“Of course. Thank you. I’d like him to stay.”
“Well, now we’ve settled that, we need to get moving.” Garrett said, heading for the entry way where he’d left their luggage. “If you need anything just call Daphne, the rest of the guests will be gone by tonight and Esmerelda will be here to clean the house tomorrow.”
Nate and Allison walked them out to the car, “Have fun and don’t worry, everything here will be just fine.”
When they got back in the house, they looked at each other and smiled. For all intents and purposes they had the house to themselves for the next three weeks. Nate was just considering the chances of getting Allison back up to her bedroom, but she had other plans.
“Are you ready to learn how to clean a stall?” She asked, a grin on her face.
“Well, I should really check my email and see if there’s any new information.” He said, grinning back at her.
“Sounds like a good excuse to me.” She said, “But don’t think you’re getting out of it next time.”
Nate did manage to get out of cleaning stalls, Allison didn’t really mind the work and it kept her occupied. With no riders coming to the ranch while Sabrina was gone, there wasn’t much else for her to do. Nate spent most of his time in the library on his computer, she knew he wasn’t working on her case all that time, because he kept her updated on any new information that came in.
There hadn’t been any new information for days, but Allison had come to terms with her situation and most of her anxiety had evaporated when she’d made the decision. It also helped that she slept safe in Nate’s arms each night, after they’d made love. He had a way of calming her fears while forcing her to face them. But as the days passed, she decided that it was time she found out more about him. It seemed to her that he was being very careful about revealing his past.
She’d been so caught up in her own problems, she hadn’t given his life away from the ranch much thought. Other than the fact that he’d been a detective for twenty years, came from Kentucky, and had lost both of his parents, she knew very little about him. She wondered how such a great guy had remained single all these years.
After Garrett and Sabrina had been gone for a week, Allison found herself with an afternoon completely free which was not a good thing. Since the therapy rides had been canceled, there was little to keep her occupied once the horses were cared for. Sabrina had said that she didn’t need to worry about exercising them, but with nothing else to do she’d decided that a ride would be just the thing to pass the afternoon.
Even better, she’d decided to take Nate with her, she had a sneaking suspicion that he couldn’t ride and it was time to remedy that situation. She found him in the library, where he spent most of his time on his computer. Walking into the room, she knocked on the door jam, then walked over to the desk wondering what it was he’d been working on for the last two days.
“What are you up to in here?” She asked coming over to stand beside him.
He swiveled around in his chair to face her, then pulled her onto his lap. “Thinking about you instead of working.” He said, kissing her.
“Hmm, that’s nice to hear. I’ve been thinking about you too. How about going for a ride with me?” She asked, grinning at him.
“Well, tell me more about what you had in mind. There are several different rides I’d like to take you on.” He said, reaching up her shirt and unhooking her bra.
Allison was instantly on her feet, “Not that kind of ride.” She said, laughing as she hooked her bra again. “I was thinking more about riding a horse. You’ve been cooped up in here all week, let’s go get some fresh air.”
“I couldn’t talk you into a nice warm car ride?” He countered.
“Stop being a baby and go find your coat, it’s actually pretty warm out there today. Come on, up you go.” She said, pulling him out of his chair.
“I really should finish what I was working on.” He said, looking back at the computer.
“You never did tell me what you were working on.” She said, handing him his coat. “Is it a case? I thought you were on leave.”
He took her hand as they walked to the barn, “It’s kind of embarrassing, but I guess I should tell you about my plans.” He said, giving her hand a squeeze. “But first you’re going to have to give me a riding lesson.”
They spent the next half an hour saddling their horses, Nate did his best but it was clear that horses were not his thing. She would have sworn that the horse she’d chosen for him had taken an instant dislike to him, doing everything possible to keep him from getting the saddle on her including holding her breath when he tried to cinch it down.
“If you don’t make her blow that lung full of air out before you tighten the cinch, you’re going to end up on the ground.” Allison laughed, wondering how long the horse could hold her breath.
“I’m trying, but I have no idea how to make a horse breathe?” Nate said, clearly getting frustrated.
“Walk around in front of her and blow in her nose.” Allison suggested.
It worked but Nate ended up with a shirt full of horse snot, still he quickly got the saddle tightened. “Thanks for the advice.” He said, shooting her a dirty look.
Allison was trying not to laugh, but finally couldn’t help herself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think she’d do that. I never have any problem getting the saddle on her, obviously she’s smart to that trick.”
“Well, I guess it was worth it to see you laughing, but I’m going to need a shower after this.” He said, following her as she led the horses out of the barn.
“I can help with that.” She said, shooting him a big smile. “It’s the least I can do since it’s my fault.”
“That makes it worth it.” He said, coming up next to her at the hitching rail. “I just hope riding her will be easier than saddling her was.”
