A Montana Cowboy

by Rebecca Winters

  When she pulled to a stop in front of the ranch house and saw that Trace’s car was gone, Cassie resented the fact that she even noticed. What was worse—for that infinitesimal moment, she experienced disappointment. What did that mean?

  It means you need to move out of there pronto, Cassie Dorney. Two weeks couldn’t come soon enough.

  The second she’d showered, she got into bed and went to sleep. When she awakened late Wednesday morning, she had no idea when Trace had returned or if or when he’d gone to bed. Once she’d dressed in fresh maternity jeans and a blouson-type blouse, Cassie went to the kitchen for a glass of juice and some toast. She found a note from Trace sitting on the kitchen table.

  Good morning, Cassie. Just wanted you to know that I’ve gone to town for some supplies. I’ll be back by eleven. The Realtor Bud Hawksworth and a potential buyer will be coming to the ranch around noon.

  T.

  A buyer already?

  At the mention of the ranch being sold, there went that pain again. Not only her pain, but pain for Sam Rafferty, too. He had to be broken up over his son’s intention to live in Colorado. It wasn’t just because the property was going to pass into other hands, but because he’d wanted this for Trace’s legacy.

  Cassie appreciated Trace giving her warning and hurried through the house to be sure everything was clean and in order. After she’d fixed her breakfast and had eaten, she went out to the barn and led the horses to the paddock. While they enjoyed the morning sun, she mucked out their stalls, put fresh hay in the nets and made certain there was fresh water.

  Once that chore was done, she went back to the house for the basket and spent the rest of her time picking any ripened strawberries. She didn’t want anything left undone.

  Her watch said it was close to eleven when she heard a car pull up to the house. Her heart raced to realize Trace was home even sooner than she’d expected. While she was coming to the end of the last row, she heard men’s voices behind her and turned around.

  “Sorry to startle you, Mrs. Dorney. I’m Bud Hawksworth and this is Mr. Walker. Did Trace tell you we were coming?”

  The Realtor wore a summer suit and glasses. “Yes, but he’s not here yet.”

  “Mr. Walker’s plane landed early so we’ve come ahead of time. I told him you’ve been looking after the place since your husband passed away. I’m very sorry to hear about your loss.”

  Mr. Hawksworth had taken a liberty coming early, one Cassie thought inappropriate. She took a steadying breath. “Thank you.”

  “The exterior of the house is charming and so unexpected. Mind if we walk around until Trace gets here?”

  “I guess that’s all right.”

  “We’ll take a look at the barn. Maybe the horses he mentioned are for sale, too?”

  “They’re my horses,” she murmured, disliking the way Mr. Walker was eyeing her.

  “I see.”

  To her chagrin the other man said, “You go on, Bud. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.” The potential buyer was probably in his late forties and somewhat attractive with blond hair and burnished skin. In khaki shorts and a T-shirt, his lean build reminded her of a golfer. “Your garden is thriving. Looks like you’re going to have raspberries soon.”

  “One hopes.”

  “How long have you worked here?”

  “A year.”

  “Then you know all its secrets.”

  She didn’t care for the way his brown gaze seemed to leer at her. “Like all hundred-year-old properties, it needs constant upkeep, as Mr. Rafferty will tell you.”

  “If I buy this place, I’ll need someone to take care of it when I’m not here.”

  Cassie knew what the offensive man was getting at. He could see she was pregnant, but her condition didn’t make a difference to him. “That’s something for you to take up with Mr. Hawksworth. If you’ll excuse me.”

  She headed for the house with the basket, aware of his roving eyes on her retreating back. There was nothing she detested more than a man who looked at her as if he was undressing her. It sickened her. He obviously had money or he wouldn’t be wasting the Realtor’s time. But already she was hoping Trace wouldn’t sell to him.

  As for the horses, Cassie wouldn’t let such a disgusting man get near them. She marched into the house in a mood and ran right into Trace, who must have been on his way out the back door. As the basket dropped, a small cry escaped her lips. He grasped her upper arms.

  “I’m sorry, Cassie.”

  “I’m the one who needs to apologize.” She tilted her head back to look at him. Their faces were so close, she felt his warm breath on her lips and had to stifle a moan. “I wasn’t watching where I was going.”

  “You’re upset. I can feel you trembling. What’s happened? I saw another car out there.”

  “Mr. Hawksworth came early with Mr. Walker.”

  “So I see. And?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “The hell it isn’t,” he muttered in a deep voice.

  Reeling from his touch, she eased out of his arms and reached for the basket. Luckily it hadn’t tipped over. She put it on the counter. “They’re waiting for you. Trace. While you show them around, I’ve got some errands to run.”

  It was the best excuse she could come up with at the spur of the moment. She knew he wanted an explanation, but she couldn’t tell him the whole truth. Otherwise he’d find out she didn’t want him to sell the ranch, never mind that it was none of her business. And what would he think if she said Mr. Walker reminded her of a predator? Trace would decide she was as unstable as her brother.

  She dashed out of the kitchen and down the hall to her room for her purse. Once again as she started to leave, Trace blocked the doorway, but this time they didn’t collide. He looked good in his Western shirt and jeans. Better than good. All of him looked so-o good.

