Christmas on the Ranch--A Clean Romance

by Julianna Morris

  Twenty minutes later a knock on the door ended Alaina’s internal debate. She answered to find Helene and the new arrival on the porch.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” Helene apologized, “but I want to introduce my daughter. Libby’s plans have changed and she’ll be staying at the Double Branch this summer.”

  “No problem, I was in the middle of a break,” Alaina assured her. Yet she winced, thinking Libby may have hoped to stay in the foreman’s cabin, only to discover someone else was in residence. “Please come in.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Libby said. “Mom tells me you’re a professional photographer.”

  “Trying to be. So far I’ve sold only a few pieces, though my agent is confident she can get contracts for my work this year. Won’t you have a seat?”

  Libby’s expression turned glum as she sank onto a chair with Cookie at her knee. “You’re doing better than I am. I was offered a summer internship by a well-known archeologist, but it fell through. I was supposed to—”

  “Her boyfriend sabotaged her,” Helene broke in indignantly. “He actually thought she’d move in with him if she didn’t go, so he called and told the excavation leader that she’d changed her mind and didn’t want to admit it. She was cut from the team without even being asked. Can you believe that? They just started dating a few weeks ago.”

  * * *

  “MOM.” LIBBY GAVE her mother an incredulous look. She hadn’t wanted to disturb her brother’s new tenant in the first place, and now personal details were being revealed that she’d never intended to go outside the family.

  “You must be disappointed in the archeologist for allowing that to happen,” Alaina said quietly.

  A measure of the tightness in Libby’s chest eased.

  It helped that somebody understood the part that hurt the most. She wasn’t in love with Raymond and had been hoping for a graceful way to end the short-lived relationship. But she’d looked up to Dr. Barstow. He was a best-selling author and had worked on nearly every continent doing archeological digs. His finds were extraordinary.

  “He obviously isn’t as admirable as I thought,” she said flatly. “So maybe I’m better off this way.”

  “Are you looking for another dig to join?”

  “I’ve made inquiries, but haven’t heard anything yet. Most of my free time outside of class and studying went to helping get everything set up for the dig in New Mexico. It’s a completely untouched site. Dr. Barstow thinks it could be a whole new cultural group or unique off-shoot of the Anasazi.”

  “Which means you’ve also lost out on a rare opportunity.”

  The sympathy in Alaina’s eyes was almost too much and Libby gulped. She didn’t want her mother to know how bad she felt about losing the internship. She missed her father terribly, but it was worse for Helene, so they were all trying not to upset her about anything. Libby had hated telling her about losing the internship, but she’d hoped asking her to keep Gideon from charging down to confront Dr. Barstow would provide a sense of purpose.

  Sometimes it seemed as if nothing would ever be right again. How could Dad be gone?

  All of her grandparents were still healthy and active. Dad’s folks had conceded that Montana winters were more than they wanted to handle and had moved to Florida. But the reason her maternal grandfather had retired was because he’d decided it was time for his eldest grandson to take charge of the family ranch, not because of his age. Even Grandpa Colby had lived into his late nineties. He’d been a great old guy, gruff and hard on the outside, and pure marshmallow under the skin.

  “Darling, are you all right?” Helene’s anxious question brought Libby back to the moment and she squelched a sigh.

  Spending the summer at the Double Branch was the last thing she’d expected to do. It wasn’t a question of money; her inheritance from Grandpa Colby ensured she could choose whatever career she wanted without worrying about practicality. But she hadn’t wanted to remain in Bozeman and fend off Raymond’s abject apologies, who’d belatedly realized that he had not only crossed a forbidden line, he’d leaped miles over it.

  What an idiot to believe she wouldn’t find out what he had done.

  Cookie whined and pressed his jaw harder on her knee, sensing her mood. He was the one good thing about her internship falling through. She’d hated the thought of being separated from her loyal pal for several months.

  “I’m fine, Mom, but maybe I should have asked Gideon before coming up here. I could stay in Shelton. At the house, maybe.”

  Her childhood home, just outside the Shelton town limits, had been unoccupied since the funeral. Her oldest brother, Flynn, was taking care of the horses, along with checking on the buildings, but that wasn’t the same as someone living there. It would be hard because of all the memories, but she’d have to face it sooner or later.

  “No,” Helene said adamantly. “Just this morning Gideon was complaining that you don’t let him do anything for you. He’ll be ecstatic that you’re here for the summer.”

  Hmm. Big brothers were nice, but they could also be a headache of major proportions when they had old-fashioned protective instincts.

  “Oh, and, Alaina,” Helene continued, “I’ve contacted the museum board about you photographing Jonah Westcott’s journals and the letters from Mr. Roosevelt. The letters span more than three decades, including a good number after he became president. Nels is going to be in and out of town on business for a while, but he’ll call to set up a time when his schedule calms down.”

  “That’s great. I’m looking forward to seeing them.”

  “I’ve never had a chance to read the journals or letters,” Libby said. “How about letting me be your photographic assistant? Free labor is hard to come by—at least that’s what I kept telling Dr. Barstow when he canceled my internship. He unctuously said it didn’t matter if Raymond hadn’t told the truth because I obviously needed to get my personal life in order.”

