Colton: Rodeo Cowboy, page 6
Leah hesitated. “I miss our farm,” she finally conceded. “But not barrel racing. I have other priorities now.”
“Your children.”
“Exactly.” She jumped gracefully to the ground. “Speaking of which, I’d better go find them before they drive your mother crazy.”
Chapter Six
Leah found her kids at the side of the pool, being toweled off by Sarah Hart. They were all in bathing suits, though Sarah had covered hers with a caftan. Jill said something that made Sarah laugh and Davey started hopping from one foot to the other, the way he did when he was really happy.
“Mommy!” Davey came running for her as soon as he saw her. She scooped him up, then hugged his cool, damp body close.
“Did you have fun in the pool?”
“Mrs. Sarah taught me to swim. I do-ed it, Mom. All by myself.”
“He sure did.” Sarah held up a pair of water wings and winked at Leah.
Jill moved in closer and gave her a hug, too. “It’s so nice here, Mom. They have a tire swing and a jungle gym set, too.” She stepped back and looked at Colt. “Are you a real cowboy?”
Colt tipped his hat and nodded. “At your service, ma’am.”
“Where’s your horse?” Davey wanted to know.
“My mother doesn’t allow horses in the pool.”
Jill frowned, then gave a little giggle. She wasn’t sure what to make of Colt, Leah could tell. She gave her daughter’s shoulders a squeeze. “Colt’s an old friend of mine, honey.”
“Is he a friend of Daddy’s, too?”
Leah glanced at Colt, then away. “No.”
She gathered her kids’ towels and folded them neatly next to the backpack. Sarah passed her the bottle of sunscreen. “Thanks, Sarah. It sounds like Jill and Davey had a terrific time. I hope they weren’t too much trouble.”
“Not at all. I had as much fun as they did, I suspect. You’ll stay for lunch? I made lots of sandwiches this morning. The tray is in the fridge.”
“I’ll get it, Mom.” Colt hurried into the house, as if glad for the opportunity to escape.
“That’s very kind, Sarah. Maybe we’ll have a quick bite, but we should leave soon. I need to check on my mother and make sure she’s had some lunch herself.” Once Colt returned with the food, she passed her children each a sandwich, then relaxed onto a vacant lounge chair with her own lunch. Davey curled up beside her, resting his head against her chest.
“I had a good look at your records,” Leah told Sarah. “I’m familiar with a system called Farm Biz that I think would meet all your accounting and reporting needs. I’ve left an estimate on your desk for what it would cost to get you started with that. If you want, I could create an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of your bucking stock commitments, too.”
Sarah asked her a few questions about the program and how it would work. Leah tried to answer as clearly as possible, even though she could tell the conversation was boring her children. Davey finished his sandwich, then snuggled up closer to her and closed his eyes. On the lounge chair next to hers, Jill lay back on a dry, plush towel.
“What about monthly updates?” Sarah asked. “Would you be willing to come out to the ranch to work on those?”
“Of course.”
“That sounds wonderful, Leah.” Sarah pushed her sunglasses up on her head, and gave her a warm smile. “You don’t know how happy it makes me to know I’ll never have to balance those accounts again.”
“Does that mean you’re giving me the job?”
“I will look at the estimate first, but I’m pretty sure the answer will be yes.”
Leah knew she was beaming; she couldn’t help it. With Thunder Ranch as her client, she knew others would soon follow. “Thanks so much, Sarah. For the job, and lunch, not to mention watching my children. I really should get them home now.”
“It looks like they’re fast asleep. Why not let them nap a while longer? Maybe you and Colt could go for a trail ride.”
The idea was tempting, but Leah didn’t dare even look in Colt’s direction. He’d been hanging back during her conversation with his mother, gulping down his lunch like it was a job he was hoping to finish as fast as possible. Indeed, he’d made good work on it—the plate was empty now.
“I really shouldn’t. My mother wasn’t feeling well this morning and I want to check on her. The kids will sleep in the truck.”
