This wasn’t going to be an easy task. Every romantic image or song made her eyes burn. But for her friend, Charlie would do her best and get the job done. She had to admit she was relieved to be driving the Hathaways to their friend’s house for dinner tonight. Not only could she avoid the magazines tonight, she wouldn’t have to see Zack.
Out of sight, out of mind. She crossed her fingers.
Charlie hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. She didn’t know who’d won during the finals, or made a crappy time, or been carted off on stretcher. But she could describe Zack’s look of hurt that turned into shame while they’d spoken. She rubbed the back of her neck.
Nothing stood in their way of being together, nothing except Zack. She’d taken a chance today, been willing to sacrifice her job to be with him, but he wasn’t willing to take that chance.
Her eyes stung, and she blinked until the sensation disappeared. No more tears. Time to face the truth. She’d had a problem herself with being honest—about her girly side, what she wanted in life, her feelings for Zack. But she’d overcome her fears and told the truth. But he couldn’t do that—for whatever reason.
Someday, she would find what she was looking for—a love that was mutual, unconditional, everlasting—once she moved beyond the heartache and loss. Not that they’d been together, but she grieved the possibilities of what might have been. When she found someone else, she had a feeling he would be the exact opposite of Zack Harris.
“Charlie.” Dan carried shopping bags in both hands. “We’re so glad you were free tonight.”
Allie held as many bags as her husband. “You specifically requested Charlie.”
“That didn’t mean we’d get her.”
A smile tugged on Charlie’s lips. At least the Hathaways would keep the mood light during the drive. Maybe they could distract her so she didn’t think about Zack. “Let me help you.”
She took their bags, placed their purchases in the back of the van, and then she climbed into the driver’s seat. “Buckle up.”
“You are so helpful, a horsewoman and an excellent tour guide,” Allie said from the seat behind Charlie. “Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Bake,” Charlie said, half-jokingly. She turned the key in the ignition. “I mix up baking powder and baking soda, much to Rachel’s chagrin. I won’t be getting a job offer from her bakery anytime soon.”
In the rearview mirror, she noticed the couple sharing a glance. Someday she would have that. Someday…
“This is going to sound like a non sequitur, but would you be interested in a new job opportunity?” Dan asked.
Charlie’s pulse raced. She gripped the leather-covered steering wheel and focused on the road. “Depends on what it is.”
She sounded calm, but her insides trembled.
“Yesterday morning at the pancake feed, I mentioned something about business.”
She remembered him saying that. “Right before Rhett joined us.”
Dan nodded. “Our visit to the Bar V5 this week is twofold. Pleasure but also scouting.”
“Are you here to scout that football player from Marietta High? I can’t remember his name but I hear he’s got pro potential,” Charlie said.
Allie grinned. “We’re scouting you, dear.”
“Me?” Charlie glanced at them in the rearview mirror. “You’re from Silicon Valley. What do you need with a cowgirl?”
“Not us, but a close friend,” Dan said. “He wants to hire someone to shadow his current horse manager who plans to retire in two years.”
“Horses?”
“Heard of High Country Mustang Ranch?”
Charlie’s mouth gaped. She lifted her foot off the accelerator to make sure she wasn’t going over the speed limit. “That’s one of the most reputable horse ranches in Montana.”
Less than an hour from Marietta and Caitlin. Closer to the Bar V5, but as long as Charlie didn’t have to see Zack… “What’s the catch? Is it an internship?”
“No catch. The position is full-time. You will receive a salary, benefits, horse stall and cottage.” Dan beamed. “Paddy Killarney has been researching candidates for over a year. Someone in Colorado recommended you. Your foreman at the Bar V5, too.”
Her heart slammed against her chest. “Ty?”
“Yes.”
Wow. Charlie couldn’t believe he’d done that. Ty had mentioned other places in Montana when they talked about her leaving. Had this been what he’d meant? She wondered if Zack knew, not that she cared. Or should care.
“Paddy wanted an independent assessment before meeting you. So he sent us,” Dan said. “We go way back.”
