by Cora Seton
Jamie bristled. “I helped build those fences alongside you and your Daddy. I was out there every second I could – helping birth the foals, training all those horses. I may not be blood, but you can’t deny my sweat’s been poured over every inch of that land!”
“Whoa! I wasn’t attacking you.” Ethan stood up and held out his hand to Jamie. “I was welcoming you.” The outer door to the office opened and someone came in, but Jamie stood up, too, and blocked his view.
He hesitated. “You saying you’ll sell to me?”
“I’m saying I can’t think of anyone else I’d want as a business partner. I’d be proud to co-own the ranch with you.”
He was about to shake Jamie’s hand when Claire stormed into the office. “What the hell is going on here? You can’t sell a partnership to the ranch! I’m half owner, and I’m selling the whole thing to Lacey and Carl!”
“Claire,” Matt got between them and held out a hand. “Thanks for coming. Sit down.” He cleared his throat and Jamie quickly moved away from his chair to make it available to her.
“I’m not going to sit down until I know what the hell’s going on here.” She crossed her arms over her chest, her sleek bob swinging.
“Calm down, Claire – it’s good news. I’m buying you out. You’ll have enough money to open up a whole chain of interior design businesses,” Ethan said.
Her gaze swept from Ethan to Matt to Jamie. “Really? I’ll get half the price of the ranch?” She sat down and faced Matt. “Tell me.”
“Six hundred-thousand dollars,” Matt said, drawing a sheaf of papers out of a file folder. “Jamie’s buying a quarter share in the ranch, and together they’ll qualify for a second mortgage that will buy you out. When everything’s settled and signed, you’ll have your money and Ethan and Jamie will own the ranch.”
“And Autumn,” Ethan said.
“And Autumn, just as soon as the two of you are married,” Matt agreed.
“Oh, my God,” Claire said. “I didn’t think…I had no idea…” She turned to Ethan. “But you’ll be up to your eyeballs in debt!”
“I’m already up to my eyeballs in debt,” Ethan said. “But Autumn came up with a great idea. We’re going to open the Big House as a guest ranch. She loves to cook and she’s amazing at it. She wants to feed the guests, and Jamie here wants to handle the outside chores – teaching guests to ride, and all that. I’ll keep running the ranch like I’ve always done and we’ll hire some kids from town to do the rest.”
Claire blinked. “That’s…a really good idea.”
“Don’t sound so surprised,” Ethan said, sitting back in his chair. “My bride’s pretty smart.”
Claire looked skeptical. “If she’s so smart why would she pick you for a husband?”
“Ouch!” Ethan scowled and Claire grinned. For a second his sister looked like her old self, before she’d grown up and gone boy crazy, before all the fights with their mother. God, he missed those days.
“You sure you don’t want to go in on the business with us?” Jamie asked Claire. “You could help out with the horses, too. Teach kids to ride?”
Now it was Ethan’s turn to blink. It was like Jamie had read his mind and also remembered Claire as she used to be – crazy for riding and one of the best in the entire county at it. But as far as he knew Claire hadn’t been on a horse since she hightailed it to Billings years ago. She hated the ranch and everything about it; he just wished he knew why. Sure, she’d fought like cats and dogs with their mother during her teenage years, but that was water way under the bridge. Maybe it wasn’t for Claire, though. She hadn’t made up with her mother before their parents’ deaths.
“No thanks. I’m going to take the money and run,” Claire said. “If I were you, Ethan, I’d steer clear of Lacey for a long, long time. She’s going to be furious. She was really looking forward to rubbing your nose into the fact that she owned our ranch.”
“I can’t believe you would have sold it to her,” Ethan said.
“I can’t believe you don’t know how much I hate that place,” Claire said. “But then you never noticed much except for that land and those cattle, did you?”
Ethan frowned as she bent over the paperwork, and exchanged a confused glance behind her back with Jamie. Jamie seemed just as much in the dark as he was. Something had happened to Claire in those turbulent teenage years to turn her into a different person. Seeing his own troubled feelings echoed in Jamie’s worried look he felt a pang. This wasn’t the first time he’d wondered if his friend harbored feelings for his sister, and if Claire hadn’t turned into such a stick-in-the-mud city girl – 29 going on 45 – he’d welcome the match.
