have to go, but if you give me your number, I�
��ll call and we can...talk.”

  He took a deep breath and nodded. “I’ve practiced this speech for years, and now that you’re standing in front of me all the words have disappeared. Jazz, you’re the only person left on my list that I need to apologize to.”

  She frowned. “List?” Then she understood. “You’re doing the twelve steps?”

  Scrutinizing his features, she looked for any clue that he was lying. Would she be able to tell if he was sober?

  He nodded as he stuffed his hands into the front pockets of those worn jeans. “Yeah. I started it a few years back, but well... I haven’t been able to reach you. And I...”

  “Momma! Look what GiGi got me!” Rosemarie, her five-year-old daughter—their five-year-old daughter—rushed through the doorway, holding up a fragile-looking doll in a Victorian dress and oversize hat.

  Jazmine looked over her daughter’s shoulder but didn’t see her mother. Yet. “That’s lovely, sweetheart. Can you go wait with GiGi for a minute? I need to take care of some business.”

  “But I thought we were going to—”

  “Jazmine?” Behind her, Elijah’s voice was even rougher than before. She dropped her head and shut her eyes. Putting a hand on Rosemarie’s tiny shoulder, she turned to face him.

  “Elijah. We need to talk—”

  “Obviously.” The word was barely audible through his clenched teeth.

  The clicking of heels on the concrete flooring told her that time was up. Her mother was going to take this stressful moment up another level. It was like watching a collision about to happen in slow motion and not being able to stop it.

  Gasps sounded at the doorway. “Jazmine. What is going on?”

  Calming her mind, she waited a few seconds before turning to her mother with a smile on her face. “Mother, you remember Elijah?” She glanced at Rosemarie, hoping Azalea would take the hint. “He was having lunch and offered to help me with our donations.”

  “Jazmine, this is exactly why I told you to stay away.” Azalea Daniels pinned a hard glare on Elijah. In a few quick steps, she had Rosemarie’s hand in hers. She pulled the little girl closer to her side, staring Elijah down. “You’re eating lunch at the food bank? Did you lose your home, too? Homeless. It shouldn’t surprise me.”