Gallant Golfer (River's End Ranch Book 10)

by Cindy Caldwell

  “I don’t need a shower,” Skip said as he set his golf gloves on the kitchen island. “I’ll go with you.”

  “We’ve been traveling or golfing all day, Skip. Take a shower,” Brian said and winked at Emma.

  She smiled at him with gratitude when he said, “You go on ahead. We’ll be there shortly.”

  CHAPTER 6

  She wasted no time in slipping out the door, in such a hurry she hadn’t even grabbed her jacket. She hugged her arms around her as she crossed the distance between the cabin and the restaurant, following her nose to the scent of what smelled like perfectly barbecued steak.

  “It’s awful cold now that the sun’s gone down,” she heard from behind her and she stopped abruptly. Chad stood behind her, his coat held out for her. She turned and looked toward the restaurant.

  “There’s not much further to walk. You wear it,” she said as she clapped her arms around her, the thin silk blouse she’d chosen not doing a very good job of warding off the chill.

  “I insist,” he said as he set the suede coat over her shoulders. She sighed at the warmth—and at the same time was enveloped with the scent of what she could only guess was Chad—a heady mixture of pine and freshness.

  “You’re eating supper at the restaurant? We’re headed over. The guys just got back.”

  Chad shoved his hands in his pockets and kept pace beside her. “Yeah, Wade left me a message and asked me to come. Guess maybe I don’t take that long to get ready. Plus I’m not living out of a suitcase,” he said as he smiled down at her. She looked up at him and admired his dark blue eyes and sandy blond hair—a stark contrast from her brother’s.

  “Who won the round today?” she said as they approached the restaurant.

  He glanced at her quickly as he reached for the door. He gestured for her to go in, saying, “Oh, I don’t really keep score anymore.”

  She stopped in the foyer of the restaurant, slipping his jacket off from around her now that she was near the warmth of the fire. She laughed, and shook her head. “How can that be? You were a pro for so long—you don’t want to win?”

  Her spine tingled as he rested his hand on her lower back, ushering her as they followed the hostess to the table that had been reserved for them. If Skip had done it, she might have slapped his hand away but Chad—she didn’t even consider it.

  “My brother and I were pretty competitive growing up. And then I was on the tour for years—I guess maybe I just burnt out? It’s a game, and a fun one. I guess I don’t care who wins,” he said as he pulled out her seat for her.

  “Hi, Chad. Here are your menus,” a pretty young woman with blond hair said with a smile. She turned to Emma. “I’m Barbi and I’ll be your server. Our chef’s special tonight is seafood carbonara and trust me, it’s great.”

  “Thanks, Barbi,” Chad said as he flipped open his napkin and laid it in his lap.

  “She seems to like that dish she mentioned,” Emma said as she watched Barbi walk toward the kitchen.

  “She should. It’s her husband’s specialty.”

  “Oh,” Emma said as she took a sip of water. “Tell me about your brother. You two were competitive?”

  Chad shifted in his seat a little bit—Emma might have used the word squirmed to describe it if she knew him better—before he answered.

  He looked from his napkin up to her, and his blue eyes by the light of the candle looked different, somehow. Truth be told, she hadn’t seen him much since she’d gotten there—most of the images of him were from her memory. Now, he looked older, wiser, maybe even sadder.

  “Hey, you two, we made it,” Skip said and Emma’s heart dropped. She’d wanted to hear his response, get to know him better. Why, she wasn’t sure, except that he was here in front of her, and she was on vacation. No, that wasn’t it. There was a pull, and she wondered if he felt it, too.

  She smiled up at Skip as best she could. It probably was for the best. She had several more months of internship to do with this man whose voice was like fingernails on a chalkboard to her. She’d be leaving in a few days, and it was best not to get interested in anything besides what was right in front of her. And right now, that was Skip and her brother.

  Chad smiled and stood as they took their seats and Barbi brought over menus. She hadn’t even looked at hers yet, and they settled in to do that. The aromas from the kitchen had her stomach rumbling, and it was going to be a tough choice.

