Her Last Chance Cowboy

by Tina Radcliffe

  “Thanks for sharing that.” Hannah smiled. “In truth, it makes it so much easier for me to leave her when I know she wants to be there.”

  “Of course. Trust me. It’s hard for all of us.” She met Hannah’s gaze. “What do you think about your new boss?”

  Hannah mulled the question for a moment, not sure how to answer.

  Emma chuckled. “That wasn’t a trick question.”

  “He’s always prepared,” Hannah finally said.

  Once again, Emma laughed. “Isn’t that, like, the Boy Scout motto?”

  “I don’t mean any offense,” Hannah backpedaled. “I’m very appreciative of the opportunity, but it’s been a challenge to figure out Tripp.”

  “Yes. Welcome to our world,” Emma said.

  “How long have you and Lucy known him?”

  “Eight years,” Lucy piped in. “He was our first employee, followed by Dutch soon after. We started the ranch with six children and two heifers.”

  “Where is Tripp from?”

  “Are you kidding? That drawl of his is pure Texoma.” Lucy laughed. “Which reminds me, how’s that horse challenge coming along?”

  “Calamity Jane is very responsive. I have no doubts Tripp will win.”

  “Wonderful.”

  Emma glanced at her watch and then looked at her sister. “Who else is coming?”

  “AJ was going to participate,” Lucy said. “But she had an obstetrician appointment.”

  “Here I am,” AJ called as she waddled into the room with a hand to her lower back. “I rescheduled.”

  “Was that wise?” Emma asked. “You look like you’re ready to pop.”

  “I’m sure she means that in a good way,” Lucy said.

  “I’m fine,” AJ said as she eased herself down to a bench. “I have two months left, and this baby is doing calisthenics already. They’ve checked me for gestational diabetes but everything is fine. Travis Junior is simply going to be a big kid.”

  “Football player,” Lucy said.

  “Yes. Naturally, Travis says OSU, but I’m pulling for crimson and cream. University of Oklahoma all the way.”

  Hannah listened to the friendly exchange, amused. She had only met AJ Maxwell, Travis’s wife, once, but the spunky blonde ranch foreman was seven months pregnant and still out doing chores while driving the ranch all-terrain vehicle. She’d seen AJ’s name on the schedule for fence checking just this week. Hannah would have to find a subtle way to bring that information into the next conversation with her stubborn boss. Though subtle probably wasn’t going to work. The man needed a two-by-four wake-up call that she wasn’t a fragile flower, nor a stick of dynamite ready to explode.

  Lucy’s gaze moved from Hannah’s loose denim shirt to AJ’s maternity top to Emma’s baggy white oxford boyfriend shirt. She smiled and turned to Iris. “Okay, I don’t know how this slipped past me. Could you check into staff maternity shirts?”

  “I’m on it,” the admin said as she scribbled on her clipboard once again.

  “Good morning, ladies,” Rue said as she strolled into the room with a travel mug of coffee in her hand. “What have you wrangled me into this time, Lucy?”

  “Nothing dangerous. I promise,” Lucy said.

  “This from the woman who organizes scavenger hunts on the summer trail rides.”

  “This idea is much safer and there are no children involved. I’m trying to encourage more female members of the staff to get on board with the Pawhuska Orphanage outreach that the Timber Community Church does each year. Summer is our give back time. The guys took over the rodeo at the end of summer, but we need something targeted to involve women of all ages.”

  “What did you have in mind, Luce?” Emma asked. “It seems like we’ve done everything. I’m out of new ideas.”

  “Auctioning picnic baskets went well last year,” Emma said.

  “Then how about we auction off something even more intriguing. A bachelor, perhaps?” Rue suggested.

  Lucy shook her head. “That leaves out our married women and we’ve had a spurt in those the last few years.”

  Rue eyed the women on the other side of the table over her mug. “True enough. I heard that sweet wrangler AJ hired, Josee Queen, is engaged.”

  “She is. He proposed just last night,” AJ confirmed. “Marrying that nice vet, Trent Blaylock, thanks to our Hannah.”

