Her Rancher Rescuer

by Donna Alward

  “I’ll get back in and bring it up on the screen.”

  “There’s a preset called Home. Just put that in and you’ll be fine.”

  “I’m sorry, Jack.”

  “Oh, hell, don’t worry about it. I’m just glad you’re okay and everyone’s accounted for. I’ll see you in a bit?”

  “Yeah.”

  She went back to the car and turned on the ignition so that the screen lit up. She found the GPS button and a map instantly popped up. A few presses later and she found the presets, and pressed Home.

  A line popped up on the screen, following a road on the map.

  Could she be more incompetent?

  With the help of the GPS, she got her passengers back to the ranch within twenty minutes. Embarrassed, she slipped into the kitchen to work on dinner prep, the easiest way she could think of to remain invisible. Chuck was there but said nothing about her late arrival. He just had her slice dinner rolls and grate cabbage for slaw while he slipped cobs of corn into boiling water. Tonight the group would be treated to ribs basted with a rich barbecue sauce, homemade baked beans and corn. When the corn was in the pot, Chuck turned his attention to the warm custard sauce he was making to go with the caramel bread pudding for dessert.

  She’d switched to grating carrots when Jack came into the kitchen. He looked amazing, Amy thought. He’d changed on his arrival back home and now wore faded jeans and a knitted sweater. His hair was damp and curled around his collar—had he had a soak in the hot tub, as well? She thought of him wearing nothing but swim trunks and easing into the steaming hot water and her pulse began hammering.

  “You disappeared after you got back.”

  She shrugged and focused her gaze back on the grater. “Licking my wounds.”

  His low chuckle rode along her nerve endings. She slid a sideways glance at Chuck, but the chef was more concerned with whisking his egg yolks than he was with Amy and Jack.

  “It could have happened to anyone. You’re not familiar. I should have set up the GPS for you from the start.”

  “I thought I could handle it. I wanted to handle it. To...”

  She broke off, frowned, grated the knob of carrot harder.

  “To what?”

  “To prove to you I could. And instead I messed up.”

  “Everyone got back okay. And one of the ladies—Lisa, I think—said how cool you were and how nice it was for you to spring for coffee. No one was upset, Amy.”

  “They were awfully quiet in the car.”

  “It’s been a long day for them. If you were out there—” he gestured toward the main part of the house with a thumb “—you’d see it’s pretty low-key.”

  She wanted to believe him, but found it difficult. “It’s not just that.”

  “Then what?”

  She gave a sidelong glance at Chuck. He was still standing at the stove, seemingly paying little attention, but she knew he could hear every word. She grabbed Jack’s sleeve and pulled him over toward the pantry.

  “I disappointed you, after I promised to handle things,” she murmured. “I know getting lost with your guests doesn’t look good. It shouldn’t reflect badly on you.”

  He laughed a little. “Good grief. It was a detour. You think things don’t happen when the rest of us are here? You just roll with it. No one was hurt. At the very worst, it was a slight inconvenience. Certainly not worth you being so upset.”

  She looked up into his eyes. “You’re sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure. You’re helping me out of a bind. It’d be foolish to think we’re not going to hit a wrinkle or two.”

  She wasn’t sure he would be able to convince her that it was no big deal, but she suspected that was because she felt stupid not just for getting lost, but because she hadn’t clued in that the vehicle had a GPS. In her defense, she’d never been able to afford a car with that option, so it hadn’t crossed her mind. It simply didn’t occur to her to think about satellite radio and heated seats and all the other options that came standard on a luxury vehicle.

  “Give yourself a break,” he suggested, leaning in and pressing a brotherly kiss to her forehead. “And go change. Put on something comfortable and come have dinner with us. Tonight is movie night. It’s going to be very quiet and relaxed.”

  “I don’t know...”

  “Up to you. But I’m guessing a movie and a glass of wine might be a nice way to spend an evening.”

  It might be. If it were just the two of them. And then maybe they could take advantage of the hot tub....

  But there were ten other people. And since Jack had backed off, it meant it was up to her to make a move. Amy was a lot of things, but she knew she wasn’t that brave. And despite the day’s mishap, she wasn’t that stupid, either.

  Chapter Eight

  Jack kept his distance from the office. Amy was in there catching up on admin and he wasn’t in the mood for any one-on-one time. It was too dangerous. He’d promised to leave things in her court but it was getting more difficult with each passing day. Yesterday she’d declined the day of cat skiing with the group, insisting she was too much of a novice and that backcountry powder skiing wasn’t her thing. He hadn’t pushed it. She’d stayed behind and run things like clockwork. To make up for the previous day’s gaff, he was certain.

  This morning he found himself out in the barn, oiling the tack for the sleigh ride this afternoon, making sure nothing was cracked or worn, even though he knew that Miguel would have gone over it already.

  He’d been so alarmed when he’d arrived home from the dogsledding and she hadn’t been here. Worse when he realized that he didn’t have her cell phone number. Hearing the phone ring had been such a relief.

