“These are my sons,” Benito said proudly. “Ricardo, Joseph and Manuel, in order of their ages.”
“Chicos, this is Gabe. He’s going to be a neighboring sheep man. He bought John’s house and pastures.”
These men weren’t nearly so quick to welcome Gabe. As each crunched his hand in turn, it flitted through Gabe’s mind that he’d seen them somewhere. Before he could formulate the question free-floating inside his throbbing skull, Benito moved on to tell his sons about John’s upcoming departure. “Louis said Ruby is preparing a small fiesta tonight at my caserío.”
“Can’t come,” Joseph lamented, speaking directly to John. “Julie has a night class, and I have to take the kids to catechism. Do you need her to help with packing?”
John shook his head. “The furniture stays with the house. Everything, really, except for a Bible that’s been in the Campos family for many, many years.”
Manuel dropped down on one knee beside the old man’s chair. “Tell those sons of yours we all miss them. We’ll miss you, too, John.” Both Manny and his brother Joe hugged John and kissed him soundly on both cheeks.
Gabe looked on, thinking how different their open display of affection was from the standard slap on the back common among the men of his acquaintance.
Benito’s youngest son rose. “I’m darned sorry, but I’ll have to skip the fiesta, too. I can’t remember what’s on our calendar, but when I left this morning Christina asked me to be home early. She’s trying to teach as long as she can because she wants to save her sick leave for when the baby’s born. But her legs swell. At night she needs to get off her feet.”
Ricardo boomed in a voice as big as himself. “Count us in. Mama’s probably already phoned Maria. If our kids don’t have after-school activities, they’ll tag along. Right now, though, I have to go home and wash up. I sprayed the orchards today.” He wrapped a large hand around the doorknob.
Benito chuckled. “You switched to growing apples because you hated dealing with sheep-dip and wet wool. Judging by how little we see of you anymore, I’d say orchards are more work than sheep.” He turned to Gabe. “Let this be a lesson, mi amigo.”
Louis followed his brothers-in-law to the door. “At least let me get you guys some wine to try at home. This is the first time I’ve cracked open a barrel made from the grapes I had sent over from Bayona. I’m days from bottling this batch, so I’ll be interested in your opinions.”
Gabe studied the men’s retreating backs. It struck him how much he’d missed growing up without family. This was the life he’d want for any children he might have. Yes, he’d be sure to tell Marley he’d made a good decision, settling in this valley.
Louis wandered back in, and the domino game was picked up where they’d left off. Gabe won by a thin margin because all the others had to draw and he was able to play everything left in his hand. Delighted for him, those who stayed toasted him again, after Louis had topped off their glasses.
Gabe stared into the burgundy liquid. “You guys amaze me. I thought I’d met some men in the Marines who could put away a lot of booze without showing any effects. But compared to you…” He grinned sloppily. “I’ve gotta tell you, I’m feeling light-headed.”
“No wonder,” Angel yelped, wagging his watch under Benito’s nose. “We’ve dithered away the afternoon. If we don’t want the wives coming down here and yanking us out by our ears, we’d better wash up and head for your caserío.”
They all agreed it was later than anyone had realized.
Because John, the most senior of the group, stumbled as they trudged through the deepening shadows, Angel and Louis made a chair for him of their sturdy arms. Someone started to sing. Gabe didn’t know the song, which was in Euskera, but that didn’t stop him from adding his lusty baritone to the chorus.
Later he would think they must have looked and sounded like drunken sailors as they tripped up the steps and into the kitchen of the two-story house he’d passed by hours before.
The shocked expression on Isabella Navarro’s face as she spun toward the door drove home with sobering clarity exactly what kind of ass he must appear. His presence stopped her cold in the act of removing her jacket. Obviously she’d shown up only moments before the men made their grand entrance.
It took Gabe several minutes of suffering through introductions to actually figure out that Benito, who up to this point had not given his last name, was in fact Isabella’s father. Luisa, her mother, along with Ruby, her eldest sister, had pulled together this impromptu fiesta.
