Pursued by the Rich Rancher

by Catherine Mann

  “Can I pet the doggy?”

  Alex grinned. “How about puppies? Someone dropped a box of border collie mix puppies on our land a couple of weeks ago. They must have thought we would be a good home for them since one of our ranch hands has a border collie that works with him. Would you like to see the pups?”

  Cody nodded quickly, eyes wide. “Uh-huh.”

  Nina’s heart all but squeezed in two as Alex went out of his way to lead Cody to the pen of fuzzy border collie mix puppies tucked in the office. She stayed out of sight so as not to disrupt the moment. Two puppies played tug-of-war over a toy. Another flopped back over belly catching a ball, ears flopping. Alex showed her son different ways to play gently with the small fluff balls. Cody had such little time with male role models.

  Alex made her ache and yearn for things she’d thought she could never have again. The ranch was well equipped for taking care of puppies and kittens who needed homes, and even helping struggling young moms and special-needs children, but she had to remember for her and for the puppies—Hidden Gem was a temporary stop. Only the McNairs stayed here. Like the puppies, Nina and Cody would be moving on to a different home and this place would be just a nostalgic memory.

  * * *

  An hour later, Nina took photos of her son riding a mechanical bull—with the bull set on a very slow speed to buck and turn. She could already envision one of these images reproduced onto a large canvas in her living room, surrounded by smaller photos from throughout this incredible week.

  Would Alex be in any of those pictures? Could her heart take that kind of bittersweet reminder?

  The rainstorm had ended a few minutes ago and since Cody was the last of the children to take a turn on the mechanical bull, the head camp counselor called out, “Line up, by your groups. Blue ponies here. Yellow ponies there. Green. And then red.”

  The children raced toward the door in a loose cluster, pent-up energy radiating off their little bodies. A girl in a wheelchair whizzed by, pumping the wheels faster and faster, pigtails flying.

  Nina felt Alex’s presence a second before he put his hand on her shoulder.

  “Who are you sending the photos to?”

  “A friend at home.” She held up the cell phone. “Reed and I met at a support group for single parents with special-needs children.”

  “Reed?” His jaw flexed. “Should I be jealous of this guy?”

  “No, we’re just friends. Good friends who try to help each other, but we’re only friends.” She tucked away her phone before taking his hand, wishing she could do more. But anyone could walk in, and children were within eyesight. “I wouldn’t have been with you this week if there was someone else.”

  “Good, I’m glad to hear that.” His thumb slid around to stroke the inside of her wrist. “Did you get your turn on the mechanical bull?”

  She blinked in surprise. “Um, no. That activity was just for the kids.”

  “I own it.” He patted the saddle. “Do you want to try?”

  “I’m not going to put on some Urban Cowboy sexy ride show for you.”

  He grinned, a roguish twinkle in his blue eyes. “I wasn’t proposing anything of the sort—especially not with kids nearby. But even the mention is filling my mind with interesting ideas.” He squeezed her hand. “For now, how about a regular slow ride?”

  Somehow he made even that sound sensual. Irresistible. She approached the mechanical bull tentatively, touching the saddle.

  Alex’s hand fell to rest on her shoulder. “There are different speeds. We take this as slow as you want to go.”

  She glanced back at him. “Are we still talking about the bull?”

  “Do you want us to talk about something else?”

  Her stomach flipped and she looked away. “I guess I’m riding the bull.”

  “All right, then. Climb on. Grab hold and we’ll start her slow.”

  “Okay, but no pictures.” She stepped into the stirrup and swung her leg over, sitting, half sliding off the other side before righting herself with a laugh. “I never was much of one for carnival rides.”

  “Let me know if you want to stop.” He turned the knob, setting the bull into a gentle rocking motion that started to turn.

  “I tossed my cookies once on the Ferris wheel,” she confessed as the bull circled.

  “I know where the mop is.”

