And Then You Dance (Crested Butte Cowboys Series Book 2) (14 page)

“It doesn’t have anything to do with him.”

“Aha, so it does have to do with something.”

“You’re twisting my words. I haven’t thought that far ahead. I haven’t wanted to.”

“Why not?”

She smiled. “Because I’m enjoying my summer so much. That’s why.”

He smiled too. “Me too. But Irene, I would like to see you again after the summer is over.”

The last week at the ranch, which was the last week of September, was hard on everyone. Friendships formed every summer and even if a lot of them came back the next year, it would never be the same again. Different guests, new personalities among the wranglers, there was beauty in it, but there was a sadness too.

Jace had a great attitude, as he did about most things. Nothing much rattled the man. He went back and forth, season to season, doing what he loved. In the summer, he was a wrangler; in the winter he was a skier. Between he hiked fourteeners or traveled somewhere exotic. Money didn’t seem to be much of an issue for Jace, although he rarely talked about it.

“Come to Aspen for a couple days before you head home. Let me show you around,” he said a few days before they were scheduled to leave.

No one was waiting for her at home. Her mom was still out on the rodeo circuit and Ben was with her, which meant the boys wouldn’t be coming to the house. So why not?

“Sure,” she answered, as though it was the easiest thing in the world.

“Wow.”

“What?”

He laughed. “I didn’t expect you to say yes so quickly.”

“Want to rescind your offer?”

“No way! I was wondering what else I could ask you while you’re so agreeable.”

That was funny, she thought. She was usually agreeable to anything Jace suggested. She wondered if he saw it differently.

He tweaked her nose. “There’s that sour face again.”

A week later Renie followed Jace out of the ranch and was glad she was going to Aspen with him. It made the end of their summer so much easier. She was afraid she might have cried if she’d had to say goodbye to him along with everyone else.

The thing between Jace and Renie wasn’t a very well-kept secret. Consequently, Renie hadn’t gotten very close to the other wranglers. She was friendly, she liked everyone well enough, but there wasn’t anyone else she’d keep in touch with after she left.

Two hours later they pulled up behind Jace’s condo. It was at the base of the mountain.

“Nice digs,” she said getting out of the car. “Am I okay parked here?”

“For now, I’ll put your car in the garage later. I have a parking permit on mine, so it can stay on the street.”

“You don’t have to do that—”

“Not a big deal Irene.”

Nothing was for him. She forgot that. He had to be the most easy going man she’d ever known.

“How do you do it?”

“What?”

“Nothing ever bothers you. I’m not sure it’s normal.”

“Plenty of things bother me.”

“Name one.”

He let out a deep breath. “It bothers me to hear the name Billy every night. That bothers me a lot.”

“Every night? You can’t be serious.”

“There hasn’t been a night I’ve slept with you that you haven’t woken me up talking about him. Most of it’s gibberish, but his name is clear as a bell, every time you say it.” He paused and ran his hand through his hair. “The other thing that bothers me is that when you’re awake you refuse to talk about him.”

Renie put her arms around him and squeezed him hard. “I’m sorry. It’s my subconscious. There isn’t anything to talk about. That’s why I don’t.”

“Bullshit.”

That took her by surprise. “Maybe it would be better if I went home.”

“No way. You started this conversation by saying nothing ever bothers me. I’m telling you there is something that does. It isn’t a reason for you to take off. Stay instead. Talk to me about it. Tell me about him for God’s sake. Clearly you aren’t together, or you wouldn’t have spent the summer sharin’ sheets with me. And you wouldn’t be here now.”

Sharin’ sheets,
Billy used that expression. It was the only other time she’d heard it.

“Come inside. Let me show you my house.” He pulled her with him. When they got to the front door, he turned around and smiled at her. “I know how much you hate confrontation, so I’ll drop it for now. You’ll tell me about him when you’re ready to.”

She hated confrontation? Yeah, she supposed he was right about that. How had they gone from casual sleeping buddies to him knowing so much about her once they left the ranch?

His condo was beautiful. The view of the mountain was incredible, but it was equally impressive inside. It definitely didn’t look like a place two brothers shared. It had to have been professionally decorated.

