A Cowboy's Charm

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “No! I realize grandmothers are running marathons and heading up multinational companies and sometimes are only forty-six. I’ve been telling myself that this new status doesn’t change anything. I’m the same person. On the other hand, it changes everything.”

  He nodded. “I get it. I haven’t faced this yet, and I’m sure I’ll be excited when—and if—it happens. It throws you into a new role, though, one you might not have envisioned for yourself quite yet.”

  “So true, and I wasn’t prepared. Which is unrealistic because my kids are older than I was when I had them, for crying out loud.”

  “Mine, too, come to think of it.” That was sobering. Considering the age of his kids, he was past due to become Grandpa Quinn. He wasn’t ready, either.

  “None of my girlfriends expect to be grandmothers any time soon. I’ll be the first and let me tell you, the whole concept feels just plain weird.” Then she clapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes widened.

  “It’s okay.” He smiled. “I won’t tell anyone you said that.”

  “Thank you. I can’t believe I did. But I do feel weird and I’ve been coming up with wild ideas, like maybe I should buy a sports car. And color my hair.”

  “I can see you zipping around in a sports car.”

  She laughed. “Totally impractical, not to mention expensive, so I won’t do it. But I might pay a visit to Nicole at Shear Delight and see what she—”

  “Please don’t.”

  She gave him a puzzled look. “You sound passionate about it.”

  “I am. The silver in your hair is like…starlight.”

  She blinked. “I hardly think so.”

  “I doubt you’re in a position to judge, especially today, but take my word for it. Those little hints of silver in your dark hair are mesmerizing.”

  The corners of her mouth turned up.

  “You don’t believe me.”

  “No, but I’m enjoying the heck out of the conversation.”

  “Promise me you won’t color your hair.”

  “I won’t make that promise, but I will promise not to be hasty about it. How’s that?”

  “Better. If you get the urge to make that hair appointment, call me. I’ll stage an intervention.”

  She laughed. “You’re so good for my ego.”

  “Glad to hear it. You’re good for mine, too.”

  “I’ve never once complimented your hair, although I think it’s very nice.”

  “I don’t give a damn what you think of my hair. But I love it when you look at me the way you did this morning.”

  Color bloomed on her cheeks. “I can’t imagine what you’re talking about.”

  “You know very well what I’m talking about.” He lowered his voice in case Ryker suddenly walked into the house. “The heat in your eyes nearly set this kitchen on fire. If I hadn’t been worried about someone walking in on us, I would’ve done something about it.”

  She sucked in a breath. “Quinn Sawyer, the things you say.”

  “Still feeling grandmotherly?”

  “Not even slightly, you crazy cowboy.”

  “Crazy about you.”

  The front door opened. “Hey, Mom, is Quinn here yet?”

  “Sure am.” He gave Kendra a wink before turning and walking into the living room. “Good to see you again, Ryker.”

  “Same here.” He smiled, but like his brothers, his handshake was a hair shy of being painful. “Sorry about your bike.”

  Quinn wasn’t sorry. Delighted, in fact. But he played along. “Yeah, tough break. Not surprising, though. My first long ride since last fall.”

  “Faith raved about that Harley. She wants one.”

  Kendra came out of the kitchen. “That wouldn’t make much sense now that they’re having a baby.”

  “I think she knows that,” Ryker said. “But I wouldn’t put it past her to get one eventually now that she’s had a chance to work on Quinn’s.”

  “Work on it?” Her eyebrows lifted as she turned her attention to Quinn. “Didn’t Roxanne say you won’t let anyone work on it besides you?”

  “Normally I don’t, but then Faith brought me her extremely neat tool box and offered to let me use anything I needed. She doesn’t usually loan out her tools, either.”

  She smiled. “You found a kindred spirit.”

  “Matter of fact.” He was in danger of being drawn in by the soft glow in her eyes so he looked away. “Who’s ready for a burger at the GG?”

  “I’m always up for that,” Ryker said. “We taking the van?”