  “Wow, what a stellar table. And here, at River’s End Ranch,” a man said as he strode up to the table, his smile wide.

  “Wade, hi,” Chad said as he stood. “Let me introduce you to—”

  Wade shook his head and held his palms up. “No need, no need. I’m a golf fan from way back. I know the pros when I see them,” he said as he shook hands with all three of them and introduced himself. When he came to Emma, he nodded slightly before turning back to Chad.

  “Hey, I had an idea today,” he said as he pulled up a chair. “I know it’s cleared out around here a bit after the wedding, but we still have some guests that are here for golf and I bet they’d be wild about seeing you guys do an exhibition match. I’d be more than willing to comp your stay if you’d consider it.”

  Emma looked around the table. The three expressions were as different as the three men—Brian looked amused, Skip looked excited and Chad, even though she knew him least of all, looked as she thought he might. Hesitant. Especially after what he’d just told her—or almost told her, anyway.

  “And the stakes?” Skip said, rubbing his hands together.

  Chad shook his head and waggled a finger. “No, no stakes. Friendly competition only, exhibition for the tourists.”

  “Ah, Chad, you’re always such a spoilsport. Just because you don’t like to compete anymore doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t.”

  Wade stood and looked over his shoulder toward the kitchen. “I’ve got to get back. Talk it over, and let me know what you think. I’d be honored to give the ranch’s guest such a treat. Whatever you decide, dinner’s on the house. I’ll catch up with you later. Enjoy,” he said as he walked back toward his office.

  “What do you think, Chad? This really is your course, your program. So, to my mind, it’s your decision.”

  Chad turned toward her, and Emma tried to encourage him best she could. “It could be fun for you all. If it’s not too much like a working vacation.”

  Skip snorted. “Golf isn’t work. It’s in our blood. Even if you don’t like to compete like ding dong over here,” he said as he jerked his thumb toward Chad, “it’s something you’d do anytime, anywhere just for fun.”

  Brian sat back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest. “It’s awfully nice of Wade to comp our stay, but if I do it, I want something else.”

  He paused, and Emma looked up at him and squinted. He was staring right at her. She saw the wheels spinning behind his eyes and that old familiar dread crept up—like when she knew he’d done something and didn’t yet know what it was when they were kids. She wasn’t prepared for a nasty surprise on her vacation.

  “What are you thinking?” Chad asked as he leaned forward, his elbows on the table. “A bet?”

  “No, not a bet. I’ll do it if Emma takes golf lessons while we’re here.”

  She gasped, and covered her lips with her hand. “I have no idea how to play golf, and you know it.”

  He cocked his head as she glared at him. It was a ridiculous idea and he knew it—she’d tried once when she was little but was horrible at it—but it had never stopped him from proposing something like this before.

  “Just take lessons this week. If you like it, great. A win for me, since I’d love to have someone to play with. If you don’t like it, I’ll never ask you again.”

  Skip sat back and let out a bark that sort of sounded like a laugh. “This’ll be great. She can work on my wrists and the rest of the time I can teach her to play. We can do a lot by this weekend.”

  Emma recoiled, just the thought o
f spending any more time than she had to with Skip sending her appetite packing.

  Brian shook his head slowly and looked at Skip with mock sadness. “No, not you.” He turned to Chad and said, “You.”

  Emma couldn’t miss the twinkle in her brother’s eye as he threw her under the bus yet again. How did he always know what would make her the most uncomfortable and then make sure it happened?

  “Hey, wait a minute. I’ve been wanting to give her lessons for months, now. How come I can’t—”

  Chad sat up in his chair and picked up his menu before stealing a glance at Emma. “I’d be delighted. That is, if Emma is amenable.”

  Her head spun as she suddenly remembered what Jaclyn had said—she’d come here to learn to play golf. Could this be what she meant? How had she known?

  She looked at her brother and he nodded at her. She wasn’t entirely sure what he was up to, but none of his other plans had killed her yet, and this one likely wouldn’t either. Heck, maybe it was exactly what was supposed to happen.

