Wrangling Cupid's Cowboy

by Amanda Renee

  Delta reared back at the declaration as if he had physically shoved her. The force of his words had startled even him.

  “I can’t imagine anyone would try.” She inched away from him and turned her attention to her sandwich.

  “I’m sorry. You’re the first woman I’ve really sat down and spoken with outside of family. Apparently I left my manners back in Wyoming.”

  “Let me make this easy for you.” Delta side-glanced him. “I’m just one of the guys where you’re concerned. I can assure you it will never be anything more. I’m assuming you’re okay with that.”

  “Suits me just fine.” Then why did her matter-of-fact attitude on the subject sit on his chest like a bobcat on a briar bush? He certainly wasn’t interested in her.

  “Good. Now that that’s out of the way...how old are your children?”

  “Bryce is four and Kacey will be eight next month. Rebecca died just before her fifth birthday and she hasn’t wanted to celebrate since. I’m hoping this year will be different. And I need to stop running on about myself and my problems.” Garrett ordered a beer before returning his attention to Delta. “I’ve monopolized the entire conversation.”

  Delta dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “We all need a friendly ear sometimes.”

  “At least I’ve wandered into the friend zone and out of enemy range.”

  “Friends, huh?”

  Her bemused expression gave him pause. “It’s a start, at least.”

  “I’ll give you that much.”

  Over the rest of their meal Garrett continued to tell her about his kids. She’d listened intently as he spoke and had carried on their conversation as if he hadn’t made a repeated ass out of himself earlier. By the time their plates were empty, he realized he hadn’t asked much about her. Guilt over Rebecca forced him to tamp down the desire to make plans to have dinner with Delta again. Tonight was a one-time deal stemming from a chance encounter. That was it.

  “Buy you another round?” The question was out of his mouth before he could stop it.

  Delta rose from her stool, tugged a few bills from the pocket of her jeans and tossed them on the bar. “Thank you, but I need to get going. Jake’s waiting for me.”

  Jake? “Oh, okay. At least allow me to pay for your dinner to make up for this afternoon.”

  “Nah, I got it. Besides, I thought we just met tonight.” Delta winked. “I’ll see you tomorrow when we meet with Dr. Presley.” She began to walk away and then turned toward him. “Welcome home, Garrett. I hope you find the peace you’re looking for.”

  * * *

  BY THE TIME he arrived at Dylan’s to pick up Kacey and Bryce, he felt more certain moving back to Saddle Ridge had been the right decision for him and his family. He could hear his kids from the great room as he climbed the steps of the log cabin’s front porch. Peering in the window, he saw Kacey dancing around the room with his brother while Bryce and Emma—Dylan’s fiancée—clapped along with the music. It had been a long time since he’d heard his daughter laugh so freely. And it was better than any song playing on a honky-tonk jukebox.

  Dylan caught his reflection in the window and waved him inside.

  “Daddy we had pasketti!” Bryce ran over to him.

  “Spaghetti,” Kacey corrected. “You’re old enough to say it right.”

  Wise beyond her years, his daughter still hadn’t relinquished playing mother to her brother. She’d taken on the role herself the moment he and Rebecca told Kacey she was sick. In hindsight, they never should have told her. She’d barely had a chance to be a child.

  “I see that.” Garrett knelt on the floor next to his son. He tried to give his daughter a hug, but she slipped under his arm and sat next to Emma on the couch. He didn’t want to pressure Kacey, but damned if it didn’t kill him to see her happy up until the moment he walked in the room. “Looks like you wore most of your pasketti, little man.”

  Kacey huffed at him. “You’re not helping, Dad.”

  “He refused to wear a bib.” Emma frowned. “Or a towel or a napkin. I wanted to get him changed and wash his shirt before you got back, but I didn’t have anything that would fit him.”

  “It’s no big deal. He’s always been a messy eater. I keep hoping he’ll grow out of it soon.”

