by Lynn Landes
“You’re awfully young to have boys that age. What about their father?” Daniel asks. Her eyes become pained as she speaks, and he realizes his mistake too late.
“Jacob died two years ago.” Delta turns away and begins to clean up her stuff. Daniel grabs her arm gently and stills her.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Delta.” She looks up at him at the sincerity she hears in his voice.
“Thank you. Jacob had cancer for six years. My family sent me here to get out of the house.” Glancing at the snow-capped mountains in the distance and the rolling green hills around her, she inhales, “I'm glad they did.”
“Montana can heal the soul if you let it,” he states with pride.
She nods, glancing up at him he reminds her of the landscape, rugged, raw and beautiful. Clearing her throat, she gently pulls her arm away and steps back from him.
“What about you? Is Abby your only child?”
“Yes,” he glances away to check on Abby, “Her mother couldn’t handle ranch life. So, she traded up for a Rodeo star and ran off. We’ve been divorced for six years now. I have full custody.”
Delta is stunned silent. To leave a two-year-old child behind! She can’t even imagine.
“I'm so sorry, Daniel. I guess we all have our crosses to bear.”
“I'm not sorry, Abigail, is the best thing in my life. Her Mom and I share custody. She will be spending a week with her over spring break and then two weeks with her this summer. Once the hurt and anger subsided, I realized it was for the best. Her misery made all of us unhappy. We are friends now, and she is content. Abigail doesn't know any different, she's growing so fast it blows my mind.”
“They do that,” she smiles thinking of her boys.
Abby runs back, “Okay Delta don’t look while we set up the picnic.”
Delta laughs as she walks down to the pond. After ten minutes they call her back, and she is shocked by all the food. They have a beautiful picnic set up with lemonade, fruit, cheese, and mini sandwiches.
“This is amazing! To think, I was just going to eat a granola bar and coffee, but I insist you share my fudge. I found the greatest sweet shop in Butte.” The rest of the afternoon is spent talking, laughing and playing with the dog.
“Dad tells me you’re a writer. What do you write?” He asks and Abby perks up.
“I… freelance for some magazines, and I have a blog. Though I haven't done much writing the last few years. It's one of the reasons I came here.” She dares to look at him and, wow, the view just gets better and better. He grins at her, and she can't help but smile back.
“And here we are taking up your time. Alright, Abby, we need to start cleaning up. Sometimes we just need a change of scenery to get our juices flowing again.”
Delta blushes and hurries to help them repack. “Thank you again, for lunch.” Time to go Delta, she stands and turns to him. “You truly don't have to babysit me. I'm sure you don't take picnics to all your guests,” Delta says. Calling for Sasha, she turns to grab her purple backpack only to frown. It's gone. Spinning around, she watches Daniel mount his horse with her purple bag tied to the saddle.
“No, we don't. Grandpa said you were special.” Abby grins at the two of them and watches carefully as Delta backs away from Daniel when he swings his muscular jean-clad legs over his horse and approaches her.
When he leans down towards her with his Stetson hat on and reaches his hand out towards her, Delta’s heart stutters. She backs away quickly shaking her head, “Not happening, Daniel.”
Abby grabs her reins and mounts her horse, watching quietly as her father heads towards Delta.
“Trust me, Delta,” he urges waiting patiently for her to choose.
“No,” she moves around him and waves, “thanks again,” she calls and hurries off. She makes it four steps before he comes thundering at her and sweeps her up onto his horse. Her squeal of surprise is covered by his laughter as his arm wraps around her waist and he plops her in front of him. Delta is forced to hold on to him.
“Oh, my lord!” She buries her face in his chest and holds on for dear life.
“Delta,” he whispers in her ear, “I’ve got you.” A few seconds later, “You’re gonna need to come out and breathe.”
She shakes her head, refusing to look at him.
He can feel the trembling in her body. “Do you always run around naked under the stars?”
Her gasp of outrage has her sitting up and looking at him. “Daniel!”
