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Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch
Patricia Thayer
Driving through the Lazy S Ranch after ten years away, the first person Josie Slater sees is the gorgeous-as-ever Garrett Temple! The memory of her first love and her first broken heart come flooding back. She doesn’t have time for old attractions as the Lazy S needs her help!But when a snowstorm blows in, Josie and Garrett are left stranded together.With nowhere to run, the feeling that they still belong together is undeniable…


THE SLATER SISTERS OF MONTANA
Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the idyllic Lazy S Ranch is about to welcome home the beautiful Slater sisters.
Don your Stetson and your cowboy boots and join us as these sisters experience first loves, second chances and their very own happy-ever-afters with the most delicious heroes in the West. No dream is too big in Montana!
Out first in September 2013
THE COWBOY SHE COULDN’T FORGET
followed in November 2013 by
PROPOSAL AT THE LAZY S RANCH
Proposal at the Lazy S Ranch
Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, PATRICIA THAYER is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.
Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.
When she’s not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself, accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together, they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them: her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.
Patricia has written for over twenty years, and has authored more than forty-six books. She has been nominated for both a National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA
Award. Her book Nothing Short of a Miracle won an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award.
A longtime member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.
Check her website, www.patriciathayer.com, for forthcoming books.
To Timothy Paul Brooks, Jr. You were too young to leave us, but you’ll never be forgotten.
RIP Timmy. March 19, 1990–February 26, 2013
Contents
CHAPTER ONE (#u99734fac-d8d6-5c53-8b3e-c73e68d41b15)
CHAPTER TWO (#ub53e7c70-d805-543c-82e8-7d4444ae5c54)
CHAPTER THREE (#u1be08439-96f5-5072-99ca-6615df961820)
CHAPTER FOUR (#uea94e26e-0030-5f07-8d46-ac42bec01826)
CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
EPILOGUE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ONE
SHE WAS A COWARD.
Josefina Slater jumped into her BMW and drove away from the Lazy S Ranch, her childhood home. Before she’d left California two days ago for Montana, she’d told herself she would be able to come back here and help with her father’s recovery from a stroke. But when she’d arrived at the house and saw her older sister, Ana, she found she wasn’t ready to face Colton Slater, or her past.
When Josie had arrived at the ranch house and was greeted by her older sister, Ana, she froze right there on the spot. She needed more time. She told her sister she wasn’t ready and got back into her car and started driving. To where, she had no idea.
She’d grown up here on the ranch with a man who didn’t want the daughters Lucia Slater left behind when she walked out. Outside of her siblings, her twin, Tori, and older sister, Ana, and younger sister, Marissa, there hadn’t been much else to keep her here. This was Josie’s first time back in nearly ten years.
About two miles down the road, she opened the window. The air was brisk, reminding her that winter was fast approaching. With the quiet hum of the engine mingled with soft music from the radio, she finally started to relax.
She glanced out the windshield at the rolling green pastures that seemed to go on for miles and was framed by the scenic Rocky Mountains. Tall pines covered the slopes as the majestic peaks reached upward to the incredible blue sky.
Quite a different landscape from her home in Los Angeles, or her life. Success in her career as an event planner came with a lot of hard work and little sleep. Except she’d been told if she didn’t stop her hectic pace, her health could be in serious trouble. To help ease her stress, her doctor suggested she take time off. Tori, her twin sister and partner in Slater Style, had been the one who’d insisted she come back here to the ranch and try to relax.
Sure, returning here was going to ease her stress. Right. She couldn’t even get through the front door.
Her grip tightened on the steering wheel. No. she wouldn’t let Colt Slater turn her back into that insecure little girl. She shook her head. “Not again.” She wouldn’t let any man do that to her.
She continued to drive down the road until she could see part of the Big Hole River. Memories flooded her head, reminding her how she and her sisters used to sneak off and swim there. That brought a smile to her lips. It was also where Ana was building the new lodge along with some small fishing cabins. They’d hoped to add income to help the other problem, the Lazy S’s struggling finances.
Curiosity had Josie turning off onto a dirt road and driving the half mile to where several trucks were parked. She pulled in next to a crew cab pickup that had GT Construction embossed on the side.
Why not check out the progress? Anything to delay her going back to the house. She climbed out, glad she’d worn her jeans and boots, and pulled her lined jacket closer to her body, shielding her from the late-October weather.
Feeling excitement for the project she’d helped create with Ana, she headed across the grass toward the river to observe the progress of the two-story log cabin structure taking shape about thirty yards from the water’s edge.
“Good job, Ana,” she breathed into the cool autumn breeze.
Suddenly someone called out, but before she could turn around she felt something hit her in the back, sending her flying. Josie let out a cry as she hit the hard ground.
* * *
Garrett Temple felt pain shoot through his body as he cradled the small woman under him. It took a few breaths to get his lungs working from the impact, but at least he’d kept her from getting hit by the lumber truck. He managed to roll off her as his men started to gather around.
“I didn’t see her, boss,” Jerry said as he leaned over them. “You okay?”
Garrett nodded, but his attention was on the still woman facedown on the grass. He knelt beside the petite body and traced over her for any broken bones or visible injuries.
“You want me to call the paramedics?” someone asked.
“Give me a minute,” Garrett said as he gently brushed back the long whiskey-colored hair from her face. He froze as recognition hit him. The olive skin, the delicate jawline, long dark lashes. He knew that underneath those closed lids were mesmerizing blue eyes. His heart began to pound even more rapidly. “Josie?”
She groaned, and he said her name again. “Josie. Can you hear me?”
With another groan, she started to raise her head. He stopped her, but caught a whiff of her familiar scent. Hell, how could he remember what she smelled like? He drew back, already feeling the familiar pull to this woman. It had been nearly ten years.
She rolled to one side.
“Take it easy,” he told her. “Do you hurt anywhere?”
“My chest,” she whispered. “Hard to breathe.”
“You got the wind knocked out of you.”
She blinked and finally opened her eyes, and he was hit with her rich blue gaze. She looked confused, and then said, “Garrett?”
He rose to his knees. “Hello, Josie.”
Josie felt as if she were in a dream. Garrett Temple? It couldn’t be... She blinked again, suddenly realizing it was reality. She pushed him away, sat up and groaned at the pounding in her head. “What are you doing here?”
He didn’t look any happier to see her. “Trying to save your neck.”
“Like I need your help for anything.” She glanced up and saw several men peering at them. “I’m fine.” She brushed off her sweater and jeans, trying to act as if nothing was wrong. “I just need a minute.”
The crew didn’t move away until Garrett stepped in. “Everyone, this is Ana Slater’s sister Josie.”
The guys mumbled a quick greeting, and then headed back to their jobs.
Once alone, Josie turned to the man she’d never expected to see again. The man who’d smashed all her dreams and the last person she needed to see right now.
“Do you hurt anywhere?” he asked again.
A broken heart. “No, I’m fine,” she lied. Her ankle was suddenly killing her.
