Chapter Six

Madison dug her fingers into the airplane’s tiny armrests. “The seatbelt sign lit up five minutes ago. Didn’t you hear the announcement?”

Eric set his magazine in his lap. “Relax. Seriously, you’re going to break the plastic off those things.”

She tried to unstick her fingers from their death hold, but they refused. If anything, her knuckles grew whiter. The captain’s voice came over the speaker, reporting their descent and expected landing time, and a strong temptation to cover her face until then might have won out if Eric hadn’t already razzed her for not taking her belt off even once.

The small plane had two seats on one side with a single seat on the other and handled turbulence like the rickety Rocket Ride at the traveling fair her father used to take her to as a kid.

“Be a decent person and distract me with some good news? After you buckle.”

He clicked his belt in place with an exaggerated sigh. “Let’s see, Camille’s supposed to look over the restaurant contract this weekend. We’ll have to celebrate on Monday when she returns it. Sarah can bring her famous indoor s’mores.”

She laughed as he patted his stomach, but when the plane bumped again, her eyes clamped shut.

“Here.”

The callouses he’d earned from working on getting the La Jolla shop ready were rough against her skin as he rubbed his hands back and forth over hers.

“Um, thanks.” Madison peeked at him sideways as the almost intimate touch crowded her stomach with distressed spikes. Pulling her hand from his grasp, she tucked her hair behind one ear, hoping the unease in her voice passed for plane jitters and not confusion from his touch. “I hope Jase likes my ideas.”

“He’d better.”

A weak laugh made it past her tight throat.

“Cutter’s an idiot if he doesn’t recognize your skills.” He looked like he wanted to say more, but his lips stayed pressed together.

“Did you know Jase was from Idaho?”

He twisted a loose string on the hem of his shirt. “I didn’t. Did he say that’s where he’s from?”

Rolling the tension from her shoulders, she stole a glance out the window for any signs they’d be landing soon. “No, but something his assistant said made me think he did. I’m surprised none of us knew that about him.”

“Not sure what makes his life so special that we need all the little details. Just saying.”

And there was his bitterness again. She got why it was there but wished he’d hold off his judgment before condemning Jase to be a clone of his mother and father. “True. I guess I assumed Sarah, at least, would have known.”

He conceded her point with an eye roll. “Promise me something.”

“What?”

“Promise me you won’t go all gaga on him like Miss Swoonypants. Cutter probably wouldn’t hesitate to take advantage of certain situations.”

Her laughter startled the woman in front of them, and she covered her mouth, speaking low. “You’re serious?”

Eric wasn’t smiling. “You know what I mean. He didn’t get his reputation for nothing, and I can see you’re flattered by the attention. And I get it. It’s a big deal for the company, but…”

The laughter that had burst from her moments before died flat on her lips. “But what?”

Creases marred his forehead, his gaze flicking between her and his hands. “Just don’t let his flattery cloud your judgment.”

“Whoa, I’m not—”

He put a hand up. “I only mean, make sure you get a fair deal. You aren’t getting any recognition for this. The least he can do is make it worth our time.”

A distinct suspicion Eric worried about more than protecting the business unearthed that same uncomfortable feeling from before. Any other time, she’d press him for the truth, but not now. Not when his gaze lingered slightly longer with each glance lately.

The plane shuddered with a sudden dip, and she slammed her eyes shut again, a small squeak escaping her lips. Their conversation, along with her worry, drowned between the blood rushing her ears and the captain’s voice over the speaker.

When they safely touched down a few minutes later, Eric nudged her arm. She groaned at the queasy feeling in her stomach. “Is it over?”

“Yep. Unless we collide with another plane as we taxi to the terminal.”

“Not. Funny.”

They made it off the plane and got their car without much trouble, and, once on the road, her muscles relaxed. Eric played navigator as she drove, her unsettled stomach from the flight slowly fading with each mile. The fresh air coming in her open window helped.

His face was lifted toward the sun through the open passenger window, where wide pastures flowed into large hills that blurred by them. “Huh.”

“What?”

