Her Rancher Rescuer

by Donna Alward

  “Let’s put dinner in the fridge for tomorrow, Mom. I want you to go put on a nice sweater and I’m going to take you out for supper. Not the diner, either. Let’s go for Italian. We’ll order pasta and have a glass of wine. Just us.”

  “Oh, honey...”

  It seemed like a moment where things were on a knife-edge; to one side was the way things had always been and on the other was the way things might become if they tried. Amy swallowed. She couldn’t remember the last time her mom had gone anywhere other than the post office or grocery store. “We deserve a treat,” she said softly. “And I’d like to take my mom out to dinner. I’ll put this stuff in the fridge while you change.”

  There was an indecisive moment where Amy was sure Mary was going to refuse.

  “All right. I suppose we could do that. I’ll just be a moment.”

  Something blossomed in Amy’s chest as she watched her mother leave the room, a pretty blush coloring the older woman’s cheeks. As she dug out plastic dishes for the food, she realized what that something was. It was hope.

  * * *

  JACK PAID THE check at the Wagon Wheel diner and stood, shrugging into his coat. The freezing air that had pushed its way into Montana had abated up here, and while still wintry at least he didn’t feel like he was going to freeze any exposed skin. He turned up the collar of his coat as he pushed his way out of the diner toward the rental car he’d picked up at the airport. He had a choice now that the papers were signed. He could head back to Aspen Valley or he could make a pit stop.

  Maybe he’d just drive by the flower shop and see if she was there. He didn’t have to go in. Didn’t need to see how she was doing. Just because he’d had the crazy idea to offer her a job didn’t mean he had to go through with it.

  He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. Damn girl had surprised the heck out of him, walking away like that. She had a core of strength he hadn’t anticipated. What made it worse was that she’d been 100 percent right. About him, about them, about everything.

  He parked across the street from the shop and debated going in. He didn’t know what to say, didn’t know whether to tell her the reason for his visit or not. Word would get out soon enough, he supposed. It was a small town. He didn’t exactly want her to hear through the grapevine.

  And he couldn’t very well avoid her forever. After all, he was going to be spending more time in town between his new investment and his brother and family. Even if the job offer weren’t on his mind, they’d be running into each other, wouldn’t they?

  Resolutely he got out of the car, shut the door and crossed the street. The bell dinged above the door as he entered and the sweet, cloying smell of lilies and roses hit his nostrils.

  But instead of Amy behind the counter, it was Melissa Stone. “Jack! Good afternoon. What are you doing back in these parts?”

  He regained his composure and smiled warmly. “I was looking for Amy, actually. Is she working today?”

  “Afraid not. It’s her day off.”

  “Oh.” So much for that, then.

  “You can always try her at home. I think she said she had an appointment this morning. She’s probably back now.”

  He nodded. “Thanks.” His gaze lit on the flowers in the cooler. “Those flowers there, what are those? The red and pink and orange ones.”

  “Oh, the gerberas? They’re cheerful, aren’t they?”

  “Can you do some up for me?”

  Melissa’s smile told him he wasn’t fooling anyone. “Of course. I’ll put in extra red. Those are Amy’s favorites.”

  There was no sense correcting her when she was right.

  He paid for the flowers and headed straight to her house. Two cars were parked in the short driveway so he pulled up along the curb. For some reason his heart was clubbing along at double time. This was silly. It was just Amy.

  Only nothing about Amy was just Amy. He was fairly certain she had no idea what she’d done. How much she’d turned his life upside down.

  He knocked on the door, heard footsteps approach. But it wasn’t Amy who answered. It was her mother; a woman who looked much like her daughter only older, and faded. Like she might have once been beautiful, but time and circumstance had taken their toll. She smiled at him, though, which came as a surprise considering what Amy had told him about her mom.

  “You must be Amy’s Jack,” Mary said. “Please come in.”

  He stepped inside the small foyer, the words Amy’s Jack causing a strange warmth inside him. The house was small; a plain bungalow with eggshell walls, a few old pictures and carpet that was long past new. It was only a few steps up from shabby, and he reminded himself that Amy’s mother had been supporting herself and her daughter on whatever salary she’d had over the years. It wasn’t much wonder the woman looked tired. And the house was scrupulously clean. He smiled down at her and held out the triangular brown paper package. “For you, Mrs. Wilson.”

  Amy would understand. It was worth it to see the older woman’s eyes light up as she ran a fingernail under the tape and peeked inside. “Oh, they’re lovely. Thank you. And it’s just Mary. Not Mrs. Wilson.”

  “Mom? Who’re you talking to?”

  Jack’s pulse leaped at the sound of Amy’s voice from the back of the house. He straightened and shoved his hands into his coat pockets just to give them something to do.

  Amy stopped at the end of the hallway and stared up at him. “Jack.”

  “Hey. Hope it’s okay that I stopped by.”

  That was good, right? Cool. Casual. Unlike the feeling rushing through him at the mere sight of her. Maybe offering her a job wasn’t the best idea. But then...surely this feeling would pass.

