Discovering Dani (River's End Ranch Book 20)

by Cindy Caldwell

  “We’d be happy to have you join our team as the director of our Kids’ Korral. We want the center to be up and running by the end of March, so we’d like you to start in a couple of weeks. Is that possible?”

  Debbie put her hand over her heart. She badly wanted to live near her daughter, but how could working with children possibly allow her to make enough to live? She’d given up her dream of working with kids when her own were small. The only reason she’d bothered to put in an application was because Miranda had insisted. “May I ask what the pay would be?”

  Wade named a figure that was higher than she had expected, but not nearly as much as she currently made. “Our staff cabin is currently empty, and you’d be welcome to rent it inexpensively.” The figure he named had her eyes widening.

  As a real estate agent, she knew how much equity she had in her current home, and she knew how quickly it would sell. She closed her eyes and put all of her positive energy into her words. “I’ll take it.”

  “I’m pleased to hear that, Mrs. White. How soon can you be on the ranch?”

  She calculated quickly. She could give a week’s notice if she was willing to go back on the weekends and pack up her house, while working with her current clients. “I can be there a week from Monday.” It was only ten days, but surely she could manage. “Is that soon enough?”

  “That sound good to me. I’ll make certain your cabin is ready for you. Welcome to the River’s End team. Please come to my office that morning, and we’ll take care of all the paperwork.”

  “I’ll be there.” As she set the phone on the seat, she took deep gulping breaths. What had she just agreed to do? She was going to be a day care director, which was the job she’d had when her husband had died, leaving her with two small children to raise on her own. It was a job she’d enjoyed more than any other.

  As she put her car in gear and slowly merged back into traffic, she smiled. She was moving to River’s End Ranch, which was the most beautiful place in all of Idaho—all of the world! And she was going to be happy there. She could feel it.

  *****

  Debbie pulled onto the ranch ten days later. She’d stayed one night at her daughter’s house in Riston, but her car was full of all of the essentials. She’d decided that starting over meant just that, so she’d sold many of her possessions. There was a contract on the house where she’d raised her children, and her life was about to do a one hundred-eighty degree turn.

  She stopped in front of the main house, where Miranda told her Wade’s office was and hurried up to the building. Miranda and her husband Bob had left for work at four, while she was still sleeping. Miranda was the baker there on the ranch, and Bob was the cook in the small diner.

  Surprised at how nervous she was about starting a new job, she took deep breaths as she walked to the front desk. “I’m looking for Wade Weston.”

  “Are you Mrs. White?” the woman at the desk asked.

  “I am.”

  “It’s so good to meet you! Miranda said her mom was coming. Wade’s waiting for you. He’s ready to get the paperwork done and show you to the Kids’ Korral. We’re all really excited to have you here.”

  “He can speak for himself.” Wade looked bemused as he watched the two women talking. “Mrs. White? Come in!” He held his office door open for her. “Did you have trouble finding me?”

  Debbie took the seat he gestured to, crossing one leg over the other. She’d opted not to wear one of her business suits she usually wore for work, and instead wore a pair of jeans, a button-up shirt, and a pair of cowboy boots. There was still quite a bit of snow on the ground, and she knew she’d need the jacket she’d left in the car. “No trouble at all. Miranda and Bob told me just where you’d be.”

  “That’s right, you’re Miranda’s mother. It’s a good thing we don’t worry about nepotism here on the ranch.” He steepled his fingers together and looked at her over them. “What do you know about the ranch?”

  She shrugged. “Not a whole lot. I know that it’s owned and run by the Weston siblings. There are six of you. You have fun Christmas traditions, and you employ a wonderful baker and a fabulous cook.”

  “Don’t tell Bob he’s fabulous, please. The man will never let anyone else forget it.”

  Debbie smiled, recognizing the truth behind his words. “Miranda tells him too often for him to ever forget it, I’m afraid.”

  Wade groaned. “We might need to muzzle your daughter.”