Slowly she eased off her lounge chair, holding Davey secure in her arms.
Sarah glanced at her son. “Colt, why don’t you carry Jill and the children’s pack? I’ll run back to the office and get Leah’s briefcase for her.”
Colt moved to the chair where Jill was sleeping. Leah watched as he gazed uncertainly at the sleeping child. Finally, he picked her up, holding her away from his body, as if she were an unsavory package.
Mentally shaking her head at him, Leah carried her son to the truck and settled him into his car seat. As she’d suspected, Davey didn’t even open his eyes. Jill, however, woke briefly as Colt dumped her awkwardly onto her booster seat.
“Mom!” she cried, taken aback at being carried by a virtual stranger. Colt reacted by stepping back and raising his hands, as if to say, What? I didn’t do anything!
“Excuse me.” Leah motioned him out of the way, then gently strapped her daughter in and passed her a blanket. “It’s okay, peanut. Just go back to sleep.”
After shutting the door, she leaned her back against the sun-warmed metal. Colt was standing with his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, looking uncomfortable.
“You’re really awkward around kids.”
“No kidding.”
“They aren’t creatures from another planet, you know.”
“Hey. I have my reasons for feeling the way I do.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Colt looked surprised, as if he’d blurted out something he hadn’t meant to say. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you.” He glanced toward his mother, who was walking briskly toward them with Leah’s briefcase in hand.
Leah didn’t know what to say. He had her curious, that was for sure. But with his mother about to join them, she wouldn’t try to pry anything more
from him. Not now, anyway.
* * *
WITH THE KIDS SLEEPING soundly in the truck beside her, Leah drove slowly back to Roundup, hoping they’d get enough rest that they wouldn’t be too cranky when they arrived at Grandma’s. She resisted the urge to drive out for a look at their old farm. She didn’t think she could bear to see it being occupied by another family.
The last time she was there had been for the auction, when her mother sold off the livestock and farm equipment, prior to putting the property up for sale. That was a day she would never want to relive. Seeing Country Girl sold to the highest bidder had almost broken her heart.
Jackson had been with her then, they’d been newlyweds and she’d hoped that if he saw the land, how beautiful it was, she might be able to convince him to become a Montana farmer, rather than take the high-paying job on the rigs he’d just been offered.
But Jackson hadn’t seen the place the way she had. All he focused on were the problems—the barn that needed replacing and the fence that was falling down. “I can’t imagine living in a house like this,” he’d said when she’d taken him into the farmhouse kitchen.
The kitchen in their Calgary home had granite countertops, brand-new appliances and a gleaming hardwood floor. “But look out the windows,” she told Jackson. “That view. All this space and clean air. Isn’t that worth something?”
She hadn’t really expected him to fall in love with the place. But she had hoped.
It didn’t happen, though. Two days later, they were back in Calgary, she to prepare for the baby that would be coming in five months and him to start his first job rotation up in Fort McMurray.
Leah was driving slowly, so it took almost half an hour for her to reach town. As she reduced her speed, first Jill woke up, then Davey.
“Did you have a good nap?”
Jill rubbed her eyes and nodded. “That cowboy carried me, Mommy.”
“Yes, I know.” She waited to see if Jill had any further comments on Colt, but she didn’t.
“We’re going to check on Grandma now, okay?” Leah turned left off the highway, soon arriving at her mother’s house. She helped the kids out of the truck, then they all trooped inside. Leah was relieved to find her mother at the kitchen table, eating some soup and a sandwich.
“I’m feeling so much better,” Prue said, after giving the kids a hug. “How did your meeting with Sarah Hart go?”
Leah allowed herself a smug smile. “I think I got the job.”
Before her mother could congratulate her, the phone rang. Since Leah was closest, she answered the call, her voice guarded in case this turned out to be her ex-husband.
It was.
“Leah. I can’t believe I’m actually hearing your voice. You’re a hard woman to track down.”
“We’ve been real busy lately, that’s for sure. But I’m glad you called, Jackson. The children would love to speak to you.”
