The Cowboy's Belated Discovery: A belated epiphany Montana Ranches Christian Romance (Saddle Springs Romance Series Book 5)

by Valerie Comer

  Dad blinked. “I think so. You caught me dozing.”

  “Sorry. We can manage without you.” He really couldn’t. Not assist Noah and clean the stables and exercise the horses.

  “I’m coming.” Dad shuffled over to the fridge and helped himself to a bag of cut apples.

  “I just put a few out in the pasture. You can run them through first.”

  Dad nodded and made his way out the door and down the steps.

  Garret watched him amble toward the fence, where Noah was lifting the side of the truck box to expose his portable blacksmith shop. The two of them would be fine, and he could get back to the stables.

  If his music school prof could see his hands now, clad in leather gloves, shoveling manure and tossing hay bales, she’d turn over in her grave. Had he made the right decision when his world in Kentucky had upended? It had happened around the time that his dad — or, at least, the only dad he’d ever known — had become restless in his well-deserved retirement. Or so he’d said.

  The riding stable in a small western town had seemed like a place Garret could lick his wounds in peace, but he’d never intended to stay. He’d return to the limelight when his parents were settled into their new routines, but Mom had a brush with cancer then pneumonia had nearly claimed Dad and, before he knew it, Garret seemed to have made Saddle Springs his permanent residence.

  It wasn’t a bad life. He’d gotten involved in music ministry in the church and made some good friends through it. Friends who were getting hitched left, right, and center. Next week Trevor, the last of his single buddies, would tie the knot.

  Just the thought gave Garret an itch. Not to find a woman of his own again — anything but that, no matter how tempting Tori Carmichael’s smile — but to head far from Montana and pour everything into recapturing the promising career he’d left behind. Alone.

  It was too late for a second chance with the band in Nashville, thanks to Chantelle Devereaux. It was too late for everything, really. Whatever Garret prized had been torn from his grasp one way or another. Best just to hold back and not get invested ever again. For his own protection. For the protection of those around him.

  The only ones he couldn’t shield were Tuck and Nancy Morrison, but he could give his parents as much security and love and peace of mind as they’d given him as a small traumatized child. He owed them his life, and the debt would not be paid in full until they both drew their final breaths in the most comfort possible.

  He’d fail at that, too, of course, but he’d try. As God was his witness, he’d do his best.

  Dad ducked between the fence rails and whistled. Trudy trotted over, her head high, her mane fluttering in the breeze. She was a beauty, nuzzling Dad and accepting a slice of apple. The old man hadn’t lost his touch yet. He led the mare toward the gate, snagging a halter from a fence post on the way by.

  Noah and Dad could handle the shoeing.

  Garret stuck in his earbuds, found his favorite worship playlist, and cranked the volume high on his way into the stable. He pushed the wheelbarrow in front of Trudy’s box stall and grabbed the wide broom.

  This was the world he’d chosen five years back. It was a good place, a solitary spot on God’s green earth where a guy could mend his broken heart, his broken spirit, his broken life. Or learn to live with them.

  Tori parked her RAV4 in front of The Branding Iron Bar and Grill. A quick glance around showed no signs of Garret’s red pickup.

  Did she want to see Garret? She’d bought this outfit with him in mind, but she’d had plenty of time for second thoughts. Third thoughts, really. She glanced down at her legs, only half-covered by the quite short jean skirt Denae had talked her into buying on Monday, right after dumping two-thirds of her previous wardrobe into the receiving bin at a thrift store. There’d been no going back.

  She slid out of the vehicle, grabbed her purse, and locked up before tugging the hem a little. The skirt wasn’t that short. It was longer than most of her shorts, and those were more than decent.

  Her brother and sister-in-law’s orange Wrangler peeled into the parking lot and whisked into the spot next to Tori. Lauren’s eyes widened, and she jumped out of the passenger side before James could come around for her door. Before he’d even shut off the engine, actually.

  Lauren parked her hands on her hips and whistled. “Look at you! So that’s what you and Denae were up to in the big city. That girl loves to shop, and she sucked you right into her vortex.” She spun her finger. “Let me see.”

