By the time school let out, Zach had taken enough ribbing about being bailed out of jail by his perfect big brother that he wanted to hit somebody. The perfect, no fault Tanner. Tanner. Tanner. Tanner. Just his name made Zach sick. Dad used to ride Zach like a cowpony; nothing he did was ever good enough. But, boy, he sure thought Tanner hung the moon. The old man praised Tanner to the heavens. According to Dad, Tanner never made a wrong move in his life. Even Zach’s mom turned into an idiot whenever Tanner came by, which was rare. Zach snorted in disgust. Couldn’t she see he just wasn’t into her?
Passing by a bunch of guys headed to basketball practice, Zach ducked his head into his collar, hoping they wouldn’t nag him to rejoin the team. Even if he wanted to, and he didn’t, Coach Hall wouldn’t let him. In Granite, basketball was everything. Missing practice was a huge no-no. Unfortunately, Zach partied a little too hard the night before the first practice and missed it. He tried to talk to Coach, to ask for a reprieve, but the old fart was adamant — miss practice and you’re out. As a third-year varsity athlete and team co-captain, Zach knew the rules. So instead of playing ball, his one true love, Zach partied. Hard.
In fact, he could really use a beer right now.
He leaned against the gym wall and watched kids line up, shoving and horsing around as they waited for the school bus. Tanner told him to ride the bus like some loser. Like hell. He’d find a friend to take him to the ranch. Or, if all else failed, he’d make his mom give him a lift. He had his license; it was bullshit Tanner wouldn’t let him drive. The whole concept of Tanner taking over his life was bogus.
Zach picked up a handful of snow and formed it into a hard, cold ball. He pulled his arm back and searched for a target.
Porky Polly. Nice. Taking aim, he fired at the chubby blonde. With a satisfying thunk, the snowball hit her directly in the middle of her wide load ass. Zach grinned when she cried out and grabbed her big butt. When she looked around for the culprit, Zach stuffed his hands in his pockets and acted as if he found something on the ground fascinating.
After Porky quit acting like a big crybaby, Zach made another snowball and tossed it from hand to hand, trying to make up his mind who to take out with another zinger. He could hit Porkchop again, but she was too easy.
His eye landed on Snots Bennet. Tall and skinny. Glasses. A full-blown nerd. The kid’s nose ran endlessly, just like the Crystal River. Zach hated him on sight. With all the power in his arm, he took aim at Snot’s left ear and let ’er rip.
Smack.
Right on target.
Dropping his books, the kid grabbed his ear and howled.
Feeling much better about himself, Zach smiled and sauntered away. He headed toward the park. Maybe Eddie Van Meter could be talked into buying him a six pack. Zach wasn’t in the mood for splitting a sixer, but he didn’t have enough cash on him for more. He’d load up on what Eddie could get first, and if that wasn’t enough, he’d sneak home and take some of his mom’s change from her dresser. She’d never miss it.
Centennial Park sat at the edge of Granite, with an ornate gazebo hidden from view by a row of pine trees. Taking care not to be seen, Zach slipped into the gazebo and waited. Like a ghost of some sort, Eddie always seemed to know when somebody showed up needing booze. Or something stronger. Zach wasn’t into dope. Beer was plenty for him. Two or three took the edge off; five or six and he became the life of the party. The golden boy everyone expected him to be. Almost as good as Tanner.
Slipping silently up beside him, Eddie rested his butt on the snow covered banister rail. “What’s hanging?”
Zach shrugged. “Not much.”
“It’s freezing, man.” As usual, Eddie wore only a light denim jacket, jeans, and tennis shoes with holes in them. No hat covered his shaggy, carrot colored hair and his gloves didn’t have fingers. Even in the middle of July, his complexion stayed pale, almost translucent.
“Yeah.”
“You need some warm up?” Eddie reached inside his dirt smeared denim jacket and took out a silver flask. He unscrewed the cap and took a long pull. After swiping his mouth, he said, “Ah, sweet mama. Come home to Daddy.”
When he handed it over, Zach took a big swig and nearly gagged. Whatever was in there burned all the way down to his toes. After a minute, the burn turned to soothing warmth, spreading throughout him like an electric blanket for his insides. Nice. He could get used to that.
Eddie took the liquor back and drank again.
Zach waited impatiently, then took the flask. After two go-rounds, he was surprised to find how fast the booze rushed to his head. Normally it took a six pack at least for him to feel so good. When he held out his hand for more, Eddie shook his head. “No go, man. All gone.”
