A Cowgirl's Secret (The Buckhorn Ranch Book 3)

by Laura Marie Altom

  “Oops.” Clinging to him, her cheeks flushed. “Thanks for the save. Guess that plank needs to be replaced.”

  “You think?”

  “After J. T. Peterson died at the ripe old age of 101,” Vera said in the living room, standing in front of a spectacular carved mantel, “the house sat vacant for ten years. Last year, the family tried renting it, but with no central heat or air, that didn’t go so well.”

  The ceilings rose a good twelve feet and the entry-hall staircase beat anything Luke had seen, the way it hugged the oval room in a gentle rise. Though the house was no doubt infested with termites, mice and more than a few ghosts, it would really be something if it were ever to be restored—by, he hoped, anyone other than Daisy.

  Upstairs, the bedrooms featured all manner of kooky angles to accommodate turrets and cupolas and stained-glass bays. The hardwood floors were in crappy condition. In many areas the ceiling looked as if it were caving in. The whole place reeked of dust and mildew and judging by Daisy’s enraptured expression, she’d already made her decision.

  “Mom! Look!” Kolt had found another winding staircase, this one leading to an attic that ran the full length of the house. Dormer windows allowed for plenty of natural light. “Have you ever seen so much cool stuff?” He’d found a chest filled with books and old clothes. Slapping a bowler hat on his head, he asked, “Do I look old-timey?”

  “Absolutely,” Daisy said. “Anything in there for me?”

  He fished out a sailor’s cap. “How’s this?”

  “Perfect,” she said with a breezy smile Luke hadn’t seen in years. “How do I look?”

  “Okay, I guess—for a mom.” She stuck out her tongue at their son.

  “I want one.” Luke mounted the last few steps. “No fair you two having all the fun.”

  “All that’s left is this.” Kolt tossed Luke a pillbox hat covered in torn netting and sporting a limp feather.

  “Gee, thanks.”

  “Put it on!” Kolt demanded. “Mom can take a picture with her phone.”

  Laughing as the three of them squeezed together, Daisy stood in the center, extending her arm to snap the picture.

  “Let me see.” Kolt grabbed the phone. “Awesome! We look cool!”

  “What a nice family you all make,” Vera noted, popping her head above the railing. If only the newcomer to Weed Gulch knew of their rocky past, she wouldn’t have been so quick to judge. “What do you think of the house?”

  “I love it,” Daisy said, “but I am daunted by all the work.”

  As she should be. But Luke remembered the fun he’d had fixing up his cabin. It hadn’t been in much better shape, although it was considerably smaller, and the project hadn’t been quite so massive in scale. Truthfully, he was a little jealous. For all its flaws, the home would one day be quite a jewel.

  Vera waved off Daisy’s concerns. “I’ll hook you up with the names of dozens of reliable contractors. Besides, the heirs are pushing for a quick sale. This is the perfect time to get a lowball offer through.”

  “HAPPY?” LUKE ASKED. Daisy had signed her offer papers and they now sat at Lucky’s Diner. While Daisy finished her BLT, Luke worked on the roast beef special. Kolt was long gone; he’d run into a friend from school at the Realtor’s office, and Jonah’s mother had taken him to their house to play.

  “I am.” Dredging her fry in ketchup, she said, “I need a project.”

  “Thought that’s what your legal clinic was?”

  “It is, but that occupies my days.” Swirling artificial sweetener into iced tea, her expression turned wistful. “The house will give me something to do nights and weekends. Don’t take this as a thinly veiled plea for your companionship, but I get lonely. After Kolt goes to bed, there’s only so much reading and toenail-painting a girl can do.”

  He wouldn’t admit it, but Luke understood. Many a night he’d spent on his front porch, staring out at the view, wishing for a woman to share it with. Only, so far, no one even close to suitable had come along. He could thank Daisy for that. “What about your mom and sisters-in-law? Aren’t they good company?”

  “Sure, but once conversation turns to babies or marriage, I feel like a third wheel. Other than our last names, we have nothing in common.”

