HIS NEW WESTERN HOME

Lila Jenkins’s Montana ranching town roots run deep. So why does the widowed B and B owner feel so connected to her latest boarder? Seth Maxwell might know his way around horses, but he’s a wanderer, not a rancher. Lila’s son thinks Seth’s the hero he’s been waiting for. And—heaven help her—so does Lila.

Seth loves hunting for rare gems in remote areas, but maybe it’s time to make a change. The footloose adventurer is tempted by rumors of sapphires in a nearby mine, but it’s Lila and her boy who make Snowy Owl Crossing and the idea of a ranch to share feel like home...

Rory zeroed in on the bat in Seth’s hand and the ball in a mitt lying on the porch.

“Oh, wow! Are these mine?” he asked, his eyes huge and his freckles standing out against his pale face.

“They are. And it’s still light enough for us to try them out,” Seth said, glancing at Lila, who moved at a much slower pace toward the steps.

She shifted her purse to the other shoulder and seemed to take in everything before stepping up. “Oh…oh…that rosebush is beautiful. Where did it come from?” She brushed past her son, who turned to spot what she was exclaiming over.

“I passed a nursery after I left the sporting-goods store. The rose called to me,” Seth said, deliberately making light of the agony he went through to choose it.

“It’s perfect there,” she said, her eyes shiny with tears. “I don’t know why I never thought to buy something to decorate the porch. It’s the very touch needed to greet guests. I’ve no idea what it cost, Seth, but you must let me reimburse you.”

“The rose is a gift.”

Dear Reader,

I’ve been to Montana and have set books there before, so my fictional town of Snowy Owl Crossing has characteristics of other ranching towns I’ve traveled through. As in all small communities, it’s the people who live and work there that make it a place you’d want to visit and maybe even settle down. It’s the same in A Maverick’s Heart.

Seth Maxwell came for his brother’s wedding, liked the area and was drawn to Lila Jenkins, owner of the B and B where he rents a room. Seth has never set down roots, instead traveling to exotic places finding and selling precious and semiprecious gems.

Lila, a widow with a nine-year-old son, has deep roots in Snowy Owl Crossing. She struggles to hang on to the Owl’s Nest, which she bought before her husband died in a mine collapse. A mine where Seth has heard previous gem hunters found sapphires.

Ah, can you see rocks, not gems, along the road to Seth and Lila falling in love? I hope you enjoy their story. As in His Ranch or Hers, my depiction of the snowy owls is tied to the group of friends who wants to ensure a habitat for the birds that long ago arrived and originally took up residence in abandoned eagles’ nests, some returning year after year.

As always I love hearing from readers via mail at 7739 E. Broadway Blvd #101, Tucson, AZ 85710-3941, or email at rdfox@cox.net.

Sincerely,

A Maverick’s Heart
Roz Denny Fox

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ROZ DENNY FOX’S first book was published by Harlequin in 1990. She writes for several Harlequin lines and her books are published worldwide in a number of languages. Roz’s warm home-and-family-focused love stories have been nominated for various industry awards, including the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® Award, the Holt Medallion, the Golden Quill and others. Roz has been a member of the Romance Writers of America since 1987 and is currently a member of Tucson’s Saguaro Romance Writers, where she has received the Barbara Award for outstanding chapter service. In 2013 Roz received her fifty-book pin from Harlequin. Readers can email her through Facebook or at rdfox@cox.net, or visit her website at korynna.com/rozfox.

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I’d like to dedicate this story to the wonderful

gem people who put on the Tucson Gem

and Mineral Show every year. The more years

I attend, the more I love seeing gems and

minerals from all over the world.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Lila Jenkins bustled around the Snowy Owl Café, straightening up after her women’s group, the Artsy Ladies, ended their meeting. “Rory,” she called to her nine-year-old son. He was in the kitchen with his grandmother. “Collect your homework and bring your backpack. It’s almost time to go home.”

The lanky kid dragged his pack into the café. “Mom, tomorrow can I go to ball practice? Coach told Kemper if I watch, I’ll learn what Little Leaguers do.”

She paused. “It’s supposed to rain. If so, won’t the coach cancel practice again?”

Three of the women who’d been at the meeting said goodbye. Tawana Whitefeather still stood at the kitchen pass-through chatting with Lila’s mother.

Waving to those leaving, Lila still saw her son’s pout that ran his many cheek freckles together. “I’m never gonna get to play ball on Kemper’s team, am I?”

“Well, I asked Kemper’s dad about costs. We’re earning some extra money what with Zeke Maxwell’s brother and his other friends staying at our B and B for Zeke’s wedding. I may be able to swing the fees.”

He perked right up. “Yippee!”

Lila chewed her bottom lip. “It’s not yippee-time yet, Rory. You need new equipment. And with games being in Wolf Point, there’s a matter of transportation.”

“I can ride my bike,” he said brightly.

“No way. You’re only to ride your bike from the school to Memaw’s café. Don’t even think about riding farther. I’ll pay gas for someone to drive you. But, honey, cash is still tight, so for now it’s only a maybe.”

Rory’s shoulders slumped. “I wish my daddy hadn’t died,” he mumbled. “He’d buy baseball stuff for me and teach me to bat and catch and throw like Kemper and his daddy.”

“Oh, sweetie, I’m sorry, too. I’ll do my best to work something out.” Crossing to him, Lila tried to kiss his thick auburn waves, but he ducked. With a light brush of his cowlick, she finished wiping the last table then joined Tawana.

“Lila, what time is Zeke’s brother taking the other groomsmen to the airport?”

“All I know is they’re checking out after breakfast.”

“Did Hunter ask about booking a room? He’s planning to come back after he gets his permanent prosthetic leg.”

Glancing at her friend, Lila reeled a bit, but hoped she hid her envy. First, Myra had found someone to love. Now, Tawana may have met someone special.

