by Judy Duarte
What a relief. The boys sometimes thought they had to take care of her, and she didn’t need their help, especially when she was hoping for more than just dinner tonight.
After preparing the pork chops ahead of time and putting them in the cabin oven, she returned to her bedroom in the house, where she showered, fixed her hair and slipped on the pale yellow sundress she’d purchased while shopping with Jenna.
As the afternoon wore on, she was more than a little ready for Mike’s arrival...and for that family meeting.
Apparently, so were the others, who’d begun to gather in the living room, including her brothers who’d come straight from the wilds of Montana. Before long, that same heavy, breath-stealing emotion returned, filling the air around them.
Tammy tried to make small talk with Jenna and Donna to ease the tension. But her cousins appeared to be just as uneasy about the situation as she was, so her efforts didn’t seem to work.
When the clock on the mantel finally chimed three, Mike had yet to arrive. Tammy hoped he hadn’t been called to an emergency.
“It’s time,” Tina announced from the hallway. “Tex is ready for you.”
Tammy fell into line with the others, as the housekeeper led them to the old man’s bedroom, where a few chairs had been set out. But she was too nervous to sit, so she made her way to where her dad and brothers stood.
As Sam and his daughters took the opposite side of Tex’s bed, Tammy realized that Tex might be dying, but the division between the families was still alive and kicking.
“You all know why I called you here,” Tex said, his voice even weaker than it had been a week ago, when Tammy had first met him. “My days are numbered. And there’s something I need to do before I go. Something I should have done years ago.”
Sam and William lowered their heads, as if meeting the old man’s gaze was tough.
“There’ll be a reading of the will after I’m gone,” Tex said. “And at that time, I won’t be around to tell you why I’ve divided things up the way I did.”
Tammy glanced across the room at her cousins, Jenna and Donna. She wondered what they were thinking, what they were feeling.
Were they, like her, at the ranch because it was the right thing to do, and not because they expected anything in return?
If truth be told, Tammy wouldn’t have blamed the old man if he’d excluded them all from his will.
After a moment, Tex spoke again. “I’m leaving the east half of the Flying B, including the house, barns, cabins and outbuildings, to Tammy, Jenna and Donna.”
The sisters glanced at each other, clearly surprised by their grandfather’s gift, then looked at Tammy before turning their attention back to the old man.
“As part of the terms of the will,” Tex said, “you’ll have to keep the property in the family. You’ll also be required to provide jobs for Tina Crandall and Barbara Eyler as long as they want to stay on the Flying B. I’m not sure about Tina’s plans for the future, but Barbara intends to retire soon. However, I don’t want her to leave before she’s ready. Both those women have been good, loyal employees for more than thirty years. And I want them to have jobs at the Flying B for as long as they want.”
Tammy looked across the room at her cousins, wondering what they’d have to say about sharing the ranch with her. Jenna, who worked with horses, might be happy about it. But Donna? She’d probably rather hightail it home to the city as fast as her little high heels would take her.
“There’ll be some money for you girls, too,” Tex added. “Enough to help you fix things up a bit—in the house and barns. Hugh knows all about this. And he’ll be able to offer suggestions and advice. Listen to him. He knows what he’s talking about.”
Tammy wondered if her cousins would insist on selling the place...once Grandpa Byrd passed. She hoped not. Living in Buckshot Hills would make it a lot easier for her and Mike to build a relationship.
Tex coughed several times, then reached for a glass of water on his nightstand, his hand shaking. After he took a drink, he cleared his voice and said, “I’m giving Aidan and Nathan the undeveloped property on the west side of the ranch, along with the mineral rights. There’ll be some cash for you boys, too. You can use it to mine the property—if you want to. But if anything ever comes of the drilling or mining, you’ll have to share a percentage with the girls. It’s all laid out in the will.”
Tammy’s brothers glanced first at each other, then at the old man.
“I’m also leaving something to one of my ranch hands. He’s been like a son to me. And I don’t have to tell you how much I valued that kind of relationship over the past few years, especially since I lost the sons I had.”
Tammy stole a peek at her uncle Sam, whose head was bowed. She didn’t dare turn and look at her dad, but she suspected he was feeling just as sheepish, just as...guilty?
“The rest of my money, investments and assets go to William and Sam. You might be surprised to know it’s a fair sum. As much as I’d wanted to stipulate that you only get it if you end that blasted feud and bury the hatchet, I didn’t do it. I just hope you’ll see the wisdom in doing that on your own.”
Neither of the men responded, and as that heavy silence filled the room, Tex blew out a weary sigh. “That’s it. I’ve said my piece. Now go on out and let me nap. Dying, like parenting, is hard work.”
As they all began to file out, Tammy followed behind Nathan and Aidan. She hated to leave her grandfather like that, but she knew how draining that meeting had been. She would come back to visit him later, to thank him for the inheritance and to ask if there was anything she could do to make his passing easier on him. It seemed to be the least she could do.
