Her Guardian Rancher

by Brenda Minton

  “I’d like to see you put that in your barn.”

  “If I could give her an elephant, I would.” She smiled.

  “You would give her anything.” He laughed. “I would give her anything. I think right now Boone is wondering if he could find an actual elephant.”

  He opened her truck door for her. She would have hugged him at that moment, but she needed a shower. It was a point in his favor that he would even stand next to her. She wondered what type of women he dated. It was a dangerous thought, because she knew the world he came from. Married to Andy, for a short time, she’d been a part of that world. “Don’t worry,” he said.

  “I’m not. Okay, maybe a little.”

  “About Jamie?” he asked as he leaned against the open truck door.

  “Yes, Jamie. And Pete. Sometimes I even worry about you.”

  He showed her that dimple in his cheek, the one that could make a girl develop a serious crush. “Now, why would you worry about me?”

  Why would she? He was standing there, all tall and confident in blue jeans and a cowboy hat.

  “Because you’re still hanging around here instead of moving on with your life.”

  The dimple deepened, throwing her off-kilter. “Sweetheart, that is where you’re wrong. I’m exactly where I want to be. And I am moving forward with my life.”

  Her heart slammed against her ribs. “Don’t say things like that.”

  “Why not? Unless I mean them?” he asked. His grin disappeared, but the look on his face was just as dangerous. “I mean it.”

  Then he closed the truck door and walked away.

  * * *

  Daron parked next to Emma. As she got out of the truck, she looked a little worse for wear. It was barely eight in the morning and she’d probably been up for several hours already. Her grandfather had been up since six and he said she’d already been long gone. Jamie had still been asleep when Daron got there, but she’d woken up and was busy entertaining Boone when Daron left the house to go find Emma.

  The roofing crew was hard at it. There were four men and he guessed they’d get a big portion of the roof done by evening.

  “This is too much,” Emma said. “I’m working at being more accepting of help. But a new roof isn’t just help.”

  He walked with her toward the house. “Accept it, Emma. I’m also going to put plastic on the windows. That might help keep the wind out.”

  “Thank you,” she said softly, and he didn’t look down. He didn’t want to see tears and he doubted she wanted him to see. “I’m going to take a shower and then you can introduce me to Lucy. But really, she doesn’t have to stay here.”

  “She does. And she agrees.”

  He didn’t tell her the rest. He had the police doing some checking on Pete and who he might be in trouble with. Emma left him in the living room. Jamie was showing Lucy a book about elephants and explaining why one would be a good pet. Lucy had never been much of a kid person, but she was softening up, her hand even stroking Jamie’s blond curls.

  Daron didn’t know all of Andy and Emma’s story, but he could guess that his friend had done a number on Emma’s self-confidence. Andy would have expected a lot. And then there was the fact that he hadn’t been faithful. Idiot. He’d been given a gift and he hadn’t cherished it.

  Daron went to the kitchen and put on a fresh pot of coffee. Art was cooking up some eggs and bacon on the stove. He looked a little run-down but better than he had the previous day.

  “Art, I can do that.”

  Art faced him, spatula in hand. “It’s the least I can do, make you all breakfast. We appreciate this. I’d appreciate it more if I knew why you thought we needed a bodyguard.”

  Daron sat down at the kitchen table and explained. Because Art deserved to know. He had a right to protect his family. Art turned off the stove and removed the pan of eggs from the burner. “That boy needs to be locked up for his own safety.”

  “Yeah, he does. Unfortunately something has to happen in order to do that.”

  “I reckon. But I hate that something always has to happen before a person can get help.”

  “Me, too.”

  Emma entered the room, her hair damp from her shower. She’d changed into jeans and a pale blue T-shirt, her feet bare. She glanced at him, shy, then went to the coffeepot. She hugged Art before pouring herself a cup.

  “We have a new heifer calf,” she told her grandfather.

