“I’d planned to stay in a hotel until morning, or else take the bull home tonight.” If he got the animal loaded he could easily be home by bedtime, and maybe even ask Emily to wait for him at the cabin.
“Can’t do that. It’s goin’ to storm real bad here in a couple of hours. Take a look at those black clouds comin’ from the southwest.”
Justin removed his hat and turned around to find a dark sky out there on the horizon. “Guess in this flat land, y’all can see the storm comin’, but what’s the weather got to do with a bull?”
Maverick shook his head slowly from side to side. “Old Glory has one fault. He’s afraid of storms. He’d kick his way out of that trailer if you drove him through thunder and lightning. He’ll do fine if he can hug up to a barn or if he’s inside a stall, but he’d be a handful in a trailer.”
“Hey, are you Justin Maguire? I’m Paxton, Maverick’s younger brother.” He put his hand on a fence post and jumped over it.
Justin shook hands with him. “Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise. We got Old Glory inside the barn in a stall. Come on in here and look at him.”
Justin followed the brothers inside. The bull looked even better than the pictures and descriptions that they’d gotten at the ranch. “Fertility tested?” he asked.
“Miz Opal’s got the papers for that and everything else at the house. She’ll go over them with you this evening. Some of the family would’ve met you but they’re all tied up today. Bein’ a rancher, you know how that goes,” Maverick told him.
Justin reached between the rails to pet the bull. “I sure do. Never enough hands to get everything done. The old boy seems gentle.”
“Hasn’t got a bit of that wild bull in him to pass on down to the offspring. He’s a big old pet, but he’ll bring new blood to your herd,” Paxton said. “I reckon you’d better let Maverick take you on up to the house now. Marie, the cook, will show you to your room. You’ll have an hour to get changed, if you want to before suppertime. They usually meet about five in the den for drinks and a visit before supper is served.”
There didn’t seem to be a way that Justin could get out of staying on the Big Sky Ranch that night, so he gave up even trying to come up with an excuse.
Chapter Eighteen
The house was bigger than the one at Longhorn Canyon but wasn’t laid out a whole lot different. A huge living area opened off a foyer. Open doors on the other end probably led into a dining room and kitchen, but Marie took him to the end of a long hallway with doors opening on either side into bedrooms that looked unused.
“Miz Opal says you are to use this room.” Marie tucked a strand of red hair back into a ponytail. “Have a little rest. The family will be home soon. If you are still sleeping, I’ll knock on the door a little after five and wake you.”
“Thank you,” Justin said.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Miz Opal says to tell you that she’s sorry the family couldn’t be here. A neighbor died and they’re at a funeral,” Marie said.
“I understand,” Justin said.
Marie shut the door behind her, and he dropped his suitcase on the floor. Thank goodness he’d brought a decent shirt and a pair of freshly ironed jeans. Hopefully, the family didn’t get dressed up beyond that for supper.
He checked his messages and found one from Emily that was only a picture of a heart-shaped lollipop. He replied with one of a cupid shooting an arrow before he took a quick shower. He had half an hour before he was supposed to be in the den for drinks, so he stretched out on the bed and pulled a quilt up over his naked body. He only meant to close his eyes for a few minutes, but he fell into a deep sleep and dreamed about Emily. She’d taken the job as counselor for the girls, and she’d slipped away to meet him in the tack room for a bout of hot sex. They were curled up in each other’s arms when someone knocked on the door.
He didn’t give a damn about who was there. The door was locked, and they still had time to cuddle before she had to go back to the bunkhouse.
“Mr. Justin, are you awake?” Marie’s voice brought him out of the dream and to full attention.
“Yes, ma’am.” He raised his voice. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
He hurriedly jerked on his clothes, ran a comb through his hair, and followed the buzz of conversation to the den. Smaller and much cozier than the huge living room he’d gotten a glance at earlier, it was filled with people. The guys all had beers, but the three ladies were drinking wine.
An older lady looped her arm in his and said, “Hello, I’m Opal Bennington. Come and meet everyone.” Almost as tall as Justin, she had clear blue eyes and gray hair that she tied back in a ponytail at the nape of her neck. She took a few steps and stopped in front of a red-haired woman with the same crystal clear blue eyes that reminded him so much of Emily’s.
“This is my daughter, Anne, and her husband, Frank.”
Frank stuck out a hand. “Welcome to the Big Sky. What’d you think of Old Glory?”
“Thank you. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Old Glory looks like a fantastic bull to me.”
“I’ll show you all the papers later.” Opal pulled Justin away and took him to the other side of the room. “These three are my grandsons: Matthew, Taggart, and Hudson. Tag and Hudson are twins but not identical in looks or actions.”
Justin shook hands with all three of them and then it hit him. This was Emily’s family! She was from the Big Sky Ranch! He looked over Tag’s shoulder and saw a family picture of all four kids sitting on the fireplace mantel.
“So you’re from out around Bowie,” Tag said. “Our sister lives in that town. She works at a senior citizens’ place, so I doubt that y’all ever crossed paths.”
“What’s her name?” Justin asked.
“Emily Baker,” Hudson said.