  In the space of a few minutes, he’d told himself quite rationally that it couldn’t have been an accident because they would have seen it on the way home. The irrational part of him knew that they would be invisible if they’d gone down an embankment. He’d convinced himself that they were lost, or had taken a side trip into town. Both of which ended up being correct....

  The scariest thing had been the rush of relief he’d felt seeing her get out of the vehicle. Yes, he’d worried about their clients but it was different with Amy. And that was bad. That was very bad. He cared, but he was starting to care too much.

  It was just as well she wasn’t here for much longer, wasn’t it? Before he really got into trouble.

  He had wanted to get back in the van and go looking for her. To ride to her rescue. The last time he’d done that he’d ended up losing his heart to a woman who had stomped on it. He’d offered everything and she had turned it away.

  Amy seemed very sweet, but she was stubborn. She was going back to Canada. Their paths would rarely cross....

  Except they would. Because Callum was there. Because the lodge he’d just bought was there.

  Hell, she didn’t even know about that new development.

  His head kept telling him to steer clear. But every time he found himself in a room with her, he conveniently forgot. It wasn’t that he wanted her too much to think straight, though wanting her was definitely an issue. It was more that he simply enjoyed being with her. Talking to her. Hanging out with her. It was comfortable and easy. When he was with her he stopped being Jack Shepard, former athlete; Jack Shepard, sporting goods mogul; Jack Shepard, millionaire.

  He was Jack Shepard, ordinary guy. A man who liked the outdoors. A man who didn’t feel he needed to apologize for trading Armani for Levi’s. The unvarnished truth of it was he liked himself better when he was around her. She had no idea how unique that made her. How dangerous....

  Miguel came wandering through the barn, his boots scuffing on the concrete. “Hey, boss. What’s up?”

  “Not much. Group’s having a meeting inside, so I thought I’d check the tack for
this afternoon.”

  “Just did it myself yesterday. Figured you’d want it done for the sleigh ride.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Stuff on your mind?”

  Miguel had no idea.

  “How’s Rosa?” Jack asked.

  “Coming home later this afternoon. Raffy helped me move her bed downstairs. It’ll be good to have her home.”

  “You sure you’ve got someone to stay with her?”

  “Positive. And I promise to let you know if I need some time off.”

  Jack nodded.

  “So, what’s got you so worked up you’re out here cleaning tack?”

  “Why does that mean I’m worked up?”

  Miguel laughed. “Amigo, when I find you hiding out in the barn alone, I figure you’ve got your thinking cap on.”

  Jack shrugged.

  “Woman troubles?”

  Jack shrugged again, not wanting to answer.

  Miguel pulled up a bench. “This have something to do with the lady you’ve got filling in for Rosa?”

  He angled a sharp look at Miguel. “Why would you say that?”

  “Saw you out on snowshoes the other day. Caught a good look at her, too. She’s a pretty one.”

  “She’s all right.”

  Miguel laughed again and slapped Jack’s knee. “You’re kidding me, right? All those blond curls and that figure? I hope that’s what has you tied up in knots. If it isn’t, I might start worrying about you.”

  Jack couldn’t help the small smile that crept up his cheek.

  “Listen, Jack. Not every woman out there is Sheila. She used you. She was...broken. It was never going to be a good situation.”

  “I have a tendency to want to fix what’s broken, Miguel. You ever notice that?”

  “Like with her? With this place?”

  “Yeah. Just like that.”

  “It’s not a bad quality, son. If not for that, me, Rosa, Raffy, the other hands...we’d all be out of work.”

  Jack dropped his head, the tack idle in his hands. “It’s not necessarily a good trait, either.”

  There was quiet for a moment.

  “People are going to disappoint you all through this life, Jack. What has you so afraid?”

  The answer wasn’t difficult. “I don’t trust it. She could hurt me, Miguel, if I let her.”

  “Good.”

  “What?” Jack lifted his head in surprise. How could it possibly be a good thing that someone had that much power over him after all this time?

  “Good,” Miguel repeated. “I’ve spent the last few years wondering if you’d ever care about anyone enough to let them in. People only get so far with you and then you shut them out.”

  “Clearly I haven’t done so well with that in regard to you.”

  Miguel chuckled at what Jack was implying. “Oh, you did at first. It was all about the ranch, and how much you loved it, and how much you needed it. You needed it more than it needed you. This place isn’t going anywhere. It can’t hurt you, so it’s safe. Rosa and me...we just came with the package.”

  It hurt to have their relationship put in such a plain way. “That’s not true. You and Rosa...you’re family.”

  “We are now. You’re our family, too. Which is why I’m going to offer you this advice. Why does this girl mean so much? Is it because she needs you? Or do you need her?”

  Jack resumed polishing, setting up an easy rhythm. “Heavy questions considering I’ve only known her for a couple of weeks.”

  Miguel snorted. “I knew Rosa was the one for me the first time I asked her to dance and she stomped on my foot. Don’t close this door, Jack. The only way you’re going to know if it’s real is to let it be real. Whatever happens, happens.”

  “She stayed with him, Miguel. After all he’d done. After all we’d planned...” He stared off into space. “She stayed with him and watched when he...”

