The Rancher Meets His Match

by Kate Pearce

  “I’m remodeling the kitchen. I’m sure Julia told you about it,” Kaiden said. “Since your dad’s MS has gotten a lot worse he needed the place to be wheelchair accessible.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Julia did mention it.”

  Miguel went to push past Kaiden, but he refused to budge.

  “Seeing as we’re asking questions right now, Mig, does Julia know you’re here?”

  “Definitely. I was just talking to her.” Miguel shrugged and took off his sunglasses to reveal his cold brown eyes and a scar that ran diagonally across his forehead. “She’s certainly been nagging me to visit Dad.”

  Kaiden stepped out of the way, aware that Miguel was army trained and perfectly capable of breaking his neck, and that he really had no right barring the man’s way into his own home. But something felt wrong and all the hackles on his neck had risen.

  Beth’s screech had him chasing after Miguel into the kitchen.

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Oh, my goodness, he startled me!” Beth clutched the tea towel to her chest and stared over Miguel’s shoulder at Kaiden. “I’m so sorry.”

  Miguel looked her up and down. “It’s Beth Baker, right?”

  “Yes,” she said, nodding rapidly. “Sorry, I just turned around, and there you were. . . .”

  “It’s all good.” Miguel’s attention was already moving on. “I’ve come to see my father. Is he in the family room?”

  “Yes, he was just about to take his afternoon nap.” Beth edged toward the door. “I’ll go and see if he’s awake, and tell him he has a special visitor.”

  After Beth almost ran from the room, Miguel turned to Kaiden.

  “Why’s she so jumpy?”

  Kaiden wasn’t about to share Beth’s personal history with Miguel.

  “Have you seen yourself in the mirror recently, dude? You look like an assassin.”

  The corners of Miguel’s mouth flicked up in what might have been a smile. “So I’ve been told.” He unbuttoned his jacket. “Looks like you’re doing a nice job on the new kitchen. What are you, a plumber now?”

  “Carpenter.” Kaiden wasn’t going to let Miguel get a rise out of him. “Kitchens are my specialty but I do a lot of restoring old buildings as well.”

  “Plenty of those around here, although from what I hear, Morgan Valley is thriving.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “Lots of people.” Miguel shrugged. “I took a drive down Main Street before I came out to the ranch and I was impressed. Lots of new buildings and no boarded-up shop fronts, which is rare in this part of the world.”

  “We’re doing okay,” Kaiden said cautiously. “You thinking about finally moving back?”

  “Me? Hell, no.”

  Beth came back in and Miguel nodded at Kaiden as he walked toward the family room.

  “Nice talking to you, Kai. You take care now.”

  “I’ll bring you some coffee,” Beth called after Miguel.

  “Thanks, I could use some.”

  Kaiden barely waited until Miguel was out of earshot before he locked gazes with Beth, who looked uncharacteristically worried. He lowered his voice.

  “Look, I know this is none of our business, but if you could keep an eye on him, and let me know what’s going on, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I’ve never liked Miguel. He’s bad news.” Beth wrapped her arms around herself. “If I find out anything I’ll definitely let you know, okay?”

  * * *

  Kaiden was still thinking about Miguel as he pulled up his truck at home and got out. He was tempted to text Julia to let her know her brother had turned up, but Miguel had said she knew, and he didn’t want to get in the middle of anything. He was having enough problems with his own family to want to dive in and disrupt hers and make things worse between them.

  Even as he made the decision not to interfere, he still got out his phone and pulled up her number. His call was immediately put through to voice mail and he hesitated again. Was there any point in leaving a message? She’d probably ignore it anyway.

  Unfortunately, he’d arrived home earlier than planned, which was awkward because he wasn’t really on good terms with anyone right now and had started spending as much time as possible in his room. He entered the house, took off his boots in the mudroom, and walked through to the kitchen where of course his dad was sitting at the table.

