by Amanda Renee
Rusty’s saddle looked a little worse for wear. At least that would give him something to do. At this rate, he’d never make it until the morning.
* * *
“HOW ARE YOU holding up, sweetie?” Ella asked.
“Fine. Carina’s grades are finally improving with each test she takes. And work is...” Lucy slumped onto the couch. “Oh, Ella, it’s awful. I hadn’t realized how much of my job Lane had been doing until he was gone. I can’t keep up. I’m supposed to be training Brad, but for the last three days I’ve been playing catch-up on my own work. Lane was right. Practical experience far outweighs classroom time. I was certain I could do this job, and I failed.” Lucy clenched her fists. “I had to break down and call him when a feed order didn’t come in.”
“Is that all?” Ella laughed. “Honey, they always have a reserve on hand.”
Lucy shook her head. “It was getting dangerously low. I’ve battled this distributor for three days and all they kept saying was that I was placing my orders too late in the day. Following that logic, the first order should have been a day late. But it never arrived. We had a bad grain shipment from another supplier come in and that had to go back. I couldn’t risk depleting the reserves any further. It took hours, but Lane’s contacts managed to pull in emergency deliveries from seven different suppliers to cover the next couple of days and the reserve.”
“Well, see? It all worked out in the end.” Ella’s forced cheerleader routine looked more like a deranged rodeo clown.
“No, no. I don’t deserve to be coddled.” Lucy stood up and reached for her bag. “I’m finished, Ella. I questioned if I could do this job before I left Italy and I should’ve followed my intuition. I never should have accepted it. But I was so desperate when Nicolino called—I believed it was a sign.”
“What are you going to do?” Ella asked.
Lucy removed an envelope from her bag and handed it to her.
Ella unfolded the letter tucked inside and read it.
“Nicolino won’t accept your resignation without an explanation.” She refolded it and set it next to them.
“I’ll give him one. Heck, I’ll give him twenty.” Lucy checked her phone. Carina had said she’d text or call when she was finished with her riding lesson. Lane’s willingness to keep his promise to Carina continued to amaze her. After her daughter’s outburst the other night, she would have understood if he’d ended the lessons, too. “Nicolino needs to realize Lane’s been doing the barn manager position ever since Curly left. This should have been his job. Curly had a plan in mind when he hired Lane. He may not have been able to choose his successor, but his opinion should have counted the most. Nobody knew the job better than Curly. I love my cousin dearly, but he gave the job to the wrong person. I need to spend more time with Carina. This not getting home until eight or nine o’clock isn’t acceptable when you’re a single parent. I’ll find another job.”
“Do you have anything lined up?” Ella asked. “We can float you a loan. You don’t even have to ask.” Ella opened the credenza drawer and withdrew her checkbook and a pen. “I’ll write a check and deposit it into your account. Then you won’t feel like you had to ask.”
Lucy clasped Ella’s hands together and gently squeezed them. “I saw an opening posted for a breeding assistant position available. I’ll ask Nicolino if I can interview for it and take it from there. Either way, I’m through with barn management. Until then, please keep your money. I don’t want to go to the bank and find out you’ve snuck money into my account. Revenge will not be pretty. I’ll pay you back in stacks of pennies all over your house.”
Ella’s front door opened. The women stood side by side, anxiously awaiting Nicolino’s arrival. It would’ve been more professional to meet with him in the office, but considering she rarely saw her cousin at work, his home had been her only option.
“Okay, that’s not a good look. What are you two up to?” Nicolino frowned.
Lucy handed him the envelope.
“What’s this?” Nicolino flipped it over in his hands and lifted the flap.
“My resignation. I quit.” The words seemed more final once she’d said them aloud. “Lane has been doing my job all along. I’m a fraud and you need to hire him in my place.”
Lucy recounted the days’ events to Nicolino. When she’d finished, he finally agreed with her. “I accept your resignation. The job does require more experience. I hope you don’t think I intentionally set you up to fail.”
