High Lonesome Page 7

  “I’m afraid so, Sherr. You’ll have to make your fortune another way.”

  “How long are you planning on staying at the ranch?” Sherry drawled, her attention drawn back to Beth.

  “I haven’t decided yet. I’m playing it by ear.” Beth glanced back and forth between the couple. It was difficult to imagine Scott with the heavily made-up woman. She wore too much pancake makeup and was squeezed into her skirt like a sausage in a casing. She just didn’t seem his type. Not that she knew his type.

  “Scott, it’s been ages since I’ve seen Joanna,” the realtor exclaimed. “What have you two been up to lately? You must be hiding away in a little love nest on the ranch.”

  Beth’s ears pricked. Joanna? Wasn’t that Doctor Coleman’s first name? Her chest seized as she searched Scott’s face and waited for him to respond to Sherry.

  He cleared his throat and pink slashes deepened his cheeks. “Jo’s been very busy with her patients, and I’m up to my ears with guests out at the ranch. You know how it is when two people lead very different lives.” Taking hold of Beth’s elbow, he steered her toward the checkout counter as if they were rushing away from a fire. “It was real nice seeing you, Sherry.”

  Beth’s mind flew into a tailspin. Is Doctor Coleman Sheriff Griggs’ ex-wife, and Scott’s girlfriend? She never would have guessed the cool and aloof M.D. to be Scott’s type either, but she’d only known the man for a day. What did she know about his type? Still, the news surprised her. She allowed him to nudge her toward the counter. It was her distinct impression that he was trying to make a fast getaway from his former classmate, but the realtor wasn’t going to let him off so easy.

  Sherry’s high heels clicked on the floor as she trailed behind them. When she caught up to them, she grabbed hold of his shoulder, spun him around and asked, “When are you two going to do it?”

  “Beg your pardon?” Scott’s mouth gaped.

  “You know what I’m referring to, Scott Landry.”

  He shifted from one foot to another.

  Sherry was like a bulldog. She’d sunk her teeth in and was going to hound Scott until he gave her a straight answer. “It’s been what? Almost a year now you’ve been going together? When are you going to make an honest woman out of Joanna?”

  His gaze flew to the ground. Then he cleared his throat again and replied, “We’re nowhere near discussing marriage, if that’s what you’re talking about.”

  “Of course that’s what I’m talking about, dummy.”

  “Joanna’s very focused on her career,” he answered—clearly uncomfortable as his eyes darted between Sherry and Beth. “She’s not interested in that kind of commitment right now.”

  “Oh, fiddlesticks!” Sherry retorted. “Jo would marry you in a heartbeat. All you have to do is ask, you silly man! What are you waiting for?” She laughed and punched his arm. To Beth, she chortled, “Men! I swear. Sometimes we have to hit them over the head with a brick.”

  Beth forced a polite smile and shrugged.

  “Well, I can see I’m getting nowhere, so I’ll run, kids. Time is money in my business, and I don’t have enough of either. Nice to meet you honey,” she said to Beth. “Scott, you better think about what I just told you. Joanna might not wait forever on you, and we both know what a catch she is.” Sherry exited the shop with her broad hips swaying like a boat rocking on the sea.

  Beth laid her bundle down on the counter, and Scott took out his credit card and paid for the items—neither one speaking during the transaction.

  When they stepped outside and onto the sidewalk, she said, “So…you’re dating the doctor. No wonder she rushed over so fast yesterday. I thought she was just being a Good Samaritan.”

  From the guilty look that crossed his rugged face, the words stung. He opened the truck door for her and then hopped into his side. After slipping the key into the ignition, he explained.

  “I’ve known Joanna all my life. We dated briefly in high school, before Maggie and I got together. After graduation, she left town for college and medical school. When she came home years later, she and Buddy got married, and then they got divorced. One day she invited me to some shindig at the hospital…”

  “And the rest, as they say, is history.” Beth finished the well-known line for him.

  “I guess so.” He revved the engine, put the truck in reverse, and headed down the street.

