THE COWBOY SHE COULDN'T FORGET (9 page)

“Dad,” Ana cried as she went into the room. “You’re talking.”

Colt’s therapist, Carrie Woodridge, stood up. “Ms. Slater, I wasn’t expecting you.”

Vance noted the panicked look on Colt’s face. He wasn’t ready to share his accomplishments. “Ana, why don’t we leave until Carrie is finished?” He took her by the hand. “We’ll come back.”

He looked at the therapist and she signaled about thirty minutes. With a tug on Ana’s hand, he managed to get her out the door.

“But, Vance... I want to help.”

“But your father doesn’t want you to hear him stumble over his words. You know how proud Colt is.”

Smiling, Ana nodded. “He’s talking, Vance. I can’t believe how much progress he’s made since coming here.” She glanced around the state-of-the-art facility. “I’m just worried about the cost.”

“Isn’t the insurance company covering it all?”

She sighed. “Finding that out wasn’t on the top of my list when Dad needed a place for rehab.”

Vance had some concerns, too, but he didn’t want Ana worrying. He glanced at his watch. “Let’s go and check with the billing department. It’s early yet. And if we discover there’s money owed, we’ll figure out something. Colt needs to be here.”

They walked back to the reception area and asked to speak to someone in the accounting department. Moments later, a young, dark-haired woman came through the double doors. She saw them and smiled. “Ms. Slater. I’m Allison Garcia. I understand you need to discuss your father’s coverage.”

“Yes. We’re not sure what the insurance covers on his bill.”

The woman nodded, then escorted them back to her office and had them sit down in front of her desk.

“First of all, are you happy with your father’s care here at Morningside Rehab Facility?”

“Very much so,” Ana said. “He’s been improving at a remarkable pace.”

Allison smiled again. “Good.”

Ana exchanged a look with Vance. “We’re just wondering about the cost.”

The accountant turned to her computer and brought up the file. “Your father’s insurance is handling eighty percent.”

“So twenty percent is our responsibility?”

Allison looked over the paper. “It appears there’s been an adjustment in the bill.” She glanced at Ana. “A lot of times, they adjust the cost for patients.”

“So there isn’t a balance owing?”

“As of right now, there isn’t.” Allison smiled. “We’re a new facility, and we’re trying to build a reputation in this area. I’d say your father is a recipient of this good fortune, so the cost has been adjusted.”

“That’s wonderful,” Ana said as she stood, then thanked the woman for her time and left.

“Do you feel better now?” Vance asked as they walked out into the reception area.

“I don’t know. It’s nice that Dad has the cushion of a discount, but I’m afraid of all the other bills that are coming in. We’re trying to keep the ranch afloat and we’re barely making it.”

Vance took her by the hand and directed her into a deserted passageway. “You’ve got to stop this, Ana. You can’t do it all alone.” He leaned down and brushed his mouth over hers. “I’m here, too. We’ll figure this out together. Somehow we’ll come up with other ideas about making money.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me. We’re in this together. I don’t want to lose the Lazy S, either. It’s been my home for nearly eighteen years.” He touched her cheek. “That’s how long I’ve cared about you.”

* * *

Colt was exhausted from his speech session, and from having Ana walk in. He hadn’t been ready for anyone to know that he could speak, especially Ana. Not yet.

He could still see the look on Vance’s face. He would be harder to fool about his progress. Colt never could put much past that boy. Of course, Vance River was a good man, and Colt also saw the way he looked at Ana. There was no hiding his desire for her. And there was no doubt there was something going on between them.

Colt grabbed his walker and worked to stand up, then managed to get himself over to the window to look out at the mountains he loved.

He thought back over his life, to the happiness of those first few years with Luisa and their daughters, until everything had fallen apart.

Vance had come into his life by accident. Having him show up at the ranch had distracted Colt from a lot of his pain. He’d had to concentrate on the kid, who’d been so wild he barely had table manners. Vance had also been suspicious toward anyone in authority. Colt couldn’t blame him. Everyone who’d said they loved him had just abused him.

The one thing Colt had had to do was keep Vance away from his daughters.

