“I don’t know,” she finally replied. “I mean…I’d never thought about going to school anywhere else.”
“Well, it was just an idea,” Jeff said, dusting the powdered sugar off his fingers. “I’ll miss you if you go home, but I’d totally understand. I would’ve killed for a free ride through college.”
“Yeah,” Alec added. “I would’ve killed to go to college.”
She gave a gentle smile, thinking back to the row of classic books she’d spotted in his office. Until then she’d never really considered that maybe he’d had other plans for himself before his father’s injury. After all, just because he grew up on a ranch didn’t automatically mean that he wanted to be a rancher. Alec was the type of person who would have excelled at anything he put his mind to. He was doing the best he could with the hand he’d been dealt, but it saddened her to realize that he never had the option of laying down his cards and walking away from the table.
“Well, enough about that,” she declared, trying to lighten the somber mood that had fallen over them. “Where to next?”
Alec looked relieved to change the subject. Jeff stood and stretched before motioning towards the gaming area. “How’s your throwing arm?”
Immediately Alec caught his drift. “You’re on.”
She laughed as she watched them try their hand at various pitching games. Jeff grew up playing baseball and skillfully managed to win several games, even presenting Rebecca with a stuffed panda bear.
“Something to remember me by,” he teased.
Alec shook his head. “I think you had an unfair advantage.”
Rebecca couldn’t resist. “Now who’s pouting, mister?”
He glanced at her sideways, pretending to be annoyed, but she saw the grin tugging at his lips.
Jeff chuckled at their interchange. “So what should we try next?”
Alec pointed behind them to the mechanical bull and the banner above it stating that anyone who lasted sixty seconds would win one-hundred dollars.
“You’ve gotta be joking,” her brother said.
Rebecca’s face lit up. “I’ll do it!”
Jeff grumbled but reluctantly agreed as Rebecca raced over to the ticket counter. “You know what you’re doing?” Alec called as she entered the gate.
“Not the slightest idea. Any tips?”
“Yeah,” he replied with a laugh. “Hang on tight.”
The attendant helped her mount the padded bull-shaped ride. She wrapped one hand around the rope on the withers and stretched her other arm over her head. “Make us proud, Southie!” her brother shouted.
She shrieked as the bull dipped down, making a slow spin to the left. She felt her riding muscles strain as she gripped the leather padding with her knees, forcing herself to stay centered. It moved faster and faster, spinning and bucking and hurtling her around on its back. Once she almost tipped over the side but valiantly hung on, gasping as the bull settled into a spin and twirled three times. When it came to a sudden stop, she flew through the air onto the fluffy cushion and rolled onto her back. She looked at the timer on the booth to see she had lasted twenty-nine seconds.
A round of applause erupted from Jeff, Alec, and a few spectators that had stopped to watch. “That was a great first attempt,” Alec commended as she stepped out and slapped high-fives with them.
“You’re up,” she said to her brother.
Jeff still looked uncertain. “I think Alec should go next.”
He raised his brows. “You really want to go after me?”
“Good point.”
Rebecca giggled as her brother clumsily mounted the bull. “What do I hold on to?” he called.
“The rope, dummy! Right in front of you.”
“Oh, yeah. There it is.” Jeff clutched the rope and raised an arm. “I’m gonna get you guys for this one!”
He made a heroic but unsuccessful attempt to ride the bull. On the first dip, he nearly tipped over the bull’s head, giving a little cry as he righted himself. He survived the first spin but almost fell again as the bull took another nose-dive. Rebecca gave an encouraging shout as her brother held on for one more spin. When the bull came to a stop, though, he too went tumbling to the ground. His ride had lasted a mere ten seconds.
Rebecca laughed until her sides hurt, and Alec was right there with her, nearly doubled over in hysterics. When she leaned back against him for support, unexpectedly he touched her waist and lowered his face to her ear.
“Thank you for inviting me,” he whispered. “I really needed this.”
