Mountain Country Cowboy Read online

  “I agree. But there are things that can be done independently. Why would the horse operation be impacted by a culinary wizard in the kitchen or whether or not thread count tops eight hundred?”

  She cut him a resentful look—probably for stating the obvious. “I guess that is true.”

  “Sure it is. While we wait for things to get sorted out, let’s control what we can. Let’s see if we can get buy-in on our vision for this segment of the business. Maybe what we present will be a starting place for coming together elsewhere.”

  Assuming, of course, that the two of them would be more successful in reaching an agreement on their own direction than the family had been on the rest of it.

  “Think about it,” he coaxed. “Then we can discuss it and come up with a plan before next week’s meeting.”

  For a long moment, she seemed engaged in an inner battle as she considered the wisdom of his suggestion. She was, after all, still the boss. But then, to his surprise, she gave a brisk nod. “Okay. We’ll talk. Tomorrow night?”

  He champed at the bit to put his stamp on an operation he’d be managing in the future—but even knowing grown-up Rio for only a few days, he wasn’t convinced she was ready to forfeit her influence until she had to. This would give them both an opportunity for input without the turmoil evident in the larger family discussions. Or so he hoped.

  “Tomorrow it is, then. Come loaded with ideas and let’s get things hammered out.”

  They moved farther into the barn, and from the far end of the building the blowing and stomping of an unhappy horse carried clearly. He grimaced. “Good thing I’ve seldom been able to resist a challenge.”

  “You have your hands full with that one.”

  “I told Brax no promises, but that I’d give it a shot.”

  She groaned. “He needs to give it up.”

  “I get the impression he isn’t one to give up easily.” He deliberately caught her eye with mischief in his own. “You know, once he sets his mind to something.”

  Rio glanced quickly away. It was hard to tell in the dim light, but was she blushing? Could be she wasn’t entirely unaware of the good deputy’s interest in her. Did she return his feelings? Playing hard to get?

  As he’d told himself before, though, it wasn’t his business. But nevertheless...the two didn’t seem like an ideal match. Then again, what did he know about good matches? Despite a promising beginning, he and Lorilee had fallen far short and had no idea how to make up for it. Counseling? Prayer? Putting the other’s needs before his or her own? No, they’d washed their hands of it and moved on—or moved on as much as you can when a child was involved.

  “I’ll wrap up things here with Wild Card, then swing by and pick up my boy from Delaney.”

  And try, too, to peel him out of the work clothes he’d surprisingly taken to when they’d stopped by a secondhand shop before supper. Joey insisted on wearing them tonight. Even asked if he could sleep in them if he took off the boots.

  Rio slid open her mare’s stall door, and he heard Gypsy’s soft nicker of welcome as he headed toward the farthest stall.

  “Cash?”

  He paused halfway down the aisle. “Yeah?”

  “Are you reading horse stories to Joey like I suggested?”

  “As a matter of fact, I am at every opportunity, thanks to the Hideaway’s library. Mixed in, of course, with Bible adventures and nonequine tales as you advised.” A smile crept into his tone. “I don’t know how much the stories are promoting horses in his mind, but the dog ones have him begging for a puppy.”

  “Don’t give up. It may take time.”

  Her lilting laugh tempted him to backtrack closer. He resisted, but was unable to banish a smile as he absorbed the one lingering on her lips. “Thanks again for offering to help with Joey and the horse dilemma. Last night I read him an illustrated, abridged version of Misty, and he asked a few questions about your pony of the same name.”

  “That’s a start.”

  “He’s curious about Gypsy’s foal, too.”

  “Kids love baby anything.”

  “Guess so.” From behind him, a shrill whinny reverberated through the stillness. Brax said he’d learned Wild Card was abused a few owners back. So patience would be the name of the game. “Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good.”

  While he had no intention of challenging Eliot or Brax for Rio’s attention, was she looking forward to their time together as much as he was?

  * * *

  Cash’s shadowed figure moved away, and Rio’s smile slowly melted as she joined Gypsy inside the roomy stall.

  That’s where it had started the last time. Shared laughter. Smiles. Warm gooey feelings. Seth Durren hadn’t come with a warning label—at least not one that she’d been smart enough to read until it was too late.

  Gently grooming the horse, she noted the mare’s swollen belly. It wouldn’t be too much longer. Boy? Girl? Maybe she’d let Joey help name the baby. Or was that allowing herself to become more intertwined in the life of Cash’s son than she needed to be?

  Although on the alert, she hadn’t seen signs of under-the-surface leanings toward violence on Cash’s part. But charm could be deceitful to the max. Looking back, though, she’d had plenty of tip-offs with Seth if she’d have paid closer attention. Had gotten her head out of the romantic clouds. Had higher self-esteem. Remembered who she was in Christ...a valued, much-loved child who had every right to be treated like a daughter of the King.

  That realization when she was looking for a means to persuade God to spare her mother’s life was what had made her determined to help other young women on campus read those subtle, too-often ignored signs. The frequent calls and texts to see where you are, who you are with. Wanting you to spend all your time with him to the exclusion of others. That was endearing at first—he’s falling crazy in love with you, right?