  “I didn’t know you were planning to be in town.”

  Her blue eyes sparkled up at him and he told himself to proceed with caution. No sense in giving her false hope. The flowers had been on impulse but he was glad now he’d given them to her mother—who he realized was watching them curiously.

  “I had a meeting this morning, and lunch with Callum and Taylor.”

  “A meeting in Cadence Creek? What for?”

  He forced a smile. “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

  Mary backed away. “I’ll just put these in some water, and then I’ve got to get going. I have a hair appointment in thirty minutes. Amy, should I put some coffee on for your guest?”

  Jack shook his head. “Don’t go to any trouble for me, Mrs... Mary.”

  She nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. Amy came forward, her brow wrinkled in a frown. “What are you doing here, Jack?”

  “Your mom is very nice,” he said, wanting to ease into the conversation. “She doesn’t have to leave, though.”

  Amy’s face relaxed a little. “She really does have an appointment at the salon. There’ve been some changes since I got back. Good ones.”

  “Oh?”

  “We went to see a lawyer this morning. She’s finally taking steps to divorce my dad.”

  Jack blinked. In normal circumstances those words would be a bad thing, but Jack knew that in this situation it meant steps forward. “You must be pleased about that.”

  “We talked,” she said simply. “I feel better about leaving her in the fall, if she keeps this up.”

  “About that...” he began.

  Mary came back in, went to the closet and took out her coat. “There are some cookies in the tin on the counter, Amy. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

  “Okay, Mum.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jack.”

  He stood up. “And you. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”

  Her eyes lit up. “That’s good. ’Bye now.”

  The house was strangely quiet after she shut the door.

  He turned back to find Amy
watching him, a wary look in her eyes. “See her again soon? What’s going on, Jack? Why were you really here in Cadence Creek?”

  I came for you. The words seemed loud in his brain even though they never passed his lips. He rejected the idea and pressed forward.

  “Let’s sit down,” he suggested.

  He sat on the sofa, hoping she’d sit beside him, but she didn’t. She chose a chair across from him, a scarred coffee table between them. It was covered with a lace doily. It seemed like the wrong place for a woman like Amy. She deserved to be in a house with pretty things and lots of color and personality. Like her.

  “You’re really worried about leaving your mom, aren’t you?”

  Amy nodded. “As much as I’ve wanted to get out of the house, I hate the thought of her being here alone. She had such a hard time when Dad left. I feel like I’m abandoning her a little.”

  Jack smiled. This was perfect. “What if you didn’t have to leave her? What if you could be closer to her than you planned?”

  She frowned. “What are you talking about, Jack?”

  He straightened his shoulders. This would work out just fine. Amy would have her independence, and a good job, and still be able to be close to her mom. He wouldn’t have to worry about her at all.

  “Remember when I was here at Christmas, and I said I had some meetings in addition to wedding and family stuff?”

  “Vaguely.”

  He nodded. “The ranch out past Cooper Ford’s place. The one that went into foreclosure last year? I just closed on it.”

  Her lips dropped open. And she didn’t look happy. He wasn’t sure why he’d expected her to, but he was disappointed just the same.

  “You just...up and bought it?”

  “I was interested as far back as early December, when I first came for wedding stuff. Sam and Ty were talking about it and how the place had been vacant for several months, the fields lying fallow. It was a real waste but it was tied up in legalities a long time and then it hadn’t sold.”

  “What are you going to do with it, Jack? How many homes do you need? Vancouver, Aspen Valley and now here?”

  “I hardly spend any time in Vancouver now. It doesn’t count.”

  But it did. At least he knew it did to her. Never had the differences between them been more marked than right now, with him sitting in her very plain living room. He’d paid well over a million for that ranch and considered it a bargain. Amy’s house would have cost less than a tenth of that. They lived in two very different realities. And yet...if you stripped all that away he knew they had something very much in common. Neither of them liked to show the world who they really were. The closest he’d come to letting down his guard was when they were together.

  “You know I enjoy Aspen Valley far more than endless boardroom meetings and sales reports. I don’t want to sell Shepard Sports—it’s too profitable and not good business sense, at least not now. But I’m mixing things up. I’m looking at changing the management structure there. Putting someone else in charge. That way I can focus on what I really enjoy.” He met her gaze. “Why did I bother making all this money if I don’t take time to use it to be happy?”

  “And the ranch makes you happy.”

  He should have been able to answer with an unqualified yes. And a month ago he probably would have. But something had changed. An unsettledness he couldn’t explain, other than it had happened just about the time Callum had gotten married. It had been pretty amazing, seeing his big brother as a husband and dad. And Taylor, too, so in love with Rhys these days. Perhaps he would have been able to put it all in perspective except for one thing: Amy. Getting to know her had changed everything, as much as he didn’t want to admit it.

  And yet the thought of telling her the whole truth made his insides seize. He’d never told anyone the entire story about his relationship with Sheila. Not in all the years since his accident. It hurt too much.

