Choices (16 page)

They rode along in the truck, Logan with one hand on the wheel and the other still holding one of hers. She wanted to ask him about her father, but had no idea how to broach the subject. What would he say? She decided to just ask him outright.

“Logan, how come you’ve never asked me about my parents or my maiden name?”

He was surprised at her question, but answered it honestly. “I figured you’d say something about it when you wanted to. Why?”

“Well, I’ll tell you. My maiden name is Jennings. As in Double J Ranch?” she replied dryly, watching his reaction. He glanced quickly at her, and then grinned.

“You’re kidding me, right? Harmon Jennings is your father?” he chuckled, shaking his head. “I should’ve known, you’ve got a lot of qualities about you that I admire in him. Hot damn, that’s funny.”

“How long have you and my father had business dealings?” she asked, curious to know how long he had known her father.

“Gosh, about as long as I’ve had the ranch. He was the only one in the area that would give the new kid on the block a chance. We breed the same kind of cattle, but you know how breeding is so competitive. I had taken over the herd from the previous owners and needed to improve the stock with some good bloodlines. He was the only one to give me a good price on stud fees. He’s a good man, your father.”

“Yeah, he is. He likes you too.” She replied, sliding him a glance to gauge his reaction. She had known her parents would like Logan, but there was always the possibility of them being way too protective now that she was going through what she was. He glanced at her again, an eyebrow raised in question. “Did you talk to them today?”

“Yeah, right after you left, I checked my voicemail and they had left a message.” For some reason she didn’t want to tell him about talking to Steve.

“What did they say?” he asked, turning his attention back to the road. It sure was a small world. He had never thou
ght to ask Abby about anything more than general information on her parent’s and background, figuring she would tell him at her own pace. He counted the Jennings as good friends, and hated now to think that they had been so worried about Abby. Jeesh, he had just talked to Harmon three days after Abby had gotten here; if he had known, he could’ve said something to him.

“That they had been frantic with worry when they found out I wasn’t in Boston where I should’ve been. Steve called them looking for me.”

“But he didn’t call you?” he asked warily. Abby sensed that he was nervous to hear her answer. Was he worried that she would tell him that yes, they had talked and she was going back to him?

That’s exactly what Logan was thinking. They hadn’t talked at all as to what she was going to do now, although Logan had a plan in mind, one he was holding off talking to her about. He dreaded her seeing her ex-husband again, as he knew she probably would if when she went back to Boston.

Abby decided not to tell him she talked to Steve, knowing it would bother him. “Yes, he called, but I didn’t talk to him.” It was a lie, and she shouldn’t have done it, but she couldn’t take it back now. “Anyway, my father likes you, thinks you’re a stand-up kind of guy.”

She was holding back from him, but he wasn’t going to push it. He wasn’t going to do anything to spoil the day.

“Kassey said that I could stay at the cabin, free of charge. Is that okay?” she asked tentatively. She didn’t think he would tell her no, but she needed to know what he thought about it. He didn’t say anything for a bit. They had reached town, and he maneuvered the truck into a parking space at the feed store. He put it in park and turned to face her. She was looking at him, unsure.

“I’m glad she told you that. I was going to say something about it today, knowing that you’re supposed to check out on Wednesday. Where else would you go?” he asked, thinking that he would do whatever it took to keep her with him. Abby almost sagged with relief. Logan wondered why they both seemed awkward around each other today, as if they were both unsure of what the next step was. True, neither one of them had brought up the subject of what she was going to do now, and despite admitting that they loved each other, the situation was complicated. It wasn’t like she was free to just move in with him, and get married.

Logan knew now that’s the direction his thoughts lay, and he was more nervous about that than anything in his life. He had never felt the need to be married, but he also knew it was because he had never found the woman he could marry. Now he had, and she was just getting over a divorce to another man.

He reached out and tucked some hair behind her ear, and she leaned into the hand he cupped to the side of her face. His touch sent shivers down her spine, and she wondered if it would always be so.

“Abby, take as much time as you need at the cabin. When you have to go back to Boston...” he felt a moment’s panic at that, but pushed it away. She would come back to him, wouldn’t she? He went on. “When you have to go back to Boston, I’ll keep it waiting for you.”

“I love you, Logan.” She said, all the love she felt for him in her eyes.

He leaned over and kissed her softly, then released her.

“If we stay in here much longer, people will start to wonder what we’re doing. I love you, too.” He answered softly.

They finished up in town and got back to the ranch. Logan dropped her off at the cabin so she could put up her groceries, then she went down to the stable so she could get Ellie ready for their ride. Ben and Jake were there, having just come in from checking the cattle and Ben winked slyly at her.

“How are you this morning Abby?” he asked, walking over to her.

“Fine, and don’t you go teasing me Ben. Your wife isn’t the only ass-kicking maiden around here.” She laughed up at him. Ben looked shocked, but there was a twinkle in his eyes.

“Me? Tease someone? Whatever gave you that idea?

