Country Lightning

Chapter 8

Sadie bounded up to CJ when he whistled to her from where he stood at the barn door. She planted her butt on the ground at his feet and woofed. Her training had been coming along, and she had lived up to her breed’s reputation for being intelligent and quick to learn.

He used a hand signal, and the Aussie fell into step beside him as he strode back to the house.

The past several weeks had sped by so quickly that CJ didn’t know what had happened with the time—it was already well into May. He spent Sundays with Jillian, and stopped by her store and took her out to lunch once or twice during the week. Their time together always seemed much too short.

Meanwhile, things had been going well on the ranch. He had fully repaired the fence line around his property and had the barn and corrals ready for cattle. His property had plenty of grass to feed a decent-sized herd.

He’d purchased two saddles and bridles from a local saddle-maker and other gear from Hannigan’s for Faith and another horse once he found a second one to purchase. Hannigan’s had been a good place to stock up on alfalfa and wet cob for Faith and the future horse. He was visiting a ranch in Casa Grande on Monday to look at a couple of Quarter horses. Hopefully, one of them would be perfect for what he was looking for.

Auctions had been a good place to purchase tools and equipment he needed for the ranch. A livestock auction was coming up tomorrow, Saturday, that looked promising. His parents had always raised Herefords, and he preferred that breed to others, so he hoped to find enough to fill his needs at the auction.

He’d also bought all new furniture and had painted the interior in preparation for the sale. In one of their conversations about the transaction, Jim Butcher had requested that he have the place ready to go inside and out. For several million dollars, CJ had no problem with the request. If he decided not to sell, he still liked the idea of sprucing up the house and replacing kitchen appliances and furniture since everything owned by his mom was decades old.

The only thing he didn’t plan on doing was building the bungalows that would eventually be added onto the ranch for more of the entertainment company’s future guests.

CJ climbed up the steps to his front door and entered the cool interior. May sunshine poured in through the windows, brightening the place as he walked into his kitchen.

He tried to imagine his home being used as the main house for a dude ranch and was having a hard time doing so. He had grown up here and having a bunch of strangers in the house instead of him just seemed not quite right.

What would his mom and dad think if they were still alive? He had a feeling neither one of them would approve of him selling the property to become a dude ranch. They’d been ranchers their entire lives and hadn’t known anything different. But he had, and he wasn’t sure he fit the mold anymore.

He did figure neighbors wouldn’t be too pleased about the sale, but he couldn’t make everyone happy. Jillian was the one person in the world he wanted to make happy, but he wasn’t even sure if he could do that.

One day at a time. He’d have to sit down and evaluate his business and life plans and talk with Jillian about them. It wasn’t fair to her to continue the relationship if she didn’t want to go with him.

CJ opened the new stainless-steel fridge and pulled out a stoneware jug of iced tea. He took a tumbler out of a cabinet, filled it with ice from the freezer, and poured himself a glass.

He leaned against the counter and drank the entire contents before filling the tumbler again.

Sadie sat at his feet, always seeming content to be at his side. She’d been great company since he’d brought her into his home, and he was happy to have her. His future was still uncertain, but he intended to take the Aussie with him wherever he ended up.

He refilled her water and food bowls before making himself a roast beef sandwich and eating it at the kitchen table. The puppy curled up on a bed in a nearby corner of the room.

If it weren’t for Sadie, he’d have been lonely—she was good company. He slid his phone from its holster as he ate and checked for emails, finding one from Jim Butcher. He hadn’t heard from Jim since their last phone conversation. The man wanted an update on CJ’s progress with the ranch and seemed anxious to move forward as soon as the operation was up and running.

He exited the email from Butcher and went through the others, which consisted mostly of spam. He ran across a status email from John Callahan, the private detective CJ had hired to find the bastard who had robbed him. Still, no progress in locating Bill Reynolds. CJ wasn’t surprised, but he still felt disappointed at the news. Like he’d figured early on, Reynolds and the money were no doubt long gone.

CJ checked the time and saw it was after 1:00 p.m., around the time Jillian usually took lunch, and her employees or one of her sisters covered for her. He located her in his favorites and pressed Send.

It rang three times before Jillian answered with a breathless, “Hi, CJ.”

“Hey, beautiful.” He leaned back in his chair. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“Not at all.” Jillian had a smile in her voice. “I was just giving Rae an order for delivery. Leeann is covering for me while I’m at lunch.”

CJ got up, phone to his ear, and carried his plate to the dishwasher. “How’s your day going?”

