When Jarod had hired Ben as the new foreman, one of his jobs was to keep a close eye on Ned, who was lax in his responsibilities and played hooky when he thought he could get away with it. Ben reported Ned’s activities to Jarod on a daily basis. Ned’s assigned job was to keep all the ranch machinery in good condition and operational, but he often failed in that department, which added to Jarod’s workload.
“What in the hell are you talking about?”
“The grain-cutting swathers and forage harvesters for one thing. They haven’t been oiled or greased on time. That’s your department. One of the grain trucks has a broken part that needs replacing. Have you taken a look at the Haybine mowers lately? If I were you, I’d get busy or it could all rebound on you.”
Ned’s cheeks turned a ruddy color, a sure sign of guilt. “What do you mean?”
“That’s for you to figure out.” From the corner of his eye, he glimpsed Rusty, the stable manager, and signaled to him. “We got caught in the storm, and now I’m in a hurry. Will you take care of Volan for me? He’ll need a rubdown.”
“Sure, Jarod.”
Ignoring Ned, Jarod walked over to his rig to unhitch the trailer. The puddles from the cloudburst were still drifting away. Climbing into his truck, he drove out of the parking area without acknowledging his cousin and headed for White Lodge.
Leslie would be off work by now. He hoped to find her at her apartment. He knew she’d sensed something was wrong on their dinner date Wednesday. It was time they talked. She lived in an eight-plex near the center of town where they usually met before going out for the evening. He’d brought her out to the ranch one time to meet his grandfather, but it was easier for them to get together in White Lodge, the halfway point between her work and the ranch.
Both his grandfather and uncle approved of her. Charlo had been amenable to her interviewing him for a newsletter she contributed to about the Absarokee dig site. There was nothing not to like about Leslie. But she wasn’t Sadie.
Pleased to see her Forerunner parked in her stall, he drove to the guest parking and got out of his truck. Taking the stairs two at a time, he reached her apartment and gave a knock she would recognize.
He didn’t have to wait long for her to open the door. “Jarod—” She broke into a smile that lit up her brown eyes. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight. Why didn’t you say something at dinner the other night or phone me?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you any warning, but this couldn’t wait.”
When he didn’t reach to kiss her, her smile slowly disappeared. “Come in. Is this about your grandfather? Is he worse?”
He walked into her living room. “No. I’m happy to say he’s doing better and off his oxygen for the time being.”
“That’s wonderful! Have you eaten yet? I just made homemade fajitas. Would you like one?”
“They smell good, but I’m not hungry. Go ahead and eat.” He took a seat in one of her overstuffed chairs.
She frowned. “I don’t think I can till you tell me what’s wrong. You’re not yourself. In fact, for the past two weeks you haven’t been the Jarod I’ve known.”
He shook his head. “I realize that.”
Leslie perched on the arm of the sofa, studying him. “You wouldn’t have come here out of the blue like this without a good reason. Have you decided you don’t want to see me anymore?” He heard the pain in her voice.
Jarod met her searching gaze head-on. “I can’t,” he answered. She deserved the whole truth no matter how much it hurt. He was glad he hadn’t been intimate with her yet.
Her features looked pinched. “Avery hinted that there was someone in your past. Are you saying you can’t get over her?”
He got to his feet. “I thought I’d put her behind me, but her father died and now she’s back in Montana for good. I was with her today.”
She averted her eyes. “And the old chemistry is still working.”
The blood hammered in his ears. “Yes. Don’t get me wrong. We’re not together. I don’t know if we ever will be, but feeling as I do—”
“I get it,” she broke in. “Do you mind my asking who she is?”
“Her name is Sadie Corkin. The Corkin ranch borders our property.”
Leslie stood. “Childhood sweethearts?”
“Yes.”
“That’s an obstacle I’m not even going to attempt to hurdle. One of the many things I admire about you, Jarod, is your honesty, even when it’s devastating.”