  “Hannah? Are you a matchmaker?” Lucy asked with a smile.

  Hannah’s face warmed as all eyes turned to her. “No. The match has been in progress for months apparently. Trent asked, and I gave him a little advice on how to pop the question.”

  “It worked,” Rue said. “Well played.”

  “What about you, Rue? Any plans to settle down?” AJ asked.

  The doctor’s eyes rounded. “I thought I was settled down. I’m retired after thirty years of being married to the army, aren’t I?” She grinned. “Why would I want to complicate things?”

  “I always sort of thought that you and Dutch might get hitched someday,” AJ added with a conspiratorial wink.

  Rue released an unladylike snort. “In the words of Dutch Stevens, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

  “You’ve never wanted to marry?” Emma asked.

  Rue closed her eyes and opened them, glancing around the table. “I must be hallucinating. For a moment I thought we were at the Timber Big Hair Emporium slinging gossip like Aqua Net hairspray.”

  When AJ burst into a fit of giggles, Hannah put a hand to her mouth to suppress her own laughter. This was more fun than she’d had in a long time.

  “Point well taken, Rue.” Lucy held up a hand and chuckled. “Back to church business.”

  Emma wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. “What do you think about doing something along with the summer church picnic this year? The Sunday of Fourth of July weekend? Attendance is high with lots of tourists in town.”

  “Sounds like a great way to bring in donations for the orphanage,” Rue said.

  “We could do a fun run. Five kilometer,” Lucy said.

  “I’m sorry, but I do not run,” Rue said. “At this stage in my life, trust me, if I’m running, I’m being chased.”

  AJ rolled her eyes. “I agree. Y’all can run if you like, but I cannot see myself even waddling five kilometers in this heat.”

  “How about an old-fashioned cakewalk?” Hannah asked. “Anyone with a spatula and a recipe can participate, and there’s no real exercise involved.”

  All heads turned to her and she swallowed.

  “Oh, my, this is a wonderful idea,” Lucy said.

  “How exactly does a cakewalk work?” Emma asked.

  “We did them in my home church in Denver when I was growing up,” Hannah said. “The cakes are on display before the event starts. Numbers are taped to the ground to form a circle. Tickets to participate are sold.” She looked around to be sure everyone was following her explanation.

  “Everyone who purchased a ticket starts walking on the numbered squares while the band plays music. When they stop playing music, you stop on a numbered square. A number is drawn from a hat and whoever is on that number gets to pick the cake of their choice and is out of the game.”

  “Does that mean some people don’t get a cake?” AJ asked.

  “Yes,” Hannah said. “Usually there are consolation prizes offered.”

  “I like it!” Rue said. “We could do this in the church meeting hall. It would keep the cakes cool and we can easily tape numbers to the floor. In fact, I’m sure Dutch and some of his buddies will play music for us.”

  “Dutch plays an instrument?” Hannah asked.

  “He plays a mean fiddle,” Rue said. “His band will be playing at the Spring Social again this year.”

  “Spring Social?” Hannah asked.

  “It’s a town par
ty with music and food, held the Friday night before the Fourth of July weekend celebrations,” Rue said. “Long-standing tradition around here.”

  “Since the town of Timber is so supportive of Big Heart Ranch, we encourage staff support of the social, the rodeo and the parade,” Lucy said. “So we hope to see you at as many events as you can get to.”

  “I see,” Hannah said. Her stomach churned. She’d had a lifetime of being social.

  Lucy turned to her administrative assistant. “Iris, what do you think about the idea? Will it bring in the younger women, as well?”

  Iris nodded. “I like the cakewalk idea, but maybe it would add to the fun if the baker shares the dessert with the winner of their cake.”

  “But what if someone other than your fella picks your cake?” Emma asked. “You’d have to have dessert with them.”

  Lucy laughed. “Oh, the fun is in accidentally-on-purpose letting your fella find out which cake is yours. That obligates them to buy a ticket and play.”

