Ranch's Retreat (River's End Ranch Book 6)

by Osbourne, Kirsten

  “Yup. It was nuts, but she’s so happy. They’re expecting their first!”

  “There’s someone out there who will introduce people at the altar?”

  Kaya nodded. “Yes, she’s this amazing matchmaker. Her name is Dr. Lachele, and she’s nuts. She met me and immediately grabbed me in a huge hug, yelling, ‘Boobie bump!’ I loved her.” She ended with a sigh, and Glen couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Don’t tell Kelsi that. She’ll be boobie bumping everyone on the ranch.”

  Kaya giggled. “I can just picture that. In a few months, she’ll be looking for other pregnant women to belly bump with. She’s fun!”

  “Okay, wait. We got sidetracked somehow. You were telling me about how you got along with your sister on your cruise.” Glen took a bite of his sandwich, as he gave her his full attention.

  “Well, we decided to be silly and laugh together, but we kind of embarrassed Jenni a little.”

  He tilted his head to one side inquiringly. “How?”

  “Oh, little things. Like our first night on the ship, Bridget and I each ordered two desserts, and Jenni ordered one. So, we shoved them all in front of her and took a picture of her with them.”

  Glen bit his lip, stifling a laugh as he pictured it. “That wasn’t very nice.” It was all he could do not to laugh out loud.

  “I know.”

  “Is that all you did?” he asked. He’d expected to hear of multiple things.

  She shrugged. “Sure.”

  “What else did you do?”

  “We kind of stabbed each other with shrimp forks. Constantly. And when they took them away before dessert, we asked for more, so we could eat our dessert with teeny tiny forks. And we sang I Got You, Babe to each other during Karaoke.”

  “Interesting song choice…can you sing?”

  “Oh, absolutely not! But at least I know I can’t sing. Bridget thinks she can!”

  “I think I’m glad I wasn’t on that cruise.” He’d never taken a cruise, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to after hearing her cruise stories.

  “I wish I’d brought the scrapbook my mom made of the cruise to show you. Bridget came up with this idea to take a picture with every photographer every night on the ship. And then we took selfies with all the photographers. So, Mom scrapbooked them all for my birthday.”

  Glen shook his head. “Your mother approves of this behavior?”

  “Oh, no! If she’d been there she’d have been hiding from us. She didn’t mind hearing about it afterward, though. She just kept saying, ‘At least you didn’t fight.’ We fight a lot.”

  “Sounds like it. Is Bridget that terrible of a person?”

  Kaya scrunched up her face as she thought about it for a minute. “No, she’s not terrible. She just gets on my very last nerve, to the point I want to throw her on the floor and tap dance on her face. It’s the sibling thing.”

  “I don’t want to do that to my sister.”

  “Well, you weren’t in school with your sister, though, were you? We grew up in a small town. One class for each grade. We were in every class together. First through twelfth grade. When we finally chose a college, we chose the same one, but we refused to be roommates. The admission counselor we saw suggested it, and you should have seen the horrified look on Mom’s face. Nope. Bridget and I will never live together again.” Kaya wished she could explain how she felt about her sister more satisfactorily, but Bridget had to be seen to be understood.

  “I guess that’s the difference. And Dawna is six years younger. I’m sure that helps.”

  “And I bet you feel protective of her, right? Big brotherly?”

  He nodded. “Of course.”

  “Well, I don’t feel protective of Bridget. Not at all.” She took a long drag of her Sprite. “Let’s talk about something more interesting.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, how long do you think you’ll keep working on the ranch?”

  He shrugged. “Once I have my doctorate, I’ll probably be moving on. Maybe I’ll work here a couple of days a week, but not more than that. I need to get my own business up and running.”

  “True.”

  “What about you? Tell me about your work?”

  Kaya shrugged. “What’s to tell? I write romance. I met May and Liz in a chat room for writers where we sprint write. It helps me be more accountable, and I get a lot more done that way.”

  “Is it hard for you to get your work done?”

