Sandra Lewis was an electronic genius in addition to being his bookkeeper. He lived in fear that someday he might lose her. He hated being trapped in an office, and he was electronically inept. Fortunately, Sandra was married to the owner of the small local bank and liked keeping busy.
“Hi, Reese,” she said as he accompanied her inside his office and they both sat down at the computer.
They had gone through several feed bills and he’d electronically signed a contract when Sally entered and interrupted him. “Just had a call from your missing family,” she said. “They should be here in a few minutes. Apparently, they had a late start, then took the road with the rockslide. No cell service, of course. She was very apologetic.” She raised an eyebrow. “It’s just an hour later than you were three weeks ago,” she reminded him.
He had to grin at the comment. Sally was six years younger and grew up under the same tyrannical father who became even more so after his accident.
Reese always tried to protect her from their father’s tantrums, especially after the injury, but she’d fled the day she finished high school and become pregnant by a no-good charmer. She’d waited until their father died before coming home with a son but no husband. In that time his little sister had grown up and they made a good team. She could ride as well as he and was a fantastic cook.
“Robin and I will wait for them while you finish with Sandra,” Sally offered and hurried out before he could protest.
Sandra made out a to-do list for him while she was gone. He raised an eyebrow at its length and groaned.
“I should be back within the week,” she said. “You’ll be fine,” she assured him as she left, leaving him still staring at the list.
* * *
Julie had grown increasingly antsy and uncertain as she and Lauren neared Eagles’ Roost Ranch. Lauren was just as nervous.
“It looks big,” Julie said as they finally reached the ranch and started down the road toward the large house and two stables, one on each side of the road.
“It is,” Lauren replied. “They have several thousand cattle along with a lot of horses.” She tried to keep her voice steady but she was wondering whether she was making the right decision bringing her daughter here.
Every time she looked at the sky she yearned to be up there. There was nothing else she wanted to do, nothing else she was qualified for, and she’d never been idle before.
“Do you really think the gaucho pants look okay?” Julie’s question jerked her back to the minute as she parked in the large lot. Lauren had found them online and bought three pairs for Julie and one for herself. Julie approved when her items arrived and slipped easily over her brace while fitting the rest of her slim form perfectly. “You don’t think they look odd?” Her daughter worried now.
“I think they look terrific,” Lauren said. And they did. Lauren had found some leather ones, and they looked fashionably Western. She worried about boots that had been on the essentials list for the program, but there was nothing she could do about that with the brace and support shoe.
The parking lot had some of the same vehicles as before but no new ones. She parked in the area in front of the house.
Sally must have been watching for them. She and a young woman in a Western shirt, riding pants and boots stepped from the porch and approached the car. Lauren stepped outside and opened the back door for Julie, who had been resting her bad leg on the backseat.
“You must be Julie,” Sally said as Julie twisted around to get the leg in the brace and crutches out of the car. “Welcome to Eagles’ Roost. I’m Sally.” She turned to a young woman next to her. “This is Robin. She’s usually a ranch hand—one of the best we have and one of the few women—but during this month she’ll be working exclusively with you. She’ll introduce you to the horses and teach you about ranch life. If you need anything or have any questions, she’s the person to ask.”
Robin smiled widely as she reached out and shook Julie’s hand. “Welcome to Eagles’ Roost. You’re going to have a great adventure. Promise.”
Even Julie couldn’t resist Robin’s contagious smile. She nodded as she awkwardly stepped out of the car. Just then a large black-and-white dog loped over to the car and sniffed Julie before swiping a wet tongue over the hand that was on the crutch.
“This is Leo,” Sally said to Julie. “He doesn’t have any manners, but he adores everyone and expects adoration in return. Robin will take your luggage to your room while I introduce you to the other participants. They’re in the barn getting their first lesson in horsemanship.”
Julie didn’t move and Lauren ached for her. Before the accident, Lauren would have appreciated Julie’s need to be close to her. Now Lauren wished her daughter felt safe and confident enough not to need her nearby. She was fifteen now, and Lauren wanted her to be like other teenagers. She even wanted to worry about her daughter coming home a few minutes late from a party.
But no more than a few minutes.
Sally tried again with Julie. “Is that okay with you?”
Julie looked overwhelmed but the fact that Sally gave her daughter permission to make her own decision did the trick. Julie nodded.
“I’ll take care of your luggage and meet you inside the barn,” Robin said. “And I love those pants. You’re going to have to tell me where to find them. They’re cool.”
The comment drew a rare smile from Julie.
“We’ll have fun together,” Robin assured her.
Julie didn’t look so sure but at least she was reaching for the door handle to help her balance as she stepped out of the car. Lauren went to the back of the car, opened the trunk and pointed out Julie’s belongings: a packed suitcase, a satchel containing her purse, her laptop and an e-reader with a wealth of books waiting inside.
Lauren hadn’t figured on such a quick goodbye but maybe it was best. A little devil inside had looked forward to seeing Reese Howard again. But it was probably just as well. He’d been in her thoughts too frequently.
