Her Holiday Rancher

by Cathy McDavid

  With another lurch, they continued on, the horses resuming their slow, steady trot. Two blocks passed, then three.

  “You guys are awfully quiet,” Ethan said, this time without looking at them.

  “Taking in the scenery,” Reese answered, and she was. The distant mountains were blue-black against a star-filled sky. To the right of the rounded peaks, the lights of Scottsdale glittered, appearing much closer than the actual thirty miles away as the crow flies.

  “Yeah, taking in the scenery,” Gabe echoed.

  Reese started at the feel of his breath on the back of her neck and the silky timbre of his voice. She turned in the seat and gasped softly when she found him mere inches away. Close enough to...

  “Oh, my.”

  “You’re prettier now than you were in school.” His low whisper ignited a flurry of sparks in the place his breath had moments ago caressed. They quickly spread, making her both nervous and excited.

  “Gabe. We have an agreement.”

  “I was never very good at following rules.” He skimmed his fingers along the curve of her cheek. “And breaking them with you is very tempting.”

  She closed her eyes, savoring the moment. “This is a bad idea.”

  “It’s the best one I’ve had since Thanksgiving.”

  “I thought you were mad at me about the hay.”

  “Didn’t I admit you were right?”

  She pressed her palm to his cheek. “Your father just died. You’re at odds with your brothers. The ranch is in debt. The timing couldn’t be worse.”

  “I’m going to kiss you, Reese.”

  The sparks ignited a shiver. “You say that like I don’t have a choice.”

  “You do. You can tell me no. But I happen to think you’d like me to kiss you, too.”

  He was obviously skilled at mind reading. “What about Ethan?” She shot their driver a concerned glance.

  “Trust me, he’s not paying us any attention.”

  Gabe’s confidence was annoying. It was also very attractive. She was falling for him in a way she hadn’t fallen for a man before. It was a little scary.

  He lowered his head. Their mouths were almost, nearly, and then barely touching. “What do you want from me?” she whispered.

  “Surrender.”

  That was all the encouragement Reese needed. The last barrier vanished, and she was in his arms, kissing him as if this moment were the one she’d been waiting for her entire life. Heedless, mindless and careless, she did as he wanted and gave in to him. It was glorious.

  He drew her into the circle of his arms, flush with his hard, unyielding chest while his mouth played hers like a fine instrument. The motion of the carriage elevated the sensations. If Reese let her mind wander, she and Gabe could be floating adrift on a vast ocean, all alone, their problems nonexistent.

  Nice, but not very realistic. Nonetheless, she reveled in their kiss. What would one more minute hurt?

  There must have been a pothole in the road, for the carriage bumped hard, knocking them both sideways and breaking off the kiss.

  Instead of coming to her senses, being embarrassed or chiding herself for her reckless behavior, Reese laughed.

  “That’s better.” Gabe adjusted the blanket, which had slipped from their laps. “I like you when you’re happy.”

  “When am I not happy?” The question was no sooner expressed then she remembered. The night of their prom. Her mood shifted, and she extracted herself from his arms. “We should probably...”

  “Yeah.”

  She heard his reluctance as clearly as if he’d spoken it. “It won’t always be like this. A lot could change in a year.” Josh, not Gabe, had mentioned the brothers’ agreement to work together.

  “Nothing about our families will change. You’ll always be Theo McGraw’s daughter, and I’m the product of August Dempsey’s affair with my mother.”

  “We don’t have to let our past define us.”

  He smiled tenderly. “I didn’t realize you were such an optimist.”

  “Be patient.”

  “What choice do I have?” His smile changed from tender to sad.

  She suspected few people saw this side of him and was glad he felt comfortable enough with her to let down his guard.

  “Next stop, the center of town.” Ethan pulled on the reins, slowing the horses, who’d picked up the pace when they realized the ride was nearing an end. Ahead, the lights of the square blinked brightly.

  Reese couldn’t believe where the minutes had gone. She and Gabe had been completely absorbed—with their kiss and each other.

  Unfortunately, none of her uncertainties had been assuaged. She still had no clue where their relationship was heading.

  She didn’t like that. Reese always strove to maintain perfect order. Even when the rug was pulled out from under her, like getting pregnant, she found a solution and acted promptly. But when it came to her and Gabe, she had no solution. No expectations. No promises. It was scary—and thrilling.

  Gabe’s fingertips linking briefly with hers when she exited the carriage implied they shared a secret.

  Another one.

  Chapter Nine

  Finding a reason to go home at lunch was becoming a habit for Reese. For the fourth day in a row, she was making the fifteen-minute trek from the bank, this time with her father’s prescription in her purse. He didn’t need it until tonight and would most likely see through her excuse.

  Big deal. If he objected, then they could hire a caretaker.

  Seconds before Reese reached the Small Change, she saw a familiar-looking vehicle pull out. Her suspicions were confirmed when she and the truck passed on the road, and she got a good look at the driver.

  Cole Dempsey! What was he doing here? Who had he seen? Did her father know?

  Reese rushed inside the moment after she parked in the garage. “Dad, you here?”