Garrett got to his feet and reached down to offer her some help. She got up under her own power, trying to ignore her light-headedness and her throbbing ankle.
“Still as stubborn as ever, I see.”
She glared at the large man. He was well over six feet. Nothing had changed in the looks department, either. He was still handsome with all that black wavy hair, not a bald spot in view. Her attention went to his mouth to see that sexy grin, and her stomach tightened in awareness. Well, dang it. She wasn’t going to let him get to her again.
She tested some weight on her tender ankle. Not good. “I know why I’m here,” she began, “but...why are you?”
He folded his muscular arms over his wide chest. So he’d filled out from the thin boy she once knew in high school.
“I own GT Construction. Ana hired me.”
No. Her sister wouldn’t do that. Not when she knew how much Garrett had hurt and humiliated her. “We’ll see about that.” She started to walk off but her ankle couldn’t hold her weight and she started to fall.
“Whoa.” He caught her in his arms. Big strong arms. “You are hurt.”
“No, I just twisted my ankle. I’ll be fine when I get back to the ranch.”
“You aren’t going anywhere until I get you checked out.”
“You’re not doing anything—” She gasped as he swung her up into his arms as if she were a child. “Put me down,” she demanded, but he only drew her closer and she had no choice but to slip her arm around his neck to keep her balance.
He carried her the short distance to his truck. One of the men rushed over and opened the passenger door. Garrett set her down in the seat.
“You can’t kidnap me, Garrett.” He was so close to her, she could inhale that so-familiar scent of the man she’d once loved more than anything. “Just take me home.”
He shook his head. “You were hurt on my construction site, so I’m responsible for you. We’re going to the E.R. first, then I’ll take you back to the ranch.”
She started to speak, but the door got shut in her face. A few minutes later, he appeared in the driver’s seat. He handed her purse to her. “You might want to call your sister and tell her where you’re going.”
“No. She’ll get all worried and she has enough on her mind.” She stole a glance at the man beside her, unable to stop studying his profile. Okay, so she was curious about him, darn it. “What about my car?”
“I’ll have one of the men drive it back to the house.”
She folded her arms over her chest.
Garrett started the engine and began to back up, then headed for the highway. “Josie...maybe this would be a good chance to talk.”
She glared at him. “What could we possibly have to say to each other, Garrett? I got the message nine years ago when you said, ‘Sorry Josie, I’m going to marry someone else.’” She hated that his words still hurt. “So don’t waste any more words.”
Josie managed to fight back tears. She had to concentrate on getting through this time with a man who broke her heart once. She wasn’t going to let it happen again, so she decided to head back to Los Angeles as soon as possible.
* * *
An hour later at the emergency room in Dillon, Garrett sat with Josie while they waited for the doctor. Even in the silly gown they had her put on, she still looked good. There was no denying that seeing her again had affected him, more than he thought possible.
From the moment when he noticed Josie Slater in Royerton High School and saw her big blue eyes, he’d been a goner. They’d been a couple all through school, even after he graduated and went off to college. Josie finished high school and went to college locally two years later. Then one weekend he’d come home to tell her about his apprenticeship. They had a big fight about him being gone all summer, and they broke up. Josie refused to talk to him for months. Then he met Natalie....
Now all these years later, Josie was back here. Seeing her today had been harder than he could imagine. But her reaction toward him was a little hard to take. He didn’t have to worry about her having any leftover feelings for him.
Garrett stood outside of the cubicle and the curtain was drawn as the doctor examined Josie.
“So, Ms. Slater,” the doctor began, “you’re getting a nasty bruise on your forehead.” There was silence for a moment, and the middle-aged man continued, “You’re lucky. It doesn’t seem you have a concussion.”
Grateful, Garrett sagged against the wall, knowing he shouldn’t eavesdrop, but he still listened for more information.
“I want you to take it easy today,” the doctor told her. “Your ankle is swollen, but the X-ray didn’t show any broken bones. But you’ll need to put ice on it.” He paused. “Do you take any medications?”
Garrett heard Josie rattle off a few. He recognized one was for anxiety and the other for sleeping. What was wrong with her?
The doctor came out from behind the curtain. “She’ll be fine, although she’ll have some bruises.”
“Thank you, Doctor.”
He nodded. “Just make sure she rests today and have her stay off her feet.”
“I will.”
The doctor walked away, and Garrett called, “You decent?”
“Yes,” she grumbled.
He went behind the curtain and found her sitting on the bed, not looking happy. “I got a clean bill of health, so can we go home?”
He nodded, suddenly wishing she was home. But he had a feeling that Josie was headed back to California real soon, and he’d lose her for the second time.
* * *
It was another forty minutes before Garrett pulled up in front of the Slater home. Josie’s pulse started racing once again as she looked up at the big two-story brown house with the white trim. It was a little faded and the porch needed some work. So a lot of things around the ranch hadn’t been cared for in a while.
Garrett got out of the truck and walked around to her side. He pulled the crutches out of the back, but propped them against the side of the truck as he reached in and scooped her into his arms. Instead of setting her down on the ground, he carried her toward the house.
“Hey, I can do this myself.”
“It’s crazy to struggle with these steps when I can get you in the house faster.”
She wasn’t going to waste the effort to argue. Soon she’d be inside and he’d be gone.
Garrett paused at the heavy oak door with the cut-glass oval window. She drew a quiet breath and released it. It was bad enough that the man she’d once loved was carrying her around in his arms, but she still had to face the other man in her life. Her father.
“You okay?” Garrett asked.
“Yeah, I’m just peachy.”
He stared at her, but didn’t say a word. Wise man. He managed to turn the knob and open the door.
Inside, she glanced around. This had been part of the house she hadn’t seen much as a child. Everyone used the back door off the kitchen. This was the formal part of the house.
Nothing much had changed over the years, she noted, as Garrett carried her across glossy honey-colored hardwood floors and past the sweeping staircase that led upstairs. He continued down the hall where the living room was closed off by large oak pocket doors. She tensed. Her father’s new living quarters since coming home from the hospital.
They finally reached Colt’s office. “She’s home,” Garrett announced as he carried her inside.
Ana Slater glanced up from the computer screen and froze. Her older sister was tall and slender with nearly black hair and blue eyes.
“Josie! Oh, God, what happened?”
“I had a little collision at the construction site.”
Garrett set her down in the high-back chair across from the desk. “She’d gotten in the path of a truckload of lumber,” he told her. “I pushed her out of the way. She landed funny.”
“You mean, you landed on me.”
Ana glanced back and forth between the two. “When you called me, you said nothing about being injured.” She looked concerned. “But you’re all right?”
“Yes!”
“No!” Garrett said. “The doctor wants her to rest.”
“I need to stay off my ankle, but I have crutches to help get around.”
“I’ll go get them,” Garrett said, and walked out of the room.
Josie turned to her big sister. “So when were you going to tell me that Garrett Temple was building the lodge? Or was it going to remain a secret?”
Ana tried to look innocent and failed. “Okay, how was I supposed to tell you?”
“By telling me the truth.”
