by Gerri Hill
“To do what?”
“Trail the cattle during the two big drives each year. Set up trail rides during the summer. Build some piers on the lake for canoes. Day trips up the mountain for fishing the river.” He shrugged. “And the one big campfire cookout each week.”
“And the old man’s going along with this?”
“Not sure he knows. Unless Colt’s told him.”
“Chance has legal control?”
“Yeah. In name only and to break a tie. We agreed to vote on everything.”
“But it’s rarely three against one?” she guessed. Cody always chased after his big brother when they were younger so she would imagine he would defer to Chance now. Colt, on the other hand, followed whatever their father wanted, regardless of his own thoughts. She wasn’t sure where Chase’s loyalties were.
“I would have bet money that Colt’s dude ranch idea would bite the dust but Kerry did a good job selling it. That was a three-to-one vote.”
“Chance still holding out?”
“Yeah. But like I said, we need the money.”
She studied him for a moment, his flawless face beginning to show signs of maturity. But while the older brothers were ruggedly handsome, Chase kept his youthful appearance, his body still lean and lanky, much like her own. “So why are you all still single?”
“Oh, hell, sis, it’s not like there are women beating down our door.”
“Hazards of the job?”
“Yeah. We know every eligible female in a three-hundred-mile radius,” he said with a laugh. “Colt and Cody get most of the dates and even then, it’s few and far between.”
“Why’s that, little brother? You’re cuter and much nicer than both of them.”
“And you, my dear,” he said, holding up his glass in a silent salute, “are biased.”
“Perhaps.”
He added more scotch to her glass without asking, topping it off before doing the same to his. “How long will you stay?”
“I don’t know. I’m still not sure why I came,” she admitted. Rebecca’s suggestion of closure didn’t really appeal to her. She’d made being angry at her father a staple in her life. If she took that away, what would she have?
“And they’re not sure why you left in the first place,” he said.
“What the hell does that mean? The old man threw me out,” she said, her voice raising.
“Yeah, I know. But that’s not what he told them. He said you turned your back on the family at a time when we all needed to stick together. He said you were selfish. He said—”
“Jesus Christ!” She stood up, hands on her hips. “That son of a bitch. He told me to get the hell out of his house. He said he didn’t want to ever see my face again.”
“I know, Car. But I’m the only one who saw you that day. When the guys came back, you were gone, leaving me to explain. They couldn’t believe he would do that to you and he made sure to tell them every chance he got that you left us.”
“You don’t believe that, do you?” It was very important to her to know that Chase didn’t think she’d abandoned him.
“No. I saw you that day. I remember your pain, your tears. I know how much you loved it here. You wouldn’t leave. You wouldn’t just leave me like that.”
“Yeah. I loved it here. But...after Mom...well, it wasn’t going to be the same for me. Maybe that’s why I didn’t fight him to stay. Grammy Mae offered me a place, a home. It wasn’t the same and I never felt like it was a home to me, but at least I had somebody.”
“You could have called. I would have made things right for you,” he said.
“I don’t think you could have. There was too much hatred, too much resentment. You couldn’t have taken that away.”
“And now?”
“Time and distance have eased the pain. But anger and resentment? Yeah, I still have plenty of both. I’m sure he does too.”
“No. I think he very much regrets what happened. Don’t think he didn’t look in on you from time to time.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, I found files on his computer, e-mails from the attorney. He knew where you were and what you were doing. That’s how I knew you spent so much time in Europe.”
“He was spying on me? That’s just like him,” she said, sitting down again. “He always was a bastard.”
“I wouldn’t say spying. I think he was just checking on you, making sure you were okay.”
“Okay? He threw me out of the house when I was eighteen. Once Grammy Mae died, I had no family. How the hell did he think I was?” she asked, the bitterness creeping back into her voice.
Chase gave her a crooked smile as he tilted his glass at her. “Good thing he’s still alive. You can ask him yourself.”
Chapter Seven
Kerry was on the second day of her long drive from Denver to the ranch. She probably could have made it in one, but she didn’t get away early enough. Her mother had insisted she stay for breakfast, which turned into brunch as they’d sat chatting the minutes away. It was noon before she finally left, making it only to Casper in central Wyoming before stopping. Now, as she traveled north to Montana, the beautiful mountain range of Yellowstone to her left, she was starting to feel anxious.
What if this was a mistake?
“Damn these road trips,” she murmured.
Hours alone in the car gave her too much time to think. And instead of thinking about the ranch and the possibilities there, she was questioning—yet again—her decision to leave Randall. She made decent money there. She didn’t mind the travel. So what if she felt they were taking advantage of her? They provided insurance and paid her well. But no, she wasn’t satisfied with that.
“Let’s start our own business,” she said to herself sarcastically. She glanced in the mirror and smiled. A road trip from Denver to Santa Fe was to blame for the plan to branch out on her own. Why couldn’t she just listen to music like normal people? Why did she like silence while driving?
