Chapter 1

     Joy Courtland glanced down at the address on the ragged piece of paper she held in her shaking hand and compared it to the number on the house, confirming that she’d found the right place. She had expected someone to meet her at the bus station. In fact, her parole officer had insisted on it. Luckily she’d found a ride.

     Standing in front of the red door, the white, century-old, house loomed large. The two-story farmhouse with its black shutters and wraparound porch looked enormous and intimidating. Joy hoped that she could just do her work release program and be left alone. She wasn’t there to make friends; she was there to be free. The idea of freedom made her practically smile.

     Before Joy had a chance to knock, the door swung open. A tall, frazzled looking man with jet-black hair and dark eyes stood holding a crying baby. Before she could even open her mouth, the man shoved the baby into her arms and yelled something about being back in a few.

     Joy looked down at the howling little baby in her arms and frowned. Figuring that Mr. Walker must have an emergency to attend to, she walked into the kitchen, found a bottle, and warmed it. Sitting in a comfy rocking chair in the family room, she fed the little one.

     Blissful silence filled the house. “You sure have big lungs. Inherited them from your daddy did you?”

Joy felt herself wanting to smile. Twice in one day, imagine that. Finally, the baby finished its bottle and Joy burped it.

     “Let's go get you changed and then I’ll know which it you are.” She stood up and carried the baby upstairs. Finding the baby’s room was easy enough. The blue walls were a bit faded, but the cowboy border looked new. Perhaps a boy, but she would have liked cowboys in her room when she was young. The crib and matching changing table looked new.“Well what do you know a little boy!” she exclaimed, as she changed his diaper. Joy tried to lay him in his crib but he just howled at her, so she held him and went back downstairs to the rocking chair.

     Luckily, there was a phone next to the chair. Her first priority was to call George her parole officer. He’d gone out of his way to get this work release for her and she wasn’t going to pay him back by breaking the rules.

     “Hello?”

     “George it’s me, Joy. I’m at the Walker spread and calling just like you asked.” She felt nervous. It had been a long time since she’d used a phone.

     “Good, glad to hear it, put Mr. Walker on the phone.”

     “He’s not here. He handed me a baby and ran out the door.”

     George laughed. “Well I know you’re at the right place! You ok with the baby?”

     “I used to babysit once in a while before... well before.”

     “It’s ok Joy. Look forward not back. Just have Mr. Walker call me when he gets back.”

     “I will, and George? Thank you.”

     Leaning back in the rocking chair, Joy felt more relaxed than she had in more than eight years. Finally, her eyes closed.

Stamos frowned as he looked at his new housekeeper. She looked a bit young to him. Hell if she could get Dillon to sleep like that every night it would be worth it. Hesitantly, he touched her shoulder. The panic in her big blue eyes surprised him. “It’s just me.”

     Joy blinked twice and looked around the room. “What?”

     “You must have fallen asleep.”

     “Oh. Well I want you to know that I never fall asleep in the saddle.”

     “Honey as long as you can keep us happy you won’t have to worry about the saddle.” He knew instantly that he must have said the wrong thing; her pale face turned bright red.

     “George never said. I don’t do that. I...” Tears sprung into her eyes as she bit her bottom lip.

     “Whoa. What’s this about George?”

     “He said you were on the up and up with your work release program. He never mentioned me making anyone happy.”

     “I think we’re talking about two different things. Here give me Dillon.” Stamos leaned down and took the sleeping baby from her. “Now let’s start from the beginning. I’m Robert Walker and you are?”

     She visibly tensed. “I’m Joy Courtland. I’m the horse wrangler. I’m on the prison work release program.”

     Stamos softly swore. “George sent you here? You’re not the new housekeeper?”

     Joy shook her head. “Is there a problem?”

     “I don’t hire women to work on my ranch. George knows it too.”

     “If you would just give me a chance.” Her bright blue eyes, too big for her thin face. In fact, all of her looked down right thin, except for the glorious chestnut braid that hung down her back; it looked as thick as his wrist.

     “Listen can you hold Dillon while I make a phone call?”

     Joy stretched out her arms and took the baby, cuddling him to her. Stamos gave her a curt nod and left the room.

It didn’t take much to figure out she wasn’t welcome. Back to the Women’s Penitentiary, she supposed. Joy felt as though she’d been born under some bizarre curse. Her whole life had been this way. No use hoping, she always ended up disappointed. Sighing, she looked down at Dillon. “You sure are a cute one but I guess it makes no never mind to me.” Her braid hung over her shoulder and Dillon grabbed it. “Ow! You little dickens,” she said, laughing. “Give me my hair back.” Dillon held on tighter with both hands this time.

     “Well if you don’t beat all. You are a handful. Full of piss and vinegar I’d say. Cute as a doodle bug but a handful.” She smiled, as she tried to pry his hands from her hair.