“Not that I'm complaining, you look amazing in the moonlight,” his dark eyes stare into hers, and he notices she has a ring of yellow around the pupil of her blue eyes. If it weren't for his daughter, he would be kissing her senseless right now. His sexy laugh has her pinching him.
“Ow!”
“That's not funny. You big bully.” The horse hits a rough patch, and she grabs hold of his shirt and holds on tight, pressing her breasts into his hard chest.
“Not true, next time don’t be so hard-headed. It's not so bad is it?” He leans down, and she catches her breath.
“I, I don’t know. I don’t like to ride horses, Daniel.”
“What’s not to like? Your body against mine, the sunshine, and fresh air. Look around…” he urges. Instead, she turns her face to look at him. He starts in surprise when her fingers trail his face and across his lips. Chills erupt, and his body responds, shocking her. Daniel nips her fingers with his hot mouth, causing her breath to catch.
“Amazing,” she whispers.
“What do you think, Delta? Maybe we can go riding together, sometime.” Abby calls from behind them.
They jump, and he grins at her as she blushes at her boldness. They're back at the house before she realizes it and as he lowers her to the ground, she turns on wobbly knees and marches up the porch of her house with Sasha hot on her heels.
“I don’t think I will be riding again, Abby,” she answers hoarsely.
“We'll just have to teach her how to ride, Abby,” Daniel says with a laugh, he kicks his horse and calls to her, “Don't forget your backpack.” She turns in time to take it and watches as they return to the barn.
“Bye, Delta,” Abby calls out following her dad.
Delta is shaking when she unlocks the front door, rushing inside. “Oh my God. I need to leave, right now!” But her heart isn't in it. Glancing in the mirror, she's shocked to see the desire reflected in her eyes. It has been so long since she has felt passion, desire or even been attracted to a man. Jake was so sick for the last few years and when they did find time to be intimate, sex was careful. Sex! She is thinking about sex with a cowboy and not just sweet sex, but hot, sweaty sex that has her pulse pounding. “Leave now!” She snaps at the sun-kissed the woman in the mirror.
You are not a coward, Delta, she hears Jake say to her. “Oh, yes I am!” She snaps and turns away only to turn back and point at herself. “You will just have to tell him you’re here to work, not play. He will find somebody else to flirt with.” Sasha trots away to curl up on the rug.
“Simply avoid him, and he will get the picture,” she tells herself as she grabs a shower. Dinner is served at six. Delta is going to try to catch Chase and get some of the local lore for research. She pulls on a soft pink sweater dress, with black leather boots and a black suit jacket over the top. Putting the finishing touches on her makeup, she pulls her riot of waves up with a clip and stares at the woman in the mirror. Small wrinkles around her eyes, she doesn't mind those, they remind her of the joy she has seen. The wrinkles on her forehead aren't as bad as some, and she steps back to look at the dress and grins. It clings in all the right places and makes her feel sexy. “Good enough,” she murmurs and grabs her keys.
She pulls into the lodge parking lot and decides a drink is in order. The parking lot is not as full as check-in day. Walking up to the desk, she smiles at the front desk clerk and remembers her name from check-in.
“Hi Melody, Is Chase Matthews, available, he isn’t expecting me.”
“Delta! Come in, come in. This is a surprise! I hope my son took good care of you today,” he asks, guiding her inside his office. Melody glares at Delta's retreating back and moves to listen at the doorway.
“Of course, the house is spectacular. Thank you for sending Daniel with the picnic, it was lovely. Chase. I was hoping I could buy you a drink to thank you for your kindness.” Delta waits hoping he will agree to her offer.
He beams with excitement, “Well now, only a fool would say no to a beautiful woman, but only if you have dinner with me.” Delta grins and takes his arm to walk out, and Melody runs back to the front desk and pretends to be working as he leads Delta into the dining room. They are seated in a corner with glass windows overlooking the setting sun in the background.
“Red wine, please.” Delta orders and beams when Chase orders a bourbon and lights his pipe. Delta stares out of the window amazed at the sunset view. “It doesn’t look real. Do you ever get used to living in a postcard?”
