by Holly May
“I’m sorry. It was my mistake, and I’m willing to talk over the consequences with you.”
The next few seconds fell prey to uncertainty, and she watched him, eyes wide, having no idea what his father was capable of. Would he let the police handle her? God, she couldn’t believe she’d been so careless.
Finally, he spoke, “The name’s Derek Weston. I must say, we haven’t had someone so eager to take photos of the place. Jared, do you mind leaving for a moment?”
He bristled. “I intend to stay. She’s equally my responsibility.”
They eyed each other for a moment. “Fine. But you have no input in my decision, and I’ve concluded that I won’t be laying charges. Rachel, you’re free to go.”
Relief flooded through her.
Jared stood, his chair scraping harshly across the floor. “We’ve never let someone off the hook like this!”
Derek raised a hand. “I’ve made my mind up. If the way I run this ranch bothers you, you know what needs to be done.”
Rachel waited with bated breath. Jared seemed keen to have her punished, but for some reason his father didn’t. What did she expect? Trespassing didn’t portray a virtuous impression, yet she’d been let off.
She accepted his decision with gratitude. It felt like a weight had been lifted and without the prospect of criminal charges, her photography career remained unsullied. But not her principles.
“If there’s anything I can do to make up for my behavior…”
Derek turned away from Jared. “No need, Ms. Mills. Has Jared told you about the ranch’s opening in a few weeks?”
“He did.”
“I don’t wish to press charges because it’ll soon be open to the public. But there is one thing I’d like to ask. Can I see your photos?”
An odd request, yet with Jared’s gaze burning holes in his father, she had a feeling there was another connotation.
Rachel detached her camera and scrolled through several photos.
Derek smiled. “I’m impressed. And it just so happens that I’m looking for a photographer.”
Her eyes widened. A job opportunity? It was almost too good to be true.
Jared stepped closer. “The position’s taken. I’ve arranged for Karen to fly in that week.”
Someone he obviously cared for. She tried to ignore the flicker of jealousy.
“I’d prefer a local, not one of your former colleagues. No offense meant. We have an ideal opportunity, and it seems He has allowed this to pass.” Derek faced her. “We need promotional photos. Will you be available?”
She tried to quell her enthusiasm. “To be fair, I haven’t done professional work before, but I’ve been building my portfolio.”
He raised a hand. “We all start somewhere.”
Jared cleared his throat. “Dad -”
“No more interruptions, son. It’s done.”
Jared resigned to a shake of his head. “If it’s what you think is right.”
“It’ll be after Thanksgiving once the renovations are finished, just for a day.”
His assurance in her was humbling especially after her actions, but the allotted job opportunity was weeks away. Disappointment lanced through her. It was a chance to prove her capabilities, but it meant being patient when financially she couldn’t afford to wait, not when she had opportunities in Spokane.
“I don’t think I’ll be free,” she admitted reluctantly.
“Well, let us know.” Derek left the room and returned with a card illustrating the contact details for Mountainbrook Ranch. “It’d be a shame not to have you. You have real potential.”
“I’ll try my best.”
Rachel spared a glance toward Jared. His eyes had been on her, a frown creasing his face. Was he disappointed she wasn’t accepting? No, it looked like relief. His preference for Karen was clear and she couldn’t blame him.
She headed for the doorway.
“Let me take you back,” Jared offered. He stood and set the Stetson on his head. “Not on a horse this time.”
“Okay. I appreciate it.”
He preceded her and after exchanging goodbyes with his father, Rachel followed Jared and was immersed in the bright sunlight. He walked in long strides as if impatient for her to leave. Shielding her eyes with a hand, she watched him move to a small garage past the gated cattle. An asphalted driveway sloped away from it to disappear behind the trees and link back to the main road.
She didn’t know if she’d see Mountainbrook again. Now that her careless trespassing had been forgotten, she felt pleased to leave it behind.
After catching up to Jared, she hesitated, still mulling over his father’s offer.
“You aren’t taking the job?” he asked. “I know it’s unexpected. Threw me for a loop.”
As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t accept. She brushed back her hair. “It’s a long time to wait, and I have other plans. Besides, you have someone in mind.”
“Yeah. Karen’s a professional photographer from New York.”
He’d spoken as if Rachel were far from who he’d choose. She buried her hurt, annoyed that his aversion undercut her resolve. “I’m sure she’ll do Mountainbrook justice.”
“The offer’s there for you, thanks to my father.”
There was a hint of bitterness, an underlay of emotion that proved this was about the Westons playing hardball and not due to her abilities. She felt the irrepressible need to prove them wrong but stopped herself. Despite her annoyance, she felt a twinge of empathy for him and the battle of wills between father and son.
Jared strode over to a grey SUV and opened the door for her.
“Don’t worry,” she said. “I won’t be coming back.”
Their eyes met and she climbed into the car, wanting to leave the heat of his gaze. Clasping her numb hands together, she waited as Jared started the engine and drove.
As if noticing her discomfort, he cranked up the heating. His thoughtful consideration was endearing.
