by Amanda Renee
“I am so sorry. I got tied up.” Delta dumped her tote bag on the floor outside Lightning Bug’s stall.
“No biggie. I’m just pulling the images up on the screen now.” Lydia eyed the fabric swatches and bridal magazines spilling out of the top of Delta’s bag. “Are you getting married?”
“Who, me? Oh, hell no. Never again.”
Lydia almost dropped her iPad at the comment. “Then what’s with the bridal stuff?”
“They’re for Garrett.”
Lydia tilted her head to get a better view of the top magazine’s cover. “I don’t think a gown that low cut will look good on him. He doesn’t have the cleavage to pull it off.”
“Very funny.” Delta tried to push the magazines down farther in the bag, but it had already reached its maximum capacity. “We’re working together on a Valentine’s week event for the ranch. I’m sort of partially responsible for Dylan designating him as the event planner, so he asked me to help him.”
“I bet he did.” Lydia winked. “Isn’t he single?”
“Not you, too.”
“What?” Lydia feigned innocence. “You’re single. He’s single. You’re planning a Valentine thing together. Does Cupid have to hit you over the head with his arrow?”
“Me and Cupid had a falling-out a long time ago. Besides, Garrett isn’t ready to date, which is why I’ve taken on so much of the responsibility. He’s having a hard time with this. It reminds him of his wife. Plus, I’m not looking. This event is for people who are already together.”
“Maybe they should consider a singles weekend. I could see where that would generate some interest.”
“Then be my guest to discuss it with Dylan and Emma. I’m up to my eyeballs in trying to find budget-friendly ways to decorate the guest lodge and rooms for the event. I spoke to some of my friends last night and they told me to pick up some bridal magazines for romantic inspiration. I’ve already spoken with a few places today.”
“You can rent everything from tableware to bedding nowadays.”
“I already found some place settings I think will work. But I didn’t realize you could rent bedding?” Garrett had given her a tour of the lodge and cabins the other day. While the guest ranch was meant to be rustic, the rooms definitely needed some freshening up. There wasn’t enough time or money to replace any of the furniture, but bedding would make a huge difference.
“You can rent everything down to the pillowcases and guest towels.” Lydia enlarged the first scan of Lightning Bug’s hoof. “Everything looks good on this one.” She loaded the next image and studied it. “A lot of resorts use rental services to avoid having on-site laundry facilities. Look up linen rental online and I’m sure you’ll find a few places nearby. You may even want to call some of the ski resorts and ask who they use.”
“You just gave me an idea.” Delta tugged her phone out of her back pocket and typed in a quick note before returning her attention to the scans. “What do you think?”
“Your corrective shoeing is doing exactly what it’s supposed to. The inflammation is down, his limp is gone. I’m really pleased with his progress.”
“Great!” Delta loved her job. It was backbreaking work, but at the end of the day she made a difference in a horse’s quality of life. Especially when it came to corrective shoeing. A lame horse could face death if not treated quickly and properly.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” Garrett greeted them in the corridor as they exited the stall. “How is he doing?”
“By spring he should be ready to ride the trails again. We’ll revisit it more then. Just keep in mind he’ll never be able to work every day like he used to. Not at his age. And he shouldn’t carry more than eighty pounds, but I think he’ll be happy getting back out there with his friends.”
“What about if we retire him and let him spend the rest of his days grazing on the ranch.”
“You can do that, too. Just keep in mind this is an animal that’s used to human contact. If you retire him, make sure he’s still handled and touched on a daily basis. Without that interaction, he can begin to experience a form of depression, much the same way humans do when we remove physical contact from their lives.”
“I will definitely make sure he is spoiled rotten.” Garrett reached into the stall and rubbed the horse’s muzzle. “He was one of my uncle’s favorites. He would want him to be happy.” He turned to Delta. “Speaking of happy, I have something that should make you the happiest woman on this ranch.”
“You have something for me?” She heard Lydia giggle behind her. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, I sort of did.” Garrett held out his hand. “But, you have to close your eyes and I’ll lead the way. I don’t want you to see it until we’re there.”
His strong, firm grip encircled her palm. She fought the urge to entwine her fingers in his, knowing that wasn’t the reason he was holding her hand. This was no different than ice skating. There was nothing romantic about it.
“What is it, what is it?” Delta bounced up and down.
“You’re worse than my kids. The man told you to close your eyes,” Lydia chided.
“Do you know what it is?” Delta asked her.
“No, now close your eyes,” she ordered. “Take baby steps so you don’t trip and break something.”
“How far away is it?”
“Daddy, Daddy.” Delta heard Kacey’s footsteps run down the corridor. “Are you giving Delta her surprise now?”
“I sure am, sweetheart. Why don’t you take her other hand and we’ll guide her there together?”
A small hand slid into hers and held on tight.
She squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation as they led her around in what began to feel like circles. “Hey, what are you two up to?”
