Lauren’s respect for Sally jumped even higher. She’d overcome a lot and became her own person, a strong one.
After a moment, Reese continued, “Nathan is like a son to me and I’m glad he has the Howard name. He’s a good kid.”
“I’ve noticed.”
She snuggled deeper into his arms.
“Are we safe here now?”
“Now that Chet has gone, I think so. The kids are in bed. Sally always stays in the other wing of the house, as does Nathan. They’re both occupied now.” He paused, then added softly, “I didn’t mean for that kiss to happen,” he said. “But I’m glad it did.”
“I know,” she whispered. “Me, too.”
“Something has been stirring between us since we met,” Reese said.
“It complicates things. Especially my staying here,” she pointed out.
“I wasn’t just making a job up. I do need someone who understands computers while Sandra is gone.”
She nodded. He was always direct. It was one of the things she liked about him. One of the many things. She looked into those dark eyes and knew an aching need deep inside. She knew what she should do. Walk away. Now.
She also knew what she wanted to do. Stay and see where this...undeniable attraction led them. But there was her daughter to consider. If Chet noticed something, so would Julie. She didn’t think her daughter would react well. She was so protective of her dad.
But Lauren wanted to stay. She wanted to ride up into the mountains and she wanted to explore the ranch and she wanted, darn it, to feel the warmth of Reese’s arms. It felt so natural. She wasn’t ready to throw something this fine away.
“I have to go back to Covenant Falls in the morning,” she said softly. “I’m in dire need of clothing, and it’s all there. I have a riding lesson scheduled, as well.”
He leaned his head down and kissed the top of her nose. “Heaven forbid,” he said, “that you miss a riding lesson a hundred and fifty miles away. Have you noticed we have a few instructors here, myself included?”
“I hear they’re a very demanding group,” she retorted.
“It depends on the rider. And you have a very fetching nose. Has anyone told you that before?”
She burst out laughing. “I can honestly say they have not,” she responded as she traced a pattern on his hand. His fingers were long and calloused. They were obviously newly washed but they reminded her of what a long two days he’d had. “You should go to bed,” she pointed out.
“You’re right, and so should you, but this is a conversation I want to resume.”
“My nose isn’t that interesting.”
“Everything about you is intriguing,” he replied. He paused, then added, “You will stay for a while?”
“How can I say no after such a compliment to my nose, but I do have to go to Covenant Falls tomorrow.”
“You can borrow some clothes from Sally,” he suggested.
“I need my own. I just bought some fancy new jeans that are sitting in a suitcase. And some boots. I came for a picnic only.”
“And you had an adventure instead, and I discovered a woman of many talents. Counterfeit money. Poker. Subterfuge.”
“Don’t forget computer guru.”
“Ah, the most important of all. Does that mean you’ll stay?”
“After I drive to Covenant Falls and pick up my belongings.” She hesitated, then added, “At least for a few days. Any longer depends on how Julie responds to the idea.”
His arms tightened around her again. “When will you be back?”
“I’ll leave around seven in the morning,” she said. “I have a riding lesson at twelve. I don’t want to cancel it this late. Luke has a pretty busy schedule. I’ll stay overnight and be back the next morning.”
He brushed back a wayward curl that fell over her eyes. “That’s good. I want to show you something then.”
“What?”
“I can’t really explain it, but you’ll like it.”
“About staying after Thursday...”
He waited for her to continue.
“I’ll have to talk to Julie, see whether it’s okay with her. Coming here was all for her. I don’t want to bust in and ruin it for her.”
“I understand that.” He leaned down and kissed her again, this time lightly. “But selfishly, I want you to stay. You brighten this ranch, not only for me but everyone else, too. You’ve turned us into a family rather than a program.”
She was stunned and touched at the words. Mist started to blind her eyes. She knew if she stayed a moment longer, she would be in his arms again, and that wouldn’t solve anything.
She nodded. “Good night” was all she could say as she barely managed to stand and take the steps that would propel her toward her room.
Chapter 11
Lauren woke to sun pouring through her window.
The bed was comfortable, the large colorful quilt was soft and cozy, and she didn’t want to get up. She immediately thought about Reese and the kiss last night and her response to it.
She also felt guilty and disloyal. It had been less than two years since Dane died. How could she feel so drawn to another man? How could she possibly stay here when every meeting between Reese and herself erupted into internal fireworks? There was no way they could keep their attraction private.
The drive today might give her some perspective. She had none at the moment. She just wanted to feel his arms around her again. The word family kept creeping into her thoughts. The ranch had felt like a family last night: one big boisterous family. It was something she’d always wanted.
She got up, wrapped a towel around herself and looked out the window. Even after the late night, the ranch was bustling. She went into the bathroom and looked at her clothes with distaste. They smelled like horse. She’d thought about washing them last night but she knew they wouldn’t dry in time.
