Falling for the cowboy d.., p.21
Falling for the Cowboy Doc, page 21
“I’ll make this simple.” Grant stepped forward. “Maggie will ride with you. And I’ll check on Ross and his knee if she’s okay with that. That way we are all sticking to what we’re good at.”
Maggie nodded and shook Vince’s hand. “Looks like I’ve lost my partner and gained a new one.”
Vince thanked Grant, then settled his hat back on his head. “Well, Maggie, what do you say we go get ourselves a jackpot?”
Grant consulted with a handful more competitors along with the medics on hand while Maggie and Vince roped their way into the finals. They secured a second-place finish overall. Not the automatic bid Grant knew Maggie had been hoping for. Yet, there was a decent cash prize for second place. And Maggie seemed happy. She’d even given Grant a quick, entirely too obligatory hug. Other than that, she’d kept her distance from him the entire day. He should’ve been fine with that. This was her community, not his. Now it was coming to a close and Grant was equal parts restless and frustrated, despite not having a right to feel anything. He’d walked away last night. Today was about Maggie.
They stood outside with Nolan and Kelsey discussing where to go for dinner to celebrate.
“Nice riding with you today, Maggie.” Vince walked by and tipped his hat at Maggie. “My cousin Shayna is looking for a new heeler. Her partner is having a baby. Can I give her your number?”
“Definitely.” Maggie smiled. “And thanks for giving me a chance today.”
“Pleasure was all mine.” Vince stopped beside her. “Are you heading to San Antonio for the Rodeo Roundup? I could use a partner there. Doc Sloan doesn’t think Ross will be back in the saddle that quick.”
“I can make that work.” Maggie avoided looking at Grant. “Text me the details.”
“Check your phone.” Vince laughed. “Already sent everything.” With that he sauntered off to celebrate.
Maggie’s name was called again. Grant turned to see Lewis Trumbly from Denim Country walking toward her. He wore a big smile and even bigger belt buckle. “Maggie, any chance you might be free for dinner? I’d like to discuss a potential business arrangement.”
“Yes, she’s free for dinner.” That came from Kelsey. Maggie’s sister gave Lewis Trumbly a gingerly hug before slipping her hand back into Nolan’s.
Grant stepped back. Lewis kept the two sisters occupied with a quick rundown of the company’s thoughts on sponsorship and expanded his dinner invitation to Kelsey and Nolan. The foursome turned and started walking toward the parking lot. Maggie never turned back. Never looked back.
That was because she had her goal in sight. And it had never been Grant. He should be satisfied. He’d played a small part in helping her that afternoon.
Grant spun around, headed for Ryan’s camper, and told himself he would be happy soon.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
KELSEY OPENED HER eyes to the smell of bacon sizzling and the feeling of pain throughout her body. An unexpected fall from a horse tended to leave bruises that didn’t fade overnight. Still, she wasn’t completely miserable. Maggie had secured sponsorship with Denim Country last night at dinner. And Kelsey couldn’t have been more proud of her little sister.
Yet, the victory was slightly hollow. Kelsey wouldn’t be joining her sister on her new journey. That left Kelsey adrift and, for the first time in years, without a purpose. Looking after her little sister had been Kelsey’s purpose for so long now. Selfishly, she wanted Maggie to stick around, if only to give Kelsey a job to do. Who was Kelsey supposed to protect now? And what exactly was she supposed to do with her own life?
The bedroom door opened slowly. Nolan stepped through carrying a tray and wearing a less-than-confident smile. “I made breakfast. But I wasn’t sure if your stomach might be upset. Or even if you are a breakfast person.”
She was quickly becoming a Nolan person. Kelsey scooted awkwardly into a sitting position. Nolan set the tray on the side table and was at her side in an instant, gathering pillows behind her and seeing to her comfort. Only Maggie had ever really taken care of Kelsey and that had only been when she’d let her little sister. Funny how she didn’t mind Nolan looking after her all that much. Even more telling was that she looked forward to returning the favor someday. She was definitely Team Nolan, and they hadn’t even gone on a first date.