“Leslie...I was trying to make it work with us.”
She walked over to the door, her curly auburn hair swinging slightly. “I believe you and I give you full marks, but in the end, trying doesn’t cut it. That explains why you weren’t anxious to sleep with me, or to drive to Colorado with me.”
“If she’d never come back, things might have been different.”
“No.” Leslie shook her head. “If she hadn’t come back, our relationship would still have ended because it’s evident you’re a one-woman man. There aren’t very many of those around.” She clung to the open door. “I’ve loved every minute we’ve spent together.”
“So have I.”
“Because of who you are, I know you mean that.”
“I do.”
“But it’s just not enough for me or you. Love means sharing a single soul inhabiting two bodies. That definition doesn’t apply to you and me. I’m grateful you stopped by, Jarod, but now I need to be alone.”
Jarod had no desire to make this any more painful. “Take care, Leslie.” He kissed her forehead before leaving the apartment. He wished there was some way he could have spared her this hurt. No one deserved happiness more than she did.
On his drive back to the ranch, her parting comment played over in his mind. He and Sadie had shared one soul. That’s why no other relationship had worked for him. But he still didn’t know about the men she’d been involved with since she’d moved to California.
If there was someone important, she wasn’t letting it get in the way of buying the ranch and living here. So many questions still remained unanswered where Sadie was concerned. But saying goodbye to Leslie had been the right thing to do.
When he entered the front door of the ranch house, the housekeeper came running. “I’m glad you’re home. Your grandfather is in an agitated state.”
He moaned. “I thought the doctor had taken him off the oxygen.”
She shook her head. “It’s not his health, Jarod. Tyson was here earlier and they quarreled.” Tyson? “He’s terribly upset about something and says he can’t discuss it with anyone but you.”
Jarod’s gut told him this had to be about Ned, especially after their confrontation earlier. “Where’s Avery?”
“She’s not home yet.”
“Thanks, Jenny.” He hurried down the hall to his grandfather’s bedroom and found him sitting up at his desk near the window in his pajamas and robe. Though he was gratified to see Ralph was well enough to be out of bed, Jenny’s mention of Tyson had filled him with concern.
“Grandfather?”
He looked around with a flushed face. “At last.”
“What’s happened?”
“What hasn’t?” he said with uncharacteristic sharpness. “I’m sorry, son. I didn’t mean to snap. I’m just glad you’re home. Sit down. We have to talk.”
Jarod pulled up a chair next to the desk. “I can see you’ve been going over the accounts.”
Ralph’s gray eyes flicked to his. “Tyson needed me to help him with the figures. He just left. I’m afraid we had it out. It’s been coming on for a long time. After our father died, Addie warned me I should let my brother take his share of the ranch and make it his own place. But he begged me to go into business with him and I didn’t have the heart to say no. For the most part we’v
e gotten along. But with time, there’ve been issues over Ned. He doesn’t have your instincts for ranching and never did.
“Your idea of developing two calving seasons a few years ago has brought in unprecedented profits. When Tyson and I went along with your plan, Ned fell apart and has been impossible ever since. Now that Ned has found out the Corkin property is up for sale, he’s asked for a loan from Grant to buy it.”
Jarod got up from the chair and started pacing. “Let me guess. Grant’s money is stretched due to helping his other children, so he’s come to Tyson for $700,000 for Ned to buy the place.”
Ralph nodded. “Grant’s always been afraid of Ned and doesn’t know how to say no to him. It’s Grant’s opinion that if Ned made a break with the family business and had his own spread to manage, his son might turn into a real rancher.”
“We know that’s never going to happen.”
His grandfather shook his head. “I advised Tyson it would be the wrong decision to give money to a grandson who could never make good on such an investment. But just as I feared, he got angry. My brother isn’t well and not up for a fight with Grant. He told me he’d be back tomorrow for my consent. If I don’t give it, he’ll take the money out, anyway. Of course, it’s his right as part owner.”
