Last Chance Cowboy

by Leigh Riker

  Her throat felt raw. For years she’d thought, like other people and especially her family, that Grey was guilty in Jared’s death. Hearing his side of the story had changed that. She couldn’t be sure, but she wanted to believe he was innocent. And the serious talk she’d expected, even wanted, wasn’t over yet. Shadow drew her hand from his. “Derek knows about Ava.”

  Grey tensed. “How?”

  Shadow told him about her visit to the farm and Grey shook his head. “I know how the Morans still feel about me. Especially him. But I’m more concerned about Ava.” He plucked Shadow’s unused straw off the table, opened it and pleated the wrapper. “If Derek knows, so could a lot of other people soon. What if he’s already told his friends? Or someone else knocks at your door again one night? Or in town, you could run into a neighbor, Barney at the bank, the woman who runs the baby store, the pet shop owner...”

  He was right. “We have to tell her, Grey. Before someone else lets that slip. Ava’s going to day camp now. People will see you in her eyes, just as Derek did.”

  “Let’s tell her together,” he said. “It’ll be our first act as coparents. We’ve already waited too long.” Grey tried to smile. “Come out to the ranch, maybe. That might be good.”

  “Ava loves horses,” Shadow agreed, despite her own reluctance to visit Wilson Cattle.

  “We’ll tell her there, then. As soon as we get back.”

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  GREY WATCHED SHADOW turn back and forth on a raised platform in front of a three-way mirror in the bridal shop near the hotel. He tried not to fidget. The blush pink carpet, the soothing music that played through the speakers, the fussy striped wallpaper and satin-seated chairs made him want to cut and run.

  The room couldn’t be more different from the ranch he was so afraid of losing, and Grey yearned for the wide-open spaces, the gentle lowing of cattle, the feel of a horse under him. And he couldn’t seem to focus on anything but the talk they’d had last night.

  Logan nudged his elbow. “What about this one?”

  Grey balanced his Stetson on his knee. Shadow was standing still now, looking at Blossom, Logan, Finn Donovan and him in turn, asking for their vote on the dress she wore.

  He said, “I liked the green one better.”

  Logan nodded. “Me, too.”

  “Too dark. I wish Tammy was here,” Blossom said. “She has a good eye for fashion.” She tapped her lip in thought. “Green isn’t really your color, Shadow,” she added in a soft tone that Grey supposed was meant not to offend her. “With your beautiful dusky skin and dark hair, I think this turquoise is a better choice. That would suit our Western wedding.”

  “I don’t like the skirt,” Shadow said. “It’s too...” She couldn’t seem to find a word.

  “Poofy,” Grey supplied, and she smiled, but it was as if she didn’t want to. Or almost couldn’t. She must be replaying all the things they’d said last night, too, their kisses.

  “It makes my hips look a mile wide.”

  He spun his index finger so she would turn to show all sides again, just to be sure this wasn’t the one. Her gaze caught his in the mirror and she folded her hands at her waist in a vain attempt to hide the dress she didn’t like. Her shape looked fine to him, and the soft color on her lips reminded him of those kisses last night, but he knew she had to feel good in what she would be wearing. He offered his view.

  “Nope. Not going to happen. What’s next?” She’d already gone through at least a dozen dresses and Grey wanted to wind things up. For one thing, his right leg was already twitching, betraying his anxiety to get out of the bridal shop and making the hat on his knee appear to have Mexican jumping beans inside.

  To make matters worse, he, Logan and Finn had been ordered to “dress for the occasion” and the lightweight wool of Grey’s suit was beginning to itch. They’d all drawn the line at wearing shoes, but as a concession they had worn their best boots.

  “Try the yellow,” Blossom said when the turquoise dress didn’t pass muster.

  Grey sighed. The Stetson jiggled on his knee. He should be thinking about Wilson Cattle. If the ranch went under, he’d have nothing to offer Shadow for that second chance he wanted except the lifelong disappointment he would see in his father’s eyes. And hers. No wife, no family, no kids to leave the ranch to... He should be home instead of hoping he didn’t lose more cows while he was here.