“A teeny part of me did, but I got over it.” Lucy hugged her cousin. “I know you meant well and I appreciate the confidence you have—well, had—in me to do the job. I would appreciate another chance, though. I’d really like the breeding assistant position. I know it’s entry-level, but I’m willing to take the pay cut.”
“It’s a significant pay cut, Lucy. That’s the position I put college kids in. Not someone with your experience.”
“But that’s just it.” Lucy had to find a way to make him understand. “I don’t have any experience. Much of what I know is on paper. And even then, I have to look it up because I’m not using it on a regular basis. I’ve been lugging around some of my old college textbooks and my back’s about to break. Lane can do the barn manager position in his sleep. He told me you worked your way up while you were in college. Why won’t you grant him the same courtesy?”
“I need to sleep on it,” Nicolino said.
“You say that, but you won’t,” Lucy challenged. “What are you so afraid of? That he’ll prove you wrong? He proved me wrong and I’m still standing.”
“You and Lane worked well together.” Nicolino rubbed his jaw. “Would you consider working as his assistant? The salary is less than you’re getting now but much more than a breeding assistant.”
“No, Brad’s wanted that job for years and he’s thrilled with it. It wouldn’t be right to bump him back to the night shift.” Lucy continued, “Lane and I had just started to rediscover each other when Carina found out about us and I decided to call things off. Working together creates too much of a conflict when something goes wrong. I tried barn management, and my heart’s not in it. I want to learn more about artificial insemination and broodmares.”
“Okay. If you want it, then I’ll run it past Lexi and Cole. If they agree, the job’s yours.”
“Thank you. What about Lane? Will you finally promote him?”
“Yes,” Nicolino said exasperatedly. “I’ll call him tonight.”
Lucy cleared her throat. “Seriously? You’re going to give him the promotion he busted his butt for over the phone. You’re so impersonal.”
“I agree,” Ella said. “Don’t you think you owe him more than that?”
“Fine, if it will make you two happy, I will go see him tonight and offer him the position...after I eat my dinner.” Nicolino raked his fingers through his hair. “Just do me a favor. If for some reason you and Lane don’t work things out, promise me you won’t date another one of my employees. You wear me out.”
“I promise. Lane will be my last.”
Chapter Ten
“My mom’s miserable without you.” Carina swung a leg over Jigsaw’s back.
“I’m not too happy without her, either.” Besides during the food-delivery fiasco today, Lane hadn’t seen or heard from Lucy. She’d always been diligent about meeting with the night manager. But now that Lane held the job, she’d officially delegated it to Brad, who was a natural fit for the assistant position.
“What are you going to do about it?” Carina said matter-of-factly, causing Lane to choke on his laughter. The dark pigtails peeking out from under her helmet reminded him of her age.
“That’s up to you. I said I’d wait until you were comfortable with your mother and me spending time together.” Lane adjusted the length of the stirrups on her new saddle. “How does that feel?”
She shifted slightly in the seat and nodded. “Don’t you think that’s a lot of responsibility to put on a kid? I’m not even nine
yet and you want me to make life-changing decisions.”
Above all else, he wanted her to communicate. A lively Carina was much more fun to be around. “May I make a suggestion?”
“Mmm-hmm.” Carina shortened her reins, holding them loosely in her left hand.
“How would you feel about helping me plan a special date? One that the three of us could go on together?” Lane didn’t mind going on a date with Lucy and Carina. He fully understood they were a package deal, and that was what he wanted. The full package.
“I’d like that.” Lane swore he could see the wheels turning in her head. “Can it be anywhere?”
“Anywhere that doesn’t require airfare.” He should have put limits on the location and price. Carina was used to servants, large estates and traveling the world. So was Lucy. It made him wonder if the joke was on him and he was fooling himself. How could dusty old Ramblewood possibly compete with the lavish lifestyle they’d shared with Antonio?
“She always talks about a rodeo she went to here.”
