by Laura Ann
Lettie waited patiently for the teenager to prepare her roasting stick. “Thank you,” she said when he handed it over.
“I know Noah mentioned that coals were best, but you can still do it in the flames.” Lucas grinned. “You just gotta be patient.”
Noah folded his arms and stood back as Lucas taught Lettie everything he knew about turning the sticks and roasting the marshmallows to golden brown perfection. In fact, he was so caught up in watching, he didn’t hear his mother come up beside him.
“She’s a cute, little thing,” Bethany MacMillan said, making Noah jump a little.
“What? Oh...yeah.” Noah felt his neck heat again and he rubbed at the sensation.
“You two dating then?”
Noah looked down and scowled. “She’s only here for another week.”
Bethany whacked his arm. “I’m old, Noah, not blind.”
“You’re not even that old,” Noah said, rubbing the spot where she hit him even though it hadn’t hurt.
“You better be treating her right,” Bethany scolded, her hands on her hips. “She seems to be as sweet as they come and it would be easy to break her heart.”
Noah turned back to see Lettie throw her head back and laugh at something Lucas was saying, and the defiance against his mother faded. “I don’t want to break her heart,” he said softly.
Bethany nodded firmly. “Good. Then don’t.”
Noah sighed and pushed a hand through his hair. “But the timing is rotten, Mom. I’m leaving when this is all over. I was thinking about heading down to Arizona to check out some horses.”
“What’s that got to do with anything?”
Noah grimaced. “I don’t think a long-distance relationship is a good idea.”
“Noah...” His mother drew his name out as only a mother could.
He turned to give her his full attention.
“I know you’ve felt...caged here. But I also know that ranching is in your blood.” She put up a hand to stop his retort. “Don’t try to lie to me. You were always the first one out of bed and the first one to jump when a chore needed to be done when you were small. It’s only been recently that you’ve lost that zest.” She put her hand down and sighed. “Nobody is going to stop you from going to Arizona. But nobody is going to stop you from coming back either. Who says you need to leave and stay gone?” She glanced at the pair by the fire, then back. “Sometimes there’s something worth coming back for.”
CHAPTER 16
Scarlett licked a sticky piece of marshmallow off the side of her lip. “So good,” she murmured, feeling warm and content. She glanced at Lucas, who was lounging next to her, working on his third s’more. “So are you planning to be a rancher when you’re grown up?” she asked.
Lucas turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t know. I’m headed to college in a year. I’ll see how I feel then.”
“Do you have other ideas of what you’d like to do?”
Lucas shrugged and turned back to the fire. “Maybe. I don’t mind being here, but I’m not sure it’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”
Scarlett pursed her lips and nodded. “I can see that. Ranching is a lifetime commitment.” She glanced into the shadows where Noah was talking with his mother. “Still...it has to be hard to leave what your family has built up for so many years.” Scarlett spoke to Lucas, but her eyes were still on Noah’s strong form.
“I guess,” Lucas said.
Scarlett tore her eyes away from the man she was falling for and smiled at Lucas. “But you’ve got plenty of time to figure all that out.”
He nodded then stood, stretching his hands over his head. “I gotta run. I’m on the early morning irrigation shift.”
Scarlett raised her eyebrows.
Lucas grinned. “I’m changing the handline in the morning.”
“Ah. Gotcha.” Scarlett smiled. “Thanks for the treat.”
Lucas gave her a salute. “Thank you for letting me annoy my big brother.” With a wink, he disappeared into the dark.
Scarlett sighed and snuggled farther into her camping chair. The heat from the fire and the mesmerizing dance of the flames had her eyes drooping, and she began to think it was time for her to hit the sack as well. Sighing, she started to move when a person sat down next to her. Hoping it was Noah, Scarlett smiled and looked over, only to immediately frown. “Trent,” she said curtly.
Trent smiled and Scarlett’s nerves went on edge. “You seem to be having a good time tonight.”
Scarlett forced a smile. “I am, thank you. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to go to bed. Roll call comes bright and early.” She went to stand, but Trent put his hand on her arm to stop her.
