by Jen Peters
“This is Maddy Ricciolino,” he said. “She’s our new accountant.”
“And Adam’s new girlfriend!” Caleb shouted.
Seth slapped his forehead dramatically and gasped. “Adam has a girlfriend? A certain hot spot must have frozen over!”
Adam growled. “Watch it, Seth. You’ll be home someday, and I have a long memory.”
“Yeah, but you—you hardly ever date! I’m going to have to adjust my perception of my big brother. Like, totally upside down.” He looked at Maddy. “All kidding aside, it’s nice to meet you. How’d you ever rope Adam into a date? Because I know he’d never ask a girl himself.”
“Actually, he did,” Maddy said. “Although only after he’d yelled at me for my daughter going into a pasture—”
“A bull pasture,” Adam interrupted.
“And after weeks of saying as little to each other as possible as we worked,” Maddy finished with a grin.
“You have a daughter?” Seth was almost bouncing in his chair. “Kids at Black Rock Ranch—who woulda thunk? Maybe we’ll get little Jacob here eventually and round it off. Whaddya think, Micah?”
Micah just scowled.
“If you guys are done with the dating and family stuff, I have a sweet little filly I want to tell you about,” Caleb said.
“Me first,” Samuel piped up. “You’re safe, son? Still doing construction stuff?”
Seth nodded. “We patrol, but this town is pretty secure. And we’ve almost finished six classrooms. This kid named Aziz keeps challenging me in a soccer scoring match. And whomping me.” He talked about the kids he’d met and some of the Iraqi men he was working with on the school. “Good people. It feels great to be helping.”
Samuel spoke again. “Any idea when you’re getting some leave? Enough to come home?”
Seth shrugged. “You never know. Maybe in a few months. Man, I can’t wait to get on a horse again. You should have seen me trying to use a clothesline to show kids how to rope!”
Sitting close on the couch, Maddy snuggled into Adam while the family talked for another fifteen minutes. She liked seeing them together like this, at least as much together as they could manage right now. They were all good people.
And Adam, the responsible, detail-oriented oldest brother who smelled so delicious, was the best of the bunch as far as she was concerned. Not that she was biased or anything, but she could spend a lot of time nestled under his arm.
“I like Seth,” Maddy said as they walked back to the Admin building.
“He really is a great kid.” Adam slung his arm around her shoulders.
“Not a kid anymore—I think he’s been through a lot. And those were some impressive muscles I saw on him.”
Adam arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Better than mine?” He lifted his other arm and flexed.
Maddy elbowed him. “I’m going to guess that Seth works out with some hefty weights. But you know I love your arms. And shoulders. Ranch work has given you a pretty impressive set yourself.”
“Impressive enough to let me put them around you and steal a kiss?”
Delight spiraled up inside her, and she lifted her face.
Adam lowered his head to hers and kissed her lightly, then deeper. She sank into it—every bit as wondrous as the other night. His arms carried a solid, secure weight that she treasured. She pulled back after a moment, then leaned in and rested her cheek against his. There was something oh-so-intimate about having her cheek touching his, and she soaked it in.
He pulled back with a smile and traced her lips with a gentle finger. Then dipped his head to kiss her again.
His cell phone interrupted them, and he stepped back to answer. A look of concern crossed his face. He ended the call and took her hand to walk the rest of the way to their offices.
“Problems?” Maddy asked.
“Nothing I can’t handle. The Lazy S is bringing up an old boundary dispute.“
He dropped her at her office door. “I’ll see you tomorrow—this will probably take the rest of the day.”
Maddy kissed him goodbye and settled at her desk again. Spreadsheets looked incredibly boring all of a sudden. The problem with falling in love with your boss is that you wanted to spend all your time with him instead of doing your work.
On the other hand, spending a few minutes kissing this incredibly handsome cowboy should be at the top of her to-do list every day.