Josie glanced around the dark paneled room that had been Colt’s sanctuary. They’d never been allowed in here, but that didn’t seem to bother Ana these days. By the looks of it she’d taken over.
“I’m sorry, Josie. I thought since you said you weren’t coming home, I didn’t need to say anything.”
Josie had trouble hiding her anger. “There have to be other contractors here in town you could have used.”
“First of all, Garrett gave us the lowest bid, and some of our own ranch hands are working on the crew. Secondly, he’s moved back here and now lives at the Temple Ranch to help out his father.”
Josie closed her eyes. It was enough having to deal with her father but now, Garrett. “Then I’m going back to L.A.”
“Josie, please. I need you to stay, at least for a little while. We can make it so that you and Garrett don’t have any contact.” She hesitated, then said, “And Colt, he definitely wants you here. He was so happy when I told him you came home.”
Her father wanted her here? That didn’t sound like the cold, distant man who’d raised her.
“We all need you here, sis.” Ana continued her pitch. “I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to have you here, even if it’s only for a short time. So please, give it a few days. At least until your ankle is better.”
The Lazy S had been her home, once. If Colt had changed like Ana said, she wanted to try and have some sort of relationship with the man. Was it crazy to hope? At the very least, she wanted to help Ana with the financial problems. It was no secret they needed outside income to survive.
Ana and her fiancé, Vance Rivers, the ranch foreman, had already opened the property on their section of the river to anglers. It brought in a nice profit. That was why they were expanding on the business.
Her sister spoke up. “The lodge was your idea to help with income for the ranch. Don’t you want to stick around to see your vision come true?”
It had been Josie’s idea to build housing to rent out. As an event planner she knew the large structure could be used for company retreats, family reunions and even small weddings. It was to bring in more revenue to help during lean years.
Maybe a little while here wouldn’t be so bad. “How soon is this wedding of yours?”
“As soon as possible,” came the answer from the doorway.
They both turned and saw Vance Rivers smiling at his future bride.
Ana’s grin was just as goofy. “Oh, honey, I don’t think I can pull it off that soon.”
The sandy-haired man walked across the room dressed in his cowboy garb, including leather chaps. “I’m glad you’re home, Josie,” he told her. “Ana has missed her sisters.”
Josie fought a smile and lost. “Seems to me my big sis has been too busy to miss anyone.”
Ana came around the desk and slipped into Vance’s arms. Josie couldn’t miss the intimate look exchanged between the two. “Yeah, she’s miserable all right.”
That brought a smile from the handsome man. “A few weeks ago, she was ready to string me up and hang me out to dry.”
Josie frowned as she looked at her older sister. “A misunderstanding,” Ana said. “It was all resolved and we’re all working hard to help the Lazy S and Dad.”
“So that was why you hired Garrett?”
“At first I offered to be their partner.”
Josie swung around to see Garrett standing in the doorway with her crutches. She stiffened, hating that he still got to her.
Josie didn’t want to hear any more from Garrett Temple. “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
He walked into the room, and Ana and Vance walked out, leaving her alone with the man she once loved more than anything, until he betrayed her. Now, she didn’t want to be around him.
With her bum ankle, she was stuck here. That didn’t mean she would fall all over this man again.
“I was trying to help out a friend,” Garrett said. “And I believe it’s a good investment. A lot of ranches have to go into other business to help stay afloat.”
“I might be stuck working with you, Temple, but I’m not the same girl who was falling all over you. I’ve grown up.”
“Come on, Josie. What happened between us was years ago.”
Eight years and eleven months, she silently corrected. She could still recall that awful day. She’d been so eager to see him when he returned home. It had been months since their argument. She’d finally agreed to see him, then he broke the devastating news.
He stared at her with those gray eyes, and she still felt the old pull. “I was hoping enough time has passed so...”
“So I’d do what? Forgive you? Forgive you for telling me you loved me, then going off and getting another woman pregnant?”
* * *
Later that afternoon in the parlor converted into a first-floor bedroom, Colt Slater sat in his chair in front of the picture window. He squeezed the rubber ball in his right hand. He knew his strength was coming back since the stroke. Just not fast enough to suit him. His therapist, Jay McNeal, kept telling him to have patience. He would get his strength back.
Right now, Colt’s concern was for his daughter, Josie. He had watched her drive away from the house and prayed that she would come back, but he wouldn’t have bet on it. Not that he could blame her; he hadn’t been the best father in the world.
Then a truck pulled up about an hour ago. He held his breath and watched Garrett Temple get out, then lift Josie out of the passenger seat and carry her into the house. He heard the footsteps that went right past his room.
He tensed. What had happened? Had she been in an accident? Finally, Ana came in and explained about Josie’s mishap at the construction site with Temple. He wasn’t sure he was happy that those two were together again. That man had hurt Josie so badly. He’d wished he could have been there for her back then.
“Will you stop worrying? You’re going to end up back in the hospital.”
Colt glanced at his friend, Wade Dickson in the chair next to his. Dressed in his usual business suit with his gray hair cut and styled, his friend and lawyer knew all the family secrets.
“I can’t stop worrying about Josie,” Colt admitted.
“Hey, things worked out with Ana, so there’s hope with Josie, too.” Wade stood up. “I’ll go see what’s going on, then I need to get back to my office. Some of us have to work.”
Colt nodded. “Thanks for everything, Wade.”
“I love those girls, too. It’s about time you realize what you have.” He turned and walked out.
Alone again, Colt started having doubts again. Would Josie finally come to see him now?
He stood, grabbed the walker and made his way to the sideboard in the dining room. Now it was his exercise area, since he’d been released from the rehab center. He pulled open the drawer and dug under the stack of tablecloths until he found the old album.
Setting it on top, he turned the pages, trying to ignore the ones of his wife, Lucia. He should have burned those years ago, but something kept him from erasing all the past.
He made it to the picture of his four daughters together. The last one taken before their mother walked out the door. His hand moved over the photo. Josie was the one who was a miniature version of her mother, petite and curvy, although her hair was lighter and her eyes were definitely Slater blue.
He frowned, knowing he’d been unfair to his girls. He couldn’t even use the excuse of being a single parent. Kathleen, the longtime housekeeper, handled most everything while he worked the ranch. He sighed, recalling those years. Since the day Lucia left, he’d closed up and couldn’t show love to his four daughters.
He studied the photo. Analeigh was the oldest. Then came the twins, Josefina Isabel, followed five minutes later by Vittoria Irene. The memory of him standing next to his wife, and encouraging her as she gave birth to their beautiful daughters, Ana, Josie, Tori and Marissa.
He felt tears gathering in his eyes. Would he get the chance to fix the damage he’d done?
“Hello, Colt.”
He turned and saw his beautiful Josie leaning against a crutch in the doorway. He’d just been given a second chance, and he wasn’t about to throw it away.
CHAPTER TWO
JOSIE FELT STRANGE, not only being back in this house, but seeing her father after all these years.
“J...Josie. I’m gl...glad you’re home.”
