by Leigh Riker
Kate stomped snow from her boots, then gentled her voice. “Bunny, you know I didn’t.” To her sorrow, this message never seemed to get through. “We’ve talked about that and I know it makes you sad, but he wasn’t in New York. Sweetie, he can’t be with us anymore.”
Kate drew away and straightened, clasping his hand. So delicate, so fragile. She would die herself rather than hurt him, yet he couldn’t continue to believe, to hope, that Rob would come home. Teddie’s pediatrician claimed that wasn’t good for his health. She’d made a mistake last year in not telling Teddie the truth right away... She’d thought he was too young to grasp the concept of death. After that mistake, his mind had been set.
Her eyes filled. “I missed you, baby.” Diversion at Teddie’s age was always her best friend. “What did you do while I was away?”
“Before the snow, I rode Spencer.”
“Of course, you did,” she said, blinking to clear the tears that had threatened to fall. At least she and Teddie weren’t talking about Rob now. His loss had brought Kate to her knees, and she missed him dreadfully, too, but Teddie was still crouching, emotionally, in some mental corner, hoping every night to see his dad again. She hadn’t been able to convince him otherwise. “I hope Spencer took good care of you.”
“He’s always good.” Teddie sent her a chiding look. “You know that, Mommy.”
He was the pony’s constant protector, his defender whenever need be.
Kate’s aunt Meg, wearing jeans and a green long-sleeved Henley shirt, appeared in the kitchen doorway at the other end of the entry hall, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “I’m not surprised you were delayed. I was worried. How were the roads today?”
“Pretty bad.” She’d managed to call earlier but would detail her misadventure with Noah later. She couldn’t stop the remembrance, however, of last night in the Bluebird Motel with her worst enemy, never mind that they’d managed to hold a civil conversation without Kate’s anger erupting. Barely. She couldn’t believe they’d actually dared to talk about Rob.
Kate had learned early in her life about loss. She’d been a little girl, not much older than Teddie was now, when her mother had abandoned the family. Years later, just as Kate reached adulthood with the beloved father who’d raised her, he’d been killed in a tractor accident. More recently, she’d lost her husband and Teddie his dad. There would be no more losses in their lives, if she had her way.
Meg’s brown hair looked mussed rather than tidy, but she flashed a bright smile. “If this boy could sleep with that horse, he would.”
“He’d fit in my bed with me,” Teddie agreed, nodding. “He would.”
She shot Meg a look. “I’m sorry I didn’t get home last night.” Kate angled her head toward Teddie. “We’ve established that Spencer behaved himself.” She tried a teasing tone. “What about my boy here?” she asked Meg.
Her aunt’s blue gaze looked weary yet warm. “Teddie is an angel.”
Which was pretty much true, though he could be exhausting at times. Kate had to smile, but had she taken advantage of her aunt? Meg, who was only seven years older than Kate, had moved in with them not long after Rob’s death—and her own divorce. Having an on-site babysitter was a blessing, but Kate, who was thirty, worried about her. She treasured her companionship, but Meg had a tendency to sacrifice herself for others when she should be making a new life for herself. “Thanks for watching him again.”
Meg smiled. “Always my pleasure. Good to have you home, Kate.”
“Well, then.” She clapped her hands, setting Bandit off again. The dog raced around the hall, skidding on the floor, tail wagging a mile a minute. “Let’s celebrate. How does some ice cream sound, Teddie?”
His eyes lit up. “Chocolate chip?”
Meg had already turned back into the kitchen and was heading for the refrigerator. “I bought a half gallon before the snow started.”
“One scoop for me,” Kate called after her. “I ate way too much at the wedding reception on Friday night, and the breakfast buffet on Saturday before I left the hotel looked too scrumptious to resist.”
She’d eaten more yesterday than Noah had, he’d told her. Offering him the cheese crackers she’d bought in LaGuardia for Teddie, Kate had taken pity on him—not something she cared to repeat.
