To one side of the network of buildings and connecting holding pens was a long arena where the hands gathered to train their horses to follow and cut cattle, and in quieter times, swap stories around a small campfire.
This late summer evening just happened to be cool enough to appreciate the warmth of a fire and, after Quint parked his truck, he found his grandfather with several of his hired hands squatting around the ring of rocks. The moment Abe spotted his approach, he left the circle of men and walked over to his grandson.
The older man was the same height as Quint and bony thin. He never went outdoors without his black hat and he always wore the legs of his jeans stuffed deep into his knee-high cowboy boots. This particular pair had lime-green tops with fancy yellow stitching and the leather was as scarred and worn as his grandfathers face. Tonight he was wearing a brown quilted vest to ward away the chill and the puffy garment camouflaged his wiry torso.
Stroking his thick white mustache, he said to Quint, So I see you finally managed to come check on your grandfather.
Not allowing the old man any slack, Quint said, I had to work at it. But Im here.
Folding his arms across his chest, Abe rocked back on his high heels. Well, its about time. He jerked his head toward the men behind him. Jims makin some camp coffee. Come have a cup with us.
I just had coffeewith your nurse, Quint added pointedly.
Abe grinned that goofy sort of grin that men got on their faces when they talked about women. So you met the little filly, did ya? Whatd you think about her?
If Quint hadnt been so shocked at his grandfathers ribald questions, he would have rolled his eyes and cursed a blue streak.
Forget about that, he muttered. What the hell are you doing, Gramps? Youre not sick! Youre using that vertigo problem of yours as an excuse to have her here. Arent you?
S-s-shh! Dont be raising your voice so, damn it! She might hear you.
Shes in the housetwo miles from here, Quint reasoned.
His head tilting one way and then the other, Abe chuckled. Well, she thinks Im needyand I am. At times. You know, Quint, I always had it in my mind that nurses were hard-hearted women. They sure seem like it when a man is sick. But Maura aint. Shes as sweet as a summer peach.
Since when did you need a summer peach? Quint countered.
Abe shrugged. Wellsince I got dizzy.
Quint snorted. Looks to me like youve gotten more than dizzy.
Thats right, Abe retorted. I got the notion that I was tired of living alone.
Shaking his head, Quint looked out at the ranch yard. The dipping sun was lengthening the shadows of the buildings. A pen of horses munched on alfalfa while around their feet several dominickers pecked at the morsels of oats and corn that had fallen from the feed troughs. Apache Wells had always felt more like home to Quint than any of the other Cantrell properties in Lincoln County.
As a young child hed spent many days and nights here with his grandparents and those memories were more than special to him. His time here had influenced his life. The endless days hed spent with his grandfather working in and out of the saddle had set Quints goals and visions for the future.
Yes, Apache Wells had always been special to him and he didnt want a woman coming along and changing anything about it.
Living alone! Gramps, you have men all around you. Thats hardly being alone.
Is that what you tell yourself? Abe countered with a question.
Quint frowned, then heaved out a heavy breath. Look, Gramps, Im not the one complaining about being lonely. You are. My life is one big whirlwind right now. I dont have time to be lonely. And frankly, neither do you. So spare me.
Abe scowled at him. Spare you? Id like to kick your ass.
Seeing he was getting nowhere, Quint took a different direction. So how long do you plan on keeping this nurse?
Abe gave him a palms-up gesture. Til I dont need her, I suppose. Course if I get over this dizzy problem, Im hardly likely to run her off.
Quint suddenly decided hed been all wrong about the old man. Abe was sick. With dementia or something like it. Had Maura already recognized Abes problem and saw it as a way to get her foot in the door? He hated to think the woman might be that calculating. She didnt seem the sort, at all. But then, hed spent four years believing that Holly Johnson was a true-blue innocent and look what that had gotten him. Shed run off with a rich real-estate mogul and Quint had become the laughingstock of Lincoln County.
Gramps, I want you to have a complete checkup. You need blood work, scans, the whole nine yards. Youre not yourself and we both know it.
Abe laughed gleefully. Im not acting like myself, am I? Just because Im enjoying a little female company? I think any doc would say youre the one whos messed up.