“You don’t need to leave just yet.” His smile widened and he tilted his head as if trying to look more innocent. “I just came to say hello.”
Feeling slightly guilty for her judgment of him, Scarlett slowly sat back down. Trent still gave her the creeps, but other than the first morning, he hadn’t done anything to hurt her. She could be polite and talk to him. After all, wasn’t that what adults did?
When she had landed back in her seat, Trent relaxed back into his. “So...what made you decide to come have this...” he paused as he glanced around the area, “experience?”
Scarlett shrugged. “I’ve wanted to visit a ranch since I was a young girl.”
His dark eyes grew more intense. “And why is that? The horses? The wide open spaces?” One side of his mouth quirked up. “The cowboys?”
Scarlett frowned, unsure what he was trying to accomplish with his little interview. “Why are you so interested in my reasons for being here?”
Trent’s gaze relaxed and he spread his hands wide. “I’m a writer. Understanding people is part of what I do. If I know their motivations, then I can hone my craft even better.”
Scarlett chewed on her lip. His reasoning was sound, but it still felt like there was something else behind the questions. Maybe if I just give him a quick answer, he’ll grow bored and I can leave. “I was fascinated by it all,” Scarlett said, hoping she sounded nonchalant. “My mother used to read cowboy romances to me when I was young.”
“Was she as fascinated by cowboys as you are?”
Scarlett didn’t like his choice of words, but technically they weren’t wrong. “More so, I think. A lot of my interest stemmed from her own.”
Trent nodded, like he understood where she was coming from. “How come she didn’t come with you then?”
Scarlett turned her gaze back to the fire. She had no intention of answering that question. It was one thing to tell Trent the surface reason why she was here. It was another to dig into her inner personal life.
“Sorry,” Trent said softly. “I’m guessing I hit a nerve with that question.”
Guilt swam in Scarlett’s chest again. She might not like Trent, but he wasn’t doing anything wrong by asking her questions. “It’s all right,” she whispered hoarsely. “I just don’t want to talk about it.”
She could hear and see Trent shift in his seat until he was leaning forward on his knees, bringing him closer to her. “I understand,” he answered just as quietly. “I’m guessing you being here was her dream?”
Scarlett shrugged, unwilling to give him a full answer. “I wanted to come.” She looked over to see Trent’s eyes drift to Noah and back to her.
“I’m sure you did,” he said, another oily smile crossing his face.
“You ready to head back?” Betsy came up beside Scarlett, her eyes narrowed at Trent. “We’ve got another early morning coming up.”
Scarlett practically leapt out of her seat. “Sounds good.” She put a polite smile on her face. “Thanks for the chat. Have a nice night.”
Trent leaned back, his hands behind his head. “You too.” When he grinned, Scarlett barely kept herself from rolling her eyes. She turned to let Noah know she was going to head home, but he was nowhere to be seen. Disappointed, Scarlett turned to walk with her friend.
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“I don’t know what that man was up to, but you can bet it’s no good,” Betsy grumbled as they walked. “He seems to bring discord with him everywhere he goes.”
Scarlett shook her head. “He was just asking me some questions. Said it was research for his book.”
“Hmph.” Betsy huffed. “That’s what they all say.”
Scarlett smiled. “I promise. He gives me the creeps, but he didn’t do anything wrong.”
Betsy glanced at her. “I heard what you said about your mother,” she whispered. “Is she the only reason you’re here?”
Scarlett laughed softly. “No. I honestly wanted to come.” Her grin widened. “Besides, I made a bet with my friend, and I have every intention of winning it.”
NOAH STRAIGHTENED FROM where he’d grabbed another pop can out of the water-filled cooler. Shaking the aluminum, he tried to wipe off as much of the melted ice as he could, then dried his hands on his pants.
“Is there anymore root beer left?”
Noah turned to see Trent walking his way. Holding back a sigh, Noah nodded. “Yeah. Here.” Noah handed Trent the one he was holding, then opened the cooler to grab another can.
