by Judy Duarte
“I thought you might like a beer and some company. If not, I can leave the drink and go on my way.”
Ian tossed him a lopsided grin. “I rarely drink these days.” Then he took the Corona and nodded at the empty chair beside him. “But singing makes me thirsty and lonely. So thanks. And have a seat.”
Jason didn’t normally come out looking for Ian after dark. Nor did he have time to make chitchat. When they did talk, it was to line Ian out for the day or to get his opinion about something to make the ranch more valuable to a buyer. But for the most part, there’d been so much going on at both Rayburn offices that Jason had let Ian continue to handle most of the daily ranch decisions on his own.
“I owe you an apology,” Jason said. “Not only have I done very little to help you, but I haven’t gotten around to hiring those extra men I promised.”
“I can find a couple of hands. All you have to do is say the word.”
Jason took a swig of his beer. “I’ll make it a priority tomorrow, although I may not get to it until midmorning.”
“No problem.” Ian tilted his own bottle and took a drink.
But that didn’t assuage Jason’s guilt. The man had been shouldering a lot for the past year. Yet he hadn’t complained.
“If you’re going into town,” Ian said, “I have a few supplies that need to be picked up at the feed store.”
“Will do.”
The two men sat like that for a while—like drinking buddies mellowing out after a hard day’s work. Yet they weren’t buddies. They weren’t...anything.
In fact, Ian probably knew Braden a hell of a lot better than he knew Jason, since they were both locals and ranchers. They had a lot more in common.
Had Ian been making comparisons between the half brothers?
The fact that he might have—and that Jason might have come up short—didn’t sit well. And while Jason hadn’t actually planned to come out here and strike up a friendship or to quiz the guy, neither seemed to be bad ideas now.
“I hear my brother is in Mexico,” Jason said.
“Is that right?”
Didn’t Ian know where Braden had gone? Or was he trying to avoid an inquisition?
“I figure he’s got a good reason,” Jason added, just in case Ian thought he was being set up. “And that he’ll clue me in when the time is right.”
“He didn’t mention anything to me,” Ian said.
For some reason, Jason believed him.
So much for the theory that the two Brighton Valley men were tight.
Ian, who’d been balancing his guitar in his lap, set the instrument down. “How’s your sister doing?”
“Carly? She has a singing gig in San Antonio, so she’s pretty excited about that.”
“Glad to hear it. Maybe this is her big chance.”
Jason wondered how Ian knew Carly. But then again, his sister had come by to visit regularly while Granny was still alive. And she still dropped by to check on the place occasionally. Apparently, Ian did more talking to Carly than he did to Braden. But Braden was so damned tight-lipped, and Carly...well, she’d sure been a jabber box, at least when she was a kid.
A grin tugged at his lips. He remembered the day when she and Bird Legs had come in from the swimming hole. They’d been all whispers and giggles back then. Juliana sure had changed, hadn’t she?
His thoughts drifted from the past back to the present. Damn. Who would have guessed that the gangly little girl would have grown up to be such a shapely beauty?
He glanced at the house, at the window of the room that had once been Granny’s, and watched the light go out. So she really was going to hit the sack early.
Had she heard Ian playing the guitar? Would the music lull her to sleep? The tune had certainly had a mesmerizing effect. He wondered what the words were.
“That was a nice song you were playing earlier,” Jason told the foreman. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard it before. Not that I’m a country fan these days. Is it a new recording or one that’s been out for a while?”
“Actually, I wrote it myself.”
“No kidding?”
Ian shrugged. “It’s just a cowboy lullaby to put the little dogies to sleep.”
“I’m no expert, but it sounded good to me. You probably shouldn’t waste your talent on a bunch of cows.”
Ian didn’t comment. He just lifted his longneck and took another drink.
Had Carly ever heard him play? If so, had she encouraged him to do something with his music? Not that it mattered. Ian obviously liked being a cowboy and was content to play for himself. And Carly wanted to be on a stage. They had different dreams, different life paths.
Jason glanced at the house, where the porch light cast an amber glow, while Granny’s bedroom remained dark. His and Juliana’s paths had merged temporarily, but they’d soon go in opposite directions, too, just as Ian’s and Carly’s had.
But they were together for the time being...
Jason avoided commitments and anything long-term. You certainly couldn’t blame him for that. Hell, just look at his father’s track record.
Of course, that didn’t mean he was opposed to a one-on-one relationship as long as it remained mutually beneficial. And right now, Jason was between lovers.
So was Juliana.
He might have made it a point not to get involved with employees or business associates, but Juliana was only a temporary hire.
Would it be wrong to see what developed between them—for as long as it lasted?
* * *
Jason had planned to run into town before lunch, but as luck—and the home office—would have it, he didn’t get a chance to leave until after two o’clock.
As he was heading out of the house, he didn’t spot Juliana in either the living room or the kitchen. He suspected she was getting ready for her doctor’s appointment, so he left without telling her goodbye.
Although he would have preferred to stick around and finish the last project he’d been working on, he’d promised Ian he would hire some help, and he didn’t want to let him down. So he snatched his hat from the hook by the back door, grabbed the keys to the ranch pickup and took off.