“Never.” Chase sits back smiling and lets her enjoy the view. “What brings a woman from Carolina, all the way to Montana? Are you on the run from the law? Or in search of an adventure?” His crinkled eyes dance with curiosity.
Delta laughs, “Nothing so dramatic,” she hedges. “I needed to… get away. My boys are on their own now, and the house felt empty.” Seeing the question in his eye, she sighs and sips her wine.
“My husband, Jacob, passed away two years ago. Cancer took him after a six-year battle, and my boys gifted me this trip. It was something I always dreamed of doing, just not alone.” Chase puts his drink down and grabs her hand and squeezes gently.
“I know your pain. I lost my Janie going on five years now. We were married fifty-three years. The pain gets better with time, but it never goes away completely does it?” He drinks his bourbon and orders an appetizer of tomato with basil and vinaigrette.
“No, and everyone means well, but I'm sick of them telling me how I should feel. Jacob wanted me to live, Chase. In fact, he made me promise that I would, but we've been together since we were sixteen. I'm ready to make some new memories, but I'm not sure how to live without him.” Her tears threaten, but she refuses to let them fall and ruin her evening.
“Let this old man give you some advice.” Chase puffs on his pipe and sits back. “You put one foot in front of the other, you let yourself be mad, and cry, rage, and then you find reasons to smile again. Open your heart and try new things, visit new places and make new friends. Consider this your first step to a new beginning,” he lifts his drink and toasts her. “To new friends.”
“Sounds like good advice.” She taps his glass and sips again. “I’ve done all of that here on your ranch, I find myself smiling frequently.” Sitting back, she orders another glass of wine and grins, “Now, tell me the history of this ranch and I don’t want the brochure version. Give me all the juicy details.”
Two hours and three glasses of wine later, Delta is full and a little bit tipsy. She decides it's not a good idea to drive just yet. Walking through the lobby, she smiles and chats with a few people and decides to take a walk down to the fire pits. Families are gathered to toast marshmallows over flickering fires, and soft music is playing. It was a perfect evening. Delta is drawn into a discussion near one of the fires with a local guide who is giving detailed descriptions of the state animals. He flirts with her and talks her into taking a guided jeep tour in a few days, to see the animals up close. Excited, she turns with a smile and a wave only to bump into a rock hard chest.
“Easy, Darlin. Where are you off to in such a hurry?” Daniel has his hands on her upper arms, and she tenses up. His milk chocolate eyes are full of warmth as he looks her over.
“Oops, I didn't see you there. I was just leaving.” The radar in her brain screams, run! Sexy cowboys are not on the plan, Delta! She steps sideways to go around him, but he doesn't let go.
“Have dinner with me?” He asks, smiling at her irritation.
“No, thank you, Daniel, I had a dinner date,” she responds haughtily.
“Are you still sore about our ride?” He asks rubbing his warm hands up and down her arms.
“Of course not, it was an… interesting experience.” The feel of his touch is distracting her, and she moves a step closer to him.
“Have you seen Sarah's bridge yet?” He asks, and curiosity has her hesitating. She chews on her lip, drawing his eyes to her mouth.
“No. What’s Sarah’s bridge?”
“It’s a secret spot, not many people know about it. I can show you?” He whispers and holds out his hand.
Delta hesitates, “It doesn’t involve a horse does it?” She asks.
“No sugar, I promise you’ll love it.” When she places her hand inside of his, he lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. Pulling her along, he gives a shrill whistle. An old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage pulls up, complete with hot chocolate for two and a heated blanket. Delta gasps in delight.
“Daniel! You're full of surprises.” Daniels strong hands wrap around her waist, and he lifts her into the open top carriage and is beside her instantly. Sitting in the corner, he wraps an arm up over the black leather seat built for two and grins at her. Lifting the blanket in an unspoken invitation, Daniel gives a little wiggle of his eyebrows. Delta can’t resist, laughing, she sits beside him and tucks into his side. Resting a hand on his muscular thigh, she jumps when his leg muscle twitches. Together they draw the blanket up around their legs.
