Chapter Fourteen

Dinner with the Owens family equaled a loud, boisterous, and joyful time. Fall flowers, white and orange baby pumpkins, and dark, jewel-toned throw blankets decorated the inn’s dining and living rooms where they’d gathered to eat. Mary Rose had added a leaf to the table so they could all squeeze around it. Callie sat between Nova and Kennedy. The sun had long ago set, and Jenna, seated next to her uncle Hunter, currently captivated the room.

“We’re going to be bank robbers,” Jenna said. “Me, Mommy, and Daddy are going to wear black pants, a black-and-white-striped shirt, a black beanie, black gloves, and a black eye mask. My trick-or-treat bag is going to be the giant bag of money only it will have candy inside it. Rumi is going to dress up, too, as a police dog.”

Upon hearing her name, Rumi barked from underneath the table where she’d been quietly sitting.

“What about Gia?” Maverick asked.

Jenna shrugged and made an I-don’t-know-and-I-don’t-care face.

“How about I babysit her while you three trick-or-treat?” Hunter suggested. “Are you guys still going to be here?” he asked Bethany’s mom and sister.

“I think so,” Bethany’s mom said.

“You can trick-or-treat, too, then.”

Jenna whispered something in his ear. He whispered something back. Jenna whispered again. Cole cleared his throat. “Jenna, it’s not polite to tell secrets at the table,” he said.

“Sorry, Daddy. Me and Uncle Hunt are plotting.”

“What are you plotting?” Mary Rose asked with grandmotherly curiosity.

“I guess the cat’s out of the bag, Uncle Hunt.”

Hunter—and everyone else around the table by Callie’s calculations—tried not to smile too hard at Jenna’s matter-of-fact tone and almost on-target colloquialism.

“Technically it’s not yet,” Hunter said. “But it will be once you share with everyone.” His eyes landed on Callie’s from across the table. She couldn’t look away, a sparkle in those blue depths of his full of appreciation and joy.

“Me and Uncle Hunt are going to dress up Rebel for Halloween! It was my idea, and he said it was great.” She glanced around the table with a huge grin on her face. “Callie is going to help us!”

From afar. She planned to help them from afar. She didn’t have to get close to the animal to sew what Jenna had in mind.

“What’s she going to be?” Nova asked.

“A superhero. She’s going to have a purple cape and a sparkly purple eye mask that won’t hurt her eyes. And guess what her superpower is?” Jenna bounced in her chair. “She can run faster than any other land animal and find buried treasure by sniffing it out with her nose.”

“That sounds terrific,” Bethany said. “Thanks for sharing with us, sweetie.”

“You’re welcome.” She forked a piece of potato on her plate and ran it through the gravy from the pot roast before popping it in her mouth.

“You know,” John said, addressing his granddaughter, “there’s buried treasure here somewhere on the ranch.”

Jenna’s eyes and mouth widened like saucers.

“Supposedly,” Mary Rose amended.

“You never told us that,” Maverick said.

John and Mary Rose exchanged a look. “If we’d told you as kids, you would have searched and searched and driven us crazy,” John said lightheartedly.

“If there’s one thing you all have in common, it’s determination.” Mary Rose squeezed Cole’s hand, the closest seated child.

“What’s the story?” Cole asked.

“The story goes that back in the late 1800s, just before my grandfather bought the land, a Mexican ranchero sold off his cattle and received payment in silver,” John said. “The ranchero didn’t trust banks or anyone else, so he buried the six chests of silver he received. He drew a chart with the spot where the treasure was so he could return for it one day. Then wanting a better life he believed he could have in a new settlement, he gathered his dependents and vaqueros—”

“What’s a vaquero?” Jenna asked.

“A cowboy,” John said with a wink.

Everyone remained riveted on John, the room so quiet you could hear the antique wall clock in the next room ticking. Even Gia, who had been a bit fussy, had quieted. John’s rich and compassionate voice soothed as much as it informed.

“He gathered his dependents and vaqueros and headed north, but before they’d gone very far, they were attacked by bandits. The ranchero fell from his horse and was badly wounded and left for dead while the others in his party were rerouted.”

