Discovering Dani (River's End Ranch Book 20)

by Cindy Caldwell

  Dani stared at the letter for a bit. Maybe it was just a hello, along with the truck. That would be best. Anything else and they could have just called or sent something snail mail. They never touched email and didn’t even have a computer, so she’d stopped hoping for quick, surgical information delivery long ago. Actually, this was typically dramatic for her mother.

  She decided it was probably better to just get it over with and put everybody out of their misery, and she reached for the envelope, opened it and spread the letter on the table.

  Chapter 5

  Travis leaned back in the booth and reached for his coffee, silent after he’d slid Dani the letter. His time in Florida helping his buddy at the RV resort he owned had been a nice break from his real life, and it had been interesting to hang out in the evenings with the folks who were enjoying winter on the Florida coast.

  When the Westons asked if he might be willing to drive their new truck to somewhere in Idaho, he’d jumped at the chance. He didn’t have any family, not even a permanent home. His buddy had offered him a place to stay during his racing hiatus in return for some help in his mechanic shop, but this sounded like fun. So he said yes—and his only job was to deliver the letter and the truck, so he just sat back and watched the pretty woman across from him as she wrestled with herself. Her eyes were crystal blue, like her sister’s but more guarded, and he squinted at her, trying to read her. Her expression flitted from annoyed, to sad, to curious and back to annoyed before she reached for the envelope and ripped it open.

  He leaned forward, his elbows on the table as she read the letter. When she’d finished, her expression had definitely settled on annoyed.

  She folded the letter and put it in her pocket before she rubbed her forehead. Travis didn’t know this woman at all, but he found himself intrigued with the way her short hair brushed over her forehead and he really, truly wanted to know what she was thinking. Her mother had described her as very standoffish, not a people person, and he could see her raise her guard and lean back in the booth before she turned her beautiful, blue eyes on him—and already the veil had descended.

  “Everything all right?” he asked. He couldn’t tell if she was upset, exactly, and didn’t know her well enough to poke any further.

  “Sure. Yep, right as rain,” she said with a wry laugh. “It says you have something else for me.”

  He’d forgotten completely about the little velvet bag Mrs. Weston had handed him just before he’d left and he rummaged in his coat pocket for it, setting it on the table.

  “If she says yes, give her this, please,” Mrs. Weston had said. “No telling what she’ll say, actually.”

  He had no idea what was in the bag, or what was in the letter, for that matter, although they’d both almost burned a whole in his pocket during the drive from Florida. A fleeting desire to ask washed over him and he dismissed it—none of his business. He was just passing through.

  “Thanks,” Dani said as she reached for the velvet bag, turning it over in her hands before she pulled the drawstring open. She dumped the contents into her hand—a big key, like one of those old skeleton keys he’d seen on TV. She held it up to the light streaming in from the window and sighed, closing her eyes for a moment before she put the key back in the bag, drew it shut and put it in her pocket along with the letter.

  He looked up at the counter toward Kelsi, who turned away quickly as her eyes grew wide.

  “Anything you want to talk about?” he asked softly.

  “No, no. Thanks. I actually have to get over to the Main House. My brother Wade had a health scare yesterday and I’m taking over for him this week as well as my normal job here at the ranch.”

  “Oh? What’s your normal job?” he couldn’t help asking, knowing he should let her get on with her business.

  She paused and her eyes met his. She almost looked surprised that he’d asked and seemed to wrestle for a moment with her response.

  After a moment, she said, “I’m in charge of inventory here at the ranch, but I consider my main job the search and rescue team for the ranch and the surrounding area.”

  “Ah. Rescue. That sounds dangerous and exciting. Nothing like a good adrenaline rush.”

  She smiled a little and her blue eyes sparkled.

  “Yeah, I guess so. Helping people is very rewarding—and then there are the helicopter rides. A lot more fun than ordering onions for Bob over there, that’s for sure.”

  “I bet. Well, I’ll let you get on with your day. Mission accomplished on my end.”