“Nights in Montana can get cold, stay close and I will keep you warm.”
Her smile fades when she twists to look at him. “Is there really a bridge, Daniel?” He stares down at her and is struck with the desire to make her smile again. His hand wraps around her shoulder, drawing her back against him.
“Yes. Just wait for it.” He gives the okay to the driver, and they set off. Delta wonders at the feel of him next to her. His strength and warmth surround her, and she sighs, so far she sucks at avoiding him. A bump has her clutching his thigh. His hand covers hers, and his deep voice in her ear chases all the cold away.
“You smell amazing, Delta.” He inhales her scent nuzzling against her neck and chills run down her body.
“Thank you,” she whispers. The grounds are beautiful, and soft snow starts to fall delighting Delta. She twists to look at him. “It's snowing! Did you order this just for us?”
“Of course, I told you to trust me.” Daniel looks so smug, she can’t help but laugh.
“Snow in April, I can’t believe it! The only thing snowing in Carolina is pollen.”
“It will be gone tomorrow, so enjoy it.” Delta glances at him and grins, wondering at how thoughts of him have consumed her since the moment they met.
“Tell me the story of Sarah's bridge,” she urges before she does something stupid like climb up his body. No more red wind, Delta! They head out across the fields and turn to ride along a lighted path towards an aged wooden bridge. It sits across the wildflower meadows connecting two pieces of land with a massive river running under it.
“Sixteen-year-old, Sarah Jane was out with her father on a ride when her horse was startled by a moose. Her horse reared up causing Sarah to drop her reins. She screamed and held on tight to her saddle as the horse took off across this very field.” The carriage stops and Delta reaches for the hot chocolate and pours two mugs, handing one to Daniel. He sips on it and continues the story. Delta listens entranced by the sound of his deep voice she angles her body toward him. “Sarah Jane tried to bring him under control, but once a horse senses fear you’re in trouble.”
Delta nods, “Where was her father?”
“He was busy trying to chase off the moose, who was hell-bent on going after the horse Sarah was on. Have you ever seen a moose up close Delta?”
“Only on television. Are they very aggre
ssive?”
Daniel nods, “Yep, and this one was in rut and during spring they become extremely hostile. Sarah was on the horse, and her scream reached the ears of Beau Matthews, who happened to be out surveying his property line. He was a homesteader. During that time if you lived on the land for long enough, the land became yours. Beau kicked his horse into a run in the direction of Sarah's scream.”
“What happened?” She asks, dropping a marshmallow into her hot chocolate.
“The property had a large river running through it, and Sarah was headed straight for it. Beau could tell by the way she was holding on, that the horse that was out of control. It ran with Sarah on its back, straight for the river, but just before the horse plunged into the river, Beau shot his pistol into the air, startling the horse.”
“That’s good, right?” Wide-eyed, Delta sips her chocolate entranced by the story.
“Depends on how you look at it. The horse skidded to a stop, and Sarah went flying straight into the river.”
“Oh, no!”
“She plunged into the river with a shriek, and the weight of her skirts pulled her under. Beau did the only thing he could do, he raced alongside the river and drove his horse into the water to save her.” Delta scoots closer and nudges him.
“Did he save her?” She asks sipping from her cup.
“Of course. He had to jump in and pull her to the side of the river. They were both soaked, and Sarah had a nasty gash on her forehead from a rock, but she was alive. She was holding tight to Beau and thanking him when he looked into Sarah’s beautiful green eyes he was overcome and kissed her just as her father was coming over the hill.”
Delta laughs, “That’s not good.”
“Worked out good for Sarah. They were married on the bridge he built, connecting both plots of land. Thanks to that moose, our ranch sits on over six thousand acres.”
Delta sighs. “What a beautiful story, it really brings the land to life.” Her hand touches his, and she says, “Thank you for sharing it with me.” Daniel reaches out and cups the back of her neck and draws her close for a soft sweet kiss.