“Great.” Jillian sounded pleased. “We’ve had a busy Friday morning, and it hadn’t let up until about thirty or so minutes ago. Business has been steady since I opened the store’s front door.”

“I’m proud of you.” The plate clinked against another as CJ slid it into the dishwasher. “You put your mind to it, and you made your dream a reality.”

“So far, so good.” She let out a happy sigh. “How is your day going?”

“Busy.” He shut the dishwasher door. “The corrals are officially ready, same for the pastures.”

“Fantastic.” A pause. “Hold on a sec.”

CJ walked to his home office as he heard muffled conversation.

Jillian returned. “Sorry. Leeann had a question for a customer. You’re going to an auction tomorrow, right?”

“Yep.” He eased into his comfortable executive office chair. “Eight, sharp.”

“Good luck getting your cattle at a good price,” she said. “How many are you planning to buy?”

He leaned back, the chair squeaking with the movement. “Around thirty head. Should be enough to get this place going. I’ll add to my herd when I’m ready.”

“Are you planning to hire anyone to help?”

“I’ll probably hire a 4-H kid to muck out stalls once I get too busy to do it myself. For now, I should be able to handle it.” He switched the conversation away from his ranch. “Are you free on Sunday?”

“It’s Grandpa Daniel’s 99th birthday,” Jillian said. “The party is at noon at Carter’s place. Would you like to go? I meant to ask you earlier, but the week has gotten away from me. You can bring Sadie, if you’d like. The grandkids would love her to pieces.”

He appreciated how Jillian always wanted to include the puppy when possible. “Sadie and I would be happy to join you and your family for the party. How about we pick you up?”

“That would be great,” Jillian said. “Eleven-forty good with you?”

“Sounds great.” He smiled. “It’ll be good to catch up with the rest of your family. I’ve only seen Carter and your sisters since I’ve been back. Your mom and dad were like a second set of parents to me way back when Carter, Colt, and I were in high school. I’m sorry I won’t be seeing your Grandma Francis.”

“We miss her.” Jillian sounded a little more subdued. “She was the best. We only had her and Grandpa Daniel as grandparents when we were kids. Mom’s parents died before Carter was born.”

“My grandparents have been gone for many years,” CJ said. “I was pretty young by the time we lost all but my Grandma Katheryn. She was tough, and I couldn’t put a toe out of line without getting my butt put in a corner. But I loved her like crazy, and it hurt a lot when she was gone.”

“I’ve always been closest to my Grandpa Daniel, probably more than my brothers and sisters have been.” Jillian had a smile in her voice again. “He’s always been there when I’ve needed him. I told him before anyone else in my family that I wanted to start my own business, and it was his encouragement that helped me find the guts to do it.”

“He’s a great man,” CJ said. “I look forward to seeing him again.”

“I’d better run,” Jillian said. “I just heard the doorbells jangle three times in a row so that probably means Leeann has her hands full. Have a good day at the auction tomorrow.”

CJ smiled, imagining her gorgeous smile. “See you Sunday, beautiful.”

“See you both then,” she said before she disconnected the call.

He sat for a long moment, thinking about Jillian and looking forward to spending time with her again.

He’d been putting off talking with her about possibly selling the ranch and traveling. This Sunday sounded like a good time to share with her what he was considering doing.

The thought that she would tell him she couldn’t see him anymore made his heart ache like nothing he could have imagined. They’d only been dating a few weeks, but she’d gotten inside him so deep that he couldn’t imagine not having her in his life.

“Sadie, love.” Jillian knelt and hugged the puppy on the threshold of her home. “Just you wait—you’re going to have the time of your life with the McLeod rugrats.”

CJ grinned as he watched his girlfriend greet his dog before even saying hello to him.

Sadie licked Jillian’s cheek, and she giggled before rising and looping her hands around CJ’s neck. “I’ve missed you this week.”

He breathed in her honeysuckle scent as he nuzzled the top of her head. “You always smell so damn good.”

CJ raised his head and smiled at her as she tipped her chin up and met his gaze. “Then kiss me, fool.”

He chuckled and obliged. She tasted so sweet and delicious that he didn’t want to stop. When he did, she looked as out of breath as he felt.

Jillian picked up a covered bowl, and he took it from her and carried it onto the porch. “What’s in here?”

“German potato salad.” She locked the door behind her. “Everyone asks for it at family events, so I usually make it.”

“Sounds delicious.”

They walked down the porch steps of her home, Sadie chasing their heels. The dog’s herding instinct still had her trying to herd her people, too. He’d train her to stick to cattle, but she was bound to enjoy trying to round up the McLeod children today.