  “That’s good news. You had to pull her?” Art asked as he scooped out eggs and bacon and handed her the plate. “Jamie had cereal for breakfast.”

  “Thanks, Granddad.” She rose on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “Yes, I had to pull her. It wasn’t too bad. The cow was just worn out and needed a little help. I need to transfer stuff from the old truck to Daron’s. I didn’t have the jack or gloves.”

  She sat down across from Daron and raised her gaze to meet his. “Do you want breakfast?”

  “In a minute.”

  Lucy joined them, pouring herself a cup of coffee. “Jamie is drawing pictures of elephants. In case we wondered what she wants for Christmas.”

  Daron pushed a chair out with his foot. “Join us.”

  Lucy nodded, but she filled her a plate first.

  “Lucy, I don’t think you’ve met Emma Shaw. Emma, this is our partner Lucy Palermo.”

  Lucy gave Emma a somewhat pleasant look. That was as pleasant as Lucy got. She’d had a rough childhood, even rougher teenage years. She kept to herself, a habit learned from her mother. Don’t trust. Don’t talk.

  “Nice to meet you, Emma. I’ve heard a lot about you.” She shot Daron one of her rare smiles. It looked more like a smirk.

  “Nice to meet you, too.” Emma set her coffee cup on the table. “You really don’t have to do this. I know Daron is worried and...”

  Lucy raised a hand to stop Emma. “I’m here because I’m worried, too. This is something we all talked about.”

  “Maybe I should have been included in this conversation we all had?” Emma said with a bit of bite in her tone.

  “We’re discussing it now,” Lucy shot back.

  “Good, this is promising.” Boone entered the room. “Lucy, we need to get you declawed. Daron, haven’t you called the vet?”

  Daron laughed and so did Art. At least two of them were on the same side. “I tried, but the VA is backlogged and can’t declaw for several months.”

  “You all are so funny,” Lucy snarled, and then she dug into the breakfast. “Remember, I’m armed.”

  Daron glanced at Emma. “Lucy does love her weapons.”

  “I’m a good bodyguard and don’t you forget it, Daron McKay. I’m more than a pretty smile and flashy gray eyes.”

  He put a hand to his heart. “Ouch. You got me there. My weapon is my dimple.”

  Boone sat down at the table with them. “The two of you are like siblings in the back of a van on a long vacation.”

  “Something Boone knows all about.” Daron got up to take his cup to the sink.

  “Yeah, if it has to do with siblings, I know a thing or two. But we need to discuss this. I have to put together a crew for a big oil CEO coming to Houston for meetings. Daron, you’re staying here to man the office for a week or so?”

  “Yes, and to plan for that big conference in January.”

  “That leaves me here,” Lucy said. “I’ll be able to help you in Houston if you need me. And if Daron needs me at the office, I can manage.”

  “I don’t need twenty-four-seven protection,” Emma tried to protest. Daron wanted to tell her he understood. She didn’t want them all invading her life. But for now, this was best. They were all in agreement. They’d served with Andy. They cared about her.

  Jamie entered the room, killing any further conversation. She craw
led onto her mom’s lap and began to draw more elephant pictures. Emma leaned close, kissing the little girl’s head.

  “This is an elephant with big ears, Mommy.” Jamie pointed at the picture. “And it likes kittens.”

  “So the elephant wants a pet kitten?” Emma asked.

  Jamie nodded, her head tucked beneath Emma’s chin. Daron leaned against the counter and watched the two of them.

  There was definitely no way he was getting out of this situation without losing a big chunk of his heart.

  Chapter Ten

  Emma hefted a tray of Monday meat loaf specials and headed for table ten. She said a quick hello to an older friend of Art’s, sidestepped Ned and managed to get to the table without losing a single plate. She counted that as an accomplishment.

  After she’d served the customers, refilled their drinks and chatted briefly, she headed back to the kitchen. Duke was stirring up something chocolate. She wanted chocolate. Badly.

  “Have a bite,” Duke offered. He grabbed a spoon and scooped her out some. “Chocolate pie filling.”

