* * *
One more interview and he was home free.
That was, unless Lily scheduled something else. Which wouldn’t surprise Noah in the least. The woman was the best thing that ever could have happened to the rodeo school.
He could hardly believe that the grand opening was just a little over a month away. And, honestly, he wasn’t sure he’d have been able to pull it off if God hadn’t brought Lily into his life. Sure, he could have managed a cake and some balloons, a few tours of the facility. But Lily had created an entire event. One that was certain to draw people in and make sure everyone knew about The Rodeo School at Abundant Blessings Ranch.
“What are you grinning about?” His father eyed him over his cup of coffee Monday morning.
“I’m not grinning.” Sitting on the opposite side of the table in the ranch house kitchen, he sipped his own brew as the first rays of sunlight appeared outside the window over the sink. Lord willing, they’d have another dry day, making it two in a row.
“All right, then something’s got you smiling.”
“Just thinking about the rodeo school.”
“The rodeo school or the woman helping you with the rodeo school?” The old man shoved his last bite of toast into his mouth.
“Dad...” Could he not just drink his coffee in peace? He rested his forearms on the wooden tabletop, eager to turn the tables. “I haven’t seen Hillary around much lately.”
“Her daughter, Celeste, has had some pretty bad morning sickness, so Hillary’s been helping out with her two girls and one-year-old boy. Not to mention making sure things are running smoothly over there at Granny’s Kitchen.”
“Sounds like she’s got her hands full.”
“She can handle it. The woman thrives in chaos.” He stared into his mug, falling unusually silent for a long moment. “You know...you and me...” He met Noah’s gaze, his brow creased. “We were blessed to have been loved by a couple of mighty fine women.”
Noah leaned back, stretching his legs out in front of him, uncertain where Dad was going with this conversation. “Can’t argue with you there. Mama and Jaycee were the cream of the crop.”
Dad shifted in his seat, tilting his cup one way and then the other, looking intently at whatever was left inside. “Lately, God’s been showing me that there are other good women out there that need the love of a good man. I reckon that’s why I’ve been spending so much time with Hillary.”
Noah drew his legs back as he sat up straight. “Dad, are you thinking about getting married again?”
The old man held up a hand. “Now let’s not go jumpin’ the gun. All I’m sayin’ is that I’m starting to realize that my feelings for Hillary are more than just...friendly.”
Man, did he understand that. Better than he ever thought he would. Envisioning Lily as more than a friend seemed to be getting easier by the day.
“Do you think Hillary feels the same way?”
“I can’t say for certain, but I believe so. She’s very cautious when it comes to matters of the heart.” He looked right at Noah. “Her ex-husband left her for another woman when Celeste was just a little girl. And I expect it left a pretty big scar.”
“Humph.” Noah’s grip tightened around his mug until he feared he might break it. He eased up. “Wade Davis cheated on Lily.”
“Your mama always said that women who’ve been betrayed like that have a lot of love to give. They’re just afraid to give it for fear they’ll get hurt again.” Dad stood and moved to the coffeepot beside the sink to refill his cup. “I expect Lily’s one of those women. The way she dotes on those kids and that rescue horse. She’s a keeper, all right.”
She was that and more. “I’m not sure the rodeo school would be a reality without her.”
His father returned to his seat. “Lily’s a good woman. She deserves a good man. And those kids...” Steam rose from his cup. “They need someone they can look up to.”
Noah raised his mug. “I agree. I just don’t think I’m that man.” No matter how much he’d allowed himself to think about it.
“I do.”
A quick intake of breath had him choking on his drink. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because for the first time in ages, you’re happy—I mean genuinely happy. And it’s got nothing to do with the horses or the rodeo school. It’s because of Lily and her kids.”
“And in case you’ve forgotten, they live in Denver.” Ready for this conversation to be over, Noah shoved away from the table. “I’ve got an interview to get ready for.” He went to his room down the hall and grabbed a fresh shirt for the interview, as well as another pair of boots before heading down to the stable.
Dad was falling in love with Hillary. Noah supposed he shouldn’t be too surprised. Since the two former schoolmates had reconnected a year and half ago, they’d spent a good bit of time together. It was nice to see the old man getting out again.
Yet the notion of his father remarrying had never crossed his mind. It was hard to imagine him with anyone but Mama. Still, Hillary seemed to fit right in. She certainly knew how to keep his father in line. Yet despite their banter, there were little things Noah had noticed that said she cared about Dad. Like the way she looked at him. As though he was the most important person in the world.
But loving posed the risk of losing. Noah had experienced both. He’d lost his wife, child and mother. He wasn’t sure he could go through that again.
He unlocked the front door to the stable and flipped on the lobby light as he entered. Just as he’d done every other day for the past two and half years. And then he’d usually stay until well after dark. That was, until he met Lily.
Tucking his fear aside for a moment, he allowed himself to wonder what it would be like to have someone to come home to. Someone to talk to other than his father or brothers. Someone to discuss his day with and take just as much interest in theirs. It had been so long since he’d had that, he’d all but forgotten.
