Zach lifted his eyes to the ink-night sky where the stars glimmered like diamonds spilled onto black leather. He slipped his arms into his flannel shirt sleeves. The air was crisp for spring. The weather in Arizona had already been hot. He finished the drink and went back inside, cut a piece of apple pie, and carried it upstairs. When would he find what he seemed to search for? Zach tuned to his favorite country station on his SiriusXM App and stretched out. Later, he opened his eyes when shouts and gunfire entered his dreams. He sighed and inserted ear buds, pumped up the volume, and was still awake at dawn.
***
After a hardy steak and eggs country breakfast, Zach worked with his dad in the barn stacking hay to be loaded on the conveyor belt, some to be moved to the loft. “Come on, Dad, we’re the only ones out here. Why are you selling everything without giving us a chance to buy the ranch? Why don’t you give us the opportunity before offering it up to strangers? Don’t sell any more machinery.”
“If I thought you boys were serious, I’d sell it all to y’all, but you never stay home, and Tyler can’t handle it on his own.”
“Yes, he can. We want it all. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep it going. None of us knows what tomorrow will bring. It’s a good place to raise a family.”
Luke stopped for a moment. “You settling down and raising a family, Zachary?”
“Hell, yeah, one day.”
His dad shook his head. “Then stay home. You got a string of women here in town waiting to bed you, if they haven’t already. All of them have the same ranching experience as we do. They’d bring you some nice—”
“For your information…” They already have. “Old man, you sound like you’re breeding a damn bull. Stop.”
“I don’t have a problem selling you the land for a cheap price. It’s fun razzing your brother. I’m taking your mom to sunny Florida to live out the rest of our days, far away from the smell of cattle and manure, or well, one goes hand and hand with the other.” He gave a big belly laugh. “Here, get those stray bales over there.”
His dad tossed a hay hook his way, and it caught him below his lip. “Son of a damn bitch!” Zach fell back a couple steps and brought his hand to his jaw. “Shit. What the hell you doing throwing that thing at me?”
“Oops, that one slipped. Stay out of my way, boy, I like to keep them sharp. Get over here and let me take a look.”
Zach pushed his dad’s hand away and went into the bathroom in the hay barn. He had a hole in his face—a deep hole and a snag in his skin from where it ripped down before falling to the ground. “Dammit.” The paper towel against it became soaked through. He left the barn in search of his brother, finding him in the stable. “Look at this shit. Dad is officially crazy.”
His mom came outside and rushed up to him. “Your dad said he stabbed you with a hay hook.”
“It wasn’t that dramatic, and it was an accident…I hope.”
“Come on,” said Tyler pulling him along. He handed him his bandana. “Let’s go.”
“Where the hell has this kerchief been? You want me to put the filthy thing on a fresh cut?” He held it to his face regardless. By time they got to the ER with his mom in tow behind them in her own car, his face stung a hundred times worse than a wasp sting. He’d need a tetanus shot now since he hadn’t had one since Afghanistan.
“Tell me he didn’t do this on purpose.” Tyler rolled his shoulders as if he were uncomfortable. “Crazy old man.”
“No, he didn’t. But I did find out his plans. The property is ours. Mom’s going to Florida. Don’t let on like I told ya. Damn, this hurts like hell. Whether the old man did it on purpose or not, the man is whacked-out.”
They strolled out of the hospital three and a half hours later. A few nicely placed stitches by a fancy expert fixed the hole in his face. He left the hospital with his mom so his brother made it to his date on time. “I didn’t need to have those special tiny stitches, Mom.”
“Oh, son, you’re so handsome. I didn’t want to see you walking around with that big scar on your face.”
Another battle scar was all it was to him. He liked having the look of a working man instead of the kind of guy who went for cosmetic surgery to keep the smooth, wrinkle-free look to their model-like faces. “Watch that truck ahead. Ma, pay attention instead of worrying about me. I’ve been grown up for a long time.”
“Did you enjoy your time with your friend, Randy, while back there in Arizona?”
“Yeah. He’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. Don’t get any ideas. I’m not ready to settle down.”
