Rocky Mountain Freedom (6 page)

Karen sighed heavily. “Never realized how frustrating a physical injury would be. Not only is getting around more trouble, but me being out of commission is causing other problems. I need some help.”

“That’s why she’s here.” Mike leaned back in his chair and gestured to Karen. “I’ll let you do the explaining.”

Travis frowned. He didn’t think Karen would be the one to show up if the Whiskey Creek side of the Coleman family was having issues. His Uncle George was pretty much a tight-fisted captain of his ship—reluctantly allowing his three girls to help at the ranch only because he had to. “You having trouble keeping up with calving?”

His cousin rolled her eyes. “Oh, we’re getting by. My dad contacted some friend of his and convinced him to send over his sons to give us a hand.”

“Well, that’s good.” Travis paused at the face Karen made. “Isn’t that good? Uncle George wouldn’t ask just anyone to come work with your cattle.”

“Oh, they’re skilled enough, I guess. It’s a royal pain in the behind having to put up with strangers around the place, but yeah, it’s going okay. Only I have a different issue.” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Of all the years to try to expand operations, I picked this one. I’ve been working since last fall on a side project—using some of the Whiskey Creek horses for a new adventure camp in the Willmore Wilderness Park outside of Jasper National Park. My partner and I are all set. We’ll be offering trail rides during the spring and summer. I was supposed to go out and check on things on a regular basis—troubleshoot, make sure all the horses we’ve provided are well cared for and healthy over the entire season. But mostly a lot of office work and grunt labour plus a bit of riding.”

Travis nodded slowly. “You won’t be getting up on a horse anytime soon, will you?”

She shook her head. “Not until the end of May for sure, and they’ll have run at least two camps by then. Not to mention all the setup and organizing at the start. I was supposed to head out after this weekend, but…” she tapped her cast again, “…obviously not.”

What a mucked-up mess. Everyone Travis knew was knee deep in spring chores. “You want to know names of people to hire?”

Karen shook her head. “I want to hire you to go in my stead as supervisor.”

Travis hadn’t seen that one coming at all. “Bullshit.”

“You’re capable. You’re good with horses, and you worked at a camp a few years back, so you know what to expect.”

“Yeah, I worked at one, but I didn’t run it.” Travis’s brain flooded with memories from his time away. The chores they’d done on a daily basis prepping the animals for trail rides, caring for them at the end of the day—it hadn’t been a terrible job. He’d had a ton of time off from what he remembered.

But supervisor?

“You’d be in charge of ordering supplies and making sure that the head wrangler has everything he needs—I’ve got everyone else in place, only I can’t go and do my job. I’d really appreciate having someone I trust go in my stead.”

Travis couldn’t stop his grin at her words. “Now you’re patting my ego.”

“Nope. I call it as I see it. You’ve got the second-best touch with the horses out of everyone in the Coleman clan, other than me. I am the best.” She grinned. “See? I’m not talking you up just to convince you to go. You know there’s no way I’d ask someone I didn’t trust to be in charge of my babies.”

High praise indeed, but there were still a couple of huge issues. “I’m glad you think I’m skilled enough to take over for you, but there’s one big trouble. If I’m off doing your job in the mountains, that leaves the Six Pack spread short on help.”

“That’s why she talked to me first,” Mike interrupted. “We can manage. If it gets rough, we’ll convince Daniel to throw in his hand for a short while.”

“You can have one of the Marlette boys who invaded my place this weekend,” Karen offered. “Heck, you can have all three because I don’t want them underfoot all summer long, getting in my way.”

Travis paused. He loved the ranch and working with his family, but a change of scenery for a few months might be exactly what he needed. “I don’t have to actually lead the trail rides, do I? I don’t know that area well enough to feel comfortable guiding.”

Karen shook her head. “My partner has that part under control. James and his girlfriend are registered guides, plus Dani’s got her medical ticket and they have their own horses, so like I said, the job is mostly coordination and supervision.”