He glanced down into the parking lot now and caught a glimpse of the couple walking toward the truck. Vance tugged on Ana’s hand and pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Colt couldn’t stop them. He smiled. Of course, why would he want to?

CHAPTER NINE

A
T
SEVEN
O
’
CLOCK
, Vance escorted Ana into a small restaurant just outside Dillon that was nestled up to the river’s bank. The Riverside Inn was well known for its seafood and prime rib.

The hostess led them across the small, intimate dining room to a booth with a view of the river. Ana slid into her seat and Vance sat down across from her. She looked out at the picturesque scene, the late-day sun reflecting off the flowing water, creating a golden glow.

She smiled at her date. “It’s lovely here.”

“You’ve never been here?”

She shook her head. “I really don’t go out much.”

“So Sawhill never brought you here?”

She was taken aback by the question, but quickly shook her head. “As I said before, we only went out a few times. We usually just went to Montana Mick’s for drinks, and dancing.”

Vance reached across the table and took her hand. “I apologize. I had no business asking you about your personal life, but you deserve better than a guy who thinks that a few drinks is a way to treat a lady.”

She knew that, but Mike had been the only man asking to spend time with her. “It was just a casual thing.”

“Well, I want to make some special memories with you, Ana. And if you want to go dancing, I’ll take you to Montana’s, or anywhere else.”

Suddenly, she found it difficult to breathe. “I like being right here...with you.”

He gave her a big smile. “I can do that, bright eyes.”

Another catch in her breath. “Why do you call me that?”

He shrugged. “Because your eyes are the prettiest blue...and so expressive. They were the first thing I ever noticed about you.”

She blinked at his admission. “You mean when you came to live at the ranch?”

He nodded.

“You were barely fourteen. I was twelve.”

He winked. “That’s old enough to be attracted to a pretty girl.” He squeezed her hand again. “And now she’s turned into a beautiful woman.”

Ana found her heart pounding, not over the compliment, but that she was feeling the same attraction. And less than twenty-four hours ago she’d gone to Vance’s house in hopes of ending up in his bed.

Oh, God. What had gotten into her? She’d never approached men. Maybe that was why she’d spent so many years alone. Wasn’t it about time she went after what she wanted?

“You’re going to wear yourself out, thinking so hard.”

She felt the heat rising to her neck. “It’s Colt,” she said, wanting to change the subject. Facing her feelings for Vance wasn’t something she was ready to deal with. “Did he seem okay to you when we went back to his room?”

Vance wasn’t sure if he should say anything, because he didn’t want to change her good mood. “Your father is fine, outside of the fact that he knows I have a thing for his daughter. I’m not sure he likes the idea.” Vance raised her hand to his mouth and placed a kiss against her knuckles. “He saw how I looked at you today.”

Ana’s mouth dropped open. “Why would he care?”

“I think that Colt has always cared about you girls. He was just afraid to show it.”

“Afraid? We loved our dad. We showered him with affection until he pushed us away so many times we couldn’t handle any more rejection.”

Vance felt Ana’s sadness. He leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I only knew about Luisa from Kathleen.”

Ana tensed at her mother’s name, and he gripped her hand tighter. “It’s hard to figure why she left her husband and four daughters, but there was no doubt that Colt loved her.” Vance stared into Ana’s eyes. “Someone you care about deeply isn’t so easy to get over.” His gaze locked on hers. “I know.”

He watched her throat work. “There’s been a special woman in your life?” she murmured.

He wanted to lay his heart out then and there and tell her of his feelings, but all he could manage was a nod before the waitress appeared at their table. Vance ordered prime rib rare and Ana asked for the same.

“Will there be anything else? A drink from the bar?”

He turned to Ana. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

“Only if you are, too,” she said.

He shook his head. “I’m having iced tea.”

“I’ll have the same.”

After the waitress left, Ana asked, “Is the reason you don’t like to drink because of your dad?”

Vance released a breath, trying to stay relaxed. His past was something he never liked talking about. “I haven’t considered Calvin Rivers my father for a long time. But yes, he’s the reason I don’t drink in public. I don’t want to give people the chance to think I’m anything like him.”

