He rolled his eyes. “Don’t you have to be somewhere this morning?”
Kit glanced at the clock. “Actually, yes, I’ve got to get on the road.”
“Where are you headed today?”
She hadn’t been planning to tell him yet. Not when the plan was so new. Just barely born in the dark last night when she’d thought about their after-rock-climbing almost-kiss. And how incredibly tempting it had been to turn it into a real kiss. But wouldn’t that be just like the old Kit? Throw away a chance to do what she’d always wanted so she could kiss a guy?
She needed to keep her focus on her own dreams. And her dream had always been to travel. “I’m going down to Mammoth, to talk with a travel agent.”
“You’re taking a trip?”
She took a deep breath for courage. “A long one. I’m thinking of leaving. After we’re done building this place.”
He seemed to still. Just a faint tightening of muscles in his jaw and his fingers on the folder. “Leave? As in, for good?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m just starting to make plans. Between the money you’re paying me and the job you offered my dad, I can finally do what I’ve always dreamed of—see the world, travel.”
“Travel.” His voice sounded wooden. As if he was having trouble understanding.
“To stay in other countries. To live somewhere else besides here.”
“I didn’t realize you were that unhappy in Benson.”
“I’m not unhappy.” She tried to explain what had seemed so clear in her own mind last night. “But I’m also not satisfied. You went off to see the world. You had this incredible career and so much success. And all that time you were gone, I was here, doing this.” She gestured around the office. “Can’t you see how I’d want to try something else? To have a more interesting life than I have now?”
“Yes.” He nodded slowly. “I do understand.”
“Great.” He seemed upset, but she knew in her heart that she was doing the right thing. She couldn’t stay just because they had chemistry. “So I’ll see you later then.”
“See you later,” he said. “Thanks for helping with the celebration this morning.”
“Of course.” She gave an awkward wave, leaving him alone with his budget. She walked quickly to her Jeep, her excitement dampened by the disappointment she’d seen in his eyes.
* * *
THE GOOD THING about discovering Kit’s travel plans was it had Tyler working hard for the next couple weeks. He stayed in the barn mainly, not taking many shifts behind the bar, to put some space between them. Because she was leaving in the fall. And she should leave if that’s what she wanted. But that meant he needed to get over these feelings he had for her.
Easier said than done. It was the little things that haunted. How her breath felt, so soft on his ear, whenever she leaned close on a busy night to give him instructions. Or how, on a weekend night, with music blasting from the jukebox, she and Lila would break into a dance behind the bar, and Kit would pull him over to dance with them.
Watching Kit behind the bar was a revelation. She never stopped for a moment, taking drink orders while she made others, and somehow tossing crisp comebacks at the guys trying to get her to pay attention to more than their drinks. He knew just how they felt. He wanted her attention, too. But that wasn’t going to happen. So he worked.
He’d been up early this morning, soon after sunrise. Now he walked through the barn, relishing the cool before the day heated up. Hard to believe it was already July.
They’d made it through July Fourth last weekend, hosting their first barbecue. It had been a chance to try out the most promising chef they’d found, and the guy had done a great job.
They’d had to have the barbecue in the front parking lot though, instead of in the barbecue area. That was a full-blown construction site. In fact, running a bar while you were adding entire sections onto the building had proved more challenging than he’d imagined. Their daytime customers had all but disappeared, since most people didn’t enjoy construction noise with their drink. Though a few folks liked it and would take their beer in a bottle and stand around watching the crew at work. Any change was exciting in a small town.
Still, he’d have to close the entire bar at the end of August to do the finish work inside and to update the original Dusty Saddle. He’d been worried about how to keep his staff on board, but Kit had suggested he average each staff member’s pay for the last six months. He’d pay them that amount while the bar was closed, to make sure they didn’t find work elsewhere. It was a good idea, like so many she had.
And here he was, thinking about her again. Wishing she was present to appreciate the renovations he’d made here in the barn.
