Ace

by Ruth Ryan Langan

  He strolled into the cavernous barn and found an old tractor, a stake truck, and a workbench littered with tools. Selecting what he needed, he made his way to the mine truck and lifted the hood, whistling while he worked.

  “Hey, cowboy.” Ally walked up to her old truck and watched as Ace tinkered under the hood. “I thought you were going to feed us.”

  “I am. As soon as I finish…” He tightened down a hose with a clamp, then straightened. “…This last little problem.” He climbed into the cab and turned the key in the ignition. The engine started on the first attempt, then began humming.

  Ally shook her head. “I don’t believe it. I don’t think this old truck has sounded that good in twenty years.”

  “Just needed a little tuning. It ought to hold you for a while. But you might want to bring it over to the Double W some weekend and let Cody have a look at it.”

  “Cody?”

  “Cody Bridger. Been helping us out at the ranch since I was a kid. Cody can do anything. Doctor cows, deliver calves, and even keep all our equipment running.”

  “Is that who taught you?”

  He nodded as he wiped his hands on a rag. “Cody’s one of my heroes. A real straight-shooter.”

  “Is he the one I saw sitting next to you at Clancy’s?”

  “Yeah.”

  She blushed. “Then I doubt he’d want to work on my truck. I saw the way he was looking at me when I beat you that last game.”

  “Cody doesn’t hold grudges.” Ace grinned. “Especially since he called you the best-looking filly in the place.”

  “He did?” She couldn’t help laughing.

  “Yeah. And he was right.” Ace turned toward the house. “Now I’d better wash up and get that grill started.”

  In the kitchen he found not only three steaks, but a variety of fresh vegetables that looked as though they’d just been plucked from a garden. “Did you pick these?”

  Ally nodded. “It’s pretty much gone to weed. Gramps must have planted it, then got too lame to keep it up. But I found some tomatoes, peppers, beets.”

  “Good.” He headed toward the outdoor patio. “I’ll grill them with the steaks.”

  A few minutes later Ally stepped out into the late evening shadows carrying a bottle of wine. She filled two glasses and offered one to Ace.

  He arched a brow. “I thought your grandfather said you didn’t drink.”

  “I don’t drink very often. But I think this calls for a celebration. Not only did I get my job back, but my truck is running on all cylinders, and I don’t have to cook tonight.”

  He turned the steaks before taking a sip. “Good choice. I haven’t had much interest in beer since a certain female got me drunk at Clancy’s.”

  She looked down. “I thought you were going to forget that.”

  “Yeah. I am. In about a hundred years.” His laughter had her smiling.

  They both turned as Harlan Brady rolled his scooter across the patio, trailed by the two dogs.

  The old man took a deep breath. “Smells good.” He glanced at the wine. “No beer, Ace?”

  “I’ll just sip this tonight.”

  “Would you like a beer, Gramps?”

  He shook his head. “Not much for wine, but I guess I’ll try it.”

  Ally poured a glass and handed it to him. He sipped. Smiled. Looked up to watch the flight of an eagle. “Nothing like a summer night in Wyoming, is there?”

  “No, sir.” Ace lifted the steaks onto a platter and set it in the center of the wooden table. “Doesn’t last nearly long enough. Maybe that’s what makes it so sweet.”

  “Like youth,” the old man said. He studied the way the wine looked in the fading light of evening, then seemed to pull himself back from his dark thoughts. “It was good working today. Didn’t know if these old hands could still tan the leather and shape the silver. But I haven’t lost my touch.”

  “I was admiring the saddle upstairs on the rail of the balcony.” Ace paused as Ally topped off their glasses. “That’s fine workmanship, Harlan.”

  “Thanks, son. I’m proud of my work. Always have been.” He grinned. Sipped. “Wasn’t always proud of my ranching skills, though. Left a lot to be desired. I always resented the time the chores took. Time I’d have rather spent in my workroom.”