“Daddy?” Jill perked up as soon as she heard her father’s name.
“Sure I want to talk to them. But can’t we talk for a while, first? How’s it going for you, Leah?”
His voice flowed like sweet, sticky honey, but Leah wasn’t fooled. If it hadn’t been for the two little faces looking up at her so hopefully right then, she would have hung up on the spot.
“I’m fine and so are the kids. How are things with you?”
“Lonely. I miss you.”
Damn him for doing this to her. “And the kids miss you, too. Here’s Jill. She’s dancing on the spot waiting for her turn on the phone.” Leah handed the receiver to her daughter. “Let Davey talk when you’re finished, okay, peanut?”
She had to leave the room then. Just a few minutes to collect herself, that was all she needed. But unfortunately her mother couldn’t give her that much space.
“You were awfully abrupt. Was that really necessary?”
Leah blinked away tears of frustration and anger. “Mom, whenever Jackson gets me on the phone, he tries to convince me to come back to him. It’s not fair to the kids. They need him to focus on them—not me.”
“What the kids really need is for their mother and father to be together again. I’ve offered before, and I’ll offer again. Leave the kids with me, go back to Calgary and see if the two of you can’t work things out.”
“Mom. We’re beyond that point. The divorce is final. We haven’t lived together for over a year.”
“You keep saying that. But lots of couples go through troubles, separate, then get back together. Mary Jo and Frank—”
“Mom! Daddy wants to talk to you again!”
Leah sighed, then put her finger to her mouth, warning her mother to drop this subject. Last thing the kids needed was to hear the two of them fighting about Jackson. She went back to the kitchen and asked Jill if Davey had his turn to talk to his dad. When Jill nodded, Leah took the receiver—and a deep breath—then spoke briskly. “Thanks so much for calling, Jackson. The kids really enjoyed talking to you.”
“When will I see them?”
She hated the whining note in his voice, and had to work to ignore it. “Where are you? In Calgary?”
“No, up north. Working.”
So why ask to see them, when it wasn’t even possible? Again, Leah struggled to be calm and logical. “Well, let me know when you get your next break and I’ll be glad to drive them up to Calgary for a visit.”
“Maybe you all can stay with me?”
Leah carried the phone into the living room, away from the watchful eyes of her mother. “The kids, yes. Me, no.”
“Leah—”
“Stop it, Jackson. I really can’t take this anymore. We’ve said everything there is to say. Nothing can change what happened, or how I feel. I have to go now. Please call to talk to Jill and Davey anytime you want. But not me. Leave me the hell alone.”
* * *
THE NEXT MORNING Colt was up early again, feeding the bucking stock, when his older brother strode up to the corrals. Ace was the tall, dark and handsome one of the Hart boys, but he’d never used his good looks to charm the ladies the way Colt had. At heart, his brother was quiet, solid and dependable. Colt figured Flynn had made herself a fine catch.
Colt set aside the pitchfork and offered Ace his hand. “You’re back. How was the honeymoon?”
“Fantastic. Too short, but fantastic.” Ace hesitated only for a second before accepting his handshake.
“I have to admit, you look like a happy man. I’m glad for you, Ace. And—” Colt swallowed, then choked out the rest “—and I apologize for not being here to be your best man. It meant a lot that you wanted me and I’m sorry—” He swallowed again.
Looking back he realized he should have forgotten about his meeting with old man Mackay. He’d really wanted to come home with that contract all sewn up and impress his mother and Ace with his amazing negotiating skills. But Brad Mackay had wanted to talk to his wife first, before agreeing to anything. And so Colt had come home with no contract, and no memories of his brother’s wedding, either.
“We didn’t give you much notice,” Ace conceded. “But when I finally got Flynn to agree to marry me, I had to act fast. No way was I giving her time to change her mind.”
Colt laughed, then grew serious again. “I still want to make it up to you. If there’s anything I can do—”
“Well, now that you mention it…”
“Uh-oh.” Seeing the wicked gleam in Ace’s eyes, Colt realized he might have been smart to tie some strings to his offer.
