Quinn (15 page)

She mumbled something and watched him drive away, wondering why she suddenly felt exhausted and overwhelmed. Maybe, she thought, it was the realization of what she and Quinn had survived.

Quinn was talking in low tones with Micah and Wes. The two men listened intently, before nodding their agreement.

Quinn led the way as the three approached.

“I really need to be getting home.”

Cheyenne blinked and tore her gaze from the house. “I guess I’ve kept you long enough.”

“I’m glad I was here to lend a hand. But now that I’m leaving, I wonder if you’d like to ride along?”

“Why would I want to go to your place?”

“We’ve got plenty of room. You could stay until you get word that the heat and water are restored and the house is livable.”

Austin was just crossing the yard from the barn. When he overheard Quinn’s offer, he hurried over just as Cheyenne was shaking her head in denial.

“Hold on, Chey.” Wes Mason’s voice was soft, but with a note of authority, like a man who was accustomed to giving orders to a crew of headstrong cowboys and having them followed without question. “Conway is offering you the perfect solution. He already suggested it to Micah and me, to see if we’d have any objection. We both agree that you can’t stay here without heat and hot water. And the bunkhouse is no place for a lady. You can ride over whenever the contractor needs to consult with you. That way, we have the satisfaction of knowing that you’re safe and comfortable until the house is repaired and good as new.”

Austin shot her a bright smile. “He’s right. I’m sure Dad would say the same thing.”

Seeing the way Micah turned to study him, he patted the old man’s shoulder. “Sorry. A slip of the tongue. That’s what he told me to call him.”

He caught Cheyenne’s hands in his and gave her a boyish smile. “It makes sense for you to find a place to stay until the house is ready. Don’t think of it as abandoning your legacy, or turning your back on your responsibility. It’ll only be for a little while. That’s what Dad would say, and that’s what I’m saying.”

At his words a sad, haunted look came into Cheyenne’s eyes.

She turned away quickly, to hide the tears that sprang up unexpectedly. For long moments she kept her gaze averted, arms crossed over her chest, her booted foot tapping, as she mulled her options.

She lifted her head, studying the charred wreckage of her childhood home, and the heartbreak was there for all of them to see.

When she turned back to them, the sad look remained,
but her voice was strong as she said to Quinn, “I can’t bear the thought of leaving. But I know I can’t stay here, at least until the furnace and hot-water heater are replaced. So I guess, for now, the best thing I can do is go with you. Thanks for the offer, Quinn. I appreciate it.”

“That’s my girl.” Micah leaned heavily on his cane as he gathered her into his arms and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Cheyenne, honey, it’ll only be for a couple of weeks.”

She sighed. “I’ll need time to pack up my things.” She pointed to a second barn where the trucks and heavy equipment was stored. “The wranglers will need the stake truck, but they can spare the other pickup. The keys are on the wall, just inside the door.”

Austin turned away. “I’ll take care of it.”

Quinn stepped around him. “You’ve got enough to do with the ranch chores. I’ll get it.”

As he strolled toward the barn, Austin continued watching him until he heard Wes Mason say to Micah, “So that’s the wolf whisperer.”

The older man grinned. “That’s him.”

“Wolf whisperer?” Austin spun around, eyes narrowed.

Micah started toward the house. “That’s what I call him. I’m sure he’s got some fancy title. He’s some kind of expert on wildlife, especially wolves. Not surprised,” he added. “That man may have grown up on one of the most successful ranches in Wyoming, but there’s just something in his eyes that tells me he’d be as comfortable in the middle of nowhere, with a pack of hungry wolves as his closest neighbors.”

L
ook.” In an attempt to lift Cheyenne’s spirits, Quinn lifted a hand from the steering wheel to point to the melting snow along the highway. “Spring is trying to make its way to Wyoming.”

Cheyenne managed a smile. For much of the ride, she’d been locked in her own dark thoughts about the damage to her family home. “Somebody forgot to tell Mother Nature.” She glanced toward the distant hills. “I hope you’re right, though. I’ve had enough of winter. Before I left, Wes brought me up to date on the cattle. It was a mistake taking that first herd up to the hills. We can blame it on an early break in the weather. It fooled us into thinking it was safe to start the spring migration. But as soon as the snow is gone for good, he’ll have our wranglers take the rest of the cattle to the high country for the season.”

“We always do the same. Much better rangeland in the
hills.” He had a thought. “I bet our herds spend their summers on the same range.”

She nodded. “Could be. I’ve never found any strays bearing the Conway brand.”

“We keep a close eye on the herds.” Quinn adjusted his sunglasses. “Before we left I checked on the calf born in that snowstorm. He’s doing just fine.”

Her smile grew. “I can’t believe you thought to check on him, after all that’s happened.”

“I feel responsible for him. He was almost dinner for my wolf pack.”

She sobered. “I’m really sorry, Quinn. I wish there had been a way to spare your—”

He laid a hand over hers to stop her. “It’s old news. Besides, I’d have never met you if it hadn’t been for that wolf pack.”

“I hadn’t thought of it that way before.” Her smile returned. She leaned back, determined to put aside her worries and enjoy the scenery. “How far to your ranch?”

“We’re on it. Our land started a couple of miles back. We won’t get to the ranch house for a while yet.”

