Ranch at River’s End

by Brenda Mott

  He got off the school bus and sat on the arena fence, watching Darci instruct a little boy and his mother who were taking riding lessons together. When she had finished, Christopher started good-naturedly harassing her as he helped her untack the horses.

  “So, you ready for your date with Dr. Drake?”

  “It’s not a date,” Darci said. “I told you, he just has something he wants to talk about.”

  “Uh-huh. Whatever you say, Mom.”

  A short time later, Darci was on her way. Knowing she must smell like a horse—though she’d never found the odor unpleasant—she headed for home and a quick shower. She’d barely finished running a comb through her damp hair when Jordan rang the doorbell. Adding a quick touch of lipstick, Darci frowned at herself in the mirror before hurrying to answer it.

  “Hi,” she said.

  “All set?”

  “Yep. Where’s Michaela?”

  “Louise is keeping an eye on her.”

  She nodded. “Chris is at the ranch, so I guess that just leaves us.” Duh. She was more nervous than she’d thought. “And I’ve got something to talk to you about, as well.” Leon and Stella had asked her to go ahead and speak to Jordan on their behalf about their plans for the ranch rodeo.

  “Well, then let’s go.”

  The reservoir lay just a couple of miles outside of town, so their drive was short, for which Darci was grateful. She felt somewhat strange riding in the big, black Explorer with Jordan. They reached the lake and he found a parking spot near the boat dock. The sweetly pungent odor of sagebrush greeted Darci as she got out of the SUV. Hillsides of sage and rock surrounded the water on all sides.

  You’re just having a Coke, Darci kept telling herself. It wasn’t a real date, and they weren’t even going to be alone. With the recent warm fall weather, there were quite a few people about.

  Darci looked out over the reservoir. There were several small fishing boats on the water, most with outboard engines, and a few cabin cruisers. In the distance, away from the fishing boats, a couple of people were water skiing.

  “Which one’s yours?” Darci asked as they walked toward the dock, where several boats were moored.

  “That one.” He indicated a sky-blue cabin cruiser with dark blue and white accents. The shiny chrome railing had been polished with obvious care. The boat was modest but beautiful, even though it looked like it might be an older model. It also looked like you could sleep on it. Darci blushed at the enticing possibilities.

  Maybe being alone with Jordan really wasn’t such a good idea. She began to fantasize about taking the boat out on the water with him, dropping anchor in the middle of the lake, sleeping under the stars. No Christopher…no worries. She and Jordan on the gently rocking boat.

  What would that be like? Telling herself she had no business even thinking that way, Darci said, “Nice. I didn’t even realize you had a boat.”

  “I keep the trailer in the garage,” he said, “and the boat docked here. That way I don’t have to haul it back and forth.”

  “Good idea.”

  “I thought this would be a nice place to relax and talk. So, come on aboard.” He gestured with one hand.

  “Love to.” Darci had always dreamed of owning a boat. And in spite of the activity going on around them, it seemed so peaceful here.

  Jordan took hold of her elbow to steady her as they stepped off the dock, and she fought back a shiver.

  The boat was immaculate, definitely well used but in good shape. Two seats were located next to the driver’s, with four more behind it. “I like it,” she said. “Looks like lots of fun.”

  “Thanks. It’s a ’98 model. I bought it a few years ago from the original owner. It’s been a good boat.” Suddenly, he looked sad, and Darci wondered if he was thinking of his wife—maybe of happier times spent here with her and Michaela.

  “So, you like to fish?” Darci asked. “Or is this more for pleasure cruising?”

  “No, we fish,” he said. “I’ve been taking Mac out since she was about two years old. We started out fishing from shore, then we had a small motor boat, and now this.”

  “Well, it’s nice,” Darci repeated, starting to feel uncomfortable. That crazy fantasy was spinning in her head again. She and Jordan…lying on the deck, looking up at the night sky…maybe doing a little night fishing in the moonlight, and then…

  “…see below deck?” Jordan was asking.