The sound of Lydia’s giggling behind her confirmed what she thought. They were going around in circles. The stable corridor wasn’t that long and they hadn’t gone outside. They stopped and Garrett squeezed her hand.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Delta blinked a few times to adjust to the bright overhead light. “Oh, my God!” Her hands flew to her mouth. There at the end of the stables stood a new Amish Belgian shoeing stall. The craftsmanship was exquisite. When she had mentioned the ranch getting a shoeing stall she had envisioned a very basic tubular metal enclosure, never anything this grand. She stepped onto the platform and ran her hand over the smooth white oak. She wouldn’t have to hold the Belgians’ hooves up any more or deal with them leaning on her while she tried to work. “This is the nicest stock I have ever seen. And the lighting?” Delta looked up at the ceiling. “I don’t remember you ever having lights this bright in here.”
“Those are new, too.” Garrett lifted his chin proudly. “I wanted to make sure you had everything you needed to do your job comfortably.”
“Maybe you should look into buying the white dress,” Lydia whispered behind her.
Delta swatted her away. “This was very sweet of you, Garrett. You have no idea how much I appreciate it. Thank you.” Women could keep their fancy jewelry and expensive shoes. A shoeing stall was the way to this farrier’s heart.
A tinge of pink crept into Garrett’s cheeks. “There’s no need to thank me. I’m embarrassed we didn’t have what you needed before now.”
“It may not have bothered Henry, so he probably never mentioned it.”
“I’m glad you did and I’m glad you’re happy. It’s the least I can do for all you have done for this ranch over the past year.”
She knew Garrett’s gift didn’t have any romantic undertones, but it was by far the sweetest thing anyone had done for her in years.
* * *
HIS DARLING DAUGHTER had twisted Delta’s arm into joining them for dinner. It wasn’t that he minded, he just didn’t want Kacey’s enthusiasm to overwhelm her. Ever since Kac
ey had opened up to Delta about being bullied he had seen a big change in her personality. The private school had been rough at first, but she was beginning to adjust and had begun coming home from school happier. Her confidence and determination had markedly improved. Homework used to be a battle, but last night, she started working on it without any prodding from him. That had been a definite first.
School had never been easy for Kacey. She always had to work twice as hard to keep up with the other kids. Her teachers had thought it was due to a lack of focus and concentration, but Garrett knew there was more to it than that.
Kacey had just entered preschool when Rebecca got sick. She had designated herself Bryce’s primary caretaker shortly after his birth. She’d been changing his diapers and feeding him before she was five years old. It was too much for a child to handle. He hadn’t wanted her taking on that responsibility, but she fought him with everything she had.
Kacey had believed if she took care of Bryce, it would free up his time to take care of her mother and she could get better. Her determination broke his heart, because they knew months before Rebecca had died that she wouldn’t survive. It wasn’t until Belle and Emma came into the picture that she began to relinquish some of her mothering role. But he still found her in Bryce’s room most mornings getting him up and dressed for preschool.
“Are you sure you’re okay teaching her guitar?” Garrett asked as Delta helped him clear the table while Kacey showed Jake her and Bryce’s bedrooms. “I don’t want you to feel obligated, especially when my brother plays.”
“I’m fine with it. I enjoy spending time with Kacey.” Delta set the rest of the dishes in the sink. “But if you’re uncomfortable with it, I can make an excuse to leave.”
“I love the idea.” Garrett turned on the faucet and squirted a few drops of detergent into the sink. “Kacey’s never expressed interest in a hobby before you came along. I think you’re a good influence on her. It’s nice to see her be a kid instead of trying to be so strong for everyone else, including me. I haven’t been the best parent. I wore my grief on my sleeve and Kacey paid the price.”
Her fingers rested on his bare arm, radiating warmth straight to his heart. “I think you’re doing a remarkable job.”
“Thank you.” He covered her hand with his own. “I love that you’re getting close to Kacey. My daughter has done a complete one-eighty since you walked into her life. I can never repay you for that.”
“I don’t expect you to.”
Her gentle smile drew him into the depths of her charms. “You’re wonderful with children, so I have to ask...have you given any thought to having any of your own?”
Delta’s shoulders sagged. “Chemo destroyed any chance I had of having children.” Delta raised her hand to stop him before he spoke. “Please don’t say you’re sorry. There’s nothing to be sorry about. I made peace with it years ago. There are enough children out there in need of a good home that it makes me okay with not being able to have one biologically. I want kids and I’m prepared to do that without a partner. I just wish I didn’t have to wait.”
Garrett couldn’t fathom being told he’d never be able to have a child of his own. The joy that came from the realization you helped create another living being was like no other. But he could also see himself loving a child that wasn’t biologically his, as well.
“Why do you have to wait?”
“Adoption agencies won’t consider my application until I’m cancer free for five years. And I get that. In the meantime, spending time with your kids helps fill that void. They really are wonderful children.”
“But what if you got involved with someone who already has children?” Garrett froze as soon as he said the words. He hadn’t meant to imply himself and he knew that was probably how it had sounded. Not that there was anything wrong with the idea, he just wasn’t in the market for a wife. “I just mean there are plenty of single dads out there.”
