by Leigh Riker
Hadley reached into his pocket for his cell phone.
After a long moment, he left a message, then hung up. “Ned must be out in the wilderness somewhere,” he said.
But what if he didn’t return to his brother’s place for weeks? Ned wasn’t in the habit of sharing his plans with Hadley other than the business of the NLS. It wasn’t as if they were friends, really, although Hadley liked to think they were. But Hadley’s employment as foreman concerned the ranch, so it qualified. “Keep trying,” she said.
“Yeah—unless I win the lottery, which would sure please your parents. Then I wouldn’t need a job and you’d be set for life too.”
“We would,” she said, then regretted the words. She had a habit of still saying we when they weren’t a couple anymore. Hadley didn’t have a great track record at relationships, but there’d been a time when she thought—hoped—their marriage would last forever. Amy came from a close-knit clan, and was her parents’ only child. She’d hoped that if she waited him out, he’d realize their separation had been a mistake. But she didn’t have the luxury of waiting anymore.
“I can’t dream about winning some lottery,” she said. “You have to get your job back, Hadley.”
“I’m trying. Don’t get all worked up. I know you’ve been sick with that virus, and things look bad right now, but you already feel better. Don’t you?”
Amy didn’t answer. She wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to hold on to herself.
He cleared his throat. “I just stopped in to give you the heads-up. If I’m late with the money this month, I’ll make it up to you as soon as I can. Okay? But that’s the worst-case scenario. Ned will see things my way.”
“Not okay.” She’d started with a firm tone, but hesitated. There was no telling how he’d take this news. She softened her voice. “About my feeling sick... I went to see my doctor, as you suggested, and it’s not a virus.”
“Then...what?” Hadley’s face had paled.
“It’s all your fault,” she said, her lower lip quivering.
He raked a hand through his hair again. “How can I be responsible for you getting sick? Just spill it. If it’s something serious, which I hope it’s not, I want to know. I’m not in a good place, but I’ll do what I can to help.”
“You do still care for me,” she murmured.
He sighed. “We were married for seven years. Of course I care, just not in the same way now.”
Her tone wavered. “Maybe you need to rethink that.”
Hadley frowned. “Amy, we’ve been through this before. It’s time you got your own life in order. I know I’m a fine one to talk right now and, sure, we had some good times. I’m okay with remembering them—”
“Like our night together in this apartment?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “That was a mistake.” After they’d separated, he’d helped her move in to the apartment, ordered pizza later for their dinner and all at once, they’d been back in their early days together when everything seemed new and possible, and they loved each other. After their nostalgic conversation, he’d ended up spending the night, something Hadley told her the next morning he regretted. He didn’t want her getting more ideas, he’d said. He was done and should have let it stay that way.
“I don’t see it as a mistake,” she said. This time she didn’t hesitate. “I’m pregnant.”
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING, Olivia Wilson hailed Nell on the street. Olivia owned a pair of antiques shops, one here in Barren, the other in Farrier, the next town over in the county. With the NLS between the two, Nell could do her shopping in either place. With an answering wave, she waited while Olivia crossed the street from the diner that used to be their friend Annabelle Foster’s and would soon become the Bon Appetit. She felt tempted to turn the other way, even though she’d known Olivia all her life. She could also guess why Olivia wanted to see her.
In recent months, the pressure to join her Girls’ Night Out group had intensified. Nell had gone once or twice, though before their meetings began she was usually ready for bed, exhausted from the day’s work. She got up by 4:00 a.m. each morning and had too much on her mind to socialize. Besides, she didn’t fit in with the others, all of whom were girlie girls.
Her blond hair flying, Olivia rushed over to her. “Morning, stranger. Do you have time for a cup of tea?” She held up a paper bag. Steam flowed from its top.
“I’m a coffee person,” Nell said, “but I’ve had mine.”
Olivia patted her pregnant stomach. “Baby and I had a yen for cinnamon rolls too. So, of course—” she laughed “—I had to buy several. I’m happy to share.”
