Marisa had thought life couldn’t get any worse. As usual, she was wrong.

She fretted over Ace’s suggestion the rest of the day and all during her shift at Sunset Manor. Chance must have asked her ten times to tell him what was wrong until she’d finally grown tired of the question and blurted out the truth. Not the part about being too broke to pay attention, but Ace’s offer of the guest house.

Naturally, her brother had loved the idea and hadn’t even bothered to ask why Ace would make such an offer. She wondered, though. This was way beyond soothing his conscience.

Chance had his own misguided thoughts. “He’s in love with you.”

“Don’t be dumb. He’s working through his Twelve Step program. We’re part of his recovery.”

“It’s more than that.” Chance pointed at her. “And I think you feel the same.”

She might be in love with Ace, but she didn’t dare take that risk again.

Still, she mulled the conversation and the guest house situation off and on all the next morning. One way or the other, she had to make new arrangements for Chance’s care. The guest house at the Triple C Ranch seemed more of a fantasy than a workable reality, but she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Especially after making three calls to various agencies in search of assistance for her brother and coming away empty. Even if Chance qualified, every agency had a long waiting list.

She pressed end on her cell phone and wandered out the back door to the single lawn chair to pray and think. She’d promised to do both.

The morning sun was nice. She stretched out her legs and gazed at the fluffy clouds floating overhead. Not a breath of air stirred, but she caught the sweet scent of the neighbor’s mimosa trees.

If she agreed to Ace’s crazy plan, she’d be living in daily contact with the cowboy she’d wanted to forget. She’d be obligated to him, an idea she didn’t like at all. But she’d also have an opportunity to really observe him in his natural environment, not just when he was on his best behavior. She could learn if he’d really become the man he seemed to be, a man who had won her admiration. Chance was right about that. But that didn’t mean she’d let down her guard. She understood her weakness, her predilection for unpredictable alcoholics.

She listed the pros of moving to the guest house. Free rent, both for her and Chance. She might even save some money. An environment that made Chance happier. Opportunities for him to interact with friends closer to his age. Maybe he’d decide to reenter the world and invite his old friends over. Wouldn’t that be something?

The move could be temporary if she chose. She wouldn’t be stuck there permanently.

Plus, the ranch had a pool house. Water therapy for Chase, though even that scared her. How would he manage without legs? Ace probably had a plan for that, as well.

Then she listed the negatives. Obligation to other people. To Ace. The cowboy was the biggest issue. Marisa feared exposing her brother to danger again, either from the ranching environment or from Ace’s influence.

Her phone buzzed. She glanced at Caller ID, not recognizing the number.

Hopeful that one of the agencies was calling with better news, she answered. “Hello.”

“Marisa?”

Her heart tumbled to the bottom of her feet. Maybe lower. “Mom? Is that you?”

How had her mother gotten this number? She hadn’t heard from Alene Foreman since right after Chance’s accident. Mom had seen the news on the television and had come to the hospital, too drunk to be coherent. Her slobbery tears had been for herself, not for Chance. She’d even tried panhandling the nurses, pleading that her beloved son was now a “helpless cripple”. Marisa had been so angry she’d had security escort her screeching mother out the door.

It had been the first she’d seen the woman in eight years, and she hadn’t seen her father in even more.

“How you doin’, baby girl?” Alene hiccoughed, giggled.

“Okay. You?” Besides being drunk or high.

“Oh, honey, you jus’ don’t know the half of it. I’ve been sick and had to quit my job.”

Marisa rolled her eyes toward the blue sky. Since when had Alene held a job for more than a week? “Sorry to hear that.”

“Well, see, I got kicked out of my house. It was a real nice place. Pool and everything.”

Right. As if they’d ever lived in swanky digs. She’d probably been squatting in someone’s empty house and gotten caught. They’d done that plenty before family services had rescued Marisa and Chance for the final time.

“So, what do you say, baby girl? Can Mama come stay with you awhile? Just ‘til I get back on my feet?”

Revulsion crawled like ants over Marisa’s skin. She hadn’t lived with either of her parents since she was small, and for good reason. “Not a good idea, Mom.”

Alene’s voice turned to a whine. “I’m your mama. You owe me that much.”

Marisa blurted the first thought that came to her mind. “I’ve lost my job, too, and I can’t pay the bills. I have to move right away. By the end of the month. And we have nowhere to go.”

In that moment, she made her decision. She and Chance were moving to The Triple C.

Ace exited the Baptist Church basement next to his mentee, Don, following an AA meeting.

He dropped a hand on the other man’s shoulders. “Want to grab something to eat?”

“Not tonight, but thanks. It’s my oldest boy’s birthday.” A fresh light beamed on Don’s face. “Joanie invited me over for cake and ice cream.”

“I thought you seemed pretty upbeat tonight. She’s talking to you again?”

“I hope so. When I told her I’d be late, I think she wanted to withdraw the invitation. When I explained about the meeting and that I didn’t want to miss one, she sounded…I don’t know…relieved, I guess.” He stuck a hand in his pants pocket and withdrew his car keys. “I’ve missed a lot of birthdays and messed up a few more. I won’t let them down this time.”

