A Ranch to Keep

by Claire McEwen

  She lay back down with a heavy thud. Questions tugged at her mind, tempting her to hash over the meaning of it all. But for once, she didn’t want to analyze. Besides, the meaning was simple. She, Samantha Rylant, ambitious, organized, practical and unadventurous, just had incredible wilderness sex with a gorgeous cowboy. She grinned. Who knew she was capable of doing such a thing? She wiggled down in her sleeping bag and as soon as she warmed up, she fell back into a deep, relaxed sleep.

  When she woke again the sky was lighter and a few dim rays from the morning sun were turning the walls of the tent golden, dust motes dancing in the air. Jack was up and outside already, a tangle of sleeping bags left behind. She rolled over onto them and inhaled his lingering scent.

  She could hear his footsteps and smell coffee brewing on the campfire. He was so natural out here, so clearly a part of the scenery. She tried to imagine him at his old job in New York in a suit and tie. She smiled to herself. She couldn’t picture him in anything but jeans and a cowboy hat.

  She groaned inwardly, thinking about facing him. Would he regret last night? Did she? How could she regret it when just the memory of making love had her breath catching and her bones turning liquid? But what should she do next?

  The sum of her experience with flings was almost zero. The Samantha of a few short weeks ago would never be here at all, would never consider waking up on this mountain in the middle of nowhere with two horses, Jack Baron and some very rumpled sleeping bags.

  But was this a fling? She knew the real answer, and it scared her.

  She flopped on her back and stared at the tent ceiling, watching the light grow brighter as the sun rose.

  Unable to resist the smell of the coffee any longer, Samantha pulled on jeans and a sweater, and stepped into her boots, which Jack must have brought up from the creek at some point. He’d left them outside the tent, with her clothing folded neatly beside them. Just that small intimacy thrilled her.

  Jack was putting sticks into the fire. He looked up. “Morning.” His welcoming smile lit up her heart, erasing the doubts that had been there moments before. He held out a mug of coffee and she walked over to him, gratefully taking the cup and drinking a deep swallow of the bitter brew.

  “Hey,” she answered, trying to appear as if waking up with a man after incredible sex was not a big deal. She waved a hand, taking in the sunshine, the view of the valley below, the creek, and the aspen. “Nice place you got here.”

  He regarded her intently. “How are you this morning?”

  Trust Jack not to waste time on small talk. “I’m okay.” She watched the fire and felt her cheeks flush as memories of last night came flooding back. She looked up, forcing herself to meet his gaze. That deep blue she could study forever. “I’m good,” she admitted. “Very good, actually. And you?”

  He walked over to her and pulled her into a tight embrace, then bent down to kiss her gently on the mouth. He looked into her eyes and she saw passion and tenderness mingled there. “I’m good. Very, very good. Thank you.” He kissed her again, then turned away and began rummaging for something in the saddlebags.

  Samantha watched him without speaking, trying to imagine what he must think of her. Did he do this kind of thing often? Did he think that she did? She wished she could turn off her churning mind for just five minutes but it was impossible. The questions piled up, with no answers in sight.

  They were quiet over breakfast and Samantha was relieved. She had too much emotion to sort through to speak. Instead she tried to memorize all the details of their campsite. On first glance it was a simple mountain meadow, dotted in brush and the big mule-ear daisies that loved these high hills. Samantha knew she would remember it as one of the most important places she’d ever visited.

  After they packed up their bags and saddled the horses, Samantha buried her face in Apple’s lush mane for a moment, inhaling her comforting horsey scent.

  Part of her, a large part, wanted to just keep riding into the mountains. Disappear with Jack at her side, knowing that together they’d have all they needed. Unfortunately she knew love didn’t really work that way. Back to reality, Samantha thought, and the bittersweetness of it all flooded hot tears behind her eyes. She blinked them away and pulled herself up onto Apple’s back.

  The path home wound up a hill studded with granite and pines that had been twisted by years of heavy snow. As they topped the rise and began to pick their way down the steep descent, the view had Samantha slowing Apple to a halt so she could take it all in.

  In the early-morning light, peaks and valleys unrolled beneath them in a vast landscape of bold illumination and deep shadows. Aspen painted dashes of yellow in front of the rich green of conifers. She hadn’t left for the city yet, but the crisp scent of pine, of sunbaked granite, of mountain breeze was already making her nostalgic. The air here seemed to fill her veins, soothe her thoughts and calm her nerves.

  Samantha wished there was a way to take this feeling back home with her. She could use some of this serenity during her busy days in crowded, bustling San Francisco.

  * * *

  THE SIGHT OF the barn made the horses happy, but Samantha didn’t share their enthusiasm. How was she going to let go of the past twenty-four hours of pure magic and head back to everyday life?

  The trouble with these new feelings for Jack, she decided, was that they messed with her focus. She had this inner drive that had pushed her forward all these years and given her so much success at work. Now, for the first time, she didn’t want to work. She wanted to lie in a field with Jack and watch the day spin by. She wanted to hike in the mountains holding his hand. This, she thought, illustrated perfectly one of the many downsides to falling for someone.

