A Cowboy's Charm

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  Quinn treated Roxanne to coffee and pastries while they waited for Kendra and chatted with Abigail and her assistant baker, Ingrid. He also bought a cherry pie and a dozen brownies to take out to the ranch for tonight’s dessert. He’d almost added something for breakfast, too, but that might be overkill.

  He’d positioned himself so he had a view of the street, which made it easy to spot Kendra coming back with the horse trailer. “There she is.” Leaving his chair, he grabbed his jacket and put it on rather than carrying it. Then he picked up his hat. “Would you be willing to bring the pie and brownies, honeybun?”

  “Sure.” Roxanne stood, too. “Are you positive you don’t want Michael to pop over here and help with the bike? He said he could get away if we need him.”

  “I appreciate that, but I can handle it. Besides, we need to do it ASAP so we don’t tie up traffic for too long.” He tipped his hat at Ingrid and Abigail. “Nice to see you both.”

  “Same here,” Ingrid said. “Love the mustache.”

  “That’s good, since it was your idea,” he called over his shoulder as he held the door for his daughter.

  Roxanne glanced at him as she went out. “Ingrid suggested the mustache?”

  “Uh-huh.” He headed for his bike. “She mentioned it in passing. I’ve never had one, so thought I’d try it out.”

  “Good impulse.”

  “Thank you.” He waved at Kendra as she got out of her truck. She’d pulled up so the back of the trailer was even with where he’d parked the Harley. By the time he’d flipped up the kickstand and started rolling the bike away from the curb, she’d opened the back.

  She let down the ramp. “There’s rope in the trailer.”

  “Appreciate that. Nice-looking rig.”

  “I’ll tell Cody you think so. It’s his.” Flashing him a smile, she turned to Roxanne. “How about putting the goodies in the truck and helping me direct traffic?”

  “I’m on it.”

  While Kendra and Roxanne supervised traffic flow on what had become a one-lane street, Quinn concentrated on getting his bike into the trailer and securing it with the rope Kendra had brought. Then he closed and secured the trailer doors. “All set.”

  “Okey-doke.” Kendra abandoned her post behind the trailer and hurried up to the driver’s door.

  He made his way quickly to where Roxanne had stationed herself at the front of the truck. “Thanks for the help.” He gave her a hug, climbed in the passenger side and picked up the bakery boxes so he could sit down and close the door. “Okay, I’m buckled up.” He settled the boxes in his lap. “Let’s boogie.”

  “But slowly.” Kendra stepped carefully on the gas. “I don’t want that vintage bike taking a tumble.”

  “I tied it pretty good.”

  “I’m counting on that. I’m also glad that Zane graded the ranch road last week in preparation for the wedding because…well, damn.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She sighed. “I was supposed to go in and tell Abigail about a change to the wedding cake.”

  “I could call Roxanne and have her tell them.”

  “Would you? That’s why I was going to the bakery earlier. Then I saw you and forgot. I figured I’d tell her just now, but I didn’t think that through. There was no time.”

  “I’ll put the call on speaker so you can tell her yourself.” He tapped Roxanne’s contact number and she answered immediately.

  “Dad! Is there a problem?”

  “No problem. Kendra needs to relay a message to Abigail.”

  “Abigail’s right here. I’m in the bakery.”

  Abigail’s voice came on. “Hi, Kendra. What’s up?”

  “We need chocolate frosting instead of white.”

  “In that case, how about if I create a chocolate tooled belt around the bottom and the middle layer instead of the flowers we talked about?”

  “Sounds cute. I’ll have them get back to you on that. Talk to you later.”

  Quinn disconnected the call and glanced at her. “Hey, I feel like a jerk. I totally forgot about the wedding. It’s in a week and a half, right?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “I shouldn’t be interrupting your life at a time like this. I can just rent a truck and a trailer for my bike and drive my sorry ass back to Spokane.”

  “And go to all that extra trouble and expense? Don’t be ridiculous.”

