by Deb Kastner
Alexis looked from Marcus to Cole and then back to Tessa, chuckling and winking. Tessa didn’t even want to know what kind of conclusions Alexis had just made and she failed to see how the situation was humorous.
It was wrong.
Just wrong—on so many levels.
“Where are the rest of the wranglers?” Cole asked, shattering the tension with his deep voice. Apparently he’d chosen to be the better man and back down, although the aggression in his eyes hadn’t lightened.
Everyone’s gaze snapped to him.
He cleared his throat. “I’m kinda feeling like the odd man out here. Did I misunderstand my directions?”
Alexis slid into the chair at the head of the table, and Griff seated himself at the foot. Alexis leaned her elbows against the polished oak, steepling her fingers under her chin. “No, you’re supposed to be here today. No confusion. But in answer to your question, you’re it, Cole, where the wranglers are concerned. Today, anyway. We sometimes meet with the whole wrangling crew, but most often our monthly Mission meetings are just Griff and me and the counselors. Oh—and occasionally the board of directors and any townsfolk who want to get involved. We’ve got some interesting programs developing here.”
“Okay,” he said, drawing out the word. His gaze clouded with confusion and he ran a hand across the stubble on his jaw.
“We’ve got only a few men working the ranch aspect of the ministry. The other guys have been wrangling for us for a while now, so they know what’s expected of them,” Griff explained. “We’ve asked you to join us today because—” he paused and shot a meaningful look at Tessa “—we were interrupted the other day before we could get to the heart of what we do here. And we thought you might like to have a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes here at the ranch. I have a lot of faith in you, Cole, and I’d like you to take a more active role in this ministry.”
Cole’s eyes widened to epic proportions. It was all Tessa could do not to chuckle. Not at him—despite everything that had passed between them, she couldn’t help but respect everything the man was trying to do to juggle his responsibilities as a father.
“I’m not sure what you mean. You’ve clearly got the wrong fellow. I’m not a ministry kind of guy,” he said, kicking up one side of his lips into the magnetic half smile that used to send a kaleidoscope of butterflies swirling through Tessa’s stomach. Now it was all she could do to swallow the tender outpouring of emotions that whirled through her.
“I’m familiar with all aspects of ranching and don’t mind hard work,” he continued. “You can put me wherever you need me, and I’ll come through for you. Just point me in the right direction.” It was what he didn’t say that hung in the air.
Tessa held her breath. Her heart swelled at the strength of purpose in Cole’s voice. His intensity and honor were part of what had so attracted her to him in the first place, even back when they’d been nothing more than a couple of immature high school students.
Now Cole wore his strength and potency like a cloak around him, his posture straight and his shoulders squared. Teenagers could use strong leadership in their lives. Cole would be good for this ministry. He just didn’t know it yet.
“Of course, you’ll be assisting the other wranglers with the daily chores around the ranch and taking care of the stock,” Alexis agreed. “That part of your job description will be right in your comfort zone. I’m sure you’ve noticed we have a variety of animals here at the ranch.”
Cole nodded briskly, but his expression remained guarded. Everyone in the room could hear the but that was about to follow, and Cole was no exception. Tessa watched a wave of tension roll over his shoulders and a scowl briefly line his face before he schooled it.
Alexis either didn’t notice the tautness in the air or had decided to slice through it with her words. “But though caring for the animals is one of the conditions of the job for the wranglers around here, Redemption Ranch isn’t exactly a working ranch, not in the typical sense of the word. The stock we keep here at the ranch is mostly for the teenagers to learn from and interact with.”
“Tessa told me a little bit about that.” The corner of his jaw ticked with strain. Tessa suspected he could guess what was coming next. He’d already been railroaded into working with her and the teenagers for the barbecue. Now he was about to find out he had even more responsibilities where the kids were concerned.
“I would have hit that subject in more detail the other day, except—” The end of Alexis’s sentence dropped into an uneasy silence.
The tension in the air was palpable as everyone waited for Alexis to finish her thought.
“There are—um—trail rides.” Alexis’s voice had risen sharply and came out as a bit of a squeak, and no wonder.
Cole was a true cowboy, and trail rides were...not so much. There was absolutely no comparison, a grown man tending to what he would consider a bunch of squawking adolescents, most of whom knew zero about horses and frankly had a negative mindset about life in general and horsemanship in particular. The city kids didn’t know anything about horses and really didn’t want to know, and it would be Cole’s assignment to ignore their attitudes and walk them around at a sluggish plod, their horses head to tail with the next.
Tessa couldn’t see how that would work out well for anybody. Cole was a man who craved excitement. He’d bucked bareback through high school rodeo and seen the world on board a naval cruiser. Even when he’d taken an afternoon job wrangling cattle in his youth, he’d had more than his fair share of moments when he would get to ride like the wind. The slow pace of trail rides would be like a death sentence to the active cowboy, and as for working with the teenagers, Tessa couldn’t imagine that to be high on his bucket list.
It was as if Alexis was trying to sandwich the unfamiliar and no doubt unwanted duty between those with which Cole was comfortable. Not that he’d be comfortable interacting with the teenagers in any regard, but she suspected teaching ranch life and how to care for the animals would be superior to leading trail rides, at least in Cole’s mind.
