by Kate Pearce
“Getting ahead of yourself there, Cauy,” he murmured. “Slow it down,”
“You okay?” Ry returned with the drinks, iced tea for Cauy and a beer for himself. “Sorry about that.”
Ry settled himself opposite Cauy. “We’re all a bit overprotective of Rachel and I’m not sure she appreciates it sometimes.” His smile was rueful. “She went from thinking she was an only child to finding out she had four brothers, a living father, and a whole heap of secrets to come home to. That’s a lot for anyone to take on.”
“Yeah.” Cauy sipped his tea. “I suspect she can take care of herself, though.”
Not that she needed to. If anyone so much as looked at her funny he’d be all over them like a rash....
Ry grinned. “Well, she certainly put us in our place.” He glanced over his shoulder. “I wonder if she and Dave will become a couple? They looked like they were having fun together.”
Cauy stared longingly at his companion’s beer. After experiencing his father’s rages he’d never been a big drinker, and he’d given it up completely after the accident. Nothing mixed well with ten different kinds of medication. He’d learned to love iced tea and stuck with it ever since. But the thought of getting drunk and going home to sleep it off was really appealing right now. He only had himself to blame for Rachel’s decision to go out with other men.
“Are you sure you don’t want a beer?” Ry asked.
“Nah, it doesn’t mix well with my medication.” Cauy managed a smile. “Thanks for the offer, though.”
“Ruth said you were in some kind of accident in Texas.”
“Yeah, but I’m doing great now.” He gestured at Ry’s empty glass. “Let me get you another one, and how about some food?”
He made his way up to the bar, spotting a few now familiar faces. Nate Turner was there with his arm around a beautiful dark-haired woman and Em and Ben from the feed store were choosing songs on the jukebox. If it hadn’t have been for Rachel’s presence, he might have enjoyed the experience of his hometown celebrating the start of the weekend. He normally avoided crowds, but this place wasn’t doing a number on him at all.
He reached the bar and waited to catch Jay’s attention. The owner had been joined by Nancy from the store whose green and black hair was in pigtails tonight. She winked at Cauy and came over.
“Hey, stranger. You made it.”
“Hey. Can I have another of whatever Ry Morgan’s drinking, and can I order some food please?”
“Sure.” She gave him the beer and then got out her order pad. “What will it be?”
“Two hamburgers, medium rare, and fries.”
“Ry always has that, he’s so boring,” Nancy complained. “But don’t tell Avery I said that.”
As he paid for the food, Cauy remembered that Avery was engaged to Ry. Sometimes remembering all the relationships was complicated. “Thanks, Nancy.”
“You’re welcome.”
As he turned away he came face-to-face with Dave, who grinned at him apologetically. “Sorry to drag you into a thing with the Morgans.”
“Not a problem.” Cauy found a smile somewhere. Dave was younger than him, better educated, and perfect for Rachel, but for some reason he still wanted to punch his lights out.
“Rachel’s awesome. I really like her.” Dave leaned in close. “I’m thinking my wild days might be over.”
“Great.” Cauy had no idea why Dave had suddenly decided to confide in him, but he wished he’d shut the hell up.
“Do you think she’s pretty?” Dave asked.
Cauy set his jaw. “If you have to ask me you’re obviously blind. She’s beautiful.”
Dave winked at him. “Yeah, she is, isn’t she?”
Cauy had had enough, and after a brief nod he turned on his heel and made his way back to Ry, the beer in his hand.
“Dave’s an idiot,” Cauy said, putting the beer down with a thump, spilling some of the contents.
“Yeah, so what’s new?” Ry mopped up the spill. “I bet Rachel will work that out pretty fast and move on.”
The burgers were good, and Ry was easy company. Nate came over to introduce his soon-to-be wife Della to Cauy, and Ted Baker from the gas station also stopped by. If Cauy hadn’t been worrying about Rachel he would’ve enjoyed the evening. No one pressured him to take a drink, which was cool, and no one said a thing about his father.