The pretty Native American feigned innocence. “Didn’t I mention he and I plan to keep in touch? We hope to meet in DC if Jewell gets us an appointment to see the Natural Resource Committee about our snowy owl preserve. Hunter’s VA is near there. Well, it’s late. I’d better run. Thanks for providing a meeting place, Doreen,” she called through the opening.

“I love having you all while I wait for my dough to rise. I have four pans of cinnamon rolls ready for the morning rush. Now I can lock up and go up to bed.”

“It’s raining again,” Rory announced. He had his face pressed to the glass of the front door.

“Drive carefully, you two,” Doreen said. “Rain makes roads slick.” She came out of the kitchen.

Lila skirted Tawana to hug her mother. “Don’t worry, Mom. You know all the ranchers in the area are asleep by now. We’ll be the only ones on the highway.”

Tawana picked up the sweatshirt she’d worn into the diner. “Yuk. Still wet.”

“You have the farthest to drive,” Doreen said. “I’ll run upstairs and get you a loaner. You can return it next time you’re in town.”

“I’ll go, Mom.” So saying, Lila dashed off.

Doreen went to the door. Reaching over her grandson, she slid open the dead bolt.

“Auntie Tawana, are you going home with Mama and me?” Rory gazed expectantly at one of his faux aunts.

She laughed. “No, slugger. I have my pickup.” She accepted the fresh sweatshirt from Lila, who had reappeared.

“Mama, she called me ‘slugger.’” Rory beamed. “Did you tell everybody how much I want to play baseball?”

“Honey bunny, like you didn’t tell everyone within earshot at Auntie Myra’s wedding reception.”

“Oh, yeah.” His grin widened, but he looked a bit sheepish. “Some of the men there asked why Kemper and me want to play ball instead of ride in the kids’ rodeo. Why do they think rodeo is funner?”

“More fun, not funner, Rory. And it’s Kemper and I, not me,” Lila corrected as they readied to follow Tawana outside.

“Well, we have more pro rodeo riders than baseball players in these parts,” Doreen said. “It’s something to consider.”

Rory’s face fell again.

Seeing his crestfallen expression, Lila rose to his defense. “Mama, I’m all for him choosing what he wants to do. Most schools have ball teams. Anyway, by the time he’s grown, who knows what he’ll want to do.”

“True.” Doreen nodded. “I want Rory to be happy, but I especially want him to stay out of the mines.”

“Lord, yes.” Lila didn’t need the subtle reminder that her dad and her husband had both died in mine accidents. “G’night. Wait, Ma...do you need me to work the breakfast shift? I could use the time to wash linens and tidy the rooms. Three of the guys are checking out of the Owl’s Nest tomorrow and I’ve got two couples who stayed with me last year booked for trout fishing this weekend. I need to turn the rooms around fast.”

“Take the morning off. Tell the fishermen if they catch any, I’ll buy them to serve as a weekend dinner special.”

Lila flipped up her hood. “Okay, but they may be catch-and-release fishermen.”

“If not, my offer’s on the table.”

Doreen closed up as Lila skipped over a deep puddle to unlock her old Jeep Cherokee, making sure Tawana’s pickup had started before she climbed in.

“What’s ‘catch and release’?” Rory asked once he settled into the backseat on the passenger side. It was always his chosen spot.

She checked to see he’d buckled in before firing the engine. “There are people who love to fish, but either don’t want to see fish die or they have no means of keeping them fresh to cook. So they turn them back into the lake or river.”

“Um, I guess that’s good. But it seems silly.”

Lila smiled as she left the town behind. “Fly-fishing takes skill. And let’s not say anything negative, since fishermen rent our rooms and that pays our bills.”

“Okay. I’m tired. How long before we get home?”

Lila heard his yawn. “Ten or fifteen minutes.”

Rory fell silent and Lila thought he had gone to sleep—which left her free to worry about whether she was a bad mother for making him stay with her at work. Since kindergarten, Kemper Barnes had been Rory’s best friend. Rory used to go home with him to play or to study until the café closed and Lila could pick him up. Now that Kemper was in Little League, Rory had to come to the café. And on nights she met with the Artsy Ladies, he was stuck there late.

As she’d told her mom, the highway was empty tonight. It wasn’t long before she turned onto the paved lane that led to their ranch.

Suddenly Rory shouted, “Mom, stop! You’re going to hit Ghost and...and a man!”

Her nerves jangled—she’d thought Rory was asleep. His shout had her stomping hard on the brake pedal as she glimpsed a flash of white off to her right. The Cherokee hit a puddle of standing water, and although she’d slowed for the turn, she felt the front end kite. Her back wheels spun like racing slicks seconds before the brakes grabbed. It all happened so fast and jerkily, her head smacked the left-side window hard. Briefly all went dim and she heard birds tweeting and bees buzzing.

Lila wanted to clutch her head. Instead she gripped the wheel tighter. Only vaguely did she remain aware that the back end of her SUV had landed in a deep culvert.

Flinching, Lila wondered why her lights cast pretty halos in the branches of a nearby tree instead of illuminating the lane ahead of her. She tried to check on Rory, but a sharp pain in her head rendered her voiceless.

All at once her door was yanked open. The dome light illuminated the SUV’s interior, blinding Lila. Ghost, the almost-white yellow Lab that Jewell Hyatt had given Rory after his dad died, scrambled across her tense body and over into the backseat.

“Are you okay?” inquired a deep male voice.

Somewhere behind her Lila heard her son ordering his dog to stop licking him. A tiny bit of her relaxed. However, she honestly didn’t know whether she should tell the man yes, she was okay, or no, she might be dead and floating above everything amid those sparkly lights.

But she wasn’t dead. She felt the man’s arm slide across her, saw him put the Jeep in Park and turn the key to shut off the engine. Then his head appeared directly in front of her still-unfocused eyes. Blond hair, askew. Darker in spots from the rain. Gorgeous yet concerned green eyes in a chiseled, sun-bronzed face stared at her. Well-shaped lips set in a straight line above an appealing cleft in his manly chin.

