The Cowboy's Secret

by Jill Kemerer

  Besides, if he spilled the beans, he would have no reason to be a cowboy. He was working on Stu’s ranch because she didn’t want Phoebe around a deadbeat. His millions made that point as dead as the deer carcass he’d stumbled across this morning while checking on a few cows.

  The charade would have to continue—at least until the trust fund and child support papers were ready. It wasn’t really harming anybody, him keeping his wealth a secret. He didn’t need to feel guilty.

  The longer he stayed, the more he wanted to be a regular part of Phoebe’s life. He didn’t want to only send gifts and cards occasionally. He wanted to be the uncle she could rely on as she grew older. What that looked like, he couldn’t say at this point. Maybe coming into town every three months to visit or...

  Images of him living in Rendezvous, riding horseback, fly-fishing, maybe even having a barbecue in the park with a group of friends flitted through his mind.

  No, this wasn’t a permanent thing. Just because Gabby was softening toward him didn’t mean anything. Sure, he was attracted to her and thought she was doing a great job as a mom. But they came from different backgrounds. She was more grounded than he was. What would she think if she knew how aimless his traveling had been all last year? She’d be disappointed in him and think it was a waste of time and money to travel with no purpose. And she’d be right.

  * * *

  “There’s no way I can work for Nolan.” Gabby tucked her feet under her body on the comfy couch in the screened-in porch off Eden’s living room Friday night. She’d always loved the Pages’ ranch. The rambling white farmhouse had large windows and gorgeous views of the prairie and mountains. The sun was going out with a bang by streaking pinks and purples throughout the sky. Phoebe played with a toy on a fluffy rug between where Gabby and Eden sat on padded wicker chairs.

  “I don’t blame you.” Eden’s glass of iced tea sweated water droplets down its side. “He’s always so...”

  “Full of himself? Arrogant?” Gabby fluttered her eyelashes innocently.

  Eden snickered. “I was going to say clueless, but those fit, too.”

  “Today I spent eight hours with him questioning my every move.” Irritation bubbled up her core. It had been a bad day. “And it wasn’t because he genuinely wanted to learn anything. He’s convinced he has a better way to do everything. Everything.”

  “Why would he think that? He’s in the shipping business, not hotels.” Eden took another sip.

  “Exactly. If it wasn’t the email system we use, it was the employee uniforms. And he had so many opinions on how the rooms should be organized and how he’d remodel them. Frankly, I agree they need to be remodeled, but the stuff he was suggesting sounded horribly out-of-date. Like, hire a designer already.”

  Phoebe began to babble. She was trying to stuff a purple plastic cow in her mouth. Every time she squeezed it, the cow made a mooing noise. Gabby returned her attention to Eden.

  “If he stayed all day, does that mean he’s already negotiating with Babs?” Eden asked.

  “I don’t know, and I’m too afraid to ask her.”

  “Well, there must be another job you could do here in town if he does buy the place.”

  Gabby slumped. “That’s the problem—I love my job. And I want to work at the inn. Unless I take a big cut in pay, the only thing I can come up with is getting my insurance license, and it would mean I’d have to take classes and pass exams. But at least I’d have regular hours.”

  “You sitting behind a desk selling insurance?” Eden made a sour face. “Are there even any openings in town?”

  “Who knows? Cathy Davies has worked the front desk forever at Dalton Insurance. She could put in a good word for me.”

  “Are there any other options?” Eden frowned.

  She shrugged. “I’m just telling you what I’ve come up with, and it isn’t much at this point.”

  “Maybe Nolan wouldn’t be around much. It’s not like he lives in Rendezvous.”

  The thought lifted her spirits. “Maybe you’re right. He still works for his dad. It’s not as if he’s quitting his day job. At least, I hope not.”

  “Ba-ba-ba.” Phoebe had shifted to all fours. She reached for a stuffed elephant, but it was too far away. She planted one hand forward.

  “Look!” Gabby kept her voice soft. “Do you think she’ll crawl?”

