Diamond in the Rough (Diamond J #2) (15 page)

“Look at the horses, Mom!” Toby exclaimed as he pulled his hand free from Aidan’s and pointed at the horses grazing in the pasture. Gina blinked rapidly, quickly gathering her wits about her. The trio arrived at the fence just behind Toby, who was already scrambling up. He got up to the second rail before she grabbed his waist from behind.

“That’s far enough, little man,” she said. “You can watch the horseys from here.”

Toby shook his head and looked over his shoulder at her. “They’re called horses, Mom.”

Aidan looked down at her, barely suppressing a grin. He propped one foot on the lowest rail of the fence then rested his forearms on the top rail and laced his fingers together. He gazed out at the crop of two year olds and a small smile curled his lips.

She watched him and realized it was pride that lit up his face. She said, “They’re beautiful animals.” She felt Marty’s eyes on her, but she shifted closer to Aidan.

He nodded. “I’ve supervised the training and I think this is the best crop of youngsters we’ve had. We’ll find out for sure at the auction end of next month.” He glanced at Marty. “Of course, they’re all for sale right now if someone doesn’t want to wait for the auction.”

He pointed out a leggy bay with a particularly long forelock and mane. His forelock hung down nearly to his nose, and his mane nearly to his knees. “See that bay colt right there, Marty?”

Marty tore his eyes away from Gina, glared at Aidan for a beat and then looked at the colt. He admitted, “He does look good.”

Aidan scoffed, “Of course he looks good. He’s out of Uhura by Enterprising Young Man.”

Marty pursed his lips and regarded the colt a little more closely. His eyes narrowed. “And how’s he working?”

Aidan said, “Real well. Under saddle, he’s a pleaser. He’ll do anything for you. All you have to do is ask.” He took that opportunity to glance down at Gina and wink. She felt the tops of her ears turn pink. She caught her bottom lip with her teeth and breathed in his scent, fresh and clean, like sheets that had been hung out in the summer breeze.

Marty said, “Scotty might be interested in ‘im. Whatcha asking for him?”

Aidan said, “Got him priced at fifteen.” He shifted slightly so his arm brushed against hers.

She swallowed hard, her heart fluttering in her chest. Twitterpated. Yup, that was exactly how she felt.

Marty whistled.

Aidan pushed the sale. “He’d be a money maker for your team. Already showing promise in working cattle. Scotty can finish him out like he wants. This colt is fast as the wind.”

Marty cocked his head and squinted at the colt. Aidan held out his hand and whistled. Four of the two year olds stopped grazing, raised their heads and looked at him, their ears pricked in his direction. He whistled again, four notes, two high, two low, and the bay colt trotted over to them. The horse nuzzled Aidan’s hand and Aidan rubbed him on the nose. The horse snorted and shook his head. Aidan glanced over at the boy. He was at full alert, eyes wide as he stood on the fence.

Gina took in her son’s reaction. He would thrive in the country. If only she could afford it. Her chest rose and fell with a heavy sigh. She wasn’t even sure she could afford their house. If things didn’t improve, the poor kid might end up living in the back of the scrapbook store.

Aidan stuck his hand in his pocket and produced a peppermint. The horse whinnied and Toby jumped, eyes wide. Gina kept her hands on his waist, steadying him. She used the focus on her son to keep Marty at arm’s length. The attention was flattering, but she wasn’t interested. She stole a glance at Aidan as he unwrapped the candy.

Him, she was interested in.

He offered the peppermint to the boy, who started to pop it in his mouth, but Aidan stopped him and pointed to the horse. He said, “Hold your hand out flat, like this.”

He held out his hand, flat, palm up, and Toby mimicked him. “Like this?”

Aidan nodded. “Now put the peppermint on the palm of your hand and hold it out to him.”

“Will he bite me?” Toby followed Aidan’s instructions, but his eyebrows pushed together in a frown. His voice was doubtful. Gina tightened her grip on her son, concern niggling at her, but she trusted Aidan.

“Yes, now keep your hand flat and hold it real steady so the candy doesn’t fall off.” Aidan said, cautioning the boy. He smiled reassuringly at Gina, and she smiled back. Seeing him with Toby gave her a little thrill of excitement. She rarely dated and, when she did, dealing with babysitters or introducing her son to them was awkward. Toby had taken to Aidan immediately, without reservation. In spite of Aidan's initial hesitation, he seemed to be a natural with her son.

Toby reach out and the horse snuffled his hand, eliciting a giggle from him as its lips curled around the peppermint candy and sucked it into his mouth. Toby watched in wide-eyed wonder as the horse crunched the candy. The actions involving candy caught the attention of the other horses and three of the others joined the bay colt at the fence. Gina kept her hands on Toby’s waist as he stretched across the fence, reaching out to touch the horses’ faces and pet them.