It took Lila several rocketing heartbeats, but she finally managed to assemble all the attractive parts from those strong shoulders upward. The parts belonged to Seth Maxwell, Myra’s husband’s twin, who was staying on after his brother’s wedding. He’d been the groomsman who’d escorted Lila down the aisle.

He shone a small, bright light in her eyes, causing her to wince and blink, and she lost his handsomeness into blackness shot with pinpoints of pain.

Rory’s anxious voice yelling, “Mom... Mom!” right near her ear shook Lila from her stupor as nothing else had.

She tried once more to speak, but her mouth felt as if she’d swallowed cotton.

“Is my mom all right?” she heard Rory demand.

* * *

SETH MAXWELL FROWNED. “I don’t know, kid. For sure she’s dazed. I need to get her to the house so we can see. I’ll carry her if you can manage the dog—the rascal. I took him out for a run. When he spotted your car, he yanked the leash right out of my hand. I was scared witless that your car would hit him.”

“Me, too,” Rory said. “I don’t think Mom saw him or you. I yelled at her to stop. I probably made us land in the ditch.”

“If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I took your dog out in questionable weather,” Seth assured the boy as he shifted the flashlight to his left hand and with his right slowly released Lila’s seat belt. “I’m going to get your mom. We’ll take it slow back to the house, okay?”

“The lane goes straight there,” Rory said. “What were you doing with Ghost anyway?”

“Ghost?” Seth, confused, paused in lifting Lila into his arms.

“My dog. He stays in our part of the house when we’re gone.”

“Well, tonight he was in the foyer. I wanted to go for a run and your dog brought me his leash.”

Rory tightened his grip on that leash. “Oh, you’re one of the guys renting from us, huh?”

“Yes. Remember, we met at my brother’s wedding? Most of the guys in the wedding party are staying here until tomorrow. Tonight we all went to Zeke’s place for supper. He and his wife fed us so well, when I got home and realized the rain had slackened, I decided to go out for exercise.” Seth spoke calmly to the boy as he trudged toward the house with his burden. “In the middle of our run it started to drizzle, so I turned back.”

Lila spoke for the first time, a guttural sound somewhere below Seth’s chin. “I, uh, think I can walk.” She gingerly touched her left temple. “I hit my head on something. Maybe the window. Did I crack it?”

“Your head?” Seth asked, a smile in his voice.

Lila shoved at his solid shoulder. “The window, you goose. Did I break the window?”

“No, but you did a number on your vehicle. It’s stuck. We need daylight to see if you did any damage to its underpinnings. I don’t think you broke an axle,” he said, supporting her back with his hand.

“My head hurts, but stuff is starting to make sense. Rory, we carry a big flashlight in the glove box. Run back and get it for Mr. Maxwell.”

“It’s Seth, okay?” They’d all stopped in the lane, and Rory and Ghost ran back to the Cherokee, leaving Seth and Lila in the dark.

“Since I’m hanging around at your B and B a month or so to help Zeke roof his barn,” Seth said, “can’t we use first names?”

He let go of Lila to take the flashlight the boy had slogged back with. She buckled and Seth snatched her up before she fell to her knees.

“Sorry,” she murmured. “My legs don’t seem to want to hold me.”

“Probably nerves,” Seth said matter-of-factly, scooping her up. “Rory, you take the bigger light. It’s enough. Let’s go. I’ll be right behind you, carrying your mom.”

“Why can’t she walk? Does she need a doctor? Mom, you’re not gonna die, are you?” The kid froze and Seth almost bowled him over.

She gripped the front of Seth’s jacket. “I need to walk on my own,” she insisted. “This is ridiculous. I wasn’t going very fast when I made the turn. How could sliding into the ditch muddle my brain?”

“Even minor accidents can throw a person off-kilter. We’re almost at the house. Rory, walk on with the light. Once we get inside we’ll make sure your mom’s all right.”

The boy did as directed, letting Ghost bound up to the front door and shake off his wet coat. The others followed in rapid succession.

Once inside Seth headed for the dining room, where he’d spent the most time besides his rented bedroom in the big old farmhouse. For having been here almost a week since his twin’s wedding, he’d seen remarkably little of Lila Jenkins. They’d been paired up in the wedding party. His initial impression had been of an attractive, petite woman who looked exceptionally good in an old-fashioned wine-red dress. She’d hurried away right after the ceremony to appear again in a black skirt, white blouse and white apron at the reception, where she and an older woman served the meal and helped hand out cake and punch. No matter which outfit Lila’d had on, she’d gained his interest.

He’d danced with several of his new sister-in-law’s friends, but he’d only caught glimpses of Lila, who by then seemed to be part of a two-woman cleanup crew.

Even at her bed-and-breakfast, she remained elusive. Breakfast was the only meal included in the rental fee, and they always found it hot and inviting, served in covered silver dishes on a sideboard.

Zeke’s wife, Myra, had told him Lila had a son and a dog, as well as horses that were available to rent. But because Hunter Wright, another of Zeke’s army buddies, had a temporary prosthesis, they’d elected to drive around to see as much of Montana and its fishing holes as they could cram into the short time the three guys had to visit.

Seth’s pal Gavin had joked that they must be renting from elves who supplied a scrumptious breakfast, made beds and replaced used towels while the guests were out. Ben Archer, who Zeke called Sarge, said maybe the old house came with ghosts he occasionally heard padding around the lower floors. At the time none of them had known the dog’s name was Ghost. Seth couldn’t wait to tell them what they might learn if they didn’t retire so early.

With his foot he dragged out one of the padded dining chairs and started to set Lila down.

“Why are you bringing me in here?” she asked. “Never mind. I can walk into the kitchen on my own.” She levered herself up with one hand on the table and the other on Seth’s arm.

Rory had unclipped Ghost’s leash and Seth could hear the dog lapping water in the next room.

“Where’s the kitchen light switch?” Seth asked, steadying Lila as she moved toward the dark doorway.

