To Trust a Rancher

by Debbi Rawlins

  * * *

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE how comfortable your truck is.” Becca ran her hand over the creamy leather of the passenger seat. “I feel like I’m riding in a limo.”

  Smiling, Ryder kept his eyes on the road as they turned onto the highway. “That compact you’re driving, isn’t it the same car you had when you left?”

  “Yep. It’s got over two hundred thousand miles on it—held together with duct tape and prayers—but it got us here in one piece. I just hope it gets us back, too.”

  Ryder slid her a look. “Doesn’t sound like you’re joking.”

  “I’m not. Okay, I am,” she added quickly. “I hope you know I wouldn’t do anything to endanger Noah.” She winced about the same time Ryder gave her a funny look. Well, of course he did. It was a stupid thing for her to say, since he had no idea Noah was his nephew. To reboot the conversation, she said the next thing that popped into her head. “I ride the bus to work most days.”

  “How long does it take you?”

  “By bus, forty minutes each way.”

  “What?”

  “That’s really not bad considering how spread out the city is. Plus I save a ton on gas. And I don’t have to pay for parking.”

  “Ah, that’s right. Those parking fees are steep, especially in the downtown area.”

  “You’ve been there?”

  Ryder nodded. “I guess Amy didn’t mention it.”

  “No, she didn’t.” That was weird. Why hadn’t she said anything? Unless she’d been high and had forgotten. “When?”

  “About a year ago.”

  Becca’s brain was racing a hundred miles a minute, and so was her pulse. She took a quiet moment to settle her nerves, telling herself that Ryder would’ve mentioned his visit before now if it had revealed anything Becca should worry about. The possibility that he was baiting her couldn’t be ignored either.

  “You didn’t actually see her, did you?” she asked, realizing she might be overreacting. “Because it’s just so weird that she didn’t say anything to me.”

  “Well, I didn’t make the trip specifically to see her. We still had her phone number back then. I had business in Ventura and I was hoping she had a little time for me. Can’t say I was surprised that she didn’t.”

  “Oh.” Becca turned to look out her window, and after several minutes of silence, he turned on the radio. To a country music station.

  “What’s that smile for?” he asked.

  “Remember when you taught Amy and me to line dance?”

  Ryder groaned. “Yeah, thanks for bringing that up. We’re even now.”

  “No. Wait,” she said, laughing at his pained expression. “I don’t know what you’re thinking of, but we had a blast.” When all he did was shake his head in disgust, she laughed harder. “Come on, don’t you remember?”

  “Yeah, you guys might’ve had fun but I got razzed by half the football team.”

  “When? How?” She gave his arm a light shove when he wouldn’t respond. “Come on, tell me.”

  “We were outside, behind the barn. You and Amy must’ve been about ten, and I was a senior. I bet you can fill in the rest.”

  Becca bet she could have, too, if she wasn’t having the strangest reaction to touching him. For goodness’ sake, it was just an arm. That she was still touching. For no reason. None at all.

  She snatched her hand back.

  Ryder gave her a look he’d never given her before. His eyes had darkened to a midnight blue and his nostrils flared ever so slightly. It was kind of sexy.

  A surge of warmth took her by surprise. She felt the usual blush stinging her cheeks, a curse to fair skin and nothing she had any control over. The heat continued to spread, not just up her neck but down to her chest and lower.

  Much lower.

  She shifted against the seat belt. Squirming didn’t help one bit.

  Luckily, they’d just reached the town limits, slowing down as they passed The Boarding House Inn and continuing on Main Street. There were quite a few people roaming the sidewalks and lots of cars were parked in front of the diner. Some folks were congregating outside the bakery, and the two bars seemed to be hopping as well.

  A battered truck pulled out just in time for Ryder to take the spot right across from Abe’s Variety. She’d only been joking about buying new jeans. Now, all she could think about was Abe’s wide selection of old-fashioned candies.

  “What?” Ryder said, just as he opened his door.

