The Rancher and The Event Planner (A Salvation Texas Novel)

by Cheryl Gorman

  Gratitude and love spread through JC’s body. “A sleep over, how sweet. There’s nothing I’d like better than a girl’s night with Molly.”

  The amusement slid from his lips. “Unfortunately, a sleep over is impossible.”

  “Impossible?”

  “Yes.” He lowered his hands to his sides and stared directly at her. “Molly could get hurt again real easy. She’s like a skittish puppy that’s been kicked hard and often. She has no strength to defend herself and as her father it’s my job to protect her. I hope you understand.”

  A crippling ache throbbed inside her chest. She wanted to cry out, to wail against him, to tell him he was wrong.

  She understood a father protecting his daughter. If the situation was reversed she would do the same thing, anything to protect her child. But the worst part, Rafe didn’t want her around spending quality time with his daughter or him and there was nothing she could do about it.

  * * *

  Rafe watched from the window as Jennifer embraced Molly and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Molly waved goodbye with a see-you-next-time, not knowing her father wished that Jennifer would leave town at that moment.

  Disappointment and hurt had shone in Jennifer’s eyes, but there was nothing he could do. Molly came first, last and always. He didn’t want to hurt Jennifer and if their conversation at the barbecue had never taken place, none of this would have happened.

  Molly came into the house and ran straight for the kitchen. He listened to his brother and Molly chatting as she settled at the breakfast table with a glass of milk and some cookies. He said something to Molly, making her giggle. Gratitude and joy filled him. It was good to hear Molly laugh again and to know that she understood now why he’d said what he did and that he loved her beyond anything and wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anyone or anything in his life.

  In a few minutes, his brother walked into the den. “Jennifer left already? I was going to invite her to stay for dinner.”

  Rafe slumped into a chair. “I asked her to leave.”

  His brother’s blue eyes, so like his own, widened and his lips parted in shock. He sat on the arm of a chair. “Why would you do that to Jennifer? We’ve known her practically our whole lives and besides she adores Molly.”

  He looked at his brother, the most decent man he knew. “I blame her for what happened at the barbecue. If it hadn’t been for her, Molly would have never found out the truth.”

  Linc huffed out a breath and moved next to him.

  Rafe stared straight ahead.

  “Rafe, look at me.” Here it comes. The big lecture.

  Reluctantly, his eyes met his brother’s.

  “Caroline is still making your life a misery.”

  Shock rippled through him. “What do you mean?”

  His composed features held a faint hint of amusement. “She made you miserable when you married her. You did everything you could to make her happy but she saw deception at every turn. She clawed and scratched at you like an angry pole cat.”

  Rafe’s body stiffened and he pressed his lips into a hard line. “I made her miserable no matter what I did. I tried to keep her smiling and happy, but I couldn’t make it happen. I’m no good at relationships with women. I tried not to be unreasonable or thoughtless or selfish, I wanted the marriage to work, I really did. I wanted Caroline and me to be a team. Molly is my little girl and I’m going to be the best dad in the world to her or die trying.”

  He nodded. “Yes, but Caroline ripped you apart. She corrupted your marriage and ruined any chance you might have had at true happiness.”

  Rafe looked away, knowing he couldn’t argue with the truth. He gave in to her demands for more of his time, for more of his attention until she destroyed any feeling he ever had for her. “Where’s Molly?”

  “She went down to the barn to see Lucy.”

  “You want to know the real truth.” He swallowed while guilt and regret lacerated his insides. “The day of Caroline’s funeral, I thanked God she wouldn’t be raising Molly with her ranting and raving one minute then all lovey-dovey the next when I was giving her what she wanted.”

  Linc clasped a hand on his shoulder. “Me too, because she was always unhappy and it overflowed into the family. But what about Molly?”

  He glanced at his brother. “What about her? She’s fine. She has a wonderful life here with me and you.”

  He nodded. “That’s true, but Molly loves Jennifer. It’s obvious every time I see them together and I know Jennifer loves her, too. The woman is a natural with kids. She’s kind, considerate, smart and extremely pretty which I’m sure you’ve noticed.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I’ve noticed.”