  Kendra nodded. “Probably should since there are three of us. Quinn, did you bring your artwork?”

  “Sure did.” He walked over to the side table where he’d put it down. “Right here.”

  “Then let’s go,” Ryker said. “I’ll drive.”

  “Thank you for the offer.” Kendra picked up her keys and a small purse dangling from a hook by the door. “But I enjoy driving that van.”

  Ryker folded immediately. “Okay.”

  Quinn loved it. Her boys might tower over her and outweigh her by at least a hundred pounds, but she held her own with that crew. He lost another chunk of his heart to Kendra McGavin.

  When Ryker made a beeline for the driver’s door to open it for his mother, Quinn readily surrendered the privilege. Ryker also offered up the co-pilot’s seat, but Quinn let Ryker have it.

  Climbing in behind Kendra’s seat, Quinn buckled up and initiated a conversation with her eldest son as she fired up the engine. “Air Force, right?”

  “Yes, sir. Flew F-15s. Did you serve?”

  “Army. Armored division.”

  “How many years?”

  “Four. Married my high school sweetheart when I was on leave and we started having kids right away, so I didn’t want to stay in.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “How about you?”

  “Ten years.” He grimaced. “And my high school sweetheart and I broke up when I enlisted. Lucky for me, April’s taken me back.”

  “And we’re all fortunate that she did,” Kendra said. “April’s a sweetie.”

  “No question about it.” Ryker’s chiseled features softened. “I’m a lucky guy.”

  “I don’t think I’ve met April. Is she coming to lunch?”

  “Unfortunately not. She would have, but she agreed to a couple of last-minute massage appointments that wiped out her lunch break. When people are hurting, she hates to turn them away. Badger’s coming, though.”

  “That’s what I forgot to tell you,” Kendra said. “He thinks your scratchboard art is really cool so he asked if he could have lunch with us today.”

  “Great.” Quinn turned to Ryker. “Am I right that he’s the other half of Badger Air?”

  Ryker nodded. “That’s him.”

  “I definitely met him at the event in March.” He grinned. “Badger makes an impression.”

  “He’s become one of the family,” Kendra said. “He’s only been around since Christmas but now I can’t imagine how we got along without him.”

  “He can’t imagine how he got along without us, either.” Ryker glanced at Quinn and his blue eyes flashed a subtle warning. “He thinks my mom hung the moon.”

  Quinn met his gaze. “I have it on good authority that she did.” Lunch would be interesting.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kendra admired Quinn’s diplomacy. He’d given up the front seat to her son and zeroed in on Badger Air as a promising conversational topic. He’d correctly guessed that Ryker would enjoy talking about his beloved airline, his passion for flying and his close friendship with Badger. Her eldest had loosened up.

  For the most part it was guy talk and she tuned out most of it. Having lunch with Badger today would be fun. She hadn’t crossed paths with that sweet guy in a week or more and she was eager to get her Badger fix. If he wanted to rave about Quinn’s art, so much the better.

  Ryker’s primary motivation for going to lunch had nothing to do with Qu
inn’s art. His protective instincts were on alert. When she’d insisted that Quinn was only a friend and his visit wouldn’t lead to a major change in the status quo, Ryker hadn’t bought it.

  He wasn’t a fan of change. Despite causing a seismic shift when he’d virtually abandoned the ranch ten years ago to serve in the Air Force, he’d expected both the ranch and Eagles Nest to be the same when he’d returned. Kendra had pointed out the contradiction several times, but Ryker wasn’t ready to acknowledge it.

  Fortunately for him, the ranch itself hadn’t changed much other than the new barn. He and his brothers had altered their status from singlehood to committed relationships, but that was a logical progression.

  Eagles Nest wasn’t given to rapid change, either. The residents worked hard to preserve the historic character and friendly atmosphere of the place.

  As Kendra approached town, Main Street looked about the same as it had when she’d been a child here. Old-fashioned street lamps lined the thoroughfare as they had for more than a hundred years. Many of the original buildings and businesses remained, including the Guzzling Grizzly, although it had recently been enlarged to accommodate the GG Country Store.

