by Jillian Hart
“Cady!” Autumn stepped into sight and wrapped the older woman in a quick hug.
Now it was his turn to forget all about the cattle, for his gaze to sharpen and his spine to straighten. He prayed Autumn wouldn’t spot him gaping at her like he’d been lightning-struck. Way to hide your feelings, Ford.
He would have turned his back, but he couldn’t force his attention from her. The sunlight from the roof windows found her, blessing her, and he’d never seen a more lovely sight than Autumn Granger with her hat askew. His heart lurched. It would be pointless to keep falling for her. If only he could figure out how to stop.
Autumn kicked off her boots in the mudroom, shrugged off her outerwear and hung up everything. She’d stayed out too long, and she was half-numb again. The crackling of the fire was music to her ears. She darted through the doorway in her socks, heading straight to the teapot Rori had left steeping on the counter. It was nice to have a little time to herself to warm up, maybe indulge in a few chocolate-chip cookies before she headed to town. Rori had made appointments for all her bridesmaids at the Glam-a-rama. The local beauty shop made up in character and fun for what it lacked in sophistication.
A little girl time sounded like just what she needed. A manicure, a pedicure and highlights done alongside some of her best friends. Autumn yanked the cozy off the teapot and yelped when she saw a dark figure out of the corner of her eye.
“Hey, girl.” Her father looked up from his laptop. He’d been so quiet she hadn’t noticed he was there. “I was about ready to call you. Rori made me promise to have you out of here by three o’clock on the dot.”
“When have I ever gotten out of here on the dot?” A call would come in from the barn, something would be wrong, an animal would be sick, and she would be waylaid. It was inevitable. She rolled her eyes, plucked the teapot off the tray and poured a steamy cup of peppermint tea. Soothing. Just what she needed.
“I invited Ford to the wedding on Saturday.” He watched her reaction carefully as he tapped at a few keys. “I figured you wouldn’t mind, with him being the new man to town and all.”
“All right, what have you heard?” She set the teapot onto the counter with a clunk and scowled at him. “What rumors have you been listening to?”
“None worth repeating.”
“You went to the feed store this morning and stopped by the diner for a cup of coffee.” She could certainly guess what her father had heard. No doubt the story about the duct tape had gotten around. Folks had sharp ears in these parts, and they knew how to eavesdrop. “Forget whatever you heard.”
“Fine. I can do that.” His grin didn’t dim. Nothing thwarted Dad when he got an idea in his head. He glanced at his spiral notebook and hit a few more keys on the keyboard. “That’s not why I invited the sheriff. Figured he’s done a good job for us, so I would return the favor. I can introduce him around. He’s single. No doubt he wouldn’t mind meeting the available young ladies in this town.”
“Jealousy isn’t going to work.” She carried her cup to the table. “Go ahead. Let someone else have him.”
“Now, why would you say that? I know you, little girl. You go after what you want. You don’t stand on the sidelines.”
“I haven’t been a little girl in over twenty years.” She stole a cookie from the plate. “And as for the sidelines, I’ve found out sometimes it’s safer there.”
“Sure, it’s safer, but you miss out.” The grin faded away, leaving concern in its place. “You don’t want to realize one day you were so busy protecting your heart that you forgot to live. Life’s risky, and love is no different.”
“Love? Isn’t it a little early to use that word? What about you? I noticed you disappeared about the time Cady showed up and reappeared about the time she left.”
“Cady’s a nice lady, so why would I avoid her?” A faint blush belied his easygoing manner.
“Maybe because, oh, you like her?” She spun on her heels, heading toward the hearth. The toasty fire dancing in the grate was calling to her.
“Sure, I like her. I like everybody.” Dad still wasn’t about to admit what the rest of them had figured out. He was sweet on Cady Winslow. So why wasn’t he making a move?
“You know that’s not what I meant.” She had no sooner reached the radiant warmth of the fireplace when the phone rang. It was Justin calling in from the barn. One of Kent’s yearlings was down.
“I’ll call the vet,” Dad promised.