“Thanks.”
The two men stood in silence for a moment, other than the fizzing sound of their drinks. Noah’s eyes darted to the fire, where Lettie had been sitting with Trent only a few minutes ago, but Lettie was gone. Noah stiffened and looked around, but didn’t see her anywhere.
“She and that older lady went to bed,” Trent said coolly before taking a swig of his soda.
Noah scowled. “Thanks.”
Trent nodded, keeping his eyes on his drink. “She’s kind of an interesting case, huh?”
Noah froze, the can halfway to his mouth. “Excuse me?”
Trent looked up, but kept his head down. “You know, her story about why she’s here.”
Noah slowly took a drink and brought the can back down. “Sure,” he said warily. He felt like Trent was leading him somewhere, but Noah wasn’t sure where.
“I mean, it’s just interesting that she’s here because of her mom.”
“Yeah. Lettie told me they used to read books together.”
Trent snorted. “Lettie?” He shook his head and took a drink. “I’ll bet she loves that.”
Noah scowled. “Look, man, what’s this all about?”
Trent shrugged and shook his head. “Nothing. I just like watching people.” He smirked. “Comes with the territory of being a writer, I guess. Where do you think I get the ideas for my stories?”
Noah’s scowl stayed in place.
Trent sighed. “Look. I’m not trying to be a bad guy here, but when you can see a train wreck about to happen, wouldn’t you try to stop it?”
Noah shook his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I’m talking about how she’s playing you,” Trent said, his voice dropping. “She acts all sweet and innocent, but if I put her as a character in one of my books,” he scoffed, “she’d definitely be the villain.”
Noah held back an eye roll. “Right. Thanks.”
Trent grabbed Noah’s arm to keep him from leaving and Noah almost growled.
“What’s your problem?”
Trent put his hand in the air in a surrender position. “No problem, but I just felt that I should warn you.”
“If you’re trying to bad-mouth Lettie, you can just—”
“I’m not trying to bad-mouth anyone,” Trent assured Noah. “I’m just telling you what I’ve heard...from her own mouth,” he said calmly.
Noah huffed and folded his arms over his chest. “And just what is that?”
Trent let out a long breath, as if the conversation pained him. “She’s only here because of her mother,” Trent said softly. “The whole ranch dream wasn’t even Scarlett’s. When we were talking, I got the impression she doesn’t care about the ranch at all, only doing what dear old mom said.”
“So what?” Noah huffed. “Who cares if that’s why she came?”
“It doesn’t bother you that she’s using you?” Trent’s eyebrows went up in surprise.
“Who says she’s using me?”
Trent tilted his head and a compassionate look came over his face. “I also heard her say there was a bet involved with her best friend.” Trent leaned in. “And Scarlett planned to win. Now between her mom and best friend, do you really think that Scarlett has fallen for you? Or could any cowboy have helped her fulfill her goal?”
Noah hid the cold shiver than ran down his spine. Trent was echoing thoughts that Noah had had several times over the last week. Sometimes Lettie’s words made him wonder if she actually liked him, or if it was all because he was a cowboy. If Trent was right and there was a bet involved, then Noah was in for a whole lot of heartache at the end of the week. But this is jerkface Trent. The guy has been a pain ever since he got here. Why should I believe him? A small voice in the farthest part of his head whispered, Because he’s only confirming what you already know. This thing with Lettie is just too good to be true. Who falls in love in a week unless there’s an ulterior motive?
Trent let out another sigh. “I can see you don’t believe me, and that’s okay.” He nodded. “I wouldn’t believe me either, if I was in your shoes.” He took an easy sip of his drink. “Look. I did my job. I warned you, so do what you will with the information.” With a small smile and a nod, Trent walked away toward the dwindling crowd.
Noah stood in the darkness until everyone else had gone to bed except the helpers cleaning up. Nodding his chin at one of them, Noah grabbed the cooler and began to drag it toward his parents’ house, his mind whirling with possibilities. I just don’t see why Lettie would do something like that. What’s the point of coming here, forming a relationship, and then leaving? It makes no sense. He shook his head. “None of it makes sense,” he grumbled to himself. “Trent had to be lying. He’s just trying to cause trouble because Lettie won’t pay any attention to him.”
