by Susan Crosby
“It’s how I make my living. Custom saddles and tack. A few other items.”
“You make saddles?”
“I embellish them. These are for show and parade horses. I also repair museum pieces. That’s what I was picking up at the airport that day. A museum in Montana had sent some old leather pieces they’d received.” He rested his hand on a saddle next to a worktable. “I’ve been working on this one all morning. The horse and rider will be in the Rose Parade this year. Actually, I’ll be doing four saddles and other paraphernalia for her group.”
The work was detailed and exquisite. He did leather tooling, but also set gems in silver, intricate work, especially for a man with such large hands and long fingers. “Remember that bolo tie you wore at the airport? Did you make that?”
“One of my first pieces. Most show people want jewelry to match their saddles, so I learned how. I do belts, too.”
“You’re an artist.” She picked up a necklace of hammered silver and orange jade. A saddle with matching silver and jade was perched nearby. “This is stunning, Garrett. I hope you’re charging what this is worth.”
He shrugged. “It pays the bills and keeps the animals fed.”
“How does word get out about you?”
“Through satisfied customers.”
“You’ve never advertised?”
“Wouldn’t know where to start.”
“How much time do you put into it?”
To give himself something to do, Garrett straightened a few tools. “A couple hours a day.” He could sense the wheels turning in her head, the businesswoman coming to life. To distract her, he tugged on her braid. “Breakfast?”
She left reluctantly, looking over her shoulder. Now that his secret was out, he could go back to work hammering silver for a belt. It was an original design, his own take on the Navajo conchos but with a Texas touch, more a look of mesquite, intricately carved.
He worked with all kinds of gems, precious and semiprecious, his well-hidden safe containing a treasure trove of stones, including some chocolate diamonds a client had sent to be made into earrings and a necklace. They were the diamonds he likened to Victoria’s eyes, especially when they’d glittered as he’d made love to her.
Garrett worked until she showed up with a plate in each hand piled with country-fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.
“I would’ve come to the house,” he said, making space on a counter.
“I didn’t see a dinner bell,” she said. “And I figured it’d stay warmer if I just brought it.”
“Plus you want to use this setting to push some kind of plan you hatched while you were cooking.”
Her cheeks turned pink. “That’s how my mind works. My degree is in marketing.”
“I remember. These are great,” he said after sampling the potatoes, which had just the right amount of crisp. Personally, he would’ve left the skins on, but he wasn’t complaining.
“I could create a global network for you on the web,” she said earnestly. “You could command top dollar.”
He aimed his fork at her. “You know, princess, I may live in the middle of nowhere, and I never did set foot in a classroom after high school graduation, but I figured out what the market would bear. I negotiate now and then, but I’ve always been willing to walk away from a job. It’s all been on my terms. I have no interest in changing that.”
“I get that, Garrett, I do. Most artists just want to be left alone to ply their craft. That’s where I would come in. You wouldn’t have to do a thing except produce the final product.”
“Nope. But thank you for your interest.” He said it in way that meant the discussion was over.
“You haven’t even heard my ideas.”
He hadn’t seen her this animated before and didn’t want to dampen that excitement. Nor did he want to mislead her.
“Okay, here’s the deal,” he said after giving it some thought. “You put together a solid, workable business plan and we’ll talk about it.” That ought to keep her busy—and happy—for a few days. She threw her arms around him and thanked him again and again, so he figured he was doing the right thing, at least for her.
“What are your plans for the day?” she asked as they finished their meals.
“I need to fix a better box for the new pups.”
“Oh! Do they need to be fed? I didn’t even think about it.”
“I fed them. They’re good to go awhile longer. It’ll give me time to get to town and pick up my meals at Red. They’ll be wondering.”
“They’re closed on Monday, but I have an in with the manager, you know. I’m sure Marcos would meet you at the restaurant if you give him a time.” She looked away for a second. “Or I could pick up the food when I go to town.”
“I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”
“I need to change clothes. And get my laptop.” She met his gaze, a challenge in hers.
“Why?” he asked.
“So that I can work here. It would be much more efficient if I could put together the plan with you available on the spot for questions. Plus I could help you with the animals so that you could spend more time in your shop.”
“Are you talking about staying overnight?” Although the idea of her being here with him all day, every day, excited him, her staying went against his personal rules, rules that had worked fine in the past.
But she didn’t answer, putting the burden on him to say which way it would go.
“It’s not a good idea,” he said finally, picking up his silver mallet and starting to work again so he wouldn’t have to see the disappointment in her eyes. “What would people say, Victoria?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does. It should matter to you, too.”
“I haven’t been mingling with people much, mostly just my family. Who would know except them? It’s not as if I have a reputation to maintain here.”
“But I do.”
“Oh! Of course you do. I’m so sorry, Garrett. Truly. I was only thinking of myself. It was just so good last night.”