  “Oh, I hope so!” Eden brought her hands together and watched Phoebe shift one knee ahead.

  Gabby quickly got out her phone and scrolled through to take a video. Phoebe moved her other hand, her knee, and repeated the process. She crawled forward until she got to the elephant. And Gabby got it all on video.

  “Good job, Phoebe!” Gabby clapped her hands. “You did it. You crawled.”

  Eden stretched out an open palm to Gabby, and they high-fived.

  Phoebe gripped the elephant in one hand and flopped to a seated position. Then she chewed on the elephant’s leg. Gabby couldn’t help herself—she scooped up the baby and showered her with kisses. Phoebe cooed, then started to fuss, so she put her back on the floor to play with her toy.

  “I wish Allison could have been here to see this,” Gabby said as she sat back down. Her chest felt tight with emotion. She wanted the baby to reach these milestones, but each milestone hurt, knowing her sister was missing every one of them.

  “I wish she could be here, too.” Eden grew pensive. “Noah turned four a few months ago, and when he blew out the candles, I almost started crying because Mia will never see him grow up.”

  “Does it get easier?” She looked into Eden’s brown eyes. They’d both lost sisters. Eden had helped raise Noah until Mason remarried a few weeks ago, so she knew what it was like to love her sister’s child, too.

  “It was easier when I took care of him.” Eden turned away abruptly. “I knew life would change—it couldn’t stay the way it was forever. Even if Mason hadn’t remarried, Noah would continue to get older, go to school—he wouldn’t need his auntie Eden anymore.”

  “He’ll always need his auntie Eden.”

  “Not in the same way. Not like he used to. And that’s okay, because he has a wonderful mommy in Brittany.”

  She’d known Eden was struggling, but her own grief and being thrown into instant motherhood had prevented her from thinking too much about Eden’s pain.

  “You know you can have your own family, right?” Gabby watched for her reaction.

  “I suppose.” Her voice sounded faraway as she gazed out the screened window. “Don’t laugh, but I always saw myself being a ranch wife living here in Rendezvous—on this ranch, preferably.”

  “There are eligible ranchers here, you know.” She kept her tone light.

  “I know. But I’m not going to kid myself. The guys around here aren’t really my type. Judd Wilson is quieter than me, and that’s saying something. Cash McCoy is too wild. It would never work.”

  “Maybe you should get to know them better. They might surprise you.”

  Phoebe crawled to the side of the couch and pulled herself up to a standing position. Gabby picked her up and set her on her lap. She snuggled into her arms.

  “Right back at you.” Eden cast her a sly glance.

  Her? Date? She shook her head. “I’m too busy. I have a million problems, and I’m not adding a potential boyfriend to the list.”

  “What about Dylan? He’s good-looking. I’ve seen him a few times in town.”

  Jealousy flared hot and sudden. Did Eden want to date Dylan? Picturing him with Eden—or anyone else for that matter—brought a sour taste to her mouth. But who was she to object? This was her best friend, and if anyone deserved a great guy, it was Eden.

  Was Dylan a great guy?

  She hated to admit it, but he was growing on her. He stopped by when he said he would. He’d gotten a job and seemed to really like it. He called or tex
ted to arrange to see the baby, and he hadn’t shown up unannounced since moving here.

  “You got awfully quiet.” With a gleam in her eye, Eden cocked her head.

  “So far Dylan has been reliable, and he seems decent. If you want to date him, I can give you his number.”

  “Me?” Eden’s face recoiled in horror. “No, I meant you. You should date Dylan.”

  At the thought of dating him, hope and anticipation did a happy dance around her heart. He was gorgeous. And easy to be with. And good with the baby.

  And a cowboy.

  Her number one deal breaker.

  Even if she could get past his profession, she hadn’t spent enough time with him to deem him worthy.

  “No.” Gabby shook her head. “Not going to happen.”

  “It’s the cowboy thing, isn’t it?” Her face fell.

  “Yep.”