  Shadow emerged once more from the dressing room down the hall. She swept into the showroom and Grey caught his breath. You’d look real nice in a long white gown. But this was even better. The simple style of the dress in a shade she called buttercup made her look slim, which she always did, and elegant...a word he’d never used in his life. Like poofy. The overhead lights shone on her bare shoulders.

  “Wow,” he said. He couldn’t stop himself. Shadow at seventeen had been nothing like Shadow at twenty-seven.

  Logan nodded again. “I like it.”

  “Works for me,” Finn put in.

  “I love it,” Blossom agreed. “Shadow, that’s the dress. What do you say?”

  She hesitated only a second. “I say yes.”

  Blossom grinned. “And that will be our accent color for the whole wedding, so the men can get their tuxedo fittings this afternoon. I’m thinking yellow cummerbunds.”

  Logan groaned. “Why not just go with pink?” He and Blossom, Grey knew, had had this sort of conversation before and Logan had lost. “Fancy onyx studs for our shirts, too, I bet. Blossom, we’re getting married at the Circle H. Outdoors. It’s a working ranch. If I show up under that rose arbor you mean to put up for the ceremony, Tobias and Willy will laugh me off the property. I don’t even want to think what Sam might say. I can already hear the horses snickering.”

  She ignored him. “We could have yellow roses, but no, white would be better. Humor me. I don’t plan to get married more than once. I think you and Grey and Finn should stop complaining about those tuxedoes.”

  Grey almost grinned at his best friend’s discomfort. But he didn’t want to wear a monkey suit, either, even when he knew all women liked a man in a formal tux.

  “I vote for casual,” he said. “Let the ladies shine in their pretty gowns while we guys stay in the background looking like guys.”

  “What else would you look like, whatever you wear?” One hand across her stomach, Blossom shook her head. He liked her newfound confidence. “No, it’s tuxedoes. Shadow?” she said. “Back me up here.”

  Shadow turned to the mirror, studying various angles of the strapless yellow dress, making its satiny yet subtle fabric shimmer. She glanced back at Grey as if she valued his opinion. Their eyes met and held for a second time today, as they had last night and so often when they were together and in love. He still was. He let his gaze linger until she said, “I vote for Blossom’s wedding gown, this one for me—they’re both simple—but somewhat more casual stuff for the guys.” Grey blinked in surprise. It had been a long while since she’d actually taken his side, although they had agreed last night about Ava.

  “Khakis,” he said in a determined tone. “White shirts, no studs.”

  “Navy blue blazers,” Logan put in, as if he’d had a sudden inspiration. “Except for our boots, we’ll look like preppies from back East.”

  “Fancy boots.” Grey grinned. “The fussiest boots we can buy.”

  Blossom’s satisfied said she had won, if in a different way. “And yellow pocket squares.”

  Done, he thought in relief. Before Shadow disappeared into the back of the store for a dress fitting, changed into her own clothes, or paid for the yellow dress, Grey was on his feet. He clamped his hat on his head.

  Maybe he and Shadow really could have something again. Beyond the fact that he still loved her, Ava gave them a special bond that would never be broken.

  And he
really liked that dress.

  He just needed to put things right at Wilson Cattle.

  * * *

  SHADOW HAD SURVIVED the weekend in Kansas City, Grey’s kisses in the hotel bar and their deep conversations about Ava and Jared.

  No one knew better than she that she’d been unfair to Grey in keeping their child a secret from him for so long. But until recently, she’d always believed it was for the best. Because of Jared. Maybe we can have another chance. But could she trust Grey, even now? Or her feelings for him? His side of the story didn’t prove he was blameless in her brother’s death.

  On Sunday morning, Shadow met Grey in the hotel lobby, where he was checking out, too.