Marty stepped away a few steps and had his cell phone out of its holster and up to his ear.

Gina glanced up at Aidan and asked, “Did you just say this horse is for sale for fifteen hundred dollars?”

Aidan grinned, shook his head and said, “No, fifteen thousand.”

That was more than a new car! Gina’s eyes bugged out, she looked at the animal with an admiring eye and murmured, “Seriously?” Ranching was more profitable than she'd realized.

“Yeah,” he continued, “We raise registered American Quarter Horses here at the Diamond J Ranch, and train them, some for working ranches, some for rodeo cowboys like Marty over there, and some for people who just like to ride.”

Gina shook her head, amazed. “I can’t imagine that people could spend that kind of money for a horse to ride just for fun.”

“Some do.” He shrugged, “Mostly, the high dollar horses are destined for the rodeo. Marty is a team roper – you know what that is?”

She shook her head.

“That’s when you see the two cowboys go racing after a steer. One ropes the head – that’s what Marty does – and the other ropes the back legs – that’s what Marty’s partner Scotty does. They call him a heeler.” Aidan nodded toward Toby and said, “I bet he’d like to go to a rodeo sometime. They’re lots of fun for kids.”

“Yeah, Mom,” Toby twisted around to look at his mom. “I would like to go to a rodeo.”

Aidan tapped Toby on the nose. “Well, then, I’ll have to make sure you get to one sometime before winter gets here.”

Toby’s eyes widened. He asked, “Can we, Mom? Please?”

She nodded. Her heart warmed that Aidan thought to include her son in future plans. Aidan reached out to rub the colt on the forehead at the same moment that Gina did, and their arms touched. She felt a thrill at the tickle of dark hair against her bare skin. She glanced up to find him looking at her with an electric intensity. Her lips parted and she took a deep breath as she felt his fingers touch her shoulder then trail down her arm.

“Pull your head outta yer ass, Aidan!” Marty’s voice yanked them out of the moment. "I'm talkin' to ya!"

Aidan jerked his hand back, and Gina caught Toby staring at her through narrowed eyes. For a six year old, he was aware of the adults in his life. She pointed to the horse, redirecting his attention, but felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Aidan’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed hard. He looked over Gina’s head at Marty. He asked, “What’d you say?”

“I said Scotty’s interested in that colt. Wants to come out tomorrow and take a gander at him, if that’s okay with you.” Marty frowned at Aidan, then moved a step closer to Gina and said, “I’m sorry I had to step away for a moment there, sugar.”

Gina raised her eyebrows, lifted her son off the fence railing and turned around. She looked up at Aidan and said, “Excuse us, please. We’re going to go see if the food is ready.” All she wanted to do was escape the awkward situation. How could Marty miss the attraction between her and Aidan? Toby certainly hadn't . . .

With a toss of her hair, she hurried off, her son’s hand clutched in hers.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Strangers

Aidan watched her walk away, the sensual swing of her hips still as mesmerizing as the first time he had seen her. The flimsy material of the sun dress swirled around her legs. The thick auburn ponytail cascading down her back highlighted the freckles sprinkled across her pale shoulders.

Then he remembered how quickly she had left. Was it him? Surely it was Marty. She had left as soon as Marty called her sugar. With a frown, he turned and looked at Marty.

“What the hell did you have to go and do that for?” he demanded.

Marty protested, “Do what?”

“You called her sugar and she obviously didn’t like it.” Aidan said. He looked after her as she walked toward the deck where the barbecue grill and serving table were set up, then she abruptly changed direction and headed away from the cluster of people. Dang it. Marty must have scared her off good.

He sighed, figured he could at least get some business taken care of while he was here, and said, “Okay, so I guess that was Scotty you were talking to?”

Marty rolled his eyes and said, “Duh. Yes. I told you that already. He wants to come out tomorrow to look at the bay colt.”

Aidan nodded as he turned back to search the crowd for Gina and her little boy.

Marty said, “Am I intruding on something with that little gal? You got dibs on her or something?”

Aidan waved the cowboy off. “Not yet." He glanced at the deck where Beth and Beau stood together, Beau’s arm casually draped over Beth’s shoulders. As he watched, Beth turned her face up to Beau’s and smiled. He wanted that — the easy togetherness. He wanted someone to love him the way Beth loved Beau.

He'd always imagined finding a woman to spend his life with, but he had pictured them as a couple, not a family. Gina's boy was growing on him though. It seemed natural to include him.

Marty nodded sagely. “Gotcha. You just ain’t had the guts to make a move yet. Well, you’d better hop to it before some other guy does make a move. Like me, for instance.”

Aidan frowned, as irritated with himself as he was with Marty, and motioned toward the crowd. “Let’s get back to the barbecue. Beau’s been cooking up hamburgers and brats and hot dogs, and Charlotte made her special bourbon barbecue sauce.”