  “I’m not going outside until you tell me what happened.”

  She let out a sigh, resigned that she needed to say something to appease him. “I have an idea he’d like me to work for him if you sell him the ranch.”

  “What else?” he demanded. Emotion had turned his eyes a darker blue.

  “There’s nothing else.”

  “Cassie—”

  “Oh, all right. It was just the way he looked at me. It made me shudder.” Cassie could tell when a man found her attractive, but not in an offensive way. This man’s probing gaze was something else. “Maybe I could be wrong, so please don’t let that color your judgment.”

  His body tightened. “Say no more.”

  “Trace—”

  But he’d bolted down the hall and out the back door. She’d done it now. Part of her thrilled to his protective instincts. The other part felt terrible if it meant the sale he needed wouldn’t go through because of something she’d said. She should have left the ranch after seeing to the horses. But there was nothing holding her back now!

  Grabbing her purse, she rushed through the house and flew out the door to her truck. She was so shaken, she knew her blood pressure had to have spiked. What she needed was something to calm her down.

  When she reached town and drove by the Clip and Curl beauty salon, she decided a visit there would be therapeutic. After turning around she parked in front. You could walk in and wait for someone to wait on you. The place was bursting with customers of course. The redheaded owner, Mildred Paxton, sat behind her counter.

  “Hey, Cassie— I haven’t seen you in ages. You’re pregnant! I didn’t know.”

  “Neither did I until after Logan died.”

  “You look wonderful. How do you feel?”

  “Frazzled. I need pampering, but this place is so busy I’ll come back later.”

  “No, no. I’ll do your hair myself.”

  “Really?”

  “For a favorite customer, anytime. What do you want?”

  “A shampoo and style.”

  “Come on over to my chair.”

  In a minute Cassie was draped in a
smock. For someone else to do her hair was the height of luxury. “My kingdom to have my hair washed every day by you. This is heavenly, Mildred.”

  “I hear you.”

  “How’s your daughter?”

  “Rosie’s fine, but her husband had to move to Billings so I’ve lost my helper. You don’t know anyone who’s looking for a part-time job, do you?”

  Cassie gripped the sides of the chair. “What kind of work?”

  “Running the desk, making appointments, taking the money. I usually come in at three to finish up the day, but so far no takers. Everyone wants full-time work. I don’t blame them.” Mildred finished the rinse and wrapped her hair in a towel.

  When Cassie sat up she said, “I might know someone who could do it until her baby’s born.”

  The older woman stared at her. “You need a job.”

  She nodded. “For the next four months. After the baby gets here, I’ll need it more than ever.” No one needed to know Trace’s plans for the ranch. “I’ll be out of a job in another month.”

  “I don’t get it. You’re a Bannock.”

  “Every Bannock I know works hard.” Except for Ned who treated work as a joke.

  “You know what I mean, Cassie. For you to work in the salon...”

  Cassie had met with this kind of mind-set before. “Tell you what, Mildred. I’ve put out feelers for work in several places. Even with a college degree, it hasn’t helped produce results yet. If nothing pans out by morning, do you mind if I call you for an interview?”

  “You’re serious!”

  “I am. I did the accounts, took money and handled reservations for hunters while Logan and I ran the Rafferty ranch. I’m friendly with quite a few of your regular customers. This job would be perfect since I’m an early morning person. By late afternoon I can go home and put my feet up the way the doctor told me to.”

  “Tell you what. I won’t hold my breath because I can’t imagine you not getting snapped up by someone else. This job doesn’t pay that well.”

  “But you’ll give me a chance if I phone you tomorrow? Provided you haven’t found someone else?”

  “We’ll see. Between now and tomorrow anything can happen.”

  At least Mildred hadn’t said no.

  After she left the beauty salon, Cassie went to the drive-through for a hamburger and a lemonade. On her way back to the ranch she felt energized after her talk with Mildred, who’d done a great job on her hair. If she hired Cassie and she could move into that apartment soon, she would have solved all her problems for a while.

  Trace was at the root of her guilty turmoil. Earlier today when he’d grasped her arms, she’d felt desire for him arc through her body again more intense than at the lake. To experience such a yearning this soon after Logan’s death filled her with sorrow over her weakness. She couldn’t allow it to go on happening.

  Once she was out of Trace’s house for good and they didn’t have to see each other again, maybe she could forget how he made her feel.

  When she reached the house, his Explorer was gone. Thankful for the respite she hurried inside, eager to get busy and put up the last of the strawberries. But when she walked into the kitchen and read the note Trace had left on the table, she had to sit down so she wouldn’t fall.

  Cassie—

  I should never have left you alone when I knew Bud was coming over. It won’t happen again. For your information, Mr. Walker has been told I’m looking for a family man who plans to be a full-time rancher.

  Can I count on you to hold down the fort for a while? After hearing from Nicci again, I’ve decided nothing can be resolved over the phone so I’m flying to Italy and talk to her face-to-face. I don’t know how soon I’ll be back, but with you in charge I have no worries.

