As it did before, the moonlight was reflected by the mountains and brightened the valley. A stream of water trickled down the cliff.
When they came to a halt, Reese maneuvered his horse in front of them. “You can dismount,” he said. As the four teens dismounted and looked around curiously, ranch hands emerged from the woods around the clearing. The buddies strode to stand beside their Junior Ranchers. The other hands, along with Sally and Betty, joined the group gathered around them.
Reese dismounted, as well. “I wanted to bring you here because this is where Eagles’ Roost was founded,” he said. “You know the history from the information we sent you, that an eagle led the founder here.
“But,” he continued, “you don’t often see the valley and mountains lit by the moon like this, and I thought it was the perfect place to thank you for what you did the other night and to congratulate you all on what you’ve accomplished in the past week and a half. It has not been ordinary because of the flood but you’re ahead of the other groups in spite of it.”
He paused, then added, “You all have aced the basic horsemanship part of the program and earned our silver horseshoe pin. I was planning to do this last Sunday when your families were here but the rain interrupted that plan. I’m very proud that I can award them now. Wear them proudly because you have earned them.”
He went on, “We have one more honor. And it goes to Jenny, who was judged by voters to have excelled in cleaning stalls Sunday night. Her spirit impressed everyone. Jenny, you can select the menu for all three meals next Saturday. Betty said anything goes except for pizza morning, noon and night. You can do it on your own or take suggestions.”
Jenny beamed as she probably had never beamed before.
“Our ranch hands can’t wait to see your menu,” Reese said with a huge grin.
“We have some entertainment tonight, as well.” He continued, “I heard Heath sing a song today while working with his mustang. He told me it was an old lullaby. I was carried away by it. He agreed to sing it to us tonight, and then Nathan will sing the Colorado State Song, Where the Columbines Grow.”
Both singers received standing ovations for their songs.
“Now it’s time for hot chocolate. Pete and Terry brought some earlier in those thermos bottles in the wagon to the left of you. Don’t go out of sight. You can get lost here quickly and there are coyotes around here.”
Everyone clapped, then stood to congratulate Jenny, Heath, Julie and Tony.
Awakened by the clapping, Leo jumped up and wagged his tail in approval.
Chapter 13
They rode back with barely a sound. It had been a very long day and the group, including Lauren, still had to bed down their horses before going to bed.
Lauren wanted to ride next to Reese and tell him how well he handled everything. By giving everyone a pin, he eased any jealousy that might come from Jenny’s win. Heath had recognition he hadn’t had before and the ranch hands whom he respected clapped and hollered. He might have grown two inches in those minutes.
Reese didn’t just teach riding, he made the kids believe in themselves, that they could do anything. Lauren didn’t think he even realized what he was doing. It was all instinct with him. She understood now why Patti wanted Julie to come.
He made Julie believe in herself. And he was doing the same with Lauren. She’d thought flying identified her. But she was discovering she was good with people, too. She loved working with the kids and with the various staff members.
They reached the stable and had to take turns getting to the stalls. She waited behind. Some of the employees had homes to go to. She also lingered because she knew he would be the last to leave.
Then there were only two of them.
She unsaddled Lady while Reese did the same with Max six stalls down.
They walked together to the house. She didn’t say anything because she would probably babble. She was happier tonight than she’d been in a long time.
“You know you did a lot of this,” Reese said.
“How?” she asked, mystified.
“The way you respect everyone for who they are, the way you brought the kids together during the flood rather than sending them inside to fend for themselves. They had to work together, and they learned each had different abilities and how to meld them. This is the closest, most cohesive group we’ve had. I’m trying to figure out how to create a flood every year. Any ideas?”
“I’m empty of them now,” she said. “What will you do when they leave?”
“Run a ranch. It’s always neglected during these programs. There will be a lot of government paperwork to catch up on, a lot of purchases for the rest of the year, preparation of brochures for cattle sales. There’s plenty to keep me occupied.”
“And what will you do for pleasure?”
“Pleasure?” he asked. “What’s that?”
“What I just saw tonight. You had some happy kids and staff, too. And you’re helping some mustangs find a home.”
He smiled. “I guess you’re right,” he said. “I really would like to add a second program but I can’t do it while school’s in session, and I don’t want to enlarge the one we have. Four seems to be the optimal number. More than that, and one or two kids will get lost.
“The first session,” he admitted wryly, “didn’t go as well as this one. I followed another model but it was stringent. The kids never relaxed. If they don’t relax, the horse doesn’t relax. It’s a vicious cycle. It’s the buddy system that makes this one work.”
They were at the house. “Come in and have a glass of wine or something stronger,” Reese invited as he held the door open.
“In the room that has no doors?”
“I have a study for friends. Sally has a sitting room for friends. That gives us both some privacy. The living room, dining room and kitchen are common use. In any case, I don’t think there will be any roaming tonight,” he said. “Chet’s gone home. Sally and I have an agreement. We don’t go in each other’s wing if not invited. It’s the only way it works. Chet’s the only one that feels free to wander about.”