Colt still stood straight and tall as he had before his stroke. Thirty years ago, he’d been a rodeo star, winning the World Saddle Bronc title before he retired when he married Lucia Delgado and brought her back to the Lazy S to make a life, raising cattle and a family.
Now in his mid-fifties, he was still a good-looking man, even with his weathered skin and graying hair. His blue eyes were the one thing she’d inherited from him. Her dark coloring was what she’d gotten from her Hispanic mother.
“This hasn’t been my home for a long time.” With the aid of her crutch, she bravely made her way into the room.
“You had an accident,” Colt said.
“It seems I got in the way at the construction site.” She nodded to her ankle. “In a few days I’ll be as good as new. Looks like you’re stuck with me for the duration anyway.”
“Hap...happy to have you.”
His words gave her a strange feeling, making her realize how badly she wanted to be here.
She began to examine the rehab equipment to hide her nervousness. “Looks like I don’t need to go to a gym to exercise. You have everything right here.”
“You’re welcome to u...use it,” he told her. “When you’re able to.”
She sat down on the weight bench and eyed the parallel bars, then Colt. Outside of some weight loss, he looked good. “Is all this helping you?”
He nodded. “Been working hard. I hope to get a lot better s...soon.” He studied her. “Thank you for coming home.”
That was a first. Her father actually thanked her. “Don’t thank me yet. I’m not sure how much I can help, or how long I can stay.”
Colt smiled.
Another first, Josie thought, not to mention he was actually carrying on a conversation with her. How many times had she tried to get some attention from this man? She felt tears gathering.
“Just glad you’re here,” he told her.
Suddenly her throat tightened so she nodded. “I should go and unpack.” She got up, slipped the single crutch under her arms and headed for the door, but Colt’s gravelly voice made her turn around.
“M...made a lot of mistakes, Josie. I would like a s...second chance.”
His words about threw her over the edge. She raised a hand. “I can’t deal with any more right now. We’ll talk later.”
She managed to get out the door and headed toward the staircase. She hopped up the steps on her good leg until she got to the second floor. Using her crutch, she made her way down the familiar hall to the third door on the left that had been her and Tori’s bedroom. She stepped inside and froze. It looked the same as it did when she’d left here.
The walls were still pale lavender and the twin beds had floral print comforters with matching dust ruffles. She walked to her bed against the far wall and sank down onto the mattress. Taking a toss pillow from the headboard, she hugged it close against the burning acid in the pit of her stomach.
Great, this trip was supposed to help relax her. This time when tears welled in her eyes she didn’t stop them. Colt wanted to rebuild their relationship. What relationship? They’d never had a father/daughter relationship.
Memories of the lonely times welled in her chest. She’d been grateful for her sisters, especially Tori. When something wonderful happened to them, they’d been each others cheerleaders, along with Kathleen, the housekeeper and their surrogate mom, replacing the mother who’d disappeared from her kids’ life when Josie had been only three years old. It had been pretty clear that neither parent wanted their children.
Josie wiped a tear from her cheek. Dang it. She thought she’d gotten over all this. Leaving here and the pain behind, she’d gone off to L.A. and worked hard on a career, building a successful business, Slater Style.
She got up and hobbled to the window and looked out at the ranch compound. From this room, she had a great view of the glossy white barn with the attached corral. There were many outbuildings, some old, plus some new ones that had been added over the years. Her attention turned to the horses grazing in the pasture. There were mares with their foals, frolicking around in the open field.
Smiling, she pressed her hand against the cool glass, knowing cold weather was coming, along with unpredictable Montana snows. Surprisingly, that had been what she’d missed since moving to L.A.
She caught sight of her car coming down the road and watched as it pulled up in front of the house. Good, she had her vehicle back.
Then she caught sight of two men stepping off the porch below her, Vance and Garrett. She felt a sudden jolt as she got the chance to observe the man she had once called her boyfriend. Both men were about the same height, and drop-dead handsome.
Josie hadn’t been surprised at all when she learned Ana and Vance had fallen in love and planned to marry soon. The guy had been crazy about Ana for years, since he’d come to live at the Lazy S when he was a teenager.
She smiled, happy for her sister.
Josie looked back at Garrett. She couldn’t help but take notice of the man. He’d filled out since college, and he still had those incredible eyes and sexy smile. And she hated the fact that just seeing him again still had an effect on her. She released a breath, recalling how it felt when he carried her in his arms.
After Vance shook hands with Garrett, her future brother-in-law headed off toward the barn. Garrett went to her car and spoke to the driver, one of the men on his crew.
Then as if Garrett could sense her, he looked up. Their eyes locked, and suddenly she felt her heart pounding in her chest. She finally moved out of his sight and went to lie down on the bed.
What was she doing? She didn’t need to rehash her past. All there was here were the memories of the pain and heartache over her father. Now she also had to deal with Garrett. It had taken her a lot of time to get over him. She’d only been back a few hours and he was already involved in her life again.
Why, after all these years? Normally she never let men distract her, mainly because she hadn’t met anyone who could stir her interest. She hadn’t met anyone in L.A. she wanted to have a relationship with. She thought about the times she’d tried to find a man. Problem was she’d compared them all to Garrett Temple.
She thought back to the kind and considerate man who’d showed her in so many ways how much he loved her. How Garrett had told her they were going to marry and build a life together after they’d graduated college. Then all too quickly she learned that all those promises were lies when it all came crashing down around them that day....
There was a knock on the door.
She wiped away tears as she rolled over on the bed. “Come in,” she called, thinking it was Ana.
The door opened and Garrett stepped inside, carrying her suitcases. “I figured you might need these.”
Her heart leaped into her throat. She sat up. “You didn’t need to bring my things up.”
He set the bags over by the closet. “I told Vance I would. He needed to check on one of his horses.”
She nodded. She wasn’t sure she believed him. “Thank you.”
“How are you feeling?” he asked as he crossed the room.
“I’m fine.”
Garrett paused, his gaze searching her face. “I’m sorry I pushed you so hard. I was only trying to get you out of the way.” He frowned. “I was worried the truck would hit you.”
She nodded. “I should have been paying attention. But I’m fine now, so you can stop feeling guilty.”
He still didn’t leave. “Some habits are hard to break.”
She knew what he was talking about, but their past was the last thing she wanted to rehash. “Well, stop it. I’m a big girl.”
He studied her for what seemed to be forever. “Since you’re still angry, maybe it’s time to clear the air.”
“I don’t think anything you have to say will change a thing.”
He was big and strong, and he seemed to take up a lot of space in the room. “Josie, I don’t blame you for not wanting to see me again.”
She raised a hand, praying he would just disappear. “I don’t want to talk about this, Garrett.”
“Well, if you want me to leave then you’re going to have to hear me out first.”
His gray gaze met hers, causing her pulse to race through her body. Darn the man. “Okay, talk.”
“First, I’m sorrier than I can say for what happened all those years ago. I regret that I hurt you. But we broke up, Josie. We hadn’t been together all summer, and you wouldn’t even talk to me.”