She walked around studying the different pieces of artwork that were perfectly placed throughout the condo. She realized that the paintings all bore the same signature, which she couldn’t make out.

“My brother. It’s his work.”

“What? It’s…amazing. He’s very talented.”

“He is. The sculpture is his too. He gets bored with one medium and moves on to another one. Eventually, he makes his way back around again.”

“What’s his name?”

“Tucker. We’re twins, by the way.”

“Where is he now?”

“Spain.”

“Oh, okay.” He was so matter-of-fact about everything. She smiled.

“What?”

“Nothing.” She started to laugh.

“What? Come on, tell me. What’s funny?”

“It’s that nothing flusters you thing again. Notice I said ‘flusters,’ not ‘bothers.’”

He laughed too, and put his arms around her. “I like you Irene.”

“I like you too Jace.” It was nice to
like
him, and not think about it being more than that.

That night he took her to Belly Up to see one of his favorite bands play. And before they went to Matsuhisa for dinner. He hadn’t asked whether she liked sushi or not. She liked that about him—his confidence. That was a deal breaker for her. After Billy, she couldn’t have dealt with anyone who lacked self-confidence. Jace had confidence in spades.

The next day they went up Independence Pass and hiked to the top. The view was breathtaking, and she said so.

“This is nothing,” Jace answered. “We’re at 12,000 feet. Wait until I get you on top of a fourteener.”

He’d been doing that more and more, talking about things they’d do together in the future. Renie hadn’t planned to continue this little fling past September. Jace clearly had other ideas.

That night he took her to the White House Tavern. It was a casual place, but historic. Jace knew everyone there. He introduced her as his summer wrangling partner and winked at her every time he did. He wasn’t shy about putting his arm around her, or nuzzling her hair, even kissing her. It was so different for them, not having to hide that they were together from people. It made it feel more like a relationship.

“I don’t suppose you’d want to go to Spain with me?” he said sheepishly the next morning.

“Wait. What? Spain?”

He laughed. “Remember I told you Tucker is in Spain?”

“Yes.”

“My whole family is. They’re expecting me.”

“I’ll have to draw the line at Spain,” she laughed.

“I figured you would, but thought I’d give it a try anyway.”

She walked to the window and looked out at the mountain. “I’ve never skied here. I’d like to some time.”

“Is that your way of asking when I’ll be back?”

She turned around, and he was smiling. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings, but that wasn’t what she’d been thinking at all. “Sure,” she answered instead.

“Okay sourface. That wasn’t your way of asking, but I’ll tell you anyway. I’ll be back for Thanksgiving.”

Sourface? She was beginning to think it was time for a Jace-break. He was becoming all too familiar, and Renie wasn’t sure she was ready to go in the direction Jace seemed headed in.

“When are you leaving?”

“Friday.”

Today was Wednesday. Maybe she should think about leaving today, to give him time to get ready for his trip.

“Stay with me another night?” he asked, as though he read her mind.

“Sure,” she answered.

“I’m beginning to dislike that word,” he said, but he was still smiling.

They stayed in that night, and the next morning they said goodbye as though they’d be seeing each other in a few days.

It was a long drive from Aspen to Crested Butte, but a beautiful one. The aspens were in their full glory on Kebler Pass. Renie stopped several times to take photos.

The further she got away from Aspen, and Jace, the more her chest started to hurt. She tried to push it away, but nothing was working. As she drove down the mountain road and into Crested Butte, all she could think about was Billy.

Billy pulled up in front of Ben’s ranch house and turned off the truck. He took several deep breaths and said a prayer that Renie was here, and that she’d want to see him.

He looked at the house. It didn’t look as though anyone were home, but it was a big house, they could be anywhere in it. He saw something move in one of the front windows, and by the long blonde hair, he knew it was Renie. Would she come out? Or if he went to the front door and knocked, would she pretend she wasn’t home?

There was one way to find out. He got out of the truck and walked back to the trailer to check on Pooh first. She was fine. Now or never, he thought as he turned and walked up the porch steps toward the front door.