His first stop was Lone Star Hay and Feed, which had once been owned by Del Grimwood. Apparently the man had retired a few years back and sold the business. So Jason introduced himself to the new owner, a middle-aged man named Paco Ramirez.
He’d just hit End on a business call that hadn’t gone well when he spoke, so his words came out a little more abrupt than he’d meant them to. “My father was Charles Rayburn, and his grandmother, Rosabelle, owned the Leaning R. I’m in charge now, so I’ve been staying out there—temporarily.”
Paco shifted his stance, then crossed his arms. “I thought the world of your great-grandmother, and I knew your father. I went to high school with him. I also know Braden and his mother’s family well. But just so you know, I judge a man by his character—not his bloodlines.”
Jason hadn’t meant to come across as high-and-mighty, but before he could apologize and tell the man he’d had his mind on his other business issues, Paco added, “Your father may be highly respected in California and in the business world where he once ran, but his reputation in this neck of the woods wasn’t much to shout about. But I won’t hold that against you—just like I didn’t hold it against your brother.”
Had his father left that bad of an impression on the townspeople?
Jason always figured his father had considered Brighton Valley to be a Podunk town that he’d outgrown. But did it have more to do with the fact that he’d gotten Braden’s mother pregnant while he’d been married to Jason’s mom?
That must have been a scandal that tarnished his reputation, although he’d never missed a child support payment, as far as Jason had been told.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Ramirez. I didn’t mean to be rude or to give you the wrong impression. Rest assured, I’m not like my father.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Paco
said. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m looking for some temporary hands on the Leaning R. Do you know anyone who’d be interested?”
Paco stroked his chin. “Does Ian still work for you?”
“Yes, and I need to find help for him.”
“In that case, my oldest boy is looking for a summer job. He’s only seventeen, but he’s strong, a good worker and knows cattle and horses.”
“Great. When can he start?”
“Tomorrow morning, I suspect.”
“I’ll tell Ian to expect him. What’s his name?”
“Jesse.”
Jason lifted his hat and readjusted it on his head. “Do you mind if I post an ad on your bulletin board?”
“No, go ahead. I’ll keep my ears open, too. Temporary help isn’t always as easy to find as a permanent position. But just so you know, Jesse’s friends are all football players. They’re good kids—strong, too. And they’re not afraid of hard work. They’re probably your best bet.”
“Thanks. You might be right about that. Maybe your son could round up his buddies and bring them out to the ranch. I’d really appreciate it, and I know Ian would, too.” Jason reached into his hip pocket and pulled out the list Ian had given him. “I also need to pick up these things while I’m here.”
Twenty minutes later, he’d paid Paco and loaded the last of the sacks and boxes into the back of the ranch pickup. Then he was on his way into town.
His next stop was Nettles Realty, a small office on the shady, tree-lined main drag. He pulled into an empty parking stall near the drugstore, then crossed the street and entered the bright red door of the only real estate agent in town.
Granny had been friends with Helen, Ralph’s wife. She used to work with him, but she’d gotten sick about the time Granny died. She was better now, but from what Jason had heard, Helen remained at home these days and Ralph worked alone.
Ralph was close to eighty years old and probably should have retired a long time ago, but he often quipped that he was no quitter. He was still spry and sharp. He also knew the area better than anyone else.
Jason greeted the snowy-haired gentleman who sat at a big oak desk cluttered with files and stacks of paper with a handshake. “I’m Jason Rayburn, Ralph. We talked on the phone a couple of days ago.”
“Good to see you, son.” The old man got to his feet. “I’m glad to get the listing, although I’m sorry to see the Leaning R sold. That ranch has been in your family for years.”
A pang of guilt twisted Jason’s gut. Harold and Molly Rayburn, Granny’s in-laws, had been newlyweds when they’d homesteaded the land. They’d raised a family there. At least, they’d tried to. Harold and two of their children had died of the Spanish influenza early in the twentieth century. Dave, the only surviving child, had inherited the Leaning R and married Granny.
But Jason shook off his discomfort and pressed on. “The place isn’t ready to show any prospective buyers yet, but I hope to have it clean, emptied and close to presentable within the next two weeks.”
“What are you going to do with the furniture?”
“I have a woman helping me inventory it. Whatever Braden and Carly don’t want, I plan to sell.”
“Some of those things are antiques,” Ralph said. “They might actually make the house show better, so keep that in mind.”
“All right.” After thanking the real estate agent for his time, Jason left. As he stepped out onto the sidewalk, the hearty aroma of Italian sausage, tomatoes, basil and garlic taunted him, and he glanced to the right at Maestro’s, the new restaurant he’d wanted to try. A man in black slacks and a white dress shirt was spreading white linen over the black wrought-iron patio tables in preparation for the diners who preferred to eat outdoors.
Before Jason could cross the street and head toward the space where he’d parked his truck, a woman exited a store to the right. He didn’t pay her any mind, but he did catch a glimpse of the mannequin in the window display of the Mercantile, the only dress shop in this part of town. It modeled a sexy black dress that was both formfitting and sleek.