When Sadie was safe in her crate, and he and Jillian had buckled themselves in, CJ put the truck into gear and headed out of the neighborhood and on toward the highway.

“It’s been such a crazy week.” Jillian blew out her breath. “I love that it has been busy since opening day, so I’m not complaining.”

He glanced at her. “You’re one hell of a businesswoman.”

“I’m trying.” She smiled at him. “I know I’m a good accountant, so that helps. And I think coming from a large family makes it easier to talk to people.” She gave a little laugh. “Can’t hurt having lived in this community all my life, and our family is well known and well respected.”

“When it comes down to it, it’s all about you.” He looked from the road to her. “Own it.”

She gave him another smile and relaxed in her seat, and he looked back to the highway. “I really appreciate your support, CJ. It means a lot to me.”

He guided the truck onto the highway. “I say it like I see it.”

“Thank you,” she said quietly.

He got into the left lane to pass a tractor, which reminded him of the accident he’d come across and meeting the man named Dave Ross, who was probably Mindy’s ex. He hadn’t thought of either of them until now.

He pulled the truck back into the right lane as he mulled over the differences between the girl he’d known way back when and Jillian. Those differences seemed even stronger now that he’d gotten to know Jillian better, and she came out on top by a mile.

Jillian cut into his thoughts. “How was the auction?”

“I bought twenty-seven head of cattle.” He spotted the exit to the road that led to Carter’s ranch. “They’re being delivered later this week.”

“That’s great.” Jillian had a lilt of enthusiasm in her tone. “It’ll feel more like a ranch once you have your herd.”

He nodded. “It’ll be good to be back in business.”

“How big do you plan to build your operation?” she asked.

He kept his gaze focused on the road. Now wasn’t the time to tell her what he’d been considering doing. The time for that would be when they were at dinner alone or some other time when they were sitting together and relaxed. Not when they were driving and headed to spend time with her family.

When they finally drove up to Carter’s sprawling home, the parking lot was filled with close to ten vehicles.

“Is this all family, or are friends here, too?” CJ parked between a black truck and a red SUV.

“Our get-togethers are usually just family.” She flashed him a grin. “There are more than enough of us. There’s not much room to add too many to the equation.”

Carter’s Border Collie, Lucy, came out to meet them, her butt wiggling in greeting.

CJ opened Jillian’s door and helped her out, then let Sadie down.

Lucy barked, then sniffed Sadie, and the puppy scampered around, excited to meet another dog.

Sadie and Jillian walked with CJ as he carried the potato salad to the front door. Lucy took off around the side of the house.

The moment Jillian opened the door, the sound of laughter and chatter met their ears. She took the bowl from him, and he closed the door behind him before following her into the crowded kitchen.

“Hi, Mom.” Jillian set the bowl on the island and hugged a tall, slim woman with dark hair shot through with silver.

“You look as lovely as ever, Mrs. McLeod.” CJ extended his hand to her.

She beamed at him, ignored his hand, and hugged him. “You’re old enough to call me Julie, CJ.”

He grinned at her as they parted. “It’s good to see you.”

Jillian introduced her to Kit, Carter’s wife, a pretty woman with butterscotch-colored hair and moss-green eyes.

“Welcome, CJ.” Kit hugged him. “Carter has told me some interesting stories that involve you and Colt.”

CJ smiled. “Hopefully, not all the stories.”

“Probably not.” She motioned to identical twin girls. “Emily, Olivia, come meet your daddy’s old high school friend, CJ.”

The girls stood in front of him and one of the girls held out her hand, and she had an energetic, outgoing nature. “I’m Emily. Nice to meet you.”

He took her small hand in his. “Pleasure’s all mine, Emily.” He held out his hand to Olivia. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Olivia.”

Olivia looked more solemn as she shook his hand.

He straightened. “How old are you two?”

Emily promptly spoke up. “We’re eight.”

He smiled at Emily and then Olivia. “You are lovely young ladies.”

“Thank you,” Emily said.

Olivia nodded, then said, “Can I pet your puppy?”

“You sure can. Her name is Sadie.” He stepped aside.

The girls fell on the Aussie at once. Sadie wiggled her butt and licked their faces.

Emily and Olivia giggled.

Kit motioned to the French doors leading to the back porch. “Go on now and take the puppy outside where there’s more room. Your cousins would love to meet Sadie, too.”

“Can I help with anything?” Jillian asked Kit.

CJ followed the young girls and the puppy through the French doors and onto the back porch.

