Second Chance Ranch: a Hope Springs novel (Entangled Bliss) (10 page)

“Remember prom? Junior year?”

He didn’t say he did, but his eyes finally met hers, telling her that he did and giving her enough courage to go further down memory lane with him. “We fell asleep under the stars, and then we got to wake up to your dad standing over us with a shovel,” she said.

He smiled—a full, show-some-teeth smile. “I thought he was going to use that shovel to dig a hole so he could hide my body after he killed me.”

Sadie laughed. “It was a close one—I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so ominous-looking, not even with the kids from the camp. Good thing I was able to talk him down.”

“Then you somehow convinced him to not call your mom and give you a chance to sneak home.” Royce’s smile widened, bringing out that sexy groove in his cheek. “What was your line? Something about how it was Second Chance Ranch, after all, and you’d be
so grateful
if he gave you a chance to not be grounded for life.”

“I was surprised it actually worked,” she said.

“That’s because my dad always liked you—probably didn’t hurt that you came and helped out with the animals all the time.”

“Yeah, I was pretty proud of myself for being so convincing. Only then it ended up being all in vain, since my mom had already seen I wasn’t in my bed, called the Sakatas and found out I wasn’t staying the night with Quinn, and was about to call your parents when I showed up. Despite all the yelling, I remember thinking it was still one of the best nights of my life.”

“It was a good night,” Royce agreed, so quietly she barely heard it over the music.

She sank into his embrace a little more, feeling like there was too much space between them, even though they were connected as much as possible with clothes on. Royce swallowed hard, his eyes on hers. He leaned closer, his cowboy hat dipping down. Then, like her body was acting purely on instinct, she tipped onto her toes and kissed him.

She slid the hand she had on his chest up, behind his neck, and parted her lips. His hands pressed into her back, his tongue slipped in to meet hers, so familiar, yet new. He tasted like alcohol and mint and nights under the stars. Tingly heat traveled through her core. She could feel his body respond, knew they were making a spectacle on the dance floor, and she couldn’t bring herself to care. Happiness bubbled up, making the heat spread faster, driving her to up the intensity of the kissing.

Then suddenly he pulled away, so fast she almost fell forward. Her arms were suddenly empty. Cold.

“Damn it, Sadie. You can’t just come back and pretend everything’s the same.”

“I’m not. I get that things are different.”

“You’re right. This time, I’m not falling for it.” He spun around and walked away, leaving her standing on the dance floor alone. He pushed out the door, and she forced her feet to move toward the bar area so she could find Quinn. Her lungs felt like they’d collapsed in on themselves, and every step was a challenge now that her limbs were dragging behind her instead of working the way they should.

Quinn and Cory were standing together, watching her as she approached. Quinn stepped forward and hugged her. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

Sadie looked to Cory, her view partially obscured by Quinn’s hair. “He’ll never forgive me, will he?”

Quinn dropped her arms and turned, looking at him like she wanted the answer, too.

Cory exhaled. “I don’t know. He still cares about you. I think he’s mad at himself for not being strong enough to stop caring. Just give it some time, and you two will figure something out.”

Quinn wrapped an arm around Sadie’s waist. “Come on. We’re going to crash at my place tonight, and there’s gonna be chocolate and more alcohol.”

“I’ll drop you guys off,” Cory said. “That should give Royce plenty of time to cool off before I go pick him up.”

Sadie let her friends lead her outside. Numb, she climbed into Cory’s truck. A hint of Royce’s cologne hung in the air, and she was torn between inhaling and getting lost in the scent and covering her nose so she could try to forget it, along with this entire night.

As hard as she tried to stop them, the tears were forming, beginning to spill over. She thought about Cory saying she and Royce would figure something out.

She didn’t want to wait for “something,” though. Because she wasn’t strong enough to stop caring, either.

Chapter Nine

Grandma was seated at the table making rolls when Sadie walked into the kitchen. The shower hadn’t really helped her pounding headache, and the light streaming from the windows was far too bright. She and Quinn had stayed up until three a.m., but her stupid internal alarm clock was so used to getting up early for work now that she hadn’t been able to sleep past seven, so she’d driven home and decided to get started on the day.

