A Rancher's Redemption

When the door closed behind her, Dani’s mother opened her arms. “How about a hug for your Big Mama?”

Dani stepped into the familiar embrace. Instantly she was enveloped in Big Mama’s warmth and lilac cologne, and for a few seconds all her cares faded. For all their disagreements, Dani loved her dearly.

“What was Jewel doing here?” she asked when they let go of each other.

“You know what early birds we both are. She’s going to knit me a cardigan and wanted to show me possible yarns and colors.”

“That’s nice,” Dani said. “I hope you picked something with a little color.” Not that her mother wore colors much. Everything she owned was either black, brown or navy.

“I did—a soft gray. You hungry?”

Having skipped breakfast, Dani nodded. “Those cinnamon rolls smell wonderful.”

“Of course they do.” Big Mama grinned. “I took a batch out of the oven just before you got here. I left the nuts out, the way you prefer them. There’s a pot of hot coffee, too.”

Eager to eat something, and always up for another cup of coffee, Dani rubbed her hands together. Then she frowned. “Didn’t Dr. Adelson tell you to cut down on fats and sweets?”

Her mother made a face. “I don’t smoke and I don’t drink. Isn’t that enough? Besides, what’s the point of living if I can’t indulge in a few of the things I love?” With a defiant gleam in her eye, she raised her chin. “A treat now and then won’t hurt.”

Before Dani could argue, Big Mama changed the subject. “You have circles under your eyes.” She scrutinized Dani critically and pursed her lips. “You’re not sleeping well. It’s because of Jeter, isn’t it? I didn’t want to ask and bother you while you were at work this weekend, but how are you doing?”

Bother her? She’d only driven Dani crazy with her frequent calls. Dani refrained from pointing this out. She had more important things to discuss. “I stayed up late last night, but that had nothing to do with the breakup,” she explained. “I’m actually doing okay.”

“You’re already over Jeter?”

Nick’s kisses had all but wiped the other man from her mind. Kisses I’m going to forget, she reminded herself. “Pretty much.”

“That was fast—much faster than usual. Let’s get at those cinnamon rolls while they’re still hot. Spending Saturday evening with Nick must’ve done you a world of good,” Big Mama said as they sauntered toward the kitchen. “I just adore that boy.”

Nick was no boy—he was all man. Fighting the urge to glance away from her mother’s shrewd blue eyes, Dani shrugged. “I guess I wasn’t that in love with Jeter, after all.”

“I’m relieved. He wasn’t the one for you. What did you and Nick do to cheer each other up?”

Although the rain had changed into pounding hail, Dani suddenly wished she was outside. Anything would be better than answering that question. “We had dinner and talked. And we ate hot fudge sundaes,” she said. All of which was true. “Then we watched an old James Bond movie called Dr. No.”

“I remember that movie. Ursula Andress co-starred with Sean Connery.”

The scarred old oak table that had been around since Dani’s childhood was set for two, with a couple of jumbo cinnamon rolls on each plate. More than Dani could ever eat. The promised pot of steaming coffee and a pitcher of warm milk sat beside a stick of creamery butter and a vase of pussy willow buds. Ancient furniture and dishes that weren’t all that different from those at Big Mama’s Café—battle-worn, but friendly and homey. The food both here and at the restaurant was always excellent, but it was also very rich. People loved eating it, but these days they also needed other, healthier options.

Pushing that conversation aside for now, Dani sat in her customary seat, facing the window that overlooked the backyard where she’d spent many a happy spring and summer day. The curtains were open to let in the gray light. Hail bounced like white BB’s against the concrete patio.

Seemingly oblivious to the spectacle, Big Mama sighed as she buttered a roll. “Sean Connery—now there’s a man. He’s still as handsome as ever.”

For a long moment neither of them spoke, other than to exclaim over the flaky cinnamon rolls. Dani thought back to when she was six and Big Mama first took her in. At the time her then foster mother had been forty-five and widowed for almost four years.

Big Mama married late in life, and she and Winston had been madly in love. They’d been husband and wife just over a year when Big Mama had learned she was pregnant. She and Winston were ecstatic.

Then one snowy night her husband had died in a twenty-car pile-up on the freeway. A few weeks later, Big Mama miscarried. After that, she’d lost her interest in men, and had spent her days running the restaurant and raising Dani.