“Kassey filled me in about how you were teasing Logan this morning.”

Ben laughed, but his voice turned serious. “No teasing, Abby, but I did want to let you know that I’m happy for you both. Logan’s more alive than I’ve ever seen him, and that’s because of you. I haven’t known you long, but I can see he makes you just as happy.”

Abby threw her arms around him, grateful for his acceptance. Ben got over his momentary surprise, then wrapped her up in a bear hug, lifting her off the floor. She was such a tiny little thing!

“Get your hands off my woman, you’ve got your own.” Logan said, growling, but there was no threat there. Ben put her down then punched Logan on the shoulder as he came up to him.

“Just testing the goods.” He joked, then grunted when Abby elbowed him in the stomach.

Abby had felt the warmth flooding into her at Logan’s words. His woman. She was happy with that. Logan turned toward her, smiling down at her.

“I’ve got something special to show you. You ready to go?”

“Did you hear that Jake? Logan’s got something special to show Abby!” Ben teased. Jake didn’t say anything, just smiled.

“Boy wouldn’t say boo to a ghost.” Ben grumbled, then walked away.

They both saddled up and headed out, this time Logan making sure they both had rifles tucked into scabbards on their saddles. They crossed the stream and went far out this time, crossing over the Yellowstone and headed toward the summer pastures.

“Where are we going?” Abby asked again for what seemed like the hundredth time. He was keeping mum about it and they had been in the saddle for over three hours. He had a brought along a pack horse with a tent and other items for a camp out, so Abby knew they were going to be out overnight. She hoped the weather would hold up. It was warm again today, melting some of the snow on the ground, but the weather could turn in an instant and bury them in a foot of fresh snow.

“You’ll see. We’re still about an hour away. I want it to be a surprise.” He answered, grinning over her curiosity. He had stumbled across what he was bringing her to a week ago, and he had known she would love it.

“Do you need to stop?” he asked.

“No, I’m fine, just curious, is all.”

Most of the ride they hadn’t talked, and Abby was comfortable in the silence. The awkwardness of the morning had diminished, but it still gnawed at her that she hadn’t told Logan about talking to Steve. She needed to decide what to do when she came back from Boston, and she knew she had to go as much as she didn’t want to. She could take the cowards way out and have Joyce get together her clothes from the house and send them on to her here, but she had to settle things right. If things went smoothly back in Boston, she could be back in Montana in a couple of weeks. She could stay with Joyce while she was out there, instead of the townhouse and then come home, to Logan. She would move in with him at the ranch and they would be happy. She laughed at herself. She might want to talk to him about that, but she didn’t think he would mind. No matter how fast it had happened, she felt so right about where they were headed.

She watched him as they rode along. He sat tall and straight in the saddle, swaying gently with Bridger’s movements. His hat sat low on his forehead, shading his eyes from the glare of the sun on snow, and he had taken off his tan work coat and had it draped across the saddle. He was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a white t-shirt underneath and she thought he look incredibly sexy.

They crossed a creek and Logan pointed out to her a ridge not too far away.

“That’s where we’re headed.”

“And what are we going to do when we get there?” she asked, standing in the stirrups to stretch her legs. Logan smiled slyly. “Whatever you want to do. You’ll have me all to yourself.”

“Hmmm, I can think of a few things. Let’s see, what can I have you do for me? Chop wood for a fire, cook dinner…What? Is that not what you had in mind?” she said feigning innocence.

“Not quite, but they hold merit.” He replied, winking.

“You want to open them up? Gallop the rest of the way?” He asked, nudging Bridger into a trot. Abby smiled and nodded, tapping Ellie’s side with her heels. Ellie responded and took off at a gallop, Abby taking immense pleasure in feeling the wind whip through her hair and the exhilaration of the horsepower underneath her. For the next day at least, she wouldn’t worry about what the future held, and would just take pleasure in the moment.

They ran the horses until they were at the base of the ridge, then slowed them down to a walk. Logan moved ahead of Abby, and she followed him up the somewhat steep incline. They crested the ridge and Abby was stunned at the view. She could see for miles and when she looked to the south, the Yellowstone looked like a small stream in the distance. She couldn’t even see the ranch buildings.

“This is the farthest northern edge of the property. Off to the west there is Shields Creek, to the north are the Crazy Mountains and farther to the east is the start of the plains. It’s my favorite spot here. When I need to get away, I come up here for the night.” Logan explained, pointing out to her the geography.

“It’s heaven on earth. You come out here and you finally know what it means to say ‘God’s country’. No wonder the west has attracted so many naturalists.” Abby said, soaking up the views. A Harrier hawk flew above them, motionless in the air, and Abby felt her spirit fly there with him. Logan watched her, enjoying seeing her so happy. Her skin was rosy with the cold air, and her hair had come loose during their gallop and hung in molten waves around her shoulders. He admired the way she sat her horse, her movements natural and confident, and had an insane wish he were the saddle.