Melt My Heart, Cowboy (Love at the Chocolate Shop Book 1)

by CJ Carmichael

  Five minutes before their agreed-upon meeting time, she heard the rumble of an approaching vehicle. A gray truck slowed and pulled up across from her house. Brant was in the driver’s seat with his sister next to him.

  Showtime.

  She set down her coffee, then slipped a lead onto Huck’s collar. She hadn’t thought to ask if Sara Maria like animals. She supposed she was about to find out.

  Brant stepped out of the truck first. He had no hat today, and had traded his riding boots for hiking ones, but he still managed to look one-hundred-percent cowboy in his faded jeans and form-fitting western-styled shirt. He squared his broad shoulders to her and nodded.

  Rosie’s heart thudded and her face pulsed with heat.

  Did he have to look so darn… good?

  He gave her a tentative smile. Was he feeling the same doubts as her about this situation?

  Rosie approached cautiously, keeping Huck on a short lead. “This is Huck, he’s totally friendly. Is your sister okay with dogs?”

  “She loves them. Too much, in fact.”

  Sara Maria scrambled in front of her brother, beaming. She had a lovely smile. Rosie hadn’t caught many glimpses of it the other night.

  “Hey there, Huck.” Sara Maria spoke gently as she approached the old golden lab.

  “Just give him a scratch on his neck. He loves that.”

  While Sara Maria got acquainted with Huck, Brant glanced around at the house. “Nice place.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I saw the For Sale sign on the gate. How long has it been on the market?”

  “Over six months. My realtor warned me it probably wouldn’t sell until I fixed it up a little.”

  “Some paint would go a long way.”

  “Yes, but first I need to repair the porch stairs and some of the window casements. It’s sort of like a ball of wool, once you start pulling, it just keeps unraveling.”

  “You should hire someone.”

  “I’ve tried but our handyman has been really busy this summer… or so he says. I have a suspicion he doesn’t want me to sell. He and Dad were best friends—I think he’s even more attached to this house than I am.”

  While they’d been talking, Sara Maria had found one of Huck’s tennis balls and was playing fetch with him. As the conversation lapsed into a natural pause she asked, “Can Huck come with us on our hike?”

  “Try to stop him. I thought we’d walk along Trespass Creek to a pretty spectacular waterfall. It’s one of my favorite hikes, about three miles in total. Sound okay?”

  Brant looked at his sister assessingly. “Sounds like something Sara Maria can handle. We’ll need water. A can of bear spray to be safe.”

  “I’ve got both, plus some trail mix in my backpack and a basic first aid kit.” She slipped the light pack over her shoulders, refusing Brant’s outstretched hand. “I’m good.”

  Sara Maria turned out to be an enthusiastic hiker. Once they left the yard and joined the trail, just beyond Miracle Lake, Sara Maria took the lead and Huck was right up with her, displaying more energy than Rosie had seen from him in months.

  Brant hung back with Rosie and soon they’d left the meadow behind and were climbing through trees with the slow-moving creek to their left.

  The well-worn path was spongy underfoot, strewn with old pine needles and yellow cottonwood leaves. Rosie savored each breath of the autumn-scented air. She loved this season, even though she dreaded the upcoming winter.

  It wasn’t so much the cold and the snow she didn’t like, as the feeling of being cut off from the rest of the world, a feeling that had been exacerbated when living with her shut-in father.

  “Seems like my sister and your dog have bonded.”

  “Maybe you should hire Huck instead of me.”

  “Cute.”

  “I’m not kidding. He’s nonunionized and his rates are super affordable.”

  Brant’s eyes glinted with humor. “I’d take you up on that, but pets aren’t allowed at the care home.”

  Since his sister was far enough ahead that she couldn’t hear their conversation, Rosie asked, “Does she really need to live there? She seems fine to me. A little socially awkward, perhaps, but perfectly capable otherwise.”

  “That’s because everything is happening according to plan. As long as we follow a routine and nothing unexpected happens, you’re right, Sara Maria almost seems normal.”