  Beth sensed Scott felt he’d betrayed her by hiding the truth about his relationship with the doctor. But he didn’t owe her anything, not even an explanation. Mutual physical attraction aside, they barely knew each other.

  “Look!” he said, pointing. Several teenagers were slapping a photo of Beth’s face up in shop windows and on telephone poles.

  “The sheriff sure got those flyers out fast,” she replied, craning her neck as they passed by the teens.

  “Let’s hope someone will recognize you and come forward.” The tone of his voice was not convincing.

  She nodded and gazed out the passenger window. Although she was happy to see Sheriff Griggs was a man of his word, a lot had been thrown at her all at once. It was overwhelming. Her mind drifted once again to Scott and Doctor Coleman. She just couldn’t picture them as a couple. The doctor was so put together, perfectly coiffed, and confident in an arrogant way. And a little uptight, if she was being honest about first impressions. Scott, on the other hand, was laid back, funny, drove this old pickup truck, and lived the real life of a Marlboro man. He was comfortable in his cowboy skin and didn’t need to prove anything to anyone. At least, that’s how she saw him. He and Doctor Coleman seemed polar opposites from one another. But then, who was she to judge? She really knew nothing about either of them. What she did know, however, was that neither of them gave off the vibes of being madly in love. She may not remember her own name, but she certainly knew how people reacted and behaved when they were in love. Strange as it seemed, she and Scott seemed to have more chemistry.

  Beth tossed a quick gaze at his profile. Curiosity piqued as to why he hadn’t popped the question to the doctor. He’d been a widower for four years. Hadn’t he told her Willow needed a mother? As for his own needs— well, he was a young, vital man who, by his own admission, had once shared a satisfying emotional and, no doubt, physical life with his wife.

  She’d heard the statistics before. Men who lost a spouse after being in a good marriage were more likely to seek out marriage a second time. So why was Scott waiting when he had a woman ready to take the plunge, according to his friend Sherry? Joanna Coleman was a good catch from all accounts. She was beautiful, sophisticated, and a doctor.

  She sunk lower into the seat. Why was she even speculating about the man and his love life? It was none of her business. Rescuing her and offering a place to stay while she sorted things out didn’t give her the right to question his motives or intentions with another woman.

  Once more, she vowed right then to push all romantic and irrational thoughts of the rancher out of her mind. Since Sheriff Griggs had set the wheels in motion, she had high hopes that it might not take long for someone to come forward and claim her. Then she’d never see Scott again anyway.

  Maybe she was happily married, or engaged, herself. Without warning, panic quivered in every cell of her body. Deep inside, a brooding suspicion nagged at her.

  Chapter Four

  The two of them grabbed lunch at a small diner after shopping at Shady’s Boot Emporium. The restaurant patrons all gawked at her, proof that Buddy’s media blitz was already working. It bugged Scott that she was being scrutinized like a sideshow act, but she didn’t seem to mind or take offense.

  Beth admired aloud her new cowgirl purchases all the way home. “I never knew a girl could fall in love so fast,” she sighed. When Scott shot her a surprised look, she chuckled and pointed to the Ariat leather boots on her feet. “This is the first cowboy hat I’ve ever owned, too. I’d probably remember that sort of thing.” The cocoa brown felt hat complimented her dark cascade of hair. Sh
e tipped the brim back with her finger, the way cowboys did in the movies. “I feel like I belong on the ranch now.”

  It was an innocent statement, but one which caused Scott to imagine a myriad of possibilities. The sensation of a quickening in his chest was profound. He glanced at her and breathed in her sweet scent. She couldn’t realize what effect her simple comment had on him.

  He wished that big mouth, Sherry, hadn’t spilled the beans about him and Joanna. Beth had caught him staring at her more than once, and with more than a passing glance. He could just imagine what she’d think of him now. A real cad, or some kind of cowboy Casanova. His flirting, though subtle, was tacky and disrespectful since he technically had a girlfriend. But damn. He didn’t expect to be feeling what he was feeling. Yearning shot through all his nerve endings, and his heart thundered every time he looked at Beth. It was irrational, because he didn’t know the woman. But the heart wants what the heart wants, Carmen says. He stared at Beth’s profile, wanting to say something, but not sure what.

