Jarrod’s saddle creaked as he shifted to the left to get a better count of the herd. His brothers flanked Pops, who had ridden out with them to check the herd and fences.
“That one there looks like she’s going to drop her calf any minute. What do you think, Pops?” Jarrod shot his grandfather a questioning look and studied his expression for signs that he was connecting. When he smiled, the lights were on behind his eyes and Jarrod’s heart hitched.
The consummate rider, Pops sat straight in the saddle and grinned at Jarrod, his blue eyes twinkling. “One more for the herd.”
“Always room for one more,” Tru said in agreement, meeting Jarrod’s gaze with knowing eyes.
“Hey, Pops, you ready to pull that calf if we need to?” Bo hiked a teasing eyebrow.
Pops nodded. “Done a many.” He spoke in short sentences these days and repeated things often. He’d never been a big talker. Jarrod took after him in that respect.
“Taught me how to do it too.” Bo clapped him on the shoulder, his horse stepping to the side a little at the movement. “Maybe you can teach Levi all about the cattle sometime.”
Pops beamed at the mention of Bo’s toddler. His nearly two-year-old was a real joy in Pops’s life. But they all knew the likelihood of Pops teaching him anything was long past. Didn’t mean it wasn’t wished for.
“He’ll be a good ’un,” Pops said, grinning.
Next to his family, this ranch was Pops’s pride and joy. He’d built it with the three of them in mind. It had always been important to him to leave a legacy behind. And though they’d had challenges over the last couple of years that almost caused them to lose the ranch, Pops’s legacy was basically safe again. Those challenges knotted Jarrod’s insides with boiled-down anger each and every time he thought of how his own dad had nearly gambled it all away. He still couldn’t believe it. He’d thought he knew his dad, but he hadn’t known him at all. Disappointment cut like sheet metal every time he thought of his dad. Once he’d planned to name his son Joe—when he had one. But not now. His dad had left a legacy of shame as far as Jarrod was concerned, and he never mentioned his name these days.
Almost from the moment Pops learned what his son had done he’d started fading on them. The stress of believing everything he’d worked for was about to be lost and the heartbreak of knowing what his last living son had done took its toll.
They hadn’t learned about the massive debt until Jarrod’s dad and mother were killed when their private plane crashed. Pops had to grieve so much at one time, and after he had already experienced so much sorrow in his life too. He not only had already lost his wife but also his other three sons—all from different causes.
But it was Joe, Jarrod’s dad, who’d not only caused Pop’s grief at his death, but broken his heart at the same time when Pops had learned after the crash what Joe had done: borrowed mind-blowing amounts of money using the ranch as collateral. So much money, from banks and not-so-reputable loan sharks too. The amount had been staggering, and if Joe hadn’t died in that crash, they’d have lost the ranch before they’d even known it was in trouble.
Jarrod should have seen it coming and stopped it. He’d missed all the signs, though looking back now he saw some of them.
As the oldest grandson, he had felt an immense responsibility to save Pops’s legacy for him and Jarrod’s brothers. To get the ranch out of debt, though, they’d all had to buckle down and work hard. Tru with his riding, Bo with his handmade Four of Hearts Ranch stirrups, and Jarrod with the cattle business and running the ranch. They were all busy, but they worked hard to make time for Pops. And they’d agreed to take it one day at a time.
But he’d have plenty of time to dwell on all that when he was alone. Today was a good day. Tru was in from the cutting horse competition circuit for a couple of weeks, so they’d decided it was an ideal time for an outing. It was a beautiful, mild June day, and Pops knew all of them by name, which wasn’t always the case.
“We’re adopting a baby.” Tru’s words came out of nowhere, drawing Jarrod’s and Bo’s attention.
Jarrod busted out a big smile. “Well, it’s about time. I’m glad for you.” Satisfaction pushed hard at the confines of his heart.
“That’s fantastic,” Bo added. The youngest of the three, Bo was the first to have a baby; Levi had just come to be with them about nine months ago when Bo found him on the front porch of his house, left there by a friend of Levi’s mother who had recently died. Bo hadn’t even known he had a child until that moment. The sweet kid had changed all their lives for the better and had fulfilled Pops’s desire to see a great-grandchild playing on the ranch.
“Pops, you’re going to have another great-grandchild,” Tru said, then chuckled when Pops nodded happily.
“Maggie’s got to be excited.” Jarrod was pleased to see his brother looking so happy.
“She is. We thought we were going to wait until toward the end of the year when I’ll start slowing down from competing so much, but one of the girls at Over the Rainbow asked Maggie to take her baby and be its mother. And, well, we’ve been considering it. Did some praying and decided now was the time.”
Over the Rainbow was a home on the outskirts of town for unwed pregnant girls. Maggie had become heavily involved in helping the girls there, as had several of the other women in town. Maggie had a way with the young women since she had once been in a tough situation as a teen herself and she understood where many of them were coming from. It had been almost a year since his brother had found out he couldn’t father children.
