A Rancher’s Song

by Vivian Arend

  “Did you want to quit?” Walker asked her.

  She took a deep breath then wiggled slightly until her head was on the pillow next to his, staring into his eyes. “I didn’t want to quit, but there were times my body didn’t cooperate. I got really sick.”

  What the hell. “How come I didn’t know that?”

  “Because I didn’t think it was fair to let anyone know. No one could visit me anyway, and either I was going to get better or I wasn’t.”

  Walker jerked up on an elbow. “You were sick enough you might’ve died?”

  She pressed her fingers soothingly to his lips, making calming sounds the way he would around skittish horses. “It’s in the past.”

  Jesus Christ. “Answer the damn question, Snow.”

  She gave him a dirty look. “You don’t think it took me eleven years to come back because I was gallivanting around the countryside, do you?”

  “Teacher’s certificate is four years. I figured you’d took a couple of extra years to get what you needed so you could become a principal. Add in on-the-job training.” Walker shook his head. “I never did the math.

  “Six years of schooling took me eight. I lost a semester every time I got sick. I still did a lot of work and training, but it wasn’t specific enough to count toward my degrees.” Ivy hesitated, and he braced himself for what had to be the worst of the bad news. “I had a six-month hospital stay at one point. I got really sick and ended up with a bone-marrow transplant that saved my life.”

  Curses rose that Walker bit back as images flooded his brain. Ivy in pain, alone in a hospital room while he hadn’t known. Only she was staring at him with concern, as if wanting to make him feel better. “I… God damn, Ivy.”

  “It was bad, but honestly”—she swallowed hard, stroking a hand down his cheek—“you saved me, in a way. I refused to give up because someday I was going to come back and get to see you again.”

  She curled in tight to offer a kiss.

  He was still aching at the thought he might’ve lost her. Might never have gotten to see her again. “I’m glad you made it through, but I think it was a shitty idea not to tell me you were sick in the first place.”

  “Maybe. My parents and I thought it was for the best.”

  “You were wrong. I forgive you, but I’m still going to give Malachi a piece of my mind.”

  She was smiling again. “I look forward to it.”

  “Troublemaker. You want me and your dad to butt heads?” Then Walker thought of something else. “Did your sisters know how sick you were? Or your grandma?”

  Ivy shook her head and then frowned. “The girls knew I was sick, but that it wasn’t anybody’s business other than family. But I wonder about Grandma Sonora.”

  He’d fallen into the only family in the world who actually knew how to keep secrets in a small town. Well, he had a few secrets of his own, but nothing like this. He squeezed Ivy tight, holding on to the precious woman in his arms. “I’m so glad you came back.”

  Truth. One hundred percent truth, but as the summer slipped forward, the question still remained.

  After everything that Ivy had fought for, was he going to be able to stay with her?

  17

  Dinner with the Fields was as bizarre and special as Walker remembered from the past.

  Malachi and Sophie greeted him at the door as if he was there for the first time, shaking his hand and asking about his health. Ivy gave him a sympathetic smile as she took off in a different direction, responding to her sister’s summons.

  “The place smells wonderful,” he offered Mrs. Fields.

  “Thank you. We just need the steaks done. If you can help Malachi, I would appreciate that very much.”

  “But did you marinate the steaks? Inquiring minds want to know.” All three of them looked up to see Fern peering through the railing. “Hi, Walker.”

  “Hey, beanstalk. Congratulations on your graduation.”

  She stood and made her way downstairs, waving her hand at him. “Oh, that’s so last month.” Fern held out her arms and Walker accepted a hug. She’d only been a little thing, not any older than Caleb’s girls, when he and Ivy had stopped seeing each other. He’d seen Fern around town at times, but it hadn’t been the same.

  She folded her arms and examined him closely. Sophie and Malachi had disappeared into the other parts of the house. “I’m glad you’re back with Ivy again.”

  “You want to come out to the ranch and ride, don’t you?”

