A Rancher's Heart

by Vivian Arend

  “Maybe. I’m not sure. I’m a registered nur—” Tamara broke off abruptly before smoothing her hands over her hips as if straightening her clothes. She started again with a bold smile. “Well, I have nurses’ training, and that works well for some parts of being a nanny. But probably more importantly, I grew up on a ranch. Lots of training opportunities there that apply to working with the girls.”

  “Which ranch?” Penny asked with a little more interest.

  “Whiskey Creek, near Rocky Mountain House.”

  Penny frowned. “I don’t recognize that name. What do you breed?”

  Tamara laughed. “A bit of everything. We’re connected with the larger Coleman spread, but all the family holdings are generalized. Although my sister Karen is great with horses. She does a lot of work with rescue animals, and she’s looking into starting an equine therapy stable on the side.”

  “She could make more money working with purebreds or show horses,” Penny pointed out. “If she’s that talented.”

  “Oh, she’s that talented, but she likes helping people. But philanthropy isn’t for everyone,” Tamara said dryly.

  The other woman blinked for a second before responding sweetly. “I suppose not. Good for her. She sounds…lovely.”

  Light conversation continued as Luke and Penny discussed something with Josiah. Tamara adjusted her position casually until she was leaning against Caleb’s side. He willed his body to not react, especially when she pressed even closer and twisted her head so her lips brushed his ear. “If you mention girls’ night out to that woman, I will discover your least favourite meal and serve it for a week straight.”

  Caleb coughed to cover up a snort.

  Penny squeezed Luke’s arm. “I probably should be going. Walk me to my car?”

  “You’re heading home?” Luke laughed. “Okay, then I guess we don’t need to talk to Caleb.”

  “It’s been nice meeting you,” Penny tossed over her shoulder, already walking away.”

  “It was peachy,” Tamara purred.

  Josiah blinked in surprise then snorted, returning to work.

  Caleb refused to laugh, but he wanted to. “So. Girls’ Night Out will be Penny-less?”

  Tamara grinned. “Appropriate, since we no longer accept pennies as currency in Canada.”

  Damn if she wasn’t right. Amusement rose again, and a touch of admiration for her quick wit and snark, because she was so alive and—

  Caleb jerked his body to the side, hurriedly busying himself with a task. Maybe if he put some distance between them, he could stop the unasked-for rush of emotion flooding his system. It was bad enough he wanted her physically, he didn’t need to complicate things even further.

  “Take a key. I won’t be up late,” he ordered gruffly.

  When he chanced a glance over his shoulder a few moments later, she was gone.

  Chapter Ten

  They paused in the truck outside Rough Cut, and Tamara tilted the rearview mirror so she could put a final layer of war paint on her lips.

  Kelli eyed her with interest. “It never fails to surprise me how makeup changes a person. I mean, you looked good before, but somehow you’re even shinier now.”

  Tamara glanced at the other woman. Kelli’s baby face shone with enthusiasm and youthful beauty. “Makeup on you would be a waste. You’re pretty enough without it.”

  Kelli shrugged. “All I know is when I do put it on, it doesn’t sit right. I’m more comfortable without it. I’ve got no issue enjoying how it makes other people feel about themselves. I just end up more like the Joker than a beauty commercial.” She shoved her door open then twisted to jump from the high cab, turning in a circle as she wiggled her hands over her torso. “Like you said, what I’ve got ain’t too shabby, so I’m not worried.”

  Tamara joined her on the other side of the truck. “No false modesty here,” she teased.

  The other woman pursed her lips before offering a cocky smile. “Before we go in and get deafened, let me know when we need to head home. I can go all night, but if I show up for work looking like I had too good of a time, the boys will give me all the shit jobs just to make me bleed.”

  Tamara understood that as well. She’d deliberately driven her own vehicle so she could leave when she was done, but she didn’t think timing was going to be a problem. “I’m not looking to stay out all night. Cinderella limit?”

  Kelli grinned. “I like you.”

  The bar was an old-fashioned place on the edge of town, with a false front and an authentic wooden boardwalk. An old chair sat to one side, weathered and worn from use and the sun.