Now Gabe knew why the men who’d stopped in at the cider house seemed familiar. They were Isabella’s brothers. The ones he’d seen carrying Summer and Colt’s wedding cake from the white van.
“What are you doing here?” she demanded, trying not to speak loudly enough for the others to hear.
“Probably the same thing you are. I was invited to John’s going-away party.”
“But I live here!”
“No shit? Uh…no kidding?” he scrambled to say. “Well, whaddya know. I just bought the property across the road. Your dad’s going to teach me everything I need to know about sheep.”
“You did this on purpose. You found out where I lived and…and…and…”
“And I arm-wrestled an old man out of his property? Hardly. I paid John top dollar for his land. So, how far away from here do you live?”
“I said I live here.” She lowered her voice even more, for by now their heated exchange had drawn the attention of others. Even Rick’s teenagers muted the TV and strained an ear to hear what had upset their aunt.
Isabella swallowed. “I…uh…moved home after…after…”
“That’s okay. I think you may have said that, actually. But I swear I didn’t know you were a neighbor of John’s when I made the deal. Listen, I’m beginning to get the message that you’d like me to stay out of your life. Fine. I’ll do that. But for the sake of the others, shouldn’t we make the best of it tonight? Your sister arranged this celebration for John. I’d hate our petty squabbles to ruin it for the old guy.”
“This morning, at the bank, you deliberately acted as if you didn’t know John Campos. That was very sneaky and underhanded.”
“Sneaky how? You asked if he’d sideswiped my SUV, and I said he didn’t.”
“It was obvious I knew him well. Did you tell me you’d bought his ranch? No. That’s what I call sneaky.” Her voice rose.
Gabe remembered he’d sidestepped her pointed query because he’d thought it best to let John reveal his own decision to sell. Gabe’s guilt must have shown on his face. Isabella crossed her arms and arched a smug brow.
Luisa Navarro, a tall woman whose slightly graying hair was tightly braided and wrapped around her head, broke away from the others. “Bella, caro? Is something wrong?”
Now it was Isabella’s turn to act guilty. “Everything’s fine, Mama. I’m very tired tonight. It got so warm in the bakery kitchen today, I had to frost Estrella Aguirre’s wedding cake in the cooler. The frosting kept hardening in the tube, so I had to dash in and out of the cold. So maybe I caught a cold. I ache all over. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go on up to my room.”
“Oh, bella, what will John think if you run off? Or Gabe. Your papa is pleased to have someone new to train in sheep-raising. You know how he’s been since Rick and Manuel went their own ways.”
“I hear him over there expounding to Joe. Apparently he’s forgotten Joe and Angel both tend his flocks.”
“They grew up in the trade,” her mother said matter-of-factly. “Papa likes to teach innovative philosophies.”
Isabella smiled at that. “I’ll stay downstairs for a while if you’d like, Mama. Can I help in the kitchen?”
“No. Maria, Ruby and I have everything on the table. Just point Gabe toward the food. Oh, and get him a plate, will you?”
Isabella glowered in Gabe’s direction. “I’m sure Mr. Poston is smart enough to follow his nose to the food. So, where’s Trini? She took the da
y off work to attend the quilt show in Sisters with a couple of her friends. I thought she’d be back by now.”
“She phoned fifteen minutes ago. She had to drop off Petra.” Luisa seemed baffled by her daughter’s rude treatment of a guest. “Bella, explain to Gabe what’s in some of our local dishes.” This time, Luisa’s tone brooked no excuse for not obeying cheerfully.
Gabe, on firmer footing thanks to Luisa’s reception, gave the older woman a warm smile. “I’ve sampled migas. I’d appreciate being steered away from anything that might set fire to my tongue.”
Luisa laughed a tinkling laugh. “Isabella does love spicy dishes. I think you’ll find the food on my table mild by comparison.”
“Come on,” Isabella all but growled. “I’ll get you a plate. But then you’re on your own.”
“At least introduce me to your other sister and to Rick’s wife. I’ve met everyone else.”