“Damn.” Zach laughed. He felt too good to care.
“Yeah.” Eddie looked sorrowfully at the silver flask, then tipped it upside down and watched the last drop trickle out. “Life sucks, man.”
“Pretty much,” Zach agreed. He looked around, surprised at how dark it had gotten. Long, black shadows fell across the park. He glanced at his wristwatch and saw it was after five. “Shit. Tanner’s gonna kick my ass.”
“Not my problem. See ya, dude.” Eddie gave a little wave and vanished into the gloom.
Zach’s former good mood vanished as fast as Eddie did. The ranch was more than five miles out of town and by now the bus would’ve dropped off Sutton. If he weren’t already, Tanner would soon be on the hunt for Zach. Mom would take him to the ranch if he pleaded his case. Sprinting across the baseball field he rehearsed his story — that he’d missed the bus. Anxious to stay on Tanner’s good side, she’d give him a lift.
The front door was locked, so Zach knocked. In a minute Mom came to the door and opened it. Seeing him, she unlocked the door and pulled it open. “Zach? Why aren’t you at the ranch?”
She looked over his shoulder to the empty street. “Where’s Tanner? Did he change his mind and let you come home?”
“No.” He put on his saddest expression, one he knew she couldn’t resist. “I missed the bus. Will you take me to the ranch before Tanner shits little kittens?”
She hesitated long enough to make him wonder if she’d refuse. “Okay. Come on.” Inside the garage, she surprised him again when she shook her head when he held out his hand for the keys. “No, we can’t risk making Tanner mad.”
Zach slouched in the front seat of the SUV, pissed as hell. “Tell me again why we’re kissing big bro’s ass.”
She checked her reflection in the mirror. “Because he’s holding all the cards right now. Just play along for a while. Please? For me? As soon as he lightens up, you can come home.”
“Fine.” Zach took his iPod out of his backpack and placed the buds in his ears. He closed his eyes and let the music drown out his mother listing all the reasons he had to play nice with Tanner.
As they reached the ranch gates, Zach sat up and removed his earbuds. “Let me out here. I’ll walk up to the house.”
Nancy handed over a piece of gum. “You might want to chew this on the way to get the smell of alcohol off your breath before you see Tanner.”
Popping the gum in his mouth, Zach grinned sarcastically. “Thanks for the motherly advice.”
Zach slammed the SUV door shut and turned up the long driveway to the B Bar ranch house. Taking care to walk in the deep snow, he made sure his shoes and pant legs got good and soaked so Leona and Tanner would think he’d walked all the way from town. He shoved his hoodie off his head and tore off his gloves. He couldn’t fake being cold, or Leona would see right through him.
A few minutes later, he trudged up to the brightly lit house. A coil of longing curled around his insides. Although Leona had always treated him decent, what would it feel like to really belong here? To be a part of the Burke heritage, to know that everything for miles around was yours? He’d never know. This place was Leona’s legacy to Tanner, not Zach.
Before he entered the circle of warm yellow light thrown from the lamp above the back door, he replaced his gloves and hoodie. No need to fake now. He was frozen like a fish stick, even his feet and lower legs felt numb. As he opened the back door, the aroma of beef stew and baking bread greeted him. His traitorous stomach roared like a mountain lion.
“That you, Zach?” Leona appeared in the doorway, wiping her hands on a flowery apron. Her rosy cheeks made her eyes appear greener than normal. “Sutton said you didn’t get on the bus.”
“I missed it.” He kept his eyes toward his sopping shoes.
“Funny, Sutton mentioned that she saw you standing by the gym while the other kids loaded.” Leona had no accusation in her voice. “I guess you had time to think it over on your long walk home and decide for yourself riding the bus is better than freezing your skinny rear off. Hurry up and get some dry clothes on.” She half turned away and then paused. “One last thing, Zach. We’ll get along a lot better if you tell me the truth.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he muttered.
A few minutes later Zach felt like a new man. Dressed in warm clothes, sitting in the kitchen while Leona dished up enough food for an Army, he sipped coffee strong enough to knock him out. Maybe there was some truth to the idea that cowboys had brass balls. They’d have to have big ones to drink this stuff all the time.
“Sutton,” Leona called. “Supper’s on.”
“Coming, Grandma.” She galloped in like she was a horse, pulling to a rear, pawing the air near Zach’s face. “Hi, Uncle Zach. How come you didn’t get on the bus? I saved you a seat.”
“I … uh … ” He felt Leona’s gaze on the back of his neck. “I wanted to walk home tonight. Next time, okay?”
