“I told Quinn about the ranch,” Marisol blurted. She held on tight to Quinn’s hand. “I mean the part about her renting it or running it for you. I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.”
Craig chuckled. “It’s okay.” He glanced from his daughter’s worried face to Quinn. Her expression gave none of her thoughts away.
“So? Is it something you’d consider? Managing it, I mean?”
Her brows rose, making her eyes even wider. “This is unexpected. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” Marisol urged.
“It’s not that easy. There’s an enormous amount of work to be done on the place,” Craig wanted Marisol to understand, and at the same time give Quinn a reason to say no if she wasn’t interested. He didn’t want her to jump into anything without knowing what she’d be jumping into.
“It could work. I could help out and maybe dad could help too, since it’s his.”
“Your dad is kind of busy with the Shady H.” Quinn glanced at Craig, a small smile sliding onto her lips. He liked the glitter in her eyes. She looked back to Marisol. “But I promise, if your dad is serious I’d definitely consider it.”
If Quinn had anything else to say, she didn’t get a chance. Her cell phone interrupted them. When she glanced at it her lip curled and her brows furrowed. She put it to her ear anyway. “Hi Robby.”
Craig frowned. He’d managed to forget about his brother’s history with Quinn and the plans to win her back.
He held onto the knowledge that Robby hadn’t exactly been behaving like a man in love. No doubt, Quinn would see right through his behavior.
“No, I’m busy Robby. A picnic sounds wonderful, but—I’m right in the middle of things and I won’t be back for a while. Robby, can we discuss this later.” There was a long pause, Quinn turned away from Craig. “We’ve had this conversation for the last time.”
Without saying goodbye, she closed her cell and turned her attention back to Craig and Marisol. “Sorry. Your brother is very persistent.”
“What did he want?” Marisol asked.
Craig’s curiosity grew too, but he refused to ask. He was foolishly glad Marisol had.
“Um, just a picnic on the prairie. He has a few hours off. I don’t though.”
“Of course,” Craig murmured.
“Well, I’ve got to get moving. I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, Marisol. Have Sunny all tacked up. I think you’re ready to go solo. I’ve got some fun stuff planned for you both.”
“Barrel racing?”
Quinn laughed. “No, not barrel racing. Not yet.”
“I’ll come up with some sort of plan for Emerald,” Craig told her, bringing her attention back to him. “Those horses over there need someone who really knows what they’re doing. Someone who cares. If you’re really interested.”
“I’m very interested. I don’t know if it’s a possibility, but I’m interested.”
***
Quinn’s words held a double meaning and she wondered if Craig had picked up on it. She’d been referring to Emerald Ranch, but she also meant she wanted him. She didn’t think that would be possible, though.
The past week and a half had been torture, seeing him as often as she had to. Generally, he kept his distance, except for a few occasions they talked about Marisol’s progress. She’d made sure she put plenty of space between them and kept the conversation well away from anything personal.
Space didn’t stop her from obsessing about his kiss or thinking what if they hadn’t been surrounded by so many people. Would she have continued the kiss? Would he? Would she have run?
It didn’t help that he looked so damned good in his faded Wranglers and the navy blue tee shirt that fit snug against his broad chest. He was hatless and his black hair curled around his ears. One lock fell against his forehead. Being so close to him made her ache.
Man, she had to get away from him. Now, before he noticed how just thinking of him made her face burn.
“I’ll see you later.” She threw a grin at them both and turned away, clutching the leather lead rope she’d picked up in a death grip.
Damned fool. She couldn’t even carry on a normal conversation with a man without these thoughts popping into her brain.
Not just any man. No, she could hold her end of any conversation with almost any man. Just not Craig.
His offer to hire her to manage Emerald Ranch intrigued her. Yes, she was interested. Very interested. Breeding Quarter Horses had been a dream ever since she was a kid. That and riding in rodeos, which she’d already accomplished. Of course, she always imagined she’d run her own spread. She had the homestead property waiting for her, and now the offer of Emerald. Both properties offered a challenge. She didn’t know the complete history of the horses Ted owned, but they were hard luck cases. They might need special care. But maybe if she proved to be successful with Emerald, she could earn enough to set the homestead back to life.