Ana nodded. “Do you keep in touch?”

He shook his head. “Are you kidding? He lit out of town right after Colt took me in.” The last thing Vance wanted was to bring up the past to darken the mood. “Why don’t we make a pact tonight and not talk about any family?”

She smiled and agreed.

“What about you, Ana? You like your job?” He already knew a lot about her life. He’d made it his business to know about the woman he’d never managed to forget. The woman he couldn’t get over.

She smiled again. “There isn’t much to tell. You already know I’m a counselor at the high school. I love my job. At first I thought I wanted to teach, but I enjoy helping the students with their long-term goals. So many people want kids to pick a career, but never take the time to guide them and show them all their options.”

He loved hearing her enthusiasm. He’d seen firsthand the respect and admiration Ana generated when he’d talked with two of her students, Billy and Justin, at the roundup.

“And I would say you’re good at your job.”

She shrugged. “I hope I am, because the kids mean a lot to me.”

Vance leaned forward, wishing he could get closer to her. “You coming tonight means a lot to me, too, Ana. I hope I can convince you just how much.”

He watched her eyes grow wide, but before she could say anything, their food arrived. He’d put his feelings out there; now it was her move.

* * *

Over the next two days, Ana couldn’t stop thinking about her evening with Vance. It had been incredible. When they’d driven back to the ranch, however, he’d walked her up the steps to the house, gave her a toe-curling kiss, then said good-night and left. She hadn’t seen him since.

With a sigh, she sat down at the desk in the office. On paper the Lazy S was showing some profit. The bills were getting paid, and a lot of the back payments for the lease were being made up. As for the day-to-day operations, they still needed a steadier income. There was nothing in reserve.

Ana printed out the email her sister Josie had sent her yesterday. It was a list of different websites Ana could go to and see advisements from other ranches that had gone into side businesses. Some had added the dude ranch element; another showed a large, all-purpose structure they rented out for corporate retreats, small weddings, even quilting workshops. All these places were also working cattle operations.

Ana had to admit there were some good ideas. Problem was, they would need capital to build the extra structures. She doubted that any bank would loan them money with the ranch barely making it.

There was a knock on the door and Vance stuck his head in. He’d been out working, because he still had those sexy leather chaps on over his dusty jeans.

She felt the heat move through her body as he smiled, removed his hat and asked, “You busy?”

“Nothing that can’t wait,” she managed to answer.

He walked in and came around the desk and tugged on her hand so she would stand. “First, I need to do this.” He lowered his head and his mouth captured hers. The kiss started out sweet, gentle. It quickly changed when he took charge and pulled her closer as their need intensified. By the time he released her they were both breathless.

“I’ve missed you,” he said.

“I’ve been here, but I didn’t know where you were.” Okay, so she was a little hurt that he couldn’t make time for her. Or maybe he’d decided that he didn’t want to carry things between them any further.

“I’ve been at Bill Perkins’s place. He broke his arm last week so I’ve been helping with the roundup. I was going to tell you yesterday, but you’d already left to go see Colt. I told Kathleen.”

“Oh, I haven’t seen her today.” Ana knew she was being foolish, because Vance hadn’t made any promises to her.

He smiled and she got all warm and achy inside.

“So you missed me?” he drawled.

She smacked his arm and pulled back. “Don’t get a big head about it. Besides, we have a ranch to run, so it’s nice to know where you are.”

Vance wasn’t happy to have to report in to her, as if he couldn’t do his job. “The men were taking care of things, but you’re right, I should have called you directly to let you know.” He kissed the end of her nose. “I tried to finish up at a good time yesterday, but it didn’t work out that way. As badly as I wanted to talk to you, it was too late to phone.” He pulled her close and nuzzled her neck, sending shivers up her spine. “Do I get points for not being able to think about anything but you?”

Oh, yes.
“Maybe.”

“Were you thinking about me?”

“I’ve been too busy.” His lips were touching all the right spots. “Oh, Vance,” she gasped.

