by Dawes, Casey
“Then would you mind if I kissed you? I’ve wanted to ever since that first night in my cabin.”
Jessica bit her tongue to stop from saying anything else and simply nodded her head.
She couldn’t breathe when he cupped her jaw with his hand and lowered his mouth to hers. She melted into his embrace and let the world spin, not wanting to break the spell. She reached up and rested her hands on his chest, enjoying the feel of his well-toned muscles beneath. This was right. This was how her world was supposed to be.
If it wasn’t for a freak snowstorm, she would never have found him. Perhaps fate, in the form of an avalanche, gave them both one last chance for love.
Love Under an Open Sky
Book 5 - The Montana Ranch Series
Julie Kavanagh
Chapter One
An impulse took Callie Robinson to the airport. The ticket in her hand was her way out of England, and to the ranch of her distant cousin, Bridget Lawson who lived in Montana.
She texted her manager and told him she needed a few days away. She didn’t tell him the truth. He wouldn’t understand.
“Heathrow Airport please,” Callie whispered as she leaned forward in the black taxi and ignored the driver’s baffled expression. Hadn’t he ever driven someone straight from a hospital to the airport before?
Callie didn’t remember much about Bridget, who she’d met once as a child, but with all the thoughts running madly through her mind, the idea of being with someone who didn’t know her, appealed greatly. Bridget had been through her own troubles and might understand Callie’s need to escape. That’s what she hoped anyway.
She waited four long hours until she boarded her flight, but in that time, she purchased enough clothes to last her a month. She packed them all into the new black suitcase she’d bought and kept her holdall with her. She didn’t want to return to her flat, so treated herself to lots of lovely new clothes, shoes and toiletries.
Callie sat watching the world go by while she nursed a milky coffee in the brightly lit café, and tried to ignore the excited looks and exaggerated gestures of the few who recognized her. She smiled back, and raised the magazine she’d been glancing through so they wouldn’t approach her. She was leaving the country to escape such things. She’d had enough of it, and wanted only anonymity for a short while.
The flight was long and boring. However, the farther they flew away from England, the more Callie relaxed. She slept much of the journey, the seats in First Class were so comfortable. Thoughts of her new adventure brought butterflies to her tummy and a thrill to her heart.
Callie gazed out of the window as they landed in Bozeman Airport. She’d been to America before as a child but didn’t remember the sheer expanse of the territory. The landing itself was a little bumpy, but that simply added to the drama of her escape.
Wouldn’t Michael be cross when he realized she wasn’t even in the country? She smiled to herself at that thought. She’d never done anything quite so radical before, but Bridget sounded so welcoming, that she thought she’d take a chance and go visit her.
“Welcome to Bozeman, ma’am.” The tall, and very good-looking man, glanced at her passport and visa before he smile warmly. “Are you here for business or pleasure?”
“I’m visiting my cousin,” Callie whispered. Her throat still ached from the surgery, but at least now, she could speak.
“Have a great time.” He grinned wider, and it took a moment or two before Callie realized that he didn’t know who she was. What a relief.
“Thanks.” Callie sighed and headed to the carousel where her brand new baggage would appear. She waited amongst the other passengers who good-naturedly waited for their bags too, nodding politely as they passed her on their way out. She smiled happily to herself as she lifted her bag onto the trolley and headed to the rental office. The airport was light and airy with high ceilings and wooden walls. It reminded her much of a skiing chalet, and with the mountains so close, she imagined that the effect was intentional.
Thirty minutes later, she drove out of the airport parking lot in a pale blue Chevrolet. It wasn’t the biggest car on the lot, but she liked the color and, since it was just her and her bags, she didn’t need a larger model.
The sun burned high in a blue sky although it wasn’t yet summer. The lady in the rental office told her she’d arrived on a good day and Callie had to agree. Following the instructions given to her, Callie turned onto the highway, keeping to the recommended speed. In the distance, the Absaroka Mountains, with their snow-covered summits, ruled the skyline. Callie thought she’d never seen anything quite so beautiful in her life.
The radio in the car was tuned to a country and western station and, although the song was unfamiliar, she tapped her fingers to the beat on the steering wheel.
She wondered what Bridget would be like. She’d phoned her just before she’d boarded the plane and her cousin sounded warm and welcoming. If she was surprised by Callie’s impromptu visit, Bridget didn’t make it obvious.
“Well Callie, this is it, the open road. I hope you know what you’ve let yourself in for,” Callie whispered to herself. It took the best part of an hour to find the Bar L ranch after two U turns, but Callie grinned happily as she turned onto the driveway that led to the ranch house.
She pulled up next to a smart-looking pickup truck and stepped out of the car, glad she still wore her coat. The blue sky belied the chill in the air.
“You must be Callie. Bridget said you’d be stopping by today.” A tall man offered his hand, and waited with a smile on his face until Callie placed her hand in his. He wore jeans, a plaid shirt, boots, and a beige cowboy hat slung low over his deep brown eyes. “I’m a friend of Bridget’s. Tom Browdey’s the name.” He lifted the hat and pushed a lock of his thick, brown hair away from his face.