“We need you to ride along with us to make sure all the kids are following their safety rules.”
It took Cole a moment to respond. “Like a dude ranch, you mean?”
Tessa wasn’t overly surprised that he didn’t sound too enthused about the prospect.
“You want me to load the kids up on horses, lead them out on the trail and show them some of the property. Make them feel like real cowboys.” He shrugged. “All right. I guess I can do that,” he said with a conceding wave of his arm.
“Well...” Griff hedged.
Cole arched his left eyebrow. “There’s more?”
“Yeah, there’s more. We don’t run Redemption Ranch exactly like a dude ranch,” Griff said. “We’re hoping you’ll take up all the challenges inherent in your position. You’ll be interacting with the teenagers on trail rides—” He paused and cleared his throat. “And then some. Our hope is that you’ll find both challenge and pleasure showing the youth what ranch life is all about, helping them connect with God and the country.”
Cole’s gaze widened noticeably, but Griff continued, either unaware of the shift of tension in the room or choosing to ignore Cole’s obvious discomfort.
“We’re putting you in charge of overseeing their ranch discovery outings. You’ll be responsible for leading them in their interactions with the animals, teaching them the care and feeding of the stock, how to tack up a horse and other aspects of country living. It’s an interesting position that I think you’ll enjoy once you get used to the idea. I can guarantee it will be the most rewarding work you’ve ever done.”
Cole shook his head. Tessa couldn’t imagine how he felt right now. He was no doubt still overwhelmed in his new role as a single father, and now Alexis and Griff were throwing delinquent teenagers at him.
“Think of it as an art,” Alexis encouraged him. “Very few of these kids have been within arm’s length of a horse. You’ll be starting from scratch and can make true horsemen and women out of them.”
Cole’s brow furrowed, and he shoved his fingers through his hair, rubbing at the knots at the back of his skull. Tessa linked her fingers in her lap, trying not to remember the times she’d rubbed the knots from his neck when he was facing a tough test or a new challenge. He’d always been muscular, but years in the navy had defined the muscles in his shoulders and arms. Just for a moment, before reality reclaimed her, she ached to ease his tension, even after all these years and all that had transpired between them. She shook her head, nipping her misplaced wistfulness in the bud.
“You’ll be a wonderful mentor,” Alexis assured him. “You have so much to give. The kids will be blessed, and I believe you will be, as well. That’s why I was so quick to snap you up once I knew you were coming home.”
Cole’s neck turned red, then his chin, his cheeks, his forehead, until there wasn’t an inch on his face that wasn’t flushed. “I think you’ve got this all wrong. I’m a simple cowboy, not a teacher. Yes, I joined the navy, but those skills don’t transfer to this kind of situation. And I didn’t even go to college. I couldn’t teach a fly, much less a teenager.”
Everyone around the table laughed—except for Tessa and Cole.
“Maybe not,” Marcus said, which earned him a glare. Marcus just brushed it off. “But it sounds to me like you’ve got some skills. You’re going to be a music teacher to these kids, right?”
Tessa cringed. No matter what her personal differences were with Cole, she didn’t think it was fair for everyone to be sharing a laugh at his expense. Clearly the man was ruffled, and why wouldn’t he be? He’d been expecting the somewhat reserved and quiet life of a wrangler out on the open Texas plains, probably a welcome change from his navy days. Instead, he was getting herded into what must seem like babysitting a group of juvenile delinquents—which wasn’t all that far from the truth. The one thing she could guarantee was that it would be anything but calm and peaceful.
It was her fault he was only learning this now and not when he’d first accepted the job. She’d interrupted him that day and thrown everyone’s world off-kilter.
Without thinking, she reached across the table and laid her hand on Cole’s forearm. It was as muscular and strong as she remembered it. Even more so. “I know it might sound overwhelming to you right now, but trust me on this—working with young people and knowing you’re making a difference in their lives—well, there’s no better feeling in the world. You’re going to be a real mentor to these kids, Cole. Think of all the teenagers you’ll be able to help by sharing your skills and expertise with them.”
Cole shook his head, and she knew from the way the muscles in his forearm tensed that he was on the brink of bowing out entirely. Jobs were scarce in Serendipity, but she was certain he’d be hired on somewhere, either wrangling or else using whatever skills he’d learned in his years as a sailor—and he wouldn’t have to deal with a bunch of juvenile delinquents. Teenagers weren’t everyone’s cup of tea. And he did have a lot on his plate as it was.
She knew without a doubt there would be something for him. He’d been born and raised in Serendipity. The townsfolk wouldn’t turn their backs on one of their own, especially not one with a baby to love and care for.
“I know it sounds like a bit much,” Alexis added, “and I apologize that I’ve had to drop it on you so suddenly, but I want you to know I sincerely believe in the reason I’ve asked you to work here and specifically in this capacity. I don’t ask lightly. I’ve prayed about it, and I truly feel you’re the right man for the job.”