  There was no answer. Maybe her father was in the barn or at one of the livestock pens. He did venture outside at least once a day when he was feeling his best.

  “Dad. Dad!”

  “In here.” His voice came from the TV den.

  Reese breathed a long sigh of relief and dropped her purse onto the kitchen counter, along with the prescription. Her father was sitting in his favorite recliner, fiddling with the remote. “How you doing?” She was anxious to know about Cole Dempsey but unsure if she should ask. If Cole had been talking to Enrico or one of the hands, she’d prefer to grill them first, without her father’s knowledge.

  “I had a visitor.” Her father wore a satisfied expression.

  Aha.

  “Who?” Reese asked, pretending ignorance.

  “Cole Dempsey.” He set down the remote. “Kid’s the spitting image of his mother. You probably don’t remember her.”

  “No.” Reese decided to be blunt. “Why was he here?”

  “Paying me a neighborly visit.”

  She knew better than that. “Come on, Dad.”

  “He’s interested in selling his share of Dos Estrellas.”

  “You’re kidding.” Reese’s knees weakened a little. She wobbled to the sofa and sat. “He offered it to you?”

  “Yep.” Her father leaned back in the recliner and pushed on the side handle, raising the foot rest.

  Her father must be having a good day. With his tremors and loss of strength, he couldn’t always manage his recliner.

  “Did he happen to mention if his brothers knew?”

  “What does it matter?”

  “They’re partners, Dad. It matters a lot.”

  “Is he prohibited from selling without their consent?”

  “No. Consent is needed only for selling the entire ranch.” Reese had found that part of the living t
rust unusual and interesting. Anyone could wind up owning a share of Dos Estrellas and partnering with the remaining brother or brothers, including, possibly, a rival. August Dempsey must have thought of that. He’d paid meticulous attention to every other detail.

  Could it have been intentional? A test for his sons? She wouldn’t put it past August. But, if true, he’d taken an incredible risk that could easily backfire.

  Hearing her father’s jovial chuckle, she was angry. “You can’t seriously be considering accepting Cole’s offer.”

  Deep furrows creased his brow. “I am. Why wouldn’t I?”

  “We’ve had this discussion before. Running the Small Change is hard enough. You’re in no—” She’d started to say shape, but changed her mind. “No position to take on more responsibility.”

  “I could be the financial backer. Gabe and the other brother—Josh, right?—will run the ranch.”

  This was absurd. Her father talked like the purchase was a done deal.

  Reese’s heart pounded. “You cannot do this, Dad! Think of the problems it will cause.”

  Gabe would be furious. And he might think she was encouraging her father, though she’d assured him she had no personal agenda.

  Her father leveled a finger at her. “You don’t get to tell me what to do, young lady.”

  She stood, her legs now strong. “You’re right. But I can tell Gabe about this, and I will. Right now.”

  Storm clouds gathered on her father’s face, worrying her. She hadn’t seen him this angry in a long time.

  “Why would you go against me?” he demanded.

  “Dad, I have a responsibility as trustee to oversee the finances of Dos Estrellas to the best of my ability.”

  “You also have an obligation to me.”

  “If owning a share of Dos Estrellas was in your best interest or good for your health, I’d support you a hundred percent. Neither one is the case. And I know for a fact Cole is after whatever money he can get his hands on. He has no loyalty to his brothers, Josh included.”

  She’d assumed, when he agreed to stay, he’d at least stick by Josh. Obviously not.

  What a mess. She had to do something.

  “He’s making the decision that’s best for him,” her father said. “Nothing wrong with that.”

  “This isn’t like you, Dad. It would be one thing for you to buy Dos Estrellas outright. Heaven knows you offered enough times. But to wrangle your way in the back door by taking advantage of a family dispute—”

  “Now, wait a minute.”

  “I won’t. In fact, I’m leaving now.”

  “Where are you going?”

  To the only place that made any sense. “Our neighbors.”

  “Reese.”

  The pleading in her father’s voice tore at her, and all at once she understood. He didn’t want to own a one-third share of the Dos Estrellas, bought from a disgruntled brother. He would have owned the ranch outright, had the opportunity ever presented itself.

  Her father was flexing what was left of his muscles in order to feel like his old self. She decided to cut him some slack.

  “I have to tell Gabe. He has a right to know.”

  Her father stared at her, unwaveringly, for several seconds. Then he looked away. “Do what you must.”

  His obvious pain made her question her actions. She took his hand in hers, holding it to her chest, just above her heart.

  “I love you, Dad.”

  He nodded.

  “We’re going to get through this.”

  He laughed without mirth. “Haven’t you been listening to my doctors?”

  “Parkinson’s isn’t fatal.”

  “Might as well be.”

  Tears pricked her eyes “New advances are being made every day.”

  “You talk like that support group leader.”

  Her father had attended exactly one meeting, declaring afterward that all those people moping and whining weren’t for him. He’d go it alone.

  But he wasn’t alone. He had her.

  “We have to keep hoping, Dad. I have to keep hoping. If not, I’ll fall apart.”

  “You’re a good daughter, Reese. I’m a blessed man.”

