by R. C. Ryan
“It takes a lot of work.”
“And to think that your ancestors did this on their own.”
“Yeah.” He took a moment to drink it in, and realized that it was only through the eyes of others that he truly understood just what his family had accomplished. “With so much acreage, it’s a good thing we have planes.”
“You mentioned them before. How many?”
“Just two small prop planes.”
“Who pilots them?”
“We take turns.”
She shook her head. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, this is Montana, and you’re living and working on land the size of a city. But do all of you fly?”
He nodded. “All but Great One. Even Gram Gracie has her pilot’s license, though she rarely needs it, since she usually flies with Grandpop.”
She chuckled. “Is there anything you don’t do?”
“I haven’t parachuted out of a plane yet, but there’s always tomorrow to try a new challenge. And don’t mention it to Luke or Reed. Those two are always up for a dare.”
“Are they as reckless as they appear?”
“Even more. I can’t think of a single thing they haven’t tried. If it’s dangerous, they’re first in line to go for it.”
“And you?”
He shrugged and decided to change the subject. “See that creek down there?”
She nodded.
“I’ll race you.”
He saw the light that came into her eyes.
“You’re on.” She nudged Ginger into a run and set off at a furious pace.
Matt watched for a moment, enjoying the sight of her, leaning low over her mount, pale hair streaming behind her back.
He’d known instinctively she couldn’t resist a challenge, which was why he’d issued this one.
He gave Beau his head, knowing the big horse was itching to run.
It was thrilling to feel all that unleashed power as the gelding stretched out its long legs and ate up the distance, easily passing the smaller, lighter mare.
As they raced past, he heard her rich, ripe oath.
“Same to you, ma’am,” he drawled. “I’ll see you at the finish line.” He lifted his hat in a salute as he flashed by.
Chapter Twelve
Ready for a break?”
Without waiting for her reply, Matt slid from his horse. Vanessa did the same. They’d been in the saddle for more than an hour.
She pressed a hand to the small of her back. “How far have we gone?”
Matt shrugged. “A couple of miles. Sorry, I forgot that it’s been years since you rode a horse.”
“I’m a bit rusty, but I’ll be fine.”
They walked along the ridge of a hill, and paused to drink in the view of hills carpeted with pale spring grass that had cropped up overnight, thanks to the rain. For as far as they could see, the higher elevations were darkened with cattle.
She stared out at the panoramic view. “Are your grandparents really on a date?”
“You bet.” He chuckled at the look on her face. “Poor Grandpop dies a little every time his Gracie goes off on one of her camera safaris.”
“Then why does he let her go?”
“Let her go?” He turned to her with a look of surprise. “Did you just hear yourself? Those two have been a team for almost fifty years. But I’ve never known either of them to monitor the activities of the other. They’re completely free, which is why their bond is so tight.”
Her smile was slow in coming as his words sank in. “Oh, Matt. That’s just beautiful. They seem so old-fashioned. But their attitude is really fresh and modern.”
“Yeah. They’re quite a pair.” His smile said much more than his simple words.
“Where will they go on their date?”
He shrugged. “I know they’ll make a stop at Anything Goes and stock up on whatever they need. Then probably some old-time movie at Flicks. That’s the only theater in town. Half the movies they show were directed by the Great One. He’s become Glacier Ridge’s famous adopted son. And then Grandpop will want to stop for some apple pie along with all the gossip fit to repeat at D and B’s Diner. Dot and Barb know everything that’s happening almost before it happens. And they’re only too happy to share everything they know with all their customers.”
That had Vanessa laughing. “It must be such fun to be part of a small town where everybody knows everybody else.”
“Not to mention everybody else’s business.”
“I guess that’s the downside of a small town.”
Matt held Ginger’s reins. “Ready to get back in the saddle?”
“I am if you are.” Vanessa pulled herself up before taking the reins.
When Matt was astride Beau, they moved out at a relaxed pace, while Matt took the time to point out places of interest.
“That creek is where I learned to swim.”
“Did your father teach you?”
He shook his head. “It was an unintended consequence. I got tossed by a mustang and landed in the water. I probably swallowed half the creek, bobbing up and down like a cork, hollering for help, until I realized I was all alone, and if I wanted to live, I’d better swim to shore.”
“Just like that?” She looked horrified. “You could have drowned and nobody would have ever known.”
He laughed. “Yeah. That thought crossed my mind. And that’s a really strong motivation to learn to swim. There’s no better teacher than necessity.”
She could only shake her head as she considered what a tragedy it could have been for his family. Still, this family seemed to thrive on adventure and danger.
What had Burke said? He’d put his money on Matt. Better than a fictional Superman. He was a real-life cowboy. One who’d apparently learned his lessons the hard way.
They meandered along the banks of the stream and paused to allow the horses to drink.
Vanessa slid from the saddle and perched on a fallen log. Matt did the same.
She looked over at him. “I love your private family cemetery. It must be nice to have all your ancestors so close, including your parents.”
“Yeah. It feels right knowing they’re here on the land they all loved.” He looked over. “How about you? Visit your mother’s grave?”
