It’d been a while since he’d pulled a twelve-hour day, but he hadn’t had this much to work for, either. Lucas tipped up his hat and wiped away the sweat caked on his forehead. He’d watched the sun rise over those mountains this morning while he was training Reckoning II. After the brief fire mitigation stint, he’d gone right back to the corral, and now, at five o’clock in the evening, he was ready to call it a day. “You’re not exactly my first choice for a date tonight,” he informed the bull, tightening the strap that held the remote dummy in place. But that was okay. He’d put in a few more hours of training, then he had plans that involved sweeping a certain single mom off her feet.
Reckoning II stomped and swayed listlessly, already trying to throw the dummy, even though Lucas hadn’t opened up the chute yet.
“Attaboy.” The desire to throw a rider had to be innate for a bull, and Reckoning here seemed to have it. After letting the agitation build for a few minutes, he threw open the chute and Reckoning tore into the corral snorting and tossing his head while he launched his hind end into the air. Lucas walked along the fence watching carefully, his finger over the button that would eject the dummy rider. But he couldn’t reward the bull and launch the thing until Reckoning put up a serious fight.
“That’s it,” he called as Reckoning jerked his back end into a spin. The bull lunged and turned and twisted its body, all the while catching some serious air. Reckoning’s back arched, sending him flying even higher, and Lucas hit the trigger.
Instantly, the thirty-pound dummy was released and went sprawling into the dirt.
Snorting an insult the dummy’s direction, Reckoning bucked a few more times then settled.
Lucas glanced at his watch. “Damn. You had that thing off in three seconds. Not bad. Not bad at—”
A truck rolled up the gravel drive and parked next to the fence.
Well, shit. The only person he knew who drove a F-350 XL diesel super cab was Bill McGowen. Sure enough, the man himself climbed out of the cab. Seemed he couldn’t manage a phone call, but he could easily ambush Lucas with a visit. That was definitely more McGowen’s style. Lucas should’ve anticipated it.
Bracing himself, he left Reckoning behind and strode over to meet Bill. This would be a fun conversation…
“That’s my bull,” the man said as he approached the fence. Much like Reckoning, McGowen was a behemoth: at least six-three and as wide as a linebacker, which was why he’d never been a bull rider himself. He was too bulky. Too genteel also, as showcased by his black jeans, white starched shirt, sterling silver bolo tie, and shiny cowboy boots.
Lucas looked the man square in the face. McGowen was in his early sixties but he could’ve easily passed for fifty. His face was hard, his dull gray eyes iced over.
Lucas ducked under the fence so they could do this face to face. “Actually this here is Lance’s bull,” he said evenly. “He paid a steep price, too.” Likely more than McGowen would’ve had to pay, but if today’s training was any indication, it would be worth it.
McGowen glared past him at the bull, but he said nothing.
Which meant it was up to Lucas to break the ice. “I’ve been trying to call,” he said, snagging Bill’s attention back to him.
“So I’ve heard.” The man made no excuses for not calling back. He never made excuses for anything. He was always straightforward and direct. Which meant they’d best get on with this.
“I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.” If only that didn’t sound so trivial. “And I don’t take it for granted. But it’s time for me to step up and help my family. So you can consider this my official notice.”
McGowen didn’t flinch. He simply gazed down at Lucas as though completely unfazed. “You remember what I asked you when I hired you?”
God, that was so long ago. He didn’t remember much about that time. It was all a blur. Walking out of prison, trying to figure out where to go and what to do next. “No,” he admitted. He’d just been relieved to find a job.
“I asked why you didn’t go on home. Be with your dad and brothers. You remember what you said?”
The question brought it all back. “That I had nothing to go back to.”
“And that no one would want you back,” Bill reminded him. “Has that changed? People in this town welcomed you back?”
Lucas didn’t answer. He was still working on that.
“Here’s the thing, Cortez,” McGowen said, all business. “I’m lookin’ to cut back my time some. The wife wants trips and weeks with the grandkids and shit like that.”
He tamed a smile. That was about as much sentimentality as he’d ever heard come out of the man’s mouth.
“So I need someone to take the reins,” Bill went on. “Someone good. Someone I trust. Someone who’s proven himself.” He paused as though he wanted to let that sink in.
But Lucas was having a hard time believing it. He couldn’t be serious. “I just helped my brother swipe a bull right out from under you and you want me to take over your entire operation?”