“Hell, maybe I’ll do it,” Mike proposed. “Sounds like less work than I’ll be pulling back here.”

Karen grinned. “You know it. Why do you think I’m so pissed off I don’t get to go?”

Travis laughed. “Dad, you’re serious you don’t mind me being gone until Karen can take over?”

His father nodded. “Especially if Karen’s right and we could get a little help from the Marlettes, we’ll be fine.”

“Depending on how well I recover, you might end up out there the entire season, Travis,” Karen warned. “No use in me going out once you’ve got the routine down pat.”

Shit.
It was all making great sense until he remembered his favour to Ashley—he didn’t want to leave her in the lurch, but he didn’t want to turn down family in need. “I hate to bring this up, but you know my friend Ashley?”

Karen nodded.

“She’s doing research for some projects. Taking pictures around the ranch and stuff. I don’t know how she’d feel about wandering around when I’m not here.”

Karen paused. “Well, she’s welcome to come shoot at Whiskey Creek if she wants. Or for that matter, she could go along with you.” Her eyes lit up. “Oh, man. You think she would? I mean, I’d pay her, but we could use some photos for the website and to use in a brochure, and—”

Mike laughed. “See? Not a problem, Travis. Ask Ashley if she’d like to go with you, and if she still needs shots around the ranch, she can contact me or Blake or Karen. We’ll figure it out however we can.”

And this was what family did—they helped each other. There was no reason not to offer Karen the hand she needed. Travis gave her a wink. “I’m yours. Put down the details in writing so I can go over them again if I need them.”

Karen sighed in relief. Mike shook Travis’s hand then rose and disappeared into the kitchen with his coffee mug.

Travis accompanied Karen to her car. “I promise to do my best for you.”

She had to concentrate as she manoeuvred herself behind the wheel, but once she settled, she popped open her window and gave him a smile. “You’ll do great. Honest. I trust you. And between you and my head wrangler, you should have a great summer.”

She took off before he could ask the wrangler’s name, but that was the moment Ashley stepped out from between the barns, her blonde hair shining in the afternoon sun as she strolled slowly, taking pictures as usual.

As usual, his body reacted.

The issue he’d been avoiding he now had to face straight on. Maybe it was for the best. Maybe…getting pushed hard enough to find a new solution was what he needed.

The only thing he knew for sure was he couldn’t take off and fight anytime he got the urge this summer. He’d be too far into the bush—too remote for that kind of insanity.

No, Ashley was right. He had to find a new way. It also thrilled him to think there would be no reason for them to be apart anymore—not if he gave in to her demands.

She crossed the yard to his side, stopping to tuck her camera into her bag.

She tilted her head. “You look like you’ve got a secret.”

“I do.” He turned her toward the ATV, his palm settling easily in the small of her back. “And if you’re a good girl, I’ll share with you.”

“I’m always a good girl,” Ashley teased.

Oh, was she ever. “Come on, I’ll take you home and tell you my secret over dinner.”

Travis Coleman was up to something. Ashley rocked herself on the swing outside his trailer and watched him at the grill as he turned thick steaks over the coals.

He’d been a gentleman to the hilt ever since he’d brought her home today.

Oh, he’d been polite the other days. Going out of his way to stop when they were in the far fields. Giving her a chance to snap pictures while he filled in his time with small, never-ending ranch chores.

He hadn’t once pushed her to take things back to the sexual relationship they’d enjoyed the previous fall and winter.

She wasn’t sure if she should be pissed off or pleased he was following her expectations so fully. Pleased—she had to be pleased. She knew that. Until he had his head straightened out.

But damn, she wished he’d make it soon—she was getting tired of her vibrator and fingers.

But now? He’d offered her meals other days. She’d cooked for him as well, falling into an easy friendship that she thoroughly enjoyed. But the glances he was tossing her way this time around? Those said he had plans.

