“How are all the men?” he finally asked.
“Good. They’re good,” Wes assured him.
“I paid the medical bills for you and Jesse.”
“Yeah, they sent us copies. We appreciate that, Jason.”
“It was the least I could do. I called the man who recommended Ted so highly and told him what he’d done. I suggested he be more circumspect about his recommendations in the future.”
“Good. Ted needs to find another line of work,” Wes said with satisfaction.
Rosemary remained silent. She assumed Wes had mailed her letter this morning. Jason would get it when he returned to Denver. She supposed she should tell him now, in person, but she wasn’t prepared to do so in front of everyone.
At least she’d regained her composure before she saw Jason again. She wouldn’t want him to know how much he’d hurt her—or know how much she loved him. That she wasn’t experienced in relationships or savvy in man-woman games was something she’d take to her grave. Not that she was embarrassed about who she was. The fact that she sat here in well-worn jeans and an old sweater didn’t make her any less a woman than the attractive Ms. Lock.
Just not the woman for Jason.
She listened as he and Wes continued to talk about the ranch and the cowboys who worked there. Doug, Jason’s friend, asked some questions about the economics of cattle ranching. Wes filled him in hesitantly, shooting looks at Jason.
“I think I should explain that Doug is my accountant, and Marion, his wife, is my attorney,” Jason said.
Rosemary looked at Jason. “I’m not opposing the sale of the ranch.”
“You’re not?” he asked. “But I thought we brought in enough cattle to satisfy my down payment.”
“We did.” She averted her eyes. It hurt too much to look at him. “But a ranch can be very demanding, especially in winter, as I’m sure your accountant realizes. I don’t have the money to carry the ranch until spring. Rather than put such a strain on Sara Beth and Wes, or the men, I think I should sell the ranch.” She carefully kept her gaze fixed on the table.
There was a long silence, but she didn’t bother to break it.
Finally, Jason said, “Okay, if that’s what you want.”
She said nothing.
“I actually brought Doug and Marion along in case you wanted to make other arrangements.”
“What arrangements?” Wes asked.
Rosemary said nothing.
“I thought Rosie might need a loan to get through the winter. I’m prepared to offer her operating money until fall when she can sell the yearlings.”
“That’s a year away!” Rosemary exclaimed, her eyes locking with his.
“Yeah, I know, but I believe you’re good for it.”
“And if I’m not? Where do you think I’d find the money to pay you back?”
“Or maybe I could become a silent partner in the ranch. That would leave you in charge, but I could come visit every once in a while.”
Could she face him visiting, bringing beautiful women to see his investment? She didn’t know if she could.
“I don’t think that would work.” She got up from the table. “If you’ll excuse me…” She left the room before anyone could say anything.
Jason stood, but Wes put a hand on his. “I told you to clear up the business, not extend it,” he muttered. “Sit down, boy. You don’t want to talk to her now. Give her time to think about your offer.”
Both Jason and Sara Beth protested.
“Just give her some time,” Wes advised.
Jason slowly sat back down. “She didn’t eat enough to keep a bird alive. Hasn’t her appetite grown at all, Sara Beth?”
“She eats most days, just not as much as she used to. She’s lost some weight.”
“She says she’s not strong enough to be a rancher,” Wes said slowly. “We all want her here, but I don’t know what she wants.”
“Perhaps I should go talk to her,” Marion said. “Do you mind, Sara Beth?”
Sara Beth nodded, then added, “Her room is the first on the left at the top of the stairs.”
“Thank you.” Then Marion left the kitchen to go up the stairs.
“We appreciate you trying to work out a way to keep Rosie here at the ranch,” Wes told Jason. “We’re all worried about her. She’s not the same as she used to be since her daddy’s death.”
“She’s had a lot to bear in the last month or so,” Sara Beth said, sympathy in her voice.
“Yeah,” Jason agreed, but his mind was in the room at the top of the stairs, where Marion was talking with Rosie.