  “Yes. Plus, I’m really glad you’re back with Ivy again.” Fern grinned. “Hey, did you see my new hand?”

  He glanced down at her left forearm which ended two inches shy of where her wrist should be. “It’s invisible.”

  Fern rolled her eyes. “I don’t have it on, dummy. You go catch up with Mom and Dad, and I’ll grab it from my room.”

  Ivy’s sister delighted in the different technologies that were being made for her missing appendage. “What’s special about this one?”

  She was already running up the stairs. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  He stood for a moment in the foyer at the front of the house. Voices and music sounded in the distance, and the scent of food carried on the air, thick and hearty.

  He’d always appreciated how welcome he’d felt by the Fields. They’d been protective, yes, but he’d always felt they liked him. Even after Ivy had left, he used to come over…until something had changed and it had started to feel awkward. As if they were uncertain how to treat him. He’d thought the Fields had decided he was no longer good enough to be with Ivy.

  Now he realized the change could’ve come during one of those times Ivy had been sick, and they were debating what to tell him. The bit of past history Ivy had shared changed a lot of things in Walker’s mind.

  Since Ivy had shared, he’d been thinking hard about the moment he’d meet Malachi again and about the secrets that had been kept from him. And while he was still upset on one level, he had come to realize there had been no easy answers. Malachi and Sophie had been wrong, but they’d meant well, and bringing it up served no purpose. Just knowing, though, made a difference.

  It hadn’t been anything about him that had changed the relationship.

  Walker wandered slowly through the dining room, stealing a few appetizers off the plates waiting there. Then he stepped into the kitchen itself where Tansy was working at the oversized counter, dropping large scoops of cookie batter onto a baking tray.

  He stole a piece that had fallen on the counter and popped it in his mouth.

  Tansy grinned. She glanced around to make sure no one was watching before offering him another chunk straight out of the bowl. “It’s Crispy Crunch macadamia nut.”

  “Be still my heart.” He stole one of the hot cookies off the cooling rack, sweet goodness melting on his tongue. “God, that’s good.”

  “I’d tease you were going to spoil your supper, but I’ve seen you eat. Here, have another,” Tansy offered before turning to put the loaded tray in the oven.

  He wandered in a little farther, glancing toward the corner of the family room where an overstuffed rocking chair sat. Ivy had curled up in it like usual, staring comfortably at the fish tank beside her.

  In the adjoining open space, Rose and Sophie were discussing flower arrangements. Fern got distracted as she entered the room, stopping to help Tansy open some jars.

  The room was full of life, yet there were pockets of quietness, especially around Ivy. A place where she could retreat and still be a part of the whole. Ivy wasn’t ignoring her family, she was taking in as much as she could handle, or at least that’s how it had been when they were in high school. It seemed that even though she wasn’t as delicate now, the family still operated the same way.

  Malachi stuck his head in the door and motioned for Walker to join him. Walker carried out the tray Tansy handed him, joining the man where a barbecue waited, already smoking hot.

  Malachi lifted the lid and began arrang
ing thick slabs of meat on the top rack. “Buffalo, but I’m also throwing on sausages and hamburgers. I don’t think you’ll starve.”

  Other than delivering the tray, Walker couldn’t see anything that needed doing. “What did you want my help with?”

  Malachi glanced at him. “God if I know. Sophie seems to think it takes two guys to run a barbecue, and I’m not about to argue with her, so stay and keep me company.”

  Walker chuckled. “Yes, sir.”

  He spotted Ivy sneaking out the door. She offered him a wave before making her way to Grandma Sonora’s side. The two women sat quietly and chatted under the shade of an oversized umbrella.

  Ivy was all drop-dead gorgeous in a buttercup-yellow sundress, and it was only when Malachi chuckled that Walker realized he’d been staring.

  “I guess that answers my question,” Malachi said.

  Walker turned his attention on the man. “Did you ask one?”

  “Didn’t have to. You figure out what you’re doing yet, son?”

