Read When the Rancher Came to Town Online
Authors: Emma Cane
When the Rancher Came to Town (8 page)
What the hell had Kate been thinking, coming here? He remembered his flash of surprise when she'd walked through the door, and then the momentary appreciation of her beauty, the same beauty that had been kicking him in the gut since he was a kid. She'd cut her blond hair short, and though it had been windblown when she'd walked in, he guessed she could make it look professional and neat when she wanted to. But it was her eyes that always lured him in, their purple color that was indescribable, lavender or amethyst orâÂthank God he wasn't still the lovesick boy who'd once composed mind-Âpoems about her eyes. But today they'd been full of an anguish he hadn't seen in years. She could still move him to worry, and he'd had to work hard to appear disinterested. And it had hurt her, he knew, not that he took any pleasure in it, although once he might have. It was simply self-Âpreservation.
Ned and Ted Ferguson, identical twin plumbers, glanced at each other with smirks, then back at him. They were always a day behind shaving, and their whiskers were as shot through with gray as their hair was.
“Wasn't that your ex?” Ned asked.
You could tell it was Ned, because he'd once cut his chin on a pipe, leaving a scar.
“Yep,” Tony answered. “Another beer?”
Ted glanced down at his half-Âfull bottle and eyed his brother. “He doesn't want to talk about her.”
Tony sighed. “There's nothing to talk about. She's home for Thanksgiving. Our kid'll be happy.”
“But not you?” Ned prodded.
“Guysâ”
“I don't like to see my ex,” Ned continued as if Tony hadn't spoken. “And she don't look anywhere near as good as yours. Yours has done good for herself.”
“Classy,” Ted added, the twin who always agreed more than instigated. “But then, Ned, your ex could give a horse a run for its money.”
Tony sighed and walked away. The twins bantered but never took offense, and as Ned shot back a good-Ânatured retort, Tony found himself staring unseeing at SportsCenter on the closest TV.
Kate had certainly been flustered, but she'd never met a situation she couldn't conquer. She had a fierce will to succeed. It had attracted him to her, but it had also been one of the causes of their breakup. They'd been in the same class in kindergarten, but she'd just been another girl then. It wasn't until fourth grade, when she'd developed a friendship with his sister, Lyndsay, a year younger than them, that Tony had come into contact with Kate outside school. He'd found himself playing the role of annoying older brother for a while. Only in hindsight had he realized he'd been trying to get Kate's attention even then. She'd been like the sun shining on his world, vibrant and happy and so drivenâÂalways so driven, he thought, shaking his head. She'd wanted to be the smartest student, the best trombone player, the fastest cyclist, and being around her and all that energy had been exciting. He hadn't even minded that she liked to be in charge all the time.
By high school they were a Âcouple. He accepted his sister's teasing, Kate's brothers' protectivenessâÂnone of it mattered. The future seemed far away; he lived for his moments with her, kissing her, touching her. He even got a part-Âtime job bussing tables at her parents' restaurant so they wouldn't have to be separated. During the summer, he hung around at the end of each day at the local law firm where she interned, hoping to buy her ice cream or walk her home. And when Cal Carpenter, one of the lawyers, said she could always work for him after she graduated, Tony started deceiving himself about their future.
Together they went off to college in Denver, though she'd landed a full ride at the best university. He played down how much he loved her, how she was the center of his world. He knew that scared her, and he was willing to let her go for her dreams, never wanting to stand in her way.
And then she got pregnant the summer after their freshman year, and everything between them changed. She was panicky and scared, but he wasn't. He'd always meant to marry her, to be a family. The thought of their baby just thrilled him. They were young, but they'd have all the time in the world to be parents, unlike his mom, who died before she was even fifty.
But their marriage only lasted four yearsâÂfour years during which the pressure of college and jobs and a baby stressed their little family. It didn't break it, though, until the final realization that he and Kate didn't want the same kind of future together after all.
“You look like crap.”
Tony looked up to see Will Sweet taking the seat Kate had just vacated. Will was a tall cowboy with sandy hair, hazel eyes, and a cleft in his chin that set the girls' eyelashes fluttering. Of course his devil-Âmay-Âcare attitude and constant flirting helped.
“Nice to see you, too,” Tony said dryly.
Will parked his cowboy hat on the stool beside him and eyed Tony. “Was that Kate Fenelli I just saw looking as grim as death as she drove off in that fancy Range Rover?”
Tony nodded. Without being asked, he poured a draft beer and set it in front of his friend. “She's got some time off, so don't be surprised to see her around.”
“You okay with that?”
Tony's eyes widened. “Why wouldn't I be? This is her hometown, same as mine. And Ethan'll be glad.”
Will snorted before taking a sip of beer and smacking his lips. “Good stuff. Yeah, the kid's always happy to see his mom, which says good things about her, I guess.”
Tony grinned. “That compliment was dragged out with reluctance.”
Will shrugged. “She's always been gorgeous, but I never thought she was your type.”
“I have a type?” Tony countered, glad to be feeling amused again.
“She might have been born here, but she's a city girl at heart, and you're, well, you're practically a rancher, you're so small town.”
“
You're
the rancherâÂI'm just a simple barkeep. And she lives in Vail now, remember.”
“But I bet she misses Denver. To think she tried to force you to live there. Like you or Ethan would have been happy.”
Tony kept his smile in place, although it was strangely difficult. “That's old news, Will. And it wasn't just her wanting to live in Denver, and me here, that ruined our marriage.”
Will harrumphed, even as he took another sip of beer. “Then what was it? You don't exactly talk about it much.”
