by Lisa Prysock
JACK COLTEN TIPPED his cowboy hat to look up at the large, white barn-shaped house. He’d parked his RV and pick-up truck to the rear of the parking lot where it took up four or five parking spaces. He’d climbed out of the shiny midnight blue truck and leaned against the hood, his hands resting on the edge of his jean pockets as he looked around at the ranch.
He could make out a row of large barns and a couple of sheds beyond the main house. A large grazing meadow and maybe a creek cut across the northeast side of the ranch in the distance beyond the house. Looking to the northwest, he saw a long row of cabins, some with two stories.
To the northwest, beyond a rodeo arena and campfire picnic area with pavilions, it looked like a covered bridge led to a little white country church. Closer to the parking lot on his left, a row of shops, restaurants, and other amenities attracted happy residents, some enjoying patio dining in the wide open space Wyoming presented.
He could see all kinds of activity going on with ranch guests in almost every direction and was surprised when a small, private jet approached the airstrip to the northeast. Until he heard the plane’s engine as it began the descent, he’d forgotten Chase had mentioned the airstrip, too.
He began crossing the parking lot, moving toward the wraparound front porch of the main house where once inside, he would meet with Logan Haven. He took in everything around him, pausing for two guests jogging by as he made his way through the rows of parked cars and trucks.
Nearing the porch, he tipped his hat at a wrangler unloading luggage from an airport van as passengers tumbled out. The wrangler nodded and tipped his hat in return. He could tell he would’ve said hello except someone required his attention with questions about their bags. Obviously, it was a typical busy Monday, much like the ones he’d experienced as a wrangler at The Broken J.
Though he liked the airy feel the state gifted its travelers with the mountains looming up in the distance, he was glad for the line of trees along the drive of the southeast entrance. These, and many other clumps of trees and wooded areas, dotted various perimeters. It gave the ranch some depth and seclusion.
On the front porch, he paused again as a group of Boy Scouts poured out of the front doors, heading toward the barns, probably on their way to saddle up and ride out on one of the many trails the ranch offered. The place had a peaceful, welcoming feel with loads of nice touches like flowers and country signs located everywhere to help folks find their way around the property. The boys high-fived him as they hurried by. They were laughing, smiling, and chatting amongst each other, seemingly mistaking him for one of the ranch wranglers; although he wasn’t technically hired yet. Jack had a strong feeling he was going to like the place and might even fit right in.
“LOGAN, WAKE UP, HONEY!” Jill shook her husband’s arm. He groaned, but didn’t open his eyes.
She sat up and turned on the nightstand lamp. “Logan, wake up. It’s important.”
“Huh?” He sounded almost awake, but then he let out a long snore.
“Honey, wake up,” Jill shook his arm more vigorously.
Logan opened his eyes briefly. “Go back to sleep dear. It’s three o’clock in the morning.” The snoring returned a moment later.
“Logan, this is serious.” She sighed and placed a hand on her bulging belly. If only her husband wasn’t such a hard worker and a deep sleeper.
His snoring paused. Then he rolled over and his eyes popped wide open. “Is it time? Is it time to go to the hospital?”
“Oh no, honey. It’s much too early for that, but I’m craving shrimp cocktail.” Jill looked at her husband’s expression.
“At three a.m.?” he asked.
“You remember what the book said,” she reminded him. “Cravings are a sign of what our bodies need to produce a healthy baby.”
Logan rubbed his eyes and sat up. “All right, honey. I’m on it. I’ll be right back.” He pulled a t-shirt on over his head, stepped into his jeans, and walked right past the keys.
“The keys are on the dresser,” Jill mentioned.
He turned around and grabbed them.
“Don’t forget your shoes,” she added.
He nodded, his eyes barely open as he stepped into his slippers. It was cold outside, but she could tell he probably didn’t feel like wrestling with socks and boots. Slippers would have to do for a drive into Lander to the only grocery store open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
He left the room and stepped into the hall, turned around, and stopped in the doorway. “Shrimp cocktail? What kind? Breaded, cold, baked, with cocktail sauce?”
