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  “In that case, I have an idea. Why don’t you stay there one more day and have fun, then fly home and start your counseling. I’ll go with you.”

  In her head, his idea made a lot of sense. The sooner Jenny got professional help, the sooner their marriage could take place. But in Alex’s heart of hearts, she knew her granddaughter too well. To leave the ranch before their time was up next Saturday was unthinkable. “Jenny’s planning on us being here the full week. I can’t disappoint her.”

  “You never disappoint her and she takes advantage of that fact because she knows she’s the apple of your eye.”

  His resentment had been growing, and now he couldn’t hold it back. “Frank—”

  She heard a labored sigh. “All right. I’ll leave it alone, but I don’t like it. I miss you too much.”

  To her horror, she couldn’t tell him the same thing. “I’ll phone you tomorrow night about the same time.”

  “Alexis?”

  “What is it?”

  “You seem different.”

  “I do?”

  “Yes, but I can’t put my finger on it.”

  “I don’t mean to be. Jenny’s still going through a difficult time.”

  “It’s this separation. I’m afraid I’m not used to you being gone. I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” she said honestly. That would never change, but circumstances had. “We’ll talk tomorrow. Good night.” She ended the call, thankful not to have to discuss this any further tonight.

  Alex did love him, but coming to the ranch had given her a perspective she wouldn’t have imagined, just as Buck had said it would. Being away from everything familiar had already put a different slant on things for her and Jenny.

  For so long, their lives had been wrapped up in Christy and Daniel, with Frank playing a growing part in the background. But for a little while, this trip had taken them out of that sad world and was bringing Jenny some real happiness. If Alex were honest with herself, she could admit she liked this feeling of freedom, too. It was as if she’d put her worries on hold and could be a free agent with no deadlines, no one to answer to.

  When Frank had suggested she fly home in another day, she’d rebelled at the idea. Not just for Jenny’s sake, but for her own. She recognized that she’d desperately needed this time away, but she would never have taken it if it hadn’t have been for that letter from the ranch.

  She still had it in her purse. It was lying on the table. Compelled to read it again, she got up and pulled it out. The fire was burning down, but she could still make out the words.

  Dear Mrs. Forrester,

  My name is Carson Lundgren. You don’t know me, but I served as a marine in Afghanistan before I got out of the service.

  Along with Buck Summerhayes and Ross Livingston, also former marines, I own the Teton Valley Dude Ranch. We put our heads together and decided to contact the families of the fallen soldiers from our various units.

  Your courageous husband, Daniel Forrester, served our country with honor and distinction. Now we’d like to honor him by offering you and your daughter, Jennifer, an all-expenses-paid, one-week vacation at the dude ranch anytime in July or August. We’ll pay for your airfare and any other travel expenses.

  You’re welcome to contact your husband’s division commander. His office helped us obtain your address. If you’re interested or have questions, please phone our office at the number below. We’ve also listed our web address. Click on it to see the brochure we’ve prepared. We’ll be happy to email you any additional information.

  Please know how anxious we are to give something back to you after his great sacrifice.

  With warmest regards,

  Carson Lundgren

  Tears gushed down Alex’s cheeks. She’d been touched when she’d first read it, but nothing compared to the feelings she had now. These men, suffering from an awful disease, were breaking their backs and their pocketbooks to bring joy to families who’d been torn apart by war. Their selflessness was beyond description.

  The image of Buck wearing his oxygen mask refused to leave her. In order for them to enjoy a fire in their own fireplace, he’d put himself in jeopardy because he’d wanted to make Jenny feel welcome.

  Christy would have been overwhelmed by their kindness. Alex hoped she and Daniel were looking down and knew what was going on.

  Finally exhausted from crying, she put the letter back in her purse and went to bed. That letter would go in a scrapbook after they got home, along with a lot of pictures Alex was taking of everyone, including Buck, when Jenny wasn’t looking.

  * * *

  ALEX HEARD THE house phone ringing and it brought her fully awake. Her watch said it was a quarter to eight. She turned on her other side to pick it up, aware of her pulse beating faster at the thought that it might be Buck on the other end. Maybe there’d been a change in plans for the morning. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Alex. It’s Johnny!”

  He had more personality than any child she’d ever known. “Hi! How are you this morning?”

  “I’m good. Can I speak to Jenny?”

  Her mouth broke into a smile. “Sure. Just a minute.” She handed the receiver to her granddaughter. “It’s for you.”

  Jenny sprang out of bed. “Hello?”

  Alex got up and loosened the hair from her elastic while she listened to Jenny’s end of the conversation.

  “Nana? Can I go over to the ranch house right now? Johnny has to clean his room before he can go anywhere. He wants me to help him so he can go fishing with us and Buck. His mom said it’s all right. Can I? Please?”

  “You mean, may I?” Alex tried to use any teaching moment to correct her granddaughter’s grammar.

  “I forgot. May I?”

  She chuckled, never having seen Jenny this excited to help with chores. “If that’s what you want to do.”

