The Rancher's Texas Match

by Brenda Minton

  “You think because he wanted to buy it, he might have stolen it?”

  “I don’t know what to think anymore.” He motioned her ahead of him, and they started down the stairs together.

  The house was monstrous with big rooms and floor-to-ceiling windows. There was a main wing and then two wings ran back from each end of that main building. The ceilings were high. The woodwork was custom.

  “It’s going to be expensive to heat and cool,” he mused as they walked out the front door.

  Something streaked past them, a flash of black-and-white. Macy shrieked and jumped to the side. She let out a pained groan and hopped back to lean against the wall.

  “What happened?” Tanner was at her side, a hand on her arm. “Are you okay?”

  Stupid question. Of course she wasn’t. Her eyes were closed and her mouth tight with pain. Before she could answer, Colby ran at her, his arms going around her waist.

  “I’m okay, Colby. I think I stepped on a nail. What was that, a skunk?”

  “A cat,” Tanner supplied as he took her by the arm and led her to the porch swing. “Let’s take a look.”

  She reached to pull off her shoe. Or what a woman considered a shoe and he considered a scrap of canvas. Blood was already seeping out. From behind him, Jay held out a towel.

  “Me and Colby are going to take more boxes upstairs.” Jay had Colby in hand. Tanner was glad of that.

  “It’s fine, Tanner,” Macy murmured as she dropped the shoe. “I really liked those shoes.”

  “I think calling those shoes is using the term shoe pretty loosely.”

  “Be quiet.” She grimaced as he lifted her foot.

  “It’s pretty deep. When was your last tetanus shot?”

  “Does it count if I don’t remember?”

  He wrapped the towel around her foot. “I think if you can’t remember, it means you need one.”

  “I can do that tomorrow.”

  “I don’t think tomorrow will work.” He stood and held out a hand. “Come on. Let’s take Colby and Jay back to the Silver Star, and I’ll drive you to Fieldton to the urgent care.”

  “You don’t have to.”

  “Oh, you’re going to drive yourself?”

  “Well, I...” She shook her head. “No, I guess not. I just don’t want to be a bother. I’m sure you have other things to do.”

  “You’re not a bother. Let me help you into the truck.” He put an arm around her waist, and she leaned into him, her arm around him.

  They took a few hopping steps forward, and he realized it wasn’t going to work.

  “What?” She looked up at him and tried to take another step.

  “This,” he said. He turned her, and then he scooped her up in his arms, ignoring her protests. He carried her to his truck. “Open the door.”

  “I could have walked,” she grumbled as she reached for the handle.

  “And then what kind of knight would I have been? Colby would have been disappointed.”

  She leaned into his shoulder as he placed her on the truck seat. He tried to think back to the last time he’d held a woman and been tempted to not let go. But with her arm around his neck and her cheek against his shoulder, it was worth thinking about.

  Chapter Eleven

  “I don’t have time to be on crutches,” Macy complained as Tanner helped her through her front door that evening.

  He didn’t say anything, but he flipped on lights and moved her in the direction of the sofa.

  “It’s a nail hole,” she continued. “Who would have thought jumping out of the way of a skunk...”

  “Cat,” he corrected.

  “A cat, then, would have resulted in this.”

  “Jay said he found the nail and hammered it back through the porch.”

  “Good. I wouldn’t want one of the kids to step on it.” She propped her foot up on the coffee table.

  Tanner grabbed a throw pillow, lifted her foot and slid the pillow under it. “There, that will be more comfortable. And you’re on crutches because the puncture was deep.”

  “But only for a few days.”

  He sat on the nearby recliner. “What do you want for dinner?”

  “I’ll heat up a bowl of soup.”

  He stood. “I’ll heat it up.”

  “You really don’t have to do that.” She grabbed the crutches, and he pointed a finger at her.

  “Stay.”

  “Of course.” She would stay until he wasn’t looking.

  He headed for her kitchen. She could hear him banging around in the cabinets. And then the radio came on, and country music drifted through to the living room. She finally did get the crutches under her arms and head for the kitchen. He didn’t say anything, just tossed a look back as he emptied the contents of two cans into the pan on the stove.

  “Water or tea?” he asked when he finished. “And I told you to stay.”

  “In school I always got marked down for not following instructions.” She patted the chair next to hers. “I really appreciate you helping me today. I could have done this alone, but I’m glad I didn’t have to.”

  “So am I.” He sat next to her. Their shoulders brushed, and she could smell the spicy, outdoor scent of his cologne.

  It was one of those colognes that made a woman want to lean in close to a man. It might even have been one that would make her want to touch his face, experience his kiss.

  As if he knew what she was thinking, he leaned in, cupping the back of her head. And then his lips were on hers, and she was experiencing something she’d convinced herself to be a fluke. But it wasn’t. This was real. What she felt when he held her was the most genuine thing she’d ever experienced with a man. It felt pure and good, and it felt dangerous.

  He moved back, whistling as he let her go. “I should leave now. Is there anything you need?”

