Kitabı oku: «A Maverick's Heart»

I’d like to dedicate this story to the wonderful

gem people who put on the Tucson Gem

and Mineral Show every year. The more years

I attend, the more I love seeing gems and

minerals from all over the world.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Lila Jenkins bustled around the Snowy Owl Café, straightening up after her women’s group, the Artsy Ladies, ended their meeting. “Rory,” she called to her nine-year-old son. He was in the kitchen with his grandmother. “Collect your homework and bring your backpack. It’s almost time to go home.”

The lanky kid dragged his pack into the café. “Mom, tomorrow can I go to ball practice? Coach told Kemper if I watch, I’ll learn what Little Leaguers do.”

She paused. “It’s supposed to rain. If so, won’t the coach cancel practice again?”

Three of the women who’d been at the meeting said goodbye. Tawana Whitefeather still stood at the kitchen pass-through chatting with Lila’s mother.

Waving to those leaving, Lila still saw her son’s pout that ran his many cheek freckles together. “I’m never gonna get to play ball on Kemper’s team, am I?”

“Well, I asked Kemper’s dad about costs. We’re earning some extra money what with Zeke Maxwell’s brother and his other friends staying at our B and B for Zeke’s wedding. I may be able to swing the fees.”

He perked right up. “Yippee!”

Lila chewed her bottom lip. “It’s not yippee-time yet, Rory. You need new equipment. And with games being in Wolf Point, there’s a matter of transportation.”

“I can ride my bike,” he said brightly.

“No way. You’re only to ride your bike from the school to Memaw’s café. Don’t even think about riding farther. I’ll pay gas for someone to drive you. But, honey, cash is still tight, so for now it’s only a maybe.”

Rory’s shoulders slumped. “I wish my daddy hadn’t died,” he mumbled. “He’d buy baseball stuff for me and teach me to bat and catch and throw like Kemper and his daddy.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry, too. I’ll do my best to work something out.” Crossing to him, Lila tried to kiss his thick auburn waves, but he ducked. With a light brush of his cowlick, she finished wiping the last table then joined Tawana.

“Lila, what time is Zeke’s brother taking the other groomsmen to the airport?”

“All I know is they’re checking out after breakfast.”

“Did Hunter ask about booking a room? He’s planning to come back after he gets his permanent prosthetic leg.”

Glancing at her friend, Lila reeled a bit, but hoped she hid her envy. First, Myra had found someone to love. Now, Tawana may have met someone special.

The pretty Native American feigned innocence. “Didn’t I mention he and I plan to keep in touch? We hope to meet in DC if Jewell gets us an appointment to see the Natural Resource Committee about our snowy owl preserve. Hunter’s VA is near there. Well, it’s late. I’d better run. Thanks for providing a meeting place, Doreen,” she called through the opening.

“I love having you all while I wait for my dough to rise. I have four pans of cinnamon rolls ready for the morning rush. Now I can lock up and go up to bed.”

“It’s raining again,” Rory announced. He had his face pressed to the glass of the front door.

“Drive carefully, you two,” Doreen said. “Rain makes roads slick.” She came out of the kitchen.

Lila skirted Tawana to hug her mother. “Don’t worry, Mom. You know all the ranchers in the area are asleep by now. We’ll be the only ones on the highway.”

Tawana picked up the sweatshirt she’d worn into the diner. “Yuk. Still wet.”

“You have the farthest to drive,” Doreen said. “I’ll run upstairs and get you a loaner. You can return it next time you’re in town.”

“I’ll go, Mom.” So saying, Lila dashed off.

Doreen went to the door. Reaching over her grandson, she slid open the dead bolt.

“Auntie Tawana, are you going home with Mama and me?” Rory gazed expectantly at one of his faux aunts.

She laughed. “No, slugger. I have my pickup.” She accepted the fresh sweatshirt from Lila, who had reappeared.

“Mama, she called me ‘slugger.’” Rory beamed. “Did you tell everybody how much I want to play baseball?”

“Honey bunny, like you didn’t tell everyone within earshot at Auntie Myra’s wedding reception.”

“Oh, yeah.” His grin widened, but he looked a bit sheepish. “Some of the men there asked why Kemper and me want to play ball instead of ride in the kids’ rodeo. Why do they think rodeo is funner?”