“I’ve counted about ten dirt roads that appear to lead nowhere. Except, they all have these fancy signs saying stuff like Dew Ranch and Dusty Peak Ranch. One I couldn’t make out all the way because of the big bull horns nailed to it, but there was definitely a ranch in the name. Something tells me we aren’t in Kansas anymore.” He wiggled his eyebrows. “Or maybe we are…”

Laughter sprang from deep in her throat to fill the cab of the rental car. “What did you expect?”

“Good question. I have no idea.”

She gathered the loose strands of hair that swept across her face in the breeze and tucked them behind her ear, enjoying the scenery. The farther they drove, the greener it got.

“Turn here,” he said a few miles later, pointing to a sign at a bend in the road. “It should be just up ahead.”

After about a hundred yards, a modest but intriguing lodge came into view, the structure tucked into the trees like it was made for that exact spot of land.

Eric leaned forward in his seat. “You ever stay at a B&B before?”

“Nope. But it sounds cool. And they feed you breakfast. You know, in case that wasn’t clear.” Madison parked in one of the designated spots and smiled like it was her birthday. “It’s gorgeous.”

“Meh, it’s all right.”

She stared at him. “You’re crazy.” The symmetrical yet charming building oozed enchantment. “Maybe it’s a girl thing.” Though she knew her father would like it.

Call it enchanting—no. Charming? Possibly.

Regardless, she was in love, especially with the stone foundation and wraparound deck. Each window had character as well, but the half-moon on the second level with the little walkout balcony above the front door was instantly her favorite.

The three roof peaks were white-washed, complementing the honey-colored logs making up the rest of the structure. A tall chimney rose up on each side of the exterior, the rockwork matching that of the foundation. She’d bet her favorite sketch pad the stones were original and most likely local. There was even a rope swing in the trees that edged the clearing off to the side of the house.

Beautifully perfect.

Climbing out of the car, she hurried to grab her things and was at the door before Eric started up the steps.

“Do we knock?” he asked.

“Um. I don’t know.” She searched for a sign or directions, but there was only one massive wooden door with a dogwood wreath on it.

“I still think it’s weird we’re staying here and not at a hotel.”

“Penny, Jase’s assistant, mentioned there’s some sort of convention going on and everything in town was booked.”

Taking the welcome mat literally, she twisted the handle and pushed the door open. Spices ushered them inside, and her mouth watered the exact moment her stomach growled. A heartbeat later, a tall man in blue jeans and flannel pushed through a set of swinging doors off the entry.

“You must be Miss Blakeley and Mr. Strand.” He tipped his broad cowboy hat. “I’m Dustin Henry, fillin’ in for the owner, Jo, while she picks something up in town.”

There wasn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t smile at the country in the man’s voice, and Madison grinned like a schoolgirl.

“You’re welcome to anything in the kitchen, so make yourselves at home. I guess you’re the only guests until tomorrow night, so you’ll have the place to yourselves.”

He took them on a small tour of the main level before showing them where they’d sleep the next two nights. There were four rooms total upstairs as well as a large loft. The half-moon window gifted the open space with light, and she made a mental note to ask Jo about the B&B’s designer before leaving.

A loveseat and several overstuffed chairs of different shades and styles were spread about, along with a few reading lamps. It was simple but inviting, and the high vaulted tongue-and-groove ceiling gave it an open feel. “I love it.”

“Yeah, Jo’s got herself a great place here,” Dustin said.

Again, the sweet, spicy aroma wafted up, and Eric put a hand to his stomach. “Okay, please tell me she still has some of whatever it is that smells so amazing?”

The corners of the cowboy’s eyes creased, his deep tan complementing the light brown hair peeking out from beneath his hat. “That amazing smell is Jo’s homemade apple turnovers. And I believe she kept two just for you guys.”

“I’ve landed in heaven,” Eric said.

Eyeing everything around her, Madison couldn’t argue.

The fill-in-host nodded below to the kitchen. “I’ll set them in the oven to keep warm while you two get settled. Go ahead and help yourself when you’re ready.”