  “An almighty McNair mops floors?” she teased, trying not to think about the day they’d ridden the horse together.

  He increased the speed. “Gran brought us up with down-home, work-ethic values. We had jobs on the farm as kids and teenagers, just like everyone else, and we had to start at the bottom, learning every stage of the operation.”

  She gripped tighter. “What did your parents have to say about that?”

  “Not much as long as the big money kept flowing their way.”

  “Your father didn’t work?” That seemed so atypical compared to what she’d seen from Alex working up a sweat on the ranch in addition to his desk work running the place.

  “My father has an office. He makes business trips, but does he work? Not really. I guess Gran wanted to make doubly sure the grandkids turned out differently. And we did. Although we always thought Stone would run the company, he decided to run a nonprofit camp instead.”

  She read rumors of a new CEO outside the family being hired to run Diamonds in the Rough, but she hadn’t paid more than passing attention. “That must have been a huge disappointment to your grandmother not to be able to pass along her legacy to her children.”

  “It was—and is. But she’s happy about the camp. Who wouldn’t be proud of this? It’s amazing, innovative and rewarding. I just want her to be at peace in her final days.” Shadows chased through his blue eyes.

  “All that parents want is for their children to be happy and try their best.”

  His eyes met hers. “Not all parents.”

  “Are you saying your grandmother—”

  “Not my grandmother. My parents.” Looking down, he scuffed his boots through the dirt. “Let’s talk about something else. Like how’s that bull feeling? Ready to take him up a notch? If you can still talk, it’s obviously not going fast enough.”

  She shook her head quickly. “I think it’s time to stop.”

  He switched off the controls and the bull slowed, slowed and finally went still. Alex reached up to help her down. “I’m going to miss you tonight while I’m at the bachelor party.”

  She slid down the front of him, enjoying the feel of their bodies against each other, her mind firing with memories from the night before. “I thought men lived for those sorts of things.”

  “I would rather be with you tonight.” His warm breath caressed her neck.

  She pressed her cheek to his heart for just a moment, listening to the steady thud. “That’s really sweet of you to say.”

  “My thoughts are far from sweet.” He growled softly in her ear, “I’d love to see you after the party if it’s not too late.”

  His words rang with an unmistakable promise and she didn’t have the least inclination to say no.

  Nine

  Alex knew he was in trouble when he couldn’t stop checking his watch for the end of the bachelor party. He wanted to spend the evening with Nina and Cody. But he owed Stone this traditional testosterone bash. Stone was more like a brother to him than a cousin, so for now, thoughts of Nina and her son needed to take a backseat.

  The party was being held in a private lodge behind the Hidden Gem ranch house. Cigar smoke filled the room along with round poker tables. A buffet full of food and a bar stocked with the best alcohol and brews stayed stocked throughout the night. Country music piped through the sound system, a steel guitar still audible over raucous laughter, the clink of glasses and the whirr of a few electri
c card shufflers at work.

  Garnet, Stone and Preston Armstrong, the new company CEO, sat with Alex at one table. Four more tables held longtime employees from the Diamonds in the Rough Jewelry and the Hidden Gem Ranch. Stone had insisted on the bachelor party being held the day before the rehearsal dinner, not wanting any of his friends to be nursing hangovers at his wedding.

  Preston threw his cards down, gray eyes tired from concentration. “Fold. This is the lamest bachelor party ever.”

  Alex laughed, tossing turquoise and white chips into the middle of the table. The chips clinked and fell haphazardly in a pile. “You’re just pissed because you’re not winning.”

  “You could have a point there,” Preston conceded, shoulders sagging.

  Stone passed new cards to the remaining players. “My orders for the evening. Nothing but booze and cards.”

  “Not even a movie?”

  Stone grinned devilishly. “Haven’t you heard? I’m saving myself for marriage.”

  “Yeah, well, what about the rest of us?” Preston barked.