— • —

Her mom and Ben still weren’t home. She didn’t even know what state they were in. Trying to keep up with rodeo schedules was hard enough, but for all Renie knew, Ben could be out on tour by now.

She had no idea; she hadn’t shown much interest in anyone’s life but her own.

She checked the refrigerator to see whether she needed to run to the store for milk or any other essentials. It appeared as though it were well-stocked.

She texted her mom.
When will you be home?

Half hour,
Liv answered.

They must not be traveling; they must’ve gone to town for something.

The boys?

With us.

Oh good, she was looking forward to seeing them.

Jake and Luke came running through the front door a few minutes later.

“Renie’s here!” Luke shouted, jumping on her and almost knocking her down.

“I guess you missed me.”

He stood back and took a long look at her. “Yep, I’ve missed you.”

She squinted her eyes at him. “What was that all about?”

“I missed happy Renie. The other one I can do without.”

“Always a gentleman aren’t you pard’ner,” Ben said, coming up to hug her.

Jake looked at her from a few feet away.

“You can hug me too ya know,” she said as he stood in front of her. “Holy crap, how much have you grown in the last couple of months?”

Jake was as tall as she was, if not a little taller. He hadn’t been much past her shoulder when she left.

Liv ran toward her much in the same way Luke had.

“I’ve missed you sweet girl,” she said, hugging Renie so hard she could barely breathe.

“I’ve missed you too Mom.”

The boys wanted to hear all about her time at the ranch. Jake wanted to know how old he had to be before you could get a job there.

“How about a good long ride tomorrow?” Renie offered. “I’ll tell you all about it then.”

Ben got up and motioned to the boys. “Let’s make tracks out to the barn and get our chores done.” He winked at Liv. “Give the girls time to catch up.”

“Thanks honey.”

He grabbed her hand and leaned down to kiss her on his way out the door.

“You two are so happy.”

“We are. We’re very happy.”

“I met someone this summer.”

Liv sat up a little straighter. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. It’s nothing serious.”

“But important enough to bring him up. Tell me about him. What’s his name? Where’s he from?”

“His name is Jace. Jace Rice. Oh damn, I forgot to mention him to Ben. Jace said they were cousins, but he hadn’t seen Ben since they were kids.”

“How old is he?”

Renie laughed. “He’s my age Mom. Or a couple years older. He’s not as old as Ben.”

“Not as old as Ben.” Liv rolled her eyes.

“Anyway, his family lives in Aspen. He’s a twin.”

“And?”

“That’s about it.”

“When do we get to meet him?”

“He’s in Spain. He won’t be back until the end of November. And even then…I’m not sure we’ll see each other again.”

Liv hated to ruin the moment between them, but she had to ask. “What about Billy?”

“What about him?”

“Have you talked to him?”

“You know I haven’t.”

“I don’t know that at all. You and Billy have been friends all your life. Don’t you think it’s time you made up?”

“Made up? What do we have to make up?” Renie shook her head. “Billy wasn’t who I thought he was. I don’t have anything to say to him.”

“That’s a little harsh don’t you think? He’s raising that little girl all on his own. I’m proud of him.”

Renie stood. “Good for you Mom. You are entitled to feel however you want to. And so am I. I wouldn’t ask you not to be friends with him, or Dottie and Bill. You need to show me the same respect.”

“Are you disappearing again because I brought up Billy?”

Renie sighed. “No. I’m not. I’m done spending all my time thinking about Billy Patterson. I’m having a glass of wine, and then I thought I’d show you photos of the ranch.”

“Sounds great. I’d love to see your photos.”

“Can I get you a glass of wine?”

“No thanks, I’ll have a glass of water.”

When Ben and the boys came back inside, Liv and Renie were huddled together looking at pictures on her phone.

“Here’s one of him,” she said.

“Hey Ben, Renie met one of your cousins at the ranch. Jace, do you remember him?”

Ben sat down on the chair next to him. He looked at Jake. “I bet Jace was Jake’s age the last time I saw him. He might have been younger than that. Wow.” He shook his head. “How is he? Was Tucker there too?”

Renie told them about visiting their place in Aspen and seeing Tucker’s art, and then told them Jace was in Spain with his family. She didn’t miss the looks going back and forth between Ben and her mom.