She thought of the original Long Knife Creek homestead, the old house and sad, old barn on the corner of Long Knife Creek bordering the Shady H, the spot with the little grove of cottonwoods and good grazing. That was one of those “one day” dreams. A “one day after I win the lottery” dream.
Did she want to wait so long? Or listen to what Craig had to say. Put the old homestead on the backburner for someday, and push up her sleeves to get Emerald back into working order?
Back at Long Knife Creek, the farrier was about to arrive to shoe five horses. To add to the scramble, Quinn expected Doc Tolson to be over at some point. Her mare, Dee-Light was due to foal any day and he wanted to check on her while he looked at one of the stock horses who’d been kicked by another and received a nasty gash.
Never a dull moment. She carried two salt blocks toward the paddocks. Rarely a chance to slow down. Just the way she liked it.
As she put the second salt lick in place, a pair of arms grabbed her from behind and pulled off her feet.
“Damn it.” Her hat fell off and into the dirt. When she was back on the ground, she pushed away from the tight grip.
Robby. Before she could get away completely, he leaned in and kissed her hard on the mouth.
Once Robby’s kiss would’ve curled her toes and sent steam rising right out her ears. Not today. Not for a very long time. Now his boldness irritated her. She shoved angrily against his chest.
He gave up easily, but smiled, his hooded eyes regarding her with lazy contentment.
“I wouldn’t recommend doing that again,” she warned icily, and turned away from him. The last thing she needed was the unwanted amorous attention from her ex.
Robby caught up and walked next to her. “Can’t help it. You’re so damned sexy when you’re working.”
“No one else here to turn your charm on for?”
“Wow, am I detecting a little jealousy?”
“Not one ounce.”
“Not that I was trying to make you jealous, but if I thought it would help…”
Robby let the rest of the sentence go unsaid but he gave her a cocky grin, which made her want to clobber him. She stalked to the barn.
“So, how ‘bout our picnic? Tomorrow maybe?” Robby inquired, his voice casual, though Quinn could hear the more desperate undertones he fought hard to cover.
“No.”
“Why not?”
Inside the barn she headed to Dee’s stall. “Not interested. And I have a million things to do, Robby.”
“Q, throw me a bone, babe. You have to take a break sometime.”
Before she reached her mare’s stall, she turned and dropped her voice. She didn’t want to upset the pregnant mare.
“I already told you, several times, no. I don’t want to revisit us. Not today, not tomorrow.”
“Then how ‘bout Friday?” He said it with a laugh, as if he were the most charming, clever man in the world. “I’m going to get you to have some fun, Q-pie. Whether you like it or not. You can’t be all about work. No beautiful woman can be all about wor
k.”
He tugged the end of her ponytail, winked, then turned on his heels and strode down the aisle, singing a country song as he went.
“Ugh,” she muttered. He didn’t get her. She pushed away from the wall. He’d never get her.
***
At seven p.m., Quinn left Dee’s stall in search of fresh air and a stretch of the legs. She’d been at the mare’s side for hours. Soon, Doc told her. The baby should be put in an appearance within the hour.
At the main house, the lights were on, the sound of music and laughter wafting into the air. Still, she would rather be here, under the stars, inhaling the smell of horses and cattle that mingled with the cool, fresh breeze off the prairie. Exhaustion seeped into every bone in her body, but she never felt so alive, doing something she lived for.
She needed to share it with someone. Doc Tolson was there, but she needed more, someone who would truly appreciate the miracle happening right behind her. She reached for her cell and dialed Craig’s number.
“Hey, it’s Quinn,” she said after Craig picked up.
There was a slight pause before he replied “Hi.”
“I know it’s late but I was wondering if you and Marisol would like to come over. I have a mare about to foal and maybe Marisol would like to see it.”
