Rocky Mountain Romance

by Lesley Ann McDaniel

  “But how am I supposed to—”

  “You can handle it, Karl.” She grabbed her purse and her computer bag.

  “But—”

  She rounded her desk, meeting him in the middle of the room and putting a hand on his shoulder. “You are perfectly capable of presenting the design to Mr. Abbott without me.”

  As she moved toward the door, Karl made a little whimpering sound behind her. She stepped into the hallway, giving him one last encouraging look before making a dash for the elevator.

  Her stomach tightened painfully. If she didn’t love her best friend so much, life right now would be a whole lot simpler.

  * * *

  Sheila watched the lush Montana scenery roll past from inside the vintage Chevy pickup belonging to Courtney’s sister-in-law, Janessa. Gazing at those majestic green mountains and the too-blue-to-be-believed late-afternoon sky, she thought how crazy it was that just a few hours ago, she’d been hemmed in by ashen concrete and brown haze.

  “Everyone had so much fun at Courtney and Adam’s wedding.” Janessa had been talking practically nonstop since picking Sheila up at the airport in Helena. “I just hope my wedding is as awesome as my lunkheaded brother’s was.”

  Sheila smiled. At twenty-two, Janessa still had a youthful energy, but she’d grown up a lot since last summer. Not only had she logged almost two semesters of culinary school, but she had opened a successful café and catering business with her best friend, Andra—which Sheila had helped design long-distance—and she’d gotten engaged to a former champion bull rider. It had been quite a milestone year for Janessa.

  “We’re having our reception at Micah’s ranch—the one he owns with his dad,” Janessa went on. “That’s where we’re going to live once we’re married. We’re both teaching horseback riding and junior rodeo there. He has a real heart for kids who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to afford activities like that.”

  Sheila couldn’t help a twinge of jealousy at how together Janessa’s life seemed compared to her own. Not that she wasn’t happy for her. She smiled. “I can’t wait to meet Micah.”

  A look of love spread across Janessa’s pretty face. “He’s the greatest guy in the world.”

  The greatest guy in the world. Sheila rolled in her lips. Would she feel that way about Kevin once she got to know him better?

  As Janessa turned off the highway and through the fancy gate with the big Bar-G Ranch sign arcing over the top of it, an assemblage of mixed emotions rallied for Sheila’s attention. The last time she’d seen these sprawling fields, she’d been heading the other direction, away from the ranch and the total humiliation she’d suffered there. She’d been so angry and hurt that it had taken every ounce of strength she possessed to maintain her composure.

  Now, as they neared the house, it all came flooding back as if no time had passed.

  What was the matter with her? It wasn’t as if she’d be walking back into the same situation. Things would be different now that only a few people would be at the house. This would be a nice peaceful vacation with no upsetting distractions. She’d done everything in her power to make sure of that.

  Relaxing a little, she focused on the house, which was surrounded by blossoming trees and colorful spring blooms. She’d fallen in love with this place last summer and excitement brewed at the prospect of staying here again, even though things would be...well...different.

  As the truck pulled up between the house and the romantic old red barn, the front door swung open and Courtney stepped out onto the colossal front porch. Sheila let out a little shriek.

  Ever since Courtney had left L.A. to serve as the personal assistant to Angela Bijou, the star of North to Montana, Sheila hadn’t gotten to spend much time with her. Courtney had fallen for Adam—the owner of the Bar-G, where they were filming—then had gotten a job assisting Travis Bloom, the A-list movie director who also happened to own a ranch in Thornton Springs. Courtney’s life had been unfolding like a story right out of Hollywood ever since.

  Biting back her jealousy over yet another friend whose life was totally together, Sheila jumped out of the truck practically before Janessa had brought it to a stop. She bounded up the walkway to where Courtney waited on the top porch step with one hand on the railing and the other on her expanded middle. She looked adorable in maternity jeans and a simple lacy white top.

  “You look amazing!” Sheila took the steps two at a time and threw her arms around her best friend.