The two men walked toward the crowd in the yard. When they reached the serving table – easy to spot because of the bright red gingham table cloth -- they found the table laden with food. The platter of hot dogs and brats already had a sizeable dent in it. There was a noticeably empty spot at the end of the table, though.

Marty asked, “I thought you said there was gonna be hamburgers an’ cheeseburgers, too!”

Aidan looked up at the barbecue grill Beau had been tending when he last saw him. The chef’s hat and the apron were laying on the table next to the barbecue tongs. Beau wasn’t there, but Beth was. She stared off into the distance, a frown between her brows and her eyes narrowed. Her arms were crossed across her chest.

Aidan turned to follow her intent gaze and saw Beau at the edge of the crowd, talking with his Aunt Lana.

No, talking wasn't right. Beau looked angry, flat out angry. Not that Aidan could blame him. He’d have a hard time being patient with the woman. Sure, she was family, but she was a nut case. At least she seemed that way to Aidan. Every time he saw her, she looked flat out weird and today was no exception.

Her lime green high top tennis shoes reminded her of those basketball players wore when Aidan was a kid, Converse or something like that. A long flowing skirt that looked like it was made up of a bunch of tie dyed handkerchiefs – hopefully sewn together and not pinned together with safety pins – swirled around her like a cloud. Her top fit closely, basically a giant elastic piece of fabric that highlighted her sagging breasts that had been allowed to hang free for too many years.

The only saving grace of the blouse, which was kind of see through, was that giant white daisies polka dotted it strategically.

Her bright red hair was wild as ever, a mass of curls gathered together like a bird’s nest on top of her head. That was apparently her idea of dressing her normal look up, an improvement in Aidan’s opinion, to the pig tails that she normally wore that always reminded him of Pippi Longstocking.

Jack Brooks walked up and clapped Aidan on the back. “You decided to come and see me about a new truck yet? I’ll give you the best trade in I can on your old Chevy pickup!”

Aidan grinned but shook his head no. “Sorry, Jack. Can’t afford a new truck just yet.”

Jack lowered his chin and looked at Aidan over his wire rimmed glasses and said, “Now, you can be straight with me. I know you could afford it if you wanted to.”

Aidan frowned at the man. Typical car dealer, with his light suit, narrow tie and slicked back hair. He regretted letting the man know the truth about his trust fund.

It had seemed innocuous enough at the time, when he was considering buying a new truck. He hadn’t even been seriously considering, just went in to check out the end of season deals to see if it would be worth trading. Jack had started talking about all the financing options, had even placed a call to one of the local bankers trying to get paperwork started for a loan.

To get him to stop, Aidan told him he had a trust fund and that any vehicle he did choose to buy would be paid for in cash, so he wanted the best cash price on the vehicle. That had clearly been a mistake, because Jack latched onto that tidbit of information like a dog with a bone.

Aidan shook his head, made an excuse about looking for someone and moved away. To his relief, Jack turned his attention on Marty. As Aidan walked away, he heard Jack say, “Hey, Marty, I got just the truck for you. Just got it in on trade. Real nice dually, be perfect for hauling your horse trailer around to the rodeos. Diesel . . . “

He could see Beau and his Aunt Lana still talking, only now Beau had his aunt by the arm. He glanced up at Beth, still staring at the two. She was chewing her lip, a sure sign she was anxious. He turned to make his way through the crowd, to see if there was anything he could do to help ease the tension.

Seeing the ranch manager man manhandling his frail-looking aunt wasn’t doing the ranch any favors, and Aidan didn’t want to see things get out of hand between the two of them. He wasn’t sure what the history was there, but there was definitely more to it than a typical aunt-nephew relationship.

He'd just about broke through the crowd when a man caught his arm. The man was short, barely coming to Aidan's shoulders, and wore dark pants – not jeans – and a white dress shirt with a dark jacket.

The man stood there, peering up at Aidan through his tiny glasses. He blinked and looked expectant.

Aidan blinked and asked, “Can I help you?”

The little man said, “I certainly hope so. I am looking for a woman.”

Aidan suppressed a laugh, but the corners of his mouth twitched upwards in spite of himself. He drawled, “Aren’t we all?”

The man frowned and his dark, thin eyebrows pinched together to form a “V”. He stepped forward half a step and said, with a slight English accent, “I am seeking a woman by the name of Nadya Svetlana Sheedy.”

Aidan shrugged and stepped back, then said, “Sorry. Can’t help you there.”

The man’s nostrils flared and he said, “She may be going by the name Lana.”

Aidan blinked. The man stepped even closer, and spoke in an accusing tone, “You know this woman.”

It was a statement, not a question. Aidan shrugged and stepped back, “I don’t know. The name sounds vaguely familiar.”

The man’s eyes darted around from face to face around them, and demanded, “Where is she?”