“Need some help?” Sadie asked, pulling out a chair.

Grandma pinched off a rounded piece of dough and set it next to the others. “Sure.” She pushed the bowl of dough toward Sadie. For the most part, Grandma seemed to be doing well, but she tended to overdo it and then have a hard time moving the next day. Still, no one could convince her to stop cooking, and everything she made had to be done from scratch. Food was always the way to take care of people, and taking care of people was the way she showed her love.

“You’ll never guess who was a hot topic at quilting this morning,” Grandma said.

Sadie froze, a ball of dough in her palm. Several ladies got together Sunday mornings to quilt and basically discuss everything going on in everyone else’s lives—big surprise, Patsy Higgins headed it up. “Please say it’s because I’m singing at the rodeo.”

“Oh, that was mentioned, but there was much more interest over you and Royce kissing at the Steak and Saloon.”

Next to Grandma’s perfectly shaped rolls, Sadie’s looked lumpy, but she took her time putting it just so as she tried to figure out what to say. The reminder of the kiss sent an odd mix of hot and cold through her. It’d been such a great kiss—until he’d pulled away.

“Once you started working with him, I figured it wouldn’t be long till you two were together again,” Grandma said.

I’m gonna have to quit my job. I can’t go to work and face him after that.
“It was a mistake—one I wish the entire town didn’t know about. We’re not together. He’ll never forgive me for leaving, and it’s not like I can promise I’m going to stick around, even if he did.”

“Oh, honey. I know you felt like you had to go to Nashville and try to become a famous singer, and I understand. There were times I used to wonder about what I missed out on. Especially when I was younger and people liked to tell me I hadn’t really lived. I’d sometimes go to the city and be spellbound by all the stores and restaurants and flashing lights. But then I’d start to feel annoyed by how crowded and noisy it gets, and I don’t have any need for flashing lights. After a couple-day visit, all I wanted was my little house with my bed and my kitchen arranged exactly how I like it. This simple life was a good fit for me.”

“Simple? Grandma, you’ve worked harder in your life than most anyone I know. I remember how you used to get up at the crack of dawn to fix Grandpa and Mom and me huge breakfasts. Then you were always baking and helping out the neighbors and keeping this place clean. Not to mention how much you worked with the horses, too. You’re kind of amazing, you know.”

Grandma reached over and patted Sadie’s hand. “Thank you, dear. Now I’m old and can hardly get out of my chair most days. I hate it.”

“Give it some time. And if you need help, I’m here now.”

“I’m so glad to have you home, but you were always such a star with that voice like an angel. I hate to see you give up—I know your mama sometimes wonders what would’ve happened if she would’ve pursued her opportunities, and sometimes I feel like I made a mistake not encouraging her more. Just know that you can be anything you set your mind to. Just decide what you want most, and I have no doubt you’ll find a way to get it.”

Being back in Hope Springs was proof that it wasn’t exactly true, but she wasn’t about to tell her grandma that she was wrong—that some things were practically unattainable, to the point she wasn’t sure they were even possible. Royce was one of those things, and only time would tell if music was, too. Grandma’s pep talk got her thinking once again about what Mom had given up, and even though she knew her mom was happy, she didn’t want to live with regrets like that. The only way to ensure she never had a career in music was to quit, and she just couldn’t let go of all the hard work she’d put in to get to where she was. She had to believe that after some time to recover, she could push herself to the next level if she gave it one more shot.

The back door swung open and Grandpa poked his head into the kitchen. “Sadie. Good, you’re here. I could use a little help if you’ve got a minute.”

Grandma nodded. “Go on. I got this.”

Sadie headed outside to help Grandpa.

Grandpa handed her one end of the wire. “Guess who I picked up last night, apparently planning on walking all the way to Dixon Ranch?”

Sadie doubted he really wanted her to guess. She wanted to say it was Royce’s own damn fault for being so stubborn, but she didn’t have the energy. “You gave him a ride home, then?”