She thanked him and then followed Eric down the hall to drop their bags in their designated rooms. The low-key atmosphere of the B&B spilled over into her bedroom’s furnishings, lightening her heart. Being at the end of the hall was also a bonus, giving her not one view but two.

Through the opened windows, brisk air fluttered the thin but pressed white embroidered curtains. Thick trees beyond hinted at mysteries waiting to be explored. Too bad she had work to do. Plus, with her sense of direction, she’d get lost in less than five minutes.

On the bedside table, in a vintage milk glass vase, was a fresh arrangement of small, paper-like white flowers and… “Chili peppers?” Her lips hitched up on one side as she ran the tip of her finger over one shiny pepper. “Oh, Cisco would love you.” She laughed, pulling out her phone and snapping a picture.

Situating her stuff, Madison took one last glance around the room before joining Eric on the wraparound porch on the main level. The sky prepared to welcome dusk over the towering pines, stealing her breath.

“Good?” she asked, seeing him shove the last of his turnover into his mouth.

“Mm, hmm.”

“You better not have eaten mine.”

He swallowed and lounged back into the rust-orange Adirondack, the wood creaking beneath him. “Give me credit. I’m not a barbarian. Though, if you don’t want it…”

She pointed a finger at him. “Hands off. I’m saving mine for breakfast.”

Eric’s answering salute evoked her usual eye roll, only he missed the gesture when his attention turned to Dustin who’d rounded the corner.

“Tell me Jo’s real job is running a bakery.” The accountant patted his stomach. “One within walking distance of here?”

Dustin’s chuckle echoed through the trusses of the overhang. “Nope.” He flipped the screwdriver he held, catching the handle with ease. “The only people she bakes for are her guests. And occasionally twenty little six and seven-year-olds.”

Eric’s brows rose to perfectly frame a blank look, and she tucked the comical image away to taunt him with later.

“Her daughter teaches first grade,” the cowboy explained.

Madison covered her snort with a cough when Eric’s mouth formed a pout to rival any child’s. Dustin threw her a knowing wink before grabbing the corner of a sagging window box to tighten a screw and re-secure it in place. The flowers it held splashed of violet, crimson, and yellow, creating a happy accent to the B&B’s rustic log exterior.

“There’s a fantastic pie shop not far from here, though,” he said. “Also, if you’re into blue grass, one of my favorite local bands is playing in town tonight.” The host leaned against the wooden railing, crossing his boots at the ankle. “Or, are you here for the convention?”

She opened her mouth to respond, but Eric beat her to it.

“No, we’re here on some other business. We’ve been asked to draw up some designs for a client and flew in to see the property.”

“Cool. Is it a commercial project?”

The southern California native slouched lower in his chair, lifting an ankle over his knee. “Nope, it’s a home for one of the ranches a few miles from here.”

Madison shot him a warning look before shifting her attention to Dustin. “Do you live in town?”

“Nah. I live on a ranch myself, up that way.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder.

“I swear everyone up here must live on a ranch,” Eric said. “Do you all actually ranch something?”

She snorted. “Ranch something?”

“Dude knows what I mean.”

A deep chuckle shook the cowboy’s shoulders. “Yep, it’s a workin’ ranch. Though it’s nothing fancy. Won’t bore you with the details.”

“What, are you kidding? I'd probably find stories of mucking out stables exciting.”

Dustin tipped his hat back, full on laughing this time, and stared at Madison. “Is he for real?”

“I’m afraid so. Just nod. It’s safer,” she said, knowing it was way too late to unclaim her accountant no matter how ridiculous he got.

“Ha. Ha.” Eric glared, but the gesture was weak. “So, are all of the ranches around here legit?”

“A lot are.”

“With horse stables and cattle and all that?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Awesome.” His surfer waves fell across his forehead as he stretched his legs.

“Well, I’m gonna finish up here,” Dustin said. “It was nice to meet you folks.”

Madison watched him check and tighten the other screws on the window boxes, then she glanced back to her unusually silent companion. His eyes were closed, hands on his stomach.

