by Gerri Hill
“I imagine one of them will get married one day.”
“So you leave? What? They buy you out?”
“Yeah. That’s always been the deal.” He stepped up on the porch, the light casting shadows around them. “But I’m not in any hurry. It’ll happen when the time’s right.” He paused at the door. “You want a nightcap?”
“No. I’ll pass. I think I just want to sit out here and enjoy the stars,” she said.
“Okay. See you tomorrow.”
“Good night.”
She went to the side of the house and sat down in one of the rockers. It creaked beneath her weight as she put it in motion. It was her mother’s favorite place to sit. After dinner, she’d sneak out here alone and just sit. Carson often wondered what she thought about while she was out here.
Maybe nothing. Maybe she just liked to sit and watch the stars.
Chapter Thirteen
Kerry turned a corner in the bunkhouse, scribbling down her latest measurements when she ran smack into Carson. Startled, she let out a scream as she stumbled backward. Carson grabbed her arms, steadying her.
“Didn’t mean to sneak up on you. Sorry.”
Kerry touched her chest as if feigning a heart attack. “You scared the crap out of me,” she said.
“Well, knowing my brother, he’s already warned you to be afraid of me,” Carson said with a slight smile.
Kerry squeezed her hand quickly. “I’m not afraid of you and you know it,” she said, moving into the large living room. “But yes, he did warn me.” She put her pad down, smiling at Carson. “In fact, he was quite firm that I needed to stay clear of you.”
“And will you heed his warning?”
“Do I need to?” For a second, Kerry saw a glimmer of a challenge in Carson’s eyes, then it was gone.
“You’re perfectly safe. I believe you’re the one who’s into converting things, not me.”
Kerry laughed. “So you didn’t convert Cody’s girlfriend? You said you were sixteen. How old was she?”
“She was eighteen. A senior.”
“Cody is thirty-four, my age,” she said. “So four years older than you. He would have been twenty then.” She shook her head. “I imagine it did throw him for a loop that his kid sister was stealing his girlfriend.”
“Not stealing. And no, I didn’t convert her. At least, I don’t think so.” She shrugged. “Angie preferred my...oral skills, I believe.”
Kerry’s face turned red as she felt herself blushing profusely which only caused Carson to laugh.
“I’m sorry. Did I embarrass you?”
“Yes.” But she smiled good-naturedly. “Yes,” she said again.
“Then let’s stop talking about sex.”
Kerry met her eyes. “Were we talking about sex?”
Carson arched an eyebrow. “Weren’t we?”
With Carson standing close, watching her, Kerry felt that hum in her body again. On some level, she knew she should be afraid of it. Very afraid. Surprisingly, she wasn’t.
“What are you doing here, anyway?”
“Looking for you,” Carson said. “I was bored.”
“And I’m your amusement?” Kerry asked.
Carson went to the giant fireplace, running her hand across the smooth stone. “I thought you might need help with something.” She turned. “I haven’t really been out and about yet,” she said. “The lake the other day, that’s it.”
“I noticed you and Chase have taken walks the last two evenings.” She’d noticed, yes, mainly because she’d been curious. After dinner, they usually retired to their father’s study for a drink, something she knew irritated the other brothers. What she found really odd about the whole thing is that after dinner, the four brothers would go their separate ways, having their own suites. Oh, Cody would hang around and want to talk, even sharing wine with her on a couple of occasions, but even he would eventually leave her to fend for herself.
“Chase and I were always close,” Carson said. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”
“And the others?”
“I’m sure you’ve been able to tell that there’s not a lot of affection there.”
“Why? Because you stole their girlfriends?”
“No. It started before that.” Carson sat down on the hearth, her legs stretched out in front of her. “It’s hard to explain. It’s like I was kept separate from them,” she said. “They were a part of the ranch. I was not. By the time puberty hit and I realized I preferred the company of girls, there was already a gap between us.”
“Who was he grooming you to marry?”
“At first, I thought it was Justin Conley. They have the neighboring ranch. Justin, Chase and I were pals growing up. We used to ride horses when we were younger, before Chase had to work. And before our father put a stop to it,” Carson said. “But he and Kenneth Conley had a falling out so Justin was off the hook,” she said with a laugh.
Kerry was about to ask about her mother, but she sensed that Carson wasn’t in the mood to talk. Not about that. The sadness she’d seen in her eyes that day was gone and she didn’t want to bring it back. So, she turned the conversation to the bunkhouse.
“What do you think for the bedrooms? Carpet or tile?”
“Carpet.”
“It doesn’t wear as well.”
“If you have tile, you’ll have to have rugs.”
“Rugs can be washed.”
Carson grinned. “I see you’ve made up your mind.”
“Not really. I’m just arguing both sides. I actually prefer carpet. I was thinking of maintenance.”
“So, do you think things will be up and running in time for the fall drive?”
“In September? No, I don’t think they should start then. Any help they need, they’ll have to hire as seasonal. You don’t want to bring in someone for a few weeks, then lay them off until spring.”
“Who do they have to hire?”
“Someone to do laundry, clean the rooms. Maybe a cook to help Martha.”
