Loving Her Cowboy Boss

by Rose Verde

  “He’s gone to see a friend.” She set a plate of eggs and bread on the table, then proceeded to pour her some coffee. “Wash your hands and eat.”

  She washed her hands and sat at the table. She prayed in her heart for Todd. He needed a change. Unless people got addicted quickly, she wasn’t sure what he was dealing with.

  “You wanna talk?” her mom asked, sitting beside her.

  “Not yet.” It felt weird, alien even, hearing her mother ask if she wanted to talk. Showing up after being absent for most of the twenty-six years of her life, Sam didn’t think they could just get off to talking like... like she’d always been there. “How was your visit?”

  “It’s great. Your dad is actually interviewing for a position. We decided we’re not traveling anymore.” She took Sam’s hand. “Look, honey, we can’t say how sorry we are. No matter how many times we say it, it’s not enough. So we want to show you we’re doing things differently here on out.”

  Sam was glad to hear all that, but it also saddened her that her parents took so long... Do not let the root of bitterness take root, a small voice whispered. Sam squared her shoulders. “I’m glad to hear that. But you and dad do not have to put your lives on hold for me. I’m fine.”

  Her mother wiped her eyes. “We haven’t been good parents to you and your brother. I know it sounds odd coming from me, but, coming home because of what happened to your brother, I felt like I’d failed.”

  “Yet, you took off again.” Sam wiped her own tears too.

  “I wish your dad were here to tell you. After your brother passed, every journey we made for the next two years were torture. Except that it was all we knew.” She squeezed Sam’s hands. “That’s all changed now. I know things won’t change overnight. But, we decided we’re not traveling anymore. We want to be here for you, should you need us.”

  Sam nodded and then smiled through her tears. “My food is getting cold.”

  Her mom smiled and wiped her eyes. “Go ahead and eat. We’ll be going out later to look at a home to buy.”

  It looked like they’d had a lot of thinking about the whole thing. “Feel free to stay here as long as you guys need to find a place. I assume it would take a while.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Tell me about Aunt Jean. How are they doing? It’s been a while since I saw them.”

  She ate while her mom spoke to her about her aunt and her family. Sam finished eating and did her dishes. “I’m heading off to sleep. Didn’t get a lot last night.”

  “Sure. Is he treating you well? I mean you have to be sacrificing a lot to go camping with them and then not be able to sleep.”

  Sam didn’t want to tell her mom the reason why she hadn’t slept well. But, was Chance treating her well? Better than well and she told her mom so.

  “What will you eat when you wake up?”

  “I might just order takeout.”

  “I could cook. I can make some lasagna.”

  Her mom was trying to make an amendment and Sam was glad for that. “I’d love that if it’s not a hassle.”

  “It’s not. Go ahead and sleep.”

  Sam went to her room, took a quick shower and then climbed into bed. Her thoughts went to Andy. How was he coping? And then to Chance. What was his plan concerning his ex? What if she wasn’t here for nothing? What if her hope was to come back? Didn’t he say she was remarried? But they had a child together. Anything was possible. Ugh!

  She turned on her back and grabbed her Bible from the night stand. Turning to Proverbs 3, she read Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean...

  That was the last thing in her thoughts when she finally succumbed to the lure of sleep.

  Chapter Nineteen

  By midday, Chance couldn’t hold off on going home to check on Andy, see how he was doing. What did that make of him anyway? The boy hadn’t been with his mom in two years. Was he frightened, sad? He asked himself the questions as his feet ate up the distance. Relief flooded him when he climbed on the porch and all was quiet. He set his boots by the door and went in.

  The aroma of his favorite spaghetti reached his nostrils. Chance peeped through the door to see Teresa by the stove turning spaghetti in the pot. She hadn’t seen him.

  Andy saw him first. He jumped down from the stool. “Daddy!” Teresa turned and gave him a dazzling smile. He forced a small one of his own.

  “Hey, buddy. What are you doing?”

  “Looking at my letters. Come and see.”

  Chance followed Andy to the kitchen island where he showed Chance all the letters and read them perfectly. Even though he listened to the boy, his thoughts were swirling. The last time she came, she didn’t cook. Acted like some peacock around the place. This attitude was unsettling him more than he cared to admit.

  He hoped she wasn’t planning to come back permanently. He’d be sorry to disappoint her. That ship set sail years ago. And then he remembered that as far as he knew, she was still married. That filled him with some peace. He needed to talk to her about Sam. “Want to take a break, buddy?”

  “Yeah.”

  Chance ruffled his hair, then rose up. He opened the top cabinet and grabbed a plate. Then in another, he took the popcorn he’d bought days back. “Let’s go.” Then to Teresa, “I’ll be back to talk to you.”

  “Okay.”

  Chance followed his son out and down the hallway into the living room. He prayed in his heart for wisdom to handle things. He wanted peace and above all, would do anything to keep Andy from getting hurt.

  Chance sat with Andy. “What do you wanna watch?”

  He sat down beside Chance. “Batman.”

  Chance chuckled. “That, eh? You don’t ever get tired of it, huh?”

  He gave Chance a crooked teeth smile. “Nope.”

