Bridleton (6 page)

She dragged in several deep, cleansing breaths as he strode ahead of her. When he neared the gate she finally put the tractor in motion and followed. Once they’d passed through to the next field Noah jumped onto the wagon and began wrestling with bales of hay. Dozens of longhorn cattle bawled in greeting and began to gather around for the fresh supply of food.

A field of bluebells framed the pasture to the north. Andrea stared at the slowly undulating blossoms, letting the familiar sight calm her nerves. She shut off the tractor and crossed the tongue to the wagon, being careful to dodge the wickedly long, curling cattle horns. She’d always loved the longhorns. They were as hardy as the Bartells had always been on this sometimes unforgiving land. Right now the grass for grazing was minimal. That’s why they needed to supplement with hay.

Noah stripped the wire off the bales and pitched hay toward the hungry livestock. She moved closer to help him.

“I’ll get it. You aren’t wearing gloves,” he said.

“Give me your hook.”

He handed her a vicious-looking hay hook and they worked together for the next few minutes. He pulled the hay free of the wires and she separated it into sections with the hook. Then she flaked off chunks small enough to handle herself. She’d forgotten how dusty and itchy the job could be but she didn’t complain. They worked in harmony and emptied the wagon in less than fifteen minutes.

Andrea had just hefted the last flake of hay over the edge of the wagon when she turned and slammed into Noah. The collision knocked her off balance. She would have tumbled backward into the collection of pointed horns if he hadn’t snatched her into his arms. His abrupt action made them lose their footing and stumble. He landed on his back with her sprawled across him.

Momentarily stunned by the bone-jarring fall, neither of them moved a muscle. Their hearts pounded against each other at a thundering pace. Every cell in her body responded to his closeness and she felt his equally fierce response. Andrea pressed her hands against his chest to wedge some space between them.

She stared into his beautiful blue eyes and watched the pupils dilate. The fall had knocked off his hat. His hair looked tousled and sexy as hell. She wanted to run her fingers through it as she had so many times in the past. His body felt even sexier, making hers instantly respond. Desire nearly got the best of her but she shook her head in denial.

“You all right?” he asked, his tone low and hoarse.

“Fine,” she said, slowly lifting herself off his prone body. He just lay flat on the wagon, staring at her with a resounding wariness. Andrea swallowed hard, licked her lips and tried to speak in a normal voice. “Is the ground too soft to turn the wagon around out here?”

“It’s okay now the wagon is empty.”

She nodded and moved back to the tractor on shaky legs, welcoming the loud, chugging sound of the engine as it flared to life. Noah stayed flat on his back, staring at the sky until she stopped for the first gate. Then he hopped off and on the wagon as they retraced their path back to the homestead. Deeply shaken by the intensity of the desire between them, she wondered how she could survive working so closely with him.

To her relief, Trace hailed them as soon as they’d returned to the barnyard and shut down the tractor. He moved toward her with a broad smile on his normally taciturn face. Tall, dark-haired and dark-eyed, he’d never been much with words but he’d been an integral part of Bridleton for as long as she could remember. She considered him part of the family.

“Hey, stranger!”

She jumped off the tractor and ran toward him. “Hey yourself, Trace!” He wrapped her in a bear hug and squeezed until she grunted and bubbled with laughter. “It’s great to see you!”

“You’re the one’s the sight for sore eyes,” he argued, setting her on her feet again. He held her by the shoulders and studied her intently. “I’d forgotten just how pretty you are.”

His flattery warmed her heart and she laughed again. “Even with a dusty face and wild hair?”

“Even so.”

His simple, heartfelt compliment brought a rush of unexpected tears to her eyes, the result of too much emotional upheaval for one day. She knew the purely feminine reaction would embarrass him so she blinked furiously.

He teased a smile out of her with his next comment. “You’re a bit on the skinny side,” he said, squeezing her arms and giving her a once-over glance.

“Occupational hazard,” she replied.

“Then you need a new occupation,” he said.

“As of this morning, I’ve committed to working the ranch a while.”

“It’ll put some muscle on you. Meredith’s cooking will do the rest.”

Andrea laughed. “I’m not sure I want a lot of muscle and fat but I plan to stay strong. You’ll have to tell me what I can do to help.”

