Chapter Ten

Once upon a time, the old dugout had been her escape. When the teasing had gotten too much, or the expectations were too great, she would get on her horse and ride out here to hide. When Grace had been twelve, she’d first discovered the dugout. She’d spent weeks working up the nerve to step into the time-worn structure. But once inside, she’d felt safe and protected. Now, she watched Heath look around.

He picked up a piece of carbonized wood and a few shards of clay pots scattered on the ground. “This is pretty cool.” Heath stood and bent his neck forward to avoid hitting the hand-hewn ceiling beams.

“They lived here while the permanent house was being constructed. That log house isn’t standing anymore. Eventually, the family built the current main house.” She’d seen faded black-and-white photographs of the original log house. What incredible strength someone must possess in order to create a home from raw materials. Her ancestors’ homestead had been small and humble, but she was proud of their determination.

Heath examined the crumbled fireplace. “Someday, this whole thing will collapse. I hope nobody’s in here when it does.”

“I’m the only one who ever comes out here.” The toe of her boot traced the outline of a heart in the dirt floor. “I used to pretend I was a pioneer woman, and this was my little house on the prairie.” She laughed at the memory of spending hours here, lost in her own imagination. He gave her a smile that had no hint of judgment. A gift of acceptance for the insecure, daydreaming girl she’d once been.

As he studied the construction of the wall, his hand glided across a long plank set into the dirt wall.

What would his calloused hand feel like caressing her—running over her bare leg? Shaking her head, she tried to remove the thought, without much luck.

“Have you ever noticed this recess in the wall?” He slid several large stones off to the side. “There’s a wooden box in here. Looks rotted.” He slid the box into the middle of the floor.

The box might have been used for storing root vegetables. She opened the lid, which creaked on its rusty hinges. Using the candle for illumination, she glanced inside. “A metal case is in here. Can you get it out?”

Heath tipped the rotten wood box and pulled out the metal container. The metal was flat and dull, blemished with only a few rust spots. After setting it on the ground, he pried the lid with his fingertips, but the thing wouldn’t budge. “This is in good condition for being so old.”

The metal box was square in shape, as tall as it was long. Its secrets pricked at Grace’s imagination. The box was a leftover from another time, maybe holding nothing of value but might provide a window into her ancestors’ early life together on the ranch.

“This lid is locked tight.” Heath lifted it with a grunt. “And it’s heavier than it looks.”

“Can’t you pick the lock?”

“Do I look like the type of guy that knows how to pick a lock?” he asked, followed by a beat of deep laughter. “Wait, don’t answer that. Let’s take it home. With the right tools, I can get it open.”

She left the dugout with Heath following. Sunshine and heat greeted her, chasing away the chill she’d gotten while inside.

He bent to set the box under the protection of the framed doorway. “I’ll come back later with the ATV.”

“Thanks, Heath.” She studied the box again, now in the sunlight. “What do you think is in there?”

“You’ll have to be patient.” He winked.

In that moment, her fiancé seemed so far away. Heath was there, standing right before her, making her heart beat way too fast. No doubt her feelings for Heath were dangerous. Not because she was worried about her safety. He had this unsettling effect on her, like her heart didn’t feel balanced in her chest.

She imagined what his lips tasted like, or how the hard angles of his body would feel under her touch. All the tattoos covering his arms were incredibly sexy. Did he have more hidden under his shirt? She was the moth, and Heath was the flame. Could she enjoy the heat without getting burned?

“We should probably head home.” Needing to look away, she turned her back to him. “I’m sure you have things you wanted to do on your day off.” Grace started strolling toward their horses, grazing on the tall grass by the fence.

“Nothing too important.” He walked at her side. “This was nice, Gracie. Thanks for twisting my arm to make me come.”

He’d called her Gracie. Dad had used that endearment and only when she’d been a little girl. Once she had reached the mature age of thirteen, she’d insisted to be called only by her given name. But now, coming from Heath’s lips, Gracie didn’t sound childish. The name sounded kind of sexy. “I’m glad you finally acquiesced without too much of a fight.” She grabbed Silver’s reins and led her out to the open field. “Do you remember how to get on, or do you need a boost?”

Before she could finish, he’d swung himself up into the saddle.

The smile on his face was borderline cocky. His eyes glistened with a smug challenge. Let’s see if you can ride at a trot, tough guy, without hollering like a little girl.

“You might make a cowboy of me yet.” With a light tap with of his heels and a firm hand on the reins, he got Daisy moving toward the path.

“I could picture you as a cowboy.” Her gaze swept over his body, appreciating his athletic physique. “Just swap out the baseball cap for a Stetson and your work boots for Justin Ropers. I could teach you how to cut cattle on horseback.”

“Cut cattle? That sounds brutal.” One eyebrow arched.

“No actual cutting is involved,” she said with a laugh. “You are only separating a calf or an adult from the herd. I did it competitively when I was a teenager and have the trophies to prove it.”

“While I appreciate the offer, I’m still a greenhorn.” He clicked his tongue, which Daisy took as direction to increase her speed. Heath let out a holler and whipped his head around. His face twisted.

