“How about over here at the table for your schoolwork,” Matteo suggested and unzipped Gino’s backpack to unload the books he’d brought with him from Japan. He flipped through the workbooks and noticed the math and language texts were in both English and Japanese. Near as Matteo could tell, as he eyed the pages, not much had been done, and what scribbles Gino had made didn’t make much sense. “Looks like you have some catching up to do, G.”
Gino shrugged.
Matteo might be a bit rusty on the dad stuff, but he knew avoidance when he saw it. Even in a six-year-old. “What’s the matter? I thought you said you liked school.”
“I like my teacher,” Gino said without looking at his father. “She’s nice. Most of the time. She stops the other kids from making fun of me.”
“What do they make fun of you for?”
“Nothin’.”
“Gino...”
“I don’t like it there.” Gino glared at the floor. “I don’t want to go back.”
“Hey.” Matteo walked over and crouched in front of his son. “Hey, G, you know you can talk to me about anything, right? We’ll figure out what to do about school.”
“I already told you, I’m not going back. Not there. Not anywhere.” Gino’s angry eyes caught Matteo off guard, before the little boy turned away and went back to exploring the guest cabin.
Seeing his son needed some space before they discussed this further, Matteo stood, finished rearranging Gino’s books on the small table by a window, then knocked on the doorframe to Peyton’s room.
“Your bedroom okay?” Matteo stepped inside, and his gaze caught on one of the most organized, well-packed suitcases he’d ever seen in his life. She’d barely left room in there for air. Amused, he did a quick security check. No windows, so that was a plus. Only one way in and out, the door, so he didn’t have to worry about anyone getting inside. He’d already done a cursory walk around the cabin, which was semiattached to a single-room cabin next door that was also occupied. He hadn’t seen anyone inside, but when he’d looked into the window, he saw what was definitely a lived-in space.
The only point of concern he saw in his future was the shared bathroom between his and Peyton’s rooms, generous though it may have been. He could only hope her patience held out where a six-year-old boy and bathrooms was concerned.
“It’s fine.” She opened the dresser drawers, then retrieved hangers from the closet. Everything she hung up still had tags on. Even the jeans and long-sleeved shirts that went into the dresser had clearly never been worn before. Did she ever loosen up? Even now, bouncing around the room, she was buttoned-up so tight he was afraid she might snap in two. He watched as she unloaded her shoes, which other than the pair of running sneakers didn’t exactly suit the lifestyle of a working ranch. Or a guest one for that matter. “What?”
“I don’t see any boots.”
“The only boots I own aren’t for cowgirling.”
Matteo shrugged. “I bet you’re going to need some.”
“I can assure you, I will never need those kinds of boots.”
Hi grin widened. He wasn’t sure anything entertained him more than irritating Peyton Harrison. “Are you a morning-or evening-shower kind of woman?”
“Am I a what?”
“Just mentally planning out a bathroom schedule for the three of us.”
“Oh.” She nibbled on her full bottom lip, tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’d prefer morning. For my hair and...stuff.”
“Got it. G and I will take nights. G, let’s get you unpacked.” Matteo left their conversation there and went to corral his son.
Peyton closed the door behind him and when she eventually emerged, he saw she’d changed into slim black pants, her sneakers, and an oversize T-shirt. Better than he’d expected, Matteo thought as he finished unloading his duffel bag, then changed into jeans and a T-shirt himself.
“There’s no TV,” Gino said from where he’d flopped down on Matteo’s own king-size bed. “I thought there was gonna be stuff to do, Dad.”
“What happened to this being the best place ever? There’s a whole schedule of events and activities by the front door,” Matteo reminded him. “Why don’t you go check those out.”
“There’s a TV in here,” Peyton called from the living room.
Gino rolled off the bed and raced out of the room.
Matteo sighed and joined them. Gino was standing in front of a small flat-screen about the size of a computer monitor.
“That’s too small,” Gino said. “In my room at home I have a big screen. I can’t watch anything on that.”
