FALLING HEAD OVER BOOTS!

Farrier Delta Grace has a strict rule about not getting involved with clients. Rugged ranch owner Garrett Slade is exactly why. The attraction between them is instant. He’s also her biggest client and the epitome of complicated. A widowed father of two, he’s moved back to Saddle Ridge, Montana, for a fresh start.

Despite her better judgment, Delta can’t stay away from Garrett or his kids. And it’s not long before her heart melts completely, along with her rules. However, when life deals Delta a devastating blow, she needs to distance herself from Garrett—their family has already experienced too much heartache. All is not lost, though, because with Valentine’s Day around the corner, love may actually conquer all!

“Do you want to get married?” Kacey asked.

“Uh.” Her eyes widened. “I’m not dating anyone, so I can’t get married.”

Good save, Delta. He picked up his mug of coffee and took a sip.

“I thought you were dating Daddy.”

Garrett began to choke.

“Are you all right?” Delta smacked him on the back.

He continued to cough for another minute before waggling his finger at Kacey. “Delta and I are just friends.”

“But you bought her that gift.”

“That wasn’t a gift,” Delta corrected. “The shoeing stall is for work.”

“And you were hugging before.”

Garrett didn’t blame his daughter for being confused. Between dinner at Harlan’s and everything else she’d witnessed, even he had a bit of trouble distinguishing what was and wasn’t where Delta was concerned.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the third book in my Saddle Ridge, Montana, series. You’re about to read a story I’ve wanted to write for a couple years. While I originally had envisioned it in my Welcome to Ramblewood series, it was a much better fit for Garrett Slade and Delta Grace...two characters who continually nagged me until I told their stories.

Sometimes our lives change in the blink of an eye and we do our best just to survive. Other times those changes drive us toward something we never imagined we’d have. Garrett and Delta have already dealt with some major devastation and are still struggling to come to terms with their losses. While their fresh starts are already under way when they first meet, their worlds will once again shatter before they can find happiness. Saddle Ridge, Montana, has never seen a love tested more fiercely. Cupid definitely has his work cut out for him in this holiday tale of hope and family.

I hope you enjoy reading this Valentine’s romance. Feel free to stop in and visit me at amandarenee.com. I’d love to hear from you.

Happy reading!

Amanda Renee

Wrangling Cupid’s Cowboy

Amanda Renee

www.millsandboon.co.uk

AMANDA RENEE was raised in the Northeast and now wriggles her toes in the warm coastal Carolina sands. Her career began when she was discovered through Harlequin’s So You Think You Can Write contest. When not creating stories about love and laughter, she enjoys the company of her schnoodle—Duffy—camping, playing guitar and piano, photography and anything involving animals. You can visit her at www.amandarenee.com.

For my superagent,

Pamela Harty of The Knight Agency.

Thank you for your unwavering faith,

support and guidance.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear_Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“I know women love shoes, but isn’t this taking it a little too far?”

Delta lowered a freshly shod horse’s hoof to the ground and straightened to acknowledge the lame wisecrack. She half expected to find a cocksure ranch hand looking to score. Instead, a rugged cowboy with deep maple-brown eyes and hair to match rested casually against the work truck she’d parked in the Silver Bells Ranch’s wide stable entrance.

“Garrett Slade.” He took a step toward her and extended his hand. “I’m the ranch’s new partner. My brother Dylan has told me you’re the best farrier in the state. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Delta Grace.” His muscular fingers encircled her palm, sending a tingle down to the tips of her toes. “Dylan’s much too kind, but I appreciate it just the same. And the pleasure is all mine,” she drawled. Delta inwardly cringed at the unfamiliar licentious tone she had never heard come out of her mouth. He was the most attractive man she’d laid eyes on since heaven knew when, and she found it most unsettling.

She stepped around Garrett and gave the draft horse’s bristly muzzle a rub. The animal inquisitively nudged the pocket of her pink-and-black plaid flannel shirt until she unbuttoned it and rewarded him with the baby carrots she had tucked away earlier. She returned to her truck and packed up her tools before removing her heavyweight apron chaps under the heat of Garrett’s gaze. “I’m finished here for the day, but I’ll need to return tomorrow for Lightning Bug, the quarter horse with navicular disease. I need to be here when Dr. Presley radiographs the hoof so we can discuss further shoeing modifications. He’s improved significantly since the early fall when Jax first noticed it.”

A flicker of sadness crossed his features at the mention of Garrett’s uncle, who had died six weeks earlier. They were almost halfway through January and the ranch’s future precariously balanced on the newly formed partnership between the two Slade brothers. They had managed to avoid foreclosure on the 730-acre guest ranch, but they still had major renovations to undertake for them to profitably compete with the more modern ranches cropping up around them.

“I am truly sorry for your loss. Jax was a great man.”

Garrett nodded wordlessly and led the Belgian horse to his stall. Delta secured the side compartment of her truck while trying to ignore the way his fawn-colored barn coat framed his broad shoulders. If the Silver Bells Ranch wasn’t her largest account, she would have asked him to join her for a drink in Jax’s memory. But she wasn’t willing to cross that line under any circumstances.

Delta firmly believed her professional and personal life should remain independent of each other. She’d successfully maintained that balance back in Missoula, but it proved more difficult since she had moved to Saddle Ridge in northwestern Montana. A town forty times smaller meant running into customers no matter where she went. Lucky for her, Missoula was a two-hour straight shot south and she visited her family and friends whenever she wanted.

She had a few single girlfriends in town, but Liv was pregnant with triplets and Maddie was so in love with the baby thing she spent all her free time helping Liv prepare for their arrival. Weeknights had become lonely and it didn’t help that Saddle Ridge had already gone head over boots for Valentine’s Day. She never understood the fervent commercialization of the blasted holiday. Back home she could escape it. Not in Saddle Ridge. Everywhere she turned, there was another cupid aiming an arrow at her heart. She’d like to shove that arrow somewh—

“I wanted to discuss a few things if you have the time to spare.” Garrett’s voice shattered her mental assault on the chubby cherub.

“Sure. Silver Bells was my last stop today.” Delta folded her arms tight across her chest as a bitter wind blew into the stables. “Just let me move my truck out of your entrance.” Minutes later, she was back inside as Garrett slid the tall wooden doors shut behind her. The cold lingered on her body, causing her to regret leaving her jacket on the front seat.

“Let’s talk in my office where it’s warmer.”

His office? Delta found it interesting that Dylan had handed over the responsibility of the horses to Garrett. They had been his greatest pride, but she understood the necessity to move into his uncle’s position of managing the ranch along with the lodge and staff.

Snorts and nickers coupled with the lone scrape of a shovel against a stall floor masked the awkward silence that grew between them as she followed him down the center corridor. The friendliness that had transpired between them only moments ago seemed to fade with each stride.

The office door creaked as Garrett opened it for her to enter. Fluorescent lights swathed the large room with the flick of a switch. She had been there before, but it had resembled more of a cozy den. Not anymore. A row of chest-high filing cabinets with shelves above them replaced the oversize leather couch along the rough wood wall opposite the desk. And the kitchenette now consisted of a coffeepot and nothing more. Dylan had faithfully stocked boxes of cookies, chips and other nibbles for his employees to snack on during the day. It appeared those were a thing of the past, too.

“Have a seat.” Garrett removed his hat and hung it on the freestanding rack behind his desk before shrugging off his coat and hanging it on the other side. He waited for her to sit in the chair across from him before doing the same. “I’m not sure how much you know about the changes the ranch is undergoing, but I’d like to discuss a few cost-saving ideas with you.”

“Okay.” Cost-saving automatically registered as less compensation in her brain.

“I’ve only been here a week, so I haven’t had the chance to review all the stables expenses, but I have seen a handful of your invoices.” Garrett fanned out five of her itemized bills across the worn black walnut surface. “Our farrier costs seem high.”