“I made a decision I’m sure you’ll approve of,” Dani said. “From now on, I’m going to date only the kind of man who has a steady job. He should also want to get married and have kids.”

Big Mama nodded. “That’s smart, Dani. But I want you to consider something important—you don’t need a man to be happy.”

Her mother had never said this before. Dani stared at her. “Hey, I happen to like men.”

“They are wonderful, but after I lost Winston, I did all right by myself. Especially when it came to you. When you were growing up, we sure had a lot of fun.” She waited for Dani’s nod, then continued. “I may not have given birth to you, but I raised you as my own, and I did it totally without help. And I did a darned fine job of it, if I do say so. You became a terrific young woman. I’m so proud of you.”

Dani flushed with pleasure. “Aww, thanks.”

Big Mama had saved her from what could have been a childhood as awful as the one that Sly and Seth, her brothers, had endured at the hands of a distant uncle. Uncle George had taken them in but hadn’t wanted Dani. At first, that had hurt, but his rejection had turned out to be the best thing for her. Because Uncle George disliked kids—even his own nephews. Poor Sly and Seth had borne the brunt of his animosity.

Whereas for Dani, from the start Big Mama had made her feel welcome and comfortable. She’d taught Dani how to cook and had let her help out in the restaurant. She’d always treated her with kindness and respect—along with a strong dose of discipline. By the age of eight, Dani had become the woman’s adopted daughter, in every way possible. She’d soon inherited Big Mama’s love of feeding hungry diners delicious, homemade food, along with the desire to manage a well-run establishment that brought people back again and again.

That wasn’t happening so much anymore, but if Dani could just make the changes she wanted, she was sure that business would pick up. “I’m forever grateful for you and the wonderful life you’ve given me,” she said. “But I’d still like to have a husband and a baby or two. Don’t you want a grandchild to spoil?”

“Of course I would, but what I want most for you is your happiness.”

With her mother in such an expansive mood, this seemed the perfect moment to get down to business. Tamping down a bad case of nerves, Dani reached for her purse and pulled out a folder. “I put together a couple of new menu ideas that will appeal to health-conscious eaters, as well as an updated look for our menu.” The restaurant’s interior hadn’t changed since Dani had first stepped inside it some twenty-four years ago. It was now dated and not exactly welcoming. In fact, the drab decor and old lighting contradicted what Dani considered important—not only delicious food, but a bright, fun atmosphere in which to enjoy it.

She pointed to the crude sketch she’d made. “I’m no artist, but you get the gist. This design is more contemporary and will suit the new decor perfectly.”

Her mother didn’t bother to put on her bifocals. “Just hold on there, missy.” Her lips thinned into a stubborn line. “I haven’t agreed to any new decor. And we don’t need new menus or recipes, either. We have great food and friendly service, and customers like us just the way we are.”

Here we go. Dani stifled a sigh. “You’re right, but there’s a lot of competition out there now, and we’re steadily losing business, especially since the Poplar Tree opened. If we want to keep the customers we have and attract new ones, we have to make changes and update the restaurant.”

An emotion that Dani swore was fear crossed her mother’s face, gone so quickly that she wondered if she’d imagined it.

“Not on my watch,” her mother stated firmly.

Dani suppressed a groan of frustration. The restaurant was to be her legacy, and she wanted it to survive and flourish for the rest of her life and even longer. “I’m only suggesting these things because I care about the restaurant as much as you do,” she said in what she considered a reasonable tone.

Her mother stiffened and folded her meaty arms over her chest.

Okay, then. “What do you suggest we do instead?” Dani said, oh, so genially.

Big Mama humphed—so much for going the polite route. “We won’t do anything. Big Mama’s Café will remain as it always has been. We serve the best breakfasts and lunches in town. If people don’t believe that, then they should eat someplace else.”

Why couldn’t her mother see that the atmosphere and menu made them look out of step compared to other restaurants? “You are so darned stubborn!” Dani fumed.

“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Her mother’s jaw clamped shut.

Once again she’d failed to convince her mother to make any changes. Dani threw up her hands. Back to the drawing board.