  “It looks like that tooth is determined to hang around until Christmas.”

  Andy smiled, using his tongue to push the tooth aside. “Not Christmas.”

  “It would be nice if it stayed. I get to eat all your chicken and everything.” Chance surfed around the cable for the one he was looking for. When he found it, he said, “There you go.”

  “Thanks, daddy.”

  “Anything for you. And here comes the real thing.” Chance opened the popcorn pack and poured some for Andy. He took a handful and ate. After a few minutes, he asked, “Will you be okay by yourself?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

  He nodded, already engrossed in his cartoon. Chance kissed his head and got up. He went back into the kitchen.

  “Are you eating right away?”

  Chance sat down at the same stool he’d been sitting on minutes ago. “No. Thanks, Teresa. But you don’t have to do anything around here. We’re managing just fine.”

  “But, I want to.”

  “Okay.” He thought about his words carefully. “What happened with Sam?”

  She turned from her task of loading the dishwasher. “What did she say happened?”

  Did Teresa think this was a game? He folded his arms across his chest. Knowing Sam was going to be here the next day, he decided he needed an approach that didn’t get her in trouble. It was his home and he could send Teresa packing. But it was also her child. “I called to check on Andy and she said she’d gone home.”

  “Why didn’t you call me instead?”

  Chance closed his eyes briefly, striving for patience. After a few seconds, he opened his eyes and held her gaze. “First, you don’t come here and turn things around. Sam has not only been a great teacher for Andy, she’s cared for him like her own.”

  “While I went around doing my own thing, right?”

  He shrugged. “You said so yourself.”

  “I want to bond with my son.”

  “For how long are you planning? One week? Two? And then you get out of his life for another few years?” he shook his head. “Are you thinking of anyone but yourself?”

  “I
’m thinking about Andy and you.”

  Chance couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s a first, Teresa. Feed me a more convincing line.”

  She rinsed her hands and wiped them on the oven cloth, then came and sat opposite him. His instinct was to get up, but he stayed put. She put her hand on his thigh and this time around, he stood. “Teresa, where’s your husband while you’re here? Does he even know where you are?”

  “He doesn’t. I’ll tell him eventually.”

  More and more, Chance was getting a feel that this was going to be a sticky situation. The only reason he was even standing here talking over things was because of Andy. “When? What are you hoping to achieve?”

  “Our marriage is not working.” Her eyes pleaded with him to understand. “I want to come back.”

  “As what?”

  She blushed a vivid red.

  Chance heaved a sigh. “I’m sorry things are not working out for you—”

  “Look, Chance, I’ve changed. I’ll make it up to you.”

  Chance drew a hand through his head in frustration. He was getting to know a selfish, self-centered part of his ex. “How long will that last? It looks to me like you were done with us after four years. Three is short. So, you come back and say for two and then what?”

  “It’s not like that.”

  “How is it, Teresa?” he shook his head. “I don’t get you, really. I haven’t stopped living on the same ranch you so hated you couldn’t wait to get out of here. I’m no longer an accountant like I used to be. I’m just a regular cowboy.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I’m really sorry. I accept all the blame. I was young and naïve. I shouldn’t have left.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. Once upon a time, when he saw a tear fall down her face, he’d do anything to put a smile back on, but not now. “Don’t you think that’s coming a little too late.”

  “It’s never too late—”

  “Teresa, I’m in love with someone else.”

  Her eyes widened for a moment and then she wiped her face. “Sam, right?”

  How did she figure that out? “Yes. Did you know Andy was diagnosed with dyslexia?” Of course, she didn’t know. “Did you know he was constantly in detention because his classmates called him names? Of course you wouldn’t. Sam has been the stability he’s known in the past four months. I’d hate to see anything change that. I don’t want you flipping his study schedule on its ears or anything for that matter without first clearing with me.

  “And whatever you do, keep Sam out of it. I won’t hesitate to throw you off the ranch if you as much as look at her in a way you shouldn’t.”

  “You love her that much?” she asked with those sad puppy eyes that used to melt his heart.

  “I do.” He hoped he’d make his threat clear enough.

  She nodded. “It’s all my fault. Yeah, it’s all good.”

  As Chance watched tears course down her cheeks, he felt pity for her. “Since you’re doing okay with Andy, I better get back to work.”

  She nodded again. Chance went to say goodbye to Andy and went back to his ranch work. What was she thinking? It was all a sticky situation. If she hadn’t already remarried, that would’ve been a different thing. She was. He didn’t think they’d even divorced yet. She probably was hoping she could work things out with him and then go back and end things with her husband. Chance was never going to be a party to breaking another man’s home. And then there was Sam. He’d told her he loved her and he did. There was no way he’d tell her it was a mistake.

  His phone rang and he fished it out of his pocket. “Si.”

  “Chance, how are you?”

  “I’m good, what’s up?”

  “You were not planning to tell me your ex is around.”

  Chance made a detour to the bunkhouse and sat on the bench in front. “News travels fast, eh?”

  “It does. Besides, I’m your older sister. You should tell me these things.”

  “I see you riding down here in your shiny armor and rescuing me.”