  Dani stood and dropped her napkin on her empty plate. “Okay, well, thanks. I’ll comp the check. Tell my parents I said hello when you see them, and that I’ll get to it as soon as I can. Won’t be this week, I’m sure. But I’ll try.”

  He had no idea what she was talking about, and she stood and crossed over to have a brief word with Kelsi, who asked her several questions before she left. Dani looked over in his direction and shrugged before she headed out the door.

  Kelsi shook her head and crossed over to him. “I’m sorry, she can be a little abrupt. Thank you for delivering the truck and whatever else you brought.”

  “Oh, right. I forgot all about the truck.” He rummaged in his pocket yet again and pulled out the keys, and an envelope with all the title information. “Here’s everything about the truck. The tank’s full. Guess it’s yours now.”

  Kelsi glanced out the window at the Dodge Ram and then back to him. “What am I supposed to do with it?”

  “I don’t know,” he said, laughing as he pulled his cap down over his forehead. “My job is done.”

  “I—well, what are you going to do now?”

  He rubbed his chin. “Not sure. Your parents said you have a ton of Christmas stuff going on, and in the snow to boot. I’ve never really been in the snow much and it kind of sounded like fun to hang around for a little while. Your folks mentioned you might have a room.”

  “You don’t have family you need to be with at Christmas?” Kelsi asked slowly.

  He shook his head as his face flushed. He had been hoping she wouldn’t ask. He remembered the pity on Mrs. Weston’s face when he’d told her he didn’t have any family, and he hated when that happened. It just was the way it was for him, and he’d long ago stopped thinking about it, so he hated that it made other people feel bad.

  “Nope, nowhere to go and nowhere else I’d rather be,” he said with a wide smile, which seemed to remove the concern from Kelsi’s eyes.

  “Well, Dani could have helped you with all that,” she said, “But Maggy and I will handle it.” She patted her tummy as she looked back over to the cash register.

  “I thought the baby’s name was Sophronia.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “That was before breakfast. I changed my mind,” she said as she held up the truck keys. “Hey, since you’re going to stay for a while, would you mind taking the truck over to my brother Wyatt at the stable? He’ll know what to do with it. Meantime, I’ll try to get you settled in a room. Or somebody will.”

  “Sure,” he said. Kelsi and Dani weren’t very tall, and he certainly didn’t want a petite pregnant lady trying to climb in that big truck, so he’d feel good about delivering it where they wanted it to be.

  She drew a quick map on a napkin and handed it to him with a smile. “I’ll give him a call and let him know to expect you. And if Dani didn’t have the good manners to thank you, we sure do appreciate your help.”

  “Ah, no sweat. I’m off season anyway, and I thought it’d be fun. And so far, it has been,” he said as he took the keys and the paperwork.

  “Very nice of you.”

  Kelsi walked back toward the front of the cafe with him, and he tipped his hat before turning up his collar again. If he was going to stay, he’d need some warmer clothes for sure.

  “Hey, any place close by I could buy some clothes, or some boots, maybe? These Florida deck shoes aren’t going to work for me here, as you saw earlier.”

  Kelsi pointed tow
ard some buildings that looked to him like maybe Tombstone would, or Deadwood. The Westons hadn’t mentioned an old west town, but he did see the towering pine tree in the middle that they had said was part of a very old decorating tradition.

  “Right over there. The general store has some merchandise that might help. Heidi will help you. But go see Wyatt first. He can tell you what you should get, and a little bit about what it’ll be like around here for the next couple weeks.”

  “Thank you.” He tipped the brim of his hat at Kelsi and pushed open the door, buttoning his light coat tightly before he rushed toward the truck. Mrs. Weston had told him he’d love it here at River’s End Ranch, and as he glanced up at the towering mountains, the clouds pouring over and threatening even more snow, he thought she just might be right.

  Chapter 6

  Dani started to call her mother at least five times as she trudged toward the Main House for her meeting with Wade, and each time she hung up before it started to ring. Her hand gripped the phone so tightly that if she hadn’t had gloves on, she was sure her knuckles would be white.