Eventually Ry checked his cell and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “I’d better get going. HW’s still not back and there are chores to do. You still okay to take me home?”
“Yup.” Cauy had studiously pretended not to notice when Dave and Rachel left a few minutes ago, hand in hand and laughing.... “Let’s go.”
They waved good-bye to Nancy and Jay, and went out into the relative quietness of Main Street. There were very few cars on the streets, and the temperature had dropped below freezing. Cauy headed toward his truck, which was parked behind Dr. Tio’s practice, Ry at his heels.
Across the parking lot a couple stood next to an old beaten-up Jeep, heads close together, as Cauy’s steps slowed. Dave swept Rachel into an extravagant over-the-arm dip and kissed the heck out of her.
Ry chuckled. “He really is an idiot.”
“Yeah.” Cauy unlocked his truck. “I second that.”
* * *
Rachel finally got her breath back as Dave set her on her feet, and she clutched at his jacket. “What was that all about?”
“Cauy.”
“What do you mean?”
“He came to get his truck.” Dave was grinning like a loon. “I just gave him the best visual of us as a couple ever. If he doesn’t declare himself now, Rach, he’s not worth the trouble.”
She wiped clumsily at her mouth with her gloved fingers. “More likely he’ll never talk to me again.”
“His problem.” Dave fought to open the obstinate passenger door of his Jeep and bowed elaborately to Rachel. “Now, let’s get you home, my lady.”
Despite the rattling state of his vehicle, Dave was obviously used to navigating the icy roadways up to the local ranches. Rachel had to endure him singing along to his favorite rap artist, but that was a small price to pay for being safe and warm. All she could think about was what Cauy would do . . . which was stupid because he’d probably do nothing.
Which was fine.
“Here we are.” Dave came to a stop in the circular driveway of the ranch. “Do you want me to come in and face the Morgans with you?”
Rachel patted his arm. “Would you mind terribly if I just went in by myself? It’s been a long day.”
“Not a problem.” Dave searched her face. “You okay?”
“I’m good, and thanks for a lovely evening.”
He kissed her hand. “It was fun. Let’s be friends.”
“Sounds good to me.” Rachel smiled at him.
“Do you want me to get out and kiss the living daylights out of you again?” Dave asked as she shoved her weight against the unhelpful passenger door.
“No, thanks, I’m good.”
He pouted. “Rejected. Again.”
“If I said I wanted a serious relationship with you, Dave McDonald, you’d run a mile.”
“Probably.” His smile was crooked. “But if you get sick of that other guy? I’d be more than willing to try round two with you.”
The freezing rain had turned to sleet, and even so close it was difficult to see the white painted exterior of the ranch house through the fog. Rachel wondered what it was like when it really snowed, and guessed that at some point she would find out. Her mother had hated being cold....
Rachel stumbled up the slippery steps onto the porch and went in through the back door. Warmth hit her like a giant hug, and she wanted to purr like a cat. She took off her damp coat and hat, and hung them in the mudroom along with her boots. Chase had installed a brand-new heating system in the old house that kept them all warm as toast.
Hearing voices in the kitchen, Rachel made her way down the hall and
came to an abrupt halt in the doorway. Sitting at the kitchen table looking as awkward as hell was Cauy. Ruth sat opposite him and Ry chatting up a storm, and pushing chocolate and cherry cookies at Cauy.
Ruth looked up and beckoned her forward. “Rachel! How did your date go, dear?”
“It was great!” Rachel eyed the coffeepot, wondering if she stood a chance of getting out of there before Ruth let her and decided it wasn’t going to happen. “Dave’s a really nice guy.”
Ruth patted the seat next to hers, which placed Rachel right opposite Cauy. “Come and sit down. I made your favorite cookies.”
“I can see that.” Rachel added cream to her coffee, and took the seat Ruth pulled out for her. “Thank you.”
“Cauy was just telling me that his brother, Jackson, is arriving on the last Monday in November.” Ruth beamed at Cauy. “I told him to bring him along for Thanksgiving as well.”
