“I know.”
Zeke picked up his phone from the table. “Did I miss your text, Garrett? I thought you were going to—”
“I was, but then I felt like walking.”
Jake glanced at him. “Everything okay?”
“Everything’s fine. Anna was thrilled to get her car back so soon.” He looked at Zeke. “She asked me to thank you for helping out.”
“My pleasure.”
“Good thing you got here before nine, Uncle Garrett, ’cause that’s my bedtime. But we can squeeze in one more game. You want to play, right?”
“Sure. What’s the buy-in?”
“Twenty-five cents, but if you don’t have it, I’ll make you a loan. Interest-free.”
“That’s very generous, but I think I have it.” He dug a quarter out of his pocket. “Who’s the banker?”
“Me.” She held out her hand. “You can sit right there next to Uncle Rafe. Maybe you’ll bring him luck.”
“I’d be honored if you’d sit by me, bro. Heard about your heroic deed yesterday.”
“What heroic deed?” Claire gave him his chips.
“It’s nothing.” He took the chips. “What are we playing?”
“Up to Claire,” Kate said. “She’s the dealer this round.”
“Texas Hold ’Em.” She shuffled with surprising skill for her age. “Twos are wild.” She passed the deck to Jake to cut the cards. “I still want to know about this heroic deed.”
“The one we told you about when we had tea,” Kate said. “Uncle Garrett saved the day when Anna’s brakes failed.”
“That was you?” She beamed at him. “That’s cool! I’ve heard so many Buckskin Ranch stories today that they’re all a mish-mash in my brain.” She took back the cards from Jake, got to her knees on the chair to give herself a longer reach, and began to deal. “I’ll get them straight eventually.”
“I have no doubt.” He was thoroughly entertained by this self-possessed little girl. “Who taught you to play poker?”
“My daddy. I had to talk him into it. But I’m going to be a wrangler, and everybody knows they play poker.” She proceeded to direct the game with the poise of a professional and won the hand.
After collecting her chips, she gazed at her father. “Daddy, can we play one—”
“No, honey. That’s it. Go brush your teeth and put on your PJs. I’ll be there in a few minutes to tuck you in.”
“Yes, sir.” She slid off her chair and made the rounds, hugging everyone goodnight.
Zeke gazed after her, love and pride shining in his expression. Then he turned back to the group and lowered his voice. “I want to thank you for making my daughter’s dreams come true.”
Jake chuckled. “She dreamed of poker?”
“Not just poker. Playing a game in a bunkhouse like this one.” He glanced at Millie and Kate. “You two are a bonus. She couldn’t stop talking about the tea party. She raved about the flowered teapot from England, the taste of loose-leaf tea with honey, the brownies, the pretty napkins. She loved everything.”
“She’s like a sponge,” Millie said. “I can’t wait for her to watch a barrel racing demonstration by the Babes.”
“Oh, my God, that’ll be epic,” Kate said. “But be prepared, Zeke, because she’s going to want to be a barrel racer, too. I can smell it coming. Save your pennies.”
“Oh, I will. But first she has to learn to ride.”
“Garrett and I talked about that today,” Jake said. “When you’re ready to start the lessons, Lucky Ducky is your best bet. We’ll get with you and figure out a practice schedule.”
“I’d appreciate that.” He held Jake’s gaze. “I appreciate everything. I couldn’t ask for a better…” He paused and cleared his throat. “You’ve all been great to my daughter.”
“It’s easy,” Jake said. “She’s amazing.”
Zeke swallowed. “Yes, yes, she is.” He pushed back his chair. “I’d better go hurry her along.”
After he left, Garrett looked over at Jake. “How’s it going, bro?”
He took a shaky breath. “I still see my dad every time I look at him, but I’m losing the urge to punch him.”
“That’s progress.”
“Evidently my dad took up with his mom right after I was born. Zeke’s only a year younger than me.”
“Was your wedding the reason he found out about you?”