  She smiled at the question and reached to touch his cheek, to run her fingers through the thick hair at the back of his neck. And then she pulled back, reminding herself that this wasn’t the right time in her life for relationships.

  “No, I’m good. And thank you.”

  He dished out a bowl of soup, placed it in front of her and gave her a spoon.

  “I could call Chloe to stay the night with you. Or Josie Markham?”

  She shook her head. “I’m really okay. I have some things to do around here. Maybe now I’ll stay in one place long enough to do those things.”

  “I understand. Call if you need anything.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  He left, and she was alone and feeling more lonely than ever before. Funny how that had happened, and all because he’d kissed her and shown her some kindness.

  She finished her soup, managed to get the bowl in the sink, and then she headed for the office next to the bedroom she’d claimed when she moved in. She’d avoided Grant and Cynthia’s bedroom. It felt like a shrine. In all the time she’d lived there, she hadn’t been able to touch anything of theirs. There were shoes by the closet door, discarded by Cynthia; maybe she’d decided the silver sandals didn’t match her outfit. Or maybe they’d been uncomfortable. Cynthia’s perfume was still on the bathroom vanity.

  Macy bypassed the office and headed for the bedroom. Maybe it was time to start letting go. If she let go, maybe she could move forward.

  She pushed the door open and entered the room. It still felt wrong, as if she was entering a domain in which she didn’t belong. The few times she’d been in here, she’d felt as if her brother and sister-in-law would come home and catch her in the act of going through their belongings. Each time that thought had sent her back out of the room.

  And so it had remained, much as it had the night she first arrived in Haven. The night she’d gotten the call
from the hospital.

  She pulled a chair close to the dresser and sat down. One drawer at a time. She pulled out the top drawer and sighed. Jewelry, notes, mementos. She’d rather go through clothing.

  A knock on the front door saved her from going through a box of papers. She grabbed the crutches and hobbled to the living room. It was eight o’clock in the evening, and with everything happening in the community, she didn’t open the door the way she might have done a few months earlier. Instead she tiptoed forward and peeked out.

  Chloe waved from the front porch.

  Macy opened the door to the younger woman and motioned her inside. “You really didn’t have to come. I told Tanner I’ll be fine.”

  Chloe looked a little bit surprised. “Tanner?”

  “He didn’t send you?”

  Chloe shook her head. “No. Was he supposed to?”

  “Let’s get a cup of coffee. And, no, he wasn’t supposed to. He took me to the doctor this afternoon, and he thought I should have someone here with me.”

  “Someone other than him?” Chloe guessed.

  “I really don’t need anyone,” Macy insisted. “It was sweet of him.”

  “He can be sweet,” Chloe said with a tightness around her mouth that took Macy by surprise.

  “Tanner didn’t send you.” She sat down at the kitchen table. “So something is wrong.”

  “No, not really. Or maybe.” Chloe sat down across from her. “My brother is overprotective. He has a difficult time letting go.”

  “Yes, I told him he should give you space.”

  Chloe cocked her head to the side. “Did you?”

  Heat crawled into Macy’s cheeks. “I guess that isn’t my place.”

  Chloe grinned. “Well, it isn’t. But it’s interesting that Tanner is taking advice. Anyway, I left the house. He was upset about the horse missing from the Lawrence ranch. And of course Russell is being blamed.”

  “Was he with you today?” Macy asked, pushing herself to her feet. “I’m still hungry. Do you want to share a pizza with me? I’ll put one in the oven.”

  “I’d love to. And, no, he wasn’t with me. I’m not sure where he was.”

  Macy glanced back as she hit the power button on the oven. Chloe looked unsure, but Macy wasn’t going to point that out. If the other woman had doubts about her fiancé, she’d work it out.

  “You can stay here tonight,” Macy offered as she pulled the pizza out of the freezer.

  “I’d like that. It looks as if we could both use a friend.”

  Macy thought that was an understatement. Chloe had an older brother trying to guide her but with maybe too firm a hand. Macy had a room full of memories to sort through.

  They both had decisions about their futures that needed to be made.

  * * *

  Friday afternoon, Tanner pulled away from his ranch, the Rocking B, and turned his truck in the direction of the farm supply store. He’d spent the morning separating steers that were heading to the livestock auction. The next thing on his list was to check a shipment that had arrived at the store. Larry had called to tell him there was a pretty good ding on a new tractor.

  Chloe was just pulling in as he got there. She’d called last night from Macy’s place to let him know she wouldn’t be coming home. He’d tried to apologize. She’d told him it wasn’t necessary. She understood he was worried about her future. But he needed to let her make her own decisions and trust that she’d make the right ones.

  They parked next to one another and met up in front of the building. “Hi, big brother.” She looked up at him, shielding sunshine from her face with her hand.

  “Chloe. Everything okay at Macy’s?”

  “She’s good. She decided her foot feels better, and she isn’t using crutches. I told her she’ll be sorry.”

  She would. But like his sister, she wasn’t going to listen to him. Not only that, she wasn’t his to order around. Macy would make her own decisions, and either it would work out or she’d suffer for it.