Sitting across from Teddie at the table, she felt herself begin to unwind. She was home. I’m no cowboy, Noah had said, but Kate was, or rather, a genuine cowgirl. There were a few other women ranchers in the area like her, yet it was still a man’s world. And even her friend Nell Ransom had her husband’s help on the big NLS Ranch. Kate couldn’t afford to miss a day of work. Sweetheart’s survival was up to her now.
A fresh pang of sorrow went through her for Teddie and herself. Clearly, she needed some distraction to help her forget last night and seeing Noah briefly as a human being instead of the monster who’d let her husband die.
She’d take Teddie riding tomorrow, hoping to forget for an hour or three her constant worries about her son’s well-being and her own still-shattered heart.
* * *
“WELL. IT’S ABOUT time you got here.”
Noah had knocked, then turned the front doorknob at the WB’s main house—his home, once, which was rarely locked—when Zach appeared, his gaze widened in surprise. Or was that shock? Noah was in for it now, as expected. He’d hoped his mother would come to the door instead, but no. Not his luck.
Leaning against the living room door frame, arms crossed, his brother looked him over. His tone stayed mild. “How many of those fancy suits do you own?”
“Enough to get the job done,” Noah drawled. He never stepped foot on this ranch without his accent changing from city to country, which irritated him. From the next room, he could hear the drone of some game on TV, probably basketball, and a shuffling sound from someone who’d shifted perhaps on the sofa. He knew his mother didn’t care for sports. So who could be watching? Willow, most likely. “Could I bring my bag in before you start on me?”
Zach didn’t blink. His hair honey colored, his eyes that serious hazel, he wore his usual jeans with a plain white T-shirt. Zach was in his sock feet. “You already blew off Willow’s wedding. Why turn up now? The damage was done on Christmas Day,” he said, then, “No, actually the night before, when you didn’t show up for the rehearsal dinner.”
Noah flicked snow off his sleeves. “I’d, uh, planned to come of course but—”
“Save your excuses for Willow.” Zach paused. “Oh, no, wait. She’s not here. She’s on her honeymoon.”
Noah’s stomach sank. He’d figured Willow would be put out with him, too, deeply hurt, but she was a far more forgiving sort than Zach. “Honeymoon? Last time we spoke, I thought she and Cody were postponing any trip until they got their new training business started.”
“They did and Cody changed her mind.” Zach paused. “You probably won’t be here by the time they get home, looking all tanned and happy after their Caribbean cruise.” He turned his back on Noah. “As far as I’m concerned, if this is another of your drive-by visits like the one for Dad’s funeral, you should have saved yourself the airfare. This family hasn’t been a priority since you graduated from college. And took off for greener pastures.”
Noah had felt he had little choice then but wasn’t about to explain himself yet. He’d dropped Kate earlier at Sweetheart Ranch, then hightailed it back into town. Lunch at the café; a snowy walk down Main Street, where most of the shops never seemed to change; a burger at Rowdy’s bar, lingering there over a beer before he finally drove out of Barren to the WB well after sunset. Working up his nerve.
“Zach,” a woman’s voice called, “take it easy.”
Noah glanced toward the other room, then back to Zach.
“Mom’s watching a game?” He’d hoped to be rescued, yet that didn’t sound like her.
“No, she went in
to town yesterday, but once this storm hit, she stayed there with friends. Avoiding the drive home in all this snow. Why? Did you expect her to be here to greet you when you didn’t bother to give anybody a heads-up about this royal visit?”
The woman who’d spoken before came out to the hall, her sock feet gliding across the polished wooden floor. In jeans and a flowy top, she had auburn hair that tumbled down her back, her eyes a bright blue. Familiar, like her voice. This seemed to be his week for running into people he used to know.
Cass Moran laid a hand on Zach’s spine. “Excuse this one. Your mother tried to teach him manners, but obviously she failed. It’s good to see you, Noah.”
As with Kate, Noah hadn’t seen Cass in years, and the last time he’d heard, she was in California, working as an event planner in Malibu. Now she looked at ease in his family’s house.
She held up one hand to show him a sparkling diamond. Noah had missed something else, all right.
“You’re engaged?”
“See what I mean?” Zach said to indicate Noah had proved his point.
