She managed to take a long cat nap on the comfortable recliner instead. She woke up refreshed and glanced at her watch. She didn’t see Luke anywhere. Her stomach growled, so she decided to head into the kitchen to see what she could put together for dinner. It was the least she could do to say thanks for all of his kindness. Having no idea what Luke liked to eat, she assumed he was similar to most of the men she had known. She couldn’t go wrong with meat and potatoes. She found a bag of potatoes, a pound of thawed hamburger, and some bell peppers in the frig. She could just fry those up together and they’d have a meal. As the ingredients were sizzling together in a big cast iron skillet, she heard the rear door slam.
“I must be in the wrong house. What smells so amazing?” Luke walked into the kitchen, pausing to remove his hat.
“Nothing fancy. I threw together some things I found in your fridge. Trying to earn my keep. I was just about to come find you.”
“It’ll definitely be a welcome change from the microwave meals I’ve been eating since Dad left.” After Luke washed up, they both sat down at the kitchen table to enjoy the meal.
“Is your dad a good cook?”
“Yeah, he’s not bad,” Luke mused. “He struggled right after Mom died; she had always done all of the cooking. She loved it. But he caught on fairly quickly and managed to produce two healthy boys. Can’t say he ever does anything fancy, but it has kept us alive. I think he’s even grown to enjoy fixing meals after a long day. I have to admit I haven’t bothered to pick up that talent. I figure if I get too hungry, there’s always Violet’s.”
June pictured a young single father trying to deal with his grief, manage a large ranch, and raise two growing boys alone, including learning to cook. “Your dad must be a very strong person. Did he ever consider remarrying?”
“Not that I know of. I guess he was too busy raising us boys. Besides, there’s not too many single women his age, or of any age for that matter, here in Peakview County. Too far from civilization. I know he’ll never leave this ranch. I do worry about what will happen to him, if I ever move away. Not that I’m planning to move anytime soon. My heart’s in this land.”
“Don’t worry too much about your dad. We “old” people are surprisingly resilient. I know my kids worry about me a lot more than they should.”
Luke helped her with the dishes, and then suggested they take their iced tea out to the porch and watch the sun set behind the mountains.
“It’s so peaceful and quiet here. I love it.” June said swinging back and forth on the big wooden porch swing.
“It’s not for everyone, I guess. It was too quiet for my brother Matt to stick around. He prefers the lights and activities of Denver. I guess we’re different in that regard. I’m a country boy through and through, like my dad.”
Shortly thereafter, Luke excused himself to head up to his room for the night. “I’d better get some sleep. I have a busy day tomorrow—several errands to run in the morning. If I’m not here when you wake up, make yourself at home. Feel free to take Blaze out if you want. I should be back by mid to late afternoon. I’ll stop by while I’m in town and see how Howard’s coming on your car.”
“Thanks, Luke. Good night.” Was he really that tired or just tired of hanging out with an old lady? She hoped that he found time to have the kind of social life a young person should, and didn’t spend all his time working on this ranch, no matter how beautiful it was. She smiled at herself; she couldn’t suppress those motherly instincts. She swung back and forth in the evening breeze, pausing only to occasionally throw a ball to Laddie, who was having the time of his life. Wherever she ended up, she needed room for him to run around. She absently wondered about Luke’s father. What was he like, this rancher who had raised two boys on his own? From the family photos she had seen, he was quite handsome—at least he was twenty years ago. Some men didn’t age well. She knew this from the seemingly abundance of fat, balding men her age, that she somehow managed to encounter. June had never considered herself to be superficial, but come on, some men her age had really deteriorated! Well, it was a moot point; she’d be long gone before the mysterious, Jeff Walker returned home. As she made her way up the stairs to bed though, she couldn’t help fantasizing about what it would be like to live here, with a gorgeous, rugged, cowboy husband sharing her life.
CHAPTER NINE
June squinted as she opened her eyes to the bright Colorado sunshine streaming in the bedroom window. She must have slept in again. After getting dressed and letting Laddie outside, she wandered into the kitchen and made a cup of tea. Her soreness was subsiding and since this was likely to be her last day on a ranch, she decided it would be a great day to go for another horseback ride. She made her way out to the barn. Luke and his truck were already gone, but Blaze was standing patiently in her stall.
June scratched Shep on the head and walked up to Blaze. “Hi girl, how are you this beautiful morning? I hope you feel like going for a ride and being gentle with this old lady!”
Blaze stuck her nose up to be scratched. June located the saddle and bridle and opened the stall carefully. She was thankful Blaze was a patient, older horse, who didn’t seem to mind all of her fumbling around. She led the horse outside to an old stump and climbed up on it to try and get into the saddle. Her height of almost 5’2” did not lend itself to easily getting on large horses. After mounting successfully and calling Laddie to follow, she headed out across the large meadow to the west of the barn. Blaze was responsive and easy to handle. June felt herself relax. Riding around the meadow for a few minutes, she got used to the feel of the horse before venturing any further. The last thing she wanted was to get lost and end up as food for a bear or a mountain lion. Even though Luke said the horse knew her way home, she decided that she would stay within eyesight of the ranch buildings at all times.