  He hadn’t called himself blessed since being told his initial prognosis.

  She kissed the back of his hand. “See you tonight when I get home. Call if you need anything.”

  “You fuss over me too much.” His objection was delivered with affection.

  Wasting no time, not even to eat, Reese returned to her car and drove to Dos Estrellas. On the drive, she called Gabe. He answered on the second ring.

  “Hi, there.”

  Minor static in the background didn’t distort the fondness in his voice—which would change the moment she told him her news.

  “Are you free?” she asked.

  “Now?”

  “If that’s okay.”

  “Sure. I’m in the toolshed. Let me clean up, and I’ll meet you at the house. Mom and Cara aren’t home. They’re making the rounds in town. Thanking some of our friends for their help these last few weeks by delivering homemade tamales. They won’t be home until late tonight.”

  Was he dropping a hint that they’d have some privacy? Reese worried he might be recalling their kiss, and she didn’t want to mislead him. “We can do this another time.”

  “No. Come on by.”

  She could tell him on the phone and avoid an awkward situation. No, she needed to tell him her news face-to-face.

  “See you in a few minutes.”

  Standing at Gabe’s front door, she smoothed her slacks before ringing the bell. Someone, she guessed Raquel, had gone overboard decorating the house exterior and courtyard with lights, ornaments and a giant inflatable snow globe with Santa and Rudolph inside. An evergreen wreath hung from the door with a puffy red ribbon at its center. The half dozen organ-pipe cacti to the right of the door wore fake beards and Santa hats, the white tassels falling at jaunty angles.

  Reese smiled. The next instant, guilt overwhelmed her. She’d been too busy with work and caring for her father to worry about decorating the house. Perhaps she should. It might cheer him. She’d loved the holidays as a kid, in part because her father always made a big production of them.

  When no one answered the door, Reese knocked again. Gabe must be delayed. She rummaged in her purse for her cell phone, found it and groaned. She should have paid attention to the low battery warning. Now the phone was dead.

  She began walking in the direction of the horse stable. If memory served, the toolshed was a dilapidated structure behind it. Hopefully, Gabe was still there.

  She took a shortcut through the stables, the pointy heels of her boots sinking into the soft ground and hampering her progress. Were it a different day, she’d stop to pet the horses, especially Gabe’s pretty mustang mare Bonita, who watched Reese with wide, chocolate eyes.

  Reaching the end of the aisle, she turned the corner and came to an abrupt halt. It wasn’t the toolshed with its repaired sideboards, new roof and fresh coat of paint that had given her pause. Rather, it was Gabe. He’d stripped off his jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeves. Bending over the open hood of the tractor, with his right arm buried in the engine up to his shoulder, he grimaced as if in pain.

  Was he hurt? Caught his hand in some metal mechanism?

  Reese quickened her steps. “Gabe, are you all right?”

  “Hey.” He opened his eyes, but didn’t extract his arm. “Sorry. Thought I’d be finished by now.”

  “What happened? Can I help?”

  “Tractor died in the middle of feeding this morning. It’s the carburetor. I have this one last bolt to screw on.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Feeling silly at panicking for no reason, she
brushed self-consciously at her hair.

  “Almost there.” Groaning, he wiggled his arm. The bolt was obviously difficult to reach.

  She waited, then swallowed. Gabe looked good. Heck, he always did. But today, his strong, athletic build was visible beneath his snug-fitting plaid shirt. The collar was open at his throat, revealing the muscles of his neck, which stood out as he strained to reattach the bolt.

  Business, she reminded herself. She was here on business. Unpleasant business at that.

  “No hurry,” she said and turned her attention to the pasture. It was empty, except for two remaining towers of hay; the other three had been distributed to the cattle—and the cattle moved to yet another section. Sound management, in her opinion. Reserve the hay if possible.

  “Could you hand me that towel?”

  “Sure.” She grabbed a crumpled hand towel lying on the tractor fender.

  Gabe had withdrawn his arm from the engine while her back was to him. She was greeted by his broad chest and bare throat, three inches from her face.

  Reese gasped and involuntarily stepped back. Her heel caught on a rock, and her ankle threatened to turn. She flailed, arms wind-milling.

  He grabbed her by the shoulders and steadied her. “Whoa there.”

  His words were teasing. His tone, seductive. Reese responded by turning soft inside. When he dipped his head as if to kiss her, she came to her senses and held up a hand. “Wait. I have something to tell you. Something you won’t like.”

  “What is it?” He didn’t move, didn’t release her and looked at her with such concern, such caring, she momentarily lost her train of thought.

  “Your brother Cole,” she finally managed to sputter. “He met with my father. Not an hour ago. And offered to sell him his share of Dos Estrellas.”

  “That son of a bitch.”

  Reese wasn’t sure who Gabe was referring to, his brother or her father.

  He released her, his arms falling away, his stare now cold as steel. “Was this your idea?”

  “Gabe, how can you say that?” They’d kissed during the carriage ride. Talked intimately. “I wouldn’t betray you. Neither would I jeopardize my job.”

  He stormed off.

  She chased after him. “Where are you going?”