Kelsey ordered her heart to stand down and stop rushing things. Then she glanced at the side table, rather than risk giving her thoughts away, and gaped. “Nolan, that’s a mini-buffet.”
“Like I said earlier, I didn’t know what you preferred.” Nolan shifted from side to side and presented each choice. “Butter toast is easy on an upset stomach. The scrambled egg toss is good protein. Fruit seems to be the go-to for lighter breakfast eaters. Fresh orange juice and crispy bacon for the traditionalist. A smoothie for the nutrition minded.”
Kelsey snagged a piece of bacon and eyed him. “Careful, Chef. I could get used to this.”
His smile grew. “I was sort of hoping you would.”
Interesting. Her chef sounded like he might be Team Kelsey. She chewed on her bacon and tipped her head toward the empty side of the bed where Maggie had slept. “Why don’t you put the tray between us, and then we can share?”
He picked up the tray. “I like how you think.”
And she liked him. “But don’t think I’m going to share that bacon.”
“Have it all.” Nolan settled on the bed, his movements gentle as if he was afraid of jostling her and causing her pain. “There’s more in the kitchen. I wasn’t sure if Maggie would want some when she gets back from tending to the horses.”
Maggie had slipped out around dawn. Kelsey knew why. Her little sister did most of her thinking with the horses. And Kelsey suspected crying too. Maggie’s pillow had been damp, when Kelsey touched it after her sister had left the bedroom. One more reason the victory of signing a national sponsor felt hollow. Her little sister’s heart was broken. And no jackpot or sponsorship check would ever be large enough to mend that. Kelsey picked at the grapes. “Did you talk to Maggie this morning?”
Nolan shook his head. “I never heard her leave. She left a note stuck on the cabinet asking me to check on you.”
Maggie trusted Nolan or she wouldn’t have left. Would Maggie trust that Kelsey knew what was in her heart? Did Kelsey trust her own heart? Kelsey chewed on a grape, then said, “I need to talk to her about my surgery and what it all means.”
“What does it mean?” Nolan offered Kelsey the orange juice. When she declined, he took a deep sip.
“It means my life is being turned upside down.” Kelsey reached for the toast to calm her suddenly upset stomach. “I have no career. No prospects. Just a business idea, a whole bunch of rhinestones and a lot more hope.”
“Sounds to me like you have a start then.” Nolan took her hand in his and eyed her. His gaze warm and thoughtful. His words gentle and affectionate. “I want to be there with you while you figure everything out.”
“Why?” Kelsey blurted.
He held her gaze. “Because I like you. A lot.”
Kelsey curled her fingers around his. “Isn’t it too soon? Too quick?”
“We can take things slow.” Nolan squeezed her hand. “Maybe go on that first date finally.”
“I’d like that.” Kelsey smiled. “A lot.”
“It’s settled. I have a first date to plan.” Nolan’s thumb stroked across her palm.
A slow, steady caress that soothed and calmed her. That felt extraordinarily right.
“Now that we’re dating,” Nolan said. His half-grin lifted into his cheek. “We should discuss your living situation.”
Kelsey blinked. Maggie would need the camper on the road. Kelsey needed a new career and a new place to live. But she’d only ever lived with Maggie. Never alone. Panic started to set in.
But Nolan blocked it as if he’d always been by her side. He said, “There’s a vacant two-bedroom apartment behind the Owl. You could stay there after your surgery. You’d have a chef next door to cook every meal for you if you wanted. And Maggie would have a bedroom to stay in while she’s in town.”
Not so very alone after all. Kelsey opened her mouth.
Nolan stopped her and said, “Before you say no, I should tell you that Abby and Wes own the place. They’re happy to let you and Maggie stay there.”
“I don’t know what to say.” One minute she was adrift without direction. Now things were seemingly falling into place. With little assistance from her. Kelsey and Maggie always made their own way. On their own. But what if they didn’t have to anymore?
“Just tell me that you’ll think about it,” Nolan said. “Run it by Maggie.”