  “I’ll be in the way.”

  “No, you won’t. Cody and Faith don’t want an elaborate wedding so the planning has been minimal. They’re having the ceremony down by Wild Creek followed by a casual outdoor reception around the fire pit. The guest list is close friends and family only.”

  “That’s all well and good, but you must have stuff you need to do to get ready.”

  “Not much, really. The Whine and Cheese Club is coming over tomorrow night to work on the favors, but other than that, we’re in good shape.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help while I’m there?”

  “How are you at filling little drawstring bags with birdseed?”

  “Are those the favors?”

  “Yep.”

  “I could do that. I’m fairly good with my hands.”

  She smiled. “You’re hired.”

  “Excellent.” He liked looking at her in profile. He’d sketched her from memory a few times but hadn’t been satisfied with the results. After this visit he might be able to get it right.

  “You can report for duty at six o’clock tomorrow night. Food and drink will be provided. But I should warn you these gatherings get rowdy.”

  “I don’t doubt it. After seeing the five of you dancing in bear costumes at the Guzzling Grizzly celebration, nothing would surprise me.”

  “Don’t tell them that. They’ll take it as a challenge.”

  He laughed. “Now I’m looking forward to this favor-making gig, especially if they’re not expecting me to be there. Don’t say anything to them about me staying at the ranch, okay? It’ll be fun to just show up unannounced.”

  “Are you kidding? The word’s already out.”

  “How can the word be out? I’m not even at your ranch yet.”

  “Clearly you’ve never lived in a small town.”

  “Then educate me.”

  “It works like this. When I went back to fetch the trailer, I told Cody you’d be visiting for a few days. He was on his phone notifying his brothers the minute I drove away. Which means Zane told his wife Mandy, Mandy told her mother Jo, who is my best friend in the Whine and Cheese Club, and Jo told the other three.”

  “Am I that newsworthy?”

  “In a sense. People may read something into this.”

  “What do you mean by this?”

  “Inviting you to come and stay at the ranch.”

  “So you’ve kept your relationships on the down-low. I respect that. And besides, it’s not like we’re—”

  “I haven’t kept my relationships on the down-low or the up-high. I haven’t had relationships, period.”

  He stared at her. “None?”

  “Nada. Zip. Zero. I haven’t dated since Ian died.”

  “But that’s been—”

  “More than twenty-seven years.”

  “Wow. I had no idea. Have you been…okay with that?”

  “Yes. I mean, for the most part, except for silly little things, like holding hands, and cuddling by the fire. I have a great life, a full life. But people may be…surprised that I invited you out to the ranch. Guaranteed there will be some gossip.”

  “Are you okay with that?”

  “Sure.”

  He settled back against the seat. “Then so am I.”

  * * *

  Less than fifteen minutes into this caper and Kendra had already revealed more about her sexual history than she’d ever intended for Quinn to know. She could have cheerfully banged her head against the steering wheel. Except she was responsible for his safety, his cherished motorcycle and Cody’s trailer, so she
dared not let her attention stray from the road ahead. This was the country, where wild animals could dart out in front of her and she wanted time to brake without worrying that the trailer would jackknife.

  Gathering herself, she returned to the conversation. “What I’m trying to say is that there aren’t many secrets in a small town. Maybe if I’d never had kids and had lived like a hermit I could guard my privacy, but those five boys I raised are woven into the social fabric of this place.”

  “I understand. Even though Spokane is so much bigger than Eagles Nest, my kids kept me tightly linked to the community, too. Now that all of them except Pete are determined to live somewhere else, I’m not in the loop as much.”

  “Eagles Nest is so small you almost can’t help being in the loop. The lines of communication extend in so many different directions, especially if you’ve lived here all your life like I have.”

  “All your life, huh?”

  “Born and raised in Eagles Nest. Kindergarten through twelfth grade in the school system. Graduated with three of the women in the Whine and Cheese Club. Only Jo isn’t from here, but she was my neighbor for twenty years.”