“I know it isn’t easy for you. I heard you calling out in your sleep.”
Yeah, about that. It was another reason for him to head back to Canyon Junction. No one there except Randy knew the shit he’d dealt with during the Army. A day never went by that he didn’t think of his pals who lost their lives. Zach swept his hand through his hair. “You’re right. I don’t sleep well.”
“They still have that support group for PTSD at our church, you know.”
Zach jerked his head toward the side window. She had to bring it up. “I know. Can we not talk about it now? You know I’m heading out of here soon. I’ll ship what I can’t take on the plane, and if Dad would be so kind…” Zach nearly choked thinking of that. “I’ll ask him to pack a few things in my truck for when he ships it.” Damn, he wished his mother would learn to pay attention to the road.
“Why not ask Tyler to drive it to you when it’s repaired? I hope your daddy apologized for wrecking it.”
Nope. “Ty doesn’t want to leave this place. Plus, it sounds like he has a girlfriend now. You gotta keep on Dad about us buying this land. I know the section down by the river is your favorite area on the whole ranch.” Sure, he buttered her up again. She liked it, anyway, and he liked to see her happy.
“He’s only being stubborn. Please tell me your daddy didn’t throw the hay hook on purpose. I’ll go home and box his ears if he did.”
He would’ve laughed, if not for half his face being numb. “He didn’t…I don’t think.”
“Tyler doesn’t have a girlfriend by the way. She’s an old friend from high school. You know her older sister, Amanda. She’s single again. Hint, hint.”
“Again, says it all, Mom. Twice was enough with her, so no thanks. And, I don’t think Tyler wants to go to Arizona. You can come visit when I get settled in my own place.”
“Okay, son. You can bet we’ll take you up on it. I’m fixing your second favorite dinner tonight.”
“Pizza?”
“Yessiree.”
“You make the best. I’ll take your recipe back to Arizona with me. Oh, and I want the recipe for that cowboy macaroni and cheese. That’s some good stuff with brisket and barbeque sauce.” No doubt, he’d miss Mom’s cooking when he left again. Which reminded him. He needed to get a plane ticket, but it had to be after he saw the doctor. It made him wonder if his truck would ever be fixed.
Zach rubbed his numb chin. If the wound had been up a little higher, it would’ve ripped his lip open. Then he might’ve needed a specialist if he ever planned on kissing a woman again. “Thanks for the apple pie, Mom. It was delicious.”
“I hate to see you leave again, son, but I understand your roving heart.”
“I appreciate that.” Zach peered into the mirror. His eyes were bloodshot due to lack of sleep. Upon his return to Arizona, the first free weekend, he’d spend a day riding in the Superstitions to refresh and regroup. The anniversary of that fateful night in Afghanistan got closer and had already begun to affect his mood.
***
Weeks after his injury, Zach strode into the medical center and the doc’s office, signed in, then took a seat opposite a pretty blonde.
The receptionist returned to the front office and acknowledged him. “The doctor will be right with you.” She flicked her gaze toward the blonde waiting, then back to Zach with a smile.
He nodded. “Thanks. Hope you’re having a good day, m
a’am.” Zach sent a text to Randy in Canyon Junction: Trip is delayed. Sitting in the doc’s office. Waiting. The view is gorgeous if you get my drift.
Randy replied: Blonde? Redhead? Brunette?
Zach laughed to himself, replying with: One of the three. He picked up a magazine, but glanced over to the woman. She didn’t look up, or even seem to notice another human in the place. Nothing in the magazine interested him, so he glanced over at blondie again, but this time, her eyes were on him. He subconsciously rubbed his finger over the bandage on his face, and nodded. “Howdy.” She almost smiled and gave what might’ve been a nod. Hard to tell.
Maybe she was another stuck-up hottie with money for plastic surgery. She lifted her eyes to his again. He didn’t mind manure on his boots, but he’d changed them before coming here, so that isn’t what drew her attention. He didn’t miss when her gaze did a once-over starting at his black and gray boots and pulled away immediately when she found him looking at her. He could take a dip in her blue eyes.