“Wow, yes, I bet she would. Hold on and I’ll ask.”
He put his hand over the mouthpiece and Quinn heard his muffled voice and Marisol’s reply.
“We’ll be right over,” he told her when he got back on the phone.
***
“Is it going to be gross?”
Craig chuckled at his daughter’s question and glanced at her. Her nose wrinkled and she grimaced.
“I think once you see the baby you’ll forget all about the gross part, and if you want, you can hide your eyes.”
Marisol may have traveled the world, but she’d never seen the miracle of birth. She’d see plenty of it by the time she’d been in South Dakota for a year, though. In a few years, it would be old hat. For now, he looked forward to experiencing this first with her.
Quinn was in the barn, kneeling in the thick blanket of clean straw next to the mare’s head. She’d looked beautiful the night they’d kissed, but here, with concern and love on her face and straw in her hair, she was stunning.
She glanced at them and smiled. “You made it in time.”
Marisol’s stare fixed on Doc Tolson as he assisted the mare, her eyes and mouth wide. She clung to Craig’s hand with a tight grip.
The mare’s sides heaved with the effort of bringing her foal into the world. Quinn returned her attention to the animal, her voice low and soothing.
Once the foal’s forelegs appeared, the rest of the birth seemed to go with lightning speed. With one last Herculean push, the foal slid onto the straw. Everyone sighed in relief and Marisol squealed in delight.
The next few minutes were a blur of motion. Doc delivered the afterbirth and tended to the colt while Quinn cared for the mare until she was on her feet. Then Dee took over the mothering of her son. Quinn backed off and went to the door. She grinned at Marisol.
“Well? What did you think?”
“Oh my God, that was amazing!” The girl’s eyes were as wide as her smile.
Quinn laughed. “I still think the same way, no matter how many times I see it.”
“What are you going to name him?”
“Well, his mama’s name is Dee-Light and his dad is Ace of Diamonds. What do you think a good name would be? I think he takes after his Dad with his white face and the stockings.”
“You mean I can name him?” Marisol’s eyes widened even more. It was one marvel after another.
“Sure, I bet you can come up with something to do this little boy justice.”
Marisol leaned against the stall door and Craig knew she was lost.
“There’s a pot of coffee brewing in the tack room, if you’re interested,” Quinn offered him. “I need to wash up.” She wiped her hands down her denim-clad thighs.
Craig followed the motion of her hands, admiring the shape of her legs in those faded, close-fitting jeans. Suddenly, his throat was chalk dry, and that all too familiar rush hit him square in the belly.
“Coffee sounds great, if it’s okay for Marisol to stay here.”
Quinn chuckled and threw a glance back at the girl. “I don’t think we’d be able to tear her away. Doc would be glad for a new ear to fill with his knowledge.”
Craig followed her to the end of the barn where the wranglers and other ranch help hung out. It was rustic and bare bones, but comfortable none-the-less. Saddles lined the walls and bridles hung in another corner. An old sofa took up one wall. It looked ancient and of questionable condition, but when Quinn handed him a cup of coffee, she dropped into it as if it were the softest surface in the world.
“Have a seat,” she said and patted the cushion next to her. “I promise it’s not too dusty. Most of the time the guys keep their feet off it.”
Craig smiled. He liked this relaxed Quinn. She had lowered her guard and he planned on taking advantage.
“I was putting those numbers together. For the ranch. If you’re really serious. If not, I understand. Marisol may have put you on the spot.”
“No, I thought about it and it makes sense. More sense than fixing my grandparents place. That would be my dream come true, but I have to be sensible. At the moment I don’t have the cash. This is much better. Until I can get myself established.”
“It’s a small place.” Craig warned her. He didn’t want her accepting it unless she knew exactly what she was getting into.
“About half the size of the Shady H?”
“About. A hundred-fifty acres. Long Knife Creek is enormous compared to it.”
“I’m not looking to raise cattle. Just horses. I don’t need much land. Besides, your parent’s made a good go of it, even with cattle.”
