by Marin Thomas
In another minute all three children on ponies rode out of the barn in their riding gear. The ponies were as beautiful and unique as their riders. Kit reached for her cell phone to take a picture, but realized she must have forgotten to bring it with her.
“Mom—” Andy had finally noticed her on Daisy near the corral fencing.
“Hi, honey! Just look at you guys! I bet it’s fun to be on a pony.”
“It is!” His words came out on a laugh. “Ross was right. Riding one is a lot easier than a horse.”
Another small miracle.
After flashing Ross a grateful glance, she lifted her gaze to the rugged, fit cowboy trailing behind them. He looked as if he’d been born in the saddle. Even from the distance separating them, his eyes burned a brilliant blue. He tipped his black hat with a smile. “Mrs. Wentworth!”
She smiled. “It’s Kit. I’m so happy to meet you at last, Mr. Lundgren.”
“Call me Carson. Your son’s a fine horseman,” he said on a cough.
Kit liked the owner already. “That’s so nice to hear. As his mother, I’m afraid I’m biased.”
He grinned. “Of course. For our first time I thought we’d ride to the south pasture. It’s not far and the kids will enjoy seeing part of the herd.”
“Sounds terrific.”
With Carson in the lead, they left the corral taking a different trail from the riders she’d seen earlier. He kept up a running conversation with the kids. Ross dropped back to her side. They followed the others, meandering in and out of the forested area of the ranch. The underbrush was full of small animal life, delighting her. Ross looked over at her. “You’ve got a mysterious smile on your face. What’s that all about?”
“You’ll think I’m silly if I tell you.”
“Try me.”
Ross was so easy to talk to. “When I was a young teen, I think I read every Louis L’Amour book ever published. As you know, that included his novels about Hopalong. Riding through this forest is like reliving some of them. I’ve got gooseflesh. Look!”
His eyes roved over her arms, taking all of her in at the same time without being obvious about it. “Carson’s going to have fun talking to you. He has a library full of them at his house.”
“You’re kidding!”
“Nope. I still have a backache from carrying the collection into his new house.” She chuckled. “It’ll be interesting to hear the two of you compare notes on your favorite books.”
“Because we were coming to a ranch, I brought several Louis L’Amours and a Jack London to read to Andy if he’ll let me.”
“Call of the Wild is one I’d love to be reading for the first time.”
“I feel the same way. Jack London is another American author I particularly like. Andy has always wanted a dog, but his grandparents haven’t allowed one. I think he’ll like that book. The trouble is, he struggles a little in reading. Now that we’re here, I hope to help him get more interested in books. My grandmother read to me and it got me turned on to it.”
“How old were you when your parents were killed?”
“Eight.”
“That’s a tough age to lose your parents.”
“Just a year younger than Andy.”
“He’s lucky to have you.”
She was starting to feel emotional again and turned her head away. How was she ever going to repay these men for what they were doing for her and Andy?
Before long they came to an open meadow dotted with cattle. The sight of the herd combined with lowing sounds communicated a feeling of peace she relished.
Ross sidled next to her. “Another part of the herd is up on the mountain. We’ll ride up there another day.”
While she took it all in, her son rode over to her. The kids followed him. “See that border collie with the stockman, Mom?”
“Yes. He really keeps that herd in line.”
“That’s Buster,” Johnny explained.
“I wish I had a dog.”
“I know you do, honey.” He would never know the losing arguments she’d had with the in-laws about letting Andy have a pet. Florence had no need for animals that she didn’t deem “useful”.
At that point the children got into a discussion about dogs while they watched Buster do his job. Carson gave out snacks and bottled water from his saddlebag. After another half hour had passed, he suggested they head back to the ranch.
While Ross rode next to Kit, Carson closed in on her other side, and the kids rode in front of them. “You’re a good rider, too.”
“Thanks. It’s the horse beneath me. But it’s also this ranch and everything that goes with it. You live in cowboy heaven.” The men laughed. “I think I died and went there. With the Tetons looming over us, this is Bendigo Shafter country.”
Carson’s eyes lit up. “Aha! I can see you and I have a lot to talk about.”
“Told you.” Ross’s aside made her smile.
Johnny turned in the saddle looking confused. “Who’s that Bingo guy?” That kid had ears in the back of his head.
The men roared with laughter. Kit tried to suppress hers. Johnny was so cute. “He’s a person in a book I love.”
“Is he a cowboy like my dad?”
“Come to think of it, he is.” Bigger than life, like these men.
“My mom loves to read,” Andy piped up. His comment shocked Kit because he had been so withdrawn and rarely interjected into conversation.
“So do I!” Jenny exclaimed.
“What’s one of your favorite books, honey?”
“The Goose Girl.”
“Goose Girl!” Johnny started laughing.
“I’ve read it. That author won an award,” Kit said.
“It’s really good. Nana helps me with the hard words.”
“Andy and I will have to read it.”
“You can borrow it. I have it in my room.”
“Thank you. And maybe one evening you guys would like me to read a chapter of Call of the Wild to you. It’s great, too.”
