A Rancher's Honor

by Ann Roth

  They shook hands and parted almost amicably, Sly in a much better mood than when he’d arrived. Things hadn’t turned out at all as he’d expected, and he shook his head at that.

  Regardless, he still needed the new drainage system, and he still didn’t want to borrow money to pay for it. He’d been so focused on either getting reimbursed by Carpenter or taking out a costly loan that he hadn’t considered other options. There had to be another way.

  His mind spinning, he returned home. Sitting in the truck in his driveway, he phoned Dave and filled him in. “I’ll keep you updated,” he promised.

  Then he contacted Bob Haggerty, the engineer who owned the drainage-system company, and set up a meeting for later that afternoon.

  It was a relief to have the answers to all the questions he’d had for months now. Lana would want to know what had happened, and Sly itched to fill her in. But he and Carpenter had agreed to keep it quiet for now. Besides, after the other night, Sly wouldn’t be telling her anything.

  His high spirits nose-dived and his chest constricted. He felt as if he was suffocating. If not for a recent physical and the news that he was as fit as a kid half his age, he’d have called his doctor.

  There was just time to fit in a ride on Bee before the meeting with Haggerty. Sly stalked toward the pasture and whistled for his horse. He rode her bareback, racing into the wind until finally his mind cleared and he could breathe again.

  * * *

  OVER THE PAST few days, Lana had tried to act as if she was fine and nothing had changed. Apparently she sucked at faking happiness. Jasmine and Brittany tiptoed around her with sympathetic expressions, and even the most rambunctious kids had behaved.

  By Friday she was a basket case, in need of a friendly ear. After a quick SOS to Kate, she went directly from work to her friend’s apartment for pizza and sympathy.

  “The pizza should be here soon,” Kate said when she let Lana in. “Sit down and tell me what’s wrong.”

  Out of habit, Lana placed her hand over her stomach, but even the beloved child growing inside failed to bring her comfort.

  Kate’s eyes widened a fraction before she gave Lana a stricken look. “You’re okay, right?”

  “The baby is fine,” Lana assured her, and counted her blessings that at least that part of her life was going well.

  “That’s good.” Her friend blew out a big breath. “So what’s the matter?”

  Where to begin? “For starters, I’m in love with Sly.”

  “That’s obvious. He wants to be part of the baby’s life, right? He even showed up at your doctor’s appointment the other day. You can’t ask for more than that from a commitmentphobe. We haven’t touched base since before the appointment. How did it go?”

  “Great. Sly and I got along so well that after the doctor’s appointment, he invited me to his ranch and showed me around. He fed me dinner, too. He doesn’t do that with just anyone.”

  “No wonder we haven’t talked all week. Sounds to me as if Mr. Single is getting serious. Go on.”

  “We had sex.”

  Kate gave her a funny look. “He disappointed you?”

  Lana shook her head. “Sly is the best lover I’ve ever had.”

  “Lucky you,” Kate said. “That sounds pretty darned perfect. So what’s the problem?”

  “Everything was wonderful—then my mother phoned.”

  “You answered her call when you were with Sly? Are you nuts?”

  “I’m beginning to think I might be.” Lana gnawed on her thumbnail...or what was left of it. “We were in the kitchen, grabbing a snack.” They’d been happy and relaxed. “It was later than she usually calls, and I was worried.”

  Lana wished she could go back in time and switch off her phone, or at least ignore the call. Unfortunately, that was impossible. “It wasn’t an emergency. She wanted to tell me that someone had poisoned Cousin Tim’s cows. One even died. My cousin is blaming Sly and countersuing.”

  “No.” Kate’s jaw dropped. “Sly would never do anything like that!”

  Lana envied her friend’s instant certainty. If she’d reacted with the same outrage, Tuesday night would have ended very differently.

  “That’s a pretty sad face you’re making,” Kate commented. “Things can’t be that bad.”