But it was too late to question it now. She would be at the Circle C Ranch in two hours. And she would be there for at least three months if they didn’t change their minds beforehand. Once they got started on the remodeling of the bunkhouse she would feel much better about things. That investment alone would probably be enough to keep them in for the duration. Of course, they couldn’t start the remodeling until after the spring’s drive when most of the seasonal cowboys headed on to other ranches. Besides the four brothers working the ranch, they only kept three other full-time cowboys on staff, two of whom lived in a nearby town. The other, Johnny Mac, had been with them for years and had his own small cabin not far from the stables. She had only met him once, and he’d been extremely friendly, offering to show her around the property. Cody had quickly stepped in to offer his own services of tour guide though. So far, she hadn’t had time for any riding and now that they were starting to work the cattle, she doubted Cody would have time for her.
Well, if the contract went to duration, she had six months to get things in order. Once the plans were set for the bunkhouse renovations, she could focus her attention on the trails and lake. Establishing trails was a given, but adding a couple of fishing piers to the lake hadn’t been discussed yet. She’d learned their grandfather had the lake built when a neighbor had purchased the land between them and the national forest, blocking his access to the mountain streams and beaver ponds he liked to fish. The small stream that flowed through their valley made the perfect feed, and he’d spent five years digging out the lake before building the dam to harness the stream. Cody had proudly told her it was one of the largest private lakes in the whole state. The lake would be a big draw for their guests. In fact, she could envision years down the road, building a lodge or even private cabins along the shoreline. Of course, that would severely mar the pristine lake. As it was now—from what she’d seen from a distance—it was an idyllic sight with the lush green grasses growing along the banks, the reflection of the still snowcapped mou
ntains mirroring back to the sky.
She hoped to plan a hike to the lake in the next few days. She would survey the area and see if there was already access. She assumed there was some type of road. If they were to build piers, they would need to get trucks in to haul the lumber and posts. Of course, none of that would matter if the brothers decided they didn’t want their guests to have access to the lake. Just having guests on the property would be an adjustment in itself. Cody had already told her that all four brothers were avid fishermen. They may not want to share the lake.
Oh, there was so much to think about. Her head was nearly spinning with all the possibilities. She could make this work. Her very first contract—she’d make sure it went without a hitch. Her portfolio would no longer be exclusively populated with Randall clients. And, if things went smoothly, she could use the brothers for references.
She pushed her worries aside and focused on the scenery as she drove. Having been born and raised in Denver, she was used to the mountain vistas but she never tired of it. After long trips east or to the Midwest, she found she missed the mountain ranges. Of course, living in Denver wasn’t exactly living in the mountains. Here at the Circle C Ranch she would spend six months in the lush Elk Valley surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. Despite the stress of her first contract, she was really looking forward to being here.
She slowed as she approached the entrance to the ranch, turning carefully down the long drive. Her apprehension returned as she got closer. She hoped Cody or Colt would be around to welcome her. She didn’t feel comfortable yet just making herself at home, even though both brothers had told her to.
The ranch house looked nearly deserted when she pulled up. All the trucks were gone, meaning the brothers were most likely working the cattle. The car she’d noticed the other day was still there and she assumed it belonged to the sister—she hoped she would be gone by now.
With two of her bags in hand, she made her way to the front door and knocked several times. When no one came, she opened the door and peered in.
“Hello?” she called. “It’s Kerry Elder.”
Still nothing. “Martha?’ she called, thinking maybe the woman who kept the house for them would be about but there was nothing but silence.
“So I’ll make myself at home,” she murmured as she headed to the stairs. The brothers all lived in separate wings on the first floor, leaving the upstairs bedrooms free. The master suite was in the back facing the lake, and she was told their father was in there, bedridden. His nurse was living in the room next to his.
She opened the door to the bedroom she’d used last week, pleased that Martha had apparently changed the sheets and tidied up. Not that she expected hotel treatment but she wasn’t looking forward to changing linens and towels. She tossed her two bags on the bed then went back out for the rest of her things. She paused at her car, taking a minute to survey her surroundings. She could hear the bellowing of cattle in the distance but other than that, all was quiet. A peaceful, calm kind of quiet. She took a deep breath of the cool mountain air, wishing the peacefulness she felt now would stay with her, but she had a feeling it would not.
She turned and glanced up at the house, surprised to find someone watching her from upstairs. She nodded slightly and offered a small smile. The sister—Carson—merely turned away.
Chapter Eight
Carson turned away from the window, surprised at her rudeness. The consultant couldn’t help it if her brothers were idiotic and had agreed to pay her forty thousand for some remodeling suggestions.
“Guest ranch,” she said with a smirk. But that was their deal, not hers. She’d always known the ranch was theirs, never hers. Her father had made that perfectly clear from the beginning.
Maybe that was one of the things she would talk to him about, if she ever ventured down to his end of the hallway. So far she’d resisted visiting him despite Chase’s urging to do so. Chase was doom and gloom, thinking the old man was going to die any day. She’d found out from Martha that he had weeks to a few months at best. She knew her brothers visited him daily although it seemed Chase was not as diligent as the others. She’d detected a bit of underlying bitterness in Chase’s voice when they talked about him, and she just assumed it was because of her. Chase had always been her protector growing up. He apparently still resented their father as well.