“What’s it about?” Jenny wanted to know.
“A very special dog.”
“Is he a terrier like mine?”
She shook her head at Johnny. “No. He’s a cross between a collie and a Saint Bernard with the name Buck, the same as your daddy, Jenny. He gets stolen and sold to a trainer of sled dogs in Alaska. The man is kind, but then he dies. I won’t tell you the rest.”
“Let’s do it tonight in the games room while we eat popcorn and drink sodas.” Ross’s suggestion excited the children.
Andy’s gaze sought hers. “Can we, Mom?”
What? Was this her glum son from a day ago? “We’re here to have fun. Right?”
He nodded.
Johnny and Jenny shouted hooray.
Carson made an unexpected announcement. “After we get back we’ll go for a swim and have a water fight before dinner.”
“You’re on,” Kit heard Ross say.
No doubt they did this sort of thing all the time. They lived on an exciting plane she’d forgotten existed.
The six of them headed for the barn in the distance. Johnny rode next to Andy. “Tonight’s the barbecue. Do you like ribs?”
“What are those?”
“Beef you eat off the bone,” Kit explained. “I’m afraid Andy’s grandparents don’t eat barbecued ribs.”
“Oh. They’re really nummy.”
“And messy,” Jenny piped up. Both she and Johnny giggled.
Kit smiled at them. “Even so, my mouth is watering for some already. You’re going to love them, Andy.”
By the time they returned the horses to the barn, it was decided they’d all get their swimming gear and meet at the pool. Carson and Johnny left the barn in the Jee
p.
Ross dropped off Jenny at the ranch house before driving Kit and Andy back to the cabin.
“I’ll be by for you in half an hour, unless you need more time.”
“We don’t need more time, do we, Mom?”
Again her son’s question took her by surprise. He actually sounded eager. Johnny and Jenny were a lot of fun. Not for the first time did she wish she’d had another baby so Andy wouldn’t be an only child. It was a different world growing up without siblings. Kit ought to know. She would have loved a brother or sister to confide in.
“No. We’ll be ready. In fact there’s no need for you to come and get us. We’ll meet you at the pool.”
He tipped his hat. “See you soon, then.”
After he drove off they went inside. She spotted her phone lying on the table. With a sense of dread she reached for it and discovered four messages, three from her in-laws and one from Nila Thornton in Texas. Kit checked her watch. It was ten after four.
She would call her friend tonight but decided she’d better phone her in-laws now. There wouldn’t be time later. First she freshened up and put on her bikini beneath a change of jeans and a crew neck sweater. While Andy was changing, she phoned them without listening to the messages.
“Hello, Charles? How are you?”
“Never mind me. Why haven’t you answered any of our calls?”
“We’ve been out riding most of the day. Now we’re going to take a swim before dinner.”
“I want to speak to Andy.”
“Just a minute.” Her son had just walked in the living room. She handed him the phone.
“Hello?”
It took a long time before Andy could get a word in. “But we just barely got here, Grandfather.”
His comment gave Kit a jolt.
This was the first time she’d ever heard her son argue with Charles. She was incredulous. A subtle change had come over Andy. For him not to fall in line with his grandfather’s wishes meant he was really enjoying this vacation.
“But Ross has all this fun stuff planned.” Ross. After another minute Andy handed her the phone. “He wants to talk to you,” he whispered. “I don’t want to go home yet.”
Kit’s adrenaline kicked in. “We’re not leaving,” she whispered back before saying hello to Charles once more. “I’m sorry, but we have to hang up now so we won’t be late for dinner. We’ll call you tomorrow. Good night.”
Once she’d hung up, Andy stared at her in apprehension. “He’s mad at me.”
“No, honey, I’m the one he’s upset with.” Thank heaven. She put an arm around his shoulders. “Let’s not let it spoil our trip. You know what he’s like, but he’ll get over it.” If only that were true. “Shall we go?” Remembering the plans for after dinner, she wrapped up the Jack London book in some towels and they left.
* * *
ROSS RAN INTO Buck’s wife, Alex, in the downstairs hallway. She smiled when she saw him. “Thanks for looking after Jenny. She had a wonderful time today. Apparently our newest young guest is a good rider.”
“He’s a good swimmer, too.”
“So I hear.” She handed him a folded note. “I took a message for you at the front desk. See you at the pool in a few minutes.” Alex covered the counter when they needed help.
“Thanks.” He took the stairs two at a time to his room. After a quick shower he’d change into his swimsuit. But first he looked at the message. The name Charles Wentworth caused him to pause in his tracks.
Why would he be calling the ranch? Surely he had his daughter-in-law’s cell phone number. He pressed the digits and waited.
“This is Charles Wentworth.”
Ross blinked. The man sounded like Ross’s father who, without preamble, assumed everyone knew who he was and expected to be catered to.
“Ross Livingston here.” He could be just as peremptory. He’d learned from a master who’d happened to be his own father. “I understand you wished to talk to one of us in charge at the dude ranch. How can I help you?”
“You’re the one I want to speak to about Andrew.”