  She turned to Chad and smiled, imagining the steam coming out of Skip’s ears as she nodded and said, “Thank you. I’d love to take lessons from you.”

  CHAPTER 7

  T he first thing Emma did when she woke the next morning was throw open the drapes of her bedroom. She almost gasped at the scenery she’d admired the day before when they’d flown in. It was spectacular, with clusters of orange and yellow trees dotting the sides of the mountains on the far side of the river. She’d thoroughly enjoyed all of the cities they’d been to on the tour—it had been her dream since she was a girl to travel and see all the sights of the world—but this? This view was majestic, and almost overwhelming. She looked forward to getting out on the course and seeing more of it—and to her lesson with Chad.

  The night before at the restaurant, Skip had steamed through dinner after she’d accepted Chad’s offer—albeit coerced—to teach her to play and if she was honest, she’d have to say she enjoyed it. He’d been not-too-subtle lately about his interest in her beyond their therapist/client relationship and while it didn’t quite make her uncomfortable—yet, anyway—she certainly didn’t share his interest. Not remotely.

  Her lack of romantic feelings for her employer hadn’t surprised her. Not in the least. But what did surprise her was how excited she was to spend time with Chad, someone she’d just met. There was something about him that was appealing—certainly, he was handsome, just the type she liked. His tall, lean frame belied the muscles she’d noticed beneath his golf shirt, and the way she’d tingled when he’d ushered her into the restaurant, his hand on her lower back—well, it had surprised her. She’d put interest in men on the back burner for the past few months, and had worked hard to keep Skip away from her, so this was an interesting—and not unwelcome—change.

  “Emma, coffee’s ready,” she heard after a quick rap on her door. She drew her robe more tightly around her, hesitating before heading out into the kitchen. Maybe she should get dressed first—Skip could be out there in the common area—but the aroma of coffee told her she didn’t want to waste the time. She had a few minutes before she was due at the golf course, so maybe a cup of coffee might help her in her lesson.

  She knew she’d made a mistake as soon as she passed through the door and reached for the cup her brother held out to her.

  Skip stood from the black leather couch and set down the newspaper he’d been reading—the sports section, anyway. “Ooh-la-la,” he said as he rubbed his hand over his mouth.

  “Good morning, Skip,” she said as she turned away and rifled through a cupboard, hunting for sugar. He was her boss, after all—sort of—and she didn’t think it would be wise to tell him he looked like a hungry coyote chasing a rabbit. And she was determined not to be that rabbit.

  “You excited for your lesson today, Emma?” Brian said as he moved to stand between his sister and Skip, his back to their house mate.

  She laughed as she brushed back her hair and spooned sugar into her mug. “I don’t know if excited is the right word, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

  “Ah, you’re going to love it. Out there in the fresh air, especially with these beautiful mountains—what could be better?” Brian said as he gestured toward the picture window looking out over the ranch.

  “I’ll tell you what could be better,” Skip said as he walked to the island and sat on one of the stools. “I could be teaching you. I’m better than he is, anyway.”

  Emma raised her eyebrows as Skip flipped open the sports section and turned his attention back to the previous week’s tour scores. She glanced at her brother, who shook his head.

  “You know, back in the day he beat you pretty regularly, my friend. It was pretty consistent,” Brian said as he re-filled his mug.

  “Well, I don’t remember it quite like that. He was pretty hot and cold, not consistent at all. I have a much better record,” Skip said as he set the paper down, turning it toward Emma.

  She frowned at the picture on the front page—Skip, holding his golf bag with his sponsor logos and his hand on his cap—with another big, bold sponsor logo.

  “Well, I certainly don’t remember that. I was in college when he played with you guys,” she said as she leaned against the cabinets and sipped her coffee. She scrunched her face at the bitter taste, realizing she forgot to add creamer. She opened the refrigerator—empty.

