Claiming the Rancher's Heart (6 page)

Just as the truck turned into the long lane leading up to the house, Bert burst from a grove of trees into view. The dog ran alongside the truck, barking and wagging her tail, the entire length of the lane.

The minute the vehicle stopped, Stacie jumped out and gave Bert a big hug, receiving a doggie kiss on the cheek in return. When she learned Josh expected her to ride a
horse
to his mysterious location, she almost balked. But the clouds had disappeared and the sun now shone high in the sky. It seemed like a sign. As did the fact that Josh gave her a mare so gentle a three-year-old could ride her.

Brownie only had one speed: slow and easy. Stacie liked the horse more with each plodding step.

Josh’s mount, a shiny black stallion named Ace, chomped at the bit, but Josh kept him in check. As they left the yard, Bert and several of the puppies came running.

They were a good ten minutes from the house when a couple of the pups took off in another direction. Worry bubbled inside Stacie as they disappeared from the sight. “Should we go after them?”

“No need,” Josh said. “Blue heelers are smart and the young ones are old enough to do some exploring. They’ll find their way home.”

Stacie cast another look at the ridge where she’d last seen the puppies. “If you’re sure…”

“Positive,” he said in a reassuring tone, and she knew he’d heard the worry in her voice. “How are you and Brownie getting along?”

“I’m starting to feel like a real cowgirl.” And that wasn’t a bad thing…as long as it was temporary. Stacie patted the coarse brown hair on Brownie’s neck. “You’re right. She
is
very gentle.”

His smile held a bit of “I told you so,” but the words remained unspoken.

“I’d never put you in harm’s way,” he said instead.

A warmth that had nothing to do with the sun heated her body. “I appreciate that.”

“You look like you’re feeling a little better.”

“I am.” Maybe it was the sunny sky or fresh air or being with Josh…whatever the reason, the dark cloud that had hung over her head seemed to have vanished. “But I feel guilty for enjoying the day.”

“Why would you feel guilty?”

Stacie urged Brownie across a trickle of water too small to be called a stream. “Amber hasn’t even been dead two weeks. Yet for the past hour I’ve hardly thought of her.”

Josh nodded and she could see the sympathy in his eyes. They rode in silence for several minutes before he turned in his saddle. “When I was twelve, my grandfather died. I thought my life had come to an end.” Sadness underscored his words. “Granddad loved ranching. He taught me how to rope and ride and most of all to respect the land.”

“You must miss him very much.” The sentiment seemed inadequate, considering Josh had not only lost a grandfather but a
mentor.

“At first, a lot,” he agreed. “Then one day I realized I hadn’t thought of him in over a week. Like you, I felt guilty. Until my father pointed something out to me.”

“What was that?”

“There was no chance I’d forget Granddad.” A smile lifted the corners of his lips. “He’s as much a part of me as this land. Whenever I rope a cow or string a line of fence I think of him. He’ll be with me forever. Just like your friend Amber. The memories you shared will always be a part of you.”

A flood of gratitude washed over Stacie. Somehow Josh had managed to articulate her fears and worries and give her comfort without making her feel stupid. She paused, searching for words that would convey her appreciation for his compassion without being gushy.

Josh gave an embarrassed laugh, obviously misinterpreting her silence. “I usually don’t talk this much.”

Without giving her a chance to reassure him, he kicked his heels and Ace climbed the hill in front of them, stopping at the top.

Stacie stared at Josh’s back and waited for her horse to follow. When Brownie didn’t move, Stacie lightly tapped the mare’s sides with her heels. The horse still didn’t budge.

Suddenly a series of whistles split the air. Out of the corner of her eye Stacie saw Bert shoot from the bushes and head straight for Brownie’s rear hoofs. Seconds later, the gentle brown beauty stepped forward, methodically making her way to the top. Every time the horse’s pace slowed, Bert barked encouragement.

Once Brownie stood by Ace, Bert disappeared again. Seemingly mesmerized by the view, Josh didn’t even glance her way.

Stacie released the reins and stretched, reveling in the feel of the sun against her face. She’d spent the last ten years in Denver, surrounded by tall buildings and masses of people. And she’d loved every minute.

But now, breathing in the clean, fresh air and gazing at the green and amber-colored grass that stretched like a patchwork quilt all the way to mountains in the distance, she could understand why Josh liked it. A sense of peace stole over her. “Breathtaking.”

“It is.” Josh’s gaze lingered for a long moment on the valley before shifting back to Stacie. “But this isn’t our final destination. To get
there,
we need to walk.”

He slipped off his horse with well-practiced ease and then helped Stacie off Brownie.

“What about the horses?” she asked. “We can’t just leave them here.”

“Bert will watch them.” Josh’s piercing whistle split the air again and the dog came running.

“It’s not far.” Josh took her arm as he led her down a dirt path. “Watch out for the poison ivy and…” He cleared his throat. “Just stay on the path and you’ll be fine.”

Stacie couldn’t remember if poison ivy had three leaves or four, and she had no idea what else she should avoid. But as she continued to walk, she decided she didn’t need to know as long as she kept her feet on the path.

Several black-headed birds circled overhead and the leaves of a large cottonwood rustled in the light breeze, but other than the music of nature, silence surrounded them. Grinning at the fanciful thoughts, Stacie followed Josh down the narrow path.

“This is it.” He stopped and stepped to the side, making room for her.

While the view from where they’d left the horses had been amazing, this scenery stole her breath. Miles of bluebells blanketed the meadow below. Off to the right, next to a bubbling brook, a herd of cattle grazed on a carpet of green grass.