At the far side of the meadow, she discovered a narrow dirt trail that seemed to lead up the side of the mountain and guided Blaze toward it. She wound her way up, through the rustling aspen and pine trees ducking to avoid low branches, always managing to keep the ranch buildings in view. After almost an hour of riding, she reached the top of a ridge, where she could look down on the valley below.
“Laddie, what do you think? This looks like a nice place to take a break.”
Laddie wagged his tail. June carefully dismounted and after securely tying Blaze to a nearby tree, she stretched out on a rock outcropping in the sunshine.
This was the life. She closed her eyes and daydreams filled her head—ones of being an early settler and happening upon this gorgeous wilderness. And, of course, there was that tall, dark, handsome cowboy by her side to keep her from all harm. Surely there was some man out there who would appreciate her somewhat used, but still trim and slim body. Although she was very aware that she no longer looked twenty, she didn’t feel she looked bad for fifty-five. Her shoulder length hair was still auburn, with a little help from L’Oreal. People always told her she looked younger than she was. “Where is my Prince Charming?” The thought of being alone for the rest of her life was depressing. Six years without a man in her life seemed like an eternity. Her kids were great, but sometimes she wanted the romance, the passion, and all those things she felt that she was still young enough to experience. When she got back home, she really needed to do something about the state of her nonexistent love life.
Enough thoughts about her non-existent love life. Here she was in a beautiful mountain wilderness—she needed to relax and enjoy it for the short time she was here. Reluctantly, she stood up and dusted off her jeans. That’s when she noticed something a few yards away by the edge of the ridge that didn’t quite look like a rock. Intrigued she wondered over to take a closer look. There looking out over the panoramic view was a small marble bench and in front of it, right on the edge, was a beautiful wooden cross secured in the ground. She needed to remember to ask Luke about this place. It was peaceful here. She gingerly sat down on the bench, hoping she wasn’t intruding on some
one’s sacred shrine. Deciding to head back, she called Laddie and mounted up to make her way down to the ranch. Feeling a little more adventurous, she took the opposite slope and wound through the trees foraging her own path, listening to nothing but the wind whistling in the pines.
She continued down along the south side of the meadow which eventually brought her to a dirt path which led back to the barn. As she broke out of the trees, she was surprised to see Luke was there, bent over pounding a nail into the bottom of a fence post in the corral surrounding the barn. He didn’t seem to hear her as she approached. A radio tuned to a country station blared out Garth. Her face turned warm with thoughts of what a nice looking, slim butt he had. Sex appeal oozed off of him. She stopped for a second to just observe how his taunt muscles rippled as he swung the hammer. June Louise, you should be ashamed of yourself, he’s twenty-two, and thinking these thoughts is pretty close to child abuse! Yep, she definitely needed a man in her life—a mature man.
“Luke, what are you doing back so soon? Get all your errands done already?” she shouted out over the music.
Luke startled, almost dropping the hammer as he turned around and grinned. Except it wasn’t Luke. He was an older, more mature version of Luke, with graying temples, but the same sexy light-blue eyes and winning smile.
June blushed and felt her cheeks warm. “Oh, I’m sorry I thought you were Luke,” she mumbled as she slid out of the saddle.
“No, I’m Jeff Walker, his dad. And you are?” He extended his hand.
“June Meyers, and this is my dog, Laddie.” She shook his calloused hand, surprised by the warm heat that radiated up her arm.
“Well, June Meyers, can I ask what you and your handsome dog are doing on my ranch this lovely morning?”
“It’s a long story, but basically I got stranded on my way to California and Luke was kind enough to help me out. He said you were gone and it would be alright for me to stay here at your ranch until my car is fixed. Howard had to go to Fort Collins to get a part. It should be done later today, and I’ll be out of your hair. I bet Luke will be back soon and he can back up my story.” She was babbling and paused to take a breath. Something about Jeff looked familiar, probably the resemblance to Luke. Or the man she had seen in the portrait above the fireplace.
Jeff’s eyes crinkled with his smile. “Slow down, I’m not upset that you’re here; to the contrary, actually. Company—especially the pretty female kind—is always welcome. I was just wondering how you came to be here, that’s all. As you probably already know, there’s lots of room in our big old house. Not many people wander onto our ranch. Especially not on one of our own horses.”
Did he say pretty? June felt her cheeks warm again. “Blaze and I got acquainted last night, and Luke said it was okay for me to ride her today. If you want to come up to the house with me, I made a pitcher of iced tea. I’d be happy to get you some and tell you my whole story.”
“Well now, that sounds great, but I need to fix this fence first, so my two new kids don’t make an escape. When you bring new horses home, it’s always good to keep them separated from the other stock for a few days until they’re used to each other. Have a seat and we can walk up together when I’m done, if you’re not in a hurry.”
June plopped down on a nearby hay bale and for the first time noticed the two young black horses with white blazes down the length of their heads. They nerviously milled around in the corral. “Oh, they are so pretty. Are they brothers?”