“Yep. My mom told him I was happily married and he decided Millie and I could be a support system for Zeke and Claire. You were right about that.”
“Then does your mom know about Zeke, now?”
“No, she does not. My dad asked her for my address so he could send Millie and me a wedding present.”
“Which he did,” Millie said. “I’m reserving judgment about Zeke until I get to know him better, but Claire’s definitely a gift.”
Kate nodded. “For sure. This afternoon she was super careful with the teacups and saucers. When I let her pour, she treated it like an enormous privilege.”
“She’s easy to love, all right.” Garrett couldn’t help contrasting her behavior with Georgie’s. He sighed. “Too bad Georgie isn’t more like her.”
Rafe gave him a nudge. “Has he kicked you in the privates, yet?”
“He wouldn’t kick me on purpose.” He hesitated. “At least I don’t think so.”
“He wouldn’t,” Millie said. “I haven’t seen any aggression when he comes into the visitor center with Anna. Just avoidance. He stays far away from Jake.”
“Hurt my feelings, too,” Jake said. “Until I found out he doesn’t like Garrett, either. Or any man.”
Rafe grew more alert. “Sounds like a problem with the father.”
“Yep.” Garrett relayed what he knew about Anna’s ex.
Rafe swore softly. Then he dragged in a breath and scrubbed a hand over his face. “I hate hearing that kind of thing.” His gaze took in the men at the table. “Guess we all do.”
“Yeah,” Jake said, “but in this case, we might be able to repair the damage while he’s still young.” He glanced at Garrett. “When I asked you how it was going, you said fine.”
“I didn’t want to get into it right then, but things didn’t go well with Georgie. He stayed in his room the whole time I was there.”
“Did things go well with Anna, then?” Jake smiled.
“None of your business.”
“Just wondering if that’s why you looked so pleased with yourself when you walked in.”
“Aha.” Rafe pointed a finger at him. “Now I get the picture. I thought I detected a gleam in your eye.”
“That’s a side issue. I—”
“A side issue?” Millie gave him the stink-eye. “Are you calling Anna a side issue?”
“No, I just—”
“Seems to me it’s all the same issue. One created by her miserable ex.”
He gazed at Millie. “You’re right, as usual. I stand corrected.”
“The problem isn’t complicated.” Millie neatened up her stack of chips. “But it is tough. Convincing Anna and her son that you can be trusted won’t be easy.”
“And if I can’t make progress with Georgie, I’m finished. He doubled down tonight, wouldn’t come out of his room at all.”
Millie gave him a sympathetic glance. “That’s a shame.”
“I thought of one way to go. He loves the Stetson Henri gave him today and he likes dancing to country music. I think with a little encouragement he might decide he wants to be a cowboy.”
“Unless his dad’s one,” Jake said.
“He isn’t. That’s kind of where I’m going with this—cowboys have a reputation as the good guys.”
“Come to think of it,” Rafe said, “that was a big draw for me.”
“Same here.” Garrett glanced around the table. “So is the concept solid?”
“It’s good,” Millie said. “But how do you plan to go about it?”
“I want to start with Anna.”
Jake laughed. “I’m guessing you’ve already started with Anna.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“Am I wrong?”
“Never mind. The point is, I’m meeting her at the barn tomorrow during her lunch hour.”
“Are you, now?”
“It’s not what you’re thinking. Ultimately I’d like Georgie to visit the barn and pet the horses. But Anna needs to take him down there and she’s never been around a stable. I want her to feel confident so Georgie will, too.”
Jake smirked.
“Cut it out, Jake. I’m introducing her to the horses and providing lunch. That’s it.”
“Uh-huh. Just keep in mind she only has an hour break.”
Millie smacked him on the arm. “Garrett’s come up with an excellent idea for initiating this plan. Don’t tease him.”
“Millie, darling, it’s what I do. And if Garrett spends almost an hour with Anna in a barn that’s largely deserted that time of day, and he doesn’t take the opportunity provided, he’s not the man I think he is.”
