Claiming the Rancher's Heart (10 page)

Josh had never been with a woman with such a capacity for giving and receiving pleasure.

Though he and Stacie had known each other only a short time, a bond of trust had formed between them. A trust that had allowed them to explore each other’s bodies with boldness and passion not normally seen so early in a relationship. He hoped she didn’t have any regrets. He sure didn’t.

He yawned and glanced at his truck. He’d risen early and had one of his ranch hands drop him off in town. With an extra set of truck keys in his pocket, he could pick up his 4x4 and head home without disturbing anyone.

The trouble was he didn’t want to jump in the truck and leave. He wanted to see Stacie. Wanted to talk to her. Most of all he wanted to make sure she was cool with what had happened. Once Seth had arrived, it had been impossible for them to talk privately.

He stared at the house. Was it only wishful thinking, or was there a light on in the back? Josh moved to the curb when the front door opened. The woman who’d taken hold of his dreams stepped onto the porch, her arms filled with four large white boxes.

Her attention was focused on closing the door, a tricky maneuver with her hands occupied elsewhere.

Josh started up the sidewalk. He increased his pace when the boxes started to tip. He sprinted up the steps when the top two slipped from her arms.

As a former wide receiver for the Sweet River Rockets, Josh had caught the winning toss in the state championship game his senior year. That experience served him well today as he stretched out his hands and pulled the boxes into his arms.

“Touchdown…Collins,” the announcer’s voice in his head called out.

“Josh.” Stacie’s voice jerked him back to the present and stopped the victory dance before it could begin. “What are you doing here?”

Her voice was shaky and slightly breathless.

“I came to pick up the truck,” he said, feeling out of breath himself. His gaze dropped to the boxes in his arms. “And to carry these.”

She returned his smile and he felt himself relax. Why had he worried that seeing her again might be awkward? This was Stacie, a woman he liked…a lot.

“I’m sorry you had to come all this way for your truck,” she said.

“I’m not,” he said, thinking how beautiful she looked in the early-morning light. “It gave me a chance to see you again.”

A hint of pink colored her cheeks. “Yes, well…”

“Where you headed?”

“The Coffee Pot,” she said. “Merna buys cinnamon rolls from me Tuesday through Saturday.”

He heard the satisfaction in her voice, but forced himself not to read too much into it. Stacie had made it clear she’d be leaving Sweet River by the end of the summer to search for her bliss. “I didn’t know you worked for Merna.”

“There’s a lot about me you don’t know,” she said with a little laugh. “Now if I could have my boxes back, I need to scoot. Merna insists the rolls be in her hands by seven.”

“I’ll give you a lift.” Josh gestured to his 4x4. “And I’ll carry these in for you. Maybe even buy you a cup of coffee.”

Stacie hesitated and for a second Josh thought she might turn him down. Then she flashed a brilliant smile and sashayed past him, heading straight for his truck.

Merna hurried to greet them, coffeepot in hand. “Thank goodness you’re here. Everyone’s been asking for cinnamon rolls.”

Stacie felt a warm flush of pleasure. The whole-wheat sourdough rolls had been a big hit. She was sure that was why Merna had asked her to start making some specialty breads and muffins on a trial basis.

Helping out at the Coffee Pot had turned out to be a great job. Not only did she get to practice new recipes, but she got a paycheck for doing what she loved.

“What’s with the crowd?” Stacie asked as Josh placed the boxes on the counter.

“Pitch tournament,” Merna said. “Started at six-thirty.”

“So early?” Stacie couldn’t hide her surprise. She’d always thought people retired so they could sleep late.

“Everyone here has gotten up before dawn most of their lives.” Merna’s tone reflected genuine fondness for her customers. “In fact, they were crowded around the door when I arrived at six.”

“Anticipating Stacie’s fabulous cinnamon rolls, no doubt.” Josh shot her a wink.

“The rolls—oh my goodness—we need to get them on plates immediately.” Merna turned to the woman coming out of the kitchen. “Shirley, could you help me get these dished up?”

“I’ll help, too,” Stacie said.

Merna shook her head. “You did your part making them.”

“It was no trouble.” Stacie glanced at Josh and smiled. “I love to bake.”

“Yes, but because of the rolls, you and Josh had to get up early. I remember what it was like when my Harold was alive. Mornings were our best time to cuddle.”

For a moment, the words hung in the air. Stacie willed her cheeks not to warm.

“Josh didn’t spend the night, Merna.” Stacie kept her tone even, being careful not to protest too much and give credence to Merna’s comment. As far as anyone knew, she and Josh were just casual acquaintances. That’s how she wanted it to stay.

Josh was already known around town as the cowboy one city girl had left in the dust. Stacie refused to make it two.