“And where will they live?”
“They thought they could hire someone locally so they wouldn’t have to supply housing.”
“The ranch house is plenty big, especially when the old man dies,” Carson said.
Kerry watched her, seeing that the statement was said without any remorse or regret. “How much time does he have?”
“I’d say any day now, but Chase said the doctor has been saying that for a month. He’s very frail, weak.”
“But not so weak that he couldn’t have a loud conversation with you,” she said gently.
“Conversation? Is that what you’d call it?”
“Will you see him again?”
Carson stood up, moving to one of the windows. “I don’t really see the point. I mean, I doubt I’ll get any sort of closure by visiting with him again. And he certainly doesn’t seem to want to make things right.” She turned slowly, her eyes again showing signs of sadness. “He thinks I’m her. When he sees me, his eyes light up as if he’s seeing her. Then he realizes it’s me, and I just see hatred there.”
“I’m sorry.”
Carson shrugged, her gaze again going to the window. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“But it does. You’re still hurting over it,” she stated
Carson turned back toward her and leaned against the wall, her hands shoved casually in her pockets. “And I probably always will. Nothing’s going to change that. That’s why I told you I wasn’t certain why I came back.”
“But despite your father, aren’t you glad you did?”
“Yeah. Chase and I have reconnected. When I leave here, we’ll continue to have a relationship.” She shoved off the wall, coming closer. “So what are you working on?” Carson asked, motioning to the tape measure in her hand.
“Just trying to get a feel for the size of the new bedrooms. It’s not working so well. I just need to wait until the walls are down.”
“And they start on Monday?”
“First thing,” she said, then laughed. “Although their first thing is probably much earlier than yours,” she teased.
Carson held the door open for her as they walked out into the sunshine. “My body has actually adjusted somewhat,” Carson said. “I’ve always been a bit of a night owl. Living in New York will do that. But I’ve switched my clock around, I think.”
Kerry stopped and faced her, knowing she needed to go inside and work on the website, but she wasn’t ready to leave Carson’s company just yet. She didn’t stop to consider why that was. She knew she wouldn’t have a reason for the pull she felt.
“What do you have planned for the rest of the afternoon?” she asked.
Carson studied her, finally raising an eyebrow. “What do you have planned?” she asked instead.
“I need to work on the website, but it’s just so beautiful out today. I could possibly be persuaded to work on it tonight,” she said.
“And what activity would you have to be tempted with?”
It was an innocent question, Kerry was sure, but Carson’s low voice sent a shiver right through her. Cody’s words of warning echoed in her ear, and she realized she was possibly playing with fire.
“Riding?”
Carson shook her head. “For one thing, I’ve not been riding since the day I left here. And two, you don’t want to go down to the stables while the guys are there.” Carson leaned closer to her. “Cody would go berserk if we showed up together.”
Kerry swallowed. “The stables are next to the hay barn?” she asked.
Carson’s smile nearly melted her on the spot. “Yes. Attached. Perhaps when we go I’ll show you my...favorite high school spot. We’ll have to wait until the guys are gone with the herd though. Like I said, Cody would most likely get a shotgun after me.”
Kerry again felt a blush cross her face and was thankful when Carson moved away from her, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
“I’m just teasing you,” Carson said with a smile. “Please don’t go tell Cody I was flirting with you,” she said as she playfully bumped her arm.
Again, Kerry’s body simply hummed with life in this woman’s presence. They walked back to the ranch house in a comfortable silence.
“Cody asked me out,” she finally said.
“Oh, yeah? Like a real date?”
“Yes. Dinner and the movies.”
“That’s my brother. But in all fairness, there aren’t a lot of options out here.” Carson arched an eyebrow. “So? You going?”
Kerry shook her head. “No. I mean, for one, I don’t want to encourage him. And really, I’m getting paid to work, not socialize.” She didn’t add that she never seriously considered the offer. Cody Cartwright stirred absolutely zero interest in her.
“Did you let him down easy?”
“I’m not sure. He wanted to do something before they head out with the herd. They’ll be gone a week, he said.”
“Yeah. And I hope the old man doesn’t die while they’re gone. I don’t want to be the one to have to deal with it all.”
“I’m sure arrangements have been made,” Kerry said. Surely, as sick as he’s been, the brothers haven’t left it up in the air.
As if reading her thoughts, Carson smirked. “They’re guys,” she said. “It probably hasn’t occurred to them.”
Chapter Fourteen
Chase poured the amber liquid in her glass then slid it along the desk. She leaned back in the leather chair, using the edge of the desk to prop up her feet.
“You’re quiet this evening,” Chase said. “Did you see the old man again?”
“No. Have you? He mentioned you guys don’t see him as much any more.”
“I usually pop in there in the mornings before we head out,” he said. “Chance visits him before dinner. Colt and Cody after.”
“Every day?”
“I think so. He probably thinks we don’t because she’s got him on so much morphine.”
“You think he’ll make it the week? I mean, you guys are heading out in two days.”
He laughed. “And you don’t want to be left here alone? Don’t worry, sis. Chance has it all worked out. Everything’s taken care of.”
