Chase smiled, knowing she wasn’t wrong. Everyone in the family had a role to play with this new venture. Shep had sold his house, moving in with Emma at the farm she’d recently inherited from her grandmother. With the funds from that sale, he’d fronted the money for the material and workers. After the grand opening, Nash would be the face of the guest ranch, since he was a retired professional bull rider. His fame would draw people in, and his experience as a cowboy would entertain the guests.
Without a single one of them, including Emma, the guest ranch would never have happened.
Jenny wrapped her arm in Chase’s. “I went to the post office today and sent the invites out.”
“Thanks, Ma.” Chase had given her the job because his mother looked ready to climb out of her skin. Shep had always wanted to protect her, but Chase saw she was eager to help them, beyond the fact that they were turning her living room into a dining hall for the guests until the money supply grew again, allowing them to build a large dining hall on the property.
Nash kicked a stone beneath his cowboy boot, sending the pebble rolling across the gravel driveway. “What invites did you send out?”
Since he had not exactly told his brothers this part yet, Chase explained, “I figured the grand opening is as good a time as any to bring out some investors. Hopefully they can put in a good word to anyone looking to build commercial properties in the area.” His dream was to specialize in resorts, especially large log resorts and luxury homes. Now all he needed was to find an investor looking to build such a property for Blackshaw Construction to go in the direction he wanted.
“Seems like everything is right on track,” Shep said to Chase. With a nod at Nash, he added, “We’ll leave you to it, and let you get the job done.”
Nash grinned. “Yeah, a job that includes keeping your pants on.”
“Nash Blackshaw!” his mother snapped.
Nash dodged the dishcloth being swatted at him, and loud freeing laughter that had not been heard at the ranch in some time echoed across the open fields.
* * *
By the time Harper arrived at the pet store, it was shortly before ten thirty in the morning. She pulled her white Honda over to the curb in the first available parking spot and smiled behind the wheel. Apparently, the promise of all the juicy details that Harper had promised to spill twenty minutes ago on the telephone made Emma move fast. Because beneath the storefront’s yellow awning, dressed in a cute purple sundress with strappy sandals, Emma waited with a paper coffee cup in her hand.
Harper cut the ignition and grabbed her purse off the passenger seat, hurrying out into the sunny day. Down the road ahead of her, a landscaping crew cut the grass edging the sidewalk. She inhaled deeply, getting in as much of that fresh Colorado air as she possible. That was one thing Las Vegas did not have, and one thing she would miss.
She made it onto the sidewalk right as Emma asked, “Before you tell me everything, and I mean you need to tell me every single detail of what happened last night with Chase, please tell me that we’re at the pet store because the puppy is okay.”
“The puppy is okay.” Harper opened the pet store’s door. “He’s got diabetes, the poor little thing. He’s at the vet clinic now, but Chase will be picking him up later today.”
Emma’s eyebrows rose. “Chase is keeping him?”
“Well, no, the vet is looking for a suitable foster family, so Chase is keeping him until she finds one.” Harper turned back to Emma after stepping into the store. “But even if he were to keep him, why would that surprise you?”
“Because it’s Chase,” Emma muttered.
Harper grabbed a shopping cart. “And that means?”
Emma shrugged. “It’s just, as you know, Chase is such a straight-and-narrow type of guy. It doesn’t make sense for him to take on a puppy with his new company and all; so yeah, him doing something so unlike him would shock the hell out of me.” She paused then shrugged again. “And it’s a pretty big commitment. His history shows he’s not really into that.”
Harper laughed softly, striding forward, walking slowly down the dog food aisle with Emma at her side. “What makes you say that? Because he hasn’t had a girlfriend in a while?”
“Nine months, actually,” Emma said.
Harper stopped dead. “Nine months exactly?”
Emma nodded and smiled, obviously reading between the lines too. “Shep told me Chase had been seeing someone for a while, but then ended things out of nowhere. After that, he slept with a couple women, then there’s been no one for the last . . . oh, three or so months.”
