Rocky Mountain Valentine

by Carol Steward

  “May as well order a caddy to lug it all around for you while you’re at it.”

  “Thanks anyway, but I prefer to work solo,” she said.

  Wet snow fell fast and furious, melting as soon as it hit the ground. They’d driven nearly thirty minutes on dirt roads when Adam began having trouble steering. He pulled the truck to a stop and opened his door and leaned out to look. “We have a flat tire.” He set the emergency brake and shut off the engine, then yanked the tie from around his neck and handed it to her.

  Lisa held up the strip of fabric and smiled. “Somehow I wouldn’t have pictured you as a Tweety kind of guy. Yosemite Sam, maybe, Deputy Dawg, definitely a possibility...but Tweety? No. Now maybe Sylvester fits...”

  He shot her an unappreciative glance and took the keys from the ignition. “Ricky gave it to me for Christmas. He picked it out himself.”

  She dropped the tie onto the seat, trying to subdue a smile. “I see. How sweet of him. Can I do anything to help?”

  “Call one of your sisters and tell them we’ll be late.” He grabbed a pair of leather gloves from under the seat and closed the door, shutting out the icy wind and snowflakes, as well as his bad mood. The weather turned worse by the minute.

  She found her phone and gave Katarina a quick overview of the mishap while Adam paced from the front of the truck to the back, pulling tools from the metal box behind the cab. A minute later, she saw him set a handful of bolts on the hood of the truck, then felt the vehicle tilt to one side. Adam was apparently one of those people who had a place for everything and actually kept everything in its place. From Adam’s efficiency and the fancy tools he had on hand, she guessed changing flat tires to be a regular occurrence for the rugged cowboy.

  She regretted that there was nothing she could do to help, especially when Adam crawled back into the truck with mud-caked boots and splattered clothes.

  She’d never seen Adam such a mess, even in his work clothes. He pulled the gloves off, then reached behind the seat and pulled out a rag to wipe the dirt from his dress pants.

  Lisa opened her mouth to suggest they turn around and head back to Whispering Pines, but before she could, he started the truck and continued down the road. She would love nothing more than to go back to the ranch. She also knew better than to say so after their discussion the previous night. She’d do what she had to in order to keep the peace between them. She needed this story. A year without a permanent job was growing old, not to mention not having a place to call home. Every time she thought she had a job and was ready to sign a lease, something went wrong.

  She had it so much better than most of the homeless people she’d met. By her own opinion, she wasn’t really homeless at all. True, she didn’t have a permanent residence, but she’d never spent one night without a roof over her head. Her contacts in the publishing world had kept her busy enough to replace her equipment and set aside adequate travel funds. By most standards, she’d be considered an incredibly successful freelancer. Only problem was, she wanted the security of a full-time job, a monthly paycheck and a place to unpack her bags, permanently.

  As if he had read her mind, Adam asked Lisa about her travels, most likely out of boredom or a sense of obligation. Either way, it helped fill the awkward silence between them. The only other noise was the murmur of the radio, which took precedence over conversation when the weather alert came on, upgrading the forecast to a winter storm warning.

  Adam looked at his watch as he pulled into the church parking lot. “You sure you don’t want to come in? Church’ll be an hour or two, and it’s going to cold out here.”

  “I’ll wait out here.”

  “If you’re upset about last night, I’m sorry.” Adam fumbled with the silken strip of fabric until he had it tied into knots. “Don’t worry. It won’t happen again.”

  Just hearing the words from his mouth made her heart do a little dance. Had he truly been ready to kiss her? Lisa felt a huge sigh of relief escape. She’d scolded herself all night for overreacting. “Well, I’m happy to know I wasn’t imagining things.”

  Adam tipped the rearview mirror down so he could see what he was doing. “At least one of us is happy.” He slipped the knot up to his throat and straightened the two strips of fabric.

  “So just because I didn’t let you kiss me, we’re going to be at each other’s throats again?”

  “And just because I was crazy enough to care about you for a few minutes, you think you can get what you want by flirting?”

