Rancher's Dream

by B. J Daniels

  If he had regrets, he wasn’t about to let himself think about them. He’d lived with the what-ifs for too much of his adult life. He and Drey...well, they’d had their chance. Now there was no going back. There was no second-guessing himself anymore. Drey was gone. Married. Honeymooning in a house near his ranch.

  He swore and took a deep breath, determined not to look back anymore. The morning sun came up in a cloudless blue sky that only Montana made. The ranch, like the town of Gilt Edge, sat in a valley surrounded by mountain ranges. To him, it was the most beautiful place in the world. There was nowhere else he wanted to be—even if he was going to have to share his valley with Drey and her new husband.

  He couldn’t help but think of the last time he’d run into her. She’d been coming out of the post office. They’d nearly collided. There was that awkward moment, the two of them just standing there looking at each other. He’d felt the chemistry arc between them—just as it always had. Seeing her had sent his heart into overdrive—even as hard as he willed it not to.

  “You look beautiful.” The words were out before he could still his tongue. Her auburn hair shone in the sunlight making her brown eyes gleam.

  “Thank you,” she’d said, sounding embarrassed.

  The breeze had stirred her long hair. Without thinking, he’d reached over and brushed a lock back from her eyes. His fingers had touched her warm skin, sending a shiver through him, and a shudder through her.

  He’d quickly withdrawn his hand and let his arm drop to his side. There had been a time when they’d had so much to say to each other. But back then, they’d known each other intimately and often hadn’t even needed words.

  And that was a lot of water under the bridge, he thought now. So why did he still feel such an aching need for the woman? Why hadn’t he broken down that wall between them? Or hell, just bounded over it and taken her?

  Those kinds of thoughts did nothing for him, he realized. Drey was married. Drey was the past. He had to get that through his thick skull. Drey was gone. And he hadn’t just let her go, he’d practically thrown her into another man’s arms. Cursing under his breath, he headed downstairs, determined to work her out of his thoughts.

  He found his brother downstairs, sitting at the breakfast bar shoveling down a bowl of cereal. Stepping behind the counter, he poured himself a cup of coffee and asked, “What’s on the agenda this morning?”

  Cyrus eyed him as if expecting he would be too hungover to work. “We’ve got all that barbed wire to string on that new section. You up to that this morning?”

  Hawk didn’t feel all that well after rather too much whiskey before he’d fallen into a dark, disturbing sleep. In one nightmare, Drey had come running at him in her wedding dress, screaming at the top of her lungs. The front of the dress had been covered in blood.

  “I’m up to whatever you throw at me,” he said, hoping it was true.

  His brother laughed. “That sounds like a challenge to me.”

  Bring it on, Hawk thought, wanting to lose himself in a long day of backbreaking ranch work. He poured his coffee into a container to go as his brother got up to rinse out his bowl. “Then let’s get on it,” he said and headed for the truck.

  * * *

  DREY WATCHED THE car approach, thinking it must be either the caretaker or possibly someone who had come by earlier and taken Ethan into town.

  She felt disappointed again that he hadn’t joined her last night. Even if she had been asleep, he could have awakened her. It was their wedding night. Seemed like a bad way to start a marriage.

  You mean like keeping important facts from your wife, like where the two of you would be living?

  She hated to admit that she was still upset about that and other surprises her husband had sprung on her. She told herself that she’d known what Ethan was like before she’d married him. Frowning, she wondered, though, if that was true. Maybe she’d seen only what she’d wanted to. Or what he’d wanted her to.

  Telling herself to smile as the car pulled up beside Ethan’s expensive sedan, she went downstairs and stepped out onto the slate landing, anxious to see her husband and get this marriage started off on a better foot. She would make the best of it, including living in this house. With Ethan here, the house wouldn’t feel so cold and alien to her. At least she hoped that was true.

