by Carol Ross
“Um, not exactly. Well,” she drawled, “that depends on your perspective.” She picked up a sheaf of papers and fanned herself. Realizing what she was doing, she dropped the stack in her lap. “You are amazing. Seriously, talk like that and you’re going to nail this thing. Pretend like you’re talking to me the entire time.”
Smiling cautiously, he said, “Really?”
“Really. You’re so...eloquent and charismatic. Not to mention it’s difficult to look away from your cowboy gorgeousness. Is your phone number on your website? Women are going to be calling you and... Oh, no, I’m going to have to answer the phone. That’s it,” she joked, “I’m telling them all that you’re spoken for.”
Lydia watched him move around the desk until he was standing in front of it. He leaned back so he was half sitting against the edge. She registered the tense expression on his face—desire meets trepidation. And that’s when she realized what she’d said and how it sounded.
“Oh, Jon, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean by me. I mean I wish it could be me. Wait...that didn’t come out right, either.”
Keeping his focus on the floor, he hissed in a breath before hauling up his gaze. Lydia froze as it traveled over her like he hadn’t seen her in a good long while. And, she supposed, he hadn’t, because to her mind he hadn’t really looked at her like this since that morning after Easter. She realized now just how careful they’d both been at sliding glances, minimal eye contact and leaving a more than a necessary amount of personal space. Stupid, Lydia. Why did you flirt with him?
Her entire body suddenly felt heavy, like it was poured from concrete. It was almost painful to stand. When she made it to her feet she inhaled a deep breath of her own.
It took every ounce of her strength to untangle her gaze from his. Squeezing her eyes shut, she whispered, “Jon, I’m so sorry.” Without another word, she turned and walked from the room.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
“A BARN DANCE?” Lydia stared at Sofie, who was sitting across the table from her and Peyton at the Silver Stake Saloon. Lydia had dropped the girls off with Willa and picked up Sofie for her doctor’s appointment. Zach had a sick horse and Sofie insisted he stay with the mare. Willa encouraged them to take some “girl time.”
After the appointment, Lydia treated Sofie to a pedicure at Jem Salon and then arranged to meet Peyton for lunch. Peyton hadn’t wanted to dine at the café since she worked there, so they’d headed over to the bar. Silver Stake was quaint and spacious with roughhewn floors, a high ceiling and soft lighting. Axes, picks, shovels, candlesticks and other vintage mining paraphernalia hung from the walls and rafters.
“You mean like a hoedown?” Peyton asked, her lips twitching with laughter.
Sofie chuckled. “Sort of. But it’s not like you think. There’s music and dancing, yes. There won’t be square dancing at this one, but I have to say square dancing is a lot of fun. This is more like a country jam. Lots of people play and sing. The music is phenomenal, mostly country and bluegrass.”
A blue-jean-clad waitress with a large silver belt buckle and a cheerful, dimpled smile sashayed over to their table. The Silver Stake boasted a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers, served with your choice of French fries, sweet potato wedges, potato salad, or a dish called “silver-dollar slaw.” The menu said that the original owner of the Silver Stake had once won first place in a coleslaw contest with this very recipe, the prize for which was a silver dollar. Every order came with beans baked in a “secret cowboy sauce.” They all requested burgers and fries. The foodie in Lydia couldn’t resist asking for a side of the slaw.
Peyton didn’t seem thrilled by the barn-dance idea. “You would think these people would want to spend time away from their barns.”
Sofie grinned. “It’s actually very cool. After most of the hay is gone but before the new crop arrives, sometimes people will clean up their barns and have these get-togethers. There might be a birthday or an anniversary party, or even a wedding. Sometimes it’s a music jam or just a party—any excuse to get together and have a good time with friends after calving season and before the spring planting begins.
“Trudy Inez goes all out, twinkle lights, paper lanterns and the most delicious homemade Mexican food you’ve ever tasted. I think it would be good for you to get out and meet some people, Lydia. Everyone is so curious about you.”
Lydia grinned. “You had me at Mexican food.”
Sofie sat up a little straighter. “Really?”
