Logan managed to nod. For now he wasn’t sharing his news with anyone. Besides, his cousin looked like a man who very much wanted to get back to what he’d been doing. “Yeah. Sorry to bother you.” Before Jesse could question why Logan wasn’t teasing him unmercifully, Logan started back toward his truck.
But when he slid into the driver’s seat, he had no idea where to go. Should he go to Skyler’s apartment and talk to her some more? Or should he stay away until he could think straight? It didn’t help his state of mind or his mood when the lower part of his back started aching where he’d wrenched it during that last bull ride.
As he drove back toward Blue Falls, he thought of those pillow-soft beds at the Wildflower Inn. Part of him liked the idea of staying under Skyler’s roof and gradually figuring out how they would deal with being parents. Instead, he decided to go with the more economical option, the one that would give him time to rest before he had to face Skyler and the truth again, and headed for the Country Vista. After all, it wasn’t without its pleasant memories, even if that night had led to the scariest thing he’d ever faced.
By the time he registered and got his key, his back was hurting even more. He needed a hot shower, a couple of ibuprofen and a good night’s rest. It didn’t hit him until he was standing outside his room that it was the same one he’d stayed in before. Despite everything, he laughed a little. He had to say he would much rather be escorting Skyler through the doorway than his aching body and the realization that his life was never going to be the same again.
* * *
DESPITE THE LONG, stressful day before, Skyler woke the next morning just as daylight was creeping into her apartment. She lay in the bed staring at the ceiling, her thoughts picking up where they’d left off when she’d finally fallen asleep sometime after midnight. She’d started second-guessing her decision to tell Logan about the baby the moment the words had left her mouth, but deep down she knew she’d done the right thing. And whatever came of that revelation, she’d find a way to deal with it, just as she had every other challenge life had thrown at her.
By the time she was up and dressed, the sun was peeking over the horizon and she was determined to have a good day and not worry herself into a tizzy. She headed for the inn’s dining room just as she normally did each morning.
“You’re up early,” said Amber, one of the morning-shift waitresses.
“Yes, it must be a sign of the end times or something, me being up before the sun.”
Amber laughed. “Can I get you anything?”
“No, thanks.”
As Amber headed toward one of the tables next to the window, where an early-rising couple sat, Skyler walked toward the beverage station. The aroma of the coffee drew her, and she took a moment to inhale the wonderful smell. Oh, how she missed coffee. With a sigh, she grabbed a glass and filled it with milk.
“Now that is a sign of the end times,” Amber said as she grabbed a couple of cups and began to pour coffee.
Skyler almost moaned at the delicious scent. “I’ve been drinking way too much caffeine. I’m turning over a new leaf.” She’d been abstaining for a while now, but she’d managed to hide that fact.
“Yeah, good luck with that.” Amber sounded as if she thought that might last about half a day.
If Skyler weren’t carrying a child, Amber would probably be right.
She took her glass of milk and a plain bagel outside and sat on one of the benches overlooking the park at the bottom of the hill. People had already begun returning since the work on the dock and picnic shelters had been completed, but she really wanted some of the moneymaking projects under way before the baby came. Her time would be at even more of a premium with an infant to care for, and she could use the extra monetary cushion concessions would bring in. She didn’t want her child to ever worry about if the bills were going to get paid or see his mother working herself to death just to make ends meet. Her child would have as happy and carefree a childhood as she could make it.
Maybe Logan would help shoulder the responsibilities.
No, she couldn’t depend on that. Especially not judging by his silence as she’d walked away the night before.
“Hey, hon. Are you feeling okay?”
Skyler looked over to see India walking toward her. “What are you doing up? I would think you’d be sleeping in with that new husband of yours.”
“Don’t worry, I had plenty of time in bed last night.” India grinned at the memory, causing Skyler to smile. “I just wanted to get in a nice walk this morning before we head to the airport. Going to be cooped up in planes for the rest of the day.”
“Yes, but tonight you’ll be lying on the beach in Hawaii while the rest of us are baking our brains out here.”
“True.” India sat beside her. “You didn’t answer my question. Are you okay this morning?”
“Yes, fine.”
“Have you heard from Logan?”
“No, but that’s okay. I did what was right, telling him. Now I’ll just move ahead as I planned all along.” And try to forget the daydream she’d briefly allowed herself of the two of them making a life for their child together. When she really thought about it, that daydream didn’t even make sense. Logan was barely an acquaintance.
“I don’t feel right leaving you here like this.”
Skyler playfully swatted India’s hand. “Don’t be silly. You deserve this trip and your happiness more than anyone I know. So don’t you dare give me another thought. I want to see tons of pictures of waves, beaches, luaus and I wouldn’t mind a hot surfer or two.” Despite her words, it wasn’t a buff surfer that popped into her mind. It was a certain cowboy she couldn’t get out of her head.
India squeezed Skyler’s hand. “You gave us quite a scare last night.”