Nell’s taste buds went into overdrive. “Sounds delicious but—”
Olivia had already taken her arm. “I haven’t seen you in weeks—none of us have—and I’m dying to hear what’s been going on with you.” She steered Nell toward her store, went inside, then flipped the closed sign around to open. She led Nell into her office and gestured at a comfy chair.
Nell didn’t sit. “Really, Libby. I’m in town on ranch errands, not to chat.”
First on her list had been the Ag store to put through the grain order Hadley had neglected to place. Nell had been headed there when Olivia called out to her.
Olivia’s blue eyes darkened. “We all have businesses to run.” She pushed a stack of papers aside on her desk, then laid out the pastries. “By the way, how’s Ned? Is he still away?”
“He called the other night from Montana, but his check-ins always make me feel like he’s looking over my shoulder. My uncle Will has been feeding him poison.” At Olivia’s startled expression, Nell said, “Figuratively, I mean. Will has put doubts in PawPaw’s mind about my ability to run the NLS.”
“Oh, Nell.” Olivia reached out to touch her hand. “Pay no attention. Maybe they’ll find some new mischief to get into.”
“They were planning to leave on a fishing expedition. I’m already worried one of them will step into a deep pool in some rushing wild river, swamp his waders and drown in the middle of nowhere.”
Olivia sipped her tea. “I’m sure they can take care of themselves. You can too. If anyone other than Ned can manage the NLS, it’s you.” She picked up a cinnamon bun and caught Nell looking at her. “Don’t tell anyone about the sugar load I’m about to eat.”
Nell had to smile. She took the chair Olivia had offered. She could spare a few moments. After firing Hadley yesterday, then hiring Cooper, she needed some time with another woman. “You’re bad. What will you do for cinnamon rolls when you’re in Kedar?” The small country in the Himalayas where Sawyer McCord, Olivia’s fiancé, had a medical clinic, as well as his practice here in town, couldn’t be further from the life Nell knew and loved.
Olivia’s hand rested on her stomach. “Bake some.”
Nell had helped more than one calf and foal into the world, and she was well aware it wasn’t always easy. “Are you sure you want to fly more than halfway around the world this spring? What if you give birth there?”
“I may and Sawyer’s worried about that, but we have to consider the weather in the Himalayas. I’d worry more about getting stuck in those mountains for the winter, which will end before we go.”
Nell stirred sugar into her tea. “But the baby...”
“Will come in good time, and Sawyer’s clinic has the equipment for a birth. Since the terrible earthquake and landslide there, it’s been rebuilt and resupplied.” She paused. “After all, the first time I went there last summer I helped him deliver his partner’s son. The boy even has Sawyer’s name. We’ll manage.”
“I can’t imagine,” she said, taking a bite of her cinnamon roll. Nell groaned at how good it tasted. “Yum.” She relaxed into her chair. It was a rare treat for her to enjoy a break. She didn’t envy Olivia, however, except for the love she and Sawyer shared; Nell didn’t want to
go anywhere. The NLS was all she cared about. At least Hadley was out of her way. Had she lost her mind though in hiring Cooper? Still. With him near at hand, she could look for any sign that he was about to make that offer. Nell had been amazed to see him on the NLS yesterday, much less asking for a job.
Olivia brushed crumbs from her hands onto the plastic wrap on her desk. “You do know Finn and Annabelle are coming with us?”
Nell wrinkled her nose. “Yes, and I can’t understand them either, but she’s always wanted to travel.”
Olivia leaned closer as if anyone would hear them. “This is a secret, but Finn told Sawyer he’s going to propose to her there.”
“Oh, how lovely.” Annabelle had spent most of her life bound to the family diner she’d hated. Now she had Finn. “It’s good she’s happy at last.” But Nell pressed her lips together and wished she hadn’t spoken. She should have expected Olivia to seize this opportunity.
“She’d be even happier if you came to our next meeting. Really, it’s going to be a farewell party for the two of us. Don’t miss it.”