  With the sun’s glare on the windshield, she couldn’t make out who was in the vehicle. So she was surprised when the driver’s-side door opened but the passenger side didn’t. Only one person climbed out—not her husband.

  The man wore mirrored sunglasses and a baseball cap that shaded his face. His blond hair curled at the back of his cap. His lips also seemed to curl as he looked at her. She stared at him, thinking again that he must be the caretaker because he would have had to know the pass code to get through the gate at the bottom of the mountain. But dressed in a blue-checked shirt, new jeans and red tennis shoes without socks, he definitely wasn’t a local.

  He pushed back his cap and lowered the sunglasses, assessing her from a pair of startling blue eyes. He had a toothpick sticking out of the side of his mouth. He removed it and broke into a broad smile, only then reminding her of someone. “The new Mrs. Ethan Baxter, I presume?”

  “Was there an old Mrs. Baxter?” she asked, bristling at his mocking tone.

  He merely laughed and looked toward the house. Then he considered the toothpick he still held before breaking it in half and tossing it into the nearby grass.

  “What an ugly, pretentious pile of rock and glass,” he said, taking in the house. “So how much do you hate it so far?”

  Definitely not the caretaker, she thought. Or if he was, not for long if Ethan heard the man’s opinion of Mountain Crest.

  “And you are...?” she asked pointedly, having a bad feeling in her stomach as she realized who it was he reminded her of.

  “Sorry,” he said, his gaze returning to her. “Jet. I thought maybe Ethan would have mentioned me.” He added, “Jet Baxter, your husband’s younger brother. You know, the handsome, smart one.”

  * * *

  DREY STILL COULDN’T help her surprise. Ethan had never mentioned that he had a brother. He’d talked about his father and grandfather, who’d started the Baxter family empire. His mother had died when he was young so he’d said he didn’t really remember her. He’d been raised by a nanny who his father had later married.

  Ethan hadn’t liked talking about those years so she hadn’t pressed. It never dawned on her that he might have had a sibling. The more she looked at the man standing before her, the more she saw a resemblance between him and Ethan. Jet was taller and slimmer, but he had Ethan’s blond hair and blue eyes and when he smiled... Still, this man could be just about anyone.

  “I assume you have some form of identification?” she asked.

  He chuckled but reached into his pocket for his wallet and, flipping it open, climbed up the steps, stopping several below her, so he could show her his New York driver’s license.

  Jet Baxter. On closer inspection, she could see that he was ten years younger than Ethan, which meant he could be the son of their father and the nanny turned wife. Which could explain why Ethan hadn’t told her about Jet. Or was there more to the story?

  “So big bro never mentioned me,” Jet said as he tucked his wallet back into his pocket.

  It appeared they were both wondering why. “I take it that the two of you aren’t close or I would have met you before the wedding—or at least at the wedding,” Drey said.

  He looked down as if chastised. “I guess I’m as close as anyone to Ethan.” He raised his head and grinned. “He’s... Well, I guess I don’t have to tell you what he’s like.”

  Actually maybe he did, she thought, but said nothing, not wanting to admit how little she felt she knew about her husband given last night and even this morning. The man could have at least left her a n
ote, texted her or called to let her know where he was and apologize.

  “Sorry about missing the wedding,” Jet was saying. “I ran into some trouble. Car trouble.” They both glanced at his expensive red sports car. “So where is he?” he asked, looking up at the house again. “I wasn’t expecting a hero’s welcome, but at least he could come out and say hello.” He laughed as if he was joking, but his tone said otherwise.

  Yes, where was Ethan? That was what she had hoped to ask him. “You haven’t seen or heard from him last night or today?”

  He shook his head, his gaze shifting from the house to her. “Why?”

  “I haven’t seen him myself.” She hated to admit that he hadn’t joined her on their wedding night unless she had to.

