by Debra Holt
Angie gave up and relinquished her fork to the sink with an apologetic shrug to her friend. Kaitlyn’s soon followed. Only Edie and Clay… bless their kind hearts… kept at it until each managed to retrieve a forkful and get it into their mouths. They chewed, and then chewed some more before finally being able to swallow.
Clay sent a smile to the cook, while reaching for a glass from the cabinet and quickly filling it with tap water. “Not bad.” He washed the words down with a couple of gulps.
“It has a definite tartness to it. Was that one tablespoon of nutmeg you used?” Edie asked.
Kaitlyn looked at the condiments still on the countertop and then over to the recipe card. Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, my gosh! I thought it was a four, not a one! I must have smudged the recipe card when I dropped the spoon of butter on it earlier. I am so sorry!”
Angie couldn’t help herself. She burst out laughing. Even Edie had to give it up, unable to control her own chuckles. Clay kept the even smile on his face.
“Fine!” Kaitlyn eyed both women, her hands going to the ties of the apron. She yanked it over her head and wadded it up. “At least I tried to learn to bake from scratch.”
“I’m sorry.” Angie spoke, but it was hard as she was still trying to stifle her laughter.
“Not to worry, my dear. Everyone starts off this way when you’re first learning to work with pastry. Your next attempt will be much better.” Edie imparted.
“I think I’ll stick with the takeout menus I have in my kitchen in lieu of recipe books. I’ll leave the baking to the corner bakery. It might be safer that way.”
“Well, the chef has earned some time out of the kitchen.” Clay spoke up, taking the wadded apron from Kaitlyn and handing it over to Edie. “We’ll let you two ladies come up with another surprise for dessert tonight.”
Kaitlyn went willingly, her hand locked inside his. She was too shocked to protest and, besides, it was her ticket out of the kitchen and any further embarrassing baking attempts.
Her steps came to an abrupt halt as she stepped out on the porch and Clay allowed her hand to slide free of his. Two horses, both saddled, stood at the end of the sidewalk. Clay continued down the walk and took the reins of one into his hand and stepped easily into the saddle. He looked up at her, still standing at the top of the steps.
The smile he threw her way was one of those incredible ones that always made her go weak in the knees in the past. It still worked. It was also the first genuine, full-on one he had shared with her since their arrival at the ranch. Clay was almost too much to take in as he leaned nonchalantly forward in the saddle, a latent sexiness in his every move. “Thought you might like to see some of the ranch by horseback. That is, if you still remember how to ride?”
Was he baiting her? He was also dangling the chance to be on horseback—something she loved to do growing up—but left behind for the city. Dare she take the challenge? It would mean she would be alone with him. Could they remain civil for the duration of a horseback ride? More importantly, could she remain heart-whole?
She was being tempted and playing with fire. “I remember.”
“You’ll need this too,” he said, as he tossed her a black flat brimmed hat that he drew from hanging around his saddle horn. “We can’t have you getting heatstroke.”
Kaitlyn easily caught the hat before slowly moving down the steps toward him. He handed her the reins of the black gelding as she came to a stop beside the horse.
The horse had a white star on his forehead and four white stockings. “His name is Troy and he has some speed. Think you can handle him?” Clay issued the challenge.
Securing the hat on her head, she placed one boot in the stirrup and swung her right leg over the horse’s back, easily mounting. “Like riding a bicycle,” she began and then left him in her dust.
Clay caught up with her as they topped the hill. His big chestnut horse sidled next to hers. Both horses settled down into a companionable step.
“I have missed this!” Kaitlyn took in a deep breath of fresh air.
When she had been at home with her grandmother, she had spent hours riding—just her and her old horse, Blue Boy. They explored wherever they wanted. The animal had been her confidant. She told him all her young girl musings and dreams… heartbreaks… and a lot about the man beside her. When she left home, it had been hard to leave her dear friend behind. The horse had been given a good retirement on a neighbor’s ranch.
Kaitlyn glanced over at the man beside her. Clay hadn’t said a word since they left the house. Which was just as well. Only he was the one person who could make her more nervous by not saying anything than by saying a lot. She patted the neck of her mount.
“He’s a good animal. Thank you for allowing me to ride him today.”
Clay’s mouth curved into a warm smile as he looked across at her. She couldn’t really see too much of his expression because his hat was pulled low over his forehead. His tone was amiable enough.
“Troy was born here on the ranch. I’m glad you like him.”
“You finally got what you wanted.” Her mind latched on to the first thing that crossed it in order to fill the growing silence.
“Why do you say that?” His gaze settled on her.
Looking around at their surroundings, she tossed him a smile. “You’ve come a long way. You have a beautiful ranch and a ranger star, everything you always said you’d have. All your plans worked out.”
His gaze became thoughtful and then darkened. “Not all, but close.”
A flush could be felt creeping into her cheeks. Things were going okay and you stick a foot into it. She needed to stick to safer ground, nothing personal but somehow she had managed to say something wrong. Although, she couldn’t help think what it was that he didn’t have. What was he missing? His wife. Of course that was it. Yet another reason to feel foolish.
“You’ve gone quiet. The wheels are turning. You used to speak your mind.”