He shrugged at Jamie and turned back to Matt. During the next hour they negotiated the terms of Jamie’s purchase and Claire’s sale and it was with a huge sense of relief that he exited the building, Jamie and Claire in tow.
“How about we celebrate tonight at the Dancing Boot?” Jamie asked. “I know I’m sure in the mood for a few drinks and maybe a little dancing!”
“I’m in – I’m sure Autumn will be, too,” Ethan said.
“What about you, Claire?” Jamie asked. “Come on – you haven’t been out with us in ages!”
“When have I ever been out with you, Jamie?” she retorted. “I’m not going to drink and then drive all the way back to Billings. Besides I’ve got houses to decorate.”
Jamie rolled his eyes. “Go do your work, baby girl, then come on back and have dinner with me. We’ll meet everyone else at the bar and take it from there. If you’re too chicken to sleep on my couch I’m sure you can sleep on Ethan’s.”
“I’m way too old to sleep on anyone’s couch,” Claire said. “I’ll see you guys around.” She headed for her car, but Jamie took her arm and pulled her to a halt.
“Claire. Have dinner with me – I’m celebrating tonight and so is Ethan. This is a big deal to us.”
Ethan waited for her answer, curious to see how this would play out. There was no way she would agree, but then again, it was Jamie talking and he did have a way with the women.
She tapped her toe on the sidewalk, then sighed. “All right, I’ll meet you for dinner. I’m not staying out late, though. And I’m not sleeping on anyone’s couch!”
“I’ll walk you to your car,” Jamie said and winked at Ethan over Claire’s shoulder. Ethan supposed he should feel worried about his sister’s honor, but Claire could definitely take care of herself – even with Jamie.
He headed for his own truck, eager to tell Autumn his good news.
* * * * *
“Hey – anybody home?”
Autumn jumped when a man’s voice boomed through the bunkhouse. She was in the spare bedroom getting dressed for their night out on the town, and from the sound of things Ethan was still in the shower. He’d come home from the accountant’s office, swept her into his arms and kissed her before explaining about Jamie becoming a partner in the ranch and being able to buy Claire out.
She quickly zipped her jeans, pulled the shirt she’d laid out over her head, smoothed it down and poked her head out of the bedroom door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Rob – is Ethan here?”
She walked into the kitchen. “He’s in the shower. Can I help you?” She kept the length of the kitchen between them, still mindful of the gossip Rose had told her when she picked out her ring, about how he’d tried to film himself having sex with Rose’s friend’s cousin.
“Just came to see if you all wanted to join me for dinner before hitting the bar. I’m starved – man’s gotta fortify himself for the night to come and all that.”
“Uh …” Autumn tried to hide her disappointment. She was all set to take the pregnancy test just as soon as Ethan got out of the shower. She had pictured them waiting for the results together, hand in hand, and then celebrating afterward with a romantic dinner for two, but it turned out Ethan already invited Claire and Jamie along. Now Rob was joining them, too?
; “Rob! Good to see you! You coming to dinner with us?” Ethan appeared, towel wrapped around his waist.
“I heard there was celebrating to be done – and I’m always up for a celebration! I heard you’re buying Claire out of her share of the ranch.”
“You heard right,” Ethan said.
“And Jamie’s going to be your new partner?”
“Yep.”
“Well, that beats everything. Who knew that little cheapskate was piling up his money in order to pull this off. You oughta be grateful you needed to sell now – a couple more years and he’d have bought the whole damn thing out from under you.”
“I’m hoping he sets his smarts to the business and makes me rich,” Ethan said.
“He just might.” Rob cocked his head. “And I hear the two of you are making a serious go at this getting married thing. Buying wedding gowns, making guest lists…”
“It’s only a week away,” Autumn said, taking Ethan’s arm. He gave her a squeeze and she tried smile, but she was still disappointed her dinner with Ethan was turning into such a crowd affair.
