In the Ranger's Arms (The Men of At Ease Ranch)

by Michaels, Donna

  He’d just have to find some other way to replace equipment and tools, and repair the men’s quarters. The women’s bunkhouse was put back on hold until the rest of the buildings were fixed. Stone had spent all day yesterday going over the books, powwowing with the guys, trying to figure out how to come up with the money not covered by the insurance. Their current jobs were fine, and luckily, most of the material they’d ordered for the week had been used by the time the storm had hit. So there wasn’t much of a loss to make up there, and the horse stable was an easy fix. They repaired it over the weekend.

  That left the equipment stable and the men’s bunkhouse. Right now, some of the men were staying in the house, while several others opted to pitch tents and camp out in the field. He hoped it didn’t cause flashbacks.

  Leo left, said he was going to stay with his family for a while. Stone didn’t blame him. Even cleaned up, the place had a chaotic vibe that affected the men, and he couldn’t come up with one damn solution. Christ, he hated having his hands tied.

  Feeling as if he had a Humvee strapped to his back, Stone sat down to breakfast without much of an appetite. What really sucked was the fact that he could fix the mess. Get things back to normal. But not without money. What the fuck good was his ability without means? About as useful as feeling sorry for himself. They were just going to have to make do. Make it work.

  Replacing the backhoe, which ended up in a twisted heap a half mile down the road, was another story. His grandfather had bought it brand-new three decades ago. The insurance money wasn’t going to be enough to cover the cost of a new one. And Foxtrot needed it for two jobs this week.

  “Looks like I’m going to have to head to Dallas to rent a backhoe for tomorrow.” Brick sat at the breakfast table with him, Vince, and Cord, pouring enough syrup on his stack of bacon-topped pancakes to drown a fish. “Do we have enough money to cover it?”

  “Barely.” Stone sighed into his coffee. “There wasn’t anything available closer?”

  Brick shook his head. “No. I called all over the county. Everything is rented out because of the storm.”

  That’s what Stone had feared. “We don’t have a choice then. You better call and secure that one before it’s gone, too.”

  “All right.” His brother cut into his soggy stack and nodded. “I’ll pay for it out of my savings.”

  Stone’s gut tightened. His brother had already forked over most of it last night when the four of them had shut themselves in the office to discuss finances. After they’d made repairs to the stable, paid the men, and bought material for the jobs this week, they were broke. Brick had written him a check to cover payroll for the next month. By then, the insurance money should start to kick in, as well as job capital. “You already did enough.”

  It was frustrating as hell. His friend took off, the men were suffering, and now, so was his brother’s bank account. Some fucking leader I am.

  Brick lifted his gaze and scoffed. “I’m not the one who funnels most of his check back into the company. I mean, hell, Stone, other than gas money, you don’t even take enough to buy a case of beer.”

  He shrugged. “I don’t need it. Or anything else right now. I have a bed. Vince cooks the meals—”

  “From the money you give him for food,” Brick cut him off. “All I’m saying is that you sacrifice everything.”

  “We all do,” he pointed out.

  “Not like you,” Cord spoke up. “Brick is right. And you know if it weren’t for my family, I’d be happy to do more.”

  Vince nodded, helping himself to some pancakes. “Me, too.”

  “I know,” Stone said. “None of you have to do what I do. It’s my choice. This place. This business was my idea. And I don’t have any other responsibilities.”

  Cord was paying his grandmother’s medical bills and Vince was paying off his late grandfather’s debts. They were taking care of their own, and so was Stone.

  “I don’t have any, either.” Brick regarded him closely. “So, end of subject.”

  He stared right back. “I’m not the one saving up to buy a penthouse in Vegas.”

  His brother shrugged. “Vegas will be there next year.”

  “Yeah, but will the position Roman offered you?” Stone wasn’t stupid. His brother was going stir-crazy. He missed the adrenaline and buzz of their missions. A job offer to work at their former commander’s security firm based out of Vegas was ideal for Brick. Stone hated that he was interfering with his brother’s plans. Sticking around Joyful was sucking the life out of the guy. He’d put it off for almost two years now.

  Of course, the stubborn fool would never admit it.

  “Yes, it’s an indefinite offer, so again—end of subject.” Brick rose, grabbing his empty plate. “I’m taking your truck to get that backhoe, Stone, since mine is still maimed and snoozing in the bunkhouse attic. I’ll be back before noon.”

  Stone shook his head, smile tugging his lips. Stubborn brick wall. Maybe they were going to be all right. As long as nothing else went wrong.

  A loud crash outside had them all on their feet rushing through the door to find what was left of Brick’s truck now residing on the first floor in what used to be the men’s rec room.

  Son of a bitch.

  More repairs. More money. Stone’s shoulders tensed. More delays before they could get the men back in their quarters and reduce their damn stress.

  “I’ll call Skeeter to let him know he doesn’t need a crane to get it out now,” Brick stated with a shake of his head before he got in Stone’s truck and drove away.

