Rancher's Refuge (Whisper Falls) (8 page)

“Yep,” he agreed, settling into his self-imposed role of tour guide. “Bald eagles winter near here, too. Now, that’s something to see. Huge birds. Wings six-feet wide, and yet they fly with grace and ease. Majestic.”

“Other than on television, I’ve never seen a bald eagle.”

“We’ll have to remedy that.” Austin didn’t know why he was making promises. By winter, Annalisa would be tired of living in the sticks and eager to make her escape. He hoped she wasn’t foolish enough to run back to James. “Ready to head to the house? Cassie will be home soon.”

Annalisa stretched in the stirrups and rotated her shoulders. “I am a little tired.”

“Tenderfoot,” he teased.

“It’s not my
feet
that are tender.”

Her answer tickled him so much that he threw his head back and laughed. The sound echoed down into the valley and ricocheted off the mountain. Annalisa giggled, a cute feminine sound that filled his chest with warm pleasure.

With a click of his tongue, he turned the horses around, and they started down the mountain. Along the way, Annalisa exclaimed over every flower, every scamper of lizard or squirrel into the dry leaves. Her enthusiasm both amused and buoyed him.

“This was fun, Austin, and relaxing, too,” she said as they rode into the barnyard. “I’d forgotten how much I love being outdoors in nature. Thank you.”

“Anytime.” And he meant it. The afternoon with Annalisa, seeing the Ozarks through her eyes, had refreshed him, maybe more than it had her. He’d missed the pleasant camaraderie of sharing the outdoors with someone equally as enthralled. And she had been. He could tell by the sparkle in her eyes and the flush of fresh air on her perfect complexion.

“You’re a great tour guide.”

“Don’t mention tourists,” he said, teasing but serious, too.

“So I guess a riding stable is out of the question?” she teased in return.

“Absolutely.” This time he didn’t tease.

“What about Davis’s little boy? He would have loved riding the way we did, don’t you agree?”

Davis again. Leather squeaking, Austin dismounted, his good mood evaporating.

“You think I should invite him out?”

“I don’t know. I remember how much I loved horses when I was a little girl. Still do. It’s a bond you never forget.”

He knew better than most about the bond between humans and animals. His horses and dogs kept him sane.

“I don’t want strangers poking around.” He also didn’t want nonstrangers like Davis Turner getting up close and personal.

Annalisa gripped the saddle horn with her good hand as if to dismount.

“Hold on,” he said, glad for an excuse to change the subject. “I’ll get you.”

She had already started the descent, awkward with casted arm in the way. When Austin caught her around the waist, her full body weight caught him off balance. He staggered backward a couple of steps but held on and eased her to a stand. They were close enough that he smelled apple shampoo and the essence of autumn leaves. He gripped her waist with both hands and steadied her. She looked up, eyes wide and shining and as blue as the sky above.

A flash of yearning came again. To pull her close and hold her. Maybe to kiss her.

As if the touch of her skin burned, he abruptly released her.

Something was going on here, and he didn’t quite know what to do about it. “I’ll unsaddle the horses. You go on to the house.”

“I can help. I don’t mind.”

He clamped his jaw tight. “I do. Now go.”

* * *

Austin Blackwell was the most complicated man she’d ever met. One minute, he was sweet as sugar and the next, he’d bare his teeth, ready to bite.

“What’s with your brother?” she asked. She’d left Austin, at his rather unfriendly insistence, to care for the animals and was now inside the house with Cassie. True to form, Cassie had arrived with a double cheese pizza supreme and a big bottle of cola. How the woman remained trim on a steady diet of fast food remained a mystery.

Eyebrows raised in question, Cassie set three plates on the table. “Why? What did he do now?”

Annalisa told her about the unexpectedly lovely ride and then his sudden crankiness. “I don’t know if he likes me or finds me a nuisance.”

Cassie’s musical laugh danced around the pleasant kitchen. “Both. Girl, don’t you get it? He likes you a lot and his feelings scare him silly.”

“You think so?” The idea came as a complete surprise. Austin liked her? And his feelings scared him? She couldn’t imagine the big cowboy being afraid of anything except tourists. Certainly not of her.

“I know so. Austin’s been nothing short of a recluse since Blair’s death, and now you’ve gotten his blood circulating again. He doesn’t know what to do about you.”

Hand on the cabinet door, Annalisa paused. “Who’s Blair?”

“Oops, there goes my big mouth again.” Cassie took a head of lettuce out of the refrigerator. “You probably want a salad with the pizza, don’t you?”

