Chapter Eight
This day had taken a very sudden and very strange turn.
Avery climbed out of his pickup and made his way up the steps of the sprawling log house at the Crooked S Ranch. The air was crisp but the sun’s rays held the promise of warmth. Being here was bittersweet now that Howard Smith had passed on.
Avery paused on the porch that spanned the front of the house. He gazed up at the front of the house. It was a wall of windows that looked out over the sprawling pasture. And when the sun rose in the morning, it was truly magnificent.
He moved to the wood rail that ran the length of the porch. Avery brushed off the snow and braced his hands on the cold log rail. His gaze stretched out over the hundreds of acres. He’d always loved this view. It was the most beautiful sight in the world—except for Jillian.
Wait. Where had that thought come from?
He gave himself a mental shake and focused on the here and now. He just couldn’t believe that as of this morning, he had been presented with an opportunity to own this gorgeous ranch. But with his depleted savings and his diminishing number of product endorsements, he’d need a miracle to make this dream a reality.
The sound of boots on the steps drew Avery’s attention back to the present. He turned to find his good friend Blake Ridgeway, foreman of the Crooked S, approaching him.
“I didn’t think you were supposed to be back in town for a while,” Blake said, coming to a stop next to him.
“My knee had other ideas.”
Blake’s gaze dipped to the knee brace. “I see. How is it?”
“Good enough that I don’t have to have surgery, but not good enough for me to return to the rodeo circuit. The doc doesn’t want me riding horses for a while.”
“That’s too bad. You were off to a good start.”
Avery tilted his cowboy hat up on his forehead. “Doesn’t it always work that way?”
“Normally I’d tell you to saddle up because we could use the help rotating the cattle to the south field, but seeing your leg isn’t up for it, I guess we’ll have to muddle through without you.”
Avery shrugged. “When have I ever let a little scrape stop me? I’ll help out.”
“No, you won’t.” Blake was a few years older than Avery and the more cautious of the two of them. “I’m sorry I mentioned it.”
Avery wasn’t up for arguing the point. He was still a bit dazed by all that had happened since he woke up that morning. It had all started with a knock on the door.
He’d been working the kitchen remodel when the postman had arrived with a certified letter. Avery had to admit that he’d been hesitant about signing his name and accepting the mysterious piece of mail. The last time he’d accepted certified mail, it had been after his parents’ deaths. Those had been the papers regarding the custody of his brother and sister.
He’d hoped and prayed this current piece of mail didn’t come with such staggering consequences. Still, he had no idea what it might be. And then to find the name of a law firm as the return address, he was certain his life was about to take a turn. But he had no idea at the time if it’d be for the better or worse.
However, when he ripped the envelope open, he’d received the surprise of his life. Howard Smith, the owner of the Crooked S, had written into his will that Avery was to be granted an exclusive opportunity to buy the ranch. The letter went on to say that the ranch had undergone a full evaluation and that the specified dollar figure represented the ranch’s current value. It also stated that he had ninety days in order to secure the necessary funds or else the ranch would be put up for public auction. The proceeds were to be split evenly between Howard’s two nephews.
After filling Blake in on the recent events, Avery turned back to the most amazing view. “I knew Howard always talked about wanting someone who loved the land and animals as much as him to one day own the place, but I never thought he meant me.”
“He thought of you like a son. You were here for years before I came along. You worked every day from sunup until sundown. I remember how upset your mother would get because you were never home.”
“But my father understood. He loved when his work brought him to this ranch, even if he only did the accounting and bookwork. I think if he hadn’t had a family counting on him to provide for them, he would have chucked the accounting and become a cowboy.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life.”
“Me either.”
Blake studied him for a moment. “So when are you going to buy the place? I know all of the ranch hands will be happy to have you running the Crooked S.”
“Whoa! Slow down. Before that can happen, I need to devise a plan to come up with the funds to pay the hefty price tag. I knew owning two thousand acres of this rich fertile land wouldn’t be cheap, but I wasn’t quite prepared for such a staggering asking price.”
“But don’t forget that includes three hundred head of cattle. Plus all of the outbuildings. Not to mention this beautiful home that’s just begging for a family to move in and fill it with smiles and laughter.”
Avery stepped back and waved off his friend. “What’s up with the hard sale line?”
Blake glanced down. “There are a lot of lives hinging on your decision. I just had to talk my best man out of leaving today. Everyone thinks the ranch will be sold off and chunked up into smaller ranches or that the new owner will bring in their own people.”
Just what Avery needed, more pressure to make this happen. And it might have been a possibility, if he hadn’t gotten injured. He’d been at the top of his division. There were advertisers vying for his signature, but after his injury he hadn’t heard a peep out of them.
