"Alright, spill," Paige said, turning the car on and busying herself with navigating them out of the crowded parking lot.
Allie rolled her eyes. "There's nothing to spill," she said.
"Morris had his arm around you throughout the service," Paige said. "That's hardly nothing."
"The chairs are small. Our arms kept bumping," Allie said. She tried to keep her mind focused on the facts, not on the tremulous feelings roiling inside her stomach.
"Well, at least admit that you enjoyed it?" Paige asked. "’Cause it certainly looked like you did."
Allie sighed. "You're like a dog with a bone."
Paige barked a laugh. "You have no idea."
They drove into town, passing by some of the larger department stores.
"Downtown has the best shopping," Paige explained. "It used to all be closed on Sundays, but now the trend is that they close on Mondays."
Allie couldn't fathom any shop being closed any day of the week. New York never stopped. Shops didn't close until late and opened before the sun rose most days. There were too many people, tourists and locals, to keep their doors closed and lose out on all that income.
When Paige parked in a quaint part of town with small shops and even smaller streets, Allie goggled. Downtown to her meant high-rises, the tallest buildings, and the most prestigious shops. Downtown here looked like Main Street, U.S.A.
But still, the shops that she did get a glimpse of looked promising. Lots of practical but cute and feminine options to choose from.
"The deli is this way," Paige said, linking her arm with Allie's and guiding her down the sidewalk. "Best sandwiches and salads in town."
The small bistro chairs and tables set in the sidewalk and the red and white striped overhang clued Allie in to their location. The painted sign on the door announced, "Charlie’s" as Paige pulled it open.
"This place has been here just about forever," Paige said, getting in line to place their order. "Menu is up on the chalkboard on the wall. They change it up every once in a while, but I recommend the avocado chicken BLT. They also make a good Cobb."
"Well, if it isn't Miss Greene," a tall, large man said with a beaming smile when they approached the counter. "We sure miss your pies and cookies. When can we expect more of those?"
"As soon as things settle down a bit, Charlie," Paige said, giving the man an apologetic look. "Believe me, I want to be making those for you as much as you guys want to be selling them."
"Customers keep asking about them. You let us know when you're ready again. You know you will always have a place here," Charlie said. Then he turned his eyes on Allie. "Welcome! I don't believe we've met."
"This is my sister, Allie, from New York City," Paige explained. At Charlie's suddenly wide eyes, Paige added, "Before Eleanor."
Charlie nodded in understanding and gave Allie a grin. "Welcome to Buckley."
"Thank you," Allie said with a polite smile. "It's nice to meet you."
Charlie grinned. "Maybe you can talk some sense into this one here." He pointed a thumb at Paige. Then laughed. "What can I get you ladies?"
Paige and Allie placed their orders and found a table near the window. Charlie promised to bring them some sweet tea "on the house," despite both of their protests.
"We should just accept it," Paige said with a sigh. "It's the best sweet tea this side of the Rockies. I'm sure of it."
Allie smiled. "I'm sure many would disagree."
Paige shrugged and gave a mischievous grin. "Not anybody around here."
Allie glanced back toward the counter, the wide display case empty except for a smattering of croissants and cakes. And none of them looked appealing.
"You used to sell your baked goods here?" she asked. It was really none of her business, but she wondered why Paige stopped.
"Yeah," Paige said. A shadow crossed her face. Allie could almost label it sadness or disappointment. Then it was gone, replaced by a cheerful disposition. "It was good while it lasted. But Dad needed me back on the farm for a little while. At least it will be there when things calm down."
Allie could only speculate, but she had a feeling this had to do with the money problems they were experiencing.
"Does this have to do with the financial issues?" Allie asked softly. At Paige's startled look, Allie offered an apologetic smile. "I might have cornered Max about it. It's nothing to be ashamed of. You guys are doing a good thing."
Paige nodded, but Allie could tell the tension in her shoulders had only wound tighter. "It's difficult to get reliable volunteer work. We used to be able to hire a few hands around the farm, but Dad had to let them go just after Christmas. Rhett and I are here to pick up the slack." Paige sighed and rubbed her hand against her forehead. "It'll be fine. Things will work out."
Allie wished Max had given her an answer on if she could help with the books. She knew she could help. She didn't doubt Max and Eleanor's capability to run the farm in the slightest, but with all of the changing technologies and rules, Allie could imagine how difficult it would be for them to keep up. Especially since they never imagined their little rescue farm would gain such popularity.
"It's just," Paige began, then shook her head. "Never mind. I don't need to be whining to anybody else about it."
"No, it's okay. Tell me." Allie reached a hand across the table and gently took Paige's.
Paige slumped, as though the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. Allie had never seen her like this and it made her wonder if she felt like this all the time and stayed cheerful for everybody else's benefit.