  Obediently, Tori pivoted, a flush on her cheeks that even a layer of her new makeup likely couldn’t hide. “You like?”

  When she came around again, her brother stood at the back of the Wrangler studying her with his arms crossed.

  “It’s so cute.” Lauren flicked at James’s cowboy hat. “Doesn’t your sister look amazing?”

  His eyebrows tilted up. “Have Mom and Dad seen you yet?”

  Whatever that was supposed to mean. “Mom saw the haircut but not every outfit we bought.” Not this one.

  “I’m sure your mom will love everything.” Lauren nudged her husband. “I adore the reddish tinge in your hair. My mom hinted she’d given you a makeover, but wouldn’t spill the details. And that mango top is totally your color. Looks great with your jean jacket. I wonder if I could pull something like that off.” Lauren flashed a grin at James then thumbed toward the restaurant door. “Well, let’s go in. I see Trevor’s truck, and I have questions for Denae.”

  James gestured for Tori to go first, so she grabbed courage out of thin air and strode across the parking lot. Her brother reached past her to get the door for her and Lauren then Tori paused a moment, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dimmer lighting inside.

  Denae waved from their favorite long table in the middle of the busy space, a booth with access from both ends. Beside her sat Trevor and his youngest brother, Sawyer.

  Tori blinked. Sawyer? What was he doing in Saddle Springs a week before the wedding? In the past few years, he’d stayed away from Eaglecrest, the Delgado family ranch, as much as he could. Of course, he kept busy on the rodeo circuit, but still.

  Before she knew it, she was seated across from him with Lauren and James beside her. The guys greeted each other with little beyond grunts and nods while Lauren and Denae exploded into conversation.

  “Tori Carmichael. Long time no see.” Sawyer leaned back in his seat and gave her a bold once-over, a slight smirk marring his handsome face.

  She could only be thankful she was already seated, so his gaze couldn’t linger on the hem of her skirt. She definitely hadn’t dressed to impress him. “Hi, Sawyer.”

  “Looking good.” He nodded approvingly. “Still working for your folks?”

  Her chin came up just slightly. “Sure am. The Flying Horseshoe is a happening place. We’ve built several more guest cabins and are solidly booked up for most of the summer. Well into the fall, really.”

  “Ever thought of spreading your wings a little? Flapping your way out of the nest?”

  She skewered him with a glare, but no impact was visible. “I happen to love horses, and I love people.” With a few exceptions, like the irritating one across from her. “There isn’t a more beautiful, peaceful spot on earth than my parents’ ranch. My cabin sits beside a tranquil lake with glacier peaks in the distance. What more could I want?”

  Sawyer grinned. “Bright lights. Excitement. Parties and dancing. There’s adventure elsewhere. You should try it sometime.”

  She wrinkled her nose.

  He leaned across the table. “I could show you.”

  “—isn’t that right, Tori?”

  Whew. A more timely interruption had never come. She turned to Denae. “What’s that?”

  “Garret doesn’t even need to think about what his hands are doing.”

  “Umm...”

  Denae laughed. “Playing piano. It’s like he gets a glimmer of an idea and then his fingers just do it.”

  “He’s very
talented.” Didn’t they all know this already? Why was this a topic she needed to weigh in on? Not that she wasn’t thankful to break from Sawyer.

  “And he can pick up nearly any other instrument, too. Flute, guitar, clarinet.”

  “Probably four years of music school didn’t hurt,” James put in.

  Tori swiveled to stare at her brother. “Really?” How little she actually knew Garret. Where had he even lived before moving here? What were his life experiences? Did the guy think about anything besides music and horses?

  She had no clue.

  “Where did he go to college?” asked Denae.

  James shrugged. “He didn’t say, but he’s been playing since he was a kid. That’s all I really know.”

  “I could never stand up in front of a crowd and sing.” Sawyer smirked.

  Tori stifled her eye-roll.

  Lauren laughed. “For you, it’s all about the eight-second ride. Because no one is staring at you that whole time.”

  He smirked and winked at Tori. “Of course, they are. And I’ll give them the show they’re looking for.”

  How could he even stand himself?