She shook her head. “In the first year or two my dad and I went nearly every week. We’d sit there and cry and hold each other. I know it forged a bond between us that we hadn’t had before.”
“And now? Still visit her grave?”
“Not often. We both came to the realization that it was painful. Like pulling a scab off a wound that had just begun to heal. So we found new ways to honor Mom. My dad hosts an annual golf outing in her memory, and I serve as hostess at the awards dinner. All the profits go to finding a cure for breast cancer.”
“That’s nice. It had to be hard, though, losing your mother just when you were about to have so many firsts.”
“Firsts?”
He shrugged. “I’m assuming first date, first high school dance. First kiss?”
She arched a brow. “Are you asking, or merely speculating?”
He laughed. “Sorry. I thought I was being subtle about getting into your personal life.”
She joined in the laughter. “Actually it was all of the above. Not to mention first love. His name was Todd Brody, he played football, and all the girls had a crush on him. He asked me to senior prom, and I forced my poor dad to go shopping with me for a pink, sparkly gown, and Cinderella shoes that looked like they were made of glass. I even talked Dad into letting me wear my mother’s necklace. Then, halfway through the dance, I found Todd in the girls’ bathroom in a really hot liplock with Heidi, head cheerleader and prom queen.”
“Wow. How’d you react to that?”
“It was pretty predictable. First I started to back out. All I wanted to do was hide somewhere. Then my temper took over and I confronted them, telling them both exactly how I really felt. And then I called my dad, crying hysterically, and beg
ged him to come and get me.” She shook her head, remembering. “Poor Dad thought I’d been attacked or something. He arrived with fire in his eyes, ready to defend his baby’s honor. But by then I’d taken another look around and decided I wasn’t going to run away. Instead, I’d make everyone know that I didn’t care that much—” she snapped her fingers “—about Todd Brody and Heidi-boyfriend-stealer. So while my dad was watching, I found Heidi’s date standing around looking lost, and I asked him to dance. About that same time Heidi had discovered that Todd had two left feet, but when she came looking for her date, he was too busy dancing with me to bother. And we were both having the time of our lives.”
Vanessa started laughing as she remembered. “At the end of the dance, my dad drove me home and I told him what had happened. He said he was proud of me for not hiding or running away from the pain of embarrassment.” She shook her head. “That’s when he gave me what I will always think of as ‘the lecture.’ He reminded me that life is never fair. But no matter what it throws at us, or how often we get knocked to the ground, we have to be strong enough to get up and try again. And then he said, ‘Remember that Garth Brooks song you love? Honey, you could have missed the pain, but then you’d have also had to miss the dance.’”
Matt studied her with interest. “A really cool lesson.”
She nodded. “And a really cool song with a message. I’m sure you’ve been told pretty much the same.”
He grew thoughtful. “After the accident that took our parents, Grandpop used to remind me that every hurdle we’re forced to jump makes us stronger. I figured he was the strongest one of all. But one day I caught him in the barn, mucking stalls, and when I walked over to help, I realized he was silently weeping.”
“Oh.” Vanessa touched a hand to Matt’s arm.
Matt went very still. “That was the first time I saw my grandfather cry. I vowed, if I had anything to say about things, it would be the last. I decided that I’d never do anything to break his heart.”
“So you’ve become the fierce protector. Big brother to your reckless younger siblings, Luke and Reed. Caretaker of your uncle, your grandparents, even Burke and Yancy…”
He was shaking his head. “It’s not like that.”
“Then you’re not hearing what I’m hearing.”
He fell silent.
She touched a hand to his. “I remember one of my college courses. We had to map out every classmate’s birth order, to see if they fit the prevailing statistics. Those who didn’t were then asked to provide additional information. Some were changed by the death of a sibling. Others by a traumatic incident in the family. I’d call yours a double whammy.”
He looked at her.
“Firstborn and also loss of parents. Both guaranteed to make you want to take charge.”
“Bingo.” He smiled. “What about you?”
“Same thing. An only child is most often anxious to please the parents. The loss of my mother made me even more determined to please the survivor. So I’ll never know if I’m a lawyer because it was my heart’s desire, or because I know how much it means to my dad.”
He turned his hand palm up and linked his fingers with hers. “Do we have no choice in these matters?”
She looked down at their joined hands and fought to dismiss the sudden rush of warmth. “I think there’s no point in fighting it. We’re doomed.”
“Maybe that’s a good thing.” His smile added to her warmth. “So you’re saying we may as well just go with our feelings?”
“Why not?”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I hope you won’t mind if I start now.” He leaned close and nibbled the corner of her mouth.
“Wait.” She put a hand to his chest, pushing away. “I wasn’t suggesting…” She stood, breaking contact.
“I was.” In one quick motion he stood up beside her, gathering her close. “That kiss back at the cabin left me curious.”
“It was just a quick good-bye when I thought I was leaving.”
“A very nice good-bye. And now…hello again.”