Rachel almost choked on her cookie. “They’re coming here?”
“Yes, just like the old days when my husband was alive,” Ruth said. “We did Thanksgiving, and the Lymonds did Christmas.” She glanced around the kitchen. “I’m not sure where we’re going to put everyone, but maybe we’ll use the guest dining room later in the day?”
“That might work.” Rachel determinedly ate a cookie, and tried to ignore Cauy, which was kind of hard when he exuded such grumpy hotness.
“I’d better be going.” Cauy finished his coffee and smiled at Ruth. He had a nice smile. It was a shame he so rarely used it. “It’s getting late, and I have to go shopping tomorrow to prepare for Jackson’s arrival.”
“Where are you going to shop?” Ruth asked as she took his mug and plate.
“I’m not sure.” Cauy smoothed a hand over his almost beard. He looked bone weary. “Probably one of the bigger towns.”
Ruth nudged Rachel. “You could go help him.”
“I doubt he needs help, Ruth, especially from me.” Rachel tried to laugh it off.
“Actually, I’d love it if you could come along,” Cauy spoke directly to Rachel for the first time. “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
He stood and nodded to Ruth, and then Rachel. “Let me know, okay?”
He’d gotten as far as the steps of the porch before Rachel caught up with him.
“Hey!”
He turned to look at her through the swirling snow, one eyebrow raised.
Rachel crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly aware of the biting cold and that she hadn’t stopped to put her boots back on. “Why did you say that about me coming shopping with you?”
He shrugged. “Because I could do with some help.”
“But why me?”
“Why not? You know the area and the shops better than I do.”
She almost stamped her foot. “But we’re not talking to each other.”
He looked around the empty yard. “Can’t see anyone else I’m talking to right now.”
“You know what I mean,” Rachel growled at him.
“I don’t want to fight with you.” He held her gaze. “If I offended you I’m sorry.”
Rachel let his words percolate for a long moment as she came slowly down the steps. She could take the olive branch he was offering and move on, or she could ask for a proper explanation, and maybe even a grovel.
“You were horrible to me. You kicked me out.”
“Yeah?” Cauy took a step toward her until they were almost touching. His warmth seeped into her skin along with a hint of chocolate. “You weren’t being so nice yourself.”
She poked him in the chest. “You misinterpreted what you saw because you regretted what happened between us, and then used it to blame me.”
He looked down at her; his brown eyes steady and his coffee-flavored breath condensing in the cold air. “Okay, maybe I did.”
Rachel blinked at him. “You admit it?”
The corner of his mouth kicked up into a slight smile. “I might be slow, but I’m not a complete dumbass.”
“So, we’re good?” Rachel croaked.
“Sure.”
Her gaze fastened on his mouth, and she leaned slightly toward him only for him to step back and tip his Stetson to her.
“Night, Rachel. Give my best to Dave. See you tomorrow.”
She straightened and stomped back up the steps and into the house, slamming the screen door behind her as he drove away. Frustration carried her all the way to the kitchen where she sat down and grabbed another cookie.
“Men,” she mumbled through a mouthful of chocolate.
Ruth handed her more coffee. “Any particular one?”
“Cauy Lymond.” Rachel chewed vigorously.
“I thought you were going out with Dave now—at least that’s what Ry and Cauy were telling me.”
“Dave and I are just friends.”
“Maybe you should tell Cauy that.” Ruth patted Rachel’s hand. “He didn’t look at all happy when Ry was talking about Dave.”
“Then maybe he should man up and ask me out himself,” Rachel insisted.
“Didn’t he just do that?”
“No, he asked me to go shopping with him because he doesn’t know the area well, and he thinks I do—which is a mistake—that’s not a date.”
“At least he’s trying.”
Rachel stared at her grandma. “Why are you sticking up for him? He’s totally annoying!”