It wasn’t hard to know what the cause had been. Her. Harper assumed Chase had tried desperately to look elsewhere instead of at her. Then failed, just as she had failed to find anyone else even close to as interesting, attractive, and sweet as Chase had been these last three months. “We could be reading too much into that,” she offered, even though she knew better.
“Maybe,” Emma hedged. She placed her hand on the side of the cart. “But I doubt it.”
Thoughts threatened to rise about Chase and all the emotions between them, but Harper hastily shut that door. She left for Las Vegas in a week. They’d agreed to a week of fun. That’s it. Besides, Chase was right—a fling worked between them. Anything more would complicate everything. She grabbed a bag of puppy food that she’d seen at the clinic, then placed the bag into the cart and moved along. “I named the puppy Houdini.”
“Cute name.” Emma smiled.
“You should come see him. He’s so friggin’ sweet. I’m really hoping the clinic finds him a foster family soon, but until they do, we’ll take care of him.” She nearly asked Emma to take him. That was her thing. She was raising abused animals at the farm she inherited from her grandmother, but Houdini’s diabetes made him an expensive puppy to take on. She would not put Emma in the position of having to say no.
Staying on task, Harper strode forward, mentally making a checklist of all the things she needed for Houdini.
“Oh, yeah right, girl.” Emma snagged Harper’s arm and barked a loud laugh. “As if you can say something like that, then just stroll on by like you never said that at all.” When Harper looked back over her shoulder, Emma added, “What do you mean we, because I thought Chase was the thing that shouldn’t ever be mentioned?”
Which had been exactly what Harper had said to Emma not that long ago. Truth was, Harper thought it was cruel to talk about how much she wanted Chase and then having to list all the reasons they could never be together. Why put her heart through that? “Chase found out I’m moving to Vegas last night.” She smiled at the person behind the register then headed down the next aisle full of dog toys. “I guess Brody told him.”
When Harper grabbed some chewable toys, Emma said from behind her, “Okay, got that. But how does Chase knowing you’re leaving end up with you being at his house last night?”
“I think he realizes this is it. If it’s not now, it’s never. I don’t think never was an option for him, and I know it wasn’t for me either. I don’t want to go to Vegas wishing we had our moment. I can only assume Chase feels that same way.”
Emma hesitated, her eyes probing Harper’s for some answer she obviously couldn’t find. “But what does this all mean for you two?”
“It means what you think it means.” Harper tossed a couple more dog toys into the cart. “We’ve got until next Saturday to have our fun, to enjoy each other in the way we’ve wanted to, without anything or anyone interfering.”
“Then you’ll leave?”
Harper nodded. “Then I’ll get on the plane and chase my dreams.” She was aware of the tightening of her throat when she turned down the next aisle, spotting the dog crates. She grabbed a medium-sized one, awkwardly placing it sideways in the cart.
“Okay, wait,” Emma sputtered behind her. “I know I don’t need to worry about you. You’re probably the most put together person I know, but not long ago you told me that you couldn’t acknowledge what you felt fo
r Chase because it was very complicated.”
Harper nodded, aware how fast things had changed. “Before things with Chase were complicated. Now it’s all clear, and there’s nothing in our way anymore.” She grabbed a rectangular dog bed for the crate from the top shelf before addressing Emma again. “I get him, Emma, for a week with no worries of Brody shutting things down. No worries that I’m going to cause a huge rift in Brody and Chase’s friendship. We promised to give each other this one week. Just us, in the way we’ve wanted but have never been able to have because of Brody.”
Emma’s expression became pinched, and she nibbled her lip.
Harper smiled softly. “And what about that has got you so worried?”
Emma reached out, squeezing Harper’s arm. “What has me worried is that life is complicated and messy. Your heart, Harper, is not cold enough to withstand this arrangement. And, yeah, as a friend who loves you like crazy, that concerns me.”
“I’ll be okay. Promise.” Harper patted Emma’s hand, then she spoke straight from the heart. “I’d rather leave here after a week of being in his arms and maybe a little sad at the end than leave without ever knowing what it was like to be in those arms.”
