Rocky Mountain Brides: Raising the Rancher's Family

How could he give guidance to a child when he’d lacked positive male influences in his own life? Hell, his own father hadn’t been in his life for years. Even his maternal grandfather hadn’t been attentive to him as a child, or as an adult. His chest tightened as he recalled the familiar rejection. No matter what he’d achieved in sports, academics, in his career, Holt never could live up to his grandfather, Mackenzie Pershing’s, expectations. And he’d never been given the chance to live up to John Rawlins’s.

Holt entered the barn and found Zach cleaning a stall.

“So how did it go?” the old man asked.

“Looks like the kid will be around for a while,” Holt told him. “I’m going to take out Rusty.”

The old man beamed. “That’s a good idea. Why don’t you ask the youngin’ to go along?”

Holt headed to the tack room. “Not now, I need some time alone. Besides, he and Leah are deciding how to fix up his room.” He took the saddle off the sawhorse and carried it to the stall.

Zach followed after him. “You want to know what I think?”

“Not really.” Holt soothed the gelding and slipped the bridle on.

The foreman ignored him. “Since you arrived here, you’ve kept to yourself too much. There’s some good folks around here. Being a little neighborly wouldn’t hurt.”

“I’m a New Yorker. We’re not known for being overly friendly.”

Zach removed his worn hat and scratched his nearly bald head. “Just like your father. For years after your mother took you away, John pretty much stayed here, avoiding people.” The old man smiled. “Until little Leah showed up. She was in high school back then, and cute as a button. All legs, and with braces on her teeth. She was going to be a photographer and she wanted to take pictures of Hidden Falls. Said it was for a school project. John wasn’t too keen on it at first, but she was a pesky thing and finally he gave in. That boyfriend of hers kept bringing her out here …”

“Her boyfriend?”

“Yeah, some big football player. I think they call them jocks now. Whoever he was, he followed her around, doing her bidding.”

Holt didn’t want to hear about Leah’s old boyfriends. “I know the feeling,” he murmured as he spread the blanket over the horse’s back.

“You say something?” Zach asked.

“No.” He lifted the saddle onto Rusty’s back and began to tighten the cinch.

“Well, like I was sayin’, Leah was a frequent visitor out here. John got so he looked forward to seeing her.”

Holt was tired of hearing about Leah’s happy times with John Rawlins. “I’m going to check the herd. I’ll probably finish repairing the pasture fence and be back in a few hours.” He slipped on his gloves with the hope that some physical work would help kill his awareness of Leah.

“You know, Holt, you’re turning into quite the rancher. You haven’t shied away from any of the hard work. Your father would be proud.”

“Too bad it took so long for me to get back here.”

The old man rubbed his jaw. “Maybe there were things John couldn’t control. I wish you could have known him.”

Holt stiffened. “And that’s my fault? The man knew where I lived. He chose not to see me.”

Holt led Rusty out of the stall hoping to find some peace. He sure wasn’t going to get much with a full house.

That next afternoon, Leah went looking for the absent Holt. With directions from Zach, she rode Daisy along the fence into the grassy valley. Since Mrs. Gerard left yesterday she hadn’t had a chance to talk with Holt. Alone. She had a suspicion he was avoiding her. Well, he wasn’t going to ignore her any longer.

She spotted Rusty tied to a tree and not far away was the man she’d been looking for. She rode closer and discovered that he’d removed his shirt, leaving him in an undershirt, revealing his muscular shoulders and arms. Sweat beaded against his skin as he worked to stretch barbed wire along the newly placed post.

Holt looked up as she approached. He didn’t seem happy to see her. “Is there a problem?”

“No, Corey’s fine,” she said as she climbed off her mount. “He’s with Zach.”

Holt went back to stretching the wire. “Then why did you track me down?”

“Maybe if you didn’t just disappear all the time, I wouldn’t have to. We need to talk.”

He finished hammering the horseshoe nail into the wood, then turned to her. “Okay, tell me what’s so important that it couldn’t wait until I got back?”

“I wanted to talk to you …” She was suddenly distracted by the sweat glistening on his shoulders. “I mean about…how we handle Corey. Since it’s summertime he doesn’t have school. And he has a lot of time on his hands.”