  “Dani said she was going to have some supplies sent over,” she said as she closed the door, and smiled at the rap on the door. “Maybe that’s her now.”

  Brian reached for the grocery bags Dani was holding and said, “Come on in. We’ve got coffee going.”

  Dani smiled and set the rest of the bags on the granite counter. “Thanks. I’d love some,” she said as she walked over to the window. “I haven’t been in here for a while. Sure is a pretty view.”

  “Sure is,” Brian said. “Thanks for putting us up so nicely.”

  Dani laughed and reached for the mug Brian held out for her. “Don’t thank me, thank Wade. He made all the arrangements. And don’t thank him too soon—I hear he’s got plans for you all.”

  “Some ridiculous idea about us all playing in an exhibition. Them, I can understand,” Emma said, jerking her finger toward the guys. “But me? I’ve never held a club in my life. I’ve carefully dodged that bullet.”

  “I also heard Chad’s going to teach you. He’s a great teacher. He’s taught me a little bit and it’s fun. Maybe you’ll like it,” Dani said as she sipped her coffee.

  Emma glanced at the clock. “Speaking of lessons, I should get dressed and head over there.”

  “I’m heading that direction if you want a ride. That way we can leave the carts here for these guys if they want to do something else around the ranch. There’s no river rafting as my brother Will got married last week and he’s on his honeymoon. Kind of cold for that now, anyway. But there’s the old West town, rock climbing, horseback riding—”

  “I have no interest in anything other than golf,” Skip said as he turned the newspaper with his picture on the sports page in Dani’s direction.

  Emma rolled her eyes as Skip nudged it toward Dani again when she didn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she was ignoring it on purpose. Either way, Emma liked Dani and got more than a little satisfaction at the frustration on Skip’s face.

  “I’ll just throw some clothes on and be right back,” Emma said as she emptied her mug into the sink. She headed into the bedroom and grabbed her jeans, a flannel shirt. She shrugged them on and drew her hair into a ponytail, pulling it through a golf cap her brother had given her. Glancing in the mirror, she realized she didn’t look like any of the lady golfers she’d seen around, but did it really matter?

  All the groceries had been put away when she got back out into the kitchen, and Brian and Dani chatted about the ranch. Dani was just finished describing the winter activities—snowmobiling, skiing, sleigh rides-when she returned.

  “Snowmobiling sounds fun,
” Emma said as she reached for her coat.

  No one answered, and she turned around. Brian and Skip both stared at her, mouths agape. Dani looked from Emma to them and was obviously trying to stifle a laugh.

  “What?” Emma said as she looked down at her jeans and cowboy boots.

  Brian folded his arms. “You’ve grown up around golf courses. When have you seen anyone golf in cowboy boots?” Brian said, his eyes dancing with amusement.

  Emma groaned. She didn’t have anything that would remotely work for a golf course—not even sneakers. She looked at Dani for support.

  “Don’t worry about it.” Dani said as she spun Emma by the shoulders and nudged her toward the door. “The pro shop will have some shoes for you. You can use my clubs. Nothing wrong with jeans and flannel. Certainly not around here,” she said over her shoulder as they closed the door and hopped in the golf cart.

  “It really doesn’t matter?” she said as Dani pulled onto the narrow roadway that wound around to the golf course.

  “Of course not. It’s a game. People take it too seriously. If you’re good, you could wear your pajamas and nobody would care.”

  Good. Emma had only tried to golf once when she was about ten years old. Brian was already great by that time, and she’d given up trying to be—well, even good. She wasn’t convinced that this time would be any different, and wondered again why anyone cared whether she played or not.

  CHAPTER 8

  “How did you finagle a lesson for this beauty?” Simon asked Chad as they watched Emma and Dani meander down the road toward the pro shop.

  “Finagle?” Chad turned toward the older man and raised his eyebrow. Simon was a bit of a teaser and always had been, but until now he himself hadn’t been the subject of any ribbing so he hadn’t really paid attention. Somehow, his interest in Emma and Chad and their golf lessons was a little unsettling.