Emma cast her eyes downward. “But you’re not the only one I’m worried about.”
“You’re worried about Chase?” At Emma’s slow nod, Harper shook her head. Emma simply didn’t understand. How could she? She had Shep, and no complications between them. “This is sex and fun, not love and forever. We’re good, Emma. Our understanding is clear. Promise.”
“For both your sakes”—Emma stepped forward, wrapping Harper in one of her incredibly warm hugs—“I hope you’re right.”
Chapter 5
Later that afternoon, with the windows rolled down and the warm breeze brushing across Chase’s face bringing a plethora of summer scents, he drove down the road toward River Rock’s downtown. Nestled in the Colorado mountains, the town was situated not far from Pikes Peak. With a picturesque landscape to enjoy in the warmer weather, the town was often found on some popular magazines’ lists of the most desirable cities to live in in the United States.
When he turned his truck onto Main Street, he hit a wall of traffic. Amid the specialized boutiques, vintage-looking streetlights, and trees scattered throughout the area, the crowd downtown belonged to the twenty-somethings coming from the Colorado College and the tourists who came for the views of the sweeping plains, serene lakes, and the Rocky Mountains. For residents in River Rock, if you weren’t a farmer, Main Street was your livelihood.
The lights up ahead turned green, and Chase eased the truck forward, pressing his foot against the gas. He drove by a couple shops on the left, then his gaze fell to the black awning above a red-brick storefront with the sign in bold yellow writing that read: BLACKSHAW CATTLE CO., with PRIME QUALITY MEATS in small letters beneath. Above the store was Blackshaw Cattle’s headquarters, where Colin ran the show. He smiled, glad that store and Colin would stay around a little longer, ensuring that the employees who had been loyal to his father for years stayed employed.
When he finally reached the animal hospital, he pulled over to the curb, cutting the ignition of his rumbling truck. That was the thing about small towns. Everything was all on one street. He hurried out of his truck, entering the clinic a moment later, spotting someone familiar behind the reception desk.
“I see you have a new friend,” he said.
The young receptionist behind the desk laughed, her rosy cheeks turning a shade darker. “I’m a sucker for Labs, and this little guy could not get any cuter.”
Typically, Chase thought dogs were dogs. Labrador retrievers were great hunting dogs, but Gus, Nash’s dog, wasn’t the best example of a well-trained Labrador. Though Chase found that Houdini’s light green eyes did hold a certain charm. Even a little bit of magic. “Have you heard from the rescue?” he asked, staying on task.
The receptionist gave a tight smile. “Let me go grab Leah. She wanted to talk to you about that.” She handed Houdini to him over the counter.
Chase held the puppy in one hand. “So sly with the ladies.” The pup licked Chase’s nose, wagging his tail. “I’m not going to like what Leah has to say, am I?” The squeak of the door lifted Chase’s attention to Leah’s soft smile. “You couldn’t find him anywhere to go, could you?” he guessed.
“Sadly, not yet.” She stopped next to the desk, folding her arms. “His medical care is a lot to ask of a rescue. I offered to do the blood testing for free to keep an eye on his levels, but the insulin would have to be paid for out of pocket.”
Not good news. “What exactly does that mean for his future, then?”
Leah’s eyes darkened. “I’m afraid his options are limited. I called around, but I couldn’t find anyone to take him right now. I’ve got three dogs and four cats of my own.”
Chase glanced at the receptionist.
She shook her head firmly. “Nope, sorry, my husband will kill me if I take him home. We’ve got three dogs already.”
“You can take him to the animal shelter,” said Leah, “and hope that someone comes in and adopts him.” She stroked Houdini’s head, her voice softening. “But I suspect he’d end up being put down.”
Chase glanced down at the pup in his arms. “Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Looking back at Leah, he added, “I can keep him at my place a little longer. Maybe I’ll have a chat with my mother and see if she’ll take him in.”
Leah petted Houdini’s ear. “You can’t take him?”