Rosemary heard a soft knock on her door, but she didn’t respond. She assumed whoever it was would go away.
Then she heard her door open. That could only be Sara Beth. Over her shoulder, she said, “I’m fine, Sara Beth. I just don’t have much appetite today.”
“I’m not Sara Beth,” a low, musical voice said.
Rosemary sat up on her bed, hastily wiping the tears away. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“I know. And I’m being very intrusive, so I’ll ask your forgiveness. But everyone downstairs is concerned about you—and what you want to do. Jason wants to find a way for you to keep the ranch. Is that not what you want?”
Rosemary sighed. “In a perfect world, that’s what I would want, but I’m not strong enough to handle the ranch. That would put all the weight on Wes and Sara Beth. It’s not fair to ask them to handle all the responsibility.”
“They seem willing to do it. It’s obvious they love you very much.”
“Yes, and I love them. That’s why I have to go. With Jason as the owner, they know they’ll be paid promptly. They won’t have to worry about some of the men being let go because I can’t afford to pay them. We have a good staff of men. They deserve a good owner.”
“Would you be willing to stay here and help Wes run the ranch? Jason said you’re quite the cowgirl. He thinks you know what you’re doing.”
“He won’t need me if he has Wes.”
Marion paused. Then she said, “I think the ranch needs you. All the men are worried about you. Even Jason seems to be worrying about you.”
“There’s no need. I can get my old job back. I called them yesterday. I’ll be fine. And everyone on the ranch will be fine. The men all followed Jason’s orders on the roundup, They respect him. Everyone will be okay.”
“Why don’t you think it over for a day or two? We’ll be around. Jason promised to show us the ranch, if you don’t mind.”
“No, of course not.”
“And you’ll help Jason show us the ranch?”
“Wes can—”
“He said he’d be busy with some paperwork. Won’t you help Jason?”
“Fine. If he needs me,” she said, frowning.
“Great. I think Sara Beth is going to serve some delicious chocolate cake. Won’t you come eat a piece?”
After a moment’s hesitation, Rosemary sighed. “All right. I’ll come down in a minute. I need to wash my face.”
She wouldn’t let Jason see her cry.
When he saw her enter the kitchen, Jason had to force himself not to jump up and embrace Rosie. He’d missed her so much, and was afraid his offer had offended her for some reason. Why couldn’t she accept the help he was offering?
Rosie was not only beautiful, but stubborn. He’d just have to keep trying.
He couldn’t keep his eyes off her as they ate Sara Beth’s delicious chocolate cake. If this didn’t tempt Rosie’s appetite, he thought, nothing would.
“I understand you and your friends are going to stay a day or two,” she finally said to him.
He smiled at her. “If that’s okay with you. We could stay in the nearest motel if you—”
Sara Beth stepped in. “You’ll do no such thing. You’ll stay right here. I’ll fix the rooms right after we’re finished.”
“I’ll help you, Sara Beth,” Rosemary said.
“Lawyers can make up beds
, too, Sara Beth,” Marion said with a smile. “Even accountants can do it in an emergency. Right, Doug?”
“Yeah, but it’s not my best talent,” Doug assured his wife.
“Rosie,” Jason began, “you haven’t said whether you mind us staying.”
She shrugged. “It doesn’t much matter to me, since you’re going to be the new owner.”
“I thought you were going to consider my offers before making a definite decision.”
“Yes, I suppose I will.” But her averted gaze spoke volumes to Jason. Evidently he needed to do some major convincing.
Since they were staying, Marion asked if Jason could teach them to ride.
“I suppose, but you’d need some jeans, cowboy boots and a hat,” he replied.
“Just to learn to ride?” Marion asked.
“Don’t you think so, Rosie?” Jason asked, hoping to draw her into the conversation.
“It’s kind of cold right now. You could wait until spring to try riding lessons.”
“But that’s tax time for Doug. It would be better now. Is there a store near here where we could buy those things?”