Stamos watched, trying not to laugh. Dillon had pulled his hair a time or two and he knew how much it hurt. This little gal acted like it was a playful act. She was good with his son.

     He picked up a plastic horse that was Dillon’s favorite and tried to entice him with it. “Dill, come on now, let go of the sweet lady’s hair.”

     “Dillon,” Joy said, calmly, “come play horsey with your daddy.”

     “Maybe if you made horse sounds.” She stared at Stamos.

     Stamos thought she was a bit daft but he tried it. Dillon immediately let go of Joy’s hair, which she put behind her, and reached for the horse. “It worked!”

“I talked to George.” He watched her face close and her body tense. “It doesn’t make sense. I run a work release program for non-violent offenders, male non-violent offenders. You don’t qualify for either. I actually don’t know what to do with you. I feel bad but you’ll have to go back in the morning. Will I have to worry about you running off the ranch?”

Joy just shook her head. “Just show me where to lay my head for the night and I’ll be gone tomorrow. I don’t want any trouble Mr. Walker.”

“Stamos.”

“Stamos?”

“My name, call me Stamos. I am sorry.”

“It’s ok, I understand. I’m grateful for the few hours that I had outside the prison. Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Where is Dillon’s mama?” Joy’s face grew red. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s ok. She stopped by a couple months ago, handed me Dillon and told me he was my son. I haven’t seen her since then. In fact I heard she left town.”

Laughing at her wide-eyed look, Stamos shook his head. “Dillon’s mother is a waitress named Stacey I dated. She never even told me she was pregnant. However, I got the best of both worlds. I have a son and I don’t have to put up with an unwanted wife.”

Joy smiled. She could relate to that. Her stepmother had been a bitch from hell. Some women shouldn’t be mothers. She felt almost envious of the nanny. She wondered for a brief moment what it would be like to live in this house with baby Dillon and Stamos. There was gentleness in him that she had never seen in her life. Walking to the window, she looked outside. It never did anyone any good to wonder about such things. Her life had taken a different path.

     It looked like that path lead back to her stark prison cell. Turning back, the picture Stamos made cradling his baby against his broad shoulder almost made her feel. She’d promised herself she’d never feel again. “Do you mind if I go out to the barn and look at the horses? I haven’t seen one in years.”

     “Go right ahead. It’ll give me time to figure out where to put you.”

     Until tomorrow, She thought bitterly. Walking out into the cool night air felt liberating. Joy wished she could free her heart and her bitterness as easily. The Texas night sky surrounded her. It looked as though she could reach up and pluck a star. It wouldn’t bring her luck, nothing ever did.

     The new barn was something to behold. She’d rather be in a barn any day. The smell of fresh and the not so fresh hay brought back good memories. It startled her since she didn’t think she had any good memories.

     Poking her head into each stall, she greeted each horse. Stamos sure did know his horses these were beauties. Wistfully she patted the paint on the neck. “So handsome. Yes you are.”

     Making her way to the end, she heard something behind her. She stopped and listened, ready to fight. Whirling around she meant to get in the first blow. Just as her fist shot out, it was caught by Stamos’ massive hand.

     “Take it easy. No one will hurt you here.”

     Quick as lightning she disengaged from him. She wasn't used to anyone touching her. Joy was about to answer him when a downed horse caught her eye.

     Ignoring Stamos, she immediately let herself into the red roan’s stall and knelt next to him.

     Stamos rushed in after her. “Get out of the way, I need to get him on his feet.”

     Shrugging, Joy scurried to one corner, watching as Stamos tried to get the horse on its feet. “Let me.”

     Stamos cursed a blue streak. “Just help me. If I can’t get him up, he’ll die.”

     “I know.” Joy knelt next to the horse again. This time she laid her head on its neck, talking soothingly as she stroked him.

     “What the hell?”

     “Shhh.” She laid her head on the horse’s head. “Leave the stall, please.”

     “Listen lady, I don’t know what you think you’re doing…”

     “You’ll find out just give me a minute.”

     Stamos shrugged and left the stall.

     Joy could feel his hard angry eyes on her. The horse had colic and if she couldn’t get him on his feet in the next few minutes, it would be too late.

     Standing in front of the red roan, Joy coaxed it to stand. “Hand me the bridle.”

     Stamos stared at her. “I’ll be damned.”

     “The bridle?”

     Stamos handed it to her and watched as she talked to Franklin.

     “OK Stamos, open the door. The horse and I have some walking to do.”

     “Franklin.”

     “What?” she asked, leading the horse out of the barn.

     “The horses name is Franklin, Ben.”

     “OK Frankie lets go.”

     “No not Frankie, Franklin.”

     Joy paused and looked at Stamos. He looked serious and he looked worried. “He’ll be fine but he’ll need hours of walking to work the kinks out of him.”

     “I’ll go call the vet.” Stamos turned toward his house.

     Joy didn’t answer him. “OK Frankie we’ll just take it nice and slow. No reason for either of us to wear out our shoes.”