  But then he’s telling you who you can and can’t see, what you can and can’t do, what you’re allowed to wear. Somewhere in there comes the accusations that you’re cheating on him. And the name calling, making you feel bad about yourself. The pushing, shoving, the too-tight grip.

  And when you got up the courage to confront him, a denial followed that any of it was happening.

  It’s all in your imagination, you crazy woman. Can’t you see I love you?

  She shuddered, pushing away those too vivid memories.

  While she didn’t yet perceive those signs in Cash, the jail time he came labeled with for assaulting his ex-wife wasn’t exactly veiled. So no excuses this time. As tempting as it was, as flattering as it was to think he might have an interest in her, she couldn’t afford to make the same mistake again.

  * * *

  “Like I said, Will—” having tucked Joey into bed, Cash spoke quietly from inside the cab of his pickup parked up close to the cabin “—Lorilee’s mother claims she doesn’t know the new husband’s last name or a new phone number. Says she forgot to ask.”

  “Likely story.”

  “Yeah, that’s my take on it, too. But the first name’s Samuel. She let that slip.”

  “A first name isn’t much to go on.” Cash could picture the fiftyish Will shaking a head that sported a close-cropped, salt-and-pepper haircut. In so many ways, he’d been more of a father to Cash than his blood parent had ever been. “I can check the public records online, but if neither she nor the new spouse are involved in suspected criminal activity, I can’t go digging around much deeper.”

  Meaning, as Cash suspected, law enforcement had continued to strengthen restrictions on internal database searches for anything other than official business. Privacy laws. Prevention of misuse by governmental employees. Good stuff, but he sure could have used a break here in his search for Lorilee.

  Could be, too, that they
hadn’t gotten married yet. Or that they’d wed out of state someplace.

  “I get it. I know your hands are tied if it’s not a matter of public record. But I’m over a barrel. Lorilee’s mother has never been my biggest fan and, complicating matters, my ex has been known to disappear for months at a time.”

  “But at least she hasn’t disappeared with your boy this round.”

  Thank You, God. “But I feel vulnerable. After what she did to me last time, I wouldn’t put anything past her. The day your deputy friend showed up here about his mare, it took twenty years off my life.”

  “Sorry, bud. I intended to let you know to expect him, but he was so wrought up with that horse of his that he beat me to it.”

  Or maybe he’d heard Rio was due back in town and needed an excuse to drop by the Hideaway.

  “I can put you in touch with a few people who might be able to advise you,” Will continued. “County and state folks who work with child custody cases.”

  Cash flinched. “I don’t want to wave red flags under anybody’s nose. Draw unwarranted attention to my situation. What if they take a hard look at my record? Decide I’m lying through my teeth about Lorilee giving him up? Conclude I’m a possible danger to Joey?”

  “You’re not a danger to Joey.”

  “But they might think it for the best to take him away from me until they can substantiate I’m not trying to pull a fast one over on them with my claims.”

  “That’s a risk you may have to take.”

  “One I won’t take. Joey’s already been through more than any kid should have to go through.” He heard his friend sigh. “Look, Will, I’m putting you in a bad spot, telling you this and possibly getting you dragged into a mess if it should blow up in my face.”

  “It’s a tricky situation. I can understand your hesitancy to involve the authorities. But you need to protect yourself—and Joey. At least retain a lawyer, Cash.”

  How much were lawyers’ billable hours these days? Even with court-appointed representation, his last tangle with the legal system had fairly wiped out all he’d set aside in hopes of challenging his ex-wife in court. Things got better after Will took an interest and got him on at Cantor Creek, where Will’s brother headed up security. But he guarded that growing nest egg diligently and hated to prematurely throw it away. Nevertheless...

  “Any recommendations?” He knew he was asking a lot of his friend. Might be putting him in professional jeopardy.

  “Let me check around. I’ll get back with you. But in the meantime, if Lorilee turns up, absolutely do not agree to meet with her alone. Maybe not even without legal representation.”

  When they finished their call, Cash climbed out of his pickup truck, careful not to slam the door. He glanced toward the softly lit cabin, then up at the starry sky. As always, pausing to take in the beauty of the universe humbled him. Reminded him that the God who created such a vast cosmos had created him, too. That He was aware of and cared for Cash Herrera.

  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son...

  Cash shook his head. How had he for so long missed that?

  And now, as a father himself, the staggering sacrifice God had made for created beings who didn’t love Him hit hard.

  If Cash hadn’t landed in jail after Lorilee’s false accusations, had Deputy Lamar not taken a personal interest in him, would he have remained blind to the truths God painted so clearly in the creation around him? Spelled out in inspired scripture?

  “Amazing, Lord,” he whispered under his breath, “that You personally care for one lone man standing out here under the stars. A man whose heart is heavy with hope for a lasting relationship with his own son.”

  A gentle, almost reassuring breeze touched his cheek.

  A week ago he’d been waiting to hear if he’d land a job at the Hideaway. He hadn’t the slightest inkling that Joey would be hand delivered to his doorstep. A God who could do all that, out of the blue, surely had a plan to make everything work out. Right?