His attitude had switched from over-confidence to sheer panic. Watching him bounce down the path and disappear around the corner, she couldn’t stop her laughter. “Wait for me!”

****

After Grace drove Heath into town, she slowly made her way back home. Once Grace walked into the house, she spotted her mother darting out of the kitchen.

“Have you completely lost your mind?” she asked. “What were you thinking going out with that man…all alone?”

Grace noted the red flush on her mother’s cheeks and her high-pitched voice, not a good sign of what was coming her way. “Last time I checked, I’m an adult and perfectly sane.”

“We hardly know him. He could have hurt you.”

“He’s not a threat.” She held the end of her braid in her hand and twirled it back and forth, a habit formed during the many clashes of opinion with her mom. “I’ve always found riding therapeutic, and I hoped Heath would feel the same.”

Joslyn let out a long sigh. “Just because he works for us doesn’t make him our problem. You should be focusing on your wedding to Tyler, not playing amateur shrink to a troubled vet.”

That statement was her mother in a nutshell—don’t worry about fixing the world, just fix yourself. “I owe him my life, Mother. Tyler’s in Mexico and the wedding plans are all under control. I can help Heath. He trusts me.”

“Heath is not the type of person you should be spending time with, Grace Ann.” Joslyn reached out and took hold of Grace’s dirt-stained hand. “Oh my. You need a manicure.”

“I’m twenty-six, not sixteen. You need to trust me. I can take care of myself.” She loved her mother, she really did. Sometimes the woman was utterly exasperating.

“Okay.” Joslyn raised her hands. “But be careful. Promise?”

Grace gave her mother a hug. “Of course. Careful is my middle name.”

“Your middle name should have been Prudence. Then maybe you wouldn’t have been such a wild child.” Her mother headed down the hall and into the kitchen. “Do you plan on joining us for dinner?”

She followed and entered her mother’s domain. A large island topped with white marble dominated the room. Huge windows draped in floral fabric looked over the back yard. Amazingly, her mother had designed the kitchen to ooze sophistication, yet still remain true to the history of the farmhouse.

Her brother spent more time in here growing up. He preferred working in the kitchen to tending the animals. They’d often swapped chores, since she loved being outside and was totally useless in the kitchen. She’d supported Alex when he’d followed his dreams and attended culinary school. “No, I’m meeting Molly. We’re going to the Beach Boys tribute band concert in the park.” She noticed the time glowing on the stove’s digital clock and shoved off the counter. “Yikes, I need to get ready.”

Joslyn came out of the pantry holding a jar of canned green beans. “Go upstairs and get yourself clean. Those barn clothes do nothing for your figure.

****

Heath sat on the porch of the bunkhouse with a glass of cold water in his hand. “Well, that was quite the adventure,” he said to the dog at his feet.

Shadow, true to his name, had not left his side all afternoon.

Heath relaxed on the creaky rocking chair and enjoyed the cool breeze. His stomach growled, lunch long forgotten. He’d become used to a large breakfast and lunch, and today’s hadn’t quite measured up. Maybe he’d go to Alex’s restaurant, The Desert Rose, for dinner. Surely, he could stay out of trouble for one night.

His time with Grace proved a natural medicine for his troubled soul. The voices that plagued his subconscious were quieting. For that afternoon, he’d forgotten about war and death. The ice usually flowing through his veins had melted with the warmth of Grace’s smile.

Earlier that week, he bought a cell phone at a convenience store in town. The need to make a few phone calls weighed on his conscience. First would be to Julie, John’s widow. He had promised to stay in touch, and until now, he’d been doing a bad job. Next call would be to his grandparents’ lawyer. Time to stop hiding from the world and face my fears.

The slap of a door closing made him look up to see Grace striding across the lawn.

She glanced over at him and waved.

Her face glowed with a wide, genuine smile. When his gaze drifted to her dress, he had to rub his eyes to make sure he wasn’t having a vision. She wore a coral dress which flowed softly in the breeze. Copper bracelets adorned her tan arms. A belt cinched her small waist, and impossible high heels capped off her legs. In his life, he’d never seen a more attractive woman. Grace’s true beauty could only be appreciated by those privileged to know her. Her loveliness radiated and spiraled outward from its source, her gentle heart.

She walked across the gravel driveway, heading to her car. “Have a good night,” she called out.

“You, too,” he answered. The sight of her, dressed in all her designer glory, served as a wake-up call. On some level, she was still a country girl who’d spent her childhood on a ranch. But now, most of that person was erased.

Grace’s life had taken a different direction. After spending the afternoon with her on horseback, he’d forgotten she was a sophisticated woman—more model than farm girl. Grace had no room in her life for someone like him.

Shadow gazed upward with amber eyes, and Heath rubbed his head. “Way out of our league, dude.”

The dog barked.

Maybe in agreement. He watched Grace drive away, down the dusty driveway. “I’m gonna rustle up some grub. See you later.” Heath patted the shaggy dog before standing to stretch his legs. After going inside to get his wallet, he mounted his bike.

As he drove the winding country roads, his thoughts of Grace crept into his mind. Soon, she’d be married and living in Dallas. Her future was all laid out before her. For this brief time, his life intersected with hers, and he was thankful. She’d shown him the world was not all darkness. Light could be found in the most unexpected places.