  A truck? That letter? The key? What were her parents thinking? The truck she could just park somewhere until somebody needed it. That was no big deal, and they probably could use it come spring. But there was no way she could do anything about their additional request for at least a week—not since she had to do her own job and Wade’s, too. And hope that there weren’t any search and rescue calls.

  Dang. She’d thought when Kelsi married Shane that she’d be off the twin hook thing. Sure, they got along, but they were so different, especially now that Kelsi was in full-blown mommy mode. It was sweet, just so completely foreign from anything she’d thought about for herself. She’d never given any thought to a husband, let alone children—and she was just fine with that. She’d thought Kelsi’s shadow would have faded, but with this—it had just exploded.

  Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she stopped, ducking onto the side of the porch of the Main House. Might as well get it over with, and she pulled her phone from her pocket and pushed the green button.

  “Mom, I just can’t—”

  “It’s not Mom, Dani. It’s Kelsi.”

  “Oh. What’s up?”

  “Besides what was that all about? The letter? The key?”

  “So you were spying.”

  “You know I’m very curious. Always have been. You’d expect nothing less from a pro like me.”

  Dani couldn’t help but smile. True.

  “I can’t talk about it now. I’m just about ready to meet with Wade and I have a busy week coming up.”

  “All right, but you just left that poor guy sitting there all alone. Mom said he could have a room, and he wants to stay for Christmas.”

  Dani rubbed the back of her neck. “Not my problem.”

  “Well, I know it’s not your problem but it’s our problem. For now, I sent him with the truck over to Wyatt so they can find somewhere to put it. I’m sure Elf can fit it somewhere in the bay. But I called to check and we’re booked solid. Completely.”

  Dani plopped on the bench on the porch without even wiping away the several inches of snow. “What do you want me to do about it?”

  “Come on. Have a heart. He seems like a nice guy. I know you just moved into your cabin but I’m pretty positive you haven’t unpacked yet.”

  “So?” Dani said, tightening the knot on her scarf. “I haven’t had time.”

  “Huh. Right. Well, what if you just close up the boxes I know you haven’t emptied and shove them in a closet, and you can move into my old room. We’ve renovated and rented out yours, but mine was a bigger challenge and Andrew hasn’t gotten to it yet.”

  Closing her eyes, Dani could picture Kelsi’s room—and why it would have been a challenge. Pink wallpaper and feather boas glued to the ceiling would take a while to get rid of. No wonder Andrew hadn’t tackled it.

  She sighed and glanced at the ceiling. “All right, but you know what you’ll have to do.”

  “I can’t make your bed anymore. I’m pregnant.”

  “Pregnant people make beds all the time. Non-negotiable,” Dani said. “Just when you come in to work.”

  “Fine, but I’m doing it for Mom, not for you. She obviously wanted him to stay. And besides, it wouldn’t hurt you to be nice to the man. A handsome one at that,” Kelsi said, and clicked off before Dani had a chance to respond. No doubt she knew what Dani was going to say.

  She called Deena in housekeeping as she stepped through the door of the Main House, heading straight for the huge fireplace, the hand-placed rocks of the chimney reaching high toward the vaulted ceiling and a fire crackling inside it. They quickly made a plan for Deena to clean up Dani’s cabin—Kelsi was right, there wasn’t much in it. The refrigerator was basically empty and she’d been living out of a suitcase anyway, so it didn’t matter. Deena would deliver her clothes to Kelsi’s old room, and all would be well.

  She rubbed her hands together in front of the fire for a second and turned to head to Wade’s office.

  “Hello, Dani.”

  Dani stopped at the sound of the soft voice and cursed her luck. She hadn’t noticed Jaclyn on the couch by the fire, although she should have known she’d be there as it was one of her favorite places.

  “Hello, Jaclyn,” Dani said as she started again toward the back of the restaurant.

  “Dani, I need to talk to you.”

  “I’m busy, Jaclyn. You know about Wade, and I have to take over for him. He’s probably waiting for me...”