  Walker dipped his head slowly. “Part of it. Still working on other things. But if you’re asking because you’re a concerned father, I’ll be careful with her. Ivy means an awful lot to me. She always has.”

  Malachi closed the barbecue lid. Smoke escaped around the edges, sizzling and steam creating an eerie soundtrack to their conversation. “I’m glad you got part of it figured it out. You need to talk to someone about other parts?”

  Walker appreciated the offer, but this wasn’t quite the same as it had been in the old days back when Ivy had left and he kind of just kept coming over to chat with Malachi. Missing his dad, feeling lost.

  Missing Ivy like he’d forgotten to take a deep enough breath to get him through the day.

  But this was different. “Thanks for the offer, and I do appreciate it, but Ivy is helping me.”

  Ivy’s dad nodded slowly. “Okay. Door is open, though.”

  They talked about other things then. Malachi’s bookstore in town, the horses out at the ranch. By the time the meat was put on a tray and placed on the kitchen table, something inside Walker felt settled and right.

  According to the Fields’ family ritual, they filled plates and headed off in different directions. The first time he’d eaten with the family, he’d thought something was very wrong considering the Stones sat at one table and waited until their father served them. Here the food was served potluck style then everyone vanished, usually sitting with one or two others to chat as they ate their meal.

  It created a different kind of intimacy. No one would ever feel dragged into the spotlight, but it was also impossible to sit in silence and not share.

  He loaded his plate then went to sit outside at the small table under the umbrella by Sonora Fallen. The older woman had turned her chair to face the sun, her eyes closed as she sunbathed.

  As he sat, she opened her eyes to smile at him. “What a nice surprise. Thanks for picking me for your dinner entertainment.”

  Walker laughed. “The first time I ate here and everyone vanished into corners I thought—I don’t know what I thought. I supposed that I’d offended somebody.”

  “Sophie and Malachi were brilliant to come up with a solution that meant Ivy had space if she needed it, but there was always good, healthy conversation going on.”

  It had been a good idea. It was one of those things that taught Walker how a family could be very different from his own and yet still be there for each other.

  The Stones could get loud and rambunctious, and when they gathered in one place, it was full of life and energy waiting to spiral out of control. The Fields were more like a wide open space that gave everyone a chance to grow.

  Ivy appeared at his side, putting a plate of food in front of her grandma and offering Sonora a kiss on the cheek. “You were too busy chatting to get yourself food.”

  “Your young man distracted me. Thank you.”

  Ivy turned her attention on him, her quicksilver eyes filled with humour. “You had no trouble filling your own plate, so I’ll leave you two to chat.”

  She leaned down and gave him a kiss, this one not so platonic. Still sweet, but very definitely possessive. She was claiming him in front of her family.

  When she pulled back slowly, her smile was just for him. “I look forward to listening to you play later. It’s going to make me very happy.”

  He watched her walk away, hearing the suggestion in her words. Knowing that if for some reason he did have a panic attack—although he couldn’t imagine why one would happen in front of these people who were so much like family to him—if he did get into trouble, he was going to try her advice first.

  And if that failed, she would save him.

  He turned back to enjoy his meal and the visit with Grandma Sonora, while part of his brain was plotting what he was going to do to say thank you to Ivy tonight when they were alone.

  * * *

  Sexy, sexy Walker Stone sat in her living room, and Ivy was about to experience spontaneous combustion.

  Early-afternoon sunshine streamed in, showcasing the two coats of fresh primer they’d painted on to cover the patch jobs in the walls. Ivy had pulled a set of patio chairs in to rest on, but all the fans were turned off to keep dust from flying into the wet paint, so it was stinking hot in the house.

  Walker had stripped down to his jeans and boots, and could she really be blamed for getting distracted enough to stare?

  She thought not.

  Ivy paused in the doorway, a glass of ice tea in each hand held in reserve until she got her fill of looking at him.

  Walker wiped his face with his shirt, draping it over the back of the plastic chair before turning back to her. One brow rose sharply. “That’s a mighty fine-looking drink, but it’s not doing a good job of quenching my thirst from way over there.”

