Rescuing Her Ranch, page 10
“It’s not my job to keep track of your stuff.” Wallace waved him away.
Cole stalked back to his uncle’s desk. “My hat came up missing. Then, it was found on Stone River where the property had been vandalized.”
Wallace leaned back in his chair and tossed up his hands. “So if you know where your hat is, then why are you asking me about it?”
“I haven’t been on that section of the property.” He jerked a thumb toward his chest. “I didn’t remove my hat from my desk.”
Wallace’s eyes glinted as he pushed to his feet. Bracing his fingers on his desk, he leaned forward until he was less than six inches from Cole’s face. “What are you accusing me of, son?”
Cole refused to direct his gaze away. His jaw tightened. “First, I’m not your son. Second, I’m simply asking if you know anything about it. Seems strange that my hat would show up at that site without me being there. I won’t take the fall for something I didn’t do.”
“Maybe you need to be more careful with your things.” Wallace straightened and folded his hands over his chest.
Cole slapped the folder against his uncle’s desk. “I had nothing to do with that vandalism, and you know it.”
“Do I now?”
“Wallace, I am doing my best to move forward with this project, but I will not get caught up in your schemes.” He stared at his uncle.
The man was impossible.
Cole dropped his chin to his chest, shook his head and pulled in a breath. “If you’re so unhappy with my work performance, then maybe you should start looking for my replacement.”
“I’ve been considering that for a while now. But let me remind you—you owe me. Who took care of you after your mama died? Paid for your fancy private school and college tuition? Who replaced those rags you wore with brand names?” He jerked a thumb to his chest. “You had nothing before me, and don’t you forget it.”
Cole ground his jaw as he looked at his expensive polished shoes. Then he lifted his head and skated his gaze over his uncle’s smug face. “How can I forget it when you continually remind me? But you’re wrong. I had everything until my mother died. Then I was left with nothing. I’ve been repaying my tuition every month since I’ve started working for you. That debt is nearly paid. Once that’s done, then so are we.”
“Have you forgotten about the little thing called insurance? How will you care for that little brat?”
Cole rounded the desk and gripped his hands into fists to prevent from reaching for his uncle’s shirt collar. “Don’t you ever talk about my daughter that way again.”
Wallace shoved him back and gripped the lapels of his own leather sport coat. “I’ll talk about her any way I see fit, and there’s nothing you can do about it. So you’d better watch your tongue and get back to doing your job.”
Cole stalked back to his own office and slammed the door, his adrenaline surging. He paced in front of his desk, feeling caged in the windowless room. Then he yanked his phone out of his back pocket and thumbed through his contacts until he found Wyatt Stone’s information. He tapped on the number and waited for his childhood friend to pick up.
“Hey, Cole. What’s up?” A child cried in the background.
“Hey, man. You got a minute?”
“Maybe about half that, actually. Mia’s having a meltdown at that moment because I won’t let her drink from the dog’s water dish.”
In spite of the rage coiled in his stomach, Cole couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Been there with the tantrums, man. Listen, I wondered if we could meet. I need to ask a favor.”
“Sure, dude. Not a problem. Care to swing by the cabin?”
“I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“See you then.” The line ended, and for the first time, Cole could breathe.
Fifteen minutes later, he kicked the snow off his boots as he stood on the full-length covered porch and knocked on Wyatt’s cabin door. Inside, a dog barked and footsteps raced across the floor.
The door opened. A toddler with red-rimmed eyes and half of her hair in one ponytail while the other half stuck to her face stared at him without saying a word. A black-and-white spotted English setter nosed around the little girl.
Cole dropped to his haunches and held his palm out as the dog sniffed his fingers while directing his attention to the child. “Hey, you must be Mia. Is your daddy home?”
The little girl nodded and ran away, leaving the door open. The dog barked and chased after her, leaving Cole alone at the door.
He straightened and peered inside. “Wyatt?”
His friend hurried into the large open room with a dish towel over his shoulder and a cup in one hand. “Hey, man. Come in. Sorry about that. I was filling Mia’s cup when you arrived.”
“You sure this isn’t a bad time?” Cole stepped inside and closed the door. He scuffed his feet on the rug in the entryway.
He took in the exposed log walls and the crackling fire warming the room from the stone fireplace that went to the ceiling. A navy and rust braided rug lay in front of a rust-colored couch and matching chair. A large flatscreen mounted on the wall above the mantel. Framed pictures of Wyatt in dress blues with his arms around a dark-haired woman wearing a wedding gown and one of Wyatt holding his daughter hung on either side of the fireplace.
Colorful dishes and plastic food spilled out of the play kitchen set in the corner of the room.
“Cool digs.”
“Thanks. Used to be an old foreman cabin, but I’ve been fixing it up. It’s big enough for Mia and me to call home. So, what’s up?”
Cole shoved his hands in his trouser pockets. “I know I have no right asking this, but I need help, and I don’t know where else to turn.”
Wyatt scooped up a remote, a doll and a book about farm animals off one of the couch cushions, then waved for Cole to sit. “Sure, whatever you need. Have a seat.”