Autumn put down her tea and cookie, stepped into her boots and yanked on her jacket. Icy wind hit her as she barreled across the porch and up the hill. A girl’s work was never done. This was the life she’d chosen and the work that had chosen her.
“Oh, poor thing.” She eased down to her knees as soon as she’d found the pen Justin had gotten the heifer to. The bright yellow ear tag proclaimed her to belong to the Kent ranch. The sweet Holstein rasped, struggling to breathe. She coughed and sighed, as if she was in some pain.
“You’re going to be just fine, little one.” She held out her hands for the cow to scent her. Worry shadowed those chocolate brown eyes. It had to be hard being in a strange place with people you didn’t know. She gentled her voice, putting all her comfort there just as her dad had taught her long ago. “We’re going to take extra good care of you, pretty girl. What do you think of that?”
The heifer reached out and wrapped her long pink tongue around Autumn’s scarf. Her teeth dug into the fringe and she tugged. When it didn’t budge, she tugged harder.
“That’s a good girl.” She stroked the soft nose and felt the animal relax. “We’ll get something warm in your tummy. Would you like that?”
As if to say, “sure!”, the cow gave another yank on the scarf.
“Just talked to Janice Kent.” Justin strode into sight, carrying a syringe and a bucket. “Pneumonia’s been making its rounds at their place. Looks like it’s our problem now.”
“You mean mine and Dad’s, since you will be lazing around in sunny Hawaii for the next few weeks.” Not that she minded. Justin worked hard. He’d never taken a real vacation, and he deserved time alone with Rori. But a little sister had to tease. She grabbed the syringe from him. The heifer spotted the bucket, released the scarf and turned bright, interested eyes toward Justin. Her long lashes fluttered. “For me?” She seemed to be saying.
“For you, gorgeous.” Justin slipped the pail between the metal rails, holding on tight. “I might get so used to lying around on a beach I might stay there.”
“Don’t even start with that.” Autumn lifted the needle, double-checked the dosage of antibiotics and pointed it upward, getting out the last of the air. A thin stream of liquid flew from the needle’s sharp tip. “Not unless you can get Tucker to take your place. I’ve got enough work as it is.”
He winked at her and held the bucket as the heifer slurped up the warm formula inside.
“Sorry about this, girl.” She sank the needle into the cow’s shoulder and emptied the syringe. The animal startled, but Autumn held her and rubbed the spot to soothe the pain. “You will feel better now. I promise.”
The yearling gazed up at her with hurt, vulnerable eyes.
“I’ve got it from here, Autumn.” Her brother watched her thoughtfully, and it was hard to tell what he was thinking. “I promised Rori you would make it to the beauty shop. I’m a man of my word, so you had better get going to town.”
“I’ve been a bridesmaid before. They aren’t going to run out of highlights before I get there.”
“I know, but go anyway. You didn’t need to come out here. Dad is on his way.”
“But there could be more animals sick. We have to at least walk though the herd—”
“Didn’t you hear me?” Justin’s voice gentled. “Go on. Have some fun. You never know who you might meet in town.”
Great. Had Justin guessed? Her face heated. She could see the tip of her nose, as red as a strawberry. “What exactly does that mean?”
“I think
the new sheriff has taken a liking to you.” Justin tipped the bucket as the heifer finished off the last drops of formula. Her brother’s dark blue eyes turned serious, as if he saw everything she could not say. “Just because he has the same job Denny had doesn’t mean Ford is anything like him.”
“I know. I’m just not interested.” Mostly because it was safer not to be, not because it was the truth. A girl had to protect her heart. She climbed between the rails. It was as if she felt the brush of Heaven’s touch against her cheek. Not a breath of wind stirred, and the furnace wasn’t currently cycling, but she felt something she could not explain.
I’m right. I know I am, Lord. She reached out in prayer, but there was no answer, no assurance and no sign.
The only reason she hadn’t been devastated like that again was because she’d been smart about the men she let close. Ford Sherman might be nice, but she didn’t know him, not really and not well enough. She wasn’t about to trust him. Chances were good that he was only going to let her down.
She was being smart, and there was nothing like a trip to the Glam-a-rama to lift her spirits. She gave her brother a wink, bid him goodbye and headed for the door.