“More fun, not funner, Rory. And it’s Kemper and I, not me,” Lila corrected as they readied to follow Tawana outside.

“Well, we have more pro rodeo riders than baseball players in these parts,” Doreen said. “It’s something to consider.”

Rory’s face fell again.

Seeing his crestfallen expression, Lila rose to his defense. “Mama, I’m all for him choosing what he wants to do. Most schools have ball teams. Anyway, by the time he’s grown, who knows what he’ll want to do.”

“True.” Doreen nodded. “I want Rory to be happy, but I especially want him to stay out of the mines.”

“Lord, yes.” Lila didn’t need the subtle reminder that her dad and her husband had both died in mine accidents. “G’night. Wait, Ma...do you need me to work the breakfast shift? I could use the time to wash linens and tidy the rooms. Three of the guys are checking out of the Owl’s Nest tomorrow and I’ve got two couples who stayed with me last year booked for trout fishing this weekend. I need to turn the rooms around fast.”

“Take the morning off. Tell the fishermen if they catch any, I’ll buy them to serve as a weekend dinner special.”

Lila flipped up her hood. “Okay, but they may be catch-and-release fishermen.”

“If not, my offer’s on the table.”

Doreen closed up as Lila skipped over a deep puddle to unlock her old Jeep Cherokee, making sure Tawana’s pickup had started before she climbed in.

“What’s ‘catch and release’?” Rory asked once he settled into the backseat on the passenger side. It was always his chosen spot.

She checked to see he’d buckled in before firing the engine. “There are people who love to fish, but either don’t want to see fish die or they have no means of keeping them fresh to cook. So they turn them back into the lake or river.”

“Um, I guess that’s good. But it seems silly.”

Lila smiled as she left the town behind. “Fly-fishing takes skill. And let’s not say anything negative, since fishermen rent our rooms and that pays our bills.”

“Okay. I’m tired. How long before we get home?”

Lila heard his yawn. “Ten or fifteen minutes.”

Rory fell silent and Lila thought he had gone to sleep—which left her free to worry about whether she was a bad mother for making him stay with her at work. Since kindergarten, Kemper Barnes had been Rory’s best friend. Rory used to go home with him to play or to study until the café closed and Lila could pick him up. Now that Kemper was in Little League, Rory had to come to the café. And on nights she met with the Artsy Ladies, he was stuck there late.

As she’d told her mom, the highway was empty tonight. It wasn’t long before she turned onto the paved lane that led to their ranch.

Suddenly Rory shouted, “Mom, stop! You’re going to hit Ghost and...and a man!”

Her nerves jangled—she’d thought Rory was asleep. His shout had her stomping hard on the brake pedal as she glimpsed a flash of white off to her right. The Cherokee hit a puddle of standing water, and although she’d slowed for the turn, she felt the front end kite. Her back wheels spun like racing slicks seconds before the brakes grabbed. It all happened so fast and jerkily, her head smacked the left-side window hard. Briefly all went dim and she heard birds tweeting and bees buzzing.

Lila wanted to clutch her head. Instead she gripped the wheel tighter. Only vaguely did she remain aware that the back end of her SUV had landed in a deep culvert.

Flinching, Lila wondered why her lights cast pretty halos in the branches of a nearby tree instead of illuminating the lane ahead of her. She tried to check on Rory, but a sharp pain in her head rendered her voiceless.

All at once her door was yanked open. The dome light illuminated the SUV’s interior, blinding Lila. Ghost, the almost-white yellow Lab that Jewell Hyatt had given Rory after his dad died, scrambled across her tense body and over into the backseat.

“Are you okay?” inquired a deep male voice.

Somewhere behind her Lila heard her son ordering his dog to stop licking him. A tiny bit of her relaxed. However, she honestly didn’t know whether she should tell the man yes, she was okay, or no, she might be dead and floating above everything amid those sparkly lights.

But she wasn’t dead. She felt the man’s arm slide across her, saw him put the Jeep in Park and turn the key to shut off the engine. Then his head appeared directly in front of her still-unfocused eyes. Blond hair, askew. Darker in spots from the rain. Gorgeous yet concerned green eyes in a chiseled, sun-bronzed face stared at her. Well-shaped lips set in a straight line above an appealing cleft in his manly chin.