“Sometimes speaking one’s mind can get a person in trouble. I should know. I seem to be an expert at it. Maybe I’ve grown wiser and try to think before I speak.”
“There used to be nothing we couldn’t talk about—you and I. Just say what’s on your mind.”
Nothing ventured. “I was sorry that my remark about you having everything made you think about your wife. I should have thought before I said anything.”
He drew his horse to a standstill, hands resting on the pommel of the saddle, while his eyes roamed over the far ridge of hills. She brought her own mount to a halt. Was their ride about to be over?
“Life deals you surprises every day. Some are good and some not. How you handle them is what life is really about. I’ve made peace with the past… or most of it, at any rate. It’s the here and now that matters. As you say, I am a lucky man. I have my son, my health, my career, my home. Maybe life still has some surprises in store for me. I hope so… if they’re good ones.”
“Surprises such as?”
“Like this one,” he said, his honey-hued gaze warm as the sunshine of the day, lighting on her and making butterflies suddenly spring to life in her midsection. How long had they been dormant? Since the last time they were together long ago. “You and I, taking a ride like old times. Who would have thought it would ever happen again? That we’d have a second chance?”
“Second chance… for what?”
His grin was slow and just as warm as honey smoothing over her rioting senses. “Maybe to get things right. And for starters… for me to beat you. Race you to the top of the next rise. Get ready, get…”
She didn’t wait to hear the rest. Winning favored the bold and it was time she remembered how to be bold—and to win what she wanted. Kaitlyn didn’t look back but she could hear the pounding of hooves behind her. Her laugh was caught in the wind and carried back to him. Troy stayed ahead of his horse for quite a distance.
Seizing the right moment, the chestnut surged forward and Kaitlyn caught
a glimpse of the man and horse as they moved ahead of her. They didn’t slow until they topped the next rise. He whirled the horse around and stood waiting for her and Troy to join them.
She must look a sight as she reined in her mount. Some of her hair had escaped the tie at the back of her neck when her hat left her head and the wind had done the rest. Thankfully, the strings of her hat had kept it anchored around her neck. But she didn’t care. The day was perfect and nothing could spoil the carefree joy she found in the moment.
“There’s that sparkle in those eyes. You haven’t lost that. Even if you did lose the race. We’ll walk them to the next hill and let them cool down. Edie packed some food for us. We’ll find a spot to eat.”
At the mention of food, Kaitlyn’s stomach did respond with faint rumblings. Clay handed her a compliment with one hand that made her insides go all soft and then teased her into laughing. Shades of happy days from the past appeared when least expected.
She pushed them into the far corner of her mind to be savored and remembered. “Sounds like a good plan.”
Chapter Sixteen
Troy fell into easy step beside Clay and his mount. Kaitlyn’s gaze took in the beauty around her. “There’s a bumper crop of bluebonnets this year.” She observed.
“We had a good amount of rain in the fall, when we needed it. That wasn’t the case the last couple of years, but this year seems to be making up for it.”
Kaitlyn glanced up at the blue sky and saw quite a few puffy white clouds there. She hadn’t really noticed them before. Clay’s glance followed hers and noted the same thing.
“Looks like we might get an afternoon shower later when it heats up. We better eat lunch while we can.” He led them across a clearing and up under the sprawling mantle of a couple of large oak trees. The ground was covered in soft new grass and there were few rocks to be seen.
“This looks like a good spot.” Clay stepped down from the saddle, wrapping his reins on a low hanging branch nearby.
Kaitlyn followed suit.
Untying the rolled blanket from behind his saddle, he handed it to her. Crossing to just beneath the first tree, she shook it out, letting it fall to the ground. Clay joined her and dropped to his knees on an edge of the blanket, setting the saddlebags down. Tucking her legs underneath her, she removed her hat, laying it to the side of the blanket.
“When did Edie have time to pack a lunch for us? She was busy with Angie and me and our baking fiasco.”
“I let her in on my plans before you came down for breakfast. She took care of it,” he replied, setting the covered containers on the blanket, along with utensils and napkins. The thermos came last. “In case you haven’t realized before, that woman can create miracles. She’s really the boss of this place.”
“You were so certain you could talk me into going for a ride?”
He shot a grin in her direction. No contriteness at all in his expression. “Let’s say I hoped, said a couple of prayers, stuck a rabbit’s foot in my pocket, and…”
“And kissed the blarney stone along the way.” She finished for him with a responding laugh.
Edie had done herself proud. There was fried chicken, homemade potato salad, fresh fruit, and cold lemonade.
“This is quite a picnic lunch. I’m going to be stuffed after this meal.” Kaitlyn groaned in appreciation. “Edie is a true gem.”
Clay smiled over at her and the old familiar catch somewhere between her ribcage and heart responded automatically. For just a second longer than she should have, she allowed her gaze to rest on his mouth. She became aware of Clay watching her and she quickly focused elsewhere. Kaitlyn reached for the thermos and used her concentration in pouring each a cup of the cold liquid. She was grateful her nerves didn’t translate into shaking hands.
Clay didn’t say anything. He simply took the cup from her and settled himself more comfortably on the blanket, his attention on the plate before him.