“Then I suggest you give Anna an extra half-hour for her lunch break.”
“Excellent idea.” Jake winked at him.
Garrett ducked his head to hide a grin. The trip to the barn was for Anna and Georgie’s benefit, but the place usually was quiet around noon.
Jake’s teasing had sparked an idea. If he passed the word around that he’d appreciate having some privacy during the lunch hour, he could guarantee nobody would show up. Under those circumstances, what would be the harm in stealing a kiss or two?
Chapter Twelve
The temperature dipped the next morning and a blustery wind blew in heavy gray clouds that promised snow. The clouds had settled into the canyons of the jagged mountain range by the time Anna left the visitor center for her lunch date with Garrett. It likely wouldn’t start snowing before she came back.
Tucking her wool scarf around her neck, she pulled up her parka hood and put on her gloves before climbing in the car. She’d changed out of her Raptors Rise shirt into the one she’d wear later to pick up Georgie. She’d also put on her snow boots. Jake had said her loafers would be fine, but she wasn’t taking any chances. It was a barn, after all.
The double doors of the hip-roofed barn were closed when she drove into the clearing. Garrett was waiting for her, leaning against the weathered wood, one booted foot propped against it, his hat nudged back and his hands shoved in the pockets of his shearling coat.
He smiled, drawing her attention to the lips that had driven her to distraction last night. She gulped. He wouldn’t kiss her in broad daylight, though. Anyone could come along.
Yeah, kissing would not be happening. What a relief. And a disappointment? Yes, much as she hated to admit it. The prospect of another kiss had been niggling at her all morning.
But the barn was a critical feature of this ranch. The other wranglers would be around… wrangling.
Pushing away from the wall, Garrett ambled toward her. No trucks were parked near the barn, leaving her unsure where she should put her car. She didn’t want to take someone else’s spot. Someone who could drive up any minute.
She braked, rolled down her window and called to him. “Where should I park?”
“Just pull straight ahead.” He gestured toward the barn. “Keep going until your tires touch that pole staked to the ground.”
“Got it.” She rolled up the window.
He followed her over, walking along beside the car. When she switched off the engine, he reached for the door handle and pulled. Then he rapped on the window.
Déjà vu. She hit the unlock button and he opened the door.
She glanced up at him. “Sorry. Habit.”
He extended his hand. “Left over from the big city?”
“I guess.” She put her hand in his and wished she’d taken her gloves off after turning off the engine. But even with them on, she registered a zing of pleasure as his fingers tightened around hers. “Normally I have Georgie in the car and locking all the doors feels safer.”
“I’m sure it does.” He helped her out.
When he released her hand, she took off her gloves and shoved them in her pocket. “Locking the front doors makes no sense, though. He’s in the back seat which has child-proof locks.”
His expression gentled. “If it feels safer to you, then go for it.”
“Maybe as he gets older I won’t be so paranoid.” Turning, she pushed the door shut.
“I wouldn’t call it paranoid. You’re solely responsible for a very young child.”
“True.” What a feast for the eyes he was. She’d better not spend too much time looking at him, though. Every time she did her pulse rate spiked.
“That places quite a burden on your shoulders.”
The compassion in his soft-spoken words prompted her to admit something she rarely told anyone. “I can’t count how many times I’ve been terrified of making the wrong decision. And if I do, the consequences will be…” She took a shaky breath. “Awful.”
“But you’ve made a lot of good decisions.”
“Thank you.” Was kissing him one of them? Or a huge mistake? Either way, she needed to stop looking at his tempting mouth.
“Ready for your barn tour?”
Barn tour. Right. “Absolutely.”
He held out his hand. “Then let’s get started.”
She hesitated, in debate mode once again.
“Would you rather not hold my hand?”
She looked up. “It’s just that I....”
He waited, his gaze patient.
“Holding your hand isn’t such a big deal, is it?”
His eyes sparkled with amusement. “I don’t know. Is it?”
