The Heart Won't Lie

Despite the help from Jack, he could end up falling off his horse during the shooting of the video. That would be embarrassing as hell, both to him and to the publicist. He should have confessed his shortcomings to the gung-ho woman who’d called him with feverish excitement to propose the video they would shoot in three weeks.

Michael could have told her the truth and suggested they drop the idea. Some still shots might work if they found a docile horse for him. But no, he hadn’t said those things because he’d wanted to preserve the mystique. Ego, pure and simple.

With a sigh, he walked over to the window and looked out at the majestic Tetons. He should have come to this part of the country years ago. A summer on a dude ranch would have given him what he needed and he wouldn’t be in this fix now.

But he hadn’t admitted all his fears to Jack. He was deathly afraid that he wouldn’t have any talent for being a cowboy, no matter how long he worked at it. By cramming his lessons into a week, he could excuse himself if he failed. If he’d taken an entire summer and failed, he’d have been forced to conclude that he wasn’t cut out for the life he wrote about so convincingly.

That would be a tough pill to swallow. He wasn’t sure how that would affect his writing, but he had a hunch it would make a dramatic difference. If he’d never tried to be a real cowboy, then he could hang on to the illusion that such a thing might be possible.

“Mr. Hartford?”

He turned from the window and discovered Keri standing in the doorway. “Call me Michael, okay?”

“All right, if that’s what you’d prefer. Is there anything you need? I ducked out on my job, but I’m available now.”

“Has the mouse received a decent burial?”

“It was quick, but I think the boys would have been satisfied.” She studied him. “It’s the strangest thing, but I feel as if I know you from somewhere. I don’t, do I?”

He didn’t dare ask if she read Westerns, but this was the very thing he’d worried about. “I doubt it. I have one of those faces. People often think they know me.”

“Maybe, but I’ve seen you somewhere. I’ll figure it out.”

That settled one thing for sure. He wouldn’t start growing his mustache while he was here.

“So, is everything to your liking? Have you checked out the towel supply in the bathroom?”

“I’m sure it’s fine.” He still couldn’t quite place her accent.

“What’s your pillow preference? You currently have down, but I can substitute polyester fill if you’re allergic.”

“Not allergic. I’m pretty low maintenance.” He had a feeling she was, too. She’d hurried right back without stopping to primp.

“Then I’ll quit pestering you and let you settle in. If there’s anything you need, my room’s right across the hall.”

“It is?”

“I know. It’s not the usual thing to have the employees stay on the same floor as the guests, but Sarah never planned on having more help than Mary Lou, the cook. Then the boys came, which made extra work. When they hired me last summer, they put me up here.”

“Do we…uh…share a bathroom?” That could get quite cozy.

“No, we don’t. That one is all yours. Last fall Jack renovated my space and installed a small bathroom. He also put one in between the boys’ rooms, but it’s tiny, too. The nicest one is yours.” She backed toward the door. “Let me know if you need anything, though. Seriously.”

“Jack said you might give me a tour of the house.”

“He did?” She glanced down at her clothes. Without saying a word, she’d managed to communicate her desperate hope for a shower and change of outfit.

“But it can wait until you get cleaned up.”

Relief showed in her green eyes. “Thank you. I feel gross. Give me fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll give you thirty. Listen, I’ve been trying to place your accent. Where are you from?”

“Baltimore. See you in twenty minutes.” Flashing her bright smile, she turned and walked across the hall.

He gazed after her. He had a hunch she hadn’t been a housekeeper back in Baltimore. Everybody had a story, and he wanted to know hers.

KERI RETREATED TO her room so she could give herself a good talking to while she showered off the grime. She was attracted to Michael, and she needed to put a lid on that inconvenient attraction ASAP. She was a member of the staff, which meant no fraternizing with the guests.

Nobody had told her that in so many words, but she’d been on the other end of the social spectrum. Her parents would have fired any maid who’d shown interest in a houseguest. It just wasn’t done.

The Chances hadn’t turned this upstairs bedroom into housekeeper’s quarters so that she could mingle with the guests. They’d put her here because it was the only space available that also could be plumbed for a small bathroom. If she happened to be across the hall from the extremely good-looking Michael Hartford, she didn’t have to emphasize the fact. God knew what he’d thought when she’d mentioned how close she was to his room.