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “You snorted.”

  Bristling, she opened her door. “I don’t snort.”

  “Of course not,” he said.

  They met on the sidewalk, his teasing little smile helping her relax. She was enjoying this side of Ryder, the one she’d known as a girl. “Mind if we meander a bit?” she asked. “I haven’t seen much of the town since I got here.”

  “Let’s go.” He put his hand on the small of her back, which probably meant nothing at all, but it gave her a tingling sensation that was hard to ignore.

  A couple leaving the Watering Hole was too busy laughing to realize they were hogging the sidewalk. Ryder’s hand slipped away, but before Becca’s silly disappointment took a firm hold, he moved it to her waist and pulled her closer to him.

  Good Lord, she hoped he didn’t notice her little shiver. His move was strictly practical, meant to avoid running into the couple, but tell that to her body. The tingling was starting to be a problem. Then his hand did fall away as they were passing the bar. Country music spilled out as a cowboy pushed through the door.

  “I’m glad to know that’s still up and running,” Becca said. “I assume Sadie still owns it. Last time I saw her was at my grandfather’s funeral, but we didn’t really speak. She was a good friend to Grams.”

  “If you want, we can stop in for a beer later,” Ryder said. “No guarantee Sadie will be there, though. She still owns it, but now that she’s also the mayor, her schedule’s all over the place.”

  “Sadie’s the mayor?”

  “Yep. Damn good one, too.”

  They walked past the bank and the Salina Gazette office, then Becca stopped. “This used to be a bar, but it wasn’t called the Full Moon, was it?”

  “Nope. I don’t remember the old name. The place had been closed for over ten years before Mallory bought it. She has live music on the weekends, pool tables in the back. And a mechanical bull that’s pretty popular.”

  She frowned at the sly glint in his eyes. “Not a chance.”

  “I didn’t say anything.”

  “I still can’t believe you got me on a horse.”

  “It was fun,” he said, nudging her with his elbow. “Admit it.”

  “I was just happy not to embarrass myself.”

  “You did great,” he said, pausing at the bottleneck in front of the bakery. “Either we wait in line or we could go check out that mechanical bull.”

  “Go right ahead. I’ll wait.”

  Ryder laughed.

  “The Cake Whisperer is such a great name. I saw it from the Food Mart and didn’t dare come near it. Although now that I see they serve all kinds of coffee...”

  “It’s crazy in there with everyone picking up their orders,” he said, looking over people’s heads. “We can come back another day for coffee.”

  Another day?

  Becca wished she understood him. She liked the old Ryder, who’d taught her to ride and to line dance. Who’d never gotten impatient no matter how many questions she’d asked. And that wink in the kitchen? She got a little squishy just thinking about it. But five minutes from now would he again be that unrecognizable man with contempt in his eyes?

  Actually, it was safer to believe his change in attitude was a ploy to coax her into spilling everything she knew about Amy. And then, too, he’d admi
tted he wanted her and Noah to stay for Gail. So of course he’d tread lightly.

  When it was their turn, Ryder went in to get his mom’s order while she stayed outside hoping no one stopped to chat her up. Thankfully, he wasn’t long.

  The white box wasn’t very big. “Do you know what’s in there?” she asked as he turned them around and started walking again.

  “Nope. Want a peek?”

  She shook her head. “I hope it isn’t something special for Noah, after he rudely announced he didn’t like pumpkin pie.”

  “I wouldn’t bet against it.”

  “He’s getting spoiled. Before you know it, he’ll be snapping his fingers.”

  Ryder grinned. “You’ve done a great job with him. He’s not going to suddenly become a brat.”

  “I hope not. Anyway, it’s just for one more day.”

  He nodded at a cowboy who stepped out of the Full Moon, but Ryder had lost the smile, clearly displeased with the small reminder she’d thrown in. Although it honestly hadn’t been intentional.

