by Sable Hunter
“Of course. Let me load up a tray and I’ll bring it in.”
“Great.” He winked at Nathan. “This woman is a gem, an absolute gem.”
“I agree.” Rising, he followed the well-dressed man from the kitchen to an office off the living room. He couldn’t help but wonder if Mad owned any clothing other than suits. If he did, you couldn’t prove it by Nathan, he’d never seen the man wear anything else.
“Take a seat.” He gestured to a comfortable armchair at a heavy round table where Storm sat waiting.
“So, what’s your initial assessment?”
Storm didn’t beat around the bush and Nathan appreciated that fact. Without hesitation, he sent them a link to some reports he’d put together. In a few short minutes, they were pouring over the information.
“This is great, Nathan.” Mad nodded his approval. “You’ve been busy. Have you worked with Limousin cattle before?”
“We’ve run a few on Tebow. They’re a French breed. Very adaptable.”
“And these grasses? Would we have to eradicate the existing vegetation to plant new?”
Nathan nodded his head. “Simple process. We’d till up the ground and replant.”
“Wow.” Maddox blinked and turned off his tablet. “You’re off to a fine start.”
“I hope so.” He sat up straighter, feeling proud of himself. “With your permission, I’d like to research establishing winter pastures at higher elevations.”
“Sure, that’d be great.” Storm was all for it. “Anything you can do to expand our potential.”
“This is a different climate and environment than what I’m used to. Plus, the drought conditions complicate matters. I’ll do the research and see what I can find out. I also want to take a couple of days and ride over the property, especially some of the mountain pastures.”
“Excellent. Promising idea.” Maddox seemed very pleased. “I think this calls for a celebratory drink.”
“I’ll do the honors.” Storm rose and walked to the wet bar in a corner of the room. “What’s your poison, Nathan?”
“Uh. Scotch, I guess.” Nathan felt good. He could pick up enough on their thoughts to tell they were being aboveboard. The Connelly brothers were truly pleased with his work.
“Good choice. I’ll have the same.” Maddox pushed his chair back from the table so he could stretch out his legs. “I have to say, Nathan. I’m impressed with the depth of your knowledge. Did you study agriculture or ranch management in college?”
“No.” He was a bit embarrassed. “No special studies. I must’ve picked up more along the way than I realized.”
Storm passed Nathan a glass. “Nothing beats practical experience.”
“Thanks.” He accepted the drink and rose to look at some pictures on the wall.
The Connelly brothers joined him.
“This is Storm at a gallery showing for his paintings.” Mad tapped one picture.
“Impressive,” Nathan said. “I’ve noticed the beautiful artwork on the walls. Are all of them yours.”
“Very few,” Storm answered as he sipped his drink. “One or two abstracts. The landscapes belong to Clare.”
“Oh, your sister. She painted them?”
“She did. Painting is just one of her talents.” Mad chuckled with amusement. “Funny. She doesn’t even consider herself an artist. For her, crafting and creating is a way of life.”
“Aron is the artist in our family.”
“Yes, he’s a fine sculptor.” Storm pointed to a bronze resting on an oak credenza. “We’re lucky enough to have an original.”
Nathan glanced over. “You do! I hadn’t noticed.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I have to admit, I’ve been preoccupied. I’m so focused on doing a respectable job that I’m like a horse with blinders on.”
“Well, relax,” Storm told him, coming alongside Nathan as he moved to another group of photographs. “You’re doing an excellent job. Take time to enjoy yourself and discover everything our beautiful part of the country has to offer.”
“I plan on doing that.” Nathan’s eyes moved from one picture to the next. “These shots of New York are fabulous.”
“They are. Those are some of Clare’s work, before she decided to make the move to Colorado. We followed her here, you know.”
“No, I didn’t know.” Nathan found that a bit odd. Before he could voice a question, his eye caught on one of the photographs featuring a young woman. A very beautiful young woman. A very familiar young woman.
He couldn’t speak.