  “Couldn’t you make an exception?”

  She wouldn’t answer. Because part of her wanted to make an exception. The same part of her had wanted to believe the best in her dad and Carl. It was her weakness and had let her down time and again. “No, I don’t have room in my life for dating right now.”

  “I have too much room...for everything.” Eden rested her head against the back of the chair. “Maybe you’re right and I should get to know the guys around here better. I could even...try dating. I don’t think Judd or Cash or any guy in town even knows I exist.”

  “What are you talking about?” She shook her head. “You’re so beautiful and kind. They’ve noticed.”

  “Oh yeah? Then why haven’t any of them asked me out? The only girls who get noticed around here are Stella Boone and Misty Sandpiper.”

  “Well...” Her words held a nugget of truth. “It’s probably because Stella and Misty are around them more. They make an effort, do things with the guys.”

  “I don’t want to do things with them.”

  Gabby studied her friend. It would do Eden good to get out and have some fun. She’d been more and more pensive lately.

  “Why don’t we organize a group outing. A barbecue or something? We can invite a bunch of people. Then it won’t be awkward or weird.”

  “It will still be awkward and weird.” Eden grimaced.

  “No, it won’t. You’ll see. We can plan it for next week—Saturday. We’ll have a picnic at the city park. Potluck. I’ll spread the word.” She perked up thinking about it. “Tomorrow at church you can personally invite Judd. I’ll tell Stella to invite Cash and Misty and the other guys. Nicole can come. And Brittany and Mason.”

  “I guess a picnic would be fun.” Worry lines creased Eden’s forehead. “Could you ask Judd, though?”

  “I think you should ask him.”

  “Then you’ll have to invite Dylan.”

  “Fair enough.” She instantly pictured Stella flirting with him, and Misty probably would, too. Yuck. They’d be all over him. And he’d eat up the attention. Carl always had.

  Was it fair to keep comparing Dylan to Carl, though? When she was growing convinced he was nothing like her ex?

  So what? It didn’t mean he was fair game for her to date him. He was Phoebe’s uncle. She’d be dealing with him the rest of her life. A botched romance wouldn’t just hurt her, it would hurt Phoebe. She wouldn’t do that to the baby.

  * * *

  Dylan may have overdressed for church. He glanced around at the people making their way down the aisle and regretted wearing a button-down shirt and tie. All the other men wore short-sleeved shirts open at the collar or polo-style shirts with jeans. His fitted dark gray dress pants had been overkill, too.

  Yesterday, he’d driven to Jackson to buy supplies. He’d wanted to invite Gabby and Phoebe, but she’d made it clear Saturdays were her day to relax. He hadn’t wanted to ruffle her feathers. Plus the conversation with Ed had forced him to do some thinking—not only about Gabby, but about his future, too.

  Living in Texas didn’t make sense if he wanted to see Phoebe on a regular basis. In fact, living in Texas didn’t appeal to him at all now that Dad and Sam were gone. With the company sold, he had no place of employment. His friends had moved on without him, and he couldn’t think of a reason to go back.

  Yesterday, he’d been sure he’d feel in his element in Jackson since it was full of trendy restaurants and upscale shopping. And in some ways he had. He’d been raised to enjoy expensive boutiques and gourmet food; he was used to not checking a price tag and never thought twice about buying items he didn’t really need.

  But the things he needed the boutiques didn’t carry. He was desperate for a fan and a coffeemaker, not the several-hundred-dollar espresso maker the kitchen store carried. He wanted towels strong enough to hold up to the dirt he brought in every night instead of the fluffy white hotel-quality ones he’d briefly considered purchasing.

  He’d ended up dropping a lot of money on new clothes, including his current outfit, and now he wished he hadn’t. These clothes didn’t work in Rendezvous.

  He didn’t fit into his old life anymore, and he didn’t seem to fit into the new one, either.

  Maybe he was kidding himself that he could stay here for a month.

  Clasping his hands and bowing his head, he tried to push away the feeling of defeat.