  “Thanks.” A smile broke out on her precious face before she spoke into the phone again. “Nana says I can come. I’ll hurry. Bye.” She hung up and dashed into the bathroom to brush her teeth. When she hurried back in the room for a clean pair of jeans and a top, she said, “He wants me to wear my holster and cowboy stuff.” In a flash, she was ready.

  “Just a minute, young lady. Let me do your hair.”

  “I don’t want a ponytail. Sometimes the elastic hurts.”

  “Then I’ll just brush it out.” Her silky blond hair had a lot of natural curl like her mother’s and Alex’s. It was a trait that spanned three generations. “There.” She put the white cowboy hat on her head. “Do you know what? In that getup and with those fancy cowboy boots, you look like a real cowgirl.” She kissed her cheeks. “As soon as I’m dressed, I’ll walk over to the ranch house to eat. Come and find me in the dining room for breakfast.”

  “We will.” She fastened her cap gun in her holster before racing out the door. The famous Road Runner from the cartoon couldn’t have moved any faster. If Frank could see the change in Jenny, he wouldn’t believe it. And Alex guessed that, while he’d be happy for her, he wouldn’t like it because it meant Jenny wasn’t getting any closer to accepting him.

  More guilt consumed Alex, as she found herself looking forward to seeing Buck. On a whim, she put on her new cowboy boots and hat, more gifts from him. Why not? They were going fishing and horseback riding today. She might as well look the part.

  * * *

  WHEN ALEX WALKED into the dining room, looking like a rodeo queen, Buck’s heart did a fierce kick. In fact, every male in the room appeared to freeze, including Ross, who’d stopped munching on his toast. “Last night she could have been a mermaid,” he murmured. “This morning...”

  Buck didn’t want to hear the rest. “Damn—I just remembered I need to talk to the contractor at the building site about something urgent before the crews get started
.” He got up from the table. “Do me a favor and take Alex and her granddaughter fishing after breakfast? I’ll be back soon to relieve you, but this can’t wait.”

  Ross eyed him with a puzzled expression. “Sure. They can come with my group.”

  “I owe you.”

  Hoping Alex hadn’t seen him yet, he escaped through the swinging doors into the kitchen and headed for the other exit. No sooner had he reached the back hallway than the children’s cries forced him to spin around. “Hey, you two—what’s going on?”

  With her eyes shining, Jenny ran up to him. “I just finished helping Johnny clean up his room. It was a big mess. While we were changing the water in his baby garter snake’s aquarium, it got out and we had to look for it.”

  Buck chuckled. “Did you find it?”

  Johnny nodded. “It was curled up in my laundry bag. Fred likes to hide.”

  “It’s a good thing you found him before your mom did.”

  “She would have freaked.”

  “He put him back and gave him water,” Jenny explained. “His mom did her inspection and said we were free to go fishing.”

  “Have you had breakfast?”

  She shook her head. “We’re going to eat right now.”

  “Then it’s good timing, because your nana just walked into the dining room. While you go find her, I have an errand to run at the building site.”

  “Buck is helping build our brand-new house,” Johnny informed her.

  Her eyes rounded. “You can build a house?”

  “I learned how from my father. While I’m gone, Ross will get you guys outfitted with a rod and bait. I’ll join you in a little while.”

  A frown appeared on the girl’s face. “I’d rather come with you.”

  “I’ll take you to the new house another time when it’s not so dangerous.”

  “How come it’s dangerous?”

  Jenny Forrester looked so cute in her cowgirl outfit, Buck felt his heart melt. He hunched down in front of her. “A lot of men are carrying big long boards around. They have to wear hard hats in case they get hit by accident. Sometimes they still get hurt and I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

  She stared into his eyes. “Do you wear a hard hat, too?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you promise to keep it on the whole time?”

  “I promise.”

  Her sweetness and caring haunted him all the way to the site. He had eight nephews and nieces and loved them all, but they didn’t tug at him emotionally the way Jenny did. She’d been deprived of her daddy. He suffered to think about the pain she’d gone through losing her mother, too.

  Buck’s mother and father had always been there for him. He hadn’t been deprived of anything. He thought about Alex, who’d raised her daughter alone and was now raising her granddaughter by herself. That woman’s strength awed him.

  Needing an outlet for the nervous energy building inside him, he helped the guys haul lumber for the next two hours to give himself a workout. But when he left and caught up to everyone at the river, he didn’t see Alex or the kids.

  Surprised, he got out of the Jeep and wandered over to Ross, who was helping with some of the guests. “What happened to our family? Didn’t they come with you?”

  Ross gave him a speculative glance. “Jenny decided she’d rather play Ping-Pong with Johnny in the games room.” His eyebrows lifted. “I think we know why, so I decided not to push it.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Johnny whispered to me that Jenny had her heart set on you helping her catch a big one. I’d say she has a little crush on you. Kind of reminds me of the way Johnny ignored everyone but Carson after he got here. As you remember, that relationship happened fast. I’m beginning to feel like the invisible man.” He said it with a smile, but Buck worried there might be some truth behind his words.