“I’ll get it,” Rory called, dashing ahead. “Mom, are you feeling better? Is your head cracked open?” Flipping on the light, he shrugged out of a backpack Seth hadn’t noticed before.

“I’m fine, son.” Lila reached for a teakettle sitting atop an old stove. “I’ll fix some tea. Uh, thanks, Mr—uh, Seth. It’s more I feel like an idiot for landing in a ditch. I know every turn in that road. I’ve never done anything like that before.” She filled the kettle, set it on a burner and turned it on. Her movements were jerky, even as she nervously raked a hand through her short dark hair.

Seth saw her wince and he frowned. “Here, let me take a look at your head. Maybe I should run you to the emergency room.”

“Good heavens, no.” Lila braced her hands on the counter, but tipped her head forward so Seth could get a clear look.

“No blood. That’s good,” he said.

“Ouch.” Lila pushed away Seth’s exploring fingers.

“You have some swelling a couple of inches above your left ear.” Seth gently separated strands of her hair. And since he was so much taller he was able to get a good look without hurting her again. “Do you have any ice?”

“I’ll get it, okay, Mom? Will that make your head well?” Rory asked, darting across the room to a big refrigerator.

“Ice will be good.” Lila sat in a kitchen chair and actually smiled at Seth. “Ice will be very good if it’ll make you guys stop acting like I’m knocking on death’s door. Rory, you need to go to bed. Tomorrow’s a school day. And, Seth, probably you, too, since you’re driving your friends to the airport in the morning. Before it gets much later, I should phone one of my neighbors with a tractor to see if someone can run over here early and pull the Cherokee out of the ditch. Preferably a neighbor who won’t blab all over town and worry my mother,” she said more to herself than to the others.

Rory brought her a plastic bag filled with ice, and the dog trotted beside him. “Memaw said she likes that everybody comes into the café to gossip. She finds out all the good stuff that way.”

Chuckling, Seth took the ice bag before the kid plopped it too hard against his mother’s head. He picked up a dish towel and wrapped the bag, telling the boy, “This towel will cushion your mom’s head against freezing and sharp ice cube edges.”

“Gosh, you know a lot about doctoring bumps.” Rory ran his fingers through the dog’s fur and gazed at the man in awe.

“I hunt gemstones in a lot of remote spots where I can get scratches or bumps and bruises. Often it’s only me to take care of myself.”

The kettle whistled and Lila started to get up, but he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t get up. I’ll fix your tea.” He moved the kettle and shut off the burner.

“You don’t have to do that. I should be asking if you want coffee or anything since that’s what you pay me for.”

“I pay you for a room, with breakfast thrown in.” He opened a cupboard and luck was with him. Cups were stacked in neat rows. He took one down and spotted a line of canisters. One read Tea. Pulling out a bag, he set it in the cup and poured the water.

“Rory, to bed,” Lila said. “I’m feeling much improved. Once I drink a cup of tea, I’ll be right as rain.”

“You and Memaw always say that. How right is rain if it made our car go in a ditch?”

“It’s an expression,” Lila told him. “I don’t know where it comes from. Ghost can sleep in your room tonight. Brush your teeth and crawl into bed. I’ll pop by and turn out your light shortly, honey.”

“Okay. Mr. Seth, will you stay and make sure she’s okay? She cut her hand on the meat slicer at the café and wouldn’t see a doctor. She got poisoned blood and Memaw yelled at her.”

“Blood poisoning,” Lila corrected, indicating a spot on the table where Seth could set her steaming cup. “It was during rodeo week. We were swamped at the café. I didn’t see the red streaks up my arm at first. But I healed, Rory.”

“Yeah. Okay. Come on, Ghost.”

Lila beckoned him with her free arm and although he cast an uncomfortable glance at Seth, the boy stepped into his mom’s arm for a hug. “G’nite.” He grabbed the dog’s collar, aimed a wave at Seth and the two loped out of the kitchen.

“You really don’t need to babysit me,” Lila told Seth, holding the ice bag to her head with one hand. With her free hand she removed a cell phone from the small purse still draped across her body.

“Let me call Zeke for you,” Seth said. “He has a winch on the front of his pickup. I’m sure he’ll be discreet.” He dug out his phone.

“Zeke’s on his honeymoon,” Lila reminded him. “Sort of...” she added as she took a sip of tea.

Grinning, Seth hit a speed-dial number and put the phone on speaker. “Hey, bro... Lila put her Jeep in the ditch right as you turn into her place.”

“Is she okay?”

“I think so. I said you’d bring your truck over bright and early tomorrow morning. The guys and I can help you winch it out before we head to the airport. She didn’t want me to ask you since you’re supposed to be on your honeymoon.”

The man at the other end of the call snorted. “If you come over and learn ranching, dude, we’d leave you in charge so Myra and I could get away for a week.”

“I’d need a crash course in cows, buddy. Hey, what’s Myra saying? I hear her talking in the background.”

“She wants to know if Lila or Rory got hurt.”

“Rory’s fine. Lila—” Seth started to mention her lump, but she grabbed his arm and shook her head. “I, uh, went running with their dog,” Seth said instead. “He got away from me. Lila had to brake hard to keep from colliding with us and her car slid into the ditch. That’s all.”

Lila juggled the melting ice bag and took another drink of tea.

Seth finished making arrangements with his twin then clicked off. “You heard? Zeke said he’ll pop by at first light, before morning chores.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you handling that for me.”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s something to me. I’ve been the one to deal with everything...well, it’ll soon be five years.”

Seth waited for her to elaborate. He knew that she ran this place alone, but he hadn’t heard why. He assumed she was divorced, but the moment passed before he could ask.

“Like I told Rory, I’m okay. You can go on to bed. I’ll finish my tea then check on him and call it a night, too. Tomorrow’s breakfast is my mom’s special coffee cake, plus scrambled eggs with crumbled bacon. It’ll be ready by seven.”