“Some of both. The chilled and peeled kind and maybe some of the popcorn shrimp please, breaded, baked, with cocktail sauce...and thank you, honey. I love you.” Jill grinned like a Cheshire cat and sank back into the pillows.
He blinked, his eyes still sleepy. “I love you, too.”
Chapter 4
“I know a lot of cowboys and I've done a little work on ranches with cattle, and those people become your friends, and keep their word.”
—Tommy Lee Jones
The Sweetwater River Ranch Resort, Lander, Wyoming, early November
“It’s snowing! It’s snowing, Mommy!” Amy held out her hands to try to catch the snowflakes as they landed on her fuchsia mittens and instantly melted. A few stuck to her eyelashes and nose, making her smile, dance, and twirl around with glee.
Nicole smiled as she observed her daughter’s joy while a tall wrangler with rugged good looks unloaded their luggage from an old-fashioned wagon.
“First time seeing snow?” the wrangler asked, flashing her a winning smile that lit up his dark brown eyes.
She nodded, a strangely shy sensation coming over her. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt shy around a stranger, but this cowboy was unusually attractive. She felt a pull toward him instantly. It made her feet stick to the ground as she tried not to stare at him. She dare not move, lest she scare him away too quickly. She had a sudden desire to talk to him, to get to know more about him, but she couldn’t think what to say.
The mules stomped their feet at the old-fashioned wooden wagon parked near their cabin and some of their bells jingled. The team, dressed in fancy garb to help them complete their job fashionably, pulled her back into the reality of the moment. “She hasn’t seen snow since we visited Wisconsin to celebrate Christmas with my parents one year. I think she was only five at the time.”
The good-looking wrangler kept his gaze on the task at hand as he unloaded their bags from the back of the wagon. Occasionally, he stole a glance at her. A few times, he paused to see Amy swirl around in the softly falling snow. “Where ya from?”
“California,” she answered softly, remembering how nice it’d felt when his strong arms and hands had assisted her and Amy down from the wagon. She’d sat up front with the wrangler, but her daughter had preferred the wagon bed. “Santa Monica.”
He nodded and looked directly into her eyes. “That’s southern California, right?”
“Right.” She nodded, her eyes glued on the wrangler. Tilting her head up a little to get a better look at him, she kept one hand firmly holding her hat in place. “We’re on the west coast and used to beach weather, so this is a new experience for her.”
He picked up two of their bags with one hand and slung a third carry-on over his shoulder. Nicole shook herself from her thoughts and hurried to fish out the key from her purse so he wouldn’t have to stand too long at the door to the cabin. She didn’t want him to think she was inconsiderate. The key now in her hand, Nicole stepped onto the walk. Amy saw they were ready to go inside and jumped ahead, leading the way to the porch.
Despite being ready with the key once they were all gathered on the porch, Nicole found herself disappointed that though the key turned the knob, the door wouldn’t budge. After a few attempts, she turned to the wrangler.
“Would you mind trying?” she asked gingerly with an embarrassed smile, looking up into the depth of his d
ark brown eyes, wondering what secrets he held behind them. She wanted to ask his name, but it seemed a little forward. Besides, she wasn’t all that interested in relationships. She had Drew to consider and she was there to spend time with Amy. “It doesn’t seem to want to open...” Her voice trailed off as they traded places. Amy peeked inside the front window.
“It looks really nice inside, Mommy,” Amy commented. “I see a brown leather sofa, a fireplace, and a big screen TV. We can watch movies, drink hot chocolate, and have popcorn.”
Nicole laughed at Amy’s adorable enthusiasm as the wrangler’s first attempt to open the door failed. He’d given it a nudge with his right shoulder after she’d assured him the door was unlocked and they’d both seen the knob move. She was kind of glad it didn’t open at once. She didn’t want him to think she was some kind of a dork who couldn’t open a door.
Setting all three bags down, he gave it one more firm heave with his shoulder. The door opened this time. “There we are. I think this is the only finicky door on the property. It seems to have a mind of its own,” he explained, winking at her and standing back so they could enter.