“Anything you can do will help,” he assured her. After a long glance at Noah, he took her by the arm and led her toward the barn. “Right now I can use another pair of hands untangling some rope. The tack room is a mess and I can’t sort out the half of it.”

She went with him, never looking back. The two men had shared some silent exchange but she didn’t care as long as it meant putting distance between her and Noah. She needed time to regain her composure. Some time spent in Trace’s company might be the best therapy. He’d been in his mid-twenties when her granddad hired him. She been a chubby, insecure young teenager but he’d always treated her with quiet respect. Right now that’s just what she needed.

On his face she noted the same signs of stress she’d seen on Noah and Nanna. They were all exhausted. Andrea silently vowed to ease some of the strain.

Chapter Four

A round of thunderstorms moved through the area later in the day, putting an end to some of the outdoor work. Zack took the opportunity to make a quick trip to San Antonio. Noah and Trace joined the rest of the family for a late dinner, both having showered and changed into fresh clothes.

Although ruggedly handsome in their own ways, neither of them would win any modeling competitions. The thought made Andrea smile as she and Cheyenne took seats opposite them at the table. Meredith served steaming bowls of steak, mashed potatoes, hot rolls and mixed vegetables. The delicious aroma filled the room as Nanna offered grace. Then everyone filled their plates.

Unused to eating such a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, Andrea took small portions. She slowly savored every bite and grinned when Trace started teasing her.

“You won’t get fattened up on that bit of food.”

“Compared to yogurt and lettuce it’s a real feast,” she argued. “How do you all keep from weighing a ton?”

“Just burn it off, I guess,” he said.

Cheyenne picked at her food. “Men really get an unfair advantage with the metabolism,” she grumbled.

“It’s all about the physical activity,” put in Nanna.

“Yeah, where were you today?” Andrea asked Cheyenne. “I thought Zack planned to recruit you for chores.”

“He mostly lectured me about my reckless lifestyle and neglected responsibilities,” she stated flatly.

Andrea put down her fork and focused on her sister. She’d never seen Chey looking so miserable. “Why the lecture?”

“He thinks I’ve been drinking too much and going to too many wild parties.”

“Have you?”

Cheyenne broke eye contact and poked at the food on her plate. “Maybe, but it’s not like I’m hurting anyone or that I have much else to do. I hate the city but I can’t find a decent job around here. Believe me, I’ve tried.”

“Good grief, don’t you know how much we need you?”

Chey looked startled by the passionate sincerity of her tone. “What can I do that would make a difference? Clean the pool? Mow the yard? That won’t help pay the bills or save Bridleton.”

“But it still saves time and money,” insisted Andrea. “We’re understaffed, overworked and desperate for an extra pair of hands. Right?” She glanced at the men for corroboration.

Noah nodded and gave Chey a rare smile. Trace added his laconic agreement. “We need all the help we can get.”

Andrea picked up one of Cheyenne’s hands and glanced at the neat, polished nails. “Of course, you can say goodbye to your lovely manicure.”

Chey laughed softly. “I have lots of time for primping.”

“What about your art? I have to apologize again for not making it to your graduation but I’m so proud of you. Your artwork is truly amazing. I’m hoping we can put those talents to work once we get all this spring ranch stuff caught up.”

“Really?” Chey sounded surprised again. “What do you have in mind? I’ve been told repeatedly that there are few practical purposes for my art degree.”

“Well,” continued Andrea, “you have the artistic talent. I know and love fashion. You probably don’t remember but Caroline and I used to have big plans to design our own line of clothing. We planned to call it the Bartell Collection. I imagine some of her old sketches are still around here. If you’re willing and interested we could come up with new plans.”

Chey thought it over a minute and then said, “I do remember all those sketches of Caroline’s. And you have lots of connections in the industry. That’s invaluable.”

“Hopefully,” agreed Andrea. She’d given the idea serious thought over the last few months. “I can run the idea past my agent and see how much support we’d garner from the New York front.”

“Is this the same agent who wants to marry you and use you for a broodmare?”

Andrea almost choked on her tea, wishing she hadn’t shared that bit of information in one of their late-night transcontinental phone calls. She shot a glance at Noah. His eyes briefly glittered before he dropped his lashes. A flash of anger? Jealousy? Possessiveness? Whatever the sentiment, it sent a quiver of emotion over her as well as alerting everyone at the table to the tension between them.