The meal was delicious. They ate mostly in silence at first, each seemingly intent on their own thoughts, not wanting to make an errant move and ruin the tenuous truce.
Clay finally spoke up, although his eyes remained on the chicken leg in his hands. “Penny for those thoughts you’ve been considering so hard for the last few minutes.”
Kaitlyn dabbed the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I think with inflation, they’re worth considerably more than a penny,” she responded. “However, if you must know, I was wondering what I would have to do to lure Edie away from you.”
A self-secure smile was etched on his face. “Not a chance that could ever happen.”
“Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “You sound so confident.”
“I am,” he stated, wiping his mouth with a napkin, brushing the last of the chicken crumbs from his lap. “For three reasons.”
“This should be good. Do share. What are those reasons?”
“One,” he began as he stretched out his long legs and propped himself up on one elbow. He discarded his hat to rest on the saddlebags before giving her an amused look. “I have Seth. Two… she would miss my charming personality too much.” Was that a smirk that joined her raised eyebrow? Nevertheless, he continued. “Three… well, being a ranger, I could never let you poach on my range.”
Kaitlyn gave him a considering look. “Well, I have to concede that you would win on one of those points, but not necessarily the other two.”
“Just one?”
“In fact, the first one. You have Seth. However, I would just have to lure him away too.” She finished with a smug toss of her ponytail over her shoulder.
“So the other two would make no difference?”
“Nope. I think you may seriously have overestimated the charm and the ranger lore.”
He considered her for a long moment, something in his gaze making her wish she could read his thoughts as clearly as he seemed to be able to do hers. Whatever the thoughts were, he didn’t seem ready to share them with her at the moment.
He ventured a different topic. “When you leave here, you’re heading west?”
The question was asked nonchalantly and it caught Kaitlyn off guard. The thought of leaving didn’t seem as inviting as it had not so long ago. In fact, it felt as if the breeze developed a slight chill to it. Did the clouds block the sunlight for a moment?
Clay’s eyes narrowed a bit as they missed nothing. But he just watched and waited.
With a slight toss of her head, hoping for a casual effect, she kept her tone even and noncommittal. “Angie and I’ll continue to Santa Fe. That was our original destination before our plans were interrupted. She’s purchasing some property there for another one of her shops. We each had time in our schedules that coincided, so we decided to make a fun road trip out of it. I’ve been to Santa Fe before and fell in love with the place. We hadn’t counted on this detour though.”
A long finger traced absently over the pattern on the blanket, his eyes not on her face at the moment. “Then, after that, it’ll be back to work for you? I heard Edie say something about you being offered another lead role in a really big production. You’re quite the busy lady. Ever thought about slowing down? Taking time for a family life at some point? That used to be all you talked about, as I recall.”
His seemingly benign question made her pulse scatter. She allowed her arms to wrap around her knees, drawing them against her chest as she sat considering his question. Kaitlyn chose her reply carefully, seeming to study the tips of her brown boots longer than necessary.
“Slowing down—that would be nice. Yes, I’ve been offered a really good opportunity that I’m still considering. And also yes to the fact I used to talk about a family, but reality took me down a different path. I sort of was sidetracked on that one. But, as you said earlier, life is always full of surprises and choices. I hope there will still be that family in my future.”
“Your life would certainly have to change a bit. Think you could handle that?”
“When and if I am b
lessed to have my own family, they would indeed become the priority of my life. Nothing would be more important to me.”
“You wouldn’t miss all the glitz and glamour? Kids can be a full-time job, and what if your husband didn’t like you performing?”
“Then he wouldn’t be my husband,” she replied succinctly with a firm set to her chin. “Marriage is a partnership, or it should be. I’d not stand in the way of his career and, if he loved me, then he would understand mine. But no matter what I may or may not be doing with my career, my husband and children would always come first. Family lasts forever. A career doesn’t. Guess I sound like I’m on a soapbox, but those are my beliefs and they don’t change.”
She might as well put it all out there. “The glitz and glamour—well, it can get really old, really fast.” Kaitlyn looked down at the comfortable clothing she wore—the black jeans, boots, and light blue cotton shirt. She gave a rueful smile. “This is how I really like to dress most days. This is the real me. Well, maybe not the western boots in the city, but you get the picture.” She grinned, before she went on. “I don’t go out to a lot of parties or openings. I’m usually way too tired and it can even be boring after a while. I much prefer to stay in and have a few good friends over for a meal and movie. I’m far from high maintenance.”
Shrewd eyes assessed her. “And children? Where would they be while you were working?”
“My husband and I would work that out. Once I had a child, I wouldn’t want some stranger being able to enjoy all the ‘firsts’ in their lives—a first step, first sentence—first time they see a butterfly. Corny, I know.” She felt a warmth rise in her cheeks.
“Not corny. I could see you with a few kids. I’ve seen how Joshua has taken to you from the start. You’re a natural. You’ll make a great mom.” Clay’s gaze moved across her face, and then lowered to rest on her mouth, and then down the column of throat exposed by the open shirt collar. He seemed to linger on the spot where her pulse was fairly jumping through her skin.