  Ace held Ally’s chair, then took the seat beside her. “Could you have made a living if you’d have given up the ranching to devote full time to your saddle-making?”

  The old man shrugged. “Guess I’ll never know. Never had the chance to give it the time I wanted.”

  “Well, you do now, Gramps.” Ally speared a steak and placed it on her grandfather’s plate, along with an assortment of grilled vegetables, then passed the platter to Ace.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” the old man asked.

  “I’ll be getting a regular paycheck now. I can pay the bills and take care of the ranch chores, and you’ll be free to follow your heart.”

  He put a gnarled hand over hers. “And what about your heart, Allycat?”

  “This place holds my heart. You know that, Gramps.”

  He shook his head and smiled at Ace across the table. “What am I supposed to do with her?”

  “I’d say you ought to just enjoy her company.”

  “And let her pay my bills?”

  Ace shrugged. “If that’s what she wants.”

  “Huh. There was a time when men took care of women, not the other way around.”

  “Times change, Harlan.” Ace met his look.

  The old man sliced off a piece of meat and chewed. “Best darned steak I’ve eaten in a long time. What’d you do to it?”

  Ace grinned, knowing the old man was trying to change the subject. “Marinated it. Just the way my sister-in-law taught me. So, am I hired?”

  “Careful.” Ally winked at her grandfather. “As long as you keep my old truck running, and keep on cooking like this, you may find yourself getting roped into stopping by more often than you’d like.”

  Harlan polished off his steak and sat back with a look of contentment as he sipped the last of his wine. “You in any hurry to get home, Ace?”

  Ace shrugged. “Not particularly. Why?”

  The old man merely grinned. “Thought after you two cleaned up here you might like to see my workroom.”

  Ally’s mouth dropped open. But to her credit she managed to keep her tone casual. “Your workroom?”

  “That’s what I said.”

  “Well.” She picked up his empty plate and her own. “I’ll just clear away these dishes and we’ll take you up on it.”

  Ace picked up the rest of the dishes and followed her. “Come on. I’ll give you a hand with these dishes.”

  “No you won’t.” She took the dishes from his hands and placed them in the sink. “Right now, before Gramps changes his mind, we’re going to take him up on that offer.”

  He shot her a puzzled look. “Why are you in such a hurry?”

  “Because,” she said, steering him toward the door, “until now, Gramps has never allowed anyone who wasn’t family into his workroom.”

  “This is really something.” Ace moved slowly around the room.

  An entire section of the barn had been converted into Harlan Brady’s studio. There was a large, airy workroom, which had three walls of shelves holding an assortment of supplies. Leather, smooth as butter, with hand-tooled markings. Lengths of precious metal, some twisted, others bearing the distinctive designs which bore the initials of the artist. There were various needles for sewing the leather and tools for assembling the saddles.

  One wall was made of glass, allowing natural light to spill into every corner of the room. Overhead were skylights, spilling strips of moonlight across the wooden floor.

  “What’s over here?” Ace pointed to a closed door.

  “A bedroom and bathroom.”

  “You sleep out here?”

  “Used to.” The old man glanced at his granddaughter, then away. “S
o many nights I’d stay out here until I’d fall asleep at my worktable. Then I’d just drag myself in there and bunk for a couple of hours, before it was time to start my morning chores. The last couple of months, I couldn’t get out here to do any work at all. Discovered I had a pretty comfortable bedroom back there at the house. But the truth is, I’d rather sleep here. I like being around the leather and the silver. I like the feel of them. I even like breathing in the smell of them.”

  Ally walked over to lay a hand on his shoulder. “Then why don’t you bunk out here again?”

  “You wouldn’t mind? You’d be all alone up there at the house.”

  “I’ll have Buster and Billy.”

  “Well…” His glance fell on the dogs, who were watching his every move.

  At his hesitation she gave a sigh. “I see. They miss the workroom, too.”