  “You sure he isn’t here somewhere? His car is here and given the size of this monstrosity he built for himself... Sorry,” he said with a shrug. “I shouldn’t be talking that way about your husband.” Or your brother, she thought. “I suppose we should try to find him. I can’t imagine he would have gone far. He didn’t leave a note?”

  She felt the pinch of his words but wasn’t about to admit now that she hadn’t seen him since he’d sent her up to bed and promised to join her. Jet seemed to be enjoying this too much. “I looked around the house but I couldn’t find him.”

  Jet considered that for a moment. “I can’t imagine that he took a walk. When was the last time you saw him?”

  “He was already gone when I woke up.”

  Jet’s gaze swung back to her. “Seriously?” He looked worried. “I think we’d better search the place.”

  Drey realized she was actually relieved to have someone to share her concern with—even Ethan’s bitter brother. Jet clearly had a chip on his shoulder when it came to his big brother. But Jet’s expression mirrored her own growing concern. And the truth was, she was glad for the company right now.

  Even in the daylight there was something about the house that made her uncomfortable. All that reflective glass reminded her of mirrored sunglasses. It could see her, but she couldn’t see... See what? See what was inside waiting for her? Drey knew it was ridiculous. She wasn’t the kind of woman to be afraid of an inanimate object like a house, although when she was young she loved spooky books with haunted houses and evil lurking behind every door.

  She and Jet started on the first floor, checking each room before moving on to the next. They each took half of a level and met again in the middle. When they finally reached the kitchen floor, Jet paused in front of the refrigerator. “Mind?” he asked as he opened the door and pulled out a beer. “You?”

  She shook her head and glanced at the clock, thinking it was still morning. It was almost eleven. She’d lost half the day already. No wonder she felt confused. She watched him pop the top and take a long swig. “Rough night?”

  He licked his lips and chuckled. “I drove all night to get here after I got the car fixed. I’d hoped to make it before the wedding reception ended.” He shrugged.

  Had his brother really invited him? Wouldn’t Ethan have mentioned his disappointment that his brother hadn’t made it? Or maybe show some concern?

  Jet must have seen from her expression what she was thinking. “You think my own brother wouldn’t invite me to his wedding?” He laughed. “I’m sure it gave him pause, but I’d promised to be on my best behavior.”

  She honestly didn’t know if Jet had been invited. Ethan had insisted on handling the guest list and seating arrangements of people she didn’t know. Her handful of friends had been relegated to a corner in both the church and the reception.

  With a start she remembered something she’d completely forgotten. Ethan had gotten a text last night as they were leaving the reception. He got so many texts and phone calls, that it hadn’t really registered at the time. But in her side mirror, she had watched him frown at his phone. He’d looked upset before pocketing it again.

  “Did you text him last night?” she asked now.

  Jet seemed surprised by the question. “And disturb him on his wedding night?” He laughed. “Not a chance. He knows me. I’m often late. I’m sure he expected me to show up today. That’s why it’s odd that he’s not here.”

  “I’m surprised he didn’t try to reach you,” she said. “I would have been worried if I’d known you were coming and didn’t make the wedding. You’re his brother.”

  Jet shook his head as he leaned back against the kitchen counter. “He really didn’t tell you about me. I’m not surprised. We have different goals in life.” He shrugged again. “So it goes without saying that we don’t have that much to talk about.”

  “You’re not involved with the family company?” she asked.

  He smiled. “Actually, I am. In a lesser way than big brother, but I’m part of the Baxter Inc. team.” He pushed off the counter as if her question had stirred up a sore subject. “I suppose we’d better take a look upstairs.”

  She didn’t like the idea of being alone in the master bedroom with Jet. He had a way of looking at her that unnerved her. “I’ve already checked the master suite. You’re welcome to check the guest rooms on the next floor while I get something to eat. I haven’t had breakfast, or I guess now, lunch.”