She turned her head and smiled at him. “I know you did.”
Alec prudently took a step back as her brother approached them. “Well,” Jeff declared, “that was humiliating.”
She gave him a good-natured hug. “I’m proud of you for trying.”
He let out a defeated sigh as he shook Alec’s hand. “Am I about to be terribly shown up?”
Alec sent Rebecca a knowing grin. While he strolled over to the ticket booth, Jeff dropped an arm around her shoulders and chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“My little sister, going after her boss. I didn’t peg you as the type.”
Her cheeks blazed. “It’s not what you think.”
“Hmmm,” he replied, apparently unconvinced. “He’s a little old for you, Bec.”
“He’s your age,” she said, frowning when she realized that she had no idea how old Alec was. “At least…I think he is.”
“No, he’s definitely got a few years on me. But regardless, I do like him. I can’t believe he’s the same person you were telling me all those horror stories about.”
“I know. But he really is different when you get to know him.”
Her brother peered at her sideways. “Just be careful, sis. You’re still seventeen, and we’re not in Southie anymore.”
Rebecca nodded in understanding. “I’m not getting involved with him, Jeff. I promise.”
“Good,” he said, playfully nudging her ribs. “Don’t make me have to beat the snot out of the guy.”
They turned their attention to Alec, who sat expertly poised on the bull. He looked the perfect part in his Stetson hat, frowning in intense concentration as the bull began rocking. Dozens of people stopped to watch as the bull bucked and spun, far faster than it had for Rebecca. He rode like a professional, not even close to losing his seat as the bull tried its best to get rid of him. She cheered him on as strobe lights flickered and the timer neared sixty seconds. When it hit the full minute, a loud siren began ringing and the bull came to a halt. Alec dismounted amongst thunderous applause and returned to the ticket booth to claim his prize.
A dazzling rainbow of lights twinkled on the rides as darkness fell and the carnival shifted into high gear. They grabbed a second plate of fried dough with cinnamon sugar and wandered over to the sound stage, where a country band was setting up for a performance.
“Can you stomach it?” Rebecca teased her brother.
“For you? Anything.”
They took a seat under a clear sky filled with ribbons of white stars. The band was terrific, belting out high-energy tunes in rapid succession and showcasing their talented fiddle-player. As great as the music was, Rebecca found herself sneaking glances in Alec’s direction, studying the smile lines at the corners of his eyes. Every time she leaned over to say something to her brother, she could feel Alec’s eyes on her, as well.
Half an hour into their performance, the band slowed down and invited couples to dance by the stage. “Wanna dance?” Jeff asked.
“I’m a terrible dancer.”
“I know. It’s hereditary.”
Rebecca giggled and turned to Alec. “We’ll be right back.” He promptly shooed them away.
Her brother gave a sheepish grin as he took her hand. “I’m sorry about earlier, sis. That was obviously the wrong time to bring up anything about school.”
“No, it’s fine. It just surprised me, that’s all. I’d never
thought about going anywhere but B.U.”
“It’s another option, anyway. I kinda like having you around. I really missed you these past few years.”
“I know. I missed you, too.”
Jeff was silent for a minute. “I talked to Mom again last week. She sounds a lot better. I think she’s stopped drinking.”
“Yeah, I finally talked to her, too. She did sound better.” Rebecca paused and gazed at the Ferris wheel, trying to organize her thoughts. “I guess that’s one of the reasons I feel so strongly about going back. I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said. I mean, I don’t know if Mom and I will ever be close…but I do feel like I owe her another chance, especially if she really is trying to clean up her life. And I worked so hard for that scholarship. It would be stupid to throw it away just because I’d rather live in a different state.”
“I wasn’t trying to talk you out of B.U. I know that’s been your goal, and you should go for it if it’s what you really want. You know I’ll support you whatever you decide to do. But things seem to be going so well for you out here. You’ve got a great job that you love, and you’ve got a whole new circle of friends that aren’t going to drag you down or get you into trouble. This is a much better environment for you. It’s safer. I worry about you so much when you’re home.”
