Rescuing Her Ranch, page 2
“Wow, Mace. I had no idea. I’m sorry to hear about your dad. The Sweetheart Ball is such a great fundraiser.” He dragged a hand over his face. “Listen, don’t worry about Lexi. I’ll come up with a different solution. Maybe my cousin Piper can help me out.”
Macey should’ve felt relief at being freed from caring for Lexi, but the tightness in Cole’s jaw and the deepening lines around his mouth made her think finding someone to care for his daughter was going to be harder than she imagined. Her shoulders sagged as she shook her head. “No, don’t do that. I’ll take care of her until you can find a permanent provider for her.”
Cole’s head jerked up and his eyes brightened. “You have no idea what that means to me. Without much of a family to fall back on, I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do. But if you’re sure...”
She nodded, but the voice in her head urged her to grab her coat and run back to her car. But after what had happened last night, she wasn’t sure about anything right now, especially on such little sleep.
Cole slid the sandwich Lexi made into a plastic baggie and dropped it in his lunch box. Then he gripped the edge of the counter. “After Mom died suddenly of that heart defect when I was a freshman, your family’s charity event has always been important to me.” He made a face. “Listen, since you’re willing to help me out until I can find a permanent solution for Lexi’s care, then the least I can do is give you a hand with organizing the Sweetheart Ball.”
She waved away his words. “You don’t have to do that. You have more than enough to keep you busy.”
“I want to.”
“I don’t know, Cole.”
He reached for her hand. “Listen, Macey. I was a jerk at our prom, and I’ve regretted screwing up our friendship for the past ten years. I’m so sorry I stood by while Celeste humiliated you. I cared more about being accepted than standing up for my best friend. Let me prove I’m not that same punk, and you can trust me again.”
Macey rubbed a hand across her forehead and over her tired eyes. She smothered a yawn, then nodded. “Okay, let’s talk more when you get home. What time should I expect you?”
“Probably around five. If something changes, I’ll let you know. Will that be a problem?”
Macey shook her head.
He glanced at his watch and headed to the living room. “I’m already late, and my uncle’s going to be furious. We’ll talk more tonight. Thank you, Macey. I mean it.”
As he headed out the door, Macey allowed his words to linger between them. She wanted to lean into them, to know he’d be there for her. But their years of friendship had been destroyed by a single humiliating act that brought her shame when his voice could have changed everything.
Even though she wanted nothing more than to return to the safety of Stone River, Macey remained in Cole’s living room, determined to prove she wasn’t a failure. After all, no matter how she felt about Cole, his sweet daughter didn’t need to suffer.
Mom’s words from earlier drifted into her head—maybe God brought her home for a reason.
While she tried to determine her purpose for the future, she’d guard her heart because the last thing she needed was to fall for Cole again, only to have him break it once more.
* * *
Cole had been given a second chance for redemption, and he wasn’t about to waste it. He still couldn’t believe Macey Stone was back in town and she’d offered to care for his daughter.
He certainly didn’t deserve her kindness, especially after the way he’d treated her all those years ago. Only an idiot would’ve let a friend like her storm out of his life.
Now he’d make amends for the humiliating prom fiasco and rekindle their friendship.
Truth was, he missed her. He hadn’t realized how much until he opened his door and found her standing on his snow-covered porch.
Even though he was a regular visitor at Stone River Ranch, Macey had always managed to sneak away while visiting her family before he could see her.
Time hadn’t diminished her beauty. If anything, it enhanced it. Her chestnut-brown hair still fell in light waves around her shoulders. And those expressive brown eyes couldn’t hide her emotions.
Thumbing through his emails on his phone, Cole opened the door to the mobile office at the Riverside Condos construction site and ducked inside to escape the cold biting at his neck.
“About time you showed up.”
Cole’s head jerked up and his gut tightened. Wallace Crawford, his uncle and his boss, sat at Cole’s desk with his booted feet on the oversize desk calendar.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I had a last-minute childcare issue.” Cole set his insulated travel mug on the L-shaped desk and dropped his lunch made by Lexi in the mini fridge tucked under the microwave.
Wallace pushed to his feet and grabbed his black cowboy hat off the coatrack behind Cole’s desk chair. “Don’t get too comfortable. We have a meeting.”
“A meeting with whom?” Cole pulled out his phone and tapped on his calendar app but didn’t find anything scheduled.
“Aspen Ridge City Council.”
“For what?”
“I’ve been talking with Mayor Cobb about building a strip mall, and he thinks it will be a good boost to the local economy.”
Cole frowned. “A strip mall? Where?”
“Off the highway exit that leads into town.”
Cole turned to the framed map of Aspen Ridge hanging above the drafting table. He tapped the exit Wallace referenced. “But that’s Stone River Ranch property.”
Wallace grinned, looking more like a wolf hunting prey. “Exactly. The city council sent out a letter of intent. They offered to purchase a portion of the property.”
“Which part?”
“Old Man Stone’s crumbling homestead on the southwestern section of the ranch.”
“South Bend?” The southern portion of the ranch the Stones referred to as South Bend where Deacon Stone’s parents had lived until their unexpected death ten years ago. “Deacon refused to sell their land when you made an offer after his parents had been killed by that drunk driver.”
