Free Texas Homecoming by MAGGIE SHAYNE Page B

lingered, and she said, "Wait a minute, I think I've figured it out. You must be the shrink in the family. Luke mentioned there was one."
    Chelsea smiled. "Guilty, I guess. I'm a psychologist. I mostly work with women who've been victims of domestic violence."
    "Hell, you must have no shortage of patients, then."
    "Unfortunately, there always seem to be plenty. Even out here." She sighed, rather sadly. "But that's off the subject, isn't it?"
    Jasmine shrugged, turning her attention toward her son again. "I forgot what the subject was."
    "Your clothes. Or lack thereof. Seems like you left Chicago in a bit of a hurry."
    Jasmine sent her a sideways glance.
    "Not that I'm prying. I'm not. I mean...unless you
want
to talk about it"
    "I don't."
    "Okay. At any rate, Luke mentioned the situation this morning." She got up as she spoke, stepped off the porch to her horse and tugged open a leather pouch strapped to the back of the saddle. She pulled a bag out of it and brought it back up the steps with her. "I brought a few things for you. Just to tide you two over until you have a chance to do some shopping."
    Jasmine was so stunned she couldn't even speak. She pressed her fingertips to the front of her throat, where it felt like the air had frozen.
    "It's no big deal," Chelsea assured her. "A couple pairs of Bubba's jeans—hell, he grows out of them so fast I can barely keep up, anyway. A few shirts, and a handful of my stuff for you...although looking at you, I think you'll swim in my clothes."
    "Even if that were true, it wouldn't be for long. With Luke cooking the way he does, and me not having time to work out for three days running now..."
    "You should come with me to the dojo this afternoon!" Chelsea said, as if it were the most exciting idea in history.
    Jasmine lifted her brows. "The dojo?"
    "The kids take karate lessons. Grown-ups, too, from time to time. Garrett's brother Ben owns the place. He'd be glad to let us use part of the gym. And then you can tell me how you stay looking like you do."
    Jasmine lowered her head. Was it possible this woman really was as nice as she seemed to be? Just like Luke, she was either genuine, or a hell of an actress. "I guess I could. But I'm not sure about letting Bax do anything as violent as karate."
    "It's not violent, Jasmine. Not when it's taught in keeping with its true principles. It's spiritual. Reserve judgment and see for yourself, okay?"
    "Okay."
    "Good."
    Jasmine glanced over at Bax, saw him watching longingly as Bubba climbed up into the saddle and rode his pony in a small circle, demonstrating some technique, she supposed. A twinge of mother guilt tugged at her heart, but she held her ground. Baxter wasn't like robust little Bubba. He was frail, delicate. He tended to bruise very easily.
    "How old is he?" Chelsea asked, following her gaze.
    "Seven. Just seven." Jasmine looked at the bigger, sturdier boy and asked, "How about Bubba?"
    "His name is actually Ethan, you know. I fought the nickname from day one, but you just can't win against a town full of macho cowboy uncles. He's almost six."
    Jasmine blinked. "Six? But he's so big!" She shook her head in disbelief. She would have pegged the child as at least eight or nine. "He must take after Garrett in size," she mused aloud. There must be some reason why he seemed so much bigger and more solid than her own precious son.
    Chelsea said, "He's adopted, so that can't be it. I tend to think it's just all this fresh air and sunshine. Quinn's the best place in the world to raise children." She smiled warmly. "Your Baxter is just gonna love it here."
    "We aren't gonna be here that long," Jasmine said, and then she wished she could take the words back, because she saw Chelsea's puzzled reaction. If this house were truly her inheritance, why wouldn't she be planning to live in it?
    It probably sounded suspect to this woman. But then again, it was really none of her business.
    * * *
    LUKE LEANED AGAINST AN ELM tree in the backyard, where