  The crumb, she added silently.

  Alaina smiled. “You’re welcome to come along. I don’t have lighting equipment, so an extra pair of hands could be useful.”

  “I’m a fast learner.”

  Libby liked Alaina. She seemed reserved, but her mom had explained she was a widow, so that might be the reason. Or maybe it was Gideon’s fault. He had his demons and an attractive, sophisticated woman like Alaina must remind him of Celeste. Ugh, what a disaster that marriage had been. Not that Alaina was sophisticated exactly, but she seemed self-assured and quietly certain of what she wanted.

  “Alaina, I hope it’s okay,” Helene said, “but Nels asked if you’d be willing to take photos for a new museum brochure. The old one is dreadfully dated. The thing is, their budget is entirely committed to getting the brochures printed. But he can give you credit as the photographer.”

  “I’ll be happy to help out. I’d want to take pictures of the museum, regardless.”

  “That’s kind of you.” Helene stood up. “We won’t keep you any longer, but will you join us for dinner?”

  An undefined emotion flickered in Alaina’s eyes. “Thanks, but you need time as a family, and I should spend the evening working. I hope to send a package to my agent in a few days.”

  Libby rose more reluctantly than her mother. Though she hadn’t wanted to disturb Gideon’s tenant, the visit had turned out to be a welcome break from the emotional turmoil tearing her summer plans apart. And having Alaina instinctively understand the core issues was another plus.

  * * *

  ALAINA WATCHED HER two visitors and their sweet Cookie cross the slushy ground and go into the main house. Even if Libby had hoped to stay in the foreman’s cabin for the summer, she hadn’t shown resentment over it not being available.

  It was sad that she’d encountered betrayal so young.

  Well, they couldn’t be separated by more than eight or nine years, but Ala
ina felt older than twenty-nine. She’d been married and worked with her husband in a rewarding life, and lost him horribly. She had also been betrayed, the way Libby had been betrayed, but her other experiences put it in perspective. Compared to Mason’s death, having someone try to steal a collection of photographs was hardly the end of the world.

  Coming to Montana and starting her new career was a reminder that her life hadn’t ended with the accident. Mason hadn’t wanted her to lose herself in grief. It was what he’d made her promise in their last few minutes together, to live fully, to follow old dreams and find new ones.

  Alaina went back to the room she’d turned into a studio. She needed more surface work space, but she could get folding tables down in Bozeman, along with a snow shovel so she’d be prepared for next winter.

  She gazed through the large window, trying to clear her mind of everything except her plans for the next year. The cabin was on the far end of the large ranch and it looked across the valley. She couldn’t see much except when someone rode past.

  Like Gideon Carmichael.

  She wrinkled her nose at the way he’d intruded on her thoughts, then shrugged philosophically. Gideon might be a pain in the posterior, but at least their encounters were stimulating.

  * * *

  OVER THE NEXT few days, Gideon remained around the ranch more than usual to keep an eye on his sister. She didn’t seem brokenhearted, but she was good at keeping her feelings to herself. He still remembered the time she’d fractured her wrist as a kid—no tears or fuss, just a stoic trip to see the doctor.

  Her ex-boyfriend had been incessantly calling her cell phone. When she didn’t answer after two days, he’d switched to the ranch number. It was an irritant since the small phone company that serviced Bannister County lacked the equipment or programming to provide caller ID. All they offered was a no-frills service. When Gideon had finally gotten to the telephone ahead of his mother and Libby, he’d told Raymond in no uncertain terms to leave his sister alone or face the consequences.

  Libby had been furious, saying it was her business and he shouldn’t interfere, but Gideon didn’t care. The creep had ruined something special for her and he didn’t deserve courtesy.

  They’d finally agreed to let callers leave messages on the machine and to return any calls that weren’t from her slimy ex-boyfriend.

  It was sad to realize his sister had inherited his lousy luck with the opposite sex.

  On Tuesday Robert Pritchett arrived with the additional firewood Alaina had ordered. He winked at Gideon as he got out of his truck. The truck had a hydraulic system that raised the front of the cargo bed, and some of the wood crashed out into a broad pile before he moved the vehicle again, then again, to deposit the rest.

  “I’ll take care of stacking that for ya’, Mrs. Wright,” he said to Alaina.

  Gideon automatically stepped forward to lend a hand, then saw Alaina shake her head.

  “Thanks, I’m fine. Remember, I didn’t pay the extra amount to have it stacked, and I don’t want to keep you from other deliveries.”

  The handyman’s face grew pained as she began carrying armloads to the racks at the side of the cabin. Gideon was in similar agony. His instincts as a gentleman were at war with his need to keep things on a businesslike basis with Alaina. The easier everything was for her, the more likely it was that she’d stay. Not that he had any intention of keeping the full amount she’d paid, no matter what their agreement stated. He would prorate any time she spent on the ranch and return the balance.

  Two of his cowhands rode up and got off their horses. They looked at Gideon. He made a gesture to indicate, Go ahead, but their help was refused, as well.

  Now there were four of them watching. They exchanged awkward glances with each other.