He shook his head. “My life isn’t suitable for a dog, especially one with special needs.” Not with his construction company finally getting off the ground. “I’m not home enough. It’d be unfair to him.”
“Ah, bummer,” Leah said with a sigh. “But it’s good to know your limitations when it comes to these guys.”
Chase agreed with a nod. “What do I need to know for now?”
“That shot of insulin I gave him last night was perfect,” Leah explained, crossing her arms again. “For now, he’ll need to get one shot of insulin daily and keep on that feeding schedule I gave you yesterday. You’ll need to bring him in tomorrow, and he’ll stay the day here, so I can continue to test his blood, but we should be good after that until next month.” She scratched Houdini’s head, then said, “Again, I’ll do the testing for free. That’s my gift to this sweet boy.”
Chase gave the dog in his arms a quick look. “You’re one lucky pup.”
Leah smiled. “I’ll keep calling around to more fosters over the next few days until there is no one else to call. I’m hoping I can find a family that has another diabetic dog.”
“Sounds good.” Houdini barked, and Chase chuckled. “And we’re boring him, apparently.”
“Seems so.” Leah took the plastic bag from the receptionist, offering it to Chase. “Here’s his insulin, needles, and the sharps container to dispose of the needles. There’s a pamphlet in the bag from the Department of Public Health and Environment on what you need to do on trash day.”
“Great.” He accepted the bag. “You’ve got my credit card number from yesterday to charge the bill?”
Leah nodded. “Just wanted you to approve first.”
“I approve.”
“Terrific. We’ll get you a receipt for that tomorrow. As for his schedule, I’ve got everything written out for you on a piece of paper in there”—she gestured at the bag—“but so you hear it from me, you’ll need to feed him two-thirds of his food right when you wake up. Make sure he’s feeling all right and acting normal. If everything seems fine, then administer the insulin injection. His next meal will be six hours later. Make sense?”
“Yup, got it.” He paused, catching onto something else too. “Is it a coincidence that you had all this ready for me?”
“I am certain I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Leah said with a sly grin.
Chase laughed. “Same time tomorrow morning, then?”
Leah nodded.
“That will do. Bye, Houdini.”
With the bag and puppy in hand, Chase headed out the door, running straight into a familiar face.
Joel Breckenridge, the general manager for Breckenridge Construction, had been a close friend of their father’s for as long as Chase could remember. He had also been Chase’s mentor and employer for the past ten years during the spring and summer. While Chase worked the ranch during the fall and winter, since Joel’s business was slower during those months, he made sure to hone his skills and learn what he could from Joel and his crew. Everything he knew about construction was because of this man.
Joel greeted Chase with his kind blue eyes creasing and thin lips turned up into a welcoming smile. He offered his hand. “Chase, it’s good to see you. How are things?”
“I can’t complain.” Keeping Houdini tucked safely in his arms, Chase returned the handshake. “You?”
“Busy as hell,” Joel said, his voice gravelly from too many years enjoying whiskey and cigars. “And who is this fella?”
Chase gave Houdini a quick look. He stared back with bright eyes. “A houseguest for a few days.”
Joel patted Houdini’s head then drew his hand away, shoving both hands into his pockets, his big, flashy gold belt buckle drawing Chase’s gaze. “How’s the build at the ranch coming along?”
Chase glanced up into Joel’s curious eyes. “Things are rolling right along. We’ve got our inspection on Monday. And with the grand opening in two weeks, we’re right on track.”
“Excellent news,” Joel said with a soft smile and a certain gleam to his eye. “What are your plans after this project? I could use someone like you on my team.”
“As nice as that would be, and you know I respect the hell out of you, Joel”—Christ, Joel was the top builder in Colorado, having designed and built hotels all over the state—“I’m afraid I’m finally taking this opportunity to go out on my own.”
“Ah, well, I tried.” Joel smiled. “That’s a good plan you’ve got. You needed that one big push to get you off the ground, and it looks like the ranch has given you that. I’ve got no doubt the work you’ve done will showcase your talents.”
Sweet-Loving Cowboy--A Kinky Spurs Novel Page 6