He thought about all of Lily’s ideas for the rodeo school and grand opening. They made a good team. And the kids... Colton and Piper were great. Colton had grown so much. In the short time he’d been here, he’d gone from being a smart-mouthed kid too eager to grow up to a respectful, happy-go-lucky boy truly experiencing his childhood.
After depositing his shirt and boots in the office, he roughed a hand over his face. He needed to stop thinking and get to work. Otherwise he’d only succeed in driving himself crazy.
He eyed his watch and went to check on the horses. His hired hands would be here soon, and he hoped he’d have at least one more opportunity to go over things with Lily before the reporter arrived at eleven. Of course, she’d tell him he already knew the answers to whatever they might ask him and then tell him to speak from his heart, but he still worried he might put his foot in his mouth.
His phone vibrated in his pocket as he approached Honey’s stall. His heart beat faster when he pulled it out to see Lily’s name on the screen.
He pressed the button. “Good morning.”
“Morning.” She sounded tired.
“You all right?”
She yawned. “I was up with Piper most of the night. Poor kid’s got some sort of stomach bug.”
“Is she okay?”
“She will be once whatever it is runs its course.” She blew out a breath, and he could picture her running her fingers through her long waves. “Things seem to have settled in the last couple of hours. She’s asleep now, so that’s a good sign. However, I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it out there today.”
“No, of course not.” He toed at the dirt. “Piper needs you.”
“Thank you for understanding. I just pray that neither Colton nor I will catch it. Or you, for that matter.”
“No, I’m sure I’ll be fine. You just concentrate on Piper.”
“Call me after
the interview. I want to know how it goes.”
“I will.” Tugging open the door to Honey’s stall, he added, “Tell Piper I hope she feels better. And if you need one of us to come get Colton, just let me know.”
He ended the call and moved toward the horse, feeling more than a little conflicted.
How on earth was he going to get through this interview without Lily?
Chapter Seventeen
Lily felt bad that she hadn’t been able to be there for Noah’s interview yesterday. While she knew he was perfectly capable of doing it on his own, she also knew that he liked having her there for moral support. So, now that Piper was back to her usual bubbly self, Lily had invited Noah to dinner at their place tonight to, hopefully, make up for her absence. Or at least ease her conscience.
Standing in the kitchen, chopping tomatoes for a salad, she peered through the wall of windows overlooking the deck where Piper was coloring at the table while Colton practiced with the rope Noah had given him.
A few months ago, she never would have envisioned such a scene. Yet, there it was. Had her children ever been this content?
Their lives were so different here than they were back in Denver. There, the kids spent most of their time inside the house. In Ouray, they were almost always outside, living life and experiencing new things. Especially when they were at the ranch. From the animals to playing in the river to exploring... Those were memories they would cherish forever. And probably miss when they got back home.
No doubt about it, life was just better here. For her and the kids. Who would have thought that small-town life would fit her so well? Yet, here she felt more relaxed. Probably because she didn’t have to worry about living up to someone else’s expectations. She was free to be herself. Just Lily. She rinsed her hands, dreading the thought of returning to Denver in a couple of weeks. So much so that she’d even entertained the idea of moving to Ouray.
What was holding her back then? Aside from the custody arrangements with Wade and how impossible he could make such a move if he chose to.
She reached for a towel. Noah. Or more to the point, her growing feelings for him. What if those feelings weren’t reciprocated? He was still in love with his late wife. Was he capable of loving someone else?
“Noah’s here.” Colton rushed through the living room to the front door with his sister on his heels.
They must have seen his truck pull up.
She hurried into the bathroom, finger combed her hair and added a swipe of lip balm.
Why are you primping? It’s not like this is a date.
Eyeing herself in the mirror, she frowned. “Oh, be quiet.”
Both kids were clamoring for Noah’s attention by the time she got to the door. At least she was pretty sure it was Noah. This wasn’t the cowboy she was used to seeing. He wore a pair of stone-colored shorts and a blue button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. His cowboy boots had been replaced by flip-flops, and there wasn’t a cowboy hat in sight. Instead, his thick dark hair looked slightly damp, as though he’d just showered.
Making her wish she’d primped a little more.
“Look at the picture I made for you.” Piper waved the paper in front of him. “It’s a horse, and I colored him to look just like Duke. Want to color with me?”
“Come watch me practice,” said Colton. “You can show me—”
“Hey, you two.” Hands on her hips, she glared at her children. “Noah is our guest. He’s here for dinner, not to entertain you.”
Behind them, Noah shrugged. “It’s okay. I really don’t mind.”
Her gaze drifted from him to the kids. “All right. But if you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.”
“I’ll consider myself warned. But first—” he moved toward her and held out a brown paper gift bag “—this is for you.”
Wrapping her fingers around the handles, she simply blinked. “For me?” Her heart raced as his hand brushed hers.