  “How are you going to tell Molly you don’t want Jennifer hanging around so much?”

  He shrugged. “I wasn’t planning to tell her exactly, just figured she’d forget about Jennifer after a while and stop asking.”

  “I understand you’re Molly’s father and want only what is best for her. You worship that little girl and God knows she loves you, but don’t you see Molly will be hurt either by you shrugging off her pleas to see Jennifer, or by Molly wondering why Jennifer isn’t around?” He rose from the chair. “Think about it.”

  Chapter Ten

  JC fought desperately against her rising emotions as she headed down the dusty road, the scenery blurring in a wash of tears. She swallowed against the knot in her throat and heaved a choking breath. With trembling hands, she pulled the car over onto the shoulder of the road and shoved the gear into park. Unable to hold back any longer, she let her emotions rip free. After a good cry, she dug into her purse and repaired as much damage as she could to her makeup, then she pulled out onto the road.

  The hurt heaped on her by Rafe, turned to anger and frustration. A few minutes later, she slammed a hand against the steering wheel as she drove in the Bluebonnet’s parking lot. “Stubborn man,” she mumbled to herself.

  She remembered the seven layer chocolate cake she’d seen on the menu. Normally, she would never indulge in something so rich and calorie laden but chocolate was good therapy for everything, particularly a broken heart.

  When she stepped inside, a tall, slender woman she’d never seen before placed a fresh cloth on a table and laid out bunches of silver. The scent of food filled the air. “Hi, I’m Ryn,” she said walking toward JC, her white tiered skirt swishing around her ankles and sandal covered feet. “Would you like a table?” Her aqua tank top accented her dark hair and eyes.

  “No, the counter’s okay.”

  Ryn grabbed a menu and cocked her head to the side. “You must be JC. Grace told me all about you. Welcome to Salvation.”

  “Thank you.”

  Her wide mouth and straight white teeth beamed a smile. “I’ve been away with my daughter on a little vacation. Just got back in last night. Grace’s taking the afternoon and evening off so she and her husband can have some alone time.”

  Ryn studied her for a moment. “I saw you at the barbecue the other day. I’m sorry we didn’t have a chance to talk, but the baked goods were disappearing as fast as I could replenish them.”

  A slight frown appeared between Ryn’s eyes. “Are you okay?”

  “I’ve had better days.”

  Ryn nodded. “I can spot a woman who needs chocolate from fifty paces. Come with me.”

  JC settled on a stool at the front counter and Ryn handed her a laminated dessert menu featuring a variety of goodies. She pointed to the picture of the seven layer cake. “My favorite too. But we’ve just added something new. You game?”

  “Sure, why not?” JC said. She didn’t see how anything worse could happen to her today. Ryn filled a dessert plate with something chocolate and handed it to JC. “This is a new recipe. It’s called Chocolate Caramel Margarita, guaranteed to brighten your day. Have a taste while I get us something cold to drink.”

  JC dug into the square-shaped treat iced with a thick coating of caramel. She closed her eyes as t
he chocolate, caramel and a hint of strawberry melted on her tongue.

  “Here you go,” Ryn said, as she settled on a stool next to her and handed JC a glass of cold water. “What do you think?”

  JC swallowed and licked her lips. “Fabulous. Nothing like chocolate and caramel to melt your troubles.”

  “I’m glad. If you feel like talking, I’m all ears. And I never betray a confidence.”

  Ryn was a sweetheart to offer but most of the news filtered through the café. She didn’t want to talk to Linc. JC considered herself a pretty good judge of character. Ryn’s guileless, honest gaze told her she truly cared and locked the door on spreading JC’s story all over town. She decided to take a chance. “Thanks, I could use someone to talk to.” She told her about Rafe, Molly, and what transpired at the barbecue.

  “I don’t know Rafe very well. He and Molly come in the Bluebonnet fairly often, but then everybody knows about what happened with his wife. I’m sorry you found yourself in the middle of it.” She leaned over and laid her hand on JC’s. “Want some advice from a total stranger?”