“Sorry,” Blake said. “I shouldn’t have laid all of that on you. It’s just that I get so frustrated. I know this ranch can be successful again instead of scraping by. It just needs someone young and ambitious.”
Avery let out a laugh and it felt good. “And you think I’m that person?”
“Sure. And I’m not the only one.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Do you honestly think Mr. Smith would have named you in his will if he didn’t trust you with one of the great loves of his life?”
Avery turned his back on the ranch. The pressure to come up with the necessary funds to help out the ranch hands at the Crooked S and live up to Howard’s expectations was a lot for him. Just for now, he needed to think about something else.
“Have you heard about that Bachelor Bake-Off?” Avery asked, hoping to change the subject.
“Who hasn’t heard about it? It’s all folks are talking about in Marietta.”
“And what do you think of the idea?” He wanted to get a guy’s perspective on it before he decided what to do about staying in the competition or backing out.
“I think it’s a bit different. But it’s for a good cause. Harry was a great guy. He’d like the town pulling together.”
“You think so?”
“I think he’d get a kick out of a bunch of guys getting up in front of the whole town and baking, especially the ones who aren’t exactly experienced.” Blake paused and arched a brow. “Why are you so interested?”
Avery swallowed. “I’m one of the bachelors.”
“You are? How did that happen?” But before Avery could answer, Blake said, “Never mind. I know. It was Beth.”
“Good guess.”
“It was easy. Seems that girl has been getting you involved in all sorts of interesting things, from father-daughter dances to chaperoning field trips. Well, you can count on me to cheer you on. I just have one question. Do you know how to bake?”
“I think I’ll plead the fifth.”
Blake whistled. “Oh boy are you in trouble.”
“Don’t I know it.”
His only hope had been Jillian. And now he didn’t know what to do. He had to do something before Beth heard and came rushing home. He didn’t need to be the cause of his little sister failing out of school.
His thoughts strayed to Jillian. When had she gained a boyfriend? She’d been so caught up in her business and settling into her mother’s garage apartment that he didn’t think she’d take time out for a relationship. Obviously, he’d been wrong.
The memory of her about to kiss another man left a bitter taste in Avery’s mouth. He assured himself that it wasn’t jealousy. He was just going to miss her assistance. That was all.
*
The one good thing about living next door to your parent was being able to borrow things.
Jillian sat at her mother’s kitchen table with a stack of cookbooks in front of her. Suzanna had agreed that they should keep up the coffee and pastries at the shop for a week or two longer. Jillian wanted to switch up what they offered so she was hunting for ideas—and trying not to wonder about Avery’s sudden change of mind about her helping him.
“Oh, hi,” her mother said as she entered through the back door.
Her mother’s arms were full of groceries. Jillian jumped to her feet to help. Once the bags were on the table, Jillian asked if there were more in the car.
“No. This is it, but thank you.” Her mother slipped off her coat and hung it over the back of a chair. “What are you up to?”
“I was just looking through your cookbooks.” She’d found a couple of intriguing recipes, but she couldn’t decide which to bake. “Do you mind if I borrow a few?”
“Not at all. Maybe if you tell me what you’re planning to bake, I could help you find a recipe.”
“See that’s the thing, I have no idea what I want to bake.”
Her mother straightened from switching into her slippers. “Is this for a special occasion? Perhaps for Glenn?”
She wished her mother would stop bringing up his name. Jillian had avoided the details of her breakup with Glenn because, well, they were embarrassing. She didn’t know what bothered her more—the fact she’d fallen for such a superficial person in the first place or that she’d been dumped in public. But she supposed it was best to clear the air.
“Mom, Glenn dumped me. And I’m never taking him back.”
“He did? Why didn’t you ever say anything?”
“Because it’s embarrassing and I just didn’t want to talk about it.”
“Oh, sweetie, you should have said something a long time ago. Here I was going on and on. I feel so bad now.”
“It’s okay, Mom. You had no way of knowing.” Jillian hadn’t told her any of that to make her feel bad.
“Just don’t give up.” Her mother placed a jug of milk in the fridge.
“On what?” Surely she didn’t mean Glenn.
“You know, on men in general. Just because you found one bad egg doesn’t mean there isn’t a prince out there waiting for you.” Her mother was nothing if not resilient.
“I don’t need a guy to complete me. I’m happy just the way I am.”
“I know you don’t need a man. Times are so much different these days. But that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be nice to have someone to share your life with. Your father was my best friend. He knew me better than anyone. And I miss him every day.”
