Never Say Never Again

by A. E. Easterlin

  “Not very well. He didn’t exactly run in my circle of friends.”

  “No, suppose not. Eli had quite the rep with the ladies.”

  “How about Gideon?” Miss Curiosity asked.

  “Gideon had his fair share. Had a steady girl a time or two, as I recall, but nothing ever came of it. The life he led in the military…I don’t think Uncle Sam encouraged him to form an involvement with the fairer sex. Don’t know exactly what, but the rumor mill had him in some special unit working off-the-grid missions.”

  Loretta cast an exasperated glance at her husband. “Where’d you hear all that? They say it’s women who gossip, but my man always seems to know what’s going on in this town.”

  Stan swooped down and smacked his wife on the lips. “I keep my ears open and my mouth shut.”

  Loretta punched him in the chest, but a smile tipped her lips. Their antics made Maddie smile. If she could have something like Stan and Loretta had, maybe marriage wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  “Anyway, it’s not gossip—its information. And I heard it from Pap. You should ask him, Maddie. He has his finger on the pulse of everything that goes on around these parts, and he’s real fond of Gideon.”

  “Evidently. I can’t believe he hasn’t mentioned him,” she replied. “Speaking of which—I should get back home. Thanks for the root beer—and the backup. See you guys later.”

  Loretta gave her a quick hug. “Anytime. Let’s do a girl’s night soon, okay?”

  “You’re the one married to a slave driver—not me. You find the time, and we’ll do the crime. I haven’t worn a dress since I moved back.”

  Maddie heard Stan as she walked out the door. “Looks like Gideon’s come home at just about the right time.”

  It didn’t take a genius to guess what he meant.

  Chapter Three

  Gideon Branch slid his sunglasses over his eyes and stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Focusing all his attention across the street, one end of his mouth twitched as the petite beauty stripped the clutch of her ’63 Chevy pickup and backed out of the parking space in front of Loretta’s.

  Damn, she was cute as a button. Generous curves in all the right places. And that sassy mouth. Gave those two cowboys a piece of her mind. Sweet and hot—just the way he liked them.

  A twinge below his belt had him thinking about how close she’d be living to Snowy Branch, and how long it had been since he’d enjoyed a woman’s affections. Through his last tour of duty, the explosion, surgery, and rehab, he’d been celibate for damn near a year. No wonder a girl with golden curls and a heart-shaped bottom made him anxious to rectify the condition.

  Who was he kidding? What would a beautiful woman like Maddie Lowry want with a torn-up old Marine? He had a good ten years on her in age, and the way she looked, men had to be coming out of the woodwork to date her.

  Date? What did that even mean in this day and age? Hell, no, he was beyond that phase of his life. Gideon snorted and pushed his hat back on his head. Oh, he knew what he wanted, all right. Wasn’t opposed to getting acquainted, a little “wooing,” as his grandma would say. But not for long. He was home to start the rest of his life—the “real” life. Find a good woman, settle down, build the ranch, and have about six kids before it was too late.

  A mental image of Maddie Mae Lowery rounded with his child in her belly made him groan out loud. Who was he kidding? He didn’t stand a chance.

  Age was one thing—but a Marine with a bum leg? It wouldn’t take Maddie long to put him in his place, not if the way she was putting those two yahoos away, before he stepped in, was any indication of her skill.

  Gideon bit back a chuckle—God, she was a firecracker—beautiful and spirited. He adjusted his stance as a fantasy hit him: Maddie in his bed, all that thick, red-gold hair spread out over his pillow. Her curvy woman’s body bared to his view. Sinking into her warmth as she closed around him. It was one hell of a dream, and she was one hell of a woman, and he wanted to taste her more than a thirsty man on a desert trail wanted a cool drink of water.

  But Maddie wasn’t a Friday-night-girl type of woman. She was Pap Lowry’s precious granddaughter all grown up. He respected and loved the man too much to deal lightly with her. And from what he’d heard, she’d had a hard time.

  The older man had written him all about it. She’d been stood up at the altar by Harrison McCall, who everyone in town but her knew was of the other persuasion.

