“About what?”
“None of your business.”
“I remember you had such a crush on him,” he said with accusation in his voice.
Quinn turned and stared at him long and hard, her brows raised. She wanted to laugh.
“Please don’t tell me you’re jealous. I was a little kid. I’m not friggin’ ten anymore.” Of course, she didn’t tell Robby that when she’d seen Craig for the first time in fifteen years her foremost thought had been how handsome he still was and her heart actually pounded when she sat next to him on the front steps. She hadn’t expected that reaction and had done her best to fight it off and carry on a normal conversation. She wasn’t ten anymore and she wasn’t looking to lapse back into that childhood crush.
“I’m not jealous,” Robby denied. “Why should I be jealous of my own brother?”
Quinn didn’t like his tone of voice but chose to ignore it just to get rid of him. “I have to get to work. Don’t you have something to do elsewhere?”
“Yeah, you’re a little too moody to talk to anyway,” he grumbled, and left her alone to finish brushing Piper.
For the next hour, Quinn concentrated on feeding the stock and filling the water troughs. From behind the main house the smell of barbeque and the sound of laughter rose in the evening air. She didn’t seek out the company of the guests though she knew Jacob would be there. Robby too, no doubt.
After locking up the feed room, she walked outside. Twilight had settled over the eastern horizon. In the west, the orange sun sat on the horizon like a discarded ball in the grass. It cast everything in a molten copper glaze, but as the sky arched over Long Knife Creek Ranch, it turned pinker and darker until it glowed an eerie purple, flecked with glittering stars.
Quinn leaned against the fence, the sunset behind her and thought about her immediate future. As much as she loved the guest ranch and respected and admired what her brother had done with the place, it couldn’t compete with the ranch she’d grown up on.
She longed for the good old days when the Emery’s and a handful of employees were the only residents. When they lived in the old white clapboard farmhouse surrounded by cottonwood trees, instead of the elegant log structure that dominated the landscape. When she could go tearing around the ranch yard on the back of her horse without worrying she might run down some unsuspecting city slicker. Cattle drives that consisted of nights camping out in sleeping bags under the sky instead of fancy tents and food prepared on stoves. Where she could give more attention to the cattle and horses instead of guests.
It had been a life she could sink herself into. She envied Craig for having the Shady H—a ranch like the one Long Knife Creek had been in the good old days.
Thinking of the Shady H reminded her that she had a phone call to make. She left her spot on the fence and went straight for the. To bypass the guests and the ranch hands who’d gathered out back, Quinn went in the front door. As she passed the dining room, she glanced toward the French doors at the end of the room and caught a glimpse of Robby chatting up some blonde who looked enthralled with whatever tale he was spinning. She grimaced. A party from Los Angeles had arrived the day before and was having a grand old time. Just what they needed, glitzy types who probably didn’t know one end of a horse from another. Well, at least Robby seemed to be sucking up to them, just in case they were involved anyway in the entertainment business.
Quinn called him a bad name and continued up to her room.
After setting up a time to see Shelby Brock’s horse, Quinn dialed Craig’s number. His voice caused her heart to beat as erratically as it had earlier. All it had taken was his hello.
“It’s Quinn. Is tomorrow at nine workable for you?”
“We’ll make it work,” he replied. “Marisol has been talking about this non-stop since you left. She even helped me feed the stock. Two days ago I couldn’t have gotten her near a horse, now she’s all starry eyed. You performed a miracle today.”
The warmth of his voice carried through the phone line. There was a soothing quality to it that made her want to keep him talking, but she had no reason to keep him on the line. It had been far too long since they’d known each other to make small talk.
“Well, she’s a terrific kid. I’m looking forward to working with her. I can tell she has lots of determination.”
“She does, as soon as she puts her mind to it. Like her mother.”
At the mention of his wife, some of Quinn’s elation died. She’d managed to put the memory of the bright and vivacious late Elise Hahn aside through the years. She hadn’t been able to live up to her as a ten year old and doubted she could compete against a ghost.