“I-I’m pleased to meet you,” Callie stuttered. She hadn’t expected to be met by a man. Bridget hadn’t mentioned him.
“Bri will be out in a minute,” he said, releasing her hand as though aware of her discomfort. “Do you want help with your bags?”
“Tom, hadn’t you better go?” A woman with a huge grin tapped Tom on the arm before turning her hazel eyes to Callie. “Welcome to the Bar L ranch.”
“You have no idea how pleased I am to be here.” Callie found herself in a warm hug and knew she’d been right to come here.
“Come on, Callie, let’s get you settled in.” Bridget flashed a bright smile to Tom before she led Callie toward the ranch house. “Tom is late already. He should have left an hour ago.”
Chapter Two
The house was smaller than Callie expected, but everything was clean and tidy, and in its place. Bridget must have noticed the look on Callie’s face and apologized’
“I’m sorry, it’s not much, but we like it.”
“Oh no.” Callie sighed as she set eyes on her small but homely room. “It’s perfect. I love it.” She touched the homemade quilt with her fingers and sighed. It felt like home.
“Well, I’m glad you like it.” Bridget grinned. “Get settled in and when you’re ready come outside. I’ll be in the barn.”
****
The barn sat just behind the house and its shade was a welcome escape from the glare of the sun. Even this early in the year, the sun seemed a million times brighter than back home. Everything here was so different that Callie felt a surge of excitement build in her chest.
Bridget stood talking to a man. They nodded their heads as they talked as though in total agreement. Both were dressed alike in jeans, cotton shirts and boots and Callie felt very out of place in her long skirt and pretty pink sweater.
“I’m sorry,” Callie began, not wanting to interrupt their conversation, yet not wanting to be seen eavesdropping.
“Oh Callie, I thought you’d want to rest up
for a while.” Bridget turned with a warm smile on her pretty mouth. “Have a look around if you like. I’ve got a bit of business to sort out. This is Joel Masters. He runs a cattle ranch nearby.”
The man turned, and approached Callie with his hand extended.
“Pleased to meet you,” he drawled.
Callie almost sighed at the touch of his hand. He was probably the best-looking man she’d ever seen, and his deep voice was to die for. He was tall and lean, but with enough muscle to demonstrate that he worked hard for his living.
“Joel, this is Callie, my cousin. She’s flown all the way from England for a visit.” Bridget placed her arm proudly around Callie’s shoulder.
“I’m mighty glad you did.” Joel grinned, flashing straight white teeth which just pushed him into the realm of drop dead gorgeous in Callie’s eyes.
“Breathe,” Bridget said and chuckled into Callie’s ear as Joel turned when another man called his name.
“Sorry,” Callie replied, her eyes following the journey of the man as he moved out into the sunshine. “If I’d known you had men like that here, I would have visited sooner.”
“Behave,” Bridget scolded, grabbing her arm and leading her past the horse trailer now backing up in the yard. “I think you need refreshment if you react that way to every man you meet.”
“I’ve never met a man like that.” Callie grinned, and followed her cousin into the cool of the kitchen. She accepted the drink offered, but refused the cream and sugar, determined to take it the same way as Bridget. She grimaced at the strength of the coffee.
“It takes a little getting used to.” Bridget sat in the wooden chair opposite and took a long drink of her coffee before she turned back to Callie. “I don’t mean to pry, but are you running away from something?”
Callie swallowed, dropping her eyes to the vase of pretty white flowers in the middle of the table. Was she so transparent?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She decided to brazen it out. “I thought it was time for a short vacation.”
“Honey, you can tell me. I won’t judge you. Believe me, I’ve done some things I regret, but there’s nothing worse than feeling alone when you’re in trouble.”
“I’m not in trouble…” Callie began before taking a big breath. Could she take a chance and tell this cousin, this stranger?
“Then what is it?” Bridget reached forward, and patted Callie’s hand. “Maybe I can help…”
“I’m not running away from anything, not really. I just wanted a little time to myself,” Callie said, decision made. “It’s been so hectic lately. Michael, my manager, thinks I should plow myself back into work but the doctors said I needed surgery on my vocal chords first. It was a minor operation, nothing too serious, thank goodness. They advised a couple of weeks without any singing, but Michael thinks they’re being overcautious.”
“And you don’t?” Bridget asked.
“I don’t care if I ever sing again.” Callie sighed. “I enjoyed the success at first, but it’s a lonely life and stops being fun after a while. I’m quite famous in the UK, but I don’t enjoy it anymore and I need some time to think about what I’m going to do if my voice never returns properly.”
“I did wonder about your voice,” her cousin said with a gentle smile.
“It will get better soon, and especially if I don’t sing. You’re not going to make me sing, are you?”
“Not for a few days yet.” Bridget laughed. “You’re famous? Can I hold you for ransom?”
“I can pay my way while I’m here.” Callie’s grin melted away and she became serious once more. What was she thinking? Maybe she shouldn’t have just appeared without thought to whether Bridget could afford a non-paying guest. She worked hard for her living in a way Callie never had.