  She took it, relished it and tossed the spoon in the sink. “That’s amazing.”

  “Better than cake?” he teased.

  “Definitely better than cake.”

  “About your mare,” he said as she headed out of the kitchen.

  She paused and then did an about-face. “What?”

  She never asked about Bell. She didn’t visit. She pretended the horse had never existed because it was easier than giving up on a dream. If she pretended the dream hadn’t existed, it hurt less.

  “I’m only telling you this because I think you have a right to know. Daron is trying to buy the mare. We told him she’s not for sale, because that’s the deal we made with you. But if you’re okay with the urban cowboy buying her, we’ll go ahead.”

  “I’m not okay with him buying her.” She closed her eyes and counted to ten. Twice. When she opened her eyes she was still on the edge of angry. “I don’t want him to buy that horse. Not because of his city roots but because of his stupid guilty conscience. I don’t want pity gifts. I don’t want this. Any of it.”

  She pulled her apron up to her face and growled into it. Behind her the door opened and Ned chuckled. Emma dropped the apron back into place.

  “He’s infuriating.”

  Ned full-blown laughed. “Got to be talking about the urban cowboy. Honey, let me tell you something. Yes, he’s infuriating. But he’s also a wonderful-looking man. I’m old, but I look at him and thank my Good Lord above for allowing me to at least look. You’ve got him running in circles after you and you’re about to send him on down the road?”

  “I don’t want his pity or his guilt. I thought we were friends. I can use a friend.”

  Duke poured filling into a prepared pie shell. “He offered to buy her horse back. I thought I should check with Emma before I made any deals.”

  “Troublemaker,” Ned quipped as she turned in an order. “You knew it would rile her and you love to cause that boy problems. The whole lot of you have been picking on him for about twenty years now. But he’s stuck with it. He hasn’t left that ranch. He hasn’t walked away from his friends. I guess we probably should stop calling him city boy. He’s as country as the rest of us.”

  Duke laughed. “Just with shinier boots.”

  Emma found her sense of humor. “He does have pretty boots.”

  Ned snorted. “If that’s what you’re noticing when you look at him, then I think the two of us need to have a long, long talk.”

  “Ned, seems like you ought to ask him out.” Duke handed Emma a pie. “Ready for the fridge.”

  “Now, what kind of woman would I be if I tried to take Emma’s man?” Ned asked as she headed back out of the kitchen. “Besides, I’m too old to take that road again.”

  “I’m with Ned. I’ve already been down that route. I’m fine being single.”

  Duke gave them both a look and shook his head as he went back to his pies. “You all are trying to out plan God. I remember when I tried that. And one day I turned around and found I had a daughter and that the woman I didn’t remember was the love of my life. You never know what will happen tomorrow.”

  “I hope only good things,” Emma said. She could use some good days.

  “Surely you don’t think the Lord is worried about marrying me off, Duke Martin?” Ned cackled a bit. “That ship done sailed. Not that sweet little Emma here can’t believe in second chances.”

  “I think I’m happily single, too.” Emma shot her boss a look. “The horse stays at your place. Yours or Jake’s. You are not to sell it to Daron.”

  She walked back into the dining room of the restaurant, and there sat Daron McKay, in the flesh. In the last few days she’d gotten used to his continuous presence. No matter where she went, either he or Lucy followed. One of them always seemed to be at the house, too.

  It did make her feel better, safer, to have someone watching over Granddad and Jamie while she worked. Today Lucy had even kept Jamie so she wouldn’t have to go out in the cold to Breezy’s. Emma knew that was a big deal for the other woman, who had freely admitted she wasn’t a kid person.

  Not that the two of them had shared their deepest secrets. They talked about the weather, about horses and about what to fix for dinner. Occasionally they touched on the surface of their real lives.

  She didn’t hold on to any real hope that she and Lucy would be best friends.