Acres of farmland flew past his peripheral vision. Wire fences, strung parallel to the road, made an unending line of metal. Cattle hung their heads low, grazing on abundant grass. The power of his bike was under his control, unlike the horse he’d been astride earlier. Given time, he could see himself content at the ranch. The wide open space didn’t leave him feeling confined like all his other jobs had.

He entered the restaurant, wearing a new pair of jeans and clean shirt, but he still felt out of place. A petite blonde hostess showed him to a small table by a window which faced Main Street. When he noticed other diners stealing glances his way, he self-consciously smoothed his unruly hair.

A waitress appeared at his side. She was really cute and probably college age. Way too young for him to be interested in.

“Hey there,” she said. “I’m Berry. What can I get you to drink?”

“Iced tea with a slice of lemon.”

“Sweet or regular, honey?”

“Regular.” Sweet things didn’t appealed to him, well, with the exception of Grace.

“You got it. Here’s a menu. Our chef’s special tonight is a fire grilled T-bone steak served with rosemary fingerling potatoes and sautéed asparagus. It’s really good.” She looked him over before walking away.

Heath noticed Alex standing across the room, talking to a middle-aged couple seated for dinner. He liked what Alex had done to the place. The Desert Rose was quaint, with intimate tables and high-backed booths, which gave diners a sense of privacy. Perfect for a romantic night out. The menu was heavy on regional fare, with plenty of local beef and seafood from the Gulf.

Berry, his perky waitress, returned with his iced tea. “You ready to order?” she asked with a smile.

“The T-bone special cooked medium rare.” He forced himself to make eye contact. No time like the present to start polishing your social skills.

“Smart choice. You won’t be disappointed.” She took the offered menu from his outstretched hand. “You’re new around here, aren’t you? I saw you last night at the bar. You caused quite a stir.”

Best to avoid her line of questioning. “Will you tell Alex I’d like to speak to him when he has a minute?”

Her smile drooped. “Sure. I’ll go turn in your order.”

Heath knew this type of woman all too well. She saw him as exciting, rough, and dangerous—the perfect combination to spark a woman’s imagination. He wasn’t interested in being someone’s fantasy, because he really was anything but. He’d tried those kinds of relationships in the past and quickly learned they were more trouble than they were worth.

Moments later, Alex joined him and reached out to shake hands. “Hey, man, good to see you. How’s the family treating you?”

“Really good. Ranch work is tough, but I like the physical activity.”

Grimacing, Alex sat on the other side of the table and adjusted the knot in his purple tie. “I hated farm work so I used to bribe Grace to do my chores. If she cleaned out the chicken coop, I’d let her sit in the rear seat of my car when I drove Tyler to school.”

“Using your sister’s feelings to get out of doing your chores…that’s low, man.” If Heath had been around when Grace was in high school, he would have made sure she’d only had eyes for him.

“I know, I know.” Alex raised his hands in mock surrender. “I was an appalling big brother. What made it worse was Tyler couldn’t stand her tagging along. He acted like he didn’t notice her, but he did. He used to make fun of her and call her names behind her back. On our last day of senior year, he called her a mutt. I finally had enough and punched him in the face.”

“Why would she want to marry someone who’d hurt her like that?” Heath wanted to punch Tyler in the face, too. He knew Tyler was a jerk, but a mean-spirited bully? His heart hurt for a young Grace—the object of her affection openly mocking her.

“That’s Grace for ya.” Alex spun a sugar packet in his fingers. “When Tyler saw her again last year, he realized how foolish he’d been to dismiss her. My sister is a lot like my dad. They love everybody, no matter if the people deserve it or not.”

“Some people don’t deserve that kind of love.” Heath put himself into that category and shuddered.

“Well, Grace would argue about that until the end of time.” Alex laughed. “Tonight, dinner’s on the house. I need to go to my office and balance a few spreadsheets.” He gazed at the kitchen doors. “Some days, I wish I didn’t have to spend my time dealing with cost and profit sheets, employee schedules, and supply orders. I’d rather be in the kitchen. But, I guess you have to take the good with the bad.”

“Thanks for dinner. I appreciate it.” Heath really did. Not only for the steak dinner, but also for his friendship.

Alex stood to leave.

“Wait a sec.” Heath glanced around to make sure he wasn’t overheard. “I have one quick question. Is Tyler good enough for her?”

A slow smile emerged on Alex’s face. “I don’t know, man. I honestly don’t know. Tyler and I were best buds growing up, even though I knew he could be a real jerk. I know he’s changed a lot since then, and he really loves Grace and wants what’s best for her.”

“Would he move to Liberty Ridge in order to make her happy?”

Alex shook his head and laughed. “Anything but that. Tyler couldn’t stand living in a small town.” He walked toward the back of the restaurant and disappeared into his office.

His waitress appeared, placing his dinner order on the table.

Filling up most of the plate was a large, sizzling steak. The food smelled out of this world delicious—a heady combination of smoky meat, cooked vegetables, and fresh baked bread.

While Heath ate his meal, Alex’s answer gave him plenty to think about.