Cowboy Dad

by Cathy McDavid

  “If you have any.”

  She pulled a thermos from under the desk and with it, a pair of ceramic mugs. “Deana filled this at the convenience store up the road right before she left for the day,” she said, removing the thermos lid and pouring the coffee. “But if I was a gambling woman, which I am, I’d bet you already know she’s not here.”

  “Gary might have mentioned it.”

  Millie chuckled, low and lusty. “Don’t ever trust him with a secret.” She passed a steaming mug to him. “There’s cream and sugar in the back if you need it.”

  “Black’s fine.”

  “So, what’s this ranch business that’s so gosh darn important you drove clear into Payson to talk to me about it?”

  Aaron extracted a folded sheet of paper from his shirt pocket. He was no stranger when it came to presenting business plans. In establishing the Hailey Reyes Foundation, he’d dealt with a whole slew of accountants, bankers, administrators and government agents. Facing Jake should be a cakewalk.

  It would, however, be easier with an ally in his corner. Namely, Millie. But he’d have to win her over first, and she wasn’t an easy sell.

  “The other day Natalie mentioned we had six cancellations.”

  “Yeah. The Brubaker wedding party. Such a shame. For us and for the bride. I heard the groom changed his mind at the last minute.”

  “Better now than after they’ve been married a while, bought a house and had a couple of kids.”

  “I guess there’s a bright side to everything.”

  “Possibly for the ranch, too.”

  She sipped her coffee and peered at him over the rim. “I’m listening.”

  “I know a man in Colorado who lost his daughter ten years ago to a drug overdose.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “A couple years later he decided to find some good in his daughter’s death. He established an annual trail ride. For a two-hundred-and-fifty-dollar donation, couples go on a four-hour ride that ends with a catered steak dinner. All profits go to the Boulder Center for Teenage Drug Abuse.”

  “How nice.”

  “Every year, the ride grows bigger. Last year alone, he raised over twenty thousand dollars for the center. Almost a hundred thousand since he started the ride.”

  She whistled. “That’s a lot of money.”

  “That’s a lot of changed lives.”

  The bell over the front door tinkled.

  “Excuse me.” Millie wound her way back through the store, only her head visible above the hundred pieces of furniture crammed into a space designed to hold twenty-five. “May I help you,” he heard her call.

  At least she hadn’t run him out of the store yet. Aaron only half listened to her conversation with the customer, mentally reviewing the points he planned on making. A few minutes later, she returned.

  “Some guy trying to sell me an old TV,” she said, sitting back down.

  “You don’t take TVs?”

  “I said old. Not vintage. I sent him to the pawnshop three blocks over.” She glanced curiously at his notes. “I’m not sure what your story has to do with Bear Creek Ranch. Unless you’re wanting your friend to move his ride here.”

  “No.” He turned the paper around so Millie wouldn’t have to read it upside down. “I’m suggesting we have our own ride here. One where the profits go to the Hailey Reyes Foundation.”

  “A lovely thought. But how exactly will this benefit the ranch?”

  Here was the moment he’d been rehearsing for all morning. He launched into his pitch.

  “We could offer accommodations to the participants at a discounted rate. Corrals for their horses. After a long afternoon ride and a late dinner, some are bound to stay over rather than pack up and drive home. We can also make rental horses available for anyone without their own to ride.”

  “Also at a discount?”

  “Or even at no charge. Expenses come right off the top. I talked to my accountant this morning and she said we can write off most of our indirect expenses, including overhead and administrative.”

  “What about offering lunch as opposed to dinner? Just to make your ride a little different. Or better yet, breakfast. Participants could spend the night before the ride at the ranch.”

  “And afterward, too. If we give them a reason to stay.”

  She smiled. “You have something in mind.”

  “A silent auction.”

  “I like it.” She slid the paper across the desk toward him. “When are you planning on having this ride? Next year when you come back?”

  “Two weeks from tomorrow.”