“I think that’s great.” Jarrod’s heart tightened at the idea of family, and he immediately thought of Cassidy. He’d been thinking about her ever since their crazy meeting last night.
He’d had his shotgun in tow, and the last thing he’d expected to find was a female hanging halfway out of the dog’s door. But more shocking was that it was Cassidy. It was obvious she wanted as little to do with him as possible, but he couldn’t get her off his mind.
“So, when do you think you’re going to slow down enough to have a date every once in a while?” Tru was studying him, and for a moment Jarrod was so caught up thinking about seeing Cassidy that he didn’t answer.
Bo patted his horse’s neck and shot Jarrod a glance. “We’ve bit the bullet and gotten married. When are you going to join up with us?”
“Don’t y’all start,” he warned. “I am not looking for a wife.”
“Come on, big brother,” Tru said. Seriousness etched his expression. “It would do you good to settle down, to have someone to share your life with.”
Jarrod scowled at his brothers in disgust. “I’m happy that y’all are happy, but I do not have the time or the inclination to jump on that wagon with y’all.” That wasn’t entirely true, since lately he’d been feeling lonelier and lonelier over there in that big house. The nights were getting quieter and longer, and that restlessness wouldn’t let go.
Tru looked skeptical. “And I did have time? We both know that isn’t the truth. I should remind you that I spend more than two-thirds of my life on the road between exhibitions, competitions, and sponsor obligations. If I was able to find time to find my soul mate, then I know for a fact everyone, including you, has time to look for love.”
“I’m on the road too, hauling cattle here, there, and yonder.” Jarrod knew he sounded defensive, but he did not like justifying his workday. “Not so much as you, by any means, but I’m usually working daylight to dark somewhere here on the ranch, and that leaves little time for anything else. What woman wants to start a relationship with a cowboy who isn’t around?”
Bo shook his head. “Hey, I get it, Jarrod. I was so there with ya, buddy—until Abby nearly ran me over, and then Levi showed up. You need someone, man.”
Cassidy jumped back to the forefront of his thoughts. She was here after all these years and he’d seen pain in her eyes. She was hurting right now, and she’d come to Roxie’s just like when she was a little girl. Only this time it was her own divorce that brought her here, not one of her parents’ dramas.
As he watched two calves romping around together, his mind was full with the past. With Cassidy. But now was not the time to think about that. He glanced at his brothers and reiterated his focus. “This ranch is still not where it needs to be—”
“There’s no reason for you to work as hard as you do,” Tru jumped in sternly. “We have plenty of hired help, and if we don’t, then hire them. You need and can have a life, Jarrod. I know you feel responsible, being the oldest and all. But that’s hogwash. We’re all in this together, and while Bo and I have held up our end of the bargain by bringing in the extra money, you’ve done amazing things keeping this ranch making money even with the noose tied around its neck.”
“We owe you, man,” Bo added.
Jarrod’s wrists were crossed over the saddle horn as he’d been leaning in and studying the cattle in the distance. Now he raised his hand and tugged on the brim of his hat as he tried to be patient with his younger brothers. They only wanted what they thought was best for him. And right now he only wanted what was best for the ranch. He wasn’t ready to deal with anything else. And Cassidy had just shown up, after all. She might be gone in a month.
No matter what they said, he had obligations and pressures of his own driving him, and Tru and Bo wouldn’t understand. His personal life was his own business and he’d go at it with his own ideas.
“I’m fine. Stop worrying about me.”
Bo’s dimples showed up with his grin, reminding Jarrod of the mischievous little brother he’d been growing up, tagging along and looking up to Jarrod. Much like Cassidy had been when she’d first shown up.
“Come on, man,” Bo said. “We just want you to have someone.”
“Look.” Exasperation tightened inside him. “The ranch day is long and the week is longer. If the good Lord wants me to have someone then he’ll have to bring her to my doorstep, or she’ll have to run me over with her car or something, because I’m not lookin’ for her right now.”
Bo and Tru looked from him to each other and then grinned. He wasn’t finding their amusement real funny.
“You’re just being stubborn now.” Tru grunted his opinion as if he hadn’t heard a word Jarrod had just said. “Let’s get real here. Truth is, Bo and I are worried about you. Since all this started after Dad died, you’ve gotten way too serious and quiet. You don’t do anything unless it has to do with the ranch. You smile less than any man I know, and I’m a pretty serious fella myself.”
“Yeah,” Bo agreed. “Levi’s got you smiling more, and then Maggie and Abby when you’re around them. That’s why we think a family of your own is what you need.”
Jarrod’s mood darkened, feeling like the whole lot of them had been conspiring about poor, poor Jarrod.
“Don’t go lookin’ like that.” Bo kept going. “We’re trying to do a successful intervention here and you, big brother, are not cooperating.”
“You deserve some time for yourself.” Tru’s expression was firm while Bo’s look was more a challenge.
