by Milan Watson
“But he didn’t really break them off, did he?” Bobby asked carefully. “He just… stopped calling if I remember correctly.”
Gemma held up her glass. “Thanks for reminding me.” She took a sip of wine before shaking her head. “So where does this leave me? I don’t even know what I did wrong back then and now I have to work with him as if it the past never happened.”
“What did he say?”
“He was rude and made it clear he’s not working with me, until I made it clear if he wanted the best that only left me.” Gemma sighed again, shaking her head. She hated that Dusty still managed to affect her after all these years.
Bobby chuckled, her violet eyes twinkling. “Dusty zero, Gemma one.”
“How do I just pretend we never dated? I don’t think this is the right job to kick off my freelancing career. I don’t want things to be awkward,” Gemma admitted ruefully.
After studying and working in the city for the last few years, Gemma had wanted to come home. At first she considered trying to open her own firm, but with Saddleback Ridge being as small as it was she knew it wouldn’t be viable. When her boss offered a freelance position she had jumped at the chance, and now it felt as if she was going to jump right off a cliff in the process.
“You are a professional woman with many accolades. You can, and you will, do this. And while you’re at it, you will show Dusty Caldwell once and for all what he lost the day he stopped calling you. Wait a minute… do you still like him?” Bobby asked, changing course mid-sentence.
Gemma quickly shook her head. “Of course I don’t like him.” She didn’t add that he was still the only man to make her knees quiver and heat rush through her veins with a single look.
Bobby narrowed her eyes for a moment but she didn’t argue. “So what’s the problem?”
Gemma thought for a moment but the answer wasn’t one she wanted to voice, because the problem was her. For the first time in years she wondered if she ever truly got over Dusty’s brutally cold rejection. Self-doubt cast a cloud over her shoulders as she shrugged.
“I guess there isn’t really one; I just have to prove to him that I am the right architect for this project. And try to forget that we once had a …. thing.”
“And you will. So tell me what do you have in mind?” Bobby asked, leaning forward with a smile that could turn a thunderstorm into a sunny day.
Gemma took a deep breath and pushed the thoughts of Dusty aside as she dived into what she had in mind for the design. She might not be able to figure out why seeing him had tumbled down her house of cards, but she could focus on giving him the most amazing dude ranch he’d ever imagined.
By the time Bobby left she was brimming with excitement over the project, although deep down she couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever forget what she and Dusty once shared.
Numerous times over the years she’d wanted to call him to find out what happened, but she’d never had the courage. Since she had left Saddleback Ridge she had dated a few times, even went steady a time or two, but no man ever managed to set her body on fire like Dusty had with a single kiss.
When she finally crawled into bed she couldn’t help but wonder if she had any effect on Dusty at all. Was he too reminded of the past, or did she barely leave a blip in his memory?
A sigh escaped as she rolled over. She didn’t want to think about Dusty and their mutual past, but how could she not when she was going to work side by side with him for the next few months?
Chapter 5
Dusty was teetering on the edge between anger and anxiety, and it had been like that ever since Gemma left the ranch a few days ago. It didn’t matter how many times he tried to convince himself that it didn’t matter that she was back in town or that she was designing the dude ranch; it mattered.
It mattered because he didn’t trust her and still harbored anger for what happened. She was still the only woman who could make his blood heat wearing a pair of slacks, a ponytail high on her head and a smile that made him remember a distant summer long ago.
He let out a sigh as he found himself scanning Main Street hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Shaking his head he chastened himself. This wasn’t nine years ago and they weren’t teenagers anymore. He couldn’t hang onto what happened back then for the rest of his life, he needed to move on. Although he doubted that he ever would.
All that mattered now was the dude ranch. He had no idea if she was as good as she claimed to be, and Dusty actually hoped she wasn’t. If she wasn’t that would mean he wouldn’t have to work with her for the next few months. He pushed the thoughts of her aside as he walked into the grocer to pick up a few things for Betty. He was rushing through the aisles trying to make good time as he collected the items on Betty’s list.
