The next morning, as Joey and Shiv were eating breakfast, there was a knock at the front door. Assuming it was Peter, Joey called for him to let himself in. It was perfect timing. She needed to pick up Roni and Henry so Ethan and Brynn could get on the road.
But it wasn’t Peter who came into the kitchen. It was a tall, handsome cowboy, whom Joey had never seen before.
He took off his hat. “Hey there. I’m Flynn Barlow, a friend of Ryder’s. He around?”
“He’s in the camper outside.” She held her breath, hoping the cowboy didn’t expect her to get Ryder for him. Joey intended to stay out of sight today.
“You must be Ms. Knight.” He shook Shiv’s hand and then waited for Joey to introduce herself, which she supposed she should’ve done in the first place. She was too busy planning her getaway before Ryder could make his morning coffee appearance.
“I’m Joey. Pleased to meet you.”
“Roni’s mom,” he said.
Her lips curved up. “That would be me.”
He continued to stand there, so she offered him coffee or juice.
“Sure, I’ll take a cup of coffee.” He grabbed a seat at the table and gazed around the kitchen. “Cute place. It didn’t look this good the last time I saw it.”
“My son has done a lot of work,” Shiv said. “And Joey keeps it spotless.”
It was nice praise. She supposed the nurse in her brought out the clean freak.
“Good morning.” Peter bustled into the kitchen, carrying a pastry box. “I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in. I found this fabulous farm stand with the most incredible desserts.” He searched through the cupboards until he came up with a platter and started spreading out an assortment of muffins and little cakes.
He put the plate on the table and pecked Joey on the cheek. “How are you, doll?”
“I’m good, but I’ve got to run.” She noted the logo on the pastry box. “This is the farm stand I told you about, where we’re going berry picking. Do you and Shiv want to meet me there in a couple of hours? I’m going to take the kids to breakfast first.”
“We’ll be there.” Peter worked his way around the table and just like he had with Joey, gave Shiv a peck on the cheek. “And who is this?”
Flynn introduced himself while Joey gathered up her purse and a light sweater in case it got chilly.
“I’ll see you in a little while,” she called over her shoulder.
She was almost out the door when she smacked into something hard. Ryder’s hands came out to right her.
“Sorry, I should’ve watched where I was going.” She tried to get around him, but he blocked her way.
“You never said good-bye last night.”
“Shush.” She put her finger to her lips and in a whisper said, “It didn’t seem necessary after you ran off to hide in the shower.”
“Is that what I was doing?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, was it? I’m going to be late, Ryder.”
He moved out of her way. “Say hi to Roni for me.”
She got in her SUV, took a deep breath, and hightailed it down the driveway. Just what she’d been hoping to avoid. And to make matters worse, she’d sounded bitter. I did sound bitter, didn’t I? Why couldn’t she have treated Ryder with the same air of indifference as he’d treated her after they’d slept together?
She took the curve at the end of Bear Creek Road too fast and nearly hit a mailbox. By the time she got to the Circle D, she’d calmed down. Ethan was loading the minivan with luggage. Joey didn’t miss that Brynn’s were designer and monogrammed. Ethan’s was still the same battered leather duffel that he’d always used when he and Joey were married. At least some things didn’t change.
Roni came out onto the porch in her pajamas. “Hi, Mommy.”
Ethan shook his head. “Hey, Roni, I thought I told you to get dressed.”
“I can’t decide what to wear.”
Ethan gave Joey a look and she smothered a laugh.
“We’re going berry picking, baby. Wear something comfortable. Jeans and a T-shirt.”
Roni skipped away.
Joey leaned against her SUV. “So, San Francisco, huh? That sounds nice.”
“Yeah, we’re looking forward to it. A weekend without wedding stress. Maddy Shepard over at the Lumber Baron got us a deal at the Theodore. Her brother owns it.”
“Nice.” Joey didn’t know the Theodore but figured it was probably pretty hoity-toity because…Brynn. Ethan had never been much for fancy accommodations, but Brynn was from money, so everything was first class. At least she wasn’t snobby. It was one of the things Joey admired about her.
“How’s Ms. Knight holding up?”
“Okay. I took her to get her hair done, and that seemed to pick her up a little bit. We’ll see how it goes.” She really couldn’t say too much about Shiv. She’d only said what she had because Ethan was a doctor and had given her the referrals.
