The Right Ranger (The Men of at Ease Ranch)

by Donna Michaels

  Alert mode activated…in a good way, he was energized, happy, and feeling more alive than he had in years. Being around Haley brought him back to life. He didn’t know how it had happened, or exactly when, but it had, and now he couldn’t imagine going back to just existing once Haley’s Haven opened. It was unfamiliar territory.

  “Could be tonight,” she said, dipping down to brush her lips across his chest. “Could be next week, could be two months from now.”

  Two months? Did that mean she wanted to continue to see him after his work there was through? He waited to see if it was a slip of the tongue and she was going to try to take it back. The fact he held his breath because he didn’t want her to take it back was an eye opener for him. Guilt flooded his stomach. Not something he wanted to think about right now. Not with the woman letting her guard down, and so open and relaxed in his arms.

  He buried the guilt and tightened his hold on her. “Bring it,” he repeated. “We’ve got all the time in the world.”

  Was he actually considering a relationship?

  That required trust. Did he have it in him?

  “You’re on,” she replied, shifting closer.

  His gaze strayed from the stars above to the beautiful woman snuggling against him, humming a Lynyrd Skynyrd tune. Maybe the more important question was did she have it in her?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Haley hadn’t been this eager in years. Happiness and enthusiasm mixed to keep her in a constant state of excitement all night and day. But most of all, she was touched. Touched that the incredible man driving them through Joyful—a town she’d always meant to visit but never had—dropped his defenses and asked her to join him.

  This was a big deal for him. Haley knew this to the bottom of her soul, and the thing was her acceptance had been just as big a deal. And he knew that, too. They were both making big strides in joining the land of the living again. What had started out as a desire to help him find his smile turned into a journey that had them both gaining much more.

  As he pointed out different things about his town, she could hear his heart in his words, and knew that in order to be able to she had to be listening with hers.

  “It seems peaceful here.”

  “It is.” He turned off the main drag and drove down a quiet country road surrounded by fenced off fields with an occasional homestead and a cow or two.

  Wait. She turned in her seat to glance out his window. “Are any of those Lula Belle?”

  Smiling, he pointed to a black-and-white cow grazing near the fence a few hundred feet ahead. He slowed down. “That’s Stone’s girlfriend there.”

  The cute thing had big brown eyes that blinked as they passed. “She looks sweet.”

  He chuckled. “She is, to everyone but Jovy.”

  Haley laughed. “That’s so crazy.”

  “I know, but it’s true,” he insisted. “So much so, they’re thinking about having her at their wedding.”

  She snapped her gaze to him. “What?”

  His smile widened. “She’s more than likely going to crash it, so Jovy thinks they should just invite her.”

  “Oh my God.” She laughed. “I really can’t wait for this wedding.”

  “I know.” He turned onto a private road, driving underneath a large metal arch with the words At-Ease welded in the middle. “It’s going to either be epic or an epic failure; either way it’ll be interesting to see.”

  He’d be done working on her ranch by then.

  The flutter in her stomach reached into her chest. What had started out as a need for shared physical release somehow turned into a much deeper connection with the amazing man who was steering more than the truck. He had control of her happiness…and her heart. There was nothing carefree and light about what she felt for Cord. And she suspected he felt the same. But what if he didn’t?

  He wouldn’t have asked you here if he didn’t, her mind insisted. She liked to listen to her mind. It was usually right. And he would’ve corrected her last night after her stupid post-orgasm brain threatened payback could happen two months from now—well past their expiration date.

  Cord reached across the console to lace their fingers together. The unexpected action touched her almost as much as his invitation. It was as if he needed to touch her, to connect with her before they arrived at the place he’d put his heart into.

  She squeezed his hand to let him know she understood and felt it, too.

  The ranch came into view a second later, and it was beautiful. Huge, yet peaceful. The buildings were spread out, each with their own space so it didn’t feel like they crowded each other. And all of it was surrounded by open fields of wild flowers and several large oak trees.

