Carter's Cowboy

by McClone, Melissa

  “They are, but you aren’t.” He fought the urge to rub his warm hands against her cold ones. “You didn’t have to go out there.”

  “I wanted to.” She raised her chin. The respect shining in her eyes made his throat tighten. “You’re more than capable of handling the work, but you don’t have to do everything yourself while I’m here.”

  He swallowed. “Thanks, but I’m used to it.”

  That was what he did during the wintertime except for the days when his part-time help was here. Which wasn’t that often.

  She touched his shoulder. “Friends help friends, right?”

  Despite the fabric between them, warmth emanated from the point of contact. He ignored it. “Yes, friends do.”

  “That’s all I’m doing.” Avery lowered her arm to her side. “This weather means we won’t be going anywhere today. I figure I should fill the time by being useful.”

  Her optimistic tone and attitude appealed to him on a gut level. She could have decided the weather meant more time to sleep in.

  Funny, but she reminded him of Frannie. No matter what happened on the farm—and some bad things had—she remained positive and hopeful. The Martins would have liked Avery Scott as much as Carter did. He had no doubt about that.

  “We’ll fill the time.”

  “Yeah.” Her grin spread. “Doing more chores.”

  He laughed, liking how at ease she appeared despite the storm. “Yes, but there are also board games, cards, and jigsaw puzzles in the hall closet.”

  She perked up. “I haven’t done a puzzle in years.”

  Neither had he. Strange when that was how they used to pass the time.

  “Frannie collected puzzles.” He remembered the boxes of them Ben had found in the closet after she died. “Some are brand new. You can pick out the one you want to put together.”

  Avery beamed. “A good motivation to work faster.”

  “That’s the right attitude, but there’s not too much left to do.” Sundays were lighter chore days. He usually worked on specific projects. That wouldn’t happen with the weather today. “I need to check the water tanks, then harvest the herbs and produce.”

  She lifted her chin. “I’m ready to get to work when you are.”

  Volunteering in the middle of a snowstorm went above and beyond what he’d hired her to do. “You gathered the eggs. Go crunch more numbers.”

  “I’ll have plenty of time for numbers and revising the report. If I help, you won’t be outside as long.” Her expression softened, matching her caring tone. “That way you won’t get too cold and wet. Don’t want you to get sick.”

  His breath hitched. Mom and Grams worried about him in that way, but no one else. Sure, his brothers or cousins showed up when called, but they each had their own lives and jobs. Carter hadn’t realized how much he missed having someone who wanted to step up because they cared about him.

  The way Avery was doing right now.

  “Thanks.” Carter cleared his dry throat. “After breakfast—”

  “I ate a bowl of cereal earlier.” She eyed the coffeepot. “Though I wouldn’t say no to a cup before going out again.”

  “A woman after my own…” He stopped himself so she wouldn’t take the adage the wrong way. “Great minds think alike.”

  “Yes, they do.”

  One cup of coffee later, they rode side by side to the herd. The snowfall was heavy, but no white-out conditions yet. The horses didn’t seem to mind the inches of snow accumulating on the ground. Mercury practically pranced much to Avery’s delight. A rapport had built between Rain and Mercury, the same Carter felt with Avery. The atmosphere today was more casual than the first time they’d toured the farm on horseback.

  Friends.

  He would definitely call her one now.

  Despite the snow, reaching the herd didn’t take long. The cows huddled together, taking refuge in three-sided sheds. A good thing he’d closed the gates yesterday or rounding them up to be near the shelters wouldn’t have been fun in this weather.

  Carter dismounted to check the first water tank.

  “Do you hear that?” Avery asked, still atop Mercury. “Sounds like a cow.”

  He listened. A faint cry sounded. “All yours, cowgirl.”

  Appearing excited, Avery nodded. “Be right back.”

  She clicked her tongue, and Mercury galloped off in the direction of the cries.

