Her Cowboy Reunion
She reached up and cradled his left cheek with a motherly hand. “Will you, honey?”
“Winter might be a slow time, but I’ve got a lot of repairs to make around the house and barn.”
“I understand why it’s hard for you to say no to some of these folks. Lord knows what we would’ve done without the money you brought in during those lean years. Most folks could’ve waited to get their repairs done, but they called out of the kindness of their hearts. We both know Lawrence Peabody wasn’t one of them.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” He meant it. Mike felt no obligation to the man who had taken advantage of the Burnetts’ situation.
Like most everyone in the ranching community, Mike and his family had struggled for a while. The recession had hit the whole country hard. But friends and neighbors had really stepped up, hiring him to do anything from minor repairs to remodeling work on kitchens.
Only one person had haggled him down to a ridiculously low price: Lawrence Peabody. So, no, Mike wasn’t about to do any more work for the man.
Ultimately the family and the ranch had survived, and they were doing well now. They’d increased the herd to seven hundred head, which kept him damn busy. In fact, he’d decided to talk to his dad about offering Chip full-time work. They could afford it now and still be able to hire seasonal help.
“Well, I’d better hurry back inside before Lawrence catches on that I warned you.” She started to leave, noticed her house slippers and sighed. “I’ll chase him out in a bit. We still have some packing to do.”
“No need to do anything on my account. I have no problem telling him no. What time are you leaving tomorrow?”
“Before the rooster crows. You know your father.” She took a few steps and stopped. “I’m sorry we’re leaving you here alone for Thanksgiving, Michael. I really—”
“Don’t give it another thought. The cold is getting harder on Dad. I’m glad you’re leaving now.” It seemed like the perfect time to ask if she thought they might do better living in a warmer climate. But the sad smile that lifted the corners of her mouth stopped him.
“You should come to Florida for Christmas. Your sister and the kids miss you. Little Jared is getting so big, you won’t believe it when you see him.”
“Well, I’ve got fences to mend before I can even get to the house repairs—”
“It’s not fair, son.” She blinked, tears bringing a sheen to her eyes. “So much of the burden has rested on your shoulders. But I don’t know what to do about it.”
“Come on, Mom.” He put an arm around her, aware that he’d just gotten his answer. “I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else but right here. I love ranching, you know that.”
“Good thing. I’m just plain too old to have more sons,” she said with that wry sense of humor they shared.
Mike laughed. “Look, about Florida, we’ll see. I just might surprise you.”
“Better yet, I wish you’d find a girl,” she said. “A nice young woman who understands what it means to live on a ranch and work outside come rain or shine.” She squinted at him. “Oh, don’t you give me that look. I know you want that, too.”
He didn’t bother to deny it. Now that things had settled back to normal and he could actually make a decent living, he figured it was time to find the right woman. Didn’t mean he’d hold his breath, though.
Chapter Two
The Full Moon Saloon looked like the place to be. Only seven thirty on a weeknight and it was hopping. Mostly locals, from what Savannah could tell as she and Ron searched for a table.
Nina was already sitting at the bar and being chatted up by a cowboy. She didn’t look too put out by the attention, or by the loud jukebox blaring country music several feet from her. Though if it drowned Ron out, Savannah wouldn’t complain. They’d been in town only one day, and she’d had it with him. Maybe it was time for them to have a big public argument so she could call off the engagement. Send him back to Denver without anyone at the motel getting too nosy.
Just thinking of the possibility was enough to cheer her up. In fact, she’d misjudged the scope of the job. They’d never had a small town client before, and it really didn’t require three people. He’d claimed he wanted a shorter assignment. Maybe she could find a way to justify sending him back early.
The place hadn’t grown much. To an isolated teenage girl, Blackfoot Falls had seemed much bigger and more exciting. And maybe it had shone a little brighter years ago. But so many shops on Main Street had closed during the economic crunch. The mayor wanted to give reluctant would-be shop owners a little boost, convince them it was time to take another chance.
“Check it out,” Ron said, nodding at the stage and dance floor. “I wonder if they do the hokey pokey here. I bet they give lessons.”
“Don’t be an ass,” she muttered and then hurried to a table that had just been vacated.