  “Tell me about the Kids’ Korral.”

  Wade smiled. “Well, we’ve been talking about having a drop-in daycare on the ranch for years, so our guests can participate in activities that aren’t quite as family friendly. We plan to open the daycare at five in the morning, and we’ll close it at midnight. I know those are some long hours, but some of the ranch workers will be dropping their children off as they start their shifts. We also want there to be the opportunity for our guests to participate in some of our night activities. We may end up adjusting those hours as we go.” Wade pushed a folder at her. “If you’ll get the paperwork sighed, I’ll take you over to the building we’re using. It’s actually one of the houses from our Old West Town, but we thought we’d convert it. The actual construction work is done, and now we’re ready to get the teachers in there and the rooms set up.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Debbie couldn’t believe how excited she was at the opportunity. She quickly filled out the paperwork while Wade left the room for a moment.

  When she’d finished, he was back. “Are you ready to see it?” His eyes twinkled with excitement. He was obviously very proud of the child center they’d put together.

  “I’d love to see it.” As they left the main building, she noticed a man talking to the girl at the front desk.

  “Yeah, I can do the helicopter tour today. I don’t have any flights until tomorrow that I know of.” The man was wearing a blue ball cap, and he seemed very laidback to Debbie. She didn’t get to see his face, but there was something about his voice that made her stop for a moment before hurrying on after Wade.

  After seeing the Kids’ Korral and the small cabin she’d been assigned to live in for the time being, she walked over to Kelsey’s Kafé for lunch. She knew she’d get a good meal, because her son-in-law was the cook there. Wade had told her to take the day to settle in, and she could start setting up the center the following day. She couldn’t believe how excited she was to get started.

  There was one booth against the wall open, so she sank into it and looked around her. Kelsi, the youngest of the Weston siblings, was waddling around. She looked like she was about to collapse from the weight of her stomach, but she had a huge smile plastered to her face. She dropped a menu on the table. “Welcome to the ranch, Mrs. White!”

  “Call me Debbie. Everyone around here is on a first name basis. You can’t leave me out of that!”

  “All right. I’m going to bring you some fried cheese curds, because Bob is pushing them today, and as his mother-in-law, you get no choice. What can I get you to drink?”

  “Iced tea would be great.” Debbie looked down at her menu, struggling to decide. “What’s the special?” she asked as Kelsi was starting to waddle away.

  “Bob’s going to be so glad you asked. Chicken and dumplings. He guarantees they will warm you from the inside out.”

  “Okay, I’ll probably have that, but I’m going to look over the whole menu first.” Debbie had been there several times with Miranda when she was visiting for Christmas, but she hadn’t really taken the time to study what was there, just going by Miranda’s suggestions.

  A minute later, Kelsi was back with her tea. “We’re out of tables, and Frank here is in a hurry. He’s our pilot. Do you mind if he shares your table?”

  Debbie was a little startled, but she shook her head. It wouldn’t hurt her to share. “No, that’s fine.”

  The man—who looked to be in his late forties with salt and pepper hair and a nicely trimmed beard—sat down across from her. “Tha
nks for being willing to share. I have a flight in an hour, and that’s enough time to eat if I don’t have to wait for a table.”

  “I’m happy to share.” Debbie couldn’t remember the last time she’d sat alone at a table with a man who wasn’t her son. She had carefully avoided men since her husband died twenty years before. “I’m Debbie White.”

  “White…are you Miranda’s mom?”

  She nodded, used to being identified by her children. “I am. Today’s my first day working on the ranch.”

  “Welcome to River’s End. You’re going to love it here. I think we all feel like we’re a big happy family.” Frank took off his ball cap, running his fingers through his full head of black hair. There were silver strands running through it, but he was an attractive man.

  “How long have you worked here?”

  “Five years. I’m retired air force.”

  “My husband was in the air force. Thank you for your service.” The words were automatic, and she could now mention her husband without sadness.

