Home to Wyoming

“I did.” Jenny smiled up at him. “But we didn’t see Moppy this morning.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll catch her after dinner when she doesn’t think anyone is watching. Have you had breakfast yet?” Jenny shook her head. “Are you hungry?” She nodded. “Good. Then let’s go in the dining room. We could eat the three big trout I caught early this morning.”

“You did?” Jenny looked amazed.

“Do you know what a trout is?” Johnny asked her.

“Yes, it’s fish.”

Alex was glad her granddaughter could hold her own on something. Mirth filled Buck’s green eyes as he lifted them to Alex, bringing on an unexpected rush of adrenaline. What on earth was wrong with her? “How about you?”

“One medium trout sounds delicious.”

His low chuckle traveled to her insides. “I caught a couple of those, too.” He turned to Carson. “Are you going to join us?”

“I’m afraid I’ve got a meeting with the stockmen, but I’ll try to catch up with you at the barn later in the day.” Alex remembered reading that the dude ranch was also a cattle ranch. These men led busy lives. He hugged Johnny again. “Have you got a pony picked out for Jenny yet?”

He whispered to his father. Carson nodded. “Good choice.”

“Hey, Dad? Jenny wants to know what Teton means.”

Suddenly both men broke out in wide grins. “I’ll leave that to your mom to explain. Got to run.”

“Coward,” Tracy said to her husband with a grin as he kissed her. “Come on, everyone. We need to eat breakfast while we still can.”

The five of them walked through the great room with its floor-to-ceiling fireplace and entered the main dining room. Wagon-wheel chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Alex saw several families seated with older teenagers. Only one table was empty. All of them were covered in red-and-white-checked cloths with white daisies forming the centerpieces. Alex loved the decor.

Once they were seated and had been served their orders, Buck looked at Alex and Jenny. “Last night you were too tired for me to tell you much about the ranch. Carson Lundgren’s great-great-grandfather purchased this land in 1908 and turned it into the Teton Valley Ranch where they ran cattle and we still do, today.

“His grandparents raised him and he became a rodeo champion known as ‘King of the Cowboys.’ Since I went into business with him and Ross Livingston, we’ve also begun operating the ranch as a dude ranch for tourists who make reservations with us and are paying guests. But once a month we use part of the money to invite one war widow and her children to stay with us. You two are our honored guests for this week and have access to all the facilities free of charge.”

“We’re thrilled to be here,” Alex exclaimed. “Jenny and I read the brochure. You offer so many activities we can’t believe it. I think it would be impossible to do them all.”

He chuckled. “Most everyone wants to try horseback riding, so you’ll probably want to invest in some Western gear. We also offer fishing. If you want to go down the Snake River in a raft or a kayak, we’ll take you. Some people want to do mountain climbing or go hiking.

“We also have a swimming pool off the games room on the other side of the dining room. Ping-Pong, cards, television—it’s all at your disposal. We plan pack trips to the lake for overnight campouts and there are hot-air-balloon rides you can enjoy over Jackson Hole. You can also attend the Jackson Rodeo if that appeals to you. If you need a car, we’ll provide you with one so you can go into town to shop, see a movie or try out one of the restaurants.

“Housekeeping makes up your cabins and supplies you with laundry service. Just put what needs washing or cleaning in the laundry bag under the sink and leave it on the peg of the door. It’ll be returned to you later in the day.

“As the brochure explained, this is also a cattle ranch with a foreman and stockmen. They work up on the mountain with the cattle. If Jenny wants to see the herd, that can be arranged, too.”

Alex smiled at him. “I’m still trying to take it all in.”

“What do you think you want to do first?”

Jenny glanced at Alex. “Can we go buy me a cap gun like Johnny’s?”

Buck chuckled. “Sure we can. I’ll drive us into Jackson and we’ll get you some other stuff, too.”

“Can I go?” Johnny eyed his mother for permission.

“If it’s all right with Buck.”

“We couldn’t get along without him.”

“Be sure to mind Buck and be helpful.” Tracy gave her son a kiss and excused herself. “I’m overseeing some heavy-duty cleaning. I’ll see all of you later.”

She left and Buck finished off a second trout and hash browns with another cup of coffee. Alex was already full from her fish and biscuits. “That was delicious.”