The next thing he knew, a passel of kids surrounded Sadie. Emily introduced him to five-year-old Jacob and his sister, two-year-old Karley, Justin and Miranda’s children. Then there was Bear and Rae’s three-and-a-half-year-old, Jeremiah, and Colt and Marlee’s daughter, Charlotte, who was almost two.

A composed and pretty girl he recognized as Kaycee from the rodeo introduced herself and her boyfriend, Tatum. “My Uncle Carter said you’re Aunt Jillian’s boyfriend.”

He smiled at Kaycee. “Congratulations on winning the barrel racing championship at the youth rodeo during the Spring Fling. Your aunt and I watched you race. You’re an excellent rider.”

Kaycee dimpled. “Thank you.”

CJ held out his hand to Tatum. “You are something else on bareback. Congrats on your win.”

Tatum gave a nod. “Thank you kindly, sir.”

“Call me CJ.” He released the young man’s hand. “What are your plans after graduation?”

“University of Arizona Rodeo Team.” Tatum put his arm around Kaycee’s shoulders. “The school offered scholarships to each of us.”

“Great job,” CJ told them. “After seeing you both ride, I’m not surprised.”

He talked with the pair a while longer about rodeo before Jillian joined them and also congratulated the pair.

“Colt is grilling.” Jillian nodded in that direction. “Come on and say hello.”

CJ and Jillian walked across the lawn, past a collection of picnic tables, to the grill, where Colt and Carter were talking. Wood smoke and the smells of the grilling steaks filled the air.

“The team is back together again.” Colt slapped CJ’s shoulder. “Been far too long.”

“Don’t know where the time has gone.” CJ took the beer that Carter handed him from a cooler.

Jillian waved away the beer Carter offered her. “Mom said she’s making margaritas, so I’m holding out for the good stuff.” She backed away. “Speaking of her, I’m going to see if she needs help.”

The can felt cold in CJ’s hands. He pulled the tab and took a healthy swallow.

“Marlee mentioned she met you at the fairgrounds during Spring Fling,” Colt said. “I hope you and Jillian will take us up on the offer to join us for dinner.”

“I’ll look forward to it.” CJ nodded. “While Jillian’s getting her business off the ground, Sundays are best.”

“We’re mighty proud of our little sister,” Carter said. “Always thought she was meant for bigger things.”

Colt raised his beer in agreement. “Jillian has a good head on her shoulders.”

CJ enjoyed catching up with his old best friends. “I’ve met your wives and kids, and you’ve done well for yourselves.”

“Can’t complain.” Carter smiled fondly in the direction of the children, who were still playing with the puppy. “Life’s been good to us.”

“I hear you’re getting your ranch up and running,” Colt said when Carter left to refill the ice chest with more sodas and drinks. “I haven’t heard the story about why you’re having to rebuild your parents’ operation.”

Trying to keep his temper in control, CJ explained about the foreman. Just speaking about what the bastard had done caused his scalp to burn.

“It’s a real shame.” Colt shook his head. “I hope your PI finds him, and you can recoup at least some of what you’ve lost.”

CJ shrugged. “By this time, I doubt it, but you never know.”

Jillian showed up at his side again. “Grandpa Daniel is here. Haylee and Tyson just brought him.” Jillian took his hand. “Come on and say hello.”

“Catch you later,” CJ said to Colt.

Jillian took CJ by the hand and led him to where her grandfather reclined in an Adirondack chair. Justin had given the elderly man a beer as they’d seated him.

Her heart twisted to see how much he’d aged over the past year. Her grandpa had always been larger than life. Now, he trembled when he walked, and his once steady hands shook. But he was still sharp and intelligent.

She took the chair on the elderly man’s right and rested her hand on his. “Grandpa, do you remember CJ Jameson?”

“I certainly do.” Grandpa Daniel started to rise to greet him.

“Don’t get up on account of me.” CJ took a seat on Grandpa’s left. “It’s good to see you, Mr. McLeod.”

Grandpa Daniel settled back in his chair. “Still in the service, young man?”

CJ shook his head. “Honorable discharge when I shattered both legs in a parachuting accident. So, I’m now getting my parents’ ranch back in business.”

“Admirable.” Grandpa gave a nod. “Your mama will be sorely missed. She was a lovely woman.”

“That she was.” CJ looked a little wistful. “I didn’t come back enough. Time always seemed to get away.”

Grandpa patted CJ’s hand. “Your mama was right proud of you.”

CJ smiled. “I’m a lucky man to have had parents like mine. Like your family is to have each other.”