“I changed my mind,” he said. “This place is great.”

“Agreed.” She shoved her fingers into her front pockets, her gaze following a trail of dust from an old pickup in the distance. Nature was the dominant sound here, not horn blasts and revved engines. Clear skies stretched between peaks that literally looked as if they rolled from east to west. Following the horizon with her gaze, she inhaled the air, letting its freshness work through each of her tight muscles.

“You have to admit, that’s funny.”

When he didn’t elaborate, she pulled her attention from the view. “What’s funny?”

“Jase Cutter knee deep in horse manure.” He barked out a laugh. “No wonder he moved to So Cal.”

Something metal thudded to the ground behind them, and both she and Eric whipped around to see Dustin fumble with the thick screwdriver as he picked it up.

“You need some help?” Eric asked but was waved down.

“Just clumsy…” The rancher-slash-cowboy rubbed a hand along his jeans, clearing his throat. “I’m sorry, did you say Jase Cutter?”

Eric didn’t seem to flinch at the glare Madison shot him, and her anger flared, but like a tightened vice, her throat constricted, leaving her words to barely escape above a whisper. “We really can’t say.”

The practical stranger took off his hat, running calloused fingers through his hair, his jaw as hard set as the foundation beneath them. “Right. Of course.” He placed his hat back on his head, tugging the brim low. “If you’ll excuse me.” His feet scraped back a step only to knock over a tin watering can, spilling water across the floor boards of the deck.

She rushed to right the can. “Here, let me help—”

“Nah, I got it. Just a klutz today, I guess. You two enjoy your stay. I’m sure Jo will take good care of ya. And please, don’t worry. I understand you need to keep your business private.” He shoved the handle end of the tool in his back pocket and stepped off the porch to disappear around the back of the house, the last two window boxes forgotten.

“Madison—”

“Please tell me this is all a nightmare.” She massaged her temples, closing her eyes.

“It’ll be fine.”

Counting to twenty seemed like the safest thing to do, so she counted to fifty.

The scratch of the Adirondack against wood as he stood broke the quiet between them. “Don’t stress about it. He doesn’t strike me as the type to stir up trouble.”

He bumped her shoulder, and she opened her eyes. “Are you hearing yourself?” She jerked her sleeves down, her hands trembling with a frustration that ran through every vein. “We weren’t asked to keep this private out of courtesy. Jase is a prospective client, one who requested us not to say anything. That means this”—she spread her hands wide—“is anything but fine.”

Eric rubbed the back of his neck. “I think you’re worrying too much. He isn’t going to say anything.”

“So, we should just dust it off? Not stress?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what we should do.”

He smiled his easy, care-free smile—the one she’d been gifted a thousand times since her father hired him, but right now, she could hardly look in his direction.

“Let’s go into town, and I’ll make it up to you. Dinner’s on me.”

“I think I’ll stay here and work. We can’t afford to mess this up any more than we probably have.” Her words held more punch than she intended, and there was no surprise his jaw flexed. Bringing him had been a risk. Only, she hadn’t realized how big of one until that moment.

Pulling the car keys from her pocket, she held them out to him, the flimsy, laminated rental tag swinging. There was a glint of remorse in his expression; though, in the fading light, it was hard to be certain.

“I screwed up. I’m sorry. I’ll talk to Cutter and explain, okay?”

She didn’t drop her hand. “No. I’ll handle it.”

He grabbed the keys and stepped off the wraparound to yank the car door open and fire up the engine.

When his taillights faded, Madison walked back into the B&B, upset and tired despite the fact any sort of bedtime was still a few hours away. She spied the empty sitting room off to the left, with its plush carpet, stone fireplace, and book-lined shelves, then remembered what Dustin had said about no other guests being expected tonight.

With Eric’s taillights long gone, she made a decision and rushed up to her room to change. If anything could chase away her stress, it was a couple of hours curled up by the fire in her comfies with her sketchpad. And with some luck, she’d come up with the perfect design to make Jase forget about her accountant’s little mess up.