Just as it had been all those years ago, Garrett’s words were like a knife slicing into her heart. “Feel better now?”
He released a breath. “Although I have many regrets about how things happened between us, what I’ll never regret is my son. He’s the most important thing in my life.”
A son. She had to remember the innocent child. “I’m glad, Garrett. I’m glad you’re happy.”
He gave a nod. “I just want us to be able to work together on this project.”
She wasn’t even sure she could stay here. “Is that all?”
He nodded, then turned to leave, but for some reason she needed to know. “Was she worth it?”
Garrett paused and glanced over his shoulder. “I take it you’re talking about my wife.”
Another pain shot through Josie. “Yes.”
“Natalie was my son’s mother, so yes, the choice was worth it.” She saw the pain flash through his eyes. “But our marriage didn’t survive.”
* * *
The next day at the Temple Ranch, Garrett forced himself out of bed after a sleepless night. Josie Slater was back. He knew he couldn’t let her mess with his head, or his heart. Not again.
Why was he even worrying? There was no room for her in his life. So for both their sakes, he hoped she was headed back to California soon.
He walked down the stairs of his father’s home. Now, not only had it been Garrett’s for the past year, it was Brody’s, too. And this morning he’d taken off work from the construction site to spend time with his son. Soon the boy would be starting a new school, so today was going to be just for them. With Brody’s recent move to Royerton, he knew it was going to take some time to make the adjustment. And for Garrett to win his son’s trust.
Since the divorce two years ago, it had been difficult on his child. Then his ex-wife’s recent death in a car accident had struck Brody yet another blow. Garrett hoped that a stable home at the ranch would help the eight-year-old. As his father, he was going to spend as much time as possible with his son now that he was the sole parent.
Garrett finished tucking in his shirt as he walked into the kitchen. He found Brody sitting at the counter, eating a bowl of his favorite cereal.
“Good morning, Brody.”
He was rewarded with a big smile. “Morning,” his son murmured.
Garrett smiled at the boy who was his image at the same age.
Brody was tall and lanky, with a headful of unruly dark curls and big green eyes. The thing that tore at Garrett’s heart was knowing that his son would have struggles without having a mother around. As Brody’s father he’d vowed from the day he’d been born that he’d always be there for him.
He walked to the counter and took the mug of coffee from the housekeeper, Della Carlton.
“Thanks, Della.” He took a sip. “Sorry I wasn’t down earlier, but I needed to phone my crew foreman. How has Brody been this morning?”
“A sweetheart. He does need his routine, though.”
Garrett nodded. “Change is hard for all of us.”
The short stocky woman had gray hair pulled up into a ponytail. “It’s so wonderful you brought him here. It’s been good for your father, too.”
Garrett glanced around. “Speaking of Nolan, where is he?”
“Jack Richardson came by and took him to a horse auction.”
He frowned, thinking about his father’s arthritis. “Dad was up to it?”
Della nodded as they watched Brody carry his bowl to the sink. “The new medication seems to be helping him a lot.”
The main reason Garrett had moved back to the ranch was to help out his father. Relocating his construction company took longer, but business was picking up, and with his foreman, Jerry, they could still put in bids on long-distance projects. And now, Brody would be raised here, too.
“Can we go get my horse now?” Brody asked.
Garrett smiled. “Give me a minute.”
“Okay. I’m going outside to wait.” The boy took off toward the back door.
Garrett glanced at Della. The Temple men were lucky to have her here to help fill in with Brody. “We should be back from the Lazy S by lunch. If plans change I’ll call you.”
The middle-aged widow nodded. “You just have a good time today.”
Garrett knew today Brody would be meeting new people. He’d been so withdrawn since his mother’s death. “You think he’s ready for his own horse?”
Della smiled. “I’m not an expert, but it seems to me this is the first thing I’d seen the boy get excited about since he’s come here to live. I’d say that’s a good sign, and isn’t horseback riding therapeutic?”
“Dad!” Brody’s voice rang out.
“Okay, I’m coming.”
“You’re doing the right thing by the boy,” Della said. “You’re a good man, Garrett Temple.”
Garrett felt a sudden rush of emotion, but managed a nod. He caught up with his son and headed toward his truck. They were going to see Vance to get a suitable mount.
They climbed in the vehicle, and after buckling up, Garrett drove off toward their closest neighbor.
Since Nolan Temple’s health had deteriorated most of the barn stock had been sold off. One of the jobs Garrett had taken on was to get the operation up and going again. Thanks to the ranch foreman, Charlie Bowers, and neighbor Vance Rivers, they now had a herd that was twice the size as last year’s, along with an alfalfa crop for the spring.
Even his dad was feeling good enough to want to participate in the operation. Garrett enjoyed it, too, and he hoped the same for his son. He wanted a place where his boy would feel safe and secure again. He wanted that for himself, too.
He glanced at the boy sitting next to him. “Vance has three horses for you to see, but that doesn’t mean you have to pick one of them. We can keep looking if you don’t find what you want.”
Brody shrugged, looking down at his hands. “Okay.”
Garrett was eager to get his son something to distract him from the loss of his mother. There had also been some big changes in his life. He just wanted Brody to know that he was his top priority. Not even work was going to distract him from rebuilding a life with his son.
Then he’d seen Josie yesterday.
All these years and she was back here. Seeing her again had been harder than he could imagine. But by her reaction toward him, he didn’t have to worry about her being interested in him. Besides, she was probably headed back to California really soon.
* * *
Josie had slept in until eight o’clock. After she’d tested the tenderness of her ankle, she managed to shower and rewrapped it. She dressed and was even able to put on a pair of canvas sneakers. Making her way downstairs, she went to the kitchen and was greeted by Kathleen’s big smile and hug.
“Where is everyone?”
“Your father is with his therapist, Jay McNeal.” The fiftysomething housekeeper glanced at the kitchen clock. “It’ll be about another hour. Afterward, Jay helps him shower and get dressed.”
“How is Colt really doing? I mean, Ana hadn’t given a lot of details.” Maybe Josie just hadn’t been eager to listen. “Only that he’s improving.”
“He is improving and very quickly. We’re all happy about that.” Kathleen sat down across from her. “But your sister still wants your help. She won’t ask you to, but she needs you to stay as long as you can spare the time.”
Josie felt bad, knowing how much her older sister had taken on by herself. “I should have come sooner.”
“Under the circumstances, I can’t blame you all for not wanting to come home,” she told her. “But I’m sure glad you’re here now. Please tell me you’re staying awhile.” The older woman squeezed her hand. “I missed you, Josie.”
“Ah, Kathleen, I’ve missed you, too.” But two weeks was about all she could handle with Garrett. “I said two weeks. After that...” She hesitated. “Remember, Tori is handling my end of the business while I’m here.”
“Maybe she’ll decide to come back, too.”
Josie smiled. “As soon as I get back there, she can come home.”
“So you still think of the Lazy S as home?”