  “Wow, this place is amazing,” she gushed, shaking her head in awe.

  The main house was a beautiful two-story with a large front porch where Jovy and Beth were sitting, enjoying a glass of wine. She felt Cord stiffen before he released her hand and parked next to a green truck.

  It was nice while it lasted.

  She got out and exchanged greetings with the women, then lost her train of thought when Cord came over to re-lace their fingers. In front of the women. In front of his sister.

  His gesture shocked her silent and sent warmth streaming into her chest. This was a huge step. For both of them.

  “Hi, Lizzie. Jovy.” His tone held a bit of challenge, daring the women to remark about the obvious implication of their handholding.

  Both women were too busy wearing pleased expressions, and Haley knew they were much too smart to jeopardize it with questions.

  Stone stepped out onto the porch and stopped dead when his gaze fell to their linked hands. The sudden stop sent Brick plowing into his brother with a curse.

  “What the hell, bro?” Brick’s frown transformed into a huge grin the instant his gaze spotted their connected hands.

  She glanced at Cord and spoke low enough for only his ears. “I think you’ve effectively shocked everyone here.” Including her.

  “Just want them to know where things stood.”

  She wished she knew, and wanted to ask but not in front of their audience. “Well, you really know how to silence a crowd.”

  His lips twitched. “You should see my encore.”

  She chuckled. “Looking forward to it.”

  “How about a tour first?”

  Joy spread through her and curved her lips. “I’d love one.”

  At-Ease was as amazing as Haley had suspected, but seeing it through Cord’s eyes, feeling what it meant to him to be a part of something so wonderful, was an honor she would never forget.

  “How many does one barracks hold?” she asked outside the women’s quarters.

  “There’s a capacity for twelve in here,” he replied, running his hand lightly over the wooden doorframe, his chin up and shoulders back while pride emanated in his emerald gaze. “The men’s has more because we installed a barracks section as well as the six private quarters with bathrooms and lifts for those who need them. It’s important to us to cover all bases so we won’t have to turn anyone away.”

  His open, earnest gaze matched the honesty in his tone, and her throat heated in response to his passion for the veterans.

  The incredible man more than touched her heart; he held it in both hands. This meant she couldn’t keep it safe or protect it. But when he walked her past the men’s barracks and into a barn full of horses and told her to pick one out to ride, she forgot about her misgivings.

  Forgot everything except how much she missed riding Gypsy. It was as if he knew this.

  “Ride? Really?” she asked, her heart rocking in her chest. It’d been so long since she’d been on a horse.

  “Yes,” he replied, gaze softening, no doubt from the stupid tears that filled her eyes.

  Inhaling, she glanced around, noting every horse was beautiful, but for some reason, she was drawn to a gorgeous chestnut mare. Haley stepped toward the beauty and let her sniff her hand. “This one.” S
he ran her fingertips gently over the name on the stall. “Cayenne.”

  When Cord didn’t immediately reply, she glanced at him to find a strange look on his face, but it disappeared in the blink of an eye. Ten minutes later, she was galloping across fields atop Cayenne while Cord rode a gorgeous paint named Galahad. She wasn’t surprised by his riding prowess. The man was good at everything, and by the time they returned to the barn and dismounted nearly an hour later, she added “and with everything” to his list of attributes. The horses gravitated toward him. They were excellent judges of character and obviously trusted Cord.

  She did, too.

  Trust was a powerful and wonderful thing. And damn important to Haley. He was something else. His compassion for the veterans and passion to help them, along with his love for his family and friends, stole her breath.

  She’d never look at him the same again. He was always special to her, but now he was just…more.

  Everything.

  And she suddenly wondered if she would be enough.

  “Hey,” he said, stepping toward her, after leaving the horses in the care of one of the veterans. “What’s wrong?”

  “I… This place is amazing.” She couldn’t imagine him anywhere else, even though the past week she had thought he’d seemed happy at her ranch. It wasn’t the same. It wouldn’t be enough. She wouldn’t be enough. It didn’t contain his heart and soul like this place. “I’m just…in awe.”