“Well, I don’t,” Holt told her. “I have a ranch to run. Next week is roundup. Tomorrow we’re bringing the herd here.”

“That’s what I meant, if you would have taken the time to tell me …”

Anger flashed in his eyes as he dropped his hammer. Pulling off his gloves, he walked toward her. “And why would I feel the need to do that?” Under the shade of the trees, he removed his hat and stopped in front of her. “You’re my pretend wife, Leah, not my real one.”

“Nor would I want to be,” she retorted.

His gaze roamed over her body making her feel exposed. Then he smiled. “Don’t knock it, if you haven’t tried it.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Maybe we should practice at being loving parents.”

Leah pushed his hand away. “Stop it.” She stepped back. “What is wrong with you? I thought you were okay with having Corey live at your house.”

“I am. He’s not a bad kid. It’s you I’m having trouble dealing with.”

She was hurt. “Me? But you asked me to move in. In fact you insisted on it.”

Holt shut his eyes momentarily. He had insisted, but he didn’t realize the toll her living in his house would take on him, on his sanity. “Yes, but all day every day. You’re everywhere.” If she wasn’t in the kitchen, cooking, he could hear her laughter throughout the house. Even when he walked by the bathroom, he could catch the scent of her soap. His gaze locked with hers. “You’re too tempting, Leah.”

Her face reddened. “I’m not trying to be.”

“But it’s the reality.”

“But for Corey’s sake, it wouldn’t be a good idea to act on those thoughts.”

“So it’s for the kid’s sake that you rode all this way?”

He watched her breathing grow rapid. She gave him a weak nod.

“You’re a liar, Leah” he accused. “You could have waited until I got back. Maybe you’re feeling it, too. This thing between us.”

Against his better judgment, he took a step closer.

She couldn’t get away because Daisy was behind her.

“I should get back.”

He knew she was right. He knew that he should just send her away, but ever since that day at the falls when he’d kissed her, he’d wanted to kiss her again.

“You should have just left me alone, Leah. A man can only take so much.” He never realized how overwhelming just knowing she was sleeping down the hall from him…She was the first person he saw in the morning and the last person at night …

If he let her, she could become an obsession. “You want me to say that I want you? All right, I do.”

His mouth lowered to hers, his lips caressed hers, then he pulled back to see her blink her big eyes at him. He was barely holding on to his control. “Tell me to stop, Leah, and I will.”

She just stared at him, then parted her lips as he dipped his head toward hers. When his mouth closed over hers, she whimpered and placed her arms around his neck and let her lips part so he could deepen the kiss. He did. He tasted her and it was intoxicating. He wanted more. Much more. His arms wrapped around her and pulled her against his aching body. He was drowning in her, and never wanted to come up for air.

Finally his common sense prevailed, and he broke off the kiss. He gasped for a breath and stepped back. Was he crazy?

“Go back to the house, Leah,” he demanded as he turned away.

Leah stood there frozen to the spot. She’d been crazy to let Holt kiss her. Crazy to get involved with this man. She had to stay focused on a more important problem. “Holt.”

“I said leave, Leah.”

“You can’t keep ignoring Corey.”

He turned around and nodded in agreement. “I’m not that big a bastard. I know I shouldn’t ignore him. It’s just that some of us aren’t the best role models.”

“It’s not as hard as you think, Holt. Just give him some of your time, a little attention. The boy hangs on to your every word. I’ve already seen him emulate your mannerisms.”

“I don’t want him to,” he told her. “His stay isn’t meant to be permanent. Corey will be leaving.”

“Well, while he’s here, he’s chosen you to be his hero.”

The following evening, Holt drove into town and parked the truck in front of the Keenan Inn. Leah’s parents had invited all of them to dinner. It was great for Corey and Leah, but he wasn’t sure he was ready to socialize, to play out their situation in public. And he’d learned that Tim Keenan had been a good friend of John Rawlins.

“Wow! Your house is so big,” Corey said from the back seat of the truck.

“Remember I told you that we only live on the third floor. The rest of the house is for guests,” Leah explained. “Come on, Mom and Dad are waiting.”

Corey eagerly climbed out of the truck’s back door. He was wearing the new clothes that Leah had bought him. His hair, although still long, was neatly combed off his forehead. For all his excitement, the boy moved behind Leah when her parents come out on the porch.