“Ouray may not have any flower shops,” he said, “but we do have some of the world’s finest chocolate.”
Her brow lifted as she peered inside. “Mouse’s?”
“The one and only.”
She lifted out a small box. “I love that place. And you’re right. Their chocolate is amazing.” She hugged the box to her chest. “Thank you.”
“I like their cookies,” said Colton.
“Their chocolate mice are my favorite.” Piper rubbed her tummy and licked her lips. “They’re yummy.”
Lily looked at Noah. “I may have to hide these.”
While he joined the kids on the deck, Lily pulled the homemade lasagna out of the oven, then put in the garlic bread to brown. She couldn’t believe he’d brought her a gift. And does he look amazing or what?
She nudged the thought aside, grabbed plates and silverware, and went outside to set the table.
“I like this view.” Noah leaned against the wooden railing. “The way it looks down on the town.”
She moved beside him. “That’s the main reason I chose it.” Her gaze lifted to the Amphitheater, the grayish rock formation that curved around the eastern edge of the town. “Sometimes, after the sun sinks behind the mountains, but before it actually sets, it casts these incredible shades of rose, orange and purple over the Amphitheater.”
“Alpenglow.”
Her gaze moved to his. “What?”
“The colors. It’s called alpenglow.” He turned so his back was against the rail. “Some natural occurrence having to do with particles in the air.”
“Whatever it is, I absolutely love it.”
Midway through the peach cobbler she’d made, the conversation turned to business, and Colton and Piper made themselves scarce while she and Noah lingered over coffee.
“This is just a random thought.” She set her cup on the metal tabletop. “Something to think about for the future.” Twisting toward him, she continued, “But have you ever thought of adding summer camps to the mix? Like two- or three-week-long rodeo camps where people from just about anywhere, looking to hone their skills, could come and train and immerse themselves in rodeo.” She shrugged. “Of course, you’d have to provide room and board for something like that. Still, it would be an opportunity to reach people beyond this region.”
“I’d never thought of that, but it’s not a bad idea.” He sat up straighter. “It would definitely be an opportunity to expand the school.” He grew quiet then. Contemplative. “I really appreciate it when you throw out ideas like that.”
“You do?”
“You have a fresh perspective that challenges me.” His hand covered hers. “I like that.”
“Mom?”
She turned to see Colton poking his head out of the door.
“Piper’s asleep.”
“Okay. I’ll get her.” She picked up her plate as she stood. “You need to get ready for bed, too, Colton. You have an early day tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Noah reached for her plate. “I’ll take care of the dishes. You go take care of Piper.”
Gratitude filled her as her gaze drifted to his. “Thank you.”
His smile warmed her, but not nearly as much as the look she saw in his deep brown eyes. A look she’d not seen before. One of longing. Hope.
She stepped away for fear he’d be able to hear her heart pounding. “I won’t be long.”
After settling Piper, Lily went to check on Colton. He was already in bed, his wilderness comforter pulled up to his neck.
“Mom, do we have to go back to Denver?”
She eased beside him, wishing she could say, “No, of course not,” but decided to play the adult instead. “Well, it’s where our home is. Your school. Friends.”
Lying on his back, he lifted a shoulder. “We could get a house here. I’ve seen lots of them for sale
.”
“What about your friends?”
“I can make new ones. And I already have one friend.”
“Who’s that?”
“Megan.”
“Oh, yes.” She adjusted his covers, amazed at how his thoughts mirrored her own. “What about your father?”
Colton was quiet for a moment. “It’s not like we ever see him. Even when we do go to his house, he’s hardly ever there.”
A pattern Wade wasn’t likely to change.
Smiling down at her boy, she brushed the hair off his forehead. “Moving is a big decision. One I can’t make without praying about it, because a lot of things would have to fall into place.” Such as custody issues.
His green eyes filled with hope. “Will you? Pray about it, I mean?”
She pondered his words. While she’d hoped and wished, she had yet to pray. Something she really ought to do. “I will.”
“Promise?”
“Pinkie promise.” She held up her little finger.
He hooked his to it and squeezed. “Thanks, Mom.” Sitting up, he hugged her.
She kissed his cheek. “Good night, sweetie.”
Returning to the main part of the house, she found the kitchen void of any dishes and Noah again on the deck. “Sorry I took so long.” She joined him at the railing, taking in the multitude of stars twinkling in the sky as the cool air whispered over her arms.
“Everything all right?”
“Yes. Just a little...strange.”
“How so?” Keeping one elbow on the rail, he faced her.
“Maybe strange isn’t the right word. More like unexpected.” She met Noah’s gaze. “Colton asked me if we had to go back to Denver. Seems he’d be just as content to stay in Ouray.”
“And what about you?”
She again studied the stars. “I’ve been happier here than I’ve been in a long time. It’s as though we were just existing in Denver. But here...we’re alive.”
He stroked her arm with the backs of his fingers. “I know what you mean. I’ve felt a lot more alive since you’ve been here, too.”
Her Colorado Cowboy Page 17