Chapter Twelve
Reese drove past the Welcome to Cypress Creek sign just as the Johnny Lee song “Lookin’ for Love” came on the oldies country station. She laughed aloud at the timing.
Is this song encouragement or warning from the universe?
By the time the song ended she’d pulled into the post office and hopped out with the black-and-white prints she’d developed in Lila’s darkroom. After selecting the proper size overnight delivery envelope, Reese took a deep breath and handed it to the postmaster. The first half of her photo assignment was on its way to National Geographic. Now came the waiting.
Excitement about returning to MacLachlan Ranch—and James—grew with each mile, but so did apprehension. A giant yawn stretched her face as she reached for the paper cup of coffee. A late night of research had led to the discovery of an endangered spider halting a fifteen-million-dollar road project in Austin. And a few ideas that might pertain to the Hill Country Ranch land had presented themselves. Surely, she could find something on the ranch to help her cause. When James took her in the cave, she would look for blind cave crickets, Peck’s amphipods, and a few other animals she’d researched. And hopefully not run into her tarantula friend. A check into local land features was also a must.
Her to-do list played in her head. Work on the rest of my photo assignment. Find a way to stop the resort. Enjoy my time with James. And convince him to sell the cottage.
This all had to be done while keeping her head on straight and not getting carried away with romantic notions. She blew out a shaky breath and switched her focus to the sights around her. A herd of brown cows circled a hay truck in the field on her right and a couple of kids fished in an hourglass-shaped pond. The rolling Hill Country landscape always soothed her mind.
Reese found James working with one of the young horses in the circle arena. The musky smell of earth and horses swirled in the hot air. He waved and indicated he’d be done shortly, giving her the perfect opportunity to get pictures of the enticing show. His tight T-shirt enhanced the rippling bulge of muscles across his back and shoulders. The lead rope pulled taut as the black horse trotted in a graceful circle, prancing and showing off. Sampson lay in the dirt along the fence line, but as she approached, he rose to greet her with eager head butts and licks.
James finished the training session and led the horse into the barn. When she went around and in through the front double sliding doors, he was speaking to another cowboy. “Reese, meet Ty Navarro.”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” the cute young cowboy drawled and tipped his hat.
“You, too.”
Ty grinned shyly and led the black horse toward a stall.
“Welcome back, Goldilocks.”
“So, here’s my thoughts. I believe we’re overthinking and might be making our…” She motioned between them. “…relationship more complicated than it needs to be. I’ve come to a conclusion.”
One corner of his mouth tipped up. “Am I going to like or hate this conclusion?”
Moving a step closer, she brushed hay from his shirt. “People casually date and just hang out all the time, right?”
“Sure. I’ve done it for years,” he said.
“Okay then. Let’s do it. Let’s hang out for the summer.”
James wrapped his arms around her. “Hanging out. I like it.”
Her head rested over his heart, and the steady thump reassured her. “I needed this hug.” She soaked up the warmth of him for a second longer before loosening her hold and trying to step back.
He resisted, giving the impression he didn’t want to let go. Their lips met, and for a few heartbeats they both held perfectly still, savoring reconnection. He squeezed her once more, then ran his hands along her arms.
Sampson nosed his way in, pushing them apart. The hound leaned on her legs and licked James’s hand until he got the scratching he was after.
“This old boy is also happy to have you back.”
“Anything exciting happen here?”
“Exciting is not the word I’d choose.” His teeth ground and creases formed between his eyes. “We spent half a day repairing a windmill that pumps water to one of the grazing pastures.”
“What happened?”
“Let’s just say, it was not a natural occurrence.”
Her tension was suddenly back. “Oh no. More unexplained trouble?”
“Yep. How’d everything go in Austin?”
“Everett Development isn’t going to give up trying to get land in this area of the Hill Country, but my friend Susie is looking into things. She promised to call if she finds anything helpful.” A gust of wind blew through the open barn doors and tossed her hair across her face. She used the hair tie around her wrist to gather it into a ponytail. “Are there any endangered species that might keep someone from developing this land?”