  “Why did I think you were single?” Frank shook his head. “Just my luck. All the pretty ladies my age are married. Where am I supposed to find a good woman?” He sighed dramatically.

  Debbie shook her head. “You misunderstand. My husband was killed in the line of duty when Miranda was two.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” Frank studied her. “That’s a long time ago. You never wanted to remarry?”

  She shrugged. “It never seemed right. I’ve had kids at home until the past couple of years, and it never seemed like the right time to divide my focus. I had to work hard to make a living for us, and the kids deserved every spare moment I had.”

  “Kids? How many?” Frank eyed her slender figure. Most women his age had packed on at least a few pounds—especially the moms—and he couldn’t help but be attracted to the pretty lady sitting across from him.

  “Just two. I was pregnant with my son when I lost my husband.” She’d said the words a million times, and she waited for his talk about how tough it must have been.

  “Well, you did a great job with Miranda at least. I’m assuming your son isn’t a drug dealer or murderer?”

  Debbie laughed. “I hope not. If he is, he hasn’t gone to prison for it yet, and he’s hiding it well.”

  “What more can you ask for in a kid?”

  “Oh, I can ask for a lot, but truly all I care about is them being happy. Miranda is so in love with Bob it’s kind of scary at times.”

  Frank nodded. “The ranch seems to spark that kind of love. I think it’s something Bob’s putting in the burgers. It wasn’t quite like this before he got here around this time last year.”

  Kelsi came back to the table, sliding a soft drink in front of Frank. “What are you two getting?”

  Debbie hadn’t looked again, being absorbed in conversation instead. “I’ll have the chicken and dumplings.”

  Frank shrugged. “I’ll take the same. And we’re on one ticket.”

  Debbie shook her head adamantly. “No, I’ll get my own.”

  “It’s my welcome to the ranch meal. How do you know I don’t do this for all the new ranch employees?”

  She frowned. “I don’t, but I have a feeling you don’t.”

  Kelsi grinned. “One ticket sounds good to me and little Widget.”

  Frank shook his head at her. “Widget? You’re starting to repeat yourself, Kelsi. It’s time for a real name.”

  “She’ll get a real name as soon as she’s born. Shane and I are still in final negotiations.” Kelsi turned to go put in their orders, leaving Debbie staring after her in bemusement.

  “Widget?” she asked.

  Frank sighed. “She’s used at least a hundred different names for that baby since she announced her pregnancy last summer. I swear she’s going to drive poor Shane absolutely bonkers before too terribly long.”

  “Too late! I’m there!” a man in a sheriff’s uniform called from the next table over.

  Frank raised a hand in greeting. “Howdy, Sheriff! We’re all on your side in the great baby naming debate of 2017!”

  “You’d better be! No one, and I repeat, no one wants that woman naming a baby. She’s lost what bit of sanity she had before the pregnancy. I don’t know what we’re going to do with her!” The sheriff nodded a greeting at Debbie. “I think I saw you at the Christmas festivities. I’m Shane Clapper. The father of that poor baby who is going to end up with a name like Marble, just to amuse my crazy wife.”

  “Marble?” Debbie asked, wrinkling her nose. “She wouldn’t really name the baby Marble, would she?”

  “She’s been trying to get me to agree to Widget for months.”

  “Widget’s a better name than Marble!” Kelsi said, frowning at her husband. “I never once suggest Marble as a name, and I wouldn’t. I have standards, you know!” She slipped two bowls of the special onto the table in front of Debbie and Frank. “Please don’t listen to my husband. He’s apparently lost his Marble!” She walked away laughing at her own joke, obviously moving slowly.

  Debbie looked over at Shane. “How much longer does she have to go? That baby is huge, and your wife is pretty small!”

  Shane looked over at Kelsi, his eyes full of love. “She’s due in another month. I’m not sure she’s going to make it that long, though.”

  “It might be good with as little as she is. I went two weeks early with both of mine, and my doctor said it was a blessing. I wasn’t really large enough to carry a big baby.” Debbie took a bite of her chicken and dumplings, and sighed contentedly. “As annoying as Bob can be, his food is to die for.”