“Did you hear Gemma Riley is back in town?”
At the mention of her name Dusty stopped mid-step to eavesdrop on the conversation on the other side of the aisle. It took him about a minute to identify the voices of Jesse Carver, the high school principal and Sawyer Pruitt, the town doctor.
Jesse moved to Saddleback Ridge a few years back, but Sawyer had been born and bred in their small town. He left to get his medical degree but had returned a little over a year ago to take over his father’s practice.
“Yeah, I heard.” Sawyer nodded.
Dusty hated that he was eavesdropping on his friends and watching them through an overstocked shelf, but right now he couldn’t be bothered.
“Is she single? Heck, I saw her the other day at the bakery and she’s smokin’ hot. All that dark hair and those green eyes –” Jesse said with a grin that spoke of interest.
Dusty didn’t even realize he was clenching his fists. Surely it couldn’t be jealousy?
“She came back alone.” Sawyer shrugged.
“Does she have an old flame she might have come home to?” Jesse asked rubbing his jaw. Dusty could already see the plan forming in his mind.
He watched them move down the aisle as Sawyer answered. “Naw, had a thing with Dusty back then but hell it’s been like… a decade.”
“Then I think I might just go huntin’ out of season this year.” Jesse chuckled.
They turned the corner of Dusty’s aisle and not wanting be caught out he grabbed the first thing close to his hand. Both Sawyer and Jesse had the decency to look embarrassed before they both cocked a brow at the item in his hand.
“That time of the month, Dusty?” Sawyer asked, struggling to hold back his laughter.
Dusty glanced down to see a pack of tampons in his hand. He knew he could play this one of two ways and decided; playing it cool was going to be the best option. “Best thing for a nosebleed and they come in handy in survival situations.”
He dropped them into the basket before glancing up to see Sawyer and Jesse looking at him as if he’d just grown two heads.
“Gotta run, Betty’s waitin’ on these…” he had to look at his basket to remember what was on his list. “French rolls.”
He made a beeline for the cashier, promising himself that was the last time he was distracted by Gemma, or even the mention of her name. As he swiped his card he could hear Sawyer and Jesse still chuckling a few aisles away.
∞∞∞
Gemma twirled the pencil in her hands before adding another line to the page. She liked her apartment but there was something about working in the bakery that just worked for her. Fresh brewed cappuccino on tap and the heavenly scent of freshly baked croissants surrounding her.
Bobby stopped by her table as she cleared another. “I’ve never had someone work here before; usually they just grab a sugar fix and run. I must say it’s nice to see these tables getting some long-term action for a change.”
Gemma chuckled. “The apartment’s great but I missed the city today. Funny how you can get used to working in a maze of chaos.”
“Did that chaos happen to have any action?” Bobby asked, wriggling her brows.
Gemma thought of the few guys she dated over the ye
ars and couldn’t help but admit that none of them ever lived up to Dusty. “Not any action I miss.”
“Great, so we’re still on the prowl together. Whiskey Woes tonight?”
“I’m not on the prowl,” Gemma quickly amended.
“Who said you were, I am!” Bobby laughed walking away.
Gemma watched her friend and couldn’t help but shake her head on a smile. She had looked forward to coming home, and having Bobby back in her life was a bonus, even if her friend’s energy sometimes exhausted her.
“Well I’ll be…” Gemma glanced up to see Moira Jones standing beside her table. “I heard mention you were back in town, but I didn’t expect to run into you this soon.”
“Hi Mrs. Jones. You haven’t changed a bit.” Gemma smiled warmly at the small town hospitality.
Moira cocked a brow. “Well you have. Honey, are you using moisturizer?”
Gemma brushed a hand over her cheek. “Yes.”
“Well apparently not the right kind. You should stop by my house. I’m a rep for an online company. It’s affordable and the best darn thing in a jar since they created peanut butter.”