24
Springtime had come to Black Rock Ranch in all its glory. Lupine spread white and purple blooms in wide swaths, and calves frolicked in the pastures. Adam could stand on the front porch, inhale the sweet, mild air, and bask in the moment forever.
At least he would, if he weren’t tied to the desk so much. Calving season had been replaced by breeding plans, solar well development, pasture rotation calculations, and the still-mysterious embezzlement of Mrs. Evans.
On the other hand, the week had been filled with amazing moments. First, the time with Seth—he knew how lucky they were to be in communication at all. And then some stolen moments with Maddy, just as precious since there always seemed to be someone else around.
Now Adam heard unexpected voices in the equipment shed. He entered to find Micah hunkered down by a tractor’s tire, Maddy looking over his shoulder, and two small hands holding a socket wrench.
“I can’t get it,” came Mia’s voice.
Adam shifted so he could see better. Mia knelt between Micah and the tire, trying to position the socket over the lug nut.
Micah reached forward and nudged it into place.
Mia looked up at him with a grin. “Thanks, Mr. Micah!” Then she pulled the handle, ratcheted it back, and pulled it again. When all her small strength wouldn’t budge it anymore, Micah covered her hand with his and pulled.
“There, all done,” said Micah.
“We did it! We did it!” Mia shouted.
Adam grinned at Mia’s delight. Maddy turned, saw him, and motioned him over. He flushed, but there was nothing better than a joyful family and a good woman to share it with.
He slipped an arm around her shoulder and bent his head to breathe in her sweet-smelling hair. “You’re coming over for dinner tonight, right?”
She leaned into him. “Tonight? Gee, I’m not sure. I’ll have to check my calendar.”
Adam chuckled. “Your calendar, huh? The one that has Adam written on each day in big, bold letters?”
“Yeah, that one. But you realize that there’s a lot of white space left, and you never know when something might come up.”
“Right.” He kissed the top of her head. “You let me know if it does. Otherwise, family dinner tonight. And maybe a walk afterward, if I’m still awake.”
“Oh, I’ll make sure you’re awake, cowboy.” Maddy looked up at him, her eyes filled with starry light.
My oh my, this woman could make anything seem possible.
Dinner that night started out beautifully. Adam’s favorite, most tender roast, thick gravy, mashed potatoes, and those long, French green beans that Uncle Dirt did something fancy with.
“I just like experimenting,” the old man said. “You never know, I might experiment my way into a million bucks.”
“It’s scrumpdillyicious, Uncle Dirt,” Mia said.
Adam smiled at the swipe of gravy that lingered on the little girl’s chin until Maddy wiped it off. “Manners, Mia,” said his favorite single mom.
Adam passed her another napkin, catching Caleb’s frowning glance along the way. He raised his eyebrows in question—did Caleb think he should stay hands-off with Mia?
Caleb just shook his head and took another bite. But he still had a funny look on his face.
They chatted through dinner—hay crops, horses in training, typical ranch stuff. They also teased Lacey.
“You still seeing What’s His Name?” Dad asked.
“Which one?” Caleb laughed. “Gavin or Tyler?”
Lacey blushed. “Actually, Julio.”
“Julio Esteban?” Caleb
teased. “A bit out of your league?”
“Hey!” Adam elbowed him. “Give your sister some credit. Maybe Lacey is out of his league!”
“At least he comes from a ranching family,” Micah said.
“Micah! I’m not going to marry him or anything,” Lacey protested. “We’re just going out.”
“I thought you were dating Tyler?” Dad said, a little late.
There was a moment of awkward silence, then Caleb said, “Gotta keep up with the conversation, Dad.”
While their father looked confused, Uncle Dirt stood. “If you’ll excuse me, this little filly of yours and I have a special concoction for you to try.”
Lacey followed him out. They returned quickly, Lacey proudly carrying a cake smothered in white coconut frosting.
“You made this?”
“Wow, Lacey!”
She beamed a smile that shone through the roof. “We spent all yesterday evening on it,” she said.
“What?” Caleb cried. “There was cake last night, and we didn’t know?”