  He stared at her a moment then squeezed her hand. “You are amazing, and I am in awe.”

  God, how did he do that? How did he know her fears? Know what she needed to hear?

  She blinked the stupid burning from her eyes and squeezed back. She longed to kiss him but knew he wasn’t ready to show that type of affection at the ranch by the way he’d refrained from doing it since they’d arrived. “You are sweet.”

  “Sweet?” He looked pained. “I’d rather be hot.”

  She laughed. “Well, you are that, too.”

  “That’s better,” he said, tucking her into his side as he walked her to the side door of the main ranch house. At least he wasn’t afraid to touch her. “No more talk of sweet around this place. I have a reputation to uphold.”

  “Okay, sugar,” she replied as he opened the door and ushered her inside a huge kitchen where one of her favorite people stood slicing carrots.

  “Haley!” The second Capicola caught sight of her, he set his knife down and stalked over to pull her into a hug. “How are you? Thanks for the saltwater taffy. It’s what I miss most about Jersey.”

  She hugged him back. “God bless the internet. It was the least I could do for your incredible cannoli.”

  “I’m always happy to give you my cannoli,” Vince said, waggling his eyebrows. “But the way Warlock is staring me down, I might have to get his permission first.”

  “Hell no.” She cocked her head and bounced her gaze between Cord and Vince. “Nothing and no one comes between me and your cannoli.”

  Vince laughed, pulling her in for another hug. “It’s so great to see you again. I’ve missed your smart mouth.”

  Smiling, she drew back and winked. “And I’ve missed your cannoli.”

  “Okay.” Cord stepped forward to drape his arm around her shoulder. “We’ve already established that.”

  She smiled as he led her out of the kitchen, then gave her a quick tour of the house before he grabbed their things from the truck and took them up to his room. Butterflies fluttered low in her belly at the thought of staying in his room with him. It was different than staying in his room at her house. This was his house. His actual room. And knowing how private Cord was, she knew staying with him was a big thing.

  It sure as hell was for her.

  With supreme effort, she tried her best to keep the pure joy from her face as they joined the others on the front porch. This time Leo was there, too.

  “Haley,” he said, stepping close to give her a hug. His gaze was dark, but not so much troubled as concerned. “How have you been?”

  Happy that he’d initiated the move, she kissed his cheek and drew back. “Pretty good, thanks to Cord.” And she meant that in a lot of ways.

  “Hey, what are we?” Brick groused. “Chopped liver?”

  “Forget it, bro.” Stone winked at her. “I don’t think she was referring to the ranch.”

  She glanced at Cord, who’d gone silent at her side, but she was relieved to find him smiling. “Actually, if I take the ranch out of my answer, then I am great thanks to Cord.”

  Something warm and fierce flashed through his gaze, and she decided she really liked how that made her feel. Important to him. Yeah, she really liked how that felt.

  “That’s great to hear,” Brick said. “But how is the ranch coming along?”

  Cord reached for her hand and entwined their fingers, again. “It’s coming along good, and after this weekend, I think we’ll have the major issues taken care of.”

  True. Once they finished the fence this weekend, and the company she’d contracted came out next week to build the riding arenas, she only had small things on her list. Excitement raced through her veins. It was almost done.

  Could’ve been done a lot sooner, her mind whispered. Yeah, if she’d used the money Drew left her. But she couldn’t bring herself to touch it. Every time she considered it, the thought twisted her gut. It felt like compensation for his cheating. Cheating money. She’d manage without it.

  “Well, we should get inside to set up,” Leo said, heading for the door.

  Brick kissed Beth, while Stone laid one on Jovy, or was that the other way around? Haley wasn’t sure.

  “See you in later.” Cord brushed her palm with his thumb, sending her pulse into orbit. He glanced at their smiling audience, the women in particular, and narrowed his gaze. “Behave.” Then he released her to turn and disappear into the house with the Mitchums.