Taking the hint that she wanted him to get lost, Seth moved the ice bag first to check her head one more time. The swelling had receded. “Yep, you’re almost back to normal.” He feathered his fingers through her hair and let them trail down her cheek.

Pulling back warily, she exclaimed, “I told you so!”

He watched her sitting there stoically a moment longer and was intrigued enough to want to learn more about his lovely landlady. By staying on, he’d have time to dig a little deeper. Since college he’d never stuck in one place for long. Much about this small Montana town left him longing to sink roots.

Stepping back, Seth offered a last smile then headed for the door. He called over his shoulder, “I’ll set my alarm and roust Ben and Gavin to go along to help Zeke. You set up one of your great breakfasts and leave rescuing the Cherokee to us.”

She started to object and he retreated fast.

But maybe it was time she had someone around to give her a hand. Maybe he’d be that someone.

From the first time his twin had called to tell him about the ranch he’d been given by the folks of a kid he’d saved in Afghanistan, Seth envied his brother the joy he’d found here in Snowy Owl Crossing. Maybe it was time he cut back on his footloose lifestyle.

Chapter Two

Early the next morning Seth hustled his new friends up and out of the B and B before breakfast, explaining that they were going to rescue their landlady’s vehicle from a ditch.

“Did I miss how it is you know about Miz Lila’s car?” Gavin Denton asked around a wide yawn as they set off down the lane.

“I didn’t say. Guilt, probably, because I’m more or less to blame.”

“So that explains why you’re all fired up on us helping at the crack of dawn,” Ben Archer remarked, dropping back to walk with Hunter Wright, the third man in their party. They’d all served as Zeke Maxwell’s groomsmen. Seth had expressly told Hunter he didn’t need to come along this morning, since he hadn’t fully mastered walking well on his temporary prosthetic leg. But as with everything else they’d done throughout the week, Hunter adamantly refused special treatment.

“Okay, give us the real story.” Gavin prodded Seth. “Now I’m curious.”

“I told you I was going for a run after dinner.” Seth relayed how he’d taken the Jenkinses’ family dog along. “We were returning home when the dog saw their car. He tore loose from me. Lila or her son must have seen him. She swerved and that sent her into the ditch.”

“I guess she wasn’t hurt,” Ben ventured. “At least as we trouped downstairs I smelled something good cooking. Hey...what about her kid?”

“He’s fine. She smacked her head on the driver’s side window and suffered a fair-size goose egg. Stubborn lady agreed to an ice pack, but wouldn’t let me take her to the emergency room.” Seth scowled as he admitted that last bit.

“Why didn’t you wake us? Maybe collectively we could’ve convinced her to see a doc. It sounds as if you think she should have,” Gavin said.

Ben laughed. “Gav, how many women do you know who can be moved once their mind is made up?”

Gavin shrugged. “I can’t recall ever trying to move one.”

Their party reached the vehicle, ending the discussion of women.

“Hot damn, she’s stuck, all right,” Ben announced then issued a whistle as he walked to the back of the mired Cherokee.

“It actually looks worse this morning.” Seth crouched to inspect the SUV’s cantilevered rear. “Last night I figured only the back left tire went into the culvert, but now I see both did.”

Hunter Wright paced over and leaned heavily on his cane. “You can see skid marks where she probably braked hard after entering this low spot where there’s still standing water. The fact both tires went into the muck will make extracting it with your brother’s winch easier.”

“You think so?” Seth rose to stand beside Hunter.

“I’d trust Hunt’s opinion,” Ben said. “But maybe nobody told you he’s an engineer.”

“Was,” Hunter stressed. “Before I went into the military.”

Seth took another look at the injured man. “Zeke only said you were all in the same unit in Iraq then got split up but kept in contact. I’d think engineering would be a field you could return to now that you’ve left the service.”

The man leaning on the cane gazed into the distance. “My dad and brother own a firm in New Jersey. I’m not sure I could fit back in. I only worked there a year before opting out to join the military. And my orthopedic surgeon at Walter Reed says I need at least one, maybe two, more surgeries on the leg.” He tapped his hip above the missing limb. “I envy you getting to stay here longer, Seth. It’s pretty much God’s country. Do you think you’ll do like Zeke and settle down here?”

Surprised by the question, Seth shrugged. “Part of me hankers to stay put. But I’ve got to travel the globe for work. It’s all I’ve ever done since leaving college. I don’t know how I’d support myself if I wasn’t searching for gems.”

Gavin, who’d circled the whole vehicle, arrived back at the group in the middle of Seth’s lament. “What about going after sapphires in some of Montana’s abandoned mines? Sapphires are pricey gems, right?”

Seth gaped at him. “Real sapphires?”

“I assume so,” Gavin said. “When Zeke phoned to ask if I could get leave to be in his wedding, I didn’t know a blessed thing about Montana. So I did some internet research. Sounds like there’s sapphires as well as gold and copper mines. Some of them are near here, but I don’t know if they’re operating. If Zeke can’t tell you, you could ask some of the old-timers we met at his wedding reception.”

“Speaking of the newlywed,” Ben interrupted, “here he comes. Let’s rib him about not wanting to leave his bed—so he makes us stand around waiting for him to show up.”

“Skip the teasing,” Hunter warned. “His wife is with him.”

Indeed, Myra jumped out of the pickup as soon as Zeke stopped. “Where’s Lila?” she asked, glancing around. “This looks bad. Was she hurt? I thought you told Zeke she was okay,” she challenged Seth. “It’s not like her to not be out here supervising.”

“There’s no need for her to come out,” Seth shot back. “I told her the guys and I would help Zeke rescue her vehicle.”

“Zeke,” she called, “I’m going to run up to the house to check on Lila. She sometimes tends to be too stoic for her own good.”

Her husband nodded. “This shouldn’t take long. Don’t get too wrapped up talking to Lila about what all you missed at last night’s Artsy Ladies meeting.” Grinning, Zeke winked at Myra even as he unhooked the cable on the winch.

“I’ll be quick,” she promised and jogged off.