“Well, yes, but it would be expensive for just a few rides. I mean, you’re not going to be here long enough to ride that much.”
“But we can keep them here for when we come back, couldn’t we, Jason?”
“You should be asking Rosemary that question. It’s her place.”
Rosemary opened her mouth to protest, but then she closed it again. Finally she said, “Yes, of course.”
“Great!” Marion exclaimed. “So can we go shopping after lunch? You’ll show me what to buy, won’t you, Rosemary?”
It seemed to Rosemary that everyone in the room was waiting for her answer. She nodded. “We can go to the feed store in Blue Ridge.”
“Great,” Marion said. “Since Doug has to go, too, why don’t we all go, and then we can treat everyone to dinner, to thank you for your hospitality. You won’t have to do the dishes tonight, Sara Beth!”
Sara Beth grinned. “Young lady, I like the way you think. Don’t you, Rosie?”
In spite of herself, Rosemary had to agree. She liked Marion. Especially since she was married.
Blue Ridge was a small town, but for the people in the area, it had everything they’d ever need. Still, Rosemary couldn’t help worry what Marion would think of it.
“Are we really going to a feed store?” the lawyer asked in surprise as Jason pulled up in front of it.
“They sell everything here,” Rosemary said.
And almost two hours later it seemed as if Marion had bought everything. With Lou, the proprietor, smiling and waving goodbye, they left the store, each of them laden down with packages.
“That was fun,” Marion said as they put the packages in the truck. “Now where do we go eat?”
“There’s really only one restaurant,” Rosemary said. “The café across the street.”
She expected Marion to scoff at the lack of choice but she couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Well, it may not have cooking as good as Sara Beth’s but we’ve got to give her a break.”
Before Rosemary realized what he was doing, Jason had put his arm around her as they walked across the street.
“Jason! What are you doing?”
“I’m escorting the only eligible woman across the street. I can tell you Doug would be upset if I escorted Marion, and Wes has already warned me about sweet-talking Sara Beth.”
She gave him a sharp look, but what he said made sense…she guessed. So for a few minutes, she could experience Jason “taking care” of her, as he had on the cattle drive.
When they got to the café, Sara Beth told them what she thought they made well, and they all took her advice. There was a lot of conversation around the table, and Rosemary found herself drawn into it, much to her surprise. Marion was entertaining and drew everyone in with her enthusiasm.
“I can’t wait until morning when I can dress up like a cowboy and get on a horse. I’ve never done that before. Does it hurt?”
“Um, maybe a little bit. Just take it slowly at first,” Rosemary suggested.
“Yeah, don’t start with a day-long ride like I did,” Jason advised.
“But you’d ridden before, hadn’t you?” Marion asked.
“Yeah, but I wasn’t used to that much riding. Rosie, of course, rode like a pro, not showing any discomfort.”
“Really? Can you teach me how to ride, Rosemary? Jason can teach Doug. He can be grumpy if he’s uncomfortable.”
“Then we’ll definitely leave him to Jason,” Rosemary said, smiling at Marion, as if she were her friend. She was enjoying female companionship of her own age.
“So I get stuck with Grumpy here? That doesn’t seem fair,” Jason protested, but they all realized he was teasing.
“Maybe Rosemary will allow us to work together so you won’t be alone with Doug,” Marion suggested.
“How about it, Rosie? Will you team up with me, so I won’t be stuck with Doug?”
The last thing she wanted to do was spend more time with Jason, but she’d been raised to extend courtesy to guests.
“I—I suppose we could join forces.”
“Terrific. I can’t wait until tomorrow.” Jason shot her a dazzling smile that took her off guard and tingled all the way to her toes.
And suddenly she realized that in spite of all the warnings she’d issued to herself, she wanted nothing more than to spend time with Jason. No matter how dangerous it was. No matter how short.
After this, she’d probably never see him again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
THE first person she saw enter the kitchen was Jason. He came through the doorway with a cheery good-morning greeting, surprising Rosie while she was flipping the last of the flapjacks she was making for breakfast, along with Sara Beth.
