A Town Called Valentine: A Valentine Valley Novel (18 page)

He looked deeply into her eyes, and she thought of all the risky, athletic things she could do with him—in bed. But she was getting ahead of herself, she thought, eating another handful of GORP. Nate chuckled softly, as if he knew what she was thinking.

A
dmitting to Nate that she felt like a coward where her biological father was concerned spurred Emily to action. The next day, she stopped by St. John’s to see Cathy Fletcher, her mother’s high-school friend. Once again, she didn’t reveal her mother’s pregnancy, but with careful questioning, she got Cathy to reveal the names of two boys who occasionally hung out at the Riley family store when Delilah worked after school.

They were no longer boys, of course. Steve Keppel was now the building and grounds supervisor at the Royal Theater, according to Cathy.

She’d already met the other man—Hal Abrams, the owner of the hardware store. She didn’t want to make Cathy suspicious, so she didn’t ask any detailed questions, but her mind was buzzing. She tried to remember everything about Hal, but he’d been quiet compared to the coffee-drinking ranchers. He had sandy-colored hair, and hers was strawberry blond. That wasn’t too different.

Cathy didn’t think Delilah had actually dated either of the boys, but obviously she’d been with
someone.
Unless her mom had been forced—no, Emily wasn’t going there. Her mom freely got involved with men throughout her life, and she’d started in Valentine Valley. She’d never had any hang-ups where men were concerned. There wasn’t one particular type, either. She’d dated construction workers and lawyers, even a professional baseball player once. Men had been captivated by her easy charm and her pointed interest in them.

There was one other person Emily could turn to with her questions before approaching her possible dads directly—Doug Thalberg. He’d known her mother well enough to lend her money. Surely he might be able to hazard a guess about the identity of her father, or perhaps confirm Cathy’s suggestions.

And Monica offered her the perfect opportunity the following day when Emily showed up for work.

As Emily set out her carrot cake, Monica breezed in from the workroom and groaned. “You are going to make me fat.”

“But think how happy you’re making your customers.”

“I don’t know. This used to be an occasional thing for me, but with you here, I’m starting to hear from people how much they look forward to sampling. Are they even buying when they come in, or are they just getting fat themselves?”

Emily laughed. “No, they’re honestly buying. I sold that lovely ceramic vase Mrs. Ludlow painted.”

“Oh, good, because that’s been here a while, and I was starting to feel guilty whenever Mrs. Ludlow asked about it. She’ll get a nice check when I do the monthly consignment payout.” She glanced at the carrot cake again. “You know, Missy was down here late last night. She’d left the apartment to make a call on that smart phone that never leaves her hand. When I came down to work on the Thalberg arrangements, I caught her eating several of yesterday’s mini cupcakes. You’d have thought she was committing a crime. God forbid a sister have hips. We’re not alike in
that
department.”

Emily smiled, but it faded as she studied Monica. “Are things any better between you?”

Monica shrugged. “Mom keeps us busy when we’re together, visiting family, shopping in Aspen. You’ve been a big help letting me get away. I’m feeling guilty that you’re not able to work on your renovations as much.”

“Don’t be. Now that the drywall is up, and that cracked wall mirror gone, I’ve been able to start the prep work before painting.” She hesitated. “But I didn’t mean to sidetrack from you and Melissa.”

“There’s no me and Melissa anymore, so let’s not discuss it. We’re two people with different interests, and living with her is helping me come to terms with that.”

That didn’t sound like they’d made any progress at all, but Emily knew it was time to drop the subject.

Monica briefly consulted the large calendar on the counter. “You up for doing a delivery for me this morning?”

“Of course!” Emily had already driven Monica’s minivan adorned with the flower-shop logo.

“Several arrangements have to go to the Silver Creek Ranch. I think Mrs. Thalberg’s sister is coming to visit, and she wants fresh flowers to liven the place up.” Monica eyed her. “I assume you don’t mind visiting Nate’s family? His dad’s waiting for the delivery.”

Emily grinned. “It’s such a hardship, but I’ll bear it.”

“I made up the arrangements last night, so they’re waiting in the coolers out back. Let’s go load them in the van.”

Soon Emily was on her way to the ranch. It was the first really warm day of late spring, and she’d worn a sleeveless flowered dress and sandals for work, so she felt presentable for the Thalbergs. Maybe she’d get to meet Nate’s mother. She didn’t call Nate and tell him she was coming out—it was for work, after all. And if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to hear if he sounded upset about it. They were getting along so well, it would hurt her if he still didn’t want her near his family.