  Chapter Three

  Garret parked beside Trevor’s big, black pickup and wiped his palms down his jeans before exiting. Why was he nervous? No reason. This was just the gang, all the friends who’d made room for a newcomer five years ago.

  The aromas of steak, fried onions, and baked potatoes enclosed him as he entered the restaurant, mingled as they were with beer and fried chicken. George Strait crooned from the speakers, nearly drowning out the chatter and laughter. Wait staff in jeans, snap-front plaid shirts, and cowboy hats worked the crowded tables.

  His friends were at their usual booth in the middle of the space. His gaze zeroed right in on Sawyer Delgado. The youngest of the three brothers was rarely home, and it seemed a bit early for him to arrive for Trevor and Denae’s wedding. How often did he get a break from the rodeo circuit? An unfamiliar woman sat across from him, holding his total attention. Maybe he’d come to introduce his newest girlfriend to his family.

  The newcomer turned toward Lauren beside her. Garret caught her profile and stumbled to a stop in the middle of the restaurant. Tori Carmichael, with short reddish hair? Since when? He’d seen her in church a few days back with brown hair past her shoulders. What was she—

  An elbow caught him from behind.

  “Sorry.” Garret stepped aside and let the other group pass. He’d blocked the corridor while he stared. It wasn’t that he cared what Tori did with her hair... although why crop it short? He’d just been caught off guard, that was all.

  Also, seeing Sawyer flirt with her assured Garret he’d rather enter the booth from this end, not the far one. The farthest possible from the pair of them and, no, there was no need to analyze that random thought.

  He put his hand on the back of the padded bench beside James. “Scoot over, why don’t you?”

  “Over here.” Across the table, Denae patted the seat beside her. She’d already shifted closer to Trevor, pushing her fiancé toward Sawyer.

  “I—” How could he explain he didn’t want to sit where he’d be forced to look at Tori? But it would be just as bad watching Sawyer’s animated face as he talked to her. Either side, he was the fourth on the bench, crowding the others a little. “Anyone else coming?”

  Denae shook her head. “Carmen said they couldn’t make it, as Uncle Howard is feeling poorly. And Cheri and Kade are tied up with her grandparents this evening.”

  “I see.” He settled into the seat beside her, and she scooted closer to Trevor. Maybe that was her game plan.

  Only, Trevor elbowed Sawyer, who made a production like he was about to fall off the bench. This was crazy. There was plenty of room for four, even if three of them were broad-shouldered cowboys. Denae barely took up any space at all.

  “I know when I’m not wanted.” Sawyer laughed, rounded the end, and nudged Tori over.

  A blush surged up her cheeks, and she shot a quick glance toward Garret. What, to be sure he noticed Sawyer had a crush on her? Maybe it was mutual. They’d have plenty of time to explore that as partners for the upcoming wedding. That would be good, right?

  “Can I get you guys some drinks?” Their waitress appeared at the other end of the table, pen and notepad in hand. “Coke for you, Trevor?”

  “Yes, please,” said Trevor. “Denae?”

  “Ice water for me. Thanks, Anna.”

  The waitress grinned. “And hold the lemon. Got it.”

  Garret asked for a ginger ale then the orders wrapped around the other side of the table, ending with Sawyer.

  “Wait, you all know this gorgeous woman?” The rodeo star gestured around the group then looked up at Anna. He rose to his feet, clutched his hat over his heart, and took her hand. “I’m Sawyer Delgado, and I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  “You must be Trevor and Kade’s brother.” She chuckled. “I’m Anna Winter... ready to take your order.”

  Still holding Anna’s hand, Sawyer turned to Trevor. “Tell me she’s invited to your wedding.”

  Denae giggled. “Of course, she is. Anna’s one of our friends.”

  “Save me a dance or five.” Sawyer batted his eyelashes at her.

  Seriously?

  Anna tugged her hand free, but she was still grinning. “You’re not a bit shy, are you?”

  Sawyer gave a slight bow. “Life’s too short.”

  Once, Garret might have made a show of gagging on the other guy’s over-the-top flirtation, but tonight he didn’t have it in him. How could Sawyer switch from one woman to another in the blink of an eye? Five seconds ago he’d been stringing Tori along, and now he’d totally switched gears.