Gemma dropped her hand, realizing this was a sale tactic and not an insult. “I’ll be sure to keep it in mind.”
Moira smiled as she glanced at Gemma’s empty right hand. “Still not married. You’re not getting any younger you know. I thought you’d have babies by now.”
Gemma struggled to keep her composure. First Moira insulted her skin and now her marital status. She smiled sweetly enough to poison a candy-striper.
Before she could answer Bobby stepped up. “I know, amazing how women have progressed. These days we get to have careers, vote, and even choose our own husbands.”
Gemma had to bite her cheek from laughing as Moira cocked a brow at Bobby. “Barbara Anderson, I will have you know that sharp tongue of yours will keep men at arm’s length if you don’t learn to soften it.”
No one ever used Bobby’s full name except her mother, and now apparently her first grade Sunday school teacher as well.
“I’m just kidding, Moira. Poor Gemma has been ambushed by the town’s folk all day. I was just lookin’ out for her.”
Moira smiled, all forgiven. “Well, Gemma dear, welcome back. And if you need advice on catching a husband we’ll talk when you stop by for the moisturizer. I had quite a few beaus back in the day.”
Moira left the bakery and within seconds Bobby and Gemma were curled up in laughter. When they finally sobered Bobby shook her head. “At least you know where to get your moisturizer and dating advice.”
“Two birds, one stone.” Gemma agreed with a grin as Bobby rushed off to help another customer.
Gemma turned and watched Moira leave, surprised to find herself actually considering her offer of advice. Would Moira Jones know how to get over a guy you dreamed about for almost a decade and still didn’t know why you lost him?
Chapter 6
Dusty clenched and unclenched his fists as he stood on the porch watching the dust cloud moving closer towards the house.
He could’ve met her at the diner as she’d suggested, but he insisted she come to Falcon Falls. Seeing her threw him off kilter as it were; if he was going to be off balance he preferred to have the steady dirt of home beneath his boots.
He watched as she pulled up outside the house and turned off the engine. He could feel his heart racing already just wondering what she would be wearing. Her green eyes had always reminded him of mermaids and mystical creatures, but after what happened he couldn’t help but wonder if they were in fact the eyes of a heartless witch.
Ever since their meeting a week ago Dusty had been preparing for when he saw her again. The problem was that when she wasn’t close it was easy to find the anger and the disappointment over what she had done to him. But whenever she was near he found himself back in that summer, wanting to touch her as she told him about her dreams of becoming an architect.
But this wasn’t then and Dusty wasn’t falling for those enchanting green eyes again. He squared his shoulders as she climbed out of the car. It was late afternoon and the breeze coming off the mountains tugged at her hair. She wore a large pair of sunglasses and had a big folder under her arm. The lightweight blouse she wore skimmed over thighs clad in tights. Unlike last time she didn’t have heels on today, instead she settled for sandals. Dusty groaned as he felt his whole body respond the moment she slipped off the oversized sunglasses.
He didn’t want her, but it seemed his body was a bit slow on the uptake. Regardless that it was her fault that he couldn’t seem to trust a woman since she had broken his heart, he wanted her now just like he’d wanted her back then. Her lying and cheating ways had caused him to distrust all women. He hadn’t committed to a relationship in years because of her and yet when she smiled up at him his heart swelled in his chest as if taking a breath for the first time in years.
“Heya Dusty,” Gemma called out as she approached the porch.
Dusty had hoped to keep today’s meeting professional. To separate his past from his present, but it was clear Gemma was going for a more casual vibe. He lifted his hand in greeting but didn’t yet trust his voice to say a word.
He watched her climb the porch steps with a smile a mile wide before she stopped in front of him. “After you see what I’ve got planned we’re going to wipe that frown upside down.”
Dusty wasn’t sure why her good mood irked him. It was as if she didn’t even care that she had ripped his heart out, as if she didn’t even remember the three mind-blowing dates they shared. Was he that forgettable?