“I worry about me, too.” She dropped her gaze, smiling when she noticed his sneakers. They seemed so out-of-place amidst all the cowboy boots. “I wish I could use my scholarship here. Then I’d have everything I wanted all in one place.”
Alec appeared behind Jeff and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Mind if I cut in?”
Rebecca’s heart rate instantly doubled. Her brother shot her a brief but pointed look–it’s not what I think, huh?–before he stepped back.
“Be my guest.”
As Jeff headed for the beer tent, Alec turned to Rebecca. “Dance with me?”
She gave a shy nod, hardly daring to breathe as she placed her hand in his. “You’re sure there’s not some kind of rule in the Flying W handbook about this?”
“You’re in luck,” he replied, gently pulling her closer. “I just added a clause about county fairs.”
She giggled. “Will you forgive me if I step on your feet?”
“If I don’t fire you first,” he teased. “Do you know I haven’t slow-danced with anyone since my senior prom?”
“And who was the lucky girl?”
“Eileen Patterson. That’s still the only time I’ve ever worn a suit.”
Rebecca tried to envision him wearing anything other than Wranglers. She couldn’t.
“So what happened to her?”
He shrugged. “She went off to college, like everyone else, and I stayed on the ranch. I heard she got married a few years back. Lives in Seattle now and has a couple of kids.”
At that, she was intrigued. “How long ago was your senior prom?”
“How long ago do you think it was?”
“Well, Tommy thought you were his age. So that would make your prom…five years ago, maybe?”
“I wish.” Alec gave a crooked grin. “I’ll be thirty this fall.”
Rebecca’s eyebrows shot up, and he chuckled at her reaction. “I guess that makes me an old man, huh?”
“Well, you sure acted like a crotchety old man when I first met you.”
“And what about now?”
“No, not now. You’re a totally different person than the one I met in the corral.”
“I feel like a different person,” he agreed, lowering his face to her ear. His cheek brushed against hers, just enough for her to feel the rough stubble along his jaw. “It’s entirely your fault, by the way.”
Rebecca grinned as he pulled back, touched by his compliment. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach as he met her gaze, tiny dots of yellow and blue and purple dancing in his eyes from the lights of the carnival rides. Suddenly she was aware of how close he was, only inches away from her, which somehow felt too close but not close enough. Her mind screamed at her to step back, but she couldn’t do it. Instead she gathered her courage and took a tentative step forward, closing the space between them.
Alec didn’t react right away. She stared unblinking at the collar of his shirt, shivering as his warm breath swirled past her ear. Just when she feared she’d made the wrong move, he placed her hand behind his neck and tightened his arm around her waist, cradling her against him. His embrace was warm and protective, a calming assurance that he was more interested in what he could give rather than what he could get from her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head against his shoulder, letting her fingers roam down the taut muscles in his back. Most of the guys she’d dated back home reeked of cigarettes or marijuana. Not Alec. His scent was as clean and fresh as the alpine air, encompassing the everyday things she’d come to love about the ranch.
She was so deep in thought that she nearly jumped when he spoke. “Rebecca, you know this can’t go anywhere, don’t you?”
She cringed, glad that he couldn’t see her expression. She did know it, of course, but she was surprised at how much it hurt to hear him say it aloud.
“I do,” she replied, lifting her head to look at him. “But it doesn’t change how I feel.”
Alec shook his head and smoothed his fingertips down her cheek. “It doesn’t for me, either.”
Chapter 13
The rest of the week passed without any letters. She spoke to the sheriff from Billings, who informed her that Kevin had no criminal record in the state of Montana. Just when Rebecca started to feel relieved, though, he went on to relate that they’d tried to contact Kevin several times but couldn’t find him at home. No one in town had reported seeing him, either. If Kevin wasn’t in Billings, where was he? Was he hiding out in Jackson somewhere, hunched over a computer composing his next threat…or worse?