They stared at each other before Jarod said, “What do you want to do? Tell Tyson you’ve already authorized Harlow to buy the ranch for Sadie and Zane?”
“Never. That has to remain a secret.”
Jarod didn’t need to think about it. “Then don’t try to stop him, Grandfather. You love your brother too much, so make your peace with him and let him negotiate with Mr. Bree. When the time is almost up, Harlow will come in with a little higher offer and that will be it.
“In time Tyson and Grant will learn that Zane Lawson bought the ranch and no one will ever know the truth because the money came out of your savings account and mine. Tyson has no access to them.”
His grandfather tilted his head back. “What do you mean your account?”
“I’ve been investing my money and plan to contribute. Sadie’d be my wife if things had been different.”
“I know.” Ralph’s eyes dimmed. “When Addie and I heard about your accident, it was one of the worst moments of our lives. We could have lost you.” His voice trembled.
Touched by those words, Jarod squeezed his shoulder. “Don’t you know I’m tough like you? Now that you’re feeling better, I have news. Let me show you what I found after doing some investigating about the accident on my own.”
Jarod showed his grandfather the paper from the body shop in Bozeman incriminating Owen Pearson.
Tears rolled down Ralph’s cheeks. “Oh, Jarod... All these years I’ve asked you to be the bigger man, which you always will be. To think Ned could have done such a thing. It explains why his behavior has grown worse over time. You have every right to go to the police with what you’ve found.”
“That’s true.” For now he was holding off deciding what to do about it. “Did Sadie tell you she’s going to adopt Ryan?”
“Yes, bless her heart.” His grandfather reached for Jarod’s hand. “Now tell me about that lovely woman you brought to the house a while back. When are you going to bring her again?”
“I’m afraid that’s not going to happen, Grandfather.”
“Why not?”
“I drove to White Lodge earlier this evening and told Leslie the truth. I can’t be involved with her while I still have feelings for Sadie.”
“You’ve done the right thing for Leslie and yourself,” he murmured with what sounded like satisfaction. “A house divided against itself can’t stand.”
In spite of his turmoil, Jarod smiled. He bounced between two cultures. Both his mentors offered the same wisdom.
“So.” His grandfather sat back in the chair looking relieved. “We’ll keep all this to ourselves and wait a few more days before we tell Harlow to make the final move. When everything has been transacted, Harlow can contact Zane and they’ll go from there.”
Jarod’s thoughts shot ahead. “It’s good it will be in Zane’s name.” He gave his grandfather a hug. “I’ll tell Martha to come in and help you get ready for bed.”
Ralph tugged on his arm. “Do me a favor, son. Watch your back around Ned. I need you.”
The feeling was mutual.
* * *
RYAN WAS ECSTATIC when Zane came into the kitchen on Tuesday morning. He’d arrived late Monday night. While the two of them walked down to the barn to visit the new filly Sadie had told him about, she had hurriedly put the things away that Zane had brought from California. Now Ryan had his toys and pictures, and his room resembled the nursery Eileen had made for him in San Francisco.
After lunch he went down for a nap with his favorite furry rabbit.
Zane was bringing in the last of his own items from the car when Sadie stepped out onto the front porch dressed in cowboy boots, jeans and a short-sleeved white blouse. She’d tied an old black paisley bandana around her neck for fun.
“You look cute in that.”
“Thanks. When I saw it in the sack you brought in, it brought back memories. I thought, why not look the part.”
“All you need is a cowboy hat.”
She smiled. “I’m afraid my old one got lost years ago. While Ryan’s asleep, I’ll run into town and pick one up when I get the groceries.”
“Take as long as you want. I plan to devote the rest of the day to him once he wakes up.”
“He’ll love that. We’re so glad you’re back safely.”
“Me, too.” His eyes glinted with curiosity. “That horse is a beauty. For Jarod to give you a present like that means he still cares for you a great deal.”