  Kaiden nodded at him and went to get himself some coffee. As far as he knew, Evan was now doing his ranch work, and that was just fine with him. He tried to keep out of all the discussions about the ranch, which meant he often ate his meals in silence.

  Auntie Rae had gone home and Leanne was staying until Jeff had his final clearance from the hospital, which was expected a week after the party.

  “How’s the kitchen going at the Garcias?”

  Kaiden turned to look at his father, who had his tablet out in front of him and was playing some brightly colored game. To his knowledge it was the first time his dad had asked him a direct question in three weeks.

  “Great.”

  He added cream to his coffee and stirred it slowly. “When do you think you’ll be done?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “Leanne went into town to pick up my prescriptions and see Lizzie about something so she said she’ll bring pizza and wings back from Gina’s.”

  “Okay.” Kaiden mopped up the countertop and then went toward his father. “Here’s my rent.” He dug in his pocket and pulled out a wad of bills.

  “I don’t want your stupid money,” Jeff snapped.

  “Too bad.” Kaiden tossed it onto the table. “I don’t work here anymore so I can’t pay you back that way.”

  “Yeah, well, as to that.” His father shut the lid of his tablet. “Maybe I was too hasty.”

  Kaiden shook his head. “I’m not playing this game, Dad. I’m taking a shower. When I come back I’ll set the table for dinner.”

  He walked out, aware that he really wasn’t in the mood to tangle with his father again, and walked straight into Adam.

  “Hey, can I talk to you?”

  Kaiden repressed a sigh. “I’m just about to take a shower.”

  “It’ll only take a minute.”

  “Fine.” Kaiden went down the hallway to his bedroom, opened the door, and walked over to the window. “Shoot.”

  Adam leaned back against the closed door. “I talked to Lizzie.”

  “Okay.”

  “She basically said everything that you did.”

  Kaiden didn’t know how he was supposed to respond to that so he just nodded.

  “She’s scared that if she gives everything up for me, and things go south again, then she’ll be left picking up the pieces.” Adam cleared his throat. “I tried to tell her that will never happen, but I do understand where’s she’s coming from. I haven’t exactly been reliable. I mean, you don’t go into a marriage expecting your wife to die at twenty-one of inoperable brain cancer, but that happened, and just to make things worse, I lost Lizzie as well.”

  Kaiden winced.

  “So, we’ve decided to try something different. She’ll keep her apartment for six months and we’ll try it both ways. Her living up here and commuting back into town for the first month, and then me doing the reverse for a month.”

  “Hold up—you’re going to move down to Morgantown?” Kaiden asked.

  “Isn’t that what you told me I should do?” Adam raised his eyebrows. “Lizzie was originally suggesting that she was the only person who should be making the monthly move, and I said it should be both of us.”

  Kaiden stared at his big brother. “That’s . . . pretty awesome of you both.”

  “Roman’s okay with it too,” Adam added. “We sat him down together and explained everything, and he totally got it.”

  “Have you told Dad yet?”

  Adam looked down at his boots. “I thought we’d wait until after the big party and his final checkup at the hospital.”

&nbs
p; “Makes sense.” Kaiden nodded. “You know he’s going to hate it?”

  “Good.” Adam’s elusive smile appeared. “Maybe it will take some of the heat off you.”

  “I made my own bed,” Kaiden reminded him. “I don’t need you to save me.”

  “Yeah, I forgot you made that very clear.” His brother’s smile disappeared and he straightened up. “You don’t need or like any of us right now, period.”

  He grabbed the door handle. “I just wanted to let you know that even though I didn’t like what you said at the time, it kind of stuck in my side like a saddle burr. When Lizzie approached me with her plan, it all suddenly made sense, so thanks.”

  “You should thank Lizzie, she’s the smart one around here,” Kaiden said.

  Adam opened the door. “She got some help from Julia, of all people. She said that having someone talk everything through with her from a new perspective really helped.”

  “Julia’s good at that.”

  “So it seems. Is she coming back for the party next Saturday?”