  “Pardon?” Darci felt herself flush.

  “I said, would you like to see below deck? There’s a little kitchen, and I’ve got some snacks and cold drinks.”

  “Sounds good.” But her heart hammered. Did she really want to be below deck with Jordan? He looked oh, so sexy in his faded jeans, ball cap, and black T-shirt.

  She watched Jordan’s taut backside as he climbed down the couple of steps leading below. That fantasy felt on the verge of becoming oh, so real.

  “Watch your head,” he said. Then he smiled, and Darci nearly oozed into a puddle at his feet. “I guess you’re not tall enough for it to matter.”

  Suddenly, she felt very small, her five-foot-six standing next to his six-foot…one? Two? And those dimples…Lord help her. She’d noticed them a time or two before—when Jordan kidded around with his coworkers, and whenever he’d smiled at her. But she hadn’t fully realized how sexy they looked.

  Darci looked around the cabin. “This is cozy,” she said.

  And it was. There was a small galley complete with sink, stove and refrigerator, and the table looked like it folded down into a bed. Off to one side was a curtained area, the dark blue fabric open far enough to reveal a double bed.

  Darci swallowed.

  “Mac likes eating and sleeping here,” Jordan said. “She thinks it’s an adventure.”

  Not the kind Darci was thinking about.

  “So, what can I get for you? Pop? Bottled water?”

  Her throat was oh, so dry. “Pop’s fine,” she said, her voice nearly cracking.

  “Are you okay?” Jordan asked, staring hard at her.

  “What? No. I’m fine.” She suddenly wished she was wearing something other than a tank top that showed the swell of her breasts. It had been unseasonably warm today, and she’d wanted to get a suntan, thinking they’d be sitting above deck.

  “You aren’t nervous, are you?” he asked, looking over his shoulder as he opened the small fridge.

  “Of course not.”

  “I promise, I’m a perfect gentleman,” he said, holding out two cans of pop. “Coke or Mountain Dew?”

  “Mountain Dew, thanks.”

  “I’ve got snacks, too.” He opened a cupboard and pulled out bags of trail mix and pretzels. “Please—sit down.” Jordan slid onto the U-shaped bench seat that surrounded the little table.

  Darci sat across from him, popping the top on her soda. She took a grateful swig. “That hits the spot.”

  He nodded agreement and took a long pull of his own drink. Darci watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed, then he made a satisfied sound and set the can back down on the table. She found herself running her tongue over her bottom lip, her thoughts going places they definitely shouldn’t be.

  “How’s Christopher?” he asked, jarring her back to the moment. “No problems with his stitches or anything…headaches?”

  “No, he’s doing okay.”

  “Did you find out why those boys attacked him?”

  “The police are looking into it,” she said. “I only hope Christopher didn’t do anything to provoke them.”

  Jordan tossed back a bite of trail mix. “Either way, it still wasn’t right.”

  “I agree.”

  “I heard it was Josh Davis and Darren Stark. They’re not normally violent kids, though they tend to get in trouble sometimes.”

  “You know them?”

  “I’ve treated them in the E.R. for sports injuries…seen them around town. Darren’s dad keeps his boat out here at the reservoir.”

  “I guess
you never know.”

  He shook his head. “I guess not. I’m just surprised that the boys would jump Chris out of the clear blue.”

  First Stella, now him. “Are you insinuating Christopher did provoke them?”

  “Whoa, don’t get all defensive,” Jordan said. “And don’t put words in my mouth. I’m just wondering…”

  “What?”

  “If they heard about what Christopher did in Northglenn. Maybe that’s what made them pick on him.”

  “You know?”

  He nodded. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I know rumors can get blown out of proportion, but I do remember hearing news stories about…well, about what happened.”

  The pretzels Darci had eaten sat like a lump in the pit of her stomach. Of all the reasons he could have brought her out here, that one hadn’t crossed her mind. “So why did you want to talk if you already know what Chris did?”

  “Like I said, rumors get out of hand and I wasn’t sure if Christopher was the boy on the news or not.”