  “Sometimes. It’s hard to stay motivated at times. I am an indie writer, so I don’t necessarily have firm deadlines. I try to work hard, but sometimes it’s easy to slack off. May is amazing that way. She puts out a book every couple of weeks, rain or shine. I do at least a book every three weeks, though, which is lots more than most.”

  “Wow. I didn’t know it was even possible to write a book in three weeks.”

  “Oh yeah. I’ve done a book in a week, but that’s a lot harder for me. May can do a book in five days. If I didn’t love her so much, I’d hate her sometimes.”

  Glen shook his head. “That sounds almost super human.”

  “Can I tell you a secret?” Kaya asked, looking in both directions to make sure no one was listening.

  “Sure!” Glen couldn’t believe how much he enjoyed just sitting and talking to Kaya. He’d always had trouble coming up with things to talk about on dates, but she was so easy to be with. Her slight Texas twang made her all the more endearing to him.

  “I think May is super human. I’ve never seen anyone be able to do things the way she does. Her fingers just fly over the keyboard, and she never seems to need to take breaks to think or anything. Her hands touch the letters, and she’s off, words seeming to flow from every pore. It’s kind of eerie really.”

  He grinned. “I’m sure she’s human.”

  “Maybe. I’m just glad she uses her powers for good and not evil.”

  He laughed at that. “You know what, Kaya?”

  “What?”

  “I think you’re pretty terrific. I’m glad I spent my day off with you. I probably should have done something constructive with my time, like working on my dissertation, but it’s nice to be with someone special.”

  Kaya grinned, wondering if he realized he’d just told her she was special. “I’m glad I can entertain you. Does that mean I can talk you into doing something with me tomorrow too?”

  He frowned. “I really shouldn’t. I need to work on my dissertation.”

  She nodded. “I understand. I had to work last night.”

  “You know what? You’re only here for two weeks. I’ll work on my dissertation at night. Yeah, let’s spend tomorrow together. Do you want to rent some four-wheelers and go for a ride to the base of the mountains?”

  She shielded her eyes and looked across the lake to the mountain that rose majestically just beyond it. “That sounds wonderful. You wouldn’t rather take horses?”

  “I think your bum is going to be much too sore for horse riding tomorrow. Besides, you haven’t had enough practice for me to be willing to take you into the mountains. Maybe by next week, we’ll have worked up to that.”

  “I hope so.”

  “How long can you be out today without messing up your work schedule?”

  Kaya sighed, pulling out her phone to check the time. “I should be back by two at the latest, so I can nap before we start work for the night. It’s not my turn to cook, so that’ll make things easier.” She eyed him for a moment. “I could ask the others if I can invite you over to write with us, since that’s what you’ll be doing as well.” She knew May would want to wear pajamas, though, and she might not feel comfortable doing that with a man there. She wanted him there, though. They only had two weeks together. She wanted every moment she could get with him.

  He shook his head. “No, I have all my research notes at home. I’d have to bring too much with me to make it work.”

  She nodded. “I understand.” She was both relieved and sad. She wanted him there, bu
t she wasn’t sure the others would.

  When they got back to the stable, he took Muffin’s reins from her. “I’ll see you tomorrow at eleven again?”

  She nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

  “I’ll bring lunch again.”

  Kaya walked to him and wrapped her arms around him, just resting her head on his shoulder. He was a good four inches taller than her, which thrilled her to no end. It was hard to find a man tall enough to make her feel small. “Thanks for a wonderful time.”

  He kissed her cheek softly, not wanting to make her think he’d changed his mind about them having a future. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  As Kaya hurried away, she had a spring in her step and a smile on her face. He thought she was special. People had told her she was a million times, but it was hard to care what anyone else in the world thought. Glen was the only one whose opinion mattered.

  Chapter Four

  After Kaya left Glen, she hurried over to the café, wanting to talk to Kelsi for a moment. She didn’t know why she was so drawn to the young woman, but she truly felt as if they were kindred spirits—drawn to her almost as strongly as she was to May and Liz.