  “How was dinner?” Dylan asked.

  “Good. I ran into Delta at the Iron Horse. And don’t worry. I apologized and told her she can continue to do her job as she sees fit.”

  “Thank God for that.”

  “We wound up having dinner together although I’m afraid I did most of the talking. She seems pretty nice.”

  “Dinner together, huh? You sly dog.” Dylan nudged his arm. “You went on a date with Delta.”

  Garrett put a finger to his lips and glanced over at his daughter, who continued to ignore him. “Please,” he whispered. “Kacey’s mad at me enough. And I have absolutely zero interest in pursuing anything with Delta. It was just two people sharing a meal.”

  “Okay, okay.” Dylan held up his hands in surrender.

  “One question, though. When she left, she said Jake was waiting for her. Who’s Jake?”

  “He wasn’t with her today?”

  “No.” Garrett hadn’t spent much time with Delta in the stables, but as far as he knew, she was there alone. “Does he work for her?”

  “Work for her? No.” His brother laughed. “They, um, live together. I’m sure you’ll meet him soon. When you see one, you usually see the other. Why the curiosity about Jake if there’s nothing between you and Delta?”

  “Just wondering.” He hadn’t expected her to have a boyfriend after her comment about Valentine’s Day. Garrett lowered Bryce to the floor. “Run and get your stuff together. I need to get you home and into a bath, then it’s off to bed.” He tried to shake the flip-floppy sensation growing inside him. He was fine two seconds ago. It had to be from the chipotle whiskey. “Kacey, honey, time to go.” Garrett gave Emma a hug as she stood up from the couch. “Thank you for entertaining them tonight. I really appreciate it. I know you have your hands full with Holly.”

  “Holly’s been a dream baby so far.” Emma held Garrett’s face between her palms and smiled up at him. “I know this move hasn’t been easy on you or the kids. They’re welcome here anytime. Don’t you ever think twice about it.”

  Garrett took her hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze. “My brother struck gold with you. He’s a lucky man.”

  “Holly and I are the lucky ones. We inherited an amazing family.”

  “Enough already,” Dylan called out from the kitchen table. “I swear you two are the ones who are related. I’ve never seen two more sentimental people in my entire life. Emma still has the baby hormone thing going on, but you, dear brother...” Dylan’s head tilted questioningly. “That must have been some dinner.”

  Garrett ignored his brother’s comment and walked out to bundle the kids into the car. He’d been feeling nostalgic ever since Christmas when he first came home. He had so many memories in this town. Most good. One life-shattering.

  He still hadn’t been able to drive past their old family ranch. The place where their father had died at the hands of their brother, Ryder. Shortly after the funeral, their mother sold the ranch and moved to California where she remarried and rebuilt her life. He and Rebecca had left from Saddle Ridge to escape the pain of the past, and years later he’d come back to escape even more pain. His grief emotionally drained him every day. He had to work—to continually stay active to keep his mind occupied and remain strong for his children. He refused to let them down.

  Tonight, despite the bittersweet memories of Rebecca, some of the weight had lifted from his shoulders. He’d enjoyed taking time away from the ranch, and being in Delta’s company, even though the tension that still hovered between them. He’d been able to relax for a few short moments, and somehow tha
t new beginning he needed finally seemed possible.

  * * *

  “THERE’S MY BOY!” Jake ran across the yard and jumped into Delta’s arms. At fifty-five pounds, he was no lightweight, but she didn’t care. He licked the side of her face as his body wriggled against hers. “I missed you, too. Did you have fun today?”

  Delta’s Australian shepherd loved ranch life and her clients enjoyed having him around, but twice a week she treated him to BowWowWowzer’s Doggie Daycare where he could be among his own kind. It was her way of giving back to the animal who gave her so much unconditional love and support through the darkest days of her life.

  That darkness had come flooding back when Garrett told her about Rebecca. Not that it was ever completely gone, but on most days, she managed to keep those memories neatly tucked away.