  “Well, he was, so I guess you can take me home now.” Her cheeks burned. He’d only wanted to pump her for information about her son. And here she’d thought he was interested in her.

  She moved to stand, and Jordan laid his hand lightly on her arm. “Sit down, Darci. Please. I didn’t bring you here to make you feel uncomfortable. I’m just trying to understand, that’s all.”

  “What’s to understand?” Her throat thickened. “No one wants my son around once they find out what he did. Didn’t you wonder why someone painted leave on our garage door?”

  “The thought crossed my mind,” he said honestly.

  “So I suppose you share the same opinion as the other neighbors.”

  “I don’t know what they think,” Jordan said. “But there are people in town willing to give your son the benefit of the doubt.”

  “Really? And who would they be?”

  “Me for one.” She’d sat back down, leaning on the table, and Jordan now traced her forearm lightly with his fingertips, making her suppress a shiver. “What happened, Darci? Tell me.”

  She took a deep breath. “Chris was being cyberbullied,” she said, “by some boys who didn’t feel he fit in with their crowd. The popular kids. Things got out of hand and Chris couldn’t take being picked on anymore. He found a replica gun that belonged to his dad in the back of my closet and snuck it into his backpack. He took it to school the next day. Threatened the boys and some of their buddies with it, letting them think it was real. He served juvenile jail time because of it.” Her voice lowered. “Now will you please take me home?”

  “I will if that’s what you really want,” Jordan said softly.

  She stood, and Jordan also got up abruptly, stepping away from the table at the same time as she did. They ended up standing toe to toe.

  And then Jordan did something that left Darci sure she was daydreaming.

  He took a step closer, brushed his thumb lightly over her cheek, and said in a quiet tone, “I’m sorry, Darci.”

  Then he bent and kissed her.

  JORDAN HAD NO IDEA WHAT possessed him to suddenly kiss Darci. He had to admit the thought had been in the back of his mind ever since she’d come aboard his boat, but he knew he must be crazy to have actually gone through with something he’d fantasized about.

  Still, his fantasies were nothing compared to reality.

  Darci smelled like fresh air and sunshine and tasted like sweet soda pop. In his arms, she felt all soft and curvy…all wonderful woman. He had the sudden urge to push her shirt up over her head and lay her down on the nearby bed, loving her until she forgot all about her troubles.

  Was she wearing a lacy bra like the red one he’d seen her in at her house? He’d caught a glimpse of a black strap beneath her plum-colored tank. Moaning softly, he deepened the kiss, running his hands down her hips to cup her buttocks and press her against him.

  She gasped and broke away, her hands moving to disengage his, leaving him hard and wanting.

  Lord, he needed her.

  Darci looked up at him, her blue eyes wide, expressive, and for one moment, he saw the longing there, as pure and visible as his own. Then the look was gone, replaced by one of apprehension and…regret?

  Aw, hell, please don’t let her regret the kiss. Because he sure as thunder didn’t.

  When she pressed her fingers to her mouth, he wasn’t sure if she was hoping to get rid of the memory of his kiss or if she was savoring it.

  “That shouldn’t have happened,” she said.

  He’d be damned if he’d apologize. “Why not?” he challenged. “I’m a man, you’re a woman, and we’re both consenting adults.”

  “I thought you said you were a perfect gentleman.”

  Ouch.

  “I wasn’t planning to tear off your clothes,” he retorted, ignoring the inner voice that reminded him he’d daydreamed about doing exactly that. “It was just a kiss, Darci.” He stepped back, dropping his hands to his sides. “And I am sorry I upset you. I just needed to know what happened with Chris.”

  “Because we live down the street from you?”

  “Well, frankly, yes.”

  “And because my son goes to your daughter’s school and you were worried he might take an actual gun there and shoot up the place?”

  “You’re putting words in my mouth again. Darci, I’m just trying to understand.”

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean, why? Because I like you. And Chris seems like a nice kid. I needed to know what would make a nice boy do something like that.”