Craig smiled and looked at his coffee. As much as they had loved their ranch, he didn’t think ranching had been in his father’s soul like it was in Quinn’s. It made him wonder for a moment if it was in his soul. He’d left it easily enough to follow Elise’s dreams, but if it hadn’t been for her, he would’ve been happy with ranching. He’d certainly settled back in, like a second skin. He made a better than decent living at writing, but, yeah, ranching was in his soul. It felt good to admit it.
“It may work out fine for both of us then.”
He took a moment to study her in this unguarded moment. She’d kicked off her boots and had drawn her legs underneath her. A small smile pulled at her lips and he wondered where her thoughts had taken her. Galloping across the prairie maybe. Or that new colt who’d just come into the world. He would’ve given a hell of a lot more than a penny to know.
“Marisol seems happy,” Quinn remarked.
“I think you were the catalyst. After meeting you and getting Sunny, everything seems to have changed. Thank you.”
Her smile brightened and her blue eyes glittered. “I’m glad to help.”
“She made a few friends since the barbeque and is planning her first sleepover for the weekend. Four girls in one house. Don’t know if I can handle it.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Yell if you need help.”
“I may take you up on that.”
Whatever lightness the conversation held dissipated when their gazes locked and held fast. All he could think about was how she’d tasted, how she’d felt in his arms. How much he wanted it again.
A lock of her hair had fallen out of its braid and lay against her cheek. Knowing he ought to resist, he reached out and pushed it away. His fingers trailed along the soft skin of her cheek. Quinn drew in her breath and held it as she continued to watch him.
It would’ve been so easy, so natural, to lean in and kiss her, but luckily his daughter’s approach was loud enough to give him warning, and enough time to withdraw his hand, and note the disappointment in Quinn’s eyes.
“Dad, you sh
ould’ve seen him trying to stand,” Marisol spilled into the tack room, her eyes and smile bright. “Doc Tolson told me so much. Maybe I’ll be a vet someday.”
She crashed on to the sofa between Craig and Quinn and leaned against him. Despite her excitement, she looked tired. With no wonder, it was nearly ten o’ clock.
“I thought you were going to be a writer.”
“That was before tonight. Next time Doc comes over to our place can I hang out with him?”
“If he’ll let you and you promise not to get in his way.”
It was time to go before he’d have to carry his daughter out of there. Quinn looked sleepy too. No doubt she’d been awake since the crack of dawn and no doubt she’d be up as early tomorrow.
Quickly he pulled Marisol to her feet. “Thanks for inviting us.”
“I’m glad you both could come. Sometimes these things don’t happen to suit my schedule. We lucked out tonight.”
She didn’t walk them back to his truck, but instead returned to the mare’s stall.
For the next few riding lessons, Craig made it a point to be there for at least part of it, if he could. There had been some kind of breakthrough between Quinn and him the night of the colt’s birth. She seemed more at ease at the Shady H and let Marisol talk her into staying for lunch. Even in the kitchen, when the two of them were putting sandwiches together, Quinn seemed perfectly comfortable, including Craig in their light-hearted banter.
Marisol’s sleepover approached and even before Craig could mention it, Marisol asked Quinn to join them, saying it would be much better to have a female chaperone instead of just Dad. Quinn would understand their needs more than a guy. Craig chuckled, not at all insulted by the slight.
“I’ll have to make sure Jacob doesn’t have anything planned for the evening. We’re going on a drive during the day, but should be back in plenty of time.”
Craig didn’t know who was more anxious for the upcoming gathering, Marisol or himself.
Time crawled until that day. He threw himself into his work, despite having hired two more ranch hands. He made a trip over to Emerald Ranch the day after the Penney’s departed, to assess what needed to be done to restore the place to what it had once been. He planned, when Quinn was over, to give her an offer for the place. There was a fair bit of work to be done and she’d be responsible for it in return for a low price, if she wanted to lease it, as opposed to becoming manager.
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