  Ryker wouldn’t dare complain about that change. Two of his brothers had been heavily involved—Bryce as co-owner of the GG and Trevor as an employee of the construction company that had built the addition.

  But everyone connected with the project had focused on making the store blend with the existing structure so it didn’t look like an afterthought. Preserving the GG’s standing as a familiar Eagles Nest landmark had been a top priority.

  Kendra was as much in favor of stability and familiarity as anyone. Ryker might be concerned that Quinn was a threat to the family dynamic they all cherished, but she wouldn’t allow that to be disrupted. Quinn didn’t seem like the type of person to do that, anyway.

  Well, unless she counted the turmoil he’d created by kissing her. Or the havoc he’d played on her senses this morning at breakfast and again just recently with a few suggestive words.

  But that was a private matter, something that didn’t have to touch her sons’ lives at all. Jo had told her she deserved this after all the years of putting her children first. Now that she was about to become a grandmother, she was inclined to go along with what Jo recommended.

  A grandmother. The designation didn’t compute. Not that long ago she’d been a young bride, then a young mother. Sure, her boys had become men, but she hadn’t changed that much. And Quinn thought the silver in her hair looked like starlight.

  The GG parking lot was crowded but she found a space. She never minded having to search for a spot because that meant the Guzzling Grizzly was prospering.

  Ryker got her door for her and Quinn didn’t compete for the privilege. Clearly he wasn’t interested in making waves. Just making love.

  With a spring in her step, flanked by Quinn and Ryker, she started toward the front door.

  “The addition looks terrific,” Quinn said. “You’d think it had been here all along.”

  “That’s what they were going for.” Ryker got to the door first and held it for them. “Are we heading for a table first or the store?”

  “The store,” Kendra said. “My guess is that Bryce will be in there.”

  “And I can drop off my artwork.”

  “That, too. I can’t wait for you to see how the place turned out.” She led the way through an arched entrance to the right.

  As usual whenever she walked in, the shop was busy. Bryce and Michael had hired one of Cody’s high school friends, Katie Greer, to work the register. After only a week, the store was making more than enough to pay her.

  Kendra moved aside so Quinn could get a better look at the interior.

  He glanced around and let out a low whistle. “This is incredible.”

  “Isn’t it?” She beamed with pride. “Bryce, Michael and Trevor spent hours planning this. Rough paneled walls were a given, but they wanted the shelving to look old, too, so they searched for old barn wood. The oak barrels—”

  “There you are.” Bryce walked up behind them. “I had to check something in the kitchen and didn’t see you come in. Hey, Quinn.”

  Quinn turned and they shook hands. “Impressive setup.”

  “Thanks.”

  “If you’d told me this was here a hundred years ago, I’d believe you. Even the floor looks old.”

  “It is, and it gave us fits. Zane located the planks. He was up in Helena checking on a new regulation that might affect his raptor rescue and spotted an old warehouse slated for demolition. We got the wood for a song, but—”

  Quinn chuckled. “You performed for them?”

  “No, but I would’ve if they’d asked. That’s how bad we wanted those planks. Except they’re slightly warped. Greg Paladin and his crew planed and sanded for hours to create a floor that wouldn’t trip the customers.”

  “And looks like it’s been here forever,” Kendra said. “Show him the pot-bellied stove Badger and Ryker hauled from Kalispell in the Beechcraft.”

  Quinn glanced over at Ryker. “That must have been a trick.”

  “One of the heaviest, messiest passengers we’ve ever had. Quiet, though.”

  “And it’s a beauty.” Bryce led them over to a far corner. A black cast iron stove sent out a cheerful glow. Two ladder-back chairs and a small table were positioned near it, along with a checkerboard.

  Quinn walked closer to the stove and laid his hand on it. “If this is a replica, it’s a damned good one. They’ve even added nicks and scratches.”