  They walked the horses up to the rails by the barn and dismounted. It had been a lot of riding and Samantha was pretty sure she heard her bones creak when her feet hit the ground.

  Jack slipped a rope around Apple’s neck and slid her bridle off. Apple obligingly stuck her nose into the soft halter and stood still as he buckled the strap. He tied her rope to the rail and then moved over to start on Larry. “So did you like your camping trip?”

  His eyes were shadowed by his cowboy hat so she couldn’t read his expression, but she could tell that he too was melancholy that their trip was over. “It was perfect,” she said and walked over to him, putting her hands on his shoulders. “And you? Did you like it?”

  In answer he leaned down and kissed her, his lips lingering softly afterward. “It was a phenomenal night and I’m grateful for it.” He pulled her toward him, cradling her against him, taking her hat off so he could caress her hair and kiss her face.

  “I need you,” he whispered in her ear and her body echoed his words with rippling want.

  “Can we?” she asked. “Before I have to go?” In answer he scooped her up and she clung to his neck as he carried her into the relative privacy of the barn, covering her laughing protests with kisses.

  One more time. Maybe it was irresponsible. She should be leaving for San Francisco, but she wanted one more incredible memory to add to her hoard, to cherish and pore over in the future.

  Jack carried her as if she weighed nothing, and she felt the muscles of his shoulders rippling under her arms. She loved the strength and surety of him. He strode through the barn and into a stall full of clean straw and in one smooth motion, turned and leaned her against the wall. Her legs went round his waist and his kisses were hot on her mouth and melted her defenses, letting hunger, longing and loss rage through her. His wide palms and long fingers wrapped around her, pulling her in as if he couldn’t bring her close enough. His touch became more aggressive, until he was setting a rhythm and she was blindly following, trapped against him while his hands drove her hips on.

  There was a point where she realized she’d never be able to stop, that her whole being was centered around the pace he
was setting, the steel strength of his mouth under hers, the intense control his strong hands and arms were exerting to drive her inexorably over the edge.

  And then it all broke apart in ripples of heat and energy and he stilled her and sheltered her as she plummeted into oblivion, her release coming in sobbing breaths. She buried her face where his neck met his shoulder as the waves faded and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and steadying her breath.

  She wanted him to have the same wonder, the same exhilaration, so when she could move again she slid down to support her own weight while her hands travelled his skin, under his shirt and along the waist of his jeans to caress the soft skin of his hip. He spoke her name in a whisper again and again as she unbuttoned his jeans and wrapped the hard length of him in her small hands. This was an intimacy she hadn’t known, and when he dropped his forehead to her hair and gasped his pleasure, she felt a sort of reverence that her touch, her hands, could put him in this state. He guided her, helping her learn the way, until with a harsh cry he throbbed and shook under her touch.

  Jack lay behind her on an old blanket in the straw, his heated skin warming her back, his face buried in her hair. Everything about this scene was perfect except one thing—she couldn’t picture what came next.

  She’d allowed herself this time in the mountains with Jack because she thought she was capable of seizing a moment that might not come again. But in this moment, the one right before goodbye, it was becoming clear to her that she was not at all capable. The past twenty-four hours had been amazing, life altering, but now, faced with leaving, she couldn’t stand to end it. Even if an ending was all that was possible.

  Samantha could see the light changing through the barn window as afternoon moved closer to evening. “Jack,” she whispered. “I have to go home.”

  “You are home,” he whispered back, nuzzling her neck.

  She smiled at the sweetness of that, but tears stung. “I’m not, Jack. I have work in the morning. Work I can’t miss.” She slid out from under his arm and sat up. “I’m sorry, but it’s getting late and I have a long drive.”

  Jack yawned and gave her a sleepy smile that melted any part of her that hadn’t liquefied already. “Okay, let’s get you on the road.” He sat up and they straightened clothes and walked hand in hand out to where the horses were tethered. “Do you want me to walk you home?” he asked.

  “That’s very sweet. But no, stay here and take care of these beauties.” She gave Larry a pat and then went over to Apple and gave her a quick hug. “I’ll miss you,” she whispered in the chestnut’s ear.

  And then there was nothing left to do except say goodbye. “I don’t know how to do this,” she said, turning to Jack.

  “Will you come next weekend?” He tucked a curl behind her ear. Kissed her lower lip and lingered there.

  “I’ll try.” He kissed her again. “Probably.” He kissed her again and she smiled. “Okay. I’ll be here.”

  “That’s what I was hoping to hear.” His face creased into the smile she loved. “Hey, Frisco,” he said softly, smoothing her hair back from her face. “We’re going to figure it out. Trust me.” He kissed her forehead and stepped back.

  Samantha wished she could believe him. But even Jack, in his superhero cowboy garb, couldn’t rescue them from their incredibly different lives.

  She squeezed his hand once and let go, feeling the loss instantly. “Have a good week, Jack.”

  Her legs felt shaky, whether from all the riding or all the feelings, she wasn’t sure. She turned and made her way carefully down the path. Time to gather her things and head to San Francisco. Would the city look different, she wondered, now that she had changed?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  MARK STOOD UP. She could see the anger seething under his calm façade. “You still work for me, you know.”