“We’ve been practicing decorating techniques,” Maddy whispered to Adam. Then she turned to Lacey. “So have you decided between being a chef or a rancher for a career?”
“Or a vet?” Adam added.
“Or a nurse?” Dad said.
Lacey ignored them until she had the cake triumphantly sliced and sitting in front of each of them. “I don’t know. I want to be all those things. But I still have a year before college, so I don’t have to decide yet.”
Adam couldn’t understand giving up all they had here to do something like cook or work in a hospital. How could she not want to be a rancher, or at least a vet?
His brothers teased her some more before the companionable talk turned back to ranch business. Until Lacey innocently said, “It’s too bad about Mrs. Evans. She seemed so nice.”
Adam froze. He’d only told Dad, wasn’t going to tell anyone else until he knew the total damage.
“Mrs. Evans?” his father asked. “What’s going on with Mrs. Evans?”
“I told you, Dad, remember? And how did you find out, Lacey?” Adam kept his voice even.
Lacey’s eyes were wide as she looked at their father. “Dad told me, but how come he doesn’t remember now?”
“I’ll catch you up later,” Adam said quietly.
“Would somebody please explain what you’re talking about,” Caleb growled. “Mrs. Evans?”
Adam sighed. “Maddy found some discrepancies, so we’ve started going through the accounts for the last year. It looks like Mrs. Evans was writing checks for more than we owed, and skimming the extra for herself.”
Dad frowned. “Oh yes, that’s right. And I’m sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have turned it all over to her. It was just more efficient. And she seemed so honest.”
Adam kept his frustration controlled, although it wasn’t easy. If everyone would be upright and have integrity in everything they did, they wouldn’t have to worry about sneaking around or keeping their lies straight, and they could be proud of who they were. And the rest of them could get on with a nice, straightforward life.
Honesty had been part of his family’s code as long as he could remember, but sometimes they got sucked into problems. Amber, Adam’s last real girlfriend, had spun him a story of how her grandfather had left her an inheritance, which was why she could afford nice things when her family really couldn’t. When she got arrested for theft and forgery, she spun more stories to the police, eventually tangling her lies and including Adam.
He’d been shocked by her revelations, although it wasn’t hard to show the police the truth and clear his own name. He still wondered why she couldn’t have been happy being the daughter of a local butcher. Adam shook his head to clear it—it had been a few years now and shouldn’t bother him anymore. Really, it shouldn’t. He slowly tuned back into the conversation.
“Are we in trouble? Can you tell if it’s a lot or a little yet?” Caleb was asking.
“About fifteen hundred, so far,” Maddy said.
Caleb sat back. “Not horrible, but…dang.”
“I’m actually hoping it gets to two thousand,” Adam grumbled, despite himself. “That would make it a felony when we turn it over to the cops.”
The room was silent for a few moments, then Micah spoke up again. “Any idea why she did it?”
Maddy answered. “We think it might have started with Christmas presents or something and then expanded from there. Retirement, maybe?”
“The why doesn’t matter, just the what,” Adam said. “You steal, you pay the price.”
Micah gave him a long look. “Old Testament justice, huh?”
Adam shrugged. “It is what it is.” He knew they didn’t truly understand the impact, but it was simple. Order was necessary.
Dad disagreed, though. “Let’s find out a little more before we judge her so harshly,” he said, back in the conversation as if he’d never checked out. “You’re always talking about how much technology can do, Adam. Why don’t you see if you can find out what she’s doing now? See if that gives us any clues.”
Adam closed his eyes briefly, biting back the sarcastic comment that wanted to come out. He wiped his mouth and stood. “I’ll do that, Dad. And it’s my turn to check the cows.” He gave Maddy a peck on the cheek, tousled Mia’s hair, and headed out for some clear air where he didn’t have to pretend to be soft and understanding.