“She had to miss a meeting to feed all of us last night?” Seth asked his brother.

“She didn’t have to. She wanted to see you all again and thank you guys for showing up on such short notice to be in our wedding. Well, not you, Seth. You already had tickets to visit. But the others.” He handed Seth the hook on the end of the cable and smiled at his groomsmen. “Damn, but I’m going to miss you guys all over again. Remember, any time you can take leave, ours is a revolving door. You, too, Hunter, once the docs get you squared away.”

Gavin let out a big guffaw. “Don’t you mean the door here at the Owl’s Nest revolves? It was clever how you prebooked us here.”

Zeke didn’t bother to look sheepish. “Hey, buddy,” he said instead, “wait until you get married and see how many big dudes you want snoring all night on the other side of your bedroom wall.”

“I was kidding.” Gavin gave Zeke a friendly fist bump. “Shall we quit jawing and get this SUV unstuck? Or am I the only one tempted by the cinnamon smell of whatever goodies Miz Lila fixed today?” He sniffed the air. “My mouth’s watering from here.”

The others agreed and, outside of Hunter Wright, who moved out of the way but still offered insight on the best way to hook the cable to the mired auto’s front axle, their teamwork made the retrieval short and easy.

Seth helped Zeke rewind the cable onto the winch then scanned the others. “I’m going to drive the Jeep to the house. Who wants a ride?”

“Do you have the key?” Ben asked.

“It’s still in the ignition.”

Zeke, who’d been about to climb into his pickup, stopped. “You left it in the ignition all night?”

Seth frowned. “It wasn’t like anyone could climb in and drive it away. Don’t forget it was rainy and dark, and I had a boy and dog to shepherd as well as carrying Lila, who was woozy after banging her head on the side window.”

“What? She hit her head?” Zeke exclaimed. “Myra is gonna be pissed at you. You led us to believe she was A-OK.”

“Yeah, well she let me know that wasn’t something she wanted to get around and worry her mother. She had a small knot, but the skin wasn’t broken.”

“Boy, Myra’s probably going to say it could’ve been a concussion.”

Seth shrugged. All at once Ben and Gavin, standing near the front of the Cherokee, ducked and flung their arms over their heads. One of them shouted, “Hey, cripes! Incoming! What the hell is that?”

The air stirred as a large bird dived talons first into the culvert and rose again with a screeching rodent. A second, slightly smaller, all-white bird circled above the dumbstruck quintet of men, crying, pyee-pyee, pyee-pyee right before the pair flew off.

“Wow.” Zeke was first to break the silence. “Those were snowy owls, guys. The male made off with a good-size rat.”

By then the others had sufficiently recovered from their initial shock to squint and follow the birds’ flight.

Hunter shifted his stance. “What a sight. I’m glad we had this experience. From the way Myra’s friend Tawana talked about how the owls return here every year to nest... I figured they’d already all gone north.”

“Are they dangerous?” Gavin asked. “I think that second one grazed my head.”

Zeke watched Gavin scrub a hand through his crew cut. “They don’t attack humans, dude. They do rid our ranchlands of pests like mice, rats and voles. Myra and I had a tug-of-war with a huge male once who tried to make off with her minipig, Orion.”

Ben muffled an expletive. “Not in your kitchen, right? Then again, who keeps a pig in their kitchen?”

Zeke socked his pal’s arm. “Hey, a pet is a pet is a pet. And the day it happened, we had Orion in a pen outside near where we were cutting alfalfa. I told you last night...the little guy grows on you.”

Wisely his friends held their tongues, although not all schooled their doubtful expressions.

“Orion is cute,” Seth said, opening the Cherokee’s door. “Hey, if we want any of that great-smelling breakfast before we leave for the airport, we’d better hop to it.”

Ben and Gavin climbed into the backseat, leaving the front passenger seat for Hunter.

“I’m positive keeping a pig in any part of the house, especially the kitchen, wouldn’t grow on me,” Gavin asserted once they were inside the SUV and out of Zeke’s hearing.

After starting the engine, Seth glanced behind him. “Is a pig any worse than goldfish or parrots or snakes?”

“Okay, I see your point. To each his own,” Gavin muttered.

Hunter turned to address his one-time regiment buddies. “If any of us fell in love with a pig owner like Zeke did, we’d change our minds. Love short-circuits brain cells.”

They all laughed as Seth parked near the entrance to the B and B.

The others piled out of the Cherokee. Without waiting for Zeke, all but Seth climbed the steps and went inside. He noticed Lila’s son at the side of the building, tossing a baseball in the air. Even though the boy wore an old mitt on his left hand, he missed catching three times out of three. Ghost chased after the dropped ball and carried it back to the kid.

“Hiya, Rory,” Seth called, pausing to lean on the handrail. “You need to teach Ghost to throw the ball back to you.” He grinned. “Are you on a team or just goofing around?”

Rory took the ball from Ghost and wiped dog slobber on his pants, his shoulders sagging as he squinted at Seth. “I wanna join the team my best friend is on. Mom first said it was too ’spensive. But last night she said she’ll try to figure out how I can play. Were you in Little League when you were my age?”

“What’s your age? Eight?”

“I’m nine,” Rory said, puffing up his chest. “Since last month.”

“Hmm. At nine I played on a junior boy’s city league. In junior high, high school and college my brother and I were on school teams. Do you watch the pros? We grew up going to see the Boston Red Sox.”

“That’d be cool. I like to watch games.”

Zeke drove up, parked beside Lila’s Cherokee and vaulted from his pickup. “Hi, Rory,” he hollered. “Hey, did your mom finally sign you up for Little League?” he asked, bounding over to stand beside his twin.

“Not yet. And I’m not very good. Even if Mom finds money so I can join Kemper’s team, I probably won’t get to play in a real game.”

Zeke clapped Seth on the back. “You should get this guy to give you tips while he’s staying here. He racked up awards and trophies playing baseball. In college he had scouts after him. We all thought he’d end up in the majors. He was definitely good enough.”