  “I’ve no idea.” Kaiden undid his shirt. “Mom’s bringing pizza back, so I need to get a shower and go help set up the kitchen.”

  “Okay, thanks again.” Adam finally left.

  “Why does everyone keep asking me about Julia?” Kaiden muttered as he stripped off his T-shirt and turned on the shower. “Like I’d know?”

  All he had to do was send her a text, and ask. . . .

  Kaiden stripped off the rest of his clothes and stepped under the hot spray. And, if he did that, he’d be right back where he didn’t want to be. Wanting something he couldn’t have, and even more miserable than he was already.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Good morning, this is Julia Garcia, how may I help you?”

  Julia uncapped her pen and found a legal pad just in case she needed to make notes. She had to record every billable second.

  “Julia? Esta es tu madre, Lupita.”

  For a second she couldn’t find any words in either of the languages she’d grown up speaking. “Mama? Esta todo bien?”

  “Si, querida. Todo esta bien.”

  “Did you forget my cell phone number?” Julia gave up on attempting that in Spanish.

  “No, mi hija. I wanted to call you here—if that’s all right.” Her mother switched back to English.

  “It’s totally fine, what can I do for you?”

  “I had a letter asking whether I still had any financial interest in the Garcia Ranch.”

  “From whom?”

  There was a rustling sound as if her mother was opening up the letter. “Your law firm. That’s why I used this number.”

  “I didn’t send you a letter.” Julia frowned. “Who signed it?”

  “There is no signature.” Lupita paused. “The thing is, what do you want me to do? Should I answer it?”

  “No, please don’t,” Julia said firmly. “I’ll find out what’s going on, and who sent it.”

  “I don’t believe I have any interest in the ranch. I told your father that if there was anything owed, I’d leave it to you.”

  “Dad told me he’d left the whole thing to Miguel.”

  Her mother sighed. “It wouldn’t surprise me even though he must know that Miguel is temperamentally unsuitable to be a rancher. But, your father and I never got divorced so I suspect the legal situation might be more complicated than he realizes. If you find out who sent the letter, will you let me know? I don’t like loose ends.”

  “I will.” Julia nodded even though her mother couldn’t see her. “How’s everything else with you?”

  “Good, actually. The clinic is busy, but not overwhelmed, and that’s just how I like it.”

  “Anything you need supply-wise?”

  Lupita laughed. “You know me, Daughter. I’ll take anything you’ve got.”

  “I’ll check out your website and see what I can do,” Julia promised. Her mother’s clinic survived on gifts and donations from various charities and individuals.

  “Okay. I’d better go. Clinic starts in five minutes and there’s already a line. Stay well, querida. I love you very much.”

  “And I you. Bye, Mom.”

  Lupita ended the call and Julia stayed where she was, imagining her mother opening up the doors of her clinic in the bright sunlight and lush greenery. She knew that having made the call, Lupita would immediately put it out of her mind and focus on the thing she loved best: caring for others. Her passion and need to make a difference in the world had taken her a long way from Garcia Ranch. As an adult, Julia was in awe of her determination; as a child she’d wondered why her mother loved other kids more than her.

  But who had sent the letter? Julia rose from her seat and went into the outer office where Miley and some of the other team members worked. Everyone looked up as she appeared and stared at her.

  “This is going to sound weird, but did any of you recently write a letter to a medical clinic in Guatemala?”

  Miley glanced around and then shook her head like everyone else.

  “Is something up, boss?”

  “Nothing that needs to worry anyone,” Julia assured them. She beckoned to Miley to follow her back into her office and close the door.

  “The only person I know who has a clinic in Guatemala is your mom,” Miley said. “Why would someone be writing to her if they weren’t you?”

  “That’s the million-dollar question.” Julia grimaced. “I have my suspicions, but I definitely can’t prove them.”

  “I assume it’s got something to do with Blaine?” Miley suggested. “How would he know about your mom?”

  Julia shrugged. “He came out to the ranch. Maybe my dad mentioned her or something. But why would he contact her?”