“Not that I know of, but it doesn’t matter because we’ll never sell.”
“It might be good information to have on hand. It could keep some of the other ranches from being developed.”
He leaned back against a stall door with arms crossed over his broad chest. “Hmmm. Good idea.”
“Being proactive couldn’t hurt.” She swallowed the lump in her throat and asked a bigger question. “Is the ranch in your name?” Her voice came out higher pitched than normal.
His head cocked to the side as he studied her. “Part of it. I got a thousand acres on my twenty-fifth birthday. Most of the ranch is Grandpa’s, and he’s very protective of the land. My dad holds the title to a portion, including the two hundred acres that was your grandparents’ farm.”
The unwelcome news stiffened her spine, and her gut rolled. She briefly considered telling him that she feared his father might be talking to Mr. E, but she could not make accusations without proof. The father-son relationship was strained as is, and the last thing she wanted to do was possibly make it worse. “Since your dad is in real estate. Do you think he’d ever sell his portion?”
He pushed away from the stall, and both eyebrows sprang up. “Are you hoping you can sweet-talk my dad into selling you the cottage?”
Her heart rate accelerated. “No. That’s not why I’m asking. Since he’s in real estate, I was just wondering if your dad has had any contact with the developer.”
James rubbed his chin. “My dad doesn’t concern himself with the running of the ranch, so I haven’t asked him about it. Guess I should call him.”
This was not the assurance she’d hoped for. “You don’t talk to him very often?”
“No. Why are you asking these questions?”
“Because I don’t want to see this land developed, either. Talk to your dad.”
“I will.” His fist clenched so tightly every knuckle cracked. “Can you imagine this ranch crawling with people, concrete, trees cut—”
She cupped his cheek and silenced him with a kiss. “Hey, we won’t let that happen.”
With her hand in his, he stroked her palm with his thumb. “If we hadn’t noticed the cut fence or open gate, most of the herd could’ve been out on the road where any number of things could’ve happened. Including being loaded into trailers and stolen. And messing with a rancher’s water supply is always big. Maybe I can find evidence to tie all this to that developer.”
Fingers crossed that Susie could help her find something.
He leaned his forehead against hers. “With the weird things going on around here, I’m worried about leaving you alone at the cottage tonight.”
“You could sleep in the hammock again, but you should probably stay inside with me.”
His seductive grin flashed, and he tugged her flush against his body. “I think you’re right. I should stay inside you…I mean inside with you.”
She laughed hard enough to embarrass herself with a snort. Thank goodness she wasn’t the only one with a mind-of-its-own mouth. Speaking of mouths, she had a few ideas what she could do with hers…and his.
As if reading her mind, he spun her in a dance step, dipped her across his arm, and kissed her. The playful peck quickly turned deep and searching. Fingers sliding into her hair, moving in tandem with his clever tongue. Blood throbbing hot in her veins. When he came up for air, his green eyes blazed with a mixture of emotions she couldn’t read.
Reese inhaled to clear the erotic fog from her mind but only managed to breathe in his natural scent, heightening desire. Her brain scrambled for something to say. “What are we doing today? After you finish your work.”
With little effort, he lifted her and wrapped her jean-clad legs around his slim waist. “I’ve one more job before we can play.” His deep voice crooned, and he bounced her against his washboard abs.
Shivers spread from her core to the tips of her toes. “What…” she moaned. “What job?” She reluctantly squeezed her thighs tighter to stop the wonderful, wonderful friction. Outside the barn, gravel crunched under tires, and she slid back onto her feet. “Who’s that?”
His face beamed. “My first horse therapy client. A little boy with Down syndrome.”
“James, I’m so proud of you.” She hugged him tightly and closed her eyes. Right then and there, standing in a horse barn, her heart paused, fluttered, and opened to him. It took the leap before her brain caught up to argue.
Oh, man. I suck at just hanging out.
“Let’s go say hello.” Excitement vibrated through his arm as he pulled her from the barn.
