He pulled his cell phone from the saddlebag and pressed the digits. To his chagrin her answering machine was on. Damn.
After the beep he said, “Madelaine? It’s Gabe. Your son is not in physical danger, but something extremely serious has come up. It’s vital that you fly out to Montana as soon as possible, preferably in the next twelve hours. I’m giving you my cell phone number again. Call me ASAP. I’ll arrange for your flight and pick you up at the Glacier airport.”
By the time he’d made check-in calls to Mack and the Wrigleys, his husband and wife psychologist team in charge of the boys on a twenty-four-hour basis, he could hear Stefanie calling to him. Satisfied all was well at the moment, he stuffed the phone back into the bag and climbed the ladder.
When he saw her blond head peering down from the porch railing, he was reminded of their conversation before they’d fallen asleep.
A true-life Rapunzel had indeed slept here last night.
But much as he didn’t want to see her hide all that profusion of gold silk beneath the black wig again, attractive as it was, he knew it was for his own good.
At war with himself, it had taken every ounce of self-control he possessed not to drag her to the floor and make love to her till the birds warbled their morning song.
He sucked in his breath. Another night like last night and to hell with the rules he’d sworn not to break!
Judging by her extraordinary adaptability, he’d almost been persuaded that she liked ranch life.
Like a fool, there were moments yesterday when he’d come to believe she desired him for himself, nothing else.
But then she’d started talking about his father, how she would manage him when he learned Gabe’s secret. He’d heard warmth and affection in her voice. As if it were a given that she was ready to take up her old life and pursue her dream the moment the six months were up.
Grim-faced, he reached the porch just as she was taking pictures. “Say cheese,” she aimed her camera at him. “Without evidence, I might think our sleep-over was a figment of my imagination.”
He stepped past her, not wanting to be reminded of a night he preferred to forget. She followed him inside.
“You haven’t eaten yet,” he muttered.
A crestfallen expression broke out on her face. “I didn’t realize we were in a hurry. I’ll be ready to go in five minutes!”
On went the cowboy boots and the wig. While she put in her contacts, he folded up her bedding to store. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her devour a bar before she stashed the rest of the food in her sheepskin jacket.
When she’d disappeared, he gave her a few minutes alone before he shut the door and started down the ladder.
In her cowboy hat seated astride Molly, she looked as if she belonged out here. The breathtaking picture she made beneath the pines tore his gut apart. He turned abruptly away and mounted Caesar.
“Follow me. We’re going to proceed single file along an old Indian trail. It’s a shortcut to another meadow, taking us only ten minutes instead of an hour. As soon as I’ve inspected that herd, we’ll head back to the ranch.”
She was unusually quiet as they made their way up an incline through tall timber. Wondering if she was afraid, he looked back and discovered her munching on an apple, appearing to be very much at one with nature.
Gabe didn’t check on her again until the trail ended in a clearing and he heard an awe-filled gasp directly behind him. The enraptured look on her face, in her eyes, was the real thing.
He’d had the same reaction the first time he’d viewed this part of the ranch from the plane. A broad green meadow of contented cows surrounded by dark pines, with snow-capped mountains rising to an impossibly blue sky.
Stefanie’s gaze finally left the vista to stare straight at him. “All it would take for your father to understand would be for him to hear Clay’s praise of you, and then view this—”
The throb in her voice revealed enough emotion to move him to the deepest recesses of his soul.
“Whether he does or not is of no consequence.”
Her eyes searched his. “That’s a harsh thing to say.”
Forever loyal to the senator. That was because Stefanie and his father shared the same dreams.
“He’s a harsh man.”
“He’s afraid.”
Her observation was as unexpected as it was shocking.
“We are talking about my father…”
“Yes.” She stood her ground. “He adores you, but he’s frightened of what he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand you. It’s been his ultimate frustration, so he’s come off like a tyrant.”
Gabe’s eyes narrowed on her features. “He confided this to you?”
She shook her head. “No. He didn’t have to.”
He didn’t agree with her assessment, but there was no doubting her conviction. In recent years she’d spent more time around his father than almost anyone except his own siblings.
Perhaps she would answer the question that had kept him awake nights. “You were born into a family that has rubbed shoulders with prominent politicians for several generations. When there were so many possibilities to choose from, what prompted you to go to work for my father?”
A seductive smile curved her mouth, bewitching him. “You would have to be a woman to understand.”
“Try me anyway!” he bit out, irritated because of his fatal attraction to her.
“No one else had four handsome sons. Didn’t you know the Wainwright boys were legendary?”
“Don’t trifle with me, Stefanie.”
Her smiled faded. “I wouldn’t do that.”
He lurched forward in the saddle, exasperated by her answers.
“Except for me, the other three were already married by the time you came on the scene.”
“That’s right.”
When her words sank in, an angry laugh rose in his throat. “You expect me to believe I’m the reason you went to work for Dad?”
She didn’t move a muscle. “You’d be surprised at the strength of a girlhood crush.” On that note she cantered toward the herd without him.