“Or ever again.”

“That’s the plan.” He jiggled the keys. “You were right. It’s getting easier. Life seems brighter.”

“Even if she goes through with the divorce, you have to keep that attitude.”

“I’m doing all I can to change her mind.”

“I know the feeling.” He was, he realized, doing all he could to change Marisa’s mind about a lot of things. Mostly him. “Enjoy the party.”

They both laughed. The word party had taken on a whole new connotation. Don lifted a hand and walked toward the bronze Mercedes parked toward the back of the lot.

Ace headed to his truck and thought about dropping by Marisa’s house. It wasn’t that late. She’d be home soon. He could wait in her driveway. A little conversation, some more reasons why she and Chance should move to the ranch, maybe a goodnight kiss.

On his way, he stopped at Braum’s ice cream store. He was a plain vanilla man himself, but Marisa loved Rocky Road. It wouldn’t hurt to sweeten her up with her favorite ice cream. He picked up both flavors and tossed the selections into a shopping cart.

He was hungry. Dinner had worn off during the cathartic stress of the AA meeting.

Studying the flavorings, Ace considered a jar of caramel sauce and maybe some pecans. Yeah, and bananas. Maybe they’d make sundaes together. He tossed all the items into the basket and had started to the checkout when he met Kristin Fairchild. He hadn’t seen her since that night at Carla’s Country Café when she’d come on strong enough to make his knees weak.

She was with another woman, this one a sporty looking brunette a head shorter than the model-like Kristin.

When his old party pal spotted him, she smiled her sexy, I’m available smile that had once drawn Ace to her faster than he could think. Truth was, he hadn’t been thinking at all back then.

“Hello again, handsome. Long time no see.”

She was another person on his list of apologies, even though he was no longer the least bit attracted to her. He wondered if Marisa had anything to do with his about-face.

They exchanged pleasantries. Kristin introduced her friend as Jasmine and invited Ace to join the two of them at a table.

“Can’t, but thanks.” He gestured toward the cart. “Ice cream. I don’t want it to melt.”

“Nice to meet you, Ace.” Jasmine waved toward the counter. “I’m going to go ahead and order. What do you want, Kristin?”

Kristin gave her order, and the other woman walked away.

Kristin showed no signs of doing the same. She eased closer to Ace until he smelled her expensive perfume. “Looks like you’re having a party.”

“Just ice cream with a friend.”

Kristin perched a hand on one hip. “And I’ll bet my boots this friend is female.”

“You’d win that bet.”

“And you’re buying her ice cream. Isn’t that sweet? She must be someone pretty special for you to drive all the way to Clay City at this hour.”

Special? Absolutely. “Marisa works the late shift. Doesn’t get off until eleven.”

“Marisa? Do I know her?”

Ace shrugged. “Maybe. Marisa Foreman. She went to Clay City High. Her brother’s in the care center here, and he’s a pal of mine. I visit him pretty often.”

The accident that had paralyzed Chance was common knowledge, though he didn’t expect Kristin to remember.

They continued the conversation for a few more minutes while he worried that the ice cream would melt. The checker rang up his purchases and he paid. Kristin stood at his side, chatting away.

Finally, he glanced at this cell phone. Almost eleven.

“I have to go. Nice seeing you.”

“Let’s get together soon.”

He paused. Ice cream or not, he had to try. “Let’s do that. Why don’t you come to my church on Sunday? Evangel Church in Calypso. It’s right on the main highway when you first come into town. Worship starts at 10:30. Sunday School at 9:30.”

Kristin gave a nervous laugh and fluttered a hand. “I’m not much of a church-goer. You know that as well as anyone.”

“I wasn’t either until recently. Seriously. You should come.”

Suddenly eager to escape, his party pal glanced over one shoulder to where Jasmine had found a table. “I’ll think about it.”

“You do that.” But he wouldn’t hold his breath.

“It’s only temporary.” Marisa jabbed a finger at the two grinning males. Between her mother’s phone call and Ace’s late night house call, which had ended as sweetly as the ice cream had tasted, she was almost eager to make the move.

Ace lounged against the wall next to Chance’s fish poster, arms crossed, looking as if he wanted to hug her. Or kiss her. Something he’d done only once last night. One gentle little kiss that had ended way too soon. If she closed her eyes, she could still taste the caramel on his lips.

As if he could read her mind, a smile curved those tempting lips. She blinked and turned her attention to her brother. He’d been bugging her ever since she’d told him of the offer. The pleasure and hope in his eyes made the decision easier.

Marisa was still scared out of her mind. But that was nothing new. She was always scared. She’d been scared since the first time Mom and Dad had left her alone with her new baby brother. For five days. She’d been seven.

“We’re already doing the renovations.” Ace unwound his long body from the wall to move toward her. “Should be ready by the end of the month. Want to come out and see?”

“Yes!” Chance pumped an arm. The one with the white bandage.

“Good,” Ace said. “We’ll go fishing, and I’ll win back my bragging rights.”

“In your dreams.” Chance laughed. A happy, excited sound that almost chased her fears away.

Marisa turned the conversation back to the move. “I want to help with the renovations.”

