by Kate Pearce
He needed to stay put, learn as much as he could, and then move on. That had been his original strategy. What was so hard about that? Being at the ranch, with reawakened recollections of his father’s petty cruelties and memories of his last months in the air force circling in his brain had made him doubt himself again.
And his on-again, off-again relationship with Daisy wasn’t helping much either. The fact that he’d impulsively accepted her terms without thinking things through were yet another symptom of the uncertain state of his mind. He hated not having a purpose; he absolutely hated it.
He emptied the wheelbarrow and went back into the barn to start on the second stall, which housed Cauy’s favorite horse. Maybe for the first time in his life, he had to accept that it was going to take time to sort things out, and that he’d just have to roll with it.
Cauy emerged from the house and Jackson stiffened, but his brother did nothing more threatening than hand over his forgotten phone and get to work. Cauy had never been one to belabor a point, and for once, Jackson was grateful. Whatever was going on, he was the only person who could solve it.
* * *
It appeared that half the valley had assembled at the Morgans’ to help out with the new barn. Ruth Morgan, who had lived on the ranch for over sixty years, was in her element, welcoming all the ranchers and directing operations from the railed front porch of the Victorian ranch house.
Jackson noticed Adam Miller and his father in the line for coffee and made sure to acknowledge them. Daisy had left in a huff the night before, but that was becoming the norm. He hoped she’d be willing to see him when he went to town later that evening.
“Are you going to the meeting tonight?” Jackson asked Adam after they’d nodded cautiously to each other.
“What meeting?”
“The one about the expansion of the town,” Jackson explained. “Cauy thinks it’s important that the ranchers are well represented there.”
“He’s right.” Mr. Miller entered the conversation. “We’re some of the oldest residents of this valley and we often get forgotten.” He slapped his son on the back. “I’m sending Adam and Kaiden to represent me because, apparently, I can get too loud and blunt.”
“So can I,” Jackson said with a wince. “But I’m going anyway.”
“Good for you. Make sure you speak up.” Mr. Miller gave Jackson an approving glance. “I’ll tell Daisy she should pop in too.”
Jackson suspected Daisy’s perspective as a shop owner might differ from her father’s but didn’t mention it. He was in enough trouble for opening his big mouth for one day to create another ruckus.
“Are the Morgans coming?” Adam asked.
“As Chase is the chairperson, I guess so,” Jackson said. “And I bet Ruth Morgan will want to be there as well.”
“I bet she will.” Mr. Miller smiled. “She’ll make sure everyone gets to hear the ranchers’ side of the story.”
“I sure will.” Ruth had appeared to replenish the coffee and smiled up at Adam and Jackson. “I know the history of this valley better than anyone, Jeff, and I’m not shy about sharing it.”
Mr. Miller tipped his hat. “You sure do, Ruth. I’m counting on you to stop any more silliness coming into this valley.”
“Silliness?” Ruth looked him square in the eye, and Jackson and Adam instinctively took a step back.
“One ‘dude ranch’ is enough, don’t you think?” Mr. Miller said. “Don’t want everyone getting into the entertainment business now, do we?”
Ruth Morgan drew herself up. “It’s not for me to tell anyone else in this valley how to save their ranch now, is it Jeff? We all have to do the best we can to survive.”
“No need to get your dander up now, Ruth.” Mr. Miller held up a placatory hand. “I’m just saying . . .”
“I know exactly what you’re saying, but seeing as you turned up to help me and mine today, I’ll keep my thoughts to myself.” Ruth fixed him with a steely glare. “Have a good day now, won’t you?”
Jackson let out his breath as the diminutive Mrs. Morgan turned on her heel and went back into the house.
Adam shook his head. “Maybe not the wisest thing to say, Dad.”
Mr. Miller snorted. “Somebody had to.”
“She kept the ranch going all by herself for years before her grandkids came back. If she didn’t believe in a family legacy, she wouldn’t have done that, would she?”