  Finishing off his potatoes and gravy, Luke asked, “How’s a house supposed to keep you company?”

  Her expression flashed annoyance. “What it’s going to do is keep me so busy, I won’t have time to think about much else.”

  “Is that healthy?”

  Forehead furrowed, she asked, “Is it any of your business?”

  “In a roundabout way. I’d like to see Kolt’s mom happy and normal. I don’t want my kid growing up with a head case.”

  Pushing back her plate, she rested her forearms on the table. “Who appointed you Mister Perfection? I mean, seriously, you’re always preaching about how untrustworthy I am and now, you just assessed me as borderline insane?”

  “I did not.” He downed the last of his sweet tea. “You’re being a drama queen.”

  “Takes one to know one.”

  “What?” He wanted to lob another verbal weapon, but her childlike comment was such a blast from the past, all he could do was smile.

  “You heard me.” She smiled, too. “Sorry. I’m not sure where that came from. What were we fighting about?”

  “I don’t even remember.”

  “Perhaps that’s a sign,” she teased. “You’re too serious.”

  “Me?” Hands to his chest, he said, “Mom’s all the time nagging me to get a real job. Settle into a serious relationship. Seems to me you’re the one needing help in that department. After all, who just bought a house in need of eight million bucks worth of repair?”

  She tossed her wadded napkin at him. “It won’t be anywhere near that expensive and nice try at changing the subject.” She leveled a look at him. “You’re a great-looking guy, have a good job—despite what your mother thinks—why haven’t you remarried?”

  “Lord, Daisy, do we have to get into this? You’re giving me indigestion.” The diner, with its yellow walls, faded linoleum floors and mismatched booths was usually one of his favorite places in town to hang out, but tonight, it felt uncomfortably warm. “Besides, I could easily flip your question around to ask it of you. You’re hot, loaded, educated—a total package. Who wouldn’t want what you have to offer?”

  “Hmm…” Tapping her finger on her lips, she said, “You. On more than one occasion, you’ve made it clear I’m less attractive to you than your average ordinary leper.”

  “That’s not fair. You know exactly why we’ll never be together.”

  “Do I?” She glanced over her shoulder to find the booth behind her empty before whispering, “Because that kiss you gave me in my office made me think different. That maybe we just need to explore possibilities.”

  “Are you coming on to me?” In another lifetime, he’d have taken her straight out to his backseat, but now, there was just no way.

  “Why would I do that? Especially when you want nothing to do with me? However, isn’t that Rowdy Clements from Dallas’s graduating class up at the counter? I haven’t talked to him in ages.” Taking a twenty and a five from her wallet, she left it on the table, then stood. “Maybe he’ll want to talk to me? Bye.”

  “Sit your sweet behind back down,” Luke practically growled. “Everyone in town knows Rowdy’s a two-timing lowlife out for nothing but a good time.”

  “What a coincidence—so am I.” She winked before sashaying right on over to the counter bar.

  With everything in him, Luke longed to toss Daisy over his shoulder, but what kind of message would that send? In no way did he have any claim to her. No use sending out signals he wanted that to change.

  Even if a small part of him did.

  “HONEY, YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS?” Georgina wasn’t exactly thrilled with the news of Daisy’s anticipated purchase. “That old ruin was sagging when I had you. I can’t even imag
ine what it must look like now. For heaven’s sake, the yard is so overgrown, you can’t even see the house from the road.”

  “I know,” Daisy said, placing the folder with her paperwork on the kitchen counter. “But that’s part of its beauty. I’ll be saving the home for future generations.”

  Dallas snorted. “Ask me, you’d be better off throwing money in a fire.”

  “I didn’t ask you,” Daisy snapped. “Why can’t all of you be excited for me? Not only is it a lovely historic home, but the forty acres adjoin our land. If for no other reason, Dallas, I would’ve thought you would be the first person in line with an offer.”

  “I was. The family got wind of the fact that I planned to doze the place and turned me down.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Both of you hush.” Georgina put the tomato she’d been cutting on top of chopped salad greens. “If I didn’t know better, I’d swear you were both back in kindergarten.”

