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

by Osbourne, Kirsten

  “It’s so beautiful here. So peaceful. If I lived here, I wouldn’t ever want to leave the ranch. Not even to go into town for a little grocery shopping.”

  “I don’t either. I could really just stay here forever. But I do like to eat.”

  “Eating is so overrated when you can stare at the water. I would be able to get so much writing done if I lived in a place like this. There’s just something about water that makes my creative juices flow. I walk twenty feet and have ideas for six new series. Not that I need to be writing six series at once. Trust me, no one needs to be writing that many series. It will slowly fry your brain if you even try.”

  “So what will you do with all those ideas?”

  “Slowly lose my mind?” she joked. “I don’t know. I might start one more series. I have two going right now. I think May has eight, but she lost her mind a long time ago.”

  “How did you meet May? You both live in Texas, right?”

  “Yeah. I saw people online talking about how sprint writing really helps them stay on task, so I did a google search for sprint writing. I found this chat room, so I started going there. I met May and Liz both there. May and I live about an hour and a half apart, so we started meeting up for lunch every couple of months. I have to really hound her to get her to agree, but I eventually wear her down.”

  He laughed. “And you just met Liz in person for the first time this week, right?”

  “Yeah, and she’s just what I expected her to be. It amazes me how well you can really get to know someone online. My mom is always telling me it’s not safe to meet internet people, and I agree that it’s not always safe, but sometimes it’s okay!”

  “Be careful, okay? I can’t imagine what a world without you in it would be like.” As he said the words, he wanted to scream. He didn’t want to give her false hope that there would be a future together, but he also needed to let her know the very depth of their feelings. And he couldn’t explain because they’d made a pact. Maybe there hadn’t been spit involved, but he still wasn’t going to break it.

  Kaya smiled at his words, so bittersweet to her ears. She stopped walking, her fingers still laced with his. When he stopped and turned to her, she crooked a finger at him, beckoning him to her. He stepped closer and leaned down, his lips pressing against hers. She wrapped both arms around him, her hands stroking his back. “I can’t believe I can love someone so much after only knowing him for five days. It’s like my heart knew yours the second I set eyes on you.”

  He cupped her face with one hand, staring down into her eyes. “It’ll all work out how it’s supposed to in the end.” His arm went around her shoulders as he started walking again, feeling that things between them were getting too intense. Besides, he wanted her to see what was at the end of the path.

  Kaya could see a small patch full of color in front of them, far off in the distance. She didn’t ask what was there, because she wasn’t certain she had the ability to speak without crying at that moment. Every minute with him was beautiful, wonderful, and painful all at once.

  He watched her face as the small garden came into view, knowing she’d love it. When they were close, and she could see what it really was, her lips curved into a small smile.

  “Oh, Glen, it’s beautiful!” There was a field, filled with wildflowers, and just at the very end of the path was a bench. “Can we sit for a moment and just drink it all in?”

  He smiled at her wording. Who said things like they wanted to drink things in? “I’d love to.” When the garden had been planted, he’d imagined his more advanced students riding up to it and getting excited, but she was the first person he’d really shown it to. His life was very solitary, for the most part, except for his time on the Westons’ ranch. Things he did for his future clients were never shown to anyone, because he was making it all happen on his own.

  Once they were sitting, she turned to him, her eyes filled with tears. “This place is truly glorious. Thank you for sharing it with me.”

  “You’re the first person I’ve brought here,” he admitted, his voice soft. “I never really talk about the business I’m going to start—except with Dawna. I have to talk to her about it.”

  “I’m glad it was me you chose to bring here.” She sighed looking everywhere. “Will you bring children here?”

  He nodded. “This will be the place advanced ones get to ride to. I thought it would be a good reward for a job well done.”

  “Is there anything you don’t think of? You really are going to be amazing at what you do. I can see your passion for it all the time. I’m glad you’re going to get to work with children, because I can see it’s your first love.”