“You know I don’t need Reckoning.” His boss’s mouth fumbled between a grin and smirk. “If I’d needed him, you wouldn’t have helped Lance get him. You’re too loyal for that.”
It was true. If he’d thought it would’ve hurt Bill’s operation, he never would’ve gone after the bull for Lance.
“I need that loyalty.” McGowen stepped closer and clapped him on the shoulder like they were old friends. “You’re smart. You’ve got a good eye. And I taught you everything you know.”
In other words, Bill felt he’d earned Lucas’s loyalty.
“This is one hell of an opportunity,” the man added. “You can name your price. I’ll double your salary if you want.”
“Wow.” He was too stunned to say anything else. This kind of opportunity was beyond anything he’d ever dreamed for himself when he’d walked out of that prison cell. He’d thought he’d be a day laborer for the rest of his life. Bill was right. It was a hell of an opportunity. But if he took it, he’d have to live on the ranch. And he’d be on the road half the year, easy. That wasn’t the life he’d started to envision for Naomi and Gracie and him. Their lives were here and if he wanted to be with them, he’d have to stay, too. “Sorry.” He shook his head. “It’s a generous offer, but I can’t take it. I’m planning to build a life here.” He was committed to it, to doing the tough work of atoning for his mistakes.
McGowen nodded as though that was what he’d expected to hear. “Offer’s open for a while. Don’t answer now. Take your time. Think about it,” he said as though confident Lucas would change his mind.
When Bill McGowen wanted something, he rarely took no for an answer.
* * *
“Okay, honey.” Naomi stooped in front of Gracie, swallowing back yet another round of threatening tears. “You remember to listen good. And if you need anything—anything at all—Jessa and Lance will be right nearby.”
“I know, Mom,” the girl said as though she’d gotten tired of hearing it. “You’ve told me five times.”
“I can’t help it.” Naomi rose, peeking out the window next to the door. Mark stood on the porch waiting. They’d talked a lot while Gracie was getting ready to go to the concert. He’d told her he didn’t intend to take over. He was happy to come up to Topaz Falls and visit Gracie for a day here and there while they built a relationship.
But God, a relationship. That was the word that made all of this real. It wasn’t like this would be the first time her daughter had been out of her sight, but it felt so different. She wouldn’t be at one of her friend’s houses. She’d be out building a relationship with another parent.
“You have to prepare yourself to give up some control,” Colton had told her when they’d driven back to Topaz Falls after she’d met Mark. And wasn’t control always the hardest thing to give up? For ten years, no one else had had any say in Gracie’s life except for her. But that wouldn’t be the case anymore. She might make most of the day-to-day decisions, but a relationship with her dad meant Gracie would have another voice speaking into her life.
“Mom…” Her daughter tugged on her hand. “Are you gonna be okay?”
“Of course.” Naomi forced a confident smile. “I have a ton to do around here. And I know you’ll be in good hands.” Especially with her spies out on assignment. “You have a great time, Gracie girl. Don’t worry about me.” She pulled her daughter into a tight hug. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” Which should be nothing. The girl was in day camp six hours a day all summer long. Naomi could survive two hours. She shook her head at herself and opened the door to walk Gracie out onto the porch.
Mark always looked nice. A lot more preppy in those khakis and a blue polo shirt than he’d ever dressed in high school, but she guessed that’s what happened when you moved to the suburbs.
“Ready?” he asked Gracie.
“Ready!” She bounded down the steps, but Mark hung back.
He gave Naomi a sympathetic look, like he understood how hard this was for her. “You sure you don’t want to come?”
She almost said yes. But that wouldn’t be fair to any of them. Mark had rights. He had the right to get to know his daughter without her hovering. “I can’t,” she said apologetically. “I have a lot to do around here tonight.” It wasn’t a lie. She had to go over the budget for the inn and look into getting some marketing started in various publications.
“All right, then.” He gave her a friendly smile. “I’ll have her home by eight thirty. No later.”
“Perfect.” She walked him down the steps and watched as the two of them climbed into his very nice, very safe-looking Volvo SUV.
The house felt lonelier and quieter than it ever had. Bogart seemed to think so, too. The second Gracie left, he became Naomi’s shadow, following so closely she almost stepped on him. “It’s okay, Bogy,” she said, trying to convince herself, too. “She’ll be back soon.” But the minutes seemed to crawl by as she turned on some Carrie Underwood and finished up the dinner dishes.