  When they returned to the ranch that afternoon, he carried her shopping bags into the house and headed straight to the guest bedroom while she began showing off her new duds to Carmen. He laid the bags on the bed and stood at the footboard. Her soapy-fresh scent lingered in the air, and he noticed a slight indentation in the pillow where her head had lain. The thought of her in that bed caused his chest to grow tight. Goose flesh pricked his arms. Rushing out of the room, he nearly collided with Amber in the hall.

  “Hey, Scott. Going to a fire?” She greeted him with a tease. The twitch at the corner of her mouth and the blush in her cheeks were sure signs that she was still embarrassed about being caught in the cabin with Rowdy. She clutched a bucket of cleaning supplies in one hand and pushed away some flyaway hair with the other.

  “Sorry, Amber. Our new guest and I just got back from town. I bought her some clothes and was just putting the bags in here for her. Did Carmen explain her situation to you?”

  Amber nodded. “That’s real nice of you to buy her some things, Scott.”

  He rubbed his chin the way he tended to do when he was reflecting. “She needed clothes. By the way, we’re calling her Beth.”

  “Okay.”

  “How’s your day going?” he asked to change the subject. A bit of disappointment as to her earlier choice to hide in the cabin with Rowdy during work hours lingered, but he was not a man to beat a dead horse. He’d stated his peace earlier and hoped both she and his wrangler had learned a lesson.

  “Fine. I’m getting ready to wash the cabin towels.” She returned the subject to Beth. “Has she remembered anything about her life yet?”

  “No. Not really. Buddy’s putting an APB out on the wire. There has to be someone somewhere who knows her. Have you seen Willow lately?”

  “I think she’s in her room taking a nap. I heard her tell Carmen she stayed up too late last night at her friend’s house.”

  “Thanks. I’ll go check on her.” He turned to leave, and then stopped. “Are Rowdy and Cody out with the guests right now?” he asked over his shoulder. He wanted to make sure Rowdy was doing his share and not leaving the other wrangler with all the work.

  “Yes. They’ve taken them on the lower trails today.”

  “Okay. See ya later.”

  Scott peeked into Willow’s room and found her snoring away. He tiptoed to her bed and placed a light kiss on her forehead, not wanting to wake her. A grin filled his face when he saw she was still wearing her pink boots. Closing the door softly behind him, he strolled down the hall to the kitchen, where he found Beth and Carmen sharing tea and conversation around the island. “Willow’s asleep,” he announced.

  “She’s tired,” Carmen said. “The girl’s just a baby and too young for sleepovers.” She gave Scott the eye. She was quick to reprimand him who was more of a son than a boss, but just as eager to serve him. “Do you want a cup of coffee? I can fix you a snack if you want one.” She pushed away from the island and started for the fridge.

  “No, I’m good. We had lunch in town. Sit back down and take it easy. There’s nothing for you to do at the moment. The guests are out with the boys. Relax for a change.”

  “There’s plenty for me to do, but okay. You’re the boss.” Carmen resumed her seat without further argument.

  “I see Beth has shown you a couple of her new purchases,” Scott said.

  Kicking her leg out, Beth grinned and reiterated, “I just love these boots. And the hat, too. I feel empowered. Is that weird?”

  “They say clothes make the woman,” Carmen said. “Take me for example.” She balled her apron up into her fist and laughed.

  “You’re going to love those boots even more once they’re broken in and all scuffed up,” Scott said. “If you’re not tired and ready to give it a try, I thought we could go riding.”

  “Right now?” Her face sobered.

  His heart beat faster at thinking she’d changed her mind. “Only if you want.”

  “I don’t know how to ride, remember?”

  “I’ll give you a lesson.” Boy was he pushing it. But behind her dark eyes smoldered a woman who had awakened a hunger inside of him so intense. There was no use in denying it. He wanted to get to know her better, and not waste any time.