“Are we allowed to ask about the other one?”

“No Ben, we’re not,” answered Liv.

He held his hands up. “Never much liked Cowboy Patterson anyway,” he mumbled. “Get you more wine?”

“Sure.” Renie got up and followed him into the kitchen to fill her own glass.

“He calls your mom sometimes.”

“I figured he did.”

“And she talks to Dottie and Bill.”

“I wouldn’t expect it to be any other way.”

***

Billy checked the Black Mountain Ranch website to confirm they’d closed for the season. As he scrolled through the pages, he did his best not to look at the photos, but he couldn’t help himself. Renie was in several of them. And she looked happy.

There were photos of her on horseback, dancing, and on cattle drives. The most precious one was of her sitting off to the side of what appeared to be a chuck wagon dinner. She had a daisy in her hand, and she was looking away from the camera. He looked closer at the photo. The cowboy standing behind her was looking at her in a way that Billy would’ve been if he’d been there.

He didn’t like it one bit. But what did he expect? That she was pining away for him the way he was for her? Of
course she wouldn’t be. She hadn’t given any indication in seven months that she missed him, or even thought about him.

He heard the back door open and shut the computer down.

“There’s my girl!” He walked toward his mom and took Willow out of her arms.

“Dada,” she said, putting her head on his shoulder.

“She’s tired. Didn’t sleep a wink all afternoon.”

“You ready for a nap baby girl?”

Willow rubbed her face on his chest, a telltale sign.

“Let’s go snuggle for a bit.”

Billy walked toward her bedroom.

“I’ll stay for a few minutes, if you want to talk,” his mother said.

“Got somethin’ to tell me?”

When she nodded her head, Billy doubted it was good news.

“She’s home.”

“I know.”

“What about Pooh?”

“She knows where her horse is.”

“Uh huh.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Take Pooh to Crested Butte.”

“Mama—”

“It’s the right thing to do. Renie Fairchild will do anything to avoid confrontation Billy. You of all people should know that. Don’t force this. If you care about her, you’ll make it easier for her.”

“Even if I break my own heart in the process?”

***

“So Jace? Should we be planning a family reunion?”

“Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.”

“My daddy would surely love to see them. Jace’s daddy is his cousin. Our grandfathers were brothers. My grandfather came to Crested Butte. Jace’s granddad went to Aspen.”

“Again Ben, let’s not start making plans.”

“Did you say he’s in Spain?”

“Yeah. He’ll be back around Thanksgiving.”

“Thanksgiving?”

“Back off Ben. I’m not kidding.”

Liv came into the kitchen and put her arms around Ben’s waist. “Causing problems cowboy?”

“Nah. Matchmaking. That’s what I’m doin’. Right Renie?”

Renie smiled and walked toward the stairs. “I’m happy to be home.”

“I’m happy to have you here sweet girl. It’s nice to see you smile.”

“Thanks Mom. And thanks Ben, for letting me stay here.”

“Your home too. Always and forever.”

Renie threw herself across her bed and rolled onto her back. She wasn’t sure she was ready to declare open season on her relationship with Jace. If you could call it that. He’d made it clear he wanted to continue what they started during the summer, but she wasn’t sure she did.

Billy. There he was, in the back of her mind. And as much as she told her mom that she was done spending all her time thinking about him, she was lying. Since she’d been home she’d rarely thought about anything but him.

Ben climbed into bed next to Liv and wiggled his arm under her to pull her closer to him. “What do you think she’s gonna do?”

“I don’t know. She still refuses to talk about Billy. If she were as ‘done’ with him as she says she is, she wouldn’t be so sensitive about him.”

“What about her horse? Do you think I should go get her? Would that make it easier on everybody?”

Liv kissed his cheek. “That’s sweet of you to offer.” She put her head down on his chest. “Let’s give it a little while longer. Her horse, her responsibility. Also her only remaining tie to Billy, besides our lifelong friendship with the Pattersons.”

“You’re thinking Pooh is still there on purpose.”

“Very much so.”

“Maybe I should stay out of it.”

“Usually best when you’re dealing with affairs of someone else’s heart.”