“Okay.” She threw her arms around his neck and he squeezed her tight. She smelled like sugar cookies. Around her, he wanted to do better, be good. He let go and she sat next to him. “I’m hungry.”
“Me, too.”
Leona placed the food on the table and sat. Bowing her head, she began to say grace. After she was done Zach asked, “Where’s Tanner?”
“He had some business in Denver to take care of. Be home in the morning.”
“Oh.” A great weight lifted off Zach. He didn’t have to live up to the big man tonight. With gusto, he dug into his meal.
• • •
By the time Tanner and Cat were a hundred miles out of Denver, the snowstorm had turned into a blizzard. The windshield wipers fought to keep the windshield clear, but failed miserably. Tanner slowed as much as he dared on the interstate. Big rigs continued to plow on, and each time one passed them, it threw another layer of icy snow over the pickup.
“I need to stop,” Tanner said. “We’ll find a place to eat, and wait it out for a while.”
Although dying to get home to Eve, Cat nodded. No sense getting themselves killed. She spotted an exit sign announcing a town. “Miner’s Creek is coming up next.”
Tanner flipped on his blinker and eased off the freeway.
“Is there anything here?” Cat knew the town located next to the Interstate wasn’t much more than a café and gas station.
“I don’t know,” Tanner admitted. “But even if we sit in the café for a while, we’ll be safer than trying to drive in this mess.” He leaned forward to get a better look through the frosted glass.
Cat pressed her nose to the window on her side. “I see lights.”
“On what? A house?”
“I don’t know. Looks like a B and B.” She groaned. “It’s closed.”
Tanner drove past half a dozen Victorian houses, most lit up, reminding Cat of a scene out of an old Jimmy Stewart movie.
Tanner turned into the empty parking lot of a two-story wood building with an enormous water wheel turning in the river. “This is a café. Let’s eat something, and see how the storm goes.”
Cat realized she was starving. Tea and toast with Eve had been hours ago. “I need to call Eve and make sure she’s okay.”
“You can call from inside.” They stepped out into the howling wind and snow. Seeing more than a few feet in front of them was impossible. Tanner took her arm as they navigated the slippery walk. “Be careful. Don’t fall.”
A tingle shot up her arm where he touched her. Tanner opened the door and a blast of warm air hit them in the face. A short, pudgy woman holding a black and tan wiener dog met them in the entrance. “I’m sorry, but I’m closed for the season.”
“Okay, thank you.” Cat began to turn away.
Tanner grabbed her hand. “We understand, but I wondered if you might reconsider. The freeway is hazardous and there’s nothing else open for miles.”
The old lady bit her lip and then nodded. “Come in.”
They moved inside and Tanner shoved the door closed behind them. The old lady spoke again. “Goodness, it’s a real buster out there. Like I said, I’m closed until ski season, but I have soup and homemade bread.”
“We’d love soup.” Cat’s stomach growled and she hoped Tanner hadn’t noticed.
He helped Cat pull off her heavy coat, then removed his Carhartt. Hanging both over a chair, he placed his hand on Cat’s shoulder. “Tanner Burke and Cat O’Brien. We’re going home to Granite.”
“My name is Davinia Lewis.” She led them through into a large, dark dining room, placed the dog on the floor and clapped her hands. “Lovely place, Granite. I used to visit there quite often when I was a girl.” The dog waddled over to Cat and sniffed her toe. Davinia bent to pick her up. “Come on, Jazzie. These people don’t want you bothering them.”
“She’s no bother,” Cat protested. “I love dogs.”
Davinia beamed. “Make yourselves at home while I get the soup. I’ll be right back.”
Tanner moved to the end of the room where a fire had burned down in a fireplace. He placed a log in the fire and held his hands over the flames.
Cat sat at the table and watched him for a minute, admiring the way his western shirt snugged over broad shoulders and the perfect way his Wranglers fit his backside. The dog nosed her toe again and Cat bent to pick Jazzie up. What was she doing looking at Tanner’s rear? She didn’t have time to dwell on her thoughts as Davinia bustled into the room carrying a tray. Cat stood to help, but Tanner beat her to it, crossing the room with long strides. “Let me take that.”
“Thanks so much.” Davinia directed him to set the tray on the table.
“Do you have a ladies’ room?” Cat asked.
“Of course, dear.” Davinia pointed down a hall. “Last door on the right.”