  “And when it doesn’t—how does she react?”

  He grimaced. “Total breakdown.”

  Brant’s answer was characteristically brief.

  But Rosie needed to know more. “What is one of Sara Maria’s breakdowns like?”

  Brant considered for a moment. “She collapses. No matter where we are—in the house, on the street, in a church—she just falls to the floor, the street, the ground, whatever. Then she covers her ears and starts making this awful, high-pitched sound.”

  “But she isn’t violent?”

  “No.”

  That was a relief. “Has she ever hurt herself in one of her episodes?”

  “Not really… though she came close to getting run over once when she had a fit in a crosswalk.”

  “That sounds scary.”

  “Fortunately she was with Mom. Mom had a way of talking to Sara Maria—she could always get her to calm down fairly quickly.” Brant’s eyes clouded. “While everything I say or do riles her up more.”

  “Has Sara Maria had any breakdowns recently?”

  “Last major one was when we found out about Mom’s car accident. We were out for pizza when a state trooper called me. My sister freaked out so badly I had to phone 911. She was hospitalized for a few weeks while I worked out arrangements for her to move to the care home in Marietta.”

  “How awful. For both of you.”

  He swallowed. “I miss Mom lots. But it’s harder for Sara Maria. You heard her talk about Mom being in heaven? Well, she says stuff like that every single time I see her.” He pulled at the collar of his shirt, as if it was choking him. “I know she’s grieving. But, God, I wish she’d give it a rest already.”

  “She really pushes your buttons. Do you think it’s on purpose?”

  “Nah. She can’t help it. I know that. I try to be patient. But, hell, I’d rather deal with the most stubborn horse in the world than try to figure out my sister.”

  Chapter Six

  Rosie held out her arms for balance as she crossed the wobbly log bridge over Trespass Creek. During spring runoff, the crossing could be perilous but this time of year the water level was low and the current lazy. Still, Rosie was impressed with how confidently Sara Maria moved, taking long, confident strides with no fear.

  The water was shallow enough for Huck to splash right in. He took a long drink, then bounded to the other side, running to catch up with Sara Maria.

  “Your sister is in really good shape.” Rosie was trying not to huff and puff too much.

  She hiked these trails often. But not at this pace. It was a little embarrassing to be having trouble keeping pace with Brant’s sister.

  “Better than I thought,” Brant admitted. “She’s just powering up this trail.”

  Rosie noticed Brant was having no trouble either. “So what sort of work do you do at Three Bars Ranch?”

  “A bit of everything.”

  As they drew nearer to the waterfall, the sound of rushing water was growing louder. Keeping an eye on Sara Maria to make sure she didn’t get too far ahead, Rosie asked, “Such as?”

  “My favorite is working with the young horses. This week I’m training a three-year-old filly—smartest horse I’ve ever met. Her name is Sweet Pea Runner and she’s got amazing talent. If I had more time—”

  His words died away as they rounded a curve in the trail to a sweeping view of a twenty-foot waterfall. Ahead of them Sara Maria had come to a dead stop.

  Rosie went to stand beside her, a little nervous in case this was the sort of thing that might “set her off.”

&nb
sp; “What do you think?”

  Eyes fixed on the waterfall, Sara Maria said reverently, “This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.”

  “It’s incredible.” Brant passed them, walking to the edge of the embankment and gazing up at the water, which cascaded through a picturesque series of giant stone steps into a large pool at their feet, beyond which the creek continued at a more sedate pace down the mountain.

  Right now the sun shone through an opening in the tall, rough-barked, pine trees, illuminating a large flat rock at the side of the crystal-clear water.

  Before her parents became ill, this had been their favorite place to take Rosie for a hike and a picnic. With the twelve-year age gap between her and Daniel, Rosie had grown up like an only child, which probably explained why she’d felt so compelled to look after first her mom, then her dad, in their final years.