Callie lifted her gaze from a small stain on the tablecloth and found Hunter’s attention on her. She slowly blinked at him—a yes, I heard the part about falling off a horse, but I’m okay blink.

“He laid by the side of the road helpless for two days before a priest found him. The ranchero was delirious and dehydrated and told the priest about the buried treasure, but he didn’t have the chart on him and he couldn’t describe the location with any accuracy. Just before he died, though, he woke with a small degree of intelligence and tried to tell the priest where the chests were buried. The priest, believing the ranchero to be feverish and incoherent, didn’t think much of it. Still, he made a casual search of the land but didn’t find any trace of the silver.”

“Where do you think the treasure map is, Papa?” Jenna asked.

“No one knows. Most people today believe the story is nothing more than a rumor.”

“What do you believe?” Hunter asked.

“It’s fun to think there might be buried treasure on the property, but if it were true, I think my grandfather would have found it.”

“Maybe Rebel will find it!” Jenna said.

“Maybe,” John agreed.

Multiple conversations took place after that. Every few minutes Callie caught Hunter looking at her again, giving her a different face each time—silly, happy, contemplative. And each time she softened toward him more.

He wasn’t at all what she expected, each layer he shared another reason to fall under his charms.

After everyone had finished eating, the guys cleared the table and brought dessert out. Fresh baked pumpkin and apple pies that smelled divine, along with vanilla ice cream and Mary Rose’s famous hot chocolate.

“What’s going on with you and my brother?” Nova asked under her breath, a hint of delight dusting her words.

“We’ve become friends. Good friends, I guess.”

“You know, he’s had a crush on you forever.”

“What? No, he hasn’t. He’s always acted weird around me.”

“Because he was tongue-tied.”

“You’re being ridiculous. How many glasses of wine did you have?” She took a sip of her hot chocolate to ease the growing lump in the back of her throat.

“One. And why is it ridiculous? You’re a catch.”

“Your brother is just a friend. We wouldn’t even be in each other’s orbit if not for my helping to keep an eye on him.”

“You’re in my orbit and my family’s, Cal, which means you’ve always been in his.” Nova eyed her more closely. “He’s turned on the charm, hasn’t he?”

Nova was more than a best friend, she was a sister, and Callie had never lied to her. “He has, yes, but nothing is coming of it.”

“Why not?”

“You really think that’s a good idea?”

“I think Trevor hurt you. And guys before him, too, and you deserve to be with someone you can trust.”

Callie threw her head back and laughed. “No offense, but I can trust him to leave, just like everyone else, and that’s about it. Besides, after Kennedy and Maverick’s wedding, I need him to find the woman he’s going to marry, and you know I have no plans to do that.”

“I respect your choice, I do, but I also think you’re too young to decide you never want to get married. Not that I’m implying you and my brother—”

“Why are we talking about this now?”

“Because it’s clear there’s something going on between you two.” She bumped Callie’s shoulder with hers. “I’ll drop it if that’s what you want.”

“Please.” Had anyone else noticed this new awareness between her and Hunter? She hoped not.

Though if they had, so what? Everyone knew he was a flirt. Add in his feverish state for most of the time they’d spent together and the something could be easily dismissed.

To be sure, though, maybe she needed to try matching him with someone before the wedding. Help fate along, as it were…

“Hey,” the man himself said, sliding into the chair vacated by Kennedy. Eyes tired. Forehead creased. Shoulders slumped. “Sorry to interrupt, but I’m going to head home now.”

Without a second thought, she put a hand on his arm. “I’ll go with you.” Seemed like he needed some TLC right now.

“No, you should stay.”

Nova slung an arm around Callie’s shoulders. “Yes, stay. We can talk more and spike our next hot chocolate.”

“Raincheck?” Callie said to Nova, needing zero time to think about the right thing to do. What she wanted to do. It didn’t make sense. She loved spending time with Nova over anyone else, and yet she couldn’t fight the pull to go with Hunter. “I think I should go with Hunt.”

“Of course.” Nova pressed her lips together, obviously trying not to smile. “Hunt still needs looking after.”

Oops. The simple act of shortening his name—which many people did—was new for her and her best friend obviously thought it noteworthy.

Callie rolled her eyes, then turned to face Hunter. “Let’s go.”

“Only if you’re sure.”