Holt knew the feeling. He found himself putting his hand on the boy’s shoulder as Leah hurried up the steps to embrace her family.

“It’s okay, Corey. The Keenans are nice people.”

The boy still looked frightened. “What if they don’t like me?”

Holt couldn’t help but smile as he pulled off his Stetson. It was funny how quickly boots and cowboy hats had become his uniform. “Just be polite and remember what we talked about.”

“I know, mind your manners.”

It was Mrs. Keenan who came down the steps and smiled at the boy. “My, what a handsome, young man. You must be Corey.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Keenan.” With a nudge from Holt, he reached out his hand.

She shook it. “It’s nice to meet you, Corey. And all the kids call me Mrs. K.” She raised her gaze to Holt. “You must be Holt Rawlins. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He shook her hand as Leah’s father showed up.

“Hello, Holt. It’s nice to see you again.” The older man smiled.

“Thank you for inviting us, Mr. Keenan,” Holt said.

“It’s Tim and Claire. And lately, it’s the only way we can see our daughter,” Tim joked. “But what she’s doing is more important. Right, lad?”

The boy nodded. “Nice to meet you, Mr. K.”

A younger woman arrived on the porch. She was a good four inches taller than Leah and had long auburn hair. Holt recognized her as Destiny’s mayor. “Corey and Holt, this is our oldest daughter, Morgan,” Mrs. Keenan said.

“You’re the mayor,” Corey said.

The pretty woman smiled. “Yes, I am. You can call me Morgan.”

“And it’s great to have two more guys to even the odds at the dinner table,” Tim said. “Maybe we can talk sports for a change. How do you feel about the Denver Broncos?”

Holt had been a New York Giant fan all his life. “I’m looking forward to the upcoming season,” he told his host as they went into the house.

As they walked through the house into the warm, aromatic kitchen, Tim Keenan said, “You both are in for a treat. My Claire is the best cook around.”

Holt smiled. “I’ve been looking forward to sampling it all day.”

Leah watched as Corey stayed close to Holt. Seeing his protective hand on the boy’s shoulder something tightened around her heart. Since her trip out to the pasture, Holt had spent more time with the boy. At first it was awkward, but the two were making strides. At least they’d fared better than she at trying to forget Holt’s kiss.

“Everything is ready,” her mother called. “Holt, Corey and Leah, sit over there.” The big table was set for six. A large pot roast, bowls of vegetables and a basket of homemade rolls were placed in the center.

When they were all seated, the blessing was said and food passed out. The conversation was lively while eating the scrumptious supper. By the time they’d finished dessert, everyone was relaxed. Her father took Corey up to the attic to search for some toys and games to take back to the ranch.

They were finishing coffee when Morgan directed her attention to Holt. “From what I hear, you’ve settled into ranch life.”

“I have to admit it’s a lot of work, but yes, thanks to Zach Shaw, I’m getting the hang of ranching.” He smiled. “Of course, I might change my mind after the roundup next week.”

Morgan turned to her sister. “Didn’t you help John with the roundup a few times?”

Leah glanced at Holt. “A long time ago. I was just a kid.”

“Don’t let her fool you, Holt. She was quite the cowgirl back then.”

Holt studied Leah. “Oh, really. You never stop amazing me.”

“Well, don’t expect much. I pretty much followed John’s and Zach’s lead.” She glared at her sister.

“Do you have other men to help out, Holt?” her mother asked.

“Zach has lined up some of the neighbors, Jim Bakersfield and Bart Young.”

“Good, men,” Claire said. “It’s nice that you’re going to meet some of the townspeople…since you’re going to be living here.”

The mayor raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t it mighty peculiar you being a New Yorker that you’ve decided you want to live here?”

“I was born here,” he said. “It wasn’t my choice to leave.” He glanced around the room. “I’m sure everyone in town knows about my parents’ marriage. At the moment, I’m where I want to be—here in Colorado.”

Morgan smiled. “And we’re glad to have you.”

Tim appeared in the kitchen doorway. “And your father would be happy that you’re running the Silver R. It was something he’d planned since the day you were born.”