  When they got to his truck, he stashed the box on the back seat. Then he took her arm and led her into the Watering Hole.

  Chapter Ten

  The place was crowded but they found a table in the corner. Just as he’d suspected, Sadie wasn’t around. Nikki was pouring, and when Ryder noticed they were a waitress short, he left Becca at the table and went to the bar to order two beers.

  There were a number of what he assumed were dude ranch guests, given their flirty outfits, and as always, a lot of cowboys. Tomorrow, Marge’s Diner would cook up a big Thanksgiving dinner for all the strays that didn’t have family in town. But tonight was popular for picking up dates.

  He turned back to check on Becca, who was looking toward the poolroom. Her hair seemed darker in here. Outside, the sun picked up the coppery highlights. She looked especially pretty with her hair down and tumbling off her shoulders.

  “I haven’t seen you in here before.”

  Ryder started when he noticed the woman standing so close to him. Sundance guest. Had to be. “I don’t come in much,” he said, giving her a polite half smile.

  “Pity,” she said, boldly sizing him up. “Not that I don’t like these young cowboys, but honestly, what they don’t know is...kind of staggering.”

  Nikki brought the two beers. He’d already laid down enough to cover them both plus a decent tip, so he made his escape without much difficulty. The blonde’s sigh followed him a couple of steps.

  Becca was looking just past him, at least until he was almost at the table. Once he’d settled and they’d each taken a sip, she glanced back at the bar. “Do you mind if I ask how long you’ve been divorced?”

  “Three years now. About.”

  She nodded, her attention fully on him as she took another swig of beer. “I hope Noah’s not being any trouble for Gail.”

  “I doubt it. He seemed right at home.” He exchanged nods with a guy from the Circle K as the man passed their table. “What you said about him being spoiled has got me thinking. I can tell you’re not big on giving in to his every whim, and you’re right not to. I’ll say something to Wiley and Mom about cooling it, and I’ll do the same myself. I don’t want you having a problem with him later.”

  “Thank you, Ryder. But please don’t.” She almost touched his hand but pulled back at the last moment. “I’d hate for them to feel uncomfortable.”

  “I think they’d want it pointed out, just like I did. He’s a great kid, it’s easy to get carried away with him.”

  “I really do try to give him a good foundation, and I believe that setting boundaries is my job. It makes life a lot more manageable for him, and for whoever’s caring for him. He’ll bounce back soon enough.”

  “That was my folks’ approach, too, but I’m pretty sure by the time Amy came around, they were too tired to fuss much. She got away with way more than I did.”

  “Ah, the Ballad of Every Older Sibling. I’m surprised that isn’t on the jukebox.”

  “Very amusing. Especially for an only child.” He smiled at her, glad that for the first time, the mention of Amy hadn’t spun Becca into a funk.

  “I know enough.” She sipped again and grimaced slightly. “I don’t even like beer that much, but I’m so thirsty.”

  “I’d be happy to get you a glass of water.”

  “Thanks, but I can get it,” she said, glancing at the bar. “Later, if I still want some.”

  “You sure? Because I don’t mind.” For someone who didn’t care for beer, she’d downed half a mug already.

  “Nope. I’m good.” She strained for a look into the back where the pool tables were crowded with players and spectators. “I’m surprised I don’t recognize more people. There’s a guy wearing a brown shirt who I think I went to school with. Kevin something or other. He’s about the right age.”

  Ryder stopped mid-sip and studied her profile. It hadn’t occurred to him she might be interested in looking up guys she knew from high school. He didn’t know what bothered him more, that she could be on the prowl or that he cared. A little too much.

  She leaned farther back, trying for a better look. The arch made her breasts thrust from the front of her open jacket. Her thick sweater disguised nothing.

  Damn, it was hard not to look.

  She came forward with an abruptness that caused him to spill some of his beer. Luckily, he’d pulled back his gaze in time.

  “It’s warm in here, isn’t it?” She took another hearty sip, then drew her shoulders back and struggled out of her jacket.