  Kaya sat down at the counter and waited for Kelsi to come to her. “Hey there, Kaya! What can I get you?”

  “A big glass of milk and a couple of cookies! The cookies you gave me yesterday were wonderful. Do you make them here in the café?”

  “No, those come from the bakery. Miranda makes them fresh every morning. Today’s specialty is a caramel ginger snap. They’re to die for!”

  Kaya nodded emphatically. “Sounds perfect. That’s what I want.”

  Kelsi grinned. “You won’t regret it. I swear Miranda is a genius.” Kelsi put the cookies and milk in front of Kaya and then walked around the counter to sit beside her. “I think Bob and Miranda need to get together. They’re both very territorial, but they really would suit.”

  “Really?” Kaya couldn’t help but think that living at this ranch, which seemed to be so full of love, would be a great source of never-ending ideas for a romance writer. “I had lunch with Glen again today.”

  “Oh?”

  Kaya nodded. “I like him a lot. He’s pretty special.”

  “I don’t know him very well. He comes here to get food, but he kind of keeps to himself for the most part. He went to school with one of my brothers. Wes? I think? I don’t really remember.”

  “He told me I shouldn’t tell you about something I was taught by a matchmaker recently, so I decided to come over and tell you right away!”

  Kelsi giggled. “Sounds great. What is it?”

  “Well, her name is Dr. Lachele, and that’s not part of the story, but it helps me tell it. Anyway, anytime she sees someone she knows and likes, she runs toward them with her arms spread, yelling, ‘Boobie bump!’ ” Kaya grinned, shaking her head. “I just think you’d be someone who would truly enjoy a good boobie bump!”

  Kelsi nodded, looking around the café. “There are no customers other than you. Come on! Boobie bump with me!” She slid off the stool and spread her arms wide.

  Kaya flew at her, hugging the small woman close. “Our first official boobie bump.”

  “What will I do when my belly’s too big for boobie bumps, though? I can already feel my clothes getting too small.”

  “I think when your belly is too big for boobie bumps, it’ll be a sign that it’s time to seek out other pregos and do belly bumps. Won’t that be fun?”

  “Yes! I knew I liked you, Kaya! You’re going to need to give me your email address and phone number so we can keep in touch when you go home. And that’s not something I say to guests of the ranch very often.”

  “I will do that so happily!” Kaya sat back down to finish her snack. “I need to get back to Bearfoot Bungalow soon. I need a nap so I can work all night. Glen is cutting into my sleep time.”

  “He’s worth it,” Kelsi said with a wink.

  Kaya laughed. “I think he is. We’re going to the base of the mountains on four-wheelers tomorrow.”

  Kelsi sighed. “Shane won’t let me get on a four-wheeler right now. He’s worried about the baby.”

  “Do you enjoy them?”

  “Well, it’s more than that. I’m on a quest you see—a quest to find Bigfoot. He lives right here in these mountains.” Kelsi looked down at her hands, which were folded in her lap. “I don’t suppose you’ll search for signs of him for me while you’re out there, would you?”

  “Signs of Bigfoot?” Kaya asked. She wasn’t sure she believed in Bigfoot, but it sure would be fun to look. “I’d love to! Do you have anything specific you want me to watch for?”

  Kelsi’s smile lit up her whole face. “I’ll make you a list!”

  * * *

  While working that night, Kaya heard her phone ring and realized she’d forgotten it in her bedroom. “BRB. I need to go get my phone.”

  “You’re not sneaking off to go potty without announcing it, are you?” Liz asked skeptically.

  “No. My phone is really ringing! I wouldn’t risk a thirty second shunning. I always announce potty. It’s a moral necessity!” Kaya rushed off into the room she was using and grabbed her phone, which was charging on the nightstand. “Hello?”

  “Hey, sis.”

  “Bridget the Midget. What’s up?”

  “How’s Idaho? Are you having fun with your weird writer friends?”

