THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET (13 page)

With him in that position she got a good look at the jeans pulled tightly over his rear end. His shirt was sweat streaked and clinging to his muscular back. Her pulse started racing and her mouth went dry. Great. All she needed was an out-of-control libido.

She’d started to back out of the room when he turned around with his arms full of sandwich makings. He raised his dark eyes to hers. Then, surprisingly, he smiled at her.

“Hi.”

“Hi. I was looking for Kathleen,” she fibbed. “Is she around?”

“She’s off today. If it’s important, she’s at her sister’s in town.” He put everything down on the counter. “Can I help you with something?” He came around the island and crossed to her.

Ana refused to back up. “No, thank you. I’m handling it.” She decided to change the subject. “I saw you cutting the alfalfa.”

He nodded. “I think the crop should bring in enough money to cover the rest of the lease money.”

She shook her head. “It’s not all Slater land. Part of that crop is yours, since it’s on one of your sections.”

He shook his head. “No matter what’s on paper, Ana, it goes into the same pot.”

She didn’t want to discuss this. “Were you planning to be here as foreman all your life?”

Vance couldn’t get enough of looking at Ana. He’d missed her over the past few days. “No. I was going to have my own place.”

“And I expect you to continue with those plans. You have your land and your crop. I’d say that’s a pretty good start on a new life.”

Her rejection hurt. Ana had that power over him, especially now that she’d given him a glimpse of a life he’d only dreamed about.

Well, she wasn’t going to walk away from something they both wanted, without feeling what he was feeling. He took a step closer to her and inhaled her sweetness. “Sometimes things that seem perfect are far from it, especially when no matter what you do, you still can’t have the most important thing.”

He reached for her and drew her against him, causing her to gasp. He took advantage of that and covered her mouth with his. In an instant the heat was turned up. He had this one chance to let her know what a good thing they had. He cupped her face and tilted her head so he could deepen the kiss. When she breathed a sigh, his tongue slipped into her mouth, tasting her addicting sweetness.

Ana’s arms slipped around his waist in surrender to the kiss, and he took advantage again, pressing his body against hers. He was fighting dirty, but he was about to lose everything. This was all he had.

She finally broke off the kiss with another gasp. He looked down at her eyes, laced with desire. He could continue the seduction, but she’d only end up hating him more. He had to walk away or lose his mind.

“Goodbye, Ana.” Vance turned and headed out the door. He didn’t need to be hit over the head to realize how crazy it was to think he could fit into her life. He’d always be the kid who was outside looking in, looking for a place to belong.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

T
HE
NEXT
DAY
started out with problems. Ana not only thought about Vance most of the night, she overslept, and had to begin her morning rushing to her appointment at the bank to sign papers. When she finally arrived, she found Wade waiting for her. Her father’s lawyer explained that he was taking over as executor. Vance would no longer be her partner for the project.

Ana couldn’t hide her surprise. Something was going on, and no one was telling her anything.

“Isn’t this what you wanted?” Wade asked her.

She thought about Vance’s deception, but for him to walk away... “Maybe, since I can’t trust him.”

When Alan walked out of the room to make copies, she asked Wade, “Why didn’t you tell me Dad had given land to Vance?”

The lawyer frowned. “That choice was your father’s. I’m sorry he never discussed it with you.”

“But those sections were an important part of the ranch.”

Wade gave her a confused look. “That may be, Ana, but they were Colt’s to give away. And although your father recently had a stroke and is
temporarily
incapable of running the operation, he had every right back then to deed that land to Vance.”

In her head Ana knew Wade was correct, but her heart was broken over it. “You’re right, Wade. Colt can do whatever he wants. He’ll be home soon, so he can take over again.”

Wade sighed. “You know, Ana, you can be as stubborn and bullheaded as your father. And I’m going to tell you the same thing I told Colt. To take this time and try to build a relationship.”

Tears blurred Ana’s vision. “I’ve tried.”

Wade hugged her. “Oh, darlin’, I know you have, and that old cuss is more to blame than anyone.” The lawyer stepped back and she wiped her tears away. “Colt might not deserve this chance, but life is too short not to try and work this out. Not just with your dad, but with Vance.”

She nodded. She didn’t want to think about Vance, but her heart had other ideas.

Thirty minutes later, the loan money had been put into an escrow account so they could start the construction. So why didn’t Ana feel excited about the project?

She walked outside with Wade, who hugged her again, then said, “Don’t be too hard on Vance. He’s a good man.” He smiled. “And I think you’ll learn that sooner or later. Hopefully, not too late.”

Before Ana could say anything, Wade started back to his office, leaving her confused about so many things. But she had to put all that aside for now.

She walked across the street toward the Big Sky Grill for her meeting with Garrett. Then she had to return to the ranch and help set up the downstairs guest room for her father’s return home. The living room needed to be stripped of furniture, which would be replaced by physical therapy equipment. Jay would come by three days a week to help with Colt’s workouts.