He couldn’t move.
He could barely breathe.
Seeing where his attention was focused, Storm nodded. “Yea, that’s our sister Clare. Isn’t she stunning?”
“Clare?” He softly mouthed the word.
“Yes. You’ll have to meet her soon.”
“I’d like that,” he murmured, his heart racing like mad. Nathan was stunned, confused, relieved, and thrilled – for the woman the Connellys called Clare was none other than Romy.
His Romy.
Nathan managed to exit the meeting with the Connelly brothers without making a fool of himself.
In truth, he couldn’t think of anything but Romy.
He’d almost asked the brothers where their sister’s cabin was located. With the question sitting on the tip of his tongue, he’d refrained. Frankly, Nathan didn’t know how to ask without telling them why he wanted to know. And telling his employers that he’d dreamed about their sister before they met didn’t seem to be the wisest thing to do.
As he left through the kitchen, he thanked Ms. Robbins for the cookies and cider. “Everything was so good. Thank you.”
“Well, you stop in anytime. I always have something fresh from the oven.”
As Nathan was about to leave, she stopped him.
“You wouldn’t be going up in the highlands today, would you?”
“The highlands?” he asked, not sure what she meant.
“Up the mountain.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “I’m sorry, I overheard you speaking with the boys as I was carrying linens to the dining room.”
“Oh, no problem.” Nathan thought a moment. “I do intend to check out some of the property located at higher elevations.”
“Well, if you do.” She walked to the cabinet and picked up a basket. “Would you consider stopping in at Clare’s place and dropping these cookies off to her?”
“Would I?” Nathan grinned as good fortune hit him between the eyes like a laser beam. “I’d be happy to.” The old woman didn’t realize how close she was to being picked up, spun around, and kissed on both cheeks. “Just tell me which direction to head in and I’ll make it my first stop.”
“Oh, good.” She motioned for him to join her at the kitchen window. “Straight up that way. Go up the mountain, through the meadow, and you’ll find her cabin in a beautiful grove of aspen.”
What she described sounded very familiar. “Will do.” He accepted the basket and hurried out the door. Nathan couldn’t keep the spring out of his step if he tried.
On the way to saddle Buck, he tried to process what had just happened. No way this was coincidence, he’d seen enough strange things in his life not to come to that naïve conclusion. “No, this is more. This is destiny. Magical. Meant to be.”
With the greatest of expectations Nathan rode Buck out of the paddock and headed through the gate to the foothills of the San Juan Mountains. Cradling the basket of cookies, his pulse pounded as every hoofbeat carried him closer to the one who’d consumed his thoughts. No matter what else he’d been going through with this new job and the situation with his family – she was never out of his mind. “Romy. I can’t believe I’m going to find you again.” This was a miracle. A wonder. A marvel. Nathan was filled with absolute joy.
Traveling up a winding path, he realized the distance was farther than it looked from the Connelly’s kitchen window. As in the dream, he didn’t like the thought of Romy living so far up in the mounta
ins by herself. Right now though, he was just focused on finding her.
The farther he rode, the more familiar his surroundings became. Once he made it over a rocky ridge, a field of wildflowers lay before him. Majestic snowcapped mountains rose above him touching a turquoise sky. “It’s like I’ve been here before, I know this place.” As before, when he came to the stream Nathan dismounted, holding Buck’s reins in his hands. Turning in a circle, he looked for her. “She should be here. This is where we met.”
“Romy!” he called, then stopped to listen. No answer. “Where is she?”
Leading his horse along, Nathan searched until he found the path that led to her cabin. He hoped it would be where he remembered. With slow steps, he waded through the tall grass and flowers. When a small clearing opened up and the house came into view, Nathan almost went to his knees in relief. He stopped and stared at it for a few moments. Yes, it was the same. So far, everything was the same – except Romy was nowhere to be seen.
Tying Buck to a post, he took the basket and approached the front door. As he did, his heart pounded, and his skin seemed electrified with anticipation. Raising his hand to knock, Nathan froze when he heard the sweet sound of her laughter drifting from around the corner of the house.