  Josie, who’d been sitting at the kitchen table writing lesson plans, cleared her throat. “Point of fact—my kindergartners are better behaved.”

  “Way to stand up for the man you supposedly love.” Dallas kissed his wife.

  “Oh—I love you, I just think you’re being shortsighted. Daisy, if you ever need help, please give me a call. I love painting and decorating.”

  Daisy brushed Dallas out of her way to steal a hug from his wife. “Consider yourself hired.”

  “When do you find out if your offer is accepted?” Georgina asked, placing the salad at the center of the kitchen table.

  “Hopefully tonight, but you never know.”

  “Well, regardless of the outcome,” Georgina said, “we’ll support you. Although, I’d rather do yard work than anything inside.”

  Daisy hugged her mom, too. “Great. Thanks. All right, Dallas, you’re the only one without a job.”

  He scoffed at her suggestion. “Count me out. Someone needs to maintain this house so when my sister loses her shirt on this deal she has somewhere to live.”

  AFTER THE DINNER DISHES had been washed and put away, Kolt had come home from Jonah’s, taken his bath, brushed his teeth and gone to bed, and Daisy once again found herself dreading the empty hours remaining in the day.

  Dallas and Josie were holed up in their room, watching TV. Every so often, their laughs punched through the silence.

  Georgina was in her craft room, working on a Christmas quilt.

  Daisy, meanwhile, sat on the foot of her bed, pouting because she hadn’t received her much-anticipated real-estate call.

  When her cell chose that moment to ring, her heart leaped to her throat. Expecting Vera, hearing Luke came as a surprise.

  “Did you get the house?” he asked.

  “I don’t know.” Tossing back her covers, she climbed in, propping pillows behind her. “Do you think it’s a bad sign they haven’t already called?”

  “Not necessarily.”

  “That didn’t sound overly confident.” Nibbling her lower lip, she imagined him seated in his comfy armchair. He’d wear PJ bottoms and nothing else. Suddenly overheated, she pushed back her down comforter.

  “All I’m saying is they could be out of town or working late. Maybe their phone’s broken. You never know.”

  “I suppose you’re right.” Hearing his rich, country twang directly in her ear did delicious things to her insides. “Funny, but before I saw that house, I wasn’t even sure I wanted my own place. Now, it’s all I can think about. I’m ready to jump out of my skin.”

  “How’d your date go?”

  “What date?” She sat up straighter. Was he talking about Rowdy? She’d forgotten even talking to him. Turns out he’d been waiting for his latest girlfriend, so they’d spent three minutes chatting and then Daisy had left. End of story.

  Luke laughed. “You don’t have to play coy with me. I’m not the jealous type.”

  “Why would you be? Especially when you’ve told me how little I mean to you.”

  “I never said that,” he protested. “Obviously, I care about you or I wouldn’t have called.”

  “Mmm-hmm.” Should Daisy be flattered by his concern?

  “How’s Kolt?”

  “Nice change of topic, but for the record, he finished his homework and is tucked into bed.”

  “Think he could spend the night over here some time? I’d like that—helping him with his routine.” Luke’s question struck Daisy in a long-forgotten place. It took her mind off the potential house deal and all the petty bickering she and Luke had shared. In the end, this was the sentiment at the core of Luke’s pain. He’d missed not only countless Christmas programs and soccer games, but more importantly, the little times. The quiet moments like bedtime stories and sweet, heartfelt prayers.

  “Of course,” she said past the knot in her throat. “For that matter, once we’re settled in the new house, there’s plenty of room for you to hang out there as much as you’d like. No pressure—just putting the offer on the table.”

  “Thank you.” The warmth behind his words struck her as different from his usual tone—at a level it hadn’t been at in a very long time.

  “Sure, Luke. I’ll do whatever you need in order for you and Kolt to grow close.”

  He stayed silent for a long while. “I hope you get your house, Daisy.”

  “I appreciate that.” He had no idea how much.