“That’s good,” Buck said, smiling at her. “Johnny? Are you about ready to go?”

“Yep.”

“Why don’t you come and help me unload some supplies from the truck? Then we’ll pick you ladies up at your cabin in, say, half an hour.”

Alex nodded. “That sounds perfect.” She needed to phone Frank before they went into town.

Johnny slid off his chair. “See you guys soon.”

“Okay.” Jenny ate her last spoonful of cereal. “We’ll be ready.”

“Hey—you’ve got blue teeth.”

They both giggled.

Alex hadn’t heard such a happy sound come out of her granddaughter in a long time. She herself felt lighter as the four of them parted company outside and they made their way back to the cabin.

“Why didn’t Johnny’s dad tell us what Teton means?”

She remembered the way Buck’s eyes lit up and the way it made her feel—as if little sunbursts had exploded inside her. “Well, it’s only a guess, but I imagine the range got its name from the Indians and early trappers who thought those peaks reminded them of a woman. You know what I mean?”

Alex had learned early that the unvarnished truth was the only way to get her granddaughter off a subject. Euphemisms didn’t work with her.

“Oh.” Jenny’s eyes twinkled as she looked at Alex. Sometimes, she seemed older than seven. “Do you think Johnny knows?” They’d reached the cabin and went inside.

“No, or he wouldn’t have asked his father in front of everyone. One day his dad will tell him.”

In the midst of their illuminating conversation, her phone rang, interrupting a special moment. Frank. He had to be wondering why she hadn’t phoned him yet. It was because Johnny had wakened them out of a sound sleep and they’d rushed to make breakfast on time.

“Jenny? Be sure to brush your teeth.”

“I will. Nana? Will you tell Frank what we talked about last night?”

Oh, Jenny. Nothing got past her granddaughter.

* * *

JOHNNY HELPED BUCK unload some supplies at the new house Carson was having built on the property for his family down near the Snake River. So far everyone was living in the ranch house with Buck and Ross upstairs, and Carson and his family on the main floor.

Buck had been overseeing the construction. After the foundation had been poured, he’d spent the next three days on a brief vacation in Colorado Springs with his family while he waited for it to settle. He hadn’t seen his parents since March. Now it was back to work.

He talked with the construction workers who’d already started the framing. When everything appeared under control, he shoved his cowboy hat back on his head and turned to Johnny. “Come on. Let’s go get the girls.” They walked back to the truck and climbed in.

“Jenny’s nana isn’t a girl.”

“You’re right, but she doesn’t look like any grandma I ever met.”

“I know. My Grandma Baretta looks a lot, lot older.”

Buck was having a devil of a time coming to grips with that fact. He started the engine and they took off.

“Hey—can we go to town in the Jeep? It’s more fun.”

“Sure.”

“Will you take the top off?”

“Why not.” According to the weather forecast, they wouldn’t have to worry about rain for at least three or four days. Buck drove them to the parking area at the side of the ranch house and they got in the Jeep. But before they went anywhere, he had to remove the soft top at the garage south of the house.

Once that was accomplished, they set out for the Forrester cabin. The second they pulled up in front, Johnny threw open the door. “I’ll get them.”

“You do that.” The less involvement he had with Alex Forrester, the better. After they got back from town, he’d turn them over to Carson for the horseback-riding lesson while he helped with the framing. Ross could take them fishing in the morning. A good rotational plan was called for if he wanted to survive this week with his emotions intact.

He didn’t have to wait long for their guests. The ladies came right out. Correction, Jenny practically flew down the steps, her blond ponytail swaying back and forth. “I’ve never ridden in a Jeep before!”

“It’s cool!” Johnny raced after her. “Can we sit in back, Uncle Buck?”

“Uncle—”

“He’s not really my uncle. Neither is Ross. But Daddy told me I could call them that if I wanted.”

“You must love them a lot.”

“I love them as much as my uncles in Cleveland, but don’t tell my mom I told you that.”

The things Johnny said got to Buck’s heart. More and more, he found himself wanting to be a father. “Ross and I love you, too. Now, make sure your seat belts are fastened.”

“We will,” they said in unison.