  “I’ve worked my whole life for it. I didn’t know I’d have this ranch, and be focusing on equine therapy, but I always knew I’d work with autistic kids in some way. This just kind of cemented it for me.”

  She opened her bottle, taking a deep swallow of water. “This is what I miss by living in the city. There’s a park I go to sometimes when I need to think. It’s only a ten-minute drive from my apartment and has these great walking trails. I’ll walk for hours, and when I get home, my brain is ready to work again. Well, after I sleep for a few hours of course.”

  “You don’t walk alone, do you?”

  She shrugged. “I take pepper spray, but yeah, I walk alone. There’s no one I care to be with when I’m in the mood to walk. I want my brain to be able to flow freely, so ideas can pop to the surface when they’re ready.”

  “Don’t you have a neighbor who can walk with you?”

  “Most of my neighbors are college students. I guess I haven’t really taken the time to get to know them. It doesn’t work that way in the city.”

  He sighed heavily. “I don’t like the idea of you walking alone. You could get hurt.”

  “I could. I’m careful, though, and I usually walk early in the morning when the paths are full. Right before I go to bed.”

  “I don’t like it, but I guess I don’t have the right to say a whole lot, do I?”

  She shook her head, not mentioning that he was sending her home in a little more than a week. “Guess not.”

  He wrapped his arm around her and brought her closer to him, just holding her. It was a beautiful evening, and there was a gentle breeze. Being with her made him feel like he could conquer the entire world. He hated to think about how he’d feel after she was gone.

  * * *

  Kaya did something that night she’d never done before. She wrote a heart-wrenching scene that left her sobbing. She could feel her heroine’s ache as she said goodbye to the man she loved and headed off to spend the rest of her life alone.

  When she couldn’t stop crying, Liz took her computer from her, while May sat beside her on the couch, putting her arm around Kaya. “It’s all going to be okay, Kaya. Once you’re back in Texas, you’ll meet a man who’s good for you. One who won’t tear you in two this way.”

  “I don’t want anyone else! If you got to spend a week with Bob, your Bob, do you think any other man would ever be good enough for as long as you lived?”

  May sighed heavily. “I know they wouldn’t. For me, it seems to be Bob or no one.”

  “Then you should understand how I feel. Glen is my Bob. He’s the only man I’ve ever felt this way about. I saw him, and I knew he was the only man in the world I would ever love. It was instantaneous!”

  Liz sat down on the arm of the couch on Kaya’s other side. “I know how heartbroken I was when Jack left. You need to take advantage of the time you have together.”

  Kaya swiped at a tear with the back of her hand, sniffling loudly. “I’m trying my hardest. I’m taking lots of pictures, and I’m being really upbeat. We made a pact not to talk about me leaving, and it’s really hard.”

  Liz and May exchanged looks. “How can we help you?” May asked. “You know we’re here to do anything you need.”

  After another loud sniff, Kaya smiled. “You could finish my book for me?”

&
nbsp; “And she’s back!” Liz announced. “No more sympathy from us.”

  Kaya couldn’t help but giggle as both of her friends went back to their computers. “You can’t blame a girl for trying…”

  May shook her head at Kaya. “Yes, we can. Get to work.”

  Kaya sighed. “I think I’m going to take a nice, long hot bath before I write more. I need to settle my mind.” And cry some more.

  After setting her computer on the floor, Kaya shook her head to clear it for a moment. “I just want to thank both of you. You’re the best imaginary friends a girl could want.”

  “We feel the same way about you, Kaya. I’m glad you talked me into this trip,” May said softly.

  “Me too. It wouldn’t have been the same without you. Who else would have been able to make Glen feel like he was in trouble?”

  May chuckled. “I made Glen feel like he was in trouble?”

  “Well, he thought you’d given me a curfew! He asked me last night if I had a curfew to work around.”

  “A curfew?” Liz laughed out loud. “What exactly did you say to him, May?”

  “I just told him she needed to work, and asked what time he’d have her home by. Is that so wrong?”