  She laughed. “I might just do that. But what’s she doing there? She hasn’t been by to see her kid in how long?”

  “How did you know?”

  “I called the home phone when Sam didn’t answer her phone, and Teresa picked up.”

  “She wants to get back together.”

  “And what happens to her marriage?”

  “She is apparently ready to quit that?”

  “And then stay with you for how long before she’s itching to leave again?”

  Chance plowed a hand through his hair and then rubbed the nape of his neck. “Same question I asked her.”

  “That woman is a piece of work. She’s acting like a teenager. If her marriage is not working out, did it occur to her that it shouldn’t be you she’s coming back to?”

  “Apparently not.” Memories of how he’d pleaded with her, promised to do anything else she wanted beside letting the ranch go, making her understand he wasn’t making the decision lightly, but that the ranch meant everything to his dad, all that fell on deaf ears and now she wanted to return?

  “What are you going to do?”

  “We just finished talking. I told her it was impossible. That I was in love with someone else.”

  “What did she say?”

  “I’m not sure what gave her the impression. But she guessed correctly that it was Sam. Hopefully, it means she can lay her hope at rest and decide once and for all if she wants to be in her child’s life or not.”

  “Good for you.”

  Chance chuckled. “It wasn’t so easy to tell her off, after all we have a history no matter how things went. It was great while it lasted. But, there was no way I’d break another man’s home.”

  “You think she hasn’t ended things?”

  “I don’t think so. He doesn’t know she’s here, so it's an educated guess.”

  “She’s really a piece of work. Anyways, stand your ground and don’t take her back. You both might need to talk more about Andy and come up with something more consistent. He’s growing up and needs stability, not drama.”

  “Yup. How are my little munchkins?”

  “They’re doing great. My boy sulked all through the journey home. How did Andy fare?”

  “I think he was okay. We went camping and returned this morning.”

  “Is he talking to his mom well?”

  “I think so. I expected to see he’d cried his eyes out, but apparently not. He was working on his letters and he’s pretty good at them.”

  “So, I bet you’d be extending Sam’s stay.”

  He chuckled. How could he have forgotten the ultimatum he gave. “Something like that. Are you off duty?”

  “Yup.”

  “Aren’t you enjoying it? I don’t get time off come rain, come shine.”

  “You should. Your foreman is capable from back when he worked with dad. He can handle things and you can go away for a couple of days.”

  “I’ll think about that.” They talked for a few moments then rang off.

  Chance glanced around at the horses in the paddock, the young calves that jumped in the distance on unsteady feet. His gaze travelled the expanse of greenness. He loved the land. If ranching could be equated to a green thumb, he had that. He loved the earthy smell, he loved the horses, cattle. Even in the peak of each season, when he went to bed feeling like his strength was completely wiped out, the love for what he did got him up the next day and the next.

  How had he ever thought he could do anything besides ranching? He was glad he did, and he hoped his dad was looking at him from heaven and rejoicing at what he’d accomplished. With God’s help. And he knew it could only get better. Yes, it’d been God, every step of the way. And he knew that the future was safe in His hands.

  SAM FLIPPED THE PAGES of the brochure she’d put together for Chance’s ranch house and then closed it. She didn’t like that she had some downtime and didn’t know what to do with it. Befo
re Andy’s mom came, they’d play the piano, hide and seek, games, anything. But Teresa wanted to spend time with him. Sam perfectly understood that.

  She wandered into the ranch yard. The horse that had thrown Chance weeks ago, eyed her as she got close. It still looked skittish but not the wide eyed look it had that day.

  Movement caught her eye and she turned to see Chance coming toward her with a saddle.

  “I see someone is here to see me fall again.” He winked.

  She giggled. “Are you getting on him again?”

  “Not with you here. Can’t risk you thinking less of me.” He set the saddle on the top rung of the paddock.

  She grinned. “Now, why would I think that?”

  “How many cowboys do you see taking a tumble?”

  “Only one.”

  “There you go.” He looked behind. “Where’s Andy?”

  “He’s taking a break and spending time with his mom.”

  “Is she giving you a hard time?”

  “Not at all. I think she’s a nice person.”

  He nodded, then pointed to the brochure in her hand. “What have you got there?”

  “Your decorations. I was going over it but I’ve seen it a dozen times.”

  “Want me to take a look?”

  She cocked her head, narrowing her eyes. “Someone is not scared of getting on that horse, right?”

  He roared with laughter. “Do I look like a scaredy cat to you? Maybe I get the saddle on him and let you ride. At least he’s comfortable with that one.”

  “I’ll pass. The way he’s looking at me, something other than my ego will be broken. I’m not taking that chance.”

  “Your loss.” He grinned. “Let me see that.”

  Sam leaned her elbows on the top rung and opened it. “If you don’t like anything, we could change it.”

  “Now, I like the sound of “we”.”

  She punched him playfully. “Here we go. I looked up a lot of rustic décor. I love what you have there and we’re not gonna lose that. So, here,” she pointed to the first page displaying cream lacy curtains that would complement the brown walls. He stepped closer to have a better look. The masculine scent that enveloped her had her heart tripping up. Her gaze jumped to his and he gave her a wide grin.