Her Holiday Rancher

by Cathy McDavid

  She’d offered to help him bathe, shave, dress and a dozen other personal tasks. His response had been to snap at her. Yesterday, he’d sliced his finger with a pocketknife while trying to clean his fingernails, then refused to let her clean and bandage the small wound. He’d be lucky if he didn’t get an infection.

  “It’s hard on me,” she said, her voice cracking. “The extra work, the emotional stress, seeing him hurt himself. This wasn’t his first fall.”

  “Have you told him how hard it is on you?”

  “I don’t want to get into an argument.”

  “He needs to know he’s making your life difficult.”

  “Not difficult. I love my father.”

  “We went through the same thing with my dad. He ran Mom ragged. It got to a point where her health was in jeopardy.”

  Reese swiped at her eyes. She could see the same happening to her.

  “I remember the name of the nursing service we used. They were good. We hired a male nurse. Dad was more comfortable with him than a woman.”

  Her father would be, too. “Maybe. Let me think about it.”

  “You’ll be no good to your father if you’re worn out.”

  “I’m more worried about my job. I’m finding it harder and harder to concentrate. I don’t want to start making mistakes.”

  Almost at once, she regretted her words. Would Gabe jump to the conclusion she wasn’t doing her best as trustee?

  “You’re too smart for that,” he said.

  His assurances didn’t ease her concerns. But when he folded her hand in his and squeezed her fingers, a calmness spread slowly through her, and she welcomed it.

  “I like you, Gabe.” Closing her eyes, she grimaced. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “I’m glad you did. I like you, too.”

  “A lot.” Oh, God, this was getting worse by the second.

  His grip on her hand tightened. “I know.”

  “Oh? You do?”

  “You kissed me, Reese. I may be an insensitive lug, but I can tell when a woman’s into me.”

  “Into you?” She almost pulled her hand away, but didn’t. “You sound pretty confident.”

  “What I am is glad. I’d hate to think I’m the only one losing my heart here.”

  Her pulse quickened. “Gabe, we can’t let this go any further. It’s okay to flirt a bit and maybe kiss, but no more and not again.”

  “Hmm.” He grinned, and her pulse literally skipped a beat. “And here I was thinking of taking things further.”

  “You’re terrible. That wasn’t funny.”

  “I’m not joking.”

  He wasn’t. She could tell by the look in his eyes, which roved her face as if trying to memorize every nuance. This intense scrutiny was incredibly more flattering and harder to resist.

  “What are we going to do about it?” he asked.

  She tensed. Was he serious? “Nothing.”

  “You’re entitled to be happy.”

  “Not at the expense of my job.”

  “Is there a bank policy against dating customers?”

  “Not exactly. Any romantic relationships must be disclosed.” Reese imagined herself having that conversation with Walt and cringed. No way. “My boss would think I’ve lost my mind.”

  “You’re right.” Gabe let go of her hand. “It’s a bad idea.”

  She hadn’t expected him to acquiesce so quickly and thought of telling him she’d reconsidered. Maybe then he’d hold her hand again and stare into her eyes.

  “I should probably get go—”

  He cut her off. “You don’t have to. Whatever it is you were going to say.”

  His voice was rich with promise and his smile contained a hint of mischief. The combination was too appealing for her own good.

  “Yes, I do.” Yes, she should.

  “Keep looking at me the way you are and I won’t be responsible for my actions.”

  She knew he wanted her. Like he’d said, they’d kissed. He wasn’t the only one who could gauge a person’s feelings. Neither was he the only one staring with an unmistakable hunger in their eyes.

  “You could walk me to my car,” she suggested.

  “I’m going to do more than that.” He pushed back from the table and stood. Taking her hand, he helped her to her feet and, before she could stop him, into his arms.

  “Gabe. Didn’t we agree—”

  “To heed our better judgment and not make costly mistakes. Kissing you is no mistake.”

  “We’re asking for trouble.”

  “I kind of like getting into trouble with you.”

  She might have said more but she couldn’t. Her mouth was otherwise occupied. She let him take the lead, fusing her lips to his, then parting them. He wasted no time, tasting and teasing and satisfying her.

  No, there was no satisfying. Regardless of what she’d said earlier, she craved more. While his hands roamed her back, she linked her arms around his neck and sifted her fingers through his hair. At his low moan of pleasure, she grew bolder and arched into him, her breasts making exhilarating contact with the hard planes of his chest.

  He tensed and withdrew, gazing at her like she was everything in the world to him. “You’re incredible.”

  “I think it takes two to achieve incredible.”

  “How did we not figure this out before?”

  She shook her head, not sure what to say. Had she gone after the wrong man, Blake, because the right man, Gabe, was someone her father didn’t approve of?

  His hands settled on the curves of her hips and pulled her close. He moaned again. Reese didn’t consider herself to be particularly sexy, but turning him on, obviously exciting him, gave her a heady sensation she could get used to.