Jillian wanted to ask her mother why she didn’t take some of her own advice and get out there and start dating again, but she couldn’t vocalize the words. If it was anyone but her mother, she would serve up some much needed advice. Her father had been gone for more than five years. It was time for her mother to move on.
But selfishly, Jillian found comfort in the fact her parents’ love spanned not just life but death too. It was very special. And she also realized that she was a grown-up now and as hard as it might be, she needed to help her mother move on. Maybe tomorrow.
It was at this point that she noticed her mother walking around the kitchen looking high and low for something. “Did you lose something?”
“Did you see Romeo?”
“No. But I’m sure he’s napping somewhere warm.”
Her mother’s face was creased with worry lines. “Romeo. Here, boy. Come to Momma.”
Jillian stopped and listened for the now familiar sound of the pitter-patter of his tiny feet. But as the seconds ticked away, there was no rush of footsteps.
Perhaps he was curled up, snug in a blanket, and didn’t feel like moving. As her mother continued to call for the cat, Jillian had a stroke of genius. She rushed over to the pantry and reached for a pouch of cat treats. This would work.
She jiggled the bag and waited.
Nothing.
Jillian moved to the living room and jiggled it again.
Still nothing.
Last try was in the hallway outside the bedrooms. Jiggle. Jiggle.
Not a murr or a purr.
And then Jillian had the worst flashback of when he’d snuck out the door at her place. As quickly as the thought came to her, she dismissed it. There was no way that cat would venture back out in the brutal cold. He would have learned his lesson. He was a very smart feline.
Besides, there was no way she was calling Avery, not after the way he’d dismissed her during their last conversation. And she didn’t want him thinking she’d made up this excuse in order to have a reason to call him. Romeo would be around here—somewhere.
“Hey, Mom, did you find him?” Jillian returned to the living room to find her mother down on her hands and knees checking under all of the furniture.
Her mother sat back on her heels. “No. And I’m worried.”
“When did you last see him?”
“I don’t know.” She paused as though to give the question some thought. “I think it was when I left this morning.” Her mother’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “Do you think he got outside while I was carrying in the groceries?”
“No. He knows how cold it is out there.”
“I hope you’re right. I don’t want to imagine him out in the dark, cold night.” Her mother sniffled. “And he’s not used to it. And…and it would be all my fault.”
Now definitely wasn’t the time for Jillian to confess about Romeo’s prior excursion. It would just make her mother worry all the more and then she’d insist Jillian call Avery. And there was no way Romeo would be at Avery’s house. He probably wouldn’t even remember how to get there.
Jillian checked behind the couch for a second time. “Before you think the worst, we should keep checking here. He could have gotten closed in a cabinet or closet.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “You’re right. I’ll start checking upstairs.”
“And I’ll search down here,” Jillian said, already headed for the kitchen. “Yell, if you find him.”
“You do the same,” her mother called out.
In the kitchen, Jillian stopped next to the cabinet closest to the back door. Romeo was the curious sort and he had managed to pull open a cabinet door before. One by one, Jillian inspected the inside of each cabinet.
And then her phone buzzed. She thought of ignoring it, but then she realized that if Romeo had gotten out that her cell number was on his tag. She pulled the phone from the back pocket of her jeans. She glanced at the caller ID and found it was Avery.
Was it possible Romeo had actually made his way back to Avery’s house?
Impossible.
She was about to let the call go to voicemail and deal with Avery later, but she couldn’t ignore the fact that Avery might have seen Romeo roaming about town. Now, that was a very real possibility because Avery wouldn’t have any other reason to call her.
On the fourth buzz, she pressed a button and lifted the phone to her ear. “Hello.”
“Oh good. I was beginning to think you weren’t going to answer.”
“I’m a little busy.” If this wasn’t about Romeo, she really didn’t want to talk to him.
“You wouldn’t by chance be looking for a little guy? You know, the black and white little dude that goes by the name of Romeo?”
“You’ve seen him?”
“In a manner of speaking. He came to my house and pawed at the door until I let him in.”
“We’ve been looking everywhere for him. My mother is so upset. Is he okay?”
“He’s perfectly fine.”
“I’ll be right over to get him.”
“You don’t have to rush. After a few pets, I fed him. And now he’s in the living room with Marshmallow, warming up on a chair near the fireplace.”
Jillian thanked Avery and then she went to find her mother. The time had come for that little confession about Romeo’s previous excursion. Her mother wouldn’t be too happy about her sweetie getting out and venturing across roads, but she would be immensely relieved that he was safe.
And then it would be up to Jillian to go pick him up. Whether she wanted to see Avery again or not, Romeo wasn’t leaving her many options. Whatever made her think he would be a good lap cat?