“No problem,” Randy said in return. “I’d be happy to lend a hand. That’s a nice dog you have there, too. I never minded the MWDs being in camp when I was in.” He bent down to pat Boston.
“Yeah, Randy, thanks.”
Tristan came back to stand beside Dane. “Incidentally, Jase and I both had an idea about living arrangements.” He nodded as Randy walked back to the boarder barn down the road, then said, “I’ll sell ya this house. We’ll build Mom a smaller home.” Tristan pointed toward his boarder barn. “Out that way past my barn. It seems you’re in need of a place for your family to live. We want you to stay on the ranch.”
Dane stared off at the house. “It sounds like a good plan, but it’s Mom’s house. Gracelyn will move in here either way for the time being.” He gave a half shrug. “Sure, I’ll think about it, but you best tell Mom your plans.”
“I’ll drop a hint later. She won’t be any lonelier there than she is here.” Tristan patted the dog as Boston came to sniff his leg. “You got a family now.”
Dane put the leash back on Boston and followed Tristan into the barn. “I had another brainstorm in the back of my mind. The idea of doing something with my section of the ranch. Like get some rescue horses—give them a place to live. I’ll build a big barn over there on the edge of my property. The size of Jase’s would work. Once they’re settled they should bring in some good money for the ranch…and my family.”
Tristan’s gaze veered off to the side. “I like the idea. A good job for the kids to work at when they get older. Keep them home as long as we can?” Buckets clanged together as Tristan filled water buckets for the horses as he busied himself in and out of stalls.
Now Tristan sounded like his dad. Dane stopped at Betsy’s stall door before following Tristan out of the barn. “I’ll talk to Davy—see about bringing him and Randy in on a part time basis.”
“They’d both benefit you.” Tristan continued on to his boarder barn, yet glanced over his shoulder. With a taunt, he said, “Take it easy with my horse.”
***
After lunch, Dane said to his mom, “When we take a ride, I’ll leave Boston tied up outside of the barn in the shade so if the kids come over, remember he’s there.”
Judy cleared sandwich fixings, apple pie, and plates from the table. “You keep that dog right here. He’ll be fine. It’s too hot out there for him. The kids won’t be over today.”
For crying out loud, he’s used to the heat. Dane wrapped his hand around the cold glass to cool his body temperature. “Okay, he’ll like it in here. Better that he’s around someone during these first days with us.”
Jase strutted in the back door. “I have Warrior saddled. I’m going with you. Thanks for the call, Dane.” He grabbed a glass from the cupboard beside the sink and his mom poured in iced tea.
“Great,” Dane said, finishing a glass of tea. He stood. “It’s been a while since the three of us rode together. Looking forward to it.”
“We’ll show you that new fence we put in last year.” Jase pulled on his leather gloves. “I brought a horse for you to ride. The other palomino I bought. Brenna brushed him up real good for you. She’s a good old girl.”
“Who’s a good old girl, the horse or Brenna?” Dane snickered. Teasing Jase was too much fun and he walked right into that one.
Jase laughed. “I’ll send Brenna over here to kick your ass if you wanna call her old to her face. She’s pretty touchy about that.”
“Yeah, okay.” Dane grabbed his hat from the rack and glared at Jase. “Let’s ride.”
Judy placed her hands on her hips. “You boys stop. Must everything you talk about center around kicking somebody’s ass?”
Dane had waited a long time for this. He nudged Jase, then he grabbed the cussin’ jar off the counter and held it out. “Your turn, Ma. Put in the money.”
He almost jumped out the back door when she smacked his right arm. Apparently, his mother forgot about the pins in his arm. “Dang, don’t hit me like that there.”
“Oh, honey, I’m so sorry,” Judy said.
Tristan came in the back door in a rush. “Got my horse ready. Dane, I pulled your saddle out of storage. Let’s get going so we can get back.”
