Loving Her Cowboy Boss

by Rose Verde

  “It so happened that the rancher loved my daddy so much. He didn’t have a family. So when he became sick, he willed the ranch to grandpa. He told him he knew grandpa loved the land and would care for it. That was why grandpa did everything he could to keep it running while he cared for the rancher until his death.”

  Chance thought back to when his dad was sick too and he had to abandon his accounting job to come back and work on the ranch. It meant everything to his dad and he couldn’t let it fail. He was glad he did not let it. “The end.”

  “You never get tired of hearing the story, Andy,” Sam said, her eyes glistening in the light of the fire.

  Chance added a couple more pieces of wood to the fire, then came back and sat down. They enjoyed their s’mores, played cards. After about an hour, Andy set his cards down, stretched and gave a big yawn. “You want me to get you to bed, buddy?” Chance asked.

  “I want Sam.”

  Chance held his chest as though he’d just had a heart attack. “Aww, Andy. Now you pick Sam over me.”

  His little boy smiled. “You can come too.”

  “Nah, don’t worry. I was only kidding.”

  Sam rose and waited for Andy to hug his dad. Chance kissed his head. “Love you, kiddo.”

  “Love you too, daddy.”

  “I’ll be back.”

  “Take your time.” When they left, Chance went to his truck and grabbed a couple of pillows and blankets, which he brought to the fire. He set one pillow on the blanket beside him and laid more blanket on her side to soften the ground for her. Then, he laid down and waited for her. The tranquil night surrounded them. He loved this down time, something he wanted with his family but never had. By the time they moved back to the ranch when his dad took ill, Teresa was already done with him. Here was another woman taking care of her own kid. Sam seemed to love the ranch, unless he was reading her wrong. Would this be a place she wanted to stay?

  Turning his heart from the rigmarole, he looked into the stars that sparkled. He remembered when he was young, his family had come out to the campsite; that was before his mom went away without a backward glance. She’d be pointing out to him all the stars. Somehow, she knew them by name.

  She had this telescope she’d built in high school and was showing him and his sister things. Chance had since put the telescope in the attic because he didn’t want reminders. He glanced at the stars again and thought of the wonders God created. No wonder the scriptures say only a fool in his heart says there’s no God. He flung the stars into the sky, kept them in their place, He made man...

  What always baffled him as a kid when he read the evolution theory was the fact that man stopped evolving. He’d imagine what man would have looked like if he had continued changing and he asked himself why. Now, he chuckled at the reality of the fact that God turned man’s wisdom to foolishness.

  “I believe in you, God,” he breathed. “And I believe You are able to work all things out. Even when I don’t see a way.” His thoughts went to Sam. “Lord, is it time?” He waited. No still small voice. Was that to mean he needed to wait longer?

  ANDY HELD ONTO HER hand still, he was dozing on and off, so she couldn’t leave him.

  “Will you be here when I wake up?” he asked his eyes closed.

  For a moment, Sam thought he was sleep-talking, so she didn’t respond. He opened his eyes and looked at her. “Of, course, I’ll be here. Your daddy drove us here, remember? I don’t have a way of going back.”

  That seemed to satisfy him, because he let go of her hand. “I love you.”

  Her breath stalled in her chest. “Love you too, bud.” She leaned down and kissed his head.

  “Wait until I sleep, okay?”

  “Sure.” She rested her back against the wall and waited. This cute little boy was stirring things in her. But, this was a temporary arrangement. It’s either Chance didn’t remember her time was almost out or chose to ignore it. None of her applications had panned out. If he wanted her to stay, she could still stay but ... Anyway, maybe she needed to leave as quickly as possible. The boy had come to love her just like she’d come to love him. The longer she stayed, the worse he’d be hurt.

  “What do I do now, Lord?” she whispered. Trust in the lord with all your heart and he shall sustain you. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved, the lyrics of a song played in her heart. She knew the words were from somewhere in Psalms.

  She rubbed her arms. She’d come to understand that trust may mean not knowing the step by step of her life, but that God’s intention was good to give her a future and a hope according to His words in Jeremiah 29:11. “I’m trusting, Lord.”

  She noticed that moment that his breath evened out. She looked at the small boy, his face peaceful in sleep. Sam tucked in the blanket around his small body, then pulled up the duvet to reach his shoulders as quietly as possible. She needed to talk to Chance about when her time was up. Rising, she walked out into the night. The fire was still burning and Chance laid with his arm over his face. Was he sleeping? In that case, she didn’t want to wake him. The guy was a hard worker. He never complained. Worked from dawn to dusk, and still kept his smile. He turned on his belly and looked at her.

  “I’m not sleeping. Come to the fire.”

  She walked over to him and he patted the side where he’d laid several blankets. That was thoughtful of him. “How did you know I was there?”

  “Sixth sense.” He grinned, his white teeth shining from the reflection of the fire.

  Sam stepped on the blanket and sat down. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Is your spot comfortable?” she asked, eyeing the single layer of blanket.

