June pushed her chair back and stood up. She felt as if her face was glowing with delight, her smile so big it almost hurt. “Luke, Jeff, good to see you again.”
Luke walked up to her first and grabbed her in a tight hug, “So good to see you again. You missed our mountains?” His eyes gleamed.
“I did. I guess I fell in love with them.” June tried to keep her voice calm and not blush as her eyes darted to Jeff who was standing awkwardly behind his son. Luke deftly moved to the seat two over, leaving the seat next to June as the only open one for his dad. June looked over into those sparkling blue eyes and lost herself.
“Jeff, it’s good to see you again,” she stammered.
“You too, June,” Jeff managed to get out as he took her hand in his and gave it a slight squeeze. He had not recovered from the shock of seeing her again. Damn, she looked and smelled good. Inwardly he wished that he had taken a little more time to get ready this evening. He glanced over at Luke, who looked pleased, but not surprised. Darn kid set me up. He glanced back at June and by the look of her still startled expression, he knew that she was as surprised as he was.
After pushing in her chair like a true gentleman, Jeff took the seat next to her. He politely turned to her and asked her how she was enjoying the ranch, how Laddie was doing, and what the weather was like in Ohio this time of year. He felt like he was babbling, but he was transfixed by her nearness. He wanted to talk to her forever. It didn’t matter what they talked about. He craved the sound of her voice.
June struggled to regain composure, even though her whole body was ablaze with desire. She answered his questions and asked about the ranch, not really aware of the conversation at all, but merely his presence. After all these weeks, there he was mere inches from her side. Oh how she wanted to reach out and touch him--to kiss him. She resisted the temptation. Control yourself, June.
Dinner was served family style and everyone loaded their plates and joined in the conversation about ranching, the upcoming week, whether they would have an early winter, etc. Jeff appeared to visibly relax and joined in the conversation smiling and laughing, obviously at home with these people. It was contagious, and June relaxed too. She joined in the conversation as much as she could being an outsider. It felt natural, enjoying a meal with Jeff and his friends. She could picture herself doing this for a long, long time. The rest of her life seemed about right.
When all the guests had finished their meals and the plates had been cleared, Jim stood up and announced, “If everyone would like to head out the main door and turn left, you can walk down the road a few hundred yards, where you’ll see a large bonfire already blazing. There’s hot chocolate and the fixings for s’mores for dessert. We’ll have a few western sing-a-longs. If you didn’t bring a jacket, you may want to stop by your cabin and get one. It’s pretty chilly out this time of night.”
June’s mind flashed to that cool evening on the ranch house porch a couple of months ago. She stole a sideward glance at Jeff. He smiled back at her. Was he remembering too? As the guests filed out of the dining hall, June joined in the crowd, Luke and Jeff by her side.
“So, Luke what’s new with you?” She had missed Luke, too. He already felt like a son to her—a son who needed a mom.
“Not much, Dad and I have been busy getting ready for winter. Baled a lot of hay and have been repairing fences and leaks in the barn.”
“Wait until you see the colts. They’ve grown a ton since you left,” Jeff added.
June looked over at his crystal blue eyes. Was that an invitation? Sure sounded like one. “Oh, I’d love to see them! Do they have names now?”
“Yep, Lil and JJ. The names suit them.”
“I like those names.”
Having reached the fire, June found a seat on one of the log benches surrounding the pit. Jeff sat down beside her, scooting close to make room for more guests. Luke excused himself to talk with some of the wranglers and other staff members who were his own age.
June turned her eyes up at the sky. “How are there so many more stars here than in Ohio?”
“There aren’t more stars, just less space between you and the heavens. No city lights or humidity to block your view,” Jeff replied.
“It’s so breathtaking. Who knew the night sky could look like this.”
Everything about this night was breathtaking and magical for June. She leaned back against Jeff’s warm, masculine chest. She wouldn’t trade places with anyone in the world right now. She was in the perfect place, at the perfect time, with the most perfect man sitting beside her.
“Would you like a marshmallow and a roasting stick?” a pretty, smiling girl asked.
“Yes, please.” June took both and moved toward the fire in search of a prime roasting spot.
Jeff resisted the temptation to join her and cook his own. He was engrossed by how intent June became on getting her marshmallow just the right color and temperature. Her brow furrowed as she concentrated on not letting it burn. After a few minutes of delighting in her method, he grabbed them each a steaming cup of hot chocolate and sat down again as June returned to her place on the log.
“Thanks,” she said taking one of the mugs from his hand. “Do you see this perfect marshmallow? Yum. Do you want me to roast one for you?”
“Thanks, but I think I’ll stick with cocoa.
“You don’t know what you’re missing.”
Her enthusiasm was catching. He couldn’t help smiling and laughing with her. Nothing was missing now that she was back.
On the other side of the fire, a couple of staff kids picked up their guitars, and people soon joined in a chorus of “Home on the Range,” “Kumbaya,” and several other campfire favorites. Despite her leather jacket and the fire, June started to shiver. Their entangled breaths were visible in the crisp air.