  Those two had been inseparable since kindergarten. Too damn close for her to see there was no future for her with him. Loved him since they were kids. Too bad nobody clued her in—guess everyone wanted to ignore the obvious and look the other way. Out here, one minded one’s own business.

  From what he knew of Harrison, he’d been an okay guy—popular, athletic, not the kind to lead a girl on. Most probably he hadn’t known who he was or what to do about it, and simply hadn’t wanted to hurt the girl he loved. And there was no doubt, even from an early age, Harrison loved Maddie Mae. He just wasn’t in love with her. Or any woman. Maddie was too infatuated to notice—or care.

  So she’d come home with a broken heart and, from what he’d overheard in Loretta’s, a disdain for all things male. Understandable, maybe, and just meant there’d be a lot to overcome for a man who wanted to claim the fiery beauty.

  Gideon transferred his weight to his prosthesis and straightened from the post. The wound was sore, and he gave it a rub. Thing still gave him trouble with phantom pain. His leg was gone from just under the knee, but damn if it didn’t feel like it was still there. Couldn’t help but wonder what kind of reaction his missing leg would have on Maddie—or for that matter, any woman.

  He was a good-looking man—it wasn’t vanity, just good genes, and he was in good shape. The Marines had seen to that. His age? Maybe not a factor. What was it she’d said? She wanted someone older. A man who knows what he wants, and when he sees it, it’s me.

  Gideon shifted against the post. Pretty apt description of that timeless moment not thirty minutes ago. Damn near felt like a perfect alignment of the planets—man sees woman, his woman, the one woman meant for him. Sure felt like “he saw her and she was it” to him. And when he wanted something, he went after it. When he went after it, he got it. But that was before Afghanistan and the piece of him he left behind.

  Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a wooden toothpick, put it in his mouth, and rolled it from side to side. Could Pap’s little girl be the woman he’d been looking for? A man could do worse.

  Gideon straightened, shaking out his muscles, and dropped the mauled toothpick in the trash bin. Sunglasses over his nose, he pulled his hat over his forehead. He owed a visit to Pap Lowry. The old man wanted to see him when he returned. Now was as good a time as any. He walked to his Silverado, started her up, and headed west—the Lowry place was on the way to Snowy Branch.

  Driving, he let his mind once again go to Maddie. His grandfather and Pap had talked about her ending up with one of the brothers since she’d come to live at the ranch. Zack would be all over her when he came home. Hating to admit that either one of his brothers might be better suited for Maddie, Gideon promised himself he’d make his move before either one of them returned from active duty.

  His middle brother was adamant he never wanted to get married. Every man thought that; few adhered to it. He bet Zack would reconsider once he laid eyes on Maddie and saw how few available women lived in Snowy Range.

  But Eli? He was closest in age to Maddie. Might even have been sweet on her back in the day. Hadn’t he mentioned her a time or two before he left for service, and she left for Boston with Harrison in tow? All the more reason not to wait before staking his claim.

  Gideon dodged a pothole. Wyoming hadn’t spent any of his tax money on repairing the roads while he’d been gone. Wonder what conditions he would find at Snowy Branch? Maddie had been caretaker for the last couple of years.

  Maddie… He couldn’t get her out of his mind. Did he want he
r? Hell, yeah. The question was how did he get her?

  Pap had gotten wind that Gideon was coming home to Snowy Range and asked him to stop by as soon as he got home. There was something that needed his attention, and he had a matter of great importance to discuss. The tone of his letter suggested an urgency to his request. The only way to find out what the old man had in mind was to ask.

  Gideon had been about done with rehab, knew how to take care of his stump, had his prosthesis and a special boot attachment so he could get around the ranch. No reason to delay, so he’d made arrangements to fly west. The military no longer wanted him, and the appeal of home and starting up the ranch again beckoned. Besides, he owed Pap for saving his grandfather’s life all those years ago. If the man needed him, he’d be there.