When the family reached the living room and began to disperse, Tammy spotted Mike seated on the sofa, and her heart soared. Had a man ever been so handsome?
He stood, and her heart skittered through her chest like a stone skipping across the surface of a pond.
Their gazes locked for one amazing, blood-stirring moment, then he reached for his medical bag and headed down the hall to check on Grandpa Byrd.
Nathan and Aidan went outdoors, as did her dad and her uncle Sam. She’d been tempted to join her father, to offer him a hug or something. But she thought the brothers might want to talk to each other. Instead, the older men went in opposite directions.
“Did that surprise you?” Jenna asked Tammy. “To learn that he’s giving the ranch to us?”
Tammy nodded. “I hadn’t expected anything at all, let alone the Flying B.”
“I know how much this ranch means to Tex,” Jenna said. “So I’m honored that he entrusted it to us.”
Tammy had come to the same conclusion. She glanced at Donna, who seemed to be deep in thought. Rumor had it that her city cousin was facing some financial difficulties, although Tammy didn’t know that for sure.
But if that was the case, was Donna wishing they could sell the property and split the proceeds?
Maybe. And if so, Tammy felt sorry for her. However, their grandfather had said that selling the property wasn’t an option. And Tammy was happy about that. If a romance between her and Mike was going to flourish, she needed to stay in Buckshot Hills. And now she had a good reason to do so.
“I’m not a rancher,” Donna said.
Jenna seemed to think on that a moment. Then she said, “What about turning it into a B and B? We could fix up the cabins and offer horseback riding for our guests.”
“Are you suggesting a dude ranch?” Donna asked.
“I guess so. We might even be able to offer them a chance to ride on a cattle drive.”
“Like the movie City Slickers?” Donna asked.
“Yes, something like that. It’s something to think about.”
Tammy agreed, but the only contribution she had was to head up the cattle dri
ve Jenna had mentioned. Trouble was, Tammy wasn’t so sure she wanted to go back to the cowgirl days. She’d begun to enjoy dressing like a woman—and exchanging those granny panties for silk and lace.
Jenna had been right. Just knowing she wore those sexy undies under her clothes made a huge difference in the way she felt, the way she carried herself.
“Do you guys want to go outside and talk more about it?” Jenna asked. “We could take a walk and get a better look at the property.”
Tammy glanced at the doorway that led down the hall, then back to her cousin. “Can that walk wait a bit?”
“Sure,” Jenna said. “We have plenty of time.”
Thank goodness she’d agreed. Tammy didn’t want to discuss the possibility of creating a B and B right now, no matter how intriguing the idea might be. With Mike just steps away, she had other things on her mind.
“There’s a lot to think about,” Donna said, “a lot to consider.”
Yes, that was true. And not just about the Flying B.
Tammy had more immediate concerns.
Like inviting Mike back to the cabin again tonight.
* * *
Just as Mike had suspected, the family meeting had really taxed his elderly patient.
“Your blood pressure is elevated,” Mike said. “And your breathing is labored. I’m going to increase your oxygen level and give you a sedative.”
Tex chuffed. “Maybe you ought to just fill that hypodermic needle with a triple dose and send me on to greener pastures.”
Mike didn’t respond to Tex’s sarcasm. Instead, he adjusted the oxygen and then gave him the injection.
“Did the meeting go well?” he asked, as he disposed of the used needle.
“As good as could be expected. I’m just glad it’s finally out of the way—and that all hell didn’t break loose.”
Mike suspected that the reason no one blew up was out of respect for the dying man. Patching up a thirty-five-year-old feud wouldn’t be simple or easy.
Either way, he stood by Tex’s bedside, waiting for the sedative to take effect.
Several minutes later, the old man closed his eyes. Mike watched his chest rise and fall, noting the labored breathing had eased.
When he was sure Tex was resting easy, he left the bedroom, softly closed the door and headed down the hall. He found the living room empty, except for Tammy, who stood at the window, peering out into the yard.
Apparently, she was so deep in thought that she hadn’t heard his approach, so he stopped in the doorway and watched her for a moment.
Her dark hair hung loose again today, the glossy strands lying soft against her back in a jumble of curls a man’s hands could get lost in. The kind of curls that would look good splayed against a pillow.
He supposed he could say something to let her know he was here—or even continue into the room—but he actually enjoyed having the opportunity to study her while she was unaware of his presence.
When he’d first spotted her earlier today, when she was coming out of Tex’s room after the meeting, he’d noticed her clothing—stylish black slacks and a white, feminine blouse. But he hadn’t realized how nicely those pants hugged her shapely hips.
A part of him wanted her to turn and meet his gaze, while another thought it best if he slipped quietly into the kitchen and out the back door before she actually did turn around and spot him. After all, they would probably have to address the heated kiss they’d shared last night—and what they wanted to do about the sexual attraction that sizzled between them.
What made that decision a bit complicated was the fact that Mike was leaving Buckshot Hills in the near future. And he had no idea how much longer he’d be in town—whether it was weeks or months. Yet the more time he spent away from his life in Philadelphia, the less he liked thinking about remaining celibate indefinitely.