“Yours?” she asked, her mind too full to form a more coherent question.

His arms spread out. “As far as the eye can see.”

“Unbelievable.”

“I hoped you’d like it.”

“It doesn’t seem like something that could be owned.” Stacie struggled to bring her tangled thoughts into some semblance of order. She lifted her gaze to the bright blue expanse. “Any more than one person could claim the sky.”

A look she couldn’t immediately identify flashed across his face, and she feared he’d taken offense.

She placed a hand on his arm. “I’m not saying this
isn’t
yours, just that—”

“No worries.” Josh reached up and covered her hand with his. “I’ve had those same thoughts.”

“Really?”

He nodded. “My ancestors settled here in the 1800s. While the deed says I own these acres, I see myself more as a caretaker. My job is to make sure the land will be here, unspoiled, for generations to come.”

“For your children,” Stacie said. “And their children.”

“For them and anyone else.” A smile lifted Josh’s lips. “You don’t have to own a piece of land to appreciate its beauty.”

Stacie thought of the vacations her family had taken when she was growing up. There had been so many states, so many places that had filled her with awe. Places she’d like to visit again. Now she had another to add to her list.

“I’ll remember this always.” She turned to face him. “One day I’ll return.”

Josh reached out and touched her arm. The scent of jasmine filled his nostrils. Would he ever be able to smell that scent without thinking of her? “You’ll always be welcome here, as well as your husband and kids.”

Confusion clouded her gaze. “Husband?”

“By the time you get back to Montana, you’ll likely be married,” he said in as offhand a tone as he could muster. “Probably even have a couple children in tow.”

Though his voice gave nothing away, the thought burned like a branding iron to his heart and suddenly he knew why. He wanted her to be happy, of course, but he wanted her to be happy with
him.
Not with some nameless, faceless executive who wouldn’t know how to nourish her soul.

Nourish her soul?
Dear God, he sounded like one of the valentines Sharon’s Food Mart sold every year. As far as him nourishing Stacie’s soul, that, too, was laughable. He hadn’t been able to meet Kristin’s needs so what made him think he could do so for Stacie?

“That’s a ways off.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “There’s so much I want to do, so many things I want to accomplish first, beginning with finding my bliss.”

“You’ll find it,” he said. “Then you’ll meet someone, fall in love—”

“I can see that happening more to you than to me,” she said, an odd look on her face.

“Don’t think so.” Josh gave a little laugh. “Been there. Done that. Didn’t work.”

“You were married?”

The shock in her voice took him by surprise. He’d thought Anna had told her.

“I was.”

“Does she live in Sweet River?” Stacie asked, and though her tone was casual, he could see the curiosity in her gaze. “Do you have any children?”

“She moved to Kansas City after the divorce.” He kept his tone matter-of-fact. “We were only married a couple years. Not enough time for kids.”

Back then, he’d wanted a baby, but Kristin hadn’t been ready. Now he was glad they hadn’t had children.

Stacie touched his arm. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

“I had my chance.” Josh shrugged. “I’ll probably have a series of flings and die alone.”

Josh couldn’t believe the thought had formed in his brain much less made it past his lips. It wasn’t the way he felt…not really.

Unlike some of the men he knew, Josh liked the idea of spending his life with one woman and had always thought he’d make a good husband. Though his failure with Kristin had made him doubt himself for a while, he knew he had a lot to offer the right woman.

“You’ll find someone,” she said softly. Before he could respond she slipped her arms around his neck, her curves pressing against him. “Your soul mate is out there. In fact, I bet right now she’s finding her way to you.”

He knew he should push her away, but how could he when he liked having her close? Especially since the “soul mate” in his head had started looking and sounding an awful lot like the woman in his arms. “I don’t—”

She brushed his lips with hers, silencing the protest. “Say ‘Stacie, you’re right. That’s how it’s going to be.’”

Though Josh didn’t like anyone putting words in his mouth, if it would keep her close a few seconds longer, he’d agree to almost anything. “Stacie,” he lowered his head and planted kisses up the side of her neck. “You’re right.”

She moaned and leaned her head back, exposing the soft ivory skin of her neck to his lips.

He trailed his tongue along her jaw line and heard her breath catch in her throat.

“Say ‘that’s how it’s going to be.’” Her breathing had grown ragged, but she managed to get the words out.

“Stacie.” He put his hands on her hips and pulled her so close there was no space left between them. “
This
is how it’s going to be.”

He closed his lips over hers and drank her in. And when she opened her mouth and her tongue fenced with his in a delicious thrust and slide, all desire to pull back fled.

He burned with the need to make her his. To make her love him…

The thought was like a bucket of water on the fire that threatened his good sense. He took a step back, dislodging her fingers from his hair, ignoring her murmured words of protest.

“On second thought,
this,
” he said, trying to contain the tremble in his voice and not completely succeeding, “is a very bad idea.”

Stacie let her hands drop to her side, heartbeat pounding and her breath coming in short puffs. She struggled to pull herself together. The last thing she wanted was for him to see how much his kiss had affected her. She resisted the urge to touch her still-tingling lips.

“Beautiful scenery always affects me this way,” Stacie said finally when the awkward silence lengthened. “When I was in fourth grade, our Girl Scout troop leader and her husband took a group of us to Mackinac Island. When the island came into view, I was so excited. Unfortunately poor Mr. Jefferis was standing next to me.”

Josh’s eyes widened. “You kissed your troop leader’s husband?”

“I was ten.” She swallowed a giggle. “I gave his arm a big ole squeeze.”

Josh laughed, his eyes now filled with merriment. “What am I going to do with you?”