Suddenly she felt ashamed. What a thing to think. Elise had succumbed to cancer two years ago and Quinn had no right to feel awkward at the mention of her name. Heck, she shouldn’t even be revisiting her childhood crush. Whatever giddiness she’d felt in Craig’s presence could be put down to only memories, nothing more.
“That will do her good throughout life. I’m glad she’s excited.”
Craig laughed. “Don’t be too surprised if you find her camped outside your doorstep tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll make sure to look for her just in case.”
When they ended the conversation, Quinn hung up the phone, and lay back against her pillows. She stared at the ceiling, and listened to the sounds of the gathering outside.
A rumbling from the distance, followed seconds later by a flash of weak blue lightning heralded an approaching storm. That would cut the party short. Quinn smiled and turned her head toward the window. She loved storms and decided she might have to go outside to watch it ride over the prairie.
As soon as the guests moved inside, Quinn slipped downstairs and went out to the now abandoned back porch. It hadn’t begun to rain but the enormous black clouds drifting out of the southwest consumed half of the dark purple twilight. Grayish blue light flickered in the underbellies of the giants.
She took a seat in one of the Adirondack rockers under the roof and counted the seconds between the flash of lightning and the following rumble of thunder. A chilly draft snuck under the cover of the porch roof, displacing the hot, humid air that had hung like a thick blanket over the prairie all day.
Quinn lifted her face to the breeze and inhaled the fresh scents preceding the storm. Delicate primrose mingled with fresh grass and the faint smell of the livestock moving around the paddocks below. Other smells, like the smoldering charcoals in the massive barbeque pit blended with remnants of the dinner.
For a moment, the cool air pulled back and the dense humidity once again draped over her, but Quinn knew it would only be a momentary lapse; the cool air would soon sweep back in.
The lightning danced closer and brighter.
“One… two… three… four….”
Thunder rumbled louder and held on longer.
“I remember when you were nine you decided to take a ride out to meet a storm.”
Jacob’s voice from the darkness made her jump. Her big brother walked out of the shadows and took the seat next to hers.
“I thought Dad was going to kill me,” she replied and chuckled.
“They talked about sending you away to a girls’ school but figured you’d probably run away and find your way home.”
“They would’ve been right,” Quinn assured him. “Mom had a heck of a time making me into a girly girl. I loved to do anything for a thrill as long as it included a horse and this land.”
“You still do.”
“I’d like to think I’m a little more sensible now than to go racing off to meet a lightning storm. What surprised me was that everyone came out searching for me. As if I’d get lost out there.”
She gazed lovingly out at the prairie even though she could barely see the hills silhouetted against the sky. She knew every curve, every rise and fall of the land.
“Well, as much as you know it, there was a lot more to deal with than the landscape. You may have known where every gopher
hole was, but you couldn’t predict where the lightning was going to strike.”
“I would’ve figured it out in time.” Quinn smiled at the memory. It wasn’t the smartest thing she’d ever done, but when Craig Lynch rode up on his Appaloosa and found her, it made the whole thing worthwhile. Truth be told, if she thought he would have done it again, she probably would’ve repeated the foolish ride.
Ah, her knight in shining armor.
The next day, though, when she’d rode over to the Lynch ranch to thank him, she’d been met by an angry Elise Hahn, who’d scolded her up one side and down the other. Yes, she’d deserved it, but it surely hadn’t endeared Elise to her any, or vice versa.
“Okay, it wasn’t my finest hour,” Quinn admitted with a grin. “At least I never did it again.”
“Nope. If I had to say one thing about you, you learn from your mistakes the first time around.”
A silence fell over them, filled only by the rumble of the approaching storm. Lightning strobed bright enough to turn the landscape a white blue.
“I thought you would’ve quit for the night,” Quinn commented idly.
“I had a few things to finish up here.”