Before his brother or Rory could comment, the front door opened and Myra stepped out onto the porch. “There you guys are. Zeke, Lila invited us to join the men for breakfast here. It’ll save us driving into town to the café and give you a last few minutes with your friends.”

“That’d be great if it’s no trouble for Lila.” Zeke hurried up the steps. He kissed Myra soundly even as she leaned over the porch rail to address Rory.

“Your mom says to bring Ghost and come get ready for school. It’s supposed to be sunny, so she’ll load your bike and you can ride to the café after school.”

“Isn’t there a cattlemen’s meeting at the café today?” Zeke asked. “Is it lunch or supper?”

“The meeting starts at three. Probably more like supper by the time everyone orders and eats. Why?”

“I thought if it was a late lunch I’d eat more breakfast,” Zeke said.

His brother swept by him and Myra. “You’d better get inside fast, dude. If your buds get a jump on us there’ll only be crumbs left. Those three eat like there’s no tomorrow.”

Myra waited for Rory, but Zeke followed Seth and said softly, “Where they’ve been, no tomorrow is often the case.”

Seth looked guilty. “Sorry, Zeke, that was a thoughtless comment.”

“It’s okay. I think about the guys we lost from my unit whenever war memories rise up to smack me in the face. My arm injury’s nothing compared to guys like Hunter who lost limbs. Or others who lost everything.” Zeke’s expression sobered even more.

“I didn’t mean to remind you of the bad stuff.” Seth gripped Zeke’s good shoulder and squeezed. “All of that’s behind you now. You own a slice of what Hunter calls God’s country. Hey, you’ve never mentioned—uh, do you suffer flashbacks or anything?” Seth lowered his voice as he asked because Myra, Rory and Ghost bustled into the foyer, where the two men still lingered.

The boy and his dog clattered on down the hallway. Myra said, “I thought you two were anxious to get to the dining room.”

Smiling, Zeke looped both arms around her. “We were just jaw-boning until you got here. And, Seth, the answer to your last question is no. Myra witnessed one episode that might be classed a flashback. Luckily it came and went fast.” He tightened his arms and brushed a kiss over his wife’s lips. “Hunter’s right in his assessment of Snowy Owl Crossing,” he said. “Long winter and all, it’s paradise.”

Not disagreeing, Seth led the way to the dining room, where the other three men were scarfing down scrambled eggs, cinnamon coffee cake, juice and coffee. “Save us some,” Seth entreated. “Has anyone seen Lila? I need to give her the car keys.” He dangled them in the air.

Just as he spoke she backed into the dining room through the kitchen’s swinging doors, her arms laden with a large bowl of fluffy scrambled eggs topped with crumbled bacon and a steaming pan wafting with heat and the scent of cinnamon. “Did I hear someone ask for me?”

“Me,” Seth said to Lila, rushing to take the bowl from her and placing it in the center of the table. “I have the Jeep’s keys.”

Lila accepted them with a grateful smile. “Thanks. Now sit down everyone. Dig in while it’s hot.”

Zeke and Myra rounded the table. He pulled out a chair for her before taking his own seat. His friends ribbed him about turning into such a gentleman.

Lila motioned Seth toward an empty chair and handed Myra the fresh coffee cake.

Zeke, who waited to take a slice until Myra served herself, glanced up at Lila. “The Jeep’s fine. How’s your head? Seth said you banged it on the window.”

“What?” Myra stopped dipping out eggs. “Last night you said she was fine.” Her eyes accused Seth before skipping on to Lila.

“No, I didn’t.” Seth helped himself to coffee cake and passed the pan to Ben, who held out his hand. “I believe I said Rory was fine and then explained how Lila came to land in the ditch.”

“Are you all right?” Myra demanded after shooting her brother-in-law a dirty look.

Lila waved a hand. “This morning the spot is only slightly tender to touch. I wish Seth had kept quiet. I didn’t want anyone to know I hit my head hard enough to rattle my teeth. I don’t want my mom to hear. The last thing she said when Tawana and I left the café was to drive carefully.”

“I’m sorry, it slipped out,” Seth explained and patted the empty chair next to his. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

“No. Rory and I ate earlier. In fact...” Pausing, she checked her watch. “I need to run out and feed the horses then load his bike. If I don’t hurry I’ll be late getting him to school. His teacher is a stickler for punctuality. But, you guys...” she said, glancing at Zeke’s three friends. “It’s been great having you as guests. Safe travels, and do come back when you can stay longer.”

Seth shoveled in a bite of egg, took a swig of juice and picked up a second wedge of coffee cake Myra had cut for him. Getting out of his chair, he said to the groomsmen, “You can put your bags in my rental, guys. I’ll help Lila.” He pulled his keys from his jeans pocket and tossed them to Ben Archer.

“No,” Lila protested. “You’re a guest.”

“One who plans to take a trail ride soon. So far, I haven’t had time to ride. As you feed the horses you can give me a rundown on the one least likely to dump me.” Seth polished off his coffee cake before he reached the arch. He hesitated briefly until Lila offered a guilty shrug to the others and hurried after him.

“Seriously?” she hissed at Seth as she plucked a jean jacket from the coat tree by the door. “What will everyone think?”

He held the door for her then jogged after her down the porch steps. “What’ll they think about what?”

“Mostly Myra and Zeke. I don’t want them to get the idea we, uh...well, as a business owner it’s not decorous to play favorites among my guests.”

Laughing, Seth fell into step beside her. “‘Decorous’? What kind of a three-dollar word is that? Are you saying you’ve never gone to the barn with any other guest?”

Obviously flustered by his question, Lila buried her hands in her jacket pockets and kept her gaze on her boots. “Not one who’s male, single and near my age,” she mumbled. “Or who is related to my best friend who knows my mom and all of our other friends,” she added. “It could be misconstrued.”

“There you go spouting big words again,” Seth teased, moving ahead of her to slide open the big barn door. “What could be misconstrued?”