  Tori stared down at her hands, probably from humiliation. It just wasn’t right what Sawyer was doing to her.

  “I’ll get your drinks and be back for your orders in a couple of minutes.” Anna’s gaze swept Sawyer before she strode away.

  “Slow down, dude.” Trevor leaned across the table. “She’s a nice girl, not someone for you to add to your string of conquests.”

  Sawyer slouched in his seat and slid his arm along the top of the bench behind Tori. “Not all of us are as stick-in-the-mud as you are, bro.” He waggled his eyebrows at Denae. “Although she’s loosened you up a bit. Good thing.”

  This had been planned as a comfortable dinner with friends. Things had changed.

  “How long are you in town, Sawyer?” Lauren leaned around Tori to see him.

  “I’ve got a rodeo down Bozeman way on the weekend. I’ll be back for the wedding.”

  “Figuring on retiring someday soon?” asked James.

  Sawyer shook his head. “I’m so close to the top of the charts I can almost taste the championship.”

  “It’s not like you need more money,” growled Trevor. “When is enough, enough?”

  “It’s not about greenbacks. It’s about glory. You wouldn’t understand.”

  Garret held his breath, but Trevor just leaned back and studied his brother with no visible reaction. “There’s more to life than either of those. We could sure use you riding range.”

  Sawyer rolled his eyes. “Don’t even talk to me about it. You’ve spent your entire existence hiding out at Eaglecrest. Kudos to your fiancée for seeing anything worthwhile in you and hauling you out of your self-imposed exile. Because, look! Here you are in a public place with people all around you. Amazing.”

  Garret could see the tic starting in Trevor’s jaw, but his friend remained silent.

  “You know what?” Sawyer surged to his feet. “Thanks for the dinner invite, but there’s something I’d rather do with my time.” His eyes scanned faces around the table, lingering for a second on Tori. “I’m just going to see what time that hot waitress gets off work and go find dinner elsewhere. Takeout from Izzie’s Pizza sounds mighty fine at the moment.”

  The relief at the table was nearly tangible as Sawyer swaggered off. He talked to Ann
a near the door for a minute then, grinning, tugged the brim of her hat in a familiar gesture before leaving.

  Garret let out a long whoosh of air as the door swung closed behind the rodeo star. “Well, that was interesting.”

  Trevor shook his head. “Sorry for inviting him in the first place. He stopped by the house just as I was ready to leave, and the offer just popped out.”

  “It’s fine,” assured James. “I only hope Anna is smart enough not to be taken in by him.”

  Tori shot her brother a quick glance.

  “He’s usually more easy-going,” Denae protested. “Something must have happened to get him in a snit like that. You couldn’t have known.”

  But Garret was watching Tori’s reaction. Surely she knew to avoid a player like Sawyer Delgado, especially when he’d made no bones about flirting with Anna while sitting next to her.

  Garret wanted her to find some nice guy to date so she’d quit giving him those sidelong gazes. But she needed to find a nice guy, and that was definitely not Sawyer.

  It wasn’t Garret, either.

  Stupid Sawyer.

  Tori should’ve known getting all dolled up for a dinner out with the gang would backfire. Who knew Trevor and Kade’s bronc-riding brother would be home and tag along? Never mind that he’d actually notice Tori as a woman for the first time. Sure, they’d played together as kids, but hadn’t really remained friends as teens. Now they’d been thrown together for the upcoming wedding. He and Trevor might not be close, but they were brothers.

  It was more that Garret likely made assumptions about how well she and Sawyer knew each other, though maybe Sawyer had put that to rest with his blatant flirtation with Anna.

  Tori gritted her teeth. And now Garret visited at the other end of the table while she sat with an invisibility cloak wrapped around her.

  Sorry, mouthed Denae with a moue of disappointment from her spot between Trevor and Garret.

  Tori shrugged and flicked her eyebrows. Had she really thought a simple makeover would lure Garret in? If he were that shallow, she didn’t want him, anyway. Right? A lot more went on behind his watchful eyes, though. He came across naive — gullible, even — but she was pretty sure that was a role he played, not the real cowboy. How was she supposed to get behind the facade and learn who he really was?