“Same agent, totally new plan.”

Nanette glanced back and forth between them. “Sounds like the man wants to be more than an agent, Andrea. Anything serious?”

She shook her head. “It’s a combination of personal and professional. Lloyd Rubbens is a very successful agent and a genuinely nice man. He offered me a partnership as well as a marriage proposal.” She’d asked him to give her more time but he’d be demanding an answer soon.

“Are his proposals separate but equal?” Cheyenne teased.

Andrea shook her head. “Is anything ever that simple?”

Cheyenne took a hint and changed the subject. “So how can I help the most with ranch business?”

“You could put your computer skills to work. All the breeding records for cattle and horses are in longhand. I have to warn you, both Nanna’s and Noah’s handwriting is nearly indecipherable. The data needs to be updated and transferred to electronic format. If you can take over the job it’ll free up more of our time.”

“I’d like to learn a little about the computer too,” said Nanette.

They both agreed to help her with some basic skills.

“We can start right after dinner if you like,” offered Cheyenne. “You know the stock better than me and, according to Drea, I’ll need help deciphering. We can teach each other.”

“No party tonight?”

Cheyenne grinned. “I guess I’d better start earning my keep. Especially if Meredith keeps feeding us so well.” She gave the housekeeper a smile as Meredith brought apple pie to the table.

Everyone added their compliments for the meal. Andrea refused the pie. “It looks and smells yummy but I’m really stuffed. My stomach isn’t used to being so full.”

She sipped coffee as the others enjoyed dessert. Before long they’d all finished their meal and began excusing themselves from the table. Noah and Trace headed to the barns for one last check on livestock. Nanna and Cheyenne went to the office to study ranch records. Andrea helped Meredith clear the dishes and load the dishwasher, enjoying a friendly, low-key conversation.

The first yawn caught her by surprise. She apologized for the second and the third. “Excuse me, Meredith. I promise it’s not the company but just an exhausted mind and body.”

“I really appreciate your help but you’ve done enough. I can finish now. Just head on up to bed. The ranch will be a muddy mess tomorrow so you’ll need all the rest you can get.”

“I always need all the rest I can get,” chimed Andrea. She’d suffered with insomnia for years and never felt completely rested. “I didn’t even do that much today but I’ll take your advice and call it a night.”

“Sleep well.”

“Thanks, you too.” Andrea left the kitchen and briefly stuck her head in the door of the library to say goodnight to Nanna and Cheyenne. Then she went upstairs to her bedroom but didn’t turn on the light.

The curtains of her French doors were open wide. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed across the murky sky. She moved closer to watch Mother Nature’s awesome light show. The dark, swirling passion of a thunderstorm had always enthralled her. Even though she knew how dangerous they could be she still got caught up in the vivid displays of light and the black, rolling clouds. Tonight the tumultuous weather matched her mood and her emotional state.

Cheyenne’s mention of Lloyd weighed heavily on her mind. Before the worry of the ranch had become a consideration she’d been thinking of retiring from modeling. She’d given a lot of thought to the design business and following the old dream of fashion design. She had a knack for it but not the artistic skill. Lloyd had the connections to launch a new line with resounding success. He could make or break a new venture.

What she didn’t know was whether he’d help her if she rejected his marriage-slash-business proposal. In fact, he could possibly destroy the Bartell Collection dream before it could even be presented.

Now she’d promised most of her waking minutes to the ranch. And Noah. The thought of him had her stepping a little closer to the doors and glancing toward the balcony outside his room. She stayed in the shadows and watched as he stood out in the storm. At first all she could see was the glow of a cigarette.

Then a flash of lightning illuminated him. Naked from the waist up, he stood tall and strong while rain glistened on his hair and sun-darkened skin. She watched in fascination as he put out the cigarette, looked up to the sky and then in her direction. Even though she knew he couldn’t see her, she felt his gaze on her flesh. Her body quivered in response.

By the time the next flash lit the night he’d disappeared into his room. She’d known he wouldn’t come to her tonight. It made her feel both relieved and rejected.

* * * * *

Over the next few days Andrea took orders from Noah without complaint, determined to prove she could be a productive member of the ranch staff. He never asked her to do more than she could handle nor half as much as he was willing to do himself. As in the past, they learned to work in harmony, each complementing the other to get the daily chores done.