“Oh, don’t play dumb.” Lila took a swipe at his arm, glaring as he deftly avoided her swing. “You’re breathing and single, and I’m a youngish widow. In this town if anyone were to mention those two things in the same sentence, rumors would fly. Before you could say Jack Robinson, townsfolk would whisper that we’re having a torrid affair.”

Seth grinned wolfishly and stopped beside the first stall. “Sounds like something worth exploring. I’ve never had a torrid affair before. Have you?”

“Stop it. You don’t know the people in this town like I do. Last night a couple of the Artsy Ladies poked me about you for no reason other than you’re staying here and you were my escort at Myra and Zeke’s wedding. They thought they were being funny, but I’m a mother of a boy at an impressionable age, for pity’s sake.” She flung open a bin of grain and filled a scoop.

Watching her fitful motions sobered Seth. “Point taken. Tell me about the horses,” he said, walking with her to the first stall, where a dark horse with a white blaze whickered.

“This is Pendragon. I didn’t name them. My husband did. Guiding guests on trail rides was to be his end of the business. After he died, I tried to sell the horses, but money’s tight all over.” She went back for grain for the second of the four animals, a brown-and-white pinto mare.

“This is Guinevere.” She rubbed the mare’s silky nose. “The last two geldings are Galahad and Merlin. Kevin loved King Arthur stuff. He planned to name new horses Lancelot and Mordred.” Her voice wobbled.

Seth took the scoop and fed the remaining horses, giving her time to gather herself. “Ben wanted us to rent them,” he said. “But Gavin didn’t think Hunter should risk riding. Not after Zeke told us how Myra got dumped from her horse.” Seth set his hand on the neck of the big dappled gray named Galahad. “If they aren’t exercised regularly, are they apt to buck?”

Lila shrugged. “Guests have ridden them without problem. I carry extra insurance in case anyone gets hurt. That’s mostly why I want to sell them. Are you not a good rider?”

Seth returned the scoop to the grain bin and closed the lid. “I’ve ridden horses and mules in mountainous terrain leading to some gem sites. It’s nothing I’ve done a lot. But I’d be willing to take them on a few turns around your corral to stretch their legs while I’m here,” he said, stopping to close the barn door as they exited.

“That’s nice of you.”

“No problem. Now, where’s Rory’s bike?”

“Oh, please, I can get that—I see your passengers gathered at your rental. Rory and I have gotten good at loading and unloading his bike. It’s a junior mountain bike, so it fits easily through the Cherokee’s hatchback.”

“All the same, when you have help available why not take advantage?” He’d no more than finished his suggestion when they saw Rory, weighed down with his backpack, wheeling his bike around the corner of the bed-and-breakfast.

Striding away from Lila, Seth intercepted the boy. “If you open the hatch, I’ll toss your bike in and you and your mom can be on your way.”

“Uh, okay.” Rory ran to the Cherokee. “Thanks,” he added after Seth easily slid the bike inside.

“No problem. Have a good day at school.” Seth closed the hatch, flung a wave at Lila and crossed over to his friends. “I see Zeke and Myra left,” he said, accepting the keys from Ben.

“Yeah. They had chores. Zeke said to call him. He said if this weather holds you can start reroofing the barn soon.”

“Lucky you,” Gavin said as they all climbed into the SUV. “I mean it,” he stressed when the others laughed. “I’d rather be here roofing a barn than returning to Afghanistan.”

“How much longer do you and Ben have there? Aren’t we bringing all troops home?” Seth asked.

“Not all. I have another sixty days on my assignment,” Ben said.

“Three months for me,” Gavin admitted. “Who knows after that? I intended to make the army my career, but after coming here...” He stared out his window without finishing.

“I’m only staying until it’s time to re-up,” Ben said. “Being here made me realize how many places I’d like to see in the U.S. I have a college friend who bought a fishing boat in Alaska. He said anytime I want I can have a job.”

“Once the docs fix me up as good as they can, I may come back here,” Hunter added. “What about you, Seth? It was hard not to notice the way you leaped up to help Miz Lila. What’s her situation? I assume she’s divorced?”

Seth screwed his lips to one side. “She’s been widowed awhile. But her voice still gets choppy when she mentions her husband. I could be interested, but the few women I’ve liked enough to get serious have all insinuated I’m a rolling stone. And I don’t know what I’d do but hunt for gems.”

They left the town behind and their talk turned to travel and other things.

* * *

“DID YOU FEED GHOST?” Lila asked Rory after she backed the Cherokee around and headed down the lane. “And did you secure the gate to keep him on our side of the house? We don’t need him getting out again like he did last night.”

“I pulled on the knob when I saw you and Seth come out of the barn. Did he say anything to you about helping me learn to throw and catch?” Rory asked, leaning forward to stare at his mother.

Her eyes sought his in the rearview mirror. “Helping you...no. Why would he?”

Rory slumped in his seat, clasping his old mitt and baseball. “I dunno.” Then he mumbled, “Zeke said Seth could give me tips on account’a he got awards and trophies playing baseball. He was so good he had scouts looking at him to play for the pros.”

“Really? Zeke actually said Seth was that good?”

“Yep. He only told me he played on a city team when he was my age. But I was wishing he’d talk to you about helping me get better.”

“Hmm. I’m sorry, honey. He didn’t. And unless he does, don’t you go bugging a guest, okay? But, gosh, I wonder if he’s qualified to teach high school and really coach baseball.”

“Huh? Kemper’s dad never played ball, but he plays catch with Kemper and teaches him to bat better.”

“Well, I heard at the café that the high school coach plans to retire. I think he teaches, too. I just wondered if Seth might be interested.”

“Why?”

Lila hid a smile. “Uh, no reason other than probably Zeke would love to have his twin settle in the area.” No way would she admit to her son that Seth Maxwell was about the nicest single guy to hit Snowy Owl Crossing in forever.

“I s’pose. If he helped me, I’d like it, too,” Rory said.

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