  Stone shrugged, finishing his drink. He rattled the leftover ice in his glance. “Have your own bachelor party, and you get to make your own rules.”

  “Not going to happen,” Preston insisted, palms up as he pushed back from the table. “While y’all finish this hand, I’ll use the time to become reacquainted with the bar.”

  Garnet tossed in his hand. “I’m out too. Another drink sounds good.”

  Alex looked at the two pairs in his hand and slid a few more chips to the middle of the table. “I’m happy for you and Johanna.” He paused to look at his cousin across the table. “I hope you know I mean that.”

  “That’s good to hear,” Stone answered, his voice hoarse with emotion. Stone’s features flattened as he stared at the pile of chips, avoiding Alex’s gaze. “You mean as much to me as any brother ever could.”

  “I’m sorry it even had to be said. She and I were too much alike to ever be a couple. Any feelings I thought I felt were more habit than anything else.”

  Because Alex knew now that anything he’d thought he felt for Johanna paled in comparison to what he felt for Nina.

  “Well, loving a woman is rarely easy.” Stone peeled his eyes up toward Alex.

  Alex rubbed the cards in his hand. The plastic of the cards hummed, seeming to drown out all the other sounds of the bachelor party. “I’m learning that.”

  Stone set his cards facedown. “The mom with her son here at the camp?”

  “Forget I said anything. And for God’s sake, don’t let anybody say anything more to my mother.” Alex tipped back his drink. While it looked as though he had been slamming back vodka all night, his drinks had all been water. He wanted a clear head for later. He wanted to enjoy Nina. Their time together was short and he didn’t need a single sense dulled. “This is about you tonight, cousin.”

  Stone pushed his cards into the middle. “Well, damn, then let’s bail and go riding. You and me, like old times.”

  Now, that sounded a helluva lot more appealing than sitting here. Alex scraped his chair back, but had to ask, “Is it fair to leave Preston stuck with my father?”

  “Preston’s the boss now.” Stone stood, his smile widening. “That’s the beauty of having found my own path, cousin. Johanna and I answer only to ourselves and each other.”

  “Good point.”

  They clinked glasses, drained the contents and left the party. And Alex couldn’t help thinking how damn important family was to him.

  Even more important than the ranch? Or were they inextricable? Hell, if he knew the answer.

  * * *

  Stone and Alex hadn’t been on a night ride in years. When they were kids, they used to steal away, ride deep into the night to get away from their respective parents. There was something calming in taking to the trails together, even if they didn’t speak a helluva lot to each other.

  Alex glanced over at his cousin. “Are you ready?”

  Stone was preparing to mount Copper, his sorrel quarter horse.

  “I bet you I can still whup your ass from here to the creek,” Stone said, steadying himself on Copper. He tightened the reins, creating a curved arch in Copper’s neck. The horse was sheer power.

  The quarter horse danced with anticipation, sock-covered legs shifting from side to side, issuing a challenge.

  “I doubt that. You’re rusty these days.” Alex absently stroked Zircon’s neck. Zircon turned his head to nuzzle Alex’s knee.

  “It is my bachelor party, you know,” Stone said dryly.

  Alex smiled lazily. “All right. On my mark, though.”

  Stone nodded, urging Copper next to Zircon.

  “One. Two. Three. Go.”

  Zircon leaped forward, seeming to read Alex’s thoughts. That was what had always made horses easy for him. The nonverbal communication. The unexplainable connection.

  From the corner of his vision, he could see the glint of Copper’s tack. Stone was a stride ahead of him. Collecting his reins, Alex opened up Zircon’s pace.

  Zircon’s ears pinned back as the horse surged forward. Finally Alex gained on his cousin as they drew closer to the creek. Memories of riding with Nina, of kissing her out here in the open on McNair land filled him. He had to see her tonight. No matter how late. Even if just to slide into bed with her and listen to her sleep.