  He pressed forward with the plan he’d rehearsed in the car. “I want to start a similar program at this ranch as I have in Montana. I’ve already worked up a short list of names for people who could run the team-building part. One is a former football coach I know who does life skills coaching now. But I’d need someone to oversee the hospitality end. There’s work to be done to both the house and facilities, of course. Even with a rush on it, summer will be the earliest it’ll be ready for bookings. But the business manager’s job is yours, Amy, if you want it. You could live on-site, in your own suite. You’d have your independence and still be close enough to check in on your mom. Make sure things are okay.”

  His speech was greeted with silence. She was staring at him as if he were a stranger, and for the first time ever he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

  “You came here to offer me a job?”

  He shifted on the sofa cushion. “Well, yes. I don’t have any doubts you could do it. The operation here would likely be bigger—there’s a large cabin on the property, as well, and there’d be more staff to oversee. We could hire housekeeping and cooking staff, and leave you to the administration and hostess end of things. You were so great with making our guests comfortable and welcome, and you whipped the office into shape in no time. You’re a natural.”

  He smiled at her.

  “That’s what you came to offer me. Employment.”

  He frowned. “Didn’t you just ask that?”

  “I was looking for confirmation. Because I thought maybe I hadn’t heard you right.”

  “You did.” It was hard to keep the smile on his face when he felt as if he were somehow walking into a minefield.

  She folded her hands in her lap. “We made love, Jack. We shouldn’t pretend that it was just sex. It wasn’t. And the kiss you gave me at the airport wasn’t exactly platonic. So for you to come here and offer me a job...I’m not sure if I’m surprised, disappointed or insulted.”

  “Insulted?” He got up from the sofa and put his hands on his hips. “I’m offering the perfect solution. The fact that I’d entrust this to you is insulting?”

  She looked up at him. “What’s it supposed to be, Jack, my consolation prize?”

  He felt as if she’d struck him. Not because he was offended but because he suspected on some level she was right. It was his way of trying to make things up to her. Of doing something for her so he didn’t have to...

  The room felt like it was closing in on him. His lungs squeezed as he tried to get enough air but couldn’t. Amy had a way of hitting just a little too close with her honesty. He was offering this so he didn’t have to give up any part of himself.

  “I wouldn’t offer it to you if I didn’t think you were right for the job,” he managed to say. He met her gaze and forced himself to hold it even though the need to escape was pulsing through him.

  “And if I were a different person, if I were the woman I was even two months ago, I’d say yes, with a big elaborate plan about how it would keep me close to you so I could convince you that I was the right woman for you.”

  “But you’re not.”

  “I’m not that woman,” she confirmed. “Not anymore. Will you sit back down again? You’re making me nervous.”

  He sat, resting his hands on his knees. He was still offended at her remark about being insulted. That hadn’t been his intention at all. While he was scared to death of an actual relationship, it stung a bit that she was so determined to not be with him. Turning it down didn’t seem to be bothering her all that much. She had no idea how torn up he was inside. The word love had popped into his head so many times he was getting tired of shoving it down again.

  “I’m sorry, Jack. I’ve got to refuse your offer, though I’m sure it’s a great opportunity. But I’m going to go to school to get my diploma and find a job all on my own. Mom and I will manage. I’ll only be forty-five minutes away.”

  �
�You’re turning it down? Because you feel, what, like you’re getting special treatment?”

  To his surprise her eyes filled with tears. “No, you stupid ass. I’m turning it down because it would be horribly unfair to me to be tied to you day in and day out and not be yours when I’m so completely in love with you.”

  It was a good thing he was sitting down because it felt like the floor disappeared from beneath his feet.

  He said the only words that came to him. “You can’t be in love with me. You can’t.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Amy knew it would be like this but beating around the bush just wasn’t working. Seeing him today had been like a punch to the gut. She’d come back to Cadence Creek and made decisions and felt good about her plans but something was missing. That something was Jack. Being with him had changed her. It had been too wonderful, felt too much like the real thing. No matter what had come before making love or after, for that blissful night it had been as real as it could get. Souls had been bared without words needing to be said. The only answer was that she must have fallen in love with him...against her best intentions. It had never been like that for her before. Not ever. A part of her wondered if it ever would be again.

  And that part of her was what had told her she could never settle for pieces of Jack. She needed everything or nothing.

  “I can, and do,” she said, swallowing the tears clogged in her throat. “But I know you don’t love me back. Working for you would be torture, day in and day out. Knowing—” she choked a little “—and not having. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us.”

  “What do you want, then? I told you from the beginning I don’t do relationships and love and marriage and all that.”

  “Yes, you did. It’s not your fault. You didn’t change the rules, Jack. I did. I was so bent on being different, on having something to prove, that I went too far in the other direction. The truth is the outgoing, bubbly Amy that was here before and the determined, goal-focused Amy that was at Aspen Valley aren’t really me. The real Amy Wilson is somewhere in between. I may want to break free of old habits and exert my independence, but that doesn’t change who I am inside. And that person wants a husband, and a family, and a home someday. The kind of life I never had growing up. If you aren’t the kind of man who I can see in that role, I’m wasting my time—not to mention my heart.”