Cat entered an old fashioned bathroom, complete with red and gold velvet wallpaper and a gilded mirror. Cat went straight to the mirror and groaned when she saw her reflection. Her makeup had virtually disappeared. The mascara left behind was mostly under her eyes, not on her lashes. Her hair looked like she’d forgotten what a brush was. Tanner probably thought she resembled an old hag.
“This isn’t a date,” Cat whispered a reminder to herself. Still, no harm in looking better. She dug in her cosmetics case for help. A few minutes later, she felt a little bit like herself again.
When she approached Tanner, he stood. His voice deepened. “You look great.”
Her breath caught at the compliment. “Thank you.”
She gave him a surprised smile when he pulled out her chair. Still had the manners his mother instilled in him. How had he changed? Age had only improved his looks. A bit of a five o’clock shadow only made him sexier. Damn him for looking so good, and for stirring up old emotions.
Cat turned her attention to the food when her stomach growled. A big crock of steaming vegetable soup and homemade bread sat in the middle of the table. “This is wonderful.”
“Help yourselves,” Davinia said. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to see about the furnace.” She bustled away, the dog hot on her heels. The wind howled around the frame, shaking it.
They ate in silence for a few minutes.
Tanner broke into her thoughts. “I’ve been thinking. I’d like to see Eve as much as possible.”
After seventeen years he wanted to be Eve’s hero? Or maybe not. Maybe he wanted to work on Eve about giving up her baby.
Over Cat’s dead body.
Keeping her eyes down, she nodded.
Reaching over, he took her hand. “I’d like both of you to come out to the ranch very soon.”
“It’s probably best if only Eve goes out there.” She pulled her hand from his. Being around him would only lead to longings for things she couldn’t have.
His jaw tightened. “I need to break the news about Eve to Mom.” He sighed. “And Zach is living with me for a while. I’ll need to let him know, too.”
She had forgotten about Tanner’s half brother. He would be just a few months older than Eve. Roscoe Burke had abandoned his first wife and son for newer, fresher models. Or at least that’s how it had seemed to Tanner back then. Apparently, he had softened toward his brother. Cat wondered where the boy’s mother and father were, but didn’t pry.
A knock boomed through the house. Davinia hurried through the dining room. “Goodness, this storm is terrible.”
She and Tanner watched a harried family troop in and sit around a nearby table. As Davinia bustled around putting out tableware, the mother unbuttoned her blouse to feed her wailing baby. Cat’s stomach twisted into a knot of longing. She’d never been able to put her infant to her breast. Right after the birth, the infant had been whisked away and handed off to the Sheppards. Cat had gone home from the hospital with an empty womb, arms, and heart.
Her gaze pulled to Tanner. He’d gotten to experience all the midnight feedings, diaper changes and everything else a new baby required with Sutton. Did he ever think about everything they had missed with their daughter? A day didn’t pass that Cat didn’t ache for her child. How could he not? Maybe because he had another child, the hole in his heart wasn’t as big.
“I need to call Eve.” Cat moved near the fire and took her cell out of her purse and dialed. When Eve picked up, Cat said, “Eve, sweetheart. How are you?”
“Good.” She sounded as if she’d been crying.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Uh-huh. The puking is always less at night.”
Cat remembered the feeling well. “Listen, we’re stuck in Miner’s Creek. The storm is raging and we pulled off the road. We’re at a bed and breakfast. Don’t look for us until morning. There’s plenty in the fridge, so help yourself to anything you see.”
“You’re not coming?” Eve sounded so lost Cat wanted to go to her immediately.
“Of course. Soon.”
“How was the deal with my mom?” Cat heard the pain in Eve’s voice and her heart ached for the teen.
“Everything’s going to be fine. I’ll see you in the morning. We’ll talk then.”
“Okay. Tell Tanner hi. I gotta go.” Eve hung up.
For a minute, Cat held the phone. Eve seemed so at ease with Tanner. She hoped things between her and Eve would go smoothly, too.
“Is Eve okay?” Tanner held out a glass of brandy. “Davinia insisted we have an after dinner drink.”
Cat took the glass, careful not to touch him. “She sounded okay. Not so sick.”
“Good.” He sipped the amber liquid. “How’s the cat?”
“I forgot to ask.” She glared at him until his grin forced her to smile, too.
“Poor old guy. He’s second now.” Their attention was pulled to the two teens who began to bicker over a handheld game.
Smile fading, Cat stared into her brandy. “How is this all going to work out, Tanner?”
With a gentle touch, he tipped her chin up so their gazes met. “It’ll be fine.” But the faint shadow in his green eyes told her it might not be so easy.