“I’ve always counted myself as blessed many times over.” Grandpa gave a contented smile and patted Jillian’s hand this time. His touch was warm and dry. “My Jillian here is one of my greatest blessings.”

Jillian leaned over and kissed Grandpa Daniel’s cheek. “You do know you’re my favorite, don’t you?”

He chuckled. “How’s business going, pumpkin?”

“Great.” Jillian leaned forward, resting her folded arms on her knees. “Having learned integrity in everything I do from you is one of the most important lessons you taught me from a young age.”

Grandpa nodded. “Your sisters still giving you a hand?”

“Talk about blessings.” Jillian settled back in her chair. “Leeann and Haylee have both been there for me, and even my sisters-in-law have pitched in. I don’t know what I would have done without them. Business is going well enough that I’m going to hire an employee in addition to the young lady who does deliveries for me. I’ll start interviewing this week.”

“I’m not surprised you’re doing such a fine job,” Grandpa said.

Kaycee approached and smiled. “Hi, Great-Grandpa. I’ve been sent to fetch you all for dinner.”

“My belly’s been hollerin’ since I got here.” Grandpa started to push himself out of his chair, and CJ hurried to assist him.

After seating Grandpa at a picnic table, Jillian headed for the food. She passed a shorter picnic table where the kids who were old enough to eat on their own sat. Kaycee and Tatum sat at the same table as Justin and Miranda and their little ones. Kaycee often served as babysitter to many of the McLeod offspring. Jillian wondered how they were all going to manage without her once she went on to the university.

A large folding table had been erected and now brimmed with bowls of green salad, macaroni and potato salads, baked beans, relish trays, tortilla and potato chips, and platters of hot dogs, hamburgers, and steaks.

Jillian filled Grandpa’s plate and carried it to him, along with napkins and plastic utensils, before going back for her own. CJ got another beer while Jillian went for the pitcher of margaritas. After loading their own plates, they sat with Grandpa.

Bear and Rae joined them. Rae looked at their little Jeremiah who sat at the kids’ table. “He’s getting so big.” She turned back to everyone. “We decided to try for another. Not sure if we’ve waited too long, but he’s been such a handful.”

“That’s wonderful.” Jillian set down her fork. “Age gap isn’t a big deal. Look at our family.”

“I know.” Rae smiled. “It’s always good to see you all together.”

They laughed and chatted, and Grandpa Daniel told some of his tall tales that had them laughing.

When they were about finished, Tyson and Haylee stood. She looked so stunning and beautiful that Jillian knew what they were going to announce before Haylee got it out.

“We’re going to have a baby,” Haylee said to cheers and shouts of congratulations. When it died down, she added. “He or she is going to be a Christmas baby.”

“The best Christmas gift I can imagine,” Tyson said as he rested his arm around Haylee’s shoulders. “Other than my beautiful wife.”

More cheers until the couple returned to their seats.

Jillian’s dad, Joe, stood and raised his hand. “Now, for the reason we are all here.” He gestured to Grandpa Daniel. “To the finest man I’ve ever known, my dad.”

Applause and shouts of agreement from all around. Then Kit and Julie came through the French doors, carrying a huge cake that Kit had baked, and Julie had decorated. On top were two candles in the shapes of nines.

Everyone broke out singing “Happy Birthday, dear Grandpa,” and more cheers as the cake was set in front of him. He paused only a moment before he blew them out.

“What did you wish for, Great-Grandpa?” Emily asked.

Grandpa smiled. “I have lived a long life, and right here, I have everything a man could wish for surrounding him. My wish is for you to have all that I have been fortunate enough to be gifted with.”

A tear rolled down Jillian’s cheek. His words made her realize even more how much she’d been blessed with in her relatively short life. She saw CJ watching her, and she turned to him and smiled. And now she had a man she was head-over-heels in love with, and all that she could desire was to have him in her life forever.

Smiling, he put his hand over hers, and she wondered if he felt the way she did.

She turned to her grandpa, who beamed as Kit gave him the first piece of cake. It was red velvet, his favorite, and Jill’s.

“I love you, Grandpa,” she said.

He patted her shoulder. “I love you, my darling Jill.”

Her chest tightened as she saw how tired he was, how much this party had already taken out of him.

Then he sat up straighter and smiled, and she saw a ghost of the vibrant man he’d once been.

She leaned over, hugged him, and breathed in his Old Spice cologne scent before parting and smiling at CJ. He rested his arm around her shoulders, and warmth traveled through her, giving her a sense of happiness and peace.