Kathie DeNosky - Rich, Rugged Ranchers

“Edward,” Constance said, “have you fed and walked Blackie already?”

He nodded and slipped Sophia a guilty glance. She reassured him with a friendly smile that said their little secret was safe, not that she’d ever tattle on the boy to Logan about their encounter yesterday, or anything for that matter. “Hello, Edward. Good to see you again.”

“Hi.”

“Is your lunch in your backpack?” Constance asked.

Again, he nodded.

“Okay then, off you go. You don’t want to be late for the bus.” Constance took his hand and walked him to the door. He reached up to give his nana a big hug, Constance squeezing him tight and kissing his forehead before letting him go. “Have a good day at school, sweetie.”

Right before he strode out the door, he turned to Sophia and gave her a wide smile. “G-goodbye.”

Touched by the boy’s consideration, she tipped her head. “Bye, Edward.”

Sophia finished her coffee and concluded her business with Constance, bidding her farewell and walking away from the kitchen’s savory scents. In the well-designed lobby, her heels clicked on the stone floors as she headed toward her office. She still had difficulty believing that she owned any part of these elegantly rustic surroundings, yet each morning before she got out of bed, she reminded herself that half of the lodge belonged to her.

Luke appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, and walked alongside her. “Mornin’. Hey, can I speak with you a sec?”

“Good morning, Luke. I was going to call you this morning. How did your horse do last night?”

“She’s gonna be okay. It was a tough delivery, but she managed. Her foal is real fine. You have to come see her.”

“I will. You must be relieved.”

“Surely am, but I think the mare might’ve struggled less than you did last night. I heard you had it rough after I left Kickin’.”

“Oh,” she said, her shoulders slumping. She wasn’t thrilled she’d been the topic of discussion between the two brothers. Logan must have spilled all the beans with glee. “I see your brother told you I didn’t handle the Number Three well.”

Luke’s face twisted with self-recrimination. “I should have never brought you there.”

“Oh, no. It’s not your fault. I should’ve known better. This has been a trying week for me, coming back here and dealing with all the changes in my life. Next time I’ll do better.”

“ Next time? Honey, if you think I’m taking you back anytime soon—”

“I’m going back, Luke. One day.”

His shoulders lifted in a dismissive shrug. “I’m just grateful that Logan was there to help you.”

“Yes, your brother is my knight in shining armor,” she grumbled quietly.

Luke threw his head back and laughed. Then she found humor in it, too, and laughed along with him. He took her arm and steered her out the front door. They strode along the length of the veranda and stood with the morning light to their backs as late spring sunshine warmed the air on a blue-sky day. Luke looked left then right, as if making sure they were alone. Whatever was on his mind today, he wanted a private conversation.

“I have an idea,” he began. “Ruth’s official last day of work is coming up. I’d like to throw her a surprise retirement party.”

“That’s nice of you, Luke. I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”

“I’d like to do it at the house rather than the lodge. You know, get her out of the work environment. I was thinking out back, in our yard. Logan’s thinking it’s a good idea, too. The weather’s been really nice at night.”

“Go on.” Sophia suspected that Luke was hinting that she be a part of his scheme, somehow.

“The thing is, Ruth usually coordinated our parties at the lodge, and well … I can’t really ask her to do it. What I know about throwing a party can fit in my pinkie finger.” He raised a work-roughened, rodeo-injured little finger.

So that was it. “You want my help?”

He fixed his gaze on her and shrugged. “I would love your help.”

Sophia didn’t have to think twice. “Of course.”

Luke sighed with relief. “Great. You don’t know how much I appreciate it. Funny, but I trust you more than the event planner we’ve used in the past. I want to make this special for Ruth.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“It’s not too much for you? You did just arrive. You have a new home and new job to settle into.” Concern washed over his features as if he’d just realized what he was asking of her.

“I’m sure I can handle it. How many guests are we talking about here?”

“Probably sixty? We’d invite all the employees, although some will have to split shifts in order to stop by. There’s several loyal patrons who have known Ruth from the beginning, and then there’s her family. I’d like her grandkids to be invited, too.”

“Okay. I could probably put that together. You want this to be a surprise?”

He glanced away for a second toward the pasture. “Yeah, I think so. Ruth wouldn’t let us go to any fuss if she knew about it.”

“I understand.”

“Are you available tonight to go over the details? I’ll bring dinner. No spice, no chili peppers, I promise.”

Sophia was available every night. She had no hot dates, no friends other than Luke to hang out with, and putting together a party for Ruth would help her get to know the employees better, anyway. It was win-win. “Seven o’clock?”

“I’ll be there.”

Luke released a sigh of relief. “Thanks, Soph.” He leaned forward to kiss her cheek chastely then smiled at her. “You’re a lifesaver.”

The knock came precisely at seven o’clock. Sophia’s appetite had surged back to life this afternoon, and she was ready to share a delicious bland meal with a good friend. She had the table set for two and her laptop ready for the work they’d do on the retirement party. Sophia padded barefoot to the door, dressed comfortably in black capri pants and a white tank top tied at the side of her waist.

She opened the door with flair, eager for the company, and did an immediate double take, shaking her head and blinking.

“You’re eyes aren’t deceiving you.” The comment spilled from Logan’s tight lips. “It’s not your pal Luke.”

Sophia stared at the man standing on her doorstep. Her heart did a little flip. Her initial reaction to him still baffled her. Why was she so susceptible to him? He wasn’t anything special, she reasoned. But then again, Sophia couldn’t lie to herself. He was special in the ways that mattered to most women—smart, handsome, capable, kind to almost everyone else on the planet but her. And he was standing on her threshold with enough confidence to fill an arena. “What are you doing here?”

It wasn’t the most mannerly greeting in the world. Even though her body reacted to Logan, she wasn’t ready for another round of sparring. She’d looked forward to being with her friend this evening.

“There’s been an accident. Luke’s in the hospital.”

Shocked, she gasped noisily as her hand flew to her chest. “Oh, my God. What happened?”

“A feisty stallion got loose this afternoon at the barn and Luke lost his footing trying to contain him. He was knocked down, and Trib nailed him good with both front hooves.”

“Oh, no! How is he?”

“He’s got three broken ribs, one broken arm and a concussion.”

“I’m so sorry. Oh, poor Luke.” Sophia’s heart ached hearing the news about her friend.

“Luke’s pretty tough, but all those rodeo injuries are surfacing again. He got hit pretty hard.”

“Where is he?”

“Carson City Memorial.”

“Can I see him?”

He shook his head. “The doctors sent me home. I’ve been with him all afternoon. He can’t have any visitors tonight. They want him to rest. Someone will be observing him during the night for the concussion. With luck, they’ll send him home tomorrow or the next day. He’s going to be laid up for a while though.”