Rules he broke for me. Rules he won’t break anymore.
She couldn’t let him go without a proper goodbye. He’d done so much for her, meant so much to her.
“You’re not a camp counselor.” Lily moved closer and reached up to rearrange his cowboy hat, tilting it at a jaunty angle. “You’re a cowboy. And a horse trainer. And a fixer of broken brides.” She pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Take care, Conner Hannah.”
And then she walked off into the main house, head held high.
Just the way a Blackwell would do it.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“HEY, GUYS.” KATIE BLACKWELL crossed the ranch yard to greet Ben and Conner after they’d parked the big truck. Her multicolored shaggy dog trotted at her heels.
“Can’t stay, Katie.” Ben tossed Conner the keys to the semi. “I’ve got court this afternoon and you know how Judge Myrna is about being prompt.” He beelined for his brand-new SUV.
“Thanks for the rescue, Ben.” Carrying his duffel, Conner turned to face Katie, torn. He wanted a check for that double bonus, but to get it, he’d have to produce receipts for his trip, come clean about the mustangs he’d purchased, and confess what Big E had promised and why. And then he’d have a lot of explaining to do.
“Where’s Big E?” Katie stood with her hands resting on the swell of her pregnant belly. “He hasn’t answered his phone for days for anyone except Dot, and even then, I understand he was cagey about his ETA.”
“He’s taking care of business in California.” Conner didn’t like to lie, but with Big E, you never knew who he’d told about what. It was best to be vague. He handed Katie the semitruck keys.
The midday sun beat on his shoulders, but nothing weighed as heavy on him as letting Lily go. The way she’d said goodbye had a finality to it. He needed to abide by that farewell, but he wasn’t ready to feel happy about it.
“It’s always something with Big E, isn’t it?” Katie waved a hand as if she could erase her boss’s mischief from the record. “Whatever. How did the stock auction go?”
“It went well.” Conner tried to hedge but there was no point delaying the inevitable. “I let the gals sway me a bit.”
“And...” Katie tapped her boot impatiently.
“I bought twenty.”
Katie muttered something Conner didn’t catch and then she pinned him with a cool stare. “Twenty horses. That’s a lot.” She knelt to pet her dog. “For the record, I wanted to send Ethan to the auction.”
Conner braced himself for Katie’s ire, for a list of expenses associated per horse and then for the unpleasant moment when she multiplied that per-horse figure by twenty and began a lecture about ranch overhead.
“Did I hear my name?” Ethan Blackwell came out of a nearby barn, a stethoscope draped around his neck. He was a veterinarian who divided his time between a clinic in town for small animals and the barn, where he based his large-animal practice. When Katie explained what Conner had done, Ethan made light of it. “Conner can evaluate mustangs better than I can. If he bought more than we planned, you can rest assured we’ll make more than we planned.”
Suddenly, the weight on Conner’s shoulders didn’t seem so heavy.
“I’m sure they’re all quality stock.” Katie surveyed Conner darkly. “But that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve all got to be trained before we can claim a profit and...” She blew out a breath. “Twenty?”
Conner nodded, grimacing.
“No problem.” Ethan slapped Conner on the back. “Conner and I can handle them.”
Conner rubbed a hand over the base of his spine and said nothing. But we—he and Ethan—wasn’t a reality. Ethan was often on the road visiting patients on ranches and driving back and forth between his home bases. The handling would be laid at Conner’s door.
What if I wanted to learn how to train horses? Lily’s cool voice echoed in his head.
He rejected the idea. She knew nothing about horses or ranch life, the headaches, risks and worries.
Ethan headed back to the barn, leaving Conner with Katie.
“Tyler wanted some tame horses for guests to ride come spring.” Katie sighed. “Will any of them fit the bill?”
“Yes. And the good news is that we can retire some of our working horses for use as guest stock.” Freshly broken horses were best paired with experienced riders.
“Twenty.” Katie shook her head again. It was going to take her a while to get over the figure. “You’ll need to review the budget for training with me.”