  Kaya sank down onto her bed and hugged one knee to her chest. “I’m having so much fun. Liz is just as wonderful as I thought she’d be, and I already knew how incredible May was.”

  Bridget was silent for a moment. “There’s a guy! You met a guy there!”

  “You have no clue what you’re talking about, Bridget!” Kaya didn’t mind talking to random strangers about Glen, but talking to her sister was something else entirely. She’d learned long ago that if she told her anything, the whole world would know immediately.

  “Fine. Don’t tell me, but don’t disillusion yourself! I know you’ve met someone. Okay, I’m at work. Bye.”

  Kaya stared at the dead phone in her hand for a minute before sighing. Bridget was working ten at night until six in the morning and was always needing to be talked to while she was driving places. Once she arrived she immediately hung up. It was a very annoying habit! Kaya went to the bathroom before returning to the living room—where the three of them were working—receiving glares from both friends.

  “Oops. I really did go back there to answer the phone, but I was already up, so it seemed logical to potty while I was gone!” Kaya sighed heavily. “You don’t have to tell me. Thirty seconds of shunning.” She noted the time on her computer and made sure a full minute had passed before speaking again. “What’s everyone working on tonight?”

  “I’m editing the book I finished last night,” May responded. “I want it published by Monday.”

  “That’s totally doable,” Kaya responded. “Your proofreader waiting on it?”

  “Yup. I promised to have it to her before I sleep.”

  “You’ve got this!” Kaya said encouragingly. “Liz?”

  “I’m revising. I got edits back, and it looks like someone bled all over my pretty manuscript. I guess it wasn’t quite as perfect as I thought it was.” Liz shrugged. “This will take me two or three nights to conquer, but I’d like to be finished with at least a third of it before I sleep.” Liz rubbed the back of her neck. “What about you?”

  “I need to write seven thousand words. But I’m meeting Glen at eleven, so I really can’t stay up past six in the morning. I don’t need bloodshot eyes when I see him.” Kaya was careful to keep her voice calm, so the others wouldn’t lecture her again. No one needed to know just how much she cared for him except her.

  May looked at Kaya, a worried look on her face. “How were the riding lessons?”

  “Really good. I got to ride this horse named Muffin, and I was even able to get down off her, but I worried for a bit that the horse would become a perma
nent part of me.”

  May laughed. “I can’t ever remember not riding. My parents had me on a horse before I started kindergarten.”

  “I’ve been riding forever,” Liz told them. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

  “Absolutely,” Kaya responded. “It was dicey for a minute there, because I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get up enough courage to actually get off the horse, but Glen refused to let me have lunch on it, so I got down.”

  Liz shook her head. “Did you have a good time with him?”

  Kaya nodded, her eyes lit up. “I did! He said I’m special.”

  May sighed. “There was never any doubt of that, Kaya. You’re very special. Just be careful.”

  “Is that going to be the motif of our entire week together? Being careful?”

  Liz nodded emphatically. “That’s so much better than heartbreak, don’t you think?”

  Kaya shrugged, looking at her laptop. “I’m going to be ready to start a sprint at twenty after. You guys?”

  “Sure.” May didn’t need to say anything else. Kaya understood what she was thinking already.

  “I’m in.” Liz looked at May for a moment, her gaze full of doubt.

  Kaya ignored them both. When you were meant to be with someone, you did what you needed to do to make it happen. Even if your friends were doubters.

  * * *

  Glen was waiting beside the stable the next morning with two four-wheelers. “G’morning.”

  Kaya wanted to be grumpy, but she couldn’t after seeing his huge smile. She covered her yawn. “Morning. You know, I’d like mornings better if they started after noon.”

  Glen laughed, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “The fresh morning air will perk you right up!”

  She didn’t respond, burying her face against his broad shoulder for a minute. Every minute of her time with him would be catalogued in her mind forever, to be taken out during the long time without him. After a moment, she took the pink helmet that was on the back of one of the four-wheelers. “Do we have everything we need?”

  “Yup. We’re all set to go.”