He first noticed the change in her demeanor when Merna had made the comment about them sleeping together. Josh didn’t like the fact people were gossiping, but this was a small town and it came with the territory. There wasn’t anything he could do to stop it.

“Thanks for the ride,” Stacie said in that pleasant voice women used when giving a guy the brush-off. “I’d better go.”

She reached for the door handle and stepped out, not even giving him a chance to open it for her.

He jumped out and caught her on her way around the truck. The bare skin of her arm was warm beneath his fingers.

She paused and the look of longing in her eyes gave him hope that he still had a shot.

“Will you go with me to a baseball game Saturday night?” Josh couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so unsure of himself, but he pressed forward despite his unease. “Sweet River is playing Big Timber. Should be a good game.”

He thought he saw a spark of interest at the mention of baseball, but it fled so quickly he decided he’d been mistaken.

“Thanks for the invitation.” She played with her watch, twisting it back and forth. “But I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

He felt as if he’d taken a sucker punch to the gut. But he warned himself not to jump to conclusions. What wasn’t a good idea? The baseball game? The day of the week? Or dating him?

“Is it me?” Somehow he managed to keep a smile on his face. “Or don’t you like baseball?”

She hesitated and he knew she was dumping him.

“We decided our first time together that dating wasn’t a good idea,” Stacie said.

“We did.” Josh wasn’t sure what had brought about her abrupt change of heart. And what about her offer of a fling? Was she taking that back, too?

The look in her eyes gave him that answer. If she wanted to change her mind, that was her prerogative. But that didn’t mean he understood.

As he walked her to the front porch, he found himself talking about the dry spell the area had been experiencing. They’d discussed the weather on this porch the first time they’d been together. It only seemed fitting they’d discuss it on the last.

Stacie walked beside Anna down the sidewalk, wishing her friend would drop the subject. In the past four days they’d had this discussion more times than she could count. “He’s out of town this week-end…remember?”

“But he wouldn’t be in Billings today if you’d agreed to go with him,” Anna pointed out. “He would have waited until next Thursday, when he’d already be in town for the cattle auction.”

“I didn’t have a choice.” Stacie heaved an exasperated breath. “Our relationship was starting to become front-page news in this town. I didn’t want people talking, especially when I left, saying he couldn’t satisfy me just like he hadn’t been able to satisfy Kristin.”

“But—”

“You told me not to hurt him,” Stacie reminded her friend. “That’s what I’m trying not to do.”

Anna’s gaze grew thoughtful. “Did Josh say the gossip bothered him? Or that he didn’t want to date you anymore?”

Stacie gritted her teeth and counted to ten. “No. It was my decision.”

“Because you were afraid he’d break up with you?”

“Oh, for goodness sakes, Anna, drop it.” Couldn’t her friend see she was just trying to do what was best for Josh? If she didn’t care, she’d ignore the fact that somebody was going to get hurt. “Let’s talk about something else. Tell me about Sweet River’s baseball team.”

From the time she’d been old enough to pick up a Wiffle ball, Stacie had loved America’s favorite pastime. Though she hadn’t been blessed with the natural talent for sports like her siblings, she’d always been a passionate spectator.

“The team is coed, which is cool,” Anna said, going along with the change in topic. “It’s made up of former high school and college players from the area. The town really gets behind them. Tonight they’re playing their rival, Big Timber.”

That told Stacie the stadium would be packed. The realization reinforced that she’d been right to turn down Josh’s offer. Although, she thought wistfully, going with him would have been fun. Anna had little interest in the sport. Still, when Stacie had mentioned that she’d like to attend the game, Anna had good-naturedly agreed to go with her.

“I swear,” Anna said, after another person stopped them, “your cinnamon rolls might be the hottest things ever to hit this town!”

Stacie had spent so many years with little reinforcement of her cooking skills, she loved the compliments. “I’m happy people like what I make. And I’m so grateful to Merna for giving me the opportunity to do what I love. Sweet River is lucky to have such a nice café.”

“I sure hope that continues,” Anna said cryptically.

“What are you talking about?”

“Rumor is Merna may sell and move back to California.”

“She hasn’t mentioned that to me.” Though Stacie wouldn’t be around to see the place sold, she found the news distressing. She knew what the café meant to the community. It wasn’t just a place to eat, but a place for citizens to congregate and connect.

“Maybe Shirley will take over.” Stacie thought aloud. “She runs the place when Merna’s away.”

“She’d be the logical successor,” Anna agreed. “But maybe she doesn’t have the money. Or doesn’t want to shoulder all the responsibility.”

“Is that why Merna’s selling?” Stacie asked. “Because she needs money?”

“I heard Merna’s daughter in California is going through a divorce and wants her mom with her.”