Isabella complied, albeit grumpily. She feared that thanks to the town gossips, Ruby and Maria had heard all about Gabe Poston. She dutifully carried out Luisa’s wishes, then dished up two items on her plate and withdrew into a quiet corner.
Taking the hint to leave her alone, Gabe joined the men—until Trini Navarro swept in and made a point of flirting outrageously with him.
The more Trini fawned over Gabe, the more annoyed Isabella became. Although she couldn’t name one valid reason. Her younger sister was free to throw herself at any man she chose. Which didn’t mean Isabella had to watch.
She’d hardly touched a bite. Knowing her mother would scold her soundly if she saw, Isabella sneaked into the kitchen, where she scraped her plate into the trash. Pleading a worsening headache, she fled upstairs.
But she couldn’t block out the laughter or the lively beat of fiddle music cranked up loud enough for John to hear and enjoy.
Isabella was oh-so-tempted to tiptoe to the railing to see if Trini and Gabe Poston were dancing cheek to cheek. Instead, she covered her ears with the pillow and gazed at the bedside photos of Toni and Ramon. She had to remain clearheaded for them. If that meant denying herself a few fleeting pleasures, so be it. Trini was more than welcome to occupy Gabe Poston’s free time. All his free time.
CHAPTER SIX
AFTER AN EVENTFUL TRIP to Utah, Gabe landed at the Pendleton airport at 11:00 p.m. in the midst of what the pilot informed passengers was a freak spring hailstorm. Gabe collected his bags, turned up his collar and ran for the SUV. Sleet pounded him from all directions. The soles of his dress shoes slid back two steps for every one he took. Cursing, he told himself he should’ve worn the jeans and boots he’d bought at that western shop in Salt Lake.
Ice crystals obliterated the vehicles in the parking lot and left a slick coating on everything. Once he got his bearings in the rows of cars and found his, Gabe discovered that his wipers were frozen to the windshield.
“Great!” he muttered, rubbing his cold hands together in between pawing through his console to see if he had anything available to chip away the ice. Finding nothing, he sat back, turned his defrosters on high and waited for the blades to thaw. A slow, irritating process, it turned out. In addition to the messy weather, a crosswind began buffeting his SUV.
Damn. He just wanted to get home. At least, he assumed John Campos had moved out as planned and that now he could legitimately call the ranch house his. Or had something gone wrong with those arrangements, too? Nothing would surprise Gabe after the week he’d had. It’d been bad enough that SOS ended up losing its chance to save the Utah property—one of the agency’s last environmental deals, a good one Marc had spent months putting together. At the last minute, the owner had held out for a lot more money. Eventually their only choice had been to walk away.
As well as the only failure in his career with SOS, he’d had to put up with Marc criticizing the personal decision Gabe had made in buying the Oregon ranch. This damn storm was the perfect end to his crappy week.
Well, he’d found a gift to bring back for Isabella. He’d bought it on impulse but he was pleased with his decision. Gabe slapped at his pocket to be sure the bag was still there.
Eventually his method to free the wipers worked. However his hope that the storm was confined north of Callanton was dashed; the closer he got to his destination, the worse it grew.
Sometime after midnight, he turned down the lane to his new home. Not so much as a glimmer of light greeted his late arrival. Well, what had he expected? A brass band and sixteen hundred candles?
As he stepped from his snug vehicle, an icy blast of wind slammed his shoulders and knocked him sideways. That was when he realized all the lights he was missing on his side of the road blazed in profusion around Benito Navarro’s property. Gabe suspected that every light in the house and barn—including those at the corners of the sheep pens—was glowing eerily through the slanting hail.
Obviously something was going on at his neighbors’.
Fearing some disaster, he tossed his suitcase back in the Lexus. Shoulders hunched, he loped across the road, pausing midway up their drive, unable to decide if he should stop at the house or continue on to the barn. Then he heard the muffled shouts of masculine voices and the barking of dogs out by the pens, so he altered his course. First thing, he bumped right into Angel Oneida.
“Whoa! Hey, Gabe, is that you? Mother Nature’s giving you some welcome back.” Angel sheltered a shivering, bleating lamb in the warmth of his fleecy jacket.