  “Yeah.” The old man grinned. “They were happy as pups all day out here. Would you be afraid up at the house alone?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve been alone a long time, Gramps. The only thing I’ve ever been afraid of is not being able to come back to Wyoming.” She pressed her forehead to his. “Back here to you.”

  For a moment neither of them spoke, and Ace felt like an intruder.

  “You really wouldn’t mind?” Harlan asked.

  She shook her head.

  The old man looked as delighted as though she’d just given him the gift of a lifetime. “Hoo boy.” He rolled the scooter around in circles. “I get to sleep in my workroom again. You don’t know how I’ve missed this.” He turned to Ace. “Thanks for that bonus, son, that made this possible. And for the gift of that ramp.” He ran a hand over the scooter, then looked up. “And thanks for supper, Ace. You’re a damned fine cook. Now if you two don’t mind, I’d like to get back to my work.”

  Ally kissed his cheek. Ace shook his hand and walked out into the darkness beside Ally. At the porch they both turned to look back at the lights in the barn.

  Ally shook her head. “He’ll probably work until midnight.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it. He looked as happy as a kid at Christmas.”

  “Yeah. I noticed.” She paused. Lowered her voice. “You really are the first person outside the family that he’s ever allowed inside that workroom.” She shook her head. “I’d like to know how you managed that.”

  His smile was back, causing a hitch around her heart. “It’s my charm.”

  “Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

  “Liar.” He dragged her close. “Admit it. I’m getting to you, too.”

  “Not a chance, cowboy.”

  Maybe it was the joy they’d seen on the old man’s face. Or maybe it was merely the magic of the summer night, perfumed with the fragrance of roses and wild honeysuckle. Whatever the reason, when he drew her into his arms she offered no resistance.

  He brushed his mouth over hers. The merest touch of lips to lips. The effect was so startling, she couldn’t seem to stop herself. Her arms circled his neck, drawing him closer until his body was imprinted on hers. He took the kiss deeper. At once Ally was caught up in a kiss so powerful, she could feel her bones melting. Could actually feel her blood heating up. Could hear her heartbeat pulsing like thunder in her chest. And then she was lost as she gave herself up to the pure pleasure.

  Ace pressed her back against the door and fed from her lips. Fed a hunger that he hadn’t even known he possessed until he tasted her. And now that he’d tasted, he wanted more. He wanted all. He buried his lips in the little hollow of her throat and breathed her in. The thought of taking her here, now, was nearly overpowering.

  “Ally.” He wasn’t certain if he’d spoken her name aloud, or only thought it. But when she drew back to look up at him, he realized she’d heard him.

  “We’d…” He was surprised at how difficult it was to speak. Every word seemed to stick in his throat. “We’d be a lot more comfortable in the house.”

  “The house?” It took her a moment to come back to earth. When she did, her eyes darkened. “No.” What had she been thinking? “You have to go, Ace.”

  “That’s not what your kiss just said.”

  “I…wasn’t thinking straight. Now I am.”

  She saw his smile, quick and dangerous. “Stop thinking.” He ran his hands across her shoulders, down her arms, and lowered his head. “It can get you in all kinds of trouble. Instead, just feel.”

  She did. And, oh, what feelings as his mouth moved over hers with such skill. As he took her higher, she thought she saw lights flashing in front of her eyes. Or were they merely fireflies?

  “You…” Reluctantly, she drew away. “You really have to go now, Ace.”

  He brushed his lips over hers one last time. “I could come inside and help with the dishes.”

  “Good try.” She managed to smile before stepping back, breaking contact. “But the answer is no.”

  “You’re tough, Red.”

  “Yeah. One of us has to be. Good night, cowboy.”

  She turned away and stepped inside, then leaned her forehead against the screen door. As he sprinted off the porch she called, “See you tomorrow.”

  “Yeah.” He walked to the truck and climbed inside. When he started the engine and turned on the headlights, he could see her illuminated in the doorway, still watching him.