“Always the businessman. You need to relax once in a while, Jacob. Take an evening off.”
Jacob chuckled. “And who would make sure this place ran smoothly? Besides, I love what I’m doing. I like being busy.”
“Better you than me. Still, you should hire someone on. Better yet, find yourself a wife.”
Quinn heard the smile in his voice. “I’m not looking. For a wife anyway. An assistant might be a better idea. Unless I find a local woman, who’s going to put up with living on a busy dude ranch, much less a dude ranch in a South Dakota winter?”
Quinn chuckled. “Bad attitude, Jacob. This place is heaven. And what woman in her right mind would resist that spa you’re adding on? You’ll have the women beating down your door just to use that.”
“Well, if I have to look, so do you.” Jacob reached over and jabbed Quinn lightly in the shoulder.
“Good Lord, what do I have to offer a man? I’m settling for being a confirmed spinster.”
“You sell yourself much too short.” Jacob pushed himself out of the chair. Rain had finally arrived, falling in fat splats on the grass, the roof over their heads and on the railings of the deck.
“I better get bed before someone decides they need me. See you in the morning. Don’t stay out here too long.”
“Night.”
“Oh, and Quinn, you done good today.”
Quinn smiled into the darkness. “Repaying an old debt.”
Jacob went back into the house, leaving Quinn alone to face the oncoming storm.
Chapter 3
By eight in the morning, Marisol played in the front yard with Flip and Rowdy, two barn kittens who would move to the house as soon as they were old enough. Craig had already put in over an hour at the paddocks but now it was time to head to Quinn’s.
“You ready to go, sunshine?”
“Let me put these two back.” She scooped up the babies with care and ran to the barn with them clutched to her heart as if they were her treasures. Within minutes, she returned, running faster now she didn’t have her tiny wards.
“What do you think the horse looks like? Is it a boy or a girl? Do you know its name?”
Craig laughed and climbed into the SUV. “I suppose we’ll find out in about an hour.”
Marisol got into the back seat, still chattering. “I know I have to learn how to ride with a saddle, but how long until I can ride bareback like Quinn? Did you ride bareback like that?”
“You’ll ride in a saddle until Quinn and I think you’re ready. And I rarely rode bareback.”
“What about Mom?”
“She barely rode at all.”
No, Elise hadn’t belonged on a ranch, had no desire to ride at all. Instead, she became involved in every school function she could fit into her schedule. At sixteen, she’d gotten her first job with the Falstad Bulletin as a reporter for all the school events. She’d been bitten by the journalism bug but good. Though she put in the hours at the family ranch when she had to, Elise stayed as far away from the Shady H as she could.
“She didn’t like horses?” Marisol’s voice rose in surprise. “Well, no, I guess I can’t see her riding.”
By twenty after eight, they pulled up to the main house at Long Knife Creek Guest Ranch. Marisol rolled down the window, and let out a drawn out, awestruck “wow” at the sight of the imposing log structure that dominated the landscape. He recalled back when he and Jacob Emery were kids; Jacob lived in an old farmhouse not so different than the one at Shady H. This place was a far cry from that past.
“This house is beautiful.”
“That it is,” Craig agreed. His old friend had done well for himself.
He didn’t have a chance to think any more about Jacob’s good fortune. Jacob’s little sister came out the front door and took Craig’s breath away. Yesterday Quinn wore her hair in a braid, but this morning it fell in loose waves over her shoulders. Her royal blue tank top picked up the vivid blue of her eyes and pale coral lips. It also did a heck of a job accentuating her curves.
I shouldn’t be admiring her body. But it would be impossible for any man not to appreciate a woman as beautiful as Quinn. If he tried hard, though, he would remember that not only was she a little girl not too long ago, but also the kid sister of one of his best friends.
The smile that spread across her face, however, was not kid-like in the least. Quinn Emery had grown up.
“Morning,” she said and climbed into the vacant passenger seat next to him. She gave him a quick crooked grin and turned her attention to Marisol. “You excited?”