Plans he knew she’d like. A shiver raced up her spine, warmth flushing her skin from more than the shower she’d taken once they reached his trailer.

Travis might have his kinks, but she had hers as well, and he knew it. Knew how to stroke her to a feverish pitch…

She stopped the swing in midmotion and rose abruptly. This? Was where she wasn’t supposed to go. Until things officially changed, she was not getting herself all heated up over impossible pleasures.

“It’s ready,” Travis called, balancing a plate in one hand as he held his other toward her.

Ashley stepped across the space between the trees and the deck. “Can’t believe you have a swing out here.”

“Nephews stop by sometimes. Jaxi with the girls—I figured it was simpler than having them tear the house apart.”

They were inside, seated at the table, the scent of barbecued steaks and baked potatoes filling the air. “You’re spoiling me,” Ashley teased. She popped the caps on a couple beers and lined them up beside their plates. “There—my contribution to dinner.”

Travis laughed. “You can cook anytime.”

Their eyes met and heat flashed between them.

Ashley looked away first, digging into the food as if she’d been the one doing manual labour all day instead of merely wandering around taking photos. “You said you had news?”

Travis finished his bite then put down his utensils.

She coughed. “Oh dear, so serious as that?”

He laughed again. “No, I need to show you this.”

He reached behind him to the side counter and grabbed a folded paper. There was a hand-drawn horse on the front, and she held her comments, just in case. Sure enough, the paper unfolded to include trip information for the
Trailblazers of Willmore Wilderness Park
with “trail rides and week-long adventure camps”. One of the owners had a last name of Coleman. “Family?”

Travis nodded. “My cousin Karen. They’re starting up this year, and yeah, I know that’s a pretty shitty brochure, but I guess word of mouth was enough they filled their bookings already.”

“Good for her.”

“She wanted to know if you’d do pictures for them.”

Thank God. Ashley could admit the truth. “Oh man, they so need it.”

He chuckled. “They do, but there’s more. Karen had an accident a couple weeks ago and busted her leg. She needs me to go fill in for her at the camp. There are guides and wranglers, but she wants family to head up her part.”

Ashley’s stomach fell. “Oh.”

He waved a finger in her face. “Don’t go leaping to assumptions. I thought about you—I promised I’d help you, and I will. But maybe you can help me as well.”

Ashley frowned. “Go on.”

Travis leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Uncle George is a bit of an old-school ass. He’s got three girls, and the only reason he tolerates them helping around the ranch is that Karen is the most incredible horsewoman. The middle girl, Tamara, has her nursing certificate, but Karen and Lisa want to work the ranch. They want to prove they can make a success of what they try.”

Ashley picked up the brochure and held it between two fingers like it was a dirty rag. “This isn’t very impressive.”

“But it’s a start. And all the really important things Karen did right. I hate to see her plans fall apart.” He grimaced. “Hate to have Uncle George have another chance to say ‘I told you so’.”

“So you’re going to…” She checked the flyer. “Willmore Wilderness Park for the summer?”

He nodded. “And I’d like you to come with me.”

Oh boy. “Really?”

He leaned forward and grabbed her hand. “Really. Does that surprise you? That I like having you around?”

She shook her head. “I’m surprised you’re going that easily. The ranch? The chores…?”

“All dealt with. You can stay here if you want. You can move into the trailer for the summer, if that works best for you. My dad and Karen both offered to coordinate shots anytime you need. I just won’t be here to help you.”

Ashley warmed at his offer, but now her curiosity was on the rise. “But you’d like me to come with you.”

“I would.” He stroked his thumb over the back of her knuckles. “There will still be horses. Rustic trail rides, if that kind of thing would work for your projects. The mountains and foothills in that area are even more beautiful than around the ranch—although I can’t believe I said that. You could probably find some nice creeks and a mountain river or two—it’s a bit of a photographer’s paradise.”