The pretty little thing looked back at the Cosmo magazine on her lap, but not before he noticed a skin-toned Band-Aid above her lip. He imagined a cute little mole there. One that reminded him of a cover model he actually got to meet once.
The receptionist called her up, and Zach glanced away. The cutie went to the window to answer a question. Holy shit, heels made her taller than her approximate height of five foot eight or nine. He picked up another magazine, and the receptionist commented to her, “I’m having a hard time reading this allergy you listed.”
Zach watched her at the window. Her legs were long and slender. Perfect ass. A darlin’ little shape.
“Oh,” said the blonde. “My pen was running out of ink. I’m sorry, it says turmeric. You know, the spice?”
The receptionist laughed. “I’ve never come across anyone with that allergy.”
“Me neither.” She gave a quiet chuckle on her way back to her seat.
Skinny jeans fit tight, and she wore a satiny brown, short-sleeve button-up top, unbuttoned, with a white top underneath. Rusty-colored suede boots covered her feet. He liked the heels. He imagined scrunching those pale blonde waves up into his fist and diving for her neck to play, but he blinked away from staring at her. Here he was, already planning out their life together in an overstated office lobby.
Relationships sucked these days. His last girlfriend couldn’t stand his moodiness. She would’ve been moody too, if… He tried to shake the memories from his past, but they had a hold on him that wouldn’t let go. The ex was correct about the moodiness. Sitting around like this gave him too much time to think. He cleared his throat and glanced at the young receptionist when the phone rang. She was right out of school and wouldn’t give the time of day to this old coot of thirty-three.
The medical assistant opened the door, and already knowing him, she smiled, and swept her arm across her. Zach stood to follow, and on the way to the door, he gave a sidelong glance toward the blonde, but when she lifted her eyes to his, he looked at her full on. Her gaze connected with his and held him as if hypnotized until he almost ran into the wall. Damn, but she was stunning. How many visits did it take to look that gorgeous? A glimpse at her breasts said it was possible. Hot. At least the cleavage in view was.
“Zachary?”
How embarrassing to be caught in a staring battle with “ice-blue eyes.” A shadow passed by the door while he waited in the exam room, and the door closed next to him. Here they sat, side by side but alone. Then a knock on the door drew his attention to it. “Hi, Doc.”
Doctor Jones came in with a smile. “I bet you’re excited to see how this turned out.”
“Not at all. I’m used to scars.” He gave her a grin then ripped the bandage off.
Doc washed her hands and donned gloves. “Let’s see now.” She lifted glasses on a chain around her neck to examine her handy work. “Looks great.” She peered into his eyes, which weren’t much more than a couple deep breaths away. Zach blinked. She finished her job, and the deed was done. Doctor Jones removed her gloves and glasses, smiled at the assistant, then took a seat on a roll stool. “I’d like you to come back for one more follow-up, Zach.”
“No can do. I’m leaving for Arizona. It’ll be fine. I’ll put some salve on it. I know the drill. Keep it covered for a few days. Are we done?”
“You’re free to go…”
“Have a good one, Doc.” He strode out the door and through the office. His imaginary love affair with the blonde was dismissed as he got in the truck with his brother. “Sorry it took so long. Let’s roll.”
“Hey, Zach, I’ve been thinking. Since Dad’s not as busy as he used to be, and he still has more help than needed, how about I drive your truck out to Arizona when it gets fixed. You know I’ve been itching to explore the Southwest.”
Mom must have suggested it. “You know, that’s not a bad idea. You can load up some of the things I can’t take with me this time.”
“I can. Let me know what you want.”
Zach checked a text from Randy. “Yeah, I will.” He read the text: How’s it going with the redhead?
Zach replied: Ha, you’re a funny guy. This one was blonde. What’s up?
Randy shot back another reply: A new job came up. Better than the one with Jake. Call me ASAP for details.
Zach replied: Cool.
He peered out the window to observe the familiar environment he was leaving. He’d grown up in Idaho and traveled around on occasion before enlisting. He’d miss the valley and gave a silent farewell nod out the window. His face stung. “Hey, stop at Moss’s pharmacy ahead.”