Annalisa took the lettuce and placed it on the counter. “Was she an old girlfriend who broke his heart?”

An unrequited love would explain a lot about his gruff behavior.

Cassie seemed to consider as she took three glasses from the cabinet and set them on the countertop. She glanced at the back door. Austin was nowhere in sight.

“Okay. You told me about your ex, so I suppose it’s only fair. Blair was his wife. She died.”

Annalisa’s hand went to her mouth. “I am so sorry. How awful. What happened?”

Poor Austin. No wonder he kept to himself. He was a grieving widower.

Austin’s sister gnawed at her bottom lip, brow furrowed. “Look, Annalisa, Austin is really, really closed-mouthed about Blair. Her death was...odd, and Austin was almost destroyed when it happened. I should not have brought up the subject. If he wants you to know, he should be the one to tell you.” She reached out to grip Annalisa’s fingers. Her touch was cold. “Don’t say anything, okay?”

“Okay.” But a dozen questions tumbled through her head.

What had happened to Austin’s wife?

Chapter Seven

A
ustin was home alone. At last.

The girls, as he thought of them, had gone to work this morning as usual. Annalisa seemed to be settling in to her job and making friends, and Cassie had drawn the newcomer into the town hullabaloo. In fact, she and Cassie, along with Miss Evelyn, had warned him he was expected at the next cleanup site.

He walked through the house, bewildered to be restless, maybe a tad lonely. He who preferred solitude, missed the quiet conversation and activity of a certain woman.

Tootsie tapped along beside him, occasionally cocking her head as if to say, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Good question,” he said.

He felt itchy, uncomfortable, had a twist in his gut for some reason.

Usually, the ranch kept him busy, but today he felt at loose ends. He had fence to fix and plenty to do, but he couldn’t get off high center.

He paused at the guest room. The door was open and he could see inside the room now occupied by Annalisa Keller.

She was doing okay. He didn’t need to worry about her. But he did. In odd moments, when he least expected it, he relived a flash of that first day, of her fear and brokenness. Even though bruises faded and bones healed, he hadn’t forgotten.

But Annalisa was plucky, a fighter. That’s why she’d survived and why she was here in the Ozarks instead of in California with that abusive jerk of a boyfriend.

Last night, the three of them had sat on the porch while frogs croaked, whippoorwills called and the Ozark air grew chilly. Cassie had filled them in on the happenings in town, although Annalisa now came home with stories of her own.

He thought about the way she’d giggled when Cassie related the story of Evangeline Perryman’s prize pig. Evangeline had brought the swine into the beauty shop for a pedicure, and Cassie herself had painted the hog’s toenails—hot pink with French tips.

He’d wondered if Cassie told the whole truth, but the story had given them all a good laugh, so he supposed it didn’t matter.

Annalisa had said something about looking for an apartment soon which he’d decided was for the best. She couldn’t stay at the remote ranch forever and was probably eager to get back to civilization.

The thought left a hollow feeling in his gut.

The telephone rang and he pushed off the edge of the door facing. Tootsie trailed him to the kitchen phone.

“Hello.”

There was a pause on the other end. Telemarketer, he thought with irritation, but before he could hang up, a male voice said, “Annalisa Keller, please.”

Austin’s grip tightened on the receiver. Annalisa hadn’t mentioned giving his number to anyone. “Who is this?”

Another pause and then, “A friend of hers. It’s urgent I speak with her. Is she there?”

Austin scowled, his mind playing ping-pong with the possibilities. Who knew she was here? And how did anyone other than townsfolk who would give their names obtain that information? “No, she isn’t.”

“Is this Blackwell?”

The hair prickled on Austin’s arms. “Who’s asking?”

“I understand she’s been staying with you since her accident. I hope she’s recovering.”

At the mention of Annalisa’s “accident,” a shiver snaked up Austin’s neck. “She’s fine.”

“Glad to hear it.” An intake of breath. “I know she’s there. Put her on the phone. I have something important to tell her. An emergency of sorts.”

The man’s pushiness was starting to grate on Austin’s nerves. If a true emergency existed, why didn’t he explain?

“She’s at work. Who is this? And how did you get my phone number?”

“Annalisa has a job?” The man sounded surprised. “Where?”

“Look, buddy, if you’re a friend of Annalisa, you would know that. Leave your name and number, and I’ll tell her you called.”

“Never mind. That won’t be necessary. Thank you for your time.”

A click sounded in Austin’s ear.

He scowled at the receiver before hanging it up. “Weird. Real weird.”