  “My mom called this picnic rock,” Rosie said. “Since it catches the noon sun, it’s a nice, warm spot to sit and have lunch.” Even as she said this, she was shrugging off her back pack and sinking down for a rest. After the exertion of hiking, it was a pleasure to feel the heat from the rock seep up through her body.

  Sara Maria joined her, sitting close to the edge, where a soft mist rose up from the waterfall. A slow smile spread over her face.

  “This feels good.”

  “Better than a facial,” Rosie agreed. She pulled the food from her pack. “I didn’t bring much, just some cheese and crackers and trail mix. It’s a special blend Sage makes at the chocolate shop with flakes of coconut, hazelnuts, and chocolate covered dried cherries.”

  “I would like some of that,” Sara Maria said.

  Rosie handed her one of the three plastic bags she’d packed as well as a bottle of water. “Brant?”

  He was staring at her and the look in his eyes made her swallow, hard.

  “Your hair.” He reached down to touch a strand. “It looks pretty with the sunlight dancing on it.”

  She swallowed a second time, captivated by the look of admiration in his eyes. But then his gaze drifted toward his sister and he frowned.

  “I’m going to explore the area a bit,” Brant said, his tone clipped. “I’ll be back soon.”

  She watched him disappear along the path that led to the top of Copper Mountain. What would have happened just then if they’d been alone?

  No. She couldn’t let herself think that way about him.

  Briefly she closed her eyes, savoring the warmth of the midday sun on her skin. Only her need to keep an eye on Sara Maria prevented her from giving in to the urge to take a nap. Brant’s sister seemed perfectly calm and content, though, as she munched on the trail mix.

  When she was finished eating, Sara Maria spread out flat on the warm stone. “I wish I could stay here forever.”

  “It is lovely. But in another hour the sun will have moved behind the trees and you’d start to feel cold.”

  “Anyway Brant would never let me stay. I have to go back to that place.”

  Rosie glanced around, slightly uneasy that she still couldn’t see any sign of Brant. “You don’t like the care home?”

  “Doesn’t matter. I don’t have a choice. I’m not allowed to live on the ranch with my brother. Besides, he wouldn’t like that. He thinks I’m weird.”

  “I haven’t known him very long, but Brant seems pretty nice, as brothers go.”

  “That’s because he promised Mom he’d take care of me.”

  It was an astute observation, fitting what Rosie herself had concluded. Whatever her challenges, Sara Maria certainly seemed quite bright and observant.

  “You must miss your mom.”

  “People say she’s in heaven, like that’s a good thing. I don’t want her in heaven. I want her here.”

  Rosie was floundering for a reply when, with impeccable timing, Huck emerged from the woods and joined Sara Maria on the sunbaked rock. She put her arm around the dog, not seeming to mind that he was damp from his romp in the creek.

  Rosie felt a thick sadness rise up from her heart and lodge in her throat. She knew what grief was, how it could shroud all that was good and bright in the world.

  “It will get easier.” The platitude was actually true, but Rosie could tell Sara Maria didn’t believe it any more than Rosie had when well-meaning friends had said it to her.

  *

  “What do you think?” Brant admired Rosie’s glowing skin as they paused to chat on her front porch. Sara Maria was waiting for them in the truck, her head resting against the closed window. The exercise and fresh air had been good for her.

  As far as he was concerned the day couldn’t have gone better.

  He watched as Rosie released Huck from his lead. A strand of her curly hair fell in her eyes as she did this, and she pushed it aside impatiently when she straightened.

  “Will you take the job?”

  Rosie hesitated.

  And he agonized.

  He liked Rosie. She was easy to be around and she made him laugh. More importantly, he could tell his sister liked her.

  The arrangement was practically perfect, except for one thing.

  “You don’t want to do it, do you?”

  “Not really.”

  He’d expected that answer, but hearing her deliver it made him realize how much he’d hoped she’d say yes. “You can’t handle my sister?”

  She glanced at the truck, then back to him. “I like your sister. I’d be happy to spend time with her. But as I said, I’m moving soon.”