She took the seat that gave her a good view of the bar and then kicked the leg of the other chair so Ron wouldn’t sit too close to her. Of course, he just dragged it closer.
“Sit across from me,” she said, just as the waitress squeezed through behind him. “You’re in the way.”
“We’re supposed to be engaged.”
Savannah glared at him, even though the woman probably hadn’t paid any attention at all. “You need to watch it.”
“Oh, I am.” Grinning, he slid his arm along the back of her chair. “I like that blouse. Did you wear it for me?”
So annoyed with him that she’d forgotten what she was wearing, she glanced down at the silky denim-like shirt. A gap offered a small peek of her pink bra. Sighing, she adjusted it, using the opportunity to dig her elbow into Ron’s ribs.
He just laughed. “Shouldn’t we be holding hands and making out or something?”
“Yeah, why don’t you try it?”
“What’s up with you, anyway?” He leaned back to look at her. “Every single woman in the office would go out with me in a minute. But not you, Miss High-and-Mighty.”
Unbelievable. “Why haven’t you gotten fired yet?” Savannah studied him. “That’s not a rhetorical question. I honestly want to know how you’ve managed to keep your job.”
“The clients love me.”
“Maybe,” she said grudgingly. “But don’t be so sure about the women in the office.”
His frown of disbelief was cut short when his phone signaled a text. Fine with her. She checked her own phone then scooted her chair several inches over and glanced around.
A few cowboys were playing pool in the back and trying to impress a group of women she guessed were from the Sundance dude ranch. She’d learned all about the place while getting a mani-pedi at the Cut and Curl earlier that day. Which was exactly what she’d hoped for. Even though she’d done her research and the mayor had given her a rundown, nothing beat the local beauty shop for getting the real feel of a town.
It had surprised Savannah that the McAllister family, who owned the Sundance, had gone the dude ranch route, since they were in the business of raising cattle. But the new venture had been wildly successful. So another ranch owner had followed their lead, while two smaller operations were thinking of opening B & Bs.
The waitress stopped at the table just as Ron put his phone away. “Sorry, folks. Hope you haven’t waited too long,” the brunette said with a friendly smile. “What can I get you?”
“Do you have champagne?”
“Oh, God, Ron, would you—” Savannah cut herself short when the woman glanced at her.
“Well, excuse me for wanting to toast my bride-to-be.” Ron shrugged, looking to the waitress for sympathy.
“Oh, that’s so sweet,” she said. “I’m sorry, we don’t have champagne. We do carry a couple of decent wines, though.”
“You’re right. That was very sweet.” Savannah forced a smile and touched Ron’s hand. “I’ll take a beer. Whatever you have on tap.”
The woman nodded and looked at Ron.
“Be right back,” Savannah said, withdrawing her hand and making a break for it before he could say anything.
She dug several bills out of her jeans pocket to get some change then leaned on the bar near the jukebox while she waited for the bartender to finish pouring a line of shots. Another hour with Ron and she was going to be ordering some of that tequila herself.
Nina was two bar stools away, still laughing it up with the long-haired cowboy. When she noticed Savannah, she said something to the guy, and he disappeared. Left his mug of beer, though, so he couldn’t have gone too far.
When Nina gave her a questioning look, Savannah realized her mistake. She’d only wanted to get away from Ron and to browse the jukebox selections. Hopefully find something that wasn’t country. But now Nina thought Savannah was trying to get her attention.
The bartender glanced over at her. “Be with you in a minute,” she called out from halfway down the bar.
“Take your time,” Savannah replied. “And I mean that with all my heart.” She smiled at Nina. “My fiancé is driving me nuts. So I’m ditching him for a while.”
“Ah.” Nina dialed down her grin. “Well, if you’re only at the engagement stage, there’s still time.”
“Don’t I wish.”
“My heart goes out to you.”
“Thanks.” Savannah laughed and peered down the row of customers sitting on the stools. Mostly cowboys in their twenties and thirties. Nobody she recognized, but she really didn’t expect to see anyone she would remember. Or who would remember her.
Earlier, at the diner, she’d bumped into an older woman who looked familiar, and that had put Savannah on edge. But it was just nerves, which she suspected had more to do with Ron and how he seemed to be shadowing her every move.