As if that wasn’t enough to consume her thoughts, she also had no idea how to act around Alec. Ever since the fair, he’d noticeably kept his distance. She understood why, of course, but now that she knew he felt something for her too, it made their whole dilemma even more difficult.
When Alec called a staff meeting at the end of the week, it was clear that his mind was back on business. “On Monday morning we have forty guests arriving for a family reunion. I’ve arranged for an overnight cattle drive on Wednesday from our property in Idaho to the back pastures here. It’s about forty-five miles, so we’ll have to cover a lot of ground, but I’ve been assured that the ones joining the drive are all experienced riders.”
Roger cleared his throat. “I still think that’s too far for two days.”
Alec glared at him, his light eyes flashing. Roger grumbled a bit but respectfully said no more. Rebecca swallowed hard as Alec looked down at the papers in his hand.
“There are twelve riders joining the drive. I need everyone to pitch in on Tuesday night to load all the gear on the trucks. Alli, I want you to shuttle the guests to the property in two groups beginning at five o’clock on Wednesday morning. Roger and Tommy, you’re loading the horses and hauling them in two trips–two groups of six horses in the stock trailer, and the other three in the old gooseneck behind the farmhouse. On the way, we’ll drop off a truck at our campsite by the river, so all our cooking and sleeping gear will be waiting for us. Any questions?”
“Who’s leading the drive, boss?” Tommy asked.
“I am,” Alec responded, much to everyone’s surprise. “You and Rebecca are coming with me. Roger and Allison will stay here to care for the remaining guests. Roger’s in charge while I’m away.”
Tommy looked thrilled to be chosen for the drive, while Allison looked disappointed to be left out. Rebecca was simply stunned. Alec had avoided her all week, and now he was taking her on an overnight cattle drive?
He dismissed them without a glance. Rebecca was on her way out when he called her name and motioned for her to close the door. Nearly shaking in her boots, she shut the door and turned to face him.
“Do
you know why I chose you for the drive and not Alli?” he asked.
“I have no idea. Are you sure I’m ready?”
“Your being capable isn’t the issue,” he said, setting the papers aside. “Until the police find Kevin, I’m not leaving you alone on this ranch. You’ll be safer on the drive with us.”
“Does Tommy know about the letters?”
“He will. And as far as your riding ability, yes, I think you’re ready. Otherwise, I would’ve arranged for Roger to lead the drive so I could stay behind with you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “You know, for wanting to be with me so badly, you have a funny way of showing it.”
Alec mirrored her glare. “As long as you’re living on my property, I have an obligation to look out for you. Right now my highest priority is protecting you from your stalker, and if you don’t like that, then that’s too bad.”
Rebecca winced. “I’m sorry. I-I didn’t mean that.”
“Sure you did,” he replied, his tone softer now. “This isn’t easy for me, either. I do want to be with you, Rebecca, but what options do we have? Even if we ignore the fact that you’re still a minor and I’m nearly twice your age–”
“My birthday is in two weeks.”
“Your turning eighteen doesn’t make a bit of difference to me. The last thing I need to get wrapped up in right now is a summer fling. And with you leaving at the end of August, that’s all this would turn out to be. So I’m not going to give in to this when you already have one foot out the door. That’s not fair to either one of us.”
His words stung, because she knew there was truth in every one of them. “I don’t have to go back to Boston this fall,” she said, lifting her face to look at him. “It’s not set in stone. If you want me to stay here, I will.”
“No,” he replied without hesitation. “I would never ask you to stay for me. That’s the mistake my father made, and I’m not eager to repeat it.”
“Alec, I’m not your mother.”
A heavy silence settled in the office. “No, you’re not,” he finally said. “But if you stay here, then stay because you want to, not because I ask you to. You’re still too blinded by the beauty of this place to see it for what it really is.”
Cut and Run Page 15