  “It came out of an abandoned line shack,” Ryker said. “April and I saw it in an antique shop when we were up there visiting her folks. Badger helped me wrestle it onto the plane.”

  “Then Faith installed the electric heater.” Bryce crouched down and adjusted a control underneath the stove. “Much as I would have loved a real fire, it’s too much of a liability.”

  “I sure do like what you’ve done here,” Quinn said. “Sounds like the whole family got involved in creating this place.”

  Bryce nodded. “Pretty much. Nicole and Mandy decided on the traffic pattern for the aisles and added some decorative touches like the lariats and bandannas.”

  “Even Cody did his part,” Kendra said. “He talked Katie into applying for this job instead of taking one in Bozeman. The only family member who didn’t contribute something was me.”

  And that was the way it should be. She’d been a cheerleader for this project but she’d watched from the sidelines. They’d accomplished it completely on their own. She took great satisfaction in that.

  “Wrong, Mom.” Bryce wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “You made a huge contribution. Without you, we wouldn’t be here.”

  “Well, there’s that, I suppose, but I wasn’t asking you to reassure me that I’m appreciated. I know I am, but I’m tickled pink that you were able to pull it off without me.”

  Bryce looked confused. “You are?”

  “I sure am. It’s a parent’s duty to work themselves out of a job.” And snip, snip, a couple of apron strings fell away. She turned to Quinn. “Don’t you agree?”

  He was watching her with a gleam in his gray eyes. “Absolutely.”

  “Um, yeah, that makes sense, I guess.” Bryce exchanged a glance with Ryker.

  Kendra was fascinated by the effect of her little speech. Neither of her boys seemed particularly happy about it. Quinn was, though.

  She would love to get his take on the dynamic. But that would require privacy and they wouldn’t be getting any of that soon. Maybe not until tonight, after the favor-making party broke up.

  And then what? She was confident now, but would she hold onto her bold attitude once she was alone with Quinn? Or would she be all hat and no cattle?

  * * *

  Quinn silently cheered Kendra’s personal declaration of independence. Her boys weren’t crazy about it, though.

  Bryce seemed eager to change the subject.
He turned to Quinn. “Looks like you brought the artwork we talked about. How many prints do you have?”

  “Six.” He handed over the parcel. “Thought that was plenty to start with until we see how they sell.”

  “I guarantee they’ll sell.” Bryce started unwrapping the package. “Customers have been asking for these. Something they can tuck in a carry-on bag.”

  “I hope they work out, but you don’t have to unwrap them now. I’m sure everyone’s hungry.”

  Kendra moved closer to Bryce. “I’m not starving and I want to see them.”

  “Me, too,” Ryker said. “Take them over to the counter where you can spread them out.”

  “Sure. Good idea.”

  A few customers caught on to what was happening and gathered around Bryce as he began laying out Quinn’s work.

  Quinn edged away from the crowd. He’d rather go sit at the bar and order a drink, but that would be antisocial.

  Although he thoroughly enjoyed making his art, he truly hated being there the first time anyone looked at it unless it was his kids. They could be counted on to react positively. Other folks, not so much.

  Kendra put a hand on his arm. “What’s wrong?”

  He kept his voice down. “I’m not fond of this part.”

  “What part?”

  “Having people comment on my art.”

  “Even if they say good things?”

  “Even then. And mostly they do. But it’s just…” He massaged the back of his neck.

  “You put yourself into it, your private self.”

  “I do.” The warm understanding in her eyes helped. “And I feel exposed when I show it to anyone except my kids. But Roxanne convinced me I need to share.”

  “She’s right about that.”

  “Making money’s not so bad, either. I never expected to do that and in the horse business you can always use a little extra. So I—”

  “Hey, Quinn,” Bryce called over his shoulder. “These are perfect. Just what people are looking for. You have customers already.”

  “Excellent.” He glanced at Kendra. “You wanted to see. Go ahead.”

  “I do. I just didn’t realize what you go through.”