Kelsey nodded. Then, for the first time in too long, she listened to her heart and followed its lead. “Is it too fast if I ask you to kiss me before our first official date?”
Nolan grinned, brushed her hair from her cheeks and leaned forward. Their lips met. He kissed her as if he had all day to learn her secrets and nowhere else he’d rather be.
And right then, Kelsey knew exactly where she was meant to be.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
IT WAS LUNCHTIME when Grant walked into the kitchen after helping Carter and Josh set a new copper still at the distillery. He wiped his boots on the mat and greeted his grandfather and uncle, telling them, “I called a family meeting. Everyone is on their way.”
Sam’s chin lowered to his chest and his wise gaze settled on Grant. “Looks like you’ll have those loose ends tied up before you board your plane Tuesday night.”
That was the intention. Grant had returned from Amarillo last night and found his grandfather sitting on the porch. He had bypassed the details of his fallout with Maggie, only relayed the relevant information about Kelsey’s injury and Maggie’s second-place finish. Then he got to the essential stuff like how he’d rescheduled dinner with his mother, having walked out on the first one, and planned to tell his brothers. Those were the loose ends. Things with Maggie were just at an end.
Ryan walked into the kitchen, washed his hands, and glanced at Grant. “Want a sandwich? I’m making one.”
Grant shook his head. “I’m good.”
Ryan looked skeptical but kept his commentary to himself. Still, Grant saw the concern in his brother’s gaze. And he appreciated it, although, it was hardly necessary. Grant was fine. Or he would be. In time. “Grandpa. Uncle. Now’s the time to place your sandwich order.”
“I’ll take one of whatever anyone is making,” Caleb called out from the laundry room.
Josh and Carter arrived soon after. Sandwiches assembled and everyone seated around the kitchen table, it was time to start the meeting. Grant glanced at Carter. “Where is Tess?”
“Out with Abby and Paige. They’re getting ready for their girl’s night at the Owl.” Carter popped open a soda and took a sip. “They want Maggie to join them. And Kelsey too if she’s feeling up to it. When will they be back?”
Grant shook his head.
“No, Maggie can’t join them.” Carter arched an eyebrow at Grant and frowned.
“Maggie isn’t coming back.” At least not to the farmhouse. And certainly not to Grant.
“Where is she?” Caleb dumped a pile of cheddar potato chips on his plate.
Grant flattened his palms on the placemat as if he needed to steady himself. “I don’t know.”
“Is that why we’re here?” Josh reached over and grabbed the chip bag from his twin. “To find Maggie and bring her back home?”
“No.” There was no finding Maggie. No bringing her back. No home without Maggie. Grant cleared that unsettling thought from his mind. This wasn’t about Maggie.
His brothers all shifted to look at Ryan.
“Don’t look at me.” Ryan held up half of his sandwich and leaned back in his chair. “I have tried talking to Grant about Maggie. In Amarillo and again this morning. He’s locked down tighter than Carter’s single barrel bourbon whiskey.”
“It’s good to discuss and share these things with your family.” Caleb considered Grant. He sounded very much like a school counselor speaking to an uncooperative elementary school kid.
Grant returned his younger brother’s stare and remained silent.
“Carter and I were with you all morning, Grant. Why didn’t you say anything?” Josh eyed Grant and scowled. “We’re here to help, you know.”
Not with Maggie. No one could help with Maggie. Grant tugged at his hair, then said, “This isn’t to do with her. There’s another family issue we need to talk about.”
“More important to you than Maggie?” Ryan’s eyebrows lifted. Disbelief cast a shadow across his face.
Grant was beginning to wonder if anything or anyone could be more important than Maggie. But that was for Grant to deal with. On his own terms. But still, there were things that he and his brothers needed to decide. “Mom is back.”
“Back in New York?” Caleb crunched on a potato chip sounding completely unconcerned.
“Or is she back in the news again for creating an advanced artificial heart? The likes of which the world hasn’t seen.” Josh looked equally as unmoved as his twin.
Grant glanced at his grandfather and took a deep breath. “Our mother is back in Three Springs.”
A stillness settled around the table. Constricting and uncomfortable.