An idea struck, and a smile spread across his face. Juliana had mentioned that she didn’t have anything suitable to wear to an eatery like Maestro’s. What if he bought the dress for her as a surprise? He could call it a bonus. And he’d tell her the dinner was in celebration of getting a price for the ranch and finding a listing agent.
He wasn’t sure of her size, but his sister had mentioned once that she was a six. And they were about the same height and shape.
What the hell.
Ten minutes later, a sales clerk who knew Carly and believed Jason was making the purchase for her had rung up the dress and placed it in a plastic bag with the Mercantile logo. After draping it over his arm, he left the store. He probably should have taken it to the pickup, but instead, he carried it with him to Maestro’s, where he made dinner reservations for next Saturday evening at seven o’clock.
And speaking of dinner, since Juliana had a doctor’s appointment, cooking wouldn’t be on her to-do list today. So Jason would just stop by Caroline’s Diner and pick up something to take home.
Rather than head to his truck first, he decided to place the order and then put away the dress while he was waiting for the food to cook.
It seemed simple enough, especially since Caroline’s was just another couple of doors down from the Mercantile. Once inside the diner, he figured he’d make it quick by ordering the daily special, which Caroline displayed on a chalkboard near the register at the door. She always listed the offering as “What the Sheriff Ate.” Today it read: fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet corn and peach cobbler à la mode.
Jason placed the order with a middle-aged brunette waitress whose name tag read Margie.
“I know the special offers mashed potatoes,” Margie said, “but you can have French fries if you’d rather.”
He gave it some thought before asking, “What do you suggest?”
Margie leaned against the counter and grinned, clearly happy to offer her opinion. “Most folks prefer the mashed potatoes. It’s a house specialty since Caroline always makes her gravy from scratch. But I wanted to let you know there was an option.”
He tossed her a smile. “I’ll go with the local preference.”
“You won’t be sorry. And how ’bout I just send the peach cobbler for dessert? I don’t think the ice cream will travel too well. But if you have any back at the ranch, it’ll be a nice finishing touch.”
“When I used to come here as a kid, I always chose the German chocolate cake. I don’t suppose Caroline has any of that today.”
“You’re in luck. We’ve got a couple of slices left.” Margie jotted down his order. “It shouldn’t take too long to get this ready. Why don’t you have a seat?”
The door swung open before Jason had a chance to acknowledge Margie’s words or tell her he’d be back in a few minutes. He glanced over his shoulder as Juliana walked in, her hair long and glossy, the curls dancing over her shoulders.
He didn’t know who was more surprised to see the other, but it was all he could do to hide the logo on the plastic bag that announced he’d been shopping at the ladies’ store down the street.
* * *
Juliana had just left the doctor’s office and stopped by the diner to pick up her last paycheck. But when she spotted Jason, her breath caught and her knees nearly buckled.
She’d known he’d gone to town, but she hadn’t expected to run into him at Caroline’s.
“Hey,” he said, all decked out in cowboy casual, his thumbs tucked into the front pockets of his jeans. “It looks like you had the same idea I did.”
“What was that?”
“To pick up dinner to take home. But I beat you to it.” He smiled, which sent her heart skittering through her chest like a cat chasing its own tail. “How did your doctor’s appointment go?”
“Doctor’s appointment?” Margie asked. “You were just at the doctor
a while back, Juliana. It couldn’t have been two or three weeks ago. Is something wrong?”
A response wadded up in Juliana’s throat.
Jason glanced at her, then at Margie. The poor guy had no idea that the sweet but gossipy waitress, like a Brighton Valley Lois Lane, had been listening to their conversation. And that she was ready to take note of every single word she’d heard and add her own spin to it.
But Juliana knew she’d better steer the subject in a safer direction before Margie began connecting dots and spreading her assumptions.
“My last visit to the clinic was a month ago, Margie. And this was just a recheck. Everything’s fine.”
Margie cocked her head, and her grip on the pencil seemed to raise and tighten. “What was the doctor rechecking?”
“It was...uh...sinus infection. All clear now.” Juliana flushed and lowered her eyes. Doggone it. She considered honesty a virtue even more than most people, but now she had to add liar to her sinful résumé.
She placed her hand on her tummy, which she realized only served to draw attention to the growing bump. Then she let her fingers trail to her side and down along her thigh. As she did so, she stole a peek at Jason, wondering if he’d heard the deceit in her voice or spotted the guilty flush on her cheeks.
Instead, he seemed to be fiddling with the plastic shopping bag he’d rolled around his arm. Was he hiding something of his own?
Guilt was a funny thing, wasn’t it? It seemed to make one suspicious of others.
“Well,” she said. “There isn’t any reason for us both to hang around and wait for the food. I think I’d better head back to the ranch. I got so much work done earlier today that I don’t want to lose my momentum.”
Nor did she want to stick around in Brighton Valley until Margie and everyone else in town uncovered the secret she was trying so hard to hide.
Chapter Five
Juliana continued to inventory the household items for the next several days. Jason helped when he could, but he spent the mornings in the office dealing with issues having to do with either Rayburn Energy or Enterprises.