  But as they pushed through the heavy slab door, they stepped into an entirely different setting. Still a Western, but everything shone. Dark gleaming wood and black wrought-iron fixtures.

  Wall sconces burned as if they were chandeliers with real candles, and Tamara was dragged forward into the heat and light, mesmerized at how charming the result. The main areas were well lit, although below full brightness. The dance floor that took up half of the space was darker, couples dancing vigorously.

  Kelli nudged her on the shoulder and shouted above the music. “This way.”

  Tamara followed her to the side of the floor where long wooden boards created tables to put drinks on. There were hooks attached to the support posts, but she patted the wallet in her back pocket, content to keep her things close where she wouldn’t forget them.

  Two women at a tall table waved, and Kelli led her there, tugging Tamara by the sleeve when she got distracted by the new sights and sounds.

  It took effort, but she finally focused on the people they were headed toward. She’d have plenty of time to come back and examine Rough Cut more closely.

  The two women waiting for them were mixed opposites. Short and tall, blond and dark. Fair skinned and sun-kissed brown. They greeted Kelli with wide smiles before their gazes shifted to Tamara and a great deal of curiosity drifted in.

  “Girls, this is Tamara. Tamara, this is part of my crew. Tansy and Rose are sisters, and they make the best damn cup of coffee in town.”

  “Notice she didn’t mention the flower shop,” the blonde teased her sister before offering a hand. “I’m Tansy Fields, that’s Rose.”

  Tamara did a second take. “I know who you are. You were at the coffee shop.”

  “I was behind the counter,” Tansy agreed. She jabbed her thumb at her sister. “Rose was trying to convince Josiah and the boys that she’s legal for trade.”

  Rose had her beer stein halfway to her mouth. She didn’t even blink as she smacked the back of her hand against her sister’s arm.

  “Ouch.”

  Rose blinked brightly, smiling at Tamara. “Then this is your official welcome to town. And thank you for your patronage.”

  Tamara laughed. “Buns and Roses is the best name ever for a coffee shop and flower store. Not sure how you came up with that combo, but it’s brilliant.”

  “Leftover coffee grounds make great fertilizer,” Rose informed her.

  “And Rose is too lazy to come over to my place to pick them up, so she tore down the wall between the two shops. Also, she couldn’t stand to be apart from me.”

  Kelli shoved her way between the sisters, rolling her eyes at Tamara. “They’re inseparable. Twins, even.”

  Tamara eyed the women closer. Nope. Not believing that one. “Sorry, you’ll have to explain how that works.”

  They smiled. “We’re both adopted, but we have the same birthday. Sisters who were born on the same day? We have to be twins.”

  “Got it.” Tamara liked how they handled that. She liked that they were tight—not everyone got along with their sisters as well as she did with Karen and Lisa. Tamara turned to check out the room. “Nice place.”

  “Busy all the time,” Rose said. “A lot of ranches in the area where the guys work shifts, so there’s no Friday or Saturday night parties around here. It’s pretty much every night is a good night if you need a distraction.”
<
br />   “Strange.” Tansy examined her sister closer. “I would’ve said every night is a good night to come out dancing. Whatever do you need to be distracted from, sister dear?”

  The back of Rose’s hand slapped into her upper arm again, and Tamara said ouch at the same time as Tansy, the two of them exchanging a grin.

  “My sister is forlorn and sad about being alone,” Tansy informed her. “And by alone, I mean male-less.”

  “So you’re teasing her about it?” Tamara pretended to think about it for second. “Yup, definitely sisters.”

  Kelli eyed the crowd, her feet moving and shoulders wiggling. “Okay, I’ve introduced you, and y’all are getting along great. I don’t need to stick around to make sure you behave? Of course not. Good. Because I’m going dancing.”

  She swallowed the last of her beer and set the empty glass down on the table before wiping the back of her hand across her mouth. She headed across the dance floor like she was on a mission.

  “You need to see this.” Tansy tugged Tamara next to her and they all pivoted to watch Kelli in action. “It is a thing of beauty when she gets her eye on something she wants.”

