“Yeah.” Joel laughed before he put his arm around the cute woman next to him. The love they shared shone bright in both their gazes.
“I’ve met everyone on the ranch but you.”
“You’re staying on the ranch?”
“Only until this afternoon. I’m headed home to Houston.”
“Too bad. I would have like to get to know you,” Mesa added.
Ann walked up and kissed both of them on the cheek. “Aren’t they so cute together?”
“Stop, Ann.” The crimson coloring staining Joel’s cheeks made Terri laugh.
“I’m trying to convince her to stay longer. She’s been seeing Jeff.”
“What?” Joel’s face registered his shock with wide eyes and an open mouth. “Jeff? I didn’t think he liked women anymore.”
“Well he likes Terri or did until last night. They had a fight.”
“It wasn’t really a fight, Nina.”
“A misunderstanding then.”
“You should stick around and try to work things out,” Mesa said. “He’s really not a bad guy once you get to know him.”
“I think she knows him pretty well.”
“Ah.” Mesa smiled a knowing little grin.
Heat rose in Terri’s cheeks.
“Well, we’re heading home.” Joel took Mesa’s hand. “We just happened to see the ranch truck here on our way back from the airport.”
“I’ll see you at home then.” Nina stood and grabbed Terri’s check as Mesa and Joel waved goodbye. “Breakfast is on me.”
“No, it’s not. I’ve got it.”
“Nonsense. I ruined your breakfast with talk so I’ll pay for it. Ann, is that her total?” She shoved a twenty dollar bill at Ann along with the ticket.
“Thank you. You really didn’t have to buy my meal.”
“It’s the least I can do. I’ll see you back at the ranch too.” She hugged Terri. “Think about what I said, honey. He does love you and I think you love him too, but you two have some talking to do.”
“I will.”
Nina left with a wave of her hand as the bell tinkled on the door.
Terri felt lost. She’d become such a part of the family and life on the ranch in the several days she’d spent there, she didn’t want to leave. She finished her coffee and stood. No time like the present. Getting her stuff and hitting the road sounded like a great idea, although the possibility of running into Jeff soured her stomach. She didn’t want to deal with him and the hateful looks he’d be giving her, but it wasn’t to be helped. Hopefully he’d be busy and wouldn’t even know she’d been there and gone.
“Thanks for everything, Ann. You’ve been a great help.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie. I hope you and Jeff work things out.”
“I don’t think we will, but thank you for the sentiment.”
Terri grabbed her purse and headed for the door. Might as well get this over with.
Chapter Twelve
Terri inhaled on a sigh as she drove through the gate of the ranch. Longhorns grazed in the distance to the left in the open area. Birds flocked from one of the juniper trees as she drove by, clouding the sky with their mass. Gravel crunched under the tires of her car. The sunlight filtered through the puffy white clouds overhead. The main lodge house came into view along with the small cabins to the right, which included hers. Her little home away from home. She closed her eyes for a moment hoping the burn of tears would go away before she had to face packing her stuff for the trip back to Houston. The big city didn’t feel like home anymore. The slow pace of life here on the ranch felt more like family than anything she’d ever experienced.
When she opened her eyes she caught movement by the barn. A cowboy stood leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest and a black cowboy hat shading his eyes. Jeff. Damn. She’d really hoped she wouldn’t see him, but it was almost as if he’d been waiting for her to show up, watching for her car or something.
The ache in her chest made her rub the spot over her sternum. She hoped she wasn’t having a heart attack or something. Yeah, more like heartache.
He didn’t move. Just stood there watching with lips firmed in a straight line. She couldn’t see his eyes, but the slash of his lips told her he wasn’t happy.
She stepped from her car, slamming the door behind her firmly. This wouldn’t take long, she hoped, and she’d be on her way back to her life.
With her back ramrod straight, she headed for the front of the cabin, keeping an eye on the man in her peripheral vision. He never moved. She couldn’t even tell if he blinked. The concentration on his face never changed.
She opened the door to her cabin to glance inside. Nothing had changed. Her clothes still hung in the small closet. Her suitcase still sat open on the dresser waiting for her to put her clothes in it. Her computer sat on the desk right where she’d left it when she’d sent the report off to the wildlife committee the day before.
Jeff had changed her life irrevocably, but still life went on. How she would move on without him, she wasn’t sure, but she had to. He didn’t want her. The trust was gone and if she learned one thing about Jeffery Young, when you lost his trust, you lost everything.
She exhaled sharply as she shut the door. Tears formed, burning her eyelids as they trickled down her face. She would miss this place. Maybe someday she would come back for a visit, but then again no. Seeing him again would tear out her heart.
A knock sounded on the door. Did she dare answer it? Jeff? She hoped not. She didn’t think she could face him right now. She bit her lip as the knock sounded again.
“I know you’re in there, Terri. Open the door.”
It was him.
“Leave me alone, Jeff. Haven’t you done enough?”
“I want to talk to you.”