Josie shook her head. “Don’t start, Kathleen. Let’s just take this slow. I’ve been away a long time.” She finished her coffee. “Where’s Ana?”
“She went out to the barn with Vance. They have someone coming to look at some horses this morning.” Kathleen checked the clock. “Then she had to go to work at the high school.”
Josie nodded, knowing the reason she came home was because of Ana’s job as high school counselor.
She stood and tested her ankle. “Maybe I’ll walk down to have a look around, then come back to see Colt.” This was all so new to her. She was actually going to see her dad.
Josie kissed Kathleen’s cheek. Grabbing her coat, she headed out the door and slowly made her way down the same path she used to take as a kid. Not that she’d been invited into the barn much. Colt had pretty much kept his daughters out of any ranch business. Even when they got older, he didn’t want them around. It had been some of the ranch hands who taught them to rope and ride. When Colt learned of it, he made sure they learned to muck out stalls, too.
She stepped inside the large structure, where the scent of straw and animals hit her. She smiled, thinking a few days here might not be so bad. She looked down the rows of stalls where several horses were housed. She liked this. Walking down the center aisle, she passed the stall that had the name Blondie on the gate. Ana’s buckskin, Josie thought as she walked up and began to stroke the animal. Then she went to another stall with a big chestnut, Rusty.
“Well, aren’t you a good-looking fella.”
“That’s Vance’s horse.”
Josie swung around when she heard a child’s voice. She found a boy who was about eight or nine. He must be the buyer’s son. “And I bet he’s fun to ride, too,” she said.
The child didn’t make eye contact with her, but he wandered toward her. “Vance says he can chase down calves, too. That’s what he’s best at.”
“We all have to be good at something.” Who was this child? “I’m Josie, Ana’s sister. And you are?”
“Brody. Vance said my horse can be like Rusty if I train him.”
Where was her future brother-in-law? “You have your own horse, Brody?”
Josie watched the child nod, wondering why he looked so familiar. He nodded. “My dad’s buying me one. He’s brown with a black tail and mane. That means he’s a bay. His name is Sky Rocket.”
“Cool name.”
The child nodded, causing his cowboy hat to tip back. “I’m going to teach him to run really fast.”
Josie smiled. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”
She was about to say something to the boy when she heard another voice calling out from the other side of the barn. “Brody!”
Josie looked at the boy. “Seems someone is looking for you.”
The boy jerked around just as Garrett and Vance came walking down the aisle. “Brody Temple.”
Temple. This was Garrett’s child. Oh, God, she needed to leave. The last thing she wanted was to see the man again.
“Oh, no,” Brody said as he stepped closer to Josie. “My dad is mad.”
Suddenly Garrett and Vance came up to them, and she knew she couldn’t ditch the boy.
“Brody, you were told not to wander off,” his father said. “You’re too young to be around horses without someone older.”
Suddenly, the kid threw her under the bus. “It’s okay. I was with Josie.”
CHAPTER THREE
GARRETT WAS BOTH relieved and surprised to find Brody standing beside Josie. His son didn’t usually approach strangers.
He looked down at the boy. “Son, you know you can’t leave like that.”
Brody stiffened. “I was careful,” he said defensively, but that changed when Vance walked up to the group. “You sure have a lot of horses here.”
“We hope to have a lot more in the spring,” Vance said. “So we can keep selling them to other kids.” He looked at Josie. “Josie. What brings you out here?”
“I came to find Ana.” She looked at the boy and managed to smile. “And found Brody instead.”
That smile quickly died when she turned to Garrett. “Seems you spend a lot of time at the Lazy S. I thought you were busy building a lodge.”
So she was going to stay angry at him. “I am. My foreman has everything under control.” He placed his hands on Brody’s shoulders. “I was taking the morning off to spend with my son. We’re picking out his first horse.”
“I know. We were talking about Sky Rocket.” She sighed. “Look, I should get back to the house to check on Colt. It was nice to meet you, Brody.”
Vance stepped in. “Don’t go yet, Josie, I was going to show Brody the new foal.”
“Yeah, go with us,” Brody pleaded.
Garrett knew it was inevitable he’d see Josie, but today he wanted to focus on his son, not his ex-girlfriend.
He could see her indecision, but she finally relented. “I can stay a few minutes.”
Brody looked at Vance. “Where is it?”
Grinning, Vance pushed his hat back. “Down a few stalls.” They all began walking. Garrett stayed back and let Brody and Josie take the lead, but once they got to the oversize stall, the boy waited, a big grin on his face, until the adults arrived before he got too close. He saw happiness in his child that he hadn’t seen in a long time.
Garrett looked over the railing to find a dark chestnut mare. Close by was her pretty brown filly with four white socks just like her mama.
“Oh, she’s so little,” Brody said as he looked through the stall railings. “How old is she?”
Vance walked up and began to stroke the mare’s nose. “Just two weeks.”
Josie asked Vance, “Do you think the mama will let us pet her?”
Garrett enjoyed seeing the light in her eyes, the excitement in her voice. It had been a long time since he’d seen this carefree side of Josie.
“Sure. Sugar Plum is a sweetheart.” He opened the gate, went inside and nudged the mare back and stood in front of her so the group could see the long-legged filly.
“So what do you think of her, Brody?” Vance asked.
Garrett knelt down away from the new mother, then reached out a hand to coax the filly, turning to Brody. “Come here, son.”
The boy walked inside the stall and mimicked his dad. “She’s so little.”
His son seemed to have no fear of animals as he reached out his hand to the foal. Surprisingly, the horse sniffed it and allowed the boy to touch her. Brody grinned. “She likes me. Josie, she likes me.”
Josie moved in next to Brody. “Animals are trusting as long as you don’t hurt them.”
Garrett couldn’t take his eyes off the exchange between his son and the foal, also between Josie and Brody. He felt a tightening in his chest. Josie always had an easy way, a knack to make people feel comfortable.
Josie stood up and let Brody interact with the foal. There was a bond growing already. She glanced at Garrett, seeing the love and protectiveness he had for his child. She felt tears welling in her eyes as she thought about past regrets. What could have been if only... She quickly blinked them away.
“Hey, Brody,” Vance said. “Can you think of a name for our filly?”
The child shrugged. “I don’t know any names for a horse.”
Josie saw the boy begin to withdraw. “Maybe,” she suggested, “’cause her mom’s name is Sugar Plum, you can call her ‘Sweet’ something.” She shrugged. “You know, like Sweet Pea. Sweet Georgia Brown. Sweet Caroline. Sweetheart. Sweet Potato.”
“Sweet potato?” Brody giggled. “That’s a silly name.”
“Well, come up with something better,” she told him.
The child continued to stroke the animal. “How about Sweet as Sugar,” he said. “My mom used to say that to me when I was little.” His voice faded out. “Before she died.”
Oh, God. Josie’s heart nearly stopped as she shot a look at Garrett. He didn’t make eye contact with her. His gaze stayed on his child as he went to the boy. “I think your mom would really like that name.”