  Jaclyn breathed deeply and Dani could feel her eyes boring into her back.

  “As soon as you have a chance, Dani. It’s important.”

  Fat chance, Dani thought. She loved Jaclyn, and her grandmother’s best friend had been a huge part of her life at one time. Snickerdoodles and milk never failed to improve her mood, but now was not remotely a good time—for anything Jaclyn had to say. She’d go by maybe after Wade came back to work next week, if she could.

  She stopped briefly to talk to Erica, her new assistant, who she’d barely had time to train. She seemed okay, but Dani wasn’t really enjoying sharing her small office with someone else—anyone else. She quickly got her set up for the week and headed over to Wade’s office.

  The room was empty when she entered—even with all the commotion this morning, she’d beat everyone. She started to read through all the sticky notes on Wade’s computer that Bernie would have left, trying to get a feel for what her week had in store when someone in the doorway cleared his throat.

  She looked up quickly and her eyebrows rose as she saw Fred reaching up and tacking something green onto the doorway.

  “What are you doing here?” Dani said as she plopped down into Wade’s chair. She’d thought they were finished at the cafe, and hadn’t expected to see him for a while.

  “I got to thinking after I talked to your mom again that I could help you with Wade’s stuff this week. I know yesterday she’d talked to him about the Kids’ Korral and maybe I could help with that.”

  He had a funny smile on his face that she hadn’t noticed before.

  “Thanks, but I can manage. Andrew’s overseeing the Kids’ Korral anyway and we just signed the contract with Pulaski Construction. Wade mentioned it yesterday, and as far as I know that’s the last one Mom delivered. I got another assignment today that is more pressing, and I can’t even do that until Wade gets back on his feet.”

  “Oh?” Fred said as he stood in the doorway, looking up.

  Her eyes followed his and she realized what it was that he’d pinned up there. Mistletoe. Really? Well, he’d always kind of flirted with Bernie, so he was probably waiting for her to come in.

  “Yeah. It involves Kelsi and I just can’t get to it. But thanks for the offer.”

  “Was it something that Travis person told you about? I’d love to hear.”

  “Honestly, Fred, I appreciate it. You’ve been very good to my family, but I think at this point
it’s just easier if I manage this myself. I’m sorry Mom made you think you needed to help. I’ll fill you in next week during the Christmas activities. You’re coming, right?” she said as she shuffled papers into piles on Wade’s desk, sorting them as she went.

  Fred’s voice brightened. “Of course I’ll come. Haven’t missed any Weston family Christmas festivities in years. Wouldn’t miss them. I’m particularly looking forward to the snowmobile race.”

  Dani looked up and smiled. “Ah, thanks. It’s always my favorite, too. You racing this year in the staff race?”

  “No, I can’t. Hurt my ankle,” he said as he twisted it and grimaced. “But I’ll be there to cheer you on. And if Wade’s better, maybe we can do our regular weekly meeting. Or maybe Trivia.”

  “Thanks. Oh, I think I hear Bernie out there. Wade should be here in a minute. I’d better get to it,” she said, hoping he’d leave. He turned and looked out toward the restaurant and up at the mistletoe.

  “You don’t have time to walk me out?”

  Dani laughed. “When have I ever walked you out?” she asked as she turned back to Wade’s computer.

  “Okay, then. See you next week,” Fred said as he took one last look up at the mistletoe and left, jumping in his truck and heading back to town.

  Chapter 7

  “Huh. Cleaner than I thought it would be,” Wyatt Weston said as he threw open the door to what he’d said was the cabin Travis would be staying in.

  Travis laughed as he lugged in the bags of clothes and boots he’d bought at the general store—the warmest ones he could find. Mostly flannel, which was something he’d never worn before in his entire life.

  “Daniella’s not into cleaning, I guess?”

  Wyatt stopped and turned to look at Travis, his eyes wide. “Daniella? You called her that?”

  “Uh, yeah, I guess I did. It’s what was on the envelope.”