  “Thanks for taking such good care of him, Anna.” Delta pulled a folded check out of her back pocket and handed it to the daycare’s owner. “I think I was paid up until today. This should cover the rest of January and all of February. If not, let me know next week.”

  “No problem. My Sugar and Banjo can’t get enough of him. I swear the three of them together rule the play yard.” A chilly twilight breeze blew between them, causing Anna to pull her jacket tighter across her chest. “The temperature is expected to drop tonight. Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”

  Delta glanced down at her flannel-covered arms. “I guess I forgot to put it on. It’s in the truck. I have Jake to keep me warm.”

  “Far be it from me to pry, but are you all right? You look kind of pale.”

  Delta lifted her gaze to see two sets of blue eyes studying her closely. Jake’s and Anna’s.

  “What? No.” Delta hugged Jake closer to her. “I mean yes, I’m fine. I have a lot of work stuff on my mind tonight.”

  “If you’re sure that’s all it is. I know Jake’s a good listener but I can lend an ear if you ever need one.”

  “I appreciate that. You better get inside before you freeze. I’ll see you soon.”

  Delta carried Jake to the truck. He was perfectly fine to walk, but she wasn’t willing to release her hold on him. She needed the comfort only he could provide. Once tucked away in the warmth of the cab, she eased her grip on him, but he refused to budge from her lap. He sensed her hurt and grief and protectively shielded her from the world just as he’d done from day one.

  Anna stood watching her from the daycare’s front door. If she didn’t leave now, Delta was certain the woman would knock on her window next. She backed out of the drive and started down the road with Jake plastered to her side. Turning on the radio, she tried to forget her conversation with Garrett. It was impossible when guilt wrapped its icy fingers around her heart. Delta was all too familiar with cancer. She had survived stage IIIb Hodgkin’s lymphoma after it had almost killed her three years ago. That was when Jake had come into her life.

  Her father had heard about a litter of puppies from one of his customers. Cute as Jake was, the last thing she’d wanted was an animal to care for. She’d been back living with her parents and couldn’t even take care of herself. But once she looked into the dog’s big blue eyes, her heart had melted. From that point forward, they rarely spent time away from one another. He’d gone with her to the hospital, giving comfort and support not just to her, but to other patients. Once she had kicked cancer’s ass, she worked with Jake to have him become a certified therapy dog. They visited hospitals and nursing homes in Missoula, and still did, whenever she went home. But they’d also continued their routine here in Saddle Ridge.

  Jake wasn’t just her dog. He was her best friend and had never let her down.

  She pulled down the ranch drive to her small home and parked. She rented the former caretaker’s home on an older couple’s ranch. They were on one side of the property and Delta on the other. In exchange for the use of their barn to house her farrier equipment and work truck, she shod their horses free of charge.

  She opened the truck door, allowing Jake to jump over her lap and onto the ground. Every night he ran to her landlord’s door for a cookie, then back to her house for dinner.

  Delta slid into her jacket and sat in one of the rockers on the back porch. The brisk January air felt good against her warm skin. Between the nachos and her dinner, she felt a food coma coming on. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes. Garrett’s face immediately came to mind. The sadness in his eyes as he spoke of Rebecca had just about broken her. If she hadn’t left when she had, she never would have made it out of there tear free. Why had she survived when so many others had died? People with families. People like Rebecca. They’d both battled cancer at the same time, yet she—the one with no family—had survived.

  A soggy tennis ball landed in her lap, jarring her out of her thoughts. “Ew, Jake!” Delta held up the filthy ball. “Is this the one you lost last summer?” Jake ran down the steps and barked, waiting for her to throw it. “I’ll take that as a yes. One more time then we’re going in.” She stood and threw the ball of crud toward the empty pasture before unlocking the back door. Within seconds, Jake had returned with his treasure. “You’re not bringing that in the house. Drop it.” If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he rolled his eyes at her. “Yeah, I know. Mean mommy. Now come inside for dinner. I have a date with the TV remote.”