  The sensation of the gallop reverberated through Alex’s bones. Shaking his thigh. Wait. The buzz wasn’t from the connection of hooves and ground. It was his cell phone vibrating. Damn.

  “Stone,” he called out. “Hold on. Someone’s calling.”

  As Alex slowed Zircon to a walk, the familiar ringtone replaced the hammering of hooves. Amie’s ringtone. Amie who never called this late at night unless it was important. Or if there was trouble.

  Hands shaking, Alex retrieved the phone from his pants. Stone slowed Copper, his face knotting with concern.

  Alex took a deep breath. “Hello?”

  Amie’s voice pierced through the receiver. “It’s Gran. She’s got a horrible headache and the nurse is concerned. You know Gran never complains. We have to take her to the emergency room. It’s faster than calling an ambulance. Please, you have to get here. Now.”

  “Stone and I will be right there.” Alex looked at his cousin. “We’ve got to get to Gran. Something’s wrong.”

  Stone nodded, his jaw tight with worry. Both men turned their horses back toward the barn. This time, they raced for another reason. For family. And Alex could swear Zircon burst quicker than he ever had before.

  * * *

  While she waited for Alex, Nina stretched out in her bed reading a Spanish translation of an American romance novel, work and pleasure all at once. She’d quickly become accustomed to having adult conversation at night and missed him.

  And yes, her body burned to be with him again.

  She glanced at her cell phone resting on top of the quilt. He’d said he would text when he was on his way so he wouldn’t startle her. He was always so thoughtful, and the way he understood Cody made it tougher than ever to think about the end of the week. A lot could happen in the next few days.

  Look how much already had.

  Her cell phone vibrated on the bed—she’d been afraid to keep the ringer on for fear of waking up Cody. She scooped up her cell and found an incoming text. From Alex.

  Delayed. Gran has severe headache. Going to ER.

  Nina’s fingers clenched around the phone, her heart aching for him. She texted back quickly.

  So sorry. Prayers for your grandmother.

  She wished she could do more, say more, have the right to go with him and comfort him. It was obvious his grandmother was like a mom to him. He spoke so highly of her and clearly admired her. Alex had to be going
through a lot. How amazing that he still had so much to give both her and Cody this week between the wedding, his work and his grandmother’s declining health.

  Nina clutched the phone to her chest, flopping over to her back to watch the ceiling fan blades swirl. Had she been wrong to cut herself off from dating for so long? Did she even know how to answer that question when she couldn’t even imagine being with any man other than Alex?

  This was becoming such a tangle so fast when she’d been determined to never again to make an impulsive decision, to allow herself to be swept off her feet.

  The phone hummed again and she pulled it up fast, elbowing to sit up. Hoping that it was Alex with good news.

  Except it was an incoming call from her friend. “Hello, Reed.”

  “Hope I’m not calling too late.”

  “Not at all. I’m just reading, feeling lazy.” She turned off the e-reader and set it on the bedside table. “Is everything okay at home?”

  “I had to call. Those photos of Cody are incredible.” Reed’s favored eighties radio station played in the background. “I’m signing Wendy up. They had to put her on the waiting list, though. You sure were lucky to get a slot.”

  Nina thought back to her flurry of packing and preparation when the surprise slot and discount fee came open so quickly. “They told me there was a last-minute cancellation.”

  “And a waiting list a mile long.”

  She sat up straighter. “I don’t know how to explain it, but I can put in a good word for you with the McNairs. I’ve, uh, gotten to know them this week.”

  “That would be fabulous, sweetie. Thanks. I wouldn’t ask for myself, but it’s for Wendy.” He paused. “You’re doing okay, then?”

  “Cody’s thriving. I’m doing great, enjoying the change of scenery.” She used to travel often with her UN job. She missed that sometimes, and that made her feel guilty. It wasn’t Cody’s fault. The support group where she’d met Reed and learned to cope had changed her life and saved her sanity. “Wendy will love it here and so will you.”