“You have almost a hundred horses. Thirty of which are Belgians. And you have to factor in all the therapeutic shoeing, too.” Delta hadn’t known what to expect from their conversation, but this wasn’t a good start. “I realize it’s none of my concern, but since we’re on the subject, I don’t understand why you’re maintaining this many horses when you don’t have the business to support them any longer.”

“Because Dylan doesn’t want to thin the stables. I’ve agreed to give the ranch six months before revisiting the idea.” Garrett removed a pad from the top drawer and scanned his neatly written notes. “In the meantime, I need to reduce the ranch’s overhead at once so we can balance their expense. Please don’t think you’re my only target. But since you’re here today, I’d like to tackle this expense first. Had Dylan or Jax discussed cold-shoeing with you? The cost is significantly lower.”

Target? Tackle? They weren’t playing a sport. She was a fourth-generation farrier and she took her job seriously.

“The quality is lower, as well.” Delta only cold-shod a horse when the animal had an intolerance to the hiss of firing up a forge or the smoke produced when a hot shoe met the hoof. “It’s much easier to hammer and shape a hot shoe than file a cold one and it provides a more exacting fit. In my opinion, cold-shoeing is done by less experienced farriers. Some do exceptional work, but they’re not equipped to handle the corrective or specialized work I do for your horses. As you’ve already said, your brother considers me the top in the state.”

She’d had to justify her prices in the past, but Delta hadn’t anticipated having to defend her value, as well.

“I think we’re getting off on the wrong foot, no pun intended.” Garrett gathered her invoices and stacked them in front of him. “I’m not looking to replace you as Silver Bells’ farrier. I’m asking if we can cold-shoe from this point forward and hot-shoe only when necessary.”

Delta weighed her options carefully. Just as Garrett had said, cold-shoeing was significantly cheaper. It also forced her to do twice, if not three times, as many jobs to offset the difference.

“I prefer not to, but you’re the customer. If you want cold-shoeing, then that’s what I will do.”

“You are capable of cold-shoeing, right?”

“I beg your pardon.” Delta abruptly stood, inadvertently shoving her chair backward into a filing cabinet. “I assure you I’m more than capable of any shoeing requirements you might have. But I will also assure you, I’m the only farrier around that will work on your Belgians.”

“Why is that?” Garrett asked, without a single muscle in his body reacting to her outburst.

“Because they’re obstinate and they weren’t trained from the beginning to lift their feet. The ones that do tend to lean on me. Since Silver Bells doesn’t have a proper shoeing stall where I can secure their foot to work on it, my back takes a beating.”

“Good to know.” He jotted down a note.

“If that’s all, I have another appointment to get to.”

“I thought you said this was your last stop of the day,” Garrett challenged.

“I was mistaken. I have one more to make.” Delta had an imminent date with a bar stool after this conversation. She marched to the door and willed herself to open it nicely. “See you tomorrow.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Garrett called after her as she stormed toward the exit.

“I’m not,” Delta mumbled to herself. She hated when a perfectly good man went from sexy to infuriating in a matter of minutes. It was a waste of nice-fitting Wranglers.

* * *

THE SOUND OF Delta’s boots reverberated against the floor as she barreled out of the stables. Garrett had hoped she would have been more sympathetic to the ranch’s difficult financial position. And maybe she already was. He didn’t know enough about her to say one way or the other. But a small part of him wanted to know a lot more about the mahogany-haired beauty that couldn’t get away from him fast enough.

According to Dylan, Delta had extended their payment terms out to ninety days from her usual fifteen. That alone had been generous, but it still wasn’t enough to help their bottom line. Now here he was, a total stranger, asking her to take more of a financial hit for him.

He respected Delta’s need to earn a living. Hell, he could even understand her getting upset at the prospect of less money. Her attitude was a bit much, though. Answering his questions was part of the job, and she shouldn’t have been insulted by them or his request.

Back in Wyoming, his farrier had cold-shod their horses to his satisfaction. So then why did he have a strong desire to call Delta and apologize? He had done nothing wrong. He just wished he hadn’t made her mad. Although making people mad seemed to be his new norm.

His in-laws were mad at him for moving their grandkids thirteen hours away from Wheatland, Wyoming, back to his hometown of Saddle Ridge, Montana, with only two days’ notice. Garrett had been living with his in-laws and managing their three-thousand-acre cattle ranch for the last three years, after his wife had passed away from pancreatic cancer. He’d known for a while it was time for him and the kids to stand on their own, but he didn’t know how or where.

When Dylan offered him a chance to partner with him on the Silver Bells Guest Ranch, he hadn’t had to think twice. They weren’t quite on their own, but he needed to be near his own family again. Plus, Garrett’s brother-in-law had been more than ready to take over the cattle ranch and he was confident he’d left it in capable hands. Moving back to town was the best choice for him and his kids. If only his seven-year-old daughter felt the same way.

Kacey was mad at him. He had torn her from her friends and grandparents during Christmas vacation and then told her they were moving a few days later. She had cried all night after her first day of school almost two weeks ago. The crying had stopped, but she no longer spoke to him. The silent treatment was alive and well in the Slade household. Except for his four-year-old son, Bryce. The kid found happiness everywhere and loved his new preschool.

Garrett fired up the snowmobile and headed for the ranch’s main entrance. Even the biting wind against his cheeks didn’t help erase the flash of Delta’s bright smile when they first met...or her resentment toward him when she left. She was the last person he needed to be thinking about. His kids were his first priority, the ranch second. There was no room for hurt feelings.

He arrived at the front gate and waited. The school bus would drop Kacey off in a few minutes and he hoped a ride to the house would cheer her up. The scowl on his daughter’s face when the bus doors opened told him that wouldn’t be the case. He needed to stick to horses. At least they liked him.

“Get on, baby,” Garrett said as she marched past him. “It’s too cold to walk.”

“You’re embarrassing me in front of the other kids,” Kacey ground out. She gripped the straps of her backpack tighter and trudged down the ranch road. “Now they’re going to pick on me tomorrow.”

“No they won’t.” Garrett wondered if all girls were this dramatic at her age. “Get on. The bus left and I’m not taking no for an answer.” He scooted back for her to sit in front of him.

“What about my bag?”

“Give it to me.” Garrett lengthened the straps on the yellow Beauty and the Beast backpack and slung it over his shoulder. Appropriate considering he felt like the Beast this afternoon. “Now get on.”

Kacey climbed over his legs, doing her best not to hold on to him for support. Garrett grinned and revved the engine, causing the snowmobile to lurch forward a few inches. She immediately leaned against him and gripped his arms. “And away we go.”

Dylan hopped out of his lifted black pickup before helping Bryce down as Garrett drove up to the small two-bedroom log cabin. It had been Dylan’s until he’d moved into their uncle’s house. Garrett had given each of the kids a bedroom and he’d taken the loft. It served his needs, plus it wasn’t like he was bringing anyone home to share his bed. He doubted he’d ever be ready for that again. Rebecca had been his entire world for nine years until Kacey came along. And then Bryce. His family had been perfect.

The second the snowmobile stopped, Kacey slid out from under his arms and stomped up the front porch steps. He was getting tired of seeing the back of his daughter’s head all the time.

“Daddy!” Bryce ran to him. “I can write my name.”

Garrett lifted him into his arms. “You can? You’ll have to show me when we get inside.”

“Hey, man, I like the new look.” Dylan nodded to the backpack. “Kind of clashes with your jacket, but I think you wear it well.”

“I thought it complemented my eyes.” Garrett laughed as he climbed the stairs. “Thanks for picking up Bryce from preschool. I appreciate it.”

“No problem.” Dylan followed him into the house, just in time to hear Kacey slam her bedroom door. “It gives me a chance to prepare myself for when Holly’s this age.”