  Saying no to the many wonderful, exciting possibilities that could be hers if she’d simply give in would be harder than she’d imagined. “Gabe. Please—”

  The floor shifted beneath her. She uttered a cry before realizing Gabe had picked her up. Turning in a half circle, he deposited her on the table. Not giving her a chance to catch her breath, he kneed her legs apart and positioned himself between them.

  Speaking wasn’t possible. At first, because he’d left her speechless. Then because he was kissing her again, with an intensity and passion that drove all but the last shred of good judgment from her mind.

  He leaned into her. For an insane second, she thought he might be trying to lay her back on the table. The next instant, her relieved mind registered he was simply closing the distance between their bodies to nothing but a few molecules of thin air.

  Heaven help her, she abandoned control and let him kiss her. His tongue swept into her mouth, evoking greater thrills with each stroke. His hands pressed into the small of her back and, when she moved her hips encouragingly, dipped into the waistband of her slacks. He must have realized she wore the briefest of panties for he let out a low, desperate sound that sent a shiver of pleasure coursing through her.

  “I want you, Reese.”

  All at once, he really was laying her back onto the table. She immediately grasped that last shred of good judgment and ended their kiss.

  “No. We can’t.”

  He pulled back and, breathing deeply, lifted her off the table and onto her feet. “We could go to my room.”

  They could. His mother and Cara were gone for hours.

  They couldn’t! No matter how Reese felt about Gabe, and she was starting to care more than she’d have ever believed possible, she refused to endanger her job. They’d already crossed the line. Several times. To plunge headlong into dangerous territory was career suicide.

  Placing her palm on the front of his shirt, she backed away. “I won’t do something we’ll both regret.”

 
He hesitated a moment. Reese thought he might continue attempting to sway her. He didn’t, surprising her once again.

  “I understand.” He tried a smile, which fell short. “I apologize for getting carried away.”

  “My fault, too.”

  “You have to admit.” His smile widened. “It was a great kiss.”

  The best ever. He’d literally and figuratively swept her off her feet. “One for the record books.”

  He grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair and held it out for her. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  She slipped her right arm into the sleeve, then her left one and adjusted the jacket before buttoning it. Her exit did seem hasty, though under the circumstances, probably wise. Her defenses were at an all-time low.

  At her car, he bent and gave her a sweet, yet lingering kiss that was completely intoxicating.

  “Wait for me, Reese,” he said and nuzzled her ear. “I’ve got a plan.”

  “For what?” He could be very distracting.

  “Give me six months. I’m going to buy out my brothers.”

  She couldn’t imagine how, as she’d turned down his one request to draw on the line of credit. Gabe was quite determined, though. Perhaps more now than before.

  Rather than mention the many obstacles he faced, she hugged him to her.

  “I’ll help any way I can.”

  “I won’t jeopardize your job.”

  Reese believed him. He hadn’t let her down in the past.

  She couldn’t be with Gabe, not the way she longed to be, body and soul and heart. For now, she’d be content to wait. After today, and what had transpired between them, she believed they had what it took for a lasting relationship. That was certainly worth waiting a measly six months.

  * * *

  “WILL YOUR CHILDREN be here for Christmas?” Gabe’s mother asked Josh. “It would be so nice to have little ones in the house again.”

  Cara hadn’t joined them for breakfast, otherwise his mother wouldn’t have mentioned children and Christmas for fear of upsetting her.

  “I’m afraid not,” Josh said. “This will be their last time with their mother for a while. I agreed to let her have them for the holidays.”

  Gabe didn’t know the whole story, but Josh had said something about his ex-wife going into rehab—her third go-round—for a drug addiction problem, which was one of the reasons he’d gained full custody of their kids.

  “I won’t be getting them until mid-January.” Josh poured himself a glass of orange juice, then passed the pitcher to Cole.

  Breakfast with his brothers had become something of a ritual for Gabe, thanks to his mother and her insistence. Conversation was mostly between her and Josh. Gabe and Cole preferred the roles of spectators.

  He had yet to tell Cole he knew about his trip to see Theo McGraw. Gabe also hadn’t told anyone about Theo’s Parkinson’s. Yesterday, Reese had called and asked him the name of the home nursing service they’d used when his father was ill. Perhaps she was making progress with Theo.

  He hoped so. He was anxious for her to become a part of his life. But before that could happen, she needed to delegate some of her responsibilities for her father’s care to a reliable nurse. Also, be done with her duties as trustee of Gabe’s father’s estate, which would occur when he bought out his brothers’ shares.

  “Oh, Josh.” His mother clucked sympathetically as she crossed from the stove to the kitchen table, delivering a bowl heaped with scrambled eggs. “That is too bad for you, but good for the children’s mother. It’s important she have the support of her family during such a difficult time.”

  “Yeah. You’re right.” He didn’t sound convinced.

  Gabe’s mother smiled delightedly. “I can’t wait to meet them. A girl and a boy. The perfect family.”

  He didn’t point out that if Josh was divorced and his ex-wife about to enter rehab for the third time, they were hardly the perfect family.

  “I appreciate all you’ve done for us.” Josh helped her find a place for the bowl, then sent his brother a sharp look.

  “Yes. Thanks, Raquel,” Cole said.