  “Flirting? With you?” She straightened her back and turned toward him. “I was just trying to keep the peace, joke around a bit...”

  “Well, don’t. Tomorrow you ask your questions, take your pictures and get on the road.” He opened the door. “See you in a couple of hours.”

  Adam stopped in the men’s rest room once inside the store, hoping to clean up. Looking in the mirror, he realized it was no use. Other than chipping the mud from his face, there was little he could do. His clothes were a disaster. If it hadn’t been for Lisa’s presence, he would have turned around after the flat tire. He hadn’t been about to let her win this argument. Lot of good his stubbornness did him.

  Why is it that the only woman I’ve been remotely interested in in three years is the one woman who wants nothing to do with me or my ranch?

  Adam didn’t linger after the services ended. He was anxious to get back to Lisa. With any luck at all, he’d be able to convince his houseguest that she’d be more comfortable spending the remainder of her time in Colorado with one of her sisters. Maybe they could help Lisa heal.

  He stepped outside, snow and icy wind slapping him in the face. Lisa had to be freezing. How could he have left her sitting in a cold vehicle in the middle of a blizzard? As Adam hurried through the parking lot, people headed inside, bundled in their winter coats and boots.

  Adam wasn’t at all happy with the pull he kept feeling toward Lisa. He didn’t need someone in his life, and Lisa didn’t want to settle down.

  The wind chilled Adam’s neck and snow pelted his skin. He glanced at the cars as he rushed past. Windshields were iced over. A good inch of snow had fallen since he’d gone into the church.

  When he arrived at the pickup, he wiped the snow from the windshield with his leather glove. She had to be freezing cold and madder than—

  He swiped his hand over the passenger’s side window....

  She was gone.

  He took off his glove, pulled his keys from his pocket to unlock the doors and searched the interior of the truck for an explanation. She’d left her camera bag, but no note. He slammed the door and looked around.

  The snow had been packed down around his truck, leaving no hope of following her footprints. He ran back into the building and looked around, hoping that Lisa had gone inside, if for no better reason than to stay warm.

  After striking out, Adam finally called his brother’s house. “Hey, Alex. Did Lisa find you as you were leaving?”

  “No. I thought she was with you.”

  “I thought so, too, but she’s...” He felt a pang of guilt, remembering the way he’d spoken to her before he abandoned her. “She’s not out here. I left her in the truck, but when I came back she wasn’t there. I don’t have her phone number, so I can’t call her.”

  His brother’s voice lowered to a near whisper. “Where could she have gone?”

  “If I knew, would I be calling you?” Adam snapped. “Never mind, I’ll find her.” He dropped his phone into his pocket and headed back outside.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  ADAM LOOKED DOWN the street. Most of the stores were closed. He glanced the other direction toward a school and a beauty shop, both of which would be closed on a Sunday. He headed toward the business district, zipped his coat and unfolded the collar.

  He found her sitting in a coffee shop a block away, reading the newspaper.

  “Ahem.” Adam leaned one hand on her table.

  She lifted her gaze to his gloved hand and quickly
followed his arm up to his face. Her eyes widened. “Adam!” Lisa looked at her watch. “You said two hours. I didn’t think you’d be so quick and I was craving a latte. Would you like one?” She motioned toward the barista and smiled at him.

  “No, thanks. I—Katarina...” he stammered. “This storm is getting worse. I need to head back to the ranch.”

  She grabbed a lid from the nearby island. “I’m sorry. I didn’t dream you’d be done so soon.” Lisa yanked her coat from the back of her chair and Adam held it while she put it on. “I’m so sorry, I planned to meet you back at the truck at ten-thirty.”

  Despite his anger, he remained calm. “I was afraid I’d said something to send you running.”

  She turned toward him and her eyes brightened with merriment. “It takes a lot more than a little growling to chase me away. Haven’t you figured that out yet?” She zipped her coat and pulled the hood over her head.

  “I guess you’ve made that clear. Haven’t you?” Adam wasn’t sure whether to be angry at her or himself. At Lisa for not giving up on the story, or himself for being cowardly enough to wish she would.