“Look, are you sure you want to do this?”
Zach peered at Tyler. “Stop at the store? Hell yeah.”
Tyler laughed. “No, pack up the rest of your stuff. You know, make it definite? I’m serious about keeping the business going without Dad. We’ll make an easement from the house to the stretch of land in advance, so whoever buys the rest knows it belongs to us.”
“Dude, Dad is going to sell us the house. It’ll all belong to us, bro. Dad does have a heart after all.”
“We’ll see.”
“I never said I’d be packing up all my stuff. Ship my truck to me and you stay here if you’re so worried. I gotta go, Tyler.”
“I’m thinking of the future when Dad will be too old to handle things here.”
“The way he’s selling off everything he owns, I doubt you’ll have to worry. They’ll be nothing left if we don’t make a move on it now. I don’t see why he has to downsize or sell any more cattle. The ranch is doing fine.”
Tyler changed the station on the radio and turned the volume up. Then he had to talk louder. “Maybe he’s worn out or burned out.”
Zach lowered the volume. Years from now, they’d be saying the same thing. “Let him retire then, but tell me your plan for when my truck gets finished.”
“I might’ve talked myself out of the trip. Come on, chicken, go in with me on the ranch. Make it ours.”
“Chicken? You’re a chicken-shit conning little brother, I tell ya. You didn’t listen.” Zach swept his fingers through his hair and gave a low chuckle. “I can’t leave you brooding. Bro, I withdrew money from my savings and already gave Dad enough against the ranch to keep him from selling anything else off. You don’t have to worry, Ty.” Zach peered out the window. In the meantime, before leaving in two weeks, he’d enjoy his time here horseback riding and maybe driving a herd of cattle across their land with his dad, brother, and the other cowpunchers. At the pharmacy, Zach picked up his phone before getting out. “Hey, I have to make a quick call to Randy.”
Chapter 3
On the plane, Jerry laid another surprise on her. “You’re set up with a ranch foreman, Kimber, so you don’t have to worry about care for the horses.”
“Maybe I’d like to care for them myself. You know how I feel about horses.”
“You’ll need help with the place.” Jerry turned away from her and drank his win
e, his watchful eye always roving.
She set her glass down and lowered her voice. “Anyway, you never told me what I’ll be doing once I get to the ranch house. I know I have money to keep me going until I get on my feet, but what’s my job going to be?”
“A rancher? You’ll have to figure it out when you get there. You’ll learn ranching. This guy working there now will show you the ropes, so to speak.” Melinda laughed. “No pun intended, but you get it? Show you the ropes? Rancher?”
Now Melinda had a sense of humor? “But my new fake degree says Human Services.” She made quote marks at the word fake. Tressa’s real degrees had been in accounting with an audit specialization, and business. She shook her head… No, she had to think of herself as Kimber. Kimber not Tressa… Kimber. Would she ever get used to her new name? She was still confused about how this worked. She turned off the overhead light above her seat, pulled her jacket over herself, and reclined. “What’s next when we land in Arizona?” When Kimber lands in Arizona, she reminded herself.
“We’ll get a car. Frank Brooks, the ranch owner, will be waiting with the lease. We’ll have close to an hours’ drive to the small town you’ll be living in.”
She raised her seat from the reclining position. “Small town? No one said anything about a small town.” Kimber glanced to the aisle seat on the other side and back one row. Her gaze connected with a handsome man sitting there. He had overheard her conversation and grinned. She faced forward, reminding herself to keep her voice down.
Melinda followed her stare. “Umm, he’s a hottie.” She waved her hand in front of Kimber’s face like she’d do a fan.
She swatted Melinda’s hand down and frowned. “Stop.”
“It looks like Kimber Kay also attracts the opposite sex. He’s staring back.”
“Grabbing a man’s attention is the last thing I want right now.” She sighed and looked out the window.
“You’re far too young to give up on men. In time, you’ll see what I mean. Start by smiling back at such a handsome cowboy.”
Finding Kimber (Canyon Junction; Hearts In Love Book 2) Page 3
