In the Ranger's Arms (The Men of At Ease Ranch)

by Michaels, Donna

  “I’ll be right there. Don’t leave. I’m going with you.” Without waiting for a reply, he hung up and shoved the phone back in his pocket, unsure how the hell he was going to face the mother of the guy he’d failed on more than one occasion.

  Jovy moved close. “Leo?”

  He nodded. “He’s in a hospital in Dallas. I have to go.”

  “Of course.” She stepped back. “We can finish this some other time.”

  He stopped short by his door, turned to her, and scowled. “No, Jovy, we can’t. There is no other time. I’ll call your grandfather and explain about the money, but we’re done. Go back to Philadelphia and forget about me.”

  Feeling lower than dirt, he climbed into his truck and drove away, leaving the best thing he’d ever known in his rearview mirror. His gut clenched tight at the sight of her standing alone in the parking lot, arms wrapped around her middle while tears streamed down her face. Now he could add callousness to his list of offenses. The woman was a gift and deserved so much better than him. So damn much better.

  What he’d told her was true. He was no good to anyone. All he did was bring them down, and by God, he refused to allow the woman he loved to be another Stone Mitchum casualty.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  For two days, Jovy stayed in her apartment and avoided people. Cece and Blanche were more than capable of handling the café. If they were swamped, they hadn’t called to ask for help, so she hadn’t offered. Just curled up in a ball on the couch in a T-shirt and shorts, unable to sleep in the bed again. She just couldn’t. Not after…Stone.

  On Friday, she gathered herself enough to shower and put on actual clothes, then donned a brave face before she headed downstairs to work. By then, she needed to keep busy. She’d moped around enough. Activity was key.

  She longed for news on Stone and Leo, but avoided At-Ease and the men there. Some of the workers had dropped in for lunch and talked about the progress, and to thank her for her help. Which was sweet. She had to blink back tears. She missed everyone at the ranch. It was going to be so damn hard to walk away on Sunday.

  Bless Blanche. She must’ve noticed Jovy’s distress, because she came over with more drinks and free desserts, giving her the opportunity to escape to the back.

  Which is where Jovy was on Saturday. Her final day to make as much money as possible. Despite another decent week, she didn’t hold out much hope of winning. And she was okay with that. Had made peace with that last Tuesday when she’d handed most of her bank account over to Foxtrot and At-Ease.

  Of course, that was when she had planned to stay in Texas and help out with her investment. Funny how things could change in less than a week. Hell, they could change overnight. Her relationship with Stone was living proof. It had changed in the space of a voicemail.

  She blinked back another onslaught of tears and focused on her computer screen. No more crying. At least, not until she was back in her apartment in Philadelphia. While she was in Joyful, she was going to be joyful, dammit.

  “Jovy.” Cece appeared in the office doorway, wearing an apron over her clothes as she and Blanche were in the café kitchen preparing tomorrow’s special. “There’s someone here to see you.”

  Stone?

  Jovy’s heart rocked against her ribs, then stilled when the other Mitchum brother walked into the office, filling it with his broad frame.

  “Hi, Jovy,” Brick said with a nod. “Got a minute?”

  “Sure. Have a seat.” She motioned to the chair in the corner. A million questions about Stone rose to her lips, but she swallowed them down and waited for his brother to speak. He regarded her intently, so intent, she shifted in her chair. “What’s up?”

  He leaned closer. “You tell me.”

  Not at all what she’d expected. “Tell you what?”

  “Tell me what the hell is going on with my brother.”

  She shrugged, forcing herself to act calm. “I-I don’t know. I haven’t seen him in a few days.” Balling her hands into fists on her lap under the desk, she cursed her stupid, wavering voice.

  “That’s what I thought.” He blew out a breath and leaned back. “Why not?”

  She snorted. The guy didn’t pull any punches. But neither did she. “Because that’s the way he wants it. Because he has a strong sense of responsibility I can’t compete with. Or how about this one? Because I’m not enough.” Her voice caught on the last word as her tight throat closed and tears filled her eyes.

