Читать книгу Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch - Patricia Thayer - Страница 9

CHAPTER THREE

GARRETT WAS BOTH relieved and surprised to find Brody standing beside Josie. His son didn’t usually approach strangers.

He looked down at the boy. “Son, you know you can’t leave like that.”

Brody stiffened. “I was careful,” he said defensively, but that changed when Vance walked up to the group. “You sure have a lot of horses here.”

“We hope to have a lot more in the spring,” Vance said. “So we can keep selling them to other kids.” He looked at Josie. “Josie. What brings you out here?”

“I came to find Ana.” She looked at the boy and managed to smile. “And found Brody instead.”

That smile quickly died when she turned to Garrett. “Seems you spend a lot of time at the Lazy S. I thought you were busy building a lodge.”

So she was going to stay angry at him. “I am. My foreman has everything under control.” He placed his hands on Brody’s shoulders. “I was taking the morning off to spend with my son. We’re picking out his first horse.”

“I know. We were talking about Sky Rocket.” She sighed. “Look, I should get back to the house to check on Colt. It was nice to meet you, Brody.”

Vance stepped in. “Don’t go yet, Josie, I was going to show Brody the new foal.”

“Yeah, go with us,” Brody pleaded.

Garrett knew it was inevitable he’d see Josie, but today he wanted to focus on his son, not his ex-girlfriend.

He could see her indecision, but she finally relented. “I can stay a few minutes.”

Brody looked at Vance. “Where is it?”

Grinning, Vance pushed his hat back. “Down a few stalls.” They all began walking. Garrett stayed back and let Brody and Josie take the lead, but once they got to the oversize stall, the boy waited, a big grin on his face, until the adults arrived before he got too close. He saw happiness in his child that he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Garrett looked over the railing to find a dark chestnut mare. Close by was her pretty brown filly with four white socks just like her mama.

“Oh, she’s so little,” Brody said as he looked through the stall railings. “How old is she?”

Vance walked up and began to stroke the mare’s nose. “Just two weeks.”

Josie asked Vance, “Do you think the mama will let us pet her?”

Garrett enjoyed seeing the light in her eyes, the excitement in her voice. It had been a long time since he’d seen this carefree side of Josie.

“Sure. Sugar Plum is a sweetheart.” He opened the gate, went inside and nudged the mare back and stood in front of her so the group could see the long-legged filly.

“So what do you think of her, Brody?” Vance asked.

Garrett knelt down away from the new mother, then reached out a hand to coax the filly, turning to Brody. “Come here, son.”

The boy walked inside the stall and mimicked his dad. “She’s so little.”

His son seemed to have no fear of animals as he reached out his hand to the foal. Surprisingly, the horse sniffed it and allowed the boy to touch her. Brody grinned. “She likes me. Josie, she likes me.”

Josie moved in next to Brody. “Animals are trusting as long as you don’t hurt them.”

Garrett couldn’t take his eyes off the exchange between his son and the foal, also between Josie and Brody. He felt a tightening in his chest. Josie always had an easy way, a knack to make people feel comfortable.

Josie stood up and let Brody interact with the foal. There was a bond growing already. She glanced at Garrett, seeing the love and protectiveness he had for his child. She felt tears welling in her eyes as she thought about past regrets. What could have been if only... She quickly blinked them away.

“Hey, Brody,” Vance said. “Can you think of a name for our filly?”

The child shrugged. “I don’t know any names for a horse.”

Josie saw the boy begin to withdraw. “Maybe,” she suggested, “’cause her mom’s name is Sugar Plum, you can call her ‘Sweet’ something.” She shrugged. “You know, like Sweet Pea. Sweet Georgia Brown. Sweet Caroline. Sweetheart. Sweet Potato.”

“Sweet potato?” Brody giggled. “That’s a silly name.”

“Well, come up with something better,” she told him.

The child continued to stroke the animal. “How about Sweet as Sugar,” he said. “My mom used to say that to me when I was little.” His voice faded out. “Before she died.”

Oh, God. Josie’s heart nearly stopped as she shot a look at Garrett. He didn’t make eye contact with her. His gaze stayed on his child as he went to the boy. “I think your mom would really like that name.”

Vance spoke up. “I think that’s a perfect name. It’s got her mother’s name in it, too. We’ll call her Sweetie for short. How do you like that, Sugar?” The horse whinnied and bobbed her head.