When she took him on a tour, she’d establish more distance between them. The whole mouse incident had thrown her off and made her forget her position here. She’d even pushed the issue of burying the little rodent when Jack had clearly thought that was nonsense, and she’d made her stand in front of Michael. She’d apologize to Jack about that.

After years of being at the top of the social pecking order, she sometimes forgot that she wasn’t there now, at least not in Jackson Hole. Then again, the Chance family didn’t stand on ceremony with their employees. Back home, the household help wouldn’t dream of calling their employers by their first names. At the Last Chance, first names were all anybody used.

That made it easy for her to forget that she wasn’t in charge around here. She figured the Chances understood why she slipped up sometimes, though. They all knew that anytime she chose, she could tap into her trust fund. She was proud to say she hadn’t needed to.

Eighteen months ago, on New Year’s Eve, she’d scandalized Baltimore society by engaging in an epic girl fight at a ritzy party. Selena had started it, and Keri had finished it. Pictures of the fight had shown up on Facebook, and somehow Keri had become the villain of the piece.

When she could no longer be effective in her job at a Baltimore PR firm because of the gossip, she’d decided that a change of scenery might be a good idea. Wyoming had seemed far enough away to accomplish that, and she’d loved the area when the family had come for ski vacations. She’d flown to Jackson, rented a car and searched for a job.

Lucky for her, the Last Chance had taken her on, and instinct had told her to grab the opportunity. Sure, she could have lived off her trust fund while she was in Jackson Hole, but she’d wanted to see if she could make it on her own. She’d been a trust-fund baby for too long, and she hadn’t realized how that steady income had undermined her confidence.

Earning a living without depending on anything but her own grit and determination had boosted her morale quite a bit. She didn’t miss her old life much. She’d only intended to be here a few months, until the gossip had died down, but the place had grown on her.

Theoretically she could go back to Baltimore anytime, because according to her parents, nobody mentioned the incident anymore. But Keri found herself looking for excuses to stay at the ranch. They’d needed her when the boys had arrived in June, and now they needed her to help with the wedding guests.

Come winter, her services wouldn’t be so critical. She could give her notice then, which would allow them plenty of time to find a new housekeeper. She loved living on the ranch, but she didn’t intend to be a cleaning lady for the rest of her working life. What she did want was still up for debate.

She showered in record time, and true to her word, she made it out of her room and back over to Michael’s in twenty minutes. She’d even managed to blow-dry her hair. Getting dressed was easy these days. Jeans, a T-shirt, running shoes. She no longer spent much time on makeup, either.

Some fancier outfits hung in her closet, but she had no reason to wear them. Once in a while she longed for a reason to put on party clothes, but people didn’t do that much at the ranch, or in the little town of Shoshone ten miles down the road. She’d accepted dates with some of the ranch hands, but jeans were fine for the Spirits and Spurs in Shoshone. Those dates hadn’t resulted in any wild love affairs, either.

Maybe that explained her attraction to Michael. He hailed from her neck of the woods, and she felt that gave them something in common that she didn’t have with everyone here. As she rapped on his door frame to announce her presence, she cautioned herself to be very careful. She might not want to keep this job forever, but she didn’t want to be booted out for inappropriate behavior, either.

Michael closed a drawer and turned. He’d taken off his hat and it lay on the bed, brim side down. She’d have to tell him to flip it the other way, which preserved the shape better.

He glanced at the clock sitting on top of the dresser. “Twenty minutes, and you’re showered and changed. I don’t think I know any woman who could accomplish that.”

“It’s the simplicity of the existence here. Ranch life can be complicated sometimes, but getting dressed for it isn’t.”

“Maybe not if you’ve been here long enough.” He gestured toward his shirt, jeans and boots. “This outfit took an enormous amount of effort.”

“It did? Why?”

“I didn’t want to look like I just stepped out of a Western wear store, so I had someone rough these things up a bit. Everything’s been artificially distressed so it looks as if I’ve been out riding the trails and roping those doggies.”

She pressed her lips together, not sure if she was supposed to find that funny or not.

“It’s okay. You can laugh. It makes me laugh, too.”