  “And you look like you could use some Big Sky R & R.” Courtney took a step back and studied her. “Let’s ditch the suit and get you into some vacation duds.”

  Sheila laughed. They had been through this last summer, so this time she’d come prepared with jeans, T-shirts and a pair of sneakers. Two whole weeks of comfy clothes and flat shoes sounded like paradise to her.

  She looked around. “Where are your parents?”

  Courtney gave a sardonic chuckle. “My husband is determined to bring out my dad’s inner cowboy. They’re out riding the range. And my mom is in town shopping for baby things with my mother-in-law.”

  “You know...” Janessa stood at the bottom of the steps next to a bed of vibrant pink-and-orange petunias. “With all the men around this place, we shouldn’t have to carry your bags upstairs.” She made a sweeping gesture in the direction of the outlying ranch buildings and the pastures beyond. “Why don’t I go rustle up a bellhop before I head back to the café.”

  “Oh, the café.” Sheila clapped her hands together at the reminder. Although she’d helped them with the design, she hadn’t been able to visit the place in person yet. “I can’t wait to see it.”

  “I know!” Janessa whirled around, her dark brown ponytail swinging to keep up. “I’ll be right back with some muscle.”

  Letting out a small sigh, Courtney watched Janessa round the corner of the house.

  “What?” Sheila frowned.

  “It’s just that we’re all a little worried. The café was a huge financial undertaking for those girls. We’re praying they can keep it going and pay off the loans they had to take out.”

  Sheila bit her lower lip. She had done all she could to help the girls prepare, but in the restaurant business, you had to expect the unexpected. “I know they have more things they want to do to the place, and they’re going to need to replace their stove soon. Maybe I can give them some ideas when I see it in person.”

  Courtney’s look of concern eased. “There will be plenty of time to go into town later.” She grabbed Sheila’s arm and pulled her toward the ornately carved front door. “Right now we have some serious catching up to do.”

  They entered the spacious foyer that was practically the size of the lobby of Sheila’s condo building back in L.A. The house, Courtney had told her, hadn’t changed much since a past generation of the Greene family had built it in the 1880s. No wonder the movie people had picked it for their Western.

  “Come on.” Courtney tipped her head toward an arched doorway that led into the parlor. “You remember Tandy, our ranch cook. She said she’d leave us some fresh lemonade.”

  Sheila followed her into the warm, inviting room that always made her feel right at home. Maybe it was the soothing colors, a deep sage accented with rich brown velvet drapes, or the nostalgic feel of the high ceilings and tall windows that invoked a simpler era, but Sheila had loved this room from the moment she’d first seen it.

  Courtney lowered herself onto one of the brocade settees in front of the dark wood hearth. She reached for a cut-glass pitcher of icy lemonade that sat on a tray in the middle of the coffee table, encircled by matching glasses. She glanced up at Sheila as she started to pour. “I really love your hair!”

  “Thanks.” Joining her on the settee, Sheila ran her hand through the shaggy almost-to-the-shoulders cut she had adopted just recently. She’d resisted thi
nking her need to change her hair had anything to do with this trip, but now that she was here, she had to admit to the importance of giving her ego a little pick-me-up just out of principle.

  “I figured you wouldn’t want to go anywhere tonight,” Courtney said. “I thought we could just sit out on the porch and watch the menfolk toss horseshoes or footballs or whatever else they get their hands on.”

  Sheila gathered her thoughts. There was something she was supposed to do tonight. Oh. Right. Work.

  “Actually—” she did her best to rustle up a note of nonchalance “—I have a design I need to finish up. It’s probably going to take up the whole evening, but after that, I’m all yours.”

  Courtney frowned. “I thought you were on vacation.”

  “I am, but you know Claude. He can’t live without me.”

  Courtney’s mouth twisted to one side. “Well, he’s going to have to. One thing living here has taught me is that there’s more to life than work.”

  Sheila angled her a look. “You still love your job, though. Right?”

