Pax scrolled through past reviews on the web page for the ranch...a site that needed updating about five years ago. He’d get his web designer right on that as soon as he figured out what he wanted done.
But he needed to know what worked and didn’t work when the place was up and running, so he’d been reading these comments for the past hour while making notes and rolling ideas through his head.
The general consensus was that the property itself was perfect; many even described the place as majestic. The tall mountains around the perimeter of the town just seemed to envelop everyone and protect the tight-knit community. That was another positive mention he’d seen—the close proximity to the town for local shops and cute restaurants was a nice draw.
But Pax knew it wasn’t the setting or Willowvale Springs that caused the problems and present downfall of the ranch. From everything Mason, Kahlil, and Vaughn had said, Hank had started a quick decline when his sweet Edith had passed away. He’d stopped caring because they’d been a team. Even a man as strong and robust and take-charge as Hank had a vulnerable spot in his life, and that was his wife.
Word was after she was gone, Hank decided nothing was worth working for anymore and all of his businesses and homes started to suffer. The man lived a few years longer, but he’d been just a shell of who he used to be.
Pax regretted not returning sooner, and not being there for Hank during his time of mourning. But Pax was here now, and all he could do was move forward, not look into the past and stare down the face of remorse.
So first order of business was to get the site updated with a banner across the top about initiatives coming soon and new changes and exciting package deals. If he could get that going, it would buy some time until he had those exact details figured out.
What he needed was a team. He knew real estate and what made people comfortable and want to stay, but he could admit there were areas to running a dude ranch that were simply out of his wheelhouse.
The light tap on the office door pulled his attention toward the doorway. He fully expected to see Kira, even though she still hadn’t made up her mind to come here for the duration of her stay. He’d proposed that earlier today, but ended up leaving to come do some work and to let her think over his offer.
But Vaughn Reed, with his wildly curly hair and long, lean build, stood in the doorway.
“Bad time?” his friend asked.
“Oh, just trying to figure out how the hell to turn this place into a profit.” Pax pushed his chair back and came to his feet. “Come on in.”
“You should’ve had that done by lunch,” Vaughn laughed. “Anything I can help with?”
“I might need Allie to come in and help with freshening up the cabins and the main house and dining area,” Pax stated. “But I’m not quite there yet.”
Vaughn moved further into the room and rested his hands on the high-back leather chair. “We can do anything you need,” his friend confirmed with a nod. “Just name it.”
“‘preciate that. So, what’s up?”
“Allie and I want to invite you to our New Year’s Eve party at the resort. I know it’s kind of last-minute, but if you’re free, we’d love to have you.”
“I’ll be there. I’m anxious to see what you guys have done with the place,” Pax stated.
Vaughn and Allie had fallen in love when Vaughn inherited Hank’s resort spa and ranch on the other side of town. She’d been brought on to help redesign the area for resale, but fate had other plans. Now Allie and Vaughn were engaged and had jumped headfirst into making a go of the ranch resort.
What did a relationship of that nature even look like? Pax honestly had no clue, but he couldn’t be happier for them. They seemed to have found their common ground and stood strongly together.
“You’re more than welcome to bring a date,” Vaughn added. “You know...your cabin guest.”
Hell. He didn’t think they were at the point in their relationship to be attending parties arm in arm. Then again...they weren’t in a relationship, and he had invited her to stay here with him. That had been a bold, rash move, which even surprised him. But he hated holing up in that cabin. He wanted space and didn’t want to keep going down to the guest cabin for Tate to see the truck when he’d be heading back to the stables. Tate wasn’t a gossiper, but the man wasn’t stupid.
“Are you trying to think of a way to tell me to mind my business?” Vaughn chuckled. “I would, but if I don’t bring Allie back some kernel of information, she’s going to come here and demand to know if you’ve got a woman you’re not sharing.”
Pax groaned and raked a hand down his jawline. He needed to shave or at least knock this beard down, but he’d been a little preoccupied this morning.
“You can tell Allie that Kira is a guest at the ranch and nothing more.”
Vaughn’s intense stare didn’t waver as he crossed his arms over his chest. “So you’ll bring her. It’s settled.”
“What’s settled? She’s a guest.”
“And there’s more going on between you two,” Vaughn fired back. “You don’t have to say it, I can see it. Hell, I lived it not long ago. So bring her. Our place at six. We have everything catered, so don’t bring anything but your date.”
“We’re not dating,” Pax insisted, but the argument fell on deaf ears as Vaughn has already moved on.
“How about I have Allie swing by in the next day or two just to give some ideas on the design?” he suggested. “Then she can start working on a timeline and budget for you.”
“I don’t really care about the cost so long as it’s quick and perfect.”
“Quick, perfect, and pricey. Got it.”