“Thank you, uh...” She hoped he’d mention his name. In fact, she hoped the door got stuck again and again so she could call upon the fine looking wrangler often.
“Jack. Jack Colten, at your service, ma’am.” He grinned and held out a hand to shake hers as Amy wandered inside. Nicole removed a glove and slid her slender hand inside his large warm one for a friendly, but firm handshake.
“Thank you, Jack Colten,” she replied, laughing.
After their handshake, she turned and wandered inside to have a quick look around the interior of the cabin. It was definitely pleasant, but she glanced in every room to be sure while Jack brought their luggage inside.
“I want this room!” Amy danced out from one of the bedrooms on the first floor where she’d disappeared to at once. The bedroom she liked had a window with an awesome view. “You can have the upstairs loft, Mom.”
“I hear the lofts are really nice,” Jack offered as he finished bringing in the last bag. Amy took one of her bags and dragged it toward her room. “Is there anything else I can do for you, ladies, before I leave?”
“Well, could you leave us a phone number in case the door jams up again? I’d rather not call the office and wait for them to track you down.” Nicole felt kind of like a rat asking for his number like that, but she was determined to get the information, if possible.
“Sure, but uh...” His eyes travelled to Amy as she wrestled with her suitcase. “Here young lady, let me help you with that.” He knelt down and pulled out the handle. Then he turned it around and leaned it into her hands so she could wheel it to her room. “There, now it’s much easier. Amy, right?”
Amy paused, looking into the wrangler’s eyes, and nodded, a wide smile spreading across her face slowly. “Thanks, Mister Jack, or, uh, Cowboy Jack? Yes, I think I’ll call you Cowboy Jack. Thank you very much!”
Jack Colten held up his hand and the two exchanged a high five. Then Amy took off with her luggage to get settled in her room.
Nicole had tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn’t remember the last time a man had done anything nice like that for her daughter. It was a simple gesture, but judging by the look on Amy’s face, it had meant the world to her.
“Do you have a piece of paper handy so I can write my cell number down directly for you?”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. It would be kind of embarrassing to call the office and admit that I can’t open the door. We don’t want a slew of wranglers having to come here if it keeps happening. Here, I’ll just enter it in my phone now.” In a moment, she’d saved his phone number on her cell. “Jack Colten, or rather, Cowboy Jack.”
He nodded and chuckled. “I completely understand. You’re a famous actress, too. I’m sure you’d like your privacy. It could be kind of a pain, but don’t feel bad if you have to call the office or me. I can’t promise I’ll always be able to be the one they send and I may not always be available. Sometimes I turn my cell off, but feel free to try me. One of the first things they told me in training is the door to cabin number eight gets stuck.”
“I’ll say. Have they tried to fix it?” she asked. Then she held up a hand and shook her head. “No, don’t answer. I’m sure they have.”
Jack Colten laughed, nodding, his brown eyes twinkling. He shrugged. “They have, and nothing seems to work. Well, I guess I’d better get back to work or they’ll wonder what happened to me.”
She nodded, mesmerized by the cowboy’s good looks. Amy had certainly taken an instant liking to him. “Well, I’m Nicole. So if you do get a call or a text, you’ll know it’s me because I’ll add my name to it.”
He grinned, chuckling. “Everyone knows who you are.”
“They do?” she asked, one eyebrow rising as she walked him to the door. Lots of strangers did recognize her, but she would never get used to it.
He nodded. “Yep.”
This time it was her turn to shrug. She shook her head and blushed at the same time, somewhat embarrassed by her notoriety. “Did you know who we were when we arrived, or did the owners prep you?”
“Already knew, ma’am, uh, I mean, Nicole.” He stepped out on the front porch and turned, pausing to face her. “Nicole Maribella Beaumont is widely known. A-lister actress. You’ve got a knack for making audiences laugh.”
Her mouth dropped open and she couldn’t help but smile. He knew her middle name and he knew she was on the A-list, usually starring in comedy romance movies. That could only mean one thing. He’d probably seen all of her movies, too. That’s exactly how they put her name on the screen casting list and in print. “Oh, well. I guess it’s the price of being an actress. Thanks again, Jack Colten.”