“Yeah, sure.” Sofie was right. Lydia knew she was supposed to lay low, but she’d already learned that it was simply not possible in Falcon Creek. It felt wiser to fit in. It felt good to fit in. Plus, it was dancing.
Peyton said, “I’ve never done the boot-scootin’ boogie. I have no idea how to line dance.”
Sofie laughed. “It’s not all line dancing, there’s plenty of two-stepping and plain old dancing.” Peyton looked far from convinced. Sofie added, “Don’t worry, there’ll be plenty of cowboys who will be happy to show you.”
Peyton let out a dreamy sigh. “There are a few cowboys around here I wouldn’t mind giving me some dancing lessons.”
“Jon didn’t mention this to you, Lydia? He’ll be playing, but I’m sure he’ll make time for a dance or two.” She added a wink.
Jon played? What did he play? Why was Sofie winking? Had Jon told Zach they’d kissed?
“Did you say Inez?” Peyton asked. “Any relation to Marilee?”
“Oh. Yeah,” Sofie said flatly and took a sip of her water. “Juan and Trudy Inez are her parents.”
“That woman is a piece of work.”
“I know, but her parents are very nice people—nothing like Marilee. No one can figure out what happened there.”
“What’s wrong with Marilee?” Lydia asked.
“She’s a mean girl,” Peyton explained.
“Yes, she is.” Sofie fiddled with a napkin and looked at Lydia. “Has, uh...has Jon said anything about her by any chance?”
Lydia frowned. “No... Why?”
Peyton said, “She’s got it bad for JT Brimble.”
“She’s sowing some postdivorce oats, that’s for sure. But she’s got it worse for Jon,” Sofie said.
“What?” Lydia’s stomach dipped as she thought about the perky little hard-body. Marilee probably knew everything about ranching.
Sofie leaned forward and said, “You don’t have anything to worry about there. Zach told me they dated a little back in high school. After her divorce, she and Jon went out again a few times. But she didn’t like the twins.”
“Deal-breaker,” Peyton quipped.
Lydia thought about the way Gen and Abby had acted that day in Brewster’s. “How could she not like them? They’re five.”
“Peyton’s right about her being mean.” Sofie made a face and said, “Jon said she squeezed Gen’s arm so tight it left bruises.”
“Are you kidding me?” White-hot anger flamed inside of Lydia. “What did he do about it?”
“He didn’t know it happened until Gen told him later. He was furious. Confronted Marilee. She denied it. But I saw the bruises. Perfect finger marks. Right here.” Sofie curled a hand around her biceps. Lydia was speechless. Genevieve was an innocent child. Her child. Not literally, but still...
Peyton gave her head a disgusted shake.
Sofie and Peyton kept talking. Lydia checked out while she thought about giving Marilee a squeeze of her own, nice and tight, right around her windpipe... Slowly, she became aware of the fact that Peyton and Sofie were watching her.
“What?” Lydia said.
Peyton’s grin held an edge of mischief. “I was just inquiring as to why Lydia would need to worry about Marilee, anyway?”
Lydia felt her cheeks go warm. “Lydia wouldn’t, Peyton. I don’t know why Sofie worded it that way.” She shifted her focus pointedly to
Sofie. “Sofie?”
Sofie drew one shoulder up into an innocent shrug. “Um, well, Zach says that Jon seems... Jon said—”
“Uh-oh,” Peyton said under her breath.
“What did Jon say?” Lydia said.
Peyton said softly, “Speaking of JT and cowboys, I think he and his friends at the bar are gearing up to make a move in our direction.”
Lydia glanced over. The men had swiveled on their stools and indeed seemed to be looking in their direction. Lydia recognized the one with the long blond hair as the guy she’d seen talking to Marilee in Brewster’s.
He slid off his stool and ambled over to their table. Up close, the blond curls were a little too fluffy, like a 1980s rock star. His pants seemed kind of tight for ranch work. His boots, however, were beautiful—multicolored leather and shiny clean.
“Good afternoon, Sofie, Peyton. How are you lovely ladies this fine day?”