  “I’m going to take a wild guess. Were you the homecoming queen your senior year?”

  “I was, but I don’t know what that has to do with—”

  “Was Ian the captain of the football team?”

  “Yes.”

  “And the homecoming king?”

  “As a matter of fact. But I don’t know what that has to do with the price of beans.”

  “I’m just trying to get my bearings. Find out if I’m messing with the town sweetheart.”

  “You’re not messing with me, Quinn. You’re a friend who’s staying at my ranch while you repair your motorcycle.”

  “True, and you’ve said you’re not worried about wagging tongues, but—“

  “There was a time that would have bothered me.” She approached the turnoff to the ranch road. “It doesn’t, now.”

  “Good.”

  “My kids, though, are a different matter. I care what they think.”

  “Fair enough. I care what mine think, too.”

  “I’m glad we agree on that. But let’s drop the subject for now. The road’s been graded, but it’s not as smooth as blacktop. I need to concentrate so I don’t damage either your bike or Cody’s trailer.”

  “I’m sure you won’t.”

  While she waited for traffic to clear so she could make a left onto the ranch road, she glanced over at him. “Thanks for trusting me.”

  He smiled. “That’s easy.”

  Her breath caught. Maybe he wasn’t intentionally dazzling her. But he was doing it anyway, one smile at a time.

  Chapter Three

  During their lunches, Kendra had talked about Wild Creek Ranch with such affection that Quinn had formed a mental picture of the place. He wasn’t far off. The rambling, one-story log house with its long front porch and row of rocking chairs beckoned him to come and sit a spell.

  Clearly the barns and corrals had been lovingly maintained over the years just like he’d done with his ranch. The area might have been given a facelift for the sake of the wedding, but he’d wager nothing ever looked dingy or rundown. The family had invested too much love to allow such a thing.

  A young woman sat on the top rail of the round pen as a rider circled inside on a strawberry roan. A cowboy called a greeting to her before disappearing into the older, hip-roofed barn.

  “It’s a great place, Kendra. Not that I have to tell you that.”

  “It’s nice to hear, all the same.” She drove slowly toward the newer of the two barns. “The empty stall is in this one. Your timing is perfect. One of our boarders left for Wyoming last week and I decided to wait until after the wedding to put an ad in the paper.”

  “I’d be happy to pay for the use of the stall.”

  She flashed him a smile. “You wouldn’t be trying to insult me, now, would you, Quinn?”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “Then don’t worry about paying for anything. You brought baked goods. That’ll do nicely.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  She switched off the engine and turned to look at him. “My curiosity is killing me. What prompted you to grow a mustache?”

  “Ingrid’s suggestion.”

  “Ingrid, huh?”

  “Yep. Never had one so I decided to find out if I liked it or not.”

  “I see.” Then she murmured something that sounded like little devil.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Nothing.” She looked past his shoulder. “Here comes Cody. You’ve met him, right?”

  “I met all your sons at the Guzzling Grizzly event.”

  “All in a bunch, as I recall.”

  “Right. Which means I might not get them straight. Well, except for Bryce. I’ve seen him since then.”

  She reached for her door handle. “You’ll probably have them all straight after this visit.”

  “I suspect I will.” He’d begin with Cody. Swinging down from the truck, he strode toward Kendra’s youngest.

  Cody McGavin had movie star good looks in addition to the brilliant blue eyes all five sons had inherited from their mother. Quinn held out his hand and offered congratulations on the upcoming wedding.

  Cody’s grip was firm. Very firm. “Thank you, Mr. Sawyer. Welcome to Wild Creek Ranch.”

  “I’m honored to be here. And I’d be obliged if you’d call me Quinn.”

  Cody smiled, but his gaze was more assessing than friendly. “Yes, sir. Need some help with your bike?”

  “I should be able to get it into the stall okay, but do you have any large pieces of cardboard I could put down before I roll it in there? I don’t want to mess up the floor.”