  They’d been behaving better since the scene during Thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps due to Gabe and his suggestion they work together. He liked to think so, anyway.

  “De nada.” His mother beamed as she took her seat.

  What would she do if she learned that, a mere few days ago, Reese had been sitting on the table, right where his mother’s arm rested, and Gabe had been kissing her like a crazy man, hoping to steal her off to his bedroom?

  She’d box his ears, like she’d done that time when he was seven and, on a dare, had stolen a pack of gum from the market. She’d also probably insist he make an honest woman out of Reese, though they hadn’t let things go far enough to warrant a hasty wedding.

  Funny, the idea of a future with Reese didn’t scare Gabe like it had with his former girlfriends. Later, he’d give the notion some thoughtful consideration.

  Or not. Frankly, it didn’t matter. Gabe wasn’t considering anything more serious than dating Reese. For now.

  “Gabe, will you drive me to the lot by the market today for a Christmas tree?”

  Gabe returned his attention to his mother. She’d been asking for this favor all week, and he couldn’t put her off any longer.

  “Yes, but not until after supper. We’re meeting with the vet to decide on which cows to breed. If you can wait, I’m all yours.”

  Josh and Cole would also be at the meeting in order to learn, though Violet was technically in charge. Before the cancer had struck his father, Dos Estrellas owned several bulls, using them for breeding. The bulls, proven producers with outstanding lines, were the first livestock to be sold. As a result, this year they would artificially inseminate the cows.

  The three brothers and Violet had much work ahead of them. To ensure the best results and produce a bumper number of calves at the least cost, the artificial insemination must be done as precisely as possible.

  “I spoke to Tio Lorenzo yesterday,” Gabe’s mother said, referring to her favorite brother. “He’s coming for Christmas.”

  “That’s great, Mom.”

  His mother was very close to her brothers, Lorenzo in particular. The upcoming visit had made her very happy. Just as his grandparents’ refusal to visit made her sad.

  “I’m looking forward to meeting him,” Josh said.

  He, at least, was being a good houseguest. Cole continued to eat in disgruntled silence.

  What, Gabe wondered, had made his brother unhappy? Was being here, living in the home of the father he’d hated, the sole reason or was it something else? Why, Gabe wondered, did he care? He shouldn’t waste his mental energy. Cole didn’t spend one second thinking about him.

  But Gabe did find himself thinking and caring. Reese was responsible for the change in him. Because of her, and their unexpected feelings, he had begun to look at his brothers differently.

  “It’s going to be a nice Christmas this year.” His mother smiled at each of them.

  Much better than the previous two. Though they would all miss his father terribly, and remember the loss of Cara’s son, he, like his mother, had something positive to look forward to.

  When they were done eating, Josh offered to help with the dishes, a chore Cara usually did. Not to be outdone, Gabe cleared the table. He was carting the last of the dirty plates to the counter when his cell phone rang.

  He didn’t recognize the number, but the voice that greeted him was familiar. Buck Sadoski, the cattle broker he’d spoken with several weeks earlier, was in high spirits.

  “Hey, partner, how are you this glorious morning?” His booming voice resounded in Gabe’s ear.

  “Good. And yourself?” He hadn’t expected to hear from Buc
k this soon; the cattle broker hadn’t taken it well when Gabe turned down his previous generous offer.

  “Fine and dandy.”

  “What can I do for you?” Gabe excused himself to his father’s office with a wave to his mother. He didn’t want his family to overhear his conversation.

  “Partner, it’s what I can do for you. I have four hundred of the best-looking steer calves you’ve seen in all your born days en route to Phoenix from Texas right this minute. They’ll be hitting the borders of our fair city by tomorrow morning. I’m looking for a buyer, and the first person I thought of was you.”

  Normally, Gabe would be interested only in cows or heifers, seeing as breeding season was well upon them. And, after the last fiasco when Reese refused to advance him the purchase money, he was reluctant to jump in with both feet.

  “Not sure I’m in the market for steer.”

  Buck laughed, low and grumbly. “Wait until I tell you the price.”

  He did, and Gabe’s interest flared.

  “You hold on to these little fellows until this spring, fatten ’em up, and you can sell them for a tidy profit.”

  That, he could.

  “Beef prices are going to continue to soar,” Buck added. “Count on it.”

  Gabe quickly ran the numbers in his head. If beef prices rose even half of what those in the business were predicting, they could stand to make 30 percent on their investment.

  They, or him? What if he were to buy the calves on his own? Without his brothers?

  Naw, he couldn’t pull it off. Not without drawing on the line of credit, and Reese had made it clear that was impossible without his brothers’ knowledge and consent. There was also the matter of supplemental feed. With more head, they would have to purchase additional hay, and maybe not at the good price Banner Hay Sales had given them last time.

  To make a purchase of this size, including the cattle and the hay, they’d quite possibly use what was left of the line of credit after paying for inseminating the cows.

  Risky, yes, but not much of a risk. Young steers could be counted on to grow up.

  “You don’t take these pretty babies,” Buck said, “and someone else will.”