“The Knights are lucky to have you,” Ethan said. “Still nothing from the board, huh?”
She deliberated on whether to tell him about the letter, ultimately deciding to wait until she had actual news. “Nope. I’m sure they’ll get around to it eventually.”
“Can the caregiving gig sustain you?”
“When it covers my room and board, yeah. But at some point, I’d rather not do twenty-four-hour care.” Then she would need her own place. And while rent was probably cheaper in Nugget than it was in Reno, it would be tight. “I should be flush in a couple of months and won’t need the alimony checks anymore.”
“That’s not why I asked, Joey.” He slid the van door closed and joined her.
“I know. But it’s time. You’re starting a new life, and…I’ll be fine.”
“I know you’ll be fine. That’s not the point. I want good things for you.”
The words left a lump in her throat. For the first time in two years, she was ready to shed the history that had flogged her and move on. From her addiction, from Ethan, from depending on her parents. She was striving for a new life in which her daughter was front and center. To make that happen, she needed to be here in Nugget, near Roni’s school and friends. She needed to have a place with a second bedroom and an environment that felt like their home, not someone else’s.
All that was dependent on her getting her nursing license back.
Brynn came out of the house and waved. “Henry is so excited. Thanks again for taking him for the day.”
It was the second or third time Brynn had gushed gratitude. It made Joey realize that navigating the blended family thing was as awkward for Brynn as it was for her. They at least all had each other. It was Joey who was the odd person out.
“It’ll be fun,” Joey said.
Brynn came down the porch stairs carrying a toiletry bag. As if the luggage Ethan had already loaded wasn’t enough for a weekend getaway. Ethan must really be in love, Joey thought. Though he was a distinguished surgeon, he’d always been a cowboy at heart, traveling light.
“There’s coffee in the house,” Brynn said. “Can I fix you a cup before we take off?”
“Nah, I’m good. Feel free to hit the road. I’ll round up the kids. I was planning to take them to breakfast before we head to The Farm.”
“Let me give you some cash for that.” Ethan reached into his pocket.
Joey glared at him and under her breath said, “Don’t you dare.”
He must’ve realized that he’d embarassed her in front of Brynn because he put his wallet away.
Joey started up the stairs. “Have a great trip. I’ll drop Roni and Henry home around five. We’ll send you pictures from the orchard.”
She rushed inside the house and called for the kids. Roni had changed into jeans and the pink tee Joey had gotten her at Farm Supply. Henry looked like a mini replica of Ethan in a pair of Levi’s, a pearl-snap Western shirt, boots, and a Stetson.
“You guys hungry?”
“Yes!” Roni jumped around in circles.
“Then let’s get. We’ll grab breakfast at the Ponderosa and head to The Farm.” She loaded them into her Ford Edge and made sure they were buckled in.
By the time they got to The Farm, the kids were sticky with pancake syrup and hopped up on hot cocoa. But their giggles were so sweet. Henry, who’d given Joey a complete summary of the book he was currently reading, had really come out of his shell from a year ago. Back then he’d been a shy little boy who’d been grappling with the accident and his injuries.
There was a tractor hitched to a straw-filled trailer parked in front of the store. Annie, the owner, and a nice-looking man who was holding Annie’s baby—Joey assumed he was Annie’s husband—were helping folks onto the trailer. As soon as Annie spotted them, she came over to give Roni and Henry hugs.
“Hey, kiddos. Are you here to pick cherries?”
“Yes,” they chorused, and Annie beamed.
“We’re just waiting for two more.” Joey searched the parking lot for Peter’s Prius.
She thought she recognized Ryder’s Ram but told herself it couldn’t be him. Then, much to her surprise, he came walking toward them across the parking lot with Peter and Shiv in tow. Peter waved.
“There they are,” Joey told Annie. “I guess we’re six.”
Annie gave Ryder a big hug, which also surprised Joey. Ryder hadn’t struck her as a hugger. Annie, on the other hand, had that earth mother vibe that brought out the hugger in everyone, Joey supposed. Still, a wave of jealousy hit her so hard that it shamed her. Joey had never been the jealous type. Not even with Ethan, who was Renown Children’s Hospital’s pinup doctor and every single person within a five-mile radius’ wet dream.