Chapter Eight
The road from Wild Horse to Sunshine was busy for a Friday afternoon. Autumn had come across at least a dozen cars and an elk. The graceful animal had darted across the road in front of her, but she’d managed to miss him. She motored along the outskirts of town to the small airport smack dab in the middle of winter wheat fields. The weekend’s snow had melted away to show the ground beneath. Only a few blobs of snow remained in places where the sun did not reach. The airport was busy as she pulled into the lot, found a place and hopped out into the cold.
“Hi, there, Autumn!” someone called out.
She shielded her eyes from the sun’s glare and squinted over the few rows of vehicles—it wasn’t a big lot. She recognized Betty Baker, her friend Terri’s mom, waving at her from behind the family’s sedan. “Mrs. Baker. Are you picking up someone, too?”
“My sister from California is coming for a visit. I’m so excited.” Clutching her big leather purse, Mrs. Baker circled around vehicles, making her way closer. Her sensible winter boots coordinated perfectly with her winter parka. “We’re having a big to-do for the holidays, since this is Terri and Tom’s first Christmas as man and wife. All our family is coming for a nice long stay. You must be here picking up the girls.”
“Cheyenne and Addison should be landing any minute, if they aren’t waiting on me right now.” She didn’t see a sign of them, so maybe not. “A crisis at the ranch held me up.”
“There always is one. That’s why I didn’t marry a rancher. Growing up on a farm was enough for me.” Betty’s jovial smile was contagious. “Although I had to think twice when your dad took me to the junior prom. His dimples were so impossible to resist I almost considered marrying him instead.”
“And what would your poor husband have done?”
“He would have pined his life away as a sad and lonely man, so I suppose it was good that I married a shopkeeper instead of a cattleman.” Betty stepped onto the curb and clutched her purse tightly, since they were about to step into a crowd. “I heard about the troubles out at your place. How is Frank handling things?”
“Fine. Mad that anyone would try to steal our animals.” A strange sensation skidded over her like a breeze in July, and it wasn’t from the airport’s heating system. Strange. “Dad got himself shot this time, too, although it wasn’t serious.”
“Sure, I heard—” Betty stopped in mid-sentence as she caught sight of someone in the single cavernous lobby that served as ticketing area, waiting area, baggage claim and security. “Why, that’s Sheriff Sherman!”
So it was. The strange sensation was explained. Ford Sherman looked mighty fine—exceptional, in fact—as he turned toward them, his fine shoulders braced. He nodded in greeting to Mrs. Baker, but when his gaze found Autumn, his dimples momentarily retreated. Tension crept into his jaw.
“Betty. Miss Granger.” He smiled, friendly as ever. “Guess this is the popular place to be today.”
“Everyone’s coming in for the wedding.” The words tumbled out, surprising her by how natural she sounded, as if nothing, not one thing, had passed between them. Was that an ache in the center of her stomach? It felt strangely like regret. She decided to ignore it. “My sisters are flying in today and my brother tomorrow morning.”
“Rori and Justin’s wedding is the talk of the town.” Ford jammed his hands into his jeans pockets. He looked totally impressive, outshining every other guy in the terminal. He didn’t seem conscious of it. “Everywhere I’ve been this week, it’s all I’ve heard.”
“It’s about time those two got their happily-ever-after,” Betty explained. “They were high school sweethearts. Just the cutest pair. Rori and my Terri were good friends growing up. I’m sure Frank is happy. Am I right, Autumn?”
“He’s about to burst. I think he was ready to give up hope that any of us would ever tie the knot.” Autumn did her best to sound breezy, but she saw Ford’s curious gaze. Was he remembering what she had told him about her no-dating practices?
“I owe you a great big thanks, Sheriff,” Betty continued on. “What are you doing Sunday after church?”
“My brother will be staying with me for the weekend, ma’am. He’s flying in for a visit.”
“Your brother? Well, bring him along, too.” Betty didn’t let much in life thwart her. “I’m making a nice roast in the Crock-Pot and my homemade rolls. You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted my rolls.”
