I just wanted to make a good impression, she said. I dont cook like this every morning, of course. Too many chores to be done. Although, we do splurge once a week, for Sunday breakfasts.
We? So far, he hadnt seen evidence of another person on this ranch.
Handing him a plate edged in feminine purple flowers, she nodded toward the food. Dig in while the eggs are still warm. Id love to discuss your references. Then after breakfast, I can give you a tour
She was cut off by Scarletts frantic barking. The house rattled as the front door swung open with gale force. Hannah turned, an automatic smile blossoming as a childs voice hollered, Mommy! Then a little boy with a curly mop of hair nearly as dark as Hannahs skidded around the corner, launching himself at her in an exuberant hug.
Colins heart clenched. The same delicious aromas that had been making his mouth water now turned his stomach. Nausea and memories boiled up inside him. Physically, the dark-eyed little boy didnt bear any resemblance to Danny, but he looked about the same age Danny would have
I have to get out of here. Addressing his words to no one in particular, he dropped his plate on the counter and strode toward the living room.
Colins nerves had held steady while working with numerous wild-eyed horses too scared to realize he was trying to help; hell, hed kept his cool during a stampede. But there were limits to his bravery. He couldnt be around kids.
Hed never taken a job where young children lived, and the Silver Linings Ranch would be no exception.
* * *
WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Hannah was so stunned by Colins announcement that it took her a moment to process his abrupt exit. This wasnt the first time someone had turned down her job offer, but none of the other candidates had actually bolted. Shed hit a new low in the interview process. Wait!
Gently disentangling herself from her sons sticky hugwas that jam on his fingers?Hannah sprinted after Colin. And drew up short to avoid smacking into him. He, in turn, had apparently halted to avoid running over a startled Annette.
The blondes mouth had fallen open in a perfect O, making her look like a comic strip character. Um, hi? Her eyes darted to Hannah. Sorry, I...forgot you had a breakfast meeting.
Fat chance. Given the concern Annette had expressed over a stranger spending the night, Hannah wasnt surprised her friend had come over first thing to check on her. At least Annette hadnt dragged her husband, Todd, along. No doubt Annette had plenty of questions about why the man who should be sitting comfortably at the table listing his credentials had almost mowed her over.
Hannah stepped forward to make introductionswhich just so happened to strategically place her between Colin and the front door. Colin, meet Annette. Shes here to drop off Evan and pick up some cupcakes. Theyre really good, if I do say so myself. Deep down, she hoped that if she kept talking, he couldnt leave. He might be gruff, but surely he wasnt brusque enough to walk out midconversation? Annette, this is Colin Cade. We were about to eat and discuss Colins previous ranch experience.
No, we werent, he said firmly. He gave a curt nod in Annettes direction. Maam.
Annette raised a pale eyebrow. Dont let me interrupt.
He shook his head, already moving toward the door again. Something in his demeanor suggested he would pick up Hannah and remove her bodily from his path if necessary. Nothing to interrupt. I was on my way out. He opened the screen door, letting it clatter shut behind him.
Gesturing toward the kitchen in an all-purpose indication that Annette should help herself to the food and please keep an eye on Evan, Hannah followed. Was it her sons appearance that had sent Colin fleeing, or had she been too manic in her perky approach? One of her favorite high school teachers had always said that enthusiasm was contagious, but that didnt seem to be the case with Colin. Maybe she should dial it back a notch.
His much longer legs gave him the advantage. He was already down in the yard, but she wasnt too proud to jog down the porch steps.
Wait, Colin, I Crack.
The board under her gave way, and Hannah gasped as her foot went through the fissure at a wrong angle. Suddenly, he was at her side, his hands warm on her hips as he lifted her. For a big man, he moved surprisingly fast.
Youre hurt. Putting his arms around her, he lifted her vertically so she wouldnt have to navigate the steps and lowered her onto the porch. Tingles of awareness erupted like goose bumps across her skin. It had been eternities since shed been that close to a man.
Twisted my ankle, she said breathlessly, but its nothing ice and ibuprofen wont fix.
He glowered, those blue eyes stormy. You seem to have some strange ideas about whats fixable. Your trucks a pile of scrap metal, and you live in a house thats rotting out from under you.
It is not. Annoyed, she shoved away from him, not even caring that she had to hobble to do so. Ill admit the steps need replacingall the rain hasnt helped. Maybe some of the railing is a little loose, too. But I made sure the main house was structurally sound before I moved my son here.