She pushed her chair back to stand. “I am.”

They thanked Mary Rose for dinner and said their goodbyes. Callie bundled inside her winter coat for the short walk back to the bunkhouse. Stars sparkled in the pitch-black sky. The cold, crisp air felt nice on her cheeks.

Hunter picked up her hand. “Thanks, Callie.”

Shocked with the handholding, she stiffened and almost came to an abrupt stop. Was he going to let go? Keep hold for the entire walk? Her hand fit nicely against his, and she thought to run her thumb over his knuckles, explore further. His slightly callused and warm skin sent a tingle up her arm.

Okay, many tingles. It was disturbing.

And interesting.

He squeezed her hand. “I don’t think I’ve said that enough.” His grip lightened. She readied herself for him to let go. In three, two…

“Uncle Hunt! Callie!” Jenna shouted from behind.

Callie pulled free of his hand so fast she almost dislocated her shoulder. The two of them spun around.

“Hey, pipsqueak. What’s up?” Hunter asked.

“Can I have a sleepover with you?” She steepled her palms together and placed them under her uplifted chin.

“Don’t you have school tomorrow?”

“Yes, but it’s conference week so the schedule is different. I promise I will pop right out of bed and won’t be any trouble.” She batted her eyelashes. “Pretty please?”

Hunter bent to eye level with his adorable niece. In Callie’s head, she’d already said yes. Mostly because she needed some space from Hunter. They’d grown too close, too fast, and Jenna provided the perfect distraction.

“What did your mom and dad say?”

Jenna dropped her arms. “That I could if it’s okay with you. I really need this, Uncle Hunt. Gia cries all the time at night. My brain is suffering from lack of sleep.”

“Well, we can’t have that. Hop on.” He shared a quick, amused look with Callie before he canted his head for Jenna to hop onto his back for a piggyback ride. The young girl’s shenanigans were too cute for words.

“Yay!” She jumped onto his back, a brief wince crossing Hunter’s face.

Callie never doubted he’d say yes. He’d say yes no matter how much discomfort he was in. Jenna had him wrapped around her finger.

The moment they stepped inside the bunkhouse, Jenna slid to her feet. She immediately walked over to the bolts of fabric leaning against the wall to feel the material.

Hunter continued to his bedroom. “Come on, let’s get your pajamas.” He opened the bottom drawer of his dresser and pulled out a pair of pale-yellow jammies.

Jenna glanced over at Callie. “I have a drawer at Uncle Maverick’s house, too. And at Nana and Papa’s. I’m welcome everywhere.” She skipped to her uncle, took the clothing, and darted into the bathroom.

“Make sure to brush your teeth,” Hunter called out.

She poked her head out. “Duh.”

He sat on the edge of his bed, phone in hand, texting. “Just letting Cole and Bethany know we’re home and we’ve got Jenna.”

Callie didn’t know what to do with herself. She watched Hunter, watched for Jenna to come out, then finally removed her coat. Hunter looked up, his focus landing on her mouth, then dipping lower, taking in the curves underneath her sweater dress with undisguised interest.

She quickly spun around and moved out of eyesight. (Thank you, sliding barn door.) Sitting on the couch, she tossed her coat to the side and took off her boots. “We agreed no flirting,” she said.

“When did I flirt?” he asked.

“Just now.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You didn’t have to. Your eyes did the talking.” She leaned back and closed hers.

“Really? What did they say?” His come-hither timbre did not help matters. And the thing was, he didn’t even realize how sexy he was no matter what he did.

“What do you think they said?” Rather than shut him up, she wanted to hear him talk more. She didn’t know what was happening to her.

“If I told you…”

Her head snapped to the left where he stood leaning against the barn door, one jean-clad leg crossed over the other. His arms were over his chest, casually showing off his muscular biceps beneath his long-sleeve Henley.

“All done!” Jenna called out. She popped up next to Hunter a second later. “Wanna play cards?”

Eight-year-olds had perfect timing.

Three games of Go Fish later, Jenna lay tucked in bed next to her uncle and Callie was conked out under a blanket on the couch, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion. Just before she fell asleep, she heard a soft, “Good night, Triple C.”

Needless to say, she dreamed about one very hot, confusing cowboy.