“I think you have a while considering she’s only a few weeks old.”

“You and Harlan keep telling me they grow up fast.” Dylan glanced down the hall toward Kacey’s room. “I take it there hasn’t been any improvement.”

Garrett set Bryce down and helped him out of his snow boots and jacket. “I made it worse. I embarrassed her in front of the kids on the bus because I picked her up on a snowmobile.” He eased Kacey’s backpack from his shoulders and tossed it on the armchair. “My kid hates me.”

“Has she really said that?”

“No, but she thinks it.” Garrett kicked off his own boots.

“I can remember us hating Mom and Dad a time or two when we were kids. It’s growing pains and the stress of starting over in a new place while trying to make friends. We were lucky. We went to school with the same kids year after year. You and I don’t have a clue how hard it is for her to adjust.”

“I know you’re right. It’s just difficult to take sometimes. I hate knowing she’s hurting. She barely eats and stays locked in her room.” Garrett grabbed a box of crayons and a stack of paper from the kitchen counter and set them on the coffee table. “Show me what you learned in school today, champ.”

Bryce chose a blue crayon and began drawing a large letter B. His tiny tongue stuck out between his teeth as he concentrated on his letters.

“How did things go with Delta this afternoon?” Dylan sat cross-legged on the floor across from Bryce. “That’s the most perfect B I’ve ever seen.”

“She’s mad at me, too.” And that bothered him more than it should. He peered over Bryce’s shoulder as he drew a C. “Very good, you’re almost there.”

Dylan’s brows rose. “You better not run off my farrier. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve met. She stays mostly to herself, but she’s a real sweetheart.”

“Look, Daddy.” Bryce handed Garrett the paper.

“Wow!” He ran his fingers over the printed letters. “I’m so proud of you.” He gave Bryce a hug and held it up proudly for Dylan to see. “My son did that.”

“Way to go, little man.” Dylan high-fived the boy.

“Can I go show Kacey?” Bryce asked.

“We’ll show her when she’s feeling better. Go hang it on the refrigerator for me while I talk to your uncle Dylan for a minute.” His son’s sock-covered feet thumped across the hardwood floor as he ran from the room. “The farrier bills are astronomical. With you wanting to keep the horses, I had to cut costs. So, I asked her to cold-shoe them from now on.”

“No wonder she was mad.” Dylan eased off the floor and onto a chair. “That’s not her style. She hasn’t been able to take on new customers in months. She’s in high demand because of her superior craftsmanship. I like her work. Her knowledge has prevented a lot of problems. When our last farrier retired, she effortlessly slid into the position. Let her do her job the way she sees fit.”

Garrett sagged against the back of the couch. “If you wanted a silent partner, then you should have said so ahead of time.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“You asked me to go in fifty-fifty and that’s what I did. My fifty percent needs to cut costs in those stables, but you’re making it impossible. I can’t sell any horses. I can’t ask the farrier to save us money. You told me last week you’re happy with our feed distributor. What’s left? The veterinarian?”

“Don’t you dare.” Dylan braced his hands on his knees. “Lydia Presley knows each of my horses by name.”

“Our horses,” Garrett corrected. “A partnership shouldn’t be difficult to grasp considering you had one with Jax.”

“I accept our partnership, but I need you to focus on moving forward and making us money. I cut back all I could last year. When I asked you to run the stables, I didn’t mean for you to change anything. We have guests booked into the ranch the first of the month and we need to stick to our renovation schedule. Let’s try to avoid any further hiccups, please. I’ve had enough of those around here.”

“Fine.” Now Garrett needed to apologize to Delta tomorrow. He’d spent twenty minutes around the woman and already made an ass of himself. Not that he should care. The ranch employed her services and that was the extent of their relationship. “I need to feed my kids. At least the one that will eat.” He started for the kitchen and tripped over Bryce’s boots, causing him to stub his toe on the fireplace hearth. Totally his fault. He’d left them there. “Dammit, that hurts.”

“I have an idea.” Dylan slapped him on the back. “I’ll take the kids to my house, feed them and help Kacey with her homework. You need to let off some steam tonight and Kacey would probably enjoy spending time with Holly. Go into town, get a drink and a bite to eat and then pick them up when you’re ready.”

It was the best idea he’d heard all week. He needed to clear his head of the ranch, and that included Delta. The woman had already stuck in his mind like a fly to honey, and he didn’t need any more complications in his life.

Chapter Two

Complication must be Garrett’s middle name. No sooner had he walked through the doors of the Iron Horse Bar & Grill, when he spotted Delta at the far end of the dimly lit bar. Alone. Apparently, her next stop hadn’t been a customer.

Garrett weighed his options. Walk out before she saw him, grab a booth in the back and pretend he never noticed her, or eat crow and get it over with. Delta’s gaze met his as she lifted a drink to her lips and froze. He could have sworn her shoulders sagged at the recognition, but between the neon beer sign behind her and the waitress temporarily blocking his view as she swept under the stools, he wasn’t a hundred percent certain. Delta lowered her glass and shook her head, destroying any illusion of subtlety, and then waved him over. Garrett had hoped for a burger and a beer, but it looked like he was eating crow for an appetizer. So much for unwinding.

Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” played on the jukebox as he crossed the room and he couldn’t help but notice his boots hit the floor in time with the beat. Before Kacey was born, he and Rebecca had spent every Friday and Saturday night dancing around this very floor. He hadn’t expected the memory to be so vivid eight years later.

“I hope our conversation earlier didn’t drive you here.” Garrett pulled out the corner bar stool next to hers and sat down. “It’s not even five o’clock.”

“I could say the same to you.” Delta sipped at her drink. “I was hungry, frustrated and this is the only place in town that’s not decked out for Valentine’s Day.” Her face soured at the mention of the holiday.

“Bad breakup?” he asked.

“Something like that,” she mumbled, staring down at the amber liquid as she swirled it in the glass.

“I hear you.” Garrett motioned for the bartender. “It’s not my favorite either.” His wife had died four days before the holiday, reminding him every year of what he’d lost.

“Bad breakup for you, too?”

“Something like that.” If only it had been a breakup, maybe his heart would have survived.

Delta nudged a platter of nachos toward him. “Help yourself. I can’t eat all this on top of the sandwich I ordered.”

“Thanks.” Garrett took her cordiality as a positive sign and reached for a few of the neatly stacked napkins along the back edge of the bar.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.

“I’ll have whatever she’s drinking.”

One of Delta’s brows rose. “Brave man.”

“Why’s that?” Garrett couldn’t help noticing how naturally beautiful she was without a lick of makeup. Truth was, he’d noticed it the moment he first saw her, but he forced it to the back of his mind. He had no business admiring anyone the ranch conducted business with. It was unprofessional and he wasn’t interested in anything more.

“I’m drinking chipotle whiskey.” Her mischievous smile presented more of a dare than a warning. “I don’t know if you can handle it.”

“I’m sure I can handle it. I’m a man. We’re rugged.” Garrett hooked his boots on the stool’s footrest and followed Delta’s eyes to the television she remained transfixed upon...sports scores from last night’s games.

“If you say so,” she said, her attention still unwavering from the screen.

“Seriously?” If Dylan thought Delta was one of the nicest people he had ever met, his brother needed to get out more. “I guess I gave you some first impression, huh?”

“Listen, don’t get me wrong. I get it.” Delta leveled her gaze to his. “You’re trying to save money wherever you can. But are you aware I had started charging your uncle twenty percent less than all my other customers over a year ago to help ease some of the ranch’s financial burden? Then I extended your payment terms six months later. I’ve taken two significant hits from my largest customer and now I’m taking another one. I won’t lie to you. It hurts. But, I shouldn’t have acted or reacted the way I did.”