“Yep. Guess Cory was heading that way eventually, but I told Royce that I could use a drive, so he hopped on in. He was pretty quiet, though. Not that it’s any of my business, but I heard you guys had been at the Triple S, so I thought you might wanna know he got home safe and sound.”

After the falling-out, she’d worked to erase last night from her mind, so she hadn’t really thought about it, but it was good to hear all the same.

Grandpa turned his attention back to the fence, asking her to pull the wire tighter as he secured it on the other post. She marveled at how he could still jump up on fences and the strength he possessed. She wondered if cowboys ever really retired. From what she’d seen, they didn’t. They became part of their land and animals until there was no separating them.

Royce was a cowboy through and through. He’d told her having her at the ranch helped, and he looked less tired and stressed than he had when she’d first started working there. So maybe it’d be hard, and maybe there’d be no more kissing, but she couldn’t quit on him.

Even if working at the ranch constantly reminded her of everything she’d sacrificed for her music.

…

Sadie walked out of the stalls and over to where most of the teens were gathered around watching something. As she neared the fence, she realized that Royce and Eli were on horses, practicing roping.

Funny how the kid claimed it was lame, and now he was racing across the land on a horse, lasso swinging over his head. He snagged the calf’s head, and a few seconds later, Royce got the back hooves. They both glanced up at Cory perched up on the fence, who yelled out their time.

Royce and Eli jumped off the horses and went to work undoing the ropes.

Addison glanced at Sadie. “Royce told us we get to go to the rodeo if we’re good these last few weeks, and I can’t believe how excited I am for a
rodeo
. Also…” Her eyes moved to Eli as he draped the rope over his shoulder. “I never thought I’d say it, but cowboys are kinda hot.”

Sadie crossed her forearms on the middle rung of the fence and watched Royce herd the calf toward the gate. His jeans were caked in dirt, and his hat was slightly crooked. “Amen, sister.”

Addison looked at her, and she seemed to realize they’d actually agreed on something. Sadie wasn’t sure who was more shocked. Come to think of it, they hadn’t clashed as much lately. The chip on Addison’s shoulder had lessened, along with her attitude, and the last time they’d brushed down horses, Sadie noticed Addison took great care to make sure the horse she usually rode got properly taken care of. She’d noticed Addison and Eli were pairing off now and then, too—never going far, since that wasn’t allowed, but putting enough space between them and the rest of the group so they could chat without being overheard.

As opposed to Sadie and Royce. Their casual conversations were gone, although he was always polite. Distantly polite.

She’d been tempted to start a fight with him just so he’d show a little emotion around her. But they’d all been busy, and she supposed it was unfair for her to tell him not to be an ass to her only to pick at him until he broke. This past week had definitely been a lot longer than most, especially with Quinn back in Cheyenne, not due to visit again until the rodeo.

The buzz of a motorcycle broke through the sound of the horses and the conversations going on around her. The black bike pulled up in front of Royce’s cabin, and Royce ducked between the gaps in the fence and headed over to talk to the guy. Caroline called the kids for lunch, but Sadie hung back, wondering if she should saddle up one of the horses and ride to the river. Maybe that’d help clear her head.

Only then her stomach growled, reminding her how long ago breakfast was. She’d have to take her ride later this afternoon, after her work was done—Royce didn’t seem to mind her taking the horses out whenever. Not like he’d actually talk to her if he did. But they needed exercise, anyway, and it got her away from him, so she figured he counted that as a bonus.

Whoever was on the motorcycle buzzed back down the driveway, and Royce headed toward the cabins, which meant they were going to have to be near each other without a bunch of people between them.

Not talking seemed weird, and honestly, keeping her mouth closed just wasn’t in her skill set, so she asked, “Who was that?”

“You remember Heath Brantley?”

The guy had been in the class two years ahead of theirs and had a motorcycle, tattoos, and piercings—basically he was the town bad boy. She was pretty sure he played guitar for some band, too, so add that to the irresistible-to-women category. “He’s still around here?” She looked in the direction he’d gone, even though he was too far away now to make out any details. “Pretty sure every woman with eyes remembers him.”