“You made it perfectly clear we were done last night.”
“Open the door or I’ll bust it down.”
“Fine.” She grumbled under her breath about stubborn-ass men as she opened the door. Damn it. He looked almost good enough to eat in his cowboy finery. He made even dirty boots and jeans look damn good. “What do you want?”
He pushed his way inside the room and closed the door. “You’re leaving?”
She looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Of course, I’m leaving. You told me to. My work here is done. The developers got their report.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“What are they planning to do with it?”
Apparently Nina hadn’t told him…yet. Terri paced the room, hoping for something, but she didn’t know what. Did he want her to stay? Did he really love her like Nina suggested? His words sounded clipped and fraught with anger. “I don’t know. They weren’t happy with my results. I’m sure they plan on getting another opinion, but it won’t matter. Things won’t change.”
“What did you tell them?”
“I can’t divulge my findings.”
“So this is it?”
“This is what, Jeff? What are you asking me? Last night you said you wanted me gone. I’m going. What else is there?”
“Nothin’ I guess.”
“Exactly. There’s nothing between us. There’s nothing left to say.”
“I guess this is goodbye then.”
“Yeah.” She wiped her face, not realizing tears still streaked her cheeks until his eyes narrowed. “Tell Ben goodbye for me.”
“I will.”
“He’s a great kid, Jeff. Take care of him.”
“I will.”
“I hope things work out with Misha. It would be great if she would disappear from his life, but I have a feeling you’ll be dealing with her for the rest of yours.”
“You didn’t hear?”
“Hear what?”
“The paramedics found her dead in her house this morning. The initial diagnosis was cardiac arrest from overdose.”
“Wow, really?”
“Yeah. I haven’t told Ben yet. I’m
not sure how to tell him.”
“Just be up front with him. I’m sure he’ll miss her.”
“Yeah. I never wished her dead even though she was a pain in my ass.”
Terri stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around his neck. She needed to feel his heat one more time before she walked out of his life forever. Jeff returned the hug. They stood that way for several minutes as she fought the return of her tears. “Give him a hug for me,” she whispered.
“I will.”
She closed her eyes and inhaled his scent. Musk, man and horse. She’d never be able to be around livestock again without thinking of him. “I guess this is goodbye.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
She stepped out of his arms and said, “Thanks for everything and I hope things work out for the best with the land next door.”
“I hope so too.”
“Just know I did my best.”
He tilted his head to the side with a look of confusion clouding his eyes, but he didn’t linger. His boots sounded hollow on the tile floor beneath his feet as he approached the door. With a quick look behind him, he returned the sunglasses to his eyes and disappeared with a soft click of the panel behind him.
* * * *
Jeff watched from the barn as Terri loaded her suitcase into the car. He wouldn’t ask her to stay. He couldn’t. His trust in her had been broken by the secrets and lies she’d told even though his heart said they didn’t matter.
“You’re an idiot, son.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Nina stood next to him watching Terri slide into her car and shut the door. The car started a few minutes before she backed out and slowly disappeared down the gravel drive. They continued to watch together until her car disappeared from sight.
“Have you told Ben about Misha yet?”
“No. I need to, but I’m not sure how.”
“Just tell him the truth, Jeff.”
“What is the truth, Mom? She didn’t love him. Not like a mother should.”
“I wouldn’t tell him she overdosed on drugs since we don’t exactly know what the cause of death is.”
“There’s no denying it from what I heard from the paramedics. They found Meth crystals and needles at her apartment. I’m sorry I didn’t notice track marks before or the fact that she seemed wired every time I saw her.”
“It explains her manic behavior when she showed up here earlier and her demand for money.”
“Yeah, it does.”
“Jeffery?”
“Yeah, Mom?”
“Why did you let Terri leave?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
He pushed his hat back on his head. “No.”
“Yes you are, son. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Even through the sunglasses?”
“Jeffery.”
“It doesn’t matter, Mom. I can’t trust her and without trust, there’s nothin’.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Hello?” He looked at his mom like she had two heads. “How can you ask something like that? After what Misha pulled and knowing Terri was working for the developers while they tried to put us out of business?”
“But in the long run, she didn’t, right?”
“I don’t know, Mom. We don’t know what they’re gonna do. They might still succeed with their plans. Terri wouldn’t tell me what she told them in her report. It was like she didn’t trust me.”
“Now there’s a turn of the cards. A woman not trust you?”
“You aren’t funny.”
His mom brushed her fingers from his cheek to his ear like she used to do when he was little. The soothing motion calmed his heart some. He knew he would always have the love of his family to fall back on and now he didn’t have to worry about Misha trying to take their son from him ever again. Was it wrong to be glad she was dead? Maybe. He’d have to have a chat with God tonight on his knees to beg for forgiveness.
“Honey, you’re in love with her. Why don’t you admit it?”
“In love with who?”
“Terri.”
“Because it doesn’t matter what I feel for her. She betrayed me.”