Cole sat on the edge of the couch, balanced his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands. “First, I want you to know I had nothing to do with your family’s property being destroyed.”
Wyatt slumped in the overstuffed chair and rested his right ankle on his left knee. “I didn’t think that for a minute.”
Cole shared his recent confrontation with his uncle, then dragged a hand over his face. “I think he’s dirty, but I can’t prove it. You mentioned one of the guys in your single father support group was a private investigator?”
“Yes, Barry Harrelson. He’s a retired cop who works with the Stone River PD on an as needed basis.”
“Mind giving me his contact info or maybe set up a meeting with him?”
Wyatt pulled out his phone. His thumbs tapped across the screen. Seconds later, Cole’s phone vibrated in his pocket. “I sent you his contact information. I’ll text him and tell him to expect your call.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“Sure thing. We single dads need to stick together, right?” Wyatt eyed him. “You okay?”
Cole exhaled. “I’m about to be canned, I think. I’ve been holding on to this job because of Lexi, but honestly, being out from under Wallace’s thumb may be a blessing.”
Wyatt leaned forward and clapped a hand on Cole’s shoulder. “Whatever you need, I’m here to help you through it. Just ask.”
Ask.
So much easier said than done.
Chapter Eight
Wyatt’s words stuck with Cole as he stood at the checkout at Regals Shoes.
What would it be like to have someone like Wyatt in his corner? Someone who understood the struggles of single parenting? Maybe he should check out that support group after all. He’d worry about that later. Right now he needed to check out and head back to work for a bit.
Yesterday, while getting Lexi ready for her follow-up at the pediatrician, she’d mentioned her shoes pinching her toes.
He’d come in to find Mrs. Regal marking down shoes and adding them to the clearance sale rack. After finding a pair of regular-priced brand-name shoes for Lexi, he’d cleared the clearance sale rack of kids’ shoes and carried the boxes to the front register until the display was empty.
Cole understood poverty and sacrifice. Until he had gone to live with Wallace after his mother’s death, going without had been the norm.
Getting shoes for his daughter had been his priority, but the great sale on the shoes gave him an opportunity to pay it forward and help some other kid from feeling less than.
“Your mama would be proud of you, young man. Hope you know that.” White-haired Mrs. Regal peered over the top of her glasses at him as she directed her scanner gun at another barcode.
“It’s for a good cause.” He eyed the growing stack of boxes. The total would still be less than the amount he spent on one pair of his own work boots, especially with the deep discounts she had marked.
“And you and your big heart, young man.”
The front door opened, and Mrs. Regal looked up from her register. “Hey, Nora.” Then her eyes widened. She dropped the scanner gun, rushed around the counter and hurried to the door, her arms outstretched. She wrapped Macey in a hug that nearly knocked the young woman off her feet.
“Macey Stone. Young lady, you are a sight for this old woman’s eyes. I heard you were back in town and hoped you’d stop in sometime.”
“Hey, Marla. How are you doing?”
“Sugar, I can’t complain. The good Lord watches over and protects me every day.” She released Macey and hustled back to the counter. “You two look around and I’ll be with you as soon as I’m done ringing up Cole here.”
“We just found the most wonderful dresses for the ball, and we’re looking for shoes to go with them.”
Cole’s heart jerked at the sound of Macey’s voice. He gripped the counter and tried not to let his eyes linger over the way Macey’s hair brushed against her red wool jacket.
He straightened as she headed to the counter, her eyebrows raised as she took in the multiple bulging bags at his feet. “Someone has a shoe weakness.”
Then she shot him a grin that nearly dissolved him into a puddle.
Get a grip, man.
Cole smirked and reached for a navy sneaker covered in white daisies. “Not quite my size.”
“Lexi’s going to be thrilled with so many pairs of shoes.”
“I admit to spoiling my daughter, but not like this.”
Ms. Marla scanned the final pair of shoes on the counter and read him the total. “Cole, bless his heart, buys up children’s shoes and boots when I put them on clearance sale and donates them to the local day care centers and elementary school for kids who can’t afford them.”
Heat scalded his neck as he pulled out his wallet. “Mrs. Regal, that was our secret, remember?”
The older woman clapped a hand over her mouth, then took his bank card. “I’m sorry, love. It’s just such a good thing you’re doing.
Macey touched his elbow and looked at him with almost a wonder in her eyes. “That’s very sweet, Cole. What a kind and generous thing to do.”
He lifted a shoulder and scrawled his name at the bottom of the receipt. “I’m just paying forward what someone had done for me.”
“Someone bought shoes for you?”
“Once, when I was ten.” That moment still rubbed a raw edge around his heart.
Carrying a box, Mrs. Stone joined Macey. She shot him a wide smile full of kindness. “Hi, Cole. It’s good to see you again.”
He nodded to her, wondering if she overheard their conversation. “Hey, Mrs. Stone. Good to see you as well. How’s Mr. Stone doing?”
“He’s being discharged this evening. Macey and I had a few errands to run, then we’re going to pick him up. How’s that sweet daughter of yours?”
“Lexi’s doing well. She’s nearly recovered from a double ear infection.” He glanced at his watch. “She’s spending the night with my cousin and her daughter.”