Tony hesitated, then spoke softly. “It's hard to talk about the biggest failure of your life.”
Will eyed him, then looked around. “I'd like to listen.”
Tony chuckled. “It's my job to listen.” There weren't many Âpeople he'd unloaded his problems on, and he wasn't going to start now. “Thanks, but it's in the past. I've moved on.”
“Really, with who?”
“Hey, I've dated.”
“I can't think of anyone who lasted longer than three months. I think you're way too loyal to a memory.”
“I haven't met the right girl. And I have Ethan, you know. I have to be careful. I really don't intend to marry again until he's an adult. Why traumatize him that way?”
Will's only response was a snort.
But inside, Tony was worried that he'd met the
only
girl for him and, since their relationship was ruined, he'd never have another. Their breakup had shattered him. She'd seen the real person inside himâÂand hadn't wanted him.
More and more lately, he was reminding himself how good his life was, with family, friends, and the best son in the world. More and more he was trying to prove to himself that everything was as it was meant to be.
But he was trying too hard.
Â
“Strong families, deep friendships and sexy heroes abound in Valentine Valley. I'd love to live there.”
#1
New York Times
bestselling author Sherryl Woods
Â
A Town Called Valentine
A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 1
Emily Murphy never thought she'd return to her mom's rustic hometown in the Colorado Mountains. But after her marriage in San Francisco falls apart, leaving her penniless and heartsick, she returns to her old family home to find a new direction for her life. On her first night back, though, a steamy encounter with handsome rancher Nate Thalberg is not the fresh start she had in mind . . .
Nate has good reason not to trust the determined beauty who just waltzed into town; he's no stranger to betrayal. Besides, she's only there to sell her family's old property and move back out. But as Nate and Emily begin working side by side to restore her timeworn building, and old family secrets change Emily's perception of herself, both are about to learn how difficult it is to hide from love in a place known far and wide for romance, family ties, and happily-Âever-Âafters: a town called Valentine.
Â
True Love at Silver Creek Ranch
A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 2
Adam Desantis is backâÂbruised, battle-Âweary, and sexier than ever! Not that Brooke Thalberg is in the market. The beautiful cowgirl of Silver Creek Ranch needs a cowboy for hire, not a boyfriendâÂthough the gaggle of grandmas at the Widows' Boardinghouse thinks otherwise. But from the moment she finds herself in Adam's arms, she's shocked to discover she may just want more.
Adam knows it's crazy to tangle with Brooke, especially with the memories that still haunt him and the warm welcome her family has given him. But he finds himself in a fix, because tender-Âloving Brooke is so much more woman than he ever imagined. Can a soldier battling demons give her the love she clearly deserves?
Just about everybody in Valentine thinks so!
Â
A Wedding in Valentine
A Valentine Valley Novella
Bridesmaid Heather Armstrong arrives for Nate and Emily's big weekend, only to discover that one of the ushers is the man she had a close encounter with when they were trapped by a blizzard seven months beforeâÂand he's the bride's brother!
Cowboy Chris Sweet never forgot the sexy redhead, although she'd disappeared without a trace. At first the secret creates a divide between them, but as they grow closer during the romantic weekend, will Heather dare risk her heart again?
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“The Christmas Cabin”
from the Anthology
All I Want for Christmas Is a Cowboy
It's Christmas in Valentine, and the Thalbergs remember how their family came to be. . .
Sandy, recently diagnosed with MS and abandoned by her husband, is determined to make Christmas special for her three-Âyear-Âold Nate. While they're trooping through the woods to cut down their Christmas tree, a snowstorm arises, and a mysterious old ranch hand points them toward an abandoned cabin. Little do they realize that the ranch hand also guides cowboy Doug Thalberg to the same place . . .
Â
The Cowboy of Valentine Valley
A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 3
Ever since a heated late-Ânight kissâÂthat absolutely should not have happenedâÂcowboy Josh Thalberg makes former Hollywood bad girl Whitney Winslow's pulse beat faster. But when she decides to use his gorgeous leatherwork in her new upscale lingerie shop, Leather and Lace, she's determined to keep their relationship strictly professional . . . even if she wants so much more.
Josh has never met a challenge he isn't up for. Which is probably why he allowed Whitney to persuade him to take the sexy publicity photo that went viralâÂand now has every woman in America knocking down his door . . . every woman except for the one he can't get out of his head.Â
But how to convince a reformed bad girl that some rules are worth breaking?
Â
A Promise at Bluebell Hill
A Valentine Valley Novel, Book 4
From the moment Secret SerÂvice agent Travis Beaumont strides into town and through the door of Monica Shaw's flower shop, she feels a sizzle of attraction. After years of putting everyone else's needs first, Monica is ready to grab hold of life. If she can just persuade the ultimate protector to let his own walls down for once . . .
The president's son is getting married in Valentine Valley, and Travis should be avoiding all distractions . . . not fantasizing about a forthright, sexy-Âas-Âhell florist. Especially when she's keeping secrets that could jeopardize his assignment. But just this once, Travis is tempted to put down the rulebook and follow his heartâÂright to Monica's door.
Roses are red, violets are blue, and in Valentine Valley, love will always find you.
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EMMA
CANE
grew up reading and soon discovered that she liked to write passionate stories of teenagers in space. Her love of “passionate stories” has never gone away, although today she concentrates on the heartwarming characters of Valentine, her fictional small town in the Colorado Rockies.
Now that her three children are grown, Emma loves spending time crocheting and singing (although not necessarily at the same time), and hiking and snowshoeing alongside her husband, Jim, and two rambunctious dogs, Apollo and Uma.
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