Holt stiffened, trying to hold on to his reserve. He’d never known what his father wanted…only that he hadn’t wanted him.

CHAPTER SIX

MUCH later that night, unable to sleep, Leah sat at the kitchen table. She had her laptop open and decided she needed to go over the series of pictures she’d taken on her last assignment. Her editor had e-mailed a list of the pictures they wanted to use for the magazine’s next issue.

If there was any consolation to her job it was that a lot of readers would see the famine and destruction in the already war-torn area. She wanted her photos to help the cause, the children especially. Another picture appeared on the screen and Leah stopped breathing.

Soraya. She was a beautiful little girl. At the age of six, she’d already experienced too much heartbreak in her short life. She had lost her entire family in the earthquake and had been living in a tent camp, begging for food from anyone who would throw her some scraps. When Leah found the child she was starved and close to death.

Leah clicked the mouse and another picture appeared. Soraya’s big brown eyes looked back at her. Leah clicked on another, and another as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“What are you still doing up?”

Leah recognized Holt’s voice. She swiped the tears from her cheeks and looked up to see the bare-chested man standing in the doorway, dressed in only a pair of low-riding jeans. She swallowed hard. “I couldn’t sleep so I decided to do some work. Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

He shrugged. “I heard you come downstairs, but when you didn’t return, I wanted to see if you were okay.”

“Just a little keyed up.” She didn’t want to talk about herself. “Corey had a good time tonight.”

“Yeah, he did.” Holt walked to the table. “What about you? You look like someone stole your puppy.”

She forced a smile. “I was just concentrating on work.”

Holt knew it was a lie. She’d been crying, and he hated the fact that it bothered him. That he felt the need to comfort her. “What have you got there?”

“Some of the pictures I took on my last overseas shoot.”

“Mind if I have a look?” He didn’t wait for her permission and looked over her shoulder.

She hesitated. “I…I guess not. This group is from my most recent assignment. I was shooting the thousands of people who are still displaced by the earthquake.” She began to scroll through the pictures.

“Man, these are something.” He studied each picture and was amazed at how Leah had captured the defeat and despair on their faces. Next were the children with their hopeful smiles as they posed for her. It was hard to look at their emaciated bodies, realizing they were caused by starvation. A beautiful dark-haired girl appeared on the screen whose big dark eyes tugged at his heart.

“They needed so little, but yet, so much,” Leah said, tears in her voice. “And with all the other tragedies in the world, there just isn’t enough money, enough help. No child should have to live this way.” Along with the sadness came an angry tone. “It’s all so cruel…so tragic.”

Holt pulled up a chair, sat down and placed an arm around her. “I know, but you can’t save them all.”

Leah covered her face with her hands. “But why couldn’t I have saved one?” she asked. “Just one little girl, Soraya.” A sob racked her body. “Oh, Holt, she was doing so well…I found her a shelter, and I promised to come back to see her. I was going to bring her home to the States so she could live with me.”

She shook her head as tears flooded her eyes. “I couldn’t save her. She died.”

Holt drew her into his arms and held her close as she cried. He wanted to absorb some of her pain, her agony. How long had she carried this with her? “It’s not your fault, Leah. It was a natural disaster in a country devastated by years of war.”

She raised her head and looked at him. “But I promised her I’d help her…to keep her safe.”

Now her obsession with Corey became clear to him. “Leah…you did the best you could do. You were probably the only one who took the time for Soraya. For a short time, you were able to give her love…and hope.”

That seemed to make her pause. “You think so?”

Emotions tore at him as he nodded.

As if she all at once became aware of their closeness, she sat up straight. “My editor needs me to go back.”

Seeing the pictures, Holt suddenly realized how dangerous her job could be. The last thing he wanted was for her to go back.

“I thought you had at least a month.”

“I do. But they never really want you to take that much time. I’m staying until after Mom and Dad’s anniversary.”

He found he didn’t want her to leave at all. “I’m not an expert, but I think you could use some time off.”

“But the more pictures I take, the more the world will see what’s going on there…with the children.”

“So, single-handedly you’re going to try to save them all?”

“No, but I need to do something.”

“And your pictures do that. People will see these children in the magazine.” An idea hit him. “Do these photos go to your editor?”

“They’ve already bought the ones they want. These others are mine.”