“Will you get cell service when you’re out with the herd?”
“No. We barely have it here at the ranch. You’ll be on your own.”
“Because I don’t think he’s going to hang on much longer,” she said.
“No. But we can’t delay it and wait on him to die. We’ve got to get the herd moved and established out there.” He leaned back in their father’s chair, the leather creaking. “That sounds crass and uncaring, doesn’t it?”
“It is what it is,” Carson said with a shrug.
He sat up, resting his elbows on the desk as he looked at her. “So, what’s up with you, sis?”
“What do you mean?”
“Something’s on your mind,” he said. “What’s up?”
She glanced over her shoulder to the empty doorway, making sure they were still alone. She smiled at him and wiggled her eyebrows.
“Oh, no,” he said, shaking his head. “You’re not serious.”
She grinned. “I like her.”
“Come on, Car. You said yourself, she’s straight.”
“No. I said she was gay. She said she was straight,” she reminded him. “But there’s something going on. There’s this vibe between us.”
“What kind of a vibe?”
“Just...something,” she said. And there was. She suspected Kerry felt it too. Whenever they were alone together, there was an underlying intimacy, which was crazy, seeing how they hadn’t been intimate. And Carson’s not-so-subtle flirting was met with amusement, not disdain. She enjoyed Kerry’s company, enjoyed their talks. They had become friends in a short period of time, something Carson never did. But just under the surface lingered a sexual attraction that Carson was having a hard time ignoring. Because frankly, she wasn’t used to ignoring it.
“Does she know there’s a vibe?”
Carson flicked her eyes his way. “Probably not,” she lied.
“Then you need to let it go,” he said. “Cody will kill you.”
“Cody’s only claim on her is imaginary,” she said.
“He’s—”
“Can we join you?”
They both turned at the sound of Cody’s voice. Kerry stood behind him, a smile on her face as she met Carson’s eyes.
“Sure. Pull up a chair,” Chase said.
“Kerry was interested in seeing where you two ran off to.” He glared at Carson in an unspoken challenge. “I told her you were probably in here swiping our father’s expensive scotch,” he said.
“I don’t think he’ll be drinking any more of it,” she said without thinking.
“He’s not even dead and you’re already staking your claim?” Cody shook his head as Chase offered him a glass.
“I’m just having a drink with my brother. No crime in that.”
Kerry nodded when Chase held up an empty glass. Cody’s eyes narrowed as Chase filled it. Jesus, Chase was right. They had turned into a bunch of uptight teetotalers. Well, that’s one thing they didn’t get from their father. The old man liked his scotch. Apparently that was the only thing she and Chase got from him, Carson thought.
“How’s the website coming?” she asked. She knew Kerry had spent the afternoon working on it.
“I probably shouldn’t admit this in front of your brothers, but web design is not my strong suit.” She smiled at Cody. “I do know what I’m doing,” she assured him. “I just have to tinker with all the settings.”
“I have no doubt it’ll turn out great,” he said.
Carson and Chase exchanged amused glances, glances that Kerry saw and added her own quick smile to.
“So? Bunkhouse starts Monday?”
“Yes,” she said. “He promised he’d be here at eight sharp.”
“I think Chance wants to head out with the herd on Sunday,” Cody sa
id, directing his statement to Chase. “A storm’s coming on Wednesday, and he wants to be in the next valley by then,” he explained.
“Lightning,” Chase supplied when Kerry raised a questioning eyebrow. “Spring storms can be brutal.”
“Spring storms can also have you holed up in the valley for a few days,” Carson added, blatantly baiting Cody. “Your one-week trip might turn into ten days or more,” she said.
“I doubt that will happen,” he said. “But really, why are you still hanging around here? I thought you’d be ready to head back to the big city by now.”
“I am so enjoying my time here,” she said with a smile. “Besides, I wouldn’t miss the big event.”
“I don’t believe the reading of the will is gonna be all that exciting for you,” he said with a smirk. “I don’t believe you’re mentioned.”
“The will?” She looked at Kerry, smiling. “Actually, I was talking about Kerry’s conversion project,” she said.
“Wow. You plan on sticking around here for six months?”
“Maybe. Summer in the mountains sounds pretty good,” she said, her gaze landing on Kerry.
“Great,” Kerry said. “Then maybe I could get you to show me around the property. I’ll need to start planning the route for the trail rides.”
“Sure. I’d be happy to,” she said easily as she waited for Cody’s eruption.
Cody’s jaw clenched as he took a protective step closer to Kerry. “I can do that for you. There’s no need to involve Carson. No need at all.”
“You already told me you would be out a lot during the summer,” Kerry said. “I know it’s a busy time for you all.”
“Then I’ll do it when we come in. There’s plenty of daylight in the summer,” he said. “I’ll have time.”
But Kerry shook her head. “We’ll manage. I told you all up front that I would do most of the legwork, and you guys didn’t have to worry about it.”
When Cody opened his mouth to protest, Kerry held up her hand, indicating the conversation was over.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a little work to do tonight.” She set her empty glass on the desk. “Thank you, Chase. That was excellent.”