“Going so we can get back. Take a break, Tristan. Live a little for Pete’s sake.” Dane turned to his mom. “See you later. I’ll be counting the money in that jar. At least a buck for your cussin’. Stick one in there for Jase, too.” With a wink her way, he went out the door after his brothers. Tristan went to get his saddle, but Dane stopped him. “Wait. I gotta try this. Not much of a horse rancher if I can’t lift a damn saddle.” He eyed the palomino. “That’s a big one, Jase.”
He eased his old saddle pad over her back, grabbed hold of the saddle and whipped it onto the horse. Dane lifted the stirrup to attach the girth, taking a minute to trace over the letters of his dad’s name—his dad’s saddle—one he’d keep forever. “Like old times,” he said to Jase and Tristan. “Some things you don’t forget.”
He patted the horse as he walked around to hook the girth on the other side. When finished he put the bridle on her. Outside, he tied the reins around the hitching post beside the other two horses while Jase and Tristan tightened the girth on their saddles. “You have a long-sleeve shirt hanging around here? I need to keep my arm covered for now—the sun, you know.”
“I got one in the trailer,” Jase commented. He went off to get it, chuckling on the way. “I’m sure it’ll fit you, since my muscles are so much bigger.”
Dane and Tristan laughed, but Dane mocked him, “That’s okay, Jase, because I know I’m stronger…smarter, better looking, too.” He ducked when Jase threw sand at him. They mounted their horses but had to wait a minute when their mom came out the back door with a camera.
“Don’t think for a minute I’m passing up a moment like this. The three of you riding together. No way.” She snapped four before stopping. “Y’all have fun out there. Don’t worry about your dog, Dane. I already gave him a molasses cookie and he cuddled right up to me.”
“Mom…” Never mind. He tapped his heels against the side of the horse. “Haaa…”
The three of them rode side by side along the fence line until the trail narrowed at the cut-through toward Superstition Mountain. They made their first stop up near the top of the first peak where they had a view of the whole ranch spread out below. “Man, it’s gorgeous, eh?” Dane peered down over their ranch.
“That it is,” Tristan said with pride. “I’d never give this up for anything.”
“Me neither.” Jase peered at Dane. “What do you think? Do you feel anything looking out over this? Miss it at all?”
Dane observed the mountainous and desert landscape and liked what he saw. This was what their dad wanted for them. Old Bill would be proud that the three of them stood high watching down, kind of like he probably did. I’m home, Dad. “Yeah, Jase, I missed it all. That’s our Double Dutch down there. Hell, maybe one day we’ll dig out some gold or silver. Dad swore it was there.”
“Got that right.” Jase turned his horse. “Let’s go up a little farther.” He nodded to Dane. “I have a horse picked out for you at my next auction. A rowdy mustang. Perfect for you, little rebel brother.”
***
Their gaze connected the minute she came out the door as Dane waited after work. The smile on her face added to her glowing skin. He went around to open her door at the same time he kissed her on the cheek. “Any problems at work today?”
“Humph. Hi to you, too.” The smile turned to a frown as she slipped into the front seat. Her bag dropped to the floor at her feet.
Dane leaned inside the car. “Hi. How’d your day go?” He closed her door and got in on the driver’s side, yet he laughed when she wrinkled up her nose when his door closed. “This is what a rancher smells like, darlin’. I didn’t have a shower. Tristan, Jase, and I rode up into the mountains this afternoon. I cleaned out a couple stalls, etcetera…”
“W
here’s the dog?” Gracelyn pressed her palms against the ceiling to stretch. “I can do the smell. You look sexy all grungy like that with dirty jeans, and a t-shirt clinging to your muscles. Your hair all messy. A real cowboy.”
“Cool. Glad you think so because you better get used to it. This is my full time job, attire now.” Dane shifted through the gears once on the highway. “I have a few things to talk to you about.”
“Is something wrong?” She laid her head against the headrest—her eyes closed. “You still didn’t tell me—where’s Boston?”
Crimminy she was bitchy. Was she already attached to him or hoping he was gone? “He’s at the ranch. Nothing is wrong. Why are you always expecting something to be wrong?” We’re getting off to a bad start here. Traffic congestion didn’t help.