  As much as it pleased him that Jenny had been enjoying herself when he was around, the last thing he wanted to do was make the situation harder for Alex where Frank was concerned. That was why he’d asked Ross to take over for a couple of hours.

  “Thanks for being willing to help out.”

  “Any time. You know that.”

  He nodded. “See you later.”

  In a different frame of mind since learning what had happened, Buck drove back to the ranch house and went inside. Some of the teenagers were in the games room, but there was no sign of the kids or Alex in there or out by the pool.

  “Susan?” The part-time redheaded receptionist looked up from the computer. “You wouldn’t by any chance know where Johnny and Jenny have gone, would you?”

  “Tracy took them into town with her. She needed to mail a couple of packages to her in-laws. Johnny’s grandpa has a birthday coming up. She said something about eating lunch there, but they ought to be back pretty soon.”

  “Did Jenny’s grandmother go with them?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  “What about Carson?”

  “He’s gone to the upper pasture.”

  “Okay. Thanks for the info. Call me on the cell if you need me.”

  “Will do.”

  Buck had planned to take everyone riding, but that would have to wait till later. He made a beeline for the kitchen, where he fixed himself a sandwich and grabbed a couple of doughnuts. After leaving the table earlier without finishing his breakfast, he was starving.

  Still feeling at loose ends, he left the ranch house, figuring he’d drive back to the building site. But after he started up the Jeep, he found himself headed for the Forrester cabin. It was probably a wasted trip, but something nagged at him to find out if Alex was inside, so he could explain.

  After a few knocks, Alex opened the door to him. Her fragrance assailed him along with her beauty. He heard a quiet gasp, revealing her surprise at seeing him. “Buck—”

  “I’m sorry about this morning, but something came up at the building site that I needed to see to.” Buck didn’t consider it an outright lie. After all, he’d manufactured it as a preventative measure. If he hadn’t shown up at her door just now, he might have actually believed his own explanation.

  “Johnny told me you’re supervising the construction of his family’s new house. You don’t need to apologize for that.”

  “Yes, I do. Jenny was counting on us going fishing.”

  “When I explained, she understood.”

  He was knee-deep in guilt about now. “When Ross told me what happened, I didn’t know if you’d gone to town with Tracy or not. In case you were here, I decided to see if there was anything you needed.”

  When she shook her head, her dark hair flounced back and forth across her shoulders. “Jenny begged to go with them, so I decided to take advantage of the peace and quiet and write a letter to Daniel’s commanding officer. If I hadn’t listened to him, Jenny and I wouldn’t be having this vacation of a lifetime. That’s what it is, you know.”

  Buck braced his body against the door frame. “Living in the shadow of the Grand Teton is a vacation for me, too. I have to tell you, it’s indecent to enjoy your work as much as I do. Just so you know, I’m free for the rest of the day if you and Jenny want to go riding later.”

  “Jenny will be thrilled.”

  She’s not going to invite you in, Summerhayes. What in the hell is wrong with you?

  “Call the front desk when you’re ready, and I’ll swing by for you.” He pivoted and reached the Jeep in a couple of strides.

  Ross had implied Jenny had a crush on him. He could relate to that. He wished a crush was all he had on Alex, but he knew in his gut his feelings were involved and went deeper than that, but he couldn’t begin to describe what made meeting her different from all the other women he’d met in his life.

  Alex was commi
tted to the man she’d been seeing for two years. They had a long history and worked at the same bank, where according to Johnny, Frank was the vice president. He’d been there to support her through both losses and had watched out for Jenny. They were planning to be married. So how could he stand on that porch, hoping she’d ask him to stay and talk for a while? What kind of a person was he?

  For the first time in years he had a different take on what had happened when Melanie and his brother had found themselves attracted to each other during Buck’s absence. Strong chemistry could draw you to another person against your will, no matter how hard you fought it or didn’t want it. Before they realized they were playing with fire, they’d been burned by it. He understood that now. He got it.

  Good grief. He’d seen Alex’s legs walking in front of him at the airport lounge. By the time he’d come face-to-face with her in the terminal, something profound had happened to him. Nothing but chemistry could explain such a powerful physical reaction. But in two days it had gone beyond that, even though he knew that she and Frank were a couple.

  Buck didn’t know if she felt that same chemistry for him. He couldn’t tell. If she did, he envied her ability to hide it.

  But the more he reflected, the more he realized that this was completely different from what had gone on with Melanie and his brother years ago. Then, there’d been no child involved whose feelings had to be considered. Jenny came first with Alex. Her granddaughter’s existence complicated an already complex situation for her and Frank.

  As Buck had told Carson yesterday, Buck wanted to be left out of that equation, despite how much he was attracted to Alex or cared for Jenny. He’d meant it then, and meant it even more so now. Somehow he had to find a way to insulate himself until they left the ranch and she and Jenny went back to Frank and a future that didn’t include Buck.

  His first rule of thumb—don’t ever be alone with her.

  Second rule—don’t involve yourself if you don’t have to.

  Third rule—keep Johnny close.