  Frank nodded. “I totally agree. His chicken and dumplings are one of my favorite things on the whole planet.”

  “What are your other favorite things?” Debbie asked, growing fascinated by the man across from her. It was strange how the simple act of eating with a man suddenly seemed so intimate.

  “Bob’s Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday specials, of course.” His eyes were twinkling at her. “I eat here at least one meal a day, but usually two.

  “You don’t cook?” she asked.

  “Oh, I can cook. I just don’t like to for only one person. It seems a waste of time to get out all those pots and pans when I’m the only one who’s going to enjoy it.” He took a sip of his drink, studying her over the rim. “I don’t suppose you’d let me cook you a welcome to the ranch supper, would you?”

  Debbie bit her lip. “I haven’t gone out with a man since my husband Dale died.”

  “Then it sounds like it’s time to me. I understand you closing yourself off from men while you’re raising your kids, but they’re grown now. Let me make you dinner. If you don’t like it or me at the end of the night, then no harm done. If you do…maybe we can get to know one another better.” He took his last bite of food and pushed his bowl to the middle of the table. “I’d sure like the chance to get to know you.”

  She considered for a moment. She’d come here to start anew, and maybe going out with someone was just the right answer. “I’d like that. When?”

  “Tonight. Where are you staying?”

  Things were moving faster than Debbie would like, but she knew if she spent too much time thinking about it, she’d put the brakes on the whole thing. “I’m in the staff cabin.”

  “I’ll come get you at six. Does that work?”

  Debbie nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be ready at six.” And she would. She never went back on her word. She wasn’t sure what her kids would think about it, but they were now grown, and it was time for her to start living her life for a change.

  “Good.” He leaned to one side as he pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and threw a twenty on the table. “That’ll cover lunch and a tip. I’ll see you tonight.” As Frank left the café, all he could think about was the pretty woman he’d just had lunch with. He’d seen her at Christmas time, sitting with Miranda and a young man, but he hadn’t dared approach. When Kelsi had sat them tog
ether, it felt like fate was smiling down at him. Fate or Jaclyn’s fairies. He was sure Jaclyn would claim it as a victory for the fairies. She always did.

  He hummed as he walked across the ranch toward the airstrip. Suddenly the prospect of flying a couple of spoiled twenty-something boys around in his helicopter all afternoon didn’t bother him. He was flying without his wings. He was going to knock her socks off.

  Debbie watched him go, wondering what she’d just agreed to. A date with a man she’d only just met? Dale had asked her out six times before she’d agreed, and she agreed to Frank after talking to him for forty-five minutes? She didn’t think she’d lost her mind, but she was sure acting a lot more wild and free than she usually did.

  She left the café and walked over toward the Old West Town, stopping into the bakery to see Miranda. There was a short line, but at least it wasn’t all the way out the door like it had been at Christmas time.

  When she reached the front of the line, Miranda smiled. “What can I get you, Mom?”

  “I want a chocolate chip cookie, but only if you put twelve chips in it and not fifteen.”

  Miranda rolled her eyes. “You must have had lunch with Bob.” Miranda and her husband had fought over the correct number of chocolate chips in a cookie for months before they started dating. Mostly because Bob was difficult.

  Debbie grinned. “I had lunch in the café, but Bob stayed in the kitchen where he belongs. I had lunch with Frank.” She hadn’t meant to tell Miranda about her lunch, but the words just kind of popped out.

  “You did? What do you think of Frank?” Miranda’s eyes were excited, though her face was pale.

  “Are you sick?” Debbie asked.

  “I’m fine. What did you think of Frank?”

  “He seemed like a very nice man. He’s going to cook dinner for me tonight.” Debbie studied her daughter’s face, worried that it would bother her if she started dating. It had been so long for her.

  “Sounds good to me. I’ve heard he makes fabulous steaks. What’s he making for you?”