  God, what am I doing here? I’m pretending to be something I’m not. But I think I was pretending to be someone else back in Texas, too. What am I supposed to do?

  He straightened as he sensed someone wanting to enter the pew. Glancing up, he did a double take. Gabby smiled at him. Phoebe wore a pink dress and matching headband with an enormous bow. The baby’s little nose scrunched as she grinned. He scooted down so they could sit.

  “Can I help you with that?” He gestured to the diaper bag slung over her shoulder.

  “No, I’ve got it.”

  He caught a whiff of her floral perfume. The baby held her hands out to him, and he gladly hauled her onto his lap, facing him. She clapped her palms against his cheeks and giggled. This kid—she brought so much joy to his heart. He puffed up his cheeks and she smacked them, laughing and loving every minute of it.

  “You looked lonely over here,” Gabby said when she’d gotten settled. “We figured we’d join you.”

  “I’m glad you did.” He didn’t care if she’d sat here out of pity or not; he welcomed her friendly face. Her blue sundress brought out her feminine side. She didn’t wear much makeup, and she didn’t need to. Her natural beauty called to him.

  He ran a finger under his collar. What was going on with him? This was Phoebe’s aunt, not a potential girlfriend. He had to do a better job of fighting this attraction. At least it seemed to be one-sided on his end at this point. The thought should have relieved him, but instead it was depressing.

  Organ music played, and Gabby took Phoebe back into her arms. He followed the service and peeked at his niece and her pretty aunt often throughout. The pastor spoke about temptation. Dylan focused straight ahead. Temptation sat next to him and smelled fantastic.

  Soon they were saying the final prayer and being ushered out of church. Gabby dropped her bulletin as they made their way down the aisle, and Dylan bent to pick it up for her. Handing it back, his fingers brushed hers, and his skin heated at the touch.

  As they followed the crowd outside and down the sidewalk, he caught himself wanting to take her arm, hold her hand, keep her close to him. But he didn’t have that right. So he stayed by her side, his spirits dropping, knowing his time with her today was about to end.

  “What are you doing next Saturday?” She kept a tight hold on Phoebe, who was trying to bounce on her hip.

  “Nothing, why?”

  “Eden and I are organizing a picnic, and we want you to come. It’s potluck. At the city park.”

  “I’d like that.” He knew he was grinning like a fool and didn’t care. A picnic. H
e’d been dreaming of one since he’d arrived. And if she was okay with him coming to a picnic, maybe she’d be okay with him asking her to go shopping with him, too. It couldn’t hurt to ask, could it? “Can I ask for some advice?”

  Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Of course.”

  “I need to buy some supplies, and I’m not sure where to go. I’m talking things like a fan and towels.”

  “There’s a supercenter an hour south of here. It would be your best option.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” If he asked her to come, would she say no?

  “When are you going?” She adjusted Phoebe’s headband.

  “I was thinking today. Why? Do you want to come with me?” He held his breath. He’d never been this insecure around a woman before. What was his problem?

  “Yeah, I would. Phoebe is outgrowing her clothes, and I haven’t had a chance to get down there to stock up on stuff.”

  She wanted to come with him. He stood taller. This day was looking up.

  “What time do you want to leave?” he asked. The sooner the better in his opinion.

  “Well, I’m going to try to spread the word about the picnic now, then I’ll go home and change.”

  “I need to change, too.” He stared down at his outfit and shook his head again.

  “What was that look for?” Her mischievous smile made his pulse quicken.

  “I wasn’t sure what to wear.” He shrugged.

  “You look good to me.”

  She thought he looked good? His chest expanded. “How about I pick you up in an hour?”

  “I’ll be ready.” She flashed him a grin and disappeared in the crowd.

  Rocking back on his heels, he wanted to pump his fist in the air, but instead he shoved his hands in his pockets and strolled toward the parking lot. Score one for team Kingsley. He’d gotten Gabby to agree to spend the entire afternoon with him.