  “And now you do.”

  “Yes, I do. Is there any way I can help?”

  Her look of surprise told him it was the last thing she’d expected him to say. But as a physician, as a father, he was used to fixing things.

  “Chris is in counseling with your sister,” she said.

  “I thought as much. Nina’s good at her job. I’m sure he’ll benefit from talking with her.”

  “I think so, too.” Darci nervously took a sip of her drink.

  “You said you had something you wanted to talk to me about, as well?” He indicated their seats at the table. “Sit down, Darci. Please.”

  She hesitated a moment, then sat. “It’s about Sandra.”

  He clenched his jaw. Did she think that because he’d asked about her son she could now pepper him with questions about the shooting? Was he being unfair not to tell her? After all, she hadn’t hesitated to talk to him about Chris.

  “What about her?” He couldn’t stop the defensive growl that surfaced in his tone.

  “It’s not what you’re thinking. Jordan, my aunt and uncle want to do something to honor Sandra’s memory.”

  He relaxed. “I’m listening.”

  “You know she made sure deserving kids had the means to take horseback riding lessons at the Shadow S.”

  He smiled. “She was the kindest, most giving person I know.”

  Darci smiled, too. “I wish I could’ve met her. I know Aunt Stella was very fond of her. And that’s part of why she wants to put on a charity event in Sandra’s name. She and Uncle Leon want people to know how generous she was and they also want to continue that generosity by helping out people in need, especially children.”

  She went on to tell him about Tara’s riding lessons and the rodeo Stella and Leon wanted to hold to raise money to help cover the little girl’s medical expenses. “It will be a lot of fun,” she said, “and for a good cause. So what do you think?”

  He took her hand in both of his and kissed the back of it. “I think it’s a wonderful idea. Sandra would be proud to have her name associated with something like that.”

  “Great.” She smiled, visibly more relaxed. “I’ll tell my aunt and uncle you approve.”

  Jordan brushed his thumb across her knuckles before releasing Darci’s hand.

  She finished her drink. “Well, I guess I’d better be getting back to the ranch.”

  �
�No problem. I’m ready.”

  He was more than ready, and glad they hadn’t taken the boat out after all. He was also glad that Darci had brought up Sandra’s name. What had he been thinking? True, he’d wanted a quiet place to talk to Darci about Chris, away from Mac and the hospital gossip mill. But a part of him had brought Darci out here because he found the boat and the water romantic, and he found Darci more than a little attractive.

  But she had her own life and her own problems, and he had his. He now realized that he didn’t have time for a relationship.

  He didn’t want or need another woman in his life.

  There was no replacing Sandra, and that was that.

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHRISTOPHER PLODDED through the hallway at school, headed for his locker. It had been a week now since he’d been jumped, and the novelty of his injuries was wearing off. At first he’d liked the way people had stared at him in the hallways—like they didn’t want to cross him. The left side of his face was still pretty bruised, and the stitches on his cheek made him look tough—as if he’d been in a fight that he’d won.

  Only he hadn’t won. Josh Davis and Darren Stark had kicked his ass, though they’d done it in a chickenshit way. He’d been minding his own business at the park that night, boarding near the bowl he’d been wanting to try—ready to drop down into it—when they’d called him a faggot and a few choice other names. They’d brought up Northglenn, and Chris had lost it. He’d popped back with choice words of his own, and that’s when they’d jumped him. Josh had hit him across the cheek with a fistful of rings, and Darren had clocked him in the head with the edge of his skateboard.

  Assholes.

  He wanted so badly to get back at them, but he’d learned a hard lesson in Northglenn.

  “Hi, Chris.”

  Christopher glanced up from shoving books onto the shelf of his locker, startled out of his daydream by a girl’s voice. Kelly Parker stood beside him, her brown eyes staring straight into his. Her long, sandy hair was in some sort of braid at the back of her head. It made her look cute. Pieces of her hair floated all around her face, causing his heart to do funny things.