  “You haven’t heard the whole story yet.” Lana’s head hurt. She massaged her temples. “I really screwed up, Kate. When I heard about the poisoning, I couldn’t help but wonder whether Sly had done it.”

  “After all the great things you’ve said about him, you really believe he’d do something like that?”

  “Not in my heart. It was sort of a gut reaction.”

  Kate just shook her head. “And you said this to Sly?”

  “I didn’t have to. He saw my face, and you know what an open book that is.” Dropping her head to her hands, Lana groaned. “It was horrible of me to suspect him, even for a moment.”

  Wonderful friend that Kate was, she didn’t comment, she just sat quietly and waited for Lana to pour out the rest of the miserable story.

  Lana gave her all the awful details. “I’d do anything to change those seconds of doubt,” she concluded. “I wish there was a way that I could convince Sly that I believe in him, and that I’m absolutely certain he would never do what my cousin is accusing him of.”

  “I think you should tell Sly what you just told me. If he’s as good a man as you claim, he’s bound to forgive you.”

  “You weren’t there. The way he looked at me...” With shuttered eyes and a cool disdain, as if he were seeing her for the first time and didn’t like the woman he saw.

  Lana wanted to sob. “Trust doesn’t come easy to him, but I’m pretty sure he was beginning to trust me. And I blew everything by not trusting him. I hurt him, Kate.” She hung her head. “I lost my chance with him.”

  Now Kate became glum, too. “There must be something you can do.”

  For the life of her, Lana couldn’t come up with anything. “Like what?”

  “Well...” Kate tapped her finger to her lips and appeared pensive. “Invite him over and cook his favorite foods. Then apologize and swear you’ll always believe in him.”

  “He’s angry at me. I doubt he’d come. Besides, words and a meal wouldn’t prove anything. It has to be something important.” An idea popped into her mind that she needed to test on Kate. “What if I go to my parents’ house right now and tell them about Sly? Then I could drive over to Cousin Tim’s and convince him that Sly would never hurt his animals.”

  “Great idea,” Kate said. “It’s about time your parents knew about Sly. As for your cousin, he doesn’t strike me as a man easily swayed by anyone else’s opinion. How will Sly even know that you went to bat for him?”

  Lana wasn’t about to let that stop her. “I’ll pound on Sly’s door and make him listen. If I want a chance with him, I have to restore his trust in me, and prove that I trust him.”

  “Wow, lady, you’re on fire.” Kate thought a moment. “I hate to bring this up, but what if it doesn’t work?”

  Refusing to consider the possibility, Lana raised her chin. “It will. It has to.” She reached for her purse and stood.

  “Now?” Kate frowned. “But what about the pizza?”

  “Eat a piece for me. This won’t wait.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  As Lana rode the elevator down from Kate’s fourth-floor apartment, “Mama Knows” sounded from her cell phone.

  She picked up right away. “Hi. I’m glad you called.” She could almost hear her mother’s surprise at that. “I’m on my way over to the house now. I have something important to tell you and Dad. I’ll be there shortly.” Before her mother had a chance to question Lana, she disconnected.

  She wasn’t going to reveal her pregnancy to her
parents just yet—one step at a time. Besides, she wanted to tell Liz and Eric first. Tonight was about Sly.

  Thanks to the usual Friday rush-hour traffic, she didn’t pull up to her parents’ house for a good twenty minutes. Which gave her way too long to imagine their shocked reactions. As she parked in front of their house, she was a giant mess of nerves. Weeks ago, Sly had pointed out that she was afraid of them. Although Lana had denied it, she was.

  Which was embarrassing for a thirty-two-year-old woman to admit, even to herself. She finally had to face those fears and move through them.

  Not about to let that stop her, she squared her shoulders and entered the house.

  Her parents were seated in the living room, obviously waiting for her. Mustering a smile she didn’t feel, she greeted them. Her mother had set out cookies and lemonade. Having skipped dinner, Lana was famished. She ate a cookie, but was so focused on the task at hand that she barely tasted it.