  “Mr. Bloom is the best boss I’ve ever had.” Courtney smiled. “Oh, that reminds me, I have to update you about that situation before Mama Greene gets home.” Her face contorted slightly and she rubbed her lower back.

  Sheila gave her an assessing look. “How are you feeling?”

  “I feel great.” Holding out the full glass, Courtney’s smile remained on her lips but faded from her eyes.

  Sheila narrowed her gaze and took the lemonade. “You don’t sound very convincing.”

  Pouring a second glass, Courtney let out a little sigh. “There’s been a slight change in plans, but it’s nothing to worry about.”

  Taking a sip of the deliciously sour liquid, Sheila puckered her face. “What kind of change?”

  “Well—” Courtney shrugged “—we’ve decided not to have the birth at home after all.” She took a tiny sip. “My midwife says there’s a small chance that we might run into some complications, so we decided not to risk it.”

  “What kind of complications?” Sheila didn’t even try to keep the concern out of her voice. This was, after all, her future godson or goddaughter they were talking about.

  Courtney raised a reassuring palm. “Nothing for anybody to worry about.” She paused. “It’s just that we’re so far from the hospital out here that if anything did come up...” She batted away the thought with her hand. “I’m so excited to have everyone here in time for the birth.”

  Sheila slit her eyes. Just as she was about to probe for more details, the sliding doors that led to the opulent Victorian dining room glided open and Janessa bounced in.

  “Hey, Sheila, I found you a Sherpa.” She waved a presentational arm toward the dining room.

  A masculine form appeared in the doorway, causing Sheila to nearly choke on her lemonade. Ben Jacobs. She couldn’t have been more stunned if a herd of wild Montana horses had suddenly stampeded down the staircase.

  Ben stood there looking like a dream. Her worst nightmare. As their eyes met, his tentative smile seemed almost apologetic. He had one thumb hooked in the front pocket of his jeans—which fit him perfectly, she quickly noted—and ran the other hand through his slightly tousled hair in a move that would have been boyishly endearing if she hadn’t already caught on to that act.

  Her head buzzed and she let out a cough that resembled a horse’s whinny as heat scaled her cheeks. At least she could blame the blush on the nearly choking. This was the most awful thing that could have happened. Ben was not supposed to be here.

  “...can put yourself to good use.” The hum in her head turned out to be Courtney talking. “Sheil, you remember my brother, Ben.”

  Sheila gulped. As if she had a hope in the world of ever forgetting him. Of course, Courtney had no idea of the significant place she’d allowed him to claim in her life. When it had all come crashing down on her, she’d been way too ashamed to tell anyone. If everything went her way, she never would.

  Ben took a couple of careful steps into the room and raised an uncertain smile that sent her heartbeat into hyperdrive. Why did he have to be even cuter than she remembered?

  “It’s really good to see you again.” His voice sounded like melted butter. Soft, soothing, delicious.

  Her knees went weak, and she was thankful she was already sitting. She had subtly asked Courtney several times who was going to be here for the birth, and never once had the answer included her brother, Ben. When had this plan changed?

  “Ben came out from Fresno with Mom and Dad to surprise me,” Courtney supplied, as if reading her mind. “Isn’t that great?”

  Great. Sheila tried but failed to keep her hands from shaking, a fact made all too apparent by the light clinking of the ice in her glass. It had been ten whole months. What was the matter with her?

  When she had met Ben the week before Courtney’s wedding, she’d been immediately smitten not only by his good looks but by how sweet he was. He shared Courtney’s sandy-blond hair and hazel eyes and had a smile that had made her want to follow him around that entire week like a puppy. Now, as she tried to avoid lingering eye contact with him, she felt her pulse kick it up yet another notch. She was hopeless.

  Seeing Courtney’s puzzled look, she realized she hadn’t responded to her question. Not wanting to be rude or appear shell-shocked, she forced herself to look at Ben. “Oh...yes, it’s really terrific that you could make it.”

