by Judy Duarte
As Sam walked out into the yard, Blake toyed with the idea of leaving Texas and heading back to Los Angeles, which was probably for the best.
He scanned the barn one last time, breathing in the dusty scent of straw, horses and leather. Then he headed to the house to find Joy, after which he planned to call Carol at the office.
The kitchen was empty, which meant he’d have to search for Joy—or wait for her to return.
In the meantime, he crossed the room to the old-style telephone on the wall, picked up the receiver and dialed the familiar number. When Carol answered, he said, “I’m ready for you to book my return flight—but only mine. Let me know what my options are.”
“Will do.”
While Blake waited, he poured himself a cup of coffee, snatched a banana from the fruit bowl on the counter and took a seat at the table.
Five minutes later, Carol returned his call with several possible itineraries. “The earliest flight I can schedule out of Houston is tomorrow morning,” she said. “But there are two more in the afternoon and one in the evening. Will any of those work for you?”
“Keep in mind that I have a two-to-three-hour drive to Houston.” If he wanted to catch a morning flight, he’d need to leave tonight.
Only problem was, he’d come here to mend fences and had almost succeeded—until he’d damn near torn them down again. He wouldn’t feel right about leaving until he apologized to Joy and was sure he’d really patched things up with Sam. Or at least, knowing that he’d given it his best shot.
But this time, he didn’t just need to make peace with his uncle. He’d have to get on a better footing with Joy, too. She might accept his apology, but something told him that wasn’t going to be enough. At least, not for Sam.
And, truthfully, not for Blake.
To make matters even more complicated, he wanted to fix things between him and Shannon, too.
As an attorney, he faced conflict every day and sometimes had people unhappy with him for various reasons. He always managed to shake it off and get on with life. But this was different.
Shannon was different. Her smile had the power to set his heart soaring, and knowing he’d given her a bad impression of him left him unsettled.
He had to do something to remedy that. But what? He’d already told her he’d been out of line and that he was sorry for it. But she hadn’t completely forgiven him, and he needed to do more. He had to get on her better side, even if it was just to see her smile again, to hear her laugh.
He wasn’t quite sure where to start, but if there was one thing Blake had learned from his maternal grandfather, it’s that a man put his money where his mouth—and where his heart—was.
“You know,” he told Carol, “tomorrow is a little too soon. Can you try to get that ticket for two days from now?”
“You bet. I’ll let you know what’s available.”
After he ended the call, he pondered all the possible ways he could fix things, the gifts and peace offering he could make. Hopefully, the next two days on the Rocking C would give him enough time to make things right.
And to see Shannon smile at him again.
* * *
Shannon carried out a tray of cookies to the men, stopping first to offer one to Rex, who was reading in the living room.
“Is that a good book?” she asked.
“Not bad. I’ve read it before, but I’m a big fan of Louis L’Amour.” He marked his page, then set the paperback aside on the lamp table next to him. “That guy sure knows how to tell a good story.”
She lowered the tray, which held several small paper plates that each bore a couple of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. “Would you like a snack? They’re fresh from the oven and still warm.”
“Thanks.” Rex took one of the plates and placed it on the table, next to his book. But rather than snatch one of the cookies, he let them sit there.
“Aren’t you hungry?” she asked.
“Not really. I’m not feeling too frisky today. In fact, I was just thinking about heading back to my room for a nap. But now that you’re here, I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“You know that paper I signed? The one that says I don’t want to be put on life support?”
“The DNR,” she said. “Yes, what about it?”
“If I ever have to go to a hospital—God forbid, and believe me, I’ll fight you tooth and nail every step of the way—do you promise that paper will go with me? I don’t want my relatives getting ahold of it and tossing it out so they can claim it doesn’t exist.”
“Don’t worry. It’s in your medical file, which will follow you wherever you go.”
“That’s what Sam’s nephew said, but I wanted to double-check with you.”
The screen door creaked open, and when Shannon turned to see who’d entered the house, she spotted Blake holding a couple bouquets of yellow roses and what appeared to be a box of chocolates.
“Well, speak of the devil,” Rex said. “Here’s my lawyer now.”
A grin tugged at Blake’s lips, and he made his way toward them. “What’d I do this time?”
“From the looks of those flowers and that candy,” Rex said, “you’re either sweet on a lady or you ruffled her feathers.”
“My guess is that he’s making a peace offering to our cook,” Shannon said. “She already accepted his apology, but the flowers and chocolate are a nice follow-up gesture.”
“I hope so,” Blake said. “Is Joy in the kitchen?”
“Yes, she was just starting to fix the evening meal.”
Blake glanced at the tray Shannon held, and his grin widened. “Looks like I got here just in time. Maybe, after I give her flowers, she’ll let me have a cookie, too.”
“I’m sure she will.” Shannon couldn’t help returning his smile. Blake might be a jerk at times, but at least he wasn’t above making an apology when he realized one was in order.
After he carried the roses and chocolate to the kitchen, Shannon passed out treats to the other cowboys. Then she returned to the main part of the house with the empty tray.