  After they paid their bills, he drew Shadow aside. This morning Grey looked far less serious than he had the other night, and he had a favor to ask.

  “The thing is, I’ve offered to organize the rehearsal dinner for Logan and Blossom. It’s not only because he’s my best friend. According to Logan, it’s usually the groom’s parents who host the dinner.”

  “But his parents are gone,” Shadow finished for him.

  “Sam’s not up for that, either, though he’s going to walk Blossom down the aisle—or rather, from the house to the rose arbor. So, what do you say?”

  “I don’t know what you’re asking.”

  Grey’s gaze lifted to meet hers. Today he wore his usual blue jeans with a T-shirt that hugged his chest and showcased his biceps. She fought an urge to drown in his blue-green eyes. “I can’t believe Blossom’s parents said no to the wedding. They won’t be here for her, Shadow, and that really hurt her. I wanted to do something, so I volunteered for the dinner.” His gaze lingered on her mouth and he seemed to force himself to look away. “Would you help me with that? I’m a cowboy, not a social secretary. Or a wedding planner.”

  “Neither am I.” Bringing people together was not her specialty, either. “What would this involve?”

  His face brightened. “Not that much. We pick a menu, hire a caterer—I’m sure neither of us wants to cook—choose some nice wine to go with the meal, preside over things, I guess. Play host and hostess. I’ll pay for everything.”

  “Where would it be held?” At first Shadow assumed he’d meant a restaurant, but he’d said caterer. “At the Circle H?”

  “No, at my place,” he said.

  Shadow’s pulse kicked up. “You know how I feel about Wilson Cattle.” His story the other night had brought that back again in full force.

  He obviously understood what she meant. “If I can live there, Shadow, walk down those porch steps every day, hear the sound of that gunshot over and over in my head...” He trailed off. “I suppose that’s not a winning approach to convince you. Still, it’s the truth.”

  “I’ve never thought of it that way.” Like hearing his side of Jared’s death. “Still, I’d rather we choose another venue.”

  Grey raised an eyebrow. “Are you offering your house?”

  “I think we should find a restaurant or hall of some kind.”

  “Too expensive. And with my place hemorrhaging money? It’ll be hard enough to pay for the dinner.” Grey reached for her hand, as he had the other night. “I’m not asking you, really, to do me the favor. I’m asking for Logan and Blossom.” He added, “It won’t be that much work. But I’d really welcome your input. Your help.”

  Shadow took a deep breath and eased her hand from his, already missing his strength. “All right. For them.” She said, “And you. I’ll help.”

  His shoulders relaxed but his eyes remained serious. He obviously hadn’t thought she would agree. “I’ll call you to make plans,” he said. “We can go from there. When you bring Ava to the ranch, we can look at the dining room. See if it works for the dinner.”

  She watched him for a moment, wondering how their joint announcement would go, then realized Ava and the rehearsal dinner weren’t his only concerns. “I know that look,” she said. “You’re that worried about your ranch?”

  “Yep. Unless you can find me some money, a no-interest loan, I’m in bigger trouble than I was with Barney at the Cattlemen’s Bank.” He glanced at the people milling around the front desk. “I’ve been trying to find out who’s been stealing my cattle. Not long before we came to KC, the same white rig showed up again. Before I could confront them, it sped off into the night. Just like before. Only this time I trailed it long enough to get a partial read on the license plate.” He glanced at her. “Finn ran that through the motor vehicle registrations.”

  “And Finn will follow up. Grey, I don’t think you should take matters into your own hands—about Jared, either.”

  “By the time Finn gets around to checking out all those numbers, maybe I’ll have found the guy myself.”

  She frowned. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? It could be dangerous.”

  “My ranch, my responsibility.” He smiled. “That your way of saying you care about me a little?”

  “As Ava’s father, yes. Don’t fish for compliments.” As the man I used to love. Shadow couldn’t change his mind, even though Grey had opened up to her about their past and they’d shared those moments of closeness, those kisses.