  “Go for it.”

  “Don’t let what happened ruin the rest of your time here in Salvation because it’s a great place with wonderful people. They opened their arms and their hearts to me and my daughter and we’ve never looked back. And there are a lot of other eligible bachelors around besides Rafe McCord.”

  The bell tingled on the shop door. When she looked up at the sound, her eyes sparkled with more than the prospect of a customer coming in the door. “Hi, Cade the new dessert is gone, I’m afraid. JC took the last one.”

  “Thought you were checking fence lines today?” JC said.

  “Got done early.” He turned his attention back to Ryn. “My mouth is hankering for a taste of carrot cake.”

  Cade took off his hat and gave Ryn one of his killer grins. “I hung up my saddle for the evening so I figured I’d drop in and see how you’re doing.”

  JC rose from the stool. Well, well, well, what’s going on here? She’d tease Cade about it later. “Thanks for the treat, Ryn. And the conversation.”

  Ryn smiled. “My pleasure.”

  “Don’t run off on my account, JC. Take pity on a man who’s been sweating around ornery cattle all day. I’d love to entertain you and Ryn for a while.”

  “You poor man,” she said giving him a hug. “But I have work to do myself.”

  As JC left the restaurant, she realized how much Salvation and its people had changed since she’d moved away or maybe she was the one who had done the most changing. When she left town, the idea of ever spending time in, much less living here again, never entered her mind. She wasn’t the only person who ever had life troubles or shed a tear and she wouldn’t be the last. Linc had ordered her to stay and she had no choice but to stay and help Rafe. She had been so certain she was beginning to make him see how right they were for one another until what happened at the barbecue. She climbed in the car, cranked the engine and headed back to the ranch.

  A few minutes later, she exited the car as a myriad of ideas sprang to her mind. While she whittled away the rest of her community service hours, she would do everything in her power to regain Rafe’s respect and help Salvation win the contest. The new resort would help stimulate the economy and bring in new business, but her other ideas would help as well.

  Rafe McCord would realize what happened with Molly wasn’t her fault by the time she was done.

  ***

  “Sure, sweet pea, I’ll see you and Uncle Linc in a few minutes,” Rafe said into his cell phone. He’d placed a work table beneath the shade of a large maple, while the crew tore down some walls in the main house. Construction noise echoed over the landscape and mirrored the anxiety bouncing around in his stomach.

  He checked his watch. Jennifer’s voice drifted in the breeze as she chatted with some of the workers and then laughed at something one of them said. Right on time.

  The sound of her laughter caused a crazy mix of I’m-in-cowboy-heaven and anxiety to frolic through his veins. When Jennifer stepped under the branches of the maple with Linc at her side, his heart bucked like a bronc trying to shake its rider. Excitement zipped through him. As much as he hated to admit it, he’d missed her, even though it had only been a few days since she’d moved out of the house. He’d caught a glimpse or two of her around the ranch and in town, but glimpses didn’t put a shine on a man’s hankering. Every time she was near, he’d drunk in the site of her. And now here she was, close enough to touch. And he wanted to touch her. Nothing in her expression indicated their conversation at the ranch had ever happened. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. Shouldn’t he be happy?

  She set her purse on the table, curled a lock of hair around her ear. White shorts displayed her gorgeous legs, a pale pink sleeveless top and her hair twisted into a messy knot, showed off her graceful neck. “Hi Rafe, how are you”?

  “Fine, and you?” He was surprised his voice sounded normal and unaffected.

  “I’m terrific. You know, I’ve really enjoyed living in Salvation again.” She smiled. “Never thought I’d say that. How’s Molly?”

  Enjoyed living in Salvation, huh? He believed it. The woman glowed like she had a light inside her. Longing socked him in the gut. He was still attracted to her, very attracted to her and he didn’t want to be. But at the same time an odd sense of pride where she was concerned rose inside him. “Happy.”

  Her gaze softened. “Glad to hear it. I have a lot to do this afternoon, so if we could get started checking out the site, that would be great.”