“I don’t know what to say,” she admitted. “I’m stunned.”
“You’ll love Paddy. Salt of the earth. Likes horses better than people.”
Charlie couldn’t believe this was happening. “Sounds like my kind of guy.”
“He says you remind him of one of his granddaughters,” Allie said.
“I can’t wait to meet him.” Charlie meant the words. This might be what she needed.
“You won’t have to wait long,” Allie said.
“About forty-five more minutes.” Dan laughed. “We’re having dinner at the High Country Mustang Ranch.”
Ty had said he’d programmed the directions into the GPS. He must be for this job change if he’d given his recommendation and agreed to let her drive the couple to dinner.
“Okay, but…” Charlie’s muscles tensed. “I’m not dressed for an interview.”
“That’s how Paddy wants it. To see you as you are.”
An image of Zack appeared in her mind. Charlie swallowed around the lump in her throat. He’d never seen her. Not really. “This is…”
“Don’t worry,” Dan said. “See what you think of Paddy, the facility, and job offer, then you can decide. There’s no rush.”
“Be happy. Smile,” Allie advised. “This is a wonderful opportunity.”
At the horse ranch forty-five minutes later, Charlie exited the van. She wasn’t sure what impressed her more—the gorgeous mountain lodge or the tall, thin man with long, white hair and leathered skin standing on the massive front porch. Allie and Dan disappeared into the house, acting as if they’d been here before.
Charlie took a breath, straightened, then flexed her fingers.
The man—she assumed Paddy Killarney—walked down the steps to greet her. “Welcome to the High Country Mustang Ranch, Charlotte.”
Unfamiliar contentment flowed through her. Strange, given she’d never been here before. But his knowing her real name impressed her. “Hello, Mr. Killarney.”
“Please call me Paddy.”
His handshake was strong and firm. No doubt like the man himself. His smile made her feel comfortable and welcome. “It’s so nice to meet you, Paddy. Thanks for letting me visit your ranch.”
“The pleasure is mine.” His gray eyes twinkled. “Do you prefer to go by Charlotte or Lottie?”
His choice of names delighted Charlie. Tension seeped away. “Charlotte is fine.”
He motioned to a stone path leading off to the left. “Would you like to see the horses?”
Anticipation soared. Maybe things happened for a reason, even if those things… hurt. She raised her chin and smiled. “I’d love to.”
Chapter Nine
‡
The evening air up at cow camp nipped at Zack’s face. He’d skipped the rodeo finals, afraid he might snap at some poor unsuspecting soul or one of the ranch guests. Instead, he offered to take a shift up at cabin and stay the night. He wore a headlamp though the sun hadn’t fully set. But he didn’t want to be caught in the dark. Not much moonlight tonight.
He stood at a watering station, checking the level after the hot day; thankful he had chores to do before bedtime. Sitting around the bunkhouse, drinking, punching his pillow, and missing Charlie would not be productive.
But damn, he missed her.
Hard to believe things had been g
oing well between them until this morning. If her harsh words and glares were anything to go by, she hated him now.
That was his fault. Talk about clueless. Looking back he could see a couple signs—her asking about his rule, the looks she gave him. But in love with him?
Here comes the bride, naming our kids, crazy in love with you.
After what he’d pulled, he didn’t blame her for no longer liking him. He walked back to the cabin, really a basic four-walled structure to keep the elements out.
Far below, a pair of headlights appeared on the ranch’s driveway. Guests or a wrangler? Zack would hear the stories tomorrow at lunch, on the porch, during a ride. Many stories were told at the Bar V5.
He only hoped Charlie was okay and still mad at him. Anger was easier to deal with than sadness. At least that had been his experience.
A calf ran after his momma.
Poor little guy didn’t have any idea what was happening this week. Weaning time at the Bar V5.
Zack and the wranglers would move the herd on Tuesday, separating the calves from the cows. Some, like Mabel, would remain at the Bar V5. Others would be sold and transported away. The circle of life or, in this case, beef. This was the “working” part of the dude ranch not all guests understood or cared to know.