Mrs. Stone slipped her arm around his shoulders and gave him a quick squeeze. “Give her a hug from me. I miss seeing her at the ranch, but I’ll see her on Sunday for children’s church.”
“Will do. She loves listening to your stories. All the way home from church, she rattles on about what Miss Nora taught her. Last week was all about the big fish who swallowed the man who ran away.”
Mrs. Stone laughed. “They were really into the Jonah story and the puppets we made. I’m so glad she enjoys it. She’s a gem, and we’re so thankful to have her. Both of you.”
“Thank you.” Her words touched him more than he could say. He lifted three of the bags. “Mrs. Regal, I’ll be back in a minute for the rest.”
“I can help.” Before he could protest, Macey took the remaining two bags off the counter and nodded toward the door. “You lead, and I’ll follow.”
He walked backward and pushed open the door with his shoulder, then held it while Macey passed, her scent wreathing him.
Out on the sidewalk, he pulled in a lungful of crisp air, then nodded to his truck parked across the street. “I’m over there.”
They paused at the corner for the crosswalk signal to change.
“Just when I thought I had you figured out, you surprise me, Cole.”
He eyed Macey, then watched the light turn from red to green. “Let’s walk. How do I surprise you?”
“I don’t know. Stuff like this.” She hefted the bags. “Who does that?”
He couldn’t see her eyes through her oversize sunglasses, but the way her lips tipped up made him think she wasn’t passing judgment. In fact, her words carried a tone of respect.
He lifted a shoulder, wishing they could change the subject. He shifted all the bags to one hand so he could pull out his key fob and unlock the truck. “Someone who doesn’t want other kids to be teased about holes in their shoes.”
She set the bags on the back seat, then lifted her sunglasses onto her head, holding back her hair. She stuffed her gloved hands in her pockets. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. Kids can be so cruel. When we were younger, my mom told us about this one time she’d gone into Regals. A little boy was so excited to buy a new pair of shoes, but he didn’t have enough money, so she paid the balance. She said she’d never seen anyone so excited over a pair of shoes before. She’d remind us of the story when we whined about wanting something we really didn’t need.”
Cole shoved his bags next to the ones Macey placed in the back. “Yeah, I’m quite familiar with the story.”
Macey’s eyes widened. “You are?”
He shoved his hands in his front pockets and kicked a clump of salted snow off his tire. “I’m the kid she was talking about.”
“Oh.” Her single word almost whispered spoke volumes. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”
He laughed, but the decades-old humiliation resurfaced, reminding him of where he’d come from and how he needed to be the one to make his way in the world. “We all have our wounds, right?”
“And that’s why you donate shoes.” Her voice soft and gentle, Macey gripped his upper arm. “You really are amazing, Cole Crawford.”
Cole looked at her fingers on his arm and forced his heart to beat steadily against his rib cage. A woman touching him shouldn’t create this type of reaction. Was he that hard up for attention?
But Macey wasn’t just any woman. The more he was around her, the more he wanted to touch her, pull her close.
But he couldn’t.
Not as long as they were on opposing sides—both desperately trying to get what they wanted for their families. Her family who had been nothing but good to him.
“Hey, have the police learned anything else about the vandalism?”
Macey shook her head. “Not that I know of. Bear and Wyatt removed the spray paint and hosed down the barn with the power washer, so it won’t be an eyesore for the ball. You still planning to sell tickets with me tomorrow at WinterFest?”
Cole gripped the back of his neck. “Yes. What time do you want me there?”
“Is nine too early? We’ll have a table set up in the food hall. It’s out of the elements and receives pretty decent traffic with people getting coffee and something to eat.”
He shook his head. “No. I was planning to meet Piper around noon anyway.”
“Great. Sounds good. I’ll see you later. I need to find shoes for the dress I bought.” She headed back to the crosswalk. As she walked to the shoe store, Cole longed to chase after her and invite her out to dinner. Or something. Anything so he didn’t have to return to the condo by himself.
But he couldn’t. Even if the land deal divided them. She came from such a great family. And he...well, he didn’t deserve Macey.
And the more he remembered that, the better off he’d be.
* * *
Macey wouldn’t let her aunt down.
She couldn’t say no when Aunt Lynetta called with the plea in her voice. Even if it meant Macey tamping down the panic pressing against her ribs.
With WinterFest tomorrow, the last thing Aunt Lynetta needed was an unexpected trip to the ER after slicing her hand while peeling apples.
With her brothers working the ranch, Everly caring for Tanner and Mia and Mom caring for Dad at the ranch house, that left Macey to finish the baking for tomorrow’s pie auction.
Aunt Lynetta’s pies were legendary in Aspen Ridge. The pie auction raised money each year for the local animal shelter.
Macey could do this.
Although her aunt seldom followed a recipe, her apple pie was the same one Macey’s grandma and mom used. And like the other women in her family, she’d memorized it years ago.
Even if Macey hadn’t baked a pie since before her grandma had been killed, it had to be like riding a bike, right? Except she didn’t have to worry about skinned knees if she failed.