Gabe sat there in a quandary wondering how much of what she’d just told him was serious and how much was teasing. Was it possible he’d misjudged her relationship with his father?
Once more his gaze took in the pastoral scene, but suddenly he couldn’t see Stefanie. He got a pit in his stomach when he spotted Molly near the edge without a rider.
Afraid Stefanie had been thrown, he urged Caesar to a gallop. When he got close enough, he dismounted, leading his horse by the reins. By the time he reached her kneeling figure, he could see a lifeless new calf in the grass.
“It won’t move!”
Gabe was so thankful Stefanie was all right, the thrust of her cry barely registered until he hunkered beside her to examine it.
“This poor little guy didn’t make it.”
“Why?” This time her face was awash with tears of a different kind.
“Any number of reasons. Maybe his lungs didn’t clear of fluid. After the vet has a look, we’ll get answers.”
“The mother’s still licking her. She thinks it’s going to get up.” Stefanie sounded devastated.
“Come on. Let’s go home.” He gripped her arm.
“I’ll send a couple of stockmen to take care of him.”
Once Stefanie had mounted, he climbed on Caesar and took another look around. He counted twelve new calves for the day. Eleven had survived and were nursing.
“Are you all right?” he asked later. They’d stopped to drink water and finish up the snacks in the saddlebag.
“That’s the question I’ve wanted to ask you. It must be hard to lose any of them.”
Stefanie understood a great deal.
“It’s a cattleman’s nightmare. But there are many more rewards. We’ll be passing near an ancient watering hole shortly. Keep your eyes out and you’ll see deer, maybe even some elk if we’re lucky.”
Two days later Stefanie drove to Kalispell after lunch to get her film developed. She didn’t look at the pictures until she’d arrived back at the ranch. Then she locked herself in her room where she was able to feast her eyes on the only man she would ever love.
She’d felt so close to Gabe during their overnight outing, she’d finally been daring enough to tell him the truth about her reasons for working for his father. But he’d thrown that love right back in her face because he patently believed she had other motives than wanting him for himself.
As for his involvement with Clay’s mother, he didn’t give anything away about his personal feelings toward her. Just because she drank too much didn’t preclude desire or love on his part.
Stefanie was desperate. She had less than a week before Gabe expected her to be gone from the ranch. Short of embarrassing them both by showing up in his bedroom uninvited and crying out her love for him, she didn’t know how else to reach him.
While she lay on the cot dissolved in tears, her cell phone rang. Assuming it was one of the P.I.s, she clicked on and said hello.
“Teri? It’s Pam.”
“Pam!” Stefanie slid off the cot and got to her feet. “I was going to call you before the day was out.”
“I’m glad I got to you first. I was just checking to find out if all our efforts paid off.”
“My boss said he was very impressed. He gave full marks for the person who taught me. That’s high praise coming from him. Thanks again for all your help.”
“If you’re able to keep your job, then that’s all the thanks I want.”
“Would you believe he’s asked me to pitch in in the kitchen as well as the barn?”
“That’s terrific, Teri. Tell me about the ride.”
Stefanie gripped the phone tighter. “It was beautiful. I helped a calf get born. Then we c-camped out at a fire watchtower.”
“Well, well, well. I had no idea it was going to be an overnighter. I’d say that’s definite progress.”
“I wish I could tell you it had been like that—” Stefanie’s voice shook “—but nothing could have been further from the truth.”
“What’s the matter with the guy? Is he blind, deaf and dumb?”
Pam’s reaction brought Stefanie close to tears again. “I—I think he might be in love with someone else.”
“Then you’ve got to find out quick! I tell you what. Tonight there’s a party at the church. It’s our annual April 10 barbecue. Why don’t you come with us and we’ll help you devise a plan.”
Stefanie blinked.
That meant tomorrow was April 11. Gabe’s birthday.
“Pam—I wish I could come, but I have to work. Still, your phone call has already given me an idea. Thanks for being such a good friend. I promise I’ll call you in a couple of days.”
“I’ll be waiting to hear from you. Good luck with you know who. Talk to you soon.”
On fire with a plan that would involve everyone at the school in the celebration, she clicked off and hurried to the kitchen to consult Marva. The cook’s excitement over giving Gabe a surprise party told Stefanie a lot about the woman’s affection for him.
They spread the word to the staff. The following afternoon Stefanie slipped over to the school with some props in hand. Having obtained permission from the teachers ahead of time, she entered the cabin to talk to the boys.
Clay flashed her a private smile of greeting. It was full of hope that she’d decided to grant him the favor he’d asked for. Unfortunately it wasn’t going to happen.
“You guys thought you were going to have an American history lesson today. Well, the plans have been changed. I’m here to teach you something else.”
The boys burst into applause. There were grins all the way around.
“Do any of you know the definition of the word ‘etiquette’?”
One hand went up. “It means something to do with manners.”
“You’re exactly right, Gary. Today you’re going to learn the proper manners for eating at a restaurant. By the time I’m through with you, you’ll be able to dine with a king in a royal palace and feel perfectly at ease.
