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  “That’s Johnny’s doing.”

  “I think she feels an affinity with him because they’ve both lost their fathers, but he’s had help from you and your friends. You’re all true heroes.”

  After a long silence, he asked, “What about you? How are you holding up? I’ve never been a parent, but I know it had to be devastating for you to lose your daughter.”

  Her throat swelled. “I wouldn’t have made it if I didn’t have Jenny to raise. She gives me a reason to get up every morning.”

  “For what it’s worth, your devotion to her is heroic. Carson’s grandfather raised him after his parents died. I see how he turned out and can only marvel over the older man’s ability to be there for Carson in every way. He left this ranch to him. It’s now Carson’s goal to make the ranch successful and pay back the man who was a hero, just like you.”

  Tears escaped her closed lids. She wiped them away. “Don’t praise me. My work has barely begun.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about.” His deep tone flowed through her. “You’ll be there for her all your life. After what you’ve had to endure, I admire you more than you know.”

  “Thank you.”

  Deeply touched, she remained silent for the rest of the film. When it was over, they left and drove to the Boot Corral for their packages. On the way back to the ranch, Jenny got out her new gun. Johnny showed her how to fill the cartridge with a roll of caps. Pretty soon they were both firing their weapons at imaginary bad guys.

  The noise didn’t seem to bother Buck. Frank would have asked them to stop until they got home. He was so different from Buck, who seemed to say and do all the right things around Jenny. But it wasn’t fair to compare them. Frank was probably twenty years Buck’s senior.

  He drove them to her cabin, and then looked over his shoulder at the kids. “What do you want to do now?”

  “Play cowboys!” Jenny spoke up. She and Johnny scrambled out of the back and ran around the side of the cabin, whooping it up.

  Buck’s lips twitched, mesmerizing Alex. “I thought he wanted to go riding, but those cap guns are a strong draw.”

  “Jenny’s never had one. The novelty will wear off, but I’m just glad she’s having a great time with Johnny. Since I know your work is never done here on the ranch, why don’t you go and do what needs doing. I’ll watch both of them and walk Johnny back to the ranch house later.”

  From beneath the rim of his Stetson, he gazed at her through shuttered eyes. Jenny had been correct about their color. In the sunlight they were the shade of new spring grass. “You’re right about the never-ending work, but my main responsibility is to take care of you this week. Behind the scenes, we’ve nicknamed this place the Daddy Dude Ranch for obvious reasons.”

  And they did the daddy part better than she could have imagined. “Then I’ll relieve you of that awesome responsibility for a little while, because you deserve some rest.”

  “Well, thank you, ma’am,” he drawled. His eyes seemed to focus on her mouth. “In that case, why don’t I come inside with you? While you put the things you bought away, I’ll make us some instant coffee. I could do with a cup.”

  Alex’s heart thumped. This was something she knew she should avoid, but after all he’d done for them, she didn’t dare offend him. “Well...I won’t say no to that.”

  As they went inside with her packages, the feeling grew stronger that she’d just been on a date with him, and now they were coming home to spend the rest of the evening together. She had to remember this was the middle of the afternoon and it wasn’t a date!

  For one thing, he was probably ten years younger than she was, despite his maturity. For another, in the absence of Jenny’s father, it was Buck’s job to make certain this turned into a real vacation for her granddaughter, nothing more. She wished to heaven she could see it that way, but he’d managed to get under her skin. The only way to get him out was to leave Wyoming, but she and Jenny had only just arrived.

  On her way into the bedroom with their packages, her cell phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID. It was Frank calling her back. She’d tried to reach him earlier that morning, but he’d been in a meeting. Guilt pricked her when she thought about Buck being in the next room. The fact that she felt any guilt told her she was in trouble.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need to answer my phone.”

  “Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere.”

  She shivered, knowing it was true. After shutting the door, she sank down on the side of her twin bed to talk. “Frank?”

  “Finally! I waited for your call this morning, but when it didn’t come, I had a business conference to attend. How are you?”

  “Good.” Better than good, but he wouldn’t like hearing her say that, since he hadn’t wanted her to leave Sacramento. He was afraid it would open up old wounds for her and Jenny by being around the marines who’d invited them. To her surprise, it was doing the exact opposite. But after meeting Buck, she felt...vulnerable. She could never remember feeling that way before.

  “I miss you more than I can say, Alexis.” He’d always called her that at the bank and it had stuck.

  When she thought about it, she hadn’t had time to miss him and that made her feel guiltier. “I miss you too. Will you be seeing Cindy and the kids soon?”

  “I’m going over there for dinner tonight.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “Where are you right now?”

  “At the cabin. We’ve just come home from town with cowboy boots and a cap gun.”

  “Cap gun?”

  “Yes. There’s a boy here, Jenny’s age, who has one. They’re outside, running around with them. In a few minutes we’re going to the barn to see his pony. Frank—I-I’m afraid I can’t talk any longer,” she stammered, aware Buck was waiting for her. She couldn’t think with him inside her cabin. “Call me tonight when you’re back from Cindy’s and we’ll talk.”