  He noticed Rain watching the pair ride off. “No worries, boy, the cowgirl has everything under control.”

  The horse snorted.

  As Carter continued checking the other water tanks and feed levels, he listened for Avery and her horse. She hadn’t been gone that long, but she wasn’t used to snow and…

  A cow mooed.

  Relief rushed through Carter.

  “This one got stuck outside the gate.” Avery and Mercury led the cow toward the nearest shed. “She wanted in.”

  “That’s unusual for Sally Bowles, but I’m glad you heard her.”

  “Mercury heard her first.” Avery rubbed the horse. “I just paid attention to his cues.”

  The cow pushed her way into the shelter.

  Carter contemplated how the cow had wandered away. He knew his initial count had been spot on. “I’ll have to check for a hole in the fence.”

  As he watched Avery survey the herd at the various sheds, his heart bumped for how she seemed to care about his cattle.

  “Let’s do it,” she said.

  He got on Rain, and they took off toward the fence. The snow was coming down faster. “A quick ride along the perimeter should be good enough.”

  “Mercury is enjoying himself.” As if on cue, the horse shook his head. “So…Sally Bowles. I saw the names in the records, and I’ve been trying to figure out if the animal names are from movies, books, Broadway shows, or a combination.”

  Carter fondly remembered one of the long-ago Sunday suppers. “I hadn’t a clue how Frannie came up with the names until dinner one night. Music from the various shows had accompanied the explanation.”

  “So Broadway.”

  He nodded. “Frannie loved musical theater. She and Ben visited New York, but she also attended shows at the colleges in Pullman and Moscow. Even went to Spokane when a traveling company was performing.”

  “Did you ever go with her?”

  Laughing, he shook his head. “That would have been a waste of time and money. I never understood the appeal myself. I recognize some music, but the only shows I’ve seen were at the high school. My parents wanted me to go to support my sister.”

  “Ivy?”

  “She starred in every production during her four years there.” Thinking of Ivy on stage now was bittersweet. She’d been so good, her talent overflowing and filling the auditorium. Though country music held the top spot in her heart. Or had. “I rely on the Internet to find names from new shows or I recycle older ones.”

  Avery and Mercury came closer. “Any favorites?”

  “The names from Les Misérables.”

  A puzzled expression formed on her face. “Why those?”

  “I don’t speak French, but they are the most fun to say.”

  “Enjolras,” she offered.

  “Jean Valjean.”

  “Cosette.”

  Carter knew what needed to follow that one. “Marius Pontmercy.”

  Avery laughed. “The names are fun to say.”

  He nodded. “Are you familiar with that show or a musical fan yourself?”

  “I’ve seen a few shows.” She wiped her nose. “But I saw the Les Mis movie. Those names stuck out.”

  Avery wasn’t complaining, aloud anyway, but the temperature was dropping and the snow wasn’t letting up. “We’ve followed the perimeter and not found a hole. I’ll assume Sally Bowles was outside of the gated area and didn’t escape the pasture.”

  “Probably a good assumption, but we can always check once the weather is better.”

  “We can.” He led Rain away from
the fence. Mercury followed. “Let’s head back.”

  At the barn, they took care of the horses before putting them in the stalls. By the time they finished, Carter’s face stung from the cold. “Coffee before the greenhouse?”

  “You read my mind.”

  Ruff greeted them with barks. The dog had stayed warm and dry inside, but Carter put him outside to do his business.

  The coffee had been sitting, so he brewed a new pot. “After we’re inside for the rest of the day, I’ll fix a fire.”

  “And we can pull out a puzzle.”

  Her excitement reminded him of a little kid. “More than one if you’d like.”

  Avery shimmied her shoulders.

  Seeing her act so carefree pleased him. He enjoyed seeing this side of her. Being stuck with someone could lead to cabin fever, but as the week had progressed, he’d only felt more comfortable around her and she seemed to feel the same about him. He enjoyed having her here. She was no longer as tense or wary as when she arrived. The time she’d spent on the farm had been good for her.