25
After Adam’s talk about integrity and lying during Friday’s dinner, Maddy was more glad than ever that she’d already told him her story. He might be angry with people like Mrs. Evans, but Maddy was immensely grateful he’d understood her own need. She’d seen him clench his jaw in frustration too many times, and it was a relief to know that he made allowances for circumstances.
It was funny how well she could read him already. He had such depth in his eyes, and she could tell his mood from whether they seemed more emerald or olive. Of course, plenty of soft kisses and time gazing into those inviting eyes helped. Even if it had to be in quick snatches because someone always wanted him for something.
Maddy smiled at the thought and checked the clock in her quiet office. Sure enough, Adam knocked on her open door, then took his cowboy hat off and rubbed his hair.
“Long morning?” she asked, saving her work on the computer.
“Nothing that can’t be made easier by the sight of you,” he said with a smile.
“Great pick-up line, cowboy, except you don’t need one.” She took his hand and walked with him through the warm sunshine for Seth’s Tuesday Skype call.
Inside, Samuel clapped one hand on her shoulder. “Good to have you here, Missy.”
The banter between the brothers carried on—Caleb’s hot date Saturday night, Micah talking to his tractors, and Adam and Maddy came in for some teasing. Maddy settled in, letting her mind wander to how she might send a message to her family. Maybe she didn’t miss them as much now that she was involved with Adam, but they’d still want to know how she was. And despite having a new cell number and email address, she didn’t want to go that route. Mr. Wilkins wouldn’t like it, either.
Preoccupied as she was, Maddy didn’t notice the growing tension in the room until twelve-thirty. Samuel was staring at the empty fireplace. Adam flipped a pencil through his fingers. And Caleb would tell a joke and then trail off through the punch line.
“What?” she asked. “What’s wrong?”
Samuel began to answer, then hunched his shoulders and turned away.
Adam stilled his pencil and spoke. “Seth’s usually connected by now. And he didn’t send any emails to reschedule.”
“Which means?” Maddy put her hand on Adam’s back and rubbed gently.
“Which means he’s probably out on patrol,” Micah said. “And no one can tell us anything about it.”
“Oh,” was all Maddy could say. To not know how dangerous it was, or when he would be expected back…the family didn’t even know when it
would be time to worry. So the worry started now.
“Someone could at least tell us if he’s around but busy,” Caleb said, standing. He brushed his hands down his jeans. “I’m going to email Captain Carter.”
Maddy turned to Adam. “Will the captain tell him anything?”
Adam shrugged. “If Seth is around, we’ll probably hear from him first. If not, then all the captain can say is that he can’t say anything.”
Nobody else moved, though. Maddy wondered how long they would wait to see if Seth came on, but she wasn’t going to ask out loud. All she could do was squeeze Adam’s hand and wait with them.
Thirty minutes of brooding silence later, Caleb returned, grumbling and shaking his head. “Still no answer.”
Adam sighed and got to his feet, pulling Maddy with him. “He’s probably just on a local patrol. Let’s try checking in tomorrow. Maybe earlier.”
Caleb shrugged.
Adam glanced at Maddy, then said, “You ever get that other creep feeder done?”
She supposed he was just trying to change the subject, but Caleb glared at him. “Sure. What’s it to you?”
“Just checking.”
Caleb came closer. “That’s what you like to do, isn’t it? Check on everybody about everything. Like you can’t trust anyone else to do their work.”
“I do not,” Adam huffed. “I just didn’t know if we’d need to order more lumber.”
Maddy stepped back as Caleb came within three inches of Adam’s face. “If I needed more lumber, I would have ordered it. I don’t need you telling me how high to jump.”
Adam worked his jaw, obviously biting back some words. “I need to make sure this ranch runs smoothly. And if that means checking on people and projects, that’s what I’ll do. Whether you like it or not.”
Maddy looked at the others. Micah was staring at his brothers, his mouth hanging open. Samuel looked back and forth between the two, but he seemed confused about the conflict in front of him.
Caleb poked Adam in the chest. “You’re not the boss. You—”