“I wouldn’t think of it,” Bridget declared but the soft expression which covered her face told Callie Bridget’s declaration was more of politeness and not because she could truly afford it.
“I insist,” Callie stated as firmly as her voice would allow. “Or I will stay in a hotel in town.”
“I wouldn’t advise that.” Joel stood in the doorway, as though waiting to be invited in. “No one cooks a breakfast quite like Bridget.”
“I don’t cook breakfast at all, Joel Masters and you know it,” Bridget growled in a playful tone. “And don’t let Tom hear you talking like that, he won’t like it.”
Joel laughed, a deep rumbling sound which sent quivers all the way down to Callie’s toes. She’d never had a reaction to any man like this and wondered if perhaps the lyrics of all the ballads she’d sung were true. Did love at first sight really exist or was the length of her journey taking its toll on her senses?
“You can’t stay in town, I won’t allow it.” Joel turned his still grinning face to stare at Callie. She felt the heat travelling up her neck to her cheeks at the length of his gaze. He looked as though he liked what he saw.
“Still issuing orders, Masters?” Bridget laughed as though she didn’t take him seriously. Callie could see how easily they talked to each other.
“Not that anyone takes any notice in this house.” Joel’s laugh was deep and warm, a rumble from his chest. Callie wanted to hear more of it. “I’m just going to settle her in and then I’ll leave.”
“Settle who in?” Callie found herself speak before she realized the words had come out. She wasn’t usually this forward. Perhaps the clean air had gone to her head.
“Aleria, my sister’s mare,” Joel turned to explain. “Helen had a fall and broke her arm. Bridget has agreed to stable the horse for a few weeks until Hels can start riding again.”
“He pays well.” Bridget grinned. “And I look forward to putting her through her paces. Aleria is a great horse.”
“I’d love to see her,” Callie gushed. What was she saying? She didn’t like horses. They were too big and unpredictable. But she wanted to spend a little more time with the adorable Mr. Masters before he left.
“I’d love for you to join me.” Joel bowed a little, waving his hand in front of him, an invitation Callie couldn’t refuse. He followed her out of the house, then led her to where a dark brown horse awaited them. “This is Aleria.”
“She’s very pretty,” Callie said, unsure of how to compliment the mare. She’d never spent much time around these animals and hid her discomfort at being so close to one now.
“She’s more than pretty.” Joel gently brushed a tuft of mane from the horse’s face. “If my sister hadn’t fallen, this incredible animal could have been state champion in barrel racing.”
Callie nodded and smiled, not having the first idea of what barrel racing was. It wasn’t something they had back home - or at least, she’d never heard of it —but it sounded intriguing.
“Your sister will be okay, I hope,” Callie felt more comfortable talking about his sister than she did the horse.
“She’s already talking about the next competition. Helen is fearless, which is why she fell in the first place. She takes too many risks and we hope she hasn’t destroyed Aleria’s sureness in the fall. Bridget has agreed to build Aleria’s confidence, for when Hels can ride her again.”
But Callie wasn’t listening. She’d felt something move around her feet and glanced down to see the swirling shape of a striped snake slithering through the hay strewn across the floor. She shrieked loudly, waving her arms around her head in fear, and failing to realize the effect she had on the nervous mare.
“For the love of—” Joel lunged forward to grab ahold of the horse’s halter before she could rear in the stall. His strong hand prevented the horse from panicking and possibly injuring herself. Callie didn’t notice his rage as she leapt from foot to foot for fear of the creature she’d seen.
“I saw a snake!” Callie cried, unable to believe she’d
been so close to such a creature. She hated snakes, really hated snakes, and peered around for somewhere to climb on should it come back.
“It was just a milk snake, they don’t hurt anyone.” Joel hissed, keeping his voice low.
“How was I supposed to know that?” Callie replied, her voice still croaky and feeling like a fool. She stepped backward, realizing how upset the horse had become. She saw Joel’s hand soothe the wide eyed mare with firm strokes on her neck. “I’ve never seen a real snake before…” She sighed but the man’s attention remained on the horse she’d frightened with her screams.
Embarrassed by her misunderstanding, she backed away before she turned and ran back to the house, her face hot. She’d never meant to frighten the horse. She didn’t know that Montana had snakes. Maybe she’d made a mistake coming here.
Chapter Three
“Callie, are you okay?” Bridget looked up from her coffee, a frown on her face.
“I saw a snake in the barn and screamed and frightened Aleria,” Callie confessed in a rushed whisper. “I didn’t mean to, I didn’t know it was harmless, He shouted at me,” she croaked.
“Is Joel still there?” Bridget asked, and when Callie nodded, she continued. “There’s nothing there for Aleria to damage herself on—Joel wouldn’t allow that. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
“I didn’t mean it.” Callie sighed. She still felt very silly.
“Oh course, you didn’t,” Bridget soothed, waving her back to the table. “Come meet Jessica. She works with me on the ranch.”
Jessica wore a warm smile on her pretty face and stood. She was a little taller than Callie, but that made no difference in the warmth she exuded. Her dark brown hair hung in a long braid down her back.