“Sorry. I overreacted.”
“Better safe than sorry.” India looked toward the lake when a duck quacked as it floated along the surface with a few of its friends. “I can’t remember the last time I saw you up this early. But I guess it’s good practice.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me. I’ll probably win the World’s Grumpiest Mother award.”
India smiled. “You’re going to be wonderful.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“I am.”
Skyler looked at her friend. “What makes you say that?”
“Because you’re a hard worker, strong, determined and most of all, full of love. You’ve always been a wonderful friend to me, even when I didn’t have many. And that’s going to translate to being a fantastic mother.”
“I hope you’re right. I keep thinking about all the ways I can mess this up.”
“You worry too much. And you don’t know what the future holds. You might not have to do this alone.”
“I’m not holding my breath.”
Silence settled between them for several moments.
“So I guess your plans for the park are on indefinite hold,” India said, as if sensing Skyler wanted to change the topic of conversation.
“Actually, I was thinking about that before you came up. I would like to have at least part, if not all, of it up and running before the baby gets here. I’m just worried about sinking so much money into it.”
“I think it’s a good investment, especially since the rodeos seem to be bringing even more people to town. I heard from Verona that one of the Dallas TV stations is going to do a travel piece on Blue Falls. Maybe if you at least had things started, they could include the park offerings when they talk about the inn.”
Skyler stared at the park, imagining all her plans coming to life, the area full of locals and tourists having a good time. Just the day before, in the midst of showing the musicians where to set up for the wedding, she’d gotten the idea for concerts in the park.
“If I could just sell t
he ranch, I wouldn’t worry so much about sinking money into something new. And it’s not just me I have to consider anymore.”
“When was the last time you had anyone look at the ranch?”
Skyler shrugged. “Maybe six months ago. I kept hoping it would sell as is, but I may have to cave and hire someone to do some work on the place, make it more attractive to buyers. Maybe I can talk to Len. He and his son did a good job on the shelters and the dock.”
“I don’t know if he’ll have time. I heard a couple of days ago that he just got a job with a builder in Kerrville.”
Skyler sighed.
“Have Elissa ask around. She works with lots of landscapers, so they’re bound to know some handyman types looking for work.”
That wasn’t a bad idea. And if she could somehow get it taken care of without having to be too hands-on, so much the better.
“Well, I better get in and take a shower,” India said.
“Have a nice fruity drink on the beach for me while you’re there, okay?”
“You got it. And you take care of yourself. If you need help, ask Elissa or Verona, Keri, one of your employees. They don’t have to know why you’re asking.”
“I will, I promise.”
India patted her hand, then headed inside. When Skyler was alone again, she watched the ducks gliding across the water and smiled. The thought of getting the ranch in better shape, of maybe finally being able to sell it, gave her a boost of excitement. Now that the idea was planted, she couldn’t wait to put it into motion.
* * *
IT TOOK ANOTHER couple of ibuprofen to get going the next morning, but once Logan was up and moving, he could tell his back was a little better than it had been the day before. At least that’s what he told himself. He wasn’t one to admit to pain or even sickness unless it absolutely knocked him on his ass. Besides, there were bigger things to think about than a backache.
Before he could make any decisions about his day, he had to eat. He’d not eaten anything since he’d been halfway between Houston and Blue Falls the day before, and his stomach felt like an empty pit. As soon as he was dressed, he headed straight for the Primrose Café. The place was packed as usual when he walked in. As he eyed the room, someone waving caught his attention. It was Verona, who was sitting with Elissa.
He resisted the urge to turn around and leave. Instead, he approached their table. “Good morning, ladies.”
Verona patted the empty chair next to her. “Have a seat. You look like a man in need of breakfast.”
He caught a warning on Elissa’s face as he sat, then a subtle shake of her head as she glanced at Verona. When it hit him that Verona must not know about Skyler’s pregnancy, he gave Elissa a quick nod back. Still, he’d been seen at the hospital last night, so he figured simply mentioning Skyler wasn’t off-limits.
“How’s Skyler this morning?”
“Fine.” Elissa didn’t elaborate.
“We were just talking about her,” Verona said, evidently oblivious to the odd reaction from her niece. “Do you or your cousin happen to know any good handymen in the area?”
“Jesse might. I really don’t know many people here. Is she needing more work done at that park?”
“Eventually, but now she’s looking for someone to fix up her family’s old ranch so she can sell it.”
“What all needs to be done?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Elissa said. “We’ll find someone.”
“Some upkeep-type repairs to the house, cleaning out vegetation, fixing some broken fencing. That kind of stuff.”
“Verona, don’t bother him with this. He already said he doesn’t know anyone.”
A crazy idea burst to life in Logan’s head, a way for him to spend more time in Blue Falls getting to know Skyler. After all, she was the mother of his child. A voice in his mind whispered that wasn’t the only reason he wanted to spend time with her. There was something about Skyler that made it difficult for him not to think about her.