  “Let me guess why you’re here,” her mother said. “You’ve found a teenage girl with a baby to adopt.”

  “Actually, I’ve put the adoption idea on hold,” she said. Now would be a perfect moment to announce that she was pregnant, but first things first.

  Her mother looked relieved. “Is that what this visit is about? I’m glad you finally came to your senses. I was beginning to—”

  “Could you save it, Mom? I need to tell you something important.” Lana’s mother shut her mouth. “I’ve met someone, a man I’ve fallen in love with.”

  Her parents shared a knowing glance. “I figured that sooner or later you would,” her dad said. “But this seems a little sudden. I’d hate for you to get hurt again.”

  Thanks to her own actions, Lana was already suffering. “Actually, Dad, we’ve known each other several months.”

  “You kept something so momentous from your own parents?” Lana’s mother shook her head. “How could you—”

  “Michele,” her father warned, placing a warning finger against his own lips.

  “I didn’t want to be judged and criticized for my choice,” Lana replied.

  The pained expression on her mother’s face revealed that she was well aware of her own behavior. “I realize that occasionally I get on your and your sister’s nerves,” she said. “Surely you know that I only want the best for you.”

  “I get that, Mom. But I’m an adult, and I have been for a while now. It’s past time that you and Dad trusted me to make my own judgments about what’s best for me.”

  Lana’s father considered that for a bit, then nodded. “I agree.”

  After staring at her hands, her mother raised her head. “From the moment you were born, I’ve guided you toward where I thought you should go. Not that you listen much anymore.” Her attempt at a humorous smile failed, and she gave Lana a pleading look. “You’re my daughter and it’s hard to let go. But you’re right, you’re an adult with a good head on your shoulders.”

  Grateful that they understood, Lana nodded. “Thank you—both of you.”

  “When will your mother and I get a chance to meet this mystery man of yours?” her father asked.

  “How about at dinner this Sunday?” Provided she and Sly made up and he agreed to come. Lana wouldn’t let herself worry about that now.

  Her parents glanced at each other again and shrugged. “That’d be nice,” her father said before letting her mother take over.

  “What’s his name and what does he do for a living?” she asked.

  Oddly calm now, and ready to test her parents’ resolve to trust her, Lana sat up tall and spoke with the confidence and certainty borne out of her love for Sly. “His name is Sly Pettit. He owns Pettit Ranch.”

  Her mother’s eyebrows jumped halfway up her forehead, and for once, she seemed at a loss for words.

  Equally shocked, Lana’s father opened and closed his mouth.

  “Sly is a wonderful man with a good heart,” Lana said. “You’ll see that that when you meet him.”

  Her mother frowned. “I want to trust your judgment, Lana, but I’m not sure Sunday dinner is the suitable event...” At Lana’s resolute expression, she broke off.

  “I look forward to our weekly dinners and would hate to miss them—but if Sly isn’t welcome, I won’t come, either.” Lana paused and bit her lip. “All I ask is that you give him a chance.”

  After a long, uncomfortable pause, her father cleared his throat. “If you really love him, then of course he’s welcome.”

  Lana glanced at her mother. “Mom?”

  “I won’t lie to you, Lana—this upsets me.” She sighed. “All right, Sly is welcome at our table. But I have no idea what your cousin will think.” Her worried frown encompassed both Lana and her father.

  He shook his head, then shrugged. With that, they sat back.

  Lana exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “Don’t worry about Cousin Tim. I’m going to drive over to his place right now and talk to him. In my heart, I’m convinced Sly didn’t go near his cows.”

  “How can you be sure?” her mother asked.

  “Because I know Sly. He’d never do that.” Lana kissed both her parents. “We’ll see you Sunday.”

  Feeling several pounds lighter, she hurried to her car.

  * * *

  TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT now, and Lana sped through the twilight toward the Lazy C. Convincing Cousin Tim to drop his lawsuit might be impossible, but she was determined to try. Not that she had any idea what she would say, but she’d figure it out. For the sake of her peace of mind and the future of her and Sly’s unborn child, she had to.