“Zack,” Ty walked toward him. “Have a good day?”
Good wasn’t how Zack would describe today, far from it. “What are you doing up here?”
“Checking in. Thought you might want some company tonight. You didn’t seem yourself earlier.”
“I’m…” He thought about holding Charlie in his arms and kissing her last night, then hearing her accusations this morning and seeing her disgust. “Been a bad day.”
“Has to be woman trouble.”
Frustration gnawed at Zack. “Charlie.”
Ty cursed, something he did only on special occasions. “You said nothing was going on.”
“It wasn’t when we talked. This is… new. Well, old. Over before it began.”
“So that’s why you’re moping like a weaned calf?”
“I’m… aw, hell. Yeah, I am.”
A beat passed. And another. Ty’s eyes darkened. “She drove Allie and Dan to the High Country Mustang Ranch for dinner. Paddy Killarney is thinking about hiring Charlie.”
Zack cursed. Twin calves ran to the opposite side of their momma. Any horsewoman would be tempted to take a position at a ranch with such a stellar reputation. “She probably has an offer in hand.”
“Hope so, since that’s the plan.” Ty grinned proudly. “I’m expecting her to give two weeks’ notice tomorrow.”
Crap. Zack’s heart lodged in his throat. He splashed water from the drinking container. “What the hell are you thinking?”
“That Charlie deserves better. She’s an amazing horse trainer stuck in a dead-end job.”
“The Bar V5 is not dead-end. Hell, you’re part owner.”
“Exactly,” Ty agreed. “That’s why she’s stuck. No better job for her here. She’ll never be foreman. My sister married my business partner. I’m not going anywhere.”
Didn’t matter. Zack was not letting her leave. “Charlie belongs here.”
“She did, but her skills have increased and keep improving. Hell, she’s teaching me things now. Time to put her knowledge to use. She’s moved beyond wrangling cattle and guests on horseback. She should be running a horse barn, getting involved in breeding, and if Paddy Killarney is as smart a man as he seems to be, he’ll offer her a job tonight.”
Charlie would say yes. Dammit.
“You look like a bear woken in the middle of winter. What gives?” Ty sounded genuinely confused, matching the way Zack felt. “Be happy for Charlie. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Her future will be set.”
A future without him. Zack struggled to breathe.
That night you found out Davey had been killed and we kissed, I fell head over heels in love with you.
Here comes the bride, naming our kids, crazy in love with you.
Her words rang through his head once again, as clear as Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell in 1776. Charlie had wanted to give him a once in a lifetime opportunity—her love unconditionally—and he’d turned her down, hadn’t listened. Not really. He’d been too caught up in his own selfish needs.
Aw, hell. “I thought I’d screwed up, but I just realized how much.”
Ty’s looked at him. “With Charlie?”
“Big time. Epic.”
A bell clanked in distance. A cow mooed. Dusty barked. The dog’s job was to keep the herd from wandering off.
“What did you do?” Ty asked.
Maybe a better question would be what didn’t Zack do. “I broke Charlie’s heart. At least three times. I was never good at math so she might have a different count.”
“Once wasn’t enough?”
“Overachiever.” Sweat coated Zack’s scalp. He itched under his hat. “I messed with her heart and her life. Didn’t know it at the time, but now… I think I love her.” Something sliced deep within. “No, I’m positive I love her.”
“Have you told Charlie how you feel?”
“I just figured it out myself, so the answer is no. But if she takes the job—”
“She won’t be that far away.” Ty frowned. “She deserves this opportunity, but don’t make excuses or let a few miles keep you from going after what you want.”
Too bad excuses weren’t the only thing standing in Zack’s way. “She hates me. No way she’ll forgive or love me again.”
“Let’s go inside.”
Zack followed Ty into the cabin. Lanterns hung from hooks. No electricity at cow camp, but the rustic bathroom had a shower with a propane water heater. Paying guests didn’t mind roughing it a day or two for the experience. Most could live without cellular service. Few could live without daily hot showers.
