Audra Harders - Rocky Mountain Hero

The Fourth of July auction would make or break him. He needed to concentrate on the task at hand and make this stock sale the best of the summer. The best ever.

When he reached the deck off the office, he stomped on the worn doormat and glanced over his shoulder at the green roof of the cabin poking through the trees. On top of all the headaches screaming for attention, a new distraction now resided in a cabin out the office back door.

Lord, grant me strength.

The next morning, Jason sat in the back seat of the pickup, his arms dangling over the front seat. “I’m lost. Do you ever get lost driving into town?”

“Been driving down this road all my life.” Gabe held the steering wheel with one hand as they rounded a corner. “Don’t think there’s anything to forget.”

“I don’t think I’d find my way back.”

Melanie had to agree. They’d turned and twisted up and down so many little roads before hitting the main highway, she didn’t have a clue how to get back. She shifted in her seat and nodded at him. “I think that’s why Gabe came with us today.”

After the torrential rain the night before, the sky ahead of them shone crystal blue. Melanie tensed as Gabe hit a few ruts and puddles, his truck occasionally skidding. Gabe didn’t look rattled. The county roads still spooked her.

Gabe downshifted down after hitting a deeper pothole. “No sense in an instant replay of yesterday.”

“Thanks.” She pried her hand off the dashboard.

He chuckled. “So where do you want to stop first?”

“We need Coco Snaps and milk.” Jason started the list. “Miss Grace cooks really good. I don’t think Mom has to cook any meat or vegetables.”

“Jason Hunter.” Melanie couldn’t believe her ears. “Remember your manners.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Gabe turned down the main street of town. “My mom will be feeding him every chance she gets.”

“But still.” She shot Jason a warning look. “I guess we do need to stop at the grocery store.”

Gabe pulled into a space down a side road. He slipped out of the truck, circled around to her side and opened the door before she had her seat belt off. Unaccustomed to the courtesy, Melanie stared at him.

“Why’d you open the door?” Jason pushed against the back door and hopped out. “Was the lock stuck?”

Gabe held the door. “A lady never opens her own door.”

“Mom always opens her own door, even when she’s sick.”

Uncomfortable being the topic of discussion, Melanie grabbed her purse and angled out of the cab. “I’m made of sturdy stuff.”

Gabe closed the door behind her and indicated the sidewalk. “Bud, a man’s got certain obligations, and showing respect to a lady is the biggest one.”

“I don’t see why it’s a big deal.” Jason frowned and jammed his hands in his pockets. “It’s not like she broke her arm or anything.”

Gabe ruffled Jason’s hair. “We have a long way to go, don’t we?”

Melanie snapped to attention. Her mind whirled around their conversation even as her heart beat faster. Just because Gabe Davidson demonstrated common courtesy and a more-than-capable attitude was no reason to start fantasizing about the man. Hadn’t she learned anything from past experience? Her fists tightened as she listened to Jason and Gabe discuss the finer points of good manners. She shook her head. Get a life.

Her world of plant and insect research offered few choices of husbandry options beyond the realm of livestock genetics. Professors, over quiet dinners and coffee, enjoyed her quick mind and attention to detail but drew the line when invited to soccer games and school conferences. The other researchers in her department viewed the world through mugs of beer and late-night parties. They hadn’t a clue as to what parental responsibility entailed. And she’d never been interested in the singles scene. Not many choices left, were there?

“After you.” Jason giggled as he held open the door to the grocery store.

Gabe rolled his eyes. “Yep, a long way to go.”

Melanie cringed, not sure if Gabe made a habit of instilling etiquette in young boys, or if she’d just been insulted.

They ran through the store grabbing the essentials, Gabe taking them down each aisle to make sure nothing was forgotten. When they reached the cashier, Gabe inched the lid off a canister while Melanie unloaded the cart.

He handed Jason a strip of meat. “Here, try this.”

Jason scrunched his nose. “What is it?”

“Elk jerky. Best you’ll ever taste.”

“Eww.” Jason backed up.

Gabe tore off a piece with his teeth. He chewed a couple times and swallowed. “Have you ever tried it?”

Jason eyed the strip. “No.”

“Do I look like I’m going to die?”

Jason giggled. “No.”

“Well?” Gabe pointed the jerky expectantly toward Jason.

Melanie held her breath. Jason stared at Gabe as if he’d just offered a dose of poison, but took the snack anyway and tore off a bite. By the time all was said and done, Melanie had two bags of groceries, Gabe a dozen strips of jerky with Jason running behind him begging for another piece.

“Let’s get this stuff in the truck. I need to stop by the animal clinic before we leave and Leon’s Hardware for a few parts.” Gabe stuffed the bags in the back of the cab. “Some of the fittings for your truck are easy to find.”

The sun and fresh mountain air had lifted her spirits. Melanie shaded her eyes with her hand. “Remember, three weeks to get my beloved truck as good as new.”

“Promise.” Gabe gave his best Boy Scout pledge.

They rounded the corner of the block. Hoses, rakes and wheelbarrows lined either side of a set of open double doors. A sandwich-board sign sat on the sidewalk and proclaimed Spring Sale—Hurry In. A wooden palette held stacks of fertilizer bags with plastic buckets displayed across the front, two rows deep.

“I love this place.” Melanie listened to the delicate tinkle of wind chimes arranged from the rafters. “Very homey.”

“If Leon doesn’t have it, you don’t need it.” Gabe indicated they enter the store. “So far, he’s proven his motto right.”

“Gabe.” A petite woman in her early twenties with curly brown hair and freckles across her nose stood behind the checkout counter and waved. “You’re early. It’s not Saturday yet.”

“Guests staying at the ranch. Thought maybe they needed to pick up some stuff.” He stepped around the counter and gave her a hug. “Shayna, I want you to meet my friends, Melanie and Jason.”

When Gabe stepped back, Shayna turned around and presented a well-rounded belly. By the looks of it, probably seven months along. Out of habit, Melanie glanced at Shayna’s left hand, surprised to see her ring finger bare.

“Don’t think I’ve met you before. This your first time to Hawk Ridge?” She offered her hand. “Normally I hug everyone, but Buster here—” she ran her hand over the top of her belly “—gets in the way these days.”

“I can imagine.” Melanie liked the bubbly personality, especially remembering how tiring those last few months of pregnancy were. “Like the name—Buster.”

She caressed her belly with love. “Only because he’s ready to bust out. I’m really leaning toward Adam.”

“Dad’s name?”

“Oh, no!” Dimples bracketed a sweet smile. “I just like Adam.”

“This is more baby talk than I need.” Gabe gave Shayna another squeeze. “Bud, how about you and me go over to the parts? We’ve got a list we need to fill.”

His gaze lingered on her as he stepped away from the counter. For a moment, she thought he’d hug her, too. Instead, he motioned for Jason to follow. “Are you going to be okay without us?”