He’d become something of a jack-of-all-trades at the ranch since Katie had announced her pregnancy. Conner was worried the Blackwells were expecting him to step up and fill in for her while she was on maternity leave.
I’m not that guy.
Just check his track record running things at the Rocking H.
Conner took his trip receipts from an outer pocket on his duffel and handed them to Katie. It was time. There was nothing for it but to say, “Big E promised me a bonus for this trip.”
Her eyes widened and then narrowed. “And he promised this because...”
Conner opened his mouth and promptly closed it again. He couldn’t tell her he’d transported not one but two Blackwell family members.
Katie peered at him. “You look like you ate sour grapes. What’s wrong?” She moved closer and lowered her voice. “Is Pepper a bridezilla?”
“No. Nothing like that. She’s a sweetheart. It’s just...” He mimicked the gesture she’d made earlier about Big E and hung his head.
She sighed. “We’ll discuss the deal you made with Big E when he gets back. For now, you have about forty-five minutes to get cleaned up and make an appearance at the guest lodge for dinner.”
“Why?” His head came up. Had Lily requested his presence?
“Dorothy thought a cowboy concierge would be appropriate for Pepper’s cowboy-themed wedding.” Katie chuckled softly. “I’m going to have to talk to her about that. I’ll need you to work those mustangs when they arrive this week. Talk about time constraints. But for now, you’ve earned your place at the big table tonight. You can get cleaned up in Bunk House One.”
Conner nodded.
A ranch hand hailed Katie. With a nod to Conner, she headed toward the next emergency. He didn’t envy her the headaches of keeping the working ranch running so efficiently.
Conner hurried to Bunk House One, where he knew he could get a quick shower, a shave and a change of clothes. He almost felt like a new man.
When he entered the guest lodge later, Lily was coming down the stairs, biting her lip. Her dark blond hair tumbled over her shoulders. She wore a spaghetti strap green dress and a yellow shawl around her shoulders. She looked prettier than a field of wildflowers. When she saw him, her eyes lit up and then just as quickly became hooded. “Are you eating with us?”
“Apparently, I’m Pepper’s cowboy concierge.” He kept his tone, his expression and his body language neutral. “Unless you’d rather I didn’t.”
“I’d rather we’d shift things back into low gear rather than this full stop you’ve initiated.” Lily hesitated and then closed the distance between them, claiming his arm. “But apparently, my opinion doesn’t matter.”
“Lily, I—”
“Humor me. I could use a friendly face. Pepper and Natalie said they’d be another few minutes, and I expect Dorothy at any time.” Her brow clouded with worry. “I don’t know what to say to her. I’m used to facing things with a slew of sisters at my side.”
“Well, tonight you’ve got me.” He owed her as much for that double bonus.
“Thank you,” she whispered, leaning into him and staring as if she wouldn’t mind another one of those kisses they’d sworn off.
Conner swallowed the urge to give her one.
Good thing, too.
The main door op
ened behind them, and Dorothy Blackwell entered.
* * *
“HI, AND HELLO THERE.” Grandma Dot was tall with silver hair and eyes that looked like they could flash sharply. She wore blue jeans and a burgundy button-down with fancy embroidery on it. Her boots were white leather. Overall, she looked like a woman who could handle a man like Big E. “You must be Lily.”
“Yes.” The truth about who she was pressed on the back of Lily’s tongue. “Pepper’s told me so much about you.” She’d left out the fact that Grandma Dot was an intimidating presence.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Upon reaching Lily, Dorothy didn’t hesitate. She hugged her, hugged her tight, belying all that slightly terrifying veneer. “Welcome to the family.” And then she held Lily at arm’s length, much the way Big E had when they’d first met. “If you need anything, you let me know. My husband thinks he knows where everything is around here, but he’s wrong.” She slapped the back pocket of her jeans. “Come on. I hope you’re a meat eater. Though we could fix you something else. The beef we’re serving tonight comes from my grandson’s cattle ranch. Jon has done a really good job of standing up on his own.”