So much for keeping things casual when she already knew he had the power to hurt her. Well, she’d always felt things too deeply; she would have to get over it. She didn’t need a man’s approval anymore.

After crossing the First Street bridge, she glanced down the road toward the boardinghouse, realizing how much she missed the chatter of the widows every morning. She would have to invite them to dinner, now that she had enough places for everyone to sit!

She was sort of surprised at herself, wanting to entertain in an apartment that was so tiny. But it was . . . hers, and she wanted to invite people in and show them what they meant to her.

She followed the winding dirt road to the ranch house, a two-story building made of rough logs, with porches wrapping around both levels. The roof was bright red, matching several of the barns. It was well cared for, and lots of spring flowers grew in the landscaped beds surrounding the house. Several barns rose behind in the distance, as well as other small buildings.

She backed the van up near the front porch, but before she could even bound up the steps, Doug Thalberg was coming through the front door.

“Emily, it was so kind of you to bring the flowers for my wife.”

“It was no problem, Mr. Thalberg. And it’s my job now.” She smiled at him and was relieved when he smiled back. “Is your wife at home?”

“Nope, but she told me where she wants the flowers.”

Though she was disappointed, Emily didn’t show it, helping Mr. Thalberg to bring the flowers inside. Two arrangements were in vases, and another was a big spray that he put in the hearth of the stone fireplace that dominated the log-walled room.

“This is beautiful,” Emily said, looking around.

The upholstered dark furniture was lightened by throw pillows in greens and reds. Huge bookshelves were built into the wall on either side of the fireplace. The wood floors had several small rugs in various patterns of green.

“We’ve remodeled over the last hundred years, of course, but this room was part of the original homestead.”

“How incredible that you have such family history,” she said wistfully.

“You do, too, Emily. You just don’t know it yet.”

She hesitated. “Nate mentioned that he told you about my predicament. Would you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“Not at all. Let me get some lemonade, and I’ll meet you on the front porch. It’s too beautiful to waste a spring day inside.”

She stepped back outside and sank onto a comfortable wooden rocker with a cushion on the seat. She rocked gently, staring across the fields with hay rippling in the breeze, and toward the looming mountains. The peace of such a view could quiet the troubles of any soul.

He returned with a tray containing a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses. After pouring them each a drink, he sat down beside her, and neither of them said a thing for a few minutes.

“Mr. Thalberg, your land is simply stunning.”

He gave her a small smile. “God’s land, you mean. You can’t help but believe in Him when you live in the Rockies.”

She found herself glancing at the one barn she could see. “Is it always this quiet?”

He grinned at her from beneath the brim of his hat. “No, ma’am. But my kids are up on our grazin’ allotment in the mountains, repairin’ fence. It’s a job that never ends. The elk migratin’ through do some of the damage, along with roamin’ cattle. There’s age and weather conditions as well.”

“I can only imagine what the snow must be like up there in the dead of winter.” She shuddered.

“Are you a skier?” he asked.

“Not regularly, but I’ve done it a few times.”

“You’ll have to return and give our mountains a try. Nate’s quite the expert on skis or snowboard.”

“I’m not surprised. He seems an expert at a lot of things. He gave me a crash course in drywall. And the work he did at the boardinghouse was just amazing.”

“You should see his cabin.”

Not just yet,
she thought. “Your mom did some bragging about it. She’s very proud of all her grandchildren.”

They sat quietly for several minutes, as the breeze blew in the scent of growing hay.

“Those questions I mentioned,” she began at last.

He nodded politely.

“I talked to Cathy Fletcher about my mom having a boyfriend, but she said Delilah didn’t date much. Well, obviously there had to be someone,” she said dryly, “so I wondered if there were any boys who hung at the store, who might not have been officially ‘dating’ my mother. She thought of Hal Abrams and Steve Keppel. Do those names spark any memories?”

Mr. Thalberg frowned as he rocked. “They both still live in town, of course.”

“I know, but I hate to just approach two strangers and say, ‘Are you my father?’ Knowing my mother, she didn’t tell him she was pregnant. It’ll be a terrible shock.”

“Well, not terrible,” he said, giving her a faint smile. “When a man does the deed, he knows there’s a chance, even with all the precautions in the world.”

“Did my mother . . . talk about those men to you?”