  True, but now they had to eat the cost of a crushed ceiling. He pulled out his phone to take new pictures to submit to the insurance company, that phantom Humvee weighing on his back turning into a tank.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Jovy spent all day Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday helping out at the café. Business had exploded, and Leslie, Cece, and Blanche needed a hand with all the eat-in and takeout orders due to damaged kitchens from the storm. Thankfully, Cece’s ranch had been spared, but there were plenty that had been affected.

  In order to meet the demand, and to help people out, V-Spot opened two hours earlier and stayed open an hour later. She was happy for the increase in business, but not the circumstances. Jovy and the girls decided to keep those hours, at least until she was officially done Saturday night. Her chest tightened like it always did whenever she thought about the end of the competition and her time in Joyful.

  It had gone so fast. Too soon.

  She wasn’t ready to leave Texas. She wasn’t ready to leave Stone.

  In all the craziness that had ensued since the storm, she had yet to confess how she felt. Oh, she wanted to, but the timing never seemed right. And when it had, he’d place his mouth on her body somewhere and she was toast. Totally distracted.

  But that would end today.

  She was heading to the ranch for two reasons. One of them was to take the chance and tell him she wanted to continue to see him after her lease was up. As far as saying the L word, though, Jovy decided to keep it to herself until more time passed, not wanting him to think it wasn’t real because their relationship was still in its infancy.

  It was four in the afternoon by the time Jovy pulled up at At-Ease. Stone had told her about the extra damage from Brick’s truck crashing to the first floor yesterday, but she hadn’t expected to see a chunk of the building gone and a blue tarp draped over the hole. Messes always put her on edge. Made her twitch. She couldn’t imagine staring at the disorder every day. The damaged buildings created a chaotic atmosphere that had already chased two of the veterans away. Their departure yesterday added to the weight Stone carried on his shoulders. All the stress removed the light from his eyes and tensed his body. The only time he seemed relaxed and at peace was when he lay spent in her arms.

  What would he do for release when she was no longer in Joyful?

  The thought of him with another woman hurt so much she couldn’t breathe. She rubbed
the ache from her chest and got out of her car. No sense in worrying about it until they had a private talk. Which would be later, since he was currently surrounded by his buddies.

  When she approached the men talking outside the bunkhouse, he turned toward her and smiled. The tightness in her chest eased at the appearance of light in his eyes. “Hi, Jovy.” He pulled her close and kissed her full on the lips.

  She loved that he didn’t seem to care about their audience. Leaning into him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and enjoyed the embrace.

  She didn’t care about their audience, either.

  “Get a room,” Brick joked.

  The guys chuckled. It was nice to hear. Especially at the ranch where merriment had blown away with the storm. When Stone pulled back, he slid an arm around her waist and held her by his side.

  “So, dare I ask what’s new?” She glanced at each of their faces, noting the same frustrated expression.

  Vince shook his head and sighed. “We’re just trying to figure out how to make up for this new development.”

  Brick waved a hand at the tarp. “Yeah, thanks to my damn truck’s unexpected voyage yesterday, we’re set back again.”

  “What did it do?” She could tell by the size of the tarp it had left a huge hole, but she wasn’t sure what that meant for their timeline and repairs.

  “We have to wait longer for the insurance money to get it fixed,” Cord replied.

  Vince nodded. “And we can’t use the money we have set aside for work, which isn’t quite enough.”

  “We just have to hope none of the other men leave,” Stone added quietly. “I heard a few of them debating it this afternoon.”

  His tone spoke volumes. And she ached for him. If another man left, it would kill Stone. She already knew he felt he’d let the other two down.

  Jovy couldn’t let anyone else leave. She had to help. Not only for the veterans, but for Stone. Especially for Stone. He was what mattered most.

  She squared her shoulders. She knew what she had to do. Knew the sacrifice. Knew the cost. It didn’t matter. Only Stone, the vets, and their livelihood mattered.

  It was time she did what she went there to do today.

  Give him the money from her account.

  Jovy embraced the calm that washed over her. She’d already made peace with the decision that was about to change her future. It was good. It was right.

  Between the leftover start-up money and several thousand she added from sales, the chunk should be just what the guys needed to see them through until their insurance check arrived, whether they used it for work or repairs. At the very least, it would hold them over until Sunday when she would have access to her personal bank account and trust fund. Then she could get some serious cash flow into Foxtrot and At-Ease.

  Anticipation accelerated her pulse. She was excited to help. She turned to Stone and smiled. “Let me give you the money.”

  “What?” Several emotions flashed through his eyes as he blinked, slack-jawed, at her. “God, that’s so sweet of you, Jovy. You have no idea how much I appreciate the offer, but I can’t accept it.”

  “Yeah, we can’t take your money,” Brick echoed the others.

  She frowned. “Why not?”

  Stone cupped her face, his expression so tender the breath caught in her throat. “Because you earned it and need it to show your grandfather you have a good head for business. Wasn’t that the reason you set up shop here in Joyful?”

  “Yes, but it’s all right. He’ll still see the numbers in my books, and that’s all that matters.” She lied through her smile because if he knew the truth—giving him the money would ensure her loss as her grandfather’s successor—he’d never take her offer. “Trust me. It’s all good.”

  “I’m sorry, Jovy.” He shook his head and released her. “I can’t take it.”

