by Vivian Arend
The world was a wintry wonderland, the air crackling with a fresh clean scent. A perfect beginning to the day, yet Lisa itched for more.
A truck pulled up the long drive, slowing as it approached Caleb Stone and his two little girls, en route to the school bus stop.
Josiah Ryder rolled down his window and chatted with Caleb for a moment. Sasha and Emma ran in circles, kicking up snow as the big, shaggy dog, Demon, barked his fool head off. Billows of white escaped as the girls shouted and laughed, and the whole scene was full of life and happiness.
And annoyance, as Lisa realized she’d been staring at Josiah’s firm jawline, imagining what his scruff would feel like against her naked skin.
He lifted his gaze to hers, eyes crinkling at the corners as his grin widened.
When he tipped his hat and winked, her cheeks grew hot. No way could he have read her mind, but from the pleased expression he wore? She could have sworn he had.
She shoved away the thought and turned from the blue Alberta sky and sunlight reflecting off the frozen surface of the lake.
Sliding into the cozy home Tamara had made with Caleb Stone sent a wave of different emotions through her. First and foremost, though, deep satisfaction. Lisa was so happy for her sister.
There’d always been something missing in the house where they’d grown up, or at least it had felt that way to Lisa. Her mom had died shortly after Lisa was born and while she couldn’t fault Dad in providing for their physical needs, her childhood home had lacked the little touches.
Her gaze drifted to the living room. To the soft cushions and throw blankets. The pictures on the wall, and everything else that screamed family—
No, that was totally unfair to her dad because they’d had pictures on the wall. They’d had artwork from school on the refrigerator, and between them, the three sisters from the Whiskey Creek ranch had developed a deep sense of family and friendship. A far deeper connection than a lot of siblings experienced.
But something had been lacking. As her gaze settled on a portrait of Tamara and Caleb with their two little girls, the only thing Lisa could think of was unconditional acceptance.
George Coleman had been a man alone with three girls to raise. Extended family had stepped in to help, but at the end of each day, it had been the four of them. Dad wasn’t the touchy-feely type, and he’d had definite opinions about what occupations were appropriate for a woman.
That last point had been a major roadblock for three active young girls who had minds of their own and dreams that seemed completely contradictory to everything he wanted them to do.
Caleb Stone, with Tamara’s help, was creating an entirely different world for his two daughters to grow up in. Lisa was fiercely glad and determined not to be jealous of their good luck.
As she finished hanging up her coat and putting away her things, Tamara, heavily pregnant and nauseous most of the time, looked up from where she sat at the kitchen island. Her belly seemed noticeably bigger than the day before, and her hand nestled over the top portion of the swell.
“You ready yet?” Tamara asked, gesturing to the seat beside her. “Karen can chat if you’ve got the time.”
“Of course, I’ve got the time.” Lisa had too much time. That was part of the problem.
She slid into position and leaned forward, adjusting the laptop to get both of them into the picture before she hit the call button.
Karen Coleman appeared a moment later, her dark hair pulled back, a cup of coffee on the table in front of her. “Look at you two slackers. I guess this is how the lady rancher organizes her day.”
Tamara made a rude noise. “If you expect me to apologize for sleeping in, nice try. I’m stocking up for down the road when I’ve got a newborn.”
“Were you out already this morning?” Lisa asked Karen. “I feel like I’ve been gone for half of forever. I’m totally out of touch with what’s going on at the ranch.”
“Uncle Randy asked me to come check their horses and the best time was first thing before they needed them.” Karen glanced at Tamara, concern forming a crease between her eyes. “Lisa is supposed to be making your life easier. You look tired, T.”
“I’d be tipping over into a hole in the ground if it weren’t for Lisa,” Tamara insisted. “Women who glow during pregnancy must have made a deal with the devil.”
Lisa tilted her head to the side as if cutting Tamara out of the conversation. She lowered her voice in a mock whisper. “You should’ve seen her last week. She looks way better today. Ouch—”
She rubbed her shoulder, grinning good-naturedly at her very pregnant sister.