Sofie’s smile wasn’t exactly warm. “Hi, JT. We’re doing fine. How ’bout yourself?”
“Oh, you know, busy as all get out. Long mornin’. It’s that time of year, calving and all. I’ll be back on the bull-riding circuit with Matt next month. Can’t wait for that.”
Lydia wanted to roll her eyes. Busy drinking beer in the middle of the day more likely.
JT focused his attention on Lydia. “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of making your acquaintance.”
Peyton said, “This is our friend, Lydia.”
“Hel-lo, Lydia,” he drawled, his expression just shy of a leer. He hitched a thumb over his shoulder to where his buddies now stood a little behind and to his left. “This here is Marshall and Denny.”
They all greeted the men politely.
“Can I buy you all a drink? Or maybe my friends and I could interest you in a game of pool.”
Peyton smiled. “That’s a nice offer, but no thank you. We’re just enjoying some girl time. You know how that is.”
“I sure do,” JT drawled suggestively. “I enjoy me some girl time, too. And if that’s what you two are angling for, I’d be happy to oblige. There’s plenty of me to go around.”
Sofie let out a gasp.
Peyton looked equal parts shocked and disgusted.
Irritation boiled inside Lydia. She had plenty of experience with men like JT. Apparently, it didn’t matter if you were in the heart of the city or in the middle of ranching country, they turned up nonetheless. She and Meredith dealt with inappropriate advances every time they went out dancing. Lydia knew how to shut them down.
She scoffed. “JT, you cowboy poser, what is the matter with you talking like that to a table full of ladies? If that line ever works on a woman, which I doubt, then I’m ashamed for my entire gender. Now take yourself and your cute curls and do-si-do right back over to that bar stool that has the imprint of your scrawny butt embossed on it. And enjoy it. Because I suspect that’s the only circuit you’re ever going to be riding with any success. What would your mother say if she was sitting at this table right now?”
Lydia realized that the room had gone graveyard-quiet. Oh, shoot, it was possible that her voice had gotten progressively louder with each word of her speech.
Then, a deep, clear voice called out from across the room, “You sure ’nuff kicked a hornet’s nest there, JT.”
His friends howled with laughter. The table of cowboys in the booth behind theirs erupted with cheers and hoots. Other patrons joined in. Scattered clapping ensued.
Steely-eyed, JT peered at her like he was trying to figure out how badly she’d insulted him. Finally, he seemed to realize the whole bar was watching, waiting for his reaction. Cheeks red, he gave a respectable effort at laughing it off. With a salute, he turned and moved off toward the pool table in the back.
* * *
JON WATCHED THE pickup with trailer pull up next to the barn at the Blackwell Ranch. A big, shiny green-and-yellow tractor was chained down on the trailer. Two men got out and strode toward him. He recognized the passenger as Elbert Goode, the owner of Goode Deals Farm & Ranch Equipment & Auction House. Elbert really was a good guy who took pleasure in scoring deals for local farmers and ranchers. Jon had bought all his best equipment from Goode Deals over the years. The driver was his son, Cody.
Meeting them halfway, Jon reached out a hand to each of them in turn. “Hey, Cody. Elbert, how you boys doing?”
“Fine and dandy, Jon. How ’bout yourself.”
“Just fine,” Jon lied. He wasn’t fine at all. He didn’t appreciate having another afternoon interrupted with Blackwell Ranch business. Not to mention that here he was, staring at a piece of equipment he had no prior knowledge of. “How’s business?”
“Really picked up lately. Got that tractor Big E won at the auction. He around?”
“No, he’s not here right now.” Jon purposely kept things vague. “When was that auction?” Maybe Jon could track down his grandfather that way.
“Oh, it was a few weeks back, I guess. Couldn’t make it in person, so he phoned in his bid. It needed new brakes and I had one needed some work done, too, so I told him I’d do a pickup and delivery for him. Dropped it off at Gil’s and now here it is. Got a heck of a good deal on it.” Elbert winked, pulled a slip of paper from his inside coat pocket and handed it to Jon.