He avoided the question. “I thought this was the Bennington Ranch.”
“We’ve always run a Rocking B brand,” Opal said. “But the owners have changed down through the ages.”
“It was a big joke when we got married.” Frank chuckled. “It started out in the Barrett family, then went to the Blackburn, and to the Bennington, and everyone told Anne she had to marry a man with a B initial.”
“But you don’t have to worry about that now, since I’m a Baker and I’ll be takin’ over someday in the far, far future,” Matthew said.
Justin’s eyes kept darting back to that family picture. There was no doubt that the girl was his Emily, but he just couldn’t believe that she’d never mentioned she was from the wealthiest ranch in Texas. All three brothers were about the same height as Justin. They all had the same blue eyes, and it wasn’t difficult to see that they shared DNA with Emily. Tag and Hudson were the twins she’d talked about—evidently fraternal, because like Miz Opal had said, they sure weren’t identical.
Anne, Emily’s mother, moved across the room to stand beside him. “That was taken the year that Hudson and Tag graduated from high school. We really should have a new one made. We’re having a family reunion in a few weeks. Maybe we’ll make time for one while Emily is home.”
“She’s beautiful,” Justin whispered.
“I always thought so. Where’s my manners? What can I get you to drink?”
“Beer is fine,” he answered.
“Hey, if we was to make a trip over to Bowie to see our sister, do you think it’d be all right for us to come out to your place and say hi to Old Glory? I’ve raised him from a calf so I’m going to miss him,” Hudson said.
“Sure thing. Come anytime. You can even stay at the ranch,” Justin answered.
“We’d stay with Emily, but thanks for the offer. Let’s ride our cycles out there, Hud, and surprise our sister,” Tag said and then turned his attention back to Justin. “You got a good place to do some dancin’ and drinkin’?”
“Yep, it’s called the Rusty Spur.” Justin managed a smile, but it felt unnatural.
“You’re from the Longhorn Canyon, right?” Hudson asked.
“That’s right,” Justin said.
That Tag and Hudson were brothers was obvious, but no one would ever mistake them for each other. Justin wondered if their dispositions were as different as their looks.
“Emily took her senior residents out to a ranch somewhere near Bowie for a week. I guess they about ran her ragged while they were there. She said that keeping up with them was worse than herding cats.” Anne laughed. “We sure do miss her. Not just because she was a good ranch hand but also because she’s so much fun to be around.”
“I’m sure you do.” Justin chose his words carefully. “While y’all are in Bowie, I’ll be glad to show you around.”
“I just want to see the Rusty Spur.” Tag chuckled. “That and get some of Emily’s fried chicken. Nobody here can make it like she can.”
I can believe that. Justin remembered eating chicken and drinking Jack while they were skinny-dipping in the bathtub.
When he was back in his room that evening, he started to call her, but this wasn’t something that they should discuss on the phone. He couldn’t even make himself reply to her text telling him that Nikki was staying at her place for another night.
The next morning right after breakfast he loaded up Old Glory and didn’t even make a coffee stop. He glanced over at the senior center as he passed it, but the clouds were gathering for the second day. The bull needed to be in the barn before the first clap of thunder rattled the stock trailer.
After he’d unloaded his things in the house, he grabbed a leftover biscuit and stuffed it full of ham. He was on the way out the door when his parents pulled their truck up beside his.
“Bull delivered in good condition?” Vernon called out as he got out of his vehicle.
Justin nodded.
“Seen Emily yet?” his mother asked.
He shook his head.
“You look like you could chew up nails.” She hurried over to his side.
“I don’t want to talk about it right now,” he said.
“Did you and Emily break up?” She looked so happy.
“Ever heard of Big Sky Ranch?” he asked.
Vernon leaned against the fender of Justin’s truck. “Of course we have. That’s where you got the new bull.”
“It’s just the biggest damn ranch in Texas. It’s probably bigger than some third world countries and the folks who own it are richer than Midas. What’s that got to do with Emily or why you’re in such a pissy mood?” Gloria asked.
“So you’ve heard of Anne Bennington Baker?” he asked.
“Of course,” Gloria answered. “I still don’t know what you’re getting at.”
“Tell me one more time why you are so set against me dating Emily?”
“I think she’s a gold digger. She’s not your type at all, and if things get serious, I’m going to insist on a prenup. Then she’ll drop you like a hot potato. Your heart will be broken like Cade’s was with Julie.”
“Gloria!” Vernon raised his voice slightly. “Son, you need to be sure before you continue to really date her. Your mother might be right, even if she shouldn’t call Emily that name. I understand the girl does have some education.”
“She’s got a social services degree,” Justin said. “And her mother is Anne Baker of Big Sky Ranch. I don’t think she’d be marryin’ me for my money.” He got into his truck and drove away, leaving Gloria with her mouth hanging open.
“Dammit!” He slapped the steering wheel and checked the time. It was more than three more hours before Emily got off work. He headed for the tack room and started cleaning it to pass the time.
Chapter Nineteen
Emily was disappointed that Justin didn’t call on Monday night. Tuesday was one of those days when minutes took hours to pass. She was playing bingo with the residents when Otis tugged on the tail of her scrub top and whispered, “You want me to take over calling the numbers?”