Ana was excited and nervous about her father’s homecoming. Was Wade right? Was Colt ready to build a relationship?

She walked through the door of the restaurant and a flash of memory hit her. Vance had brought her here and they’d shared a hamburger and fries like a lot of other couples. Had they been a couple? Whether they had been or not, her problem now would be to turn off her feelings for the man. Seeing him every day was going to be hard, so she hoped he’d concentrate on the cattle operation and stay out of her way.

She didn’t need be reminded of what they’d had together, or what she thought they’d had. Their kisses, their nights together. She wanted to hate him, but yesterday in the kitchen he’d looked lost. She shook away any sympathy. He still had lied to her. He had to know how much she loved that section of land.

She heard her name called and looked toward the booth in the corner. She put on a smile and crossed the restaurant.

“Sorry I’m late.” Ana slid into her seat. “It took longer at the bank then I thought.”

Garrett smiled back. “Not a problem.”

He got the waitress’s attention and ordered coffee. “Is everything okay with the loan?”

She nodded. “I signed all the papers, so do you want to talk about a starting date?”

“I sure do.” He leaned toward her. “I can have a crew there by next week. If the weather cooperates, we can get those slabs poured before the end of the week.”

Good.
Colt would be arriving home then. “That fast?”

“As they say, time is money. And my guys want and need the work.”

She released a breath. The way it looked, she was handling this project alone. “Okay, let’s do it.”

Garrett stood. “I’ll have a crew there in the morning.” He checked his watch, then made a quick phone call on his cell and finalized the arrangements. He hung up. “It’s all set. How about some lunch to celebrate?”

“I don’t want to hold you up,” she said.

“You’re not. In fact, if I was home right now, I’d be pacing around.”

The waitress appeared and they put in an order for burgers and fries.

“You got a hot date later?” she teased.

He shook his head. “My son is coming to visit me.”

Ana was caught off guard by the announcement. “I didn’t know you had a son. You’re married?”

Garrett shook his head slowly. “I’m no longer married. And yes, Brody is eight years old. He’s coming to live with me. I’m hoping it’s going to be permanent.”

Ana was still caught up with Garrett having an eight-year-old son. How could that be? Garrett had been dating Josie back in high school and part of their college years before they’d suddenly broken up.

Garrett saw her questioning look. “I take it Josie never told you why we split up?”

Oh, boy.
“Only that you met someone else.”

“It hadn’t been the wisest behavior, but my son is a result of that action. Although my marriage didn’t survive, Brody is and will always be the joy of my life.” Garrett studied Ana. “I hope this won’t affect our business relationship.”

She quickly shook her head. “No. This has nothing to do with the past. You’re helping us build our future. And besides, Josie isn’t going to be any more involved in this project than via phone calls. She’s already made that clear to me several times.”

That seemed to make Garrett relax. “Then I guess we start work on Friday.”

“That sounds perfect.” Ana hoped her words turned out to be true, or she could be in a lot of trouble, and not only with the ranch.

* * *

By late that afternoon, Vance had packed up most of his personal things, nearly twenty years’ worth. He’d send for the rest later, because he had only so much room in his truck. He just wanted to get the hell out of there, the sooner the better.

He carried the last box outside and loaded it in the truck bed, then slammed the tailgate. He glanced around the compound and toward the big red barn where he’d first lived, in the apartment upstairs. His gaze moved to the bunkhouse, then to the corral where Rusty was prancing around, hoping someone wanted to go for a ride. Vance wished he could take his chestnut gelding with him, but for now he wasn’t sure where he would be living. Would he buy some land, or find another job as foreman?

“Goodbye, fella,” he called, and waited to hear the answering whinny. Then he climbed into the truck and started the engine.

He’d already said his goodbyes to the guys, and put Todd in charge of the ranch hands, knowing he’d get them to follow orders until Ana found another foreman.

Putting the truck in gear, he drove the short distance up the gravel road to the house, but followed the circular driveway until he made his way around back. He parked by the kitchen door and sat there a minute, recalling so many years ago when he’d first walked inside the Slater house. All the meals he’d shared with the family, but nothing else.

Over the years, Vance had done the work Colt gave him, and had stayed away from his daughters. He’d broken that rule recently, when Ana moved back home to help out. He must have lost his mind, because he finally admitted to himself that he had loved her all these years. He released a sigh. Well, it was past time for him to wise up. He didn’t fit in here, never had.

He would leave, but not before he broke off the last tie to this place. He picked up an envelope from the seat, got out and walked up the back steps. Through the screen door he saw Kathleen at the stove, probably cooking supper.

She turned when he walked in. “Hi, Vance. You’re early for supper.”

“I didn’t come to eat, Kathleen.” He paused, then said, “I’m leaving.”

She frowned. “For how long?”