What about Granny? Quint challenged him. Doesnt she matter anymore?
Abes expression suddenly softened and he patted Quint on the shoulder. She aint here anymore, Quint. All I have is memories and photos. A man needs more and you ought to understand that.
Lord, did his grandfather have romantic intentions toward the nurse? Gramps, did you hire her to be your nurse or something more personal? Quint asked point-blank.
Abe turned a completely innocent look on him. Why, to be my nurse, of course. But if she so happens to stumble around and fall in love with mewell, I sure as heck aint gonna push her away. If you know what I mean.
Unfortunately, Quint knew all too well what his grandfather meant. He also knew that if he didnt do something about this situation and soon, Abe was going to be hurt. In more ways than one.
Gazing thoughtfully in the direction of the ranch house, Quint rubbed a hand against his jaw. I think Ill stay for supper, he suddenly announced.
Clearly skeptical, Abe asked, Why? You thinkin youre gonna hang around and horn in on your grandfathers business?
Quint looked at him. No. Im thinking that soup she was making smelled mighty good.
He was also thinking that the moment hed first walked into the kitchen, Maura Donovan had set off some sort of spark in him, a flash of heat that had taken Quint totally by surprise. Now he wanted to get closer to the woman, he decided. So close that he could see right into her pretty head. He could take a second look into her green eyes and found out for himself if that spark hed felt had been real or imagined.
Though he wasnt too sure which direction he wanted the decision to land
Chapter Two
Two days later, on the dirt drive that led to the Apache Wells ranch house, Maura was finishing the last of a two-mile jog. The early afternoon sun was hot. Sweat sheened her body and dampened her red tank top. The thought of languishing over a tall glass of iced tea pushed her forward, until the musical ring of her cell phone sounded in the pocket of her shorts.
Pausing in the middle of the narrow road, she fished out the small instrument and was immediately surprised to see the caller was her mother. Now that the Donovan children were all grown and capable of running the Diamond D horse ranch without them, her parents, Fiona and Doyle Donovan, had become regular globe-trotters. Only two days ago theyd been in Ireland visiting relatives on both sides of their extensive families.
Pausing in the middle of the narrow road, she fished out the small instrument and was immediately surprised to see the caller was her mother. Now that the Donovan children were all grown and capable of running the Diamond D horse ranch without them, her parents, Fiona and Doyle Donovan, had become regular globe-trotters. Only two days ago theyd been in Ireland visiting relatives on both sides of their extensive families.
Hello, Mother!
Youre out of breath, Fiona observed. What did you do, run to the phone?
No. Im out jogging, Maura explained.
Oh. I can call back later.
Having five siblings meant that getting any exclusive, one-on-one attention from their mother was rare and precious. Just having her mother call so quickly after her return home made Maura feel special.
Nonsense. I can walk and talk for a while, she assured the other woman. Its so good to hear your voice. When did you get home?
Late last night. Your father and I are so jet-lagged were just getting around to having breakfast. Dallas was the only one still up when we arrived last night and this afternoon everyone seems to be out of pocket.
Just because you and Dad live the life of luxury doesnt mean your children can loll around in bed until midafternoon, Maura teased as she started to the house.
Hmm. Its good to hear that weve taught you children good work ethics. And speaking of work, Dallas tells me youre still with Mr. Cantrell.
Before her parents had left for Ireland more than a month ago, Abe had not yet approached Maura about the job here at Apache Wells. But once shed decided to take the old mans offer, shed called her parents in Ireland and told them about her decision. Neither had understood her choice to abruptly change jobs, but theyd hardly tried to deter her. At thirty-six, it had been years since her parents had tried to tell her what to do. And even if they did try, Maura was too stubborn and strong-minded not to take the path she chose for herself. Even if it might be the wrong path, she thought drily.
Thats right.
So what are your duties? Does he keep you busy fetching and complaining?
Maura smiled to herself. Not in the least. Right now Abe is out riding range with the rest of the ranch hands. I dont expect him in until later this afternoon.
Riding Fiona gasped. I thoughtif I remember correctly, Abe Cantrell is older than your father! And I thought he was ill and needed a nurse!