“I like him.”
“Everyone likes him, even when he fires them. That’s a big plus in a ranch. Good ranch hands are hard to find and when you do, you want to keep them.”
They were still at the door. She turned. “I think I would like that glass of wine.”
He smiled. “Good.”
“I’ll go up and check on Julie first.”
Jenny was in bed. Julie was in her pajamas. She wasn’t wearing the brace. “Look,” she said as she crossed the room. There was a limp but the foot held steady.
“That’s terrific. Why didn’t you tell me it was so much better?”
“I wanted it to be a surprise. I think I still need to wear the brace while riding, though.”
“It is a surprise, a wonderful surprise. Have a good time tonight?” Lauren said,
“It was great. So beautiful. I was happy that Jenny won, but we’re all going to help with the menu. And I was so surprised by Heath. I didn’t know he could sing like that.”
Lauren hugged her, and her heart sang. Her daughter was a different girl than a month ago. “I have to go,” she said.
“G’night,” her daughter said sleepily.
Lauren went by her room and checked herself in the mirror. She ran a comb through her hair and glossed her lips. “Do you really want to do this?” she asked her reflection. Did she want to risk falling in love again?
It wasn’t actually a date, she told herself. They were friends. It’s just a quick drink after a nice evening. Yet she couldn’t quite tamp the expectation. She pushed aside her reservations and went downstairs.
He met her in the living room. He’d changed into a fresh pair of jeans and a light blue sweater. It softened some of the hard angles of his face. He took her ha
nd. “Let me show you my lair.”
“Is that what it is?”
“Not until now.”
“I’ve never been in a lair before.”
“Then it’s certainly time.”
“I have to tell you my news first. Julie walked for me just now. Without the brace or the crutches. It was better than I expected. Her foot will always be stabilized to a certain extent but she took some steps almost normally. She’s going to have to be careful, though.”
His fingers squeezed hers.
“That is terrific,” he said, “and a cause for celebration.” He opened the door to a large room decorated in beiges and rich dark browns. A desk was framed by a large window. A bar was built into one wall with a small fridge and wine cooler. The only other furniture was a large sofa, a coffee table and two large chairs. A large television was attached to the wall.
“This is my getaway place,” he said. “My bedroom is down the hall. I do some of my work here.”
It was decidedly masculine. There were two large paintings, one behind the bar and the other in back of the sofa. Both portrayed galloping horses, both in the same style. In one, the horses were splashing through a mountain stream. In the other, they were galloping through a mountain pass. In both they looked wild and free.
“Same artist?”
“Yep. A friend. Like me, a throwback. Sometimes I think we were born in the wrong century.”
“You seem to be handling this one well,” she observed.
He poured wine into two glasses and put them on a coffee table in front of the sofa, then guided her down on the sofa next to him. He put an arm around her.
“You feel good here,” he said.
She snuggled into his arms. “You, too.” She lowered her head against his shoulder.
He leaned down and kissed her, long and hard and soft and sexy and every other way he could conceive. “I’m falling in love with you,” he said as they came up for air.
She was startled. “I thought you weren’t going to do that again.”
“I’m having second thoughts. I don’t want to lose you.” His arms tightened about her. “I didn’t think I could feel this way. I convinced myself that no woman could be happy here.
“But you,” he continued, “don’t only embrace challenges, you love them,” he said. “I have a proposition. I really do need a business manager. Sandra wants to be with her mother more often and she and her husband also want to do some traveling.
“You can join us here in that capacity. I’ll pay you the same as I paid her. You can have a cottage on the property and see if you and Julie like living here. See if it’s a good fit. No pressure. I’m not sure I can make you happy. Winters can be hard here. They’re beautiful but they can be lonely.
“I know you love flying,” he said after a moment’s silence. “I know you miss it.”
“I do,” she said, then added thoughtfully, “You know, there’s a flying school and air service between here and Covenant Falls. Would the job of business manager preclude a part-time gig with it?”
“I know the school. Otis Davies. He’s brought supplies for me when the roads are bad.”
“He’s offered me a job. Flying lessons. I told him I wouldn’t fly in dangerous weather. Just lessons to keep my foot in the door.”
He grinned. “I like it. I know what it means to love what you’re doing. We can take it slow,” he said. “What do you think? You can become my business manager while we see if it works for you,” he said.
“What about Sandra?”
“She and her husband want to do more traveling. They don’t need the income and I suspect she’s been doing it as a favor to me.”
“I don’t know anything about ranching.”
“If there’s one thing I know about you, it’s you’re a fast learner and you’re good with the monster—oops, I mean Maggie. Sandra will be available anytime you need her.”
“How do you know I’m qualified? I’ve only made fake money on your computer.”