"I went to culinary school. I always loved making dinners and desserts with Mom, and they wanted me to get an education, so why not? I hated it. Except the baking. The baking..." Paige's voice drifted off as she gazed out the window. "It was like nothing else I had ever experienced. I felt so content, happy. Even when my feet were killing me and I had flour caked in my hair after hours slaving away in the kitchen."
Allie smiled at the description. "Your baking certainly reflects that. At least, the little bit I've been given the privilege to taste."
"Thanks," Paige said, a small smile returning. Then she sighed. "After I graduated, I went to work doing all sorts of odd jobs. Funny enough, nobody really needs a baker. Charlie was kind enough to let me start selling my baked goods here, but only after I broke down crying in his office." Paige gave a huff of a laugh at the memory. "So, I switched gears. The plan was to save enough money start my own business. I could do weddings, birthdays, any party really. And still sell through little mom and pop places like this one. It's all a matter of time."
Allie nodded, giving Paige an encouraging squeeze of the hand. "I know you can do it. We'll get you there."
"We?" Paige asked.
Allie lifted an eyebrow. "I'm not just a financial advisor to make the rich richer, despite what Rhett says."
Paige grinned, pure joy shining in her bright green eyes. Then it faded. "I couldn't impose all of this on you. Besides. It's not like I'm making any money right now to do anything with."
Allie shook her head. "We will figure that out. And I owe you." At Paige's questioning look, Allie clarified, "You gave me a family."
Paige's grin returned just as Charlie arrived with their food and sweet tea.
"I'm so happy you came," Paige said with what looked like the first genuine smile Allie had seen from her. "Now, eat up. We've got lots of shopping to do."
CHAPTER SIX
Morris pulled into his driveway, ready to call it a day. It was nowhere near quitting time, but that didn't mean Morris couldn't wish for it. He was sweaty, achy, exhausted. He hadn't slept well at all the night before. And because one of his ranch hands called out sick (in the hospital for pneumonia), Morris had been left to pick up the slack. He had spent most of the morning delivering hay to various parts of the ranch, the ground still to muddy and barren to provide much in the way of food for the cattle.
Calving season was also upon them. Morris had several han
ds assigned to begin watch and segregate any expecting cows. Cam had been due to stop by sometime that morning to make sure everything looked well and to give an estimated time until calves started dropping. Morris didn't envy Cam's job, especially over the next couple of months. He would be in high demand with both the breeding and birthing seasons just around the corner. He had probably already came and left. Morris had planned on being there with Cam, just in case.
But, he wouldn't complain. It was his ranch, his life. He enjoyed it for the most part. There were hard days, like today, but there were also great days.
Which could also be today.
Morris hopped out of his truck, shaking his head at the thought. Allie had called him the night before, confirming if she could come over for a riding lesson this afternoon. She had finished her shopping excursion with Paige and promised she had the right clothes and shoes to wear.
He had found himself agreeing to the Monday afternoon lesson, despite his own self-preservation instincts kicking in. He had made a promise to her and he would keep it.
Morris briefly wondered if he could make one of his other guys do it. And immediately berated himself for the thought.
Simply put, Allie caught him off guard. In everything she did. She was charming, smart, funny. The confident way she held herself dressed in that skinny skirt and pumps when he first met her shot an arrow straight through his heart. Had she been anybody else, and he didn't have the ranch to worry about constantly, he would definitely have asked her to dinner.
But that was just looking for trouble. She belonged in New York. He belonged here. There were no two ways about it.
He had made that mistake before.
Still, Morris hoped he had enough time to grab lunch and a shower before Allie arrived. It wouldn't be very pleasant for her to deal with a smelly, sweaty cowboy while learning how to ride.
He had just finished chowing down on a hastily made sandwich, his hair still damp from his shower, when Allie drove up. She was driving Paige's little white hatchback. The sight made Morris frown. He didn't know why, but he hadn't expected her to drive herself over. He had hoped at least Paige or Rhett would have stuck around during the lesson so they wouldn't have to be alone.
Morris ran a hand through his hair, giving it up as a lost cause. It was more than overdue for a haircut, but he kept putting it off, never having the time.
He also didn't really have time to be giving horseback riding lessons, yet here he was.
Morris walked out onto his front porch, watching as Allie slid out of the little car. She wore a pair of jeans that clung to all the right places and yet seemed flexible enough for riding. She also wore a pair of cowboy boots that had yet to see a spec of dirt. Morris gave a wry grin. She would have blisters before the end of the afternoon. The outfit was topped off with a loose cotton, long sleeved blouse, with enough material to block the sun's rays, but still keep her cool. The green color made Allie's eyes stand out, even at this distance. Lastly, Allie's hair had been pulled back into a low ponytail, and clutched in her hand was a wide brimmed hat. In fact, Morris was sure he had seen Eleanor wear that exact hat while gardening.