It took Lila several rocketing heartbeats, but she finally managed to assemble all the attractive parts from those strong shoulders upward. The parts belonged to Seth Maxwell, Myra’s husband’s twin, who was staying on after his brother’s wedding. He’d been the groomsman who’d escorted Lila down the aisle.

He shone a small, bright light in her eyes, causing her to wince and blink, and she lost his handsomeness into blackness shot with pinpoints of pain.

Rory’s anxious voice yelling, “Mom... Mom!” right near her ear shook Lila from her stupor as nothing else had.

She tried once more to speak, but her mouth felt as if she’d swallowed cotton.

“Is my mom all right?” she heard Rory demand.

* * *

SETH MAXWELL FROWNED. “I don’t know, kid. For sure she’s dazed. I need to get her to the house so we can see. I’ll carry her if you can manage the dog—the rascal. I took him out for a run. When he spotted your car, he yanked the leash right out of my hand. I was scared witless that your car would hit him.”

“Me, too,” Rory said. “I don’t think Mom saw him or you. I yelled at her to stop. I probably made us land in the ditch.”

“If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I took your dog out in questionable weather,” Seth assured the boy as he shifted the flashlight to his left hand and with his right slowly released Lila’s seat belt. “I’m going to get your mom. We’ll take it slow back to the house, okay?”

“The lane goes straight there,” Rory said. “What were you doing with Ghost anyway?”

“Ghost?” Seth, confused, paused in lifting Lila into his arms.

“My dog. He stays in our part of the house when we’re gone.”

“Well, tonight he was in the foyer. I wanted to go for a run and your dog brought me his leash.”

Rory tightened his grip on that leash. “Oh, you’re one of the guys renting from us, huh?”

“Yes. Remember, we met at my brother’s wedding? Most of the guys in the wedding party are staying here until tomorrow. Tonight we all went to Zeke’s place for supper. He and his wife fed us so well, when I got home and realized the rain had slackened, I decided to go out for exercise.” Seth spoke calmly to the boy as he trudged toward the house with his burden. “In the middle of our run it started to drizzle, so I turned back.”

Lila spoke for the first time, a guttural sound somewhere below Seth’s chin. “I, uh, think I can walk.” She gingerly touched her left temple. “I hit my head on something. Maybe the window. Did I crack it?”

“Your head?” Seth asked, a smile in his voice.

Lila shoved at his solid shoulder. “The window, you goose. Did I break the window?”

“No, but you did a number on your vehicle. It’s stuck. We need daylight to see if you did any damage to its underpinnings. I don’t think you broke an axle,” he said, supporting her back with his hand.

“My head hurts, but stuff is starting to make sense. Rory, we carry a big flashlight in the glove box. Run back and get it for Mr. Maxwell.”

“It’s Seth, okay?” They’d all stopped in the lane, and Rory and Ghost ran back to the Cherokee, leaving Seth and Lila in the dark.

“Since I’m hanging around at your B and B a month or so to help Zeke roof his barn,” Seth said, “can’t we use first names?”

He let go of Lila to take the flashlight the boy had slogged back with. She buckled and Seth snatched her up before she fell to her knees.

“Sorry,” she murmured. “My legs don’t seem to want to hold me.”

“Probably nerves,” Seth said matter-of-factly, scooping her up. “Rory, you take the bigger light. It’s enough. Let’s go. I’ll be right behind you, carrying your mom.”

“Why can’t she walk? Does she need a doctor? Mom, you’re not gonna die, are you?” The kid froze and Seth almost bowled him over.

She gripped the front of Seth’s jacket. “I need to walk on my own,” she insisted. “This is ridiculous. I wasn’t going very fast when I made the turn. How could sliding into the ditch muddle my brain?”

“Even minor accidents can throw a person off-kilter. We’re almost at the house. Rory, walk on with the light. Once we get inside we’ll make sure your mom’s all right.”

The boy did as directed, letting Ghost bound up to the front door and shake off his wet coat. The others followed in rapid succession.

Once inside Seth headed for the dining room, where he’d spent the most time besides his rented bedroom in the big old farmhouse. For having been here almost a week since his twin’s wedding, he’d seen remarkably little of Lila Jenkins. They’d been paired up in the wedding party. His initial impression had been of an attractive, petite woman who looked exceptionally good in an old-fashioned wine-red dress. She’d hurried away right after the ceremony to appear again in a black skirt, white blouse and white apron at the reception, where she and an older woman served the meal and helped hand out cake and punch. No matter which outfit Lila’d had on, she’d gained his interest.