The tack room had been expanded, and there was an office, a classroom, changing rooms and bathrooms down one side. There was even a small medical room, because his students weren’t getting out of bull-riding school without a few cuts and bruises.
The stalls looked great, too, but he wouldn’t use them much. He wanted his animals out in pastures where they’d be happiest.
That’s all he wanted. Just a few happy horses and bulls. Nothing big. He wasn’t a rancher, wasn’t planning to be one.
For now he wanted to take a minute to be grateful for what he had. He’d bought this property just a couple months ago. And already he had this great barn.
He stopped at the wide front doors. It was a perfect summer morning. The sun sent rays up from the east, and soon it would chase away the chill of the mountains. The air was a soothing mix of pine and sagebrush and that dry, rocky smell of high desert. He’d missed that scent all his years of traveling. Just like he’d missed these mountains, this town. It was all mixed up with who he was and what he wanted for his future.
Tyler heard wheels crunching on gravel and squinted down the lane. Garth was bumping along in his battered blue pickup. He parked and leaped spryly to the ground. Slamming the door behind him, he caught sight of Tyler, tipped the brim of his hat and crossed the gravel between them with a crisp step. “Morning, boss.” His smile said it all. The smile of a man with a purpose. A man who was happy to be back on the job.
Tyler grinned and pulled Garth in for a clap on the back. “First day on the job. I’m glad you’re here.” He wished Kit were here, too. She’d be happy with the way her father wandered through the barn, opening cabinets and examining the stalls. It would put a smile on her face to see it. No matter how much he tried to tell himself that he didn’t care for her, the truth was, he did. And even though she might be counting the days until she hit the road, if he could make her smile up until the time she went, he would.
CHAPTER TEN
KIT MADE HER way around the plywood walls of the restaurant. Construction was speeding along. Tyler had crews working seven days a week. Aaron stormed around the construction site like a manic general, ordering his troops to dig this and frame that. Trenches for plumbing were everywhere, bright orange cones and caution tape creating a colorful obstacle course she had to navigate to get to the path that led to the barn.
The barn was officially finished and her dad started work today. She’d planned to walk down to see it, and him, later on her lunch break. But Tyler had burst into the office a few moments ago to announce that the horses were coming and she had to be there to see them arrive.
It was nice that he’d come to find her. He’d been avoiding her ever since she’d told him she planned to leave. Maybe he felt betrayed because they were building this bar together and she wouldn’t be around to run it with him. But that had never been their agreement. The contract was clear. She had to stay until the bar was open. That was it.
She’d missed him, though. Funny how she could work here for nine years, quite happily in his absence. But now when she took a shift and Tyler wasn’t with her, she didn’t enjoy her job near
ly as much. She’d come to depend on his silly jokes, his laughing good looks, the warm feeling she got when he was nearby.
The trail approached the barn from the rear, where wood fencing delineated corrals and the edge of a huge pasture. A man stepped out from the barn to shake out some kind of floor mat. “Dad?” she called.
He waved vigorously. Enthusiastically. She hadn’t seen her dad do anything with any kind of energy since he’d lost his position with Tyler’s father.
“Congratulations on your first day.” She grabbed the other end of the mat and helped him shake.
Pride was evident in his eyes. “You’re looking at the official barn manager for the Tyler Ellis Rodeo School.”
“Dad, that’s incredible!” She’d known Tyler was going to give her dad a job. But to give him a title like this, a position of authority...tears threatened, but they’d only embarrass both of them. She shook the mat again, a little more vigorously, then set her end down so her dad could carry it inside.
She followed him silently, not trusting herself to say any more, because the way he walked, straight-backed, square-shouldered, this was the dad she knew. He was back, after all these lost months. And she could never thank Tyler enough—though she would try.
He was leaning on the opposite entrance to the barn, his back to her, looking out to the parking lot. A dark cowboy silhouette against an amazing view of winding road and pines and mountains rising up beyond.