“I realize I have a lot of apologizing to do. But on my way to the WB, I got stuck yesterday in that blizzard. You must know the roads were closed. Couldn’t get a phone signal to tell you I was even coming.” Unlike Kate, he hadn’t called the ranch this morning. Coward. “I have to say, the snow made me glad I left Kansas back in the day, which I’m sure won’t surprise you.”
“You could have called before that.”
“This trip happened fast. In New York, I meant to call but got tied up, then barely caught my flight.” Better not to mention his crowded schedule, this narrow window of opportunity. But what could he have said anyway, or say now, that wouldn’t make his brother angrier with him than he already was? Maybe it was a good thing he’d chopped a day off his trip because of the storm. In fact, he might leave tomorrow instead of on Tuesday.
“He was probably afraid of the very reception he’s getting,” Cass murmured. Then she took Zach by one well-muscled arm and gave Noah a sympathetic look. “I know exactly how that feels. My family’s not warm and fuzzy—or, they weren’t. There’s always hope,” she added. Apparently, the Moran’s longtime rift had been healed. “Come on, mister. You’ll miss the end of the game. You can talk to Noah in the morning.”
And vent your fury, but she didn’t need to say that.
Just before they disappeared into the living room, Noah spoke again. Yeah, he felt remorseful about his sister’s wedding, but he wouldn’t let Zach steamroll him either. “By the way,” he said in that same drawling tone, “your driveway needs plowing. In my rental car, I almost got stuck.”
Zach stopped. Noah should have kept his mouth shut, but to his surprise Zach turned back, then suddenly grinned and they were brothers again, if not on good terms, needling each other as they used to do at the drop of a Stetson. Neither had ever been able to resist the challenge. The back-and-forth had been easier between them then, not loaded with Noah’s perceived betrayal of the family by moving east, leaving Zach responsible for the WB.
“I plowed at lunchtime,” Zach said, “but if you want to give it another pass, knock yourself out. I’d change those fancy clothes first.”
“I’d rather pay some kid from town to plow.”
“Bet you would.” Zach studied him. “City boy.”
Noah blew out a breath. “Don’t try to tell me you don’t like running this ranch, Zach. I’ve never figured out why you cared that I left. You were born in a saddle. I wasn’t. So who better to take over than you?” Besides, more important, Zach had mostly gotten along with their overbearing father. He’d avoided all those escalating arguments.
“I didn’t say I don’t like it.” Zach rubbed his neck. “But, after watching it snow all night and having you suddenly appear in the flesh, I got to thinking. Winter’s not my favorite season, but other than minor chores and catching up on stuff after summer, it’s not that busy. Yep, I believe we should.”
Noah’s pulse skipped. “Should what?”
“Trade places,” Zach said mildly. “For me, explore the world beyond the WB. Like you. I mean, I haven’t had a break in over a year. Not that you would know, but this whole ranch got taken over by Willow’s wedding plans from July straight through New Year’s.”
Cass murmured, “It was a humdinger of an event. Maybe the best I’ve ever done.” She paused. “What are you saying, Zach?”
His grin broadened. “Seems to me, remembering Willow’s honeymoon and all, it’s time for a vacation of our own. And Noah’s here.”
“Oh, now, wait,” he said. “You don’t think I—”
“Can manage the ranch?” Zach shook his head. “Guess you’ll have to figure that out. You’ve got a lot to make up for, might as well start there. Or maybe you just can’t hack it?”
“Zach, I have a business to run. I have meetings next week in New York...” He didn’t go on. He also had a big social event to attend with Margot, his girlfriend, who wouldn’t be happy if he wasn’t there to escort her. Recently, she didn’t seem happy most of the time, and he needed to think more about that. Have a serious talk with her. Maybe he should head out the door and back to the airport right now, but the light in Zach’s eyes told him he’d already lost this round.
Noah tried again anyway. “Listen. I left here fifteen years ago. Dad practically threw me out. ‘Leave now,’ he said, ‘and you’re no son of mine.’” Which had only added to Noah’s constant sense of failure. He’d been gone that very night, determined to prove himself. I’ll show you.
