To cover the blunder, she turned and started walking down the rutted driveway, continuing her way toward the Windy River and the little white cottage shed been assigned this morning. How many horses do you have now?
Jared fell into step beside her. Several hundred. Several thousand head of cattle.
Is the ranch still profitable?
He hesitated, and she could feel him looking down at her. Why do you ask?
She kept her focus on the quarter moon riding above the silhouetted mountain range across the river. You went into construction.
How did you know that?
I heard people talk. Around the ranch.
Gossip?
No, she quickly denied. Just chitchat. Youre here. Youre usually in Chicago. People commented on it over lunch. Truth was, Melissa had carefully orchestrated the conversation that had revealed that information and more, but there was no need to mention that to Jared.
You seem to know a lot about me.
She dared to look up at him. Youre the boss. People naturally care about what you do.
They shouldnt.
She couldnt help but smile at that. Maybe not. But thats not the way life works.
Its gossip, he stated. Plain and simple.
Its curiosity, she corrected. And its interest. And respect.
He ground out an inarticulate sound.
You cant make millions of dollars and hope to stay under the radar, she told him.
How do you know I make millions of dollars?
How many acres you got here?
Five thousand.
I rest my case.
Most cattle ranches lose money these days.
Most construction companies make money these days.
Jared didnt answer. They came up on the short bridge over the froth of a narrow spot in the river. A dirt driveway jutted off to the south, winding through a grass-and-wildflower carpet dotted with aspen and oak trees, which fronted the staff cabins. It looked exactly like the picture on the ranch Web site. This morning it had taken Melissas breath away.
Which is yours? Jared asked, nodding to the neat row of white cottages.
Number six.
Ill walk you down. He turned on the driveway, and Melissa was struck by how easily he fit into the surroundings. He had a smooth, rolling, loose-limbed stride, and his booted feet never faltered on the uneven ground. A few lights burned behind curtained windows.
Very gentlemanly of you. She hoped to keep him talking as long as possible.
Wouldnt want you to run into a cougar. He seemed to be teasing, but it was hard to tell.
She decided to assume the ranch staff werent in mortal danger this close to the buildings. Im more afraid of rogue cattle, she returned.
The range bulls are up in the hills right now.
Good to know. So how long are you in Montana?
About as long as you.
Something you have to get back to? She tripped on a tree root, and he quickly grasped her arm to steady her.
Why do you ask?
Just making conversation. You seem to like it here.
He gazed around. The Windy River roared its way past, while an owl hooted in a faraway tree. A pair of truck lights flashed in the distance beyond the barns, while several horses whinnied to each other on the night air.
Melissa surreptitiously slowed her steps, not wanting to arrive at her cottage while Jared was still willing to talk.
Ive always liked it here. But his jaw was tight and his voice seemed strained.
Melissa sensed an undercurrent. Why did you leave? she dared.
To make money, was the quick response.
Cowboys need millions?
A spread this size needs millions. The past few decades have been hard on Montana ranchers. Itll change in the future. It has to. But for now
Her footsteps slowed to a stop. There was no help for it, theyd arrived at her front porch. She turned to face him, scrambling for ways to prolong the inevitable. She wasnt likely to get another chance like this for the rest of the week.
So for now youre building office towers to keep your cattle ranch and horse-jumping operation in the black.
How did you know I was building office towers? The man was entirely too observant for her comfort level.
Somebody also mentioned it at lunch today, she said, bluffing.
Jared stared into her eyes for a long slow moment. Then his index finger went to her chin and he tipped her face to the starlight. Theres something about you, Melissa.
Im a decent flirt? Better to feed into his misconception than to let him start thinking about other possibilities.
He gazed at her a moment longer. That must be it. He paused again, his expression going unexpectedly intimate. So you going to put out now?
His voice was smooth, his dark eyes sensual, and his lips full and soft. Melissa let herself envision delivering with a kiss. Would it be soft and sweet? Strong and sure? Sensual? Sexy? Or downright erotic?