  “Well…” He laughed. “Guess I should let you go.”

  “Yeah. I have, um, stuff to do.” Liar. If Daisy had her way, she’d have curled up in her bed, chatting with him for hours. She liked the rich timbre of his voice. The way he’d made her loneliness disappear.

  “Me, too.”

  “Okay…” You hang up first, because I’m not strong enough to sever this tenuous tie.

  He laughed again, this time slowly and sexily enough to make her stomach tighten. “Good night, Daisy. Sweet dreams.”

  When he hung up, for a moment she felt lost. Then she remembered that when it came to Luke, she’d never even been found.

  Chapter Eleven

  “Congratulations,” Vera said early the next morning. “My sellers accepted your offer.”

  “Eek.” Daisy did a happy dance in her office desk chair. Considering the amount of work she had ahead of her, she should’ve been terrified, but all she could focus on was the end result of raising Kolt in such a grand old home.

  “I’ll be over this afternoon with final documentation, and even though we already know of a few existing trouble spots, I still recommend getting a professional inspection for possible foundation issues.”

  After settling on a time to meet, Daisy tried concentrating on the few projects Barb had sent her way, as well as several more pro bono cases she’d taken, but she had a hard time concentrating when all she really wanted to do was start scraping and painting.

  She called her mother to share the news, and then Wren and Josie.

  Kolt would have to wait until after school.

  As for the one person she most wanted to tell, Daisy knew she shouldn’t call Luke. Every time she spoke to him it was akin to ripping off a bandage a tiny bit at a time. He meant so much to her, but she wasn’t entirely sure why. Yes, they’d been the quintessential high-school sweethearts and shared a child, but beyond that, they were strangers. He knew nothing of her dreams or goals and she didn’t know his.

  So why was it that whenever he was near—as he’d been the day they’d been out house-hunting—she was constantly checking herself to make sure she hadn’t inadvertently brushed against him or too often said his name?

  Exhausted from overanalyzing every little thing in her life, Daisy pushed back her chair and stood at one of the windows overlooking the town’s busiest street.

  All seemed normal in Weed Gulch, so why did she feel uneasy? Expectant? Maybe she shouldn’t have put an offer in on the house?

  There she went again, second-guessing. But why? Why couldn’t she accept her lot in life and be happy?


  With all of her secrets finally in the light of day, with Henry, she hoped, far, far away, at times her overall satisfaction meter felt unbearably full. Other days, the weight of what, in Luke, she hadn’t lost but had practically given away, felt crushing. The trick was not dwelling on the past. She had Kolt and the rest of her family, and a dilapidated house that might as well be a second child.

  Deciding fresh air might help her mood, Daisy powered down her computer, grabbed her purse and keys and locked up.

  Outside, she winced at the bright sun.

  The heat blasted her as if she’d stuck her head in an open five-hundred-degree oven.

  She climbed into her car, only to be that much hotter.

  Damn, this stupid weather. When she’d talked to Barb that morning, she’d reported it raining and seventy-five degrees. Should she back out of her house deal and just go home? Would San Francisco still feel like home?

  Arching her head back, she groaned, only to have an image in the rearview mirror catch her eyes.

  On the back window, someone—no doubt, Kolt—had scrawled:

  I See You.

  Grinning, she started the engine and backed out of the lot. All of her worries were unfounded. What she needed to do was relax and fully embrace this new chapter in her life. As for Luke… Daisy had no choice but to be satisfied without him.

  WEED GULCH GOSSIP had it on good authority that Daisy had gotten her house. On that evidence, Luke had stopped by Reasor’s for a big bunch of flowers and was now headed up the Buckhorn Ranch main drive.

  In all the years he’d known the family, he’d rarely knocked before entering and this time was no exception.

  “Hello?” he called once inside.

  When no one answered, he followed the sound of laughter and found the whole clan grilling hamburgers by the pool. Just as he had when facing the prospect of Daisy moving into her new house without him, Luke felt irrationally slighted by not having been invited to the cookout.