“You’re welcome. See ya around.” The handsome wrangler tipped his hat and was gone before she could blink.
Chapter 5
“I didn't even know any cowboys growing up. When my friends heard that I was marrying a cattle rancher and moving to the country, they literally could not believe it. They started calling me the Pioneer Woman as a joke.”
—Ree Drummond
“What’s this shindig called again?” Amy leaned over and whispered, pulling on Nicole’s pale pink angora cardigan.
“How do you know that word?” Nicole nearly spilled the cocoa in her hand when Amy pulled on the sleeve of her sweater. She switched the cup of cocoa into her other hand to maintain balance, her eyes almost popping out of her head when she looked down at Amy.
“Brooke.” Amy studied the guests in the room, a bored look appearing on her face. Then she sighed as Nicole took a sip of her drink.
She nearly spit out some of the chocolate-flavored goodness when she heard her daughter’s sigh. Amy was more of a grown-up than she was at least half the time. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “This shindig, as you call it, is a Cocoa and Christmas Mixer. It’s not really a term I like and children shouldn’t use it. Don’t you see any kids you’d like to talk to? There’s a whole bunch over in that corner. Just don’t be too long. They’re going to light the Christmas tree soon and I’d like you to be next to me when they do that. We’re going to take our picture in front of the tree at some point.”
Amy stared at the kids in the corner long and hard. Then she shook her head and politely returned, “No, there’s no point in talking to the other kids then until after the picture.” She continued scanning the room.
“Who are you looking for?” Nicole inquired, adjusting her purple scarf. Her daughter was lightyears ahead of the other kids. Sometimes that was a good thing, but today, it dampened her mood considerably. She’d consider it a wasted effort to begin a conversation with the other children and then have to leave.
Amy looked at her as if she was off her rocker. Her look said, don’t you know, Mom? You have to ask?
“Ohhh, I know. Cowboy Jack. You’re looking for Cowboy Jack.” A wide grin appeared
on Nicole’s face as she teased her daughter in a low voice so nobody else might hear them. “You sure you don’t want any hot cocoa? It’s really good. It has a peppermint flavor.”
Before Amy could answer, Jack Colten strode into the library at the main house of The Sweetwater. “Cowboy Jack!” Amy let out a delighted squeal and ran with open arms to embrace the wrangler.
Nicole could feel her face blush a thousand shades of red, and she couldn’t stop the wide smile from spreading across her face. She was as happy to see Cowboy Jack as Amy, but the feeling caught her off guard and caused her a little alarm on the inside. Her daughter leapt into his arms, and thankfully, he caught her, swung her up into the air, and greeted her. “How ya doin,’ Amy?”
“I’m fine now that you’re here, Cowboy Jack. Come talk to us. We’re waiting on the tree lighting and then taking a picture in front of the tree. I know...!”
“What do you know?” Jack looked puzzled, but Nicole could see Amy had an idea cooking in her head.
“You can take the picture for me and my mom,” Amy announced, a sweet smile on her face.
Jack looked over toward the tree at Nicole and their eyes met. Nicole shrugged, shaking her head. Jack chuckled. “Sure, I’ll be happy to. Let’s go talk to your mom.”
“Okay! Let’s!” Amy put her small hand in Jack’s and pulled him over toward the tree where she stood a few feet away, ready for the lighting to begin.
Deep down, Nicole had no idea how to tell her daughter that Jack Colten was merely another stranger and little girls shouldn’t jump into the arms of strangers as if they were uncles, cousins, or close family friends. How could she? Amy didn’t have the affection of her own father; seldom saw her grandfather, uncles, or cousins; didn’t know her paternal grandparents or relations; and had no other father figure in her life other than Dan, Brooke’s husband, and Drew. Nicole had become her mother and father both, and so far, there’d been little she could do about it. Though her parents and family sent letters, cards, and gifts, Nicole’s career and the geographical distance between them, among other things, kept them from growing close.