Telemarketers grew cleverer all the time, but this caller had known too much. Austin grasped the receiver again and pressed caller ID. His heart fell to the tips of his boot. The warning voice in his head had been correct.

No name, but a California number.

* * *

On the drive into town, Austin tried unsuccessfully to convince himself that the number could have been a telemarketer in California. Yet, he knew better. A telemarketer would not have known about Annalisa’s accident.

He burst through the door of the Iron Horse Snack Shop like a steer out of a roping chute. A half dozen customers swiveled to take in the newcomer, raised a hand in greeting or nodded, before returning to their food, drink and conversations.

Behind the counter, Annalisa was arranging tortilla chips into a paper bowl. When she saw him, she flashed a smile. “Austin, hi. What are you doing here?”

He charged up to the counter and leaned in. “Are you okay?”

Expression puzzled, she said, “I’m great. Is something wrong?”

Deep breath, Blackwell. Don’t scare her to death.

In his rush to get here, he’d not considered exactly what to tell her or how much. Her old boyfriend had done a number on her sense of safety and the last thing he wanted to do was upset her again. For days after he’d found her at Whisper Falls, she’d been skittish and nervous. She had checked and rechecked windows and doors at night, jumped at every noise. Only in the past couple of days had she begun to relax, and he wanted her to stay that way.

But he was here and had to tell her something. “I was just wondering about—” his attention went to her cast “—your arm. I mean, how are you handling the workload? Is it too much for you? You don’t have to work here if it’s too hard. You can stay at the ranch, work for me.”

He liked the idea immediately although he wasn’t sure where it had come from. Having Annalisa on the ranch all the time made perfect sense. He would be there with her. He could keep her safe.

Annalisa looked at him as if he’d grown an extra eye.

“I’ve worked here for over a week, Austin. Everything is great.” She set the nacho bowl on the counter, and then with one hand, she poured a dipper of hot cheese sauce over the chips. “Are you sure nothing’s wrong?”

“I could pay you more than you make here.”

“To do what? Feed the dogs?” She spooned a pile of sliced jalapeños over the cheese.

“And cook. Cassie is starving me to death. You could be our housekeeper, cook, whatever you want.”

Annalisa was already shaking her head. “You and Cassie have done enough, Austin. I can’t impose on you any more than I already have.”

“It’s no imposition.” His voice rose a little. She didn’t get the point and he couldn’t tell her.

“I like working here. Whisper Falls people are warm and embracing, and I’m making friends. But thank you for the offer.”

“Oh. Right.” He got the message. No sensible, attractive female wanted to be stuck out in the sticks with a cranky cowboy and a pack of dogs. Women need a social life. Hadn’t he learned anything from Blair? “Just an idea. If you change your mind...”

With deft, one-handed skill, she slid the nachos in front of a pimple-faced teenage boy, adding a smile for good measure. “Would you like something to drink with that?”

The skinny kid hitched a shoulder. “Dew.”

“Large?”

“Yeah.”

While she completed the boy’s order, Austin brooded over his choices. She was a grown woman, and he had no right keeping this information from her. On the other hand, he wasn’t positive James had been the caller. Why upset her for nothing?

Austin watched as she served up the boy’s drink and said something that made the sulky teenager smile. Another customer lifted his coffee cup and she spouted off a teasing remark as she whipped the carafe from the stand. She looked happy. In the past few days, a sparkle had come into her eyes and the jittery worry had receded.

Hands on his hips, Austin tilted his head back to watch the ceiling fans spin in slow circles. He couldn’t do it. He could not say the words that would put fear back into her life.

* * *

“Here he comes again.” Miss Evelyn nudged Annalisa as Austin sauntered through the door of the snack shop.

“He likes your pie.”

Miss Evelyn laughed so hard that Annalisa had to pound her on the back.

“Shh,” she whispered, giggling. Miss Evelyn was right. Austin had been in the shop every afternoon for more than a week. And every time he passed through the doors, hat in hand and dark hair mussed, her heart did a silly little jitterbug.

“You okay?” he asked as he always did.

“Fine. What brings you to town?”

“Got hungry for Miss Evelyn’s apple pie.”

Behind her, Evelyn broke into another fit of laughter. Her eyes watered. When Austin stared at the rosy-cheeked woman, she waved a plump hand. “Private joke. I gotta run. Ladies Auxiliary meeting at the church.” To Annalisa, she said, “Get him that pie, hon.”

Then she laughed all the way out the door.