  “Yes. If you’ve done cattle rides, you’d have slept in the worst of places.” He turned on his back. “Andy took a while to fall asleep.”

  “Yes. But he’s sleeping peacefully now.”

  “Thanks,” he said, his gaze holding hers for a moment so that Sam felt as though she was tumbling into his warm gaze.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “You should lie down and relax.”

  She complied and for minutes, they lay silently watching the stars.

  “My mom was an astrology nerd. She knew the names of all the stars.”

  It was the first time he was talking about his mom. So she listened.

  “Sierra is like her. I pretended to listen when she talked so animatedly about them, whereas my sister soaked it all up. No wonder she did well in the sciences. My love was for animals and numbers.” He was quiet for a spell. “One day, out of the blue, she realized ranch life wasn’t what she wanted. It’s ironic that I found myself in the exact same spot my dad was in.” he gave a bitter laugh.

  “That was why you hated women?” she asked quietly.

  He chuckled and turned his head to look at her and then back to the sky. “Hate is a strong word. It was rather my fear talking. I’d had all my life to deal with my mom’s betrayal. I was older, so it was okay. But watching my son deal with the same thing at the tender age of three. I guess I was angrier at myself than at her.

  “I forgot where I was coming from. I should’ve known that someone who came from a wealthy family like my ex, our relationship was only good as long as I was in her world. I was stupid and my son paid for it.”

  Sam ached for him. “I wished we could see the future, then maybe we’d have made decisions differently. I knew Todd had anger issues, maybe not exactly. I thought his one display of anger over the top, which I dismissed because he could be sweet. He knew how to treat a woman. Or maybe the best word was how to con a woman. I didn’t see the dark side of him until we got married and started having challenges.”

  “Right.” He was quiet for a moment. “How are things with your parents?” he finally asked, changing the subject.

  “I called them when I got back home yesterday. I told them I forgave them. And really, I feel like my chains were finally broken. What was that you said about forgiving a
nd finding out you were actually the prisoner?”

  He faced her and rested on his elbow. His smile was huge and his eyes danced with humor. “Oh, yeah? And trust me, moments like now, I think of my mom, think of Teresa, but not with the same bitterness as when I felt betrayed. I don’t talk to either of them often... Did I tell you what my favorite scripture is?”

  “Maybe.”

  He took her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “Romans 8:28... All things work together for good. It took me a while to realize that all things didn’t mean they will all be good things. It means the good, the bad, the ugly, they work together for good.” He looked at their joined hands. “I’m glad things are working out between you and your parents, but I need you to know that forgiveness might come, but building back the trust takes a while. Cut yourself some slack and trust the process. Only thing is, watch for the anger and bitterness, and not let it in again.”

  “How did you get so wise?” she teased, a smile on her face.

  “God and the school of hard knocks.”

  Her smile grew. Chance drew circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. The accompanying warmth was turning her insides to mush. She scrambled in her brain for how to broach the subject. But as long as he was doing that, he was robbing her thinking faculty, keeping her brain cells from firing on all cylinders.

  “You have something on your mind?” he asked quietly, his gaze holding hers.

  Sam tucked her hair behind her ear. “I came up with some designs for your decorations. Spent last night working on it.”

  “Hold that thought for a second. You mentioned starting a program for abused women, right?”

  “Yes.”

  He let go of her hand and sat up. Sam missed his warmth but she fought the urge to take back his hand. Whatever they discussed tonight would determine the next step going forward. “That’s brilliant. What made you think of it?”

  His enthusiasm stirred up something on the inside of her. “I don’t have it all mapped out yet. You remember how Pastor Ray said God could bring something beautiful out of my experience?”

  He nodded vigorously. Sam got excited by the minute too. “Okay, so I got back home and took time to pray. I didn’t hear any clear words, but the scripture you used the other day about us comforting others with the comfort we have received? The scripture dropped in my heart. And I thought, there are so many women out there experiencing the same thing, even worse. I could be a channel for them finding themselves again, and maybe life in God in the process.”

  “That’s amazing. Sam, that’s beautiful.” He took both of her hands. “We could brainstorm together. Come up with ideas. I have a lot of space on the ranch. We could set up something, whatever you need to start. The big red barn has been empty forever. You could work on it as you do decorations. That takes care of space.”

  His animated chatter made her breath catch. He was going to support her course. She loved him more and her heart felt light. “You’d do that?”

  “And more, Sam. Any man who chooses to test his strength on a woman is a jerk. Imagine if my sister’s husband did that kind of a thing to her, I’d be ready to go to jail on her behalf.”

  “Aww, that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. But,” she shrugged. “there are things to consider. I’ve never done something like this and I don’t know where to start. Where do we find these women, what do we do for them, those sort of things?”

  “We simply start from the church. I’m sure there are a number of women who are hiding their wounds because that’s what society expects, even some people in the church.”

  His words began to percolate and build momentum and she began to see how doable that was.

  “I have a lawyer friend from when I worked in accounting. We could arrange to meet with him and see what he says. That way, we can know up front what we’re up against.”

  The way he said the “we” made her pulse speed up. “How do you hope to do that, Chance?”