This was Tuesday. She’d first driven up to Eagles’ Roost a week ago Sunday. The world—at least her world—had changed within that time. She hadn’t thought she could love again, especially this soon. She feared she was reaching that point.
It was much too early to think—or feel—in those terms. She’d never believed in love at first sight, or first day or even first week.
She picked over every word he’d said, trying to find a clue to his past romance, or romances. Had he married? If so, there was no evidence of it. She could ask Sally but no, she couldn’t. No one had said anything. Asking would invite questions she couldn’t answer. She could look him up on the internet, but that seemed an invasion.
She took a cold shower, then a hot shower and washed her hair with the care package Sally had given her last night. She was wrapped in a towel when a knock came at the door. She opened it and peeked out.
Her daughter stood there with a pile of clothes in her hands. “Hi, Mom,” she said.
It was the cheeriest “hi, Mom” she’d heard in the past sixteen months, and Lauren’s heart soared.
“From Sally,” Julie continued. “She got your clothes last night and washed them. She said hers were too large. They were. You looked kind of funny. They were also rather messy after stomping around in the stable.”
Relief flooded Lauren as she accepted the clothes. “Well, thank you. How she finds time to do everything is beyond my comprehension, but I’m grateful. I’m going back to Covenant Falls this morning. My luggage is there. I’d planned on being here one afternoon, not two and a half days.”
“But you are coming back?” Julie pleaded. “That was so much fun last night.”
Lauren raised her eyebrows. “Cleaning stalls? Fun?”
“Yeah. We made a game out of it.”
“I think you did a fantastic job,” Lauren said honestly as she clutched her towel. “All of you. You certainly surprised the ranch hands.”
> “I kinda like Nathan,” Julie blurted out as if she couldn’t hold it in any longer.
Warning bells went off in Lauren’s head. “Does he kinda like you?”
“I don’t know for sure, but maybe.”
“He’s older than you.”
“Just eighteen months. I’m fifteen and he just turned seventeen.”
“That’s a lot of difference at your age and you’re only here for two and a half more weeks,” Lauren said. Listen to yourself and heed.
Julie looked cautious. “I know.”
“I want to ask you something,” Lauren said.
“What?” Julie asked cautiously.
Lauren took a deep breath, then said, “Mr. Howard and Sally have asked me to stay this week and help with some computer problems. Is that okay with you?”
Julie hesitated just long enough to ring more warning bells in her head. The last thing she wanted to do was alienate her daughter. She couldn’t forget Dane’s sadness that came from losing his family.
But then, Julie grinned. “It’s okay. Jenny and the boys really like you. They’re jealous I have a mom they can have fun with.”
It wasn’t exactly the roaring approval she’d hoped for, but then Julie was a teenager. She took the okay as consent.
“Then I’ll try it,” Lauren said. “I’ll be back in the morning. I want to be here for the recognition ceremony. I’m sorry the other parents can’t. You guys have worked so hard.”
“There’s whispers there will be a surprise,” Julie said. “Because of last night.”
“Then I’ll definitely make it back.” She tested another idea. “It’s not a bad drive. It’s scenic, and I can’t wait for you to visit Covenant Falls. You’ll love it. I’ve been thinking that maybe we can look at property around here. You could have a horse here. Unless you want to stay in San Antonio.”
Julie looked uncertain. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it. Dad loved...Texas.”
He loved it because he flew there. But Lauren didn’t want to say that. She changed the subject back to the present. “Whatever we do it will be a joint decision. Think about it.”
“How long will you be staying at the ranch?” Julie asked.
“Depends on when their business manager returns. They expect her back within a week.”
“You know I’m seeing a whole new mom here,” her daughter said. “Especially Monday. I never thought I would see you sweeping out a stall.”
“I’m the same one, sweetie,” Lauren replied.
“I always...felt you liked flying better than anything.”
“Oh, Julie, I’m sorry. That’s never been true. You’ve always been first with me.”
Julie ducked her head. “I knew that when you resigned your commission.” She smiled. “But I’m really glad you’re staying, and you looked super good on that horse.”
“Thank you, daughter.” She reached over and hugged Julie.
“Are you leaving now?”
“Right after breakfast,” Lauren said.
“I’m glad you stayed here the last two nights,” Julie said. “Thanks for insisting that I come here.”
“Did I insist?”
“Pretty much,” Julie replied with a smile.
“Want to have breakfast with me before I leave?”
“I already ate, and it’s time to feed Snowflake.” She gave Lauren another quick hug and moved faster than Lauren had noticed before. Lauren followed her out the door and watched as Julie started down the stairs. She wasn’t using the crutches and she was walking better with a brace. She’d worked just as hard as anyone last night.
Lauren looked at the mound of clothes, then got dressed.
She grabbed her purse and keys and went down to the kitchen. Pancakes were on the menu, along with fried eggs, bacon, thick slices of ham and fried potatoes.
Betty greeted her. “Good morning,” she said. “Thanks for all your help last night.”