* * *

Austin slung one leg over the bar stool. He wasn’t stupid. He knew why Miss Evelyn was cackling like a hen. She thought he’d developed a crush on Annalisa. He plopped his hat on the stool next to him and ran a hand through his mussed hair. Making the daily trip to town cost him some work time at the ranch, but the peace of mind was worth the effort. Today, the rain was excuse enough.

“Place is kind of empty,” he said, circling the room with a glance as Annalisa slid the white saucer of pie in front of him.

“Uncle Digger left with a trainload of customers a few minutes ago.”

“I thought it might be the rain.”

“Could be. Business has been slower than usual.”

“Sit down and I’ll buy you something to eat.”

“Okay.” She glanced at the big clock on the back wall. “Cassie’s coming by at three to drive me to Dr. Ron’s.”

“Are you sick?”

She indicated the cast. “He’s putting on a short, waterproof version. I’ll actually be able to move my elbow again.” She lifted both arms—as much as possible—in a victory shake. “Cannot wait for that!”

“A cause for celebration. Bring more pie.”

With a smile, she opened the refrigerator and brought a yogurt cup loaded with fresh fruit to the counter. “You have pie. I’ll have this. Cassie’s fast food diet is wearing me down.”

“Another reason to hire on as my cook.”

Not taking the bait, Annalisa settled in beside him with her snack, and he caught the smell of French fries and strawberries mingled with her shampoo—some fancy, girly stuff Cassie had brought home from the beauty shop. He let the scent settle in his lungs right next to the apple and cinnamon.

“So what’s new in Whisper Falls today?” He cut a sliver of flaky, soft crust. After eating the dessert every day for over a week, he wasn’t quite as eager for the first bite. Maybe he should try something else tomorrow.

“Everyone’s talking about Pumpkin Fest and the beautification project.” Her spoon did a slow swirl around the fluffy yogurt. “Are you going?”

“Never have.”

“Never?”

“I don’t see the point.” A flicker in blue irises told him she was disappointed by his response. He didn’t want to disappoint her, but... “You should go. Cassie makes a big deal of it.”

“She has a date.”

The news shocked him to the toes of his Tony Lamas. “She does? With who?”

“Rusty Fairchild.”

“The mayor?” He couldn’t believe it. The baby-faced mayor couldn’t be more than twenty-five. From all appearances, he didn’t even shave! “He’s too young for her.”

“Why, Austin Blackwell, you silly man. Cassie isn’t yet thirty, and she’s pretty and sweet and loads of fun. The mayor is fortunate she said yes.”

“I just never thought—” He bit off the words. Cassie had been devastated to lose Darrell.

Annalisa touched the back of his hand. “Cassie is healing, Austin. She has an enormous capacity to love. Keeping it bottled inside isn’t good for her.”

As if his hand had a mind of its own, it turned palm up so Annalisa’s fingers rested lightly in the center. He was tempted to close his fingers and hold on. Tempted, but he didn’t. “It’s too soon.”

She stared, gaze pinned to his. “Are you talking about her or yourself?”

The question startled him. He withdrew his hand, fisting it tight against the edge of the counter. Had his ever-meddling sister said something? “What do you mean?”

Annalisa shook her head and the overhead light picked up the shine of her golden hair. “I was thinking of the way I feel, I suppose. Part of me wants to hide away from life and never get involved again. I’m afraid of getting hurt, of making more mistakes, but that’s not living.” She picked at the stem of a fresh strawberry. “Jesus came that we might have an abundant life, free from fear and worry. Uncle Digger told me that. I don’t think I’d ever heard it before.”

Had he? He didn’t think so.

“I want my life to be full, Austin, full of love and laughter and family. Don’t you want that, too?”

The conversation was getting way too complicated for him. “All I want is a successful ranch and this piece of pie.”

But he lied. He wanted a lot more than that. So much that he couldn’t meet her eyes again as he sat like a tree stump, contemplating her wise comments.

His life was good, full. Sort of. Just because he didn’t join every committee in the Ozarks like his sister didn’t mean squat. He’d always thought Cassie volunteered to fill the hole left by her shattered future. Maybe she did. But a date? With a mayor who looked like Mayberry’s Opie?

“Customers,” Annalisa said, pushing away from her seat.

Austin recognized Creed Carter’s trim, military build and aviator sunglasses and the ever-present black T-shirt with the chopper logo. The man was pleasant enough, but sheesh, the noise from that helicopter. Austin hated it.

“How ya doing, Austin?” Creed joined him at the bar.

“Good. Yourself?”

“Can’t complain.”

“What can I get for you, Creed?” Annalisa had returned to her place behind the bar.

“Got any salad?”

“We made some fresh this morning. Would you like grilled chicken on it as usual?”