“Stop.” Jarrod growled the word. “I thought the ladies at the Cut Up and Roll Salon were the ones I’d have to ward off on the matchmakin’. Believe me, boys, it doesn’t look good on you.”
“And being a grump doesn’t look good on you.” Bo’s usually teasing eyes were full of concern.
Jarrod felt like he’d stepped into some weird alternate world. Where were his brothers? “What has gotten into y’all? Now, can we get back to ranching?” With that he nudged his horse and loped to meet the calves being herded toward him. His brothers had just tromped into territory they weren’t welcome.
He’d date when he was ready and not before. Besides, all he had going this time of year meant he had more responsibility on his plate than he needed without adding anything else. If he was going to date anyone right now, God would have to put her right in front of him, and even then he might miss her in passing.
How about next door?
He slowed his horse and studied the heifer eating grass beside him. His thoughts were back on Cassidy. When he’d walked away from her all those years ago, he’d made that mistake on an impulse and he was not going to make that same mistake again. Everything he did these days was thought out, planned, and well executed. And that was the way it would remain.
Pebble Howard pushed her grocery cart through the store, pausing to survey the vegetables without any real inclination toward what she was doing. She’d been feeling listless and melancholy ever since she woke today. She was feeling at loose ends. Something had to give and soon. Her life needed a change—maybe that was it.
Maybe it was time to sell the motel.
She loved the Sweet Dreams Motel. She and Cecil had opened it when they were young and it had been good to them. But ever since her husband’s death over ten years ago, she’d been running it on her own. And recently she’d realized her life had become completely dictated by life around the motel. She’d settled into a safe, predictable existence, and she needed to shake things up.
The idea to sell the motel had come out of the blue and startled her. But it was a very good idea. Cecil would back her 100 percent if he were here to give her advice. He’d want her to move on, and lately she’d come to realize that she hadn’t—
“Pebble.”
Her pulse skittered like a schoolgirl’s as she looked across the apple bin to see her old friend Rand Ratliff. He looked wonderful today. His checkered fedora sat at a slight tilt and his thick, gray hair looked freshly cut against his tanned skin. He smiled that slightly crooked smile and her heart tilted on its axis. She tried to slow the emotion running through her, but she’d learned a long time ago that there was no controlling the feelings she felt inside for Rand. She could, however, control her outward reaction.
“Hello, Rand,” she said softly, feeling just as soft inside at being in his presence. No, she could not allow him to see exactly how she was feeling. So much had happened over the last few months that had put a strain between them—even threatened their friendship. Their past went all the way back to high school when she’d been the prim and proper girl in school and he’d been the rebel, pushing limits and hanging out with the so-called rougher crowd. An unlikely pair, he’d been her first love, but that had fallen apart in the end when he left Wishing Springs to find a life filled with more adventure. Young love. Lost love.
Her life had been wonderful in between then and now. She’d married the love of her life and lost him a decade ago. But she’d always had a soft spot in her heart for Rand.
Now he strode her way, his blue eyes clear, no sign that he’d been drinking. No sign that he’d fallen off the wagon since getting out of rehab a few months ago. Pebble wanted to believe he would be strong enough to remain sober, but her fear for him was great.
“It’s nice to see you, and you look lovely today,” he said gently. Always the gentleman, he tipped his hat.
She picked up an apple and placed it inside a plastic bag, needing something to do with her hands, something to concentrate on other than the ache in her heart that was synonymous with Rand. “Thank you. How is everything at the paper this week?” she said, knowing his newspaper was a safe topic.
“Everything is good. Not a lot of excitement happening in Wishing Springs this week, however, so the news section will be lacking. Though I believe Cassidy Starr has just arrived in town. I haven’t seen her yet, but she called Doobie and Doonie earlier this week down at the real estate office and had them turn on the electricity and water.”
“That’s wonderful. Roxie would be so happy to know that sweet girl is finally home. Roxie always did have a deep worry for the life Cassidy was living.” Roxie had been Pebble’s friend and had always worried about her young niece. She’d worried about her up until the day she died.
“Her parents put that poor girl through unreasonable trauma.” Rand’s brow creased.
“True. I’m sure she’s relieved to be here.” She wondered if he was thinking about the trauma he’d put those who loved him through. “Well, I’d better finish up. I need to get back to the motel.”
He nodded, always polite, always just distant enough that they both kept the small wall between them. They were walking on eggshells these days, and her nerves and her heart were showing it.
It took everything she had to push her buggy forward and walk away.
When she arrived at her small apartment attached to the motel office, she went to her bedroom, set her purse on the chair in the corner, and caught sight of herself in the mirror. She smoothed her graying hair and saw the uncertainty in her blue eyes.
A framed photo of Cecil sat on the dresser and she picked it up, ran her hand along the smooth glass. “What do you think?” she asked softly. His handsome, kind face stared back at her, steadied her. She set down the photo.
She could not go on this way. Something had to change.