  Her eyes drifted past Ben just to make sure there were no more surprise guests—of the female persuasion. There didn’t appear to be...not yet, anyway. But a shudder ran up her spine. That would be more than her heart could handle.

  “Come on, Ben.” Janessa waved him toward the foyer. “Her bags are in my truck.” She looked at Sheila. “I have to head to work, but let’s plan on you coming to the café tomorrow, okay?”

  Sheila nodded and managed to utter something along the lines of “Can’t wait,” as Ben followed Janessa out to the foyer. Courtney started talking again, and the soft creak of the front door let them know when the two of them had gone outside.

  “...I’m telling you, romance is in the air around here.”

  Sheila jumped. “I...I don’t—”

  “Between my mother-in-law and my boss.” Courtney gave her a swat to the arm. “Didn’t you hear what I was saying?”

  “Oh. Uh...sure.” Right. Courtney had been updating her on the progress of the relationship between Adam’s widowed mother, Elena, and the twice-divorced but now born-again Travis Bloom. “What’s up with that?”

  “They’ve been spending a lot of time together. They both swear they’re just friends, but I think that’s fear talking.”

  “I can’t blame them for wanting to take things slow. I mean, they’ve both been married before.”

  “True. But she’s been a widow for over a decade, and he’s a different man since his first two marriages.”

  “The born-again bridegroom?” Sheila remembered that Mr. Bloom had made a dramatic turnaround by becoming a Christian later in life, a fact that was now reflected in the movies he made.

  “Something like that.” Courtney chuckled. “You can just see by the way they look at one another that they’re meant to be together. I can always tell.”

  Ugh. Sheila took a big gulp of her drink and decided she’d have to perfect her poker face around her too-perceptive best friend.

  The front door creaked again and a moment later Ben appeared, pulling Sheila’s suitcase with the laptop bag and her purse hooked over the handle. He gave Courtney a questioning look.

  “Blue room, Jeeves,” Courtney quipped.

  Wordlessly, Ben gave a flicker of what almost looked like hopefulness at Sheila. He lowered his eyes, then headed for the stairs.

  “We’re putting you in the room you had last summer.” C
ourtney seemed remarkably oblivious to the war being waged in Sheila’s heart, thank goodness. “Mama Greene and I figured you and Ben could handle the extra flight of stairs.”

  Sheila gulped. Last summer she’d stayed on the third floor, but all the rooms had been occupied by wedding guests. The idea of being up there with Ben suddenly felt really intimate. Worse, though, was the thought of there being someone else up there, too. She tried not to let her apprehension show. “Just us?”

  Courtney gave her a quizzical look.

  “I mean...you don’t have any other guests...from Adam’s side of the family or...anything?” She winced inwardly. How dare her shaking voice betray her?

  “Nope. Just you two up on the third floor, and my parents on the second.”

  Well, that was a relief, anyway. Courtney went on to say something about dinner and getting settled in, but all Sheila could think about was that if she didn’t manage to regain some control of her emotions, she was in for a torturous couple of weeks.

  The old feeling was back. The one she’d had no control over last summer and really had no control over now. The one that had told her heart to throw caution to the wind and to hope that maybe...maybe...

  She snapped to. Maybe nothing. This time she was going to listen to her head, not her stupid heart, which had only ever gotten her into trouble. This time she wouldn’t fall for Don Juan Jacobs and his smooth lies.

  Courtney frowned. “Everything okay?”

  She jerked a look at her friend. “Yeah, why?”

  “You just got a little quiet.” Courtney elbowed her in the ribs.

  “Oh. Must be jet lag.”

  “From one time zone? You have gone soft.”

  Sheila forced a good-humored chuckle. It was too humiliating to confess what an idiot she’d been, especially when it involved her best friend’s brother. Besides, Courtney had enough on her mind right now with getting ready for the baby and taking care of last-minute details at her job.

  The last thing she needed was to be told that her big brother was a deceitful two-timer.