  A few minutes later, Adam pulled into Katarina and Alex’s driveway feeling more unsure of himself than he had in years. He wondered if it would be terribly rude to drop her off and head home. Right now he didn’t even care if it was. He just wanted to wake up three days earlier, before Lisa walked back into his life and rekindled dreams he thought he’d put to rest permanently.

  While Katarina eagerly escorted Lisa inside, Adam slipped his boots off on the front porch to keep from getting their brand-new house muddy. Kevin met Adam at the door and handed him a stack of clothes. “Alex thought you might need these,” Kevin said, examining Adam’s pants. “Where in the world did you and that tire have the run-in anyway?”

  Adam tucked the bundle under his arm. “South of Elk Creek Draw. Thanks for bringing these. I’ll be right back.” He tiptoed through the kitchen to the mudroom and closed the door, shutting out the joyous sounds of the family reunion.

  Walking up to the house, Adam wished he and Lisa had met in another time, another place. He wished family connections weren’t so strong. Even showing a casual interest could lead to a lifetime of awkward family gatherings. In that regard, he had probably already blown it last night when he’d almost kissed her.

  When he’d finished dressing, Adam considered asking Alex for a different pair of jeans. Surely he had a pair that wouldn’t be so snug, even if Adam did have to roll the legs like a kid wearing hand-me-downs.

  Adam moved around a bit, then pulled the flannel shirt on and buttoned it, leaving it untucked. Maybe no one would notice. He looked around the adjoining laundry room, picked up a spray bottle then misted the jeans with water and knelt down to stretch them. After rolling his muddy slacks into a bundle, Adam wrapped them inside the less-soiled shirt. He opened the door to the kitchen. “Katarina, do you have a bag for these muddy pants and shirt?”

  Lisa was the only one in the room.

  She gave him the once-over and bit her lower lip, as if to hide her smile.

  “Don’t you dare say a word,” he growled.

  “I was just thinking I never have my camera when I need it,” she said in a deliberate whisper. Lisa pulled open one cupboard, then another. Then, her voice louder, she said, “I’m sure Kat has an extra grocery sack around here someplace.” Finally she found the right cupboard and handed him one, a smile blatantly teasing her lips.

  “Not a word.” He dropped the clothes inside, then immediately distanced himself, hoping to shake this feeling. Lisa wasn’t his type. Once she had what she wanted, she’d be gone.

  Kevin came back inside with his arms full, stomped the snow from his loafers and handed Katarina the salad. “We’d better get dinner on so Adam and Lisa can get back to the ranch. This storm isn’t letting up.”

  Adam went to the sliding door and looked to the west. “I’d appreciate it. Why don’t I let Lisa stay and I’ll...”

  Emily stood immediately and stopped him. “Nonsense. We’ll have dinner on in a jiffy. Why don’t you and Kevin keep the kids occupied?” Alex finished setting the table and sliced the ham.

  In a matter of minutes, dinner was served, and everyone rushed to the table. By the time Adam made his way to the table, there were two seats left. One next to Lisa, or one across from her.

  His mother moved past him with the last serving dish and chose the chair across from Lisa, eliminating his options. With lead feet, Adam walked around the table and sat down.

  Adam could see Lisa’s discomfort as the awkwardness stretched between them.

  He wasn’t sure how he survived the meal, but he couldn’t deny he was more than relieved when it was over.

  After they’d cleared the dishes, Millie insisted Adam and Lisa get going. His mother explained that she’d be staying the week to help Katarina finish a large shipment of dolls and help Emily get ready for Alissa’s first birthday. Millie looked at Adam as if daring him to argue.

  “If you’d rather stay here...” Adam said.

  “Oh, no, I couldn’t...” Lisa rambled on with a full explanation and ended it with a quick goodbye.

  By the time they’d reached the highway, Lisa started asking questions as if her entire intention had been to corner him. “What made you open the ranch to the public?”