Stamos finally reached Doc Farmer. Unfortunately, the Doc wouldn’t be able to get out to the ranch until the morning at the earliest. He was tending a pregnant mare. He did tell Stamos that he was doing everything right by keeping Franklin on his feet.

     Stamos looked in on Dillon. He hated to leave him for even a minute. Grabbing the baby monitor, he headed out to find Joy. What a surprise she turned out to be. He had to admire her way with horses. If not for her, Franklin would still be down in his stall. Too bad, he had to send her back. Murder, that was a deal breaker in his book and he couldn’t have her around his son.

     Stepping out into the chill of the night, Stamos scanned the area until he spotted Joy. The moonlight shone on her hair making her look angelic. He knew better and he wished that he didn’t know. Women were not angels.

     There was something about her. She had a gentle soothing way with both horses and children. Her reflex action in the barn was natural. Most convicts had that reaction and he knew better than to sneak up on them. George’s recommendation of her confused him. The parole officer knew better than to send a violent prisoner to him.

     He’d wait until she walked his way, he didn’t want to be away from the house. Damn why hadn’t the nanny shown? As much as he loved his son, it’d been hard trying to raise him alone. She didn’t have much of a figure. She looked like a beanpole, no curves in sight. Stamos wished he could help her but he couldn’t.

     It didn’t stop him from watching her walk Franklin all around the area. He could see her talking to his roan and it made him smile. She’d been good with Dillon. Nope, he wasn't going to go there, he decided.

     As she walked closer Stamos was once again reminded just how young she looked. He knew that she’d been in the State Pen for eight years. That should make her 26 at the youngest. She sure didn’t look it.

     “Want me to walk him for a while?”

     Joy shook her head. “Franklin and I are just fine. The opportunity to be outside at night is a treat for me.”

     “Why don’t you walk him in a circle on the corral?”

     “Franklin would get too bored going around in circles.”

     Stamos looked at her earnest face and it struck him that she thought it was true.

***

     “Well lookie here. It looks like I found me a genuine woman!”

     Joy woke startled. A big ox of a man loomed over her. She realized that she was in the barn. She must have fallen asleep outside of Franklin’s stall.

     Her plan to talk her way out of the situation derailed when the big ox grabbed her arm and hauled her to her feet. “Wait!”

     The smile on the man’s face looked sickening. She’d seen that look on the guards’ faces. Kicking him in the shins, Joy tried to dart around him to no avail.

     Feeling faint as he pushed his huge body against hers, she tried to scream. Nothing came out of her mouth.

     “It’s all right Benji. Let her go,” Stamos said.

     Joy couldn’t see him around the big man but she felt relieved by Stamos’ presence.

     Suddenly she could breathe the big ox Benji had taken a step back. This mountain of a man was named Benji? Wasn't that a name of a cute dog?

     “Aw Boss! I was just getting to know the little gal. Besides, she asked me to kiss her.”

     “Listen Benji, this is Joy. She is not to be touched by you again.”

     Benji looked like a sad little boy. “Ok Stamos. I’ll be good.” He turned toward Joy.” I’m sorry Joy. Do you want me to kiss you?”

     “Benji! What did I just say?”

     “No kissin,” he answered, morosely. “OK Stamos is it all right if I feed the horses now?” he eagerly asked.

     “Sure buddy, all but Franklin. His tummy hurts.”

     Benji gave Stamos a solemn nod. “Sorry Miss Joy.”

     Realizing that there was something off with Benji, she simply nodded.

     “How’s Franklin this morning?” Stamos asked, looking better than any man had a right to. Joy had to be careful; she might find herself tempted to fall into the chocolate pools of his eyes.

     “I fell asleep. But he’s on his feet.”

     “How long did you walk him? I meant to come out to check on you, but Dillon kept fussing and hell, I fell asleep too.”

     “We walked until nearly dawn. You have a great roan. Franklin has fine lines, and his muscle structure is outstanding. A cow horse right?”

     Stamos smiled at her. “He’s the one I ride.”

     “What time is George picking me up?”

     “Haven’t heard from him yet. He has my cell number. Why don’t you come to the house and get something to eat. I don’t want you around the other men until I introduce you. I don’t want you mistaken for a feast again.”

     “Don’t tell me, Benji is a gentle giant.”

     “Usually. He must have been taken with you though.”

     “Is that an insult? You make it seem like a near impossibility.”

     Stamos laughed. “No, there’s nothing wrong with you.”

     Joy blushed at the sexy tone of his voice. She swallowed hard, compliments, or near compliments were a never thing for her. In fact having a conversation was a new concept. It’d been a long eight years and misery washed over her as she realized that as soon as Stamos’ cell phone rang, she’d be going back.

     She was strong. She could get through anything. She only had three more years to serve. Her heart felt like it wanted to break, but she wouldn’t allow such feelings. They were too destructive. There was no place in her life for hurt feelings