  He surveyed the property that had been on the market for over six months. It was easy to see why it hadn’t sold, given all the work that was needed.

  An idea sparked, one that might help both of them.

  “What would you say to a deal? I help you fix up your house in exchange for you getting my sister out of that home a few times a week.”

  She glanced from him to the house, her expression contemplative.

  “Hm…do you have handyman experience?”

  He laughed. “My job at the ranch requires me to do a little of everything, including painting and construction.”

  “What about plumbing? I’ve got leaking taps and a temperamental toilet inside.”

  When it came to temperamental, he’d take a toilet over his sister any day. “Not a problem.”

  “Well… I work at the chocolate shop on Friday, Saturday and Monday. So I probably won’t have time to take Sara Maria out on those days.”

  “How about we keep things fluid? You let me know whenever you have a block of free time to spend with my sister. And I’ll work on your house whenever I can get away from the ranch.”

  “That sounds reasonable. Are there other things your sister likes to do besides hike?”

  “Movies. But we do that on Friday night.” He struggled to think of more suggestions. “Maybe you could take her shopping?”

  “Sure. Sara Maria will probably have her own ideas, too. I’ll ask her next time we get together.”

  He grinned. “You don’t know what a load you’ve taken off me. Thanks, Rosie. I’ll let the people at the care home know about our arrangement so you won’t have any problems when you go to pick her up.”

  He was so happy he felt like hugging her. But he doubted she’d find that appropriate. “Can I get your cell phone number?”

  She dug her phone out of her pocket and, as they exchanged contact information, he found himself wondering if she would have given him her number under different circumstances.

  *

  While cleaning up after her solitary Sunday dinner, Rosie realized she hadn’t seen Huck for a few hours. She checked his food bowl. His evening rations were untouched.

  When he didn’t come at her summons she went to her parents’ bedroom.

  Generally she avoided this room, except for the occasional quick dust and vacuum. She always felt sad when she saw the familiar old coverlet on their queen-sized bed, so smooth now that her father wasn’t here to crumple it.

>   The night tables on either side of the bed looked foreign as well, absent their former piles of novels, magazines and crossword puzzles. Worst of all was the too-tidy desk in the corner where her father had written all his thrillers.

  Rosie had been forced to purge all traces of her parents’ occupation when she’d put the house on the market. Even so, Huck still liked this room best. And, sure enough, she found the old dog curled up on the thick rug on her father’s side of the bed.

  The lab raised his head when she called his name, but didn’t stand.

  “What’s wrong boy? Are you tired from our hike?” She sure was. “Come on, I’ll give you some gravy tonight as a special treat.”

  Gravy was Huck’s favorite. And though his ears perked at the word, he still didn’t stir.

  “Okay. Be stubborn. But if you haven’t eaten your food by the morning, I’m going to take you to see Dr. Sullivan.”

  She could have sworn Huck cringed when she named the vet, but he refused to be moved. So she gave him a good scratch then went back to the family room. She pulled out the pages she’d been working on earlier. Her brother had sent her an outline for the next scene in their TV pilot. As usual he needed her help to jazz up the dialogue.

  She was deep into the story when her cell phone rang.

  Her first thought—okay, hope—was that it might be Brant. But it was Portia and she sounded stressed.

  “Rosie! Thank God you’re at home. Can I come over?”

  “Sure.”

  Rosie recited her address then warned. “It’s about a mile from your aunt’s house.”

  “No worries. Dawson’s out on patrol tonight. He said he could come back and give me a lift.”

  Sage’s husband had given up a successful rodeo career to become a deputy about five years ago. Rosie would never forget the way Dawson had courted Sage, trying to convince her he was a changed man from the one she’d met when they were both on the rodeo circuit.

  Sage had taken a lot of persuading, but she’d finally agreed. Rosie was pretty sure it was a gamble she had never regretted.

  “That sounds perfect, Portia. I’ll put on the porch light. You’ll see a For Sale sign on the front gate, too.”