At the mention of Evan, Colins gaze skittered behind her, as if shed reminded him that there was a nuclear warhead inside rather than a four-year-old boy.
Wow. You really dont like kids, do you?
He blanched, but didnt answer.
Admitting defeat, Hannah shook her head sadly. She was stubborn, not delusional. Thank you for changing my tire yesterday. Safe journeys wherever youre headed next.
Trying to keep her weight off the throbbing ankle, she pivoted toward the door. With a sound of strangled frustration, Colin clamped his fingers around her upper arm.
I dont know where Im going next, he said through gritted teeth. But Im replacing those damn steps before I go. He glanced around the spacious wraparound porch. This entire things probably a safety hazard that should be reinforced, if not rebuilt.
Renewed hope surged through her, eclipsing her pain. I insist on paying for your time as well as the materials. She kept her voice calm, trying not to betray her joy at this small victory.
You have tools?
She nodded. Theres a small detached garage behind the house. Pretty well stocked, as far as I can tell. I can show you.
He slanted her an assessing glance. You should get inside, off that ankle. If youve got a tape measure handy, Ill start taking measurements.
Sure. Ill send Annette out with it. She can take you to the garage. Hannah made a mental note to instruct her friend not to interrogate Colin or overwhelm him with boisterous conversation. Otherwise, he might follow his original impulse and bolt. As it stood, she had at least a couple of days, a window of opportunity to plead her case. But with more subtlety this time.
He narrowed his eyes. Just this one repair job. Thats not the same as signing on with you, Mrs. Shaw.
She nodded innocently. Well see about that.
Chapter Three
In the parking lot of a Bingham Pass diner, Colin sat inside a truck older than he was, as disoriented as if an Arabian Thoroughbred had kicked him in the skull.
Earlier that morning, hed been ready to jump on his motorcycle and put Hannah Shaw, her energetic son and her ill-fated ranch all behind him. Yet hed spent several hours purchasing lumber and paint and getting a new tire for her misbegotten truck. Since hed never actually gotten around to eating breakfastand because he was in no hurry to return to the Silver Liningshed stayed in town for lunch.
Earlier that morning, hed been ready to jump on his motorcycle and put Hannah Shaw, her energetic son and her ill-fated ranch all behind him. Yet hed spent several hours purchasing lumber and paint and getting a new tire for her misbegotten truck. Since hed never actually gotten around to eating breakfastand because he was in no hurry to return to the Silver Liningshed stayed in town for lunch.
Bingham Pass, like his hometown of Cielo Peak, was rife with local gossip. As soon as Colin had mentioned the Silver Linings Ranch, the waitress had sighed sadly and remarked that Hannahs husband, a marine, had been killed overseas.
I was taught self-defense by a marine, and Im a lot tougher than I look.
In hindsight, Colin acknowledged that his worry and anger at seeing Hannah fall through that bottom step had been disproportional to her minor injury. She seemed irrepressible. A mild sprain wouldnt keep her down for long. But how could he walk away, knowing a young woman or her kid might be hurt when he could have prevented it?
He couldnt leave with a clear conscience until he replaced the boards. Paradoxically, he still couldnt bring himself to return to the ranch yethence the sitting in a parked truck. He needed the few extra moments to brace himself for whatever surprise came at him next.
Ever since spotting Hannah through the rain, hed felt off-kilter, unbalanced by her identity, her affable hellhound, the discovery that she had a little boy. None of it was what hed expected. He should phone the so-called buddy whod given him this lead. Colin had a few choice words for the man whod led him to believe the frail Widow Shaw was a little old lady.
He powered up the cell phone he usually kept turned off. If asked, he would claim he left it off to make the charge last, but, truthfully, he was dodging his sister. A few weeks ago, Ardens husband had undergone major surgery in order to donate one of his kidneys to his biological father. As a concerned older brother, Colin had dutifully answered every one of her calls, wanting to be there for her in case anything had gone wrong.
But shed abused the privilege. Shed acted as if she were calling with post-op updates on Garrett, but then she inevitably worked the conversation around to how Garretts family could use the extra help on the Double F Ranch while he recuperated. Wouldnt Colin love the opportunity to use his skills on behalf of relatives and spend some time with his infant niece?