“Ms. Meyers, we’ll have to get you a whole new wardrobe if you are going to spend much more time in the Rockies. You’re always cold!” Jeff smiled as he casually put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his side. How he longed to warm her up, in so many ways. He felt his own body temperature rise as his mind imagined pressing his body against hers until they were both on fire with passion.
June’s insides turned warm and tingly. She leaned her head against his strong shoulder and breathed in the smell of his cologne. She wondered what it was. She knew no matter what happened next, she would never forget that smell. Mixed with the pine scent from the campfire, it was intoxicating. So this was what contentment felt like. Despite the chill of the mountain evening, she didn’t think she had ever felt warmer. She didn’t want this evening to end—ever.
As the singing wound down and the fire turned to bright embers, Luke walked over to where they sat. Jeff immediately sat up straight, removing his arm, thus breaking the spell she was under.
“You ready to head back around the mountain?” Luke said. “June, Dad and I were thinking it would be nice to have you over to our place for dinner one night while you are here. Do you think you could sneak away from the ranch activities and come over to our place tomorrow night?”
“I think I could manage that. You’re sure that you want to cook for me?” June glanced over at Jeff.
“Of course. We’d be happy to have you. Come on over whenever you’re done riding for the day. Do you remember how to find our spread or do you want me to come and pick you up here at Peaktop?”
“I have a rental car. I’ll find it.” As long as she lived, she would never forget how to get to Walker Ranch.
The guests began to disperse to the warmth of their cabins as the wranglers doused what was left of the fire. Jeff stood and brushed himself off as Luke waited to head to their truck. June wondered if Jeff was as reluctant to let this night end as she was. He turned and gave her a heart-melting smile. “We’ll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight. Drive safely.”
June stood and watched until the taillights of their truck rounded the mountain and disapp
eared from sight before she began the walk back to the ranch house. She resisted the urge to let out a loud yell; the other guests would think she was out of her mind. Instead she began to skip along even doing a little twirl in the air. She felt giddy like a school girl with her first crush. But oh, this was even better!
* * *
As Luke drove out of sight of the ranch, Jeff looked over at him. “Dad and I were thinking…? Since when do you know what I’m thinking?”
“Are you denying that you want to spend more time with June? You looked pretty cozy when I walked up.”
“I could have asked her myself.”
‘Could have’- being the operative words. I didn’t want to trust it to your romantic skills. I think you are a little rusty in that department.”
Jeff laughed at his son’s insight.
“I like her, Dad.”
“I do, too.” They lapsed into a comfortable silence for the rest of the ride home.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
June woke even before her alarm the next morning, refreshed and with a smile on her face. Just thinking about sitting by the campfire with Jeff’s arm around her made her feel excited in a way so long dormant in her life. She quickly dressed and wandered out into the crisp morning air. Brrr. She went back inside and grabbed her jacket, before heading down to the dining hall. It was not quite time for breakfast, but she hoped she could find someone to give her an early cup of tea. She walked into the main lobby and found Molly already hard at work.
“Good morning. You’re up early. Did you have trouble sleeping?”
June smiled. “Just the opposite. I slept so well, I woke up before my alarm. It must have been all of the riding and fresh mountain air yesterday. I fell asleep instantly.”
“It was good to see JW last night.”
June tried to control her emotions and sound calm. “Yes it was. That reminds me, Luke and Jeff invited me over for dinner tonight, so you don’t need to set a place for me.”
“That’s wonderful! The Walker men are good people. Would you like a cup of coffee? There’s a big pot on in the kitchen.”
“Actually, I would love a cup of tea, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
“No trouble at all; follow me.” Molly led the way into the big kitchen, and handed her a basket with an assortment of tea bags. “Help yourself to whatever you like. Let me get a refill on my coffee, and I’ll sit with you for a few minutes.”
After making themselves comfortable in a couple of chairs near the big picture window overlooking the valley, Molly said, “You know Jim and I have been friends with JW for many years. They don’t make them any better than him. He had a tough time for a while, after Susan died. I don’t know if he’s ever fully recovered from her death. I’ve never seen him with another woman; that is until last night.” Molly smiled at June.
“What was she like? Susan, I mean.”
“Oh she was wonderful. So sweet and kind and beautiful. They were very much in love. She was totally devoted to JW and those two little boys. She was one of my very best friends. It was hard for me to lose her so soon.”
“What did she die from? Cancer, I think Luke said?”
“Yep, breast cancer. It was very advanced before she was diagnosed. She lived about a year after that. It was hard on everyone to watch her waste away, especially JW. I know he felt so helpless.”
Tears welled up in June’s eyes. How horrible it must have been for him. She fought back the jealousy that rose inside of her. Susan’s been dead for eight years, she silently scolded herself. One part of her was glad to know that Jeff had an amazing happy marriage; the other psrt was overwhelmed by the idea of even trying to compete with that memory. Would Jeff compare her to “perfect” Susan? It didn’t seem quite fair. When she compared Jeff to womanizing Ed, it was a no-brainer that Jeff was the better man.
“I believe you are exactly what JW needs. Please be careful though. The last thing he needs is to have his heart broken again.”