He’d danced with several of his new sister-in-law’s friends, but he’d only caught glimpses of Lila, who by then seemed to be part of a two-woman cleanup crew.

Even at her bed-and-breakfast, she remained elusive. Breakfast was the only meal included in the rental fee, and they always found it hot and inviting, served in covered silver dishes on a sideboard.

Zeke’s wife, Myra, had told him Lila had a son and a dog, as well as horses that were available to rent. But because Hunter Wright, another of Zeke’s army buddies, had a temporary prosthesis, they’d elected to drive around to see as much of Montana and its fishing holes as they could cram into the short time the three guys had to visit.

Seth’s pal Gavin had joked that they must be renting from elves who supplied a scrumptious breakfast, made beds and replaced used towels while the guests were out. Ben Archer, who Zeke called Sarge, said maybe the old house came with ghosts he occasionally heard padding around the lower floors. At the time none of them had known the dog’s name was Ghost. Seth couldn’t wait to tell them what they might learn if they didn’t retire so early.

With his foot he dragged out one of the padded dining chairs and started to set Lila down.

“Why are you bringing me in here?” she asked. “Never mind. I can walk into the kitchen on my own.” She levered herself up with one hand on the table and the other on Seth’s arm.

Rory had unclipped Ghost’s leash and Seth could hear the dog lapping water in the next room.

“Where’s the kitchen light switch?” Seth asked, steadying Lila as she moved toward the dark doorway.

“I’ll get it,” Rory called, dashing ahead. “Mom, are you feeling better? Is your head cracked open?” Flipping on the light, he shrugged out of a backpack Seth hadn’t noticed before.

“I’m fine, son.” Lila reached for a teakettle sitting atop an old stove. “I’ll fix some tea. Uh, thanks, Mr—uh, Seth. It’s more I feel like an idiot for landing in a ditch. I know every turn in that road. I’ve never done anything like that before.” She filled the kettle, set it on a burner and turned it on. Her movements were jerky, even as she nervously raked a hand through her short dark hair.

Seth saw her wince and he frowned. “Here, let me take a look at your head. Maybe I should run you to the emergency room.”

“Good heavens, no.” Lila braced her hands on the counter, but tipped her head forward so Seth could get a clear look.

“No blood. That’s good,” he said.

“Ouch.” Lila pushed away Seth’s exploring fingers.

“You have some swelling a couple of inches above your left ear.” Seth gently separated strands of her hair. And since he was so much taller he was able to get a good look without hurting her again. “Do you have any ice?”

“I’ll get it, okay, Mom? Will that make your head well?” Rory asked, darting across the room to a big refrigerator.

“Ice will be good.” Lila sat in a kitchen chair and actually smiled at Seth. “Ice will be very good if it’ll make you guys stop acting like I’m knocking on death’s door. Rory, you need to go to bed. Tomorrow’s a school day. And, Seth, probably you, too, since you’re driving your friends to the airport in the morning. Before it gets much later, I should phone one of my neighbors with a tractor to see if someone can run over here early and pull the Cherokee out of the ditch. Preferably a neighbor who won’t blab all over town and worry my mother,” she said more to herself than to the others.

Rory brought her a plastic bag filled with ice, and the dog trotted beside him. “Memaw said she likes that everybody comes into the café to gossip. She finds out all the good stuff that way.”

Chuckling, Seth took the ice bag before the kid plopped it too hard against his mother’s head. He picked up a dish towel and wrapped the bag, telling the boy, “This towel will cushion your mom’s head against freezing and sharp ice cube edges.”

“Gosh, you know a lot about doctoring bumps.” Rory ran his fingers through the dog’s fur and gazed at the man in awe.

“I hunt gemstones in a lot of remote spots where I can get scratches or bumps and bruises. Often it’s only me to take care of myself.”

The kettle whistled and Lila started to get up, but he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t get up. I’ll fix your tea.” He moved the kettle and shut off the burner.

“You don’t have to do that. I should be asking if you want coffee or anything since that’s what you pay me for.”

“I pay you for a room, with breakfast thrown in.” He opened a cupboard and luck was with him. Cups were stacked in neat rows. He took one down and spotted a line of canisters. One read Tea. Pulling out a bag, he set it in the cup and poured the water.