  “Before you leave?” she said incredulously. “That doesn’t give us much time.”

  Aaron nodded slowly. “I know.”

  Recently, he’d been debating staying on a while longer. His obligations weren’t so demanding they couldn’t be postponed. And then there was Natalie. If ever a man had a reason to remain at Bear Creek Ranch, it was her. Another week or two, he might be able to wear down her resistance.

  Did he even want to?

  Not if he hurt her.

  Millie’s enthusiasm, so contagious a minute ago, waned the next. “The cause is a worthy one, and I’d be inclined to support it if only because Hailey would have loved a ride in her honor.” She frowned, tilted her head to one side. “But a ride this size is a tremendous amount of work for something that won’t net the ranch much income, if any.” She wasn’t being negative, just asking the kind of questions Jake would.

  “You have to look at the long term as well as the short term. Say, we rent those six empty cabins.”

  “Five. We got a reservation yesterday.”

  “Five then. At a discounted rate, we only break even. But five cabins at a reduced rate beats five empty cabins. At least we’re covering our operating costs.”

  The bell tinkled again. This time, Millie left for ten minutes to tend the customers who had put an item on layaway and were there to pick it up. Aaron used the time to place a call to his friend and former coanchor, Garth, and got the answer he’d hoped for.

  “You really think we can rent those cabins?” Millie asked, returning to her chair.

  “I guarantee it. I know a lot of people. Give me until tomorrow morning, and I’ll have those cabins booked.”

  She studied at him with new interest. “Keep talking.”

  “We solicit donations from local businesses as another way to keep the costs down. Offer them free advertising in return. Printing companies for flyers. Grocery stores for food and paper products. Merchants for the silent-auction items. Put Alice in charge. She has a real knack for convincing people to part with something valuable.”

  “It would be good promotion for the ranch,” Millie said thoughtfully.

  “It would be great promotion. I might even be able to pull some strings and get Rodeo Week in Review to come out and cover the event. I know they’d give us a mention for sure. And the person who does the foundation’s Web site for me has already agreed to build a separate one for the trail ride at no charge.”

  The phone rang, and Millie took the call. “I don’t think we can swing it in two months, much less two weeks,” Millie said after finishing with her customer.

  “No. But we can swing a scaled-down version. Hailey was well-known around here. People will respond. Spread the word for us. Quick Draw and KRDS have already agreed to donate ten commercial spots during peak listening hours and conduct an on-air interview with me the Wednesday before the ride.”

  “Hmm,” she murmured thoughtfully. “You’ve been a busy boy.”

  “There’s more.”

  “I can hardly wait.”

  “Do we have a list of e-mail contacts for past guests?”

  “Of course.”

  “Have Alice e-mail a newsletter to guests within a reasonable driving distance.”

  “You surprise me, Aaron. You’re quite the businessman.” Millie gave him an appreciative once-over. “I had no clue.” Her express
ion turned to one of delight. “I don’t think Jake has any clue, either.” She sat up and rubbed her hands together. “This should be fun.”

  “I’m going to meet with him as soon as he’ll agree to see me.” Aaron relaxed for the first time since he’d set foot in Trinkets and Treasure. “I was hoping you’d go with me.”

  “Are you joking? I wouldn’t miss it. But your plan still has some glitches that need to be worked out first. Let’s get together after dinner tonight at my place. Bring all your stuff.”

  Aaron stood, only to bend down and kiss her on the cheek. “Thanks.”

  “Save the mushy stuff till after we meet with Jake.” She shooed him away and picked up the phone. “Let’s call him now and set up a meeting time.”

  “WHAT ARE YOU majoring in?”

  “Finance. Though I’m thinking of changing to global economics.”

  Intelligent and career-oriented, thought Natalie, jotting a note on the résumé in front of her. Attractive and nicely dressed, too. Perhaps too nicely dressed. Would she stick Natalie with a hefty dry-cleaning bill if Shiloh spit up on that silk blouse?