Buck stepped down and walked around to help Alex in the front passenger seat. She was wearing a crewneck sweater in a sage-green color with khaki pleated trousers. Although her legs were covered today, the length of them combined with her womanly hips and generous curves made nonsense of his intentions to remain indifferent.

Her fragrance put him in mind of a vale of spring wildflowers, adding to the assault on his senses. Damn. Frank had more than one reason to wish the two of them hadn’t come on this trip. Buck knew he wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

“Thank you,” she said as he shut the door.

He nodded and took his place behind the wheel. “Before we leave, did anyone forget anything? Now is the time to speak up.”

Alex glanced at him with a mysterious smile. “Or forever hold our peace?”

Buck could feel himself falling into those eyes that looked like impossibly dark blue pools. “Something like that,” he murmured.

“Thanks, Buck, for taking us into town,” she said. “You’ve been so wonderful to us and this is such a beautiful day. I can’t believe there was ever a storm last night. It’s getting hot already.”

“It’s always that way here in the mountains.”

“Yep,” Johnny piped up from the back as they drove off. He had big ears. As usual, he was multitasking and could take in every word the grown-ups had to say, while maintaining a conversation with his new friend. “Hey, Jenny? Do you want to go swimming later?”

“Yes. I love swimming.”

Buck smiled to himself. “You mean, after you’ve shown her your pony?”

“Yeah. I think she should ride Mitzi. Have you ever been riding?”

“Yes.”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s okay, but the horses are so big. Frank’s friend owns horses and he’s taken us a lot of times.”

“Oh. Who’s Frank?”

“Nana’s boyfriend.”

“I didn’t know grandmas had boyfriends.”

Buck burst into laughter. He couldn’t help it. Thankfully, Alex joined him.

Buck heard whispering coming from the backseat. Alex turned her head. “Jenny? It’s not polite to whisper in front of other people.”

“I’m sorry.”

Johnny had always amused Buck, but he couldn’t remember ever being this entertained before. He turned onto the highway leading into the town of Jackson. The place was crowded with every kind of four-wheel-drive vehicle loaded up with kayaks, bikes and rafts. After he made a left down one of the streets, they passed a movie theater.

“Hey—” Johnny cried out. “Can we go see that after we get her a cap gun?”

“Could we, Nana? See The Big Blue Macaw? It’s that show about those birds from Brazil! My teacher said we should go.”

“Sweetheart, we came to a dude ranch. Buck has more exciting things for us to do than watch a movie.”

“Actually I haven’t been to see a movie in a theater in years. It sounds fun.”

“Yippee!” Johnny exclaimed.

“Mandy says it’s really good.”

“Who’s Mandy?”

“One of my friends from school. But we’ve been off track for a week and I haven’t seen her. I have to go back to school after our trip.”

“My school doesn’t start for another month.”

“You’re lucky.”

Alex shot Buck a glance. “Do you think the theater would even be open this time of day?”

He nodded. “They have matinees. You’d be surprised how many guests at the dude ranch take in a show while they’re in town. When you’re on vacation, you should be able to do whatever you want.” For the moment, this was exactly what Buck wanted to do.

One more corner and they came to the Boot Corral. He shut off the engine and they all climbed out. Johnny led the way inside the store. The college-aged girl at the counter broke into a smile when she saw Buck. “Hello again, you guys.”

“Hi,” Johnny greeted her. Buck followed suit.

The brunette was cute and flirted with him every time he came in, but there was no chemistry and she was too young for him. “Today we need a cap gun, a holster and enough ammo to last a week.”

“It’s for Jenny,” Johnny explained.

“I see. Well, let’s get her outfitted. Is there anything else you need while I’m at it?”

“Do you have any cowboy boots?” Johnny asked Jenny.

“No.”

“Then she needs boots and a hat!” Johnny was starting to sound more like Carson every day.

“Could I have a white one?”

“I think there’s one your size.”

“Maybe I’ll get some cowboy boots, too,” Alex spoke up.

Buck had been on the verge of suggesting it.

“Great. Come on and follow me to the other end of the store.”

Before long, they’d bought everything they needed. Buck enjoyed sitting back while he watched Alex try on several different kinds of boots. With those legs...

When all the decisions had been made, he threw in a white hat for her. “Now you and Jenny will be the good guy twins.”

After flashing him a smile that lit her eyes, she walked to the front desk and pulled out her credit card.

