Teresa Southwick - The Rancher Who Took Her In

She’d mentored some of the girls in her sport and roomed at the Olympics with a younger archery competitor, but she had never coached. Then Ty’s words echoed in her mind. My dad says you should always tell the truth. People get hurt when you don’t.

“I’ve never worked with kids. But I was one once,” she said hopefully.

“Funny how that happens,” Cabot said wryly. “I don’t know what I’d do without Caroline. Not only is she a good cook and outstanding camp manager, she’s great with kids. Probably has something to do with being Blackwater Lake High School’s favorite English teacher and girls’ basketball coach.”

“Wow. That must keep you busy.” Kate had had tutors in high school and had never attended traditional classes with other kids. Sacrifices were required at the level she competed and she’d never regretted it. Not until she found Ted kissing another woman on the day of their wedding and realized he’d been playing her for a fool.

Caroline waved a hand as if it was nothing. “I like to be busy. I like to cook. Mostly I like the kids, and being around them keeps a person young.”

“So that’s your secret to looking so youthful,” Cabot teased.

Kate tapped her lip and studied the older woman. “Not a secret so much as embracing an attitude. In addition, I think you just have some good genes, the kind of DNA that makes forty the new thirty.”

Caroline grinned. “You’re just saying that so I’ll give Cabot the okay to hire you.”

“Busted.” Kate shrugged. “But seriously, you look timeless.”

Caroline seemed pleased at the compliment. “If I were you, Cabot, I’d hire this young woman. Now I’ve got to get home and fix dinner for my husband. We own the sporting-goods store in town,” she added. “Food has to be on the table at a certain time so someone at the store can cover for him.”

“I see.” And if her husband looked through the outdoor magazines that were probably displayed at the checkout counter, there was a good chance he’d seen her picture in an ad for camping and outdoor equipment.

“’Bye, Caroline. See you next week when the kids get here,” Cabot said, watching her walk down the dirt road to her car parked in front of his house.

When he looked back at her Kate asked, “So, what’s the verdict?”

He reached in his jeans pocket, pulled out a brass key that probably unlocked cabin number six and handed it over. “I’m willing to give you a chance.”

“Thanks.” Relief swept through her and took the last of her energy with it. Suddenly she was so tired she could hardly stand. Not even close proximity to this handsome hunk of cowboy could generate enough adrenaline to hold back a yawn. She shook it off and said, “Sorry. That’s not what I usually do at an interview.”

“The first part was bizarre enough, what with the dress. And now it’s technically over since you got the job.” Sympathy softened his dark eyes before he shook it off. “Caroline’s a good judge of character.”

“And you’re not?”

His mouth pulled tight for just a moment. “I wanted her opinion since she has to work with you. I just sign your paycheck.”

A dozen questions raced through her mind, but the one she really wanted to ask was Does that mean I’ll never see you? The deep disappointment generated by that thought was bewildering; she’d spent barely ten minutes in this man’s presence.

“I like her,” Kate said. “Caroline.”

“Me, too. A lot. So don’t make me regret giving you the job.” He turned and started walking away. Over his shoulder he said, “Get some sleep. You’re going to need it.”

A shiver skipped over her as she stared at his broad shoulders. They tapered to a trim waist and a backside that would earn ten out of ten points from any female judge. But she’d learned her lesson about looks being shallow and superficial. She didn’t know Cabot Dixon from a rock. It was entirely possible that he used women and threw them away. Just like the man she’d almost married.

Still, the attraction was just strong enough to make her hope that when the summer was over she didn’t regret taking this job.

Chapter Two

Two days ago when Kate had arrived in Blackwater Lake after driving for nearly twenty-four hours, doing nothing had seemed like heaven. Now she was rested, restless and bored. She sat in her one-room cabin that was comprised of a small stall-shower bathroom, full bed and kitchenette that had a four-cup coffeemaker, frying pan and microwave. She was grateful to have four walls, a roof and the small cozy space they made, but the smallness was starting to close in on her along with the realization that she’d run away from everything and everyone in her life.

A walk before dinner seemed like a really good idea. After, she would head up to the big house and talk to Cabot about doing chores to earn her keep until camp started.

She left the cabin and, as a precaution, locked the door. The ranch was remote and quiet and she didn’t have much to steal, but you could never be too careful. The beauty of Blackwater Lake lured her down to its edge, where she drew in a deep breath of sweet, clean air. Blue water sparkled where rays of sunshine kissed it, and on the other side, tree-covered mountains stood guard over the serenity.

“So this is what peace looks like,” she whispered to herself. It felt as if a louder tone would violate Mother Nature’s sensibilities, and that seemed like a sin.

When she’d looked her fill, she went the other way, past her cabin and the ones that campers and seasoned counselors would occupy in a couple of days. She was looking forward to that, to being busy. With too much time on her hands it was difficult not to obsess about how stupid she’d been to accept Ted’s marriage proposal.

What a huge mistake she’d nearly made. And how anxious her parents had sounded when she’d called to let them know she was okay but refused to say where she was now. She needed time by herself, and God bless them, they understood. They had handled canceling the wedding and reception and were returning gifts. She had planned to take the summer off for a honeymoon and settling into married life. Now she had time off to figure out where her life went from here.

The sound of a deep voice followed by childish laughter carried to her. Then she heard a muffled slap. As she made it to the top of the hill, she saw that in front of the big log-cabin house Cabot was playing catch with Tyler, who had his back to her. When the boy missed his father’s underhanded toss, the baseball rolled downhill toward her. He turned to chase it and stopped short when he spotted her.

“Hi, Kate.” His smile was friendly and he seemed happy to see her.

“Hey, kid.” She stopped the rolling baseball with her foot, then bent to pick it up.

She couldn’t remember the last time she’d played any sport involving a ball. Once she’d started going to the shooting range with her father and showed an aptitude for skeet, her life had changed. Practice and competitions dominated her life. Before that she’d gone to traditional school, where organized peer activities were possible, but she’d never participated. All the family moves because of her father’s military career had made her reluctant to join anything. Then she found her best event. The sport, and being good at something, had made her happy. Until finding skeet shooting, she’d never fit in anywhere.

“Are you going to stare at that ball all day or throw it back?” It wasn’t clear whether Cabot was irritated or amused.

“Sorry.” She drew her arm back and tossed the ball at Ty. At least that had been her intention. It went way to the right of the mark and rolled away from him. “Sorry,” she said again.