“Sounds good to me.” Matteo retrieved the remote and set it out of reach.
“Daa-aad!” Gino whined.
“If you don’t appreciate what we have, then I see no point in you using it. Peyton, you ready to go?”
“Sure am.” If she disapproved of Matteo’s handling of the TV situation, she didn’t say. “Gino, after you.”
“I don’t wanna go anywhere. I wanna watch TV.” Gino plunked himself on the edge of the sofa and crossed his arms. When he stuck his lower lip out, Matteo saw Peyton roll her eyes.
“Fine,” she said calmly. “We’ll go without you. I personally can’t wait to see the horses. And it’s Friday, which apparently means Mexican food for dinner. Coming, Matteo?” She headed to the door.
“Uh...” Matteo looked to his son, who seemed stunned either of them would consider leaving him behind. When Peyton cleared her throat, he got the message loud and clear. “Yep. Right behind you. Why don’t you get a jump start on that schoolwork of yours while we’re gone, G.”
Gino slumped back and glared at them. “I don’t like it here anymore.”
“And yet here you are.” Matteo sighed in the same dramatic fashion as his son. “It’s rough to be you. We’ll be back in a bit. I’m starving. You hungry, Peyton?” He stepped out behind her and closed the door.
“Don’t worry,” Peyton murmured and took his arm to lead him away from the cabin. “I give it to the count of twenty, max.”
Matteo glanced back as he walked down the path toward the guest house. Sure enough, almost as soon as he turned away, he heard the cabin door slam. “I’m hungry, too,” Gino announced when he reached them but refused the hand Matteo offered.
“Then I suggest you get your attitude under control,” Matteo said firmly, then glanced uneasily at Peyton. “I’m sorry he’s being such a brat.”
Peyton shrugged it off. “He’s being a six-year-old.”
“What do they have to eat?” Gino demanded.
“No idea,” Matteo lied. He knew very well the ranch offered plenty of things with kids in mind. “But whatever it is, we’re going to be grateful for it, aren’t we?”
Gino glared up at him. It only took a few seconds for Matteo’s expression to make an impact. Gino ducked his head and kicked his feet in the dirt. “Yes, sir.” Suddenly he broke away and raced ahead toward the paddock and the barn.
“And there was peace in the land,” Peyton said under her breath. “He’s just tired, Matteo. It’s been a long day.”
Matteo didn’t think so. More likely his ex-wife had let Gino have the run of the house and now the kid had a massive sense of entitlement. No wonder Jiro hadn’t had any issues with sending Gino out to Matteo. He was probably grateful for a break. “We need to find something to occupy him for a while,” he told Peyton. “So I can get a look at the entire property.”
Peyton smirked. “Good luck with that. The Blackwell borders are huge. You couldn’t walk it in days.”
“Then, I guess I won’t walk it.” He’d figure out a way to get what he needed. He always did. “Until I’m satisfied all is okay, I don’t want you out of my sight or alone, understood? If I’m not around, stick close to Ty at the guest house.”
“Are you talking to me or your son?
” Peyton batted those lashes at him the same way she had in her boss’s office. “FYI, I don’t tend to take orders any better than a six-year-old. And hiding remote controls and game consoles doesn’t have much effect on me.”
“Then, we’ll just have to find something that does, won’t we?” He couldn’t wait to figure out what other buttons to push with her.
They walked side by side, Peyton’s frustration wafting off her in waves while Matteo memorized every detail his eyes picked up on. Their cabin was isolated enough to give him some comfort and did have one landline phone, probably to communicate with the front desk. There was a single cabin next door to theirs, but the others were scattered around at a far enough distance that he’d hear someone approaching when they were inside. The path to the main guest house was straightforward enough; not a lot of places for someone to hide. Or to watch.
One thing about this part of the country: lots of open space meant his job was that much easier.