  “That’s an ambitious major,” Natalie commented.

  “I’d like to go into international banking after graduation. Live abroad, if at all possible.”

  She radiated poise and confidence. What she didn’t radiate was even the tiniest hint of maternal tendencies. She was pleasant enough and personable. But nanny material? Natalie had her doubts.

  They were using Alice’s office for the interview that Natalie had scheduled during her lunch hour. Jake’s assistant wasn’t there. She’d called in sick after going home early the previous day with fever and a sore throat.

  “How many children do you think you’d like to have?” Natalie asked the young woman.

  “I’m not ready for a family yet and won’t be for a while,” she said with such gravity she might have been testifying at a senate hearing. “This summer I’m entering a two-year internship program.”

  “In Payson?”

  “No. Phoenix.”

  Meaning she’d be leaving in a few months. Probably about the same time Shiloh got attached to her.

  “And, of course, it would depend on my husband. Not that I have one.” Her smile came off as forced. “I’d like to focus on my career before getting married. Starting a family too early can be a mistake, don’t you think?”

  It hadn’t been for Natalie.

  “I suppose that depends.” A long explanation, Natalie mused, and the woman hadn’t even answered the question.

  This wasn’t someone she could picture pulling up Shiloh’s T-shirt and blowing raspberries on her belly. Which was precisely the quality Natalie wanted in the person who cared for her daughter. More than intelligence, more than poise and ambition and nice clothes.

  She’d interviewed a different young woman the previous day and liked her very much. Only one problem. With her current classload, the woman could only work two weekday afternoons and Saturdays.

  Natalie decided in that instant to call the first candidate and offer her the job part-time. It would take some pressure off the Shiloh babysitting chain and give Natalie the time she needed to continue looking. Maybe she’d luck out and find another good part-time nanny. Then the two of them could job share.

  Now, how to end the interview with Miss International Banking?

  “Did you bring any references with you?”

  “I did.” She handed Natalie a sheet of paper from the portfolio sitting in her lap.

  Natalie glanced at the names and phone numbers. All were teachers and business owners. Not one child-care or other babysitting reference.

  “Thanks. I’ll need a day or two to check on these.”

  The desk phone rang, and Natalie picked up the receiver, grateful for the interruption.

  “Hello.”

  “Where’s Alice?” Jake didn’t bother with a greeting.

  “She called in sick today. Remember?”

  He muttered a swearword. “I forgot.”

  Natalie glanced at the young woman and whispered, “Excuse me.”

  She was indeed smart. Evidently sensing the interview was over and that she wasn’t going to receive a spontaneous offer of employment, the young woman collected her things and stood. “Thank you,” she murmured and showed herself out.

  “Is there something I can help you with?” Natalie asked Jake.

  “Yeah, come in here. And bring Alice’s laptop. I need you to take some notes for a meeting I’m having.”

  “I’m the only one manning the front desk today.” Lunchtime was typically the slowest part of the day. Natalie had transferred the phone into Alice’s office and activated the lobby door chime so she could hear any guests come in.

  Another swearword from Jake. “We’ll just have to manage.”

  “Be right there.” Natalie dropped the résumé off at her workstation before going into Jake’s office. Whoever he was meeting with must be important. Having a warm body at the front desk was a top priority with him.

  She came to a halt upon entering his office and seeing the two people seated in his visitor chairs. Aaron and Millie. What could they be discussing with Jake that required note taking? And why hadn’t the rest of the family been called?

  Recovering her composure, Natalie went to the couch on the far wall, took a seat and opened the laptop. Aaron and Millie both looked her way. Millie’s eyes sparkled. Aaron’s were dead serious.

  Since meeting him, Natalie had watched her father’s rodeo DVD collection twice and recognized Aaron’s expression. It was the same one he wore when he sat astride a bronc, right before the chute opened.