You really are frighteningly good at this. His gruff voice interrupted her fantasy.
She blinked. Huh?
His jaw tightened, and he took a step back. I can see why youve got so many men at your beck and call.
She shook her head. I dont
Be careful, Melissa, he warned. Not all of them will walk away.
And with that, he turned on his heel.
She thought about calling out to protest. Her flirtation was normally light and inconsequential. Shed never let herself get carried away. This was the first time shed ever even considered taking the next step.
And she wouldnt have actually kissed him.
There was far too much at stake. All she wanted was some information on his business, his life, his background.
And she had some.
Melissa couldnt help but smile.
Jared might think she was shameless, but at least he didnt know she was a journalist, and shed obtained more useful material for her article.
Ignoring the anger in his stride, and the stiff set of his shoulders as he made his way back down the dirt driveway, she skipped up the stairs to her cottage. She needed to make notes right away.
What did you do to tick Anthony off last night? Stephanies voice startled Jared as he tightened Tangos cinch in front of her house midmorning. The meeting had ended late last night, and it had been simpler to sleep here than ride ten miles to the main house at the cattle ranch in the dark. Anthony and Otto had left immediately after breakfast.
He took one final reflexive look at Melissa cleaning tack inside a shed across the driveway. The woman was taking an inordinately long time on a basic bridle. Then he slipped the cinch buckle into place and turned to face his sister.
Stephanie was dressed in dressage clothes, obviously ready for another day of training with Rosie-Jo. They had a competition coming up, but Jared couldnt remember the details.
I told him to stop flirting with the help, Jared answered.
What help?
Melissa. He pulled the right stirrup into place. I dont know why you hired that woman. Shes completely useless.
She needed a job, said Stephanie.
Were not running a charitable organization.
Were not running a charitable organization.
Stephanie stuffed one hand on her hip. Actually we are.
Jared rolled his eyes, grasping the saddle horn to wiggle it and test the placement. Then she can apply through the Genevieve Fund.
Dont be such a hard-ass.
Im not a hard-ass. Im a realist. He nodded toward Melissa. Shes been working on that same bridle for half an hour. And mark my words, shes going to cause trouble between the cowboys.
The cowboys are full-grown men.
My point exactly.
Theyre responsible for their own behavior.
Jared gave his sister a meaningful glare. Men were men. And flirtatious women were trouble. Like I said, Im a realist.
Stephanie set her helmet on the end post of the hitching rail and gathered her auburn hair into a ponytail. Im not going to fire Melissa.
Well, Im not going to be responsible for the fallout, he warned.
Who said you had to be responsible? Besides, arent you going back down to the cattle ranch today?
Jared gently positioned the bit in Tangos mouth. Thought Id stay at your place for a few days.
There was a moments silence, and he braced himself.
Her tone hardened. Im perfectly fine, big brother.
I know youre perfectly fine, Jared allowed. He was sure she felt that way for now.
This is no different than any other anniversary.
Jared didnt argue the point. But theyd just lost their grandfather, and Stephanie was hurting. No matter how hard she pretended otherwise, the siblings annual reunion and visit to the family graveyard would be particularly difficult for her this year. He usually stayed down at the main house at the cattle ranch, since it was larger. But Stephanie couldnt leave her work and her students at the equestrian center, so hed stay here instead.
Whens Royce showing up? he asked, instead.
Saturday. You should get back down there and help McQuestin. Stephanie referred to their aging cattle ranch manager.
McQuestin doesnt want my help.
She plunked her helmet on her head and set her lips in a mulish line. I dont need a babysitter.
Jared leaned back against the hitching rail, crossing his arms over his chest while he faced his sister. Maybe I need you.
Her pale blue eyes immediately softened. You do?
He nodded. It wasnt a lie. He needed to be with her right now. It was the only way hed be sure she was okay.
She moved forward and placed a hand on his arm. I know you miss Gramps. Do you still miss Mom and Dad?
