Their Ranch Reunion

by Mindy Obenhaus

  His phone rang in his pocket. He pulled it out to see his attorney’s name on the screen. “Excuse me, please.” He made his way down the hall to his bedroom. “What’s up, Ned?”

  “Hey, good news. I just got word that the closing date for Magnum has been moved up.”

  “Moved up?” A few weeks ago, that would have been great news. But now... “To when?”

  “Two weeks from today.”

  “Two weeks?” He raked a hand through his hair. Granger House would barely be done by then. What about his grandmother’s house? That had been his sole purpose in coming back to Ouray in the first place.

  “I think the sister is afraid her brother will change his mind.”

  Change his mind? But they had an agreement.

  “That time frame isn’t going to be a problem, is it?”

  He stared out the window, eyeing the mountains just past the river. “Sorry. My father’s been ill. And I’ve been busy with a project.” Not the one he’d initially intended, but one he was coming to wish would never end. “I’ll be there, though. Go ahead and email me the details.”

  A lead weight formed in his stomach as he ended the call. Why did they have to move the closing up? Usually it was the other way around. And for once, he would have preferred it that way. Because for the first time in his life, he actually wanted to be in Ouray.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Carly wanted to keep her baby here at home.

  Watching Megan pack, she tried to douse the ache in her heart with another cup of tea, all the while keeping one eye glued to the window, waiting for the Wagners’ arrival. Sure, Megan had gone to visit Dennis’s parents before, but never without her. Like it or not, though, her daughter was growing up. And it was important that she maintain a relationship with her father’s parents.

  Still, the kid didn’t have to act so excited about leaving.

  If only Carly could go with her. But between the repairs at Granger House, helping with the foals and looking in on Clint, there was no way she could break away.

  She huffed out a breath. Sometimes being a grown-up was such a pain. She’d much rather throw herself on the floor and kick and scream until Megan agreed to stay.

  “There they are!” Megan practically squealed. She rushed to the bed and tugged her new Hello Kitty suitcase onto the floor. The thwamp, thwamp, thwamp of the wheels as she rolled it across the wooden planks was like a hammer to Carly’s heart.

  Willing herself to remain calm, she joined her daughter in the parlor as Megan threw open the door.

  “Mia’s here, too.” Both Megan’s fists went into the air and she jumped in circles. “Yay!”

  Carly peered out the window with the sudden suspicion that having Megan visit was more Mia’s idea than her grandparents’. She didn’t doubt that the Wagners loved her daughter, but she often got the feeling that Megan was more of an afterthought because she didn’t live in Grand Junction like their other grandchildren. Something they’d tried to change for years when Dennis was alive. His parents had played a big role in Dennis’s push to move there.

  Shaking away the less than pleasant thoughts, Carly set her mug on a coaster atop a side table and moved on to the door.

  Mia had rushed ahead of her grandparents, and she and Megan were already hugging on the porch.

  Carly pushed the storm door open.

  Beverly Wagner waved and gave a half smile as she meandered up the walk. Of course, she never actually looked at Carly. She was too busy scrutinizing Livie’s house. Granted, it hadn’t been modernized and wasn’t in pristine condition, but it was still charming and comfortable. Not to mention convenient. And far better than a hotel room.

  Behind Beverly, her husband, Chuck, made eye contact and grinned. “Hello, Carly.” He always was the more laid back of the two, able to see the good in everything. Including her.

  After a round of hugs and a report on details of the fire, Carly took them next door to Granger House to show them the progress on her new kitchen.

  Passing through the front door, she said, “I’m still amazed that they managed to get rid of the smoke smell.”

  Megan pinched her nose. “It was disgusting.”

  Chuck smiled and ruffled his granddaughter’s hair. “From what I hear, those restoration teams are pretty good.”

  “And here’s your proof.” Carly gestured to the sitting area in the parlor. “Not a trace of soot or smoke.” Everything there looked virtually the same way it had before. She drew in a relieved breath. “We were blessed that the fire was contained to the kitchen and family room.”

  “Yes, you were.” Chuck came alongside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “And we’re thankful that neither you nor Megan was hurt.”

  Beverly hugged Megan, a genuine smile lighting her typically sober face. “Yes, we are.”

  Tears pricked the backs of Carly’s eyes. Blinking, she led them into the dining room where, again, everything had been restored. The ceiling and walls were soot-free and the antique furniture cleaned. Even the molding around the door, the one that had been charred, looked the way it used to. “I still can’t believe this room was untouched by either the fire or the water.”

  At the opening to the kitchen, she paused. “But this is where we took the worst hit.” Excitement bubbled inside as she tugged the protective plastic sheeting to one side, allowing Mia and the Wagners to see in.

  “They just installed the cabinets yesterday.” She led them into the space. In addition to the cabinets, the freshly painted drywall made everything look so fresh and new, despite the wires that still peeked out of holes where light fixtures, switches and outlets would go. “Andrew covered the floors with this paper so they wouldn’t get scratched. But they’re a beautiful dark walnut color. Andrew said—”

  “Who’s Andrew?” Beverly’s judgmental gaze narrowed and shifted to Carly.

  “My contractor.”