He covered her mouth in a kiss that wiped her mind blank of every thought but one. The man had moves. Really good moves. This felt so good, so right, she never wanted it to end.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and held on as the world seemed to ever so slowly spin and dip, leaving her lightheaded, while a burst of heat poured through her, leaving her limbs weak.
For the space of a heartbeat he held her a little away, as though trying to assess what had just happened. And then, with great care, he framed her face with his hands and kissed her with a thoroughness that had them both sighing.
His hands were gentle as they slowly slid from her face to her neck and across the slope of her shoulders. He held her as though she were fragile glass. Cautious. Careful, lest she break.
When at last they drew apart, his eyes were narrowed on her with a look she couldn’t fathom.
She struggled to cover the tremors that were still rocketing through her system. “Satisfied?” Her voice was husky with feeling.
His smile came then. A dark, dangerous smile that had her wondering at the way her heart contracted.
“Not nearly. But I guess that will have to do. For now.”
Why did his words sound like another challenge?
He caught the reins of her mare and handed them to her.
She could feel the shocking tremors along her arm at the mere touch of his hand on hers.
She pulled herself into the saddle and waited for him to mount Beau.
As they rode across a meadow, she struggled to focus on the amazing scenery. It was impossible. All she could think of was that kiss and the way it messed with her mind.
This man was unlike any she’d ever known. There was danger here, she thought. But not the kind she wanted to run from. What was so mind-blowing was the fact that she knew she was walking into the eye of the storm, and she wanted to run headlong into it.
As the two horses and riders came up over a rise, they slowed to a walk.
Vanessa was laughing as she turned to Matt. “Now that Ginger and I are comfortable with each other, I challenge you to another race. I think we’re ready to give you and Beau a run for your money.”
“Just can’t get enough of losing, can y—?” His words cut off as he caught sight of a black SUV barely visible in a stand of evergreens about a hundred yards away.
“Stay here.” His staccato words stung the air as he turned Beau in the direction of the vehicle.
It took Vanessa several seconds before she made out the car and realized what had him so upset.
Ignoring his order, she turned Ginger and followed.
Before Matt was halfway there the car’s engine revved and it took off, spitting dirt from its wheels as it gained speed and disappeared into a stretch of woods.
Matt memorized as much of the license plate as he could before it was gone. Knowing he couldn’t catch up with the retreating vehicle, he dropped to his knees in the dirt, searching for anything that might have been left behind. Finding the remains of a half-smoked cigar, he wrapped it in his handkerchief and tucked it into his pocket.
“Who were they?” Vanessa remained in the saddle.
“I couldn’t see. The windows were darkened. It was a Montana license plate, but it could have been a rental.”
He pulled out his cell phone and pressed the sheriff’s number.
Vanessa dismounted and walked close enough to hear the bark of the familiar voice.
“Sheriff Eugene Graystoke here. What’s up, Matt?”
After describing what he’d seen, and as much of the license plate number as he could recall, the sheriff’s voice grew louder with excitement. “Would anyone at the house have spotted them?”
“Not likely. My grandparents are in town. The rest are up in the hills with the herds. Yancy is the only one at home, and if he’s busy in the kitchen, he may not have seen or heard a thing. But we’ll head home now and ask.”
“I’ll have the state boys check the car rental places. There aren’t that many in this area, but they could have driven from Helena or even any small airport in Montana.”
“One of them smokes a cigar. I have what’s left of it.”
“Good. I’ll want that and anything else you find. And Matt, it goes without saying that you’re not to let Miss Kettering out of your sight.”
Matt saw the way her eyes narrowed slightly. “I understand.”
When he disconnected, he took his time returning his phone to his shirt pocket.
When he turned, he decided to keep things light. He touched a finger to her mouth. “Is that a pout?”
She slapped his hand away. “First you once again rush off without letting me in on what you spotted. And now your sheriff tells you not to let me out of your sight? Does your sheriff really believe you can just snap your fingers and I’ll be safe?”
Matt sobered instantly, all hint of humor wiped from his eyes. “That’s what he’d like. But he’s been in this business long enough to know that he can’t always get what he wants. That’s why we all have to work together until your father’s trial is over.” He lowered his voice. “I know you resent feeling helpless. You’re used to seeing to your own safety, and this has you rattled. But look at it from the sheriff’s point of view. He’s been given the job of keeping a big-city district attorney’s daughter safe on his watch. Knowing Eugene the way I do, he’d much rather have you locked in a cell than roaming free on our ranch. But as long as he’s stuck with this deal, he’ll do everything in his power to deliver you safely. Even at the cost of his own life.”
Those words took all the wind out of her sails.
She lowered her head for a moment, to hide the emotions that flitted through her mind.
When she lifted her head in that proud, almost haughty manner he’d come to recognize, Matt knew that she’d come to terms with the reality of her situation.
“I’m sorry. I must sound like a spoiled, entitled brat. And I want you to know that I appreciate all that you and your family, as well as Sheriff Graystoke and the Montana State Police, are doing on my behalf. I really resent having so many people working so hard just to keep me safe from some monster.”