Pax wanted to be done with this as fast as possible, mostly so he could relieve Brandon from Spain. But the idea of leaving Willowvale Springs didn’t feel as right as it had just a week ago. Something akin to remorse niggled at his soul and he wasn’t quite sure why. He wasn’t getting attached to the place...or the woman. Getting attached to her would be absurd, because she had no reason to stay here, either.
“Send her by whenever,” Pax replied. “I’m always here lately.”
“Well, I meant it when I said I could help with anything. Just give me a yell. I’ll see you in a few days.”
Vaughn turned to head toward the door, but stopped and glanced back over his shoulder.
“Don’t forget Kira or I’ll extend the invite myself.”
Pax shook his head and sighed as his buddy let himself out. He didn’t doubt that Vaughn, or worse, Allie, would get in touch with Kira and tell her about the party. But it was just one party with friends. He and Kira were friends...right? No reason he should go and just leave her here to spend that monumental holiday by herself.
But he’d have to word it just right so she didn’t think he was asking for more than just one night out. He already freaked her out with the suggestion she spend the rest of her weeks here. Maybe he should’ve just kept his mouth shut, but he hadn’t been able to and now all he could do was wait for her to answer him.
He hated waiting and he hated not being in control. But since he’d met her, he really didn’t know when he had the control in his possession or when Kira was subconsciously taking the lead. Pax had never met anyone so sneakily charming. She had a way to get under your skin without your knowledge until it was too late. He actually enjoyed her company, found himself thinking about her when she wasn’t with him, and hated this damn time limit on their fling. What if he wasn’t done in two weeks? What if he wanted her to stick around longer?
He wouldn’t ask. Pax never asked for anything. If he wanted something, he found a way to make it his, but Kira wasn’t property to obtain and she had to make her own decisions. Perhaps that’s what pissed him off the most. He couldn’t just order her to do what he wanted like his employees. Part of him found he didn’t want to. He liked her mind and respected everything he knew about her.
He also worried where she’d go once she returned. He wanted to get to the bottom of the fact she didn’t have a place to stay and he’d sent out some messages to his contacts in Portland but hadn’t heard anything back yet. Even though his own plate was full, he had to stay on top of Kira’s housing situation. He wouldn’t let her leave here without a solid plan to secure her future.
But first, he had to ask her to a party before his well-meaning, nosy buddy extended the invitation. The last thing he needed was for any of those women to get an idea that Kira was a long-term girl sticking around. There was a deadline and it was fast approaching.
Kira stepped into the stables and didn’t know if she should be nervous or excited. Pax had shot her a text to meet him here and to wear warm layers and boots. After he’d dropped the bomb of her moving into the main house with him, he’d left, and she’d had all day to think about that notion. The giddy part of her had mentally already packed her suitcase, but the logistical side of her forced herself to take a step back and think before jumping straight in.
She didn’t see any harm in moving forward and in with him for now. They both knew she wouldn’t be staying and they had both vocalized that this fling was nothing more than a fun, temporary arrangement.
But she didn’t want to look desperate, so she’d tell him later that she’d be coming on up. Let him stew on it a bit longer.
Kira moved down the walkway between the stalls. She was sure there would be a proper name, but she didn’t have a clue what it would be. This was her first time on a ranch, around horses, in a stable...all of it. She did love just the snippets she’d seen and experienced. She had to think that Pax was taking her out on the horses today with meeting here and telling her to dress in layers. While the snow had stopped falling, the air was still brisk and wintery.
One beautiful brown head popped out of his stall as she drew closer. This was a different one than the other day and on the opposite side.
“Hey, buddy. Did you hear me coming?”
She stopped just outside the stall and reached to pet just like Pax had explained. Even with her gloves on, she could tell the animal was soft and so sweet. A little spot warmed in her heart at how amazing these creatures were. The whole lifestyle here in Wyoming and on the ranch was such a juxtaposition from her own life back in Portland. Even the air was different. Crisp and refreshing and relaxing, if that made sense.
Of course, the great sex also helped that whole relaxation process. She couldn’t think about Pax without allowing every single touch and taste to roll through her head like the most erotic movie she’d ever seen. She didn’t often take a lover, and never one with an expiration date, but she had to admit, this was the most fun she’d ever had with one, and she’d hate to see everything come to an end.
Which was why she had to enjoy herself while she was here and fully embrace their new living arrangements...once she let him in on her answer, of course.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Kira dropped her hand and turned as Pax came striding through the stable. Yeah, there was that strut she’d mentioned to him. The swagger, the sexy walk...whatever it was called, he had it and she couldn’t tear her eyes away.