The drive took ten long minutes and she directed him to where her car was parked. After pulling over, he glanced at her. “We’re starting work on Wednesday, hiring a few people out on the ranch. It’ll be hard work.”
It didn’t take long to connect the dots. “Do you want me there?”
“Yep. I want you to come back.”
A flutter went through her. Confined in the car, away from any horses without hesitation clouding her perceptions, the chemistry between them was palpable.
“You know, you could always ask me on a date instead.”
She couldn’t stop those words coming from her mouth and internally cringed. Why’d she have to be too forward with a guy who showed interest? Yet she’d seen a sweet side to Jared Weston - if she hadn’t just blown her chance.
His face was inches from hers, his voice low and rough. “I don’t date, honey.”
At least that made his relationship status clear. A pang of dissatisfaction hit her, but it was inane to assume he had a romantic interest, especially after her brash display.
He didn’t back off, as if he wanted to kiss her.
Rachel swallowed, captured by the glimmer in his eyes.
Jared leaned away. “I want you to work here for a week. Consider it payment for trespassing since my father preferred to let you off. You can start on Tuesday, how does that sound?”
Is he serious…? Things had changed so abruptly that she took a moment to speak.
“Ranch work? But I can’t ride.”
“I can teach you to get back into it again. I don’t expect you to do a full day, just what you can handle.”
She blinked. “You’re that eager to have me around?”
“It’s not that. I guess I feel obligated to have you serve some penalty for what you did.” He ran a hand across his jaw. “And it bugs my conscience, probably yours too. Am I right?”
A noble guy. The look he gave her felt as if it seared through to the depth of her reservations - as if he could read her easily
. He’d definitely spelled out what she truly felt about the situation, and leaving the ranch as if no harm had been done wasn’t her style.
But his solution gnawed at her.
“It does bother me. And I see your point, but I can’t ride. I’ll clean the barn. Anything else.”
His voice softened. “How long have you been avoiding riding?”
“Five years, give or take.”
“You wanna give it another go at some stage, yeah?”
“Of course. I loved it that much.”
His blue eyes shone. “Then here’s your chance. I’m asking a lot, to have you trust me to guide you through this, but it’ll be worth it. It won’t be in vain.”
She pursed her lips, mulling it over. “What’s the alternative? Going to court?”
He briefly lowered his gaze. “Trespassing’s a misdemeanor criminal offense in Idaho, which means appearing in court before a magistrate judge.”
She swallowed, disliking the confined space with him. “Sounds like you know your legal speak.”
“We’ve dealt with trespassers before. But this is a first.”
She inclined her chin. Her parents would be greatly disappointed in her; they knew all too well what it was like to have a daughter on the wrong side of the law. Rachel couldn’t disappoint them like that.
I’ve been given a chance to repent.
She wet her lips, aware she was on the precipice of confronting her greatest fear. “What do trespassing charges involve?”
“A thousand dollar fine and a six month stay in jail.”
Rachel winced. It was high time she got over this and she couldn’t bear to think of her parents’ faces from the revelation that she’d resorted to criminal behavior out of despondency.
“Then it’s settled.” She bit her lip. “I’ll work for you. But I’ll be a nervous wreck about riding, and I won’t be any good to you.”
He smiled. “I’m not worried. A week is more than enough to make up for things. Just do what you can.”
She stepped out. By the time she made it to her car, her breathing returned to normal but not her racing heart. Her predicament had gotten worse than she’d expected. How was she going to endure a week alone with Jared Weston?
Fishing her phone out from beneath the front seat, where she’d hastily stored it in her rush to find exclusive photos, she made a call.
“Where have you been?” Her sister got a word in before she could open her mouth.
“I’m sorry, Meg, I got held up.”
“What was so important to miss my wedding plans? You’ve been looking forward to this for weeks.”
“I…met one of the Westons at Mountainbrook. You remember that ranch?”
“Yeah. It’s private property, right?”
Rachel flinched. “I’ll be working there for a week starting tomorrow.”
“Good for you! When will you get here?”
She checked the time on her car’s dashboard. Late afternoon already. Glancing up at the sky, the clouds were darkening, signaling a change of weather for the worst. “I haven’t left yet. I’ll take Interstate 90, so an hour and a half, I think.”
“A shame!” A flurry of female voices in the background alerted her to her other friends there. “We’ll be wrapping things up by the time you arrive.”
She ran a hand across her face. “Oh, I’m really sorry I missed it.”
It meant a lot to the both of them, and to her more than she wanted to admit. Megan had found the love of her life, Matt, after years of searching and even though they’d both hit a rocky patch, they’d reunited stronger than ever and were making a lifelong commitment to each other. It warmed her heart and kept that spark aflame that she wouldn’t be alone forever.
God had someone out there for her.
Even if, at times, that faith had wavered because she hadn’t found him yet.
Although they were just pre-wedding plans before the big day next month, it still made her throat tighten that she hadn’t been there. Something about perusing wedding dresses and venues made her forget about being lonely just for a moment. And the fact that it meant a lot to Megan doubled the sentimentality.