  What a fine how-do-you-do. He wasn’t an acquaintance. He’d bared his soul to her and they’d shared more than one kiss. But that’s what he wanted, wasn’t it? Why did her indifferent attitude burrow under his hide? “Sure, no problem.”

  They started with the first partially completed cabin viewing the open, airy interior with distressed wood floors and beamed ceilings.

  Jennifer’s eyes widened and a grin spread over her mouth. “Wow, this is looking great.” She moved from the den into the bathroom. “Hi, Frank,” she said greeting one of the hard hats laying tile on the floor.

  Frank, a man in his late thirties, tanned, sandy hair with bulging biceps gestured to the surrounding room. “Hey, JC, what do you think?”

  “Everything looks wonderful. You and the rest of the guys have done such a great job.”

  Frank nodded with a proud expression. “Thanks.”

  “How is your family? You mentioned the other day Tommy was sick. How’s he doing?”

  He stopped his work looking at Jennifer as if they were old friends. “Family’s great. And Tommy is almost well. Thanks for asking.”

  “I’m so glad he’s feeling better.”

  “Hey, we’re having a block party this weekend and you’re welcome to come.”

  “I’d love to, thanks.”

  Now she was invited to a freaking block party. Jennifer had worked her way back into the community, but in a good way, Rafe had to admit.

  Jennifer stopped to chat up several of the hard hats and even shared a private joke or two with a couple of them. She obviously had been at the site quite a bit when he wasn’t here and had been getting friendly with the guys. She belonged here. She always had. But she couldn’t stay in Salvation not after what happened, no matter how much he wanted her to.

  When they returned to the temporary office set up under the maple, Linc was on his lap top. He looked up at Jennifer and said, “Hey, the woman you hired to work on the web site sent some ideas for us to check out.”

  “Great.” Zipping over to the chair beside Linc, she plopped down beside him resting her hand on his shoulder and scooting in close. Their heads almost met as they oohed and aahed over the images on the computer screen. Rafe’s irritation pawed the ground and hopped like a mischievous horse. “I love the graphics she used. It’s sophisticated but welcoming at the same time.”

  Linc turned to Jennifer and grinned. “I fig
ured you’d like them.”

  Jennifer tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes slightly. “You’ve been talking to the web lady.”

  Linc shrugged. “She wanted an opinion on the graphics before she showed them to you and I was available. Hope you don’t mind.”

  Jennifer shook her head. “Not at all. It’s amazing you seem to know my preferences.”

  “We’ve been spending a lot of time together. I’ve gotten to know my right hand girl’s likes and dislikes.”

  “So I’m your right hand girl, huh?”

  He winked. “You bet.”

  Well, wasn’t that cozy. Rafe sat down on the other side of the table while they cooed at each other. What the hell was going on here? Since when had Jennifer and his brother gotten so snug? Rafe wasn’t interested in Jennifer, so why should it bother him?

  “JC!”

  Molly ran across the field toward Jennifer, her long, dark braids flying out behind her. “Hey, darling girl,” Jennifer said as her arms folded around Molly for a hug. “I’ve missed you.”

  Molly pulled back from her arms and kissed Jennifer soundly on the cheek. “Me too. Why haven’t you come to see me?”

  Without even looking at Rafe or so much as a blink, she lied through her teeth. “I’ve been super busy, and I figured you were busy too.”

  Molly said a quick, “Hi, Dad,” before turning her attention back to Jennifer. “Not really.”

  Jennifer rubbed a hand over Molly’s head. “Well, I’m sorry we haven’t been able to visit.”

  “Me too.”

  “I tried out for the Salvation Road Runners,” Jennifer said.

  “Uncle Linc told me,” Molly said. The Salvation Road Runners was a local female softball team.

  “It turns out I’m a great pitcher.” Jennifer held up her right arm and made a fist displaying her muscle. “It’s whipped my arms into shape.”

  Not only her arms. Even her eye lashes were in shape. She sported a nice tan, her legs were even more toned than he remembered and worst of all she looked as contented as a mare seeing her new foal for the first time. How could she look happy when he had been so miserable?