“Why, that would be very nice of you.” He shuffled his feet. “But going to any fuss isn’t necessary.”
“Necessary? I would say it’s the least I can do.” The older woman gazed up at him like he’d hung both the moon and the stars all in one night. “Autumn, do you know what this man did for my grandson?”
“Little Owen?” She shook her head, releasing rich strawberry locks that glinted like liquid silk. Her hazel eyes widened, spearing him with surprise. She apparently hadn’t heard the tale.
“I was doing my job, Mrs. Baker.” He felt a need to explain because he was starting to feel embarrassed. “I’m just glad I could help.”
“Help? You did a bit more than that, and call me Betty. You’re honorary family now.” Mrs. Baker didn’t relent. She turned to Autumn, spilling the story. “Sierra was trying to get Owen to the emergency room in the middle of the storm, and guess who came along, drove her all the way in to the hospital and stayed with her to make sure she and Owen got back home safe and sound. On his own time.”
“What was I going to do? Leave folks to fend for themselves?” It felt nice making a difference for a change. The world had its ugly side, and he’d seen a lot of it. His weary soul felt lighter as Autumn met his gaze. His heart swung out of his chest, falling, endlessly falling.
“You did a good thing, Ford. That’s what we do around here. We help each other out.” She looked at him differently, as if he was no longer the last person she’d wanted to bump into at the airport. “Betty’s homemade rolls are legendary. You are in for a treat.”
“Oh, boy. I can’t wait.”
“Oh, there’s my sister! Cheryl! Yoo-hoo!” Betty hurried off, her boots squeaking on the tile floor, lost in the dozen people flooding in through the glass door from the tarmac.
“Now’s your chance to tell me if she’s really a good cook, or if I should be prepared for the worst.” He edged closer.
“She’s a great cook.” Was it his imagination, or did he detect a small twinkle in her beautiful hazel eyes?
“Is this like the time you told me my house would have outdoor plumbing and barnyard animals?”
“You will just have to wait and see,” she quipped, but the steady light in her gaze told him differently. At least he didn’t have to live in fear of Betty’s cooking.
Why did he like this woman so much? She had turned him down multiple
times. She had told him she didn’t date. But he knew there was more to it. She used to date. That much was plain. It wasn’t hard to figure out there had to be a good reason she had taken herself out of the dating pool.
“Do you know how Owen is?” she asked.
“I called Sierra to check on her.” He wanted that clear. “Totally a job-related call. She said Owen was breathing easier. That’s good news.”
“It is, but that poor little boy hasn’t been well since his father left.” Autumn’s concern softened her, turned her hazel irises to a deep, rich gold. Her heart-shaped face sweetened with sympathy. “Sierra has had a hard time managing everything alone. She’s completely nice and gorgeous. This is the perfect opportunity for you. She might take to your charm.”
He chuckled, he couldn’t help it. Autumn thought he had charm. Yes! He wanted to fist-punch the air. “You think I’m a ladies’ man. Is that it?”
“Aren’t you? You asked me out two seconds after you met me.” Her lush mouth twisted into the cutest disapproval he’d ever seen.
“Give me a break. I was overwhelmed by your beauty. Blown away by the first real cowgirl I ever laid eyes on.” It was simply the truth. “I haven’t asked a lady out in a long time. I can’t remember how long.”
“Sure, like I believe that.” She shook her head at him, as if she didn’t approve of a man who fibbed.
It was no fib, and he suspected she knew that, too. But he let her believe it, if it was easier for her.
She thought he had charm? That put a smile on his face and a lift to his tumbledown heart.
“My sisters!” She lit up, her brightness grand enough to blind him to everyone and everything else. “Ford, you might as well bring your brother to the wedding, too.”
“Your dad already suggested that.” But he liked that she’d thought to say it. “Does this mean you will save me a dance?”
“I would, but I just gave it up. No more dancing for me. Waltzing gives me hives.” She flashed a smile over her shoulder as she hurried away. She sure made a pretty sight in a coat, jeans and boots, her hair swinging with her gait, her arms out to hug her sisters close.