“Funny way of showing it, letting complete strangers prance around the place pretending to be cowboys,” his dad muttered.
“Those guests pay the bills, have some fun, and learn something important about the history of California,” Jackson couldn’t help butting in. “The ranch also does weddings, which seems a fine way of sharing the beauty of this place with people who would never get to experience it otherwise.”
Mr. Miller stared at Jackson. “Who asked you?”
“No one, sir.” Jackson met his gaze.
“And no one asked you either, Dad, so let it go, okay?” Adam patted his father’s lean shoulder. “This isn’t the time to be getting into it. We’re here to help our neighbors.”
Mr. Miller went off to speak to a group of older men, leaving Adam and Jackson facing each other. Adam grimaced.
“My dad has a big mouth.”
“So do I.”
“I noticed.” Adam looked Jackson up and down. He rarely smiled, and his height and bulk made him appear quite intimidating. “I’m surprised Daisy puts up with you.”
“Me too.” Jackson kept talking. “Is she going to the meeting tonight?”
“I think so. She’s involved in some businessperson’s alliance in town, and they always show up. Didn’t she mention it?”
“She might have, but I’ve probably forgotten,” Jackson said hastily. “I’ll check in with her later, to see if she wants to go with me and hang out afterward.”
Adam tipped his hat. “You do that.”
Jackson went to find Cauy, who was canoodling with Rachel Morgan and wasn’t terribly pleased to see his brother. Roy, the Morgan Ranch foreman, who was as old as dirt, stood on the top step of the ranch house and called everyone to attention.
“Okay! Thanks to everyone who turned up; we owe you one. There’s a list posted right outside the new barn. We’re going to ask you to choose a team where you think you can be the most useful. If you can do everything, then pick a team that needs the most help.”
Everybody laughed, and Roy continued.
“We’ll be serving lunch at noon, so stick around, and thanks again.”
It was hard to miss the new barn, towering over the original wooden structure built over a hundred years before by the first member of the Morgan family to settle in the valley. Jackson wasn’t sure what he was going to help with, seeing as his skill set wasn’t ranch-centric, but he was willing to do anything, which had to count for something.
“Hey.” BB Morgan, a retired Marine and all-around badass, nodded to Jackson. “What’s up?”
“Nothing much.” Jackson fell into step beside the second-oldest Morgan brother. “I was just trying to work out where I could help.”
BB looked him up and down. “Are you scared of heights?”
“Dude, I was in the air force,” Jackson countered.
“A chair warrior; yeah, I know all about you guys.” BB winked. “I need someone to help me with the interior lighting setup.”
“I could do that.”
“Great.” BB slapped him on the back. “I’ll just get my tool belt.”
* * *
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Cauy asked again as he glanced over at Jackson while they drove into town. They’d worked all day at the Morgans’, only stopping for lunch and the occasional hit of coffee until the barn was functional.
“I’m good.” Jackson blinked hard. “I just stared at too many lights today.”
“And hit your head on a couple of beams,” Cauy reminded him.
“Yeah, that too.” Jackson
rubbed his temple. “But I didn’t electrocute myself or fall off the ladder, so I’m calling it a win.”
He’d worked with BB and a qualified electrician, stringing up the wiring and lighting inside the huge barn. He’d enjoyed the challenge, but he had a terrible headache.
“Can you drop me off at Daisy’s?” Jackson asked.
“You don’t want to get something to eat first?” Cauy turned onto Main Street. “I was looking forward to a burger and fries at the Red Dragon.”
“Can I check in with Daisy? She might want to join us, or she might tell me to take a hike and find her at the meeting.”
“Are you two fighting again?” Cauy chuckled and shook his head.
“Not exactly.” Jackson checked that he had his wallet and phone as they approached Daisy’s shop. “We just have the occasional misunderstanding.”
“Yeah, so I’ve noticed.” Cauy stopped the truck right outside the flower shop. “Like every time you speak to each other. It’s a family tradition. I’ll park behind the bar. Text me if you’re coming, okay?”