“I might be able to do it. I had lots of practice growing up on a ranch.”
“Oh, that’s perfect,” Verona said, smiling and looking as if she wanted to clap.
“Won’t you be leaving soon, on to the next rodeo?” Elissa asked.
What a difference a few weeks and news of a pregnancy made. Before, she was all about getting him and Skyler together. Now she seemed to want to boot him out of town. Was that what Skyler wanted, too? Had he royally screwed up his response to her news the night before?
Well, he wasn’t going anywhere. Not yet, anyway. He might not be a put-down-roots type of guy, but he wasn’t one to abandon his child either. Honestly, he didn’t know how he was going to handle things, but he wasn’t going to be run out of town before he figured it out.
“I’m taking a couple of weeks off.” Surely by then he and Skyler could come to some sort of understanding. And maybe the time away from riding would give his back a chance to fully heal.
“Great timing,” Verona said. “When you get finished with breakfast, you head on down to the real estate office. Tell Justine I sent you and to give you the listing for the ranch. That will give you directions on how to get there.”
As he finished placing his order, he noticed Elissa tossing money down on the table and making moves to leave.
“Where you going, honey?” Verona asked. “You’ve barely touched your breakfast.”
“Not all that hungry this morning. And I have a ton of work to do at the nursery.”
After Elissa nearly raced for the door, Verona shook her head. “That’s got to be the first time I’ve ever seen that girl leave breakfast behind when she wasn’t sick.”
Logan would lay a substantial wad of cash on a bet that she was heading straight to the Wildflower Inn to tell Skyler all about his interest in working at the ranch for a few days.
“I know that look,” Verona said.
He shifted his attention to the older woman. “Is that right?”
“That’s the look of a man who knows what he wants and intends to go after it.”
He picked up his coffee cup and took a drink. Chances were Verona had a better idea of what he wanted than he did.
* * *
“SHE WHAT?” SKYLER ASKED a lot more loudly than she’d intended. When she realized she’d drawn the attention of a couple of her employees as well as three women who were checking into the inn, she grabbed Elissa’s arm and pulled her down the hallway to her office, then shut the door behind them. “Tell me you’re teasing me for some cruel reason.”
Elissa shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I couldn’t stop her without being obvious and drawing questions I didn’t think you wanted asked. To his credit, Logan didn’t spill the beans.”
Skyler paced the narrow width of the office. “Maybe I’ll just tell him I’ve changed my mind, that I can’t afford the repairs right now.”
“Don’t you think he’ll see that for what it is, you avoiding him? I thought you were okay with having told him about the baby.”
“I am. It’s just...if he’s going to eventually leave, I’d rather he do it now.”
“You’re afraid of getting used to him being here and then the rug being pulled out from under you.”
Skyler looked out the window. “Yeah.”
“Is it more than that?”
Skyler sighed and probably took too long to answer. “No.”
Chances were Elissa could tell Skyler was still attracted to Logan and didn’t quite trust herself where he was concerned, but she didn’t point that out.
Skyler glanced at Elissa. “What do you think I should do?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
Skyler raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you pass up an opportunity to tell me how to live my life?”
“Since it really matters. All I’ll say is don’t let your decision come out of fear. But whatever you decide, I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks.”
Long after Elissa left, Skyler sat staring out the window, her thoughts bouncing back and forth like a ball in a tennis match. If she told Logan she wasn’t ready to work on the ranch, maybe he’d leave town sooner and stay away this time. But was that what she really wanted? Could something good possibly come of Logan staying for a while only to leave later? Should she get to know him better so she’d have stories to tell their child? Should she allow him to work at the ranch in hopes that the eventual sale would help ensure the baby’s future? She wished for a crystal ball that would show her how different decisions would play out.
Her head began to throb with all the trains of thought colliding in her mind. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. It didn’t take long before she felt herself drifting toward sleep. A knock on her door jerked her fully awake.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I seem to have a habit of that, don’t I?”
“Yes, you do. Maybe that can be your second career. ‘Need to scare the living daylights out of someone? Call Logan Bradshaw for all your scaring needs.’”
Logan smiled, and it caused her heart to toss in a few extra beats. Why did the man have to be so damn attractive?
He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe. “I talked to Verona and Elissa this morning about you looking for someone to do some repairs out on your ranch.”
“I heard.”
“And you’ve already decided to tell me no.”
“I didn’t say that. It’s just...it’s a big undertaking, and it won’t be cheap. I’ve let the place go.”
“You wouldn’t have to pay me.”
“What?” Of all the ways this conversation could have gone, his offer of working for free hadn’t been one she’d imagined.
“Seems I can’t stay at my cousin’s place, because he has a new roommate, so I thought I could do the repairs in exchange for staying in the house out there.”
She stared at him, trying to figure out what was really going on in his head. “Why would you want to do that? The house probably smells like it’s been closed up for years.” Because it had been.
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