“Don’t be sorry,” Megan assured her. “Something came up. It happens. We can do our own one on one thing later?”
“Count me in.”
“Besides, you still plan on moving here, so we can sort out arrangements when you finish what you need to do there?”
“That’s the idea. Anyway, I better head home. Love you. Say hi to the girls for me.”
And she was certain nothing would change her plans. She was moving to Spokane, despite the twinge in her chest whenever she thought of Jared.
Jared dumped a fresh pile of hay into the stall, wiping at his forehead. While his muscles burned at him to relax, he’d been distracting himself by working harder than usual for a Saturday.
Heck, Rachel had really gotten to him.
Initially, he didn’t want to see her again because of the attraction he felt for her which ignited a long forgotten desire. His faith compelled him to offer her another chance. After all, things would be far different for him if he’d stuck to his old ways and didn’t take the opportunity to make a change.
To be a better person.
And he wouldn’t deny his sense of obligation to the ranch. His father’s offer for a new photographer was done out of an attempt to get Jared to leave behind those he once associated with. Links to a past that he struggled to shake off. He knew his dad wasn’t fond of Karen, but Rachel’s rejection…
Even he didn’t know what to make of it.
She was hesitant about accepting and he couldn’t understand her motives. She’d been pursuing her passion for photography, as she’d said, and the opportunity was right for her.
No, there was something she wasn’t admitting. Not that it mattered. They were basically strangers and yet he couldn’t shake her from his mind. Her fear of riding had awoken a need to relate and help her be free of it, to regain a love she’d lost.
Now he’d messed up by being so eager to have her return.
Work for me? Like she fully believed that. He wasn’t so sure about his reasoning either.
While it’d been alluring to take up her offer for a date, a reminder of Tania shut down those feelings entirely. Pathetic that she still affected him even now, but it was a method of self-preservation.
I won’t be made a fool of again.
Rachel had accepted his job proposal, presumably due to guilt but mostly his compulsion.
And he had to remind himself it wasn’t because he wanted to see more of her.
Hearing the rustle of hay under boots, he turned to see his father enter. Resting the pitchfork against the wall, he approached him, disheartened to see his bowed left knee. An ever-present reminder of the accident.
“You shouldn’t push yourself,” Jared said gently. “You need to rest.”
“I know my limits, son.” He waved a hand. “What’d you think of that photographer? Seems like a nice woman.”
He hoped that his attraction to her wasn’t so easy to read. “It’s not exactly how I expected to meet someone.”
His father’s brow creased. “I know what Tania did to you. Don’t let that get in the way of what He has in store for you.”
Tania…the first woman he thought he could have a future with. His father had more insight than he’d thought about that situation.
“Hey, Rachel’s the last woman I want to get involved with. I told her to come work during the week. She can replace Antony to make up for trespassing.”
“You’ve hired her?” His father chuckled. “Good. You’ve put your heart into this place. I’ve seen you out there, burying yourself in the job to the point where you don’t enjoy life. Shutting yourself away is detrimental.”
His words cut deep but barely touched the surface of his turmoil. Recalling the way his father had overridden their decision for photographer without his input, his fists tightened. “Anyw
ay, you want an amateur as our photographer, not Karen.”
“I don’t approve of those people in New York. They’re a bad influence.”
Jared exhaled forcefully, refusing to relapse into an argument they often repeated. “That’s not why you want Rachel, is it?”
He smiled, eyes crinkling. “Having her around may prove beneficial to you.”
There it was. His father intended to be matchmaker. Sadly, he’d be disappointed with the outcome because he had no intentions of dating. “I’m her boss. I know how to maintain professionalism. What I don’t get is how you could shirk liability by withholding charges.”
“Jared, this ranch is yours. I want you to reclaim it eventually. You’ve stepped up and dealt with our trespasser better than I’d hoped. You’re making me proud.”
The Weston legacy. He knew it all too well. Jared frowned deeply. He’d long ago come to a decision about what he’d do once the ranch was renovated, and what his father didn’t know yet wouldn’t hurt him.
I can’t be who he expects me to be.
He needed to find the right words, and the right time, to tell him.
Okay, a change of subject was needed.
“I hit a snag with my idea. Rachel’s not comfortable with horses. Something happened in her past, so I’ll take time off to help her through that.”
A smile lit up his face. “Interesting. You’re in charge. With renovations coming up, we can’t allow for any setbacks.”
Jared nodded. “I have faith it’ll work out.”
Working with someone he was fiercely attracted to would be a challenge, and he hadn’t had one of those since the heavy downpour seven months ago.
He let out a breath. Comparing the weather to a woman? Now he understood why he needed to leave the ranch more. But a deluge of rain and Rachel both had something in common: unpredictable, with the chance of bringing more trouble than he could handle.
Chapter Three
Rachel fixed herself some corn bread with hot butter, but recalling Jared’s insistence, her mood soured. Ranch work was a method of compensation for her trespassing. She should be appreciative he offered an alternative, as unbelievable as it was, yet now it placed her future in jeopardy.