“Enough smart-ass comments. Karen and I have something serious to talk to you about.” Tamara glanced toward the computer and then back at Lisa. “And we have something for you.”
Lisa straightened in surprise. “I didn’t do it. It wasn’t me. I swear those chickens were born pink. I have no idea how the snowballs ended up balanced on the top of that doorframe.”
On the monitor before them, Karen’s jaw dropped. “Lisa Marjorie Coleman. You did do something to those poor baby chicks.”
Oops. She hadn’t meant to confess to something she was actually responsible for. “You said you had something serious to discuss?”
Beside her, Tamara rocked softly with laughter. “You’re lucky we love you. Dad was so pissed when he found that entire clutch was dyed red. He was ready to ground us for an eternity.”
“In my defence, I did use a natural dye. It was just beet juice.” Lisa tapped her hand on the countertop and tried to get back on track. “What’s happening, ladies? Get to it before I end up confessing all my childhood sins.”
Karen leaned on her elbows. “When you first announced you weren’t coming back to Whiskey Creek after staying with Tamara, I was upset. Now that I’ve had a chance to think about it, you’re right. It’s time to do the next thing, and for you that doesn’t mean returning north. I’m sad you won’t be here, but I’m glad you’re taking the next step. I hope you figure out something that will make you happy.”
“But I’m grateful you’re willing to hold off until the baby arrives,” Tamara added. “I never thought I’d be the type of person who needed this much help. It’s humbling to have to ask for it, but it’s a lot easier because it’s you. So, thanks.”
Lisa offered Tamara a smile. “Glad to do it. I’m not putting my plans aside, just delaying them. And who knows, Karen? Maybe someday I’ll come back to Whiskey Creek.”
“Still, we both appreciate it. So while you’re having to wait another couple of months before you can take off, we figured we’d do something to help you plan that shiny future.” Karen gestured to Tamara.
At her side, Tamara reached under a stack of books and pulled out a slim package that had been wrapped in a world map.
“Love it,” Lisa slid her nail under the masking tape and undid the wrapping, putting the map aside and lifting a hardcover journal.
Inside the first page, Tamara had attached a picture of Lisa as a young girl. She’d dressed up like an adventurer that day, with a rope hanging at her hip and one of their dad’s old hats on her head, making her into a miniature Indiana Jones.
“Get out.” She turned and wrapped her arms around Tamara, hugging her carefully. She turned to the computer screen to blow Karen a kiss. “It’s perfect. I’ll make notes about all the places I’d like to travel to and all the interesting jobs I might want to try. And if I go away, I can use it as a diary. I’ll write down stories to tell you when I get back.”
“Glad you like it,” Karen said. “And I’m taking that as a promise—that you’ll come back.”
“To Rocky Mountain House or Heart Falls,” Tamara added.
“Right.” Karen nodded. She looked as if she was going to say something else, then forced her smile to widen. “Sorry to keep this short, but I’ve gotta run. A certain person will assume I’m slow because I’m female if I don’t get the cattle moved before dinner.”
All
three of them sighed massively. A synchronized, wordless complaint about their father.
“Take care,” Tamara offered, pushing her glasses into place before waving at the monitor. “I have to run as well.”
“Well, not literally.” Lisa said it loud enough to be overheard even as she winked at Karen then said goodbye, shutting down the call.
“Make one comment about waddling, and you will start your world tour in a body cast,” Tamara warned as she made her way from the room.
Lisa snickered as she dealt with the breakfast dishes, waving briefly when Caleb stepped back into the house.
Tamara returned to the room and settled on the couch. Caleb joined her, sliding behind her back. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head as she leaned against his chest, trusting completely. Her eyes closed, and her breathing settled out.
In spite of it being barely eight a.m., she slipped off into a nap right there and then.