The adorable little boy, Davy, had red hair and blue eyes covered with tiny round glasses. While James saddled Lady J and answered the mother’s questions, Davy bounced on his toes, making it difficult for his mother to buckle his helmet.
“Are you ready, little buddy?” He picked up the child and started to put him in the saddle.
Davy clung to him. “Big. Horsey big.”
James patted Davy’s small back and held him closer. “She is big, but she’s also very nice. Lady J is one of my best horses. Why don’t we get used to each other first?” He guided the child’s tiny hand to stroke the sleek golden hair along Lady J’s neck.
Davy giggled, and all three adults smiled. Soon, he sat in the saddle and James led them around the arena, talking about feeling the movement of the horse.
“How old is he?” Reese asked the boy’s mother.
“He’s five. I’m so happy I found Mr. MacLachlan. I think this will be so good for my sweet boy.”
“Do you mind if I take pictures?”
“Not at all. Especially if you promise to give me one.”
“It’s a deal.”
She snapped shots of the trio, hopefully capturing even a tiny bit of the joy they radiated. A swell of longing filled her chest and fluttered in her stomach as she watched him interact so naturally with the little boy. Her romantic mind started drifting into fanciful daydreams of watching him with their child.
He would make a fantastic father. Reese squeezed her eyes closed. Stop going there.
Davy and his mother left with their next session scheduled and a promise to send more clients. James and Reese waved as they drove away. He stood behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist and his chin propped on her head.
She snuggled deeper into his embrace as they rocked from side to side. “I think I got some good photos. Maybe we can use them to advertise your new business.”
“Great idea.” He kissed the side of her head and made a satisfied sound deep in his throat. “I’m glad you were here for this. It’s nice to share an accomplishment with someone.”
She looked over her shoulder, then turned to face him. “I’m glad I was here, too. I think this venture of yours will become something wonderful.” Her cheek fit perfectly over his heart as she rested her head. They swayed together in an already familiar dance.
“I need a shower,” he said. “I smell like a horse.”
“I like the way you smell.” She nuzzled his neck. “Actually, we do need to go inside. There’s something I’m dying to show you.”
His gaze roamed along her body. “Excellent idea.”
She laughed and patted his chest. “Not me, silly. It has to do with the third mystery clue. Knowledge can be found in collections.” Arm in arm, they walked toward the house. “When I was at Lila’s, her collection of romance novels made something click in my mind. I think the quill we found symbolizes writing. So then you get books, which impart knowledge.”
“I believe I know where you’re headed with this. Lead the way, Goldilocks.”
In the library, she spun to take in the whole room, hoping another revelation would hit. “Are any of these books grouped into collections? Lila groups hers by categories like historical, contemporary, paranormal, and so on.”
“Yes, and I know where to look first.” He crossed to the right of Benjamin’s desk and rolled a ladder to the side. “All the books on this shelf are about Scotland.”
Reese rubbed her hands together. “First, let’s flip through each book to see if there’s a note tucked between the pages. You start on that side, and I’ll start on this one.” They each pulled out books, some old and some new, and began to search.
She opened one called Celtic Sacred Landscapes. “There’s not a note in this one, but I’m going to set it aside so I can read it.”
“Hell, yes,” James said.
She looked up from her spot crisscross on the floor. “You found something?”
He held up a brown leather book with Celtic knots stamped along the spine, but no title. “This one isn’t a real book. Check it out.” He flipped a small latch like you might see on a diary and opened it to reveal not pages, but a hollow leather-lined space containing another note and an old skeleton key.
“I love your great-great-grandfather,” she said. “What a clever man.”
“Let’s sit down and see what’s next on this mystery tour.” They settled on the leather sofa in front of the fireplace, and he carefully uncurled the newest note that had been rolled like a scroll.
Leaning against his shoulder, she studied the words. “This one is trickier. ‘Unlock secrets for the heirs.’” She squeezed his knee. “I’m not an heir. Do you think your family will be upset we did this without them?”