  Dammit. And she’d been doing so well, too. Nearly three minutes since she thought about crying.

  “Ah, hell, Jovy.” In the blink of an eye, Brick rounded her desk, anxious expression tightening his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” Two big, strong hands pulled her to her feet and crushed her close, patting her on the back. “Don’t cry.”

  Of course, that’s exactly what she did do. His kindness opened the dam she’d built the past twenty hours, after having already allowed herself two days to cry. It took her a good two minutes to stop the tears.

  “Look, whatever it is that’s going on between you two, I know you can work it out.”

  She sniffed and pulled back. “Sorry. I’m okay now. And no, we can’t, because he doesn’t want to. But thanks for being so sweet.”

  He muttered a curse and ran a hand through his hair. “Stone’s a stubborn bast—idiot,” he corrected. “He’ll come around, Jovy. I know he will. You two are great together. Just give him time.”

  “I’m leaving tomorrow.”

  He stilled, hand paused on his head. “What? When?”

  “After my grandfather and cousin get here and we find out the winner,” she replied.

  His hand dropped to his side while his brows rose. “They’re coming to Texas?”

  “Yes.” She nodded. “My grandfather is heading to Dallas afterward to spend time with a war buddy. I’ll fly back to Philadelphia with my cousin.”

  “Do you really want to leave?”

  Her throat tightened again. She cleared it and shrugged. “It’s not up to me.”

  Brick cupped her shoulder and squeezed. “Don’t give up on Stone. He misses you, Jovy. We can all see it. Damn man is as cross as bear with his di—big toe in a trap. Been miserable all damn week, working during the day at the McGregor job and keeping an eye on Leo at night.”

  “How is Leo?” she asked, pushing her misery aside. One of the men had mentioned the Ranger was back at the ranch, but she didn’t want to pry to find out what had happened.

  Brick released her and shrugged. “As good as he can be.”

  “Why was he hospitalized?”

  “Jesus, didn’t Stone tell you?”

  She shook her head. “I told you, we haven’t seen each other. Not since he left on Wednesday.”

  “I’m going to have a good long talk with that idiot.” Brick grumbled another curse and sighed. “As for Leo, he had alcohol poisoning. Stone brought him back to the ranch late Thursday afternoon.”

  Tension eased from her shoulder blades. “I’m glad you found him.”

  “So are we. Not knowing where he was…it was a nightmare. And it’s not over. Not until he gets help.” Brick gave her a quick hug. “I’d better get going. Don’t give up on my brother.” He drew back and released her. “And don’t count on leaving Texas, either.”

  Dipping his head in a friendly nod, he disappeared from the office, leaving her to wonder if she should listen. Then the image of Stone’s hard expression flashed through her mind.

  Go back to Philadelphia and forget about me.

  Her vision blurred, but her mind cleared. She had a portfolio to finish and email to her grandfather, then an apartment to pack.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Saturday night, Stone sat at his desk and stared at an email from Jovy asking him to draw up a lease for Cece and Blanche because they were taking over V-Spot. He rubbed at the ache in his chest. God, it hurt to breathe. He missed her. So damn much.

  He’d picked up his ph
one numerous times that week to call her and beg forgiveness, but each time his mind balked. Just because Leo was out of the hospital didn’t mean he was okay. If a passerby hadn’t found his buddy passed out in a ditch near Dallas and called the paramedics, Leo wouldn’t be in his room at the ranch. He’d be six feet under.

  No. Leo was far from fine. And that was just it. Stone would always be on call, so Jovy would always play second fiddle. She didn’t deserve that. He couldn’t…wouldn’t do that to her. So there was no sense in trying to fix things. He’d always have Leo’s back. That was never going to stop. And there were a lot more backs at the ranch for him to cover. He was spread thin. How could he possibly give her the attention she deserved?

  He couldn’t.

  The knot in his stomach that hadn’t eased since he left her apartment tightened, as it had whenever he thought of the incredible woman.

  The image of her dark, tormented gaze had haunted him all damn week, especially at night in his dreams. He hated that he’d put that damn look on her face.