“Since Flynn and I are going to be living on her property now, I need to move some stuff. There’s a couple chairs in the tack room Mom said were just collecting dust, and she has an extra dining room suite in the basement she said we could use, too. Want to help me load everything into the truck?”
Another move. Was his body ever going to get a chance to rest and recover? Colt shook his head ruefully. “No problem. Give me twenty minutes to finish here, then I’m all yours for as long as you need me.” He hesitated. “Is Flynn here?” He really should apologize to his new sister-in-law, too.
“She wanted to come, but I talked her out of it. Last thing I want is for her to be lifting and carrying things.”
Colt glanced away at this reference to Flynn’s pregnancy. Ever since his brother had shared the news of the upcoming baby, he’d wondered what his brother would say if he knew the truth about Colt’s past. A few times he’d even been tempted to blurt out the whole story. But then there’d be one more example of how Ace had done the right thing and Colt had done the exact opposite.
Ace clapped him on the shoulder. “I feel a lot better with the air cleared between us.”
Colt swallowed. He wished he could feel better, too. But it seemed everywhere he turned he was reminded of just what a mess he’d made of his life.
* * *
TWENTY MINUTES later Colt was ready to help his brother. Ace had backed up one of the ranch trucks to the front of the barn, and Darrell had propped open the doors at both ends so they could move the chairs from the tack room straight into the truck. Colt was carrying one of the heavy oak chairs when Leah showed up wearing a blazer and skinny jeans tucked into her boots. Colt had to admire the way she combined business and Western wear, managing to look sexy, competent and smart all at the same time.
“Hey there.” He set down the chair in order to say hello. “You’re here to work?”
It felt so good, just to see her. He had to admit she still got his heart racing, despite their agreement to be only friends. But there was something decidedly unfriendly in her eyes today. They didn’t have their usual warm sparkle. In fact, she looked darn-near somber.
“Yup, it’s my first day and I want to get right at it. Mom’s got the kids for the morning so I’m hoping to get a lot accomplished. What’s going on here?” She nodded at the truck.
“Ace is moving a few things over to the McKinley spread.” At that moment his brother came out of the barn carrying a large box. Ace set it into the truck then came and offered his hand to Leah.
“I know you. Didn’t you used to compete in the barrel races with Dinah?”
“That’s right, I did. And you’re obviously Colt’s older brother, Ace.”
Colt could tell Leah immediately liked Ace. Not surprising, but still a little annoying. He put a friendly arm around her shoulder. “Leah and I were in the same year at school. Known each other forever.”
“Oh, so I don’t need to warn you to watch out for my sweet-talking brother?”
Leah laughed and slipped out from under his arm. “Colt and I figured out a long time ago that we were never meant to be more than friends.”
Well, didn’t she say that easily, as if she’d never been tempted to want anything more. Colt was finding this conversation increasingly irritating.
“By the way,” Leah added, “congratulations to you and Flynn on your marriage. I hope you’ll be very happy.”
Ace nodded. “Thank you. I’m sure we will. Especially since we’re expecting a baby around Thanksgiving. I can’t deny I’m a very lucky guy.”
“Well, isn’t that nice.” Leah deliberately looked from Ace, to Colt. “A man looking forward to the responsibilities of being a father.”
Colt glared at Leah. That had been a low blow. A really low blow. He picked up the chair and pretty much hurled it into the back of the truck.
“Easy there, bro.” Ace looked surprised and perplexed. “I was hoping to use that chair again. Not throw it in the junkyard.”
Leah just shrugged, then headed for the office.
Chapter Seven
Leah worked hard all week, determined to focus on what mattered: being a good mother and provider for her children. Colt had been driving her crazy ever since that night they’d hooked up at the Open Range. She knew she had to stop thinking about him, or she’d end up making another major mistake, like Jackson. The fiasco that had once been her marriage was a vivid reminder of what happened when she allowed herself to fall for the wrong sort of man.