Caleb’s eyes met Lisa’s. “Thanks again for all your help,” her brother-in-law said, his low grumble of a voice modulated even softer to avoid waking Tamara.
“I’m glad to be here,” Lisa said honestly.
“You offered to help Tamara with her pregnancy, not to be our servant with everything else. And I never meant for you to be trapped in the house twenty-four seven.” Caleb’s solemn face brightened as his lips twisted into a smile. “But I’m not going to deny how much I appreciate you stepping in. There’s no way we would’ve been able to get her to slow down otherwise. She needs to take it extra easy these last couple of months.”
Everything inside Lisa tightened. “She didn’t tell me anything was wrong.”
Caleb gestured for her to lower her voice. “It isn’t anything specific to worry about. With how sick she’s been the entire pregnancy, though, the doctor warned about overdoing it. So, thanks. Not just for today, but for your promise to stick around.”
“She’s my sister.” It was the only explanation necessary.
Lisa would do anything for her sisters and always had.
She took another look at Tamara’s face, at the dark circles under her eyes and the weariness visible even as she slept against her husband’s chest.
It was too easy to worry.
“I’ve got the day off,” Caleb reminded Lisa. “Go. Take some time to yourself and recharge your batteries. And if there are other times you need off, make sure you ask. We’ll get everything important done around here, one way or another. You need to enjoy yourself as well.”
She didn’t expect her time in Heart Falls to be a holiday, but Lisa didn’t bother to argue because number one, fighting with Caleb was like going a round with a brick wall. And two, he was right about part of it. She needed to get out of the house for a while.
She slipped a lunch and her new journal into a backpack and headed outside. Shoving aside the temptation to look for Josiah, she marched through the barn until she found the foreman, Ashton Stewart.
The older man nodded at her request for a ride. He pointed toward the end of the long walkway. “I’ll saddle Licorice for you.”
“I can do it,” Lisa offered. “I’ve been around for a couple months, and I know where everything is. You don’t need to babysit me.”
“Treating a lady right isn’t babysitting,” Ashton said, completely deadpan, but then he smiled. “Go ahead. Have a good ride.”
Lisa was still smiling when she stepped into the tack room. She lifted off the saddle she’d used before, the weight heavy in her arms as she turned…
And smacked straight into Josiah.
3
Josiah caught the saddle, twisting to the side as he let the weight fall in front of him. With his other hand he caught Lisa’s shoulders and stabilized her, keeping both of them from ending up on their rears.
Her expression flipped from shock to amusement. “Talented. He can juggle as well as Doctor Dolittle-ing. Sorry for running into you.”
“I’m glad you did.” Her face twisted in confusion until he laughed softly. “Well, I’d prefer the running to not involve leather objects, but whatever.”
Lisa recovered quickly. “Not into kink?”
The flash of heat her comment triggered was way out of line. For a moment, he couldn’t bring himself to respond.
Her eyes widened, and even in the less than optimal lighting, a sweet flush raced across her cheeks.
There wasn’t a moment to lose. “Heading out for a ride?”
“Caleb’s off today, so I’m off as well.”
“Great. Can I take you to dinner?”
Lisa’s brow rose. Slowly. Deliberately. Only the right one, without any other part of her face moving.
Impressive. “Wow. Can you do that again? My brother has amazing facial control, but I think you’re better.”
“I’m just shocked at the invitation. I figured you’d be heading for the hills in about five seconds,” Lisa folded her arms over her chest. “You seem to have a self-destruct sequence that kicks in the minute we start talking.”
Josiah thought it through. “Nope. Don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The fact you’ve hightailed it away from me every time we’ve interacted during the last couple of months never registered?”
More like he’d hoped she hadn’t noticed, but he wasn’t about to confess to that. What he needed to do was make it clear his new path didn’t involve running away.
He lowered the saddle to his feet so he could grab his proof. “I make it a point of not arguing with the woman I hope to spend more time with.”