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yeah.” He fell silent, drinking in the sight of the land that owned his heart. “It’s funny. No matter how much time I spend in the wilderness, the thrill is always the same when I return.”

“I know what you mean.” Cheyenne thought about the charred remains of her home, and the work that would have to go into rebuilding it. She was torn between wanting to be there, to take charge of the cleanup and rebuilding, and knowing that she needed to step away and give the workers time to put it back into some sort of order
before the actual rebuilding began. “When I left for college, I was so homesick after the first week, my dad sent Buddy to bring me home. I was only able to spend a day and a half there before we had to head back to college, but it made such a difference to sleep in my own bed and ride my horse out over the hills.”

“I remember missing home, too.” He looked over at her. “I guess that makes us the lucky ones.”

At her quizzical look he explained. “I had a roommate who was so glad to get away from home, he never wanted to go back. He hated everything about ranching. He called it drudge work, and said he’d rather haul garbage than have to muck another stall.”

“Different strokes,” Cheyenne muttered.

They shared a laugh.

Cheyenne was still laughing as the truck veered off the paved highway and onto a gravel road. After several twists and turns in the road she caught sight of the open gate and the weathered sign with the big
C
that stood for
Conway
, and the words
Devil’s Wilderness
burned into the wood.

Up ahead stood a lovely old three-story building of wood and stone that was as graceful and natural as the foothills of the sunlit mountain range that formed the background.

“Oh.” Cheyenne caught her breath. “It looks too pretty to be a working ranch.”

Quinn gave a laugh. “Trust me. I have the scars and bruises to prove it’s a down and dirty ranch.” He slowed the truck to give her a better view as they approached.

He found himself seeing it through her eyes. The big curving driveway that led to a wide porch that ran across
the entire front of the house. A pair of weathered rockers his grandfather had made for his grandmother sat beside several comfortable modern gliders. Though the porch was still snow covered, the family would soon gather there to sit on a warm night and watch the parade of deer and elk that often wandered across the yard.

There were double front doors, and beyond them the huge foyer that led to a great room.

Quinn avoided the front driveway, choosing instead to drive around to the back, where several vehicles were parked.

“Looks like everyone’s home for a change.” He brought the truck to a halt and released his seat belt.

Opening the door, he walked around and held the passenger door for Cheyenne. “Come on in and meet the family.”

Cheyenne trailed Quinn to the back door and stepped into a big mudroom much like the one at her own place, except that it was twice the size. The floor was concrete and sloped toward a drain, making it easy to hose off muddy boots. A hose attached to a low faucet was coiled nearby. A parade of clean boots stood in a row atop a low perforated shelf, allowing their soles to dry. Wide-brimmed hats hung on pegs along the wall.

Despite an accumulation of gear, there was order here. She found herself admiring it and made a mental note to duplicate some of this when the contractors started work on rebuilding her utility room. She especially admired the floor drain and the hose and the long, low sink where a person could wash up before stepping into the house.

Quinn opened the door to the kitchen. Cheyenne heard
the low hum of voices suddenly cease when his family spotted him.

There was a rich, deep baritone barking a welcome and then a feminine voice giving a cry of surprise. Laughter and raucous comments followed, and Cheyenne stood back watching as Quinn was caught in a series of bear hugs by his family.

After greeting them warmly he turned and caught Cheyenne by the hand. “I’d like all of you to meet Cheyenne O’Brien.”

He nodded toward the white-haired man who was already starting forward with his arms outstretched. “Cheyenne, this is my grandfather, Big Jim.”

“Nice to meet you.” The older man gave her a long, steady look. “Are you Dan O’Brien’s girl?”

She nodded.

He surprised her by taking both her hands and holding them. “You look just like your daddy. I was really sorry to hear about Dan’s accident. And before that, your brother. That’s quite a load of sorrow. How are you managing without them?”

“It’s been a tough adjustment, but I’m okay.”

“I’m glad to hear that. And very happy to meet you.” Big Jim stepped aside as Quinn said, “Cheyenne, this is my father, Colby.”

“Everybody calls me Cole.” He offered a firm handshake.

“Nice to meet you, Cole.” Cheyenne was aware of his careful scrutiny.

“My brother Josh.”

“Welcome to our humble ranch, Cheyenne.” He closed her hand in his big one and gave her a warm smile that immediately put her at ease.

He was as tall as Quinn, but his eyes were brown instead of gray. His smile was quick and easy.

“And my brother Jake.”

“The veterinarian,” Cheyenne said as they shook hands.

At Jake’s arch look she added, “You brother was bragging about you, Doctor.”

“Well, that’s nice to hear. He usually has some disparaging remarks ready whenever we’re together. As for the title, it may take me a while to get used to it. I just got my degree a few days ago.” He shot a look at Quinn. “Thanks for missing my graduation.”

“Did you stick around for it?”

Jake flushed. “Actually, I skipped the ceremony. But I knew I’d earned my sheepskin. I aced all the finals.”

“Does that mean you delivered a calf to the good professor’s satisfaction?”

The family laughed, and Jake joined in. “It means I didn’t cause death or bodily harm to any of my test subjects.”

“That’s a relief.” Quinn gave him a hard punch to the shoulder before turning to their father. “Now you can fire old Dr. Hunger and let Jake start earning back all that money it cost you to send him to school.”

“You use Dr. Hunger, too?” Cheyenne turned to Cole.