“I can’t believe she hasn’t said anything to me.”

“It may not happen,” Anna said, seemingly unconcerned. “It’s not like people are busting down the doors to buy businesses in Sweet River.”

“I guess—”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure it’ll be at least another couple months,” Anna said. “You’ll have a job until you’re ready to leave.”

Stacie realized that Anna had misinterpreted her concern. She didn’t care about herself. She worried what was going to happen to Al and Norm, who played checkers there every morning. And to the ladies who came in on Thursday for lunch and stayed to play bridge. Not to mention, where would the kids who stopped in after school go?

“Nice evening for a ball game.”

Stacie turned. It took her a second to recognize Pastor Barbee. Wearing a blue T-shirt and ball cap, he bore little resemblance to the minister who preached from the pulpit every Sunday. His wife had also gone ultracasual in a powder-blue jumpsuit.

“I thought you’d be here with Joshua.” Mrs. Barbee glanced around as if expecting the cowboy to magically appear.

Stacie gestured to her friend. “I’m here with Anna.”

Anna smiled, lifting a hand and wiggling her fingers.

“You two girls stay out of trouble,” Pastor Barbee said in a hearty voice.

“Good luck finding Joshua,” Mrs. Barbee called out as she and Anna continued down the sidewalk.

Anna grinned. “Small-town living at its best.”

The two laughed and continued toward the ball field. With each step Stacie’s excitement grew. “I can’t believe Lauren didn’t want to come.”

“I don’t think Lauren has ever been to a baseball game.” Anna chuckled. “Not her childhood activity. Too lowbrow for her father.”

From the little Lauren said about her dad, Anna was probably right in her assessment. The couple of times Stacie had met the respected researcher and university professor, he’d been polite, but a bit scary in his intensity. Definitely not the kind of guy she’d picture with hot dogs and beer at a baseball game.

“Maybe one day she’ll give it a try.” Stacie looped her arm through Anna’s and gave it a quick squeeze. “I’m glad you came with me.”

“There it is,” Anna said when they turned a corner.

A wave of nostalgia washed over Stacie. The ballpark reminded Stacie of her high school baseball stadium with the sections of wooden bleachers flanking home plate. Only these bleacher seats were painted a bright robin’s-egg blue.

Anna tugged on her arm. “Let’s get some food.”

They’d barely eaten their kraut dogs when Anna started complaining that her stomach hurt. After two urgent trips to the restrooms Anna found an old friend to give her a lift home.

Stacie had been determined to see her sick roommate safely home, but her friend wouldn’t hear of it. So before the first pitch had even been thrown, Stacie found herself sitting at the top of the stands…alone.

She took a sip of ice-cold beer and glanced around the stands, amazed at the number of people she recognized. She’d just finished checking out the Sweet River bench when she saw Josh.

Her breath caught in her throat. What was
he
doing here? Though Stacie told herself to look away, her gaze remained riveted on him. He didn’t see her, so she took her time looking. He was standing at the end of a bleacher talking to an older gentleman.

Like many Sweet River fans, Josh wore a blue shirt in support of the local team. The fabric accentuated the obvious width of his shoulders. She couldn’t help remembering how the muscles in his back had flexed when she’d caressed him.

She swallowed hard against the sudden ache in her chest. Not seeing him, not talking to him, had made the past four days unbearable. But keeping her distance was necessary. If they’d stayed together any longer, they’d be considered a couple. Expectations by the locals would rise only to be dashed when she left town. She would not have the town laughing at Josh or gossiping about his inability to satisfy a big-city girl.

Still, what would it hurt to be polite and say hello? She’d half risen from her seat when she caught sight of Wes Danker returning from the concession stand with two pretty girls close behind. One of the young women had a mass of dark, curly hair and a bright smile. The other was a well-endowed blonde.

Misty.

Stacie sank down, bile rising to her throat. Had Josh called the blonde when she’d turned down his date? Was that why he’d returned early from Billings? Was Misty Josh’s new fling?

A twinge of something that felt an awful lot like jealousy stabbed Stacie’s heart. The kraut dog—Anna’s nemesis—turned to a leaden weight in her stomach.

Wes gestured to the empty seats and Josh stepped aside to let the three pass. Stacie noticed Misty went last, ensuring she would be sitting by Josh.

“Is that seat taken?”

Stacie pulled her gaze from Josh to find Alexander Darst standing in the aisle. Instead of wearing shorts or jeans and a T-shirt like most of the spectators, her first “match” wore dress pants and a shirt open at the collar. The attorney’s only concession to the informal event seemed to be leaving his tie at home.

Stacie smiled. “It’s available.”