She hugged Julie for a moment. In truth, she wanted to grab her daughter and drive away. “I’m as close as a phone call,” she said instead. “Have a great time.”
“She’ll be fine when she feels the soft muzzle of a horse and looks into big brown eyes,” Sally said.
Lauren hugged Julie. “Enjoy. I love you,” she said. “You have my cell number. Call anytime,” she said despite the recommendation of no phone calls for three days. She stepped away and watched as Robin headed for the house while Sally, her daughter and Leo walked slowly toward the barn. Her daughter looked rigid. She turned around and looked back; her features seemed to be begging her not to go, then she walked into the barn.
Lauren blinked away tears. She felt as if she was throwing her daughter off a cliff without a safety net.
* * *
Reese left the house as Lauren MacInnes watched her daughter disappear into the stable with Sally and Leo. He walked toward her and as he neared, she turned, startled. The vivid green he remembered was misted with tears. She tried to blink them back when she saw him. Damn, those emerald eyes could lead to a man’s downfall.
She took a step back as he approached. The vulnerability touched him. “You made it,” he said. “I thought you might have changed your mind.”
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t do that without letting you know. But I’ll never be able to complain about you being late again,” she replied.
“You didn’t exactly do that,” he said. “It was just cool indignation.”
“Okay,” she shot back. “We’re even. You ran into a gas truck on the road. I ran into a rockslide. Do you think someone is trying to tell us something?”
“Could be,” he said with a grin. “You must have come the long way, then,” he said. “Those rocks have been there a long time.”
“It looked like a shortcut on the map,” she said wryly. “I really disl
ike being late. It’s a military thing.”
“I rather guessed that. Did you drive all the way from San Antonio?”
“I did. We started at dawn yesterday. Julie wants me to stay around close for a while. It was a condition. Seven hundred miles seems a long way to her. Your sister recommended an inn in Covenant Falls.”
“Your daughter wants a quick getaway option?”
“Something like that.”
“She’s not alone. I think all four of the kids have those doubts today, but they usually disappear fairly quickly.” He paused, then added, “I saw your daughter walk to the barn. She seems to manage well on those crutches.”
“She shouldn’t need them more than another week. She’s getting used to walking with the brace. Hopefully, she won’t need that long.”
“That’s good news.”
Lauren nodded but bit her lip, and he realized how difficult it had been to bring her daughter. “I know now why you were late that day. I didn’t realize from the air how winding the roads are. I should have.”
“It’s even and forgotten,” he said. “I suppose Sally explained the buddy system. Robin was one of the first kids to come here to Junior Ranchers,” he said. “She knows how scary it can be.”
“And she came back?”
“As a ranch hand during the summers. She learned to ride here, and now she’s earning money to go to college. She wants to become a veterinarian.”
“She lost a parent, too?”
He nodded. “Her mother was a truck driver in Afghanistan. That’s why I assigned her to your daughter. She knows what your daughter is going through.”
Lauren suddenly realized that nothing about this program was haphazard. Although it seemed relaxed, everything they did had a purpose. “Aren’t parents supposed to drop their kids and get out of Dodge?”
“That’s the plan, but we make exceptions when necessary. We try not to be rigid. Have you had lunch?” Before she could answer, he was guiding her away from the car and across the yard to the house when she heard a very loud, very plaintive noise.
“That must be the burro,” she said as she looked toward the corral. “You can’t forget that bray.”
“Mistake,” he said, following her gaze.
“Mistake?” she asked, puzzled.
“That’s his name. It fits him and reminds me not to repeat that particular error of adopting a burro. He’s loud and obnoxious and a troublemaker. He’ll kick one of the mustangs, hide behind another, then bray about it.”
“You didn’t have to take him,” she said logically.
“The mustangs were part of his herd, his family. He’d be lost without them. No one else would take him.”
She stared at him. “You’re a real softy masquerading as a tough guy.”
“Don’t let the ranch hands hear that.”
“I suspect they know. How many employees do you have?”
“There’s the cook, Betty Baker, and her husband, Ben, who is the fix-it guy around the house and stable. They live in a house on the ranch. There’s Sandra, who is the bookkeeper and computer guru. She lives in town. Chet Hunter is my foreman. He and his wife, Ann, have a house over the hill.
“Then,” he added, “there’s the stable crew that takes care of the horses and the cowhands that look after our cattle. The last two are sort of interchangeable—they can do both jobs. Depends on what’s needed at any particular time. They have to make sure the horses and cattle have water and grass and that the calves don’t wander away in the unfenced areas. There’s a lot of predators around here.
“The married employees live in town,” he continued. “It’s about a fifteen-minute drive. The single guys mostly use the bunkhouse where the boys will stay. They have to pledge to behave themselves during this month or move to town. The single women have quarters on the other end of the house.”
“I’m impressed,” she said.
“Don’t be. Every year is a financial struggle.”
“But you still do the program?”
“It’s not that costly. All the outside professionals donate their services. We have the space available. My guys—and that includes the females—love doing it, although it’s more work. I buy the mustangs cheap and can usually sell them for good prices after they’re trained.”