Brody flashed a big grin and his green eyes sparkled.

Josie felt a tug at her heart. “Yeah. That’s a good name. Sweetie.”

Vance patted the mare’s neck as he winked at Josie. “Thank you. Good idea.”

“Anytime, soon-to-be brother-in-law.” She smiled and glanced at Garrett. He was watching her, and she felt the familiar feelings, that warm shiver as his gaze locked on hers. She hated that he still had an effect on her, but she refused to let him see it. “I should get back to the house and Colt.”

“We all need to leave,” Garrett said. “The mama has been patient long enough with her visitors.”

Brody stood up. “Bye, Sweetie. Bye, Sugar.”

After the stall gate closed, Josie turned to the child. “It was nice to meet you, Brody.”

“Nice meeting you, Josie,” the boy said, then when she started to walk out, he asked shyly, “Will I see you again?”

She was caught off guard. “Oh, probably. We’re neighbors. And your dad is building a lodge for us.”

“I know. My dad builds a lot of stuff.”

She smiled, trying desperately to get away. “Enjoy your new horse.” She stole a look at Garrett. “Goodbye.” She tried not to run out of the barn, not that her sore ankle would allow it anyway.

Twenty-four hours home, and this man had been everywhere she turned. She knew one thing. She needed to get out of Montana as soon as possible.

She didn’t need Garrett Temple messing up her life...again.

* * *

An hour later, Josie sat at the desk in her father’s office talking on the phone with Tori. “How did the meeting go with Reed Corp?” she asked her sister, who’d pretty much taken over Josie’s event business while she was here.

“It went well. They were disappointed that you weren’t at the presentation. I think Jason Reed has a thing for you.”

Josie shook her head. “He also has a wife and two kids.” The short, balding fortysomething man liked all women. “I don’t share well, remember?”

She glanced around Colt’s private domain as she listened to her sister. The den walls were done in a dark wood paneling, and against one of those walls was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with books, old rodeo buckles and trophies along with blue ribbons for Lazy S’s award-winning cattle and horses.

The furniture was worn leather and the carpet needed to be replaced. How long had the ranch finances been bad?

Tori’s laughter came over the speakerphone. “That’s right, you were pretty stingy when we were growing up, not sharing your dolls or your boyfriend. Speaking of which, how is Garrett?”

Josie froze. Why did everything come back to that man? “How would I know?”

“Because Ana said you’ve been spending time with him.”

“That’s not by choice.”

“So how does he look? Please tell me he’s gotten fat and gone bald.”

Josie had only confided in her twin what really happened the day Garrett confessed that he’d planned to marry another woman. Later she’d learned he’d gotten her pregnant. “No, he pretty much looks the same.”

“Ana also told me that he’s moved back to the Temple Ranch with his son.” Tori paused. “If you want, Josie, you can come back to L.A., and I’ll take your place.”

“No, I can’t keep running away from my past. We both decided that we’d help Ana and Vance. Besides, I want to find out if Colt’s new attitude toward his daughters is for real.”

“You have doubts?”

Josie wasn’t sure, still leery of the man’s sudden change of heart. “He’s nothing like the man we remember, Tori. He actually talked to me this morning at breakfast. Since the man had pretty much ignored us when we were growing up, I’m not sure how to handle the new Colt Slater.”

Tori joined in. “Like I said, we can change places if you want to come back here.”

Josie was a little worried. Why was Tori so eager to come to Montana? “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

“No, I’ve just been working a lot of hours.”

“You’re being careful, aren’t you? Have you heard from Dane again?”

“No.”

Tori’s ex-boyfriend, Dane Buckley, had abused her. Josie shivered, recalling the night her sister had showed up on her doorstep with the bruises and busted lip. When she wanted to call the police, Tori begged her not to, not wanting anyone to know. They’d settled on getting a restraining order.

“You need to call Detective Brandon if Dane comes anywhere near you.”

She heard the hesitation. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“It’s just a feeling... Dane’s around. I saw a car like his down the street by the town house.”

Josie leaned her arms on the deck, fighting her anger. “Then tell that to the detective. He can check around to make sure you’re safe. That’s their job.”

“Okay, I will.”

“No, I mean it, Tori. You don’t want to take any chances with that jerk.”