Vance spoke up. “I think that’s a perfect name. It’s got her mother’s name in it, too. We’ll call her Sweetie for short. How do you like that, Sugar?” The horse whinnied and bobbed her head.
Brody flashed a big grin and his green eyes sparkled.
Josie felt a tug at her heart. “Yeah. That’s a good name. Sweetie.”
Vance patted the mare’s neck as he winked at Josie. “Thank you. Good idea.”
“Anytime, soon-to-be brother-in-law.” She smiled and glanced at Garrett. He was watching her, and she felt the familiar feelings, that warm shiver as his gaze locked on hers. She hated that he still had an effect on her, but she refused to let him see it. “I should get back to the house and Colt.”
“We all need to leave,” Garrett said. “The mama has been patient long enough with her visitors.”
Brody stood up. “Bye, Sweetie. Bye, Sugar.”
After the stall gate closed, Josie turned to the child. “It was nice to meet you, Brody.”
“Nice meeting you, Josie,” the boy said, then when she started to walk out, he asked shyly, “Will I see you again?”
She was caught off guard. “Oh, probably. We’re neighbors. And your dad is building a lodge for us.”
“I know. My dad builds a lot of stuff.”
She smiled, trying desperately to get away. “Enjoy your new horse.” She stole a look at Garrett. “Goodbye.” She tried not to run out of the barn, not that her sore ankle would allow it anyway.
Twenty-four hours home, and this man had been everywhere she turned. She knew one thing. She needed to get out of Montana as soon as possible.
She didn’t need Garrett Temple messing up her life...again.
* * *
An hour later, Josie sat at the desk in her father’s office talking on the phone with Tori. “How did the meeting go with Reed Corp?” she asked her sister, who’d pretty much taken over Josie’s event business while she was here.
“It went well. They were disappointed that you weren’t at the presentation. I think Jason Reed has a thing for you.”
Josie shook her head. “He also has a wife and two kids.” The short, balding fortysomething man liked all women. “I don’t share well, remember?”
She glanced around Colt’s private domain as she listened to her sister. The den walls were done in a dark wood paneling, and against one of those walls was a floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with books, old rodeo buckles and trophies along with blue ribbons for Lazy S’s award-winning cattle and horses.
The furniture was worn leather and the carpet needed to be replaced. How long had the ranch finances been bad?
Tori’s laughter came over the speakerphone. “That’s right, you were pretty stingy when we were growing up, not sharing your dolls or your boyfriend. Speaking of which, how is Garrett?”
Josie froze. Why did everything come back to that man? “How would I know?”
“Because Ana said you’ve been spending time with him.”
“That’s not by choice.”
“So how does he look? Please tell me he’s gotten fat and gone bald.”
Josie had only confided in her twin what really happened the day Garrett confessed that he’d planned to marry another woman. Later she’d learned he’d gotten her pregnant. “No, he pretty much looks the same.”
“Ana also told me that he’s moved back to the Temple Ranch with his son.” Tori paused. “If you want, Josie, you can come back to L.A., and I’ll take your place.”
“No, I can’t keep running away from my past. We both decided that we’d help Ana and Vance. Besides, I want to find out if Colt’s new attitude toward his daughters is for real.”
“You have doubts?”
Josie wasn’t sure, still leery of the man’s sudden change of heart. “He’s nothing like the man we remember, Tori. He actually talked to me this morning at breakfast. Since the man had pretty much ignored us when we were growing up, I’m not sure how to handle the new Colt Slater.”
Tori joined in. “Like I said, we can change places if you want to come back here.”
Josie was a little worried. Why was Tori so eager to come to Montana? “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“No, I’ve just been working a lot of hours.”
“You’re being careful, aren’t you? Have you heard from Dane again?”
“No.”
Tori’s ex-boyfriend, Dane Buckley, had abused her. Josie shivered, recalling the night her sister had showed up on her doorstep with the bruises and busted lip. When she wanted to call the police, Tori begged her not to, not wanting anyone to know. They’d settled on getting a restraining order.
“You need to call Detective Brandon if Dane comes anywhere near you.”
She heard the hesitation. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“It’s just a feeling... Dane’s around. I saw a car like his down the street by the town house.”
Josie leaned her arms on the deck, fighting her anger. “Then tell that to the detective. He can check around to make sure you’re safe. That’s their job.”
“Okay, I will.”
“No, I mean it, Tori. You don’t want to take any chances with that jerk.”
Josie looked up and saw Garrett standing in the doorway. She quickly picked up the receiver, taking the phone off speaker. “Just listen to me about this. Please, promise me.”
She heard the exaggerated sigh. “I said I would. Right after I hang up I’ll call Detective Brandon.”
“Good. I better go, but could you send your samples for the lodge’s website design?”
“Sure. Bye, Josie.”
“Bye, Tori.” She hung up the phone and looked across the room at the man who seemed to be everywhere she was. “Is there a problem, Garrett?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing,” he said. “Is Tori all right?”
Josie shrugged. “She’s fine.”
Garrett walked to the desk. “Look, Josie, if someone is stalking your sister, it’s serious. Maybe I can help.”
Josie didn’t want to talk to Garrett about this, or anything else. “Thank you, but we have it under control.”
Garrett watched for a moment, and then finally nodded. “Okay, but the offer stands.”
“Fine. So what brings you here?”
“I just got a call from my foreman from the lodge. He has questions about the bathroom locations.”
Josie shook her head. “I have nothing to do with that. You need to ask Ana.”
“I would, but Ana’s not available. She’s tied up in meetings all day and can’t get away. If you want to keep this project on schedule, the rough plumbing problems need to get resolved before any walls go up.”
“Fine. The last thing I want is any delays.” She stood. She found she was excited about getting involved in the project. She’d always been a natural-born organizer. She just didn’t want to spend any time with Garrett. “How soon do you need me there?”
“Right now. I can drive you out, but Brody will be going with us. Then I can come back here to trailer his horse.”
Josie hated the idea, but what choice did she have? “Okay.” She grabbed her jacket off the back of the chair. She headed out, but Garrett’s voice stopped her.
“Brody’s in the kitchen. Kathleen is feeding him some lunch.”
Josie felt her own stomach protest from lack of food. “That’s not a bad idea. I could use some nourishment.”
They walked down the hall to the bright kitchen and heard laughter. At the big table sat Brody and her father. Kathleen was at the stove stirring a pot of soup. “Sit down, you two,” the housekeeper said. “And I’ll fix you something to eat.”
Colt looked up at them, as did the boy. Both smiled mischievously.
“Hey, Dad, did you know that Colt used to be a World Saddle Bronc champion?”
Garrett nodded. Who would have thought, gruff, strictly business Colton Slater could make his son smile?
“I might have heard it somewhere.” He nodded at the older man across from his son. “Hello, Colt. How are you doing these days?”
Colt looked at Josie. “Not bad. T...two of my daughters are home.”
“Colt’s learning to talk again,” Brody explained. “’Cause he had a stroke. But he’s getting better.”