  She didn’t deserve it.

  “Hey, Stone, got a minute?” Brick asked, waltzing into the office without waiting for a reply. Nothing new. But he didn’t drop down on the couch in usual Brick fashion.

  No. This time, he was followed by Vince and Cord. The three of them stood between him and the door. Shit. Stone stiffened and fought his rising apprehension. “What’s the problem?”

  “You.”

  “Me?” He reeled back. “What did I do?”

  Cord remained standing, while Vince leaned against the far corner of the desk, and Brick settled into the chair. The chair he and Jovy had—

  “It’s what you’re not doing.” His brother raised a brow.

  Vince nodded. “Yeah…making up with Jovy.”

  Ah, hell. Stone shot to his feet, but two large bodies blocked his exit. “Move. Or I’ll move you.”

  “Like to see you try, bro.” Brick chuckled from across the room. Stone’s fists cracked with the need to wipe the smile off his brother’s face. “Put away your fists. Just relax and hear us out.”

  It was obvious they were all in Ranger mode. Unclenching his hands, he forced himself to walk back to his chair and sit. “Fine. What’s on your minds?”

  “Let’s start with that false sense of responsibility you seem to think you have for not only Leo but everyone here at At-Ease,” his brother replied.

  “It’s not false. I’m the one in charge of getting and keeping jobs, of putting a roof over everyone’s head. Making a profit so we can take in more men. Look around. The ranch is a mess. The men are unhappy, and we’re almost in the red. I’ve done one hell of a bang-up job so far, haven’t I?”

  Vince stepped closer. “A tornado wrecked this place, not you.”

  “But I’m responsible for keeping everyone together, and already two men left with more considering it. And you know what? I don’t blame them. Who the hell wants to back a leader they’ve lost faith in? One who has to wipe out his brother’s savings and his girlfriend’s bank account just to make ends meet? I’m a dream-killer.” He chuckled without mirth and made a sweeping motion with his hand. “Took out the men’s, Brick’s, and Jovy’s dreams in one fell swoop. At least I’m proficient in something.”

  “All right, now you’re just talking bullshit.” His brother jumped to his feet and advanced. “I’m responsible for my own actions, not you. And I offered my money. You had nothing to do with that decision. It was one hundred percent my own.”

  “That’s not my point.”

  A frown creased the looming guy’s brow. “Then what the fuck is, Stone?”

  The idiot just didn’t get it.

  Stone leaned forward in his chair. “You wouldn’t have had to fork the money over if I’d been better at my damn job.” There, he said it out loud. Spelled out his failure.

  His brother stared at him a beat before he burst out laughing.

  It wasn’t funny. Stone curled his hands back into fists, two seconds away from vaulting over the desk to deck the asshole.

  “Wow,” Brick said when he sobered. “Since when have you become Vince, Brick, and Cord, too? We’re all equal owners with our own strengths, Stone. Yours happens to be giving estimates because you’re more personable. That doesn’t mean you’re solely responsible for Foxtrot and At-Ease. Hell no. We’re all equal in that. It’s what we agreed on when we started this partnership. It’s called that for a reason.”

  Stone unclenched his fists and begrudgingly nodded at the reminder.

  “He’s right.” Cord leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. Stone recognized the stance. The guy was ready to get badass if necessary. “Responsibility doesn’t just fall on your shoulders.”

  “Exactly,” Vince chimed in, expression as firm as his tone. “And of course the men look up to you. You’re a damn good leader. I was happy to follow you as a Ranger, and just as happy to follow you now. You took a ranch and a business and turned them both into a haven for veterans needing somewhere to belong.”

  He heard the words, understood them to be true, but it didn’t change the facts. “Men are leaving.”

  “Yeah, some left.” Vince nodded. “But we started this venture knowing we can’t save or help them all. You yourself said that, Stone. You also said we’ll do our best with what we’ve got, and you have never once dropped that damn ball.”

  There were days when it sure as hell felt like it. Especially lately.

  Brick cocked his head. “Now, let’s talk about Leo. Why do you hover over him like a mother hen?”