  She passed the black-and-white Pettit Ranch sign and her heart lurched painfully. She couldn’t help wondering whether Sly at was home or if he’d gone out. What would he think if he knew where she was headed?

  Cousin Tim’s ranch was a couple hundred feet ahead. Lana signaled, slowed and pulled into the driveway. It was early evening, not quite dark yet but getting there. Yet there were no house lights on. Her cousin’s truck was parked near the front door, though, which meant that he was probably at home. She pulled to a stop beside the truck and slid out of the car.

  Every bit as nervous as when she’d talked to her parents, she climbed the steps and knocked at the door.

  A few seconds later, Cousin Tim answered with two bottles of beer in hand. “You sure got here fas— Lana.” His face was a mask of surprise. “What brings you out here?”

  “Sorry, I should have called first, but I took a chance that you’d have a few minutes to talk.”

  Her entire adult life, she’d never stopped by to visit her cousin, but he seemed to take it in stride. “Sure, but I’m expecting someone. Come in.”

  He left the door cracked open, maybe for his company. A girlfriend no one was aware of? Interesting idea, but just now Lana couldn’t spare a moment to speculate. She had more important things on her mind.

  “Uh, you want a beer?” her cousin asked, offering her one of the bottles.

  Lana shook her head. “No, thanks.”

  The entry opened into the living room. She still hadn’t decided exactly what she was going to say, but as she crossed the worn carpet, she realized that if she spoke from the heart, she couldn’t miss.

  Her cousin sat down so that he was facing the door, probably to watch for his mystery guest. Lana took the armchair across from him, the one that faced the backyard. The drapes were open, and she briefly noted the fenced lawn and beyond that, rolling fields extending as far as she could see.

  As soon as she settled into her seat, she got straight to the point. “I’m here to talk to you about Sly Pettit.”

  * * *

  SLY RETURNED FROM the meeting with Haggerty in good spirits. The engineer had recently built a new home and needed help with the landscaping. He’d agreed to drastically reduce hi
s fee for the drainage system if Sly would lay down sod and fence the front and backyards. Sly also promised to provide Haggerty with a free side of beef every year for the next ten years. The large quantity of meat would feed Haggerty’s family for months.

  In a few weeks, the engineer would start work on the new system. By then, Sly figured he’d be finished with the man’s yard, and he and his crew could do some of the grunt work on the new drainage.

  He was finishing dinner when Carpenter called. “Get your butt over here,” he said. “I have some great news to share.”

  Anticipating a celebration, Sly had grabbed a couple of cold beers. Then, for the second time that day, he headed for the Lazy C. As he rolled up the driveway, he spotted Lana’s light green sedan next to Tim’s truck.

  He braked to a stop. What was she doing here?

  He’d bet the ranch Carpenter had no idea that he and Lana knew each other. As curious as Sly was about her reasons for being here, he was in no mood to face her. He almost turned around and left. But he was no coward. Besides, Carpenter was expecting him.

  He was about to start up the front steps when he noted that the door was cracked open. In the still twilight air, Lana’s voice carried easily.

  Sly paused where he was, knowing he should announce his presence. But something made him keep quiet. He silently placed the beers on the second step and eavesdropped.

  “Sly would never poison your cattle,” she said.

  What the hell? Sly frowned.

  “You’re friends with Pettit?” Tim asked, sounding puzzled.

  “I met him before I heard about his lawsuit against you.”

  “You never said anything, not even when I came to your folks’ for Sunday dinner last month.”

  “I was afraid of how they’d react, and even more scared of you. But I’m not anymore.” Despite her brave words, Sly heard her swallow hard. “I just came from my parents’ house, and I told them exactly what I’m telling you—that Sly and I have been seeing each other.”

  She’d talked to her parents? Sly could only imagine how difficult that must have been for her.