  He frowned. “Do what? Call a meeting with my friend or run the program? If we don’t have to rent space, that’s money saved. We can find out what the cost is and I know how to come in.”

  “Not that.” She slipped her hands out of his.

  “Okay, what? I thought... what is it?”

  She sighed. “I was hoping to help you get your decorating done and all that before my time elapses.”

  His frown deepened. “What time are we talking about here?”

  He’d genuinely forgotten from the look on his face. “You gave me four months, remember? It ends next week. Plus, I feel the earlier I leave the better. Andy’s reaction to his cousins leaving today opened my eyes to the fact that he’s afraid everyone leaves him at some point. I don’t want him feeling I left him too.”

  He sucked in a breath. He probably hadn’t linked the boy’s behavior to his mom’s departure. “I forgot. But, Sam, you’re good with him. I don’t want you leaving.”

  “I’ve applied to other places, if I get a job, I’d be leaving. I just don’t want a situation where you decide at some point to let me go and I have nowhere else to go.”

  She could read the confusion on his face. He swallowed. “Sam, I’m sorry I asked you for a time frame. I wasn’t thinking...”

  “You might want to think things through this time. I’ll show you the designs when we get back. If it’s something you want, I could work on it for the next couple of weeks. That would also give you time to find someone else if you need to.”

  His mouth fell open. “What’s come over you, Sam?” he asked, his look incredulous.

  She rose. “I just don’t want you making decisions on the spur of the moment. I’m turning in.”

  “Sam, please can we talk about this?”

  “Yes, after you’ve really thought about it and know what you want.”

  He scrubbed a hand over his face and through his hair. He stared at her as though wondering how things went downhill from the moment she walked out of the cabin. She was asking the same thing.

  Sam turned and headed to the cabin. “Good night,” she said over her shoulder. She knew what spooked her. Todd had been all supportive of all her dreams, promised her the moon. But when he had her where he wanted, he became a monster. Her love for Chance was overwhelming. And he seemed supportive, loving. In all fairness he was nothing like Todd. But, if things didn’t work out with them, she wasn’t sure she could survive another betrayal. The worst is a little boy was involved. Either way, he was bound to be hurt. But, the earlier, the better, so he could get over her quickly. She made it into the cabin on heavy feet. Andy turned in his bed as much as it allowed and promptly went back to sleep.

  Sam climbed into hers. What had she been thinking? No, the problem was that she hadn’t really been thinking of the implication of letting another man into her life. She closed her eyes and let the tears come.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chance was cranky after a night of tossing and turning. The fire had died hours after Sam left him more confused than anything. He hadn’t cared to light it back up, nor did he care to leave the spot she left him in. He hadn’t used his small mattress, just didn’t have the strength. So, he’d laid there. His aching muscles protested as he got up and began to load his truck.

  What had he done wrong? Was she angry because he forgot the ultimatum he gave her? She had a right to be. How could he have forgotten that? He’d been caught up in his work and their budding relationship. One minute they were going over her plans and the next thing she’d blown him off in that quiet way she acted.

  He was hopelessly in love with her. But she was right. He didn’t want her thinking he didn’t take her seriously. Yet, he wasn’t sure how to make things right. He needed to talk to her. But, that would be when they got back to the ranch. He couldn’t talk to her in the presence of his son.

  Movement sounded behind him and he turned to look at Sam holding Andy’s hand, each of them carrying their rolled up blankets. The lines under her eyes showed
she probably didn’t fare any better than he and he wanted to kick himself.

  “Good morning,” he called in greeting with more cheer than he felt.

  “Morning,” she and Andy said at the same time. “I’m sorry I slept in.”

  “No worries. I have everything packed away.” He took her sleeping bag and his hand brushed against hers. He didn’t miss her sharp intake of breath. She loved him. He knew that. Something had sent her running. The more he thought about it, the more he was convinced. But this wasn’t the time or place. He stowed away his son’s sleeping bag and then held the door for him to get in.

  “Had a good sleep?” he asked her.

  “Fair. And you?”

  “Not so much.” He closed the door and went round to get in.

  The drive to the ranch was quiet. Chance’s frustration built. He’d give anything to know what she was thinking. He thought they were good at communicating...

  He concentrated on his drive and soon turned into the road leading up to his driveway. A flashy blue sports car sat in his driveway.

  Who could that be? He looked around. There was no one in sight. He could see the light on in the house.

  Then, he frowned. Definitely not Teresa. She knew where he kept his spare key. Besides, those were the kind of cars she drove. But they lived over three hours from each other, she’d only come a couple of times. What was she doing now?

  He pulled up beside the car and put his truck in park.

  “Is that mommy?” Andy asked in a small voice.

  “I don’t know, buddy. Let’s find out.” He climbed down from the truck and grabbed the things in the bed of the truck. He was okay with her being an absentee birthday and Christmas calls mom. But he wasn’t okay with her showing out of the blue and upending Andy’s life.

  As he walked up the porch, bags in his hand, the door flung open. Teresa stood there, larger than life. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.