  “Maybe he’s looking for dirt on you?”

  “Like what?” Julia stared at her paralegal. “That I occasionally use the office mailing department to send her stuff without paying the postage?”

  “I wouldn’t put it past him.” Miley tapped her fingers against her mouth. “How about you leave it with me? I’m kind of friends with his admin because she hates his guts? She might be willing to tell me if she wrote that letter for him.”

  “Would you?” Julia asked. “I’d really appreciate it.”

  “Sure, and I’ll keep it to myself, all right?” Miley nodded and turned to the door. “She’s not in today, because Blaine is out. I’ll try and talk to her tomorrow.”

  “Where’s Blaine?”

  “Good question.” Miley stopped walking. “I’ll find that out as well.”

  Julia sat down at her desk again and struggled to get her thoughts in order. She had to write a presentation for Blaine to give to Mr. Bashear at the end of the week summarizing their last quarter. Blaine had explicitly told her to make him look good, but Julia wasn’t sure it was possible. He spent most of his time wining and dining clients, and very little either managing his team, or putting in the hard work of actually setting out his legal arguments.

  For some reason, Melanie, who was usually tough on all her team, let him get away with it. Unsettled by the call from her mother, Julia walked over to stare out her window at the other tall buildings that surrounded her office. Far below her, in the dark shadows cast by the skyscrapers, the traffic looked sluggish and small—not that San Francisco could rival most cityscapes having way too many earthquakes to build really high.

  If she couldn’t get herself together she’d have to work late tonight again. With a sigh, she returned to her desk. She had dinner arranged with the small-town developer she’d liked most from the ones Miley had contacted. They were bringing her a series of plans and suggestions about making the transition from ranchland to housing far less stressful and invasive while being respectful of the land and its heritage. She wasn’t sure if Morgan Valley would ever need the information, but she definitely wanted to share it with Silver and Ben for their heritage foundation.

  Miley had also secured her a one-on-one breakfast meeting wi
th Mr. Bashear at his hotel so no one at MZB would even know they’d met. The fact that he’d agreed to it had made Julia hope that whatever Melanie and Blaine had been saying about her hadn’t impacted his appreciation of her talents.

  She opened her laptop and stared at the half-completed document extolling Blaine’s talents and pulled out her notes. If there was ever a prize for fiction at her job, she’d be a shoo-in.

  * * *

  Kaiden paused at the kitchen door, his toolbox in his hand, and checked to see who was there before entering. Beth came through the door with an empty tray and smiled when she saw him.

  “Hey. I wondered if you’d be coming in today.”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” Kaiden lowered his voice. “Is Miguel still here?”

  “He stayed the night. Some guy came and picked him up this morning, and they went out together. He didn’t say if he planned to come back, and he hasn’t left anything in his bedroom.”

  Knowing Miguel’s secretive habits, Kaiden wasn’t surprised by any of that.

  “How’s it been going?”

  Beth started unloading the new dishwasher. “Juan’s absolutely thrilled to see him.”

  “I bet.” Kaiden buckled up his tool belt.

  “But just before I left yesterday they had some kind of falling-out. I couldn’t hear much of what Miguel was saying because he always speaks so quietly, but Juan was angry about something.”

  “Miguel probably told him he’s not coming back to run the ranch.”

  “That’s kind of what I gathered.” Beth nodded. “I suppose it’s good that Miguel came back to tell him to his face. From what Julia said, I guess he’d been avoiding it.”

  “That’s Miguel for you.” Kaiden uncovered the countertop and considered it anew. “He’s never been good at facing the consequences of his actions.”

  “You were friends once, weren’t you?”

  “Yeah, we were.” Kaiden nodded.

  “Then maybe you could ask him what’s going on?”

  Kaiden pictured Miguel’s cold eyes and blank expression. Whatever his old friend had been through since he’d left Morgan Valley had only accentuated the ruthless streak buried inside him.

  “I’ll certainly give it a try,” Kaiden said. “Is Juan okay this morning?”