He shook his head. “For good. I’ve already cleared my things out of the foreman’s house, except for the furniture. You can keep that for the renters. Todd knows what to do for the rest of the week. The alfalfa is cut, and most of it’s baled. Todd will have the men finish the job.”

He kept talking, because he knew it would be too easy to change his mind. Kathleen would try to convince him to stay.

The Slaters’ housekeeper had been the closest thing to a mother he’d ever known, and he never doubted that she loved him. He felt the same way about her.

“Vance Rivers, you stop this foolishness and tell me what’s going on.”

“It’s for the best, Kathleen. I should have left here a long time ago. Ana is more than capable of handling things. She doesn’t want my help.” He had trouble getting the words out. “Wade can step in if she needs him. Besides, the other sisters need to pitch in, too. If I’m not here maybe they’ll come back to their home.”

Kathleen didn’t look as if she believed any of his speech. “What about Colt? He’s being released in a few days.”

Vance forced a smile. He still needed to talk with Colt. “That’s good. He needs to be home with his daughter. Not me.”

“But you’re like a son to that man. You have to know that.”

Colt had been good to him, but as he did with his daughters, the man kept everyone at a distance. At the very least Vance hoped something good would come out of this and Colt would repair the relationship with his daughters. Vance needed to leave for that to happen.

“They’ll never be a family with me around. I’m part of the problem. It’s time, Kathleen.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Where will you go?”

He sighed. “I have a place for now, but I promise I won’t leave the area without saying goodbye.”

He pushed away from the counter. “I’ll be right back.” He walked down the hall to the office, and placed the envelope on the desk. He returned to the kitchen. “I put something on the desk for Ana. Tell her...” He didn’t know what to say. “Tell her I’m sorry.”

“Vance, you need to tell Ana yourself. At least tell her how you feel, and fight for her.”

“She doesn’t want to hear anything I have to say.”

“Then make her listen. If you care about her you’ll stay and help her through this.”

“I wish that was possible, but it’s not. It’s too late.”

But before he could leave, he heard the front door open and close. He froze, knowing it was Ana. He started to make his exit, but Kathleen grasped his arm.

“You talk to her.” Her grip tightened. “Let her know how you feel.”

He shook his head. “It would never work between us.” Not when Ana thought he was trying to take the ranch from her.

The sound of the footsteps caught their attention. “Is that your pot roast I smell?”

At the sound of Ana’s voice, Vance tensed and started to leave, but Kathleen stopped him.

Ana walked into the kitchen, but her smile disappeared when she saw him. “Vance...”

“Ana.” His gaze took her in like a starved man. Her dark hair curled around her face, but her pretty blue eyes looked tired. He started to speak and explain things, but he saw the hurt in her expression. He didn’t see that anything he could say would change anything. “Look, I was just leaving. Goodbye, Ana.”

He’d blown his chance with her, and now it was too late. It was time to let the dream end. He turned and walked out.

Ana could only watch as Vance left. The sound of the screen door hitting the frame made her panic, and for a split second she considered going after him. But what good would it do? If he truly cared about her wouldn’t he try to work things out?

“It seems you could have talked to the man,” Kathleen said. “Hear him out.”

“We’ve tried. Vance got what he wants.”

“Oh, sweetheart, if you think that then you don’t know Vance as well as I thought. All he’s ever wanted was to belong somewhere.”

“So do I, Kathleen.”

Ana fought tears as she walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to the office, where she closed the door. She could escape for now, but knew she would be seeing Vance often, even with her going back to work at the school. He would be at the house with Colt. How could she act as if everything was normal?

She walked to the desk to email her sisters about the starting date for construction. Sitting down, she saw an envelope next to the desk from Wade Dickson, Attorney at Law. What was Uncle Wade sending her? She opened the envelope and took out the papers. On top was a note.

Ana,

It was never my intention to take anything from you. You were right, the land should stay in the Slater family.

I only hope you can convince your sisters that Lazy S is more than just land.

Good luck,

Vance

Her hand trembled as she set the note aside to glance over the papers, feeling her stomach tighten. Oh, God. It was the deed to all three sections of land, including the meadow, and they were all signed over to Analeigh Maria Slater.

* * *

Later that night, Colt was restless, so he took the offered medication to help him sleep. Lying in the dark, he still wasn’t sure if going home was a good idea. He’d liked having everyone come here to visit him, but what would happen when he got back to the house? Would Ana go live in town again? He wouldn’t get to see her every day like he did now.

And what about Vance? There were problems between him and Ana, Colt knew. Problems that he had created when he gave the boy part of the ranch. Colt knew why he’d done it: Vance had cared about the Lazy S, and he’d earned it.

In Colt’s eyes that made it right to give him part of the place. Colt hadn’t been able to take credit for much after his marriage failed, but putting Vance Rivers on a straight path had been his one shining accomplishment. He wasn’t going to apologize for giving the boy the land for his dedication and hard work. Only now, it had caused more trouble.