Well, if that hadn’t made him feel like more of a jerk he didn’t know what would. “I knew about the payment terms, which I hope to amend sooner rather than later, but I had no idea about the discount. I should be the one apologizing. I was a bit overenthusiastic earlier.”

“Just a bit.” Delta’s smile tightened.

The bartender set Garrett’s drink on the bar top. “Did you want to place a food order?”

Garrett looked over the glossy double-sided menu. “Bacon cheeseburger, medium rare with fries.”

“Sure thing.” The man turned to Delta. “Your order’s almost up. Do you want them to hold it and serve it with his or bring it out when it’s ready?”

“Please don’t wait on my account.” Garrett had ruined enough of her day. He didn’t want to add dinner to it.

“I still haven’t made a dent in these nachos.” Delta sighed down at the plate. “Go ahead and hold mine.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yeah, well, I can’t sit here and eat with you watching me.”

“I could leave.”

“You could, but that would be rude of me to ask. Besides, I ordered a turkey club. It’s not like it’s going to get cold.” Delta nudged the nachos closer to him. “Please help me eat these.”

Garrett lifted a heavily topped tortilla chip. “Think we can start over?” he asked before popping the gooey piece of heaven into his mouth. “Man, these are awesome. You never used to be able to get nachos here. A basket of chips and salsa was about all you could order outside of a burger or a bar pie.”

“Been away for a while?”

“Almost five years. I visited my brothers when I could, but it’s been even longer since I came in here.” Garrett lifted his drink. “You still haven’t answered me about starting over.”

“Hard to forget being asked to do my job differently.”

“We’ll forget about that, too. Fresh start. This is our first meeting, and you can go back to doing what you do best.”

“I’m not even going to question why you changed your mind, but I’ll take the do-over.” Delta raised her glass to his. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Garrett Slade.”

“Same here.” Garrett’s eyes had already begun to water from the scent of the whiskey, but he took a man-sized swallow anyway. “Good Lord, woman!” He exhaled slowly, surprised that flames didn’t shoot out of his mouth. “How do you drink this stuff?”

Delta’s impish laugh rose above the music. “I can take the heat.”

Garrett froze. He hadn’t heard those five words in years. He squeezed his eyes shut against the memory, wishing he’d chosen someplace other than the Iron Horse tonight.

“Are you all right?” Delta’s warm hand upon his arm snapped him back to the present. “You need to take it easy with that stuff. It’s meant to be sipped, not chugged.”

Garrett shook his head. “It’s not that.” The concern reflecting in Delta’s caramel-brown eyes touched his soul in a way he hadn’t thought possible again. “This is the first time I’ve been here without my wife. We practically lived in this place before we moved to Wyoming.”

“Where is she now?”

“She died.” He took another sip of his drink, needing the heat to numb the pain of the memory. “Pancreatic cancer.”

Delta’s grasp tightened. He could have sworn he heard her swallow hard at the revelation, but when he lifted his gaze to hers, only sympathy greeted him in return.

She eased her grip. “Her loss must have been devastating for you.”

“Thank you.” Garrett patted her hand and shifted on his stool, effectively breaking all physical contact between them. He stared down at the gold band he hadn’t found the will to remove. In his heart, Rebecca would always be his wife. There could never be anyone else. “You reminded me of her when you said you could take the heat. Rebecca used to say those exact same words.”

“Really? Wow.” Delta rubbed her hands up and down her jean-clad thighs.

“Chemotherapy killed her taste buds and she constantly bet that she could out heat me.”

Delta stilled. “I’ve heard that.”

“Some things just stick in your mind, you know?” He folded his napkin into a tiny triangle. “It’s been almost three years and sometimes it feels like yesterday. Coming here is just hitting me harder than I expected.”

“I can imagine.” She picked up a chip and broke it in half before setting it back down on the platter. “So, this was your spot, huh?” Sadness reflected in her eyes as she spoke.

“Up until the day we moved away.” Garrett straightened his shoulders. “But enough about that. Tell me about yourself. I don’t remember you when I was growing up here, although you’re definitely younger than me.”

“I’m from Missoula, born and raised.” She cracked a knuckle against her glass. “And I’m thirty, so if I’m younger, it isn’t by much.”

“I have three years on you.” Garrett watched the kitchen door, hoping their orders would come out soon. He already felt he had said too much. “So...what brought you to Saddle Ridge?”

“Henry, Silver Bells’ former farrier. I don’t know how well you knew him.”

“We spoke a few times in passing. Dylan and Jax always talked about him, though. Seems like a good guy from what I’ve heard.”

“He and my dad apprenticed together way back in the day.” Delta swiveled slightly to face him, causing her knee to brush against his. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bump you.” Her hand rested lightly on his leg for a brief second, but it was long enough to send his blood coursing quicker through his veins. “When Henry decided to retire, he called and asked if I was interested in taking over his customers. Before that, I was working for my dad. Coming here gave me a chance to have my own business. And Missoula is still close enough for me to visit my family on weekends and holidays.”

Garrett tried focusing on her face as a whole, but he kept wandering down to her mouth as she spoke. Her lips were full and naturally darkened, as if she’d just been kissed. Not that he needed to be thinking about kissing Delta or anyone else. His heart was permanently shuttered. Stick to the topic, Garrett. “How long have you been here?”

“A little over a year.” She sipped her whiskey with ease. “Where were you in Wyoming?”

“Wheatland.” Garrett rolled the glass slowly in the palms of his hands. Oddly enough, he found the liquor less intoxicating than Delta. “My wife and I moved there almost five years ago to be closer to her parents. I managed their cattle ranch up until a few weeks ago.”

A waitress set both of their meals in front of them. She was one more person he didn’t recognize. It used to be he knew everyone and their brother. When did he become a stranger in his own hometown? At least he’d made one new friend tonight.

“Silver Bells must be a big change from a cattle ranch.”

“It is.” Garrett took a bite of his burger and nodded. “It was time, though. I love my wife’s family, but we were living with them. I appreciated their help with the kids, but the place had a shroud of grief hanging over it. They talked about Rebecca all the time and her mother still set a place for her at the table.” Garrett didn’t even have to close his eyes to envision that empty seat across from him. It made every meal almost unbearable. “My kids are mad because I refuse to do that here, but I don’t want them growing up in a constant state of depression. That’s not to say I love Rebecca any less.” His voice began to rise. “She’ll always be my wife. No one will ever replace her.”

Delta reared back at the declaration as if he had physically shoved her. The force of his words had startled even him.

“I can’t imagine anyone would try.” She inched away from him and turned her attention to her sandwich.

“I’m sorry. You’re the first woman I’ve really sat down and spoken with outside of family. Apparently I left my manners back in Wyoming.”

“Let me make this easy for you.” Delta side-glanced him. “I’m just one of the guys where you’re concerned. I can assure you it will never be anything more. I’m assuming you’re okay with that.”

“Suits me just fine.” Then why did her matter-of-fact attitude on the subject sit on his chest like a bobcat on a briar bush? He certainly wasn’t interested in her.

“Good. Now that that’s out of the way...how old are your children?”

“Bryce is four and Kacey will be eight next month. Rebecca died just before her fifth birthday and she hasn’t wanted to celebrate since. I’m hoping this year will be different. And I need to stop running on about myself and my problems.” Garrett ordered a beer before returning his attention to Delta. “I’ve monopolized the entire conversation.”

Delta dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “We all need a friendly ear sometimes.”

“At least I’ve wandered into the friend zone and out of enemy range.”

“Friends, huh?”

Her bemused expression gave him pause. “It’s a start, at least.”

“I’ll give you that much.”

Over the rest of their meal Garrett continued to tell her about his kids. She’d listened intently as he spoke and had carried on their conversation as if he hadn’t made a repeated ass out of himself earlier. By the time their plates were empty, he realized he hadn’t asked much about her. Guilt over Rebecca forced him to tamp down the desire to make plans to have dinner with Delta again. Tonight was a one-time deal stemming from a chance encounter. That was it.