  Rue burst out laughing. “Oh, Lucy, I like how you think. You’re going to make quite a few menfolk squirm.”

  “And empty their wallets,” Emma said.

  “Occasionally, it’s nice to have the upper hand,” Lucy said with a serene smile.

  “I’m in,” Emma said. “Competition. Cake. What’s not to like?”

  “Oh, so am I,” AJ said. “Hannah, this is a fabulous idea.”

  Hannah blinked as she realized what her idea had morphed into. Sharing her cake with someone? Suddenly her fabulous idea didn’t seem quite so fabulous.

  “We can have some fun prize drawings for those who enter their cake and ask the local businesses for contributions,” Lucy added.

  “I can handle that,” AJ said. “It’s hard to say no to an expectant woman, and I don’t mind using my condition for the church.”

  “And I’m pretty good with graphic design,” Iris said. “I can get some posters for the local businesses and see if the Timber Daily Gazette will give the church a discount in the Sunday paper.”

  “Great,” Lucy said with a satisfied grin. “I’ll notify Pastor Parr and I think the rest of the prep can be done by email.”

  “Isn’t this all coming together nicely?” Emma said as she helped AJ to stand.

  “It is,” AJ added.

  “I’m so glad you’re on this committee, Hannah,” Lucy said.

  Hannah stared at her for a moment. Despite the fact that she’d disrupted their lives with her claims, the Maxwells treated her like she was one of them, with or without a DNA confirmation.

  “Thank you, Lucy.”

  “Did I give you the number of the obstetrician in Pawhuska?” Lucy asked.

  “Yes.” Hannah grabbed her purse and stood. “I have an appointment scheduled.”

  “Great. AJ’s baby shower is coming up. I hope you’ll help us with that, as well. We’ll have one for you and Emma in the fall,” Lucy said.

  “I’d be honored to help.” She paused and glanced around. “But I don’t even know if I’ll be here in the fall.”

  Lucy looked up from her folder and got to her feet. “Why not? Clementine has started school. You have to settle somewhere. Why not Big Heart Ranch? You fit right in.”

  “I doubt that Big Heart Ranch will notice if I stay or leave,” she said quietly as everyone else left the chow hall.

  “Oh, that’s not true. All of us will notice, especially Tripp.”

  “Tripp?” Hannah froze at the comment.

  “Yes. I’ve seen the difference in him since you’ve been here.”

  Hannah stared at the eldest Maxwell, unsure of what to say.

  “The man purposely avoids conversation.” Lucy smiled. “It’s like a game around here. Who can get the most words out of Tripp Walker? But lately, well, he’s had a lot to say.”

  “I’m sure he does.” Hannah grimaced. “My presence has irritated him from day one. For some reason, Tripp really doesn’t like me much.”

  “Not true.” Lucy shook her head as she, too, stood. “We have weekly staff meetings. You’ve been here two weeks, and he speaks highly of you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. You know, Tripp is like all men who don’t know how to express their feelings. They bark to protect us from finding out they’re really a softie inside.”

  Hannah blinked. “I...I don’t know what to say to that, Lucy.”

  “No response is required. Just keep in mind that maybe, just maybe, you’re right where God wants you to be and the good Lord doesn’t need any DNA test to tell you that.”

  * * *

  “And here I thought things were going so well,” Tripp said. He stomped into the stables with Dutch and Hannah following. “We’ve gone three weeks without any problems. Made it clear to another Friday, even.”

  “It’s my fault, boss.”

  Tripp turned to Dutch, who now stood outside of the equine office. “Hannah is pregnant.” He ground the words out. “You couldn’t find anyone else to help you with the fences?”

  “It isn’t a terminal disease,” Hannah murmured.

  Dutch wiped his face with a red bandana and grimaced. When the old cowboy looked to Hannah, she stepped forward. Hands on hips, she shoved her dark waves off her shoulder and got right in Tripp’s face. Fire lit her eyes as she met his gaze.

