Vicki Thompson - Say Yes To The Cowboy

He laughed. “I always do. I have a closet full of that stuff. When the spotlight hits me, I’m a regular rhinestone cowboy.” After adding cream to Rosie’s coffee, he brought both mugs to the table.

“I liked the routine in the dark where the ropes light up.”

“Those are tricky to work with but they’re a crowd-pleaser.” He took a seat across from Rosie. “I’m flattered that you looked for the video.”

“I had ulterior motives. I wanted to see if the students would go for it, and they definitely would. Once you’re healed, I’d love to have you teach a short roping class at the academy if you can work it into your schedule.”

He smiled. “Is that why you made my favorite pie?”

“I figured it couldn’t hurt.”

“I’d be glad to.” His temporary move to Matt’s place had given him a chance to see Thunder Mountain Academy in action. Years ago Rosie and Herb had sheltered numerous foster boys at their ranch. Then in retirement they’d found themselves with financial problems through no fault of their own.

Some of their foster sons had rallied to help them create Thunder Mountain Academy, a for-credit residential program for older teens where they’d learn everything equine-related. Zeke hadn’t kept in touch as much as some of the other guys, so he hadn’t heard about the financial crisis until it had been taken care of.

Fortunately the successful program had kept his foster parents from selling the ranch. It also had been a blessing in disguise because they’d obviously been bored once all the foster boys had grown and left. Unlike Zeke, they were extremely social.

“We’d pay you to teach classes in roping,” Rosie said.

“Not necessary. I wasn’t here to help set up the academy so it’s the least I can do.” He lifted a forkful of pie. “Just make me a few of these and I’m good. It’s hard to find decent rhubarb pie.”

“I know. Not enough demand. Until you came along I never made it because nobody else liked it besides me. Having you a short drive away is a bonus for lots of reasons, but I love the excuse to make this pie.”

Zeke scooped up another bite. “Happy to be of service.”

“Incidentally, someone called today looking for you.”

“Who?” He paused, his fork in midair.

“Tess Irwin. She lives in Casper.” Rosie gazed at him. “Your ice cream’s dripping all over.”

“Whoops.” He shoved the mixture of pie and melting ice cream into his mouth, which bought him a little time to think.

“I take it you recognize the name.” Rosie’s blue eyes saw much more than he wanted her to.

“Yes, ma’am. We met in Texas in April. She and her girlfriend came down because her girlfriend’s going with one of my buddies on the circuit. So Tess and I...spent time together.”

“She gave me her number and asked you to call.” Rosie pushed a slip of paper across the table. “I promised to pass it on.”

“Thanks.” He stuffed the paper into his pocket without looking at it.

Rosie changed the subject to an upcoming wedding at the ranch. Cade Gallagher was the first foster boy Rosie and Herb had taken in. He was marrying Lexi Simmons, his high school sweetheart, in less than a month. Rosie had been waiting for that wedding for a long time and she loved discussing the details. Zeke was glad he’d be here for it.

After Rosie left, he took one of the folding chairs from the kitchen and sat on the front porch. The scent of rain was in the air. It had rained the first night he’d had sex with Tess. He couldn’t really call it making love because they’d just met. Rain had beat on the window as they’d undressed each other.

If he closed his eyes, he could picture her perfectly: blond hair down past her shoulders, blue eyes, nice breasts, slim waist, shapely legs. She’d mentioned a divorce the previous year. She hadn’t been looking for a steady guy, just someone to have fun with.

She had, in fact, been looking for someone exactly like him, a man with no plans to settle down, a man who could enjoy a couple of nights with her and expect nothing more. When it came to people, he had no expectations. His father had taught him two things—roping and self-reliance. Zeke had become proficient at both.

He’d never expected to see Tess again, yet here she was, tracking him down. She hadn’t seemed like the stalker type. In any case, he wouldn’t call her back. He’d come here to heal and take care of Matt’s place, at least for the next few months. He wasn’t interested in whatever Tess had in mind.

When he went back inside, he took the scrap of paper from his pocket, crumpled it up and tossed it in the trash.

* * *

Tess allowed a week to go by before putting in another call to Rosie. Rosie didn’t sound happy to hear that Zeke hadn’t called. When Tess emphasized the urgency of the matter, Rosie suggested she come in person so they could work things out.

Tess had no idea how they’d do that, but she wasn’t in a position to question Rosie. She packed an overnight bag and threw it in her sedan before driving north toward Sheridan. At the turnoff to the ranch, she saw a wooden sign announcing it as the location of Thunder Mountain Academy.

The ranch itself had a homey feel. An old-fashioned, hip-roofed barn was off to the left and the low-slung house sported an awesome front porch that ran the length of the building. Adirondack chairs in alternating brown and green lined the porch. The sign she’d seen initially was painted in the same colors, which must have something to do with the academy, whatever that was.

A short, blond woman who might be in her sixties came through the front door and stood on the porch as Tess climbed out of her car.

“Tess?” she called as she walked down the steps.

“Yes, that’s me. Are you Rosie?”

“I am.”

“Is Zeke here?” All the way from Casper she’d wondered if she’d step inside the ranch house and find him waiting for her.

“Not yet, but I’ve invited him for dinner.”

“Does he know that I’ll be here?”

“No.”

Tess’s stomach churned with anxiety. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but I don’t want to ambush him.”

“Tess, he’s deliberately avoiding you, and I didn’t raise that boy to be rude, especially to a young lady he has a connection to. I intend to make sure that you get a chance to talk with him.”

“You’re his mother?” If this petite, plump and fair-skinned woman had given birth to Zeke, he must take after his dad.

“Foster mother.”

“Oh! Oh, my goodness. He never told me that he’d been in foster care.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. Listen, why don’t you get your bag and come inside for some lemonade and peanut butter cookies?”

“Okay. Thank you.” Tess let out a breath. Rosie’s blue-eyed gaze was kind, and kindness was welcome right now. Lemonade and cookies sounded pretty darned good, too.

After depositing her overnight bag in a guest room, she sat at Rosie’s kitchen table, enjoying her snack while Rosie filled her in on the history of Thunder Mountain. Then Rosie explained the structure of the academy and why it existed.

Tess hung on every word. Knowing that Zeke had been a foster child added a new challenge to the situation. But every bit of information helped, including the tidbit Rosie had provided about his injured shoulder.

“He’s terrific. A great guy,” Rosie said. “But he’s always held himself apart from the rest of us. I won’t divulge his past. That’s for him to reveal if he chooses to. But I won’t kid you...he has issues. Even though I don’t approve of his decision not to call you, I understand why he might not. His bum shoulder has turned him into an injured bear hiding in a cave.”