“Will do.”
Jackson got out of the truck and waved his brother onward. He checked his cell, noticing it was almost five, and hurried to get in the shop before Daisy shut him out.
“Hey!” He smiled as he spotted her behind the counter. She wore a green version of her shop T-shirt, and her hair was up in a ponytail. Somehow, just the sight of her brightened his day. “How’s it going?”
“Pretty good.” Her gaze swept over him. “Did you fall off your horse and get dragged through a hedge backward?”
Jackson brushed at a patch of mud on his filthy jeans. “Nothing so exciting. I helped out at the Morgans’ all day.”
“Adam and Dad were there, too. Did you see them?” She came around the counter, the cash from the register in her hand.
“Yeah.” Seeing as she didn’t seem to object to his presence, he followed her through to the back of the shop and waited while she secured the cash in her safe. “Your dad’s a good carpenter.”
“He taught Kaiden everything he knows.” Daisy straightened and looked at him again. “Are you okay?”
“I’ve got a headache,” Jackson admitted. “Do you have any painkillers?”
“Yes, of course I do.” She pointed at the stool near her raised workbench. “Sit down and I’ll get you some water to take them with.”
Jackson did as she suggested, noticing her laptop was still open. She definitely wasn’t logged into her flower shop account, but to a chat room called TRAUMA. His headache was so bad, he couldn’t even attempt to read the complex numerical messages scrolling rapidly down the screen.
Daisy came back with two pills in her hand and a mug of water. “Here you go.”
“Thanks.” While he took his medicine, she deftly shut down her laptop. “Is that for your other job?”
“It might be.” She faced him.
“Looked technical.”
“Do you really want to go there right now?” She raised an eyebrow.
“Nope.” Jackson took off his hat and blew the dust from it. “I’m just glad you let me in the door.”
She made a face. “I can’t really see you tonight. I have to go to a meeting.”
“It’s okay. Cauy asked me to go as well.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re ranchers in Morgan Valley.” He frowned at her. “Your brothers are going to be there, too.”
“Which ones?”
“Don’t you know?”
She shrugged. “I keep out of ranch business as much as I can.”
“Why’s that?” Jackson asked as he waited for the pills to work on his thumping head.
“Too many cooks already.” She offered him a smile.
“I love the ranch, but I wouldn’t want the responsibility of running it.”
“I think your dad said Adam and Kaiden were going.”
“Makes sense. Adam manages every aspect of the ranch and Kaiden’s job as a carpenter spans both the town and the ranch.”
Jackson’s cell buzzed. He took it out of his back pocket and checked the text from Cauy.
Are you coming? Am dying of starvation over here.
“Cauy wants to know if I’m joining him at the Red Dragon,” Jackson said. “Do you want to come with me and get something to eat before the meeting?”
Daisy nibbled her lip, and Jackson remembered he hadn’t kissed her yet.
“I was planning on eating the sandwich left over from my lunch, but hot food does sound better.”
“Then come with me.” Jackson caught her hand and gently brought her to stand within the circle of his arms. “I’ll pay.”
“Cool, I’ll have steak, then.”
He kissed her mouth. “You don’t eat steak.”
“I might if you’re paying for it, with caviar on the side and a bucket of champagne.”
“Caviar?” He breathed against her lips before delving inside her mouth to get a real taste of her. “Don’t think they have that at the bar.”
“Then you’ll have to owe me.” Daisy nipped his lip, making him instantly hard.
“I’m happy to pay my debts after the meeting.”
“Good.” She eased out of his arms. “I’ll just lock up.”
Chapter Nine
Daisy found a seat in the same row as her brothers and a whole load of Morgans. Jackson and Cauy filed in behind her. The community hall was packed, but the atmosphere was friendly, with locals, ranchers, and business owners catching up with one another.