Jeff laughed. “No, not brothers. I can see I’m going to have to teach you a thing or two about horses. That far one is the colt, and this one closer to us is a filly. They are not related—just look alike—should produce some beautiful babies for us in a few years. We’re trying to get out of the cattle business and concentrate solely on raising horses. Do you ride a lot?”
“No. In fact, I don’t think I’d been on a horse in nearly ten years before this weekend. I spent a couple of days up at Peaktop, before they filled up for the week. I could tell how long it had been when my entire body was sore after my first ride.”
“Happens at our age when you use muscles that have been on vacation for a while. They put up a fight. Give it a few days and the soreness will be gone for good.”
“Unfortunately, I’m leaving as soon as my car is fixed. Not many horses where I’m headed.”
“And where is that? You said California?”
“San Diego to be exact. My son and granddaughters live there.”
“Grandkids. I hope to have asome of my own one of these days.”
June leaned back in the fragrant hay and watched mesmerized as this amazing specimen of a cowboy pounded nails, his muscles flexing with each stroke. She figured Jeff to be about her age, but man was he in good shape. She didn’t see an ounce of fat anywhere, even though his T-shirt clung tightly to his sides as he worked. His arms were tan as was his face, adding to his appeal. She tingled with an intense physical attraction that assaulted every last inch of her body. It was definitely something she had not felt in a long time. Way too long! More and more recently, she had been wondering if she was still capable of such feelings. Apparently so.
* * *
Jeff tried to concentrate on pounding the nails into the post, but it was almost impossible with June leaning back on the hay bale just a few feet behind him. He could smell the scent of her perfume from here. Flowers—a sweet flower fragrance. He concentrated harder. This wasn’t like him. Since Susan died, he really didn’t notice women that much, but he sure did this one. Something about her and her dog seemed familiar. Then it hit him. He had seen them before. This was the woman from the gas station a few days ago. At least she seemed to be in a better mood now. There was something about her that made his body instantly react—in a good way. However she had landed on his ranch, he wasn’t sorry she had re-entered his life. Maybe his first impression of her had been unfair.
“That should do it. Would you like to help me with something for a few minutes?”
“Sure,” June jumped up and dusted off her jeans, “but I have to tell you, I’m not very good at pounding nails.”
“That’s alright, because this is way more fun.”
June followed him as he grabbed two lead ropes and opened the gate into the corral. “They’re going to be a little skittish until they get used to it here, but they’re very tame.” With that he hooked the first rope on the halter of the filly and handed it to her. June reached out to pet the small horse’s soft face. Jeff did the same to the colt.
“Now we’re going to walk them around the corral. Follow me.”
June fell in behind his colt and confidently followed him around. She was a natural around horses.
“What are their names?”
“Don’t have any yet. I like to get to know horses for a few days and see their personalities, before I name them.”
June laughed, “Did you do that with your boys too?”
“Nope, didn’t have the chance. Susan, my wife, had their names picked out before she was six months pregnant. She did a good job though; their names seem to fit them. Feel free to make some suggestions for these little guys. Have any ideas for me?”
“I’ll give it some thought.”
He walked slowly—savoring the moment. Not wanting it to end.
He slightly turned and smiled back at her. What a sight. He didn’t know who was prettier—his new filly or this lovely lady, who had wandered into his life. Maybe it was time for a change.
“That should be good, I just want them to get used to being handled some every day. Thanks for your help.”
“My pleasure.” June said matching his smile with a brilliant one of her own.
* * *
Jeff closed the corral and headed toward the ranch house. June hurriedly fell in beside him. All of a sudden out of the corner of her eye, she noticed his truck and trailer in the lane and a sinking feeling gripped her heart. Oh no, that’s why he looked so familiar, he’s the guy she was rude to at
that gas station. What were the chances? She felt her face turn red and warm once again. She sure hoped he hadn’t recognized her. If he had, he hadn’t let on.
Settled into a wicker chair on the porch with iced tea in hand, June filled Jeff in on her adventures since her car failed to start by Apple Creek. Jeff entertained her with tales about his horse buying trip, topped off by a stay in Denver the previous night with his older son, Matthew.
“He’s a CPA. He works in downtown Denver and lives in a high-rise building near his job. The Manhattan of Denver it’s called. Lots of bells and whistles, but I have never understood why anyone would want to live in a big city. It’s not for me, but he’s happy, loves his job, and has a nice girlfriend. She’s also a CPA. Her name is Heather.”
“Seems like a huge change from growing up here at the ranch.”
“Yeah, he never really did get into the ranching life like me and Luke. He always seemed to be more into books and indoor stuff, even when he was young. Luke—you had to drag him inside to go to bed at night when he was a kid. He would have been more than happy to sleep in the barn with the horses.”
June told him all about her children and her adorable granddaughters, whom she would hopefully be entertaining in another couple of days. Their conversation was relaxed and easy, like they had known each other forever, and before either of them realized it, a couple of hours had passed.
The conversation came to an abrupt halt as Laddie jumped up and started to bark. June looked down the lane to see Luke’s red pickup pull up in its usual cloud of dust.
“Dad, you’re back!”
June smiled as the two men pulled each other into a huge bear hug.
“I see you’ve met June.”
Colorado Sunset (Peakview Series Book 1) Page 5