He found his anger begin to simmer beneath the surface and preferred it that way. He could face her when he was angry, he wasn’t so sure he’d be able to keep his hands off her if he wasn’t.
“Let’s first look at the plans and then I’ll reconsider the frown,” Dusty said blandly as he opened the door to let her into the homestead.
Regardless of the animosity he had he remembered his manners. Respecting a woman was one of the five rules their father had taught them since they were old enough to walk. Clayton Caldwell might not be a man of many words, but he had enough of them to get his point across.
Blood matters was right at the top of the list. Regardless of feuds, arguments, or whatever might have caused Dusty to fight with his brothers, it had to be settled before bed. No one goes to bed with anger in their hearts their father always said.
The second rule was to respect a woman. Regardless of her age, social standing or position in life, a woman is to be treated with respect. Open a door, pay the tab, and thank her for dinner by doing the dishes.
Clayton’s third rule was that broken fences cost you money. It didn’t matter how busy Dusty or his brothers were, if there was a fence down everything was dropped to fix it, regardless of the day, the weather, or if it was Christmas.
The fourth rule was more instilled by their mom than by their dad, but their father lived by it nonetheless. Breakfast after bed was almost a Caldwell family tradition. It didn’t matter what time you got to bed or how soon you plan on being back, before you left the house in the morning you ate your breakfast. You never know when a wildfire, a storm, or a crisis could keep you out on the range for hours on end.
The last rule was simple. Gratitude. Not a day went by without their father reminding them how lucky they were to own and live on Falcon Falls. It didn’t matter if the day was bad, the price of beef had fallen or if you’d had come down with the flu, there was always something to be grateful for.
“Dusty, is here alright?” Gemma asked, stopping beside the dining room table.
Dusty snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at the empty table. “Yeah, that’s fine. Water, soda, or coffee?” Those ingrained manners were grinding on his nerves right about now.
“Coffee would be wonderful.” Gemma smiled up at him and tilted her head slightly. “Thanks for offering.” It was the first time she showed a slip in her armor, a hint that she also
remembered the past.
Dusty shrugged and headed to the kitchen to pour two cups. By the time he got back to the dining room he couldn’t help but notice her scent hung in the air. Honeysuckle, lavender, and something spicy. His mouth watered before he quickly remembered where wanting Gemma had gotten him before.
“Thanks,” Gemma said, taking a sip from the cup before setting it down again. “Right, so these are only the preliminary sketches. I drew them from your vision for the dude ranch, keeping amenities that guests expect in mind. This can always be changed. So before you judge too harshly keep in mind this is a starting point.”
Dusty’s cup paused midway to his mouth as his eyes widened. It took him a few seconds to differentiate between buildings, pathways and trees, but once he did he couldn’t stop the excitement from building inside him. “It looks like half a wheel?” A frown creased his brow even as a smile curved his mouth.
Gemma nodded. “I played with a few designs but in the end I thought this was the best. If we design the entire dude ranch like one half of a wheel, everyone gets privacy and a view of the forest, with the mountains at its back.”
Dusty leaned closer and began to understand. The road leading in from the main road would travel onto their property in a straight line until it reached what Gemma had labeled a visitors centre. With the visitor centre at the center of the wheel, the cabins would fan out from there, like the spokes on a wheel, but only towards the forest. She had made provision for six cabins.
On the other side of the wheel she had designed a function venue, a laundry room, and small fenced paddock for horses. The cabins were all designed in the shape of an ‘L’ with equal arms, with the angles pointing back towards the entry road. He was only looking at one sketch outlining the idea but it was already better than any plans he’d had.
“So what do you think?” Gemma leaned closer and her hair fell over her shoulder, skimming against his cheek as she pointed out the cabins. “I worked on six cabins to start with but if it takes off you could always add more, further back between the other cabins to still give them privacy. I know you didn’t mention a visitor’s centre, a Laundromat or a corral, but I figured you’d need them. You want a place where people can check in, collect keys, drop them off, that sort of thing…”