  Gideon slowed as he neared the Lowry place. He gave the property a once-over. Place could use a little work—some paint, wood repairs, a new roof on the house. Pap’s old Ford sat outside the barn, but Maddie’s ’63 was nowhere to be seen. He might as well stop now as later and see what the old man wanted.

  As he parked, the earthy aromas of dirt and manure assailed him, familiar and comforting. In the distance, the rushing waters of the rivers cascaded over boulders that had been placed by God Himself. Maneuvering from behind the wheel, he slammed the door on his new Silverado a little too hard. Taking a deep breath, he had to smile. Yeah—he was home, all right.

  Man, he’d missed this place and the green-and-brown prairie grass waving in the constant breeze. A blanket of peace and safety assailed his senses—there was no finer welcome anywhere. The more he thought of it, the more he felt the old itch to start ranching again, throw his saddle on the back of his horse, ride fence, raise cattle, get his fingers dirty clutching the rich black soil.

  But all his plans hinged on one thing—water. The Branchs needed it; the Lowrys had it.

  The old man must have been watching out the front window. Seconds after he turned off the ignition, the front door opened. Pap smiled a welcome as he slammed the screen door behind him and called a greeting.

  “Howdy.” He stepped forward and held out his hand. Gideon climbed the steps, and the two men shook warmly.

  “Come on in, son.” He gave him a once-over. “Looking good, boy. You’re sure a sight for sore eyes. Heard tell you met my Maddie back in town. Glad you two had a chance to meet. She’s headed over to the Hadley place right now—Ms. Hadley is about ready to pop out her firstborn, and she’s too tired to feed the menfolk.”

  “Maddie’s cooking for Bill Hadley and all the hands?”

  “Yep. Maddie looks out after everybody around these parts. Somebody needs something, my Maddie sees to it. Must have got it from her grandmother. Emma did the same thing. Had most everything ready before she took off, but wanted to check on the expectant mother. We got about an hour or so before she gets home. Bet you’ve got something on your mind.” He ushered Gideon in and pointed to an overstuffed chair in a floral print. Maddie’s easy chair, no doubt.

  He sat, feeling her in the small indentation on the cushion. The damn thing was too small for his big body, but it had her scent all over it. Just sitting in it put a smile on his face, and a burn below his belt.

  Gideon removed his hat and gazed at Pap. Papery thin skin tinged with yellow. The old man’s color didn’t look good, and he was skinny as a rail. His urgency began to make sense.

  “Expect you came to talk about my letter?”

  “That and another thing on my mind… You feeling okay, Pap?” he asked.

  Pap’s rheumy eyes dissected him. “Good as any day.”

  Maybe he should come back later. “If this isn’t a good time…”

  Waving his hand in the air, Pap brushed aside Gideon’s remark. “Best we talk while we can. Don’t want to put off for tomorrow what can be done today.” His comment struck Gideon as having a deeper meaning.

  “Yes, sir. You said we needed to discuss a matter of importance.”

  With a great deal of effort, Pap stood and walked to an old rolltop desk that sat in the corner. Pulling out a key, he unlocked one of the drawers. With a paper document in his hands, he faced Gideon.

  “Some of this you’ll know already, some maybe not. Anyway, Lowry property includes a branch of the north fork of the Laramie River. Pure, clean, and plenty deep in some areas. I don’t have to tell you water is the life’s blood of any ranching operation, and out here, water is more valuable than gold.”

  “Yes, sir.” Gideon squirmed. Snowy Branch needed access to the water on Lowry property. Was Pap going to change their longstanding sharing arrangement after all this time?

  Pap waved the document in the air. “When Arthur deeded this particular section to me, your grandpa had all the water he needed. But all that changed when the landslide of forty-nine altered the course of the river, cutting off Snowy Branch and flooding the banks on my side of the river. Eventually, the land accepted the new trajectory, and as a result we Lowrys had control of a valuable commodity, one which the Branch holdings need a great deal.”

  “We’ve always shared the river and its water, Pap. Has that become a problem?” Gideon searched the old man’s eyes.

  Pap shook his head and sat facing Gideon, leaning back and pausing for a moment.