  And him.

  Too bad she had to leave.

  Carter filled two cups with coffee.

  She took one and raised it. “To a successful year for Quinn Organics.”

  He tapped his cup against hers. “Hear, hear.”

  But he had to admit having her with him made things better already.

  As she sipped, her gaze remained on his. A flame lit in his stomach.

  Friends.

  Carter silently repeated the word because that was all they were, all they could be. They’d both agreed.

  But seeing how well she fit in here made him wish things could be…different, but he couldn’t forget she would leave next Friday.

  She lowered her coffee. “Just what I needed to warm up.”

  Ten different replies about other ways he could warm her up swirled in his head, but he pushed them aside. Better get to work before he said something he might regret. “Ready to hit the greenhouse?”

  “Almost.” As she sipped her coffee, she tilted her head toward the window. “At least the weather will keep visitors from showing up today so you’re safe from being asked too many questions.”

  Ignoring the texts from his family was helping with that, too.

  “Yes, but tomorrow might make up for it.” He rinsed out his cup. “It’s the day of my grandmother’s weekly visit.”

  “Will she want to drive in the snow?” Avery asked.

  “If she can make it here, she will.” She was someone he could always count on. “Nothing stops Gertrude Quinn when she sets her mind on something.”

  “Sounds like quite a woman.”

  “She is, and my grandfather adores her as much as he did the day they got married.”

  “That’s sweet.” Avery placed her cup on the counter. “I can’t believe it’s been a week since we had her baked ziti for dinner. It doesn’t seem like I’ve been here that long.”

  “You fit right in.” She did and not only as a consultant. Ruff had become attached to Avery. Carter enjoyed having her here, too, and not only to help him plan for the future. “You’re making a big difference for Quinn Organics.”

  “Thanks.” Her face was flushed. Or was that a blush? “We should get out to the greenhouse before the conditions get so bad we can’t find our way to the house.”

  The worry in her voice reminded him she wasn’t used to winter weather. “I can tie a rope so we can find our way no matter the conditions if you’re worried.”

  “Do you usually do that?”

  “No, but I will for you.” Carter nearly groaned at how that sounded. “I don’t want you to be uncomfortable or nervous.”

  “I trust you.”

  The three words hit him hard, right at his heart. Because given how she’d acted that first night in the bunkhouse, he’d never expected to hear her say that.

  He rubbed his chest. “Good. Because I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Carter wasn’t only talking about the snowstorm. She wasn’t lost or injured, but something about Avery put him in a protective mode and made him want to care for her.

  A beat passed. And another.

  He could stand in the kitchen and stare at her all day. But the greenhouse and a puzzle awaited them. “Ready?”

  She nodded. “Let’s go harvest the herbs and produce.”

  As long as Carter was with Avery, there was nothing else he wanted to do. Well, except for maybe kiss her again.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The physical work in the greenhouse differed from what they did in the office, but something became clearer to Avery. She and Carter made a good team, like her and Mercury did, though she preferred having someone respond when she talked.

  The only problem?

  Everything Carter did—from harvesting the produce to talking to plants—captivated her. No matter what she was doing, her gaze kept straying to him. The sight of him distracted her from the task at hand. Avery tried not to stare too much. She mostly succeeded.

  He hadn’t seemed to notice. Avery crossed her fingers he wouldn’t.

  After lunch, they sat in the office reviewing Carter’s business plan before designing his second greenhouse complete with a crop layout. Dinner was a casual meal of turkey burgers, cucumber salad, and sweet potato fries.

  Now, after a productive day considering the weather, it was time to relax.

  Snow continued to fall. Avery didn’t mind the storm. Not when she was sitting next to Carter on the couch with logs crackling in the fireplace and two cups of hot cocoa with mini marshmallows on the end tables next to the sofa.