“Hold up, you’ll get your turn. Don’t be grabby.”
Nathan felt a tremor go through his body. He’d know that voice anywhere. Turning away from the door, he went to find her. Holding his breath, he eased around the corner to find Romy sitting on the grass with two squirrels. For a moment, he could say nothing – he could only stare at her with adoration. When he did find his voice, he whispered her name, “Romy.”
Clare jumped to her feet, a hand on her heart. She whirled around to glare at him. “Oh, my stars! You frightened me.”
His eyes caressed her sweet face. His lips tingled from the memory of her kiss. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He ventured forward one step. “Romy.”
“My name is Clare. Clare Connelly. And you’re trespassing!” She wasn’t shouting, but she was backing away from him at a steady pace.
His hands itched to touch her. Nathan had to force himself to remain where he was standing. She looked just the same. So beautiful and precious his chest ached. “You don’t have to be afraid. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world. This is Nathan. Don’t you remember me?”
An odd look passed over her face. “We’ve never met.”
“No.” Disappointed, Nathan felt helpless. “No, not technically.” He didn’t know what to say. Obviously, she didn’t share the memory of his dream. “I…uh work for your brothers.” Holding out the basket like a peace offering, he moved one step toward her. “Ms. Robbins asked me to bring you these cookies.”
She moved quickly forward and snatched the backet from his hand. “Please leave.”
Nathan didn’t want to go. “Can’t we talk? Please?”
“No. Not now.” She licked her lips nervously.
He could see he was making her uncomfortable and that was not his intention. “All right. I’ll go. Could I see you later? Maybe at your brothers’ house. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.”
Clare shook her head. “I can’t imagine what we’d have to discuss.” She clutched the basket in front of her like a shield. “Thanks for bringing this…and it’s nice to meet you.”
He smiled at her sadly, wanting to take her in his arms more than anything in the world. “You’re not being very convincing. I’m harmless. Really.”
“I know. It’s just…” She stopped, bowing her head. “I need to be alone.”
Something told him there was more going on than met the eye – but he didn’t want to press her. Not now. This was far too important. “Okay.” He held up his hands in a prayerful manner. “Whatever you say. Just please, think about it. What I have to say to you is very important.”
“Please.” Her voice dropped to a desperate whisper. “Go.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nathan didn’t know what else to do except what she asked. “I’ll go.” He hated like everything to walk away from her, it was almost impossible to do so. There was so much he wanted to say. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, love her – the way he had in his dream.
“Thank you,” she whispered at the last moment, just before she turned and ran around the house. He heard a door bang shut – and she was gone.
Not knowing what else to do, Nathan retreated. He felt let down. “Well, that didn’t go like I expected,” he muttered with disappointment. Taking Buck’s reins, he led him out of the groves of trees before climbing into the saddle.
As he rode away, Nathan decided this was just a setback A minor setback. There was no way he was giving up. Fate brought him here for a reason and he intended to win Romy’s trust – and her heart.
Inside her isolated cabin, Clare lay on her bed crying her eyes out. Seeing him was both wonderful and agonizing. Pretending she wanted nothing to do with him hurt far more than she feared. She’d been forced to ask him to leave before she made an absolute ninny of herself.
How could Storm and Mad do this to her? How could they bring Nathan into her life? Didn’t they know? Didn’t they understand?
Trying to steady her breathing, Clare wiped her eyes and buried her face in the pillow.
The simple answer to her questions was no, they didn’t know. Her family didn’t know how she felt or what she was thinking. She’d never opened up to them in anyway about her dreams of love or her future – not that she could have much of either one.
And Ms. Robbins? Clare could see right through the cookie deal. The Connelly’s housekeeper was a born matchmaker. Since she’d had no luck with the guys, she was moving right on to tackle Clare’s single state. “She just doesn’t realize the futility.”