  He didn’t want her to suffer.

  “That’s a fierce look,” Chloe teased.

  He opened the door and motioned her inside.

  “I have a lot on my mind. Lane called to tell me he’d heard the price of cattle is going to drop. And then Larry called to let me know a tractor that was special ordered has a dent.”

  “That isn’t good.”

  “No, it isn’t.” He followed her behind the counter. “If you have this, I need to make a few phone calls. I’m afraid I’ve found a lead on Gabe’s grandfather.”

  “Not good news?”

  “No, I don’t think it is. And later I’m supposed to go help search for this missing horse.”

  “Russell didn’t take it.”

  He looked up from the packing list. “Okay.”

  “I know you think he had something to do with it. He was in Waco. Remember, he has a job.”

  “I’m sure if they need to check his alibi, they will.”

  “Okay. But remember to give a person a chance before you start accusing.”

  “I’m trying, Chloe. I know you don’t believe that, but I want to like the guy. For your sake.”

  “Thank you.”

  “This is just a tense situation. We have the move for the boys ranch and now someone intent on causing problems in the community. I’ll be glad when things are back to normal.”

  Chloe came around to stand behind the counter. “I was at the café this morning. You know, there are people accusing Fletcher. Because he’s so against the boys ranch.”

  “I know. I’m finding it hard to believe he would go as far as this, to shoot at buildings and put children in danger.”

  “Yeah, I told them I didn’t think he was the person responsible.”

  “Hopefully we’ll catch them before we have the whole town up in arms.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. “Flint just texted me. He heard they found where the fence was cut on the Lawrence ranch.”

  Chloe didn’t look up at him, and he wasn’t about to question her. If she doubted her fiancé, that wouldn’t be something she wanted to talk about.

  When she didn’t respond, he filled in the silence. “I’m going to make this call, check that tractor and then head out to the Silver Star. We’ve got less than two weeks to get these kids moved.”

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do.” Chloe looked up, her expression guarded. “And, Tanner, if Russell did this...”

  “One day at a time, sis.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  * * *

  Tanner left his store a short time later. On his way to the Silver Star, he stopped by his place. His foreman, Lane, had called to tell him the buyer for the gray horse, Frosty, was due anytime.

  Lane came out of the barn, wiping his brow with a handkerchief. “Hey, boss, didn’t expect you back so soon.”

  “I was driving past and decided to stop and make sure Frosty is ready to meet his new owners.”

  “I just brushed him out, and he’s in a stall waiting. I hope they like that rotten thing.”

  “He’s showy. They’ll like him.” Tanner closed his truck door. “Just be honest about his temperament. Why don’t you bring him out now and work him a little so he calms down? I want them to see him at his best, but also explain that he’s dramatic.”

  “Sure thing.”

  Lane brought the gelding out of the stable on a lead rope. The animal was a little on the excitable side. It shied at every noise, even at a gust of wind. Tanner didn’t think Frosty was that nervous, but rather that he liked the drama of shying and kicking up his heels.

  “He’s a crazy colt,” Lane said. “If he’s alone, he never even startles.”

  “I’m sure he’ll settle as he gets
older.”

  “True that. These people have an older daughter. She’s an experienced rider, and this horse won’t bother her a bit.”

  “I saw her showing Western pleasure last year. She can handle Frosty, or I wouldn’t consider selling him to her. Hey, did you tell me about a neighbor with puppies to give away?”

  “You looking to get a dog, boss?”

  He ignored the question.

  “Yeah,” Lane answered when he didn’t get a response from Tanner. “The Jacksons have a litter of mutts. I think the mama is a collie, and the dad is a retriever.”

  “Weaned?”

  “Yeah, about ten weeks old. Cute little things. I got one for my niece.”

  “Thanks. I think I’ll go and leave you with this. If you have any problem with the buyer, let me know.”

  “Will do. Hey, have they found the Lawrences’ gelding?”

  “Nope.” He headed for his truck, checked the time and drove off in the opposite direction he’d planned to go.

  When he pulled up to the Jacksons’, Melton was outside. The old farmer wore his customary bib overalls, one strap hanging loose. He had on rubber boots up to his knees and a fishing hat.

  “Tanner, what brings you to this side of town?”

  “I heard you had puppies to give away.”

  “Yes, I sure do. I’ve got three left. Do you want them all?”

  “No, I think I’ll just take one.”

  With a grin, Melton headed toward the barn, and Tanner followed. The puppies were inside with their mom, a pretty black, tan and white collie. Two of the puppies were fawn-colored; one looked like the mama dog. He picked that one up, and it licked his hand.

  “Melton, I think I’ll take this puppy off your hands.”

  “Chloe will like that one, Tanner.”

  Chloe. He felt a little guilty. “No, this one is for one of the boys at the ranch. For Grant Swanson’s son.”

  Melton Jackson’s smile faded. “That little boy ought to have a puppy. That was a bad situation.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “I guess his aunt is going to stay?”

  “I’m assuming she will.”