Colin knew his sister worried about him, that Arden wanted to help him heal. How could he explain that it hurt to be around her, the glowing new mother with a husband who adored her? Their brother, Justin, wasnt much better. He was engaged and disgustingly in love.
As soon as his phone finished booting up, it buzzed with the notification that he had 6 Missed Calls from Arden Frost. That was a lot even for her.
Fighting a stab of uneasiness, he dialed his brother Justins number. If something were wrong, Justin would know. But if her calls were simply more attempts to recruit him to the Double F so she could keep an eye on him, then he was dodging a bullet by not phoning her directly.
It took a few rings before Justin answered. Hey, old man. Long time, no hear. To what do I owe the honor?
His brothers glib tone sent an unexpected stab of nostalgia through Colin. He hadnt seen either of his siblings since Christmas, which suddenly seemed like a long time considering how close theyd once been. Although thered been an elderly aunts name on the guardianship papers, Colin had all but raised his siblings after their parents deaths.
He cleared his throat. I, ah, wondered if you could tell me what our sisters been up to lately. She filled my voice-mail box. I figured it would be quicker to check in with you than listen to all of the messages. You know Arden. Shes not brief.
Justin laughed. Preaching to the choir. I realize its a wuss move, but now that Im engaged, I keep trying to make Elisabeth take her calls so I dont have to. Those two can talk wedding plans for hours.
Colin squeezed his eyes closed. Weddings, babies, new beginnings. It was difficult not to feel as if Arden and Justin were both just starting out in life while his had abruptly derailed. So do you know why shes been calling me?
Justins heavy pause was worrisome. He usually had a quip for every occasion. You should really ask her.
Colins heart skipped a beat. Decades ago, theyd lost their mom to cancer and their father to heart failure. Had Arden inherited any medical problems? Justin, you tell me right now, is she okay?
Relax, bro, its good news. He sighed. You didnt hear this from me, but she and Garrett are expecting.
Again? Those two are like rabbits.
Dude, its only their second child.
Yeah, but the first ones not even a year old! Shouldnt they be pacing themselves?
If its all the same to you, Id rather not think about our sisters sex life. Justin changed the subject. How are things going with the McCoys? His carefully neutral tone made it clear hed heard something. Justin was no better at lying now than he had been as a kid.
What do you know?
Only some very bizarre gossip about you and Delia McCoy. The ranching community talks. Garrett heard that you and Mrs. McCoy were caught in bed together, and he told Arden, who called me screeching. She didnt know whether to be relieved youre interested in a woman romantically or appalled that youd be part of an adulterous affair.
Colin smacked his forehead. This was why he always left his phone off.
Calm yourselves. Delia arranged to be caught in my bed, but I was nowhere near it. And Im not interested in any woman. A pair of mesmerizing hazel eyes flashed through his mind, but no way in hell was he sharing that with his brother. Look, I gotta go. Ill call Arden when I have more time to chat. Ill pretend to be surprised when she tells me about the baby.
Gotta go where? Justin pressed. Are you still working at the McCoy place? Rumor has it you got canned, or is that part an exaggeration, too?
Colin rolled his eyes heavenward, choosing his words carefully. If he admitted he was between jobs, hed seem churlish and petty for not going home to visit his family. But all the Cades were forthright in nature. He was no more skilled at dishonesty than his brother. I found a temporary gig on a spread in Bingham Pass. Very temporary.
Glad you landed on your feet. Word of advice? Justin asked, mischief lacing his voice. Be careful not to make any goo-goo eyes at the bosss wife.
Im hanging up on you now. Also, the boss isnt married.
Well, theres a relief.
The polar opposite, actually. Colin couldnt imagine anything less comfortable than working for an attractive single mom. Which was why, the second paint started drying on a newly secured porch, he was getting the hell out of Dodge.
* * *
WHEN SCARLETT WORKED herself into a frenzy by the front door, Hannah experienced an irrational burst of relief. Hes back. It wasnt that shed honestly believed Colin would steal her truck and never return. But hed seemed so reluctant to be here that it would be good to see him with her own eyes, to have proof he was serious about staying for another day or two.
She got up from the kitchen table, where shed been paying bills on her laptop, and went to quiet the dog. As usual, indulgent Aunt Annette had let Evan stay up too late, and Hannah had sent her increasingly fussy son to take a nap. Hed been asleep only a few minutes.