He saw her look back toward the barn. Despite his attempts to distract her, she was worrying. “She really is safe,” he said.
She nodded. “She’s had a horrific year and a half. There’s good news, though. There was movement in her toes. That means she can have an almost normal walk.”
“That is good news.”
“And you were right. She fell in love with Leo when we arrived.”
“Everyone does, and he’s a diplomat. He spreads himself around this month. He’s my dog the rest of the year.”
“I’m going to get Julie a dog as soon as we get back to San Antonio. She’s always wanted one, but pet ownership doesn’t work well in the air force.”
“Want advice?”
“Sure.”
“Adopt a rescue,” he said. “Leo’s one. They’re so appreciative of finding a home they do their best to please and they love fiercely. He’s probably with the kids in the stable now. He relishes the role of greeter and comforter during this month.”
“Like your mustangs?”
“I’m not sure whether they’re appreciative or not,” he said. “They would probably be happier roaming the West with their kind. Unfortunately, the government has other plans for them.”
“After talking to you, I’ve been reading about it,” she said.
“And did you reach any conclusion?”
“It’s sad. Do you think that once gentled they ever think about the old, free days?”
“They have memory. They remember people. Places. They hold grudges against someone who harms them or one of theirs. But they also remember people who are good to them. One of the kids who came here three years ago returned last year to see the mare he rode, and she was ecstatic.”
She studied him. He looked more civilized than he did three weeks ago, and was even more striking. His dark hair was shorter and neatly combed although a shock of hair still fell down on his forehead, and his tanned face was cleanly shaved. He still wore jeans but they were clean today, as were his boots. She also recognized the jean jacket but it, too, had obviously undergone rehabilitation. He would never be called handsome but he was certainly memorable in a sexy way.
He paused. “We’ll take good care of her. Either Sally or I will keep in touch and tell you about her day. And, of course, Julie can call you anytime.” He paused, then asked, “So, where in Covenant Falls are you staying? Let me guess...the Camel Trail Inn?”
She nodded.
“Good. You’ll like it. I stay there when I take horses down there. Take the gold mine Jeep trip with Herman. It’s hair-raising but you’ll learn a lot about the history of the area.
“And,” he added, “there’s Parents’ Day next Sunday. We’ll have a barbecue out here, and you can see what they’ve accomplished.” He reached up and touched her cheek and she realized a tear had rolled down.
“I’m fine.”
“I’m sure you are.”
She looked up at him. “How are your mustangs?”
“Getting used to fences. They’re about ready for their sirens.”
She raised an eyebrow. “The mystical sirens of literature? Didn’t they lure people to their doom?”
He looked abashed for a moment. “Well, these are good sirens.”
They reached the kitchen. He held the door open for her as she entered. As before, it smelled wonderful. It smelled aromatic. She could detect three different spices.
Betty greeted her as if she was her long-lost friend. “Mrs. MacInnes, it’s grand to see you.”
“Since
she’s a latecomer,” Reese said, “maybe we can get her something to eat before she leaves. The rockslide trapped someone else again. I doubt they’ll ever clear it. Her daughter can probably use a ham and cheese sandwich at the stables.”
“I’ll take it over while you two eat,” Betty said as she ladled steaming soup into two large bowls, poured lemonade into two glasses and tucked two large pieces of homemade bread into the oven. “I noticed you didn’t eat at the picnic,” she scolded Reese. “So you eat something, too. The bread will be ready in a jiff.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, and Lauren had to smile. The big, tough mustang tamer sounded like a chastened schoolboy.
Betty quickly made a fat sandwich, poured more lemonade into a paper cup, took the now-hot bread from the oven and placed a large slab of butter on a plate. She then whirled out the door with the sandwich and lemonade for Julie.
The whole process took place in the wink of an eye. “Did she really do that?” Lauren asked.
“Yep. I often tell her she missed out on a career in time management. The best thing is everything is good. She’s an artist with seasoning. She’s been with us twenty years. Met her husband while working here. He’s as good at fixing stuff as she is at cooking.”
The soup was not only good, it was exquisite. Lauren was hungry and ate rapidly. Then she looked up. His dark eyes were on her and he was smiling. Then their gazes met and a lightning bolt of heat ran through her.
Emotions tumbled around inside. Anxiety. Indecision. Guilt. And, worse, need that ran deep and strong. How could she even think of another man?
Dane had been the first and only man she’d ever loved. They’d had everything in common. Drive. Commitment. Love of flying. The air force and then their daughter. In the months since he died, she’d never had the slightest attraction to any man. She didn’t think it was possible.
Now she was flooded with it. A warm glow started to puddle deep inside and the heat was spreading throughout her limbs. He’d made an impact when she first saw him in clothes that looked to have years of hard wear, muddy boots and a face badly in need of a shave. He’d looked as if he just stepped out of a hard-as-nails Western movie. She hadn’t been sure she wanted him anywhere near her child.
Home on the Ranch--Colorado Rancher Page 6