“He certainly annoys you, which seeing as he hardly says a word is quite a feat.” Ruth deftly removed the cookies before Rachel got any ideas about finishing the whole plate. “Maybe you should just tell him that you like him, dear, and take it from there.”
“I don’t like him,” Rachel groused. “He’s a big meanie.”
Now she sounded like she was twelve . . . that’s what he had reduced her to without even trying.
“I’m going to bed.” Ruth untied her apron and reset the coffee machine. “HW’s not back yet with Sam, so leave the lights on in here if you go up in case they need something to eat.”
Rachel came around the table to give her grandma a big hug. She smelled like chocolate and all the good things that made a house a home.
“Good night, Ruth.”
“Good night, my love. Don’t stay up too late fretting.” Ruth patted her cheek. “See Cauy tomorrow and sort everything out between you while you shop.”
Rachel didn’t actually know that she was going, but she mumbled something that drew a soft laugh from her grandmother.
After washing off her plate and rinsing her mug, Rachel resumed her seat at the table determined to sort out her thoughts. The kitchen door opened, and Billy came in, his face breaking out in a smile when he saw her.
“Hey, stranger.”
Rachel immediately felt bad about not spending as much time with him as she’d promised herself.
“Hey.”
Billy hung his keys on the rack beside the door and sat down opposite her. “The roads were terrible up from town. The winter weather’s closing in.”
“So I noticed.” Rachel shivered. “Good job the heating in this place works.”
“It wasn’t so good when your mom lived here. She didn’t do well in the cold.” His quiet gaze assessed her.
“It doesn’t bother me,” Rachel said. She took a deep breath. “Are you worried I’ll crack and demand to be taken back to Humboldt?”
“Yeah, I suppose I am.” His smile was rueful. “Stupid of me, right? You’re not much like her at all.”
“She certainly was . . . difficult sometimes.” It was weird being able to say that out loud after years of having to hold it all in so that she didn’t upset her mom.
“Yeah.” Billy nodded. “Sometimes she had reason to be.”
“It’s weird to think that everything that went down that last evening happened in this kitchen.” Rachel couldn’t seem to stop talking now. “But I get no bad vibes at all.”
“That’s Ruth. She healed this place for all of us.” Billy’s gaze swept the quiet, hom
ey kitchen. “It still took me years to find my way back home.”
“Do you think you’ll stay here now?” Rachel asked impulsively.
“No place I’d rather be, and I’ve still got a lot of fences to mend,” Billy said. “How about you?”
“I’m not sure yet.” Rachel fidgeted with her mug. “I’d like to get out there, and see the world a bit before I settle down.”
“You should.” Billy smiled at her. “Get out there, spread your wings, and know we’ve got your back.”
Now that Paul had sold her family home the thought of having the ranch to come home to was very appealing.
“Ruth told me your stepfather’s wife is having a baby,” Billy said.
“Yes. I think I’m okay about it.” Rachel paused. “Dad called me all the way from Greece to let me know.” Right in the middle of her getting it on with Cauy, but Billy didn’t need to know that part. “I think it was a complete surprise for both of them.”
“Still weird, though.”
Rachel smiled at him. “Yeah.”
“I remember when we found out you were a girl. We were so shocked.” Billy rubbed a hand over his bearded jaw. “After all those boys I’d convinced myself that you were going to be another one. I think I actually cried when we found out.”
“Just before she died, Mom told me that she didn’t want another baby after the twins.” Rachel stared down at her joined hands. “She said I was a mistake, and that when she found out I was a girl she cried too. But not in a good way.”
Billy let out a breath. “Pregnancies were hard on her. I offered to get the snip after the twins, but she didn’t want that. She did want you, Rachel. When you were born she fell in love with you just like she did with the boys.”
The quiet certainty of his tone reached inside her and wrapped itself around her heart.
“Until she tried to drown me.”
“She was not herself.” Billy reached over and cupped her chin so she had to look at him. “She was ill, and the only person who failed her was me. Not you, not the twins or Ruth. I didn’t realize what Annie was going through, and I will never forgive myself for that.”