Josie looked up and saw Garrett standing in the doorway. She quickly picked up the receiver, taking the phone off speaker. “Just listen to me about this. Please, promise me.”

She heard the exaggerated sigh. “I said I would. Right after I hang up I’ll call Detective Brandon.”

“Good. I better go, but could you send your samples for the lodge’s website design?”

“Sure. Bye, Josie.”

“Bye, Tori.” She hung up the phone and looked across the room at the man who seemed to be everywhere she was. “Is there a problem, Garrett?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing,” he said. “Is Tori all right?”

Josie shrugged. “She’s fine.”

Garrett walked to the desk. “Look, Josie, if someone is stalking your sister, it’s serious. Maybe I can help.”

Josie didn’t want to talk to Garrett about this, or anything else. “Thank you, but we have it under control.”

Garrett watched for a moment, and then finally nodded. “Okay, but the offer stands.”

“Fine. So what brings you here?”

“I just got a call from my foreman from the lodge. He has questions about the bathroom locations.”

Josie shook her head. “I have nothing to do with that. You need to ask Ana.”

“I would, but Ana’s not available. She’s tied up in meetings all day and can’t get away. If you want to keep this project on schedule, the rough plumbing problems need to get resolved before any walls go up.”

“Fine. The last thing I want is any delays.” She stood. She found she was excited about getting involved in the project. She’d always been a natural-born organizer. She just didn’t want to spend any time with Garrett. “How soon do you need me there?”

“Right now. I can drive you out, but Brody will be going with us. Then I can come back here to trailer his horse.”

Josie hated the idea, but what choice did she have? “Okay.” She grabbed her jacket off the back of the chair. She headed out, but Garrett’s voice stopped her.

“Brody’s in the kitchen. Kathleen is feeding him some lunch.”

Josie felt her own stomach protest from lack of food. “That’s not a bad idea. I could use some nourishment.”

They walked down the hall to the bright kitchen and heard laughter. At the big table sat Brody and her father. Kathleen was at the stove stirring a pot of soup. “Sit down, you two,” the housekeeper said. “And I’ll fix you something to eat.”

Colt looked up at them, as did the boy. Both smiled mischievously.

“Hey, Dad, did you know that Colt used to be a World Saddle Bronc champion?”

Garrett nodded. Who would have thought, gruff, strictly business Colton Slater could make his son smile?

“I might have heard it somewhere.” He nodded at the older man across from his son. “Hello, Colt. How are you doing these days?”

Colt looked at Josie. “Not bad. T...two of my daughters are home.”

“Colt’s learning to talk again,” Brody explained. “’Cause he had a stroke. But he’s getting better.”

Garrett sat down at the table. “That’s good news.” He looked at Colt. “Did Brody tell you we just bought one of your horses?”

“Yeah, Sky Rocket,” Brody said. “I’m going to learn to ride him really fast.”

Colt frowned. “I’m s...sure you are. But f...first you have to learn to take care of your animal so he’ll trust you.”

A confused Brody looked at his dad.

“It means when you get an animal you have to take responsibility for it. You need to feed and clean up after Rocket.”

He glanced back at Colt, his green eyes worried. “But I’m just a kid.”

Kathleen brought two more bowls of potato soup to the table. Josie reluctantly took her seat beside her father.

“You’ll learn some now, and as you get older you’ll do more,” Garrett told him. “You live on a ranch now. That means everyone does their share.”

Brody took a hearty spoonful of soup, then said, “If I do all that stuff, will you teach me how to ride a bucking bronc?”

* * *

Colt watched out the window as the threesome drove off to the lodge site. He had to admit that he’d enjoyed sharing lunch with them.

“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Kathleen said. “Too bad you didn’t get cozier with your kids a lot sooner.”

Colt turned and made his way back to the kitchen table, but didn’t say anything. Nothing to say. He’d messed up big-time when it came to his girls.

Kathleen placed two mugs filled with coffee on the table, then sat down across from him. “Looks like you’re getting another chance at being their dad. I hope you realize how lucky you are.”

Colt hated that it had taken him so many years to learn that. He thought about his girls. Why had it taken him so long to realize what they meant to him? Josie was home, but so was Garrett Temple. How was she handling seeing him again? He recalled how badly she’d been hurt by their breakup. Now Garrett had returned and brought his son with him. He could see being around the man bothered Josie, in more ways than he knew his daughter would ever admit.