Dark denim covered those long, lean legs. Black boots, a dark coat buttoned up, and his black hat pulled low over his head all summed up the cowboy she’d taken a serious interest in. If she had time to stay and the mental bandwidth to feed a relationship, she wouldn’t mind exploring more. But he’d made it perfectly clear he had a full plate, what with trying to get this business up and running to its full potential. She made a mental note to come back once that was all done and see the place, and the man, in the future.
“You’re not late,” she told him, sliding her hands into her coat pockets. “I’ve only been here about a minute. I was late, too. I just put an offer in on a town house back home and I got caught up in looking at pictures and submitting my price. I had to come in low, so I’m hoping the seller is motivated and there’s no other offers.”
Pax came to stand in front of her; his dark eyes seemed to study her like usual. She’d gotten used to that familiar stare that could easily be misconstrued as cantankerous or closed off, but she was starting to get a better idea behind the man with the coal-like stare. Something kept him guarded, which was another reason she wanted to move into the main house and his quarters with him until her time here was up. She wanted to continue to peel back those layers and uncover more of what made him the intriguing man she’d gotten to know.
“Do you have an agent?” he asked.
“One of my clients is an agent. She’s just getting started so maybe this will help her grow her business.”
Pax’s lips thinned. “You need to get someone experienced so you’re getting the best deal and you feel confident with how a contract is written up.”
“Everyone has to start somewhere,” she stated. “You had your first sale and hopefully I’ll be Tammy’s first sale.”
“Keep me posted on every step of this process,” he commanded in full business mode.
Kira gave a mock salute and she thought she might have seen a fraction of a smile.
“So, did you call me here to ridicule my choice of real estate agents back home? Or are you giving me that horseback riding lesson?”
“You’re not getting a lesson, but you’re getting a ride.” He reached up and patted the horse’s head. “Colter and I will be taking you together.”
Kira couldn’t help but smile as anticipation and giddiness filled her. “Really? I’ll be riding with you? Is there a weight limit on him?”
Pax laughed. “We’re good with the weight. He’s not going to break down. But there is a process that we have to go through before riding, so that’s what you’ll learn first. Everything on the ranch revolves around safety both for the people and the animals.”
Oh, he transitioned from businessman to cowboy in a blink and both sides of him were pretty sexy. She wasn’t sure if he had to hold two jobs to make ends meet, but she didn’t care. He seemed to have a genuine heart and anyone who treated animals so sweet and with a tender touch had to have an authentic soul.
“Show me what to do,” she told him. “I’m ready to learn.”
“I need to check on Sebastian real quick and see if he needs more balm put on his leg.”
Kira waited and stood back while Pax moved to another stall and tended to the wounded horse. He murmured something softly as he checked the animal. This delicate side wasn’t something she’d seen from him. She’d experienced the surly, the passionate, the stern Pax, but this new layer he’d just revealed left her with a whole other wave of emotions.
Feeling something this strong, this fast after meeting him seemed risky. She shouldn’t be trusting her deeper sensations right now, not when her mind and world were too vulnerable. But she also had to wonder if Pax had come into her life at precisely the right time to help her heal.
Pax continued to speak to the animal in the sweetest tone while he applied more balm to the slight cut near the hoof. Once he was done, he stood and patted the horse on the back before stepping from the stall. He slid the door back into place and clicked the latch closed.
“How did he get hurt?” she asked.
Pax moved toward the small bath and set the balm on the counter before washing his hands. Kira followed, but remained outside the door.
“Tate had him out in the ring trying to work with him getting used to a saddle. He got scared and ended up scratching himself on the fence. It was definitely a freak accident, but I want to keep an eye on this so it doesn’t get infected.”
“And the Amish supply you with medicines?”
He wiped his hands on the towel and turned to face her once again. “There is a vet for the ranch, but for something like this, Tate always uses the Amish for their natural healing products.”
“So, are you Tate’s boss, or is he your boss?”
Pax laughed as he stepped from the bathroom. “There’s days I’m not sure.”
He motioned for her to follow him to a side room where there were blankets, large boxes, saddles, and other equipment she had no clue what she was looking at. She had no idea so much went into a ranch or stables, but she really was eager to learn.
Of course Kira couldn’t wait to get on that horse and wrap her arms around Pax for a snowy ride. Maybe have more chats about the property and dig a little deeper into his mind. Physically, he had no flaws, and she’d never been more attracted to anyone in her life. Mentally, she still wanted more. And a wintry ride through the snow-covered ranch had all the makings for something even more intimate than sex. Talk about romantic. She hadn’t come to Willowvale Springs looking for romance, but romance had found her nonetheless.
Still, part of her felt Pax was holding back. She wanted to know more about him, because their connection went beyond sex.
And now she had to decide exactly how to proceed, because she could see herself falling for this man and she didn’t want to leave here with a lifetime of memories and a broken heart.