Chapter Three

By Monday evening the hail had changed into sleet. Wondering whether it would snow, Dani sat on her living room floor with Fluff at her side, listening to a Josh Turner album and getting ready to fold the laundry she’d washed this afternoon. She loved the masculine sound of the country singer’s voice.

Nick’s voice was deep and sexy, too...

She frowned. She still hadn’t heard from him, which was upsetting. Before Saturday night, she’d have picked up the phone and called him without a thought. But now, it just didn’t feel right.

Between his silence and Big Mama’s refusal to make a single change to the restaurant, Dani was frustrated enough to scream. Plucking one of the throw pillows from the couch, she covered her face to muffle the sound and let loose with a loud scream. Several of them.

When she removed the pillow from her face, she was in a better mood. Fluff had darted under the couch, but with a little patience and coaxing, he came out.

Dani went back to folding her clean things.

From the time she’d first come to live with Big Mama, her job had been to sort and fold the clean laundry. The task of transforming a rumpled basket of freshly dried clothing into smooth, neat piles had always relaxed her. Tonight she needed to relax and clear her mind.

No worrying about the restaurant, Big Mama or Nick. Just her and Josh Turner, singing together.

The basket was half empty and Dani was belting along to “Would You Go With Me” and in a much better place, when her cell phone rang. She checked the screen—Nick. Finally. Her heart bumped joyously in her chest.

She tamped down that happy feeling and focused on being annoyed. After lowering the volume of the music she picked up the call. “Hi, Nick,” she said, not bothering to warm up her tone.

“Uh...” A brief pause. “Am I catching you at a bad time?”

“Not really. I’m folding laundry.”

“That should make you nice and relaxed.”

She had been, until now.

When she didn’t comment, Nick went on. “We haven’t spoken in a couple days. Are we okay?”

“Why wouldn’t we be?” she said, not at all okay.

Fluff chose that moment to jump into the laundry basket. Soon his long hair would be all over her clean clothes. Dani lifted up the cat and set him on the carpet. After narrowing his eyes at her he flounced off with his tail high.

“You sure about that? You seem tense. The other night—”

“We shared a few kisses,” she interrupted, proud of her nonchalant tone. “They didn’t mean anything.”

Only long, sleepless nights and the irritating problem of not being able to forget the feel of his lips on hers. Hot and soft...

His relieved breath was loud and clear. “That’s good, because those kisses didn’t mean anything to me, either. I don’t want things between us to change because of them.”

He had a funny way of showing it. “Me, either,” Dani admitted. “Why did it take you so long to call?”

“You didn’t pick up the phone and call me, either.”

“I guess I needed time to process what happened.”

“Ditto.”

During another long beat of silence, Dani racked her brain for something else to say, something to prove that she was fine.

Before she could drum up anything, Nick spoke. “How about we forget those kisses ever happened?”

“Consider them forgotten.”

Liar, liar, pants on fire. Dani touched her lips, which even now tingled a little.

“You and Big Mama had that meeting at her place today. How’d it go?”

The great—and occasionally annoying—thing about Nick was that he remembered most everything she told him. “Don’t remind me,” she said, frustrated with her mother all over again. “I don’t know why I thought she’d listen this time. I came prepared, too, with a sketch for the new menu. I even brought recipe ideas. Big Mama gave everything a thumbs-down, so I asked for her ideas. She had nothing to say, except that she won’t make a single change. She just keeps repeating that both our food and service are excellent just as they are.”

“They are important.”

“Of course. But the same old, same old isn’t enough anymore—not if we want to stay in business. We both want the restaurant to thrive again. Why won’t she try something new?”

“Maybe she’s scared.”

“My mother?” Dani snorted. “Of what?”

“I don’t know—spending the money?”

“Since she refuses to give me access to our financial information, I have no idea. All I know is that we can’t afford not to change.”

Sharing her worries with Nick helped, and as Dani talked, her anger at him melted away. Yet now, a different kind of tension simmered between them, the kind that made her self-conscious and a little ill-at-ease.

“I’m not asking her to totally gut the place, though in my opinion, that would be the best option,” she went on. “But new tables, chairs, curtains and wall decorations, better lighting, fresh paint and an updated menu? That’ll cost a bit, but not that much. There has to be a way to convince her, but heck if I have a clue what it is.”