  Cosmic justice was a bitch. He kept his eyes on his mug until she was finished.

  “Aren’t you warm?” she asked.

  Shaking his head, he wondered at the pink in her cheeks. She blushed easily, but he hadn’t said anything to embarrass her. And he doubted she’d seen him looking for those few seconds. But it was possible...

  “Are you seeing anyone?” she asked.

  “Me? Nope.”

  “I mean, since you mentioned you figured you would’ve had kids of your own by now, I just assumed... There certainly are a lot of pretty women in town. I would have thought you’d have your pick.”

  “Ah, you haven’t heard about the Sundance.”

  “The McAllisters’ place? Sure I have.”

  “Not just a ranch anymore. They run a dude ranch. Most of the women you see here are staying there on vacation. They’re from places like Los Angeles and Chicago. City women out for a fling.”

  “Well, that must be nice. At least you have plenty of opportunities to get laid.” In a split second, her cheeks went from pink to red. “Oh, my God.” She lifted a hand to cover her mouth. “I just said that out loud...”

  He eyed her almost-empty mug and tried to keep a straight face. “You don’t drink much, do you?”

  “Oh, God. No. I don’t. I’m sorry. I really don’t. Maybe three beers in my whole life. If something special happens, I might have a glass of wine. I really am sorry. That was so rude of me.”

  “You’re fine,” he said, then gave in to a grin. “It was a very astute observation.” He could tell she’d told him the truth. She must not get out much, even though she was just as pretty and around the same age as the woman who’d flirted with him. “When was the last time you went out on a date?”

  “What?” She blinked. “Where did that come from?”

  “I was thinking about how you work full time, then have to run home to Noah—”

  “I don’t consider him an inconvenience.”

  “Of course not, and I didn’t say that he was.”

  She sighed. “Five years.”

  Ryder frowned. “Five years,” he repeated, then it struck him. “Five years since you’ve been on a date?”

  “So?” she murmured, shrugging. “It’s not a big deal.”

/>   He tried to keep his reaction to a minimum. Becca truly was young. Twenty-five, like Amy. But she shouldered a much bigger load. She’d been mostly responsible as a girl, and she still was. Needed to be, what with being a single mother in a city like LA. Naturally, she didn’t have time for bars and dates and boyfriends.

  “Oh, heck, I’ve already humiliated myself, and I’ve been dying to know, so I’m just going to ask,” she said, leaning in so her elbows were on either side of her mug. “Is something going on between Wiley and your mom?”

  He wasn’t sure what to say, so he stalled by draining his beer.

  “I’m sorry. That was way too nosy. It’s none of my business.”

  He put his empty mug down. “No, that was all me. I think Wiley’s got a thing for her, but I don’t know if Mom’s noticed.”

  “Would that bother you?”

  “To be honest, I’m not a hundred-percent sure.”

  “It has to be kind of weird, since you’ve known him forever. But it’s also kind of sweet, too. I mean, you can tell he really does care about her.”

  “He does. I know that.” Ryder realized there really wasn’t anything to think about. “You know what, at the end of the day, if he makes her happy, I’m happy.”

  Becca smiled. A big smile that seemed to light up the room. “You’re a good son.”

  He raised his mug. “Lousy husband, though.”

  Becca frowned.

  Hell, he had no earthly idea why he’d said that. Other than he’d been thinking about marriage and kids lately. “Can I get you some water?”

  Brows furrowed, she glared at him. “Why did you say that?”

  “I was just wondering that myself. Be right back.” He wasn’t getting into that discussion. He reached the bar at the same time Sadie walked in.

  She glanced around, then sidled up next to him. “I’m surprised to see you here. I heard you’ve been traveling a lot and buying up all kinds of property.”

  “Holiday week,” he said, shrugging. “Business is slow. With the exception of bars, apparently.”

  Sadie laughed. “Booze waits for every man and never goes out of style.”