  She watched one of the hotel staff push a luggage cart past. “So, about the dinner. Some first thoughts. There’ll be some toasts, one from you as best man, another from me as maid of honor, and I’m sure Blossom’s friend Tammy will want to speak. Finn, too. That means having champagne on hand. You can get away with a chicken entrée for dinner, but I know how you are about beef, which usually means tenderloin, I’ve been told. That’s not cheap—”

  “I called over a dozen caterers this morning from my room. The café in Barren and Annabelle’s Diner, too. I even spoke to someone at the fried chicken franchise between town and Farrier. Either their prices were too high or their menus didn’t seem right for the occasion...” He trailed off again. “Any other ideas?”

  “I don’t know which places you called.”

  Grey pulled out a list and Shadow scanned it. “We—I could call the caterer here in KC who’s doing Blossom’s cake. She might have recommendations.”

  “I’d rather keep this local. Give my business to someone who needs it and not worry about some city outfit possibly messing this up.”

  Shadow thought for a moment. “Maybe I do know of someone else local.” She told him about Jack Hancock’s new job at the café. “What if Jack would cater the dinner? He’s a very good cook—”

  “If you like coq au vin,” Grey said, his gaze following the bellhop’s cart to the elevators. “According to Logan, all he serves is fancy French stuff.”

  “I’m sure he has more range than that. Do you have something against him?”

  “Only by word of mouth. You should hear Tobias and Willy.”

  “Well, I’m not inclined to take the word of a couple of cowhands who don’t know a thing about cooking—or weddings, for that matter.”

  He looked at Shadow again. “They’ll be there, though. I don’t want to see the event spoiled by another fistfight.”

  “I’m sure that won’t be an issue. Let me talk to Jack. I can probably negotiate a good price, save us—you—some money.”

  Grey studied her. “Something else on your mind?” He must have noticed her growing sense of unease.

  Shadow tensed. How could they be worrying about the rehearsal dinner when they still hadn’t discussed the most important person, now, in both their lives? Going to Wilson Cattle was only a beginning.

  “Ava,” she said. “How do we let her know you’re her father? What should we say?”

  Grey had no answer for that, either.

  And after Ava knew, where would they all be?

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  ON MONDAY MORNING Grey drove over to Farrier. Finn’s help was more than
welcome, but the sheriff’s office, the long arm of the law in Stewart County, moved slowly at times and Grey didn’t have time to waste.

  Finn wasn’t the one who’d lost so many cattle. When the sheriff had left his office for a minute, Grey had gotten a brief look at his list of registrations for white Ford trucks like the one the rustlers had used, and Grey had decided to check out the few he’d seen on the list in the nearby town. Whether Finn liked it or not—and it was more than likely not, given privacy issues and his reaction to Grey’s “interview” with Calvin Stern—and in spite of Shadow’s objections last weekend, he would talk to several people, see what he could come up with.

  Grey had only one place left to visit when he headed for the Bar B&J ranch.

  He hoped this wouldn’t prove, like the others, to be a dead end.

  Unfortunately, Fred Miller didn’t cooperate.

  He met Grey’s truck before it even turned into the rutted driveway—which boasted a metal gate at the road. The gate was closed. Miller stood behind it, arms folded on his chest. He must have seen Grey approaching. With graying hair and hard blue eyes, he wasn’t a tall man but he was broad and obviously fit.

  “What can I do for you?”

  Grey tipped his hat. “Name’s Grey Wilson. My family owns Wilson Cattle.”

  “I know of it. I’m not in the market to buy cows—if that’s why you’re here.”

  Grey put the truck in Park then stepped out.

  “Maybe you could open this gate, and we can talk.”

  “Maybe I won’t,” Miller said, standing his ground. “State your business.”

  Grey took off his Stetson then resettled it. “Some of my cattle have gone missing. Three guys with a white truck and stock trailer cut my fence and took off with them. Several times now. The other night I saw them again—and got their license plate number, or part of it.”