Damn good. Excellent. Satisfying in ways he had never been satisfied. Still, he couldn’t give in to the temptation of her spending every night in his arms. He wasn’t sure he could give her up.
“Okay,” she said. “Let me do this much. I’ll go to town and pick up your meals. Only Marcos will know about that. And I can stop by the feed store and get the puppy food you need. I can take the pups to the vet, too. Anything else you can think of?”
He was probably making a big mistake, but he said, “Go ahead and bring your laptop and work here, at least during the day. As long as no one sees your car too early in the morning, it should be fine.”
She kissed his cheek. “My parents would love you.”
He doubted that. “Why?”
“You’re a gentleman. They would appreciate that.”
“You don’t normally hang around with gentlemen?”
She cocked her head, as if considering that. “Not like you. You’re old-school.”
“I slept with you out of wedlock. And it wasn’t the first time I’ve done that,” he said, giving her a look.
Her eyes widened. “You weren’t a virgin? I’m shocked, cowboy. Shocked.”
He lifted her onto the workbench. She opened her legs, letting him get close. “You shocked me a little last night.”
“How?” She went all flirty on him, fluttering her lashes, her lips curving in a totally sexy way.
That you matched me so well, in every respect. “I’ll take the Fifth on that.”
“Chicken.” She grinned. “I enjoyed you, too. You have excellent moves.”
He hadn’t felt as if he’d been using moves, but just reacti
ng and responding. As she’d said last night, they fit.
She wrapped her legs around him as he kissed her. He’d enjoyed this morning beyond any in his memory. It was nice to wake up to a beautiful woman by his side, exciting to be kissing her in his workshop, where no other human had been. And way too easy to get used to.
“I’ll clean up the kitchen then take off,” she said, finger combing his hair. “Call me on my cell if you think of anything else I can pick up.”
“I will, thanks.”
He lifted her off the workbench then followed her to the big barn door.
“Sure I can’t interest you in a quick roll in the hay?” she asked.
Before he answered, the dogs started barking. A vehicle was coming up the driveway. “It’s your fault we can’t,” he said, taking the empty plates from her and setting them aside.
“Guess I can’t clean up the kitchen, either. Too bad.”
He laughed. They went into the yard as a county sheriff’s car pulled up.
“Garrett,” the man said, hitching up his pants. He left his hat in his car, which Garrett decided was a good thing. Not an official visit.
They shook hands. “Cletus. How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain.” He looked at Victoria expectantly.
“This is Victoria Fortune,” Garrett said. “Victoria, meet Deputy Cletus Bodine. He was my arresting officer a few times in my wild youth.”
“The days of the bar fights?” Victoria asked, shaking the deputy’s hand.
“He grew up. Been walkin’ the straight and narrow for a long time. Except…”
Now what? Garrett thought, figuring Victoria had to be somehow responsible for whatever came next.
“It’s come to my attention that you’re running an animal shelter. You gotta have a license for that, you know?”
Garrett gave Victoria an I’ll-handle-this look before she could pipe up. “I’m doing the same as I’ve always done, Cletus. Strays just end up here. A misunderstanding arose about this over the past week, but it was just that, a little communications snafu. I’ve been trying to let people know it isn’t true. Meanwhile, more animals have landed here than usual, but I’ve also found more homes.”
“Mind if I look around?”
Although it was phrased as a request, he wasn’t really asking. Garrett knew he didn’t have to comply, but felt he should, proving he had nothing to hide. “Don’t mind at all.” To Victoria he said, “Thanks for taking the pups to the vet.” He figured she’d slip into the house for her purse and the dogs as soon as he and Cletus went inside the barn.
She held out a hand to Cletus. “Nice to meet you, Deputy.”
“Same here, miss.”
Garrett had forgotten the empty breakfast plates sitting just inside the barn until he spotted them. He saw Cletus take a look, too.
“A Fortune gal, Garrett? Really?”
Garrett said nothing. He knew the ridiculousness of it without being reminded by someone else. Pete came protectively to Garrett’s side, as if sensing something was amiss. Abel sat and watched, attentive. The other dogs were unusually quiet as well, picking up on the tension.
The sound of Victoria’s car leaving relaxed Garrett. He told Cletus what had happened to set off the influx of animals.
“I don’t think I’ve been out here since you called to have Crystal evicted. That woman sure did want to stay.”
“Not a high point of my life,” Garrett said.
“We’re all entitled to one crazy woman, I suppose. Me? I had more’n you.” The deputy chuckled, gave him a slap on the back and took off.
Crystal had been the straw that broke Garrett’s back when it came to women. He’d only intended to spend one night with her, but he’d enjoyed her and let her stay two more nights.
Then he couldn’t get her to leave—and then she’d revealed her true colors. She’d pulled everything out of his kitchen cabinets, broken what could be broken, destroyed his home, as well as his fleeting affection for her gender. He’d thought she was different. He’d been right. She was worse.