“What’s that?” David, his father, asked as he walked out the front door.
“Nothing,” Noah said. “Nothing important.” I just have to trust in Lettie. She’s given me no reason not to. If there’s something funny going on, I’ll be able to figure it out.
CHAPTER 17
Scarlett huffed in frustration. She’d been trying to learn how to throw a rope for almost an hour now, and she still couldn’t get the hang of it. Betsy was over laughing with Levi, having already lassoed the horns attached to a hay bale numerous times.
Even the Foreman family was drinking lemonade over in the corner. The mother didn’t participate in the activity, but she had been sure to take plenty of pictures of her twin boys nailing the plastic cow heads. Sleazy Trent had also managed to land his throw and was now telling Oli a story in the shade of the barn.
Scarlett sighed. Everyone except her had managed to fulfill the task, but she was still under the baking sun, sweating to death, and trying to swing a piece of rope like it was an extension of her arm. “This is impossible,” she grumbled. It didn’t help that she was already feeling down from the way her week was going.
Ever since the bonfire several days ago, things with Noah had been...strained. He wasn’t nearly as warm and flirtatious as he had been Sunday night, but every time she asked him what was wrong, he brushed her off. Now it was Thursday, and their time together was nearly gone. Between her frustration with him and the rope in her hand, she was ready to call it quits.
Noah walked up beside her. “It’s not impossible,” he said easily. “It’s difficult. My mother always told us those were two different things.”
Scarlett bit the inside of her cheek to keep from retorting. She was not in the mood for a lesson from him right now. She dropped the rope and folded her arms across her chest. “Yeah, well, I guess I’m just not cut out for this.”
Noah frowned at the rope, then at her. “Are you okay? You don’t seem yourself this afternoon.”
“Me?” she ask
ed incredulously. “I’m not myself?” Scarlett shook her head. “That’s rich.”
Noah’s jaw tightened and Scarlett felt bad for her comment, but she didn’t take it back.
It’s true, she thought. He’s the one acting weird. Maybe he should just man up and tell me what’s going on instead of playing these games.
“Come on, Scarlett!” Trent’s voice came from across the large space.
Scarlett glanced over, surprised the man was cheering her on.
“Maybe you should try using your feminine wiles instead of a rope,” Trent continued. “It seems to catch all sorts of things.”
Scarlett pinched her lips together to keep from snapping back.
“Don’t listen to him,” Noah said stiffly. He bent down and picked up the rope. “Now try again.” He helped her put the lasso back in her hand, so she was holding it correctly.
Scarlett sighed and waited until Noah was out of the way. She began to twist the rope around her head, the way he’d taught her. The whooshing sound grew louder and louder until Scarlett released her head toward the target, reaching out in order to aim the rope where she wanted it. She had a split second of hope before the rope hit the dirt, several feet short of her hay bale.
Noah stepped up and started pulling the lasso back. “It was a good try,” he said softly. “You’re definitely getting better.”
Scarlett shook her head, tired of everything. “You know what? I think I’m going to take a break.” She turned and walked toward the horse barn. Maybe talking to Romeo would help calm her down.
“Lettie?”
Scarlett closed her eyes and stopped walking. After taking a deep breath through her nose, she turned to look at Noah.
“Do you need anything?” His hazel eyes looked genuinely concerned, and for a second, Scarlett felt her anger dissipate, but then she remembered how he’d spoken to her on Sunday, kissed and held her and then turned cold all week, and the anger came flaring back.
“Fine,” she snapped. “I just need to get out of the heat for a few minutes.” Spinning on her heel, she marched away. She hadn’t been by herself since she arrived at the ranch almost two weeks ago and she desperately needed a few minutes to get herself together. And to figure out what’s going on with Noah. Why did his behavior change so suddenly? Did I do something wrong?