She exhaled through her mouth in a heavy sigh. “I wish I knew what to say to make you see she’s the right girl for you.”
“She might have been, but we’ll never know now.” He pulled his hat from his head and raked his fingers through his hair. “I guess I’m destined to live alone.”
The lunch bell clanged calling them inside. “We need to talk more after lunch. I have something to tell you I think might make a difference and maybe even make you go after her.”
He frowned wondering what his mother might have to tell him. What could possibly change his mind concerning Terri? “Why don’t you tell me now?”
Nina patted his cheek with her hand. “Because I want to give the girl a head start and give you the time to come to the same conclusion the rest of the family already has. You’re very much in love with her, but you can’t see past the hurt in your heart to see the wonderful woman she truly is.”
His mother turned to head for the main lodge with him bringing up the rear with slow, steady footsteps. What am I supposed to think? Obviously Mom knows something Terri’s done that might redeem her in my eyes, but I can’t possibly think what.
Lunch would be a noisy affair. The ranch was busy this week with guests. Every cabin had a family or a group in it. All but Terri’s now.
Jeff detoured toward her cabin. The door was unlocked so he slowly pushed it open. The room smelled like her. Her soft scent enveloped him bringing his thoughts back to the night they’d made love in this room. She’d given herself to him without reservation. Took everything he’d dished out with a relish few women he’d known could. It felt right. She felt right.
His heart lay tattered in pieces in his chest. She’d come and gone taking it with her as she drove down the driveway on her way back to Houston. Did she feel anything for him? He didn’t know. Could she? Possibly. She cared for Ben. He was certain of that fact.
Would she give him another chance if he asked? Could he put his heart out there like that again hoping she wouldn’t betray him like Misha?
What he wanted from Terri went beyond what he thought he’d felt for Misha. He’d never loved Misha like this.
Terri had his heart in the palm of her hand.
I love her.
The thought brought a smile to his mouth. He loved her. His heart felt lighter than it had in three years.
He spun around and headed for the main lodge. Going after her would be the right thing to do. He would convince her he loved her and wanted her to come back to Thunder Ridge with him if it was the last thing he ever did.
The big heavy door on the side of the building gave way to his insistent push. The crowd grew quiet as he walked toward the family table. An expectancy hung in the air.
“I love her!”
“It’s about damned time you figured it out,” Jeremiah said with a laugh.
The whole room erupted into cheers.
“I’m glad you understand now, son,” Nina said, patting the chair next to her for him to sit. “Eat lunch and then go after her. Bring her back here where she belongs.”
Soon the crowd of guests had their fill of food and the family took their places to pile their own plates. Jeff sat down with his and Ben’s.
“Daddy, did you ask Terri to be my new mom yet?”
“Not yet, buddy, but soon.”
“But she left and didn’t say goodbye.”
“She told me to kiss you.” He leaned over and kissed Ben’s head. “And tell you she loved you, but she’d see you again soon.”
“Yay!” Ben clapped his hands. “When?”
“Hopefully before the weekend, son.”
“I’m glad you’ve come to your senses, Jeff,” James added to the conversation.
“What did you want to tell me, Mo
m?”
“Terri saved the ranch.”
“Huh?”
“She had a meeting with one of developers this morning. Because of the information she gathered, they won’t be able to build on their land. It’s now a wildlife refuge because of a rare bird she spotted. It’s useless to them now.”
“She what? Really?”
“Yeah. They won’t bother us anymore.”
“Why didn’t she tell me?”
“Because she didn’t want your love based on something she did to save the ranch, I imagine. You needed to come to the conclusion you loved her for herself. If you couldn’t, then you didn’t love her enough.”
He turned to face his mother. He needed to understand some things about women and how they thought. Of course, it was probably too late for that. “So why tell me now?”
“You said you loved her. You’ve moved past the hurt Misha caused and found love again with someone who will love you with all of her heart.”
“What if she doesn’t love me? What if I drive all the way to Houston and she slams the door in my face?”
“Do you think that’s the truth?”
“I’m not sure. She never said she loved me.”
Nina patted his hand. “Son, until you confess your love for her, she’ll hold her love inside her heart and only bring it out when she’s alone and can cry without worrying about someone wondering what’s wrong. Women do those kinds of things.”
“I need to go now.” He jumped to his feet. “I have to catch her before she gets home.”
“Sit down and eat, Jeff. She doesn’t have much of a head start on you. Besides,” Nina’s eyebrow rose over her left eye, “you’ll need her address to get to her home, wrap her in your arms and never let her go.”
Mom is probably right. She’s been right about everything so far. He nodded at his mother, who gave him a sly grin. I knew I should have paid more attention to her when I had the chance.
Lunch couldn’t be eaten fast enough for him while he contemplated what he would say to Terri when he caught her. Catch her he would whether it be somewhere along the way or once she got home. She’d have a good hour head start on him, but he’d catch her one way or another.
Healing a Cowboy's Heart (Cowboy Dreamin' 2) Page 14