“Sorry, no, but I do remember them hangin’ out on Main Street a lot their senior year. The store was pretty popular with all the kids, includin’ me. There’s even another name you might add to your list. Joe Sweet.”

She frowned. “I’ve heard that name before.”

“His family owns the Sweetheart Inn and Ranch. They have their fingers in a lot of the businesses in town.”

“You mean through the preservation fund?”

Mr. Thalberg chuckled. “Nope, that’s for people who want to donate anonymously. They’ve never made any secret of the fact they’re rich enough to invest when they want.”

“Is that a bad thing?” she asked doubtfully.

“Not at all. I’m just tellin’ you how it is. Joe spent some time chasing after Dot. I didn’t think she ever chose one of those boys, but obviously she did.”

“So you can’t help me narrow the list down from those three men?”

“Sorry, no. Dot never spoke of any of them to me.”

Emily nodded her disappointment and took another sip of her lemonade, reminding herself that at least she had another name to research. She’d talk to Nate for more personal details about each of the men.

She heard a crackling sound, then, “Dad?”

Mr. Thalberg unclipped a radio from his belt and spoke into it. “Yeah, Nate?”

“We’ve got a problem up here and we could use your help. Several dozen cows and calves escaped through a hole in the fence before we could repair it. We’re searching now, but we’re on horseback. You want to bring an ATV up here and give us a hand?”

“On my way.”

“We’re at the Pinelands.”

When he put the radio away, Emily smiled ruefully. “Guess I’ll be going.”

He gave her a grin. “Ever ridden an ATV?”

Her eyes widened. “No. But I’m expected back at the flower shop.”

“We’ll call Monica, but she won’t mind. This’ll be your first ATV lesson. Come on.”

Chapter Sixteen

N
ate rode his horse across the grassy pasture. Off in the distance, the ground sloped away, with clumps of pine trees huddled around meandering creeks. The tops of the mountains rose up all around him, as if gathering all the meadows into its arms.

If only the cattle could have stayed gathered, he thought wearily. He was used to chasing them, of course. They could be damned ornery. But up here in the mountains, once free of their grazing lands, they could be mixing with someone else’s herd, or stumbling down a steep drop and breaking a leg.

The radio at his waist crackled as Josh and Brooke took turns calling in their reports.

Nate keyed his radio. “Anyone check where Jackson Creek meets the pond?”

No one had, so Nate rode that way, whistling for Scout to go on ahead. The other ranch dogs were working with Brooke and Josh, and they could find cattle even better than experienced ranch hands.

At the sound of an ATV in the distance, he twisted in his saddle to see if it was his father. Relieved, he waved a hand, then frowned as something seemed . . . different. He saw arms around his dad’s waist, and then a head peeking over his shoulder.

He recognized that wind-whipped strawberry blond hair trailing from beneath her helmet. What was Emily Murphy doing with his dad? Nate was used to keeping his private life separate from the women he dated—it had been that way ever since college. Now as they pulled up on the ATV, and he saw Emily’s wide-eyed excitement, he considered the way he’d always compartmentalized the people he was close to. But it was necessary. No one got hurt that way.

But he couldn’t frown long, seeing Emily’s happy grin. She waved to him, and he smiled and waved back. He saw the relief she couldn’t hide, and that took him aback. Did she think he’d be angry with her? He felt a bit defensive, then looked deeper, wondering if he’d made her feel that way.

His dad cut the power as Nate rode up beside him. Apollo showed no fear of the big machine, having spent his life around farm equipment. Scout jumped up on the rack behind Emily, his regular perch. She laughed and ruffled his fur, and something in Nate’s gut gave a funny squeeze.

Doug gestured with a thumb at Emily behind him. “She was making a flower delivery when you called. Thought she’d like a ride.”

Nate leaned on the pommel and grinned at her. “If I’d have known you liked four-wheeling, I’d have suggested a backcountry adventure.”

“I thought I could trust your dad to give me a more sedate ride than you, but I was wrong! I didn’t know a person could drive so fast!”

Doug glanced over his shoulder, wearing his usual small smile beneath his mustache. “Wait until we ride through a creek.”

“What?” she cried, her eyes glinting mischievously.

“Now you know why I made you borrow some of Brooke’s clothes,” Doug said.

Nate glanced down Emily’s legs and saw that she’d had to stuff the extra long material into waterproof boots. “New boots?”

“These are your mom’s. Her feet are more my size. Hope she won’t mind.”