  Adam hedged, instinct telling him to give her as little information as possible. Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance she would give up. “I was already hosting friends and their friends who wanted a quiet place to get away. They seemed to like having someplace close to home, but away from the city. It seemed natural to make the business official.”

  She asked another question, and he gave her a clipped response.

  “What activities do you plan to offer? Or do you plan to let guests find their own entertainment?”

  “Horseback rides, chuck-wagon dinners, hay rides, fishing. If we have enough snow, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing... The possibilities are endless.” From the corner of his eye he could see her smile. “What’s so funny?”

  She let out a soft husky laugh. “Nothing. Am I making you nervous?”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “You’re so tense,” she said softly.

  Guilt hit him like a hoof in his gut. All the woman wanted was a story and he was treating her like she was out to take him for all he was worth. Adam didn’t need this reminder of Amelia, or the investigation. “The roads are terrible.”

  “Would you rather we continue this later?”

  Did he detect a flirtatious challenge in her voice? He resented her taking advantage of the slow drive home to bombard him with questions, and doubly resented that she could tell the interview was getting to him. He shoved the reminders of his past to the back of his mind. “No, go ahead.”

  She hesitated. “How do you feel about opening your home to strangers? Won’t you miss your privacy?”

  He had to hand it to the woman. Her questions teetered on the edge of personal, but the way she asked them, they technically focused on business. He’d deliberately ignored those personal issues. He had no choice. The ranch needed an income besides cattle to cover expenses. Ranching just wasn’t enough nowadays. This was a business move he’d had to make, despite his personal hesitancy.

  “Adam?” She looked at him with wide blue eyes.

  Keep your mind on business, old boy. If he could just find a way to tighten the reins on his attraction, they could both get on with their lives. Knowing the problem had to be half the battle, he reasoned. If Lisa wasn’t interested, why was he? “What does my privacy have to do with your article? Maybe it’s time I ask your plans for this story.”

  She grimaced. “Well...”

  “‘Well’ isn’t a good bargaining chip right now, Lisa.”

  She snapped her notebook closed. “Why don’t we finish this later?”

  “Why don’t you answer my questions this time? I des
erve to know. After all, this is about my ranch.”

  Lisa stalled. “I want you to understand, this isn’t my idea. I can show you her email to prove it.”

  “‘Her’?” Adam took a quick glance at Lisa. “Give it to me straight. What does ‘she’ want?”

  “My editor wants to focus on the romantic getaway, and...you. About why a single cowboy—”

  “Hold it right there.” Adam slowed to a stop at the traffic light, holding his temper in check. Why was it that he kept getting thrown into situations where business and romance repeatedly became twisted as tight as jute rope? Adam thought he’d finally found a way to avoid getting his professional life all tangled up with his personal life and along came Lisa Berthoff. “Romance is out, and while you’re at it, you can leave me out of it, too.”

  “But...”

  He flashed her a firm but gentle warning. “Those are my terms. Take them, or leave them.”

  Lisa’s gaze didn’t stray. “I’ll make it work.”

  * * *

  LISA SPENT THE remainder of the afternoon trying to figure out just how to satisfy both Adam and her editor. She knew Adam wouldn’t like any article that put too much emphasis on him, yet her editor wanted a story about the romance of the ranch setting and the single cowboy owner. What a mess.

  As soon as they’d arrived, Adam had changed clothes, started a load of laundry, then disappeared.

  She found a cozy seat in the corner of the great room and tried to work. She scribbled a few notes, then erased them and gazed out the window. Every now and then, she caught a glimpse of Adam. Whether tossing bales of hay from the back of his truck or giving Toby commands, his every movement exuded masculinity.

  He was a man at peace with himself. Everything seemed to go the way he wanted. Did Adam have any clue of the treasure he had here in his retreat from the world? A whiff of burning pine and one look around the spacious lodge, and she realized she was in trouble.

  Lisa shook off the sensation of envy that tended to creep into her consciousness whenever she slowed down for too long. She couldn’t cave in now. She had to stay strong. Had to prove to her mother and sisters and her louse of a father that she had what it took to succeed. She wouldn’t ever let herself depend on anyone else for support.