“I met Jon in town.” Lily’s smile felt strained. She’d botched that meeting completely.
Do the right thing.
The time had come to tell the truth.
But before she could begin, Conner said, “I’ve yet to find a food that any of these gals won’t eat, ma’am.”
Dorothy led them into a grand dining room that looked like it could accommodate all of Pepper’s wedding guests. There were several long tables and dozens of chairs, but only one table had been set for dinner. Decorative gold charger plates waited at each setting.
“This place is lovely.” Lily drank in the traditional, upscale furnishings. “When Pepper told me the wedding was going to be at a ranch, I had an entirely different impression.”
“The ranch has been in the Blackwell family for generations, expanded by my husband, Big E.” Dorothy’s words were taut. “The guesthouse opened a little over two years ago and we added on last spring, including expanding the dining room. The idea for the guest ranch was originally Big E’s ex-wife’s idea.”
One of her grandfather’s exes? Lily looked to Conner for context and clues about potential pitfalls, but he gave her none. She smiled harder. “I met Ben on the drive in. I’m curious about your other grandsons.”
“Ethan is a veterinarian and lives in town. Chance sings a little now and then.” An understatement, but Grandma Dot seemed to appreciate the change in subject, smiling a little. “And Ty helps manage the guest ranch, among other things. We Blackwells are a stubborn lot, but we always seem to gravitate toward home eventually.”
Lily glanced around the dining room. Although it was beautiful, it told her nothing about the Blackwells except that they had good taste. “I should tell you who I—”
“I know who you are, dear.” Grandma Dot indicated Lily should sit down at the dining room table.
“Me, too.” Pepper entered the dining room with Natalie in tow. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you’re a Blackwell.”
“When did you...? How...?” Lily floundered over what to say. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply or lie about who I was. Given how I found out about the Blackwells, I’m not really sure who I am...should be in relation to the Blackwells.”
“Oh, don’t apologize. My husband is quite the orchestrator.” Grandma Dot’s smile grew. “Welcome to the Blackwell Ranch, granddaughter.”
“I’m sorry,” Lily said to Pepper again. “I’ve angsted over this for days. I tried to tell you a couple of times, but Big E wanted to tell Dorothy first and... I’m sorry. Truly.”
“Don’t be.” Pepper gave Lily a hug. It seemed heartfelt. “The best news I got today was being told you really are my cousin.”
“Who told you?” Conner asked, taking a seat next to Lily.
“Me.” A deep voice had them all turning to the dining room doorway.
“Danny?” It was a good thing Lily was sitting down because shame and unease pressed down on her, weakening her knees.
Her former fiancé strode toward Lily with purpose, as if he was a knight sent to her rescue, a knight wearing khakis, a black polo and a strained smile. “Your father sent me.”
“Rudy...” Shame fell away, like the shawl slipping from her shoulders, to be replaced by annoyance. Lily held up a hand to ward Danny off and thrust her chin in the air. “We’re not getting married.”
“This is juicy.” Natalie took a seat across from Conner and raised her phone as if she was going to record the proceedings.
Pepper sat next to her bestie and tsked, raising her glittery phone the same way. “I was wondering why Danny said he was your fiancé when you said you’d recently ended a relationship.”
“His excuse about Lily wanting privacy on the trip out did seem flimsy, Pepper.” Grandma Dot’s eyes narrowed on Danny.
And Danny, who was used to being trusted, respected—revered even, if one counted Lily—slowed his steps.
“I can fill in that information gap,” Conner said in a voice edged with animosity. “This is the man Lily’s stepdad convinced into proposing to her. She jilted him last weekend when she overheard him admit he’d asked her to marry him for all the wrong reasons. He had cold feet and she was right to leave.”
“Props to Lily.” Pepper aimed her phone at the jilted groom.
“That isn’t the full story.” Danny came to stand at Lily’s right side, glaring over her head at Conner, who sat at her left.