Marisol bounced in her seat. “Just a bit.”
“It’s about a half hour drive then we’ll be there.”
“I have a good feeling about this horse,” Marisol declared with great satisfaction.
Craig hoped she wouldn’t be disappointed.
Quinn drew the conversation away from the horse, though she must have known that was all Marisol wanted to talk about. Instead, she questioned the child on her travels and coming to South Dakota. Craig was rather surprised to hear what a world traveler this cowgirl was, as she and Marisol compared notes on the various spots they’d both visited in Europe.
“If I go back, I plan to travel to Wales and Scotland, maybe Ireland again if I can. Where would you go?”
Marisol considered the question. “London. I loved the zoo and Westminster Abby. And maybe if I can go back I’d be able to ride in Hyde Park.”
“Now that would be an idea. Of course I don’t think they’d use western gear. The saddles are a bit different from what I’m used to.”
“If you can ride bareback you can ride with an English saddle,” Craig said. “Of course you’d have to put on the breeches, helmet and tall back riding boots.”
After he’d said it he wished he hadn’t because the image it evoked, of her in the curve hugging outfit, sent his pulse rocketing against his chest.
“Well, that’s up for debate,” she replied with a chuckle. “I’m not sure London is ready for that sight.”
Craig didn’t think he was either. She shot him a look, her blue eyes sparkling. It did nothing for his taut nerves or rising temperature. He prayed she wouldn’t notice the havoc she wreaked on him.
Thankfully, they arrived at the Brock’s farm, a small place that housed only three horses. The Brock’s weren’t ranchers; their horses were a hobby, not a livelihood.
A young woman in her late teens came out of the barn and waved them over.
“Hey Shelby,” Quinn greeted after getting out of the SUV. “This is Craig and Marisol Lynch. They’re in the market for a good horse for Marisol.”
Shelby looked at Marisol with a smile. “Come on in. I just brought Sunshine out of her stall.”
Under the glint of the barn lights, the Palomino gleamed. Even th
ough he’d been away from horses for fifteen years, Craig recognized the quality of this Quarter Horse mare.
Marisol breathed a “wow” and slowly walked to the mare. Craig joined her and ran a hand down the horse’s neck and muscular shoulder.
“This is Little Miss Sunshine,” Shelby introduced with obvious pride. “She’s eight years old.”
“She and Shelby have been the top barrel racing team in the state for three years straight,” Quinn added. “They’ve been to rodeos all over the country.”
“Yeah, once you and Piper retired and gave me a shot.”
Marisol looked at Quinn, new appreciation in her eyes. “You were a rodeo rider?”
“Best junior in the state from the time she was about fourteen,” Shelby confirmed. “And went on to compete in a few in other parts of the country too.”
Craig turned his attention on Quinn as well. She stood there, staring at her feet, almost a little awkward. When she glanced up, their gazes locked for a long moment. Like in the SUV, he felt his heart speed up as if their look was a secret, physical touch.
Even in the dim lights, he recognized the blush that crept into her cheeks before she turned her face away from him. Blush or no, she smiled, a small curve of her lips.
So, she wasn’t immune to him either. What would he do with that bit of information? Store it with the rest of what circled in his brain at the moment for reflection later.
“Why don’t I get Sunny saddled and you can take her for a test drive,” Shelby suggested.
The interruption of his thoughts was a welcome thing and Craig took his daughter’s hand to pull her away from the horse.
In the sunlight, the mare was even more stunning. Her coat glowed a pale, flawless gold and her mane and tail were a clean, creamy white. Four white stockings accentuated her coloring.
Though Marisol appeared eager to try the horse, she stood back. “Can Quinn try her first?”
Shelby shrugged and held the thin black leather reins toward Quinn.
Quinn led Sunny into the riding ring set up with three green and blue barrels in a cloverleaf pattern. She mounted, took to the rail and walked the mare for one full circle before putting her through her paces.
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