  “Shhh,” Ivy warned softly. “You’re interrupting my drooling.”

  A sharp laugh escaped him as he unfolded himself from the chair, sauntering in her direction to grab one glass from her fingers. He rested his forearm on the wall as he deliberately peered down the front of her tank top. “I’ll be quiet as a mouse if you agree to some equal opportunity drooling.”

  Ivy did her best Spock imitation, striving to lift her brow as high as possible. “You did not mention drooling while you’re leaning over me. Because ick.”

  He laughed, drinking deeply without shifting away. The muscles in his neck moved rhythmically as he swallowed, the moisture on the glass sparkling in the sun that was shining through the window. Ivy sipped her own drink and let him stand there and crowd her, the slick sweat on his muscles making them glisten.

  Walker met her gaze evenly. “You look as if you’re thinking deep thoughts.”

  “I really want to lick you,” she confessed.

  A soft swear rose from his lips. “You’re thinking dirty thoughts. That’s even better.”

  “Nothing dirty yet. You promised to work on some exercises with me.”

  Walker dragged the icy cold surface of his glass along the edge of her tank top. “I’d love to do some exercises with you. Do they involve getting naked? Because my favourite exercises are naked exercises.”

  Ivy reached up and took the glass from him, slipping out of reach as she danced back into the kitchen. “You definitely need to get naked—you need a shower.” She pointed at the arm he’d leaned against the fresh paint.

  He was cream-white from wrist to elbow.

  Walker stepped back quickly, grabbing a wet cloth to wipe it off. “Now, that wasn’t very nice. Getting my hopes up and all.”

  It wasn’t time to play, although Ivy was sure temptation would return soon enough. “We need to talk first. Come and sit.”

  She settled into one of the lawn chairs. Walker adjusted his to face her better, and their knees bumped.

  “How did it go the last couple days on the ranch?” She tried to sound as professional as possible, which was hard when he was rocking his heel up and down, causing his shin to
rub against hers.

  “It was great. We worked with a whole bunch of the stock. Luke, Dustin, and Ashton helped me do some training.”

  “Dustin is back?” She’d heard about his obsession with Tamara, although everything seemed perfectly normal to her. “I thought he was helping at your uncle’s ranch down south?”

  “We forgot that Uncle Frank and Dustin don’t get along very well.” Walker stopped teasing her and looked more serious as he shared. “Uncle Frank thought the younger ones should have moved in with him when Mom and Dad passed away, but Caleb insisted on keeping the family together. I think Caleb was right, but Frank gets his nose out of joint about it sometimes. Frank made the mistake of making some smartass comment about Caleb, and Dustin gave him what for. I guess things went downhill from there.”

  “Yeah. I can’t see that going over well. Dustin thinks Caleb hung the moon.”

  “Especially since he married Tamara. The man is brilliant,” Walker said with a smile. “But to answer your question, I was fine. I was more than fine—it was exciting. I got in a couple of really good rides.”

  She let her gaze drift over his body. “Hmmm.”

  Walker chuckled. “You seem to be losing concentration, Snow. You’re not nearly as cool and collected as you were a few minutes ago. Does it make you hot to think of me riding hard?”

  Oh, my. Ivy fanned a hand in front of her face. “My goodness, repairmen around these parts have such lusty thoughts.”

  Walker raised a brow. “Repairmen? You really do have a porn-handyman fantasy, don’t you?”

  She blinked innocently while her insides thrilled at the thought.

  He rose to his feet, intent clear in his eyes.

  Ivy scrambled upright, chair flying behind her as she ducked to one side and barely made it past him, clearing the back door with Walker hard on her heels.

  Ivy made it halfway around the house to where the hose was lying on the ground, water spilling from the tip into a set of pots she was growing lettuce and chives in. She grabbed the hose, stuck her thumb over the end then twirled. The spray of water struck Walker square in the face and brought him to an abrupt stop.