  “I’m all set,” she said to Jake, opening a blank page and inserting a header. Though no secretary, she’d performed similar duties in the past before Jake hired Alice, who knew what was expected of her.

  “Aaron’s laid out a preliminary plan,” Millie said by way of starting. “And I think he’s done a good job of covering the basics.”

  “Do you have an extra set of these for Natalie?” Jake asked, reading the papers on his desk.

  “Yes.” Aaron moved to rise but Natalie beat him to the punch by setting aside her laptop and springing off the couch to take the papers from his outstretched hand.

  Once again, she was impressed by his clear focus, evident in the eyes that locked briefly with hers. This was a side of him she hadn’t seen before. A side that elicited a whole range of responses in her. Admiration. Respect. Appreciation.

  Why had she ever thought he couldn’t hold his own with Jake?

  Returning to the couch, she scanned the cover page. The words she read were heart wrenching, yet uplifting, and affected her profoundly. Her reaction, however, probably didn’t begin to compare to that of the other people in the room, all of whom had known Hailey better than Natalie and loved her. Setting the papers down on the cushion beside her, she typed in “The Hailey Reyes Foundation Annual Breakfast Trail Ride.”

  Aaron took control of the meeting, explaining the plan in detail. Several times Natalie got so involved in listening, she forgot to take notes and had to scramble to catch up.

  What a great idea! A win-win situation for everyone. The foundation, the ranch, the contributors and the riders. Not to mention the many children who would have a safer riding experience because of equipment purchased with the money raised. It would be a lot of work over the next twelve days, but could be done if started right away. By next year, if all went well, they could double the size of the event and double the money raised.

  Here was the reason for Aaron’s odd look and cryptic remark yesterday in the employee dining area.

  “I don’t disagree that the ranch would benefit,” Jake said when Aaron finished. “But to what degree? And will the benefit be enough to make such an undertaking worthwhile?”

  His bark, Natalie knew, was worse than his bite. Her boss had long ago acquired the ability to separate family from business and would do what was best for th
e ranch regardless of his personal feelings. Not an easy feat.

  “Have either of you contacted Howard?” he asked, referring to the family trust attorney.

  “I faxed him a copy of the plan this morning,” Aaron said, “and told him we might be calling this afternoon.”

  He’d used the fax and the printer? Natalie hadn’t seen him come into the office, and she’d arrived before seven. Millie must have taken care of it for him. They did seem quite buddy-buddy, Natalie mused. When had that happened?

  “Let’s see what he has to say.” Jake picked up his phone and a minute later had the attorney on the line. He pushed the speaker button so everyone in the office could hear both sides of the conversation. “In a nutshell, what’s your opinion of this breakfast trail ride?” he asked Howard after summarizing their discussion so far.

  “It’s a good idea if executed correctly. As is starting out small,” the attorney elaborated. “Should the ride flop, your loss would be minimal.”

  “You’re saying there’s a risk the ranch could lose money?”

  “There’s risk with everything. But keep in mind, a loss is tax deductible, which makes it a bit more tolerable. In my opinion, however, you’re going to come out ahead. How much ahead will depend in large part on you. The plan is well thought out. Aaron did a good job.”

  Jake’s demeanor as he stared at Aaron gave away nothing. Natalie was a different matter. If he was to glance in her direction, he’d find her flashing him the thumbs-up sign. She was happy for him, pleased at the potential positive outcome of the ride and undeniably impressed.

  Howard and Jake asked additional questions, which were answered by Aaron and Millie. Natalie took notes along with creating a list of follow-up items. For Aaron’s plan to work, organization was crucial. And commitment. She had faith the employees would work overtime if necessary.

  “Thanks, Howard,” Jake said. “I’ll call you later. Let you know what we decide.” He disconnected with the attorney.

  “Well?” Millie inquired expectantly.

  Natalie, too, waited nervously for Jake’s response.

  “Let’s dwell on it for a day or two.” He picked up a pencil and started tapping the eraser on his desk.