  “Her boyfriend.” Megan giggled with her cousin, grinning like a goofball, batting her eyelashes.

  Perhaps telling her goodbye might be easier than she first thought. “Megan... Andrew and I are friends, but he is not my boyfriend.”

  Megan fisted her hands on her hips, drew her eyebrows downward. “Well, he should be.” She looked up at her grandparents. “He’s really nice. And he has a ranch.”

  Carly cringed. While she appreciated Megan’s fondness for Andrew, this kind of talk was putting her in a very awkward position.

  She turned to her in-laws and forced a smile. “His father has a ranch. Andrew lives in Denver. He’s visiting his father.” She then glared at Megan, albeit ever so subtly.

  Though Beverly didn’t say anything, Carly couldn’t help noticing the look of disapproval on her face. The silent commentary the woman no doubt had regarding Carly being seen with another man.

  By the time they pulled away ten minutes later, Carly wasn’t sure if she wanted to cheer or cry. In the end, crying won out. Four whole days without her baby. How would she survive?

  The best thing she could do now was redirect her attention. Find something else to concentrate on besides her daughter’s absence.

  Considering she’d focused on few things besides her daughter in the last nine years, that was going to be tough. The only person she could think of who needed her attention now was Clint. And even he didn’t really need her anymore. Still, she’d agreed to take care of him and that’s just what she’d do.

  And in the evenings, after tending to what little bookkeeping she had, she might even make some headway on Mona’s scrapbooks. With Clint’s approval, she’d brought all of the boxes back to Livie’s earlier this week.

  She gathered her things to head to the ranch, yet before she could make it out the door, another round of tears had her reaching for a box of tissues. The doorbell interrupted her
pity party, though.

  Dabbing her eyes, she drew in two deep breaths and opened the door to find Andrew standing on her front porch.

  He opened the storm door. “You miss her already, don’t you?”

  All she could do was nod as tears streamed down her cheeks once again. Talk about a poor excuse for a grown-up.

  Moving inside, Andrew enveloped her in his strong embrace. The smell of fresh air and coffee wrapped around her as he stroked her back, her hair.

  She savored his strength. And boy, did he feel good.

  “How about this?” He set her away from him.

  Still lost in the fog of his embrace, she struggled to focus.

  “Tell me one thing that you’ve been dying to do but couldn’t do with Megan.”

  She hadn’t done anything without considering Megan in...ever. She shrugged, forcing her brain to think. “I don’t know. Go see a movie at the theater.” She looked up at Andrew. “One of my choosing.”

  He stood there staring at her as though she’d lost her mind. Then... “Get your jacket. We’re going to the movies.”

  Carly watched him, recalling the look in her mother-in-law’s eye when they discussed Andrew. Going to the movies with him would be almost like a...a date.

  And what would be wrong with that?

  Clint. “Wait, wait, wait... What about your father? What if he needs help?”

  “Sorry, I forgot to tell you. Daniel’s back home.”

  “When did he get in?”

  “Last night. Noah and I have filled him in on everything, and since he’s eager to spend some time with the old man...” He held out his hand. “This day is all about you.”

  * * *

  Andrew couldn’t bear to see Carly so sad. When he arrived at his grandmother’s house early this afternoon, his intention had been to discuss their joint ownership and what to do with the place. But after seeing the heart-wrenching look on her face, he couldn’t bear to broach the topic. All he wanted now was to see Carly smile.

  “So, what would you like to see?” Standing in front of the movie theater in Montrose, the bright midday sun shining down on them, he watched Carly as she stared at the marquee. Considering there were only three shows to choose from, it shouldn’t take her long to decide. Not like the multiplexes in Denver that showed twenty-plus movies all at the same time.

  “Well, they are showing that new romantic comedy with Matthew McConaughey. But I hate to do that to you.”

  “Do what to me?”

  “Make you sit through a rom-com.”

  “Are you kidding?” He stepped in front of her now. “I happen to be a big Matthew McConaughey fan.” Though he would have preferred a nice horror flick. Something good and scary that would have Carly reaching for him.

  “No, you’re not.”

  He slapped a hand to his chest and stumbled backward. “Madam, it wounds me that you would question my sincerity.”

  She looked at him with pretty, tear-free blue eyes. “Okay, fine. Mr. McConaughey it is, then.”

  They purchased their tickets then headed straight for the snack bar. After all, neither of them had eaten lunch, and the aroma of popcorn was too powerful to resist.

  “Would you like butter on that?” The freckle-faced girl on the other side of the counter eyed him first, then Carly.

  “Definitely,” said Carly. “Oh, and a box of Junior Mints, too, please.”

  Andrew wrinkled his nose. “You still dump those things in the popcorn like you used to?”

  “Of course. How else are you going to get that whole sweet and salty experience?”

  Andrew caught the girl’s attention. “Make that two popcorns, please.”

  Carly elbowed him in the ribs. “You didn’t used to complain.”

  “Because back then I had enough money for only one popcorn.” Grinning, he reached for his wallet. “Now I can afford my own.”

  The sun had drifted into the western sky when they left the theater a couple of hours later.