“I’m sorry. I was wool-gathering.” She picked up the next ball in the popper. “I-forty-seven.”
Patsy was the first of the Fab Five to gather around her when the games ended. “Are you all right? You look a little pale.”
Sarah draped an arm around Emily’s shoulders. “Is it Justin?”
“I have no idea. Haven’t heard from him in a couple of days. He had a business trip.” Emily gathered up all the equipment and put it away. “I’ve got another hour. Anyone got any ideas?”
“Strip poker?” Larry nudged her arm with an elbow.
“I don’t think so.” She smiled.
“I’m the bomb!” Larry strutted around the room like a rooster with his hands tucked into the bib of his overalls. “I made her smile.”
“Yes, you are. Now get on out of here and let me get things ready for tomorrow.” She shooed them away.
“We get to go to the county livestock show this weekend,” Otis said. “You going with Justin?”
“I don’t know,” she said.
“I hope so,” Bess said. “We like pretending that you and Justin are our grandkids.”
“Hey.” Nikki poked her head in the door. “Did y’all know that there’s still some sugar cookies up in the dining room?”
“I’m on my way.” Bess led the Five out of the room.
“Now, tell me what’s going on.” Nikki hiked a hip on one of the tables. “You look like you’re about to blow up.”
“Justin didn’t call last night. No texts today. He was fine Sunday but…” She shrugged.
“Do you think he’s upset because I stole you away from him on Sunday?”
One shoulder raised slightly. “Don’t think so. He seemed fine when we parted and was fine up until…” Her phone rang and she dug it out of her purse. “It’s Mama.”
Nikki headed for the door. “See you later.”
“Hello,” Emily answered the phone.
“We sold Old Glory. Some cowboy from out around where you live bought him. Ever heard of the Longhorn Canyon Ranch?” Like always, Anne went right into what she had to say. “His name is Justin Maguire, and he’s a real nice guy. He hit it off with your brothers and even said he’d show them around if they wanted to come visit you.”
Emily sat down in a chair with a thud. “Is that right?”
“Anyway, the twins are going to surprise you, but I know how much you hate to be caught off guard, so I’m tattling. Oh, and Justin said there was a livestock show this week if they wanted to come help out with it while you’re at work,” Anne said.
“They’re coming today!” Emily’s voice went all high and squeaky.
“Should be there by suppertime and they’ll want fried chicken so you might want to stop on the way home. Maybe they’ll introduce you to Justin,” Anne said.
Holy smokin’ hell! Now what am I going to do? Justin knows all about me and we won’t even have a private moment to talk.
“I can’t believe they’re comin’. How long are they planning to stay?”
“Until Sunday. They all had the best time and they want to help Justin with the kids’ livestock show. They don’t miss much about their high school days, but showing cattle is one of them,” Anne said. “Now go practice your surprised face in the mirror.”
“Oh, I’ll be stunned,” Emily said. “I’ll try to call you later. What motel are they booked into?”
“They’re not. They’re stayin’ with you. They brought sleeping bags on the back of their cycles. Don’t worry. They’ll take the floor in the living room. Bye now,” Anne said.
Emily laid her phone down and grabbed her head with both hands. Just when things were going well, this had to happen.
Justin arrived at the center at exactly five o’clock and parked right beside Emily’s Mustang. Most of the reason he was angry was because she hadn’t trusted him enough to tell him about her family, and that was probably because she thought he’d see dollar signs when he looked at her. He figured a one-fourth interest in Big Sky would literally be millions.
He kept an eye on the rearview mirror and sa
w her the moment she came outside. That’s when he got out of the truck, opened the passenger door, and waited.
“I guess we need to talk,” she said.
“I think so.” He nodded.
He waited until she was inside and then he rounded the back side of the truck and took his place behind the wheel. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Why didn’t you tell me the bull you were buying was from Big Sky?”
He turned so he could look right at her. “It never dawned on me. You talked about your grandparents’ place and I figured it was maybe kind of like ours. You didn’t trust me, did you? You thought I’d see dollar signs instead of what a wonderful person you are.”
“Don’t tell me what I think or don’t think,” she shot back.
“Trust is the basis of any relationship,” he told her.
Emily’s eyes narrowed. “Tell that to your mother. She thinks I’m out to fleece you. Or maybe you’re just a mama’s boy and—”
“Whoa!” Justin held up a palm. “I love my mother, but she doesn’t run my life or tell me what to do. Especially not with my girlfriend.”
“So am I your girlfriend?” Emily asked.
“I don’t know what we are to each other. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Emily stared straight ahead for a long time before she turned her gaze on him. “I dated two boys in high school. Both of them saw those dollar signs you mentioned. Then I got into a relationship in college and told him. Same thing when he found out about Big Sky. The next time I got serious about a guy, I didn’t tell him. He’s the one who tried to change me, and I found out later that he’d found out about the ranch. I liked you from the beginning but…” She got out of the truck. “I think this is a pretty damn stupid thing for us to fight about. Call me when you cool down.”
Cowboy Brave Page 22