“I would come, but I—”
Olivia clamped both hands over her ears. “No excuses. I’ll text you where and when.” Since Annabelle had sold the diner, they no longer met there. Then, lowering her hands, she studied Nell. “I hear—from Annabelle—that Cooper Ransom’s back in town.”
Ah, now they were getting to the other reason Olivia had invited her to tea this morning. “Did the grapevine also tell you I’ve hired him as my foreman?”
“No.” Olivia arched an eyebrow. “I didn’t hear that part but, Nell, are you sure that’s wise? From what Finn says, Cooper would still rather work his family’s land.”
“Which doesn’t belong to him.” With a twinge of guilt she shouldn’t feel, Nell set her empty cup on the desk.
“I’m afraid you’re getting into a situation that can only end badly.”
“Nothing new,” Nell said. “But it’s time Cooper realizes he lost that land a long time ago—and he’s not getting it back.”
“I doubt it’s that simple.” Olivia finished her tea. “Now you have to come to our meeting. The group can offer their input.”
“I really can’t, Libby. Besides, this is my situation, not theirs. Or yours,” she pointed out, trying to soften her tone.
“Yes, but more heads are better than one. You and Cooper were pretty tight years ago. I remember when his family left town.” She eyed Nell again. “You sure you’re over him? If not, things could get dicey.”
“I’m aware of that, but there’s a saying. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” She took a last bite of her roll, then rose. “I need to go. I’m holding up your business this morning, and I have a ranch to see to.”
One that included thousands of acres of former Ransom land—and now had a Ransom as foreman.
* * *
COOPER UNLOADED HIS bags from the rental car, then carried them into the foreman’s house. Two furnished bedrooms, a modest bathroom, a square living room and an adjoining kitchen. It wasn’t a third the size of the house in which he’d grown up, but for now, not bad.
At Finn’s farm, Cooper had indeed become quickly bored out of his mind. But was he crazy? Seeking out Nell to ask for the job as her foreman after all? Yet, he felt energized by his decision. No more hospitals for him, no more rehab...no more staying in Finn’s house all day, or doing light tasks for Annabelle. Now, here he was on the NLS, ready to take action and in charge of Nell’s cowhands.
A quick double rap on the front door frame brought his head up. Recognition dawned, although the man standing there had aged. “Clete. Good to see you again.”
A man of few words, if Cooper remembered right, Clete Warner nodded. “Came to say welcome aboard.”
“Appreciate it.”
“I was surprised to hear you’d quit the police force up north. Think you’re still able to stay in a saddle?”
“On a good horse, I can.” His riding skills might be rusty, but he wouldn’t let that on to Clete. To be effective as foreman of the NLS, he had to establish his right to the job and his authority. If he showed weakness now, he had no doubt that Clete would spread the word to the other cowboys who might want to test him too.
The older man wandered into the main room. “I ought to give you a word of warning. Hadley Smith didn’t take to being fired.”
“Who would?” It had been hard enough for Cooper to leave the Chicago PD, and he’d resigned voluntarily.
Clete shook his hand. “Hadley’s got a temper. Part nature, part whatever life has handed him. Of late, that hasn’t been good. I advise you to watch your back.”
“He doesn’t worry me. If he shows up here again, he’ll be trespassing.”
“He’s also got Ned’s ear. The boss relied on him.”
Cooper frowned. “Nell hired me. She’ll have to break the news to Ned.”
“Fly on the wall,” Clete said with a half smile. “Wish I could be there.”
“You say her grandfather depended on Hadley Smith. As his foreman, did Smith hope to make her fail? Nell believes so, and she also told me he never mentioned some coyotes that were seen on the range near—” He’d almost said my land. No sense alerting Clete to his future plans. “—the eastern boundary of the old NLS. Why do you think that was?”
“No idea,” Clete muttered.
Cooper opened a kitchen cabinet. Plates and mugs, half a dozen glasses and bowls. “You didn’t tell her either.” He waited, but Clete didn’t respond. “I understand she already spoke to you, but don’t let something like that happen again.”