“Well, it doesn’t do that for me,” Reese pointed out.
“How would your sister feel about it?”
“She mentioned once or twice that she wished you would stay.”
“But to live on the ranch?” Lauren asked.
“Even happier. She’s been trying to foist me off on someone for years.”
“You told me you weren’t going to get married again.”
“That was a dumb statement. I’ll never say never again.”
“What about Julie?”
“I think she likes me. She loves Snowflake and Leo and she even likes Mistake,” he argued. “She might be the only one.”
“I know, but she was so close to Dane.”
He held her closer. “We have a lot of time to figure it out.”
* * *
The tough part was going to be telling Julie.
Ordinarily, Julie would be ecstatic to be in the midst of so many animals, particularly Snowflake and Leo. But her daughter was also intuitive. And protective of her father’s memory.
Lauren knocked on Julie’s door at seven.
Julie opened it immediately. She was already dressed.
“Want to have breakfast with me this morning?” she asked. “We can take it outside to one of the picnic tables in back.”
Julie immediately looked worried. “Is there a reason?”
“Well, yes. I want to talk to you about something.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of that,” Julie said. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No. I think you’ll like it.”
Julie looked suspicious, then surrendered. She turned back to Jenny, who was going into the bathroom. “I’m having breakfast with my mom. Meet at the stables?”
“Okay. We all need to get together about the menu,” Jenny called.
“Can’t wait,” Julie replied and joined Lauren in the hall. “What’s up?”
“Let’s get breakfast first.”
“You’re scaring me.”
They went to the dining room and picked up plates, then went through the buffet. Julie chose all healthy foods, mainly fruit. Lauren needed courage. She chose bacon, a sweet roll and coffee.
“That will kill you, Mom, and you’re the only parent I have,” Julie said as they headed for the back of the house. It felt strange being scolded about health from her daughter.
Lauren waited until they were outside. No one else was there, except Leo, who followed them out the door.
“What is it?” Julie asked with panic and added, “You’re not sick or something.”
“No, it’s good. Reese offered me a job here.”
Julie stared at her. “What?”
“He wants to hire me as business manager. We would have a cottage here on the ranch.”
Julie’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding me?”
“Nope. How would you feel about it?”
“Great. I mean living here! With the horses and Leo and Sally and Nathan.” She paused, and Julie could almost hear her brain clicking away.
“Is there anything more to it?” Julie asked suddenly. “I mean, you and he are together a lot,” she added with suspicion in her voice. “Everyone’s noticed it.”
“I like him as a person,” she admitted, “but he had a bad marriage and I don’t think he’s ready to repeat it.” She realized her mistake the moment the words came out.
“You are thinking about it. How can you even consider it? Dad hasn’t been gone long, and you’re thinking about someone else. Are you sleeping with him?” she asked furiously.
“No!”
“I don’t believe you.” Julie said. “I want to go back to San Antonio. My friends are there.”
“You have friends here. We—you—are staying to the end of the program.”
&
nbsp; “I can’t believe you’re doing this. Tony said his mother is getting remarried and it’s awful. He doesn’t matter any longer.”
“No one has said anything about marriage, and you will always be the most important person in my life.”
“If I was, you wouldn’t...do this.”
She wasn’t going to directly lie to Julie. That would destroy a relationship that had been improving. “This is a great job, and I need one.”
“You have all of Daddy’s insurance money. Maybe that’s what Mr. Howard wants.”
“You can’t believe that!” Lauren said. “That money has been put in a trust for you. I can’t touch it. And no, he hasn’t asked me to marry him, and we have no plans to marry. We’re just friends.”
“Are you going to sleep with him? Or have you been?”
“Julie!”
Julie stood and walked as fast as she could with her leg, probably to Snowflake. Leo, with his usual good instincts, followed her. Lauren couldn’t go after her. She feared it would just make things worse and make Julie’s accusations public. But Lauren had never seen her daughter so angry. She should have known. Should have realized. Sometimes the truth is best not told.
Maybe she should give Julie time to reconsider her first reaction. But then Lauren had second thoughts. She’d never felt the full force of Julie’s anger before and had no idea where it would lead her daughter. A direct attack on Reese? Or some self-destructive action that might hurt herself? It was the latter that filled her with fear. She would call Reese, explain the situation, then find Julie and try to talk to her.
Her euphoria from this morning had just erupted into disaster.
Chapter 14
Reese was in the office, working on the payroll, when she reached him by phone. “I’m terrified she’ll do something rash,” Lauren said after recounting her conversation with Julie. “I’ve rarely seen her so upset. I’m going after her now, but I thought you should know if you see her first.
“I’m going down to the stable now,” she added.
“I think a better person is Sally,” he said. “She’s been working with your daughter’s leg as well as an instructor. I think Julie trusts her. I’ll call her and explain.”
Home on the Ranch--Colorado Rancher Page 17