“Whoever worked on it did a good job. When you walked through the front door, I thought you were the real deal.”

“I’m not, but maybe Jack will whip me into shape.”

“I’m sure he will, but why are you…” She caught herself just in time. Her question was inappropriate coming from a staff member.

“Why am I doing this?”

She shook her head. “Forget I asked. It’s none of my business.”

“Well, it’s complicated.”

“Really, you don’t have to explain.”

“I know, but it’s a legitimate question. All my life I’ve wanted to be a cowboy. I can’t really be one because my life is in New York City. But this week, I’ll at least find out if I have what it takes.”

“I completely understand that.” Yep, that feeling of connection was snapping into place. She’d come out here to get away from gossip, but she’d stayed because she wanted to see if she had what it took to live in a completely different environment.

She was testing herself, and apparently, so was he. She admired that impulse to seek a different path from the one you were born to. Talking about that with him would make for interesting conversation. Maybe someday, when they were both back in their normal environments…but that was getting way ahead of the game.

“I believe that you do understand. I’ll take a wild guess that you might have some similar reasons for being in Wyoming.”

“Good guess.” But she wouldn’t elaborate, because the more they exchanged confidences now, the stronger the link between them. And now was not the time for making a connection. “Let’s go see the rest of the house.”

3

KERI WAS AN excellent tour guide, and Michael was interested in the history of the massive two-story ranch house with its sturdy log construction. But he was even more interested in Keri and why she’d left Baltimore to come out here. Whatever the reason, she’d adapted with a can-do attitude that both attracted and inspired him.

She kept the focus on the ranch, though, and he couldn’t figure out how to question her without being intrusive. He learned about the grandparents, Archie and Nelsie Chance, who’d homesteaded the place in the thirties. As a storyteller, he appreciated the tale of how they’d taken a run-down place and created a gem that was now worth millions to their heirs. Jack was the oldest grandson, followed by Nick, a veterinarian, and Gabe, who specialized in showing the registered Paints bred and trained at the Last Chance. Raising cattle had been abandoned for the horse business.

Keri proudly showed off the awards Gabe had won, all displayed in a case in the large living room, which was anchored by a great stone fireplace. The leather furniture and wagon-wheel chandelier were the sort of rustic touches Michael often included in his books. He was gratified to find out that in this, too, he’d gotten it right.

But whenever he tried to turn the conversation in the direction of Keri’s background, she dodged away. Close to six o’clock, she took him into a large dining room at the end of the house’s left wing. His bedroom would be directly above it.

She gestured to four round tables, each of which could seat eight people. “This is where everyone gathers for lunch,” she said. “That includes the ranch hands and as many members of the Chance family as are available. It’s a tradition to get together for the noon meal and exchange information about ranch business.”

“Do you eat lunch here, then?”

“That depends on whether Mary Lou needs my help. When the boys were here, they also ate in the dining room, so Mary Lou needed me to serve and clear.”

“But now?”

“I grabbed a quick lunch in the kitchen today because I had so much cleaning to do, but tomorrow I’ll probably eat here. Mary Lou may join everyone, too, at least for a few days until the wedding guests arrive. Then it’ll get busy again.”

Michael felt ridiculously pleased that he’d see her at lunch tomorrow. Between now and then he planned to do some research on the internet. Social media could be a pain in the ass, but through it he might be able to get a bead on Keri Fitzpatrick.

A regal woman with silver hair walked out of the kitchen. She wore jeans and a Western blouse, nothing fancy, but she had an air of command about her. “I thought I heard voices.” She walked forward, hand extended. “You must be Michael Hartford, Bethany’s friend.”

“And you must be Sarah Chance.” He clasped her hand and felt the firm grip of a woman who was as sure of her place in the world as Jack was of his. Bethany had told him that Sarah was the reigning queen of the neighborhood, and Michael began to see why.

“That’s right.” She smiled at him. “Looks like Keri’s been showing you around. Thanks for doing that, Keri. I’ve been a little distracted today. Pete wants to fly in floral arrangements from Hawaii, and I want wildflowers. I do believe it’s our first fight.”

Michael spoke without thinking. “Wildflowers.” Then he realized he didn’t have a vote. “Forget that. It’s not my place to—”

“Hey, I’ll take all the support I can get.” Sarah glanced at Keri. “What do you think?”