The skepticism on her face kept growing. She swayed from side to side, as if looking behind him. “Is this an alien kidnapping situation? Because you’re confusing the heck out of me, which is a talent all in itself, to be honest.”
Josiah finally fished the note cards he’d prepared out of his back pocket. “Hang on, this will help.” He handed her one of the cards. “You begin.”
Lisa eyed him, eyed the card, then glanced back at him, a grimace on her face. “Seriously?”
“You don’t have to read the setting,” he suggested. “Just start with the dialogue line.”
“Oh, I’d hate to waste any of your hard work. I’ll start at the top of the page and work my way down.” Lisa cleared her throat before she started. “Setting: interior of a barn.” She glanced around, shrugged lightly. “Okay, pretty good figuring that one out ahead of time.”
“I have a second set of cards for at the house,” he admitted. “I was prepared.”
Her lips twitched before she continued. “Characters. Female lead: a young woman in town helping her family. Hard-working, loyal, sexy as sin.” Lisa’s tone became more dramatic as she went along, as if she were a radio-show announcer. “After months of hard work, she’s in desperate need of some R and R.”
She stopped, looking up at him. That single brow perfectly arched.
He waited.
Happily, her amusement grew. “I have no idea what you’re doing, Josiah, but I’ll play along.” She lifted the card again. “Male lead: local veterinarian. A man with a gift for dealing with animals, but also someone who knows how to make a woman happy.”
A sharp snicker escaped her.
“Hey, that’s not the punch line,” Josiah complained.
Lisa held up a hand, raising the card to show she was getting into character. “Josiah. It’s been a long time.”
He adjusted his cowboy hat, checking her out and enjoying what he saw immensely. “Seems like just yesterday to me.”
“Not yesterday, or the day before that. It’s been weeks since you came around. I’ve been pining for your company.” She seemed to have a hard time deciding whether she was going to smile, smirk or outright laugh.
“We’ve both been caught up in our work. We need to make time for us.” Josiah met her gaze. “Dinner tonight. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Lisa opened her mouth, gaze dropping to the words he’d written. “Okay. Your house. We can make dinner tog
ether.”
He ignored the temptation to lean forward and peek at what she was reading, because he knew damn well that wasn’t what it said on her card. “You’re improvising.”
“Yep. Because I don’t want to dress up and go out. It’s my first day off in a long while, and I want to spend it in comfy clothes, eating comfort food.” Lisa wiggled the card at him. “And if I read this line about us going to Longhorn’s Steakhouse, that means not being in comfy clothes and eating comfort foods. Although I do like steak, don’t get me wrong.”
He admitted defeat. “Comfort food, comfy clothes. My house—sounds like a date to me. I accept your revisions.”
“You still didn’t tell me why the sudden change of heart,” Lisa pointed out.
“I figured I’d need to clarify.” Josiah pointed to the card and motioned for her to turn it around. “Get back on script.”
Lisa flipped the card over, and her eyes widened as she read her line. “Am I supposed to keep this date a secret from my brother-in-law? Because I don’t feel comfortable with that idea.”
“This isn’t a secret,” Josiah assured her. “Although I will have to do some fast talking to make sure none of your extended family think I plan to take advantage of you.”
Lisa looked him over, her gaze trickling over him from top to bottom. A slow, thorough evaluation as her strong fingers took the note card and folded it decisively in two. “I’m not reading the rest of this. Is that why you haven’t made a move? Because you were worried what Caleb might do?”
“It’s not about being worried because of some male-ownership thing. I didn’t want to get involved with you as a one-night stand, or just to scratch an itch. I didn’t see that going over well with anyone related to you. To be honest, I’m more afraid of Tamara than anyone else, no matter how sick she is.”
“My family doesn’t run my life,” Lisa pointed out firmly.
“I’m glad, but they’re still my friends. Close friends, who mean the world to me. Their opinions and friendship are important. No matter how much you and I agree we’re adults and what we do is our decision, it’s not going to sit well with your family if the two of us mess around.”