“No. I told Grams and Grandpa all about it, and they said we should do it together. I also got the feeling they know more than they’re telling me.” He picked up the antique key and held it between them. “Every detective needs a sidekick. Will you be mine?”
A lovely tingle spiraled in her lower belly, but she quickly cautioned herself against the dangerous idea of being his anything. “I can do that.”
“Good. This house has belonged to the heirs of Benjamin ever since he built it. This key must open something here.”
“What about one joins one equaling more than two?”
“Multiple locks?” he suggested.
“Wait, it says joined, not joins. So it must be things that were combined in the past. But if they were combined… How can they become more than two?”
“Hmmm. Let’s just start with seeing if we can discover what this key opens.”
They tried the old key in every door and piece of furniture, but it fit nothing in the ranch house.
…
While in the shower, James focused on keeping a level head. Reese had a way of derailing his best intentions. Intentions to enjoy without getting attached. Have a good time with her without having a “relationship.” A mix of hesitation and arousal hammered his mind and body. He turned the faucet to a colder setting, hoping to suppress some of his excitement for the woman who’d been in his head for years. Chill bumps formed on his skin, but the icy water did nothing to ease the throbbing ache.
He shivered and quickly rinsed shampoo from his hair. After pulling on a clean pair of jeans he grabbed a condom, paused, and shoved two more into his front pocket. There was no guarantee he’d need even one of them, but Always be Prepared was his motto.
James found Reese at Benjamin’s desk with all four mystery notes side by side and a list of words. He took a moment to watch her long, elegant finger trace the carving on the old wooden box. Clever and inquisitive. He liked that in a woman. Reese stretched, pushing her breasts forward, then glanced over her shoulder and flashed a smile that instantly undid the minimal effects of his cold shower. “Did you already solve the mystery?”
She tapped her pencil against the page. “No. I’m thinking about his choice of words. Keepers, past, knowledge, key, unlock, secrets, joined, lovers, vow, heirs.”
He cradled her shoulders and kneaded her muscles. “Lovers join, take a vow, become husband and wife, then have heirs. After each wedding is when the carvings were made on the beam.”
“That’s such a beautiful tradition.” She put the notes into the wooden box with the key, arrowhead, fossil, and quill, lined it up beside the fake book, and then rested her head back against him.
He bent and gently kissed his way along her neck. The soft floral scent of her hair made something flutter in his belly. He wanted to eat her up, become one with her, keep her—
He stiffened. The route his thoughts were taking startled him. His conversation with Grandpa had him questioning his long-set future plans to protect himself from the kind of heartache and devastation that destroyed his father. One breath in, and he exhaled long and slow. He could do this. He could have a different kind of relationship with her. One that was fun but protected his heart.
Reese didn’t appear to notice his moment of alarm. She stood, came around the chair between them, and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Ready to head over to the cottage? I’m sorry I was so anxious to get back out into the country, I totally forgot to stop at the grocery. And I know you’re always hungry.”
Her knowledge of his appetite brought a smile to his face. “I got some snacks. Can’t have us starving.” He took her lips in a slow kiss. She shifted against him, causing his jeans to become uncomfortably tighter by the second, and he almost laid her across the desk. The thought of joining his body with hers—
He broke the kiss and snapped his fingers. “I think I’ve got it.”
She blinked rapidly and stared at him. “Got what?”
“One joined one to make more than two. A husband and wife join to make an heir. Mom, dad, baby. One, two, three. A family.” The second the words were out, his chest tightened. An unexpected wave of sadness hit him. Would he ever have his initials carved on the crossbeam of his living room alongside his ancestors? No, because I’ve chosen a different path.
“That’s brilliant,” Reese said. “I bet you’re right. But what does the key open?”
“We’ll have to keep looking. The mystery continues.”
Is a family worth the risk? Grams and Grandpa seem to think so.
James had something special arranged for this evening. Something beyond any seduction he’d ever even thought to plan, but now…
Something unfamiliar mixed with the excitement swirling in his belly.