  “How could I possibly forget?” Samantha gathered her folders and stood, too—no way would she let him loom over her.

  Mark’s fair skin turned a deeper shade of red. “You usurped my authority in here today.” He gestured around the now-empty conference room.

  “Not intentionally, Mark. I just disagreed with you. I think you’re being a little tough on everyone. The people on our team are working incredibly hard for you, Mark. They have fantastic ideas...”

  “I want results. Not ideas. And I want them now! Telling everyone to leave early on a Friday to go drinking is not going to get this project done!”

  The tight control she’d been keeping on her temper was losing its hold. “First of all, five o’clock is not early. Second of all, we work in a creative field, Mark. At least it used to be. People need to feel enthusiastic and inspired, so they can come up with the type of cutting-edge ads that have made our reputation. I am not trying to usurp your authority, but I am trying to keep them jazzed. Pressuring them with the kinds of unrealistic deadlines that you’ve been setting is not going to do that!”

  “Well my deadlines wouldn’t be so unrealistic if you’d stay here in the office and get your work done like you used to instead of taking off to play cowgirl all the time.”

  His words hit her in the stomach and turned her tension into something boiling and raging. Her voice dripped sarcasm and she didn’t care.

  “Forgive me for finally using a few days of the three months’ vacation time I’ve earned to deal with my inheritance. My apologies for needing a little time to cope with my grandmother’s death!”

  “Samantha.” His words stopped her as she turned to leave. “I just don’t know how to deal with you anymore. You never used to argue with me like this.”

  He was staring at her, uncomprehending. And then it hit her. He really didn’t get it. He really, truly did not understand that his actions might have caused a few of the changes in her that he was noticing.

  Who knew why? Maybe in his mind, in his world, he didn’t think what he’d done was that bad. Whatever the reason, it meant she’d never really known him at all. Which meant that all the heartache, and all the angst she’d felt at his betrayal, was really for someone who didn’t exist. Someone she’d imagined Mark to be.

  It was as if a fifty-pound weight had been lifted from her shoulders. As if someone had flipped a light switch to illuminate a shadowed room. She didn’t need to care about him anymore and it was a lovely feeling.

  Mark was still staring. Only seconds had passed, but everything was different. “You know what, Mark? Never mind, it doesn’t matter anymore.” She turned on her heel before he could say anything to spoil her newfound peace.

  As she walked down the hallway toward the elevators, a deep voice interrupted her. “Samantha, can you come in here for a moment?” It was Harold Armstrong, Mark’s supervisor and managing director of the San Francisco office of Taylor Advertising. Samantha’s stomach fluttered with nerves. Harold had barely spoken to her since the Los Angeles meeting they’d attended together. Maybe he’d heard about the way she’d disagreed with Mark during their meeting today. Her serenity gone, she wondered if she was about to be fired.

  Samantha stepped into Harold’s luxurious corner office and sat down in the comfortable chair that he pulled out for her. Harold closed the door and sat down in another seat, clasping his hands as if collecting his thoughts. He took off his black-framed glasses and polished them, ran a hand over his balding head, and finally looked at her. “I’d like to make you an offer, Samantha.”

  “Okay,” she said cautiously. This wasn’t the reprimand she’d been expecting.

  “The truth is, things haven’t been going very smoothly since you started taking time off.”

  “Harold, I’m...” she started to explain, but he held up his hand.

  “Wait, I’m not blaming you, just hear me out. Speaking confidentially, of course, it’s become clear that people just don’t listen to Mark quite the same way they d
o with you. People don’t work as hard when you’re gone. They don’t have as much to say in meetings, and when they do talk, their ideas aren’t as creative. You inspire them, Samantha.”

  She was flattered and surprised that he’d noticed her work. “Thank you.”

  “So we’re thinking of shaking things up a bit around here. We want to promote you to senior vice president. You and Mark will be equals and you’ll report to me. We’ll keep you on your current projects, and we’re planning to move Mark on to some other aspects of the business, where perhaps he’ll be better suited. What do you think?”

  Samantha tried to control the elation she felt. She’d wanted this promotion for so long, and worked so hard for it. She’d given up nights and weekends and vacations to get ahead, and it was finally paying off. Senior VP in only six years at Taylor. It almost never happened so fast. And then there was the added, miraculous bonus that Mark wouldn’t be her boss anymore.

  “Harold, thank you, I’d love to. Of course I accept!”

  “Fabulous. I’m so glad.” Harold shook her hand, briskly. “Make an appointment with human resources some time next week. And have a good weekend!”

  “It will certainly be better now. Thank you again, Harold.”

  Samantha floated down the hall. She was so filled with gratitude and triumph that she was sure her feet did not touch the ground. Deep in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Dana until she almost bumped into her. Dana held out her hand in alarm and a large diamond caught the light and glistened. An engagement ring. Samantha waited to feel some angst, or jealousy or regret, but she felt nothing. It was such a huge relief to feel nothing.