Roni ran up to Shiv and took her hand. “You want to sit by me in the hay wagon?”
“I most certainly do.” Shiv had fixed her hair the way Darla had done it, and it made her look younger than her sixty-six years.
Peter winked at Joey as if he’d noted the hairstyle, too. It was a positive first step.
“This is Henry, everyone.” Joey made the introductions.
“Nice hat, Henry.” Ryder shook Henry’s hand.
“Is it true that you’re a world champion bronc rider?” Henry gazed up at Ryder with pure adoration.
“Two-time champ. Yes, sir.”
It was the first time Joey had ever heard Ryder boast about his rodeo days. She suspected he didn’t do it with adults, just excited little boys. Ethan must’ve told Henry about Ryder, and it had obviously made an impression.
“I’m a roper myself,” Henry said and puffed out his chest.
“Oh, yeah? Tie down or team?”
“Team with Ethan. My mom won’t let me do tie down.”
Thank God. Joey could only imagine all the ways a kid could hurt himself jumping off a horse, throwing a calf to the ground, and tying its three legs together with a rope. Brynn would have a heart attack.
“You the header or the heeler?” Ryder asked.
“Header.”
Annie called for the small crowd to start boarding the hay wagon. The man next to her handed Annie the baby and helped people up. Ryder wrapped his arm around Roni’s waist and swung her up into the trailer to fits of giggles.
She went to the wagon railing and put her hands on Ryder’s shoulders. “Again!”
Ryder grinned and lifted her into the air, then slowly let her down. Joey caught the expression on Shiv’s face. The only way to describe it was astonished. Before Joey could remark that Ryder was Roni’s new best friend, he swung his mother up onto the wagon. Henry was next. Peter got himself up and wedged in next to Roni, who was practically in Shiv’s lap.
Ryder offered Joey a hand. She could get herself up without help but didn’t want to appear petty. He held on as she climbed up and his warm, calloused hand sent a shiver through her. Joey found a spot next to Henry. Ryder was the last to get on, then he grabbed the wheel well on Joey’s other side.
She was still processing why in heaven’s name he’d come. A hay wagon filled with children and happy couples wasn’t at all his thing. Perhaps Shiv had pleaded with him to join in. There wasn’t anything Ryder wouldn’t do for his mother.
Joey tried not to be self-conscious with him tagging along, turning her focus on what had turned out to be a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and the day was so clear you could see all the way to Nevada. The Sierra mountain range was still capped in white. Yet it was warm enough to go without a sweater.
Roni was keeping up a steady stream of conversation with Shiv. Joey couldn’t hear what her daughter was saying, but occasionally Shiv would break into a big smile. She caught Ryder watching with interest. Easygoing Peter leaned back, letting the sun kiss his face. And Henry focused all his attention on Ryder.
The wagon hit a series of ruts as the tractor towed it along a dirt road to the cherry orchard. Jostled, the kids laughed, grabbing on to the railings. Ryder reached his arm out to hold Joey and Henry in place. A family of tourists, ultimately on their way to Yosemite, couldn’t get over the countryside, oohing and aahing over how green everything was.
They crested a hill and parked near a row of cherry trees. A table had been set up with white paper bags, buckets, and a few fruit scales. Annie and her family had followed in a pickup. Her husband stationed himself at the back of the wagon and helped the passengers safely get out.
Ryder hopped over the side, reached up, and lifted Roni and Henry out. When the wagon was cleared, they all gathered around the table, where Annie gave picking instructions. Then everyone scattered across the orchard. Joey corralled her crew and found a shady row of trees where they could get started. Ryder hung back to talk to Annie and her husband, not that Joey was paying attention. Peter and Shiv took one tree and the kids found another where there was lots of low-hanging fruit.
Joey went back to the table to fetch another bucket so she wouldn’t have to share with Roni and Henry.
“Hey.” Ryder wandered over, his thumbs hitched in his pockets.
“I wasn’t expecting you to join us.”
“No? Why? You invited me.”
She hitched her shoulders. “It doesn’t seem like your kind of thing.”
“A warm day in the country, how could that not be anybody’s thing?”
He had a point. “I assumed you were avoiding me.”