His gaze widened, but instead of looking at Alexis, his eyes landed on Tessa. She couldn’t help but think that the next words out of his mouth were going to be about her—or at least because of her.
“Yeah—no. I’m sorry, but I don’t think so.”
And she was right.
* * *
A mentor?
Alexis thought he could be a mentor? To a bunch of impressionable teenagers? How blind was she? Not to mention everyone else sitting at the table with him. They were all acting as if he was something special, as if he could add to the team in some positive way.
What were they seeing that he wasn’t? Because when he looked in the mirror, all he saw was a rough-edged cowboy-slash-sailor who’d made more mistakes in his life than he could count—major mistakes. Errors that would affect some people’s lives—like Grayson’s—forever. Cole didn’t want a teenager looking at his life as an example of how to live. He wasn’t someone any parent would want around their children.
Anyway, wasn’t that what the counselors were for?
Despite the fact that his heart had never healed toward her, he knew Tessa to be the kind of woman a teenager would be smart to emulate. He’d fallen in love with her for a reason. She was as intelligent as she was beautiful, and she had a kind and compassionate spirit that benefited everyone she came into contact with.
Well, everyone except for him. But that was between the two of them. It didn’t have a thing to do with the work—the ministry—she was a part of now.
As for Marcus Ender, Cole didn’t trust the man as far as he could throw him, but again, that was for personal reasons. For all he knew, the same traits that made his hair prickle were the same ones that made Marcus a great counselor.
Whatever. The only thing Cole knew for sure was that he wasn’t anything close to mentor material. It was bad enough that he’d been strong-armed to help prepare the kids for some kind of musical number for a barbecue he didn’t even want to attend. But this was too much.
“Hey, look,” he said, holding his hand out palm up and offering an apologetic shrug, “I appreciate what y’all are trying to do here for me. I do. But me and kids? We don’t mix all that well. I’ve had zero experience with teenagers. And to be perfectly honest with you, I’ve already got my hands full with Grayson.”
“That’s true,” Alexis admitted. “There’s a learning curve when it comes to teenagers, but no more so than with babies. And it appears to me you are adjusting quite nicely with your son. I have high hopes for you here.”
Griff barked out a laugh. “My wife is making it sound like you can kill two birds with one stone. Take what you learn with the baby and apply it to the teenagers.”
“And who’s to say you can’t?” Alexis jabbed back in a teasing tone of voice.
“Not helping,” Tessa mumbled, pressing her free palm to her forehead.
The movement caught Cole’s attention, and it was only then that he realized her other hand still rested on his arm. He snatched his forearm away from her touch as if she’d bitten it and clenched his fists in his lap.
His dander rose at her comment. Tessa hadn’t spoken loudly enough for anyone except him to hear, but what she’d said still cut to the core of his ego. Maybe internally he acknowledged that his learning curve on babies was tighter than a hairpin turn on a mountain road, but Tessa didn’t have to agree with him. If his success rate with Grayson was anything to go by, he’d never be able to figure out how to help a teenager, and it sounded as if they expected him to be very involved in the process.
Mentor.
That was a big word.
“We’ll start you off easy,” Alexis assured him. “The teens arrive tomorrow, and then we’ve got a trail ride scheduled for the morning after. Nothing fancy. You can take the time between now and then to familiarize yourself with the land and pick a route you’d like to take. Or ask any of the other wranglers, and they can suggest something for you.”
Cole nodded and cleared his throat, feeling as if he should be rejecting this agreement but finding himself completely without words. It didn’t matter what he said, anyway. He wasn’t going to be able to
walk away now. Not and keep his dignity.
“There are twelve kids in this lot, nine of whom have indicated they have never ridden a horse before, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when you’re selecting their mounts. You’ll need to get acquainted with our stable full of horses. Most of our stock are so gentle a toddler could ride them—or in this case, a city kid who has never seen a real live horse before, which, trust me, is close to the same thing.”
“Sometimes worse,” Marcus joked.
Cole ignored Marcus and his attempt to be witty. His gaze widened on Alexis as she pelted directions at him. How was he going to remember all this?
As if she could read his mind—or maybe his expression—Tessa tore a few pages of yellow paper from her legal pad and handed them to him, then clicked a blue pen open and tossed it his direction.
Thankfully his reflexes worked faster than his brain, and he caught the pen with no problem. That was all he needed, to have the thing bounce off the table so he’d have to crawl around on the floor to get it. It was bad enough that Marcus had his eye on him, but the one who really mattered was Tessa.
He’d thought he’d reached the very dregs of personal humiliation with Tessa many years ago, before he’d left for the navy, but now that he was back in town and in front of her again, he had to wonder. Would the awkwardness between them dim with time? Was she even feeling the tension and chemistry inherent between them, or was it all in his imagination?
Probably. He scoffed at himself.
Pulling his mind back to the task at hand, he scribbled a few notes about what Alexis had said. At least she’d paused so he could catch up.
“We own twenty horses in addition to those owned by the wranglers and counselors. You’re welcome to board your own horse here, as well. I know it’s going to take some time for you to get to know the idiosyncrasies of each of the mounts, but I have every confidence that you’ll be able to match up the right horses with the right teenagers.”