  “I should be home by ten at the latest.”

  “Talk to you then.”

  “Alexis?”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you. Let’s hope this trip does Jenny a world of good, because we have plans to make when you get back.”

  “We’ll talk about that tonight. Love you, too.” She hung up and hurried back into the living room.

  Buck was standing on the front porch with a coffee mug, obviously keeping an eye on the kids. He’d made coffee for her. She pulled it out of the microwave and joined him. “Sorry. That was a phone call I had to take. Thanks for the coffee.” She took a sip.

  He eyed her over his mug. “You’re welcome. Everything okay?”

  She took a steadying breath. She wasn’t okay, not really. Frank would be horribly hurt and upset by what she had to tell him. She was upset, too. “Yes.”

  He turned toward the main ranch house. “They’ve gone to see if they can spot Moppy. If they’re not back in a few minutes, I’ll go get them.”

  “I suspect they ran out of caps.”

  “You’re right.” He chuckled. “But they decided to take a detour before they loaded up again so they wouldn’t scare the squirrel.”

  “Johnny seems to be a busy bee. I think Jenny has met her match.”

  “Soul mates at seven,” he mused aloud. “Wouldn’t that be something?”

  “Did you ever meet yours?” The question flew out of her mouth before she could prevent it. She shouldn’t have asked him anything that personal, but couldn’t seem to help herself.

  “I thought I had in high school. But when I went away to college, she didn’t wait for me.”

  “Is that when you joined the marines?”

  “Am I that transparent?”

  “Not at all. But getting away from the pain is probably something I would have done in your position.”


  He gave her a penetrating glance. “What about your soul mate?”

  “I met Christy’s father when we were in high school. We were both seventeen. Like you and the girl you loved, I thought we’d be together forever. But when he found out I was pregnant, all that ended. I wanted the baby more than anything, and he didn’t, so we parted ways. His family moved and I never saw him again.”

  “Your daughter never knew her father, then?”

  “No.”

  His features sobered. “How did you manage?”

  “My parents were terrific and still are. They helped me. I got a job. After Christy was born, I put her in day care and paid for my share at home. When she started school full-time, I went to college at night and kept working. After I got my degree in finance, I started working for a bank and moved us to an apartment. Christy was seventeen when she fell in love with Daniel.”

  He smiled in understanding, but she was embarrassed because she knew she’d been babbling. He was easy to talk to, but it was still no excuse.

  “They wanted to get married. I talked with his aunt and uncle who’d raised him. Knowing how Daniel and Christy felt about each other, we all agreed to give them our permission. It was a good thing. Before long, Jenny was born. For a few years, life was wonderful for all of us.”

  Buck studied her with a compassion she could feel. “Take it from me, it will be again.”

  “It already is with Frank in my life. As for this trip, it’s doing wonders for Jenny, thanks to you and your friends. I know I keep repeating myself, but your invitation came at just the right time.”

  She finished her coffee and relieved him of his empty mug, which she took inside. He followed her. “Since they haven’t come back, let’s get in the Jeep and find them. It’s hot. Johnny probably took her into the house for a drink.”

  “I don’t want her to be a nuisance.”

  “That would be impossible, but now would be a good time to pick them up and drive over to the barn to see the ponies. It’s only a short distance from the house. Later on, there’ll be a barbecue out on the patio by the swimming pool.”

  “That sounds terrific.”

  Alex was much more excited than she should have been over their plans. Although she could come up with several reasons why, she knew Buck was at the center of the unexpected charge of energy she felt. Considering their age difference and the situation, it was ridiculous. He’d done nothing to make her think he was attracted to her. This was all on her side and it needed to be squelched.

  * * *

  BUCK STAYED INSIDE the corral while Jenny got used to her saddled pony. Johnny rode around, and soon both of them were doing figure eights, playing follow the leader.

  Alex stood outside the fence to watch. She’d put one leg on the lower bar and rested against the top, beaming at her granddaughter and taking pictures with her cell phone. Her femininity stood out a mile. The blond streaks in her hair caught the light.

  “Hey—you’re a pretty good rider!” Johnny called to Jenny, drawing Buck’s attention away from her grandmother.

  “Thanks. So are you. I wish I could take Mitzi home with me.”

  “That’s what Rachel said.”

  “Who’s she?”

  “A girl from Florida who came to the ranch last month. She was nine.”

  “Was she a good rider?”

  “Yep.”

  “Better than me?”

  Buck already felt an attachment to Jenny and was all set to pipe in with something positive when Johnny said, “Nope.” Sometimes he sounded exactly like Carson. The one syllable answer brought a smile to Jenny’s face.

  “Why don’t you guys walk the ponies around the outside of the fencing for a little while.”

  At his suggestion, Johnny led them out of the corral and they started making broader circles. Buck walked over to Alex.

  “Your granddaughter has been taught well. I’m almost as impressed as Johnny, who’s so surprised he can hardly talk right now.”

  She chuckled softly. “Frank’s friend Hugh has had horses for years. He taught his own children and grandchildren and has been happy to give her pointers.”