  “I don’t know if Glen would back down from anyone else. He’s huge, and he’s always seemed so strong.” Liz shook her head. “You’re funny, May.”

  Kaya got to her feet. “I’ll be back in a few. I’m going to read in the tub and recharge my batteries. You know, all the cabins here should have hot tubs on the back porches. I can’t imagine why they don’t!”

  Liz shrugged. “I’ll make sure the Westons know that’s what you think. They always appreciate feedback.”

  “The more water the better is my feedback. We should go swimming soon.”

  “We could go to the pool? Or the lake? Most people swim in the pool, though. Do you want to swim tomorrow? Are you seeing Glen?”

  “I’m seeing him after work. We’re taking a canoe down to the lake or something like that. He knows how much I love water, so he’s doing his best to make water happen for me. He’ll be here at six. I need to pack a picnic lunch. Do you want to take me into town to get lunch stuff?”

  Liz nodded. “Yeah, I can do that. I’ll even take pictures of the two of you together when he comes to pick you up, if you want.”

  Kaya smiled. “That would be wonderful. We were saying just tonight we need as many pictures as possible. I will never forget him. Each moment is a new special memory.” She walked away then, going to take her bath. And cry. She was sure she’d cry more. For her heroine and for her. Why did the imaginary people in her stories keep making her cry?

  Chapter Eight

  Glen was there to get Kaya right on time Sunday evening. Kaya stopped in the kitchen to get their picnic while Liz went to the door. “Hey, Glen!”

  “Hi, Liz. How’s married life? You like living in California?”

  “Married life is fabulous because I’m married to Jack. California is great because that’s where Jack lives.”

  Glen laughed. “I’m sensing a theme here.”

  Liz nodded. “As long as you’re with the one you love, your life is special, and it doesn’t matter where you are.”

  Kaya heard what Liz was saying as she walked up behind her, and it took all her strength not to kick her friend. “I’m ready. I have our dinner.” She held up a cooler to show him.

  “Let’s go then.” Glen gave her one of the smiles that never failed to make her knees weak, before raising a hand to wave goodbye to Liz. “Good seeing you.” As they walked away, he wondered about Liz’s words. Were they meant to tell him something, or were they really just a celebration of the love she had with Jack? He wasn’t sure if he’d ever know.

  Kaya walked out, looking at the truck. “Are we walking or driving?”

  Glen shrugged. “Let’s walk, but you have to let me carry the lunch. That thing looks heavy.”

  Kaya happily handed it over. “It is heavy, but it’s not too bad.” She ran her hand down his arm, letting her fingers tangle with his. “I missed you today.”

  “I missed you too. It scares me sometimes when I realize how completely you’ve taken over my thoughts.” He glanced at her face as he said it, wondering how she’d react.

  “I understand that. If it helps at all, I’m a little scared too.” Kaya kept her eyes in front of them, not wanting him to see just how messed up she was by the whole situation.

  “I guess if we’re in it together, that helps a little.” They got to the dock, and he looked out. “When I went to rent a canoe, they were all out. How would you feel about the rowboat?”

  She grinned. “Rowboats are so much more romantic.”

  Glen raised an eyebrow at that. “Really? They both float, and you use oars. How is one more romantic than the other?”

  Kaya shrugged. “I have no idea why it’s true. I only know it is true.”

  He shrugged, putting the cooler in the middle and taking her hand to help her into the boat. Once they were in the middle of the lake, she reached for the cooler and gave him his sandwich, taking her own. “There are chips in there as well, and I made brownies for dessert.”

  “You made brownies? Really?”

  “I can cook, you know. I don’t do it super often, but I’m actually pretty good at it.”

  “Why don’t you do it more then?”

  “Well, it seems pointless to cook just for me. When I do cook, I make enough for three days, so I won’t have to go out and fetch food for myself.”

  “I look forward to your brownie then. I appreciate you taking the time to feed me.”