“My offer still stands,” he said. “I can talk to her.”

“No, it’s best if you stay out of this. I’ll handle it myself. How was your day?”

“It’s your battle—got it. My day sucked. This crappy weather delayed the irrigation project. Tripp and his team won’t be back until the rain eases off.”

“That’s too bad. When the team finally does start, how long will the whole thing take?”

“Tripp estimates about five days.”

“To irrigate the entire ranch? That’s not bad.”

“Nope, and during the dry days of summer, I’ll be glad I did it. My mom called this afternoon.”

“No kidding,” Dani said. Nick and his mother weren’t close, but she and Dani got along okay. “It’s been ages since you heard from her. What did she want?”

“She asked me to come over after work Friday.”

Dani was puzzled. “I wonder why.”

“If I know my mother, she needs money.”

He sounded disgusted. Despite having a job that paid decently, his mother always seemed short of cash. And she often borrowed from Nick to make up the gap.

“Are you going?” Dani asked.

“If I don’t, she’ll nag me until I do.”

There the conversation died.

They usually chatted easily about everything under the sun, but tonight Dani couldn’t think of anything else to say. Apparently neither could Nick.

The ensuing silence was uncomfortable.

Finally Nick cleared his throat. “You probably want to get back to your laundry and then to bed. I’ll let you go. Sweet dreams.”

His signature sign-off. Tonight, Dani wasn’t sure what kinds of dreams she’d have. She hoped they didn’t feature Nick doing delicious things to her... “You, too,” she said. “Good luck with your mom.”

They both disconnected.

Feeling oddly discombobulated, she folded the rest of the laundry and wondered how long it would take before she and Nick were at ease with each other again.

* * *

AFTER TWO DAYS of torrential rain and intermittent hail, the downpour suddenly braked to a stop just as darkness hit. During the nasty weather Nick, Palmer, Clip and Jerome had spent much of their waking hours fighting to keep the swelling river at the north end of the ranch from flooding the surrounding pastures. Meanwhile Blake and Wally, two seasonal ranch hands in need of work, had offered to herd the cattle to dry ground. The two men had impressed Nick, and he’d offered them jobs to last through September.

Now hungry, muddy and wet, he showered and put on a clean flannel shirt and jeans. After phoning in an order for a jumbo pie with the works he jumped in the truck and headed for Harper’s Pizza, his favorite.

As usual, the small pizza hut was packed. Salivating over the mouth-watering aroma of the pizzas, Nick nodded at people he knew and shared flood stories with several ranchers before taking his place in the crowd waiting near the takeout window. Every few minutes the teenage kid manning the window called out some lucky Joe’s name to pick up their order.

In the midst of the noise, the door opened and a redhead sauntered inside. Nick wasn’t the only guy who checked her out. Flashing a pretty smile, she joined him in line.

“What a big crowd tonight,” she commented. “The bad weather must’ve kept people home for a few days, and I guess they’re making up for lost time.”

Nick nodded. “It’s been a heck of a few days.”

“My hair and I are both relieved that it finally stopped raining.” With an apologetic smile, she touched her hair. “It gets crazy wild.”

“Curly looks good on you,” Nick said. So did the long sweater she wore in place of a coat. A wide leather belt emphasized her small waist and rounded hips. She had long legs, too. Pretty face, nice body—just his type.

For some reason he flashed on Dani and the red-hot kisses they’d shared the other night. But Dani was off-limits. They were friends, period, and they’d both agreed to forget those kisses had ever happened. “I’m Nick Kelly,” he said.

“Hello, Nick Kelly.” The woman tossed her head, drawing his attention to her slender neck and a pair of long, dangly earrings. “I’m Sylvie Kitchen.”

They shook hands. Sylvie’s fingers were slender and warm. Attraction flared in her eyes.

Nick waited for a similar spark, but felt only mild interest. Maybe if he got to know her a little better...

During the ten minutes they waited for their pizzas he learned that she worked for the local tourism department, which after ranching, was the second biggest business in Prosperity. During the late spring and early summer months, hiking, camping and bicycling swelled the town by as much as ten thousand people.