“Buy you another round?” The question was out of his mouth before he could stop it.

Delta rose from her stool, tugged a few bills from the pocket of her jeans and tossed them on the bar. “Thank you, but I need to get going. Jake’s waiting for me.”

Jake? “Oh, okay. At least allow me to pay for your dinner to make up for this afternoon.”

“Nah, I got it. Besides, I thought we just met tonight.” Delta winked. “I’ll see you tomorrow when we meet with Dr. Presley.” She began to walk away and then turned toward him. “Welcome home, Garrett. I hope you find the peace you’re looking for.”

* * *

BY THE TIME he arrived at Dylan’s to pick up Kacey and Bryce, he felt more certain moving back to Saddle Ridge had been the right decision for him and his family. He could hear his kids from the great room as he climbed the steps of the log cabin’s front porch. Peering in the window, he saw Kacey dancing around the room with his brother while Bryce and Emma—Dylan’s fiancée—clapped along with the music. It had been a long time since he’d heard his daughter laugh so freely. And it was better than any song playing on a honky-tonk jukebox.

Dylan caught his reflection in the window and waved him inside.

“Daddy we had pasketti!” Bryce ran over to him.

“Spaghetti,” Kacey corrected. “You’re old enough to say it right.”

Wise beyond her years, his daughter still hadn’t relinquished playing mother to her brother. She’d taken on the role herself the moment he and Rebecca told Kacey she was sick. In hindsight, they never should have told her. She’d barely had a chance to be a child.

“I see that.” Garrett knelt on the floor next to his son. He tried to give his daughter a hug, but she slipped under his arm and sat next to Emma on the couch. He didn’t want to pressure Kacey, but damned if it didn’t kill him to see her happy up until the moment he walked in the room. “Looks like you wore most of your pasketti, little man.”

Kacey huffed at him. “You’re not helping, Dad.”

“He refused to wear a bib.” Emma frowned. “Or a towel or a napkin. I wanted to get him changed and wash his shirt before you got back, but I didn’t have anything that would fit him.”

“It’s no big deal. He’s always been a messy eater. I keep hoping he’ll grow out of it soon.”

“How was dinner?” Dylan asked.

“Good. I ran into Delta at the Iron Horse. And don’t worry. I apologized and told her she can continue to do her job as she sees fit.”

“Thank God for that.”

“We wound up having dinner together although I’m afraid I did most of the talking. She seems pretty nice.”

“Dinner together, huh? You sly dog.” Dylan nudged his arm. “You went on a date with Delta.”

Garrett put a finger to his lips and glanced over at his daughter, who continued to ignore him. “Please,” he whispered. “Kacey’s mad at me enough. And I have absolutely zero interest in pursuing anything with Delta. It was just two people sharing a meal.”

“Okay, okay.” Dylan held up his hands in surrender.

“One question, though. When she left, she said Jake was waiting for her. Who’s Jake?”

“He wasn’t with her today?”

“No.” Garrett hadn’t spent much time with Delta in the stables, but as far as he knew, she was there alone. “Does he work for her?”

“Work for her? No.” His brother laughed. “They, um, live together. I’m sure you’ll meet him soon. When you see one, you usually see the other. Why the curiosity about Jake if there’s nothing between you and Delta?”

“Just wondering.” He hadn’t expected her to have a boyfriend after her comment about Valentine’s Day. Garrett lowered Bryce to the floor. “Run and get your stuff together. I need to get you home and into a bath, then it’s off to bed.” He tried to shake the flip-floppy sensation growing inside him. He was fine two seconds ago. It had to be from the chipotle whiskey. “Kacey, honey, time to go.” Garrett gave Emma a hug as she stood up from the couch. “Thank you for entertaining them tonight. I really appreciate it. I know you have your hands full with Holly.”

“Holly’s been a dream baby so far.” Emma held Garrett’s face between her palms and smiled up at him. “I know this move hasn’t been easy on you or the kids. They’re welcome here anytime. Don’t you ever think twice about it.”

Garrett took her hands in his and gave them a gentle squeeze. “My brother struck gold with you. He’s a lucky man.”

“Holly and I are the lucky ones. We inherited an amazing family.”

“Enough already,” Dylan called out from the kitchen table. “I swear you two are the ones who are related. I’ve never seen two more sentimental people in my entire life. Emma still has the baby hormone thing going on, but you, dear brother...” Dylan’s head tilted questioningly. “That must have been some dinner.”

Garrett ignored his brother’s comment and walked out to bundle the kids into the car. He’d been feeling nostalgic ever since Christmas when he first came home. He had so many memories in this town. Most good. One life-shattering.

He still hadn’t been able to drive past their old family ranch. The place where their father had died at the hands of their brother, Ryder. Shortly after the funeral, their mother sold the ranch and moved to California where she remarried and rebuilt her life. He and Rebecca had left from Saddle Ridge to escape the pain of the past, and years later he’d come back to escape even more pain. His grief emotionally drained him every day. He had to work—to continually stay active to keep his mind occupied and remain strong for his children. He refused to let them down.

Tonight, despite the bittersweet memories of Rebecca, some of the weight had lifted from his shoulders. He’d enjoyed taking time away from the ranch, and being in Delta’s company, even though the tension that still hovered between them. He’d been able to relax for a few short moments, and somehow that new beginning he needed finally seemed possible.

* * *

“THERE’S MY BOY!” Jake ran across the yard and jumped into Delta’s arms. At fifty-five pounds, he was no lightweight, but she didn’t care. He licked the side of her face as his body wriggled against hers. “I missed you, too. Did you have fun today?”

Delta’s Australian shepherd loved ranch life and her clients enjoyed having him around, but twice a week she treated him to BowWowWowzer’s Doggie Daycare where he could be among his own kind. It was her way of giving back to the animal who gave her so much unconditional love and support through the darkest days of her life.

That darkness had come flooding back when Garrett told her about Rebecca. Not that it was ever completely gone, but on most days, she managed to keep those memories neatly tucked away.

“Thanks for taking such good care of him, Anna.” Delta pulled a folded check out of her back pocket and handed it to the daycare’s owner. “I think I was paid up until today. This should cover the rest of January and all of February. If not, let me know next week.”

“No problem. My Sugar and Banjo can’t get enough of him. I swear the three of them together rule the play yard.” A chilly twilight breeze blew between them, causing Anna to pull her jacket tighter across her chest. “The temperature is expected to drop tonight. Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”

Delta glanced down at her flannel-covered arms. “I guess I forgot to put it on. It’s in the truck. I have Jake to keep me warm.”

“Far be it from me to pry, but are you all right? You look kind of pale.”

Delta lifted her gaze to see two sets of blue eyes studying her closely. Jake’s and Anna’s.

“What? No.” Delta hugged Jake closer to her. “I mean yes, I’m fine. I have a lot of work stuff on my mind tonight.”

“If you’re sure that’s all it is. I know Jake’s a good listener but I can lend an ear if you ever need one.”

“I appreciate that. You better get inside before you freeze. I’ll see you soon.”

Delta carried Jake to the truck. He was perfectly fine to walk, but she wasn’t willing to release her hold on him. She needed the comfort only he could provide. Once tucked away in the warmth of the cab, she eased her grip on him, but he refused to budge from her lap. He sensed her hurt and grief and protectively shielded her from the world just as he’d done from day one.

Anna stood watching her from the daycare’s front door. If she didn’t leave now, Delta was certain the woman would knock on her window next. She backed out of the drive and started down the road with Jake plastered to her side. Turning on the radio, she tried to forget her conversation with Garrett. It was impossible when guilt wrapped its icy fingers around her heart. Delta was all too familiar with cancer. She had survived stage IIIb Hodgkin’s lymphoma after it had almost killed her three years ago. That was when Jake had come into her life.