  “Naw. But it could become one.” Pap leaned back against the headrest of his recliner and met Gideon’s direct gaze. “I’m sick, boy…cancer. Doctor says it’s too far gone to operate and it’s time to get my affairs in order. So that’s what I’m doing.”

  Gideon didn’t insult him with platitudes. Afghanistan had given him a grudging respect for a man’s right to face his own death and make peace with it.

  “I’m sorry, Pap,” he said quietly.

  “Me, too.” Pap continued, “As far as I’m concerned, things are fine the way they are. Hell, if it wouldn’t put Maddie in a bind, I’d give you the damn land. But this is her inheritance, such as it is. She’s worked hard since she came home, and done a good job.

  “Gideon, I’m thinking ahead. This place is too much for her now, and will be more so when I’m gone. A woman alone, way out here, little help, and the place practically falling down around her… Call me old-fashioned, but when I go, she’ll have to do something else—and if she sells, that leaves you, Zack, and Eli in a precarious position.

  “You’re the grandson of my best friend—my lifelong friend. I want to find a solution that is fair both to Maddie and to Arthur’s heirs.”

  “A precarious position?” His heart accelerated along with his anxiety level. Scooting to the edge of the chair, he dropped his hands between his knees. He needed that water, wanted that land.

  Staring at Pap man to man, his gaze absorbed the older man’s steady demeanor. His body might be getting weaker, but his mind was sharp as ever. “What do you have up your sleeve?” he asked in a quiet voice.

  For the first time, a little color climbed into the old man’s cheeks. Holding the paper in front of his face, he waved it in the air. “A gentleman’s agreement. During the best of my earning years, I put enough by to pay Arthur for his generous gift. Never could abide owing him. The land is mine, free and clear, deed and bill of sale is in my desk right over there.” He nodded toward the antique rolltop.

  “Doesn’t mean it’s right a stranger could come in and make things hard for you and your brothers. But I won’t give you the land and leave Maddie without an inheritance—wouldn’t be fair to her. So I got to thinking about how I could structure my will to see she was taken care of and do right by my old friend at the same time.

  “It’s my understanding she wants to stay in Wyoming, live on the ranch, no desire to go back to the big city. She’s got a powerful attachment to this place and the animals. If that’s what she wants, that’s what she gets. But she’ll need help. She’ll need a man. You see where I’m going with this?”

  Gideon was quiet while he processed where Pap was going. Better make him spell it out. With something this important, there didn’t need
to be any misunderstandings.

  “So,” Pap continued, eyes searching his, “here’s what I have in mind. I take care of Arthur’s heirs—you take care of mine. Maddie’s all I’ve got. I don’t care how you do it, but the day you or one of your brothers marries my granddaughter, you get the land abutting the river. Nothing more. And she gets equal rights to the water.”

  His mind worked a mile a minute. As far as Gideon knew, Wyoming wasn’t a community property state. Even if he married Maddie, he wouldn’t automatically be entitled to her inheritance as her husband. They would each retain the assets they brought into the marriage. She wouldn’t deny him access, but Snowy Branch couldn’t exist without that water.

  What if she wouldn’t have him? What if another man came into her life? What if they had children and the understanding between the Branchs and the Lowrys went south? If Gideon needed an incentive to consider Pap’s offer, the knowledge of what could happen to his family’s birthright was a good one.

  “And Maddie?” he asked.

  “You, Eli, and Zack agree, and you get the river and adjacent lands. The house and surrounding buildings remain in Maddie’s name for her use as she sees fit.”

  Marry Maddie. The words beat like a gong in his mind. As he stared at her sick grandfather and the worried depths in his eyes, Gideon needed no further confirmation he wanted Maddie. She was smart, beautiful, full of life, and sexy as hell. And she came with the assurance that Snowy Branch could become what it once was—or better.

  There was just one problem. The deception.

  Maddie wouldn’t take kindly to a lie. Especially with her past. What would her reaction be if she found out about their little “gentleman’s agreement?” God, he wouldn’t want to be in that position. She’d chew him up and spit him out if she had an inkling of what Pap was proposing.