“Did you see Josie with Garrett?”

Kathleen set down her mug. “That girl has a lot of you in her. If Garrett comes sniffing around again, I doubt she’s going to make it easy for him.” She shook her head. “Of course that little boy has to come first. From what I hear from Della, Brody’s had a rough few years with the divorce and lately with his mother’s death.”

Colt nodded. “A horse would be good for him.”

Kathleen smiled. “And maybe some time with you. He sure didn’t have any trouble talking with you.”

Colt would always regret that he never took time to console his own daughters. He couldn’t get past his own anger. “Sometimes it’s easier with strangers.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later, Josie sat in the front seat as Garrett pulled his truck into his makeshift parking area at the site. He pulled his hard hat off the dashboard, then reached in the back and found one for Brody, then another for Josie.

“Keep these on for your safety,” he told them both.

“Good idea,” Josie said and put it on. “Let’s go check out this place.” She climbed out as Garrett opened the back door and helped Brody out.

Even though the circumstances weren’t ideal, she was eager to see the lodge. She pulled her coat together against the chill and waited for Brody and Garrett to catch up to her.

Together, they walked across the wet ground to the sheets of plywood covering the mud caused by last night’s rain.

They reached the front door. Well, it was where the door was going to be. This was still a two-story log cabin shell. The outside logs were up, along with the roof, but not much more. She inhaled the scent of fresh-cut wood as they walked through the wide doorway into what would be the main meeting room. More like an open area with high ceilings of tongue-and-groove oak.

Josie glanced around at the huge picture windows that overlooked the river. Drawn to the beautiful scenery, she walked over. This was a perfect spot. In her head, she was already figuring out different events that could be held here.

The first was the Slater/Rivers wedding right in front of these windows. She began to visualize the number of chairs that the room could handle, leaving room for an aisle. She turned to the men working on the floor-to-ceiling fireplace made out of river rock. It took her breath away.

“How do you like it so far?”

She swung around to see Garrett and Brody. She couldn’t help but smile. “It’s really nice. In fact, it’s better than I thought possible. There’s a lot we can do with this space. Are the floors going to be hardwood?”

When Garrett nodded, she looked toward the roughed-in stairs to the second floor. It was going to be left open, a mezzanine level for the bedrooms upstairs. She hated that anglers would be using it. She could really promote this for high-dollar functions.

“Okay, I see your mind working,” Garrett said. “Tell me what it is.”

Josie turned toward him. “It would be nice if we didn’t have to use it for anglers.”

Garrett arched an eyebrow. “Before we open to the public there’s going to be a wedding here.”

She tensed, recalling when she was planning her own wedding, until her groom betrayed her.

She wiped the picture from her mind. “I know. I’ll go over those details with Ana.” She released a breath. “Okay, where are these bathrooms that need my attention?”

He glanced around. “I need to find Jerry.”

When Garrett went off to find the foreman, Josie realized she had to find a way to get over her resentment toward him. It would be the only way this project would get completed.

Her cell phone rang and she reached inside her purse to answer it. “Hello.”

“Josie, it’s Ana.”

“Hey, Ana. Are you planning to come out to the site?”

“No. I’m at the house, but we need to discuss the lodge.”

“What about it?” she asked, and walked away from the group.

“I found out today that I’m going to a teacher’s conference in Helena,” Ana told her. “The school principal is sick and he asked me to take his place. I have to go out of town for three days.”

Three days. She looked at Garrett talking with the foreman. “You’re leaving me here alone?”

Ana paused. “I’m not doing this on purpose, Josie. It’s only for a few days. Since you helped with the building plans, I figured this should be easy.”

Josie glanced across the room. She was going to have to spend more time with Garrett. Hadn’t she already been doing that over the past twenty-four hours?

“Come on, I’ve seen you organize and delegate,” Ana said. “This will be easy.”

What could she say? “Okay, have a safe trip. But expect a lot of phone calls, because I’m still going to need your help.”

“You’ve got Garrett.”

That was what she was afraid of. Already her stomach began to hurt. She said goodbye and hung up as Garrett walked over.

“Is there something wrong?” he asked.

“Ana has to go out of town. Looks like you’re stuck working with me.”

A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. “I can handle it, but can you?”

She wanted to wipe that smile off his face. “This is business. I can handle it with ease.” Garrett Temple, the man, she wasn’t so sure.