“Sorry.” Buck picked it up and handed it back to her. He felt her warmth when their hands brushed in the process. “These purchases are compliments of the ranch. They go with the territory.”

She shook her head. “I don’t feel right about it.”

“Too bad, because that’s the way it is.” He turned to the clerk. “Put it on my bill.”

“You bet.”

“Would it be all right if we leave the bags here? We’ll come back for them a little later.”

“No problem. I’ll leave them behind the counter.”

“Thank you.” Excited for what was to follow, Buck left his cowboy hat with their purchases and walked the four of them out to the Jeep. When he’d flown into Jackson last evening anticipating the Forresters’ arrival, he couldn’t have imagined this happy scene or a woman like Alex. Although Frank was waiting in the background, Buck refused to think about that right now.

Chapter Three

Alex had noticed the way the clerk who’d waited on them only had eyes for Buck. That didn’t surprise her. There were a lot of guys walking around the store and out on the streets, but none of them had captured Alex’s attention, either.

And although he was nice to the attractive girl who’d looked to be in her early twenties, he didn’t give off any signals that he was interested. If Alex had been that clerk, it would have been disappointing not to make any headway with him. A man with his appeal and charisma didn’t come along often.

Alex couldn’t remember the last time she’d found a younger man so attractive. In fact, it frustrated her that he’d been on her mind this much since their arrival in Jackson.

After Christy was born, Alex had lived with her parents and had gotten a job so she could afford day care for her baby. Later on, when Christy started kindergarten, Alex went to college on student loans at night and worked during the day while still living at home.

Once she’d graduated with a degree in finance, she started a new job at a bank near her parents’ house and eventually earned enough money to move into an apartment with Christy. Over those years, she’d dedicated herself to her child and her work. She’d gone out on the occasional date, but getting married hadn’t been her focus.

Her teenage love affair resulting in a child had changed her life and priorities. She’d worked so hard at everything and was so grateful for her parents’ help that her mind hadn’t been on guys. To her chagrin, her teenage daughter fell in love at seventeen, too. Since she and Daniel wanted to get married, Alex gave her permission. It was a good thing because they had a baby right away and Alex helped them all she could so they’d have a stable home. Soon after Jenny came along, Daniel joined the marines.

It was about the same time that Frank lost his wife. While Alex commiserated with him at work, their friendship grew. Then came double tragedy. Alex lived to console her granddaughter and give her the life she deserved. Frank was there to talk to and filled a huge void in her life.

In time, she fell in love with him and was thrilled when he proposed. To have a wonderful, constant man in her life and Jenny’s meant everything. But when she’d broached the idea of marriage with Jenny, it hadn’t gone as she’d hoped.

Her granddaughter’s feelings seemed all mixed up inside. Some days she was angry and threw her Lego bricks all over her room. Other times, Alex found her by the window in her bedroom after school, so lonely and quiet it pierced her heart. Last week, she’d talked constantly about her daddy and cried because he and her mommy were gone.

The invitation to spend an expense-free week at the dude ranch had brought the only light to Jenny’s eyes in the past year. When Frank drove them to the airport to come on this trip, Jenny had acted as if he wasn’t there. Alex was mortified over her behavior and suspected her granddaughter was glad they were getting away from him for a week. He had to have noticed, but there was nothing to be done about it.

But since their arrival in Jackson last night, Jenny had been acting like a normal girl again. Alex had a hunch Buck’s entry into their lives had something to do with Jenny’s lighter spirits. The man sure knew how to make everything exciting.

Frank wasn’t exciting in the same way to Jenny, because he was older. Of course, it wasn’t only that. Frank had a completely different personality. But the aspects Alex loved about him didn’t do it for Jenny. He was too set in his ways for her and not spontaneous enough.

Buck, on the other hand, appeared ready to do anything and delighted the kids by getting them hot dogs and popcorn to eat during the movie. Alex felt like a kid herself as they entered the crowded theater with their food. Johnny spotted four seats together three-fourths of the way back and urged Jenny to follow him. Alex and Buck joined them. The film had a clever story and some catchy music. But as much as Alex enjoyed it, she was far too aware of the man seated on her left to be able to concentrate fully.