  “Don’t blame Dutch. It isn’t his fault and I won’t have him thrown under the bus for my actions. I told him it was okay for me to help and practically twisted his arm to let me assist.”

  Stunned, Tripp opened his mouth and closed it again. His quiet assistant had morphed into a raging spitfire.

  “AJ is pregnant and so is Emma,” Hannah continued. “They’re still on the schedule. And for the record, I was simply helping. I rode in the ute.”

  He took a calming breath. “Your job is in the equine center. We’ve already had this discussion.”

  “I was all caught up in the office. Even the stable chores were completed.”

  “You can’t play internet solitaire like everyone else?” he asked.

  “You pay me for eight hours, so I work eight hours.” She waved a hand at the office. “This is a bit under-challenging for my skill set.”

  “This is your job.”

  “I’m not going to collect my share of the winnings for doing nothing. That’s not how I operate. If I don’t earn the money, then I don’t want the money.”

  Tripp shrugged. “I’m happy to take your share.”

  “That’s not what I said. I intend to earn my share.”

  Dutch pulled off his straw cowboy hat and then slapped it back on as he looked from Hannah to Tripp. “Whoo-ee. You two are as much fun as being caught in a thunderstorm in your long johns.” He turned on his heel.

  “Where are you going?” Tripp asked.

  “It’s Friday afternoon. I’m a free man in two hours. I’m gonna go seek shelter until this particular storm passes.”

  Rue stepped into the stables as Dutch stomped out, her arms filled with a large crystal vase of flowers. Her gaze followed Dutch as she approached the office. “Everything all right in here?”

  “Fine,” Tripp said at the same time as Hannah.

  “Sounds like it,” she said. “These are for your assistant.”

  “Me?” A pleased smile curved Hannah’s lips. She took the vase and brought it to her desk before plucking the card from the center.

  “Lovely flowers, aren’t they?” Rue said to Tripp.

  Tripp glanced at the arrangement and scowled. He didn’t know much about flowers, but they looked impressive and expensive. “Yeah. Lovely.”

  “Trent Blaylock sent them.”

  “Trent? Why would the vet be sending Hannah flowers?”

  Rue offered a secret little smile before she turned to leave. “Maybe you should ask
her.”

  Tripp stared through the glass at Hannah, trying to figure out why the woman kept vexing him at every turn.

  When his desk phone rang, Hannah picked it up. “Big Heart Ranch Equine Center. Hannah speaking.” She nodded. “Sure. Let me ask Tripp.”

  She stepped out of the office with the portable phone in her hand. “Lucy wants to know if you can meet with her and the architect regarding the addition to the girls’ ranch equine center on Monday.”

  “I thought you and Lucy were going to Tulsa for that lab testing Monday.”

  “She had to cancel,” Hannah said.

  Tripp resisted the urge to growl. Nothing was going right today, and now Lucy was messing with his calendar.

  “What do you want me to tell Lucy?” Hannah asked quietly.

  “Tell her I’m headed to the admin building now.” He glanced at the flowers again. “Nice flowers.”

  “Thank you.”

  Tripp stomped to the administration building and straight past Iris Banner who manned the front desk, stuffing flyers into envelopes.

  “Morning, Tripp.”

  “Morning.” He kept moving down the hall, stopping in the doorway of Lucy’s office. As always, he paused cautiously on the threshold before entering. Lucy’s office had the distinction of looking like an Oklahoma twister just hit. It had gotten better since her husband hired Iris to help out. But not much.

  “You can come in,” she called from behind her desk.

  He took a hesitant step into the dimly lit room. “I’m never sure if it’s safe.”

  “It’s before the F1 hits you have to worry. Not after.”

  “That’s your story.”

  Lucy stood and stepped from around her desk. She cleared a stack of papers from a chair and gestured for him to sit.

  “This is where you greet ranch guests?” Tripp asked.

  “Give me some credit, Tripp. I use our very professional conference room for guests and business associates.”

  Tripp crossed his arms and frowned.

  “We have established that you woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” She sat down again and picked up a mug. “Will coffee help?”