The smile on Mauras full lips deepened even more. Abe is eighty-four. And hes as healthy as a horse. Except for when he gets vertigo. And thankfully thats only happened once since Ive been here.
There was a long pause and then Fiona said in a slow, pointed voice, Maura, I may be butting in, but Id like to know why you gave up a wonderful, good-paying job at the hospital for a man who only needs you occasionally?
Abe needs me more than occasionally, Mother.
You just assured me he was healthy and
He needs me in other, emotional ways. Having me here makes him feel secure. Besides that, hes lonely and starved for affection.
Maura! Fiona said in a scolding tone. You hardly know this man. His emotional needs arent your responsibility.
Maura had told herself exactly that same thing. More than once. Yet for some reason she couldnt explain to anyone, a part of her had connected to the old man the minute shed first met him striding down a hallway at Sierra General. Hed been trying to find his way through the maze of corridors to the closest exit and Maura had offered her help. The two of them had hit it off instantly and before Abe had left the building, hed offered her the private nursing job.
Mother, Im a nurse and Abe needs mental and physical nourishing. Thats what my job is all about, Maura responded. The degree of his need has nothing to do with things.
On the other end of the line, she could hear her mother sighing softly. Youve gotten attached to this man. I can hear it in your voice, Fiona said flatly.
I suppose I have.
And what about Frankie, his daughter-in-law? And his grandsonwhat is his name?
Quint.
Yes, Quint. What about them, arent they around to see to Abes needs?
Maura talked to Frankie on a frequent basis and the woman had made it clear that even though she checked in on Abe from time to time, Quint was the one relative the old man wanted and needed in his life. Frankie had also assured her that she was going to keep mum about Maura and let Abe be the one to tell his grandson about having a nurse. Obviously Frankie had kept her word. Two days ago, when hed appeared unannounced in the kitchen, hed been shocked to find Maura there and shed been totally tilted off-kilter by his presence. Since then it had been impossible to forget the strong physical reaction shed felt toward the man. Just thinking about him made her feel utterly foolish.
The Cantrells are busy people. Just like you and Dad. They have lives of their own to deal with.
In fact, the night Quint had sat down to eat supper with her and Abe, hed received some sort of important call and hadnt even taken the time to gulp more than three bites before hed quickly departed the ranch. Abe had clearly been disappointed when his grandson had rushed off. As for Maura, shed felt deflated as shed watched the man dash out the door. A part of her had wanted more of his company while the other part had been leery of the strange feelings hed elicited in her.
Im sorry if I sounded fussy, darling, Fiona said after a pause. If you like the job, thats all that matters. But I cant see why youd want to isolate yourself out there on Apache Wells, though. Its miles and miles from anything.
Because the isolation was soothing to her fractured nerves, Maura thought. Because after going through a humiliating, heartbreaking divorce, not to mention the unwanted chase by Dr. Weston, Maura needed the calm quiet of Abes home to restore herself.
My truck is in good working order and I can drive into town whenever I want. I promise to see you and Dad soon.
Im holding you to that promise and
Fiona broke off as Maura caught the sound of her fathers voice booming in the background for his wife to hang up the phone and come to breakfast.
Youd better put the phone down, Mother. Dad never did like waiting on his meals.
Laughing, Fiona said goodbye and quickly closed the connection between them. Maura put her own phone back in her pocket and trotted on to the house.
She was nearing the porch when the screen door pushed open and Abe stepped onto the small alcove.
There you are! he exclaimed. Ive been huntin all over for you.
Ive been out getting a little exercise, Maura said with a smile. Did everything go okay on your ride? Any dizziness?
He grinned at her and Maura thought that it must be true that the older a man got the more he resembled the boy hed once been. Abe was one of the most mischievous, prank-playing men shed ever been around and that included her three rowdy brothers.
Not even one little spin. Everything went as fine as spring rain. Got the cattle moved and the old pump off the broken windmill. Well have it fixed in a few days.
Maura gestured toward one of the two lawn chairs grouped together on the small porch. Sit down and Ill get you coffee or something, she suggested.