Rolling over on her back, she took a deep breath and relived being near him. Clare was still trembling. “He called me Romy.” No one had called her that since her father died. It was his special nickname for her, his little boho-princess.”
For long moments, she lay there. A sad smile played on her tear-streaked face. With a clear memory, she recalled the first time she’d ever laid eyes on him. She’d gone with Storm to visit a woman, a triathlete, who served as a spokesman for the company her brothers co-owned with Joseph and Jacob McCoy. What happened that day was burned into her memory.
“Clare, this is Tamara Grayson.”
“Tamara, I am so honored.” Clare enveloped her in a big hug. “I am a huge fan. You are so inspiring!”
“Thank you. I’m a great admirer of your work too. Storm showed me some of your pieces. I especially loved the series you did on wolves.”
Clare nodded. “Me too. I actually was lucky enough to have a couple pose for me.”
“We call her Dr. Doolittle, she talks to the animals.” Storm hugged his sister affectionately.
“Won’t you two come in?”
“We can’t stay long,” Storm said as he came alongside the two women.
“I’ll get us something cool to drink.”
“Sounds perfect.” He stepped forward and held the door for the two ladies. “While you two get acquainted, I’m going to take a look at that porch swing. I told you I’d tighten the bolts.” He gave Clare a wink and Tam a meaningful stare, then he was gone.
“My brother’s in love with you.”
Tam almost tripped over the rug. “We…I…”
“But…you’re in love with someone else.” She’d stopped by a framed series of photographs. “This man.” Clare touched one of the pictures, a shot of a man riding a bull.
“Yes, his name is Jaxson McCoy,” Tamara confessed. “We’re…not together anymore.”
“Hmmm.” She moved on to another photo. “Who’s this?”
Tamara moved closer to see who she was pointing at. “Oh, that’s Nathan McCoy, he’s a first cousin of Jaxson’s.”
“Nathan.” She said the name softly, slowly. “I feel like I should know him. Tell me about him.”
“Oh…I don’t know him well. He’s the youngest of six brothers. They lost their parents years ago in a flashflood. His older brothers raised him.” She stepped forward and named them all, including Jaxson’s family. “They’re a handsome bunch, aren’t they?”
“He’s special.” Clare rubbed her finger over the glass.
“Yes, I think he’s very nice. He’s done well in school. He’s a great horseman. Loves animals. I think his dog’s name is Lucky.”
“He died,” she said simply.
“Uh, no. He and the dog are both fine,” Tam paused, thinking. “Unless you’re referring to the time he almost drowned and Jessie, the woman who married his brother, rescued him.”
“I knew it.” She smiled. “I recognized him. I died too. Once upon a time.”
Tamara was taken aback. “You did? How?”
“My heart stopped.” She touched her chest. “It’s not very reliable.”
“Yet you live alone. And your brothers let you?” Tamara was staring at her in amazement.
Clare could still remember her reply. She wasn’t so sure the words still applied.
“My brothers love me too much to stop me. I want to live while I’m alive, Miss Grayson. I want to see and do everything I’ve dreamed about. I don’t want to regret my life.”
She was still alive, but Clare wasn’t too sure she was truly living. Nathan was here. The man she’d built a whole fantasy world around was within her reach and she was too afraid to take a chance. Clare’s fear of regret was proving to be well-founded. Rising from her bed, she went to her sink and washed her face. The time for crying was over. Now, she needed to fix this if she could.
Before she could talk herself out of it, Clare changed into a heavier jacket and made her way out of doors. Usual for her, she only went part of the way before she stopped for a breather. Knowing her limitations, she’d asked Storm to place a bench about halfway between her house and the small barn where she kept her horse.
After taking a seat, she admired a field of late blooming blue gentians. As she let her heart rest a bit, Clare admitted she was disappointed in herself. She took pride in her positive outlook and the sense of peace she’d cultivated in her life. Unfortunately, both of those things seemed to have abandoned her. Especially where Nathan was concerned.