She shook her head. “He feels sorry for me.”
“Sadie—”
“It’s true. He knew Dad sold my old horse. Before you say anything else, you need to know Jarod’s involved with another woman and it’s serious.”
Zane frowned. “Did he tell you that?”
It was more a case of his not answering her question about Leslie Weston when they’d been out riding the other day. “I’ve heard it from his grandfather and from Liz, who’s very close with Avery. Now, I’d better get going. See you later and we’ll talk.”
They only had two weeks left to work out an arrangement with Mr. Bree. So far she’d been living on some of her savings while they’d pooled their resources. With the days passing so quickly, Sadie’s fear escalated that their best efforts might not be enough. But she refused to think about that yet, or the possibility that Jarod might be getting married in the near future. Millie had sounded as though she thought it could happen.
After loading up on groceries in White Lodge, Sadie put the bags in the truck, then decided to buy herself a treat in the hope it would make her feel better. The Saddle Up Barn was just down the street. She’d drop by there for a cowboy hat.
It didn’t take her long to find the one she wanted. Black, like her new filly, like...Jarod’s eyes and hair. The band and sides of the brim were covered in a delicate gold floral pattern that picked up the gold-and-silver cowboy concho on the band. She was partial to the pinch-front, teardrop crown that gave it character.
After paying the bill, she walked out of the shop wearing the hat and was met by a barrage of wolf whistles from various guys passing by in their rigs. Their response reminded her of her barrel racing days in her teens. She’d almost forgotten what that experience was like.
Every time she and Liz performed at the county rodeo she’d watch for Jarod, hoping he’d be in the crowd with his family to cheer on Connor, who was a fabulous bulldogger. Being a contestant, she often carried the Montana State flag as they paraded around the arena for the opening ceremony. During those times when she was all decked out in her hat and fancy Wester
n shirt with the fringe, she’d feel Jarod’s piercing black eyes staring at her and almost faint with excitement.
The memories swamped her, causing her to forget she was headed for the post office. She needed to mail the thank-you notes she’d written to all the people who’d sent flowers for the funeral. While she was buying a book of stamps from the machine, she heard her name called out in a familiar voice and turned around.
“Avery!” Her heart raced to see Jarod’s sister come up to her, a smile lighting her gray-green eyes. Avery and Jarod shared similar facial features that identified them as Bannocks.
“I’ve been following you since I saw you walking across the street. Do you know you caused about a dozen accidents out there?” Sadie laughed in embarrassment. “It’s true. You used to knock them dead at the rodeo, but your impact is more lethal now.”
“It’s the new hat.”
“That’s bull and you know it. In high school the guys voted you Queen of Montana Days your senior year. To get that nomination, let alone win, you had to be able to stop traffic for all the right reasons.”
“Stop—” She gave her friend a hug. Avery could make her blush.
“I’m glad I ran into you. Since Connor will be home, we’re going to throw a surprise family birthday party on Monday the twenty-ninth, for Grandpa, who’s going to be eighty-four. He’s feeling so well we thought it would be fun to invite a few close friends. Our cousin Cassie will be coming from Great Falls, of course, and can’t wait to see you. Naturally everyone on the Farfields Ranch is invited, including the Hensons, Ryan’s uncle Zane and that cute little brother of yours.”
Sadie could hardly breathe. It would mean facing Jarod, who would be there with Leslie Weston. Maybe they were celebrating more than a birthday. She felt ill at the possibility, but she’d have to go even if it killed her.
“Sadie, don’t worry about Ned,” Avery added. “Connor has orders to keep him away from you.”
“Thanks.” But Ned had been the furthest thing from her mind. “We’d love to come.” Sadie marveled that she was even able to get the words out. “I’ll tell Millie as soon as I get back to the ranch.”
In a Cowboy's Arms (Hitting Rocks Cowboys) Page 10