Rex was still seated near the lamp, his expression pensive. The book he’d been reading now rested on the table beside him, and he hadn’t touched his cookies.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No, but I’m tuckered out. I think I’ll make my way back to my room now.”
“Here.” Shannon reached out her free hand to assist him in getting out of the chair.
Rex waved her off, pulled his walker close and gripped the handles. “I don’t need any help.”
She was about to argue, knowing that he wasn’t nearly as strong and stable as he wanted her to think he was, but she held her tongue. Rex had a lot of pride. Still, she remained beside him, prepared to help him if he stumbled.
Once he’d gotten to his feet, he looked at her and winked. “See? I got it.”
But as she watched him head down the hall to his room, his head bent, his steps slow, her heart ached for him.
“Oh, good,” Blake said, from behind her. “You’re still here.”
She turned to the sound of his voice and spotted him holding a single bouquet.
He crossed the living room floor and handed her the yellow roses. “I thought I’d better try to make amends with you, too.”
The gesture took her aback, but she thanked him and took the plastic-wrapped spray. Unable to resist, she lifted the blooms to her nose, took a whiff of their fragrance, then said, “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I know, but I wanted to. I also spotted a small Italian restaurant near the flower stand. I know you enjoy Joy’s meals, but I thought you’d like a change of pace this evening. What do you say about having dinner with me before I head back to California?”
The suggestion, which sounded a whole lot like a date, was completely unexpected, yet it also intrigued her. Whether he knew it or not, ever since moving to town and taking this position, she hadn’t done a
nything more exciting in the evening than cuddling up on the sofa alone and watching a movie on Netflix.
“What’s the matter?” he asked. “Don’t you want to have dinner with me?”
“No, it’s not that...” Actually, for some dumb reason the idea appealed to her, but she probably ought to graciously decline.
“I’m going home in a couple of days, and I hate the idea of leaving you with bad memories of me.” His eyes, which were the color of the Texas sky, sparked with...something. She couldn’t exactly put her finger on just what she saw there, but whatever it was, it shot across the room in a jagged, lightning-fast arc, jolting her heart like a tiny, invisible defibrillator.
“That sounds nice,” she said, “but it isn’t necessary for you to take me out.”
Darn it. That sounded as if she thought his friendly gesture was supposed to be a date. And that’s surely not what he’d meant it to be.
“I owe it to you,” he said. “Do you like Italian food?”
Actually, she loved it. But she would have been tempted to go with him, even if he’d suggested they eat at that rundown diner near the truck stop. “I’m just reluctant to leave...”
“Isn’t Darlene coming tonight? Can’t she cover for you?”
“Yes, but it might rain again, before we get back. And if the bridge washes out, we’ll be stuck. Worse than that, if any of the residents needed medical care, and I’m not here to provide it, they’d probably have to call in Life Flight.”
That playful spark in his eye dimmed, and something else took its place. Disappointment, maybe?
No, not that... Shannon tightened her grip on both the flowers and the dangling tray. “What’s the matter?”
“I guess I didn’t realize how bad things could get in the valley in bad weather.” His smile returned, although it bore a serious slant. “But I admire you for how seriously you take your job.”
The compliment, especially coming from him, warmed her to the bone. But she forced herself to shrug off the praise. “I’m all they have around here, especially when the creek rises. Even Doc Nelson lives on the far side of the bridge.”
“Then maybe we ought to go out for an early dinner, before it starts to rain.”
Going out with Blake, whether it was a real date or not, was sounding better and more feasible every minute. The only problem was, she really didn’t have anything to wear. That black dress was still at the cleaners, and she hadn’t brought too many optional outfits with her. She certainly wasn’t going to wear her scrubs.
“How fancy is that place?” she asked.
“It’s just a hole in the wall, but it looks decent on the outside. I spotted a lot of cars parked in front, which is always a good sign.”
She bit down on her bottom lip and tried to come up with a good reason to thank him for the offer and tell him no. But when he reached out and cupped her cheek, her breath caught and she couldn’t seem to form a sensible thought or utter a single word.
As his gaze locked on hers, a bevy of pheromones surged inside her. And when his thumb stroked her cheek, a wave of heat shot right through her, melting her heart.
Every excuse she might have given failed to take shape. As a result, her only response was a nod.
Chapter Eight
Papa Giovanni’s, which boasted a mural of Venice on the far wall, wasn’t the kind of restaurant Blake usually frequented, nor would it be considered the least bit fancy. It was just a small dining room, with red checkered tablecloths, white paper place mats and plastic-covered menus.
If this particular eatery was located in Beverly Hills, the prices would have garnered a single $ on Yelp or any other review websites. But the hearty aroma of tomatoes, basil and garlic, as well as fresh baked bread, provided Blake with the only rating he needed to know he’d made a good choice.
He hadn’t considered his time out with Shannon to be a date, but that belief changed the moment she’d met him in the Rocking C living room wearing a pair of tight black jeans and a cream-colored sweater, both of which showed off her sexy curves.