“Rory, to bed,” Lila said. “I’m feeling much improved. Once I drink a cup of tea, I’ll be right as rain.”

“You and Memaw always say that. How right is rain if it made our car go in a ditch?”

“It’s an expression,” Lila told him. “I don’t know where it comes from. Ghost can sleep in your room tonight. Brush your teeth and crawl into bed. I’ll pop by and turn out your light shortly, honey.”

“Okay. Mr. Seth, will you stay and make sure she’s okay? She cut her hand on the meat slicer at the café and wouldn’t see a doctor. She got poisoned blood and Memaw yelled at her.”

“Blood poisoning,” Lila corrected, indicating a spot on the table where Seth could set her steaming cup. “It was during rodeo week. We were swamped at the café. I didn’t see the red streaks up my arm at first. But I healed, Rory.”

“Yeah. Okay. Come on, Ghost.”

Lila beckoned him with her free arm and although he cast an uncomfortable glance at Seth, the boy stepped into his mom’s arm for a hug. “G’nite.” He grabbed the dog’s collar, aimed a wave at Seth and the two loped out of the kitchen.

“You really don’t need to babysit me,” Lila told Seth, holding the ice bag to her head with one hand. With her free hand she removed a cell phone from the small purse still draped across her body.

“Let me call Zeke for you,” Seth said. “He has a winch on the front of his pickup. I’m sure he’ll be discreet.” He dug out his phone.

“Zeke’s on his honeymoon,” Lila reminded him. “Sort of...” she added as she took a sip of tea.

Grinning, Seth hit a speed-dial number and put the phone on speaker. “Hey, bro... Lila put her Jeep in the ditch right as you turn into her place.”

“Is she okay?”

“I think so. I said you’d bring your truck over bright and early tomorrow morning. The guys and I can help you winch it out before we head to the airport. She didn’t want me to ask you since you’re supposed to be on your honeymoon.”

The man at the other end of the call snorted. “If you come over and learn ranching, dude, we’d leave you in charge so Myra and I could get away for a week.”

“I’d need a crash course in cows, buddy. Hey, what’s Myra saying? I hear her talking in the background.”

“She wants to know if Lila or Rory got hurt.”

“Rory’s fine. Lila—” Seth started to mention her lump, but she grabbed his arm and shook her head. “I, uh, went running with their dog,” Seth said instead. “He got away from me. Lila had to brake hard to keep from colliding with us and her car slid into the ditch. That’s all.”

Lila juggled the melting ice bag and took another drink of tea.

Seth finished making arrangements with his twin then clicked off. “You heard? Zeke said he’ll pop by at first light, before morning chores.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you handling that for me.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s something to me. I’ve been the one to deal with everything...well, it’ll soon be five years.”

Seth waited for her to elaborate. He knew that she ran this place alone, but he hadn’t heard why. He assumed she was divorced, but the moment passed before he could ask.

“Like I told Rory, I’m okay. You can go on to bed. I’ll finish my tea then check on him and call it a night, too. Tomorrow’s breakfast is my mom’s special coffee cake, plus scrambled eggs with crumbled bacon. It’ll be ready by seven.”

Taking the hint that she wanted him to get lost, Seth moved the ice bag first to check her head one more time. The swelling had receded. “Yep, you’re almost back to normal.” He feathered his fingers through her hair and let them trail down her cheek.

Pulling back warily, she exclaimed, “I told you so!”

He watched her sitting there stoically a moment longer and was intrigued enough to want to learn more about his lovely landlady. By staying on, he’d have time to dig a little deeper. Since college he’d never stuck in one place for long. Much about this small Montana town left him longing to sink roots.

Stepping back, Seth offered a last smile then headed for the door. He called over his shoulder, “I’ll set my alarm and roust Ben and Gavin to go along to help Zeke. You set up one of your great breakfasts and leave rescuing the Cherokee to us.”

She started to object and he retreated fast.

But maybe it was time she had someone around to give her a hand. Maybe he’d be that someone.

From the first time his twin had called to tell him about the ranch he’d been given by the folks of a kid he’d saved in Afghanistan, Seth envied his brother the joy he’d found here in Snowy Owl Crossing. Maybe it was time he cut back on his footloose lifestyle.