  She wondered what Garrett was doing tonight. She imagined him curled up on a couch, reading to his kids. Did they look like him? Not that it mattered. She couldn’t go there. She made a point to avoid any personal involvement with a client. This was still a new business and she wouldn’t screw it up. There wasn’t room or time for dating.

  She sagged against the kitchen counter. She’d never missed the touch of a man more than she did right now. And only one man would do. Garrett Slade. The most off-limits man she knew.

  Chapter Three

  The following morning, Jake beat Delta into the Silver Bells Ranch stables. Normally she wouldn’t have minded, but not knowing how Garrett would react, she quickly caught up to her over-curious dog. She didn’t want anything to rekindle yesterday’s tension.

  Delta turned the corner and saw Garrett crouched down in front of Jake scratching his ears and talking to him. “Where did you come from?”

  “I’m sorry. He’s with me.”

  Garrett smiled up at her and then ruffled her pup’s long blue merle fur. “Let me guess.” Her dog panted happily at the attention. “This is Jake.”

  “The one and only.” Delta patted her thigh, signaling for him to come to her side. “I hope it’s okay that he’s here. He goes to work with me on most days.”

  “It’s fine. Dylan told me. I wish my daughter was here to see him. She would be in love. I keep thinking about getting a dog to help her adjust to the move.” Garrett took off his hat and raked his hand through his thick brown hair before setting it back on his head. “And I’m rambling again.”

  “Good morning, Delta,” Dr. Lydia Presley said as she and her assistant exited Lightning Bug’s stall. “I’m glad you could be here today.”

  “Hey, Lydia.” Delta was thankful for the intrusion. “No problem. I’m anxious to see how he’s progressing.”

  “I just finished taking the x-rays. I got here a little early.” She held out a slender, deeply tanned hand to Garrett. “We haven’t met yet. I’m Lydia Presley, your veterinarian, and this is my assistant, Selena. I hope you don’t mind that we went ahead and got started.”

  “Not at all. I’m Garrett, new co-owner of the ranch. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My brother speaks highly of you.”

  “Same here. I’ve heard a lot about you, as well.”

  Apparently, Lydia had heard more about Garrett than she had. She had known the brothers had partnered but that had been the extent of it. It would have been nice to know something about him before they met, not that anyone owed her that. But the man piqued her curiosi
ty in the worst possible way.

  “Garrett, how familiar are you with navicular disease?” Lydia asked.

  He shook his head. “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never had to deal with it before.”

  “Let’s begin with the basics, then. It’s a degenerative disease of the navicular bone. Don’t think of it as a disease the horse contracted. It’s more of a syndrome of abnormalities and it’s commonly misdiagnosed, which is why x-rays give a more definitive picture.” Lydia tugged her iPad out of her bag and flipped open the cover. Tapping on the screen, she opened a series of digital x-rays and pointed to a small bone located on the backside of the front hoof. “It also affects the tendon behind it, and this little sac between the bone and the tendon. It’s not something that happens overnight. While many times it’s attributed to incorrect shoeing, that wasn’t the case here.”

  “Then what caused it?”

  “We don’t know for sure. Quarter horses like Lightning Bug are more prone to it. They have large bodies on small feet. It was probably a trauma of some sort that resulted in an interruption of the blood supply. There’s no cure, but we can manage it with drug therapy, exercise and the use of a nerve block. We’ve already discontinued drug therapy due to his improvement. Today we’re looking to see what adjustments need to be made to his shoe.”

  “Which is where I come in,” Delta said. “In this case, I used a light plastic and aluminum glue-on shoe with a foam insert, similar to our own running shoes. It’s critical the hoof angles and balance are correct so Lightning Bug has the correct foot support. That’s why we’re checking to see if any adjustments need to be made since the hoof is continually growing.”