“I agree with Michael. This is Wyoming. You need wildflowers, not some exotic tropical arrangement. But I’ll bet Pete wants to do something extravagant because he’s so happy. It’s sweet, really.”

“It is sweet.” Sarah’s blue eyes grew soft. “So maybe I’ll let him order a tropical bouquet for me to carry, and the altar can be decked with wildflowers. How’s that?”

“Perfect,” Keri said. “Great compromise. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll go in and see if Mary Lou needs any help in the kitchen.” Just like that, she was gone.

Sarah turned to him. “How about a drink before dinner?”

“Sounds good.” Not as good as following Keri into the kitchen, but he had no excuse to do that. Guests probably weren’t allowed to help out, and he’d be worthless at it, anyway.

“Let’s go back into the living room.” She led him down the hall past a rogue’s gallery of family pictures. “Pete should be here soon. He had some errands in town. Jack and Josie are coming, too. They’ve left little Archie over at Gabe and Morgan’s house.” She paused. “Here I am rattling off names, and I have no idea if you know who I’m talking about. Did Bethany fill you in at all?”

“I know the names of your sons, and Jack mentioned Josie and little Archie on the drive in.”

“Morgan is Gabe’s wife, and they have two kids, a girl and a boy. Nick is married to Dominique, and they have one adopted boy. All three of my sons have built their own homes on ranch land, and I love having them so close.”

“You have quite a legacy here, Sarah.”

“Thanks to Archie and Nelsie.” She gestured around the living room as they walked in. “I married into this, so I can’t take any credit for it.”

“That’s not what Keri said. She told me that you’re the lynchpin holding everything together.”

“Did she? What a nice thing for her to say.” Sarah moved over to the liquor cabinet. “I do like that woman. I wish she’d stay on, but I can’t expect someone with her background to be a housekeeper much longer.”

“She’s leaving?” Michael felt a moment of panic. If she took off tomorrow or the next day, he’d never have a chance to learn more about her.

“Oh, not right away, but she will. I think she’s waiting until after the wedding, which is considerate.” She opened the hand-carved liquor cabinet. “What would you like?”

“Two fingers of Scotch, if you have it.”

“We do.” In moments she’d poured herself a glass of red wine and given Michael a squat tumbler containing ice and his requested Scotch. “Here’s to friendship.”

“To friendship, and to your generosity in letting me stay here the week before your wedding.”

She touched her glass to his and took a sip. “I’m thrilled you’re here. Jack needed something to do this week, so your arrival is perfect. If he didn’t have you to distract him, he’d be underfoot. He pretends not to like the preparation stage, but he can’t keep his nose out of things, either.”

Good thing Michael hadn’t been drinking when she’d said that or he might have choked on his Scotch. No wonder Sarah was considered the lynchpin of the family. She understood people better than some CEOs he’d met.

She gestured toward the leather chairs positioned in front of the fireplace. “Let’s sit. It’s too warm for a fire, but we tend to gather here and stare at the cold grate, anyway. Habit, I guess.” She settled into one of the leather armchairs.

Michael took the one next to her. “Great chair.”

“Thanks.”

“And even without a fire, the stonework is worth looking at.”

“My father-in-law was a talented man.” She turned to Michael. “I’m curious. What prompted you to ask for riding and roping lessons?”

Michael decided to give her the same answer he’d given Keri. It was the truth, so far as it went. “Like a lot of guys, I’ve always wanted to be a cowboy.”

She studied him for a moment. “It’s not as glamorous as it looks from the outside.”

“I’m sure it’s not, which is why I don’t plan to actually be one. But learning some of the skills will be…interesting.”

She smiled. “I notice you didn’t say it would be fun.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t know if it will be or not, but I have to try.”

“I think it will be fun for you. I hope so, because you’re obviously interested in giving it a shot. But Jack’s a taskmaster.”

“I’m not surprised to hear that.” Michael took another taste of his Scotch, which was excellent.

“I think we have some liniment upstairs, and probably Epsom salts, too. Have Keri find those for you.”

“Okay.” He decided that was as good an opening as any. “If I’m being too nosy, just say so, but why are you so sure Keri will leave? What is her background?”