“I’m sorry, but I’m tired. A little rest won’t hurt,” she said in an edgy tone. “This might be what I meant about my mixed up hormones reacting. Worse when I’m tired.”
Still, she sat there looking good even if she was tired and hormonal. Regardless, her black slacks and white shirt with a black jacket appealed to him—a classy look he liked on her. “Let’s get Boston later. We need to go buy a truck. We’ll stop for dinner. Any cravings?” Was that the wrong thing to say? He peered at her and chuckled. A half-ass grin was all he got in return.
“Fried chicken, but I don’t know why.” Her smile returned. “Maybe it’s a craving. It must be because I don’t eat fried chicken.”
“We’ll get carryout.” Sniffing his shirt, he smelled like a rancher today, so might as well save the public the agony of smelling it too. “I’d hate to track manure inside.” He waited for her to say something about having manure on her floor mats but she remained silent. “In all honesty, I left my dirty boots at the ranch. Maybe I have a couple barns but I wasn’t born in one.” When he peeked over again her eyes were closed. I didn’t know I was so boring.
She laid her hand over his on the shifter. “You asked me if I had a problem today. Are you asking me this everyday now?”
And still hormonal. “Nope, because I’m sure you’ll tell me, right?” Dane flipped hair back from his forehead as he pulled into the fast food parking lot. “It’s my nature to protect. You’ll be better off if you accept the fact, honey. It’s been ingrained into my head.” He released the clutch and shifted sideways in the seat.
This was something she’d have to get used to. Used to the fact of him being here for one thing. “The night the guy pulled into the parking lot after following us, brought out that instinct, and until the situation is taken care of—”
“I understand.” Gracelyn released her hair from the ponytail and it fell around her shoulders. “No, he didn’t come in today—there were no problems. I told you he works days. He’s a businessman of some sort…and lonely.”
Yet he followed her home that night and how many others? He didn’t need to hear the lonely part. Dane glanced at the restaurant door. “Is it bad that there aren’t many customers here?”
“Let’s hope not.” She reached for a purse in her bag. “I’ll give you money.”
“Bullshit.” He opened the door to get out then bent forward to ask what else she wanted. Apparently, talking about the businessman ticked him off. Where had his patience gone? It better return soon, for he didn’t like this side of himself and if he didn’t, how could she.
Gracelyn stared at him, her eyebrows furrowed. “Dane, don’t be a jerk. You want to take care of me—that part I do get, but don’t be a male chauvinist.”
Dane shoved the door open so hard it bounced back. He’d never been called a male chauvinist before in his life. In fact, he’d never been called anything negative when it came to women. What the hell was up with her tonight? A better question? What the hell was up with him? “You got it all wrong.” He closed the door, and waited until she came around to his side since he hadn’t known she planned on going inside too.
She took hold of his hands with a smile as she searched his eyes. He’d never be able to stay pissed at her. Dane put his arm around her shoulder on the way inside. “I don’t mean to be a jerk.”
While waiting in line for the one lone customer ahead, his mind traveled somewhere else. Adjustment wasn’t going to happen just like that. Talking about it was one thing but living it would be another. He always knew something could happen the minute they left the forward operating base. Gracelyn slipped her arm around his waist and the comfort of her body made the rest seem okay. This had to work. Her touch alone fulfilled him.
On base he had his guys and they all went through the same thing at the same time. They lived together, some died together. They knew how each other thought. Like a part of him had been ripped away…his ghost or shadow still lived there with his guys, yet it was as if they were all connected by an umbilical cord. How did he walk away from that kind of bond? A voice in his head whispered, Make new bonds. “We’ll buy a new truck after dinner,” he said with a wink.
She placed her hand on his shoulder. “This means you’re a full-time ranching cowboy. I’m proud of you.”
Proud of me? Her words set his heart on fire.
Chapter 13
Before leaving for the Double Dutch, he had ordered lifts and step bars. By the end of the week Dane’s truck would be ready. “You drive home from the ranch tonight, so I can hold Boston on my lap. Imagine an eighty-five pound dog on my lap in the front seat of a sport’s car. You might meet the sheriff or one of his deputies today.” Reflecting on the dog, he knew Boston was a real hero, and now if he had to be retired, he deserved a good life.