After she’d put the last one in the dishwasher, she looked at the clock. It hadn’t even been ten minutes since Gracie had left.
This was going to be the longest two hours of her life.
In search of a longer distraction, she dug through the messenger bag where she’d stuffed all of the papers for the inn—the estimates and the permits and the lengthy to-do lists. But they seemed just as disordered as her mind. Pulling out a stool, she sorted them into piles. She needed to develop a filling system—
The doorbell rang and cut off all of her thoughts about organization. Which was fine with her because she wasn’t in the mood to focus on business anyway. Shoving the mess of papers aside, she stood and hurried through the living room.
On her way to the door, she caught sight of Lucas standing on the porch. That one quick flash of him sent hope and happiness brimming over. After he’d kissed her on Jessa’s porch last night she’d figured she’d see him earlier today, but he hadn’t been around. In an effort to run into him, she may have gone up to Lance and Jessa’s house to borrow a cup of sugar, then four tablespoons of butter, then a half cup of milk. Jessa finally told her he was out on fire mitigation duty.
Now he was at her house…
She paused to quickly glance at herself in the mirror. Since she’d been stalking him all day, she’d dressed a little nicer—in shorts and a green cashmere camisole that matched her eyes. Just in case.
Smoothing down her hair, she lightly pinched her cheeks to plump them up. That would have to do. She didn’t have time to run into her bedroom and find her lucky lipstick.
Bogart pawed at the door as though growing impatient. “All right, all right.” She gently nudged the dog aside and opened the door.
“Hi.” The word floated away from her as a rush of blood charged through her heart.
“Hey.” Lucas always seemed to take his time looking at her. All of her. And judging from the raw hunger glistening in his eyes, he liked what he saw. “I thought maybe you could use some company tonight.”
She could use more than company but she didn’t want to sound desperate. “That’d be great,” she said, stepping aside so he could come in.
He stayed put. “Actually, I thought we could go out.”
“Out?” She tried not to look disappointed, but she’d envisioned picking up where they’d left off on the couch the other night…
“I don’t feel much like going to a restaurant or anything.” And there wasn’t much else to do in Topaz Falls. Minus the concert in the park.
“What I have in mind has nothing to do with food.” God, that smile of his. It made every word that came out of his mouth seem dirty. Which was enough to pique her interest.
“What did you have in mind?” she asked, fingering the edge of her hair, hoping it hadn’t started to frizz from the heat rising off her body.
“You’ll see.” He reached for her hand as if he were her own personal Aladdin, preparing to take her on a magic carpet ride. Except he wore a cowboy hat and sexy tight jeans. Okay, he was nothing like Aladdin. Though when she put her hand in his, she swore her insides sparkled.
Good lord, she watched too many Disney movies.
“Where are we going?” she asked as she shut the door behind her and they moved easily down the steps together.
“You’ll see.” He wore a mysterious grin while he helped her climb into his truck, brushing his hand against her ass—on purpose, she was pretty sure.
When he slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, she laid a hand on his arm. “I have to be back by eight fifteen. No, eight,” she corrected. Just in case Gracie wanted to come home a little early. She had her cell phone securely in her back pocket, but she wanted to be home, too. Just in case.
“I know.” Lucas patted her hand, then moved his to the steering wheel, guiding the truck down the winding drive.
The evening was hot but soft, too, the sun dimmed by the puffy cumulous clouds billowing overhead. They did that every night—built large white cottony mountains in the sky—but they never seemed to bring the rain the region so desperately needed.
“So Jessa said you were out all day. Cutting down trees and stuff.” She noticed a deep gash in his forearm.
“Yeah. The situation’s bad up there.” He turned the truck out onto the highway. “We’re making progress, though. It’s hard work.”
“It’s so great of you to help.” Considering he wasn’t necessarily a full-time resident. “I’m sure everyone appreciates it.”
“Not everyone, but most people.” He glanced over at her. “Talked to Dev out there for a while. Told him I’m thinking of staying.”
“What did he say?” She was almost afraid to ask. Ever since he’d told her he was going to try to stay, she’d guarded herself from holding onto him too tightly. He hadn’t said he would stay for sure. He said he’d try.
“He thought it was great.” His gaze found hers again before darting back to the highway. “What do you think?”