As he’d gazed at her, a slew of compliments jammed in his throat, making it nearly impossible to comment on her stunning appearance. One of the cowboys, who’d been watching a game show on TV, took one look at her and blew out an appreciative whistle.
Jumping on the oldster’s cue, Blake winked at the man and said, “You’ve got that right, buddy.”
Shannon had smiled, and her cheeks flushed a pretty shade of pink.
Now she and Blake were seated across from each other in a darkened corner booth, the bulk of the light coming from a drippy red candle stuck in an empty Chianti bottle. Yet this evening was already far more romantic than any of the nights he’d spent with Melissa in five-star restaurants.
The difference had nothing to do with the setting and everything to do with the woman he was with, the lovely, kindhearted nurse with lush dark curls tumbling over her shoulders and expressive green eyes glimmering as she glanced up from her menu. When she smiled, the romantic aura morphed into one that was sexually charged.
Before he could consider what he wanted to do about it—if anything—a balding middle-aged man wearing an apron approached the table.
“Can I get you something to drink?” he asked.
“Yes,” Blake told the guy who appeared to be their waiter, as well as the chef. Then he asked Shannon if she’d like to start with a glass of wine.
“That sounds good.”
Blake turned back to the waiter. “Then we’ll have a bottle of your best red wine.”
The man brightened. “It’s a Valpolicella blend from Italy. You won’t be disappointed.”
Blake didn’t know about that. He had a wine cellar at home and was pretty selective when it came to his vintages. But for some reason, none of that was very important right now.
When the waiter returned, he uncorked the bottle, then poured a bit into Blake’s glass for him to approve. It was surprisingly good, and he wasn’t the least bit dissatisfied.
After filling both glasses to the proper level, the waiter asked, “Have you made a dinner decision yet?”
Shannon ordered a bowl of stracciatella soup and a side of penne pasta with marinara sauce. Blake chose the spaghetti and meatballs, as well as a Caesar salad.
When the waiter returned to the kitchen, leaving them alone, Blake lifted his wineglass in a toast. “To the Rocking Chair Ranch.”
Shannon smiled. “I’ll drink to that.”
They clinked their glasses, then took a drink.
“Mmm,” Shannon said. “This is really nice.”
She was right, but it wasn’t just the wine that was nice. It was the evening spent with her.
“I heard that the ranch might be having some financial difficulties,” he said.
Shannon seemed to weigh her response, then said, “That’s true, although your uncle hopes to turn things around. It was in bad shape when Chloe inherited it, so the cattle operation needs to be built up. On top of that, some of the retired cowboys have limited incomes, but we didn’t want to turn anyone away.”
When Blake first arrived, he had a different opinion about the ranch, but now that he’d spent some time on the place and had gotten to know the people who lived and worked there, his views had changed.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked.
“Thanks for the offer. If something comes up, I’ll let you know. But we should be okay, especially if the rodeo sponsorship comes through.”
“I’d heard about that. Do you have any idea how soon you’ll know for sure?”
“Within a few days to a week. At least, that’s what Nate thinks. He and Rex are the ones with the biggest connections.”
Blake lifted his glass of wine and took a sip. “I hope it works out. It’s a great idea, and one that’s fitting—cowboys helping each other out.”
Shannon smiled, her eyes glimmering in the candlelight. “Rex calls it the Rocking Chair Rodeo.”
“I l
ike the sound of that.” Before Blake could offer any other thoughts, the waiter returned with their soup and salad.
After thanking the man, they both focused on their meal. It only took one bite to realize Papa Giovanni’s food was every bit as good as the flower vendor said it would be.
“My soup is delicious,” Shannon said. “And the bread is to die for.”
“I heard that they’re known for their pizza. Maybe, one of these days, we ought to order some for the guys at the ranch.” Of course, if Blake was going to pull that off, he’d have to do it quickly, like tomorrow.
“I’m sure they’d enjoy a treat like that. It would also give Joy an evening off.”
Blake lifted his glass. “Does she ever get a break?”
“So far, she hasn’t wanted one. She loves cooking for an appreciative crowd. But I’m sure Sam would like to take her out on the town some night.” Shannon shot a questioning gaze across the table, as if she expected Blake to have some kind of negative reaction to the comment.
“You know,” he said, “I’m not concerned about my uncle dating anymore. I’ve seen how much better he’s doing, and I now realize Joy is a big reason for that. Another is that he feels needed again, especially working on a ranch.”
Shannon reached for the stem of her glass and fingered it. “I agree with you. Joy’s put a smile in his heart. But there’s also something to be said about living on the Rocking C, which is a familiar and comfortable setting for all the residents.”
“I agree. The past few days have brought back a lot of good memories for me.”
“You mean the summers when you stayed on Sam’s ranch?”
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t buy it from him when I had the chance. But I guess that’s just as well. Still, there’s something special about being on a ranch again.”
“I felt the same way when I came here.” She lifted her glass and took a sip. “I guess, in some ways, we have a lot in common.”
Blake wasn’t so sure that was true, but the thought interested him. “In what ways?”
“We both either lived or spent time on ranches as kids, and we both lost a parent.”