  “I don’t know if we do or not.” He turned as Kendra rounded the truck. “Mom, do you have any big pieces of cardboard he can use to protect the floor of the stall?”

  “Matter of fact, I do. I saved the carton my new mattress was delivered in. I’ll go get it. Why don’t you take Quinn up to the cabin so he can see where he’ll be staying?”

  “I can do that.”

  “Let me grab my stuff off my bike.” Quinn walked to the back of the trailer and unlatched the doors. “Sweet rig you have here, Cody.”

  “Thanks. I bought it right before Faith and I took our big trip last summer.”

  “Your mom told me about that.” Quinn unbuckled the bag strapped to his bike. “Sounded like a great adventure.” He stepped out of the trailer and slung the bag over his shoulder.

  “It was. That’s a cool bike.”

  “I like it. You ride?”

  “Not really. A buddy had one back in high school. I rode that a few times. It was fun but I wasn’t willing to spend the money on one.”

  “Understood.”

  He gestured toward the hill. “Cabin’s this way.”

  “Lead on.” The dirt path could have been wide enough for two people if they were chummy, but Quinn chose to follow Cody up to the cabin. It had been well-maintained, too, but the weathered logs had been there a long time. “How old is this place?”

  “As old as the ranch, so that makes it well over a hundred. First structure that went up when the land was homesteaded.” Cody climbed the steps to the front porch. “My grandparents added indoor plumbing so my parents could have their own place when they got married.”

  “Your ancestors homesteaded this place?”

  “No. My grandparents bought it from the family that did, though. By then the ranch house and barn had been built. Mom grew up here.” He opened the door and walked in.

  “Wow. I didn’t realize that.” Quinn followed him and surveyed the cozy one-room cabin.

  The furnishings were simple—a double bed with a rustic headboard, a leather easy chair, a braided rug in front of the stone fireplace. The room also contained a small refrigerator, a compact stove and a kitchen sink with a cupboard mounted above it. The added-on bathr
oom was through a door near the kitchen sink.

  Quinn put his bag on the easy chair and took off his jacket. “This is great. Like I stepped back in time.” He laid his jacket over his bag.

  “I know.” Cody’s expression had softened, as if he liked hearing that Quinn appreciated the cabin.

  “And your mom and dad lived here?”

  “Yep. Until my grandparents died and the ranch passed to my folks.” He gestured toward the folded bedding lying on the mattress. “I brought some sheets and blankets up from the house and left the windows open so it wouldn’t smell musty.”

  “Thank you.”

  “There’s a woodpile out back if you decide to make a fire at night.”

  “Would that be okay?”

  “Don’t see why not. Nights are still chilly. You could use the space heaters but the fireplace is a nicer option.”

  “I agree. What a great setup for a guest house.”

  Cody looked startled. “A guest house?”

  “Well, yeah. Now that nobody’s living in it, having guests stay here makes perfect sense.”

  “I guess so. I just never thought about it that way. We don’t have guests, at least not the way you’re talking about. Other than when my parents lived here, it’s only been my brothers using the cabin. It was Zane’s place for a while, and then Ryker spent a few weeks in it after he got out of the Air Force.”

  “I see.” He decided to hit the problem head-on. “Does it bother you that I’m going to stay here for a few nights? Am I treading on sacred ground?”

  “I’d rather have you here than in the house.”

  Quinn laughed. “Now there’s an honest answer.”

  He flushed. “A rude one, too. Sorry. Don’t tell Mom I said that, okay?”

  “Don’t tell Mom you said what?” Kendra walked through the open door.

  Quinn looked at Kendra. “That he’d love to take a spin on my Harley.” He sent Cody an apologetic glance. “Sorry. But I wouldn’t put you on that machine without letting your mother know what we’re up to.”

  “I appreciate that, Quinn.” She faced Cody. “It’s not that I’m against the idea, and goodness knows you’re old enough to decide for yourself. But I don’t think anyone should take a motorcycle out on the road until they’ve had a safety course.”