Matteo and Peyton caught up with Gino at the white-fenced corral. Inside the gates, a woman with a long, silver braid down her back held a rope and was clicking her tongue at the glistening palomino galloping around the perimeter. Matteo cringed. He’d forgotten about the sounds of a ranch, sounds that reminded him of days, of years, better forgotten.
Focus on the work, he told himself. Keep his attention on Peyton and making sure she was safe. And keep Gino from getting into mischief. If he focused on those two things, the past wouldn’t have time to sneak in and suffocate him.
The crowd they’d seen when they’d first arrived had huddled around a collection of picnic tables offering snacks and drinks. He did a mental count, memorizing faces, looking for anything to be wary of. A married couple and their three kids, all bordering on their grumpy teenage years. An older couple clearly on their second or maybe third honeymoon. Two middle-aged men who seemed determined to get the hang of lassoing one of the nearby sawhorses. From what Hadley had said, all of them would be leaving by Sunday with only a handful of guests between now and Halloween. Perfect.
The fewer people he needed to keep track of, the better.
“There you are.” Ty pushed back from the fence and touched the shoulder of a young woman standing next to him. She turned with him, a wide smile on her round face. Beside her, a black-and-white Australian shepherd stood, tail wagging as it looked up adoringly at her mistress. “Katie, this is Lily’s sister, Peyton, and her assistant, Matteo Rossi. And that kid peeking out back there is Gino. This is Katie Blackwell. And her faithful friend Hip.”
“Hip?” Peyton’s brow furrowed.
“Short for Hippolyta,” Katie clarified. “But trust me, just leave it at Hip.”
Peyton nodded, and it struck Matteo how out of her element his charge was. She was trying, that much was obvious, but the way she was looking around, as if she expected the land to open up and swallow her, made him wonder if Peyton was ever going to be able to relax here.
Matteo glanced back to where Gino had stepped behind Peyton. “Nice to meet you, Katie.”
“Pleasure.” Katie pushed up her hat to reveal a freckle-kissed nose and stray strands of strawberry blond hair. “Sorry if I seem distracted. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on that lady for the better part of two months.” She sighed and looked toward the horse, her hand moving to her pregnant belly. “Not going to happen anytime soon. I’ve been grounded, hence my new assistant, Izzy, out there. Missed out on our cattle move this season, too. First time in over twenty years.”
Matteo couldn’t relate to the regret. He’d always hated the days it had taken to move cattle from one pasture to another with the changing of the seasons.
“Blackwell babies are coming at us in every direction,” Ty joked. “Katie and Hadley are both due around Christmas. Now that’s what I call efficient holiday planning.”
“At least I’m only having one at a time,” Katie said with a smile. “Unlike Ben and Jon. At this rate we’re going to double the population of Montana just with Blackwells. So, Peyton, Matteo, do either of you ride?”
“Not anymore.”
“I used to.”
Matteo and Peyton spoke at the same time, but there was no way to curtail his surprise at Peyton’s admission.
“When I was around Gino’s age,” she explained. “I haven’t for a long time, though.”
“Well, we’ll have to get you both back in the saddle,” Katie said. “We’ve got a trail ride going out on Tuesday morning once the weather shifts. It’ll be an easy one, so let me know if you all want to sign up. We’ll—well, they’ll stop for lunch at the lake before they head back. How about you, Gino? Do you like horses?”
Gino’s eyes went wide. “I dunno.”
“They look pretty scary, don’t they?” Katie nodded with exaggeration. “Maybe if you see them closer up that’ll help. You want to come with me?”
Gino looked up at Matteo, who nodded.
“’Kay,” Gino said.
“Great. My little girl, Rosie, will be home from school in a bit. I bet maybe she’d like help feeding our animals in the petting zoo. How about you hang out and keep me company while I wait for her? I can tell you all about these horses Izzy’s working with.” She held out her hand.
“Go on, G. If you want to,” Matteo urged.
“Don’t worry,” Ty assured him as Katie and Gino moved off. He watched as Gino climbed up onto the fence and hooked his arms over the top railing. Katie held a hand against his back, steadying him as she pointed and bent low to talk to him. “Safest place to be on this or any other ranch is with Katie Blackwell. This place wouldn’t be standing without her. You guys must be hungry. Help yourself to those snacks. Dinner will hit at six thirty.”