Jon studied the invoice, feeling the concern settling like a cold rock in his gut. How many more surprises was he going to have to contend with around here? And it wasn’t even the surprises so much as the fact that this purchase, good deals and puns aside, would bring the bank-account balance to a dangerously low level.
When Katie had called and asked if he could be here to accept a delivery, he’d assumed it was the load of hog wire he’d ordered for Zoe’s zoo. Jon wrote Elbert a check. Cody unloaded the tractor. They shot the breeze for a while longer. Jon asked about Elbert’s wife, Rhonda. Cody asked about the twins.
Elbert squinted over Jon’s shoulder toward the donkey enclosure. “What are those critters there, like little dinky donkeys?”
“That’s exactly what they are, Elbert.”
“What are you using them for?”
“Believe it or not, they’re just to look at.”
Brow puckered, Elbert scratched his head. “Like pets?”
“Yep. Zoe is putting in a zoo here at the guest ranch.”
“Huh. They’re kinda cute. Grandkids would love ’em.”
Jon tried not to roll his eyes. “Katie would welcome a visit from your grandkids, Elbert.”
Elbert strolled over to the pen.
Cody shuffled his feet and looked at Jon. “Hey, uh, I heard that Lydia gal is your nanny?”
“That’s right.” How would Cody know Lydia?
“Boy, she’s something else, huh?”
He could guess what this was about. Keeping his tone neutral, he said, “She is an excellent nanny.”
“Did you hear what happened at the Silver Stake yesterday?”
Silver Stake? What was Lydia doing at the bar? His answer was a slow head shake. “Nope.”
“You should have heard the set-down she gave JT.” Cody added a chuckle. “What a moron.”
“What happened?”
“I was there having a burger with some friends, sitting at the table right behind her and Sofie Carnes and Peyton, that new pretty blonde waitress from the Clearwater Café. JT came up and made this crude comment and Lydia, she...she clocked him with words. Called him a cowboy poser with cute curls.” Cody took a moment to laugh.
Jon wondered why she hadn’t told him even as the urge to throttle JT overtook him.
“Do you know if she’s single?”
Jon tensed. The thought of Lydia dating Cody, or anyone else, was out of the question. “No,” he lied. “She’s not.”
“That’s too bad. I was hoping to steal a dance at the Inezes’ party thi
s weekend.”
Elbert ambled back. “They’re real friendly. I think I’m gonna take you up on that offer and bring the little ones out.”
Jon said goodbye to the men and went looking for Katie, but his mind was still on Lydia. Lydia was going to the Inez party? How would Cody know Lydia was going? He should have told Cody the truth. That wasn’t fair to Lydia. But the thought of her dancing with anyone but him left him feeling a bit nauseated. This is what he was reduced to? Lying and conniving to keep Lydia from spending time with another man?
Jon needed to face the fact that Lydia had the kind of shine that wasn’t ever going to wear off. He couldn’t go on like this. And if he didn’t do something about his feelings, then some other cowboy would. But what if he told her how he felt, and she didn’t return the sentiment? Or worse, what if they gave this a shot and it didn’t work out? Would they be able to live together under the same roof for the sake of the girls? It felt selfish to risk the best thing that had ever happened to the twins.
Jon found Katie in one of the ranch’s riding arenas working with a horse.
“Katie, we have a problem.” Jon pointedly said “we” rather than “you” because he didn’t want her to think she had to face this alone. Although Jon now believed the two of them alone couldn’t tackle it, either, not for much longer.
Katie led the horse toward him. “What is it?”
Jon patted the sorrel mare. “Did you know Big E bought a new tractor?”
Katie sighed. “No.”
“It’s in the barn. I just paid for it.”
“Okay. Well, we needed one.”
“The problem is, we... The ranch is going to run out of money. When I called the bank a few weeks ago and looked at the monthly bills I figured there was enough in that account to get by for several months. But between the building supplies for Zoe’s petting zoo, their feed, payroll, the overdue bills we didn’t know about and now a new tractor, it won’t last another month.”
“Can’t you just write checks out of another account? Or transfer money from savings? Big E is always doing that, moving money around and stuff.”