  “Okay, I’ll admit it,” he said as they strolled across the parking lot. “That was a pretty good movie.”

  “What do you mean, admit? I thought you were a big McConaughey fan?”

  He stopped beside the truck. “I am. But not every movie can be great.”

  She laughed, shaking her head. “You’re such a goof.”

  “Perhaps.” Leaning toward her, he rested one hand against the truck, effectively trapping her. “But am I a cute goof?”

  Her gaze lifted to his. “Maybe.”

  His eyes drifted to her lips, lingering there for one excruciating moment as he contemplated kissing her. “What’s something else having Megan around stops you from doing?”

  After a moment, her smile turned mischievous. “Eating dessert first.”

  While it wasn’t exactly the answer he was hoping for, he couldn’t help laughing. He straightened and opened her door. “What have you got in mind? Ice cream, cake, pie...? Or maybe something more decadent like a crème brûlée?”

  She let go a soft gasp. “I love crème brûlée.”

  That dreamy look on her face was all the encouragement he needed. “One crème brûlée coming up.”

  He drove them to one of Montrose’s finer dining establishments.

  “Andrew, I’m not dressed for a place like this.”

  He looked at her skinny jeans, riding-style boots and long gray shirt. “What are you talking about? You look great.”

  Since it was still early, they were seated right away, and in a cozy booth, no less. Something that wouldn’t have happened in another hour or two. Not on a Saturday evening.

  He promptly ordered two crème brûlées, then leaned back against the tufted leather cushion.

  “Thank you.” Across the table, Carly rested her chin on her hand and stared at him. “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through this day and—” she smiled “—you’ve turned it into something wonderful.”

  “You deserve it.” He sent her a wink.

  Blushing, she unfolded her white linen napkin and placed it in her lap, all the while taking in the river rock fireplace and the rustic wood beams. “So, tell me about your life in Denver. I haven’t heard you talk about it much.”

  “Probably because there’s not much to talk about.”

  Her gaze jerked to his so fast he was surprised she didn’t get whiplash. “Oh, come on, Andrew. You owned one of the most successful commercial construction companies in Denver. I’m sure your life is anything but boring.”

  He lifted a brow. “How do you know Pinnacle Construction was successful?”

  “Because your father told me.”

  “Oh.” A minor ding to his pride. He was kind of hoping she’d Googled him or something. Not that there’d be much to find.

  The waitress approached. “Two crème brûlées.” She set Carly’s in front of her before serving his. “Can I get you anything else?”

  “Not right now,” he said.

  Carly was the first to crack through the caramelized sugar, coming up with a spoonful of custard.

  “Cheers.” She lifted her spoon into the air, then shoved it into her mouth. Her eyes closed as she savored the dessert.

  “Any good?”

  “Best I’ve ever tasted.”

  “Good.” He cracked the hardened shell on his brûlée, knowing he needed to answer her question, to tell her something about himself. But what? “Life in Denver isn’t much different than living anywhere else. There’s work, church...” He took a bite. “Mmm...”

  “What do you do when you’re not at work?” Watching him, she scooped another spoonful.

  Unfortunately, there wasn’t much to his life outside work. He’d rather stay at the office than go home to an empty house. Not
that he’d tell her that. “The usual stuff. Watch TV, go to the gym.” Man, did he lead a pathetic life or what?

  At least here he had his dad or one of his brothers to keep him company. He glanced across the table. Though, given the choice, he’d rather spend his time with Carly and Megan. With them, even normal, everyday stuff was more fun.

  He managed to change the subject by bringing up an old classmate, and by the time they finished their dessert, he’d caught up on just about everyone in Ouray, both old and new. And as the lights dimmed, he asked the waitress to bring menus again so they could order dinner.

  After their food arrived, he knew it was time for him to share one more thing with her. He could only pray it wouldn’t ruin the whole night.

  “My lawyer called this week.” He cut into his prime rib. “Seems they’ve moved up the closing date on my new business.”

  “I guess you’re looking forward to it, huh?” Was it his imagination or was there a hint of disappointment in her tone? “Home builder, right?”

  “Yes. Custom homes.” He stabbed another piece of meat. “I learned about it just before I closed on my old company. The owner passed away unexpectedly and neither of his kids was interested in the business. Seemed like the perfect opportunity.” Of course, that was before he came to Ouray. “Don’t worry, though. I’ll have your kitchen completed and you’ll be moved back into Granger House before I leave.”

  To his relief, she smiled. “I know you will.”

  “I just hope Dad’s back on his feet by then.”

  “You worry about him, don’t you?” She cocked her head, poking at her seafood pasta with her fork.

  “It’s no secret that I was so wrapped up in my work, I didn’t make it back home before my mother died. I don’t want to make that mistake again.”

  Reaching across the table, she laid her hand atop his. “Your mother knew that you loved her, Andrew.”

  “I know. But I never got to say goodbye. And that will always haunt me.” He wanted to kick himself as soon as the words left his mouth. You’re trying to make her smile, not depress her.

  Fortunately, the conversation was on the upswing by the time the waitress delivered their check. It was well after dark when they arrived back in Ouray. He walked Carly to the door of his grandmother’s house and escorted her inside.