“About that tour you mentioned, Ty?” Matteo asked.
“What about it?”
“How much of the place can we see?” Matteo followed Peyton and Ty to the snack table and grabbed a bag of pretzels, an apple and carrots. “I was hoping to get a look at the entire property.”
Ty’s brow furrowed. “I can show you as much as you’d like. On foot we wouldn’t get far, but I’ve got a truck we can use anytime. Or if you really want the best view, I could saddle up a couple of the horses.”
“It’s a little late in the day for me to try to manage a saddle,” Matteo lied.
“Truck it is, then.”
“Peyton, why don’t you come with...” He trailed off as he caught sight of a pickup truck heading down the road to the guest house. “Peyton?”
She’d gone still, hand locked around a bag of celery as she stared at a young woman climbing out of the truck. Even from a distance, Matteo saw the resemblance. Not just physically, but there was a similarity in how they stood, how they walked. Matteo knew the instant the woman spotted them. The shift in her body language, the sudden tightness, not to mention the sharp look in all-too-familiar eyes.
“Lily,” Peyton whispered.
He heard so much in the one word. Regret. Worry. Fear. Love.
Ty looked between the two women but seemed to think better of commenting. “I’m just going to let Hadley know I’m taking the truck for a bit. We’ll need to be back by dinner. I’m in charge of the firepit tonight.” He motioned to the stone-and-metal grill nearby.
“Thanks,” Matteo said and bit into his apple. Ty headed off to the guest house. “Peyton?”
“Yeah.” Peyton set her snacks down and scrubbed her hands down her thighs. “Yeah, sorry. I thought maybe I’d have until tomorrow.”
“No time like the present.” Considering Lily hadn’t moved other than to come around the truck and lean back against the hood, apparently Peyton’s sister thought the same thing. “She’s family, Peyton.” He looked at her from across the table and wished he could fix this for her. Or at the very least make it easier. “Whatever else happens, or has happened, nothing is going to change that.”
She gave him a weak smile and nodded. “Right. It’s what I came here for.”
Among other things, he wanted to add. Instead, he kept silent and watched as Peyton approached her sister.
CHAPTER EIGHT
PEYTON HAD NEVER before paid so much attention to the sound her shoes made as she crunched along in the gravel and dirt. Arms wrapped tightly around herself, she tried to drag her racing thoughts into some kind of order.
The sound of laughter and stomping hooves and the wind rushing in her ears should have been enough of a distraction, enough of a push to keep her fear at bay. It had been weeks since the truth had come out, weeks since her sisters had learned the secret Peyton had kept from them their entire life. Countless days since she’d last seen their faces looking back at her from a computer screen.
This was, Peyton realized, the longest walk of her life. The last time she’d seen Lily or any of her sisters in person had been at Lily’s no-go of a wedding to their childhood friend, Danny. Lily had looked so pretty in the hooped wedding dress she’d chosen because it had reminded her of their mother’s dress. Lily, the wild daredevil of the Harrison clan, who could easily jump out of a plane or bungee jump off a bridge but had doubts so severe about getting married she’d run off with a cowboy in an antique motor home.
One thing was for sure, Peyton thought with a swell of affection: the Harrison girls were never boring.
Peyton chewed on her lower lip. Or was it Blackwell now? How did both suddenly make her feel as if she was betraying someone?
Her sister didn’t move as Peyton approached. Simply stood there, hands resting lightly at her sides, sharp assessing eyes watching Peyton’s every move. Her blond hair was tied back, with loose strands catching in the breeze. She wore an oversize T-shirt over her usual jeggings, and on her feet, to Peyton’s dismay, a sturdy pair of cowboy boots.
With those bright eyes of hers and the healthy glow of her skin, she looked, Peyton thought as she stopped a few feet away, happy.
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