Nate got his wish, it seemed that he’d won a battle with the horse, who behaved herself after that. By the time they’d reached the far pasture, he’d found his seat and was actually enjoying himself. Allison seemed perfectly at home on the back of a horse, as if it was second nature for her, he was a little bit jealous that there was an entire part of her life that he wasn’t a part of but that could be fixed easily enough. He’d never been a fan of horses, but riding with Allison on a beautiful sunny day was quickly making him reconsider that.
Chapter 6
Allison hadn’t forgotten that he’d promised to tell her what he’d been doing all day. “So you said you’d tell me what you’ve been working on in the library.” She said, trying to sound nonchalant when in truth she was extremely curious about his life.
“It’s a little bit embarrassing but I’ve been taking on line classes to get my degree in architecture.” He said, not meeting her eyes.
“What’s embarrassing about that? Sounds like a great thing to me.”
He finally met her eyes, which were shining in the winter sun, making him wish they were cuddled up on their favorite couch in the sunroom. “I’m over forty, it’s a little late to be making a career change. I just feel silly when I say I'm going to college.”
“Nate, lots of people change their career at some point during their lives. Is this something you’ve always wanted to do?”
He shook his head yes, then said, “Ever since I was a kid. The other boys wanted to play baseball and video games, I wanted to explore old buildings and build Lego towns.” He said, smiling at the memory.
“What happened?”
“My dad got sick just as I graduated from high school and there was no way I could leave home to go away to college. I did a couple of years at the local community college, then joined the police force. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed my job and actually seem to have a talent for it, but I really want to design buildings.” He said, shrugging his shoulders.
“Then you should. What kind of buildings?” She asked, worried that she would lose him to this passion she’d
known nothing about. It seemed to her that architects always worked in big cities. Even as little as she knew about herself, she knew that city living was definitely not for her.
“Actually, I don’t want to design new buildings, I want to restore old ones. Did you see the old buildings down town, those are a restoration dream. I’d love to get my hands on one of them. There’s one that is just screaming for someone to come in and shore it up. It would make a great restaurant or even a bar, I can see the whole thing in my mind.”
Allison was quiet as they made their way back to the barn, “That’s not what I expected at all, but I think it’s great. How much longer do you have before you get your degree?”
“I’m almost done. One more class then I have to pass the state boards.” He said, then added. “It’s taken me five years, but it was my dad’s last request before he died. He’d always felt guilty that I wasn’t able to pursue my dreams. In fact, thanks to him and some wise investments he made before he died, I have a nice nest egg.”
Allison was getting more worried by the second, Nate obviously had big plans for the rest of his life, and she had no idea how she fit into those plans. “So where is all this going to happen, do you have specific plans?” She asked, trying not to sound like she asked for an invitation to join him.
“Honestly, I hadn’t thought that far in advance, but I can’t seem to get my mind off the building in town. I wonder who owns it, I’d like to find out how much they want for it.”
“I can tell you who owns that property easily.” She said, surprised that he didn’t know.
“Really, how?”
“I thought you knew that the Terrell’s own the entire town.”
“The entire town? But what about all the people that live there?”
“They all have some form of a long term lease. There are a few privately owned properties, but nothing in town.”
Nate considered this for a few minutes, “I had no idea. This makes things even more complicated that I’d first thought.”
“The Terrell’s are worth billions, you should ask Jonathan about the family history some time. They’ve owned all this land for generations, not only the ski resort but thousands of acres of untamed forest.”
Nate suddenly realized that he might have made a mistake not telling his brothers who he was from the beginning. It had made sense when he thought the ranch was the only wealth they had, but now realizing the true scope of their wealth made him even more nervous that they would think he was only out for a cut.
“What do you mean, it only makes things more complicated?” Allison asked, beginning to realize that there was a lot more to this man than she’d discovered.
“Nothing, I was just thinking out loud.” Nate said, hoping that she’d let the subject drop. He knew he had to tell her the truth soon, but for some reason he didn’t feel like right now was the right time. She too might be suspicious of his motivation, or angry that he hadn’t told her before now. Suddenly he was feeling foolish that he’d backed himself into a corner.
When they got back to the house, Nate made a bee line for the shower, dragging Allison with him. They’d been quiet since he’d refused to answer her question and he could understand why. Suddenly she’d discovered that there was more to him then just her savior, she’d come to depend on him and he’d suddenly told her about a part of his life that didn’t include her.
He’d been fooling himself to think that they’d just slip into this relationship without some of his secrets coming to light, but she had no idea how big of a secret he was carrying around with him. He’d come here to discover his roots, and instead fallen head over heels for Allison, which had distracted him from his original purpose. It was time to make a visit to Jonathan, his father, he’d have to do something one way or another when Garrett and Sabrina got back.
Either he needed to share his secret or take Allison and leave. One thing he knew for certain, he wasn’t leaving here without her. After their shower, he suggested a trip to visit Jonathan and Cinthia. Allison readily agreed since she loved the couple like they were her parents, but was surprised that Nate had suggested it. In all the time they’d been here it had seemed like he had been avoiding them, now he was suggesting a visit.