Lane instantly knew which rodeo Carina meant. It was where he and Lucy had shared their first kiss. “That particular one isn’t running this time of year, but there are a few others we can choose from.
“Do they have barrel racers?” Carina sat straighter in her saddle in anticipation.
Carina had Lucy’s spunky enthusiasm. “The Comal County Fair and Rodeo is next weekend and I’m almost positive they’ll have barrel racing.”
“Do they have funnel cake and fried Snickers bars there?” Carina nudged Jigsaw forward.
Lane laughed. “They might have funnel cake, but I’m not sure about the fried Snickers. They might have fried Oreos, though. You’ll have a mighty big bellyache if you eat all that.” Lane assumed the kids at school had talked about fair foods and Carina hadn’t known what they were. “Why don’t I look up a few things and tomorrow we’ll sit down and plan our date after your lesson? But only if you’re ready.”
“I want Mamma to be happy.” Carina’s smile brightened her tiny features. “I can’t wait.”
Her form had improved significantly since their last lesson, presumably from her many hours spent studying the rodeo-school students from the fence rail. Hopefully, Lucy would be able to afford lessons soon. Carina would benefit from the socialization and competition. The kid thrived when she had a goal to work toward.
Lane was surprised when Nicolino arrived to pick up Carina an hour later. He’d expected to see Lucy. He hoped she understood he hadn’t changed his work schedule to hurt her. He wanted to improve her relationship with Carina.
She gave Lane a hug goodbye and climbed into the backseat of the SUV while he confirmed her lessons for Saturday morning with Nicolino. Since his new hours began, he’d been able to teach her only on Friday and the weekend. He’d hoped to talk with Lucy tonight about moving her lessons from six o’clock to four, right after Carina came home from school.
“I want to apologize for not making you barn manager when Curly retired.” Lane almost had a heart attack. Nicolino never apologized. His pride wouldn’t allow it. “If you’re still interested, it’s yours.”
“What happened to Lucy?” Despite his wanting the job, she’d worked hard for it. He’d had the chance to see her on one of the cutting horses earlier and she rode as if she were born in the saddle. Lane hadn’t given her enough credit and now he regretted it. “She has a lot of talent—you can’t just fire her over what happened today.”
Nicolino held up his hand. “She didn’t get fired—she resigned.”
“She did what?” Lane removed his hat and slapped it against his thigh. He didn’t want the position by default. “You’re not giving me the job because I earned it—you’re giving it to me because Lucy quit. Where is she? I need to talk some sense into her.”
Nicolino leaned against the fence rail, laughing. “Man, you’ve got it bad for her. One of your biggest problems is how fast you jump to conclusions.” Nicolino waggled his finger for emphasis. “You’re quick on the draw, which won’t benefit you as barn manager. For the record, Lucy decided—on her own—that she’d rather work in breed management and she’s already accepted the breeding assistant position, pending approval from the department heads.”
“Doesn’t that job only pay a couple pennies more than minimum wage?” She had a difficult time financially already. There definitely wouldn’t be any room in her new budget for Carina’s riding lessons—she’d once again look like the bad guy.
Nicolino jammed his hands in his pockets. “I’ve learned my lesson when it comes to Lucy. She had doubts about becoming barn manager from the beginning. I kept pushing the idea because I wanted her here. She and Carina needed stability and they needed a place to live.” He kicked a stone off the path. “And I know Lucy’s a hard worker. She’s smart, but she’s focused her education on science. I overestimated her management abilities while underestimating yours. I’m a proud man and I don’t like admitting when I’m wrong, but where you and Lucy are concerned, I’ve made many mistakes. You’ll make an excellent barn manager and I hope you accept my offer.” Nicolino held out his hand.
Lane shook it. “I accept.” It took a big man to apologize when he was wrong and he respected Nicolino for his honesty.
“Then I’ll see you at work Monday morning. You have a good weekend.” Nicolino walked toward his SUV.