“To kick off this year’s tourist season, we’re going to host a joint function with Prosperity Park,” she said. The park housed Prosperity Falls, an eye-popping cascading waterfall that was a popular place for marriage proposals and outdoor weddings and drew visitors from all over. “It’s going to take place in mid-April. I could get a couple of tickets for you and your girlfriend.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend right now,” he said.

“Oh?” She flashed a pleased smile. “Maybe you’ll want to bring someone.”

She arched her eyebrow and angled her chin slightly, as if half expecting him to ask her out.

“Nick Kelly, your order’s ready,” the teenage boy called out.

Nick signaled that he’d be right there, then redirected his attention to Sylvie. “I’d like to, but spring is pretty busy at the ranch. I doubt I’ll be able to make it.”

She seemed genuinely disappointed. “Here’s my card,” she said, scribbling something on the back. “If you change your mind, give me a call.”

Before slipping the card into his pocket he glanced at what she’d written. In case you want to reach me after hours, and a number.

Minutes later, shaking his head, he carried the pizza to his truck. A beautiful woman had just given him her number, but he didn’t want to call her.

What was wrong with him?

* * *

DANI LIKED EVERYTHING about Pettit Ranch—the vastness of her brother’s holdings, the hints of new spring grass coloring in the brown winter pastures, the grazing horses and cattle everywhere you looked. Most of all, the home Sly shared with his wife, Lana, and their daughter. Tonight Sly had gone to Tim Carpenter’s ranch, which was five hundred or so acres down the road, for a spur-of-the-moment Thursday poker game. Lana had invited Dani over for a girls’ evening.

“I come bearing gifts,” she said when Lana opened the front door. “Chinese, from Chung’s.” A take-out place they both loved. “And chocolate chip cookies, courtesy of Big Mama’s Café.”

“I so love those cookies!” Lana looked grateful, as well as tired. Between running two successful daycares and being mom to Johanna, a spunky two-and-a-half-year-old, she had her hands full.

As soon as Dani stepped through the door, the little girl squealed and threw herself at her knees.

“Hi, pumpkin!” Laughing, Dani scooped her up and swung her around.

Johanna giggled and held out her arms for more. “Again, Dani!”

She was no lightweight, but Dani couldn’t resist her adorableness. She spun around twice more, each time with Johanna reaching out to her and begging, “Again!”

Finally, breathless and worn out, Dani quit. “That was fun, but I’m pooped, Johanna. Now I want to visit with Mommy.”

Sometime later, she and Lana lingered over the dwindling pile of chocolate chip cookies, while Johanna marched around the kitchen, pounding on an old pan with a wooden spoon.

“She’s so cute,” Dani said.

“The cutest two-and-a-half year old ever, but then, I’m biased.” Lana laughed. “Sly and I are getting baby-hungry again.” She glanced at her daughter and lowered her voice. “Yesterday we signed up with an adoption agency. Of course, another miracle could happen. We could get pregnant again. But that’s unlikely, and we want another child.”

“I’ll keep my fingers crossed,” Dani said.

Drawn by their soft voices, Johanna stopped at the table. Her eyes lit on the cookies. “I want a cookie, Mama.”

“How do you ask?” Lana said.

“Please.”

“May I share some of mine with her?” Dani asked.

Lana nodded. “A small piece.”

Carefully breaking off a tiny chunk of her cookie, Dani gave it to her niece.

“Thank you.” The happy little girl kissed Dani’s cheek, then stuffed the treat into her mouth and continued marching around the kitchen.

“She adores you,” Lana pointed out. “And you’re so wonderful with her. Someday you’re going to make such a great mom.”

“First, I need to meet a guy who actually wants to settle down and start a family.”

“You will.”

“With my track record?”

“You forget that I’d basically given up on love when I met Sly. And look at me now.” Lana gave a dreamy smile. She and Sly had been married for two-plus years and they still acted like love-sick honeymooners. Dani envied them.

Her traitorous mind went straight to the one man she was trying not to think about—Nick. “Things have gotten weird with Nick,” she confided.

Lana frowned. “How so?”

“Swear you won’t tell Sly.” Dani’s oldest brother, who was seven years older than she was, tended to be on the protective side.

“I promise.” All ears, Lana leaned forward.

Assured, Dani explained. “You remember that Nick came over Saturday night.”