She was almost sorry she’d asked about what he’d been doing on the computer, ever since then things had been off balance. Finding out more about him had been her goal, but maybe she should have left well enough alone. Of course she knew that there was no way they could live the rest of their lives in the bubble they found themselves in right now, still it would have been nice if it had lasted a little longer.
When they got to Jonathan and Cinthia’s house the couple was glad to see them. “It’s been too quiet around here since Garrett and Sabrina have been gone. It seems like all the kids disappeared at once.” Cinthia said, leading them into the kitchen where she’d have some wonderful treat for them.
“It has been quiet. I thought it would be nice, but I’m afraid I miss all the commotion.” Allison said, helping Cinthia get everyone coffee.
“We moved out here by ourselves thinking the same thing, but I find myself over there as much as here.”
“But you get to come home to your own quiet house at night. It’s a perfect situation.”
“Yes, it is and I’m very lucky, all my daughter in laws are wonderful women who are perfect for my sons.” Cinthia said smiling.
The men had long since taken their coffee out to the barn, a typical move for the Terrell men, Allison though when she realized they were gone. “Well, they managed to sneak off pretty quick.”
“Men, you know how they are.” Cinthia said, wondering herself what they were talking about.
*****
Jonathan knew this visit was significant, Nate had been avoiding him any time they were together, he understood why, but was anxious to move past this awkward phase. He also wanted Nate to tell his other sons who he was, it was serving no purpose keeping them in the dark. Hopefully, that was what this visit was about.
“How’s everything going over at the ranch? Are you keeping yourselves occupied over there?” Jonathan asked, leading Nate into the barn, where it was warm. Although the day had been warm, once the sun set the temperature dropped dramatically. It had taken him by surprise the first time, but since then he’d learned to always have his coat with him.
“We’re fine, Allison has made the decision to move on with her life, I’m still trying to figure out who she is, but for now she’s living for the future instead of trying to remember the past. That’s part of the reason I’m here. I think I’ve made a mistake not telling everyone who I really am.” He said, looking at the man who he was just beginning to think of as his father.
“Does this mean that you’re ready to tell them?”
“I think I must, I need to tell Allison as well and if I tell her I have to tell them. Suddenly, I have all these choices to make, life used to be so simple. Sometimes I think it might be easier to just go back home and forget about this whole thing. It’s almost like a dream.” Nate said, all the frustration he’d been blocking for the last few weeks suddenly coming to the surface.
“Son, you’ve been though a lot in the last few months, heck I‘d say you’ve been through a lot in the last few years. You want my advice, tell everyone who you are and why you’re here as soon as you can, that will be one less thing weighing on your mind.” Jonathan said, putting his hand on Nate’s shoulder, pleased when Nate let it rest there.
“That might fix the problems with the family, but I’m scared I’ve made a mistake getting involved with Allison. There could be real disaster in our future if it turns out that she’d married or something.” Nate said, dejectedly.
“What does your gut tell you?”
“That if there was someone out there who cared about her they would have been looking for her everywhere. If she was mine I would be, but it’s been weeks and no one has reported her missing. This isn’t t
elevision, things like that don’t happen in real life. I’ve been going over it and over it in my mind and I honestly believe she’s alone.” Nate said, his conviction getting stronger when he said it out loud.
“I have to agree with you. My next question is simple. How do you feel about her?”
Nate thought about that for a long time, then finally said, “She’s sexy and smart, caring and compassionate, and everything I ever wanted in a woman.” He said, turning to look at Jonathan. “I think I’m falling in love with her.”
“Then you have to ask yourself if it matters that you know nothing about her past, nor does she. Someday those things may come back to her, but right now you’re going to have to make a blind leap of faith that things will work out.”
“But what if they don’t? I don’t know if I can stand the heartbreak.”
“Well, if that happens, know that we’ll all be here to help you pick up the pieces.” Jonathan said, “We’re your family now and that’s what family does. Now we better get back in the house, I’d like you to get to know Cinthia. She’s a wonderful woman, I hope someday you two can be close.”
They were almost to the door when Jonathan suddenly stopped. “I almost forgot, I want you to take these.” He said, placing two rings in Nate’s hand.
Nate picked up the larger of the two, it was obviously a man’s ring, made of heavy gold it had a family crest on it in tiny little diamonds. He looked up from the ring in his fingers to Jonathan, wondering what the ring meant.
“I gave all my boys one of those rings when they turned 21, I’m sorry yours is a bit late, but I still wanted you to have one. That’s our family crest, your grandfather several generations back thought that it would elevate the family, it’s a silly custom but it’s ours.”
Nate was speechless, he’d never been a part of a family like the Terrell’s but he was quickly beginning to like the feeling. “And the other ring?” He asked, his voice cracking with emotion.
“That’s for your bride. Every Terrell woman wears a piece of the family jewelry when she marries into the clan. I have a feeling you might be needing that in a few months, but just because you have it don’t get carried away. Give yourselves time, don’t rush into anything, neither of you needs to go anywhere.”
You're My Rock (Brothers From Money #4) Page 6