  “It appears she was an apt pupil. So was Johnny. When he came out here with Tracy last month, he’d never been on a horse. Carson was a rodeo champion and is teaching him one step at a time.”

  “It shows. See the way he holds himself in the saddle? Wearing that cowboy hat, he already has the look of a junior champion.”

  “That’s Johnny’s dream. Would you like to ride with them? I’ll ask Bert to saddle one of the mares for you. He’s been running the stable for years.”

  “Thank you, but I’ll wait till tomorrow. Right now I’m just enjoying watching the kids having a great time.”

  Johnny rode up to them. “We’re going to ride over to the ranch house to see Moppy. She ran away from us before. We’ll be right back.”

  “I think it’s a little too soon for that,” Buck stated.

  “But I can do it!” Jenny insisted.

  “That’s not the point, sweetheart,” Alex intervened. “Buck’s right about your staying close to the corral until your pony is used to you and trusts you. When you ride her again tomorrow, she’ll be more comfortable with you. Remember what Hugh told you about trust?”

  “Hey—” Johnny cried. “That’s what Dad says.”

  Alex smiled. “Since your father was a rodeo champion, he knows what he’s talking about.”

  “Your dad’s a champion?” Jenny’s voice was full of wonder.

  “Yep. I’ll show you his belt buckles and pictures.”

  “Belt buckles?”

  “Those are the prizes he won.”

  “How funny.”

  Buck’s chuckle over their conversation turned into a cough. “Tomorrow we’ll go on a ride. For now, why don’t you head into the barn. Bert will help you down. Then we’ll start back to the ranch house for dinner. How does that sound?”

  “What are we going to have?”

  “It’s Saturday-night barbecue out by the pool.”

  “Oh, yeah. I forgot. Come on, Jenny. If we hurry, we can go swimming before we eat.”

  “I’ll have to get my suit.”

  “Me, too.”

  Maybe after dinner Buck could talk Alex into a game of water volleyball. The Lundgren family against... He realized he’d gotten awfully possessive over two females who’d been strangers on his flight fewer than twenty-four hours ago. He had to stop his thoughts right there.

  By tacit agreement, they walked over to the Jeep. The children came running and he started the engine. Within a few minutes they’d made the trip to the ranch house. “Be sure to let your mom know you’re back, Johnny.”

  “I will.”

  After the boy disappeared, Buck left for the Forresters’ cabin. When Alex got out, she darted him a glance. “Jenny and I want to thank you for a fabulous day and all the gifts.”

  Her granddaughter nodded. “The movie was really fun. I love my cap gun.”

  “I’m glad, but just remember this day isn’t over yet.” He was determined about that.

  “See ya later, Buck.”

  “You can count on it,” he murmured. With reluctance, he looked away from Alex before driving straight to the building site by the river. He’d expected to see Carson at the barn, but maybe he’d gone to see the progress on his new home.

  The work crews had left for the evening, but sure enough, he spied Carson’s truck and discovered him walking around inspecting everything. Relieved to find him alone, Buck jumped down from the Jeep and joined him.

  “What do you think?”

  Carson smiled. “It’s exciting to see how fast the framing is coming along.”

  “I’ve been pushing t
hem.”

  “Everything looks good.”

  “You’ll be moved in here before long.”

  “Frankly, I can’t wait to have some real privacy, if you know what I mean.” Buck could only imagine. “How did it go with Johnny?”

  “He and Jenny have hit it off. She’s a pretty good little rider for her age.” For the next few minutes, Buck gave him a rundown of their day, including the moment when Johnny had said he didn’t know grandmas had boyfriends. That brought a roar of laughter from Carson.

  “My new son still has a lot to learn. Tracy and I love his innocence, but we know he’s growing up a little more every day and will lose it eventually.”

  “Jenny seems a little further along in that department, but then she’s had to be.” In the next breath, Buck found himself telling Carson about Alex’s life and her struggles.

  When he’d finished, his friend let out a low whistle. “That family has really been through it. No wonder Jenny’s not ready to let Frank into her life. Sharing her grandmother will be another kind of loss she’s not prepared for yet.”

  “I think having lost both parents in such a short period of time has made her extra afraid,” Buck theorized.

  Carson’s blue eyes searched his. “According to my wife, it appears she doesn’t have a problem sharing her nana with you.”

  He’d hit a nerve, causing Buck’s head to rear. “What are you saying, Carson? Hell—leave me out of this! They just got here and Alex is on the verge of marrying Frank. But she can’t until Jenny learns to accept him.”

  “Hey—take it easy. All I meant was, isn’t it a good thing Jenny doesn’t resent you being around her nana, since you’ll be hosting this family until they leave?”

  Buck eyed him warily. “That wasn’t all you meant, but I’ll let it go for now.”

  “Hey, buddy—it’s me. Carson. For what it’s worth, if I were in your shoes and hadn’t met Tracy, I’d be walking around like a shell-shock victim, too. In a word, Alex is breathtaking. Ross will have a heart attack when he meets her. How old is she?”