Her father had heard about a litter of puppies from one of his customers. Cute as Jake was, the last thing she’d wanted was an animal to care for. She’d been back living with her parents and couldn’t even take care of herself. But once she looked into the dog’s big blue eyes, her heart had melted. From that point forward, they rarely spent time away from one another. He’d gone with her to the hospital, giving comfort and support not just to her, but to other patients. Once she had kicked cancer’s ass, she worked with Jake to have him become a certified therapy dog. They visited hospitals and nursing homes in Missoula, and still did, whenever she went home. But they’d also continued their routine here in Saddle Ridge.

Jake wasn’t just her dog. He was her best friend and had never let her down.

She pulled down the ranch drive to her small home and parked. She rented the former caretaker’s home on an older couple’s ranch. They were on one side of the property and Delta on the other. In exchange for the use of their barn to house her farrier equipment and work truck, she shod their horses free of charge.

She opened the truck door, allowing Jake to jump over her lap and onto the ground. Every night he ran to her landlord’s door for a cookie, then back to her house for dinner.

Delta slid into her jacket and sat in one of the rockers on the back porch. The brisk January air felt good against her warm skin. Between the nachos and her dinner, she felt a food coma coming on. She leaned her head back, closing her eyes. Garrett’s face immediately came to mind. The sadness in his eyes as he spoke of Rebecca had just about broken her. If she hadn’t left when she had, she never would have made it out of there tear free. Why had she survived when so many others had died? People with families. People like Rebecca. They’d both battled cancer at the same time, yet she—the one with no family—had survived.

A soggy tennis ball landed in her lap, jarring her out of her thoughts. “Ew, Jake!” Delta held up the filthy ball. “Is this the one you lost last summer?” Jake ran down the steps and barked, waiting for her to throw it. “I’ll take that as a yes. One more time then we’re going in.” She stood and threw the ball of crud toward the empty pasture before unlocking the back door. Within seconds, Jake had returned with his treasure. “You’re not bringing that in the house. Drop it.” If she didn’t know better, she would have sworn he rolled his eyes at her. “Yeah, I know. Mean mommy. Now come inside for dinner. I have a date with the TV remote.”

She wondered what Garrett was doing tonight. She imagined him curled up on a couch, reading to his kids. Did they look like him? Not that it mattered. She couldn’t go there. She made a point to avoid any personal involvement with a client. This was still a new business and she wouldn’t screw it up. There wasn’t room or time for dating.

She sagged against the kitchen counter. She’d never missed the touch of a man more than she did right now. And only one man would do. Garrett Slade. The most off-limits man she knew.

Chapter Three

The following morning, Jake beat Delta into the Silver Bells Ranch stables. Normally she wouldn’t have minded, but not knowing how Garrett would react, she quickly caught up to her over-curious dog. She didn’t want anything to rekindle yesterday’s tension.

Delta turned the corner and saw Garrett crouched down in front of Jake scratching his ears and talking to him. “Where did you come from?”

“I’m sorry. He’s with me.”

Garrett smiled up at her and then ruffled her pup’s long blue merle fur. “Let me guess.” Her dog panted happily at the attention. “This is Jake.”

“The one and only.” Delta patted her thigh, signaling for him to come to her side. “I hope it’s okay that he’s here. He goes to work with me on most days.”

“It’s fine. Dylan told me. I wish my daughter was here to see him. She would be in love. I keep thinking about getting a dog to help her adjust to the move.” Garrett took off his hat and raked his hand through his thick brown hair before setting it back on his head. “And I’m rambling again.”

“Good morning, Delta,” Dr. Lydia Presley said as she and her assistant exited Lightning Bug’s stall. “I’m glad you could be here today.”

“Hey, Lydia.” Delta was thankful for the intrusion. “No problem. I’m anxious to see how he’s progressing.”

“I just finished taking the x-rays. I got here a little early.” She held out a slender, deeply tanned hand to Garrett. “We haven’t met yet. I’m Lydia Presley, your veterinarian, and this is my assistant, Selena. I hope you don’t mind that we went ahead and got started.”

“Not at all. I’m Garrett, new co-owner of the ranch. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My brother speaks highly of you.”

“Same here. I’ve heard a lot about you, as well.”

Apparently, Lydia had heard more about Garrett than she had. She had known the brothers had partnered but that had been the extent of it. It would have been nice to know something about him before they met, not that anyone owed her that. But the man piqued her curiosity in the worst possible way.

“Garrett, how familiar are you with navicular disease?” Lydia asked.

He shook his head. “I’ve heard of it, but I’ve never had to deal with it before.”

“Let’s begin with the basics, then. It’s a degenerative disease of the navicular bone. Don’t think of it as a disease the horse contracted. It’s more of a syndrome of abnormalities and it’s commonly misdiagnosed, which is why x-rays give a more definitive picture.” Lydia tugged her iPad out of her bag and flipped open the cover. Tapping on the screen, she opened a series of digital x-rays and pointed to a small bone located on the backside of the front hoof. “It also affects the tendon behind it, and this little sac between the bone and the tendon. It’s not something that happens overnight. While many times it’s attributed to incorrect shoeing, that wasn’t the case here.”

“Then what caused it?”

“We don’t know for sure. Quarter horses like Lightning Bug are more prone to it. They have large bodies on small feet. It was probably a trauma of some sort that resulted in an interruption of the blood supply. There’s no cure, but we can manage it with drug therapy, exercise and the use of a nerve block. We’ve already discontinued drug therapy due to his improvement. Today we’re looking to see what adjustments need to be made to his shoe.”

“Which is where I come in,” Delta said. “In this case, I used a light plastic and aluminum glue-on shoe with a foam insert, similar to our own running shoes. It’s critical the hoof angles and balance are correct so Lightning Bug has the correct foot support. That’s why we’re checking to see if any adjustments need to be made since the hoof is continually growing.”

“And you’re sure you can handle all of this?”

Delta ground her back teeth together. She knew he didn’t mean anything derogatory with his question, but somehow she doubted he would have asked it if he had been dealing with her father instead.

“I’ve been handling it,” she answered. “I have quite a bit of experience with corrective shoeing and navicular disease.”

“And we’ve successfully managed it together on several horses.” There was a slight edge to Lydia’s voice. “It’s not that uncommon. We treated one of your sister-in-law’s rescues before Christmas. I want Lightning Bug to continue with daily light exercise to keep him moving. This is not something you want to baby, because stall rest will do more harm than good. I’ll be back to check on him midweek. Since Delta’s modifying the shoe, we like to make sure everything is doing what it should.”

Delta wasn’t upset but she appreciated Lydia’s support. If Garrett picked up on the women’s tension, he didn’t show it. The man had a lot on his shoulders now that he was the ranch’s co-owner. It had to be difficult being a single parent and starting over.

Delta checked her watch. It wasn’t even nine o’clock and she had already emptied her thermos of coffee. She left Lydia and Garrett to discuss the other horses in the stables and headed toward the new lounge area he’d told her about last night over dinner, praying there was a freshly brewed pot.

Delta yawned, cursing herself for staying awake half the night. It hadn’t exactly been her choice. She couldn’t get her conversation with Garrett out of her head. Every time she had closed her eyes, there he was. The man was good-looking, she’d give him that. But that didn’t mean she wanted him invading her every waking thought.

Jake trotted along next to her as she entered the lounge. She had expected one table and a handful of chairs, not several tables and a mini cafeteria setup. The mismatched furniture gave it a cozy feel. There were even Crock-Pots plugged in along the back wall, most likely courtesy of some of the ranch hands’ wives that worked up at the lodge.