  “Mrs. Wright doesn’t need this much wood,” Robert said. “I told her the cabin had a good layer of insulation, but she said it was better to be safe than sorry.”

  Despite the absurdity of the situation, Gideon appreciated hearing that Alaina was being cautious. True, winter on the Double Branch was nothing like the heart of Yellowstone, but even though the main house had a central heating system, Gideon cut eight to ten cords of wood each year to use. Electricity wasn’t always reliable so far out in the country, and he enjoyed a crackling fire after a long day of work in the cold.

  Robert kicked a clod of dirt. “It ain’t right. Four of us standing around, watching someone else toil away.”

  Gideon agreed, he just didn’t think Alaina would back down. He suspected she had a temper and a will of iron. And he admired her independence.

  So what should they do?

  Leave her with a task the four of them could have already finished? It didn’t sit well with him, and judging by the reluctance of the others to go about their business, they felt the same. Him and his big mouth. The right time to establish boundaries would have been after Alaina settled into the cabin and after he’d learned whether there was any need for those boundaries. As it turned out, her boundaries were more rigid than his own.

  Another vehicle drove in and Gideon groaned. It was Deke Hewitt.

  Deke joined the group, eyebrows raised. “What’s up?”

  “She won’t let us help,” Robert said glumly.

  Deke looked nonplussed. “So you decided to just stand here and watch?”

  It was a good point. Too good. The situation was getting more ridiculous by the second.

  The sound of a door slamming could be heard across the ranch, followed by the crunch of approaching footsteps. It was Libby. She eyed them up and down and let out a disgusted sniff.

  “Pathetic,” she muttered before marching over and collecting an armful of wood.

  “That’s all right, Libby, I can manage,” Alaina protested.

  “I know, but I just found out Dr. Barstow’s dig team is now entirely male. I need to work off my frustration or explode.”

  “He bumped the other women from the group, too?”

  “That’s right. Assuming the new site turns out to be worthwhile, this will look fabulous on the male interns’ résumés. He’s giving them a boost in their careers and leaving the women out cold. Maybe I should have gone into paleontology or some other ’ology instead.”

  “Can’t the university do anything?” Alaina asked as she filled her arms with another load.

  “They’re looking into it, but Dr. Barstow isn’t connected to the school. While he’s taught at various private colleges, he’s now a full-time researcher and author. We met at a seminar he conducted off campus. I could scream when I think of the hours I spent working on permit applications and other prep. I’m even starting to question whether the discoveries described in his books are more fiction than fact, except that sort of thing is hard to fake.”

  “My sister-in-law is an attorney. She mostly works in corporate law, but I could ask her opinion about a lawsuit. Even if you can’t nail him on discrimination, he made promises he apparently didn’t intend to keep.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  As they talked, the wood was being shifted with surprising speed. Gideon hoped he could quietly join them, but when he took a step forward, Alaina gave him a withering glance and shook her head again.

  Darn it, anyhow.

  The aggravating part was that he had only himself to blame. He’d made it all too clear that he expected her to be self-sufficient. Now Deke, Robert and his ranch hands were looking at him as if he were an ogre who didn’t know how to behave as a respectable human being. Gideon believed in equal rights for everyone. But at the same time he was bigger, stronger and more experienced at certain tasks, which made it difficult not to jump in and handle those jobs.

  Or maybe he’d learned the impulse from his stepdad.

  Stewart Cranston had been like everyone’s favorite uncle. Following a bad storm, he or his deputies had checked on ev
ery single outlying resident and asked folks in town to contact their neighbors to be sure they were all right. He’d replaced flat tires, jumped dead batteries and been the one who everyone—man or woman, young or old—called if they had a problem. Surely that wasn’t a flaw. It was just being someone who cared.

  Gideon turned to his employees. They couldn’t keep hanging around like stick figures while Alaina and Libby worked. “You’d best get going,” he said.

  “Right, boss.” It was Nate.

  Clearly reluctant, they remounted their horses and rode out, still shooting unhappy glances back at Alaina and Libby.

  Now Gideon needed to get rid of Deke and Robert Pritchett.

  “Robert, thanks for bringing the wood.”

  “Yeah, sure.” Robert got into the cab of his truck, muttering again, “It just ain’t right.”

  Gideon grabbed Deke’s elbow, whose attention seemed to be lingering more on Libby than Alaina. While he and Deke were friends, he didn’t want his sister to get involved with a guy in law enforcement, particularly when that guy was thirteen years her senior and she was recovering from a broken romance. It was hypocritical since Gideon’s stepfather had been a sheriff, too, but the sheriff’s office was a whole lot busier in Bannister County than it was in Shelton.

  “Deke, do you want a cup of coffee?” he asked.

  Deke seemed to have trouble tearing his gaze away. “Uh, sure. That sounds good.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  * * *

  ALAINA WAS GLAD when they no longer had an audience. She wasn’t trying to be unreasonable, but she didn’t need help with something as basic as stacking wood. And she hated giving up a shred of independence. She was even wondering if she’d let Mason handle too much, despite her efforts to be an equal partner in their marriage.