While modeling she’d become accustomed to the physical strain of long hours on her feet, yet working the ranch challenged her in ways she’d totally forgotten. Her three hundred dollar French manicure was ruined the second day. The sun and wind irritated her eyes and wrecked her hair even though she loved the feel of both on her skin.

The only breaks they took from sunrise to sunset were for meals. Zack and Cheyenne shared chores closer to the house. Painting had begun on all the buildings and landscapers worked to get the property back into prime condition. Chey and Nanna spent hours trying to get the financial records in order. No one mentioned selling the property but they all knew it was a distinct possibility if they couldn’t turn a profit.

Andrea hit the shower, ate dinner and collapsed shortly after dark each night. The insomnia she’d suffered while working abroad disappeared completely at home. She went to bed exhausted, slept like the dead and rose again when her alarm rang at six in the morning.

Their spring schedule was grueling, yet she ended each day feeling proud of what they’d accomplished. The tension between her and Noah continued to escalate. Sometimes the stinging desire caught them by surprise. It always left her feeling needy yet most days she was too tired to dwell on it. Saturday came and went in the same manner but by Sunday everyone needed a day of rest.

Meredith didn’t work on Sundays so the family enjoyed a breakfast buffet of muffins and bagels. Chey and Zack slept late while Nanette went to church. Andrea woke at her usual early hour. She entered the dining room just as Trace and Noah finished eating. They all exchanged good mornings.

“You’ll have to excuse me,” said Noah, rising from his seat. “I need to get to the fairgrounds.”

“Fairgrounds?” asked Andrea as she poured herself coffee and grabbed a bagel.

She couldn’t help but notice how great he looked this morning. He’d dressed simply in dress boots, jeans and a long-sleeved blue plaid shirt but she’d always loved him in royal blue. It brought out the color of his eyes and highlighted the bronze of his skin. He looked so good she wondered if he had a date. The thought instantly darkened her mood.

“There’s a horse show at the fairgrounds arena and I promised to judge.”

As teens they’d both ridden and competed at a local level. A lot of 4-H members and Future Farmers of America students got together throughout the summer for informal competitions. Many past participants served as judges. Local merchants donated ribbons or trophies.

“You’re judging shows now?” She asked the question as she moved to the table with the bagel in one hand and the cup of coffee in the other. It had been a long time since she’d attended a show but she’d always loved them.

“When I have time.”

“Is it a special event?”

“No, just a fun show, but concessionaires and craftsman set up on the grounds for the weekend. Today they’re opening the horse competition to adults so it’ll get more rowdy.”

“Mind if I tag along?” She surprised them all with her impulsive request.

Noah gave her a long, considering glance.

“Unless you have a date,” she qualified.

“No date but I have to leave in a few minutes.”

“I can eat on the way to town.”

“You can’t go like that.” He nodded toward her shorts and tee shirt. “Not if you want to help me in the arena.”

She hadn’t thought about helping him but her spirits lifted at the idea. Suddenly the day looked very promising.

“Give me ten minutes,” she said, setting down her cup before brushing past him and hurrying down the hallway toward the stairs.

“Only five, I’m running late,” he yelled after her. “I’ll pull my truck around front.”

She couldn’t reply with a mouth full of bagel but she rushed up the stairs. As soon as she stepped into her bedroom she shed her clothes. Knowing they’d be in the sun all day, she dressed much like Noah in boots, jeans and a long-sleeved red shirt over a sleeveless white tank top. She grabbed her sunscreen and a stretchy for her hair, sliding it on her wrist before heading back down the stairs. Trace met her at the front door with a travel mug of coffee.

“You’re a prince among men,” she said after swallowing the last bite of bagel. “I gobbled that so fast I need to wash it down.”

Noah pulled his pickup to a stop near the front porch as the two of them exited the house. The sight of his truck gave her pause. She’d helped him pick it out when they’d still been wildly in love. He’d chosen the style, she’d chosen the color. Blue again because it suited him so well. She remembered how proud he’d been to purchase his first brand-new vehicle. It still looked good.

Trace walked with her, opened the passenger door and helped her climb into the cab. She gave him a smile of thanks. “Are you going with us?”

“Not now but I might wander in there after a while.”

Noah revved the motor and put the truck in gear.