“Blackwell rule.” Grandma Dot took a seat at the head of the table and sent a stern look all around. “No fighting during dinner.”
“I’m not here to fight.” Danny extended his hand toward Lily without dropping the fierce glare at Conner.
For a moment Lily thought he might be inviting her to take his hand and leave. That is so not happening. But then she realized Danny was handing her... “My postcard.” The one from the shooting range. She spun in her chair to face Conner. “The last time I saw this—”
“Was at the Chance Blackwell concert,” Danny said in a hard voice.
Lily stared at Conner, waiting for an explanation, waiting for the myriad emotions—disappointment over Rudy, guilt over ending things poorly with Danny, confusion about the postcard—to coalesce into clarity and, hopefully, calm.
“Your father sent him,” Conner said simply, getting to his feet, never taking his eyes off Danny. “They need to respect your wishes, Lily.”
Danny scoffed. He and her family rarely respected Lily’s wishes.
“This isn’t up for negotiation.” Conner spoke like he was a judge handing down a sentence.
Lily experienced a growing sense of wonder, a feeling that soothed, that settled, and made her want to wrap her arms around Conner. Because he was standing up for her. And Conner... His behavior all made sense now. He made sense. Driving all night. Sneering anytime she brought up Danny’s name. The two men had talked the night of the concert, maybe even done more than talk if she was reading their body language right.
“You should have told me,” Lily chastised Conner, but gently, softly.
Conner didn’t answer. He was too busy glaring at Danny.
He’s protecting me—not out of duty, but because he cares.
Wonder blossomed into excitement. Excitement raced from her head to her toes. This was what she should have felt for Danny. And if that was true... Lily stared up at her cowboy and breathed in deeply, carefully, trying to slow down and acknowledge what was happening. Only this love wasn’t slow. It didn’t amble. It shot off like a rocket. This feeling. This love.
I love Conner.
But there was no time to savor that revelation. Rudy had sent her to be collected, like a child who’d wandered off the playground. And Danny had obey
ed her stepfather’s wishes, rather than Lily’s.
The two men towered over her shoulders, breathing like football players who’d just chased down the same ball and were preparing to pounce on it. Pepper and Natalie were a rapt audience, cell phones recording. Grandma Dot raised her brows at Lily but did nothing, said nothing.
And why would she? This is all my fault.
The postcard of the take-charge woman slipped from Lily’s fingers. She told herself she’d dropped it on purpose as she turned on Danny. “Did you not read the back?” She’d written an affirmation of her decision not to marry him.
“I brought your cell phone.” Danny placed the device on the table near Lily, and then reached into his pocket and produced a blue velvet ring box. “And our wedding rings. I love you, Lily.”
He loves me? He chose now to tell her three little words he’d never spoken before? She shook her head. He’s not even looking at me. He continued to glower at Conner.
“Did you hear me?” Danny asked impatiently. “I said—” He lunged forward, throwing a crude punch at Conner, who leaned sideways to avoid the contact and then stepped up to land his punch squarely on Danny’s face, knocking him to the ground.
The room erupted. Lily jumped out of her seat and held Conner back, thin yellow shawl falling to the floor. Grandma Dot rushed to the dining room doorway and called for two bags of ice in a calm voice, as if she was used to physical outbursts. Natalie ran around the table and helped Danny to his feet while Pepper continued to film because Conner and Danny were angrily chirping and posturing at each other, threatening to brawl.
“Don’t.” Lily bunched the crisp cotton of Conner’s shirt in her hand and pinned him with a stare.
“Lily...” His brown-eyed gaze softened a little but not enough to promise peace.
She captured Danny’s gaze next. “Please, don’t.”
Grandma Dot returned to the table. “Why is it that you young folk find it so hard to obey my no-fighting rule?”
“I’m sorry. But...” Lily turned to face Danny, so angry at Rudy’s continued interference, she could howl. “You love me? Danny, why didn’t you tell me before? Why did you tell Rudy you didn’t have to marry me to protect me?”
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