“No.” She slipped her fingers through his. And wasn’t that lovely? Warmth traveled up her arm and fanned out in anticipation of more sensual stimulation. Ah, she was traveling a tricky path.
“Let’s go visit some horses.” Tightening his grip, he led her toward the heavy double doors, grasped the handle of the one on the right and effortlessly slid it open. Awareness curled in her belly.
She stepped inside and he pushed the door shut, enclosing them in cozy warmth surrounded by a pleasant scent like cut grass. Electrified antique lanterns hanging from the beams bathed the wooden interior in a retro glow.
Clearly he’d put time into arranging their lunch venue. Next to the stall on her left, two stacked hay bales were draped with a red checkered cloth and places had been set. A tree stump on either side of the makeshift table provided rustic seating.
She glanced back at him. “And I thought you’d just hand me a sandwich you grabbed out of a cooler. This is very nice.” And romantic.
“I wanted your first-ever barn visit to be special.”
“Is that why Jake insisted on giving me an extra half-hour for lunch? He knew what you were up to?”
“Um, more or less.” His lips twitched as if he was trying not to laugh.
Was he planning to kiss her during this barn tour? The signs were beginning to point in that direction.
He cleared his throat and gestured behind her. “Lucky Ducky’s impatient to meet you.”
She turned and came eye-to-eye with a good-sized brown horse who’d poked his nose over the stall door. “I see what you mean about the white patch on his forehead. It does look like a four-leaf clover.”
“It’s worked for him, too. He’s led a charmed life.”
“Is that so, Lucky Ducky?”
The horse regarded her solemnly for a moment before stretching his nose in her direction. She backed up and stepped on Garrett’s boots. “Whoops, sorry.”
“No problem. You okay?”
“He startled me when he did that.”
“He’s hoping you’ll give him a piece of carrot.”
“Was I supposed to bring one?”
“No, ma’am.” He reached around her, a chunk of carrot resting on his palm. “Hold it just like this and he’ll nib
ble it off your hand.”
She plucked the carrot from his palm. “He won’t bite me?”
“He’s an herbivore. He prefers carrots to fingers.”
The rumble of his voice just behind her shoulder sent shivers up her spine. “Good to know.”
“He’s a sweetheart. He was here when Lucy started coming to the Buckskin with her folks years ago. He was the first horse she rode. He’s still her favorite.”
“How old is he?”
“Henri’s not sure. Past thirty. He owes his longevity to the nutritious carrots people feed him. Hint, hint.”
“I’m getting there.” She positioned the chunk of carrot on her palm the way he’d shown her, moved forward and held out the carrot.
“Closer. Don’t make him strain to get it.” Garrett put a hand at her waist and gave her a subtle nudge.
Her slight quiver had nothing to do with the horse and everything to do with the virile man and the warmth of his touch.
She took another step and extended her arm. Lucky Ducky lowered his lips to her palm and nuzzled it gently.
Her breath hitched. “Tickles.”
“See how gently he scooped it up?”
“See how big his teeth are?”
“I’m not saying horses don’t bite. Some do if they’ve had poor training or have been abused. We don’t have any biters. Want to give him another one?”
“Okay.” She fed Lucky a second piece of carrot and he repeated the same routine, his mouth brushing lightly over her palm as he gathered up his treat. This was becoming fun. “How about one more?”
“Two’s enough for now. We can give him more when we come back to eat our lunch. But petting him would be good. He likes that, too.”
“I don’t know how a horse likes to be petted.”
“I’ll show you.” He drew her closer to the stall. “He enjoys having his neck stroked and scratched. Most horses do. Like this.” He rubbed a hand over the animal’s powerful neck before curving his fingers and giving him a slow scratch.
A shudder of pleasure rippled through Lucky’s body. If Garrett did that to her, she’d probably respond the same way.
“You try it.”
She laid her palm on the horse’s neck. “His coat’s softer than I expected.”
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