  Kaya smiled. “I’d do anything for you. You haven’t figured that out yet?”

  He smiled, kicking at her foot with his. There was no other way to respond with his hands and mouth full.

  She wrinkled her nose at him, satisfied he’d understood. It was hard being with him, but it would be so much harder being away.

  * * *

  On his way to lunch on Monday, Glen bumped into Liz. “I’m surprised you’re awake,” he said.

  “Oh, I’m not a night owl like those two. I mean, I like to stay up late sometimes, but those two are like vampires. They only sleep during daylight hours. So strange.”

  Glen laughed. “I did notice that.” They got to the café and he opened the door and held it for her. “Are you meeting Joni for lunch?” he asked as she walked in past him.

  Liz nodded. “I am.” She stopped walking and stepped back outside. “Can I say something?”

  He was immediately nervous about what she was going to say. “Yeah?”

  “Kaya’s got it for you bad. Her heart is going to be broken in a million pieces when she has to go back to Texas without you. Please, Glen, think about what you’re doing, and if that’s what you really want.”

  “Kaya and I made a deal about how we’re going forward. She decided to have this two-week fling with me with her eyes wide open.”

  “Her eyes have been clouded by love since the first moment she saw you. Keep that in mind.” Liz didn’t say anything else, and didn’t wait for him to hold the door again. She walked into the café and left him standing there staring off into space. He didn’t want to hurt Kaya, but he couldn’t change his whole life goal for a woman. He couldn’t!

  When he got into the café a minute later, Liz was in a booth with Joni and they were already laughing. Glen went to the counter and sat on a stool.

  Kelsi walked up to him, snapping her fingers in front of his face. “You eating here or want me to pack something to go.”

  “Here.”

  “I’ll get you a Coke. Think about what you want. Menu’s in front of you.” Kelsi hurried off to get his drink and pushed it in front of him. “What’s wrong with you today?”

  Glen shrugged. “Nothing. I just have some serious thinking to do.”

  “Kaya’s pretty special, isn’t she?”

  Glen made a face. “This ranch is like the worst of all sma
ll towns. I can’t even think something without everyone knowing my business.”

  “It’s not like you two have been hiding your feelings for each other. You’re seen together every single day. And you both walk around with stars in your eyes, unable to focus on anything.”

  He groaned. “That sounds like we have some kind of horrible disease or something.” He pushed the menu at her. “Just get me the special.”

  “You don’t want to know what it is first?”

  He shook his head. “At the moment, I couldn’t care less.”

  Kelsi patted his hand before walking off toward the kitchen. “I need a special!”

  A few minutes later, Kelsi was back, sliding a plate with a strange pocket type thing on it. “What is it?” he asked, poking at it with his fork.

  “It’s a sausage and cheese calzone. Today’s special. Enjoy!” Kelsi wandered away to take another order while Glen took a bite of his meal. It was good, so he shrugged and took a drink of his Coke.

  When Kelsi came back by to check on him, he looked at her. “What are you and the sheriff doing tonight?

  Kelsi frowned. “I don’t know. Why?”

  “Do you like to play cards?”

  “Cards? Are you okay, Glen?”

  “I thought it might be fun for Kaya and me to play cards with another couple. Yes or no?”

  Kelsi shrugged. “I’d love to get to know Kaya better, so sure. Your place or ours?”

  “Mine.” He wanted memories of her there. As many as he could get.

  “Okay. I’ll bring the chili I have in the crock pot.”

  “Kaya and I will make grilled cheese. Six-thirty okay?”

  “Yeah, sure. If I get hungry before that, I can snack. I manage a café, after all.” Kelsi walked away, and Glen felt a little better. He and Kaya should probably spend as little time alone together as possible to avoid future heartbreak. Every kiss made it harder for him to be away from her.

  * * *

  Once Kaya was in his truck that evening, he told her the plans. “We’re going to my house. We’re making grilled cheese sandwiches, and Kelsi and the sheriff will come over with a pot of chili.”