“Believe it or not, it was fun,” Lauren said. “It feels good to be useful again. Where’s Sally? I wanted to thank her for the clean clothes.”
“She’s grabbing a few hours of sleep.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll get mine this afternoon. And I did get some sleep last night.”
“Everyone else gone?”
“Some of the ranch hands left at dawn,” Betty said. “They’re still looking for strays and putting fences together at the new pasture. Others are sleeping. The riding instructor arrived and will take care of the riding sessions today. Reese will be back in time for the mustang visits.”
“Reese went with them this morning?”
“He did. That man never stops.”
“Doesn’t seem like anyone on the ranch ever stops,” Lauren observed. She helped herself to several pancakes. She figured she worked it off in advance last night. She added bacon, a slice of ham and some fried potatoes.
“I like a good appetite,” Betty said.
“Good, because I’m driving to Covenant Falls today to pick up my luggage. I’ll be back tomorrow to start working on the computer.”
“Thank the Good Lord,” Betty exclaimed. “Reese is a temperate man until it comes to that machine and it doesn’t work, which is most of the time he uses it. To tell you the truth, he resents anything he can’t do well. And since he does most things well, he takes his ire out on the few he doesn’t.”
Lauren had difficulty believing that. Reese seemed to be the most even-tempered man she’d ever met. “What about Nathan?”
“Nathan’s better than Reese, but he’s no computer genius, either. His life is horses and music. I’m not sure yet which will win out.”
Lauren smiled. “It would be downright unfair if they were good at everything. There would be nothing left for us mortals to do.”
Betty laughed.
Lauren finished her breakfast. “Thanks, Betty. I’m off.”
* * *
Reese pulled a calf out of muddy water and balanced him on the front of the saddle. He’d brought three of the ranch hands to find any of the animals they’d missed last night in the dark.
He hadn’t waited this morning to talk to Lauren. He wanted to get out and pick up stragglers from last night. And he didn’t want to give her an opportunity to change her mind about staying.
He should have told her about his wife, but the pain was still deep and he hadn’t wanted to scare her off, although he doubted she scared easily. Anyone who piloted jets full of ammunition wouldn’t be easily scared. When his cousin Patti first mentioned Julie as a possible prospect for the program he was dubious about her being a good fit. Certainly, an air force major and widow of a colonel had resources that most of the kids in the program didn’t.
Lauren had been a surprise in many ways. He hadn’t wanted to like her when he first saw her with her indignant “why weren’t you here?” look. But her interest in mustangs started to temper his feelings, and when she leaned down to greet Leo by scratching him in all his favorite places, he started wondering what other surprises awaited him.
More than he’d bargained for.
And now he’d lowered himself to using the computer to keep her here. He wasn’t quite as bad as he portrayed himself, but if he couldn’t do something well, he damn well didn’t want to do it at all. It was one of his admitted failings, and everyone on the ranch had heard him swearing at the damn thing.
Maybe it was finally proving its worth.
He reached the other cowhands and signaled, “Let’s go home.”
* * *
As soon as she reached Covenant Falls, Lauren wanted to turn around and return to Eagles’ Roost, even as she wondered how she could become attached to a place so quickly. Or to a man so deeply.
After retrieving her suitcase, the only commitment she had here was the riding l
esson. She could do that and get back before dark.
She thought she needed time to consider everything that had happened over the past few days, that maybe she could do so more logically away from Eagles’ Roost. But she quickly decided she could do that on the ride back. Besides, this was the day her daughter was meeting her mustang.
She checked her watch. Her riding appointment was at twelve, an hour from now.
Jimmy, the same desk clerk who had greeted her when she arrived a week ago, was on duty.
“Happy to see you again, Mrs. MacInnes. When we heard about the trouble at Eagles’ Roost, we left your room as it was. No charge for the extra days. We haven’t needed the room and we understand floods around here. Do you still have the key or do you need a new one?”
“I have it, thanks, but I’m just staying until around 1:00 p.m. I’ll be vacating the room then.”
“I hope there’s no problem.”
“No, everything has been lovely. Better than that, really. It’s been perfect. I’m staying at the Eagles’ Roost Ranch for a few days.”
“Mr. Howard often stays here,” he said. “He’s one of our favorite guests. Is there anything we can do for you?” he added.
“No, thank you.”
“I can heat up some rolls for you,” he offered.
She groaned. “I had a huge breakfast this morning, but thanks.”
She went to her room.
It was exactly as she’d left it, except the bed was made and the bathroom was spotless. She opened her small laptop and went online. She hadn’t taken it to Eagles’ Roost. She’d been too much in a hurry to get there and had overlooked it. That was a first for her.
Eagles’ Roost, she decided, had placed a spell on her.
Maybe it was a good spell. She felt alive, truly alive, for the first time since Dane died. It wasn’t only Reese, although he was a big part of it; it was also the pleasure of seeing her daughter find something she loved as much as running. She didn’t know how she would manage it but she was determined to give her daughter that horse. And a dog.
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