That had to be obvious. She was pretty sure her smile could’ve bridged the Pacific. It was much harder to guard herself when he sat right next to her. “I think it’s great, too,” she said, inching closer to him. If the damn console hadn’t been in the way, she’d sit right next to him, like she used to, in his old truck. “Have you told Bill McGowen yet?”
Lucas’s easy smile fell away. “We’ve talked.” He turned the truck off onto a dirt road.
Naomi looked around. She hadn’t even realized where they were going, but now she saw…“This is where I almost hit you.” Right back there on the highway…
“Yeah. Won’t be able to forget that anytime soon.” He grinned and snuck a hand onto her thigh.
The sensation rolled all the way up her body, bringing a slow, burning throb. Any chance he was driving her to some secluded backwoods make-out spot? God, she hoped so. “Um…are we there yet?” she asked, ready to slide over into his lap.
“Just about.” He drove up a rough switchback, then parked the truck next to the river.
She glanced around. It was a little open for making out, but hey, she wasn’t picky. “So what are we doing?”
Cutting the engine, Lucas turned to her. “I’m taking you fly fishing,” he said as though that was as fun as staying in the truck to make out.
“Fly fishing,” she repeated. “Hmm. Well. Um…” How could she put this delicately? “That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.” She added an insinuating bounce of her eyebrows so he wouldn’t miss her meaning.
“Trust me. You’ll love this,” he murmured, leaning in to give her a long, heated kiss. So unfair! The man was such a tease.
“I liked that,” she sighed. As far as she was concerned, they could stay in the truck for the next hour doing that exact same thing over and over and over…
“I liked it, too.” His lips were still so close. “But once that starts, I’m not gonna want to stop this time.”
“That’s okay,” she whispered. That was really okay.
“Except we only have…” He glanced at his watch. “Forty-five minutes.”
“Plenty of time.” Heck, he’d already started some serious foreplay…
He traced his finger down her cheek. “Not nearly enough time for what I want to do to you.” His gaze dropped to the low-cut neckline of her camisole. “We have years to make up for, Naomi. That’s going to take hours.” He made that word sound so fun…
“And it’s not gonna happen in my pickup,” he added. “We’re not in high school anymore, baby.”
And yet he made her feel like that girl again. The same one who’d chased adventure, who’d feared nothing, who’d sneak off with him whenever she had the opportunity.
“We only did it in your truck once,” she reminded him. “And it wasn’t half bad.” They’d pulled over on an old jeep road halfway up Topaz Mountain and started kissing. Even back then, he’d made her lose control faster than she knew was possible. In all of three minutes, she’d stripped her pants down, undid his zipper, and climbed right into his lap. By then he’d learned to carry condoms in his wallet.
The memory combined with his low laugh made her quake with the desire to do that again. Lose control. Let everything go except the sensation of his skin against hers…
“Come on.” Lucas broke away from her and got out of the truck.
Pouting, she did the same. “I’m pretty sure I’m not going to like fly fishing as much as I liked having sex in your truck that day,” she informed him.
“Good.” He ruffled her hair. “I’d hope not.” He pulled a backpack out of the truck bed and strapped it on, then gathered her against his side before leading her toward the river. “When I finally get your clothes off, once won’t be enough. I won’t want to take you home in time to be there when Gracie returns.” They reached the river and he knelt to unpack the backpack—a fishing pole in three pieces, a tackle box and…two pairs of waders?
“Besides that, I figure there’s a good chance she might call. Seeing as how this is her first time out with Mark and everything.”
“You’re right.” She sighed. “I know you’re right.” And yet she also knew she couldn’t wait much longer. She’d already waited too long.
Lucas screwed the pole together, then laid it carefully on the ground. “Trust me. Fly fishing is definitely the next best thing,” he teased. “I haven’t dated much since I got out of prison.”
For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why. He likely could’ve had any woman he aimed those charismatic hazel eyes at. Though she couldn’t say she was disappointed to hear he hadn’t been with many other women. She hadn’t been with many other men after Mark left, either. It seemed to level the playing field.
“So in the absence of good sex, this is what I learned to do for therapy,” he said, focused on tying a fuzzy little fly to the end of the fishing line. “I come here to think. To find some peace.”
She granted him a soft smile. “Then I’m glad you’re sharing it with me.” Since it meant something to him, she’d try to like it.
Especially if it helped her know him again.