He raised his head and gave her a cocky smile. “Seems I hit a sensitive spot. How many more do you have?”

She was in big trouble. She managed to step away. “I need to get back to work.”

Vance let her go, but he wasn’t about to leave yet. He pulled up a chair and sat down beside her at the desk. He liked inhaling her scent, and would like to keep tasting her, but she’d probably throw him out if he pushed too hard. “So I hear we have more guests arriving this weekend. That has to be good.”

She nodded. “The business we’ve gotten from the anglers is good. But we still need to expand to make enough to keep the ranch going.” She showed him some of the websites of ranches branching out with things other than just raising cattle.

He liked the ideas, but what would Colt think about it? “Have you talked with Hank Clarkson about this, to see if it would be worth the expense of expanding?” Vance asked. “Would we be able to fill more rooms than just the foreman’s house?”

Ana looked at him. They were so close he could lean in and kiss that sweet mouth of hers. He watched her eyes darken. It was nice to know that she was feeling the same heat.

She turned back to the computer. “There are other groups we can cater to than just anglers. Josie suggests we think on a larger scale. If we build a main structure, we should think about doing corporate retreats. We could handle small weddings, quilting retreats. Surprisingly, there are all sorts of groups that enjoy time in the country.”

Vance looked back at the screen. “It sounds like there are a lot of options.”

She nodded. “Problem is we don’t have a lot of money for construction.” She sighed as she pointed to the log cabin–style building in the picture. “This would be perfect by the group of trees beside the river. I’ve even come up with a name, the River’s Edge.”

Vance liked these suggestions. “We could talk to a contractor and get an estimate on costs, then present it to the bank.”

Ana’s eyes lit up. “So you think it’s worth it?”

“Yeah, I do. We can’t get crazy, but maybe we could start off with a central structure.” Vance pointed to the log house on the screen. He, too, was caught up in the idea. “The downstairs could have a main meeting room, plus a kitchen, and the upstairs, three or four bedrooms. That would bring in some money. Then later we could add some cabins along the river, for the anglers, or for corporate functions. Between the foreman’s house and a few cabins, we could double our income.”

She rewarded him with a smile that made his gut tighten in need. He wanted to take her into his arms and make her forget about everything else but them. Soon. They had a lot to deal with right now. But one day, it was going to be all about them. He wasn’t going to let her leave the ranch again. Not without a fight.

* * *

The next evening, Ana watched Vance walk toward the house carrying his duffel bag. Once again he’d moved out of the foreman’s house for a group of anglers coming in for the weekend. This time, instead of going to the bunkhouse, he was back at the main house. A welcome sight for her, but also frightening, since closeness could mean their relationship could move to the next level.

Was she ready for that? She recalled her early morning walk to his house a week ago, when she’d been more than willing to move ahead with a relationship. It had been Vance who’d slowed things down. He’d gone with her to visit to her father, taken her on the roundup. And there was their date the other night. She shivered, recalling when he’d showed up in the office and kissed the daylights out of her. He seemed to care about her.

She was definitely falling hard for this man. What frightened her was she didn’t want to be just one of Vance River’s women. A few years back, the man had been seen with several different women, but none of them ever seemed to last long.

What did he want with her?

All Ana knew was that she had come to care about him, a lot. She could admit it now. She’d cared about him years ago, but also resented him for taking her father’s attention. She couldn’t blame him any longer. That was all Colt’s doing.

So what should she do now?

She heard a sound and turned around as Vance walked into the kitchen.

He smiled and winked, then walked up to Kathleen. “Smells good. Is supper about ready?”

She nudged him out of her way. “Sit down and I’ll bring you a plate.”

Ana had the table set and ready, but was she ready for this man? She couldn’t ignore the feelings she had whenever Vance was close to her.

“How was your afternoon?” he asked.

“I stayed busy.”

He placed the napkin on his lap. “Did you get in to see Colt?”

She nodded as Kathleen brought over the pot roast and potatoes. “It was a short visit, but he was sitting in the recreation room.”

Vance paused. “No kidding. Was Colt making friends?”

She shook her head. “He was watching television.”