Steeling himself, Morris made his way down the front steps of the porch and headed out to meet Allie in the gravel driveway.
"Nice boots, princess," he called in greeting, giving Allie a cheeky grin.
She smiled but shook her head at the nickname.
"I've never worn a pair of cowboy boots in my whole life," Allie said, looking down at them, kicking one out for inspection. "I didn't think I'd like them so much. They're surprisingly comfortable."
"You say that now. Wait until you've been walking around in a brand new pair all day long."
"Paige did let me borrow a pair of thick socks," Allie said, though the tiniest worried frown appeared on her head. Morris wanted to reach out with his thumb and rub it away.
"I'm sure that'll be plenty," Morris said with a reassuring smile. "We're not going to be working you too hard today. Just some of the basics and getting you atop the horse."
Allie beamed. "Where do we start?"
"Come this way," Morris said, turning on a heel and walking toward the back of the house. "Stables are back here. We'll go through the tack room first."
Allie gave a slight laugh behind him. "Don't know if that will do much good. I was completely helpless in the tack room with Paige."
"Everybody starts somewhere."
They walked in companionable silence, their boots crunching along the gravel. Morris winced to himself, thinking he should have had Allie park around back so she wouldn't get blisters on her little feet.
But he was just selfish enough to want to walk with her, even though he would be spending the next hour with her for the lesson.
Morris sighed. Allie glanced over his way, and he shrugged his shoulders.
"I should have had you drive around the back. Your boots are probably starting to rub."
"I'm fine," Allie said. "Besides, it's a beautiful day and I need all the fresh air I can get."
Morris raised an eyebrow. "Weren't you outside for most of today already?" He had heard from Rhett and Paige how Allie had volunteered to help out around the rescue farm. A noble gesture, though Rhett seemed frustrated at having to take time out of his day to help an urbanite.
Allie shook her head. "I was in the office with Max for most of the day."
"Oh?" What would Max want with Allie in the office?
"Just taking a look at their books. Nothing too major. Helping out where I can."
It was then that Morris remembered what Allie did for a living in New York. She worked in finances. He wasn't clear on the specifics, but if anybody could help Max and Eleanor get Greene Pastures back on track, he bet it would be Allie.
Morris gave her a grin. "You might have your work cut out for you."
Allie's grin matched his. "I'm just happy I can help. I'm sure Max would appreciate it if we kept this between us."
Morris nodded. "You can count on me."
They entered the stables, the ripe scent of hay and horses filling Morris' nostrils. The sun wasn't quite hot enough yet to be uncomfortable, but the cool shade still felt nice.
"Let's introduce you," Morris said.
He took her to each stable, introducing horse after horse. He might have been going a little overboard, but he didn't want Allie to feel like he was hiding anything from her. He warned her about how Blackie would bite if you weren't looking, and how Daisy was the sweetest of the whole bunch.
"Mac, here, is my main ride," Morris explained, showing Allie to a large chestnut horse. "Named for Fleetwood Mac. A personal favorite. He's getting up there, though. He's ready to retire. Depending on the outlook of Greene Pastures, I may turn him over there. They would be able to take much better care of him than I could."
Allie nodded, reaching a hand forward and rubbing it against the bridge of Mac's nose. Mac snorted and rolled his eyes toward Morris.
"Yeah, yeah," Morris said to the horse. "Don't look at me, pal."
Morris led Allie to the tack room, sliding the door open. Thankfully, everything was in order, just as it should be. He paid enough people to make sure of it.
"I was thinking of having you ride Daisy. She's not too tall and she's gentle, so both of you would have an easy time of it."
"I like her," Allie said.
"She's definitely a favorite around here. Now, we'll need a blanket, the saddle, the bit and reigns, a brush and hoof pick."
"A hoof pick?" Allie asked, another beautiful frown on her face.
"You know when you get a rock in your shoe? How uncomfortable that feels?" At Allie's nod, Morris continued, "That's what it's like for the horses when they get something stuck in their hoof. They have shoes, but sometimes mud and rocks can get caked up inside the hoof. You never want to ride a horse without checking their hooves, or it can cause serious damage."
He guided Allie over to one of the work benches and pulled out a drawer. Inside
were dozens of hoof picks. He picked out one of the newer ones, adding a mental note to go through the drawer later and pull out any picks that were too old. No need for the extra clutter.
Holding out the pick to Allie, Morris said, "Here. It's nothing fancy, just enough to scrape out all the dirt and rocks. Hang onto that, I'll show you how to do it in a little bit."
"Show me?" Allie said, her eyes wide.
Morris chuckled. This was going to be fun. "Oh, yes, darlin'. You've got to get your hands dirty in order to ride a horse."
He watched as she swallowed hard, then nodded, determination crossing her face.
A Delivered Heart Page 8