Gracelyn poked his arm. “Hey, you with me?”
“Uh huh. Thinking about the dog.”
She slid her fingers to the back of his hair as they headed to the ranch. “That’s what I love about you anyway. You go with the flow no matter what it is.”
Soon, she’d be calling him rebel like the rest. “When we getting married?” The words popped out right there near their turn. The innocent flutter of her eyes, slight quirk to her lip that broke into a smile, grabbed his attention every time. “We should know because my mom won’t let anything rest.”
Gracelyn surveyed the area as they made their way. “Soon as I get a dress. A month or less?”
“Wh-what?” He cranked his head around. “You want to get married that soon?”
“Dammit, Dane. It was your idea.” She raised her hand as if to dismiss his question. “Not that I mind.”
Back to bitchy? “No, no, not that I don’t want us to get married right away.” Dane took her raised hand. “You surprised me.” Flipping the blinker on, he turned down the ranch road and slowed due to the dips and ruts left from the last monsoon. This meant they’d have to get tickets to Vegas and San Fran. “We’ll go to the base after we get married to finalize that part of paperwork.”
“Slow down!”
“Why?” Hadn’t she wanted to talk about it? For crying out loud. He slammed the heel of his hand against the steering wheel. How do men ever figure out women? “You want to talk about it or you don’t. You’re confusing me.”
She rolled her eyes at him then huffed, “Dane Carlson? I meant slow down the car.”
He hit the brakes. “Are you sick or something?” Crimminy. Pregnant women get sick.
“No, I want to look at this place.” She grabbed the door handle. “Can I get out?”
Gladly… Dane laughed. He pulled off to the side and shifted out of gear when he stopped. He pointed forward, twice. “But the ranch…is ahead. Nothing to see here.” The cactuses had grown since he had last paid attention. Much more brittlebush spread over the ground. Maybe there was something to see here.
“You don’t know yet, but I do have an adventurous spirit lurking inside. It’s probably beautiful up there in the mountains. I need cowboy boots.”
“Yup. City girl sexy for sure. Spooky up there is what it is.” Her adventurous spirit must’ve called out to his that day in the bar. “My brother has a cool four-wh
eeler perfect for off-roading.” And babies or so I’ve heard. They got out of her car and met in the front of it. “You know, Gracelyn, some of my family refers to me as being a rebel. You might hear it from one of them.” He shrugged and stuck a cigarette between his lips then lit it with a lighter. “Hell if I know why,” he muttered with a wink. “Can’t wait to show you my custom Harley.”
She waved cigarette smoke off and backed away. “Yeah, right. Hell if you know why? I get it now. No wonder you wanted that particular truck.” Gracelyn wrapped her arms around his waist. “You know what this tells me, cowboy?”
Dane pulled his hat lower over his forehead, maybe to shade his eyes from her scrutiny. He removed the cigarette from his lips, flicked the ash from the tip, and leaned forward to kiss her. “I can’t wait to find out. Spill it. Uh, sorry about the cigarette breath.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t bother me much,” she said, then patted her stomach. “But little boy here might feel differently about the smoke, so keep that in mind.”
“I don’t smoke around you most of the time, besides, I’m thinking about quitting before he’s born.” He’d already tried and still worked on it—maybe the reason for some of his impatience.
“With my adventurous spirit and your rebel side, our son is doomed.” She gave a booming laugh. “I should say we’re doomed because he’ll likely give us hell.”
The sparkles in her eyes shined like precious gems. Dane loved when she got excited. He’d expect that from his son for sure. At least her mood had improved since she’d gotten off work. Nodding toward the road, he asked, “So, are we doing this?” One more drag from his cigarette, and he dropped it to the ground, stomping on it until it was out—then he picked up the cigarette butt and stuck it into his pocket—a habit from being in war. There’s no war on the Double Dutch. He removed a spearmint mint from his pocket and popped it into his mouth.
Of The Cowboy's Own Accord (Double Dutch Ranch; Love At First Sight #3) Page 17