  It seemed to take an eternity for her to answer. “I’m not tired. We can go now, I guess.”

  Electric currents pulsed between them, and a slow smile tipped his mouth. “Finish your tea first. There’s no rush.”

  “I’ll watch Willow,” Carmen offered. “She can help me make biscuits when she wakes up. You two have fun. It’s a perfect day for a horseback ride.” She gave Scott a subtle wink as he passed by to grab two water bottles for them from the fridge.

  ****

  At the barn, Scott chose an older chestnut quarter horse by the name of Sundance for her. “Since we have no idea whether you’ve ridden before, I don’t want to take any chances. We call Sundance old reliable around here. He likes to take it slow down the trail.” Scott tied both the quarter horse and his mare to an iron rail outside the tack room. “Time for your first lesson.”

  Beth accepted a curry brush and he showed her how to groom the horse. “Brushing’s not just for looks. It’s also to guarantee a good fit and safe ride. We make sure there are no burrs or clumps of mud under their bellies or on their backs so the saddle and cinch don’t rub.”

  Both horses had good manners. Sundance stood still as she brushed him, aside from swishing his tail at flies now and then. Next, Scott demonstrated how to detangle the horse’s hair by rubbing oil from a bottle called Cowboy Magic into the mane. Then he showed her how to adjust the pad on the horse’s withers before slinging the saddle on.

  She watched, mesmerized, as he made quick time of yanking the girth in place, hooking it, pulling the leather tight, and checking the stirrups.

  “This is the bridle, and this is the bit,” he instructed, holding up the leather and metal contraption. “We don’t allow the guests to put the bits in the horses’ mouths. Only the wranglers and I do that. Horses are like people in a lot of ways. They don’t want a bunch of different hands fishing around in their mouths.”

  “I don’t blame them,” she chuckled.

  She watched, impressed, as he whispered in Sundance’s ear and eased the bit into his mouth. “Ah. You’re a horse whisperer. What did you say to him?”

  “I told him he’d better give you a nice ride or else I’ll send him to the dog food factory.”

  “You didn’t!” Beth cried.

  He smiled. “No. I didn’t. He’s a good boy. I like teasing you, and him.” He scratched the horse’s nose and fed him a peppermint.

  “I can see that.” She took her turn speaking into the horse’s ear. “Your owner likes to joke around, doesn’t he? But we’re going to get along just fine, aren’t we?”

  She watched Scott saddle Pepper in the same manner he’d saddled Sundance, only faster. “I can’t believe what all is involved in ge
tting a horse ready for a ride. Do we do it all in reverse when we get back?”

  “Yep. It takes a lot of patience to work with horses.”

  “Something I see you’re an expert at,” she replied, meaning it.

  “Horses are second nature to me. You’re a natural, too. I can tell that already. You’re calm around them and you have a gentle touch. I think you’re going to do just fine.”

  “Thanks. I hope you’re right. They’re such big, strong animals.” She enjoyed watching Scott’s hands move swiftly over the horseflesh. Again, her mind drifted back to the dream she’d had that morning. In it, his hands had moved over her flesh in much the same way, only a lot slower and with the ultimate goal of pleasing her. Despite her earlier promise to stop thinking of him in that way, a thrill raced up her spine at recalling the sensations.

  His sense of humor and confident attitude was very attractive—not to mention how easy he was on the eyes. Her heart fluttered, watching him bend and move in his tight jeans. Sighing, she rebuked herself again.

  “Okay, if you’re ready, let’s go. Let me give you a boost up.” He cupped his hand and Beth stepped into it. “Heave ho!” He lifted, and she swung her right leg over the saddle with no effort at all.

  “Wow, it’s pretty high up here.” She took up the reins and patted Sundance on the neck. Scott stuck his foot into the stirrup and hauled himself up. The leather creaked as he settled into his saddle. Clucking his tongue and lowering the reins, he nodded at her to follow his lead. “You look like you were born to ride. You look great in your hat and boots. You’re a real cowgirl now.”

  “Just like Willow,” Beth replied, tugging at the brim of her hat.