Kit walked the length of the barn, enjoying the cool shadows on this hot morning, the perfectly appointed stalls, the rooms he’d added. The changing room had been her idea, complete with the rustic wooden sign that could be flipped to say men or women, depending on who was using it at the time. Because even though bull riding was typically a men’s sport, Kit had argued that maybe women would like to try it, too.
Are you volunteering? Tyler had asked at the time, teasing her. But he’d implemented her idea, and it was a great feeling to see it here, finished.
He turned and an excited smile broke across his face. “You got here just in time.”
A truck and horse trailer were making the turn off the distant road and into the drive.
“You look like a kid at Christmas,” Kit said, catching his excitement.
“Christmas in July. I’ve wanted horses of my own for years.” He took her hand, gave it a brief squeeze. And as always, when he let go, she wished he wouldn’t.
They watched the truck and trailer rattle toward them, dust rising and settling on the sagebrush and scrub that lined the lane.
“Thank you again,” she said. “For hiring my dad. For giving him such an official-sounding position.”
“My pleasure. He’s gonna do great here.” The truck and trailer were parking now, and Tyler beckoned. “Come on.” He started down the ramp that led out of the barn. “Come meet my horses.”
“I’m not going to be any help.”
“You’re always a help,” Tyler said, and led the way forward.
Kit’s dad caught up with them, his eager steps so at odds with the shuffling gait he’d adopted throughout the past few months. “Tyler’s got himself some of these broke mustangs from Marker Ranch.”
Kit froze. Marker Ranch. That was Arch Hoffman’s family ranch. His sister was using part of the land for a wild mustang sanctuary. “Tyler’s getting mustangs?”
Her father grinned. “He sure is. Great choice. They’re smart. Great trail horses. Sweet as anything as long as you train ’em right. Todd Williams is at Marker and he’s a great trainer.”
“He’s a great guy, too.” Todd had been a friend of Kit’s. But when he met and married Nora Hoffman, Kit had started avoiding him. She liked Arch’s sister, but it had felt too awkward to be around anyone related to Arch.
The truck was parked and the doors opened. Todd hopped out of the driver’s side; Nora hopped out of the other. She didn’t greet them, just turned to open the second door in the king cab. But Todd spotted Kit. He strode over, nodded to Tyler, but went straight for her, pulling her into a giant bear hug. “Great to see you, Kit. It’s been way too long. You’re working for this guy now?” He released her and shook Tyler’s hand. “Good to see you, Tyler. We’re so glad you’re taking Rachel and Carson.”
Kit laughed, glad that some things never changed. “You’re still naming horses after famous environmentalists?”
Todd grinned. “Yes, but I’m running out of names. Nora wants to move on to scientists.”
“Plant biologists, to be exact.” Arch’s sister came around the truck with an adorable baby boy in her arms.
Kit stared at his gummy baby smile. “You guys had a baby? I didn’t even know—” She’d done such a thorough job of avoiding anything to do with Arch that she hadn’t known Nora was pregnant. “He’s so sweet,” she said. What else had she missed out on by avoiding anything that might hurt?
“This is Owen,” Nora said proudly. She picked up Owen’s tiny hand and waved it. “Say hi, Owen.” Owen stared at Kit solemnly.
“Great-looking kid,” Tyler said. “Can I hold him?”
“Sure.” Nora passed the baby over.
Tyler held Owen to his chest, looking at the little guy with a delighted face. “Hello, cowboy,” he said. Owen’s flailing hand pushed up the brim of Tyler’s hat. Tyler made a funny face and the baby giggled.
“And a bromance was born,” Nora said. She turned to Kit. “Great to see you again. I’ve been thinking of you a lot this past year or so. I kept hoping I’d see you around. But with the baby, I haven’t managed to get into the bar.”