At the front of the room was a table facing the crowd occupied by Chase Morgan, who was of a similar age to Adam; Ted Baker, who ran the one and only gas station in town; and Mrs. Hayes, who operated the Historic Hayes Hotel, which had once been the town’s saloon and brothel. Chase was staring down at his laptop, his fingers flying over the keyboard until an agenda flashed up on the whiteboard against the wall.
Jackson nudged Daisy and handed her a box of cookies. “Mrs. Morgan said to help ourselves.”
Daisy took a white chocolate and cranberry cookie, Cauy declined, and Jackson took two chocolate chip before passing the tin back up the row.
BB Morgan leaned across Daisy to address Jackson. “Hey, Ruth wants to know how Amy and your mom are doing?”
“They’re both great,” Jackson said. “Amy’s working at a hospital close to where Mom lives now, so she sees her quite often.”
“Cool.” BB nodded and turned away to repeat the information up the line to his grandmother.
“What’s Amy doing now?” Daisy asked as she chewed her cookie.
“She’s a pediatric nurse.”
“Wow. Good for her.”
“Yeah, she’s awesome,” Jackson agreed. “Cauy and I are trying to get her to come out here for Christmas with Mom, but she’s not sure she can get the time off.”
Chase stood and cleared his throat. “Let’s get started, shall we? There’s a lot to get through tonight.” He pointed behind him. “The agenda’s here, and there’ll be plenty of time afterward to hear everyone’s opinion.”
Daisy doubted that, unless they stayed until midnight. There were a lot of people with “opinions” in Morgantown.
“First up, did you all read the copy of the minutes of the last meeting I sent out?” Chase asked.
Everyone nodded. Daisy noticed a few guilty faces, or maybe that was just her own guilt calling to her for not bothering to read them.
“If you didn’t get to it, there are printed copies at the end of each row if you want to pass them around.” Chase waited as several people handed out papers. “We didn’t have much to talk about last time, so it’s a quick read.” After a few minutes, he checked the time. “Anyone got any comments?”
No one spoke up, and Chase looked around the room. “So can we have a resolution to accept the minutes of the last meeting and a seconder?”
The ayes came thick and fast, and Chase moved on.
“Okay, now to item one. The county
board has finally allowed us to push forward with the matter of closing Main Street to traffic by constructing a bypass around the historic center of the town. Unfortunately, it’s got to go up to state level.” Everyone groaned. “We’ll be taking our case to Sacramento next month. If anyone wants to be involved with this issue, please come talk to me after the meeting.”
A hand went up, and Chase paused. “Yes, Dev?”
“Did you complete the study about the effect on the town’s businesses?” Dev Patel, who was an architect and the current president of the town business owners’ organization, stood up.
“Yes, and I have a copy for you right here. Eliminating the traffic should have a positive effect on sales and the overall tourist experience, meaning people stay longer in town and spend more money.”
Dev nodded. “We’d have to make sure there’s good signage directing people into town, and great parking as well.”
“Exactly, which is why I was hoping you’d be up for heading the Sacramento delegation.” Chase grinned at him. “Come speak to me afterward, okay?”
Dev groaned. “I knew I shouldn’t have stood up.”
He sat down, and Chase moved on to the next item, while Daisy let Jackson hold her hand and rub his thumb over her knuckles. She’d enjoyed having dinner with him and Cauy at the bar and was feeling pleasantly tired and looking forward to her bed. Or maybe Jackson’s bed. She couldn’t decide.
“Okay, so on to the last item, which I suspect is the reason why a lot of you are here.” Chase looked out over the crowd. “I didn’t want to get too specific in my agenda, but this is a matter that affects all of us, so it needs to be discussed openly.”
He paused to consult his notes.
“I’m not going to name names, but a couple of the ranches here in the valley might soon be up for sale. Neither of these ranchers want to sell their land, but they both have valid reasons why they can no longer keep the land in the family.”
Cauy and Jackson sat up straight, as did Adam and Kaiden.
“One of them has been approached by a housing developer,” Chase continued.