“Great.” Delta looked down at Jake. “Now he’s given me a reason to like him. I don’t want to like him.” The dog nudged her hand with his wet nose. “Don’t you get too attached to him either.”

She’d met many widows and widowers over the last three years. She’d visited with children too young to understand what was happening to their bodies. Those were the hardest. But out of everyone she’d met, Garrett was different. The people she sat with were going through cancer or had gone through it repeatedly. Garrett had suffered through the ordeal long-term, and three years later the loss of his wife still haunted him. Maybe that was why she couldn’t get him out of her head.

“Delta, do you have a minute?” A shiver ran up and down her spine at the sound of his voice.

“Sure.” Delta reached for a tall paper cup and filled it to the top. “Coffee?”

“Yes, please.”

She watched him shift uncomfortably from the corner of her eye. “Tell me when. I always take mine black so I never know how much creamer people use.”

Garrett waved his hand. “That’s good.” Delta handed him the cup. “About before... I don’t want you to think I’m questioning your abilities.”

“Aren’t you?” Delta faced him. “I’ll admit, I was a little miffed, but I realize you’re concerned about Lightning Bug. I don’t know how much Dylan told you about my experience, so I’ll fill you in because you should know who’s working for you.”

“Delta, you don’t have to do that.” Garrett set his cup on the table behind him.

“Yes, I do. It’s the only way you’ll begin to trust me.”

“If Dylan trusts you then I trust you.” He sighed and jammed both hands in his pockets. “But if it makes you feel better, tell me.”

“I’m a Certified Journeyman Farrier by the American Farrier’s Association. I have both my forging and therapeutic endorsements. I also make a point to continue my education on a regular basis and I consistently work closely with equine veterinarians and hospitals throughout the state. I’m a fourth-generation farrier and this is more than just a job to me. It’s my life. It’s been ingrained in me since I could walk. And if there’s anything I’m uncertain about, I have an extensive network to confer with.”

“Wow, no wonder my brother was afraid I’d run you off.” There was a nervous lilt to Garrett’s voice. For a man who had greeted her so cocksure yesterday, she rather enjoyed the softer side of him. Maybe too much so. He stiffened as if reading her thoughts. “I appreciate your understanding. And I wanted to thank you for last night. It was nice having a friend to talk to.”

There was that word again. She didn’t want to be in the friend zone. Friends did things together. Friends relied on one another. The only thing she wanted to rely on Garrett for was a paycheck.

“If you need to talk, I’m available to listen, but—”

“That’s what I had started to say before Dr. Presley joined us. I enjoy talking to you. I felt human for the first time in a long time last night. So, yeah, I’d like to take you to dinner sometime soon.”

“Garrett.” One of the ranch hands poked his head in the door. “We have a grain delivery coming in.”

“Okay, be right there.”

“Thanks for understanding about earlier.” Garrett slapped a plastic top on his coffee. “I’ll call you and we’ll make plans.”

And then he was gone.

“What the heck just happened?” She slumped in one of the chairs and began scratching Jake’s scruff. “Did he just ask me out on a date?” Jake lifted his paw and rested it on her thigh. Delta groaned and closed her eyes. This was not how she planned to start the morning.

* * *

BY THE TIME Kacey stepped off the school bus, Garrett was ready to call it a day. He still had a few hours of work to do, but it would have to wait until tomorrow morning. He wanted to spend a few hours with Kacey before they went to his brother Harlan’s house for dinner. Over Christmas, he had promised Kacey and his seven-year-old niece Ivy that once they moved to town they could have regular weekend sleepovers. This was supposed to be his turn to host, but the girls were staying at Harlan’s since Garrett wasn’t finished unpacking. That was next on his agenda.

Emma had offered to babysit Bryce on Saturday while Dylan helped him finish setting up the house. By the time Kacey got home on Sunday night, he wanted their place looking like a real home. They hadn’t had a home of their own since Rebecca died. He loved living close to family again. They could support him when he needed it. He’d missed that in Wyoming. Rebecca’s family was wonderful, but it wasn’t the same as having his own nearby.

Instead of embarrassing Kacey again on the snowmobile, he opted to pick her up in the SUV. Surely that had to be okay. In spring, he’d allow her to walk from the ranch’s front gate to the house, but it was just too cold in mid-January.

Kacey slammed the passenger door and glanced in the backseat at Bryce. “Are we going to Uncle Harlan’s now?”

“Not until later.” Garrett stared at his daughter. “You could try saying hello first.” Once again he was met with radio silence. “Kacey, look at me.” When she refused, he cut the truck’s ignition.

“What are you doing?” she screeched and looked toward the school bus pulling away from the ranch. “Just drive.”

“Listen, young lady. I realize you’re having a difficult time accepting this move. But this is home now. I suggest you find a few things you like about it and focus on those because we’re not moving back to Wyoming. And from now on, when you get in this car you say hello to me and your brother. And you need to stop yelling and slamming things. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes,” she murmured, still facing the window.

“Can you look at me, please?”

Kacey turned her body slightly toward him, and stared at the floor.

“Looking at me involves me seeing your eyes.”

Slowly she lifted her gaze to his. Tearstains streaked her cheeks and her eyes were pink-tinged and puffy.

“Have you been crying?”

She blinked once as her bottom lip began to quiver. “I’m just tired, Daddy.”

Garrett wasn’t buying that excuse. “If you’re too tired, then maybe we shouldn’t go to Uncle Harlan’s tonight.”

Kacey’s eyes grew wild. “You said every weekend Ivy and I could have sleepovers. You can’t break your promise.”

“Well, honey, if you’re so tired that you were crying on the way home from school—”

“I just need a nap.”

His daughter had never once asked for a nap. When she was little, she always fought her mother when she tried to get her to take one. Something was wrong and he wanted to know who or what had upset his daughter.

“I wish you would talk to me and tell me what’s bothering you.”

“Can we go home now?”

Garrett wanted communication with his kid that went beyond one-line answers. A few weeks ago, this hadn’t been a problem. Now it had become their normal routine and he hated it.

“Yeah, we can go.” Garrett started the truck. “Do you have homework this weekend?”

“A little.”

“How about you start on it before we go to your uncle’s house.” At least that would keep her in the kitchen where he could help her.

“Ivy and I were going to do it together.”

“Together better mean you do your homework and she does hers. Not you do one subject and she does another, then you copy off each other like you did last week.” That was a problem with having cousins in the same grade.

“We won’t copy.” Kacey already had her fingers wrapped around the door handle as they pulled up in front of the house. No sooner did he park than she was out of the truck and up the stairs and jiggling the knob. She would just have to wait a minute because the door was locked and he still needed to get Bryce out of his car seat. “Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom. Can I have the keys?”

Garrett sighed, not knowing whether to believe her or not. She did have an hour-long bus ride home. Deciding he’d had enough battles with his daughter for one day, he tossed her the keys. “Leave them on the kitchen table, please.”

By the time he got inside with Bryce, she had firmly shut herself behind her bedroom door. Just as he figured. He wanted to knock. Hell, he wanted to drag her out of her room and hug her until she opened up to him, but he knew she’d have no part of it. He missed his sweet little girl.

She used to be the perpetually happy kid. He always knew where she was by her laughter. That all changed when Rebecca died. The anniversary was eleven days before Kacey’s birthday, and his in-laws always made such a production of the date, it clouded Kacey’s special day. This year he had decided his daughter deserved to have a happy birthday. Maybe then he’d hear her laugh again.

* * *

THREE HOURS LATER, Garrett helped his brother clear the table while his sister-in-law tried to teach Bryce how to eat and not wear his dinner.

“Good luck with that, Belle.” He laughed. “I used to think it was a hand-eye coordination issue, because he appears to miss his mouth, but he’s been tested for everything under the sun. One doctor told me he thinks Bryce likes the feel of the food, that’s why he wears it. It’s also the reason we never eat at a restaurant.”