“It’s fine. I totally understand,” Kit said. “And I could have tried to see you.” She wanted to fix this. Wanted to wrap up any loose ends related to Arch. “I had a hard time when your brother came back. I’m sure you heard.”
Nora smiled faintly. “I heard a few things.”
“Like flying food, I bet.”
“Well, the diner incident has become a Benson legend,” Nora teased, but Kit could see in her eyes that it was kindly meant. In fact, she was surprised to see so much warmth in Nora’s big gray eyes. And a hint of tears, too. “You did a lot for me, you know,” Nora said. “Remember when we talked in the grocery store and you told me to be more accepting of Todd? You helped me trust what my heart was telling me.”
“I remember that day,” Kit said. “Glad I could help.”
“I just wish—” Nora flushed pink. “I’m just sorry things didn’t work out the way you wanted. With my brother. I wish I’d come to see you and said that a long time ago.”
“It’s okay.” And Kit realized that it was okay. That talking to Nora was not nearly as uncomfortable as she’d imagined. That Arch’s not loving her had been really hard, but it had also led her here. To this project with Tyler. To seeing her dad happy and fulfilled. To finding herself a couple months away from a brand-new chapter of her life.
“Let’s do this,” Todd said. “Tyler, are you ready to meet your horses?”
“Sure am.”
Tyler handed Owen to Nora and smiled at Kit. “Are you ready? Because I have this feeling that Rachel might make a pretty good horse for you.”
For her? Tyler had bought a horse with her in mind? She hadn’t ridden since they were kids. She studied him, trying to figure out if he was teasing. “Good luck with that, cowboy,” she finally tossed back, and went to stand a safe distance away.
Nora came to stand with her while Tyler, Todd and Kit’s father slid the ramp from the trailer and conferred on a plan to unload the horses.
“A horse for you, huh?” Nora smiled, bouncing Owen gently in her arms. “Tyler seems like a great guy.”
“We’re old friends,” Kit said quickly. “And colleagues.”
A smile played around the corners of Nora’s mouth. “Hmm...if you say so. Though I’d say your fri
end and colleague has a big crush on you. Which is totally understandable because you are beautiful and warmhearted. I hope you know that whatever choice my brother made, it doesn’t change that one bit.”
“It means he met someone more beautiful and more warmhearted. I’ve met Mandy Allen. She’s lovely.”
“Arch needed a change,” Nora said. “He was desperate to move on from who he’d been. Mandy makes him feel like he can be that new guy. But I’m so sorry that you got hurt.”
“Thank you. But it’s okay. He’s happy?” she asked. “With Mandy? In San Francisco?”
“He’s very happy.”
“That’s good,” Kit said, and she truly meant it. “That’s really good.”
“And I predict,” Nora said when Tyler glanced at them and gave Kit an excited thumbs-up, “that you’re going to be really happy, too, if you let that guy into your heart.”
Kit shook her head. “Things between us are a little complicated.”
“Good things aren’t always simple.” Nora grinned. “You know, someone really wise once told me we don’t choose who we love. We just love.”
Kit recognized her own words. “But she said that a long time ago about a very different guy,” she corrected gently. “And I’m a different person, too. I’m leaving Benson soon.”
“Where are you going?” Nora asked.
“Mexico.” She’d printed her plane ticket and it was sitting on her nightstand. “I’m going to attend a language school there, then I’m planning to head to Central America. Maybe South America after that.”
Nora’s eyes were wide. “Wow. That’s an incredible adventure.”
Kit didn’t let herself look at Tyler. Because every time she did, the excitement over her plans faded a little. “I can’t wait,” she told Nora.
There was a clank as the trailer doors opened, and Todd walked a beautiful slate-gray mare down the ramp. She had a mottled coat, a long mane with white threaded through the gray, a dished face and pretty dark eyes. “Oh my gosh.” Kit stared. “She’s gorgeous.”
His Last Rodeo Page 14