As if Tammy had finally sensed his presence, she turned. When her gaze met his, her lips parted. And his heart rate took off like a shot.
Damn, if she wasn’t a sight to behold.
Shaking off the mounting desire to kiss her senseless, he crossed the room as if he’d been moving all along.
“How’s Tex?” she asked.
“He’s okay now. The meeting proved to be a little stressful, but I gave him some medication to help. And I stayed until he was sleeping peacefully.”
“You’re an amazing doctor. He’s lucky to have you. In fact, we all are.” Tammy’s smile, along with the admiration and who knew what other expressions lighting her eyes, sent his ego soaring as though he’d just been honored by the American Medical Association.
“Thanks,” he said, downplaying both her praise and his reaction to it. “I’m just doing what Doc Reynolds would have done.”
He probably should tell her that Doc Reynolds would be returning soon, and that Mike would then be free to go, but for some reason, he didn’t want to think about leaving town just yet.
“I have dinner in the oven,” she said. “Will you stay and eat with me?”
As tempting as that was, it didn’t seem like a good idea—for more reasons than the one he was going to give her.
“It’s probably not a good night. Your whole family is here—whether they eat in the house or in the privacy of their rooms. And there’s bound to be a lot of tension. I don’t want to add to it.”
She bit down on her bottom lip, as if pondering his reason. Then she nodded, as if finding it valid. “Okay. But how about tomorrow?”
He couldn’t help but grin. “We’ll see. Okay?”
She flashed him a pretty smile. “You bet.”
He could have told her goodbye at that point and turned away. Instead, he reached out and ran his knuckles along her cheek, tempted to do so much more than that.
“What am I going to do about you?” he asked.
Her eyes sparked, and a grin tugged at her lips. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”
She was right about that. And that was the problem, especially if he wanted to leave town without any emotional attachments—or regrets.
But he shook it off, determined to put some space between him and temptation. “I’ll see you tomorrow—unless Tex has a setback, in which case, I’ll come back sooner. Just give me a call.”
“Of course.”
With that, he walked out the door and headed for his pickup.
What am I going to do about you? he’d asked her moments ago.
He thought about the dilemma all the way back to town, but he still came up with the same conclusion.
He’d be damned if he knew.
Chapter Nine
When Mike left the house, Tammy followed him to his truck. Yet other than telling her goodbye, he took off without saying a word, leaving her to wonder what was going on between them.
The fact that he’d gone without giving her another kiss made her a little uneasy. She certainly hoped her very first love affair wasn’t over before it even had a chance to get off the ground.
What am I going to do about you? Mike had asked, his eyes searching hers as if looking for an answer she couldn’t provide.
I’m sure you’ll think of something, she’d said.
She certainly hoped that he would, because other than whipping up a delicious meal, she had no other ideas on how to win his heart.
Did she dare ask Jenna for advice? Her cousin had been so helpful on that shopping trip, offering all kinds of feminine tips, that they seemed to have become friends, as well as relatives.
But should Tammy just come right out and ask if Jenna had any advice or suggestions on how to seduce a man? After all, there had to be more to it than just wine, candles and song.
Or should she just leave it all up to fate and let nature run its course?
Either
way, Tammy could really use a friendly face now, and Jenna fit the bill.
Of course, she had to find her first. After a scan of the yard and the outbuildings, Tammy spotted her cousin standing at the corral that was located nearest to the house. But it was still a hike. So she crossed the yard to meet her.
“Hey,” Tammy said, as she approached. “What are you doing?”
“Just visiting Daphne.” Jenna stroked the roan mare’s neck. “She’s a sweetheart.”
Jenna clearly loved horses, maybe even more than Tammy did. It seemed that the two of them might have more in common than either might have once thought.
“Did you get a chance to talk to Doc?” Jenna asked.
“A little, I suppose.” Tammy leaned against the railing and blew out a wistful sigh. “He finally noticed me.”
“That’s good.”
“Yes, and I have you to thank for that.”
Jenna smiled. “I’m sure he would have eventually noticed you.”
Tammy didn’t know about that. As she scanned the yard, she said, “I can’t believe this will be ours one day.”
“Neither can I. It’s quite an honor—and a responsibility.”
That it was. As Tammy’s gaze drifted toward the dream cabin, she spotted Hugh riding his appaloosa gelding.
“Excuse me a minute,” Tammy said. “I need to get rid of some pork chops.” Then she called out to the ranch foreman.
Hugh reined the horse toward the corral where the women stood. “What can I do for you?”
“I have another meal to share with you and the men,” Tammy said. “Are you hungry?”
“I am if you’re cooking.” Hugh placed a hand on the pommel of his saddle and grinned. “When it comes to cooks, Barbara is a real humdinger. But after eating the leftovers you’ve been giving me, I’d have to say that you rate right up there.”
“Thanks.” Tammy never tired of the compliments she received from those who ate her meals. “It should be done in about forty-five minutes.”