“She didn’t tell you?”

“No, just that she’s from Baltimore.”

Sarah hesitated. “I shouldn’t have mentioned that I think she’ll leave. I’ll blame being distracted by the wedding for letting that comment slip out. But since I did mention it, I can understand why you’d be curious. So I’ll just say that she comes from a very privileged background.” She glanced at him. “Probably much like yours, in fact.”

“Yet she’s working as a housekeeper.”

“Yes, and her reasons are hers to tell.”

“I don’t think she will tell me.”

Sarah met his gaze. “That’s up to her, then.”

Michael had no choice but to drop the subject. He asked about her grandchildren, a topic she clearly loved, and Keri wasn’t mentioned again. Later on, Sarah’s fiancé arrived, followed by Jack and his wife, Josie.

During their meal in the smaller dining room adjacent to the larger one used for lunch, Michael thought he did a pretty decent job of focusing on his four dinner partners. Pete Beckett, Sarah’s fiancé, was tall, lean and had a great sense of humor. Josie, an attractive blonde, dressed like a cowgirl and wore her long hair in a braid down her back. Jack obviously needed a strong woman to balance his tendency to take charge, and Josie seemed to fit the bill. Michael liked them all, but his thoughts stayed with Keri.

The ranch cook, a middle-aged woman named Mary Lou, served the meal. But Michael knew that Keri had helped prepare it, and he kept hoping she’d show up at some point. She didn’t, but he could hear the faint sounds of feminine laughter coming from the kitchen, along with a man’s voice.

Michael wondered who was in that kitchen with Mary Lou and Keri. For all he knew, Keri was involved with one of the ranch hands. It shouldn’t matter to him. Unfortunately for his peace of mind, it did.

THE DINERS HAD LEFT, the dining table had been cleared and Keri sat with Mary Lou in the kitchen. They’d been joined by Watkins, a ranch hand who was also Mary Lou’s husband as of the previous summer. All three of them were enjoying a leisurely moment over dessert and coffee.

“Mary Lou, nobody can make a chocolate cake like you can.” Keri pushed back her chair. “I’m having a second piece.”

“Believe I’ll have a second piece of that cake, myself.” Watkins rose from his chair.

“Hold on there, cowboy.” Mary Lou caught his arm and pulled him back down. “Your jeans are getting a might snug.”

Watkins sighed and resumed his seat. “That’s a fact, but it ain’t fair.” He used a napkin to wipe cake crumbs off his handlebar mustache. “Keri eats and eats, and she doesn’t gain a pound. I just look at a second piece of cake and I have to let out my belt another hole.”

“That’s because Keri is twenty-seven and you’re fifty-four,” Mary Lou said. “Your metabolism is slower.”

“That may be, Lou-Lou, but the rest of me hasn’t lost a step.” He winked at Mary Lou. Although they’d only been married a year, he’d been after her for a long time before that, and his delight at finally getting her was obvious.

Mary Lou rolled her eyes. “There you go again, bragging on yourself.” But she said it with a smile. Then she glanced at Keri. “I thought you were getting more cake?”

“I don’t really need it.”

“Don’t give it up just because Watkins will stare at you mournfully while you eat it. Be strong. Claim your cake.”

“I will stare at her mournfully, too,” Watkins said. “That is the best damn cake in the world.”

“Oh, for crying out loud!” Mary Lou picked up his plate and hers. “I’ll cut you a tiny slice, you whiny baby. You can eat it slow. And I’ll have some more, while I’m at it. Give me your plate, Keri. Might as well cut them all at once.”

Keri grinned and handed over her plate. “Thanks, Mary Lou. Make it this big.” She held her thumb and forefinger about two inches apart.

Watkins shook his head. “I don’t know where you put it all, girl.”

“It’s the grave digging,” Mary Lou said as she uncovered the cake and started slicing. “Keeps a person slim and trim.”

“I guess I’ll never live that down, will I?” Keri didn’t mind the teasing, though. Mary Lou only teased the people she liked.

“You not only buried him, you erected a monument.” Mary Lou set a good-size piece of cake in front of Keri, a medium-size one for herself and a sliver in front of Watkins, who made a face.