  His throat closed over and he couldn’t finish the sentence. Miguel knew exactly who he was talking about. Jack could still see the hatred and rage in his coach’s eyes. Still feel the searing pain in his skull as fist struck bone and things went temporarily black.

  “Chase was a bastard,” Miguel confirmed. “But you were hardly more than a kid. You’ve got to let it go, son. You’ve got to stop being angry.”

  Jack sighed. “I know.”

  “Maybe this girl can help with that.”

  “Amy. Her name is Amy.”

  Miguel patted his leg again. “Well, I need to be getting on. What time do you want the sleigh ready?”

  “Two?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Miguel paused at the door. “Hey, it’s New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow’s a brand-new year. Might be a good time to, you know, make a change.”

  “I don’t believe in resolutions.”

  “Neither do I, son,” Miguel said, his hand on the door frame. “Neither do I.”

  Jack heard Miguel’s boots echo back down the hall. He picked up another piece of harness and began working in some conditioner. It was easy for Miguel to say.

  It wasn’t just that he’d fallen in love with Sheila. Or that he’d promised to take her away from Chase at the end of the season. It was that she’d stood by when they were discovered and stayed silent. How she’d watched as Chase threw the first punch, and the second, and the third. She’d insisted he go home instead of calling the doctor....

  He never should have gone on the training run. Never should have pretended he was okay when he had a concussion. Because all it took was a single moment of dizziness and the life he’d wanted was over.

  He was older and wiser now and knew that the mistakes of the past had led him to where he was now, and his life was pretty great.

  But it had come at a price. And it was a cost he could never forget.

  * * *

  AMY DUMPED THE shopping bags on the counter and let out a huge breath. Jack had left the planning of New Year’s Eve up to her, and she was determined that it was going to be great. She’d been at a loss about what to do until late last night, just before falling asleep.

  And it hadn’t been a cheap trip into town. She’d bought out the houseware section’s supply of fondue pots and oil, not to mention cheese, dips and all the other necessities. But really, as far as Amy was concerned, tonight the ranch house would be transformed into a mountain getaway. While she did feel a bit guilty running up Jack’s credit card, all the equipment would stay with the business.

  She asked Chuck’s advice as he did up the lunch prep—something he called Chuckwagon Chili—and she took over half the butcher block and began chopping. When everything was stored in the fridge, she served lunch. Then there was cleanup, and she wondered how she was ever going to make it to midnight without keeling over from exhaustion.

  Jack found her on the back porch, stowing the champagne since there was no room in the fridge. “Interesting refrigeration technique,” he commented, and she straightened.

  “It’s fairly mild today. I should be able to leave it all right, and with everything in the fridge for tonight...”

  “What did you end up planning, anyway?”

  She chafed her arms. “Let’s go inside. It’s a nice temperature for champagne, but not so much for me without a jacket.”

  They went back into the kitchen and she shivered as Jack shut the door. “Brr,” she said, hugging her arms close.

  “You should have put on a coat.” Jack came over and rubbed her upper arms. It was meant to be efficient and platonic with no motive or subtext, she was sure. But it was still his hands on her. Even without the brisk rubbing, her body would have warmed up. This staying away from him was proving quite difficult. Especially since he seemed determine to honor his pledge to leave it up to her. It was mea
nt to make her feel comfortable and in control. All it did was make her flip-flop constantly on what she wanted.

  And right now his hands felt so good....

  She smiled and made herself take a step back. “I got the idea of a fondue. Everyone can mingle, it’s different, and it seemed...I don’t know, like a perfect wintertime way to end the day after a sleigh ride.”

  “Bringing a bit of the Alps to the west?”

  She shrugged. “I went to Banff once and had fondue at this place. It was fun. And delicious. I’m not a chef, so if left to me it would have been purchased trays from the supermarket and drinks.”

  “It sounds fun. But I don’t think Rosa ever had any fondue pots in the kitchen.”

  She felt her cheeks heat a little. “I used your card and bought them. I figured you could keep them on hand for other events.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “Look at you, stepping in and making decisions.”

  Oh, goodness, she supposed she really should have asked first. “I’m sorry, Jack. Should I take them back?” There was still the afternoon. She could pick something else up for food, and surely Chuck would think of something to do with the cubed meat and veggies in the fridge.

  “It wasn’t a criticism. I appreciate the initiative. It sounds like fun. It might actually make a nice icebreaker event for future groups. It’s very social.”

  “You’re okay with it, then?”

  A hint of a dimple appeared on his cheek. “I am. I just like winding you up a bit, that’s all.”

  Huh. She could do with some good winding up....

  Being so close to him and not touching really was starting to take a toll, she thought. And she wondered—not for the first time—if she were being a little silly about it. After all, she was a grown woman with her eyes wide open. Now that she was out of Cadence Creek she realized that her plan for the future was actually a good one. Her mom seemed to be doing okay in her absence, which took a huge load off Amy’s mind.

  She’d needed to broaden her horizons. And here was a handsome man standing before her who had admitted he was attracted to her, who wasn’t making any demands, who was refreshingly honest about where he stood....