  “I agree.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Me, too.”

  The others stated it with just as much conviction.

  “Don’t be foolish,” she scolded. “Don’t let pride or whatever it is get in the way of helping these veterans. They are what’s important. Not me. Not you. Not some job in Philadelphia. The well-being of these men is what counts. They’re the reason At-Ease exists. Aren’t they?”

  Stone expelled a breath and closed his eyes. “Yes.”

  “Then let me help. Please.” She touched his arm and told him the amount.

  His eyes snapped open, while one of them whistled. Their reactions confirmed her suspicions. It was enough to get work material and the repairs started.

  He regarded her closely. “You’re sure that won’t hurt whatever you’re trying to prove to your grandfather?”

  “I’m sure,” she replied calmly, when inside she was doing a victory dance.

  For someone about to throw away her chance at being CEO of her family’s company that she’d spent the last decade preparing to run, Jovy was surprisingly happy. And it had everything to do with the man gazing at her as if she’d offered him the moon. Her heart was virtually soaring.

  “I’ll accept it only if we treat it as an investment in Foxtrot and give you a return on money invested.”

  Jovy was shocked silent. Where in the world had he gotten that kind of business sense? It didn’t seem like a skill set for a former Ranger. He’d certainly have no need for it in battle. After the initial surprise subsided, she opened her mouth to protest, but he put a finger on her lips and cocked his head.

  “Those are our terms, Jovy,” he stated, with the others nodding in agreement. “We need the money, but not at the expense of your portfolio.”

  She held out her hand. “Okay.”

  He hesitated a beat before he shook it to seal the deal. Her insides twisted into a tight knot. He wasn’t going to be happy when he discovered the truth. But by then, they’d have some of their jobs finished and the vets would be close to having their bunkhouse back.

  She released him to dig inside her purse and withdrew a check she’d already written out before she’d left the café. “Here. I promise it won’t bounce.”

  He pocketed the check, laughing at her reference from the day they met. “Come on inside for a cold drink while I can put this in the safe.”

  Happy to accept, she followed the men into the house with her fingers entwined with Stone’s. Jovy couldn’t recall ever feeling so good.

  For the next ten minutes, she listened to the men map out plans to finish up small jobs, make progress on the feed store, and get the bunkhouse ready for inspection. Some of it was Greek to her. Okay, most of it was Greek to her, but she did understand their expressions. They were happy. Excited. Relieved to have a course of action and the ability to execute the plan.

  “You know,” she spoke up during a lull in the conversation. “My business picked up because of all the kitchens destroyed by the storm. There are a lot of opportunities for you out there. I’ve suggested Foxtrot to at least a half dozen people. Give me some cards to set by the register, and if you want, I can print out a sign to post, and help you take out more ads, too.”

  Stone lifted her hand to brush his mouth across her knuckles. “You’ve done so much, and you keep giving.”

  He was doing it again. Staring at her like she’d hung the moon. She swallowed past her dry throat. “I’m just helping out my friends and my customers. Those claim checks should start arriving soon. These people need their homes back, Stone, and you can give them that.”

  “Yes, we can.” He stood and helped her to her feet. “Let’s take a walk. There’s something I want to discuss with you.”

  Hope tripped her pulse. “There’s something I want to discuss with you, too.”

  He smiled and nodded as he led her outside and around the other side of the house where he pulled her in his arms and kissed the strength from her legs. She’d thought about kissing him like this all day.

  All too soon, they broke for air, and she concentrated on finding a few brain cells while clinging to the hard
planes of his body. The man was downright cling-able.

  “Good talk,” he rasped against her temple.

  She laughed. “You’ve got a great way with words.”

  He drew back to look in her eyes and smiled. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah.” She dropped her gaze to his mouth…so deliciously close. “I’ve got a few choice words for you, too.” Leaning forward, she brushed her lips to his, and he groaned and took over, treating her to another mind-drugging kiss.

  When it ended, he led her around the back of the house to a pretty wooden gazebo she hadn’t known existed.

  “This is gorgeous.” She sat down with him on a bench. “Did you build it?”

  A whimsical look crossed his face. “No. My grandfather built it for my grandmother.”

  “He loved her very much,” she stated, seeing the love in each intricate carved rose.

  Stone frowned. “What makes you say that?”

  “A man would never take the time to build something so beautiful and with so much detail for a woman if he didn’t love her.”

  He studied the complex carvings as if seeing them for the first time. “You’re right. He loved her very much. So much he died two weeks after she did.”

  “How long where they married?”

  “Fifty-seven years.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “They were lucky.”

  “So am I,” he said, brushing the wetness from her face. “So damn lucky to have met you, Jovy. And I don’t want whatever is going on between us to end.”

  Joy spread a smile across her face. “Me, either. I’m so glad you feel the same.”

  He pulled her close, and this time, his kiss was slow and so tender she shook from the impact of emotion she felt in his touch. Her heart raced and her body hummed. Bells rang and fireworks went off in her head. It wasn’t until the ringing grew louder that she realized the sound was real.

  The ringing was from the bell around the neck of a black-and-white cow charging toward the gazebo.