“Nope, she’ll be glad we had an extra pair of eyes.”

Emily let relief flood through and settle her nerves as she watched Nate sober as he told his dad the various lands they’d already searched. She was still surprised and dismayed at how much Nate’s opinion of her mattered. It didn’t bode well for their simple dating—or more likely her reaction to it.

She couldn’t stop staring at him, with his cowboy hat shielding his eyes, the Carhartt jacket covering a flannel shirt, and fringed chaps over his jeans. The scarf at his neck was bright red and fluttered in the breeze. She was so busy admiring his fine form that she almost jumped when the ATV motor roared to life beneath her.

Mr. Thalberg glanced at her with amusement, and she gave him a sheepish grin. Her legs still trembled after the half-hour ride from where they’d left the pickup. Perhaps she was going to be sore tomorrow, but it was worth it.

Nate rode off ahead of them, and Scout jumped down and bounded after his master. Mr. Thalberg turned and went another way, and she clung to him as he raced through the meadow, high grass whipping against her legs. She turned her head and watched Nate, inhaling at the beauty of the scene as he headed across the meadow, the mountains framing him, the sky so blue above the snowy peaks. She felt almost hungry at the powerful way he moved so effortlessly with his horse.

For the next hour, Emily listened in awe at the coordination between the Thalbergs as they searched for each cow as if it were a member of the family—but of course, the sale of those cows was their profit at the end of the season. Nate’s voice over the radio was one of cool composure as he coordinated the rescue. Emily gasped with delight and awe when Mr. Thalberg veered toward the thundering cattle, who obediently changed their direction, swarming together almost like bees. Nate, Josh, and Brooke rode from different directions, adding cows and calves to the growing herd.

When every cow was accounted for and guided back through the damaged fence, shared grins appeared on Thalberg faces. Josh and Brooke dismounted and went to work with the spools of barbed wire that had already been stacked near the damaged fence. Josh smiled and tipped his hat to her, and she touched the brim of her helmet in reply.

To her surprise, Nate frowned at her, and she gave him a wide-eyed look of puzzlement, as if she didn’t know what was going on. But she knew—Nate Thalberg might be a little jealous over her. She felt giddy.

Then she sobered—she didn’t want him to be jealous.

The sky slowly darkened as speeding clouds caught up with the sun. Emily looked overhead in surprise. Where had the beautiful day gone?

“We’ll let you finish here and get your horses back to the trailer before there’s too much rain,” Mr. Thalberg called. “See you at the ranch.”

Emily looked back as they rode away to see Nate staring after them momentarily before dismounting and going to help his brother and sister. The rain began in earnest then, and she was glad for the heavier clothing Mr. Thalberg had insisted she wear. Once they were in the pickup, he blasted the heat, but she was still chilled through.

Back at the ranch house, she hurried into the bathroom in the hallway near the bedrooms. After discarding her wet clothes in a heap, she hopped into the shower and let the hot water soothe her. As she toweled off, she could tell by the voices echoing through the house that the others had arrived home. And then she realized that her dry clothes were in Brooke’s bedroom. She swore silently under her breath.

Nate opened the bathroom door. “Hey, Josh, I left my—”

She gave a little shriek, thankful he only saw her naked back before she yanked the towel higher and wrapped it around her.

“Jesus, I’m sorry,” Nate said, making no move to shut the door as his gaze took in her towel-clad body. “I thought Josh had arrived before me.”

She rolled her eyes. “No knocking in the Thalberg household?”

He grinned. “Well usually, but I did hear the water shut off, and just assumed.”

That cocky grin slowly died, and she felt as if she were wearing nothing at all, the way his gaze lingered on her damp skin. She should stop him; she should kick him out. But she stood still, basking in his admiration, wishing he’d come in and shut the door.

At last he cleared his throat and spoke in a husky voice. “Guess I’d better let you finish.”

“Oh, I’m finished,” she said, slipping by him, shivering as she brushed against his body. “I’ll be in Brooke’s room, so you might not want to accidentally walk in there.”

His chuckle sounded a bit strained, but she didn’t look behind to see. She finished dressing quickly, and although Brooke invited her to stay for lunch, Emily felt too guilty for abandoning Monica, so she headed back into town before Nate emerged from his old bedroom.

N
ate worked hard all day, trying to rid his mind of the tantalizing glimpse he’d had of Emily. She’d been damp from the shower, her supple back bare of tan lines after winter. He’d had just a side glimpse of the roundness of one breast, and the image lingered.