Aidan recovered his bearings and stiffened. “Who’s asking?”

The man’s nostrils flared and his chest puffed out visibly. He declared, “I am Mr. Ian Woon. I represent the Tri-State Cattle Consortium, and am investigating the theft of several members’ property. We seek to interview Ms. Evans.”

An investigator? A cattle consortium? Aidan arched his eyebrows and said, “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

The little man stuck his nose in the air and said in that haughty accent, “Of course we haven’t met yet, as there has been no reason for us to meet.”

Aidan rolled his eyes and walked away from the little man, leaving him behind in the crowd. Very odd. A private investigator? Guess the Consortium didn’t think law enforcement was doing their job. The conversation left him anxious. He needed to talk to Beau. Could Lana be involved in the thefts?

When Aidan neared the edge of the crowd, where straw bales were set up in semi-circles for seating, he looked around for Beau and Lana. He spotted the two underneath the oak tree next to the gate into the front pasture. Beau’s face was flushed red and he gestured wildly with his hands, obviously making a point about something. Beau stood over his aunt, looming over her. Lana looked all wide eyed and innocent, not the least bit intimidated by her nephew.

Aidan strode toward them. Beau glanced at Aidan, then closed his eyes, pressed his lips into a thin line, and made a shooing motion with one hand. Lana flounced away from him, following the fence toward the house, either oblivious to Beau’s anger of flat out not caring. Beau turned to face the horses grazing in the pasture.

Aidan joined his boss at the fence and said, “Everything okay, boss?”

Beau made a snorting noise, but no answer.

Aidan glanced over his shoulder, but didn’t see Mr. Ian Woon among the clumps of people sitting on the bales or at the picnic tables. He said, “There’s a man here looking for your aunt.”

Beau’s head snapped around and he focused on Aidan with a laser intensity. “Who? Why? What’s he want?”

Aidan held up both hands in a gesture of innocence, and said, “Said his name is Mr. Ian Woon. Said he's with the Tri-State Cattle Consortium. Wants to talk to Lana.” He paused a moment, searching his memory. "He called her by some big long name, Svetlana something?"

The muscles in Beau's jaw worked furiously. “What did you tell him?”

Aidan let his hands drop and shrugged, then said, “Nothing. Name means nothing to me. No idea who he is. So, I didn’t tell him anything. Just walked away.”

Beau turned to lean his back against the fence. He propped one foot against the rail and leaned back, elbows resting on the white wooden railing. In spite of the casual pose, tension oozed from him. “You left him wandering around?”

Aidan glanced at Beau and said, “Yeah. You didn’t invite him?”

Beau shook his head.

Aidan continued, “He’s an odd duck. Little man. Round. Had an accent. English, I think.”

Beau’s eyes scanned the crowd, darting from face to face. Aidan frowned at his friend. “Do you know who he is?”

Beau shook his head no again.

Aidan nodded, but didn’t understand. There was obviously more to Aunt Lana than just a relative who happened to be passing through. He’d suspected that from the start, because Beau changed, grew more wary and guarded, when she had arrived at the ranch in her big yellow semi last summer.

But Beau wasn’t much of a talker or a sharer, even though he was probably closer to Aidan than anyone else on the ranch – perhaps with the exception of Charlotte – he hadn’t said anything to indicate why he was nervous about her being there.

To Aidan, she was just flat out weird. He’d never met anyone at ditzy at she was. Like a flower child leftover from the 70’s, a gypsy-like wanderer, she didn’t seem to have a home base and essentially lived in her sleeper cab, occasionally mooching off of friends and relatives like she was currently doing with Beau. Aidan couldn’t put his finger on it, but something was off with her, though. He didn’t think she was nearly as ditzy as she pretended to be, and that wide-eyed innocent act that she had just played with Beau was just that – an act. He was certain of it.

Aidan nodded in the direction of the crowd and said, “You think we should go mingle?”

Beau nodded and looked up toward the house and said, “Guess I need to get back to the barbecue grill.”

Aidan followed his gaze and saw Beth standing on the corner of the deck watching them, arms still crossed over her chest. Even from here, he could nearly make out the concern on her face. He said, “You want some help with the grilling?”

Beau shook his head no and said, “I got it under control. Why don’t you go chat up some of the rodeo cowboys, get a feel for what they’re looking for, what they think of our stock.”

Aidan nodded. “Will do, boss.”

They started to walk toward the crowd and Beau said, “And if you see the mysterious Mr. Ian Woon again, let me know.”

Aidan nodded as the two split up. He walked up and joined a clump of cowboys sitting on the straw bales, each with a brown beer bottle in his hand. “Howdy, boys. I think the burgers are about ready. Want to go fill your plates?”

As he walked toward the serving table, he scanned the crowd, but didn’t see Gina, her little boy, the mysterious Mr. Ian Woon, or Aunt Lana.