“Are you visiting?” Nina asked, just as the bartender was approaching.
Savannah nodded. “You?”
“Yep. I’m from Nebraska. On my way to Glacier National Park.”
“Traveling alone?” Savannah asked conversationally.
“Yep.”
The bartender smiled at Savannah. “What can I get you?”
“Change for the jukebox, please.”
“You got it.” She opened the register and glanced at the dollar bills Savannah laid on the counter before she started digging out quarters. “Couldn’t help overhearing,” she said. “For what it’s worth, men outnumber women two to one in this county.”
“Wow.” Nina’s eyes lit up. “Good to know.”
“Yeah, lucky you. Hey, my fiancé is pretty good-looking,” Savannah said, as the bartender dropped the coins in her palm. “I’ll trade you.”
Both women grinned.
A waitress called out, “Mallory,” and the blonde bartender gave her a nod. “You guys need anything else, let me know,” she said, slapping the bar before heading off.
“You knew that, didn’t you?” Savannah murmured. “That’s why you stuck me with Ron.”
Nina laughed. “Nope. That switch was all his idea.”
Savannah sighed. Even so, Nina should’ve cleared it with her first. “I’d better get back before he comes over and bothers me.”
She swung around and ran right into a wall of hard, solid male. Her breath left her in a whoosh, and she stumbled back against the bar with a fair amount of force.
A hand shot out to steady her. “I’m sorry, ma’am. Are you okay?”
“Fine.” She brushed the hair away from her warm cheeks. The bar had to be made of solid oak. She’d hit it at an odd angle, and it would probably leave a bruise, but she was more embarrassed than anything else.
“Did I hurt you?” He eased his grip on her arm and lowered his hand.
“It wasn’t your fault, it was mine.” She finally looked up at his face. Classically handsome. Dark hair, cut short. Dark eyes. Tall...
Oh, God. She knew him.
Mike something. His family had owned a ranch about three miles from where she’d lived in that run-down cabin. They hadn’t actually spoken...he was older, but he’d always waved when he saw her walking to the creek, where she used to hide out, anxious to get away from her parents’ endless arguments until her dad had finally left.
One time, Mike had even offered her a ride in his truck. Savannah had always had a book with her. That day, though, she’d been carrying three heavy hardbacks and enough snacks to last her a week. Just in case she had gotten brave enough to run away. It was the only time she’d seen him up close. She remembered because she’d thought he had kind eyes.
Burnett. That was his last name.
Nina touched her arm. “Are you okay?” she asked, clearly concerned.
“What?” Savannah blinked at her. “Yes, I’m fine.” Her gaze went back to Mike. “How about you?”
His mouth quirked up a little at the corners. “Right as rain.”
“Good. Okay.” She swallowed at the way he was staring at her. Didn’t mean he recognized her. He probably just thought she was some crazy woman. “Again, I’m so sorry,” she said, stepping around him and then hurrying to the table.
“What the hell was that about?” Ron asked.
“Nothing. I wasn’t paying attention and plowed into that guy.”
Ron frowned. “So why were you staring at each other?”
“I—I don’t know. I was in shock.” She touched her side, which barely hurt. “Plus I think I bruised my ribs.”
“Want me to have a look?”
“Gee, how kind of you to offer.” She turned away from his boorish grin. And sneaked another peek at Mike.
He picked up a mug of beer the bartender had just slid over to him and then carried it into the back room. Even if Savannah hadn’t seen him up close, she would’ve recognized his loose, easy stride. It was pretty amazing, the things that had stuck with her. The smell of the first day at the public school. The sound of the creek near the cabin. The way the kids had stared at her that awful day. And the kindness of her neighbor.
“Did you hear me?”
Savannah had vaguely heard him say something about Kalispell. “What about it?” she said, starting to pick up the beer the waitress had left. Only then did she realize she was still clutching the handful of quarters. “Oh, damn. I forgot to choose some songs.”
Her heart picked up speed. From here she couldn’t see Mike. But from the jukebox she’d have a great view of the back room. The thought worried her. If anything, she should be staying clear of him. Just in case...
“Come on, you don’t really want to stick around. There’s gotta be a lot more happening in Kalispell than this hick town.”