  The atmosphere was too cozy and comfy for tonight to feel like a date. Hanging out as friends and working on a jigsaw puzzle together was pretty much perfect.

  So what if she noticed the gold flecks in Carter’s hazel eyes? Or how his forest green Henley stretched across his chest and emphasized his wide shoulders. Or how the stubble on his face gave him a more rugged appearance but didn’t quite hide his dimple? Friends could appreciate the attractiveness of each other. Nothing wrong with that.

  Avery turned puzzle pieces face up on the coffee table. “This should be a fun one to put together.”

  Carter held up a brown piece. “There’s a lot of sand.”

  “The seashells will help differentiate the pieces.”

  “Or not.” With a smirk, he studied the top of the box. “You realize a tropical landscape is the opposite of where we are.”

  That was one of her reasons for picking the puzzle. The other was after seeing Carter in his swim trunks at the hot springs yesterday, she could easily picture him on a beach and frolicking in the waves. “It’ll help us think warm thoughts.”

  He leaned toward her, cutting the distance between them in half. “If you’re cold, I can grab a fleece throw from the linen closet.”

  “I’m fine.” But Avery appreciated how he wanted to take care of her. He’d been the same way when they’d come inside from the greenhouse and told her to shower so she could warm up before lunch.

  “I meant warm as in a beachy feeling, not thermostat-wise,” she clarified.

  His forehead wrinkled. “Is that where you’d rather be? At the beach?”

  “No,” she admitted, perhaps a little too quickly. “I’m happy right here.”

  With you.

  “Me, too.” He angled toward her. “Being limited in what I can do because of a storm can be frustrating, but today has been great.”

  “It’s not over yet.”

  Their gazes locked, a connection flowing between them, one that felt like more than friends, but she cut off that thought immediately because friends were all they could be.

  For now.

  He focused on the coffee table. “There are so many blue pieces. Putting together the sky will be nothing but trouble.”

  “Not trouble—a challenge, which is why I like doing them,” she countered. “If a puzzle is too easy, why make the effort?”
r />   “I see your point, but easy is good.”

  “Easy is okay.” She matched two pieces of the sky together. “But the accomplishment is sweeter if you put the work in. At least it is for me.”

  He showed her a blue piece that had a wisp of white cutting across the center—the sky with a part of a cloud. “Guess we’ll see how well we work together to get this finished.”

  She nodded. “We didn’t do too badly earlier. Though this might take us a few days.”

  “The snow is supposed to keep falling through tomorrow.”

  The next two pieces she tried didn’t fit together. “Then we’ll be good.”

  “We will.” Holding on to the piece with the cloud, he searched the others. “But my grandmother won’t.”

  Avery had forgotten. “She’s supposed to visit tomorrow.”

  “Yes, and according to a text from Ivy, Grams has been asking questions about you. She still wants to come, but Grandpa won’t let her leave the ranch until the roads are plowed.”

  That was a relief. Based on how everyone talked about the matriarch of the Quinn family, Carter’s grandmother intimidated Avery. “She’s that serious about having her grandchildren settle down?”

  “It’s her mission.”

  Avery imagined that must be both endearing and frustrating to her grandchildren. “She cares about you all.”

  “Grams does. Even though several of us are hampering her end goal, her heart is in the right place and she isn’t giving up.”

  The affection in his voice twisted Avery’s insides. Someday she wanted a person to talk that way about her. She pushed aside the yearning.

  “Do the ones hampering include you and your siblings?” she asked.

  “All but Ryder because he married Bethany.” Carter counted off four fingers. “David dates, but he hasn’t been serious with anyone much to our grandmother’s chagrin. Maggie has fallen in love with a voice.”

  “A voice?”

  “Each week, she calls in an order to this guy named Charlie. She loves to listen to him talk, even though she has no idea what he looks like.”

  That was sweet. “Maybe she’ll end up with a happily ever after. That would make a fun meet cute story to tell their kids.”

  Carter shrugged. “Maggie will find out in April.”