Wallace lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, so? I have it on good authority that the Stones are hurting for money. My—I mean, the council’s offer could help them stay in the black and it gives me...us the land we need for the project.”
“Why that land? And why a strip mall? We’re still finishing up the Riverside Condos project. Let me do some research for other parcels that may work better.”
“I don’t want to look at other properties. The council wants this land. If the Stones refuse to sell, then they can acquire it through eminent domain. And they want you to be project manager.”
“The council wants me? Or you want me to do your bidding?” Cole gripped the back of his chair and shook his head. “No way. I can’t. Barrett and Wyatt Stone are my best friends. Deacon and Nora and Deacon’s sister Lynetta helped my mom more times than I can count when she got sick. I can’t do that to them. Not to mention, it would be a conflict of interest.”
Wallace hooked his thumbs around his belt loops, his fingers framing his decades-old rodeo belt buckle. “Let’s sweeten the pot a little, shall we? After your mother’s heart gave out, I took you in. Remember the college education I paid for? And that condo where you live? And let’s not forget about the medical insurance you need for that little brat of yours. Specialists and those fancy hearing aids don’t come cheap. So I’d say you owe me. Pay me back by getting the Stones to sell. Or look for another job...and a new place to live. The choice is yours.” Cole clenched his jaw and fought back the words blistering his tongue.
Some choice.
Family meant nothing to Wallace. Something Cole learned years ago when family services had forced him to live with his last surviving adult relative.
Wallace had Cole backed into a corner and by the smirk on his face, he knew it.
Since graduating college six years ago, Cole worked for his uncle, saving as much as possible so he could reimburse him and be released from the debt hanging over his head.
Not that the guy even needed the money, but Cole didn’t want to owe anyone.
“And just so you don’t think I’m lacking a heart—get them to sign and you can be the new CEO of my Durango area office. I need someone with smarts to oversee the operations there so I can spend more time on my ranch in Montana. You’ll receive a raise, better benefits and I may even throw in a company car.”
Coming from anyone else, Cole would’ve jumped at the opportunity being offered. But with his uncle, everything came with a price. Question was—could Cole pay it and still live with himself?
If it weren’t for Lexi, Cole would’ve walked out the door at that very moment without hesitation. But he’d do anything to provide his daughter with the best care possible, even if it meant selling his soul to someone like his uncle.
Cole scrubbed a hand over his face. “I’ll do what I can to get the Stones to sell, but no promises. And we do this by the book.”
His uncle clapped him on the back. “You’re such a Boy Scout. Stick with me, son, and you’ll see how business is really done.”
Before Cole could respond he wasn’t Wallace’s son, nor did he want to do business the way his uncle did, Wallace stalked out of the trailer.
Grabbing his mug, Cole followed behind, feeling like a jerk. If he talked to Bear and Wyatt and told them about Wallace’s land scheme, maybe they’d be little more understanding.
He wouldn’t be surprised, though, if they shut him out the way Macey had. And rightly so.
Somehow, he needed to find a way to make this work without hurting those he cared about.
Chapter Two
Macey wanted nothing more than a hot meal and a pillow for her head.
If today was anything to go by, caring for Lexi would be a dream job. She’d been surprised when Cole arrived home earlier than the five o’clock time she’d been told to expect, but even though she’d enjoyed her time with his daughter, she didn’t mind a shorter day.
Fatigue settled in her bones like a long-term guest. She hadn’t gone without sleep like that since cramming for finals in college. Not even the nights she paced the nursery when little Jaxson Crane screamed due to colic while his mother slept peacefully.
She wondered how Jayden, Jenna and Jaxson were doing without her.
When her defenses were down throughout the day, the three charges had crept into her thoughts. What had Tricia and Derek told their children about Macey’s sudden departure?
If only she could’ve said goodbye. Maybe it wouldn’t have hurt so much.
Doubtful.
Nothing could erase the betrayal that buried her trust.
Shutting her eyes couldn’t drown out Tricia screaming at her when she discovered her husband in the living room...and in Macey’s arms. She’d refused to listen to Macey’s cries of innocence as she was ordered to pack and leave, especially when Derek claimed Macey had thrown herself at him.
Never again would she allow anyone to take advantage of her.
For now she was safe. No one would hurt her while she was surrounded by her family.
Pulling in the driveway, Macey shut off the engine and exited the warmth of her car. She headed for the timber-and-stone ranch house, looking forward to climbing the stairs and falling into bed, even if it wasn’t even dark yet.
Behind her, a deep woof coupled with a low growl startled her. She jumped and whirled around.
Dakota, or Kota for short, her brother’s English shepherd bounded up the steps and sniffed around her boots. His tail wagged as he looked up at her. Macey dropped to her knees, snow and cold seeping into her jeans. She flung her arms around the aging dog. “Hey, Kota. How’s it going, boy?”
Kota sniffed Macey, his tail picking up speed. He licked Macey’s cheek. She laughed and tried to catch herself so she didn’t fall backward.
“Hey, there. No one’s home. Can I help you with something?”