“He’s a fine boy.”
“Andrew’s the reason I’m calling. Can you guarantee his safety for the rest of the time he’s with you?”
Ross frowned. Could anyone? It was an odd question. What about Kit’s safety? “We’re doing our best. Being retired marines, we’ve never had a problem protecting our guests.”
“I’m afraid that’s not going to be good enough in an environment like yours. After our trip to Norway, I shouldn’t have allowed Kathryn to take him.”
Allowed? He held the phone tighter. “Why not?”
“Let’s just say she shouldn’t be there on her own and needs watching. I told her I want my grandson home by midweek and I expect you to make it happen. Do I make myself clear? Otherwise I’ll hold you personally responsible.”
For what?
Ross could feel hackles rising on the back of his neck. Nothing caused his blood to boil faster than a bullying tactic. Ross’s father had tried that once too often until he’d gone into the military out of his parent’s reach. As far as he was concerned, Charles Wentworth was of the same ilk as his father and could go to hell.
“Surely that will be up to your daughter-in-law to decide.”
“Do you know who you’re talking to?”
Ross had had enough. “You’ll have to take this up with her. Now I’m afraid duty calls. Goodbye.”
He was full of adrenaline after getting off the phone. She needs watching. What in the hell did that mean? Was there something wrong with her? With Andy? The man had sounded positively feudal. As he thought about their conversation, Ross grimaced, not liking some of the thoughts he was having.
By the time he got ready and went down to the pool, his good mood had been altered. He was riddled with questions that needed answering, but that couldn’t happen until tonight after Andy went to bed.
The patio was filled with guests taking advantage of the late afternoon sun. The weather was perfect for the barbecue they held every weekend for all their dude ranch guests. He didn’t see Andy or Kit. Maybe they hadn’t arrived yet or were still in the cabana.
A few guests were swimming in the pool. His gaze traveled the length of it until he spotted a dark-haired woman with a heavenly body treading water in the deep end. The top half of the light blue bikini she filled out was barely visible. Kit.
Two males, probably in their twenties, had closed in to talk to her. Whether they were there on their own or with girlfriends, Ross had no idea. All he could see was that they were enjoying themselves and eating her alive with their eyes.
No sin had been committed, but an unfamiliar sensation attacked Ross in the gut. Driven by another gush of pure adrenaline, he dropped his towel on a chair and dived deep to reach those beautiful legs keeping her afloat.
“Ross!” She half laughed in surprise when he rose out of the water next to her. In that first instant, he saw pleasure flash in those deep green orbs. Enough to satisfy him she wasn’t indifferent to him.
“How are you this evening, Mrs. Wentworth?” He’d stressed the “Mrs.” so the two guys surrounding her would get the point. That brought another laugh from her.
“I’m fine, Mr. Livingston.” She gave as good as she got. He liked that.
“Where’s Andy?”
“He went with Buck to find Jenny.”
Good ol’ Buck. “So, who are your friends?” he asked without taking his eyes off her. Wet and sans makeup, she was a lovely sight.
“I don’t know who you mean.” But a slow smile spread over the classic features of her face. “I guess you frightened off some of your guests when you surfaced like a submarine in enemy waters.”
“They shouldn’t have let their guard down.” His
pulse had taken off with dizzying speed. “Did I ruin anything important?”
“Well...if they had any plans, you successfully sabotaged them. Something you learned in the marines?”
It was his turn to laugh, which provoked a cough.
Her smile was replaced by a look of anxiety. “Does the water make your condition worse?”
“That depends on who’s in it with me.”
She was quiet for a minute before she said, “Aren’t you ever serious?”
Where she was concerned, he was becoming serious way too fast. Now this phone call from her father-in-law was raising questions that wouldn’t leave him alone.
“How about a race to the other end of the pool?”
Fire lit her eyes. “You’re on!”
The battle had begun. They had to swim out and around a couple of guests to reach the shallow end. She was an excellent swimmer, a skill no doubt developed by spending many hours at the Wentworth mansion swimming pool. He had to pour it on to save face and came up coughing.
“Way to go, Mom! You beat Ross!” Andy had reappeared with Jenny.
“That’s because he let me.” Out of breath, she hugged the edge of the pool. Kit’s gaze switched to her son. “You know what? The sun has gone down, and they’re setting up for the barbecue. Let’s change back into our clothes.”
“Can’t Andy swim with us a little longer?” Jenny stared at her expectantly.
“Sure. Do you want to, honey?”
He nodded. “Let’s do dives off the board.”
Johnny jumped up and down. “We’ll play follow the leader.”
The children took off for the deep end, leaving Ross alone with Kit. Everyone else was getting out of the pool. “You’re a great swimmer.”
A tantalizing half smile broke the corner of her mouth. “You want to know what’s really great? The way you handled Andy today without handling him, if you know what I mean.”
He cocked his head. “I’m afraid he’s like me. I don’t respond well to authority.” The phone call with Charles Wentworth was a case in point.
“That’s because you’re your own person with the strength of your convictions. I’d like to see my son grow up like that. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get changed.”