“I wasn’t sure I’d make the opening pitch.” Alex maneuvered past her and sat down. “I got caught up with some work at the office.”

“Today’s Saturday.”

Alex shrugged. “Only time the client could make it.”

Stacie didn’t know why she was surprised. Her brother worked weekends. Back in Denver, many of her high-achieving friends routinely put in sixty-plus-hour weeks. But Stacie realized one of the things she loved about Sweet River was its slower pace. Oddly enough, the kind of place that used to drive her crazy had become her new gold standard. Who’d have guessed?

“Do you like baseball?” she asked Alex.

“Not particularly.” He settled next to her. “But every person in these stands is a potential client. I decided it was time to get out and mingle. What about you?”

“I came with my friend Anna,” Stacie said. “She wasn’t feeling well and had to leave. I love baseball so I stayed.”

“Lucky for me.” He flashed a smile.

Stacie wondered how she could have ever thought he was good-looking. Though his hair had obviously been cut by a stylist and his dress pants were hand tailored, his features were too perfect, his body a little too lean.

He also had an annoying habit of talking continuously. She listened to him ramble through eight innings, sneaking a peek now and then at Misty and Josh. But when Misty leaned her head against Josh’s shoulder, Stacie had seen enough.

She pressed her lips together and pulled a sheet of paper and a pen from her purse. Although the game was nearly over, she started recording strikes, balls and errors.

“What are you doing?” Alex asked.

“Keeping stats,” she said between clenched teeth, resisting the urge to glance down at Josh and Misty. “My brothers played ball and my father used to keep the books for the coaches. He taught me how to do it.”

“Sounds like you and your dad are close.”

She could hear the envy in his voice, and with a start she realized it was true. She and her father
had
been close. Until he’d decided to try to ruin—er, run—her life. “We were…I mean, we are close.”

“You’re lucky,” he said. “My father had expectations I could never seem to meet.”

Something in his tone caused Stacie to really look at Alex. The sadness lurking in his eyes surprised her. “I bet he’s proud of you now.”

“He wanted me to go into corporate law,” Alex said. “I wanted to live in a small town and do a little bit of everything.”

“How did you end up here?” She couldn’t remember if he’d told her on their “date.”

“We came to Montana on vacation when I was a small boy. I loved the mountains and the wide-open spaces in between. When I got out of law school, I tried it his way. I practiced in Chicago until I moved here.”

“How do you like being a Sweet River resident?” She waited for him to start raving.

“A little disappointing,” he said instead.

“How so?” Stacie asked.

“The people in this area are cautious.” He paused and appeared to choose his words carefully. “Many of them choose to make the trip to Big Timber for their legal needs rather than come to a stranger.”

Stacie pulled her brows together. She understood what he was saying, but it didn’t make sense. “I’ve been here less time than you, but I’ve found everyone to be more than welcoming.”

“That’s probably because one of your friends is from here,” Alex pointed out. “And aren’t you dating a local?”

“He and I were—we are—just friends.” Stacie didn’t elaborate. Talking to this man about Josh didn’t feel right. “Are you thinking of moving back to Chicago?”

“No,” Alex said, then more firmly as if trying to convince himself: “No. I’m sure, given time, business will improve.”

Alex seemed sincere and Stacie found herself wanting to help him. “Have you ever thought of maybe…I don’t know…dressing more…casually?”

She softened the suggestion with a smile.

“Wear jeans and a T-shirt to the office?” Alex shuddered. “I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be professional.”

“I’m not talking about the office,” Stacie said. “I’m talking about now, at a sporting event. You don’t wear dress pants and Italian leather shoes to a ball game, not if you want to fit in.”

“I suppose—”

“And another thing, the Clipper is a barbershop on Main Street, a block from the Coffee Pot Café. Give them a try. If you patronize local merchants, maybe they’ll support your business.”

She half expected Alex to scoff at her suggestions. Instead he appeared to be seriously considering them.

“You like it here,” he said at last.

“What?”

“You like it here…in Sweet River.”

“Of course,” she said. “It’s a great place.”

“Have you decided to stay?” His gaze was curious. “I know when we went out you couldn’t wait to get back to Denver, but you seem more settled now.”

“I’ve—”

The crack of a bat split the air and Stacie and Alex rose to their feet along with the rest of the crowd. It was bottom of the ninth, Sweet River at bat and trailing by one run. With a runner on base, this was her team’s chance to bring home a victory.

“Go. Go!” Stacie yelled.

The runners rounded the bases. When the batter slid into home plate, the crowd roared and Stacie jumped up and down, hugging everyone in sight. When Alex hugged her, she hugged him back. Joy sluiced through her. She was on top of the world until her gaze dropped to the field and she saw Josh staring up at her, a look of stunned disbelief on his face.