Royce gave her a sidelong look, a hint of annoyance in his features.

“Quinn was the one with the mad crush on him. I had you, so…” He tensed, and, as she had many times before, she wished for the ability to stuff words back in her mouth. Instead, she blurted out more to try to keep the conversation going. “What was he doing here? Motivational speaker for the kids?” she joked.

“He’s moving back to town, apparently. You remember Mountain Ridge Bed and Breakfast just down the road?”

She nodded. “Yeah. Quinn always talked about how sad it was that it was just sitting there getting more and more run-down. She even said that someday she was going to restore it—we actually broke in one night to check it out.”

Royce ran his fingers across the stubble on his jaw, and Sadie got a little lost in the motion. “Well, rumor is the family’s finally going to put the land up for sale. Heath wants to buy it, and since it borders the ranch, he wanted to discuss plans and make sure it works for what we’ve got going here. We set up a meeting for later in the week.”

“That was nice of him to check with you.”

“Apparently the town committee gets to vote on what happens to it, since it’s been declared a historical site. A lot of the older ladies were sure he belonged here at the alternative camp—or in jail—so I think he wants me to help convince them to let him buy it. Apparently I’m upstanding enough to be a good personal reference.”

Right before they reached the cabins, Royce gripped her elbow, pulling her to a stop. Between the tense eyebrows and the way his mouth tightened, she knew it was going to be bad.

“Don’t say it. I can’t hear it again. I know I screwed up, and I’m trying to give you your space, but I hate that I’ve pushed you to the point that you completely ignore me, and—”

“Like ignoring you is even a possibility.” A hint of a smile ghosted across his lips. “I was actually going to ask if you wanted to ride up with me and Cory to a horse sale in Rawlins this afternoon.”

It took her brain several seconds to process the words. An hour and a half each way with her seated between Royce and Cory in a truck? Or maybe they’d take the extended cab and she’d sit in the back alone. Yeah, that was probably more the way he’d go.

“If you’ve got other plans, no worries,” he said. “We won’t get back till late, but you’ve got a good eye for horses and their dispositions, so I could use your opinion.”

His hand was still on her elbow, warming the skin there, and he was so deliciously dirty from roping. “I’d love to go.”

“All right, then.” He gave one sharp nod and dropped his hand. “Let’s get some food and then we’ll take off.”

…

Royce figured having Cory with them would act as a safe barrier between him and Sadie—a barrier that he was coming dangerously close to breaking every time he looked at her. The truth was, he couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss on the dance floor.

He’d meant what he said about her having a good eye for horses, but he’d also decided he was distracted enough wondering about her, he might as well have her with him. And this way, he’d be in control of the situation. Only the horse trailer had already been attached to the single-cab truck, and there was no way Cory was going to straddle the gearshift, which meant Sadie ended up right next to him, her thigh against his and her light floral perfume impossible to escape.

“That’s enough classic rock for one day,” Sadie said, switching the radio to a country station as if she owned it, just like in high school.

“Hey, I like classic rock.” Royce reached for the buttons.

“How many times have I told you? That’s just cowboy blasphemy!” Sadie shoved his hand away. “It’s a good thing I’m here to help you see the light.”

He lifted his hand toward the radio again, and she grabbed onto his wrist and yanked his arm down. She raised an eyebrow at him, and he was tempted to show her how easily he could overpower her. That’d mean not having her hand on his arm, though, and he was enjoying the way she’d grip it tighter every time he made the smallest movement.

“Ooh, I love this one!” she yelled as a new song started, and, holding his arm tightly with one hand, she cranked up the music even louder with the other.

Since it meant her smiling, bopping in her seat, and singing, he’d always let her control over the radio slide. He supposed the bopping around was still cute enough—and heaven help him, her voice never failed to unravel him. As she was singing “She Ain’t Right,” he thought it was the perfect song for her. Except that’d be him admitting that she was just right for him.