  Her heart skipped to Daron. Because even annoyed, she was glad to see him. And that frightened her. Relying on him, on anyone, scared her.

  Except Granddad. He was her one safety net. He had always been there for her. It wasn’t that she didn’t believe another person could do the same, it was just more comfortable to rely on her grandfather.

  She carried water to the table where Daron sat, alone.

  “You asked Duke if you could buy the mare,” she said as she set the glass in front of him.

  “Duke has a big mouth,” Daron said as he picked up the menu. “I’m here to follow you home.”

  “Good. Wonderful. But the horse isn’t included in this bodyguard business. I’m letting you all invade my home, my life, and I’m doing that to keep my daughter and grandfather safe. That doesn’t give you the right to interfere in the rest of my life.”

  He pointed to the seat across from her. She sat down, waiting for his explanation. She didn’t look at him. Looking might mean falling. For his excuses. Not for him.

  “Art told me how much the mare means to you.”

  She closed her eyes, wishing it were true. She loved the mare. She was a beautiful animal. She was a hope and a promise. And not at all what people thought. Because she wanted that horse. She wanted the dream.

  But not the way it had happened.

  “No. Daron, just no. Don’t go there. Don’t bring this up. Just let it go. I don’t want the mare back. She’s beautiful and wonderful and I don’t want her.”

  “But Art said...”

  Emma stopped him. “There are things Granddad doesn’t know. And there are things I’m not going to tell you. Just let it go. I don’t want the mare. I want the Martins to have her. Someday I’ll have a foal out of her. That will be enough.”

  She could see the wheels turning in Daron’s head, and she wondered how long it would take him to connect the dots. But maybe he wouldn’t think about it past today. Maybe he would understand the story was too difficult to tell. Only Oregon knew. That was enough.

  “Okay, no mare.” He leaned back in his chair. “You know, I’ll listen if you ever want to talk.”

  “I know you will. But for now I have to get back to work. Did you want to order?”

  “Nope, I’m just here to follow you home when your shift is over.”

  She got
up from the table, hoping he meant it, that he wouldn’t push.

  He reached for her hand, stopping her escape. “I’ll be at your place early tomorrow morning.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m driving you to Austin tomorrow. For Jamie’s appointment.”

  “You really don’t have to.”

  “I think I do. We’ll do chores before we head out, so Art doesn’t have to. And while we’re gone, Lucy is going to try and convince him to go to the doctor for that cough.”

  “I hope she can convince him,” she admitted. “I haven’t been able to get him to go.”

  “Lucy can be very persuasive.”

  Lucy wasn’t the only one. But she didn’t have a chance to tell him that. She found herself busy for the next hour. Folks working on the Christmas bazaar had finished up for the day and were taking a late lunch.

  When she finally clocked out, Daron was still there. Duke had joined him for a glass of tea and a slice of pie. The two were talking horses and the price of cattle.

  “I’m heading home now. Duke, I’ll see you in a couple of days.”

  Duke stood. “You make sure you let us know how the appointment goes. And if you need anything at all, just call. We’re praying for you both, Emma.”

  “Thank you, Duke. We appreciate it so much.”

  Daron got up to follow her out. “I’ll be at my place tonight.”

  That took her by surprise. “Okay?”

  “It’s closer. In case you need anything.”

  “We have Lucy with us,” she reminded him.

  “I know.” He shrugged, like it didn’t matter. “It will be good to stay at my place. Boone’s brother, Jase, has been crashing at the camper. It’s hard to pace with him constantly wanting to analyze what might be wrong with me.”

  “All right, then. See you in the morning.”

  She almost invited him for dinner. But she didn’t. Instead she said goodbye to him at her truck, knowing he would follow her home, then go on to his place.

  It was better that way.

  * * *

  Daron fixed himself a bologna sandwich that night and he sat on the front porch to eat it. In the field cattle grazed. His cattle. There were horses, just a few. When he wasn’t there to take care of them, the ranch hand, Mack, did whatever was necessary.