Garrett sat down at the table. “That’s good news.” He looked at Colt. “Did Brody tell you we just bought one of your horses?”
“Yeah, Sky Rocket,” Brody said. “I’m going to learn to ride him really fast.”
Colt frowned. “I’m s...sure you are. But f...first you have to learn to take care of your animal so he’ll trust you.”
A confused Brody looked at his dad.
“It means when you get an animal you have to take responsibility for it. You need to feed and clean up after Rocket.”
He glanced back at Colt, his green eyes worried. “But I’m just a kid.”
Kathleen brought two more bowls of potato soup to the table. Josie reluctantly took her seat beside her father.
“You’ll learn some now, and as you get older you’ll do more,” Garrett told him. “You live on a ranch now. That means everyone does their share.”
Brody took a hearty spoonful of soup, then said, “If I do all that stuff, will you teach me how to ride a bucking bronc?”
* * *
Colt watched out the window as the threesome drove off to the lodge site. He had to admit that he’d enjoyed sharing lunch with them.
“See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Kathleen said. “Too bad you didn’t get cozier with your kids a lot sooner.”
Colt turned and made his way back to the kitchen table, but didn’t say anything. Nothing to say. He’d messed up big-time when it came to his girls.
Kathleen placed two mugs filled with coffee on the table, then sat down across from him. “Looks like you’re getting another chance at being their dad. I hope you realize how lucky you are.”
Colt hated that it had taken him so many years to learn that. He thought about his girls. Why had it taken him so long to realize what they meant to him? Josie was home, but so was Garrett Temple. How was she handling seeing him again? He recalled how badly she’d been hurt by their breakup. Now Garrett had returned and brought his son with him. He could see being around the man bothered Josie, in more ways than he knew his daughter would ever admit.
“Did you see Josie with Garrett?”
Kathleen set down her mug. “That girl has a lot of you in her. If Garrett comes sniffing around again, I doubt she’s going to make it easy for him.” She shook her head. “Of course that little boy has to come first. From what I hear from Della, Brody’s had a rough few years with the divorce and lately with his mother’s death.”
Colt nodded. “A horse would be good for him.”
Kathleen smiled. “And maybe some time with you. He sure didn’t have any trouble talking with you.”
Colt would always regret that he never took time to console his own daughters. He couldn’t get past his own anger. “Sometimes it’s easier with strangers.”
* * *
Thirty minutes later, Josie sat in the front seat as Garrett pulled his truck into his makeshift parking area at the site. He pulled his hard hat off the dashboard, then reached in the back and found one for Brody, then another for Josie.
“Keep these on for your safety,” he told them both.
“Good idea,” Josie said and put it on. “Let’s go check out this place.” She climbed out as Garrett opened the back door and helped Brody out.
Even though the circumstances weren’t ideal, she was eager to see the lodge. She pulled her coat together against the chill and waited for Brody and Garrett to catch up to her.
Together, they walked across the wet ground to the sheets of plywood covering the mud caused by last night’s rain.
They reached the front door. Well, it was where the door was going to be. This was still a two-story log cabin shell. The outside logs were up, along with the roof, but not much more. She inhaled the scent of fresh-cut wood as they walked through the wide doorway into what would be the main meeting room. More like an open area with high ceilings of tongue-and-groove oak.
Josie glanced around at the huge picture windows that overlooked the river. Drawn to the beautiful scenery, she walked over. This was a perfect spot. In her head, she was already figuring out different events that could be held here.
The first was the Slater/Rivers wedding right in front of these windows. She began to visualize the number of chairs that the room could handle, leaving room for an aisle. She turned to the men working on the floor-to-ceiling fireplace made out of river rock. It took her breath away.
“How do you like it so far?”
She swung around to see Garrett and Brody. She couldn’t help but smile. “It’s really nice. In fact, it’s better than I thought possible. There’s a lot we can do with this space. Are the floors going to be hardwood?”
When Garrett nodded, she looked toward the roughed-in stairs to the second floor. It was going to be left open, a mezzanine level for the bedrooms upstairs. She hated that anglers would be using it. She could really promote this for high-dollar functions.
“Okay, I see your mind working,” Garrett said. “Tell me what it is.”
Josie turned toward him. “It would be nice if we didn’t have to use it for anglers.”
Garrett arched an eyebrow. “Before we open to the public there’s going to be a wedding here.”
She tensed, recalling when she was planning her own wedding, until her groom betrayed her.
She wiped the picture from her mind. “I know. I’ll go over those details with Ana.” She released a breath. “Okay, where are these bathrooms that need my attention?”
He glanced around. “I need to find Jerry.”
When Garrett went off to find the foreman, Josie realized she had to find a way to get over her resentment toward him. It would be the only way this project would get completed.
Her cell phone rang and she reached inside her purse to answer it. “Hello.”
“Josie, it’s Ana.”
“Hey, Ana. Are you planning to come out to the site?”
“No. I’m at the house, but we need to discuss the lodge.”
“What about it?” she asked, and walked away from the group.
“I found out today that I’m going to a teacher’s conference in Helena,” Ana told her. “The school principal is sick and he asked me to take his place. I have to go out of town for three days.”
Three days. She looked at Garrett talking with the foreman. “You’re leaving me here alone?”
Ana paused. “I’m not doing this on purpose, Josie. It’s only for a few days. Since you helped with the building plans, I figured this should be easy.”
Josie glanced across the room. She was going to have to spend more time with Garrett. Hadn’t she already been doing that over the past twenty-four hours?
“Come on, I’ve seen you organize and delegate,” Ana said. “This will be easy.”
What could she say? “Okay, have a safe trip. But expect a lot of phone calls, because I’m still going to need your help.”
“You’ve got Garrett.”
That was what she was afraid of. Already her stomach began to hurt. She said goodbye and hung up as Garrett walked over.
“Is there something wrong?” he asked.
“Ana has to go out of town. Looks like you’re stuck working with me.”
A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. “I can handle it, but can you?”
She wanted to wipe that smile off his face. “This is business. I can handle it with ease.” Garrett Temple, the man, she wasn’t so sure.
CHAPTER FOUR
GARRETT COULD SEE how hard Josie worked to hold her temper, but the frown lines between her eyes, and her clenched hands gave her away.
“Hey, don’t be angry at me. I didn’t send Ana out of town.”
“I didn’t say you did. I’m just saying, I’m not that sure about what’s going on here at the site.”
He glanced around at the work going on. “I don’t believe that. Wasn’t this lodge your idea?”
“A general idea is far from making decisions on the design,” she argued. “Shouldn’t you be doing that?”
“I could, but in order to save money on this project, your sister was going to handle that.”
Before she could say anything, Brody walked toward him.
“Hey, Dad, Jerry said if it’s all right with you he’ll take me to look at the bulldozer. Can I go, please?”
Garrett glanced at his foreman to see him give the thumbs-up. Since Jerry had three of his own kids, he knew that his son would be taken care of.
“Sure. Just do what Jerry says.” He tapped his son’s head. “And keep your hard hat on.”

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