  A second later, she was sitting in a chair with a glass of wine in her hand between the two grinning women. “So…that just happened. Right? I mean, I didn’t imagine any of this.” She reached out to touch Jovy. “You are real, right?”

  “Yes.” The dark haired woman nodded. “You’re not dreaming.”

  “Thank you, Haley.” Beth set a hand on her arm. “I can’t believe it. Every time we see him, he changes even more.” Warm green eyes filled with tears. “Thank you. I can’t even say it’s like having my brother back, because he’s never been this happy. This content.”

  Now her eyes were filling with tears. Dammit. She swiped the wetness from her face, then sipped her wine. Okay, gulped, she gulped her wine. But dammit, she needed it. “I… We’re just enjoying each other’s company.” But it was more than that. He seemed to want more, and she did, too.

  “Well, I think it’s safe to say he definitely enjoys yours.” Jovy patted her other arm. “Just the fact you’re here speaks volumes.”

  Haley agreed. Their friendship had grown into something much stronger over the past few weeks. And their fun turned into something serious and meaningful, as well.

  Beth nodded. “Yeah, especially if he asked you.”

  “He did.” God, she would never invite herself.

  Both Beth and Jovy sniffed.

  “That’s huge.” His sister finally gave up and let her tears flow. “Thank you,” she said for the third time.

  She drew in a shaky breath. “I’m getting just as much out of this…whatever this is between us. Trust me.”

  “So, what happens next?” Jovy asked.

  Haley shrugged. “Damned if I know.”

  Beth frowned. “Do you really think you two can just walk away when your boarding ranch is open?”

  No way. Not now. Not with all these darn feelings surfacing.

  “I know I can’t,” she answered honestly. “But I can’t speak for your brother.”

  “He’ll be sadly mistaken if he thinks he can.” Beth shook her head and sipped her wine. “He’s stubborn, but hopefully not that stupid.”<
br />
  “Men are usually clueless when it comes to matters of the heart.” Jovy sighed. “Especially if they’re not used to using that organ.”

  Beth burst out laughing, and she and Jovy joined in. And as the conversation turned to Jovy’s upcoming wedding, a bell sounded in the distance.

  A cowbell?

  “Here comes your rival, right on time, Jovy,” Beth stated

  Haley turned around, and sure enough, the black-and-white cow Cord had pointed out on the drive over approached. “She comes here often?”

  “Yep.” Jovy lifted her glass in a salute. “Sorry, sweetheart, you’re wasting your time, he’s in a meeting.”

  The cow mooed but continued to amble toward the porch.

  “Did you hear me, Lula Belle?” Jovy set her glass down on the table next to her and frowned. “He’s inside.”

  At this, they received a shorter moo. Haley smiled.

  “Guessing she doesn’t care,” Beth said. “I think she’s here to see you.”

  “Me? Well she better behave or she won’t be in the wedding party.”

  Lula Belle stepped up onto the porch and promptly knocked over Jovy’s glass.

  “Hey, you big cow,” Jovy said. “You could’ve broken it. Be careful.”

  Haley bit her lip, trying not to laugh as she watched the cow lick the spilt wine. “Can cows have wine?”

  Beth chuckled. “Apparently.”

  “Stop that,” Jovy admonished. “You’re going to get sick.”

  The cow ignored her.

  “I’m serious. You won’t even be invited to the wedding,” Jovy threatened.

  Lula Belled lifted her head and burped.

  “Oh my God.” Beth laughed and Haley joined in.

  Everything they told her about the cow was true. She was freaking hilarious.

  “Nice, Lula Belle. Very ladylike.” Jovy shook her head, but Haley noted amusement in the woman’s eyes. “No one in the wedding party is allowed to burp at the wedding.”

  Lula Belle backed off the porch and ambled away.

  “She’s a piece of work,” Haley said, watching the cow disappear around the side of the house.