Rob scratched his head. “Who would’ve thought running a want ad on Youtube would end up with you finding the woman of your dreams?”
Ethan stiffened beside her and when he answered there was an edge to his voice. “Yeah, who would’ve thought? Let’s get going, I thought you were starving.”
“I am, buddy – I am.”
Autumn frowned. She had a feeling there was more to that interchange than she was comprehending. She turned to Ethan with an eyebrow raised. He evaded her gaze and headed back toward the bedroom.
“I just need a minute. You almost ready, Autumn?”
“Uh…I guess.”
“Let’s start at DelMonaco’s. I need a steak,” Rob proclaimed.
“Sounds good.”
“I need a minute, too.” Autumn followed Ethan back to the bedroom and shut the door behind her. The sight of him shucking off his towel and reaching for a fresh pair of jeans distracted her, but only for a moment. “Hey, I thought…I kind of hoped it’d be just the two of us at dinner tonight. Now we’re at five.”
Ethan turned toward her, and her stomach did another flip-flop at his muscular chest and flat belly, not to mention…
“Honey, I don’t think it’ll even be just the five of us for very long. When word gets out that I’m keeping the ranch and that Jamie’s my new business partner – our new business partner – we’ll have half the town celebrating with us.” He moved closer, jeans still dangling from one hand. “But we’ll have lots of time alone together later tonight. I promise.”
Autumn’s disappointment over not being able to take the pregnancy test soon melted away beneath his kisses. A few more hours wouldn’t make much of a difference. They’d come home, she’d take the test and then they’d go straight to bed. It could be worse. In an instant, she was in his arms, pressed up close against him, and they probably wouldn’t have made it out the door to dinner anytime soon if Rob hadn’t hollered from the kitchen, “Hurry up in there or I’m coming in after you! I’m starving!”
They broke apart, laughing, and Ethan quickly pulled on boxers and jeans. In another minute they’d rejoined Rob and were on their way.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
DelMonaco’s was packed as usual when Ethan pulled the Ford up beside Rob’s Chevy in the parking lot. They didn’t even make it to the door before Jamie yelled for them to wait up. Autumn turned to see him leading Claire by the hand across the parking lot from the other direction.
“Jamie, Claire!” Rob called. “Perfect timing!”
Claire hung back a little as Jamie led her up the steps, as if she was embarrassed, Autumn thought, but the noisy greetings of the men covered up any awkwardness and soon the whole group was seated at a table.
No sooner had their waitress brought the first round of drinks when Cab appeared. “Is this a private party, or can anyone join in?” He didn’t wait for an answer – just grabbed a chair from a nearby table and sat down.
Before long a whole crowd had joined them and the waitresses kept busy pushing tables together and bringing more chairs. Ethan caught on right away that Autumn didn’t want to drink and helped mask her abstention by switching glasses with her when he’d drained one. Rob seemed to be drinking the most of all and managed to make about half of the noise himself. Autumn wondered what was eating him. For all his laughter and toasts and cheers to Ethan and Jamie’s good fortune, she sensed he wasn’t happy at all. In fact, she couldn’t entirely understand the friendship between Ethan and Rob. Everyone said they were best friends, but how could honorable Ethan be so close to a man who would try to lure unsuspecting women into making porno movies? And if Rob liked Ethan so much, why would he be so angry tonight when Ethan was celebrating. She turned back to her meal, resolved to keep an eye on the situation.
Most of the men ordered steak, the women chicken. Autumn ordered eggplant parmesan and then poked at it, decidedly not hungry. She was just as pleased as everyone else about the progress they’d made on keeping the ranch, but she was way too distracted by the thought of the pregnancy test kit stashed in her luggage back at the bunkhouse to truly get into the celebratory mood.
Claire looked different tonight, she thought as she pushed a bite around the perimeter of her plate. She looked…younger. Happier. Must be the thought of all that money pouring into her bank account. What would she do with six hundred thousand dollars, if it was hers? Her gaze rested on Ethan. Invest it into the ranch, most likely. Her attention returned to Claire. She realized it was the woman’s outfit that made her seem different tonight. Gone were the stiff-looking business skirt and blouse, the sensible shoes, and in their place she wore form fitting jeans and a peasant blouse. Jamie couldn’t take his eyes off of her, she noticed with a grin. Was romance blooming there?