“Tough,” Zach said, “and still he left you part of this ranch. Maybe it’s time you earned that. It’s your turn now, brother. First thing tomorrow, Cass and I are leaving on a little road trip.” She looked so surprised that Noah guessed Zach’s decision really had been made on the spur-of-the-moment. It was also payback, Noah felt certain, for him missing the wedding and a lot of other things. Noah could hardly deny that. He didn’t speak before Zach added, “I’m leaving the WB in your hands.”
As it should have been in the first place, but Zach didn’t say that, or add capable hands.
“Try not to mess it up,” he added.
He left Noah gaping after him in the entry hall.
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, all bundled up, Kate and Teddie rode across the far pasture under the pretext of looking for newborn calves, although in early January even those first births should still be weeks off. The snow was deep in places where they had to pick their way, nearly swept bare in others by the wind, which held a bitter chill that made Kate hunker deeper into her parka, but the big sky was that brilliant, cloudless azure blue she loved. The brisk, clear air felt sharp enough to cut. They rode for sheer pleasure, Kate on her buckskin mare, Lady, and Teddie on Spencer, his black-and-white Welsh pony churning through the snow on chunky legs.
“Mommy! Look!” Teddie pointed at the sky. “Is that an eagle?”
“A hawk, honey, probably a red tail.”
“Is he hunting for his food?”
“I bet he is,” she said, reaching over to ruffle her son’s hair. Her memory of New York, all that traffic and bustle and ear-shattering noise, was truly behind her now. Like Noah Bodine and the Bluebird Motel. On Sweetheart Ranch, she had peace and quiet, safety and the feeling that nothing could hurt her. She had her best memories of Rob here. She never wanted to leave, not even for another weekend. After a good night’s sleep, she’d awakened to Teddie and Bandit bending over her, her son’s hands cupping her cheeks, the dog drooling on the bedspread, both wanting their breakfast. Kate had been grinning before her feet hit the floor.
For a few more minutes, they rode on, Teddie frequently finding some new object of interest—a flock of doves, an icicle hanging from a branch, a lone puffy white cloud that looked to him like one of his favorite superheroes. Kate couldn’t see the similarity, but it mad
e Teddie happy. And thus, her too.
“What’s that?” he suddenly asked. Ever on the lookout for adventure, he motioned toward the horizon, where Kate saw movement along the edge of her property. She squinted into the sun. A large cougar? Or a bear? Kate had a milder version of Teddie’s nearsightedness, but she could see that whatever the blur in the distance might be, it was moving at a good speed. She reached around to touch the shotgun she always carried in a scabbard behind her saddle, making sure it was still there. Then, a few yards on, she made out the shape of the galloping horse.
A rider-less horse, she noted. This wasn’t some escapee from the barn or a paddock where someone had left a gate open. Fully saddled, it had obviously tossed its rider. The reins trailed, which could easily cause a stumble, a fall that might lead to a disastrous injury. Even when the horse wasn’t hers, she might then have to use the shotgun, as any rancher would, to put the animal out of its misery. But in front of her child?
“Wait here, Teddie,” she said, then spurred Lady, already knowing he would ignore the order and follow her. Teddie couldn’t keep up, but he tried, and as he fell behind, Kate urged her mare forward in the snow. The horse with no rider had picked up its pace, too, its saddle askew, in danger of coming off and spooking the animal more than it already appeared to be. “Teddie!” she called back. “Don’t come any closer.” The runaway, she saw, was not a gelding and could be dangerous although few ranchers she knew rode stallions.
How had this horse gotten away? And where was its rider? Oh, wait. Obviously, it had come from the WB. The range on that end was open to Kate’s in places, and for years the two ranches had often shared grazing land. Then she recognized the big, sleek black that belonged to Zach Bodine. Surprising that he’d let him get away. Zach was a superb rider, not that every person she knew hadn’t been thrown at some point, including herself. Turning her head, she glanced back to make sure Teddie had stopped. His eyes were wide as the stallion drew closer, tossing its head.