“Of course that experience probably won’t ever happen to you, but at least you’ll impress the girls when you take them out on dates to a nice restaurant.”
That comment captured their attention in a hurry.
“You need to be fast learners because tonight we’re having a surprise birthday party for someone special. But you won’t find out who it is until we assemble for dinner.
“You’ll need to dress in shirt and ties for the occasion. I want you to make an impression. Okay, let’s get started. Gary? Since you knew the answer, I’m going to make you my guinea pig. Come up to the table by me.”
The boys hooted as the thin blond teenager got out of his seat and started toward her.
“Laugh if you want, but you’re all going to have to take a turn at this. The first thing you must learn is how to seat a lady properly. You’ll each be assigned a woman from the staff whom you’ll assist at dinner tonight.
“After a run-through, I’ll show you what to do with your napkin and then explain the use of each piece of cutlery. It’s easy to learn and makes you feel confident in public. That’s the whole point of this exercise. Tonight we really want to enjoy ourselves.”
The boys seemed eager to comply. The hour passed quickly. Everyone had fun. Even the husband and wife team who taught the class got in the act.
When her presentation was over, she started gathering her supplies. Clay hung around to help her.
“It’s for Mr. Wainwright, isn’t it?” he whispered.
She imagined all the boys suspected as much.
“You’ll have to wait until tonight to find out.”
“This’ll be perfect! Yesterday he told me he got a call from my mom. She flew out today. He went to pick her up at the airport. She’ll be here in time for the party. It looks like I don’t need that favor from you after all.”
Stefanie felt like the floor had just given way.
The advent of Madelaine Talbot’s arrival at the ranch on this special night spelled the end of her dreams.
“I’m glad for you, Clay.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
GABE escorted Madelaine into the living room of the ranch house. Clover raced over to greet him. He rubbed her head while he silently thanked God once more that Clay’s mother had gotten off the plane sober.
His lecture over the phone had produced the wanted result. He needed her looking and acting like the responsible parent he knew she could be.
If he could get her to stay long enough for some counseling and family therapy with her son, maybe she would agree to attend Alcoholics Anonymous when she flew back to Providence. It would be a start in the right direction.
“Sit down by the fire. I’ll find Clay so you two can have a reunion in private.”
“Thank you, Gabe.” She squeezed his hand in gratitude, then let him go.
“Come on, girl.”
He left the living room and walked down the hall to the French doors, hungry for the sight of Stefanie. She was like a fever in the blood, growing hotter and hotter.
“Surprise!” everyone shouted as he entered the dining room to a standing ovation.
He came to a complete standstill. Marva beamed at him. “Happy Birthday from all of us, Mr. Wainwright.”
Birthday…
He’d actually forgotten.
It was the same dining room with the same people. But everything had been transformed. The tables were set with white cloths. Fresh flowers and candles formed the centerpieces. A huge birthday cake had been placed on an extra table in the center of the room.
Everyone had dressed up, especially the boys who were behaving like real gentlemen.
This had to be Stefanie’s doing. No one else knew. His heart began giving him a real workout.
His eyes searched the room for her. Clover fou
nd her before he did. She was standing behind the counter in the kitchen getting the food ready. He could tell she was purposely refusing to look at him.
“To say I’m pleasantly surprised would be a gross understatement. Thank you all for going to so much trouble for me. It means more than you know. But since I can tell you boys are starving, I’ll cut the speech and ask that the festivities begin!”
After the students cheered and started taking their places, he signaled to Clay. “Your mother’s in the living room waiting for you. If you don’t feel like joining us, that’s fine. Do whatever is comfortable for both of you.”
“Thanks. You’re the greatest.”
As Gabe followed the teen’s departure from the dining room, he knew Clay wouldn’t feel that sentiment much longer. On the trip back from the airport, Gabe told Madelaine about Clay’s conversation with Stefanie.
Now the ball was in Madelaine’s court. She’d promised to tell Clay that she and Gabe could never be anything more than good friends. Mother and son had a lot of talking to do. Gabe hoped for a positive outcome, but he wasn’t holding his breath.
Since he’d put Stefanie to work in the kitchen, it didn’t raise anyone’s eyebrows that she was assisting Marva. But instead of the dinner being served cafeteria style, their jubilant crowd was going to be waited on tonight. There were menus at each place offering a surprising list of items to choose from.
Again he saw Stefanie’s hand in everything.
She chatted with each person as she worked her way around the tables playing the waitress thing to the hilt. In a Western shirt and blouse with one of Marva’s aprons tied around her supple waist, no one could take their eyes off her. Mack was so charmed, his face wore a continual smile.
When she reached Gabe, the fragrance of her skin assailed him. He didn’t dare acknowledge her. He didn’t trust himself.
“Now for the birthday boy,” she quipped to everyone’s amusement. The boys were loving this! Trust her to come up with another wonderful idea that could be implemented for each teen’s birthday.
What he couldn’t figure out was where she’d found the time to teach them how to behave at the table! They were models of decorum.
Husband for a Year Page 11