He never looked more handsome. His skin glistened from a shower and shave, and he smelled fresh, like the outdoors she loved so much. His hair was still slightly damp, darkening the milk-chocolate color to a bittersweet chocolate.
And bittersweet it was.
Rosie knew this was probably the last day she’d spend with Jason. After she’d told him her final decision, he and his lawyer and accountant would no doubt be holed up tomorrow with final preparations for the closing. She’d tell Wes to handle it, basically to give Jason everything he wanted.
And then she’d be packing up to leave. She’d made arrangements to stay with a friend back in Cheyenne till she found an apartment. At least she’d been able to get her job back. The publicity work was enjoyable and fun, but, she had to admit, nowhere near as fulfilling as ranching. It was in her blood.
But she had to say goodbye to the Bar G. She had no choice.
First she had to teach Marion and Doug to ride. It would be one of the last things she’d do on the ranch.
As if on cue, the couple strode into the kitchen then, dressed in their new cowboy clothes and smiles, till they saw breakfast on the table already.
“I’m sorry I overslept,” Marion said. “I should have been down here to help out. Is there something I can do?”
“Nonsense,” Sara Beth assured her. “You’re our guests. Just sit down and eat.” She gave the city slickers a sly grin. “You’ll need every ounce of energy when these two get you on a horse.” She nodded at Rosie and Jason.
Marion gave off a nervous laugh as she exchanged a skeptical look with her husband. “That doesn’t sound encouraging.”
Jason sidled up close to Rosemary and mock-whispered, “Sara Beth is going to ruin our plan of torturing them.”
His warm breath stirred the few strands of hair that never stayed in her braid, and sent gooseflesh up and down her arms. Surreptitiously she stepped aside and forced a laugh. “Just ignore Jason,” she told the Locks. “It’s going to be fun.” And she was honestly looking forward to the day. Despite her looming departure, she was enjoying Marion’s and Doug’s company. And Jason’s.
Last night after they’d come back from dinner, the two women had taken on the men in a game of cards and two hours of laughter later, they’d emerged victorious. It had been the only time she’d laughed since…well, since before her father had died and she’d returned to the Bar G. It had felt good.
That was what life was supposed to feel like, she reminded herself. A person was supposed to laugh, to be in the company of friends and the people she loved. Well, at least she’d have half of that when she returned to Cheyenne. She’d have her city friends, her work friends, though she’d be leaving behind her best friends, Wes and Sara Beth. And the man she loved.
She shook herself out of the reverie before depression overcame her. Pasting on a smile, she said to Marion and Doug, “Don’t you worry about riding. Just remember, you can stop whenever you want.”
Marion put an arm around her. “I like you better than Jason.” She took the platter of flapjacks from Rosie after she placed the last one on the stack, and carried it to the table. “Let’s eat. I need my strength,” she joked.
After breakfast, when Wes went into the office to do paperwork, and Sara Beth cleaned the kitchen, the foursome bundled up and headed to the barn. The day was sunny but had a chill in the air.
Rosemary introduced the Locks to the horses they’d be riding. Then she left the basic instruction for Jason to impart. She had to admit the man knew his horses. He looked equally comfortable here in the barn as he did in his high-rise Denver office. And just as adept. She knew her assessment of him was on target. He would make a great ranch owner, and though she’d be sad to leave, she looked forward to the improvements he’d make on the Bar G. Just for that reason she felt her parents would approve of her decision. Their land would flourish.
When Marion was ready to mount up, Rosie had her get to know her horse first. “Her name is Daisy. She’s very gentle and patient.” She showed her how to rub the mare’s nose and pat her, and in no time Marion made friends with the horse. Until she tried to mount.
She started and stopped a few times, awkwardly lifting her leg and losing her grip on the pommel. Rosie quickly moved to assist her, and with great effort Marion finally sat the horse.
Harlequin Romance Bundle: Crowns and Cowboys Page 13