She listened as the stairs creaked, signaling the consultant’s approach. Now was as good a time as any to talk to her. They were as alone in the house as they would ever be. Martha had made a run into town—forty-two miles away—for groceries and wasn’t back yet. With the seasonal cowboys starting to show up, her lunchtime meals would become a huge affair as she would fix trays for them all, including the brothers. Her father’s nurse—a woman old enough to be their grandmother—was in his room where she stayed most of the day, only slipping away when he napped. She must be a saint to put up with him as long as she did. Carson had heard her in there yesterday reading to him. Other than that, they had the house to themselves.
Her curiosity about the consultant had reached its limit. Carson had joined the brothers for the family dinner both nights and Cody had talked nonstop about her. She’d made eye contact with Chase, grinning at him like they were still in high school. She’d bet Chase a thousand dollars that the beautiful Kerry Elder was gay.
She quietly opened her door, hearing shuffling in the room across the hallway. The door was slightly ajar, and she slowly pushed it open, leaning casually in the doorway. The consultant finally looked up and Carson could tell she was startled.
“Sorry,” she said with a smile.
“It’s okay. Carson, right?”
Carson nodded and pushed off the wall, going nonchalantly into the room. “So my idiot brothers are paying you forty grand,” she said. “What’s your deal?”
“Excuse me?”
“Not that it’s any of my business,” she said. “The ranch is all theirs. It just seems like a lot of money for some renovations.”
“They are paying for my analysis of the ranch. They’re paying for the website I’m designing, one that will take reservations and credit card payments. They’re paying for the initial round of advertising. They’re paying me to coordinate the conversion by—”
“Conversion?”
“Sorry. Industry term. We’re converting this working ranch into a guest ranch. Well, of course it’ll still function as a working ranch, but it will now be able to accommodate guests who will pay a surprisingly large sum of money to stay here. Some guest ranches make more income from their vacationers than they do cattle.”
“So it’s all legitimate?”
“Of course it’s legitimate,” Kerry said, her brows furrowing. “Why would you think otherwise?”
Carson shrugged. “The whole thing with Cody.”
“What thing with Cody?”
“The flirting. He’s head over heels already,” she said. “Does he know you’re gay?”
Kerry Elder’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Carson laughed. “If you’re not careful, he’s going to propose marriage.”
Kerry shook her head again. “Wait. I’m not a lesbian. What gave you that idea?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Takes one to know one,” she said easily. “Cody is clueless when it comes to women.” She dropped her gaze to Kerry’s lips. “I’m not.”
Kerry straightened her back. “Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you. But I’m not gay.”
Carson studied her, wondering if she believed her or not. She could see no reason for her to lie. So she shrugged, turning to leave. “I guess that’s a good thing then. Cody hates lesbians.”
Kerry raised her eyebrows. “Why’s that?”
“He caught me having sex with his girlfriend.”
“I thought you haven’t been here in twelve years.”
“I haven’t. I was in high school at the time.”
They both looked up as they
heard the front door open in a rush. Cody’s voice drifted up the stairs.
“Kerry? Is that you?”
Carson looked back at Kerry, meeting her eyes head on. “Your boyfriend’s back.”
“He’s not my boyfriend,” she said. “We’re just friends. Really.”
“Better clue him in on that then. And fast.”
Heavy footsteps sounded on the stairs before Cody hurried into the room. He stopped up short when he saw Carson.
“What are you doing in here?”
“Just getting acquainted,” she said as she ignored the warning in his eyes. Yeah, he still remembered Angie Bonner and the hayloft. She looked back to Kerry and gave her a subtle wink. “See you later.”
Carson went back into her own room, closing the door on Cody’s enthusiastic welcome. She caught just a glimpse of an awkward hug between them before her door shut. She shook her head, wondering what kind of game the consultant was playing. Carson was still confused by Kerry Elder. More so now. Not that Kerry screamed gay or anything. She didn’t. Her dark blond hair reached her shoulders, her bangs hanging low, just begging to be brushed away from her eyes. Her makeup, while subtle, was expertly applied. Small diamond earrings, a silver bracelet, a sterling rope watch—all things a woman would wear. No wonder Cody assumed she was straight. Well, that and the fact that she flirted with him. But it was her hands that drew Carson. Slender fingers, smooth skin, nails filed short and neat, and one ring, its design matching the rope watch. Strong hands, yet feminine. Carson imagined those hands knew their way around a woman’s body very well.
She sighed, knowing she couldn’t play that game. Not this time. Taking Cody’s girlfriends away in high school was one thing. Doing the same now, after a twelve-year absence, would push them even farther apart than they already were. Of course, that’s assuming Kerry Elder could be stolen. But maybe she really was straight. She hadn’t given even the slightest indication that she found Carson attractive. That, she wasn’t used to.