  What Kelli wanted involved a table of young men, all of them broad shouldered and wild. Pitchers of beer covered their table and laughter rang loud and clear over the music.

  Kelli sauntered up and draped an arm around one of the guys, casually sitting on the edge of his chair.

  A second later he was out of his seat, taking her by the hand, and as the table hooted, he pulled her on the dance floor. A rapid two-step followed, bodies dipping and whirling with incredible skill.

  Rose leaned in closer to be heard. “What you’ve got to realize is that somehow in the past five minutes, Kelli figured out exactly which guy had enough moves to be worthwhile hauling out to dance.”

  “I have no idea how she does it, but Rose is right. She should have a fifty-fifty percent chance of ending up with someone with octopus hands or three left feet, but no. Every single time, Kelli picks the twinkle-toes from the crowd.” Tansy leaned forward to smile up at Tamara. “Which we like because we dance with her leftovers all evening, and it saves our ankles and shins a world of hurt.”

  Tamara grinned. Too funny Kelli could do that. “But what if I like getting stepped on a little?” Rose’s eyes widened. Tansy covered her mouth and laughed.

  Then they both waved, and Tamara turned to discover a tall brunette making her way toward them. Tansy introduced her. “Brooke. Local mechanic, and all around good gal. Tamara is the Stones’ new nanny, or I should say the Stones’ first nanny, because they haven’t had one before you.”

  Brooke said hello then helped herself to a glass of beer from the pitcher. “I see Kelli is in full swing already. Which of you girls claimed him second?”

  The twins pointed at themselves before pointing at Tamara.

  “I have no objections. I like dancing,”

  “Perfect. Let’s do it.” Brooke took her by the hand and whirled her to the floor. Behind them, Tansy’s and Rose’s laughter rang out, probably at what must’ve been a very shocked expression on Tamara’s face.

  She got herself together and caught hold of Brooke, and allowed the woman to lead her around the floor, quick-paced twirls and all.

  Actually, dancing with Brooke wasn’t that bad.

  “This is fun, but I don’t swing your way,” Tamara said, still smiling because it was the truth. Both parts.

  “I’m not swinging any particular way. I get tired of waiting for the guys to stir up enough courage to come ask me to dance. Plus, I figured it was the easiest way to get a chance to talk to you. You enjoying Heart Falls?”

  Tamara ignored the questioning glances they were getting. “So far, so good. You like being a mechanic?”

  “Love it. Someday I plan to take over the shop for my daddy.”

  “Wow. Good for you.” Tamara wasn’t sure if she was more impressed or jealous. Obviously Brooke’s daddy had no issue with a female in a nontraditional role. “That sit okay with the locals?”

  The woman grinned. “Sometimes not, but there’s more than enough work for us with the guys who prefer to have the job done properly the first time. And the slow-to-learn, well, I enjoy making them see the light when they have to drag in someone else’s mistake for me to fix.”

  “I hope you charge double for that.”

  “Yup.”

  They both laughed.

  Then someone tall, broad shouldered and most definitely male tapped Brooke on the shoulder. He had a buddy at his side, and the next thing Tamara knew, she was twirling around the room in the arms of a handsome stranger.

  It was fun and lighthearted, and even when he stepped on her toes for the second time, she somehow kept from laughing.

  The next couple hours flew by between dancing and chatting, and when midnight rolled around, Tamara was ready to call it a night. Kelli came willingly enough, pressing up on her tiptoes to plant a kiss to her favourite dance partner’s cheek before cleverly evading his grasp.

  They slipped outside and said their farewells to Tansy and Rose.

  “Stop by the shop anytime,” Rose ordered.

  “And I’ll bring out that thingy I promised later this week,” Tansy reminded her. They took off, striding back to their shared apartment over the stores.

  Brooke walked with her and Kelli to where they were parked close to each other.

  Kelli rolled down the window. “Come out to the ranch tomorrow,” she said. “I can show you—”

  They all cringed as Tamara turned over the engine and a horrible grinding sound rang out.