Jared nodded again. But this time, his lie was outright. He didnt miss his parents. He was angry with his parents. Furious, if the truth be known. But that was his burden, the secret passed down by his grandfather. His only choice was to preserve their memories for his siblings.
Stephanies eyes shimmered and she blinked rapidly. Then you should stay.
Jared covered her hand with his. Thank you.
You want to watch me jump?
Sure. He nodded. Im going to check the pasture land at Buttercup Pond. Clear my head a little. Ill swing by later in the morning.
Stephanie nodded. Then she swiped the back of her hand across one cheek and headed for the main arena.
Jared tugged Tangos lead rope free and swung up into the saddle. The ride to Buttercup Pond to establish his cover story would take him a couple of hours. But his real mission was across the Windy River. Since his grandfathers deathbed revelation in April, he couldnt get his great-great-grandparents cabin out of his mind.
The walk to the Ryders great-great-grandparents cabin took longer than Melissa had expected. At last she came around a bend of the river to see two cabins. One, made of logs, was nearly collapsing with age. The other was obviously newer. It was larger, made from lumber, with glass windows still intact and peeling white paint on the walls and porch.
A single story, it was L-shaped, with a peaked, green shingle roof. The rails had sagged off the porch, but the three steps looked safe enough, and the front door was a few inches ajar. The buildings were surrounded by a wildflower meadow that nestled up against steep rocky cliffs, jutting into the crystal-blue sky. The river glided by through a wide spot, nearly silent compared to the rapids upstream.
Melissa pulled out her cell phone, clicking a couple of pictures, wishing Susan was along with her camera.
Then she gingerly climbed the three stairs. She pressed the front door, slowly creaking it open. A dank, dusty room was revealed in the filtered sunlight through the stained windows. It held a stone fireplace, an aging dining table and chairs, and the remnants of a sofa. The floorboards were warped and creaky. Through a doorway, yellowed linoleum lined a small kitchen. Curtains hung in shreds over two of the windows.
Melissa let herself imagine the long-ago family. Jareds great-grandfather must have grown up here. Was he an only child? Did he have brothers and sisters? Did Jared have cousins and more-distant relatives around the country?
She made a mental note to research the familys genealogy.
On the far side of the living room, next to the kitchen door, a narrow hallway led to the other side of the house. The floor groaned under her running shoeclad feet as she made her way through. Her movement stirred up dust, and she covered her mouth and nose with her hand to breathe more easily.
The hallway revealed two bedrooms. One was stark, with plywood bunks nailed to the wall and a hollow cutout of a closet. But the second was a surprise. Intact yellow curtains hung over the window. The bed was obviously newer than the other furnishings, and a brightly colored quilt was shoved against the brass footboard, while the remnants of two pillows were strewn at the head.
Can I help you?
The deep voice nearly scared Melissa out of her skin. Her hand flew to her heart as she whirled around to see Jared standing in the bedroom doorway.
You scared me half to death! she told him.
Shouldnt you be working?
Its lunchtime. I thought you were a ghost. Her heart was still racing, and adrenaline prickled her skin, flushing her body, then cooling it rapidly.
Still very much alive, he drawled, expression accusing. What are you doing here?
I was curious.
He waited.
Last night. You mentioned your great-great-grandparents and, well, I like old buildings.
So you walked two miles?
Yes.
On your lunch hour?
I wanted to come while it was light.
He sighed in disgust and gave his head a little shake. Youre flaky, you know that? Instead of eating, you take off on a whim to see a dilapidated old building. How are you going to work all afternoon?
Ill manage, she offered, already hungry and quite willing to concede his point. But she didnt have a lot of time to waste.
Youll be passing out by two.
She could have argued, but she had more important questions. Whats with this room? She gestured around. It seems newer.
Jareds gaze fixed on the disheveled bed for a long beat. His eyes hardened to sapphire, and a muscle ticked next to his left eye. Must have been a staff member sleeping here.