Belle held a forkful of food out to Bryce. “If you can eat this nicely, then you’ll get another.” Bryce frowned and reached for the plate, but Belle pulled it away. “One mouthful at a time, sweetheart. Finish this first.”

“Daddy, can we go play in my room?” Ivy asked. Kacey hadn’t said two words to him since their talk earlier, but she’d chatted nonstop with her cousin since they walked in the door.

“Go ahead, but be back in a half hour for dessert.”

“No copying each other’s homework,” Garrett reminded them.

“You seriously don’t think they went upstairs to do homework, do you?” Harlan asked.

Garrett waited until he no longer heard the girls’ footsteps on the stairs before answering. “Has Ivy mentioned anything about Kacey being upset in school or on the bus?”

“Not to me.” Belle wiped Bryce’s face with a napkin and handed him a spoonful of baked beans. “Did something happen?”

“When she came home today, she had obviously been crying. I tried to talk to her about it, but I couldn’t get anywhere. I just thought maybe she had said something to Ivy.”

“No, but I’ll see what I can find out,” Harlan said.

“Just don’t let on that I put you up to it.” The last thing Garrett wanted was his daughter thinking he was spying on her. He was, and owned that, but she didn’t need to know about it.

“Please.” His younger brother nodded to the sheriff’s hat hanging by the back door. “I have my ways of getting people to talk without them knowing it.”

“Yeah, that’s why you were so successful getting Ivy to confess to taking the neighbor’s bunny last year.” Belle shook her head. “Kids are complicated. I was one of the worst.”

“You sure were,” the men said in unison.

“Now, that’s not right.” Belle wadded up her napkin and threw it at them. “Let me tell you, growing up around you two was no picnic. Now hand me a dish towel. I think I’m getting somewhere with this one.”

Garrett admired Harlan and Belle. They had grown up together, gone their separate ways and then found their way back to each other last year. Now they were expecting a baby in May. Despite their playful digs at one another, they were the happiest couple he knew, outside of Dylan and Emma. Garrett had been the first of the five Slade brothers to get married, and he’d never been more sure of something in his entire life. And he’d thought it would last at least fifty years, if not seventy-five, considering they married straight out of high school. He missed that companionship. He missed those knowing glances across the table. Having someone to hold all night long. He missed his old life, and if Kacey felt a fraction of the way he did, he understood where she was coming from.

“In all seriousness,” Harlan began, pulling him out of his thoughts. “I’ll see what I can find out and let you know. How’s it going at Silver Bells this week?”

“Better. I think I’m finally getting to know everyone’s names and what they do. I need to get creative on where we can save on the renovations. I think the biggest savings will be in sweat equity and bartering. Maybe a week or weekend at the ranch in exchange for services rendered.”

“That’s a great idea. I did quite a bit of that when I built the rescue center.” Belle’s Forever Ranch opened last year on the other side of their property. The nonprofit rescued animals and provided desperately needed medical care. Once they were rehabilitated, they helped give comfort to abused and neglected children who had suffered similar fates. “I can give you some of my construction contacts. Maybe they can help you, too.”

“I’d appreciate that, thank you.” Garrett poured a cup of coffee and sat across from Belle at the table. She had the patience of a saint and didn’t coddle Bryce the way his mother-in-law had. Dawn had blamed his messy eating on Rebecca’s death, and she’d taken to spoon-feeding him at every meal over the past three years. Garrett had repeatedly asked her not to, but she insisted on feeding him the way Rebecca had. His son had been sixteen months when Rebecca passed. It didn’t matter that he’d grown old enough to eat by himself.

“Dylan told me you and Delta had dinner together last night.” Harlan grabbed another dish towel from the drawer and set it on the table for Belle. “I really like her. I’m glad you’re getting out.”

“You’re seeing Delta?” Belle’s face lit up brighter than the sun on the horizon. “Just in time for Valentine’s Day. She is so nice. I can’t even begin to tell you how much she’s done for my rescues.”

“Whoa!” Garrett pushed away from the table, almost taking his coffee with him. “I am not seeing Delta. I made that clear to Dylan last night. Let’s not perpetuate that rumor.”

“Calm down, bro.” Harlan wiped up the coffee that sloshed onto the table. “No need to get all defensive. I’m just telling you what Dylan told me. But if you enjoy being around one another, why not see where it goes.”

“Because I’m married.” Garrett hated that people automatically assumed that because his wife died the marriage was over. Maybe it was in the eyes of the law, but it wasn’t for him. He’d always hated the phrase “’til death do us part.” He didn’t believe in it and had asked the minister to remove it from their wedding vows fifteen years ago. They vowed to love each other for all eternity instead, and he would never break that promise, even though she had told him she hoped he would find someone new one day. There wasn’t room in his heart to love another woman. “We’re just friends.”

“Okay, fine.” Harlan shrugged at Belle. “Just make sure she knows that.”

“Of course she does.” Garrett shook his head. “I didn’t even know she would be at the Iron Horse when I went there. I saw her at the bar, and we ate a meal together. It’s not like I asked her out.” Garrett froze, remembering his earlier conversation with Delta. “Oh, no.”

“What’s wrong?” Belle asked.

“I think I accidentally asked Delta out to dinner.”

Harlan slapped his brother on the back and laughed. “The heart wants what the heart wants.”

Garrett closed his eyes. This couldn’t be happening. How could he have been so cavalier with his dinner invite? Maybe she hadn’t taken it that way. He replayed the conversation in his mind. What exactly had he said? Something along the lines of wanting to take her to dinner. Shit! He had asked her out and hadn’t even realized it. He scrubbed his hands down his face. He needed to straighten that out and fast.

Chapter Four

“Why do I get the feeling you’re avoiding me?” Garrett startled her as she exited Lightning Bug’s stall.

“Good Lord.” Delta flattened herself against the wall before realizing who it was. “You would have been in for the surprise of your life if I’d been carrying a hot shoe.”

“I knew you weren’t since your truck is outside and the back was shut.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest. “No forger, no hot shoes. I also saw Jake waiting patiently behind the wheel for you.”

Okay, so he was observant. “I’ve been here almost every day to check on Lightning Bug, except for Sunday when I visited my family. I was only stopping in for a minute.”

“I know you’ve been here.” He widened his stance and tilted his hat back. “I got your notes, Delta. It’s just I haven’t seen you in a week.”

Five days, but who was counting. But he was right. She had been avoiding him. Luckily for her Garrett was a creature of habit and it didn’t take long to figure out his routine. She’d been able to get in and out without running into him, except for today, when he beat her at her own game.

“Listen I think we should—”

“I have to tell you—” they both said at the same time.

“Ladies first.” Garrett removed his hat and bowed slightly before her. The gesture, however goofy, was actually charming in a Garrett Slade sort of way.

“Look, I—I like you,” she began, trying to find the words to let him down easy.

“Okay.” Garrett quickly donned his hat. “Let me stop you there. I gave you the wrong impression the other day. I think you’re very nice but I don’t want to date you.”

Delta started to laugh. “Oh, thank God for small favors.”

“Excuse me?” Garrett stepped back and frowned slightly. She hadn’t meant to wound his ego, but those were the best words she’d heard all week.

“I don’t want to date you either.” Delta patted her chest in relief. “I’ve been wracking my brains trying to find a way to tell you. I mean you’re good-looking and all that, but I refuse to date anyone I work with or for.”

Garrett began to smile, seemingly satisfied with her explanation. “I still would like to take you to dinner, though. But it would be strictly platonic. Just friends. Nothing more.”

“Yeah, about that.” Delta gnawed on her bottom lip. “Don’t get offended, but I kind of make a point not to hang with anyone I work with either. If the friendship goes south, it affects my business. If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep that part of my life separate. Unless you need someone impartial to talk to about your wife or something like that.”

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