“I just now got home. I was unloading my bags when I saw all of Benito’s lights. What’s happening over here?”
Angel’s face sobered suddenly as he peered through the water pouring off his cowboy hat. “The storm caused our ewes to start dropping lambs. Benito says we should’ve known something was up because the flocks in our high pastures were banding on their own. None of us saw that as significant, so the storm caught us flat-footed.”
“Can I help?”
“You’d freeze in ten minutes dressed like that.”
“I’ll change. I have more appropriate gear in the car. By the way, did John get moved okay, or was he delayed by the weather?”
“He took off on schedule.” Angel turned as a disembodied voice in the distance called his name. Without warning, he pulled the lamb out from under his coat and shoved it at Gabe. “Look, Louis needs me. Take this little guy to the barn. Bella’s in there drying off our orphans. She’ll feed the strongest ones. The weak get passed to Mama Luisa and Trini up at the caserío. We’re throwing so many lambs at Bella, I’m sure she’d welcome a hand.”
Gabe almost dropped the animal, whose coat had begun to grow stiff in the short time he’d been exposed to the elements. Shifting his hold, he tucked the little fellow under his jacket. He wanted—needed—to ask more questions, but Angel disappeared into the pelting hail as quickly as he’d arrived.
Aware of the animal shivering under his wet lightweight wool suit coat, Gabe made a dash for the barn.
Isabella didn’t even glance up when the door opened and a blast of cold air rustled the straw she’d strewn about the cavernous interior. She sat cross-legged with her back to the door, surrounded by a mass of woolly lambs all trying to stand on unsteady legs. Several butted her hips; more butted each other. All were trying to get at something she held. It looked to Gabe like five of the newborn lambs were sucking on the fat, elongated fingers of a rubber glove.
“Not another one, Angel,” Isabella said tiredly. “It’s almost time to feed the first batch again, and you keep finding new ones. How many more, do you think? I’ve only got two hands.” Gabe saw her shoulders lift, then sink with a heavy sigh.
“I’m here to offer another pair. But you’ll have to teach me. The set-up you have looks interesting. Far from simple, though.”
She whipped her head around. “Oh!” Her heart thudded wildly from the shock of hearing the man she’d been thinking about. Until this moment, she had steadfastly refused to admit she’d missed Gabe Poston during his week-long absence. “Gabe? I…ah…was
expecting Angel.”
“So I gathered. Please don’t kill the messenger, but I’ve brought you another mouth to feed. I met Angel on the road. He was called back to the pens. Sorry.” Gabe moved farther into the barn so he could shut the door and block the howling wind. Bending, he found an empty spot on her lap for the still shivering animal he’d cradled against his white shirt.
“Poor baby,” she crooned, her free hand shooting out to gather the lamb close. “Goodness, what a runt.” Looking back at Gabe, she said, “If you’ll take over for me here, I’ll start warming this little guy. He’s almost blue, or else I’d have you take him straight on to the kitchen where Mama and Trini are bottle-feeding the weaker lambs.”
Without a word, Gabe crouched beside her and attempted to scoop the five animals currently on her lap into his larger hands. “Let’s see if we can make this a seamless transfer.”
“Gabe! Your jacket and pants are soaking.” She shied away from the water dripping from his hair onto her hands. “Wait. You aren’t dressed for this job. The lambs may be tiny, but their hooves are sharp as knives. Inside five minutes they’d have your nice suit shredded.”
For the first time, Gabe noticed the holes in Isabella’s jeans. He didn’t let the fact that there were traces of blood around some of them deter him. “Don’t worry. I’m about to trade my suits in on Farmer Gabe outfits.” Smiling at her with calm assurance, he cleared a place on the floor next to her by gently scooting lambs aside with the toe of his wet shoe. Quickly, he wedged himself into the opening and landed on the hay with a grunt. “Damn, it’s hard under that stuff.”
“Cement usually is.” She frowned as she edged away from his imposing body.
“Sorry. I seem to be apologizing a lot. But I really didn’t mean to get you wet.”
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