As she finally lifted the bite of eggplant to her mouth, she caught sight of Rob’s face. He, too, was watching Jamie and Claire, but his expression was hard. The hand holding his fork clenched tightly. But a moment later, he turned back to his meal and popped a piece of steak into his mouth. By the time he’d chewed and swallowed, he was back to faking good spirits, joking around with Cab, who sat across from him. Autumn shook her head. She barely knew these people. How could she translate the undercurrents swirling around her?
When the waitress returned to clear their plates, talk at the table turned to what to do with the rest of the evening.
“I thought we were heading to the Dancing Boot,” Jamie said. “I promised Claire we’d close the place down.”
“Sounds good to me,” Ethan said. “What about you, Autumn?”
“Sure.” She bit her lip, thinking of the pregnancy test again. Still, this night was a big deal to Ethan. She’d find out whether or not she was pregnant soon enough.
“Rob, Cab? You guys coming with us?” Ethan asked.
“Sure thing,” Cab said. “I’ve got nowhere else to be.”
Rob made a face. “Ain’t no point me going with you. Not like anyone’s going to dance with me tonight.”
Claire laughed out loud and more than one person at the table looked surprised. “Are you kidding, Rob? Since when have you lacked for partners – you always have some girl or other on your arm. Always have!”
“Not anymore. Not since this joker,” he stabbed a finger at Ethan, “pulled his last trick.”
“Uh oh,” Claire said. “More practical jokes? I thought you guys would have given that up by now.”
“What did Ethan do?” Autumn asked. Rose had said something about practical jokes back when they were buying her engagement ring, but she couldn’t imagine steady, solid Ethan planning out a complicated joke.
“Let me tell her! You gotta let me tell her,” Jamie said, his face splitting into a wide grin. Rob waved him off at first, then sat back as if giving up. “First, you gotta understand these guys have been playing tricks on each other since grade school – this ain’t nothing new. Rob deserved ever
ything he got.”
“I didn’t deserve…” Rob began but everyone shouted him down.
“As I was saying,” Jamie said. “He deserved it. Ethan was looking for payback for a trick Rob played on him a couple of months ago.”
Ethan leaned forward. “Not just a trick. He moved all the cattle out of the northwest pasture onto his own land and left the fence all torn apart to make it look like someone stole them. Scared me half to death. That pasture doesn’t border Rob’s property,” he explained to Autumn, “so it didn’t occur to me at first it was him. What with all my debts, losing any of the herd would have put me under. I called the police, the sheriff’s office,” he nodded toward Cab, “I was about to call the CIA before I realized it was probably Rob playing a joke on me. Nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Appreciative laughter came from around the table as Jamie took up the thread of the story again. “So Ethan, here, makes a plan and bides his time. It’s kind of an ingenious plan, too. Rob’s a bit of a ladies’ man.”
“That’s an understatement,” Claire said.
“He tends to make friends on the dance floor,” Jamie said. “Good friends. Hardly ever goes home alone on a Saturday night. Ethan was counting on that, so when a Saturday night came up and he saw Rob getting it on with a fine, young thing out on the dance floor, he nipped out early, rode over to Rob’s cabin, and snuck inside.”
“What did he do?” Autumn said when Jamie hesitated.
“Well,” Jamie said, his grin getting even wider. “He set up a big, ol’ video camera on a tripod at the end of Rob’s bed, hung up this backdrop he’d painted on a bed sheet – what did you paint again?”
“A barn with a bunch of horses running around,” Ethan said. “The view from my back porch!”
More laughter all around.
“He hung up the backdrop by the bed, and set up these big old lamps all around with their shades topsy turvy like lights on a movie set,” Jamie broke off laughing and Autumn felt her own lips curl up with the beginnings of a smile – she knew exactly where this was going. “So when Rob brought that lovely lady of his home and eased her into the bedroom, she about nearly had a fit! You could have heard her screaming in Billings!”