“Oh okay, because for a second there I thought you were—”
“Yeah, sorry, no. I—I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for that. Not with you.”
“What?”
Oh crap! “I meant I’m not saying I’ll never be ready for that with you. I’m trying to say I don’t think I’ll ever be ready, period.”
“That makes me feel a little better.” She started to laugh. “God, could you imagine?”
“What? Us?” Garrett pulled the drain stopper from the bottom of the sink. “I don’t think there would ever be a dull moment.”
Delta smiled and nodded. “That’s for sure. You don’t ever think about it? I don’t mean us, I mean like ever with anyone?”
Garrett checked to make sure the kids hadn’t wandered into the kitchen. “Rebecca told me to move on, so yeah, I do sometimes. But I don’t know how to do that without feeling guilty. And maybe I’ll get there someday, but I don’t see it.”
“You’ve got this, Garrett.” Delta wrapped an arm around his shoulder and squeezed. “Give yourself time.”
Garrett slid an arm around her waist, tugging her into a hug. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” He buried his head in her hair and held on. He hated to admit it, but he needed her strength to lean on tonight. The closer it was to the anniversary of Rebecca’s death, the more he felt the need to let some of his grief go. After almost three years of keeping it inside, he needed...wanted the release.
“Can we have dessert now?” Kacey asked from the kitchen doorway as Bryce barreled past her and wrapped his arms around him and Delta, making it next to impossible for them to completely break their embrace.
“What about you, little man?” Garrett lifted Bryce into his arms, creating a makeshift barrier between himself and Delta. If Kacey had been bothered by their hug, she didn’t show it. That was almost more concerning than if she had said something. He already knew how capable she was at hiding things from him. “Would you like some dessert?”
“Can I have cookies?” his son asked.
“We don’t have cookies. Aunt Emma sent you home with brownies. You like brownies, don’t you?”
“I thought she wasn’t our aunt until she married Uncle Dylan.”
Garrett shifted Bryce onto his other hip and smiled at Delta. “They’re getting married in June, sweetheart. They have a baby and it’s close enough.”
He was already dreading the day his daughter asked him where babies came from. And considering her ever-growing attachment to Holly, he had a feeling it would come sooner than later.
He and Rebecca had expected her to ask when Bryce was born, but her mind had been more on her mother’s illness than wondering how her baby brother came to be. A part of him hoped the school would beat him to it. But that was the easy way out and his daughter deserved to hear it from him first, regardless of how difficult the conversation would be.
Good Lord. The thought of that alone made him cringe. He still felt like they were learning how to communicate with one another without Terry and Dawn. He’d never had to explain anything when they’d lived in Wheatland. It was all done for him. And that was just as much his fault if not more than it was his in-laws’. He still loved them dearly, but he had given them way too much control. While he was grieving, they had kept his life very neat and tidy. Now it was anything but. And in a way, he liked that better. He was slowly learning that sometimes you had to shake things up to make them better.
Garrett lowered Bryce to the floor. “Daddy’s going to finish cleaning up the kitchen and then we’ll have dessert.”
“Can Delta start teaching me guitar while we wait?”
“That’s a great idea.” Garrett smiled at his daughter. “You keep her busy in there so she won’t forget she’s a guest in our home because she doesn’t need to clean up after us.”
It would give him some much-needed distance away from her. Twice now, he’d found himself hugging his farrier in the kitchen. All r
ight, his friend the farrier. Either way, it was beginning to feel familiar. He wanted to fight against it. He didn’t want to feel anything other than friendship toward Delta, but the more time he spent around her, the more he looked forward to the next time. Hell, as they were eating dinner tonight he’d caught himself thinking about what he would cook the next time she came over. He had no right to assume she even wanted to come back. Although, she did seem to enjoy their time together as much as they enjoyed having her.
“Okay, okay. Message received,” she said to Garrett. “Let me grab my guitar from the Jeep and take Jake out for a potty break and then we’ll start your lesson.”
“Can I come with you?” Kacey asked.
“Me, too!” Bryce ran into the living room.
“Stay inside, you two. It’s too cold to go out without jackets and I don’t have the energy to bundle the two of you up right now. Delta is only going outside for a minute. Unless you plan on making a break for it.” He winked and instantly regretted it. He was flirting and he had no right to.
“You’re not going to get rid of me that easily.” She winked in return. Okay, they were both flirting and maybe he didn’t regret it so much after all.
* * *
FOR THE NEXT hour, he and Bryce colored at the table while Delta taught his daughter guitar in the living room. Kacey’s million and one questions were enough to try anyone’s patience, but Delta’s laughter dispelled any concerns he might have. He peeked in at them a few times, and was surprised to see Kacey laser focused on the instrument. He had never seen her that interested in anything. Ever. He’d give it a few more lessons before he asked Delta to help him pick out a guitar for her birthday. More and more, he liked the idea of an instrument over a puppy. One adjustment at a time.