“But their mayor didn’t hire us, did he?” She should’ve lowered her voice. “You know what? You’re right.” She reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out the rental key. “Go. Have a good time. I’ll team up with Nina.”
“Ah, you’re anxious to get rid of me.” He took the keys, raising his right eyebrow at her. “So you two can pick up all the cowboys you want.”
“Don’t be an idiot.”
Ron glanced toward the back room. “We’re supposed to be the happily engaged couple,” he said, returning his arm to the back of her chair and leaning close. “What would people think?”
“Okay, I was wrong about the town and our approach. Is that what you wanted to hear? We don’t need to see how they roll out the carpet for a special occasion. This isn’t that kind of getaway. So feel free to hit Kalispell. On the company’s dime.” At this point, Savannah would gladly pay his expenses out of her own pocket. “Stay a few days, write up something that relates to Blackfoot Falls and I’ll take care of it from there.”
Ron studied her for a long, unnerving moment. “Nah, I kind of like this arrangement,” he said, tightening his arm around her.
It took all of her willpower not to react. “Maybe you should go back to Denver. I’m sure there’s another assignment better suited to your taste.”
He shook his head. “Hicksville is starting to grow on me.”
Savannah reared back when it looked as if he might try to kiss her. “Don’t you dare. And if I hear Hicksville one more time, you are going back to Denver whether you like it or not.”
His mouth curved in a cocky smile. “Don’t let that supervisor title go to your head. The only reason I haven’t moved up the chain is because I don’t want the headache.”
She wondered if he resented her promotion—the one she’d worked hard for and totally deserved. “You’re being unprofessional. I don’t care if you think this job doesn’t matter or that no one will pay attention to your snide remarks. In a place like this? Everyone knows everything, and what they aren’t quite sure of, they’ll fill in with information that will fuel the best gossip. No matter who they harm or what they—” She stopped and took a breath when she saw how oddly he was looking at her. “Anyway, we don’t need our impression tainted or our recommendations not taken seriously.”
“That’s some insight,” he said in a slightly mocking tone. “How do you know so much about it? Where are you from?”
She rolled her eyes. “Everyone knows how small towns operate.” She picked up her mug before she mouthed off again.
As she took a sip, she saw Mike emerge from the back room, his gaze sweeping the bar and briefly lingering on her before he turned away.
Her stomach did a complete somersault.
Chapter Three
Mike set his beer on the bar and smiled at the dark-haired woman sitting two stools away and eyeing him as he waited for Mallory. She didn’t look familiar, but the woman who’d bumped into him earlier sure did.
“Hey, it’s good to see you, Mike,” Mallory said as she walked up. “Sorry I couldn’t talk before. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Yep, been busy. So have you, I see.”
“Business is great. I’m only closed one day a week now. And that’s just for the sake of my sanity.”
“Glad to hear it.” Mike had gotten to know her a little when he’d done some carpentry work for her. He’d already quit doing side jobs by the time she’d moved to town, but he couldn’t say no. Frankly, had she been available, he would’ve asked her out. “Listen, the woman I almost ran over earlier, do you know her?”
Mallory glanced past him and shook her head. “I’ve never seen her before. Probably a tourist. She’s sitting with a guy, though.”
Mike smiled. “I was just curious. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place her.”
“Ah.” She stared past him again. “Well, for what it’s worth, she might be sitting with the dude, but I’m guessing she’s not thrilled about it.”
Mike choked out a laugh. “Thanks. I’ll pass.” Picking up his mug, he stepped back, remembered what happened before and checked to see if he was clear.
The woman on the bar stool smiled. “What’s going on back there?” she asked with a glance toward the pool tables. “Anything interesting?”
“Besides pool, there’s darts and a mechanical bull.”
“Sounds fun.”
He looked at Mallory, who hadn’t strayed far and was wiping the counter. “Is the bull working?”
“Should be.”
The woman laughed. “I meant the pool. The bull...not so much.”
“If you want to play, you won’t have any trouble finding someone to go up against.” He hoped that didn’t sound like a brush-off, even though it was.
“I’m waiting for someone,” she said with a small shrug. “Maybe later.”
Mallory dropped the rag as Mike turned to leave. “Want another beer to take back with you?”
“Nah,” he said, holding up the half-full mug. “This should do me. I gotta get up early tomorrow.”