Mesmerized, he studied the photos again. “I hope you know, Leah, you’re an incredible photographer.” Her pictures should be displayed in a gallery, or at the very least put into a book, he thought.

Leah gave him a trembling smile. “Thank you.”

“I’m just speaking the truth,” he told her, thinking about his friend, Jason Mitchell, back in New York. He owned a gallery on Fifth Avenue and specialized in new talent.

Although he would be getting more deeply involved in her life, he couldn’t seem to stop himself. Suddenly he realized he’d do about anything to keep her safe…and here. And it had nothing to do with the deal they made about Corey.

The next morning, Holt got up at dawn, but there weren’t any sounds from Leah’s room as he passed by. Corey was already in the kitchen and starting breakfast. Holt had to admit that the boy was a hard worker.

“Mornin’, Holt. Zach said you and him are going to move the herd today. I was wondering, since I cleaned my room, if I could go with you?

Holt knew how hard the boy had worked the past week to learn to ride. And he’d done pretty well. Holt also remembered all the times he’d wanted to go places with his grandfather, but the man seldom had time for him. Zach was right, a boy needed to prove himself.

“It’s going to be a long morning. You sure you’re up for it?”

Corey’s eyes widened in expectation. The freckles across his nose and cheeks seemed to become more prominent. “Zach said I can handle it. He’s been teaching me to rope and cut a calf from his mama.”

“I guess there’s no better teacher than Zach. He’s been doing it for a long time. He even taught me.”

“I know.” Corey took a pitcher of orange juice from the refrigerator. “Zach said you turned out to be a pretty good cowboy, too—for a city boy.”

“He did, did he? That’s high praise. Well, if he thinks you’re ready, then I suppose you are.”

Those blue eyes rounded. “Really? I can go?”

Holt nodded.

The boy let out a loud whoop. But before Holt could quiet him down, Leah appeared in the doorway, her hair mussed, her dark bedroom eyes still heavy from sleep. Dressed in a conservative pink cotton robe, with a print gown underneath, she exposed just enough of her leg to cause his blood to race.

“What’s going on in here?” she asked.

“Sorry, we didn’t mean to wake you,” Holt said.

Corey went running to her. “Leah, Holt says I can go to help move the herd today.”

“That’s great,” she said, then looked at Holt and smiled. “Guess that makes you an official ranch hand then.”

“I’ve got to get my boots and my hat.” The boy ran out of the room.

Leah smiled tentatively at Holt. She’d tried to stay in bed until he had left the house. She was still vulnerable from their middle of the night encounter. He’d learned more about her than her own family. What amazed her was he just let her talk and cry it out. And the sexy cowboy hadn’t taken advantage of the situation. He was so not the man she once thought he was. Why did he try so hard to hide this side of himself?

Leah marched across the room and stood in front of him. “Looks like you’re playing hero again.”

“It’s not my intention,” he said uncomfortably. “But it’s not going to hurt Corey to come along.”

“Well, whatever, you’ve made a little boy pretty happy. And thank you for helping me out last night, too.” She rose up on her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to meet hers.

The minute their lips met Leah knew she was in trouble. She quickly discovered she wasn’t in control of anything, least of all her heart.

The woman made him crazy.

Holt looked across the herd of Herefords to see Leah riding along with Zach. The old man was right. She knew how to handle a horse. And Corey had wanted her to come with them, too.

Ordinarily he wouldn’t mind having her ride with them, until she’d planted that kiss on him this morning. A kiss so explosive he nearly lost all coherent thoughts. Then she ended it and walked out the door as easy as you please.

Well, he wasn’t going to get involved. She had nice girl written all over her. A woman who didn’t play games. She was the worse kind, a woman who wanted a permanent relationship. But he hadn’t been willing to do a lot of things until Leah Keenan came barreling into his life.

Zach walked his horse up beside him. “How you holdin’ up?”

“I’m fine. Why?”

“You keep looking in my direction.” A lazy grin spread across his weathered face. “Of course maybe it wasn’t me you’ve been lookin’ at. Could it be Leah?”

Did the old man have radar? “It’s my land, I can look anywhere I please.”

“If it helps ease your pain, she’s been stealing glances at you, too. The boy and her make a nice pair.”