At the sound of the deep voice, Macey pushed to her feet and turned. With one hand cupping Kota’s head, she jangled the keys still in her gloved hand. “Good thing I have a key.”
Barrett, nicknamed Bear by the family, her fraternal twin brother, younger by two minutes, stood on the sidewalk with a coiled rope in his gloved hands. Brown eyes like hers lit up as a smile transformed his stern features. “Hey, Mace. Wyatt mentioned you were back. Sorry I wasn’t around this morning to welcome you home.”
“Hey, Bear.” She lifted a hand and smiled. “No worries. You were busy.”
His breath visible in the freezing temperature, he pushed up the brim of his dusty chocolate-colored cowboy hat to reveal more of his tanned face.
Macey pressed a hip against one of the wooden posts of the covered front porch. “Mom’s at the hospital, I take it?”
He shook his head. “Actually, Norman Fowler’s office.”
Straightening, Macey frowned. “Grandma and Grandpa’s attorney? Why?”
Bear rubbed the back of his gloved hand across his forehead. “There’s been a...development with the ranch.”
“What sort of development?”
“After you and Everly left, we received a letter of intent. Supposedly the Aspen Ridge City Council wants to purchase a portion of the land to build a strip mall.” Lines bracketing her brother’s mouth deepened.
“A strip mall? Why? What part of the ranch?”
“South Bend.”
Macey’s shoulders sagged as she rested an elbow against the post and cupped her head. “Grandma and Grandpa’s property? You can’t be serious.”
“As a heart attack.” He dropped the rope on the porch. “If we don’t agree and sign, then they will claim condemnation and take possession. They plan to tear it all down.”
“How can they do that?”
“Through eminent domain. With South Bend being closest to town and the highway, they feel it will drive traffic into Aspen Ridge and help the economy. Or so they claim.”
“But...” Macey shook her head. The rest of her words remained unspoken. Growing up, she’d taken many horseback rides across the pastures of the original homestead and visited the waterfalls as her grandfather taught her how to use his camera. She’d always said South Bend was her favorite place on earth. Even though nothing was in writing, Grandpa had said it would be hers one day.
Was that not meant to be?
Bear lifted his hat and dragged his hand through his dark brown hair, which was in need of a cut. “After receiving the letter, Mom called Fowler’s office and set up an appointment.”
“She went alone?” Macey tried to keep the accusatory tone out of her voice, but Bear’s raised eyebrow showed she hadn’t quite succeeded.
Shaking his head, he laughed. “Like Mom needs any one of us to protect her. The woman’s fierce, especially when anyone messes with the family. She wanted to get some facts before she talked to Dad. Besides, Wyatt’s with her.”
Macey gave Kota a final pat, then closed her fingers around her keys once more. “I’m going to Fowler’s office to see what’s going on. There has to be a way to protect what’s ours.”
As she headed down the steps and brushed past him, he caught her elbow. “Hey.”
“What?”
His eyes crinkled in the corners as his lips lifted into a half smile. “I’m glad you’re home. You look good.”
A flash of tears warmed her eyes. Blinking rapidly, she smiled through the haze, then pulled him in for an impulsive hug, breathing in the long-familiar scents of hay, horses and Colorado fresh air. “Thanks, Bear. You look good too. I’m sorry you lost your appeal with the rodeo association.”
He stepped back and lifted a shoulder. “It is what it is. Until that mess is settled, there’s not much I can do but work the ranch.”
But she didn’t miss the shadow that passed over his eyes and spoke louder than his words.
As much as she hurt for him and could relate to the false accusations, she had faith he’d work it out. He always did.
She climbed back into her car, then steered around the horseshoe drive lined with tall aspens blanketed with snow, their leafless branches scratching the late afternoon sky puffed with clouds.
Snow drifted against the posts of the fenced pastures. In a few months, lavender and white columbines and vibrant red Alpine paintbrushes would color the grass. Sunshine reflected off the acres of white pastures, pristine and untouched by cattle or wildlife.
The Stone River Ranch arched sign threw a shadow over the hood of the car as she drove through the gate. The ranch house shrunk in her rearview.
As she headed south toward Aspen Ridge, smoky gray mountains crowned with white snowcaps provided a majestic backdrop for the small ranching community that had been settled over two hundred years ago by her ancestors.
Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she turned into town, passing the brown-and-white Welcome to Aspen Ridge sign.
Netta’s Diner, which had belonged to her grandparents and now her aunt, sat on the corner of Pine Avenue and Main. With its cheery yellow siding, and matching rockers dusted with snow lining the covered wooden porch, the place invited guests to step inside for a home-style meal.
Macey parked in front of the attorney’s office across the street from the diner, then stamped the snow and slush off her boots on the rug in front of the door. She hurried inside, the warm office smelling of cinnamon and coffee, and offering relief from the single digit January temperature, despite the late afternoon sunshine.
Allison Brewster, one of Macey’s friends from high school and Mr. Fowler’s granddaughter, sat at the reception desk. She looked up with a ready smile on her face, then her blue eyes widened. Squealing, she raced around the desk, her arms flailing in the air. “Macey, your mom mentioned you’d come back home. I planned to give you a call after work.”