He had dinner with his family, and when Brooke and Josh headed back to the irrigation dams, he hung back a moment, bringing the last of the dishes into the kitchen.

His mom stood at the sink, her cane resting against the counter beside her, her hips swaying a little to the radio she always played when she worked in the kitchen. She had his dark hair though she now had to color it to keep it that way, but her eyes were brown. Sometimes it made him sad that his green eyes were from the father he didn’t want to remember. Same with his height. His mom barely came up to his shoulders, but her exuberance always made her seem larger-than-life. She’d been dealt several terrible blows in her youth, but you never knew it to talk to her. When her MS flared up, she was the first one to wander the hospital, talking to kids in the pediatric ward or sitting with chemotherapy outpatients. There were times in her life she had to use a wheelchair, but she got up every day looking forward to whatever chores she could do.

Now, as he set the dishes in the sink, she glanced at him with amusement. He immediately grew wary.

“So I missed meeting your Emily,” Sandy said.

Nate sighed. “She’s not
my
Emily. She’s a friend I’m helping out.”

“A friend?”

“Well, yeah. I know she stopped by today, but it was because of the flowers you ordered.”

His mom raised an eyebrow, but his father was the first to comment. “She had questions about her dad, of course. I told your mom all about it.”

“Hope she didn’t make you too uncomfortable,” Nate said, feeling more and more awkward. “It was probably good you weren’t here, Mom, or she might have grilled you, too.”

“ ‘Grilled’?” Sandy echoed. “Having a conversation has now become an interrogation? It almost sounds like you’re warning me away from her.”

“Not true,” Nate insisted.

“If I didn’t know better,” his mom continued, her mouth turned up with repressed laughter, “I’d think you were in charge of who I can visit with.”

“Of course not.” But he didn’t know how to explain his uneasiness, even to himself.

“You better get going, Nathaniel,” she said, nodding to the back door, “before I dissect whatever you’re not saying.”

He left quickly, hearing his mom and dad’s laughter.

After he and Josh had finished irrigating that evening, he took another shower back at his cabin and drove into town. He wasn’t sure what he meant to do, but he felt restless. Normally, he might meet a few guys at Tony’s Tavern and play pool, but the memories of Emily on that pool table were a bit too vivid. He could go dancing at the Outlaws and not lack for partners, but there was only one woman he wanted to concentrate on tonight.

He found himself parked in the alley behind Emily’s building, not knowing quite how he got there. This was probably a bad idea. Scout whined softly, as if sensing his uncertain mood.

“You stay here, buddy.”

He left the windows cracked open and rang the bell for the apartment. When he heard her voice, something inside him felt eager and randy and surprisingly uncertain about his welcome. He took off his hat.

She opened the door and smiled at him, her hair in soft waves about her shoulders. She wore workout shorts and a clingy t-shirt, and hell, he didn’t think she was wearing a bra. It took everything in him to keep his gaze on her lovely, expectant face.

“Nate, twice in one day?” she said, cocking her head.

“This one’s my idea, but earlier today, that was all your fault.”

She sighed. “Your father was very persuasive, saying no one should visit Colorado without riding an ATV.”

“And now you’ve done it. Next time, you’ll have to see it all from horseback.”

“Another date?”

“You’re not going to suggest a trip to the local history museum?” He was kidding, but her face lit up.

“I’d forgotten all about it! I love museums.”

He winced and ran a hand through his hair. “It’s really small. And I know the local history by heart.”

“Then you can elaborate on the skimpy displays.”

He let his gaze roam down her body, saw her nipples tighten for him, felt himself getting hard. “Speaking of skimpy displays . . .” He thought she might cross her arms over her chest, but she didn’t.

“Isn’t it kind of late for early-rising cowboys?”

He looked into her sky blue eyes, opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He felt like a horny teenager again.

Her gaze softened. “Come on up.” She glanced past him. “No Scout?”

“Nope.”

She hesitated as if waiting for an explanation, then gave him a small smile. He followed her up the stairs, admiring her lean runner’s thighs displayed by the shorts. Along the hall that ran past the bedrooms, he saw a framed photo of the Elk Mountains in winter, then another mountain picture in the living room, the high peaks of the Maroon Bells rising over the lake.

He arched a brow at her, and she blushed.

“Garage sale,” she explained. “Your sister is a master at haggling.”