He’d had to call the sheriff to tame her. The embarrassment of it still haunted him, so he’d put his old rules back into place and had held steady to him. No girlfriend. No wife. Lesson learned.
Or so he thought. He was involved with another woman who wasn’t right for him, although in an entirely different way. He couldn’t picture Victoria destroying his house, but he hadn’t thought so of Crystal in the beginning, either.
Frustrated, he took the empty plates into the kitchen. As he washed the dishes, including the many pans she’d used, he considered Victoria’s suggestion for his business. Did he want to expand? Maybe not become a shelter, but a sanctuary? There were good ones around the country, but there was room for more. And if his designs could bring in enough money, he wouldn’t constantly have to be fundraising, which was one of the biggest headaches of such endeavors.
Realistically, could he do that?
Not without a plan. And not without help. He also couldn’t see himself spending an entire day working on saddles and jewelry. He liked being with his animals too much for that. But if he hired someone to clean the stalls and crates, maybe do the feeding, then he could work with the animals, playing and training. It would depend on what kind of animals he took in. There were circus animals always in need of homes, and Hollywood actor animals. Did he want to take in anything exotic? Elephants? Tigers?
He didn’t think so. He was a basic man.
Basic, as in he didn’t mind dirt or living without an electric dishwasher or a swimming pool. He liked his air conditioner, though, and the internet and satellite TV for all those long, quiet nights.
Basic, as in he enjoyed hearty, filling food. And sex.
Victoria’s face came to mind, not at all a basic woman. He’d spotted her checking out her fingernails while she’d been eating breakfast, recalled how perfect they’d been when they’d walked through the terminal that first day. He’d bet a month’s income her nails had never looked like that before.
Her mind fascinated him. She was bright and competent. And game, he thought, for just about anything. He never would’ve pegged her as adventurous.
No, not basic at all, but multifaceted and complex. How long until she tired of her foray into ranch living and its isolation? This extra week of vacation? Less than that?
Those were the biggest questions of all.
Chapter Nine
When Victoria returned to the ranch, she planted herself in Garrett’s workshop with her laptop and got to work. She would need to confer with a CPA and probably a tax attorney, but first she needed a general plan. A plan Garrett would agree to, where he wouldn’t have to be concerned with involving himself in the day-to-day operations. He only wanted to create. She understood that. And he wanted time with his animals. He wouldn’t be Garrett without that. She would figure out a way.
He’d brought Dee and Dum into the shop, giving them playtime away from the other dogs.
The sounds of Garrett’s tools were almost rhythmic. His presence alone soothed her. Every once in a while she found the chance to just stare at him and enjoy the sight. Every so often, she could feel his gaze on her, as well.
After a few hours, he said, “Cletus noticed the breakfast plates,” as he polished a silver piece.
“Is that a problem?”
“I don’t expect he’ll spread the word, but I wanted you to know, in case you run into him again.”
“Okay.” She saved her work, stretched and rolled her neck. She’d had enough for one day. “Do you want me to bring in the horses?”
He stopped what he was doing, stared at the counter for a second or two then looked at her. “I’m done for the day. If you’d like to bring the tw
o new horses in, that’d be great. Apple Annie could use a ride. We usually spend some time on the property every afternoon. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll put the pups and my laptop inside the house first.”
She was aware of him saddling the mare as she brought one of the other horses into his stall, then he grinned at her, looking like a kid as he took off at a canter. He’d been right—he couldn’t spend all day working at his trade. He needed movement, action and freedom. She needed to build that into his plan.
She wondered how he would feel about having help.
Hired help or…her? She was more excited by working on this than any project she’d been given at JMF Financials. It may have a lot to do with the man, of course, but beyond her attraction to him was the challenge the work presented. She could finally use her education, apply it to a real-life situation, even though she didn’t really know what she was doing.
But she did know what he needed.
Garrett didn’t come back for an hour, then didn’t come inside for another half hour, probably grooming Apple Annie. Victoria fixed a salad, slipped a tray of Carne à la Mexicana, a Red specialty, into the oven and then set the table. She’d even bought napkins to replace the paper towels he normally used. His face was windburned but relaxed as he leaned against the kitchen doorjamb.
“Dinner’ll be ready in about five minutes,” she said. She could smell horse on him, not a bad smell but a strong one.
“No time for a shower first?”
“Go ahead. Everything will keep that long.”
“Thanks.”
She was tempted to join him. The only thing that stopped her was the possibility that someone might drive up and interrupt them. Since her car was out front, one of them needed to be able to answer the door.
When he joined her in the kitchen he didn’t give her a kiss or hug or even a pat on the rear. He walked past her, opened the refrigerator and pulled out a beer, holding it up to her.
“Yes, thanks,” she said, so he grabbed a second, opened it and set it next to her plate.
“How far did you ride?” she asked after several minutes of their usual silence.