He smelled good and looked fantastic. Buck Summerhayes was a man in his prime who was plagued by a cough he’d inherited from the war. Like her son-in-law, Daniel, he’d done something exceptional with his life by fighting for his country. He and his friends were still doing something exceptional in their own way by making this trip possible for her and Jenny.

Her eyes smarted at the dedication of these men who had to keep oxygen on hand, yet didn’t let it bother them. Johnny obviously admired Buck who could be fun and kind, yet firm when necessary. Jenny had liked him right off. That never happened with strangers.

Alex couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this carefree. When she got home, she would have to write to Daniel’s commanding officer and thank him for urging her to bring Jenny on this trip.

“Are you all right?” Buck whispered.

Besides everything else, he was sensitive, too. “Yes,” she whispered back. “I was just thinking how glad I am we came. Already you’ve made my granddaughter so happy.”

“That’s Johnny’s doing.”

“I think she feels an affinity with him because they’ve both lost their fathers, but he’s had help from you and your friends. You’re all true heroes.”

After a long silence, he asked, “What about you? How are you holding up? I’ve never been a parent, but I know it had to be devastating for you to lose your daughter.”

Her throat swelled. “I wouldn’t have made it if I didn’t have Jenny to raise. She gives me a reason to get up every morning.”

“For what it’s worth, your devotion to her is heroic. Carson’s grandfather raised him after his parents died. I see how he turned out and can only marvel over the older man’s ability to be there for Carson in every way. He left this ranch to him. It’s now Carson’s goal to make the ranch successful and pay back the man who was a hero, just like you.”

Tears escaped her closed lids. She wiped them away. “Don’t praise me. My work has barely begun.”

“That’s what I’m talking about.” His deep tone flowed through her. “You’ll be there for her all your life. After what you’ve had to endure, I admire you more than you know.”

“Thank you.”

Deeply touched, she remained silent for the rest of the film. When it was over, they left and drove to the Boot Corral for their packages. On the way back to the ranch, Jenny got out her new gun. Johnny showed her how to fill the cartridge with a roll of caps. Pretty soon they were both firing their weapons at imaginary bad guys.

The noise didn’t seem to bother Buck. Frank would have asked them to stop until they got home. He was so different from Buck, who seemed to say and do all the right things around Jenny. But it wasn’t fair to compare them. Frank was probably twenty years Buck’s senior.

He drove them to her cabin, and then looked over his shoulder at the kids. “What do you want to do now?”

“Play cowboys!” Jenny spoke up. She and Johnny scrambled out of the back and ran around the side of the cabin, whooping it up.

Buck’s lips twitched, mesmerizing Alex. “I thought he wanted to go riding, but those cap guns are a strong draw.”

“Jenny’s never had one. The novelty will wear off, but I’m just glad she’s having a great time with Johnny. Since I know your work is never done here on the ranch, why don’t you go and do what needs doing. I’ll watch both of them and walk Johnny back to the ranch house later.”

From beneath the rim of his Stetson, he gazed at her through shuttered eyes. Jenny had been correct about their color. In the sunlight they were the shade of new spring grass. “You’re right about the never-ending work, but my main responsibility is to take care of you this week. Behind the scenes, we’ve nicknamed this place the Daddy Dude Ranch for obvious reasons.”

And they did the daddy part better than she could have imagined. “Then I’ll relieve you of that awesome responsibility for a little while, because you deserve some rest.”

“Well, thank you, ma’am,” he drawled. His eyes seemed to focus on her mouth. “In that case, why don’t I come inside with you? While you put the things you bought away, I’ll make us some instant coffee. I could do with a cup.”

Alex’s heart thumped. This was something she knew she should avoid, but after all he’d done for them, she didn’t dare offend him. “Well...I won’t say no to that.”

As they went inside with her packages, the feeling grew stronger that she’d just been on a date with him, and now they were coming home to spend the rest of the evening together. She had to remember this was the middle of the afternoon and it wasn’t a date!

For one thing, he was probably ten years younger than she was, despite his maturity. For another, in the absence of Jenny’s father, it was Buck’s job to make certain this turned into a real vacation for her granddaughter, nothing more. She wished to heaven she could see it that way, but he’d managed to get under her skin. The only way to get him out was to leave Wyoming, but she and Jenny had only just arrived.