Ryan was the first to recover. Though there was still shock on his face. “Who invited her here?”
“It’s her hometown.” Sam braced his elbows on the table. “Lilian doesn’t require an invitation to return.”
“The town is one thing.” Ryan tapped his finger against the table. “But the farmhouse. Here. That’s another thing entirely. She absolutely requires an invite to come here.”
Caleb crumpled a napkin in his hand and tossed it on the table. His natural good humor was gone. His shoulders were stiff. His face set. “What does she want?”
“What does it even matter?” Ryan crossed his arms over his chest and slipped into the same rigid pose as Caleb.
Grant wanted his mother’s return not to matter. He wanted to ignore her and the past. But he didn’t want to carry all that into his new life. Like he had told his grandfather last night on the porch, he wanted a fresh start on the West Coast. That meant wrapping up the unfinished things like long overdue conversations with his mother. Even if it might be difficult. He’d already walked away from Maggie. Nothing could be worse than that. He said, “She wants to talk.”
“Have you seen her, Grant?” Carter’s gaze was probing. His words solemn. “Have you talked to her in person?”
Grant nodded and met his older brother’s stare. “I saw her last week. At the clinic, in exam room four, to be exact. She pretended to be a patient to see me.”
Josh dropped his head in his hands. Caleb studied his plate as if searching for answers among the breadcrumbs. Carter opened and closed his mouth, then looked at Sam and Roy.
The older duo sat shoulder to shoulder. Each one had their hands folded together and resting on the placemat in front of them. If either one had an opinion, it wasn’t being shared. As if they both understood the brothers had their own decisions to make. And those required time and deliberation, as much as each one needed.
“Why now?” Ryan tipped his chair back, braced his hands behind his head, and frowned at the ceiling. “Why is she here now?”
“I’m having dinner with her tonight,” Grant stated.
Ryan’s chair legs thudded against the floor and his wide, surprised gaze landed on Grant.
Grant added, “Hopefully, I’ll find out exactly what she wants.”
“Why are you even going to dinner?” Josh pushed away from the table, gathered several empty plates, and paced into the kitchen. Caleb was not far behind him.
“The truth is, I want closure.” Grant looked around the table. “I want to close the past before I get on the plane for California on Tuesday.”
The entire family frowned at the mention of California. Same as they’d been frowning since Friday morning at breakfast after Maggie and her sister had left for Amarillo. That was when Grant had told his family that his job at the West Coast clinic was official, and his flight was booked. Their upbeat congratulations had been forced. Their smiles more than a little strained. Even as they tried to be supportive of what Grant wanted.
Carter rubbed his chin and eyed Grant. “Do you want us to go with you to dinner?”
“I agreed to go. I never agreed for any of you to,” Grant explained. “I’m only telling you so you can decide what you want to do. You can join me or not.”
“Not joining you.” Josh braced his arms behind him and leaned against the island. Caleb stood beside his twin, looking as if his mind was also set.
Carter said simply and firmly, “I want to talk to Tess first.”
Grant envied his brother. He wanted to talk to Maggie too. Even more, he wanted Maggie to be with him when he went back to dinner with his mother. To hold her hand. To keep himself steady and anchored.
“If you want backup, just say the word.” Carter’s smile was there and gone. “You know I will be there for you.”
“You are always there for us, Carter,” Grant reassured his brother. . “I’ll take this one.”
“I’ll drive you and wait in the parking lot, if you want.” Ryan set his hand on Grant’s shoulder. “But I won’t promise anything about going inside.”
“I got this.” After all, Grant had to prove he was more than fine on his own. Just as he had been before he’d met Maggie. That, in fact, nothing had changed. And his life was as it should be.
* * *
AT PRECISELY SIX o’clock that evening, Grant walked into The Spiced Beehive Bistro in Belleridge. He greeted the hostess and saw his mother already seated at a private booth against the far wall. He headed to the booth and tucked his hands in his pockets, along with his apprehension. It was only one conversation. Not a commitment to be in each other’s lives going forward. Unless he chose that.