  The guys know my plans and they’ll check in on you to make certain you’re all right. If there’s any problem at the ranch, call my father and he’ll take care of it. My main concern is you. Please take very good care of yourself and that baby.

  T.

  Cassie sat there in a daze. What was it Mildred had said? Anything can happen between today and tomorrow. She struggled for breath. Trace was on his way to Monfalcone. He’s in love with Nicci. From the looks of it, he would be married before long and probably live in Italy after all.

  Whatever feelings Cassie struggled with, they were on her part, not his.

  She ran to the bedroom and buried her face in the pillow, heedless of her pregnancy or her new hairdo. His note had left her in complete limbo.

  * * *

  THE WHITE TORNIELLI VILLA gleamed in the sun. One of the staff told Trace he’d find Nicoletta by the pool. He wanted to surprise her and made his own way beneath the purple bougainvillea overhanging the portico to the deck.

  He found her lounging in a minuscule black bikini. She wore sunglasses and was talking on the phone, probably to her friend Bianca. If she was in pain, it didn’t sound that way to him. She hadn’t seen him yet. After a month’s separation, the sight of her playing with the strands of her black hair should have excited him. She was at once so familiar to him.

  All that animation bequeathed from the genes of her dynamic family was in evidence. Nicci was a beautiful creature of her unique environment. But Trace had been away from her and removed from this world for quite some time. He knew in his gut that to take her out of it would kill the part of her that was so scintillating. The part that had drawn him to her.

  The fact that she still couldn’t bring herself to fly to the United States meant she understood herself well and had done both of them a great favor. Their separation had given her second sight, too. Unless he came to her and melted into her world, they wouldn’t work.

  “Nicci?”

  She turned her head and threw off her sunglasses. “Caro!” But she didn’t come running yet. Instead she got up off the lounger and took in his Western shirt, jeans and cowboy boots. Her dark brown eyes played over him. “I don’t recognize you like this. You’ve turned into a Montana cowboy.” Her strong Italian accent made her words sound so charming in English.

  “I’m afraid this is the real me. For ten years I forgot.”

  Nicci looked lost. He couldn’t blame her. “What do you mean?”

  “When I joined the Air Force, I was running away from my past because I was in pain.”

  “Your parents’ divorce did that to you.”

  “Yes. You’ve never known that kind of pain. You have an intact family. But since I’ve been home, my past has caught up with me. I never really wanted to leave it.”

  Her eyes filled. “So what are you saying?” she cried. “Are you glad that laser almost blinded you?”

  “With hindsight I can say yes because it brought me to my senses sooner. I’ve come to tell you that I’ve decided not to take the position at the Air Force Academy. Ranching is what I love to do.” When he realized what Lamont Walker planned to do with his property, Trace had had an epiphany. He didn’t want anyone living there but him. “If you could live with me on the ranch and like it, then I could see us getting married because I love you, Nicci.”

  She shook her head. “I love you, too, but I don’t want that kind of life, Caro.”

  “I know, and I respect you more than you can imagine for being totally honest with me. Our happiness depends on it. I owe you so much. That’s why I’m here so we could say these things to each other in person.”

  “I’m remembering what you told me about your mother. She never liked being a rancher’s wife.”

  “It’s true. Ranch life isn’t for everyone.” But there was one person he knew who loved that life.

  Visions of Cassie had been in his mind from the first time he’d seen her in the garden. Though she was still in mourning for Logan, she loved every minute of her time on that ranch. She’d been born into a ranching family.

  After hearing her tell him what Lamont Walker had intimated and how’d made her cringe, Trace had been more than annoyed. In truth, he’d felt like decking the
guy before the two men had driven away. His feelings for Cassie had grown so strong, they refused to go away.

  “As long as we’re being truthful, why did you never want an engagement with me?”

  “Because I knew I could never work for your father. Not that he isn’t a fine man, but I have to be my own boss.”

  “But I’m talking before your injury, Caro.”

  “Maybe because of my parents’ history, in my subconscious I was afraid of commitment.”

  “What are we going to do?” came her plaintive cry.

  “Marriage isn’t the answer for us, Nicci.”

  “But I can’t bear to lose you. I’ll get dressed and we’ll go to your hotel.”

  “I didn’t check into one.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I didn’t think it would be a good idea.”

  “Since when? Something about you has changed.” She moved closer and slid her arms around his neck. “Kiss me, Caro. It has been such a long time.”

  In ways it had seemed like an eternity since they’d made love. He pulled her close and kissed her, but the driving passion he’d always felt for her was missing. To his shock he found himself wishing it was Cassie in his arms. She’d been so shaken by that lowlife Bud had brought out to the ranch, Trace had wanted to kiss her until she forgot everything else and clung to him.

  As gently as he could, he removed Nicci’s arms from around his neck and kissed her hands. “I’ll never forget you, Nicoletta Tornielli. Meeting you, knowing you, was the best thing to happen to me after I was deployed here. You brought happiness into my life when I didn’t think it could be found. I wanted to marry you, but our dream wasn’t meant to be. You have to know I enjoyed every minute of it. Now I have to go. A taxi’s waiting for me.”

  She looked stung by his words. “You planned to leave so soon?”

  He nodded. “We both know it has to be this way.”