Clete shifted from one foot to the other. “I told her I was sorry. Guess it slipped my mind ’cause I hadn’t actually seen those coyotes—still haven’t—and wasn’t sure of what I’d heard.”
Cooper didn’t quite believe him. Clete was an experienced hand. He’d been around when other predators had threatened the herd, one of them near the same spot years ago. If he was so fond of Nell, why would he risk alienating her? Destroying her trust?
Clete wandered toward the door but Cooper hadn’t finished. “Speaking of Nell. You’ve known her for a long time. You’re aware she wants to take over the NLS when Ned’s done. What’s your take on that?”
Clete’s gaze softened. “Miss Nell’s like my own daughter. I love that girl, but it’s still a man’s world out here and the other men don’t see her in the boss’s place.”
“Then it’s my job—and yours—to help change their minds. I’ll be counting on you, Clete.”
“That all it is?” he asked, his eyes keen. “Just a job?”
Cooper gave him an honest answer. “All I can let it be.”
“You had a real eye for that girl last time I saw you.”
And he still did, but to allow his attraction to Nell to derail his own agenda? Not going to happen. Too many years had passed; there was too much at stake.
“She had an eye for you too, as I recall.” Clete scuffed at the floor with the toe of his battered boot.
Cooper studied his own running shoes. He was in danger of being seen as a greenhorn on this ranch, a man who couldn’t do the job he’d been hired for, and Clete, at least, also saw him as a threat to Nell.
Maybe they’d all be keeping their eyes on each other.
CHAPTER FIVE
KEEP YOUR ENEMIES CLOSER.
“Truer words were never said,” Nell murmured, remembering her talk with Olivia a few days ago. She and Cooper were riding toward the western boundary of his former land—the eastern edge of the original NLS. At dusk, the light was beginning to fail, turning the grass to burnished gold beneath a reddening sky on the horizon. His profile was in shadow, and he hadn’t said much since they left the barn. Nell mistrusted the silence. Was he brooding about the Ransom land he’d lost?
“What words?” he f
inally asked.
Nell didn’t realize she’d spoken aloud. She eyed Cooper, watching his light touch with the reins, the easy way he sat the dark horse that had been Hadley’s ride as foreman, his boots set just right in the stirrups. Never mind the years he’d lived in Chicago; Cooper looked like a born cowboy. But could he really do the job? His success here would be her success, and so would his failure. He also had plans, she reminded herself.
“Clete’s had several calls from Hadley, who’s been trying to get hold of my grandfather. Hadley wants his job back, and he hopes PawPaw will give it to him—thus overruling me. I told Clete that will never happen.”
“Stay tough, Nell,” Cooper said. He turned in the saddle and smiled, but Nell stiffened. She’d finally gotten rid of Hadley. She wouldn’t let Cooper disrespect her as some of the ranch hands did. Because he was foreman, they would look to him for guidance in how to treat Nell.
“Don’t mock me. I can fire you too.”
He frowned. “I wasn’t mocking. I’m on your side. Try to remember that. And about remembering, maybe first, we need to do just that.” Cooper’s gaze stayed on Nell. “About how we were together, you and I, years ago before I had to move to Chicago. And you actually liked me then, liked being with me—as often as we could.” His eyes had darkened, but Nell didn’t want to remember their closeness as kids or that first teenage romance.
“Nell.”
“Don’t get all sappy about something that’s over.” She hitched her chin toward what passed for a ridge in the otherwise flat landscape. “Let’s try to find those coyotes instead. We have a better chance with the sun going down.” Coyotes tended to be most active at dawn and dusk, though they could sometimes be seen during the day too.
“Have it your way. For now,” Cooper said. He straightened in his saddle. “Hear that?”
Nell listened. A far-off cow bellowed once, then again, and a shiver fell down her spine. Several others in the herd joined in a chorus. The cattle were always edgy and could panic, then stampede in a heartbeat. The Angus alarm system was going off. “Could be coyotes but I don’t hear them.”