Ace looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “I have men for that.”

“Are you saying a girl can’t put up a towel bar?”

Ace held out both hands. “Hey, I have Emily and Connie in my family. They can do anything. You’ll never find me questioning the abilities of a female. What I meant was, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself.”

“We want to, don’t we, Chance?” If she was going to be obligated to the Caldwell family, particularly Ace, she could at least put in some sweat equity.

“Sounds fun to me. My arms are kind of wimpy.” Chance pumped a pale bicep. “Time to get in shape.”

“What time do the guys start working in the morning?”

“Early. Maybe six.”

“We’ll be there.”

Most summers, mid-June wasn’t too hot, but the humidity could be a choker.

Ace wiped sweat from his face with a kerchief. Haying season was upon them, and with the extra work at the guest house, his men were overloaded. He’d called in a couple of experts for the guest house to free up his ranch hands. Even with more help, days were long and work was hard, hot, and sweaty.

He circled the tractor around the field four more times, watching in his mirror as the rake pulled the cut alfalfa into tidy windrows for drying. After the final hill was formed, he disengaged the rake and headed for the nearest barn. He was three miles from the big house, but he had a hankering to be there. With this field cut and raked, he could hop in his truck and head home for lunch.

So he did.

A plumber’s van was parked outside the guest house. The new chair-accessible shower was being completed today. Marisa had had a fit when she’d found out that the renovations were a little more extensive than Ace had let on. He didn’t care. Dad had built this cottage to live in while the big house was going up. The place was ready for an update.

Other trucks, including his brother’s and several belonging to the summer hands, were already scattered on the grass outside the main house. Connie would be serving up lunch soon.

He exited his truck and turned in the direction of the cottage. Marisa and Chance wouldn’t take a break unless he complained.

For the past five days, they’d arrived every morning around six and didn’t leave until time for Marisa to go on duty at Sunset Manor. Already, he could see a difference in both of them, especially Chance. Color had returned to his skin and, though his arms were nowhere near their former bulk, they’d gotten strong enough for him to assist more in transferring from car to chair and back. At this rate, he’d soon be putting himself to bed, taking showers alone, maybe even driving again.

Marisa would pitch a hissy if she heard him say that. For reasons he understood too well, she couldn’t let go of her fear that something bad would happen to her brother. Because it already had.

The pinch of responsibility came again, less intense today, but still there. Would he always feel indebted to Chance?

“Looking good in here,” he said as he stepped inside the guest house. An open concept, the living room opened into the dining and kitchen areas with bedrooms off to the left divided by one large bathroom. The tile floors throughout were still in good shape, so they’d covered them with painter’s drop cloths. The smooth, even surface was perfect for a man in a chair.

Marisa, wielding a roller infused with gray paint, looked over one shoulder. “I like this color.”

“It almost matches your eyes.”

Those beautiful eyes sparked. “Is that good or bad?”

“Definitely good. Are you ready for lunch?” He took the roller from her and resisted the urge to kiss the top of her head. A glob of gray paint stuck there.

“I brought a sandwich.”

She said that every day, and every day they argued. “Save it. Connie cooked.”

“We can’t keep taking advantage of her hospitality.”

“If you don’t, you’ll break her heart. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

She gave a frustrated growl and reclaimed the paint roller. “At least let me finish this wall.”

“Where’s Chance?”

“Back there with the plumber.” She dipped the roller in a tray, swished it back and forth.

“I’ll say hi and see how they’re coming along.” He moseyed through the short hall. The bathroom door had been removed for work access. Inside, Chance used a power screwdriver to attach a hand bar next to the commode. The plumber was inside the immense shower finalizing the fixture installations.

Ace waited until the machine noise subsided. “You boys are doing some fine work in here.”

The plumber made one final adjustment and stepped out. Even with three men in the room, they could maneuver around, perfect for a wheelchair.

Chance practically glowed. “Get a load of that shower, Ace. It’s got everything a man could need. A bench, shelves I can reach, an overhead and a handheld, and watch this.”

He whipped the wheelchair around with more energy than the electric screwdriver and wheeled inside the shower stall, rolling back and forth between the bench and the other wall.

“Plenty of room. And I can do it all myself. No more nurses ogling me while I shower.”

The plumber guffawed. “Why would you complain about that?”

Chance snickered. “You haven’t seen my nurses.”

Ace interrupted. “Don’t let your sister hear you say that.”

Chance rolled out of the shower to the free-standing vanity and long counter space, again practicing the ease with which he could maneuver the chair. “Marisa doesn’t count.”

She did to Ace. “Connie’s got lunch ready for all of us. You, too, Tom,” he said to the plumber. “Take a break.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Chance spun out of the room.

Ace met Marisa in the hall. She wore a bemused expression. “What did you say to him?”

He offered his most innocent shrug. “Lunch?”

Marisa chuckled and whacked him on the chest. He caught her hand, kissed the fingers, happy and at peace to have her here where he could do everything in his power to make her life better. Even if she remained only a few months, having her on the ranch smoothed the rough edges of guilt. Nothing could ever erase what had happened, but he couldn’t live without her forgiveness.

He was starting to wonder if he could live without her at all.