  As he headed out on the long drive back to the Double W, it occurred to him he was getting in way over his head. Ally Brady was beginning to mean a lot more to him than just an office assistant. A whole lot more. And in light of the trouble he was dealing with right now, that could be dangerous.

  Chapter 6

  “I’m glad the contracts meet with your approval, Mr. Curtis.” Ace glanced up as Ally deposited a stack of papers on his desk before hurrying away. That made at least a dozen times she’d been in his office since the start of the work day, and each time, she’d beat a hasty retreat without making eye contact.

  He was definitely getting the cold shoulder, but he couldn’t figure out why. And he’d been too busy to find even a minute to talk to her.

  But he would. Before the day ended, he vowed, he would. And if he found that she was holding that good-night kiss against him, he’d remind her that she’d participated as enthusiastically as he.

  “I appreciate it, Mr. Curtis. You can expect the first shipment to leave WildeMining early next month.” He paused. “You bet. Right. Goodbye.”

  He disconnected and muttered a savage oath when his phone rang yet again. For the next hour he endured a series of business calls that couldn’t wait. Finally, with his desk cleared of paperwork, he went in search of Ally. He felt a sense of frustration when he caught sight of her in the outer office, talking and laughing with several of the other employees. Agitated, he returned to his office and buzzed her desk.

  Minutes later she stepped inside. “You wanted to see me?”

  An understatement. He wanted to devour her. Instead, he said simply, “Would you mind closing the door?”

  She did as he asked, then turned to him questioningly.

  “You’ve been avoiding me.”

  “Ace…”

  “Haven’t you?”

  She swallowed. Nodded.

  “Why?”

  “I work for you,” she said simply.

  “So?”

  “This just isn’t smart, Ace. We have to see each other all day, every day. If something should happen to…strain our business relationship, we wouldn’t be able to work comfortably together.”

  “You mean, if we should happen to develop a personal relationship?”

  She nodded. “I gave it a lot of thought after you left.” That wasn’t at all an apt description. She’d paced the floor of her room for hours, agonizing over the things she was feeling for him. “I just don’t think I should…you should…” She let the words trail off.

  He would have laughed except that she was so serious. And looked so sad. “Okay.” He stepped from around his desk and walked toward her.
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br />   “Okay?” She blinked. This wasn’t at all the reaction she’d been expecting. She’d debated the wisdom of sharing her thoughts. And she’d anticipated a dozen different arguments that she’d have to endure from him. For some strange reason she felt oddly deflated that he hadn’t been willing to debate the issue at all.

  “Sure. Sounds very sensible to me.” He moved closer, his eyes staring unblinking into hers. “And everyone who knows me knows I’m the most sensible guy in the world.” That bold-faced remark almost had him roaring. There wasn’t a sensible bone in his gambler’s body. “So if you think we ought to cool it, we will.”

  “Fine. Well.” She steeled herself not to back up as he advanced. “Then I guess there’s nothing more to say.”

  “I guess not.” He halted mere inches from her. He itched to touch her. He had to curl his hand into a fist at his side to keep from reaching out and just taking.

  She turned away, her hand on the knob. “If there’s nothing else…”

  “There is.”

  She turned back.

  He shrugged and gave her that boyish grin that always seemed to melt her heart. “I thought maybe you’d like to share a pizza at Clancy’s after work.”

  “Clancy’s?” She shook her head. “I could never show my face there again, Ace. I’d be too embarrassed.”

  “Okay.” That’s what he’d figured. And that’s why he’d suggested it. To throw her off-balance. He gave a negligent shrug of his shoulders. “Is there someplace around here?”

  After a moment’s hesitation she said, “There’s a little bar just over the state line in Montana.”

  “Do they have pizza that tastes like cardboard?”

  She laughed. “No. But they have burgers that are really terrible.”

  “My kind of place. Want to go there after work?”

  She was laughing as she nodded. “I suppose I could be persuaded. But I’ll have to drive home first and see that Gramps has something to eat in his workroom.”