“Before you go.” Lane caught up with him. “Just how mad is Lucy about the whole shift-change thing?”
Nicolino laughed loudly. “She was miffed at first, but it helped her realize the job wasn’t for her. I’d say you might be out of the doghouse. You two need to learn how to hash out your differences, even when they involve Carina. For a relationship to work, you have to work hard at it.”
“That almost sounds like we have your blessing.” Lane didn’t know if he could handle the new Nicolino.
“Don’t push it. I’ll see you Monday and I’ll do my best to convince Lucy to drop Carina off for her lesson tomorrow.” Lane waved to Carina as Nicolino drove away.
He’d done it. He had the barn manager position. He’d achieved his goal and it felt empty. He wanted to celebrate. He deserved to celebrate. He’d worked his way up from mucking stalls and finally felt accomplished. Somehow it didn’t mean as much without Lucy by his side.
There was only one person he wanted to share the news with, and he didn’t think she’d want to celebrate a promotion that came at her expense. Whether she’d stepped down or not, she’d gone on a heck of an emotional roller-coaster ride these past few weeks. As much as he wanted to check on her, he decided it was best to stay away. She had her family to lean on. Hopefully, tomorrow they’d have a chance to talk. If not, he might have to wait until the surprise date he was planning with Carina. He’d do just about anything to make both of his cowgirls happy.
* * *
“WHERE ARE YOU two taking me?” Lucy wasn’t a big fan of being blindfolded and driven down a bumpy country road. She had suspected Carina and Lane were up to something all week, but she hadn’t anticipated a kidnapping. “Is this blindfold really necessary?”
Carina’s hand squeezed hers. “Be patient, Mamma. We’re almost there.” She felt Carina shift on the bench seat between her and Lane. “We are almost there, right?”
“Almost,” Lane said. She might not have been able to see him, but she knew he was enjoying this as much as Carina was. “And the blindfold was your daughter’s idea. She didn’t want you to guess before we got there.”
Lucy had been thrilled when Nicolino told her Lane had accepted the barn manager position. He was in his rightful place. And she was in hers. So what if her new job didn’t pay much. Every day she looked forward to going to work. She loved interacting with the broodmares and the foals. When she assisted on an ultrasound or a delivery, she was helping to bring a new life into this world. Okay, so she wasn’t an obstetrician, but with the exception of her own daughter, Lucy thought those foals were cuter than newborn babies.
“Should I be worried?” Lucy asked. “You both are too quiet.” Lane and Carina laughed. “Okay, that’s not very reassuring.”
In spite of the blindfold, Lucy looked forward to today. Aside from when she picked Carina up from her riding lessons, which had become a daily occurrence, she rarely saw Lane at work. And when she did, it was only a brief hello in the corridor.
He’d phoned last weekend and explained his need to create distance between them. He’d also told her what Nicolino said about their relationship. She couldn’t have agreed more.
As perfect as everything seemed on the outside, she’d never been more conflicted. At least when they had the job between them, she’d had a reason to stay away from Lane. It hadn’t exactly stopped them, but it had given her more reason to be cautious. He was no longer her employee and her reasons for staying away were gone, except for one.
During the week, she’d made up her mind to tell Lane about the baby she’d lost. He had a right to know about the child they’d created together. It would be painful and she wasn’t sure how he would handle the news or her betrayal, but she finally felt secure in her decision. She just had to find the right time, when they were truly alone without the risk of interruption.
The truck stopped.
Lucy heard the faint sound of calliope music in the distance. She lowered the window and inhaled. The heady scent of greasy street food filled the cab. Nearby, the aggressive rumble of a truck’s exhaust system drowned out the sound of children playing. She smiled. She might not know where, but she knew what.
“Are we at a county fair?” Lucy asked.
“Mamma, you weren’t supposed to guess.” Disappointment hung on her words.
“You’re half-right,” Lane said. “Leave your blindfold on.”