  Joey. The new job. The opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of Hunter’s Hideaway so he and his boy could call this place home for a long time.

  It was encouraging that Rio agreed to discuss the future of the horse operation. Even though it sometimes seemed she didn’t appreciate what she had here at the Hideaway and was intent on getting back to college and a future elsewhere, she had a tender heart. He’d often seen her expression soften the past few days when around Joey. Noticed how she took time to answer his many questions. Gently encouraged him. Teased him to make him smile.

  His little Princess had become quite the grown woman.

  Cash sighed and again gazed skyward.

  “Which is why,” he murmured, “I should have turned down her offer to help out with Joey and this horse thing. Kept things strictly business.” He shouldn’t play with the fire that sometimes sparked between them. He wasn’t what a woman like Rio would want for a life partner—and he sure didn’t intend on getting sucked into the dizzying vortex of another woman trailed by a pack of lovelorn men—no matter how lonely it got.

  Lonely. Is that what he was? Naw. Just solitary. The best place for a man’s heart to be if he didn’t want it torn apart.

  He’d barely stepped onto the front porch of the cabin when his cell phone vibrated. A number he didn’t recognize.

  “Cash?”

  A female. Not Lorilee. As he’d explained to Will, his ex had his number, but when he’d tried hers right after Joey’s arrival, it no longer worked.

  “Yeah. This is Cash.”

  “This is Rio.” How had he not recognized her voice? He’d have to program her number into his phone since they’d be working together regularly. “I’m sorry to bother you this late. But could I pop over real quick? I just need a few minutes.”

  She had something to talk about at ten o’clock at night that couldn’t be handled over the phone or wait until tomorrow? Weariness washed over him, the stress of the past week finally catching up. “Joey’s asleep and I won’t be too far behind.”

  Four fifteen came early these days.

  “Okay. Sorry.”

  He closed his eyes momentarily, rallying his brain cells. This is your boss calling, bozo. “I won’t be turning in immediately, though. We could meet outside. That won’t disturb Joey.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Totally.”

  “Okay. I’ll be right over.”

  He shut off his phone and tucked it in his pocket, then sat on the porch railing gazing at the cabins scattered along the trail. Some dark. Others brightly lit. The sound of muffled voices, laughter, carried in the still night air. A country-western rhythm rocked faintly from a distant sound system.

  What could Rio possibly want to discuss tonight? And why did the unexpected opportunity to see her set his heart dancing in rhythm with that song he could hear?

  He didn’t have long to wait. The sound of a vehicle pulling up behind the cabin reached his ears, then she appeared to almost materialize out of the dark and into the pool of the dim front porch light.

  Her ponytail swayed entrancingly as she approached, and he couldn’t help smiling at the contrast between the tomboy stride of her seven-year-old self and the epitome of femininity heading toward him now.

  “Hey, Rio,” he said softly as she joined him, conscious of Joey inside. “What’s up?”

  “I found a few more horse books. I thought I’d drop them off.” She slipped a backpack from her shoulder and opened it up. Pulled out three kid-size hardbacks and handed them to him.

  “Wow. Thanks, but you didn’t need to come clear over here to deliver them.” He glanced back at the cabin. “Like I said, Joey’s sound asleep.”

  “I know, but...well, I also wanted to let you know not to spend more of y
our free time on research and planning for a Hideaway upgrade.”

  “Why’s that?” Had she reconsidered? Decided, as the boss lady, that she didn’t want to hear his ideas after all?

  “Dad got a call a short while ago from Tallington Associates.”

  “And?”

  “I guess we’ve been counting our chickens before they’re hatched.” She gave him a bleak smile. “They changed their mind about Hunter’s Hideaway. They’re dropping us from their prospects visit schedule. We’re out of the running before we even got started.”

  Chapter Eight

  Rio didn’t allow herself to linger long after delivering the books and the disappointing news to Cash. What else was there to say? Tallington had offered minimal explanation, so discussion would be pure speculation. Cash probably thought her silly to insist on delivering the update in person. But he was the first person she’d thought of when Dad told her of the change in plans.

  Because it affected Cash’s future now, too, right?

  But for the remainder of the week a pall seemed to settle over the Hideaway. Behind the scenes at least. Not anything that guests would notice. On the surface, it was business as usual. Service with a smile. Nevertheless, despite her family’s disparate opinions on the direction of the business, she sensed an underlying letdown in spirits at the lost opportunity.

  Except for Cash, who suggested the near miss with Tallington may have been a wakeup call. He drove that theory home on Friday when they arrived at the inn at the same time for a post-trail ride cup of coffee and she felt obligated to ask him to join her.

  “Yesterday Luke and your dad went over the horse operation accounts with me.” He took a sip from his steaming mug. “We discussed the enterprise finances as a whole.”

  “Then you can understand why everyone’s hopes had risen at the prospect of a steadier stream of bookings from outside our standard customer base.”

  “I know it’s disappointing. But now everyone’s looking at the Hideaway with fresh eyes, right? Tallington may not be in the cards, but we shouldn’t drop the ball now. We need to be ready for the next opportunity when it arises.”