“Oh, I would never break his heart!”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t—at least not on purpose, but think about what it is you want before getting too involved with him. JW will never leave his ranch. He needs someone who’ll love the land and his boys as much as he does. It’s not an easy life. It takes a certain kind of strong woman to be a rancher’s wife.”
“And you don’t think I’m that kind of woman?”
“Oh, June, no! I’m not saying that. You really seem to fit in here. I just want you to be sure, for both of your sakes. I would love to have you stay permanently. I could use a new best friend.”
June laughed, “I think we are getting way ahead of ourselves here. I’m only starting to get to know him. But I would love to be your friend.”
Molly reached over and squeezed her hand before excusing herself to get back to work. Other guests were starting to come in for breakfast. “Have a nice time tonight.”
“I’ll try my best.”
* * *
Another seven hours on a horse and there were no remaining muscles in her body that didn’t ache. When she hadn’t been busy talking to other guests or running her horse after stray cows, June had a lot of time to think as she wound her way through the pine trees. This dating thing was so foreign to her. That is, if they were even dating. It’s not like they had been on an actual date. The last time she had dated anyone, she was in college, for heaven’s sake, and that was pretty much pizza and a beer or a frat party. Obviously, she didn’t want to hurt anyone or be hurt herself, but she felt that she needed to put herself out there and see where this could go. She could definitely see herself living the rest of her life on the ranch with Jeff. In fact, there was nowhere else she wanted to picture herself. The mere thought of going back to Ohio in a week, alone, somehow devastated her. How did this all happen so fast? What had happened to cool, rational June? Funny, she didn’t miss her.
By 4:00 p.m., June was physically exhausted. A part of her wished she could go back to her room, soak in a bubble bath, and climb into bed, instead of getting dressed for her evening out.
There was a definite chill in the air as she walked to the ranch house. In the last hour, the wind had picked up and was blowing out of the north. Clouds filled the usually clear Colorado sky. June hurried to her room. She had time to allow herself a short soak in the big tub to ease her muscles. Where had those days gone when she could ride or hike all day without any pain? Mentally, she didn’t feel old at all, but physically, sometimes, she felt ancient.
What should she wear? Something nice, but casual. Since it had turned colder outside, and since she wanted to spend some time out in the barn getting reacquainted with Lil and JJ, she selected her pair of tan tweed slacks and a soft white blouse covered by a form fitting tan and brown striped sweater. The only nice shoes she had were sandals, which would likely cause her toes to freeze off tonight, so she decided on her dressier cowboy boots. At least they didn’t smell like horses. She finished the outfit with a gold chain necklace and gold hoop earrings, and when she looked in the mirror she was pleased with the final product.
She pulled on her leather jacket, ran to her car, and turned the heat on high as she pulled out of the ranch. The Walker ranch was only a ten minute drive away, but it was plenty of time for her nerves to kick in. Relax, she willed herself as butterflies churned in her stomach. It’s just a dinner. Luke would be there too, not really a date at all. She would enjoy getting to know both of the Walker men better.
* * *
At the Walker ranch, Luke and Jeff called it an early day. “Looks like we may get some weather tonight,” Luke said as they walked toward the house.
“Yep, they are predicting an early winter. I’m going to get dinner started, and then hop in a quick shower.”
“Okay. Let me know if you need any help.”
Jeff had done a lot of cooking for his family over the past eight years, but he was not a gourmet chef—more of a meat and potatoes kind of guy. What did one fix for a lovely
lady, who one’s son had so graciously invited over for his cooking? He had no idea. He didn’t date. The only woman, besides June, who had been there for dinner in the past year or so, was his sister and she had done the cooking. Taking note of the drop in temperature, Jeff decided on a big pot of chili. It was one of his specialties; always tasted great on the first cold nights. Besides it was easy. He hastily added ingredients to the big pot and left it to simmer on the stove, while he took a shower and changed clothes.
He had run into town earlier and picked up a bottle of what he hoped was passable red wine. Peakview Liquors did not offer a huge selection of fine wines. Why was he so nervous? After all, this wasn’t a date. He wasn’t ready to date. But he had to admit, he did want June to enjoy her evening with them.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
June’s heart began to race as the Walker spread came into view. Just the thought of being back at his ranch… well, it made her shiver with little chills throughout her body. Good chills. She turned through the archway that read Walker Ranch in black metal letter spanning above the road, and started to maneuver down the long, narrow dirt lane. A couple of curves later and the buildings came into view in the distance. She stopped her car and gazed out at it all. Whew, she let out a deep breath. How could a mere piece of land invoke such feelings? Walker Ranch was so peaceful and serene. In the late afternoon sunlight, she could see horses standing by the barn and a plume of smoke coming out of the chimney of the ranch house. She felt like she was about to enter a Hallmark movie. And the best part was that the hero—her hero—was waiting down there for her. She took a few more deep breaths of the mountain air and slowly began the descent.
As she pulled to a stop, Shep walked out of the barn and gave a couple feeble barks and lay down in the yard. June had no more than opened her car door, when Jeff appeared on the porch.
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