The smell from the canned turkey chili lingered. Food was better—a real meal with courses including dessert—when guests were here. He sat at the dining table, a glorified picnic table. The fireplace was unlit. Zack would stay warm without a fire. No reason adding to the list of cleaning that needed to be done since cow camp was closing for the winter. Guests wouldn’t be back until late spring.
“Here’s the deal.” Ty sat then handed Zack a bottle of water. No alcohol was allowed at the cabin. “Love isn’t a switch you turn off and on, though I’m sure a few people wish it was. Even if you’re mad at someone, you can still love them.”
“She rode off and left me alone at the river. Pretty sure she wanted to punch me.”
“Did you deserve it?”
Zack stared down at the table, feeling as if he were back in middle school and discovering girls for the first time. “Yeah, I did. Deserved to be knocked out.”
“So apologize.”
“I tried.”
Ty’s jaw jutted forward. “Try harder.”
“She might not talk to me.”
“What if she does?” Ty countered. “Do you want to live not knowing what might have been if you hadn’t been afraid?”
“I’m not afraid.” The words burst from Zack’s mouth. “Okay, maybe I am.”
“Only you can figure out what happens next, unless you’re willing to give up and live with any regret you might have.”
“I don’t want more regrets where Charlie is concerned.” Zack rubbed his thumb against his fingertips. She was the best thing that had happened to him, but he’d been too afraid of the past repeating itself to take a chance. “I have nothing else to lose and everything to gain.”
“Go for it then.”
A mishmash of thoughts circled through his brain. “Any idea how?”
Wind rattled the windows, but Ty didn’t flinch. “You’ve worked with Charlie for two and a half years. Use what you know about her.”
Zack downed his water. He’d known Charlie for that long, but he’d only met Charlotte. “That sounds… hard.”
Ty’s eyes gleamed with amuse
ment. “Nothing worthwhile in life comes easy. That’s what Nate’s dad, Ralph, used to tell us. And so far, his words have proven true.”
*
Monday morning arrived with a burst of sunshine. Darn, Charlie squinted. She’d forgotten to close the blinds when she went to bed. She showered, then dressed, forcing herself to go through the motions. Last night, not wanting to appear impolite, she’d forced herself to eat dinner, but she had zero appetite for breakfast now.
Because of Zack.
Self-preservation?
Staying out of the dining room and kitchen lessened her chance of bumping into him. But she knew she couldn’t avoid him forever. A couple more hours would be good, a couple days even better.
On the walk to the old red barn, her boots kicked up puffs of dirt. She yawned, stretching her arms overhead. She hadn’t slept much due to a mixture of excitement, exhaustion, and a broken heart. But she wanted to keep her word and tell Ty her decision, even if she never had anticipated making this one.
A dream comes true?
Not the one she’d hoped for with Zack, but a dream job was still good. No, great. As Allie had said, this was a wonderful opportunity. Charlie agreed, even if her heart was torn on the point.
Inside the barn, two tabbies rescued from a hoarder situation near Bozeman darted between Charlie legs. She nearly tripped. The barn cats loved to chase one another. A good thing she hadn’t fallen on her butt. That wouldn’t have been the way to start her day. But then her backside would match her bruised heart.
The foreman’s office door was open, as usual. The small room functioned more as a cattery than a working space. Ty’s love of livestock extended to felines, and Nate was the same way, carrying cat treats in his pockets. A seven-foot tall cat tree occupied one corner. More than one sleeping cat occupied each perch. An electric fountain-drinking bowl, a new addition purchased by Rachel, would keep water from freezing in the wintertime.
Charlie hoped the barn cats—feral, non-indoor, and other non-adoptable ones—knew they’d hit the rescue lottery being taken in by the Bar V5. Between Ty, Nate, and the wranglers, the cats were well fed, healthy, and if they wanted human affection, given attention and love. She’d noticed a couple cats at the High Country Mustang Ranch last night. Another sign she was making the right move? She hoped so.
Kiss Me, Cowboy (Montana Born Rodeo Book 3) Page 12