  Brooke’s brows rose. “Lovely.”

  Tamara swore. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Pop the hood,” Brooke ordered. Before long she was clicking her tongue in that annoying way mechanics always did when the trouble was something more complicated than adjusting a few screws. She shut the hood and walked forward, brushing her hands together. “Come on. Lock it up and I’ll drive you guys home tonight. I’ll check it out tomorrow.”

  Tamara and Kelli climbed into Brooke’s vehicle. “Do you need me to get the guys to tow it over for you?”

  Brooke shook her head. “I’ll get it to the shop easily enough in the morning. I’ll call to let you know what’s wrong and the cost before I do any work.”

  The trip home went quickly, with more conversation and laughter, and when Brooke dropped them off, it was easy to agree to get together again soon.

  Tamara accepted a hug from Kelli, the young woman squeezing her before stepping back with a grin. “You were good company.”

  “Thanks, Kelli. I had a great time. You have awesome friends.”

  “They’re your friends now too,” Kelli pointed out. She waved goodbye then sauntered toward the bunkhouse.

  Tamara snuck into the house, hoping she wasn’t going to disturb anyone. She glanced into the living room, but there was no sign of Caleb, so she headed down the hallway, pausing to peek in the girls’ rooms.

  Emma lay flat on her back, an old, worn-out stuffed monkey sharing her pillow. Her lashes rested easily on against her cheeks, but the sheets were tangled, so Tamara covered her up again carefully.

  She smiled as she closed the door and slipped down the hall. One quick peek into the next room she discovered Sasha sitting upright on her bed, flashlight in her hand as she stared across the room at the closet.

  Tamara didn’t want to scare her, so she made a little extra commotion before twisting the door farther open.

  “You okay?”

  Sasha glanced up, chin rising. “I heard a noise,” she complained.

  “I hate when that happens,” Tamara said. “Did it wake you?”

  Sasha nodded again.

  Tamara opened the door a little wider. “Can I come in?

  Sasha’s gaze darted toward the closet.

  Tamara took that as a yes. “I can take a peek.”

  When Sasha agreed, Tamara stepped around the room, double-
checking to make sure every bit of the room was clear before coming back to Sasha’s side. “I think we’re good. Maybe something fell over outside. Do you want me to leave a light on?”

  Sasha shook her head.

  It was like pulling the last bit of toothpaste from the tube. “Do you want me to sit with you for a while?” Tamara asked, wondering if that was pushing it.

  Only to her surprise, the response was a definite yes, so she moved to the side of the room and settled in the chair near the head of the bed. “Did you have a fun evening with your daddy and Emma?”

  Sasha nodded but didn’t answer. It was strange to have her silent the way Emma usually was.

  “I met some nice people tonight,” Tamara told her, working the distraction angle. “You probably know them. Tansy and Rose Fields, and Brooke the mechanic.”

  “I like Tansy.” Finally, a solid, Sasha-like statement. “We did a field trip to Buns and Roses once, and she taught us how to make cinnamon buns.”

  “Well, you’re going to have to help me with that recipe because I like cinnamon buns.”

  “Daddy loves cinnamon buns, but we never got to have them because she said they had too many empty calories.”

  Tamara hesitated. She had a pretty good idea who Sasha was talking about, but she didn’t want to jump to any conclusions.

  “Then I’ll ask and we’ll make sure we have the right recipe. I know Tansy would give it to us.”

  Sasha was eyeing her with great intensity.

  “What?”

  “When are you going to leave?”

  The question didn’t sound nearly as belligerent as it had a week ago. Less of an order, and more…concerned. “Don’t have plans to leave anytime soon,” Tamara said. “I don’t know that I can promise that I’ll always work here, but I like Heart Falls, and I like taking care of you guys.”

  “She left,” Sasha pointed out.

  This time Tamara didn’t have to ask who the nefarious she was. “I’m sorry.”

  That was about all she could say.

  For a little girl, Sasha was capable of the most adultlike expressions. “She wasn’t very nice,” she declared. “And she didn’t like us.”