  “Thanks, I could use a bite,” he said and quickly added, “if you don’t mind. I didn’t take the time to stop and eat.” He frowned as he watched her head for the refrigerator. “I would have thought Ethan had a staff by now. Odd, since he had a huge staff for the New York City penthouse and it wasn’t a quarter of the size of this place.” With that he disappeared up the stairs.

  Drey stood for a moment watching him go, hating the way he kept undermining Ethan. And making her question her husband, as well. She tried to call Ethan. The call went straight to voice mail just as it had the other times she’d tried the number when they’d been searching the house.

  With a sigh, she told herself that she hadn’t planned on making them both breakfast. She’d been hoping that after not finding his brother, Jet would leave.

  As she opened the refrigerator, unlike Jet, she had no idea what she would find. She thought about how easily he’d reached in and pulled out a beer. Apparently, he knew his brother well enough to know that it would be stocked. But the way he seemed to make himself at home made her wonder if he hadn’t been in this house before.

  She saw that there were eggs, English muffins, a slab of ham along with what looked like sandwich fixings, several bins filled with vegetables, including potatoes, and a couple of rib eye steaks.

  Ethan had planned ahead, which relieved her some. He hadn’t planned to leave. Which meant that he would be back as soon as he could. She tried to relax, telling herself that there was nothing to worry about. Wherever Ethan had gone, he would be returning soon, probably with flowers and an embarrassed apology. It wasn’t the first time he’d forgotten to tell her his plans.

  She had two pieces of ham warming, along with two English muffins in the large toaster, when Jet returned. She planned to fry them each an egg for a quick breakfast sandwich. Her stomach was still queasy from last night.

  In truth, she wasn’t up to a long leisurely meal with Jet. She had a bad feeling that Ethan wouldn’t like him being here. As he came into the room, she glanced at him, although she knew he hadn’t found Ethan. She’d already checked the floor directly above them. Something in his expression, though, made her freeze. “What?” she asked suddenly even more worried.

  “Did you check the elevator?”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  BILLIE DEE STARED at her fiancé. “Henry, what does this mean?”

  “That your daughter is looking for you,” he said.

  “Why do I feel like there’s a but coming?” she demanded.

  He stepped to her and took her shoulders in his big hands. “It’s a step, okay? The good news is that she’s alive and interested in her birth mother.”

&nb
sp; “I’m waiting for the bad news.”

  “When she received notice that the DNA sample was definitely a match, she had the option to contact you at that point.”

  “She didn’t.” The cook pulled away to move to the stove. Picking up the large spoon, she stirred her chili. Cooking had gotten her through more hard times in her life than she wanted to recall. “Maybe she just needs a little more time.”

  Henry said nothing. It had been twenty-six years. How much time did her daughter need?

  “This is good news,” he said, coming up to wrap his arms around her. “Of course she is leery. She knows nothing about you. It’s a step, honey. A step in the right direction.”

  She smiled, leaning back into him, knowing he was as disappointed as she was. He’d been trying to get her to the altar for months now, she thought, glancing down at the beautiful engagement ring on her finger.

  But he seemed to know that she didn’t want to set a wedding date just yet. But could she keep holding out in the hope that her daughter might be there? It was foolish, but she couldn’t help it. Giving up her daughter had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. But she’d had no choice. Unfortunately, her daughter didn’t know that.

  “How’re Ashley Jo’s cooking lessons coming along?” Henry asked, changing the subject.

  “She’s doing really well.” The young woman was a bright spot in Billie Dee’s days. Her daughter’s age, Ashley Jo was so much like her daughter that sometimes... She shook away the thought.

  “By the way, this came in the mail,” he said, removing his arms from around her to pull a letter from his jacket pocket.

  She wiped her hands on her apron as she turned and took the envelope. The moment she saw the return address, she knew immediately what it was. Her gaze shot up to Henry’s. He was grinning.

  “It might not be good news,” she told him. “Just because they sent me a letter doesn’t mean I won the recipe contest. You’re as bad as Ashley Jo thinking I’m more of a cook than I am.”