  Stone reeled back. “Are you serious? You really have to ask?”

  “I don’t mean that,” Brick growled. “I mean why do you think you’re the only one who should? We’re here, too, you know. We all fought together. Sacrificed together. Lived and lost fucking parts of our souls together. There’s no damn reason for you to give up your life to watch Leo.”

  He grunted. “Yes, there is. You saw what happened last year.”

  “Yeah. So?” Brick shrugged. “What does it have to do with you? Did you hand him the pills?”

  “No.” He glared at his brother. “Don’t be an ass.”

  “Then what, Stone? What did you do that was so damn bad?”

  Vince frowned down at him. “It’s like you’re acting out of guilt.”

  Frustration ricocheted through him and knotted his gut. “I am guilty! I didn’t answer his call that night. I was too damn busy having sex and ignored the phone,” he blurted. “If I had answered…then…I don’t know. Maybe Leo wouldn’t have taken the pills.”

  The room grew silent as the guys digested his confession. Getting it off his chest didn’t ease Stone’s conscience, but it did help remove a little of the weight from his shoulders.

  Brick cocked his head. “Leo called me that night, too.”

  “And me.”

  “Me, too,” Cord said.

  Shock momentarily stilled Stone’s heartbeat, then widened his eyes as he stared at the guys. “What did he want?”

  “To shoot the shit,” Brick said, sitting on the corner of the desk. “He never let on what he was about to do.”

  Vince nodded. “Yeah, believe me, I’ve replayed our conversation over and over in my head at least a thousand times and I swear he never gave a clue.”

  “There’s no reason to believe you would’ve picked up on it if the three of us never did,” Cord said, his unyielding gaze daring him to contradict.

  “He’s right,” Vince said. “So talk to us.”

  He had no clue what they wanted. They were talking. “About?”

  Brick stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his booted feet. “How about Jovy?”

  The knot in his stomach twisted tight. “How about no?” No way was he strong enough to talk about her. Not yet. Probably not ever.

  “Ah, come on, bro. You’re in love with the woman. But instead of telling her, you’re hiding out at the ranch when you should be at her apartmen
t talking her out of leaving tomorrow.”

  “I’m not hiding.” The invisible bands across his chest squeezed so tight it hurt to breathe. He knew she was leaving soon, he just didn’t realize it was tomorrow.

  “Her grandfather and cousin are coming to town,” his brother continued. “And after the winner of that contest is announced, she’s flying to Philly with her cousin while her grandfather visits a buddy in Dallas. But Stone…she’d rather stay here with you.”

  God, he wanted that, so bad. But could he subject her to the demands of Foxtrot and At-Ease? Both ventures were always going to consume his time. And then there was Leo.

  It was no use. Stone had nothing to give her. And she deserved everything. Never had he felt so low, or trapped, or damned deflated in his life. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Brick muttered a string of curses. “Does it matter if she cried?”

  His gut took an invisible blow. “Jovy cried?”

  “Yes, you idiot.” Brick shot to his feet and began to pace. “And you know I don’t do well with crying women, Stone. I don’t do well at all. I swear I almost broke out in hives.”

  When they were Rangers, of the five of them, his brother was the last one chosen to deal with hysterical women. And they’d encountered a lot. It never went well. “What did you do?”

  “I comforted her and told her not to give up on my stubborn-ass brother, that’s what.” He stopped to press his forefinger to the desk. “Then I told her that you missed her and would come around.”

  Now Stone was on his feet. “Ah, hell, Brick. Why’d you tell her that?” Christ, he didn’t want to give her false hope. She was going through enough.

  “Because it’s true.” The jerk cocked his head and stared him down.

  Stupid, stubborn ass. “I’m not going to come around.”

  “Why the fuck not?”

  “Because I can’t.”

  “It’s because of me, isn’t it?”

  Everyone stiffened and turned to stare at Leo standing behind Cord in the doorway, misery lining his face.

  All the fight evaporated from Stone. As far as he was concerned, the discussion was over. “Hey, Leo.”