“Not avoiding, Joey. That would be kind of impossible since you live under my roof. I’m just not looking for anything beyond what we had last night, which I was up front about from the beginning. Same with you, I thought. Or at least that’s what you told me. Did I somehow misread that? Because if I did, I’m sorry. But it doesn’t change anything.”
She glanced over at the tree where the kids were happily picking away. “I’m not looking for anything, Ryder. What happened last night was a one-off.” She started to leave, but he gently took her arm.
“It’s not you, Joey. I like you. I like your kid. I’m just not built for anything more.”
She held his gaze, staring into his eyes for what seemed like an eternity. “Got it.”
He took the bucket from her and followed her back to the corner of the orchard she’d claimed.
“Ryder, can I get on your shoulders?” Roni grabbed a fistful of his T-shirt and jumped up and down. “I want to get those cherries, but they’re too tall for me.”
“Yup, let’s do it.” He crouched down so Roni could climb up, then rose to his full height.
Henry watched enviously.
“You’re next, buddy.” Ryder mussed his hair.
Joey shielded her eyes with her hand and searched the orchard for Peter and Shiv, who were a few rows down. Peter was carrying on a lively conversation with her, but she was distracted, watching Ryder with the kids. She wanted grandchildren, Joey remembered Shiv saying. Poor lady. Ryder couldn’t commit to a postcoital cuddle, let alone a child.
By the time the kids had filled their bucket with cherries, they’d run out of steam. Joey had packed a picnic basket with refreshments. She spread a blanket on the ground and set Roni and Henry up with PB&J sandwiches and juice boxes.
Great minds thought alike, because Peter had brought along a similar setup for him and Shiv, including a bottle of hand sanitizer and a bottle of sparkling cider. They came over to join the kids while Joey went in search of a restroom or Porta Potty.
“It’s over there.”
She turned to find Ryder behind her. “How is it that you’re so familiar with the place?”
“I’m not. But truckers have pretty good mental GPS for bathrooms. You having fun?”
“I am. It’s a gorgeous day, and I get to spend it with my daughter. Nothing could be better.” She saw a flash of something in his eyes. Sadness, maybe. But it was gone so quickly she thought she might have imagined it. “How ’bout you?”
“Sure. My mom seems to be having a good time, and that’s what’s important. She seems pretty taken with your daughter.”
Joey let out a chuckle. “The whole town of Nugget is. I swear, Roni’s going to be president one day.”
“What’s the deal with the boy…Henry?”
“He’s Brynn’s son. A real sweetheart. A while back, he was in a horrible accident. His father was killed, and they didn’t know if Henry would ever walk again. Ethan got him into his medical trial, and…well, look at him.”
“What kind of accident?”
“An all-terrain vehicle. Apparently, the father was a real daredevil. But who the hell does that with a little kid?”
Ryder blanched and quickly walked away.
Joey caught up to him and grabbed his arm, which he abruptly pulled away. “Ryder, what did I say wrong?”
“Nothing.” He stopped walking and leaned against a tree. “I overreacted. Don’t worry about it.”
“Please, just tell me.”
He pushed himself off the oak and continued to the row of blue outhouses on the other side of the dirt road with her trailing him. “Do me a favor and change the subject.”
She couldn’t force him to discuss something he didn’t want to talk about. But she’d clearly touched a nerve. The obvious conclusion was that his late wife had died in an accident.
“Who was the man that came to see you this morning?” She hoped the question was neutral enough. She didn’t want to ruin the day, especially given the weirdness over them sleeping together.
“Flynn Barlow? He’s that local lawyer I met with the other day. He wrote a letter to the Addisons that he wanted to show me.”
“What kind of letter?”
Ryder glanced around to make sure they were alone. “A cease-and-desist with an added incentive to make them go away.”
Her eyes grew round. “You’re not paying them off, are you?”
He laughed. “Not even close.”
Ryder lengthened his strides, and Joey had to practically jog to keep up.
“Wait up,” she called. “What do you mean by ‘incentive,’ then?”
“Their own code and zoning violations. They report me, I’ll report them.”
“Do they have any?” What was that saying about people in glass houses not throwing stones?
“We don’t know for sure, but Flynn seems to think it’s likely and the kind of thing to get them off my back.”
It seemed like a long shot to Joey. But an attorney would know better than her. “I hope it works.”
“Yeah, me too,” he said but sounded worried.