“Well, don’t be a stranger. Winter should slow you down some at the ranch.”
“You’re right.” Mike fought the urge to glance over at the blonde before he disappeared into the back. It wasn’t just that she was attractive. It was driving him nuts not being able to place her. But it was also obvious she wasn’t from Blackfoot Falls or anywhere nearby. She was most definitely a city woman. So not much chance he knew her at all.
Ah, hell.
He sneaked a look.
And damned if she wasn’t looking right back at him.
Trouble was, she wasn’t just sitting with the guy. They were so close to each other a stiff breeze couldn’t slip between them. Mallory was right, though. The woman didn’t look all that happy with the setup.
He headed back to the pool tables. Chip stood in the corner chalking his cue and frowning. “I was wondering where you were,” he said. “We’re up next.”
Mike set his beer down next to Chip’s mug on the ledge then picked up his own cue. “I haven’t played in a couple of years so don’t expect much.”
“Bet you’re still better than me.” Snorting, Chip downed half his beer in one pull.
“You drink like that when you play the Circle K boys?”
Chip’s sheepish expression was his answer. “How’s your pitching arm these days?”
“My what?”
“I heard about you,” Chip said. “You played ball in high school and in college, too. I ran into Kenny Edwards at the pawnshop the other day. When I told him I was working for you, he said he used to be your high-school coach.”
“That was a long time ago.” Mike watched a lanky young guy in a camo T-shirt sink two stripes on the break. His cocky grin wasn’t doing him any favors. Another tip for Chip—don’t get cocky, especially when booze is involved.
“Kenny said you should’ve gone pro. You were that good.”
“Yeah, well, Kenny’s wrong.”
“Wait,” Chip said. “Weren’t you scouted for a farm team? I can’t see Kenny lying about something like that.”
The other table had only four balls plus the eight ball left, and the two guys from the Lone Wolf seemed evenly matched. He and Chip would be up in a couple minutes. Sooner if the guys would quit showing off for the three women cooing words of encouragement.
They had to be tourists, sipping their fancy drinks and flirting shamelessly. Mike couldn’t listen to them or talk about baseball without thinking of Ellen. He’d known his ex-wife most of his life. Or at least, he thought he had. They’d married the summer after graduating from college. Turned out, though, being married to a professional ballplayer was more important to Ellen than being married to him.
“So? Did Kenny exaggerate?”
“No,” Mike said finally. “I could’ve played for the Billings Mustangs. Just like a whole lot of other guys.” In his heart, he’d known he didn’t have what it took to play pro ball. And it wasn’t as if he didn’t like ranching. Hell, it was in his blood.
Chip’s thick brows lowered into a frown. “A lot of guys? I don’t think so.”
“They’re only a farm team.”
“Yeah, for the Cincinnati Reds. Do you know how many major-league heavy hitters came out of farm teams? Most of ’em, probably.”
“Why are you bringing this up? It’s all history. You should be watching these guys and learning a few tricks.” Mike nodded at the kid in the camo T-shirt. “He’ll need to use inside English on this shot. If he does it well, the ball will curve right into the hole.”
After the shot—perfectly executed—he realized Chip was back to staring at him.
“You know,” Chip said, a hopeful gleam in his eyes. “Sometimes the Circle K guys play softball. How about if you—”
“Not interested.” Mike shook his head.
“Why not? Those guys are all young, probably about my age. They wouldn’t know about you playing baseball back in the day.”
Mike couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, maybe you shouldn’t imply I’m old if you want a favor.”
“So, you are thinking about it?”
“Softball isn’t even the same—” Mike saw the blonde walk up to the jukebox and completely forgot what he was going to say.
* * *
SAVANNAH SCANNED THE long list of songs. She hadn’t heard of most of them, but then she’d always been horrible at remembering titles. Or even knowing what they were in the first place. And frankly, she didn’t have time to listen to music. Work managed to eat up most of the hours in her day. During her commute to and from the office, she generally listened to self-help CDs. After all, no matter how much she loved her life and career, there was always room for improvement.
“Hey.”
Startled by Nina’s voice practically in her ear, Savannah turned on her with a glare. “What are you doing? We can’t suddenly be best friends.”